Book review: Good Hope Road

Have I mentioned my new favorite author...Lisa Wingate?  It took me a few books to realize how much I liked her writing.  I would read a random book and find some beautiful quote within and think..."Wow, this is an amazing book!"  Weeks or months later, I would read another random book and find a beautifully worded passage that I had to share and think..."This is such a beautiful book!"  After the third time, I got to checking the author and realized they were all written by the same woman.  (Yeah, it takes me awhile to notice things.)  She lives in Texas (that gives her extra credit right there) and writes inspirational books with very realistic characters who make a difference...in spite of their human frailties.  (She is also on facebook and is quite friendly.)

"Good Hope Road" takes place in Missouri over the course of a few days...beginning with a devastating tornado and its aftermath.  It is written from the perspective of two very different characters.  The first is a young woman from "the wrong side of the tracks", who feels trapped by her family circumstances.  The second, her neighbor who is an older widow who has a tendency to harshly judge others but keeps some troubling secrets of her own.  The struggles they face as the town tries to rescue storm survivors and find a way to move forward teach them both some surprising lessons.  This story will touch your heart and may just make you reexamine your own life and relationships.

A growing body!

A new child is born in Christ!  Last night after their study, Pam H. was immersed into Christ (even tho it was freezing outside and she was terrified of water!).  Pam works for Layne and has been attending with her husband, Pete, at Highway for about a year now.  Pete was baptized when he was 14 but has been out of duty for a very long time.  He has expressed his desire to return to the church.  We are so excited to have this wonderful couple as part of our family!

It does my heart good to see the love and energy that is flowing at Highway!  We've been through some rough times over the past few years.  However, the growth of the congregation and each member has been so encouraging.  We've had five conversions in the past few months...aided by several different members.  The beauty of the "body", as Christ designed it, is an amazing thing.   Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

What is even better is to hear of the same thing happening in other congregations around the brotherhood.  It is an exciting time in the church!  I pray that we will continue to respond to God's teachings and the influence of His Spirit and that the Word will be magnified in the world.  To God be the glory!

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

O Happy Day!

Dennis came home Thursday night from work and said, "I'm off!"  It was his long weekend to be off from work, but he was on the schedule (he hasn't had a weekend off, other than vacation time, since August).  However, FW doesn't like all the overtime hours being paid so they informed the postmaster to send someone home and Dennis was it!  What an unexpected treat!  Since Sundays are usually Dennis' only day to rest, I don't usually invite anyone over for Sunday dinner...to allow him to nap all afternoon.  With the weekend free, we decided to have company.  The Rasmussen bunch and Mike and Denice all came over and spent the afternoon.  It was so nice to have time together!  Then about 3:30, Debbie, a lady that Jared works with and has been studying with, joined us.  (She had to work Sunday morning.)  After the evening assembly and supper with Daddy and Bobbie and Anita and Sherrod, we headed home and went to bed early.  At 11:30, I was awakened by a text message from Anita.  Jared had been studying on the phone with Debbie all evening and she was wanting to be baptized...right away!  We all hastily got dressed and headed over to the Cunningham's house (to utilize their hot tub).  Debbie was immersed into Christ at about 1:00 this morning!  Such a joyful occasion!!!  After singing a few songs and welcoming our new sister, we all dispersed to our separate homes for a short night of rest.  ;)

My girls were in Clarksville over the weekend.  This was their yearly girls' weekend at Britney's house.  Last week was pretty busy, so we haven't seen them since last Monday night.  I am missing my girls, and I still don't know when I'll get to see them!  Tonight we have a visitation to attend in Weatherford.  The twin brother of our dear brother Jim passed away last week and his funeral is tomorrow.  The girls have something planned tomorrow night and Wednesday is their "Brown night."  We usually have our study with Pam and Pete on Thursdays, so it will probably be Friday before they can come over.  I don't like going that long without having time with my girls!!!!  Maybe we can work in a lunch date sometime this week!

Linda M's surgery was last Wednesday and went very well!  She is really doing well, considering!  She said her pain that she was having before surgery is completely gone.  Of course, there is considerable pain from the incision, plus the inevitable back spasms, but she is progressing well and may get to go home tomorrow.  Hallelujah!  She has been suffering for SO long.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!  Please pray for our new babe in Christ!

Ac 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

*Sigh of contentment*

It has been a good week followed by another wonderful Lord's Day.  I am so thankful for all of God's many blessings!  It started raining Friday and has continued off and on all weekend...supposed to continue up through tomorrow morning.  It hasn't been a hard rain, just gentle showers that have really soaked in to nourish our parched land.  The weather is turning colder, which I like to see.  I love being able to wear sweaters and warm socks and bundle up in afghans and throws.  And I love being able to bake and make jerky...using the heat from the oven to help warm the house.  *another sigh of contentment*

We had a very inspiring lesson this morning on assessing our spiritual age and that of our congregation.  Gave us all plenty of food for contemplation.  We enjoyed several visitors again at the morning assembly and were happy to meet some new folks who are interested in learning more about the gospel.  It is so encouraging to see several in our congregation taking an active role in teaching the gospel!  The singing in both assemblies was wonderful!  As Jared said tonight at supper, "We've been having a lot more 'awwww' moments...where you can almost imagine the skies opening up and angels appearing and singing....'AWWWWW!'

Linda M. is having her back surgery on Wednesday.  Please keep her in your prayers!  She has been in pain for a long time, and we hope and pray that this will make her feel a LOT better!  It will be a bit of a rough recovery for awhile, but from talking to others who have undergone this same surgery, she feels very hopeful that this will provide her with much needed relief.

I hope everyone who reads this has a wonderful week and enjoys the blessings that we have in such abundance!

Ps 148:1-5 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.  Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.