Tales of the Defended Ones by Beth Guckenberger

I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am a part of Litfuse Publicity Group.

About the Book:

Ben and Joseph lose their mothers, but find a family looking just for them. Antonio is rescued from what seems like a hopeless situation. Caitlyn dares to trust that truth will set her free. Jorani is delivered from slavery into the arms of grace.

Follow these real-life stories as they take you on a journey to foreign places and extreme struggles. Travel through their challenges and see the hand of the great Storyweaver - our Defender God shielding and defending the defenseless in the Aamazing ways only he can. These are the tales of the ones left wounded and weak-ones made whole and strong . . . 

My thoughts:

I love the way the book talks about God being a Storyweaver.  "He knows exactly what is happening, to everyone, everywhere-and for every why he holds the answer."  This concept has transformed my way of thinking! Beth proves that God is the Storyweaver throughout this book. She tells about stories of children around the world and how God has defended them. The book also spurs us to action calling for us to defend them too (see Proverbs 31:8-9). This book will change the way you see the world.

About the Author:

Beth Guckenberger and her husband, Todd, are the founders of Back2Back Ministries. Beth travels and speaks regularly at women's and missions conferences, as well as youth gatherings and church services. Her topics include orphan care, missions, parenting, marriage/intimacy, and faith. Her story-telling style captures audiences, and she draws from her field experience as a missionary and parent for illustrations to biblical concepts. In addition to her latest release, Tales of the Not Forgotten (Standard Publishing 2012), Beth has written Relentless Hope (Standard, 2011) and Reckless Faith (Zondervan, 2008). The Guckenberger family lives and serves in Monterrey, Mexico where they have hosted thousands of guests on their ministry campus. Between biological, foster, and adopted additions to their family, Beth and Todd are raising nine children.








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I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am a part of Litfuse Publicity Group. 

 

 

Friday Fragments 3-29-13

 

1. I can't believe it's already almost April! 2013 is flying by faster than ever!  We have so MANY things going on between now and June! I can't wait to share them all with you!

2. First and foremost I'm super excited that it's almost time for Texas School! This is a week long intense training for photographers in Dallas for those with limited photographic experience all the way to those who are professional photographers who want advanced training.  I'm super excited to meet new people and become a better and  more confident photographer. I'm sure I'll will have several blog posts about Texas School to share with you when I get back. 

3. I'm a not a confident person at all by nature. I really want to become more confident. Any ideas, tips, suggestions on how to do this? 

4. My mom recently had a titanium rod put in her leg. The rod runs from her knee to her ankle. Thanks to all of you who prayed for my mom during the surgery. She's slowly but surely on the road to recovery. Please keep her and my father in your prayers. 

5. Spring is in full bloom here that means it's there's lots of great things to photograph.  If you haven't liked our facebook page please take a second and do so. Here's the link. Thanks! :)

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Easter weekend! Remember:  
God's not dead. He's surely alive!
 

Friday Fragments 3-15-13

1. Spring break always goes by so fast. Monday is going to be a long day. Thankfully we are on the downhill slide of the school year. We just have to get through state testing coming up in April and then the countdown to summer can officially begin.
2. The weather has been amazing here in Southeast Texas this week. We usually don't have spring like weather. Our usual seasons consist of hot and hotter.  This week we've been blessed with cool mornings and pleasant afternoons.  I wish we could have this kind of weather all year!
3. With spring comes the return of my allergies. They always return with vengeance! I was given a bottle of local honey in hopes that taking a teaspoon of it every day will help my allergies.I hope it works because allergies stink!
4. My mom fell getting into my dad's truck the end of last week. She broke her tibia. The doctor said to come back in two weeks and if it doesn't heal properly they will have to put a metal rod in her leg. Please keep her and my dad in your prayers.
5. I've been helping a local photographer at her studio. It's been an amazing experience. I've learned a lot (and I have lots more that I still want to learn)
6. I helped with senior graduation picture sessions yesterday. I can't believe how young theses seniors are! Maybe it's just because I'm getting older! LOL :)
7. Speaking of graduation, my niece will be graduating from kindergarten this year! Just thinking thinking about it causes me to tear up. Time certainly does fly!
 Remember Sunday is St. Patrick's Day so wear green so you won't get pinched! I hope everyone has a safe, and happy weekend.

Wordless Wednesday 5-16-12

Christmas 2011: Adopted by Love

Sharon holding up her baking soda less cookies!

We met at church. I say it was a divine connection. Sharon is an older lady in our church. She's a former teacher,, love animals and loves to garden. Sound like someone else you know?  :) I don't remember when I first met her I just know that we started getting to know each other during Vacation Bible School. Well she has no daugther's of her own. In case you didn't know my parents live in Arkansas and our relationship is well let's just say complicated in the least. Thank you Jesus that it's getting better though. Well what do most mother daughter's do during the holidays. No not fight but make cookies and go Christmas shopping! That's exactly what Sharon and I did. We made cookies and went shopping! It was so much fun! Sharon and I laugh until we cried! We even were having such a good time that she forgot to put baking soda in her molassas cookies. We decided to adpot each other. Just like love you can't keep it to yourself. Sharon and I adopted an elderly lady from our church  who has no family. I call her grandma.

Do you have friends that you believe that God has put into your life for a specific purpose? Do you have friends who are more like family?

Thanksgiving Thoughts

 

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love getting together with loved ones, remembering all that we have to be thankful for and eating great food! I have to admit this year I've been in Thanksgiving funk. I'm not sure why excactly. I think it is a combination of things

1. I haven't seen my parents and sister in three years. I will not go into this in detail on here but things are complicated. It just doesn't seem like the holidays without my family. 

2. It seems more than ever that people espcially the media and retail are skipping over Thanksgiving and going straight to Christmas! I think this devalues the holdiay and encourages people to think about what they want instead of being greatful for what they have. Okay I'm getting off my soap box now. :)

Despite all this I am going to continue some of favorite Thanksgiving traditons which I'll tell you more about on Wednesday. 

What do you do to help you get into the Thanksgiving spirit? Does it feel like Thanksgiving is almost here for you? I'd love to hear how you foster an attitude of thankfulness this time of year in your house and in your own heart!

A Bittersweet Christmas

A Bittersweet Christmas

One word has described this Christmas so far. Bittersweet. A mixture of sweetness and sadness. Sadness in the realization that my parents are getting old and feeble. My mother has 2 surgeries and fallen 3+ in the last 2 months. I didn't realize how frail she was until last weekend. Then reality hit with a somber thud.  I know there comes a point in everyone life when you realize that your parents aren't invincible but I didn't realize that day would come so soon. The change in her since the last time I saw her (about 6-8 months ago) was drastic. No long was she the happy care free woman who loved to travel and do things for her family. No replaced by a feeble, tired, worn out old lady. It doesn't help that we live about 1500 miles apart. I wish I could just take her in my arms, hug her, and take care of her. She took care of me all those years now I want to return the favor.  I need to get on to the sweet part of Christmas before I start bawling......

 This holiday season season has been one of the sweeties holiday seasons ever. The Savior has made His presence more real than ever.. We are so greatful for his blessing and goodness. We have a roof over our head, and food in our stomachs and work. There are so many doing without this holiday season. ClWe are counting out blessings and thanking the Lord for all He's done and all he's going to do!

JOY TO THE WORLD THE LORD HAS COME!

 

HomeKeepers Journal

HomeKeepers Journal 1/06/2010

What’s happening in my home?….

In my kitchen… lots of experimenting with food. I made veggie stew with tumeric and maharajah curry. Hubby loved it! :) I am going to start making more dishes with curry powder. It's supposed to be really good for you. My Gluten free German pancakes turned out great. It even had a better crust than the non GF German pancakes do. Making lasgana tomorrow. I am super excited bcasue I found a recipie that doesn't use tomatoes (I'm allergic).

With our marriage… still growing …. This makes me think of how we continue to grow in Christ year after year until we meet Him face to face. We never are completely “grown” until we see him. I truly believe that marriage is a picture of our relationship with Christ, so it makes sense that as we see ourselves growing together in marriage, we grow in our relationship with Christ. I did not write this part but I thought that it was so beautiful written and described what is going on in my marriage I decided to share it. Thanks for writing this Sylvia.

With the children… Sophie refuses to go outside. That's how I know it's really cold! She just curls up under her blanket on the couch. She loves warm weather! I've even caught Rosie hidding under the covers to keep warm a time or two but she still manages to find time to play.

Around the homestead… its 50's here today. It's supposed to be in the 20's this weekend. Thank God for heaters! :) Its tolerable, but everyone is wrapped in layers of clothing. Less than 2 months before everyone comes in for the big wedding. I'm trying to unpack, put up, clean and organize before everyone gets here. Thank God for FLYLADY it helps me to clean and organize my house in such a non stressful way!

In my “Inner Man”…. keeping focused on God and His word these days. I am starting to become a little depressed but I am determined not to give in.

What is your Inner Man? In 2 Corinthians 4 Paul gives us a clue about what he means when he says “the inner man”. In that scripture he says that “our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” (4:16 KJV). So for Christians even though there is something about us that is getting old, decaying and deteriorating and dying..there is also something about us that is growing, becoming more alive, richer and stronger every day we live and follow Christ. That is what Paul calls our “inner man.”

My First Gluten Free Christmas Part 2

Welcome back to part 2 of my drama entitled "My First Gluten Free Christmas." Staring Carol Fleisher and family. Okay, Okay, enough with the theatrics-I'm getting back to the story. :)
In part one I told you all the yummy gluten free goodies I made for Christmas. Now I am going to tell you how my Christmas went.
On Christmas Eve, Matt and I went to the annual Christmas Eve service. It was very windy outside with +20 mph wind and very cold!  It was so good to see everyone there and to wish them a Merry Christmas. I especially love the end of the service. We turned off all the lights in the church and began singing Silent Night. First we sang it in English then German and finally in Spanish. I got goose bumps just hearing everyone worship in the different languages. It reminds me that one day we will all be singing and worshiping (every tribe, tongue, and nation) around the His throne!
After that we came home and exchanged gifts since we were headed out of town the next day. It was a very simple, but very appericate gift exchange. I love it when I buy my hubby a present and he has no idea what he's getting. Usually I just buy items off his wish list but ocassionaly I am able to slip one by him!
On Christmas Day, we headed out of town. I was really anxious about this trip. This was the first time we had taken Sophie out of town with us.  For those of you that don't know Sophie is our minature daschund (and our spoiled four legged child). We'll we finally got the car loaded up and hit the road. Sophie hates rididing in the car. She likes to explore and she simply cannot explore while sitting in someone's lap. She likes to let you know that she can't explore too!  Finally, the whinning started to subside as we reached our first destination. On the way to spend Christmas Day with Matt's family, we stopped at our friend Brenda's house.
It was so good to see her. We met her and her family several years ago. Her husband used to work with my husband. They are some of the sweetest, and most compassionate people you have ever met. They are also dog lovers!  Their pomerian, pit bull and lab were all glad to see us as well  and you know that I had to love on all of them. Of course, after Sophie made sure everyone was "ok", she began prancing around like she was the belle of the ball. Soaking up all the attention. It was good to catch up and hang out with everyone.
Well after a little while it was time to get back on our way and before we knew it we were at Matt's aunt and uncle's house. Sophie felt at home at once and began playing with other dogs at the house. Aunt Denise is a wonderful cook. As soon as you open the front door, your nose bombarded with a thousand savory scents. I am very thankful that she has lots of cooking experience and doesn't' mind sharing it with me. I had told her about not being able to eat gluten and she was very accomdating. She encouraged me to bring some gluten free foods to Christmas dinner. She made sure that what she prepared was gluten free-well most of it anyway.  Finally, the rest of Matt's family got there and after a round of photos we ate. People tried my cooking and were very nice. Most of the people there also cooked so I got feed back on what I coked.  I didn't tell them what what I fixed was gluten free I just told them that  I cooked for once!  I wasn't afraid of them know that I couldn't eat gluten. I was more afraid of them not understanding what it was and what it means and that I wouldn't be able to explain it properly. Of course some of things I made didn't turn out quite right but I tried and I learned. Besides what they don't eat I get to take back home with me! :)  I am happy to announce that I didn't eat anything with gluten in it for Christmas dinner! Yeah! :)
Meanwhile outside in the back yard, Sophie is happily playing with the other dogs and trying to figure out how to get out of the fence.

Well that's pretty much what happened for my Christmas. Except I have to tell you what my dear, sweet Sophie did. After dinner Christmas day, Matt and I along with some other members of the family decided  to relax in the hot tub for a little bit. Well, Sophie didn't like this one bit. She started crying inceasently because she could not join us. Next thing I know, I see Sophie up on the side of the hot tub. She had some how mananged to jump up about 4 feet strait off the ground to the top of the hot tub! I couldn't not believe it. I mean I knew she was a good jumper but I didn't realize she could jump like that. After she got up there and saw what the hot tub was she lost interest fast. She absolutely despises water especially if for a split second she thinks she might have to take a bath!

Well that's how my first gluten free Christmas went! I hope your was just was wonderful with many loving memories!