Scripture Saturday

Jeremiah 29:11 is a frequently quoted and memorized Bible verse, but the promise doesn't end with verse 11!


11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

 I love the following verses as well...Call upon Him and He will hear, seek Him and He will be found when you seek with ALL your heart.  He promises restoration and deliverance! Seek after Him and all He has for you with everything that is in you, everyday and in every way. He doesn't just give you answers, Jesus is the Answer!!

Top Ten Tuesday: June Christian Fiction Releases

These are listed alphabetically by author, and all sound like great ones to pick up this month!

The Ringmaster's Wife by Kristy Cambron

From this Moment by Elizabeth Camden

Into the Free by Julie Cantrell

The Heart Answers by Colleen Coble

The Loyal Heart by Shelley Shepherd Gray

Delilah by Angela Hunt

Esther by Rebecca Kanner

The Alliance by Jolina Petersheim

Like a River Runs its Course by Kelli Stuart

No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer

Sneak Peak Sunday: Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar

Tessa Afshar is an author that I have loved reading in the past. I have read Harvest of Rubies and Harvest of Gold. Harvest of Gold won the Christy Award. Afshar is an amazing author of Biblical fiction.  You can visit her website here.

And here is a little about her newest book Land of Silence:

Before Christ called her daughter...

Before she stole healing by touching the hem of his garment...

Elianna is a young girl crushed by guilt. After her only brother is killed while in her care, Elianna tries to earn forgiveness by working for her fathers' textile trade and caring for her family. When another tragedy places Elianna in sole charge of the business, her talent for design brings enormous success, but never the absolution she longs for. As her world unravels, she breaks off her betrothal to the only man she will ever love. Then illness strikes, isolating Elianna from everyone, stripping everything she has left.  

No physician can cure her. No end is in sight. Until she hears whispers of a man whose mere touch can heal. After so many years of suffering and disappointment, is it possible that one man could redeem the wounds of body...and soul?


You can read a sneak peak here through Christian Book Distributors.

Ephesians 2:10: Scripture Saturday

This is my life verse:

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works

which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

I love that it tells me who I am: I am His Masterpiece! And it encourages me to live for Him. He has a plan for my life. He has prepared me for good works! He can use even ME for His Kingdom purposes!! He has chosen me to work for Him, and He will use me in amazing ways if I let Him! This verse is true for you too!!

Dear Heavenly Father, do whatever it takes to mold me into the image of your son. Make me Your masterpiece. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

Top Ten Tuesday: my 10 favorite LulaRoe sytles

I have a friend who loves lists, especially top ten lists. So here is a top ten list in honor of her!! I will try to post more top tens in the weeks to come, but for today here is my top 10 favorite LulaRoe Styles:


10. Lucy Skirt (I didn't start out loving this one, but saw one on a periscope a couple of days ago that made me a believer!!)
9. Azure skirt (knee-length, a-line, with yoga band waist)
8. Sarah (This is super Gorgeous, and I can't wait to try one!)
7. Randy shirt (baseball tee with 3/4 sleeves)
6. Leggings
5. Julia Dress
4. Nicole Dress (fit and flare)
3. Lindsay Kimono (I just got my first one...Simply Comfortable!!)
2. Maxi Skirt
1. Cassie Skirt

This is me in my Cassie, on the left, supporting the Pens!
And me in my Maxi on the right, if you can see it!
I am clearly not a master of the selfie!?!


I haven't tried many of the tops. The Randy is the only one that I currently own, so I can't really be a judge of those! I can't wait to get my initial inventory, which includes Irmas and try one of those. They are super popular!!

Sneak Peak Sunday: Traces of Guilt by Dee Henderson

This book is #1 on the ECPA fiction best sellers list! You can check it out here! I have read many books by Dee Henderson and they never disappoint, always fast-paced page-turners!! Traces of Guilt is published by Baker Books, one of the top Christian fiction publishers.

Here is a quick blurb about Traces of Guilt: Lieutenant Evie Blackwell is using her vacation to look into two cold cases in Carin County. A deputy, his wife and eleven-year old son, disappeared. And in an unrelated case, a six-year-old girl was abducted from a hotel. Sheriff Gabriel Thane and his brothers Will and Joshua, have lived with these cases for years. I couldn’t write about just one Thane brother when all three have fascinating stories, so I decided to give you a family, centered around Evie and Gabriel, and let you enjoy what happens when Evie comes to Carin County.

There is an excerpt found here through the Baker Publishing Group website. Be sure to check it out. Or go to Dee's own website at deehenderson.com! 

Psalm 27: Scripture Saturday

This is the scripture that the Lord has given me for this period in my life.  I have it posted on the wall of my closet. I don't read it everyday, but it is always there reminding me...

Whatever it is we are seeking or asking for, big or small, He is all we need! I am learning that even if the answer does not come quickly, Jesus is there. He is all I need. I don't need answers to my requests, I don't need to be afraid of what may or may not happen. I do need to seek Him, follow Him, love Him, and live for Him everyday. If I do that, all the stuff that I am worried about, will fade into the reality of the Eternal Hope that I have in Him. Don't get me wrong, there are things that I will continue to pray for, important things that I am counting on God to take care of; but like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, I choose to say even if I am thrown into a blazing fire, the God I serve is able to deliver me from it, but if He does not, He is still God and He is still Good!

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?

 When the wicked advance against me
    to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
    who will stumble and fall.

Though an army besiege me,
    my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
    even then I will be confident.

One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.
 For in the day of trouble
    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent    and set me high upon a rock.

 Then my head will be exalted
    above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
    I will sing and make music to the Lord.

 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
    be merciful to me and answer me.
 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.
 Do not hide your face from me,
    do not turn your servant away in anger;
    you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
    God my Savior.
 Though my father and mother forsake me,
    the Lord will receive me.
 Teach me your way, Lord;
    lead me in a straight path
    because of my oppressors.
 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
    for false witnesses rise up against me,
    spouting malicious accusations.

 I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

What is LulaRoe?

LulaRoe was founded by DeAnne Stidham, who named her company after her first three grandchildren, Lucy, Lola, and Monroe. Her story is found at LulaRoe.com.

LulaRoe makes clothing that is comfortable and classic. It is modest and versatile. You can dress it up or down. It is a company intent on empowering women and building confidence. So far the women that I have come into contact with are kind and encouraging. They are enthusiastic about the company, the clothing, and their customers!

I am really looking forward to joining this company! Once I get started, I hope to be able to do fundraiser sales to help different missions and organizations! I will donate all of the profits of the sale to the designated organization, and it seems that Lularoe encourages this and will sometimes donate a percentage to the organization as well!! Isn't that wonderful!
Yay for LulaRoe!
Yay for giving hearts!!

Secrets She Kept

After her mother's death, Hannah Sterling looks into her family history.  Her search takes her to Germany to meet a grandfather that she never knew she had. As she attempts to learn more about her mother and find closure to the estranged relationship that they had, she is shocked to learn all the secrets that her mother had kept!
I love stories about family secrets and delving into the past, so I knew this one would be right up my alley!  I was right. This book held my attention and combined present day characters with flashbacks and stories of the past. I was completely involved in Hannah's journey to uncover the truth, but I was equally interested in learning her mother's story! And it was quite a story!  If you like family intrigue or WWII stories, I would definitely suggest picking this one up!!

Big Plans!

Now that I am done with school and on to Fieldwork, I have decided to add yet another adventure to our lives. I am planning to be a LulaRoe Consultant!!  I am very excited. I really like the clothing and I love the encouragement and confidence that I have seen in the women of this company! My family is excited to help, and I am hoping that it will be a fun way that we can work together, make a little extra money, and eventually use it as a way to give back. I really want to do at least one fundraiser a month and give all of the profits of that sale to different organizations, missions, etc!  I already have a few in mind that I can't wait to approach about it!!

I will try to post once a week about the company the clothing and my personal business to keep you updated and informed!  I am currently on instagram, lularoe.megan.marie.t And I am working on my facebook group, which will be under the same name, but I am not opening it to public until closer to receiving my initial inventory which probably won't be until July!  I also plan to sell on Periscope and do in-home pop-up boutiques.  Please feel free to comment here or contact me if you are in my area and interested in seeing my inventory or hosting a pop-up (either online or in-home!)  Hostesses earn free clothes!!  Who doesn't love free clothes!?!

Whispers in the Reading room

Well, I thought I posted this review months ago, and here I hadn't even written it yet!!  I enjoyed this book.  It is the third book in the Chicago World Fair Mystery series, but the story stands alone. It is fun and quick, great for a beach book or lounging on the back deck!!

From the back: Just months after the closure of the Chicago World's FAir, librarian Lydia Bancroft finds herself fascinated by a mysterious dark-haired and dark-eyed patron. He has never given her his name; he actually never speaks to a single person. All she knows about him is that he loves books as much as she does.
Only when he rescues her in the lobby of the Hartman Hotel does she discover that his name is Sebastian Marks. She also discovers that he lives at the top of the prestigious hotel and that most everyone in Chicago is intrigued by him.
Lydia and Sebastian form a fragile friendship, but when she discovers that Mr. Marks isn't merely a very wealthy gentleman, but also the proprietor of an infamous saloon and gambling club, she is shocked.
Lydia insists on visiting the club one fateful night and suddenly is a suspect to a murder. She must determine who she can trust, who is innocent, and if Sebastian Marks-- the man so many people fear -- is actually everything her heart believes him to be.

Giveaway! Yay!

I have a list of books, that I am giving away. Just comment on this post, with something you are excited about, and I will pick one random winner for every 10 commentors (up to 10 winners)! Winner's choice! Giveaway ends next weekend, June 4! Winner Announced June 5!!

The Memory Weaver by Jane Kirkpatrick
Better all the Time by Carre Armstrong Gardner
The Invention of Sarah Cummings by Olivia Newport
The Promise Box by Tricia Goyer (ARC)
Memory's Door by James L. Rubart
Under a Blackberry Moon by Serena B. Miller
 A Thousand Shall Fall by Andrea Boeshaar
The Dog that Saved Steward Coolidge by Jim Kraus
Whispers in the Reading Room by Shelley Gray (review coming tomorrow)
Buried Secrets by Irene Hannon (review coming tomorrow)
The Amish Clockmaker by Mindy Starns Clark and Susan Meissner

It's Summer!

I am finally done with school!  Aaagh, I am so excited.  I finished finals on May 16 and already started my fieldwork II experience!  Wow!  The last 2 years have gone so fast.  I 16 weeks of fieldwork and I will be ready to pass my boards and become a COTA!!!  With that being said, I am hoping to have more time to read and post this summer!  We will kick of the summer with a giveaway later this weekend.  So check back soon!

I Want It All!

Have you ever watched the High School musical movies? Everytime I read the title of this book, I have to sing it!!

So the question is, Do you want it all? --Because God wants you to have "it all" and even more!!

This was an encouraging read. Filled with real-life anecdotes and memorable quotes, there were many things that I took away from this book.  I will give you a little sneak peak and share the first and last sentences that I highlighted in my kindle!  "...the great life He intends for us to live begins and ends with the Word. The Word made flesh: Jesus." And the final one: "Being a woman of impact is not about doing more each day, it's about living to be led by Jesus with the days you are given."

Broken up into easy to read chapters, this would be a nice book to work through as a group.  Each chapter ends with reflection questions to help you on your journey.  Click on the book, if you are interested in purchasing through Amazon!

Pharoah's Daughter

Mesu Andrews is one of my favorite authors.  I was able to do a short interview with her a couple of years ago.  Here is a link, if you want to check that out!

Pharoah's Daughter lived up to the standards I have set for one of her novels!  Mesu Andrews' attention to detail adds depth to the plot, and her dedication to historical and Biblical accuracy make her books the kind that drive you back to The Word. I love reading the Bible stories as I read her fictional depiction of these characters.

Pharoah's Daughter takes us into the story of Moses, from the viewpoint of Anippe...the Pharoah's daughter.  Because it is a perspective that may be unconsidered by most, it makes for a very interesting focus.

I also love her "Author's notes" at the end.  She talks about how God worked while she was writing this book and ends with a prayer for her readers.  What a wonderful ministry she has made from the amazing talent God has given her!

Synced by Jennifer Kennedy Dean

Synced: Living Connected to the Heart of Jesus (New Hope, February 2016)

Prayer can become extraordinary when we live connected to the heart of Jesus.

Synced encourages you to emulate the way Jesus lived His life. With real-life stories of people walking closely with Jesus, finding themselves in the right place at the right time, readers are challenged to examine what staying in step with the Spirit looks like. National best-selling author and known prayer expert, Jennifer Kennedy Dean, uses the familiar passage of the Lord’s Prayer as anchor points to present the way Jesus lived His life in step with the Father through prayer.

Every moment is pregnant with purpose. Every moment is drenched in power. Prayer is no longer the means by which you attempt to get God to perform for you and becomes, instead, the means by which you connect with His heart and mind. A praying life is a life of peace and soul-rest. A praying life is lived in sync with the heart of Jesus.

I actually didn't get this book as planned, so I ended up purchasing the kindle edition yesterday.  I have only read the first chapter so I can't write an actual review, but I thought that I'd highlight a couple of my favorite sections of chapter 1.

Here are two paragraphs:

He (Jesus) kept His eyes glued to the Father.  I'm captured by the way Jesus uses the language of seeing to indicate how He knew His Father's will.  he can only do what He sees His Father doing, and the Father shows Him everything he is doing.  To live synced, Jesus never let His gaze wander.  He kept the eyes of His heart locked on the Father.

When my eyes are on the Father, my focus is on His eternal hope and the stress of the world tends to fade, even when details and situations don't change. 

The second paragraph is:

In His all-night prayer in Gethsemane, we see Jesus linking His heart to the Father's.  Let me summarize the content of His recorded prayer in some new words. "Father, download Your will into my heart so that it overwrites any other desire. Download courageous faith that deletes fear. Synchronize My heart's desire to Yours."

This is a prayer that speaks to my heart.  I want to make it my own. I am a follower of Jesus, and I want to be more like Him everyday.    

Learn more and purchase a copy.