BOOK REVIEW - My Heart Remembers by Kim Vogel Sawyer

I read this book on my Kindle and it was so good. I quickly became attached to the characters and rooted for them the entire book. I love this time period in history. The west was being settled, travel was by horseback and wagon, covered wagons and trains, small towns and communities were the norm and people helped people. That is not to say there were no bad seeds, because there were plenty, and like today, they preyed on those less fortunate.
This was a slice of time in history when faith was a key ingredient.
This was my first read from Ms. Sawyer and I have already picked out another to start.  I am sure it will be awesome as well.




The back of the book says: 
United by blood, divided by time, will three orphan train siblings ever find one another again?
Orphaned in a tenement fire, three Irish-immigrant children are sent to Missouri to be adopted. Despite eight-year-old Maelle's desperate attempts to keep her siblings together, each child is taken by a different family. Yet Maelle vows that she will never stop searching for her brother and sister...and that they will be together one day in the future.
Seventeen years later, Maelle is still searching. But the years have washed away her hope... and her memories. What are Mattie and Molly doing now? Where has life taken them? Will she ever see her brother and sister again?
Here are some professional reviews:
"...a touching story that will remind you to cherish your children and to thank God..." -- 5MinutesforBooks.com
"This emotionally packed novel is sure to tug at your heartstrings .... definitely a book for your keeper shelf." -- Vickie McDonough, titletrakk.com
"This is a wonderful story with memorable characters..." -- Romantic Times
"Woven with rich, fascinating historical details, and filled with captivating characters, romance, faith, and a compelling story..." -- Tina Ann Forkner, WriterInterrupted.com
Have you read any books by Kim Vogel Sawyer? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below!

How do you cope? Are you carrots, eggs, or coffee?

Shared from Facebook, Author Unknown, If you are the author or owner of this text or picture, please let me know. I will gladly give credit where credit is due. I just really liked and wanted to share. :)


Grandmother Says... Carrots, Eggs, or Coffee; "Which are you?"

A young woman went to her grandmother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.

Her grandmother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her granddaughter, she asked, "Tell me what do you see?"

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they got soft.She then asked her to take an egg and break it.

After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The granddaughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. The granddaughter then asked. "What's the point,grandmother?"

Her grandmother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity--boiling water--but each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her granddaughter.

"When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff?

Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.

When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another level?

Life at any age is truly what we make it. The wrinkles won’t go away, but grace ...makes them acceptable. We can endure anything when grace is present. Life is buoyant and creative and adorable…even in old age. And a lot of how we age has to do with our attitude toward it. -Luci Swindoll

Flash Mob Food Court - Chorus Niagra

The most wonderful gift of the Christmas season, you MUST watch it ! Niagara’s premier 100 voice choir!

Burnt Biscuits

Burned Biscuits - "author unknown"

When I was a kid, my Mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner

every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had

made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long

ago, my Mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned

biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone

noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my Mom

and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him

that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on

that biscuit and eat every bite!

When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my

Mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget

what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits."

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked

him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms

and said, "Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real

tired. And besides - a little burned biscuit never hurt anyone!"

Life is full of imperfect things and imperfect people. I'm not

the best at hardly anything, and I sometimes forget birthdays and

anniversaries just like everyone else. But what I've learned over the

years is that learning to accept each other's fault - and choosing to

celebrate each other's differences - is one of the most important keys

to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.

And that's my prayer for you today. That you will learn to take

the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the

feet of God. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to

give you a relationship where a burnt biscuit isn't a deal-breaker!

We could extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding

is the basis of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child

or friendship!

So Please pass me a biscuit, and yes, the burned one will do

just fine. And PLEASE pass this along to someone who has enriched your

life.

Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting

some kind of battle.

Amy Grant - Better Than A Hallelujah (Slideshow With Lyrics)

"I've loved this song since I first heard it. The honesty and vulnerability of the lyric reminds me that to pray means to come as I am, imperfections and all, because ultimately, God seeks communion with us, the real us... and that's freeing." ~~Amy Grant

I've loved it since I first heard it as well. As much as I love to praise God, it's nice to think our cries can be praise to Him as well. Thank you Amy for a beautiful song.

The Spoon Theory written by Christine Miserandino

Please take the time to read Christine Miserandino’s personal story and analogy of what it is like to live with sickness or disability.  (Specifically written for Lupus, but relates to any)


The Spoon Theory written by Christine Miserandino

The Old Cowboy

One Sunday morning, an old cowboy entered a church just before services were to begin. Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean, he wore jeans, a denim shirt and boots that were worn and ragged. In his hand he carried a worn-out old hat and an equally worn, dog-eared Bible.

The church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen. The people of the congregation were all dressed with expensive clothes and fine jewelry. As the cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him. No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him. They were all appalled by his appearance and did not attempt to hide it.

As the old cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached him and asked the cowboy to do him a favor. "Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God and ask him what he thinks would be appropriate attire for worship in church." The old cowboy assured the preacher he would.

The next Sunday, he showed back up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and hat. Once again he was completely shunned and ignored. The preacher approached the cowboy and said, "I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our church."

"I did," replied the old cowboy.

"And what was his reply?" asked the preacher.

"Well, sir, God told me that he didn't have a clue what I should wear. He said he'd never been in this church."

Happy Easter

I am so proud of me. for the first time in my life, I gave up something for the Lenten season - sugar! That's a biggie for me. 46 days of obedience and reflection. I think that's pretty awesome. :-)