♥ I’m back to my monthly roundup of links, quotes, books, and more. ♥
🙂 I hope you will visit the growing pages listed above. 🙂
Thank You
to anyone and everyone who recommend
links, books, quotes, etc.
A Personal Story of Loss in the Opioid Epidemic
Angela Kennecke, a local news anchor here in Sioux Falls, lost her daughter from a drug overdose. Angela courageously shares their story, hoping it will help others. She says, “If just one person hears me, if just one person does one thing to save a life, then I don’t care about a million naysayers or a million people who don’t understand.”
In coping with the loss of their beautiful daughter and sister, Emily’s family has vowed to do everything possible to give others hope of recovery from addiction.
Emily’s Hope will help offset the cost of treatment and allow more people struggling with addiction to get the help they need. Removing financial barriers and getting people suffering from addiction into proper treatment is the first step toward restoration, not only of the addict, but of the addict’s entire family.
ABCs of Jesus’ Love
Visit this page anytime and let me know if you’d like to add to the words describing Jesus’ love along with a verse supporting it. Remember, there is also a print-out of the original list.
This month I have added another verse for Jesus’ rescuing love.
❤ Rescuing Love ❤
“He has rescued us from the domain of darkness
and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves.“
Colossians 1:13 HCSB
Books
I am not always able to keep up with the abundance of books that promote hope, healing, and freedom, so I haven’t always read every one I post here and on the Books Page. Though many are on my long wish list. 🙂 Many will be from recommendations of online friends. If you ever know of a book that is not listed and that supports this website’s mission, please let me know. 🙂
It’s All Under Control: A Journey of Letting Go, Hanging On, and Finding a Peace You Almost Forgot Was Possible by Jennifer Dukes Lee
“It’s time to get our control under control.
Jennifer Dukes Lee never thought she struggled with control. As long as everything went exactly the way she wanted it to, she was totally flexible.
But then Jennifer discovered what happens when you try to wrap your arms around everything, thinking it’s all on you: You get burned out on hustle. You toss and turn more at night, and you laugh less during the day. You’re so busy―caring, serving, working, and trying so hard―that you can’t even hear God’s voice anymore.
It’s All Under Control is a book for every woman who is hanging on tight and trying to get each day right―yet finding that life often feels out of control and chaotic. Join Jennifer on the journey of learning how to:
- Overcome the anxieties and worries that burden your heart
- Prioritize your busy life so you can make choices that align with God’s best for you
- Find freedom through a new “Do, Delegate, or Dismiss” approach to your daily tasks
- Let go of what God has not asked you to do, so you can shine at what he has
Discover a new way of living that will free you to be you, and finally experience the peace of knowing a God who truly has it all under control.”
(Amazon Review)
Hope Harbor
💞 Links That Inspire Hope and Healing 💞
💞 Stop Minimizing Mental Illness: Worst Things to Say by Natasha Tracy – “Why is it that just because I see a psychiatrist and you see a neurologist your disease is real and mine is not? Why is it you assume I can will my disease away while you can’t? Why is it that you can expect me to bring you chicken soup when you get the flu but when I get sick I can’t even expect that you’ll stick around?
I do understand that people don’t know they are being hurtful. People are trying to help. I get it. But here’s the thing, my illness is just as real as anyone else’s. Please stop forcing me to convince you.”
💞 Truths About Faith and Mental Health by Emma Scrivener – “Having ‘faith’ doesn’t mean going it alone. Yes, you need prayer, community and the bible. But you can also use medication, counselling and therapy. If we can use doctors for our bodies, we can use doctors for our brains. When Saul was stressed, David played him soothing music. When Elijah was close to breakdown, God told him to sleep and eat. So let’s not be ashamed of using the resources we have been given.” (#1 of 8)
💞 Thirteen Reasons for Hope by Lesley – Lesley has a compassion and empathy for those who feel hopeless. I love these thirteen reasons for hope based on God’s Word.
Nature Retreat
“Look at the birds of the air,
that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns,
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not worth much more than they?”
Matthew 6:26
Here are some of the beautiful bird photos my brother from Arizona shared with me this summer. Thank you, John! 🙂 (My brother kindly gives me permission to share his photos out of his desire to share the joy of nature with others, but as with all photos, I ask that you please do remember copyright laws.)
🐾 Rosyfinch Ramblings: Finding Birds and Beauty Close to Home – A retired couple, who are avid birders, share beautiful photos on their blog.
🐾 Chasing Bugs: Because Bugs Are Awesome – Danae Wolfe loves to capture the beauty of bugs in her macro photography. Check out her blog and galleries for her spectacular macro photos. Danae is passionate about photography, bugs, conservation, and education.
🐾 Little Big Econ State Forest – A video of beautiful photos of nature and wildlife along with soothing music.
Quotes
New quotes this month are about Compassion.
❤ “Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into the places of pain. Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human.” – Henri Nouwen
❤ “Instead of putting others in their place, put yourself in their place.” – Amish Proverb
❤ “It ill becomes us to invoke in our daily prayers the blessings of God, the Compassionate, if we in turn will not practice elementary compassion toward our fellow creatures.” – Mohandas Gandhi
Freed to Fly 
I’m so glad you started your monthly posts again. They are some of my favorites. Have you actually had a chance to read Jennifer Dukes Lle’s new book? If not, I hope you are able to and it blesses you.
Glad you shared such powerful stories about addiction and hope. Blessings on your day and week.
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Thank you, Mary. I’m glad you like them. 🙂 I have not yet read Jennifer’s book, but I think it would be good for me. I read so many great reviews about it, yours included. Blessings on your day and week, too! May we be beacons of light pointing the way to hope in Jesus!
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That’s a heartbreaking video, Trudy. I can’t imagine going through something like that … what a blessing that Emily’s mom is trying to make something good come out of losing her daughter in such a tragic way. I love the bird photos too … your brother is such a good photographer! Hugs, friend!
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Yes, it is a heartbreaking story, Lois. Angela and her husband were working on an intervention, but it was devastating that they were too late. I can’t imagine going through that either. Now Angela is getting calls at the station from desperate parents and even addicts. Her story is a great example of how our stories of pain can help others in pain. I agree my brother is a good photographer. 🙂 Hugs to you, too! May God give us courage to share our stories of pain so that others feel less alone and may find hope in Jesus!
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Dear Trudy,
I’m glad that you are sharing your monthly roundup links again! They always seem to come just when I need to take a few moments to pause and listen to God’s sweet voice. I love this quote that you shared: “Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into the places of pain. Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human.” – Henri Nouwen” Thank you for sharing the compassions of Jesus with us. You are a blessing and an encouragement. May you be blessed today!
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Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, Bettie. You are an encouragement and blessing to me as well! It’s amazing how God sends just what we need when we need it, isn’t it? I love that quote, too. May God help us to truly share the compassions of Jesus with all those around us!
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Love your monthly roundups, Trudy! I especially enjoyed seeing those photos of birds native to the southwest, something we living Georgia never see. Such a treat! I loved the quotes regarding compassion, too. We need to remember to ever love our neighbors as ourselves, acknowledging the great compassion our Father has shown to us.
Blessings!
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I’m so glad you love the monthly roundups, Martha. And the photos of birds. They are such a treat to me, too, as we don’t see them in the Midwest either. 🙂 Blessings to you, too! Yes, may we daily remember to love and show true compassion to our neighbors!
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I always love your monthly round-ups, Trudy! There are so many great things here- I’m honoured to be included among them! I really enjoyed Jennifer Dukes Lee’s book and I love Emma Scrivener’s writing too. As always your brother’s photos are stunning- I love how the variety of the birds shows such beauty and God’s attention to detail as a creator! Love and hugs to you!
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Thank you, Lesley. I’m glad you enjoy these. There are so many great books and articles to share, yours included. 🙂 Yes, my brother’s photos are stunning, and not just because he is my brother. 🙂 It truly is amazing how our Creator has given us such a variety of birds, each one uniquely created and displaying God’s beauty and faithfulness. Love and hugs to you, too! May we daily be uplifted with God’s promise that we are even more valuable to Him than the birds He created!
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I love your monthly round-ups!! I’m so glad you are back to posting them! Your book recommendations are so helpful! That first one sounds like a winner! And your photography? Amazing! What a glorious group of bird photos! So beautiful! Love and huge hugs!! ❤ ❤
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Thank you, Lynn. I’m so glad you enjoy the monthly roundups. The only book listed here is Jennifer’s book. Underneath Books, in Hope Harbor, are links to articles. 🙂 Yes, my brother’s photography is amazing! 🙂 I can’t take credit for them. 🙂 Love and huge hugs to you, too! May we learn more and more that God has all things under His control!
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Emily’s Hope — what a wonderful thing.
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Yes, Susan, it’s so wonderful how Emily’s family is using this tragedy to help others trapped in addiction. I was just reading your About page. It sounds like you and your family has suffered some deep trials, too. I’m so sorry. It’s wonderful how you, too, offer hope to others. May God help us to offer the hope and comfort He so graciously gives us to others who are hurting!
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Great collection! Visiting you today from Mary Geisen’s link up. laurensparks.net
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Thank you for visiting, Lauren. I just left a comment at your site, but I’m not sure it got through. Anyway, I do love that your hope is that whoever comes to your site may find Jesus there. 🙂 I’m sorry you have a daughter who must deal with severe health issues. I pray for wisdom and strength for her and for you as her mom. May others always see Jesus in us!
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Hey Trudy … it’s so good to see you out and about again, sharing your wisdom and perspective with us. And oh, those birds!
Made me heart sing!
;-}
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Thank you for your kind encouragement, Linda. I’m so blessed when my brother shares his photos with me, but it’s even a double blessing that he allows me to share them with all of you. 🙂 My heart sings with you. 🙂 May we more and more spread our joy in Jesus’ love!
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Trudy,
Thanks for your monthly list. I’ve heard wonderful things about Jennifer’s book. And the courage of Emily’s mom to share so she can help others. Your brother’s bird photos are great. And thanks for the links on mental illness: I will read later. Blessings, love, and hugs 🙂
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Thank you, Dolly. Blessings, love, and hugs to you, too! I’ve heard great things about Jennifer’s book, too. Yes, that takes tremendous courage for a mom to share and use her pain to help others. May God give us courage to tell our stories, too, and to point to hope in Jesus!
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Dear Trudy, it’s good to see you sharing your monthly treasures again! They might speak about life’s painful things now and then, but also about hope and encouragement. I especially love the photos your brother kindly offered to share with us. Lesley’s Thirteen Reasons for Hope are such a valuable resource. Henri Nouwen’s books and wisdom have always spoken to me, as does the quote you include about compassion. Jennifer’s Duke Lee’s book is on my ever growing wish list and I hope to read it some time over the next few months, having already savoured her previous books and blog. Thank you for providing such a rich variety of items to ponder on and enjoy! Blessings, love and hugs to you, my friend. xo ❤
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Thank you for your kind encouragement, Joy. It’s amazing what a variety of birds God has created, right? I have an ever growing book wish list, too. I can’t keep up! I found that quote of Henri Nouwen and I love it, but I didn’t even realize he has written books. I looked him up, and I see there are a lot of them. Blessings, love, and hugs to you, too! May we experience ever more deeply the depth of Jesus’ compassion, and may it flow out to all those around us!
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I’m enjoying, as always, the encouragement you share here. I needed it! ❤️🎄❤️
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I’m so glad you’re encouraged, Anita. I hope your mom keeps improving and the flu bug leaves all of you. I hope you have a joy-filled Christmas! May the bottomless love of Jesus fill us with peace!
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