Living Well Spending Less

From the publisher's website: "
Ruth Soukup knows what it is like to want what you can’t afford. And she knows the downward spiral of out-of-control spending and how it can consume your life, eat up your time, and destroy your relationships. When she finally hit bottom with her finances and her marriage was on the brink of divorce, she had to learn a totally different way to think about money...and discovered true happiness along the way.

In Living Well, Spending Less Ruth shares her secrets with warmth, total honesty, and practical help in every chapter. Following her wildly successful blog of the same name, Ruth gives her readers even more of what they love: lots of creative, helpful ideas and advice for families on a budget along with stories from her own journey to discovering what the good life is really all about.

With personal and creative challenges in each chapter, Living Well, Spending Less is perfect for small group study or discussion. As readers change the desires of their hearts and shift their priorities toward treasures that last, they will find a life rich in faith, family, friends, and creativity—and a budget that balances."

First of all, I really really enjoyed reading this book. Ruth does an amazing job of explaining these 12 secrets of the good life that she has implemented in her own life. The book is set up in two parts, Living Well and Spending Less. One of my favorite aspects of this book, is that she starts with your heart and mindset first. She talks about being content first. How important it is to be happy where you are. Yes change the things that need to change, but be happy where you are and with what you have.

She goes on to discuss using your time wisely and setting goals before going on to the more practical items of saving money at the grocery store, decluttering and cleaning routines. I enjoyed reading her personal stories and examples and encouraging words to help others make needed changes in their lives. I highly recommend reading this book. It is truly one of the best books of its kind that I have read in a long time.

Beside Bethesda

From the publisher's website: "A 31-day devotional from bestselling author and speaker Joni Eareckson Tada that takes readers on a month-long journey toward the deepest healing God offers. The entire book is framed against Joni’s visit to the healing pool of Bethesda to seek healing where Jesus healed.

As Joni relates aspects of her own journey in dealing with the most painful “unanswered prayer” of her life, readers will learn to see beyond potential quick fixes to the deepest and greatest solutions God has for them. As the journey continues, readers deal with topics such as contentment, patience, unanswered prayer, transformation through suffering, wrestling with God, and hoping in God."

This was a nice devotional. I think it could really help someone who is need of deep healing find support and realize that they are not alone. I didn't like that each devotional basically had a story of hers and then a verse or two from whichever translation fit what she said. I felt like she should have used more scripture in the devotional. I did really like the concept of the man being healed by Jesus at the pool in Bethesda and how we can be healed too.

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NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women Review

This is a lovely compact Bible. The cover is beautiful and attractive with its two tone coloring. I enjoyed the ease of reading it. It actually helped me to be more accountable with my Bible reading. I could easily carry it to church, Bible study or just with me throughout the day. It has an attached bookmark to keep your last reading place well at hand.


Another feature that I really liked was that the devotionals are throughout the Bible near to the scripture verses that they reference. That made it simple to find the verse as well as to have an added extra when reading one of the books of the Bible. Lysa TerKeurst  wrote the forward of this Bible as well as a few of the devotionals inside. Her sense of humor and humbleness help the scripture be easily applied to our everyday lives.


I highly recommend having this Bible as a easy to read version. It does not contain any study notes or the like and that can be difficult for an in-depth study but to regularly read and have everyday devotions.

THM Easy Whole Grain and Honey Bread Machine Bread (E) by Kristen Hay

THM Easy Whole Grain and Honey Bread Machine Bread (E)

The Trim Healthy Mama Sprouted Whole Grain and Honey Recipe has been moved to Kristen Hay's new blog here: https://kristenhayphotography.smugmug.com/Blog/THM-Easy-Sprouted-Whole-Grain-

You can also pin the recipe using this link: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/50172983324328197/


Thanks everyone for stopping by.

Get to know Paul Book Review

Get to Know Apostle Paul by Nancy I. Sanders is a full color biography of Apostle Paul just for kids. It details Paul's conversion and ministry to the Christian faith. This book is easy to read and very informative of events told in the Bible as well as a few from other historians. It has facts and vocabulary words to help explain the story further.

I enjoyed reading this book. There are many colorful photos to help show the area and even some of the ruins of the places that Paul walked. Maps help show Paul's journeys and how the cities were laid out in Paul's day. While it does reference a few scriptures, it doesn't reference them as much as I'd like.

I was given this book at no cost in exchange for my honest review by Booksneeze.

Challenge on the Hill of Fire Book Review

Challenge on the Hill of Fire is the 10th book in the Imagination Station Series. Patrick and Beth go to Whit's End to get a green milkshake for St. Patrick's Day. Whit asks if Patrick is named after St. Patrick and thus begins there latest adventure in the world of St. Patrick. The Druids' religion dominates in Ireland during this time and the Bishop is trying to bring word of The One True God and free the people of Ireland from the Druids tyrannical reign.

This is so far my favorite Imagination Station book. I felt like I really got a lot of the feel of the time period and how the people lived. Patrick and Beth are tested in their faith as well and are tasked with really standing up for what they believe in. There is several instances of dying for what they believe in as a real possibility. A good read.