An Update

Hello there! This is Noelle's daughter. Just in case you were wondering why the blog has not been updated much over the last few weeks, it is because she is still back home in the UK!

If you have been following the news much lately, you may have heard of the volcano in Iceland erupting again. (I believe she may have written about it before they left?) Flights are beginning to resume, so keep ALL air travelers in your prayers that they may reach their homes, and destinations, safely.

I am sure she will have plenty to tell you about upon her return!

Midlands, hills and english country life

Here we are! Home, however short our time here will be!

If anyone takes for grant their internet just let them pop up to the UK and trust me, you will find the challenge bewildering! Two years and I forgot!

We have now been here 10 days and this is the first time I see my blog and I am so happy!

I think anyone gets used very quickly to access a blog and to be able to just write a few things here and there is obviously a luxury! I will never take it for grant again!

The weather has been lovely and to see the Kentish coast again (as well as the family) is absolutely wonderful! We have now travelled up to the Midlands and as always found ourselves in very familiar grounds. When you move to another continent and you go home to visit it feels as you have left part of yourself behind you. They say that home is where the heart is and time and time again it is proven. We always leave a little part of ourselves when we leave. We are also reminded that it is always easier to say hello than say goodbye!

Spring in England is made of blooming flowers, green grass and daily showers. Harebells, bluebells, daffodils and flowering trees all come to life! We rediscover good country food, long walks on the public paths and the chance to catch up on news.

It is life at its best for us at any rate and we enjoy every minute of it! Dreams, all dreams...

Review: Saint Patrick by Jonathan Rogers

Saint Patrick by Jonathan Rogers separates the myths from the facts and you will find this book to be a very interesting account of the Saint. Did you know he was not Irish but a Roman Briton?

The author introduces us to the young man who came from a wealthy family very involved in the Church yet whom himself was not much of a Christian. Until he was taken by Irish raiders and became a slave. The story unfolds filled with courage, barbarism, betrayal and yet young Patrick never gives way to despair. After escaping to freedom he experienced a vivid dream which changed his whole life.

He completed his education and took Holy orders then made his way back to Ireland. What follows makes this book excellent reading! You will not want to put it down!

I give it 4 1/2 stars!

I received a copy of this book from the Book Sneeze program to write a review. No other compensation was given.

Just Let Me Lie Down by Kristin van Ogtrop Review

I received recently the opportunity to review "Just let me lie down, necessary terms for the half insane working Mom" written by Kirstin van Ogtrop. I wondered if I could possibly relate to it as my children are now all grown up. I no longer have to combine work and family after all.

Two minutes in the book and I was hooked! And I laughed as I have not in a very long time This is definitely so humorous and well written. Kirstin van Ogtrop indeed intended for all of us to have a good laugh and to remember priorities in life using her own experiences and insights. The result is an alphabetically list of hilarious terms, lists, complaints, questions and reflections on the insane life most mothers leads these days.

I noticed Ms. van Ogtrop is also the editor of "Real simple". Guess who will check the magazine next month?

All I can say is I guarantee each of us will see ourselves in her description of highs and lows in real life. You will not want to put it down and I suggest to consider this book the ideal gift for any mother, young or old! Perhaps a Mother's Day present?

I give it a 4 stars!

I received a copy of this book to write a review. No other compensation was given.

The Undervalued Self by Elaine N. Aron, PhD, another Hachette review

I thought to look into something completely different for me: checking out a self help book and I must admit I was surprised to read this one.

The Undervalued Self written by Elaine N. Aron, PhD, explains clearly each and every one of us has an undervalued part of our self, something which causes us to feel anxious at times, unworthy and even depressed. Some of us deal with it easily whilst most of us (sounds very familiar) feels as we are losing the battle. We all care about the perception of others!

She goes on to tell us we can learn to recognized the symptoms, the little things that triggers these feelings and in some instances perhaps discover the traumatic experience that might also have created our feeling of inadequacy.

We are after all our worst critic! But it is possible to free ourselves of these negative feelings. Her suggestion of developing new friendships and deepening existing ones reminds us no one is an island in itself. We need others to fulfill our lives.

I learned to see myself with this book in a completely different picture. When I closed the last page, I reminded myself Rome was not built in one day. But here is a start...

I very much enjoy reading this book and I gladly give it a 4 stars!

Disclaimer: Hachette Book Group has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.

Crash, canine friend and birthday humour

Yesterday was a day of challenges. Iceland news told us the latest volcano eruption could still disrupt our trip home.

Email from a friend regarding an HAIN birthday exchange yesterday however brought a big smile to my face: who would not like to anticipate a birthday gift?

Her message came just at the right time! I responded by telling her I was having what my daughter would call a "crisis"! I spend Sunday in prayers whilst knitting a burial gown for a little Angel who died in the afternoon. I have never knitted so fast in my life but I was happy with the results. I hoped the family will be too.
I went on to tell her Tuesday however I decided to tackle the making of a birthday gift... I am not handy with much but knitting needles or even a bit of embroidery but I thought buying a pattern and a bit of material was a cinch... After all, how difficult can it be to sew with a machine? But then maybe I should explain, I have hardly ever sewn with one before. Hum, 3 hours later, one broken needle and lots of prayers toward Heaven, I had an apron to offer...but I thought better to add a tag:"Do not wash me...EVER!"
I think this picture described me perfectly at that moment!

Today however I told this friend about God not being finished with me. He also has a way to remind me I am not in charge... Whilst traveling through a nearby town my husband and I and our best canine friend fell victims to a rear end collision.

Shaken, a tad bruised and our car damaged (we had to tie the back door with a rope to come back home limping...sigh...) we waited an hour and a half to get any help from the Fire Department (calls everywhere) and the Police Department (same for them). Then it was a rush to the Veterinarian to have our MacIntosh evaluated as he was in his crate in the back...

We are however safe and sound but mentally bruised: it could have been worse, a fire perhaps and no way to open the back door to reach our best friend... Sleep evaded us last night and while the insurances companies will debate our little car's fate we still have to pack to leave.

So our prayers today will include a quick note to God regarding Eyjafjallajökull the volcano who woke up after 500 years, hoping that it does not wake up the other giant (Katla)! I am thankful also for our family who rushed to help us and take our best friend to the Vet and the good friend who joined us later!

We are really looking forward to our trip home!

Christlike by Bill Hull, NavPress book review

In this inspiring book the author describes the cause of our "Christian" troubles, falling short of a true spiritual life, and compares it with real life. He gives examples of the spiritual growth most of us experiences and reminds us of the example Jesus gave, daring us to be different.

He goes on asking Churches to rethink what it truly means to be a Christian. For example, TV evangelists who claim the more you give to their ministry, the more God will give you back. Sadly the only ones blessed in this case are the TV evangelists. Expensive clothes and flashy lifestyle are often their trademark.

Bill Hull describes the real benefits to Christians being happiness, love and the improved lives of those we help. He then shows us how to become more Christlike and to truly make a difference in our world.
For anyone who cares to meet this challenge, this is a book to read. I could not give it any less than 5 stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”