Audiobook

  • Book: “The Impact Equation” by Chris Brogan & Julien Smith

    I received a preview book copy of  The Impact Equation by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith.  The subtitle to the book is “Are you making things happen OR just making noise?”  I loved their title because we get hit with a ton of information from all directions every time we go online.  How do companies, blogs, and any other items of importance have a chance to get our attention with everything being thrown at us?  What makes those few stand out?

    When I first started blogging I felt like no one was reading it…..some days especially in the very beginning that it was a waste of time (who would want to read what I was writing about anyway)…….and I looked at all the “numbers”.  If there was a dip in stats I would be upset or stressed about it.  Now I don’t stress about my numbers much at all because I am focusing more on writing and all the fun stuff that I want to share with my readers.  I still have a long way to go and a lot to learn but I was very excited to get a copy of Chris Brogan’s and Julien Smith’s new book because I have been thinking about this very topic.

    It my goal to make a positive impact on the lives around me and one of the ways I reach out to people is through my blog.  Although, at the same time it is important I take the time to review how things are going I have to evaluate how much of an impact I really am making.  Is the impact I am making on my readers positive?  I really liked how Chris and Julien’s book encouraged me to evaluate many areas, they even shared a great CREATE acronym to help.

    Here are a few things I took away from Chris & Julien’s book:

    • CREATE acronym (i.g. Impact = Contrast * [Reach + Exposure + Articulation + Trust + Echo])
    • Spend more time giving thought and refining my ideas
    • Share the great ideas of others – the “give before you get” principle

    If you have a presence online whether it is through your business, blog, or social media accounts to stay in touch with family and friends this is a great book to read.

  • Free Audio Book: “What is the Mission of the Church?” by Kevin DeYoung & Greg Gilbert

    For the month of November Christian Audio is offering a free download of an audio book .  This month the audio book is What is the Mission of the Church? by Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert.

    Addressing mission, evangelism and social justice, two pastors draw readers to the Bible’s teaching on some contentious matters. Readers in all spheres of ministry will grow in their understanding of the mission of the church and gain a renewed sense of urgency for Jesus’ call to preach the Word and make disciples.  (information from Christian Audio)

    If you have been wanting to a book to listen to throughout the day or while driving then this is a great opportunity to get a book for free when you download it from Christian Audio in November.   Make sure to submit your order by November 30, 2012  to get your free audio book.  Thanks Christian Audio!

  • CONGRATULATIONS to Our “21 Days to a More Discipline Life” Winners!

    The 5 names have been drawn for the giveaway!

    CONGRATULATIONS to

    Kim Fritz

    Renelle

    Lynette

    Gina Badalaty

    Tracy

    for winning Crystal Paine’s new ebook

    “21 Ways to a More Disciplined Life”!

    Thanks for making a comment in honor of our Giveaway!

    An email has been sent to you with more information*

    I hope this ebook is a wonderful blessing in your life!

    If you didn’t win you can still get a copy of the  21 Days to a More Disciplined Life ebook by Crystal Paine which will be available for $0.99 for 2 more days ONLY (Wednesday, October 24 to Thursday, October 25, 2012) after that it will go up to $4.99.  You can also order it through Amazon for the same great price!

    Don’t forget to enter our Toys R Us Gift Card Giveaway (which will be ending next week on Wednesday, October 31, 2012)!

    *Giveaway must be claimed within 5 business days of the prize being announced.  Failure to claim the prize within the allotted time frame means you forfeit the prize.

  • Book: “Super Red Racer” by Dave Ramsey

    This is one of Dave Ramsey’s kids books that the girls enjoy –  The Super Red Racer  The story is about a boy named Junior who really wanted a red bicycle.  He learned that by working hard for several weeks on a local farm rather than expecting his parents to just give it to him was a rewarding way to earn enough money to purchase the bike for himself.  The story carries a great lesson for children about working hard, earning money and patience.

    If you are trying to teach your children more about finances, including working hard to save so they can buy something big this is an excellent book.  Our girls have both read and listened to this story several times over the past few months.  It has helped encourage them to save more too!

  • Book: “Starlight” by Kristin Earhart

    The girls enjoy the book Starlight by Kristin Earhart. This book is about a little girl named Haley and her foal called Starlight.  Haley did her best to train Starlight but it seems like Starlight was too busy having fun to listen until one night Starlight gets lost in the woods. Our girls really enjoy these books.  They are great for the early readers especially if they like horses.

  • Book: “Am I Messing Up My Kids?” by Lysa TerKeurst

    I recently finished reading the book Am I Messing Up My Kids? by Lysa TerKeurst.  This is one of the books that I picked up a couple years ago at the eWomen’s conference in Greenville when I met Lysa TerKeurst in person and got the book autographed.  The book has traveled many miles with me and got a little messed up when the van got totaled but thankfully was still readable as there were several topics Lysa discussed that my heart needed to hear.

    The book discussed many of the feelings we as Mom experience.  Lysa talked about focusing your heart on Christ and not on everything else, including our spouse or children.  When your child makes a mistake it doesn’t mean your a horrible parent.  She talked about how we often compare ourselves to the “super moms” that we see around us.  At the end of each chapter there is a section called “Refresh My Soul” with scripture references to read regarding the topic that was being discussed and questions to help you dig deeper in the issues of our hearts.

    Some of the topics discussed in the book:

    • Being a Mom is Tough
    • This is All I have to Give
    • I Trust You to Fill In the Gaps
    • This Child is Yours First
    • Thank You for the Privilege of Being a Mom
    Here are a couple quotes that I enjoyed:
    When you aren’t depending on your husband to fill you up, then he can make mistakes and you are still okay…..He can be your partner and your friend, because he does not have to be your Savior. 
    When you are living in the fullness of  Christ, your children are being sloshed with His grace and tenderness.

  • Book: “Dash” by J. Elizabeth Mills

    Even though our girls are twins they have very different personalities.  One of the few things they have in common is their love of horses!  Both of them absolutely love anything about horses.  Lately I have been noticing that more and more horse books have been pulled off the shelf to read and when we go to the used book store they are always on the look out for new “horse” books.

    The other day I noticed that Karlie had been carrying this Scholastic book Dash by J. Elizabeth Mills around for several days and reading it over and over.  I asked if she would be willing to read the book to me and she did!  It is still hard to believe that my girls are old enough to be reading me books.  Granted this one isn’t a huge book but it does have four short chapters.

    The story is about a little girl named Jenny who wants to participate in a barrel racing competition.  She and her horse Dash train really hard for the big day.  Both of our girls love this book.  If your child loves horses and is starting to read independently this would be a great book to add to your library.

  • Free Audio Book: “Hearing God” by Dallas Willard

    For the month of June Christian Audio is offering a free download of an audio book .  This month the audio book is Hearing God by Dallas Willard.

    Being close to God means communicating with him–telling him what is on our hearts in prayer and hearing and understanding what he is saying to us. It is this second half of our conversation with God that is so important but that can also be so difficult. How do we hear his voice? How can we be sure that what we think we hear is not our own subconscious? What role does the Bible play? What if what God says to us is not clear?  (information from Christian Audio)

    If you have been wanting to a book to listen to throughout the day or while driving then this is a great opportunity to get a book for free when you download it from Christian Audio in June.   Make sure to submit your order by June 30, 2012  to get your free audio book.  Thanks Christian Audio!

  • Book & Pony Set: “Misty of Chincoteague” by Marguerite Henry

    Book Misty of Chincoteague (couldn’t find a picture of “Misty” and “Phantom” that came with the girls set)

    Book & Pony Set – Misty of Chincoteague  (with “Misty” and “Stormy” similar to the one we got, but couldn’t find a picture of the first book with the ponies)

    My girls are very different in many ways, even though they are twins, but they do have two things in common that they both love…….books and horses / ponies.  While I was in India my Mom came to stay with the girls and she brought their birthday gifts.  She gave the girls the book and “Misty” & “Phantom” ponies.  They were so excited when I got home to show me their book and ponies that went with it.  After we finished reading the current book they were going through they both agreed that the next book should be Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry.  Every time I would read the book the girls would get out the ponies and each of them hold one while I read.  They loved this story about a little boy and girl who worked hard to buy and raise these ponies.  It was a cute story that our family enjoyed.

    All the incidents in this story are real.  They did not happen in just the order they are recorded, but they all happened at one time or another on the little island of Chincoteague.  All the characters in the book Misty of Chincoteague really lived on Chincoteague Island.  – Marguerite Henry

    The part that was really neat about the story is it was based off a real family and event “Pony Penning Day”.   After getting into the book you quickly grow to love the Beebe family.  The grandparents dialogue is a little choppy to read but otherwise it was a wonderful story to share with your kids especially if they love horses or ponies!

  • Book: “Gulliver’s Travels” by Jonathan Swift

    My Mom started reading The Great Illustrated Classic  Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift to the girls while I was in India.  This week we finished it and both girls enjoyed reading about all the different places Gulliver traveled to, the people he met, and the adventures he had on his journeys.   A couple parts had the girls on the edge of their seats because they might be scary but it ended up being fine.

    Gulliver traveled and met people who were only six inches tall, the Lilliput’s who took him as their prisoner.   On another adventure he encountered the Brobingnag’s which were giants even the flies were huge compared to him.  He encountered many more interesting people in his journeys around the world including the Yahoos, Laputas, Lagados, Glubbdubdribs, and more!