SURGERY DATE SET

Hello Friends,

It has been far too long since we last had contact. I hope you all saw my last posting about my friend Jeanne Brooks' series Journeys of Faith, Books 1 & 2.  Both very good reads.

As the headline on today's post says, my hip replacement surgery has been set for July 14th. I'm quite excited about looking ahead to returning to as normal a life as possible...yes, I know...after recovery and intensive rehabilitation.  God has blessed with a promise of better things to come....perhaps even driving the car again after 12 years. Look out world! LOL 

I realize how fortunate I am to be having this surgery and I think of all the people in this world who are in pain with no promise of relief.  That saddens me.  I do think, "Why me, Lord?"  Why have you chosen to bless me with this relief from pain when so many others will never know it.

It has occured to me that God has a purpose for what is ahead in his plan for my life.  I don't know what that might be for sure yet - and I won't allow it to frighten me.  I'm a believer in "what goes around comes around," and perhaps he is preparing me for all the love and blessings I've received from others; especially over these 12 years that I've been immobilized.  My husband has been my loving caregiver.  Will I be giving the same back to a loved one?  My true friends are still here for me, encouraging and praying for me.  Will I be encouraging and praying for one of them? I thought the Lord wanted me to write for his glory, and set me in front of the pc when I couldn't walk.  Perhaps I'll be able to do that now without the physical and emotional pain that prevents me from writing my stories.  Whatever is ahead for me, Lord - make me a willing tool to accomplish all I need to do to glorify you.

Make me a blessing, Lord.

Hugs,
Barb

REVIEW OF JOURNEYS OF FAITH, By Jeanne F. Brooks - Book 1 & 2

THROUGH THE WATERS  - Book 1

by Jeanne F. Brooks

MADELINE MARIE GALLOWAY is a single, solidly Christian young woman who is excited about the future until she experiences the loss of  her father and a violent attack resulting in a pregnancy. How could God let this happen to one of his faithful? How could she ever offer herself to her future husband now that she was no longer pure? And what about the baby? Abortion? Single parenthood? Adoption? JIM AND SUZANNE are a young couple looking forward to raising a family and having a loving Christian home. They experience multiple disappointments until tragedy forces them toward a choice they never expected to make. Unexpectedly, the result brings them great joy, but will their happiness last? Why do tragic things happen to good people? Watch how God carries them through their trials and tears. See how "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:27-29

THROUGH THE WILDERNESS - Book 2

by Jeanne F. Brooks

Orphaned at a young age, Isobel dreams of marriage and a family of her own after graduation from college. Her plans come to a grinding halt when her potential in-laws reject her because of her ethnic appearance. She doesn't fit into their class-conscious, blue blooded, American society. Broken-hearted, she retreats to the home her last living relative, Aunt Betty. When her aunt dies, she discovers a family secret: that she isn't who she thought she was! Isobel was raised to believe she was part Japanese and part Caucasian-American, but she finds proof that her ethnicity is totally different and that her birth mother might still be living. She determines to seek out her biological family and in the process finds a heritage far greater than she ever anticipated.

ABOUT JEANNE F. BROOKS

Jeanne and her husband of 35 years share their home in Washington State with her mother. Jeanne is the proud grandmother of eight grandchildren scattered around the country, with number nine due in 2009. Her greatest hope is to see loved ones join for that great family reunion when Jesus returns. She works as a Physician Assistant with the US Army in support of the Global War on terror. When not working, her hobbies include reading voraciously, genealogy research, and crochet, but her real love and focus is her family.

MY REVIEW

Jeanne F. Brooks is a refreshing precise Christian writer knowing exactly what she intends to tell with amazing skill of expression, storytelling and character development.  Having read novels one and two in her Journey of Faith series, I am anxious to set my eyes on novel three, “Out of the Valley,” and her planned fourth novel of the series.

Ms Brook’s diverse styles in “Through the Waters” and “Through the Wilderness,” have little in common except to fictionalize around extremely important social and moral issues of the day.  She effectively tackles a chain of events, teen rape, unwed pregnancy, lonely decisions and adoption in “Through the Waters;” while “Through the Wilderness” covers illegitimate birth, child abandonment, trials of a lonely misplaced childhood and ethnicity; both unusual stories and page turners.

This fine author’s imaginative writing emanates from her personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Clear cut Christian morals and mature insight into scripture, promises fulfilling and pleasurable reads with surprise endings that will remain in your heart’s memory for a long while.  I know it will in mine.

Barb Shelton

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DADDY!!!

This picture is of my dad, mom and me at Parent's Day at Emporia State College when I was a freshman in 1956.I miss my daddy - he died of cancer in 1959. 

This 'n' That

‎1956-Parents Day at Emporia, KSTC

By: Barbara J Shelton

CAN ANYONE RELATE???