July 2025 - Enduring

Photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash

What a blessing to reach the end of July 2025. This has been a challenging summer, so far. Myriads of difficulties I cannot discuss, but through which we are enduring with the help of the Lord. He continues to watch over us, protecting and providing. When worries assail, we lift praises for His provision to fend off the cumbersome chains of consuming concern.

This morning, I woke to find flooding in the basement. The men we paid to repair the roof took almost two months to come and then did not complete the repairs (saying they are waiting on an appeal to the insurance company for more extensive roof repairs). Thus, we are without gutters and the rain absolutely poured last night. I had moved several bags and boxes full of craft supplies I had purged and hoped to sell. They had been close to the window where it sometimes floods. Alas, given the lack of gutters, the flooding was in the very area where I had moved the items. One box was destroyed, but I had cardboard in the bottom and that kept the contents from damage. Plus, nothing leaked through the plastic bags, so it was merely a matter of drying off the bottoms. Now, I'm wondering if I should merely take all of it to Goodwill and get it out of the house without hopes of recouping any of the money I shelled out over the years on craft supplies I never got around to using.

After Sean's dentist appointment in early July, we learned he'd need all four wisdom teeth extracted. Just prior to the surgery date, his retainer broke, so I had to schedule a fitting for a new one just days after the wisdom teeth were removed. He is healing well, but we weren't without worry. On the first day, when he returned home, I was concerned about his overnight fast. I wanted him to eat something prior to taking the first pain meds. But, then, I worried food might be lodged in the extraction sites, so I handed him the irrigator tool they had sent home along with the gauze. As soon as he shot liquid into the site, he had to sit down for dizziness and pain. He stopped immediately, but after I called the office, I learned he wasn't supposed to use that instrument until the 5th day. Anxiety set in. 

When Bryce had his wisdom teeth removed, he ended up getting dry socket. My sister-in-law, Miriam, (once a dental technician) happened to be visiting and graciously walked us through best steps for dealing with dry socket. I was sure I had just doomed Sean to the pain his brother experienced. Thankfully, with Miriam's current encouragement, we iced regularly (20 minutes on and 20 minutes off) and he managed to escape the problem of dry socket. His girlfriend Claire came to comfort him and brought him a smoothie (very helpful, since we had few foods on hand soft enough that he could eat). He was fitted for a new retainer on Monday and they reported no appearance of dry socket at all. Yay!

I am still struggling with my back after my June fall on the treadmill. Although I can walk fine (and have gotten back on the treadmill successfully on days when it is raining), at night it still twinges when I attempt to sleep on my side (my natural preference). Not sure why that area is not healing, but I'm too much of a wimp to go to a doctor. Plus, it seems like such a minor ache. It is only an inconvenience. Not a tangible threat.

While listening to the Christian radio station in the car, I heard about an iced tea company that placed a vending machine next to a bench. The vending machine offered a free iced tea if you place your phone in the machine temporarily. Once the iced tea was dispensed, a sign flashed on the screen indicating the phone would be held for ten minutes. Patrons were encouraged to take a "tea break." Apparently, some did sit on the bench and relax for the ten minutes, refreshed by the forced leisure. Others were furious to learn they could not get their phone back immediately. The radio announcer suggested we might benefit from taking fasts from our phones.

I set out to do just that on my weekly fast day that week. I only managed 5-1/2 hours before it was necessary to use my phone for a mapping app. Not great success. Plus, I forgot to implement that into my fasting this week. Perhaps I'll try to incorporate it more fully in August. I have been faithfully fasting. Plus, in July, I managed to revamp my purging efforts (more about that in my quarterly purging post due at the end of August).

Lastly, I'm praising God for an increase in traffic on this meager book review blog. There were over 52 thousand hits last month, and I thought it might just be a fluke. This month received less, but not significantly. On this last day in July, Blogger tells me there were over 43 thousand hits on my blog this month. How I pray readers will find encouragement for living and recommendations for reading!

Book Review: Seeking the Secret Place

This time, for my supplemental reading in my devotions, I selected another book by my former boss and great friend Lyle W. Dorsett. Seeking the Secret Place outlines the spiritual formation of C. S. Lewis. This is a beautiful book published two decades ago. I knew I owned this book, but when I found it on my shelf, I discovered something rather perplexing. My book's inscription is addressed to my husband.

I thought the book was mine. During our time in DeKalb, I attended a lecture Lyle gave in Wheaton. I went up to speak with him at the end. Perhaps I purchased a copy of his book to give to my husband for a gift. Who knows!

Somehow, this was another book I read without writing a review. I did not pepper it with tabs to return to later as I did with the E. M. Bounds book on prayer. The title is fantastic! Several scripture passages emphasize meeting God in the secret place (Psalm 27:4-5; 31:19-20; 91:1; Matthew 6:6). Click here for an excellent blog post by John Van Wagoner on "Living in the Secret Place."

This book is special to me because I was involved in the research. Lyle interviewed 42 people who were close to Lewis. Indeed, Lyle and Mary took me on a small trip around Scotland after my time in the Wheaton-in-England program of 1984. We visited Lewis' first cousin, Ruth Parker, in her home near the Firth of Forth in Scotland. I watched as Lyle performed an oral history interview. I remember I sat on her small couch with her big black lab. No doubt, this played a part in nurturing my desire to pursue a master's degree in history. I recorded several of my own oral history interviews for a project related to an oral history course I took at the University of Illinois in 1989.

I wasn't aware of the encouraging role of my Wheaton German professor, Carol Kraft. She was on the Wade Center Advisory Board. She provided prayer support and financial backing for the travel involved in these oral history interviews. What an opportunity I snagged during that blessed time of youth! On a later trip to Edinburgh, I made another personal visit to Ruth Parker, bringing her favorite, a madeira cake.

The Table of Contents alone gives a glimpse of C. S. Lewis' spirituality. He strove to say things "helpful to salvation," to make prayer a "sustained and regular habit," to seek scripture, to participate in the body of Christ (the church), and, when facing conflict, to keep his eye "on the Helmsman." Dorothy L. Sayers (another Wade Center author) called Lewis "God's terrier," and spoke of his "missionary zeal." Lewis met with a spiritual advisor. He pursued a deeper walk with the Lord. If you are interested in learning more about Lewis' life and works, this biography is a great place to start. I don't think my husband ever read it, but I'm grateful for the copy so I could. Many others are seeking this book as well. It has an Amazon Bestseller Rank of #191,914 in Books! That's a very good figure for a book published two decades ago.

Book Review: The Book of Last Letters

In Kerry Barrett's The Book of Last Letters, Stevie is an artist working at a nursing home that once housed a hospital during WWII's Blitz. She applies for a grant to paint a mural after learning about a book containing letters from soldiers and patients to family members. The story unfolds in dual timelines. Stevie, in the present day, is piecing together the history of the letter book (a book that contains difficult messages, including one that leads to the story's climax). Elsie Watkins, a nurse during World War II, is responding to the urgent need for communication with distant family members. Both Stevie and Elsie try to do the right thing, but sometimes face daunting obstacles.

I hadn't realized this novel was based on true events. The characters were believable and endearing. I enjoyed reading this tale that emphasizes not leaving things unsaid. Life is short (sometimes shorter than expected). We often carry regrets and heartfelt expressions of love to the grave. Although I'm somewhat weary of WWII tales, this book's message is worth exploring.

Book Review: First Love, Second Draft

What if a wife's worst day of her life was her husband's best day? What conflict and emotion might this conjure? I could well relate to this scenario. Not that my worst day was John's best day, but I worry there are much worse days ahead. We endured a miscarriage prior to the births of our three sons and, believe me, we processed and grieved differently. It is so hard when reactions don't match. The pain is intense and then you add a layer of misunderstanding. Men definitely grieve differently than women, and often communication in those tender initial days is non-existent.

Becca Kinzer has a real talent for taking the difficulties of relationships and spinning them out with wit. She knows how to write humor (a tough task). When you feel like crying over life's challenges, it is refreshing to pick up a book that leads from internal intensity into light-hearted laughter. Here is a brief summary of First Love, Second Draft, from the back cover of the book:

"Rom-com writer Gracie Parker hasn’t written a bestseller since she and her husband, a major league baseball star, divorced five years ago. On thin ice with her publisher―and with a looming deadline―Gracie couldn’t have picked a worse time for a painful injury that has her flat on her back. At this point, she’d accept help from anybody . . . except her first love and ex-husband, Noah Parker.

"The baseball season has just ended in massive disappointment for Noah. He’s facing the stark reality that he gave up everything for a career that’s let him down and that it might be too late to get back the one person he should’ve held on to. So when Gracie’s nephew calls, saying Gracie’s looking for a tenant for her next-door rental, it feels like it’s meant to be."

I've enjoyed all of Becca Kinzer's humorous tales. This one is a novel about second chances. Love is hard, but deserves a second chance. Sometimes women who have been hurt refuse to give an ex a second chance. We are all flawed and failing. We all desire forgiveness. I need to learn to extend grace to others more freely and open doors for restoration and reconciliation. I just hope it doesn't take a painful injury to get me to that point, ha! (My June fall from the treadmill wasn't as debilitating as Gracie's injury, but I'm still needing to sleep flat on my back because my normal side-sleeping causes twingy pain where I hit the chair. Say a prayer for healing, if you will.)

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Becca has announced a new book slated for the spring of 2026. It sounds like it will be another joyful journey with witty banter and unexpected romance. Here is the cover reveal for next year's novel, Not What We Pictured. (This title sounds like a commentary on my life, ha!)

   

Book Review: Mother-Daughter Murder Night

My book club selected this Reese's Book Club pick for one of their two May selections. Since the other book didn't appeal to me at all, I read Nina Simon's debut mystery, Mother-Daughter Murder Night. I loved reading the origins of this story. Nina's mother received a cancer diagnosis. As the two spent a lot of time together, they set out to write a mother-daughter murder mystery. It's quite an achievement to make Reese Witherspoon's list with a debut novel.

Lana Rubicon is used to wheeling and dealing in the real estate market of Los Angeles. Now she is side-lined, recuperating from lung cancer in the small coastal town of her daughter and granddaughter. The three of them have never been in such confined quarters and sparks fly. But, when Jack, the granddaughter, becomes a suspect in a local murder, Lana pushes herself to tackle the case with the help of Jack and her estranged daughter, Beth.

I enjoyed the dynamics of the mother-daughter-granddaughter relationships. The writing flowed well. It was also a clean read (always a plus in my book). Although I was in a hard patch (concentration-wise), the book held my interest. Here's a photo of the writing duo (with granddaughter, no doubt) from the book's website:

Mid-month Mention: IN Prayer Walk Your Campus Day

For the past several years, I've been focused on increasing prayer in my life. Just prior to the pandemic, I had hopes of starting a new prodigal prayer group with Moms in Prayer International. Then, chaos ensued, my life became heavy, and that goal felt out of reach. I may not be able to kick-start a group of fellow parents praying for prodigal children. Yet, I continue to note the newsletters and information from MiPI.

This month, I want to draw attention to an opportunity early next month for my Indiana blog readers to participate in a prayer initiative. I received this letter from Lori Bell, the Indiana MiPI State Coordinator:

Hello, Indiana Prayer Warriors! I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV

Kick off the 2025-2026 school year with a prayer walk for your child's school campus! Unanimously approved as a Resolution by the Indiana House of Representatives, Indiana Prayer Walk Your Campus Day is August 10, 2025. Gather friends and family to pray for your child, teachers and staff as you walk the school campus. Don’t have a child in school? We implore and welcome anyone who cares deeply for this generation of students - parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, pastors - join us in united prayer across Indiana. With your help, every campus will have a prayer walk! This event is sponsored by several Christian organizations, including Child Evangelism Fellowship, Christian Educators, Cru, Moms in Prayer International and Students Standing Strong.

My children are no longer in public schools (my youngest starts at Purdue University next month), but I believe in the power of prayer. Young people today face such intense spiritual opposition. I plan to participate on August 10, 2025. Years ago, I read Mark Batterson's outstanding book, The Circle Maker. I highly recommended this book in my book review. If you can, read Batterson's book and join others across Indiana in praying for the children of our state. If your heart aches for the children around you, sign up for Moms in Prayer International. Click here, if you wish to register and receive resources to guide your prayers in this particular Indiana endeavor. URGENT: That link encourages participants to register by JULY 15th to ensure timely delivery of the free resources! I only learned of this on July 10th, so sorry for not posting this sooner.

If you are not an Indiana resident, don't hesitate to initiate your own prayer walk. Or you can look at this MiPI events page to see if a prayer event is coming near you.

"If my people, which are called by my name, 

shall humble themselves, and pray, 

and seek my face, 

and turn from their wicked ways; 

then will I hear from heaven, 

and will forgive their sin, 

and will heal their land." 

- 2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV

Book Review: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

My job at the Marion E. Wade Center, during my college years, required hosting tours for small groups of school children. I loved showing them the actual inspiration for the wardrobe. It bore a sign declaring the Wade Center free of any legal obligation associated with children who disappear into the wardrobe. I needed an audio book for my endless May car rides (lots of ferrying people here and there while we were down to one car). What a joy to return to the Narnia series with the ever-popular The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie live with a professor in the country during the Blitz. While enjoying a game of hide-and-seek, they enter a wardrobe and a land of imagination full of satyrs, dwarves, centaurs, and giants. In Narnia, the White Witch, who has overtaken the land and brought endless winter, wants to capture them. But, Aslan is on the move. He, alone, can save the children and restore them to their rightful places as kings and queens in Narnia.

Though Lewis had no children, he did a fine job of tapping into child-appealing storytelling mode. I have fond memories of reading this to my two younger sons when they were small. We didn't complete the whole series (their attention spans were typical of this generation), but I enjoyed sharing this snippet with them. I will have to see if my library has more of the series in audio form.

Book Review: E. M. Bounds: Man of Prayer

Meeting Patti Callahan Henry at her author talk in Franklin, IN, propelled me into several reading kicks. First, I read 2 of Patti's books. Becoming Mrs. Lewis sparked a desire to pick up my dear friend (and former boss) Lyle W. Dorsett's book, And God Came In (re-titled A Love Observed). At the same time, in my morning devotional focus on prayer books, I worked through his exceptional brief biography and compilation book on Edward McKendree Bounds. This Dorsett book-reading kick sparked a C. S. Lewis kick. The Amazon image of Lyle's book was sideways, so I took a photo of my copy, and you can see how many tabs I marked to come back to later.

Of course, the focus of E. M. Bounds: Man of Prayer centers on prayer. I loved one particular illustration from the life of D. L. Moody. Moody had been called upon to preach at a church in London, but found the morning service dry, sterile, and unproductive. That evening, he arrived to find a different outcome. Later, he discovered a decisive factor. An invalid woman, on hearing Moody had been there to preach at her church that morning, shut herself into her room and petitioned the Lord to work through D. L. Moody. Yes, our prayers matter!

Bounds emphasizes the urgency of prayer. He writes, "The lesson of it all is this, that as workers together with God we must regard ourselves as in not a little measure responsible for the conditions which prevail around us today. Are we concerned about the coldness of the church?... Does our soul go out to God in midnight cries for the outpouring of His spirit?... If we do our part, God will do His. Around us is a world lost in sin, above us is a God willing and able to save; it is ours to build the bridge that links heaven and earth, and prayer is the mighty instrument that does the work."

Lyle Dorsett organizes snippets from Bounds' writings into topic categories. In the section on money, Bounds castigates the idolatry of preachers who seek prominence among people and profit in their pocket. Bounds writes, "Ambition... for honor is, in a preacher, nothing short of sin. Covetousness... is the refinement of idolatry.... Preachers must quit lauding the money-making talent; must quit following the money-making business."

Bounds' prayerfulness impressed me, but also his humility. He quoted Alexander Mclaren, "If a man considers himself to be an iron pillar, he is of no use to God. God works through broken reeds." In another place, he emphasizes, "Nothing keeps us from revolutionizing things for God but our self-bigness and our faith-littleness." Here is a man who has every reason to consider himself an example to others, a guide for the masses, yet he remains grounded and recognizes his own deep need for God's grace. If only my life looked like E. M. Bounds' life! I want to fall on my face in humility, recognizing my deep need for God and His grace. I want to pray as if it depends on me and trust as if it depends on God.

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Please say a prayer for Lyle Dorsett! His beloved wife, Mary, died in the early morning hours on 7/7/25 after enduring cancer for years.

Book Review: One Italian Summer

Every time I read a book set in Italy, I think of my Italian blogging friend Maria Novajosky, author of An Ocean, an Airplane, and Two Countries Full of Kisses. Rebecca Serle's One Italian Summer is a highly entertaining Instant New York Times Bestseller. I loved dropping into Positano, Italy, and reading descriptions of the Amalfi Coast. What's more, I adored the characters in this book. The intensity of this mother-daughter bond was reminiscent of the beloved pair in The Gilmore Girls. Although I was close to my mother, and felt the mother-loss keenly as I read, ours was never as tight as these fictional relationships.

Katy Silver is utterly bereft upon losing her best friend and mother, Carol. Their bond was intense and her grief knows no bounds. Thus, Katy embarks alone on the trip to Italy that the two had planned to take together. Just as in Rebecca Serle's previous bestseller, In Five Years, magic is afoot. Katy bumps into 30-year-old Carol in the town of Positano. Katy is eager to spend as much time as possible with this younger version of her mother. She is learning unknown things from the past, but it brings conflict in her present.

I really enjoyed this book. It held me spellbound for over an hour. I couldn't tear my eyes away. That's saying something, given my current challenges in reading (lots going on and difficult to focus). Thankfully, I read this in hardcover, so I skipped through the brief sex scenes (2 - unnecessary and 1 adulterous). Overlooking that cautionary content, the book is a great exploration into the power of a strong mother-daughter bond. There's a tension in finding your place in the world when motherhood defines you. It may have been more difficult to read about such a loss if my mother had not already passed from Alzheimer's. So, know that up front, if this might be a trigger-warning for you. 

📒 Content Caution: brief sex scenes toward the end of the book