Happy Father's Day

Well, it is 9:30pm and I have the house to myself (sort of). Carter is sleeping peacefully in his air conditioned room & the girls & Jason...well, they are sleeping outside.

Daddy has been wanting to take Sarah camping (he's not convinced Emma will last a weekend yet). However, with no trailer & no tent (big enough for all of us), the back yard has become a campground.

So, on this most special of days - Father's Day - Jason & his girls are spending a special evening 'camping' in the backyard.

Jason taught the girls how to set up his backpacking tent. They laid the tarp.



Emma helped with the tent pegs.



Sarah helped snap on the rain cover.



Mission accomplished!



After tucking them all in...



Jason said "See you in an hour" to which I replied "if they last that long".

Time will tell, The girls just might surprise him (and me) and last the night. Hmmm, then again maybe not. There is the sound of the back door...it's just Emma coming in for a potty break. She is back in the tent, there is still movement inside the tent and they have the rain cover open to the night sky. I am sure it will be a bit longer before eyes close and the talking ceases.

Me, I am going to enjoy having our whole full size bed to myself.

Sweet Dreams.

MAN, I didn't even have the chance to post this before the back door opened again. This time both girls came in carrying their sleeping bags and pillows. Apparently, the ground is not very comfortable. It would appear as though sleeping mats are in order.

Well, maybe next time I can enjoy having the bed to myself. :-)

Oh, PS! For anyone who is curious as to how long the camping trip lasted...they lasted approximately 45 minutes.


Sweet Dreams, again!

I AM says You Are - Blog Tour

In the midst of traveling to Thailand, packing up our belongings in AZ, and moving back to MI...I have been reading a fantastic book/Bible study.

It is called - I AM says, “You Are…” by CJ Rapp.




Today, I am hosting CJ for a blog book tour. I hope you enjoy getting to know her & learning a bit more about the book. I definitely recommend getting the book and discovering what I AM thinks of you.

Blessings,
Kim


INTRODUCTION:
I AM says, “You Are…” Understanding Your Identity in Christ is the first book by Bible teacher and speaker CJ Rapp. Not only does this book explore your rock solid identity in Christ, it also helps the reader identity patterns of thinking that threaten healthy self-esteem. For each daily devotional, questions have been included. These questions provide an opportunity for personal study or for sharing the journey with a small group. It’s perfect for women’s ministry groups to use as a six week study.

Q. What inspired you to write I AM says, “You Are…” Understanding Your Identity in Christ?
A. One of the biggest challenges in my life has been overcoming insecurity and low self-esteem. In fact, my journey was long and difficult. My low self-esteem began during my teen years and remained into my thirties.

In my late twenties I began to follow Christ. I committed my life to Him and began to read the Bible. As I read, I discovered that His Word actually contradicted lies I had long believed about my worth and my value. His words were kind, compassionate, and full of love. The more I read the more I realized that God loved me and that he didn't think I was stupid, ugly, or worthless. Instead His Word says that I am priceless, a masterpiece, a treasure, and I am His child. He even loved me enough to send His Son to die for me. That was shocking! The girl who grew up believing that she had little worth or value was passionately loved and desired by the Creator of the universe! It was life changing for me. Through my study, acceptance of His truth, and application of God’s Word I was set free. I like to say that God replaced the trash, my negative thoughts, with the truth or the treasure of God’s Word.

The more I read the more I realized I held the keys to freedom and healing in my hands. Not just for me but for other people just like me. Three years ago God impressed on my heart the importance of sharing my journey with others. My heart’s desire in writing this devotional Bible study is to help other people find the same hope, freedom, and healing that I have found.

Q. What are some of the topics covered?
A. Each day begins with this identity statement, I AM says, “You Are…” The thirty daily themes cover many aspects of our identity in Christ such as:

• I AM says, “You Are loved.”
• I AM says, “You Are beautiful.”
• I AM says, “You Are unique.”
• I AM says, “You Are forgiven.”

Q. Do you have a website or blog for your audience to check out?
A. Yes! I have a blog site www.cjrapp.wordpress.com for women to interact and share their thoughts on the daily themes. Small groups and Women’s Ministries also have a tab on the blog where they can share their insights and idea’s.


CLOSING
I AM says, “You Are…” Understanding Your Identity in Christ provides women with a glimpse of God’s heart for them. Embracing the truths from Scripture found in this book can help women overcome the low self-esteem that studies say over 80% of American women suffer from. The quickest way to get your copy is to order from amazon.com. For more information about CJ Rapp visit her website at www.cjrapp.com. Don’t forget that this study can be used in small groups and as a church wide women’s ministry study.

The Secret Holocaust Diaries Blog Tour

It has been some time since I have been able to find time to post. I am returning with a blog book tour.

Please take time to at least read about the topic of this book.

Blessings,
Kim




The Secret Holocaust Diaries by Nonna Bannister with Denise George and Carolyn Tomlin

Introduction

Nonna Bannister appeared to be a typical American housewife. She married Henry, the love of her life, in 1951 and together they raised three children in Memphis, Tennessee. But Nonna was far from average. For half a century, she kept her story secret while living a normal life. She locked all of her photos, documents, diaries, and dark memories from World War II in a trunk in her attic.

Tyndale House Publishers announces the publication of The Secret Holocaust Diaries: The Untold Story of Nonna Bannister written by Nonna Bannister with Denise George and Carolyn Tomlin (April 2009, Tyndale House), the haunting eyewitness account of Nonna Lisowskaja Bannister, a remarkable Russian girl who saw and survived unspeakable evils during World War II.

Questions & Answers

Q. The Secret Holocaust Diaries is written by Nonna although she passed away in 2004. Did she write the book before she died?
A. Yes, she slipped up into the attic each night, translated her diaries (from several different languages), and recorded them in English onto yellow legal pads. Much later, after she told her husband, Henry, about her incredible past, she showed him the stacks of yellow legal pads on which she had translated her diaries and recorded her thoughts about her past, and he typed them up into a manuscript.

Q. Would Nonna have liked to see her book published before she died?
A. Nonna translated her diary into English and her husband, Henry, typed the manuscript. However, she requested the diary not be published until at least 2 or 3 years after she died. Henry honored this request. (She died in 2004.) The story was very painful and reminded her of the suffering her family endured. When she came to America in 1950 she was overwhelmed by her new life. She was determined to make a new life for herself and to give her husband and children a happy home.

Q. Many people assume most of the people killed by the Nazis were Jewish. Was Nonna’s family Jewish?
A. Although it is estimated that approximately 6 million Jews were killed by the Nazis, other nationalities experienced suffering and death, also. Nonna's family was Russian and owned seven grain mills and homes in southern Russia and the Ukraine. Her father, Yevgeny, and his family were from Warsaw, Poland, which included a large population of Jews. Due to border restrictions, Nonna never met her father's family. Yevgeny never told Nonna and her brother, Anatoly, if his family was Jewish. If the children didn't know, they could not let it slip. The admission of being Jewish could have meant deportation or certain death. There is speculation, but no one is certain.

Q. Nonna saved many documents from her time at Nazi camps; what are these artifacts?
A. In a small ticking pillow she kept tied around her waist, she kept many one inch square photos of her family and friends in the Ukraine. She also kept her small childhood diary. On tiny slips of paper, she wrote her experiences (in diary form) and also kept these in the little pillow.
Later she kept all these in a small trunk, which she painted bright green.

Q. What can people of Christian faith or Jewish faith/descent take from The Secret Holocaust Diaries?
A. That grave injustice exists--Nonna learned that from the Red Army (who killed many of her family members) and Hitler's army (who also killed many of her family members and imprisoned her in a labor camp). But that God's love and forgiveness for those who hurt us are stronger than even Hitler's evil and injustice. Nonna came out of the whole experience with her heart still filled with love. She experienced none of the bitterness and hatred that some Jewish Holocaust survivors have held onto. She was able to marry, raise children, and bring them much joy and happiness through her own love and through introducing them to God's love.

Q. Why did Nonna feel it was so important to share her story?
A. The Secret Holocaust Diaries: The Untold Story of Nonna Bannister is a true story of a young Russian girl whose family was caught up in the Russian Revolution and in World War II. In spite of the injustice inflicted on her family and millions of others, it is a story of love and forgiveness. Nonna wanted others to know the horrors that occurred during the Hitler and Stalin era so that it might never happen again.
Nonna felt compelled to tell her story because she was an eyewitness to many dramatic events, and she was the only survivor of her entire family.

Conclusion
Late in life, Nonna unlocked her trunk filled with memories from World War II first for her husband, and now for the rest of the world. Nonna’s story is one of suffering, torture, and death—but also of incredible acts of kindness that show the ultimate triumph of faith and love over despair and evil. The Secret Holocaust Diaries is in part a tragedy, yet ultimately it’s an unforgettable true story about forgiveness, courage, and hope.

SMORE for Women - Gail Showalter Book Tour

I am pleased to introduce you to another author this week.

Gail Showalter

Gail has an incredible passion for women, especially single mothers. I am blessed to have an amazing husband to share in the task of parenting. However, my mom was a single mom for many years. I would have loved for there to have been something like this for her when she was in this season of her life.

Thank you, Gail, for reaching out and caring for such a special group of women.
Kim ~ B & B

Thank you for the opportunity to share my passion for single mothers. In
the United States, alone, there are over ten million mothers raising children
alone. Over one third of them live in poverty. After years of being on my own as
a mother of three, I came to realize how little is done in our communities and
churches for this group of children with absent fathers and women with no
husbands. The vast majority does not attend church, but our neighborhoods are
filled with single moms. I’ve created and implemented, along with an eleven
member board, a detailed plan for encouraging, inspiring, and blessing single
mothers. If you have ever wondered what you could do to make a difference for
even one of the moms, this is the answer. It is easy, inexpensive, and
exceedingly worthwhile.

-Gail Showalter

B&B: Gail, You have established a ministry plan for single mothers. What motivated you to do this?

For sixteen years I was a divorced mother with three children. I was fortunate
to have family support and yet the disappointment, emotional pain, and daily
difficulties were devastating. I’m happily remarried now for twelve years and my
passion for the over the ten million single mothers remain strong.

B&B: Why do you think a ministry plan is needed?

Single mothers have a difficult time day-in, day-out. I think churches want to
provide supportive programs for them, but –though there are some successful
ministries—much still needs to be done to minister to single moms. Often what
you see on the outside doesn’t reveal the heartache and fear she is experiencing
on the inside. Church leader I’ve spoken with have expressed genuine interest in
implementing this plan.

B&B: What do you call the ministry?

SMORE for Women. SMORE is an acronym for Spiritual Ministry Offering ReTREATs and Encouragement. Our program assists churches in providing Saturday reTREATs in a home or intimate church environment.

B&B: What is the ultimate goal of SMORE for Women?

Our mission is to inspire and encourage women, especially single mothers, to
discover and develop their abilities and inner strengths. Ultimately I hope to
see churches across the country implement these programs. And in the process
develop ongoing programs and activities for single mothers in their communities.

B&B: Tell us why you prefer that the reTREATs be in homes?

Homes provide an intimate, friendly, and non-intimidating environment. Homes
also have the amenities for several of the pampering areas. A reTREAT can also
take place in a church or other facility.

B&B: What do you mean by pampering areas?

At each reTREAT each mom is treated in several areas. Depending on the home she
may use a hot tub or swimming pool. She will receive a brief massage, and even
have a quiet private prayer time.

B&B: Where can we go for more information about the SMORE for Women ministry?

We have a web site which is www.smoreforwomen.org and a blog which
is www.seeinguthrough.wordpress.com.

In closing, A Retreat can be hosted by a small group of compassionate women. The guidebook, Encouraging Single Mothers to Grow Their Strengths, includes step-by-step guidance for planning and hosting a reTREAT. Once you’ve experienced one Saturday reTREAT filled with joy you will want to plan another and another. In the process you will get acquainted with some remarkable women and you might inspire them as they see Christ in you. Please visit SMORE for Women at www.smoreforwomen.org.

Gail, thank you for taking time to share with my readers today. I hope that you will take a moment to visit Gail's website. Have a wonderful day.

Blessings,
Kim

Happy Thanksgiving

I pray you had a full Thanksgiving Day! We spent a wonderful afternoon with some friends and their family. Thanks, Steve & Susan, for a great day, a yummy meal and once again opening your home to our family.

I received this email from another friend. I enjoy reading his email messages - I hope you do to.

As we look to the journey ahead, it is my hope that our family can "Be joyful always; praying continually; giving thanks in all circumstances."

Blessings,
Kim

Dear Friends and Family:

Happy Thanksgiving!!! That’s the familiar greeting of the season; I like it much better than “happy turkey day”.

Certainly when we think about all the ways that God has provided for our needs, we are thankful. It is easy to thank God for the good stuff, but what about the bad? We are living in a time when there are a lot of “bad” things happening around the world; the violence in India yesterday, the continuing worldwide economic instability, political uncertainty…

But what does God teach us about that? In Ephesians 5:20 we learn, “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (not just in the good times but ALWAYS) Then we learn in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 to “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” Not only give thanks when times are bad, but be joyful about it!! Wow, that is a tall order. How can we do that?

Notice in both of those passages Jesus Christ is mentioned. Isn’t He really our true source of joy? When we consider Jesus’ awesome love for us that led Him to a cross to pay the price for our sins, how can we be unhappy? When we think of the millions upon millions of years (eternity) we will spend in Heaven because of Jesus’ sacrifice, experiencing more happiness than we ever experienced on earth, how can we be sad?

So I pray that you really have a HAPPY Thanksgiving this year and every year, no matter what. Romans 8:28

Even if we feel poor and weak; we are actually rich and strong in Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 12:10

I am reminded of an “old” hymn from 1978. (Not old for me, but for some of you…) It is called “Give Thanks”

Give Thanks

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks unto the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"

Give Thanks… Give Thanks… GIVE THANKS!!!

Love,
B

“I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.“

A. Lincoln (October 3, 1863)

Homeschool Resource Deal

Are you homeschooling your munchkins or thinking about it?
Check out this resource 'The Old Schoolhouse Magazine'.
Jen at "Balancing Beauty and Bedlam" has posted about a special offer.

One-year Women's Friendship Devotional Blog Tour

ONE-YEAR WOMEN’S FRIENDSHIP DEVOTIONAL

The One-Year Women’s Friendship Devotional(Tyndale) is the latest book from friends and coauthors Cheri Fuller and Sandra Aldrich. Not only does the text provide a deeper connection to and enjoyment of God and His Word, but it is a wonderful opportunity for today’s busy women to connect with each other as they discuss the short daily devotions and the “To Ponder” questions at the end of each week’s section. Perfect for small groups or two girlfriends meeting over coffee, the devotional also is appropriate for those who prefer individual study.

Q. What can women gain from The One-Year Women’s Friendship Devotional?

Sandra: The One-Year Women’s Friendship Devotional is designed for today’s busy woman. Each of the 365 devotions are on one page and contain a daily Scripture, short devotional thought from either Cheri or me and end with an honest prayer and an insightful quote. At the end of each week are questions to ponder individually or talk over with a friend. But beyond the friendship connection is our heavenly Father’s invitation to know more about Him and His living Word.

Cheri: One of the benefits of our One-Year devotional is it provides a vehicle to discover your natural rhythm for drawing near to God in a personal and regular way. For right-brained people like me, the structure helps me stay in God’s Word day by day so my roots can grow deeper in Christ. Being a lover of people, I also enjoy exchanging ideas and discussing how a certain verse or story spoke to me, and the weekly questions are ideal for that purpose.

Q. Why do you say “His living Word”?

Sandra: God’s Word isn’t just ancient wisdom. Its principles apply to modern challenges such as how to make good decisions, how to get along with those who irritate us, how to handle finances, how to know our heavenly Father on a deeper level. And that is just some of the treasures contained within the pages.

Q. What types of questions are at the end of each week?

Sandra: The four or five questions work well for either journaling or discussion with a friend. For example, the first week of April presents the theme “Loving the Lord and Others.” The questions at the end are:

1) What loving-kindness have you received at a low moment in your life? Who gave it? 2) What encouragement do you try to offer others?

3) When it is most difficult to show love?

4) Have you ever learned a lesson from someone who didn’t know you were watching?

Cheri: We also suggest to the reader she might pick a few of the questions for the week to discuss as she exercise-walks with her walking buddy. Or she can share her responses and thoughts via e-mail with an across-the-miles friend. Reading the same daily devotional with its Scripture, prayer, and devotional thought is bonding and connects our hearts no matter where you and your friend are. You could even share it via webcam or over lunch with a co-worker in the office. The format makes it very versatile and doable.

Q. What’s an example of a devotion in the book?

Sandra: My accounts usually feature one of my young friends facing a challenge or a memory from my Kentucky farm days, which leads to a spiritual point. The following devotion is from June 13:

Carried by Our Father
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.—1 Peter 5:7

I remember a long-ago night in our Kentucky farm
community. I was five years old, and my parents had
taken me with them to visit neighbors. By the time
we left for home, the stars were already out, and
our lane looked long and dark in the moonlight,
especially where the thorny blackberry bushes hug
over the ditches. Quickly my dad swooped me up and
carried me on his strong shoulders. The night was
still dark, and the bushes still had thorns, but I
felt so safe I fell asleep.

There have been many times in my adult life when
I’ve been carried by my heavenly Father. And I’ve
noticed that though I long to be carried away
from the darkness, I’m actually carried through
it, just as Daniel was saved in the
lion’s den rather than from it (see Daniel
6:16-23). I confess, I don’t like the challenges and
trials that often accompany daily human existence.
In fact, I’ve often thought I’d like God to say,
“Good morning, Sandra. This is what I plan to do
today for you and your family. Is that all right?”
But, of course, he doesn’t, and I’m left to choose
once again whether I will trust him during the scary
times.

A while back, I was intrigued by the word care
in 1 Peter 5:7, so I researched it. I discovered
that the word can have two meanings: our worry and
God’s comfort. The worrying type comes from a Greek
word meaning “to divide the mind.” How perfect. My
mind is divided when I allow worries, distractions,
and anxieties to interfere with my trust that my
heavenly Father will carry me past life’s dark
ditches and thorny bushes. So what’s my goal? To
concentrate less on the situation and more on him.

Lord, even though I’m an adult, many times I feel
like that little girl facing thorny bushes and deep,
scary ditches. Help me to feel your strong arms
carrying me to safety. Help me to rest in you.

God is in His heaven; God is on the throne; God is fully in charge of His world.
--J. I. Packer, Theologian and Author

Q. What parting words do you have for your readers?

Cheri: Remember that God loves to hear your voice, just as you love to hear the sound of your kids’ or loved ones’ voices—not just once a week on Sunday but throughout your days. And every time we open his Book, the Bible, there’s a gift, a promise, or a truth that will help us learn to live abundantly no matter what we’re facing.

Sandra: Because of the shed blood of Jesus, we have the incredible privilege of stepping directly into the Presence of our heavenly Father through prayer. Years ago, a woman asked the great preacher G. Campbell Morgan if she should pray about everything or just the big things. Morgan answered, “Dear lady, pray about everything. After all, what could possibly be big to God?” I love that. And I love knowing we do not pray to air.

In closing, The One-Year Women’s Friendship Devotional provides connection in this fragmented world—connection to other women and, most importantly, connection to our heavenly Father. The quickest way to order it is through amazon.com. For more information about Cheri Fuller or Sandra Aldrich visit their websites at www.cherifuller.com or www.sandraaldrich.com And remember: the heavenly Father is just a whisper away.