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I Think I’m a Proverbs 29.34 Woman

January 23, 2012 in Book Reviews, Faith with 13 Comments

This week in the How To Have a Heart For Your Kids Book Club, Chapter 2: Enrich Your Marriage

Yes. I meant 30.3444 or maybe 29? All I know is when I hear people talking about being a Proverbs 31 wife, I always think about how marvelous that would be, and how hard it is to really attain that.

It is interesting to me that in this book club, about how to have a heart for your kids, the author gets right down to business with what can really make or break a family. The first chapter is to put God first. And, next, your marriage. How do you protect your marriage? How do you get a great marriage? Well, I agree with the author that honoring your husband, serving him, and treating him like your best friend and ally, not just a work partner, is a good way to go.

Easier said than done! I think the sweeter your husband is, the easier it is maybe to take him for granted. I say that because my husband is very sweet and sometimes I take him for granted. Around here, I spend a lot of time with the few children who make the most noise. Anyone else have this dynamic?

And, when I am not being mommy, and not exhausted, I tend to try to find ways to be me. Maybe do something creative, or blog or even clean. Something not kid related. I don’t immediately go try to do for my husband.

This is funny to me, because when I was younger, I was a single, working mom of two boys. I always though once I had a good husband life would be so much easier…so magical. I saw married women treating their husbands poorly or ignoring them and I thought they were foolish. I would never be like that! Haha. Fast forward 10 years and I see that I am taking my husband for granted sometimes. But, there are only so many hours in the day.

So, how do you decide how to use your hours? Should I write a blog post, or sit and watch a football game with my husband?
Should I go get a new shirt I kind of need…or stay home and complete a project that I have been whining about?
Should I put a ton of effort into getting the children to bed so I can pay attention to some story from my husband’s day?

Well, when you really think about it, yes, yes and yes.

I should make my husband my number one priority. Still, I squirm about that, I mean, he’s not complaining and I have loads of things I want to do to make my life, my home nice. Right?

And, on top of all that, there’s the question of who is really the leader. I married a laid back guy who takes his time making decisions, and wouldn’t force anyone to follow anyway. I, on the other hand, love the idea of being the leader. I move fast! I have ideas! I get people on the boat and moving…sometimes, in spite of how anyone feels.

So which is right? Well, neither in every situation, which is probably why God has opposites attracting so often! But, if I truly believe the Bible and trust God, then I know that I am supposed to let my husband lead.

And that will make my home nice.

I know that, because when I am not stubborn and do that, it always end up lovely. No joke. Still hard to do!

So, how can I take this idea of serving my husband and make it real for him this week?

Well, I can try to not be stubborn when I think I am right about something this week
I can offer to do something for him ~ and mean it.
I can pray that God will help me to be the Proverbs 31 woman of our dreams. Because only God can do that.

*this post is loosely based on chapter 2. Really, get this book!

Would you like to join in? Visit http://thepelsers.com/2011/12/05/heart-kids-book-club/ for all the details!

Debut YA Fantasy The Mirror of N’de by L.K. Malone

December 7, 2011 in Book Reviews, LitFUSE with 4 Comments

This debut Young Adult Fantasy Story is my daughter’s new favorite book!

This book is brand new in the young adult genre.

I was curious about it and liked the fact that the worldview is said to be Christian.

I gave this book right to my teen to see what she thought. She enjoyed the story so much, she wanted to know right away if there was a sequel. We looked it up, and no, there is no sequel yet. But this is a new author, so we will be watching for more!

Here’s what our teen has to say:

“Definitely a good book for highschoolers because of fast paced action and mystery.

Pulls you in. You have to read til the end right away.

Great imagery.

It should be turned into a movie! I know all my friends would go see it.

I can relate to Hadley (main character).

Even people I’m friends with who aren’t Christian would love this book.

Lots of plot twists. You expect one thing and then something opposite happens. It blows your mind.”

The Official Word:

“In the mythical city of N’de lives thirteen-year-old Hadlay and her people, the Ramash. Scorned and abused by the unloving and absent Emperor, the Ramash are poor people, placed second to the ruling class of the Oresed. Young but bold, Hadlay rages against the injustice in her city. When she is chosen for the honor of serving the Prince in the Tower, she hopes to find a way to right the wrong… but soon discovers that things are worse than she believed.

Crafting powerful narrative and creative characters, author L. K. Malone spins a compelling tale that combines exciting entertainment and the Christian story. In The Mirror of N’de, readers will empathize with the desires of an oppressed people, will anger at the affliction of a cruel adversary, and ultimately rejoice with the revelation of a Savior.”

See the Blog Tour Schedule

Buy This Book

And, the publisher is sponsoring a $50 Amazon.com giveaway open to my blog readers! To enter all you have to do is send a tweet (using @litfuse) about The Mirror of N’de or share about it on Facebook!

TWEET THIS: New YA fantasy – The Mirror of N’de – compelling narrative and creative characters! @litfuse RT for $50 to @amazon http://ow.ly/7AWGT

I received a copy of The Mirror of N’de from LitFuse for my review.

My First Hands-On Bible Perfect for Preschoolers

October 26, 2011 in Book Reviews, family, Mama Buzz with 0 Comments

It is so fun to take a look at some of the new Bibles available for children these days. I was looking for a good one for Em the other day and I was surprised by how many there were.

How does one choose? Well, for me, I look for one in the translation I prefer and get one that uses real scripture. One with readable font, sturdy, and small for a child to hold…I still haven’t found the perfect one!

We did, however, get to review one that I think is perfect for preschoolers. I am sending it to my nephew and I hope he has as much fun poring over it as Em has.

This hands-on Bible for preschoolers features scripture from the New Living Translation. There are over 400 pages of Bible stories in a nice sized hardback, each story complete with colorful illustrations and activities. These activities make the stories come to life for the little ones, as they learn to try to imagine themselves in the Bible time period…or place.

While there are several activities for each story, the activities are easy on Mom or Dad. Activities range from “close your eyes and imagine how dark that was…to…take your blocks and pretend you are building a Tower like the Tower of Babel…to doing little action plays with poems. So you are interacting with your child, yet not working really hard. Which, I think is nice, because I will actually follow through!

Now, also, for each story, there are some other engaging things to do. In many ways, this Bible is like having a Preschool teacher give you ideas. There is a “Let’s Talk” Section, with age appropriate questions based on the story. And, even more fun for kids– you’ll find “Cuddles” and “Pockets,” two little characters who pop up in every story. Pockets leads you and your child in a little prayer based on the story, and cuddles has even more options for some hands-on activities to wrap-up.

A final and neat element to each story section is a “The Jesus Connection” at the very end of the story page. In a line or two, the authors show how Jesus is the center of all scripture and help your child relate the stories and the love of Jesus to real life.

This retails for $16.99.

“This is a MamaBuzz Media review. The product was provided by Tyndale Blog Network for this review.”

Baby, It’s Cold Outside by Susan May Warren

October 26, 2011 in Book Reviews, Holiday Books & Music, Holiday Gift Guide, LitFUSE with 0 Comments

As usual, Susan May Warren does not disappoint.

I think Susan May Warren is a very good student of human nature. Her characters come to life in a few simple lines of text. This just amazes me, how quickly I feel like I know these people, these characters.

When I read her fiction novels, I become immersed in the story. I become engrossed not so much because of the well drawn settings or a particular poignant event, but because I want to see these people triumph over their circumstances, over horrible events and dreary days. I know that Warren’s worldview is one of hope and life…and I just cannot wait to see the storylines all unfold, to see her characters thrive, in the midst of trials, in the midst of fears and change.

Sometimes, some of the events in Warren’s character’s lives do take my breath away because they are so real, so sad. A lost child, an accident… a pain that will never go away. Even for the reader, it hurts for a moment to feel these experiences through the writer’s art.

Honestly, I hesitate a teeny bit every time I open a book by Warren. I know she doesn’t shirk away from writing about pain and I do shirk away from that.

But, after reading a few of her novels, I know that Warren is writing about Jesus in her character’s lives. And knowing Jesus is to know hope and peace, no matter the circumstances. Because Warren is a skillful writer, I expect her settings to be full of the nuances of time and place, and Baby, it’s Cold Outside is a trip back to 1947, complete with the music of that day, WWII tales and Storm Houses.

I do totally recommend this book. I don’t want to say too much about it, because I don’t want to be a spoiler! But, I will tell you, you will find enjoyable history, Christmastime Drama and Joy, a bit of cooking, a bit of kissing, and loads of fun characters in the midst of a giant snowstorm.

The Official Word: “Hope finds the hopeless when a storm hits.

It’s Christmas weekend 1949, and despite the threat of a storm, the townspeople of Frost are determined to continue their holiday traditions, if only as a means to forget the war that they had all just suffered through. But the suffering hasn’t ended for Dottie Morgan who lost her only son in the war. She’s preparing to wallow in her isolation for the weekend, when Violet, nearly a spinster at age 29, dares to make a request that will force Dottie to publicly revive the memory of her dead son.

When a storm traps the two women at home with a strange young man who has an unbelievable confession and a neighbor with more to do with Violet’s past than she would like, no one can predict how this Christmas will give them all a second chance.”

Read an excerpt here and find out the story behind the novel

Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty-five novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and have been Christy finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia, Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church.

Susan’s larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. She is also the founder ofwww.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.

A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at:www.susanmaywarren.com

Link to buy the book: Baby, It’s Cold Outside (When I Fall in Love)

Warm up to Chrismtas early this year with Susan May Warren’s Baby, It’s Cold Outside! To celebrate the release of her new Christmas book with Summerside Press, she and the publisher are giving away a Kindle Fire and hosting an early Christmas Party on Facebook!

Read what the reviewers are saying here.

One festive winner will receive:

A brand new Kindle Fire
Baby, It’s Cold Outside by Susan May Warren

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. Giveaway ends on 10/26!

But, wait there’s more! Join Susan May Warren on 10/27 for merriment and a few early Christmas presents at her Baby, It’s Cold Outside Christmas party! Grab your Christmas sweaters, socks and pj’s and join Susan and a few friends for a fireside chat about her recent books (Heiress & Baby, It’s Cold Outside), holiday traditions, favorite Christmas recipes, a trivia contest and more! Invite your friends and don’t miss the fun!

RSVP here and we’ll see you on October 27th at 5 PM PST / 8 PM EST!

” I received a copy of Baby It’s Cold Outside, from LitFuse for my review. I have given my opinion. There may be affiliate links in this post.”

Gabby, God’s Little Angel

September 28, 2011 in Book Reviews, LitFUSE with 6 Comments

New Series for Children!

What a good new series for kids! I really like Sheila Walsh’s stories for children, especially the Gigi ones. This new series is a sweet, comforting one. With this series, Walsh shows her understanding of children as she shares the good news.

Themes of God’s love and protection run all through the tales and there are beautifully drawn and colored illustrations, by Marina Fedotova.

In the midst of a time where there are few things to capture a child’s imagination and teens flock to follow vampire literature just to get a taste of imagination, It is more than good, but imperative to see a child’s book talking about Angels again–and not just at Christmas, but for everyday life.

And, let’s not forget, as my daughter pointed out,

“There are even ponies!”

I asked Em to do this video review for kids. I did not prompt her in any way, so I thought it was sweet that she paid just as much attention to the verse at the end of the book as the ponies:

The Official Word:

What little girl wouldn’t love her very own guardian angel? Parents and children alike will be won over by this humorous tale of Gabby, a guardian angel in training who has much to learn about taking care of God’s little ones. Her new assignment is to protect a young girl named Sophie, but Gabby soon realizes that watching after Sophie is a bigger challenge than she had expected! After a close call while riding her pony, Sophie learns what the Bible says about guardian angels: “He will put his angels in charge of you. They will watch over you wherever you go” (Psalm 91:11 ICB).

About Sheila:

Sheila Walsh is the creator of the award-winning Gigi, God’s Little Princess® Sheila is a Bible teacher, speaker, singer, and best-selling author with more than 4 million books sold. As a featured speaker with Women of Faith®, Sheila has reached more than 3.5 million women by artistically combining honesty, vulnerability, and humor with God’s Word. She is currently completing her Master’s in Theology. www.sheilawalsh.com

The Pregnancy Companion and Giveaway!

September 20, 2011 in Book Reviews, family with 6 Comments

The The Pregnancy Companion: A Faith Filled Guide for Your Journey to Motherhood combines a doctor’s counsel and a girlfriend’s wisdom to create an information-packed, inspiration-filled resource for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of pregnancy.

The Pregnancy Companion has already received high praise from OB/BYNs, medical experts and Moms.

I think this book could be a blessing to many mothers. If you are a mama, or want to be, definitely visit their website, http://thepregnancycompanion.com/. You can even visit their wonderful facebook page.

I have not read the book, but after reading the site and some reviews I feel this is good information to pass on! I feel that for women and their babies, knowledge is power. It is good to discuss all these things.

Sooo, I am happy to say, I can do a giveaway for this Book! Enter to Win The Pregnancy Companion Continue Reading…

The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare. Yes, It Can Be Done!

September 7, 2011 in Book Reviews, Mama Buzz with 34 Comments

Image via Wikipedia

GIVEAWAY for The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing!!

I love Shakespeare. To read the plays is to step into the very best of stories. Seeing a play live is even better! The rich language, exciting and universal themes, fights and the love stories, and gorgeous costumes take my breath away.

As a kid, I was lucky enough to have several teachers who were in awe of Shakespeare’s writings, yet at the same time not intimidated by the bulky books and our initial utter lack of interest. (Thanks, Dr. Gaspar)

I think the last time I read Shakespeare was probably before my last baby was born. And the last live show? I am pretty sure it was Macbeth, with my husband, on a special date night, over three years ago.

Where does the time go?

As a homeschool mom and teacher, I have tried to get my son into reading Shakespeare. We had some luck with the tragedies, but he had little interest in plowing through the comedies and most of the other works. They were just too long in his mind.

When I saw these books, abridged versions of six of Shakespeare’s popular works, I just had to check them out. I went ahead and requested a comedy, Much Ado About Nothing (The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare Series) as I really needed the laughs.

I was pleasantly surprised by how easy these are to read and follow. The language of the texts has been condensed, yet not changed or modernized. Just as in some of my college texts, notes are given at the bottom of each page to help the reader follow the language.

But the best thing about these, to me, is that they are formatted both for reading and acting out the plays. I went ahead and read mine and now have my son and daughter acting out several of the exciting individual scenes.

I really felt unable to do this before on my own, but this book allows this non-thespian to make Shakespeare fun for my kids!

The Sixty-Minute Series (and several others) are written by Cass Foster, a Professor Emeritus of Theatre, experienced Fight Choreographer and Stage Director.

Published by Five Star Publications, the series includes six books including Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, and Twelfth Night. Buy the entire series for $45.89 or individually for $8.99. Already used in many schools, these books would be a welcome addition to any home library.

Find more information at www.GetShakespeare.com and http://fivestarpublications.com/ You can also follow them on Facebook and on Twitter.

Want to win a copy of Much Ado About Nothing for your home library?

Just leave me a comment telling me either: your favorite Shakespeare play OR if you are going to try to teach Shakespeare!

For additional entries, you can:

Follow Faith, Family and Fun through RSS (top right:)
Follow Faith, Family and Fun through GFC
Follow FFF on Twitter @ quinnschilling, and tweet the giveaway
Follow Faith, Family and Fun on Facebook and share the giveaway
Publicly Blog about this giveaway and give a link back (+3)

Please leave separate comments for each entry method.

A winner will be chosen on September 15, 2011.

“This is a MamaBuzz Media review. The product was provided by Sixty Minute Shakespeare for this review.” Opinions are mine.

Amish Values for Your Family What We Can Learn from the Simple Life Review

August 29, 2011 in Book Reviews, family with Comments Off

Hmmm. I think I'd be ok, being on this road instead of at my desk!!

My daughter cracked me up when I got this book to review. She asked,

“Mom, what’s this book? Those parents are mean, they have shoes, but they don’t buy shoes for their children!”

After I laughed, and explained to her that the children were most likely simply allowed to run barefoot in the Summer.

Then I wondered how many misperceptions I have of the Amish. I thought about what I knew about them…mainly nothing, picked up from that movie Witness and some other random media, I suppose. Overall, I don’t have a real negative perception, I just haven’t thought much about their culture.

After reading this book, I have to say that many of the stories made me laugh and reminded me of my own family! Maybe we had television and cars, but my parents always protected our family time and raised us to know our faith and to respect our elders, pointed out dangerous cultural trends…taught us to have common sense!

When I was asked to review this book, I was given an assignment–basically to choose a particular story and see how it might apply to my life. I figured I would read for awhile–thinking I’m pretty smart and I probably know much of this–and eventually find something that I could incorporate in my life.

Well, I got to page nineteen, which was right in the beginning! There was a story about The Rabbit Hutch. The proverb accompanying the story is: “A family that works together, grows together.”

In this tale, an Amish family and a non-Amish family are neighbors. One of the Dads builds a rabbit hutch with his son, while the other proudly points out they are on sale at the local hardware store…and “why bother” to build one that probably costs more than the on sale, pre-made ones. he says there is “no reason to reinvent the wheel.”

No reason…to which the Amish father replies “Unless you’re trying to teach your son how to use a hammer and saw…Unless you want to give your son skills he can use for a lifetime. Unless…you’re trying to to teach him to build things that last. To take pleasure in his work…those good talks a father and son have while they’re working together, side by side.” If you don’t mind missing those things, then sure, buy the hutch.”

I loved this story. As a family, we really try to have family time and teach our children useful skills. But, we are somewhat “in” the culture and our time is divided and we are busy. I often think of things I would like to learn and teach “when I have time.”

This story reminded me that I do have a set amount of time, and I choose how to use it…and I need to remember to judge not just the immediate value of an item or job…but the long term value of some choices–to learn to sew together rather than find a good deal shopping, for example.

Now, that took alot from me to decide to try to sew, because I hate it and have never done it! So, you can say this book has had a profound effect on me, hahaha!

Anyway, I have tons to say about this book, but my post is already so long. Shoot. But, mainly, I encourage you to take a look into a simpler world and see what you can take from it and enjoy.

The Official Word:

Suzanne Woods Fisher is thrilled to announce the release of Amish Values for Your Family: What We Can Learn from the Simple Life her latest non-fiction release.

“It offers loving ways to bring your fractured home back to life-Amish style. Read it and apply generously! It’s a beautiful book-funny, charming, soulful, and beautiful.” -Mary Ann Kirkby

For readers who long for strong families that know how to truly enjoy life together, there is much to learn from the Amish. Values like community, forgiveness, simple living, obedience, and more can be your family legacy–without selling your car, changing your wardrobe, or moving out to farm country.

In Amish Values for Your Family, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher shows how you can adopt the wisdom of the Amish when it comes to family matters. In this inspiring and practical book readers will find charming true stories interlaced with solid, biblical advice about parenting, marriage, and all aspects of family life. As readers get an intimate glimpse into the everyday lives of real Amish families, they will learn to prioritize what’s truly important, simplify decision-making, slow down as a family, safeguard time together, and let go when the time comes.

Read the reviews here.

To celebrate the release of Amish Values for Your Family, Suzanne has teamed up her publisher Revell Books to giveaway a Kindle, and with Bill Coleman (the amazing photographer used on Suzanne’s book covers) to give away a signed Bill Coleman original.

One Grand Prize winner will receive an Amish Values Prize Package (valued at over $200) and includes:
* A brand new KINDLE
* A Signed Bill Coleman original
* Amish Values for Your Family (for KINDLE)

Enter 8/15 – 8/31!

Winner will be announced on 9/2 at Suzanne’s blog. Be sure to stop by the blogs on Suzanne’s blog tour – many have copies of Amish Values for Your Family to give away.

But, wait there’s more! Suzanne is running a Bill Coleman caption contest during the month of August on her blog. Title one of Bill’s gorgeous photos for a chance to win a print from Bill’s Amish Photo site and/or a copy of Amish Values for Your Family.

I received this book for review from LitFuse.