Hello!?!

Many times during the past week or so I have wondered about many things.  I know that God has a purpose for me.  I just wish that sometimes that purpose was somewhat clearer to me.  I know that part of what is bothering me is my shoulder.  I don't understand many things, but pain and illness seem to boggle my mind the most.  I know when you can get past certain trials in life that things become clearer as to why they were put in our lives to begin with.  What bothers me the most is that the places that I like to serve at church are being affected.  I love taking care of the babies and little kids at church.  Working in the nursery has been apart of my life as long as I can remember.  The pain in my shoulder flares up at unexpected times and there have been several times that I have almost dropped things because of it.  Didn't think it would be a good idea to take a chance with a child.  Hurts my heart to step back from those ministries.  Hoping that I can return to them soon.  But then I see that God has brought other things into my life that are just as fulfilling and can be a ministry also.  It is hard to see a change in the path of your life but knowing that God's hand is in it makes it easier.  Help me to be patient Lord.  Help me to see what you want for me.  Use my gifts to serve you.

The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini

I loved this story. I almost decided not to read it. Why? I have no idea. It was a beautifully put together story of love, family and healing.

Sarah is happily married still in that wonderful newlywed stage of life. Matt works at the college helping to maintain the campus. Sarah is working in an accounting firm where she feels stuck. Matt loses his job at the college and is struggling to find a permanent full time job. He does find a job opportunity, but it means pulling up stakes and moving. The work Matt is doing is for a landscaping company. Sarah struggles to find another job in her field, even though she is not even sure she wants another accounting job.

Then Sarah meets Mrs. Compson, the owner of Elk Creek Manor. Matt is hired to spruce up the grounds so they can be ready for the new owner. Mrs. Compson hires Sarah to help her clean up the Manor and sort through the items that have begun to clutter in the many rooms. Sarah decides to take the job with one condition. Sarah wants Mrs. Compson to teach her how to quilt. She has always wanted to learn how and Mrs. Compson agrees.

What follows is shared memories from a painful past that lead to healing. While cleaning and stitching both women find the balance they are looking for. This story is beautifully woven together as carefully as you would piece together a beautiful quilt. You will grow to love the characters and will have a hard time waiting for the conclusion. Highly recommended.

Murder, She Wrote: Panning for Murder by Jessica Fletcher, Donald Bain

Jessica was just about to set off on a cruise to Alaska. She wanted to spend some time by herself enjoying nature and the wildlife of the area. Those plans for solitude quickly get pushed aside when long time friend Kathy Copeland asks to go along with her. Weeks before Kathy's sister went missing on the same cruise that Jessica was about to embark on. Kathy hopes that if she travels with Jessica that she would be able to enlist her help with the search for what happened to her sister.

Jessica and Kathy are on their way to the wilds of Alaska. Enjoying some sightseeing along with following in the footsteps of Wilimena "Willie" Copeland's journey. A suspicious looking man seems to be keeping a close eye on their movements and when he winds up overboard, Jessica becomes highly suspicious.

I love the Murder, She Wrote series on TV. In fact I am currently watching them on NetFlix. This series of stories are quick read and very entertaining. They included suspense, humor and of course intrigue and murder. They are light mysteries just like the TV show and are fun to pick up when you want a quick and easy read.

The Xibalba Murders by Lyn Hamilton

Lara receives a cryptic phone call from Dr. Hernan Castillo. Dr. Castillo is an expert in Mayan history. He requests Lara come visit to help him with something. So Lara heads to Merida, Mexico. When she arrives he doesn't show up for their meeting. Not unusual for the Dr. Castillo to disappear for a few days, but when no one hears from him, his friends become worried. What was he looking for? When the good doctor shows up dead, Lara is on the hunt for what he was searching for and for who killed him.

When I started reading this story I was skeptical as to whether I was going to like it. But I found myself engrossed in the story and waiting to turn every page. The characters were engaging and likeable. There was some history interspersed within the story, but it was done it a way that helped the story and didn't detract from it.