Book Review: Unstoppable

    One of the most recent books that have read is "Unstoppable: The Incredible Power of Faith in Action" by Nick Vujicic. If you have never heard of him, he is a man who was born with neither arms nor legs. He is a Christian and a motivational speaker. I believe this is his second book. This book does not focus so much on his specific story. Instead it is a motivational book on (as the subtitle says) putting faith in action to overcome difficult life experiences. You can read more about the book here ( http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9780307730886).
    Overall I thought that this book was only ok. Some parts of the book were really enjoyable and encouraging describing how God can use the hard times in our lives and how we can get through them through faith in God. I also enjoyed the excerpts and stories from his own life as well as those from other people he has met in his travels.
    One thing I did not enjoy about this book was that it seemed very repetitive. He had a point, but seemed to make that same point over and over. In addition, at times he almost seemed wishy-washy on how important God is in the equation. He is definitely coming from a Christian mind-set, but at times faith in God almost seemed secondary to just "being strong." I've heard this guy speak (through video) and think that maybe he is just a better speaker than he is an author.

You can read an excerpt from his book here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/165931514/Unstoppable-The-Incredible-Power-of-Faith-in-Action


**I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review

Snowy January

      Coming into this week I knew snow was predicted for Tuesday evening, but honestly I wasn't expecting much. Maybe a few flurries, maybe a delay start for school on Wednesday (and a day off if it was really icy). What a surprise and blessing when we received several inches of snow! It started coming down on my way home from work and did not let up until the wee hours of Wednesday morning. I love the snow! I really do wish we got a bit more here in Hampton Roads, but its scarcity makes it more special when it does come. Due to the road conditions we actually got two days off of school. I've been enjoying the opportunity to get some rest and get caught up on some things such as grading and neatening up my room. I'm expecting to go back to work tomorrow to hear the kids full of excitement and stories of playing in the snow!

Goodbye 2013

This past year has been a very full one for me. It has also had quite the mix of good things and difficult ones (and events that are good and difficult at the same time)!

-I began and completed my student teaching internship in a 3rd grade classroom and graduated from ODU with my Masters in Elementary Education.

-I traveled to Rancho 3M in Guadalupe, Mexico. Unlike in previous years, I was able to spend two whole weeks there!

-Shortly after returning home from Mexico I attended a job fair where I got a job teaching 4th grade at the same school where I student taught! It has been quite the ride since then. The first year has been very, very difficult and stressful. Thankfully there have been bright moments mixed in, and I have really enjoyed getting two weeks off for Christmas. I'm hoping to return on Monday refreshed and energized! I have 23 students in my homeroom, but I only teach reading and writing so I do not have the same kids all day. I teach reading to my homeroom and writing to three classes of students. This makes for a lot of writing to grade, but on the plus side I only have to plan for two subjects.

One of the things that I enjoy about each new year is the feeling of a fresh start. Of being able to look back on the past year (good and bad) and look forward to what may come in the new.  Even though there really isn't much difference between December 31st and January 1st, it feels like there is! I don't have any New Year's "resolutions" per se, but I do have some goals. I would like to spend more time praying and reading my Bible (and learning to trust God more and cast my cares upon Him). I would like to eat healthier and exercise more often. It would even be fun to take up a hobby; getting back into horseback riding, dancing, or a musical instrument.

As we look back on 2013 and look forward into 2014 let us all remember that God has been with us through everything we've been through, and using it for our good and His glory! Not only that, but He has promised to ALWAYS be with us! No matter what comes, He is with us!