I am a Christian, a retired teacher, a mother and a grandmother. I love to read and I love the Lord Jesus Christ! Unless otherwise specified ,all visual illustrations are from the YOU VERSION APP of the Bible.
Today, I am practicing being grateful. Am I happy about what is happening in the world? A global pandemic with millions unemployed and now news of food shortages are the headlines. But I choose to praise because my God is in charge. He’s bigger than the pandemic and He will supply all of my needs.
As a retired teacher, I just want to add my voice of appreciation to all of the teachers out there who are working so hard to continue to teach using technology. You are doing a great job, my dear colleagues and friends, and I appreciate you!Since the school nurse diagnosed my stroke and sent me off to the ER, I credit her with saving my life and all of my abilities. Thanks are not enough for what Kim did, but that is all I have to offer…my deepest and heartfelt gratitude for her training and her knowledge of what was happening to me.
I have expressed my gratitude today, first to God without whom I am nothing. Then, I thanked the teachers who are working hard daily to educate students who cannot go to school because of the virus but who need to finish up their studies for the year. And finally, I expressed my debt of gratitude to nurses. Do you have a teacher in your life to thank? Then, don’t wait. Thank them! Do you have a nurse in your life who has done something to make you feel hope for the future? Then, thank them! And of course, you need to thank our Heavenly Father for all that He has done and is doing. Even now, He is moving on our behalf. I know that He keeps me calm each day as I face another day in my chair, looking out my window. He sends the birds to entertain me and the flowers to amaze me. He is the Lord and there is none other! Bless His Name and be thankful for each breath that you take!
I was ready for some romance on our anniversary, so I started this book. As I read, it felt like I had fallen into a fairy tale, the one about Cinderella. Mitchell Fisher, the protagonist, has given up his dream of being an engineer and is working a job that requires that he cut the padlocks off of the “love bridge” in his little village. One day, in the normal course of his work, he sees a young woman fall off the bridge. Mitchell doesn’t hesitate to jump into the strong current to save her. As the hero, he obviously wants to know the name of the young woman whose life he saved, but she disappears before he even finds her name. Then, in a real coincidence that is necessary to make the story work, Mitchell goes to get his daughter Poppy from her music lesson. There he meets Liza, who happens to be the sister of the young woman whom he rescued and who tells him that her name is Yvette and that she has been missing for several years now. Strange circumstances, but it actually makes the story! Mitchell becomes a hero to the town and receives letters about his heroism. (The part about the letters presents an entire sub-plot). I enjoyed the story but was not ready for the Cinderella feel of it. I really liked the characters but I did not think that they were as well developed as they could have been. The mystery of why Yvette disappeared and where she is now was well written, kind of like a little suspense built into the romance storyline. My favorite character was Poppy, who represented the hopeful belief in good things that young children have. I also liked the friendship that developed between Mitchell and Liza, both of whom complemented each other well. All in all, it was a good romantic read and perfect for these uncertain times. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Phaedra Patrick is the author of The Library of Lost and Found, Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone and The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper, which has been published in over twenty countries around the world. She studied art and marketing, and has worked as a stained-glass artist, film festival organizer and communications manager. An award-winning short story writer, she now writes full-time. She lives in Saddleworth, UK, with her husband and son.
If you have read Brenda Novak books previously, I must tell you that this is not the typical romance or suspense read that you are accustomed to. This novel is very different, in a good way. It is the story of three sisters who discover each other through a DNA test and are seeking the truth about why they are related. It is a story of relationships, those that are broken and may or may not be able to be repaired and those that are new. It is a story of trust, broken trust and the newly formed trust when a new relationship begins. I must say that I was immediately immersed in the stories of Serenity, Lorelei and Reagan. I enjoyed the way that each sister was given her own point of view during the story. I think I got to know them better that way, so it made the whole book much more appealing to me. I was able to identify with each sister in some special way, based on events in their lives, but Lorelei was very special to me. I think that fans of Brenda Novak will thoroughly enjoy this book, and I highly recommend to new readers who are fans of women’s fiction. This book has something for everyone, including romance and a mystery! Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
My rating is based on entertainment value to me and also on the fact that it is NOT a completely clean novel. This beautiful book is available now at all of your local booksellers and online.
Please note that I am a member of Brenda Novak’s Facebook book group and was delighted to get to read this book for Netgalley. I enjoyed it and consider it a good summer read, but it is not appropriate, in my opinion, for teens since some adult topics are included.
I was particularly struck by the disaster and deliverance portion of this devotional. We need a great leader in our world today, but even more, we need to accept Jesus at the King of the World, most especially our hearts.
I hope that this devotional brings you some peace as you read and pray today.
Like most of you, I am getting tired of staying at home. At this point, I would be excited about a trip to the pharmacy, or actually anyplace that I could wander the aisles and put things into a cart for myself. But, alas! That is not to be for weeks, perhaps months. Nevertheless, God continues to encourage me with His love for me, so I wanted to pass what He shared with me to you in hopes that you, too, will find encouragement.
The storm may surround us, but the lighthouse is there to lead us safely home. We will be fine if we just hold onto the Lord. Yes, we will be fine, and He will be glorified! Blessings to each of you for an enjoyable and day of gratitude for what you have and how God is taking care of you through this season.
www.bible.com/reading-plans/17704/day/125
www.bible.com/111/1co.10.13.niv
Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner 