Review of Max on Life

I was thrilled when Thomas Nelson announced they were releasing a new Max Lucado book. I was initially introduced to Lucado only a short while ago when Outlive Your Life was published, and I fell in love with his writings immediately. In his newest book, Max on Life, Lucado tackles some major life and spiritual questions that he has received over the years concerning issues such as love, death, grief, and the list goes on and on. With his relatable writing style and profound wisdom on a large variety of topics, Lucado definitely does not disappoint.

Max Lucado is the only author I have ever read who literally makes me read his books with a highlighter pen in hand so that I can go back and read certain special quotes over again and share them with others. Highly recommended author and book!

I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as a part of their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review; my opinions, therefore, are completely unbiased.

Review of The Final Summit

I must confess that I was drawn to this book immediately without really knowing much of what it was about – I hadn't read Andrews' previous book, “The Traveler's Gift,” but I thought I would give the book a try anyway. The premise of the book is a fascinating one; seventy-four year old David Ponder is asked to discover the solution that will save humanity. His help for the task are the likes of Winston Churchill, Joan of Arc, George Washington Carver, and other notable historical figures. I've always been fascinated with stories involving historical figures in modern times, and this book was no exception. The solution they discover is a simple one; almost TOO simple, so I would suggest making the effort to keep from over-thinking it, as I am often prone to do. Nevertheless, Andy Andrews is known for the masterpieces he creates with his storytelling, and yet again, Andrews delivers.

I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as a part of their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review; my opinions, therefore, are completely unbiased.

What is This Feeling??

(First of all, let me say that I WILL, at some point, continue the 30-day challenge on here. I'm just currently swamped with sooo much school stuff to do that I haven't managed to work on it!)

Here lately, I've been so stressed and worried about getting accepted into graduate programs that I, at one point, could barely function properly. Since I obviously didn't get through on the first round of grad applications, I'm currently trying for three more programs. Honestly, I'm so scared that I won't get in this time, but I do know that God has control. Even though I'm a little more calm now (for the moment, at least), last week was really rough on me about this. I went to one of my research supervisor's office and talked to her about it, hoping for some advice on what to do (which she gave), and I ended up crying about it -- in front of her! Ugh. I don't cry in front of others like that. Thankfully, though, she didn't appear to be put off by my weeping (yes, weeping. lol). She said she only wished she had a tissue for me. XD But she was very encouraging, sweet, and helpful, and although I hated crying in front of her, I really did find that I felt significantly better after talking to her about it.

If I could just get an acceptance to a good Master's program, I can make this work. I can work hard and do well. I can prove myself and then hopefully get the chance to get into a good Ph.D. program after I get my Master's. And where will I go after I get my Master's? Right now, I can be excited about that, because it's in the future, and those possibilities are still endless. My research professor (the one I cried in front of. ha) always tells me how "exciting" of a time this is for me to be applying to programs. Sure, it would be exciting if I weren't so STRESSED about it! That's why I'm taking the opportunity now to be excited about what I don't have to worry about yet.

The thing is... I've been considering the possibility of getting my Master's (wherever and whenever I DO get accepted!) and then applying for a particular doctoral program... in Ireland! Yes, Ireland... I'm so tempted to it right now, though I'm trying to keep it in perspective, because if I happen to get that idea stuck in my head, then I'll find a way to make it happen. I'm not saying that's a bad thing; I mean, I've always been one to "dream big," but again, perspective, perspective, perspective!! My current goal is to just do as well as I possibly can in the Master's program that I do eventually get accepted into and then go with it afterwards if that's still what I want to do. Obviously, just because I apply, it doesn't mean that I'll get accepted, but I could still try. My thinking is that if I thrive being alone at grad school -- far away from close family and friends (until I make new friends, of course) -- then I can go for it. If I'm a little hesitant about it, then, again, I think I'll know what to do.

Keep on keepin' on, my loves. <3

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 1

I found this blog challenge that's kind of a mash-up of other blog challenges, and I've decided to give it a try. I'm going to do my very best to update everyday, but if I can't, I'll continue as soon as I can.

Day 01: 15 Facts about Yourself



1. I used to be in marching band throughout middle and high school. My absolute favorite part of that was doing color guard when I was in 11th and 12th grade. I miss twirling that flag!
2. I have so much empathy for some people sometimes that it physically hurts. It's like a blessing and a curse all in one.
3. When I was little, butterflies swarmed me.
4. Because I plan on going to graduate school in the fall but have not yet been accepted anywhere, I literally don't know where I'll be in the matter of a few months. That's one of the strangest feelings ever, but it's exciting as well.
5. Red lipstick is a must.
6. I over-analyze everything.
7. My best friends tend to be much older than I am.
8. I always say that if my life plans fail, I could always just convert to Catholicism and become a nun. The people who know me best know better than to take that as a joke.
9. One of my favorite memories ever is the day that one of my sisters and I met Roma Downey (Monica from Touched by an Angel). It's so strange and amazing to watch her on TBAA now and know that I met her and hugged her, not to mention the fact that she told me “God bless you.”
10. I've been knowing what I want to do when I “grow up” for literally as long as I can remember, and I don't have any doubts about it.
11. I HATE being hot, so I love the cold weather.
12. Up until the last couple of years, I never thought I would want to move out of my home state. Now, however, I feel like it's time for me to do that, and I'm going to be able to accomplish it because of graduate school.
13. I don't really feel comfortable considering myself to be a nice person.
14. I feel like Taylor Swift often writes songs about my life.
15. Some of the best things that have happened to me in my life was when God chose NOT to give me what I wanted, because I now know how much He was (and is) protecting me.

Just a Short Rant

"You're mean but I like you anyways."

1) You missed a comma there.
2) "Anyways" is NOT a word. It's "anyway."
3) He's also having sex with other guys and probably stringing along at least one other girl behind your back.


Enjoy yo' life, baby girl. ;)

Some of My Thoughts About John Dye...

I can't even begin to say how deeply affected I was by John Dye's death. I recently read a press article stating that he died on Monday but that the news wasn't available to the public until Friday. That's not entirely true, however, because I heard the news on Tuesday morning. Growing up just a little over an hour away from his hometown, we heard the news locally fairly quickly. I was stunned. I was literally shaking for awhile. I couldn't have ever imagined that a celebrity's death would ever effect me that much, but his did. Like many people my age, I grew up watching Touched by an Angel with my grandparents. I still remember the very first time he was on the show. I had to have only been about 5 or 6 at the time, but I still remember my grandmother saying "That's John Dye. He's from Amory!" Wow, Amory. I went there all the time. haha. I guess I just instantly felt connected to him. He was my first crush -- a crush on an angel, just imagine. :) But John's portrayal of the angel Andrew was far more than acting; it was from his heart. I heard that stated so many times at his memorial service this Saturday.

One of my sisters and I decided to drive to Amory to attend John's memorial service because we knew it would be an experience that we'd never forget. How many people can say that they went to a celebrity's funeral service, after all? Not many that I know. Also, while I didn't know John or his family personally, I know several people who did. For example, a former high school English teacher of mine taught him in 10th grade the first year she taught school, and she still remembers where he sat in the class. There were times when I felt that almost everyone I knew had known John, EXCEPT me! :) The tributes to John at the service were so touching. Many of them brought tears to my eyes. You could just tell that everyone who knew John was touched by him. The look on Roma Downey's face at the service still makes me so sad, because you could tell that she was hurting so much over the loss of John.

I hope, and believe, that John is in the presence of God right now, and that John knows all the love and peace that he gave so many people -- people that he knew personally and people that he didn't -- but most of all, I hope he feels the pure, unconditional, eternal love and peace of God. R.I.P., John Dye. You are greatly missed.

Review of The Secrets Beneath

Bekah Yoder is a curious yet well-meaning Amish girl living in Middlefield. Her story here begins when she sees a stranger poking around the deserted house next door. Then, Bekah's sister Amanda comes to live with her and her family for the school-year, yet Bekah's parents will not tell her why. Bekah tries desperately to pry Amanda out of her shell as well as to resist her nosiness about the stranger next door. Bekah's curiosity eventually gets the best of her, however, putting her in serious danger. Fans of mystery should really enjoy this story.

The very first words I read upon opening this book was the author's dedication at the beginning: “To tweens and teens everywhere.” Since I am neither, I initially wondered if the book would be able to keep my attention the whole way through. My second hesitation was when I saw the list of Amish words to refer to from the text of the book; did I really want to have to keep referring to a list at the beginning of the book to understand the story? Thankfully, however, my fears were quickly allayed. The book definitely kept my attention all throughout the story, and the Amish words were easy enough to understand and clear enough in context that I rarely ever had to look back at the list. This was a wonderful book, and I feel that it's great for all ages, not just for the target “tweens and teens” audience.

I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as a part of their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review; my opinions, therefore, are completely unbiased.