Time to Live

I have been back and forth with the idea of blogging about my experience with Postpartum Depression (PPD), and I have tried to write up potential posts, however it has been hard to complete.  I thought and thought about how to write the posts but none of them were ever completed.  And I was unsure why they were not coming together.

Back at the beginning of the month, I have attended the IF: Gathering that was held at my awesome church.  I was looking forward to going to this event ever since I have registered back in January.  Well, all I can say is that the word that was shared on those nights were GREAT!! (In my Tony the Tiger voice)  The Holy Spirit convicted me and gave me my 2015 word of the year.  LIVE!!!

One of the speakers asked the question, “What dead things are you holding on to?”  That spoke volume.  I have been holding onto my illness far too long.  I have been blaming my illness on my lack of trust and faith in God.  I have been allowing my illness to control me!  This illness has hurt my family, drove me crazy, and even drove a wedge in my relationship.  While the speaker was speaking and praying, and while the Holy Spirit was convicting me, tears were shed.  Of course, these were happy tears and tears of joy!  I have been praying about how to deal with this illness, but not asking God to heal me from this illness.  I have been asking God how I can share my experience with PPD, but forgetting how I can share to others how God can heal and deliver those who are suffering from PPD. 

I am so glad I decided to attend and I am so glad that I can actually live! I can bury Postpartum Depression and live.  I know that this will not be an easy task but you know what dealing with postpartum depression wasn’t a walk on easy street. 

I know that only way to live is to turn my focus onto Lord.  The only thing I need to be dwelling in, is the Lord.  He got me through this horrible stage in my life and dwelling in him and praising him is the only way I can say thank you!!

Rather than deciding how to share my experience with a deadly disease I need to LIVE!!! I need to share my faith and how God is a healer, deliverer, a friend, a savior!!

Book Review: "The Secret Keeper" by Beverly Lewis

Beverly Lewis did it again with "The Secret Keeper."  Her insightful knowledge of both the "English" and "Amish" world helped her bring life into this book.  

The story involves an "English" or non-amish woman name Jenny Burns, who wishes to become Amish.  She had these feelings ever since she was a child.  Her family and friends considers her as an "old soul" and doesn't understand her desire to join the Amish church.  She makes the decision to leave behind the luxuries of the modern world to seek out life as an Amish woman.

During her time seeking out the life in the Amish community, she befriends a young man, who she happens to fall in love with.  She also discovers secrets within the community that make her question whether or not to stay and join the Amish church.  

Being a non-Amish woman seeking the Amish way of life seems to be harder than Jenny imagines.  Despite the friendships that she makes and the relationship with her lovely beau, does she stay and join the church or does she leave to return back to the comforts of the modern world?  The only way to find out is to open the book and enter in the community of Hickory Hollow.

Must say that this book is great.  If you are into clean Romance, Faith, and suspense, this book is for you.  After reading, this book it made me think about the desires in my heart that I would like to fulfill.  I can't wait to read the next in the series, "The Last Bride."

 

Divergent Book Review

BOOK REVIEW!!!  I haven't completed a book review in ages!!

 

"Divergent" by Veronica Roth

 

"Divergent" is indeed an "eye glued to every turning page, can't sleep until I am done" type of book.  Many people have related this book to "The Hunger Games" series, however I tried to read that series and didn't really follow and get into the book.  "Divergent" had me hook from the first page, (actually from the first sentence). 

 

"Divergent" is a dystopian novel similar to "The Hunger Games".  In this country the people are divided into different factions or you can say classes based on their personal characteristics.  At a point in the young adult's life, they have to take a test to see which faction they will belong to, and then they have a choice to pick the faction that they want to live in.  The main character, Beatrice or "Tris" takes this test and finds our that she is a "divergent". 
 

Tris picks another faction other than her own at the ceremony.  Does Tris survive this new faction? Also, how does Tris deal with being labeled as "Divergent?

This books really keeps you hanging at the edge of your seat to see what will happen next.  If you are into dystopian type books are looking for a new read.  This book is a must.  Since I brought this book through Amazon, I put this book at a 4 stars.  I am very critical about what I read, so being at a 4 stars is a great read. 

 

"The Shack" book review

range from $2.55-$6.75 on Amazon

Powerful book!  Mackenzie "Mack" Philips, father, took his children on a family camping trip.  While on the trip, his daughter was abducted and  murdered and her body was found in shack that was located in  the middle of nowhere.  This painful loss had affected Mack's family even the other children.  One day a suspicious note was sent (from God) requesting Mack to come back to the shack.  Mack questions to go back to that painful place, but he eventually decides to go.  

"The Shack" answers the question most people ask, "Why me, God"? The portrait of God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy spirit has been portrayed in a way that you may not believe or imagine.  Mack questions regarding faith and hope are answered in the end of the book.  Mines were answered too!! 

When I read this book, I didn't relate to the fact that I lost a child, but I was related to the fact that God is omniscient and omnipresence and he knows all, sees all, and is everywhere I am.  

If you are going through some trials and may question God, this is a must read!!

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Book Review on "Daughters of Lancaster County"

Another book review!!  Well I enjoy reading Amish fiction books for a couple of years now.  Most books that I have read were by the author Beverly Lewis. ( I have The Fiddler review on this blog also.)  I have decided to check out another author who writes Amish fiction, Wanda Brunstetter.  Her writing is similar to Beverly Lewis, ( which includes Bible Scripture, Amish language or Pennsylvania Dutch or German. 

Also her characters are personable and they draw you into the story.  I have read all 3 books from this series, "The Storekeeper's Daughter", The Quilter's Daughter",  and "The Bishop's Daughter".   These books in this series correlate to each other and you must read the 1st book to get to know the characters and what is taking place. 

This series starts out with an dysfunctional family, lost in the death of their mother.  It seems that all is lost with their family and while the family tries to move passed their mother's death, it seems as though there is trouble on every corner.

The several characters in this series, faith is tested and must rely on the Good Lord to get them passed all of the hurt and trouble that they have faced.  Many characters in this series bring hope to each other, but to the reader as well.

I have read the book 1 and book 2 within a week, that I have received them from the library.  When it was time to get the 3rd book, it was checked out.  But one thing I can tell you is that once that 3rd book was checked back in, I quickly got it and read it in 2 days. 

This is a must read series, and I am ready to read another series from this author.

First Book Review :)

"The Fiddler" by Beverly Lewis

An unsure direction we make in life, may lead us to the location where God want us to be. This is true for both main characters in the story, “The Fiddler” by Beverly Lewis. For those whom have not read any books by Beverly Lewis, her books are filled with not only Amish heritage, but mystery, true romance, and unforgettable characters.
In this story, the two main characters, Amelia Devries and Michael Hostetler are both finding their purpose in life. They both make unsure choices to figure out themselves. Both Amelia and Michael are coming from different religious backgrounds and cultures, but both seemed to struggle with handling expectations within their family. Following their own heart and putting their faith in God, Amelia and Michael are able to become comfortable in who they truly are.
I enjoy reading this book. Actually, all the books that I have read written by Beverly Lewis, I enjoyed. I first got sucked in the Amish culture, by watching documentaries on television, and I saw a member in my church reading one of her books, I had to run to the library. My first series (most books by Beverly Lewis are written in series, so you get really involved and attached to the characters) was “The Heritage of Lancaster County”. The characters seemed so personable, and I fell in love with her writing.
Not many people understand the Amish culture and the strict ordinances that they follow, but once you read one book by Beverly Lewis, you will see another view of the Amish culture. For those who either play the violin or love music, this book is for you, since the main character, Amelia is a violinist. If this review is not drawing you to this book, I say those who love true romance (not the sexual, risqué type) and enjoy reading about other cultures, this book is a must read.