Umm God?

I know I said the other day to bring the rain, but God?  I was bluffing.  See, I really don't like being wet.  And my shoes are all sloshy and it's really uncomfortable and  I want ... what's that You say?

^{Jeremiah 29:11} For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 


Oh yeah, I know that!  But what I'm trying to say is, uh,  I changed my mind.  I mean, I want you to do your plan and all, but can you make it a little more comfortable, a little less rain??  NO? What's that?


^{James 1:2} Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 

OK, if You say so, but it's really hard to feel joy right now, I'm really trying to keep my head above all of this rain.  I'm paddling and paddling but it feels like the water level just keeps getting higher and higher, something is weighing me down.  I just wish could drop whatever it is and just float.  I CAN?

^{Matthew 11:29} Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 


Does this mean you will do the paddling for me????  Ok, Lord, show me how to let this burden go, I'm ready... boy am I ever ready!!  Because I'm really tired and I need that rest you are offering!  

One last thing to remember?  Oh, I guess it's not about me.. it has always been about You.  I'm sorry Father, thank you for your grace.

^{Job 29:20} My glory will not fade; the bow will be ever new in my hand.’  

^{2 Corinthians 12:9} But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 

Love and Blessings Always,
Margaret 

Book Review: Chasing Rainbows by Kathleen Long

Chasing Rainbows by Kathleen Long
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bernadette Murphy is undergoing some changes. She unexpectedly lost her father, her husband left her and she's still grieving the loss of her daughter five years later. When I seemingly small thing sends her over the edge, her world changes forever! It seems that her lifeline is a book of cryptograms found among her father's things. Each of these puzzles provide wise words and brings Bernie one step close to her healing.

This was a free download from Amazon, so I try not to get my hopes up. Fortunately, this book was really good!!! Bernadette was a well-developed character. I connected with her as she struggled with her grief, from the moments of complete breakdowns to the hilarious antics. Yes she had some missteps along the way but in the end, it's the healing that counts.

The story line was easy to follow (which when you are dealing with death and grieving is not always easy). The author introduces the secondary characters, Ryan, Bernie's mom, her brother, her neighbors, her best friend and others all and fun and believable ways.

This was the book I wanted to keep reading and was annoyed when I only had time to read a chapter at a time (if only I didn't have to sleep!)

This book is from my personal collection.  I was not required to write a review.

Love and Blessings Always,

Margaret

View all my reviews

Stop the Violence Against Children! #VetoViolence

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.  While we should always be alert for signs of Child Abuse, April is the Month that we need to bring it to the forefront.  It's a month where we don't whisper, but we SHOUT OUT LOUD THAT WE WILL NOT STAND FOR THE MALTREATMENT OF OUR CHILDREN!  Do you know the forms of Maltreatment?

Child maltreatment includes all types of abuse and neglect of a child under the age of 18 by a parent, caregiver, or another person in a custodial role (e.g., clergy, coach, teacher). There are four common types of abuse:

• Physical Abuse
• Sexual Abuse
• Emotional Abuse
• Neglect

Did you know that there are almost 4 million cases of child abuse and neglect reported to the United States and CPS each year?  That means 4 million children who are now at risk for for emotional, physical and health problems for the rest of their lives!  I won't stand for it and I hope you won't either. Here is a list of things YOU and I can do to protect these children:

Listed below are things you can do to help prevent child abuse (from Darkness to Light website - http://www.d2l.org/site/):

1. Learn the facts about child abuse and understand the risks.
1. Read a book, attend a class, or look online to see how many children are affected by the different types of child maltreatment.
2. Abusers are often people the family trusts; they look and act just like everyone else.
2. Minimize the opportunities for abuse to occur.
1. Avoid situations where a child is alone with an adult – and avoid one-adult/one-child situations with children other than your own.
2. Monitor the Internet use of children so that they aren’t lured into inappropriate activities.
3. Talk about abuse
1. Talk openly to your child and understand why children may be scared to tell someone about abuse.
2. Talk to other adults about child abuse. This helps raise the consciousness of your community and influences their choices about child safety, while also putting potential abusers on notice that you are paying attention.
4. Stay alert to the signs of abuse.
1. Read a book, attend a class, or look online to determine the signs (physical and emotional/behavioral) of the different types of child maltreatment, while also understanding that some children may not display any signs
5. Know what to do if you suspect the abuse or neglect of a child.
1. Your reaction to suspected child maltreatment can determine how the child responds so it’s important not to overreact.
2. Provide support to the child.
3. Report suspected child maltreatment to appropriate authorities, either by calling the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1.800.4.A.CHILD or by calling local child protective services or law enforcement agencies in your community.
6. Act on suspicions.
1. Even if you don’t have proof but you suspect abuse has occurred/is occurring, you should report it. If you want to talk to staff about whether or not to report, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1.800.4.A.CHILD.
7. Get involved in your communities.
1. Meet and greet your neighbors and organize/participate in activities in your neighborhood
2. Go to a parents’ meeting or volunteer at your child’s school or run for an office in the parent organization at your child’s school
3. Participate in an activity at your local library or community center
4. Attend local government meetings (city council or school board meetings) and let them know how important resources are in your community. Let them know how parks, strong schools, and accessible services help to strengthen your family and other families
5. Support legislation that protects children.
6. Call and write your members of Congress.
7. Write letters to your newspaper.

As parents we should be even more vigilant in helping those in need.  We need to set the example for our children and step up when we see someone being bullied, when we see an act of neglect and certainly when we see an act of abuse.  We can no longer be afraid to get involved.  We have to protect these children!

So will you stand with me?  Will you commit to helping prevent child abuse?

Love and Blessings Always!

Margaret

Bring the Rain!

It's a rainy day here today.  After a pretty much nonexistent winter, and some very mild days after that, I think we got a little spoiled! Many are complaining about the weather today but me, I thank God for the rain.  We need it to nourish the plants and grass and all types of growing things.  We need it to fill our reservoirs.  We need it to remember how blessed we are when the sunny days come and the flowers bloom and the reservoirs are full!

It's the same with our souls.  If God only gave us sunny days, we wouldn't appreciate them.  Our souls will get "spoiled." So every now and then, God brings us a little rain!  We don't need to panic when it rains.  We just need to know that God is watering our areas that need to grow, that He's refilling our spiritual reservoirs, that He's reminding us of the sunny days that will come again. 

I love this song by Mercy Me that describes the way I feel about the rain:

If it's raining where you are, I hope you can learn to find JOY in the rain as much as the sunny days!

Love and Blessings Always!

Margaret

Coming Full Circle - Who I Am

When I started this blog, I thought it would be fun to share things in my life, review books, talk about my Christian faith... but somewhere along the way I got "lost."  I started reviewing products I really didn't have an interest in, attempted to do giveaways, and other distracting things... and the blog became a burden.  Then I did away with all of that and the blog became boring (or maybe it already was!).

So this is a fresh start! It will be truthful, challenging and sometimes difficult.  My focus is on quality, not quantity.  I may do a giveaway here and there, but mostly  I will be telling you stories about my husband, my children and myself, sharing about books that I've read and some of my other hobbies like dolls, photography, digital scrapbooking, public education (well I don't get paid for it so I guess it's a hobby!).

This is us for the curious!

So if you don't want to "hear" all that stuff, unsubscribe now, I won't be mad at'cha! 

I also did some housecleaning.  I unsubscribed from a LOT of blogs.  I had so many blogs that I followed, it was hard to follow and comment.  Hopefully now I will be better at coming to see y'all! I'm getting rid of the banners that don't apply anymore and hopefully in the next few weeks I'll have a redesigned heading!!  It feels good to be excited again!

So that's where I am! I have some book reviews to post over the next few days, I'm sure I'll share a few stories and hopefully I'm on the path to making some new friends!

Love and Blessings Always!

Margaret