Sarah Price's Blog, page 35

Spring isn’t “wandering” over to my house yet, but a girl can wish. We are sixteen days away from the first day of spring and seventeen days until the release of the first part of a new series! An Amish Spring is available for preorder and will be ready to dive into on March 21st.

Are you ready for warm weather? I am! When I think of spring, I think of my gardens and sitting on the patio, listening to the birds playing in my bamboo patch. I don’t like to leave home, but I do enjoy my backyard…the woods, the birds, the flowers. What do you love the most about spring?

It’s springtime in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Drusilla Riehl has just turned eighteen. While she’s attended youth gatherings and singings in the past, something feels just a little bit different now. As the eldest child, she has a lot of responsibilities, especially with her aging grandparents living in the smaller house attached to the Riehls’ farmhouse and with Drusilla’s mother expecting a baby soon. Follow the story of this young Amish woman as she comes of age in the springtime of her life, balancing her commitment to faith, family, and friends.

The Amish Seasons Series follows the story of Drusilla Riehl as she passes through the seasons of life. The first of a four book series, An Amish Spring introduces readers to the Riehl family and their community, both Amish and Mennonite, and will be sure to delight as you learn more about the Amish religion and culture from Sarah Price, one of the leading bestselling authors of Amish Christian fiction who bases her stories and books on authentic experience growing up Mennonite and living among the Amish.

CLICK HERE TO PREORDER SARAH PRICE’S UPCOMING BOOK

I have heard a lot of good things about author Adina Senft. I am still becoming familiar with her writings, but I was delighted to have the opportunity to read one of her newest releases. Keys of Heaven, the second in Senft’s Healing Grace series, was worth the endeavor.

Keys of Heaven continues the journey of widow Sarah Yoder, who is unlocking the secrets of herbs and using them to help her community as a Dokterfraa, and her neighbor Henry Beiler, a potter with Amish roots, but has no intentions of ever joining the church. When both become involved in a young Englisch boy’s life, they are thrown into one another’s path, but both are facing personal challenges of their own.

I was given Keys of Heaven in exchange for my honest review. I thought it was a fantastic read; however, I do not think it should be read as a stand-alone, as there are too many references to Book One (Herb of Grace.) Needless to say, I have some catching up to do! Senft’s descriptions of pastoral scenes, Sarah’s herbs and Henry’s pottery are exquisite. I was definitely transported to another place while reading this. This looks to be a wonderful series and I eagerly await the summer release of Book Three, Balm of Gilead – there are many loose ends that I can’t wait to see how they are wrapped up!

Susan Ferrell and her husband make their home in the Atlanta Metro area. Although Susan struggles with chronic migraine headaches, she stays very busy as a stay-at-home mom to one very precocious little girl. While catching her breath, she feeds her Amishaholic tendencies by reading vast amounts of Amish literature!

I am so glad that scarves came back into style. I love them. I love all different colors and textures. I especially love the infinity scarves. (For some reason I always try to call them unity scarves. Ha. Ha.)

Scarves are the perfect accessory. The perfect garment. Do you agree? Men…I’m not sure what your equivalent would be…so, you are just going to have to take my word about scarves and follow me on this.

Scarves.

Have a hole in the front of your shirt? Scarf.

Stain on your shirt? Scarf.

Want to hide your, um, over-abundance of “blessings”? Scarf.

Not enough “blessing”? Scarf.

Too cold? Scarf.

Your shirt is too bland? Scarf.

Need more color to brighten your face? Scarf.

Watery eyes? Scarf.

See? They are perfect. Absolutely perfect!

Did you know that the Bible says that God has picked out the perfect spiritual garment for us? Seriously. Check this out:

(Colossians 3:12-14 MSG) So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And, regardless of what else you put on, wear love.

It’s your basic all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

Love.

The perfect accessory for our lives. Love covers all defects. Love covers your imperfections. Love brightens your life. Love wipes away your tears.

Love.

Lisa Bull sees her life as a journey along God’s divine plan. While considering herself an expert on nothing, she enjoys laughing and has made “choosing joy” her motto. Lisa has experienced God’s unfailing love and grace in her life and wants nothing more than for others to enjoy that same gift in their lives.

Lisa is the daughter and granddaughter of ministers. She has multiple relatives in ministry on both sides of her father’s family including several pastors, pastor’s wives, and missionaries. In fact, ministry in her maternal grandmother’s family can be traced back several generations. She loves being a wife and mother of two terrific young men.

Visit Lisa at mommalisaof2-LISA’S PERCEPTIONS

Scratch, scratch, scratch.

Snort.

Scratch, scratch, scratch.

I open one eye. It’s barely light in my room. I close my eye.

Whimper.

Pushing back my covers, I sit up and slide my legs off the bed. Once I stand up and head for the door, I feel little puffs of breath on my heels. Our six footsteps pad down the hall as he moves ahead of me.

We enter the dark cold living room and my puppy jumps up onto the couch quickly curling himself into a comfy ball on his blanket.

No. Way. Not happening.

I open the door, “Come on. Let’s go outside,” I whisper in my sweetest Mommy voice.

No movement.

Marching back in, I pick him up, plop him on the patio, and whisper, harshly now, “Go. Potty!”

He looks up at me with his cute puppy dog eyes and I counter his cuteness with a finger pointed toward the yard.

As I look up, the glow of the sky catches my attention–the most magnificent sunrise I’ve seen in quite some time. Sherbet oranges and cotton candy pinks fill the sky with popcorn puffs of white clouds mixed in. Gorgeous. And, to think I almost missed this…….

For the rest of the story, please visit mommalisaof2

Have you checked out my blog tour yet? Stop by all the blogs between February 9th through the 20th for special guest posts, interviews, and reviews. Look for chances to win a copy of The Matchmaker!

Feb.9th- My Jane Austen Book Club

Feb.10th- Britt Reads Fiction

Feb.11th- Amish Reader

Feb. 12th- The Friendly Book Nook

Feb.13th- Southern Gal Loves to Read

Feb.14th- Maureen’s Musings

Feb.15th- Quiet Quilter’s Blog

Feb.16th- Jen’s Journey

Feb.17th- Just the Write Escape 

Feb.18th- Destination Amish

Feb.19th- Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

Feb.20th- Perspectives By Nancee

 Corinthians 13:4-7 (AMP)

Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.

It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.

Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].

Now. Go out and love.

Love is not a feeling. Love is a choice.

Love is not easy. Love takes work and concentration.

We are called to love.

Love isn’t lust. Love isn’t about self.

Love is selfless.

This kind of love—true love—can only be accomplished with the help of Jesus, who IS LOVE.

Lisa Bull sees her life as a journey along God’s divine plan. While considering herself an expert on nothing, she enjoys laughing and has made “choosing joy” her motto. Lisa has experienced God’s unfailing love and grace in her life and wants nothing more than for others to enjoy that same gift in their lives.

Lisa is the daughter and granddaughter of ministers. She has multiple relatives in ministry on both sides of her father’s family including several pastors, pastor’s wives, and missionaries. In fact, ministry in her maternal grandmother’s family can be traced back several generations. She loves being a wife and mother of two terrific young men.

Visit Lisa at mommalisaof2-LISA’S PERCEPTIONS

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day is not just for starry-eyed lovers (although I might snuggle down with Amanda and Alejandro to re-read their love story over the weekend). This celebration is for showing your appreciation for people that you love.

So for this Valentine’s Day, I want to do something different. I want to thank all of my Valentines, the people I consider my Morristown family, the ones who support and encourage me, talk me off the ledge and make me feel six feet tall when I am around them!

First, of course, is Seaton Hackney Stables (South Street)…and not just because my dear husband is the owner of the business. What an amazing staff who tend to all of the animals (horses, ponies, donkeys, goats, and chickens) during yucky weather: rain, snow, hurricanes, heat waves. The riders are also amazing: no superior airs or pretension among them like I’ve personally experienced at other barns. They are, indeed, my family.

Next, I cannot express how my life has changed with Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Morristown (Elm Street) in my life. Thanks to Beyer Ford (Ridgedale Avenue), Fred Astaire Dance Studio held a Dancing with the Survivors fund raiser last October. This was my introduction to formal dancing. I’ve tried this before at other places and I probably would have given up if it wasn’t for the amazing people at this particular studio. They have become more than my dancing family; they are my motivation to write so that, when I achieve a goal, I can reward myself with extra lessons.

The owner of the studio, Gaby, and I were talking yesterday and I made a comment that “Everyone wants a piece of me; well, THIS is a piece of me FOR me!”

Ladies…(and gentlemen)…how often do we treat ourselves to something for us? The kids get their sports lessons or expensive cars, schools, and clothing. The husband gets his thing, too, whether it a golf club membership or VFW time, nice car, men’s retreat, or time with his buddies watching a game at a sports bar.

Find something that YOU like and do it for yourself.

For me, it’s dancing. And, by the way, I’m proud to say that I’m no longer a “baby” dancer. My instructor told me so yesterday which made me really happy! YAY!

Lastly, I simply cannot leave out my favorite of all places in Morristown: David Todd’s Restaurant (South Street). There’s something about walking into a non-overly-crowded establishment and being greeted with warm smiles from the hostess, the wait staff, and the owner. I simply LOVE this place and everyone of my friends in the area know it. They groan whenever I want to go out because this is MY place. Whenever I’m feeling blue and blah, I ask Marc or my dear friend Gina to go there with me. They know that it cheers me up to get a little fussing and great conversation from the staff.

The food is also amazing. We have never had anything less than an exceptional meal at David Todd’s.

It’s amazing how God puts people in your life just when you need them. From my daughter introducing me to my husband (!) to breast cancer introducing me to Gaby and her team from Fred Astaire (as well as Bridget and Nicole from Beyer Ford) and, of course Andrew and Sebastian from David Todd’s, it’s hard to not realize that He knows what He is doing. He knew that I needed a strong, supportive Morristown family and He gave it to me.

So this year, I want to say Happy Valentine’s Day to my Morristown family who have shown me love and support throughout the entire year!

Hello, everyone!

First of all, I’d like to thank Sarah for this amazing opportunity. This will actually be my first blog post ever so, for better or for worse, here it goes.

Since Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to write about something that’s dear to every heart: LOVE.

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase ‘follow your heart’ at one time or another; it’s a popular theme in books, movies, and it’s even a name brand of food. But I’ve often questioned the wisdom of this phrase in light of the teachings of the Bible. Should we really be following our hearts?

I know, this seems contradictory according to our culture, but what does God’s Word have to say about matters of the heart? In the book of Jeremiah (17:9 KJV), we read this: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Yes, you read that right. The Bible describes the heart as ‘deceitful’ and ‘desperately wicked’. Ouch. Jesus further states in Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, blasphemies… Not a pretty picture. In Proverbs 28:26a, the Bible says He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool… By these few verses, I think we can conclude that following our heart is probably not the best idea.

Remember David, who was called ‘a man after God’s own heart’? We know that at the time he fell into sin, David was not following God’s heart, but his own. If he was following God, he would have remembered that God said ‘Thou shalt not commit adultery’ or ‘Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife’.

This reminds me of a quote from the movie Fireproof, which says, “And don’t just follow your heart, man, because your heart can be deceived. But you gotta lead your heart.” So true. By the way, if you’re looking for a great movie to watch for Valentine’s Day, I highly recommend Fireproof.

We need to ask ourselves if our heart is diligently seeking the things of God, or is it following after worldly things? Hebrews 4:12 states that the Word of God is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. We should always measure what our heart desires with God’s Word.

So, if we’re not supposed to follow our heart, what should we follow? In the Bible, Jesus said to follow Him at least twenty times. 1Timothy 6:11 states …follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Proverbs 3:5-6 says Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

What does this have to do with love? Everything. God is love. I believe, if we follow after God and do what His Word says, we will not only know how to love others, but our hearts will be so full of His love, we won’t have room for the bad. ‘…perfect love casteth out fear,’ we read in 1 John 4:18.

Love is one of the main themes of my latest novelette Rosabelle’s Story – Amish Fairly Tales 2. It is a retelling of the classic fairytale Beauty and the Beast, Amish style of course. The story is about seeing others through the eyes of Jesus. I hope you enjoy reading this story as much as I did writing it!

Blessings,

J. Spredemann

Thank you for stopping by Jennifer! Readers, would you like to win a signed paperback of Cindy’s Story, the first book in the Amish Fairly Tale series? Jennifer is giving one lucky reader the chance!

To enter leave a comment for Jennifer. Giveaway starts today Wednesday, February 11th and ends on Wednesday, February 18th.

*Giveaway is only open to US residents*

Forgiveness; the act or process of no longer feeling angry or resentful toward (someone) for an offense, flaw, or mistake.

I am human. I, like my children, am perfectly imperfect. And when I get hurt or when my children are hurt, I confess that forgiving the offender is really hard. I know many people like that. They carry the weight of the world on their shoulders, angry and hostile at their would be aggressor.

I was one of those people. For the past few months, the burden on my shoulders has become heavier and heavier. First with the cancer and then with a writing project that created strife between me and another person. Finally, the timing of my surgery coupled with the stress of holidays and dysfunctional family dynamics (because EVERY family is dysfunctional, believe me) made the weight too unbearable.

As Christians, we talked about forgiveness. Sometimes it just isn’t easy to be a good Christian and forgive someone. Some transgressions are beyond forgiving. Right?

Not according to the Bible:

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

(Matthew 6: 14-15)

But, that’s easier said than done. Like I stated above, I’m perfectly imperfect and I admit that I struggle with how to actually forgive some transgressions, especially when the other party cannot admit to any wrongdoing. As if any of us truly live a blameless life, indeed!

So, there I was…left with the burning questions about how to forgive mean, hateful, and self-centered behavior. How could I forgive someone who puts me down instead of lifting me up? Is it possible to forgive someone who slanders or hurts my children? Is it possible to forgive someone from tearing down my emotional defenses at a time when I was also physically weak?

That was the question: How to forgive?

The truth was that I didn’t WANT to forgive. I felt resentment for so many things that I did not want to forgive.

That’s when Lisa Bull stepped in. My cybersister. ♥

Lisa Bull sent me a book, But God Changes Everything by Herbert Cooper. I’m about halfway through; it’s not a read-in-one-sitting type of book. Still, I read sections of it every night. And just when I needed help getting passed this issue of forgiveness, God led me to Lisa’s gift. You see, Cooper talks about the difference between forgiveness and restoration. Just because you forgive someone, as God forgives our sins, that doesn’t mean you need to restore the relationship. God does not tell us to forgive others and continue letting them walk all over us. He does not tell us that we have to accept abuse at the hands of a spouse, parent, sibling, or even a complete stranger. He just asks that we forgive them.

That chapter of the But God Changes Everything really helped me on several levels. It has helped me understand that no one is forcing me to restore painful relationships. Once the anger and hurt turns to disappointment and sorrow, almost a grieving process, that is when I can actually offer my forgiveness and move on. While there is still a loss, as if someone has passed away, I know that I am in a better place without the weight of anger and resentment. I have forgiven and even pray that these people get the help that they need for, like me, they, too, are perfectly imperfect, whether they believe that or not.

The most important thing is that I have also taken control by saying Not Again.

Forgiveness? Yes.

Restoration? Maybe some day.

Have you ever wondered why if God knows all things He created Adam and Eve knowing they would sin? This is something that has troubled me throughout my life. I mean, “Hey, God, why didn’t you just make them obedient? My life would be a lot easier—well, perfect to be exact—had they not sinned.” Right? Tell me I’m not the only one who has had this thought.

I have never questioned that the God of the Bible is The God. I’ve never doubted that He created the universe, that Jesus is His son or that Jesus died for me. I’ve just wondered why it couldn’t have been easier.

Currently, I’m reading Billy Graham’s, “The Reason for My Hope–Salvation.” I posted the other day that I was dissecting, devouring, and digesting this book. I picked it up figuring it would be a quick read for me. But, I have found myself pouring over each page, taking notes, and pondering his words. He tells the story of a couple who takes their children to the park to play. As they entered the park, another couple warned them that there was poison ivy nearby. The father warned his child to avoid the area, telling her of the danger. To his dismay, the first place she ran was right to the plants. Knowing his little girl was going to suffer painful consequences, the father’s heart was broken at his daughter’s disobedience. But, she hadn’t seen why she should listen to him when the ivy looked so enticing. Of course, the blisters, burning, itching and swelling came. The little girl’s dad compassionately tended to her as she endured pain that could have been avoided. It hurt him to see her in so much pain, but he didn’t leave her side, nursing her back to health.

This illustration struck me. WHAM! That’s exactly how it is! God tells us. He warns us. And yet, we look in His eyes, and say, “I’m doing it anyway. It just looks like more fun.” He stands, heartbroken, over the decisions we have made knowing we are going to suffer consequences. But, He is also waiting with open arms when we come crying to Him broken and bruised, ready to bring peace and healing.

Why did God give us free will? Wouldn’t it have been easier for us and for Him to create us as obedient creatures, with eyes only for Him? Well. He already had the angels. The angels were already like that. He wanted companionship. He wanted relationship. He wanted us to WANT Him. So, He allowed us to choose.

It all just hit home with me in such a personal way this week. I wanted to share it with you. Maybe you have struggled with this subject and this will help you as well. God loves you. He wants a relationship with you.

(The Reason for My Hope—Salvation by Billy Graham- W Publishing Group, An Imprint of Thomas Nelson pages 25-26)

Lisa Bull sees her life as a journey along God’s divine plan. While considering herself an expert on nothing, she enjoys laughing and has made “choosing joy” her motto. Lisa has experienced God’s unfailing love and grace in her life and wants nothing more than for others to enjoy that same gift in their lives.

Lisa is the daughter and granddaughter of ministers. She has multiple relatives in ministry on both sides of her father’s family including several pastors, pastor’s wives, and missionaries. In fact, ministry in her maternal grandmother’s family can be traced back several generations. She loves being a wife and mother of two terrific young men.

Visit Lisa at mommalisaof2-LISA’S PERCEPTIONS