a book review

I recently wrote and posted this book review on the social networking site, My Sister's Keeper (mysisterskeeperonline.ning.com). Since I gave the book a favorable review, I decided to post my review here too.

Yada Yada Prayer Group by Neta Jackson

This is a fictional novel about some women who meet during a Chicago Women's Conference and strike up an unusual friendship by way of an assigned prayer group. I'm about a third way into the book, and I'm glad there's more to read because it is good! This is easy to get into, and for me it was hard to put down.

The theme is sisterhood, stepping out in faith, making connections, sacrificing personal ambitions to support others in need, even when it is inconvenient or unexpected. Another theme is individuality and personal growth. Most everyone feels awkward or out of place at some time or other, but we all have a unique gift to offer that develops out of our unique life's experiences.

See the book series on Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Yada-Prayer-Group-Women-Fiction/dp/1595544399...

2009 happenings

AFFIRMATIONS

For me, the new year has started with a running theme of affirmation. Much of what I've been learning, and aiming to mature in spiritually, is being affirmed and called into action. I pray that I will continue to respond and walk according to God's purposes.

I see God's work in my new friendships, in feedback from supervisors, friends and pastors, and in the lives of family members. Praise God! He will finish was he's started, and it will be for the good.

I am thankful that he's planted me among loving and supportive people.

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OBAMA

I want to acknowledge our (the U.S.) new president, Barak Obama! Yesterday, watching the inauguration activities from my living room from 6:30 a.m. until at least 6:30 p.m., I was amazed at the show of support and at the incredible mass of people gathered around the mall grounds. A helicopter hovered close to my home, filming the long winding lines at the nearby Metro station. Before dawn, the garage was packed full.

I'm very hopeful and optimistic about Americans taking action and extending helping hands here and across the globe. See USAService.org for local opportunities.

Main Thing First

I am overly tired and a bit overwhelmed with the list of to-do's in my head. These to-do's are ideas and tasks that kind of came to mind in a rushing wave. I get inspired at Christmas time, and I want to do big things, but I need to realize I don't have to contain all my activities within the break between Christmas and the New Year.

So I've resolved for now to record my ideas here and come back to them.

Create a wall hanging/banner.
Sew sachets.
Make and package soaps.
Start coffee-can savings for charity.
Host cookie fellowship hour.
Start a sistergirls group.
Buy devotionals: Take Flight! and Women's Bible Journal
Celebrate Monte's 4th birthday
attend Christmas Eve service
attend Christmas Eve family party
Bake homemade cinnamon rolls
Mortgage stuff
University stuff
House stuff

Above all this busy Martha-like stuff, I want to reflect on Peace and Joy as we remember that our Lord humbled himself to come live among people on Earth, to teach us, and to give his life as a ransom so we may be reconciled to our Father in heaven. Penalty of sin is death, but Jesus conquered death for all who accept the gift of grace and forgiveness. Having faith in his promises, then let us live in holy obedience and make it our mission to be loving, peaceful, and compassionate.

Moment of Reflection

2008 is nearly a wrap. I was so happy to say goodbye to 2007, so full of heartache, and I entered 2008 cautiously hoping it would be a year of exodus. This year held grief as well, yet the promises of our living God kept me looking up and ahead with thanks.

So now that 2009 is upon us, what then? Only God knows.

A Vision Manifest

This is an historic time for the United States of America and the world. Barack Obama, former Illinois Senator, is now president elect! On January 20, 2009, our nation will have its first African American president. The world is watching. The nation is anticipating. I pray for God's protection over his family and staff, for their health and well being, and for God's direction as the future unfolds.

In a Few Words

Here's what I'm thinking about this week, following a sermon and small group led by Pastor Nelson of Capital Christian Fellowship:

What does it mean to be an ambassador for our Lord? --a light to the world--a living invitation, representation, loving those who don't necessarily care about us, extending mercy and compassion, being willing to yield


Because He first forgave us, and we're called to be like Him, we must forgive others--for God forgave us while we were sinners. He gave us this great gift of mercy, and we shouldn't refuse mercy toward others. In some cases, I'm convinced that forgiving is impossible unless God brings it about.

When we do forgive, it is as if we let go of a burden, an obstacle that's blocked our connection with another. When we release the burden, put it down, we're free to move on and see beyond the hurt. Holding onto hurt just keeps the hurt going. When the burden is let go, it may enable reconciliation.

Weekends with Monte

I was responding to an inquiry from an online sister, Peggy Sue, who is planning a book about mothers and their children. I really go into my response, and I've decided it deserves to be a blog entry here:

I have three great kids at home: an 18 year old son who is a freshman at U. Baltimore, a 17 year old daughter who is a high school senior, and a 3 year old son who hasn't started school yet. My youngest son ensures that I don't become rooted to the couch or permanently glued in front of the computer when we're home. I can become fixated on a book or in reviewing ideas for recipes for a long period of time. Certain times, I believe he calls on me every thirty seconds!

I purposely devote time to be with him throughout the day to watch a favorite DVD, read a story, or eat together, or else I encourage him to do one of his activities near me while I do whatever I'm into at the moment. Regardless, he requires a lot of face-to-face attention. Though my son keeps me busy, he has a way of making me slow my pace.

I'll explain in a bit. When it comes to kitchen duty, sometimes I can be hurried and wanting to "get it done already." I like to take out only what I need and clean up as I go--just being efficient. I have even been known to swoop into the kitchen and put away the milk or butter right after Hubby has taken it out for some purpose.

So, how does my son help me slow down? Here's an example from today. Feeling fatigued, I stayed home today (Sunday) even though we'd got up and preparing for church. I didn't venture out for the first half of the day. I hadn't slept well last night. Later in the afternoon I said, "Let me whip up a batch of oatmeal cookies. It'll be quick." I was ready to zoom through in like five minutes, but when my son saw me pulling stuff out the fridge, he got excited. He wanted to help. So I purposely slowed my roll because I knew he was used to doing something or other during the day, and we had been milling around the house--boring. I brought over a chair for him to stand on. I measured; he poured and stirred. When it was time for the electric mixer, I put my hand over his little hand and we watched the dry and wet ingredients blend. We both got satisfaction out of our fun work.

Not only did we bake cookies. He noticed when I pulled out the soap-making kit that my former boss gave me some four years ago. I was thinking of something to do for the holidays, but he was like, "yeah, let's make it now mommy. YES!!" as if it was a very special treat. I delayed for 20 minutes, reading instructions, and finally gave in. I figured hey, it's been four years. So we had a good time making fragrant soap this afternoon. Inspiring.

So I've told you how he motivates me while simultaneously slowing me down. Let me tell you another couple ways my son gets me off the couch. Last weekend, the last thing I wanted to do was go outside and play, but my 3-year-old son became restless and I needed to get him out so he could use up his energy. We took his bike, with training wheels, and a basketball to the park at the end of the block. This is so not me, I'm telling you! I brought along a book and a thermos of coffee. I figured I'd sit and read while he rode around the enclosed basketball court. Well it turns out I did no reading. Instead, I had fun like a kid. I jogged around the perimeter of the court while he followed me on the bike. Next I pretended to be a real baller and threw some layup shots and foul shots and we practiced passing and dribbling. After that, I jogged behind him as he rode his bike in wild circles and zig zags all over the court. It was fun and good exercise too. I was amazed at how youthful and invigorated I felt. We enjoyed mom and son time surrounded by nature with nobody else around, and before heading home down the street, we took time to swing and hang on the exercise bars.

Now back to today: after we'd made the cookies today, but before we made the soap, he begged me to go outside. I know he was tired of seeing me looking at web sites. Well, the teenagers wouldn't take him out, and his dad had already taken him out in the morning before he left to watch football. So I said, okay, okay. I'll read my book on the front steps and you fly your paper airplane in the yard. That lasted 30 seconds. He wanted to go around back. I followed him to the back yard where we pulled vines off the siding, cleared away sticks, picked leaves to see which smelled fragrant, and we took pictures with my camera phone. Again, I felt alive and rejuvenated.

I've learned that if I pause and listen to my little one and occasionally indulge him, then it adds new joy to any task or activity. (Now I'd better go see about him because he's been quiet for a good 30 minutes. I think he fell asleep on the couch. )