Blessings
Kim Vogel Sawyer
Barbour Publishing
P.O. Box 719, Ulrichsville, OH 44683
www.barbourbooks.com
97801059789-406-7, $14.95,. 2008.
Reviewed for Reader Views, 03/08.
Sometimes blessings come in the most unexpected places. We never know just how and when God will decide to bless us. Trina Muller can't understand why she feels compelled to be a veterinarian. She has always loved animals, surely God could use her love of animals and talents to God's glory. If she was just an ordinary girl, her dreams of college and a career wouldn't be such a big deal. However, she belongs to an Old Order Mennonite group. Women are not to have any education beyond grade school, much less a career. She is supposed to be content in just being a wife and mother.
She has a strong Christian Mennonite man who wants nothing more than to be her husband. Graham and Trina have known each other for years and courting for quite some time now. Surely an engagement and traditional wedding ceremony is right around the corner. Graham sees Trina's tender heart and encourages her to follow her dream even if the other members of the fellowship don't understand why she isn't content to live the life she has to. The only one in Sommerfeld who truly wants to help Trina achieve her goals is the young newly married stained glass artist. She has an internet connection and wants to help in any way possible.
Just as things look like they might be able to do both, their marriage and her impending career, disaster strikes and it looks like God isn't blessing them in any way but isn't He?
"Blessings" is the the third book in the Sommerfeld triliogy. Kim Vogel Sawyer doesn't disappoint in this final book and we leave Sommerfeld. There are moments where you will laugh, cry and find yourself cheering on the young couple every step of the way. I was sorry to see the book end and am anxious to read more books by Ms Vogel Sawyer. Take a trip to Sommerfeld today, you will certainly fall in love with the characters and simplified way of life!
Showing posts with label Mennonite. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mennonite. Show all posts
Friday, March 28, 2008
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Beginnings
Title: Beginnings
Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer
Published by Barbour Publishing, 2007.
ISBN: 978-1-59789-4-5-0.
Reviewed for Reader Views, 8/07.
Bloom where you are planted! There are plenty of Scripture passages which speak of being content in whatever circumstance you are in. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 we are told to "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Oh hard that can be at times. Sometimes we just feel so challenged that we don't feel like giving thanks for our place in life.
Beth Quinn is trying to be content with her life in Summerfield. She has her cell phone and other modern conveniences. She and her mother came to Summerfield because this is where her mother's family were. Despite not being raised in the Mennonite faith like her mother was, she has come to call Summerfield her home. And her mother's people have become her people. She has not joined their church but does attend it with her family. She has a firmly rooted faith in God and His promises.
She owns Quinn's Stained Glass Art Studio. She makes suncatchers and travels to various craft shows. She has dreams of opening her own showroom someday. Her cousin Andrew helps in her store since he has no desire to be a farmer like all his brothers and father. He would rather use his artistic talents even though his father doesn't agree with his pursuits. One day a suncatcher from the art studio gets sold and catches the eye of McCauley Church Construction.
Sean is the son of the owner of the church construction company who has to find this talented young lady. He proposes that she design and make a stained glass window in order to showcase her talents. If the company likes what they see and she meets the deadline imposed, she will be granted a contract to work with them. If for any reason, she doesn't make the deadline or McCauley's dislike the work all the work and expense are for nothing and Beth loses out. This could be Beth's big break into expanding her business and becoming a bigger success.
In order to put up a safety net for her business, she wants to keep on producing suncatchers and doing craft shows. Only creation of this large stained glass window will take an incredible amount of time and talent. Andrew is always willing to lend a hand. He also happens to enjoy being in Beth's company. Would it ever be possible for Beth to think of him as something other than a cousin or an employee?
Beth's mother Marie has found true love in the first book of this trilogy "Bygones." Henry and Marie Koeppler are happy to be expecting twins. With Marie's age, this is a high risk pregnancy. Never did Beth think that she would become a big sister at her age. Beth doesn't know what it is like to even have a father much less a brother and sister.
An emergency. forces Beth to make a choice between her family and her dreams of being a successful business woman. Her choices will not only impact her but also Andrew and the rest of the small town of Summerfield. Through her struggles, she holds steady to the verse in Philippians which states "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
This is an excellent book about a couragous Christian woman who lays it all on the line in hopes of following God's plan for her life. All things work together for the good of those who love Him. I simply loved this book and couldn't lay it down once I started reading it. I am anxiously awaiting the last book in this trilogy called "Blessings" which will be coming in Spring 2008!
Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer
Published by Barbour Publishing, 2007.
ISBN: 978-1-59789-4-5-0.
Reviewed for Reader Views, 8/07.
Bloom where you are planted! There are plenty of Scripture passages which speak of being content in whatever circumstance you are in. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 we are told to "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Oh hard that can be at times. Sometimes we just feel so challenged that we don't feel like giving thanks for our place in life.
Beth Quinn is trying to be content with her life in Summerfield. She has her cell phone and other modern conveniences. She and her mother came to Summerfield because this is where her mother's family were. Despite not being raised in the Mennonite faith like her mother was, she has come to call Summerfield her home. And her mother's people have become her people. She has not joined their church but does attend it with her family. She has a firmly rooted faith in God and His promises.
She owns Quinn's Stained Glass Art Studio. She makes suncatchers and travels to various craft shows. She has dreams of opening her own showroom someday. Her cousin Andrew helps in her store since he has no desire to be a farmer like all his brothers and father. He would rather use his artistic talents even though his father doesn't agree with his pursuits. One day a suncatcher from the art studio gets sold and catches the eye of McCauley Church Construction.
Sean is the son of the owner of the church construction company who has to find this talented young lady. He proposes that she design and make a stained glass window in order to showcase her talents. If the company likes what they see and she meets the deadline imposed, she will be granted a contract to work with them. If for any reason, she doesn't make the deadline or McCauley's dislike the work all the work and expense are for nothing and Beth loses out. This could be Beth's big break into expanding her business and becoming a bigger success.
In order to put up a safety net for her business, she wants to keep on producing suncatchers and doing craft shows. Only creation of this large stained glass window will take an incredible amount of time and talent. Andrew is always willing to lend a hand. He also happens to enjoy being in Beth's company. Would it ever be possible for Beth to think of him as something other than a cousin or an employee?
Beth's mother Marie has found true love in the first book of this trilogy "Bygones." Henry and Marie Koeppler are happy to be expecting twins. With Marie's age, this is a high risk pregnancy. Never did Beth think that she would become a big sister at her age. Beth doesn't know what it is like to even have a father much less a brother and sister.
An emergency. forces Beth to make a choice between her family and her dreams of being a successful business woman. Her choices will not only impact her but also Andrew and the rest of the small town of Summerfield. Through her struggles, she holds steady to the verse in Philippians which states "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
This is an excellent book about a couragous Christian woman who lays it all on the line in hopes of following God's plan for her life. All things work together for the good of those who love Him. I simply loved this book and couldn't lay it down once I started reading it. I am anxiously awaiting the last book in this trilogy called "Blessings" which will be coming in Spring 2008!
Friday, July 27, 2007
The Road Home
Title: The Road Home
Author: Tommy Tenney and Mark Andrew Olsen
Published by Bethany House Publishers, 2007.
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0030-5.
There's no place like home, right? What if you have never really had a place to call home? Ruth has had a very difficult life from living in foster homes, certainly a less than stellar childhood to being a cocktail waitress in Las Vegas. Just when she gets settled into her marriage to Lonnie and being a member of his family, tragedy strikes him and his brother just 3 years after their father's death.
Naomi is Ruth's mother-in-law who is dealing with the death of her sons death. She encourages her daughters-in-law to go back to their home. Naomi decides it is time for her to go back to "her people" in Pennsylvania. She has a homestead in Lancaster County in which to live once she gets there. Oprah and Ruth are ready to part ways with her but at the very last moment, Ruth jumps off the bus and catches up with Naomi with nothing but the clothes on her back. Ruth is determined to drive Naomi home to Pennsylvania. Will the 1976 Impala make it the whole way from Nevada to Pennsylvania? With a prayer, perhaps the car will make it. Neither woman has much money but if they pool their resources perhaps they will have enough to make it back there?
This is one road trip where an unlikely pair have very trying and often times humorous adventures. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law have no real family ties now but they get to know each other on a different basis than in years gone by. They each share parts of their past and become best friends. What awaits them should they reach Lancaster County?
A great deal of time has gone by since Naomi Kaufmann Yoder has lived in the area. Will the land she plans to rebuild her life on still be hers? Like the book of Ruth in the Bible, will there be a kinsman redeemer who can help the women with the monetary problems that are presented? "The Road Home" is a delightful story written about the gentle people who enjoy simplicity in their lives.
"The Road Home" combines adventure, a beautiful friendship between two women who were once inlaws, humor, and a heartwarming love story all in one. "The Road Home" is a winding one with twists and turns along the way. This is excellent reading for all people who enjoy a story which combines adventure, a beautiful friendship between two women who were once inlaws, humor, and a heartwarming love story all in one. The twosome never gives up hope that God is directing their paths. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."
Take "The Road Home", it is one trip that will not be soon forgotten!
Author: Tommy Tenney and Mark Andrew Olsen
Published by Bethany House Publishers, 2007.
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0030-5.
There's no place like home, right? What if you have never really had a place to call home? Ruth has had a very difficult life from living in foster homes, certainly a less than stellar childhood to being a cocktail waitress in Las Vegas. Just when she gets settled into her marriage to Lonnie and being a member of his family, tragedy strikes him and his brother just 3 years after their father's death.
Naomi is Ruth's mother-in-law who is dealing with the death of her sons death. She encourages her daughters-in-law to go back to their home. Naomi decides it is time for her to go back to "her people" in Pennsylvania. She has a homestead in Lancaster County in which to live once she gets there. Oprah and Ruth are ready to part ways with her but at the very last moment, Ruth jumps off the bus and catches up with Naomi with nothing but the clothes on her back. Ruth is determined to drive Naomi home to Pennsylvania. Will the 1976 Impala make it the whole way from Nevada to Pennsylvania? With a prayer, perhaps the car will make it. Neither woman has much money but if they pool their resources perhaps they will have enough to make it back there?
This is one road trip where an unlikely pair have very trying and often times humorous adventures. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law have no real family ties now but they get to know each other on a different basis than in years gone by. They each share parts of their past and become best friends. What awaits them should they reach Lancaster County?
A great deal of time has gone by since Naomi Kaufmann Yoder has lived in the area. Will the land she plans to rebuild her life on still be hers? Like the book of Ruth in the Bible, will there be a kinsman redeemer who can help the women with the monetary problems that are presented? "The Road Home" is a delightful story written about the gentle people who enjoy simplicity in their lives.
"The Road Home" combines adventure, a beautiful friendship between two women who were once inlaws, humor, and a heartwarming love story all in one. "The Road Home" is a winding one with twists and turns along the way. This is excellent reading for all people who enjoy a story which combines adventure, a beautiful friendship between two women who were once inlaws, humor, and a heartwarming love story all in one. The twosome never gives up hope that God is directing their paths. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."
Take "The Road Home", it is one trip that will not be soon forgotten!
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