Four Stories of Love & Family

My favorite stories always have an element of intrigue, mystery, and love with twists and turns and of course, happy endings.  That is what the four stories are in "Amish Christmas at North Star" by Cindy Woodsman, Minday Starns Clark, Amanda Flower and Katie Ganshert.  The stage is set for the reader in the beginning and the whole book is a fun and relaxing read interwoven with the lives of real people who are connected in the most unique ways.

This book is one of those books you look forward to picking up during a break in your day and sitting in your favorite chair with a cup of coffee, and you will not be disappointed.

I received this book from Waterbrook Press for my honest review.

TEXT OF THE YEAR

Text of the year  (so far):

"I know mom.  I value your opinion but follow God before you :)"

QUOTES AND THOUGHTS

Songs run through my head. 

 I love the lyrics.  

Here's one of them from this morning.

Reading is my favorite hobby.  This year I'd like to put down my favorite quotes.

Here's one:  

"Biblical change is not the absence of struggles 

but the freedom to choose holiness in the midst of our struggles".  (C.Yuan)

THE JAM YEARS - WALKING

I grew up listening to my mom's Patsy Cline album.  One of my favorite songs was "Walking After Midnight". 

Last year I listened to my hubby whistle over and over and over again "Walking in a Winter Wonderland".  Now I'm listening to him sing the Mylo Hatzenbuhler version "Walk Until My Pants Will Fit Again" over and over again.

A few mornings ago I woke up with the chorus of the song "Step by Step" going through my head.  It's an old praise song by Rich Mullins. The lyrics are a prayer that say "I will learn to walk in Your ways".  The full version is right here.  The first 3 minutes are a testimony. It's a beautiful video.  

Or you can listen and sing along with lyrics. 

In January of 2015 my hubby and I attended the Be In Health "For My Life" Conference in Georgia.   It changed our lives. We stayed a second week for the "Walk Out Week".   We are walking out this life differently because of this teaching.

In April we walked in one of the most beautiful places in the world - the Grand Canyon and we stopped to enjoy it.  

Walking around our farm is our main activity with lots of family and friends visiting every year.  June brought a wonderful celebration of walking out 70 years of marriage for our parents, John and Dolores Haugen. 

In November we walked (hiked) up the Inspiration Point - enjoying a family weekend.  

I love words.  And many times when I'm praying for people, the Lord impresses a word or words for that person on my heart.  So for our Christmas with our family I gave everyone a pair of socks with a word or words on, encouraging them to WALK for the Lord.

For "Grandpa's Christmas" - we WALKED around Jericho, tearing down the walls of our enemy by listening, following instructions, and praising and shouting out loud. We gave everyone a pair of shoes as a visual reminder of this. 

Today my morning devotions again confirms this walking theme.  "The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him, though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with His hand."  Psalm 37:23-24

So whether I'm walking after midnight or Jerry is walking till his pants fit again, we WILL be walking step by step with our Great God in 2016. 

Happy New Year! 

A Fast Read

I wanted a book that would be fun to read.  I wanted a book with a good ending.  I wanted a book that I could curl up in my favorite chair and read and relax and enjoy getting to know some people kinda like me.  You know, people that make mistakes, and sometimes run ahead of God, but keep trusting Him to rearrange their lives for His good.  "A Moment of Weakness" by Karen Kingsburg was that book.  Karen is one of my favorite writers as she weaves faith throughout her books.  This book is no exception.  I think I read this book when it was first released but it was fun and relaxing to read it again.   I received this book from Waterbrook Press for my honest review.