Happy Friday friends! It is hard to believe that we ending May! In some ways the days seem to move so slowly, and then other times it feels like they fly by during this time. Today I am so excited to share my book, movie, and TV review with y'all for May! Before I start though- if you have any suggestions for me for June please let me know! I am constantly looking for new ideas so please pass on your suggestions!
Books
{one}Being Known
I have shared so many times here on the blog about my love of Robin Jones Gunn's writings and so when her newest book was released this Spring I was so excited to save up my pennies and read it. I really enjoyed it and it had some things to really think through that I think are so relatable to lots of people (especially if you are married) with the concept of "emotional affairs". I haven't seen another Christian book address this in a tender way like this one did and so I would whole heartedly recommend it.
Similar book recommendations that I have read by Robin Jones Gunn that I would recommend to this book:
This was the first book in the series (but you could read them as stand alone books too) that I have talked about this book SO much on the blog - but it truly was something that I feel was her best book ever written! I took away so many precious nuggets from the story, cried and laughed through it and was completely encouraged. You can find it to purchase HERE.
Also by Robin Jones Gunn, this series (not written in first person *smiles*) is incredibly sweet and encouraging. You can read the books in any order but they do loosely follow and build on each other if you want to read them in order. And guess what? Hallmark is releasing the first book in the series (Secrets) as a Christmas movie this December! I am SO excited!
{two} Journeying Through Grief
Over the last year I have been given so many (well-meaning) suggestions on books to read for grief. Many of them I found completely unhelpful and discouraging and a few i thought were "okay" but just didn't relate to me at all. At one point we were handed the first book in this four part book series, called A Time to Grieve. The paperback book is thin, easy to read and at first I tossed it on our table without another thought. A couple of weeks after my father died I picked it up (I am embarrassed to admit) to more become sarcastic over the book then anything. I opened it up and then started to read and immediately had tears. It was well written, incredibly kind and compassionate, and came from someone who obviously had experienced deep grief in their own life.
I can't recommend them enough and have started to hand them out to friends who are going through incredible heartache like we have experienced. And we have read through them hundreds of times ourselves.
If you are grieving and feeling like no one understands I can't recommend this series enough. Take the chance, reach out and get a copy because they will feel like a friend is tenderly embracing you.
If you are looking for a gift for a friend who is in grief I can't recommend this enough either. When you order it you receive four books:
Book 1: A Time to Grieve (to be sent 3 weeks after the loss)
Book 2: Experiencing Grief (to be sent 3 months after the loss)
Book 3: Finding Hope and Healing (to be sent 6 months after the loss)
Book 4: Rebuilding and Remembering (to be sent 11 months after the loss)
You will receive note cards even to include with suggested comments and notes to your loved one at these different stages and you will also have a reminder card so that you can help remember people throughout the year. I have to admit... this has been the hardest thing for me- people at the beginning are all around and then they just seem to forget... these books provide a tangible way to reach out and to remind people that you care deeply about them.
*full disclosure: you can find this set of books cheaper on the Stephen's Ministry website*
Similar book recommendations that I have read on grief that I would recommend to this book:
This book is not just for those in grief but for those who may be struggling with different circumstances in life. It is tenderly written and was an encouragement to me.
I really wanted to love this book like so many people did (and recommended to me) but for me it was not something that I found as encouraging as the books above. I do think that it would be helpful though and encouraging for some people so I am listing it here too.
*smiles* And all of my former students who may be reading this are laughing out loud that I am mentioning this book...
When this book came out in 2011 I was so excited and shared it with a ton of my former students who may or may not have been as excited. *smiles* I recently saw that it was on Amazon for $6 and wanted to read something lighthearted and fun and purchased it. It was interesting to read again the story of them but also the early days of their childhood, time at the university and their dating era. My mom ended up reading it too and we both agreed that it was something that was lighthearted and interesting to read!
Similar book recommendations that I have read that I would recommend to this book:
This is written by the same author who wrote the book above and is something that was really interesting to read if you like reading about the royal family.
{four} Choosing Life
I mentioned this last month, but wanted to mention it again here. I originally bought this devotional back in 2013 and have returned to it off and on over the years. I have always admired and appreciated Dodie's testimony of being miraculously healed of Cancer and her faith is so inspiring. This past month I decided to use this as my devotional again and I have been so gently encouraged. There is a devotional for each day and I find them to be simple and yet so full of truth! I definitely recommend this one! If you want to check it out you can find the book HERE.
{five} Choosing Life
I also mentioned this last month but wanted to mention it again too. I originally bought this book back in 2013 when I was first very very sick. It had a profound impact on my life then, but reading it through this past month ... after the loss of my dad was heart-wrenching and deeply healing. I took my time re-reading it and wept through it in many parts. Pete Greig expressed in more eloquent words than I ever could so many thoughts and feelings that I have had and struggled with and I can't recommend this book enough. I plan to do a whole post on it again but in the meantime - get the book. It is worth every single penny. If you want to check it out you can find the book HERE.
Movies & TV
Life has been so busy moving into the cabin and enjoying time at the lake that we haven't spent anytime in front of TV. When we have though we have been very purposeful to choose things that are light-hearted or funny or that are inspiring.We are still in the middle of somethings so I am going to save those reviews for next month y'all!
If you are curious about other book reading lists I have done in the past you can find those posts below:
Happy Friday friends! Thank you so much for reading today! What about you- what have you been watching and reading that you would recommend?
Happy Wednesday friends! As I shared several months, I am excited to re-share some of the most popular devotional posts that I wrote in 2017-2018 (if you would like to see the complete list you can find it HERE!) and am excited to share this one this week! I hope that this continues to be a beautiful blessing even several years later!
One of the sweet scenes that stood out to me in When Calls the Heart Season 2 was the conversation that took place between the widows lawyer, Samantha, and Abigail. This comment made by Samantha, a single woman to Abigail, who had lost her husband and son in the mining accident reminded me of a timeless truth for all of us to consider... the legacy of love and suffering.
This past year as I watched the month of April slowly fade and we approached the month of May I have to admit that I silently groaned as my heart deeply aches. As a lady who has longed to be a mama for years and years I have to grudgingly admit that I view the month of celebrating Mother's Day with heartache. Am I deeply grateful for my precious mama? Absolutely yes. Do I rejoice with my friends who have been blessed with many children? Of course. Do I rejoice with my dear friends who have walked the road of infertility and this year celebrated becoming a mother? Absolutely. But is there a part of me that like many of my hurting friends who long to be a mommy that cries as we approach this date? Yes. Is there a part of me that wonders at how Proverbs 13:22 fits into my life? Yes.
As I watched this scene between Samantha and Abigail I was touched by the way that the writers of the show tenderly approached this topic. I am not sure if it was purposeful or not, but it appeared to me in this scene that Samantha was thinking and referencing her own sadness in longing to be a wife and a mama.
A few short days before Mother's Day I started thinking more deeply about the idea of "legacy", specifically the legacy that is formed in love and suffering. A dear former student contacted me the day before Mother's Day and said, "Thank you for your mother's heart that during my time in your classroom showed the joy of Christ, and watching your faith in this trial you are currently walking has shown me the steadfast hope and love only found in Christ. Your mother's heart has created a legacy of faith for me."
To be frank I broke down and wept. My faith seems so incredibly small in this journey and I had never considered the concept before that one could leave a legacy in suffering. I always equated legacy with children, and there is a legacy that is left there to be sure. But there is also a legacy created in other seasons of life... even in suffering where we can and we will leave some kind of legacy.
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
- Romans 8:18-
The reality is that when life is destroyed all around you it is hard to trust the truth of Romans 8. When we are faced with the death of a loved one, the unanswered prayers for healing, the loss of a job, infertility, chronic pain, broken relationships, and the loss of dreams it can literally stop us in our tracks. It catches our breathe. In many ways we expect, as I did before Mother's Day this year to silently groan and cry our tears in private till the moment passes. Like me, we want to turn the pages of the calendar days quickly so that we forget the pain. And in the midst of the "helpful and sage" advice that we are given, most of us just want to dull the crushing pain and move on to "better times". Like me wanting to avoid Mother's Day, we want to "avoid" the painful times of suffering.
But what about the legacy that is found in suffering? Are we showing the world how to lovingly and faithfully walk with Jesus during the difficult days here on earth, or are we showing them that we have Jesus only to quickly make it through the painful times? Are we showing the power and miraculous God that we have despite circumstances on earth? Or are we limiting our God as we box Him in to ways that we want Him to work?
I want to suggest that the legacy of love and suffering is a beautiful thing called joy. Joy in the midst of pain. Joy in the midst of heartache. Joy, not smiles that are on our faces, but true joy found deep in the heart of Hope in a God who promises to never leave us. Sweet friends, as we cry out in our pain, let us take the risk to walk the road of suffering joyfully confident in the one who carries us each day. Be brave friends in hope with your suffering.
Your sufferings may include a myriad of things that you want to share and discuss or they may be private heartaches that you feel that no one notices or understands. Your life and your story is unique and has purpose. Never think that your story does not have unique and noble callings to it even if it doesn't look like the way that you planned for things to look.
To each of the mamas reading this there is nothing (in my opinion) more noble than being a mama and wife, but I also know that even mamas have their own trials and stresses. To those longing to be a wife and mama your story can leave a legacy of nobility too as you wait and hope for that season in life. In each of our lives God creates a beautiful legacy out of suffering that spreads to those around you and offers redemption to the pain that we all experience here on earth. Our everlasting God who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow is our everlasting hope, which brings joy. There is purpose in it. There is a legacy that will be formed. Your hope and longings will not be disappointed.
"And hope does not disappoint us..."
-Romans 5:5-
"A good man (or woman) leaves a legacy for his children's children."
-Proverbs 13:22-
*original post written in August 2017 prior to Lori Loughlin's departure from the show*
Looking for past From Hope Valley Devotionals? You can click HERE to find a complete listing of all of the devotionals!
I have received several emails asking me about the books by Janette Oke that the series is based on. You may remember that I mentioned in my very first From Hope Valley Devotional post that I had read Janette Oke's series back when I was a teenager. The original book series, "The Canadian West Series" was based on Elizabeth's aunt and her adventures (she also married a Mountie). Here are the listing of the books from that series (there are six) in order:
In the last several years Janette Oke released a new series entitled, "Return to the Canadian West" which you can find listed below in order:
I receive several emails a week asking where you can watch older episodes of "When Calls the Heart". If you have a Netflix account you can find seasons 1-3 there or you can purchase them on Amazon. You can purchase and watch all of the seasons and episodes by clicking on the links below:
*Please note that the quotes used in these weekly devotionals are the sole intellectual property of Hallmark Channel, WCTH, & Crown Media, LLC. These on-line posts are in no way supported, endorsed or affiliated with WCTH, Hallmark Channel, or Crown Media. They are simply encouragement inspired by Janette Oke and this precious show.*
Happy Monday friends and Happy Memorial Day!
Today I am excited to share that each of my Etsy shops are having some sales! Read below for more details and as always THANK YOU so much for ALL of your support for my shops!
Looking for a beautiful and bespoke heirloom journal? Then please grab a cup of coffee and come and wander at my shop, December Caravan!
December Caravan is offering a 15% discount for today ONLY! You can go directly to the shop by clicking HERE! There is no coupon that is needed so hurry on over to purchase a special gift for you or a loved one!!
December Caravan donates a portion of all of its proceeds to charity!
Looking for beautiful travel watercolor prints? Then please stop in over at December Lane!
December Lane is offering a 20% discount for today ONLY! You can go directly to the shop by clicking HERE! There is no coupon that is needed so hurry on over to purchase a special gift for you or a loved one!!
December Lane also donates a portion of all of its proceeds to help children in the foster care system!
December Lane can be found HERE!
Looking for lovely vintage and modern art supplies? Check please stop in my shop, The Creators Barn. The Creators Barn is a special cozy shop that is designed to be a restful haven & shop for the creative soul hosting lovely vintage & modern craft supplies for the artistic soul!
The Creators Barn is offering a 15% discount for today ONLY! You can go directly to the shop by clicking HERE! There is no coupon that is needed so hurry on over to purchase special supplies for all of your artistic projects!
The Creators Barn also donates a portion of all of its proceeds to Charity!
The Creators Barn can be found HERE!
Looking for new and gently pre-loved pieces for the hopeful and adventurous heart to create a beautiful and affordable cozy-luxury life? Then please check out my Ebay Store, Caravan Sonnet Factory!
I shared a bit about this new Ebay store a couple of weeks ago on the blog (you can read more HERE) and I always welcome offers on all of my listings! You can find Caravan Sonnet Factory HERE!
Thank you so much again for all of your support of my Etsy Shops and my Ebay Store (Caravan Sonnet Factory)! You are truly a blessing! Thank you again friends and I hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day!
"Freedom is never free."
I received this flag back in 2015 from a dear soldier that I was connected with through the Adopt-a-Platoon program. I have literally carried it with me throughout my health journey as it has soberly and humbly reminded me of the heroes that are tirelessly fighting for our country and those that have sacrificed so much.
I have been a part of the Adopt-a-Platoon family since 2005 and in these 15 years I have been humbled by the extreme sacrifice that so many make for the sake of our freedom. Freedom is never free and comes with a price that is often the greatest sacrifice.
With each soldier I have been honored to connect with I am reminded of how much our military does for our country, for our freedom, and for countless places around the world.
"M", thank you again for changing my life and for this tangible reminder of sacrificial freedom with this honor of this flag that flew on the other side of the world. It is a priceless gift that I will always treasure.
To all of the 49 soldiers (and their families) that I have met through AAP you know who you are and you have my gratitude & humble thanks. For so many of my former students, their families and my sweet friends who sacrifice so much as their loved ones have served and continue to serve our country, we celebrate you and the freedom that you help ensure for our country today, tomorrow, and every day.
Thank you so much. On this memorial day and everyday, we are speechless with gratitude.
When you are traveling, it is only natural that you are going to worry about your home and whether it is secure or not. In fact, worrying about home security is one of the most common causes of travel stress. You can’t enjoy your trip if you are constantly worried about somebody breaking in or a fire starting at home, so it’s important that you take steps to protect your home before you leave. These are some of the best ways to keep your home safe while you travel.
Move Valuables Into Storage
If you are taking a long trip and you are worried about somebody breaking in, there are a lot of things that you can do to secure your home. But before we consider how to keep your home safe, it’s important to remember that there is always the chance of a break in, no matter how well protected you are. That’s why it’s a good idea to move valuables into a convenient self storage unit while you are away. That way, you can relax because you know that, even if somebody does manage to break into your home, all of the most valuable items are protected. Burglars will usually look in through windows to see if they can see anything worth stealing, so moving valuables out of the house makes you less of a target.
Deal With Mail
When burglars are looking for houses to break into, they will often check to see whether there is a lot of mail piled up on the doorstep. If there is, that’s a sign that people are out of the house and their house is a good target. It’s important that you ask a neighbor to pop round and pick up your mail, so it’s not so obvious that you are away. Having somebody go to the house and check for any problems will make it a lot easier for you to relax as well.
Make sure the outside of your home looks cared for
One of the things that burglars look for in a home that looks unkempt from the outside. This is because such a lack of care often indicates additional vulnerabilities such as poor security measures.
Also, those with nefarious intentions love it when there is plenty of cover around a home such as bulky trees and bushes, as well as old items of furniture that haven't been disposed of properly. After all, it makes it that much easier to get into and out of your home unseen, while you are away.
With these things in mind, tidying up the outside of your home if you are going away, especially for a longer trip is vital. Be sure to clean up the front of your home so it looks well cared for. Get rid of any excess foliage, and be sure to donate any old items of furniture to charity too. You can even make use of a Donation Pickup service here to make things easier. Then you won't have to move a muscle and they will come and get any unwanted items of furniture for you from your address.
Be Careful On Social Media
Burglars often scan social media to find people that are away, so they can break into their homes. A lot of people don’t realize this and they post lots of pictures of their trip on social media while they are away. Even though you want to share your trip with friends and family, it’s best to wait until you get back, so you don’t put yourself at risk. It’s especially important that you don’t post a picture of your boarding pass because criminals can find out a lot of information about you, even if you blank out your name and address.
Use Timers On Lights
If the lights are never switched on, that’s an obvious sign that nobody is in the house. But you can get around that problem easily if you just use timers on your lights. You can get some great timer plugs and plug a lamp into them so the lights come on in the evenings and make it look like the house is occupied.
Follow these simple safety tips and you can make sure that your home is secure while you travel.
*contributed post*
Happy Wednesday friends! As I shared several months, I am excited to re-share some of the most popular devotional posts that I wrote in 2017-2018 (if you would like to see the complete list you can find it HERE!) and am excited to share this one this week! I hope that this continues to be a beautiful blessing even several years later!
One of the sweet aspects of When Calls the Heart Season 2 was having the opportunity to watch the interactions between Elizabeth and her family. There were some silly dramatic moments like the one above between Julie and Elizabeth, but even this exchange between the two sisters in the 5th episode of Season 2, shows a timeless truth for all of us to consider... the beautiful hope of finding courage.
When I watched this scene the first time I giggled a bit, along with lots of viewers I am sure, but as I sat down to write this chapter I started to think about the depth of what is conveyed here. Often times there are situations that we encounter in life that if something doesn't go the way that we want it to we feel we will "wither away and die" as Julie says. When Elizabeth points out that she won't die, Julie aptly responds that she will still "wither". Now, the scene is humorous and every woman I am sure can relate to the concept that was originally being discussed in this conversation, yet there is a deeper truth that is here that goes beyond the laughter.
Often times (and I am just as guilty of this as anyone) it can seem that circumstances can make us feel that we will "wither". I have been thinking a lot about this recently. There are several particular circumstances in my life where I want to be like Julie and say, "if this doesn't work this way than I will wither and die... okay not die, but I will wither". It sounds humorous but in reality I think a lot of times we all feel this way. We may never express it or be as dramatic, but in a lot of situations in our lives we live without the beautiful hope of finding courage.
Instead of having courage, we do wither. Instead of facing situations head on with bravery and hope, we assume the worst will happen. Instead of believing that the best things are to come, we assume that the worst will take place. Instead of living hopefully and securely knowing that we are prisoners of hope, we often live in fear of what may happen in a particular circumstance.
I was recently talking with a dear friend who has gone through a lot in her young life. She and I spoke for a few hours the other day as she talked through several difficult and daunting situations that she is facing. She grew quiet at the end of the conversation and I asked her what she was thinking about. She admitted with tears running down her cheeks, "I have realized as we have talked I don't have any courage or hope to face these situations. I assume the worst case scenario will always happen in my life." My heart broke for her and as we continued to talk I had to admit that I also sometimes feel the same way.
It can be easy in life to allow what we see and the circumstances in front of us to dictate the thought that we will wither under what is before us. It can be easy to believe that relationships that we long to see healed will always stay broken. It is easier to believe that our financial issues will never get better. It is easier to believe that we may never have the child or family we long for. It is easier to believe that our best days were behind us. It is easier to believe that when everyone is saying there is no hope, that there isn't. It is often easier to believe in the fear of what may go wrong instead of the truth of finding courage.
But here is the thing. There is a certain blessing that can only come from courage. There is a deep blessing of living fully in the hope that we don't wither when circumstances that we never expected face us. There is a beautiful blessing that comes as we live not being dismayed, not worrying, but having courage to face everything in front of us. There is a beautiful blessing that is indescribable that only comes from choosing to have courage. The English Author, C.S. Lewis once said, "Courage, dear heart"... and this is what we all sometimes need to be gently and firmly reminded of.
There is a beautiful hymn from 1898 entitled "Higher Ground" which was written by Johnson Oatman, Jr. who had felt that his life was nowhere near what he had envisioned or dreamed. The limits of his ministry and his commitments had him "locked" into a situation that didn't allow him to change the direction. As he continued to pray and seek God's will for his life and pray for miracles, he lived in hope that someday the Lord would answer his prayers. After many years of prayers and tears, at 36 years old his prayers were answered when he found that he had a love and a gift for writing hymns. One of his most popular ones that is said to be one of his favorites, is "Higher Ground". There is a section in the song that I believe speaks beautifully to this hope of finding courage. The words say:
"My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, may aim, is higher ground."
Today, let us dare to live courageously. Today, let us not let our hearts stay where doubts arise or fears dismay. Today let us face the situations in front of us with strength. Everyone around you may be speaking doubts and fears into your situation, but let us make it our prayer and aim to not live there. Today, let us speak hope and courage into every situation that we hear of. Today let us find the joy and hope ... and today let us find the blessing that comes with living a life a courage.
"The grass withers... but the word of our God will stand forever."
-Isaiah 40:8-
"...Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
-Joshua 1:9-
*original post written in August 2017 prior to Lori Loughlin's departure from the show*
Looking for past From Hope Valley Devotionals? You can click HERE to find a complete listing of all of the devotionals!
I have received several emails asking me about the books by Janette Oke that the series is based on. You may remember that I mentioned in my very first From Hope Valley Devotional post that I had read Janette Oke's series back when I was a teenager. The original book series, "The Canadian West Series" was based on Elizabeth's aunt and her adventures (she also married a Mountie). Here are the listing of the books from that series (there are six) in order:
In the last several years Janette Oke released a new series entitled, "Return to the Canadian West" which you can find listed below in order:
I receive several emails a week asking where you can watch older episodes of "When Calls the Heart". If you have a Netflix account you can find seasons 1-3 there or you can purchase them on Amazon. You can purchase and watch all of the seasons and episodes by clicking on the links below:
*Please note that the quotes used in these weekly devotionals are the sole intellectual property of Hallmark Channel, WCTH, & Crown Media, LLC. These on-line posts are in no way supported, endorsed or affiliated with WCTH, Hallmark Channel, or Crown Media. They are simply encouragement inspired by Janette Oke and this precious show.*
During the current coronavirus pandemic, mental health issues are on the rise. Throughout challenging times such as these, it’s vital to protect our own mental health and the health of our loved ones. To help you do so, there are several online resources which may be of use.
1 . National Institute Of Mental Health
The National Institute of Mental Health are dedicated to research and support for those with mental health disorders. Their goals involve prioritising scientific research to gauge an improved understanding of mental health disorders.
The website provides a number of resources including help in a crisis situation; finding the right health care provider; or joining a mental health study. The site also provides info about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatments for a wide range of mental health disorders.
2. Mental Health America
MHA is dedicated to raising awareness and offering support for mental health. MHA believes it’s important to intervene early on, to minimize negative outcomes and suffering. The Mental Health America website offers advice in the form of five different options. Users can choose one option (based on how they would describe their current mental health). The resources offer advice on what to do next to support yourself or a family member.
3. National Alliance On Mental Illness
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is a large health organization, working towards improving the lives of Americans with mental illness. NAMI works to educate communities over America, to ensure that educators, individuals and families are offered the support that they need. They work to influence the public policies that affect those with mental illness.
For those who are affected by mental illness NAMI offer a support group called ‘NAMI Connection’. They also provide a family support group especially for the families and close friends of these individuals. The website provides a number of helplines dedicated to various mental illnesses including depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.
4. Mental Health Apps
There are several mental health apps available. One example is the ‘ Depression CBT Self-Help Guide’. The application includes articles about cognitive-behavioral therapy; depression assistance audio guides; and thought diary features. Another useful app is Happify, it’s a self-care app which uses games and activities to reduce negative thoughts and improve your mood. All Happify resources are based on science, with the goal of helping users to enhance their wellbeing.
5. Psychiatry Services
Those who’ve been struggling with their mental health long-term might be well advised to seek help from a psychiatrist. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America, can help you to search for a psychiatrist online. According to Forbes, the USA psychiatry profession has experienced a shortage in the last few years. At a time when an increasing number of Americans are experiencing mental illnesses, we need psychiatry professionals more than ever. If you or anyone you know is searching for jobs in psychiatry, take a look at the Practice Match website.
While you are on this self-care journey, don’t forget to prioritize your physical health with plenty of foods that boost the immune system.
*contributed post*
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