Book Review: The Family of Jesus

Heart of the Story: The Family of Jesus
by Karen Kingsbury
2014
240 pages

Synopsis
Through The Family of Jesus, listeners will develop an emotional connection to the family members of Jesus, learning about their lives and falling in love with Scripture along the way. Bible studies and devotionals abound, and in churches everywhere people gather to seek a deeper understanding of God’s word and its application to their lives. But too often these studies engage only the analytic approach to Bible learning.

In The Family of Jesus, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist Karen Kingsbury will make you laugh, cry, and ultimately care more deeply about the Bible by helping you grasp the truths in Scripture not just with your mind, but with your heart. The characters in these short stories were among those closest to Jesus—Mary, Joseph, Jesus’ brother James, John the Baptist, Zechariah, and Elizabeth. Each has a compelling tale to tell. Kingsbury intersperses fictional, emotionally gripping details anchored in Scripture with historical and theological insights and questions that will guide soul-searching and reflection.

The Family of Jesus not only provides a deeper understanding of the relatives of our Savior, but also helps listeners acquire tools that will draw them closer to Christ, to the Scriptures, and to each other.

Rating: 5 / 5 Stars

My Review:
A beautifully written novel looking at the lives of 6 family members of Jesus: his parents, Mary and Joseph, his aunt and uncle, Elizabeth and Zechariah, his cousin John the Baptist, and his brother James. I found the stories worked well together and told the story of Jesus' upbringing and ministry quite well. There were some parts that were obviously made up as it's not mentioned in the Bible, but that needed to happen in order to pull all the stories together, and to adequately portray the different character's lives. It was well-written, descriptive, and interesting to read about each of their different perspectives. I also like that she added a Bible Study to the novel, so that you could either work on it through your own devotions, or do it with a church group. Next time I'll get it from the library without doing the "Express" read, so I can take some time doing the studies.

Book Review: No Turning Back

No Turning Back
by Susan Lewis
2012
544 pages

Synopsis:
Eva Montgomery is at the peak of her career when she is viciously attacked by a stalker. While still traumatised, she makes the biggest mistake of her life -- one she can never turn back from.

Sixteen years later, Eva has managed to rebuild her life in a way that seemed impossible after the attack. Her home in Dorset, high on the cliffs overlooking the sea, is as elegant as she is, but bears none of the scars. To an outsider, her world seems perfect in every way.

Then the past invades the present -- with shattering consequences.

Hurt, frightened and confused, Eva struggles desperately to put right the terrible mistake she made sixteen years ago and finally break free from a past that nearly destroyed her.

Rating: 2 / 5 Stars

My Review:
At first I thought I wouldn't be able to finish this book. The beginning was really long and drawn-out, and somewhat confusing. I decided to keep plugging along, and I'm glad I did, because the story did pick up and get more interesting. The characters were interesting and the dialogue was pretty good. There were many spots where I had to go back and re-read a section because I wasn't sure what was going on, or who did what, etc. Then there were other parts that I skimmed quickly because it was a lot of drawn-out detail. I'm glad I stuck through it though, as I really enjoyed the ending and how things came to a close. I will try more of her novels because she has good story ideas, but I hope the writing style improves or differs from this one.

Recipe: Chocolate Macaroons

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3 cups oatmeal
• 1 cup coconut
• 6 Tbsps cocoa
• 1 tsp vanilla

Steps

1. In a large pot, combine butter, sugar and milk.
2. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring often.
3. Meanwhile get other ingredients ready, in separate bowls/containers.
4. Once mixture has boiled, remove from heat.
5. Add in cocoa and stir.
6. Add in vanilla and stir.
7. Add in coconut and stir.
8. Add in oatmeal and stir.
9. When mixture is stirred in completely, drop by spoonful onto wax paper on baking pans.
10. Refrigerate/Freeze until set.

- Taken from my Mom's recipe

Book Review: Her Last Breath

Her Last Breath (Kate Burkholder #5)
by Linda Castillo
2013
320 pages

Synopsis
An extraordinarily beautiful Amish woman, a dangerous femme fatale, is the central figure in a story that reveals a dark side of Painters Mill and its seemingly perfect Amish world

A rainy night, an Amish father returning home with his three children, a speeding car hurtling toward them out of nowhere.
What at first seems like a tragic, but routine car accident  suddenly takes on a more sinister cast as evidence emerges that nothing about the crash is accidental.  But who would want to kill an Amish deacon and two of his children? He leaves behind a grieving widow and a young boy who clings to life in the intensive care wing of a hospital, unable to communicate.  He may be the only one who knows what happened that night.  Desperate to find out who killed her best friend’s husband and why, Kate begins to suspect she is not looking for a reckless drunk, but instead is on the trail of a cold blooded killer amid the residents of Painter’s Mill.  It is a search that takes her on a  chilling journey into the darkest reaches of the human heart and makes her question everything she has ever believed about the Amish culture into which she was born. 

Rating: 5 / 5 Stars

My Review:
I found this one really intriguing because it tied in part of Kate's past that was talked about in the first book of the series. I think it'll still come up in the next one, and I'm curious to see how it'll be resolved. The murder in this book of the series was absolutely crazy and not what I was expecting at all. It makes me happy when I'm reading that the author just pulls off a random and crazy twist to make me realize that I wasn't on the right track. It keeps me guessing, book after book, what really took place. I'm eagerly waiting the next book to get into the library so I can read it. Lastly, I was very pleased with how Kate dealt with the Tomasetti situation. I love that man, and it frustrated me to see how she could so quickly and easily just toss that away. I'm glad that at the end of this novel she finally came to her senses!

Recipe: Mac & Cheese w/ Cheez Whiz

Ingredients

• 1 lb macaroni
• 1/2 cup butter
• 24 oz shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Cheez Whiz
• 1 cup milk
• salt and pepper
• 1 cup crushed crackers, Corn Flakes or Special K cereal

Steps

1. Butter a 9 x 13 pan.
2. Cook macaroni.
3. Once the macaroni is cooked, pour it into the pan.
4. Mix in the butter throughout the macaroni
5. Spread in the Cheez Whiz and shredded cheese. Mix in well.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Pour milk overtop of cheese and macaroni.
8. Sprinkle crumbs overtop.
9. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

- Pinned from Food.com

Book Review: Gone Missing

Gone Missing (Kate Burkholder #4)
by Linda Castillo
2012
288 pages

Synopsis
Rumspringa is the time when Amish teens are allowed to experience life without the rules. It’s an exciting time of personal discovery and growth before committing to the church. But when a young teen disappears without a trace, the carefree fun comes to an abrupt and sinister end, and fear spreads through the community like a contagion.

A missing child is a nightmare to all parents, and never more so than in the Amish community, where family ties run deep. When the search for the presumed runaway turns up a dead body, the case quickly becomes a murder investigation. And chief of Police Kate Burkholder knows that in order to solve this case she will have to call upon everything she has to give not only as a cop, but as a woman whose own Amish roots run deep.

Kate and state agent, John Tomasetti, delve into the lives of the missing teen and discover links to cold cases that may go back years. But will Kate piece together all the parts of this sinister puzzle in time to save the missing teen and the Amish community from a devastating fate? Or will she find herself locked in a fight to the death with a merciless killer?

Rating: 5 / 5 Stars

My Review:
Once again, Castillo did not disappoint me with this 4th book. The most surprising thing was the ending, which ended in a cliffhanger - so part of the mystery was left "unsolved," by Kate, although the readers got an understanding of what happened afterwards. There was less of a poignancy of Kate's character growth in this one, as I didn't get too see as much of an emotional connection to the cases as I did in the other ones. There was still a definite connection, but not one that truly affected her or changed her character. I'm very excited to get started on the fifth one, especially to see how her and Tomasetti move forward in their relationship, especially after he dropped the question of moving in together.

Book Review: Breaking Silence

Breaking Silence (Kate Burkholder #3)
by Linda Castillo
2011
302 pages

Synopsis:
Police Chief Kate Burkholder is called to the scene of a horrific tragedy on a peaceful Amish farm.

The Slabaugh family are model Amish farmers, prosperous and hardworking, with four children and a happy extended family. When the parents and an uncle are found dead in their barn, it appears to be a gruesome accident: methane gas asphyxiation caused by a poorly ventilated cesspit. But in the course of a routine autopsy, the coroner discovers that one of the victims suffered a head wound before death—clearly, foul play was involved. But who would want to make orphans of the Slabaughs’ children? And is this murder somehow related to a recent string of shocking hate crimes against the Amish?

Having grown up Amish, Kate is determined to bring the killer to justice. Because the other series of attacks are designated hate crimes, the state sends in agent John Tomasetti, with whom Kate has a long and complex relationship. Together, they search for the link between the crimes—and uncover a dark secret at work beneath the placid surface of this idyllic Amish community.

Rating: 5 / 5 Stars

My Review:
Once again, I wasn't disappointed by this novel. The third in the series, and just as captivating as the others. I was thrown for a loop at the end with the final twist, but I find that extremely intriguing about her writing - I never know how she'll make the plot lines interconnect or finish. I also really enjoyed reading about the continuing relationship between Kate and Tomasetti - I'm really in love with John's character and how he has grown. I just hope that in the future books that he doesn't die or they don't break up. I will be truly heartbroken if that happens. This particular novel in the series has shown a great growth in Kate, and it was good to see some real raw emotion from her.

Book Review: Pray for Silence

Pray for Silence (Katie Burkholder #2)
by Linda Castillo
2010
304 pages

Synopsis:
The Plank family moved from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to join the small Amish community of Painters Mill less than a year ago and seemed the model of the Plain Life—until on a cold October night, the entire family of seven was found slaughtered on their farm. Police Chief Kate Burkholder and her small force have few clues, no motive, and no suspect. Formerly Amish herself, Kate is no stranger to the secrets the Amish keep from the English—and each other—but this crime is horribly out of the ordinary.

State agent John Tomasetti arrives on the scene to assist. He and Kate worked together on a previous case during which they began a volatile relationship. They soon realize the disturbing details of this case will test their emotional limits and force them to face demons from their own troubled pasts—and for Kate, a personal connection that is particularly hard to bear.

When she discovers a diary that belonged to one of the teenaged daughters, Kate is shocked to learn the girl kept some very dark secrets and may have been living a lurid double life. Who is the charismatic stranger who stole the young Amish girl’s heart? Could the brother—a man with a violent past, rejected and shunned by his family and the Amish community, have come to seek out revenge? As Kate’s outrage grows so does her resolve to find the killer and bring him to justice—even if it means putting herself in the line of fire.

Rating: 5 / 5 Stars

My Review:
I found this one just as captivating as the first in the series. The author has a really great art of tying tons of different plots together, and making tons of twists and turns throughout the novel. Plus she's pretty good at depicting raw and true emotions of all of her characters. This one has more "shocking" details to the types of murders, and I will admit to being scared at night when hearing noises in the house. This one didn't take me too long at all to read, mostly because I knew all of the characters from the first book, so it was just like another "episode" that I was watching/reading. I'm working on the third one as we speak.

Book Review: The Fault In Our Stars

The Fault In Our Stars
by John Green
2012
318 Pages

Synopsis
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars

My Review:
It was a slow start getting into this book, but after the part of them being in Amsterdam, that's when it picked up for me. Some of the parts were either confusing or a bit much for me (like discussing the books that they enjoyed - I know that was a main part of the plot, but it didn't appeal to me at all). The dialogue was realistic for sure, as were the depictions of the characters going through the different stages of disease, suffering, survival and mourning. I of course cried during the sentimental parts between Hazel and her parents. Maybe as a mother now reading these types of YA novels will hit me differently than before.

Book Review: Sworn to Silence

Sworn to Silence (Katie Burkholder #1)
by Linda Castillo
2009
321 pages

Synopsis
A killer is preying on sacred ground....

In the sleepy rural town of Painters Mill, Ohio, the Amish and “English” residents have lived side by side for two centuries. But sixteen years ago, a series of brutal murders shattered the peaceful farming community. In the aftermath of the violence, the town was left with a sense of fragility, a loss of innocence. Kate Burkholder, a young Amish girl, survived the terror of the Slaughterhouse Killer but came away from its brutality with the realization that she no longer belonged with the Amish.

Now, a wealth of experience later, Kate has been asked to return to Painters Mill as Chief of Police. Her Amish roots and big city law enforcement background make her the perfect candidate. She’s certain she’s come to terms with her past—until the first body is discovered in a snowy field. Kate vows to stop the killer before he strikes again. But to do so, she must betray both her family and her Amish past—and expose a dark secret that could destroy her

Rating: 5 / 5 Stars

My Review

This book was fantastic. I found it extremely intriguing and I loved all of the characters. At first I wasn't expecting there to be so much discussion about the Amish lifestyle - I thought they were just using an "Amish town" as the setting, but it really goes much deeper than that. I thoroughly enjoy reading Amish Christian Fiction (which is of course much more happier and positive than that of a suspense thriller), so I was happy to appreciate all the Amish aspects of this novel. I found the writing really easy to follow, and it was quite realistic. The characters were great and easy to connect with. I especially enjoyed reading about the up-and-down relationship between Tomasetti and Katie. I'm so excited to read the rest of the series!

Recipe: Homemade Pizzas (with premade shells)

A family favourite for sure. Now I just need to learn how to make my own shells/dough.

Ingredients

• Premade frozen pizza shells (we buy them from Buns Master)
• pizza sauce
• green pepper
• pepperoni
• shredded mozzarella cheese
• any other toppings you like (mushrooms and onions - my parents like those on it)

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Spread sauce onto shells. Make sure it reaches close to the edges and is even throughout.

3. Add diced peppers.

4. Add sliced pepperoni.

5. Sprinkle a generous amount of cheese on top of everything.

6. Bake for 10 minutes, or until edges of pizza shell are brown.

Great for toddlers ;)

Recipe: Nutella Brownie Muffins

These are so delicious! My new go-to snack during pregnancy ;)

Ingredients

• 1 cup of Nutella
• 10 Tbsp flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Steps

1. Add first three items to a bowl.

2. Mix all together.

3. Stir in chocolate chips.

4. Pour into muffin cups.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-22 minutes.

- from Instructables, pinned from Pinterest

Don't Be Shaken

I'm very excited to do my first "Verse by Verse Link Up" with Blogs By Christian Women! I've been looking for inspiration and ideas of what to write in my blog, and along with my book reviews, recipes and product reviews, I really feel like I need to do more reflecting on my faith and devotions here too.

*I also hope I'm doing this whole link up thing right!

There are a lot of verses in the Bible that talk about keeping your focus on God, praying from the heart, and seeking Him in all that you do. It makes perfect sense on paper, after all God is in control of everything, but it is incredibly difficult to do, especially in some stressful circumstances.

I find that it's easy to praise God and focus on Him when things are going extremely well in my life. It's easy because I'm content, feel utterly blessed by Him, and I am thankful to Him for all that He's given to us. However the real challenge comes lies in keeping my eyes on God through the more difficult times.

This verse clearly states that if I always keep my eyes on God, He will always be right beside me, and I cannot be shaken. What an amazing promise that is! If I could only focus my attention on this promise, and not rush into worrying about what will happen or won't happen. God promises to take care of us, to comfort us, to lift us up in times of trouble, to protect us, and to provide for us. So how is it that things like money problems, health issues, relationship troubles and trivial things cause us to focus on those difficulties first, rather than focussing on the One who promises to keep us from shaking?

Such a powerful verse, and one that I really needed to memorize and learn. We're going through some financial difficulty at the moment, as I face a layoff in my job. However I am trying to stay optimistic and rely on God to pull us through this time. I'm praying for the numbers at my school to increase so that I can return in Sept. 2015 after my mat leave. I'm hoping that this is the institution where God would have me teach. Overall, I am realizing that I need to put my hope and trust in God, and know that He will protect me and keep from being shaken.

So in the meantime, I need to keep my eyes on God. I need to read His word. I need to pray to Him throughout the day, especially when I feel overwhelmed, worried, or exhausted. I need to talk with my husband about my worries, and pray with him over them. Likewise I need to listen to my husband, and pray with him over his worries.

Lately I've been listening to a lot more Christian music and I've found that I've been feeling more calm and peaceful about everything going on. I've been able to enjoy my pregnancy, and my time at home with my son now that it's summertime and school has ended. I plan to continue doing so, as I find this another great way to keep my focus on God and His presence in my life.

Recipe: Fruit Smoothies [Toddler Approved]

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup yogurt
• 1 1/2 cup fruit
• 2 Tbsp fruit juice
• 1/4-3/4 cups milk (I use closer to 3/4 cups)

Steps

1. Combine yogurt, fruit and juice into the blender.

2. Pulse several times to blend the chunks of fruit.

3. Add milk, Tbsp at a time, to get the desired consistency.

4. Pour into sippy cup with a rubber/soft plastic lid.

If you have too much and want to freeze it, just pour the remainder into a freezer storage bag. When wanting to eat it, let it thaw for an hour, and knead the bag with your hands. Add extra milk to make it the best consistency for you.

- from Once A Month Meals Blog

Smoothies I've Attempted for Ryan

#1 - 1/2 banana, field berry mix (frozen), apple & peach juice, original plain yogurt

My son is going through a very picky stage right now, so I thought smoothies would be the best way for him to get the extra fruits and veggies that he refuses to eat throughout the day. He took four big sips of this smoothie, but it isn't his favourite yet. He at least tried it, and kept trying to take more sips of it (granted the sips were 15 mins - 1 hour apart), which is more than what he's done with any other food lately.

Product Review: Kiwi Kraze Frozen Yogurt

My friends recently introduced me to the amazing place of Kiwi Kraze, which is a self-serve frozen yogurt place. I've been twice now, and I can honestly say I absolutely love it! While some people complain about the price - it's based on weight - the quality of the yogurt and it's toppings is well worth it!

There are so many flavours to choose from. They have chocolate for lovers like me, and strawberry for the fruit lovers. There's blueberry cheesecake, orange sorbet, french vanilla, cotton candy and peanut butter too! The best part is that the majority of these flavours are all non-fat, which is a great healthy option (as opposed to ice cream at other places.)

Then of course there's the toppings! Anything from fresh fruit, to candy pieces, to brownie bits and Reese's peanut butter cups. There's tons of sprinkle choices, Oreo crumbs, and crushed nuts too. Lastly the sauces are great too. I go between the Nutella and the hot fudge sauce. There's also caramel and strawberry sauce.

The best part for me is that this place is very kid friendly. My toddler loves the yogurt just as much as me, and he also loves the atmosphere in the place. He can colour a picture while I socialize with my friends, or pull up a little kiddie chair with me.

Both times that I've gone to the same location I've found it very clean, well-kept, and the staff was friendly.

I may have found a replacement for Dairy Queen!! (Although I do still love the Blizzards there, so it won't be a "permanent" replacement, just a better choice overall!)

Book Review: I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban

I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban
MalalaYousafzai, Christina Lamb
2013
327 pages

Synopsis
When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, one girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education.

On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, when she was fifteen, she almost paid the ultimate price. She was shot in the head at point-blank range while riding the bus home from school, and few expected her to survive.

Instead, Malala's miraculous recovery has taken her on an extraordinary journey from a remote valley in northern Pakistan to the halls of the United Nations in New York. At sixteen, she has become a global symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest nominee ever for the Nobel Peace Prize.

I Am Malala is the remarkable tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism, of the fight for girls' education, of a father who, himself a school owner, championed and encouraged his daughter to write and attend school, and of brave parents who have a fierce love for their daughter in a society that prizes sons.

I Am Malala will make you believe in the power of one person's voice to inspire change in the world.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

My Review
This was definitely an interesting read, despite my personal preference of not really enjoying non-fiction books. However, she leads a very inspiring life as you discover more about the hardships her and her family faced growing up in a valley haunted by violence and religious ignorance. I learnt a lot more about the history of Pakistan and the Taliban, than I had ever known before. Seeing things through her perspective, as well as that of her father, I gained a lot more insight into the way of life over there. I'll be the first to say I'm usually oblivious to the events going on in the world, so it was refreshing to get more in-depth details about the way their culture has them live, as well as how they were treated by the Taliban and Pakistani Army. I also enjoyed how it took us through her life, day-by-day as she recovered from her almost fatal attack. I got to see how she reacted to her condition and what she was thinking during this difficult transition. As a teacher it also naturally interests me about her quest for having education available for all children. It was a well-written book, and one I'm glad I got the chance to read.