A few good books and Giveaway

I would give anything to go back and have read a couple of these books before my marriage failed.  I feel like if I had, maybe I wouldn't be where I am right now.  Because of the power and knowledge these books possess, I wanted to share them with you...

The Love Dare by Alex and Stephen Kendrick
I ran to the book store when my husband told me he no longer loved me and bought this book, hoping to take the Dare and repair our marriage. Unfortunately, he didn't want to fix our marriage and I didn't get a chance to try this out for myself. But I read it anyway and watched the movie, Fireproof (it's on instant queue on Netflix).  After I read it and watched the movie, I wanted to tell every married friend I had to do the same.  Even if you don't feel like your marriage is in trouble, take the dare and make your marriage even stronger. 
*I loved this book so much that I am giving a copy away to one lucky reader.  See below on how to enter...it's super easy!
EDIT 5/7/13-It was brought to my attention after I posted this that Fireproof is no longer available on instant queue on Netflix.  It was on there a few days before this post, not sure why they took it off. But wanted to let everyone know...sorry!!


The Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman
When the kids and I moved to Winston-Salem, we started attending the church where my oldest is going to kindergarten.  I thought I would be a great way to meet people and for her to be around kids from school.  It became so much more than that.  Dr. Chapman was preaching while the church searched for a new head pastor.  Listening to him every Sunday, was such a blessing.  The first Sunday we attended service, I went up and spoke to Dr. Chapman, told him a super brief story of why what brought us there and he prayed with me.  He then told me to come by  his office and he had something to give me.  The next day after taking my daughter to school, I went by his office where he had a copy of The Five Love Languages and another book I will talk about in a minute.  Oh how I wish I had read this book years ago!  I urge you to pick up a copy today and you and your spouse read it...I truly believe it will change your marriage in a good way!

If you happen to be in the same position that I am in and are separated from your spouse, I have two books I read that have really helped me deal with this.

Broken Heart on Hold by Linda Rooks
A friend sent me this book when my husband and I first separated. It can be read as a daily devotional or all the way through at once.  I chose to read it all the way through because I needed to hear the words she wrote, stories of other women she included and scripture and prayers she added in.  When I found myself to emotionally drained and too weak to come up with my own prayers when I needed to talk to God, Linda had some really good ones for me to use for all kinds of issues you go through when you're separated.
 

Hope for the Separated by Dr. Gary Chapman
This is the other book Dr. Chapman gave me and it was absolutely a huge help to me in my struggles.  He tells stories of other couples he's worked with and helped over the years.  And his words speak so much truth and shine light on things that I needed to realize. 

 


Looking for a good daily devotional...

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
I don't know how many times I have read the devotion for a certain day and swear the author wrote it just for me.  This devotional speaks directly to me and I'm not sure how I got through the early days of my separation without it.  It has given me that extra push I needed to give everything over to God and trust in him and His plan completely. 


 There is also a kids' version that I got for my girls and I believe it has really helped them.  It's a great way to sit down and have some daily devotional time with your kids.  

I wish no other mom or woman had to go through what I have these past several months!  Unfortunately I know there are plenty of others out there struggling the like I have, trying to understand what happened, rebuild their lives, find a new normal, carry the burden of it all on their shoulders so their children will feel as little pain as possible.  I will pray for each and every one of you out there!  We can do this!!   

Who wants a copy of The Love Dare?  Comment below and I will pick a winner at the end of the day.  I will send the winner a message and announce it on My little smarties Facebook page tomorrow.