I recently had a chance to read over a book called "Never Ever Give Up" By Erik Rees with Jenna Glatzer.
When I received the book, I wasn't quite a sure what to expect. My first thought was...." It looks like a story my Teens would enjoy".
But, I was pleasantly surprised. The book actually starts at page 12, by page 20 I was bawling my eyes out...every parents nightmare was taking place in this book.
A families world was shaken by news no parent needs to hear. No parent should have to contemplate the anguish of burying their daughter. But through this families journey of cancer, they find a unique way to bring Joy to other children having to battle cancer.
This story is told through the eyes of Jessie's dad. Erik does an incredible job of painting this picture with utter honesty. I am not sure I could be as eloquent in this journey. Life is difficult enough at times, but to face the death of your daughter is something unimaginable. The Rees family shows us how they stuck together....along with church family support.
Grab yourself a copy and be inspired to spread Joy through your pain and sorrow.
I received a copy of this book to review from Handlebar Publishing. They have not paid me in anyway for my review. I have read this book, and gave you an honest review!
Monday, September 29, 2014
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Suicide
Today is national Suicide prevention day....and are we any further in preventing suicide? Our local schools started a focus group....but I am saddened to say I have heard of nothing involving this day. Kids are hurting...why they are hurting I don't know....But it is evident that something needs to be done for this hurting world.
I have seen many discussions on how suicide is dealt with by family members. Some say, " Suicide is selfish". Then the other side says...how can you say it is selfish? Well, as I have had suicide in my husband's family, as a left behind family member, it is selfish. But it is also important to consider...I truly believe that someone cannot help it. They are so wrapped up in their grief that they can only think of themselves...I have suffered through depression. I didn't know what to call it. But felt off for several years. I finally began to understand what my sister in law lived through everyday...I could figure out ways to cope. But you literally have a dark cloud following you around, and quite frankly, the meds out there are not any good. Having lived through depression, it is selfish. I could only think of myself, and how much my life sucked. It isn't a fun place to be. I would nap as much as I could during the day, then hurry to clean to make it look like I had been busy all day, before my husband came home. I would go through lifes moments, with one foot in front of the other, but inside I was slowly dying....and crying inside all of the time.
One morning, I was at a Bible Study with a huge group of moms. We all sat at small group tables...We were doing Linda Dillows, Calm my Anxious heart book. The leaders turned to me and said, " Shannon, you sure are quiet". I remember being very uncomfortable, and wanting to run out of there. Later I journaled, "She doesn't know that inside I am crying, dying. I cannot figure out how to be happy. She doesn't know I have a story to tell. She doesn't know that my sister committed suicide, that my husband was just diagnosed with a debilitating disease. She doesn't know that I shop online just to feel good...She just doesn't know...
When I finally figured out what the heck was wrong with me, I had to tell my husband...my husband who often said...depression is just a cop out. Just snap out of it. What is wrong with people who say they are depressed...and I actually shared those opinions...but I suddenly found myself in the throws of depression and all that it entailed.
I am here to tell you, YOU CANNOT JUST SNAP OUT OF IT~! I did finally tell my husband. He was supportive, but didn't want me to go on any meds. Which, I wanted an easy fix...but I made an appointment to go see a doctor. I told her I had been suffering. She told me there was new evidence stating that exercise was recently shown to help with depression. So, we got our selves a gym membership. I started to meet with a friend 3 days a week....I am here to tell you...it took three months of going...but one morning I woke up and said...man I don't feel like crying today!
I have also started using Essential oils...Through the use, I have found other things I am dealing with in my past....which is for another day. But Essential oils are amazing in their help benefits! Orange oil, cedarwood are both great for anxiety and/depression.
Whatever path you choose...natural and exercise, or meds...depression isn't fun. It is something I battle with every once in a while....but I know what I need to do to fix it. I get stuck...because frankly, it is comfortable to be stuck focusing on myself...but that isn't where God would want us to be. So I pick myself up and get moving...cleaning...going somewhere...
I have seen many discussions on how suicide is dealt with by family members. Some say, " Suicide is selfish". Then the other side says...how can you say it is selfish? Well, as I have had suicide in my husband's family, as a left behind family member, it is selfish. But it is also important to consider...I truly believe that someone cannot help it. They are so wrapped up in their grief that they can only think of themselves...I have suffered through depression. I didn't know what to call it. But felt off for several years. I finally began to understand what my sister in law lived through everyday...I could figure out ways to cope. But you literally have a dark cloud following you around, and quite frankly, the meds out there are not any good. Having lived through depression, it is selfish. I could only think of myself, and how much my life sucked. It isn't a fun place to be. I would nap as much as I could during the day, then hurry to clean to make it look like I had been busy all day, before my husband came home. I would go through lifes moments, with one foot in front of the other, but inside I was slowly dying....and crying inside all of the time.
One morning, I was at a Bible Study with a huge group of moms. We all sat at small group tables...We were doing Linda Dillows, Calm my Anxious heart book. The leaders turned to me and said, " Shannon, you sure are quiet". I remember being very uncomfortable, and wanting to run out of there. Later I journaled, "She doesn't know that inside I am crying, dying. I cannot figure out how to be happy. She doesn't know I have a story to tell. She doesn't know that my sister committed suicide, that my husband was just diagnosed with a debilitating disease. She doesn't know that I shop online just to feel good...She just doesn't know...
When I finally figured out what the heck was wrong with me, I had to tell my husband...my husband who often said...depression is just a cop out. Just snap out of it. What is wrong with people who say they are depressed...and I actually shared those opinions...but I suddenly found myself in the throws of depression and all that it entailed.
I am here to tell you, YOU CANNOT JUST SNAP OUT OF IT~! I did finally tell my husband. He was supportive, but didn't want me to go on any meds. Which, I wanted an easy fix...but I made an appointment to go see a doctor. I told her I had been suffering. She told me there was new evidence stating that exercise was recently shown to help with depression. So, we got our selves a gym membership. I started to meet with a friend 3 days a week....I am here to tell you...it took three months of going...but one morning I woke up and said...man I don't feel like crying today!
I have also started using Essential oils...Through the use, I have found other things I am dealing with in my past....which is for another day. But Essential oils are amazing in their help benefits! Orange oil, cedarwood are both great for anxiety and/depression.
Whatever path you choose...natural and exercise, or meds...depression isn't fun. It is something I battle with every once in a while....but I know what I need to do to fix it. I get stuck...because frankly, it is comfortable to be stuck focusing on myself...but that isn't where God would want us to be. So I pick myself up and get moving...cleaning...going somewhere...
The Confession: Robert Whitlow
I recently had the pleasure of reading my very first Robert Whitlow book. I had heard good things about Whitlow's books, but hadn't ever read one.
The Confessions covers topics such as, Redemption, dealing with your past, choices we make, and doing the right thing.
I think as a Christian I struggle with doing the right thing, and what I perceive to be the truth...and realizing that what I think isn't always everyone else's truth. This book deals with these issues we as a society in general struggle with.
Whitlow knows how to build strong characters. I was drawn in and hooked from the beginning...With a little suspense mixed in with a little love...The ending could have gone a few different ways, so it was somewhat of a surprise..and I felt that alot was left up to you to decide how the story really ended...if there was a disappointment, that would have been it...the ending!
As an avid reader, I am ready to dive into some of Whitlow's other books. Go, buy his newest book, The Confession! You won't be disappointed!
I received this book from Thomas Nelson for free to review. I was not compensated in any way for my review. Grab a good book from Thomas Nelson!
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