The Storm Before the Calm....

The Storm Before the Calm...

Yes, I know, that wording is totally backwards, but we all know that there is usually one more huge snow (The Storm) before winter begins its decline into a wonderfully, warm spring (The Calm)

I feel in the recent years that my body and mind are finally getting used to the cold and snowy weather. For anyone who knows me, they know that I am a warm weather person all the way...give me a beach and some flip flops and I am in heaven! Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, life, we are living in PA. A place where winter teases us every year with the hopes that we will not face being snowed in....thought we had Mother Nature on our side this year...and then last night happened!

I need some shades...and not for the reason I was hoping! 

All in all though, this is how God does his beautiful work...4 seasons, winter of which is not the best, but certainly is not the worst considering it is giving everything and everyone a break. 

So, I guess for now, I will enjoy my yard of white, the shade of purity....preparations for another new beginning....SPRING! 

Wordless Wednesday! Waiting for Warm Weather

Wordless Wednesday...Waiting for Warm Weather

When the Soul Mends by Cindy Woodsmall

When the Soul Mends by Cindy Woodsmall

Book Review: Returning to the home she fled in disgrace, will Hannah find healing for wounds of the past? 

After receiving a desperate and confusing call from her sister, Hannah Lapp reluctantly returns to the Old Order Amish community of her Pennsylvania childhood.

Having left Owl's Perch more than two years earlier, she finally has settled into a satisfying role int he Englischer world. Hannah has found love and a new family with the wealthy Martin Palmer and the children she is helping him raise; and her life-long dream of being part of the medical community is being realized. But almost immediately after her arrival, the disapproval of those who ostracized her, including her headstrong father, reopens old wounds. 

As Hannah is thrown together with former fiance' Paul Waddell to work for her sister Sarah's mental health, hidden truths surface about events during Hannah's absence, and she faces an agonizing decision. Will she choose the Englischer world and the man who restored her hope, or will she heed the call to return to the plain life--and perhaps to her first love. 

My Review: Cindy Woodsmall does it again!!! Immediately drawn into yet another Amish inspired book, this one being the Sisters of the Quilt, Book Three. The wonderful thing about these books are that you do not even have to read them order to know where everyone is coming from! Hannah Lapp has gotten used to the Englischer world after leaving the Old Order Amish community. She has fallen in love with a man, Martin Palmer, and his niece and nephew with whom she is helping raise. She receives a frantic call from her former home telling her that she must return quickly to help her sister Sarah. Once there, she finds herself back in touch with her former flame, Paul Waddell, who is helping work with Hannah's sister who has mental health issues. Will his help draw her back to him and leave all of those in the English world behind or will Hannah's wounds from a terrible past get in the way? A wonderful read!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see don't see the whole staircase-Martin Luther King Jr.

The Beauty of Believing...365 Devotions that Will Change Your Life

BOOK Review: The Beauty of Believing...365 Devotions that Will Change Your Life

"I received this book for free from BookLook Bloggers for this review”.

Book Review: Are you ready to blossom?

Faith is like a flower. In order to grow, it needs soil, water, and sun--food for the spirit. That's just what this devotional is: spiritual food to help your faith grow strong and beautiful. 

Featuring 365 days of wisdom from your favorite Faithgirlz! authors, this devotional offers pages of inspiration on everything from navigating friendships to taming the tongue and trusting God in everything, big and small. Growing up can be tough, but Jesus is guiding you every step of the way.

The Beauty of Believing combines the talents of Faithgirlz! authors Tasha K. Douglas, Mona Hodgson, Kristi Holl, Lois Walfrid Johnson, Allia Zobel Nolan, and Nancy Rue. Their world of wisdom will help your faith bloom and flourish as you grow into the girl God wants you to be. 

My Review: My daughter and I were so excited to receive this book! The cover leads you to a world of excitement even before you crack open the book! Colorful and fun! Although it will take us 365 days to get through these devotions, what we are reading now is awesome! Very easy to understand, put into terms that make a child want to read it! I, myself, cannot wait until bedtime....this is when my daughter and I sit down to read that days devotion. At that point, we have been through our day and are ready to read and discuss. Each of us feels better after reading these great devotions that are put into a story type of form. What fun for an 11 year old....and her mother too!!! If the authors were to put out the same type of book every year, I would, without a doubt, purchase it! Great book!!!!

Book Review: A Love Undone by Cindy Woodsmall

Book Review: A Love Undone by Cindy Woodsmall

"I received this BOOK FOR free from Blogging for Books for this review”.

BOOK Review: A husband and son abandoned to forge a path alone. A young woman who sacrificed her dreams. How will the God of grace and hope help them find their way?

At the age of nineteen, Old Order Amish Jolene Keim was on the brink of happily-ever-after when everything changed, stealing her future she expected and burdening her with an unbearable decision. For the next ten years, Jolene threw herself into family life--and then she meets Andy Fisher. The horse trainer and father to a sweet nine year old challenges her and holds up a mirror to issues Jolene has been unwilling to face.

Andy is cautious about his deepening friendship with Jolene, but he believes she knows the truth about him--that he is a grass widower. As a man whose wife abandoned him six years ago, he is unable to divorce or remarry according to the Amish ways. Andy wrestled with God concerning his reality and he had found peace with the solitary future facing him...until he met Jolene.

As Andy and Jolene find themselves confronted by difficult choices, will they trust in  God's guidance--or will the allure of their deepening friendship only lead to further temptation?

My Review: Being a Cindy Woodsmall fan, I was very happy to see another of her books ready to review! It couldn't have come at a better time either! Requested in the fall and arriving with a cover of Jolene pictured on a gorgeous cover of autumn colors; yellow, gold, red...breathtaking! The cover should always draw you in :) This is actually a branch of another book that has to do with this family that I once read about. What young Amish woman could bear a tragedy as big as this and be able to go on with her everyday life? This is Jolene's dilemma and puts her on the fence with a huge lifelong decision. Once she has chosen her life, everything she has known changes, but could it be for the better? Leading her in the direction of Andy Fisher, one that she does not realize is a grass widower, and can never divorce or remarry, she begins to develop very deep feelings. Andy feels he cannot return the feelings and keeps his distance, but can it be done? As the two become very close friends while working together, and become even closer...will they be able to continue on this path? A forbidden one? Anxious to find out? Buy this book!

Book Review: Best Party Book Ever!

BOOK Review: Best Party Book Ever

"I received this book for free from BookLook Bloggers for this review”.

Book Review: Let's Celebrate! Whether you're throwing you BFF a surprise party or hosting a last-minute sleepover with your friends, we have everything you need to pull off the perfect party.

From the editors of Faithgirlz! and Girls' Life magazine, this book shows you how to throw 14 amazing get-togethers from start to finish, including an adorable Easter brunch for your family, a just-because garden soiree for your girls and a Christmas cookie bake-off that's extra sweet. 

The best part? We'll spill the secrets on how to have fun as a hostess--from the moment you begin crafting those cute invitations to when you hug your buds goodbye. Our darling decor DIYs and tasty recipes are easy to whip up, and they give your parties a pretty, personal feel. 

You're on your way to planning the ultimate party and making memories with your best friends that will last long after they've polished off the cupcake

My Review: Fun!!! I was so excited to receive this book just based off of the cover alone! From Hostess Hints to Anytime Parties to Birthday Parties and everything in between...there are lots of great ideas for every party you could possibly want to throw. There are craft ideas, recipes, etc... Have a pet? There are party ideas for them too! Holidays? Covered! Everything is written up on a checklist so the book does it all for you! Have no time, but need some great ideas all down in front of you...get this book!