Did you know that some cough drops have "pep talks" on the wrappers?
"Fire up those engines"
"Impress yourself today"
"Get through it"
I realize I could choose not to read my cough drop, but come on, it's hard not to read those few words on the wrapper when you're desperate for relief, and quite frankly, they are slightly annoying when you're coughing hard!
So, I think you now know where I've been the last couple weeks! I've been pretty sick with a cold. For some reason when I get a cold it takes me out for the longest time. This is day #14 of it, and I had a doctor's appointment today to go over medicines. He was quite interested in the fact I've been sick as long as I have, and I still have a fever.
Thankfully I'm feeling better, and hope to get back into blogging regularly!
Welcome! Take a look around!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Review and Giveaway: The Shunning DVD
Katie Lapp loves music and playing the guitar. This shouldn't be a problem, should it? Well, it's a HUGE problem when you're Amish and that is forbidden. The movie begins as Katie's brother finds her strumming her guitar in the barn. She's engaged to marry the bishop, and suddenly she discovers she may not be who she always thought she was. Who is this woman who has appeared in her community? By the movie's end, Katie is "shunned" meaning she can't be spoken to by anyone in her Amish community, nor is she allowed to sit and eat with the rest of her family. This pushes her further towards her questions of who she is.
This is a wonderful family movie. It's very wholesome in the fact there is no bad language, no questionable situations, and the like. It brings up questions that could be discussed such as when do we give up on someone vs. when do we continue to love them with the unconditional love that God shows us? Not only is it a good movie because of content, but the story line is one of the best I've ever seen. I'd read the book years ago and remembered how fantastic the book was, so when I had the opportunity to review this movie, I was excited. I never say this, but I do believe the movie was as good as the book! You will NOT be disappointed with this movie! Be sure and check it out!
You can watch the trailer here: http://hallmarkchannel.com/microsites/video.aspx?simscode=OWN_891400000000000&pageid=2607&pn=PN147958&tabIndex=2&pnlist=pn147958%7C
Beverly Lewis' The Shunning - About the Movie
Before she succumbs to cancer, the dying wish of Laura Mayfield-Bennett is to be reunited with the daughter she never knew. Unfortunately, that daughter, Katie Lapp, is a member of the Amish order. Katie is about to be married, but uneasy about the path ahead. Now she discovers the secret her parents have kept from her: she's adopted.
The film is based on the celebrated first novel of the best-selling "The Heritage of Lancaster County" book series from author Beverly Lewis. Stars Danielle Panabaker & Sherry Stringfield.
BEVERLY LEWIS - Author of "The Shunning"
Beverly Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, is The New York Times bestselling author of more than eighty books. Her stories have been published in eleven languages worldwide. A keen interest in her mother's Plain heritage has inspired Lewis to write many Amish-related novels, beginning with "The Shunning," which has sold more than one million copies. In 2007, Lewis' "The Brethren" was honored with a Christy Award.
Lewis has been interviewed by both national and international media, including Time magazine, the Associated Press, and the BBC. Lewis lives with her husband, David, in Colorado.
"Disclosure of Material Connection: 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."
You can buy the DVD here:
And for the Giveaway:
I have been given the opportunity to give a DVD away to one of my readers.
The giveaway lasts until October 4 at 11:59 Eastern Time, open only to the USA.
Please leave a separate comment for each way you enter as I use random.org to pick my winners.
Winners have 48 hours after being contacted to respond or I'll pick other winners.
Please leave contact information in your comment if it's not in your blogger profile so I will have a way of contacting you if you win.
Ways to enter:
This is a wonderful family movie. It's very wholesome in the fact there is no bad language, no questionable situations, and the like. It brings up questions that could be discussed such as when do we give up on someone vs. when do we continue to love them with the unconditional love that God shows us? Not only is it a good movie because of content, but the story line is one of the best I've ever seen. I'd read the book years ago and remembered how fantastic the book was, so when I had the opportunity to review this movie, I was excited. I never say this, but I do believe the movie was as good as the book! You will NOT be disappointed with this movie! Be sure and check it out!
You can watch the trailer here: http://hallmarkchannel.com/microsites/video.aspx?simscode=OWN_891400000000000&pageid=2607&pn=PN147958&tabIndex=2&pnlist=pn147958%7C
Beverly Lewis' The Shunning - About the Movie
Before she succumbs to cancer, the dying wish of Laura Mayfield-Bennett is to be reunited with the daughter she never knew. Unfortunately, that daughter, Katie Lapp, is a member of the Amish order. Katie is about to be married, but uneasy about the path ahead. Now she discovers the secret her parents have kept from her: she's adopted.
The film is based on the celebrated first novel of the best-selling "The Heritage of Lancaster County" book series from author Beverly Lewis. Stars Danielle Panabaker & Sherry Stringfield.
BEVERLY LEWIS - Author of "The Shunning"
Beverly Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, is The New York Times bestselling author of more than eighty books. Her stories have been published in eleven languages worldwide. A keen interest in her mother's Plain heritage has inspired Lewis to write many Amish-related novels, beginning with "The Shunning," which has sold more than one million copies. In 2007, Lewis' "The Brethren" was honored with a Christy Award.
Lewis has been interviewed by both national and international media, including Time magazine, the Associated Press, and the BBC. Lewis lives with her husband, David, in Colorado.
"Disclosure of Material Connection: 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."
You can buy the DVD here:
And for the Giveaway:
I have been given the opportunity to give a DVD away to one of my readers.
The giveaway lasts until October 4 at 11:59 Eastern Time, open only to the USA.
Please leave a separate comment for each way you enter as I use random.org to pick my winners.
Winners have 48 hours after being contacted to respond or I'll pick other winners.
Please leave contact information in your comment if it's not in your blogger profile so I will have a way of contacting you if you win.
Ways to enter:
- Tell me your favorite book that has been made into a movie
- "Like" The Shunning on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TheShunningMovie
- Visit The Shunning Website and tell me something you learned http://hallmarkchannel.com/theshunning
- Follow me Google Friend Connect
- Tweet the Following: (Can be done daily for an extra entry)
Thursday, September 8, 2011
DVD Review & Givewaway: Theo Teaching Children God's Word
I recently had the opportunity to review Introducing THEO -- Teaching Children God's Word by Whitestone Media. The DVD I received had the bonus video of "Good News" on it as well as the "Saving Faith" episode.
The animation series of Theo guides children and adults through a careful study of systematic theology. Theo discusses doctrines about sin, Godʼs character, the Bible, salvation and godly living with easy-to-understand illustrations that make children want to learn more about the Christian faith.
Theo Presents recognizes a universal fact: children and adults alike love cartoons. Theo captures the attention of young minds with liberal amounts of humor and high quality animation to present the Gospel of the Christian faith through the teachings of Theo and with the use of his two object lessons, Belfry and Luther.
Theo Presents is designed to serve as a multi-media resource tool that will help men, women and children fulfill the Great Commission of Christ, to go into all the world and make disciples and to teach those disciples Godʼs Word. The multi-media outlets include a DVD series, curriculum, books and iPhone/iPad app. Each of these facets are designed to work with one another or individually.
Theo was created to reach kids of all ages. The lessons and teachings of Theo can be used for Sunday school lessons, Christian school curriculum, missions, evangelism and homeschooling.
About the creator - MICHAEL JOENS
Mike Joens has produced and directed scores of animated commercials for toy companies such as Milton Bradley, Hasbro, Kenner, McDonaldʼs and Playskool. In addition to commercial work, he produced and directed the animation segments for the award-winning video series “McGee and Me,” as well as the animated “Adventures in Odyssey” for Focus on the Family. After a waiting period of over 30 years, God opened the doors to Joens for the production of “Theo Presents.” At last, the dream of a cartoonist, called to teach the Word has come true. It is Mikeʼs hope that God will use Theo to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to children and adults in every country of the world!
What sets THEO apart from anything we've worked on? The Buy 1 - Give 1 campaign!
For every Theo DVD purchased, Whitestone Media and Child Evangelism Fellowship® will send a child in need their very own copy of Theo.
You can log onto TheoPresents.com after making your own purchase, and select the region of the world you'd like another copy of Theo to be sent.
Disclosure of Material Connection: 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"
And now for the Giveaway!
I have been given the opportunity to give a DVD away to TWO of my readers.
The giveaway lasts until September 19 at 11:59 Eastern Time, open only to the USA.
Please leave a separate comment for each way you enter as I use random.org to pick my winners.
Winners have 48 hours after being contacted to respond or I'll pick other winners.
Please leave contact information in your comment if it's not in your blogger profile so I will have a way of contacting you if you win.
Ways to enter:
I was pleasantly surprised at the entertainment quality of this video, as well as the theology contained in it. This was a very cute video, with Luther and Belfry the mice providing laughable situations while important truths are being presented. Because of Luther and Belfry, I believe children will watch with interest to see what they are up to!
The theology on the video I saw was sound. One episode explained how we can become a Christian, and the other episode was about how faith pleases God, using Abraham as an example.
This would be fantastic for use in a children's outreach. I expect Theo will become a mainstay of Christian children's entertainment in the future. I highly recommend this product to anyone who is a church worker, parent, or have children in your life!
There is even a church curriculum for use with this DVD series: http://www.lifeway.com/Product/theo-church-edition-foundations-of-faith-P005397446
From the publisher:
About Theo
The animation series of Theo guides children and adults through a careful study of systematic theology. Theo discusses doctrines about sin, Godʼs character, the Bible, salvation and godly living with easy-to-understand illustrations that make children want to learn more about the Christian faith.
Theo Presents recognizes a universal fact: children and adults alike love cartoons. Theo captures the attention of young minds with liberal amounts of humor and high quality animation to present the Gospel of the Christian faith through the teachings of Theo and with the use of his two object lessons, Belfry and Luther.
Theo Presents is designed to serve as a multi-media resource tool that will help men, women and children fulfill the Great Commission of Christ, to go into all the world and make disciples and to teach those disciples Godʼs Word. The multi-media outlets include a DVD series, curriculum, books and iPhone/iPad app. Each of these facets are designed to work with one another or individually.
Theo was created to reach kids of all ages. The lessons and teachings of Theo can be used for Sunday school lessons, Christian school curriculum, missions, evangelism and homeschooling.
About the creator - MICHAEL JOENS
Mike Joens has produced and directed scores of animated commercials for toy companies such as Milton Bradley, Hasbro, Kenner, McDonaldʼs and Playskool. In addition to commercial work, he produced and directed the animation segments for the award-winning video series “McGee and Me,” as well as the animated “Adventures in Odyssey” for Focus on the Family. After a waiting period of over 30 years, God opened the doors to Joens for the production of “Theo Presents.” At last, the dream of a cartoonist, called to teach the Word has come true. It is Mikeʼs hope that God will use Theo to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to children and adults in every country of the world!
What sets THEO apart from anything we've worked on? The Buy 1 - Give 1 campaign!
For every Theo DVD purchased, Whitestone Media and Child Evangelism Fellowship® will send a child in need their very own copy of Theo.
You can log onto TheoPresents.com after making your own purchase, and select the region of the world you'd like another copy of Theo to be sent.
Disclosure of Material Connection: 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"
And now for the Giveaway!
I have been given the opportunity to give a DVD away to TWO of my readers.
The giveaway lasts until September 19 at 11:59 Eastern Time, open only to the USA.
Please leave a separate comment for each way you enter as I use random.org to pick my winners.
Winners have 48 hours after being contacted to respond or I'll pick other winners.
Please leave contact information in your comment if it's not in your blogger profile so I will have a way of contacting you if you win.
Ways to enter:
- Tell me why you would like to win this DVD
- Visit http://www.theopresents.com/ and tell me something you have learned
- Download the iPod/iPad app and tell me you did so. http://www.theopresents.com/
- Like Theo Presents on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/thesehearts
- Follow me Google Friend Connect
- Tweet the following (this one can be done DAILY)
Friday, September 2, 2011
Five Minute Friday -- "Rest"
What is rest?
Feeling safe.
Knowing you're okay.
Relaxing knowing that the world around you is not out to get you.
Deep breaths, enjoying the moment.
Feeling secure.
A hug from the world.
Five minute Friday Linkup and rules:
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back to The Gypsy Mama and invite others to join in.
3. Get a little crazy with encouragement for the five minuter who linked up before you.
Feeling safe.
Knowing you're okay.
Relaxing knowing that the world around you is not out to get you.
Deep breaths, enjoying the moment.
Feeling secure.
A hug from the world.
Five minute Friday Linkup and rules:
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back to The Gypsy Mama and invite others to join in.
3. Get a little crazy with encouragement for the five minuter who linked up before you.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Book Review: Midnight Mystery
This is the 4th book in the "Winnie The Horse Gentler" series by Dandi Daley Mackall. Unlike previous books, this one actually does include a mystery, and the horse Winnie is helping doesn't board in her barn. This time the circus is in town, and she's needing to help a circus horse who is jumpy, frightened, and even disobeying commands he's been taught. But the Russian circus is going to be there to scout for new talent. . . can she figure out what is going on in time?
Sub-plots of the book are Catman's Grandfather "Colonel Coolidge" is in town. He's gearing up for a reunion of army men -- but where are they? Even more important is Winnie's mother's birthday is approaching. Since her mother died, Winnie wants to put on a horse show for the family -- celebrate the birthday like they always did when her mother was alive which meant a movie in the morning, spaghetti for lunch, and a horse show in the afternoon. Winnie wants to teach Nickers to bow because her mother always had her horses bow, but will Nickers learn in time? And besides that, with Winnie's dad headed to the Invention Convention in Chicago, he's not going to be home on her mom's birthday. Lizzie has a writing competition that day, so that leaves -- Winnie -- and Winnie alone to remember her mother's birthday -- or so she thinks!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Review: The Cause Within You
This is a fascinating book. He is certainly someone who hasn't thought traditionally. A church that is open 24 hours a day? There's always someone at the church serving. Vans go out to feed the homeless. He tells personal stories, too. The story of taking the homeless children to Build-A-Bear was one I really enjoyed, but my favorite was one where he was telling of a woman who started a ministry in his church to pimps. She even got invited to the Pimp of the Year award ceremony, and they all told her they would go to one function she wanted them to go to, and one Sunday morning there was a section of pimps in Matthew Barnett's congregation.
This book isn't a one-two-three to find your purpose in life. Instead, it's a book of inspiration for you to discover that yourself -- or if you already know what your cause is, it's a book of encouragement to keep it up!
I very much enjoyed this book, and will definitely be recommending it to others.
FTC disclaimer: I was sent a copy of this book free from the publisher as part of their summer reading program. The thoughts and opinions of it are my own.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Cricket 1. Kitchen Light 0.
I've heard crickets in the house are good luck. However, I'm not sure the one we had in our house this week was.
It jumped from the counter, hit the kitchen light and this is what happened:
It jumped from the counter, hit the kitchen light and this is what happened:
Hard to believe this cricket could do that! Of course it is only a lightweight plastic, but still. . . and the light inside hasn't worked since. An earthquake and a cricket this week. . . Hope next week is better!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)