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Captivating

Unveiling the Mystery of a Women's Soul
John & Stasi Eldredge

Recommended by: Kelli (the amazing lady who brought the

world pampering night)

Dates: 3/31-5/18 (sad I know)

Every women was once a little girl. And every little girl holds in her heart her most precious dreams. She longs to be swept up into a romance, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure, to be the Beauty of the story. Those desires are far more than child's play. They are the secret to the feminine heart.
    And yet--how many women do you know who ever find that life? As the years pass by, the heart of a woman gets pushed aside, wounded, buried. She finds no romance expect in novels, no adventure expect on television, and she doubts very much that she will ever be the Beauty in any tale.
    Most women think they have to settle for a life of efficiency and duty, chores and errands, striving to be the women they "ought" to be but often feeling they have failed. Sadly, too many messages for Christian women add to the pressure. "Do these ten things, and you will be a godly women." The effect has nit been good on the feminine soul.
    But her heart is still there. Sometimes when she watches a movie, sometimes in the wee hours of the night, her heart begins to speak again. A thirst rises within her to find the life she was meant to live--the life she dreamed of as a little girl.
    The message of Captivating is this: Your heart matters more than anything else in all creation. The desires you had as a little girl and the longing you still feel as a women--they are telling you of the life God created you to live. He offers to come now as the Hero of your story, to rescue your heart and release you to live as a fully alive and feminine women. A women who is truly captivating.

My thoughts: I don't have much to say really. It wasn't a bad book. I just could not get in to it. It took me almost 2 months to read it. I guess I'm not really soul searching. I do think it's a great book to read if any one is feeling blah and what should they be doing with their lives moods.I needed this book 2-3 years ago.

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THE BIRTH ORDER BOOK
By: Dr. Kevin Leman

Recommended by: Shaunna ( a great lady form church and bible study)

Took me forever and a day to read: 4/3-5/10

ARE YOU BORN TO WIN? TO AVOID CONFLICT? TO CHARM THE BIRDS OUT OF THE TREES?

Your birth order - whether you were born first (or are an only child), second, or later in you family--powerfully influences what kind of person you are, who you marry, the job you choose, and the kind of parent you'll be.

Now you can discover:

• How to pick out the first born in any group
• Why the baby in the family gets away with everything
• How to help middle children feel less squeezed and more loved
• Ways to overcome your worst inborn tendencies
• Which career suits you best
• How to make the perfect marriage match

                                                 and much, much more...

You've seen him on television and heard him on the radio. Now internationally known psychologist Kevin Leman reveals an exciting new way to better understand yourself and those you love.

My thoughts: Good book! It's a little dated being written in the 80's. But very right on. At least I thought so. I like how he says not everyone fits the mold and if your not in the right "birth order match" for marriage, it doesn't mean it won't work. But the book is very interesting. A great read. Took me so long because I'm not good at reading more then one book at a time. This was my evening read and by then I'm falling asleep. But great book!

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A Women After God's Own Heart

Elizabeth George

Recommended by: Laura (my Life Group leader)

Dates: 2/2-4/27

Make His desire your own...
Become the woman of excellence God designed you to be
Genuine peace and joy come when women follow God in every area of their lives-and become women after His heart. With warmth and grace, Elizabeth George shares practical, scriptural insights on how you can pursue God's priorities concerning:
   > your husband-foster a deep commitment to serve and honor him
   > your children-pray faithfully for them and teach them God's Word
   > your home-create a nurturing atmosphere and a tapestry of beauty
   > your walk with the Lord-grow through love of Scripture and in discipleship
   > your ministry-learn to reach out and become an encourager
Let God fulfill His greatest desire for you. Allow Him to transform you by preparing you hear and mind to embrace His incredible work. You'll find lasting joy and peace in a life of prayer, a life of priorities, a life as
 A Woman After God's Own Heart

My Thoughts: I enjoined this book very much. It was the study for my life group at church. We read 2 chapters a week then got together and talked about it. It got a little overwhelming at the end, I'm still trying to "work" on my husband and then clean my house. This book would be good to pick up every now and then to review. To work on it always. God has a great plan for everyone. This book really tells you that. God says "Well done" at the end of each day. I love that.

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Weddings Can Be Murder

Christie Craig

Recommended by: thegoaliegirl (from http://www.bookcrossing.com/)

Dates: 3/17-3/27

Till Deaths Do You Part...
Katie Ray was about to marry a man she didn't love-- and who didn't love her. Even losing her $8,000 engagement ring wasn't enough of a sign to call things off. What did it take? Being locked in the closet with a sexy PI, and being witness to murder.
... Or They Bring You Together
Carl Hades hardly wanted to be shackled with another man's soon-to-be wife, especially when the gorgeous redhead stirred emotions he'd avoided for years. He'd been hired by an elite Houston wedding planner to investigate some missing brides. When those brides turned up dead, Carl saw where the whole situation was headed: just like Katie's wedding ring and her ceremony, right down the toilet. Because, while Katie was suddenly and delightfully available, he had a feeling she was next in line to die. And before he could ask her to say "I do," he had to know who would say "I did it."

My thoughts: Loved it! After some serious read this so mindlessly good. More on the mystery side then romance side, which was nice.Not much else to say. Good book. :)

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Jesus Why the World is Still Fascinated by Him

Tim LaHaye coauthor David Minasian
Recommended By: Staci (One of the clever craft ladies at MOPS)
Time it took to read: 2/9- 3/17

Jesus. Love Him of hate Him, He's everywhere. On our T-shirts, bumper stickers, and even the covers of leading news magazines, year after year. We see Him on the silver screen, in the headlines crawl on the TV news, and on the homemade signs held up at ball games. Hotly debated, He remains the most conspicuous figure of all time, even twenty centuries after His inglorious death.
Best-selling author Tim LaHaye and coauthor David Minasian look back through history and peer into the prophetic future to show us why the world's "Jesus fascination" should come as no surprise; every generation since Christ has grappled with the question, Who was He? What does He mean to us  here, today?
After reading about Jesus' life, legacy, and pervasive influence, you may find yourself connecting the dots of your own spiritual journey and answering the timeless question that came from the lips of Jesus Himself: Who do you say that I am?

My thoughts: I found this book to be very interesting, but a very long read for me. Could be timing. I think I was wanting mindless read and this is NOT mindless. Written very well and makes you think. The history is good. I've heard LaHaye's other books are very good.

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The Well-Versed Family

Caroline Boykin

Recommended by: The author herself.

Met her at a workshop last year in Florida
during a MOPS convention. Nice lady.
Took me this long to read it: 2/18-3/16

Finally! A fresh approach to Scripture memory that really works! The Well-Versed Family is a powerful, one-of-a-kind resource designed to inspire and equip your family to know and love God's Word. Filled with original insights and clever ideas, this book is sure to bring the Word to the heart of your home with joy and ease. The Well-Versed Family makes Scripture memory do-able for your family-- with practical memory tips and tools, fun and easy memory games, quick family devotions, and 80 preprinted Scripture verse cards. You CAN raise strong kids of faith through the power of Scripture memory! Let The Well-Versed Family show you how!

What I thought: I think this is a great book. It was simple to read, even though it took me awhile. The ideas are easy. She held a great workshop that was way better then the book. We as a family have been working on it. My daughter's memory is better then mine by far.

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The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax

By: Dorothy Gilman

Recommended by: Rella (the sweetest MOPS mentor ever)

Also recommends: Star Dust on my Pillow by Patsy Clairmont
Dates: 1/25 (i think) - 2/8

     Although the young C.I.A. man who interviewed her seemed rather startled, Mrs. Virgil (Emily) Pollifax of New Brunswick, New Jersey, saw nothing extraordinary about her desire to become a secret agent. She was a widow with grown, married children; she was tired of attending her Garden Club meetings; and she did want to do something for her country.

  Thus begins an utterly charming tale of suspense, as Mrs. Pollifax finds herself being briefed on her next "job". Her assignment in Mexico City didn't sound dangerous-but that was before something "went wrong," and Mrs. Pollifax became embroiled in a quite hot Cold War. Of course, that was also before her country's enemies became entangled with Mrs. Pollifax...

My thoughts: I thought is book was cute. I didn't know till I was done that there are others. I'll have to read them later. I wish I knew someone like Mrs. Pollifax. I love older people who kick butt. Especially when you think they can't. A charming book I would recommended to people.