Soul Surfer

I bought and finished this book in the same day.

This was due in part to its easy-to-read format, coupled with a courageous and inspiring true story.

Bethany Hamilton's aspirations of becoming a professional surfer are, seemingly, shattered one day when a shark attack leaves her with only one arm. However, her faith and determination fuels her resistence to abandon a sport she loves. Her zest for life despite a major life-altering accident is absolutely amazing.

Here is a quote by Bethany that I really appreciated:

"I don't pretend to have all the answers to why bad things happen to good people. But I do know that God knows all those answers, and sometimes He lets you know in this life, and sometimes He asks you to wait so that you can have a face-to-face talk about it."

The movie, based on the true story, is due in theatres this month. I recall the trailer preceeding Justin Bieber's "Never Say Never" movie. While she has another actress portraying her for the most part, apparently she does all her own surfing stunts - even with only one arm.



I'm hoping to make this movie a "girls night out" event with friends.

Let me know what you think of it if/when you see it.

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Book photo/link courtesy of Amazon.

Choosing to See

Written by the wife of Steven Curtis Chapman.

This book gives a refreshingly transparent insight to Mary Beth's life as the spouse of a famed Christian musician, family life, their Show Hope ministry and ultimately the devestating and tragic accident that claimed the life of their 5 year old daughter, Maria.

I resonate with some of Mary Beth's struggles and respect her honesty about life, love and her journey as a Christian - specifically through times of incredible grief and despair.

Although there are several dark pages, this is truly a book about
healing and hope.

I recommend this book if you have lost a loved one and/or are struggling with a sense of loneliness and longing as you attempt to gain healing in your life.

I'm happy to pass my copy along if you'd like to read it.

Just msg me your mailing addy at oldcolonytam@yahoo.ca

(P.S. Have Kleenex ready.)

Image courtesy of Amazon.

Love Bookmark

I found a free alphabet pattern here.
It's actually meant for crochet, but worked well for cross-stitch.


I used 16-count aida and 310/349 DMC floss.

The aida is glued to red adhesive-backed felt with an extra dose of Aleene's so that it will last for a while, but won't likely make it as an heirloom for any grandbabies.

Although, won't bookmarks eventually become irrelevant with literature leaning towards wireless e-reading devices?

Shhhh. Don't tell my poor bookmark!


The "frou-frou" ribbon at the top is secured through a grommet, which is as much fun to install as it is to say.

(Frogs don't "ribbit" - they "grommet!")


And here it is in all its glory, being put to use by my hubby inside the book he is currently reading.

Check back soon for more Valentines-ey goodness coming up later this week.

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Linked to: Tip Junkie, Skip to My Lou, Making Monday Marvelous, Sumo Sweet Stuff, Take a Look Tuesday, Hope Studios, Virtual Valentine's Day Party, Craftomaniac Monday, DIY Project Parade, Today's Creative Blog, Blue Cricket Design, Thrifty Home, We Are That Family, Somewhat Simple, Things I Love Thursday, Show Off Your Stuff, Crazy Domestic, Fingerprints On the Fridge, Frugalicious Friday, Saturday Nite Special.

It's Monday. Be loved.

"Put simply, life is a God-given opportunity to become who we are, to affirm our own true spiritual nature, claim our truth, appropriate and integrate the reality of our being, but, most of all, to say 'Yes' to the One who calls us the Beloved."

This is a quote from a book I am currently reading by
Henri J. M. (Just Me) Nouwen:

"Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World."

Actually - a very romantic book to read given the approach of Valentine's Day!

It's been a very easy read, from the perspective of one friend to another.

My hubby has read it also, which means lots of good conversation between us around friendship, gratitude, love, death, and other spiritualities.

Beloved. Be-loved.

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Image courtesy of Unwhite (Porcelain Art & More) on Etsy.

Book List

If you scroll down a bit in the right hand colomn of this blog, you'll see that I've started a list of books that I've read in 2011.

I finished this one a few days ago:


I enjoyed reading about the culture and experiences of Mary Ann and her family as well as their bold decision to leave their roots. I felt this book to be very honest without being unkind. There were parts about their colony life that I actual found myself envious of. Now when I see members of local Hutterite colonies shopping alongside me from time to time, I feel that I have a much better understanding of their belief system and way of life.

I have two books I want to read next and am still undecided.

Will update once I choose.

Any other recommendations?

Crazy Love

I am thoroughly enjoying this book right now and am feeling challenged in my responsibilities as a true follower of Christ.

Family Devotionals

I picked up this book recently at Parables, which was on sale. The previous family devotional book we'd been using (a gift for one of our kids at their baby dedication), was very much toddler-focused so we needed something with a little more depth.

I really like it! It actually only about 10 minutes to read, with some great discussions following. We've been reading it together after supper - although with life's hecticity - we're not as consistent as I'd like.

Any other recommendations for books like this? I'm sure this one will take us into 2010, but it's nice to switch it up a bit.

(NDD) Nature-Deficit Disorder

Thanks to an online book club that I've recently joined over at Simple Mom , I'm enjoying an interesting read in Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv. The book addresses the decreasing amount of time each generation (specifically, children) spends outdoors, since the 1950's. So far I'm 1/4 way through and find myself nodding yes to many of the issues raised, but also gaining a greater understanding of why we find ourselves in this reality.

A few of Louv's topics:

nature-deficit disorder
(His case is for "outdoor play" as a drug-free cure for many modern illnesses.)

containerized kids
(Think about it - little ones go from crib to high chair to stroller, etc.)

private government
(Local neighbourhood associations and other community-type authorities.)

society's growing obsession with order
(i.e. gated communities, plowed over meadows and replanted parks, restrictive covenants and mandatory conditions in community subdivisions).

The latter brought me back to my days in real estate and a several condo subdivision sales contracts whereby you would agree to only paint your front door/garage from 1 of 2 colour choices.

Interesting stuff - not as negative as I may have made it sound here. Reason, fact and understanding is included as well as tips to avoid being caught in the NDD trappings.

I'm sure I'll have a lot more to post about as I read through the rest of the book.

For now, I'm signing off to support technology and watch a movie as a family, when we really should be going on a nature hike to catalogue lichen specimen.

Hey, it's supposed to rain tonight anyways. ;)

What's Going On

* SuperBowl is over for another season, although I still somehow have an 8-foot screen in my living room. (Watching Jon & Kate + 8 was almost in virtual reality last night.) I'm tempted to keep it up until the Oscars, although that's a long time to have the sun from our front window blocked out and the living room in slings.

* Bria is participating in a school "Spell-A-Thon" whereby she has to spell 20 words correctly at the end of this month. If you'd like to sponsor her (whatever amount), please give us a shout. I think her class will win a pizza party if they bring in a certain amount. (Hey, what's a blog worth if you can't plug your own kid's fundraising??? heehee)

* My youngest brother and his wife have sold their home in St. Kitt's and will be purchasing a new home in Whitby, which means "one stop visiting" for us when we go back to Ontario from now on. We will book our flight home for April as soon as everyone's schedules are worked out.

* Jason and I had our first ever Officer Performance Appraisals yesterday. We are very pleased with how it went and are very excited about the future.

* Bria is growing into a new sense of appreciation for privacy and spending time alone in her room with her music (she loves Rebecca St. James), play makeup, Barbies and Polly Pockets. Her brother, however, is NONE TOO fond of his sister's new-found pastime. Overheard this morning as she was yelling at him for the TENTH time to get out of her room, Blaise stomped away down the hall and yelled, "Ohhhhh WOMEN!!!" (hahahahaha)

* Jason and I have taken on some of the finances at the church with the retirement of our bookkeeper, who did a great job (and we miss very much...). This is something new for both of us, but it has been informative as well as a good learning opportunity, not to mention a broadening of what it "means to be" a Pastor.

* I finally finished another book, "The Circle of Seasons: Meeting God in the Church Year" by Kimberlee Conway Ireton which first caught my eye in the last issue of Discipleship Journal. I found it very helpful, as it was written by someone who has the same experience (or lack thereof) of growing up in a church that didn't necessarily observe all of the liturgical seasons. You know all that anticipation for Christmas and then Easter? Well there's still much in between to celebrate. (Who knew something like "Ordinary Time" could be so exciting!)

* Time to start dinner!

Barbara Cooper, CS Lewis & Tori Spelling: A Common Thread

I just finished reading Valerie Bertinelli's (Barbara from the '70's show I loved, "One Day at a Time.") book, "Losing It" and was reminded of why I don't read a lot. Not that it wasn't an interesting book (helloooo...Van Halen!), but when I start reading I cannot stop...and then I stay up until 1:30 in the morning...and the kids don't get fed breakfast the next morning while I finish up the last couple of pages...(yes, they've since been fed). I like reading auto/biographies. People are interesting. All sorts of people. I'd like to read Tori Spelling's book next, but only if I can find the same deal as the Bertinelli book. $30 hardcover at Wallymart vs. $1.99 hardcover at Value Village. (I took advantage of the latter.) And next, I'm rediscovering CS Lewis. I gave Jason 2 more of his books for Christmas, knowing full well he can't read them both at the same time. ;) But I won't start back into my next book until I have all the laundry put away and lunch made for the kids. My vow! I'd best get to it...

Who Stole My Church?

So I've made a pact with myself to use every minute more wisely. Sounds SO deep and insightful and intelligent, doesn't it??? Well, it's not as easy as it sounds!!!! I'm vowing to read more these days, and a book that I am reading right now is called "Who Stole My Church" by Gordon MacDonald. It's an interesting type of book, written as a novel. It brings up a lot of interesting points about how church has changed and will continue to change generation after generation, decade after decade (if not sooner, after sooner...). Coincidentally (if you believe in that sorta thing), my inbox today contained an email from an e-zine I subscribe to (again, sounds so smart, doesn't it? LOL) taken from this very book. Click HERE to give it a read.

Back to using the next few minutes wisely...folding laundry then sipping tea & chatting with my loving Hubby.