Does trouble have meaning in our lives?

One of the things that bothers a lot of people is that pain doesn't seem to have meaning. I beg to differ. I've been working toward starting my life coaching business for exactly this purpose: to reveal the meaning in our lives through our difficulties. I love the verses below that support this concept.

2 Corinthians 1: 3-7 (New Century Version)
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is the Father who is full of mercy and all comfort. 4 He comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us. 5 We share in the many sufferings of Christ. In the same way, much comfort comes to us through Christ. 6 If we have troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation, and if we have comfort, you also have comfort. This helps you to accept patiently the same sufferings we have. 7 Our hope for you is strong, knowing that you share in our sufferings and also in the comfort we receive.

Understanding how other people feel is called empathy. Walking with them through their pain is called compassion. When we can reach out a hand and help them step over some of the rocks on the path because we've walked that path before, that's called sharing comfort.

I'm going to be moving into a new path for my life. I'm excited but very, very peaceful about the decision. It's been coming for several years now. I can look back and see the steps that brought me to this place. I can see where the hardships I've experienced were given to me as a blessing now in order to stand at this crossroad to make this decision. Sometimes hindsight isn't just 20/20. Sometimes it gives us a clarification of our purpose.

I'm going to base the next phase of my life on the verses above as I begin my life coaching certification and open up my practice next fall. I feel like everything has been building to this place, this time, this dream all along. Now I look back and can see 20/20. And I'm grateful.

Angie

Book: Sir Bentley and Holbrook Court

Angie's Take: I loved the opening parallel to The Fall. It sets up the world that Chuck Black creates is a wonderful parallel of the world we live in. The language in Sir Bentley and Holbrook Court draws me right into the ambience and place. I could see it all in my mind. I think this book easily connects to the youth market and is a fun read too.




http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1601421257



Book: Sir Bentley and Holbrook Court



Summary:

This second installment in Chuck Black’s Knights of Arrethtrae series tells the tale of Sir Bentley, an honorable knight who abandons all to seek the truth of the Prince. Eirwyn, a mysterious young woman who brings food to the poor, teaches Bentley the power of compassion to overcome evil. Together, they save the people of Holbrook from poverty and despair.

Sir Bentley’s quest for the truth of the Prince finds him battling Shadow Warriors, a powerful lord, and a terrifying creature. Will greed destroy Holbrook? Or can Bentley and the mysterious Eirwyn restore prosperity to the kingdom through the compassion of the Prince? Intended for family read-alouds and Christian teens, this fantastic story will entertain and edify parents and kids alike.

Chuck Black is the father of six children, all homeschooled through high school. His passion is to equip young Christians to serve the Lord. He wants kids to know that avoiding sin during their youth is critical. “What may seem harmless to a young person,” he says, “actually can create a stronghold for sin that lasts long into adult life.” Sir Bentley is the second book in Chuck’s Knights of Arrethtrae series. Each installment portrays a virtue and a vice. Readers of Sir Bentley will be encouraged to embrace the virtues of compassion and courage and warned against the vice of greed. Knight duals, a hideous beast to be slain, and a mysterious maiden of mercy will keep parents and kids alike begging for one more chapter.

If you know a homeschooling family, are involved in youth ministry, or just have a passion for young adult fiction, this book is not to be missed.


Author Bio:
Chuck Black, a former F-16 fighter pilot and tactical communications engineer, is the author of eight novels, including the popular Kingdom series. He has received praise from parents across the country for his unique approach to telling biblical truths. His passion in life is to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and to love his wife, Andrea, and their six children. He lives with his family in North Dakota.

The Echo Within

Summary:
The Echo Within is a profoundly affecting, honest look at the myriad ways we are drawn into our life’s best work.

Written out of his own lifelong search for and response to the calling voice of God, Robert Benson recounts his discovery of the meaning of vocation, work, and purpose through the ups and downs inherent in family life, professional choice, and spiritual experience. With clarity and insight, and in the elegant prose for which he is known, he gently invites and encourages readers to find such deep truths for their lives as well. In particular, he illuminates the way for readers to explore:

· ways to sense the Holy in our pursuits, both in the pursuits themselves and within ourselves.

· how to fall into our vocation and chart a course toward it at the same time.

· how to love the work we do, and the process of doing it.

This book is perfect for anyone beginning a new career or sensing a needed change in their life or wrestling with a transition suddenly thrust upon them. Robert Benson delivers wisdom, humor, and heart in what he’s learned about listening for The Echo Within—and how it can help us discover our calling.


Author Bio:

Robert Benson has written more than a dozen books about the discovery of the sacred in the midst of our ordinary lives, including Between the Dreaming and the Coming True, Home By Another Way, and Digging In. His work has been critically acclaimed in a wide range of publications from The New York Times and USA Today to Spirituality & Health and The Benedictine Review. He is an alumnus of The Upper Room’s Academy for Spiritual Formation and was recently named a Living Spiritual Teacher by SpiritualityandPractice.com. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

Love Finds You In Last Chance, California by Miralee Ferrell

Summary: It's 1877 and Alexia Travers is alone in the world. Her father has died unexpectedly, leaving her burdened with a heavily mortgaged horse ranch. Marrying one of the town's all-too-willing bachelors would offer an easy solution, but Alex has no interest in marriage. Instead, she dons men's trousers and rides the range, determined to make the ranch a success on her own.

But despite Alex's best efforts, everything seems to go wrong: ranch hands quit, horses are stolen, and her father's gold goes missing. Alex is at her wit's end when wrangler Justin Phillips arrives in Last Chance with his young son, looking for a job. But there seems to be more to Justin's story than he's willing to share. Will Alex ever be able to trust him? More importantly, will the independent woman finally learn to depend on God?
Hey, not only is this a great book but you have the opportunity to check out the product from a new publishing line from Summerside Press. I've had the chance to chat with the head honcho from Summerside and am enthusiastic about seeing the upcoming work from that publisher. There is a whole line of books by different authors in the Last Chance series. Nice people with a desire to touch lives. I like them!

For your chance to win this book, please leave me a comment after you read the interview with Miralee :-) Don't forget to visit over at the Faith Girls blog, www.writingbyfaith.blogspot.com for the other part of today's interview!

Let's have fun getting to know Miralee with an interview:




Angie: Your publisher is running a series of Last Chance books, aren't they? How do you figure out which characters to use?

Miralee: Some of the authors already had a story line in mind prior to being contracted, and others chose their story lines based on the town they chose. In my case, I had a story line already built, and was able to easily adapt it to the historical town of Last Chance. Of course, my characters had to fit my time period and flow with my story line. In an Old West historical you 'must' have some rougher characters, horses, maybe a little gun-play, a sheriff, pastor and cowboys, LOL!

Angie: So I heard you actually took a trip to the ghost town of Last Chance. What was your favorite part?

Miralee: The entire trip was enlightening and enjoyable, both from a personal and a research aspect. My husband and I loved exploring the area where Last Chance once existed, as well as getting to travel the two hours to the site. It was amazing to consider what the pioneers and miners must have experienced as they traversed the incredibly steep canyon country on the way. And seeing the large meadow behind the town with the spring and small pond, as well as finding remnants of old bottles, cans, one-hundred-fifty year old cedar fence posts, and the cemetery head stones was a thrill.

Angie:Did any of your characters come out of real life people that once lived in Last Chance?

Miralee: Only the reference to Allen Grosch, the miner who got lost in the snowstorm and died in Last Chance, on his way to San Francisco to raise money to fund his new silver claim.

Angie: If you could help a young woman setting out on a goal, what are a few things you would mentor her to do in order to achieve her goals?

Miralee: First and foremost, prayer is the most important. Make sure you're in the center of God's will with the goals you're pursuing, so you don't waste your time or your life striving do to something God hasn't fitted you for. If after praying you know it's the direction you're to seek, then do so with all of your heart. Continue to bathe the project in prayer and ask the Lord for His wisdom and guidance, and above all, never lose site of the goal, and never give up.

Angie: You are a horse fancier, aren't you? Tell us about your horse.

Miralee: Yes, I've owned horses for 35 yrs. now. I've owned Arabian horses almost exclusively and at one time, owned a stallion and 6 mares and did a bit of breeding and showing. At this time I own one older Arab mare and use her for trail riding. We live 9 miles from town and have wonderful wooded trails starting right at the end of our driveway. My daughter and I ride together a couple of times a week when the weather is good. It's relaxing to get away from the computer and hit the trails on my horse!

Angie: Do you see yourself strictly as an author, or do you envision your career broadening in any way beyond writing?

Miralee: It’s funny…when I started this journey a little over 3 yrs ago, I envisioned myself as heading more toward speaking than writing. Now, I’m writing nearly full time and haven’t seen as much happening in the speaking arena. I’m hoping to turn that around and even it out this coming year, as I approach historical societies, schools and women’s groups and offer to speak.

Love Finds You In Last Chance, CA. by Miralee Ferrell
Summerside Press
4 1/2 Stars with Romantic Times Magazine
The Other Daughter--Kregel Publishing

Web Site www.miraleeferrell.com
Blog: www.miraleesdesk.blogspot.com

Thank you so much for visiting with Miralee and me today! Remember to leave your comment for your chance to win a copy of Miralee's new book.
Angie

Have you always wanted to ask a an author how?

Ask a How-to Author! Margie Lawson's High Energy Interview Series

Wednesday, February 25th -- Featured How-to Author: HALLIE EPHRON!

Hallie's how-to book, WRITING AND SELLING YOUR MYSTERY NOVEL: How to Knock 'em Dead with Style was nominated for Edgar and Anthony awards.

Hallie's psychological thriller, NEVER TELL A LIE, garnered a starred review from Publisher's Weekly.

Margie Lawson features a how-to author on the Five Scribes blog each month. The last Wednesday of the month is your opportunity to dig deep and ask how-to authors your hot questions.

Drop by www.fivescribes.blogspot.com, post a comment and you may win:

-- A signed copy of WRITING AND SELLING YOUR MYSTERY NOVEL, How to Knock 'em Dead with Style, by Hallie Ephron

-- A Lecture Packet from Margie Lawson


Hallie Ephron's parents were famous Hollywood screenwriters. She's one of four sisters, all published authors. Hallie's screenwriting sister, Nora Ephron, is known for Silkwood, Sleepless in Seattle, and When Sally Met Harry.

Meet Hallie Ephron this Wednesday! Circle Feb. 25th on your calendar.

www.fivescribes.blogspot.com

See you there!

Best......................Margie

www.MargieLawson.com

Mrs. Elite Ambassador Pageant Results

I'm excited to share a new accomplishment with you all today. I entered an essay in the Mrs. Elite Ambassador Pageant, a national level contest.

The point of this pageant is community service, something very close to my heart. I live very intentionally with a heart of volunteerism. I believe everyone has a niche, something they are passionate about. For me that is helping others to have better relationships and teaching awareness about brain donation. I hope to continue educating people about the importance of brain research in solving mental illness and other brain diseases and disorders.

Each year, one Mrs. Elite Ambassador is added to the sisterhood. She keeps her title for her lifetime and continues her work in her own niche.

This is the second year of the competition. The rules are that she must be married for at least 6 months and write an essay about what marriage means to her as well as what she plans to do with the Mrs. Elite Ambassador title.

I won 1st Runner-Up 2009!


Thanks for sharing my fun today! Maybe I'll have the chance again sometime to win, but it was worth taking the risk for the opportunity to reach out for something I believe in.

Do you take chances?

If you had the opportunity to win a title like this, what would be important enough to you to share with others?

Angie

One Busy Week!

Our family has had more than enough activities to do this week. I can't think there would be any one that was bored. I started looking at our town through they eyes of a stranger and realized I would have been hard pressed to be bored in Missoula this week!

We've had a variety of basketball tournaments from Class C and B to college games. Our school had 4 full days of Districts. As we drove away from the last game (sadly a loss) I realized it was really our last game. My son was captain of his team and is our youngest. He graduates this year! I felt a little melancholy on that drive. We'd followed the team for so many years and now we are done with that era of life. Ah, but it was a good era!

Then there's an annual home show out at the U of M. There was a charity event happening that blew out the doors of the restaurant and even a hockey game.

Our family had extra members in town. We tried bowling. Both bowling alleys were super busy but we finally found lanes at the second. My daughter went out to a swing dance party while friends went to a great concert. My son's father-in-law is in the symphony. Their concert was today in competition to the MBIA home show.

Now that we are nearly through the weekend, we have to finish picking up our booth from the home show and move equipment and trucks back to the Design Air shop for the guys to start work tomorrow morning.

So my plan? I'm going to take my own advice from my post over at Writer's Rest today and turn off all the outside noise/electronic equipment tonight an hour before bedtime. I'm going to jot out all those things that are still swirling in my head and get them out of there! Once on paper, I'll be much less stressed and ready to relax again.

How about you? How was your week?

Tender Grace by Jackina Stark

Angie's Take: Wow! I love this book, Tender Grace by Jackina Stark. I loved going on the journey with Audrey, the heroine. At risk of sounding silly, she's a lot like me. I laughed at her constant desire for Diet Coke and pizza. I love a soda and pizza. So we bonded immediately, lol.

I liked the internal journey and courage Audrey showed as she explored both the U.S. and herself after the death of her husband. I also bonded with her because she honored who she was on the inside while trying to grow into who she wanted to be.

Tender Grace is a warm, gentle journey of discovering being alive.

Angie



This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Tender Grace




Bethany House (February 1, 2009)






by Jackina Stark









ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I have also spoken nationally and internationally at many retreats and seminars and enjoy running into many readers and former students. I have written frequently for both Christian Standard and Lookout, periodicals of Standard Publishing. Years ago I wrote two non-fiction books, published by College Press, but currently out of print. These days, I’m exploring fiction. My first novel, Tender Grace, will be released by Bethany House January 30, 2009, and a second, Things Worth Remembering, will be released in October, 2009. I’m working on new projects, including a third novel, as time permits. Whether speaking or writing, I love the opportunity to tell about Him whom Jesus called “Holy Father” and “the only true God.”

She lives in Joplin, Missouri with her husband, and she spends most of her free time doing is reading and writing. That is what she usually do when she's not teaching, enjoying the children and grandchildren, or sitting on the back porch drinking a Diet Coke and watching her husband till the garden!


ABOUT THE BOOK

Audrey Eaton awakes at three in the morning and gets up to retrieve her husband, Tom, from the recliner where he has fallen asleep watching a ball game. But when she enters the living room and looks at his gentle face in the soft lamp light, she knows their time together is over. Grief attacks her until all she can think about is how much she wants her old life back. Determined to find healing, she embarks on a journey to the one place Tom and she always intended to visit but never did. Along the way, she discovers, through shared experiences with friends old and new, the meaning of the "tender graces" God provides each and every day.

I've quit reading--even bestsellers, even the newspaper, even my Bible. I've also quit listening to music. This lack of appreciation for things I once loved is beginning to define me. More mornings than I can count, I say to myself before I open my eyes, "I don't want to do this." In the days shortly following Tom's death, that made sense, but what does it mean now? That I'm in trouble? One of the best qualities of the former me was thankfulness. As I was trying to sleep last night, needing Tom to be curled up behind me, his left arm slung across me, I realized to my horror that I couldn't remember the last time I was truly thankful. I think of a line from an old hymn: "Awake, my soul, and sing." I miss Tom. I also miss me. Determined to find healing, Audrey Eaton embarks on a trip to the one place she and her husband always intended to visit but never did. When things don't go as planned, will she embrace the unexpected graces that guide her journey?

You can buy it here.

Exciting Events this weekend in Missoula!

1. The sixth annual fundraiser for THE JADYN FRED FOUNDATION will be from 7 A.M. to 2 P.M. Saturday Feb 21, 2009 at Paul's Pancake Parlor in the Trempers' Shopping Center.

Paul's is donating a portion of the proceeds to the foundation. Raffle tickets will be sold at $2.00 each for a signed Lady Griz and Griz Basketball, Griz & Lady Griz watches from Riddle's Jewelry, and a $300 basket full of goodies from Dillard's including a $50 gift certificate.

Meet Monte, the University of Montana's famous mascot, from noon to 1:00 P.M.

Please help support the children with special needs. Last year The Jadyn Fred Foundation help 41 families and 117 year to date.
Contact Lynn Fred to donate or support the Jadyn Fred Foundation:
Lynn Fred
406-370-2159
Fax 406-251-7017
web. www.jadynfred.org
Making a difference one life at a time

2. Bull Trout Concert! Stan Anglen, Chris Lane, Randy Long and Adam Long will be performing a concert at Lake Missoula Cellars Winery at 7:30pm on Friday, February 20th. Their group, Bull Trout's music style is Folk Rock, Blues and New Grass.

Lake Missoula Cellars is located at 5646 West Harrier (I-90 west, exit airport Blvd, 1st right on Harrier). Ticket price is $5.00. Free wine tasting is included.

3. Visit the MBIA (Missoula Building Industry Association) Home Show at the U of M Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. Our heating company, Design Air, Inc. will be there as well as our duct sealing wing, Mighty Ducts. Be sure and come by our booth to say Hi! We have a free tip sheet for everyone on how to lower your energy costs on some Do-It-Yourself projects and on 5 Ideas Less than $500. It even includes things that are free but make a difference.

4. Make sure and leave time for sports! The Missoula Maulers are battling it out on the ice while the high school basket ball teams are battling it out on the courts down in Hamilton (a short jaunt down the Bitterroot Valley.)

I love my town! It's jam-packed with things to do and see year 'round. If you are feeling cabin fever, you won't be after all the great opportunities in the next few days.

My plans? I'll be running between the Jadyn Fred Foundation's pancake breakfast to help sell raffle tickets, the MBIA home show and the basket ball tournament. I'm wondering when there is time to sleep this weekend! I wish I could go to the Bull Trout concert because they are soooo good. I have heard these musicians play and just can't help dancing.

Visit beautiful Montana, but keep your eye out for all the people serving in the background. Many of those activities mentioned above are being run by volunteers or highly supported by them. What's right in the world when things seem so wrong? People who believe in community service and civic duty. Some of these volunteers will be helping children get to the hospital, some will be supporting healthy living and yet others will be involved in creating a better economy.

Whoever you are, whatever you like to do, there is something for you when you get out and get involved.

Enjoy your weekend so much that you look back and feel good about the way you lived it!
Angie

Is reading in your DNA?

This is my great-grandmother, Mary Nelson. She is the daughter of a circuit riding preacher, a teacher, a singer and lived so long before my time. I was born when her son, my grandpa, was already 80 and Mary was already with the Lord for many years!


And here am I holding my grandson, Mary's great-great-great grandson! There are only 160 years gone between generations. But can you see the resemblance physically? I so wonder what my grandson will be like. Hmm, maybe I have a little inkling of some things already. . .


I'm a little amazed at how many great books are being released this spring. I'm thrilled to have the pleasure of reviewing for several publishers and publicity agencies. I do like to write my own regular posts, but I also like to promote awesome inspiring work that has the opportunity to reach a heart.

I like reading, that's absolutely true. I also love to be eclectic about it. I'm going to be posting several each week of varied genres. I'll have everything from historical fiction to women's fiction to mystery and even some non-fiction on the Grand Canyon from a creationist perspective. I feel like every book I read is not only entertaining but educational and counts for research. Often one book leads to another on the same or similar topic in a domino effect.

I enjoy learning from what I read. I'm very visual and actually see the books unfold in my mind as if I'm watching a movie. Non-fiction can fascinate me so completely that I then start looking up more info on the internet to answer curiosities. I'll find myself doing that with fiction too! I might visualize a city and want to know what it might be like in "real life."

I started reading on my own, according to family stories, by age 4. I started writing little poems and stories shortly after that in crayon. I think it is just built into my DNA to be a reader and writer. I'm too curious not to be :-) I love learning through entertaining reading, do you?

Are you enjoying the book reviews I post?

What do you think was built into your DNA?

Angie
PS Come on over to the Faith Girls blog at www.writingbyfaith.blogspot.com today for my weekly post.

Triple Valentine's Day Ideas

This Valentines Day say “I Do” to Love a Way of Life

Book: Love as a Way of Life Devotional

Author: Dr. Gary Chapman

Summary: In his book Love As a Way of Life, best-selling author Gary Chapman shows readers how to cultivate a new lifestyle built around the seven characteristics of authentic love. Now in a companion devotional, he provides ninety inspirational readings to help Christians consistently live out the characteristics of love in every relationship.

Each devotional entry showcases biblical truths that guide a life of love, offering fresh insight and practical guidance in how to make love a lasting habit. Over the course of three months, readers will learn to follow God’s lead as they practice the characteristics of a loving person: kindness, patience, forgiveness, courtesy, humility, generosity, and honesty.

The Love As a Way of Life Devotional makes an ideal gift for the holidays or for any special occasion. Couples, parents, new graduates, and anyone celebrating a milestone in life will welcome this inspiring daily guide to richer, more satisfying relationships.

Angie's Take: I love Gary Chapman's mentoring any way I can get it. I've seen an improvement in the relationships with my family every time I learn something from him. Put it into a devotional and connect me to God's word with it (well after all, He is the creator of relationships!) and you send me off into the "zone." I love it! Now I can see how and where Gary Chapman connects God's authority of relationship into practical life teaching. I love the short breath prayers and the action items.

Book: I Do Again

Authors: Cheryl and Jeff Scruggs

Summary: With their professional success and adorable twin daughters, Jeff and Cheryl Scruggs looked like the perfect couple. But their polished facade concealed a widening chasm between two people unable to connect on an intimate, soul-deep level.

After years of frustration, Cheryl’s desire for emotional fulfillment led to an affair and, finally, divorce. Yet, incredibly, seven years later, Jeff and Cheryl once again stood at the altar, promising to “love, honor, and cherish” one another. A new and vibrant love had risen out of the ashes of this family’s pain.

I Do Again details the fascinating real-life story of a couple whose relationship seemed shattered beyond all hope until a spiritual awakening led them to reconsider their definitions of “happily ever after.” A riveting account of the power of prayer and redemption, this remarkable book offers renewed hope for even the most troubled marriages—and reveals why the rewards of restoration are well worth the wait.

Angie's Take: We need people to do what this couple did and say, "Oops, I messed up but it is possible to fix it." If you are in a situation where you wish you could have, this is the book for you.

Book: For Couples Only Box Set

Authors: Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn

Summary: Since their debut, these revolutionary guides have sold well over a million copies, been translated into fifteen languages, and sparked much fascinating water-cooler conversation around the country. Now together in the For Couples Only boxed set, these books provide the perfect resource to help you understand what you never knew about the woman or man in your life.

Each volume is based on input from more than a thousand members of the opposite sex—including an unprecedented nationwide survey and hundreds of personal interviews. This innovative approach yields candid and surprising answers about everything you don’t “get” about your significant other—even what that person deeply wishes you knew. It also produces simple but groundbreaking awareness of how you can best love and support the one who is most important to you. [Part of me wanted to make this paragraph past tense—yielded and produced—because of the first paragraph, but that took away some of the immediacy of what the books offer. I’ll leave that up to you.]

So whether you are newly dating or have been married fifty years, get ready to know each other in a whole new way. The adventure is just beginning!

Angie's Take: Wise message and easy to read style is always appreciated in the Feldhahn's writing. But none of this is taken lightly. It's based on hard work and scientific method.

So how do you get these wonderful books full of wise and helpful advice?
Amazon Links:

I Do Again: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400074452

Love As A Way Of Life Devo: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0307444694

For Couples Only: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1601422482

A Cry In The Night by Colleen Coble

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing

A Cry In The Night









Thomas Nelson (February 3, 2009)

by Colleen Coble



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Author Colleen Coble's thirty novels and novellas have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Romance Writers of America prestigious RITA award, the Holt Medallion, the ACFW Book of the Year, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best awards. She writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail and love begin with a happy ending.


AWARDS:
2004 More Than Magic winner for Best Inspirational Romance
Without a Trace, Thomas Nelson
2004 American Christian Fiction Writers Mentor of the Year



ABOUT THE BOOK

The highly anticipated novel that delivers what romantic suspense fans have long awaited-the return to Rock Harbor.

Bree Nichols gets the shock of her life when her husband-presumed dead-reappears.

Bree Nichols and her search and rescue dog Samson discover a crying infant in the densely forested woods outside of Rock Harbor, Michigan. Against objections from her husband, Kade, who knows she'll become attached, Bree takes the baby in. Quickly she begins a search for the mother-presumably the woman reported missing just days earlier.
While teams scour the forests, Bree ferrets out clues about the missing woman. But she soon discovers something more shocking: Bree's former husband-long presumed dead in a plane crash-resurfaces. Is he really who he says he is? And should she trust him again after all these years?
An engaging, romantic suspense novel from critically-acclaimed author Colleen Coble.

A Prayer for Australia

Dear Lord,

Please wrap your arms around the hurting people of Australia. Help them to feel your comfort. Grant your Holy Spirit to descend on them and fill them with peace. God it hurts to watch and hear of the pain they are feeling right now from the senseless fires, lost loved ones and lost homes. Send them hope in this suffering. Bring beauty out of the ashes of this awfulness. God, in our helplessness, we ask for your strength and ableness.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In Jesus name,
Amen

My heart hurts for you, Australian friends.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I think we need to look at this from a little different angle. Too often we ask what a person wants to be when we really mean what do they want to DO.

I honestly don't care what a person does for a living. It matters what the are. The person sweeping and cleaning a hospital is just as important as the doctor treating patients. Could that doc safely treat patients in a pig stye? Of course it's possible, but not safe. Not only that, but a place that is disorganized and filthy causes confusion. Less people can receive care in mess and chaos.

So let's ask that question again: What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be a person who helps others with things they cannot do themselves. I want to be a person of love, integrity, justice and kindness. I want to be a person who lives out my purpose.

In order for me to "be" those things, I have to have a place to learn them.

So as a parent, I began to realize that my children did not need me to teach them to do. My children needed me to pour into them how to "be." All those other things about jobs fall into place when a child learns to be who God made them to become.

It's more about character than it is duties. It's about the depth to your personhood. All those DNA factors of talent and bent come into play here. When a person recognizes who they are on the inside, the outer accoutrements fall into place.

How? You'd be surprised at trusting your interests or the interests of your child. Let them explore. Passionate interests will emerge. A man who works with passion is an amazing force of nature!

That exploration sometimes comes in trial and error. Excellent! You'll know when something doesn't fit. It's easy. You won't want to be there, you'll begin to make excuses, or even feel stress. Move on to the next thing just like trying clothes on at a store. If it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit. You may wish you could blink like Jeannie and make it happen, but wishing and blinking won't change what's on the inside.


(Okay, not my most flattering photo but I do love I Dream of Jeannie and got it for Christmas from my 19 yr old daughter. And for those that wondered, yes, I do wear aprons most days all day long, lol. Is that too old-fashioned?)

When you sit around your dinner table or walk the dogs with your kids or run them to activities, how will you approach this concept? Will you model the behavior? Will you discuss it?

I told all of our kids (and keep telling them) I don't care if you go to college or what job you choose, I care that you are a person of character. No matter what life choices we make, that sense of being is most important to becoming who and what you are meant to BE.

What do you want to BE when you grow up?

Does it have a new meaning for you?

Angie

Intimate Issues

Intimate Issues answers the twenty-one questions about sex most frequently asked by Christian wives, as determined by a nationwide poll of over one thousand women. Written from the perspective of two mature Christian wives and Bible teachers–women who you’ll come to know as teachers and friends–Intimate Issues is biblical and informative: sometimes humorous, other times practical, but always honest. Through its solid teaching warm testimonials, scriptural insights, and experts’ advice, you’ll find resolution for your questions and fears, surprising insights about God’s perspective on sex, and a variety of practical and creative ideas for enhancing your physical relationship with the husband you love.

With warmth and wisdom, authors Linda Dillow and Lorraine Pintus speak woman to woman: examining the teachings of Scripture, exposing the lies of the world, and offering real hope that every woman’s marriage relationship can become all it was intended to be in God’s design.



- www.Amazon.com



- www.ChristianBook.com



- www.FamilyChristian.com

Angie's Take: I love, love, love this honest and straight forward book about the beauty of marital relationship through sexual intimacy. I couldn't put it down for hours. There are not only answers to questions that are satisfying, but also some amazing tips on how to have a satisfying relationship with your husband. Don't miss the romantic suggestion sure to make your hubby, well, happy :-) I also really appreciate the authors gentle candor on hurts and problems that women experience. Another thing I really like about Intimate Issues is that I found it easy to have conversations with other women (younger too) about healthy sexual intimacy in marriage. Great book for a Bible study group, a weekend away with your daughter prior to her marriage or even entering her womanhood or for yourself. A tool I wish I'd had many, many years ago.

Expecting: Praying for your child's development-body and soul

I was sure there were a few ladies out there in the waiting and folding new baby clothes into neat little bundles. Here's a new book out just for you . . .


Expecting: Parenting Book for Expectant MothersHelps Prioritize Child’s Spiritual Journey before Birth
Hardcover: 208 pages
Publisher: Howard Books
Release Date: January 6, 2009
ISBN-10: 1416572007
ISBN-13: 978-1416572008
Retail: $14.99


(Columbus, Ohio) – Numerous parenting books line the shelves of local bookstores and online sites, but rarely do expectant mothers come across a book that is entirely devoted to the prenatal body and soul development of their child. Author, Marla Taviano’s new book, Expecting: Praying for Your Child’s Development – Body and Soul, provides words of comfort, encouragement and inspiration for soon-to-be mommies. Whether a first pregnancy or a fifth, whether planned for or surprised by this new life, Marla’s sensitive writing and loving observations of unborn life will pacify anxious feelings and help moms focus on the One who can bring calm assurance. Amazing fetal developments, coupled with reflective journaling ideas make for a beautiful heirloom to pass down to future generations.

Marla knows the pressures of motherhood. Perhaps that’s why this book so aptly captures the nine months leading to the physical welcoming of a child into the world. Those quiet moments will be quickly replaced with dirty diapers, wet slobbery kisses and spit up. She inspires mommies to relish the physical changes and the tranquil pre-motherhood moments with the Creator of all things.

Marla Taviano is the author of From Blushing Bride to Wedded Wife (Harvest House, 2006), Is That All He Thinks About? (Harvest House, 2007), and Changing Your World, One Diaper at a Time (Harvest House, 2008). She also writes educational books for McGraw–Hill’s reading curriculum. She is a gifted communicator with a passion for reaching young women with God’s truth. Marla’s dynamic teaching style and genuine love for her students have made her a favorite among her pupils over the years. Audiences are entertained and encouraged by her engaging enthusiasm. Since composing her first poem at age four, Marla knew she wanted to be a writer. She left her teaching career in 2000 to stay home with her newborn daughter and devotes more time to writing.

Marla and her husband, Gabe, live in Ohio and have three daughters—eight-year-old Olivia Joy, six-year-old Ava Marie, and three-year-old Nina Gabriel.


Endorsement: Next to God's Word, this has to be the most perfect book for any woman who longs to be a mommy! Marla has outdone herself with this beautiful book and journal combination--almost enough to have me wanting another baby! I only wish this book had been around when my children were in the womb. Perfect for those who are longing for a baby, just found out about expecting, or for the momma who's well on her way toward motherhood, "Expecting" is the best gift book for hopeful moms I've seen yet.
– Deena Peterson - A Peek at My Bookshelf Blog

Friday Night Happenings in Missoula!

Zootown Happenings!

Upcoming Missoula Events From Zootown Brew



Friday-February 6th, 7:00P

Singer Songwriter Marshall Mclean will be holding a benefit concert for the Jadyn Fred Foundationion. The cost will be $5 at the door and all the proceeds will go to the children in need. Marshall is a musical talent from Spokane, WA that adds a different flavor to the coffee shop scene. Marshall was the winner of the Gibson Guitar New Musician Award of 2006! Come listen to a great concert while giving to children with cancer.


Lynn Fred
406-370-2159
Fax 406-251-7017
web. www.jadynfred.org
Making a difference one life at a time

Eat with Monte, the Griz Mascot

Here's your chance to have pancakes with Monte, the Griz mascot!

Last year as Mrs. Missoula, I had the honor of being kissed by Monte and sprayed with whip cream! Totally silly and fun.

The annual pancake breakfast is sponsored by Paul's Pancake Parlor and the proceeds go to the Jadyn Fred Foundation.

The Jadyn Fred Foundation assists Montana (and some surrounding states) children and their families get help toward expenses that insurance doesn't cover. For example, insurance may cover treatment at a hospital but not the hotel or groceries for extended stays. Some families have even needed gas money to get to the hospital. It's amazing how draining a long term illness can be on a family.

The Jadyn Fred Foundation supports those needs and families through a three tier system. You can check out the website and see how many kids are getting helped through this great program that was started to honor a little girl named Jadyn. It's a genuinely loving organization that I feel is so important. Often the family cannot afford to stay with the child. That means a little one has to be in a hospital without the support of their family. And yes, this does happen because mom and dad are so busy trying to keep the family going while paying out more and more money to keep their child healthy or alive. No one wants to leave their child in the hospital all alone. Sometimes it is a choice of that and living in a car. Some families do that too in order to stay by their child.

This is where the Jadyn Fred Foundation comes in. They intervene by giving the funds needed to provide a bed, food and gas so mom and dad can be there as much as possible.

So you don't have a ton to give? Don't worry about it. Just go have some breakfast Saturday, Feb. 21st, at Paul's Pancake Parlor in Missoula.

But what if you had a tiny bit extra? There will be fun drawings for Griz Gear, autographed basketballs from both the men's and women's Griz teams and even beautiful Griz watches donated by a local jeweler. The tiny bit? A whole $2 for a raffle ticket.

So plan for a nice Saturday out and enjoy being a part of something bigger than ourselves. Something that reaches out to help the children who really need some of the simplest things like gas/groceries and their mom and dad during intense medical treatments.

And if you see me around town, I'll have raffle tickets available. You don't have to be present to win all those fun Griz things or the $300 Griz basket from Dillard's. So if your schedule allows, pancakes galore. If it doesn't, you can still holler for some raffle tickets and I'll run them over to you so we can help more kids and their families.

Angie