Whatever is Lovely: A Coloring Book for Reflection and Worship

Whatever is Lovely is the most lovely coloring book I have ever seen.  I have wanted an adult coloring book since I first noticed the trend and starting spotting them in book and craft stores.  I've looked at many of them, but had not yet purchased one for myself.  So, when I had the opportunity to review this one from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review, I jumped at the chance. 

Many of the coloring books I looked at were nice, but I did want a Christian themed book, so that narrowed the field quite a bit.  Still even among the ones with a Christian theme, not all the pages contained Scripture or were Biblical.  Whatever is Lovely fits the bill of every thing I wished for and so much more!  It goes way beyond just coloring an illustrated Bible verse or a picture of a Bible store. It is really intended to be, as the subtitle reads, for reflection and worship.  I love that!

The introduction, titled Color Your Way to Peace, instructs the (reader? user? colorer?)...worshiper that this book was designed to be a way of "quieting our minds, spending time meditating on the words of the Lord, and entering into a time of quiet reflection  and worship.".  How cool is that?  Way, way better than what my first intention was when I first saw adult coloring books: something to do to relax or to keep my hands busy while watching TV. 

Each page of this gorgeous coloring book contains beautiful hand-drawn and lettered pictures to color with Scripture verses, quotes from Christian authors. teachers and pastors, or hymn writers. There is even a link included for a Whatever is Lovely Spotify playlist to further enhance your worship.I really can't say enough of how great I think this coloring book is.  Check it out, I'm sure you too will love it.

Tough As They Come by SSG Travis Mills

I loved Tough As They Come, the story of SSG Travis Mills. Travis "Big" Mills is one of only five soldiers who has survived a quadruple amputation from combat injuries. Tough As They Come is Travis' story, and it is a fascinating story indeed. 

Travis is one of the toughest most courageous soldiers I have ever been introduced to.  He was a Staff Sargent in the 82nd Airborne Division of the US Army and saw three tours of duty in Afghanistan. A natural leader, Travis inspired others of both higher and lower rank through his own work ethic, never quit attitude, and sense of humor.  He gave his all in everything and anything he did. I have deep admiration for this man and the way he served his country and I am grateful to have people like him defending my freedom every day.

Only days from his 25th birthday, SSG Travis Mills, led his men out on an ordinary patrol, not different from their patrols any other day of their duty tour.  Yet on this day, an exploding IED planted by Taliban fighters, would change Travis' life forever. This explosion led to Travis losing all of his limbs, numerous surgeries,  pain beyond agony, and hundreds of hours of rehab.  Yet, Travis triumphed.  He determined that he would learn again to sit up, to feed himself, to walk, and to drive.  He vowed to keep fighting, not on the battlefield, but in the hospital.  This time not for his country, for his men, but for himself and for his wife and daughter.

Tough As They Come is inspiring, heartwarming and funny.  I highly recommend it.  I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.