Book Review: Having Hope by Terri Ferran

Having Hope by Terri Ferran picks up where Finding Faith lets off and is the second book in Terri Ferran's trilogy.  It is a contemporary LDS  romantic fiction . At the beginning, Kit is still anxiously waiting for her missionary Adam Bridger to come home. She is firmly entrenched in the Bridger family and her faith in the gospel is growing stronger and her faith is solid in spite of the trauma she endured, she is healing. She is still working through the circumstances of her adoption and she is trying to figure things out for herself.  She is missing Janet, but meets new friends that pull her in different directions. One of which lead her across the world to work with the orphans in Romania as a part of her schooling. She is torn between going as she feels prompted and leaving Adam after he just returns from his mission.

With Adam's support she travels across the world and while she is gone, things back home begin to go awry as unexpected things happen in Romania. During this time Kit has to rely on her testimony and develop hope for herself and her future as parts of her life begin to unravel.

Having Hope is written with the same wonderful gospel teachings and insights that create a deeper sense of testimony in the reader, and helps expand understanding of gospel principles. I loved this books message that through all the tough times no matter how hard they are that having hope will always help you through

I really enjoyed Having Hope and seeing further development and growth in the characters as they meet thier individual challenges and find the ability to overcome. It was fun feeling like you were revisiting old friends.


 
Book Blurb
After being reunited with Adam Bridger, the missionary she waited for for two long years, Kit Matthews experiences feelings she cannot ignore promptings that take her halfway around the world.
The strong connection she feels with orphans in Romania because of her own abandonment at birth draws Kit to Romania where she meets a Romanian medical student, Marcel and when Kit challenges Marcel to learn about the gospel, she has no idea of the doors she has opened.
After learning of some disturbing news at home, Kit struggles to have hope that God is mindful of His children, and must decide between creating a new life in Romania and returning to repair her life in America.

You can get your copy of Having Hope  on Amazon by clicking here.  And click here to see it on good reads. Your testimony will be strengthened along with your hope for things to come.

Book Review: Finding Faith by Terri Ferran

Finding Faith  by Terri Ferran is about a girl named Kit who moved from California right before her senior year to Logan Utah. A place way different than what she is used to as far as culture is concerned. They have their own lingo and way of doing things that is foreign in many ways to Kit.

She takes part time classes at Utah State University where her father teaches, and is in high school part time. And finding friends isn't as easy as she thought it would be. Kit wanders around the mall and meet a girl with lots of energy, and then that leads her to meeting Janet. The girl who would become her best friend. And to make it better she sees a hot guy that she wonders about.

Things begin to look up when Janet invites Kit to her house. She learns that they are LDS and that they  have a deep belief and abiding faith in God. Kit isn't even sure God exists. But this doesn't stop her friendship with Janet from growing strong. At Janet's house a great discovery is made, Janet is related to the smoking hot guy she saw, and she is introduced to him. His name is Justin.

Justin and Kit hit it off and Kit finds herself spending more and more time with Janet's family. She feels like she belongs. As things progress in the story, Kit is challenged at every point in what she believes and learns that this faith that Janet's family has is hard to figure out. But in stages she begins to understand what it is that makes the Bridger family so fabulous.

Finding Faith is a story about new beginnings, learning how strong you can be in the most difficult and unexpected of circumstances and and finding faith. It is a love story that is sweet  and wonderful and a story of deep and abiding friendship. I found myself laughing, crying and wondering what Kit's decisions would be in the face of trials. It is about learning to trust and letting go.

Finding Faith, strengthened my own faith, just by the way Terri told the story. She was able to pull on the great strength having faith lends. I found myself wanting to write things down to remember the way the Bridger family helped Kit through the toughest times of her life. I found in many cases her lessons became my big reminders, and I felt comfort and peace and the spirit speak to me as my own faith grew. I am so glad I got to read this book that shows in such a beautiful way the depth and beauty of the gospel and how it changed the life a girl who did not have it in her own.

I know you won't want to miss the chance to read Finding Faith by Terri Ferran. I know that anyone who reads this book will have their own testimony strengthened in the truths of the gospel. I know that the spirit will testify to those who read this book, the truth of what it contains.

To find out how to get your copy of Finding Faith and  to find out more about Terri click on the links below.

Social Networking Links for Terri : here

Goodreads: here

when distractions get in the way

Ever feel like there are a million and one things to distract you from what you want most? That sometimes it is that very thing that ends up with the least amount of attention as everything else demands you to give it first priority?

I feel like that now. I want to finish my work in progress, to say YES!! I finally finished it, and to be honest, all I truly need is about 10 uninterrupted days to finish it. But right now, it seems like those 10 dedicated days of writing is a fantasy.

School just went back into session for my kids, so the last week or so, I have run to every store in the Denver Metro area seeking school supplies for my kids going to school here from elementary to High School. Then getting all the millions of forms filled out, not to mention helping with homework, lunch shopping and all the driving. And this year as an added bonus we get to have the benefit of school prep spreading from 5 am to at times 10 am. It is really quite insane, and that is just the getting ready and dropping off schedules. Pick up is just the opposite, and when games start... well, you get the picture.

Throw into the mix, teaching group exercise classes.... which is awesome!! But time consuming. And  trying to balance classes with my families always changing schedules, and then add in a dash of reviewing and editing and life can be very full. Oh and I almost forgot... trying to clean my house out. I think that is a lost cause and only a nuclear bomb will have any effect at this point. Ha!

But there are the distractions, when life gets even more harrowing. Little crazy stresses that can slowly drive you batty. Tugs on time and money and other resources like... um sleep. Since I seem to have only the time when everyone is sleeping now to write. But then I'm sleepy too, and my brain gets a little fuzzy.

But when I do get the time to escape into my own world, when I get to let my fingers soar across the keyboard as a story comes to life under my fingers, it is heaven. I love it. I feel free of all of the crazie little things that pull me away. It's just finding those minutes to truly create an entirely new world. It is worth all the distractions to get to that.

Now if I could just figure out a good way to manage my time. I used to be awesome at it when I was in college and before I had seven kids. I'm not quite sure what happened along the way.

Anyone out there have any ideas on how to get past distractions? I'd love to hear what you have to say about how you deal with them! =0)

Setting Goals that Transform You Inside and Out

As you enjoy the cool whisper of the autumn air and we edge ever closer to Halloween, it is a time of pumpkins and fun magical possibilities!
With those possibilities are the dreams that we make as we take a night to become something different, and take on the identity of a mythological creature or scary monster, it is about re-creating ourselves,even for just a spellbound night. But what if you could take that change and make it more permanent?

Not so much as turning ourselves into ghost and fairies for the rest of our lives, but more along the lines of changing who we want to become in a world not made up of fantastical creatures, but ordinary human beings. Make that extraordinary human beings!

We are all capable of changing and becoming more than we ever imagined. All it take is a little disciple and a smidgen of determination, guised in the form of a written goal. With a little encouragement and a chance to see progress, we can do amazing things.

There was a time in my life that I never thought I could run more than three miles. That distance seemed daunting! Then I was set with the challenge of running 26.2 miles. That seemed unbelievable, almost impossible. I couldn't see myself accomplishing that huge number. But then I decided that it was doable. That it could be done, and so I set a goal. With the help of good friends and a little disciple, I created mini goals to help me along the way.

I did not do 26.2 miles the next day, not even close. That number was still intimidating to me, but I did smaller ones. I ran 2 miles, then 5, then 8 and on and on, until I was up to 21 before the big event. Finally, the day of my first full marathon arrived. I started it at 5:30 am on a beautiful cool day up in the mountains of Steamboat Colorado. I was with a hand full of people doing an early start. I knew I needed all of the extra time I would be allotted to accomplish my biggest and still uncompleted goal of 26.2 miles. The day was calm when I started, I thought it would be easy, my adrenaline was racing through my veins as I ran along the black ribboned high way. I was so excited! It was going to be so much fun! It was the day I would finally meet that goal that I had trained 5 months for, working up to the big event little increments at a time. I was laughing, taking pictures of the breath taking scenery and was on an all time high.

But as the day progressed, things became more challenging. IT rained, the temperatures dipped low, and it snowed. The wind picked up with a fury to blow me off the road. Disgruntled Sunday drivers ran me off the road and at times almost hit me. I saw runner after runner pass me by, each encouraging me to keep going and not give up, counting them as they went wondering if I would be the last one to finish as I continued to push one foot in front of the other toward that golden shining moment when I would cross that finish line. I had Friends cheer me on the way with green wigs and horns, shouts of encouragement and treats. My family found me 5 miles out, and in the pouring rain which soon became mixed with pounding hail, 3 of my children rushed to meet me on the trial. The hugged my weary body and told me I could finish, not to give up I was so close. Then 2 of my sons decided to finish the journey with me. They braved the rain and hail that stung our skin when the wind kicked up, they ran by my side keeping my mind off my aching feet, and worn-out legs. The rest of my family found me again half a mile from the finish and they all ran out on the road to join me as I made my last few steps toward that elusive goal, the finish line. A little over seven hours after I started, I pulled my exhausted body into a last run to cross the line to the cheering cries of my family and friends. They rushed to hug me and tell me I was awesome. I had finally accomplished what I had once thought almost impossible.

I did not come close to finishing first, and to be honest... I ended up being dead last! The slowest time of the race. But that is not what mattered. What was important was that I did not stop, I never gave up, I kept trying until I finally made my goal. It was not always easy, but there were those who where there along the way, strangers, friends and family who helped me to reach my goal. Me, a mom of 7 children and running my first marathon at the age of 40, and not in the best shape of my life, I did it!

It is the same with everything else in our lives. IF we allow others to be there for us, If we let them know our goals and what we want to do, they will be there along the journey, encouraging us, helping us to not give in, and lifting us back up when we falter. I want you think about who in your life you could turn to, look around you at those who would encourage you. Maybe it is a co-worker, a spouse, a friend, a child. It could even be a stranger, who smiles encouragingly to you as you work hard to accomplish your goals. Just know that you can do what ever you set a mind to do. It may seem an impossible, daunting task, but by taking it a step at a time, with help along the way, you can accomplish the unbelievable! IT IS WITHIN YOU! You can become that new creature for more than just one fun filled night of dressing up, you can transform yourself into something wonderful. And as you do, the changes will become apparent to you on the inside as well as what everyone else will notice and see.

So take the challenge, as we head into the season of fun and celebrations. Write your fitness goals down. Decide what you are going to do. Break them up so they can be manageable, and tell some one what you plan to do, so they can help you make that goal a finish line that you can cross with determination and excitement. Send them to me and I will cheer you on as well! It can be anything, you don't have to run a marathon to be amazing, just planning your exercise schedule, eating right, and putting in your best efforts goes a long way to creating positive, permanent change. Aqua classes can help you in your calorie burn of 350-500 plus calories burned depending on how hard you work. Augmenting it with other cross trianing will help you see drastic improvements. Together we can all be more than we ever imagined. We can accomplish the incredible!

I look forward to hearing about the goals and challenge you set for yourself! Let me in on them, I will promise to cheer you on, no matter what. I will be there along the way and especially during that last half mile as you sprint to the finish line!

Have a rocking great week! See you all in the water!

love ya
Debbie Davis
24hour fitness group exercise instructor
http://www.debbiesinkspectations.blogspot.com/

Classes:

Thur 5:30 pm Aqua North Aurora Chambers * now an hour long!
Sat 9:00 am Aqua Lowry
Mon 10:00 am Aqua Centennial Super Sport
Tues 9:30 am Aqua North Aurora Chambers * now an hour long