Gobi: A Little Dog With A Big Heart (Review)

About The Book

Bring home the incredible true story of a friendship so strong that it crosses the globe! Families everywhere will be delighted by the tale of Gobi and Dion—a little-lost dog and the ultramarathon runner who saved her. Gobi: A Little Dog with a Big Heart is a fun, engaging picture book perfect for families to enjoy together.

Prepare to fall in love with the heartwarming and true story of Gobi and Dion. Gobi, a scrappy little stray dog, latches onto a man named Dion and keeps pace alongside him for 77 miles of a long 155-mile race across China. Through cold nights and raging rivers, with little food and water, and through a long, hard journey, these two create a bond unlike any other.

Cross the finish line with Gobi and Dion, the little pup who never quit and the ultramarathon runner who loves her. This amazing true story sparked international attention and will continue to inspire readers as they enjoy this fun picture book perfect for children.

Join these two unlikely friends as they form a winning team for both the race and life!

Book Review

Such a heart-warming book of a lifetime friendship and trust between a man and his dog. Discovering good choices between their partnership of give-and-take, always trusting, playing together and having fun. You'll notice maturity and growth in the owner who has trained long and hard, preparing to race across the Gobi Desert. You see, he decides that although he could win the race, in the long run, it would be better if he went back to scoop up his new found dog, Gobi from the waves of the water. Afterall, they're a team! Of course, you'll especially want to read the endnote and find out what Gobi is up to! I personally think this is a good read for children and adults. It just brings the whole family together and touches hearts.

5/5 stars. Highly recommend!

About the Author

Dion Leonard is a 41-year-old Australian who lives in Edinburgh, Scotland with his wife Lucja. Dion has not only completed but competed in some of the world’s toughest ultra marathons across the planet’s most inhospitable landscapes. This includes running across the brutal Moroccan Sahara desert twice in the 250km Marathon Des Sables and also twice across South Africa's Kalahari Desert, also 250km. Dion's latest 250km race across the Gobi Desert in China turned out to be a completely different race where he fell in love with a stray dog (later named Gobi) that followed him during the week and who would change both of their lives forever.

Lisa Manuzak is an illustrator of children’s books and a video game concept artist. Originally from Hawaii, she has lived all over the globe, getting inspired by the world and colors around her. She loves fantastical and magical stories, exploring distant lands, experimenting with art, growing plants, and collecting pets. She currently lives in upstate New York with her husband, their corgi, two cats, and a very large fish.

Gobi: A Little Dog With A Big Heart

I received the book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

Happy Reading!


Lady D
 “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis

Book Review: Where Are You Hiding, God?

I won the advanced promotional manuscript of Elisabeth Zartl's book, Where Are You Hiding, God?

If you like, visit my profile at Librarything.com It's a great place to meet authors, post reviews and see what other folks are reading! So, here's what I have been looking at this week...

Book Description

Where are you hiding, God? In the dresser between my pants and socks? In the bathtub under my little rubber duck? In the grass next to the flowers and the dragonflies?

This colorful picture book tells the story of a little girl trying to find God. She searches in the house, in the bathroom, and in the garden, without any luck. But just as she gives up hope, she finds God.

With beautiful illustrations that offer a treasure trove for exploring, recognizing and naming, this touching story shows children that God is always with them. Ideal for children ages 3 and older. Where Are You Hiding, God?

Book Review

What a charming book, just perfect for preschool children. The illustrations are quite lovely, filled with beautiful nature scenes. The storyline is so sweet and it moves along at a great pace. Children will be delighted to hear the questions of a young girl seeking to find God. It's an engaging book for little ones to point to 'hide and seek' places. There's a wonderful moral here for everyone, that God is everywhere and always with us. My favorite line, "I would like to find you." Excellent for Home/Sunday School libraries and gift-giving.

5/5 stars! Love the book and highly recommend!

About The Author

Elisabeth Zartl has studied religious education, psychology, philosophy, and graphic design. She is currently a teacher and freelance artist in Vienna, Austria, and has authored and illustrated several children s books.

 

You can order and purchase the book, Where Are You Hiding, God?

Thanks, LibraryThing and Elisabeth Zartl for the book in exchange for my honest review.

Happy Reading!

Lady D

 “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis

(Stuck in the) Sweet in the Middle

Tomorrow I will join a team of ladies hosting a new Bible Study at our church for 8 weeks. I reflected this morning on the many seasons of life we ladies go through. I am so fortunate to share with you, dear readers this wonderful guest post by Robin Steinweg. I pray as you move through the changes in your life, that you will experience 'time for yourself' and see if the points shared in this wonderful article minister to your heart!

Stuck in the Sweet in the Middle

by Robin Steinweg

Do you ever feel you’re in that awkward, in-between stage? I sure do! 

I recently spent years stuck in a crushing middle. Round and round I turned from the growing needs of aging parents to those of growing sons to those of work. I’d carve hours from sleepless nights to write, compose, or read. More often to pray. My husband accepted leftovers with grace and gratitude. Not just food, but time and energy. He was stuck in his own middle, caring for his dad and doing more for my parents than can be recorded.

Now our parents are gone. I’m living in the middle of grief, rediscovering who I am if no longer a caregiver. Looking to experience—and to pass on—the rich life Jesus came to give us (John 10:10). Know what? God shows me things I can do so He can help me move forward. I’m not stuck here. I get to be here, where it can be sweet in the middle!

If you’re in the midst of circumstances or even past them, it’s never too late to rediscover who you are. Try some of the following:

• Develop friendships with people who will build you up.
• Find ways to build others up.
• Journal what you’re going through as a way to release feelings.
• Photo journal or doodle journal.
• Admit if you need help.
• Get more color in your surroundings/clothing.
• List your blessings.
• Express more gratitude.
• Find ways to expand or share your hobbies.
• Join a book club.
• Volunteer to help others.
• If you have grieving to do, do it wholeheartedly. But don’t stay there.
• Live fully. Enjoy what God gives you to enjoy.
• Dream again. Don’t hold back—dream big. What does God have for you next? 

These ideas have helped. Yes, I still pick up the phone to call my mom or find jigsaw puzzles for my dad. I still if wonder I could have, should have done more for them. Guilt and remorse creep in. 

But I realize that’s the voice of our enemy, the accuser. So I intentionally turn to words of life in God’s Word. I leave my broken heart at Jesus’ feet. I embrace the blessings He sends my way. 

I affirm this truth: It is Sweet in the Middle! 

About the Author:

Robin Steinweg says life is like a sandwich-cookie. Whatever circumstances close in on us, it can be Sweet in the Middle. Her writings can be found in Today’s Christian Woman, Upper Room, Secret Place and The Christian Pulse. She also writes monthly for Music Teachers Helper blog.

Thank you so much, Robin Steinweg! It's a pleasure to meet you and read such comforting words you've shared with us today! Best wishes and continued success with your writing journey!

Blessings,

Lady D

 “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis

Where Does that Grin Come From?

Meet Kathy Willis, WordGirls Founder and author of Grin with Grace and Speaker To Speaker: The Essential Speaker's Companion. Dear readers, I am so blessed to share with you today, a guest post by God's Grin gal, Kathy Carlton Willis!! What a great encouraging message you are going to love. I know I sure need to be reminded of these truths that I can apply to what I'm going through.

Where Does that Grin Come From?

by Kathy Carlton Willis

I’m often asked, “How can you keep grinning despite the challenges in your life? It has nothing to do with me. It has to do with the God in whom I put my trust. Knowing “He’s got this” helps me carry on (in hope) rather than to carry on (complain)!

Grinning instead of grimacing comes from the discipline of thinking on glorious victorious thoughts outside the current stinky situation.

First I get my imaginary lariat out and wrangle those negative thoughts that attempt to defeat me.

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV)

Once I evict those destructive thoughts, I fill the void with healthful and helpful thoughts. Thoughts that line up with the mind of Christ.

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ...Then the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8b-9 NLT)

If I practice this passage in Philippians, it might look something like this. I’m going to fix my thoughts on what is:

• True: I remember the extreme way God answered my prayer to provide for our family. 
• Honorable: I’m blown away by the way that writer stays humble when others try to put her on a pedestal. 
• Right: I respect the decision this politician made to choose an unpopular but godly path.
• Pure: How precious the gift of life is when I see photos of the much prayed for Lyla.
• Lovely: How beautiful are the wildflowers dressing up that field.
• Admirable: I see integrity in the choice Russ made to not malign a wrongdoer. 
• Excellent: I respect how she endures through her weight-training routine.
• Worthy of praise: God’s faithfulness is something I can count on.

Are you having a hard time grinning this week? What will your fix list look like?

About the Author:

God’s Grin Gal, Kathy Carlton Willis, shines the light on what holds you back so you can grow. She’s a popular speaker and writer’s coach. Read her book, Grin with Grace, or find more information at http://www.kathycarltonwillis.com

Great article by a very talented writer and speaker! Thank you so much, Kathy Willis! I hope everyone was inspired in applying these good habits that you have shared with us today! I know my heart has been touched and I'm so appreciative of you, Kathy!

Blessings and Happy Reading!


Lady D

 “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis