Devine Designs Jewelry

This is a memoir of the true story told by the author about her life married to a funeral director. It’s a love story that includes loss, laughter, and trusting in God. The author writes with a sense of humor, sometimes in unexpected places, where she finds humor in life. The love and loss she writes about includes her life with her husband and children, working side by side in a funeral home, and his untimely death. What follows proves to be a “trusting in God” that things will turn out for the better. I enjoyed reading this memoir. True stories tend to be some of my favorite reads. I found it interesting, reading about death, and the “business” of dying. The author makes it seem “matter of fact” like. She is a strong woman, who gathers strength in her faith. The book is based in two sections; the first being Dee Oliver’s story about meeting, and marrying Johnnie Oliver, and their years together, working side by side in their funeral home. The last section is written in ...

Homeless at Harvard by John Christopher Frame John Frame, a student at Harvard University spends 10 weeks living on the streets of Harvard Square in order to get a perspective of homelessness and people who live their lives on the streets. He makes friendships with many, whom show him “the ropes” of homelessness and the homeless community. Among those he meets and shares their stories are: Chubby John, who offers John a place to sleep, Dane, George, and Neal- who battles alcoholism and poor health, yet a highly spiritual man. Although John feels like he did nothing to really help the homeless situation during his time on the streets, he does come away with one important lesson that he’s learned; that the homeless are just people like you and me, and only want to be loved and accepted. I enjoyed reading this book. I learned things about homeless life that I did not know. The closest I’ve ever come to seeing or helping the homeless, was encountering a single person, alone, panh...

Christian music artist and worship leader, Jeremy Camp shares his story of faith, love, lost, and healing. As a young man, in his 20’s he has been through many trials in life. He was raised as a Christian, from a highly spiritually home of a pastor’s son. As a youth, he participated in missions and church outreaches. After losing his young wife to cancer, he shares his struggles with faith, and God in this full testimony of his life. Now married again, he has grown much beyond his years, starting a family, continuing to share his testimony and minister and worship through his music. My thoughts on this book: Overall, this was too preachy and religious for my particular tastes. Camp does have a testimony to share, and has been used by God in order to share and help others. But I found the reading a bit repetitive, and at times a bit boring. It became a long read of 212 pages, and could have been better titled, “I Still Believe, a testimony in full detail”. I received this bo...

"For it is better to give, than receive". This is how I have been trying to live my life. Give to others, help the less fortunate. "For what you give out, it will be returned to you 3-fold". It a law of the universe. One I truly believe, and am living proof that it works! I know in this difficult economic time for the U.S., it seems that everyone is afraid. Afraid to spend any money. Let's hold on to all we have, seems to be the attitude of most Americans. But what I've found is that the tighter you hold unto something, the harder the situation becomes. I'm sure you've heard the saying, "You can attract more bees with honey than vinegar". That's the closest analogy that I can think of at the moment, and what it means is this: we all need to let go of something. Are you stuck in a personal problem you find overwhelming and don't know what to do about it? Try reaching out and helping another. Call a sick friend. Get involved with comm...

What I have learned during these tough economical times: A job title does not give you personal worth. I learned how to not waste food and make due with what I have and be creative in the kitchen. I have enough material "things"- actually more than enough, so that I can share with others. I learned to trust and have faith, that all things will work out o.k. True happiness does not come in the form of a dollar bill. True friendships are more important than material "things".