There are days when life seems too hard. Yesterday, when the news of the tornado in Moore, Oklahoma, hit, my heart broke. I know I’m not the only one. I gathered my family in the backyard last night and we prayed. I know that God is sovereign. I know that He is in control. On days like yesterday, I have …
Mother’s Day: Pain or Joy?
In the shadow of Mother’s Day, I’m reminded of how painful Mother’s Day can be. It’s a holiday laced with immense pain for many… those who struggle to have children… those who had a bad relationship with their mother. Then there are those who have lost a child. Those who wait with longing for a child they’ve been matched with …
Distractions R Us: Three things to do when life distracts
I’m in the middle of line edits for Shadowed by Grace. As often happens, life has thrown a few curveballs my way during this crunch time. Maybe it’s because my husband’s traveled, I’ve had three finals to grade and classes to wrap up, and homeschooling to fill my days. Maybe it’s bad news that filled my head. What doesn’t change …
When a Secret Kills Review
When a Secret Kills is the latest release from prolific romantic suspense author Lynette Eason. With each book, I think she can’t craft a better story…until I read the next one. While When a Secret Kills is the last in a series, it stands well on it’s own, but is also a fully satisfying conlusion to a series. Jillian Carter …
Lessons In Discipline from the Mini-Marathon
Saturday, Eric and I ran in the Indianapolis mini-marathon. At times (about mile ten) I am absolutely convinced that we are CRAZY to think training and running a mini-marathon is fun. Really it’s scheduled torture. But each time I run, God reveals more about what it means to run the race He’s laid out for me. Paul often used races …
The View from the Pedestal
Every get the sense everything is teetering around you? Then you glance around and notice it’s because you’re on a pedestal. Not one you sought, not one you wished for, but there you are. Some days my life feels that way. There’s the Pedestal for Mommy to four. There’s another Pedestal for the Homeschooling Momma. Then there’s professor, attorney, writer…the …
Heiress of Winterwood: FANTASTIC Regency Debut
Julie Klassen convinced me that I loved Regency novels (those set in England during the 1810s), and Sarah Ladd’s debut novel The Heiress of Winterwood is a wonderfully compelling addition to this timeperiod. I was swept into the story from the earliest pages. The plot tightened as it proceeded until it practically spiraled to an ending I literally could not …
Step into WWII in Sweet Sanctuary
Sweet Sanctuary is the latest offering from beloved historical author Kim Vogel Sawyer, but this is her first (and hopefully not last) foray into WWII novels. The story starts with Dr. Micah Hatcher accused of something he didn’t do, so he heads to Boston to set the story straight. When he arrives he falls in love with a little boy …
Noble Groom: Heart-warming Historical Romance
Jody Hedlund is one of my favorite historical authors. I’ve learned I can trust her to write a novel filled with a hero and heroine I want to see win as well as a setting that is historically intersting. Noble Groom grabbed me as I longed for the heroine to discover what love could be like. And the hero was …
Help for Parents: Lead Your Family Like Jesus
Being a parent is hard. The challenges are never ending and ever developing. It’s also one of the most rewarding roles many of us have. The delight of a child’s hugs or the joy in her laughter makes changing one more diaper worth it. But even on the best of days, I know I need help and inspiration. That’s why …