My son got Isaac’s blood tests back yesterday, or I should say, he got a printed report that a common layman without a medical degree cannot fully understand. He sent me a photo of the report and I agreed with him. At least there is nothing marked with red, which according to the legend means a critical alert. However, the results are marked in yellow (notice this?) and I read the report carefully. One sentence stood out: “Results cannot be interpreted as evidence of the absolute presence or absence of malignant disease.” So, I am not sure what that means…nothing definitive, that’s for sure. I will take it to mean that God is still working on the healing. And the doctor will interpret things fully next week when Isaac sees him again for a referral to an oncologist. Meanwhile, keep praying, please.
Review of ALWAYS THINK OF ME by Lori Keesey
ABOUT THE BOOK
ISBN-13:9781637557259. Publisher:Mascot Books. Publication date:04/02/2024. Pages:344
Sometimes love gives you a second chance. Sometimes it doesn’t. And sometimes it returns in a way you could never imagine.
Tyrus Cal, TC to his friends, had no plans to leave his party boy life, but when he met Ginny at an outdoor music festival, he fell. Hard. He brought out his best stories to charm her, and she returned the sentiment with long-buried secrets about her traumatic past.
When their budding relationship ends abruptly, TC moves on, assuming he won’t get a second chance with the captivating Ginny. But then he does. Just not in the way he expected.
Now he’s on an otherworldly mission to see her again. But that means overcoming his doubts, his fears, and stopping Ginny from doing the unthinkable.
Always Think of Me is an uncommon love story about friendship and do-overs and features a perspective on life that can set us free.
My Thoughts
This is a refreshingly original second chance at romance book with a few surprise twists. TC and Ginny’s meeting at a music festival was humorous at times and also poignant as they both get to know each other well from spending most of the day together. TC is attracted to Ginny, Ginny has to take care of another relationship before she can even think about TC and time passes before they see each other again. I really thoroughly enjoyed the story and the relatable and lovable characters. I especially enjoyed getting to know TC with his joking around and also his vulnerability and compassion for others. He is not your typical swoonworthy hero, but he is worthy of admiration for his heart qualities. Ginny, who had let her past control her present and determine her future, seemed to be a weak character, but she got it together when she needed to. The plot was fast-paced and the entire book was unputdownable and totally engaging. I really wanted to know what would happen to TC and Ginny and the twist kept me glued to the pages as I rushed to finish what is arguably one of the best second chance romance books ever. With a firm foundation in faith, even if the faith originates from a shaky background, this book is uplifting, encouraging and gut-wrenching, all at the same time. The author managed to captivate me with her originality and kept me reading with her sparkle of wit and realism. Don’t miss out on the afterword by the author because it was eye opening and revelatory about the purpose and origins of the book. This is one book that I am more than delighted to have read and would love to give as gifts to friends because everyone needs to read this lovely story of young love and caring for others.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
She’s written for daily newspapers and trade publications and her freelance work has appeared in regional and trade magazines, specifically those specializing in space exploration. Yes, Lori was a space junkie, and worked for NASA in public outreach for nearly 20 years.
She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a B.S. in journalism. There she met Kevin Berry, whom she married in 1980. She is the mother of three boys and one dog.
A devout porch sitter, nothing makes her happier than looking at her view of the Chilhowee Mountains and Smoky Mountain National Park.
Born in Washington, D.C., Lori now calls Walland, Tennessee, home.
Purchase Links:
Review of ALWAYS THINK OF ME by Lori Keesey
ABOUT THE BOOK
ISBN-13:9781637557259. Publisher:Mascot Books. Publication date:04/02/2024. Pages:344
Sometimes love gives you a second chance. Sometimes it doesn’t. And sometimes it returns in a way you could never imagine.
Tyrus Cal, TC to his friends, had no plans to leave his party boy life, but when he met Ginny at an outdoor music festival, he fell. Hard. He brought out his best stories to charm her, and she returned the sentiment with long-buried secrets about her traumatic past.
When their budding relationship ends abruptly, TC moves on, assuming he won’t get a second chance with the captivating Ginny. But then he does. Just not in the way he expected.
Now he’s on an otherworldly mission to see her again. But that means overcoming his doubts, his fears, and stopping Ginny from doing the unthinkable.
Always Think of Me is an uncommon love story about friendship and do-overs and features a perspective on life that can set us free.
My Thoughts
This is a refreshingly original second chance at romance book with a few surprise twists. TC and Ginny’s meeting at a music festival was humorous at times and also poignant as they both get to know each other well from spending most of the day together. TC is attracted to Ginny, Ginny has to take care of another relationship before she can even think about TC and time passes before they see each other again. I really thoroughly enjoyed the story and the relatable and lovable characters. I especially enjoyed getting to know TC with his joking around and also his vulnerability and compassion for others. He is not your typical swoonworthy hero, but he is worthy of admiration for his heart qualities. Ginny, who had let her past control her present and determine her future, seemed to be a weak character, but she got it together when she needed to. The plot was fast-paced and the entire book was unputdownable and totally engaging. I really wanted to know what would happen to TC and Ginny and the twist kept me glued to the pages as I rushed to finish what is arguably one of the best second chance romance books ever. With a firm foundation in faith, even if the faith originates from a shaky background, this book is uplifting, encouraging and gut-wrenching, all at the same time. The author managed to captivate me with her originality and kept me reading with her sparkle of wit and realism. Don’t miss out on the afterword by the author because it was eye opening and revelatory about the purpose and origins of the book. This is one book that I am more than delighted to have read and would love to give as gifts to friends because everyone needs to read this lovely story of young love and caring for others.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
She’s written for daily newspapers and trade publications and her freelance work has appeared in regional and trade magazines, specifically those specializing in space exploration. Yes, Lori was a space junkie, and worked for NASA in public outreach for nearly 20 years.
She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a B.S. in journalism. There she met Kevin Berry, whom she married in 1980. She is the mother of three boys and one dog.
A devout porch sitter, nothing makes her happier than looking at her view of the Chilhowee Mountains and Smoky Mountain National Park.
Born in Washington, D.C., Lori now calls Walland, Tennessee, home.
Purchase Links:
A Savior with Four Titles
www.bible.com/reading-plans/13952/day/16
Jesus actually has many more names than this. Which one do you need to call on today? He is always ready to answer your call.
Right-Size God
www.bible.com/reading-plans/13952/day/15
When I look at all that is happening in my family right now, I have to right-size God to get the correct perspective on things. Yes, cancer is a terrible diagnosis. But it is a hynena or a bear in the face of an awesome and omnipotent God. Isaac is at the hospital now having his bloodwork and CT scan done. We don’t know what the results will be, but God does. I am praying for God to be close to Isaac and to reassure him of his love. You know, I have said before on this page, when things go wrong, it’s difficult to see God’s hand in it. But God never moves, never stops loving, never stops reaching out. So, I am believing that even in this, God is right there, right beside Isaac and his dad, giving them the comfort of His presence that they need.
I do appreciate all of your prayers and hope that I am not wearying you with this topic. I cannot focus on anything else these days, and I ask that you bear with me as I process this new bump in my road. Thank you for your patience and lovingkindness. I do appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers even when I don’t reply to each of them.
Come and See
Happy Resurrection Day! God does not fear honest investigations and questions. He welcomes them, for in our curiosity, we approach an empty tomb and find that Jesus is indeed alive. His Spirit lives inside us while He is preparing a place for us in Heaven. Rejoice! He is alive, just as He said!
Trusting God
www.bible.com/reading-plans/13952/day/13
As usual, this devotional spoke to me right where I most need it. This last week has thrown me for a loop, and not in a good way. Hearing that Isaac likely had cancer last month, well, to be honest, I handled that news pretty well. I prayed and trusted God to take care of him. After all, the surgeon was confident that they could remove it all and he could go on with his life. Then, the surgery happened. Same reaction, same report from the surgeon. Unfortunately, the news at the follow up was not all sunshine and flowers. In fact, our family is still reeling over the report that Isaac has to have bloodwork to check for the cancer spreading into his circulatory system, he is getting a CT scan to see if it has spread to other parts of his body and then he is getting a referral to an oncologist and going to talk to that specialist about chemotherapy. Wait! What just happened? My mind nor my heart can keep up with the changes. From, “It’s all fine” to “You need to undergo treatment for aggressive cancer.” All at the ripe old age of twenty-two. So, I have gone through some real rebellion and pouting this week. Yes, I confess. I got mad at God, but He is big enough to take it and loves me enough to understand it. I ranted and raved at the unfairness of it! I told God that I would rather the growth that they found and removed in me be cancer than that my beloved grandson be stricken in such a way. “Unfair,” I cried. And God patiently waited for me to calm down so he could speak to me. This devotional was one way He spoke to my anxious heart. Things are not better physically, but I am calmer and more willing to listen to God’s Spirit speak words of comfort and encouragement to me. Am I happy about everything? No, of course not. Do I understand why this is happening? No, of course not. But I am CHOOSING to trust God in spite of my feelings and the circumstances and trusting that God will come through and fulfill His will for Isaac, even in the middle of bad news that keeps getting worse. God says to fear Him. That means to me that I need to let Him be God and I will just be the loving Nanna, standing by and praying, and crying some, too, of course.
By the way, I do have a prayer request/favor to ask of you, my readers. If you or anyone you know has the capability of videotaping the eclipse next week and sending me a copy, I would be very grateful. Isaac and his dad planned for two years to go to northern PA (where my daughter lives) and see the eclipse. But because of his new health problems and medical appointments, they can’t go. I just want something to give to Isaac so he can see the miracles of God in the heavens and believe that same God is working in his life. He can’t even see the 85% eclipse in VA because he has an appointment at that time to get a referral for an oncologist. If you can help, thank you in advance. If you cannot help, would you please remember to pray? God bless you.
In the Throne Room
I am not worthy to stand before God, but Jesus makes me worthy and He is waiting for me there. In these troubled days, I find myself crying out to God, not for an explanation of what is happening, but for some relief from the heartache of the unknown. Every day brings more questions, yet God is patient and continues to answer with patience and kindness. He wants me just to be still, trust and wait. Jesus knows exactly what I need and He is providing it in His time…not according to my demands. We can go boldly into the throne room because the door is open to us, and once we get there, we need to be willing to be completely honest. My frustration at feeling helpless, I am laying at the foot of His throne. My anger at a disease that does nothing but destroy, I am laying at the foot of His throne. And the pain I feel for my young grandson, I am laying at the foot of His throne. May God do with it all as He will, but may He know that I am committed to not turning away from Him for guidance and help. He is the only one I can turn to, and I am thankful that He welcomes me into His throne room, even when I’m an emotional wreck.
Keep Preaching
www.bible.com/reading-plans/13952/day/11
What a challenge this is to keep preaching when it seems none are listening! We live in a world in which so many things grab people’s attention, and unfortunately, God is not usually their attention grabber. In a world of Apple, Microsoft, Google and Tik Tok, we are called to be an “Isaiah,” one who does not let people bad choices dissuade us from sharing the truth. We never know when one might turn to God, and after all, isn’t one soul worth all of the effort we put into going and telling. We are being obedient; God is waiting. Maybe this is our time to step out, accept the challenge and tell until there are no more left to hear.
Amazing Grace
There is nothing better than knowing that God’s grace is there for each of us, His love reaches out to us from an empty tomb, and we can rest assured in the fact that God has a plan for each of us. Part of His plan is to make sure that we spend eternity with Him by asking Jesus to be our Lord and Savior. Life doesn’t always make sense, but God’s plans for eternity do. During this Holy Week, let’s take time to reflect and thank God for His “Amazing Grace.”
