To Read...or Not To Read

{Written By Miss Bethany Ann}

Here I am again. In the same place I was several weeks ago. I am sitting on my bed with the excitement of a new library book in my hands. I have heard about this book from various friends and was thrilled to find the library has it for rent. I eagerly checked it out and bring it home and now open it's pages to begin reading. As excitement rushes over me, I begin to read. But I quickly come to a portion of the book I find questionable. I wonder if I should continue with the story. I hope it doesn't get worse and that I can avoid the obvious. I try to realize were my standards go and if this particular situation goes over that line. I get so into the book I feel like I have to find out what happens in the end, and that if I had to stop just because of one..or honestly speaking, several...{little} issues, that I will be haunted forever with the fact of never finishing the book. I sit there, eyes on the book cover and wonder "To read...or not to read?" A simple question it is really, but the complication overwhelms me and I struggle to make a choice. Will I finish it...or will I put it down and return it to the library unfinished. As my soul fights the spiritual battle, my mind wrestles with the path before me. I must choose which fork to go down. To finish it or not.

August Book Reviews

In this month's book review post, I've got the rest of the Anne of Green Gables Series reviews for you! To read the previous book reviews on this series click HERE! Also, would you like to receive updates on book's I've read and my reviews sooner then once every month? If so then follow me on GoodReads.com were I've just set up an account! By following me you can read my books reviews that I'd normally only post here monthly sooner and you can also see what I've been reading as of that day. You can visit my page by clicking HERE! Enjoy the book reviews! ~Bethany

Anne's House of Dreams 

{Book # 5}

By L. M. Montgomery

{Review By Bethany}

 

To read the previous books in the Anne of Green Gables series reviews click HERE!

 

Publisher :: Random House, Inc.

Source :: Purchased at a garage sale :)

Publication Date :: 1983

My Rating :: 5 out of 5 stars

Age Recommendation :: For girls 8+

Anne's own true love, Gilbert Blythe, is finally a doctor, and in the sunshine of the old orchard, among their dearest friends, they are about to speak their vows. Soon the happy couple will be bound for a new life together and their own dream house, on the misty purple shores of Four Winds Harbor. A new life means fresh problems to solve, fresh surprises. Anne and Gilbert will make new friends and meet their neighbors: Captain Jim, the lighthouse attendant, with his sad stories of the sea; Miss Cornelia Bryant, the lady who speaks from the heart--and speaks her mind; and the tragically beautiful Leslie Moore, into whose dark life Anne shines a brilliant light. {Description from ChristianBook.com}

I have really enjoyed this book. I'm debating whether it's my favorite of the series, I can't decided since they are all equally good, but I can say it's one of my favorites! This book is not only the half-way done mark through the series, but it's also the first book were Anne is a married girl so I felt as if I was reading the second part of Anne's complete story. I loved how "homey" this book was. Anne was dearly enjoying married life and loved living in her little "house of dreams" and I just loved all the events that took place. She made new friends, re-connected with old ones, had both joys and sorrows, births and deaths, and more during her stay in the home. There was also a portion of the story that had me guessing what would happen next and it ended up turning different than I'd have ever thought making for a very exciting read! I'd highly recommend this book, as well as the whole series to all young ladies!

Craft Projects :: This 'N That

For this month's craft projects post, I though I'd share a few this 'n that projects. I had a bunch of cute craft projects I wanted to share, but they weren't in any certain category so I decided to share some various craft projects. ;) I hope that you enjoy looking through them and if you decided to try any of them out for yourself, let us know! Have a lovely weekend!

{Simple Friendship Bracelets}

Interview :: Miss Olivia H.

{For this month's interview we have the pleasure of  interviewing Miss Olivia H. of Fresh Modesty and Working With Eager Hands. Both of us girls enjoy reading Olivia's blogs and hope that you will enjoy this interview focusing on modesty. ~Bethany & Johanna}

 

REFLECTIONS OF GRACE :: Can you introduce yourself to us and tell us a bit about your family and surroundings?

MISS OLIVIA :: Hey! I’m Olivia of Fresh Modesty- the blog and the website. I’m 19 and am the oldest of 6# siblings. My family moved to 62 acres in the country from the suburbs 2.5 years ago and I've enjoyed becoming a whole different person as I've adapted! We have some cows, chickens, and pigs, but I don’t do much with those. In my “spare” time I sew (you can see my projects on my sewing blog), write eBooks, and Google everything. 

REFLECTIONS OF GRACE :: When did you accept Christ as your personal Savior?

MISS OLIVIA :: Well, I've grown up in a Christian home, so that’s kind of hard to say. My faith tends to grow in little mini “episodes” in which my surroundings, circumstances, conversations, sermons, anything really, point me towards Him and show me a little more of His goodness towards me, and my undeservedness of it. The Lord uses ordinary things in drawing me to Himself, and I’m thankful. :)

Recipes // Oreo Love

Who doesn't like Oreo's? I mean, really? With the combination of chocolate yumminess with creamy delight, this dessert is sure to be a true treat! Today I'm going to be sharing some yummy Oreo recipes that I've found off Pinterest. I didn't realize how many Oreo recipes I had on my Pinterest account, but as I was looking through my recipe board, looking for recipes to share today, I realized how many Oreo recipes I had pinned so I decided to share them with you today! Enjoy! {If you'd like to re-pin these recipes to your own Pinterest pin board you can find them HERE along with my other recipes in my recipe board}!

Bethany

Cookie Inside A Cookie

Cookies 'N Cream Freeze

July Movie Review | The Amazing Spiderman

The Amazing Spiderman

{In-depth review by Johanna}


Rating :: PG-13

Directed By :: Marc Webb

Genre :: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi

In Theaters :: July 3, 2012

{The Storyline} 

-- no spoilers included -- 

    The Amazing Spiderman is the story of Peter Parker, a teenager who is both a high-school outcast and was, for mysterious and unknown reasons, abandoned by his parents when he was just a little boy. While living with his Aunt and Uncle, Peter does his best to not only fit in, but more importantly find out who he truly is and who is parents were.
    Upon finding a seemingly forgotten brief-case containing old files from his missing dad he suddenly finds a key that just might help him unravel the mystery. Peter soon finds himself in the Oscorp science lab where he not only meets Dr. Curt Connors -- a former partner of his dad's -- but also encounters a strange science exhibit.
    Upon sneaking into an off-limits room at the lab, Peter beholds many delicate webs being woven by hundreds of spiders. With one touch, his life changes in an instant, as a spider bites him. By the time he reaches home from the lab, he realizes that something has drastically changed -- but what is it? Within no time at all, he realizes that he has just done what Dr. Curt Connors has been trying to do for his entire life -- find a way to cross the genetics of both humans and animals, in order to embody humans with more abilities. Peter not only finds that he now is as flexible and quick as a spider, but also that he has the ability to weave webs.
    And oh, what a tangled web the plot begins to weave.
    The story takes off as Peter begins to realize what good he can do with his super-powers, and tries to help in catching common criminals. However, it would seem that Peter is destined to face far worse when he is suddenly thrust in the face of danger, and collides with a greater foe than any he had dealt with before. He finds himself forced into making life-changing choices as he seeks to save the world from the very thing which he helped create.

True Love Never Fails

{Written By Miss Bethany}

:: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 ::

"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

What is love? Is it a mere four letters arranged to make a word to express feelings or is it more than that? Is it found in the shape of a heart, all red and glowing, or does it come by another shape of another kind? Is it a feeling you receive when you find that special someone or is it the feeling you release once you've found that person? What is the ultimate love? Were does it come from? While many believe that love is a fluffy feeling or starkly symbol, I find true love to go farther than that.

Love is so much more than just a 4-letter word or a feeling we get. We see in 1 Corinthians 13 what True Love is, how it acts, how you can tell it apart from the others. Some may argue that love is a feeling or a shape, but when you ask me what I believe love to be I will tell you simply what love is: JESUS! So, put simply, love=Jesus.