Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Kristin Lavransdatter

The Bridal Wreath (Kristin Lavransdatter I) by Sigrid Undset

I read this book to fulfill the "read a book set in the middle ages" and "read a book that has been translated".  

Sigrid Undset told a masterful story and I really enjoyed it - but was also so frustrated with the main character Kristin.  I spent most of the story wishing I could reach through the pages and say "STOP, this is SO not going to turn out ok."  

I was also struck my how many characters spent their entire life trying to live a life that would make up for the sin they had committed.  I find that incredibly sad, but also incredibly eye-opening and convicting.  Ironically as I closed the last page on this book, I opened another Jerry Bridges book and this leaped out at me : "Christ bore our curse and earned our blessing.  That is the meaning of grace." I know it's just a character in a story, but I truly wish for Kristin and all of the characters in this story to know the truth of that statement.

This was a hard week in our house.  I am so thankful that it is almost over (and yes, I do realize it's only Wednesday, but I am still thankful we are closing in on the weekend.) 

I forgot to include my favorite quote:

“Pray rather, you and your wife, Lavrans Bjorgulfson,  that you not be tempted to try and bend God’s will concerning this child.  Our Lord Jesus Himself has set these small feet upon the path of peace which will lead her most surely to the home of peace -“ 

Her parents were desperate for a ‘fix’ to heal and sometimes God’s will is to strengthen you and yours to walk with the disability/chronic illness/profound weakness and/or brokenness.  This resonated so deeply with what it is like as a special needs parent and the timely reminder of surrender and the allowing of God to prove faithful  either way - through healing or not.

Saturday, February 8, 2025

Three Books

Grace for the Afflicted by Matthew S. Stanford

Moana 2 (the junior novelization) by Elizabeth Rudnik

and

Matilda by Roald Dahl

I will start with Grace for the Afflicted.  This is a book that presents both the clinical aspect and the Biblical perspective of mental illnesses. If you struggle with mental health, care for someone who does, or come into contact on a weekly basis (Sunday School, Bible study, church, book club etc; ) - you need to read this book.

I also read Moana 2 this week in preparation for watching the movie when it's released on DVD.  I REALLY like the option of being able to "preview" a movie for content by pre-reading either junior novelizations or movie tie-in books.  Of course this book isn't the best book I have read, but it does its job by giving me a glimpse of content and conversation from the movie.

And last but not least, Matilda by Roald Dahl.  I cannot believe I waited so long to read this book.  Roald Dahl is one of my favorite authors and Danny the Champion of the World is still my favorite childhood book.  Matilda is absolutely as endearing as James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  While it did not unseat Danny as my favorite book, it was enchanting to read (and listen to a portion of it).  By the way, if you are waffling between reading and listening, go with the listen on this one, Kate Winslet does a FANTASTIC job!  (also beware two misuses of God's name)

Saturday, February 1, 2025

Re-reads

This was a week of re-reads for me!

I re-read Christmas in the Castle Library by Ann Swindell for one of the January's Brighter Winter challenges (read a book published in 2024) and I loved it just as much the second time around.  And guess what?!?!  It is now out on Audible!

I also re-read a book I haven't read since my kids were small: The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges.  I also chose this one to complete a Brighter Winter Challenge (read two books by the same author).  This is SUCH a fantastic book, he was such a fantastic author.  His love for God coupled with his practical approach to complex topics made him such an effective teacher/author/minister.  I highly recommend his books!   

Bit of a wonky week in my house so this is all for now- hope you have a great week this week.

Saturday, January 25, 2025

What I read this week

This week...sigh.

It was supposed to be the first week back to Bible study but we missed because of weather.  A sweet friend dropped the study off for us.

A pipe froze or burst or has a small fracture somewhere in it and the girls' bedroom was wet on Friday morning.  

Every.single.time. we start back to Bible study there is a plumbing disaster of some kind.  

I am just SOOOO thankful this one is very minor in comparison to the last three.  I am hopeful the plumber can come early next week to take a look.  

This week I finished At Home in Mitford and read (again!) 84 Charing Cross Road.  Two of my favorite books 😍😍!!

I am currently reading my last three books for January's challenges.  Can you believe we are at the end of January?  It feels like it simultaneously zipped by and yet we lived three years in three weeks.

Hopefully this week is less eventful than last week.  Especially since it is crammed with appointments.

Friday, January 17, 2025

The Little Woman

by Gladys Aylward

Years ago, my girls and I read Christian Heroes Then and Now Gladys Aylward and to this day, it remains one of our very favorite missionary biographies.  

I LOVE Christian Heroes Then and Now.  

They are THE best Christian and historical biographies, suited for reading aloud or reading to self.  When I have had the chance to read an original - firsthand account - like with this book (The Little Woman), I have always found Christian Heroes Then and Now to be completely accurate, no liberties taken.

When I looked to find a book that met two challenges for Brighter Winter (a book about a woman you admire and a book checked out from your library to complete a challenge), I was SO excited to find this book.  I've wanted to read The Little Woman for years.  

It was fascinating to read "I" and "my" when reading about Gladys, knowing she wrote / told her story and it was scribed for her.  I enjoyed this book, but honestly I loved Christian Heroes Then and Now more.  I would read both again, but if you had to choose one, I would recommend the Christian Heroes book. 

PS in case you wonder if I have found that always to be true, I have also read George Mueller and Corrie Ten Boom this way.  I would actually say read The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom instead if you are pressed for one, and I would choose Christian Heroes Then and Now for George Mueller, again if you have to choose just one.  But if you have time - I would read both for all three; the book written in their own hand or scribed for them and the Christian Heroes Then and Now version.

Saturday, January 11, 2025

Trusting God by Jerry Bridges

This is perhaps the best book I have ever read on this subject.  It tackles the crux of the battle of our walk with God - can we truly trust (I love Webster's 1828 dictionary definition for the word trust - a confidence, a reliance or resting of the mind on the integrity, veracity (invariable expression of the truth), or justice... emphasis mine) but can we truly trust God - ESPECIALLY when we don't see or feel or sense Him in any way, shape, or form in our misery, suffering, and/or pain?    

The short answer is resoundingly yes.  The answer we arrive at in the middle of hellish circumstances is often harder to arrive at, but it is always YES, God is the Person in whom we can rest our minds.  

I LOVE LOVE LOVE how Mr. Bridges tackles the hard points - he addresses the fact that there will be pain and suffering and misery and we won't understand.  

But understanding is not the point.  

I think often times I miss the truth of Proverbs 3: 5 - Trust in the LORD with all of your heart (that means don't hold a single thing back) and lean NOT on your own understanding (emphasis mine).  I tend to try to lean into the understanding so that I can trust, and God is saying - NO, trust me - rest in Me, lean in to Me, NOT your own understanding.

Ironically as I read through this book, I took a slight detour from the plan printed in our Bible reading plan workbook and followed the chronological plan I read last year.  The plan that I used last year places the book of Job right after Genesis 11.  So, while I am reading this book I am also reading the book of Job.  And again I am struck by the fact that God never answered Job's why - He answered with Who.  

We don't need to know the why as long as we know the Who.  

In my life - I cannot tell you how many tears I have shed and how much anxiety has swirled around the "why" of circumstances.  Why do my girls struggle with chronic health issues?  Why are simple things so hard?  Why are we so different?  Why can't we just do A, B, or C like so and so can? Why, why, why...(often coupled with lots of "what-ifs").  Those questions, while normal and natural to ask when something first happens are NEVER where you want to dig down and try to build trust from.  Those are the sand questions.  

Instead, try this.  Try digging down into the solid Rock of 'Who' - Who is God?  What is His character revealed through His Word?  Build your trust from this point.  

And ask God to show you.  Ask Him to enable your heart and mind to see what He is teaching you about Himself through this experience (this idea is addressed on pg. 133 of the kindle version)

My review does not do this book justice.  There is simply no way to cover the full impact this book will have on your walk with God except to read it.  

*He does caution at the beginning - that if you are in the middle of painful circumstances right now, maybe consider waiting until things calm down before tackling this book.  

Also read The Diary of Anne Frank and At Home in Mitford, but will cover those in my Brighter Winter review.  Trusting God fulfilled two challenges - first one - read two books by the same author for BW,  and it fulfills G3 - read a book about faith.

Anne Frank was 'read a book you hated as a child'
Mitford fulfills the 'read a book about neighbors'

Sunday, January 5, 2025

Lady Hardcastle Mysteries

by T.E. Kinsey

# 3 Dead Around the Bend - Lady Hardcastle and her lady's maid Florence Armstrong join a group of friends at Lord Riddlethorpe's country manor to enjoy a week ensconced in the world of motor racing.  The problems begin when one of the group dies in an accident.  When further close scrapes unfold, Lady Hardcastle and Flo buckle down to unmask the killer(s).

# 4 A Picture of Murder - While I found the mystery intriguing, I LOVED hearing the story behind how Lady Hardcastle and Florence Armstrong met and joined forces.  This is actually my favorite book in the series so far.