Friday Fill-Ins - November 9

And...here we go!

1. One time, I tried sushi - I didn't like it.
2. Seeing children having fun is something that makes me smile.
3. Seven words I love: "The last child is gone! Let's go".
4. I have never been to the snow; unless you count the time when I was 3 months old.
5. I looked out the window today and saw a rainbow.
6. Hello! and that's saying something!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to movie night with my sister, tomorrow my plans include going to a friend's birthday party and eating copious amounts of chocolate and Sunday, I want to enjoy the teaching, fellowship and worship at church!

ACRBA - Return to Baragula by Mary Hawkins

5 - 9November

Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance 

is introducing 

Return to Baragula

(Ark house March 2008)

by Mary Hawkins

About the Author:

Mary Hawkins is a best-selling inspirational romance author with other 825,000 romance books in print. During the first few years of being published she also had five medical romance novels released by Harlequin Mills & Boon before concentrating on inspirationals for Barbour Publishing (Ohio). Return to Baragula is her first single title and the first released by an Australia publisher.

Mary was a Queensland farmer's daughter, became a registered nurse and has a graduate diploma from a Sydney Bible College where she met her husband. Ray is a retired minister who is also a published author. They enjoyed ministries in Australia, three short term mission trips to Africa and two years at a church in England before settling in beautiful Tasmania. They have three adult children and are now proud grandparents. Mary is a member of several writing organisations including American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of Australia, Romance Writers America, their Faith Hope Love chapter and Australian Omega Writers. She enjoys speaking appointments and writing workshops where she can share the journey she has been walking for many years with her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

www.mary-hawkins.com

Book Description:

Return To Baragula

Over the years Emily Parker's actions as a teenager have impacted not only her own life, but the lives of many different people. Now, six years later, she returns reluctantly to her home town of Baragula only to discover the man at the heart of those actions, Matthew Davidson, is the community's respected doctor. While Emily's faith is now severely weakened by all that has happened, Matthew's life has completely turned around since he committed his life to Christ. His personal relationship with God is tested when he discovers how his behaviour when a non-believer hurt so many, especially Emily, and feels responsible for her hardness of heart towards the Lord. Disease attacks the community while danger from another source threatens Emily and her family. Through it all, will Matthew and Emily's faith be strong enough to forgive each other and put the past behind them?

 

My Thoughts:

It's been a couple of years since I read this book, but I loved it. Reading a book set in Australia, with cultural things that I totally understood was a wonderful change from all the American books that I had been reading.

This book is about people's journeys through life and the way they come to God, and how God is faithful through all circumstances - even ones that seem hopeless.

I greatly respect the writing of Mary Hawkins because she clearly talks about God and shares the Gospel through her stories.

Return to Baragula is the first in a 3 book series.

Friday Fill-Ins - October 26

And...here we go!

1. Oh, that makes sense, now I understand.
2. It's a sure sign of insanity when you start answering your own questions out loud.
3. Are we having steak and 3 veg again??!.
4. My heart is lonely.
5. Do you believe in God? I hope you do because I would hate it if you aren't in heaven!
6. I'm a Christian, and I'm not ashamed to say so.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to my Friday night date with my sister, tomorrow my plans include helping clean the church building and Sunday, I want to enjoy the fellowship at church and have a quiet afternoon!

Not Fitting

With this title you probably think I'm talking about clothes, well you're wrong.
I'm talking about life!

I'm at a point in my life where I don't fit in socially. I'm thirty-something and single, with no current prospect of marriage. This isn't a big deal for the average person, but in Christian circles this is pretty unusual. My best friend is also single, but currently serving as a missionary in Africa. The other single woman my age from church is also serving as a missionary overseas. All the other women are married, most with children.

So, I'm kind of classified as one of the Young Adults, but I don't fit there either. Most of the girls are at least 4 years younger than me, and the number of single girls is rapidly declining as weddings are fairly frequent.

Then there is the fact that I didn't grow up here, so I have no long history with these people. Even being here for close to 9 years hasn't changed that fact. I've always been on the fringes of the various groups, never taken in to an inner circle.

Friendships have never been easy for me - I didn't have close friends growing up, and most of the good friends I have had end up moving away (or I move) and we lose contact. One thing I have realised is that I have been the one seeking these people out, not the other way round.

I feel that the only time people seek me out is when they want me to do something for them. Otherwise I am invisible - the person everyone forgets to remember.
It's like no one knows what to do with me, so they don't do anything.

WHY???

Is there something wrong with me? Or do they think they have enough friends and can't admit another into their circle?

BIG SIGH!!!

Friday Fill-Ins - October 19

And...here we go!

1. I hope I can get married before Jesus returns.
2. I don't know what to do when I see a certain person - I usually end up saying something stupid.
3. Boy I sure did enjoy the watermelon I had for lunch the other day.
4. Remind me to call someone sometime.
5. What does the local paper think, that we can read the information on the candidates on a Thursday and get our postal votes in the mail to be recieved Friday?
6. It makes me mad when the DVD I borrowed from the library is so scratched that I can't watch it.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to movie night with my sister, tomorrow my plans include going to Ikea and Sunday, I want to enjoy church and a quiet afternoon - I'm open to invitations out for lunch!

Don't Be Shy

I've heard this song on 2 movies now - Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium and We Bought a Zoo. I loved it each time.

Friday Fill-Ins - September 28

And...here we go!

1. The tale is told of true love - it's just too bad the movie version cut out all the references to God.
2. England is something that always makes me think of my ancestors.
3. To ensure you don't spend too much money don't go shopping.
4. Family is a fine thing.
5. It's never too late to draw near to God - just think of the thief on the cross.
6. I wrote a note on the back of an old receipt.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to another quiet night at home, tomorrow my plans include serving with the kids at church and Sunday, I want to enjoy the time in creche, and the fellowship at The Gathering!

SPRING!

see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

IKEA Hackers: Expedit Single Bed

IKEA Hackers: Expedit Single Bed: Materials : 2 EXPEDIT shelf units 5x1, 1x Sultan Lade 90cm, 3 purple SKUBB boxes, non-slip under carpet material.


Mmmm ... I like this idea, and if you had your bed positioned so that you can walk either side, then you could access the storage from either side too. Of course, you do have to use storage containers that fit the shelf units.

Maybe when I'm thinking about changing my bed I could consider this, although then what would I do with my existing storage boxes?

Inspiration from Cottage by the Sea - Robin Jones Gunn

So I've been reading Robin Jones Gunn's book, 'Cottage by the Sea' and right from the start there are things in it that have impacted me.
I've been going through a tough patch (for a variety of reasons) and there are things in this book that are like food for my soul. So here are some of them:

'I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by name.' Isaiah 45:3

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness and cheer you.
                                                                      - Irish Proverb


An Irish Prayer

May God give you
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.


May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow.
May the soft winds freshen your spirit.
May the sunshine brighten your heart.
May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you.
And may God enfold you in the mantle of his love.


Wishing you always
Walls for the wind,
A roof for the rain,
And tea beside the fire;
Laughter to cheer you,
Those you love near you,
And all that your heart may desire.


This is good book, but for me a hard one to read. It brought back a lot of memories from when my Dad was sick and we were helping Mum care for him.