As Silver Refined...Refining Me!

As Silver Refined

By: Kay Arthur

As Silver Refined by Kay Arthur is a book that encourages individuals who have struggled or been struggling with life’s disappointments. Kay Arthur does a beautiful job weaving scripture into the words she has been given from God for the grieving individual. The book is focused around life’s disappointments and how we can deal with these disappointments in the midst of them. She suggests that we change our looking at the word Disappointment by adding an H and a space to make His Appointment. Each thing that comes our way is brought about by God. Everything, whether good or bad is brought to us by God. It is all in his plan.

I cannot tell you how important and vital this message was for me to hear as the last year of my life has felt like the Lord has looked past me and forgotten me. But he hasn’t. This is the message that Kay Arthur wants every reader to know, myself included. I was grateful to have the opportunity to read this book.

There is also a 13-week companion study guide included. I did not have time to complete all of them, as they were a little long. However, if you were using this book in a group study, reading one chapter a week and focusing on the study question, it would be a great tool.

Thank you WaterBrook Multnomah’s Blogging for Books program to give me the opportunity to read this book. 

Fun Couponing!

Check out these deals I scored today!

Ok, so this was a total of three trips...but would have been only two if the first CVS I went to had the Gain Soap! :) I am on summer break so I don't mind! Plus, all three stops were on my way home! 

So here is what I got at Walgreens, stop number 1: 

2 dozen eggs 

2 Right Guard Body Washes

Total spent: $1.33!!! (I had $4.00 in Register Rewards I got to use!)

Here is what I got at CVS, stop number 2: 

3 Renuizit Air Fresheners

1 Colgate Toothpaste

Total Spent $0.03!!! (I had a $3.00 Extra Care Buck I got to use!)

Here is what I got at CVS, stop number 3:

2 Suave Deoderants

1 Gain Soap

Total Spent: $1.17!!! (Couldn't use my Extra Care Buck, because it was more than I was spending...however, I am thinking about doing a P & G Deal?!?!?)

Summer Goals

So this summer I have a few things I want to accomplish and do:

1. READ, READ, READ! (I think I do this enough already!)

2. Cleaning Projects which include: Cleaning the grout. Cleaning my oven. 

3. Take a trip (You will read more about this come August when my Mom and I are going to GERMANY! 

That is about it...now for a fun fact: It is only Day 2 of Summer Break, and I have already started on Number 2. Check out my supplies and my start below: 

You can see from this picture that I already started. Can you see the dirty grout in the lower left corner?!?

Woah! Look at that! 

No...You will not see a picture of my oven before starting! HAHA...This might take two or three rounds to get clean! :)

Yeah for cleaning and summer break! 

Blessed

I am not sure how much my mom reads my blog as I mostly write about the books I am reading. But I want to take a moment to thank an amazing woman. 

My mom has given me everything. Patience, Grace, Comfort, etc. She has offered the world to me and has only expected that I love her in return. Which, I do. I love my mom with all my heart. 

My mom came into my classroom all year to help me with the kids and to simply be there for support. Even on the last day of school she came in to help me move my things to my new room. My mom has been a constant in my life, a true support. I can not thank her enough. 

This is a picture we took when she came with me on our field trip to the Springs Preserve. I am so glad I captured this memory. 

Love you Mommy Moose! 

Hope Springs

Hope Springs

By Kim Tate

Hope Springs by Kim Tate was a fun read! I was actually reading two books at the same time. The other book was very “Heavy” and really made you think and reflect. This book, Hope Springs was a nice distraction! I am always grateful for a book that can take my mind off the real world and just put me at peace. Reading has always been a treasure for me and my dad, and even more so since his passing.

This book spoke volumes in terms of family relationships and friendships. It took place in the South, and while it was written in the present, some of the issues dealt with prejudices and what happens when we let what other people think about race and the world affect our own thinking. This is not uncommon today and therefore, this story was written very well to display these things.

The book also focused on finding yourself. Each person (and there were a lot of characters in this book, which made it difficult at the beginning to keep everyone straight) had their own issues to deal with. Each person had something in their past or an obstacle in their future that they had to think through and trust God to help them with. Trusting and leaning on God was pivotal for these characters, as was trusting and leaning on each other in good and bad times.

I always seem to enjoy the books I receive from Booksneeze. Thanks for another opportunity to read a good one! 

Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

So it is finally Summer Break!! WOOHOO! 

My very good friend, Amanda, and I have been spending lots of time together...which is good and bad. Good because I am soaking up so many good memories with her, but bad because she will be leaving in July. This is one friendship that I will miss having close! 

Anyway, she showed me how to make Jam the other day, and we made this delicious Strawberry Rhubarb Jam. If you want some, you will just have to come over and give it a try! :)