Living Hope (Documentary DVD)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the dvd from Edify Media in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the movie- 

Living Hope is the story of three extraordinary individuals who have devoted their lives to serving the poor in South Africa.

John Thomas, a pastor who is leading his church to serve the sick, hungry, and dying in the communities that surround them. Journey beside John through the neighborhoods where they work, meet the people their ministry has impacted, and hear from his heart why they chose to make a stand for the poor.

Joey Lankford, a businessman and father of four who moved his young family from the United States to Cape Town. Journey beside Joey as he equips men and women with job skills, and leads them out of the bondage of poverty.

Leonie Rustin, a single mom and nursing assistant, who turned from a life of crippling drug addiction to follow Christ. Journey beside Leonie as she attempts to help other in her community unshackle the chains of addiction and prostitution.

My thoughts- 

There is nothing that touches my heart more than seeing people who devote their lives to helping other people. Most peole have probably heard of the AIDS epidemic in Africa, but the three people featured in this documentary have made it their life's work to take care of the people effected in South Africa by AIDS and by poverty. I liked that the documentary featured three different people because it showed how there could be three entirely different journeys with the same end goal, to help the impoverished and the ill. These three individuals come from three very different walks of life, all felt led by God to help with this ministry and while each of their journey's to get there and the roles that they play are completely different, together they make a huge different in the community for the Living Hope ministry. There was one especially touching story of a man who's wife needed to have an operation due to cancer that they could not afford and seeing what happened when a bunch of people, some from the other side of the world in the United States, came together in several small ways to make one big, life changing gesture. Living Hope gives us a glimpse into the lives of missionaries, of a pastor, and of a former addict with a common goal, to help people who really need their help. I would recommend this movie to anyone at all. I think it's one of those movies that everyone should see.

Connect with Living Hope on Facebook
Living Hope website

Watch the trailer below-

When Calls the Heart: Troubled Hearts

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the movie from Edify Media in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the show-

When Calls the Heart the television series is inspired by Janette Oke's best selling book series about the Canadian West. The show is about Elizabeth Thatcher (Erin Krakow) a young teacher born into high society and used to many creature comforts being thrust into her first teaching assignment in Coal Valley, a very small and simple coal mining town. Coal Valley has experienced a huge tragedy at the mines recently, leaving most of the town's women widoows. Lori Laughlin plays Abigail Stanton, one of the widows and Daniel Lissing plays Jack Thornton, the Constable who sees Elizabeth to town. Living in a turn of the century coal town, Elizabeth must learn to adjust to living in the rural west all on her own.

About the episodes- Elizabeth surprises Jack with a home of her own; Abigail learns of Gowen's latest greedy scheme; Frank's past catches up to him

My thoughts-

I am so glad Elizabeth and Jack are back to their lovey dovey selves after the tension in season 2! There is plenty of drama to go around in Hope Valley even when they are as happy as can be. Abigail has some trouble with Cody finishing his homework assignment at school and being rambunctious in general until Jack discovers the root of the problem. Meanwhile, Pastor Frank's past comes back to haunt him in the form of an old "friend" who happens to be in town. As always, there are laugh out loud moments when Lee and Rosemary
have scenes, which is a nice change of pace during all of the other drama that happens during the show. By the end of the dvd all of the big dramatic situations have been resolved, so it was nice not to be left hanging. 

When Calls the Heart: Troubled Hearts also included a couple of bonus features. One is a look at Jack's journey from the beginning when he came to Hope Valley all the way through the present and a great feature on the "Hearties" When Calls the Hearts devoted fan base. As a big fan of the show, it was nice to see an entire feature about what the fans bring to the show!

Watch the trailer -


Connect with When Calls the Heart-

When Calls the Heart is inspired by a series of novels by Janette Oke. You can find these novels on Amazon.com.

Connect with Hallmark Channel on Facebook
Connect with Hallmark Channel on Twitter
Connect with Hallmark Channel on Pinterest
When Calls the Heart on Hallmark Channel

When Calls the Heart the TV Series on Facebook

Little Chickies by Susie Jaramillo (Book Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

Little Chickies is based on "Los Pollitos Dicen" (Little Chickies Squeal), one of the most popular nursery rhymes in Spanish (as popular as "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" is in English). A wonderful homage to a mother and her kids, the nursery rhyme centers on adorable baby chicks hatching from their eggs and crying out that they're hungry and their resourceful mama hen taking care of them.

Canticos has developed an innovative reversible design that offers the continuous original story in its native Spanish language one one side, and a new rhyming English language version on the other. A reader can read the story through one one side, get to the end, and flip the book to read the story in the second language. The English adaptation of the song is as catchy and lyrical as the Spanish version and sure to enchant new audiences not familiar with the original song. The book is also interactive, with lift-the-flap* and turn-the-wheel novelty features to encourage interaction and fine motor skills.

My thoughts-

Little Chickies is a fascinating way to introduce your little ones to the world of languages. Seeing the same book with words both in Spanish and English with precious pictures would help both the Spanish speaking child venturing into the word of English and a great way to introduce English speaking children to a new language and a new culture. I would love to see this become a series of books with other Spanish nursery rhymes featured. I absolutely recommend this book to any parent.

Only in Naples by Katherine Wilson (Book Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

In the tradition of M. F. K. Fisher and Peter Mayle, this enchantingly warm and witty memoir follows American-born Katherine Wilson on her adventures abroad, where a three-month rite of passage in Naples turns into a permanent embrace of this boisterous city on the Mediterranean. It is all thanks to a surprising romance, a new passion for food, and a spirited woman who will become her mother-in-law—and teach her to laugh, to seize joy, and to love.


My thoughts-

I love reading books about people who have moved to foreign countries. I am an avid traveler and it is possible in my free time I day dream about high tailing it out of the States and moving to France or Switzerland. Since I can't do that I like to live vicariously through others and Naples sounded like a fantastic place to learn about. I  obviously enjoyed reading about the culture, the food, and the romantic notion of studying abroad, but what I loved more was learning about Katherine Wilson's family (THE Wilson family, as in the sporting goods company), and her in laws that she inherited as she fell in love in Naples. I enjoyed having a glimpse into  falling in love in Italy, having an Italian mother in law and coming together mainly through food for pretty much any situation. I am, also a sucker for books that include recipes at the end, so that really sealed the deal of my enjoyment of Only in Naples. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading about other cultures, Italy, food, or has ever considered moving abroad. It was a great read and I feel more acquainted with Naples than before. It has been added to my never ending list of places I must visit someday!

The Gospel According to Ruth: A Season of Harvest 121 Days of Devotions by Kevin Foster (Book Review)

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

The Gospel According to Ruth: A Season of Harvest is an inspiring devotional that draws out many metaphors found in the story of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz. Leaving Moab to return to Bethlehem was not a journey made with much hope but God drew them to Bethlehem His house of bread to provide for them and all the world. Filled with Scriptural applications, this harvest-themed devotional will guide your soul on a 121-day passage. 

There are four major divisions within this devotional that explores the Christian calling, the Christian labor, the Christian rest and finally, Christian marriage in the Lord.

This devotional study in the book of Ruth has over 1000 related bible verses. The seven major feast of Israel are surveyed along with the Promised Land from Bethlehem, Jericho, the Jordan River, the Dead Sea and the wilderness crossing.

Both Old and New Testament stories intersect the cross of Christ and come alive on the pages of this book.

This devotional also has a companion 58-page pocket book titled, Poems from The Gospel According to Ruth, along with an unabridged audiobook.

My thoughts-

When I reach for my Bible for encouragement often times I turn straight to Ruth. The book of Ruth has always brought me comfort, and Ruth has always been a role model for me to look up to for as long as I can remember. I have never seen a devotional quite like The Gospel According to Ruth. This book contains 121 days of Devotions all derived from the book of Ruth. I thought that I already had got all I ever could get out of Ruth, but this extensive study proved me wrong. I like that the devotional is meaty and not fluffy and light like many other devotionals tend to be. I also liked that at the end of each devotional there was a tie in to the lesson in Ruth, many times from another book of the Bible. I think Kevin Foster took the idea of a devotional on a specific book of the Bible and truly included every lesson to be learned. I enjoyed The Gospel According to Ruth and would recommend this book to anyone looking to be encouraged and strengthened. 

Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride & Prejudice by Curtis Sittenfeld (Book Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

From the “wickedly entertaining” (USA Today) Curtis Sittenfeld, New York Times bestselling author of Prep and American Wife, comes a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Equal parts homage to Jane Austen and bold literary experiment, Eligible is a brilliant, playful, and delicious saga for the twenty-first century.
 
This version of the Bennet family—and Mr. Darcy—is one that you have and haven't met before: Liz is a magazine writer in her late thirties who, like her yoga instructor older sister, Jane, lives in New York City. When their father has a health scare, they return to their childhood home in Cincinnati to help—and discover that the sprawling Tudor they grew up in is crumbling and the family is in disarray.
 
Youngest sisters Kitty and Lydia are too busy with their CrossFit workouts and Paleo diets to get jobs. Mary, the middle sister, is earning her third online master's degree and barely leaves her room, except for those mysterious Tuesday-night outings she won't discuss. And Mrs. Bennet has one thing on her mind: how to marry off her daughters, especially as Jane's fortieth birthday fast approaches.
 
Enter Chip Bingley, a handsome new-in-town doctor who recently appeared on the juggernaut reality TV dating show Eligible. At a Fourth of July barbecue, Chip takes an immediate interest in Jane, but Chip's friend neurosurgeon Fitzwilliam Darcy reveals himself to Liz to be much less charming. . . . 
 
And yet, first impressions can be deceiving.
 
Wonderfully tender and hilariously funny, Eligible both honors and updates Austen's beloved tale. Tackling gender, class, courtship, and family, Sittenfeld reaffirms herself as one of the most dazzling authors writing today.

My thoughts- 

I am definitely your typical literary geek obsessed with all things Jane Austen, particular things Pride & Prejudice related, more particularly things Mr. Darcy related. I will literally read any take on my absolute favorite classic romance. It is fun to see it re-imagined with a fresh voice, and in Eligible it is interesting to see it through a modern tale. I couldn't believe how witty and fun this book was, while still catching the essence of all of the characters from the original novel. I liked that to modernize the story there were some necessary changes made to the characters and interesting new plot points that still manage to fit into the parameter of Austen's novel. My only complaint is regarding Liz and Darcy's relationship. There just isn't the right amount of romance for my taste. Their story was still told well and built up in the right way, but I found the book lacking in this department. I still enjoyed the book and thought Curtis Sittenfeld did an excellent job re-telling the story. I would recommend this book to Jane Austen lovers, obviously, but I would also recommend it to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance stories. 

Simple Pleasures by Marianne Jantzie Blog Tour + Book Review

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own. 

About the book: 

Simple Pleasures: Stories from My Life as an Amish Mother (MennoMedia, March 2016)

Young Amish homemaker Marianne Jantzi invites readers into her family's life on the snowy plains of Ontario.

The mother of four young children and wife of a storekeeper, Jantzi writes about her daily routines and heartfelt faith with equal measures of wit and warmth. Sewing, cleaning, cooking, gardening, and helping to manage the store take up most hours in her day, but Jantzi finds time to pen columns for the Connection, a magazine beloved by Amish and Mennonite readers across the United States and Canada. Never sugarcoating the frustrations of motherhood, Jantzi tells it like it is, broken washing machine and bickering children and all. But through her busy days, Jantzi finds strength in simple pleasures of family, fellowship with her Amish community, and quiet time with God. 

My thoughts-

I am intrigued by the Amish community. I read a lot of Amish fiction novels and I know a lot of them are not completely based in reality so it is nice to be able to have books like Simple Pleasures to really get a good look into the lives of these fascinating people. What I learned from Simple Pleasures is that the Amish are not all that different from us. Sure they don't use electronics or cars or other modern day conveniences, but they do have many of the same challenges as your average parent. Kids will be kids no matter how they are brought up and everyone is entitled to a bad mood or two. What I took away from the book was that the Amish are not perfect, nobody is. What I enjoyed most about this book was just reading about Marianne's life. About her kids helping her in the kitchen and wanting a dairy farm, about buying random chickens, and getting a pet and all of the many other adventures with her family. 

About the author

Marianne Jantzi is an Amish write and homemaker in Ontario, Canada. Jantzi, a former teacher in an Amish school, is now writes her own column"Northern Reflections" for The Connection, a publication read mainly by Amish and other plain communities in the United States and Canada. Jantzi, her husband and four children run a shoe store in the Milverton Amish settlement of Ontario.