Children of the Promise

The Children of the Promise by Dean Hughes was wonderful!! I found myself reading and reading I finished the series in just a few weeks. It covers the time span of just before World War II broke out through the end of the war and some post war. Great history and interesting to see what the church did during that time.

It also had many gospel concepts that were great to reflect on and learn more about. Two that have stuck with me since I finished. First that I have a great heritage. In the books the father was constantly saying that we are Snow's & Thomas', we can do this, kind of stuff. It made me appreciate and think about what my heritage is and what my ancestors fought for so I can be were I am and have what I do. Also that I can do it! and I really believe that I can.
Second there was something that was said to Alex, the son, that applies to post war trauma, but I still liked it. They talked about taking small steps at a time. Decided what the next thing is in life and when that is accomplish go from there. I always have the tendency to try and plan out my entire life on earth, and we all know that doesn't work! As we complete one season of our life, following the guidance of the Lord, opportunities and situations we never could have imagined are opened to us. It has helped me tons! So my next plan for action in life is to support Don through this year of school. He is applying for PT school and once we know about that we can make some more decisions but there is no point in stressing myself about all that could be one day . . .

Anyway, loved the books. Yes, all of them.

Married for Better, Not Worse

Married for Better, Not Worse: The Fourteen Secrets to a Happy Marriage by Gary & Joy Lundberg

"Nearly every couple has some degree of difficulty in their marriage and most believe they are stuck with it. In too many marriages there is a spouse who has at some time thought "Wouldn't it be wonderful if he/she only..." In Married for Better, Not Worse, Gary and Joy Lundberg's husband-and-wife perspective addresses the different needs of men and women in sensitive, realistic, easy-to-understand advice that they are uniquely able to offer. In addition to having been married-and having raised five children-for more than forty-five years, the Lundbergs are the authors of the inspiring bestseller I Don't Have to Make Everything All Better, praised as "a magnificent book" by the authors of Chicken Soup for the Soul.
"Married for Better, Not Worse brims with fresh ideas, astute tips, and examples drawn from real-life couples' stories-including the Lundbergs' own. Their fourteen secrets cover everything from finances and parenting to communication and sex, from being each other's best friend to preserving a sense of humor and the surprising power of courtesy. Married for Better, Not Worse is the perfect prescription for healing hurts, enhancing communication, and achieving mutual emotional satisfaction. "

So this book is amazing!! It was a gift when we got married and I haven't read it until now. It is wonderful if you are struggling in your marriage or just looking to make it better. The one thing I learned from this is that surprise, surprise I am not perfect and changing me changes everything. The only person you can change is yourself. Working together with love and you got it R-E-S-P-E-C-T really works. Here are the secrets. I loved so many of then if you want to talk more with me about what I loved, or borrow the book, don't hesitate to call or e-mail.
1 - Return to the Beginning
2 - Keep Your Mate at the Top of Your List
3 - Be Each Other's Very Best Friend
4 - Focus on the Positive
5 - Appreciate the Differences
6 - Have a Sense of Humor!
7 - Enjoy Sexual Intimacy - Both of You
8 - Talk to Each Other
9 - Be Your Mate's Favorite Cheerleader
10 - Set Your Boundaries
11 - Raise Your Kids Together
12 - Manage Your Money in Harmony
13 - Nourish the Spiritual Side of Your Marriage
14 - Hold On Through the Hard Times

A Heart Like His

A Heart Like His by Virginia H. Pearce

"The ability to feel God's love doesn't just make life nicer or more comfortable-it changes everything. When filled with God's love, we can do and see and understand things that we cannot do and see and understand on our own. As our own hearts are softened by these blessings, our overriding desire becomes to help others experience this joy also. But how do we do that in the normal course of our everyday lives? Presented in the form of an experiment undertaken by eight friends, this step-by-step guide helps us discover the one change we can make within ourselves that will automatically increase our ability to feel the love of God and to extend that love to others."

After reading this I find myself recognizing my closed heart moments so much more. When we recognize them we can change them. It really makes a difference you should try it!

A Thousand Splendid Suns

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

"A Thousand Splendid Suns is a breathtaking story set against the volatile events of Afghanistan's last thirty years -- from the Soviet invasion to the reign of the Taliban to post-Taliban rebuilding -- that puts the violence, fear, hope and faith of this country in intimate, human terms. It is a tale of two generations of characters brought jarringly together by the tragic sweep of war, where personal lives -- the struggle to survive, raise a family, find happiness -- are inextricable from the history playing out around them.Propelled by the same storytelling instinct that made The Kite Runner a beloved classic, A Thousand Splendid Suns is at once a remarkable chronicle of three decades of Afghan history and a deeply moving account of family and friendship. It is a striking, heartwrenching novel of an unforgiving time, an unlikely friendship, and an indestructible love -- a stunning accomplishment."

After reading this very quickly so I wouldn't be sad for more than a day or two, I am beyond grateful to live in America. Words just don't say it, I am grateful to be able to be my own person and not have fear of expressing myself. Also if you ever are starting to pity the life that you have, or think your lot in life is too hard, maybe you should read this book. We have it sooooo easy. There were many bad things that happened to the women that were described. So I give caution to those of you who are tender at heart and sensitive to things, as I am. I do not think I will venture in reading The Kite Runner for a while just for this reason.

Buddha Wept

Buddha Wept by Rocco Lo Bosco

"Most literature devoted to the Cambodian holocaust argues that no real recovery is possible for survivors. Though this is certainly true for many, Rocco Lo Bosco's close friendship with a Cambodian survivor, coupled with his own beliefs and the teachings of Gurani Anjali, motivated him to create a strong and passionate counter-statement through Buddah Wept."

The Cambodian holocaust is one of the tragic things that happened in history. Even though it is tragic and very sad I find myself searching for answers and information on the subject. I guess more than anything I seek for understanding.
This book was not too graphic as I was worried it would be. It also ended on a positive note, very surprising considering the event at hand. Bosco is not the best at writing novels, he is a poet by trade, and that shows in the book. But still it was good in my opinion.
Her closing statement, the woman that survived the holocaust, was very powerful to me and has truth to it. I will share my favorite part although there were many good parts:
"Don't think the power of you is far away. It lies waiting just beyond your next thought, your next breath, your next heartbeat. It lies waiting silently in the the silence you cover up with the noise of your days and the dreaming of your nights. When you realize this power your heart becomes gentle. You express knowledge of it as non-violence.
"The greatest expression of knowledge is non-violence. The knower does not wish to harm any living thing in thought, word, or deed. Not because one is afraid to hurt. Not because one was told not to hurt. Not because it is the right thing to do. But because one knows that it is impossible to hurt another without harming one's relationship with one's own life."