The Transformation review

HGTV Meets Desperate Housewives in Terri Kraus’ Latest Novel

Renovation of building and heart collide

in Kraus’ next installment of the Project Restoration series

What happens when the normal Christian life you expected doesn’t turn out exactly that way? Can a good, hard-working Christian man disregard his cultural and religious admonitions—as well as his mother’s plans for his life—for the love of a woman and a historic church building? For anyone who has ever faced a dilemma of the heart—or for the avid HGTV watcher—author Terri Kraus tackles these questions with The Transformation (David C Cook, September 2009), the latest installment in her Project Restoration series dedicated to remodelers, rehabbers, and DIYers.

Oliver Barnett is a good contractor, a good Christian, and an obedient son, never in trouble, never one to rock the boat…until real estate developer Samantha Cohen enters his life. Samantha, full of life, vitality, and wit, is unlike any woman he has ever known—in more ways than one. Not only is she planning to transform a historic church into a restaurant/nightclub, she is Jewish and has had a “modern moral past,” having none of the restrictions that Oliver has had placed upon his own behaviors. While Oliver needs the work, he struggles with the idea of being involved in such a building project.

At the same time, an old girlfriend, Paula, rekindles a long-ago relationship with him—with the enthusiastic encouragement of Oliver’s domineering mother. Paula would be the safe choice, and the choice that would appease Mom, yet Oliver is drawn to Samantha because of her beauty and her exotic nature. Oliver finds himself in a most unsettling dilemma. Does he do what’s right by the nice girl his mother has chosen for him, or does he do what his heart is telling him to do?

“Can a ‘good, Christian boy’ find happiness with a woman from another faith?”asks Kraus. “Can Samantha find salvation through Oliver’s witness? And can a church ever be anything other than a place of worship? These are the intriguing questions I pose in The Transformation and I hope readers will enjoy discovering the answers.”

The Transformation by Terri Kraus

David C Cook/September 2009

ISBN: 978-0-7814-4867-3/304 pages/softcover/$14.99

www.davidccook.com

My Review: This was a light read and good for a relaxing day. I did find some of the plot to be fairly predictable, but there is also some good content. The characters were very believable, complete with flaws. I actually found myself getting angry with the main character when he made a series of bad choices. This obviously means that I got hooked into the storyline. I haven't read anything by Terri Kraus before but I am sure interested in trying her other books now too.

The Expanded Bible review

The Expanded Bible: New Testament reflects the latest scholarship, current English, and the needs of contemporary students of the Bible. This new testament includes a multitude of study aids and expanded translations right in line with the text making it possible for you to study the Bible while you read!

Expanded translations bring out the meaning of words and offer alternatives.

Literal meanings of terms from the original languages are included where they can provide more understanding.

Traditional wordings assist recollection of familiar terms and expressions.

Comments explain passages that can be understood better with a brief remark.

Useful references supply rewarding opportunities for comparing other Scriptures.

Variants display additional wording in some of the original language texts.

My Review: I am really enjoying reading through this version of the New Testament. It is a modified version of the New Century Version, and I think that the additional words/phrases included help to better understand the original language that the bible was written in. Reading this version is almost like having a parallel bible that has a few few translations inside one book. It is called The Expanded Bible because in addition to the base text, alternate interpretations of the words or phrases are included. I think the introduction helps to explain why this book was created, but more importantly, how to get the most out of it. It is easy to understand. I think this would make a great tool for studying the bible.

First Day Of School

Today was Brianna's first day of Kindergarten!

Usually the slow-moving kid in the morning; she was dressed, bed made, and hair brushed all by 7:00 this morning!

Needless to say, she was a little excited.

She had a fun morning at school, including a trip to the gym and library already. Her favorite part so far?

Recess.

Of course. The weather is absolutely gorgeous this week. Now that it is September.

After lunch, we took Ella to her first day of preschool. Strangely enough, she is the one who is nervous. She has asked a bazillion questions about preschool and is quite vocal in expressing her concerns.

At least we won't ever have to worry about Ella not talking!

I love my girls!
Now John and I have the entire afternoon to ourselves. We are actually working on some much overdue house renos (closet doors, floor trim etc) while the weather is nice. I primed and painted some doors this morning, now to flip them over and do the other sides...

Stained Glass Masquerade

This song is one of my very favorite Casting Crowns songs.

I desire to become more open and honest in all areas of my life, but especially within the church circle, as the tendency to "filter" things first is too easy.

This past couple of weeks has been a huge struggle for me. It's been a challenge in many different areas, and I know that I have not been my "normal" self lately.

I would never have chosen for myself, or the others involved, to be in this situation. But in it, we are.

And yet I can clearly see a positive for myself.

I don't in any way want to take away from the pain that people are currently experiencing, or to

make it seem like this is all about me. It's not at all.

That being said, if you read the "About Me" section of my blog, or my very first post as Little Missus Sunshine, you will know that I am trying to be real. I am trying to be honest. The good and the bad. All of it.

This is probably the first time in my life that people are seeing the real me. Several people have asked me if I'm okay, because as one person commented, "The smile is not reaching your eyes anymore". My friends have questioned and are concerned. They don't need to know why, but it helps that God is teaching me to let it out. To be sad if I feel sad. Or to be angry if I am upset.

I have a long ways to go, but this is the first step for me.

I am finally learning how to stop the masquerade.

Prayer

I haven't been blogging much lately.

Nothing new there.

I know that lots of other people are going through a blogging "slump" as well.

But mine is partially due to stress.

There is a lot going on right now. Things that I can't get into. But I could use your prayers. God knows what is taking place and he is the only one who can clear things up. It's not a pretty situation. Lots of miscommunication and damaged relationships.

Pray that:

• I have the patience to wait this thing out (I have a hard time being patient)
• Discouragement would not win
• God would give hope to all in the midst of this crisis
• The truth will set everyone free
• My focus would not be on worrying but instead on praise.
• My physical stress would ease up (headaches, etc)

Thanks.

***John and I are fine. Don't want to give the wrong impression, but that's really all I can say***

Precious Girls

Tonight I took the girls for a bike ride to the park.

Ella is just learning how to peddle continuously but she made a lot of progress even throughout our evening. She actually was over-confident and going way too fast since she doesn't watch where she is going, but that's another story!

At the park there is a great big tunnel. It's a stand-alone piece of equipment and the kids always enjoy yelling at each other to the other side.

Ella was lying on the top of the tunnel and peering inside, looking upside down.

Brie was on the opposite end of the tunnel, not really looking in at this point.

Here's their conversation:

Ella: BRIANNA! Come look inside the tunnel!

Brie: Why?

Ella: So that I can look at your beautiful face!

Priceless!

Alberta Vacation

We are home and mostly rested!

Our trip to Edmonton and area was very nice. We decided to make the drive out there a little shorter by stopping overnight at my mom's place. The girls were having fun jumping off of her deck. Look at the difference in their personalities....

WILD Ella:

Conservative Brie:

And yet....

The day that we went to the West Edmonton Mall and took the kids to Galaxyland, Brie was all about the exciting rides, daring herself to do more scary rides by the end of the day.

Ella...not so much.

I think this picture sums it up nicely!

Poor girl hated the dragon roller coaster. She didn't like it last year, but after a pep talk from me decided that maybe she would like it now. Every time they hit this corner, Ella would yell at me "MOM! I don't like this ride!" I felt bad because I know what it's like to be on a ride that you aren't enjoying, since I'm not much of a ride person.

Actually Ella did have a fun time on the simple rides. She even figured out the bumper cars and laughed with glee. Her favorite was definitely the huge playcenter there though!

Brie had a BLAST the entire day!

She started off deciding not to try any of the bigger rides that she hadn't tried previously, but later on that day, she decided to try out the Swing Of The Century. She ended up going on that ride 5 times! Absolutely loved it!

She even worked up the courage to try the Galaxy Orbiter, which is a large roller coaster that goes around the entire park, while the car spins around. She only did this one once, but I'm impressed that she would even try!!

Later in the week, we did some shopping and even took the girls to see the movie Up. And one of the highlights was definitely seeing the Lion King!

Wow.

Amazing to watch the girls reactions during the show. I even got a little teary-eyed at the beginning. Silly I know, but it was really neat to see it through their eyes.