Waiting for Morning by Karen Kingsbury

 In the book, Waiting for Morning by Karen Kingsbury Hannah Ryan and her daughter Jenny, are forced to deal with the aftermath of a drunk driving accident that took the lives of Tom and Alicia Ryan.  Both Hannah and Jenny deal with the accident in their own ways which brings them to the brink of another tragedy. I had a hard time feeling any sympathy for Hannah's character because she believed in the "prosperity gospel," which basically is the belief that if you are a good person good things will come your way. This feeds to Hannah's entitlement issues and draws her away from God and into a plan of revenge on the drunk driver who killed her family. Hannah's reaction to all of this has a negative effect on her daughter Jenny who is also missing her father and sister.  Jenny turns to God but away from her mother, believing that her mother would be much better off without her. Her thoughts tumble her into a deeper depression that leads to suicidal ideation. I would not recommend this book for those who suffer from depression. But for those who might want to learn about the tangled path of depression and its distorted reasoning. This story also shows how easy it is to learn about various methods and support groups online for those who want to commit suicide. It is truly scary.  Having depression myself, I could see myself in Jenny and I want to reach out to others who suffer from this and all other mental illnesses you are not alone.
                                      God Bless and have a good read, Nina

Happy Feast Day St Kateri Tekakwitha!!!

Today, July 14th is the first Feast Day that St Kateri has had since she was canonized last October. She is one of my four patron saints and the one I was drawn to when I was young. Her story of sacrifice, prayer, and devotion to the Eucharist in the midst of persecution is especially important in this increasingly hostile world. St Kateri is not known for anything she said, but her life of silent witness. I personally think the only reason that Kateri was not canonized until recently that it was because she did not want the honor and would prefer all to bypass her. I think God finally convinced her that her witness and acknowledgment as a Saint would be helpful in bringing more people to Christ. Have a blessed Sunday,
                                            Nina

White House Down

It was a good movie but not a great movie the best part about it was there was no sex,  not too much blood, and minimum on swearing.  The acting was not the best but the action was pretty exciting if a little bit hokey some of the time. If you have seen Knight and Day, with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, this movie reminds me of it. The plot behind the movie was good and in my opinion not too predictable which is always good. But I still like a action movie with a stronger message like 16 Blocks, with Bruce Willis and Mos Def.
                                            Have a good evening, Nina

"God loves us, so he makes us the gift of suffering..."

"Through suffering, we release our hold on the toys of this world, and know our true good lies in another world." C.S Lewis in Shadowlands

 in broken places, a novel by Michele Phoenix the play Shadowlands, the story of C.S. Lewis and Joy Gresham,  is a fitting background for this novel on child abuse and its effects. Because it deals with child abuse this book is not for everyone. This novel focuses on Shelby's life during and after her childhood, with episodes from her childhood intertwined with her present day life.  The book starts out with Shelby and her new "daughter," Shayla making the trip to Germany where Shelby will be starting a new job as the English and Theater director of an English missionary school. How she deals with all the changes and raising a child provide a fitting backdrop for Shelby to deal with her inner turmoil and "broken" history. It is an well written book with witty dialogue and a touching story. I would highly recommend this book.
                                             
                                         Have a good read, Nina

If you like Shakespeare...

You will like John Branyan's  sketch on the three little pigs in the Shakespearean style. You can see the live sketch on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxoUUbMii7Q.  He has also wrote a book based on this sketch entitled, A Triune Tale of Diminutive Swine. I was introduced to it by some of my friends over a year ago and I still do not get tired of reading,

"Twas a time not long past when there lived pigs in stature little and number three who of an age now both entitled and inspired to seek their fortunes did set out to do so... Thusly."

It is hard to find clean comedians and if you look at John Branyan on Youtube you will find other comics like Brian Regan who have clean and funny routines. I am also currently reading a book by Jim Gaffigan called,  Dad is Fat. It is a really funny book about his life with his wife and five kids.   Near the beginning he talks about life before marriage and kids saying,
                    "When I was single, I was convinced my friends who took the plunge and had their
                   first  baby were victims of alien abduction, because they would disappear from
               the planet and reappear a year later as unrecognizable strangers. Of course,
                            that may have been because I was too into the  X-Files."

Jim Gaffigan and his family also happen to be Catholic, as can be evidenced by the fact that they have "5" kids.

                                         Have a good read, Nina

                                                                     



  

A good murder mystery

Hi all, I hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful summer. I just finished listening to the ABC Murders by Agatha Christie on audio cd. I really enjoyed the book and its many twists and turns. I have enjoyed many or her books and miniseries that have come out based on her books. Hercule Poirot is the main character in this book, and while not a sympathetic character, the mysteries and people he comes across are most interesting. They are nice short reads with little blood and lots of character. D
                               
                                    Have a good read, Nina

For I know the plans I have for you...

" For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. " Jeremiah 29:11

In the past few months in all the books I have read this is the most common verse that is quoted. This verse is a good reminder of how God's plan is always for our benefit even when we cannot see far ahead. In , A Moment of Weakness,  by Karen Kingsbury. This is the first Karen Kingsbury book that drew me in from the beginning. The two main characters Tanner and Jade face the question of trusting in God or in themselves. Tanner and Jade's story which spans decades shows how sin in many ways derailed their lives and separated them from each other. But God was able to bring about his glory in their lives despite their sin when they put their trust in him. It has never ceases to amaze me how God can use the weaknesses of man to bring about his plan. For instance, while David committed both murder in adultery in his quest for Bathsheba it is their son Solomon who wins the Lord's favor and who becomes part of the lineage of Christ. The subject of Religious liberty also plays a large part in the story. Jade, in an effort to protect her son and others in the school district has made it her mission to be aware and monitor what her child was exposed to and as such became a target because of her beliefs and forces her to fight for custody of her son. One of the characters near the end of the story makes an interesting remark that I fear is too true, "The day will come, mark my words, where a parent will lose custody of his or her child if his beliefs are not in keeping with the nation as a whole. Extreme beliefs are dangerous pure and simple."

With all the attacks on our religious freedom these past years from the healthcare bill, the promotion and legalization of same sex marriage and the increasing intolerance of Christian beliefs and practices we need to pray and fast for our country especially as we near the celebration of our nation's birth on July 4th.

                                        Have a good read, Nina