Book Review: Church of the Small Things by Melanie Shankle

My blog has become a series of book reviews and launches, and yet I believe these books are true to my vision- helping us learn to whisper the Word of God into our own souls, and then to the children we love and influence on a regular basis.  Books encourage my heart.  Today, I want you to meet an Author of four books, three of which I've enjoyed thoroughly.  Her name is Melanie Shankle, from Texas, and I was introduced to her as "Big Mama", as her daughter referred to her, (that daughter started high school this fall) and that's how her blog started.  She's grown a bit, and now goes by her given name.  But I still think of the attention that an author called "Big Mama" made me decide I needed to read her book.  I read Sparkly Green Earrings first a book about seeing Christ's light in parenting, as my end of year school's done celebration in 24 hours. Then I had the library order The Antelope in the Living Room, a book on marriage. Which I also adored and read in a few days!  Somehow in the busyness of life and kids, I missed No One's Cuter than You, but it's on my to read list!  

This book releases October 3, 2017.  Counting down the days, til you can all appreciate it for yourself!

Fun. Relatable. Laugh out loud funny. Easy read. Great vacation or stress reliever book. 

Nothing too convicting, but good pauses to look at God in our day to day lives. 

Spiritual encouragement with lighthearted humor.  But also helps the reader identify purpose in her life, and makes her smile at the author's stories of discovering God in her mundane (which may not seem all that mundane with her humor!)  

Simple biblical truths, encouraging the reader to see God in the little things because "being faithful in the small things, because those are the moments that prepare us for the next thing."

It's a book presented with stories, humor, and even a few tears written in an enjoyable manner with a bit of sass and reality that it takes many by surprise at the humor and boldness. But we all relate and keep reading. In "big mama" style! As I first learned of this author. And loved relaxing with her book.  You can see more about her and her blog at:  ChurchOfTheSmallThings.com   

Quotes I loved as lessons (but you have to read the book to see how the author makes these memorable!): 

• "Because every moment in what some might consider a small life was a moment painted with great love." 
• "When we open ourselves up to the life God has for us, it probably isn't going to feel safe, but it will be infinitely better because it's a life filled with purpose...
• "We can never underestimate the grace and the strength he will give us for whatever he is calling us to do and whatever challenges we'll face."

As a 45 year old woman, we are in the same season of life and history, so I have many connections to her memories and life experiences, but even if you are much younger, you'll get it, she's funny and real. And I enjoy seeing her faith grow wings and her stories share her heart for God. Blessed to join the launch team, but the opinion is my honest review.

The Unseen Way Day 3

Sometimes you read a book and you love it, but you can't talk much about it a few weeks later.  But other times a book inspires you, motivates you, or captures your heart, and somehow you can't leave it behind.  That's how I'm feeling about Sara Hagerty's new book, The Unseen Way, the gift of being hidden in a world that loves to be noticed.

I'm a woman of the Word. I've had a love for it since I learned to read it every day at camp, at age 11, and came home and read through the whole Bible over the next two years.  But I'm also a woman who wants to be productive, to get things done, and sometimes, being in the Word has been a checkmark off the to do list.  But in this season of my life, I've learned it's so much more.  It's the air and nourishment I need to make it through the day.  It's the only source that helps me find joy in the journey and parent with connection and kindness as my focus.  If I miss my time in the Word, the people I love see it very clearly in my behaviors.

I remember a sermon a few years ago by Dr. Fish.  He made the same conclusion- that we are changed by the Word of God and our behavior reflects it.  It can be seen in us.

That's why this book has resonated with me.  Sara Hagerty not only shares her personal testimony of the impact the Word has in her heart, but also illustrations of how God impacts her children in those hard and unseen moments.  She's focusing her heart and theirs on adoration of who God is.  And she shows me how simple and easy it is to walk and talk the Word all through the day and nights of our lives.

On her website, she shares how she's learned to adore God, and even has created a tool that helps teach children the habit of adoration.

I'm learning how to spend time with God- by following Sara Hagerty's creation of the wonder hour, scheduled times in her busy day  to stop and seek Who God Is-- in this moment and how that can help her in that moment in her day, parenting, school, etc.

She models how she prays and her ideas are so simple, yet profound.  She's really showing us her thinking about how to be intimatly aquainted with the Lord and how the Holy Spirit has helped her to put habits in place to remember that God sees, loves, extends grace and rescue, and supports His followers at all times, it's us that forget to look at His face and ask for His help.  

Book Review Part 2: Unseen the Gift of Being Hidden in a World That Loves to be Noticed by Sara Hagerty

I read a lot.  Reading is self care, and in my world, as a wife, Mom, servant of Christ, and educator, I need self care, more like a life line! It's a part of who I am, but as believers and followers of Christ, it's what we are called to do.  How can we know and love God intimately if we don't spend time with Him?  How can we hear Him in those nano second decisions if we aren't in communication with Him?  We can't.  Books come and go, and in this day and age, many books I let the library buy so I can read and share easily, and because I know I won't likely re-read it or consult the book again.  But this book, is so unique and motivating, I've purchased copies for friends who I think will value and find this message timely.  And my amazing library ordered me the audio-book, so that I can listen to it and have it come alive all over again.  

My life has changed drastically in the past year, I've gone from half time educator trainer to stay at home Mom, and that impacted my identity.  And I've learned that I'm okay, but not seeing people (especially more than family) on a day to day basis, has been a big change.  But as this book shares, the hidden, unseen aspects of our lives, are often where real life happens.  And I'm so blessed to have time to spend sitting at the feet of Jesus, talking with God the Father, getting more acquainted with Who He is, and learning to look to Him in all things both wonderful and broken, as I know the Lord will Provide.  

This book helped me find words for this journey and change, and inspired me with ways to include my children.  I love the perspective of thinking, What does God think about ____? What does God think about me with_____? and realizing the answers are clear- He loves me, He's here with me, He's providing for me, He's blessed by me, and I am His and for His glory.  And that's a better perspective than any other, and learning to live in light of this truth is a great focus.  

Book Review: Unseen The Gift of Being Hidden in a World that Loves to Be Noticed

This book is a gift and treasure.

It inspired me to live a life that is deeper in relationship with God. It's practical, engaging, full of scripture, and yet a book that draws you to stop, think, digest, and process the ideas given. I will re-read this book to soak in the ideas and even to remember how Sara Hagerty shares her poetic words of how she adores God til she knows it's true in her life!  And Sara Hagerty is a Mom to six beautiful children, and she shares how she communicates these concepts with her children and prays that they will be rooted and grounded in the Word.  She's a natural whisperer of the Word to children and adults.

If you pre-order, there are beautiful freebies!  http://sarahagerty.net/pre-order-unseen

Sara Hagerty shares her personal stories and connects the story of Mary's extravagant love poured out vulnerably at Jesus feet, to a lifestyle of seeking Him in all seasons, but especially in the hidden aspects of life.

Authors often become kindred spirits or mentors to the reader, and Sara Hagerty, is that for me. I adored her first book, Every Bitter Thing is Sweet when I discovered it several years ago, I love how she ends each chapter with scriptures for further review. And I'm half way through writing out the scriptures from Unseen in my journal, and processing small steps to see God more intimately and to fall in love more deeply with Him.

I can't wait for the Bible Study to be released that goes along side this book, and it will be free on the website www.sarahagerty.net/unseen. I'm going to need a whole series on my blog to share all the aspects of the book with the world, as it's a gem with so much richness, I'm inspired, encouraged, and learning how to have a fuller, hidden life with God, where I use the white space in my life to seek Him.

I'm blessed to be on the launch team for this book, inspired by the emphasis on praying for the book release, and the readers whose hands it will be placed in, that they would find God and fall more in love with Him this fall (or in the future). I certainly have, and I've pre-ordered several copies as gifts for several friends who will find inspiration.

I'll end with a list of a few things I believe are possible for the readers of this book:
*re-frame your life in God and before others by asking questions like: What does God think of this? and What does God think of me?
*see a fresh revelation of the story of Mary at Bethany sitting at Jesus feet.
*create a wonder hour to look at God more purposefully.
*find your own rhythm to adore and pray more intimately with God (and it's done without guilt!)
*love the Word of God more.
*look at Who God is.
*recognize how to practice God's love.
*lean in to Him.
*recognize you are seen by God alone (Psalm 139- woven together intimately).
*develop deeper intimacy with God.
*find that you can embrace living a life hidden before God, out of the limelight, but ever present to Him.

Kregel Book Review: A Pair of Miracles: A Story of Austim, Faith, Determined Parenting by Karla Akins

Thanks Kregel for the opportunity to review another book.  As a trained elementary teacher with a heart for special needs kids. This book interested me immensely.  I'm also a twin, so I love to learn about other twins.

This book is written by an adoptive mother and pastor's wife, and she is a follower of Christ who knows that God will bless her and her family and will faithfully provide the help needed.
This book covers a few different dimensions:
1) It defines autism, shares strategies for navigating school, medical, and other services.
2) It shares personal challenges, struggles, prayers, stories, and successes.
3) It's a spiritual tool kit (as the back cover states.) This, to me, was the most impressive aspect.  The first chapters are about self care- recognizing the grief and God's goodness in all things.  The author successfully shares how her faith impacted her parenting, how God provided for their needs, and she shares scriptures and thoughts that are encouraging and help ground other people (parents, teachers, helpers,...) who work with kids who are challenged.
4) It offers practical tips that would apply to any parent of a special needs child.  She uses section headers within chapters, bulleted lists, and italics very well to make it simple to read, easy to find what you need, in a short amount of time.  But her tips are quality, and very valid, and helpful.  Especially for an overwhelmed parent new to this frontier and feeling lost or hopeless.  Many tips might seem obvious to some, but when you are in the role of parent/guardian/protector for a child who cannot communicate easily or at all, it's easy to forget where to start.  (i.e. showering is part of her school routine, as it's not natural or easy for her boys.).
5) Appendixes- these are very helpful, all in one place, and essential for newbies to autism.  Occupational Therapy (including tantrum or meltdown chart), Reinforcers/Rewards for school/home, Fidget toys, Functional Skills Checklist, Further Resources (books and websites).  These are AWESOME and tried and true.

This book is easy to read and follow, but is a wealth of knowledge and encouragement. It's so easy to find technical books that can loose a parent, and it's getting easier to find spiritual support as a parent of special needs, but to find one that includes both is a rare jewel.

I knew about autism, I've sat at IEP meetings as a parent and as a teacher, I've taught new teachers how to manage behavior in a classroom.   This book does it's job well, and was a great review for me to skim parts, and really read parts.  But as a parent of a child with different special needs, I found the spiritual principles integrated in her advice-  were spot on... represent your child with humble boldness, know you aren't alone, Jesus is there providing an advocate.  I also liked her explanations of how to be an 'intense' parent who has high standards for those who interact with her children, but how to identify the right type of people to add to the support team.  

It's my joy to read. It's my pleasure to review books.  It's a blessing when I enjoy them and find them easy to recommend, but I'm allowed to share my thoughts honestly.  Thank you Kregel for an excellent resource I can eagerly recommend to those who need it.  

Tyndale Book Review: Bible Promises for parents of children with SPECIAL NEEDS by Amy E Mason

Thoughts about parenting & special needs kids... 

Special Needs Defined

Parents of special needs kids, hold a special place in my heart.  Special Needs kids is a broad based term.  Many of us think about physical, intellectual, or developmental delays or limitations as the definition of special needs children.  But as God has created us as individuals and each one of us unique to Him, it is a much broader concept.  Gifted or High Intelligence children would be special needs children.  Autism and ADHD are very common diagnoses for children. A gifted athlete or musician is a special needs child when you factor in the practices, lessons, and special events that will become a part of daily living to meet this child's passions and needs.  

But the category of special needs children that most touches my heart is the invisible disabilities of many children from hard places, many of these kids look normal, may act and interact in social settings in somewhat typical ways, but often their brains are anything but typical.  As science can study the brain that God put inside each human being, we have discovered that in utero and the first three years of life, give our brains wiring that gives us certain advantages or disadvantages in life.  The good news is, our brains continue rewiring and building connections our whole lives, and into adulthood our brains can build more connections than they loose each day.  

Parenting....
But as we've included a child from a hard place with in utero stress and early years stress, I've read and learned so much more about the benefits that many of us take for granted.  Love heals a child, love builds a brain, and that love is best received when it is consistent, dependable, and demonstrated in a connected way.  So our actions and emotions impact our children's formation substantially in utero and in the first 3 years of life.  

And the children who don't have consistency in those early years, or who are parented by an adult in crisis or high stress, will pick up on that toxic stress and join the adult in living in high emotion and low functioning.  This steals valuable connections for the child's future.  It can be built later on, but it takes a concerted effort on the part of ALL adults in the child's daily life. 
All parents need self care to maintain a good perspective in life and to parent with love, joy, gratitude, contentment, and a place of abundance.  Children with special needs bring with them brokenness and a level of wonder as you guide them into the adult world.  I've not met many parents who say they have this parenting thing down pat. Most of us doubt, wonder, and pray a whole lot for guidance and direction as we go through the gamut of emotions in the role of parenting. 

I've said that parenting is the most sanctifying experience in my entire life.  Nothing like being wholly responsible and living 24/7 with a baby/child who is still new to this world, and models/replicates how you live, or recognizes that they want to do the opposite of what you do... either way it speaks volumes to your soul and helps you reflect and develop a whole new sense of self awareness and recognition of how others see you, and often that glimpse in the mirror is ugly and not flattering.  It makes you recognize how big God is and how amazing His Grace and free gift of salvation really are.  I saw sin in my life and choices that had never been raised to the surface before.  And this of course always happen mid-parenting when your child has shocked you with their __________ (attitude, behavior, thought, actions, questions,....) and you don't know how to handle it, or you over react and don't like your over the top response.  Parenting is full of so many wonderful things, but it's balanced by a lot of self doubt, loneliness, wonder, and brokenness.  

Book Review
This book is an amazing tool to help you put your mind back into a healthy perspective and recognize the Hope that lives in you through the Word of God, and that you can redeem this situation, this day, this week, this month.  And not just survive, but thrive with refreshment, strength, and new hope for this situation.  We all need a little bit of this!  




Details about the book
Bible promises is a book that is a topical content book.  It gives you topics that come up in ALL parents lives and then  shares a when statement- a wonder you might have connected to that situation.  It then shares a scripture reference and a simple connected thought to the reference and the when.  Each topic ends with a brief thought or connection about a way to re-frame the thinking of this situation in a positive light.  I found the book a delightful asset.

Con/Pro:  I wished the references had included the full scripture, but then the book wouldn't be about 5 x 7 in size and small enough to have in your work bag, or your purse, or the door of the car, or next to your bed.  It's small, lightweight, beautiful inside and out, and simple to pick up and choose a topic.  It's reader friendly. The thinking about situations is generic but specific to the topic and our feelings, so I think if you are thinking about the topic, you will relate to the thinking aloud to connect the scripture, and there are several when... concept statements with each topic.  So it's relevant for all parents, but parents who go the extra mile with kids who have special needs that demand a village to help support, with appointments, OT, PT, speech, therapy, medical interventions, hospitalizations, intensive at home practice, at therapy practice, mental health supports, can especially relate.

Another reviewer felt that looking to God is not the same as looking to other people, and she's correct.  She was unable to find this book helpful, but she missed the key audience for this book.  Those who care for a special needs child and who see God and His promises as a '"wellspring of refreshment, strength, and hope" and who have or desire to deepen their relationship with him.  If your faith and the Word of God is not a guide and source in your life, then this book isn't for you. But for those who seek out the Bible's promises, I found this book therapeutic and helpful for recognizing my circumstances and identifying the emotions in my situations. 

I'm blessed to be a part of the Tyndale blog review network but all ideas, concepts, and opinions shared are my own.  I'm not required to share a positive review.  It's just hard not too with this helpful tool for my coping skills bag!  (some of you will know what that is!)

Tyndale: The Big Pig Stampede

This book is written for tweens and especially boys- and that demographic in my home loved it. (and as a teacher/kidmin person grade 3 and 4 boys are the hardest group to reach and motivate, and I concur!) 

I loved that it brings to life in a fictional account what life for other children could have been like at the time of Jesus miracles.  It builds connections for Bible lessons and study, it helps kids visualize the setting and time of Jesus life, and to recognize that people are the same no matter when they lived.   

This book is funny, cute, and charming.  If you are looking for bible verses, study, or a Bible storybook, this is not it.  It is a book that should spur higher level or critical thinking in the readers mind.  It clarifies what historical setting Jesus lived in.  It is funny, proving that everything biblically connected isn't for stoic grown ups or traditional classically written.  But because of that, some grown ups will hate it, and find it irreverent.

As a teacher and parent, especially the reading teacher in me, I love that it helps build comprehension of this period in Jesus life, and my son (a 2nd grader who read it) actually wanted to check the Bible and see if it happened like that.  And for those reasons it is golden!  

It develops connections, clarifications, will help build vocabulary, and critical thinking, keys to making great readers.  Yes the humor involves some potty humor, but that is better than the secular options that motivate boys. So it's an awesome alternative.  

Thank you tyndale for the privilege of reviewing this book.  Sorry for the delay in posting it, we read it last year!