Sunrise on the Battery by Beth Webb Hart

Sunrise on the Battery by Beth Webb Hart

Book Description:  Now that she’s arrived at her ultimate address, will Mary Lynn’s longed-for view of the harbor satisfy the craving of her heart?
At last, Mary Lynn and Jackson Scoville are living the life they’ve dreamed of. Two self-described “small town bumpkins” from Round O, South Carolina, they made a small fortune selling the little gems of lowcountry real estate Jackson inherited and now they are living in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, carefully working their way up the social ladder in hopes of meeting their ultimate goal:  to give their three daughters the life they themselves never had. 
But the long-forgotten God of Mary Lynn’s childhood seems to be trying to get her attention in clear and unusual ways.   So clear and strange she can no longer deny it.  When Mary Lynn prays for Jackson to open his mind and heart to God, her prayers are answered beyond her wildest imaginings.  Now Jackson’s dramatic conversion (which includes street witnessing, giving away a lot of money, and inviting poor, desperate and marginalized people into their home) is threatening their social status as well as their family mission statement.  Is she willing to go along with him?
What would it be like to go “all out” for God?  Jackson, a sharp and focused Type A man, is unafraid and willing to go all the way.  Mary Lynn has her doubts.

Click here for the author's website.

My Thoughts:   This is a really good book.  From beginning to end, I just couldn't seem to read it fast enough.  Each character was very well written.   Mary Lynn prayed for her husband to get saved, but then wasn't quite ready for the changes when he did.  The girls hadn't been raised to know God, so they had no understanding of what was going on.  They, along with their parents were involved in moving up in society in Charleston.  It was interesting getting a glimpse into the Charleston society, but I found myself hoping that God would win out in the end.  I have no intention of spoiling the ending or giving anything away.  I will say that this book is really good and I highly recommend it to you.

I received a copy of this book from The B&B Media Group for review.  I am not required to give a positive review.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

This is the 50th Hodgepodge.  Click the button and join us for the fun.  Of course read my answers first and leave a comment if you want.

1. What gives you goosebumps?
When I'm really cold.  

2. Halloween-are you a lover or a hater? Okay, that sounds harsh...Halloween-yay or nay?
I like it okay especially the chocolate candy.  lol

3. Can you respect someone you do not trust, and can you trust someone you do not respect?
No.

4. Apples or oranges? Yes, you have to choose.
Oranges.  Are we getting a little bossy Joyce?  hahaha

5. What is something you wish was in your town? (shop, restaurant, attraction, etc)
Disney World!  No that's a little extreme.  How about Texas Roadhouse Steak House

6. What non-food item is in your refrigerator or freezer?
Ice packs

7. Are you at all superstitious?
No

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I will get back to more regular blogging soon.  I haven't been feeling well lately, but I'm getting better now.  Recovering from bronchitis.  Sure have been missing everyone.  Take care.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Click the button above to join in the fun with us.

1. How do you typically react in a sudden, extreme, pressure-filled crisis? Would we want you nearby in an emergency?
 I was a full-time police/fire dispatcher for over 15 years and still fill in when needed, so I kinda have to be able to handle the immediate emergency situation.  After all these years, it still makes me nervous, but you do what you have to and I've certainly done a lot of praying over things.  But now, if you need me to handle a medical emergency (like being there for the blood and stuff), that I don't do quite as well.  :)

2. Caramel apple-caramel sundae-caramel corn-caramel macchiato...of the four, which carmel treat would you choose?
I'm not a major caramel fan, but I do like caramel corn.

3. Is there such a thing as destiny? Explain.
I don't really believe in destiny, however I believe God has a plan for our lives, but now it depends on whether we're willing to listen and follow His plan or are we going to do our own thing.

4. What's your favorite piece of furniture? I'm referring to something currently in your possession as opposed to something on your wish list.
Probably the end tables and coffee table my dad made for us.

5. Wednesday night marks the start of the 2011 Baseball World Series. Did you know? Do you care? Will you be watching? Ever been to a professional baseball game? If you're not an American do you find the title 'World Series' annoying or amusing?
No I really don't care this year.  If the Cincinnati Reds were in it, I'd probably care more.  haha

6. A sound that takes me back to my childhood is____________.
I can't think of a thing right now.  Maybe after I read some other Hodgepodge answers I'll come up with something.

7. On average, once you've linked your hodgepodge post to mine how many other participant blogs do you visit? Do you ever come back to the Hodgepodge later in the day or even the day after to read posts?
Probably 8-10, sometimes more, sometimes less.  I check it off and on all day, if I have time.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
If you've never done it, I strongly recommend the Beth Moore Bible study, "The Inheritance".  Very good.

Crockpot Beef Roast

A friend at work (Traci) gave us a recipe for a crock-pot beef roast. We put it on to cook this morning before work. It's super simple.  Mix a packet of dry ranch dressing, dry Italian dressing and a packet of dry brown gravy.  We took these 3 ingredients and put them in a small baggie and shook them up.  Then put the beef roast in the crock-pot and poured the dry mix over it and added 1/2 cup water and cooked all day.  When we got home from work, I added some mushrooms to the crock-pot and then cooked some noodles. 

To serve we put the noodles on the plate, added the beef & mushrooms and then some of the broth and added a little sour cream, salt & pepper and hubby added parsley to his. 

Traci, your recipe was a hit at our house.  Thanks for sharing.

Counting One Thousand Gifts

In my deliberate effort to be more aware of God in my life, here is a continuation of the list of Blessings, Gifts, & God moments in my life this past week:

11. A wonderful service yesterday with my husband reminding us that God's mercies are new every morning.

12. God with me in the night. I've had a cold or flu or something this past week and Saturday night I couldn't sleep at all. At one point I got up and decided to read my Bible and God led me to Lamentations and the same verse that my husband used Sunday morning in his sermon that I mentioned above. That verse seems to be coming up in my life a lot recently. No doubt it's a God thing.

13. Wonderful Friends. A friend gave me a recipe for a hot toddy to try for my congestion. I have to say it wasn't very tasty (I've had worse though) but it seemed to help. I really slept last night. Thanks Karen. (I'll try to post it later this week for those of you who may be interested.)

14. Fellowship. Yesterday was "Homecoming" at our church and after service we had dinner. Let me tell you we have some wonderful cooks at our church (both men and women) and lunch was great. But not just the food, the fellowship with each other was too. God has blessed us richly.