Book Release!!

It’s time!! Thanks to everyone for praying with me and for me as I’ve worked to get my first book out! It’s been a learning process, for sure, and none of this would be possible if God’s hand wasn’t firmly holding me!

Here’s the back cover description for now. I’ll have some memes and more information about the book later in the week! 

“You can learn from my mistakes, and it won’t cost you a thing!” is one of Marina Bromley’s favorite quotes. Over the years she’s had time to reflect on her life lessons and the grace-filled ways God has turned them into blessings. This book is based on what she’s learned through those mistakes, much as she’s shared around her Kitchen Table online and in person over the past 35 years. If you’ve longed to have an older friend, someone who won’t gloss over the mistakes she’s made and will own up to the realities of life, then this book is for you! Take this 30-day journey of scripture focus and practical life application and reflection in Morning Meditations at Marina’s Kitchen Table. 

Available on Amazon and Kindle. Free for those of you on Kindle Unlimited! 

The REALLY Empty Nest... A Parents of Missionaries Post

The house still has evidence of Miss J being here all last week, and grandkids Norah and Isaiah a few weeks before, and to have these 2 pop up in my memories this morning makes me miss them (and their brothers and sisters). 

Yesterday, on our way home from dropping off Jac, the dad of these 2 in the picture (Ryan), was doing a Facebook live video from a visit to their friend’s village, where they buy charcoal for ones cooking and their coffee (growing on the side of the road!), and pick berries in season. In the video, he turns to Bella (pictured here) and asks her something in Spanish, and she answers back in Spanish. It was beautiful to see her not hesitate, just to speak it so naturally. I knew the littlest would pick it up quickly, but didn’t know what that would look like time wise.

Although we get to talk with them via video calls nearly weekly, we miss this family so much. All the good stuff that goes on in our lives doesn’t replace them not being here. We miss them. It’s hard.

It will be a year in December since we saw them last. A year since we had giggle-filled hugs, walks, played games around the dinner table, had bedtime devotions and said goodnight prayers together. When we do these things with our grandkids living stateside, it so much fun, but it reminds us of how fun it was to do it with all of them too. I’m thankful for the memories, but sometimes it makes my heart hurt a little more.

I’m so grateful for technology, for getting to see how they’re growing and learning, even though it’s a tiny snapshot. I’m so thankful to get to talk to them and hear about the good and the bad in those few minutes each week, but it doesn’t take the place of making memories with them.

I’m not sure if we will make it there before they visit here in a year or so, but I know that I already dread the goodbyes, no matter where or when we will meet again.

God growing my faith this way keeps my heart tender. It takes a lot of exercise to keep my faith bigger than my fears, and those fears loom just around the edges of my heart, looking for any opportunity to sneak in. But God is bigger.

I’m reminded of the first all summer mission trip my then 16 year old daughter was taking to Mongolia, and the phrase that God etched on my heart, “I’d rather have her in the center of God’s will than in my own backyard against His will.” So I pray God’s will for these kids, for this family. I ask God to refine the parents wisdom, and that they can discern the heart of our Father for this family. To do what’s best for His Kingdom, not only to help others hear about Jesus, but also in nurturing their own children’s faith and physical health. And yes, for me to continue to trust Him with each of them, grown ups and grandkids alike, because He loves each of them too.

And when bad stuff happens, because it does, He is with them in the midst of it all, and I pray that their FAITH > fear too.

BIG News ... well, later this week!

Hello Friends!

I'm sorry that I've been on a bit of a hiatus here... I've been busy putting the finishing touches on my book Morning Meditations at Marina's Kitchen Table, A Devotional Memoir, and enjoying time with my grandkids in this end of summer heat!

BUT SOON... I'll have news on the book, on launch team opportunities (if you'd like to join in on helping promote the release of the book) and the details on availability!

So watch your inboxes, or join me on Facebook and Instagram...

Blessings,
Marina
Marina's Kitchen Table

Book Review: Back Roads to Belonging, by Kristen Strong

I had told myself I wasn't going to do book reviews this year. That I would take a year off. That I was just going to pleasure read and not force myself to sign up to read too much... well, when I said that I didn't know that one of my favorite authors, Kristen Strong, had a new book coming out. I was going to read it for pleasure...I may as well be on her launch team, get the goodies, and review it when I was done! 

Lets be clear, there are only a few writers that I'll read anything they publish. I'd gladly purchase any book that Kristen Strong writes. Her life as a military wife and often mover resembles my own corporate move challenges. She writes as though you are sitting at the table with her, a willing new friend, not a stranger. I rarely feel alone when I've got one of her books in my hands. Her practical, honest, no glossing over the realities of feeling a bit awkward, hit straight to my heart. She pulls from scripture, and encourages with scripture and practical examples of putting it to work in my life. She shares her failures as well as her victories. She's a little sarcastic around the edges, but not in a mean way, more like "we can laugh together at this" way. I love the way she writes, shares, welcomes us in as readers to peek at her life. 

 I look forward to whatever she's got next on her writing list. It's going to be great, I'm sure!!

Here's the shorter version that I shared on Goodreads...

"Wow. Kristen's done it again with a book that hits straight to my always-feels-out-of-place heart. With biblical truths to cement my place in this world, she exposes the lies and reminds me that it's no accident that God has brought us to each place in life, every neighborhood, church, social group—you name it—He meant for you to be there. I appreciated the "Traveling Companions" of each chapter, lending examples from outside her own life to show other ages and stages and how people relied hard on God's wisdom. I loved the "Belong Blessings" to extend each chapter into ideas and actions. I know that this is a book that I'll be picking up often in life (just like her last book, Girl Meets Change, that I STILL read and recommend often!). It is well written, well thought out, and an enjoyable and encouraging read. I really loved it!"

The book is available for pre-order on Amazon now, and releases on August 6th, 2019 through your favorite bookstore or online retailer. For pre-order bonuses, please have  your pre-order receipt number and go to https://kristenstrong.com/can-i-send-you-free-goodies/

#bookreview #backroadstobelonging #kristenstrong

I don’t think of my mom every day, maybe that’s hard for some to understand, but we lost her to cancer just before I turned 13, and it was a very different type of difficult with no counseling or assistance to help me sort it out.

But every now and again God taps me on the shoulder and reminds me of her.

Today it was this Coral Knockout rose at Lowe’s. It reminded me of her lipstick! Lipstick of all things! I remember little Avon samples of coral lipstick and how badly I wanted to wear it, to hold on to her and those little sample tubes.

It’s funny all the ways and wonders of how God made us...our minds and emotions and memories...