Apron Giveaway at Growing Home

This apron is being given away at Growing Home It is a beautiful apron from Roses and Teacups . I love the Roses and Teacups site, everything is so elegant, pretty and feminine. :) Go check it out and don't forget to go to Growing Home to enter the giveaway!

Encouragement

In the Nursery of the Nation and A Mother's Heritage are two blogs that I have found great encouragement from in the past several months. They are true Titus 2 ladies with a heart for serving God and their families. The following posts are what I read today and was encouraged by. I hope you enjoy them as well!

How to Tear Your House Down in 10 Easy Steps

Simple Encouragement for the Tired Mother

Have a blessed day!

Give Me Jesus

I am hoping to write a real post soon, but in the meantime enjoy the lyrics to a song that I enjoy, sung by Fernando Ortega.

In the morning, when I rise

In the morning, when I rise

In the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus,

Give me Jesus, 

You can have all this world, 

But give me Jesus

When I am alone

When I am alone

When I am alone, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus, 

Give me Jesus, 

You can have all this world, 

But give me Jesus

When I come to die

When I come to die

When I come to die, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus, 

Give me Jesus, 

You can have all this world, 

You can have all this world, 

You can have all this world, 

But give me Jesus 

Another Book Review

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms

Cindy Woodsmall

I have always been intrigued with the simple life of the Amish and Mennonites. Cindy Woodsmall is another of my favorite authors who takes the reader away from the busyness of life into a small simple-minded community. I have yet to read a book by her that I did not enjoy.

When Annie Martin has trouble at home she goes to spend time with her grandfather, an Old Order Mennonite. While there she again meet Aden Zook, an Old Order Amish. As a Old Order Mennonite, she is not allowed to date an Old Order Amish man. Will they find a way to make their love blossom, despite conflict between the families?

Take time from the busyness of your day and enjoy this book. I guarantee you will have a hard time putting it down!

*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Press in exchange for a review. I am not required to write a positive review.

Book Review

The Wonder of Your Love

Beth Wiseman

As a lover of Amish books, I was excited to be reviewing another fictional story about an Amish woman. Beth Wiseman does an excellent job writing, and keeps the reader captivated. She does a wonderful job giving the reading a glimpse into the simple life of the Amish.

After the death of her husband, Katie Ann moves to Colorado with her baby boy where she is surrounded by friends and family. During this time she meets a widower with children of his own. Can she learn to let go of the past and learn to love again? Can Eli also learn to love again?

Settle down on the couch during a rainy day and enjoy this book that is so easy to read. Allow yourself to be swept away into the story of Katie Ann and Eli. This is a book that will be hard to put down.

*I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson publishing company in exchange for a review. I am not required to write a positive review.

Christmas Hymn

During this season where we celebrate the birth of Christ, I have found this hymn to be encouraging. It is one of my favorite Christmas hymns--what a great reminder that during a time where people are killing each other, there is much hate, "God is NOT dead, nor doth he sleep" May you be encouraged by it as well. I have included the history of the song at the bottom.

I heard the bells on Christmas day,

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, goodwill to men



I thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along, th'un broken song

Of peace on earth, goodwill to men

And in despair I bowed my head:

"There is no peace on earth" I sald,

"For hate is strong, and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, goodwill to men"



Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: 

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
,
With peace on earth, goodwill to men"



Tilll, ringing, singing on its way,

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
,
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men



Written in 1864 by Henry Longfellow. His wife, while cooking dinner, managed to catch her

dress on fire from the stove. Unable to put it out, the rest of the house caught fire, burned 

down and Henry's wife perished. In addition to this, he was informed that his son who was

 serving in the union army (without his fathers blessing) was severely wounded. In despair at

 Christmas time while walking outside, he heard bells ringing nearby pealing a Christmas

hymn. Pulled from his slump and given new encouragement, he was inspired to write this 

hymn of peace on earth and goodwill to men.


Edit: Sadly, I cannot remember the source to this story . A lengthier version is available  by doing a simple Google search.

The Christmas Singing, Cindy Woodsmall

I was excited when I found that this book was  available for review—and just in time for the Christmas season as well! Cindy Woodsmall is one of my favorite authors, and this book does not disappoint. It is a wonderful warming story of love and romance.

When Mattie’s fiancé breaks up with her on Christmas Eve, she moves away to open her own cake shop. When tragedy strikes, she is forced to make some major decisions. Will reuniting with her former fiancé, Gideon, reveal the truth about what happened or will it drive them further apart? Enjoy this story that is sure to warm your heart.

I have greatly enjoyed this story. Anyone who is a fan of Amish fiction is sure to enjoy this as well. Curl up in front of the fire with a warm blanket and you will not want to put it down! 

This book was provided free of charge in exchange for a review by Waterbrook Multnomah. I am not required to write a positive review.