A Net in Time

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One Change

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Miss Kate has announced the Five Minute Friday word prompt this week: Nourish. I had hoped to write it last night but had no brain after working a long busy day.  🙂  The snow squall warning had me watching our rainfall turn into snow as well and that was quite pretty to watch.  Anyways, one change in the act of nourishing a life can make a huge difference is the point of my writing this week. 

Text One Change, image person in front of question mark

One Change

This week trying to read
a book.
A family made a change
an adoption made.

I had a hard time
reading it, but
the thought remains.
This family made

One change.

Lives forever
altered.
Healing happened.
Unbending dislike as well.

Then on Five minute Friday
the word
Nourish.
I think of connections.

One young doe
four babies thriving.
One afternoon
Wet kits.

One Change.

Then, over
the couse of a week.
Only one kit nurses.
Three pass away.

One child
growing, nourished
in Christian household.
Loves God.

Then covid hits
no friends.
Loss of community.
Too much time online.

One Change.

A child,
questioning faith.
One website,
challenging his thinking.

Hearts easily broken.
Minds twisted.
Lives changed.
Because one change.

But remember this.

One change, doesn’t define it all.

Text One Change, image person changing the weather

What Does God Say?

I’ve been reading a devotional lately by Joni Eareckson Tada, The Gospel in Hard Times, where Joni speaks of a youth group that went camping.  One event.  The youth group got caught in a flash flood and the youth were forever changed.  Some leaving the faith completely, others deepening their dependence on God.   It makes me wonder how, in all the nourishing Christian families do, how one change can change lives. 

And how, in the end, we need to trust God.  He tells us this:

Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he shall not depart from it. Prov.22:6

Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.   Proverbs 1:8-9

Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’  Matthew 19:14

Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!  Deuteronomy 5:29

The thing we have to remember is, that God isn’t finished.  He hasn’t finished with that baby left from the litter. 🙂 

Netherland Dwarf baby bunny rabbit

He hasn’t finished with my son.  God has not finished with those children in that youth group.  God hasn’t finished with my heart.  He wrought changes in a family through an adoption.  He worked in a local pastor’s heart. One change can make a huge difference, but it isn’t the end of the story. 

The Bridge to Sharktooth Island

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (The Bridge to Sharktooth Island) through Ascot Media.  Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so.

Three youth, living their lives, and then suddenly they are magically transported else where.  This is the start of an adventure they will not soon forget!  They will have to use all their ingenuity and individual skills to see their way through.  

The Bridge to Sharktooth Island

The Basic Details of The Bridge to Sharktooth Island

The Bridge to Sharktooth Island is the first in a series from A Challenge Island STEAM adventure.  West Margin Press gives us a book put together by Challenge Island Founder/CEO and award-winning educator Sharon Duke Estroff, with award-winning author Joel Ross and internationally-known illustrator Mónica de Rivas. 

Running at 128 pages, youth 7-10 years old are entertained and then challenged to learn the skills presented in this STEAM adventure. 

Learning more

Imagine, you are just out having fun with your cousin, you hear a drum beat and suddenly you are whisked away.  Can you figure out how to get home?  Or even how to get to safety?   Clear text tells the story with clues provided appearing in italics.  Pay attention, you might find the solution before these explorers do! 

Sometimes you need to see a potential solution before you can work it all out.  Will this solution be the key or do they need to re-read the clues given? 

One of the things I like about this book is that readers have a choice.  It’s one they have to actively make.  Will they  wait and let the trio figure it all out OR will they try to figure things out before moving on in the story?   It’s easy to find places to stop to think it through before moving on in the story.  AND if you want to try your skills a variety of activities can be found at the close of the book.   From bridge-building, to learn facts about sharks, to doing art or math.  It’s a full-ahead STEAM adventure!  

Who would this STEAM book be good for?

I can totally see teachers in public and private schools picking up this resource to use with their students.  The natural breaks between the clues and figuring out how to use them.  Wonderful helps at close that you can actually put into practice… fantastic all-round. 

My own quibble was .. it didn’t make sense… these kids just doing their own thing and then suddenly they are transported into a dangerous situation. I was lost for a bit when it happened as the disconnect was so solid.  Other than that the story made sense logically.  

Dangerous situation, they had a strong need to figure out a workable situation and were provided the clues they needed to do so.  The Bridge to Sharktooth Island is a good STEAM adventure to take your 7-10 year olds on. 

OH!  And did you know you could even plan a trip to Challenge Island?  They have a variety of locations in Canada and the USA. 

Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna) through Raincoast Books.  Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so. 

Being inspired by the stories of her grandmother led author Alda P. Dobbs to research her history.  Her desire was to know what the truth was about her past.  Through her research Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna came to life.  The history of the Mexican revolution of 1910-1913 was a terrifying time for the people of Mexico.  This is just a glimpse into that story.

Family history inspired Barefoot Dreams

Don’t you just love books that teach history without being a dry boring read?  Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna was inspired by the author’s gramma telling her story to her grandkids.  Sourcebooks is the publisher, with 288 pages geared to youth 8-12 years old. 

Spanish phrases litter the pages with readers assisted through connotation or english phrasing defining words used.   The only exception to that rule is the Spanish titles for each chapter.  Some titles are obvious like El Escape but others like El Llanto de Tata. It’s good to be challenged to learn a new language don’t you find?

My review for Raincoast Books was accomplished using an ARC version. 

Learning More

This is not a book of illustrations.  It is a book about a Mexican family and the horrible ordeal they went through.  Their experiences shine a light on the horrows of the civil war.  The battle between the Federales and the rebels was intense and at times brutal.  Since this family speaks Spanish, it makes sense that spanish is part of the lexicon.  We see this in chapter headings as well as within the story itself.

Most of the time the meaning to the Spanish phrase could be discerned contextually.  There was the odd occasion where I didn’t know what was being said.  I wished there had been a spanish to english page included for all phrases used by Petra and her family. 

I loved learning about the family connection that inspired this story.  What the author learned that was different than her gramma’s recollections, and what was the same.  Such a neat story behind the story. 

You’ll find that the text is easy to read, suitable for middle school readers. As an adult I found it to be a thoroughly interesting read and would recommend it to others happily. 

Should Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna Be Read?

I found Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna to be a good read in and of itself.  Knowing that it was based in history, and then being able to see the timeline of the revolution was an added bonus.

If I were studying Mexico with middle school or high school students, I would be happy to add this book to our studies. This will be a good precursor to learning more of the history of Mexico, and gives an excellent look at the human element.  Seeing how the conflict impacted normal people living their lives…. It was sad and yet… Gratifying.  Seeing the strength in Petra, watching her make difficult decisions, and holding to her promises.   Watching her strength of character, and how her whole family pulls together.  Seeing the random kindness of strangers.  A good read.

I won’t say it was always an easy read. Bad things happen.  People die. Homes are destroyed. Hard events fill the pages.  But in between it all…. decency and kindness and strength of character prevail.   For some middle school readers it might be too much, you would know your children best.  

God Hides Me

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I was seriously starting to wonder if I would be able to participate in Five Minute Friday this week. I have switched who hosts my blog over to a company called lyrical. There’s still some part that needs adjusting, but at least I can write posts again!!!   🙂   Miss Kate tells us the word this week is hide.  It’s not the first time I’ve pondered, what my poem God Hides me, speaks about, but it was a recurring theme all day today. 

God hides Me

God Hides Me

I ponder a word
Hide
In my head immediately
a song starts
Guide me oh, thou great Jehovah
pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand

As I’ve gone through
the day, waiting for
the blog to be transferred
(started Wednesday early)
as this song plays through

I wonder.
What will Christians
Do as Seniors
in nursing homes?

With the popularity
of praise and worship music
that is every changing.
How will our young believers
today have songs of faith
to hold on to?

Songs that can
help them remember
all that God has
done for them over
the years, particularly when
pain increases, or
ability decreases?

Will they be able
to remember well
the God they can hide
themselves in? When memory,
regrets, and longing for
home sets in?

I’m not saying
Praise and worship
music is bad. I just
wonder with how many
new songs there always are
… how will something stick
long enough, to be recalled
when age makes it harder?

Things to ponder eh?
When you are
waiting for a blog to
reboot, in the midst of
other chores.
Recalling, through old hymn
memorized, how God
hides me in the
palm of his hand.

God hides Me

What God Has to Say

Isaiah 49:16  Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.

John 10:29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

Psalm 96:2    Sing to the Lord, bless His name;
Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.

James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.

 

An Encounter

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (An Encounter) through Ascot Media.  Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so.

Are you Catholic or simply looking for a devotional to help you through the Advent and Christmas season?   Most Advent devotionals tend to focus only an Advent, in An Encounter, Father Emelu also helps the believer with the Christmas season.  64 readings to help you contemplate the meaning of the Advent and Christmas season.

An Encounter

An Encounter, the basics

Maurice Nkem Emelu has put together “An Encounter” a series of readings, based on the Catholic liturgical calender, for reading over advent an Christmas.  Father Emelu is a Nigerian priest in the Catholic Diocese of Orlu and has a desire to help people mediate on God over the Christmas Season.   An Encounter: a daily discovery in Divine Word is volume 1 in a seven volume series. 

64 reflections meant to be read over 46 days. 216 pages.  Divided into two parts (Advent and Christmas).  Advent is further divided into four weeks. 

Published by Bien based in Cleveland for North American release, and by Paulines Publications Africa.   My review is for Ascot Media. 

Looking deeper

I found the layout fairly straight-forward, I expected to see divisions by the week for the four weeks of Advent.   I was initially a bit taken aback at three separate advent reading for each of the Sundays.  Then I recalled that Catholic liturgy calendars are divided over three years.  There is a reading for year a, b and c. 

Each day starts out with a number of scripture readings.   You can read them out of any translation you prefer. 

Each reading (and I admittedly did not read them all) reads like a pastor sitting down to chat with you.  Personal and friendly, and sometimes hard-hitting, reminding us of God’s truths. 

Occasionally you will find readings that say “alternative”.  I couldn’t find an explanation for the alternative reading header.  But based on the multi-year reading, I’m thinking you could vary each year which reading to use.

Each devotional is followed by a time of reflection and prayer. Some reflections are filled with questions, others are basically just ruminations on the reading.  All are there to help us think more deeply about what we read.  What questions would you ask God?  What change can you make in your life? Would God want you to consider a new thing?

Should this be part of your advent reading?

I have to admit, I’m not Catholic and within these readings there was a Roman Catholic flair. But one of the joys of reading a devotional with a variety of readings, is that you can read the scripture, glean from the devotional reading what you need, and discard anything that doesn’t fit.  AND sometimes reading familiar scripture and reading anothers slant on it, spurs us on to dig deeper into God’s word. 

Some of the Catholic slant comes from the fact that the Roman Catholic bible recognizes some books in their bible that Protestants do not.  Their inclusion surprised me as I thought this book was geared to a broader market. 

An Encounter is a close, reflective study on Christ and his coming to earth.  Well worth the read

Maurice Nkem Emelu has also prepared a second volume focusing on Lent.  

Beaver and Otter Get Along… sort of

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (Beaver and Otter Get Along… sort of) through Raincoast Books.  Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so. 

Looking for a cute picture book about how to work things out with your neighbours?  Look no further than Beaver and Otter Get Along… sort of.  Sneed B Collard  has done of wonderful job of showing how neighbours can choose to get along!! DIfferences do not need to make us enemies. The beauty of the illustrations will delight the eye and provide lots to talk about. 

Beaver and Otter get along ... sort of

The delights of Beaver and Otter

Beaver is happy, he’s created a lovely home. He’s found himself a lady friend and built himself a place that was just the way he liked.  Neighbours that were good, a ready supply of food, and lots of open space around him.  Life couldn’t be any better.  Then… came Otter….. 

Suddenly life for Beaver wasn’t so happy.  Whatever will Beaver do?  Will he need to move? I’m not going to tell you!  🙂

Over the course 40 pages, children 4-5 years old will follow the lives of Beaver and Otter as they go about building places for themselves.  These neighbours are often at odd with each other. In the telling of the tale illustrator Meg Sodano brings us into their worlds. 

The beauty of the images and the simplicity of the story bring to life the conflict between these two neighbours.  So different from each other.  Can they figure out how to get along? Publisher Sourcebooks has produced a wonderful book about the differences between beavers and otters.  Their colourful world, their unique behaviours, and the benefits they both bring.  It’s great to observe!

At the close of this fantastic picture book you’ll find information pages on beavers and otters.  Helps are also provided for teachers and parents.  You’ll discover 

  • read-aloud tips
  • social emotional learning
  • science connection
  • Steam activities

Should this picture book be on your shelves?

Oh, I enjoyed Beaver and Otter get Along … sort of.   It was fun to see beaver and otter going about their daily business.  And then seeing beaver learn how to get along with a neighbour so very different from himself.  It was great to see!   Sneed B Collard III did an excellent job of building the story enabling the reader to see the grit and patience needed.   

A lovely read out loud, read-along book, or even an introduction to wetlands, beavers, otters, or how ecosystems work together.  Even though it’s geared for 4-8 year olds, a good picture book can be enjoyed by all. Raincoast Books provided me with an ARC copy for review.  I hope you enjoy it!

Then As You Wander

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So it was rather weird, I kept checking Kate’s blog late last night and early this morning. No new word and even checking the blog just before I wrote this, no new post.  I had to go to my email to get the linky and see where the post was.   So strange!  BUT here we are and here’s this week’s submission Then As You Wander. 

Then as you wander (text) over a woodland path

Then as you wander

Each path taken
Has a myriad of
possibilities.

At each branch
of the road
Decisions to make.

Will I go left
will I go right
or perhaps just straight?

Possibility exists
to simply turn around
and retrace one’s steps.

Some paths we
wander are easy
with little to bind.

Other paths are
strewn with boulders
and messiness.

But the ease
or danger is not
always so apparent.

One must always
when making a choice
keep one’s wits alert.

The more you know
about the potential
the easier the choice.

The question
then remains
how much will you learn?

Will you take
the time in your
travels to search deeply?

Plunder the scriptures
learn it’s wisdom
then as you wander…

You will discover
better paths and
helps along your journey.

Perhaps even
finding yourself taking
a path you hadn’t considered.

Pause now, and
consider it well.
Have you wandered?

Seriously now,
have you wandered
into God?

Will you let
him help you
wander the correct paths?

Then as you wander

God’s word

God tells us much about wisdom. 

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

~ Proverbs 2:6

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

~ Proverbs 3:13-18

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. Whoever fears the LORD walks uprightly, but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

~ Proverbs 14:1-2

Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. That your trust may be in the Lord, I have made them known to you today, even to you.

~ Proverbs 22:17-19