Holly Spring, who lives in New Zealand and has a daughter with health difficulties (including having only one hand), has taken some absolutely stunning photographs of her daughter to emphasize her ability to overcome any obstacle. I love a story of a family finding beauty in the midst of challenges. Here are a few of my favorites:
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Another Inspirational Photographer
You can find more of her photos at her website or at either of the following sites sharing her story: Stylish Eve or ABC7Chicago.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Book Review: Divergent - Highly Recommend
Awesome! Impressive! My favorite young adult read of the year!
I know I'm rather late to the show. There's been a constant clamor about this series and I've sat waiting for the chance to get my hands on the books. Most of the books have long hold lines and I haven't been willing to invest in their purchase (although I may rethink that if I encounter difficulties getting the second and third installments of this trilogy). When the first book came out in audio form, I was able to get my name at the front of the hold list (mere luck of opening the library's recent acquisitions e-mail as soon as I received it). I couldn't get enough time for listening to this plot unfold and now find myself itching to get my hands on the second book. Knowing that several friends have expressed disappointment with the third book, I am equally intrigued to read that one and discover what they meant by their words.
This book immediately sucks you into the landscape of another world, another time. Beatrice Prior lives in a future Chicago, a world where society has broken into five factions, each believing they hold the key to a more peaceful existence. The Candor cling to honesty, Abnegation to selflessness, Dauntless to bravery, Erudite to intelligence, and Amity to peacefulness. On decision day in their sixteenth year, each citizen must decide which faction they will devote their allegiance to and join. They are given an aptitude test, but Beatrice's test in inconclusive. She is told that she is Divergent and that she must hide this fact from everyone because it is dangerous to be Divergent.
We follow along as Beatrice selects a faction and endures rigorous training to make it into the top rankings or face the consequence of being factionless (without family, job, housing, or identity). During her initiation she gains friends and enemies and even a love interest (but one she must keep secret). She also discovers a secret. Her society is about to implode and she must take steps to fight against those who wish her dead, while seeking to rectify the wrongs which have led to the revolution.
The pace was intense. The characters were enthralling. I fell in love with Beatrice's tough nature tempered by her willingness to question herself and others. I loved the rivalry among the characters. The love story was well-done, without presenting too many intimate details. I think I'll wait until Trevor and Sean are 11 and 9 before reading this book aloud to them (or if I read it earlier, I'll skim over some of the intimate moments). The actions of each character rang true and created interesting conflicts within the story. It was just a marvelously intriguing tale and I can't wait to read more. I highly recommend this popular read.
As a side note, there is an interesting interview with the author on the Amazon listing page and I loved her comments about the factions in her book. She says:
"The faction system reflects my beliefs about human nature—that we can make even something as well-intentioned as virtue into an idol, or an evil thing. And that virtue as an end unto itself is worthless to us. I did spend a large portion of my adolescence trying to be as “good” as possible so that I could prove my worth to the people around me, to myself, to God, to everyone. It’s only now that I’m a little older that I realize I am unable to be truly “good” and that it’s my reasons for striving after virtue that need adjustment more than my behavior. In a sense, Divergent, is me writing through that realization—everyone in Beatrice’s society believes that virtue is the end, the answer. I think that’s a little twisted."
I suppose one of the reasons I liked the book so well is that I completely agree with that world-view perspective, that virtue itself can become an idol. She has something important to say and her story communicates that, in addition to just being a really interesting, captivating story.
I know I'm rather late to the show. There's been a constant clamor about this series and I've sat waiting for the chance to get my hands on the books. Most of the books have long hold lines and I haven't been willing to invest in their purchase (although I may rethink that if I encounter difficulties getting the second and third installments of this trilogy). When the first book came out in audio form, I was able to get my name at the front of the hold list (mere luck of opening the library's recent acquisitions e-mail as soon as I received it). I couldn't get enough time for listening to this plot unfold and now find myself itching to get my hands on the second book. Knowing that several friends have expressed disappointment with the third book, I am equally intrigued to read that one and discover what they meant by their words.
This book immediately sucks you into the landscape of another world, another time. Beatrice Prior lives in a future Chicago, a world where society has broken into five factions, each believing they hold the key to a more peaceful existence. The Candor cling to honesty, Abnegation to selflessness, Dauntless to bravery, Erudite to intelligence, and Amity to peacefulness. On decision day in their sixteenth year, each citizen must decide which faction they will devote their allegiance to and join. They are given an aptitude test, but Beatrice's test in inconclusive. She is told that she is Divergent and that she must hide this fact from everyone because it is dangerous to be Divergent.
We follow along as Beatrice selects a faction and endures rigorous training to make it into the top rankings or face the consequence of being factionless (without family, job, housing, or identity). During her initiation she gains friends and enemies and even a love interest (but one she must keep secret). She also discovers a secret. Her society is about to implode and she must take steps to fight against those who wish her dead, while seeking to rectify the wrongs which have led to the revolution.
The pace was intense. The characters were enthralling. I fell in love with Beatrice's tough nature tempered by her willingness to question herself and others. I loved the rivalry among the characters. The love story was well-done, without presenting too many intimate details. I think I'll wait until Trevor and Sean are 11 and 9 before reading this book aloud to them (or if I read it earlier, I'll skim over some of the intimate moments). The actions of each character rang true and created interesting conflicts within the story. It was just a marvelously intriguing tale and I can't wait to read more. I highly recommend this popular read.
As a side note, there is an interesting interview with the author on the Amazon listing page and I loved her comments about the factions in her book. She says:
"The faction system reflects my beliefs about human nature—that we can make even something as well-intentioned as virtue into an idol, or an evil thing. And that virtue as an end unto itself is worthless to us. I did spend a large portion of my adolescence trying to be as “good” as possible so that I could prove my worth to the people around me, to myself, to God, to everyone. It’s only now that I’m a little older that I realize I am unable to be truly “good” and that it’s my reasons for striving after virtue that need adjustment more than my behavior. In a sense, Divergent, is me writing through that realization—everyone in Beatrice’s society believes that virtue is the end, the answer. I think that’s a little twisted."
I suppose one of the reasons I liked the book so well is that I completely agree with that world-view perspective, that virtue itself can become an idol. She has something important to say and her story communicates that, in addition to just being a really interesting, captivating story.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Book Review: Stolen
This was another book club pick, this time for my young adult book club. Stolen, by Lucy Christopher, tells the story of Gemma Toombs, a sixteen year old girl who is abducted from the Bangkok airport and spirited away to a desert location in Australia. Her captor, Ty, a man nine years her senior, is a drifter who has followed her for six years and orchestrated the abduction with expert precision. Gemma writes the tale as if addressed to Ty, giving her perspective of the events as they play out.
It received many glowing reviews on Amazon. But, I just can't quite get there. Even though it held my interest for the most part, there were many parts that dragged along (lots of desert descriptions and endless, but fruitless, ruminating on how to escape or inflict harm on her captor). Still, I had no problem keeping with the story line. I was a bit worried at the outset that it would involve rape or some difficult sexual story line. I was thankful that the story never really drifted into that territory. There wasn't a lot of foul language either. I think the greatest difficulty for me was in buying into the Stockholm Syndrome. And that whole idea that the girl had a really crappy life and her captor was actually doing her a favor? Well, I couldn't exactly buy that either. And at the end of the novel, I just found myself thinking "I could have read it or not and it wouldn't have really mattered to me." Sadly, not one I feel like recommending to others. Then again, as I said before, I'm knee-deep in Divergent, so it may have merely suffered by comparison.
It received many glowing reviews on Amazon. But, I just can't quite get there. Even though it held my interest for the most part, there were many parts that dragged along (lots of desert descriptions and endless, but fruitless, ruminating on how to escape or inflict harm on her captor). Still, I had no problem keeping with the story line. I was a bit worried at the outset that it would involve rape or some difficult sexual story line. I was thankful that the story never really drifted into that territory. There wasn't a lot of foul language either. I think the greatest difficulty for me was in buying into the Stockholm Syndrome. And that whole idea that the girl had a really crappy life and her captor was actually doing her a favor? Well, I couldn't exactly buy that either. And at the end of the novel, I just found myself thinking "I could have read it or not and it wouldn't have really mattered to me." Sadly, not one I feel like recommending to others. Then again, as I said before, I'm knee-deep in Divergent, so it may have merely suffered by comparison.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Book Review: Dating, Dining and Desperation
Melody Carlson is one the bigger names in the young adult Christian fiction genre. She's written numerous novels for teen girls. When I noticed this one on the recent acquisitions shelves at the front of the library, I was interested because it was clearly women's fiction and I wasn't aware she had written any novels for women (turns out, she's written quite a few women's novels and I really shouldn't be surprised since she practically has too many young adult novels to count).
I also shouldn't have been surprised that this turned out to be a piece of series fiction (another one of her specialties). However, I truly didn't grasp that this was book two in a series (although the stamp on the cover declaring it a Dear Daphne novel should have been a neon sign to me). Apparently the first one was called Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel. In the first book they introduce the basic plot line that Daphne is set to inherit her aunt's house, convertible, and newspaper column job as long as she fulfills an unusual requirement. She has to secure a husband before one year is up.
Where I picked up the story, with this second book, Daphne is pining for a soured relationship with her attorney. She was convinced he had feelings for her, but then he went on vacation with his ex-wife. Enter a new neighbor, a vivacious Southern-belle, and the determination to fulfill the requirement takes on further fuel. The book was a bit confusing to me because the first half spent its time devoted to developing the friendship between Daphne and Sabrina, and encountering numerous possible suitors (each one tossed aside). Suddenly in the second half, a whole new plot line is introduced with the arrival of another neighbor, this time a young girl who is in desperate need of some stability and friendship in her life. It was truly only when I finished that I realized that this was a series book. The ending leaves you hanging, wondering who Daphne will end up with to fulfill the requirements of the will (something the reader is sure will happen in the end).
Our library has the first book in the series, but I don't know if I'll pursue it. For one thing, I already know much of what it laid out. At the end of the book, the reader is informed that the third and fourth installments in the series will only be released as e-books. So, I'm just not sure I'm hooked enough to want to invest in the last two books or read them in an electronic format (I much prefer to hold the book in my hand). As far as Christian fiction goes, this is a typical fare - romantic story line, references to Christianity and the ways God would have us live, and a happy, peaceful ending (well, it is promised for book four, anyway). I suppose it may have suffered by comparison since I am in the middle of listening to Divergent, an absolutely riveting tale.
I also shouldn't have been surprised that this turned out to be a piece of series fiction (another one of her specialties). However, I truly didn't grasp that this was book two in a series (although the stamp on the cover declaring it a Dear Daphne novel should have been a neon sign to me). Apparently the first one was called Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel. In the first book they introduce the basic plot line that Daphne is set to inherit her aunt's house, convertible, and newspaper column job as long as she fulfills an unusual requirement. She has to secure a husband before one year is up.
Where I picked up the story, with this second book, Daphne is pining for a soured relationship with her attorney. She was convinced he had feelings for her, but then he went on vacation with his ex-wife. Enter a new neighbor, a vivacious Southern-belle, and the determination to fulfill the requirement takes on further fuel. The book was a bit confusing to me because the first half spent its time devoted to developing the friendship between Daphne and Sabrina, and encountering numerous possible suitors (each one tossed aside). Suddenly in the second half, a whole new plot line is introduced with the arrival of another neighbor, this time a young girl who is in desperate need of some stability and friendship in her life. It was truly only when I finished that I realized that this was a series book. The ending leaves you hanging, wondering who Daphne will end up with to fulfill the requirements of the will (something the reader is sure will happen in the end).
Our library has the first book in the series, but I don't know if I'll pursue it. For one thing, I already know much of what it laid out. At the end of the book, the reader is informed that the third and fourth installments in the series will only be released as e-books. So, I'm just not sure I'm hooked enough to want to invest in the last two books or read them in an electronic format (I much prefer to hold the book in my hand). As far as Christian fiction goes, this is a typical fare - romantic story line, references to Christianity and the ways God would have us live, and a happy, peaceful ending (well, it is promised for book four, anyway). I suppose it may have suffered by comparison since I am in the middle of listening to Divergent, an absolutely riveting tale.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Inundated with Cool Music Videos Lately
As I showed my husband yet another one this morning, he said, "Where do you find all these?" Mostly through links on Facebook. Thus, none of these may be new to you; still, I felt they were worth sharing:
This one just amazes me. The guy has a truly innovative mind to put together a recording of himself playing a cover for that popular song, "Happy." It is catchy, but the great part is that he plays all the parts himself. Too cool:
Next up, a video of a guy playing PVC pipes for drums and using flip flops for drumsticks. This is one I gotta show Bryce! It's ten minutes long, but I couldn't look away:
Another cool drumming video, where two kids tap out a beat with pens and a ruler:
And these final two just make me happy (kind of like the "Happy" cover above). The first is a video of an animated musical instrument and the music is so soothing and delightful:
Like the other one, this animated instrument is more of a percussionist's video:
Enjoy and have a "happy" day!
This one just amazes me. The guy has a truly innovative mind to put together a recording of himself playing a cover for that popular song, "Happy." It is catchy, but the great part is that he plays all the parts himself. Too cool:
Next up, a video of a guy playing PVC pipes for drums and using flip flops for drumsticks. This is one I gotta show Bryce! It's ten minutes long, but I couldn't look away:
Another cool drumming video, where two kids tap out a beat with pens and a ruler:
And these final two just make me happy (kind of like the "Happy" cover above). The first is a video of an animated musical instrument and the music is so soothing and delightful:
Like the other one, this animated instrument is more of a percussionist's video:
Enjoy and have a "happy" day!
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
A New Family Dynamic When the Oldest Goes to College
It seems too soon to be writing a post about the new family dynamic. After all, we only just moved Bryce into his Purdue dorm room in Tarkington Hall on Sunday afternoon. Not even 48 hours ago. Ha. But, the emptiness is there and I'm feeling it ever so slightly. I think John is cut up about it far more than I am. My day will come when Sean is installed somewhere away from home. For me, while I'm sad about Bryce moving on, I'm more excited for him to have such a great opportunity and wonderful times ahead of him. He is ready for it and I am eager for him to live it to the full (well ... not if the full means partying or indulging in behaviors I wouldn't sanction, of course).
The move-in process was remarkably smooth. There were six or seven students outside his closest dorm door who assisted us in unloading the truck-load of stuff he brought. Bryce has spent the past two weeks honing and obtaining all the necessary (and many unnecessary, as we discovered) items for life in a dorm room. I believe it took us only fifteen or twenty minutes to get everything dumped into his room. At that point, he grew quite agitated and wished only for us to depart. It is, after all, a fairly small room and we were crowding five people among all the debris of his belongings. I wanted to take several of the moving bins home, so he had to unload clothes and shoes from several of them, but within minutes he was shooing us out. I think John felt a bit put out that he wanted us gone so quickly, but he understood that it wasn't a matter of getting rid of us so much as a matter of clearing the space and getting down to the settling-in process.
Bryce sent me a panoramic photo (not the greatest) of the room once they managed to get things oriented in the way they desired. He was thrilled that his roommate's futon fit in the space below his loft (they both ordered loft beds to make more room for relaxation) and is facing the TV (yes, they think they are going to have enough time for relaxation and TV and gaming - ha), refrigerator and microwave.
He had to send home several things he mistakenly thought would fit (a microwave cart which I had picked up for a song - $5.99 - at the thrift store, a set of drawers on wheels, and a few closet hanging storage devices). I laughed because I assisted Bryce in packing up his clothes (folding the shirts and placing them in his new laundry basket for transportation). His roommate has about 3 or 4 inches worth of hanging clothes between the dresser and the side of the closet. Thus, he is able to display a bunch of stuff on the top of his dresser. Once Bryce hung up all his hanging clothes, I'm sure they covered at least a foot and a half to two feet of space above the dresser. Bryce loves his clothes.
His location is absolutely perfect. He is not far from the engineering buildings and there is a wonderful dining hall just across the street. Bryce said they have innumerable choices available at that dining hall and he should do fine on the 13-meal plan we purchased for him. Thanks to their mini-fridge, he should be able to make his own standard breakfast just fine (a small cup of mandarin oranges and a Carnation Instant Breakfast drink).
I have sent him two e-mails already on these first two lonely nights without him and he has responded twice and promised to keep me informed about how things are going. This first week will be a week of fun, since it is what is called the "Boiler Gold-Rush." He is settling in well and having a good time.
Things have grown a bit more serious with his "friend" Madisyn. As of the 27th of July, Bryce informed me they were officially "boyfriend and girlfriend." This was not really unexpected since he spent most of the summer over at her house. He says her family loves him and treats him just like a son. When Grandma came for a visit prior to his departure, she took Bryce, Madisyn, and me out for dinner, so I had a bit of a chance to get to know her more and I really like her. I think she is a good influence on Bryce. She holds similar views to my own on his late nights and his spending habits (not sure she is able to curb them any more than I seem to, but nice to know we are in agreement).
So, we were not really surprised when Bryce informed us that she and her family are already scheduled to come visit him on Friday (they are going for a football game between West Lafayette and our high school). Then, he will ride back home and she will drive him back up on Sunday. While I hope this doesn't become a frequent thing, I'm not as opposed to his clinging to a girlfriend from home as I thought I would be.
Still, the house will be quieter (not by much since he was already absent quite a bit even when he was living at home) and his room will be different. John and I are cleaning it out and consolidating things from both closets into just one closet, so that Trevor can move in and use the bed, TV, one closet and the surface of the desk during Bryce's absence. When, and if, Bryce comes home for a visit, he will merely move to the bed available for him in Sean's room. We are going to be selling the bunk beds from their room and putting up a daybed with trundle opposite of Sean's bed. I don't think Sean is as eager to have a room of his own as Trevor is, so we will have to see how this transition goes once we get Bryce's room squared away and transfer it to Trevor.
Trevor is missing Bryce already. He had a weekend journal assignment and I encouraged him to write about his brother moving in to college. He said he didn't want to write about that (probably too personal). Sean was thrilled when he was playing x-box yesterday and Bryce was apparently on and sent him a message saying hi.
We will have to adjust to this new family dynamic. It is the four of us now, instead of the five of us. When Bryce does come back for visits, it will most likely be more for a visit with his girlfriend than for a visit with his family. He is on his own now. I hope that college treats him well and that he makes loads of wonderful memories and friends. I hope that he does, indeed, keep in touch and keep me informed as to his well-being.
The move-in process was remarkably smooth. There were six or seven students outside his closest dorm door who assisted us in unloading the truck-load of stuff he brought. Bryce has spent the past two weeks honing and obtaining all the necessary (and many unnecessary, as we discovered) items for life in a dorm room. I believe it took us only fifteen or twenty minutes to get everything dumped into his room. At that point, he grew quite agitated and wished only for us to depart. It is, after all, a fairly small room and we were crowding five people among all the debris of his belongings. I wanted to take several of the moving bins home, so he had to unload clothes and shoes from several of them, but within minutes he was shooing us out. I think John felt a bit put out that he wanted us gone so quickly, but he understood that it wasn't a matter of getting rid of us so much as a matter of clearing the space and getting down to the settling-in process.
Bryce sent me a panoramic photo (not the greatest) of the room once they managed to get things oriented in the way they desired. He was thrilled that his roommate's futon fit in the space below his loft (they both ordered loft beds to make more room for relaxation) and is facing the TV (yes, they think they are going to have enough time for relaxation and TV and gaming - ha), refrigerator and microwave.
He had to send home several things he mistakenly thought would fit (a microwave cart which I had picked up for a song - $5.99 - at the thrift store, a set of drawers on wheels, and a few closet hanging storage devices). I laughed because I assisted Bryce in packing up his clothes (folding the shirts and placing them in his new laundry basket for transportation). His roommate has about 3 or 4 inches worth of hanging clothes between the dresser and the side of the closet. Thus, he is able to display a bunch of stuff on the top of his dresser. Once Bryce hung up all his hanging clothes, I'm sure they covered at least a foot and a half to two feet of space above the dresser. Bryce loves his clothes.
His location is absolutely perfect. He is not far from the engineering buildings and there is a wonderful dining hall just across the street. Bryce said they have innumerable choices available at that dining hall and he should do fine on the 13-meal plan we purchased for him. Thanks to their mini-fridge, he should be able to make his own standard breakfast just fine (a small cup of mandarin oranges and a Carnation Instant Breakfast drink).
I have sent him two e-mails already on these first two lonely nights without him and he has responded twice and promised to keep me informed about how things are going. This first week will be a week of fun, since it is what is called the "Boiler Gold-Rush." He is settling in well and having a good time.
Things have grown a bit more serious with his "friend" Madisyn. As of the 27th of July, Bryce informed me they were officially "boyfriend and girlfriend." This was not really unexpected since he spent most of the summer over at her house. He says her family loves him and treats him just like a son. When Grandma came for a visit prior to his departure, she took Bryce, Madisyn, and me out for dinner, so I had a bit of a chance to get to know her more and I really like her. I think she is a good influence on Bryce. She holds similar views to my own on his late nights and his spending habits (not sure she is able to curb them any more than I seem to, but nice to know we are in agreement).
So, we were not really surprised when Bryce informed us that she and her family are already scheduled to come visit him on Friday (they are going for a football game between West Lafayette and our high school). Then, he will ride back home and she will drive him back up on Sunday. While I hope this doesn't become a frequent thing, I'm not as opposed to his clinging to a girlfriend from home as I thought I would be.
Still, the house will be quieter (not by much since he was already absent quite a bit even when he was living at home) and his room will be different. John and I are cleaning it out and consolidating things from both closets into just one closet, so that Trevor can move in and use the bed, TV, one closet and the surface of the desk during Bryce's absence. When, and if, Bryce comes home for a visit, he will merely move to the bed available for him in Sean's room. We are going to be selling the bunk beds from their room and putting up a daybed with trundle opposite of Sean's bed. I don't think Sean is as eager to have a room of his own as Trevor is, so we will have to see how this transition goes once we get Bryce's room squared away and transfer it to Trevor.
Trevor is missing Bryce already. He had a weekend journal assignment and I encouraged him to write about his brother moving in to college. He said he didn't want to write about that (probably too personal). Sean was thrilled when he was playing x-box yesterday and Bryce was apparently on and sent him a message saying hi.
We will have to adjust to this new family dynamic. It is the four of us now, instead of the five of us. When Bryce does come back for visits, it will most likely be more for a visit with his girlfriend than for a visit with his family. He is on his own now. I hope that college treats him well and that he makes loads of wonderful memories and friends. I hope that he does, indeed, keep in touch and keep me informed as to his well-being.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Book Review: Unstoppable
If you are looking for inspiration and encouragement to live a life of faith and overcome the difficulties life might be presenting you, you cannot go wrong with a book by Nick Vujicic. Born with no arms or legs, Nick is a walking testament (get the pun?) to God's purposes for even the most challenging circumstances life can bring. He clearly lives out a life message of "no limbs - no problem, as long as one is centered on the Lord and what truly matters." He has been an inspiration to many and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this, his second book, Unstoppable: The Incredible Power of Faith in Action. For my review of his first book, Life Without Limits, go here.
Through his own stories of overcoming his unique challenges to the stories of others who have made a tremendous impact on our world, Nick makes it his goal to affirm and encourage every listener to put their faith in action to find their purpose in life. God doesn't make mistakes and every one of us can bring something to the table, perhaps even something that no one else is qualified to provide.
While not something I really needed to hear (as I'm no longer in those years of seeking out a life partner), I enjoyed the bits about his meeting and marrying his wife, Kanae. I recently saw a photo on Facebook of Nick pulling a wagon with his young son behind him, so it is obvious that they have gone on to start the family he mentions desiring in this book. I wish him and his wife all the best as they pursue their ridiculously good life.
In the light of Robin Williams' recent suicide, the passages discussing suicide intervention (and every person's ability to stand in the gap for those who are hurting) were especially poignant. Nick is a powerhouse of encouragement and a veritable volcano of inspiration. His words certainly caused me to review my life and to find a renewed commitment to living my life to fulfill God's purposes. I may not yet know everything that God wants to do with my life, but like Nick Vujicic, I want to lay my life at the Lord's feet and surrender my will to His best purposes for my life.
Through his own stories of overcoming his unique challenges to the stories of others who have made a tremendous impact on our world, Nick makes it his goal to affirm and encourage every listener to put their faith in action to find their purpose in life. God doesn't make mistakes and every one of us can bring something to the table, perhaps even something that no one else is qualified to provide.
While not something I really needed to hear (as I'm no longer in those years of seeking out a life partner), I enjoyed the bits about his meeting and marrying his wife, Kanae. I recently saw a photo on Facebook of Nick pulling a wagon with his young son behind him, so it is obvious that they have gone on to start the family he mentions desiring in this book. I wish him and his wife all the best as they pursue their ridiculously good life.
In the light of Robin Williams' recent suicide, the passages discussing suicide intervention (and every person's ability to stand in the gap for those who are hurting) were especially poignant. Nick is a powerhouse of encouragement and a veritable volcano of inspiration. His words certainly caused me to review my life and to find a renewed commitment to living my life to fulfill God's purposes. I may not yet know everything that God wants to do with my life, but like Nick Vujicic, I want to lay my life at the Lord's feet and surrender my will to His best purposes for my life.
Friday, August 15, 2014
Book Review: Stitches
I wouldn't have selected this myself, but it was a book club pick (I think they picked it to break things up and try a graphic novel for a change). While well-done, I found it to be terribly depressing. The childhood this author describes and illustrates is traumatic and shocking. I just wanted to rescue him from all the junk in his life. What a horrible way to grow up.
David Small was born with respiratory problems and his physician father did what he thought was best, taking endless x-rays. At age 11, an unusual growth appeared on the side of David's neck. While there was enough money for shopping sprees, the parents elected to wait until he was 14, and the mass was larger, before taking him for surgery to remove it. The growth wasn't a sebaceous cyst as David had been told, but was really cancer and David awoke from the surgery minus his thyroid and part of his vocal chords. It amazed me that this author ended up being such a creative and productive individual, given what he endured as a child. Still, there was little in the way of redemption in the story. Thus, the lingering sadness after finishing it.
The images portraying this tragic tale are haunting, to say the least. The parents and doctors all look rather like a pack of zombies. Even the drawings employ large spaces of black to emphasize the darkness of the tale. If you are a big fan of illustrated books and are looking for a quick-reading memoir, then this might be right up your alley. It is just an alley I could have done without travelling.
David Small was born with respiratory problems and his physician father did what he thought was best, taking endless x-rays. At age 11, an unusual growth appeared on the side of David's neck. While there was enough money for shopping sprees, the parents elected to wait until he was 14, and the mass was larger, before taking him for surgery to remove it. The growth wasn't a sebaceous cyst as David had been told, but was really cancer and David awoke from the surgery minus his thyroid and part of his vocal chords. It amazed me that this author ended up being such a creative and productive individual, given what he endured as a child. Still, there was little in the way of redemption in the story. Thus, the lingering sadness after finishing it.
The images portraying this tragic tale are haunting, to say the least. The parents and doctors all look rather like a pack of zombies. Even the drawings employ large spaces of black to emphasize the darkness of the tale. If you are a big fan of illustrated books and are looking for a quick-reading memoir, then this might be right up your alley. It is just an alley I could have done without travelling.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Book Review: All the Light We Cannot See
This was another book with quite a buzz behind it. I must admit, I attempted it at camp and could not get into the story. It takes concentration and focus to follow the time shifts in the introductory section of this novel. But, once I got to the 100th page, I was hooked and desperate to follow the story further. I stayed up well into the night reading this one.
Anthony Doerr skillfully weaves the stories of two individuals until they intertwine in a final emotion-filled moment. Marie-Laure is a French girl who loses her sight at six. Her loving father, a keeper of keys at the Museum of Natural History, builds a miniature replica of her neighborhood. Thus, she memorizes the streets and learns to navigate on her own. When the Nazis come to occupy Paris, she and her father flee to the town of Saint-Malo, taking with them a valuable stone from the museum for safekeeping.
In the meantime, Werner Pfennig is growing up at an orphanage in Germany. He is a precocious boy with an uncanny ability to repair radios. He dreams of becoming an engineer. The war provides a way of escape from his life when he takes a place at a prestigious school for Hitler Youth. Despite his desire to do something powerful with his life, he experiences brutality at the school and goes to the front lines to track enemy radio use.
But someone is after the valuable stone and Marie-Laure finds herself alone with the menacing individual. When Werner and Marie-Laure finally meet, it provides a climax to the many building events in their separate lives. I was glad I stuck with it because it was a wonderful tale. The author did a fine job of developing the characters and building suspense. He faithfully painted the war, all while presenting loads of information about various things (i.e., radios, birds, and shells). It was a hauntingly beautiful story and one I would happily read again in a few years' time.
Anthony Doerr skillfully weaves the stories of two individuals until they intertwine in a final emotion-filled moment. Marie-Laure is a French girl who loses her sight at six. Her loving father, a keeper of keys at the Museum of Natural History, builds a miniature replica of her neighborhood. Thus, she memorizes the streets and learns to navigate on her own. When the Nazis come to occupy Paris, she and her father flee to the town of Saint-Malo, taking with them a valuable stone from the museum for safekeeping.
In the meantime, Werner Pfennig is growing up at an orphanage in Germany. He is a precocious boy with an uncanny ability to repair radios. He dreams of becoming an engineer. The war provides a way of escape from his life when he takes a place at a prestigious school for Hitler Youth. Despite his desire to do something powerful with his life, he experiences brutality at the school and goes to the front lines to track enemy radio use.
But someone is after the valuable stone and Marie-Laure finds herself alone with the menacing individual. When Werner and Marie-Laure finally meet, it provides a climax to the many building events in their separate lives. I was glad I stuck with it because it was a wonderful tale. The author did a fine job of developing the characters and building suspense. He faithfully painted the war, all while presenting loads of information about various things (i.e., radios, birds, and shells). It was a hauntingly beautiful story and one I would happily read again in a few years' time.
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Book Review: The Secret Keeper
I've heard so many good things about this book that I was anxious to read it. It might not have been the best timing to read it over the CBLI encampment. I had a hard time getting into it and sticking with it. I don't think this is a reflection on the writing, but rather on the timing and distractions. I wasn't a big fan of the method of skipping back and forth between the past and the present, although I do understand why the author chose to tell the tale in that manner. It was easier to tease out the truth of the tale a little bit at a time that way.
I believe I liked the ending more than anything else about the book. The story was going along quite nicely and then I got to a part that I hadn't expected and it turned the story into something a bit more likeable. I guess I was having a hard time getting behind the actions and behaviors of one of the key characters and when the truth was finally teased out, it made the whole journey more worthwhile.
Young Laurel Nicolson witnesses a crime when she is sixteen. Now, some fifty years later, she is trying to come to terms with what she saw and make some sense out of it. She must embark upon a trail of clues which will lead to the answers to her many questions. Who is her mother? Who was the man she saw murdered? Why was he murdered? How are the lives of Vivien, Jimmy, Dorothy, and Henry intertwined?
I would be willing to give another Kate Morton book a try. I liked the time period and the character development. While I never really felt drawn to any of the characters in this story, I believe the author has the ability to sweep the reader into the story and into the characters' lives.
I believe I liked the ending more than anything else about the book. The story was going along quite nicely and then I got to a part that I hadn't expected and it turned the story into something a bit more likeable. I guess I was having a hard time getting behind the actions and behaviors of one of the key characters and when the truth was finally teased out, it made the whole journey more worthwhile.
Young Laurel Nicolson witnesses a crime when she is sixteen. Now, some fifty years later, she is trying to come to terms with what she saw and make some sense out of it. She must embark upon a trail of clues which will lead to the answers to her many questions. Who is her mother? Who was the man she saw murdered? Why was he murdered? How are the lives of Vivien, Jimmy, Dorothy, and Henry intertwined?
I would be willing to give another Kate Morton book a try. I liked the time period and the character development. While I never really felt drawn to any of the characters in this story, I believe the author has the ability to sweep the reader into the story and into the characters' lives.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
More Photos of CBLI 14
I had forgotten to check the Facebook page for Jr. CBLI and discovered a few photos of my boys enjoying their classes in the Jr. CBLI track at camp.
They both told me about the sword drills. I'm hoping they did a good job finding things in the Bible.
I was surprised that they enjoyed class as much as they did since this year's theme was school ... something neither of the boys are very excited about. It looks like they had a good time.
The night of the scheduled water carnival was too cold to hold it in the pool, so they took it down to the lake. Thus, Sean insisted on attending the meetings with me and only Trevor went down for the lakeside fun.
I was hoping for better pictures of their time at Jump America, but this was the best I found:
They also enjoyed the giant bubbles:
You can tell from the photos that classes were quite full. I heard that one division had a donor who provided enough money to send 40 teenagers to camp, in a chartered bus, no less. Total camp attendance, for all the tracks (Adult, Young Adult, Teen, Jr. High, Jr. CBLI, and CBLI Kids), was 605 this year. I think that's the largest yet. Even still, there were apparently 16 families on the waiting list to attend. I'm so glad we got our registration in early enough to be included for this wonderful opportunity. We LOVE CBLI!
As I write this, I am enjoying my first morning of quiet with the boys at school for their first day of the 2014-2015 school year. We were happy that they were both well enough to attend (Sean was still running a fever Monday night, so he was quite worried he might miss the first day). If they ever move school up even earlier (this seems very early this year), they will just have to miss those first days if it conflicts with the CBLI schedule. We're not going to miss our favorite camp!
They both told me about the sword drills. I'm hoping they did a good job finding things in the Bible.
I was surprised that they enjoyed class as much as they did since this year's theme was school ... something neither of the boys are very excited about. It looks like they had a good time.
The night of the scheduled water carnival was too cold to hold it in the pool, so they took it down to the lake. Thus, Sean insisted on attending the meetings with me and only Trevor went down for the lakeside fun.
I was hoping for better pictures of their time at Jump America, but this was the best I found:
They also enjoyed the giant bubbles:
You can tell from the photos that classes were quite full. I heard that one division had a donor who provided enough money to send 40 teenagers to camp, in a chartered bus, no less. Total camp attendance, for all the tracks (Adult, Young Adult, Teen, Jr. High, Jr. CBLI, and CBLI Kids), was 605 this year. I think that's the largest yet. Even still, there were apparently 16 families on the waiting list to attend. I'm so glad we got our registration in early enough to be included for this wonderful opportunity. We LOVE CBLI!
As I write this, I am enjoying my first morning of quiet with the boys at school for their first day of the 2014-2015 school year. We were happy that they were both well enough to attend (Sean was still running a fever Monday night, so he was quite worried he might miss the first day). If they ever move school up even earlier (this seems very early this year), they will just have to miss those first days if it conflicts with the CBLI schedule. We're not going to miss our favorite camp!
Labels:
CBLI
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
CBLI 14 Recap Two
Wednesday was an especially fun day at camp this year. They called it Ditch Day, since they suspended afternoon and evening classes and had family time. After a quick visit to the zip-line, we headed back to the meadow to watch an amazing acrobatic troop, the Chicago Boyz, perform stunts. Trevor took loads of videos on his I-pod of their feats, including one of a young man jumping over something like nineteen individuals. I snatched this photo from the CBLI Facebook page:
After the performance, we enjoyed the picnic dinner (where the boys were thrilled because they served bacon with the hot dogs and hamburgers). Then, we headed over to the chapel to watch the Brain Show (a game show with a very enthusiastic emcee and spirited participation from several of the families out at camp - we didn't volunteer, but it was still fun to watch). Later that night, Sean and I headed back to the cabin and then Trevor left with a flashlight to walk down to the dock to watch the fireworks show they had planned. (Sean avoided any contact with the lakefront since he was convinced that if he went down there he might end up with a bacterial infection in his eye like last year. Hopefully, he sheds this fear by next year.) I think he enjoyed being grown up enough to experience that on his own.
Thursday afternoon the boys went for a Jr. CBLI field trip to a trampoline facility. I could have enjoyed a nap and some reading time, but instead ended up going in to Antioch to do a load of laundry. Thursday evening I had a great time at the banquet, sitting with some friends who are siblings, Emily and Laura:
After the performance, we enjoyed the picnic dinner (where the boys were thrilled because they served bacon with the hot dogs and hamburgers). Then, we headed over to the chapel to watch the Brain Show (a game show with a very enthusiastic emcee and spirited participation from several of the families out at camp - we didn't volunteer, but it was still fun to watch). Later that night, Sean and I headed back to the cabin and then Trevor left with a flashlight to walk down to the dock to watch the fireworks show they had planned. (Sean avoided any contact with the lakefront since he was convinced that if he went down there he might end up with a bacterial infection in his eye like last year. Hopefully, he sheds this fear by next year.) I think he enjoyed being grown up enough to experience that on his own.
Thursday afternoon the boys went for a Jr. CBLI field trip to a trampoline facility. I could have enjoyed a nap and some reading time, but instead ended up going in to Antioch to do a load of laundry. Thursday evening I had a great time at the banquet, sitting with some friends who are siblings, Emily and Laura:
I think one of my favorite things about attending CBLI is the opportunity I get to sing in a large corporate fellowship (something I rarely experience elsewhere). My niece is a member of The Singing Company, the group which led our worship times. They provided excellent spirit-filled singing. Thus, one of my favorite evening programs was Friday night's Hymn Sing. They string the titles of various worship songs up across the front of the chapel and then individuals are invited to come forward and select a song to sing and share an accompanying testimony.
Saturday night is always the Jr. CBLI performance night and Awards night. The boys were both excited because their group was singing one of the songs my kids presented back at Music Camp in June, "The Building Song." They kept singing it when we were at the cabin. And Sean informed me that his second favorite chorus to sing was the one with the verse "the God of angel armies is always by my side." It was so encouraging to me to hear my boys actually enthusiastic about worship songs and the meanings of the words.
Apparently, the young adult track held a cool activity Saturday evening, lighting prayer lanterns and letting them go, down by the pier. Once again, I snatched these photos from someone else on Facebook. It would have been cool to participate in that, but still fun to see the activity second-hand.
All in all, we had another wonderful year at CBLI. The boys were given brand new Bibles, which Trevor was quite excited about. I had a great time of spiritual refreshment. I came away with a heart-conviction to work on my tendency toward a complaining spirit. I want to be more thankful for God's many blessings and less focused on the things in life which seem less than ideal. As Trevor articulated, I want to remain rooted in His Word so that it guides my day-to-day living. I want to maintain the momentum CBLI gives throughout the rest of the year. We are blessed to have this opportunity and I hope God continues to nurture these blessings in us.
Labels:
CBLI
Monday, August 4, 2014
CBLI 14 Recap One
Another great year of Central Bible & Leadership Institute has come and gone. At the moment, we are knee-deep in illness, but so very thankful that the Lord graciously allowed it to come after we returned home instead of while we were still at camp (heard of one family there whose two year old was sick five times in the night in the cabin with no resources to clean up or deal with the mess - groan, those are toughies). But, we are still rejoicing in a wonderfully blessed experience. During the beginning of the week, it seemed like I was constantly fielding the question of how long until we go home. But, during the last half of the encampment it shifted to "I can't believe we only have x days left. I wish we could stay longer."
We started off our trip with a brief visit to Grandma's house (where we picked up a borrowed cot for the encampment) and then traveled on to our friends, the Olsens. Saturday morning, we received word that we were not in Beech cabin as anticipated, but had been moved to a Shagbark cabin. The Lord, again, was gracious as this was a much better fit for me and the boys. We were in a small cabin called Papago, where there are two rooms and a shared bathroom and kitchenette. We thought we might be able to forego the use of the cot, since there were two bunk beds in our room, but it turned out the bunk bed rails were non-existent (because the older style beds, which used to have super thin uncomfortable mattresses, were paired with full-size twin mattresses), so I refused to allow Trevor to sleep on the top bunk and insisted we squeeze in the cot after all. This turned out to be a God-send, since Trevor fell out of bed Monday night, between the cot and the bunk bed, and I spent a good hour or so unable to sleep for thoughts of what might have happened had he been on the top bunk.
Sunday morning I was able to play with the band during the morning worship service. The only draw-back was that when the band members were allowed to return to the audience, I couldn't find a place to sit and had to stand at the back. In the end, I took my horn back to the van and didn't end up joining them for the rest of the week.
Once again, our favorite free-time activities seemed to be time spent in the rec-room of Catalpa playing air hockey and ping pong. The air hockey paddles were cracked and broken, so we made a run to Walmart and purchased a set to donate to the camp.
After our trip to Walmart, we had to stop by J.J. Blinkers (our favorite costume and gag-gift shop in Antioch, IL). Trevor picked out a smoldering cigarette butt and Sean picked out a whoopie cushion. Our cabin mates (an officer couple from Iowa) got a good chuckle when we left the cigarette butt on the kitchen table for them to find in our absence.
We also visited the pool once and the zip-line twice. Trevor went off on his own a few times, but usually stayed with us. He intended to do the high-ropes course, but when he discovered that there was only one other person going and it was a girl, he opted to head to the archery station.
I enjoyed my Bible class with Linda Himes on the book of Hosea. Trevor made an insightful comment on the trip home, saying "I love being at camp because it gets you all excited about studying the Bible during classes and stuff, but then when you get home it is hard to keep up the same excitement about the Bible and going to church." Too true, Trevor, too true!
We started off our trip with a brief visit to Grandma's house (where we picked up a borrowed cot for the encampment) and then traveled on to our friends, the Olsens. Saturday morning, we received word that we were not in Beech cabin as anticipated, but had been moved to a Shagbark cabin. The Lord, again, was gracious as this was a much better fit for me and the boys. We were in a small cabin called Papago, where there are two rooms and a shared bathroom and kitchenette. We thought we might be able to forego the use of the cot, since there were two bunk beds in our room, but it turned out the bunk bed rails were non-existent (because the older style beds, which used to have super thin uncomfortable mattresses, were paired with full-size twin mattresses), so I refused to allow Trevor to sleep on the top bunk and insisted we squeeze in the cot after all. This turned out to be a God-send, since Trevor fell out of bed Monday night, between the cot and the bunk bed, and I spent a good hour or so unable to sleep for thoughts of what might have happened had he been on the top bunk.
Sunday morning I was able to play with the band during the morning worship service. The only draw-back was that when the band members were allowed to return to the audience, I couldn't find a place to sit and had to stand at the back. In the end, I took my horn back to the van and didn't end up joining them for the rest of the week.
Once again, our favorite free-time activities seemed to be time spent in the rec-room of Catalpa playing air hockey and ping pong. The air hockey paddles were cracked and broken, so we made a run to Walmart and purchased a set to donate to the camp.
After our trip to Walmart, we had to stop by J.J. Blinkers (our favorite costume and gag-gift shop in Antioch, IL). Trevor picked out a smoldering cigarette butt and Sean picked out a whoopie cushion. Our cabin mates (an officer couple from Iowa) got a good chuckle when we left the cigarette butt on the kitchen table for them to find in our absence.
We also visited the pool once and the zip-line twice. Trevor went off on his own a few times, but usually stayed with us. He intended to do the high-ropes course, but when he discovered that there was only one other person going and it was a girl, he opted to head to the archery station.
I enjoyed my Bible class with Linda Himes on the book of Hosea. Trevor made an insightful comment on the trip home, saying "I love being at camp because it gets you all excited about studying the Bible during classes and stuff, but then when you get home it is hard to keep up the same excitement about the Bible and going to church." Too true, Trevor, too true!
Labels:
CBLI
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