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THE SHEPHERD'S CROSS by Gary E. Parker - 5* -- My thoughts: A beautifully heartwarming and redemptive story. There's lots of realism, with its focus on Chipper's struggle with alcohol addiction during the first six years after returning injured from WWII. There's fantasy as well, as Chipper encounters three spiritual…

Connie, it's wonderful that your Mom is close, as I'm thankful to be close to Beth and Daniel. With the weather like you described, it was probably better that she didn't get out. Cindy, after a family celebration like that, you deserve a lazy day! I'm glad so many were able to come and trust you made some great memories.…

Looks good, Connie. I've reviewed a few books from the Heartwarming line, so I recognize a few authors in addition to Dana Mentink. I discovered that I got one of the others in the series for free back in 2015, A HEARTWARMING CHRISTMAS.

Thanks for sharing all these ornaments, both in pictures and in words! I have enjoyed seeing special decorations that are unique to each of us. Connie, if I were to visit your home, that little teddy bear just might disappear. One last ornament that I have to share is this little handmade wooden church scene. Beth led a…

Cindy, I love the decorations you shared! My Mom once made a similar ceramic tree when I was growing up and set it out on our dining table. I'm partial to multi-colored lights, so I would always linger when passing through the dining room. You did a beautiful job with your creativity on sprucing up the music box - the…

Thanks for your prayers, ladies! Dwight had a slight improvement today in that he was able to stand without his blood pressure dropping so much. I wasn't there at the time, so I don't know what exercises he was able to do, but that's a great improvement. I've been taking pictures of simple things around the house and he…

THE CHRISTMAS HUMMINGBIRD by Davis Bunn - 4* My review: The Christmas Hummingbird is different from the typical sweet Christmas read that I expected, and I enjoyed it very much. California fires form the backdrop for this story, with eye-opening descriptive narratives that included robbery and looting. In the midst of all…

Connie, I feel for you because I know how tired you must be. I've only got Dwight, while you have both Bill and your Mom. It's so hard to see a loved one losing their health and unable to take care of their basic needs. I'm still hopeful that Dwight will eventually get enough strength to come home. His biggest problem is…

Cindy, I hope you and Dave are gradually recovering. When I'm sick, soup is my favorite - and sometimes only - food. Fortunately, some of Campbell's soups are favorites, so I can usually manage to prepare it myself. Kim, I'm so thrilled for you! And the picture... He's precious. To have these words and his part in…

What a wonderful way to honor Jake, Kim! I've heard of naming a character after a reading fan, but a beloved dog is special. I've seen posts where you mentioned that, but didn't know exactly what was going on. You will treasure that book for sure!

Welcome home, Cindy! I hope you can take some time to relax and enjoy the Christmas season. Sorry that Dave is sick, but maybe he could take some medicine that would make him sleepy? Kim - Jesus is indeed the reason for the peace you have. It's just that sometimes we forget that He always has a plan and take a lot of worry…

Kim - Thank you! Yes, I did write that review. Now that I don't have to keep up a review blog and post long reviews on multiple websites, I frequently try to write 3-4 sentences expressing my feelings and post it only on Goodreads.

Thanks for sharing those books, Kim. The Weimer books looks like one I would enjoy. It could be my imagination, but it seems like a lot more books are available through KU than in the past. Books that I would possibly enjoy reading.

Connie, you are a wonderful caregiver and Bill is so blessed to have you, as is your Mom. I know it's hard, filled with setbacks and unexpected new difficulties. I continue to pray that God will lift your spirits and sustain you, giving you the physical and emotional strength to meet all that each day brings. Kim, you…

A CROSS-COUNTRY CHRISTMAS by Courtney Walsh - 4* Review: A Cross-Country Christmas has a few elements that I don't really care for... a Hollywood-type job, some emphasis on physical appeal, unresolved hurt feelings, lack of communication, and romantic comedy theme. That being said, I still enjoyed this story. The action is…

All of your prayers are very much appreciated. Turns out that Dwight did have an infection, which they are treating with strong antibiotics. The rehab facility will transport him to the urologist's office on Thursday, so we are hoping for good results from that visit - namely, removal of the catheter. Kim, I'm praying that…

How are you feeling today, Kim? That inhaler that the doctor put you on... Dwight uses that as a nose spray each day. At least, I think it's the same medicine. And you're so right in that everything happens for a purpose. It might be obvious soon, or in the future, or you may never know for sure. But God is working in and…

AN ALASKAN CHRISTMAS PROMISE by Belle Calhoune - 3* [Reviewed on Goodreads: "I enjoyed the characters, storyline and Alaskan setting. Sweet, emotional story for Christmas or any time of the year. Hold on to your heart, or a dog named Jupiter just might steal it! I loved the Scripture references and application of faith.…

Lovely picture, Connie! So glad you posted it. I can see you in your Mom. Is she more content about where she's living? Kim, you're in my thoughts and prayers today as you visit the doctor. Cindy, I'm thankful you have work to keep you busy after all the covid mess, and hope your trip is going well. We're hoping to put our…

What a blessing our families are, Kim! I was just about to ask if you still needed to see the doctor tomorrow. Praying for you in this healing process of more antibiotics or whatever the doctor recommends. Dwight had a much better day today and actually did some OT exercises. Another blessing is discovering how good our…

You're right, Kim... surgery is never simple! The unexpected happens more frequently than one would expect. Let us know when Wade's surgery is scheduled. Dwight was moved to rehab over the weekend, when not much happens, so progress has been slow so far. We have a care plan meeting this afternoon, then I'll hopefully know…

Cindy - My daughter led a campus ministry in Germany for 8 years. I was thrilled to visit her twice during those years, but never around Christmas. Beth loved street markets, especially the Christmas ones. You'll probably find some great food. Is it cold there, or does Barcelona have a milder climate? I didn't notice any…

I love the pictures, Cindy! Thank you for sharing with us. I tried to look up Bones Festes and think it basically means happy holidays, party, celebration, etc. I hope you and your sister get to experience a little of Barcelona life in the midst of working.

Kim - I hope you've been able to rest and nap today, and I pray that your breathing continues to improve. Sometimes the body just needs to rest in order to heal. Connie - How is Bill doing generally? Dwight says that sometimes his knee just gives away, so I know how you feel when Bill stands. It is so easy to fall, even…

Can you all believe that I haven't read a book since August?! Things seem to be calming down a little, so I picked up an unfinished British mystery yesterday and realized how much I've missed reading. I don't enjoy a steady diet of Christmas stories, but most are shorter in length, so I made a list of titles I hope to get…

Cindy, I'd be getting our tree up this weekend if it was artificial. Beth & Daniel like live ones, so they also get one for us. I liked being able to keep an artificial tree up a long time, but live trees bring back sweet childhood memories. Having Beth & Daniel bring one for me and help me set it up is fun also. So it may…

Kim, I pray for healing from the pneumonia soon. And Connie, praying that your Mom continues to adjust to her new living area. Cindy, your Thanksgiving celebration sounds wonderful. So thankful that you got to enjoy sweet family time. Dwight's had a rough few weeks, mainly from occasional falls that seem to have injured…

Glad your back is a little better, Kim. But when one area improves, seems like another area starts acting up. Dwight takes arthritis meds, which I think help some. And he got shots in both knees a few weeks ago, which really seemed to help. Now that he feels better, he's focusing on some ways we can maybe cut costs - which…

Thanks, Kim. Not sure when I'll get to it, but it looked good. Have you read Heather Moore before?

Cindy - I'm also praying that Marcia and her family feel God's presence through this medical journey and are drawn closer to Him. Kim - Sitting on the balcony and watching the ocean is my kind of vacation! Not to mention visiting an Outer Banks lighthouse or two. On our beach trips over the years, we always fixed a big…