Book Review: Unveiling the Kings of Israel ~ David Down

I have always been fascinated with archaeology.  When I saw David Down's books, Unveiling the Kings of Israel and Unwrapping the Pharaohs, I knew they were two book I just had to read.  In fact, I had signed up to review this particular book, but ended up purchasing it before the free copy arrived.  Since I enjoyed it so much, I'm grateful to now have one for our library and another to give as my Dad's Christmas gift; he'll love it!

I'm not an archaeologist; just someone who loves to read about it and look at pictures.  Of course, I'd love to visit those intriguing dig sites, but that remains to be decided at some future date.  Based on Biblical dates, this book leads you from the flood through Jesus Christ; God's renewed promise to Abraham to the Ultimate King, Jesus.  It adds historical elements of culture and geography to the what we read in the Bible.

While, I don't have firsthand knowledge of archaeological "pre-set" dates, Mr. Down presents a clear argument for Biblical accuracy in dates.  Apparently, commonly accepted dates for different eras in ancient history have been based on shaky Egyptian chronology.  This timeline needs to be reduced by centuries for an accurate history based on Biblical dates and ongoing archaeological discoveries.  The next book on my agenda to read is Unwrapping the Pharaohs, in which David Downs is sure to expand on this information.  I can't wait to get started!

Book Review: How Do We Know the Bible Is True? ~ Ken Ham & Bodie Hodge

One of the reasons we opted to homeschool our children was to instill in them the significance and truth of God's Word.  We didn't want them continuously exposed to the theory of evolution without seeing the flip side of the coin.  Evolution is taught as a fact in most schools, when it is nothing more than a theory; a theory that takes more faith to believe in than the Biblical account of creation.

Creation and apologetics are a passion in our family.  We want not only to read God's Word, but be able to defend it; that others would come to see who our Creator and Savior really is.  When I saw "How Do We Know the Bible is True?" available, it was one of those books that stood out.  Knowing what Ken Ham stands for Biblically, I knew this would be a book worth reading.

In fact, Ken Ham and Bodie Hodge are more editor than chief authors.  They both have chapters included, but there are actually 28 chapters/articles written by multiple studied pastors/scholars.  Each chapter focuses on different aspects of the Bible, such as the history, authors, archaeological evidences, inspiration of God, interpretation, inerrancy of scripture, and questions that non-believers and Christian leaders alike would bring up to question regarding it's accuracy/authenticity.

There are a couple chapters written by Jason Lisle that are very informative but had me feeling like I needed to spend more time on his presentation to wrap my mind around his thought processes.  We actually have his book, The Ultimate Proof of Creation, but I have yet to read it through.  He was at our church last winter and hearing him speak helped with understanding his writing style.

This is a wonderfully put together book with solid answers based on a literal God-inspired Scripture.  The various authors come from the same viewpoint, making the topics flow smoothly and giving the reader a lot to hold dear (and share)!

Book Review: Hermie - A Common Caterpillar, By: Max Lucado

Hermie is one of our favourite positive-character-trait-building cartoon characters.  This easy reader book is based on the original Hermie video and follows the story quite well. 

I found it to be longer than the average "early reader" book so depending on your child's reading ability, this may or may not be a book that can be read in one sitting.  Of course, it is an enjoyable story just to read aloud to young ones as well.

This is the first e-book I have read, so that in itself was something to be learned.  I was hoping to read it on our laptop and iPod with our youngest children but ran into some difficulties after downloading the book; how to do it?  It turned out to be quite simple.  On the iPod, there is a free app called iBooks that can be downloaded on iTunes.  Once downloaded, you just open your book in iBooks.  On a computer, you can download Adobe Digital Editions for free and open up your book to read. 

I'm looking forward to downloading more digital books - great for long car rides and I won't have to pack as many books; just the laptop or iPod.  My brother's family makes good use of an iPad with many digital books to occupy little hands.  I'll be recommending Hermie to them as well!

AWANA Sparks - Sky Stormer Book 3 - Printable Verses - KJV

Three of our four children are in AWANA again this year.  In an effort to remain organized with who is memorizing which verses, I've begun compiling their verses by book section.

The son (almost-7-years-old) who is currently in Sky Stormer doesn't read very well yet but has a phenomenal memory.  I love hearing him recite God's Word from memory.  As parents, our prayer is that our children will hide God's Word in their hearts now, hold Him dear all their lives, and share Christ's love with others.

If you are using the KJV AWANA books, here are are the verses and references to activities for the Sky Stormer book.  Click Here to open printable document.

Book Review: The Blessing - by John Trent & Gary Smalley

The most recent book I have received from Booksneeze (Thomas Nelson) to review is "The Blessing" by John Trent and Gary Smalley.

To be honest, I'm hard-pressed to read psychology-related books.  I much prefer a good story; true-to-life or fiction.  However, this was a book that caught my eye. 

We all want the best for our children and having our children feel valued, loved, and respected is important to my husband and I.  In turn, we want them to value, love, and respect others (both now and as they grow up).  This book helped me relate more to how to best go about instilling this heart-knowledge in their young lives.  The investment we make in their lives today will be something they take with them forever in their relationships with others.

Trent and Smalley focus on five primary areas: meaningful appropriate touch, spoken words, attaching high value, visualizing a special future, and an active/genuine commitment.

I regularly hug our children at bedtime but purposing to hug them, touch their hand while speaking with them, and maintaining eye contact all throughout the day has made a difference in my life as well.  I never want to be too busy to hear them out.  I want them to have the blessing of their father and I on their lives so they will always carry that built-in love and acceptance no matter where they go or what they do.  I truly believe the impact our blessing has on their lives will be felt for generations to come. 

Great book that serves as both a guide for parents and anyone seeking to model what giving of self really means.

Galactocele -- The Continuing Saga

I appreciated reading any (albeit few) first-hand accounts when I was searching for information online regarding galactoceles.  So, while our almost-15-month-old is sleeping I'll get a few things typed up.

Part of the information below is in response to one reader's comment on the original "What is a galactocele?" post. I was given the option of having the entire milk duct removed but since I'm still nursing, the surgeon recommended waiting until I had weaned first. When I was told that, I was very torn. On one hand, how in the world would I quit breastfeeding, knowing that as I cut back on milk this huge lump in my breast would get larger and more painful? On the other hand, if I kept breastfeeding, how would I ever get rid of it?

For the record, this is my fourth child and the previous 3 were nursed 13 months, 23 months, and 27 months so I wasn't ready to stop nursing unless I really had to. The lack of information on this topic is very frustrating.

Earlier this year, I cried and had a lot of stress surrounding this mass so foreign to my body. It's still in my breast but it isn't something I worry about anymore.

Our son, now 15 months, is still nursing and I figure that in itself is likely keeping it more under control. I continue to take a Lecithin supplement (thought to decrease the stickiness of milk) and Boiron makes a homeopathic remedy called Phytolacca Decandra 30C (5 pellets per day).  I was taking a Biotin supplement as well but when I ran out I never did get around to purchasing more; no difference noted once I stopped.

For about 3+ months now I've been on a gluten-free diet which has become better to manage as I get used to it. Gluten acts in an inflammatory way in your body. I'm so used to watching what I eat as far as gluten goes that I'm apprehensive to add it back into my diet in case the galactocele gets larger again. I can say that I have not had the brief shooting pain in my breast that I had before eating gluten-free. Based on my experience, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that stress played (plays) a major role in galactoceles (as with many other breast cysts).

When I was looking for the elusive answers to my questions, I often felt sick and worried about what was going on that no one seemed to be able to help me with. Other times, I just prayed it would go away on its own. Since its still there, I can only assume God has other reasons for not removing it in MY timing.

About 2 months ago, it was still about the size of a golf ball but today it is slightly smaller than a ping-pong ball.  I really do feel that since I let go of the associated worry and accepted it as non-cancerous, that has played a big part in it staying on the small-side.  It was quite large and painful at the point when I had it drained (only to refill...augh!). I've read in a few places (and the surgeon my ob-gyn spoke with where we live also said) that surgery isn't always necessary. It is thought that most galactoceles will dissolve away and be reabsorbed into your body after you are done nursing. I'm not at that point yet so I'll have to wait to see how that plays out.

Most importantly, if you are dealing with a questionable breast lump, DON'T worry your self sick-er. My thoughts often centered around "what if it's cancer". Even if it had been, worrying only creates more stress in our lives and stress wreaks havoc on our immune and every other system. Simpler said than done sometimes but I know the stress I felt only made it worse.

These days, I feel for a palpable size once in awhile but not constantly. In fact, even sitting to write up this note had me palpating the galactocele for the first time in several weeks. I look at this as a time-thing. The only reason mine shrank quickly after refilling (post-aspiration) was because I became so dehydrated from the flu . That was the perfect (well, aside from endless bathroom visits) jumping point to getting it under more manageable control again. Not that anyone wants to catch the flu, but I was never so thankful for an illness!

Looking back, it took a couple months to get to the point where I could accept that it is slow-going but still heading in a positive direction.  Three months beyond that, I feel that I'm eating better, have less stress, and the galactocele that I still have is a non-priority in my thoughts.

Review: Max on Life - by Max Lucado

Max Lucado has always been a favourite author of mine.  Max on Life:  Answers and Insights to Your Most Important Questions is a collection of anecdotes taken from questions Mr. Lucado has received from people around the world.  He has compiled a wide range of topics into a single book; many day-to-day questions we often have, some more reflective of the purpose of life, and others stretching into the harder to answer ponderings of God-given minds.

Like all of Max’s books, this one makes you think and come to a greater understanding of human nature and God’s gift to each of us.  He writes in such a way that everyone alike would feel at home with him.  Max on Life is just that – Max (author, pastor, husband, father, son, friend) and his Biblical take on life.   I appreciate that, as an author, He comes from a pastoral role.  I imagine that Mr. Lucado talks in the same manner as he writes, making you feel like he could be visiting in your own living room.  

Max on Life is only different from most of his other books because he takes individuals’ pressing questions and gives us all the answers to their inquiries.

Therapy for the soul comes to mind when I think of Max Lucado and his books.

Review: The Final Summit - by Andy Andrews

Last year I read Andy Andrews' book The Heart Mender and couldn't put it down; it's one of those books that draws you in and keeps you there through the whole story. 

When Booksneeze sent me a copy of Mr. Andrews' recent book The Final Summit, I had high expectations.  While I can appreciate his style of writing, this was in a completely different category than the historical fiction/semi-true-story found in The Heart Mender.  If you like court room drama, you are sure to enjoy The Final Summit.

The Final Summit takes a gentleman named David Ponder into the spotlight amongst other significant historical figures.  They are given the task of answering the single question that has but one true answer to save humanity.  With only a limited number of guesses at the correct answer available, Andrews takes the reader through a thought-provoking process.  In the course of discussions between a mainly well-known cast of names, the reader is drawn into brief historical accounts that show how individual experiences are part of the whole solution.

Personally, I found the process a tad drawn out since the location of the entire book is within a single heavenly room resembling a lecture hall.  However, if the reader takes the potential solutions and ultimate answer to heart, imagine what could be done in this world!

I was unaware that this is a sequel to The Traveler's Gift, but don't believe I missed anything that would have affected how this book played out.  The Final Summit is a motivational book and judging by reviews of The Traveler's Gift, they are both in this same genre.  Years ago in college we were required to read one of  Zig Ziglar's motivational books; it nearly put me to sleep.  I would have much rather followed this story of David Ponder to glean similar knowledge.

Zoo Daze

Zoo Daze vs. Days for two reasons:

#1. Ahhh!  The Milwaukee Zoo is a beautifully put together zoo - many well-cared for animals, lots of trees, clean, and plenty of fun for the family.

#2. It was so hot the afternoons (high 90's) we spent there.  Haze...daze...same thing.   Fortunately, they had several indoor buildings and mist-sprayers scattered around the property so we could cool off! 

What is a Galactocele?

Five months ago, I discovered a breast lump but chalked it up to something that would go away as I continued to nurse our then 7-month-old.  A few weeks after first noticing it, my milk backed up to almost my armpit.  I did all the recommended blocked-milk-duct treatments -- nurse frequently, massage, warm showers, etc.  Three days later, things were back to normal...except that lump was still there.

Two months after noticing it, I made a doctor's appointment to have it looked at since it was noticeably bigger.  It wasn't particularly painful but by the time I saw the doctor, it was the size of a kiwi.  Having scoured the internet for information on what I was dealing with, I felt prepared to meet with the doctor.  I explained to her that because it would slowly change in size (sometimes a tad smaller and sometimes bigger) that I didn't feel I needed to have a mammogram.

As functional nursing breasts, mammograms often show skewed results.  I wanted an ultrasound but was told that as per "procedure", I *had* to have a mammogram first before I would be allowed to have an ultrasound.  I didn't take to that very well so went looking for another option.

In the meantime, I went to see a massage therapist who specializes in breast issues.  She showed me a few techniques that I had pretty much already been doing on my own.

Following the advice of www.kellymom.com regarding mastitis issues (even though I never had mastitis), I was taking Hepar Sulphur and Phytolacca which seemed to help for a time to make the lump softer and more palpable.

Then, I caught a bad cold and it seems that my breast caught the sniffles too.  That was the point where the lump ballooned and it was totally obvious from the outside that something the size of an apple was pushing against the back of my areola.  It was very painful at this point...a constant pain.

I went to see a new doctor, an ob-gyn, who agreed that an ultrasound would be the best option.  It was scheduled for a couple days later.

A galactocele is something I had considered from my reading online and the ob-gyn I went to see thought that was likely what it was although she was concerned that it felt harder than she thought it should.  On an ultrasound, a galactocele resembles breast cancer but due to my age, the fact I was nursing, that the lump had gotten large fast and would sometimes be smaller, the radiologist was confident that I had a galactocele.  Many women have breast cysts; some dangerous and others insignificant.  A galactocele is a breast cyst that is filled with (you guessed it) milk.

The radiologist and my ob-gyn said that this was the largest galactocele they have ever come across.  They are rare in general and usually only happen once a mother ends breastfeeding.  I was (and am) still breastfeeding.

At the ultrasound, I did agree to let the radiologist drain it even though I had read that they can refill.  Indeed, 2 hours later, it was completely full again (and painful).  At that point, I was ready to give up breastfeeding and just cry out of frustration.  In case you are wondering about the draining, the radiologist uses a small needle to freeze the area (in my case at the beginning and half way through) and then uses a larger needle to aspirate the liquid (milk) from the galactocele.  Since it had been accumulating for almost 5 months, it looked like sticky white glue.  Pure white though so no infection.

Fast forward 2 weeks after the aspiration... I had been working on reducing breastfeeding on the affected side but that was creating its own problems since milk would start backing up again.  Then... I caught a flu-bug.  Who would ever be thankful to be that sick?  I was!!  I noticed immediately that the galactocele was shrinking.  What else could it do when I couldn't drink and ended up losing 4lbs over the course of 12 hours in the bathroom.

I had been talking to our children about thanking God in every situation because He is always in control.  He was using my dehydration to get this galactocele back under control.  (And, unbelievably, no one else got sick!  I don't even know where I picked it up since it's usually one of the kids who brings home an illness).

Yes, it is still there, but it is now the size of a ping-pong ball and not painful.  Sometimes there will be a brief shot of pain but it's usually over as quickly as it started.  I'm continuing with the Phytolacca and Hepar Sulphur, and I'm working on going 100% gluten-free.  I stopped drinking coffee and caffeinated teas about 3 months ago.  I am continuing to take Sunflower Lecithin as it helps keep milk 'thinner'.  Stress is what I believe created the galactocele to begin with so continually giving my concerns over to the Lord before they become worries is what I work at daily.

I'm very thankful that this is a galactocele and not breast cancer.  There is apparently no correlation between the two.

As I'm still breastfeeding and still have the galactocele, I will update about anything significant that changes or anything new I learn that could help someone else out in a similar situation.  If you are reading this and have any questions due to your own circumstances or have experienced this in the past and have suggestions, I'd love to hear from you.

March 2015 Update - HERE

August 2011 Update - HERE