Revival and thoughts on Singleness

Ready to kick this one up again. I need to do some book reviews and I have some new thoughts on life since #2 arrived. So, here I go.

I have opinions. I have more opinions than I realized. Apparently, little person number 2 is bringing out more and more of them. Here's today's opinion/rant....

I waited a long time for my sweet husband. I was 29 when we started dating and 30 when we married. It was not by choice. I did not go to college to start a career. I went to college to get a husband. I spent the next two years going on a couple dates, but then giving up the last two years. I taught for 6 1/2 years and did several mission trips and never found that person. I had heard so many things from so many people and was sick of hearing things like...he'll come eventually. Just keep waiting. God's not done refining you. God has someone out there for you. My personal favorite, "When you stop looking and are genuinely content with who you are, you'll find him." Really?
Really. It happened just like that. In fact, he was put in my lap four years before our first date and I was determined NOT to date him. NOT. AT. ALL. Neither of us was ready at that moment, but it's clear looking back, that we finally "noticed" each other at the right time. When neither of us had time for someone in our lives, when neither of us wanted someone in our lives, when both of us were finally content with who we were in God....that's when we saw each other, after four years, and started dating. I appreciate him so much more after all the years of waiting, all the no's from other guys and all the LONG, lonely days and nights.
I feel pain and frustration for singles, especially single women. I understand. Whether you're over 30 or under, it's not easy, especially when all your friends are married and having kids. It's just not easy. I hated it when people told me to wait and told me to stop looking. But looking back, that's when it happened. As much as I thought I was okay and who God wanted me to be. I wasn't. I know that now. I'm still a work in progress.
Just know people love you and aren't trying to make you feel worse. From someone who has been there, it will happen. In His timing and when He knows you're honestly ready. He didn't mean for us to be alone. That's why he created woman for man. He didn't mean for us to be alone.

2013 Book LIst....Update

Here's my updated list. I'm doing.....okay. Not great, but okay.

The Bible
January Book Club
February Book Club---I tried, but just couldn't finish it. It wasn't my taste and was more risque than I could read.
March Book Club
April Book Club--still in progress. I'm still going to try to finish it.
May Book Club
June Book Club
July Book Club
August Book Club
September Book Club
October Book Club
November Book Club
December Book Club
I Knew Jesus Before He was a Christian   Rubel Shelly
Revolution in World Missions    K. P. Yahannan----almost there. Not quite finished.
Baby Wise Book One (reread)
Baby Wise Book Two (reread)
7 Things Kids Never Forget   Ron Rose
Understanding World Religions in 15 Minutes a Day   Garry R. Morgan
The Secrets of Biblical Wisdom   Kyle Searcy
What to Expect When You're Expecting (reread)
The Non Runner's Marathon Guide for Women (reread)
1,000 Gifts   Ann Voskamp

Big Wheels and Tractor Heels Ree Drummond

Bethany House Reviewed Books
The Guardian Beverly Lewis
Firefly Island Lisa Wingate
The Icecutter's Daughter Tracie Peterson
 
And 2 others that I'll figure out as I go. If you have suggestions for my final two, let me know!

The Soldier's Wife by Margaret Leroy

June Book Club Book: The Soldier's Wife

After two chapters, I was in. The beginning took me awhile, though. I just couldn't get into it. Eventually, I was intrigued by how scary and frustrating the occupation of their island must have been. Yikes. I can't imagine. I was amazed that Vivienne really believed her affair with the German was unknown to his fellow officers. They lived right next door. I'm also surprised her children never heard anything. Crazy.
I can't imagine how difficult being married to a stranger would have been. Discovering his affairs....yikes. I don't think having one herself was the answer. Caring for her mother-in-law with Alzheimer's and her husband being away at war. I cannot imagine the strain. I honestly wanted her to stay with the German, though. Horrible, I know, but he was so much kinder than her husband. I did think this was well-written and enjoyed the story. Vivienne was a brave, determined, yet naive woman who did what she had to do to help others, despite her odd connections to the Germans and them living right next door.

The Guardian by Beverly Lewis

The Guardian

I can't help it. I love Beverly Lewis books. All of them. This one was no different. It didn't seem as predictable as some, and I did appreciate that. From the beginning, I wanted to hug Jodi myself. Grief is such a difficult thing and Mrs. Lewis showed so many ways, with several characters, that people approach and tackle their grief. Maryanna's skepticism was natural, but I loved the way her heart was eventually turned toward Joshua and Jodi. I enjoyed the way Mrs. Lewis used Maryanna and Jodi to help each other heal and see how different things could be. I actually got so wrapped up in this story that I cried right along with them most of the time. I wanted to shake Maryanna for staying away from Joshua for so long. I loved this book and have already passed it on. Loved it.

Firefly Island by Lisa Wingate

Firefly Island

This was my first novel by Ms. Wingate. It took me a few chapters to get wrapped up, but I ended up loving the book. Yes, it was predictable to a point, but I am a sucker for a good love story. It was definitely that. The whirlwind romance and marriage of Mallory and Daniel was a bit unbelievable, but still so sweet. Stranger things have happened. Mr. West seems to be misunderstood the entire book and his son, well, he was just plain horrible. I loved the ease with which Mallory was able to begin seeing Daniel's child as her own. If only it were that easy for everyone that marries someone with children. I was frustrated by Daniel's lack of concern for their initial living conditions and the whole job situation. Overall, though, it was a beautiful story, one I would recommend. Loved it.

The Icecutter's Daughter by Tracie Peterson

I'm a little behind. This is one of three reviews I'm cranking out tonight.

The Icecutter's Daughter tugged at me. I haven't read many of Tracie Peterson's books, but she's quickly becoming a favorite of mine. From the beginning, I was frustrated with Rurik's situation. Svea, his supposed betrothed just irritated me beyond belief. I was shocked towards the end to find her brother was as crooked as he was. My goodness. The whole story captivated me, though. I loved the simplicity of Merrill. She's so strong, yet every bit the woman she needed to be to snag Rurick. Perhaps it was a tad predictable at times, but the story was so real and appealing. I highly recommend this one and have already passed it on.

The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels...A Love Story

Confession....Couldn't read the February book club book. It was not my cup of tea. At all. I replaced it with a good one. The Pioneer Woman's book, not cookbook. I am in the middle of cooking through both cookbooks, so I thought I'd give this book of hers a try. It was hilarious! I went to a book signing last spring and met her. She's every bit as funny in real life. The book chronicles her move back to Oklahoma, dating Marlboro Man and first year of marriage. The things that happen to her....
I especially enjoyed her take on her first pregnancy. I'm in the middle of my second pregnancy and it just cracked me up. Five weeks after the honeymoon, they find out they're pregnant. Oh. My. Goodness. If you get a chance to read it, do. She's definitely a country club, city girl turned ranch wife. It's an easy, super fun, hilarious read.