The Seventeen Second Miracle by Jason F. Wright

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Wednesday Letters and The Cross Gardener, a story of small kindnesses-and life-changing miracles.

Seventeen seconds can change a life forever. This is what Rex Connor learned on a gorgeous summer afternoon in 1970 when, as a lifeguard, he diverted his gaze for seventeen seconds and tragedy occurred. Forty years later the waves of that day still ripple through the lives of countless people, including his son, Cole.

Cole Connor has become a patient teacher, and now he has invited three struggling teenagers to visit him on his front porch to learn about Rex Connor-and the Seventeen Second Miracle. Together they will learn how Rex Connor could have allowed seventeen seconds to destroy him, but instead he chose to live every day believing the smallest of acts could change the world for good. And the students, each with their own secrets and private pains, will begin to understand that even tragedy brings lessons. Even pain brings comfort. Even death brings miracles. A seventeen second miracle can change a life-if you let it.

My review - I liked this book. It was a pretty easy read and I read it in about 3 days. I liked his other book The Christmas Jars better but this was kind of like it but in a different way. It was a moving book just like The Christmas Jars and I think I'll be trying to preform at least one seventeen second miracle everyday like in the book. I thought the change in the three students was amazing. And I loved what happened with Jade's book store! Overall I give 4 stars and I will definitely read more of his books.

A Light to my Path by Lynn Austin

Refiner's Fire book 3 Kitty, a house slave, always figured it was easiest to do what she’d always done--obey Missy and follow orders. But when word arrives that the Yankees are coming, Kitty is faced with a decision: will she continue to follow the bidding of her owners, or will she embrace this chance for freedom? Never allowed to have ideas of her own, Kitty is overwhelmed by the magnitude of her decision. Yet it is her hope to find the "happy ever after" ending to her life--and to follow Grady, whom she loves--that is the driving force behind her choice. Where will it lead her?

My Review - This book was pretty good. I especially liked it after Grady and Anna/Kitty met. Until that point it kind of dragged. The way slaves were treated were horrible. I don't think I ever realized how bad they were treated or how wrong it was. And then when slavery ended I couldn't image how lost and unprepared people were. I mean you've basically been treated one way your whole life and for that to suddenly change to where you didn't have to be ordered around anymore. Overall I liked this book a lot after I got to a certain point. I can't wait til Lynn Austin comes out with more books since I've read all the ones up to this point.

Kindle vs. Nook vs. NookColor...

So I've been thinking about asking for an eReader for Christmas...What are your thoughts on these?? Which one do you prefer?

I've personally been leaning more towards the NookColor for a few reasons...1) After Amazon is going to sell the pedophile book I don't want them to have anymore of my money. And 2) On the NookColor you can surf the web. But those are my only reasons. So what are your thoughts????

Though Waters Roar by Lynn Austin

Harriet Sherwood has always adored her grandmother. But when Harriet decides to follow in her footsteps to fight for social justice, she certainly never expected her efforts to land her in jail. Nor did she expect her childhood enemy and notorious school bully, Tommy O'Reilly, to be the arresting officer.

Languishing in a jail cell, Harriet has plenty of time to sift through the memories of the three generations of women who have preceded her. As each story emerges, the strength of her family--and their deep faith in the God of justice and righteousness--brings Harriet to the discovery of her own goals and motives for pursuing them.

My Review - This was probably my least favorite book from Lynn Austin that I've read. I did read through it all but I was very hard for me to get through it. I didn't like how Harriet would just kind of be remembering but then it'd jump back to her. But I'm moving on to the next Lynn Austin book. I gave this book 2 stars.

Six Word Saturday

Thankful my mom is doing great!
So if you've read any of my other post you'll read that my mom has breast cancer and on November 2nd she had a double mastectomy. She came through surgery wonderfully and when they were doing the surgery they took out three lymph nodes. Well, those three lymph nodes were tested and they tested negative for cancer. Praise the Lord!! Now though it's been four days since surgery and she is doing awesome. I talked to my dad earlier and he said she had been more awake and alert this morning then she had since the surgery. I'm going to go see her in a bit. Thanks for all the prayers! :)

Friday Fill-Ins: #198

So...here we go!

1. Sometimes, you don't get what you want exactly when you want it..

2. You should trust God about the whole thing.

3. Small steps.

4. The Bible is very enlightening.

5. I keep meaning to get off this computer!

6. Is it time ...yet.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing, tomorrow my plans include sleeping in and Sunday, I want to go to church!

Update

So my mom is doing pretty good. The surgery was on Tuesday and they started around 11:30am and finished about 3:30pm. They took out 3 of her lymph nodes and there was no cancer found in those, praise the Lord! And she goes back on Wednesday to find out what stage the cancer was in. She's sore and in pain now but she went home today. She has a long road ahead from recovery and then starting chemo. So please continue to pray for her! I'm SO very thankful for all the people who are praying. She has told me that she can feel that there are many praying for her. Thanks again!

Prayer Please....

So to the left there is myself but it is also my wonderful, loving, caring, sweet (the list could go on and on) mother, Debbie. On 10/22/10 she was diagnosed with breast cancer after finding a lump in her breast. So I'm asking prayer for her. But tomorrow for her and the doctors. She's having a double mastectomy. She's completely at peace about all of this and I am at peace but then that's my momma and it's scary! The surgery is scheduled for 11am EST so if you think about it please, please, please say a prayer. During the surgery they will take out three lymph nodes and test them to see if the cancer is in them. Also during the surgery they will be able to tell what stage it is in. She'll stay in the hospital tomorrow night and maybe, hopefully get to come home on Wednesday 11/03/10. I know she already has a bunch of prayers being said for her and our family but a few more can't hurt.

I will try to post an update tomorrow evening but I may not get to because I'll be at the hospital all day and then getting home late. Thanks in advance for your prayers though! :)