 This page may contain affiliate links. Email subscribers will want to click back to the direct link of this post in order to view the videos and enter my giveaway using the Rafflecopter entry form. Our lives are so busy. Thoughts of Christmas arriving in about eight weeks has, during certain years of my life, made me anxious inside. Will the house be decorated enough, in a comfortable way? Will I have the Christmas cards and photos ready to send out at least a week before Christmas? Will the Christmas baking and holiday dinner be ready?  Reading this new book, The Sparkle Box, from Ideals Publications and Books, really places Christmas into perspective. And not only Christmas, but every day of our lives. Over the years, I've learned to minimize some of my expectations of the "trappings" of Christmas. If the cards don't get mailed until after Christmas, that's okay. I've reduced the amount of decorating I do around the house, and we do a lot less Christmas shopping than we used to do. The Sparkle Box arrived here at my home a couple of weeks ago, and it is a delightful, beautiful book that will touch the hearts of you and your children. I love books that have deep, meaningful insight - especially children's books with their beautiful artwork. If you would like to share a deeper meaning to the holiday of Christmas - Christ's birth - and loving others, I wholeheartedly recommend that you consider getting your own copy of The Sparkle Box to share with your family, especially if you have younger children (written for ages 4-8, although my girls and I loved it, too!) The Sparkle Box is not only a beautiful children's story, but it also comes with a Sparkle Box for your family to use! This is such a meaningful and easy way to encourage your family to take a different view of Christmas! At The Sparkle Box website, they have provided readers with beautiful PDF copies of Sparkle Box Chore Charts, directions on how to make a Sparkle Jar, and Sparkle Box gift ideas as well as a Sparkle Box coloring page and ideas on how to use the Sparkle Box book in your family. Wonderful! Take a peek: Here is the touching story of a young boy who unknowingly participates in a powerful new Christmas tradition: honoring Jesus on His birthday by giving to others. Sam is so excited about Christmas! He's thinking about his Christmas list, looking forward to holiday parties, and puzzling over one very mysterious gift: a sparkly box sitting on the mantel. In the midst of the festivities, Sam and his family participate in various acts of kindness to others. On Christmas morning, when Sam finally opens the Sparkle Box, he finds only slips of paper that record the family's good deeds. Sam's mom explains that the things that they've been doing are, in fact, a gift for Jesus, for Jesus said that whatever we do for those in need, we do for Him.
I received one hardbound copy of The Sparkle Box in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was provided.
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Book Review from Joy In Our Journey: Laurie Eakes has written a rollicking new novel, A Flight of Fancy, set in Victorian England. Eakes has presented a puzzle of a story. What does a girl who wears glasses and who is more interested in engineering and balloon flights over the countryside than in a "peer of the realm" have that makes the earl so interested in her? Could it be her dowry? It isn't much, but his mills and estate do need money. But then there was that passionate kiss in his carriage, when who knows what might have happened if the ruffians had not attacked them and caused her legs to be burned. Now that her legs are scarred for life, there is even less of a reason for him to want anything to do with her. These are the things about which Cassandra wonders. It's not that he isn't good looking, he is, and most girls would give up their new ball gowns to be sought out by him. Especially Regina who shows up on the doorstep with some cousins and makes no secret about her interest in Geoffrey. Who knows where she came from and just what is her plan? Questions beset the earl too. Why does someone want to kill him? Why are the ruffians destroying the mills that are the source of their income? Who are these people anyway? Then there is Cassandra. Why ever does she want to travel so high up in the air, in of all things an air filled balloon, when even the upstairs balcony causes him to feel just a little sea sick? Why can't she see that he loves her? How will he ever get her to believe he loves her in spite of her glasses and scars. These problems and questions are interestingly solved in this light-hearted, fun to read novel, A Flight of Fancy by Laurie Eakes. A Flight of Fancy is available October 2012 at your favorite bookseller - from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
I received one paperback copy of A Flight of Fancy in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was provided.
Ever been there? I know gals who don't even check their email anymore. They receive so many emails per week that it makes them feel like they are going to drown from it all. So they just practice avoidance - and I don't blame them at all. And not all of these emails, newsletters, and messages are bad. Occasionally, they are downright inspiring. But sometimes, in our overwhelming moments in life, we need to just hit [DELETE] and not feel guilty about it, right? There have even been bloggers and Christian ministries to which I've unsubscribed, just because I can't handle receiving so many emails - even if they are applicable to my life. Today, though, I've been introduced to a ministry whose goal is to create an online community by actively listening to and educating people about work, life, and God. The High Calling's motto is, “Every day conversations about work, life, and God.” 
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So far now, I'm going to look forward to receiving The High Calling's weekly messages in my email inbox.
And leaving a final thought with you, here's an article from The High Calling that resounds with me: Ten Commandments of Talking Politics on Social Media. During political elections, yes, we should be active as Christians and vote as part of our citizenship in the United States, but we need to do this in a manner that shows our faith in Christ as well:
Are you a part of The High Calling's daily or weekly email updates? If so, how have they impacted your life?
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This post is sponsored by The High Calling.org and Handlebar Marketing, who have provided me with compensation in exchange for my time and efforts in writing this post. However, what you read here is my honest opinion of this website and newsletters. If I didn't like what I saw, I'd have let you know.
Uh-oh. I'm in trouble with my girls! They reminded me this week that I haven't been sharing about my family with you lately. Instead, it's been quite a few fiction book reviews, an occasional giveaway, and once in a while, a curriculum review. Not so bad...but not very personal, either. Oops!
We've been educating our girls at home for over 10 years now. Wow - over a decade. Seems impossible! Over the years, while we've encouraged the girls to pursue their interests, we've also tried to minimize the amount of activities in which they participate. We've never wanted to be driving children around every day of the week to various activities, events, and lessons.
Because it not only sucks the life outta you, all that gasoline is expensive!
Well, this year is unique. We have something going on almost every day of the week this year. I'm so not used to this - and this is why I haven't taken the time to share as much with you about my family life. Here's what's been going on since school began almost 8 weeks ago:
We've been educating our girls at home for over 10 years now. Wow - over a decade. Seems impossible! Over the years, while we've encouraged the girls to pursue their interests, we've also tried to minimize the amount of activities in which they participate. We've never wanted to be driving children around every day of the week to various activities, events, and lessons.
Because it not only sucks the life outta you, all that gasoline is expensive!
Well, this year is unique. We have something going on almost every day of the week this year. I'm so not used to this - and this is why I haven't taken the time to share as much with you about my family life. Here's what's been going on since school began almost 8 weeks ago:
 Brittany ~ our new 7th grader! |  Do we really have to start our school torture treatments again? Nooooo..... |  Kelsi ~ our new 9th grader! |
We began our school year in accordance with the local public school schedule, the day after Labor Day. Why? We don't HAVE to. We aren't REQUIRED to. We can choose to structure our school year however we see fit.
But since we live 12 feet from the public school property next door to us, and they can actually see us walking around in our living room through our big windows, we just follow their basic schedule. It's easier that way. I don't get teachers calling social services because my kids aren't "in class".
The girls like it this way because they don't have to take out the trash until after 2:15 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Or do any outdoor chore until after the public school has released for the day. Ha!
A new plan this year:
When we first began homeschooling - oh, so long ago - we worked on every subject together. As the girls became successful readers and writers, and have learned their basic math facts, I have released one subject or portion of a subject to them each school year for them to work on their own, mostly without me. Our goal for the girls has been to teach them how to work independently and how to structure their time well.
But I still feel strongly that one of the #1 blessings of being able to homeschool is that we have the unique privilege to nurture and maintain a very strong relationship with our children, even if they are pre-teens and teens. Think about it: I'm able to spend 92+ waking hours each week with my girls. If they were away at school each day, the number of our hours together would be closer to 55 hours each week, and about 10-14 hours of that would be spent watching them (or helping them) do their homework.
I don't write this to make anyone guilty. Educating a child at home is a huge commitment, and the desire to home educate really needs to come from the Lord and a united parental decision if it's going to work well. But when I realize that I would spend 40% less hours each week with my children if they went to school next door or were dropped off at the high school each day, my time with them would be much more limited. And over 13 years of schooling, well, that's a lot of hours lost when I could have been building relationship with my girls!
I find that to be very humbling. I am so blessed to be married to Elmer, who gives up his desires for a bigger house, a boat, vacations away, and a lot more, just so I can stay home with our girls and educate them as the Lord has shown us to do.
In the midst of all those blessings, we still need to have a plan for our school days.
This year, we are still doing history lessons, geography, and writing together, most of the time. Our geography and writing curriculum require teacher involvement. The girls could do their own history readings, etc., but since I love history, we choose to do these lessons together.
This year, because Kelsi started high school (!), I decided it was about time to get down to business and lay out structured lesson plans for her every week.
Just so you don't go thinking that she hasn't done any schoolwork for the last 9 years, she has. In fact, amazingly, without me doing much in the way of lesson planning, she has accomplished a lot! But since every homeschooler (and those who don't homeschool) just KNOWS that high school has to really count, we decided we'd better do some structured lesson planning - just to make it seem more official.
Here's Kelsi's weekly planner. You'll notice that it doesn't tell her what time of the day to complete her schoolwork. Here's why: how many jobs and careers tell you what you need to do every 30 minutes of the day? Yes, there are a few: doctors, teachers, and teachers.
:)
But for most people, they keep in mind a list of tasks and duties that need to be accomplished, and they prioritize them in their heads and work on them throughout the day until they are finished. If I tell my daughters what to do every 30 minutes of the school day, they'll have a harder time learning how to prioritize and schedule things for themselves. And this will be important to know how to do when they arrive at college or at a new job. So...their weekly planners identify what needs to be accomplished by Sunday evening each week.
Their goal is to complete each day's task on the appropriate day, but sometimes things happen to make that more difficult. When something slows them down, they know that it all must be finished by Sunday evening when I start a new week's lesson plans.
Occasionally, some days are lighter than other days. For example, on this particular schedule, the load was a bit lighter on Monday because we drove out of town after lunch to visit with friends and to attend a Newsboys concert with them. The girls still accomplished their required work for the week, but I chose to spread it out over various days so it would be easier to finish. Thursdays are a bit lighter with their workload because Kelsi is involved in Homeschool Spanish and Youth Orchestra rehearsals. And, once a month, we also have Homeschool Skating on a Thursday...the Thursday shown on this schedule. You can clearly see that some days aren't as full as others - and this is intentional. Yet the girls are still getting all of their work done each week. Yeah!
We're busier this year!
I mentioned that we are just busier this year than we have been in the past. It's true. Kelsi, our 9th grader, has been playing the violin for around 7 years now. She continues with weekly private lessons and participating in our county youth orchestra. This month, she added rehearsals for the local chamber orchestra to her schedule. While it is quite an honor to be asked to participate in the youth orchestra while still in high school, it keeps her busier. Her practice times are longer now each day, and she's away from home for more rehearsals and concerts. She loves it, though! She is so inspired by music!
Kelsi also has two students that meet with her weekly for violin lessons. Teaching music lessons is such a nice, easy way to earn some spending money. In Kelsi's case, she puts almost all of it into her bank account after she sets aside some for a tithe. She is such a little saver!
Both girls are in a free worship dance class just a few blocks from our home - actually on the same street as our home. This lasts for one hour, once a week. About every 6-8 weeks or so, they'll share the gift of worship dance during a worship service at that church in both Sunday services. I love the fact that they are able to dance in a modest yet expressive manner and that it is also a gift of community service to this church.
Brittany has piano lessons once a week with a retired music teacher. We've been friends with him and his wife for many years now. Brittany's only in her third year of piano, but is learning so quickly! No, she's not a child prodigy, but she is an excellent sight reader and often pushes herself to learn difficult music just for fun! We have to tune our piano more often these days because she plays almost every day of the week.
Mid-week, the girls and Elmer take off to church to help with our church's children's ministry program, Awana. My husband is in charge of this ministry. Both girls lead the opening singing from 6:00 - 6:30, and then Brittany helps with various groups of children for another half hour and then joins up with her youth group. Kelsi has been attending youth group but may transition to helping Dad with Awana as his fill-in helper, to help out wherever help is needed.
Kelsi is also in a new Spanish class for homeschooled high schoolers that I organized this school year. She's enjoying hanging out with around 10-12 other homeschooled high schoolers and learning Spanish together. While this does take us away from home for a couple of hours each week, it's been worth it to learn Spanish from a native speaker who is a former homeschoolin' mama, herself!
The girls will also start participating in our local Christian Youth In Action teen group in a couple of weeks. They generally help out once a month with a ministry or service project in order to raise funds for them to attend CYIA camp, where they learn how to effectively share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with children! The skills learned at CYIA help develop public speaking, volunteerism, leading songs, being a more effective storyteller, and more. This is such a worthwhile ministry!
Kelsi is also praying about joining our county's youth court program. She would volunteer several hours each week as a member of the youth court program, as an actual juror, or lawyer, or other positions in a courtroom, as teens are sentenced for actual crimes that they have committed. Since Kelsi {hearts} law and politics, this would be a good fit for her.
And then, of course, I plan homeschool teen activities for our local youth so they can have a fun social life during their junior high and high school years, too!
It keeps us busy, but we feel these are the activities in which we should be involved.
Next year? Who knows what it will look like. But for this school year, we are staying involved in more opportunities than we have in the past. And while as a family, we're generally busier, I'm generally less busy in a few ways, which I hope to talk about in the future.
If you've actually taken the time to read through what our school year looks like so far and what our girls are doing, please take a minute to comment below and let me know how you feel about children being involved in too many - or too few - after-school activities. How does your family decide what each child will do or not do during the school year?
Kelsi also has two students that meet with her weekly for violin lessons. Teaching music lessons is such a nice, easy way to earn some spending money. In Kelsi's case, she puts almost all of it into her bank account after she sets aside some for a tithe. She is such a little saver!
Both girls are in a free worship dance class just a few blocks from our home - actually on the same street as our home. This lasts for one hour, once a week. About every 6-8 weeks or so, they'll share the gift of worship dance during a worship service at that church in both Sunday services. I love the fact that they are able to dance in a modest yet expressive manner and that it is also a gift of community service to this church.
Brittany has piano lessons once a week with a retired music teacher. We've been friends with him and his wife for many years now. Brittany's only in her third year of piano, but is learning so quickly! No, she's not a child prodigy, but she is an excellent sight reader and often pushes herself to learn difficult music just for fun! We have to tune our piano more often these days because she plays almost every day of the week.
Mid-week, the girls and Elmer take off to church to help with our church's children's ministry program, Awana. My husband is in charge of this ministry. Both girls lead the opening singing from 6:00 - 6:30, and then Brittany helps with various groups of children for another half hour and then joins up with her youth group. Kelsi has been attending youth group but may transition to helping Dad with Awana as his fill-in helper, to help out wherever help is needed.
Kelsi is also in a new Spanish class for homeschooled high schoolers that I organized this school year. She's enjoying hanging out with around 10-12 other homeschooled high schoolers and learning Spanish together. While this does take us away from home for a couple of hours each week, it's been worth it to learn Spanish from a native speaker who is a former homeschoolin' mama, herself!
The girls will also start participating in our local Christian Youth In Action teen group in a couple of weeks. They generally help out once a month with a ministry or service project in order to raise funds for them to attend CYIA camp, where they learn how to effectively share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with children! The skills learned at CYIA help develop public speaking, volunteerism, leading songs, being a more effective storyteller, and more. This is such a worthwhile ministry!
Kelsi is also praying about joining our county's youth court program. She would volunteer several hours each week as a member of the youth court program, as an actual juror, or lawyer, or other positions in a courtroom, as teens are sentenced for actual crimes that they have committed. Since Kelsi {hearts} law and politics, this would be a good fit for her.
And then, of course, I plan homeschool teen activities for our local youth so they can have a fun social life during their junior high and high school years, too!
It keeps us busy, but we feel these are the activities in which we should be involved.
Next year? Who knows what it will look like. But for this school year, we are staying involved in more opportunities than we have in the past. And while as a family, we're generally busier, I'm generally less busy in a few ways, which I hope to talk about in the future.
If you've actually taken the time to read through what our school year looks like so far and what our girls are doing, please take a minute to comment below and let me know how you feel about children being involved in too many - or too few - after-school activities. How does your family decide what each child will do or not do during the school year?
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Chris Fabry wrote June Bug a couple of years ago, a book that all the "girls" in the family really enjoyed! Here I am, back with another book review of one of Chris Fabry's books. He writes on a hot topic, something that isn't so popular to write about: illegal immigration. Here's Borders of the Heart, by Chris Fabry. You'll see in my review, below, why I really like Chris Fabry's action-adventure books!
| J.D. Jessup is desperate to escape haunting memories, so he travels from Nashville to Tucson and volunteers on an organic farm. The hardened landowner has one prevailing rule: If J.D. sees an "illegal," call the border patrol. But during an early morning ride along the fence line, he comes upon a beautiful young woman named Maria, near death in the desert. J.D.'s heart pulls him in another direction other than "following orders." Longing to make amends for the choices that drove him to Tucson, J.D. hides Maria and unleashes a chain of deadly events he could never have imagined. Soon, they are running from a killer and fighting for their lives. As secrets of their past emerge, J.D. realizes that saving Maria may be the only way to save himself. |
Book "trailer" for Borders of the Heart:
Julieanne's Thoughts:
I get quite a few new books in the mail, sent to me for review purposes, but Chris Fabry is an author that I want to immediately pick up his books and start reading!
Forget the dirty dishes in the sink...
...the laundry awaiting me...
...and you say I have two children? That I'm supposed to be homeschooling?
Um, not right now - I'm busy reading Borders of the Heart!!!
Borders of the Heart is a quick read - that is, if you stay up late reading it past midnight like I did. Heh, heh. Who needs sleep, anyway? It's really overrated.
Not only is Borders of the Heart action-packed with the Mexican cartel, illegal immigration, shoot-outs, and the like, it also has the mention of rattlesnakes within the first two pages.
My mom started to read it and handed the book back to me. She doesn't do snakes. Even in books.
Well, snakes in real life aren't my favorite thing in the world, but I do fine with them when they're contained within words! Thankfully, there wasn't some freaky rattlesnake theme going on here throughout the book. Whew!
I don't want to give away the plot line of the book, but I do have to say that I very much appreciate reading a book that has everything I enjoy within the two covers: action, thought-provoking and inspiring words, seeing people change for the better, a godly message woven gently throughout, and no smut, swear words, or anything inappropriate - other than some people dying due to shootouts, stabbings, etc., which were tastefully written about. I'd feel comfortable having my junior high and high school daughters reading this book. If you like action-adventure books that both men and women would enjoy reading, this is a good one to consider.
Forget the dirty dishes in the sink...
...the laundry awaiting me...
...and you say I have two children? That I'm supposed to be homeschooling?
Um, not right now - I'm busy reading Borders of the Heart!!!
Borders of the Heart is a quick read - that is, if you stay up late reading it past midnight like I did. Heh, heh. Who needs sleep, anyway? It's really overrated.
Not only is Borders of the Heart action-packed with the Mexican cartel, illegal immigration, shoot-outs, and the like, it also has the mention of rattlesnakes within the first two pages.
My mom started to read it and handed the book back to me. She doesn't do snakes. Even in books.
Well, snakes in real life aren't my favorite thing in the world, but I do fine with them when they're contained within words! Thankfully, there wasn't some freaky rattlesnake theme going on here throughout the book. Whew!
I don't want to give away the plot line of the book, but I do have to say that I very much appreciate reading a book that has everything I enjoy within the two covers: action, thought-provoking and inspiring words, seeing people change for the better, a godly message woven gently throughout, and no smut, swear words, or anything inappropriate - other than some people dying due to shootouts, stabbings, etc., which were tastefully written about. I'd feel comfortable having my junior high and high school daughters reading this book. If you like action-adventure books that both men and women would enjoy reading, this is a good one to consider.
Chapter 1 of Borders of the Heart:
| Chris Fabry is an award-winning author and radio personality who hosts the daily program Chris Fabry Live! on Moody Radio. He is also heard on Love Worth Finding, Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, and other radio programs. A 1982 graduate of the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University and a native of West Virginia, Chris and his wife, Andrea, now live in Arizona and are the parents of nine children. Chris' novels, which include Dogwood, June Bug, Almost Heaven, and Not in the Heart, have won two Christy Awards and an ECPA Christian Book Award, but it's his lyrical prose and tales of redemption that keep readers returning for more. He has also published more than 65 other books, including nonfiction and novels for children and young adults. He coauthored the Left Behind: The Kids series with Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye, as well as the Red Rock Mysteries and The Wormling series with Jerry B. Jenkins. RPM is his latest series for kids and explores the exciting world of NASCAR. |
Author Q & A about Chris Fabry:
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Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with one copy of Borders of the Heart in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation has been provided.
| Seeing how successful her older sister's "mail order marriage" has been, and longing to strike out on her own, Greta Olsen answers an ad for a mail order bride in Central City, Colorado. However, when she meets Jess Gifford, owner of a thriving mercantile, she begins to harbor doubts. He didn't place the ad to begin with, and his business in a busy mining town leaves him little time or energy for love. To compound her troubles, she was not the only bride to answer the ad! |
| Maggie Brendan hosted a writers' critique group in her home for years and has won the 2004 Atlanta Persistence Award from the American Christian Writers. When she's not writing, in her spare time, she likes to paint and scrapbook, and be with her four grandchildren. She's also a member of a large sanctuary choir. Maggie resides in Georgia. |
Twice Promised is a funny, joyous story of two young women, strangers who met on a train, and who discovered how they were both answering to a request from the same man for a mail-order bride! Furious at first, they were too far into their adventure to immediately turn back, and decided to play along and find out what would happen. This story takes place in the 1880’s in a town in the Colorado Rockies, and is full of some amazing surprises.
While mail-order brides were becoming common-place in these rural western communities, the fact that the intended groom knew nothing about these women coming to meet him poses a significant problem. It is actually the “groom’s” brother who instigated the letters to both women, inviting them to come so that the brother would have a chance to “look them over” and eventually choose one.
When both brothers become attracted to the women, the adventure really takes a turn; they all sort out their feelings and try to make things come out right. It is a huge challenge to make it work; the men are hooked but have a lot of things to work out in their own lives.
There are a number of important characters in this story, in addition to the two women (Greta and Cora) and the brothers (Jess and Zach). The townspeople, Granny, and Caleb, a one-time robber who becomes quite conformed to civilized living by the four main characters, and a little dog, Rascal, all contribute to making this a delightful and meaningful story. All the personalities have an important part to play and make the reading of this novel delightful. Naturally, there are some tragedies and disappointments along the way, but the best is saved for last!
While mail-order brides were becoming common-place in these rural western communities, the fact that the intended groom knew nothing about these women coming to meet him poses a significant problem. It is actually the “groom’s” brother who instigated the letters to both women, inviting them to come so that the brother would have a chance to “look them over” and eventually choose one.
When both brothers become attracted to the women, the adventure really takes a turn; they all sort out their feelings and try to make things come out right. It is a huge challenge to make it work; the men are hooked but have a lot of things to work out in their own lives.
There are a number of important characters in this story, in addition to the two women (Greta and Cora) and the brothers (Jess and Zach). The townspeople, Granny, and Caleb, a one-time robber who becomes quite conformed to civilized living by the four main characters, and a little dog, Rascal, all contribute to making this a delightful and meaningful story. All the personalities have an important part to play and make the reading of this novel delightful. Naturally, there are some tragedies and disappointments along the way, but the best is saved for last!
Twice Promised is available October 2012 at your favorite bookseller - from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
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I received one copy of Twice Promised in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was provided.
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| Lynette Eason is the author of several romantic suspense novels, including Too Close to Home, Don't Look Back, A Killer Among Us and When the Smoke Clears. She is a member of American Fiction Christian Writers and Romance Writers of America. A homeschooling mother of two, she has a master's degree in education from Converse College. She lives in South Carolina. |
Just last week I finished reading a interesting, new to me, mystery trilogy by Lynette Easton, when I received her newest book, When a Heart Stops. This is book two in her new trilogy, Deadly Reunions. When a Heart Stops is a fast-paced book with a truly surprising ending.
Serena Hopkins is a medical examiner, and Dominic Allen is a FBI agent. Together, they must try to stop the killer who leaves no evidence, except for a doll dressed to resemble the victim, at the scene of his crimes. It seems as if at every turn the killer has again been one step ahead of the duo. Serena is sure that she is safe until her home is invaded and she is in the line of fire. What is it going to take to find a killer, who seems to be killing people just for the fun of it? Is it a weird game that he is playing, or is there a pattern to the crimes?
I appreciated the fast pace of the story and the hints that the author gives to help the reader solve the puzzle. I did wish that I had read book one of the series first, as there were several references to the first book characters which left me a little puzzled as to whom some of the characters were. The reader should be aware that the book is a little intense in one or two places, and might not be the best choice for a younger reader. Nonetheless, this was a great read for those of us who love a good mystery.
Serena Hopkins is a medical examiner, and Dominic Allen is a FBI agent. Together, they must try to stop the killer who leaves no evidence, except for a doll dressed to resemble the victim, at the scene of his crimes. It seems as if at every turn the killer has again been one step ahead of the duo. Serena is sure that she is safe until her home is invaded and she is in the line of fire. What is it going to take to find a killer, who seems to be killing people just for the fun of it? Is it a weird game that he is playing, or is there a pattern to the crimes?
I appreciated the fast pace of the story and the hints that the author gives to help the reader solve the puzzle. I did wish that I had read book one of the series first, as there were several references to the first book characters which left me a little puzzled as to whom some of the characters were. The reader should be aware that the book is a little intense in one or two places, and might not be the best choice for a younger reader. Nonetheless, this was a great read for those of us who love a good mystery.
When a Heart Stops is available as of October 2012 at your favorite bookseller - from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
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Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, provided me with one copy of When a Heart Stops in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was provided.
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Autumn is my favorite time of year! I love cool mornings and evenings, the sound of dried leaves skittering across the sidewalk, the colors of the trees. It's so refreshing to have a change in seasons, and here in the Pacific Northwest, we do see a nice change every few months!
Autumn decorations have been available in our local stores for months now...some were being displayed and sold as early as July 5th. Yikes!
But it's difficult to find autumn/fall decorations that share a biblical worldview. I saw an idea like this from D. Martin, in her "Christian Fall Decorations" for sale on CurrClick.com, but I wanted decor that had a muted look to it and that used Scripture verses in a translation that would be easily understandable, even to those who don't read Shakespeare. So, I decided to design my own set!
Autumn decorations have been available in our local stores for months now...some were being displayed and sold as early as July 5th. Yikes!
But it's difficult to find autumn/fall decorations that share a biblical worldview. I saw an idea like this from D. Martin, in her "Christian Fall Decorations" for sale on CurrClick.com, but I wanted decor that had a muted look to it and that used Scripture verses in a translation that would be easily understandable, even to those who don't read Shakespeare. So, I decided to design my own set!
You are welcome to print these off for your own family use. They'll print well on cardstock or index paper, and you may choose to laminate them if you'd like, for years of use. Please note the copyright on the downloads, and use them for your own personal family use only. These are not available for sharing over the internet, on another website, etc. Thanks!
NOTE: For some of you, including myself, these printable pages aren't showing up for you to print off. If you can't seem to see them or print them, please go to my alternative page that should work better for you:
Thanks!
Julieanne
Thanks!
Julieanne
Here are some other biblical seasonal decorations I have available for you to download and use!
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| Twin brothers Arion and Argo are scared. They have spent most of their lives shipwrecked on the lonely, gray island of Terrene with their ship's captain, and now he is leaving and they cannot imagine life on Terrene without him. He is going to Bluestone, a place where the birds always sing and the grass is ever green. He tells them he is going to prepare a place for them in Bluestone. Then he will come back for them, and they will all go to Bluestone together. Though Bluestone sounds like a wonderful place, the boys find it difficult to wait for the captain on Terrene. The island is so gray that it is hard for them to imagine the vibrant colors of Bluestone. Soon they grow tired of watching and waiting for their captain, and it is hard for them to remember his voice. Can they really believe that he will come back for them? To do so they must have faith-they must see with their hearts, not their eyes. Will the captain really come back for Arion and Argo like he promised? And will the boys be ready for his return? |
Are you familiar with Max Lucado?
Max Lucado has been a pastor, speaker, and author since, well, before I graduated from high school! I've heard him preach on the radio, and as a family, we've enjoyed some of his many books together. He is an author who writes with purpose. Even his children's books aren't written to be "fluffy" and meaningless. Each page has definite meaning and purpose, and I love this! If I wrote children's books, this is the style in which I would write them!
Most importantly, Max Lucado's books point people to God in a way that makes a person really ponder and meditate.
Most importantly, Max Lucado's books point people to God in a way that makes a person really ponder and meditate.
| About the author, Max Lucado: Max’s writings have been published in a wide array of formats including adult books, gift books, children’s titles, Bibles, commentaries, calendars and devotionals. He is also the author/creator of “Max Lucado’s Hermie & Friends” brand family, one of the most popular animated DVD series in the marketplace, with more than 5 million units sold to date. His words have also inspired a branded line of greeting cards and gift books for Hallmark/Dayspring that has sold more than 15 million copies since its 2001 debut. He is currently serving as a contributing editor for Leadership Journal magazine. | 
Max Lucado is a Minister of Preaching at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio,where he has served since 1988. He has been married to Denalyn Preston Lucado since 1981, and they have three grown daughters—Jenna, Andrea and Sara—and one son-in-law, Brett. |
Here's a list of just the CHILDREN'S books that Max Lucado has written. I think this is impressive! (The titles in bold are books that either our family owns or has read from our church library):
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We've enjoyed every single Max Lucado book we've ever read. He often writes about heaven in terms that children can understand.
Coming Home is 32 pages filled with beautiful artwork and text. Here are two samples, but please note that these are not quite as vibrant as the actual book pages' colors:
The biblical message found within the 32 pages of Coming Home is that Jesus has returned to heaven, is building a heavenly home for us there, and will return for us in the future to bring us to heaven with Him. It is a delightful picture of the emotions a child or an adult will go through when choosing to wait and follow Christ or decide to choose a worldly lifestyle and not follow Christ.
It would be nice to have a family library full of Max Lucado's books! In handing down our Christian faith to our children, it is a blessing to be able to surround them with biblical, thoughtful books to help renew their minds and then their hearts.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading through this short but beautiful book. I know you'll enjoy Coming Home, too!
Do you have a favorite biblical children's author or set of titles that you enjoy sharing with your children or grandchildren?
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I was provided with one hardbound copy of Coming Home in exchange for my honest review of this book. No other compensation was provided.
| "It's crazy how God works," says Kyle Sherman. "Five years ago, I pushed pretty hard to do my own thing as a singer-songwriter, but every well I approached would dry up. It clearly wasn't the right time." Kyle continued on a path of leading worship, taking a full-time role as worship leader at Lifechurch.TV's Fort Worth campus under the leadership of renowned pastor/author Craig Groeschel. Just 3-years later, Kyle came back to Nashville, pouring his heart into a microphone at Sony Studio with veteran producer and country singer-songwriter Mark Collie, making his first album. God is faithful. Hear Me, the result of those sessions, is an eclectic and authentic mix of rootsy, southern soul. |
I love receiving new Christian CDs to add to my home music collection! Hear Me is more of a worship style, with some pop rock added in for variety. We are enjoying this CD because the words are easy to understand and follow. It's not distracting to me, and I enjoy the solid sound of Kyle Sherman's voice and the band. I think you'll like this!
Hey, y'all, let's go ahead and give away a new CD copy of
Kyle Sherman's CD: "Hear Me"!
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I was provided with one MP3 copy and one CD copy of the new album, "Hear Me" by Kyle Sherman, in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was provided.
Hi! I'm Julieanne!
You'll find me in the kitchen
trying new Trim Healthy Mama recipes, loving God, and carrying out that love as I bless my husband and teen daughters.
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