Recipe Review: Best Ever Southern Peach Cobbler

 Good morning, friends!!! I'm so glad you came to check out my review this morning! I *almost* have everything on this new computer ready to blog, so here's a start. :)

Today, I'm going to review The Slow-Roasted Italian's recipe for Best Ever Southern Peach Cobbler.

I halved this recipe, since my little family was the only group eating it. :) I also changed the recipe up a bit (of course!); we bought peaches from The Peach Truck this year, and we froze the whole box in 4-cup portions. So, I used ONE package, juice and all. Also, we LOVE cinnamon around here, so I probably used 2 teaspoons. Use it to YOUR taste, always. :D

We all gave this recipe a YES, PLEASE - even my husband, who really couldn't care about sweets less. I enjoyed it most warm, but it was great at room  temperature, too!

Let me know if you try this simple, yummy recipe. :) Have a wonderful day, my friend. Be blessed!!

BOOK REVIEW: Trillium by Amber Nguyen

Hi, everyone!!! I know it's been a REALLY long time since I was here; life has thrown some unexpected curves my way, but I'm back right now! :D

Today's review is the first book in what will be a trilogy by new author AMBER NGUYEN. At just over 300 pages in the book, one might think it was long. It may look that way, but it's a very quick read! I got captivated by this YA novel, reading whenever I had a moment to do so.

With great character development and a strong drive, Amber's story about  these four main characters coming of age and making decisions about their futures quickly becomes a journey through time and space, asking if we have a choice, or if fate is set in stone?

The ONE thing I didn't enjoy about this book was the fact that the last chapter set up the next book. Anyone who knows me, knows that I want a book, even in a series, to stand alone. :) If I read it again before the second book comes out, I won't read that last chapter. :D

I highly recommend this book. From plot to character development to themes, this book will pull the reader right along - and actually give one something to think about!

Book Review: KILL THE SPIDER by Carlos Whittaker

Good afternoon, friends! This book review is for another BEAUTIFUL new book, KILL THE SPIDER. It's not only the iridescent cover that;s so pretty, but the vulnerability and honesty that are poured out on every page.

This is definitely a YES, PLEASE. if you've EVER dealt with depression anxiety, or any other sort of problem with things that lurk in the corners of your heart or mind, this book is for you.

"In Kill the Spider, Carlos describes his journey to knock out deep-rooted habits that were hurting his relationships with others and with God. With laugh-out-loud humor and refreshing vulnerability, Carlos helps you identify the hidden spiders that haunt you - the real causes behind worry, addiction,m comparison, childhood loss, or the struggle to receive God's love."

I typed that all out because I think it is a precise summary of this book. The VULNERABILITY took my breath away! I have an extra copy, if you're interested in reading it and are local. However, I think you're going to want your own copy to mark up and possibly highlight!  http://amzn.to/2jZOrw2

BOOK REVIEW: CHURCH OF THE SMALL THINGS- The Million Little Pieces that Make Up a Life

Good day! :) Today is the day - the release date of NYT Bestselling Author, Melanie Shankle's newest book. CHURCH OF THE SMALL THINGS - The Million Pieces That Make Up a Life. I was able to read an advanced readers' copy; here's what I thought. :)

This is a YES, PLEASE!! Melanie is just a few years younger than I, and I found myself relating to so many things she wrote about! It's a great book, and  highly recommend it to everyone. It was an excellent reminder that I can do little things in a big way!

My mom has already requested to read this book. :D You'll enjoy at least parts of it, because that's how Melanie writes! :)

With chapter titles like, "Yes, Virginia, There Is Such a Thing as a Naugahyde Sofa" and "Se Habla Van Halen?" , there's definitely something for everyone!!!

Book Review - LOVED BABY by Sarah Philpott, PhD

Miscarriage has been an unspoken, pain-filled topic for so long - not just in the church, but in all of our society. Sarah has written a beautiful book, from her own grief and brave vulnerability, to help the one-in-four of us that are dealing with miscarriage. It's such a wonderful, hopeful, beautiful resource for woman and MEN who have suffered a miscarriage.

The truth: one in four women have or will have a miscarriage. The rest of us probably love one of them. This book is not only a great resource for us - to learn a little about their grief and pain - but I would highly recommend it as a gift to those who have lost a baby during  pregnancy.

This book deserves a YES, PLEASE. Use it, share it, gift it - just get it!

Book Review: LOVING MY ACTUAL CHRISTMAS

Today's the day! LOVING MY ACTUAL CHRISTMAS is available! And if you have trouble with Christmas, you will WANT to order your book!!!!

The author had already signed her contract to do this book during last Christmas season - and it ended up being a very difficult one. Her father-in-law passed away, and this was their first Christmas without him. But Alex knew that her family needed to celebrate, so she set herself tasks as she did in LOVING MY ACTUAL LIFE - which was her book we launched last year.

I recommend this book for anyone who's tired of the same ol' Christmas games, who's looking for a deeper, simpler celebration. She talks about the entire Advent season, and using the days between Christmas and New Years as days of cushion for your family and senses. It ALL makes sense!

Get this book. Read it. Follow its direction. Maybe not everything you can use, but I'm willing to bet a lot of it will be useful for you! (And if not, you have a fantastic book to gift!) :D

Book Review: TABLE MENTORING: A Simple Guide to Coming Alongside

This is an excellent resource for individuals and/or women's groups! Sue Moore Donaldson (the author of the book) has a true heart for mentoring. This is a post she wrote just for you!

A growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

That’s it. That’s the main thing.

I didn’t say a perfect relationship or sinless existence. Perfection and sinlessness is for later on when none of us will need to mentor or be mentored.

But qualified mentoring does take a pressing on mentality. Pressing on to know and love Christ better and deeper. As Paul, again the model mentor, cried out passionately to the Philippians:

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Philippians 3:f1f2-16 ESV

Paul put himself in the mature camp, but he knew he needed to keep pressing. And he did. “I press on to make it my own.” To mentor well means we keep on pressing to make it our own. We share our own stories, our own walk with Christ, our own victories and losses and pressings to know and love Him more. That’s all. A going-on-with God til He comes or we go.

Yesterday a conference director called about the possibility of my speaking and she asked me: “Tell me when you first fell in love with Jesus. When did He grip your heart?” She went on: “Tell me how He is entering your world right now and making a difference in your life?”

Both great questions and I loved answering them. I know I love Jesus more today than fifty years ago, but that’s when it started. I can tell you right now how He’s leading and training and teaching and loving me. Today. Right now. He keeps after me, and--by His mercy and grace, I’m keeping after Him. Not perfectly. I’m not finished loving Him. He still has mounds of work to do in me. But He doesn’t want me to wait til Glory to share my walk with Him with someone else.

Same with you.

If you feel God leading you to mentor, ask yourself:

1. Do I love Jesus more today than ten years ago? One year ago?

2. Do I trust Him for the unknowns in my future?

3. Do I know some of His promises in His Word?

4. Do I live like I trust in those promises?

If you answered: “Sort of. I’m working on it.” You are ready to mentor. Paul wasn’t perfect, just pressing.

If you think you know everything, think again.

If you know one promise in God’s Word, you are ready to mentor that one promise. Ask God for someone to share it with today.