A Book Review....And Sweet Maddie Grace

If there is one thing I've fallen in love with....it's reading.

I can't say that growing up I was the 'reading' type of person. I would much rather go shopping, watch a movie, or flip through a fashion magazine. Well....times have changed.;)

Don't get me wrong...I still love shopping!! BUT....reading has become a wonderful past time for me. I have learned so much, and I wish I had started this hobby a long time ago.

You can leave the novels & fictional books on the shelf....that's not my cup of tea. I could care less to get lost in a fantasy world of romance, magic, or tragedy. Maybe that's what you enjoy reading, and that's great. It's nice that there are so many options out there for us to choose from, but my reading addictions consist of biographies (mostly of heroes of the faith, missionaries, great preachers, or preacher's wives) & books on marriage or child rearing.

I'm very cautious when choosing a book. As a Christian, I base my beliefs & way of thinking on the Bible....so I look for authors who base their advice that way too. There is so much liberalism saturated within the pages of many books, even among Christian authors, that you have to do some research on the author if it's not a name you recognize.

There is a lot of wisdom out there from many wonderful sources, but if I can remind myself & others that the best wisdom we'll ever find comes from the pages of Scripture itself.

As I've buried my face in over 20 books in the last year of so, my husband has lovingly & very wisely reminded me that I should never read more of my books than I do of THE book...the Word of God.

Wisdom is something I pray for every day. Most often before my feet hit the floor. I ask God to empty me of myself & fill me with his spirit...as we are by nature very selfish people, I pray every morning that God would empty me of that....to give me wisdom that day when training my children, and help me be the mommy they need me to be.

I long for wisdom from God, like a thirst that is never quenched...I want Him to fill my cup each day with wisdom, and I won't get that if I'm not in his word & on my knees.

So, to my book review. I've had several people ask me what books I recommend, so I thought I'd talk about a few of them in some future posts. The one I'm reading now my husband bought for my birthday. It's called 'I Will Carry You' by Angie Smith. It had been on my Christmas wish list too....but came at I think the most appropriate time. One of my best friends in the world lost her little baby girl just two days after she was born. Baby Maddie (pictured at top of post) was perfect & precious in every way, but God's ways are not always our ways.....and she went home to be with Jesus.

These kinds of tragedy's can not be explained. There truly are no answers to fill the ever aching questions of "Why Lord?"....but God has been faithful to our dear friends, Natalie & Rick, and he has showered them with grace. You can read of their baby Maddie here. I'm sure you will be moved with love & tears for this dear family....and I pray that it will impress you to worship the King. Maddie may have been small in size, but her impact for the Lord has been big!

She was created to bring glory to her Creator, and she is doing just that...and so are her sweet mommy & daddy. Please pray for Natalie & Rick as the are so heavy on our hearts.

The book, 'I Will Carry You' is the story of Audrey Caroline. Maybe you've heard of the blog 'Bring the Rain'...it is baby Audrey's story. Her mommy has done an amazing job at sharing it, and encouraging me to love my Savior more. You MUST read this book! If you are single, don't have children, have children, or married....doesn't matter....if you are a women, you will be touched! I've followed the blog since it was started & rereading it all in the book has still touched my heart.

Angie has a way of making the Bible come to life...you will enjoy it, I'm sure. I have one chapter to go, and part of me doesn't want to finish it yet as when I open the pages I'm drawn to the beauty of the Savior.

Those are the kind of books I look for. Books that convict me to do more for God & keep me falling in love with Jesus.

Thank you for stopping by!;)

Next book on my list to read is: "A chance to die: The life of Amy Carmichael" by Elisabeth Elliot~~~ I'm looking foward to it!;)

Bind Me Again, Dear Lord...

I recently read a friends facebook status that read, "Having children is like going to jail."-her college professor.


"How Terrible!!" my mind thought. Do people really think like that? I guess out of the sinfulness of our hearts comes a lot of wicked things...and that my friends, is a wicked statement!

Children are a blessing from the Lord. They are a wonderful joy & reward! I can't imagine our lives without our children.

Our house would be so quiet...so clean...so empty.

I love the crazy chaos that my little people bring to me each day! They are so much fun, full of love, and precious in every way!

If having children is like going to jail?....then I say,

"Bind me again, Dear Lord!"

Bind me with their newborn skin,
Bind me as I'm nursing them.

Bind me when I wash them clean,
Bind me in our sweet routine!

Bind me as I sing them hymns,
Bind me as I speak of Him.

Bind me as I watch them play,
Bind me as they learn to pray.

For I don't want to miss a moment.
I'm so thankful I was chosen.

Don't loosen me from their grip,
Don't allow my love from theirs to slip.

O Lord, my God, please Bind me tight!
My children are a joy this night!

And may the joy continue on,
So Bind Me, Bind Me, with this love so Strong.
~mommy

I Prayed In My Heart...

The other morning my boys had one of the sweetest conversations. Carter is 4 (almost 5) and Evan just turned 3.

Now don't be fooled, I usually highlight for you the 'sweet' stories & keep the disaster stories a secret! HA! Our home has many little disasters each day, whether it's the boys fighting over toys or jumping up and down LOUDLY on their train table followed by crying, because one of them tried to jump from the table to the couch only missing their mark by a HUGE distance...bless their little rambunctious, boy, hearts!=)

Anyway, back the sweet conversation...I gave them their bowls of cereal & told them to pray as I got their juice.

Evan said, "Tarter..you are eating and I was praying!"

Carter: " I prayed already."

Evan: "Tarter, I didn't hear you pray."

Carter: "I prayed in my heart. Sometimes people pray in their heart & they don't make any sounds. Do it!"

Evan: "Ok. (as he pulls his shirt open & looks down at his heart) Bless the food, Amen. I did it, Tarter! I prayed in my heart!"

They are a blessing, even when I have to clean off their gooey finger marks from the backs of my chairs, I can remember they are a blessing.

They are only this age once, they are only small for a short time, may I cherish each day with them!