Book: “Horse Shy” by Bonnie Bryant
Our girls even though they are twins are very different both in their personalities and interests. Although there are a couple areas of interest they overlap……their love for books and their love for animals. They both LOVE horses and get really excited any time they have an opportunity to ride, pet, feed, or even be around horses.
Recently I just finished reading the second book of The Saddle Club horse series to the girls Horse Shy by Bonnie Bryant. They were always eager for me to read the next chapter of the book, if I had extra time they would request that I read another chapter. The cover of our book is the older edition but the story is the same.
This is the second book in the Saddle Club series. Carole, Lisa, Stevie and a group of their classmates go on the big adventure they have been looking forward to for months the Mountain Trail Overnight. An accident happens with one of the horses, but the author does a good job of showing how to cope with the loss of a favorite animal through the encouragement of friends and a time of grief. If your child enjoys horses, likes to read or listen to you read books this is a great one to check out.
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
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.
Giveaway & Review: “21 Days to a More Disciplined Life” ebook by Crystal Paine (5 WINNERS – Today Only)
Do you have ideas, hopes, goals, and dreams for what you want to accomplish in your life, but you feel like you’re being held back by a lack of personal discipline? I am excited to introduce you to Crystal Paine’s new ebook 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life! Crystal is the author of the popular Money Saving Mom blog. This is a positive, practical, and motivating ebook that will encourage you to make progress, in the right direction, on those areas of your life that need extra attention!
TODAY ONLY 5 lucky readers will win a FREE copy of the 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life ebook by Crystal Paine! ENTER NOW for a chance to win a copy of this great ebook (it only takes a couple seconds to leave a comment and be entered into the giveaway, please see all the giveaway details below)!
You can get started reading 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life ebook by Crystal Paine or through Amazon for only $0.99 for the next 3 days only (October 23-25, 2012)!
Who is This Book For?
21 Days to a More Disciplined Life (or through Amazon) is for you if:
- You have trouble following through.
- You get overwhelmed by huge projects.
- You start strong, but your passion fizzles out.
- You are super-disciplined in a few areas of your life, but you have one or two pet areas that you just can’t get under control.
- You check out 10 different books on discipline and organization from the library, but return all of them late.
Why I love this book:
There are specific areas in my life (physically, spiritually, and more) that I need to focus on because I haven’t given them the extra attention they need and it is mainly due to a lack of discipline on my part. I am looking forward to implementing several of the great ideas Crystal shared in this book. She has help inspire me to get “back on track” and tackle those many goals / projects that I keep putting on the back burner for several weeks, months, and yes (although it’s embarrassing to admit) even some goals that I have been delaying for several years now.
After reading 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life I think it will help inspire you to make positive steps in the right direction as well. I know many of you will enjoy this ebook and find it to be a wonderful resource! It is a great time of year to re-evaluate our lives, goals, and priorities.
- Are you easily overwhelmed by your big ideas or projects, and you just don’t know where to start and how to make real progress?
- Do you find yourself making “all-or-nothing” plans for transforming your life, and then three days later you crash and burn under the weight of your plan?
Giveaway Details
As a way to say thank you to my readers and to share Crystal Paine’s ebook I am hosting a giveaway! 5 WINNERS will receive a free copy of 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life ebook by Crystal Paine!
How to Enter:
- Sign up to follow my blog (if you haven’t done so already) and leave a comment below telling us how you follow Blessings Multiplied. You can sign up to receive Blessings Multiplied via email or like on Facebook.
- You can get a bonus entry into the drawing if you leave a separate comment below sharing your best tip that helps you stay on track with your projects and goals!
All comments must be made by Tuesday, October 23, 2012 11:00 PM EST to be entered into the drawing.
I encourage you to check out more information on 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life by Crystal Paine if you are interested in finding ways to help you to tackle all those projects and goals you have been putting on hold for days, weeks, months, maybe even years! This ebook book may give you the just right dose of motivation to get you on the road to a more disciplined life! What are you waiting for…….get a copy and start reading today!
More information about 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life by Crystal Paine can be found:
- 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life by Crystal Paine
- Amazon – 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life
The 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life ebook by Crystal Paine is currently available for $0.99 for the next 3 days ONLY (Tuesday, October 23 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!
I was given this ebook for free to write an informed review. The ebook, specific product information, and pictures were provided by Crystal Paine, however, the opinions expressed in this post are my own. I was not paid to write this post. A special thanks to Crystal Paine for providing me a copy of her 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life ebook to review as well as five to giveaway to my readers!
Free Audio Book: “How Should Christians Vote?” by Tony Evans
For the month of October Christian Audio is offering a free download of an audio book . This month the audio book is How Should Christians Vote? by Tony Evans.
Christians are a large and influential voting block today. But as each governmental election approaches, an increasing polarity occurs within those claiming the Christian faith. This comes as a result of party-voting rather than voting according to Biblical mandates and authority. To refocus correctly, Dr. Tony Evans goes back to the basics and teaches on how God established government as a divine institution whose tasks include promoting the well-being of those within its realm and protection from evil. (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 October. Make sure to submit your order by October 31, 2012 to get your free audio book. Thanks Christian Audio!
Book: “The Grasshopper Trap” by Patrick McManus
The girls love it when we have a few extra minutes in the evening to read to them. This past year we started reading more “chapter” books to them, however, sometimes Jake reads to them and other nights I am the one reading to them. We each picked out the book that we are currently reading to the girls. I am reading a horse book but Jake picked out The Grasshopper Trap by Patrick McManus. The nice part about Patrick McManus’s books is each chapter is a short story and they are hilarious. Many times all four of us are laughing at the silliness. It is a great way to wind down, laugh a little, and relax together after a busy day.
This book is also perfect to read on camping trips. A few of the stories the girls really enjoyed were “The Skunk Ladder”, “The Grasshopper Trap”, “The Human Fuel Pump”, and “Mean Tents”. The book we have is the older version with the red cover but the contents are still the same. If you like outdoor adventures and funny short stories this is a great book to check out.
Free Audio Book: “The Sword” by Bryan Litfin
For the month of July Christian Audio is offering a free download of an audio book . This month the audio book is The Sword by Bryan Litfin.
This novel of page-turning action and adventure poses the question, “If a society had no knowledge of Christianity, and then a Bible were discovered, what would happen?” Four hundred years after a deadly virus and nuclear war destroyed the modern world, a new and noble civilization emerges. In this kingdom, called Chiveis, snow-capped mountains provide protection, and fields and livestock provide food. The people live medieval-style lives, with almost no knowledge of the “ancient” world. Safe in their natural stronghold, the Chiveisi have everything they need, even their own religion. Christianity has been forgotten–until a young army scout comes across a strange book. (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 July. Make sure to submit your order by July 31, 2012 to get your free audio book. Thanks Christian Audio!
Book: “Patch” by Kristin Earhart
Last Christmas Karlie got Patch by Kristin Earhart from Grandpa and Grandma. She was super excited to get a horse book. Both Brina and Karlie have read this book many times. The story is about a girl named Lauran and her horse named Patch. If you have a child that loves horses or animals and is starting to read books more independently this is a good one to check out.
Book: “No One to Call Me Home” by James Close
As I was going through a stack a books we had in the house and trying to decide which ones to keep, sale, giveaway, or donate I came across this book. I cannot remember where it came from and hadn’t read it before but it captivated my attention so I decided to read it. The book is called No One To Call Me Home by Reverend James J. Close and it is about Reverend Close’s ministry at the Mercy Boys Home in Chicago. His ministry provides a home, meals, clothing, and a loving environment for homeless teenage boys. The boys typically range between 14 to 18 years old (sometimes they take in younger siblings). There is also a Mercy Girls Home but Reverend Close lived and worked at the Boys Home so the majority of the book discussed not only the lives of the kids he impacted but some of their struggles as well as successes.
Some of the stories he told brought tears to my eyes…..stories of some of the obstacles small children and teenagers had to face such as starvation, stealing, crime, abuse, drugs, alcohol, neglect and so much more. None of these children asked to grow up in these families. The Mercy Home has reached out to many of these hurt teenagers and provided them a safe and healthy environment in hopes that they will be able to encourage the kids to heal and become successful adults.
As a parent this book made me not only appreciate the stable (although not perfect) home environment I was raised in and motivates me to pray for wisdom as I raise my kids as well as find ways to make a positive impact on the lives of other children. The book is short and a quick read but touches on many areas of the heart. Although I don’t have all the same religious beliefs as Reverend Close I think he is on the right track with providing a safe, stable environment for these teenagers. Not every story he has is successful but it is encouraging to know that through their ministry they are making a wonderful impact on many individuals and families. It really makes you think about the ways you can make a positive impact on the lives of others.
A few quotes that made an impact on me:
The Mercy kids are some of the most courageous and extraordinary persons I have ever met. Many have overcome immense odds to succeed in life. Others were not so fortunate. But each of them taught me about life and made me grateful for the simple blessings to be found in each day.
Our street was as big as the universe to me…..when it started getting dark, the other kids’ moms would lean out the windows and start calling to their kids – it’s time to come home. I would stay out there and keep playing until I was alone. I was always the last one to come home. I always had to decide when to go in. There was never anyone to call me in – to call me home.
Our kids have so few of the simple family experiences that most kids have growing up, it nearly boggles the mind. I’m not talking about ritzy family vacations and Christmas Eve around the fireplace. I’m talking about food in the refrigerator and the same bed every night.
If all you’ve known is disappointment, if all you’ve been told is what a loser you are, if all you’ve seen is poverty and life on the other side of the law – it is hard to believe things can ever change for someone like you.
I’m a strong believer in the power of prayer combined with effort and love.
They are just kids. They need a place to live and someone to love them unconditionally.
Kim Fritz
Renelle
Lynette
Gina Badalaty
Tracy