"God's Little Princess Devotional Bible" by Sheila Walsh

This little devotional Bible is written with a little girl in mind that needs to know who she is through Christ, a princess. The cover is hardback with a crown on the cover and a pink jewel embedded in the crown. The book is 337 pages filled with well known Bible stories as well as an introduction to parents in how this book can be used as a daily devotional with your little girl. Other notable features of this devotional book: "Down in my heart", which features songs that most children learn in church and ties those songs in with scripture, "Beauty Secrets", this includes tips on being beautiful (not just on the outside, but inside as well), "Bible Princesses", this illustrates various women throughout the Bible that made a difference, "My Hero", demonstrates scriptures that contains the promises of God, "Take a Bow" is mostly for fun, gives girls tips on how to make quick and easy costumes that are Bible focused, "I Adore you" puts energy to use with worship and praise songs, "Princess Charming" teaches manners and charm, "Worthy of Love" shows how to love others, "Royal Truths" demonstrates basic values straight from the Bible. This book caters to girls age 4-7 but could be used to illustrate simple truths to girls into adulthood. It was written by well known christian author, Sheila Walsh who is a member of the "Women of Faith" team that travels throughout the states ministering to women.

And the Winner is..... (Drumroll please....)

BARB HARVILL!!!!

She guessed it when she said the title of the song is "Trouble Is" by Jars of Clay.
(Thanks Barb for indulging my silliness!)

Can you guess the group and song title?

O.K., I don't know why but this song was on my mind this evening. As a matter of fact, this song was the pilot for the title of my blog. I thought for fun, we would play this game once in awhile (something different anyway). I have always loved music, it ministers to me in ways that you can't imagine. So? Can you guess the group that sings this song and the title? Sorry, unlike Deb, I don't have any prize to give you if you guess it right, except to say that you are the winner and announce it in big bold letters on my blog :)

My wings don't sail me to the sky
On my own these wings won't fly
Jesus told me so
Still I'm not so sure that I know

Can't find no rest for my soul
Can't find no rest on my own
Jesus told me so
Still I'm not so sure that I know

Man, the trouble is
We don't know who we are instead

I'll keep runnin' the other way
My heart ain't built to stay
My heart ain't built to stay
And the world just ain't that way

My heart ain't built to stay
My heart ain't built to stay
Jesus told me so

A Day to Remember at Tallulah Gorge

We arrived at "Cottontail Cottage" on a Saturday evening. We were all tired by the time we got there after 7 hours of driving and just the anticipation of a much needed vacation. We had all been counting down the days until this time. Like every road trip with family, I dreamed of being the "Cleaver's" but by the time we arrived, we were more like the "Osbourne's" (minus the potty mouth). I was tired, feeling taken for granted....I had worked so hard for this time and even though the scenery was absolutely beautiful, things between Mike and I were a little strained. I was worn out from having to watch road signs instead of the beautiful mountain scenery. I'm sure Mike was worn out from having to watch the road in unfamiliar mountainous terrain, instead of viewing the scenery. He was probably also worn out from my constant criticism of his driving. I was sad when my head hit the pillow on Tuesday night, our trip up until then had been anything but romantic. I would look at our own children with their future spouses and think silently to myself, "Seize the day, that was once us". I prayed for Mike and I as I drifted off to sleep that night...I prayed that we could love and enjoy one another's company. Then the next morning (Wednesday), I prayed that God would enable me to keep my mouth shut. Wednesday was completely different. The mood was light from the time we woke up. I knew we had intended to hike into Tallulah Gorge all week and I had said things to Mike (kinda jokingly, kinda not) like "Do you think you can do it..." We hiked down into the gorge (I forget how many thousand steps it is into the gorge), by the time we hit the bottom of the stairs, my legs were shaking. When we reached bottom, we went through the gate and would have to cross boulders in order to go into the bottom of the gorge. I froze....all of a sudden I was totally dependent on God and Mike. Mike looked at me and said, "We can do this". All of a sudden I was reminded of how safe and protected I've always felt with Mike as my husband. I was reminded that he is still very much the man that I fell in love with in 1984 - almost 25 years ago. I got to see the bravery of my husband and of my son as they both guided Stephanie and I across the slippery and wobbly rocks of a very swift river fed by a very large waterfall (called the "Hurricane). I began thanking God for His gentle reminders and from that moment on our vacation changed. This was an experience that I will always treasure. Mike said that when he counsels married couples in the future, he is going to recommend a hike into the gorge.

Our Vacation at Cottontail Cottage....

Our family plus our future son-in-law and future daughter-in-law, just returned from 7 wonderful days spent at a little cottage in the valley located near Clayton, Georgia. This cottage came highly recommended by a friend that has visited there on a routine basis over the past 4-5 years. If you go to the website for the cottage (www.cottontailcottage.com), you can see pictures and get contact information. Peter and Debbie advertise the cottage as a "little piece of heaven"....they weren't far from the truth. As we drove to the cottage, we drove through the valley with beautiful mountains as far as the eye could see surrounding the area. When we arrived, their was a fresh bouquet of flowers sitting on the table with a large plate of the best homemade cookies that I've ever eaten. The front porch to the cottage has rocking chairs and faces several bird feeders where every bird imaginable comes to feast throughout the day, along with a chipmunk or two. If you walk a couple of houses to the left of the cottage, you will see Sylvan Mills with a beautiful waterfall in the front yard, if you walk about 1/2 miles to the right of the cottage, you will see Black Rock Lake, a beautiful lake where you can fish, or take a hike (it has a trail that completely surrounds it)....a short drive from there is Black Rock Mountain State Park, a beautiful state park with several trails and some beautiful views from the mountain top. The owner's also supply linens, towels, bath soap, dish soap, laundry detergent, and paper goods. It is a fully supplied cabin with all the amenities of home. The temperature while in Clayton only reached as high as 85 (most of the people living there were complaining that it was too hot and that this was unusual). There were several neat sites to see within a short distance (an hour or less) from the cottage. There is the Dillard House which is known for it's family style foods. In Helen, Georgia is "Little Germany", it is a replica of Germany with many neat shops (but appeals mostly to the tourist. Even more intriguing on your way to Helen is Saute, where you will find some neat shops and some authentic and well made items. Two great restaurants to try while in Clayton are Granny's Kountry Kitchen where everything is cooked as ordered and only fresh vegetables are used (no canned goods). Also, "Mama G's", great Italian Food. If you are interested in flea market's or shopping for antiques, I suggest you go to Franklin, North Carolina (only about 30 minutes away) and if you are interested in hiking, you might go on some of the trails, our favorite was Tallulah Gorge (see blog about this later). I highly recommend this area if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and your usual "man-made" tourist attractions.

"Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young

This little book is a devotional book for each day of the year written from the journals of a young modern day missionary by the name of
Sarah Young. The book is in hard book form with a very appealing cover and is small enough to carry in your purse or a book bag. It is 382 pages long with an introduction from the author explaining how and why this book was written. This book came to be as Sarah went about her day to day travels and became aware of her Savior talking to her in a still, small voice on a daily basis.

I really enjoy this book as part of my devotional time because it demonstrates a God that does know us intimately. It is written in the context as if Jesus himself is speaking directly to me. Many of the writings are pertinent to events in my own life at present. At the end of each day is scripture context that go along with Sarah's writings for that day. This scripture context is particularly helpful if you are interested in scripture memorization or if you just need a Word of encouragement for the day.

Not only is this book a great addition to your own daily devotional reading but would make a great gift for that special someone.