Sadness

I'm dreaming of a warm beach... sand to sink my toes into...warm, salty, blue water....a week away from work...and time with a good friend. I was really hoping to take a cruise next month. It was all riding on my income tax return. It doesn't look like I'm going to have enough to go, and that's made me very sad. I'm really hoping to be able to scrape together the rest of the money, but it's not looking promising. I hate living paycheck to paycheck. Just enough for the necessities in life, and no extra for any fun. Sometimes I wish people would have explained this to me in high school-- I so would have picked a different career path.

Weigh in Day--Week 3

This week has been a little more difficult when it comes to my weight loss goals. I had cravings for the first time since starting the diet... and my body feels tired from all the exercise, so my daily exercise routing has been a bit more challenging. Because I had managed my calories so well, the days I had cravings, I just went ahead and got the food. And I was able to stay close to my calorie goals. Yes, I did go over those days, but I think deprivation is the worst, because if you don't feed your craving, you will totally splurge eventually and knock yourself way off your goals. I have exercised every day this week, but I think my body is telling me I need to rest. So today, I took a slow stroll with the dog to the front of my apartment complex and back. it took all of about 10-15 minutes, but I think that's all the exercise I will do today. Oh, and the good news is--I lost 2 1/2 more pounds! So that's a total of 6 in the last 3 weeks! Slow and steady wins the race! I have a very good friend who is a nutritionist, and she's helping me with my goals, so I thank her very much for that. She knows me, understands me, and is not going to make me eat anything I don't like! That's important! I'm hoping to keep up the momentum! If I keep it up, then in another 4 weeks, I will be halfway to my goal! Yay me!

I will all of you luck in your goals! If I can do it, anyone can!

Where in the World?

So, I got to thinking, and just wondering--where do the people who read my blog live? So, do me a favor. I just want to know you stopped by! Please reply to this post with where you live in this grand world. I just would like to know how far this blog reaches. I know that I've had readers from places like Argentina and Australia. So, please leave me a note! And thank you for stopping by my little corner! God Bless You!

New Facebook page

I started a facebook page to show off my photography... Check it out here: Serendipitous Moments Photography .
Eventually I will start a photography blog too!

Weigh In Day

Well, I only lost one pound this week. But, according to the scale, I lost 3 the first week...so that's 4 in two weeks. Not bad! I really hope I can keep at this momentum and not give up. I've got 29 more pounds to lose!

I'm tired of being overweight. I'm tired of not feeling good. I'm tired of being uncomfortable. I want to look in the mirror and feel "Hot"! I want someone to ask me on a date because he is attracted to the way I look, not my personality!! So, I will be working hard on this!

I haven't even wanted anything fattening! I think that's a good thing. No cravings...yet! But I'm sure they're coming. I do allow myself one "cheat" per week. Not cheat day, but cheat meal. And this week's will come on Saturday night. I am so looking forward to that pizza!

You'll notice I have a new header. Thanks to my friend, and fellow blogger, Natalie for the tutorial...Check out her blog here. Anyway, let me know what you think!

I don't really have much to say today...I'm on a hard quest to lose some weight and get healthy...I'm hoping the scale shows me great things this Thursday(week 2). I have been eating healthy, trying to hit 1500 calories or less a day. Haven't quite hit it everyday, but I've come very close, so that should be reflected. I am also trying to exercise everyday for 30 minutes. I bought the Dirty Dancing workout video. Dirty Dancing is my favorite movie, and I love to dance, so it seemed like a perfect fit. And it is! I have so much fun with it, but it does it's job...makes me sweat!

Anyway...
Please hold me accountable. I will try and remember to post my results each Thursday on my blog. I would appreciate any encouragement because it's not easy, and I really want to lose 30 pounds! I have been unsuccessful in the past, but I'm dedicated this time!

Thanks for stopping by my little corner on the Internet!

Amy Inspired, By Bethany Pierce

I seem to be sticking to a theme in my reading lately, and it's not intentional. The book I just finished is called "Amy Inspired". It's about a 30 year old woman, who's looking for inspiration for her writing as well as in her life. Amy is a writer, but to support her dream, she also teaches college classes. She doesn't think she's very good at her "day" job, but you learn, she really is a good teacher. You see this in the story in the way she interacts with her students. Amy is a single woman, who seems to always fall for the wrong guy...we meet her as she ends things with one of these men... and throughout the book, she wants to make sure she's turning the page on this, and headed down the right path. After all, she is 30 and still single. It seems when she finally just stops trying so hard, all her dreams begin to come true...

This was a good book... It took me a while to get into...the first few chapters were pretty slow. But I did enjoy it. I would recommend this book to any 20 or 30 something woman who's still single and trying to find your place in this life.

Bethany House provided me a free copy of Amy Inspired for my honest review.

Prayers Please

Right now, I'm going through something spiritually and emotionally...and I really don't know what's going on. I just feel disconnected from everyone...and I've cried a lot. I've got a lot going on in my head, and I've been praying that God will show me exactly what's going on. So, I'm asking you, my fellow bloggers from all over the world, to please say a prayer for me today. Pray that I will be able to make sense of all of this. Pray that whatever it is, I will become a stronger, better person on the other side. Pray for peace.

A Snowy, Icy Mess

Well this week has been quite interesting. I live in the deep south, and I'm not used to getting snow.
When we do, it's usually only a dusting...2 inches at the most. Sunday night, into Monday, Chattanooga, Tennessee, got eight inches of snow!
I've never seen anything like it.


It caused lots of road issues, and it's just been a slushy mess, as it starts to melt and then freeze over again. Today, I will drive my car to work for the first time, because my apartment complex has been a complete sheet of ice for 5 days! I learned something through all this. I never want to live in a climate where winters are full of snow! Bring on the warmth!

A little reflection

Today my pastor said something in his sermon that got me thinking. He said he always thinks back to what happened last year that changed him forever...and thinks ahead, wondering what will change him in 2011. It got me thinking...what in 2010 changed me forever? I haven't really thought about the end of the year, the beginning of the next, until today. I've been so busy since Christmas. But I believe reflecting on the year past is important to looking toward the future. There are four things that I can think of that, I believe, either changed me, or showed me who I am.


The first was the Haiti earthquake. No, I wasn't directly affected by it, but it did have an effect on me. I work in news, and when something big happens in this world, I can't get away from it, since I work in it everyday. I remember when Katrina happened. I cried for days at the visions of the devastation, the people hurting, the people who died. When I left work, I would not turn on the TV, because I wanted to rest from those images. This time was no different. I ached for the Haitians. I wanted to help them--do anything. I wanted to rescue some of the children left orphaned by the devastation. It reminded me that I am a compassionate person. That I am capable of feeling pain and love for those I've never met. This made a difference in me because it showed me a side to myself that I think I may have forgotten. You don't have to know someone personally to love them. News has made me hard when it comes to feeling, but I still hurt for these Haitians...and when Cholera broke out there, and then a hurricane passed over these people living in tents, I cried all over again...scared for these people who've lost so much.

The other events in my life that made big impacts are personal.

In June, I made a monumental decision. I decided to stay in Chattanooga. I decided, at least for the time being, to make Chattanooga my home. This came about the time I was contacted by a news station in Albuquerque, New Mexico, wanting me to come work for them. The job more than intrigued me. Deep inside, I wanted to go. I love adventure, and the thought of moving to an area of the country in which I've never lived fascinated me. But I started to think about it, and pray about it. I have such great friends here, a great church, and I live in a wonderful city, plus, I like the people I work with. So I decided not to go to Albuquerque, and I decided to renew my contract here in the Scenic City. This was a decision that I believe marked a huge change in my life. I no longer feel the need to "run". Maybe that's not what I was doing. I don't know. For some reason, after my contract has ended in times past, I always decided to leave. It was always a chance for a fresh start. Because I moved so much, I have met many wonderful people...and I love that I am able to keep in touch with many of them. But there's just something about saying my home is in_________. For the first time, when someone asks me where I am from, I don't say "Alabama" (where I grew up). I say I'm from Tennessee.

You know, death is something that changes people. Two very different people, who have played roles in my life, went to their Heavenly reward this year.


My grandmother, Ruth Moore, has been a very big part of my life since the day I was born. We got really close when I was in college. I lived with her for three years. After I left, we would have long conversations on the phone, and we always looked forward to the times we had to visit with each other. We shared books, we shared secrets, we shared our lives with each other. We were like best friends. But this year, she got sick again. Her Ovarian cancer came back, and most of this year my family and I watched her get sicker and sicker, until her body just couldn't handle anymore. The day she passed away, I cried so hard and so much that I literally got sick. But since then, I haven't cried much. Just a few tears here and there. I think I'm just so happy that she doesn't hurt anymore. The hope that we have in Christ is that this life isn't it. There is a wonderful something waiting on the other side. And because of that, I believe she lived her life and now, she's running and jumping and smiling in Heaven. I cherish every moment I got to spend with her.

The other death came just days ago.

A former co-worker of mine had liver cancer that ravaged her body. Susie was just 34 when she went "home". I hadn't seen Susie in five years...since I worked in Huntsville, Alabama. She and I had gotten back in touch, via Facebook, several months before she got sick. Even thought we hadn't been close friends, this really affected me. I think it's because I'm 32...Susie was just a little bit older than me. So young. I think it just really reminded me how short life is, and the importance of living every moment to the fullest. I went to her funeral--her life celebration. It was amazing the people who loved Susie--The people whose lives she touched! Susie was the type of person that made the room sunshine when she walked in. I remember working in the newsroom with her. Everyone could have a negative attitude, but I never heard negativity come out of her mouth. I think we all need to strive to be like Susie. Click here to see more about Susie.

I believe your experiences shape you into who you are. I've been told by some that I'm a much different, better person today, than I was just 10 years ago, and I just hope that I continue to change to be the person I need to be. So, here's looking to 2011. I haven't made any New Year's resolutions, other than I want to get healthy, physically and emotionally. I believe I am well on my way.

In 2011, two friends that are my age got married for the first time, giving me hope that there's still someone out there for me. I moved to a new apartment, I made new friends, I reconnected with old friends, I went on one of the best vacations of all time--a cruise to the Bahamas with a very special friend. And I am much more at peace today than I was a year ago with who I am and where I find myself in life. That's a good thing.

Thanks for sharing life with me, fellow bloggers, and followers of this blog. I hope 2011 is full of blessings for all of you.

Merry Christmas!

I just want to say Merry Christmas to all of my readers. Beginning tomorrow I will be spending Christmas week with my family--and I am so excited. I work in Television news, and we don't always get holidays off, so it's always a treat when we do. So, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with the people you love. Remember the reason for the season... JESUS!!!!
Here is the story of why we celebrate Christmas from the Bible:

Luke 2
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Matthew 2
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’[b]”

7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

A friend sent me this story in my email... it's worth reading!:::

The man slowly looked up. This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life. His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before.

"Leave me alone," he growled... To his amazement, the woman continued standing. She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows.

"Are you hungry?" she asked.

"No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president.. Now go away."

The woman's smile became even broader.

Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm. "What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone."

Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked.

"No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?"

The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?"

"See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile."

"Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up. "Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything.."

"This is a good deal for you, Jack," the officer answered. "Don't blow it."

Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived.

The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table. "What's going on here, officer?" he asked.."What is all this, is this man in trouble?"

"This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered.

"Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business."

Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go, I didn't want to come here in the first place."

The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled. "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?"

"Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms."

"And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?"

"What business is that of yours?"

"I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."

"Oh.." The woman smiled again.. "I thought that might make a difference."

She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a laugh. "Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?"

"No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty."

"Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?"

"Yes, ma'am. That would be very nice."

The cafeteria manager turned on his heel. "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer."

The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said.

"That was not my intent.... Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."

She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently.

"Jack, do you remember me?"

Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes. "I think so -- I mean you do look familiar."

"I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."

"Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.

"I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment.. I walked the streets for days.. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat."

Jack lit up with a smile.. "Now I remember," he said. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy."

"I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble.. Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew then that everything would be all right."

"So you started your own business?" Old Jack said.

"I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered.." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons. He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office."

She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet. If you ever need anything, my door is always open to you."

There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you?" he asked.

"Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. He led me to you."

Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways.. "Thank you for your help officer," she said..

"On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered. "Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget, And thank you for the coffee.."

Book Review for "Hatteras Girl"

Jackie is a journalist, but it's not her dream job. Her dream is to run a bed and breakfast--one from which she has good memories from her childhood. Her family's dream is to see her get married to a good man. So, she's gone on countless blind dates, and at 30, she's convinced she may never get married. But then something wonderful happens...her journalistic job brings her to a man that not only can make her dreams come true with the Bed and Breakfast, but she believes he may also offer her something she's never had before...true love. Is he the one? Or has "the one" been under her nose all along?

I loved this book... it reminded me of myself in many ways. I am also a journalist, and I'm also single and over 30. This book made me laugh at the lengths one can go through to not only reach toward a dream, but also to reach toward love...and the lengths family members will go to to help you find love. I would definitely recommend this book to women who are looking for a good laugh, and even a good cry...it's the ultimate "chick" book! I didn't want it to end...I wanted to see where it went...

There was one part of the book that I felt like skipped several chapters...it's like all of a sudden, she was dating someone...but we didn't find out exactly how it happened. I wish the author would have went into more detail.

I was provided a complimentary copy of "Hatteras Girl" by Bethany House Publishers for my honest review.

Happy Birthday, Robbie

Happy Birthday Baby Brother, on what would have been you 29th birthday. Wow, how time flies. It seems like just yesterday, we were teenagers, cutting up and laughing, or fighting like brothers and sisters do. I miss that. I miss you. Everyday I miss you. Do you get birthday gifts in Heaven? I sure hope so. Although, I know everyday with Jesus is a gift. And now you have Grandmama there to celebrate with you on your special day. I'm so jealous. I miss her, too.

I love you Robbie, and although I only had you here on earth for 15 years, you're always in my heart. I've posted this poem before, but this poem says it all...I carry you in my heart.


"I Carry You in My Heart"
E.E. Cummings
(an excerpt)
Here is the deepest secret no one knows.
Here is the root of the root... and the bud of the bud...
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life... which grows higher than the soul can hope... or mind can hide.
It is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart.
I carry your heart. I carry it in my heart.

An American Holiday

these are pictures from last Thanksgiving.




I love Thanksgiving. It's all about the food and family. There are no gifts involved, just the gift of each other's presence-- that's the most important thing. This year, just as in many years past...I don't get to be with my family on Thanksgiving. I will be working. But I do get to be with my family on Friday and for the weekend. And I am very excited. My brother (another I was blessed with through marriage) and his family will be at my dad's for Thanksgiving. I love them dearly...my niece and nephew are so cute and sweet... But they live in Chicago...and I very rarely get to see them. So this year I'm thankful for the time I will get to spend, not only with my dad and step-mom, but also the time I will have with Chris, Francoise, Raphael and Olivia. So even tho I won't be there to see them on THursday, I will cherish my time Friday...because it is definitely a gift.

Within My Heart- By Tamera Alexander

I just finished reading the book "Within My Heart" by Tamera Alexander, and I have to say, I really enjoyed this book. The story takes place in the 1800s in Colorado. THe book has two central characters The first is a woman who is trying to raise her two sons alone, and survive, after her husband is killed. Her father was a doctor and she was able to learn a lot from him, which helped her care for others when needed. The second character, a doctor who, for some reason, decided to move out west and offer this town medical care. The doctor very quickly falls in love with this widowed mother of two, but she won't have anything to do with him. SHe thinks he is arrogant, plus, there's no way she is going to allow herself to fall in love with anyone else. Her love died. After she is injured, she begins to see things a bit differently, and this opens her to possibilities that she never dreamed of.

This book, for the most part is very good. IT explores the possibility of love when you feel that has been taken away from you. It also explores friendship. The reader is also taken through tragedy and hardship, but in the end, even after all of that, the main characters survive...a bit stronger than before.

Don't let the first chapter fool you...keep reading. I really felt the first chapter just didn't belong in the book. It takes you WAY back in time, and truthfully, it's not engaging at all! I felt this "memory" could have been added somewhere inside the context of the book. But overall, a very good read.

Bethany House provided me with a copy of this book for my honest review.

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A Wedding and a Funeral

The weekend of October 22-24 started as a very happy weekend, and took a huge turn to make it one of the saddest weekend's of my life.

On Thursday, October 21st, I flew to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for the wedding of my college roommate, and very dear friend, Jill. Jill and I are both in our early 30s, so this was a very special occasion. She finally met the love of her life, and we celebrated that! It was so great spending time with her during her special weekend. We shared a room like old times, and stayed up late talking both Thursday and Friday night. I even got to take many of her wedding pictures, since I am getting into photography....my gift to her. She got married on Saturday, October 23rd.

On Sunday, October 24th, I flew back home. My plane arrived back in Chattanooga at 11:30am. Around one o'clock that afternoon, my phone rang. I was napping, so I let it go to voicemail. But it didn't. Instead it started ringing again. So, I looked at the phone to find it was my mother calling. My grandmother, who had been sick for some time went to be with the Lord that Sunday morning.

My grandmother and I have been close since I was in college. My junior year, I transferred to a new school and decided to live with her rather than live on campus. Since then, we have been the best of friends. So, although I knew it was coming, this was devastating news to me. So, after traveling to Pittsburgh, I repacked my suitcase, and got in the car and headed south, to Mobile, where my grandmother's funeral would be held.

I did get a gift, though. My grandmother had been staying at my mom's for some time. The weekend before, I had been home and got to see her, to talk to her, to tell her how much I loved her. She got to express that to me as well. I will always thank God for that opportunity, that gift, since I do live nearly four hours away.



On a different note, yesterday marked the five year anniversary of this blog's existence. I thank all of you for reading. It's amazing to think that people are interested in what I have to say.

Is this your new house?

I am not one to use my blog to sell things, but this is important. My family really needs to sell my grandmother's house. So if you live in the Mobile, Alabama, area, or have plans to move there, or know someone who needs a house in the Mobile area, please consider this house. Here's the link. Thank you!

Rainy Days

I have a friend that I've adopted as my "little sister". She wrote this poem, and it spells out what I love about a summer rain! So I asked Olivia if I could share it...Oh, I almost forgot to mention. Olivia is 14! Here it is:



The grass is alive in a vibrant and vivid green.
An elegant color, such as this, is rarely seen.
A summer rain is falling, showering the ground,
Nourishing every plant’s roots that it has found.
Beads of raindrops are visible on every growing leaf,
The summer heat is not blaring; it’s a relief.
I am relaxed and calmed, as it taps on my windowpane,
But I refuse to sit here inside; I want to feel the rain.
So I hurry outside, and the rain soaks into my hair.
Water droplets fall on my tongue, as I stick it into the air.
The rain drenches my body from my head to my feet,
As it continues to cover my backyard in steady sheets.
My body is refreshed, as the gentle rain drizzles.
The tranquil rain is so peaceful, as it sprinkles.
I can’t help myself; like a kid I must skip and run.
A rainbow of pastel colors appears-
While shining through it arrives the sun.

Review for "Catching Moondrops"

It's 1938 in a small Virginia town. It's a time when the color of your skin determines the staion you hold in society. White men think they're superior, and in many of their eyes, it's okay to do anything, even murder, to put others in their place.

That's the setting for "Catching Moondrops", by Jennifer Erin Valent. Tyndale House Pubishers provided me with an advanced reader copy, and I absolutely loved it.

18-year-old Jessilyn lives in a time when it's not okay for black people and white people to be friends. But her family invited a young, black girl to live as a part of their family when her parents died. So, Jessilyn and Gemma grew up, not only as sisters, but as best friends. Jessilyn's parents even viewed Gemma as a daughter. That didn't sit too well with the town folk. Then a black doctor moved to town. As you can imagin, this ruffled a few feathers as well.

I loved this book. It attempts to break down the walls of prejudice. Several times in the book, a statement is made: Just because someone is born with darker skin (or lighter), doesn't mean the person is different, or bad, or not as good as you. I wish some living in today's society would realize this fact. Everyone loves, hurts, laughs, and cries.

This book is a love story, but it's also written by a Christian author. Many times, Christian authors leave details about intimacy out. I'm guessing they do this to keep from offending readers, but when they do that, they leave out some very real facts. Many will just say, then they kissed. Okay? Well what did they feel? This book describes kisses and touches, and tells you what Jessilyn is feeling in those moments. They are described in good taste, but the point is, they are described. I loved that because there's always a feeling that goes along with any intimate moment.

Many would believe fiction books are only that: Fiction. I would challenge that thought and say you can sometimes learn a lot from fiction. This is one of those books. Jessilyn and her family teach the reader a lot about love for your neighbor.

One of my favorite statements in this book: "The memories of where we were, remind us of how we got to where we are." We should always remember how we got to our place in life. That, my friend, is very important.