HurriedPatience

{necessary information} I received this book from the author as a part of the launch team for free. The opinions expressed in this blog are mine alone and not those of the author or publisher. {review: More than Just Making It }  Erin Odom is the woman behind the Humbled Homemaker  website, and her book shows just as much of her warmth as her blog. Erin is open and honest and full of grace as she shares her experiences through her own financially frustrated seasons. One thing that I love is that each chapter is sprinkled with bible verses and quotes from other resources she had sought along her journey. Each chapter is an area of life where we get frustrated and specific resources for you to personally seek out if you are in that specific season ( there was one chapter than hit me so hard between the eyes that I had to put down the book and take care of business). Erin reminds us that there is NO SHAME in struggling, and that we are to be open to receive h...

Tricia and her book baby {necessary information} I received this book from the author as a part of the launch team for free. The opinions expressed in this blog are mine alone and not those of the author or publisher. {review: You Can Do This } Tricia is a clear and concise writer detailing some hurtful and raw points in her life. Through every chapter there is a reflection assignment to help you work through the tough spots in your life and find the confidence in Him to work through them. She sprinkles quotes from strong famous people, as well as strong Biblical truths. In chapter 5 she reminds you that the comment section does not have the right to get you down. On page 62, Tricias therapist reminds us that, " Everybody has a chapter of their life they don't read out loud." She introduced me to 6 word stories- which I am very excited to give a try. In chapter 9 she introduces us to her second love story. "No for now isn't no forever"!!!! Every cha...

{necessary information} I received this book from the publisher as a part of the launch team for free. The opinions expressed in this blog are mine alone and not those of the author or publisher. {transparency} Hmm, I have been sitting on, pondering, contemplating what I was going to write up front about this review. I know that this author has faced some heat for views that she has shared in interviews. I feel this is relevant to share upfront in my review because I want it known that my review of " Of Mess and Moxie " is not affected by outside sources or feelings. When I review a book, I open its pages, I dissect its content, and I come up with my own thoughts. This review is not affected by my feelings about former books by Jen, not by the fact that I spent an amazing night in Jen's backyard eating all the tacos and pie a girl can desire, and does not mean that I am in 100 percent agreeance with anything said in the book or by the author. {endorsement: Of Me...

{necessary information} I received this book as a read me from the author as a part of the launch team for free. The opinions expressed in this blog are mine alone and not those of the author or publisher. {transparency} Anyone who knows me, knows that I cross the thin line between fangirling and need to be put behind bars for stalking Candice Curry  (teehee) I met her just before chapter 10 and her strength through the crud chatted about in that chapter, her humor in parenting and her passion to share Jesus with those who hurt has impacted me in ways I don't know if I will ever be able to explain. With all that said, this has not changed that I think this is an amazing book- I do not let relationships get in the way of my honest reviews, so she made it easy on me. {review: The Conman's Daughter } True, honest, raw stories shared by Candice about her biological dad and his shifty "businesses".  She shares truth behind the secrets she felt she had to keep and ...

{necessary information} I received this book as a try-me from Tyndale Publishers and the opinions expressed in this blog are mine alone and not those of the author or publisher {transparency} It is hard to review a devotional book when you want to use the book as a devotional book (meaning actually doing one section per day) but you can not because it would be past the review due date. I go back and read it fully as a devo once I have posted the review.  {review: Praying the Psalms } As noted above, this book is broken down so that it can be done one a day for 150 days ( the amount of Psalms- teehee). The layout of each day: the Psalm typed out, 2 pages of commentary/questions to help reflect on the aforementioned Psalm. I did not feel like the commentary was too teachy, but more thought provoking to help you work through you own thoughts to talk through with God. Some of the days break out specific verses in the commentary. What I really like about this is that s...

{necessary information} I received this book as a try-me from Tyndale Publishers and the opinions expressed in this blog are mine alone and not those of the author or publisher {transparency} As I am writing this blog, it is #enditmovement  (<---from the website):  "END IT is a Coalition of the leading organizations in the world in the fight for FREEDOM. Each of our amazing Coalition Partners are doing the work, on the ground, everyday, to bring AWARENESS, PREVENTION, RESCUE, and RESTORATION." As seen in the picture above, people wear a red x on their hand to raise awareness in daily life, and in sharing with social media circles. It was apropos that I finished this book ( it only took me two days) on the day of this movement. Anna speaks about the slavery she had to endure - child labor and seeing family members (without saying it) trafficked for the gains of her father. This is still happening in our own country. This is still happening in our backyards. ...

{necessary information} I received this book as a part of the Doing Good is Simple launch team and the opinions expressed in this blog are mine alone and not those of the author or publisher or launch team {review: Doing Good is Simple} Chris is open and honest about his experience in calling and in traveling on mission. This book helps you evaluate where you are is where you should serve no matter how big or small it may look you feel to you ( he reminds you that is is all BIG in Gods moving picture). You will not leave reading this book the same, there will be some kind of evaluation of self. I read this book as a part of the launch team but the review is my own opinion. I got the opportunity to be at the launch event and Chris is deff a VERY authentic guy. {photos of book launch} Some people have cool items they take along on their adventures, I have been carrying this book as my "flat Stanly" per se. Pictured is the wonderful street taco truck that we ate at du...

{necessary information} I received this book as a part of a launch team and the opinions expressed in this blog are mine alone and not those of the author or publisher or launch team {before reading} Hearing God girls share their stories is such an inspiration. It is especially touching when you are going through a valley or in this case the fire yourself. In May of this year my husband and I walked away from our income in hopes to help the church we were currently serving in, moved away from where we were calling home, and headed to a place that we used to call home. As we sit in waiting, my instant instinct is to go into HurriedPatience mode, but just like Bianca Juarez Olthoff says in the book promo video, " transformation does not happen outside of the fire, transformation happens in the midst of the fire." {book review} Bianca wrote in a style that is easy to digest and slaps you in the face with each turn of page. She references real life moments that remind you ...

{necessary information} I received this book as a try-me from Tyndale Publishers and the opinions expressed in this blog are mine alone and not those of the author or publisher {transparency} I fangirled during the release of the book by joining in on a live feed with the Clarkson girls and some of their friends. I have had a spark of inspiration to host in my home which includes but is not limited to small groups and allowing (future) foster kiddos to host friends at our home.  {review} The Lifegiving Home breaks the western stigma that has built walls around the home and only welcomes to coffee shops and restaurants. The book shows what happens in the home of Sally Clarkson, which does not necessarily work in everyones homes- just serve as an image or thought that could work. Though it focuses on creativity, I think there is something in this book for families of all shapes and sizes. Serves as a reminder to slow down and spend time together as a FRAMILY ( friends and fam...

{necessary information} I received this book as a try-me from Tyndale Publishers and the opinions expressed in this blog are mine alone and not those of the author or publisher {transparency of blogger} I have worked for preschools and coaching facilities and as a babysitter for most of my life. Sometimes you have an extra coloring sheet laying around while the kids are babysitting ( and sometimes it was on purpose) so you have to sit down with the kids and use the best crayons or color pencils available to color the extra page. Okay, okay, I love to color. There is something therapeutic to coloring.  { review Gratitude} I love all things girly, so the fact that this book came with a flowery firm cover- I was giddy. Then you open up to devotion surrounded with black and white images crying to be colored- I was over the moon. After I read the devotional there is room to journal through my thoughts, taking coloring breaks. I highly reccomend this book for all ages and would b...

{necessary information} I received this book as a try-me from Tyndale Publishers and the opinions expressed in this blog are mine alone and not those of the author or publisher {transparency of a blogger} Sometimes I struggle with the what to say to God because there are so many things swirling whirling around my mind that I can not put into words what I want, need or how I want to apologize to God. I have found great help in my prayers when I pray scripture and pray for what to pray for. {insert  365 Pocket Morning Prayers } When you are given a good word to start your prayers with, it helps the flow of your time with God. The daily prayers are short and include a biblical reference. The prayers are daily numbered but also have subtitles when you have something specific you are looking to pray for ( forgiveness, remaining faithful, ect). I reccomend for anyone who is trying to get a schedule prayer time or is trying to figure out this prayer thing altogether. {anastasia}

I came across reviewing this bible study, " Life principles for living out the Greatest commandment ", through a website that I follow: She Yearns   after completing the YouVersion bible plan " Waiting Well " by Cheri Strange. ** I received this book for free to review. The opinions are my own and I am not getting any compensation.** When you start off day one of week one with such honesty as," offering God anything less than my all is equivalent to murder, adultery, stealing, and idolatry." You know you are going to get a kick in the pants during this study. I love Cheri's honesty and trasperancy from the get go. She has written this story in a place of actually dealing with the topic herself. This study requires you to look deep inside and truely evaluate your relationship with God. It is written in a way that it is a good fit for a new Christian and those who have been a Christian for a long time. It requires you to have your bible out and write...

{necessary information} I received this book as a try-me from Tyndale Publishers and the opinions expressed in this blog are mine alone and not those of the author or publisher. {transparency of a blogger} I did not give this book the attention it should have gotten. My husband had found out in the Fall of 2015 that there would be a transition at our current church that required us to no longer have a pay check and I had transitioned out of my current position to be a full time employment search secretary. So instead of taking time to seek Gods will fully through prayer and His word, I spent time on job websites and social media. I actually wasn't even following most of the rest of what was going on in the world- I felt very stuck/consumed in my bubble of searching. Much of what was happening in the world around me ( political fighting, racial divide, attacks on police) are things touched on in....  {insert Jesus outside the Lines } A book that reminds us as Christians that we ...

The Treasure Principle by: Randy Alcorn Chapter 1: Buried Treasure             This concept is one that many people do not take into consideration until the item is gone. People are a little more willing to give money than give the shirt off their back. We harvest treasures in such a way that it is painful (tearful) to lose such items- it may be an item we haven’t had for long (page 13). As easy as we gain something, it can be taken away. “Storing up earthly treasures isn’t simply wrong, it’s just plain stupid.”  Chapter 2: Compounding Joy             Saying and doing are two different things when it comes to swallowing the idea of God being the owner of all income, savings and assets- we are just managing it on Earth. God bought us at the price of his son Jesus. “Whenever we think like owners, it’s a red flag.” We are called to seek first and invest in THE OWNER...

The 11 Questions Every Donor Asks by Harvey McKinnon {WHY ME?} The question asked my many video gaming youth not wanting to get up and take out the trash. People are looking for loopholes and excuses to get out of something they don’t think they are 100% about. People have a need for being needed. For the millennials I thing some of the why me process would be an ego feeding. On page 22 the subtitle about emotionally grabbing: I understood where the story was going and went but the other books said we didn’t want to go for the emotion card- where do we draw the line in the sand? {WHY ARE YOU ASKING ME?} it’s the skin in the game syndrome, the ask has to come from someone who really bleeds this project not just wearing the t-shirt on game day. {DO I RESPECT YOU?} Respect doesn’t come over night but by patience and knowing your stuff. {HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT?} Learning about potential, waiting for the big one J , and know the percentages of where the money is going. ...

I am taking this week to share my {comical} insight into books I have read on faith based fundraising. The next book in my series is:   Ask for a Fish by: Ron Haas              The title and introduction reminded me of the little boy at conference who asked a donor for money for “this project”, and the time that the donor took to educate the boy on how to ask for what he wanted using “specific” details. My notes all over this was BE SPECIFIC , and Webster defines specific as clearly defined; and precise detail. People want to know where their money is going; I know when I have been approached about Compassion kids, I wanted a lay out of how the funds were being allocated- not because I didn’t trust them but because I was truly interested. Which is what the donor buy in principle is about: you want more than a donor, you want someone to care. {PRAY} “If we ask our heavenly Father for our (personal) daily bread as ...