Chosen Vessels

(Minor spoilers if you haven't read books 1-3...)  ~ Description  Before the war, before the Blades, before the Leader… There was a boy and a scullery maid and a secret shame. One moonlit night of blood and knives destroyed their country and their lives forever. The Leader failed to die, but will he also fail to lead? ~ My Rating  5 of 5 stars  ~ My Review  First off, I have three things to point out about this book. I loved it, it was amazing, and I need Deliver (book four) NOOOWWWW.  *ahem* Okay, so this book in The Blades of Acktar is a novella that goes between book three ( Defy ) and book four ( Deliver ).  I wasn't sure what to expect going into it (I mean, no Leith and Renna for the most part?!) but I shouldn't have worried. As usual, Ms. Mingerink has crafted an amazing story that will stir your heart. The Christian messages bled through so well, and the story was superbly done all the way aroun...

Y'all, I've just came upon a glorious conclusion. Not really a conclusion I guess, as I knew this before today, but maybe I'm just now realizing it fully.  I just received a precious and sweet e-card from a dear friend.  Followed by a super sweet email from another special friend. (Not mentioning any names, but y'all know. *wink*)  I am just so blessed, y'all. So very blessed. I have did nothing to deserve either of this lovely ladies, or any of my other in-person or online friends.  And yet God has gifted each and everyone of them to me. <3 It's precious, y'all. I'm so very blessed.  *hugs everyone* I've got writing to do, but I just had to share this feeling that's on my heart right now. Have a blessed day all, and remember that it's the little things that matter. <3 ~Faith

Please pause here to note my beautiful picture...okay, we can move on.  ~ Description ~  One of the most beloved ministers of this century reminds us that Christmas means the birth of Jesus Christ--the gift of God with us. Marshall also celebrates the family customs that make the holiday so special. Wonderfully illustrated, this Christmas keepsake is perfect for traditions and family reading.  ~ My Review ~  This is great little short book, a sermon actually (and one that Dad has read from in his Christmas sermons several times). My family has an old copy (in the above picture) that we bring out every Christmas season and place on the coffee table next to the family Bible and a few other Christmas books.  "So we will not 'spend' Christmas nor 'observe' Christmas. We will 'keep' Christmas – keep as it is... in all the loveliness of its ancient traditions. May we keep it in our hearts, that we may be kept in its hope."  B...

~ Description  Mama needed happiness for Christmas, but Noelle was only eight. What gift could she give? A short story. ~ My Review 5 of 5 stars  This was a beautiful short story, weaving together Christmas, family, the innocence of a child, and music. <3 It reminded me a lot of the classic Christmas story, "Christmas Shoes", with a twang of sadness. I truly enjoyed the story and would recommend it to any age. :) 

Hey everyone! Long time no see, over here, huh? *wink* But I'm back now, with a couple posts for the  12 Days of Christmas linkup going on over at Stories by Firefly ! A book review today, and hopefully some more coming between now and Christmas :)  ~ Description For three years, the widow and her two daughters, Rosetta and Bianca, have lived alone in the cabin on Mr. Heaton's vast estate. But this winter they have a visitor. What would bring a man to their lonely home in the bitterness of sub-zero weather? Is he the only man who is in the forest this winter? And why does he have such a mysterious name?  Loosely based on the old tale of Snow-White & Rose-Red, this is a Christmas story the whole family can enjoy. When good and evil come face to face in the snowy woods, which will prevail? ~ My Rating  4.5 stars ~My Review Intertwined with colorful pictures, Our Christmas Bear is a charming story ...

~ Description  Church camp is one week. Five days. What could possibly go wrong? Nothing. She's just being silly...  But Hannah can't rid the feeling, and as the week unfolds, she wonders if perhaps it's not such a silly feeling after all. ~ My Rating  4 stars  ~ My Review  Woah... With the title of 'Silly Feeling', this detail-rich story was anything but silly. When I read words like 'church camp' and 'crush', I was expecting a light-hearted story about a couple teenagers.  But I was wrong.  This story was deep and heartfelt, moving and fast-paced. Although it's great as a short-story, I think this could've also been a fabulous novel. :) All the characters were fun and felt realistic. Nick and Morgan were my favorites – Nick's story *almost* made me cry. :') Hannah was a great character too, and I'm dying to know if she was right in her thoughts on her 'rescuer...

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  ~  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV // I'm thankful for the snow of winter and the ability to enjoy it with my family.  // I'm thankful for the warmth and sunshine of spring.  // I'm thankful for tiny flowers growing by the woodshed and dirty hands from planting potatoes.  // I'm thankful for a new room and beautiful bookshelves.  // I'm thankful for time spent at this place – camping and enjoying good times with friends and family.  // I'm thankful for dogs who's ridiculous positions make my day.  // I'm thankful for summer days spent swimming and soaking up the sunshine.  // I'm thankful for the beauty of a thunderstorm.   // I'm thankful for my family and the place we call home.  // I'm thankful for the...

Faith didn't have a specific post planned for today. And here it is Saturday night and Faith doesn't have time to write a 'good' post now (in other words, she wants to read/write instead... ;)) So I have a book review for y'all of a Christmas short story I read last week. :) Hope it's enjoyed!  ~ Description  Parker McIntyre is late evacuating Galveston Island prior to a hurricane, despite advisement from local Texas authorities. When Parker becomes trapped in rising floodwaters, he is going to drown if help doesn’t arrive soon. Fearing death and questioning his faith, he thinks about the young son he’ll be leaving behind. Alexandria Hanson is on her way off the island to escape the immediate storm threat, but she spots a person trapped in the water. Alex—as she’s called by friends and family— isn’t adventuresome by nature. Helping the man is going to require great personal risk, but she can’t leave him to die. As Alex joins Parker in...

Monday, the last day of the tag. I hope you've enjoyed this as much as I've enjoyed sharing the quotes with y'all! :)  Again, for details and whatnot see  Saturday's post . :D  **from Pinterest**  I just...love this one. Can't we all agree that this is the greatest love there could ever be?!? :'D ~Faith

Day two! Again, I'm not going to tag anyone. But if you want to do this post, please feel free. (And leave me a link so I can check it out! :D)  For details and the rules for this tag, check out  yesterday's post . ;)  **from Pinterest** I really love this quote. I got the results from the poll I had up awhile back (it was a three way tie, by the way... :P), so I'll be doing a post on 'broken vessels' sometime soon...and probably using this again. :)  Have a blessed Lord's day!  ~Faith

Hey everyone! Hope you're all having an awesome Saturday. :D  A tag, yes. A rare occurrence on this blog. But this morning I realized that I didn't have a post planned for today. So instead of my abandoning the blog again, I shall do this. Onward!!  Kaitlyn K. from  Twin Thoughts  tagged me for this tag aaaggggeeeesss ago. (Thank you, girl!!) And I kind of...forgot? Anyway, here goes. ^_^ The Rules:  -- Thank the person who nominated you. (Done.)  -- Nominate 3 new bloggers every day. (Um...I'm going to skip that part. #cheating)  -- Post a new quote every day for 3 consecutive days. (Okiedoke!)  **from Pinterest**  Also, happy belated Veterans Day! Yesterday kind of slipped by without a blog post of my own, but it was still on my mind. :)  See y'all later!  ~Faith

Welcome everyone! This is the eighth edition of Sisters in Christ . Yaysies! :) Today's guest is Rebekah Eddy from  Rebekah's Remarks   and  Simply Stories .  She–  I decided to steal Faith's blog for today. Because, you know, if she gets too much attention on here all by herself it might make her too stuck up or something. ;) so today I'm taking the spotlight! *cue glitter, confetti, and fanfare* Also, because she invited me to do her Sisters in Christ question and answer thing. Which I was thrilled to do, of course!! :D So here are her questions and my answers. :) Sit back and enjoy a dose of Rebekah's Random Remedy (Warning: to be taken without water or you might snort some out your nose. Directions: Intake in small quantities. Do not overdose for fear of too much awesomeness. Helps with excessive feelings of melancholy and incessant crying or lack of merriment.) *snickers* Yup. This will be fun, y'all. Rebekah, go ahead and give an introduction. ...

I know, I know... No post all last week. So sorry about that! I'm here today with a post, though. I hope you enjoy. :)  Do you ever look at the world around you and feel a compelling urge to do something about it? Like you're supposed to be doing something – anything – to change it? To make a difference? To shine Christ's light?  I know I do.  And we  are  supposed to be doing something. As Christians, each of us have a job to do for God's eternal kingdom. Spreading the Gospel. Winning souls.  Yet it often angers me to see it all – the evil and wickedness in this lost, dark, dying world. It's wrong. It's dishonoring to God. If those people (I'm very bad to categorize) can be so blatantly sinful, why should they be offered the chance of salvation?  But God reminds me that I'm a sinner too. And just as bad of one as anyone else. No sin is 'better' or 'worse' than any other. (I'm almost off this rabbit trail. ...

~ Description Leona Speicher got the "sister" she'd always dreamed of the day Gloria Gingerich and her family moved to Lancaster County Amish farmland. The Arkansas newcomers seem to be everything a devout Plain family should be, and Leona can't help comparing Gloria's engaging young parents to her own.  Leona's cousin shows a romantic interest in Gloria around the same time as Gloria's older brother expresses his fondness for Leona--it seems likely the two young women will marry into each other's families, remaining close friends for life. Thus, Leona is shocked when the Gingeriches suddenly pack up and disappear after being expelled from the church for reasons no one will discuss. Despite Leona's pleas, Gloria goes with them, leaving more than one broken heart behind.  When Gloria unexpectedly contacts Leona after a silence of several years, Leona makes up her mind to persuade her friend to return to Lancaster County and the Amish ways. Leona...

~  Description   People affected by a loved one's addiction suffer silently in church pews. I was one of them. I'm Juliet. Sometimes I wish I could be someone else, with another name altogether, someone whose life is more comedy than tragedy. During the twelve years I was married to a cocaine-addicted Christian, I was overwhelmed with isolation and shame as I sat next to my ex-husband in church week after week. No one fathomed our family skeletons. How could I tell anyone? God stirred my spirit to seek personal healing and give voice to my reality. Through Him, I found freedom from silence and redemption for the life dreams I thought were forever lost.  Same Dress, Different Day: A Spiritual Memoir of Addiction and Redemption  chronicles my journey from victim to victor as I struggled to break free from codependency's suffocating cycle. I learned to see my Savior as the soul mate and provider my chemically dependent spouse could never be. God's healing grace is not o...