Ellen Senechal's Blog, page 7
December 7, 2020
Two Years Old // Blog Birthday Giveaway!!
Tuesday, December 15, 2020, will officially mark the two-year anniversary of Ellen's Musings. Soooo, to celebrate, it's time for a giveaway . . . quite possibly the biggest in the history of this blog.
November 30, 2020
Monday Musings // Gingerbread Cookies + Dandelions
No school all week. Celebrating Thanksgiving Day with plates of turkey, yeast rolls, and baked potatoes, and taking a few moments around the table to count our blessings. Staying up late to watch Sue Thomas FBEye for the first time. Enjoying 60+ degree weather. Picking dandelions . . . twice: once from the ground, and again from my sister's hair. And then making gingerbread cookies with some of my favorite girls (resulting in flour on the floor, an episode of roller-pin chasing, plenty of laughter, and a pretty good batch of cookies, if I do say so myself).
Yep, it's been a great week.
November 26, 2020
Important Announcements
So, a couple announcements for your weekend. The first is that my book, The Whispers God Gives, is officially on a BLACK FRIDAY sale over @ Amazon.com. If you've been waiting to buy your copy, now's the time. The price for either edition (Kindle or paperback) has been placed at a special discount, with the paperback available for $5.40 and the Kindle for $0.99.
Thanksgiving Day 2020
2020 has been a crazy year. Corona. Lockdowns. The messy presidential election. But through all of it, God has instructed His children to REJOICE and GIVE THANKS. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Today I'm especially grateful for answered prayers. Some of these prayers are years old, with others lifted up more recently. To name just a few:
Ruby had a healthy delivery into this world and is continuing to thrive. Her laughter is the sweetest thing ever. <3
God showed me in His own time when, where, and how to publish The Whispers God Gives. He's allowed me to see the impact my book has made on others.
After experiencing belly spasms for a number of years and trying to fight back with prayer, pills, doctor's appointments, and diets, I finally realized one of the main factors behind the problem: a food allergy to corn in any form (kernel, flour, starch, syrup, etc.). Adjusting to life without corn is difficult at times, but also so very worth it. The difference in my health has been amazing.
Image found online.Growing relationships with my siblings. :D
Being able to get away for a few days.
. . . and so, so much more!!
Through the comments, your own social media site, email, or private thought, I encourage y'all to join me in counting the many blessings God has given us even amidst this 2020 chaos. What are some prayers He's answered? How has He grown you through this trying time? Let's make it a point to remember not only to thank Him today, but also every day we have His breath in us. <3Happy Thanksgiving, friends!
Blessings,Ellen S.
November 23, 2020
Monday Musings // Just a Bunch of Randomness
So, first off . . . do you guys know there's a cool new feature on Word that allows you to listen to your own work being read aloud by someone?! If you didn't know, seriously go check it out right now, 'cause it's AMAZING. Of course, the narration is a little choppy, and the robot has trouble pronouncing Spanish (and probably any language other than English), but WOW. I just discovered the feature on my phone yesterday and absolutely love it!!
November 20, 2020
A Lesson on Time
Yesterday afternoon I brought my siblings (ages two, five, and eight years old) along with me to take a walk, snap a couple pictures, and pick up the mail. We shared lots of smiles and tucked away some priceless memories. Life would be so boring without these sweet lil' kiddos!
Sadie and me. <3
And, as this outing helped remind me, I've recently been challenged to think of how I use the time God has gifted me with. Life is so fleeting, and each passing moment so precious. How, then, can I best serve my family, friends, and, ultimately, Jesus with the way I utilize my days here on earth?
Wellll, for starters, I must be ready to die to self, even when it seems really, really hard.
Those occasions when I'm on a roll with my writing and a sister asks to be held? Yep. When I'm in the middle of reading a book and Mom wants help with supper? Yes. When a diaper needs changing, or clothes have to be laid out, or a mental picture of that dirty sink in the bathroom bubbles up right as I sit down to watch a favorite episode of I Love Lucy? Yes, yes, YES.
Our time is not our own. We were put here to be stewards for God in every aspect of life, be it time, money, or otherwise.
And if it's not what He wants me doing right now, nothing - not surfing the blogosphere, not pouring into the Word document I'm hoping to finish and publish, not reading the new book I've been waiting for - will ever even come close to matching the glory of the Kingdom work Christ has set before me to carry out.
It's a constant battle to us all to stick to this mindset, but one that with Christ's help can be conquered. I encourage each one of you to pray today for patience and wisdom as you seek to live out every second of your life for God's glory. May we never lose sight of the reward that awaits us at the finish line!
Click the video below to listen to an encouraging song by one of my favorite contemporary Christian artists, Jeremy Camp.
Blessings,Ellen S.
November 14, 2020
Book Review // "Fair in War" by Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick
ABOUT:
She expected popcorn and cheap prizes -- not a front-row seat to crime and conspiracy...
When Brent's brother Carter, unexpectedly arrives in Phoenix bearing important intel, Brent disappears into their world of espionage and world-saving, leaving Emily feeling left out. Telling herself she doesn't really belong in their world anyway, she determines to enjoy her afternoon at the state fair with Izzy.
But as she sees more and more familiar faces in the crowds and among the vendors, and when Izzy is arrested by security on trumped-up charges, it becomes clear something more is going on. She's never been happier to accidentally run into Brent Peterson, but finding Izzy might come down to her own determination more than either of them expect.
MY REVIEW:
4/5 STARS
I've been waiting and waiting and WAITING for this moment, when I could finally read Emily's 8th accidental adventure and watch her and Brent's relationship deepen just an eensy, weensy bit more. *happy squeals*
Fair in War deals with a slightly harder case for our spies: human trafficking. As soon as Brent acknowledged this, I could feel my skin prickle. But I think Mrs. Kirkpatrick handled the topic well, and I *cough, cough* loved seeing the returns of some very important characters from previous books who, to prevent spoilers, will remain unnamed in this review. ;) My age recommendation for reading Fair in War would probably be 13 years and older, or younger with parental guidance.
Aaaaand now . . . I would try to end with a flourish, but that'll only take up the time that could be spent READING THIS BOOK. So, c'mon already! Grab your copy (whether it be in paperback or Kindle edition), find a comfy spot to curl up in (I did this while on a eight-hour road trip w/ my family), and begin! ((oh, and be prepared for a nasty cliffhanger at the end. *wink, wink*))
FIND IT ON:
Amazon || Goodreads || Mrs. Kirkpatrick's author website
I'd love to know: have you read any of the Emily Abbott books? If so, which one(s) did you like best?
Blessings,Ellen S.November 12, 2020
Book Review // "Preacher on the Run" by Jayna Baas
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Robert Boothe has spent the last four years leading the tyrant-hating Regulators in standing against North Carolina’s corrupt British government. Just being an unlicensed dissenter preacher is enough to make Robert a target, but he refuses to back down from his conscience. Aside from a sympathetic court justice, the village of Ayen Ford has no other champion for its poor and defenseless.
Then Charles Drake, emissary of His Excellency William Tryon, comes to town with one ambition: winning the governor’s favor, no matter what it takes. And Robert Boothe just might be his last chance.
All Robert wants is a safe place for his little Baptist church to live and worship God. But the established church wants him to shut up. The governor’s men want him dead. And that safe place is farther and farther away.
You can run, but you can’t hide . . .
MY REVIEW:
//a full five stars//
After staring at my computer screen for several minutes, I finally realized: it's impossible to completely bestow upon this book the praise it deserves.
I went into Preacher on the Run unsure of what I'd get, and oh . . . my . . . From beginning to end, any expectations I might have had were blown straight out of the water. And because of that, I'll give this review a go anyway, even though I'm certain I won't do a perfect job of it. The author definitely needs more than the standard five-star rating for her phenomenal work. =)
Preacher on the Run has officially hit my most-favorites, must-read-again shelf. A story of hurt and healing, choosing to let go, and, mainly, trust in the Lord. I felt myself being challenged, inspired, and given to laughter and heartbreak as I read. The characters are amazing and I loved how Jayna pulled me smoothly into their world. In my mind's eye I could feel their pain (physical + mental), hear the giggles and the sighs, and see each facial expression clear as day. I think Jayna did a good job, too, with working in her church denomination, as I didn't get the impression that she was trying to pound any of her characters' beliefs into me. Also, Robert's wife, Maggie? Wellllll. If a reader is allowed to play favorites, Maggie was definitely #1 on my list. Strong, sweet, kind, submissive to and supportive of her husband, and always there for her family. <3
This is one Indie book you simply *have* to check out!! Join me in reading and reviewing, and make Preacher on the Run known everywhere. :)
PLACES TO FIND YOUR COPY:
Goodreads || Amazon || Jayna's author website
ADDITIONAL NEED-TO-KNOW INFO:
There's currently a blog tour and giveaway happening for Preacher on the Run. Go HERE to learn more, and click the video below to watch the official book trailer!
Blessings,Ellen S.
November 10, 2020
I'm Back! // A Few Announcements
Hello all! I'm thrilled to be returning to the blogosphere after a fabulous week away.
November 2, 2020
Monday Musings // We Went to Grove City, PA!! + Hiatus Notice
Hi friends! Can you believe we're in the eleventh month of 2020? I just finished flipping the calendar and still feel baffled. Where did the time go? This year has been so crazy, it seems as if everything is running together.
