Imua

Hope you guys enjoyed the "12 Pearls of Christmas" series that I posted back in December. Just wanted to let you know that a winner was selected for the giveaway. Here's one last post that they sent for me to post. Enjoy!

A great Hawaiian saying is "Imua!" which means to move forward with confidence and courage. It's a great word for the upcoming new year as we explore new opportunities and perhaps face fears.

This week, I put into practice "imua" by facing my fear of ziplining. Yes, I stepped off a wooden platform to soar across 1800 feet of the world's fifth largest caldera located in Kauai. Encouraged by my teenage daughters, I faced my fear of not being in control of my destiny and took a leap of faith.



The excellent guides, Mitch and Chris of Outfitters Kauai prepared us well for our ultimate "black diamond" zipline adventure. We did several practice runs on what I thought were "big ziplines" but little did I know what was really awaiting. The guides constantly reminded us that the most important lesson we all needed to learn to be safe was to "trust our gear."

True wisdom that I needed to hear. For too long in life, I have "held on tightly" when what I should have done was to "let go and let God." He provides "the gear" that we need to sustain us through the difficult moments of life as we soar across jungles.

So I guess my advice would be this: "Face your fear and trust God's gear." IMUA!!

What fear do you need to face this year? What have you been holding on too tightly? What does "imua" mean to you?

Margaret McSweeney is the founder of Pearl Girls (www.pearlgirls.info), the host of Kitchen Chat (http://margaretmcsweeney.com/kitchen-chat/), and an author. Her book, Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace, was published in 2009. Margaret is fast at work on a fiction manuscript (or three) and can be found blogging at From Finance to Fiction (http://fromfinancetofiction.blogspot.com).

Sweet, Light Reading

Double Shot by Erynn Mangum is the third book in the Maya Davis series. I was looking for a light, easy read for my impending snow day and this was a perfect choice! Double Shot seems to pick up right where Cool Beans and Latte Daze (the first two books in the series) left off. However, the novel definitely stands alone if you haven't read the first two.

Maya, recently engaged to her long-time friend Jack, is in the midst of planning her wedding. With the help of her mom, best friend Jen, and sister-in-law Kate, all the details start coming together.

The story is sweet and an easy read. Maya, Jack, Jen, and the other characters are very likable. I appreciated that Maya constantly struggles with not letting the wedding plans take over her life. She still seeks out opportunities to share the gospel with her non-Christian friends from work and reaches out to new people in her small group. She also battles with anxiety and fear as circumstances threaten to interrupt this happy time. Friendship, family, and faith in God are obvious themes in this book. The book is fairly predictable and doesn't develop the plot or the characters too deeply. But it was enjoyable and I would recommend it if you're looking for a quick read.

I think that this book is technically billed as young adult fiction. However, I would recommend this book for adults and older teenagers (mature, upper level high school students). There aren't any controversial topics in the book; I just feel like books about adults (vs. teenagers) are better suited for older age groups.

4 stars

I received a free copy of this book from NavPress in exchange for my fair and honest review.

How's it coming?

Just wanted to check in and see how the Scripture memory is going!!! We're halfway through the two-week period on the first verse of the year, so hopefully those words are soaking into your minds and hearts. I know Romans 15:13 is working on me!

I've been absolutely amazed at how quickly I have been able to memorize this verse. Even with a bunch of words (hope, peace, joy, trust, hope, power!) that I was originally getting confused about which one came when, the Lord has allowed me to hide this verse in my heart.

Two things that really helped me with this particular verse (because of all the confusing words) are: word pictures and motions. It sound ridiculous, I know, but it's what worked for me this time.

The other thing I've done this week is tell literally everyone I know that I'm really committing to Scripture memory this year and telling them that they have permission to ask me for my spirals and quiz me ... any time. Now THAT'S accountability! And I welcome it.

So ... keep it up. I can't wait to hear how it's going for you!

The Lightlings by R. C. Sproul

The Lightlings is another wonderful children's book by R. C. Sproul. Charlie asks his grandfather why he is afraid of the dark. His grandfather tells him a wonderful story about the lightlings (fairy-like creatures) who once lived with the King of Light. They sinned and ran from the king, causing them to live in the dark. Until one day the King of Light sent a baby as his gift to the lightlings. This precious story ties two familiar "stories" from the Bible together perfectly. I loved how the author pulls these stories together to teach about redemption in Christ. So many children's books simply tell one single story from the Bible and leave it separate from the bigger picture ... this book ties it all together. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful as well! I would highly recommend this book!

4 stars

I received a free copy of this book from The Reformation Trust in exchange for my fair and honest review.

I just read a soap opera ...

I kept thinking, "this is a soap opera," while I read Softly and Tenderly by Sara Evans with Rachel Hauck. About two-thirds of the way through, the main character describes her life in the exact same way. Good to know we were on the same page!

Jade's life is falling apart. Guilt and shame from bad decisions in her teenage years, a rocky relationship with her mom, her in-laws' failing marriage, struggles with anxiety, the inability to conceive, her mother's impending death, her husband's addiction to pain pills ... and then she learns about her husband's infidility the week before their marriage and the son that was conceived as a result. As a new Christian, will Jade rely on her own ways or will she turn to Christ?

This is "chick lit" at its best. I found myself falling in love with this crazy, trouble-ridden family and wanted everything to work out for them. The story evoked real emotion in me and I found myself tearing up several times. The struggles were real. Jade questions her faith repeatedly as she faces trial after trial. I actually liked that things weren't tied up in a neat package at the end. That's how life is. But ultimately, I felt that there was a great message of hope in spite of her circumstances.

This is the second book in the Songbird trilogy (Sweet By and By available now and Love Lifted Me available Winter 2012). I am anxiously awaiting the conclusion to this gripping story.

5 stars (out of 5)

I received a free copy of this book in exchange from Thomas Nelson Publishers for my fair and honest review.

Blog Mooch: Declaring His Marvelous Deeds

This is an amazing story from a blog I stumbled upon recently. Isn't it amazing to know that God knows our name and gives us life and identity in Christ? And that my name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life?! Jesus, thank You for making me a new creation in You!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I hope everyone has had a great day and perhaps taken a few minutes to reflect on last year and look forward to next year! We're not really "New Year's people." By that, I mean we don't ever have big plans for New Year's Eve, we don't really set resolutions (recipe for failure, in my opinion), and we don't eat the traditional New Year's meal. However, we did have a great evening with friends last night, and I've spent a fair amount of time over the past few days in reflection and evaluation of the past few months. I'm looking forward to the next year!

Earlier I mentioned a desire to work on Scripture memory this year and it's time to start! All of you are my accountability, so here goes. Beth's post is here if you want to read what she wrote. I was SO encouraged by the 4,605 comments that have been posted by women who are committing to memorize Scripture this year as well! I would love for any/all of you to join me in this endeavor in 2011. If you do, please reply to these posts throughout the year and let me know. It would greatly encourage me!!!

And my verse for the next two weeks ...

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13, NIV

Feel free to ask me how it's going if you see me around!