Book Reviews

One of the things I love most about summer is that I have plenty of time to read. Although I make an effort to continue reading during the school year, there's always schoolwork to do. During the summer I can spend an entire day reading a book if I want to. And I've been up reading until 2 am several times during the past month, until my eyes just can't stay open no matter how much my brain tells them to keep reading. I've already finished our local library's summer reading program for adults, but I still have several books on my summer reading list. And with August coming next week, I know my free reading time is quickly coming to an end. (I really need to start planning for school next week…and I still have some items other than reading on my summer "to do" list.)

Anyway, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite summer reads. I love books that stretch me and make me think, that show me different cultures and ways of life, and broaden my horizons.

• Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese is about twin brothers, born and raised in an Ethiopian mission hospital. The story is narrated by one of the brothers, Marion, and explores themes such as love, family, betrayal, forgiveness, home and country.
  
• The Help by Kathryn Stockett is a novel told from the viewpoints of a young white southern woman who has just graduated from college and is looking to pursue a writing career and two black women who work as maids for white families in Jackson, Mississippi. The three women join together, scared, yet determined to complete a dangerous project in order to make a difference and expose the realities of southern life in the 1960s. This book is beautifully written and the author's note at the end adds to the authenticity.
  
• The Line by Olga Grushin deals with the hopes and dreams of life as well as the everyday realities of life. The setting is 1960's-ish Soviet Union when people stood in long lines daily for everyday items. Telling the story from the viewpoints of several family members - a father, mother, grandmother, and son - the family joins a long line at a kiosk that will be selling tickets to a one-night orchestra concert. The catch is - no one knows for sure if the concert will actually take place. There is no scheduled performance date and the tickets are not on sale yet. A crowd of people wait in line for over a year for the kiosk to open and sell the concert tickets; along the way we see how strangers interact with each other and how standing in the line transforms the members of this family.
  
• La's Orchestra Saves the World by Alexander McCall Smith is a little lighter read, telling the story of a young widow living in the English countryside during World War II and how she and her neighbors work together to get by. It's light and sweet, but is also a testament to the tenacity of women in a time when women were not encouraged to be independent.
  

Next on my list is House Rules by Jodi Picoult. She is an author who always stretches my thinking. I also plan to read The Space Between Us (Thrity Umrigar), Secrets of Eden (Chris Bohjalian), and Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama. If I can squeeze it in, I'd also like to get to Wally Lamb's She's Come Undone before school begins. So many books; so little time!

Monday Moment

Faith is a dog that was born in 2002 with severe deformities, including only 1 front leg that later had to be amputated; the local veterinarian advised putting her to sleep, but her new family loved her as she was and helped her learn to walk upright on her two rear legs. Now Faith spends much of her time visiting and encouraging people. She even has her own website: http://faiththedog.info/

Faith is definitely an example of perseverance. You can't help but smile as you watch her enjoy a walk in the park in this video; she's certainly smiling!

Legoland

My nephew had his 7th birthday this week, and we celebrated by taking him to Legoland on Wednesday. I was amazed at how much they could fit in the building – a simulated factory room, a miniature exhibit of the downtown Chicago area, a 4D movie theatre, a jungle expedition walkway filled with lego creatures, dragon quest and technicycle rides, a café, and the most important area – the store. It was crowded and overpriced, but we had a good time. In Joey’s words, his favorite part of the day was “spending your money!” :)

It’s amazing what can be built from legos – the buildings, animals, characters, etc. – what a tremendous amount of planning must go into the design of each creation.

And, after helping Joey put together his new Toy Story Wild West sheriff’s office and gold mine, I’ve gained a new appreciation for the lego kits that build a specific item. I’ve always liked the concept of the lego tubs: a large container filled with various pieces, which kids could manipulate to build things using their imaginations. I thought the kits which built one specific thing stifled kids’ creative thinking. Now, however, I realize that these kits stimulate a different, and just as important, type of thinking. As we worked throughout the evening, following the instruction booklet, Joey was learning how to read directions (both written and pictorial) and gaining experience with geometric concepts. He also learned about persistence and patience and was rewarded with a completed set that looked just like the picture on the box when we finally finished at 10 p.m. (too late and too tired to take a picture!).

I loved spending this time with my nephew. Although our Legoland trip was probably a one-time birthday outing, I look forward to working on additional lego kits with him in the future. Happy Birthday, Joey! I love you.

Monday Moment

I’ve always loved the Hallmark commercials; the sweet and touching reunions, the loving sentiments expressed, and the emotional responses. For me it’s not about the cards; it’s about the situation. And yes – sometimes I even tear up a little. I thought it would be fun to have my own version – a “Monday Moment” instead of a Hallmark Moment. So, I’m going to try posting a video clip, photo, or short inspirational story each Monday to begin the workweek on a positive note. They won’t all be sappy however; some might provide a chuckle instead. But hopefully we’ll get our “aawww” fix for the day.

Since it’s summer time and it’s been quite hot (at least in Michigan), I thought I’d begin by sharing a cute video of some characters playing in the sprinklers to cool off. Enjoy!

New Name; New Layout

Summer is my time to “re-do.” I sit back, take stock of things, and decide what needs a change. So far this summer I’ve painted the patio, stained the deck, and I’m in the process of redecorating my bathroom. So why not refresh my blog as well?

Actually, I’ve now been blogging for two years. What started as an experiment in a summer tech course has turned out to be fun and has (hopefully) helped further develop my writing skills. However, I’ve never been happy with my original blog title. “My Life” seemed boring and unimaginative, but I couldn’t think of anything cute or catchy.

During the past few weeks I’ve been trying to come up with a new title; something short and succinct that will capture what I like to write about. I wanted something that will reflect my faith as well as the everyday events I write about.

This new title comes from several different places.
• Proverbs 3:5-6 has long been one of my favorite Bible verses; it’s even cross-stitched in my bedroom. I am so reassured by the fact that God directs my path and is in control of my life.
• I don’t usually enjoy reading allegories, but I loved the book Hind’s Feet in High Places by Hannah Hurnard. In this allegory of the Christian life, the Shepherd tells Much-Afraid to follow the path he has prepared for her, and she will develop hind’s feet that can leap on the high places. It’s a long and sometimes difficult journey with a joyous transformation at the end. I’m planning on rereading it this summer.
• While in Israel I learned about the sheep paths on the mountains and the importance of staying on the path. This “staying on the path” was reinforced on my backpacking trip to Isle Royale as we carefully picked our way along the muddy path. Anyway, all these thoughts dealing with path converged during the last week, leading to my new blog title: Feet For The Path.

I want to have feet for the path God has chosen for me. I want to follow His will for my life and trust Him to provide what I need each step along the way. Through the daily and sometimes mundane times, in the difficult and challenging circumstances, and amidst the exciting and joyous events I know God is sovereign and with me. And He will continue to help me develop my “feet” for this path of life that He’s leading me on.

So I’ll continue to write about lessons I’ve learned, thoughts about God and life, special places God might bring me, as well as some of the everyday happenings that maybe you can relate to.

You're welcome to join me; I'd love the company.

Mini-Vacation Up North

My parents, brother and sister-in-law, and I took a three day trip to the upper peninsula earlier this week. The weather was cloudy with just a little rain, but thankfully we missed out on the really humid weather at home.

We drove up to Tahquamenon Falls on Monday, stopping for a picnic lunch at a rest stop along the way. We were able to see both the lower and upper falls - such a beautiful area.

We drove back to St. Ignace Monday evening and spent Tuesday at Mackinac Island. Our ferry ride to the island also brought us under the Mackinac Bridge, which was pretty cool.

We took a 2-hour carriage ride which was fun (it was especially nice being in a covered carriage during the brief rain shower of the day).

After lunch we did some shopping and had old-time photographs taken.

Don't I look like a southern belle?

Mom and Dad will be celebrating their 50th anniversary this December, so they did a wedding portrait.

Yes - there is a Starbucks on Mackinac Island! Mom had her first frappuccino - great on a warm afternoon!

Later in the afternoon I rented a bike and rode some of the bike paths in the state park. I'd love to spend a whole day in the interior of the island - it's just beautiful.

We enjoyed dinner at Millies on Main Street together before taking the ferry back to St. Ignace.

We returned home on Wednesday after a quick stop at "Castle Rock," a tourist trap complete with a Paul Bunyan statue. The view at the top of the rock was worth the long stair climb.

It was great spending time together as a family in "da yooper" country!

Family Photo

My brother and sister-in-law from Krasnoyarsk, Siberia are here for a two-week visit. This past Wednesday my sister and brother-in-law and their two youngest kids came up and we had a great day together in Holland.