Book Review: Composing Amelia, by Alison Strobel

I can't remember now why I decided to download the sample of Composing Amelia. Probably a blog post describing it or something like that. But I read the sample on my Kindle and immediately bought the whole book, and read it over the course of a couple of days.

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The title character is a young newlywed with dreams of a successful career as a concert pianist. Her new husband has recently finished seminary and is seeking a position, hopefully on the staff of a large church somewhere in one of California's big cities, with dreams that together they'll serve the community and build a life together. When Amelia gets a gig playing in the pit orchestra for a new musical theater troupe, she's sure that it's a first step on the path to the career of her dreams. But then Marcus is unexpectedly offered a job as senior pastor of a small rural church . . . in Nebraska. As their dreams, and their understanding of God's plan, collide, Allison begins to wonder whether marriage, and her relatively new Christian faith, both were mistakes.

This novel explores a number of interesting themes: what marriage means; how our parents' example can influence us (for good or for ill) without our even realizing it, mental illness and how it's perceived in the church, and what it means to follow God. Although probably not the predominant theme in the book, it's this last theme that I found the most compelling. In a scene near the end of the novel, Marcus meets Ryan, a pastor at another church, and admits the struggles that he and Amelia are dealing with, including his own fear that he's chosen the wrong career for the wrong reasons. Ryan responds with words of wisdom that resonated with me: “Instead of asking God where else you should be, try asking Him what you should do now that you're here.”

Strobel addresses some serious, emotional themes in the context of a story that seems real and believable. She doesn't preach, but lets us watch Marcus and Amelia's struggles play out without oversimplifying or sugarcoating. She doesn't give the easy answers or the trite resolution. But at the end, there is hope.

I recommend this book for those who enjoy a good story that gives food for thought. It's available at Amazon.com.

Laura
Greenville, Texas
I Was Just Thinking . . .
 
Legal Blog: Real Estate Law Blog
Twitter: @LauraMcMom
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Memorial Day 2012 – A Grateful Nation Remembers

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

John F. Kennedy

 

In honor of all those who serve . . . and those who have gone before.

Matthew McClellan and Benjamin McClellan, U.S. Navy

 

Samuel McClellan, Navy JROTC

Laura
Greenville, Texas
I Was Just Thinking . . .
Legal Blog: Real Estate Law Blog
Twitter: @LauraMcMom
Email Me

Multitasking, Yes or No? Blogging today at Lifehack

I'm blogging again today over at Stepcase Lifehack, this time sharing some tips on getting off the multitasking treadmill (easier said than done, right?). If you're feeling overwhelmed and overly distracted, you might find something useful there.

Here's a link to my guest post there. I hope you'll stop by and read it, and leave a comment there with your thoughts.

Laura
Greenville, Texas
I Was Just Thinking . . .
 
Legal Blog: Real Estate Law Blog
Email me

7 Blogs You Should Be Reading (if You’re a Mom)

In a previous post I shared a list of some of my favorite blogs. These are blogs that I think everybody should check out and most people will benefit from reading regularly. Their focus is relatively general, offering information relevant to most people's lives.

Blogs on JoopeA
Blogs on JoopeA (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today I want to share another list of favorite blogs. These are more narrowly focused–they are particularly of value to moms (of varying stages of life). Most moms that I know will appreciate the blogs I recommended in that previous post (here), but the blogs below offer content especially targeted toward moms. If you're a mom (or expect to be at some point in the future), consider visiting–and subscribing to–one or more of the following:

  • The Gypsy Mama. Lisa-Jo says she thinks “motherhood should come with a super hero cape and a cheerleader.” In her blog, she transparently shares her thoughts about life as a mom and tries to be that cheerleader. She also offers a free e-book called The Cheerleader for Tired Moms, available at the blog.
  • Simple Mom. This one's written by Tsh Oxenreider, author of Organized Simplicity, a really helpful book that I reviewed here. (You can order it from Amazon by clicking on the image at the bottom of this post.) Tsh's objective, through her blog, her books, and her other Simple Living Media endeavors, is to help people live more simply. She offers lots of useful information and encouragement toward that end.
  • iHeart Organizing. Jen loves to think and write about home organization, and her blog gives you an inside look at the projects she undertakes at her own home, in addition to lots of tips you can put to use at yours. This one is fun because she includes lots of photos.
  • 4Word. Aimed particularly at working women (that is, those with employment outside the home–yes, I know that all moms work), this one offers encouragement and advice for women who work . . . love . . . pray.
  • Tricia Goyer's blog. Tricia is an author and speaker with a heart for moms. She blogs on a variety of topics, including writing as well as family-focused posts. She also broadcasts on an internet radio show. Information and links are available on her site.
  • Digitwirl. Hosted by Carley Knobloch, Digitwirl presents short weekly video broadcasts that introduce you to “killer tech tools that will keep you organized and simplify your life.” The Digitwirl team tests all sorts of devices and apps and websites and then shares their recommendations via these fun little video clips. Really useful info here.
  • BlogHerMoms. Articles by moms on lots of different topics of interest to moms. Quite a variety of perspectives; take it all with a grain of salt and your own good judgment.

The internet is awash with blogs aimed at women, some better and more useful than others. Of those blogs that specifically speak to moms, these are some that I enjoy, which isn't to say that I necessarily agree with everything they say. You can click on the blog titles above to visit them and see whether you like them.

Which blogs do you enjoy most? Leave a comment below with your recommendations so we can all check them out.

Laura
Greenville, Texas
I Was Just Thinking . . .
 
Legal Blog: Real Estate Law Blog
Twitter: @LauraMcMom

Email me

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When You’re About to Lose Your Mind

stress head
Photo credit: ian boyd

I'm delighted to be blogging again this morning over at Stepcase Lifehack, this time about how to restore sanity when you're about to lose it. My post's title refers to workplace sanity, but don't be fooled — I'm not talking about just the office. I used to use the same techniques when I was home full time with my kids!

Here's a link to my guest post there. I hope you'll stop by and read it, and leave a comment there with your thoughts.

Laura
Greenville, Texas
I Was Just Thinking . . .
 
Legal Blog: Real Estate Law Blog
Email me

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