update....

since i left facebook, i thought i'd post an update for anyone who cares. i had a pulmonary function test done today and monday i have an echo cardiogram. hopefully, between the two of those, they can figure out what's wrong with me. i feel better just being on the new inhaler the dr. gave me last thursday. i have actually ate pretty well for almost a week. i've probably ate the same amount of food in 5 days than i did in the 5 weeks before that. so, hopefully, i don't look like i'm dying of some horrible disease, as my mother told me, anymore. i'm still trying to find a home for one kitten if anybody is interested. super sweet, playful, and loving. i wish so much i could keep all of them, but it really would not help my health right now. i feel like a horrible person putting my health before a precious animal, but i gotta start taking better care of myself if i'm even gonna see 30. :)

Stumbling Into Grace

I saw Lisa Harper back over the summer at the Women of Faith conference. She was such a great speaker. So, when I had a chance to read her book, Stumbling Into Grace, I was excited. She writes the same way she speaks, very conversational and so funny. This book was such an easy read. It was funny and spoke such truth at the same time. It was not a super spiritual in nature, but that was a welcome change for me. The book read more like a conversation between Lisa and the reader. I would highly recommend this for someone who has heard Lisa speak and enjoyed her personality.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

so tired....

of everything. ever get that way? i find myself nothing but tired, emotionally, physically, mentally. with all the stress I have on me lately, I forgot to pay my rent. what do I find on my door when I get home, but an ugly note and a $55 late fee. granted it is my fault, but when u have someone who is never late, wouldn't u call and see what was going on? I went out of state and just forgot. I can't keep doin it all anymore. I wish I could go back about 7 years. My stupid self would have gone on back to get my masters and changed some things. but that's wishful thinking. maybe I can just sleep the next couple years away. wake up when everything is hopefully better. Debbie Downer I know.

oh, survivor....

boy, do I have some strong feelings about the preview for next week's survivor. cochrane, you had every reason in the world to flip. I have hated that tribe ever since the start. I don't even know the old name, just ozzy, Keith, Jim, and Whitney -i don't like you! every one of them treated cochrane like crap. and whitney, your comment about him disgusting you. girl, you are just like the worst winner in survivor history - Natalie, riding every's coat tails. she so didn't deserve that win. Whitney, you haven't done ANYTHING! at least cochrane made a move. I hate girls on survivor who don't step up. I never thought I would want coach to win, but I really hope he or brandon will take this one. ugh, I need to be in survivor....

i'm here....

i deactivated my facebook account. it causes me too much sadness and drama, so i left. i may go back, but not for a while. something really sad happened yesterday for someone i've never even met, just talked to through facebook. and my heart was broken along with hers, so i felt it was best to just leave. there's too much sadness in the world as it is and i don't want to bring more upon myself. so, in the meantime, i will try to update my blog better and stay connected through here. i do have two book reviews i have to write. been putting them off way too long.

struggles....

i guess everyone has some point in their life where they struggle with what they believe. i'm in that right now. i see so much sadness, so much injustice. people who deserve horrible things flourish. i just don't understand and get it anymore. so i need to work things out with myself.

Women of Faith Imagine 2011

I had the wonderful opportunity this past weekend to attend Women of Faith's Imagine conference in Atlanta thanks to Thomas Nelson Publisher's Book Sneeze program. I really didn't know what to expect, but I was truly blown away. The speakers were absolutely fantastic and touched me so deep. I honestly felt like I wasn't alone anymore on any of the problems I've faced/facing/will face in this life. I had that mentality that no one could know what I was going through. Boy, was I wrong.

It was such a refreshing weekend. Such great speakers and musicians. I don't think I can pick a favorite speaker of the weekend, they were all great. I was really excited to hear Angie Smith as I have followed her blog for quite some time. She was great. She comes off as so approachable. She was funny, real, and just felt like one of your best friends. If you know her story, it's a hard one, but she was so open and honest about everything she felt.

I also really enjoyed Sheila Walsh and Lisa Harper. I started reading one of Lisa's books as soon as I got back. They both spoke such truth and peppered it with great humor. Lisa could put a Biblical story into today's situations like nothing I've ever heard. Sheila was so knowledgeable and funny at the same time. Luci Swindoll, all I can say is wow. I want to live life like her. Fantastic.

Unfortunately, my mama had something come up last minute and she didn't get to come with me, but I know I was deeply touched and felt God's arms around me. I feel so refreshed in my walk with Him after this weekend. I would want every woman I know to experience it. My only complaint was no vegetarian box lunch :P

A Conversation with God for Women

I recently had the opportunity to review A Conversation with God for Women by Marcia Ford. I have to say, I enjoyed this book much more than I anticipated. I really liked the conversational style of writing, switching from God to Jesus to the various other Biblical figures throughout the book. The questions are definitely focused more towards women, and I found myself thinking quite often how many times I have asked God that same question.

The book was a very easy, enjoyable read. It uses everyday language, which it obviously eludes to in the title. But I truly liked the feeling of reading how God or Jesus might answer a question. Ms. Ford bases the answers on Biblical truths and really sheds some light on difficult questions women have. I really liked that she did not try to tackle the "tough questions" in a way that would please people. But rather, she shed light on the possible explanation on why God allows such things as suffering, abuse, and so on. I would recommend this book to anyone struggling with questions on life's problems and road blocks along the way.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

imagine....

I got exciting news yesterday. I was picked as a Book Sneeze blogger to attend the Women of Faith Imagine Conference in Atlanta next month. They are sending me free of charge, and I get to share my experience. I've never been to a Women of Faith conference but have only heard wonderful things about them. My mom is going to join me also. This couldn't have come at a better time. As anybody who knows me or reads this blog, probably knows it's been a rough last few years with hubby in school. God has been working on me. I've been a hard headed child and I stumble terribly, but I can't "Imagine" what He's going to do for me through this conference.

request....

if you read my blog, i'd like to ask you for your prayers. the last few years have been a very difficult struggle for d, he's worked very hard on his education and had no luck finding a job where he can use his talents and abilities. he interviewed for a great job last week. a week ago today to be exact. we haven't heard anything back yet, but we both really hope this one will be the one God's wants for us. so, i just ask for prayers that we will follow His will and know what direction to take. and also for this job. this if it is meant to be, everything will just fall in to place... thanks....

chop chop....

help this sweet kitty chop chop get some kitty wheels. poor fella has wobbly legs and his mom is on disability, so they need everyone's help to get him wheelchair.

Lazarus Awakening

I was excited to read Lazarus Awakening after reading Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World. I was not disappointed. Joanna Weaver has an amazing gift describing the heart of God. She has really brought the story of the family of Bethany to life with her books. I have not read her second but intend to on how much I have enjoyed the other two.

In the book, she talks about God rolling our own stones away. Moving past barriers in our lives and fully accepting God’s love for us. It really helped me to look at areas in my life and realize they are barriers to fully loving and trusting in God. The Bible study at the end is also great for personal reflection or a small group. I received a copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing in exchange for a review. These are my own opinions.

i need to rant....

bear with me, i need to get this out. i put absolutely no stock in education anymore. i used to think, oh masters, doctorates, wonderful. not anymore. my poor husband is about to have a stinking doctorate degree cannot get a job! i just don't understand why no one, well, one school this year, has given him a chance to interview! it's ridiculous. he's unfortunately wasted the past 12 years out of his life working towards what he thought he was called to do and nothing. NOTHING!!! i'm so fed up with this. i'm fed up with wasting our money on sending applications and not even a courtesy of a phone interview. he's qualified people!!! i am so mad. i am so mad at every school he's ever applied to. i'm so mad that he's put so much time and effort into something important to him and nothing good coming out of it. i'm just mad. people, believe me, it's not worth it. the only thing worth it is hard work. my parents for example, neither have college degrees, but they worked long and hard for where they are at today. and they deserve it. i'm tired of all this, really tired. tired of not knowing anything. tired of seeing my husband constantly disappointed. sorry for the long, bashing, complaining post. i just had to get this off my chest.

stinker of a week...

thought i'd go ahead and continue on my negative posts. this week royally stinks. tuesday, d gets yet another job rejection. one he was really happy and excited about. the next day, our town gets destroyed by a tornado. i'm thankful we are safe and only lost power and food in our fridge. but it's horrible here. i've never seen anything like this.

well....

i realize i haven't actually blogged this year, other than a couple book reviews. well, not much to blog about. still the same thing. nothing exciting. i thought we might have some changes on the horizon, but alas, no. i don't understand a lot of things these days. i guess i never will. i guess i just have to accept things the way they are and be content. i may write again, but it really just depresses me even more when i have nothing to write about....

Love & Respect

Love & Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs is the best marriage book I’ve read in a long time. The concept is so simple, but yet so many of us miss it in our relationship to our spouse. The premise of wives giving your husband respect and husbands giving your wives love is so straightforward but makes complete and perfect sense. The author speaks of the “Crazy Cycle”. Boy could I relate to that. I am positive most of us can.

I would highly recommend this book to any couple, married or engaged. It is such a simple concept and easy principle to put to work in your relationship. It is not often there is a non-fiction book that I do not want to put down. This was one. I enjoyed it and already seeing the effects of giving my husband the respect he deserves and needs.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Love and War Devotional for Couples

This is a great little devotional for couples to do together. It is a very easy read and does take long to do each day's study. My husband and I read it in the evenings together.

As I said, it is very easy to read together. It is broken into an eight week study with readings for five days. I have not read Love and War which it is based off of, but I did get some great applications out of the book. The prayer at the end of each day was my favorite part. It encourages my husband and I to pray together.

I would recommend this to any married couple. It is so easy to do together and will draw you closer. I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing in exchange for a review. These are my own opinions.