Reading Hit List: July 2012

Last week I focused on Extra Curricular Activities for the children, but as important as our children are - it's vital that you schedule activities which will enable you to grow and develop, or for rest and relaxation.  I don't believe the pursuit of "me time" should be the focus - but there needs to be a place for you to feed your spirit, move your body, stretch your mind, build relationships.  Just because we are parents doesn't mean that we don't need to maintain balance in our lives and give ourselves the opportunities to grow too.

One of the ways I do this is by reading.  I never seem to be able to read just one book.  This is not a wonderful gifting - but rather my inability to stay focused on one subject for too long.  Unless I get my hands on an investigative thriller, courtroom drama or detective crime series - then I consume a book in a day.

I know this sounds silly but I always try and make a balanced selection.  Yes I know I sound repetitive about balance but I am the type of person who gathers speed in a specific direction sometimes to the exclusion of all else and so I intentionally remind myself in everything I do about balance and focus.  And because I know that I am the example to my children, I keep a close eye on them too!

Here's my reading list for this month:

Love life for every married couple by Ed Wheat

Time to Embrace by Karen Kingsbury

The Soulwinner by CH Spurgeon

Creative Correction by Lisa Whelchel

 

Eldest by Christopher Paolini

What's on your reading list this month?  What books are on your bedside table?

SA Carnival of Homeschooling Blogs #4: Living Books

Welcome to the 4th edition for 2012 of

SA Carnival of Homeschooling Blogs

And it's all about books - and not just any books. Living Books.  OK so now some of you may be stumped and be wondering how a book can be living, how does it have life?  How can it breath? 
But think back to books that you remember.... the ones that had you holding your breath in suspense, the ones that made you cry, books that made history seem real and relevant - real people you could identify with, you travelled the world through mountains and valleys, you discovered that Judge Grammar could teach you all about Mr Noun - those are the ones we are talking about.


Living books are bound to get homeschoolers excited and in fact its should get all mom's excited.  If you are a parent, these are the types of books you want your children to read.  They're books written by people who love their subject - whether it's Maths or Geography.(yes you even get people who love Maths - special individuals those).  It's also definitely not written as a text book or in  very structured, fact by fact, point by point kind of way.  It's written in a conversational way, a narrative, a story. 

And what child does not enjoy a good story, in fact what adult does not enjoy a good story?  Through living books, children are exposed to facts and information in such an entertaining and engaging style that so much more is learnt and retained with very little effort.  

The language used in these books is of a high and excellent standard, not the language that is common to playground antics or Facebook comments.  It stretches their abilities and understanding of the language. It often stretches mine too.  We all grow in reading books like this.  In fact it will develop a real appetite for more of the same. 

I have fallen in love with living books.  As I read them to my children, I am totally engaged, enthralled and part of the learning experience.

And I am not the only one.  There are mothers all over the world who have discovered the value of living books.  And some of these include our very own homegrown South African Homeschool Bloggers.

Nadene of Practical Pages has been homeschooling for 14 years, using living books as an important part of her homeschooling day and her Charlotte Mason curriculum approach.  

Join her as she and her daughter Learn through Living Books.  I love how she uses a white board as a type of mind map/timeline/sequencing tool in conjunction with her living books.

 

Karen, a confessed book lover and hoarder, walks us through some great living books at Karen's Clan.  Loving Living Books give you a brief glimpse into her books on her bedside table and her list of favourite living books (and her wish list of soon to be favourites I am sure). 

Taryn of Hayes Happenings offers us a thorough explanation of living books, and how her journey of discovery and adventure has led her family down a road rich with learning and literature.  The Living Books they love include powerful stories of a farm girl embarking on an adventure to translate the bible in the jungles of the Philippines, the experiences of the blind and apples and arrows.

As for me, well over the years we have collected dozens of living books, too many even to mention.  I have loved all of them except maybe one or two. I enjoy my read aloud times with my children as much as they do.  Some of my current favourites though are:

The Wheel on the School by Meindert DeJong

Why do the storks no longer come to the little Dutch fishing village of Shora to nest? It was Lina, one of the six schoolchildren who first asked the question, and she set the others to wondering. And sometimes when you begin to wonder, you begin to make things happen. So the children set out to bring the storks back to Shora. The force of their vision put the whole village to work until at last the dream began to come true.

This truly was a book where I laughed so much that my sides hurt.  I have to admit I am always inclined to opt for the living books with humour and this is one of them.  The antics of these children of course had my children planning their own types of adventures but they were introduced to the whole Dutch culture combined with lots of good geography included.  This is a classic, never to be given away type of book.  I am sure that we will read this a number of times in our schooling future.

Kensuke's Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo

Washed up on a remote island in a Pacific storm, Michael curls up and waits to die. But when he wakes, there is fresh fruit beside him. He is not alone… Michael Morpurgo’s vivid story of a young castaway’s struggle for survival is an unmissable modern classic. Fusing adventure and mystery, it is a heartbreaking but uplifting tale of love, loss, hope and redemption.
I am a fan of Michael Morphurgo - he writes in such a way that you want to savour every moment.  He uses expressions that come alive and his combination of excellent writing, humour (again) and history - just bring this story to life. 
Carefully woven into this book was the history of Hiroshima, island survival, conflicting cultures and languages, boating and sailing and relationships.  This is the third book I have read of his and I know that I will continue to find more.

Now you may be wondering where you can find living books like these?

There are a number of ways you can find living books. The resources are endless and are often grouped according to subjects which makes it easier to find what you are looking for.  Some of them include curriculum providers who include living books as part of their curriculum.  These can often be found at your local library or a friend, or you could opt for a second hand book store.

Here are some resources to find lists of living books for you and your family.  Though I don't always use these books as part of my curriculum, I often pack them into their library bags and let them discover something new.

*  Ambleside Online
*  Living Books Curriculum
*  Beautiful Feet Books
*  Penny Gardener's Charlotte Mason's Website
*  Librivox
*  Classical Christian Homeschooling
*  Paula's Archives
*  Sonlight
*  Veritas Press
*  Living Book List for Science
*  Living Maths Books
*  What should I read next?

For further reading on Charlottle Mason and Living books, here are some excellent resources:
Charlotte Mason Basics by Jimmie of Jimmies Collage
Excellent resource on living books at The Thinking Mother

So do the rounds, visit our South African Homeschooling bloggers and hopefully you will find some new inspiration to add to your book shelves.

I would love to hear about any living books that you might think are a worthwhile addition to our libraries.  Leave a comment and tell us about some of your favourites.

How to get them reading part 3

Photo Credit

So in review of my previous posts, there are literally dozens of ways to stimulate or encourage a child to read.  For a quick reference if you missed them:
Part 1
Part 2
What's the big deal with reading?
But there is still more.  The list is truly endless if you allow a little creativity and perseverance.  The idea is also not necessarily to try every method but find ones that will work with your child.

1.  In the car

This may really only appeal to younger children, but I found that with my 8 year old, he loves reading signs.  So I ask him to help me find signs as we are driving, or I ask him what a signboard says.  He loves it and he never forgets what they say.  He has such a expression of satisfaction when he can read information along the road.  The only problem is that you have to remind your children that some of the names of companies on trucks and vehicles are actually misspellings but it gives you the opportunity to get them to tell you how it should be written.

Another variation(older children up to teens) is to buy 2nd hand travel books/ things to do in the area catalogues and as you drive through an area, get one of the children to read it to the rest of their siblings as they drive.  And if you can't find these, use your browser on your smart phone and Google it.  They love the technology and feel very authoritative when they read aloud and of course, it makes for a very interesting Geography lesson.

2.  Cooking

My children love to eat.  If they know there'll be something yummy to eat they are VERY motivated to read!  Yep, I TOTALLY believe in bribery and yummy motivations.  You can start with simple cooking and move on to cook books that run according to themes which normally provides you with lots of reading material.  Get them to research a recipe online.  (remember its not that they have to read huge quantities of materials but making reading a way of achieving a goal, having fun - or in this case - getting to eat!)

3. Magazines 

Choose good magazines that will interest them.  My children are Kid's National Geographic fans as well as Popular Mechanics.  But with their other interests like lifesaving, surfing, skateboarding, fishing, flying - I could buy a magazine on any one of these topics and guaranteed I would not see them for a couple of hours.  Don't worry if initially it looks like they are just paging through the magazine, when they find something of interest, they will want to read.  

And if you can't afford the magazines they like (because some of them can be incredibly expensive) there are other options:
*  Take them out at the library  and if they are the most current ones, they will not be available for loan so then let them sit and read, let it be a special privilege for them.
*  Keep looking on places like Gumtree, Craiglist, Freecycle - people are always giving away boxes of magazines for those interested or ask for them with an ad.
*  Browse through second hand stores

4.  Turn off the telly!!!!!

Research has shown that especially boys will choose telly if given a choice between telly and reading.  So don't give them the choice.  Just turn it off!  Our TV is in our lounge and even when its off, we can still see it luring and tempting us to put it on.  I truly think a TV cupboard with doors that you can close is really the best solution.  Our children have screen time on Fridays, but really they have no need to watch TV.  Don't let them convince you that they do.  In fact why not read them the book "The day my mom through out the telly" which is perfect for teaching them about wasted TV time.  Its a really funny story and really is worth the read.

5.  Reading apps for phones

I am a reluctant let-a-child-play-with-my-phone-sort-of-person.  Children do funny things with expensive equipment - I speak with experience and without going into too much detail - one of those included flushing a certain telephonic piece of equipment down the loo!  


However desperate times demand desperate measures.  You might not find the right type of reading app for your phone and again it could just be too jolly expensive.  But you can also download the software so that your phone runs like a Kindle and so you can read entire books on your phone.  Now what child doesn't just love that combination.

6.  Keep it brief

Don't push too hard, and keep reading times brief initially - they will eventually ask for more.

Photos Credit

7.  Audio Books

I know this does not mean that they are literally reading the written word, but through positive experiences reading starts to have a positive slant.  This is especially a good practise for older children who you feel may have had very negative experiences so far.  If you can just find the right audio book you might change their attitude to reading.  Imagine he likes Story 1 by Author 1.  You listen to it and then conveniently leave Story 2 by Author 1 lying around which has been taken out the library. 

Also Read Along Audio books are great for children to listen to and follow in their books because it gives them a sense of rhythm, timing, pronunciation and confidence to read aloud with the CD.

You can buy Audio books but there are a lot of free audio book sites too, so all you need to do is download it!  My children listen to these as they go to bed at night.  I copy it on a disk, put off the light and let them listen until they fall asleep. They will often rush off to bed so they can listen to the next installment, making bed times a breeze! We also listen to the audio books when we drive in the car which makes travelling so much more pleasant.

Photo Credit

8.  Just serve up hors d'oeuvres not the main course

Read just enough to pique their interest in a book, to that moment where you have everyone sitting at the edge of their seats in anticipation .......... and then stop.  I can guarantee you that even the most reluctant reader will pick up the book after you and want to read further.


As you read through this posts, some of these methods may sound too easy but a lot of children struggle with confidence and so the more confident they are and the more you affirm them, the more they will want to read.  Don't assume that something won't work with your child "oh this won't work on him, he is so stubborn" or "he'll never listen".  I have often found that we often don't know what can trigger a change.  That our children will surprise us - that sometimes we need to have more hope and less cynicism.  Don't give up, they may not do things in the way we would - they might read in a different way, they might read different books to what we would - But isn't that exciting? - To find out more and more about these precious children!

If you have any further ideas or thoughts on how to stimulate reading in children - I would love to hear about it.  Why not leave a comment so that we can all learn from your experiences.

So what's the big deal with reading?

I was busy writing the third installment of how to get your children reading, as I have had such an amazingly positive response to part 1 and part 2 today - but I know that there are some of you who read this blog who probably are not big readers and in fact don't "get" the importance of reading.  So I thought I would post a couple of thoughts by fairly well known and unknown individuals who have left a mark - of what they thought/ think about reading.

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go -Dr Seuss

 Today a reader, tomorrow a leader - Margaret Fuller

A home without books is a body without soul - Marcus Tullius Cicero

Every man who knows how to read has it in his power to magnify himself, to multiply the ways in which he exists, to make his life full, significant and interesting - Aldous Huxley

To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark - Victor Hugo

 The greatest gift is a passion for reading. It is cheap, it consoles, it distracts, it excites, it gives you knowledge of the world and experience of a wide kind. It is a moral illumination - Elizabeth Hardwick

No two persons ever read the same book - Edmund Wilson

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body - Joseph Addison

Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him - Maya Angelou

The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries - Rene Descartes

Education begins the gentleman, but reading, good company and reflection must finish him - John Locke

Reading is an art form, and every man can be an artist - Edwin Louis Cole

To read is to fly: it is to soar to a point of vantage which gives a view over wide terrains of history, human variety, ideas, shared experience and the fruits of many inquiries - A C Grayling

A capacity and taste for reading gives access to whatever has already been discovered by others - Abraham Lincoln

He that loves a book will never want a faithful friend, a wholesome counselor, a cheerful companion, an effectual comforter. By study, by reading, by thinking, one may innocently divert and pleasantly entertain himself, as in all weathers, as in all fortunes - Barrow

We read to know we are not alone - C.S. Lewis

You're the same today as you'll be in five years except for the people you meet and the books you read - Charlie "Tremendous" Jones

When you sell a man a book you don't sell him just 12 ounces of paper and ink and glue - you sell him a whole new life - Christopher Morley

 No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance - Confucius

A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face. It is one of the few havens remaining where a man's mind can get both provocation and privacy - Edward P. Morgan

The greatest gift is a passion for reading - Elizabeth Hardwick

Children are made readers on the laps of their parents - Emilie Buchwald

Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few are to be chewed and digested - Francis Bacon

Once you learn to read, you will be forever free - Frederick Douglas

Winners of Reading Eggs Giveaway Back by Popular Demand

The Winners
 We had 83 entries to this competition which is wonderful!  Thank you for all entering!  So the winners were supposed to be announced last night but I wasn't anywhere near a computer, so here they are this morning.

The two winners are:
Lynette Bantjes
Nor Fyadzillah Mohd Taha

Well done to both of you and trust that you will enjoy reading eggs as much as we do!

I hope some of you signed up for this program after the last giveaway for a trial run and discovered like I did, what a phenomenal program this is.  And so Reading Eggs has decided to sponsor another two subscriptions for a year! 

This reading program is suitable for children from 3 years to 12. The youngest children start in a playroom, and then as they progress they build on what they have learnt.  The older children start on a rotating island which they explore and compete to win various golden eggs.

The whole program is colourful and fun with lots and lots of games (which are all learning activities but FUN ones.)  The children earn golden eggs for completing various games and they can go shopping with it.

My children beg me to use this program daily!  I have never found it so easy to motivate them to read.  In fact in the older section there are over 600 e-books to read with very familiar titles.  They not only have to read the books but they have to answer comprehension and vocabulary questions to earn their golden eggs and there are lots of fun rewards which motivate the children to want to read even more.

Reading Eggs would benefit 

*  reluctant readers

*  beginner readers 

*  children who love reading

* children with special needs

And so after using this program and loving it, I asked them for a prize and we have 2 X 1 year subscriptions valued at AU$79.95 or £39.95 for 2 lucky readers!  ( Each subscription is for one child) So go ahead and enter!

This is How to Enter the Giveaway

You can do any of the following and you will be entered:

*  Follow this blog through Networked Blogs (found on the right hand column)
 OR
*  Leave a comment 
OR
*  Subscribe to updates by entering your email address ( also found in the right hand column )
OR
*  Follow with Google Friend connect (right hand column - sounding a little repetitive I know)
 Of course if you want to do all 4, because you REALLY want to win this amazing subscription - you will increase your chances!


(Remember that if you don't have a blog, leave your email address when you comment, so that I can contact you, otherwise you might not get your prize and you don't want to lose out on this one!)

Anyone can enter our Giveaway AND you can enter even if you have won one of the Giveaways before.  Its open to anyone whether you live across the ocean or next door.

The Winner will be announced on Wednesday 25th January 2012.  

Whether or not you win this giveaway, why not sign up for a free trial of 14 days.  It's just worth every day!

How to get your child to read - Part 2

Previously I posted about how to get your children reading and hopefully you have had the opportunity to put some things in place.  For those of you with short term memories like me:  Some of the ideas included 

*  Putting Books Everywhere 

*  Getting a Variety
*  Reading to them A LOT

*  Dress Up when you read to your children

*  Go to the library often- and not just for books

*  Choose books for them

So now for part 2, yes you thought you had all the tools - but there are more.

Reading is such a vital part of a child's life!  When they can read they can do Maths, Geography, Science or any other subject because there is comprehension and understanding. 

So here are a few more thoughts on how to help your child read and enjoy it!

1. Creative spaces for reading

Beauty is inspirational.  Beauty can make a moment - a memory moment where reading can take place.  

I found some amazing spaces on Pinterest (yes I am seriously addicted), so many beautiful ideas to pin.

 

Fairy lights just make this reading corner so special, fairy lights make everything special.  I love fairy lights!  This is truly whimsical! Never mind for the children, I want a space like this.

Reading Tents, easy to make! I know my boys would love this

 And if you don't have a budget to buy material and wood, why not just throw a sheet over an area where your children can simply read and read?

Budget reading tent

And for some more beautiful ideas (or more boyish ones - because I know the girl in me loves all the pretty stuff that boys don't always enjoy) for shelving and decor for a reading space, you can check out on my Get them Reading Board

2.  E- Books

OK so what's the difference you ask?  

Well isn't it funny that the moment it becomes electronic their interest increases.  Get yourself a Kindle/ Nook or iPad - if you can afford one.  (I am still holding my breath for Father Xmas who still hasn't arrived with mine and may be barred from ever entering my house again if he doesn't arrive soon).
But never fear, now you can get an app for your computer, so that even if you don't have the equipment, you can still use your computer in a similar way. 

3.  Computer programs

I have posted before about Reading Eggs which has just been one my best finds ever! But there are so many others.  Some of them are free, some of them cost a packet.  Ask around, find out what others are using.  If your children are like mine, anything on a computer is a winner.  Even Ruthie who is only 3 is already fascinated with the computer.( I will post about reading sites a later post- notice the lack of dates, I have so many posts and these chubby fingers can only type so fast)

4.  Mom and Dad, Siblings and Grandparents - well actually just about anybody

Grab anyone who is available to read.  I don't always have capacity or time to read to all my children all the time, so find someone who will. And if they are especially patient individuals let them have their younger sibling read to them.  


Please note:  this works sometimes and other times there have been enormous arguments because the one sibling is telling the other sibling what to do:) or maybe it just happens in our house....

5.  "How to do" books

If it's Lego its Declan

if it's J-Boarding or fishing it's Ethan,

if its baking its Chad 

and if it has anything to do with princesses - then its definitely Ruthie

(that does go without saying - but thought I needed to say that anyway)

My children each have their own interests but if I happen to take a book out on how to build, make or catch something - or in the case of the only daughter in the house - how to make herself look like a princess, I find I have 4 very avid readers.

Give it a try.  You would be amazed.  Of course you may be expected to buy ingredients, take your child fishing and help him put that slimy worm on his hook, or endure endless changes of clothing - but you will have them hooked.  (couldn't resist)

6. Movies with subtitles

@£$%%££%&_(**(^^%%$*&&_*+(+*^$_+>?

Which means:  This will work if your child is interested in movies and wants to know what is going on.

So there you have it, in brief - 6 good ways to help your child to read.  And in fact not just read but love reading. 

And one last thing, I hope you remembered to enter the Reading Eggs Giveaway!  There's still time!

I would love to hear from you as to what works for you?  How do you encourage your child to read?  
Bribery?  Dedicated reading times?  Lots and lots of books?

How to Get your Children Reading and a Great Giveaway

 OK so I know that everyone is in holiday mode! And I know that you are not thinking about next year!  Of course you are! If you are not - let me know how you switch off.  I might not speak about it but my mind is running with ideas for next year.  Excursions, books to read, arts and crafts - the list is endless.

Whether your children go to school, or you home school - a big concern for most parents are Maths and English.  Could be wrong - but I know its almost always the centre of the universe for education.

I love the fact that my children love books.  Mind you, some of them just like to page through books, others read so fast I can't get to the library quickly enough EVER! and some need lots of help.  But they love books!  There have been a few ways that I have helped to encourage my children to read....and read .... and read!

My eldest son has always loved reading - so he was easy.  "You get books, I read".  My middle son was not as keen, he would rather be playing outside than reading, but some of these have really been key strategies for him learning to love reading.  Most of these strategies relate to the difficult readers!

Books  Everywhere

When a child is wondering around the house with nothing to do, they will see the books and pick one off the shelf. Make sure that you arrange them so that the covers catch their attention.  Don't just put them in a pile.  Spread them out on a table in the lounge.  Put one or two on their side tables.

Don't be disappointed if they only page through the book.  When they see something they like or catches their attention, they will want to find out what it says and if they can't read yet, they will ask you to read.

These books are in our dining room.

 

There are some lovely ideas on how to put up shelves using a gutter which allows you to put books everywhere.   

 You can find a simple tutorial on Raising Olives.  As a mother of 10 she has learnt how to ensure that all her children have lots to read everywhere!

Get a Variety

Get books on topics your children like.  Don't force them to read a specific type of book.  If your son likes fishing then load those shelves with fishing books.  My son loves anything he can make with some cellotape and a stapler. ( Did I mention that he thinks the world is held together by these two pieces of stationary?  If he sees something is broken he brings out the cellotape.  We go through a roll every 2 weeks.)  The point is, I get lots of crafty books.  Also skateboarding, surfing, J-boarding - these would be top of his "Like" list.

Read to them A LOT

Make this part of their daily routine.  I find reading to the children at bed time becomes a wonderful bonding time.  Children of all ages still enjoy this, especially if it's a family moment.  They might read at school or you might do some reading while you are homeschooling but their appetite for reading is huge! Keep feeding that hunger because they will eventually want to read by themselves - the frustration of waiting until the evening to find out what happened will motivate them to read.
If you are too tired, then let your older children do the reading and you listen with the other children.  I have loved those moments of cuddling up next to one of the younger children while the eldest gets a chance to read.

 Dress Up

You don't have to go mad (unless you really want to) but use a piece of clothing or an accessory that sets the scene.  Wear an eye patch when reading about pirates.  Face paint an animal character.  Put on a pretty dress when reading stories of a princess or a tiara.Use your imagination.

Go to the library - and not just for books

Go for books.  Go for the fun holiday programs.  Go for DVDs or the music selection.  The more positive the experience, the more your children will see books in a positive light.  Don't always rush in and rush out but give them a chance to browse and page.

Choose books for them

I let my children choose most of their own books.  I do scan them quickly to see if there is content that I don't think they should be reading.  While they are choosing their books, get some books that you think they might like.  I will often select unusual books or authors that they have never read.  I don't make a big fuss about it, I simply put it on the shelf.  At some point they will get to them. This ensures that they read widely and that you expose them to both fiction and non fiction books.  It also helps children move away from a specific type of book and explore a variety.

Reading is such a vital component of life. I trust that some of these handles will help you encourage your children to become avid readers and love books!

And now for the Giveaway!

I was recently given 3 months access to a wonderful program Reading Eggs to review.  And was I glad to do that!

This reading program is suitable for children from 3 years to 12. The youngest children start in a playroom, and then as they progress they build on what they have learnt.  The older children start on a rotating island which they explore and compete to win various golden eggs.

The whole program is colourful and fun with lots and lots of games (which are all learning activities but FUN ones.)  The children earn golden eggs for completing various games and they can go shopping with it.

My children beg me to use this program daily!  I have never found it so easy to motivate them to read.  In fact in the older section there are over 600 e-books to read with very familiar titles.  They not only have to read the books but they have to answer comprehension and vocabulary questions to earn their golden eggs and there are lots of fun rewards which motivate the children to want to read even more.

Reading Eggs would benefit 

*  reluctant readers

*  beginner readers 

*  children who love reading

* children with special needs

And so after using this program and loving it, I asked them for a prize and we have 2 X 1 year subscriptions valued at AU$79.95 or £39.95 for 2 lucky readers!  ( Each subscription is for one child) So go ahead and enter!

This is How to Enter the Giveaway

Simply leave a comment and tell me what books your children love the most.  Do your children love Roald Dahl?  Do they love comics?  Or do they devour Kids National Geographic magazines?

Anyone can enter our Giveaway AND you can enter even if you have won one of the Giveaways before.  Its open to anyone whether you live across the ocean or next door.

The Winner will be announced on Friday.  

Whether or not you win this giveaway, why not sign up for a free trial of 14 days.  It's just worth every day!

The Winner of the Psalms and a Box of Blessings Giveaway

 So its Wednesday and I know that you are all eager to know who won the Psalm Box of Blessings kindly supplied by Christian Book Discounters and of course the CD by Rhema Marvanne.

 And the Winner is Number 5 entry ........is Brigitte and her comment was: 

Ps 121 has been a huge encouragement to me, and I just have to look out the window at the mountain to remember that "my help comes from the Lord".

 Well done Brigitte!  

 ****************************************

Psalms is possibly one of my favourite books in the Bible.  I feel like somehow it speaks into every situation I am faced with.

 I love the fact that these writers wrestled with God, praised Him in their circumstances, questioned Him, doubted, or expressed their frustrations at the unfairness of life. Real people with real struggles.  No matter who we are, we are faced with daily challenges - family, finances, children, work - so many.  But within the pages of the book of Psalms, there is a place where we can be refreshed.  Where we can drink deeply and have our peace and joy restored.

 Part of that is as a result of thanksgiving.  When we stop focusing on what we don't have but what we do have- our perspective changes.  Some of you may remember 1000 Gifts - a List of Thankfulness by Children for Children, an activity I did with the children to remind them of how fortunate they truly are.

Because our American friends are celebrating Thanksgiving and we want to celebrate with them, even though they are on the other side of the world, there is a lovely Giveaway up for grabs.  

Thanks to Christian Book Discounters, who have generously supplied our Giveaway for this super prize of 101 Promises from Psalms.  One lucky reader will receive these 51 special inspiration and blessings from the Psalms. Each glossy card features a verse from Psalms and its packaged in a little sturdy storage box.  They are delightful and would make a perfect gift for someone special over Christmas.

And because I am feeling really generous and kind - because it's Friday and because I am really a generous and kind type of person (when I want to be), I thought I would add another delightful gift to the winner of this giveaway.

This young singer, Rhema Marvanne is only 8 years old and has an inspiring testimony of how she came to sing.  This is her story. (She has  a website where you can find out so much more about her and her mother who passed away after suffering from ovarian cancer.)

And so as part of this Giveaway, I will be giving away her CD "Believe" with tracks which include: * Just as I am *Over the rainbow * I thank God *Hallelujah * Just as I am * Hurt * No more night  


Her voice and her story are touching. I marvel at how someone so small can be so talented! But all for God's glory!  Again I am reminded of how we should never underestimate what God can do through our children.

This is How to Enter the Giveaway

Simply leave a comment and tell me what you favourite Psalm or verse in Psalms is.

Anyone can enter our Giveaway AND you can enter even if you have won one of the Giveaways before.  Its open to anyone whether you live across the ocean or next door.

The Winner will be announced on Wednesday.  

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And for those of you that love Giveaways and if you want to enter another Giveaway, why not head over to Jenni C's who has a pair of children's Green Cross shoes to give to one lucky reader.

Have a super weekend and special times with family and friends