tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49427729651348394092024-03-05T21:02:19.158-05:00Kaylyn's BlogA little bit of everything may show up here.Joyful creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251313338244708960noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942772965134839409.post-54693520490174597782018-01-12T23:16:00.001-05:002018-01-12T23:31:44.766-05:00<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">- by Harold Ivan Smith c.2011</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">I received this book as a gift right after our son's suicide in 2015. I have been given a lot of books on surviving grief, understanding grief, handling grief, coping with suicide, losing a loved one, etc, etc. and have found that the majority of them, at least for me, were boring and no help at all. <i>A Decembered Grief,</i> by Harold Ivan Smith is the first book I have found interesting and quite helpful. His book offers suggestions on how to handle every type of situation that arises during what he calls, "the three holidays." I wish I had read it sooner. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">This is an excellent book (which is available in a hardcover gift edition) to give to anyone who has lost a loved one within the last year. The best time to read this is in October to prepare for the holiday season starting with Thanksgiving.</span></div>
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Joyful creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251313338244708960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942772965134839409.post-47708593778243558912017-10-27T00:24:00.000-04:002017-10-27T00:27:40.352-04:00Dead in the Family, Audio edition by Charlaine Harris<br />
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I picked up this audio book at a freebie table not really knowing what to expect. After listening to it I discovered it is the 10th book in a series called "The Southern Vampire Mysteries. The TV series True Blood was based on these books. It's a bizarre tale set in Northwestern Louisiana complete with a southern drawl, vampires, shape-shifters, faeries, and werewolves. The main character, Sookie is human, can read minds, is in a complicated relationship with Eric a Viking vampire, her cousin Claude, a gay male stripclub dancer moves in with her after his second twin sister dies, and she is right in the middle of the never-ending turmoil of the supernatural. Except for the occasional over-explicit/described sex, it was a fun novel to listen to.</div>
Joyful creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251313338244708960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942772965134839409.post-68597415691305012662017-10-03T23:09:00.001-04:002017-10-03T23:09:30.020-04:00Someone I Wanted To Be - by Aurelia Wills<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I found this to be a dark and depressing view of real life</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">as an overweight 15-year old</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> h</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">igh school teenager with </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">skinny diva friends. Leah's life is the life of millions of high school girls. Her mother, a widow, is over worked, underpaid, and dependent upon her wine to help her finish off her days.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There were no bright spots in this story, yet, I was compelled to read it to the end.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></div>
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Joyful creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251313338244708960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942772965134839409.post-75925713375456414352017-10-03T22:13:00.000-04:002017-10-03T22:31:30.864-04:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I love Karen Kingsbury's writing style and this one did not let me down; even though I listened to it on a CD instead of reading it.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">An interesting concept into the mind of autism. I gave this one a 5-star but it bothered me that through-out the story the parents kept wondering if the vaccinations were the cause of their son's autism. There is no proof of that. BUT, the fact that he was given so many all at one time is something to be questioned.</span></span>Joyful creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251313338244708960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942772965134839409.post-36246938778618714682017-07-09T22:55:00.000-04:002017-10-03T22:30:40.961-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Dog That Whispered - by Jim Krause</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Every time I read one of Jim Kraus' books I think it's the best one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I loved the interaction Thurman (the dog) has with Wilson, his owner.</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This story was very powerful in focusing on PTSD for veterans and their families of the VietNam War.</span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The dual storylines came together perfectly, without a rush, at the end.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Giving this one 5 stars!</span>Joyful creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251313338244708960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942772965134839409.post-11749657109942763042017-05-05T13:08:00.000-04:002017-05-05T13:12:13.415-04:00<a class="updateImage" href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17670429-an-amish-awakening-a-tenderhearted-sojourn-to-heaven-and-back" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; float: left; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-right: 10px; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="An Amish Awakening...a tenderhearted sojourn to Heaven and back" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1364063901l/17670429.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="bookTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17670429-an-amish-awakening-a-tenderhearted-sojourn-to-heaven-and-back" style="color: #666600;">An Amish Awakening...a tenderhearted sojourn to Heaven and back</a> <span class="by smallText">by </span><a class="authorName" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4770613.Rick_Leland" style="color: #666600;">Rick Leland</a></span></div>
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<span id="reviewTextContainer1848193537" style="background-color: white;"><span id="freeTextContainerreview1848193537" style="font-family: inherit;">I won this book from LibraryThing's Early reviewers.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I didn't really start to enjoy this book until the 6th chapter. I found if I skipped the Author chapters it was easier to read.It was interesting and gave me a lot to think about. I did like getting a glimpse of the Amish life from a man's point of view.</span></span>Joyful creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251313338244708960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942772965134839409.post-858652719824077852017-05-02T17:21:00.002-04:002017-05-05T13:17:18.732-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1798568576?utm_medium=api&utm_source=custom_widget" style="color: #00635d; text-decoration-line: none;"><br />Th</a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1798568576?utm_medium=api&utm_source=custom_widget" style="color: #00635d; text-decoration-line: none;">e Name I Call Myself</a> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">by</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8531940.Beth_Moran" style="color: #00635d; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Beth Moran</a></div>
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I won this book through GoodReads Giveaway October 2016. Beth Moran is quickly becoming a favorite author for me.<br />
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This book has so many sub plots that there was never a dull moment. Faith's secret past, her drug addicted, weak brother, her many scars, her engagement to a millionaire but her need to work and save her own money. Plus her other name!</div>
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I laughed while reading this book because I frequently found myself doing the breathing exercises along with the main character. That's the kind of writing I love.</div>
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<br />Joyful creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251313338244708960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942772965134839409.post-73318903759242604392017-02-03T16:25:00.000-05:002017-10-03T22:27:22.090-04:00Conversations with Saint Bernard, by Jim KrausI think this is the best one Kraus has written so far.<br />
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I felt right there with George Gibson as he traveled across the United States and through his thoughts. Lewis is portrayed as the dog everyone wants to love and own. I love Lewis and the insigh<span style="text-align: justify;">ts George acknowledged </span><span style="text-align: justify;">through the dog.</span><br />
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Joyful creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251313338244708960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942772965134839409.post-55501741733732220612016-06-15T14:15:00.001-04:002017-05-05T14:04:40.323-04:00The Dog That Saved stewart Coolidge, by Jim Kraus<img alt="24820228" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1434391797l/24820228.jpg" title="" width="131" /><br />
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Hubert doesn't always know where his next meal will come from. Stealing rawhide bones from the Tops Super Market seems to be the answer; even after storing up a few under the rug at his newly found hideout.<br />
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Stewart has been ordered by Mr. Arden, his boss, to catch that four-legged bandit before someone complains to the health department about a dog shoplifting at the supermarket. The problem was, Stewart didn't want to catch the dog because he was already harboring the canine criminal at his apartment.<br />
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Jim Kraus has become my favorite Christian auther. He does an excellent job at entwining the lives Stewart, and his neighbor Lisa through the antics and subtle actions of a dog that knows there is only peace and security in living in a pack. Stewart and Lisa need each other and it up to Hubert to make it happen. After all, it is God's master plan for the three of them.Joyful creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251313338244708960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942772965134839409.post-78546582333739477382016-04-23T12:01:00.000-04:002017-05-05T14:08:47.285-04:00The Giver - audio edition, by Lois Lowry<img alt="The Giver by Lois Lowry" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320510341l/1154167.jpg" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">I read the student edition of The Giver, by Lois Lowry, in 1998 while teaching a high school lit class. This was the first time I had read it. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Now I have enjoyed it on CD. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.8px;">It's amazing how much deeper I understood the story line by listening to it instead of reading. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">This time I grasped a deeper understanding of the father's job as a Nurturer, the selection process and the overall oppression. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The Giver is a classic that should be read over and over. The reader will discover something new every time. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Hopefully, it won't be another 18 years before I read it for the third time.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.8px;"><br /></span>Joyful creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251313338244708960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942772965134839409.post-76242067450820876172016-03-01T15:37:00.001-05:002016-03-01T15:42:52.211-05:00Hope For Tomorrow XFACTOR1 cover<br />
This is our son, Dustin. I just found out about this video. What a blessing to have this.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SfLrPdFJbsw" width="480"></iframe>Joyful creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251313338244708960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942772965134839409.post-26375332871210778162016-01-24T17:28:00.000-05:002017-05-05T14:06:42.882-04:00A Cup of Dust: A Novel of the Dust Bowl, by Susie Finkbeiner<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<i>A Cup of Dust: A Novel of the Dust Bowl</i>, by local West Michigan author Susie Finkbeiner was a depressing book. That said, I would still recommend it. The story is very well written and it is obvious the author spent a lot of time researching this time in American history. </div>
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This is more than a story of life during the Depression of the 1930's. It is about life in a dying, dried up, dust-filled town in Oklahoma, inhabited by strong (and weak) survivors. </div>
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As sad as the story was, I couldn't put the book down. And when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it; wondering when the happy part would start and just hoping it would have a happy or at least a satisfying ending.</div>
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I received this copy from the October 2015 LibraryThing Early Reviewers giveaway.</div>
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Joyful creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251313338244708960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942772965134839409.post-28496867134156510582015-12-30T21:23:00.002-05:002017-05-05T14:09:34.004-04:00Perils of a Pastor's Wife, by Nan Jones<img alt="The Perils of a Pastor's Wife" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1438898509l/26053671.jpg" title="" width="129" /> <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Received through Goodreads' Early Review Giveaway September 2015.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Nan Jones is an easy-to-read author. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Written by a pastors wife, for pastors' wives this is a must read book not only for women married into ministry but for all women of the church. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Nan walks her readers through a variety of circumstances using Biblical references, devotions, prayer and experience.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Nan is excellent at exposing the emotions and trials a woman goes through to support her husband, even in the midst of hostile and/or stubborn congregations and board members. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Everyone need to understand the fears and needs of a pastor's wife.</span>Joyful creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251313338244708960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942772965134839409.post-66506908697337993452015-11-15T02:17:00.004-05:002015-11-15T02:31:22.745-05:00<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><i> Dustin Miguel Van Harn</i>, of Leighton Township, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">an amazing musician, age 18. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">On November 7, 2015 </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">the guitars are suddenly quiet,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> the amps no longer hum,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> whether it was suicide or accident,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> we've lost our only son. </span></div>
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Left to wonder why are his parents, Michael and Kaylyn Van Harn of Leighton Township; grandparents, Mary Dewey of Jackson and Stephen Van Harn of Jenison; uncles and aunts, Bruce and Patricia Dewey, Debra Medema, Rebekah and Dan Byrnes, Marcia and Andrew Brooks; and many great-aunts, great-uncles, and cousins. His special girlfriend, Miki Thompson, childhood friend-in-crime, Lucas Finkbiener; forever best friend, Kyle Van Putten, and the friend who would remind Dustin that deep down inside he was still a Christian, Joshua Shoemaker. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Wilma Van Harn and Charles H. Dewey.</div>
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A special thank you to the Leighton Township Fire Department first responders and the Wayland Area EMS paramedics for doing all they could to save him. </div>
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Visitation will be held from 5-8 PM Wednesday, at Cook Funeral Home in Byron Center, 2067 - 84th St. SW. Funeral services will be held 3:30 PM Thursday, November 12, at Corinth Reformed Church, 129 - 100th St. SE in Byron Center, with visitation prior to the service beginning at 2:30 PM Thursday at the church. </div>
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In honor of Dustin, contributions may be made to the Leighton Township Fire Department. </div>
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The family welcomes memories and messages in their guestbook online at www.cookcares.com</div>
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Joyful creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251313338244708960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942772965134839409.post-66264072060119550282015-10-31T23:55:00.001-04:002015-10-31T23:56:35.813-04:00I love celebrating Halloween with the sis-in-laws!!<br />
Of course wearing a racing suit that is a Mens XLT was a bit cumbersome but at least I was authentic.<br />
Becky was a Roaring 20's swinger and Marcia was a referee.<br />
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<br />Joyful creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251313338244708960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942772965134839409.post-76315032964055019762015-10-20T03:07:00.000-04:002017-05-05T14:11:47.860-04:00Silver Linings, by Debbie Macomber<img alt="Silver Linings: A Rose Harbor Novel by…" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/P/0553391798.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /> I received this ARC from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers giveaway. This is one of the first Macomber books I have been able to finish. It was well written and the open ending implies there will be a Rose Harbor #5.<br />
One thing about this book I found difficult was the odd numbered chapters, which were about the bed & breakfast owner were written in first person and the even numbered chapters which were about the two women who stayed at the bed & breakfast while attending their 10 year class reunion were written in 3rd person. Once I got used to it, it was barely noticeable but very confusing at first. In fact, when Jo Marie was mentioned in chapter 2 I had no idea who the two women were talking about. I flipped to the back cover of the book and discovered she was the innkeeper. The main character!Joyful creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251313338244708960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942772965134839409.post-3814395580720625132015-09-15T00:45:00.001-04:002017-05-05T14:10:55.001-04:00The Photograph, by Beverly Lewis<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0764212478.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Photograph by Beverly Lewis" border="0" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0764212478.01._SX142_SY224_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.8px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.8px;">I won this advance reader copy through the LibraryThing Early Review Giveaway.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.8px;"> I have not read very many Amish books but </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.8px;">I love Beverly Lewis' writing. It's clear, non-confusing with just the right amount of description and Amish language without bogging down the story. The Photograph is a sweet story of 3 unmarried sisters surviving after the deaths of their parents within a short time of each other.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.8px;">The story emphasizes their love and obedience to God and the strong family commitment of the Amish while questioning the innocent desire for love; in the community and in the outside world.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.8px;">I think this is one of the best books I have read this year. I my reviews on LibraryThing and Goodreads I gave it 4 stars.</span></div>
Joyful creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251313338244708960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942772965134839409.post-34748122714386108592015-06-30T16:10:00.001-04:002015-06-30T16:10:24.325-04:00<span class="text Eph-4-29" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><i>I came across this passage today and it really struck me. </i></span></span><br />
<span class="text Eph-4-29" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><i>How I wish those people we have put in office, at all levels, to lead this country for us, would follow God's word.</i></span></span><br />
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<span class="text Eph-4-29" id="en-NIRV-29286" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: orange;">Ephesians 4:29-32</span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Eph-4-29" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>Don’t let any evil talk come out of your mouths. Say only what will help to build others up and meet their needs. Then what you say will help those who listen. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span><span class="text Eph-4-30" id="en-NIRV-29287" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">30 </span>Do not make God’s Holy Spirit mourn. The Holy Spirit is the proof that you belong to God. And the Spirit is the proof that God will set you completely free. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span><span class="text Eph-4-31" id="en-NIRV-29288" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">31 </span>Get rid of all hard feelings, anger and rage. Stop all fighting and lying. Don’t have anything to do with any kind of hatred. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span><span class="text Eph-4-32" id="en-NIRV-29289" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">32 </span>Be kind and tender to one another. Forgive one another, just as God forgave you because of what Christ has done.</span><br />
<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/4f/44/2c/4f442caa837ec73fd416a6b09b755f74.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/4f/44/2c/4f442caa837ec73fd416a6b09b755f74.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="text Eph-4-32" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><br />
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<span class="text Eph-4-32" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text Eph-4-32" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; color: #888888; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">Stumptown: Portland, OR</span></span>Joyful creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251313338244708960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942772965134839409.post-23013518895545338442015-06-08T03:14:00.002-04:002017-05-05T14:10:15.088-04:00The Boy Who Loved Rain, by Gerard KellyI recently finished this book and I loved it. I would describe it as a continuous roller-coaster ride with the way Kelly kept the action going; slowing down only to take a breath. The story surrounds a preteen boy who is slowly being swallowed by depression and that one nightmare that has him screaming into the night. What in his past could cause such a tragic turn of events for a child who was adopted into a loving religious home? Can the love of a desperate mother willing to seek help outside of her husband's church be enough?<br />
(I also loved the title's play on words, but you will have to read the book to understand.)<br />
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I received this book through LibraryThing Early Review Giveaway February 2015.Joyful creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251313338244708960noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4942772965134839409.post-91419973722938032392015-04-01T20:44:00.000-04:002017-05-05T15:07:51.578-04:00Best Friends Through Eternity, by Sylvia McNicoll<img alt="Best Friends through Eternity" height="320" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1403050072l/22318603.jpg" width="226" /><br />
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This is a young adult fiction about a 14 year old girl and the trials of friendship vs romance vs jocks vs mean girls vs loyalty vs adoption. Although I don't normally read young adult fiction, I have been drawn into this story to the point that even when I'm not reading, I think about Paige and what she is doing. There are so many situations going on here!<br />
One interesting thing which appeals to younger readers, it does not have chapter numbers. The first chapter is titled "Monday after School" and the rest are simply called "Retake" with the next day of the week.<br />
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This YA book was filled with so many unexpected turns that it was hard to put down. McNicoll's really knows how to build momentum. Right up to the very last half of the very last page I was not sure what the main character's decision would be. Talk about suspense! Unfortunately, I am disappointed in the ending. It's not the decision I thought she would make and it implies that some people may have the choice to cheat death; that the final decision is their own. I would still recommend this book to anyone. It is a quick read and very well written. I received this book through LibraryThing Early Review Giveaway February 2015.Joyful creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18251313338244708960noreply@blogger.com0