The Weekly Gratitude Project

 ~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

 Synopsis (from Amazon):  It’s time to start a project that will grow a grateful heart. The Weekly Gratitude Project is a 52-week guided gratitude journal that offers a life-changing journey through reflection prompts and inviting questions to guide you into a deeper relationship with God. This yearly gratitude journal features beautifully illustrated journaling pages that will help you discover more intimacy and joy in your spiritual life.

The Weekly Gratitude Project is:

• Perfect for a beginner in faith and practicing gratitude, but strong and thought provoking enough for someone who already has a solid foundation
• An easy-to-use journaling format designed to help you focus on adding more gratefulness into your day
• A helpful companion for individual worship, Bible studies, and small groups

Each week includes:

• A biblical theme to focus on
• A short but impactful Bible verse to help you reflect and meditate
• Inspirational insight to guide your thoughts and jumpstart your gratitude project
• Journaling prompts and lines to help you reflect and grow a grateful heart

This 12-month journal:

• Showcases beautiful photography and calming colors
• Has a pretty ribbon marker, so you never lose your place
• Provides a ton of journaling space, but easily fits on your nightstand, tote bag, or a gift basket
• Is perfect for a self-purchase, Mother’s Day, National Best Friend Day, a welcoming gift for Bible study groups, birthdays, and holidays

Check out the rest of the series, The Weekly Prayer Project and The Weekly Faith Project.

One (or more) Sentence Summary: I will be the first to admit that I am no good at journaling.  I have started several (5 positive things about the day, insta-photo something every day and write about it, recap of my day, thoughts, diary like journal, bullet journaling [I don't get this-maybe that is the point], etc.) and never get past week 1.  My mom and I tried doing the Simple Abundance one year long distance (blast from the 90's).  I think we made it to the 3rd week in January. My mother journaled/kept a diary every day. I was blessed to have gotten them when she passed away.  

This project has been a challenge for me, but I have stuck with it so far.  It is a weekly journal which makes it easier for me.  At the beginning of the week I read the prompt and think about it for 2 or so days.  It is amazing to me how hard some of the questions are, but I maybe overthinking it.  For example in Week 2 "How might practicing an exercise like this regularly help your heart to heal"?  I didn't know my heart had to heal, so I start thinking maybe it does since I can't answer the question right away.  See what I mean about over thinking it!

The book is very beautiful and gives me a calming vibe. The photos and the layout really make this a beautiful book. The Weekly Gratitude Project would make a great gift for anyone, any time of the year.  I would like to check out others in the Weekly Project Series, like The Weekly Prayer Project.  I really need to get the The Weekly Self-Care Project - it is screaming my name!                                        

You can purchase The Weekly Gratitude Project on Amazon

TLC Book Tours: Make sure you check out all of the other reviews:

Monday, July 25th: @finding_joyathome

Tuesday, July 26th: @arrow_reads

Wednesday, July 27th: @randi_reads

Thursday, July 28th: @what.ems.reading

Friday, July 29th: @chill_jilland_read

Friday, July 29th: @purrfectpages

Saturday, July 30th: @sunsoakedpages

Saturday, July 30th: @classicallykait

Sunday, July 31st: @irishgirliereads

Monday, August 1st: @literannie

Monday, August 1st: @bookshelfmomma

Tuesday, August 2nd: @kristens.reading.nook

Wednesday, August 3rd: @abduliacoffeebookaddict23

Thursday, August 4th: @everything.is.words

Thursday, August 4th: @detroitmomsonthesamepage

Friday, August 5th: @shejustlovesbooks

Friday, August 5th: @the_bookish_runner

Saturday, August 6th: @bookstasamm

Sunday, August 7th: @jenniaahava

Monday, August 8th: @sarahs.bookstack

Tuesday, August 9th: @baytownbookie

Tuesday, August 9th: @meetmeinthestacks

Wednesday, August 10th: @iowaamberreads

Wednesday, August 10th: @bookswithjams

Thursday, August 11th: @readresa

Thursday, August 11th: @stumblingintobooks

Friday, August 12th: @just_another_mother_with_books

Saturday, August 13th: @lovemybooks2020

Sunday, August 14th: @nissa_the.bookworm

Wednesday, August 17th: IG: @travelerswife4life TT: @travelerswife4life

Reviews:

Monday, August 15th: @busymomsreadtoo

Tuesday, August 16th: Stranded in Chaos and @sarastrand9438

Wednesday, August 17th: Traveler’s Wife 4 Life

Friday, August 19th: Tabi Thoughts

Monday, August 22nd: Lisa’s Reading

Wednesday, August 24th: @theocbookgirl

Friday, August 26th: Seaside Book Nook

Sunday, August 28th: @bookscallmyheart

Monday, August 29th: Cats in the Cradle Blog and @lizardbrooks99

Tuesday, August 30th: Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama and @musingsofasassybookishmama

Wednesday, August 31st: Reading, Writing, and Pondering and @teaandbookstoo

Thursday, September 1st: Pick a Good Book and @pickagoodbook

Wednesday, September 7th: The Calico Books and @thecalicobooks

Friday, September 9th: @bookish801

Monday, September 12th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Tuesday, September 13th: Girl Who Reads

Wednesday, September 14th: @subakka.bookstuff

Friday, September 16th: View from the Birdhouse

What Will They Think?

  ~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis:  In this inspiring guide for young women, Grace Valentine shines a spotlight on nine courageous women in the Bible who lived their faith boldly. In a world that pressures you to seek validation from others, learn to focus on what truly matters.

“What will they think?” It’s a question that consumes many women and may even stop them from living the lives God has called them to live. Whether it’s don’t be too loud, don’t be too aggressive, or your role is to be a sidekick for men, women struggle to live a life that is about pleasing others—but Scripture describes women who actually did the opposite.

In this third release from popular blogger and podcaster Grace Valentine, What Will They Think? features the stories of nine incredible women in the Bible, including Esther, Deborah, Sarah, Mary Magdalene, and Tabitha. These women did not bend to peer pressure or seek to people-please but instead turned their focus on God.

What Will They Think? contains:

• Inspiring and motivating stories of strong women who lived courageously in their faith
• Practical steps on how to stop caring what others think and focus on what truly matters
• Personal stories from Grace’s life and her own struggle to stop focusing on the opinions of others

For inspiration found in the lives of these biblical heroes, What Will They Think? provides steps to finding freedom to live life boldly and to stop caring about what others might think.

One (or more) Sentence Summary: The first thing I love about this book is that it is written for young women.  The second thing is that it talks about strong women in the Bible. The third this is it is broken down in sections and you can read whatever section is pulling you in.  My favorite was the "What will they think if I'm a leader?" section. 

At the end of each chapter the next section is 5 things to take away, but relating to the women in the Bible that was being discussed in previous chapter.  My favorite was "Five Things Mary Wasn't Worried About". The 5 things are spot on.....if only I could have been told this in college/right after college.  

This is a great book for a graduation gift (high school or college) or any young women. 

TLC Book Tour Stops:

Instagram features:

Monday, July 11th: @nurse_bookie

Tuesday, July 12th: @peachy.paperbacks

Tuesday, July 12th: @jenniaahava

Thursday, July 14th: @lovemybooks2020

Friday, July 15th: @shejustlovesbooks

Saturday, July 16th: @suzylew_bookreview

TBD: Wednesday, July 13th: @what.ems.reading

Reviews:

Monday, July 11th: @theocbookgirl

Wednesday, July 13th: @thecalicobooks

Thursday, July 14th: @bookshelfmomma

Friday, July 15th: @kristens.reading.nook

Saturday, July 16th: @literannie

Tuesday, July 19th: @parksidereads

Wednesday, July 20th: @travelerswife4life

Thursday, July 21st: @classicallykait

Friday, July 22nd: @webreakforbooks

Sunday, July 24th: @subakka.bookstuff

Monday, July 25th: The Bookish Dilettante

Monday, July 25th: @reading.is.your.destiny

Tuesday, July 26th: @mama.chels.reads

Wednesday, July 27th: @mommaleighellensbooknook

Thursday, July 28th: Seaside Book Nook

Friday, July 29th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Sunday, July 31st: @bookish801

TBD: Tuesday, July 12th: @baytownbookie

TBD: Monday, July 18th: @wellreadtraveler

Grace Valentine is an author, blogger, podcast host, and speaker. Her readers love the fact that she is young, ordinary, and relatable; they say her fresh voice helps them navigate their own faith and life. Grace’s mission is to show others that Christianity is not lame–it is an adventure worth living.

Grace grew up near New Orleans, Louisiana, in a suburban town called Mandeville. She graduated from Baylor University in 2018 with a degree in journalism. She currently resides in Orlando, Florida, where she enjoys going on runs and eating lots of sushi. 

You can find Grace on Instagram @thegracevalentine; her podcast, I’m Tired; Twitter @GraceV96; or her website, GraceValentine.org. Grace loves connecting with her readers, so send her a message!11

Amazon

Even Silence is Praise

   ~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis:  Are you curious about biblical Christian meditation? Through stories, practical advice, and helpful prompts, Rick Hamlin guides Christians to center their minds and hearts on God as they seek to hear the still small voice above all the noise and chaos in the world.

Rick Hamlin has been unpacking the power of prayer in Finding God on the A Train and Ten Prayers You Can’t Live Without and the special Guideposts book, Prayer Works. In this new book, you will discover

• how meditation has deep Christian roots that go back for millennia,
• how it can be used to live more authentically and let go of anxiety,
• how to love more generously and find God’s will in your life, and
• how to grow in compassion, forgiveness, and acceptance.

The steps are simple, and at the end of each chapter Hamlin offers specific exercises to enhance your practice.

“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take his cross daily and follow me,” Jesus said to his followers. Meditative prayer offers a rich resource to do just that. Silence speaks volumes and becomes a tool for all Jesus followers.

One (or more) Sentence Summary: I was interested in reading Even Silence is Praise because over the past two years I have felt so much unnecessary thoughts and concerns are clouding my head. I think most of has been there or are still there. I am not one that can sit still, I do not like silence and I prefer to be around people. So as you can imagine quieting my brain down and meditation is a very hard thing for me to do, however, I wanted to make an effort. 

Even Silence is Praise has Meditative Moments at the end of each chapter which I found extremely helpful in my journey. One of my favorites is meditate for a minute.....even I can do this. My other favorite was called make your own movie. Here I picture myself sitting at Bass Harbor Lighthouse (Acadia National Park) on the rock just breathing. This brings me peace. Oddly enough, when I was getting my masters and U of Maine, I would often go out to Bass Harbor Lighthouse and make my way to the rocks (now there are paths and stairs) and sit watching and listening to the activity in the harbor. I always felt so much peace there. The picture of Bass Harbor Lighthouse is used on several books for a reason.

I am still struggling with mediation but will continue to try it and eventually it will come. I need to realize silence is okay and re-energize from that silence. 

As a last note....today is my mother's birthday and she would have been 79. I lost my mother in 2006 and believe this post is her doing not this day. She is telling me to slow down, pray, reflect and appreciate the silence....go meditate.

Check out other reviews sponsored by TLC Book Tours:

Instagram features:

Monday, February 7th: @suzylew_bookreview

Tuesday, February 8th: @fashionablyfifty

Wednesday, February 9th: @nurse_bookie

Thursday, February 10th: @thecalicobooks

Thursday, February 10th: @createexploreread

Friday, February 11th: @travelerswife4life

Saturday, February 12th: @beautyinthebinding

Sunday, February 13th: @lovemybooks2020

Monday, February 14th: @shejustlovesbooks

Tuesday, February 15th: @peachy.paperbacks

Wednesday, February 16th: @rozierreadsandwine

Wednesday, February 16th: Seaside Book Nook

Thursday, February 17th: @irishgirliereads

Thursday, February 17th: @bookdragonstbr

Friday, February 18th: @beatriz.satizabal

Saturday, February 19th: @books_with_bethany

Sunday, February 20th: @djreadsbooks

Sunday, February 20th: @subakka.bookstuff

A long-time editor at Guideposts magazine, Rick Hamlin is a frequent contributor to all Guideposts publications. He often writes about his prayer journey and has hosted numerous prayer events for the Guideposts community, in person and on social media. A busy husband, father, magazine executive, and lay leader in his church, he stresses how prayer and meditation can be a natural part of everyday life. He grew up in Southern California but has lived most of his adult life in New York City, where he and his wife sing in their church choir. In addition to his nonfiction—most recently Pray for Me—he has authored several novels, including Reading Between the Lines. Rick blogs regularly at guideposts.org and has published several op-eds in the New York Times.

Amazon 

It Is What You Make Of It

  ~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis:  

Justin McRoberts dares you to move beyond “it is what it is” thinking and become an agent of love and redemption in your household, neighborhood, and workplace.

“It is what it is”—a common phrase you hear and maybe even say yourself. But the truth is that there is not one square inch in the whole domain of our human existence that simply is what it is. Justin McRoberts invites you to embrace a new mindset: it is what you make of it.

With warmth, wisdom, and humor, McRoberts shares key moments from his twenty-plus years as an artist, church planter, pastor, singer-songwriter, author, neighbor, and father, passing on lessons and practices learned about making something good from what you’ve been given rather than simply accepting things as they are.

Thought-provoking but actionable, It Is What You Make of It declares that love doesn’t just win, mercy doesn’t just triumph, and light doesn’t just cast out shadow. Rather, such renewal requires the work of human hands and hearts committed to a vision of a world made right (or at least a little better). When we partner with God in these endeavors, we love the world well and honor the Creator in whose image we are made.

We will not be remembered for who our parents were or where we were born or what our socioeconomic circumstances were. We won’t be remembered for our natural talents and strengths or the opportunities we were given or the challenges we faced. In the end, each of us will be remembered for what we made with what we were given.

Purchase Links

Thomas Nelson | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  This would make an amazing graduation gift (high school or  college).  I say "it is what it is," a lot at work.  I am a CPA so my mind tends to work with numbers and formulas that don't change.  It Is What You Make Of It really helped me take a look at approaching things in my life differently.  I don't have to accept everything and I can't wait for someone else to "fix it".  After each chapter is a serious of questions/exercises you can do which is a great supplement to the book. I also love that it is available in audio as I am a huge fan of audio books.

TLC Book Tour:  Make sure you check out the other reviews and instagram features.

Review tour:

Monday, May 24th: @irishgirliereads

Tuesday, May 25th: Blooming with Books – excerpt/guest post

Wednesday, May 26th: Nurse Bookie and @nurse_bookie

Thursday, May 27th: @cozy.coffee.reads

Friday, May 28th: Blunt Scissors Book Reviews and @bluntscissorsbookreviews (audiobook)

Sunday, May 30th: She Just Loves Books and @shejustlovesbooks (audiobook)

Monday, May 31st: Seaside Book Nook (audiobook)

Tuesday, June 1st: The Sketchy Reader

Wednesday, June 2nd: @createexploreread (audiobook)

Thursday, June 3rd: Stranded in Chaos and @sarastrand9438

Friday, June 4th: Leighellen Landskov and @mommaleighellensbooknook

Monday, June 7th: From the TBR Pile – excerpt

Tuesday, June 8th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom – review and excerpt

Wednesday, June 9th: @reading_with_nicole

Thursday, June 10th: @jenniaahava

Friday, June 11th: What is That Book About – excerpt

Monday, June 14th: @legallyblondeandbookish

Wednesday, June 16th: @rozierreadsandwine (audiobook)

Thursday, June 17th: Tabi Thoughts – review and excerpt

Friday, June 18th: @bookshelfmomma (audiobook)

Instagram feature tour:

Monday, June 21st: @lyon.brit.andthebookshelf

Tuesday, June 22nd: @travelerswife4life

Wednesday, June 23rd: @lovelyplacebooks

Thursday, June 24th: @lovemybooks2020

Thursday, June 24th: @soulofabookworm

Friday, June 25th: @thecalicobooks

Friday, June 25th: @mom_loves_reading

Saturday, June 26th: @what.ems.reading

Sunday, June 27th: @books_faith_love

Justin McRoberts lives in the Oakland–San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, Amy, and two children. He is the author of four books, including Prayer: 40 Days of Practice and May It Be So: 40 Days with the Lord’s Prayer. Justin’s sixteen albums and EPs have gained him a faithful audience among listeners nationwide since 1999.

Justin leans on his over twenty years in the arts and ministry to mentor and coach artists and pastors in person as well as over video calls. He is also the host of the podcast @ Sea with Justin McRoberts and co-founding pastor of Shelter-Vineyard Church Community in Concord, CA. Justin regularly travels to speak at churches and colleges, as well as leads retreats for ministry staff, college students, and young adults.

Connect with Justin

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

An Invincible Summer

 ~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis (from Amazon):  An endearing novel of friendship, forgiveness, and second chances by New York Times bestselling author Mariah Stewart.

It was a lifetime ago that recently widowed Maggie Flynn was in Wyndham Beach. Now, on the occasion of her fortieth high school reunion, she returns to her hometown on the Massachusetts coast, picking up right where she left off with dear friends Lydia and Emma. But seeing Brett Crawford again stirs other emotions. Once, they were the town’s golden couple destined for one another. He shared Maggie’s dreams—and eventually, a shattering secret that drove them apart.

Buying her old family home and resettling in Wyndham Beach means a chance to start over for Maggie and her two daughters, but it also means facing her rekindled feelings for her first love and finally confronting—and embracing—the past in ways she never thought possible. Maggie won’t be alone. With her family and friends around her, she can weather this stormy turning point in her life and open her heart to the future. As for that dream shared and lost years ago? If Maggie can forgive herself, it still might come true.

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  What a great book to kick off the summer season! I want to find a beach town just like Wyndham Beach.  Invincible Summer is about going back home to start a new chapter of your life.  After losing her husband, Maggie heads back home to her two best friends for a class reunion.  Little does she know that her old high school sweetheart has moved back as well.

There was a lot going in the book, but it wasn't too much to keep up with.  We learn about Maggie and her past, her daughter whose husband left her for a younger women, her unwed daughter raising a child on her own, Lydia and her daughter who committed suicide, Emma and her rock-roll son and Brett and list of wives.  The book alternated between characters and kept it moving along.  

Very enjoyable, relaxing read that kept me engaged.  It was a great start to my summer reading. I really hope there is another book coming because I could make this into a multiple book series….one about each of Maggie's daughters and bring the other characters along.

TLC Book Tours:  Be sure to check out all the other reviews:

Instagram features:

Monday, April 5th: @megsbookclub

Monday, April 5th: @stumblingintobooks

Tuesday, April 6th: @lovelyplacebooks

Wednesday, April 7th: @suethebookie

Wednesday, April 7th: @acericolalife

Thursday, April 8th: @irishgirliereads

Friday, April 9th: @workreadsleeprepeat

Friday, April 9th: @mrsboomreads

Saturday, April 10th: @mynovelmenagerie

Sunday, April 11th: @mybooksandplants

Sunday, April 11th: @the_unwined

Monday, April 12th: @talielovesbooks

Tuesday, April 13th: @pages.and.plates

Wednesday, April 14th: @theocbookgirl

Reviews:

Monday, April 5th: Where the Reader Grows and @wherethereadergrows

Tuesday, April 6th: Novel Gossip and @novelgossip

Wednesday, April 7th: Booked on a Feeling

Thursday, April 8th: @sarahandherbookshelves

Friday, April 9th: Pacific Northwest Bookworm and @pnwbookworm

Monday, April 12th: @what.ems.reading

Wednesday, April 14th: @bryantparkbooks

Thursday, April 15th: Books Cooks Looks

Friday, April 16th: From the TBR Pile

Saturday, April 17th: Leighellen Landskov and @mommaleighellensbooknook

Monday, April 19th: @tamsterdam_reads

Monday, April 19th: Kritter’s Ramblings

Tuesday, April 20th: Laura’s Reviews and @laurasreviews_1

Wednesday, April 21st: Reading Reality

Thursday, April 22nd: Nurse Bookie and @nurse_bookie

Friday, April 23rd: View from the Birdhouse

Friday, April 23rd: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Saturday, April 24th: @rozierreadsandwine

Monday, April 26th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Monday, April 26th: @readerofthewrittenword

Tuesday, April 27th: Seaside Book Nook

Wednesday, April 28th: @bookish.bethany

Thursday, April 29th: Living My Best Book Life and @livingmybestbooklife

Friday, April 30th: The Sketchy Reader

TBD: Wednesday, April 21st: A Bookish Way of Life

TBD: Wednesday, April 21st: @bibliolau19

TBD: Sunday, April 25th: @bookscallmyheart

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

Mariah Stewart is the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author of several series, including The Chesapeake Diaries and The Hudson Sisters, as well as stand-alone novels, novellas, and short stories. A native of Hightstown, New Jersey, she lives with her husband and two rambunctious rescue dogs amid the rolling hills of Chester County, Pennsylvania, where she savors country life, tends her gardens, and works on her next novel. She’s the proud mama of two fabulous daughters who—along with her equally fabulous sons-in-law—have gifted her with six adorable (and yes, fabulous) granddarlings. For more information visit www.mariahstewart.com.

Connect with Mariah

Website | Facebook | Instagram