My Heart is Filled With Thankfulness

What a wonderful two days it’s been…

Yesterday was Family Day here in Ontario and a statutory holiday = not having to go in to work! Yippee! We spent the day together as a family sleeping in, playing games, the boys had a serious snowball fight while the girls read and enjoyed the quiet! Another thing about stat holidays is that there is no mail delivery – drat! I would have to wait until Tuesday to see if my offer of acceptance would arrive from Tyndale. Oh well, one more day wouldn’t kill me – right? I came downstairs around 2:30 to this big bag/package sitting by my laptop. It was the clothes I had ordered online – strange – why would there be a delivery on a stat? Oh well, I went to the kitchen to get the scissors. When I came back to the table, there was an envelope from Tyndale right beside the package!!!!!!!!!!!! How I missed it when I was looking at the package, I’ll never know. It turns out that mail is delivered on Family Day AND I have officially been offered admission into the B. Ed. program at Tyndale. HALLELUJAH! I now have the password into myTyndale and can access all of the syllabi for the program that’s running this year (EEK – what was I thinking?) I am thrilled, excited and terrified all at the same time.

Today I had to go to the church to get some work done, meet with someone about a workshop I’ll be presenting in April and have lunch with my amazing hubby. I love our church and the many wonderful people who minister and attend there! While at the church someone told me that they wanted to contribute financially to my education and someone else had just cleaned out their closet and had professional and casual clothes they would like to give me (thank you Lord that she has fabulous taste in clothes and is my size!)

My heart is filled with thankfulness! AGAIN! STILL!

God continues to amaze me and I am humbled that he would choose to use and bless me.

Here’s a link to the song that is continually in my head these days…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgfPQWi48xg

But I Didn’t Get the Email…

Life around here is always on the tipping edge of crazy, and last night was a prime example of that…

I knew from a fellow student with Derwyn who interviewed on the same day as I did that notification of acceptance into the Bachelor of Education program at Tyndale was to be on Wednesday, Feb 15th. I waited impatiently for a phone call or email most of the day. I called Tyndale around 3pm to ask when notification would be sent out and how one would receive word of acceptance. The admissions department informed me that if I made the first intake, notification would go out “this week” with an email from the department and then an admissions package in the mail to follow. Well, there was always hope that they were running behind and I would get an email on Thursday or Friday.

On Wednesday I had asked Derwyn if his friend had received an email and he said that he didn’t know. Thursday night after STILL no email I asked Derwyn if he had his friend’s phone number to call and ask him if he got an email. That’s when Derwyn told me that his friend did get an email on Wednesday but he didn’t want to tell me in case the emails came out in waves and there was still hope for me to get one. To say that I was devastated would be an understatement. I was angry, confused and numb. I could not be hysterical because Laurenne had friends over and I didn’t want to scare them into never coming over again!

Derwyn was very worried about me but still had to go to the church for worship team practice, so off he went. An hour after Derwyn told me the news, the phone rang and a friend’s mom knocked on the door at the same time! As I am instructing Laurenne to open the door (picture four girls all standing in the entry way at the same time, talking at the same time) I hear “this is ________ from Tyndale University” on the phone. My ever optimistic self is thinking “I am going to be rejected tonight and won’t even make it to the second intake”. I told this poor guy to hang on a sec as I ran upstairs, leaving this mom standing in the chaos so that I could actually hear him on the phone.

With the door closed and the room quiet upstairs, I hear someone say “I would just like to congratulate you for being accepted into the Bachelor of Education program.” I was stunned and in shock and thought there must be some mistake. I thought it was possibly Derwyn’s friend phoning, not understanding that I did not make it. Me of great faith says “I’m sorry, who is this?” Pause and confused voice introduces himself again. I told him “But I don’t understand – I didn’t get the email. I know someone who did and I thought I wasn’t accepted.” (I am now on the brink of tears and asking if this is a joke) He said that he doesn’t know anything about the email, but has my acceptance right in front of him and I can expect my acceptance package in the mail any day now. Trying not to sob like a baby on the phone with this poor fellow who is about to call the men in white coats on me at any moment, I thank him a million times and hang up the phone.

Thankfully, the mom is still downstairs and I can say goodbye properly. I immediately phone Derwyn and explain what happened. HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY. Because I am of such great faith (sarcasm dripping here) I still didn’t really believe that I was truly accepted. There must be some mistake and I was waiting for the other shoe to drop… I am so ridiculous… For the last two weeks, God has been telling me to “BE STILL” in various different ways. At work on Thursday as my teeth were hurting from clenching, I hear the first two bars of “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” before someone gets their headphones plugged into the computer. OK God, I’ll try. Little did I know what was ahead!

This morning I got an email from the Financial Aid department at Tyndale and it has our regular email address and my Tyndale email address! I am now a believer! I have also emailed the admissions department to ask for the email that was sent out on Wednesday just in case I missed something.

So, I still have no idea the name of the person who called last night but I do know that the crazy tapes that were playing in my head for that hour last night are to be chewed up, spit out and thrown into the fire – forever!

I get to be a TEACHER when I grow up! THANKS BE TO GOD!

Book Review: Hot Chocolate With God

Hot Chocolate With God: Just Me and Who God Created Me To Be by Camryn Kelly with sister and mom Jill and Erin Kelly is a fun book that gives girls ages 8-12 a chance to discover more about themselves. Using short chapters that combine puzzles, questions and personal thoughts from the authors, this book directs girls to ponder such things as: who they are, outer beauty, inner beauty, family, friends and school, as well as hopes and dreams, all in a Christian context.

I love this book and would recommend it for the younger members of the targeted age group. My almost-13-year-old thought it was a bit young for her, but I did use many of the questions found in the book as discussion starters in her middle school Sunday school class with great success. I also teach another class with younger girls and know of several who would use this book and enjoy it immensely.

Hot Chocolate With God helps young girls to tour their own hearts to explore things they may not even realize yet about themselves. Grounded in Christ, fun and encouraging, this little gem will bring hours of enjoyment and insight.

I give this book 5 stars out of 5.

I received this book free from FaithWords. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Book Review: The Time In Between

At age twelve, Sira Quiroga sweeps the atelier floors where her single mother works as a seamstress. By her early twenties she has learned the ropes of the business and is engaged to a modest government clerk. But everything changes when two charismatic men burst unexpectedly into her neatly mapped-out life: an attractive salesman and the father she never knew.

With the Spanish Civil War brewing in Madrid, Sira leaves her mother and her fiancé, impetuously following her handsome lover to Morocco. However, she soon finds herself abandoned, penniless, and heartbroken in an exotic land. Sira reinvents herself by turning to the one skill that can save her: her gift for creating beautiful clothes.

As England, Germany, and the other great powers launch into the dire conflict of World War II, Sira is persuaded to return to Madrid, where she takes on a new identity to embark upon the most dangerous undertaking of her career. As the preeminent couturier for an eager clientele of Nazi officers’ wives, Sira becomes embroiled in the half-lit world of espionage and political conspiracy rife with love, intrigue, and betrayal.

Knowing absolutely nothing about Spain’s history and its role in World War II, I received quite an education while enjoying a great read. The Time In Between was long (600 pages!) but well worth it. There were times in the beginning that the story moved more slowly than I would have liked, but the pace quickened soon enough to keep it interesting. In some places I found there were too many little details that could have been trimmed to make the book shorter. However, the story had me fully engrossed early on and I finished the book in less than two days. It is what I would call a ‘smart’ book; the language is full with a wide use of rich vocabulary and the writing is much more sophisticated than the usual historical fiction on the market (which may be a result of the author having a PhD in English Philology!)

There were many times that I found my pulse racing and adrenalin pumping as the main character walked the fine line between discovery and being discovered. The designs, fabrics and fashions that were such a large part of the story were fascinating and I often wished for a real glimpse into the main character’s studios. Poverty and riches, love and loss, family and loyalty – themes that are threaded into each page – are in constant upheaval during the uncertainty of war and will keep you constantly guessing and forever hoping that peace will finally return.

I loved The Time In Between and look forward to reading it again at a more leisurely pace.

I give this book 5 stars out of 5.

I received this book free from Atria Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Book Review: The Lost Angel

In approximately seventy-two hours, a little-known Middle Eastern terrorist group plans to bring about the end of the world. Convinced that they are the descendants of angels, they believe they are on the verge of at last being returned to heaven. Central to their plan is the kidnapping of Martin Faber, an undercover American scientist whose research has led him to an extraordinary secret.

I love a good thriller, especially one that has ties to history, and the idea of a book that introduced the history of religious traditions other than Christianity had me intrigued. Because I am fussy about books that are based on research, I often investigate the author’s educational background. Sierra is a journalist, so I was relatively confident with the statement on the back of my Advanced Reading Copy: “Sierra spent years investigating scientific and historical mysteries related to mankind’s efforts to engage directly with the Almighty…and studied the creation stories of many cultures.” Everything sounded fine so far. What made me cautious was the statement “He reinterpreted ancient texts.” Without knowing what texts were reinterpreted, I was a bit skeptical, but since it is only a work of fiction I set to reading with an open mind.

The plot was fast paced and involved enough shady characters to keep the story moving. However, the story and characters were very predictable. I knew which side of the drama all of the characters fell on long before it was revealed in the book and was disappointed that there were no surprises. The characters were not well developed and there were so many minor characters that it was hard to keep them all straight. The author seemed to have put more effort into adding as much research as possible into the dialogue that I found myself skimming over large portions of the book.

Noah’s Ark, descendants of angels, the book of Enoch, the Epic of Gilgamesh, stones that are necessary to be able to communicate with God… There are many religious elements that seemed to have been thrown into a blender and poured into this story, and the results are not pretty. I found this book disappointing, ridiculous and not worth the time. Having said that, I have many friends (and a husband) who are Old Testament scholars and I would be interested to hear their thoughts on Sierra’s reinterpretation.

I give this book 3 stars out of 5.

I received this book free from Atria Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Book Review: Regret Free Parenting

No parent is perfect, but what if you could know that when your kids spread their wings, you’ll have no regrets? Offering seven principles for confident motherhood, psychotherapist Hickem helps you usher emotionally secure, faith-centered adults into the world; and reveals how to establish and maintain a strong, lifelong relationship with your children. 

While I do not believe that we can survive parenthood “regret-free” no matter how good the advice given, I do believe that being intentional in our daily lives with our children will help to bring about many of the desires we long for in them. Regret Free Parenting by Catherine Hickem helps mothers to focus on seven principles that will keep them intentional in how they raise their children. Hickem addresses understanding your purpose as a mother, knowing and affirming your child, being a vision keeper, developing emotional intelligence, maintaining your position, addressing your fears, and being God-dependent.

I read this book back in the summer and turned over many page corners to mark important points to review. Looking back, some of those points do not seem as vital now, but other comments and ideas stand out as needing my attention. I can see this book being a valuable resource for many years and will be one I return to again and again – especially the chapter entitled You Can Live Peacefully in the Teenage Years.

Much of what Hickem has to say is common sense and will not be new. However, many of those common sense ideas and principles were like a gentle reminder or a slap in the head to get back in the game and be present and intentional with my children. Time flies when you are parenting and the precious years we have to be with our children will be over before we realize they are out of elementary school! I highly recommend Regret Free Parenting as a resource to encourage you along the journey of caring for the treasure God has entrusted to you.

I give this book 5 stars out of 5.

I received this book free from BookSneeze. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Book Review: What Are You Thinking

Our thoughts, be it positive or negative, determine who we are and what we become. That is why helping our children understand the power of thoughts from an early age is essential. Studies show that children with negative thoughts are more likely to give up; they lack confidence and motivation. On the other hand, children who think positively take on their life, they overcome challenges, they are more enthusiastic, and driven. 

I was excited to see a book come along that could be used as a tool to teach children that their outlook on life is dependent on how they think and the power those thoughts can have on the situations they face every day. It is hard to find books that are targeted to children that can be used in a teaching situation at home or in the classroom. I had hoped that What Are You Thinking by Valerie Ackley would be one of them…

However, What Are You Thinking emphasizes the Law of Attraction as a tool to help a child receive whatever he or she desires. Here’s an example: “Did you ever really, really want something and you finally got it? Did you know it wasn’t just luck? It was the power of your thoughts. You have a super mind!” To be fair, several pages later (after emphasizing the power of your thoughts) it does show a child wanting a new bike and illustrating a variety of ways that could be achieved. Yes, thoughts can colour a child’s day, and helping them to see that focusing on the positive instead of the negative is helpful. I was disappointed that book chose to lead a child to believe that it would only take a change in thinking to change sadness into happiness and lack into plenty. It oversimplified a much more complicated process.

The graphics are bright, bold and colourful. There are more fonts on some pages than one can read clearly and the main text is lost on several pages with too much detail. Some graphics are stretched to fit on the page and are distorted as a result.

There is a need for children’s books that show the power of emotions and thoughts and how a small change can help a child tremendously. Unfortunately, this book does not do that. While not a complete disappointment, it is not a tool that I would use.

I give this book 2 stars out of 5.

I received this book free from Media Guests. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Winter and a Disclaimer

Finally we are having a significant snowfall. I guess winter has finally arrived in Ontario. I suppose it’s time to put up the tree and think about some Christmas shopping… or NOT!

It’s hard to believe that we’ve only been home from BC for a week and a half… Christmas seems so very long ago and I can’t believe we’re into the second half of January already – eek!

There will be many posts in the near future and the DISCLAIMER is related to that. I  have stopped requesting books for reviewing, but have a few that need to be finished up before I am completely done. I will have several book reviews in the near future to post and I need to make a confession… some of these books I read back in the summer and didn’t write the reviews immediately (mostly because I didn’t care much for the books). So, I’ll let you know when I’m back to reading and writing reviews immediately after, but for now be aware that the review will be shorter and less detailed than usual.

I’m glad to have the next semester off and have a life for the next little while. Here’s to house cleaning, one giant garage sale in the spring and good books to read with many a cup of tea before then.

Wanda

PS It has stopped snowing now and the sun is out. I may have to read a lot faster than I thought. DRAT!

More Gifts of the Heart

The last sleep at my parents is only an hour or so away and it has been a wonderful visit. Mom and Dad are doing amazingly well and we had a fantastic dinner on the town tonight. Spending our third Christmas with loved ones is beyond decadent and we will all have to undergo major detox once we’re home again… Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate – have I mentioned that life is really good? Tomorrow we are off to spend time eating and playing Catan with our friends in Kamloops. There will be little sleeping for the kids (sleepover with best friends not seen in two years – need I say more?)

Here’s the second installment in family portraits and we were thrilled to discover that Sarah is in the picture with us. Gone but not forgotten…

Gifts of the Heart

We have only been on vacation for just under a week and my heart is so very full. Next week we are off to see my parents, but this week we have been at the coast with Derwyn’s parents and precious friends. If only we had more time…

It’s New Year’s Eve and we’ve just come back from a wonderful family dinner with the complete immediate Costinak clan. It was great to have Jason come to surprise his parents for the weekend and to celebrate Christmas together. We have just under three hours until 2012 arrives here in BC – Happy New Year to our friends at home in Toronto.  I am so looking forward to heading North tomorrow to see my parents and celebrate our third Christmas (have I mentioned that life is really good?)

Here’s the first family picture we’ve had in seemingly forever…

Happy New Year to all!