Faithful by Kim Cash Tate

Faithful, a novel by Kim Cash Tate, takes you through the joys and struggles of three special friends. Cydney, Dana and Phyllis are strong women of God who encourage and walk through life together. As trials and difficulties hit, they each learn deep lessons in faithfulness - to each other, and most importantly, to God.

The cover of the book lead me to believe it would be all romance and lovey-dovey relationships, but I was relieved to discover the storylines went much deeper and beyond the typical romance novel.

I don't often read fiction, and this was my first time reading a novel by Kim Cash Tate. I was pleasantly surprised as each page drew my attention. The author did a fantastic job of bringing each character to life. As I got to know each one, I felt I could relate to different characteristics in each of them. I loved them and wished I could be the fourth member of their tight-knit friendship!

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.

Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

Outlive Your Life is another job well done by Max Lucado! Don't we all want to live a life that will have made a difference? Wouldn't we all want our actions today to continue to bless those living years from now? The awesome God who made us is able to use us in awesome ways - let's do it!

This was one of those books that I read with a highlighter in my hand. The margins are now filled with notes. Several encouraging quotes are now on post-it notes around my house. Outlive Your Life will leave you challenged and inspired to head out into your world and do big things!



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.”

The Boy Who Changed the World by Andy Andrews

Based on The Butterfly Effect, Andy Andrews brings the same inspiring message to life for children with The Boy Who Changed the World. How wonderful for a child to 'get' the truth and challenge this book offers at a young age! We're each unique and special. We each can be used to make a difference. Even our smallest actions can change the world and start a ripple effect that will continue throughout history.

The illustrations in this book are bright and eyecatching. The storyline flows along in a fun way. Each turn of the page will keep both young and old intrigued.

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.”

The Butterfly Effect by Andy Andrews

The Butterfly Effect

How Your Life Matters

by Andy Andrews

What a delightful book to grace your table top! The pages of this book are not only pleasing to the eye, but touching to the heart. Andy Andrews proclaims through this book that your life is unique and special and what you do with it can have rippling effects throughout time. Think about some of the great names in history. Have you ever stopped to wonder about the people in their lives that helped them reach their success - names we've never heard. How often do we think twice about the little decisions we make or short interactions we have with people? God can use us in those small moments to make a huge impact in our world! Andrews is a gifted storyteller and with this book he'll leave you challenged and inspired.

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.”

Third Time's A Charm

Remember this day? It was a good one - a hike with dear friends to the top of Preikestolen, one of Norway's most famous fjords.

In less than forty-eight hours, I'll be Norway-bound once again.

First, I'm going to stop by the Kiwi Mini-Pris and stock up on some Nugatti.



And I'll get to see Kiwi-Santa & Papa Norway.



And wear hats and scarves and mittens and enjoy views like this.



And see my beautiful friends get married.




And take photos with funny signs.



And ride the funicular to the top of Floyen.



And navigate a ferry ride through fjord-land, traveling up the coast, all by myself!



It's been a fabulous nine months in North America, but my passport needs dusted off. Keep it real, Music City. I'll be back.

*PS - You've probably heard of the recent scare on a flight from the States to Amsterdam. I have a quick layover in Amsterdam, so please pray that any extra security measures I'll need to pass through won't affect my travel plans.

"Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go" by Lucille O'Neal

"Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go" by Lucille O'Neal is a fast-moving glimpse of her childhood to her life today. Lucille opens her soul to us, being very honest, and holding nothing back. Most chapters open with scripture, God's true Word, serving as her encouragement. She describes growing up as a child, lacking self-love, resulting in a total lack of self-esteem and confidence, which she calls "mental-welfare". As a happy mother of four, she describes how the storms in her life have her so very humbled and grateful for where she finds herself today.

Truthfully, I felt discouraged as I saw Lucille repeating her mistakes until I realized that I can look back and also wonder why it took me so long to learn. Thankfully, God is very patient, forgiving and full of grace. This book reminds me that the storms in life can bring us closer to God than we ever thought possible. I recommend this book to all readers who truly savor the moments they share with those they love.






*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.”

Only 7%!

Did you know..

If only 7% of Christians took in just ONE orphan, there would be NO MORE in the WORLD!? Only 7%! That seems so within reach!

Please read this blog. She says it better than I would.

Buried Alive, by Roy Hallums

Buried Alive: The True Story of Kidnapping, Captivity, and a Dramatic Rescue, tells the horrific story of Roy Hallums, an American contractor who was taken hostage while working in Baghdad. This is a story of strong will, determination, and most of all, hope. God's gentle rainfall gave Roy the promise of seeing his way out of this ordeal - alive!

While most of us would have an extremely difficult time reliving such painful memories, Roy is able to detail his captivity and show us how innocent people, like himself, are still suffering in Iraq today. Our hats are off to the brave men and women who risk their lives to rescue these captives. This story makes you take a step back and reevaluate your own situation when you might think you are having a bad day.

(Thomas Nelson has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for reviewing purposes.)

Third time's a charm (I hope).

April 24th.

Nashville, Tennessee.

The 13.1 and I will meet again.

I do miss my quiet mornings of running around LangFang. But here I have Gatoraide. And a treadmill. And toilets.

On race morning, I'll just be one of thousands. There, I was one in a thousand. I might half-miss that. :)

Beautiful Mess: The Story of Diamond Rio, by Diamond Rio with Tom Roland

I was recently given the opportunity to review the book Beautiful Mess, written by the band Diamond Rio along with Tom Roland. I can sing along to any Diamond Rio song that comes across my radio, but never before had I known the stories behind the songs. This book looks into the lives of each of the six band members, from their childhoods to their entrances into Music City. It was so fun to read how their paths were entertwined. From the beginning, the story of their career has had ups and downs, yet they've stuck beside each other through thick and thin. Many other well-known names are sprinkled throughout the book, giving the reader an inside scoop at trivia most wouldn't know.

Being a Nashville girl and a major country music fan, this book was right up my alley. Pick this up if your own life looks like a Beautiful Mess and you're looking for a real life story of inspiration.

Click here to learn more about this great book.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson.