From the author of the "absolutely absorbing" (USA Today) memoir Undercurrents comes an unforgettable portrait of childhood, family and community. The eldest child of a devout Irish-American Catholic family, Martha Manning weaves her story around the seven holy sacraments: baptism, penance, communion, confirmation, holy orders, marriage and last rites. She recalls her childhood pratfalls, adolescent yearnings and entrance into motherhood with wisdom, wit and remarkable honesty. At once poi...

Discover the beauty and diversity of our nation through Walking America, a guide to the best day hikes in all 50 states. This thoughtfully curated collection highlights trails that showcase the distinctive natural and cultural heritage of each state. Designed for hikers of all levels, the book presents each trail with engaging descriptions, practical details, area maps, and a touch of local color. This guide, richly illustrated with color photographs, is the perfect companion for ...

God communicates with me, protects me, and shows me His love through an angel, which He gave to me when I was born in Martinez, Georgia, in 1936. My story takes place in the small towns of Martinez and Evans, Georgia until I became seventeen years of age. After high school graduation, I married a Methodist minister and the South Carolina Methodist bishop sent us to churches in different areas of South Carolina. In this book, the reader will find out exactly how life was spent in each of th...

The purpose of writing this book is for the parents to be able to teach their children some of the things God has done for people in our world. It is written with rhyming words, and soon the children will be able to read the message for themselves. I believe your children will treasure having this book in their hands to read and learn about God's creation.

A Message to the ReaderAs I endeavor to share with you, through Reflections of My Life, I am aware of God's love for all His people. It is my wish that, as you read the different selections, you will begin to develop a desire deep in your soul, to trust God as He gives you strength to work and accomplish the things in your life that might seem too different for you at the time.Remember, God never gives us more than we can handle.The Lord hath been mindful of us. He ...

Walks of a Lifetime in America’s National Parks: Extraordinary Hikes in Exceptional PlacesWalk the national parks and find out for yourself why they’re “America’s best idea” and why walking is the richest way to experience and appreciate these iconic places. There can be no better guides than Bob and Martha Manning, longtime Hiking Ambassadors for the American Hiking Society and life-long stalwarts of the National Park System. In this book, the Mannings introduce and describe all t...

Walking is simple, but it can also be profound. In an increasingly complex and frantic world, walking can help simplify and focus our lives, is an elegantly sustainable form of recreation, deepens our understanding and appreciation of the world’s great cultural landscapes, stimulates our thinking, and makes us healthier and happier in the process. In Walks of a Lifetime from Around the World, Bob and Martha Manning invite readers to join the walking community. The heart of the boo...

Gabby knows God is the God of second chances.But can she give one to the man who betrayed her?When she was thrown out of the penthouse she shared with her husband and their sons, Gabby didn’t know if she’d ever find a soft place to land. But after seeking refuge at the shelter where she works, extraordinary things happen as she is reintroduced to God.From the ashes of her marriage comes the House of Hope—a safe haven for homeless mo...

Walk the World’s Greatest TrailsTo walk is to discover, from those first halting steps as a child to walking the world’s greatest long-distance trails. Experience breathtaking coastlines, mountain ranges, historic landscapes, wilderness areas, religious pilgrimages, great cities, and iconic rivers. Walk to learn more about our beautiful and curious world, to be healthy and happy, to add adventure and authenticity to life, and to learn something about yourself in the process. Walkin...

You can only walk forward when you learn how to lean.Just months after her husband threw her out of their penthouse and sent their two sons away, Gabrielle Fairbanks is finally getting back on her feet. She has a job she loves at the homeless shelter, an apartment for her and the boys, caring friends, and even a new love interest. Best of all, an unexpected windfall has given her a brand-new dream--a House of Hope for homeless mothers and their children.Pie...

A bestselling, groundbreaking author investigates successful long term marriages, interviewing wives and their uncensored strategies for staying married.America's high divorce rate is well known. But little attention has been paid to the flip side: couples who creatively (sometimes clandestinely) manage to build marriages that are lasting longer than we ever thought possible. What's the secret? To find out, bestselling journalist Iris Krasnow interviewed more than ...

“Killing yourself at any age is a seriously tricky business. But when I was seven, the odds felt insurmountable.”As a young girl, Terri Cheney’s life looked perfect. Her family lived in a lovely house in a tranquil Los Angeles suburb where the geraniums never once failed to bloom. She was pretty and smart, an academic superstar and popular cheerleader whose father doted on her. But starting with her first suicide attempt at age seven, it was clear that her...