About a month ago I was scrolling through my Instagram, and one of my favorite authors was doing a book giveaway for her new book that is set to be released in December. I entered the contest not expecting to win, BUT I DID! *grin* I've won other books from other authors, but none of them included a note with the book, and autographed the book! *grin* I smiled when it arrived in my mailbox and wanted to take a moment and share my thoughts on the book.
I've read several books by Mrs. Richards, but, this one was my favorite! I typically devour books I love, but this one I took my time reading because it was so well written. Mrs. Richards did a great job giving the main characters in her book a voice. I felt like I was right there, and loved every moment of it. (This one is written as a YA novel, but I read them anyway. *giggle*)
You're probably wondering what it's about, right?
Mallory, the main character didn't want to leave home, but it wasn't safe to stay. Mallory meets Spencer at the library and an adventure begins. I LOVED these characters and honestly didn't want the book to end. When it did end, I was left wanting a sequel. *grin* I wonder if Mrs. Richards did that on purpose? *giggle*
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!
Funny enough this month was the month I chose the book in my book club, but of course this book won't be released until December. *grin* I'm going to keep it in mind though for the next time I can choose a book because I think everyone in the book club would enjoy it.
So, perhaps you're looking for a book to read. This book comes out December 4th, and I highly recommend it! If you're looking for a good Christmas gift, this is a good one! *grin*
You know me, I don't recommend a book UNLESS it's really good! This one is now in my top ten of all-time!
*grin*
LIFE.
IS.
AWESOME...with GREAT books in your To Be Read pile. *grin*
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Monday, October 22, 2018
A Little Bit of Heaven
I've heard it said over and over again how Camp Barnabas is a little bit of Heaven. I've always agreed with it, but this weekend it was repeatedly shown to me. I'm not sure it can be put into words, but I want to try. It's my second home for sure. *grin*
Okay, wait, the weekend began for me on Thursday night when a friend and I went to see Hillsong lead worship. It was an unforgettable night for me, and we were on the sixth row! Squeeeeaaaallllll! It filled me up in a way I didn't realize I needed to be. I connected with Him, that's the short of it all. I LOVED IT! *grin*
Friday morning I got up, took Jay the furry kid to his own little camp, and headed out for Barnabas. I knew some of that people that were coming, but not all. *grin* It made me smile. I knew it would be bittersweet though, as some of the leadership has been moved onto a new chapter, with His prompting. Several times I caught myself missing them for one reason or another. At the same time, He reminded me that change is good. Even though I fight change, when it's led by Him, it's always good. *grin*
I arrived at camp, had several hugs welcoming me back, and headed to my cabin. There were two cabin Moms assigned to my cabin, and it worked out great. We balanced each other out well and each brought our own version of love to the cabin. I LOVE having two cabin Moms because we can be split (one with campers in one spot & one in the other) and still be helping in our own way. *grin*
Camper Arrival, it is now the picture I think of when I think of arriving in Heaven. My name being called, people cheering, and then He runs up, wraps me in His arms, and it's a celebration! *grin* I think Camper Arrival is amazing, and I've seen it for 11 years. It is emotional, and happy, and sweet all at the same time. The kids who may not be cheered for outside of the gates are cheered for inside the gates. I love it!
I went to my cabin after one of my girls from Sunday School came to camp for the first time this weekend. Bella was nervous as could be, but adapted pretty quickly. She did stay by me a lot at first, but she got to know her missionary and they had a FANTASTIC time. I purposely removed myself from them at times, as I could see God was in the midst of their relationship. It was so fun to watch!
And Ronni was there. I had prayed all week that Ronni would be okay with my new friend being in the same cabin, and honestly she didn't get upset once with me. *grin* The advantage Ronni has is that EVERYONE knows her, so she doesn't NEED me, so it was easy to do my own thing. We did have moments where we were tight, but, more often than not she was off doing other things. That made me smile. I've known her since 2008, and she's grown up SO MUCH! It was tons of fun.
My favorite activity at Barn-a-breaks is the talent show. In a world outside the gates, "talent" by people with special needs isn't always appreciated. Inside the gates, you'd think the campers were winning oscars or something. *grin* You kinda have to be there to get it, but, it was such a fun evening. If the campers went up to sing, that was fun because all of us in the audience sang along. We had two people in wheelchairs dance, and my personal favorite was the boy that went up to say a joke, and all he could say was "knock knock" because he was laughing so hard at himself. *giggle* I took a picture of everyone that went up to perform. It was a night of laughter and love. It was also the night standing "O" made a comeback. I loved it. *grin* Also, the stage was back in the middle of the dining hall, which I LOVE. In that little world that we call the Barn-A-Bubble, it was a night that reminded me of the kindness and heart of the human spirit. It was unforgettable for me. *grin*
It was the first time in Barn-A-Break history that we had the Joy, Enthusiasm, Fun, and Fellowship (JEFF) contest. We have it during the Terms (weeks) of summer but we've never had it at the weekend events. I LOVED IT! Oh, and MY CABIN WON! *grin* Root Beer Floats for us! It was priceless.
Finally, we also had shirts for the event. Barn-A-Break shirts! *grin* The shirt I got is quite possibly the cutest Barnabas shirt I own. It was really neat to have new things (shirts, JEFF, etc) at Barn-A-Break. I tend to get sad when leadership changes, but He is continually reminding me that change is good. Very good. I will miss some of the people from time to time, but change is good. Very good.
The theme this weekend was "Family Reunion" and I can honestly say that it felt like that. I made new friends for sure, but the returners, well, made it SO SWEET! *grin* I remember in 2007 when I went there and how nervous I was, and now I can't imagine my life without those people in it. Truly.
One last thing I want to post because it mattered to me, came Saturday morning when I was talking to a staff member. She thanked me for taking time during the last Barn-A-Break to minister to her regarding her boyfriend situation. I don't remember what I said, but she did. Once she said it, I kinda remembered it, but not as clearly as she did. God used that moment to show me, you never know when you're making a difference in someone's life and being used by Him. Truly. *grin*
If you can, I encourage you to visit that little bubble of Heaven in the future. If you can't go there, look up Camp Barnabas on Youtube. You'll get to see a glimpse of it, but you won't fully get it unless you're there. *grin*
Family Reunion. Yep, that's what those people are to me.
Family.
*grin*
LIFE.
IS.
AWESOME!
Okay, wait, the weekend began for me on Thursday night when a friend and I went to see Hillsong lead worship. It was an unforgettable night for me, and we were on the sixth row! Squeeeeaaaallllll! It filled me up in a way I didn't realize I needed to be. I connected with Him, that's the short of it all. I LOVED IT! *grin*
Friday morning I got up, took Jay the furry kid to his own little camp, and headed out for Barnabas. I knew some of that people that were coming, but not all. *grin* It made me smile. I knew it would be bittersweet though, as some of the leadership has been moved onto a new chapter, with His prompting. Several times I caught myself missing them for one reason or another. At the same time, He reminded me that change is good. Even though I fight change, when it's led by Him, it's always good. *grin*
I arrived at camp, had several hugs welcoming me back, and headed to my cabin. There were two cabin Moms assigned to my cabin, and it worked out great. We balanced each other out well and each brought our own version of love to the cabin. I LOVE having two cabin Moms because we can be split (one with campers in one spot & one in the other) and still be helping in our own way. *grin*
Camper Arrival, it is now the picture I think of when I think of arriving in Heaven. My name being called, people cheering, and then He runs up, wraps me in His arms, and it's a celebration! *grin* I think Camper Arrival is amazing, and I've seen it for 11 years. It is emotional, and happy, and sweet all at the same time. The kids who may not be cheered for outside of the gates are cheered for inside the gates. I love it!
I went to my cabin after one of my girls from Sunday School came to camp for the first time this weekend. Bella was nervous as could be, but adapted pretty quickly. She did stay by me a lot at first, but she got to know her missionary and they had a FANTASTIC time. I purposely removed myself from them at times, as I could see God was in the midst of their relationship. It was so fun to watch!
And Ronni was there. I had prayed all week that Ronni would be okay with my new friend being in the same cabin, and honestly she didn't get upset once with me. *grin* The advantage Ronni has is that EVERYONE knows her, so she doesn't NEED me, so it was easy to do my own thing. We did have moments where we were tight, but, more often than not she was off doing other things. That made me smile. I've known her since 2008, and she's grown up SO MUCH! It was tons of fun.
My favorite activity at Barn-a-breaks is the talent show. In a world outside the gates, "talent" by people with special needs isn't always appreciated. Inside the gates, you'd think the campers were winning oscars or something. *grin* You kinda have to be there to get it, but, it was such a fun evening. If the campers went up to sing, that was fun because all of us in the audience sang along. We had two people in wheelchairs dance, and my personal favorite was the boy that went up to say a joke, and all he could say was "knock knock" because he was laughing so hard at himself. *giggle* I took a picture of everyone that went up to perform. It was a night of laughter and love. It was also the night standing "O" made a comeback. I loved it. *grin* Also, the stage was back in the middle of the dining hall, which I LOVE. In that little world that we call the Barn-A-Bubble, it was a night that reminded me of the kindness and heart of the human spirit. It was unforgettable for me. *grin*
It was the first time in Barn-A-Break history that we had the Joy, Enthusiasm, Fun, and Fellowship (JEFF) contest. We have it during the Terms (weeks) of summer but we've never had it at the weekend events. I LOVED IT! Oh, and MY CABIN WON! *grin* Root Beer Floats for us! It was priceless.
Finally, we also had shirts for the event. Barn-A-Break shirts! *grin* The shirt I got is quite possibly the cutest Barnabas shirt I own. It was really neat to have new things (shirts, JEFF, etc) at Barn-A-Break. I tend to get sad when leadership changes, but He is continually reminding me that change is good. Very good. I will miss some of the people from time to time, but change is good. Very good.
The theme this weekend was "Family Reunion" and I can honestly say that it felt like that. I made new friends for sure, but the returners, well, made it SO SWEET! *grin* I remember in 2007 when I went there and how nervous I was, and now I can't imagine my life without those people in it. Truly.
One last thing I want to post because it mattered to me, came Saturday morning when I was talking to a staff member. She thanked me for taking time during the last Barn-A-Break to minister to her regarding her boyfriend situation. I don't remember what I said, but she did. Once she said it, I kinda remembered it, but not as clearly as she did. God used that moment to show me, you never know when you're making a difference in someone's life and being used by Him. Truly. *grin*
If you can, I encourage you to visit that little bubble of Heaven in the future. If you can't go there, look up Camp Barnabas on Youtube. You'll get to see a glimpse of it, but you won't fully get it unless you're there. *grin*
Family Reunion. Yep, that's what those people are to me.
Family.
*grin*
LIFE.
IS.
AWESOME!
Friday, October 12, 2018
"There Are Friends Everywhere"
I remember in my first teaching job, I got to know A LOT of amazing people. One of them, Jill, said a few quotes that I have held onto during various parts of my life. I doubt she even knows what they did for me, as she was just being Jill. *grin* The quote? We were talking about moving, and she said, "Oh, there are friends everywhere." I didn't think much of it at the time, but I was reminded of that today.
Over the past three weeks, I've continued to build relationships at my new job. I'll openly admit that when I resigned at my former job, I kept battling the thought, "You have to start all over with friendships." That petrified me, to be honest. At the same time, this year has been a series of working for my faith to be bigger than my fears. Thankfully, I've prayed through this to get to where I am. *grin*
See, the past three weeks I've been so busy that I haven't had time to blog. I mean that in a FUN way! I have gone to work, gotten home and changed, and then have attended social events. It's been SO MUCH FUN! I didn't do anything like that last school year because I was always working. Now, I have freedom and am enjoying it.
I'm building friendships. Church. Work. Bible Study. Everywhere.
I remember thinking the second week of my job that relationships take time, and how I hated that. It's hard to be the new kid in a company that you're learning the ropes. However, almost three months in, and I KNOW I'm where I'm to be for now.
Today we had our "open house" for our Kansas office. Meaning, everyone came and spent time sharing with various people about our company. In between people coming in, I got to know more of my co-workers. I have to say, I LOVE each of the people I work with on a daily basis. My favorite part of today was LAUGHTER! There was so much laughter that I remembered Jill's quote, and she's right. Everywhere you go, there are friends.
I'm so very glad that I stepped out and followed His leading to take this job. *grin* I remember looking around at the staff I was on in May, and how a part of me didn't want to leave that staff. I dreaded having to learn a new whole staff.
Now? I can't imagine life without my new friends. *grin* I am blessed. Totally.
LIFE.
IS.
GOOD! *grin*
Over the past three weeks, I've continued to build relationships at my new job. I'll openly admit that when I resigned at my former job, I kept battling the thought, "You have to start all over with friendships." That petrified me, to be honest. At the same time, this year has been a series of working for my faith to be bigger than my fears. Thankfully, I've prayed through this to get to where I am. *grin*
See, the past three weeks I've been so busy that I haven't had time to blog. I mean that in a FUN way! I have gone to work, gotten home and changed, and then have attended social events. It's been SO MUCH FUN! I didn't do anything like that last school year because I was always working. Now, I have freedom and am enjoying it.
I'm building friendships. Church. Work. Bible Study. Everywhere.
I remember thinking the second week of my job that relationships take time, and how I hated that. It's hard to be the new kid in a company that you're learning the ropes. However, almost three months in, and I KNOW I'm where I'm to be for now.
Today we had our "open house" for our Kansas office. Meaning, everyone came and spent time sharing with various people about our company. In between people coming in, I got to know more of my co-workers. I have to say, I LOVE each of the people I work with on a daily basis. My favorite part of today was LAUGHTER! There was so much laughter that I remembered Jill's quote, and she's right. Everywhere you go, there are friends.
I'm so very glad that I stepped out and followed His leading to take this job. *grin* I remember looking around at the staff I was on in May, and how a part of me didn't want to leave that staff. I dreaded having to learn a new whole staff.
Now? I can't imagine life without my new friends. *grin* I am blessed. Totally.
LIFE.
IS.
GOOD! *grin*
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