Wednesday, November 9, 2011

TOADY Awards

One of the websites I follow is Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood. This is the 3rd year of voting for the TOADY (Toys Oppressive And Destructive to Young Children) awards. You will be amazed at some of the toys targeting our kids. I'd love to hear what you vote for. I voted but will share my choice later. Cast your vote today!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Book Review: Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman

I'm not sure what inspired me to pick up this book at Ollies. I can't say I was a die hard Steven Curtis Chapman fan..I mean his music is good but I wasn't a groupie by any stretch. I knew some of their story and I don't normally like to read things that are sad; especially pertaining to our kiddos. The price tag even at Ollies was $6.99 so it wasn't a $2 deal I couldn't pass up. So, that leads me to the fact that it must have been a God thing. Choosing to SEE: A Journey of Struggle and Hope by Mary Beth Chapman was by far one of the best books I have read in a long time. Let me explain....

When I realized I loved this book and couldn't put it down I wondered what was wrong with me. It's sad. Heartbreaking actually. Why was I captivated? There it was staring me in the face....Authenticity. Something we see so rarely in todays Church. No mask, no fake smile, no sugar coating. Truth. Pain. Grieving. God.

I was drawn in from the beginning of Mary Beth's story. Her desire was to have a neat and orderly life but God had a different plan and path for her to walk. From chaos as a struggling musicians wife to unexpected pregnancy, to depression just to get her journey started. As one who thrives on order and can't deal with chaos and who has struggled with anxiety and depression I felt like I got her struggle.

Her story moves into the season of being called to adopt, start a ministry for orphans and adopting families, adopting again, and then again...and no adoption is a "neat and orderly" process!

A chunk of the book is about the accidental death of their daughter and the days, weeks, months, and years that have followed. The details are intimate and the pain so real. The journey through grieving is honest. Again I asked why I liked this book so much and not only was it authentic but it gives hope.

No mom would choose the road the Chapman family has journeyed down. However, as Mary Beth writes, she will do Hard because God has called her to that road. She faithful clings to God and God's faithfulness to them is so evident in this book.

So, I loved it. I recommend it. I admire this family more now than ever before having read their story, seen their hearts, and heard them testify to God's faithfulness even in the Hard.