As it is Saint Patty's day, I think it is only fair that we talk about my favorite Patrick.


How do you think he got his nickname? Tell me in the comments below.

Buy it Here
Age Appropriate For: All Ages
Best for Ages: 12 - 25
Description: On the verge of adult life, Chris Rivera is eager to get started on his career as a director of Christian movies. But he’ll have to do it without his best friend Ben, who has traded childhood toys for law books... and a very pretty study partner. 
Meanwhile, Jessie is getting a lot of attention from conservative neighbor John and trendy friend Galen – each of whom, for drastically different reasons, seems a little too good to be true. 
In the face of hard questions and big temptations, how do you know which choice is right? And where do you get the courage to make it?

So many books about homeschoolers either can come across as either well-intentioned books that lean toward legalism, or sound like homeschoolers gone wild now that they are ‘free’. Flight School was, in my opinion, the best book I have read about taking the next step after homeschool in a realistic yet God-honoring way. It avoids sounding legalistic (and even addresses legalism), shows some of the honest challenges, and has characters that do their best to live godly lives.

This book deeply touched me, because I could see myself reflected in some of the characters and their decisions. One example of that is the challenge they face to do what is right as they head out into the world. Each of the Rivera kids face something different, but each of them come to a point where they have to make a choice to do what they want or follow what God has called them to. There were a couple of points I was holding my breath, wondering if they would make the right choice.

The story flowed so well that I didn’t want to put it down. I can see how McIntire has grown as a writer. While this book was not an action book, the emotions of the characters kept me flipping pages. It is one of those books with enough diversity in characters that everyone who reads it will probably see themselves reflected in one or more of the people and situations.

I highly recommend this book to homeschool graduates, those how love faith-building stories, and those who enjoy contemporary books.

She is suffering from extreme fatigue and a host of other systems. The doctors say she will get better, but it will take a long time.

She has been diagnosed with several things, but the labels only begin to tell the story. She lives in daily pain that most of us can only begin to imagine.

She doesn’t like it, but she struggles with depression and anxiety. People tell her they know how she feels, but she knows they don’t.

These are examples of chronic illness. I have several friends who suffer in different ways, in fact each of the examples above. However, I am finding that few people really know how to help them. They say things they think will help, never realizing that they are hurting them.  This week, I would like to share 10 things you can do to help that friend.

1. Don’t give up on them. They are going to have a lot of friends who drift away from them because their illness, don’t be one of them. You might find it discouraging that they are not making progress and the friendship is strained, but remember, they are having a much harder time then you.

2. Send them reminders that you care. A note, email, or a small gift means the world and can make a dark day bright. It doesn’t have to be big, long, poetic, or expensive. They just need to know that you care.

3. Visit them. So maybe it isn’t fun to hang around them like it used to be, but they need you now more than ever. Sit on the couch and watch a movie with them. Tell them about your life, tell a joke, and just let them know that you’re physically there.

4. Speak to them as if they were normal. While they may not be up to a long visit, talk about normal things with them. If you are unsure if they would like a topic in their present state, ask them if they are interested in talking about (fill in the blank).

5. Remind them of God’s truth. I am not talking just about the sweet promises. I am talking about reminding them that God will never leave them. They may be struggling with believing a lie (like they are not valuable anymore) or worrying about things. Remind them of what the Bible says in a gentle way.

6. Allow them to change. Your friend make take up new interests and lose others. Allow them to change. It can be hard, but give them the room to change.

7. Tell them that you are not going anywhere. Of course, if you say this, you have to mean it. They need to hear that someone is not going to give up on them and will stick around. Will you be that person?

8. Make them laugh. Laughter is great medicine. Tell them a joke, bring over a silly movie, whatever you know that will make them smile.

9. Be real with them. Don’t think that you can no longer tell them about your life because they are having a hard time. Sometimes, the best gift you can give them is to not treat them any differently.

10. Pray for them. They need it! They need prayers for strength, peace, and so much more. Lift them up in prayer.

I hope you have enjoyed this audiobook, I know I have. If you have enjoyed it, leave a message here for Rose and I will make sure she sees it.