A Time To Embrace by Karen Kingsbury - a book review

I enjoy reading anything from Karen Kingsbury but this book came at a difficult time in my life and I am thankful that it did. This book leaves a reader with hope...not the Pollyanna, pie in the sky kind of hope but REAL HOPE based on love and faith in Jesus Christ and standing with one another.

My Dear and I just recently celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary so I already felt a connection to the main characters, Abby and John Reynolds, who already celebrated two decades of marriage and didn't get there without some difficulty. Ms. Kingbury's honest look at real relationship will have any reader pulling for the couple shortly after the book begins!

She also shows how our relationship with our children can impact our marriage relationship when one of the younger characters goes a bit far with his computer usage. The love that Ms. Kingbury wrote into the Dad's character really was heartfelt from me, the reader.

Just like in life, though, our daily struggles seem to dim in comparison when an absolute crisis hits our family.

Ms. Kingbury writes with real emotion as the reader walks through a time of crisis with the Reynolds family. She doesn't lessen the daily struggle of life but rather shows how a family unit can draw closer to God and one another through those struggles and crisis!

I strongly recommend this book, especially if you like contemporary Christian fiction. It is a romance, but not sappy according to this hopeless romantic!

I won't give away the whole book, but be prepared to smile through your tears in the last chapter!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow...

God's girl,

Pamela

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze 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.”

Happy Birthday, David!

Today is his first birthday in Heaven....and I miss him horribly!

I'm trying to imagine the party he is having, sharing so much more than his birthday with our God, grandparents, angels and other saints but I'm a finite being and just can't quite put it all together in my brain!

Psalm 139:14 I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well.

That verse was just perfect for David...God formed him just the way He wanted to. The death certificate says 'congential malformation of the brainstem.' No matter what, he was my baby brother...and a very special one indeed!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow....and David was a huge blessing!!!

God's girl,

Pamela

Memories, Comfort and hopefully a Smile

I thought by now this might be easy...but I was wrong! David has been such a HUGE part of my life since I was 7 yrs old and the hole left behind seems to be bigger day by day. Two weeks from today would be his 35th birthday, which I know makes it even more difficult, and of course, Christmas is just a few days later. All those years ago, he was our Christmas present. Now, he's God's!

I remember when our girls were small, my two and my niece, they would want to be very near to David no matter what he was doing. They would walk down the hallway with him, staying so close to him that he would bump into them as they moved down the way. There were times when we were scared that one or both of them would fall but that didn't happen. However, in the last few days, the memory of our littles running between David's legs down the hallway have been a source of joy and tears for me! He loved his nieces, his nieces loved him.

My youngest, Cupcake, posted a note on Facebook that showed her feelings so eloquently...."My Uncle was special, born with special needs, but to me he's always been just a little boy stuck in a mans body." As she was grieving a few days after we got home, she mentioned that she really didn't think God would take David this time, because "he's always gotten better." That is a big part of the ache we share, that so many times God did touch David's physical life and restore his health...until now.

My CD said,God was gracious in so many areas before he left and for that I am grateful. Yes, He was...gracious to give us David and allow us to love him for all these years!

I was so comforted by the outpouring of love shared through Facebook friends. God used so many friends to give us words of comfort that have been a soothing balm for my hurting heart! I would like to share some of those with you...I hope you don't mind.

From my high school friend, Sean, He as well as you have been the Sunshine in a lot of peoples lifes. I loved him and enjoyed watching him when he was younger.

From Sean's Mom, Miss Jeri, The Angels are welcoming that Precious David into Heaven . No more pain and sickness.I know he will be missed. It was my joy to be his Beginner Sunday School teacher for several yrs. He was always a joy.

From my church friend, Dorothy, I pray that after the tears, the memories would be yours forever and provide smiles and joy.

From my friend, Julie, we were friends before David was born...David was such a joy to be around. I rememeber him and his sweet smile like it was yesterday.

From our Aunt Trudy, David was so precious.

From my school friend, Kim, I'm so saddened to hear about David....I know he meant so much to you and your family and will be missed greatly!

From our cousin, Fonda, David was such a sweet and caring young man. and God Bless him always.. keep looking to God for Peace and Comfort. and try to remember the good times and what Joy he brought to your life.and others. I know personally, he touched my life. all the obstacels he had. he always seemed to be happy. and i do remember him growing up. always smiling.. and anxious to see us when we all went to Nannys' house.

Another school friend, Lisa, Heaven is certainly sweeter with David there.

Another school friend, Richard, Our loss, Heavens gain. David has perfect health now Praise God!!!!!!

My Bible study friend, Linda, Your sunshine is now able to truly shine.

Our church friend, Kay, We remember him from when he was a happy, loving little boy back in the old "Deetsville" days.

My school friend, Wendy, Sweet sweet David I know will be missed!! He was absolutley nothing but sunshine!!!

Another school friend, Penny, David was one of God's sweetest creations to touch all our hearts.

My friend, Melissa (who married a school friend), So thankful that David is running down those streets of gold tonight.

Another school friend, Kristi, I know you all loved David deeply and will miss him terribly. I do rejoice in the fact that David finally has his glorified body and is having a ball in heaven.

Another school friend, Brenda, David was so sweet. Now he is in heaven and your family has its own guardian angel. He was an angel on earth! Now he is in heaven with the Lord.

My friend, Cheryl, who lost her Mom earlier this year, I went to sleep last night picturing David RUNNING down the streets of gold into ...Jesus' arms!

My school friends, BB and Georgia, Cheryl's sister, David was such a special guy with such an impact on everyone who knew him! I bet he is celebrating up there with my Mom!
David was a blessing to all who came in contact with him.

Cupcake's friend, my 'son' Joel, Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.

So, this post is longer than I thought it would be....if you've made it this far, thank you so much for reading! Re-reading these expressions of comfort and love have soothed my heart today. I hope some of them made you smile...they did me!!!

I am so thankful for all the friends that have walked this road with us...including many of you, my blog readers. There were others shared in private messages and e-mails and I am so honored by all who took the time to love on us! Thank you!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow....like written expressions of love!

God's girl,

Pamela

Love and Respect for a Lifetime...a book review

by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

I believe I have found a new 'go-to' wedding and anniversary gift!!!

This little gift book packs a whole lot of scriptural and practical ways to relate to our wonderful spouses in a mere 152 pages...and I love it!!! (yes, I pretty much just love books, but this one is really cool!!!)

A quick summary of the book is on page 106..."Winning or losing during conflict is not the goal. Oneness is..." Oh, how true and how my heart was lifted to read these words in black and white!

We are coming upon 22 yrs of marriage and while I wish someone would have given us something similar in the beginning, I think the fact that we have fought through so many areas and issues makes this book even sweeter now...so, it really is for every stage of marriage!

I hope that if you do purchase Love and Respect as a gift, that you will take the time to read it for yourself and ask God to help you apply the principles in your own relationships, not just marriage!

The book is an easy read, and while it can be convicting at times, Dr. Eggerichs is never condemning or condescending, in my opinion. This is a companion book to Love and Respect; The Love She Most Desires, The Respect He Desperately Needs. I'm hoping to read that one soon!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow....like my wonderful husband of 22 yrs!

God's girl,

Pamela

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze 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.”