launch Day Book Review:Being Ok with where You Are By Stacey Thacker

Posted on by Mary

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I was flattered to be chosen to be a part of the launch Team for being ok with Where You Are   by Stacey Thacker.

Matter of fact this is the second book in which Stacey has been an author of that I have read in the last year that has deeply touched my life.  The first was Hope for the Weary Mom which she co-authored with Brooke McGothloin.  That book found me in a cery dark and lonely place back in January and February  of this year.  It brought me to my knees with broken tears.

Soooo when I saw Stacey was putting together a launch team for her new book which technically launched September 3rd on Amazon.  I had try.  Stacey writes from the deepest parts of her heart.  Most of us would cringe to let someone else know whats in those parts of our hearts, but through her boldness and courage Stacey touches THOUSANDS OF WOMEN!

So as I started this book everything was going amazing in my life.  Literally AMAZING!   But in the last week.  I have become NOT ok with where i am.  It’s Amazing how God gives just what you need right when you need it.  And this book was no different.  As I answered the study question in the first few chapters I found myself thinking, “wow things really are going well!”  But little did I know what was coming this week.

This week has been full of tests, trials, frustrations and faith testing moments.

I’m not okay but I am getting there.  Between Hope For The Weary Mom   and Being Ok With Where You are At  I am finding myself with quotes and promises running through my head at each turn.

The book had 10 chapters but you may not have to read them in order.  You should read the first two chapters in order.  They go hand in hand and are essential to the process but the rest of the book you can hop around to which chapter best pertains to you and your situation.

For instance:   This week I have come to realize that people who said two short months ago that the had our Autic sons best interests in mind, really don’t.   I am not struggling with the ” c word” (chapter 4 -Comparison) but instead I needed reminding of   Standing on His promises (chapter 5) Having Perseverance (chapter 8)  and living thankfully (chapter 9).

His promises is not only will he never leave ME. Or forsake me, but he won’t leave or forsake Weasel either.  HE ALWAYS has Weasel’s best interest in mind…always!

I need to persevere for Weasels sake.  I need to fight for him, his needs and our morals as a family!

And then i need to live thankfully…i need to be thankful for these trials.  Because it is through these trials that my attitude will point to God!   These trials have the potential of helping others..   And that is what my llife is all about…helping others!

This book has touched my life so deeply and no matter your circumstances and where you are God Can and WILL. Help you to be okay with where you are!

You can find the book on Amazon for $3.99

VISIT AMAZON!

 

Dear Weary Mom…Kiss Perfection GOODBYE!

Posted on by Mary

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Ir really seems like i have to do this every. Single. Day.

My heart grows faint.  I feel as though I fail.   Somedays success is counting all four kids as they sleep.  If they are all there, it’s been a successful day!   Ah you think i jest but in reality losing a child ( literally) is something I have to deal with all the time.  It is probably the biggest worry right now in this phase of having a five year old son with autism!

I never know when or where he will bolt but i literally wake up with panic attacks in the middle of the night  and i have to go check to make sure he is still there.  I have spent SOOOO. Much time keeping my eyes on him that it seems as though EVERYTHING around me is falling apart.  I stand back and i look at half done projects, an unclean  house, devotions needing to be done, one filthy kid who fell asleep before his bath, burnt dinner (or completely forgotten at that). Late paperwork, unreturned phone calls missed emails…and forget the shower!

We like to think that life is this nice, neat little package, that needs to be handled the same way every time.  The problem is that not every day starts the same way!   We can start off the day with getting up early, doing our devos, getting the kids lunches packed….you know the mornings that RARELY start that way…lol we would love them to, but then  reality POPS that little day dream bubble!   It’s usually is with someone needing me for something, burning, barking, puking.  Phones ringing, knocks at the door. AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON………AND ON!

So at the end of the day when the four little munchkins are safe in their beds, and I collapse in a chair, unable to find the mental capacity let alone the physical ability to continue on, and as I scan the debris scattered around me and of the to-do list that once reached Tokyo that now is headed for Beijing and the mountain of laundry that seemed so accomplishable but now feels like Mount Rushmore, where or where do I turn.   I feel alone, ashamed..a failure!  

I have found solace in a couple of things…..

-God is always with me (even in my biggest of messes)

-my joy is not found in the approval of others

-nor is my purpose, rest or faith

-Christ’s blood covered ALL of my imperfections, AND  that is ALL. I need!

-My best is all i have to offer…..anything more is by the grace of God

Those are my resting points.  Those are the things I am confident in.   

I hope this helps!  It surely did for me, as i remind myself of my purpose…to bring glory to God in all that say and do.

That may not look like what you might expect…or what I might expect….

It might just mean being focused on others rather than that to-do list that now reaches to Turkey!

Have a great night all!

For more  Dear Weary Mom Posts visit Hope for the Weary Mom!

Book Review: Simply Delicious Amish Cooking by Sherry Gore

Posted on by Mary

I have a confession to make…i LOVE cookbooks, specifically Amish cookbooks!

This book is a collection of simple Amish recipes collected from the Amish and mennonite communities in Sarasota Florida.   It shares stories along with the recipes but not necessarily connected to  one another.   The delightlyfully simple recipes are  a wonderful addition to any kitchen whether, a novice or greatly skilled.  Dishes ranging from Chicken and dumplings to Amish church cookies are written simply yet are high quality.  And scattered throughout this cookbook were amazing tips and tricks to help guide you in both cooking terms and processes.  (I found the tip about the different types of flour and how to make your own bread flour , self-rising flour and so on to be very helpful and have since used those tips Successfully!)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this cookbook AND it is the first cookbook i have sat down and read cover to cover!   The recipes bring back many memories of living in the Amish region of Pennsylvania.   I can almost taste the chicken and dumplings as I read the recipe!   I learned quite a bit about the Amish community is Sarasota Florida, and am intrigued!   I would one day enjoy visiting there.   The tips and tricks were also very helpful and i think i would have enjoyed learning more of those things.  As for the anecdotes that  were interspersed throughout the book, i think some were very well placed, sharing stories of hospitality, and included a mention of the recipe found either just before or just after the story.  But then there were those that really just seemed as though it was honestly gossip……so and so surprised us all when he brought home a girl, we never thought he would settle down.”  I’m not quite sure how these stories fit into the scope of a cookbook but nonetheless they are there.

On another note entirely, i am not quite sure I like the format of this book.  Meaning, I think I would much prefer a hard copy of a cookbook instead of a digital copy.

So here are my top reason’s why I enjoyed this book

1.  Simple down home recipes without crazy, hard to find ingredients!

2.  The tips and tricks.   Making my life easier by not needing to keeps all types of flours (and other foods) on hand.

3.  I enjoyed learning the history, and some other tidbits about the Amish Community in Sarasota Florida.

4.  Some of the anecdotes made me laugh….OUT LOUD!    

So. I give this book a