Beloved Devotional and Giveaway

Beloved: 365 Devotions for Young Women

Written by Lindsay A. Franklin

If you are or have a young woman in your life, you area aware of the many pressures being faced by this age group today.  Its a broken world in which we live, and the influences affecting young people today are often scattered with poor options, poor role models, and false information.  It is so important for them to have safe, Godly people and resources to reach for.  Thankfully, companies like Zondervan continue to reach out with resources.  One of their latest, a devotional written just for young ladies, is a nice addition to the list of books available.

The "Beloved" devotional draws from Biblical women and their stories to help young women deepen their faith and grow in their relationship with Christ.  Women such as Ruth, Esther, Mary and Abigail appear in this book and help to cover topics such as inner beauty, friendship and other relationships, the future and more.  With 365 days, there is a devotion for each day of the year.  Each daily reading is accompanied by a scripture verse about a woman from the bible to whom readers can look to for inspiration and wisdom.  In addition to the scripture verse and devotional, there is a small area to journal.  This space offers 4 lines to write on, so it is not a big space, more a place to jot a thought or idea than to actually journal.

This devotional is definitely for the older end of young women.  There are very mature topic discussed, such as Tamar's story and the idea that there is healing after sexual trauma.  This is not a book for tweens.  However, for girls age 15 on, it has appropriate topics, encouragement, instruction and guidance from a Biblical viewpoint.  With a pink floral cover and embossing to make it shine, colorful edging on each page and a pink ribbon book mark, it is an attractive book that catches the eye. 

You can find a copy of this book here

Giveaway

You can win a copy of the book by commenting with your favorite Christmas song.  A winner will be drawn on Monday, November 26, 2018

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Ellie Claire Art Journals

I am so excited about the product I am currently reviewing.  I enjoy journaling, when I can squeeze in in, and have been trying the adult coloring books and even a little of the hand lettering on my own, So, when the opportunity came for me to be able to try the beautiful and amazing Art Journals from Ellie Claire, I jumped on it.

 I had not heard of Ellie Claire Journals before, but I was immediately impressed upon opening my box and very excited to dig in.

The "Illuminate Your Story" Journal

 This journal walks the user through the history of lettering and offers tutorials for each letter of the alphabet in a couple of different formats with room to practice.

 It also includes artistic elements often included in this historical art form.

 To add to the fun, there is a pocket at the back for keepsakes and a built in bookmark to keep your place as you go through the alphabet.

 The "Faith & Lettering" Journal

 This journal is all about taking time to hand letter verses and thoughts.  With practice pages to get the user started

 as well as blank pages intended for journaling however the writer chooses, artistically or otherwise.

 The "Illustrated Word" Journal

 This journal is created to be an illustrated Bible coloring journal.  There are blank pages for journaling, but also pages that can be colored, with the actual artwork displayed in full color.  It takes the adult coloring book to a new, spiritual and worshipful plane.

 These journals are sturdily constructed, and I love that they look aged and artful in themselves.  The covers are hard and thick, and the paper is a nice, quality, thick paper that does not bleed through, even with fountain style pens.

 The "Illuminate Your Story" and "Faith & Lettering" journals come with an elastic pen loop fixed to the binding for convenient storage of your chosen writing piece.  The instructions are very clear and easy to follow, with plenty of explanation for each technique, including historical background, examples and vivid images. 

Right now, my favorite by far is the "Faith & Lettering Journal".  I have loved diving into this journal, learning different styles of lettering and really finding the value in meditating on a verse as I spend the time working on each word one at a time, in an artful way.  Though not an artist by any fashion, I find I can make the words come alive and take meaning with some creativity and color.  Already, I have found myself putting two verses into memory from practicing and making my pen flow across the pages.

I have enjoyed digging into these journals and bragging about them to my friends.  They are a beautiful addition to the Bible study time at my house and have actually encouraged me to want to dig in more because they are so fun.  I am looking forward to filling them over the coming months.  I am also already planning to give them as gifts.

You can find these journals here:
Illuminate Your Story
Faith & Lettering
The Illustrated Word

* I received these journals for free in exchange for my honest and un-biased review.

Forever With Jesus

Forever With Jesus
by Lee An Mancini
Illustrated by Dan Sharp

In Forever With Jesus, a group of fish children learn through spending time with their grandparents that Jesus loves them so much He died for their sins and has prepared a place for them in Heaven some day.  While visiting, they celebrate Grandma's birthday and have a family sleep over with cousins.  They learn during the visit that an older neighbor has passed away during the night, so they gather flowers and bring comfort to the family.  They talk about how there are no enemies or sadness in heaven, that it will be a happy place where they will forever be together with Jesus.

Illustrations are bright and cheery, the characters are inviting and friendly.  Through the use of familiar house items, the reader finds themselves in a fish house, doing regular things a family of people might do.  Hidden in the pictures are crosses that offer readers an opportunity to not only read the book but also search pages for hidden items.

I began reading this book not realizing that it introduced the death of a neighbor into the discussion about heaven and living with Jesus forever.  I should have screened the book before reading it to my children to be aware of that topic coming out.  We have discussed heaven and living forever with Jesus in our home with our children but having recently experienced the death of a friend who left children behind, our kids werent quite ready for that part of the book.  While it is important and part of life, I just wish I had been prepared for it, but that was on me, not the book.  Beyond that, it is a nice book to talk about heaven and living forever with Jesus, but I felt distracted by all of the other stuff going on in the book.  It was like there were a couple of different stories happening within the same story.  Probably not a book I will add to my shelves, it wasn't a hit with my crowd.

You can find this book here

* I received this book for free in exchange for my honest and un-biased review as part of the Book Crash program.

It's a Jungle in Here

It's a Jungle in Here

Written and Illustrated by Kristie Wilde 

Another book in the Joyful Creation Series, this book follows suit and fits right in.  It is adorable in illustration, beautiful realistic images that are endearing and familiar.  The story leads the reader through the idea that God loves variety and talks about various different jungle creatures and the unique properties of those depicted, from size to color to camouflage.  Each page is simple in text and awash with illustration, drawing children in.  There is so much to look at on each page that the reader spends much longer than text requires.  

I loved the story for its content and simplicity as well as the beautiful images filling each page.  There was so much for me to talk about with my nature loving children.  We especially appreciated the index at the back with the name and picture of animals depicted in the story as well as a bit of information about them.  Also included are Bible verses supporting the creation story in relation to the animals.  

We enjoyed another of the Joyful Creation books and were glad to have the chance to review this one as well.  I recommend it for its fun and conversation opportunities as well as its beauty and simplicity.

You can find a copy of this book here

* I was provided a free copy of this book through the Book Crash program in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

The Star DVD Promotion

Each time a movie with Christian values and a Godly theme succeed in the big world of theater going movie consumers, I rejoice that the word of God is getting out there and maintain hope for the big world so riddled with pain and trouble.  Today, I rejoice in the success and new release of the movie "The Star" which was in theaters around Christmas.

 If you haven't seen "The Star" yet, you are missing out on a super cute re-telling of the Christmas story from a new and unique point of view.  My family had the opportunity to see it on Christmas Eve and enjoyed it thoroughly.  It is appropriate for even the littlest of children, with a rating of PG for some thematic elements,  but entertaining and engaging for the big ones and adults too!  A full length feature (86 minutes) with big name voice actors, such as Tracy Morgan, Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Patricia Heaton and more, this film offers a whole lot of humor and a fresh perspective brings life the journey of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Christ in a brand new way.

Through the eyes of Bo, a spirited young donkey who finds plenty of ways to get into mischief with his friends, the Christmas story unfolds.  Along Bo's journey from stubborn will to a realization of the bigger picture, viewers see the story unfolding through the eyes of animals who take on funny characteristics and do silly things that keep children giggling.  Familiar and new songs run through the story and add content to the story. 

My children have been asking since viewing the move in theater when we can buy a copy so we can watch it again, so I am very excited about the release of the movie and am set to buy my copy this week!

The Facebook page has so much more information.  A live guided Bible Study is available simply by clicking on the post (link).  This takes you to messenger, where, when you give access, it opens up a chat box where you are given prompts to interact and receive video lessons over a few weeks.  This Bible Study is engaging and interactive, fun and a neat way to participate.

Additionally, there is tons of fun to be found on "The Star" disc/digital file itself.  At the website below, you will find information and promotional goodies like sneak peeks, release information, crafts and recipes, coloring and activity sheets, music and more.  You will also find details on the video bonus features, which includes sing along videos from Mariah Carey, Fifth Harmony, Kelsea Ballerini, A Great Big World and Kirk Franklin.  Additionally, there is a  "Faith All Year Round Children's Sermon" with Devon Franklin, which discusses the themes of the film and how to keep that spirit alive all year round.  Also among the bonus features is a recipe, a craft and a chance to meet the All-Star cast.

Website: http://sites.sonypictures.com/thestar/discanddigital/?hs308=TSR084D

#TheStarMovie
#FlyBy

Frogglez Swim Goggles

Ever since I saw the child of a friend of mine wearing Frogglez, I knew I had to get my hands on them for my kids!  

 Frogglez, for those who are unfamiliar, are about the best thing since sliced bread for the swimming pool.  Think goggles only without the flimsy stretchy band that breaks or pulls out of the loops or rips hair out.  Think wetsuit meets goggles.  And man are these things cute and cool!

 Available in a variety of colors, I opted for pink because, lets face it, I'm surrounded by princesses who demand nothing but.  The Frogglez come with a set of goggles and a stretchy headband, all connected.  They are easily switched out for any goggles owned in the house by simply releasing the Velcro tab and feeding it through the attachment loop, putting that loop into your own goggles and then re-attaching the Velcro tab.  Super simple!

 What's even better is that they go on easily!  No more fighting a wet child flopping and squealing like a fish out of water as you try to wrestle the goggles on - not too tight, not too loose, 18 times in a row until they are perfect.  Frogglez can easily adjust with the Velcro bands on the sides.  The headband slips over the child's head with ease and wraps the top and the back, eliminating all of that sliding around those silly elastic bands do. 

 Now the kid can swim and dive and jump and fight water ninjas without having to ask Mom over and over to fix them.  They seal pretty well too.  While I've not had the opportunity to actually put mine in the water, since it's below freezing here, I have to go with dry results for now, but they feel snug and cup around the eyes well.  No gaps or cheap plastic that is mis-formed.

 I love also that I can use these with multiple children.  I put them on my three year old and then switched them to my 8 year old and had no trouble at all!  None of the kids complained, in fact they were eager to continue to wear them around the house like superheroes, and were quite disappointed when they were repossessed by Mom.

I will absolutely be buying several more pairs of these, because let's face it, one pair for 4 kids is not going to cut it!  I can't wait for summer so we can really test these things out, but I am very optimistic bases on what my hands and eyes have seen and held and from the reports of my friend, that these will be my new favorite pool accessory for the kids!

You can check these things out at http://www.madebymydad.com

* Disclaimer: I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and un-biased review.

Furbliss Multi-functional Grooming Brush

With a dog, two cats and a rabbit living in my house, there is plenty of fur to be groomed around here.  We own several different types of sturdy brushes with handles and teeth, but none that are soft and flexible, which would sometimes be more convenient.  Enter the Furbliss Multi-functional Grooming Brush

This brush is made from 100% silicone that is very soft and flexible.  It can bend, twist and flex with ease. As a multi-functional brush, it serves many purposes:
- Brushing and deshedding
- Massaging and soothing
- Bathing (wet or dry)

The back of the brush can be used to help loosen fur as well as remove loose furn from clothes and furniture.  Many grooves in the center of the brush act as shampoo reservoir cells for use when bathing.

The yellow brush is designed for medium to large breeds.  It is a good size to fit in your hand and is comfortable to hold and use.

The de-shedding teeth are triangular shaped with rounded tips and are spaced closely together for more teeth contact.

The back of the brush has many different grooves and raised edges to help with scrubbing and massaging.  It also is a low profile, so it works nicely for wiping along furniture to help grab the loose fur.

Unfortunately, right now the shedding level in my house is low, but I anticipate this being a really handy tool in a month or so when the animals all start to ditch that winter coat.  However, in just a few short passes, it did grab loose fur off of my cat, and this was with very little effort on my part.  The silicone acts like a fur magnet, almost like it attracts the fur through static or something.  

I look forward to really putting this to work when the fur starts to fly, literally!

You can find this product here:
https://www.chewy.com/glandex-furbliss-short-hair-dog-brush/dp/164015
#furbliss 
#vetniquelabs

Disclaimer: I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and un-biased review.