Espresso for Your Spirit

Book Review:  Espresso for Your Spirit, Hope and Humor for Pooped Out Parents by Pam Vredevelt

I really expected "Espresso for Your Spirit" be mostly fluff.  Surprisingly, I really enjoyed this book.

The short chapters are just the right size to give busy moms a little shot of encouragement, like a shot of espresso puts a little pep in your step.  The author shares personal stories of trial and triumphs while in the trenches of child rearing.  This is not a step by step, be a better parent handbook.  It is basically just one mom sharing her stories and wisdom with the rest of us.  I loved that about this book.  I found I was able to easily relate to the author.  She often left me with something to ponder or just the thought of, "oh yeah, I've been there;" it was nice to know someone else had too.

One particular area this book impacted me in was noticing God in the little everyday things.  It is so easy to think God only cares about the "big stuff."  Not so!  He is at work and uses those seemingly unimportant moments to make himself known to us.  I just need to pay closer attention.        

The chapters are followed by alternating sections of "A Taste of  Hope" and "A Sip of Humor."  The sections featuring hope are filled with scriptures or meaningful quotes.  The humor portions are mostly short, funny stories or a few jokes to bring a little smile to your face.   I particularly loved the quotes.

This would be a nice book to read with a friend or small group.  It includes a section of "Koffee Klatch Questions" at the end of the book.  Two questions go with each chapter's reading to spur on conversation regarding the topic presented in the chapter.  It's a nice addition to the book.

I was almost guilty of "judging a book by its cover."  I passed this book up a couple of times because I thought it was one of those "gift" books, which I don't usually care for.  The cover design and title give it that "feel" when you first look at it.  However, that is not the case.  This is a "for real" book with wonderful encouragement.  Grab your cup of coffee and enjoy!  

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

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B90Days Day 1

I'm happy to have started back on the Bible in 90 Days challenge today.  It was such a great experience last time and a neat feeling to have completed the challenge last summer.  I kept a few things in mind that help me get through the challenge that I'm hoping will help me again this time around. 

The first thing I did was set aside all other reading. Last week I checked out a book I've been wanting to read for a long time.  Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.  I got through the (very long) prologue last week and that was about it.  I just knew with B90Days starting in just a few days I wouldn't make it trying to read both.  I'll have to take it back to the library and check it out another time. 

Next, read before doing extra activities.  I love to craft, but no crafting until my reading for the day is done!

Also, read a little ahead when possible. Today, I finished my reading by about 4:30pm.  Tonight I will most likely read at least 2-3 chapters of tomorrows reading.  I don't always know exactly what the next day will hold for me.  So at any opportunity I'll sneak in a few extra chapters, or even just a few verses to get a little ahead.  If tomorrow turns out to be pretty busy, I'll have a little less to do in order to complete the days assignment.  And if for some reason I don't finish that days reading I won't be as far behind as I might have been.

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Righteous - that word stood out as I read today.  God told Noah in Genesis 7:1 for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.  God saw something in Noah that others didn't have.

I think about my righteousness, or lack thereof, and am grateful for God's salvation through Jesus Christ.  The Bible says that my righteousness "is as filthy rags" Isaiah 64:6 and that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23.  Praise Him for Jesus who is "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" John 1:29.  Try as I might I can never be good or do enough good to be reconciled to the Lord God.  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."  Ephesians 2:8-9

Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.  Romans 5:18

I'm so thankful that when God looks at me for righteousness - it's not me he sees, but Jesus.



  

Springing and Reading

Well, spring is "springing" down here! We had some pop-up storms yesterday afternoon, which is typical of our North Texas springtime.  I think we must have had a tiny little downburst or whirlwind or something yesterday, because I've never heard the wind come through our chimney like I did yesterday.  I thought the chimney was getting torn off.  Several things were "taken" from our back patio and window screens were torn off too. 


Reading is slow right now. Haven't felt well and my mind has been swirling the last several days. I've been tweaking our schedule and materials a little. I think I'm finally settling down though.  I had to take a step back and really remember the why and the goals for our homeschooling.  That's another post when I have more time. 

I finished "Amish Love". It was so nice of Jenn to share it with me.  It was a good, late night, mindless read. I agree with Jenn it was not very well written, but I did enjoy it.

If anyone is ever interested in reading "Amish" novels I recommend Beverly Lewis. She really incorporates the Amish culture and history into her writing. I feel like I "know" the Amish from reading her books. Her books are very different from books like "Amish Love". I don't consider her books to be "romance" novels at all. I always come away from reading her books wanting to work a little harder and appreciate nature a little more. She is spiritually encouraging as well.  The first series of hers I read was Abram's Daughters beginning with "The Covenant".  That series remains my favorite.     

A few books I have going right now are "Little Men", although I'm not that far into it. I've been reading some Catherine Levison books on Charlotte Mason Education right now too.  As well as "Hearing and Reading, Telling and Writing" by Sonya Shafer from Simply Charlotte Mason.  These last few are helping me to regroup and gather my wits about me!   

Icy Cold

It was January in northern New York State, sixty-seven years ago.  Snow lay deep everywhere.  It loaded the bare limbs of oaks and maples and beeches......"  So begins Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Brock and I could not have picked a better day to begin reading this book.  Although, it is February and it's ice here, not snow!  The boys got a good taste of the cold this morning when they tried to recess outside.  That didn't last long.  It made reading about Almanzo keeping warm in "his good woolen clothes" his mother had made hit home.

(Ice, not snow)

I've never read the Little House Series.  I decided, since I have most of the books, Brock and I would read through them to help with his fluency.  We will take turns reading - a paragraph or two at a time.  Thanks to Mary for the idea.  It's a tradition in her home to read through the series with her boys.  And to Jenn, too, for encouragement and also suggesting to begin with Farmer Boy, which is usually considered to be geared more towards boys.  I can't wait to continue tomorrow.           

We are experiencing historic low temps here.  We are expected to spend the next two nights in the single digits, not wind-chills, but actual temps.  That's COLD for us!  DFW airport actually closed down today, the only other time it's been closed was 9/11.  It's that bad.   

(just one of our wood piles)

So happy to have some firewood!  I'm looking forward to our evening fires.  I wish we had an unlimited supply of wood, I'd have a fire all day long!  We actually didn't have any wood and weren't going to be able to get any more, but the Lord blessed us BIG time!  Rick was finishing up a job last week and the guy just gave him a truckload of firewood.  Just in time.  Even when it comes to the little things - God is good!  He knows how much I enjoy the coziness of a fire.