Sharon R. Paavola

Life moments and Book Reviews

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The Stars in the Grass – A Beautiful Novel of Loss and Family!

February 12, 2017 by admin Leave a Comment

Stars in the GrassStars in the Grass by Ann Marie Stewart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Stars in the Grass is a tender story of one family’s journey after a tremendous loss. Told by the nine year old daughter, Abby McAndrews, each member handles the tragedy with different emotions, actions, and faith in God. Abby’s curious mind, growing vocabulary, and sense of humor makes this book poignant, insightful, and moving.

Abby’s dad, John is the minister of a Presbyterian church which adds to the dynamics of their upheaval as a family. The turmoil in their home is heightened by Abby’s brother’s secret escapades. “Dad frowned and exhaled slowly, the receiver in his hand. He was used to answering other people’s problems not phoning with the problem.”

Doubt in God, anger, and grief fill their relationships with unexpected outcomes and may tear them apart. Will they find a way to pull together? What happens to a family whose loss is unimaginable? My heart ached for the McAndrews. Would they seek the God they thought they knew before tragedy hit?
I hope you will chose to put Stars in the Grass on your “to be read” list.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. I want to thank them for the opportunity to read this fine novel by Ann Marie Stewart!

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The Cure for The Perfect Life – A True Cure!

November 18, 2015 by admin Leave a Comment

After reading The Cure for the “Perfect” Life by Kathi Lipp and Cheri Gregory, I realized how painful life had become for me because of my severe procrastination. Praying for motivation seemed ridiculous looking at how I wasted time, waited until it was too late to finish something, or saying “I’m sorry” for the umpteenth time. Each night I went to bed with a heavy burden of undone items on my to-do list. Yet it was a relief to sleep since that meant I was off the hook for a few hours. Oh, I did laundry, fed the dogs, and picked up the living room. Those things were easy.

I’m talking about purposeful, intentional, and meaningful things. My Bible study was done after Eric went to bed on the night before my class. I would cancel an activity because I had not done what I needed to do to attend or procrastinated too long to sign up. I wouldn’t write for weeks and then would face the embarrassment of friends asking how my writing was going. How many times did I say I was working on my office? The room looked like a cyclone hit it. Yikes, it goes on and on. How did I look in the mirror and like myself? What had I become? Every month as I saw my psychiatrist I would mention my challenge of wasting time, sitting doing nothing, and playing games on the computer. I kept hoping he would tell me what was wrong or tell me I was a terrible person, but he didn’t. He did suggest many times that I set up a daily schedule, write out goals, and set a timer for working on a project. I heard those ideas but rarely followed through. My anxiety and depression weren’t getting better. I constantly thought about how lazy I was or how unworthy I felt. It was easy to use the chronic pain I struggle with for why I don’t do things but I knew in my heart that wasn’t always the reason.

Sometimes we’re only motivated to change when the ‘pain of staying the same’ becomes greater than our fear of making a change. – Leslie Vernick

Then I signed up as a member of the book launch team for Kathi Lipp and Cheri Gregory. I didn’t really know what was entailed, but I volunteered and was chosen. Well, now I would have to produce. There were people counting on me. I read the book and followed the private Facebook page of 100+ women. I actually did the assignments Kathi and Cheri gave us. Wow, this felt good! I put my blog on Facebook so I could provide endorsements for their book. I began to change. I began to see that I could be accountable. The chapters on procrastination were the best I have ever read on the subject. It felt like someone was listening to my inner conversations. I started getting more done than I had in months.

Each day I grew more fascinated with setting a few simple goals and seeing them through to completion. My office started to empty. There was a floor in there.

My husband left for a week. I wondered how I would do while he was gone. I allowed myself to watch the series Midwife that I had purchased on Vudu months ago never getting around to watch it. It was delightful, calming, and motivating because I was doing an activity that I enjoyed rather than doing nothing and feeling bad or blah. I cleaned more in my office. I could use my desk again. I actually sat in there writing my blog, catching up on emails, and working on my scrapbooking. The dogs loved it so I brought their beds in for them. We were happy campers. The biggest thing that I had put off was one last investment from my parents’ estate. My mom had passed away four years ago and I had let this slide. I went to the bank and found out what I needed to do to get it sold. Why was this so hard? I’m a grown woman. Are they going to bite me, yell at me, and tie me up? No, they offered me help. I have one more task to accomplish and the hardest thing on my list for three and a half years will be crossed off forever. Freedom! Yes, this kind of living is freeing!

I don’t know about you and your challenges. You may feel like you need to be perfect all the time or please everyone constantly, or perform to be acceptable. I suggest you read The Cure for the “Perfect” Life. God met me on so many pages changing my thoughts to good ones, helping me see myself though His eyes, and creating opportunities to do things differently. I haven’t played one computer game in weeks. My days are rewarding now. When I go to bed I can thank God for the accomplishments of the last twelve hours. The friends I made on the Braver Living Rebellion Facebook page cheered me on, encouraged me, and loved me just the way I am. They understood why I hadn’t fought my fears of taking care of that last investment. Kathi and Cherri were there to say, “Yes, this is why we wrote the book.”

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” —Psalm 143:10don

Healing Words for PTSD

June 24, 2015 by admin Leave a Comment

Love Letters from the EdgeLove Letters from the Edge by Wanda Sanchez
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am a big fan of Shelly Jean Beach so this book caught my eye while she and Wanda Sanchez were launching it. The writing is comforting, understanding, and healing. What help for the post traumatic stress sufferers, those with depression and anxiety, and others with painful pasts! Each short passage contains a portion with a person talking to God about their situation, a part where He responds, questions, and then a prayer. Each chapter contains five of these passages concluding with a weekend feature that asks the reader for their responses, conclusions, and an action to do. Scripture is funneled throughout the book giving soothing thoughts from God. Clearly this can be used as a devotion or an open door to discussion. The authors have lived the pain written on most of the pages and many will easily identify with their words. My own copy is underlined in numerous places even though my path is different. I found times when I felt such sympathy and other times, the empathy. I would suggest buying one for a friend and one for yourself so you can come along side them in their journey. Both Shelly and Wanda cull from their vast experiences in meeting and counseling those with PTSD from their training, research, and listening to broken hearts in their travels all over the country.

In the back of the book, a section is dedicated to understanding PTSD and its symptoms, where to find clinical help, online support and other resources. I found this to be an exceptional assistance for those who will be reading this book. For any unsure of the definition of PTSD, here is what the book has to say: “A mental health condition that is triggered by a terrifying event. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the events, and triggers related to the event that cause flashbacks and memories.” If someone you know experiences any of these put this book into their hands.

I received a copy of this book from The Book Club Network in exchange for an honest review which I have given.

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My Medication Journey Continues

August 3, 2014 by admin Leave a Comment

Eight days have gone by since one more medication change. The last one caused me to gain 45 pounds almost two years ago. Last Saturday ringing in my ears, “loopiness” – a feeling of being in outer space, not finding the words I wanted to say, and dizziness dominated my inner being. I went to church at 5:00 with Eric and wondered how many people looked at me thinking, “What a lovely woman, so put together!”

God encouraged me during the service. “This, too will pass and you are on your way to new things”, I felt Him lovingly say. My tears flowed as my heart ached.

I do want this to be over. I do want to feel alive again. The medication I have been on has left me exhausted and not being able to wake up until 10 or 11 in the morning. Half of Eric’s (my husband) day is already accomplished by the time I arise.

Maybe this will be the one! My doctor, also wants me to change to a different night time drug. He does his best to comply with my request to be off this horrid medication. He’s found that listening to me is valuable since I’m such a veteran. The new night time med will have to wait though. I have lowered my regular bedtime med and I seem to be sleeping okay and I’m waking up around 7 or 8. Wow, a whole day to be awake!

Well, the trail has rocks, curves, and u-turns, steep climbs and sudden downhills. I am putting one foot ahead of the other to see what is in store for me.

About Me

Sharon's passion to release women from their past, from depression, and from pain so they can move on to hope, freedom, and living in the present drives her to speak, write, and encourage whenever possible. Her openness allows women to identify with her own life experiences yet see where they, too can conquer their battles. She is devoted to her home life with husband, Eric and 2 Bichon mixes, PIerre and Stewart. She and Eric have 3 grown children and live in the San Diego, California area.

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Sharon's books

The Sound of Music Story: How A Beguiling Young Novice, A Handsome Austrian Captain, and Ten Singing von Trapp Children Inspired the Most Beloved Film of All Time
Morning's Refrain
Shadows of the White City
Dawn's Prelude
Veiled in Smoke
Forsaking All Others
Appointments with Heaven: The True Story of a Country Doctor's Healing Encounters with the Hereafter
Gentleman Jim
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Into the Wild
No Journey Too Far
The Last Thing He Told Me
My Name is Eva
Between Sisters
Summer Island
The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water
The Record Keeper
The Bottoms
Call Your Daughter Home
The Girl Without a Name


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2022 Reading Challenge

2022 Reading Challenge
Sharon has read 30 books toward her goal of 65 books.
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