Book Review & Giveaway: Putting on the Spirit by Katie Hornor

About the Book:

                                                         

A one month devotional Bible study on the fruit of the Spirit offering busy moms hope and a practical way to feed their souls in those short snatches of quiet time during their busy days. Comes with a free companion workbook down-loadable on the author’s website.

About the Author:

Katie and her husband Tap have been missionaries in Mexico since 2007. They homeschool their four children and minister through church planting, Bible training, bookstore ministry, and homeschool curriculum development.

Katie is a teacher at heart, and by trade, and loves to encourage women in their God-given roles through speaking, writing and blogging. She is the author of this and two other ebooks (at the date of this printing) as well as the Lemonhass homeschool curricu-lum for Spanish Speaking families.

Katie blogs about marriage, motherhood, and ministry at ParadisePraises.com and she blogs about home education (in Spanish) at EducandoEnElHogar.com.

She has guest posted on various other blogs in her niche and is also the host of Educando en el Hogar, an internet radio show that is part of the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network.

My Thoughts and Review: 

I so needed this Book and it truly inspired and uplifted me. My life is BUSY and has been for quite some time and my Devotional time is something that would take a "back burner" at times. I really enjoyed being able to go through the Devotional and it really "hit me", the BEST part is that it only took 10 minutes a day. I found that by taking 10 minutes at the end of the night, while "Winding down" to read through the devotional for the day, it helped me focus on getting in the word and helped my "wind down". I have done a "Fruit of the Spirit" study with my boys before, but doing one for a month that was my level, gave me a clear understanding of the study. Katie Hornor does a wonderful job at encouraging the Busy Mom that even through the Busyness of life, there is always time for God!

Putting on the Spirit is a MUST HAVE book for all Moms, whether in the Busy time of life or calmness of life.

Putting on the Spirit is Available as a Kindle Book for $4.99
English Version
Spanish Version

Don't have a Kindle device? Don't let that stop you from BUYING the book. You can download Kindle based apps for many platforms for FREE to read the book.

Where to Find Paradise Praises on the Web:  
Putting on the Spirit Landing Page
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Google+

I have been blessed to be able to giveaway 3 PDF copies of the Book to 3 Lucky Winners. Check out the Giveaway below:

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Book Review & Giveaway: Putting on the Spirit by Katie Hornor

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Day 2: 12 Pearls of Christmas - Christmas Musings by Anita Higman

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!

Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.

We’re giving away a pearl necklace in celebration of the holidays, as well as some items from the contributors! Enter now below. The winner will be announced on January 2, 2014, at the Pearl Girls blog.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we’re all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Mother of Pearl, Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace, or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

***

Christmas Musings by: Anita Higman

I feel great joy in preparing my home for the holiday season. I love to drape boughs of greenery along the staircase, swirl spices into a pot of apple cider that’s simmering on the stove, make crafty floral arrangements, and sing along with all my favorite carols. Then when friends and family come over for brunches and dinners, I put out my finest decoration, my best china, and my sincerest smile. I go all out. These are my guests, and I want the event to be welcoming, satisfying, and festive. I want them to feel like royalty.

When Christ arrived in Bethlehem, I wish He could have had a more splendid welcoming, a more regal place to sleep than a wooden trough where animals were fed. Even though His birth was without majestic lodgings or kingly adornments, I’m so glad He overlooked our foolish blunders, our lack of hospitality, and chose to live amongst us anyway. Jesus certainly could have chosen a different route and easier way to offer redemption.

But He didn’t.

Jesus came in one of the humblest possibly ways. He had a divine approach that left humans surprised and puzzled. And it turned into a road of pain beyond anything we can imagine. When it comes to God’s extravagant sacrifice and love that Christmas represents, He deserves a standing ovation. After all, Christmas holds the true secrets we’ve all been searching for: meaning to our lives on earth, victory over death, and life eternal.Christmas gives us a reason to work, to laugh, to dream, to love. Christmas is a holiday of the heart and earth’s finest celebration.

***

Best-selling and award-winning author, Anita Higman, has over thirty books published (several coauthored) for adults and children. Her latest release, Marriage in Middlebury, is a tale of love, hope, and forgiveness. Anita's been a Barnes & Noble “Author of the Month” for Houston and has a BA degree, combining speech communication, psychology, and art. Anita loves good movies, exotic teas, and brunch with her friends. Visit Anita at her website.

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Day 2: 12 Pearls of Christmas - Christmas Musings by Anita Higman

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12 Pearls of Christmas: A Hibiscus "Hug from Heaven" by Margaret McSweeney

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!

Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.

We’re giving away a pearl necklace in celebration of the holidays, as well as some items from the contributors! Enter now below. The winner will be announced on January 2, 2014, at the Pearl Girls blog.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we’re all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Mother of Pearl, Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace, or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

***

A Hibiscus "Hug from Heaven" by: Margaret McSweeney

The flurry of festivities during Thanksgiving weekend came to an abrupt halt as I began the first week of December 2013 with an empty nest. My husband was back at work. My daughters were back at college. And my brother, Claude, and niece, Mary, were back in Alabama and Tennessee. Bare branches accentuated the overcast gloom in the Chicago suburbs on what marked the third anniversary of my brother Randy’s passing. Randy had been feeding a stray cat on his deck when the fatal heart attack struck.

Walking downstairs, I whispered a prayer. “Lord, I am feeling really sad right now. Please help me experience your joy.” As I walked into the family room, my heart smiled. The pruned hibiscus plant balanced a solitary flower that had blossomed overnight! This was truly a hibiscus “hug from heaven.”

In her book <em>When Grief Is Your Constant Companion</em>, my late mother shared her poignant poem about a hibiscus plant. She wrote this following poem several years after losing my dad to a sudden heart attack while he was in Paris on a business trip.

TEARDROPS: EVERLASTING JOY
By Carolyn Rhea

My love, how can it be
That I no longer think of you
Almost every waking moment
And grieve for your loving presence?

There are small spaces of time
When my life is so absorbed in present living
That you are not in my thoughts at all.
How unthinkable!
How sad that I should forget you even for an hour!

But I have not forgotten you, my dear.
You are forever a part of me.
You helped God shape my life
Into my present self.
I carry your love in my heart.
I miss you so very much and always will.

But now I’m caught up in trying to reconstruct
With God’s guidance
A meaningful life for myself.
One in which I can help,
Serve, share, love, grow.

I remember the hibiscus plant
We bought at the annual show.
It was called Teardrops,
For several perfectly-shaped white teardrops
Spattered the broad expanse
Of its gorgeous pink blooms.
How we loved it!

Then later, after it had grown much taller,
We saw a different kind of bloom:
Multitudes of small, sturdy, happy pink blossoms
Swaying merrily in the Florida breeze!
Teardrops had been grafted onto a stronger plant!

We named it Everlasting Joy.

Teardrops still bloomed at the lower level,
But as the plant grew ever upward and outward,
Everlasting Joy bloomed in profusion!

Lord Jesus, when teardrops fall,
Help me remember that through faith
I have been grafted in You –
You, the vine;
I, a branch –
Eternally secure in God’s love through Thee!
Blessed with Thy fullness of joy on earth
And the promise of everlasting joy in heaven!

Thank you, dear Father for sharing your everlasting joy with me today in my solitude. We are not alone in our grief. You are with us. “Ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.” John 16:20

***

Margaret McSweeney is well-published author (A Mother’s Heart Knows, Go Back and Be Happy, Pearl Girls, Mother of Pearl, Aftermath), host of Kitchen Chat, and the founder of Pearl Girls™. Through Pearl Girls™, Margaret collaborates with other writers on projects to help fund a safe house for WINGS, an organization that helps women and their children who are victims of domestic violence, and to build wells for schoolchildren in Uganda through Hands of Hope. For the past twelve years she has served on the board of directors and leadership advisory board for WINGS. Margaret lives with her husband and 2 daughters in the Chicago suburbs. Learn more at Margaret's website.

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12 Pearls of Christmas: A Hibiscus "Hug from Heaven" by Margaret McSweeney

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A Christmas Writing Freebie from Home School Adventure Co

This post contains Affiliate Links which means I will receive a commission if you purchase through the Affiliate Link.

Home School Adventure Co. is a GREAT company that I have had the pleasure of helping to promote this year. They have just released a Christmas Writing FREEBIE for all their Subscribers. Subscribers receive FREE email updates from Home School Adventure Co. on all the great products and more! The Christmas Writing FREEBIE is available for both Current and new Subscribers.

From Home School Adventure --

Writing can be hard work. Good writing most often results from much rewriting, and much rewriting can make a writer weary. 

Because  Philosophy Adventure™ students create and refine a biographical narrative speech over the course of several weeks, (supported by clear step-by-step guidance and seven writing checklists), we created several freewriting exercises to offset that hard work with play, and simply encourage students to have fun writing. 

We soon discovered that students—even those who considered themselves “non-writers”—produced surprising results using these exercises. Both students and parents were amazed. (Some parents even joined in the fun!) 

We are delighted to share with you this “Christmas Freewriting.”

To download your own copy of the Christmas Freewriting Freebie, visit Home School Adventure Co. 

A Christmas Writing Freebie from Home School Adventure Co

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Home School Adventure Co Giveaway: More Than "Mere" Education Giveaway

I am excited to bring you an AWESOME Giveaway in conjunction with a review that I will be doing soon! Home School Adventure Co. is hosting this WONDERFUL Giveaway as they prepare to launch new material. I am EXCITED to be a part of the Launch Team that will be helping to introduce

Mere Christianity Critical Analysis Journal. The Journal is based on C.S. Lewis's book, Mere Christianity and will release in early January. Here is a little snippet from the website of what the Journal is about:

The Mere Christianity Critical Analysis Journal is a powerful tool to strengthen critical thinking while cultivating a biblical worldview. Although it was originally created to be a companion resource to Philosophy Adventure, it may also be used as group or independent study for teenagers or adults.

It provides 10-16 questions for each chapter which can be discussed in:

• homeschools
• co-ops
• classrooms
• Sunday school
• small groups
• families

The Mere Christianity Critical Analysis Journal is one that has a wide ranging audience, it is really for anyone! Check out the Giveaway below, enter yourself and make sure to spread the word! 

The Home School Adventure Co. Launch Team is excited to help celebrate the release of the Mere Christianity Critical Analysis Journal with a special giveaway filled with books that will compliment your classical studies, as well as a couple of special surprises.  

The best news is that there will be two winners, each receiving a very valuable prize package!  

We would like to thank the following friends for their generous sponsorship of this giveaway! Be sure to stop by their websites to say thank you!

Institute for Excellence in Writing
Nancy Pearcey
Trivium Pursuit
Bright Ideas Press
Raising Real Men

Here are the prize packages you could win! 

Prize Package #1

Our first prize package contains all of the print resources from Home School Adventure Co., as well as wonderful books, curriculum, and even a marriage retreat. This prize package, sponsored by the Institute for Excellence in Writing, Nancy Pearcey, and Trivium Pursuit, has a value of $500!

Mere Christianity Critical Analysis Journal $28.95
Philosophy Adventure - Pre-Socratics Complete Set $89.95
Philippians in 28 Weeks ESV $28.95
The Wise Woman with Literaray Analysis Journal Questions $28.95

IEW Teaching Writing/Student Writing Value Pack (Winner's Choice of Levels A, B, or C) $249

The Soul of Science $11.99
Total Truth $25.00
Saving Leonardo $26.99

Teaching the Trivium Christian Homeschooling in a Classical Style $20.40
The Fallacy Detective $22
The Thinking Toolbox $22

Prize Package #2

Our second prize package is filled with all of the resources offered at Home School Adventure Co. in their downloadable editions, as well as a set of all 3 volumes of The Mystery of History by Linda Hobar. This prize package, sponsored by Bright Ideas Press and Raising Real Men, has a value of $300! 

Mere Christianity Critical Analysis Journal Download $18.95
Philosophy Adventure - Pre-Socratics Digital Download $39.95
Philippians in 28 Weeks ESV Download $14.95
The Wise Woman with Literary Analysis Journal Questions Download $14.95

The Mystery of History, Volume I $49.95
The Mystery of History Volume II $49.95
The Mystery of History Volume III $59.95

My Beloved and My Friend book and Marriage Retreat Online $45
Pollyanna Audio Book Download $18

To enter, use the Rafflecopter below. Residents of the U.S., age 18 and older please.


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Home School Adventure Co Giveaway: More Than "Mere" Education Giveaway

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Christmas Countdown Planner A Review and Giveaway

This post contains affiliate links which means I will receive a commission if you purchase through the affiliate link. 

Are you like me and allow the "most pleasant time of the year" also become the "most stressful time of the year"? Do you never feel "ready" for the holidays and wondering how November and December seem to fade into January with a "Blink of an eye"? The joy of the holidays always seem to slide right by me as I feel rushed, stressed, forgetful as I try to set traditions with my family, follow long standing traditions and more. I finally admitted to myself: I am just DISORGANIZED for the holiday season.

I was very excited to receive an Advanced copy of a brand new 2013 Christmas Countdown Planner(with bonus pages for 2014). The planner is designed by Jill Craft of The Sassy Slow Cooker. I downloaded it to my computer and instantly feel in love with the Planner.

The Christmas Countdown Planner consists of 52 wonderful pages:

• 2013-2014 Calendar Pages for the months of November and December
• Notebook Cover, Dividers, and Spine Covers
• Budget Planner
• Inventory List
• Homemade Gift List
• Stocking Stuffer List
• Advent and Tradition Ideas
• Christmas Card List
• Master Gift List
• Individual Gift List
• Cleaning List
• Menu Plan
• Recipe Section

I have already been using the Planner and I am looking forward to a Stress Free Holiday and attending Christmas events around Chicagoland with the family. I plan on using the 2014 pages for keeping track of gifts purchased throughout the year, especially the "hiding place" so that I don't forget or overspend during holiday shopping season. Be STRESS Free this holiday season and ENJOY the Holidays!

Are you interested in being Stress Free this holiday season? You can purchase a downloadable copy of the Christmas Countdown Planner for $3.99 by clicking the button below.

Jill has also donated 2 copies to be given away on my blog this week.
Enter for your chance to win 1 of 2 copies below:

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Christmas Countdown Planner A Review and Giveaway

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Mosaic Reviews: See the Light Art Project DVD (Peaceful Sea)

My 11yr old LOVES drawing and is a "Budding artist". I was given the opportunity, as part of the Mosaic Review Team, to use and review See the Light Art Projects DVD. My son and I were super excited when we found out we were receiving a DVD.

We received the Peaceful Seas DVD in the mail about a week later and we began watching and learning right away. Peaceful Seas is a WaterColor Art Project, and we choose this one because WaterColor is something that my son has never tried. Peaceful Seas is also based on the works of Winslow Homer, a watercolorist from the 19th Century.

The DVD is 98 minutes long and divided into 4 Sessions: 

1. Set the Scene and Basic Wash (32 minutes)

2. Beach Foreground with Salt and Plastic Bag Techniques (20 minutes)

3. Creating the Water in Watercolor (26 minutes)

4. Final Details of Boat and Shore (20 minutes)

Pat Knepley is the instructor in the video and she takes the students step by step through the Art Projects.

My son & I worked through the DVD in a week, taking one lesson at a time.

Lesson 1: We learned how to draw sailboats and do a Basic Watercolor Wash. The sailboats had to be drawn in way that they would be "covered" up by the Watercolor and not be seen when done. My son had a difficult time with this step at first because he wanted to press hard, but after pressing lightly he got it.

Lesson 2: Joshua had the BEST time with this part of the project. He used Table Salt to create the Beach scene. He learned that the salt gives the Beach color a "sand feel" by it feeling grainy. The plastic bag was used to make the Rock look "rough".

Lesson 3: Joshua had the hardest time with "Creating the Water". He felt his hand wasn't steady enough, so we took a minute and rested the hand differently and he worked it out. I LOVED watching the water become real on paper, it looks so serene and beautiful.

Lesson 4: The Watercolor is almost done and this lesson was about adding in the detail of the Boat and Shore areas. Joshua LOVES using Chalk Pastels, so this was "easy peasy" for him.

Peaceful Seas Art Project is a WONDERFUL DVD and lots of fun. Joshua has inquired about doing more watercolor projects, something I could have never imagined he would be interested in.

Information about See the Light Art Project DVD: 

There are 9 DVD's in the Art Project Series:

- DRAW A WINDOW IN THE STYLE OF LOUIS COMFORT TIFFANY
- DRAW A WATERCOLOR PAINTING IN THE STYLE OF AMERICAN POP ARTIST WAYNE THIEBAUD
- CREATE A PAPER COLLAGE IN THE STYLE FRENCH ARTIST HENRI ROUSSEAU
- CREATE A FRUIT STILL LIFE IN THE STYLE OF FRENCH ARTIST GEORGES SEURAT
- CREATE AN ABSTRACT FLOWER IN THE STYLE OF AMERICAN ARTIST GEORGIA O’KEEFFE
- CREATE AN ACRYLIC OR TEMPERA PAINTING IN THE STYLE OF RUSSIAN ARTIST MARC CHAGALL
- DRAW A CHALK PASTEL IN THE STYLE OF FRENCH ARTIST EDGAR DEGAS
- PAINT A WATERCOLOR SEASCAPE IN THE STYLE OF AMERICAN ARTIST WINSLOW HOMER
- CREATE AN OIL PASTEL SUFLOWER IN THE STYLE OF DUTCH ARTIST VINCENT VAN GOGH

Each DVD is $14.99 or you can get the whole set for $99.99. Purchase Details HERE.

The Art Project series is Recommended for Ages 10+.

See the Light also has many other products available in their STORE

Where to Find See the Light online:

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Blog

Our Final Thoughts: 
We give this Peaceful Seas Art Project 5 out of 5 stars and HIGHLY recommend it!

Mosaic Reviews: See the Light Art Project DVD (Peaceful Sea)

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