Still Waiting: Hope for When God Doesn't Give You What You Want {Book Review}

Photo by: @HeatherMariePortraits

Nobody wants to wait. I don't want to wait. I have not (yet) known anyone who happily admits that she likes to wait, or it's fun to wait for something or even someone. To be honest, waiting isn't the word I would use if I were to describe fun, pleasure and enjoyment. Still, in one way or another, all of us have experienced waiting - for the right person, perfect job, fulfilment of dreams, healing from a sickness or disease, etc. - to occur. Because waiting is inevitable. Waiting is inescapable. But what if, what we are waiting for never comes? What if:

Waiting will make you broken?

Waiting will make you weak?

Waiting will wear you down?

In Still Waiting, Ann Swindell compellingly narrates her own story of waiting for healing from an untreatable condition. She beautifully knits hers together with the Bleeding Woman's story in the Bible. Like her, she was also waiting to have her "healing moment with Jesus", to be able to touch the fringe of his robe. However, unlike the Bleeding Woman who got healed when she encountered the Great Healer, Ann is still waiting for that time to come.

Ann invites her readers to trust God in the midst of waiting, to "keep choosing faith and the risk that must accompany it", to put hope in Jesus instead, to believe that He is good in spite of our circumstances, and that He "isn't bound by our ways, our timelines, or our demands. He is bound by truth and love and justice and mercy- by all the things He is and contains within Himself". Furthermore, she expounds what it means to experience grace in the season of waiting - the greater grace of His presence. 

The Still Waiting book is not just another feel-good tome. It is a book that you will not put down without shedding tears, not out of loneliness but because it gets to the core of your heart. It will encourage and comfort you, that you're not alone in your season of waiting. Saturated with biblical truths, it will assure you that yes, God sees you, your pain, your suffering, and your waiting. He might not answer you according to your timeline and the way you want it to but He knows, He understands, and He cares. 

Still Waiting comes out today, April 4th, in most major book retailers like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Target. Get your copy (and copies for your lady friends) now!

Ann Swindell is an authour, speaker, and teacher of writing who is passionate about seeing people set free by the love of Christ. She writes about the intersection of everyday life and God's love on her website, annswindell.com, and writes regularly for other publications such as Today's Christian Woman, Relevant, Deeply Rooted, and Darling magazine. Ann holds an MA in writing from DePaul University and MFA in creative nonfiction writing from Seattle Pacific University. She taught composition and creative writing courses as a college instructor for five years and now teaches writing courses online at writingwithgrace.com. Ann makes her home in St. Louis, Missouri with her husband and daughter.

From Depressed to Determined: A Book Review

Every woman has her own dream or dreams; to become a wife and a mother, have a successful business or job, to be that person she knows she was created to be. However, after that dream has become a reality, it can't be avoided that sometimes, depression sets in. What will she do?

From Depressed to Depression: A 6- Step Guide to Thrive and Have Personal Success by Viviene Bigornia is what it's all about. Brief and concise, this e-book could be read in one sitting, but the "Your Turn" section will allow you to contemplate, ponder and do the practical steps and suggestions of the author.

What I like about this book is that the author talked from her personal experience. As I read it, I could see myself. I could relate. I believe that every woman who  maybe walking on the same path will realize she's not alone, that there's someone who had been there and was able to overcome. The author didn't dwell much on the subject of depression (nor cite cases) but on how a person can come out of it. Another thing I like about it is the 6 steps she offered are easy to follow. All a person needs is determination to be able to do them. There is also a quotable quote at the end of every chapter which I also like. For me, it summarizes the idea and thought of that chapter.

My takeaway from this book: No one is immune from depression. In one way or another, we all have experienced it. However, it's not the end of the world for us. We can come out of it, come out of it victoriously. We can achieve those personal goals we have been aiming for. We can also thrive and be successful. Someone had been there and overcome. We, you, can do it too!

This e-book is a great gift for your girl friends, moms, aunts and even for yourself. So, are you in for a little treat? This e-book is offered for FREE by Amazon today (May 7th) until the following day. Yay!  Go and download it now! After that time, the price goes back to $2.99.

After you read it, can you please come back and let me know your thoughts about this e-book? I would love to hear from you.

7 Things Every Wife Should Know: A Book Review

Have you ever read a book and felt like it was talking to you or about you? Well, that's how I felt as I read 7 Things Every Wife Should Know. Written by Viviene Bigornia, a newly wed herself, she tackles the subject of marriage with vividness and clarity.

The book (or ebook) is easy to read and to the point. Viviene shares her joyful experiences as a new wife. Although she is honest to tell her readers that there is no such thing as a "perfect marriage", she  believes that a couple can have a successful and happy married life through the 7 key virtues that every wife should know (and may I add, follow as well). She uses the acronym T-R-I-U-M-P-H and devotes one chapter for each virtue. Furthermore, she expounds each one by citing insightful stories of hers and some married women whom she is closed to and has witnessed their married life.

At the end of each chapter, Viviene provides sections which give reader a chance to reflect, read, respond, pray and take actions on every nugget of wisdom gleaned from the topic. The author also includes Real Lives of Real Wives which is about real stories of married women that tell happy and contented married life is possible and can be achieved. Viviene concludes her book with her own love story.

My Thoughts
As I have mentioned above, I felt that this book was talking to (and about) me as I was reading it. Being married for 7 years, I am reminded once again to "be the kind of wife" that I know God has called me to be. Just like Viviene, I am also a passionate marriage fan and desire to see that every couple who decided to tie the knot will not only have a blissful wedding day but also a long-lasting and successful married life. It pains me to see couples, who after that 2 - 4 hour wedding ceremony and party one day find themselves "falling out of love" for reasons that could have been worked out or resolved. Just like anything in this world, perfection cannot be achieved in married life. But who says that one has to be perfect to be happy? In this life, we may never attain perfection, however, we can always strive to be content, satisfied and successful not by our own strength but with God's grace.

And for me, that is what this book is all about: God's grace. It is by God's grace that a happy and successful married life is possible; that the 7 things/virtues can be applied by the wife; that marriages will be strong and successful. Only by His grace. I believe Viviene made it obvious by consistently mentioning about God and His intervention in married lives throughout the book. She constantly seasoned every chapter with Bible verses which help get her message across. Now I'm not saying that this is just a "feel-good book", no, not at all. In fact, what Viviene shared are practical stories and insights which a wife or aspiring ones will find inspiring and then realize, "Indeed, a happy married life is achievable."

The book can be finished in one sitting but I will not advise you to do so. Take time to chew and digest what is written in every chapter. The sections Viviene provided at the end of every chapter are helpful for meditation and think through process. What's more, you can share and discuss your thoughts about what you have read with a fellow wife or even a group of wives.

I say that this book is best for those who are planning to get married. You should secure a copy before you say "I do" to the man of your dreams. As for those who have been married for a year or even "forever", this book will give us a gentle nudge on the elbow and remind us of the promise we  once made on that one blissful day we had so longed for.

How to Get a Copy

You can get this book in paperback copies for Php 399 and Ebook (PDF version) for Php 199 by clicking here (for Philippine residents only. For non-Philippine residents, you can get a copy from Amazon). And because it's the love month, Viviene is offering a 15% discount for my readers until the end of February. Yay! Simply order by sending her an email at teacher_viviene@yahoo.com. Please don't forget to write 15%OFF on the subject line. Bonus: free shipping nationwide!

Hurry! Get your copy/copies now! :)

Disclaimer: I have received a free copy of the ebook in exchange for a review. However, the opinions I have mentioned here are purely mine and were not influenced by the free product given.