Monday, February 25, 2008

Book Report: Room of Marvels

There are a lot of books out there to read. Some books are entertaining…some are boring…some are down-right awful…and then you come across a book that is just…well…beautiful! That’s exactly what I discovered when a church friend loaned me her copy of the Room of Marvels by James Bryan Smith.

This is a story about the author’s loss of joy after the death of his best friend, his two year old daughter and then his mother. Well, let me rephrase that: it is a story about the hope of Heaven and regaining joy! This is such a moving book, and I could so closely relate to the author, that I read it in one sitting. Yes, everything else was pushed aside so I could read this book and take from it the message God wanted me to hear.

You join the author on a journey through Heaven. As the journey progresses, the author meets acquaintances and loved ones from his past and yes, he does see his best friend, mother and his daughter. And yes, you will cry! Of course, the book is fiction because none of us know such details about Heaven, however, I do believe that God does reveal things like this to us and I do feel that God did just that with Mr. Smith!

If you have experienced the searing pain of losing a loved one, especially a child, then you certainly need to read this book! I was moved, inspired and filled with hope and joy for what is to come. I am thankful that Mr. Smith has shared his dream with us and I’m tickled to think that my children know his child in Heaven…I just know they do!!

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Weekend Linky Love

I was thrilled and honored to find our Gus' Gang button in the sidebar of a blog I came across today! It really touched my heart... Please be sure to visit Cheaper by the Half Dozen. You'll be sure to find a neat blog chocked full of good stories and lots of lovely goodness. And of course, Jo from Life with Heathens, has had our button in her sidebar for awhile now...thank you, friend!

Entrecard Top Droppers:

Parenting Squad
Sense to Save
Mommies Home
Momma Muse

A big "Thank You" to these fine folks who ran our Gus' Gang button on their blogs:

Comfort Joy Designs
Grammology
Parenting Diva
Mo Mhile Gra

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Template Giveaway!


Just wanted to let you all know about a cool giveway happening over at Doodlebug Designs! To celebrate the Grand Opening of her business, Judi (Grayson's mom!) has decided to give away a template...well, actually she's giving away several prizes! Here's the list:
  • 1st Place Prize ~ FREE completely customized blog design for a blogger blog!
  • 2nd Place Prize ~ FREE completely customized header for a blogger blog!
  • 3rd Place Prize ~ 10% off any service!
Judi does great work...she designed my Up the Hill Gang blog and I absolutely love it! Make sure you head on over there to get all the details! Neato Mosquito!

Monday, February 04, 2008

Bob's House



Hat tip to Karen from A Deaf Mom Shares Her World for sharing the link to the interview with Darren, the passenger in the commercial! Neat!

Sunday, February 03, 2008

The Dales Walk


As I was visiting Corey today, I read about the Dales Walk being pursued to raise funds for the Joseph Salmon Trust. This trust has been established in memory of 3 year old Joseph Salmon who died in his sleep. The money in this trust goes to help with the expenses when a child dies. I think this is a wonderful cause. Funeral expenses are so high and sometimes it is years before money can be saved in order to purchase a headstone for the grave. One of the best ways to help families who have lost children is to help with these kinds of expenses. We had someone donate money when Gus died and we were able to purchase his marker quickly....there are some graves around his that still have the little metal pokes used to id the graves that do not have markers yet. It would make me very sad if we had not been able to mark Gus' grave....


So...if you feel led, please consider helping this group raise some money to help these grieving families. Every donation makes a difference.