Still Lolo: A Spinning Propeller, a Horrific Accident, and a Family's Journey of Hope by Lauren Scruggs and the Scruggs family with Marcus Brotherton

December 3, 2011 is a night that Lauren (Lolo) will never forget. Nor will her family. Lolo was living her dream of creating her own job through LoLo Magazine. The unthinkable happened. She was hit by a plane propeller and lost an eye, hand, and there were other serious injuries. 

I love that she shares her innermost feelings and how she dealt with the changes that came into her life. In other words, she was transparent. Her LoLo magazine website is going strong. You can read more about her magazine here:  http://lolomag.com

Still Lolo is a perfect title for the book. Lauren is the same beautiful person inside and out. All of a sudden, she was in the spotlight and it wasn’t something that she was comfortable with. But, throughout her entire journey, she leaned on God and his promises. She had a wonderful support system and the world loved her! Her parents, sister, brother-in-law, and many friends were there for the entire family!

Back - Jeff Scruggs & Shaun Morgan
Front - Lauren, Cheryl & Brittany Scruggs (Morgan)

This story is one of hope. There is always hope. She has adapted or will continue to adapt to her new life. Lolo is still strong! She's shown here doing her push-ups. What's our excuse?

I truly believe that God is using her to reach others who have lost hope.  I recommend this book to anyone that thinks all hope is gone. It’s not. Read her book and be inspired. 

No matter what happens, God has a plan for our lives as stated in Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (NIV)

Read the first chapter of Still Lolo here:

http://mediacenter.tyndale.com/downloads/press_kits/StillLoloCh1.pdf

I received this book free from the publisher (Tyndale Momentum). I was not required to write a positive review. 

Love, Sex, and Happily Ever After by Craig Groeschel

I have seen so many marriages fall apart. I believe much as to do with not being prepared to be married. It’s not always fun and games. The honeymoon will wear off.

Craig Groeschel makes an important point. You must find the One before you can find your Two. Jesus must be the center of your life. God first and then spouse second. This may not make you very popular but it will attract the right person into your life. Craig is able to keep your attention by sharing his personal stories along the way.

This is a must read before getting married. Subjects include: dating, sex, forgiveness, and communication. He debunks the myth that there will be no consequences if you have sex prior to marriage. Or, you can have sex without intimacy. Satan is the Father of Lies and may convince you that’s it’s ok to play house before marriage. Will you necessarily fail if you do? I do not believe so. But, there is an emotional aspect that will come into play.

I highly recommend this to anyone (no matter their age) who is currently dating and seeking a spouse one day. It’s easy to get caught up in emotions. I believe this book will help others to take a step back and realize that getting married is not a game. Do not believe that it’s no big deal if it doesn’t work out. It’s a huge deal.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher (Multnomah Books) . I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

Is the Bible Reliable? From the Creators of Focus on the Family’s The Truth Project – DVD

Did you like college? This is what this DVD series reminded me of sitting in class during a lecture. I think it’s good content and delves deep into the bible. Although the lecture series is geared toward the younger audience, I think it is more interesting for the older audience (over 30).

The series includes 10 session topics including the Footsteps of Abraham, The Exodus, Israelites, Israel’s Rise to Prominence, The Assyrian Invasion, The Babylonian Conquest of Judah, Historical Authenticity of the New Testament, Luke and Acts, and the Archaeology evidence, and finally the Trial of Jesus. Each lesson is 30 minutes long. It comes with two DVD’s and a booklet that you can fill in the blanks. Personally, I enjoy filling in the blanks because it helps me remember the core ideas of the lecture.

I would recommend the series as part of a church class. It would be great for those who like to explore the bible in a more in-depth view. It would also be a great addition to the ministry student or youth pastor. 

I was given a copy of these DVD’s through the publisher (Tyndale) and was not required to write a positive review.

Swipe by Evan Angler

For some reason, I thought this book was about the Mark of the Beast.  And I was intrigued because Logan is coming up on his 13^th birthday and it was going to be his turn. They do need the Mark for employment, shopping, and even transportation. But, the book seemed to go in a different direction than I anticipated.

There were people that were considered ‘unmarked’ and lived in a different place than the ones who were marked or had not yet reached 13. Logan’s sister was snatched on the day she was to be marked. Logan is constantly looking behind his shoulder because he fears that he will be snatched up next.

Erin is moved from her comfortable home in Beacon to Spokie. Her mom is left behind and Erin’s dad is involved in ‘government work.’ Erin finds some boxes and starts to make some discoveries and involves Logan.

I had a hard time being emotionally involved with the characters. After the first chapter, I found myself struggling to turn the pages. I don’t know if it’s because the storyline was much different than I thought it was or the genre? I think if the subject interests you, than it’s definitely worth a read. You may absolutely love it like others who have reviewed the book. Or, it may not be your cup of tea.

I received an e-book review copy from Thomas Nelson Publishers and was not required to write a positive review. 

Exciting news! Nick Vujicic is coming out with a new book called, "Unstoppable: The Incredible Power of Faith in Action" to be released 10-2-12!

Nick was born without arms or legs but has a fulfilled life. See more in this video:

http://youtu.be/ii4JNtDPSaA

To get a sneak peek, read the first chapter here:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/98561664/Unstoppable-by-Nick-Vujicic-Chapter-1-Excerpt

inSignificant: Why You Matter in the Surprising Way God Is Changing the World by Chris Travis

Ever feel like your life doesn’t matter? If so, this book is for you. The author, Chris Travis is a former atheist. He is now a pastor of Everyday Christian Church in Manhattan. Prior to that, he felt lead to teach middle school. Not any middle school but the most dangerous one in New York. This middle school had the greatest number of student injuries per capita.

During his teaching, he spent many days keeping the students in line. He cleaned up graffiti, dealt with kids who were foul-mouthed and then tracked down the parents or whoever was their guardian to include them in the education process. In essence, it was a nightmare. He wanted to quit. And most did. But, he felt called to stay.

Ever look in the mirror? Sometimes we do not like what we see. We see the physical part of our being but not the inside. God sees the inside. God makes no mistakes. If he created you, he has a plan for your life as stated in Jeremiah 29:11. And you never know what kind of impact that you might have on someone else’s life. A simple call, text, or even a smile can make a huge impact on another person. Pastor Chris Travis gives a great example and this is what he said, “He uses the tiniest things and seemingly insignificant people to effect massive change in the world. For example, God used a hug from a little girl in Cambodia to start an organization that helps rescue dozens of women and girls from sex trafficking.” Wow, isn’t that amazing! A hug!

If you are feeling insignificant or know someone who does, pick up this book and read through the amazing experience that Pastor Chris Travis had through teaching middle school.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher (Bethany House) . I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

<http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Leaving by Karen Kingsbury

This is the first book in the Bailey Flanigan series. Bailey follows her dreams and auditions for Broadway. In the midst of waiting for the call, her heart yearns for Cody Coleman. But, Cody left her with no explanation. She keeps waiting for a call or text and it never comes. She becomes reconnected with Brandon Paul, her co-star of the movie Unlocked.

Bailey comes to terms of the loss of Cody and she begins to allow Brandon a part of her heart. She receives the call of the lifetime! She won the audition but something is holding her back. Brandon has assured her that they will figure out a way to make their long distance relationship work. But, it’s not Brandon. It’s Cody. She decides that it was time to find him and make sense of him leaving. When she finds him, it’s not what she expected. And New York is waiting for her.

The title is perfect because it is the story about leaving. It’s time for Bailey to move on to the next phase in her life. New York is waiting but she also has a special place in her heart for Cody but he’s disappeared. And Brandon is there for her.

In all of our lives, we are always leaving. We leave our jobs, move, have children, and the list goes on and on. I like to think of it as a new chapter in our lives. There seems to be definite chapter breaks. Chapter breaks can be good, painful or both. You can be thrilled that your son/daughter is entering college but it can also painful. It can be painful that he/she may be attending a college that may not be within driving distance. This book is a reminder to hold onto the moments. There will always be lasts. But, there will always be new beginnings. It’s how we embrace those beginnings that can make the difference in the world.

I received this book for free from the publisher (Zondervan). I was not required to write a positive review.

Another Dawn by Kathryn Cushman

Grace Graham is returning home to help care for her father with the encouragement of her sister, Jana. Jana feels that Grace runs away from her problems instead of facing them head on. Grace returns home for her sister. She still blames her father for the death of her mother.

Grace thinks that she is only going to stay for a short period of time but a decision that she made a long time ago is catching up with her. She did not vaccinate her son and now others are put at risk when he becomes sick.

The story peaked my interest because of the issue of Autism and Vaccinations. I’ve seen articles that claim that there is not a link. But, I might have believed that if it weren’t for my own personal experience. My son went from talking at a young age to hardly talking at all. He barely picked up a crayon when he started kindergarten. What is the right thing to do? If I had to go back knowing what I know now, I’m still not sure that I would have chose against vaccinations. There is a risk of the child becoming deathly ill or possibly die without them. I would rather have my child who happens to have autism but laughs, loves to draw, and is an excellent singer when he chooses to share his voice.

I would recommend this book to others who prefer a lighter read and might be interested in learning about Autism and the views of receiving vaccinations from both sides of the fence.

I was given this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.

People Matter

It's been almost six months since I left my job and I miss the relationships that I developed over the past ten years the most. I knew that I didn't want those friendships to end. Before I left, I wrote down my co-workers birthdays. I was lucky enough to have access to the system so I didn't have to ask them specifically.

I sent an e-mail to one such co-worker. She asked, "How could you possibly know that? No-one knows!" I explained to her that I truly cared about her and I wrote down that date in my calendar. I wanted to be able to tell her that I wished her a happy birthday.

I have been on a few interviews but my true job and heart is at home with my son. He's 13 and it seems like the older he gets, the more he really needs me. I do miss those friendships and the adult times. But, it ends there. Family is more important.

Leo, my husband of 24 years joined a company called SendOutCards. He was enthusiastic about it and still is. I decided that I would join him in this venture. Since I'm at home, I would have more time to dedicate to this fabulous company.

SendOutCards is basically a company that believes just like I do that people matter. They are an online greeting card company. You can send a card in less than 60 seconds from your own computer. Plus, they will mail the card out for you with a real stamp. I know that this has been a lifesaver for me. Not only that, you can add pictures and send gifts. It's extremely convenient. One of my favorite parts of the system is the customer database. All the people I care about are all in one place on a server that I do not have ever worry about losing the data. I receive an email that a birthday is coming up. It's in plenty of time to log into the system and send out a card. They receive it on time.

There is so much more I can tell you about this company but the most important things that a person can do in their life is to let others know how much they really care.

On the right side of the blog (just under 'About The Kim Family'), there is a link called kimbocards, click on that link. It will guide you through the system. I recommend that you send the card to your spouse or child or even yourself so that you can see the results first hand. Or, I am more than happy to walk you through the process.

I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to comment or send me an e-mail.

I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes:

“People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care”
― John C. Maxwell

Wildflowers from Winter ~ Katie Ganshert

Bethany Quinn is living the dream. She is an architect in Chicago and loves it and has a great boyfriend. She has moved beyond her trailer park years. She receives a call to return to the past that she’s been happy to avoid. There is an emergency and her mom wants her to return to rural Iowa.

But, more trouble ensues and now she has a monkey on her back. She is left with a huge inheritance of farmland. She has no desire for this land and wants to get it out of her hair. There’s a slight complication. Evan Price has been taking care of the farm for years and doesn’t want to leave. Convincing Bethany to look at things his way is not working. Evan is now in his own turmoil.

While in Iowa, she learns of events in Chicago that is simply tearing her in two. The landscape of her life is changing.

One thing I’ve learned in life is that there is constant change. Jobs change and tragic events happen and it throws us in a tailspin. It’s how we deal with the roller coaster ride that will move us forward or backward. The best advice that I have ever heard is to keep doing the next right thing with God at the center of that plan.

This story is about the being able to move forward with the bricks that are thrown at us.

I would highly recommend this book. She is a fabulous debut author. For a sneak peak of this book, you can read the first chapter here:  http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/blog/2011/12/09/sneak-peek-wildflowers-from-winter-by-katie-ganshert/

To learn more about this author, check out:  http://katieganshert.com/

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. I was not required to write a positive review.

Race Against Time by Kimberley and Kayla R. Woodhouse

Anesia has proved that she is a strong, confident woman. She is a breeder of champion spring racing dogs in North Pole, Alaska. Her daughter, Zoya has witnessed a murder and everything changes. Their life seems to be in constant danger. Anesia hires Sean to help with the kennel and partly to protect her family.

Strange events happen. There is evil in their midst and pinning down the culprit and who is responsible has put everyone on guard. Zoya cannot seem to beat the demons of seeing a murder happen right before her eyes. Where was God? Why does she appear to be a target?

This story is a page-turner. I liked that the chapters were nicely broken up. It didn’t make it much easier to stop reading. Finally, I had to tell myself that I would stop at a certain number of pages and quit at the end of that chapter.

I loved the character Zoya because she had something dramatic happen to her and she had to deal with that. She questioned her faith. I think we all question our faith at one time or another. It’s easy when things go our way. But, sometimes they don’t. Then how do you deal with that? Do you run toward God or away from Him?

It’s always fun to read about another person’s world. In this case, it was Alaska and breeding of racing dogs. If you enjoy a fast paced book that will keep you on your toes, grab this book.

I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher/author. I was not required to write a positive review.

The Final Summit by Andy Andrews

David Ponder (previously from The Traveler’s Gift) is back. David loses his wife Ellen and he’s at his darkest hour when Gabriel, an archangel pays him a visit. Gabriel says to him, “humanity is sinking of its own accord.” There is an upcoming summit conference and David is chosen to be the leader.

Several travelers will be in present including: Abraham Lincoln, Anne Frank, Winston Churchill, and many others. They have five chances to answer one question that can save humanity. The question is, “What does humanity need to do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway toward successful civilization?” Time is running out.

Imagine being able to collaborate with historical figures all from different time periods? They each have their own way of viewing the world based on their experiences.

To some extent, the plot was predictable. But, if you enjoy a good history lesson and how it might pertain to today’s world, you’ll love the book. Since I’m not a real history fan, I had a harder time turning the pages.

It did have a satisfying ending and it made the reader think. Or, like for David Ponder, something to ponder. Pun intended.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK

Addison feels like she lives in a fishbowl. She is a PK (pastor’s Kid) and begins to think what it would be like to not be labeled. Austin, Captain of the Varsity Football Team seems to have eyes for Addison. But, Addison starts to notice Wes, who is somewhat a rebel with his leather jacket, tattoo, and a motorcycle. Addison attempts to reconcile her feelings with God. After all, she shouldn’t be thinking about how Wes’s lips might taste. It didn’t help that he was right across the street from her house.

When Addison’s best friend, Claire turns on her, a new friend steps in. Marta, a German exchange student is happy to befriend her. They become partners in a talent show and trouble ensues.

With troubles, secrets abound. Claire has a secret and she’s not the only one. Mrs. Hawthorne, the English teacher seems to favor Addison and her classmates are happy to let her know that. One secret will change her life forever.

This is a great, true to life story. Teens are mixed with emotions. How do teens reconcile those real feelings through what is taught in the Bible? It seems so right. How can one kiss be so wrong? It’s not the kiss. It’s the emotions that follow the kiss and the temptations that follow.

Highly recommended! It would be a great book to read and then discuss in a group especially among teen girls.

*Disclaimer: I have received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review

Life, In Spite of Me by Kristen Jane Anderson with Tricia Goyer

Kristin had a fleeting thought. If she were to kill herself, what method would she choose? Her method of choice became a reality. A method that she knew that she would never survive. No bringing her back to life. It was perfect. Or, was it?

One night, Kristin overwhelmed with life saw a train in the distance. With the perfect opportunity, she laid herself across the train tracks. She should have died but God had other plans.

Have you ever or had a friend ever appear to be depressed, moody, giving away their stuff, or even a lack of appetite? This can be a sign of suicidal thoughts. The person is asking for help. They feel like they do not want to live. I truly believe that. But, down deep they want help. They want hope. They want Jesus. They need Jesus.

This book is about Kristin’s journey through her suicidal thoughts, suicide attempt, and the harsh reality of losing her legs. It’s through the loss of her legs, that she gave her life to Jesus. She now helps many others through her website. For more information, check out:

Reaching Your Ministries

Kristin provides encouragement for those in despair. If you know someone that feels hopeless, this book can help.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher (Multnomah) . I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”