Sunday Words of Encouragement August 18, 2013

This morning was another special worship and communion service. Before we sang our choir special one of our leaders told a story I had never heard. It is so precious that I decided to share that for today.
[There are several versions of this found through a quick internet search. I liked this one.]

The Boy and his Little Boat
A young boy one day decided to build a sail boat, so he gathered all the necessary materials and slowly and lovingly crafted the object of his dreams. You see, he had always wanted something to invest himself in, something to love. As he carved and sanded his little boat, and painted it carefully, a love for his creation developed in his heart. Each line and each curve was an expression of his heart's desire for what he wanted his little boat to become.

Finally the day came for him to test his little sail boat on the lake near his home. He admired it's beautiful lines, and the billowy sail waving over the sleek bow. As he placed the little boat in the water he grasped the line tied to the front and launched it gently downwind. The boat sailed smoothly off so the boy gave the sailboat more line, and it sailed farther. He was having such a wonderful time.

Suddenly, a gust of wind came up from the lake and blew the line from the boy's grasp. The wind picked up speed and so did the little boat. The boy ran along the shore crying out to the little boat to come back to the shore. But, alas, the boat was not capable of responding to the boy's pleas, and it soon blew out of sight.

How sad the little boy was that he had lost his boat, and he searched many days along the shore of the lake, hoping to recover the sailboat he had lovingly crafted with his own hands. He loved the little boat, and missed it so much, but finally he gave up looking, and settled in his mind that he had lost his hearts dream.

One day, many months later, the boy was walking in the village near his home, and he came upon a toyshop. Many different toys were displayed in the window of the shop. As he drew closer to the window, something caught his eye, and the closer he came, the quicker his heart began to beat. Could it be? Yes! It was! His little boat was displayed prominently in the center of the window. He knew it was his, how could he ever forget those many hours of loving labor over each little detail of his precious sailboat?

He entered the shop and carefully picked up the object of his affection, lovingly caressing the hull. He noticed the price tag and he cautiously approached the shopkeeper. "Excuse me sir, this is my sailboat. I made it myself. I lost it and now I want it back. May I have my little boat back?" No matter how much the boy pleaded with the man, the argument remained the same. The boat had been brought to him one day by a fisherman, and he had paid good money for it. Anyone could pay the asking price, since this sailboat was "For Sale" not "For Free."

Weeping quietly outside the toyshop, the boy spoke to his little boat through the window. "You're mine, because I made you. I love you and I will give all I have to get you back." He looked at the price tag and knew the truth. It would cost him everything he had. It would take all of the coins he had saved for several years of summer jobs to redeem his treasured creation. But no cost was too great, since he loved the little sailboat so much.

The next morning, as soon as the shopkeeper opened for business the boy was there with his hands full of coins and his eyes full of tears. Quietly he counted out the coins into the shopkeeper's hand. He knew this was not fair. The boat had always been his, since he had made it. But, he was willing nonetheless: he had to have the boat back.

Once the exchange was made, the boy quickly ran from the shop to place of privacy in the park nearby, clutching the boat to his heart. "You're mine, little sailboat," he said.  "You're twice mine: once because I made you, and once because I bought you. I'll never let you go now, little boat. You'll always be mine."

Clearly we are like the boat to God -- he created us with care and love and  viewed us as special and precious. Then we became lost through the sin of our lives. But God gave His all - His only son - to buy us back from sin. We are twice His!

This story fit perfectly with our Choir special today, entitled I Am Yours.
Unfortunately I couldn't find that online.
So I found this one instead: Your Beloved.

 

Verses for Today:

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

I am grateful day that I belong to GOD  -- by creation and purchase!

Sharing Beyond Books #113 Comment Giveaway August 17, 2013

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to SBB, Sharing Beyond Books.  I apologize as I realized I didn't update the giveaway link last week... I thought I had but apparently not.

I had a strange busy week with several mornings in court requiring preparation. My reading is a little behind. I hope everyone else has had a good week.

A few of you are planning trips to the beach or a last summer outing over Labor Day week. Some are already preparing kids to return to school or preparing to go back as a teacher. nrlymrtl has end of summer chores to wrap up and Natasha is looking forward to autumn. I think I am too although we are getting a last minute summer end cruise the end of August!

A few of us admitted to pen names we liked or might use. Some indicated they had thought of one but are keeping it secret. :-) And half of you choose not to think up a pen name; no need. I smiled at Brooke's choice of her names backward.

Thank you to all who shared last week.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #112 comments is: #4 miki who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the ARC/Review titles, Christmas titles or Love titles - all linked near the end of the post.  Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #113

Q1. Becky asks: What is your favorite part of a book??

A: I thought on this a bit. I like getting started in a book and I enjoy the middle where things are developing well. But I guess my favorite part would be the ending.  I like to find out what happens... even though sometimes I'm sorry to say goodbye to the characters.

Image found at My Quotes Garden.

Q2. My non-bookish Question this time was inspired by Carol L's 'last hoorah' answer: Do you have street fairs or festivals near where you live and do you visit them?? (Think smaller events - well some cities have bigger street fairs I guess. But I plan to ask about bigger County Fair type events another week!)

A: We have several smaller events in our town. We have Summer in the Park evening concerts which don't have many vendors. We do have an Art Festival every year in the spring. And there is even a very small Civil War re-enactment. However I have not attended most of these. I did attend a couple of Run for Life events and St. Patrick Day events complete with bed races. These I usually participate in as part of our area Board of Realtors team of which I am an affiliate.

Now this looks like a crowded street festival!

Image found at Ocean Beach San Diego Street Fair.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! We are getting low on questions so hopefully you will send more in -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use. 

Your turn to share:

Q1. Becky asks: What is your favorite part of a book??

Q2. My nonbookish Question this time (inspired by Carol L's last hoorah answer): Do you have street fairs or festivals near where you live and do you visit them?? (Think smaller events - well some cities have bigger street fairs I guess. But I plan to ask about bigger County Fair type events another week!)

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books , the Christmas Giveaway Books, or the June 2012 Newly Updated ARC/Review List.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on either of the two questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.

I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made by Friday, August 23, 2013 at 10 PM central.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Revenge: The Faces of Evil Series: Book 5 by Debra Webb

This is fast paced, solid suspense with the romance as an ongoing, developing element.
Revenge: The Faces of Evil Series: Book 5
by Debra Webb

• Series: Faces of Evil
• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Forever (July 30, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1455527580
• ISBN-13: 978-1455527588

Genre: Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: July 30, 2013
The Faces of Evil Series: Book 5
The desire for revenge can never be sated . . .

When her beloved high school teacher appears on her doorstep, Deputy Chief Jess Harris is flooded with fond memories-until the woman says she's about to be charged with murder. Called to the scene of the crime, Jess learns the victim of the bizarre and brutal slaying was a member of Birmingham's famed "Five."

Twelve years ago, the Five were rich, popular high school seniors who threw one wild last party. Two social outcasts were invited to play in the "loser games." The next morning, one player killed himself. Now Jess fears that an invitation to an upcoming class reunion may have forced the Five to play a new deadly game. As Jess fights to keep her former teacher from suspicion-and her relationship with Chief Dan Burnett separate from her work life-she knows she is caught in a vicious cycle of vengeance. And the killer is far from finished . . .

Review:
This is book five of a continuing series that follows tough cop Jess Harris, Deputy Chief of Birmingham, Alabama, and her boss, Dan Burnett. Dan was Jess’ high school sweet heart and the pull and passion is still strong between them. But Jess has spent 20 years caring for herself and she is insistent that she be treated equally as the other Deputy Chiefs. Making love with the Chief and having him hover around trying to protect her doesn’t help her independent stand.  Jess and Dan walk a fine line trying to figure out how they can balance their professional lives with their personal desires.

As Jess and Dan dance around their issues murders pull them into work mode. One of Jess’ former teacher, Frances, is a prime suspect for the murder of Scott Baker, her retirement home manager. The widows group has been battling management as the developer prepares to build a new high rise that will completely block the view of the existing residents. It’s Jess’ job to find the real killer but she has a personal interest in protecting her beloved friend.

Jess gets some information from another old class mate, Buddy Corlew, who is a private investigator hired by Frances to dig up dirt on the deceased.  Buddy and Dan have been at odds since high school when Buddy made a pass for Jess because he was jealous of Dan always besting him. Buddy reminds Jess that twelve years ago Scott was one of five hot shot high school bullies who had been suspected in the death of another student, Lenny. Dan had been the head of the investigation that got closed for lack of evidence and pressure from the mayor’s office.

Now it seems that Lenny’s best friend is back in town and the surviving four, three men and a woman, are holding tight to their secrets. Then another of the five dies and the three survivors begin to panic. Jess is busy trying to locate the new suspect and get the truth from the other three but she has distractions. Her new apartment has been broken into and there is an unresolved issue with another police deputy who has disappeared.  Beyond all of this activity Jess is getting taunting emails and phone messages from a past monster. Spears is a serial killer who kidnapped and tortured Jess. He was caught and imprisoned and believed to have left the country but now they have discovered that he may have doubled back. Jess is baiting him but is she ready for the show down? I’ll have to get to the next book to find out!

The mystery of the “five” plays out well with some good twists. I enjoyed the investigative process as well as the emotional struggles that Jess and Dan are juggling in their romance. Jess is going to have to deal with her independence issues at some point. There are some other unresolved items, like the secretive landlord and the missing officer, that will carry the suspense into the next book. The reading is quick with the fast paced action. There was no noticeable offensive language which pleased me. This is fine entertainment and I look forward to the next book in the series.

I received this ARC from Forever/Hachette for an honest review.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy:

ENTRY FORM HERE

Don't forget to fill in the form for entry! 

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.  

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open to those with US or Canadian address.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on August 23, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on August 24, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review: Windshift by Joyce Faulkner

This a wonderful story involving the reader in the personal and professional struggles of four brave female pilots at a time when it wasn't socially acceptable for women to take on male duties.

Windshift

by Joyce Faulkner

• File Size: 500 KB
• Print Length: 310 pages
• Publisher: Red Engine Press (October 22, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• ASIN: B009VM07VU

Genre: Historical Fiction
My Rating: 4.75

Book Description
Publication Date: October 22, 2012
Shirley Maxwell is a troubled young woman facing a complicated personal life, a culture that restricts female options, and a world at war. Yet, together with friends -- Emmie, Delores, and Mags -- she joins Jackie Cochran's Women's Air Service Pi-lots program (WASP) and participates in the adventure, challenges, and tragedies of the 1940s with determination and courage. Shirley and her friends know what they are tackling will be hard, but they do it anyway and relish the effort. In the process, they change what is possible in the minds of young girls everywhere. Lively and moving, Windshift inspires and educates. Appropriate for history buffs interest-ed in the World War II era, students of social change, those who love tales of der-ring do and those who just love airplanes.

Review:
This book tells the story of four young women in the short-lived Women's Air Service Pilots program (WASP) in the early 1940s. The experience is told by Shirley Maxwell, the conservative daughter of wealthy News magnate, George Maxwell. Through the pilot program Shirley meets three other young ladies at the Windshift Inn in Ohio. Shirley quickly becomes friends with exuberant, courageous Emmie who has consistently moved forward in her young life after being raised an orphan, finding love with a wonderful guy and then losing him in a tragic accident.

Delores is the gorgeous one of the group attracting all the men, like bees to honey. Shirley initially takes a dislike to her, thinking she will be a snob, but Shirley soon learns that Delores is really down to earth, helpful and friendly. The final lady in the group is confident, outrageous Mags who has already had extensive flying experience even in Europe. She knows her away around the system and is on a first name basis with the commanding officer.

The girls struggle to be accepted as they face public prejudice against women in the work force and cope with the hostility of resentful service men who feel they are taking their jobs. Shirley and her friends are adventurers in a time that doesn’t allow women much freedom. At one point Delores remarks “You know, I thought I was doing something good – something patriotic, but they make me feel like I’m a criminal, like I’m intruding on some private male domain.” Location 1478.

The four girls develop a strong bond and they push to do more then just ferrying planes from Wiley Aircraft in Ohio to Camp Morgan, California. The more experienced pilots, Mags and Emmie, are allowed to deliver planes elsewhere and transport important officials.  The commander finally agrees to allow the girls to fly banners for target practice. This is duty that the male pilots don't like as the planes are patched together and the flying is subject to possible hits from the men practicing the shooting.

Danger and tragedy strikes Delores first when a banner pulling plane fails and she has to crash land. While Delores recovers from that incident, a short time later Emmie goes up in a plane that has been continually grounded due to mechanical problems. The plane tumbles from the sky in front of Delores, Shirley and the men. They all race to try to reach Emmie before the plane is engulfed by fire.

There is drama and romance that plays an important part in the emotional aspects of the girls’ lives. Shirley ends up with two love interests. One is a handsome, determined young business man who tries to get her to stop flying. The other is an exciting young man she meets in Key West. He shares her love of flying but could he be serious marriage material?

This isn't the typical story that I read but I was completely fascinated by the deep-seated resentment against women even though they were coming forward to help in the war effort. The story is well written and there is plenty of forward motion that captivated my interest. The characters are “real” making this seem like a memoir more than just fiction. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy reading historical fiction and courageous women.

Fifinella (designed by Walt Disney) unit patch
Army Air Force Flying Training Detachment.

I picked this up for review through NetGalley.

Saturday Snapshot August 17, 2013 The Blurry Bucks

I was finally able to access the pictures from my SIM card. Usually we see the doe and young deer but we have actually seen bucks this summer. I know there is more than one as I saw four young guys together one day.

This one was in our backyard and I was able to zoom in to get his head behind a tool shed.
This was in July and his horns look like big knobs - just starting to branch.

These next are shots are of a buck that I saw one early evening as I was coming down our street. 

He was with several doe. I don't know if he is the same as the one above but this one has a nice set of small antlers.

I had stopped the car but I couldn't get the deer to stand still!

He is on the right in this picture.

Here he is on the left with a different doe off to the right.

I tried to zoom in but the pictures got blurry as it seemed he kept moving his head.

He was probably keeping an eye out for danger--

like the lady in the car trying to get pictures!

Better me than hunters in fields nearby.

I had fun visiting a bit last week and I hope to do more visiting this week.
Thanks to all who stop by and visit.

A big Thank You to Alyce of At Home With Books who has hosted this meme for a number of years. She is taking a summer hiatus at her blog and the new host will be Melissa at West Metro Mommy. Thank you to Melissa for picking up the responsibility.

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky being hosted this summer by West Metro Mommy. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.