Book Review: "Like Dandelion Dust"

     

The Stats

Genre: Christian Fiction

Pages: 249

Rating: 4/5

     Like Dandelion Dust, by Karen Kingsbury is a refreshing look at God's sovereign grace in our lives.  I recently took up "pleasure reading" for the first time in years, and chose this book with some skepticism.  I often bought into the stereotype that most Christian fiction is historical and/or Amish based, as well as sub-par to non-faith-based novels (you may pause and laugh at my stupidity).
     On the contrary, I found the writing of Kingsbury to be compelling and realistic.  The characters were relatable and the tale was gripping.


     Like Dandelion Dust is the story of the Molly and Jack Campbell, and their son Joey.  The family leads an idyllic life in south Florida.  They go boating on Sundays and frequently hear how their four year-old, Joey, is leaps and bounds above his peers.  It's something they hoped for when adopting Joey as a baby.  Yet, they are still struck by the perfection of it all.  That is, until the legal system threatens to take Joey away from them for good.  Molly and Jack proclaim they will do whatever it takes to keep their son, even giving God a chance.  Tension mounts as they wrestle between taking action themselves or trusting in the God of Molly's sister, Beth.  While Beth truly believes the will of God will keep Joey with the Campbells, she is also terrified that Molly and Jack might make a decision that will haunt them for the rest of their lives.  
     It is a story of deep, sacrificial love-- a love that blurs the lines of "normal," bringing the Campbells to a fork in the road, and an encounter with the living God that will change their lives forever.

     I highly recommend this book, giving it a 4/5 stars.  My only critique is on the ending, which seemed rushed and quick, compared with the development of the rest of the book.  If you feel like giving Christian fiction, or Karen Kingsbury, a try: get this book from the library or buy it for yourself.  Also, stay tuned for more book reviews.  I'll be publishing a review on Redemption, by Karen Kingsbury and Unglued, by Lysa Turkeurst very shortly.  Read my latest book review of Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand!

*** How do you like my book reviews?  Is there anything else you would like to see included in the future?  Let me know by leaving me a comment below!

The A to Z of Me: Letter "A"

A: If I were an animal, what would I be?

     Is this really a hard question?  In my brain, it's pretty clear cut.  I wouldn't be a dog or a dolphin or a giraffe or a cute panda bear.  I would be an ostrich!  Humor me for a minute and click HERE to read a little background on my strange fascination with ostriches.
     Most people detest ostriches.  In fact, when I say the ostrich is my favorite animal, I get a wrinkled up nose and a disgusted, "why?"  Despite their shabby appearance and strange features, ostriches have always appealed to me.

Like I said...not exactly the best looking
animal out there.

     They love to run.  I don't mean that in the shallow "I love things that run because I'm a runner" kind of way.  I mean to say that there is an utter freedom that God created in running.  When a being uses their arms and legs to speed across distance, it is a liberating thing-- perhaps when you're not in shape and feeling well...but that's for another blog post.  Ostriches love to just let loose and run.  In my sport and in my life, I seek to live by that same principle.  I want to be free in Christ to let loose and just go.  No worry, no care, no anxiety, only trust.
     All of my life, I've struggled with two main things: Perfectionism and caring too much about what others think of me.  The ostrich does not exhibit those characteristics, and that's why I admire it so much.  As a Christian, I want to be an ostrich.  I might not be the best looking Christian-- physically or maturity wise-- or the most desired by the world, but just like the ostrich: I want to be carefree and liberated for Christ.

   

In case you didn't know.  Ostriches also make an appearance in the book of Job:

13“The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully,

but they cannot compare with the pinions and feathers of the stork.

14She lays her eggs on the ground

and lets them warm in the sand,

15unmindful that a foot may crush them,

that some wild animal may trample them.

16She treats her young harshly, as if they were not hers;

she cares not that her labor was in vain,

17for God did not endow her with wisdom

or give her a share of good sense.

18Yet when she spreads her feathers to run,

she laughs at horse and rider.


     Now, besides all this: I also think it would be fun to live somewhere really hot and get to just run and play all day like ostriches do.  Those reasons are little less "spiritual," but definitely worth considering.  So before you right the ostrich off, why don't you go see how many times dolphins are mentioned in the Bible :)  My animal might just be more Biblical than yours is.


DISCLAIMER: This is meant to be a joke people: I'm not an expert in ranking the holiness of animals, if there is such a thing.  Don't send me hate mail if you love dolphins, I'm sure they are decent animals to be.)

A Presence Filled 2014: January 17

     I haven't forgotten about my blog, but I have remembered what it's like to be a college student after having enjoyed nearly a month with no schoolwork.  To save you from the long explanation: it's BUSY!
     I'm really enjoying my classes though, and this has been the easiest transition yet.  I almost said goodbye to my parents without crying.  The first night was really hard, but I was easing back into the schedule and routing by Monday.  I am amazed and so grateful to see how God has matured and grown me so far.  Just a few months ago, coming back after such a long break would've been terrible hard.  Now, I'm finding that I am enjoying school more than ever before.
     One crucial part in that is making sure I have time to relax in the evening.  It's something I didn't prioritize in the first semester, but am finding is extremely helpful for me.  Taking an hour to read the latest Christian novel on my Nook, watch some TV on my laptop and spend time with God-- before I do so right before bed-- is a great way to transition into the next day.  Rather than stressing about waking up early and starting the monotony of a day of classes, I can focus on God and relaxing with Him.  I've been feeling more positive and better rested as a result.  I just finished watching Fireproof on Amazon Prime, so I'll have to scout out another movie soon.

I am loving this book right now!
Book review coming in the next month!

     I hadn't read for pleasure for such a long time until I started doing so over break.  I'm seriously wondering why and how I didn't read for such a long time.  I think I get in that "productive" mode and think that reading a Christian study book or my Bible is the only good thing to read.  Yet, reading Christian study books takes a lot of brain power, and is something I save for right before bed when I-- as of recent-- grab "Unglued" by Lysa Turkeurst and crack open my NKJV to Psalms.  God can use all types of literature to speak to me, and I'm finding more of his presence in the book I've been reading lately.
     On the same note, one of the best things about coming back to school is leaving my comfortable environment.  Granted, it's also the hardest part about coming back.  However, it draws me near to God in such an amazing way.  As I've started this "Presence Filled 2014," I've been drawn into Him through His quite whispers of love and comfort.  Walking to class in the frigid cold or walking up before the sun are times when I just breathe prayers to Him and he answers with a rush of His spirit or even just a verse that comes to mind.

Amen!

     I can already tell-- from His word-- that this is going to be a great semester.  The word God keeps speaking to me for this year is "new."  I am ready for something new, ready to step out and risk more to get more of God.  I am also ready to stop the rush of the moment and start listening to God.  As He's shown me the past few days, precious moments with Him are often the result when I choose to give in to Him and not the pressures of this life.

The A-Z of Me

   

     I got this great idea from Anonymous musings of nobody special and I think I'll give it try!  I'm going to give A-Z blogposts about some things I consider interesting about myself.  I will post this series every Saturday and continue for the next 26 Saturdays (hopefully staying up to date!).  I got ideas from the blogs: Chronically Vintage, The Glamorous French Housewife and Brought to you by the letter R.  Here's the lowdown:

A- if I were an animal, what would I be?
B- what books am I reading?
C- chores I like/hate
D- all about my dog
E- 3 essential items
F- my favorite foods
G- favorite games to play
H- my happiest moment
I- favorite indulgence
J- my dream job
K- ideas for kids names (not anytime soon, believe me!)
L- my "life" Bible verse
M- favorite musicians
N- any nicknames?
O- a random observation of something around me right now
P- pet peeves (including the words "pet peeve")
Q- all time favorite quote
R- a random post written about the first news result on Yahoo!
S- sibling memories
T- my travel dreams and bucket list
U- an unknown fact about me that you actually would care to know (a.k.a- not something stupid)
V- the vegetables that I love
W- worst habit or personality trait that I would like to be rid of
X- any X-rays, injuries, hospital stays?
Y- something crazy or strange I did yesterday
Z- ziplining fun



I hope you all will follow along with me.  I am far from the most interesting person you may know, but I certainly am a bit quirky.  You might be interested to laugh at someone else's oddities.  I'm perfectly okay with that-- especially if I don't know you!  I'll kick it off this Saturday with my ideal animal.