Great Book for Little Girls

Princess Stories by Carolyn Larsen is a wonderful book for Young girls. First of all the book is about Princesses....what little girl is not going to love that! The Author gives a brief story about each of these women of the Bible including Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth,The Shunnamite Woman, The Woman at the Well,Esther, Mary the Mother of Jesus, and more. The stories go in order of the women's appearance in the Bible and shows connections between some of the women. After each story there are 3 questions about the story that the child is encouranged to answer. The first question is about the woman in the story, the second question encourages the child to relate the story to her own life, and the third lists a Bible verse for them to read and then asks how that verse relates to the theme of the story. For instance in the story of Hagar the 1st question is "How did Hagar know God had not forgotten her?" and the followup asks the child "How can you know that God has not forgotten you?" and the verse is Isaiah 44:21 "I, the Lord made you and I will not forget you."..and then asks "What does this say about God remembering his children?" The final story is about "The Special Princess"...the young Girl reading the book. And on top of the great content of this book, there are beautifully bright colors and gorgeous drawings of the Bible Princesses. This is a wonderful way to give young girls good images of women to use as role models. If you have any little girl in your life....give them this book!

I was given a copy of this book by Tyndale Publishing company in exchange for my honest review.

NLT Facebook page giveaway!

Dear Friends,
Wanted to let you know about a great giveaway happening over at the New Living Translation Facebook page.
Here are the NLT Facebook page giveaway details:

From today until December 24th at the New Living Translation Facebook page we're giving away lots of great prizes and something free for you just for singing up.

By visiting the giveaway entry page (located on the NLT Facebook page, the link is under the profile picture) and entering your name and e-mail address you'll be entered to win the following prizes:

One random person each day will win a Life Application Study Bible Family Pack (Guys Life Application Study Bible hc, Girls Life Application Study Bible hc, Student's Life Application Study Bible hc, Life Application Study Bible hc, Life Application Study Bible Large Print hc).
One Random person each week will win an Apple iPad 2!
Everyone that signs up gets a free download copy of the Life Application Bible Study – Book of Luke!

The Realms Thereunder

I just finished reading The Realms Thereunder by Ross Lawhead....it took me much longer to read this book than it normally takes and I was so happy to be done with it! I absolutely could not get in to this book....it had a crazy story-line and just did not make sense to me. The main characters have found themselves in a different dimension and while trying to figure out how to get home they run in to all kinds of strange characters and obstacles. The idea sounds like a good story-line for a book...but I wasn't impressed with the way it was written. There were way too many characters and they basically all did the same thing over and over....there was much too much killing and blood....and the ending left you thinking that there will be another book where the main characters Daniel and Freya will do the same thing for another 300+ pages! I did get a little enjoyment out of the chapter with the gnomes and he did throw a little mystery into the last chapter...but other than that I did not enjoy the book. I'm sure that there are people that would enjoy this book.....but I cannot recommend it.
I was sent a free copy of this book by Thomas Nelson Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

When the Hurt Runs Deep

The subtitle for Kay Arthur’s book “When the Hurt Runs Deep” is Healing and Hope for Life’s Desperate Moments! All of us have found ourselves in those desperate moments from time to time…deep hurts that may have been caused by our own actions or the actions of others. Have you ever asked God “why me”? Have you ever wondered if the pain would ever go away? Do you ever find yourself wondering if you have anything left to hope for? This Author understands the questions because she has gone through those moments herself and through her own insight and the Words of the Lord she helps the reader to work through the tough spots and walk towards Hope and Healing. Through key principles she helps us to see that pain doesn’t have to destroy us, but that it can be a path that leads us to greater strength. She gives us 12 amazing “Healing Truths” to remember when your hurt runs deep. One of my favorites is #6.…”Nothing that has ever happened to you has escaped God’s notice. You can trust that He will bring to account everyone who has hurt you, in His time and in His way.” If you are hurting and need Hope and Healing I recommend this book!

I was given a copy of “When the Hurt Runs Deep” by Waterbrook Press in exchange for an honest review.

The Betrayal

New York Times Best Selling Author Jerry B. Jenkins has another hit! The Betrayal is a fast-moving novel that is set in the Chicago PD Precinct 11. Detective Boone Drake has just led a major sting that brought down the top people of the biggest street gangs in Chicago….and also leaders of the old crime syndicate. He has been seriously injured in a shooting while protecting the key witness in the operation. It’s apparent there is a leak within the Chicago PD and Boone tries to put the pieces together. Things point to someone close to Boone and he is wondering who he can trust. Could it be Haeley Lamonica, the new love of his life? Through this action-packed story you will find the answer.
I had not read the previous book in the Precinct 11 series, but I did not feel that it took anything away from my enjoyment of The Betrayal. The only complaint I would have about the book is that there were a few too many characters involved and became a bit confusing at times. Other than that it was a book I enjoyed and would recommend to others.
I was given an Advanced Reader Copy of The Betrayal by Tyndale House in exchange for my honest review.

Women of Faith 2011

Our Women of Faith weekend was fabulous! What a blessing to be able to share it all with my daughter Sarah. Laughter, tears, worship, fellowship, encouragement.....all of it was just what we needed. Sheila Walsch reminded us that when we feel lost our Shepherd knows right where to find us! Nicole Johnson brought us to both laughter and tears through her dramatic skits. The Worship Team led us in amazing worship and Natalie Grant thrilled us with her voice. And Mary Mary......well, they just make my feet want to dance! Down to earth Lucy Swindoll reminded us to live in this moment.....that this moment is a gift....and we don't want to miss it by regretting the past or by yearning too much for the future. And Angie Smith.....What a precious addition to the Women of Faith Family! Her story touched our hearts and her humor touched our souls.
This Women of Faith weekend will always be a special memory for me......and I'm already looking forward to the next one!

It’s going to be an amazing weekend!! Not only do I get to spend it with my beautiful Daughter…..but we get to spend it at Women of Faith in St Paul. I have been to Women of Faith several times and I have never been disappointed. Wonderful speakers, great music, and amazing fellowship with thousands of other Christian women…..what could be better? At Women of Faith I have cried at things that have touched a place deep in my heart, I have laughed at things that I can relate to, and I have developed long-lasting relationships with the women I have shared the experience with. I have listened to Steven Curtis Chapman share the experience of the tragic loss of a child, I have received help with my anxieties from the encouragement of Patsy Clairmont, and I have been revived in my spirit watching the antics of Anita Renfroe. So if you have the chance to attend a Women of Faith this year……do everything in your power to get there. You won’t be disappointed…..and you just might be blessed!