My Week in Review - 1/26/2018

Just a few things from this week!

Articles I have read this week:

This article on unwinding and taking breaks was a good reminder for me: Five ways to unwind in under 10 minutes

Books!
This month I have read ARCs of Keturah by Lisa T. Bergren (See my review here) and A Song Unheard by Roseanna M. White (My review here). I also just finished reading Troubled Waters by Susan May Warren. Troubled Waters is part of her Montana Rescue series and this one has been my most favorite yet!

Something new I'm trying this week!
Thanks to the Money Saving Mom Facebook page, I saw that through the end of January, you can get your first box from Stitch Fix without paying the styling fee. If you choose not to keep anything, you can send it all back without cost. I have never tried Stitch Fix, but I thought now would be a good time to give it a try. If you are interested in trying it out this month without the fee, you can check it out through my referral link: https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/16329045?sod=m&som=c
They just mailed my package and I am excited to get it in a few days!

Have a great weekend!

A Song Unheard by Roseanna M. White

A Song Unheard by Roseanna M. White

I really enjoyed the story until about the half way point and then I really fell in love with it! I have loved Roseanna M. White's stories and this one was no different. I love how the author adds so many layers throughout the story. The more the story develops, the more intrigue and suspense there is! Especially during the last half of the book, I couldn't put it down! 

   

A Song Unheard puts two people together that may never have known each other. He was from the upperclass, a renowned violinist. She was a thief, but also loved playing the violin. While the society divide may have been too great, they had two things in common: their love of music, specifically playing the violin, and their love of their families. The underlying theme throughout this story is their devotion and undying love of family. While hers may not be blood relatives and his have been separated from him and lost, these two will go to no end to be there for their families. And their families feel the same for them. 

A Song Unheard is a heartwarming story that shows strength, love, and devotion. Make sure to check out the first book in this series, too: A Name Unknown. After reading A Song Unheard, I look forward to the third book in The Shadows of England series! 

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Keturah by Lisa Tawn Bergren - Book Review

 

Keturah is another great story by Lisa Tawn Bergren! I have read many of Lisa's books and this one is another excellent one. The story is of three sisters that travel outside their comfort zone and outside the culture norm to run their deceased father's sugar plantation. In this era, women would not have embarked on this kind of journey and definitely not by themselves. The three sisters leave by ship to an island where this plantation is at. They are all alone on the ship except for one gentleman that is also heading out to the island to start his own plantation.  

The story deals with the struggles that the sisters have while on the boat and when they arrive on the island. All the odds are against them, yet they strive forward. I love the courage that is shown among the sisters. Because they have each other, they are stronger. While this book deals with many hard struggles in life, I really enjoyed the story of love between sisters, neighbors, and friends, the courage shown in difficult situations, and the faith to overcome the struggles that were before them. I can't wait to read the next two books in the Sugar Baron's Daughters series! I am looking forward to more great stories by Lisa Tawn Bergren! 

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

2018 Resolutions

I don't have many yet. I am still working on them. I may do more quarterly goals instead this year. :)

So here is what I have so far:

Word of the Year: FAITH

(See previous post)

1. Read the Bible in a year. 

It has been a while since I have read the whole Bible in a year and am going to try to again this year. I will read 25 chapters a week to finish in a year. I will be jumping a round a little, but will read one whole book at a time. I am reading four chapters in the morning from my chosen book and one at night from one of the poetry books.

For example, this first week looks like this: 

Genesis 1-20 and Psalms 1-5

I will read on 4-5 days depending on what works for that week. As of this week, it is looking like Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and maybe Saturday, if I don't get it all done.

2. Read 52 books.

This boils down to one book per week. I was able to make my goal of 50 books last year, so I am excited to do this again, and am actually hoping I make it over my goal!

(Also, I am excited to be sharing some reviews of a couple ARCs that I am currently reading.)

3. Have monthly goals.

January - I really want to focus on getting back in the habit of consistent Bible Reading. 

February and beyond: To be decided... 

Hopefully, I will get a few more posts up on here this year! Happy New Year! And blessings to you as you work on your goals!

My word for 2018 is...

Faith.

The word I picked for 2018 is faith. It is different from past years. Last year was intentional. The year before was trust. But I felt God laying this word on my heart. Through December, I kept hearing the word. We just need enough faith. We need to have faith in others. And ultimately have faith in God. 

My faith in God does not waiver. However, there is always room for more faith. There is room to grow in our faith. I think of the Bible verse where Jesus talks of a mustard seed with His disciples.

“He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.””

Matthew 17:20 ESV

Somedays, I think we have so little faith. It is so small, just like that little mustard seed. If only it was bigger... So that is my goal for this year. To have Faith, Big FAITH! 

I also want to have faith in people. It can be so hard to have faith in people. We are all humans. We let each other down. We fail. We are definitely not perfect, but if we are willing to put our faith in people, in the people God calls us to, we may be the ones to encourage them in their walks of lives. Maybe it is not so much about putting our faith in them, but rather walking out our faith, being real with the people God has placed in our lives. Sharing our faith with them, going the extra mile to support people. 

I think of having faith in people as different from having faith in God. God is the only true source we can put our faith in. When I say that I want to have faith in people, I mean more that I want to believe the best about them and help them strive for the life that God would have for them.

This past week, 1 Timothy 4:7 spoke to me. 

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

2 Timothy 4:7 ESV

When we have finished our earthly race, this is what I want to say, "I have kept the faith."

Finally, I wanted to share with you the best definition I think there is for what faith is:

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Hebrews 11:1 ESV

And faith we should move forward to what God is calling us to, even if we can not see what that is yet.