Book Review: Don't Forget to Pack the Kids, CWA review

Don't Forget to Pack the Kids: Short Term Missions for Your Whole Family by Jill Richardson is a winner!  It's a tiny, quick read of just 134 detailed pages but it sure packs a punch!

Jill Richardson, author of Don't Forget to Pack the Kids, gives you an insightful look at traveling across the world to do missionary work with their 3 kids and this book can be considered a great resource in 'how to and why you should.'

On a personal note, my husband and I took our 4 children to Europe on a vacation (ages 9 months, 6, 8 and 10) and this book would have been invaluable at that time!  From the opening statements of "why would anyone take kids to do God's mission work, especially so far, with so many perils?"  It's simple.  It's what he asks of us!  Children need to be aware that the world out there is not always Happy Meals and X-boxes, but of those that go without, those that need to hear God's message and God willing, those missionaries with the resources and love in their hearts to deliver it.  

Richardson delivers this book in a detailed, organized format.  It's nearly step by step and check list oriented, so you can follow along with what's needed to be done and why. I love how this author gives detailed explanations and stories of why something should be done.  She covers many topics from language barriers to food to cultural dressing and more.  

One of the gifts of this book is the inclusion of the Spiritual Gift Inventory Appendix.  If I could have memorized just one section of this book, it would be this one!  It's insightful, uplifting, encouraging.  It gives so much meaning to the premise of what mission trips are all about AND walking a daily walk with faith!

5 stars for Don't Forget to Pack the Kids!

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew

Book Review: That Summer by Jo Huddleston (CWA review)

That Summer, book 1 of the Caney Creek Series by Jo Huddleston is that fresh summer breeze on a warm summer day - welcoming and refreshing!  

That Summer is an endearing and wholesome christian novel that deals with the subject of poverty and in a rural setting in the early 1920's.  The main character, Jim, has a violent tempered father who physically abuses him as the eldest son and causes him to leave the family and strike out on his own before he is emotionally and financially ready.  He has a good relationship with his mom and siblings, of whom he is very protective.  Through-out the trials and tribulations of this book, it is clear that their faith may wane but it never completely falters.  Jo Huddleston does a marvelous job of keeping the christian theme in the forefront of this book.

Jim becomes involved with Caroline, a girl that is rich and bored with her life, and they soon get into some trouble.  However, Jim was also sweet on Louisa - they decide to get married and later start a family.  Both situations for him bring surprises, tragedy, confusion, betrayal and ultimately, triumph.  He rekindles with his father who turns away from violence and anger by repenting with the help of his brother, Orrin, who helps him remember God's plan for our Salvation.

The father states "I can't never be good enough to deserve God's grace.  I've been mean to the core."  What struck me about that particular passage is that more than just the relationship with Jim and his father, John, is that often times we feel that way in our own lives with troubles in our hearts.  We can, and should, turn those burdens over to him and know that he will give us strength and courage to get through the trials.

This book is about fortitude, faith and renewed hope despite circumstances that are just too much to bear.  It's about a family pulled apart but mended back at the seams by the bonds of love and morality.  It's an enjoyably quick read and I absolutely  cherished the sweetness of it!  I look forward to the Caney Creek Series and Jo Huddleston's writings!  Bravo!

About the author: 

I am the author of several published nonfiction books and have published numerous articles and short stories. I have completed my first novel, That Summer, which is released in December 2012. Sign up in the left column to receive my newsletters and be eligible for book giveaways! I hold a B.A. degree from Lincoln Memorial University (TN), and a M.Ed. degree from Mississippi State University. I am a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Lincoln Memorial University's Literary Hall of Fame. Now, I'll share my non-literary side. My work experience includes: in college I worked in the dining hall, typed for professors, and worked in the office of my university's president. In my adult life I have been a high school classroom teacher, high school guidance counselor, private secretary, state-wide political campaign secretary, owner-operator of two small businesses, and a real estate agent. I love to laugh with people but not AT people. The beach is my favorite vacation spot. I don't like to see or hear about people or animals being abused. I'm a spectator fan of several sports, my favorite being tennis. I don't like being in the dark and I'm fearful of snakes! You can read more about the author on her website here! http://www.johuddleston.com/ Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew