Grace Card

Grace Card is truly a movie that our whole family (well minus the girls that were in bed already) enjoyed. The story is sad - a family loses their son at a young age through an accident - the rest of their time as a family is spent dealing with that loss - everyone handles it differently - from the Dad that is full of anger and pours himself into work to the teenage son that feels the only way to handle it is to act out and get in trouble. It is hard to watch - the extreme sadness that comes after their loss, but their is hope - and that is what makes this movie so powerful! LOVE the idea of a Grace Card - watch and you will see what I mean. Truly a redemptive film - we enjoyed it!

Visit the website or the Facebook page.

*I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Over the Top

Yep, it was just what I needed!! I am SO grateful to BookSneeze and Women of Faith for this amazing opportunity!!

It just blessed me to the core - from the music to the speakers to time away with my dear friend - I felt refreshed and ready to tackle the world - oh, I guess that was literal since we "tackled the world" on the way home when we hit a mammoth deer and nearly totaled our van. UGH - but praise God for the uplifting time we had BEFORE the run-in!!!

I met some other BookSneeze bloggers - that is ALWAYS FUN!!

Got to visit the BIG CITY!!

It was a wonderful weekend - they treat you right - from the little things....

To the big things - like amazing speakers and music!! I encourage you to take advantage of this if it comes near you - it is worth every minute!!

One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street

What do an empty lot, an orange tree, and a rock shaped like a heart have to do with this book?? All I can say is you will want to read it to find out!! Joanne Rocklin has SCORED with her latest novel for readers ages 8-12! One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street is just superb. I loved everything about it - it is a tender story and yet funny and completely enjoyable! It has everything our young readers can relate to - family themes, friendship, mystery, and lots of humor. Kids will relate to this touching story. It's a fast read but almost TOO fast for me - I did not want it to end!! Share this one with a young reader today - they will LOVE it!

Amish Values for Your Family

I have read some of Suzanne Woods Fisher's books - fiction stories of the Amish - but I was not familiar with her non-fiction titles on the Amish. I was pleasantly surprised - I thoroughly enjoyed Amish Values for Your Family. It is simple, down to earth advice - everyday issues and encounters that we face and then thoughts of how we might handle them differently with an example from the Amish way of life. I was challenged to think about how I handle relationships, family issues, my focus on material things - all different areas of life that are worth thinking over and knowing where you stand. I loved the humor in the book - the gentle voice it is told in isn't harsh, but gives you MUCH to think over. There is no push to "go Amish" but it is about adopting some simple principles and ideas from the Amish that may help change who we are - for the better. It is a fast read, but it is guaranteed to get you thinking!

Here are some words from Suzanne herself:

Five Things I’ve Learned from the Amish that Have Nothing to Do with being Amish and Have Everything to Do with being a Christian:

Being Amish is not a lifestyle. Life among the Amish has to do with faith. Faith can’t be squeezed to an hour or two on Sunday morning; it infuses their entire life like a teabag in hot water. What they do and how they do it is rooted in the spiritual question: What is pleasing to God?

Amish proverb: “Letting go of earthly possessions enables us to take hold of heavenly treasures.”

The Lesson: To pray about my day’s activities and offer them to God, first, for His purposes. And then trusting interruptions (seeing a friend in the grocery store, for example) or de-railings (those days when everything goes wrong!) to be God-managed.

Cherish your family. A family that works together, grows together. Amish families spend a lot of time together and try to keep their work close to home. Children are valued as gifts from God, wanted and enjoyed. They’re included in all of Amish life—from barn raisings to three-hour church services. An Amish bishop once said, "We don't prepare our children for the future, we prepare our children for eternity."

Amish proverb: “Tomorrow’s world will be shaped by what we teach our children today.”

The Lesson: Involving children in chores and activities may not be the most convenient or efficient way to accomplish a task, but the benefits are long lasting. Look for ways to get everybody involved—cook together, sweep out the garage together, set the table together. And have fun while you’re doing it!

Draw a land in the sand. The Amish want to be good stewards of God’s resources—time, money, material goods. They know that convenience comes with a cost. They don’t want to be dependent on outside sources (such as electricity or gas!). Convenience means loss of something valuable. For example, fast food means less nutrition. More stuff means more maintenance. They’re willing to say no.

Amish proverb: “Things that steal our time are usually the easiest to do.”

The Lesson: Technology has its limits. And technology isn’t all good. Evaluate purchases more thoughtfully. Think of where a purchase or an added expense will lead your family. More time together or less? More stress or less? Reframe your view of time and money and goods as God’s resources.

Watch Your Words. The Amish continually stress the importance of filtering their speech.

Amish proverb: “Words break no bones, but they can break hearts” and “Mincing your words makes it easier if you have to eat them later.”

The Lesson: Say less. Prayer more.

Nothing replaces face-to-face visits. Back in the day when telephones emerged on the scene, the Amish bishops made a deliberate decision to keep the telephone out of the house. They didn’t want to interrupt family life. But they drop everything for a face-to-face visit.

Amish proverb: “Use friendship as a drawing account, but don’t forget to make a deposit.”

The Lesson: Nurture relationships by investing face-to-face time in them. No technology can substitute for the real thing.

Honor the Sabbath. An Amish person would never think of working on a Sunday. But it’s more than that—they truly cherish their Sabbath. They spend time on Saturday to make Sunday a smooth and easy day.

Amish proverb: “Many things I have tried to grasp and have lost. That which I have placed in God’s hands I still have.”

The Lesson: Strive to make Sunday a different day than other days. A day of rest is important on so many levels—time to worship, time to reflect, time to re-energize. A re-charge your battery day.

Suzanne Woods Fisher is a bestselling author of Amish fiction and non-fiction and the host of a weekly radio program called Amish Wisdom. Her most recent book, Amish Values for Your Family released in August. The Waiting is a finalist for a 2011 Christy Award. Amish Peace: Simple and Amish Proverbs were both finalists for the ECPA Book of the Year (2010, 2011). Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised Plain. Suzanne has a great admiration for the Plain people and believes they provide wonderful examples to the world. When Suzanne isn't writing or bragging to her friends about her first new grandbaby (!), she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To Suzanne's way of thinking, you just can't take life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth. Keep up on Suzanne's latest news on Facebook, Twitter and on her blog!

Suzanne Woods Fisher is thrilled to announce the release of Amish Values for Your Family, 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

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)


Click on one of the icons to enter. 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 was provided a copy of the book by the publisher for review purposes.

Mugabe and the White African

There are some books that you would rather not read - they are too raw, too true, and too difficult to read. This is one of them - but it is also one, that when you are done, you are spurred on to try to do all you can to fight for justice and truth! Ben Freeth tells his story of fighting for justice in Mugabe and the White African. It is the true story of Freeth's struggle to keep his farm in Zimbabwe, even though a corrupt leader, Mugabe, wants to reclaim all land that belongs to white people. This story was also the subject of a documentary that has the same name. The documentary was short listed for an Oscar in 2010. This is a story that we all need to be aware of - it happened, may even still be happening, and we can not hide our heads in the sand and pretend it isn't happening.

Here is what has also been said about the book - and some more pertinent information as well:

Ben Freeth has an extraordinary story to tell. Like that of many white farmers, his family's land was "reclaimed" for redistribution by Mugabe's government.

But Ben's family fought back. Appealing to international law, they instigated a suit against Mugabe's government in the SADC, the Southern African equivalent of NATO. The case was deferred time and again while Mugabe's men pulled strings. But after Freeth and his parents-in-law were abducted and beaten within inches of death in 2008, the SADC deemed any further delay to be an obstruction of justice. The case was heard, and was successful on all counts.

But the story doesn't end there. In 2009 the family farm was burned to the ground. The fight for justice in Zimbabwe is far from over--this book is for anyone who wants to see into the heart of one of today's hardest places and how human dignity flourishes even in the most adverse circumstances.

Read the press release for more: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs019/1101807863309/archive/1106690411054.html

The PBS debut of Mugabe and the White African, the award-winning documentary of the same name, was on July 26. Watch now at PBS: http://www.pbs.org/pov/mugabe/.

To learn more about the blog tour - go HERE.

*I was sent a copy of the book for review purposes by the publisher.

Across the Wide River

Stephanie Reed has written a novel that combines history and fiction to craft a story that will capture young and old alike. Across the Wide River tells the story of Lowry Rankin - a young boy that is heavily involved with the Underground Railroad. His story is intriguing - riveting really - all he goes through to move people along the railroad to safety comes out clearly in this story. All he gives up to be a part of this dangerous but important part of history is amazing - his story is eye-opening. What I loved about this book is that it is even based on the real Rankin family - and their involvement with the Underground Railroad. This would tie in so nicely with a unit on the Underground Railroad too - keep that in mind, all of you teachers!! The story is wonderfully told and would be just as poignant for a teen or an adult. Reed has written a sequel as well, The Light Across the River, and I am anxious to read that as well. I love it that you can experience this novel while you read and then go and follow the path in real life - don't miss Reed's website to see how to trace the Rankin route and continue on your own journey!

*I was sent a copy for review purposes by the publisher.

Love You More

Books that have anything to do with adoption call my name. I just love to read what others have to say about adoption and how it has worked for their family. So Jennifer Grant's book, Love You More, totally grabbed me. And it did not disappoint - Grant is honest and intuitive. She shares from her heart and does not sugar-coat either the process of adoption or life after adoption. I was smiling along at things that had been said to us as well or things we had experienced in our adoptions, but there were also points where I was empathizing with how Grant felt or reading how her Guatemalan adoption differed from our experiences. I learned a lot, I was reminded of much, and now am going to re-read it! I guarantee you will come away with something to chew on -

There is one quote in the book that I have shared with others already and it is making quite an impact:

"I read once that the best predictor of happiness in families who have adopted children is the parents' certainty that their children are meant to be theirs. Such parents are not just trying to be nice. They are not trying to work off a debt of guilt to the world's poor because they drive a Lexus or own a lake house. They are not trying to be faithful to their religion. Sure, one or more more of those things may also motivate or encourage them at various points in the process, but guilt and pity are not the primary reasons they want to adopt. No, these parents know, in some deep, spiritual, and authentic sense, that this is the way their family was meant to be created."

*I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes.

Growing Up Green

If you've ever entertained the idea of working alongside your child and exploring nature - you will LOVE this great guidebook! Charles E. Majuri's Growing Up Green is a "simple gardening book for children and adults". This is a small book packed with a lot of info. It starts with planning your garden out with your child, to activities for each month as you watch your plants grow, to teaching your children about plants, seeds, etc. This was an informative book - and had a lot of great ideas for sharing your love of gardening with the younger generation.

*I was provided a copy for review purposes by the publisher.

The Ultimate Top Secret Guide to Taking Over the World

Yep - this is it! The book that will keep kids laughing for hours! Kenn Nesbitt has teamed up with illustrator Ethan Long to create a book that is guaranteed to keep them laughing! The Ultimate Top Secret Guide to Taking Over the World is quite a read! Haven't we all wanted to take over the world!?!? Ok, maybe not, but let's just say you did - then this is definitely the read for you! (And raising three boys - I can safely say that this would have SCORED BIG TIME with them!!) But parents be warned - after your children read this book - life may not be the same...LOOK OUT!

For readers ages 9 and up.

*I was provided a copy for review purposes by the publisher.

2 GREAT Reads for Younger Readers

I was recently sent two books that you NEED to discover before the summer is over!

Hailey Twitch by Lauren Barnholdt is a fun young readers series with a wonderfully spunky main character by the name of Hailey. She is just a hilarious heroine and one with a fun secret that is "magical"! If your child enjoys the Clementine series or Moxy Maxwell books - I am sure they will thoroughly enjoy Hailey. Her latest book, Hailey Twitch and the Campground Itch will be a fun story for summer and even made me chuckle right out loud a few times!

If it's a boy reader that you need to please - Horrid Henry is where it's at! Francesca Simon's Horrid Henry series is one that boys devour. Horrid Henry is hilarious and a little bit mischievous - hmmm, sound like any boys you know!?!? This latest release, Horrid Henry Rocks - is no exception! Henry wants to go see his favorite band in the whole wide world, but his family gets tickets to "Daffy and Her Dancing Daisies" instead - yep, he handles it like any true rocker would!!

Both books are geared to readers ages 7-10 and are beginning chapter books.

*I was sent both of these titles for review purposes by the publisher.

It's a Giveaway!!!

Remember THIS post?? Well I STILL love the book, highly recommend it and NOW have a copy to give away!!

Here's what you need to do:

1 entry - post about this giveaway on your blog and leave a comment.

1 entry - Tweet it and leave a comment with your twitter "handle".

1 entry - post about this giveaway on Facebook and leave me a comment.

1 entry - "Like" In The Pages on Facebook and leave me a comment to let me know you did it!

The drawing will be held on Friday, August 19!! Stop back to find out if you've won your very own copy. Believe me, you want your own so you can mark it all up!!

I'll Be There

Some books just grab you and pull you right in - that is what Holly Goldberg Sloan's book I'll Be There did to me. This is the tender story of Sam and Riddle Border - brothers that live a hard life with an abusive, distant father. And Emily Bell - she lives a relatively easy life - she has money, she has a family - nothing too tough. When Emily meets Sam - the two connect and are drawn closer through circumstances around them as well. The story takes an incredible turn when Sam and Riddle's father snatches them out of their new, good life and takes them on a run away from authorities. That is when the challenge really begins for them - the challenge to survive. This is a wonderful story - the characters are strong and well-developed, the plot is gripping, and it doesn't stop until the very end! Sloan does a fabulous job of creating circles and tying unexpected events together in her novel - VERY well-crafted! Sometimes you just have to smile while you are reading when you see how everything fits together - HIGHLY recommend this one for our young and middle teens!


*I was sent a copy for review purposes by the publisher.

Mudkin

Stephen Gammell has done it again!! Mudkin, his latest picture book, is simply amazing and leaves it wide open for kids - just like I like it! This is an almost-wordless picture book that will keep the kids coming back over and over. What happens when a little girl goes out after a rain and begins to play in the mud? Well, she meets Mudkin, of course, and he asks her to be the queen of mud land. And so begins the wonderful adventures of kids and mud! And who doesn't love to play in mud, I ask?

*I was sent a copy to review by the publisher through NetGalley.

Dry As Rain

When I saw Gina Holmes had a new book coming out - I was ALL OVER that!! I SO enjoyed her novel, Crossing Oceans that I was pleased to see another novel written by Holmes! Her latest book, Dry as Rain, is another book that I could hardly put down. Holmes' writing style is real, fresh, and absorbing. She is honest and deals with real-life issues that resonate with the reader. Dry as Rain is the story of Eric and Kyra and their marriage that is dissolving. But when Kyra is in a car accident and loses her memory, it is as if Eric suddenly has a second chance to make things right in a marriage that was almost done. There are twists and turns - that is not the end of the book by any means! (Don't worry, I didn't give you any spoilers!) But as you watch Eric and Kyra try to trust and rebuild their marriage, it also challenges you, the reader, to think about how you deal with things in your own life - it may be fiction - but it can be a good challenge to us too!! You really come to be a part of the character's lives as you read - they are believable and real. I thought it was a super read - and I was sad to see it end - I'll be waiting for her next novel!

*I was provided a copy for review purposes by the publisher through NetGalley.

Women of Faith Blogger

Kind of pumped about THIS!!!

I just found out that I won tickets to Women of Faith - I was chosen as a blogger to attend and blog about the event!!! So in just two weeks I am off to get "fed" - See why I LOVE blogging!?!?

If you want to learn more about Women of Faith - just click on the link!

Mugabe and the White African

One family’s stand for Justice – catch the story on PBS 7/26!

I'll be blogging about the book Mugabe and the White African later this month, but I wanted to let you know that Point of View will air the documentary Mugabe and the White African on Tuesday, July 26th.

The film tells the story of Mike Campbell and his family of three generations of Zimbabwean farmers as they attempt to keep their farm under Mugabe's "land reform." Watch the trailer for the documentary below and visit the PBS Point of View website for your local listing. http://www.pbs.org/pov/tvschedule/

The book Mugabe and the White African (Lion Books, distributed by Kregel Publications, July 15, 2011, ISBN: 978-0-7459-5546-9, $14.95) written by Mike Campbell's son-in-law Ben Freeth provides more detail regarding the family's struggles and court battles.The book chronicles the deeply moving and life-threatening struggle of a Christian family from Zimbabwe to protect their legally owned farmland, to protect the lives and livelihoods of all those working on the farm, and to live to see justice.

Freeth lays bare a beautiful but lawless land fouled by fear. A 'Clockwork Orange' state where racism, greed, and violence are ultimately humbled by almost unimaginable courage. Richly described, bravely chronicled, and utterly compelling.

-Mike Thomson, Radio Foreign Affairs Correspondent, BBC

Ben Freeth has an extraordinary story to tell. Like that of many white farmers, his family's land was "reclaimed" for redistribution by Mugabe's government. But Ben's family fought back. Appealing to international law, they instigated a suit against Mugabe's government in the SADC, the Southern African equivalent of NATO. The case was deferred time and again while Mugabe's men pulled strings. But after Freeth and his parents-in-law were abducted and beaten within inches of death in 2008, the SADC deemed any further delay to be an obstruction of justice. The case was heard, and was successful on all counts.

But the story doesn't end there. In 2009 the family farm was burned to the ground. The fight for justice in Zimbabwe is far from over--this book is for anyone who wants to see into the heart of one of today's hardest places and how human dignity flourishes even in the most adverse circumstances.

Read an Excerpt (PDF)

Read the Press Release

True North

True North is a book that is a husband/wife collaboration by Gary and Lisa Heim. This is an honest, open look at how we can so often be disappointed by others in life. From page one, this book really resonated with me. People do disappoint - they will - they are human. But how we react to that disappointment is what will essentially form who we are. It might be our spouse, a dear friend, or even a child - but whomever it is - when we feel let down or disappointed in their reactions to a situation or to us, it is an opportunity for us to choose God. This was eye-opening to me - instead of being mad at the person, or saying unkind things to others to make them look bad - it is my choice to turn to God instead and put Him where He should be in my life - the one I turn to for everything - even my disappointment. John 16:33 states it pretty plainly, "In this world you will have trouble." It doesn't get much clearer than that. But it's how we react and deal with that "trouble" that determines who we will be. After reading this book, I am challenging myself - the next time I am tempted to be angry at a person for how they treated me - I want to refocus that all on Christ - let Him heal my wounds, and help me be a stronger person.

Highly recommend this one!!

*I was sent a copy for review purposes by Kregel Books for the True North Blog Tour.

Thirsting for God

Gary Thomas' Thirsting for God is unlike any book I have read. It is a fascinating look at what Christians throughout history have learned about living a life that is centered on God. They show us that a meaningful Christian life has nothing to do with things that come and go like fads and styles but everything to do with living a life that is fully focused on Christ and what He has for us. I was impressed that Thomas finds men and women from the 16th, 18th and 20th centuries to show us great examples of how to live a life that is totally focused on Christ - not sidetracked by things of this world that we THINK will make us happy. It is resonating deeply with me after having just read John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life. One of the quotes near the beginning of the book that really hit me was:

Therefore, Christian spirituality has more to do with what we receive than what we achieve. Our potential and activity depend entirely on God's work in our lives. If we set out to be achievers rather than receivers, we have not begun to follow God. Achievers call attention to themselves, whereas receivers lead others to appreciate the Giver. If we insist on being achievers, seeking God so that others might admire our faith, our commitment, or our dedication, we become God's competitors, trying to steal some of His glory.

I have not been disappointed by a Gary Thomas book yet - but this one really stands above to me. Great reminders given through Godly men and women of how we too, can live with a thirst for God above all else.

**I was sent a copy of this book for review purposes by a publicist but I was to give an honest opinion of the book for my review. Reviewed for ReadersFavorite.com.

BIG SALE!!!

I do not want you to miss these great offers if you enjoy these great download-able units!

1. Get Your Download N Go Full Year Set (on sale for $145)

This value-packed set includes:
o 36 one-week Download N Go studies
o the exclusive Birthday Bonanza unit study
o the all-new, 55-page, DNG Teacher's Guide
o Unit Studies 101
o a coupon which will allow your to purchase the upcoming Passport United Kingdom unit study for only $5

2. Build Your Best Year
o Choose any 6 studies, get 25% off
o Choose any 18 studies, get 35% off
o Choose any 36 studies, get 45% off

3. $5 Frenzy
Customize your year! July 19 - 29 (excluding weekends), check out the USAB Specials Page daily to find out which individual Download N Go and Unit Study Adventures studies will be a part of the frenzy.

What's In the Bible??

Well - we are trying to figure that out!! We have been watching through Phil Vischer's newest DVD series, What's in the Bible? We took these on vacation with us and the best "plug" I could ever give for them is that EVERYONE in our van was laughing - From the 5 year old to the 40 year old - the humor was there for all of us. (That's teenage boys included!!) AND I would daresay we also all learned something as well! This is just a fabulous series that teaches on each book of the Bible - background, setting, characters - it really is well put together. (And the Seminary-studied Dad here agrees as well!!) Highly recommend this great series - and, having just finished #5, we are anxiously awaiting #6 over here!!