Prayers of a Stranger A Christmas Story By Davis Bunn

After spending the previous year trying to shut out the tragedy that befell her, Amanda Vance starts to awaken to the reality that God is leading her to deal with that which she has tried to forget. When a chance to visit the Holy Land comes, she surprises herself by saying yes, and thus embarks on a journey that allow herself to begin to heal and come to terms with what happened. Meanwhile, back in the States, her husband is able to begin coming out of what has been a trying year with his job, and seeing that his faithfulness is finally being rewarded.

This was a touching story, that developed the characters well and took them down a realistic storyline. I stayed intrigued throughout, and Amanda’s story was well thought out. However, I found the husband’s story to be a bit of a stretch, and that things just seemed to fall into place for him. He was the “perfect man”, saying the right things, doing the right things, respected by all, and able to handle the “bad guy” with a hero’s ease. While I found his part in the story interesting, it put a slightly unrealistic touch to it. I found myself wishing he’d be less sympathetic, more frustrated at his wife, just more… human. Overall, I enjoyed the book and felt it to be a nice read. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Scent of Rain by Kristen Billerbeck

After being jilted at the altar, Daphne Sweeten leaves to start the life she was supposed to have with her new husband in Dayton. In the process, she manages to lose the one thing that could propel her to the life she wishes she could still have. However, the faith a man in her, the faith of her best friend, and the perfectly packaged events created in this story allow her to realize that perhaps all is not lost, and in the end she can live happily ever after still.

I admit, that was sarcasm, and it’s the result of being rather disappointed in this story by Ms. Billerbeck. She written stories with more depth to the characters, but this is not one of them. It seemed the ex-fiance, who never officially appears as part of the story line, had more depth illustrated for him than the main character’s new love interest (though the far-stretching descriptive metaphors given to him helped). There seemed to be a disjointed-ness between events, and outer characters were very one dimensional, and only used to help make everything work out for the main character. It was a light read, good for those who really don’t want to get too involved in a story, or who want to expand their knowledge about the perfumery field. I do think this had the potential for a great story, but that Ms. Billerbeck sent it to print long before it was truly ready.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I Am A Follower by Leonard Sweet

Within the pages of “I Am A Follower” by Leonard Sweet, the reader is challenged in so many ways. He offers a very thought provoking re-definition of what our leaders should really be focused towards. He challenges Christ-followers to be exactly that, and as a result, will in turn create more Christ-followers. He shows that Christ is the only true leader; and in doing so, he outlines how we are to pattern our lives to be His followers, first. This book will challenge your walk, your mind, and if you are a leader, your leadership.

I found this book to be a challenge largely because it is very involved. This is not a light read. The truths presented are solid, well thought out, well written, and almost always, deep. The amount of sources quoted are numerable. Mr. Sweet is able to bring forth truths from the Apostle Paul, the early centuries, through the ages, and all the way through the modern era, directing the reader to look at youtube videos, tying them together in a way that is truly poetic. And yet, through that, he is able to bring out the most basic truths found in the Word. I often found myself laying the book down to chew on a thought presented, and allow his points to sink in. I recommend this to leaders, to pastors, and to anyone wanting to jump in and join the dance of following the one true leader, Christ. 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.”

To Multi-task or not to Multi-task!

I often spend a lot of my homeschooling time sitting and waiting on my kids to work a problem, or read an article or finish up a paper we started together. This doesn't jive well with my slightly impatient, want to get done personality. (And yes, I confess, I'm doing this somewhat while waiting for a son to get a math problem worked out...) I find I am tempted to multi-task and work on something else while they are in concentration. But what ultimately results is I am then distracted, and have to work to refocus when they are once again ready for my attention. The result? So many of them, none of them really very good.
1. My "distraction" activity is not getting the focus IT needs, and does not turn out the best, or takes longer than it should.
2. I am not in tune to what they were doing and have to refigure out where we were at, thus resulting in more time and potentially, mis-teaching.
3. I am teaching my kids the art of multi-tasking in a way that is not productive.
4. At times, I end up wasting time doing something I don't normally indulge in (insert facebook and pinterest confession here!)
5. I often end up frustrated that I got interrupted in doing my "distraction" activity once they have completed their task!

So are we to multi-task? Is it really that effective? I'm sure much smarter people than me have studied it and made conclusions both for and against.
What it boils down to is - in my multi-tasking, am I short changing those involved? Me. The person(s) associated with my "distraction" activity, be it a recipient of an email or a blog-reader or my husband's company bookkeeping. And most importantly, my child. When the answer to any of that is YES, I have to reevaluate priorities and retrain my focus.
But... (insert slight whine) I get so BORED waiting, when I see they are progressing well! I can't stand to sit and do NOTHING! So how do I fill that waiting time with the non-distracting, non-disengaged activities?
I personally found the answer by doing exactly what it is. While recently waiting not-so-patiently, I allowed my mind to wander a bit, rather than sliding over to my keyboard, and pondered exactly that thought. It's found in Philippians, and is applicable to oh so many wandering thought times...

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ~ Philippians 4:8

I can use these little nuggets of time to just think, and not necessarily about what else I COULD take care of in that time, but rather - think the things of God. Things that are true. Noble. Right. Pure. Lovely. Admirable. Excellent. Full of Praise.
Be in awe of my child quietly working.
Thanking God for the opportunity before me to teach my child.
Praising Him that another child is quietly working and not distracting.
Contemplating how I might use this thing they are working on to glorify Him (did you know that math is a function of order, and God is the One who ESTABLISHED order?)
Silently claim His Word over my child as they work
Go through a current memory verse.

By taking captive my thoughts, and turning them to the things of Him, I can glorify Him in these little moments, and the usual results dissipate. Not only that, but I find when my mind is focused on the things of Him, I no longer deal with the typical frustrations of getting interrupted, because when our minds are fixed on Him - He will keep us in perfect peace! And frustrations dissipate when our minds are at peace, and the "interruptions" are the result of our natural calling!

Now THAT'S the way to multi-task!

(and just for accountability... conviction set in about midway through, and I left this writing off until I did NOT have a child sitting at my desk working through a problem! Our walk with Him is indeed a day by day, step by sometimes stumbling step process!)