Selected Poems of Emily Dickinson

This book of poems I've had for years and glanced at occasionally. I decided to pull it out for the Tim Challies reading challenge this year.

While there is some poetry I really like, I struggle with poetry on the whole. Emily Dickinson's poetry is just the same. Some of the poems I really liked and even identified with. But on the whole I found most confusing and glossed over them. I did enjoy getting insights to what this woman believed and how she felt.

If you are a poetry lover and enjoy figuring out the depths of a person's poetry then you will really enjoy this collection! If poetry is not your thing then I would steer clear. if you want the challenge of learning poetry, I do think it is a good book for that. It would also be beneficial for studying poetry for learning to write in a particular style.

Because of my personal enjoyment or lack thereof I would give this book about three stars. For its learning potential I could give it five stars.

Jim's 36th Birthday

Happy birthday, Jim!!!!!

Today Jim is another year older and it's been one amazing year. This time last year we had just bought our current house, striving to get it organized, while working for a home health agency for kids. It was this time the hours greatly dwindled as one of his kids was moving out of home health needs. It was a time of question, wondering, knowing we were exactly where God intended for us to be, but not understanding at all what He was doing.

Jim continued to apply for other jobs, we looked at other possibilities. He worked as much as he could and we ordered our lives as simply as we could over the next few months. Then, late August, the email came from a supervisor he had been in touch with before and an interview was set up. In a whirlwind of events, Jim had a full-time job with great hours, great pay and great benefits, not to mention a wonderful Christian boss to work for. It was far more than we could have hoped for, especially for a hospital nursing position.

This job has been such a blessing the past eight months and we are so grateful for God's provision for our family. In all of it, Jim lead our family well and we learned another level of depending on God together. Even when he was doubting, he led us to pray and seek the Lord together.

Our family is so blessed to have Jim as our head. He continues to grow as a husband and father, teaching our children the ways of the Lord and providing for our family. He's always helping at home and continues to teach our kids how to cook and bake. Recently he has restarted family reading time on evenings when we're home and the kids are loving it. So am I. He's never to proud to say he's wrong and handles my crazy emotions like a pro. He points me to Jesus and reminds me what His Word says, that I may live in those truths and not my crazy sinful head.

Jim teaches us Bible and instructs is in the truth of God's Word daily. He is faithful to God's teaching and seeks what it means to be a Godly Man. I'm still amazed that God has blessed him with nine arrows to send out into the world. What an amazing gift! And these nine arrows keep him humble and always learning. I love that about Jim!

I'm so thankful God gave me to Jim and that I get to be a part of what God is doing in Jim's life as he molds him into the image of Jesus. Thank You, Father for Jim and the privilege of being his wife. You are so good to us. Continue to grow him and shape him. May he have many more years to teach, train and learn for the sake of Your Kingdom. In Jesus's Name. Amen!

The Door in the Wall

This wonderful book is a read aloud in our Core C Curriculum from Sonlight.

When we started this book, I was dreading it. The beginning made me dislike the main character, but instead of getting more annoyed with him, I grew to appreciate him as I appreciate my kids and their development.

Robin is set to become a squire when he becomes ill and loses the use of his legs. His father is away at war and his mother is attending the queen. Brother Luke comes to care for young Robin and this beautiful story of friendship, faith and coming of age unfolds. Robin learns skill along with bravery as he goes on his unexpected adventure.

I greatly appreciate the way the author deals with Robin's growth in thinking and feeling as well as his physical skill. It opened up many great conversations with my kids.

I highly recommend this book!

5 stars!

I'm using this book as A book of Your Choice in Tim Challies's Reading Challenge

The Minstrel in the Tower

This book is part of our Sonlight Curriculum in Core C. We're studing the middle ages and this quick read is a captivating story set in this time period.

The mother is ill and in desperate need of medicine. She sends her children to fetch a nobleman to come to her aid. Along the way the children are captured and held prisoner. The children scheme to get away and get help. Will their scheme succeed?

While an easy read, the story will hold your attention as the characters are made very real in their simplicity. I also appreciate the feeling of the time period and gaining some understanding of what this time in history was like.

My kids and I all enjoyed this book!

4 stars for this read

This does not fit well in any of my challenges, but I may use it as a choice book for Tim Challies.

Crazy Love by Francis Chan

I first read this book over 10 years ago and I remember it being extremely impactful. This time around I believe it was even more impactful as God has shown me so much since the last time I read this book and my relationship with Him has grown tremendously. As I read Crazy Love this time, I was struck by how, even in my growth of faith, I'm still lacking many of the markers of love and fall so short of giving God my best. This book was also a great reminder of living the life that God has given us according to his word but it doesn't mean that my life will look the same as everyone else's. There are markers of love that are common to all Christians but how it plays out is different according to what God has planned for your life.

The most convicting chapter was on what it means to be a luke-warm Christian. I challenge everyone to read this chapter. If you call yourself a Christian and your toes are not stepped on, then I would do some serious soul searching! Every other one pointed out somewhere I was failing.

The ultimate point of this book is that with the crazy, extravagant love that God has poured out on us, how can we not live crazy, extravagant love for God and others. How I needed to be reminded of this right now! And I'm quite sure you do too! I already need to read this book again.

5 Stars for this beautiful and challenging book!

For my 2019 Reading Challenges I'm using this book for:
1st Christian Living book under Christian Reading Challenge for Women with Jami Balmet
A Book About Christian Living under Tim Challies's Challenge, Light Section

Abandoned Prayers

Where to begin with this book, I am unsure. I got this book from a friend from book club when she was getting rid of some of her books. Since I enjoy a good mystery I thought I'd give it a go.

The difference: this story actually happened.

Criminal Minds and CSI are some of my favorite shows, so I suppose I expected it to be similar to one of those. Because it's a true story it was far from being like a show. Instead it was a very long newspaper article, like an episode of Dateline in written form.

It was will written and interesting because of the complexity of the story. Many people are also intrigued by the Amish, and this gives a little insight into their world. The downside of this book is unnecessary and overly graphic details into the life of the man this book was written about. There is some harsh language, but given the lifestyle and nature of the crimes I'm surprised there was not more.

Unlike my favorite criminal shows, there was not a satisfactory ending. This gives a much more realistic view of how the legal system works and getting evidence for conviction. While in some respects there is no guessing in others it leaves you wondering what really happened.

I can't say if I recommend this book or not. It depends on you really. If you enjoy criminal non-fiction you'd probably enjoy it. But if not, leave it be.

On the whole I'd give it 3 stars for being written in a compelling manner and thorough clear writing.

For my Reading Challenges I'm using this book for:
A Biography in Challies Challenge in the Light section
A Book You've Been Meaning to Read in Modern Mrs. Darcy's

Our 9-Year-Old Lillian

What can I say about our lone girl? For nine years Lillian has brought life, energy, spunk and laughter to our family and home! Anyone who knows her knows she is not shy and doesn't know a stranger. She's a determined young woman with a bit of a perfectionist side and an amazing memory for dates, schedule and detail.

Lillian is an amazing cook and baker! She knows how to run a kitchen and make delicious food. We all love partaking in her creations. Recently she has been owning dinners and everything has been right on and often better than when one of us make it! Good has given her an amazing talent. She would live to have a bakery out of her home as soon as she is able.

Recently, Lillian has said she wants to be a homemaker and teach her children at home. This is a major shift and shows how the Lord has been working in her as she learns what Biblical womanhood looks like. Along with kitchen duties she also is learning laundry and cleaning in her homemaking skills. She is growing in caring for the babies and is getting good at changing diapers and teaching little ones. We're so excited to see what the Lord does with her!

This has been a transition year for Lillian as she is learning to take on all subjects in her homeschool book work. It's been amazing to watch her grow and really begin to own her learning. Her favorite subject is Christian studies because it teaches her more Bible. She also does well in math and Latin.

Lillian is so lovable and excitable. She loves to laugh and has a quirky sense of humor. She's always on the go and runs everywhere. She brings energy and life everywhere she goes and her smile lights up the room.

We are so thankful for our precious baby girl, who isn't so much a baby anymore.

Father, thank You for the gift of Lillian, our only daughter. She is such a blessing and I know You are growing her into a wonderful young lady. Continue to grow her and save her by Your grace. Show her what true life is in You, through the blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ, putting all her hope in His finished work. Thank You due what You are going to do in her life. In Jesus Name, amen.

Thank You, Nichole Begerow for these beautiful pictures!