"Paradise Valley" by Dale Cramer

"Paradise Valley"by Dale Cramer is definitely a 5 star book.This is the first book by Dale Cramer that I have read and I will definitely be reading more.   This is the first book in a series of three. I started reading this book because it is the next book for discussion in my book club. I had a feeling that I wouldn't like this book, I have no idea way I felt that way. I am so glad that I didn't listen to that feeling and not read the book. I was caught up in the story from the first paragraph, When Caleb Bender and other Amish men are arrested for not sending their children to school 5 days a week, Caleb moves his family to Paradise Valley in Mexico, in hopes to avoid the school issue and hopefully to improve, his wife, Martha's health. They encounter bandits and snakes but they make a success of their life there, Emma Bender has a secret of her own and is able to keep it for awhile because her and Levi Mullet get married so he can move to Mexico with the Benders and Rachel is upset because even through she isn't old enough for courting her and Jake Weaver are sort of secretly courting.Miriam has never had a beau and fears moving to Mexico she never will. The Benders will surprise you in their choices and the friends they make. I can't wait to read the other 2 books.  This book is Amish but with the bandits and all it makes me think if more westerns were like this I might read more of them.

Gifts

 Now that Christmas is over and I taking the tree down today here  is my blog for the day! Gifts are great! But my thought upon waking up today was that gifts are just tokens! I think people need another person sometimes to be willing to give of themselves, like a smile or a hug or maybe just a  prayer and sometimes  they need you to tell them "I'm sorry" or "I forgive you" even when they don't ask you to forgive them. People are always trying to buy things for others when sometimes what is needed is a little one on one with each other. I think things that cost you nothing financially are the best gifts such as giving up the chair you are sitting in for someone else or letting someone choose the tv show to watch. Or do something for someone and not let them know who done it! Oh before anyone gets to thinking I don't like gifts that cost something financially I do but the other gifts are great too! The other gifts are available all the time and do not required money or alot of time or pretty paper. And they are easier to give the more you practice them and these types of gifts most of the time don't get broke or thrown away or put in a closet and forgotten. I know that some that receive these kinds of gifts will not accept or appreciate them but I really believe that most will and in return will pass them on to others. So with that say I will close this blog and repent once again be a blessing to someone! And remember that JESUS was and will always be the best gift EVER!

"But I Trusted You" by Ann Rule

I gave this book 5 stars! The reason is beside Ann Rule knows what she writes about . The stories are all about true crime and though the subject isn't pleasant it is good to know that you cannot be too careful in life . I really dislike the fact that some of the cases Ann Rule writes about are still unsolved. I haven't read a book that Ann Rule has written that I haven't liked (once again I don't like the fact that there are evil people in the world and that some families will never never have peace about what and why) because she knows her subject and writes well.

The year 2012

The year of 2012 has been a good year for me even through there has bad news starting January 1 with my mother being hospitalized for chest, the chest pain turned out to be diagnosed as stage 4 cancer in her breast, lung,bone and lymph nodes.  There has been other things that has happened but I have learn to let God and let God handle it for the most part, I wish I could say that about everything but haven't made it there yet. I feel that personally I have grown more emotionally stable as well as spiritually and have not let things brother me as much as I have in the past. I have branched out and tried to do new things. I have made many new friends that have enriched my life. This is going to be a short blog because I am overwhelm with all that God has allowed to happen for the good to me. If anyone have told me at the beginning of 2012 all the changes in my life that was going to take part  I would have told them no way! Life has no guarantees that the good and the bad will last so treasure all the good and learn from the bad. Remember that whatever you are experiencing good or bad Jesus is walking beside you!

You walked with me, footprints in the sandAnd helped me understand where I’m goingYou walked with me when I was all aloneWith so much I know along the wayThen I heard you say
I promise you, I’m always there
When your heart is filled with sorrow and despair
I’ll carry you when you need a friend
You’ll find my footprints in the sand
I see my life flash across the skySo many times have I been so afraidAnd just when I have thought I lost my wayYou give me strength to carry onThat’s when I heard you say
I promise you, I’m always thereWhen your heart is filled with sorrow and despairAnd I’ll carry you when you need a friendYou’ll find my footprints in the sand
When I’m weary, well, I know you’ll be thereAnd I can feel you when you say
I promise you, I’m always thereWhen your heart is filled with sadness and despairI’ll carry you when you need a friendYou’ll find my footprints in the sand
I promise you, I’m always thereWhen your heart is full of sadness and despairI’ll carry you when you need a friendYou’ll find my footprints in the sand
LEONA LEWIS - FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND LYRICS 

Story Time!

I don't know about the title for this blog but I couldn't think of one I liked so I just struck with this one!
I am happy today, I submitted a little story to be included in a book by Whoopie Pie Pam Jarrell, the leader of my online book club and it was printed in the book. I wrote about my son Joseph's second Christmas when he had 7 seizures and how we spend Christmas at my daughter's instead of at my house. It came out yesterday on Kindle so I took my ipad and went to visit my mother and had her read it, she replied that is good and all of it is true. She didn't sound like she was that excited for me but I guess I am excited enough for my whole family. I think the librarians showed me my support and there were a few friends and 2 family members (one being my granddaughter Tori and my nephew's girlfriend) that also showed me support. Yes I know it isn't that big of a deal and I'm not a famous author nor am I getting paid for it but having my name in print is a joy to me. I hope that doesn't sound like I am being prideful, I am not trying to be. I am just glad to be counted as a friend among the Whoppie Pie Bookclub gang. I think if anyone buys this book and the first one by Whoopie Pie Pam they be won't be disappointed but inspired by the collections of Christmas stories. They might even want to use these books as a yearly read every year. And they might even find a new recipe or two that might became a favorite one.

Journaling With Jesus How to draw Closer To God

I have just finished reading "Journaling with Jesus How To Draw Closer To God"by Carol Round. And I give it 5 stars. I am excited to start on this journey. I am a Christian but my prayer life is a struggle. I have trouble knowing what to say when I try to pray but  the book has helped me realize that   all prayer  is just communion with our Heavenly Father. The author gives examples of people who have kept a prayer journal for many years and how it has shown them how God has worked in their life and how they have grown spiritually.  She gives points for starting and the why of keeping a prayer journal.  She tells the benefits of keeping a prayer journal.  Our Heavenly Father wants communion with us and prayer is just talking to Him. The benefits are you will begin to see what is holding you back from becoming the person God wants you to be and you can tell our Heavenly Father anything you are feeling even if it is anger because he already knows. She tells the reader how to start a prayer journal and the tools we need. There are questions in the book to get us started. There is even a companion workbook to go with the book. Carol Round asks the reader to sign a contract in the back of the book to take a 40 day challenge. Yes I am going to sign it and start my prayer journal tomorrow, and hopefully I will be a better communicator with my Saviour and a better Christian. Hopefully I will remember to update this review at the end of the 40 days. This book and the workbook was given to me by the author for a honest review

A Hope Springs Springs Christmas by Patricia Davids

"A Hope Springs Christmas" by Patricia Davids gets 5 stars from me.This story made me want to cry and laugh and it almost made me want to grab a couple of teenage boys and shake so sense into them.  This story is the 7th in the Brides Of Amish Country, but it can also be a stand alone novel but after reading this one I want to read all the rest and in the notes at the back of the book the authors writes  that she hopes more stories are coming to this series. Sarah (Amish) is a widow who has used her job to keep the depression away at Christmas time but this year she isn't working due to the shop owner closing it for a few months. Her neighbor Grace Beachy wants to marry Henry Zook but is afraid to leave her brothers Levi and the twins Moses and Atlee, because their parents are both dead and she feels like they need her.  Levi was a friend of Sarah's husband and on Jonas's death bed agreeds to watch over Sarah till she remarries but Levi wants to move to the mountains.  Sarah tells Grace to go visit her grandmother and think about what she wants. Grace agreeds to go but not before she asks Sarah to find Levi a wife. Sarah trys to and ends up falling in love with him herself. Levi is a buggy maker and the twins are always pulling jokes and pranks. One of their pranks causes Levi and Sarah to admit their love to each other but not before it is almost too late. Levi made plans to move to the mountain. But once again love wins.

Kate's Kisses by Mary Manners

Kate's Kisses is another 5 stars book for me. This is the second book that I have read by Mary Manners and I want to read all of her books and if they are as good as the last two she will have a dedicated fan. The title is what the book is about in two ways (her real kisses and her delectable confections of cherries and rich sweet cream and chocolate). Kate and her three sisters own and operate a bakery called Sweet Treats. Logan Daniels is back in town to build a new library after leaving to follow his dream of building big buildings.Logan and Katie were engaged but then Kate's parents died and Kate's calls off the wedding to help her sisters. After coming back home Logan wants to start over with Kate but she isn't sure she wants to be hurt again. I really loved the ending. It has a sweet ending (yes my pun is intended). This book is the first of four in the Sweet Treats Bakery series.  I am really looking forward to reading the other 3 in this series. This story was given too me by the author for an honest review.

Is this Anything New Or Does It Have A Purpose?

I am not sure where this going but I just felt like I wanted to put my thoughts down, I am really saddened by all the killings lately and they just seem to be keep happening. Just 5 minutes  ago I heard on the tv about a woman in St.Louis that was murdered. And I asked myself "Is this anything new or is there a purpose to it all"? Well I have no answer to the purpose except that maybe it is to show us that we need Jesus and that He is our only hope and has always been our only hope. But the Is this anything new question has a answer of no, it is not new. Even the first family in the Bible had a murder. Cain murder his brother over jealously. Wow after writing that, the thought came who can we blame that on there was no guns (at least I don't think so) and video games and tv (that I do ) and .the newest thing I saw on Facebook today,Psychiatric drugs ( I know they didn't have them). And all through history killings and attacks were committed and even Herod wanted to kill Jesus because he wanted to be the only king. I think the reason  they happened then and still happening today is because of Sin and people don't want  to admit they need to obey Jesus. Oh I know all the other things do help the sin to be committed. And all the things I have and haven't mentioned used to commit these killings and attacks are also used to for the good. There are good and bad in everything. And I believe that when 1 person is murdered (regardless of the cause  or who or how the method) Jesus is saddened. And I believed that when a person dies regardless of the reason or how (whether sickness or murder or accident) if that person has Jesus in his heart he is in a much better place and Jesus has welcomed home. And as you can see I am not placing blame on anyone or anything but SIN.  And yes I do believe that when we sin we need to accept our  responsibility and yes I know things can influence us and cause us to do wrong but that is why there is a Saviour whose name is Jesus. And before anyone gets to thinking I think I am better than anyone else, I KNOW I'M NOT. I SIN TOO 

Silent Warrior by Thomas Dewitt

"Silent Warrior" by Thomas Dewitt gets 4 stars from me. I was excited to read this book because the author lives in my hometown. The only  two reasons I gave it 4 instead of 5 is because it is Sci fi and Sci fi isn't my cup of tea and a few cuss words.The F word is used once.  In that one case I suppose it was appropriate for the screen the author was describing. I did like that the details of Litchfield, Illinois and surrounding  areas were so vivid that I could actually see the places in my mind. Even through I don't like Sci fi this story was easy to follow.
Troy Tandem wakes up on a deserted island. The last thing he remembers is helping a young lady that is being beaten by thugs and he thought he was beaten to death. When he finally finds other people he is shocked to find that it has been 7 years.  The story follows his travels and discoveries as Troy makes his home to his wife Tori and their 2 children. Troy discovers he has special powers and when he does get back home he realizes he can't really be with his family and keep them safe.  I think the ending will surprise you. It makes me wonder if another book is coming.

We All Need Someone To Love and for Someone To Love Us

PARTNER POWER
God formed families to give people closeness. The deepest hurt man can know is to have no one to love and no one who cares. An experienced social worker says, "I have come to realize that it is being unwanted that is the worst disease that any human being can ever experience. For all kinds of diseases there are medicines and cures, but for being unwanted. . . I don't think this terrible disease can ever be cured." We who know Christ realize that He can provide warmth and friendship. Still, we need human companionship. Thus, an important purpose of the family is to provide human warmth, touch, and friendship. In that closeness, we develop strength.

There is great power in partnership. God gave us each other to strengthen one another. Husbands look at life with a different perspective than do wives. Wives see things that husbands overlook. The way Abigail was able to cool David's anger is an excellent illustration of the way men and women complement each other (1 Samuel 25). The wise husband listens to his wife, and the wise wife hears her husband.

Even the cynical writer of Ecclesiastes recognizes the power of partnership. He says: There is one alone, without companion: He has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labors, Nor is his eye satisfied with riches .Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour(Ecclesiastes 4:8-9 )

1. I think the statements in this Daily Bible Reading is so right. I believe everyone needs someone to love and needs to know they are loved. I believe that God didn't make anyone to be alone (not talking being married here). I am talking about loved ones in the form of sisters (blood or friends) or brothers(blood or friends). The loved ones in our life make all the difference in how we handle and cope with the trials and tests that come to us. I have known and heard of people that had a really hard life but because someone loved them and they loved someone in return they weren't bitter or selfish. Of course the love of God is the most precious kind of love. And we need to remember that He loved us first. His love is never failing. I know sometimes it is really hard to see or understand His love when some things happen but we just need to trust and someday it will all be clear how He had it all under control and it was really in our best interest. I do believe God sends the right people into our lives at the right time to show us His love if we just open our eyes and heart to Him. Wow when I started this blog this morning I had no idea it would have all this in it. Now I am wondering if God is speaking to someone personally or if He is speaking to me or if He is speaking to everyone that reads this. Remember I Corinthians 13:1-13 gives us a list of what love is and then in verse 13 it lists  faith,hope and love and then it tells us love is the greatest of the three. So if love is the greatest of the three doesn't it seem that we need it from others and that we need to give it it to others. Like I have already stated I had no idea where  this was headed when I started typing this morning but before I end this I need to say one more thing. God showed his love when He came as a baby to earth knowing He will pay the ultimate sacrifice to show his love. Can't we show love in a small way today and everyday.

Is It Okay!

I have a question for you all today! I just download 3 free audiobooks. I got a code to download one from an author who wanted me to do a review. I seen where you could download the free apt on your iPad and I couldn't seem to get it to work so I called the company and they wanted me to join their gold club and I told them not as this time but then they offered me a free 30 day membership so I said okay knowing that I was going to cancel before the 30 days was up. With this membership you get a free audiobook so I was  looking at the site trying to download the book for the author and seen where I had  credit for 2 more books so I downloaded them. Now I feel like I shouldn't have downloaded the other books but I also feel like the guy I was talking to on the phone know I was going to cancel before the 30 days because I kept asking him when the free membership was up. So I was just wondering how many of you take advantage of things like this and if it is right for a christian to do so. The books I got are "Angels At The Table" by Debbie Macomber and "With Every Letter" by Sarah Sundin. I am sure if I could afford the 7.49 a month I would keep the membership for the one free book each month but I cannot fit it into my budget at this this, I like to eat also (lol). That is why I like to do the reviews for books even if my reviews don't measure up to all the other reviews outthere in bloggerland.

Is There Love Being Shown Today

I don't have any words of wisdoms today so I'm just going to look for examples of love in everything I see or hear today.  Since God allowed me to live another day it must be so I can show and see His love .I hope this blog isn't empty at the end of the day. If you want to help me out and you see examples of love being shown please comment and tell me about them. We all need help sometimes and today feels like one of these days to me; Well I will get back to you later.
Well Carl made me some hot chocolate because I was cold.

A Christmas for Katie

"A Christmas for Katie" by Shelley Shepard Gray gets 5 stars from me. This is just a short story about Katie Weaver who was a live nativity this Christmas in front of the library. She is 6  and a half years old. The librarian Jayne didn't want anything to do with  it. Katie believing it was because she had a broken heart because her uncle John had broken up with her prays that God sends her a man to fall in love with. Then a new man walks into the library right at closing  time and then there is a scream and they find an elderly lady laying on the ground. And a wiseman is missing from the nativity set and then more pieces are missing. It's a good thing the new stranger is the sheriff of the town. Ella, Katie's aunt is pregnant and has trouble and Katie believes it is her fault but everything does work out in the end. I love the ending. Do they ever find the missing pieces of the nativity and does Kate get her live nativity, you will have to read the book to find out. This story is a novella based on the characters from the Families of  Honor series

Angel Song by Mary Manners

"Angel Song" by Mary Manners gets 5 stars from me. This story is a clean Christian romance! If you are looking for a short read then this is one for you and as a bonus it is about Christmas. Quinn Sanders loses her job as a art teacher because of cutbacks and goes back to the town where she was raised. While working in Gus's Diner she meets Jason. Quinn's car wonted start and Jason offers to help. Jason is the youth director at the local church and wants Quinn to take over the set and props for the Christmas program. Quinn has a daughter Linsey who wants to be a angel and sings. Does Quinn put her fears aside and help Linsey dreams become a reality and does love come to Quinn and Jason. This story will make you believe in the magic and the wonder of Christmas all over again! Sometimes detours in life can become blessings. I was given this book by the author for an honest review

Marriage is Serious Business

• I agreed with this! That is why it is on my blog today! When people marry it is to be a lifetime commitment. Not only are we disobeying God, think of we are doing to our children when we jump from partner to partner. Children need to know they are safe and loved and how can they feel this if they aren't ln any stable environment. Before anyone starts to get upset with me, yes I know they are reasons to split up, like abuse and cruelty but just because you decide you don't like that person anymore and want to be with someone else is not reason enough to me! I know there are some that wouldn't agreed with me and that is okay I am just writing my opinions. I think we as parents need to consider our children before ourselves. I am not judging anyone any individuals with this post, I am just commenting on my daily Bible reading for the day!
  SERIOUS BUSINESS
  
  Sociologists say our age is more polygamous than any other in history. Perhaps our polygamy wears a different face, but in principle it is the same. When partners divorce, remarry, divorce and remarry again, they are accumulating spouses. In some areas of our world, the rate is as high as one out of every two marriages dissolving in divorce. This cycle of union and separation is absolutely contrary to God's Word.
  
  The new U.S. Census Bureau data show that the divorce rate, after rising sharply in the early 1970's, has remained relatively stable-not to mention high. Fewer than half the couples who first got married in the late 1970's made it to their 25th anniversary. Of the women who first got hitched in the late 1980's, only 57% reached their 15th anniversary, compared with 79% of brides in the late 1950's.
  
  Jesus says we are to leave our parents and "cleave to" our spouses. The verb cleave suggests there are times when we have to hold on tightly and tenaciously. Paul plainly agrees: Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband (1 Corinthians 7:10). He adds a word to the husbands: ... And a husband is not to divorce his wife (1 Corinthians 7:11).
  
  Marriage, according to God's Word, is to be exclusive. Man is to worship one God and devote himself to one mate. The Old Testament stated that anyone guilty of coming between a husband and a wife would be put to death. Jesus goes even beyond the law forbidding adultery and says that anyone who cultivates the wish to commit adultery is already guilty of it in his heart.
  
  Marriage is a covenant of love and loyalty between one man and one woman. It is a sacred relationship that should not be taken lightly, just as our relationship with Christ cannot be taken lightly.
• Matthew 19:6

Chocolate Rabbit

"Chocolate Rabbit' by Petra Sabine Manning" gets 5 stars from me. Nikki Fisher accepts a journalism position as the assistant to a foreign newspaper correspondent after much thought. She is really Monika Groebel, who as a child escaped from an East German childhood when her father and other members went missing because they wouldn't embrace Communism. Monika is adopted and lives in Chicago, Illinois when she takes this job. Nikki decides to go back to Europe and search for answers to her questions about her family's survival. Monika meets new and old friends in this story and is reunited with a old love who she has blamed wrongly for father's disappearance. The story begins on the day before Easter and ends the day before Easter. I think you will understand the title when you read the book. This book is fiction but is based on the real-life of the author. The book interweaves between the present life of Nikki/Monika and the past life of Monika. She encounters dangers as she searches for the answers. She discovers treasures she didn't know she has and uses them to help free others. This book has mystery, friendship, and love (with a couple of sex scenes that are not a lot of details which if you don't want any then I think it would be easy to skip about 4 or 5 sentences and then get back into the story but you won't want to skip more than that before you would miss the next train of thought in the book).
This book is "published by Dorrance Publishing." I received a complimentary copy of ("In My Father's House") as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.

Responsibilities or Blessings

Have you ever though that your responsibilities were blessings in disguise; Well lets change our minds to think so

1 Cleaning the house=you have a place to live

2 Laundry=you have clothes to wear and change

3 Washing the dishes=you have food to eat

4 Changing diapers=you have someone to show love you

5 Taking care of an elderly parent or grandparent=you are not alone and you can repay the love and care that person showed you

6 Listening to your siblings complaining about your parents or other siblings= you still have another chance to meet a difference in someone's life

I am sure there are others and would love for you to add them in the comment space

WHY BOOKS ARE MY BEST FRIENDS

My blog today is about books and why they are my best friends, Bookworms understand my love for reading and books are among their best friends also. Why are books my best friends?  Anyone that reads will know the reasons before I write them down. The first reason is a very simple one, books are always available when you what them, (24 hours of the day every day).  The next reason is books let you use them and don't want anything in return. Books even let you loan them out to your other friends and don't complain about the abuse.  Sometimes books help you explain what you are feeling when your own words just don't explain enough. Books can help you escape into another world when your own is just too much stress or drama. Books can help you have adventures when your own world is just not exciting enough, Books can even teach you things ( good and bad) you wouldn't know or even thought of you hadn't read them. I have been told I read too much but I think that is just someone's opinion that doesn't have a love for reading! I don't know how someone can watch tv as much as they do. So you see I guess it all depends on who is doing the activity and how it is viewed. I remember my grandma telling me that I loved looking at books when I was still in the crib and I never torn them up. She said I had a love for books from the first book I ever held in my hands. So I guess I can say I have been faithful to my best friends.  Books never get jealous because you spend time with another book or even if you spend time doing another activity like watching tv or cleaning house or sleeping. Books are ready to start back up where you left them or to start anew.  Books are ready to take a trip ( with you being car boat or just outside at a moment's notice and no complaining that you woke them up either . So with all these reason and more why wouldn't I want books to be my best friends.

Early Morning Thoughts= Love is The Best Plan

Isn't it amazing the things you think of when you can't sleep. Last night was one of those night, I thought of all the times I started a diet,a walking plan and so many other good intentions but have failed to keep them. But then I thought of the one plan that I have kept and hopefully will till my last breathe, of life. And I realized that one plan was the best and if I fail every other plan I ever make again and keep to this plan I have not  failed at all. What is that plan you made be asking, it is this, To love and show my family and friends that I love them and that they matter to me. Of course I have stumbled on this path many times but I hope that when I have stumbled and not showed love, they still knew that I loved them. It is so easy to show love, a hug, a smile, a prayer for that person, and sometime just walking away and letting them learn things on their own. Sometime it is just a listening ear and crying with them. Love isn't always a  feeling. Most of the time it is action. To prove this point here is an example, do you think mothers like changing all those diapers and being thrown up on, but by this these things a child knows they are all loved. When my husband vacuumes the front room that is showing love. I think you all get my point. And just telling someone you love them doesn't make it so. So I hope we all get out there and show the love each and every day. If we do the world would be a better place for everyone. Everyone deserves for someone to love them them. I know everyone won't agreed with my next statement but I believe that love can change the coldest heart. REMEMBER TO LOVE TODAY!!

The Dust Will Still Be There Tomorrow

The Dust Will Still Be There Tomorrow is the name of my book club on Facebook, At the present time there are 42 members and me. And I treasure each one of them. I love the title given to the group by the first member Susan. Right now I am writing this blog as I wait to do a drawing for a giveaway of 5 Love Inspired books.. I am clearing my bookshelves. Another member, Mary has also donated books for giveaways. I started the group as a place where we could share our love of reading and what we like or don't in the books we read. Any genre is okay to discuss as long as the post is family friendly.When the group started I didn't wanted authors in the group because of the fear that we wouldn't fear free to post our honest opinions on a book if the author was in our group.
Since then we now have 2 authors in our group, Susette Williams and Whoopie Pie Pam Jarrell who just recently published her first book (with more to follow) so who knows the group might have more changes coming but for now I like the group the way it is. THANKS TO ALL MY MEMBERS for making THE DUST WILL STILL BE THERE TOMORROW a great group. Well time to go draw for a winner then tonight another winner will be chosen.

A Month of Being Thankful

This is the list of things I was thankful for each day in November of 1212. This way I can keep a record and be mindful of all I have when I start to feel down.

Day 1 I'm thankful that God is no respecter of persons and that he included me when Jesus died on the cross.

Day 2 I'm thankful for my Grandma Sadie Steele, who showed unselfish love, I miss you Grandma and will see you again someday in Heaven.

Day 3 Today I am thankful for a nice warm place to live

Day 4 Today I am thankful for my family, husband, mom, children, grandchildren and sisters and nieces and nephews and the whole clan

Day 5 Today I am thankful for friends, the ones in real life and the ones I have never met like Jane Wittenbrink Reeves, Pamela Jarrell-Whoopie Pie Place and all the Whoopie Pie Book club friends and Laura Ethridge and all the others, you know who you are, if I mention them all this post would be too long.k I have to mention a few more friends I haven't meant but who friendships mean a lot Deborah Spaulding and Ken LaLonde and more if I didn't mention your name it wasn't because I don't valve you , I DO  I JUST HAVE SO MANY FRIENDS

Day 6 "Today I am thankful for computers and ereaders and yes(i know some will think I am crazy) but I am thankful that there is facebook so I can keep in touch with friends that I couldn't otherwise!"

Okay ... You all knew this was going to be on the list so I will use it today! 
Day 7 I am thankful for books to read whether they be print or ebooks

Day 8 I have 5 things I am thankful for today: A husband that works so I don't have to and a daughter Gala Kierbach and a son-in-law that knows more about electronics than I do so when I have a question about my computer I can call her and who gave me two wonderful granddaughters Jordin and Tori. And a son Joseph Curto and a daughter-in-law who gave me a grandson Weston.

Day 9 I am thankful for a partially clean house, I say partially because it means my house is lived in and hopefully when people come to visit me they are comfortable and not have to worry about not messing up a spotfree house. With that said my house is clean, sometimes things like toys are out and things like that but it is still clean


Day 10 I am thankful for music for music can always help ease the troubled soul, it expresses thing you feel but cannot say.And you can enjoy music everywhere, even in the sound of falling rain, a rippling brook,etc

Day 11 Today I thankful for the veterans and that they fight to give us freedom to worship as we want!

DAY 12 Today I am thankful that I had a stepfather that cared and supported us in whatever we tried to do. I miss you Francis Roberts! Thank you for being the dad and the grandfather you didn't have to be

Day 13 I am thankful for my mother. She has been there for me when I really needed her. Happy birthday Patsy Roberts, love you

DAY14 well this one is going to be hard to write but do to my last post just a minute ago I have to say I am thankful that God saved me from all my suicide attempts and loved me enough to let me see Gala and Joe grow up and let me become a grandmother, and I can never tell them enough how sorry I am for all the past hurts I have caused them. I know there will be people saying I should put this on Facebook but if it helps just one person not to try it or to succeed than I am not sorry I posted this. Love you all (family and friends and strangers because strangers are just friends I haven't met.

Day 15 today I am thankful that I slept all night, didn't wake up till it was time to get up. Isn't sleep a wonderful thing!

Day 16 I am thankful for a washing machine and clean clothes and that I don't have to go to the laundry mat

Day 17 I am thankful that Our God is always there to call on and that there are people willing to be use by Him

Day 18 Church

Day 19 I am thankful that I can see and hear and walk, and the doctors that make that possible, yes I have glasses and knee implants but in all I am healthy

Day 20 I am thankful for Siri on iPad, I know such a silly thing to be thankful for but I am."

Day 21 I am thankful I am can worship God freely

Day 22 I am thankful for Today, because today is another opportunity to get it right and make someone else's load a little lighter, even if it a smile or a hug!

Day 23 I am thankful for a fan, I know that is a funny thing to be thankful for, but last night my house was still so warm from the oven that I sleep with a fan blowing on me, but of course now I'm coughing and stuff but I'm did sleep last night"

"it is only 24 degrees today! I don't like the cold but it better than having snow and ice. Ok that will be what I'm thankful for today! Day 24, I am thankful that there is no snow or ice today"

Day 25 Today I am Thankful for crockpots: Carl is putting a roast with potatoes and carrots in ours before we go to church so when we get home dinner will be already cooking"

Day 26 Thankful that some of my Christmas Shopping is done and am glad for a day spent with my daughter



"I know this is early but I am going to go ahead and do tomorrow post
Day 27 I am thankful that mom's cancer is in remission and that I can talk to her on the phone!"


"Day 28 Thankful for 2 days of safe and fun traveling to Springfield for Christmas shopping!"


Day 29 I am thankful for Mailman and policemen and fireman and nurses and doctors and teachers and anyone that spend and or risk their lives everyday to help others.

Day 30 I am thankful that there are others who are willing to go the extra mile for others and not always think of themselves above others.

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A Book Club that is Not Only a book club

I just got done with an online live book club. It was with the best group of friends known as The Whoopie Pie Book Club. I wish I could meet and give each of these special girls and a few guys a hug. These members are available for prayer and support and advice. I am so honor to be a part of this great club, and some days I feel like we are more family than friends.  I sometimes feel that I ask for more than my share of prayers but these members have assured me that we all need prayers and that is what friends are for.  The authors that are in this group are a great bunch of friends too.

Be Angry and sin not!

Ok this post has nothing to do with a book review but I was angry earlier. Even through I felt that I had a right to be angry I feel bad when I am. Even through I did nothing wrong, ( no cussing, no name calling, no throwing things) when I get angry I feel like I am sinning. Yes I know Jesus got angry but He was Holy all the time. And I was only angry for maybe 30 minutes. Does anyone have any suggestion to help me not feel like a failure when I do get angry and do not sin. Yes there are times when I get angry and do sin. I'm looking for help on knowing the difference between the two. Thanks for any help.

Casa de Naomi

Casa de Naomi : The House of Blessing Book 1 gets 5 stars from me. Fifteen-year-old Naomi (a Jew who has to keep her identify a secret) agrees to companion a blind, old woman whose family plans to tour Europe and settle in the United States. But the woman passes away aboard ship, and Naomi is handed over to immigration and while there an old Ti­a comes to Naomi's rescue and offers to take her in. With nowhere to go and no one to turn to, Naomi agrees and unwittingly enters the country illegally.While with the Tia Naomi is kept hidden and trained to take the Tia's place (but Naomi doesn't know she is being trained for this). When the Tia becomes sick Naomi learns that she is to inherited all from the Tia. Naomi becomes Tia and is the first Tia to marry. She brings Lola into the case who is

 determined to ruin Naomi and at the end of the story Lola has done just that. I loved reading this story. While reading this story I admit I was telling myself I want Naomi to tell people that she was a Jew and that people accept her she was but when it was revealed that she was a Jew, it didn't happen that way and then I though why did they have to found out she was a Jew but the ending was a surprise (we find out she wasn't the only one). I cannot wait to read Book 2 and I am hoping that Naomi and Chaz are reunited to prove that true love does conquer all and that when you live your life as a blessing to others you are blessed also. While reading this I felt not only that I was reading but that I could actually feel what the characters were feeling. The feeling this book provokes won't be forgotten.