Browsing Category

Book Reviews

Book Reviews, Encouragement, Giveaways

Outgrow Your Space at Work (Giveaway!)

“We measure our lives based on a simple question: Am I moving forward?” ~ Rick Whitted from Outgrow Your Space at Work: How to Thrive at Work and Build a Successful Career

Who wants to succeed at their career? Everyone, right? We want to move “up the ladder.” We all could probably use a nice raise too.

“On an average workday we spend more time working than we spend doing any other single action.” (Outgrow Your Space at Work: How to Thrive at Work and Build a Successful Career). That means we spend more time working (on average) than sleeping, being with with our spouse or children, or…anything else!

But why? What do we hope to accomplish in our careers? What do we aim for? Are we chasing a title? A raise? Or meaning? Are we in “blind pursuit of the position”? Continue Reading

February 3, 2016
Book Reviews, Life Is Beautiful

Anne of Green Gables, My Daughter & Me: A Review

(Lorilee Craker is a multiply-published author and freelance journalist. Her work has been featured in People, the Wall Street Journal, and many more places. Lorilee has written upwards of a dozen books including “Through the Storm” with Lynne Spears (mother to Britney). Thank you to Family Christian for providing me with the privilege of reading this book and presenting an honest review!)

“Adoption. She tasted the word in her mouth” ~from Anne of Green Gables, My Daughter & Me: What My Favorite Book Taught Me about Grace, Belonging & the Orphan in Us All by Lorilee Craker

In the memoir Anne of Green Gables, My Daughter & Me: What My Favorite Book Taught Me about Grace, Belonging & the Orphan in Us All, author Lorilee Craker invites us on a delightful journey into the world of adoption through the twists and turns of her own adoption story, her heartwarming journey adopting her sweet daughter, and Anne Shirley’s own adoption adventure.  Lorilee artfully guides us through the three journeys that take place in very different times, circumstances, and places, and weaves them together. Continue Reading

December 12, 2015
Book Reviews, Encouragement, Giveaways, Life Is Beautiful

Stumbling Along: Win This Funny and Fantastic Book!

“That’s where I would die. O Lord, what about my family? What about the T-shirts I promised to order for the church? What about…”

Sixteen years ago I was a young mom to a 2-year-old little girl and I joined the Moms Group at our church. Once a week this gave us moms a chance to get together at church with free childcare for that precious hour, snacks, and good company.  Each week we sat in a circle and discussed life, mom topics, finances, friendship, and prayer. Now my 2-year-old is an adult and I have another “little one”, a 13-year-old son.

I met some wonderful people during those meaningful Moms Group meetings and one of my favorite was Laurie. Back then, she was wife to our youth pastor, Brian. They were such blessings to our church. Laurie was mom, wife, pastor’s wife, leader, songstress, and speaker. Laurie and Brian eventually moved on from our church and entered the mission field that carried them to minister in Mexico.  Now back in the states, this mom of three (two adults and one at home) and her husband are still following God’s plan as they lead a church here in Michigan. Continue Reading

November 13, 2015