Used to Be

This is my brother, mother and me in about 1971 on Thanksgiving Day. (The photo was taken by my dad.) That was one year it was just "us." If we could, we usually traveled from Indiana to Tennessee to gather with my dad's people, but some years we gathered with my mom's sister and her 5 kids. Thanksgiving was always my favorite holiday. I had less worries about what was going to happen, it just covered a few days instead of being over a couple weeks, and we got to eat amazing food.

When I grew up, I got to host my own Thanksgiving dinners where I would have 50+ family and friends in my home. I loved it. I also loved the years we had Thanksgiving with my husband's extended family. No worries or family drama--just a good time! One year when I was pregnant with Son #1 (he was born in January so I was quite large,) we gathered at my husband's Aunt Gladys' and Uncle George's house in Kokomo. Their house wasn't very big but the usual crowd was there. There were people in every room eating the sumptuous feast.(They were good cooks!) It was great. For entertainment Aunt Lola got out the family films and we watched (thankfully in black and white) as Grandpa Phil Small and his troops killed a hog. (Obviously they were farmers, not some sort of Lord of the Flies family. Sheesh.)

On the Monday following the good time I had a doctor's appointment. He asked me about our plans and was astounded at how many people were there. He asked me if we rented a hall. I had to laugh. Then I told him what kind of family films we had watched. Since he never said too much, I always wondered what he thought. (He had a strange look on his face.) But I was happy and healthy, so I suppose he didn't dwell too long on this patient.

Even in the worst years I would reflect on how thankful I was and I still loved Thanksgiving. It's a peaceful holiday.

This year was the first time that I had to struggle to find just what it is for which I'm thankful. But looking back and finding the pleasant moments was a start. I panicked just two days before because one of my cousins (she was my matron of honor in our wedding) had surgery for brain cancer. She's young, beautiful and doing important things. But even in the midst of thinking that this stinks! there were moments of thankfulness.

So, while I'm thankful for many things, I'm praying like mad for Annette. If you think of me, pray for her. And for that I'm thankful, too--I have people who will pray when I ask them to do so.

Heavenly Birth by Denise Taylor: A Mother's Journey, A Daughter's Legacy

Heavenly Birth by Denise Taylor



My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mom Denise Taylor journaled through the illness and death of her daughter, Jonnae, a witness to hope and the important lessons in life. Jonnae would say, "I get to" instead of "I have to," and this simple attitude in approaching life's struggles, gave her incredible strength. (And if you want the purple armband,"I GET TO," they are available.)



Jonnae's example and legacy is how to really live, think, and walk in faith when on the ropes. This book truly uplifts the reader even while you experience the emotional and physical pain along with Jonnae, Denise and their loved ones. Moments of humor and deep insight are hallmarks of this book. You will find quotes to uplift you in your own times of trial. Reading this book will give you tools for courage in your own situations.



There have been a lot of books written, both fiction and nonfiction, about cancer and death, but this book is one that will help readers understand, and find truth and faith in the journey.



It's one I recommend to anyone--you will grow and then, stand up and cheer when Jonnae finally is born "in heaven," even as it makes you cry.



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Cara Putman: Love Inspired Suspense Trial by Fire

Cara Putman talked this week on Steeple Hill's Love Inspired Suspense books' site about her writing journey, and how she does it. And that's not an easy thing--how she writes amidst all else she does. She's a wife, mom to 3, homeschooler, attorney, university instructor, friend, daughter, sibling, ACFW advocate, active in her church AND a published author. I'm sure I'm missing something that she does in addition all those roles!


Do check out Trial by Fire at eharlequin's Love Inspired Suspense line of Steeple Hill.

Trial by Fire by Cara Putman



My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love reading Love Inspired Suspense and Cara Putman doesn't disappoint me with this latest offering.



If you read her first story in this series, you will recognize a few of the characters, but this book can also stand alone. Deputy county prosecutor Tricia Jamison is trying to move forward and help as many people as she can, but the domestic violence cases pile high.



When arsonist fires break out all over town, including the first at her mother's house, she knows she will have to get help from fire fighter, Noah Brust. Of course, Noah's deceased dad's fire fighter reputation was questioned due to Tricia being unable to protect him, and Noah was shredded on the witness stand a year ago.



Tension runs high and the fire investigations bring the two ever closer together and ever closer to the arsonist.





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Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time is an old way to start a story. Trite and tried. Familiar and full of expectations, but depending on who is doing the telling, you can't expect every author's twists and turns. There is a hope with the beginning being "once upon a time."

That is what I look for when I'm reading someone else's story. I look for a different voice, a different perspective, even if it may be the same ol' place or the same ol' time span. How many ways can you tell a love story?

Last night I saw 27 Dresses for the first time. Ok. The format is very familiar to me. I told my husband that it was like reading a Harlequin romance. High concept and somewhat predictable. Still, I loved it, just because I knew no matter how bad things were going to get, it would somehow turn out all right. And I loved all those dresses. What silliness and fun.

Do you have a familiar old story that you go back to over and over? Characters you want to revisit? A favorite genre? Or do you like to mix it up?

Tell me your favorite stories--the ones you go back to when you need comfort.

Linore Rose Burkard

I read Linore's first two books in this series, Before the Season Ends and The House at Grosvenor Square. They are Christian Regency books and capture you to take you away.

Linore is so knowledgeable about the time period and has quite a lot of information on her web site, too. She includes a glossary in each book, which I appreciate. Because she writes so well the meanings are self-explanatory in context,so you aren't flipping back and forth much.

Ready for high tea? But there are also quite a lot of hijinks in her books, too! If you love Pride and Prejudice and Mr. Darcy, well, you will probably like Linore's books, too. Fun!

Walking the Talk in Texas

There's a high school in Texas where they walk the talk. This story deserves to be passed around.

Review of the Book: Find Your Strongest Life by Marcus Buckingham

Find Your Strongest Life: What the Happiest and Most Successful Women Do Differently by Marcus Buckingham


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really, really liked the things he had to say in this book, and I took the free test on his web site. Discovering my strengths, though, was a bit of a journey. I had to take the test a few times in order to realize how I would REALLY react to the situations presented. After reading what he said in the book, I soon found what really represented my true self. That was the first step.

Then, I went back and reread the book with my information/results of the test. My only complaint with the book was that I needed more information on my particular profile and how to implement this knowledge. I still am not sure how to practically find my moments of strength, though I'm quite motivated to do so.

I don't know if by reading some of his other books that I can then find practical ways to come into my strongest life, or not. But I'm anxious to learn more.

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The Strong Life Test for Women

I took this test put out by Marcus Buckingham and then bought the book(Thomas Nelson) While reading the book, it became apparent to me that maybe I had not answered the questions according to how I REALLY would act, so I retook the test. I really thought about these questions and just how I would react or choose. This time I came up with a totally different outcome. So, wanting to make sure the test outcome was valid for me, I took it days later (so I wouldn't remember the previous answers.) This time my results were the same as the second time. Going back to read the book again, these results seemed to make me relax. I saw that it was more in line with the moments in my life when I felt strong.

Here are my results. What were your results? (Women only at this time.)

YOUR
LEAD ROLE
TEACHER

You begin by asking:
'What can she learn from this?'
Your focus is instinctively toward the other person. Not her feelings, necessarily, but her understanding, her performance, her skills.
Your best quality:
Your faith in the others’ potential
Always:
Tailor your style to each student
Be careful you:
Don’t come to believe that everyone is capable of everything
Your smartest career move:
Any job where you’re paid to facilitate the success of others.


Your
Supporting Role
Creator

You begin by asking:
'What do I understand?'

You aren’t immune to the feelings and perspectives of others, but your starting point is your own insight, your own understanding.

Your best quality:
Your ability to find patterns invisible to others

Always:
Find time to be by yourself

Be careful you:
Don’t think so long, you never do anything

Your smartest career move:
Any job where you’re paid to produce new content.

What made me realize this was more accurate was the "Be careful" parts to both. I can think tooooo long. I also think ANYONE can have potential and it sometimes takes me thinking too long to realize that there are a lot of things which must line up in a person for them to learn something.

Now, what were your test results? Do you think it was accurate? If you think it might be off, then try answering the questions again and see what happens. Wait a couple weeks and then retake the test.

And while I really like what this book has to say, I wish that it gave me more practical tips on how to get into my strengths and what I should be doing to make my life strong NOW.