Cherished - Kim Cash Tate

Book Description:

How can she believe God cherishes her when she can't forgive herself?
Kelli London once dreamed of being a songwriter. As crazy as it seemed, she hoped that God would use the lyrics that came to her while she slept. She dreamed about Brian too, that the love they shared would be a forever kind of love. But choices she'll forever regret upended her hope . . . and turned her dreams to dust. When those dreams come knocking once more, she's forced to deal with the pain of the past.
Heather Anderson's life has spun out of control—first, an affair with a married man, then a one-night stand with the drummer of a popular Christian band that left her devastated. Broken and alone, she cried out to the only One who can save her. And He did. But that's just the beginning, because now she must leave behind the only life she's ever known.
Two women with shame-filled pasts form an unlikely friendship. What does God's forgiveness look like for them? Will they ever believe that He loves them . . . and can still offer them a life where they are cherished?


My Review:

I have to be honest. With my last book selection to review I was so hesitant about reading another one I wasn't sure I would. However, I'm so glad I did! I found this book so enjoyable. Each character had a certain characteristic that I could so easily relate with. The main characters Kelli and Heather are dealing with their realities based on past decisions they both made. Haven't we all been there?! I know I have. The guilt and shame that is created when we don't follow God's plan can be so tramatic. Yet this book gives hope that no matter what your past is, God can create a new you. This doesn't mean you don't deal with the consequences of your actions but you can move on and once again feel whole and renewed in Him. I also love how the book webs together friends and family and shows how God uses not only those around us but the most unlikely people to show us more of HIM. This is a definite reading recommendation from me!!!


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.”

Couples Who Pray

Several months ago I signed up with Booksneeze and I was so excited to receive my first book "Couples Who Pray" by Squire Rushnell and Louise DuArt. I would love for my first review to be nothing short of raving but sadly I was so disappointed in this book. The first half of the book is like reading an info-mercial by celebrity couples saying that if you just pray together 5 mins. a day all that is wrong will be made right. Don't get me wrong, I believe in God, the power of prayer and even miracles. I, however, do not believe that just because you pray for something means that God is going to answer your prayer, especially in the way you feel would best suit your needs. This book time and again gives testimony of that happening. I feel this just isn't how things work. I think the concept of praying as a couple is awesome. Infact, I'd say it's essential. I finished this book feeling like everything I read wasn't necessary and I could have just read the title and received just as much. I also found that the angle in which they spoke about tithing was not one that I agreed with. I do tithe and I personally believe God calls all of us to tithe however the book went with the angle of what tithing would do for you personally. The whole premise of tithing is giving not receiving and I felt it was wrong of the authors to say anything different.

So all in all I do not recommend this book. I will however just recommend you taking your time to actually pray for God's will in your life as a couple and as individuals. Let Him reveal what each of you need to be doing together and seperate to become more like him.

Goodbye 30 lbs.

I can't believe I can actually type that title and it be real life and not some fantasy of the day it will hopefully come true. I can say that today I'm proud of myself but more than that I'm so thankful to God that He's my creator and has ordained all things even something like my weight loss. If you've known me for any length of time, you know that losing weight has been a struggle I have had for so many years. I've had so many failed attempts at different diet and exercise programs that at one point I did give up. I was tired of the hope and the constant disappointment. I had come to settle with the realization that I had to learn to love me no matter what weight I was and to try enjoying life as it was obviously meant to be. There was disappointment, frustration, and honestly resentment that no matter what I seemed to do to help my situation nothing worked. Again, if you know me personally you know that this past February I was physically healed from a sleeping disorder that I have suffered with since childhood and at the same time that happened I was given this weight loss plan that I am currently on. And this time, the weight is coming off. I honestly feel that day God healed me not only from my sleeping disorder, but He also healed whatever it was that my body was doing to retain the fat and weight that I had tried so hard to lose. Maybe the sleeping disorder had to do with that, maybe not, I don't think I'll ever know and honestly, I'm not sure I care...it's coming off and I'm excited about it. I can't tell you what that feels like. It almost makes me cry thinking of the fact that I have hope again. Cause I had lost all hope. So today, I'm celebrating how awesome God is! I hope you enjoy the before and afters as much as I do :)

There's something frustrating about not being able to talk to someone who is the only one you want to talk to.

Blind Repair

Just had a lady call wanting to know about our blind repair policy. As the story progresses she tells me that she's having some problems with her blind seemingly coming apart. And when she shared this with her friend, she was informed of this brands lifetime warranty. I then asked her when the blinds were purchased and she mumbles about some renovation project so I'm thinking in the last couple years...she then stays "oooh I'd say it was 1981". *jaw is now on floor* I stubble around trying to remember how the heck old I am and come up with the blinds being 29 years old. I, of course very courteously, mention that the warranty covers the blind for the lifetime of the blind (thinking in my head...not your lifetime) and that she was more than welcome to bring it in and we could send them back to be reviewed. Anyhow, not to bore you with the deals....moral of the story people.....if your blind is 29 years old..throw it away and buy a new one....seriously.

Tax Time!

So another year has come and gone and you know what that means...TAX TIME! I guess for some this is a dreaded time but for me, it's always fun and exciting. I guess I could adjust my paycheck and get less taxes taken out but what fun would tax time be if I did that?! Soooo this year, my initial plan was to just take my return and stow it away in my savings account like a good girl. But those of you who know me, know that I struggle with being a good girl....so what did I do?...spent half of it....a lil good, a lil bad. And on what you might ask....a brand new gaming laptop!!!! Ok, so when I first got it home and for most of the weekend I was ready to lose my religion and tell it how I felt about it not connecting to the internet wirelessly but then...magically after hours messing with it..the Best Buy man pressed a few buttons and bam! it connected. It has rocked my world since. I love this thing. Ok, the one downside so far...is the thing is freaking HUGE. As in, won't fit in my laptop bookbag and is awkward to carry. But that con is offset by the huge monitor and extended keyboard with a normal number pad to the right...so no more hunting and pecking for numbers or hooking up that number pad I've been toting around. It has a build in webcam w00t! No more carrying that around as well. It has a build in mic (obviously since it has the webcam). It has Windows 7 which I really like so far. And best of all..wow does it make WoW look AWESOME!!!! No more 1-4 fps in Dalaran!!! For those of you who don't game I think the best way to compare it is that it's like watching a movie in HD vs. normal....actually....the difference is even better.

So maybe I shouldn't of spent the money but it makes me so happy and I don't have buyer's remorse so that has to be a good sign :) I know, a computer shouldn't make me this happy...but that's a whole other post right...

Meet My Friends

So I haven't updated in 6 months. I really didn't realize it had been that long. Lots of things have changed and lots of things have stayed the same. One is that I'm still actively playing World of Warcraft. Geeky, I know. I'm to the age that I find geeky cool. Anyway, today at work the people I play with was brought up, what age, and stage of life they were in. It got me thinking and well, I just thought I'd introduce you to my friends. It's kinda a long list, honestly, I really didn't realize how many people I play with on a regular basis, but here we go. Oh and these aren't their real names so if they sound strange it's cause they are their characters names or just what we call them :)
First is Quig and Anita. Quig is the GM (general manager) of the guild (team) that I play with. Quig is 32 and Anita is 35. They are from Montana and have not been able to have children but have dogs that Anita treats like children :)
Blu and Yilith are both from Washington State. Blu is 24 and Yilith is...older than her but I don't remember. Blu has a 3 year old daughter that we get to talk to often and she's well, just the smartest, cutest thing. Yilith is a cop.
Ashaleah is 27 and from AK. She's married with 3 children with a husband in the military. She plays the same type character I play and has helped me learn A TON, though isn't on as frequently since she has other responsibilities.
Tybe is 37. He's from Washington State. He's single and an ex military dude who now works in customer service. He tends to whine and get his feelings hurt a lot but that's Tybe.
Delph is 39. I don't know a whole lot about him personally other than he's divorced and has an Australia/English accent and could listen to him talk forever.
Fandor (31) and Thelody (26) are from Utah. Only have been married a few years and have pets as kids.
ZK (27) is from Alaska. He's single but was with a girl who did him really wrong so he's the jaded one. Ex military and now in the national guard. He spends most of his time mad about something, though very good at the game. Not to mention most people don't like him but Fandor and him are like best friends.
Shady (37), Tat (36) and Scarlette (16 and is a boy, not a girl) They're from PA and crack me up. All three of them play and they bring their family conversations with them.
Foxxkidd (16). He's from somewhere like NJ or something. Talk A LOT. He's what we call a noob (or someone new to the game). I like him just cause he makes me seem like a pro :)
Dart (28) is single and from VA. He's a financial something or another. He doesn't play all that much but I like when he does cause he helps me out. We also have a lot in common, like our religious beliefs and we both were in graphics and are somehow both working with numbers now. I'd say he's one of my top friends in the game.
Blach and Harmful (23ish) who is father and son. Interesting relationship and Blach is probably one of the most interesting people I have met in this game. He has lived a very interesting life to say the least.
Rhon (37) is from CO. Married but can't get his wife to play :) They were recently separated but are back together working it out. I think I've probably done the most witnessing to him. He believes there is something bigger but doesn't feel like he knows what. He has done a lot of research in different religions and I'm trying to let him see the Jesus in me.
Urp. I'm not sure how old he is. I'd say later 20s early 30s. He's married with children. In fact, just recently had one born. He's so in love with his wife and it always puts a smile on my face when he talks about her. She truly is the love of his life. Regarding the game, he's the richest man I know. He has over 100,000 gold which is AMAZING! Everyone thinks I'm rich and I have like 5,000.
Ok so there is probably about 20 more I could introduce to you but honestly this is getting way too long. I know I spend hours at a time at this game but one thing we have all agreed upon that play is that it's more than a game. You meet so many people and even if it's not "real life" you get to know each of them in a different way and when "real life" stuff comes up, they're there for you just the way "real life" friends are.