Book Review: A Woman's Right to Rest

We all know it.  We need to rest.  We need to say no.  We need to let go.  But we don't.  Sometimes we feel guilty. We don't want to seem selfish. We don't want to let others down. 

But we have the right to rest.

Denise George's book, A Woman's Right to Rest: 14 Types of Biblical Rest That Will Transform Your Life, is a practical, Biblical  guide on why women need rest and how women should rest.  She uses Scripture to support her claims on rest needed by women. George discusses physical and mental rest, resting in prayer, and rest given by forgiveness among other topics.  I liked that she used personal stories as well has historical figures in her discussions. 

Each chapter is set up in the same format: discussion on the type of rest, practical suggestions, personal study, group Bible Study.  This would be an excellent book to read alone or with a group, something I would even consider doing.

I received a free copy of this book from Leafwood Publishers for the purpose of an honest review. 

What is on my mind...

I would appreciate you being in prayer for my friend Tiffany.  I received a message from her that her brain tumor has grown bigger and chemo may be the next step.  She began blogging about her journey, but between surgery and wedding planning, that got put on the back burner.  Tiffany is a fighter, an amazing young woman.  Please, just pray for healing if that be God's will. 

I am thankful that it is Fall Break for us.  We are in much need of rest. These allergies are about to get me and now I think Carter has a touch of something.  This morning I thought we had a seal in the house. You moms know what that means!  So, I am home with a coughing seal/kid.

Jeff and I will celebrate our 13th anniversary on Tuesday.  I am so blessed to have him in my life. He is an amazing husband, a wonderful father, a remarkable man.  I can't believe how God has worked in his life these last few years.  I support him 100% in whatever God calls him to do.

Speaking of being called, we are in the midst of an Army roller coaster.  We are getting yes's and no's, and it is very exhausting.  When you get news and you prepare yourself for what is to come, and then you get other news that is the total opposite of what you were just told a week prior....well, it is frustrating and exhausting.  So please, pray for us and that God is in control of this situation.  We are open to what God wants us to do.  We knew what we were getting into when Jeff took his oath. I don't wish my husband away.  And I don't deny the fact that those called to the military know they have a mission, regardless of their rank or job.  I do know that my heart is for my husband and my job is to support him and what he is called to do. 

I have found out recently (or realized) that I secretly like being a leader.  So please dont' tell anyone!  I was asked to fill in for someone who couldn't attend a training and enjoyed the new stuff I learned and started brainstorming ways to use it and share it (Emily is probably thinking "I told you so!"). 

And on the subject of leading, I volunteered to be one of the new coaches for the Robotics team.  Like I needed one more thing to do! But it is for the kids.  It will be worth it.  I am also considering leading a new Bible study.  Has anyone ever heard of the Coffee Cup Bible Studies?  I would love to hear your thoughts on them if you have.  I read a friendship post on (in)courage once that gave me a great idea for a prayer group, but never did it. I think I can incorporate that idea with this Bible study series.

Here's to a fabulous fall Sunday. Hope the weather is nice where you are.  Get out and enjoy it with someone you love!

Congratulations

Lesley and Britt T are the winners of the Book Giveaway.  Thank you for entering.  Britt, I will be contacting you shortly so you can get your copy of Fierce Beauty. Lesley, I know where to find you! 

If you didn't enter, don't worry, I will give away more books at a later time.

Book Giveaway

Don't forget that today is the last day to enter my book giveaway.  Click HERE to find out more and enter the giveaway. Good luck!

Thumbs up for Lane

If you haven't heard about Thumbs up for Lane, click here and here. This family needs prayers. 

Book Giveaway!

My bookshelves overfloweth. My wish is that yours would too! 

So, I am hosting a giveway for books that I have received for free for the purpose of review. 

For this giveaway, you have the choice of one of the following books:

A Woman Called

Tough Guys and Drama Queens

Awakening: A New Approach to Faith, Fasting, and Spiritual Freedom

Life's too Short to Miss the Big Picture for Moms

Miracles and Moments of Grace: Inspiring Stories from Doctors

Fierce Beauty

How We Love Our Kids

How We Did It: Weight Loss Choices that will Work for You

From Santa to Sexting

Hurting With God

The Truth About Grace

Has God Spoken

To enter, all you have to do is leave me a comment with the name of the book you would like to win.  My goal is to giveaway 3 different books (if 3 people want different books). 

Visit the Book Reviews page to find links to my reviews. After you have read my reviews of the above books, leave a comment telling me which book you would like to win.  Oh, and tell your friends. I will choose winners on Tuesday, September 25. 

FYI: A couple of the books may have underlining or a few notes I took while reading, however, they are still in excellent shape.

Good luck.

Book Review: A Woman Called

As women, we have many questions about our roles. We are told as little girls that we can be anything we want to be.  But what happens when the people you are closest to, your church, says otherwise?

That is the beginning of Sara Gaston Barton's story.  In her book, A Woman Called: Piecing Together the Ministry Puzzle, she describes her journey in finding her place in ministry.  As a member of the Churches of Christ, Barton was taught that women should not be leaders within the church. However, she felt has if God was calling her to be a ministry leader.  She was faced with a dilemma and thus began her search for the truth.  In this book, she discusses how she uses scripture to help guide her in her true calling.

This book is well written, and Barton uses scripture to support her belief on her calling.  I do appreciate the fact that she stresses the importance of finding our answers in God's word.

I received a free copy of this book from Leafwood Publishers for the purpose of an honest review.

There is a lot I haven't said

Lack of posts doesn't mean a lack of topics to talk about.  There is a lot I could say, but I have to have time to sit down and say it. 

I've been contacted by a few companies who would like for me to "endorse them."  However, I've had to decline.  I don't have the time right now to research them and give my all to them and you.  For me, right now, the book reviews are the most I can do.  Sometimes that is still not enough it seems. 

Speaking of book reviews, I will be giving away some of the books that I have reviewed.  That will be coming soon.  My bookshelves overfloweth.  I'd like for yours to do the same.  I am reading a really good book right now.  Can't wait to share it with you. 

My family is well...well, sort of. Carter had a stomach virus Labor Day weekend and has been breaking out in hives off and on since then.  At first, we thought it was an allergic reaction to the polyurethane on the floors, but he started breaking out away from the house as well. 

We visited the doctor, but didn't find out anything. He was not a happy camper as we waited.  We are thinking the hives were caused by his baby wash. I swear (not really) that we have used that wash before.  Needless to say, we keep the Benadryl close by.

Allergies have struck Colin and Carson.  We were afraid they would have to miss our annual Homecoming Parade.Tractors, fire trucks, football players, marching band, cheerleaders, screaming kids....

I told Jeff that I know we are blessed to live in a small community where we can take part in this tradition every year. At first, I was peeved that candy was not going to be thrown because the car show was the following day, but man was it nice not to have to hold kids back from running in the street. I actually got to enjoy the parade!

Speaking of football, Kathleen, the Hilltoppers redeemed themselves....



We are piecing our house back together. Everyone is back in their own rooms, and we finally have our new couch!  We went from having 3 rooms in the living room and dining room

to having a living room to live in again

I've realized this week that we have been quite busy in our down time.  Things will soon be picking up. Carson has signed up for Cub Scouts.  Colin made the school chorus. Robotics starts this week (meet the new coach!)  He also tries out for academic team this week.  Soon we will be signing up for Super Saturdays at WKU.  Carson will be able to attend this year.  Our Army life is at a crossroads right now. Not quite sure where God is leading us at this point. Just waiting on the Army to decide. 

Thanks for checking in on me.  I think this is a great community. I enjoy those of you I've met through this blogging thing. 

Project

Recently, we decided to do away with our carpet and refinish our hardwood floors.

We pulled up carpet and removed staples.

 We painted.

 We They sanded.

 We They stained the floors.

One room down and 3 to go (they are staining them as I type).  They boys' bedrooms are dumped into our living room and the dining room.  We are living out our our bedroom this weekend, again.  Hope to get the boys back into their rooms tomorrow. Our new sofa and love seat will be delivered Friday!

Book Review: Tough Guys and Drama Queens

For parents of tweens and teens, Mark Gregston's Tough Guys and Drama Queens is a must read.  The tween and teen years are tough and dramatic and this book gives some great tips in navigating this time of life.

This book is divided into three parts. The first discusses the culture we live in today and how it affects our children. Our culture today often confuses adolescent boys and girls of their roles and leaves them with uncertainity. Also addressed in this book are parenting practices to avoid and practices that really work.

Tough Guys and Drama Queens is well written and full of practical wisdom. 

I received a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson for the purpose of review.

Hello, September

Dear September,

I can't believe you are already here.

Just wondering if you are bringing Isaac along with you.  We need some rain.  Not too much though. Just enough to wash away the pollen collecting on everything and drown a few ants crawling all over the slide.

School is is full swing. Not really feeling like I'm getting anywhere just yet, but definitely in full swing. The boys are loving it. Both have a Chinese Culture class at their schools. Carson is getting used to a new school, new teacher, new friends. Thankful for the old friends too.  Colin made 5th grade chorus. That's cool. What's even cooler is that he tried out instead of chickened out.  Don't want my children to ever be afraid to try. We may not always be successful, but we should still try. Right?

Speaking of trying...I am hosting a creative writing club at school. We have 12 members and our first piece of writing will be a family metaphor poem. My favorite poem.

Yesterday, I had to take a 1/2 day off because Carter was/is sick.  September, if you are going to be full of illness, please reconsider.  Take it easy on us, please.

Carter may be on the way to being potty trained.  This virus (?) that he has has encouraged him to use the potty and not his diaper.  A two year old potty training himself?  Could be.

I have another question for you, September. If a child really and truly LOST a tooth, will the tooth fairy still come? Should we leave an IOU?  We can't find the tooth. Carson went to bed with it in his mouth. He woke up with it gone.  Long gone!

Welcome, September. I am looking forward to finishing this remodeling project, and getting new furniture after 10 years. (I feel old when I start "talking in years") I am looking forward to our Worship Under the Stars with Mark 209.  I am looking forward to the time I will spend with my family.

Dear September, I don't want to wish you away. We've got lots going on, lots to prepare for, lots to think about and treasure. Please be good to us, September.

Sincerely,