Caterfly Identity - A book review

I'm sitting here on this beautiful fall morning, and the music in the back round being played by Spotify is Possibility by Lykke Li. 
You know that famous song from Twilight? "There's a possibility" I used to make fun of this song with my teen girls like when they would ask me  "Mom can I go over to so and so's house tonight?" I would bust out singing  "There's a possibility" They would then of course go "Ugh... Ma!!"  And the rolling of eyes would of course concur.  I kinda even became annoying to myself with that song. It makes me giggle just thinking about that.  I suppose it's not really nice to tease your teens, but I have to admit I find great pleasure in it. Am I alone in that guilty pleasure? I bet not.

Ok moving on, I really came here to tell you about my sister's friend Lara's new book Caterfly. You can read more of Lara's heart  here: http://caterflylara.wordpress.com/ If you haven't heard about this book though, I would like to be the first to tell you it is a great read for any and all ladies in your life and even the men folk are enjoying it, so I've been told.
The book is about finding our true identity as women.    As women we have been forced fed with lies about what we should look like, act like, talk like, even eat like to be beautiful and Lara bust open these lies and brings the truth home in a very poignant way. She shares personal stories of her journey in finding her true identity and how that didn't come until much later in life for her.  She talks about the natural process of struggle that a Caterpillar turning into a Butterfly has to experience in order to be able to fly. And this correlates with how we as women have to struggle to get to the place where we realize our true identity and beauty is found in only one place. She is passionate about encouraging women and young ladies to look to God's Mirror rather than the Mirror on the Wall or the Mirror of the World. 
If you have any ladies in your life I would strongly encourage you to get them a copy.  It is packed full of encouragement and reminders from God's word that we are all unique and dearly loved children of God.

Speaking of children I just want to say that, that child of mine up there, well she's getting all growed up right before my very eyes, and I can hardly believe the young woman that is before me now. She asked if we could go pick up a drivers ed manual this weekend. Eeeek!!! I'm taking deep, deep breaths kind of like in labor only this time what's being birthed in this house are young adults and I'm extremely aware of how fast the time is flying by. I wonder how long I will be able to tease her with silly Twilight songs?
She's reading Caterfly, along with her sister Chloe and even my son Solomon expressed an interest in reading the book. They think it's pretty cool that their mom is quoted in it and their Auntie Jenny. I'm  so thankful to Lara and her commitment and hard work to write this book that I'm able to share with my children. I know these words and the words of many others quoted in the book will be life changing for them. 
Go out and get your copy this weekend, meanwhile I'll be picking up a copy of DMV drivers manual. 

Hope

“Hope is not pretending that troubles don't exist. It is the hope that they won't last forever. That hurts will be healed and difficulties overcome. That we will be led out of the darkness and into the sunshine.”

I love this anonymous quote for several reasons. The main reason
I love it so much is because it's content is so very true. There is something in this quote that reminds me that this world is not my home. No matter what the trouble is it won't last forever because nothing ever does last forever. The only one who lasts forever and who is worthy of all our hope and trust is Jesus. He said he would never leave us or forsake us, and that is something that gives me a tremendous amount of hope. I suppose the funny thing is that when I am going through hard times I seem to forget all those promises and good things. I forget that my Heavenly Father is right there willing and waiting to help me through. Hard times have a way of making you feel like it will last forever, but it never really does.
The other reason I love this quote is because it uses a word that I love so very much;
H O P E.
I have hung out, lingered long, and truly studied the word hope. Most of you know that I am a words person and one of my all time favorite words is hope.  I am also a very hopeful person in nature. The eternal optimist that is what I have self proclaimed myself to be. I suppose that is why I love the word hope.  But through the years I have come to understand this word so very differently.  My own journey views about hope were confirmed recently in an anointed lady who spoke at church a few weeks back. She shared the message of Hope and what that looks like for a child of God.  Our hope is different than the way the world hopes. The world knows hope as a word that has a lot of meaning. Kind of like how Love is used so flippantly in the English language, Hope is used in the same way. We hope for a raise, we hope for a new car, we hope to fall in love, all these things and so many more we put our hopes in.  Hope in God is so very different though.  It doesn't change with circumstance.  It remains through the dark nights of winter. It is the candle in the window that brings us home on a dark night.  Hope in God reminds us that we have nothing to fear. The bible says that perfect LOVE casts out all fear and I believe HOPE comes right behind that perfect LOVE and makes that casting out process stick kind of like glue.  Hope is the glue that keeps up going. And hope doesnt' have time for fear.

In recent talks with friends and family I am realizing something that seems to be a current theme in conversations regarding our country and the world at large, and that is fear. WE are afraid of the future instead of hopeful because we seem to be placing our hope and our trust in something that is temporal.  As big changes are coming for this country we are afraid of the unknown and how it will affect our everyday lives. It makes sense that we would become fearful when we look around. To really see the world all around us and take in what is happening I think  you would have to be a robot to not be afraid or at least keenly aware that very bad things are happening. It's also easy to become fearful when bad things have already happened to you and your own.  But OH beloved reader, we cannot remain in that place of fear because it means we've placed our hopes in something that isn't long for this world. 
There is only ONE eternal HOPE in this life. He is the lover of your soul.  He keeps reminding me to NOT be afraid.  To look to Him for all things and to not give up hoping for a better tomorrow.  Isn't that the gospel?  The good news?   That someone loves you, every part of you, and wants to give you a lasting HOPE. That there is someone we can place ALL our hope in and HE won't disappoint.  He knows exactly what we need and knows exactly when we need it. 
"Fear NOT, for I am with you; Be NOT dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, Yes I will help you, I will uphold you with  my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
That is balm to my anxious, tired, weary heart.   No matter what you may be going through, I think those words right there bring such comfort.  Who at this present moment in life doesn't need strength, help, and support to be upheld in all of life's ups and downs? He promises to wipe every tear dry, heal my wounds, help me in difficulties and lead me from the darkness and into the light. 
Can I get an Amen?

And Then....

I have a real treat for you all this morning.  Trust me on this Tuesday morning you are going to want to watch this lil video it will give you a good chuckle.  And then.... see what we have been up to over here at MoNoSco head quarters. See, I told you it was funny. Ok so... Is it just me or did the month of October just fly right by us without even stopping to say hello? How RUDE you are October!! I think that's kinda how this time of year goes for everyone, but let me just explain how crazy busy it's gets over here once October comes we have nothing but, Birthdays, Parties, and Holiday right through until January when My Giant kinda seals the deal with his birthday on January 23rd. But until we get to that finish line it goes something like this; Seems like two seconds ago I was celebrating this dashing young man turning twelve on October 4th...

And then... 

We had company come from Seattle and L.A.

And then...

We were off to the Fall Ball Baseball tournaments

And then...

I had a whirlwind week of getting ready for the first Craft show of the season.

And then...

The Bo Sox won the World Series

And Then...

It was the play dress up and eat lots of candy day.

Which was an awesome day for me and my clan.

How was your dress up, eat lots of candy day?

And Then .... We had a pie party

And Then... Yesterday was my parents birthday 

And Then.... Today is my brother Greg's birthday Happy BIRTHDAY GREGIE!! And Then... We will celebrate their beautiful lives this weekend. And Then... We have more company coming in all the way from Gulfport Alabama. Woot Woot!! And Then... Thanksgiving And Then... My Sister Beans Bday  And Then... Tanya's Bday And Then... MY BIRTHDAY.... (stay tuned for a giveaway around December 17th) And Then... Christmas And Then... Niece Sophia's birthday And Then.... New Year's Eve And Then.... You can stop me anytime ;) "NO and Then!!!" Happy Tuesday Friends