My life of Faith, Family and Crochet

Book: The Son in My Eyes – Seeing the Light of Jesus in Vietnam

Author: Mai Spencer with Dixie Phillips

I must admit, when I first read the title and realized it was a Vietnam story, I didn’t think I was going to like the book. Once I read the first couple pages though, I was hooked!

Mai Spencer touched my heart as I read page after page of her life growing up as a poor Buddhist girl in Vietnam. She nearly lost her life as a young girl when she was exposed to Agent Orange. But that was only the beginning. Spencer was faced with many more obstacles that she was able to overcome over the years.

She ended up finding true love when she met her American husband and moved to the United States with him. The tragedies kept coming though. Three out of her four children died prematurely and that’s what began to lead her to a life with Jesus. Even though Mai was raised in a Buddhist home, she knew that false god wasn’t who was protecting her. Spencer began to cry out to Jesus and she was saved!

Spencer’s love for God was so strong, she even gave up her successful business to return to Vietnam and build a church there. Her and her husband, Dennis, plan to spend the rest of their lives changing the hearts of the Vietnam people to follow Jesus. They are also the founders of Jesus in Vietnam Ministries. You can visit them here.

Mai Spencer demonstrates forgiveness and hope. She is such an inspiration to me and hopefully she will be for you as well.

Buy It!

If you’re ready for your life to be changed, The Son in My Eyes is available for $14.99 at Deep River Books by clicking here.

It is also available on Amazon at a more competitive price by clicking here.

Win It!

I’m giving away my copy of this book because I feel it is a must read!

Here’s how you can get your free copy:

Each time you complete one of the tasks below (or if you already have), then leave a comment. Each item counts as an entry!

1. Follow Heavenly Mommy via GFC (right-hand side bar)
2. Subscribe to Heavenly Mommy via RSS feed
3. Like Heavenly Mommy on Facebook
4. Follow Heavenly Mommy on Twitter
5. Follow Bring it On! Communications on Facebook
6. Follow Bring it On! Communications on Twitter
7. Follow Deep River Books on Facebook
8. Follow Deep River Books on Twitter

This giveaway ends on September 9th at 9 pm PST. Open to US residents only. Heavenly Mommy will pay for postage.

*I received a free copy of this book from Bring it On! Communications for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review in any way. All opinions are my own.

By: Blondina Howes Jeffrey

A study based on 1 Kings 17:1-16

Overview from Deep River Books:

Is God more than enough when you don’t have a job, when your health fails, or when you have no money and it seems you are on the verge of being homeless? How is God more than enough when your loving relationships shatter, or when everything you have worked so hard for slips from your grip?

When the doors close, prayers seem unanswered, and you are holding on to broken dreams, one has to wonder, contrary to popular belief–does God give His children more than they can bear?

When the Brook Dries Up shakes the very foundation of your faith, trust and confidence in God. In it you will explore the secret to experiencing God at work in your life at all times, and in all circumstances, even when He does not appear to be.

Personally, I had a hard time getting through this book. I think you really need to be facing a trial when you read the book to appreciate all that it has to offer. The author goes in depth to prove that God is more than enough.

If you are being faced with a challenge and you’re looking for a spiritual and intellectual study to help you get through, then this is the book for you. Even if you’re not sure that God is enough, then this book is for you. It would also be a great compliment to a small group study you could incorporate with others who are experiencing trials.

If you choose to read When the Brook Dries Up, I hope it brings you closer to God and helps you realize that God is always at work in our lives, even when it doesn’t feel like it.

**I received a free copy of this book from Bring It On! Communications for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated in any way for this review. All opinions are my own.

Title: Lonely Girl, Gracious God

Author:Lauri Khodabandehloo

Book Overview: From the moment of her birth, Farema was not like her sisters. She didn’t respond normally to sounds or the touch of a hand. She was different. Embrace this mother’s deeply personal account of tragedies and triumphs, along with joys and sorrows of raising a child with the devastating disability of autism.

When lives have been turned upside down and we have nothing left to cling to, God offers amazing grace to find encouragement and authentic hope in the face of overwhelming confusion and grief.

Chicken Soup for the Soul contributor Lauri Khodabandehloo takes us on a journey down the broken road that leads us to the truth of God’s overwhelming faithfulness, and His promise to never leave us as she shares the special bond between those who are challenged with a developmental disability and the people who love them.

My Review: As soon as I read the first page, I was hooked. I turned each page with great anticipation of the story that was going to unfold before me. Lonely Girl, Gracious God is an inspirational and true story of a mom that wanted to do everything for her autistic daughter to make sure she had the best life possible. She was not going to let anything or anyone stand in the way of Farema leading a “normal” life that included friends and extra-curricular activities.

Lauri Khodabandehloo persevered through this incredible journey with her autistic daughter by having a tremendous faith in God. Lauri is an inspiration as she continued to love and support Farema from an early age, even though she was different than her older sisters. Lauri searched every avenue possible to make sure her daughter received the support and help she needed to thrive.  

I would highly recommend Lonely Girl, Gracious God. It is inspirational and well-written. You can read more about this book and the author, as well as meet Farema at www.lonelygirlgraciousgod.com. You can also head on over to Deep River Books to get a copy for you and a friend or family member for only $13.99!

**I received a free copy of this book from Bring It On! Communications for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated in any way for this review. All opinions are my own.