Songs on Sunday ~ Call It Grace by Unspoken ~ 1/31/16

 

I absolutely adore this song!  From the first time I heard it, I was in love.  With the music, with the lyrics, with the message.

 

Has anyone ever made you think that your faith is foolish?  Impossible to believe?

 

I think to those in the world, it probably is.  They don't understand the amazing, unshaking, unchanging, and unfailing power of grace.  Of God's love toward us.

 

Hopefully we can be the light shining to help them realize that:

 

It's the light that pierces through you
To the darkest hidden place
It knows your deepest secrets
But it never looks away

 

Just listen to the words of this song and to the music.  Let them minister to your soul. 

 

Call It Grace.

 

 

"Call It Grace"

It's the light that pierces through you
To the darkest hidden place
It knows your deepest secrets
But it never looks away
It's the gentle hand that pulls you
From the judgement of the crowd
When you stand before them guilty
And you got no way out

Some may call it foolish and impossible
But for every heart it rescues, it's a miracle
It's nothing less than scandalous
This love that took our place
Just call it what it is, call it grace
Call it grace

It's the breath that's breathing new life
Into what we thought was dead
It's the favor that takes orphans
Placing crowns upon their heads
It's the hope for our tomorrows
The rock on which we stand
It's a strong and mighty fortress
Even Hell can't stand against

Some may call it foolish and impossible
But for every heart it rescues, it's a miracle
It's nothing less than scandalous
This love that took our place
Just call it what it is, call it grace
Call it grace
Call it grace

Amazing, unshaking
This is grace, this is grace
Unchanging, unfailing
This is grace, this is grace

Some may call it foolish and impossible
But for every heart it rescues, it's a miracle
It's nothing less than scandalous
That Jesus took our place
Oh call it what it is, just call it what it is
Call it grace

 

Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

I'm also linking up to Spiritual Sunday and Counting My Blessings , Faith And Friendship , Grace And Truth , Dance with Jesus, Sunday Stillness, Give Me Grace , Sunday FUNday and The Weekend Brew and Social Butterfly.



Stacking the Shelves ~ 1/30/16

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

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This week I added the following to my shelf:

When Cora Kensington learns she is the illegitimate daughter of a copper king, her life changes forever. Even as she explores Europe with her new family, she discovers that the most valuable journey is within. The first book in the Grand Tour series takes you from the farms of Montana through England and France on an adventure of forgiveness, spiritual awakening, and self-discovery.  

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Kariss meets Dr. Amy Garrett, who survived a brutal childhood attack in which the assailant was never found. Now Dr. Garrett wants her story written in a novel. Kariss wishes she could seek the advice of Special Agent Tigo Harris, but she broke off the relationship a few months prior and seeing him again would be too painful. She interviews Amy and conducts her own research, stepping unaware into a viper’s pit of danger.

Tigo misses Kariss and wants her back, but he understands why she broke off their relationship. Instead, he concentrates on solving a car bombing and bringing the killer to justice. As Kariss’s new story attracts an onslaught of danger that she never expected, can Tigo save the woman he loves and find who wants her dead for writing about an unsolved cold-case?  
 

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Happy Reading!

Book Review ~ If I Run by Terri Blackstock ~ 1/29/16

 

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Blurb:

 

Casey knows the truth.

But it won’t set her free.

Casey Cox’s DNA is all over the crime scene. There’s no use talking to police; they have failed her abysmally before. She has to flee before she’s arrested . . . or worse. The truth doesn’t matter anymore.

But what is the truth? That’s the question haunting Dylan Roberts, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. PTSD has marked him damaged goods, but bringing Casey back can redeem him. Though the crime scene seems to tell the whole story, details of the murder aren’t adding up. Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer. But are Dylan’s skewed perceptions keeping him from being objective? If she isn’t guilty, why did she run?

Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than he has, but as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices. The girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.  

 

My Thoughts:

 

Wow!  This book was amazing!

 

It was better than any mystery movie or crime TV show that I've ever seen!

 

At first, I wasn't sure if I would like the book being in the first person POV for two different characters.  I was afraid it would confuse me but the chapters are clearly marked as to who is thinking and acting.  I ended up enjoying it immensely!

 

The ending was so unexpected but I don't want to give too much away.  You'll have to read it for yourself!

 

I can't believe I'm going to say this but I think this was my first ever Terri Blackstock read!  Unbelievable, right?

 

It won't be my last.

 

 

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review as part of a 

Litfuse Publicity Blog Tour.  
 

 

Linking up to:  Inspritation2 , Creative Ways,  Create It Thursday,  Homemaking Linkup , Share Your Cup;  Grandma Ideas, Literacy Musings and Saturday Situation.

Tea Time ~ Operation and Snow ~ 1/29/16

Grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or your favorite drink
while I share a few things that made me smile this week :)

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~Snow!  We got approximately 30" of snow this past weekend  :)

~We got an expected refund check in the mail!  Extra money always puts a smile on my face :)

~The girls played Operation together!  It was amazing to see them do something without fighting :)

~I am 10 books ahead in my reading challenge!  I have been reading, reading, reading :)

~I hope this picture doesn't offend anyone!  It cracked me up :)

 

What made you smile this week?

Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

Linking up with Friendship Friday, Friday Fragments, Five on Friday, Show Off Friday, Awesome Life,  Friday Favorites , High Five for Friday , Diary of a Real Housewife and Love Made My Home.

 

Three Things Thursday ~ The Snowstorm ~ 1/28/16

 

 Absolute Mommy & The Foley Fam are hosting a new linkup!

  

3 Things I Loved About the Snowstorm

  



1.  The snowstorm happened Friday night and all day Saturday.  Therefore, everyone was home and didn't have to go out in the mess.  It was great having us all home and hanging out together.

 

2.  We played games together as a family! 4 games of 500 Rummy and a few games of Operation took place.  (I kept losing and it wasn't pretty!)

 

3.  It was (and is) absolutely beautiful!  That line going across the picture are actually the peaks of our picket fence.  So far hardly any has melted.

 

 

Did you get snow where you live?  What do you like best about a good snowday?

 

 





Book Review ~ Sweet Olive by Judy Christie ~ 1/28/16

 

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Blurb:

 

A talented businesswoman in the oil and gas business, Camille Gardner agrees to take on one last assignment for her uncle at the JandS Production Co. She would rather be anywhere than Samford, Louisiana, the small southern town where she once spent the worst month of her life. Most of all, she wants to move on to the art gallery job that is waiting for her in Denver.

 

To fulfill the obligation she feels to her uncle and get on with the life she dreams of, Camille needs to entice a group of rural landowners to sell their mineral rights---and allow use of their precious water for the drilling of natural gas. Instead, she finds herself drawn to the local folk art created by those same landowners, and attracted to Marsh Cameron, the attorney representing them.

 

Camille must decide whether family obligation---and her own plans for her future---are more important than the lives and tradition of this small community.

My Thoughts:

 

I have to say that this book started off slow for me.  I was confused with all the people and places and the gas/oil terms and workings.

 

I almost stopped reading at about page 20 but decided to give it some more time to see how it would go.  By the time I got to page 50, I was hooked.  I had gotten to know the characters and the setting and was enjoying the book immensely.

 

I especially liked that this book centered on a small, unique community that was fighting for their homes and what they believed in.  There was an underlying message that money isn't everything.

 

I really liked Camille.  She was working hard to do what she thought was right for everyone and wasn't afraid to apologize when she made a mistake.

 

This was my first book by Judy Christie but I look forward to reading more! 

Linking up to:  Intentional at Home,  Inspritation2 , Creative Ways,  Create It Thursday,  Homemaking Linkup , Share Your Cup;  Grandma Ideas, Literacy Musings and Saturday Situation.

Author Interview ~ If I Run by Terri Blackstock ~ 1/27/16

This post is a little different than what I'm used to writing.

I'm part of the Litfuse Blog Tour for "If I Run" by Terri Blackstock but the book hasn't made it to me yet.  There have been issues with UPS due to the holidays and the snowstorm.

My review was technically due today, but obviously that isn't going to happen.

However, Litfuse sent me this fun video from the author, herself, talking about the book.  I thought I would pass it along to my readers on the day I was supposed to have a review.

I hope you enjoyed the video and make sure to come back when I post my review for "If I Run"!

Workout Wednesday ~ Week 5 ~ 1/27/16

(graphic found on google)

 

My inspiration:

 

Commit whatever you do to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.

 

Proverbs 16:3

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I hope everyone has gotten dug out of the snow that we got pounded with here on the East coast!  Luckily it didn't effect our gym days :)

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Last week Doug was working night shift.  He was a trooper on Monday and went to the gym after getting home.  By Wednesday morning he was wearing down.  He crashed on the bed before I had time to say anything to him about going to workout.  He was just so tired!  I decided to still go to the gym.  I don't think Doug even heard me tell him goodbye!  I was feeling energetic and got 7 miles in!  7 miles in one day!  That is a record for me.  Two of the miles were on the treadmill and the other 5 were on the bike.  I was pumped but it wore me out for the rest of the day :)

 

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Friday, we knew that the snowstorm was headed our way.  As soon as we got the girls off to school, we headed straight for the gym.  We were a little rushed because we still had to stop at the store for a few items and the girls were getting out of school early due to the storm.  Hence, I only got 4 miles in.  One on the treadmill and 3 on the bike.

 

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This week Doug is working 2nd shift, so he is much more rested in the morning.  Monday, we got the girls off to school and headed to the gym first thing.  I decided that 7 miles wore me out a little too much at this point, so I went back to my routine of 5 miles for now.  Two miles on the treadmill and 3 on the bike.

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Maybe someday I'll be brave and hit the weights with Doug.  Right now, he's been warming up on the treadmill for about a mile and then lifting the rest of the time.

I'm trying to change my attitude about trying to get healthier.  I'm working on thinking about the big picture and long term goals rather than burning myself out and then getting nowhere at all.

It is about staying committed and being in it for the long haul.  (And sometimes it does feel like a haul!)


My week's stats:

Miles:  17
Total Miles:  71

Thanks for stopping by!  Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

 

Linking up to  WholeHearted Wednesday, R&R, Word Filled Wednesday, Coffee and Conversation, Ladies Collective,   Party in Your PJs,  The Mommy Club, Works or Me, Wake-Up Wednesday and  Women with Intention, and Fitness Friday.

Book Review ~ A Son's Vow by Shelley Shepherd Gray ~ 1/27/16

 

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Blurb:

 

Shelley Shepard Gray’s first book in her Charmed Amish Life series is set in the quaint Amish village of Charm, Ohio, and tells the stories of the Kinsinger siblings who are each struggling to find both forgiveness and love in the face of tragedy.

Three months ago, everything changed for Darla Kurtz and her family. Darla’s father was responsible for a terrible fire at Charm’s lumber mill which killed five Amish men. And though he, too, lost his life, the town of Charm hasn’t looked at her family the same since. Even Lukas Kinsinger—with whom Darla used to have a close friendship.

Now her brother’s anger at the town is spilling over onto Darla, and she has the bruises to prove it. The accident already cost five lives, but if something doesn’t change soon, Darla fears it will cost her—and her family—even more.

Lukas Kinsinger wants to mourn the loss of his father, but he can hardly find the time to breathe. Suddenly the head of his father’s lumber mill and responsible for taking care of his three siblings, he’s feeling the pressure. He has also never felt more alone—especially with the new tension between he and Darla. But when he learns of her troubles at home, Lukas knows he can’t simply stand by and watch. Someone has to help her before another tragedy occurs.

As Lukas and Darla attempt to repair their families, they discover something deeper than friendship growing between them. But will Lukas and Darla’s love be accepted after so much loss? Or will the pain of the past overcome any chance of future happiness?

 

My Thoughts:

 

This book was exceptional!

 

It was my bedtime when I decided to read just a few chapters of this book to relax.  The next thing I knew, I was turning the last page and it was the wee hours of the morning!  It has been quite a while since I've become so engrossed in a book that I've lost track of time.

 

The storyline centers around a terrible tragedy that took place and 5 Amish men were killed, including Darla's and Lukas's fathers.  Darla brother, Aaron, hadn't been handling the stress of the loss and added responsibilities very well.

 

Some scenes were pretty intense.  Aaron was starting to take out his frustrations on others with physical violence, mostly Darla.

 

I love the way the author used such a serious situation to show God's grace and mercy.  Most of all, the lesson of forgiveness was shown through the actions and reactions of the characters.

 

I can't wait to read the next book of The Charmed Amish Life series by Shelley Shepherd Gray!

 

 

 

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review as part of a 

Litfuse Publicity Blog Tour.  
 

 

Linking up to:  Inspritation2 , Creative Ways,  Create It Thursday,  Homemaking Linkup , Share Your Cup;  Grandma Ideas, Literacy Musings and Saturday Situation.

Teaser Tuesday ~ The Lady of Bolton Hill ~ 1/26/16

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. 

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My teaser for this week is from:

 

 

~"It was a boiler explosion, " Manzetti told him as they left the school and ran across Currior Street.  "They've put out the fire, but your dad was trapped by the tank that got blown off its base.  He's still pinned beneath it."~

Page 8

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Happy Teaser Tuesday!

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 1/25/16

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

 

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The weather outside is::::

 Wintery!

On the breakfast plate this morning::::

 

Special K Cinnamon Pecan Cereal

As I look outside my window:::

I see 3 feet of snow in my yard!  The fence surrounding our yard is now invisible!  I'm just praying that it doesn't melt too fast and cause flooding.

    
 

As I look around the house::::

 

I see a mess!  Everyone being home all weekend has taken its toll.  Board games are everywhere.  This is a reminder of good quality family time :)

On today's to do list::::

 

  At the time I'm writing this, I don't know yet whether the girls are having school today.  If they don't, it will be another day at home.  If they do have school, then it will be off to the gym. 

 

Happening this week::::

 

Monday.....Gym, start laundry.
Tuesday....Cleaning Day, Cheer.
Wednesday....  Gym and Fold/Put Away Laundry, Prayer Meeting
Thursday.....Bills, Menu and Grocery List, Cheer in the evening.
Friday....Gym, groceries, virtual Tea Party with some friends.
Saturday....Clean Bedrooms, Schedule for following week and have family time.

Currently reading::::



I'm all caught up with my books for review, so I'm reading Where Wildflowers Bloom from my book shelf!  So far, it is very good and has great potential :)

On the TV today::::

Amazingly, we watched no TV this weekend!  I have so many shows to catch up on that I don't know if I even want to try.  I do want to watch Hallmark's "Unleashing Mr. Darcy".  Has anyone watched it yet?

On the menu this week::::

Monday - Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Broccoli
Tuesday - Baked Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Peas
Wednesday - Dinner at my brother's.
Thursday - Pizza
Friday - Kielbalsa, Fried Potatoes, Corn
Saturday - Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Toast
Sunday - Dinner at Church (Not sure what I'm taking yet)

What I am creating at the moment::::

 

I'm still very slowly working on my Beautiful Shells Afghan for the Family Room. 

 

The second block for the Mooglyblog.com CAL came out on Thursday.  Here's mine:

 

 

 



Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals::::

 

Happy Monday!!!

Linking up to :  Menu Plan Monday

Make it Monday ~ Moogly 2016 CAL #1 and #2 ~ 1/25/16

 

This week I want to show you my squares I've made for the Moogly 2016 CAL.  My colors for this CAL are all RHSS.  Perfect Pink, Buff, Café Latte, Real Teal, Gold and Dark Orchid.  So far we've had 2 squares:

 

#1:  Flame Square by Jessie at Home



 

This block had lots of back and front post stitches that added a lot of texture to the block.  I had to take my time and read the pattern carefully to get them all in the right place.  I had to add a few rounds to make this square come out to 12". 

 #2:  3D Flower Granny Square by Repeat Crafter Me

This block has a fun flower in the center.  I really like how it pop up out of the block.  Once again, I had to add a few rounds of dc in order to reach 12".

I'm edging each square with the Buff as that is the color I will be joining with and I find this a lot easier and pleasing to the eye.

2 down, 22 to go!

Please leave me a comment with a link so I can return the visit!!

Linking up to Inspiration Monday, Cooking and Crafting with J&J,  Making Your Home Sing , Inspire Me Monday, Merry Monday , Motivation Monday, Made By You, Creative Mondays, What'd You Do this Weekend and Pieces by Polly Block Party,  Monday's Musing and Making Monday, Stitch It Up and Hooking on Humpday, Yarn Along , Yarn Fanatic , Keep Calm Craft On.