I'm in a Mood--How's Your Day Going?

Sometimes just getting through everyday life is hard, you know? But there's always ONE thing that isn't! Haha! This is definitely my mood today. (It makes me laugh every time I see it, so I thought I'd pass it along.)

I Can Do Hard Things

Since I was told my lungs were very scarred and my lung function was permanently reduced, I knew there would be things I couldn't do. One of those things was playing my flute in public. I've been playing my flute since 8th grade and I've enjoyed playing musical numbers and being part of musical groups for a very long time. But with reduced lung function, that just didn't seem possible anymore.

 
Last week, I was asked to play a musical number in church and my immediate reaction was to say no, I'm sorry, I can't do that anymore. But I didn't. I thought about it. I looked at the music. It wasn't hard. Maybe I could do it, I told myself. I practiced it on my own and felt pretty good about it, so I went to the first rehearsal. 

It was terrible. 

After going through the number a few times, I could feel my oxygen levels getting lower, which makes it harder to think clearly, (and breathe), and I couldn't stay on count. Eventually I had to give in and tell the other ladies I just needed to go home. I felt defeated.

My husband was there when I came through the door and I told him what had happened while I tried to get my oxygen levels back up. I was frustrated. I just want to be back to how I was BEFORE--when I could go through a musical number without thinking twice about it. My husband listened and commiserated and then said, well, maybe if you practice a little each day, you can help your lungs get stronger. So, with that advice in mind, I didn't give up. I practiced a little every day, trying to strengthen my lungs enough to get the breath I needed for each note. We performed last Sunday and I'm so happy with how it turned out. It's such a beautiful song. And though the recording isn't the best, you can still hear the song pretty well. It's called, "Die Auferstehung (The Resurrection)."

Marketing Genius

Honestly, the marketing manager for these chocolate cinnamon bears was a GENIUS! Look at that little bear's face. How could you ever just walk past when he is begging you to take him home? I couldn't resist. 

Do you love chocolate-covered cinnamon bears? What's your favorite snack that you can't resist?

In the Non-Fiction Corner with Lauren

Before picking up her book Far Above Rubies, Tamara Uzelac Hall was an unfamiliar name to me. Now, I cannot wait to get my hands on everything this incredible woman has written and somehow become her best friend! I cannot say enough good about this book. 

As I was nearing the end of my reading, I was trying to calculate how much it would cost to buy a box of these books and give them to all the women in my life, it is that good! Hall is hilarious, brilliant, and has had so many experiences in her life that will make it hard to put the book down. 

Yes, a book about one proverb in the Old Testament. I, too, was skeptical that a wildly thought-provoking and insightful book could be written on just a few Old Testament verses, but now I’m wishing I could have Tamara Hall expound on every chapter of scripture for me.

One thing that I particularly loved about this book is that it is chock-full of Hebrew translations that helped me gain new meaning from these verses. The author puts them into context, translates them, and then uses an example from her own life to teach in such a beautiful way. There are also note pages after every chapter so you can record your insights as you read. 

One part of the book that struck me is that God is referred to as “I AM” in the scriptures. That is also the answer we give when someone asks us if we are willing to do something, or make a covenant. Hall writes, “Dr. Black pointed out that when we answer in His name, I Am, we acknowledge that we may not be perfect at keeping our covenants but that through His enabling power, we can.” There are so many gems like this throughout the entire book.

A five star Old Testament read!

Get your copy HERE

Here's the back copy:

Who can find a virtuous woman? This is an age-old question that can both inspire and intimidate. The saintly sister described in Proverbs 31 is nothing short of astonishing: an ideal wife and mother, a valued contributor to society, and a tireless proponent of all that is good and right. In viewing these qualities as a goal, women can often fall prey to this passage’s common outcome: feelings of discouragement and inadequacy. Many women are left to wonder, Who could possibly embody such a perfect specimen of womanhood?

With Hebrew, humor, and reassurance, author Tamara Uzelac Hall injects a much-needed dose of reality into women’s interpretation of this section of scripture with this truth: all of us are virtuous. This book teaches how to embrace the unique and impactful role you already play and will help you discover a truth that will change the way you view your life: no matter your progress on the path, thou art already a virtuous woman!

Freebie Friday for Romance Fans!

Are you looking for a little book getaway this weekend? Spring Vacation, a Timeless Romance anthology of six novellas, is free today! 

You can celebrate spring with a book vacation! 

Get your free copy here

Here's the back copy:

MOONLIGHT KISS by Josi S. Kilpack
Sarah is looking forward to the company retreat, namely because she’ll finally meet Clint—the man she’s been Instant Messaging for a few months. As a single mom, Sarah gets out . . . well, never. So adding vacation days onto the retreat so she can spend time with Clint is daring, yet exciting. She just hopes that the suave on-line Clint will live up to the man she hopes to share her heart with.

CHASING TESS by Annette Lyon
Tess had been patiently waiting through three years of law school for James to pop the question. The night has finally arrived—at his graduation party. But his big announcement turns out to be completely unexpected . . . and devastating. Tess flees the party, promising herself she’ll never let herself waste time on James again. But as she makes a desperate cross-country drive, James makes his own plans on how to win her back.

DANCING AT THE FLEA MARKET by Heather Justesen
Mara, fresh out of the cold North Dakota tundra, spends her spring break in Texas with close friend, Anna. When the two women run into Carter, an impatient man with a painful past, it takes hearing Mara’s stunning voice at the local Karaoke club to thaw his heart. But as Mara gets to know Carter, she has to decide if the distance between their lives and homes is worth trying to bridge.

THE BEST LAID PLANS by Sarah M. Eden
Madison gives up a vacation to Cancún with her office friends to return home and babysit her mother, who is in another sketchy relationship. The only problem with returning home is running into Derek, her ex-boyfriend who she decided to break up with before he could break up with her—Madison believes in always being one step ahead. When Derek teams up with Madison to investigate whether her mother is dating the right guy, Madison has a hard time ignoring what her heart is telling her about giving Derek another chance.

PICTURE PERFECT by Heather B. Moore
Gemma has never done anything out of the ordinary, until her boyfriend Randy starts to ignore her. But even cutting and dyeing her hair doesn’t get his attention. She decides to join her old high school friends for spring vacation, only to be faced with Drew, her best friend who suddenly seems interested in her as more than a friend. Gemma must determine if her heart is on the rebound or if it’s finally met its true match.

THE SCIENCE OF SENTIMENT by Aubrey Mace
Rosie will do anything to forget Kevin, his completely perfect kisses, and the fact that he dumped her. When she arrives at her grandfather’s mountain cabin for a spring getaway, she discovers her worst nightmare—Kevin has been invited to stay the weekend too. Since there is only room for one in such a small space, Rosie is determined to kick Kevin out. But Kevin has other plans . . . which might include a reminder of why he’s the perfect kisser.

Do You Like to Color?

I am so excited that "A Métis Christmas Coloring Book" is finally here! I loved the artwork for my children's book, "A Métis Christmas: Thelma's Gift" and thought some of the scenes would be so perfect as a coloring book. And now you can try your hand at coloring the beautiful Métis folk art and other scenes! 

It's a perfect way for adults and children alike to connect with Métis culture through art and highlight some of the things they learned when they read the book!

You can get your coloring book HERE. 

Sometimes Life Doesn't Go As Planned

Since I was told my lungs were very scarred and my lung function was permanently reduced, I knew there would be things I couldn't do. One of those things was playing my flute in public. I've been playing my flute since 8th grade and I've enjoyed playing musical numbers and being part of musical groups for a very long time. But with reduced lung function, that just didn't seem possible anymore.

Last week, I was asked to play a musical number in church and my immediate reaction was to say no, I'm sorry, I can't do that anymore. But I didn't. I thought about it. I looked at the music. It wasn't hard. Maybe I could do it, I told myself. I practiced it on my own and felt pretty good about it, so I went to the first rehearsal. 

It was terrible. 

After going through the number a few times, I could feel my oxygen levels getting lower, which makes it harder to think clearly, (and breathe), and I couldn't stay on count. Eventually I had to give in and tell the other ladies I just needed to go home. I felt defeated.

My husband was there when I came through the door and I told him what had happened while I tried to get my oxygen levels back up. I was frustrated. I just want to be back to how I was BEFORE--when I could go through a musical number without thinking twice about it. My husband listened and commiserated and then said, well, maybe if you practice a little each day, you can help your lungs get stronger. 

So, with that advice in mind, I'm not going to give up just yet. I'm practicing with the hope that my lungs can improve enough to give me the breath I need for each note. It's a little scary, actually, but I feel like I have to at least try. Hopefully I don't embarrass myself or ruin the musical number for the other ladies. Wish me luck!