Book Review: The Gaither Homecoming Bible

This was supposed to just be a book review. Plain and simple. But I guess it turned into a post with a few memories. I seem to be doing that a lot recently. I'm not sure why. Weird things trigger a waterfall of childhood memories. 

Three short Bible verses as the topic of Sunday's sermon. On comes a wave of memories of memorizing those verses in Awana, followed by memories of adventures with some of my first friends. Pictures in my head of painting nails, playing with dolls, building forts. Remembering how life used to seem frustrating.  So hard to my 8-year-old mind. But yet realizing, looking back, how perfect things really were. Wishing, really wishing, I could go back.

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A discussion of games friends used to play with their siblings. Suddenly I'm transported back to our backyard in California. Running around like a hooligan with my brother. Playing with our new puppy. Turning our garage into a clubhouse. Forgotten times of grand imagination adventures in our yard.

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There are more memories. And someday I'll take the time to tell you some fun stories of my childhood. You may laugh. You may roll your eyes. But for now, here's a few memories, leading up to a book review. I promise this background info really does lead into something. 

This short set of memories. Triggered by a Bible.

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When I was a kid, we had cable TV. We didn't watch a lot of TV. To be perfectly honest with you, the thing I remember watching most as a kid were the tapes where my parents recorded ALF back when it was on TV in the '80s. We watched those episodes over. and over. and over again. But we didn't watch much on TV (or if we did I certainly don't remember it!). Sure, there was Mr. Roger's Neighborhood at lunchtime, followed by Reading Rainbow, and if we were really lucky there would be an episode of Little House on the Prairie in the afternoon. But other than those "childhood staples," the only things I really remember watching on cable TV is The Grand Ole Opry, The Statler Brothers and The Gaither Homecoming Hour on Saturday nights. 

In addition to the shows on TV, my family also had several Gaither Homecoming videos, and we attended multiple Southern Gospel concerts when they were close to our Southern California home. In fact, my family was introduced to Southern Gospel music, and, soon thereafter,, the Gaithers, when a local Southern Gospel group came and sang at our church while on tour when I was probably about 7 years old. We bought one of their tapes, and shortly thereafter we went on a trip back south, and took our tape with us. Whenever I think of that trip I think of that CD and whenever I hear some of the songs off that CD I am instantly transported to our family adventure driving through Tennessee and North Carolina in the fall.

I essentially grew up with Vestal Goodman, Jake Hess and JD Sumner – and the rest of the Homecoming gang. And I thought it was so cool when we went to a concert at a local church where The Nelons were performing, because we watched them perform on one of our Gaither videos – and how cool to get to see some of those same people in person and hear them talking about other members of the Homecoming family! I’m also pretty sure that the first CD I ever bought was a Southern Gospel album (although I couldn’t tell you which one it was).

Of course, as I’ve grown my music selection has also grown and while I don’t listen to much from our Southern Gospel CD collection anymore, and I no longer check to see if any of the Homecoming friends just might be heading our way on tour, I jumped at the opportunity to review The Gaither Homecoming Bible.

The Gaither Homecoming Bible (NKJV) is a beautiful bible. With colorful illustrations on many of its pages, not to mention beautiful pages throughout with stories behind some of your favorite hymns and Gaither songs, it is a true treasure.

Many Homecoming favorites have shared thoughts that are sprinkled all throughout the Bible. The every-encouraging Gloria Gaither has also taken the time to put together some poems and devotions which are interspersed throughout the pages.

I think my favorite "extra" in the Bible are the stories of well-loved hymns, and favorite Gaither songs. You yourself will be inspired as you read about what brought about some classic songs. The songs and their stories are strategically placed throughout the Bible.

The Bible is a beautiful hardbound book with an absolutely beautiful dust jacket. Many of the pages are decorated with beautiful artwork. I was blown away with how beautifully the pages are decorated! There are also inspirational quotes sprinkled amongst the pages of the Bible, and for this girl who loves quotes, this is a great addition!

I will admit that as much as I like this Bible I am going to stick with my ESV MacArthur Study Bible as my primary Bible. However, I think The Gaither Homecoming Bible will be a great addition to my library and I will enjoy pouring through its pages looking at the beautiful pages and being encouraged by all the little "extras" tucked away in the pages of this Bible.

I would recommend this Bible to any Gaither Homecoming fans as well as anyone looking for a beautiful Bible that will become a treasure.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson's BookSneeze program for the opportunity to review this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Some Recent Photography

Since it has been awhile, I wanted to share with you some of my recent photography. Enjoy!

Taken during my cousin's wedding reception

Taken in Loveland, Colorado

Fourth of July 2012

Fourth of July 2012

Sunset on the Lake!

The most beautiful sunset I have EVER seen.

It just kept getting better and better.

The setting sun.

Book Review: When Hope Blossoms (Kim Vogel Sawyer)

While on a road trip this past weekend I read “When Hope Blossoms” by Kim Vogel Sawyer. I have enjoyed previous books that I have read by Ms. Sawyer, and this was no exception! It did not take me long to feel like I, too, was a resident of Weaverly, Kansas. I felt like I personally knew the Knackstedt family and was, myself, a neighbor of Tim Roper’s.

In the book, Amy Knackstedt moves herself and her three children to Weaverly, Kansas, with the hope of a new start. Having recently lost her husband to an accident, and having a son with some developmental difficulties, Amy, who is an Old Order Mennonite, wants to start fresh, and what better place than Weaverly?

Unknowingly she moves in next door to Tim Roper, himself a former Old Order Mennonite member. He left the faith many years ago, and would rather forget about that part of his life altogether. It doesn’t take long, however, before Tim is forming an unlikely friendship with the Knackstedt family! Tim does some soul searching while Amy and her children do some ministering. The friendship that forms is something special.

I very much enjoyed this book and am looking forward to Kim Vogel Sawyer’s next great novel!

I received this book from Bethany House publishers (thank you!).

Book Review: Touching The Sky (Tracie Peterson)

I recently had the opportunity to read “Touching the Sky,” which is Book 2 in Tracie Peterson’s Land of the Lone Star series. The story takes place at the conclusion of the Civil War, in Corpus Christi, Texas….an area that is divided between supporters of the North and supporters of the South. The daughter of a staunch Union supporter, Laura Marquardt finds herself in contact with Captain Brandon Reid. Captain Reid is an officer over the colored troops. Their initial meeting is hardly what one might dream of for a first meeting – Captain Reid encounters Laura in an alleyway and believes that she is being detained by his troops, which results in a misunderstanding that must be resolved.

Laura’s sister Carissa marries her beau, a Confederate soldier who, as it turns out, has ulterior motives in his pursuit of Carissa. This leads to drama amongst the family and amongst Carissa and her new husband. Meanwhile, Laura and Brandon are left to sort out what is going on between them and they must work through some obstacles that are thrown their way.

I enjoyed this book – I loved the time period it was set in, and I felt I really got to know the characters. The story was engaging and really drew me in. Of course it also didn’t hurt any that the protagonist and I share a name! I’m eager for the opportunity to read the next book in this series. I have no doubt that Ms. Peterson will deliver, once again.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book!

I'm Baaaack!

Hello, everyone! I'm back. And I'm really going to try hard to get back into this blogging thing!

I've been quite busy since the last time I posted. I went on a few trips, worked a whole lot, and tried to enjoy the sun as much as I could, too. Now it's becoming fall. The leaves are changing colors, the air is crisp, I've resorted to wearing warmer pajamas and I'm starting to have a hard time convincing myself to get out of bed in the morning. Yes, fall is here. And I'm not complaining. Not yet, anyway. I rather enjoy the slight crispness of the air (after I convince myself to get up, that is!). I enjoy the deep aromas of pumpkin and cinnamon. Of apple cider and hot chocolate. I love preparing myself a cup of hot tea to take to work or splurging on a Pumpkin Spice Latte (thanks to Starbucks & Dutch Bros gift cards) on my way to the office.

But all too soon the novelty of fall will wear off. The snow will start to fall and we will transition into winter. And then spring. And, eventually, back to summer and then fall again. It's a never ending cycle.

I have a few goals for this fall: a goal to find some new tasty recipes (hello, Pinterest!)...a goal to take pictures amongst the fall leaves...a goal to go to the local pumpkin patch and apple farm for some fall fun...a goal to try at least one of the DIY projects I have re-pinned on Pinterest. But my biggest goal is to get back into blogging. To get back into sharing moments from my life with you.

To get started, here's some pictures from my recent trip to Seattle:

  

   

 

 

Hamburger Cookies

When I was a kid we made Hamburger Cookies. It's been awhile since we made them, but over the weekend I went to a BBQ to celebrate a friend's birthday and wanted to take something fun to share. Since it has been ridiculously warm lately (and I'm NOT complaining!), I wanted to make something that did not involve turning on the oven. Enter Hamburger Cookies. They got many compliments at the BBQ and since they are so easy to make I wanted to share "recipe" with you!

What You Will Need:
Vanilla Wafers
Grasshopper Cookies
Vanilla Frosting
Coconut
Green Food Coloring
Yellow Food Coloring
Sugar Water
Sesame Seeds

What You Do:
Tint coconut green using the green food dye. This becomes your "lettuce." Also tint some of your frosting yellow with the yellow food dye. This becomes your "mustard."

Spread yellow frosting on the bottom of a vanilla wafer. Top with a grasshopper cookie (your "meat patty"). Spread white frosting on the bottom of another vanilla wafer. Add some "lettuce" and place on top of the "meat patty." Repeat with the remaining cookies/frosting/coconut. Brush the tops of each cookie with sugar water and top with sesame seeds.

If you let the cookies sit for a couple of hours before serving, the vanilla wafers will become slightly soft, just like hamburger buns!

It's just that easy and these cookies are guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser at your next party! Enjoy!

Book Review: The Fiddler (Beverly Lewis)

I discovered Beverly Lewis’s books a couple years ago. I began with her Abram’s Daughters series and have worked my way through her other series’ since. I always get excited when I hear she is releasing a new book because I love her books so much. The Fiddler, the first book in her new “Home to Hickory Hollow” series was no exception. Blending new characters with a few characters who readers may remember from the “Heritage of Lancaster County” series, Beverly Lewis’s newest book does not disappoint.

This book follows the story of classical violinist, Amelia DeVries, who, unbeknownst to her parents, is also a fiddler, going by the name of Amy Lee. After one of her secret performances she, through a variety of circumstances, finds herself in the middle of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and in the company of young Michael Hostetler, an Amish boy who is trying to decide if he wants to stay Amish or become an Englisher. The book follows Amelia’s struggles as she tries to decide what she wants to do with her life and her violin/fiddle career and Michael’s struggles as he tries to determine which life path he should proceed down.

I greatly enjoyed this book and am eager for the next book in the series, “The Bridesmaid, “ to be released.

I received this book for free from Bethany House’s book blogging program. My opinions in this review are my own.