by Kimberly | Aug 15, 2016 | Bible
Back in my pre-married days, way back even pre-seminary days, I started out in ministry doing youth ministry. A few people in St. Augustine believed in me, and let me love on teenagers through the ministry of Young Life, and the local church, Anastasia Baptist. I’m grateful for those people in my life who believed in the gifts and heart that God had given me.
I still, even 2+ decades later, still love teenagers and discipling them – helping them pour into relationships, Jesus, and the Word.
The Color Code Bible (in NKJV) is a helpful new Bible perfect for young teenagers (or even pre-teens) with a fun way for them to start learning how to study the Bible on their own. A neat and very helpful way to get teenagers to study the Bible is by introducing them to topical studies. This Bible is helpful in that by giving them colors on certain topics of the Bible, like God, Jesus, sin, praise, assurance of heaven and hope, etc.
If you are wanting a new Bible to give to your son or daughter (or niece, nephew, grandchild), this would make a great gift. And why not study along with them – that may spur them on to study the Bible for themselves even more.
If you would like to win a copy of this, (Thanks Tommy Nelson for my copy and the giveaway copy), just answer the following: what is your favorite way to connect with your teenager/pre-teen?
by Kimberly | Aug 12, 2016 | Books, mothering, parenting
Motherhood is such a journey – and a different journey for everyone.
Writing about the ups and downs of motherhood is quite difficult too.
I got married late and therefore had kids late (mid-to-late 30s). I didn’t have many people in my life who truly told me how hard raising kids was going to be. Even if I hung out with families, I only saw glimpses (and most of the kids knew to obey in front of guests).
So, I had different expectations for parenting. And Hettie Brittz writes about parenting, motherhood, and all that goes with it in her new book (un)Natural Mom. She tells about real life, and all the what ifs and all the doubts that we are mothers face. I like that she is real. I like that she tells it like it is and points us to SCripture (and not the world’s ideals). I don’t like some of the daily specific things she talks about – because everyone is so different and may not find herself in the same story.
I do think that every woman (because she is a woman) is life-giving. That may not mean being a natural mom, or even an adoptive mom – that may mean discipling others or bringing life to an art area that sparks her interest. Affirming and maturing and building life is something we do because God created us as women.
Let us hold firm to what the Word says about women – not what the world says we have to be in order to be a good mom.
Thanks to Litfuse for this book. All opinions are my own.
by Kimberly | Aug 12, 2016 | Books, food
Happy Friday everyone.
I love just giving you a quick glance into our little world – and what things actually make me giddy. I love holding my littles hands (when I’m doing it for fun, not for discipline because they ran away), I love friends who are great accountability partners and share their lives with me, I love celebrating friends who excel in their hobbies, I love sticking my feet in the sand at a beach.
Here are some lovelies around the internet that might make you Friday just a bit brighter, too.
If you love Alaska, love adventure, love a story of a father and daughter taking risks, learning about each other, and all the emotions that go with it – you will love James Campbell’s new book Braving It. Parenting isn’t easy. And the Alaska wilderness with a teenager isn’t easy. But, this story holds truths about love and the nature of relationships that most will find compelling.
Trying to fit in more salads on our table – so this post was not only pretty but also inspiring.
I love Pinch of Yum food and also this post: about soaking up summer in all of its glory. Summer looks different than I thought it would with kids and a working husband. My mister always reminds me to change my expectations.
This has summer written all over it: and I want to eat it right now! Maybe I’ll make some rosemary olive bread this wknd
Thanks to Blogging for Books for Braving It – all opinions are my own
by Kimberly | Aug 12, 2016 | Bible, Books
Now that school is starting back, most people are quickly engaging their kids with lots of tools to help them learn: ipads, calculators, folders, trapper keepers (wait, that was 30 years ago), fun pencils, Lisa Frank goodies, locker mirrors, back packs, lunch boxes with a favorite character on it.
A mom I know asked on facebook last night when did sending a kids to school get so expensive? Everything adds up – all in the name of engaging the learner.
Something I loved from when I was a kid was going to the dentist and reading Highlights. I loved it. I can’t wait till my kids get old enough to read them. One of my favorite features in each magazine was the story with the pictures in them (instead of the word).
So, when I received the Look and Tell Bible I was so excited because it was like my favorite kids magazine in the Bible. How neat.
I had another mom over and showed this to her. She tried to let her son read it, but some of the names in the stories were hard to figure out. My kids only know general times like lion, ark, etc. They wouldn’t know a lot of the specific Bible characters yet.
But, I think this book does really well at engaging older preschool children – maybe 4-5 year olds. If you would like to win a copy of this beautiful hardback book with lots of fun Bible stories in it, just tell me what your favorite school supply was when you were growing up! (Or maybe you still have a favorite school supply).
Thanks Tommy Nelson for this book, and the giveaway copy. All opinions are my own.
by Kimberly | Jul 24, 2016 | Uncategorized
You certainly need to find people you can trust to recommend books to you – and when you do, always read them!
Not many books make me laugh, cry, and challenge me on almost every parenting area. And also one that makes me re-place my hope in God because I know this parenting journey is tough and I can’t do it on my own. Love That Boy is a must read!
I love history and the American presidency, so when I knew that was a backdrop to this parenting book, I knew it would be a winner. And it didn’t disappoint.
You don’t have to have children with special needs in order to gain insight into your children through this book. But, every parent will gain insight into themselves, their children, and even their parents. They will be able to see how other parents parent through new lenses. You will learn what is important to you in how you raise your kids – even if you didn’t know it in the first place.
The only sad thing about this book: there was no hint of Christ. And even though I can’t save my children, I can’t make them place their hope in God – I can aim for that end. I can show them the gospel. And I do believe, if I didn’t have that hope – then this book and the whole parenting journey would be incredibly futile and depressing.
Thanks Blogging for Books – incredible choice!
