What I've Been Learning

The Lord has been using all kinds of means to teach me about His love and purpose for me:

Dr. Dean Haun's sermon---God loves ME. Not just the world. Not just His Son. ME, too!

Persia Baptist Women's Conference---God has given me the role of wife (and hopefully, one day, mother). This means I have the amazing opportunity to further the gospel through loving my husband (with a phileo=passionate, enjoyment, affectionate kind of love), working in my home to keep it presentable and open to whoever will come, and mentoring/discipling and being mentored/discipled by other women. What a gift! This revelation came through Carolyn Mahaney's book Feminine Appeal, based on Titus 2:3-5. Read it; it's worthwhile! Oh, and the purpose for all of this is "that the Word of God may not be reviled." (Titus 2:5) Pretty weighty.

School---Praising the Lord for my job teaching kindergarten, and realizing that I have a much bigger and more important job than just teaching academic content to these five-year-olds, I must be a teacher with a purpose, God's purpose, of demonstrating His love for them. Even if I can't come right out and tell them, I can show them. Over and over and over again. Every day.

Sidenote: I'm so thankful that the Lord knows and plans for what is best for us! Kindergarten is what I DID NOT want to teach, but God knew what was good! Thank you, God, for having plans other than the ones I had for myself :)

God is so good! I keep learning this is new ways. I am so blessed!

"And you will succeed!"

Dr. Seuss was right!

Workout Progress:

Day 1: walked more than I ran, but completed 1/2 mile
walked 3+ miles with a friend!
Day 2: still more walking than running, but completed 1/2 mile
walked 2 miles with a friend after church
Day 3: ran more than walked (!!!) and completed 1/2 mile


WOOHOO! I can't believe the progress in running just 3 mornings!

DVD Review: Read and Share: The Jesus Series, Life and Miracles

I loved this children's animated DVD! I'm a sucker for cartoons anyway, so this was right up my alley! The animation is okay, but the narration and events included are phenomenal! It's so refreshing to see quality, depth, and Biblical accuracy in programming for children. This DVD has it all.

The 30-minute program included some of the miracles that Jesus performed in his earthly ministry. Some were well-known, like walking on water and feeding 5,000. Others were not as well-known, but still as important as any other. One of the most endearing events was about Jesus calling his plain, ordinary disciples away from their daily lives and into his ministry.

This DVD would be very educational for any child, but children over 8 or 9 may not like the graphics. It seems very plain and video game-ish. However, the content cannot be beat.

I would be glad to recommend this DVD to anyone who has or works with children!



"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Let's Get Physical!

It's no secret that my life has been crazy busy lately. It's also no secret that I have neglected exercising... the (gross) changes in my body definitely give that one away. Instead of continuously complaining about it, I have finally decided to step up and take some action! (And I'm hoping that blogging about it will help keep me accountable. We'll see!)

Here's the plan:
Monday-Friday mornings: walk/run at least 1/2 mile
At least 3 times weekly: walk 2-3 miles
Drink way more water
Eat less junk food

Now, I know this sounds simple and a bit ridiculous, but I have been doing NOTHING since we moved to TN over a year ago! And, I'm definitely not a runner. So far, I have completed two days of this plan, and I am so sore! I feel better and Justin's proud of me, so that's really been helpful. And looking at the number on the scales has been very motivating. And disgusting. But mostly motivating.

So, friends, it's time to get physical!

Book Review: Never Let You Go

As a Christian fiction lover, I was excited to read Never Let You Go by Erin Healy. I thought the plot sounded interesting and I couldn't wait to begin reading.... I was sorely disappointed. At times, I had to make myself turn the page. The plot was unbelievable. Literally. The main character, Lexi, has more hardship in her life than anyone can imagine. Her husband left her years ago and she works two jobs to support herself and her daughter. Despite her efforts, her poverty is all to real. Lexi's sister was murdered just before her husband left her. Her father lost his mind after this incident, and her mother decided to become a world traveler. Just when you think Lexi is all alone, old friends reappear in her life. This, of course, leads to even more trouble.

Although the book is categorized as Christian fiction, the Christian part is hard to pinpoint. Spiritual would be a much better description. Never have I found any Biblical evidence in support of the dramatic, dark events that take place in this story. With such a focus on demonic presence, Healy would have done well to do some research in Scripture to find out what demonic presence really looks like. Her lack of correct doctrine on the issue was a huge turn-off for me. Honestly, the book would have been a much better read if it had not been labeled a Christian book. The inclusion of Scripture here and there felt forced and out of place. I would not recommend this book to anyone, especially without first telling them of all the incorrect information about spiritual issues. If Healy attempts another solo book, I hope it presents the Christian life in a true way. This book simply did not.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Up From the Grave He Arose

This is such a special time of year! As you celebrate Easter tomorrow with family and friends, don't forget to take time to be joyful in remembering Jesus' sacrifice in His death and the victory in His resurrection! As I heard last night, "The Easter Bunny didn't rise from the dead."

Without Christ, there is no reason for celebration!

Happy Easter!