Review: Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska

Tonight I have a very special post for you. I had an opportunity to review a book before the official release date which is January 1, 2013. 

Before I get to the review of the book I wanted to share a little story of my own on how this came to be. A couple of years ago I attended a women's retreat and had the pleasure of meeting an amazing woman and international speaker Heidi McLaughlin. After the weekend I was researching Heidi and discovered a radio show that interviewed her. That radio show was none other than Living Inspired with Tricia Goyer. I found Tricia fascinating and of course started to follow her blog. The rest, as they say, is history. 

About the book
Singer Ginny Marshall is one signature away from the recording contract of her dreams—a deal that would guarantee success for the former foster child, who still struggles to bury the memories of her painful childhood. But Ginny needs advice from the one person who will look out for her best interests—her former fiancé, Brett Miller. She travels to the remote town of Glacier Bay, Alaska, where the town’s colorful characters and stunning scenery provide respite from LA’s pressures.
 
In Glacier Bay, Ginny discovers a box of old letters and is swept up in the love story between Clay, an early missionary to Alaska Territory, and Ellie, the woman who traveled there to be his children’s governess. When Ginny is reunited with Brett in Glacier Bay, will she discover—as Ellie did—that healing and love are sometimes found in the most unexpected places?

My Take
On Christmas Eve I received my copy of Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss. I have to say this was a wonderful Christmas present! I worked the evening on Christmas Day and I just couldn't put it down. I devoured this book as though I was starving and hadn't eaten in days. It took me less than a day to read. Tricia and Ocieanna really dive into the rich history of the land and paint the beautiful picture that is Alaska. I was on the edge of my seat and had to know what Ginny would do next and what the outcome would be for Ellie, the woman in the letters. Reading about the two completely different time periods was fascinating. I love the way the authors developed both love stories simultaneously and ended it beautifully! What really touched me was seeing Ginny's faith blossom through reading the letters and spending time with both Grandma Ethel and Brett. Any story that makes me laugh and cry out loud, regardless of my surroundings, is a best seller to me!  

Giveaway Hop 

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Acceptance

And I'm back. You see I get these rigid ideas in my head that things have to be a certain way and if they don't happen the way I think they should I just don't do it at all. This is what's happened with my blog. I had a very clear idea of what I wanted to do with this site and when I couldn't meet my own ideal I just gave up. So, instead of promising to post a specific number of posts on specific days I'm just going to post when I can about whatever comes to mind. I had to remind myself this is my blog and it can be whatever I'd like it to be. I can post about whatever I want. And by no means has anyone demanded anything of me...all of this has been some internal demand I set on myself.

With all of that being said...Hi! It's nice to see you again! Or if this is your first time here...Welcome! I've gone through some changes over the past couple of months. When I finished school I hit a slump. The more jobs I applied to (and didn't hear back from) the more I spiraled down into depression. If it wasn't for being a mother and HAVING to get up and get the kids off to school I wouldn't have left my bed. It wasn't until a friend pointed out that I hadn't accepted my new role in life that I could finally take a good look at my life and see what was really going on.

This year I've gone from student to unemployed to getting a casual position at a residential women's treatment center. So, now I'm home during the week and work weekends. Now, did you catch what I said? From student to unemployed. Really? Unemployed? Not once did I look at the fact that I GRADUATED from my program. I wasn't unemployed! I was a graduate looking for a job in the field AND I found one that I started mid-August. Yet, it took me until a couple of weeks ago to fully realize this. I finally stopped and asked myself, "Why did I start this process of changing careers?" My answer was simple. I wanted to help people. More specifically I wanted to help women with addictions. Am I doing this? Yes! Does it matter if I work 44 hours per week or 24? No! With that in mind I took it a step further. In a few years when my kids hit the teen years I'll be begging for more time with them and yet here I sit with time to spend with my children. I know a lot of parents who would love to be at home with their kids. I made a conscious decision to try to ENJOY my children more. (Okay I'm not completely ridiculous they STILL drive me crazy every day.)

Each family has it's own balance and when something changes the family needs to restructure itself. This is known as homeostasis. My family's balance had changed with or without my acceptance. Accepting my new role just allowed my mind a sense of peace.

I hope to write more often now that I've come to all of these realizations. Have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S.
Oh and guess what?? I'M A GRADUATE! I have a diploma in Addictions and Community Service Worker.

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