“The Lesson” | Enter to win an iPad!

To celebrate the release of her newest book The Lesson, Suzanne Woods Fisher is giving away TWO iPads!

The contest dates are Jan 3rd -20th

Two winners will receive:

            • A brand new iPad

            • A $15 gift certificate to iTunes

Enter today by clicking HERE (http://promoshq.wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/309430). But hurry, the giveaway ends on January 20th. Winner will be announced on 1/22/13 at Suzanne’s Blog.

Good luck!

Book Review: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

MY REVIEW:  
I knew nothing about this book before it was handed to me with a vague recommendation. I began reading with no expectations. It wasn't long before I realized I was holding a gem in my hands. Lisa See did an amazing job of researching and describing the life of girls and women in nineteenth century rural China. 

The story begins with 80 year old Lily reflecting on her life as a daughter, sister, friend, wife and mother. Her life unfolds for the reader, revealing an epic story that begins in the Hunan Province, 1823 . At the age of seven, Lily receives the honor of being paired with a "laotong" named Snow Flower - another girl her own age who is mutually committed to being a lifelong friend. Since they live in different villages, their friendship is carried along with occasional visits, but primarily through messages they send back and forth on a folding fan. The messages are written in "nu shu" - a secret language for women only.

Along the way, the reader learns about the intricacies of foot-binding (which typically began at age 6), social expectations, pagan Chinese religion, arranged marriages and much more. I found this book to be completely fascinating and educational.

I was particularly absorbed by the details of foot-binding. In our family there is a pair of tiny shoes from China which were worn by a woman whose feet were bound. They are beautifully embroidered and the sole is approximately the length of my index finger. I have always been fascinated and horrified by them, knowing that although they look like baby shoes, they were worn by a grown woman. This novel gave the excruciating details of how that was achieved. 

I highly recommend this book, especially for women age 18+ since it does deal (in a non-expicit manner) with sexuality and marital relations. 

Book Blurb from the Author's website:

A language kept a secret for a thousand years forms the backdrop for an unforgettable novel of two Chinese women whose friendship and love sustains them through their lives.

This absorbing novel – with a storyline unlike anything Lisa See has written before – takes place in 19th century China when girls had their feet bound, then spent the rest of their lives in seclusion with only a single window from which to see.  Illiterate and isolated, they were not expected to think, be creative, or have emotions. But in one remote county, women developed their own secret code, nu shu – "women's writing" – the only gender-based written language to have been found in the world.  Some girls were paired as "old-sames" in emotional matches that lasted throughout their lives.  They painted letters on fans, embroidered messages on handkerchiefs, and composed stories, thereby reaching out of their windows to share their hopes, dreams, and accomplishments.

An old woman tells of her relationship with her "old-same," their arranged marriages, and the joys and tragedies of motherhood—until a terrible misunderstanding written on their secret fan threatens to tear them apart. With the detail and emotional resonance of Memoirs of a Geisha , Snow Flower and the Secret Fan delves into one of the most mysterious and treasured relationships of all time—female friendship.

Putting Away My Favorite Christmas Decorations

It's time. We've hauled the bins up from the basement, and begun to undecorate the tree.  It always makes me a little sad to put away all the things we only see once a year. They are like old friends that come and visit and cheer us for a few weeks, then go away again.

Of all my decorations, I especially love the Nativity sets that I've collected from around the world.  Our largest is an Italian Fontanini set we started back in 1992 and we have added many pieces over the years.  It's been played with every Christmas morning for the past 20 years as we read the Christmas story before we open gifts.

Another favorite is the set we bought in Israel last year.  It's carved of olive wood and was made in Bethlehem. We bought it in a little stall in the old city of Jerusalem, from a jovial Arab Baptist man. He even pulled out three different sets, so I could choose the pieces I liked best for the set I would take home.  I love having a nativity from the very place where Jesus first came into our world.

One other set that is special to me is the tiny little Haitian creche scene.  The pieces are simple and made of clay, and the stable is a coconut shell.  I love it because it's an example of how each culture views Jesus' birth within the context of their own understanding.  Jesus and all the characters have dark skin, of course. Most of the extra people in this set are children, because everywhere you go in Haiti, there are children around, watching the action.

Nativity sets help me remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas.
    

Happy New Year! Reflecting on God's Faithfulness

New Year's Day is a great time to reflect. On the blessings, trials and lessons of the previous year.  On goals and dreams for the year ahead.

I'm not big on Yew Year's resolutions.  I've broken too many to bother with them anymore.  But I still like to pause and think about  what God has done in the year just ended, and pray about what may happen in the year ahead.
At our dinner table last night, we read these verses:

Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised;
And His greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall praise Thy works to another,
And shall declare Thy mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of Thy majesty
And on Thy wonderful works I will meditate.
Psalm 145:2-5

So I am encouraged to meditate on God's wonderful works, and to teach them and commend them to those younger than me.  Which is one of the goals I have for starting this blog.  My hope is that the thoughts and meditations I write here will declare God's glory and encourage others.

Book Review: The Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh

My Review:

The Deepest Waters is a wonderful story, inspired by an actual shipwreck that occurred in 1857 off the coast of North Carolina. Dan Walsh has taken the factual framework from a real-life tragic event and created a compelling and ultimately heart-warming tale. When newlyweds John and Laura Foster are separated on their honeymoon voyage, their hopes and dreams for a long life together are shattered. But that is where the real story begins… hopes of rescue are tempered by the hardships of facing the future alone. Vivid supporting characters are introduced along the way, and multiple storylines keep the pages turning quickly.

For me, this book had the feel of an old Hollywood movie – and I mean that as a great compliment. I can envision this story up on a big screen. The men are (mostly) gallant, the scoundrels are deplorable and the women are feminine but possess inner strength. The shipwreck and its fallout provided much of the drama that unfolded, but the author also did a fantastic job of describing the emotions and inner thoughts of the characters. The message of faith and hope and discovering what-really-matters-in-life came through without sounding preachy or overdone. And there were enough surprises to keep me smiling between the tears and tissues.

Dan Walsh has become one of my favorite authors, and I'll soon be posting reviews for more of his books.

Here's the summary of the book from Dan's website:

What began as a fairytale honeymoon in 1857 for John and Laura Foster aboard the steamship SS Vandervere becomes a nightmare when a hurricane causes their ship to sink into the murky depths of the Atlantic. Laura finds herself with the other women and children aboard a sailing ship while John and a hundred other men drift on the open sea on anything they could grab as the Vandervere went down. Suspecting her John is gone but still daring to hope for a miracle, Laura must face the possibility of life alone–and meeting her new in-laws without their son if she ever reaches New York.

Readers will be holding their breath as they sail through this emotional and honest story of hope, faith, and love in the face of uncertainty. Talented author Dan Walsh skillfully tells an epic story through an intimate focus on two lost lovers. Inspired by real events, this moving novel will capture the hearts of all who dive into its pages.

Getting Started

We've lived in the old red farmhouse for over 14 years now.  It's a home full of love, memories and stories.  I extend a warm welcome to you as you enter in and visit with us here.

At the moment, this is the only photo I can find of our house, but you may have noticed there's a turtle in the picture. This pretty mama appears in our yard almost every year. She lives in a nearby pond, but seems to like our sandy soil for laying her eggs in the spring.

See what I mean?  There are a lot of stories.