There are books that I enjoy just for fun and then there are those that I read with pen in hand, making marks up and down the sides, underling words, and making notes to myself to come back and re-read sections. “Embracing Your Second Calling” by Dale Hanson Bouke, is the latter. This book came into my life at such an important time. Crossing that 50-year mark is a difficult one for most women, and it was for me. Her book was such an encouragement to me to not just coast through the last half of my life, but a challenge to find my passion and serve the Lord more fully.

She has cleverly intertwined a study of Naomi from the book of Ruth through her text; such a fitting study. Her book is really something for women of all ages and not just for those moving into their “second half”, as she deals with issues we all can relate to. Such as prayer life, idols in our life, mentoring others, and friendships. My favorite part of her book was her “act and reflect” boxes on the page margins. These gave an extra little thought, or suggestions of a book to read to go into more depth with the study. I also loved her humility in sharing personal stories; I was able to relate to so many of them.

In this day when we are told to reduce our carbon imprint on earth, Dale Hanson Bourke encourages us to leave an imprint on others’ hearts; to worry less about what we have, and more about the good we leave behind. I thoroughly enjoyed her book.

Like most Junior high school kids I really wasn't all that interested in history, something I wish I could change. There was a whole world I missed out on. Now as an adult, I am mesmerized by those who have come before us. Stories of the past grab at me, pull me in and make me wonder what it must have been like to live during those times. So many question wander through my brain, as I read of famous people, my latest being U.S. Grant. As I read his life story, I ponder, would we today be able to endure the hardships he did and continue on? Has life for us become too easy? Do we appreciate all that those who sacrificed for us? I think not. We only understand a small portion of what they encountered. I think of my great-great-grandmother. At age 16 she drove a team of horses across the United States on the Oregon Trail with her family to settle in Oregon from St. Louis. They at one point were left behind from the train and had to find their way alone. One can only imagine how frightening that must have been. I wonder, could our family today do what they did? Could most families do this? Do we have this never give up attitude? Never quit? Stick together? It is sad to say but in our world today, I see too many people wanting everyone else to take care of them, we are slowly becoming a very lazy country. Have we forgotten what it takes?

Only half way through Grant's life story and he has already had a harder life than most people could ever stomach. It is hard for me to imagine that he will go on to lead the Union army and then to become president for two terms. At one point he is selling firewood on the streets to support his family. Some of his fellow army buddies (Longstreet being one of them) see him and feel sorry for him. I wonder what Longstreet thinks later when he is on the opposite side during the civil war, knowing that Grant is now leading the entire Union army. He tries his hand at farming but loses his complete fortune. Early on in his Army career, he resigns from the army because his commander despises him so greatly, and he leaves in shame. He tried many little enterprises, to support his family but they all failed. Later it was said that he encountered 40 years of personal and professional failure. Even after he became General of the Union army he struggle with untruths reported about him and discouragement.

It is at this point in the book that I wonder how many of us would just give up on life? Then I realize that most people living during that time period had such a life, that was just the way life was. I thought back to my great-great-grandmother. She did what she did because that was just the way life was. We have so much we can learn from our ancestries. Not, just the big things, but the little things too. The never give up attitude. Never quit. Always stick together, no matter what. You are the only one who can take care of yourself.

It is said that Grant was successful because of his failure in life. It built in him the needed character to endure the many ups and downs of the civil war. To me he offers such encouragement,

My great-great-grandmother was born 157 years ago. Through the years things have changed immensely, some good and some not so good. As I start the second half of my book on Grant I look forward to some good things happening in his life, but I still can't help but think how many of us would stick it out and figure out a solution. Would we just give up on life? I am amazed at how positive Grant's attitude was. Would I be?

Two of my most favorite things in life are reading and being outside amongst the beautiful flowers. A good day for me is to be able to do both at the same time. Wandering through my favorite nursery can always brighten my darkest days. Reading for me is much like my trips to the nursery. I start down one path, and end up going down another. I spot some beautiful plant, then another, then another and before I know it I have a cart full of more than I can handle. I do the same thing in a book store, one book after another seems to grab my attention. I will start to read one book, which will lead me to another. While reading Barry Minkow's book "Cleaning Up", I became interested in the life of U.S. Grant and starting reading his life story and had to order two more books on him. One path always leads to another. I seem to have to read at least 3 books at the same time. A habit I need to correct.

My friend Emily told me about this site called Booksneeze. Apparently, you can review books if you will blog about them. A dream come true for me! So now I will try my hand at blogging, something I have never done before. I title this blog "Life in the Garden" because reading for me is my wonderful escape. Just as my time outside is.