It's a Girl!

No review today, I'm going to be different. We have truly been extremely blessed this year but it has had some hard things too. This last winter my granddaughter, Kendra found out she was pregnant with their second child. The baby was to be born at the end of September but just a short time after learning she was pregnant she lost the baby. Timarree, one of my other granddaughters found out this spring that she was pregnant with their second child but at twelve weeks she watched her baby die on an ultra sound. This has been very hard for all the family especially my daughter Kellie who is the grandmother.

Schanae, Kellie's daughter is now pregnant. Wednesday Kellie and I got to go an watch her ultra sound. Schanae is now at twenty weeks, half way there. We bathed the ultra sound in prayer, we would not lose another baby.

We watched as the radiologist measured a perfect baby. All parts are there and everything is the right size for twenty weeks. I saw the baby sucking it's thumb. We learned that the baby is probably a girl. The baby is breech so it wasn't a sure thing; there is a ten percent chance it could be a boy. It is so awesome what they can do these days. When I had my first child (Kellie) they didn't have ultra sounds. I knew nothing about babies and nothing about delivery. Thank God we don't go through all that now. I had lost a child at eight weeks so I lived in constant fear through that pregnancy and my husband was in Vietnam. That is no way to live. We were all thrilled on Wednesday. God is so good! This will be my sixth great-grandchild. she will be born in February or March.

I couldn't help thinking of the Planned Parenthood videos though. I have never been an activist, that's not my calling. I am an Intercessor. Seeing what those people are doing and getting a way with it breaks my heart. Schanae is unmarried and could have gone that way but she chose life. If I found out she aborted it and then saw those tapes I don't know how I could live with that but the Holy Spirit is the comforter so I pray the women who were desperate enough to take the life of their own child will be comforted that God will forgive them. I pray those in charge of all these horrors will realize exactly what they have done. Let them see that these babies are someone child, grandchild, and great-grandchild. God forgive them.

Plain Threats by Alison Stone

My review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Plain Threats. I love Alison's stories; they are all full of unusual Amish situations. This book is well written, action packed, and full of faith, with a few twists and turns. Her character are not your normal Amish but are complex and compelling. I know you will enjoy it.

Rebecca Fisher was in an abusive marriage but now her world is in chaos. Her husband was accused of murder in an effort to try to protect the Amish way of life but was killed in prison. Rebecca's step son was the one that was instrumental in his father's arrest, now his best friend died in an accident under the influence of drugs and Samuel blames himself. Samuel has change and Rebecca is trying to find answers and the help her step son needs. She turns to an Englisher, a professor at the local college. Rebecca's community makes a point of letting her know that they might forgive outsiders but not one of their own. Many believed that she was aware of her husbands activities.

College professor Jake Burke is teaching a class about the Amish. He is writing a paper on the Amish youngie. In his quest to learn more of the Amish ways he often interview the young Amish men that were on rumspringa. He was surprised to see Rebecca but didn't want to tell her anything that Samuel told him in confidence. He ran to catch up with after she left and witnessed an attack on her. He drove her home only to have her attacked again.

So begins the journey of two people trying to save a young man and protect Rebecca from whoever was trying to hurt her. A great story of faith. God always has a plan and when we let go and let Him take over it will come to pass.

For Mercie's Sake by Sharon Srock

My review today is on the story, For Mercie's Sake. This is a short story by Sharon but it is well written, heart warming, and faith inspired. I'm not sure if I have read any of Sharon's books before but I enjoyed this one very much and I look forward to reading more of her work.

Scottlyn Rich was raped several months ago by the high school's star quarterback. Scottlyn refused to tell anyone until she found herself pregnant. The boy finally confessed but her father was adamant about Scottlyn either having an abortion or giving the child up for adoption. He would not have a product of rape in his home. Scottlyn was put in a home for unwed mother after her father threw her out of his home. The home managed to get her enrolled in a Christian School.

Widowed school teacher Diana Kensington is having a difficult time with her grief. It was just over sixteen months ago when her husband's plane fell out of the sky. Her life was over as far as she was concerned, grief consumed her. Every day she would ask "What now God?" Diana and her husband had been trying for years to have a child so when she received her new, obviously pregnant student she couldn't help but be judgmental. When she found out about the circumstances of the pregnancy, God began to deal with her.

A journey of two broken people in desperate need of hope and love and how God had a plan for them and it's was far better than either of them could ever imagine. A story of love, forgiveness, and hope. it will touch your heart. 

The Christmas Cradle by Charlotte Hubbard

My review today is on the Amish Novella, The Christmas Cradle. This is one of the Seasons of Heart series. I have loved this series. This book is well written, humorous, and heart warming. I have loved all the characters in this series and enjoy watching their lives change throughout the series. If you haven't read any of Charlotte's work you need to get a copy of this book.

This story is really about two couples; Miriam and Ben Hooley are married and expecting there first child a little before Christmas. Ben handcrafted a beautiful cradle for a gift for his wife. Miriam was married before and has a set of grown triplets, (They were in the previous book) but Ben is much younger and this is his first. The second couple are not married but are also expecting their first child before Christmas.  Lena Esch and her boyfriend Josiah Witmer our passing through town but get stranded by the weather. Ben rescues them and brings them home with him.

Lena Esch is only eighteen. She has ran away from her strict Amish parents feeling her baby needs it's father. She has talked Josiah into bringing her along but things are not going well. Ben commands them to stop fighting before he will take them home to his wife. He will not have anything that will upset her.

Josiah Witmer and his sister have been catering events at home. He found a new position on line and is on the way to take over the restaurant when they got lost and stranded by the storm. He is fed up with Lena, all she does is whine and complain. He has half a mind to leave her here and take off.

As Josiah shares his new job with Ben, Miriam and Ben share all the problems that this town has had with the man that would be his new boss. Josiah begins to worry about everything that seems to be going wrong.

This is a great story about how and older stable couple can minister to a young couple and the problems they are facing as their worlds begin to be turned upside down by an evil man trying to have his own way. Lena and Josiah soon learn they must lean on God. He is the only one that can see them through. God is so good and you will find that He has a plan for you and it will be far greater than anything you had hoped for.

Expert Witness by Rachel Dylan

My review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Expert Witness. Rachel is a new author for LIS but I really enjoy her work. This book is well written, fast paced and full of adventure. This story is filled with faith, hope and love. I know you will enjoy it.

Sydney Berry is a victim of abuse. She managed to leave her abuser and took self-defense classes to overcome her fear. Not satisfied with just the simple course she worked with an ex-military man to become an expert. Little did she know she would need these skills as her life becomes threatened. As an expert witness in a court case she testifies in a preliminary hearing but when it comes time for her to testify in court she is almost killed in a drive-by shooting. She is saved at the last moment by a marshal.

US Marshall Max Preston is a former FBI agent and had dealings with the East River Gang. Convinced that Sydney is in danger he follows her and is able to rescue her from being shot. Sydney is his first case in witness protection and he is bound to protect her even from herself when she insists on testifying. He must prove some connection between the East River Gang and the man on trial. How high up does this gang go? Clearly there is a mole somewhere in the marshal program.

This is a journey between two people that are struggling to do their jobs in the face of great trials. Both of them have been hurt and have no desire to have a relationship. Max is awed by the strength of this woman and seeks to understand that her faith in Christ is what has brought her to this place. I  think as Christian we all want to live our faith in a way that will lead others to our Lord. Most of us fall short and are overcome by the cares of this world but God has a plan for us that will enable each of us to be the overcomer. He can make a way where there is no way if you can just believe. God wants that not one shall perish but have ever lasting life.  

An Unexpected Christmas Blessing by Molly Jebber

My review today is on the last story in The Amish Christmas Sleigh Novella, An Unexpected Christmas Blessing. I love Molly's stories and the is an excellent one. I do wish it could have been longer though. The story is well written, humorous, and will touch your heart.

Charity Lantz is a widow with two kinner. This is her first Christmas as a widow and she is unsure how to help her kinner get through it. Everyone is telling her it is time to remarry and give her kinner a new dat but the only man that wants to court her is much older and has six kinner of his own. Can she do that? Then a good looking stranger moves in next door. He seems to love the kinner but does he want her?

Luke Fischer had a bad marriage that ended in a divorce. Unable to stand the pity he moves to a new community. He is welcomed by his beautiful neighbor and her wonderful gut kinner. He always wanted a child but remarrying is not an option.

 A journey of two broken hearts struggling to survive the loneliness that surrounds the holidays and the struggles of trusting God. We all have our struggles in trusting God to have a plan for us but we sometimes really mess it up when we try to help Him out. (example; Abraham and Sarah, the reason we have a Middle East Conflict today) God always has a plan and if we can let go and let God it will be far greater than we could imagine.

A Mamm for Christmas by Amy Lillard

My review today is on the second story in, The Amish Christmas Sleigh Novella, A Mamm for Christmas. I enjoy Amy's books very much and this story was excellent. A story of three kinner that turn matchmaker. It's well written, quite humorous, and heartwarming. You will love it.

Bernice Yoder is a teacher for the small Amish community. Three little girls come to school each day dirty, hair a mess, and in stained dresses. Bernice goes to the father to try to help him but he is angry at her intervention.

Jess Schmucker is a young widower with three little girls. He was really struggling trying to keep the farm going, the girls clean and well dressed, only to have the teacher come to his home and accuse him of neglect.

These two people have their own issues and as they begin to realize the children have a plan of their own they have no choice but to draw together. God also had a plan and it was much greater than any they had imagined. I hope you go out and get this book I know you'll enjoy every minute of it.