While I waited at the pharmacy

I was at the pharmacy waiting to pick up moms medicine. Then an older African American lady stood behind me.  I turned around and talked with her.  A few minutes later -  a boy about 14 years old approaches her, and gently reaches and hugs her.  This touches my heart, so I say: "What a sweet young man. Is he your grandson?" She says: "Yes, he is." I say: "You don't see this too often. What a fine young man to show such respect and love.  The world needs more young men to be like him-loveable and respectful. I felt goose bumps as I said this, and right then I started to get teary eyed.  The boy was wearing aviator sunglasses, but I can just sense that my teary eyed self is about to make him teary eyed too.  I tell her that my cousins and I used to hug my grandma all the time and we miss her. I added: "My mom was in the hospital.  A few minutes before coming here, I told them how important it is to appreciate our loved ones while we have them. I told them to appreciate their grandma and show her love."  The lady was touched by my words and said thank you.  Its been emotional week, but I'm never fearful of sharing with others who I am. I never know who I will touch- doing so is important to me.

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer

It is Christmas - Rudolph and Santa Claus are on a mission to deliver misfit toys to all the boys and girls.  This is a short bstory for young children. We enjoyed it.  My little girl loved the pictures.













**** I purchased this book at Dollar Tree.

Dear Mary: Lessons from

Dear Mary: Lessons from the Mother of Jesus for the Modern Mom, by Sarah Jakes is a a collection of letters and questions about Motherhood that the author asks Mary, Jesus' mother. 

Mary was very young when the Angel Gabriel appeared to her. She was engaged to mary Joseph - a carpenter. She was around 14 - 16 years old when she gave birth to Jesus. Mary was little regarded in society, but she was "highly favored by God" as it is stated in the Book of Luke:

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.'

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.'

'How will this be,' Mary asked the angel, 'since I am a virgin?' 

The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.'

'I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered. 'May it be to me as you have said.' Then the angel left her. 

Luke 1:26-38

I have always found Mary's story to be extremely fascinating and beautiful.  It is an amazing story about our Creater; therefore, Mary is a woman to be admired because she was Jesus' Mother. After reading this book, I have found that as a woman and mother, I can look to her for advice in raising my own children - one of them is strong willed. Although we are in a different era than Mary lived, we can relate to her.  She might have not faced the same issues or struggles that we face today, but she was a mother just as we are. She might have had sleepless nights.  She must have woken up in the middle of the night to check on Baby Jesus. She must have been so worried when they couldn't find 12 year old Jesus - then she found him still in Jerusalem at the temple (Luke 2:41-52). She faced anxiety at that moment.  Then Jesus said: "Why did you search for me. Didn't you know I was in my Father's House?" He was in God's hands. He took care of him.  That itself is a reminder for us mothers, to to fear and know that God takes care of our children. Mary was special. She gave birth to Jesus - that was special. God choose Mary for a special reason, and there is a special reason we were chosen to give birth to our babies.  

The author writes a series of stories to Mary. She shares many example about the challenges that Mary faced. As mothers we are NATURAL GIVERS, and sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves.  Jakes reminds us to take care of ourselves, because we give a lot.  She also reminds us to trust God just as Mary did from the very beginning. I can just picture Mary guiding Jesus, and sharing her faith in God with the ALMIGHTY. I can also see how special their bond was - imagine Jesus' over flowing annointance upon His mother!  

*** Discloser: Bethany House Publisher sent me this book free of charge for this review. Thank you, Bethany House.

Little Boo

                             

Little Boo is a tender story about a pumpkin seed wanting to be scary.  He tries to scare everyone he encounters, but it doesn't work.  The Wind is his guide. He tells him his time to scare will come soon. Stephen Wunderli does a beautiful work.  The illustration in this book is superb. I specially loved this book, because Autumn is one of my favorite seasons.

This is a wonderful October read.



***I purchased this book at Barnes and Noble for this review.



Cricket sound:

Loops4u.com (royalty free music)

Barnes and Noble Children's Book Haul

Barnes and Noble visit October

                                                           Barnes and Noble



A visit to my favorite store - Barnes and Noble.  I love this store and I can loose track of time here. I saw several books that I want to get sometime, because a book lover can never have too many books.

                                      

The Jacket children's book by Kirsten Hall

                                     The Jacket

The Jacket is a book written by Kirsten Hall.  Book is the main character. Every day he longs to be the next book to be pick up.  He hopes that a child will pick him to read.   Then one day, a little girl picks him.  Then he realizes that there is a Dog that the girl loves.  Book becomes very sad when Dog interrupts the girl from her reading.  Then one day, the girl decides to go outside to read.  Dog does something that makes both the book and girl very very upset.  Soon the girl realizes she is able to fix the problem.

Although this book is recommended for ages 4-8, it is a fun book that any age will enjoy.  I am a book lover.  As soon as I saw this book on the shelf, I knew that I must buy it.

I purchased this book at Toy's R Us for this review.

Author: Kirsten Hall

Artist: Dasha Tolstilova

Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books (October 28, 2014)

Age Range: 4-8