My Searching Heart
Feb. 27, 2009
Feb. 27, 2009
Posted in Book Reviews
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I just finished an interesting (thought it was very slow starting) book. It is titled My Searching Heart, by a Native American Christian named Crying Wind. It is actually her second book. The first is titled Crying Wind, and I have not yet found this one to read. My Searching Heart picks up where Crying Wind left off in telling the story of a woman whose father is white and her mother is Kickapoo. It gives a little bit of insight into her culture and what happens when a Native American accepts Christ. She talks about her loneliness. She also shares the story of the husband she thought she'd never have, because she had been told, and believed that she was Double Ugly. She also "knew" that no white man would marry a "half-breed" and neither would another Native, who was fighting to keep the blood lines "pure". She talks about her struggles when her children reached school age (how I wish she'd known about homeschooling - the book was copyrighted in 1980). Most of all the book is a testimony of her faith and growth, though slow it was at times, in the Lord. I picked up my copy for 35c at a thrift shop several years ago - so I can't even suggest where you might find it at this point. But I definitely recommend it. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
A Song For Your Honor
Dec. 2, 2008
Dec. 2, 2008
Posted in Book Reviews
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Finally, I've acquired a copy of this book. I've been wanting it for a couple of years. I couldn't find anyone willing to give me a free copy for a review -- which I have been blessed to be able to do with many other books I've shared about here over the last few years. I reached the point of desperation. I had to have it for my single parent, homeschool library, so I did it. I bought it, brand spankin' new. It was suppose to be a Christmas present, but I couldn't wait until Christmas to read it, I started it this afternoon. I'm only a little way into the book, but it has put my "poor me" attitude into a serious perspective. My single parent homeschooling has been way easy and way blessed in comparison to what our dear sister went through. While I haven't come close to finishing it, my heart breaks for what this dear family experienced. I'm going to suggest that if you can come by a copy of it, that you consider reading it. As a side note, the family could probably continue to use prayers -- the only son in the family went Home to be with Jesus this past March, at the young age of 19. Puts my daily "stress" into a whole different perspective. I'll attempt to update as I progress through the book, but as I'm sure you've noticed my time online is greatly decreased. I'm spending much more time focusing on MattMann's homeschooling, all the little ones in our family, that we are now close to and see often, and on getting my life back on track for the Lord -- this past Sunday was the first time I've really wanted to go to and be in church for corporate worship in a very, very long time. I'm feeling very much at peace where the Lord has led us to. Praying that you have much to be thankful for this holiday season. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Inspiration and Hope: A Famous Single Mother
Oct. 22, 2008
Oct. 22, 2008
Posted in Book Reviews
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My children think I'm eccentric. Okay, I confess, the word they use is weird. Every time I talk about buying 20 acres and a yurt my almost 17 year old convulses in disgust. Mention homesteading and she writhes with fear. I even have a key chain that proclaims, "I'm NOT wierd, I'm gifted." Today we decided to take our libraries BINGO challenge and for the next year we're going to attempt to read at least one book from each number group (non-fiction) and type (fiction) on the BINGO cards -- there is the potential prize of free books involved. So, reading my first book today, I chose "The Private World of Tasha Tudor" (Another confession - I picked it because it had few words and lots of pictures). However, in the process, I learned some amazing things. My kids would classify her as "weird" -- how many normal people run around New England barefooted -- especially once the weather starts to turn cold? She inspired me. I want to live on a farm from another century, grow unkempt flower gardens and quilt. I don't know if I could live without my computer -- but maybe I could trade it in for a smaller, portable model, and then I wouldn't have to right???? After all, she had a telephone. What I learned that really amazed and inspired me was that she was a single mother. And at the time of her divorce, all of her children (4) had their last name changed to her maiden name with her. I feel a kinship to this woman in ways you can't imagine. What I also learned, from the circulation desk volunteer was that she passed away this year - June 2008 according to Wikipedia . How very, very sad. It made me sad that I couldn't drop her a little note, thanking her for living the life she dreamed, and there by giving me inspiration and hope to continue in my dreams. As we've spent the last month settling in to our apartment -- which I still am not thrilled with -- I've done a lot of praying about what the Lord has for us. Today I called a friend and shared with her the coincidence of picking up this book and reading it at this time -- there are no coincidences with the Lord, right? -- and said, I think I'll start praying very specifically for the piece of land for our "forever" family home. Even if I have to put an old trailer or a yurt (sorry Lizbeth!!!) or something equally unique (read weird) on it for us to live in, at least it would be "ours" and we could have dogs, and cats and birds and goats, and chickens, and rabbits, and who knows what all. I definitely recommend the book, and I'm seriously considering that I may need to own it to add to my collection of inspiration from other single mothers section of my personal library. Have you read it??? Blessings, MaggieRaye |
What About Church - More
Jun. 23, 2008
Jun. 23, 2008
Posted in Book Reviews
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I just wanted to let you know that as I continue to read "What About Church?" I'm totally convinced that anyone who is in church, has left church, is thinking about leaving church, or starting a church or attending a house church or having any affiliation with church should read this. Jeff Barth, the author of this wonderful little gem, hits the nail on the head page after page. I believe if pastors, elders, deacons, husbands, etc. would read this book, and take to heart this man's message, we'd see a revival unlike any other. He takes you back to the early church and shows how far away from it we've drifted. He shows how the institution of the church has become, much like the institution of the public education system. It's sad and scary. I'm almost half way through the book and already the list of those wanting to borrow it is growing -- as is the list of those I'd like to share it with. May I suggest, that for it's nominal price, it is well worth the investment. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
What About Church? Chapter 1
Jun. 10, 2008
Jun. 10, 2008
Posted in Book Reviews
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A friend recommended a book she'd heard about, but never read, What About Church? by Jeff Barth. Well, given all my recent struggles and dilemma's I thought, why not? I'll even pay full price for it and I did. I ordered it. It arrived the other day, but today is the first chance I've really had to look it over. I read the first chapter, underlined, made mental notes and can't wait to have time to read more. In the first chapter alone, this man has answered so many questions and struggles I have had. The biggest is this, that like minded homeschooling families can come together to worship, in spite of theological and doctrinal differences. If you're struggling with church, finding it too much like the world, or that there isn't a good solid church close enough for you to be involved in or perhaps folks at your church just don't get homeschooling -- if what I've read so far is any indication, this book is for you. If you've read it and gleaned from it, please leave a comment and share with me. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
The Dragon Has A Name
May. 1, 2008
May. 1, 2008
Posted in Book Reviews
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Several days ago, I posted about a book MattMann and I were reading. Well since then we've been to the library, gotten the other two books in the series and finished one. Now we're half way through the third and finally book and guess what "the baby dragon" has a name. His name is Boris. Yes, we've traveled with Elmer Elevator and "the baby dragon" through two and a half volumes of the story and now, finally we know his name. I can definitely recommend this for a read-aloud for your family. The next time you are at your local library check it out and see if they have the series. My Father's Dragon, Elmer and the Dragon, and The Dragon in Blueland. It's a great, innocent adventure for boys. Just enough suspense, but nothing scary. We are loving it. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
My Father's Dragon
Apr. 24, 2008
Apr. 24, 2008
Posted in Book Reviews
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We recently made a trip to Nana's house, where awaiting MattMann were a couple of books from Auntie. One was titled My Father's Dragon. It was copyrighted in 1948 -- the year Nana was born -- by Weekly Reader Children's Book Club a division of Random House. The book was written by Ruth Stiles Gannett. The inside covers host a map of the stories adventure as "my father" goes on an adventure to free the baby dragon who is being mistreated/abused by the animals of the jungle. It is an easy reading book. It is just 10 short chapters. MattMann said, "do we have to . . . " before we started, and by the end of the first chapter he wanted me to keep going to the end of the book. We spread it out over most of a week and adventured along with the narrator on his father's adventure. What I didn't know when we started reading this book was that is part of the Sonlight Curriculum and is still in print today. Our old treasure, turned out to be a "classic" that I didn't even know was a classic until today. Isn't it funny how the Lord brings little blessings into our lives in such unique and special ways? What has the Lord done in your life that seemed insignificant until you saw the bigger picture? Blessings, MaggieRaye P.S. Now we're on a quest to find Now we are on a quest to find : Elmer and the Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett The Dragons of Blueland by Ruth Stiles Gannett |
