Better Than Our Dreams

I thought this quote was worth sharing especially since it applies to all areas of life. : )

 

"Some people warn girls against making an idol out of marriage. We can certainly make idols of anything--but we girls don't so much make an idol out of marriage as we do out of our own expectations, our own way, our own desires. Marriage is not the problem, and an emphasis on marriage is not the problem. The problem is when we don't view the life that God has given us as being better than our dreams--because we don't see God's mind as being better than ours. How much you love God's handiwork in your life--trials, challenges, and all--is an indication of how much you love God. And we don't mean how warm and spiritual you feel when you're singing praise and worship songs; we mean how much you love and delight in Who He actually is and what He actually does. As R.J. Rushdoony says, 'Reality reflects the mind of God, not man.' God is revealing Who He is in the circumstances He creates for us, in the way He crafts us, in the families He places us in. If you really love God, you will love what He does in your life."

~from It's (Not That) Complicated by Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin

(ch. 13 "Not Another Chapter on Contentment", pg. 231) 

Book Review: Unbroken

"Difficulties arise at Triple Creek Ranch when Orlena, Norman Mavrich’s spoiled, pampered younger sister comes to live with her brother and his wife. The move is much against Orlena’s wishes, and she doesn’t hesitate to let everyone know it. Time and again Mr. and Mrs. Mavrich are driven to their knees to find strength to face another day. Join the young ranch boss, Norman Mavrich, his sweet wife, Jenelle, and the rest of the members of Triple Creek Ranch as they strive to be examples of Christ to the unbroken newcomer."

This is the other book I picked up at the OCEANetwork Homeschool Convention's Homeschooled Authors table. I do judge books by their covers, and this book owned a well-done and quite appealing one. I was also really excited by the rumor that this was a non-violent western (which are so hard to find!); so I decided to bring it home with me, and I haven’t regretted my decision one bit!

The Setting:

This story was set on a ranch in the Midwest. I loved all the mentions of the cattle and the beautiful horses, and its description of ranch life seemed both realistic and interesting to me. : ) The illustrations are just fabulous and really bring to life the world of cowboys and prairies.

The Storyline:

The storyline was really great! I loved watching the journey of the Mavrichs and of their younger sister as well. The plot is cleverly twisted throughout the book, and one would have never guessed how the climax was being set up with an encounter extremely early on in the story! Lessons in controlling a temper and loving difficult people, as well as a clear Gospel presentation, were integrated into the book.

The Characters:

The characters were delightful, at least the ones that were supposed to be. : ) I very much enjoyed Mr. and Mrs. Mavrich, and their relationship was a beautiful reminder of how wonderful marriage can be under Christ’s headship. Mrs. Mavrich was sooo sweet, and Mr. Mavrich was awesome in his own way! : ) I also enjoyed Mrs. O’Conner and their cast and (more importantly) crew of considerate ranch hands including Hardrich, St. John, and Hearter. Orlena was definitely not the protagonist, but she was very real and at some points one could almost understand (definitely not agree with) her.

The Concerns:

Parents should have caution in considering this book for younger readers because of some things that Orlena says in her arguments with her brother. Also, although the marriage relationship between two of the main characters is very sweet and godly, some parents may not want younger readers to read this yet because there is a lot of married kissing throughout the book. : )

I found this book so fabulous! The marriage relationship was sweet, the characters and setting felt very real, the lessons were wonderful, and the story was one of loving difficult people and leaning on God! A must read. : ) I'm looking forward to reading the second and third books in the series!

My Camp Adventure!!!

We started off for camp just after lunch time (or what should have been but we were busy packing) with a van full to the top and loads of excitement to boot!

The crazy trio! Do you see those mattresses and couch cushions behind us? Paul got to share a seat with them!

Isn't she gorgeous? And I just love the other people in the picture too.

Looks like New England or something else cute!

That famous bridge! I wonder how many pictures of it have been taken. : )

Guess who? We kept ourselves entertained.

Best friends reunited!

We had the nicest neighbors!

This is what I did the most at camp and enjoyed the most too! I loved all the little kids that were hanging around, especially one little girl who decided to fall asleep on me during campfire time! : ) That tent and pavilion were loaned to us by some awesome friends--without them we wouldn't have been able to do this!

Paul and Tyler had so much fun together during the weekend!

Doesn't he look dangerous? (Besides the fact that his helmet isn't exactly authentic.)

The ladies were watching the tournament with great glee. : )

Soccer and the lake behind it were the highlights of camp. Unfortunately, some people did get hurt playing, but my brother-in-law Tyler knows first aid and was able to help them. : )

My favorite player. : ) He was so amazing at kicking balls even if he didn't get to officially play in the game. : )

Cleaning up after the weekend.

I'm so grateful that we got to hang out with this beautiful community of believers! The games were fun and hilarious, the teaching was insightful and sometimes hilarious, and the fellowship was marvelous and hilarious! Thank you to everyone who made this weekend possible--especially my parents! : )

Fun Writing Quotes

I really enjoyed these quotes, especially the one about doing dishes! : )

http://word-painters.blogspot.com/2014/07/10-quotes-about-writing.html

Faux Family Feud

Now that's what I call an awesome prop! The building has been leaning ever since a tree hit a few winters ago. We're still wondering when it will finally fall over. : )

Nomination Sweeps the Nation!

I've been nominated for the Liebster Award by my friend Elanee from www.elaneesendeavors.blogspot.com. Thanks so much for including me in this, Elanee, it looks like fun!   

The Liebster Award exists to help bloggers get to know each other and spread the word about your blog and the blogs you love!

Here are the Liebster Award rules:

Acknowledge the blog that nominated you. 

Answer the 11 questions the nominating blogger created. 

List 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers that deserve some recognition. 

Write 11 questions for them to answer. 

Notify them that they have been nominated. 

Here are the questions Elanee asked me to answer:
1. What's your favorite book of the Bible and why?
Probably Isaiah. The prophecies about Jesus are spread so amazingly all through it! Ruth and Esther are really good to, and I recently fell in love with the book of Nehemiah.

2. What person has made the most impact on your life so far? 

Mommy. 'Nuff said. : )

 

3. What do you hope to do for a living? 

Be a mommy.

 

4. What is the quality you most admire in your best friend? 

That He is always there for me, gave His life, and rose again to give me new life.

 

5. What do you look forward to most in the future? 

Being a wife and mommy.

 

6. If life was to end right now, how would your family remember you? 

Probably as a quirky person who likes to make their Sunday afternoon snack and make up nonsensical poetry.

 

7. What do you do each day to make a difference for the future? 

Try to love people. I'm currently learning to see them the way God does.

 

8. What's your favorite sport and why? 

Capture-the-Flag!!!! (If that counts as a sport.) I'm able to play defense and my brother-in-law makes the world's best team captain, so that's why I like it.

 

9. How many Bible verses have you memorized? 

I'm guessing 20. : )

 

10. What do you hope to accomplish before you die?

Being a wife and a mommy and publishing at least five more books. : )

 

11. When was the last time you prayed? 

Last time I can remember specifically is at church this morning.

 

 

I nominate...

Sadie of Irishragamuffin's Li'l Sister

Kelby of His Farm Girl

David of God's Country Boy

Holly of Noble Novels

Amber of Our Family-Behind the Scenes

And I know that's not eleven, but that's all I can think of. : )

 

 

And here are your questions to answer!

1. What's your favorite book of the Bible and why? 

2. What two books (besides the Bible) have impacted you the most? 

3. What do you do to help yourself stay grateful?

4. Chocolate or vanilla?

5. What do you plan to do when you grow up? (Or if you already are grown up, you can say what you are doing.) : )

6. If life was to end right now, how would the world remember you? 

7. What are your favorite given names?

8. What's your favorite sport and why? 

9. What is your favorite season?

10. Country or city?

11. What skill would you most like to learn?

 

So, there you are! Have fun everyone!

 

 

Book Review: Adventures and Adversities

A couple weeks ago, I had the privilege of helping market a total of 23 titles written by 18 homeschooled authors. It was an awesome experience spending time with my older sister and learning to be friendlier with people I don't know. : ) And, of course, I had to bring one of those amazing books home. (Two of them actually.) I read the first one Adventures and Adversities in a day and a half. : ) The cover isn't the most appealing or highest quality I have ever seen, but don't let this turn you off from reading the delightful story author Sarah Holman has crafted just for you. IT WAS AWESOME!

The Setting:

This story was setting in the fictional medieval kingdom of Taelis. After a time of upheaval in their government, serfs are being sent to serve the new king by building his castle. I found it really interesting how the author managed to give her fictional kingdom a feel of authenticity. Reading it one almost felt as if this were really history. (Characters did come in contact with actual historical things such as the Vikings and Gaul.) Mentions of clothing and customs seemed historically accurate enough to me. : )

The Storyline:

The storyline was so amazing! There were some loose ends, but I'm convinced that those are set up for the next book. (Hooray!) All the way through the characters had to learn to be grateful, to trust God, and to have faith. (There were also some really good thoughts about grieving.) It was such a cool story--a real page-turner at some points!

The Characters:
The characters were delightfully real. The reader either extremely hates the characters or loves them to pieces! I, of course, like Alditha. She was such a sweet character, but not too perfect either! The lessons she had to learn really spoke to me as I read about them. The Captain was such a complicated, conflicted, and loyal character! I found him very real and very intriguing. Alditha's friends (to name a few--Marian, Eleanor, Maggie, Gregory, and so on) made a great "supporting cast". Two other characters that I really enjoyed were the honorable stable boy William and the insightful hermit/priest.

The Concerns:

Parents should have caution in considering this book for younger readers because of some mild romance (all friendship based with marriage in view and the utmost purity) and medieval torture. SPOILER ALERT--the penalty for stealing is the loss of a right hand which almost happens to one of the characters. Ick! (Everything turns out fine, but it is really tense for a while there.) Also, political usurpers talk about murdering the royal children in their beds which also doesn't end up happening. Ick again!

I found this book so fabulous! The romance was sweet, the characters and setting were very real feeling, the lesson were wonderful, and the story was compelling! Not to be missed!