The Silent Gift, by Michael Landon, Jr.

The Silent Gift is the second book I have now reviewed for Bethany House.  This story is phenomenal.  It captured my attention from the first few pages to the end.  The only flaw with it is that once you start reading, it's very hard to put down.

This book is written by Michael Landon, Jr. and Che Ahn and takes places during the Great Depression.  It centers around a deaf/mute boy, Jack, and his mother, Mary.  Mary is a tenacious young woman who fights for his son in any way she can.  Along her and Jack's life-journey, they encounter good, scary, and unjust times but they continue on.  Even though Mary feels God has abandoned them, we, as readers, see God's hand on everything that happens.

Here is an excerpt:

"Oh...Jack," she said, tears flowing down her cheeks.  He stared at her, and she pulled off her right glove.  Slowly, she reached out and touched the tip of his nose, ran her finger up the bridge and formed a heart around his face.

"I love you, little man," she whispered.

She saw it then.  The light of recognition in his eyes that told her more than words could ever say.  He smiled -wide, joyful, and stepped into her arms.

This book deals with some hard topics such as prophecy vs. fortune telling.  It will get your mind thinking, for sure.  I highly recommend this book and wouldn't be surprised if it soon becomes a Hallmark movie.

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Measure of Mercy by Lauraine Snelling

This is the very first book I am reviewing for Bethany House. The story takes place in Blessing, North Dakota. It is a fictional town that has come to life through the author's imagination. This is the first in a series but the characters are from Red River of the North books. If you are interested, there is a website for the town of Blessing.

The main character of this book is an eighteen-year-old woman, Astrid Bjorklund. She is training to be a doctor in this 20th century setting. She goes to Chicago, Illinois for continued training and proves to be a very talented physician. I felt the book really came to life when Astrid took care of a little orphan boy named Benny, who lost both his legs to an accident. He was adopted by a young couple in Blessing. Also, Astrid's family took in a little girl left in their barn on a very snowy day, most probably from an Indian reservation.

Here is an excerpt from her interaction with Benny.

"Are you an angel, Miss?"

Astrid sat down on the edge of his bed. No one's ever called me an angel before, but if it makes you feel better..." She let the thought hang and laid the back of her hand along his cheek. Still warm but not more so than before. "Go to sleep now."

He nodded, a smile touching the corners of his mouth and impossibly long eyelashes drifting closed.

I had trouble getting to know these characters.  There were many introduced in a short period of time plus they are Norwegian names, which makes it even harder.  When I hit the half-way mark, I began to be interested.  It makes sense now that I researched the author.  This is a continuation from former books.  It is possible to start with this book, just be aware that it takes a bit to come to know the people.  It is a fantastic community who all help out each other.

It is an enjoyable read and I did learn much about the time period.  It is very interesting time in history.  There are loose ends left in this book which leaves us set up for the next book in the series.

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Bumper Car Living

I have a confession.  It's a tiny one, at least to any of you that don't live near me.  You're safe as can be, no worries there.  But to my family and co-workers, and anyone who happens to be within viewing distance of me while I'm driving, ummm... be afraid.  Be very afraid.

This past Monday was the first day I'd driven in over two weeks.  I went to school on a Monday and then the next day I had my surgery, was in the hospital for a week, and then there was the week of no school for Thanksgiving.  

Okay, so maybe I was out of practice just a bit.  Or maybe it was the residual effects of the anesthesia or maybe just plain laziness or stupidity.  Whatever it was, when I tried to back out of our driveway, I was blocked by something.  I almost pressed the accelerator thinking it was just mud.  Oh man, it wasn't.  It was my son, Nik's little car.  It really is no match for a min-van but it held it's own.  I must've hit it just perfect so our bumpers...bumped:)  That's what they're for, right?

It's a secret, though.  Nik doesn't  have a clue.  Serves him right for parking behind me.  Anyway, I do have a thought hidden in here somewhere.  Hold on, please:)

Lots of times I feel like I'm in a bumper car.  I go here and there, am bumped and change directions.  It's crazy.  I like to think I'm living a faith-filled life but sometimes I wonder.  Hmmm...  Anyway, it seems to be how my health works.  I roll with the punches, or try to.  Right now I'm having a rough time doing what I need to do.  I have some decisions to make.  If you would like to pray, please do that for me.  I would really appreciate it.  

God is so BIG!  He cares for us BIG TIME!  He loves us in a BIG way!  Let's remember this in this busy Christmas season.  After all, it is because of Jesus that we celebrate. 

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