Moms of Faith

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Marcus sees Hadassah with new eyes…

A Voice in the Wind

Chapter Eleven: Marcus Comes to Visit Julia…or Perhaps Hadassah??

During his journey to visit his sister, we gain insight into Marcus’s desire for wealth, power and freedom from anything his father wants for him. He loves his father, but wants more trivial things for his life.

We also learn his deep inner turmoil on matters of politics…

Once he arrives and visits with Julia for a bit, we see that he has feelings for Hadassah and that he is struggling to articulate them. However, we see the are very raw and very strong.

He is jealous, restless and confused by the deep emotions that he cannot define. I found it all quite amusing. LOL!

I also thought it was very sweet the way innocent Hadassah’s heart skips a beat whenever Marcus is near. It is amazing how innocent she is and that her innocence has been protected all this time.

Oh, and without giving anything away, at the end of the chapter, Marcus discovers that her has put another’s feelings before his own for the FIRST time in his life…and it was Hadassah’s feelings he put above his own. Hmmm….this is developing into quite a wonderful story!

Diving into chapter twelve next week….

<-- Note: I wrote an ebook filled with a TON of great info and advice on weightloss. It is actually how I was able to lose the weight I did and keep it off! I plan to use the SAME concepts again to get off the final pounds. If you would like a copy, I am offering it for ONLY $10, let me know (I will email you back in invoice). OR you can Click Here for the table of contents and more info about it.

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6 months into her marriage and Julia is more selfish than ever…but, let’s start with Atretes…

A Voice in the Wind

Chapter Ten: Atretes Conditioning and Married Life with Julia

The chapter begins with Atretes being trained for the Gladiator blood baths that are his future. His training is grueling and his life is lonely and demeaning. He is a prisoner who was once the son of a chief!

He has a brief visual “encounter” with Julia and commits murder all in the span of a few well written pages!

When Julia locks eyes with the handsome Atretes, she is instantly smitten…very sad for the poor sap she married. Claudius is his name and he is kind, patient, smart and lonely. Does Julia see any of this…no. She is a spoiled brat who only cares about the materialistic and fleetingly emotional excitements of life.

She ignores her husband and refuses to even try to get to know this amazing man.

What were your thoughts on chapter 10?

<-- Note: I wrote an ebook filled with a TON of great info and advice on weightloss. It is actually how I was able to lose the weight I did and keep it off! I plan to use the SAME concepts again to get off the final pounds. If you would like a copy, I am offering it for ONLY $10, let me know (I will email you back in invoice). OR you can Click Here for the table of contents and more info about it.

If you would like to join the "Get Fit Challenge" we currently have going on here, it is free and as simple as reading a post each week and commenting on your status! Click Here to see all posts on this topic.

Don’t know what we are reading? Click Here for more info. It is NEVER too late to participate!

In this chapter, Julia finds out that she will immediately marry an older man she barely knows…

A Voice in the Wind

Chapter Nine: Julia’s Wedding

Even though I felt sympathy for Julia in this chapter, I understood her father’s reasoning for the man he chose for her. He wants the best for her and understands her flaws. Sadly, however, I do not think anything can change Julia at this point in the story…

In the beginning of this chapter, Julia finds out she will marry. She is VERY angry and speaks to her father with much disrespect. He slaps her in the face. A few minutes later, while her Mother is speaking to Marcus about it, she defends what her husband did…

Phoebe Says to Marcus after he tells her father had no right to slap Julia:

“He had the right of a father. Much of what is going wrong with the Empire has to do with fathers who have not disciplined their children. She had no right to speak to your father the way she did!”

This was my favorite statement in the book so far. She shows such devotion and honor to her husband…and states a fact that is true in the real world we live in today. I am not saying I believe slapping our children in the face is necessarily a good thing…I DO believe the youth of today lack discipline!

Another interesting development in chapter nine is how intrigued Marcus is becoming with Hadassah. He does not even realize that he is falling for her on a deep level. It will be interesting to see how this develops!

Hadassah is an incredible example of what a woman of God should be. I am awed by this character. She prays for this family and feels the burden to be there for them. She understands her life was spared for a purpose…even though she is not certain what that purpose is yet….

Phoebe closes the chapter with a serious request for Hadassah. She asks her to please look after her daughter. However, she is really asking Hadassah to dedicate her life to the well being of Julia. Hadassah agrees. What a woman!

Cannot wait for chapter ten!

<-- Note: I wrote an ebook filled with a TON of great info and advice on weightloss. It is actually how I was able to lose the weight I did and keep it off! I plan to use the SAME concepts again to get off the final pounds. If you would like a copy, I am offering it for ONLY $10, let me know (I will email you back in invoice). OR you can Click Here for the table of contents and more info about it.

If you would like to join the "Get Fit Challenge" we currently have going on here, it is free and as simple as reading a post each week and commenting on your status! Click Here to see all posts on this topic.

Don’t know what we are reading? Click Here for more info. It is NEVER too late to participate!

In this chapter, Hadassah begins her new life with the very dysfunctional Valerian family…

A Voice in the Wind

Chapter Eight: Hadassah Meets the Valerians

I loved how Enoch felt God telling him to save Hadassah. It was so awesome. I am amazed at the wonderful details and merciful ways Francine Rivers writes this story…

I was also moved by Julia’s Mother, Phoebe and her Mothers intuition about Hadassah being her daughters servant. LOL. We do, as Mothers, know what is best for our children…and as we see this story play out in the coming chapters, we will see what a wonderful gift Phoebe gave her wicked daughter.

It was so sad how meanly Marcus spoke of Hadassah. I thought he was an arrogant moron in this chapter! I was, however, not surprised by how horrid Julia was toward her….she is such a spoiled little brat! It is shocking that she has such a kind hearted Mom…how does that even happen?? LOL! Oh, yes…I KNOW…it is WHO she hangs out with…how dreadful is Octavia?? Blech! More shocking is how KIND Hadassah is to Julia…even after all her mean spirited comments and disgusted perusal.

Alas, even in captivity and the assurance of a life in slavery, young Hadassah was still a young woman and could not fail to notice that the self centered Marcus was indeed handsome…aren’t they always? ROFL! He is also restless and unsatisfied and does not know why…hmmm…Maybe he is unknowingly discovering a God shaped hole in the pit of his soul?? I loved the silent interest he took in her as well…

By the end of this chapter, I could see how God has a plan to rock the Valerians boat just enough to swoop in and show them there is only ONE God…but…let’s just wait and see…who knows what this deliciously fabulous book has up it’s well written sleeve….

<-- Note: I wrote an ebook filled with a TON of great info and advice on weightloss. It is actually how I was able to lose the weight I did and keep it off! I plan to use the SAME concepts again to get off the final pounds. If you would like a copy, I am offering it for ONLY $10, let me know (I will email you back in invoice). OR you can Click Here for the table of contents and more info about it.

If you would like to join the "Get Fit Challenge" we currently have going on here, it is free and as simple as reading a post each week and commenting on your status! Click Here to see all posts on this topic.

Don’t know what we are reading? Click Here for more info. It is NEVER too late to participate!

In this chapter, we gain more insight into young Julia…

A Voice in the Wind

Chapter Seven: Julia

Julia is young and way to curious about things that she should run from. She an extremely self absorbed young lady and I am VERY glad my daughter is nothing like her…

In this chapter she talks Marcus into taking her to the gladiator games and to his surprise, she was not very bothered by the bloodshed…she is one to watch in the coming chapters…

We also got insight into the future her father has planned for her. An arranged marriage to an older man. After reading this chapter, I agree with Marcus…I am not sure her father knows her very well…LOL

What did you think of Julia??

Oh, and back to Hadassah next time…

<-- Note: I wrote an ebook filled with a TON of great info and advice on weightloss. It is actually how I was able to lose the weight I did and keep it off! I plan to use the SAME concepts again to get off the final pounds. If you would like a copy, I am offering it for ONLY $10, let me know (I will email you back in invoice). OR you can Click Here for the table of contents and more info about it.

If you would like to join the "Get Fit Challenge" we currently have going on here, it is free and as simple as reading a post each week and commenting on your status! Click Here to see all posts on this topic.

Don’t know what we are reading? Click Here for more info. It is NEVER too late to participate!

In this chapter, we see how Atretes finds a new…not so peaceful…or free life in Rome…

A Voice in the Wind

Chapter Six: Atretes and Rome

I really like the character of Atretes. He is so strong and not easily broken in spirit…He is not easily intimidated by his captors. I wonder if I could be as brave as he…

Sadly, Atretes is not vacationing in Rome. Chapter six is the beginning of his life as a gladiator. He is a slave to the mob of Rome. He is slowing being broken. He is suffering beatings, ridicule, and the loss of his ability to make his own choices.

He is alone. He has no friends…no family…and his “god” has abandoned him. Seemingly a very sad predicament…however,  a perfect opportunity for the Almighty God to take an interest in his soul!

I am looking forward to all that Atretes will bring to this wonderful book!

What did you think of chapter 6…and the book as a whole SO far…no details beyond chapter 6!

“See” you next week!

<-- Note: I wrote an ebook filled with a TON of great info and advice on weightloss. It is actually how I was able to lose the weight I did and keep it off! I plan to use the SAME concepts again to get off the final pounds. If you would like a copy, I am offering it for ONLY $10, let me know (I will email you back in invoice). OR you can Click Here for the table of contents and more info about it.

If you would like to join the "Get Fit Challenge" we currently have going on here, it is free and as simple as reading a post each week and commenting on your status! Click Here to see all posts on this topic.

Don’t know what we are reading? Click Here for more info. It is NEVER too late to participate!

In this chapter, we are back with Hadassah and her journey towards Rome…

A Voice in the Wind

Chapter Five: A Journey to Rome

I find Hadassah’s story to be an extremely brave young woman. In this story, she is enduring what most of us never will…and more chilling, if we did face these trials, could we be as brave and faithful as she is??

Chapter 5 is still the beginning of this young woman’s journey. Here we find her in turmoil and mistreated. Can you imagine being looked at with such utter disgust and so blatantly called ugly. In one Ephesian’s words; “Ugly beyond anything I’ve ever seen.” He would not even purchase her to be a prostitute.

On one hand it is profoundly sad the way she is so inconsiderately and cruelly referred to…On the other, it is a blessing that she does not have to lose her virginity to rape and live in the pain of prostitution.

Sadly, she is repeatedly referred to as ugly…

I could not help but well up with tears as I imagined what that would feel like as a woman…

I do not want to give too much away…By the end of the chapter, we still do not know her fate, however, we do see that this is one faithful woman! She is a true daughter of the Most High! Even in the midst of  fear and pain she continues to call out to Daddy God…

Next week, it is back to the powerful Atretes….

<-- Note: I wrote an ebook filled with a TON of great info and advice on weightloss. It is actually how I was able to lose the weight I did and keep it off! I plan to use the SAME concepts again to get off the final pounds. If you would like a copy, I am offering it for ONLY $10, let me know (I will email you back in invoice). OR you can Click Here for the table of contents and more info about it.

If you would like to join the "Get Fit Challenge" we currently have going on here, it is free and as simple as reading a post each week and commenting on your status! Click Here to see all posts on this topic.

Don’t know what we are reading? Click Here for more info. It is NEVER too late to participate!

A journey to Rome that takes you to a time when Christians were persecuted and sin ran rampant…kind of like where we are heading in today’s world! We will spend a while in Rome, so I am doing more than one chapter for this week …since it flows.

A Voice in the Wind

Chapter Three and Four: Rome

In these two chapters we meet the handsome and self absorbed, Marcus Valerian. Chapter 3 opens with Marcus’ father, Decimus, trying to convince his son to follow a less self absorbed path in life and possibly get involved in politics. Marcus will have no part of it. He has seen far too much in his young life and does not want to be at the end of a dagger because of following the wrong political party.

He even went so far as to bait his father, and throw in his face that he only wants to pursue the same things. However, Decimus is old and with age has learned he did not always follow the right paths in his life…

Later, after more debating, we meet his mother, Phoebe and sister, Julia.

Early on in this book, we learn that Phoebe is sweet and wants the best for her children like any other Mom. We see that she loves her husband as well and they talk about how the world has gotten and how they wish better for their offspring!

We also learn that Julia is a self absorbed, worldly young woman.

In chapter four, we meet some of young Valerian’s “friends,” and that Marcus shows some glimpses into his character, and how he really is in a better mental state than his father may think…What do I mean? Well, he seems very bored and uninterested in them (especially his flavor of the month, the beautiful,  Arria) and what they do…that is a definite opening for the Lord to begin working…

His friends do not seem like the type of friends one would want anyway.

Marcus is also shown to be a bit of a womanizer and business savvy as well. We see the cunning business and money pursuing side with his dealings with the unethical, Antigonus.

What did you all think of chapter’s 3 and 4? You were quiet for Atretes entrance in chapter 2…LOL!

Next week, we will see how Hadassah is doing….

<-- Note: I wrote an ebook filled with a TON of great info and advice on weightloss. It is actually how I was able to lose the weight I did and keep it off! I plan to use the SAME concepts again to get off the final pounds. If you would like a copy, I am offering it for ONLY $10, let me know (I will email you back in invoice). OR you can Click Here for the table of contents and more info about it.

If you would like to join the "Get Fit Challenge" we currently have going on here, it is free and as simple as reading a post each week and commenting on your status! Click Here to see all posts on this topic.