BOOK REVIEW FOR INESCAPABLE: ROAD TO KINGDOM - BOOK ONE

                      ABOUT THE BOOK

Lizzie Engel is used to running away. At eighteen, she left her Mennonite hometown, Kingdom, Kansas, with plans never to return. But five years later, the new life she built is falling apart. Lizzie knows she's being followed, and she's certain the same mysterious stranger is behind the threatening letters she's received. Realizing she'll have to run again, the only escape Lizzie can manage is a return to the last place she wants to go. Once she arrives in Kingdom, Lizzie is confident she'll be safe until she comes up with a new plan. In reacquainting herself with the town and its people--especially her old friend, Noah Housler--she wonders if she judged her hometown and her Mennonite faith too harshly. However, just as she begins to come to terms with her roots, Lizzie is horrified to discover the danger she ran from is closer than ever. No longer sure who to trust and fearful for her life and the lives of those around her, Lizzie finds she has only one place left to run--to the Father whose love is inescapable.


                                              ABOUT THE AUTHOR


                                                                  

 Nancy Mehl, the author of 12 books, received an ACFW Carol Award in 2009 for her novel For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls. She has a background in social work and is a member of ACFW and RWA. She writes from her home in Wichita, Kansas, where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their puggle, Watson. Visit her website at www.nancymehl.com.












                                              MY BOOK REVIEW


I was completely captivated and fascinated with the Romantic Suspense story about 18 year old Mennonite Lizzie Engel; who becomes pregnant out of wedlock. As a result, she is turned away by her overly strict father.  She then feels that because of her father's shunning and the reaction of her Old Order Mennonite Community, she must run away from it all, and start anew with her young daughter.

Lizzie settles down in a brand new place with her daughter Charity.  After 5 years, things seem to go down hill; yet again.  Things just don't seem to be going in the right direction.  Her boss becomes sick, and has to stop working until she recovers.  In the process, another woman is hired as the manager.  This woman does not seem to like her, and blames her of stilling money. To top it off, the man in the "RED" cap seems to be spying her every move.  Lizzie feels this man is the culprit of the anonymous threatening letters she has been receiving. She fears for her daughter's safety; as a result, decides to embark on another run away journey to the place she left in the first place - Kingdom.

As the days and weeks follow after her arrival,  Lizzie learns that in her struggles, she must learn to turn to the only one who has always been there for her; God. She learns that most of the people in Kingdom really do care for her. She begins contact with her childhood friends, and other members of her community.  She begins to build a good friendship with Cora; an older lady, who encourages her with uplifting words of advice. Then comes along Noah, her best friend when she was a child. We are introduced to many more interesting characters.

The story of Lizzie has a great plot and interesting characters. With Lizzie,we learn that there are times that we fall away from God - in the midst of the circumstance we tend to follow the path that we think is best for us.  Along the way, we learn that we must trust those who love us and have faith in God. For He is the one who will take our hand and shows the way. There are so many words of encouragement in this book that truly touched me, and reminded me that as a Christian woman and mother, I must learn to trust the One who will never forsake me. God is always there to show us the road back to HIS Kingdom!

One of my favorite lines from Inescapable is when Noah is talking with Lizzie's father after he scolds Lizzie:  "I thought the foundation of our religion was Christ, His sacrifice, our redemtion, and His grace to live the life He's called us to."

*This book was provided by Bethany House Publishing in exchange for a review.

Good-bye 2011

The year 2011 was filled with ups and downs for me. A whole new year of grieving the loss of my new born baby boy; who was born on March 30, 2010- he lived for 12 hours. 2010 was a sad year; nonetheless,it was also a great blessing because God chose Wes and I to be Joshua Angel's parents. Then again, 2011 was filled with beautiful signs from my Joshua; therefore, it was a good year. I will see each experience in life as a blessing. Each moment that I breathe is a blessing. I give glory to GOD.

Through the years and the trials that I have faced, God has been my rock and fortress. To him I lay my troubles. I find my streinght in HIM. I give glory to him for the happy times. I give glory to him for the sad times. For if we don't have trials, how do we learn to be strong and not to give up?

This passing year did have many good things. In 2011 my little guy turned 6 and my little girl turned 3 - so yes, I am truly blessed. This year we had so many relatives visit throughout the summer. My cousin (who is like my brother) and his family came in June. The in-laws came to visit us twice this year. My husband returned safely from the desert -God's angels were with him. And my mom has been with me supporting me and encouraging me to "keep on keeping on". This year was good, because we had CHRISTMAS EVE/CHRISTMAS DAY with my mom. And this year I meet some wonderful people - and a beautiful group of children- which will always be part of my prayers.

With another year behind us; we are about to close a chapter of our lives. We will begin a new chapter in 2012. Let us start anew. Let us Focus on the good things in life; on the blessings that God has bestowed upon us. This new year gives us the chance to be a better person. Let us think about others, and let's try to find new solutions to the problems we face. Let's see each children as God's children;therefore, protect them. Let's encourage them to be followers of God, and to love others. God is giving us another opportunity to wake up, and smell the coffee.

I wish you and yours the very best for the new year to come. God bless you, and stay strong in the Lord. He will never forsake you.

~Molly

Psalm 18: 1-3

I love you, O Lord, my strength.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;

my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.

He is my shield and the Horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise...


Deuteronomy 31:8

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

The Light of The World

The last time I wrote I left off on day 17. I apologize for my delay. I had been facing a dry season I should say. Not only that, but I was sadden. My husband recently deployed, and I had been missing him. My husband's deployment made me miss my baby angel (who went to heaven 16 months ago) even more. Deployments are difficult times for the whole family. The kids were having a hard time minding me, and missing daddy. We are adjusting better this month. The past few months have been overwhelmingly busy for me. I felt like a camera out of focus. Tonight, my lens is focused. It's important for me to get back at it.

If I don't write; I feel like I am drowning within the hundreds of words resonating within the walls of my mind. If I don't pray; I feel lost. The Lord is my strength;therefore, I must seek him on a daily basis. I have been contemplating on his word. For His word is light and it's refreshing.





Even in the darkest of nights, and in the saddest moments of your life; God is there. He is the light that pierces the darkness. If you have Him, you will have light. If you seek, Him you will feel more focused in your life.

30 Day Of Motivation/Encouragement For MOMS - Day 17

FAITH

Seeking the Lord in times of stress is what keeps me going. I don't worry about what tomorrow is going to bring, because God has assured me; "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." (Mat.7:7)
When faced through adversity, it's easier to succumb to despair and hide away; but that will only bring you more stress. Seek His face and you will be uplifted.

What is Faith?







Faith is hope and belief in the goodness or trustworthiness, of a person, concept or entity.

I gathered the following Bible verses:

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. (Deuteronomy 31:8)


You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. (Isaiah 12:2)

O Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress. (Jeremiah 16:19)

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)

By his light I walked through darkness. (Job 29:3)

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:14)


Lord, when my soul is weary
and my heart is tired and sore,
and I have that falling feeling
that I can't take it any more;
then let me know the freshening
found in simple,
childlike prayer,
when the kneeling sould knows surely
that a listening Lord is there.

~Ruth Bell Graham






Matthew 14:22-23
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of thim to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.

Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strenght. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Word Of Motivation/Encouragement for MOMS - Day 16

Day 16

LOVE. It is beautiful to life with a heart filled with love. Let us be reminded that everything we do in life we should do it with love. Sometimes when we have stress in our lives, it is hard to remember this. BUT if we remind ourselves that we are doing it for the LORD, then it will be easy.

1. If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10. but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

31 Days Of Motivation/Encouragement for MOMS - Day15

Day 15

There is hope in life. God is there waiting to hear you calling. Believe that things will get better. Life is a journey not a distination. We are going to stumble and fall, but it's important to get back up and not stay down. I've had a lot of hardships in my life, but I've learned that I must keep going. One day we will be rewarded for what we do. Far too many people have problems; and they go on living angry at the world. We must learn to live and love life.



Remember it's important to:


1)Pray

2)Meditate

3)have a support system

4)Set aside time for yourself. At least 15- 30 minutes a day

5) Read a book

6) Go for a walk

7)Go to a coffee shop

8)LAUGH

9)SMILE


You will feel better after a peaceful time out.

There is HOPE!




Lamentations 3:21
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.

31 Days of Motivation/Encouragement - Day 14

Day 14

We live in a world surrounded by violence and crime. It can be so overwhelming to hear what goes on in this world; can bring so much fear. But regardless of what goes on, we need to find some time to excape the world. Where do you go when you are feeling scared, troubled, or worried? It is extremely essential to find a few minutes of your time to spend in meditation and prayer. We need to find refuge in God. There is more to this world. There is more to our daily struggles. We need to seek time and a special place to spend (lay your burdens down). When we spend time nourshing our spirit, we become more sensitive to the world around us. And instead of just focusing on our fears and anxieties, we learn to do something about it; we learn to PRAY!

Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble







Psalm 91:14-16
The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation."