Book Review: Finding Christmas Joy by Amanda Tero

It’s Christmas in July! Or, for some of us, it is. If you live in the south like author Amanda Tero, you’re more than ready to think of cold weather. And what better way to do it than to grab some sugar cookies and hot chocolate (trust me, after you read the story, you’ll be craving them!) and settle down for a winter read?

About the Book

Melonie Brown just wants to get away from all of the pain and heartache that this year has brought upon her, and Starlight Lodge seems like the perfect place to do so. With no plans beyond a Christmas escape, she drives out to the lodge. Can she bottle up the peace and joy that she finds in this special place to help her face the challenges she may have in the upcoming year?

Available on Amazon (paperback and Kindle): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DGKSWS5

Add to your Goodreads shelf:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40309103-finding-christmas-joy

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God CAN take care of you

Everyone faces hard times in their life. Some are harder than others. Some seem hard at the time, but in the long run aren’t that hard. Other things feel like they will break you and that life can never get back to normal. Today, I would like to share a little bit of encouragement in the form of a true story. The names have been changed for safety purposes.

SUV + electrical fire + 30 gallons of gas

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon. My brother-in-law, John, decided to bring his family to town. They stopped at the gas station and filled the SUV up with 30 gallons of gas. Next on the agenda was a stop at the local Tire and Lube place to see if there were any openings for an oil change.

John went inside and was waiting in line when his wife, Jane, ran in and said there was smoke coming from under the hood. John ran outside and popped the hood. A small fire had started. He ran back inside to get the 20 pound extinguisher the Express had while Jane got the kids out of the car.

John tried to put out the flame, but the extinguisher did nothing and soon the SUV was engulfed in flames and burned to a crisp.

Praising God

All my husband and I could think of after being told of this was how gracious God was. Bill has said a few times that this weekend could have been the worst in his life. But it wasn’t.

God took care of our family and He can take care of you no matter what is happening in your life. I would be honored to pray for you if you have a situation you need prayer for. If you do, please comment below or email me (author [at] faithblum [dot] com).

Knowing that tribulation produces perseverance

I’m always amazed by how God often provides the teachings you need before you need them.This blog post connects many things that have happened the last four months of 2017 with what I have learned through Bible Study and from two sermons our pastor preached. This will be a long two-post blog series full of many difficult things, but in the end, and intermingled through it all, is peace that only God could provide.

Thankfulness Challenge, Day 17

I am going to do a short post each day this month as part of a self-inflicted 30 Days of Thanks Challenge. I encourage you to do the same. Feel free to nab the picture or make your own. If you can’t get this picture, but want to use it, send me an email and I’ll get it to you ASAP.

Day Seventeen

Now for a friend I actually have met in person. Lynn has been a wonderful, thoughtful friend and I am thankful for her. She is a sweet, caring person and I am blessed to have her as my friend.

Have you taken up the challenge? It’s never too late to join in.

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Thankfulness Challenge, Day 16

I am going to do a short post each day this month as part of a self-inflicted 30 Days of Thanks Challenge. I encourage you to do the same. Feel free to nab the picture or make your own. If you can’t get this picture, but want to use it, send me an email and I’ll get it to you ASAP.

Day Sixteen

Although I have never met her in person, I am extremely thankful for my friend, Amanda. Her friendship has been a blessing to me in so many ways. We have been able to learn from each other, and her dedication to everything she does inspires me to do a better job at everything I do. Plus, I absolutely love her piano arrangements!

Have you taken up the challenge? It’s never too late to join in.

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Thankfulness Challenge, Day 15

I am going to do a short post each day this month as part of a self-inflicted 30 Days of Thanks Challenge. I encourage you to do the same. Feel free to nab the picture or make your own. If you can’t get this picture, but want to use it, send me an email and I’ll get it to you ASAP.

Day Fifteen

Grandma definitely has the gift of hospitality which she has passed down to Mom and now me. I am thankful for her generous spirit and her willingness to try to feed us when we are at her house. I know it can be a challenge, but she does it anyway. She’s a wonderful person to look up to.

Have you taken up the challenge? It’s never too late to join in.

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Thankfulness Challenge, Day 14

I am going to do a short post each day this month as part of a self-inflicted 30 Days of Thanks Challenge. I encourage you to do the same. Feel free to nab the picture or make your own. If you can’t get this picture, but want to use it, send me an email and I’ll get it to you ASAP.

Day Fourteen

Grandpa is the epitome of a gentleman. He loves his family and will do anything for them. I think my favorite thing about him is his faith in Christ. He isn’t afraid to stand up for what he believes in. I also love his creativity and the woodwork he does.

Have you taken up the challenge? It’s never too late to join in.

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Thankfulness Challenge, Day 13

I am going to do a short post each day this month as part of a self-inflicted 30 Days of Thanks Challenge. I encourage you to do the same. Feel free to nab the picture or make your own. If you can’t get this picture, but want to use it, send me an email and I’ll get it to you ASAP.

Day Thirteen

I am thankful for my Auntie Di-di (my pet name for her when I was really young). Aunt Diane has been through so much, but she still goes on and has a strong faith in God. She has always been there to support me and even likes reading my books despite not liking history.

Have you taken up the challenge? It’s never too late to join in.

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Thankfulness Challenge, Day 12

I am going to do a short post each day this month as part of a self-inflicted 30 Days of Thanks Challenge. I encourage you to do the same. Feel free to nab the picture or make your own. If you can’t get this picture, but want to use it, send me an email and I’ll get it to you ASAP.

Day Twelve

I’m thankful for Mrs. Jaderston, our Pastor’s wife. She is an excellent pianist. When she plays, she inspires me to try new things when playing hymns. She is also an encourager, an excellent teacher, and a good example of what a wife, mother, and grandmother should be.

Have you taken up the challenge? It’s never too late to join in.

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Thankfulness Challenge, Day 11

I am going to do a short post each day this month as part of a self-inflicted 30 Days of Thanks Challenge. I encourage you to do the same. Feel free to nab the picture or make your own. If you can’t get this picture, but want to use it, send me an email and I’ll get it to you ASAP.

Day Eleven

Today is Veteran’s Day. A day of remembrance to those who have served in our nation’s military. In honor of Veteran’s day, my post will be one for all Veterans.