Scariest Halloween Memory

The only thing I ever liked about Halloween when I was a kid is that I got lots of candy.  Dressing in a costume was sorta fun, but it was really all about the candy. 

In all honesty, I have always been fearful of people in costumes.  Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny?  Forget about it!  Our family had several shoe stores located at malls when I was young, and when I saw Santa walk past our storefront to go on his break, I would make sure I was waaaay at the back of the store, just in case he decided to come in to browse for a pair of shoes.

So you can see why Halloween would be all about the candy for me.  It became more like a reward of survival for trudging out into the dark night with all those maniacal people who wanted to jump out and scare a poor, defenseless girl just to get a laugh.

In hearing the buzz around the blog community about Halloween movies and candy and parties, I remembered the scariest Halloween memory I have.  Just to think of it now, it still ticks me off.

I don't remember how old I was.  Maybe 12 or 13.  I was probably in junior high at the time.  Halloween was approaching, and for some reason our Baptist church put on a haunted house every year.  (I really don't know why.)  Anyways... while I was in band practice, a couple of people dressed like ghouls opened the classroom door and came in.  They started wandering around the room and getting in people's faces as some sort of promotion to go out to the haunted house.

I don't recall how close one of those costumed people got to me, but I was utterly and thoroughly FREAKED OUT!  I was actually angry.  I felt angry at whoever let them come into the classroom.  I was angry at my band director for not kicking them out for interrupting our band practice.  I was stinkin' mad that our church even had a haunted house.

You have no idea what a relief it was when they finally discontinued putting on that haunted house.  It's possible it was the very next year because I don't remember it after that time.

What's your scariest memory?  Do costumes bother anyone else?

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The One Year Book of Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament

The One Year Book of Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament by Nancy Guthrie

The "One Year" devotionals are written for the busy person who wants to develop a daily habit of growing in their relationship with the Lord.  This particular 365-day devotional is meant to take you through the Old Testament day by day, showing you the pictures that were meant to point us to Jesus Christ in the New Testament. 

When I was given the opportunity to review this book, I jumped on it because I enjoy seeing the symbolism that represents Christ in the Old Testament.  Some of the entries were of things I had already known, but there were plenty that were new to me.

The devotional is created in a way that you can simply start on any day of the year.  The reading covers one page, and there is a brief written prayer at the bottom concerning the aspect of Christ that was focused on in the devotion.  It would take someone about 5 minutes to sit and read the devotional for the day, thus meeting the criteria of fitting into a person's busy schedule.

The readings are sweet and something to carry in your thoughts through the day as you contemplate the character and work of the Lord Jesus.  However, there is an aspect of the devotional that I was a little disappointed with.  Although there are scripture references sprinkled throughout each devotion, including at least one scripture quoted within the text, I would expect there to be a main scripture reading provided at the heading of each day.  There is not. 

I would suggest using this devotional in addition to a daily Bible reading.  I believe it would enhance a quiet time.

Overall I would give this book 4 stars for good content that's easy to understand and for its use as a wonderful companion to any daily quiet time.

I wish to thank Tyndale House Publishers for providing me with a free review copy of this book.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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What's On Your Nightstand?

 

In the last couple weeks I've finished reading...

Fiction:

• Masquerade by Nancy Moser (see my review)
• Love's First Bloom by Delia Parr  (see my review)
• The Telling by Beverly Lewis (This was an audiobook that I finally finished after about a month.)
• Intervention by Terri Blackstock (I loved this book.  Fast paced reading and suspense.)

Christian Living:

• Radical Womanhood by Carolyn McCulley

I am currently reading...

Fiction:

• In My Father's House by Bodie Thoene

Christian Living:

• Changed Into His Image by Jim Berg (for a Bible study group)
• The Fear Factor by Wayne Mack (for a Bible study)
• The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul (reading along with Tim Challies classics)

So what's on your nightstand?  Are you reading anything good right now that you can recommend?

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Love's First Bloom by Delia Parr

Book Review:

Love's First Bloom by Delia Parr

Ruth Livingstone, the daughter of a minister and a woman of faith, flees town and resumes a fake name when her father is accused of murdering a prostitute.  Assuming the name Widow Ruth Malloy, her father has also entrusted her with the care of a young child who must be protected. 

Ruth struggles with keeping her secret, but she believes she can follow through with the plan for a short while for the sake of the child because she knows her father will be soon acquitted and then send for her to return home.  Although, Ruth never anticipates the tragedy that will change the plan drastically.

The book was good, although not a serious page-turner for me.  I like that it had some mystery and some romance.  I enjoyed the character of Ruth.  She was very likable.  It was touching to watch her develop her relationship with the little girl, as well as her relationship with Jake.  She went back and forth between trusting and distrusting him, and I wasn't sure how the lies and secrets were going to be resolved between them.

I have not read other books by Delia Parr prior to this, but I like her style and content.  I appreciate that her characters have faith in God, and that they view their life circumstances through the lens of their relationship with God.  It makes this historical fiction stand out from other books in this genre, and I like that.

I wish to thank Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a free review copy of this book.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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Just a Few Odds & Ends

Thanks for the sweet words offered over our loss of Bailey.  I really am fine, although it's strange not finding him in his typical favorite napping spots.  I had been praying that he would pass shortly because we had known he wasn't thoroughly enjoying life.  So this is answered prayer.

My body aches have subsided, so I'm back at work today.  My throat is the real culprit of my discomfort.  So I've been adhering to a strict regimen of Airborne three times a day and two garlic capsules four times a day.  I'm gonna beat this thing down, whatever it is.

And on an entirely different topic, if you think of the True Woman Conference pray for the event this weekend.  The first session starts tonight in Ft. Worth, Texas.  If you're at all interested in following the event, I know Tim Challies is going to be blogging from the conference on his site challies.com  You can also find a "play by play", so to speak, at the True Woman site.

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We Had to Say Goodbye

 

Yesterday we had to put our cat Bailey to sleep.  He's had a thyroid problem for probably a year, and over the weekend he got sick and went downhill fast to the point he couldn't walk. 

We had him for 14 years, and he was the sweetest cat of the five we've had at various times.  Bailey was the only cat that was MY cat.  All the others gravitated toward Rich.  So it was an emotional afternoon, but it was more of a relief for me to know his suffering is over.

Meanwhile, I was developing a sore throat and congestion through the day, and overnight my sore throat became severe.  This morning I've got the sore throat, nasal congestion, and body aches and am staying home.  I can't believe how much my body hurts right now.  It's definitely time to lay down for a nap.

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"Fall Into Reading" Question of the Week

Since I am participating with the Fall Into Reading 2010 Challenge at Callapidder Days, I thought I better jump in with the group and answer the reading question of the week.

Do you eat/drink while reading? If so, do you have some favorite reading snacks?

No way!  To be honest, there are a couple reasons that I don't eat and/or drink while I'm reading.  I've never been one to munch while I read.  I find it distracting.  If I'm eating, then I'll only be focused on whatever I'm eating and totally disregard the book.  I would end up reading the same paragraph repeatedly out of distraction. 

Also, I do not want to get crumbs or stains on my books.  And if I ever spilled a drink on my book?  It would be an utter tragedy!

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Masquerade by Nancy Moser

Book Review:

Masquerade by Nancy Moser

Charlotte Gleason's parents send her away from her home in England.  They believe she will potentially marry into the very wealthy Tremaine family in America after her father's indiscretions ruin her chances for marrying well in England. 

So Charlotte and her maid Dora sail to America and begin to imagine the opportunities that this new life will open up to them, and by the time they reach America Charlotte decides to change the plan.  Rather than marrying for wealth and good standing, she desires to marry for love. 

She convinces Dora to trade identities and take her place as a potential bride for the Tremaine's son.  When they arrive in America they quickly discover that it's not at all like the world they've been accustomed to, and obstacles loom at every turn.

I had difficulty getting into this story, but it finally took off about 100 pages in.  I was surprised by all the twists and turns, and I think that's what held my attention.  I kept wondering, How is this ever going to work out?  Both Charlotte and Dora were so deep into their deception I couldn't guess how things would turn out well for either one of them.

Overall it was a good story.  It definitely challenges the reader concerning truthfulness and looking at what is important in life.

Although I felt bogged down by all the opulence of the wealthy and their fancy dresses and balls, I feel that it's more of a reader preference thing.  I do enjoy that Nancy Moser concludes her books with personal notes about how the book developed and where she got ideas for setting and characters.  So I would recommend the book, and I'm giving it 4 stars.

I wish to thank Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a free review copy of this book.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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Weeklong Celebration

This Wednesday it's my birthday, so I'm celebrating by taking the whole week off work.  I hadn't used vacation time yet, so I figured I better get to it, seeing how it's already October and 9 months of the year have already passed me by.

It's October, people!  How can that be? 

Well, anyway, I'm glad it's October because it's my birthday.  We just won't talk about which birthday it is, or it will spoil the celebrating for me.  It's not the BIG one yet, but the BIG one is looming in the distance, a little too close for my comfort.

So far on my first day of vacation I have spent it washing and folding laundry and reading a book.  I did head out for an afternoon walk, though, because I thought I could use some fresh air, and I'm also trying to be proactive in fighting off those extra calories that I am sure to consume over the birthday celebration.  I've got big plans for Tuesday and Wednesday, and they do involve good food.

Have a great week.  I plan to!

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Love These Links

I have another handful of favorite blogs this week...

Lisa Notes: He's Attached - Lisa shares about God's attachment to us.

Layton Family Joy: Hell Free - Stef challenges Christians to live a life of rejoicing because of what Jesus has freed us from.

A Steady Rain: Warning: Convicting Content - Rachel asks the question... Would you survive?

From the Trenches of Motherhood:  When Something Good Isn't So Good - Mandy reminds us what a commitment to our church body means.  I whole-heartedly agree with her challenge.

Lisa Notes:  There's a Grace For That - Whatever our need, God has a grace that meets it.  What an encouraging post.

True Woman: Celebrating God - The last few days I've been revisiting what I experienced at the True Woman Conference last weekend.  This link will take you to a video about attending the conference in Ft. Worth and will also provide a link to Revive Our Hearts to listen to testimonies of women who attended the conference and how God worked to get them there.  I share this link, so you can get a feel for what I experienced at the conference.

*I just want to encourage each of you to seriously consider registering for the True Woman Conference in Fort Worth, Texas.  It will be held October 14-16.  I know there is a cost involved, and for most of you it would mean a longer distance travel.  I can't stress enough how much it would be WORTH IT to make the sacrifice.  I've been to a couple women's conferences in the past, but there is nothing like the True Woman Conference.  It is meaty, sound doctrine and a sweet time of worship.

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