A Heart For Freedom by: Chai Ling (Book Review)

A Heart For Freedom (The remarkable journey of a young dissident her daring escape and her quest to free China's daughters) by: Chai Ling is a amazing first hand look at the massacre of Tiananmen Square in 1989. Ling starts the book with her background of growing up the first born daughter of two solider parents. Her hard work to get into the university, all to make her father proud of her. The book leads into all the behind the scenes leading to the massacre. The students of Chine wanted discussion with government officials. Ling, in great detail, describes how wanting discussion led to the death of over 3,000 students. After the massacre Ling was a wanted woman for her part in leading the students of the Square. The book chronicles to her run to freedom in America. Her life in America leads her to Christianity and from there to wanting to continue her work in China. Chai Ling is now in charge of All Girls Allowed, an organization that is trying to end China's one child policy and forced abortions.

This book is full of details that most of the public probably has never heard about. It is an amazing journey, especially bearing in mind that a woman was in charge of much of the Tiananmen Square protests. There are particularly gory parts in the book when the deaths are discussed. Ling also describes in detail her forced abortion. It is an eye opening journey from the farmlands in China to speaking on Captiol Hill. Join Ling in her story and her current fight with this great book.

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for the reason of review.

What now?!?!

We were at the dentist. It was a long wait. M fell asleep and was an angel. Sam sat still for 2.5 hours, just a miracle. The hygienist asked if the baby got red hair too. I replied after a split second pause "we're adopting him, he has blonde hair, I have the whole spectrum of hair color." She smiled and walked away. I stood there in awe of what just popped out of my mouth. I have never said that before. I use foster care to open conversation. Yet, "we're adopting him" came pouring out of my mouth. Truly that is one of my hearts deepest desires. To add sweet M into our family. Oh for the day when "we're adopting him" is the truth!

If you had told me...

3 years ago what my life would be like, I would have laughed at you.
*That we would be a Foster-to-adopt family
*A Southern Baptist church member, heck a church member at all
*A member of a Bible Study
*That I would have spoke multiple times in front a about 100 people.
*That I would have done a skit in front of about 100 people.
*That I would have taken the lead on getting 25 women to a Christian event.
*Have 2 of my 3 boys baptized.
*Have a husband that is the leader of the Men's Ministry.
*That I would be excited to read the Bible and journal every morning.
*That I would be blogging about all these wonderful changes in our lives. Life is pretty amazing!

10 Little Piggies.

Baby Toes. That is all.

With (Book Review for Booksneeze)

With is the simple title on a very in depth book by Skye Jerhani. Using four prepositions Jerhani describes four 'postures' most people use as a relationship with God. Under, over, from and for. Each section is very detailed. It would be very easy to find out which category you fall in to.

Life Under God seeks to find control and blessings by following all of Gods commands and rules to the letter. If you follow all the rules, you will be blessed.

Life Over God, God has not bearing on one's daily life. You are above Him, you find the principles of life and live by them alone.

Life From God, is a "What has He done for me lately?" lifestyle. Religion is a means to an end, to get what you want and then move on.

Life For God, is a very easy trap that a lot of Christians fall into. Living a life of significance a life for God. While this posture seems like a good one, it still misses the point of living a life with God.

The book closes with four more sections. Life With God, Life With Faith, Life With Hope, and Life With Love.

At the end of the book is a fairly large Appendix section with question both for an individual and a group. It would be a book worth doing for a Bible Study.

The books is very well written with a lot of real life examples and simple drawings to illustrate the point. At times, I did find it a little wordy, but overall it was a great book that I would recommend.

*I was given this book free for review by BookSneeze and not reimburse in any financial way.

Baby Loves

I have a very happy baby. He's probably the happiest baby I've met. His smile lights up a room. However, he is teething. At first it wasn't bad, but today he's been a grumpy grump. I peeked at his gums, bright red and large. I can see the teeth, not just feel them. I think they will break through full grown. He doesn't want to play, bounce or roll around. He wants mama to hold him. So in my lap he sits being covered in kisses and hugs. I want him to feel better soon, but I sure do love baby loves!

Three Day Weekends.

Our "camping shed" was falling apart. "We can save it." says my handy hubby. This is what follows within an hour:

All the junk out and no floor or back wall.

Within 24 hours:

Hopefully by tomorrow it will be finished. He's pretty awesome!

Also for the treasure hunter in me, the boys found these things under the floor boards. We're not sure why they would have built the shed over top of them, but...:

A random coffee mug.

A binder full of Navy Protocol from 1992 and a baggie of receipts from a cross country trip in 92-93. Very odd.

Also, as the kicker, while helping. I was bit by one of these:

A wheel bug, assassin bug, or kissing bug, all the same.

 The real bug is in a jar just in case I go into anaphylactic shock, which can happen. Geez!