Finished: Miriam

Definitely a book for girls - probably seventh or eighth grade due to the girlfriend/boyfriend references of two 16 year olds. Not heavy on the romance, the story is more about the friendship of two girls, one of whom is a Jew, and is forced to leave her home as the Gestapo sweeps through Norway during World War II. The book relates, in a simple yet impacting way, some of the sufferings that Jews - and their friends - endured, without being frightening. It is a good book to begin to open our children's eyes to some of the atrocities, without terrifying them.

Originally published in Norway and translated by Pat Shaw Iversen.

Miriam, Aimee Sommerfelt, 1960

Finished: The Small War of Sergeant Donkey

This book is a heroic reminder of those that did small works to defeat the enemy in 1945...even young boys and their donkeys. Wholeheartedly recommended to 5th grade boys and girls alike, with some clarification being provided on some of the Catholic references contained within.

The Small War of Sergeant Donkey, Maureen Daly, 1966

Finished: Blue Willow

A real treasure written in 1940, this book is on par with the themes of Lois Lenski's Strawberry Girl, and the like.

Janey is a young girl, having to travel from place to place as her father finds work to support her and her mother. He is altogether hard-working and provides well for his family, under the circumstances, but Janey yearns for a place to call home.

I'd recommend it primarily to fifth grade girls, although boys would do well to understand the hardships of this era, and the ways fathers provided for their families through hard work.

Blue Willow, Doris Gates, 1940

Finished: The Secret of the Disappearing Sultan

A fun book, wherein a normal girl is taken along as an attempt to abduct a young sultan transpires. The plot is altogether unlikely, which is what makes the book fun to read. Like that could ever happen.

I'd say say a 6th grade reading level for content. Most likely will interest a female rather than a male, as the girl is more the heroine of the book, and it is told from her viewpoint. It is in no way girly, however.

The Secret of the Disappearing Sultan, Margery Warner, 1975

Unwanted

There was a ceremony yesterday, where hundreds of Indian girls named Nakusa or Nakushi (meaning "unwanted" in Hindi) got to choose new names for themselves, according to an article in Fox News.

And yet the real hope...the Hope that is carried beyond this world's names still lies out of reach for many of these young women.

from Isaiah 62 -

1 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,

and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,
until her righteousness goes forth as brightness,
and her salvation as a burning torch.

2 The nations shall see your righteousness,
and all the kings your glory,
and you shall be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will give.

3You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD,
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

4 You shall no more be termed Forsaken,
and your land shall no more be termed Desolate,
but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,
and your land Married;
for the LORD delights in you,
and your land shall be married.

5For as a young man marries a young woman,
so shall your sons marry you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
so shall your God rejoice over you.

Finished: The Seventeenth Swap

Eric Greene is a terrific character who, through his unexpected interactions with people, grows into thinking outside of the box. His motivation is the desire to see a disabled friend obtain what he cannot have. Well written and delightful.

I'd give it a 5th grade reading level for the internal struggles Eric endures. Would appeal to male or female.

The Seventeenth Swap, Eloise McGraw, 1986

Excerpts: Bloomability

"At about four o'clock in the morning, this is what I decided: I hadn't had to struggle for those skis. Someone had given them to me out of their own generosity, without my having struggled for them, without my having earned them.

I thought maybe I should give them back and tell Aunt Sandy and Uncle Max that first I'd better earn the money for them. I'd wash floors and windows and chop wood and do all the laundry and all the cooking. What a struggle!

But in the end, I decided that it was Christmas and people liked to be generous at Christmas, and maybe I ought to just accept this struggle-free gift. It might be hard to do -- wait! That would be my struggle. I would struggle to accept their generosity. Yes I would."

So I consider how free the gift of grace is, and how I keep going back to trying to earn it now that it's been given to me.

Bloomability, Sharon Creech, chapter 19

Musings on Medical Ethics

I had a random thought this morning. (What a surprise!)

If one changes their body medically for convenience or pleasure, is that ethical? Is there a difference between a non-medically necessary nose job and a changing of gender surgery?

Beautiful Feet

My sister-in-law forwarded some thoughts on how to make yourself beautiful through your actions. (for attractive lips, speak words of kindness, and the like)

This got me to thinking about Romans 10:15 "...how beautiful are the feet of him who brings good news." I've done a Bible study on this passage twice, and never before have I understood what this would have meant for the immediate hearers.

Beautiful feet was an oxymoron in Biblical times. Feet were dirty, grimy, smelly and certainly never beautiful. You'll recall this was the coup de grace for the disciples - that Jesus, the Christ, would wash their feet.

How beautiful are the feet of him who brings good news. Read Isaiah 52. It only gets more beautiful.

A Freudian Link

Some great thoughts on mothering from a blog that linked to a blog. (Thanks, Megan.)

Et Ampersand

Because I find it fascinating, here is a link to the history of the ampersand, as well as instructions on how to correctly configure and use it.

Eat Mor Chiken.

There have been Sundays that we don't have an evening service, where we've been out and about and think "let's go to Chick-fil-a for dinner". And then we remember. It's Sunday.

Smells Like...

Sometimes scrambled eggs smell like wet dog.

Finished: A Wrinkle In Time

I am reminded of the public testimony of a delightful young woman (SD) at church. When she related how God changed her life, I was moved to tears in thinking what inexpressible joy her parents must have to know she was adopted in to the family of God. This passage stirred those feelings again in me. I always have a desire for the conversion of my children, but this passage renewed the urgent desire for the conversion of my children.

At last she turned to her father. "I'm -- I'm sorry, Father."

He took both her hands in his, bent down to her with his short-sighted
eyes. "Sorry for what, Megatron?"

Tears almost came to her eyes at the gentle use of the old nickname.
"I wanted you to do it all for me. I wanted everything to be all easy and
simple.... So I tried to pretend that it was all your fault ... because I
was scared, and I didn't want to have to do anything myself --"

"But I wanted to do it for you," Mr. Murry said. "That's what every
parent wants."

A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'Engle p180

Free Sunday Brunch

When I peeked in my breakfast drive-thru Chick-fil-a bag, I saw a card that read, "Free Sunday Brunch". My first thought:

Oh no. Chick-fil-a has gone the way of the world.

Then I saw that it was a pamphlet from a local church. My next thought:

If we had all the money and people that they did, we could do that, too.

My third thought:

Oh no. I've gone the way of the world.

As I flipped through the pamphlet, which detailed the fall events at the church, my conscience rebuked me again and again. Yes, it was a shiny, attractive listing of all of the "free" things that the church offered. I wavered between indignation and humility. Humility won, praise the Lord.

Together, we are the body of Christ. Large or small, God is at work in us and through us.

God has called us to be where we are, serving one another, loving one another, serving Him and loving Him.

Finished: A Year Down Yonder

Loved it. Not as much as the first one, but enjoyable nonetheless.

A Year Down Yonder, Richard Peck

Finished: A Long Way From Chicago

Loved it. Read it again.

A Long Way From Chicago, Richard Peck

Finished: Danny the Champion of the World

This is the first book by Roald Dahl that I have actually enjoyed. In fact, I like it so much, I'm reading it to the kids.

Danny the Champion of the World, Roald Dahl

Finished: Babette's Feast

A collection of short stories (anecdotes of destiny) by Isak Dinesen. Enjoyable first read. No need to reread, except for the first, and most famous.

Babette's Feast, Isak Dinesen

Finished: A Day No Pigs Would Die

Another goodie. For the kids to read later (high school).

A Day No Pigs Would Die, Robert Newton Peck