Lauren Scrugg's ~ Beautiful Inside & Out

 

As the founder of  LOLO Magazine little did the very gorgeous, Lauren Scruggs know what was awaiting her in the near future.  Not only was she a natural beauty but she would have to summon up all her inward spiritual beauty to survive a horrendous accident where an airplane's propellars cut off her hand and disfigured her face.  Ironically her career centered around appearance.  The rich Christian stories of faith that her parent's taught her would now become her comfort and hope.  A few weeks prior to the accident after breaking up with her boyfriend James, he had a premonition that something awful was going to happen and he begged her to be careful.  While on the airplane, Lauren began to feel overwhelmed with panic and anxiety.  Not understanding why, the only thing she could do was pray.  After surgery, Lauren slips into a coma.  The writer fills us in on young Lo Lo's life.  It wasn't always easy.  She is a twin to Brittany and they are inseparable.  The Scrugg's family faces adultery, divorce and after many prayers remarriage.  The second time around the entire family choose Christ as their main priority.  Christ would also become the reason for Lauren's healing.  This true account will inspire many never to give up in the face of adversity.  Lauren reminds us what true courage is.  She fights to regain her career back and comes back on top.  I am thankful to Tyndale Blog Network for the opportunity to read such a sensational book!

   Tricia  Goyer's "A Christmas Gift for Rose" was on my must read list because it was not Amish fiction but rather based on a true story.  I jumped on the opportunity from Book Sneeze to read in exchange for my honest review.  I loved this story.  Rose, wanting to respect the Amish, leaves the young man of her dreams after she finds out that he assisted the Englisch during the war.  Soon she finds out that she is an Englischer herself.  Rose is thrown into a place of the unknown, unsure of who she really is and what part her life holds now.  Her loving adopted family gently fills her in on how she came to stay with them and become a part of their own.  It's written easy enough to understand yet still will touch at the reader's heart.  I promise that if you decide to read, you won't be disappointed.

Making a Difference for Eternity (A Miracle for Jen by Linda Barrick)

Though just fifteen, Jennifer Barrick had a deep yearning to commit her life to Christ and have it '"Make a Difference for Eternity"'. Her heartfelt thoughts were keep secret in her journal prior to the night that would shaken any strong believer's faith. On the way home from singing in the church choir, her entire family was hit head on by a drunk driver traveling at 80 miles per hour. Jennifer received the brunt of the injuries and was not expected to live through the night. Her sweet, devoted parents were also hurt and in chronic pain (unable to care for her as they desired). As word got out of this horrific accident, the congregation of their Church as well as friends and family did the only thing that they were able to do...and that was to pray. Jennifer having undergone multiple skull fractures and clinging to life slides into a five week coma. Her loving parents go through a roller coaster of emotions while they look to God for the strength and hope to continue going each day. This true account of the Barrick's misfortune will remind us that there is a reason behind everything and even when it is difficult to believe, we must fully submit and rely on the Lord. It is so easy to serve God when times are good and our lives are protected from the problems in this world but only the true believers will survive the trials that we sometimes face in this life. Jennifer's story will move you to tears and also encourage you in ways you have never imagined. I was given the honor to read her book in advance for the Tyndale blog club and I was blown away by the childlike faith and enduring love that Jennifer has for her Savior. The greatest miracle to me is her lack of bitterness over the accident, instead she is full of compassion and concern for others. This beautiful young woman lives a dedicated life with the type of conviction we can all learn from. Each member of her close knit family is transformed because of the accident and God's work is performed in each one with such perfection that makes you stand in awe of their extraordinary faith. Andy Barrick sums the experience up to '"Making Jesus Famous"' which sent me off looking for another box of tissues and her brave mom, Linda Barrick's, quest in finding a cure to make her normal again only to realize that God's ways are always the best. This book is highly recommended for anyone looking for Hope or who has any doubt of God's grace and Love!