Love Unending

A 21-day journey to remember daily why you first fell in love.
Tremendous freedom is found when we start each day without a yesterday hanging over our heads. This book invites you to wake up daily acting and thinking toward your husband as if there was no yesterday to overcome--as if there were no hurts or offenses, and no record of right or wrong. As you complete 21 daily challenges, you ll be reminded of how you felt and acted when you first fell in love. As you remember what you did and how you felt in those early days, you ll see that to keep love from ending, sometimes you have to go back to the beginning.
This book isn't just for those with struggling marriages. It is for anyone who wants to fall in love again with the person they have already chosen for life."

My thoughts: I needed this book! I knew, when I saw it come up for review on blogging for books, that I would enjoy it, since I loved her book on being a mother. This book works as an excellent reminder to focus on the good and remembering the love you felt for your spouse when your love was young. Marriage can change your relationship so much, but it doesn't have to be that way.
It's funny how I kind of burnt myself out on marriage books when my husband and I were first married, so I didn't pick up any for the last several years. Now that we have been married for over five years, I feel like it is a good season to refresh my thoughts on marriage.;) So, whether you are newlyweds or been married for ages, or somewhere in the middle, then this is an excellent book for you. Though, the newlyweds may wind up putting this book on the bookshelf for a few years.;)
I received this book from Blogging for books in exchange for my honest review.

Take ten: Audio

Top ten books I would like to listen on audio:

1. Les Miserables

This one is on my list of classics that I need to get to. It would be the perfect audio to take on a cross country road trip.;)

2. Our Mutual Friend

Another story I have enjoyed, but haven't actually read. (BBC radio drama has a great version of this!)

3. In Between

Because her stories are cute, of course!

4. On the Loose


5-12. Harry Potter

I think the audio would be fun to listen to with this series! I also really like the cover of this one.;)

I'm not really one to listen to audio books, since my mind likes to wander too much, but it would be nice to get into the habit of listening to more while working on projects around the house or when driving. When I drove a lot for work, I would listen to the BBC radio dramas, which are a lot of fun. As are some of the Focus on the Family radio dramas (I love their Chronicles of Narnia!).

Commit to bring your Bible to school October 6

Celebrate religious freedom with other students across the U.S. on October 6—Bring Your Bible to School Day! Students from kindergarten to college will be bringing their Bibles to school and sharing God with their friends in just a few short weeks. Sign up to be a part of the movement to protect religious freedom for future generations.




By signing up, you’ll receive a free guide with tips, downloadable posters, sticker and T-shirt designs, information on your legal rights, and other fun, interactive activities.




You’ll also be automatically entered for a chance to win a free trip for four to hear the Newsboys, an award-winning Christian music band, in Dallas!

Plus Bring Your Bible to School Comes to Adventures in Odyssey

 

Getting used to a new school isn’t easy, especially for someone as paranoid as Buddy Norman. In “A Predicament of Biblical Proportions” he envisions wacky worst-case encounters with townsfolk who seem like mobsters, snoops and fairy-tale tyrants—until he gets to know them. He’s also a little confused about Bring Your Bible to School Day. What’s it about? Should he participate? See Odyssey through Buddy’s eyes in this witty celebration of religious freedom.




Listen to this story through a two-week trial only on the Odyssey Adventure Club.

Earth Psalms

Millions of readers have been transformed and inspired by Francine Rivers’ bestselling novels Redeeming Love and A Voice in the Wind. Now, in this weekly devotional, the beloved author invites you to join her in seeking the Creator through the marvelous natural world we live in. Francine shares observations she’s gathered over a lifetime of exploring―abroad and in her own backyard―and reflects on how they might apply to your daily life. What do the majestic redwoods, the persistent woodpecker, or a glorious sunrise reveal about our artistic and generous God? How could that change your outlook or the way you handle adversity?

Stunning photography, Scripture excerpts, applications, and prayers accompany Francine’s reflections, inspiring you to be encouraged. Be challenged. Be comforted. God’s power is immense; His attention to detail in precise; His love for you is vast and unfailing. The proof is all around you.

My thoughts: Having read quite a few of Francine Rivers fiction stories, I was interested to get this devotional and read something very different by her. I've enjoyed it immensely! I love the weekly devotions that tie nature and scripture together with her beautiful thoughts and photography! I love the variety of topics that are covered in the book, from prayer to protection, faithfulness to living waters. I also like that each devotion is accompanied by thoughts to reflect on, things to apply, and a scripture to connect with God. This book would make a beautiful gift for a friend or loved one, since it is a lovely hardcover book.
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

God Bless Us Everyone

Charlene Dixon—called Charlie by family and friends—is devastated at the recent loss of her job.

For the last five years, the twenty-seven-year-old has blossomed as the activities director of an exclusive all-girls school. But when a misunderstanding with the headmistress leads to a pink slip right before the holidays, Charlie packs up her dreams and returns to her grandmother, Sis, who raised Charlie as her own in the mountains of North Carolina.

When Charlie arrives—broken and confused—Sis immediately puts her granddaughter to work behind the scenes of the local school’s Christmas play, A Christmas Carol. Charlie prickles at working with Dustin Kennedy, the drama teacher and her old crush from schooldays, but is even more put out at that the choice of the Dickens’ classic for the holiday performance. When she discovers her estranged father’s involvement her world turns on its head once more. But when Sis and Dustin encourage her to take a deeper look at the story behind A Christmas Carol, Charlie learns about trust, faith, and forgiveness and the needs of people in their own community.

My thoughts: This novella is a fun way to get ready for the holiday season! (though, I am not really ready to get into the Christmas spirit just yet. I do enjoy listening to Christmas carols year round, so I suppose reading this book isn't that different. lol. And, I still enjoyed it, despite the a/c still running) It is the sweet, modern day story of a young woman who's life begins to parallel Charles Dickens A Christmas Story. I loved the themes of love, forgiveness, and learning to live in the present, despite change.
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

The Low Pressure Guide to Parenting Your Preschooler

The Low-Pressure Guide to Parenting Your Preschooler is brilliantly written to liberate parents from the expectations of having to be super-parents. It relieves the pressure to follow long lists of rules, to be perfect, and to be enslaved by the idea that, “If you don’t do this, your kids will turn out terribly.” This book shows parents that it’s really not their job to make sure their child turns out “right.” Instead, the author encourages parents to learn the much simpler and more rewarding role God has for them. This book . . .

Assists parents in recognizing the difference between controlling and influencing actions when it comes to raising preschoolers.
Provides a four-quadrant grid that visually clarifies what parents can and can’t control and what they are and aren’t responsible for when it comes to interacting with their child
Distills the mountain of parenting advice and material down to four overarching principles that are clear and doable

The Low-Pressure Guide to Parenting Your Preschooler makes the job of parenting simpler and reduces the stress parents feel when it comes to parenting.

My thoughts: We put so many pressures on ourselves when parenting, since we want what we think is best for our kids and hope that they will turn out perfect. This book was an excellent reminder for me that we are all imperfect creatures, but that God knows that about us and loves us anyways. So, I, as a parent, need to have some grace for both myself and my children. This book has so many excellent points. I really needed to read this one! I appreciated the reminder not to get caught up in the small details, but to enjoy this phase. The good, the bad, and the ugly.;) This book is not about letting your kid run amok, but about learning what is important and what can be let go. I highly recommend this book for parents of preschoolers!
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

Take Ten: favorites from a specific genre

I figured I would feature my very favorite Christian historical fiction, since I seem to read a fair bit of it.;)

1. A Haven on Orchard Lane


2. An Elegant Facade


4. Chivalrous


5. Harvest of Rubies


6. Anchor in the Storm


7. The Reluctant Duchess


8. A Refuge at Highland Hall


9. The Sea Keeper's Daughter


10. Maggie Bright