April Break

This is just a short little hello from me to you. I won't be doing a blog-post in April due to Camp NaNoWriMo (if you missed the notice, it was in the previous blog post).
Before the month kicks off, I'm enjoying re-watching my favorite show, The Mentalist, with my family. It helps to have witty characters to lighten me up before diving into something of my own... not-entirely-certain-yet characters. Patrick Jane is certainly full of good wit.

This is just a short little hello from me to you. I won't be doing a blog-post in April due to Camp NaNoWriMo (if you missed the notice, it was in the previous blog post). 

Before the month kicks off, I'm enjoying re-watching my favorite show, The Mentalist, with my family. It helps to have witty characters to lighten me up before diving into something of my own... not-entirely-certain-yet characters. Patrick Jane is certainly full of good wit.

Hehe ;)

I certainly won't be disappearing, I might pop in on Facebook if there's news to share, or Instagram for cat pictures, but I would really appreciate your prayers for clarity, focus, and generally feeling not-stressed over it. 15,000 words seems like a lot, and I am sort of anxious about this, it is new and I don't know my antagonist very well just yet.

So here's to tea, word-weaving, head-scratching, and keyboard-glaring.

Winter Have-Read List & Much More

Hello there! There are so many updates, so I will just jump right to it! First off, I have decided to do my first ever NaNoWriMo-ing by joining up for Camp NaNo this April! I'm really excited, but also very nervous. I set myself a small word count, but I'm only trying to make a comfortable habit, not knock myself out at this point. I will be working on Ember, and I think it would be incredible if I could at least make it half-way through this story by month's end.

Secondly, I am thrilled to share with you the cover reveal for Tricia Mingerink's next story. This one sounds like a lot of fun, and I know she put a great deal of effort into it so it is definitely a labor of love. 

It's a beautiful cover and I think it's going to be a great read. The release date is set for May 28, 2018, and you can learn more about it here, at Tricia Mingerink's website. 

Finally, I am obligated to share with you my usual Have-Read list, and I hope these books inspire you and that you try them for yourself!

Ilyon Chronicles #4 Exiles by Jaye L. Knight

I'm dying for the next one. There's no spoilers here, but it does end on a cliff-hanger. By this time in the series, we are well-acquainted with our MC and supporting characters and Knight takes us on a wild journey with them. I was seriously concerned for Daniel's life, and riveted wondering who might change... and who might not. Kyrin has grown up so much, and her worries are different than they used to be. I loved the depth we get into with each character this time.

A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller

This wasn't the devotional I had thought it would be. It didn't give me nice lists or "you should do this differently" or "start making that a habit". Instead, Miller weaves his own experiences into it to show you how his life was shaped by prayer. He gently guides the reader to an understanding of making prayer part of life, not just something you do intermittently in life. Like all devotionals, I took my time in reading it, but that really seemed to suit its pace anyway. It is the kind of book you need to read slowly and digest, so if you're looking for a fast and short book, you may want to consider something by Lydia Brownback, or perhaps Najapfour's lessons (below).

The Folkestone Files #1 War of Loyalties by Schuyler McConkey

I have so much to say about this one. First, because I know Schuyler, and I think she's grand. Second, because I read this and I think it's fantastico. It's long, but it is full of suspense, adventure and mystery. Ben is so nice, you can't imagine him being anything but sugared up, but he surprised and amused me when he is pushed beyond his breaking point, between morals and relationships, and forced to make difficult decisions. I enjoyed the complicated relationships between the characters, and their individual personalities were vivid, intriguing and warming.

The Gospel-Driven Tongue by Brian G. Najapfour

You can read my short-but-sweet review on Goodreads and it can be purchased from Amazon. The best way to compliment an author is by reviewing them on sites like this that help to promote the book. (Let me know if the links do not work, please.) Copied below is my short review on both Goodreads and Amazon. Rev. Najapfour was the pastor of my church, and we as a congregation enjoyed being under his teaching and learned a lot from his evangelical approach.
"I really enjoyed this book. It was written very clearly and simply, but it was also thorough and deep. It is thought-provoking and convicting, and I think it would make an excellent book for a Bible study because it also includes chapter questions to help you apply the lessons. I thought it was well-organized to also help the reader digest the information and includes an abundance of Scripture references."

Sermon on the Mount by Jen Wilkin
I have just finished this one with a Bible Study group, and it was very good. I enjoyed the in-depth study of Matthew 5-7, reading it all at once and then taking it apart daily. My only two criticisms would be that some of the questions seemed repetitive in places, and it was a difficult task to begin each study chapter by re-reading all three Bible chapters in one morning. Working full-time means that in order to do something like that, I need to split it up into manageable chunks throughout my day which I found really defeated the purpose of reading it all at once. It was less stressful and more enjoyable to me when I felt free to take my time on a small section of verses. Otherwise, I appreciated this study and learning alongside a wonderful group of women.

Well, that's about it! I hope that you have a wonderful Spring. I'd love to hear what you are reading in the comments below. I am always open to new suggestions, fun reads or devotionals alike. 

Marching In... Like a Prayer Warrior

Ah, so here is March, that lion-like month which enchants us and irritates us equally as much, because we see spring ahead yet can't quite reach it. I promise my Spring Have-Read List mid-month sometime (after the first day of spring).

I have been thinking over the last few days and weeks what a blessing it is to be surrounded by friends, and what it means to be a part of a covenant family. 2017 was a rough year for me, I'm praying that 2018 is much better, by far, and trusting that God will continue to provide for me. He already has, too.
I was supported in prayer by so many, and in turn I know each close sister in Christ has their own struggles. I pray for them, too. You really don't know what someone is going through when you meet them. I've learned that everyone experiences their own pains in life. You can't measure their pain to yours, or yours to theirs. Your pain is yours, their pain is theirs. If you are compassionate and listen, sometimes you are blessed with the opportunity to be included as a prayer warrior for your friends- what an honor that is! It becomes a wonderful honor when you realize you have prayed so often and so deeply for one another that you realize these people are family. Family is not just defined by blood, but by the likeness of our hearts, and proven by the giving of ourselves to others. I know who those who care are not by what they have said to me, but what they shown to me.
I can honestly say that my family has grown significantly greater year by year. This past year, my family grew and continues to grow, but it had some losses, too. I realized how exceptionally blessed I am to have a church family; I learned that a lot of people had been praying for me, and I don't know If I'll ever have the time or the words to express gratitude for that to every single one of them. I may not even know who all of them were. It makes me deeply sad that there are people out there who can't imagine what it is like to have a God-centered family this grand and this great. I can't imagine what it must be like not to have one at all.
So I guess this is a thank you for some of you (you know who you are) but it is also a call-to-action for others if you don't have these things. While technically 2018 has already begun, we're still experiencing winter, and there are so many chapters yet to read in so many books. Spring is on its way, offering a chance at new beginnings, new endings, new events, new family. I'm planning to tackle all of them with a prayer warrior's heart, open hands and listening ears.