Borneo Tom Guest Post

Journal of a Teacher in up to His Ears by Steven Verrier

Class Struggle takes you deep into the heart of San Antonio's "Webster High School," an institution that seems to revel in dysfunction. Told from the point of view of a bemused teacher, Class Struggle is a guided tour through the landscapes and minefields of modern urban education. Come along and meet intriguing characters - the brilliant student "on a quest to kill," the barking boy, the substitute teacher who won't shut up, and many others - who'll make you laugh, cry, and scream! This is a book you won't want to put down ... whether you're a student, a parent, a teacher - or just someone who loves roller coaster rides.
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Strangely enough, this book reminded me why I wanted to be a teacher. I have wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. This book was insightful and shines a light on one of the most important jobs that is so underpaid. A person that become a teacher is obviously not doing it for the money lol.

There were parts in this book that were just plain funny...like Stevens' journal entry about a male student who had a piece of cardboard; the student was pretending it was a cell phone and walk 'using his cellphone' during class.

Then there were the moments when Steven is talking about all he feels he does is grades papers and other fun teacher jobs...lol....something for me to look forward to lol.
All in all, this was a quick, fun and easy read. I would recommend it. Especially to parents who have kids in school, and to kids so they can get a different perspective on their teachers and teachers in general. Teachers deserve more respect, they are educating our future.  


I think the cover for this book is very fitting but the camera angle is a bit odd and looks a bit posed. 


                    

                                                                     I received this book for review from Pump Up Your Book

Gues Post with Steven Verrier

 It’s a different world in the classroom than when I was a high school student a generation ago. It used to seem there were a few students in an entire school back in the 1960s or 1970s you could depend on to behave a certain way. Now it seems there are a handful or more in nearly every class.

     By a certain way, I mean disruptively, confrontationally, or – by every observable measure in the classroom – with an almost total indifference to learning. Some show up halfway through a class and the first thing they do is put their heads down and try to take a nap. Others arrive with food from the cafeteria and proceed to have a picnic. Remind them why they’re supposed to be in class, and their response goes something like “#&*@%&^#*!!!”

     Many of these students, of course, are facing challenges of their own, such as economic hardship. Every so often it comes to a teacher’s attention that a student is homeless or lacking some of the basic building blocks of a healthy, happy young life.

     That, of course, helps explain why some students have difficulty getting to school on time, or why they don’t want to miss out on any free meal offered to them, even if it means devouring it while they’re supposed to be studying.

     Many students nowadays have suffered abuse or neglect. An alarming number have close relatives in jail – and many students already have plenty of firsthand experience in the criminal justice system.

     Many students come from backgrounds where education just isn’t a priority. “Homework” is a concept they’re not quick to grasp. Some, despite having plenty of money for cell phones and iPods, come to school day after day without notebooks or writing utensils – and the majority of students in many classes have never set foot in a public library.

     Too many students are unable to say no to gangs, drugs, or sex. Tagging, police operations, and bloated bellies on many campuses attest to this. Some students live in fear of aggressive classmates, decide they’d better not stand out in class, and play the role of underachievers so other kids won’t laugh and point at them. Even so, these students can’t help showing a flicker of their true ability at times, especially when it comes time for standardized testing.

     Standardized tests usually show another picture, though. One such test taken by my high school seniors in 2009 indicated fewer than a quarter were reading at grade level. The same test given to my freshmen a year earlier yielded a similar result. That explains why curricula, despite plenty of fancy claims to the contrary, are being “dumbed down.”

     Class Struggle: Journal of a Teacher In Up to His Ears is an account of my experiences and observations as a teacher at a particularly challenging high school in San Antonio, Texas, during the 2009-2010 school year – and a heck of a ride. Be sure to check it out at my website.

    

Steven Verrier, born in the United States and raised in Canada, has spent much of his adult life living and traveling abroad. He is the author of Raising a Child to be Bilingual and Bicultural, a prizewinning book published bilingually in Japan, and several short plays for the student market. His novels, Tough Love, Tender Heart and Plan B, were published in 2008 and 2010, and his recently-published nonfiction book, Class Struggle: Journal of a Teacher In Up to His Ears, is sure to raise eyebrows over the coming months. Currently Steven Verrier lives with his wife, Motoko, and their five children in San Antonio, Texas, and New Brunswick, Canada. You can visit his website at www.stevenverrier.com.

Echoes of Savana by Lucina Moebuis REVIEW

A deadly virus...Is any place safe?

Every generation has their defining moments, events that change history and turn the course of lives. Forever will the children of that generation be defined  by those moments.

Savanna Taylor is a medical doctor in 2036, the same year terrorists release a series of plagues and viruses into the world. She is a nineteen year old Brain Trust whose tasks it is to find a cure for the disease and develop vaccines to prevent their further spread. The world is thrown in turmoil and Savanna needs to find a way to survive  with her sanity and family intact.  She needs to find a safe Haven for herself and for those she loves.

Can Savanna cope in a world in constant flux brought on by war and disease? Can she save the world and protect her loved ones or will she make the ultimate sacrifice? How will she be defined?

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When I first started this book I really liked it. Then it got weird for me at times...Because of the Indian spirituality. Savanna has the brains and the willpower to figure this disease out, and while at the building helping all the sick she gets attached to this one girl who is progressed in the disease. She than got attached to the young girls Aunt and Uncle. The Uncle begins to become like a second father to her; the reason why I say it got weird for me at times is because Savanna is with the young girl and the Aunt when the young dies. She races outside and the Uncle has her close her eyes to have each of the four winds help her emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. That got a bit weird for me. But other than that I enjoyed the book and it makes for good discussion. I loved that Savanna's character was so committed to her work and helping people. She put her heart and soul into her work. She put her patients and her work before herself. I also loved the fact that she didn't refer to her patients as patients. She actually got to know them and their names. Which is why she took it so much harder when a patient of hers died. She became emotionally involved with her patients in the sense that she built a friend to friend relationship with them. I loved that about her. It didn't give her that coldness that some doctors have because they won't become emotionally involved. 

It also was refreshing to read a book that was based in the future and didn't have to do with aliens or vampires or people that turn into some kind of vampire or something of that nature like so many books and movies out there. 

All in all, Echoes of Savanna is a good read. I would gladly recommend this book. I plan on reading this book again. It didn't make my top favorite reads of the year because it did get a little weird/odd for me at times. I would go into more about the book....but I would spoil that and what fun is that...?

                                                               I received this book for review from Media Guests

                                                         Thank you Cheryl for allowing me to partake in the blog tour:)

The Trigger by Hon Hoh REVIEW

Three individual from three different continents find their lives merged in a single divine purpose: to win the last unreached people group on earth and usher in the Second Coming of Christ. They must succeed in order to fulfill the trigger for the return of the Lamb as declared in Matthew 24:14.
In their way stands the legion of demonic principalities intent on destroying the plan. Against the backdrop of unprecedented persecution and the onslaught of cataclysmic events, Pastor Josh must remain steadfast to carry out the priority revealed to him by God. He now realizes that no believer will escape the greatest tribulation in human history and that only the matchless return of the King can deliver mankind from evil's reign.
The climatic battle between God and Evil unfolds as Lucifer executes his definitive act of defiance: the global genocide of all Christians.With the sound of the trumpets reverberating throughout the heavens, what has been set in motion must now complete its course. Eternity and the fate of the earth are at stake.
There is no plan B.



From the very beginning this book was very captivating. Even the prologue. I love prologues in books. It's like an appetizer to the meal. I am very happy and blessed that the last few books I have read have been really good reads that I would gladly recommend. This was another one; but in a different sense. It was a joy read, but it also made me think but not in a boring way where it made my brain hurt. I could still enjoy the storyline and get very into the book.
I love that the author was able to write a book on a subject many people find heavy, difficult, and at time controversial and scary but kept it interesting, captivating, thrilling and suspenseful. I enjoyed the fact that he has people think of the rapture and second coming in a different light, a different view point.
Hon Hoh writes this storyline with the viewpoint that the rapture doesn't happen and that everyone goes through the tribulation. That all the Christians are fighting through the Tribulation until the Second Coming actually comes. I know quite a few Christians who do believe this. I personally do believe in the rapture. I do believe that Christians are going to get a taste of the tribulation. Perhaps a very good taste of the tribulation. A lot of Christians believe we are going through the beginnings of the Tribulation right now. And that is a big part why I enjoyed this book. Because reading this book really does make you think of all of this in a different light. It really does make you wonder, what if the Rapture doesn't happen? What if we do go through until the very end until the Second Coming happens?
For me, The Trigger reminds me in a way of This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti. Awesome man. Awesome author/pastor. Great book. The Trigger by Hon Hoh-Great book. It is on my list of favorite reads for this year. I can't wait for his next book. I have already recommended this book to my mother.

                           
                                                                 I received this book for review from The B&B Media Group
                                                                 Thank you Audra for allowing me to be part of this blog tour

The Liquid City by Curtis J. Hopfenbeck

Shadoe Kilbourne is the consummate intellectual assassin, with an impressive arsenal of both wit and weaponry at his disposal. As Seattle's most successful nightclub owner and restaurateur, he is also a man of great  resource, humor and humanity. His lethal charms and deadly ideologies are a devastating double-edged sword; brandished at will to put the bad guys in their place and get the good girls back to his. Driven by vengeance, derived from a painful and poignant past we can only speculate on, his ties to the highest echelon and lowest corridors of humanity also make him the perfect middleman for those who seek to solicit his fervor and favor in the hunt for his brand of justice, both inside and outside of the law.

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Confession- I wanted to read this book because it sounded ( and is) so good. But the cover-it caught my eye because I am born and raised Seattle-ite. And I still live in Seattle. Don't get me wrong, if this book wasn't based in Seattle I would still want to read it but the cover got me excited:)


Anyway, I liked the main character, Shadoe Kilbourne. He is seriously humorous, down to business, stern, doesn't have time to take or listen to red tape.
I loved that this book was cutting edge, fun, fast paced, always made you wonder what was to come. I always try (as I think I can safely assume that a lot of people do) figure out the book/ending before I get to the point of the book where it is explained. I tried to figure out where the book was heading and I did pretty well :) no, i wont give any of the book away...you must read this great book to find out:) But I failed when I tried to figure out where the end of the book was going and where Kilbourne was heading. Most of what happened in this book I could see actually happening. Except that at times it got a little but too "that only happens in movie/books" for me at times, especially in the middle of the book. It seemed a little too men in black for me. I guess that's the down side to reading a book based on where you are from, you become...perhaps a little too critical.
I could see this being turned into a movie and I would see it if it ever was, as long as they stuck to the book for the majority of it and didn't wander off too much or create too many rabbit trails off of the book. I think I would mainly want to see Shadoe's character and who represents him in the movie...
Anyway.....would I recommend this read.....I would:) I have been on a good streak so far I think with being able to review books I would recommend.
I enjoyed the cover, But the picture isn't in focus and I'm not sure what the author was trying to get across with that. Good title, obviously, it is the rainy city.
I am looking forward to more of Curtis J Hopfenbeck books...:) And if they are based in Washington/Seattle I will try not to be overly critical ;)



                                                                                I received this book for review from Media Guests
       Thank you Michelle for allowing me to be part of this blog tour and my apologies for the lateness.

Surviving Sexual Brokenness by Thom Hunter REVIEW

A man sitting with his wife at the table on the other side of the restaurant is polite but distracted. A woman at work stares out her office window with a blank expression, her mind far away. A father wraps his arm around his daughter in the church pew; his eyes are on the pulpit, but his mind wanders. What about the college student on the soccer field or in the library? The Doctor prepping for surgery? the realtor showing the house next door? The mailman on your front porch. Your Sunday school teacher...perhaps even your preacher. These people may be dominated by some form of  sexual brokenness, from pornography to adultery to unwanted homosexual temptation.
They share a secret they hope and pray will not be revealed. The urge to "act out" in their brokenness is destroying  them because it conflicts with a life they have already chosen. They don't know how to live with it; they don't know how to be rid of it. They may not know what caused it. They only want to "cure" it. " Am I just a misplaced homosexual?"     " Did God makes me this way?"  "Why won't He change me?"
Surrounding them are the ones who sense something is amiss but have no clue what to do or where to find help. They may be confused by the teachings of the church; love the sinner; hate the sin. This seemingly Biblical response can actually send the message to the struggler that he is, in fact unlovable because his identity seems inseparable from his sin.

Surviving Sexual Brokenness examines the roots and the roadblocks and provides understanding, encouragement, hope and help through Biblical truth and Christian compassion for the freedom-seeker and those who travel alongside. 

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 This book had a lot of good points and good biblical advise for someone or someone you know who is battling with trying to figure out where they are and/or who they are; more specifically sexually. For anyone out there who is confused, scared, or whatever emotion you/they are feeling about what is going on in their mind and heart, this book will help so much. The author speaks of his own dealings of sexual abuse which led him to other temptations and confusion. He sought a lot of spiritual help to get past his past. That doesn't mean he will forget about it. I don't think you can ever forget about sexual abuse of any kind on any level. It is still a trauma. And I cannot express how sorry I am for those who out there have had go through it or are going through it. He explains that for those who have gone through sexual abuse, it is not in any way shape or form your fault. Do not feel embarrassed, ashamed or try to keep it hidden. You will be a victor not a victim by shinning light on the matter and person(s).
I think my favorite chapter was 10, entitled Reclaiming Tattered Integrity. I think partly because he gives a list of need-to-do to do as the chapter title says. Like depending on God, trusting Him. Needing to practice humility, being more thankful, including the smaller things as well as the bigger things and the obvious things like gifts. Taking responsibility for your actions. To name just a few from the list. All really good pointers. And even if you aren't dealing with sexual brokenness or tattered integrity, these pointers are good to live by anyway.
I really enjoyed this book. I would gone on but I don't want to give the entire book away! It is a really good read. Even if you haven't dealt with sexual abuse of any kind this is a good read and you will take away from it but for those who have been through the abuse or confused about their sexuality or are going through it this is a really important book to pick up. It will help you so much. It really is amazing what grace can do.





                                                                        I received this book for review from Pump Up Your Book 
        Thank you Dorothy for allowing me to be part of this blog tour, my apologies for running so late.

Prince Etcheon and the Secret of the Ancient by Joann Arnold REVIEW

Etcheon always believed he would live and die in his small village that he moved to with his grandmother Granna Fela-safe, loved and protected.
But with Granna's death comes new information about Etcheon's royal heritage and destiny, which suddenly throws him in the middle of a battle against a wicked king. On the run from hideous beasts sent to kill him, Etcheon is saved by a mysterious girl, a tree with magical powers, and several amazing animals. With his new friends to protect and teach him, Etcheon undertakes a journey that will challenge his abilities and define who he needs to become- a warrior-prince charged to save his people.

 This was definitely a fantasy read for me. My second fantasy read in my life lol. The other fantasy book (series really) I read was The Chronicles of Narnia. Because I read The Chronicles of Narnia I gave this read a chance. I almost said no to this book because I truly am not a fan of fantasy. But I am a big fan of the Narnia series and I am trying to read outside of my comfort zone at least a little bit. And...I am glad I said yes :)
There were ares of the book I didn't care for. I didn't like how (to me) the author was too descriptive at times. Every look, a little breeze, anything seemed to be read into too much for me. How she worded sentences at times made them a bit of a tongue twister for me, too wordy at times. Like in the very beginning of the book, the first few paragraphs seemed that way. There were areas that seemed that way. But I guess it goes with the theme/time of the book. Like with The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. Hence why Hannah Hurnard wrote Hinds Feet on High Places; at least to me lol. That book seemed to be the easier to read version of The Pilgrim's Progress. So I Won't give too much grief for the added wordings;)
On another note, I think that the Ancient Tree is supposed to be like the god, or the higher power in this book; Like the Lion in the Narnia series. I liked Etcheon's character. Even though I feel he has a lot of growing up to do, some maturity to gain, he has all this inner strength that he doesn't seem to be aware of until he is forced to step up to the plate throughout the book. He seemed to be very humble and always did as he was told, always asking questions along the way.
It bugged me how the 'mysterious girl, Tarainisafari' who Etcheon called Taraini for short and his eagle friends/protector, Barok seemed to never give him a strait or actual answer. It always seemed to be 'you will know in time' or something else. Don't get me wrong, Taraini seemed very nice, gentle and sweet but I felt that he almost never got an answer when he asked a question.
Yes, there are a few annoyances in the book for me, but in the end it was an enjoyable read.
I would recommend this read to most.
The cover is very fitting.


                                                                                I received this book for review from Media Guests
                                                             Thank you Michelle for allowing me to be part of this blog tour.

Mother of Pearl Series Wrap Up and Giveaway Announcement

Thank you all so much for following along with the Pearl Girls™ Mother of Pearl Mother's Day blog series. I pray you laughed, cried and were touched by the translucent stories of real life written by new moms, stepmoms, grandmas, adoptive moms, and moms without moms. Iridescent reality. And how poignant that the translucent nacre which coats the sand stuck inside an oyster’s shell is called Mother of Pearl. Mothers surround children with their love and with God’s love so they can grow in grace. I hope you'll join us this December for the third annual 12 Pearls of Christmas series.

 

AND ... thanks too, to all of you who entered to win the beautiful hand crafted pearl necklace. I'm thrilled to announce that the winner is ...

 

Jennifer (heavensent1)!

 

Jennifer, please email amy@pearlgirls.info with your mailing address.

 

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we're all about. The purpose of Pearl Girls is to connect women so that together, we can make a difference in the world.  All proceeds of the Pearl Girls book go in full to two charities: Wings (women in need growing stronger) to help fund a safe house in the Chicago suburbs and to Hands of Hope to help build wells for schoolchildren in Uganda . Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls™ products to help support Pearl Girls.

 

Please stop by the Pearl Girls blog and connect with us there.

Mother of Pearl Day Eight

Welcome to Pearl Girls™ Mother of Pearl Mother's Day blog series. The series is week long celebration of moms and mothering. Each day will feature a new post by some of today's best writer's (Tricia Goyer, Megan Alexander, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Beth Engelman, Holley Gerth, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, and more). I hope you'll join us each day for another unique perspective on Mother's Day.

AND ... do enter the contest for a chance to win a beautiful hand crafted pearl necklace. To enter, just {CLICK THIS LINK} and fill out the short form. Contest runs 5/1-5/8 and the winner will on 5/11. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls™ products (all GREAT Mother's Day gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

And to all you MOMS out there! Happy Mother's Day!

Each Life is Unique by Lucinda Secrest McDowell

“God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. II Peter 1.3 (NIV)

Moms, God wants you to know that He has given you everything you need for life --- your unique life. He does not plan to give you what you might need to live the life of your best friend, or your neighbor, or even your favorite mother-model. No, God has called you to the life that He planned. I suspect that for most of us, it didn’t turn out to be the life we thought it might be… so long ago when we were young and dreaming of ‘growing up.’

On Mother’s Day I often recall my own dreams to one day be a mother. I grew up playing with dolls and looking to my own Mama as a model for that particular role in life. However, by the time I reached my thirties I was still not a mother! God did, however, have a plan. It just wasn’t what I imagined.

My own unique life would find me becoming a mother through the adoption of my first three children who were ages 9, 7 and 4; and then much later giving birth to our fourth child. Of course I was shocked when God revealed this to me, but I was ecstatic as well. It’s as though I could hear Him saying, “Well, you’re not getting any younger so I’m just going to just give you a jump start with three at one time!”

A huge blessing! A huge adjustment! A joy and a struggle. Change is often like that, isn’t it? We finally get what we want then we have to deal with it. May I just offer a bit of advice if you just got a great answer to prayer, but perhaps not in the way or form you imagined? Just receive it. Embrace it. And be willing to move forward into a new paradigm for your life. So what if you’re not like all the other mothers you know? So what if you’re not like your own mother? So what if your family unit is different? I guarantee God has a plan.

Not only did he want me to embrace my own story, but He called me as a mother to do perhaps one of the most important tasks of all --- to nurture my children to live their own unique lives. Not for me to try and squeeze them into what I hoped and dreamed they would be. Not for me to try and live my life through them. But to recognize how God made them, gifted them, and called them to their own special place.

All of my 4 kids are different from one another. Let’s take sports, for instance: I have one child who wins gold medals in international tennis competition, one who is a born equestrian, another who competes nationally in obstacle course shooting matches, and yet another who manages to dance onstage in 3 inch heels, do cartwheels and splits while singing at the same time. Now, honestly, I do none of these things. And yet they do.

I don’t remember placing my order with God for these things.  But I do remember when that tennis player turned 9 years old and I enrolled him in Special Olympics for the first time and how it changed his life… and ours. I remember getting a counselor job at an exclusive summer camp so that my daughter could take English riding classes. I remember being a Cub Scout leader (even though I knew nothing about boys) so that son could one day become an Eagle scout and pursue his love of the great outdoors. And yes, I remember enrolling my preschooler in dance lessons. Later when all the little girls were scared to go on stage for the recital, she exclaimed that she had endured a whole year of lessons just so she could go on stage.

Don’t compare yourself to someone else. And don’t live vicariously through your favorite reality show star. Live your own story. And Moms, raise your kids to embrace the unique life God has for them.

Remember, He has given us everything we need for life!

Lucinda Secrest McDowell, a graduate of Gordon-Conwell Seminary, is the author of 10 books including “Role of a Lifetime,” “Amazed by Grace,” “Spa for the Soul” and the new Bible Study “Fit and Healthy Summer.” She is an international conference speaker and enjoys being a Pearl Girl from “Sunnyside” – her home in a New England village. Visit Cindy at www.EncouragingWords.net

Mother of Pearl Day Seven

Welcome to Pearl Girls™ Mother of Pearl Mother's Day blog series. The series is week long celebration of moms and mothering. Each day will feature a new post by some of today's best writer's (Tricia Goyer, Megan Alexander, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Beth Engelman, Holley Gerth, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, and more). I hope you'll join us each day for another unique perspective on Mother's Day.

AND ... do enter the contest for a chance to win a beautiful hand crafted pearl necklace. To enter, just {CLICK THIS LINK} and fill out the short form. Contest runs 5/1-5/8 and the winner will on 5/11. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls™ products (all GREAT Mother's Day gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

And to all you MOMS out there! Happy Mother's Day!

What is a Grandmother? by Suzanne Woods Fisher

“A grandmother is a little bit parent, a little bit teacher, and a little bit best friend.”

 Amish proverb

I arrived late in the night in Rhode Island, anxious to meet my two-day-old grandson, Blake, after a full day of flying. My daughter and son-in-law had just returned home from the hospital and felt like they had been in a train wreck. There was stuff everywhere.  Already, the needs of this little eight-pound bundle of joy were enormous: an all-terrain stroller, plenty of diapers, onesies, spit-up rags, an assortment of pacifiers to try out until he found the ideal one.

And he was perfect.

I know, I know. “Every mother crow thinks her own little crow is the blackest.” But this little dark eyed, dark haired boy really was perfect.

I spent the next seven days (and nights) getting to know this little guy. His schedule (he had none), his hunger cries (very similar to his every other cry). His pirate look--one eye open, one eye squeezed shut, as if he was still surprised by all that had taken place to him in a week’s time.

I felt surprised, too. How could my baby possibly have had a baby? How could I be a grandmother? I had just turned fifty-one. Shockingly young! How could a kid like me give up playing tennis three times a week to settle into knitting and crocheting and Friday night bingo? And shouldn’t I alter my appearance to fit this new label? Give up my jeans? Switch over to below knee-length calico dresses, thick black socks, practical shoes, gray hair pinned in a topknot. Think…Aunt Bee on Mayberry R.F.D.

As soon as people knew my daughter was expecting, I was bombarded with advice from my well meaning friends—even those who weren’t yet grandparents. “The best way to avoid getting on the nerves of your daughter and son-in-law is to not say anything. Ever.” Or “You’d better pick your nickname or you’ll be stuck with something hideous, like MooMoo Cow.” 

What should I be called? Granny? No…reminded me of The Beverly Hillbillies. Grandma? No…sounded like The Waltons. Grammy? No…it was already taken by the in-laws.

But no one really explained what it meant to be a grandmother. I didn’t know myself, not until I held baby Blake in my arms. In that moment, I realized that he was one of mine. He belongs to me. He will be on my mind and in my prayers, every day, for the rest of my life. There’s a bond between us that can’t be broken. He has altered my life forevermore.

I had become a grandmother. 

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of The Choice, The Waiting, and The Search, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Benedict eventually became publisher of Christianity Today magazine. Suzanne is the host of a radio show called Amish Wisdom and her work has appeared in many magazines. She lives in California. www.suzannewoodsfisher.com

Mother of Pearl Day Six

Welcome to Pearl Girls™ Mother of Pearl Mother's Day blog series. The series is week long celebration of moms and mothering. Each day will feature a new post by some of today's best writer's (Tricia Goyer, Megan Alexander, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Beth Engelman, Holley Gerth, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, and more). I hope you'll join us each day for another unique perspective on Mother's Day.

AND ... do enter the contest for a chance to win a beautiful hand crafted pearl necklace. To enter, just {CLICK THIS LINK} and fill out the short form. Contest runs 5/1-5/8 and the winner will on 5/11. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls™ products (all GREAT Mother's Day gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

And to all you MOMS out there! Happy Mother's Day!

When Mother's Day is Difficult by Holley Gerth

I have a confession (anyone surprised?). I have mixed feelings about Mother’s Day.

On one hand, I love celebrating all the women who have made a difference in my life (thanks, Mom!).

On the other hand, a long journey of infertility has left my heart with some tender places.

On May 8th, we’ll celebrate Mother’s Day once again. For many, it’s a time of appreciation and joy. For others, it can be one of the most difficult days of the year. This is often true for women facing infertility, families who have recently experienced the loss of a mother, and many other painful situations.

At one point in my life it seemed as if I couldn’t take another step. In addition to infertility, I was facing several other losses. I felt as if I were in a dark cave. But then I sensed the Lord gently and lovingly speak to my heart, “You may be in a cave, but you still have a choice. You can sit in despair or you can diamond-mine your difficulties.” I decided I was not leaving that time in my life empty-handed. I was taking every hidden blessing I could find. Of course, I still had difficult days. But choosing hope made a difference.

As a reminder, I now wear two rings. The one on the fourth finger of my left hand represents my commitment to my husband. The one on the fourth finger of my right hand is a simple silver band inscribed with the word “hope” and it represents the commitment I have made to God and myself to hold onto hope no matter what happens.

The story of an inspiring woman named Terrie also reminds me to hold onto hope. She endured the loss of four pregnancies and waited seventeen years before adopting a little girl. She told me, “I think one of the most important parts of this journey is learning to trust God. I don’t mean the flippant kind of trust. It’s easy for people to say, ‘You just need to trust God.’ It’s much harder when you’re in the middle of all this pain. But he is trustworthy. Through it all, God has given us an amazing story. I wouldn’t have chosen this road, but he has been with us. I can look back and truly say every step was worth it.”

I don’t know how my journey will end and you probably don’t know how yours will either. I also don’t know how many of you will be silently grieving your losses as we sit in church together on May 8th. But I do know that God sees each one of us. He knows how many hairs are on our heads and how many cares our in our hearts. Whatever you’re going through this Mother’s Day, you’re not facing it alone. As King David, a man who experienced many losses in his life, expressed in Psalm 34:18 NIV, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” May God surround you with love, fill you with hope, and give you strength for each moment—especially this Mother’s Day.

Excerpted from When Mother’s Day is Difficult.

Holley Gerth is an award-winning writer for DaySpring, a cofounder of the popular web site (in)courage, and licensed counselor. Holley loves chocolate, coffee, Jesus and connecting with the hearts of women through words. Her next book, a devotional titled God's Heart for You: Embracing Your True Worth as a Woman (Harvest House) will release this July. You can find Holley online through her blog Heart to Heart with Holley.

Mother of Pearl Day Five

Welcome to Pearl Girls™ Mother of Pearl Mother's Day blog series. The series is week long celebration of moms and mothering. Each day will feature a new post by some of today's best writer's (Tricia Goyer, Megan Alexander, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Beth Engelman, Holley Gerth, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, and more). I hope you'll join us each day for another unique perspective on Mother's Day.

AND ... do enter the contest for a chance to win a beautiful hand crafted pearl necklace. To enter, just {CLICK THIS LINK} and fill out the short form. Contest runs 5/1-5/8 and the winner will on 5/11. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls™ products (all GREAT Mother's Day gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

And to all you MOMS out there! Happy Mother's Day!

A Mother's Day Wish by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson

Heads up: Margaret McSweeney deserves a medal, or at least a commendation for giving everyone a much deserved Mother’s Day rest. Okay, y’all can be seated. I’m glad you agree, but you’re supposed to be taking a load off, remember? Oh, and full disclosure—Margaret didn’t know I was going to say that so I hope she leaves it in, and no, I didn’t do it just because I’m ridiculously nostalgic about the theme of her community, although I am. As the Belle of All Things Southern, one who is southern to the bone, I have a thing about pearls.

When I was a teenager, add-a-pearl necklaces were all the rage. They may not be as wildly popular anymore as they were back in the day but I still say they’ll always be a classic concept: a gift of a single pearl on a dainty chain given with the intentions of adding other pearls on important holidays and special occasions. Today, I see add-a-pearls as a beautiful reminder of the accumulated wisdom we learn from our mamas.  Oh, sure, we snicker as young girls because not all of their advice strikes us as useful and some of it seems positively fossilized, but hopefully, over time and with the Father’s blessing, we gain enough perspective to see that these mama-isms—the important values and the silly little lagniappe— are all increasing in value with the years.  By the way, that’s my Mother’s Day wish for each of you, that we’d each take the time and the responsibility to thread these precious heirlooms into treasures worthy of bequeathing to the next generation. Mother’s Day...

May I be honest? I’m looking ahead to the annual celebration with somewhat mixed emotions. I’m not feeling very Mother of the Year. Instead of cooking dinner for my most deserving mama and enjoying her company, instead of reveling in the love of my husband, kids, and grands, (known as the Baby Czars of All Things Southern), I’ll be on the road, touring with my latest book “Sue Ellen’s Girl Ain’t Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy.” I’ve got Mama’s gift bought, wrapped, and ready to be delivered by my beloved hubby, and my grown kids understand that I didn’t choose the release date, but the facts remain:  I won’t be there. (Shameless plugs time, anyone? My daughter blogs at Kitchen Belleicious and is raising funds to build an orphanage in Rwanda at Shelter a Child http://www.shelterachild.com/ and my daughter-in-law celebrates the daily details of getting to know the Holy One at Providence, http://providence-carey.blogspot.com). I won’t get to enjoy Mama tickling the ivory from the piano bench of Melbourne Baptist Church and I won’t be overdosing on baby sugah. Sigh.

But, then, I mentioned mixed emotions earlier, didn’t I? Well, before some sweet soul cues the violin music, perhaps I should lighten up and come clean on what Mr. Harvey would call “the rest of the story.”  It so happens that while the 8th of May will find me miles from home, it’ll also find me in Savannah, Georgia where I’ve secured myself a little reservation at that famous establishment belonging to Mrs. Paula Deen, the Queen of Southern Cooking. Indeed, y’all, I’ll be suffering for Jesus at The Lady and Sons. I know. It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it.

Regardless of where you spend it, I wish you each a Happy Mother’s Day. I’d love to think that everyone reading my words had a mother like mine, a woman of faith who taught me from childhood of the Risen Savior who saves souls and anchors lives. But, dear reader, if that’s not your past, I hope you know it can be your future. I pray you’ll be the one that begins such a legacy, and that you’ll be moved to start building that heritage today.

I’d love to see y’all on the road somewhere. Watch for me, and I’ll watch for you. I’ll be the one with an empty glass of sweet tea looking, always looking, for a refill.

Hugs,

Shellie

Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, known as the Belle of All Things Southern is a radio host, columnist, author, speaker and founder of the All Things Southern online community, www.allthingssouthern.com. She loves meeting, greeting, laughing and learning with the whole wide world or as many who wander her way. Shellie once dreamed of writing great important things that changed the world, only once she started writing the world grinned and christened her a humorist. Shellie saw this as a problem at first, until she discovered that the laughter softens hearts, builds relationships, and invites her into people’s hurting hearts where she can share her own, which is exactly where she wanted to be all along. Look for Shellie’s latest book, Sue Ellen’s Girl Ain’t Fat, She Just Weighs Heavy wherever fine books are sold.

Book Spotlight and Giveaway!

                                About Dave Zeltserman

Dave Zeltserman won the 2010 Shamus Award for ‘Julius Katz’ and is the acclaimed author of the ‘man out of prison’ crime trilogy: Small Crimes, Pariah and Killer, where Small Crimes was picked by NPR as one of the five best crime and mystery novels of 2008, and Small Crimes and Pariah (2009) were both picked by the Washington Post as best books of the year. His recent The Caretaker of Lorne Field received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly, calling it a ’superb mix of humor and horror’, and has been shortlisted by ALA for best horror novel of 2010. Outsourced (2011) has already been called ‘a small gem of crime fiction’ by Booklist and has been optioned by Impact Pictures and Constantin Film.
His latest book is Dying Memories (StoneGate Ink).
You can visit Dave’s website at www.davezeltserman.com. Connect with him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/people/Dave-Zeltserman/1434849193.

About Dying Memories

When you can’t trust your memories.
A woman shoots a man to death on a crowded street in Boston, claiming
that he raped and murdered her eleven-year old daughter. Except he
didn’t, because this woman never had a daughter. Another man stabs an
MIT professor to death in front of a crowd in Harvard Square, saying
that he witnessed the professor running down his wife in the street.
Except the MIT professor was three thousand miles away when the man’s
wife was killed.
Reporter Bill Conway discovers that these victims are connected to
ViGen Corporation, a shadowy pharmaceutical company. When he tries to
investigate ViGen Corporation and their role in these deaths, he soon
finds himself framed for murder. And that turns out to be the least of
his problems…

 *                                   *                                       *                                                    *
Now if you would like a chance to win the ebook version of Dying memories, just leave a  comment here telling me you would like to win it and next Friday I will choose a winner from Random.org and will make a blog announcement with the winner. Sound good? I hope so! Good luck all!

Contingency by Paula Wiseman REVIEW

Book One: Covenant of Trust Series

Bobbi Molinsky's comfortable life is shattered when a forwarded email from her husband's account lands in her inbox. The email teases, “My whole evening is free again." After an angry confrontation with Chuck, she is left with the broken remains of an eighteen year marriage.
Bobbi agrees forgiving Chuck is the right thing to do, the God-honoring thing to do, but it leaves her empty and isolated. Teaching her second-graders is a burden. Taking care of her boys saps all her energy. It seems God Himself has walked away, leaving her to struggle alone.
Bobbi can't deny the transformation in Chuck, but genuine forgiveness requires trust, and trust is a risk she's not willing to take. Can she let go of her deepest, most primal fears and save her marriage?


This was a fiction thriller with God intertwined through-out it; and I loved that. I wish there were more books out there like this. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
This book had a lot of really good, Bible/God based advice. I felt like taking out a pad of paper and pen and highlighter. I loved how simple and black and white their youngest son Joel thought and saw things. I wish I could see things so simply, but unfortunately most of the time life is not so black and white. I could definitely see myself in Bobbi though, trying to keep some sort of normalcy for her sons, even allowing their father to come over to dinner. Not being able to sleep in the bed her and Chuck shared. Not being able to sit in the church service while Chuck confessed to adultery in-front of the congregation. I would probably be just like her in that same situation.
I was not a fan of Bobbi's sister Rita. I felt that she was very pushy and at times overstepped her boundaries; even as the older sister. I understand that she is just being a sister, an older, over-protective sister at that, but when you have a biased opinion anyway, your advice will be faltered and not come from fair judgment of the situation.
I picked this book up every time I had a chance. It had slow moments at times but not enough to take away from the goodness of the story. I also liked how the author would transition from the present to a past memory of Chuck and Bobbi, either his or her memory than back to the present than back in time to Chuck and his ex-lover. She didn't make it confusing at all but you were also able to piece together the puzzle by her switching back and forth.
I would continue gushing about the book but I don't want to give anything (else lol) away.
I recommend this read to all:)
I feel that the cover is very fitting


                                        I received my copy of the book for review from Pump Up Your book as part of a blog tour.

Mother of Pearl Day Four

Welcome to Pearl Girls™ Mother of Pearl Mother's Day blog series. The series is week long celebration of moms and mothering. Each day will feature a new post by some of today's best writer's (Tricia Goyer, Megan Alexander, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Beth Engelman, Holley Gerth, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, and more). I hope you'll join us each day for another unique perspective on Mother's Day.

AND ... do enter the contest for a chance to win a beautiful hand crafted pearl necklace. To enter, just {CLICK THIS LINK} and fill out the short form. Contest runs 5/1-5/8 and the winner will on 5/11. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls™ products (all GREAT Mother's Day gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

And to all you MOMS out there! Happy Mother's Day!

Adoption, a Mother's Greatest Gift by Tricia Goyer

I held the small baby in my arms, wrapped up in a receiving blanket to keep her warm from the chill of the delivery room, and a voice spoke to me. "Congratulations, Mom."

The congratulations came from an unlikely source--the grandmother of this child, the mother of the sweet birth mother who chose adoption for her baby girl.

To say I was overwhelmed is an understatement. Thankfulness filled my heart--to God who'd answered my prayers and to the birth mom who'd chosen our family for her daughter. I also ached that my joy would be another's heartache. Working with teen moms for ten years, I was often an advocate for the young mother. I knew that while the weeks and months ahead would be a time of celebration for our family, they would be ones of heartache and grieving for this woman.

Adoption is a wonder and the beauty, and the sacrifice of it is never so clear as on Mother's Day. My new daughter is one-years-old now and she huge is a part of my heart. Her life is a gift to my days and her smile can make even the most dreary afternoon bright. I can honestly say there is no difference in the love I feel between her and my three other children. If anything the love feels even more special because she was an unexpected gift. John and I learned about her life just 2 ½ months prior to her being born. The years of prayers to expand our family were answered quickly and beautifully.

The sacrifice of adoption makes my heart ache, for I know on this Mother's Day another woman will be thinking about my daughter—her daughter. As I rejoice, I'll be crying tears for her. I'll also be sending up prayers that God will wrap His arms around her in a special way.

This Mother's Day I cannot help to think about Christ's sacrifice to make our adoption into God's family possible. Maybe it's because just a few weeks ago we were celebrating Easter, but I'm reminded anew that my gain required His loss, His pain. The greatest love, it seems, is not shown with flowers, chocolate or a diamond bracelet. The greatest love is shown when, because of your love for another, your desires and comfort are laid down for the greater good of someone else.

As Ephesians 1:3 says, “How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son” (The Message).

Perhaps you know an adoptive mother. Take time this Mother's Day to let her know that the beauty of her gift is not missed by you. Also, take time to thank God for adopting you into His forever family, thanking Jesus Christ for His sacrifice. I wouldn't be the mother I am without this Gift of Love.

Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty-six books including Beside Still Waters, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife. www.triciagoyer.com