So, I meant to get this up a couple weeks ago, but plans changed and I'm not gonna stress over it, haha! Hope you enjoy this book review! I discovered this book almost a year ago, so it's perfect timing!

Book Review: Journey to Love by Amanda Tero
(Purchased from the author in 2017)

I adore this story! Ms. Tero has figured out how to take a very deep topic and make it understood to children. This book was enjoyed by my whole family. This is a lovely example of non-romantic love in a story. The book follows Marie Dixon as she leaves all she knows in New York on the Orphan Train to start a new life in Illinois with complete strangers. But she's learned her lesson: Never love anyone and you won't get hurt. She refuses to love anyone...even God. But will God's love win out in the end? Will Marie ever find the happiness  her neighbor Blind Mary has? You'll have to read the book to find out! Log on to www.amandatero.com to purchase!
 
Genre – Historical Fiction/1901
 
Historical Accuracy – Though I am no expert on 20th Century New York and Illinois, there wasn't anything in the story that didn't ring true. The feel of the story was very prairie like, which I adore! A good reminder that Chicago isn't the only city in Illinois, lol!
 
Content – High praise here! Ms. Tero's style is akin to Isabella Alden's, very clean, something you can certainly grow through reading and contains very clear presentations of the gospel. Mary (my younger sister) was 8 when we read it together so I'd give it an 8-early teen target range. But older “kids” will probably like this too. We sure did!
 
Favorite Scene – Probably any scene in which Marie and Mary are together. While their conversations are deep, they aren't too mature for their age. Also, Marie's first experience in a non-catholic church!
 
Overall – Buy this book! It's inexpensive (especially if you get the ebook, but I love my paperbacks :)) and it helps to support the Self-published/Indie-author community! This story gives a comprehensive answer to the question “Is God a loving God?” Easy enough for kids, but definitely not watered down!
 
Quote - By early afternoon, Marie was driving the cart, with Mr. Bowles watching from a distance. When Marie pulled Nelly to a stop in front of the barn, she noticed that Mrs. Bowles had joined her husband. They looked from her to each other, but not before Marie caught the expression of their faces. Satisfaction...or was it love?

So that's it for now! Have a lovely weekend!

Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

Hello everyone! After a week of being sick, I am back with the official first post of February! Hope you enjoy!

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13: 1&3

We all enjoy doing something kind for someone. Look at the world around us. It's the American way to be charitable: Medical clinics overseas, rebuilding countries we have been at war with, digging wells for third world countries, helping build schools, disaster relief, help for the homeless...there is no end of charitable organizations in our country.

But we're missing something important: True Charity. Where does true Charity come from? From God. True love is out lined in 1 Chronicles 13: 4-8. For sake of space, I encourage you to look it up for yourself. All the good one may try to do is of no account if they are not done out of Love, the true love of God. After all, 1 John 4:8 tells us, “God is love.” So unless God is at the center of one's actions, how can it truly be done in love? Don't get me wrong, I'm sure these organizations have good at heart and do what they do out of compassion. But without the Love of God, it is but sounding brass and tinkling cymbals.

What about you? Do you do things for others because you love them and love the Lord or to make a name for yourself. Do you wonder if someone is taking note of what you're doing?

One of the worst feelings is doing something for others and it amount to nothing but unflattering instruments. Make sure that everything you do is done for the glory of God. (Colossians 3:23)

Have a blessed day!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22