Book Review - A Sisterchicks' Devotional: Take Flight!

A Sisterchicks' Devotional: Take Flight!

by Robin Jones Gunn & Cindy Hannan

 

 

 

This is a really good devotional. It uses quotes from the Sisterchicks' books and covers topics such as worship, friendship, dreams, and rest. The first part of each devotional is a personal entry written by Robin and starts with a book quote. The second half is written by Cindy and connects the story to our lives. At the end of each devotional there are suggested scripture readings and a place for you to write your thoughts. I highly recommend this book and think it would be best used in a small group of friends.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Busy December and Crazy Start to January

December was busy with visiting, baking, and other fun memory making. My three year old loved making and eating roll-out cookies, mixing chex mix, and endured frosting a few cookies before being done. We made at least three batches each of cookies and chex mix to share with friends and family.

When it was finally time to leave for Grammy and Papa's house, we were more than ready to go. We made the day long trip and were very excited to see all the family. E and A loved playing with their cousins and were sad when the trip ended.

January has started off with a lot of nose blowing, coughing and other not so fun symptoms. Each of the girls had a bout of pneumonia with the younger one suffering a case of RSV also. We had about a week and a half of very miserable little girls. Thankfully, everyone is fully recovered.

My running is progressing slowly. I have run 5 miles once, but am a long way from the half-marathon distance of 13.1 miles. This week, I have already logged 8 miles with hopes of adding a few more. My wonderful husband is being very patient with my slow progress. I am signed up for a half-marathon the first weekend in March, but will probably have to walk part of it. Please be praying that I can safely train for and complete this run.

God is gracious and I am so thankful that He provided us with a wonderful time with family over Christmas and that our girls recovered quickly from their illnesses.

November

Well, I am finally writing another post. November was a busy month.
We had visits from family and friends and we made the extremely long trek to visit my northern grandparents.

Our younger daughter turned one in October and my parents came the first weekend in November to see our girls and celebrate that first birthday. We had cupcakes and took lots of pictures. We had such a nice visit and it was a balm to my wounded heart after the loss of our unborn little one.

The next weekend we were blessed to have close friends come to visit us. Their little ones played with our little ones and we grown-ups were able to visit and even get in a couple of our favorite games after the kid's bedtimes. God was so good to send friends to our home when we needed the encouragement and love that only they could offer.

We had one weekend at home before we packed up and took a long trip north. We traveled through Arkansas where we stayed one night with my sister and her family on the way up and for the return trip. Our girls had the best time playing with their cousins.

In Michigan, we had very cold weather, a little covering of snow, great chats with my grandparents, ice cream from the best ice cream parlour in the world and a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner.

On the way home we visited with college friend of Joe's and enjoyed getting to know his family.

Our life is filled with many blessings for which to be thankful.

No Heartbeat

This week, I had an ultrasound and saw our little one. This little one that should have been developing for about ten weeks was only as developed as a baby at 6 weeks gestation and had no heartbeat. Joe and I have decided to name the baby Isabella Hope. Isabella means consecrated to God because all we can do is give her back to Him. I go in on Monday to have a D&C. Please pray for us through this time. Please pray for reminders of God's faithfulness and love. Please pray for wisdom on how to tell our daughters about their little sister.

A Great Time in the Tent

This week for our preschool we have been reading about how Abraham followed God's leading and left his home to travel to a new place. He lived the rest of his life in a tent. To an adult, constant travel and life in a tent doesn't sound all that appealing. To my three year old, a tent is the coolest thing ever. For the last 2-3 months as soon as E thinks about playing the first words out of her mouth are: "You want to play with me in a tent?". It seems like we have used almost every blanket/sheet in the house to play "tent".

We set up the real tent outside on Monday and spent most of the afternoon playing on the air mattress. We had two excited children. Both our girls had a blast. This idea that came from God's Little Explorers was a HUGE success. The whole family had a great time. It isn't all that often that I set aside my agenda and just play what my little girls want to play.  I was reminded today that "Interruptions" could be divine opportunities. I want to strive to let my little "interruptions" grab my attention and use these special times to invest in the lives of my children instead of getting caught up in my list of things that I want or need to accomplish. We had so much fun and I highly recommend putting other things aside for awhile and playing and playing and playing.

Sisterchicks Do the Hula is a fun and encouraging book

Robin Jones Gunn was a favorite author of mine as a teenager, but it has been many years since I read one of her books. I recently read Sisterchicks Do the Hula and was reminded why I love her books.

 

I really enjoyed this book with its focus on friendship and how we all need at least one friend that knows us inside and out. Hope and Laurie became friends in college, but lost touch after graduation. God orchestrates a renewal of their friendship. Now they are fast approaching their fortieth birthdays and decide to take the trip to Hawaii that they had planned in their twenties.
This book emphasizes the blessings of godly friendship. The need for a friend who encourages and holds accountable. If you haven't read on of the Sisterchick books. I strongly encourage it.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Half-marathon training delayed indefinitely

I was up to running 2 miles and was ready to start on three mile runs when my husband and I discovered that we are expecting our third child. Surprise! So for many months to come, running is out. Instead, I will have frequent trips to the bathroom and the doctor's office.

When we made our discovery, I was once again reminded that: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

I am very thankful that God doesn't just work around our plans, but changes them for His purposes.