Sisterchicks in Gondolas by Robin Jones Gunn

 

"I don't think I had ever felt I had been shown grace before.  Now I knew grace was being extended to me.  What made it different this time was that I was ready to reach out and take hold of the grace being offered."-Jenna in Sisterchicks in Gondolas

 



This is my second time reading this book.  I am not sure if I have ever read one of the books in the Sisterchicks series more than once, but I am so glad I chose to do it with this one.  Sisterchicks in Gondolas is another in the Sisterchicks series by author Robin Jones Gunn.  This particular novel is set in Venice, Italy and is the story of Jenna and her sister-in-law Sue and the adventures of God's grace they experience while on a trip to Italy.  Given the opportunity to work as chefs for a men's retreat, the ladies experience the riches of Venice while experiences some of the riches God has in Him.

I alway love reading the Sisterchicks novels.  I have read them all but one, and they always bless me.  I come away feeling refreshed, just like I had been on the adventure with them.  The novels feel like the breath of God warming the soul.  Author Robin Jones Gunn is one of those writers that God has so blessed with the ability to be able to convey His presence, love, and empowering grace in the form of fiction. 

I recommend Sisterchicks in Gondolas to all women who want to be refreshed by the presence of God and go on an adventure.  This book reinforces the importance of the bonds between women and the beauty of how God works in friendships.  You will be blessed each time you pick up a novel in the Sisterchicks series. 

Many blesses to you as you read!

~Beth


"He restores my soul."-Psalm 23:3

To read an excerpt from the novel, please go here.

To learn more about Robin Jones Gunn, please go here.



Disclosure Statement:  I received this book free of charge as part of a free books for bloggers program from Waterbrook Multnomah.  I was not required to give a favorable review.  The thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

When Your Parent Becomes Your Child by Ken Abraham

 

"Each evening, as the music moved from upbeat, joyful jubilation to a slower, more deliberate worshipful mood, I watched Mom out of the corner of my eye.  Slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, she tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and raised her hands above her head as expressions of praise and adoration of the Lord.  She often did something similar during our Sunday services.  As I observed my mom worshipping God so unabashedly, I thought, It's worth moving her here just to see that."

-Excerpt from Chapter 12, "The Spiritual Matters," in When Your Parent Becomes Your Child

 

When Your Parent Becomes Your Child is a memoir written by Ken Abraham about the last years of his mother's life.  His mom, Minnie, developed dementia later on in her life.  This book is the story of how he spent the last years with his mom.  Readers who choose this book will learn about a very spiritual woman and how the dementia affected every area of her life.  There is a lot of information about the disease and wisdom from a very caring son on how to address situations when caring for a parent who is suffering from dementia.

It only took me two days to read this book.  I couldn't put it down.  It is very well written, albeit sad.  As a daughter of aging parents, this book provided some answers I had questions to about how to handle possible situations with mine and my husband's parents.  I admire the family's love for their aging mother and the efforts they made to make sure the last years of her life were full of joy and comfort.

I would recommend this book to people with aging parents.  Even if you don't have a parent who is experiencing dementia, your parents will age and this book might offer some insight on how to approach and handle certain situations.  If you have a parent with dementia, this book can also bring some comfort and wisdom to you.

One of the best things about the book was the fact that Mrs. Abraham's relationship with Jesus was at the very core of who she was.  It radiated out into everything she did.  I love that and that she passed that love of the Lord onto her children.  What a testimony!

To read an excerpt from the book, please go here.

 

Disclosure statement:  This book was provided to me free as part of a free books for Bloggers program at Booksneeze.  I was not required to give a favorable review.  The thoughts and opinions here are entirely my own.



Writing with Your Children at Christmas

I don't know about everybody else, but I am tired.  I imagine a lot of homeschoolers are tired at this time of the year and ready for a little break.  Christmas is a wonderful time to slow down and try to make things more fun at home (if we are not already!) 

Writing with your children can be extra fun at this time of the year.  It doesn't have to be structured, or even graded...you just need a little writing prompt to start.  It is a good time to practice.

As I was preparing for writing this post, I did a little brainstorming of my own.  One thing that came to mind was that movie, A Christmas Story. In the movie, Ralphie is asked to write a "theme" about what he wants for Christmas.  This could be a starting point for your little ones too.

To practice writing this month, you and your children could brainstorm a list of ideas or "writing prompts" and write about a new one everyday.  When they are finished, put all the writing together and make a little book.  At the end of the year, you will have a writing sample, something to demonstrate progress from year to year, and maybe a little keepsake.

Ideas for writing prompts:

What I Want For Christmas

Why Christmas is Special to Me

My Favorite Christmas Movie

My Favorite Bible Verse at Christmas

What I Want to Bake with My Mom at Christmas


Before you even get started, you might create a book, so that each day's writing can just be recorded in the book.  One fun idea that comes to mind is to cut out a construction paper Christmas tree.  Cut the front and back of the book out of green construction paper and fill the pages in between with regular writing paper shaped like trees.  It is your child's project.  Let them make it their own.

If you need help with writing prompts, just google "Christmas writing prompts."  Another option for writing ideas is to read Christmas stories and have your child write a response to their favorites.  There are so many things you can do with writing at Christmas.


Many blessings to you and Merry Christmas!

~Beth

"And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”-Luke 1:31-33