Thursday, October 29, 2009

Day 27: 338 days left…93 books to go!

Simple Abundance  Affirming Abundance
  •  All about tithing today...lots of great advice...tithing is something Jay & I are already committed to, so I'm not going to hash-out the highlights of this lesson...but encourage you to read it!

Day 27: 338 days left…93 books to go!

The Love Dare  Love makes sacrifices
  •  This chapter is asking A LOT!  Wow!
    • About me..."We're the first to feet it when we're the ones being mistreated or inconvenienced.  We're quick to sulk when we're the ones who feel deprived or unappreciated.  When life is difficult for us, we notice.  But too often the only way we notice that life is hard for our mate is when they start complaining about it.  Then instead of genuinely caring or rushing in to help, we might think they just have a bad attitude.  The pain and pressure they're under don't register with us the way it does when it's our pain and pressure.  When we want to complain, we expect everyone to understand and feel sorry for us."
    • "Is he feeling 'sick'- physically tired and needing you to help guard him from interruptions?"
    • "When your mate is overwhelmed and under the gun, love calls you to set aside what seems so essential in your own life to help, even if it's merely the gift of a listening ear."
    • Today's Dare:  "What is one of the greatest needs in your spouse's life right now?  Is there a need you could lift from their shoulders by a daring act of sacrifice on your part?
      • Indeed, a few things come to mind...I will discuss & try to implement and report back when I have some progress! 

Day 27: 338 days left…93 books to go!

Exodus 20-21  The 10 Commandments...
  •  And now, the 10 Commandments:
    • #1:   "You shall have no other gods before me
    • #2:   You shall not make for yourself an idol...
    • #3:   You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God...
    • #4:   Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy
    • #5:   Honor your father and your mother...
    • #6:   You shall not murder
    • #7:   You shall not commit adultery
    • #8:   You shall not steal 
    • #9:   You shall not give false testimony...
    • #10:  You shall not covet... "  Chapter 20, Verses 3-17
  • "Whenever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you." Chapter 20, Verse 24
Matthew 21:33-22:14  The Parables of the Tenants and the Wedding Banquet
  •  Reading complete...

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Day 26: 339 days left…93 books to go!

Simple Abundance  Financial Serenity
  • Great advice today...I'd like to take some time to see if I can put this into practice...
    • "...there are certain actions we can take to increase our wealth.  The first is choosing to live on less than we earn, so that we can save and share more.  
      • Many of us want savings accounts in theory, but psychologically resist them.  That's because we associate savings with deprivation instead of gratification.  For in order to save we must do without something else.  What we don't consider is that having a savings account enables us eventually to experience authentic satisfaction instead of the cheap imitation of instant gratification...
      • How much would you save?  Start with whatever you can, but aim for ten percent of whatever money comes your way, depositing it in your account before it goes somewhere else."
  I shall let you know if I pull this off!

Day 26: 339 days left…93 books to go!

The Love Dare  Love encourages
  • "You must choose to live by encouragement rather than by expectations."  I know I could be more of an encourager...
  • "The problem is...that few people are able to respond to criticism with total objectivity.  When it seems clear that someone is unhappy with you-whether by direct confrontation of the silent treatment-it's hard not to take their displeasure personally."  No kidding!  I have a very hard time not initially taking confrontation very personally...but I do take it to heart...

Day 26: 339 days left…93 books to go!

Exodus 18-19  
  • Moses meets with his father-in-law Jethro, who says of all that has happened in Egypt, "Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly."  Chapter 18, Verse 11
  • Moses walks up Mount Sinai to meet with God...God talks of, "...how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself." Chapter 19, Verse 4
  • God also makes a statement that clears-up my understanding more on the role of the Hebrew/Jewish nation as His chosen people...when I know that all of humankind are precious in His sight & anyone who believes is a child of God..."Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."  Chapter 19, Verses 5-6  The whole earth is valuable in God's sight & belongs to Him...but there is a special place in His plan for the sons of Abraham...
Matthew 21: 1-32  
  • Jesus enters Jerusalem...and his effect on the city is unreal..."A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,  'Hosanna to the Son of David!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  Hosanna in the highest!'  When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, 'Who is This?'   The crowds answered, 'This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.'"  Chapter 21, Verses 8-11  Jesus proceeded to overthrow the tables in the Temple, heal the blind & the lame while there and give us the next two important lessons...
    • "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea, and it will be done.'  If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."  Verses 21-22
    • And The Parable of the Two Sons is SO profound, I don't know why there aren't more sermons focused on it...
      • "What do you think?  There was a man who had two sons.  He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'  'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.  Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing.  He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go.  Which of the two did what his father wanted?  'The first,' they answered.  Jesus said to them, 'I tell you truth, the tax collectors adn the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.  For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did.  And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.'"  Verses 28-32  I would call this a warning to those who claim to be Christians but do not truly believe...God knows your heart...... 

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Day 25: 340 days left…93 books to go!

End of the evening Tuesday Hello!

  I did in fact complete "Keep on Standing" in time and will start "Brave New World" right away....I guessed correctly about my getting sick and felt much more myself today...hoping to have even more energy for tomorrow so I can clean-up my house & attend to my husband a little!  I think I'm off to get a flu shot tomorrow and am certainly uneasy about it...I pray that I am doing the wise thing for my baby...Hope everyone out there is coping with this year's pandemic craziness & sorting-out their views as is comfortable to them...may we all live to talk about it!

Day 25: 340 days left…93 books to go! The One with the "Keep on Standing" Review!!!

Keep on Standing:  The Story of Krystaal by Darlene Polachic


  I am so blessed by reading this book.  It was 100% worthwhile to have ensured I read some books with Christian influence along this book challenge journey...

  This book was...Moving, Stirring, Compelling...Enlightening...We think if it's not happening to us, in our country, it's part of the 3rd World problem which is too big of a problem for us to do anything about....and we think of all people in the 3rd World, including the politicians, leaders & professionals are still inferior to North American politicians, leaders & professionals...But when Mobutu Sese Seko was President of Zaire beginning in 1960, he became the 4th richest man in the world, amassing a fortune that was big enough to wipe out his country's national debt. 

  The Lwamba brothers spent 5 years in refugee camps before what seems like random events led to them being immigrated to Saskatoon, SK Canada...and now their music has touched people all over the world. They are an inspiration....and everyone involved in getting them to where they are today are equally inspiring...the U.N. affiliates who run the refugee camps, the Doctors Without Borders who volunteer there day after day in terrible conditions, the North American churches who apply to sponsor families to immigrate, and the people at the Open Door Society here in Saskatoon who made such a huge difference.....this story reminds me that I must do more..."To whom much is given, much is expected"....
 


  Quotes that stand-out...
  • "When God wants to save you, He does miraculous things."  Michel Lwamba Chapter Five, Page 56
  • "At one point Michel happened to catch a French program from Radio Canada.  It talked about the rich country that Canada was and the good education system it had.  Michel vowed, if he ever had the opportunity, he would go to Canada." Chapter Six, Page 67  This quote brought tears to my eyes...so humbling...how fortunate we are to be born in Canada and live in true affluence by many standards...and we take SO much for granted... 
  Please check-out Krystaal 's website.....

Day 25: 340 days left…93 books to go!

Simple Abundance  Quieting the Wants
  • I LOVE that the quote to today's chapter is from the author of "Where the Wild Things Are"...which Jay & I just saw in theatre last night!
    • "There must be more to life than having everything."  Maurice Sendak 


Day 25: 340 days left…93 books to go!

The Love Dare  Love is responsible
  • "Over the past few decades, there's been a decline in personal responsibility...We are so quick to justify our motives.  So quick to deflect criticism.  So quick to find fault-"
  • "How deliberate are you about making sure your spouse's needs are met?  Or are you only concerned with your mate fulfilling yours?"  CHECK!!!  This is my biggest goal in completing this book...to learn & force myself to serve Jay at least as much as he already serves me....so far, I feel that I'm still failing miserably at that.... 

Day 25: 340 days left…93 books to go!

Exodus 16 & 17 
  • The Israelites are wandering through the dessert now and lose trust in God all over again...they cry out for food & wonder why they didn't stay in Egypt where they were at least fed...but Moses says to them: "In the evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of Egypt, and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against him.  Who are we that you should grumble against us?"  Chapter 16, Verses 6 & 7...
Matthew 20:17-34  
  • It's so crazy to me that Jesus knew what was coming to Him in Jerusalem...He knew in detail that He would be condemned, turned over to the Gentiles, mocked, flogged & crucified...and yet He willingly continued on His journey... Verses 17-19...
  • "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to his His life as a ransom for many."  Verses 26-28...
      •   I need to find tangible ways in which God can use me as a servant, so that I can understand how to live the life Jesus did on earth....

Monday, October 26, 2009

Day 24: 341 days left….94 books to go!

Michelle's Daily Hello for today!!!

  I spend at least 80% of my time these days, at home...just chilling...and yet I was so exhausted this morning that I slept-in till an unmentionable hour, stumbled into the living room and realized that my body is once again fighting-off a sickness.  If I'm lucky, with my immune system...and I take it easy and rest for a few days, it won't even materialize & I'll sneak away energetic and healthy...but seriously, how do I get even remotely sick when I hardly leave the house?  It beats me.... My little brother's boarding-school is shut down this week with all students either sent home or quarantined in their dorm rooms.  A breakout of either Norwalk or H1N1 spread through the school last week and 3/4 of the students, including my little brother were quite sick...My parents came into town the other day & brought my little brother with them and I have to say...I stayed at a comfortable distance away from him!  I wasn't actually sure I wanted him in the house!  I didn't mean to treat him as "the diseased one" or anything...but being 5 months pregnant...I suppose I should be taking precautions, right?

  Anyway....I wasted away the day up until about half an hour ago, just couching & watching my 2 favorite shows (Road to Avonlea & Ellen) and a movie....then I finally decided to get my but in gear & get blogging...!  There's house-cleaning to attend to today in abundance as well, or course....but for now...I'm basking in luxurious relaxation and using this possible coming sickness as a crutch to not attack the dog-hair all over my floor or the dirty dishes on the kitchen counter.....a time for everything, right?

  As I have to have the next book read by the end of tomorrow, I need to get crackin' on it too!  Hopefully there'll be a review posted on time!  Hope everyone else out there is staying healthy & having a lovely Monday!

Day 24: 341 days left….94 books to go!

Simple Abundance  Spending Habits 
  • "'Acting as if' can improve the quality of our lives enormously, with one exception: spending money.  You can't act as if you have all the money in the world if you don't.  You can't spend money as if there were no tomorrow if you can't cover the check..."
  • "Extravagance offers gratification and a feeling of abundance.  Asceticism endows simplicity and a sense of security.  Simple Abundance offers it all."

Day 24: 341 days left….94 books to go!

The Love Dare  Love forgives
  • I'm not aware of anything today that I need to forgive Jay for...but this chapter does bring to mind other relationships in my life where total forgiveness, over & over again...is required of me...There's a huge chunk of this chapter that's worth quoting...
      • "Coming to this conclusion usually takes us a while.  We see all kinds of dangers and risks involved in forgiving others.  For instance, what they did was really wrong, whether they admit it or not.  They may not even be sorry about it.  They may feel perfectly justified in their actions, even going so far as to blame you for it.  But forgiveness doesn't absolve anyone of blame.  It doesn't clear their record with God.  It just clears you of having to worry about how to punish them.  When you forgive another person, you're not turning them loose.  You're just turning them over to God, who can be counted on to deal with them His way.  You're saving yourself the trouble of scripting any more arguments or trying to prevail in this situation.  It's not about winning and losing anymore.  It's about freedom.  It's about letting go...How do you know you've done it?  You know it when the thought of their name or the sight of their face- rather than causing your blood to boil- causes you to feel sorry for them instead, to pity them, to genuinely hope they get this turned around."
  •   Ground-breaking advice for me today......

Day 24: 341 days left….94 books to go!

Exodus 14:5-15  
  • The Israelites were on their way...trekking out of Egypt, towards the Red Sea...when God hardened Pharoh's herat and he began to pursue them...as soon as the Israelites realized they were being chased-down, they were terrified and accused Moses of leading them out in the dessert to die!  After everything God had just accomplished, they still had no faith in Him.....but Moses stood firm, "Do not be afraid.  Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today...The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."  Exodus 14: 13 & 14  My husband actually painted me a canvas of the last part of that verse once for a gift....it compels me to believe its' truth....

  • See how God continues to fight for them..."Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel's army, withdrew and went behind them.  The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel.  Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.  Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land.  The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left...The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen- the entire army of Pharoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea.  Not one of them survived...That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore.  And when the Israelites saw the great power the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant."  Chapter 14: 19-22, 28, 30-31
  • Moses sang out to Lord, "The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.  He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father's God, and I will exalt Him.  The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name...In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed.  In your strenth you will guide them to your holy dwelling."  Chapter 15, Verses 2, 3 & 13
Matthew 19:16-20:16  
  • A rich man asks Jesus what he must do to be saved..."If you want to enter life, obey the commandments...If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me."  Chapter 19, Verses 17 & 21

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Day 23: 342 days left...94 books to go!

Simple Abundance  On Paying Bills
  •  Talking about how we can view paying bills in a more positive light..."We can pay for those services more serenely, even when we're strapped, by remembering that all financial transactions really boil down to an exchange of energy.  Someones provides us with energy in the form of heat, light, food, gas, clothing, shelter, the ability to speak to others over airwaves or watch movies from the comfort of our couches.  We reciprocate by paying for those services through energy in the form of money."
  • Remember that all U.S.D. currency has "In God We Trust" inscripted on it...and in God we should trust all our money woes to...
  • "Guard me against the arrogance of privilege, against the indulgence of feeling that I don't have enough, and the poverty of spirit that refuses to acknowledge what is daily given me...Keep me truthful in knowing where I spend, where my values actually are."  Gunilla Norris "Being Home"

Day 23: 342 days left…94 books to go!

The Love Dare  Love vs. Lust
  •  "The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.- 1 John 2:17
    • the last part of that verse was necessary for me to hear today..."the one who does the will of God"...I have opportunities today as I do every day to choose my will over God's....my selfish, worldly need to stand up for myself or my rights or what I feel I'm entitled to from other people...but that's not always in the best interest of God's will.....good reminder.....
  The chapter was actually on lusts that get in the way of our marriage & our fulfillment though...although Jay & I don't feel that we have current struggles with sexual lusts...there was the point that, "We see what others have and we want it.  Our hearts are deceived into saying, 'I could be happy if I only had this."  And that statement can be true about me...I often think we'll be happier when the baby comes, or when we pay off this loan or when Jay graduates and starts working and has a salary, or when we can afford to travel, etc.  But material things or worldly statuses will not fill us the way God can.

Day 23: 342 days left…94 books to go!

Exodus 12:31-14:4   The Exodus
  • Finally...perseverance & faith pay off..."During the night Pharoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, 'Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites!  Go, worship the LORD as you have requested.  Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go.  And also bless me."  Chapter 12, Verses 31 & 32  Up! & Go! were probably the best 2 words Moses & Aaron had heard in a long time...and it's incredible that after all of that, Pharoh saw the need for them to bless him....he saw that their God was real....
  • And the miracles the Israelites witnessed by the hand of God are unreal..."By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.  Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people."  Chapter 13, Verses 21 & 22
Matthew 19:1-15  
  • Strong words about divorce..."So they are no longer wo, but one.  Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."  Verse 6
  • And one of my favorite passages about God's love for children..."Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."   Verse 14

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Day 22: 343 days left…94 books to go! The One with "the Catcher in the Rye" Review!!!

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

  I have finally read this book...being meaning to for ages...and it was pretty much what I thought it would be....it actually drew many resemblences for me to a 2002 film favorite of mine, Igby Goes Down starring Kieran Culkin, Claire Danes, Ryan Phillippe, Susan Sarandon, Bill Pullman, Amanda Peet & Jeff Goldblum.....over 50 years after the novel was published, I found the character of "Igby" very similar to "Holden" in this novel.  It's narrated by a wealthy sixteen-year old and tracks his life over the course of just a few days in New York City...I'm really only glad I read it so I know what all the fuss is about and can check it off my list now...but here are a few notable quotes:
  • Opening Paragraph:  "If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth.  In the first place, that stuff bores me, and in the second place, my parents would have about two hemorrhages apiece if I told anything pretty personal about them."  Chapter 1, Page 3
  • I actually share the same pet-peeve with this next statement:  "That's something that drives me crazy.  When people say something twice that way, after you admit it the first time."  Chapter 2, Page 15  I can't stand it when people rail you for something you've just made yourself vulnerable to...it's rubbing salt in the wound...it's just mean...
  • Window into Holden's soul; personal quote:  "I'm the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life."  Chapter 3, Page 22
  • I did respect Holden for his general philosophy about women..."I think if you don't really like a girl, you shouldn't horse around with her at all, and if you do like her, then you're supposed to like her face, and if you like her face, you ought to be careful about doing crumby stuff to it, like squirting water all over it."  Chapter 9, Page 81
  • I appreciated the respect & warmth Holden felt for his younger sister...
  • "If a girl looks swell when she meets you, who gives a ____ if she's late?"  Chapter 17, Page 162
  • Advice Holden received from his teacher about life..."The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one."  Wilhelm Stekel
  • The End

Day 22: 343 days left…94 books to go!

Simple Abundance  Worrying about Money
  •  "Worrying about money sends toxic signals: fear, lack, deprivation.  When your subconscious mind continually receives negative impulses, it duplicates in your daily round whatever it was instructed to manifest, such as fear, lack, deprivation."  Agreed!  Less worry always equals more happiness, especially about money.....

Day 22: 343 days left…94 books to go!

The Love Dare  Love always protects
  •  Talking about how..."Love is a battlefield"!!!  All the things that can war against a marriage...
    • Harmful influences like internet & tv or busy work schedules
    • Unhealthy relationships with members of the opposite sex or friends who undermine your marriage
    • Shame by speaking negatively about your spouse publicly
    • Parasites such as addictions to gambling, drugs or pornography
  • "Wives- you have a role as protector in your marriage.  You must guard your heart from being led away through novels, magazines and other forms of entertainment that blur your perception of reality and put unfair expectations on your husband.  Instead you must do your part in helping him feel strong, while also avoiding talk-show thinking that can lure your attention away from your family."

Day 22: 343 days left…94 books to go!

Exodus 10-12:30  The Last few Plagues
  •  The final plague...the Plague on the Firstborn..."About midnight I will go throughout Egypt.  Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn son of the slave girl, who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle as well.  There will be loud wailing throught Egypt-worse than there has ever been or ever will be again...Then you will know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel."  Chapter 11, Verses 4-7
  • In preparation for this plague, the Israelites prepared for and celebrated their first Passover..."It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians."  Chapter 12, Verse 27
Matthew 18:15-35  
  • "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."  Chapter 18, Verse 20
  • On how many times I should forgive someone who wrongs me..."I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."  Verse 22
  • "Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?...This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."  Verses 33 & 35  Forgiveness is not an easy thing to accomplish...we as a society believe that we have so many rights these days, including the right to be treated with respect...if someone disrespects us or wrongs us several times...it's one of the hardest things to even consider forgiving them...but as God as forgiven us for all of our sins, we are called to forgive...from the heart....

Friday, October 23, 2009

Day 21: 344 days left…95 books to go!

  21 days-in to this challenge and I have completed reading 5 novels.  The longest of these was "Gone With the Wind" @ 1024 pages...which took me nearly 6 days to finish!  2nd longest was "A Tale of Two Cities" @ 520 pages...If I complete the next selection, "The Catcher in the Rye" by the end of tomorrow, I will be on track!  So far, so good!

  I have definitely had days where reading was not accomplished...I've found it's not easy when I have fabulous roommates vying for my attention!  But I'm extremely grateful for my roommates & have proven at this point, so far, that I can devote time to both...when Zion comes, it may be a different story!

  Personally, I'm fantastic today!  i've been quite tired lately...but have joy in my heart...Zion has been distinctly kicking much more frequently throughout the days now even so that Jay felt a couple of good ones in a row the other evening, which was thrilling!!!

  Also.....I have to send out HUGE thank you to one of my favorite readers, also a close friend of mine, Miss Ami Mulder!!! 

I felt like a famous blogger yesterday when I received in the mail the sweetest card AND 2 of the books I need to accumulate for this Challenge!  What a great friend!  That was a major encouragement!  Thank you SO much Ami!!!  I appreciate you!  I've been trying to update the slideshow on the bottom right column of the blog with the books I still need...gradually I will collect them all!

  Pretty soon, I'm off to the library to borrow "The Catcher in the Rye"....stay tuned for tomorrow's review which I will hopefully be ready to write!!! 

Day 21: 344 days left…95 books to go! The One with the "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" review!!!

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies  by Seth Grahame-Smith


  • I enjoyed this book!  It was very entertaining!  Absolutely, all of the brilliance in the writing was Austen's and this piece of work does not come nearly as close to my heart as the original...but I'm glad to have read this adaptation nonetheless!  Here are some of my favorite exerpts!
    • "The business of Mr. Bennet's life was to keep his daughters alive.  The business of Mrs. Bennet's was to get them married."  Chapter 1, page 9
    • Upon hearing Mr. Darcy's original comment of, "She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men."  Elizabeth Bennet surmises..."The warrior code demanded she avenge her honor."  Chapter 3, page 13  Ha, ha!  A great reaction to his arrogant snub!  This scene was immediately followed by an attack of zombies which the girls fought bravely!

    • "...and I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.  I dare say I would've cut this throat had not the unmentionables distracted me from doing so."  Chapter 5, page 19
    • "Remember, Charlotte- she is a warrior first and a woman second."  Chapter 6, page 20

    • "Darcy had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by her.  He really believed, that were it not for the inferiority of her connections, he should be in some danger of falling in love, and were it not for his considerable skill in the deadly arts, that he should be in danger of being bested by hers- for he had never seen a lady more gifted in the ways of vanquishing the undead."  Chapter 10, page 42
    • What Mrs. Bennet says about poor Charlotte Lucas..."...since she is an unmarried woman of seven-and-twenty, as as such should expect little more than a crust of bread washed down with a cup of loneliness."  Ha!  My single friends in their mid-late 20's would LOVE that sentiment!  
    • Of some unmentionables they pass on the road, "Let them burn...Let them have a taste of eternity.  You see, Mr. Collins...God has no mercy.  And neither must we."  Chapter 15, page 58  What a violent Elizabeth Bennet we have in this adaptation!
    •  Elizabeth hates Miss Bingley in the original work, but check out what she says in this one, "There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well.  The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every zombie confirms my belief that God has abandoned us as punishment for the evils of people such as Miss Bingley."  Chapter 24, page 103  Them's fighting words Miss Bennet!!!
    • "I believe the Crown more pleased to have me on the front lines than at the altar."  Chapter 26, page 115
    • "...but the presence of a woman who had slain ninety dreadfuls with nothing more than a rain-soaked envelope was an intimidating prospect indeed."  Chapter 29, page 124
    • Undoubtedly my favorite liberty that Seth takes in the whole book is this..."Elizabeth presently drew her Katana and cut off Lydia's head, which fell into the open hatbox."  Chapter 39, page 176  I laughed out loud at this...only to read on that Elizabeth simly day-dreamed she'd taken care of the prattling Lydia this way....Ha, ha!!!  What a riot!
    • "On the contrary, there is something pleasing about his mouth when he speaks.  And there is something of dignity in the way his trousers cling to those most English part of him"  Chapter 43, page 206  Jane Austen would NEVER have added that 2nd statement!  Ha, ha!
    • "...as we are each commanded by His Majesty to defend Hertfordshire from all enemies until such time as we ar dead, rendered lame, or married."  Chapter 47, page 226
    • "It taught me to hope, as I had scarcely ever allowed myself to hope before.  I knew enough of your disposition to be certain that, had you been absolutely, irrevocably decided against me, you would have beheaded Lady Catharine without a moment's hesitation."  Chapter 58, page 299

    • And the very final chapter of this book...."England remained in the shadow of Satan.  The dead continued to claw their way through crypt and coffin alike, feasting on British brains.  Victories were celebrated, defeats lamented.  Adn the sisters Bennet-servants of His Majesty, protectors of Hertforshire, beholders of the secrets of Shaolin, and brides of death- were now, three of them, brides of man, their swords quieted by that only force more powerful than any warrior.  THE END"  Chapter 61, page 317 

Day 21: 344 days left…95 books to go!

Simple Abundance  Money and the Meaning of Life
  • The beginning of a week-long study on money...which is coming at a great time for me...well, pretty much every week is a good week for me to learn more about money!
    • "The problem of money dogs our steps throughout the whole o four lives, exerting a pressure that, in its way, is as powerful and insistent as any other problem of human existence.  And it haunts the spiritual search as well."  Jacob Needleman
    • "Like success, money is an emotionally volatile issue for most women.  It's probably the most complicated relationship we have- and the one that most controls our lives because we let it."
    • "One of our difficulties is that too often we confuse spiritual yearnings with material wants.  For instance, you long for serenity...More work, more pay, more stress.  More stress, less serenity, no matter how much money you're earning."
    • Jacob Needleman's advice..."Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's."  The chapter doesn't elaborate from there, but from what I've always understood of these words of Jesus' is:    Pay your taxes & Tithe and trust God for the rest...

Day 21: 344 days left…95 books to go!

The Love Dare  Love is Faithful
  • The verse at the top of the chapter today was part of the inspiration for mine & Jay's wedding vows actually...the traditional wording is, "I betroth you to Me in faithfulness.  Then you will know the Lord."  Hosea 2:20  But we used several verses from this passage and switched-up the wording to say "marry" instead of "betroth"....
  • "As Christians, love is the basis of our whole identity." 

Day 21: 344 days left…95 books to go!

Exodus 7:25-9  More Plagues on Egypt...
  • After the Plague of Gnats, "The magician said to Pharoh, 'This is the finger of God.'"  Chapter 8, Verse 19  The finger of God is likely an ever-present phenomena in our daily lives, not just in outrageous miracles...if we only opened our eyes more to see....
    • I acknowledge the finger of God working in my life today...I received a paycheck from my work, even though I've been off for over 2 months waiting for a uniform and was under the impression that I'd been cut-off of payroll and although I'll admit the thought of going back to work now that I'm 5 months pregnant stresses me out completely if I dwell on the though too long...parts of my uniform have finally arrived and I should be able to complete my work in November...God's reminded me today that there's more power in his finger than I can imagine & He uses it to work in my life as much as He did in biblical times in Egypt. If I can stop worrying & trust in Him with our finances & our future...I can trust that He'll get me through November, whether I have to drag my but into the air & fly a few times or not...Moment to count my blessings:
        • I have had the most luxurious pregnancy thus far that anyone could hope for...although there's been some stress involved & I was meant to be working...the very bright side is, that I have not taken for granted...I've been @ home resting for most of my pregnancy....wow!  Not a small thing, & I send that out to the heavens...THANK YOU!
  • After the Plague of Hail, the 7th Plague that God sent to Egypt to convince Pharoh to let the Israelites go, the Lord says to Moses to tell Pharoh, "For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth.  But I have raised you up for this purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."  Chapter 9, Verses 15 &16  You never know how God is using someone for a great purpose...even someone who is seemingly evil...
  • Pharoh's response to this is, "This time I have sinned...The Lord is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong."  Verse 27  And yet his heart is again hardened and the 8th Plague comes....
Matthew 17:14-18:14  
  •  "Because you have so little faith, I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard see, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you."  Chapter 17, Verses 20 & 21  How small must our faith be...smaller than a mustard seed...
  • I typed these verses about little children up into posters for Baby Zion's room...or maybe I'll convince my husband to paint canvases about them....!
    • "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me."  Chapter 18, Verses 3-5
    • "If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?...In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost."  Verse 12 & 14

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Day 20: 345 days left…95 books to go!

Simple Abundance  Complaints (October 20th)
  •  "One of the reasons we love our close friends so dearly is that they allow us to complain knowing that we'll return the favor."  That's pretty sad, isn't it?!  We use our friends to vent off-of, and that rarely improves either mood or character....good to remember!
Comparisons (October 21st)
  • "As soon as you can bless the woman you secretly curse; as soon as you can give thanks for her happiness and success as much as your own because it demonstrates the abundance of Real Life."  That's when you can receive fulfillment.....
Compromises (October 22nd...that's right, I am now caught-up!!!)
  •  "If you dread it, don't agree to it.  If you do end up doig it despite your dread, you'll despise the whole deal, including the woman who agreed to it:  you."  You know....this is partly good advice....but it's not always true....there are a few on-going commitments in my life that I rarely look forward to fulfilling, but inevitably feel spiritually rewarded when I do...and well-reminded that going out of my comfort zone to serve someone else is necessary in this life......dreading it or not.......That's my 2 cents on that one...!

Day 20: 345 days left…95 books to go!

The Love Dare  Love is impossible
  •  Real love is something only God can do...therefore the only way you can learn to really love somebody is by first having a relationship with God and secondly, getting to know Him, asking Him to show you how to love like He does....the world's definition of love is not enough....no wonder so many relationships end in divorce & failure...we can't love on our own...we don't know how...."That's why if you're not right with God, you can't truly love your spouse because He is the source of that love."
  •  "The truth is, you can't live without Him and you can't love without Him."  Him being God....
  • Today's challenge was to search my heart & ask God whether I am in right relationship with Him....to say the least, it was intense....
Love is Jesus Christ
  • "One will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for a good man someone would dare even to die.  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  Romans 5:7-8  I'm not sure that I will ever fully comprehend what it means that He did that....
  • Prepare yourself for a very strong statement...I do not believe that in order to "be saved", you have to pray a prayer....I do not believe that you ever have to "ask Jesus into your heart"....I'm not aware of any phrasing in the Bible that asks us to do that...what I do believe is the need for a verbal confession of some kind & a belief in the heart...."If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."  Romans 10:  9-10  
  • I needed the reminder at the end of this chapter to love one another too...and that part of knowing God is loving other people...I can't actually claim to truly know God if I don't bring myself to love His people...and I can't choose to simply love those who love me...because even the demons do that.....harsh, but true & I needed to hear it today in particular!
Love is satisfied in God
  • At this point in "The Love Dare"..."You came face to face with the glaring need of every human heart."  If only I remembered to treat every person I encounter with that reality....that they need God....I wonder that I would treat people with more compassion & kindness...
  • Today's lesson:  "...you need God every single day...He alone can satisfy even when all else fails you."   I have actually been discussing this very point lately with my husband & roommate...the concept of whether or not we should commit to reading our Bibles & praying every day....I don't believe there's any quota, or condemnation if we...miss a day....!  But I do see that when I don't spend time in my day focusing on God, investing in that relationship....we do fall apart....I start thinking the way the world thinks....it's like any friendship....I make a point of spending time with Jay every day....why not God?  It's one of those neverending debates....
  • Today's dare is to try to spend time with God purposefully every day....and thankfully, that has been part of this whole challenge....although I've already missed a few days here & there....I'm trying....!
***Exciting realization.....I am officially half-way done this book!  It's been fortifying so far, but challenging.....and I know I will feel blessed when I've completed it entirely.....

Day 20: 345 days left…95 books to go!

Exodus 3-7:24  Moses and the Burning Bush, Moses Returns to Egypt, God Promises Deliverance...and the Plagues begin....
  • "Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush.  Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.  So Moses thought, 'I will go over and see this strange sight- why the bush does not burn up.'...God called to him from within the bush, 'Moses!  Moses!'...Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.  Then He said, 'I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.  At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God."  Chapter 3, Verses 2-6  If only we acknowledged more often, that we stand on holy ground....because God is everywhere...
  • "So now, go.  I am sending you to Pharoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt."  Verse 10  I wonder how many times God has asked me to, "Go!" that I simply haven't heard.....and I can only guess how many times I HAVE up & gone without asking Him if it's what He wishes....
  • "The LORD, the God of your fathers- the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob- has sent me to you.  This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation."  Verse 15
  • "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant.  I am slow of speech and tongue.  The Lord said to him, 'Who gave man his mouth?  Who makes him deaf or mute?  Who gives his sight or makes him blind?  Is it not I, the LORD?  Now go; I will help you speak and I will teach you what to say.'"  Chapter 4, Verses 10-12  It's a good reminder that Moses was just another human man, with no more spiritual ability than any of us...and God equips all of us to simply, 'Go!' provided that we trust in Him for our strength & guidance....
  • Pharoh's response is to be expected..."Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go?  I do not know the LORD and I will not let Israel go."  Chapter 5, Verse 2  It's right for Pharoh to admit that he doesn't know the LORD...too many people today claim to know Him and don't......my attempt is to not be one of them....
  • "'I am the LORD...and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm...I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God.  Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.'"  Chapter 6, Verses 6-7
Matthew 15:29-17:13  
  • It seems crazy that after witnessing so many miracles by Jesus, the disciples still worry about having enough bread..."...you of little faith,"  Chapter 16, Verse 8  But then again, isn't that how I am with my faith continually?  God teaches me something, or I am blessed with a time of closeness with Him because I choose to invest time in the relationship...and then I inevitably fall away...stop investing the time...stop looking to learn....I'm the same....
  • I have always been affected by these words Jesus says to Peter...I used to have them on a poster in my room when I was younger...they're so powerful (even if I don't fully understand what they mean)..."...and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven;"  Chapter 16, Verses 18-19
  • "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.  What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?  Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?  For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done."  Chapter 16, Verses 24-28  Every day, I focus on fulfilling myself rather than denying to follow Christ.....I feel that I hold on to my life so tightly...when all it is, is a gift from God to be used for Him...we all want to "gain the whole world"...but at what cost?

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Day 18: 347 days left…96 books to go!

Exodus 1-2  The Israelies Oppressed, The Birth of Moses
  • After Joseph passed away, a new king was throned in Egypt and as the Israelite nation grew in numbers, he decided to deal shrewdly with them..."So they put slave maters over them to opress them with forced labor...But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly..."  Chapter 1  Verses 11-13
  • Pharoh then declared that all male Hebrew newborns be thrown into the Nile river to stop their people from multiplying....but inspite of this decree, Moses was born & through his mother's faith & genius, his life was miraculously saved and he was brought-up in Pharoh's court...
  • "The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God."  Chapter 2  Verse 23
Matthew 15: 1-28  Clean and Unclean, The Faith of the Canaanite Woman
  • Jesus acosts the Pharisees in this reading because they are worried about the Disciples' not washing their hands before they eat....Jesus calls them on their own sin, "Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition..."  Verse 6  "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.  They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men."  Verses 8-9  It can be so easy to be caught-up in rules taught by men...and I so often wonder how much of my faith is honoring God with my lips but having a heart that is far from Him....Jesus addressed the Pharisees' initial complaint against the Disciples...."What goes into a man's mouth does not make him unclean, but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him unclean."  Verse 11
  • Now to anyone reading this...the rest of my reading today, verses 21-28, The Faith of the Canaanite Woman....this entire story I do not understand....if someone could provide insight, that would be great!  I actually found an explanation on this webiste...but it still doesn't fully make sense to me:  bibleexplained.com   

Day 18: 347 days left…96 books to go! (The One with the "Gone with the Wind" Review!)

Day 16:  349 days left...96 books still to read....



  I just realized that at this point, it has taken me an average of 4.2 days to read each selection....which is a little more than I was hoping for...need to get cracking down & already I've had reactions from my roommates that all I do is read....ahh!  "Gone With the Wind" is the longest book I've read in this challenge so far, and it did take me a good 5 1/2 days to finish....but it was worth it!  Here is what I have no doubt will be a very long breakdown of my favorite passages!
  • Part One, Chapter 1 starts right off by telling us about Scarlett O'Hara that, "...her true self was poorly concealed."  Beneath the seemingly well-manicured, well-bred exterior...
  • I love the quote on page 6, "They had the vigor and alertness of country people who have spent all their lives in the open and troubled their heads very little with dull things in books."  Ha, ha!  Not kindred spirits with me, I suppose....not that I speak as someone who is well-read.....but I love troubling myself with books!
    • Alright...I just brought myself to the reality that I have highlighted quotes on almost every of the 1024 pages of this book so expanding on all of them would take HOURS!!!  For much better time efficiency, I'm going to quote just a few more & assume you all understand how much I enjoyed this book!  
  •  Mostly....this novel is an account of the life of Scarlett O'Hara....but the title refers to the loss of the Southern way-of-life where landowners grew rich from slave-labour & archaic customs....but customs the South cherished nonetheless and mourned the loss of greatly.  It's a richly written novel with hundreds of notable passages that I will surely read again in my lifetime, inspite of the volume of the novel....Here are just a few more quotes that I can't help but share with you...
      • "I wish to Heaven I was married...I'm tired of everlastingly being unnatural and never doing anything I want to do.  I'm tired of acting like I don't eat more than a bird, and walking when I want to run and saying I feel faint after a waltz, when I could dance for two days and never get tired.  I'm tired of saying, 'How wonderful you are!' to fool men who haven't got one-half the sense I've got, and I'm tired of pretending I don't know anything, so men can tell me things and feel important while they're doing it..."  Chapter 5  So glad women don't subject themselves to that any longer.....
      •  "Always providing you have enough courage- or money- you can do without a reputation."  Part II, Chapter IX  Oh Scarlett!!!!
      •  This next quote could be applied by many to our present circumstances of war, I'm afraid:  "All wars are scared.  To those who have to fight them.  If the people who started wars didn't make them sacred, who would be foolish enough to fight?  But, no matter what rallying cries the orators give to the idiots who fight, no matter what noble purposes they assign to wars, there is never but one reason for a war.  And that is money."  says Rhett Butler
      • One of what I believe to be 2 of the most famous quotes from this movie is the following declaration made by Scarlett:  "As God is my witness, as God is my witness, the Yankees aren't going to lick me, I'm going to live through this and when it's over, I'm never going to be hungry again.  No, nor any of my folks.  If I have to steal or kill- as God is my witness, I'm never going to be hungry again."  Part Three Chapter 25
      • And of course, my final note will be the most famous quote from this novel, the classic words of Rhett Butler, "My dear, I don't give a damn."  Part Five  Chapter 63  (Last Chapter)
  All in all, a great read & one I highly recommend...just be sure you have the time set aside to devote to it!

Monday, October 19, 2009

Day 17: 348 days left…96 books to go!

Crazy Pregnant Avid Reader's Daily Hello!
  • Whew!  Today has been a hectic day!  Although I have completed my daily readings & blogged about them...and I even read an extra day's worth of bible readings today!  But I haven't accomplished much on the new read, "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" or completed my review of "Gone With the Wind"...but we'll see how the rest of the evening goes...I'm exhausted!  
    • Things in life are relatively good....I've been off from work @ WestJet waiting for my maternity uniform to arrive & it has been weeks & weeks....and I just found-out today that I'm being pulled-off of payroll again because the uniform company claims it took me a month to send the uniforms back for alteration, when in fact, I had sent them back the day after I received them....good times!  I'm doing an alright job of not stressing-out about it too much...but my husband isn't handling it quite as well!  He's the keeper of the budget, so things are a little more difficult for him!  
    • Baby's doing pretty good....I did get all gassy last night (tmi?!) from a simple glass of apple juice and was up till 4am trying to ease it down....let's hope for a better night's sleep tonight!
    • I'm really enjoying the new read so far....it's quite hilarious....hopefully finish it on-time, but we'll see!
  Happy Monday everyone!!!  Hope you endured yours & we all go on to have more relaxing Tuesdays!!!  Happy Reading!

Day 17: 348 days left…96 books to go!

Simple Abundance  Compliments
  • Talking about how we don't give compliments enough and rarely receive them well...

Day 17: 348 days left…96 books to go!

The Love Dare  Love seeks to understand
  • Talking about how much effort we put into learning about our hobbies & interests or even into getting to know our spouse when we first starting dating them...but then typically stop investing the interest after you're married...
  • Dare is to have a special dinner date and focus on getting to know each other better....
    • Plan is to have a date this coming Wednesday night....! 

Day 17: 348 days left…96 books to go!

Genesis 46-50  Jacob goes to Egypt, Jacob blesses his sons, Jacob & Joseph pass-on
  • I found it interesting how God assures Jacob that it is safe to move to Egypt, although knowing what happens to the Israelites during the time of Moses, it seems that the move to Egypt led to tragedy.  "And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, 'Jacob!  Jacob!...I am God, the God of your father...Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.  I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again."  Chapter 46 Verses 2-4  
  • And at this point, Goshen was considered a choice place to settle in Egyptian territory..."...settle your father and your brothers in the best part of the land.  Let them live in Goshen."  said Pharoh to Joseph...Chapter 47 Verse 6  "Now the Israelites settled in Egypt in the region of Goshen.  They acquired property there and were fruitful and increased greatly in number."  Verse 27
  •  I love the blessings given back in these days....makes me think of formal blessings I could pray over our son...Jacob gives this blessing to Joseph's sons..."May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Issac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the Angel who has delivered me from all harm- may he bless these boys.  May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Issac and may they increase greatly upon the earth."  Chapter 48 Verses 15 &16
  • After Jacob dies, Joseph's brothers are again worried that Joseph's favor of them will run out, but again Joseph assures them, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."  Chapter 50 Verse 20
    • THE BOOK OF GENESIS IS NOW COMPLETE!!!!
Matthew 13: 44- 14: 36
  • So many momentous events in today's reading...Jesus tells more parables, Jesus arrives in his hometown and the people there have no faith in Him, Jesus feeds the 5,000 and Jesus & Peter walk on water together.....wow!

    Sunday, October 18, 2009

    Day 16: 349 days left…96 books to go!

    Simple Abundance  A Lesson from Loss
    • Moving-on after tragedy in your life....talking about how in the last minutes before your death, your thoughts are likely not centered on your to-do list for the day, but "Surely your thoughts are Real."  Because in the last moments, Real is what's important....and it should be more important in our ordinary, daily lives.....Even when tragedy strikes, "You still have life.  A choice as to how you will live this precious day...For the love of all that's holy, redeem one hour.  Hold it close.  Cherish it.  Above all, be grateful for it.  Let your thanksgiving rise above the din of disappointment-"

    Day 16: 349 days left…96 books to go!

    The Love Dare:  Love promotes intimacy
    • Talking about opening-up your secrets to your spouse and letting them be truly intimate with you with those areas of each others' lives...interesting question asking if your knowing all your spouses' secrets makes them feel safe or scared?  I had to ponder that one for a time.....If your spouse shares his or her deepest, darkest secrets & personal struggles with you and you've taken that information harshly or held it against them in any way, they may feel more scared that you hold that information in your possession now and regretful for sharing it with you.  "If home is not considered a place of safety, you will both be tempted to seek it somewhere else."  "They will either know they're in a place of safety where they are free to make mistakes, or they will recoil into themselves and be lost to you, perhaps forever."  Thought-provoking read today............

    Day 16: 349 days left…96 books to go!

    Genesis 44 & 45:  Joseph makes himself known to his brothers
    • It's amazing to me how Joseph holds no bitterness against his brothers for torturing him, selling him into slavery & abandoning him....at this point in the story, he has risen to greatness in Egypt, but he spent years as a slave and in prison after his brothers betrayed him, and yet he says with graciousness, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!  And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you...But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.  So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.  He made me father to Pharoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt."  Chapter 45 Verses 4-8
      • May all of us be able to see the good God has brought together in the seemingly negative circumstances in our lives & give Him alone the glory, holding no bitterness or blame on those who've harmed us....

    Saturday, October 17, 2009

    Day 15: 350 days left….97 books to go!

    Crazy Pregnant Avid Reader's Daily Hello!

       It's a gorgeous Saturday morning in Saskatoon...it's been quite cold the past week or so here, but today the temperature has risen to at least 5 degrees & we're appreciative of it!  I've just completed my daily readings for today & watched my husband & our dog return from their morning run....!  In a few moments, I will have to ready myself for the day, pack a few things (mostly books, of course!) and head-out with Jay & the dog to Jay's hometown, Birch Hills  SK for the rest of the weekend.  Jay has a project due for University that requires him to research his historical family tree & produce actual paperwork evidence of his findings.  This can only be done at home.  I intend to blog-away from Birch Hills tomorrow but may end up accomplishing that once we're home again, we'll see!

      I'm feeling great today, so hopefully the energy stays with me!  I intend to take a very long, glorious walk later on today to soak in the gorgeous weather while I still can!  Looking forward to having some one-on-one time with Jay that never seems to be enough!

      Baby's good today as far as I can tell....he's moving around now & then, but still not as noticeably as I'd like...I know it will come!  We're 21 weeks & 2 days along today....!

      Reading is going well...."Gone With the Wind" is slow, but sure and I'm enjoying it FAR more than I did the film, FAR more than I thought I would, in fact.  I'm highlighting a lot!  From my other readings today, I desire to accept the Word of God onto good soil that will produce a crop (Bible Reading), pray for Jay (The Love Dare), & rejoice in a habit of being, a joie de vivre that looks forward to & creates simple pleasures throughout the day (Simple Abundance).