His Joy is Strength

My joy overflowed to have all three of my daughters 

with me on Mother's Day weekend.

We made art, we laughed, we talked, we ate, and we loved.

Even when my days are not so glorious and full of family and fun, I choose joy. 

Different from happiness, joy is Jesus in my heart, 

comforting me and reminding me that in Him everything will be okay. 

This day is holy to our Lord. 

Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Nehemiah 8:10b

 

Defined by the Fruit

When I spoke at camp, I asked the daughters and moms to give examples of

how we incorporate the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives. 

One young girl reminded all of us 

how important it is, whether anyone is watching or not, to be kind.

Character, for believers, is defined by the Fruit of the Spirit.

Fiction Book Review: A Flicker of Light by Katie Powner

Book Description:
For generations, the Jensens have raised their families in the small Montana town of Moose Creek, where gossip spreads faster than the wind. Yet some secrets need to be told.

When twenty-one-year-old Bea discovers she's pregnant on the heels of her husband losing his job, she's forced to admit she needs help and asks her dad for a place to stay. But past resentments keep her from telling him all that's going on.

Mitch Jensen is thrilled to have a full house again, though he's unimpressed with Bea's decisions: dropping out of college, marrying so young--and to an idealistic city kid, of all things. Mitch hopes to convince Bea to return to the path he's always envisioned for her, but she's changed since her mom died. And he refuses to admit how much he's changed, too, especially now that he might be losing his mother as well.

Grandma June is good at spinning stories, but there's one she's never told. Now that her mind is starting to fade, her time to tell it is running out. But if she reveals the truth before her memories are gone forever, the Jensen family will never be the same.

My Thoughts:
A Flicker of Light is a beautiful story filled with hope, heartache, and possibilities. Mitch Jensen's heart still aches for his wife, who passed away. Bea and her hubby need to start over and figure out their future, with a baby-to-be in tow. Rand wants the best for his wife, whose mind is fading. Grandma June throws an unexpected twist into the story as she begins to forget. The characters and their stories found a place in my heart as I read this heartrending story. I love the next-door neighbor, and Mitch's friend, the pastor. They added so much to this already wonderful story. Katie Powner knows how to write a lovely story. The spiritual thread and family ties blend together beautifully. If you enjoy a good story filled with heart, read A Flicker of Light. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Book Review: The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox

Book Description:
Present Day. After tragedy plunges her into grief and unresolved anger, Sarah Ashby returns to her childhood home determined to finally follow her long-denied dream of running Old Depot Grocery alongside her mother and grandmother. But when she arrives, her mother, Rosemary, announces to her that the store is closing. Sarah and her grandmother, Glory Ann, make a pact to save the store, but Rosemary has worked her entire life to make sure her daughter never follows in her footsteps. She has her reasons--but she'll certainly never reveal the real one.

1965. Glory Ann confesses to her family that she's pregnant with her deceased fiancé's baby. Pressured into a marriage of convenience with a shopkeeper to preserve the family reputation, Glory Ann vows never to love again. But some promises are not as easily kept as she imagined.

This dual-timeline story from Amanda Cox deftly explores the complexity of a mother-daughter dynamic, the way the secrets we keep shape our lives and the lives of others, and the healing power of telling the truth.

My Thoughts:
You know how you bite into a multi-layered cake and taste each sweet ingredient, then savor the last bite. The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery is like that. I sliced through the layers of family and place and tasted an incredible story of love and forgiveness. Amanda Cox is a gifted writer who delivers a beautiful story of women whose lives have been affected by one another as well as circumstance. When Sarah goes home to the Old Depot Grocery, her grandma is excited to welcome her enthusiasm, but her mother, Rosemary, is concerned her daughter's return is a waste of her time and talents. As secrets are revealed and new friendships are made, the characters hearts open to trust again. I absolutely enjoyed the dynamic relationships of Glory Ann, Rosemary, and Sarah as they navigated the waters of truth. This is a book you want to take your time with and think about the sacrifices made to make life better for the next generation. Cox's mastery of the time-slip novel is excellent. If you enjoy a good story about family, this is a read for you. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.