books Archives - Love, Laughter, and Luggage

Finding Lost Smiles: Book Review

3 Jun 2020

When I found out my previous principal and his wife had authored a children’s book, I had to buy it and check it out. I knew it would be awesome because I know Don and Vickie Epps and their kids, Sarah and Charlie, are awesome. And let me tell you, I was right. This is a great book, and its message is so timely right now. We should all be doing our best to find lost smiles. Finding Lost Smiles Arrives When it arrived, Kristin and I opened it together. Kristin and Sarah were in the same classes in school over the years, so she was excited to look it over. She took it out to the gazebo to check it out. I couldn’t help sneaking peeks myself! The Story If you’re a mother of young children or an elementary teacher, I would definitely recommend this book as an addition…

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The Seven Torments of Amy and Craig by Don Zolidis Review

12 Dec 2018

If you’re looking for a book with a relatable protagonist who is involved in a realistic teen relationship, check out The Seven Torments of Amy and Craig by Don Zolidis. Read on for my review and a little bit of background about the author. A Little Background When I’m not traveling with my family and dreaming of Disney, I’m working at my “real job” of teaching English, speech, and drama while coaching our speech team at a small high school in Missouri. And trust me, “working at” is the correct phrase here. I’m always five steps behind trying to survive whatever situation I’ve willingly put myself into. I’m currently designing the set and larger props for our spring musical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. And by “designing” I mean that I’m rummaging through my supply of platforms, flats, and…whatever to see what I can make while purchasing as little as possible. I keep…

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Discovery by Leslie Schweitzer Miller

18 Jun 2018

My Religious Background I’ve wrestled with questions of faith all my adult life. I was raised a Christian, Methodist actually, and I was confirmed during my middle school years. My baptism happened as an infant. As far as religions go, Methodism is pretty light, at least the way I’ve seen it practiced. I didn’t witness a lot of revivals or alter callings, no dramatic public professions of faith. At least not in my church. I did see those things when I visited Baptist churches. In fact, the children’s programs I attended in those churches often contained the theology of nightmares–lots of adults asking if I was “saved” and if I didn’t know what they were talking about, I was surely bound for hell. Don’t get me started on rapture theology. I still can’t see a blood-red moon without thinking a trumpet will sound at any moment and Jesus will descend from…

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