A Place to Belong by Lauraine Snelling {Book Review}

Cassie Lockwood is on the search for independence. When Cassie's parents died, she found out that she owned part of a ranch. She is living with the other owners of the ranch, but she wants to be able to support herself. However, she has no idea about ranch life. 

I love the determination and desire of Cassie to learn new things. I need a little ore of her spunk! Nothing was outside of her range to try. Plus she was going to be successful at what she set out to do. 

Sometimes, I feel like I haven't quite found my exact place in life. Cassie was there, and determined to find her place. I need to be determined to keep trying until I do find my place in life. 

Thanks to Bethany House for allowing me to read this great book.

Linked up to Reading List. 

Goals: Week of May 13th

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I was blessed recently by a comment left on the blog. I am amazed that someone can be such an encouragement from half way across the world. Pascaline said

 "I really like how you plan your goals every week.. I started read your blog few month ago (from france, i'm french) and you inspire me to start planning the important things i want to do or create, as i usually finish to do nothing.

Hope you will start to blog again soon."

My husband and I recently went to Panama on a missions trip, and I have just not made the time for blogging since I have gotten back. I have found though that not coming up with goals, I have just kinda floated on what I would like to do. I need to get back to doing some things a little more on purpose.

I am back to posting my goals for the week.

1. Exercise- 5 days of crunches, push ups, and squats. 3 walks.
2. Organize spices
3. Set up a facebook page for the farmer's market
4. Blog book review on A Place to Belong
5. Clean porch
6. Clean windows
7. Iron clothes- I need some more lessons from my husband on this one :)

Pascaline, I would love to hear what your goals are for this week. 

Icecutter's Daughter by Tracie Peterson {Book Review}

Thinking back to lit classes in high school and college, I think about how I was taught discern a book by how characters who did right and wrong were portrayed. The characters in this book who did right were rewarded. Those who did wrong, were not rewarded. Although they were graciously given a second chance. 

Rurik was determined that he was not going to get married simply because others wanted him to. He did not want to treat his wife without the proper love. What a great example of putting someone before yourself. Rurik's patience and determination paid off in the end when he got exactly what God had in store for him.

Thanks to Bethany House for allowing me to read this book. I would highly recommend others to read this book 

Firefly Island by Lisa Wingate {Book Review}

A book that includes people who are not perfect. Everyone in this book had their fair share of struggles that they chose to work through. Realistic? Yes! 

The setting of this book was very current. Almost like it was written by the young adult that the book is about. I felt like I was sitting down with a peer and hearing about their experiences. Adventure was laced throughout the book and I felt like I was right there with the adventure. 

God also knows exactly what we need when. I needed to remember that I am not perfect, and that I needed to plug along and do my best. I think that I will need to be reminded of that a few more times over the years :)

I am thankful to Bethany House for allowing me to read this great book!

Learning to Love by Heidi & Rolland Baker {Book Review}

I was excited about getting into reading this book, but all I felt like the author focused on was that she was charismatic. Most of the things that were shared were things that only charismatic people would believe God would be actively doing today. 

Every person that they came into contact with who were blind or deaf were healed. Do I believe that God won't do those things? No. But I don't think that every person will be healed. 

Maybe you disagree with me. This area is something that I have been questioning. Am I limiting God by saying that He can't do these things? Or are these people using these stories just as a means to make some money?

I would love to hear Biblical proof for why you believe what you do on God's healing and how He is involved in healing today. 

Thanks to Chosen Books for allowing me to read this book.

Miracle for Jen by Linda Barrick {Book Review}

Apprehension was what I first thought when I picked up this book, but as I read through, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Prayers were answered constantly throughout this book. Oh wait, God promises that He will answer our prayers doesn't He?

"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." (John 14:13-14)

The Barricks were praying that their Daughter would be able to function completely like she had before she had her accident, but God had other plans. He did not answer their prayers as they were hoping, but He did answer their prayers in great ways.

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us," Eph 3:20

I am amazed how much Jen, the daughter, was dedicated to using her life to glorify God. She didn't care that her life wasn't back to perfect because she was able to use her life now to the fullest for God.

Bethany house has been great in providing books for me. If you are interested in signing up and have a blog, go here to fill out the form.

Goals: Week of March 18th

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Confession time. I am totally putting off that chair back. It is to a point that it won't be to bad, but I am still putting it off. I think that I am afraid of the final look. I just need to do it :) 

How did you do last week at getting your projects worked on? I need to quit using weather as an excuse from getting out and running!

Last weeks goals:

1. Push ups and crunches 5 days. Run 2 days
2. Hem pants
3. Sew chair back
4. Taxes- Close to being done. Just need to finish up and submit
5. Visit Grandma- she had surgery today
6. Clean up branches- I want to roast hot dogs and marshmallows over an open fire!
7. Sell vanilla on my facebook page- you will have to come check it out on Friday night. 

This weeks goals:

1. Push ups and crunches 5 days. Run 2 days
2. Fix pictures on blog. I deleted all previous ones. Ugh. Never go through and delete a picasa album that is attached to your blog. Lesson learned.
3. Read Learning to Love
4. Finish crocheting headband
5. Register my car
6. Chair back
7. Giveaway- I am giving these 2 great skeins of yarn away on my facebook page.