Books

I just got done posting about books, and a friend just did on her blog. Plus I had a question about how I got all my books.

So I thought I would post about how I go about getting my books.

1) We want to support the local Christian book store.

2) You can always use the great standbys of Amazon and CBD

3) But my absolute favorite at this point has been www.paperbackswap.com

My sister told me about this site a while ago and I have only had one bad experience and I have sent 51 (52 tomorrow) and received 37 and have 14 credits for more books!!!

It is really easy, you list the books you want to trade by ISBN number, your books will be listed in order received. I presently have 61 books on my 'book shelf'. When someone requests your book through the club, the club sends you and email. You log on and decide to accept or not and print a mailing label right off the site. You then send it and when they receive it you get a credit for any book listed on the site!!

It is that easy!!

So when you want a book you type it in and order it for free if the book is available. If not you can put yourself on a waiting list and when the book becomes available and you are the next in line they send you an email and you log on and request it for free. I presently have 61 books on my 'wish list', many of those are the same book just in paperback or hardback, I just want whichever comes available first.

I usually don't do plugs, especially for a non-christian site, but I thought this was good information to get out, especially since I know many adoptive families read this, and that means money can be tight for fun things like extra books.

I am also taking a risk, because if you all join we may end up waiting for the same books!! LOL

Actually if I read on someones blog about a book, I go here first to see if it is available. I posted about 9 books the other day, I had received 4 of them from this site.

Fields of the Fatherless---recommended by another blogger--was on my wish list till posted

Gifted Hands---recommended by another blogger

Does Anybody Else Look Like Me---recommended by another blogger--was on my wish list till posted

This Voice in My Heart---a gift for my running son!!!

Hopefully you find this helpful----and happy reading!!!!

What I Have Been Reading in My Spare Time...

I have been wanting to post about some of the wonderful books I have been reading!

I have no idea how these pictures will post, but here goes.

A couple months ago I had the privilege of reading both, Fields of the Fatherless and Red Letters by Tom Davis. Both are wonderful reads and highly recommended, especially if you have a heart for orphans!

I just finished Gifted Hands an autobiography by Ben Carson. A wonderful story of sticking with it through tough times. I will save it for Caleb to read later.


I also finished a biography on George Muller by Roger Steer. It has been a while since I had read on about him and I really enjoyed this one.

Adopted for life is a wonderful life which parallels our adoption in Christ to adoption of orphans now. Wonderful!





I just got Does Anybody Else Look Like Me? I have only read the first chapter, but it looks very promising and informative on raising children in a multi-racial family.

I am about half way done with This Voice in My Heart, a autobiography by Gilbert Tuhabonye. It is his story of surviving the genocide in his home country of Burundi and his life before and after. He is a man of faith and a runner, so I originally purchased this book for Drew and both he and David have read it. I am enjoying it, though it may be too graphic in some places for certain people.


These two books I am eagerly awaiting. Priceless and Scared, by Tom Davis. Priceless is not yet released, but I have it on order along with Scared. They are fictional accounts of Orphans--Scared and Human Trafficking--Priceless.

Maybe you see something you have read or were wanting to read. Leave me a note and we can compare our thoughts. Or if you have any other recommendations, leave those too. At some point I will be done with graduations and weddings and down to two kids at home, then I am thinking I may have too much time on my hands. I would rather have a good book!!!

Just the Way I Am

I just received my copy of this wonderful book "Just the Way I Am: God's Good Design in Disability" by Krista Horning, from Desiring God Ministries.

What a treasure! This book contains beautiful pictures with a promise of God and a verse to testify of the promise!

I cried as I looked through it. I am looking forward to going over all the promises and verses with my treasures.

Thank you Julie at Not Just an Ordinary Life for making me aware of this beautiful book. Also a few of her children are featured in the pages of the book!!

Fields of the Fatherless

I finished this book, Fields of the Fatherless, By Tom Davis this week.

My heart has long been with the fatherless, but he has such a beautiful way of expressing not only the need, but the command!

Yes, we are commanded to care for the widow, the fatherless and the poor!!

So the question is how are we going to respond to the command?

I challenge you to read it and see if your vision is not changed forever!!



In this world you are an orphan--
eagerly anticipating your adoption as God's child.

In this world you are a widow--
longing for reunion with your Bridegroom.

In this world you are a stranger--
a pilgrim waiting to become a citizen of heaven.

And in this world, God has called you to care for the orphan, the stranger, and the widow.

(From Fields of the Fatherless)

This Our Dark Country

Just finished another book I have been working on. As you can see, Liberian culture and history has been a high priority for me right now. This book is great to get the early history of Liberia:

--its settlement by freed American slaves

--Americans thoughts on colonization

--those rescued from slave ships

--how the native Liberians were treated

This book is an easy read, I actually will have Caleb read it in a couple of years.

Happy reading!!

The House at Sugar Beach

Finished The House at Sugar Beach by Helene Cooper this weekend. Good read for anyone interested in a look at life in Liberia and Liberian history. The story is based on the life of an Americo-Liberian (a descendant of freed American slaves-only 1% of Liberian population, but the ruling class till the coup), pre civil war to just at the end of the war.

I enjoyed reading a first hand account of what life was like in Liberia, their speech, the foods, and the class differences. I had heard and read many things, but she puts things together in an enjoyable read.

Reading of the class differences, helped me to understand what lead to the coups, the civil war and the hate between groups.

Should be a required read for anyone who has or is considering an adoption from Liberia. I would recommend it to anyone interested in history, cultures or just likes to read.

Happy reading!!

Blue Clay People

Just had the opportunity to finish the book, "Blue Clay People" by William Powers

This book is not written from a Christian perspective, so be warned on some of the language and situational content.

It did show a good picture into the life of those living in Liberia during the civil war. The struggle that the people have just to survive day to day. And some of the reasoning behind the in depth corruption from the top levels all the way to the bottom.
It is hard to condemn poaching when a person is starving.
It is hard to condemn stealing when your family is starving.

It does bring to mind the passage in Romans we studied this week:
Romans 2:1-4
1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

The book was a good reminder that life is not so easy to read, that we do not all walk similar paths, and we all need the saving grace of our Saviour.

George W Carver

I just finished this book this morning. I must confess I knew very little about George W. Carver before I started this book. I am now thoroughly amazed by this man of faith who chose to live his life for the Lord and give his gifts to the world. What a challenge.
I look forward to reading some of his actual writings next. And finding some beginning biographies to read with Caleb and Hannah. I think in reading of this man, I can encourage Caleb to further reach beyond what he thinks he is able.
Happy reading!

A Good Book

Just read this book to the kids. With Martin Luther King Day on Monday, it seemed appropriate.
I want to instill in my children a love for their Liberian heritage, but I want them to also know of their American heritage.
This book documents the young Martin in Georgia and his anger at the way things were, all the way through his struggle to change things, and to his death.
It also documents Abraham Joshua Heschel's youth in Germany, Poland, then America. And his decision to join the 1965 march in Alabama.
With David's Jewish Heritage it helps to bring the book even more alive.