Book Review: Wings of Faith

This Salvation Army biography, Wings of Faith: The Remarkable Life of Harry Read, was written by Dawn Volz. I first encountered Commissioner Harry Read through his poetry posted on Facebook. I had memories of an Army leader in London who impacted my life when I worked at the International College for Officers shortly after my college graduation. It turns out that was Ed Read. Commissioner Ed Read met with me weekly and gave me reading assignments we then discussed in a mentor relationship. Ed is mentioned in this biography. Harry's life impacted many individuals, too.

The focal point of Harry's story is his parachute jump at the 75th D-Day celebration. At 95-years-old, he was fit and brave enough to jump from a plane (higher than the one he jumped from in his teen years). I think I was most impressed to learn that he authored one of my favorite Salvation Army songs, "God's Soldier." It has a rousing chorus of "We're gonna fill, fill, fill the world with glory; We're going to smile, smile, smile and not frown; We're going to sing, sing, sing the gospel story; We're going to turn the world upside down."

Harry's poetry is meaningful and his life exemplary. He and his wife, Win, "walked, spoke, and ministered together as they drew upon each other's strengths, making themselves fully available to the God they served." I appreciated, so much, hearing of his great humility. In an early difficult time, he observed, "The Lord seemed to be saying, 'Harry, there are some things I can only do for you when you're alone.' I've transposed that insight into every difficult, testing situation since." He demonstrated his deep need for God and God's forgiveness. He did not present himself as above the masses, in spite of great responsibility and impressive gifting. I asked for this book for Christmas a few years ago, but only now got around to reading it. I'm so glad I did.

Book Review: Sipsworth

The cover is enticing and the title perplexing. Sipsworth, a novel by Simon Van Booy, tells the story of Helen Cartwright, a woman waiting to die. After spending six decades in Australia, and burying her husband and son, Helen returns to England to live out her remaining years. For the first few hours I listened, I was confused where the story was going. Helen establishes a relationship with a small mouse she accidentally transports from someone else's rubbish into her home.

Two-thirds into the book, the reader's understanding shifts in the most unexpected way. Though slow to get going, this book is thoroughly compelling. It treats so many important aspects of older age: invisibility, loneliness, second chances, the importance of kindness, and legacy. What a delightful journey with an octagenarian and her pint-sized pet! 

2026 Baby Bucket List - May Progress

Photo by Jeff Kingma on Unsplash

At the end of February, I posted about my 2026 Baby Bucket List. My goals are not outlandish. I merely listed 23 restaurants, 3 festivals, 4 places, and 7 movies. Going in, I knew failure was likely. I mean, we haven't done anything special to celebrate the last 4 significant wedding anniversaries (35th, 30th, 25th, 20th). But, I tried to be intentional. At the end of February, we had checked off 3 items (Beef-a-Roo restaurant, The Bread Basket, and Marmalade Sky Bed & Breakfast). 

In some ways, we did better than expected this quarter. It's crazy, but we nailed the goal I thought we'd bomb, movies. It was like I went movie crazy in the last several months. Although I missed seeing H is for Hawk (with Claire Foy) in the theater, I jumped on the opportunity when I saw it available on my library's Kanopy account in April. It was a bit slow, but I enjoyed it by myself (couldn't get John to watch it with me). 

Since I vetoed the modern remake of Wuthering Heights, I sought a different Bronte film. I made up for it by watching the 1996 version of Jane Eyre on Kanopy. I noted a familiar name in the credits, Samuel West. He was very young in this movie, but plays the eminent Siegfreid Farnon on All Creatures Great and Small. Speaking of that series, I managed to secure and watch the library's copy of Season 6 finally.   

In early April, I went to see A Great Awakening twice . I went first by myself and then with John and Trevor. It will be my favorite movie of 2026 because it was just outstanding! Although I read Project Hail Mary in April (review coming), I didn't see it in the theater. Sean (who didn't read it) went twice and pronounced it the best movie of 2026. I'm hoping my library will snag a copy in the coming months or make it available on Kanopy, too.

On May 8th, Remarkably Bright Creatures released on Netflix (thanks to Sean's subscription I was able to watch it that day and consider it my second favorite movie of the year). I've already watched it twice (once alone and once with Sean) and plan to watch it with John some weekend soon. Then, on May 12th, I went to see The Sheep Detectives with Sean. We both enjoyed it so much, we went back the following Tuesday ($6 day) to see it with Claire and her mom.

I only ticked off 2 restaurants from my list since February. Instead of visiting them as a couple, I combined them with trips to pick up Sean. I went to Dog-n-Suds with Sean in April. Then, when I went to move him home from Purdue on May 16th, I went early enough to snag the $6 meal at Long John Silver's. The cashier even gave me the senior discount. Although we went out for Mother's Day, I chose my favorite local Mexican instead of something from the list. I could have crossed off Boulder Creek for my birthday meal, but money is getting tight and I just didn't want to cough up the big bucks (though I've enjoyed their birthday dessert on past occasions).

We have no plans to visit any of the 4 places on my list. We were hoping to get away for a retreat for our anniversary, but our current living situation is ruling that out, for now. So, I've exceeded expectations on movie-viewing, trudged through minimal restaurants, and thoroughly neglected getaways. Perhaps I can make up for it with a few small getaways by myself this summer. I have a friend in the Chicago suburbs who wants me to come help her work on a memoir (that sounds challenging and fulfilling). I don't relish driving alone, but it might be nice to get away, even if it has to be a solo trip. Hopefully, by the next quarterly progress report, I'll have more goals achieved.

Book Review: Just Out There Somewhere

I have to hand it to my husband. Given our current efforts to downsize by 70-80 percent, I doubted he'd fulfill the books on my Mother's Day/Birthday Wish List. If he hadn't, I would have bought them myself, ha! I received the Sing hymn book (this looks fabulous) and Just Out There Somewhere. I'm a huge fan of Kyle L. White's writing. In April, I spotlighted his work on my blog. While I don't have every book he's written, I cherish the ones I have purchased or received as gifts.

Just Out There Somewhere is his new collection of essays, poems, and thoughts about moving on. How appropriate, since we are contemplating a move from the home we have lived in and loved for almost two decades! If you don't plan to move on, you'll still find White's essays relatable. He writes about the movement of all manner of wildlife: rabbits, owls, box turtles, geese, porcupine, and hummingbirds. These essays are bite-sized gems full of reflections on natural elements or linguistics that lead to spiritual insights.

The book begins with the entertaining essay on borrowed books that you can listen to via a link in the author spotlight. In one essay, I loved that a woman proclaimed Kyle a "pastor of art." If you knew him, you'd know this is an apt description. A few of my favorites pieces include two ones discussing the phrases, "Holy moly," and "Good Gravy." I also enjoyed the letter to a porcupine. Lovely essays! 

Book Review: Marked by Prayer

I usually fight the temptation to buy interesting books. I'm currently in a purging and downsizing mode. However, needing to rekindle my writing (stalling out again), I bought the 2026 Christian Writers Market Guide. To finagle free shipping, I purchased G. Dwayne McCrary's $5 book, Marked by Prayer: Five Traits of People Who Pray. I thought it might jump start my flagging prayer life in the same way as the marketing guide. The extra effort extended on prayer in past years has dwindled in these first months of 2026. Indeed, I am not currently marked by prayer (nor am I using the writers market guide).

McCrary posits that prayer warriors are people who have experienced helplessness (prodigal son scenario, check). They are grounded in scripture (check, that has not diminished in the slightest). Prayer warriors exhibit personal grief over sin (so easy to desire recognition of sin in others, while missing it in myself). I think my favorite chapter was on "deferred confidence." In mentioning this trait to my BSF group, one friend said she has a plaque in her home that says, "Godfidence!" Oh that this would be true of me. Too often I want the answers and solutions now, or at least on my timetable. Finally, prayerful people seek out the presence of God. This was convicting, too. Do I spend time actively listening for God's voice? Or do I rush to check off the various portions of my morning routine?

I want to be the reason people see God moving in their lives! I want my prayers to transform those I lift to His throne! I ask, with the author, "what keeps me from carrying these marks?" Am I unwilling to provide the time, effort, and transparency required? His reminder is true, "Anything worth doing is difficult and painful in some way."

Book Review: The Lawyer and the Laundress

When I finished my last audiobook on Hoopla, I skimmed through the recommendations. The Lawyer and the Laundress had an interesting cover and promised a clean read. Lately, I've tried several popular titles and, quite far in, abandoned them. I abandoned Taylor Reid Jenkins' Atmosphere (despite the good writing and compelling investment in the story) when, halfway through, the main character visits a strip club and is titillated by the experience. Census, by Jesse Ball, was stilted. It also failed to be engaging or clean. Interested in Claire Foy's movie H is for Hawk, I attempted to read that book prior to seeing the film. It was quickly abandoned and I'm glad I didn't go to see the movie with my husband, despite my love of Claire Foy's performances. Finally, I just abandoned The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. It gets discouraging.

The Lawyer and the Laundress takes place in 1837 Canada, during a time of political unrest. A widowed lawyer, James Kinney, is struggling to raise his feisty daughter Evie. She is miserable at her lessons under a strict and ineffective teacher. As such, she seeks the friendship of the laundress, Sara O'Connor. Sara is no ordinary laundress, as she knows French and effectively teaches Evie. James eventually seeks Sara to serve as Evie's governess. As romance blossoms between the two of them, political unrest threatens their lives.

I just learned this is a Carol Award Finalist. For a debut novel, it was well-written and engaging. The characters are compelling. Evie is delightful. The plot moves at a reasonable pace with plenty of conflicts. Most of all, I appreciated the tasteful treatment of the romantic tension simmering between Sara and James. Christine Hill Suntz manages to write it with sizzle, without smut. Why can't all authors stick to that?  

Book Review: 31 Days of Praise

Ruth Myers' 31 Days of Praise was another book from my own shelves. I enjoyed supplementing my morning devotional time with short passages from the book. The book is broken down into sections. In the first section, praise is introduced and encouraged. The second section offers 31 different daily readings that emphasize praise. The third section makes a case for the importance of praise in our worship of God. For the final section, a few pages suggest further acts of praise.

I don't often highlight in books, but as I had already highlighted some passages before, I continued the practice as I read. On Day 11, I appreciated the expression of gratitude for past trials that became raw material for God's blessing in my life and the lives of others. I found these words so helpful: "Thank you for the things in my past that appear to be limitations, hindrances, bad breaks... the wounds of old hurts, the unmet emotional needs, the mistakes or neglect of other people--even their cruelty to me, their abuse." I have suffered abuse at the hands of family members (abuse that, when confronted, yielded only justifications and rebuttals), yet I must thank God for even those trials that "were permitted by [God] to make me see my need of [God] and prepare my heart for [His] Word." I must pray for him to help me wipe clean any slate of grievances.

In Day 12, I needed this humble reminder, "You ask me to do absolutely nothing to earn Your forgiveness--no striving to measure up, no self-punishment, no prolonged remorse, no self-blame, no deeds of penance.... You don't hold a pair of scales and ask me to pile up enough good works to outweigh my sins, my failures, my unworthiness... it's all by grace through faith."

This book provides a humbling reminder of God's grace, His power to redeem, and His desire to reign victorious in our lives. It is a useful tool for promoting praise in our private worship times. I recommend the book as a small supplement to daily meditation. May I praise God daily (even in the hard)!