Seasons of Opportunities

I came across this book on Amazon one day, and since we were studying a bit about WWII, the Holocaust and such, I thought it would make an interesting read. It did!! In 1945 the war ended. The Germans surrendered, and the ghetto was liberated. Out of over a quarter of a million people, about 800 walked out of the ghetto. Of those who survived, only twelve were children. I was one of the twelve." For more than fifty years after the war, Syvia, like many Holocaust survivors, did not talk about her experiences in the Lodz ghetto in Poland. She buried her past in order to move forward. But finally she decided it was time to share her story, and so she told it to her niece, who has re-told it here using free verse inspired by her aunt. This is the true story of Syvia Perlmutter—a story of courage, heartbreak, and finally survival despite the terrible circumstances in which she grew up. A timeline, historical notes, and an author's note are included. My Thoughts: I honestly jus...

Better than perfect-that's what every girl is in God's eyes. A young girl's doubt in her own self-worth starts from an early age. Am I pretty enough? Am I smart enough? Will I fit in? Do people like me? Am I worthy enough? These aren't questions asked by teens, but from precious girls in grade school! Brave Girls Faith and Honor will help girls navigate these questions and learn just how wonderful they are! In this Brave Girls devotional, 90 engaging devotions will help young girls find their place in the world and learn that the beauty of their imperfections is what makes them unique, loved, precious, and "better than perfect" in God's eyes. Each devotion will include:

"The death of my soul is had been a chronicle long in the making, a sad story with seemingly endless encores, each worse than the previous." This book speaks volumes about pain and suffering, and where God is through it all. It evokes so many indescribable emotions. Often as reading, it brought tears to my eyes and a tightness in my chest. I certainly felt anger! But I also was amazed, at God's goodness, His love, and his relentless pursuit of this man's heart and life.  How could someone so young endure so much? And yet, how many children out there are possibly experiencing the same circumstances in their lives? I am sure many are. Levi Shepherd begins his story by saying he was the "surprise gift of a one night stand". As a very young boy he suffered from cancer, was molested by the most unexpected people, and lost the people closest to him - his grandmother and mother. Due to extremely sad circumstances, he ends up in the foster care, being transp...

Give me a BREAK Give me a BREAK Break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar Are you singing the tune yet? It's a little too catchy! A Break!!  Isn't that what most of us feel like we need, maybe even deserve?

Today's Five Minute Friday word is   REAL What comes to mind when I think of the word "real" - REAL people We live in an unrealistic world and I think as a result we have alot of unrealistic people. Social media is awesome to a certain extent, but in some ways, I think we can become superficial or feel somewhat threatened by a bunch of fake people, and their artificial lives. REAL What is real in the world today? Pictures can be changed or fashioned to appear as something they really aren't. Movies are made to make many things seem real - that really aren't. People are not real - they put on a front - make others believe they are something they're not. The internet has many curiosities, but what is really Real? Jesus is REAL! As Christians he is what we have to offer the world. He is the only REAL way to deal with our problems and struggles in life. Do we admit our difficulties so we can share the reality of how Jesus helps us? 18  In...

I am not sure if it is very common today, but I remember the pen-pal days. As a matter of fact, I had a few myself, but none were Amish. And definitely not any Amish boys!! Although that would have been quite interesting to say the least. I think I would have enjoyed that. Melody has a way of writing Amish books. I kind of got burnt out on the old boy meets girl Amish romance, but her books are intriguing and interesting! This one in particular kept me reading and turning pages til the very end! Micah Knight has had an Amish pen-pal since grade school. Nothing too strange about that, right? Well, actually it is a little odd. This Amish kid - well actually he is 18 now -is a boy. Most boys don't like to write, but Zach does. And he enjoys most of the same things Micah does- flying, baseball, bikes, etc.. And although their lives are completely different they have been writing for years and have grown quite a close friendship. Zach's latest letter has just revealed that he is...

Just in time for Easter - A fun, excitement filled book along with amazingly cool glow in the dark eggs for the most exciting adventure. Join Ana, Pascal and Zeke on a fun-filled adventure in search of a mysterious treasure.  On an ordinary day, right before Easter, the kids, at mom's request, head up to the attic to look for a board game. But instead, they find a strange box and a glowing egg. Along with the egg are two scrolls, one containing a Scripture verse, and the other a clue. The egg takes them on an amazing adventure to various places where they have to hunt for more eggs as well as practice the verses given on the scrolls. Together, they learn the true meaning of Easter as well as what God expects from them.  When they return home, they are all excited about telling others about Jesus, the Light of the World, and participating in the Glow in the Dark Egg hunt.

It appears Jenna Bouvier is losing everything: beauty, family, and wealth. When her controlling and emotionally abusive mother-in-law accuses Jenna of an affair with her spiritual director and threatens to expose them, Jenna also risks losing her reputation as a woman of faith. Will she capitulate to her mother-in-law’s wishes again or fight for what she holds dear? As Jenna loses her life, will she find it?  Andee Bell has found exactly what she wanted: fame, fortune, and respect. There’s also a special man in her life—Jenna’s brother. Despite her success, a secret quells Andee’s contentment. As memories

This devotional is designed to encourage and equip you to pray more effectively for God’s kingdom to advance throughout the world. It will guide you to pray for missionary prospects, missionary agencies, missionary families, and missionaries who come home from the field. We will also pray for issues impacting the missions movement today, like cultural relevancy, creative access missions, and business as missions.  Thirty Days of Prayer for World Missions is part of the devotional series by award-winning inspirational author Alana Terry. Each title guides you to intercede for real issues impacting our world today.  Social justice ... ON OUR KNEES.