Book Review...

Beautiful Things Happen

WHEN A WOMAN TRUSTS GOD

Talented author and Women Of Faith speaker, Sheila Walsh has written a wonderful book about trust. Trusting God. Sure we say we do and we put on the front of trusting Him, but deep down when the troubling times come do we? Really? Or do we doubt His love for us?

Through the lives of ten biblical characters Sheila gives us lessons on trusting, really trusting. Anna, Mary, Martha, Apostle Paul, Tabitha, Gideon, Joseph, Samson, Nicodemus and Abraham will remind us what happens when we really trust God. When we really let God lead us. Sheila shows us first hand through her own trials and struggles how trusting God can give us hope and happiness.

My thoughts: This book really spoke to me. I have always trusted God, giving Him my problems, but too often taking them back looking for quicker solutions. And that is not fully trusting God. I would like to share a quote from the book:
"When I stand before the Lamb of God and finally look into Jesus' eyes, I want my life to have become a thing of beauty - not because I got it all right but because with all my heart I trusted God." I highly recommend this book, you will not be disappointed!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers 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 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

until next time... nel

I Will Meet You...

It's time for one of our favorite meme's. Then Sings My Soul Saturday which is hosted by Amy over at Signs, Miracles, and Wonders. If you have a song on your heart or one that is special to you link up at Amy's corner and share it with everyone.

I would like to dedicate this post to my sister-in-law Kathy. She was 71 when she lost her battle with cancer, a little over 2 weeks ago. She left behind her husband and best friend Rocky Fastenau (my hubby's twin), 1 daughter, 2 step-daughters, 9 grand children, 2 great-grandchildren, 3 sisters, 1 brother, numerous nieces and nephews, and a lot of friends and acquaintances.

Kathy was a special lady, she loved her family more than life itself. She knew everyone in their small town of Juniata and the neigboring town of Hastings. That was obvious when the cards started pouring in. There were over 100 sympathy cards. That right there speaks multitudes for the kind of person Kathy was. She will be greatly missed.

This was taken in 2007. Myself, Stan, Rocky and Kathy in Juniata.

Taken in 2008 in Juniata.

Taken April 1, 2010 in Omaha.

Taken this last June at her 71st Birthday Party.

Unfortunately, I was only lucky enough to know Kathy for 3 1/2 years, but I feel like I have known her for a lifetime. She was a very special friend and I feel lucky to call her my sister-in-law. She will truly be missed! But some day I will meet you in the morning!

Her memorial can be found here on the Find A Grave Site. Please keep Rocky and her family in your prayers!

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there by any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Revelation 21:4

until next time... nel

Please pray...

Please remember all of us in prayer. We had to take our grandkids back early. We are on the road again to Nebraska tomorrow. Our sister in law passed. Please remember my brother in law in prayer, he is having a really hard time. And so is her daughter and Rocky's daughters. Not sure when we will be home, see all of you when we return.

until next time... nel

Guess What Time It Is...

Where does the time go? It feels like we were just doing this. Time flies when you are having fun. I must really be having fun!

It's time for one of our favorite meme's. Then Sings My Soul Saturday which is hosted by Amy over at Signs, Miracles, and Wonders. If you have a song on your heart or one that is special to you link up at Amy's corner and share it with everyone.

I have been singing this song all day. It is one of my all time favorites - How Great Thou Art. This particular one is sung by Carrie Underwood who does a wonderful job. This is one of those songs that usually brings tears to my eyes and at least one hand is raised. It says it all.

until next time... nel

Who Will You Be...

Guess what time it is? It is Flashback Friday time. Linda over at Mocha with Linda has the prompt listed, then after you write about your memories remember to link back up so we can all enjoy them. It is a great way to meet new people and make some wonderful friends.

This week we are remembering what we wanted to be when we grew up. It is strange and kind of sad I do not remember having any goals or dreams about what I wanted to do when I grew up. As a young kid I remember the passing thought of maybe being a teacher or a nurse, but those thoughts did not take up residence in my life.

My mom and dad were wonderful parents, there was a lot of love in our home, it may not of been said a lot but they showed it in their own way and you could feel it. They did not see the big picture. They had come a long way, from being dirt poor in Arkansas to owning a nice home in a nice neighborhood in Illinois. They both had jobs and worked very hard. Dad was a cement laborer in construction working for someone else, and mom worked at Chicago Hardware & Fixture Co., a tool and die company. They worked hard for what they had and were proud of what they had overcome. Dad worked very long hours sometimes from sun-up to sundown 5 to 6 days a week. Mom worked 8 to 5 Monday through Friday. Mom had visions and hoped that I would join her at Chicago Hardware. She loved her job and was good at it, and she wanted so much to share that with me.

I may not of had visions of what I wanted to be, but I definitely knew what I didn’t want to do. My mom came home every night smelling like hot metal and oil. She had to wear a long thick coat kind of like a trench coat to protect her clothes and it would be stained black from the machines and it was permeated with that smell. On weekends she would spend hours picking metal shavings out of the bottoms of her shoes with a sharp knife. She loved her job; I on the other hand hated it. I hated that she had to work in conditions like that, but I hated it even more that she wanted me to do it.

I guess my goals or dreams were just doing something different. I concentrated on business classes in high school, and thanks to my sister-in-law, Pam, I landed a job at the A.O.H.A. (American Osteopathic Hospital Association) office in Park Ridge, Illinois, as an assistant. I worked there the summer between my Junior and Senior year then for a year or so after graduation.

The last 7 or 8 years I have thought how fun and rewarding it would be to do Motivational Public Speaking.

Imagine that, me talking?

Memories, you never know where they will take you, but Thank God you have them!

I hope you have a wonderful week; we will have a busy one. These old folks will be dragging by the end of the week. Our grandkids, Eden Jade and Cain Alan are spending the week with us. Should be fun! So please accept my apologies now if I do not comment this next week. I will get caught up one of these days.

until next time… nel

Passing Through with Substance...

Blog of Substance… Wow!

My friend Jewel at Down In My Little Valley, chose me as one of her recipients of the Blog of Substance award. WooHoo! Thanks Jewel, you are too sweet! Go visit Jewel's corner of the blogging world, you won't be disappointed!

According to Webster’s Dictionary the meaning of substance includes substantial or solid character or quality. Substantial meaning of ample or considerable amount or size.

As part of the acceptance of the award you have to choose 5 words that sum up the philosophy, motivation and experience of your blog. You also have to pick 5 recipients deserving of the award. This is a hard task because there are so many good blogs out there it is hard to choose.

I looked back through my posts and remembered when I started blogging. I had always kept a journal not faithfully, but periodically. It has always been a way for me to express myself, what I am feeling and thinking. When I started blogging I knew it would be a way to witness to others and share my faith. I wasn’t sure anyone would even take the time to read it, but when I look at my stats I am overwhelmed. Isn’t God amazing?

The words I chose to represent my blog are:

Just Passing Through Enjoying Life

My five recipients are:

Elaine at Peace For The Journey
Kathleen at Sassy Granny
SusanD at This Day
Joyful at A Joyful Chaos
Cathy at Tales Of The TCKK Family

If you have not checked out these blogs I guarantee you will enjoy yourselves and meet a wonderful friend and blogging buddy!

Remember we are just passing through; hope to see you on the other side!

“In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2

until next time... nel