SRKindredSpirits

4 STARS Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about - Philippians 4:8 Think 4:8: 40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life for Teens is a 40 day devotional for teens. Each day starts with a Bible verse, then a short devotional, an activity to make the teen get into the nitty-gritty of it all, a discussion point, a thought for the day, and finally a prayer. This book focused on focus is finding the joy in the teens life - thinking positive, uplifting thoughts to change reader's lives. Some of the topics covered in this book are the Joy of Appreciation, the Joy of Words, the Joy of Daily Solitude, and the Joy of Owning It. In this book, I liked the Work It sections. They are brief enough that teens are able to commit to completing them daily - to reap the rewards of consistent study and implementation. However, they are rel

She's Twelve going on Twenty by Kim Camp 3 Stars I was excited to receive this book, as you guessed it – I have a 12 yr. old daughter. I was hoping to learn some new parenting skills related to raising, understanding and having a close relationship with my daughter as a tween/teen. However, I'm a little mixed on this book. The book is topics which relate to preteens/teens such as diet, exercise, faith, music, friends, family, and more. Lots of examples make up the bulk of the book. The one thing that I did like about the book was that at the end of each chapter it had practical suggestions for mom and daughters to discuss issues or do activities together –   I also liked the personality chart and the questions for Discerning your Spiritual Gift  that are in the book. Aside from the few things stated above, I found the book hard to get into and felt like the writing was dragging a bit - lots of ideas, but no real unifying theme.   The ideas are not necess

A Dream So Big -   Our Unlikely Journey to End the Tears of Hunger by Steve Peifer (with Gregg Lewis) Rating:4 Stars The Peifers were living the American dream and financial stability when their lives were impacted by the birth and death of their third baby, who lived only eight days.  Seeking a change, the family accepted a year-long position as dorm parents for missionary kids at a boarding school in Kenya, Africa. That decision led the Peifers to a third-world setting where daily life was impacted by drought, hunger and poverty. Steve, the successful corporate executive, shares many of the hard truths he learns about himself as he faced a world of poverty and pain, however, in the mist of the beauty of the land of Africa. Steve Peifer treats the issues of childhood hunger and its relationship to failed education as a business problem. He comes up with a solution that is simple, and doable. One that has a chance to really change the lives of an ent

Fully Alive: Lighten Up and Live - A Journey that Will Change Your Life  By: Ken Davis Rating: 5 Stars There are lots of motivational books on the market today, but this one stands out because it touches you where you live. I looked forward to every chapter!  We all have in us some hidden desire to be all that we can be, but somehow during the journey, life gets in the way. "The Glory of God is man fully alive.” That's exactly how we were wired to live. Yet sadness, depression, feelings of apathy and helplessness often characterize our lives. We survive but not thrive.  Ken's personal stories and down to earth tips make you feel like you can do better. Ken powerfully addresses not only the physical aspect of our lives, but the emotional, relational, and spiritual side of how to live FULLY ALIVE. His message in this book will absolutely help you live life as God intended it to be lived!  If you are ready to get off the couch and live

The One Year Be-Tween You and God: Devotions for Girls  by: Sandra Byrd Rating: 5 Stars The first thing that I was impressed with, was that the book has a beautiful leather cover (much like a real Bible) with beautiful raised designs of butterflies and flowers, and even better than that, it has the Word of God in it. A devotional book for tween girls - a page for everyday of the year! Each devotion begins with a statement, thought, or question to God. Every girl is likely to make these statements and ask such questions . . . many of which they may not want to share with other people to find the answers. I liked the briefness of the devotions - especially for this age group, but I don't feel the content was jeopardized because of it. I felt it was full of wonderful topics that pre-teen girls deal with daily, and it is definitely a worthwhile book for any girl this age. I am giving this book to my daughter (who will be 12 in June.) And I’m sure that s

TUGBOAT: My Voyage Out Of Obesity by: Cheryl Long  I recently won this ebook through Treasures From A Shoebox giveaway, and to be honest, I was more curious than interested. You see, I already take Shaklee supplements (the best all-natural supplements on the market in my opinion) and have noticed a major difference in my health (my skin disease, headaches, leg pain from being ran over) -  all 100% better!  However there is one major problem I still can't seem to get a handle on when it comes to nutrition..... and that is my weight. While I have never been thin, I have been healthy, but that's been about 7 yrs ago. I love to bake (I've got chocolate No Bake cookies cooling on the kitchen counter as I write this) and cook big country style meals for my family. With taking care of our little hobby farm, milking goats, gardening, canning, caring for my family of five, a special needs child, and running my home business , I always manage to put my hea

Curious if it really matters what brand of supplements you use? The proof is in a 20 year study conducted by UC Berkeley. The most shocking part? Check out the areas of heart attack, stroke, cancer, and diabetes - you are better off taking NO supplements than taking other brands of supplements. Ingredients found in a popular over the counter multi-vitamin. Do you know where your vitamins come from and what they are made of? Check out this picture - you will be shocked!! What Makes Shaklee Vitamins better than the rest? Did you know that 'X' brands (sold at drug stores, discount marts and health food stores) need only 10% natural ingredients to legally be classified and sold as “All-Natural.” Shaklee food supplements are 100% natural - with the research to back  it up! Check out the three different kinds of vitamins here ! Now, if that isn't enough to get you thinking - I decided to do my own Vitamin Experiment : The Vitamin on the left is a Men’s On

"Traditional medicine treats autism, but does not create Wellness" Healing Autism Naturally by Becky Cash is a must read for anyone who has a child on the spectrum or knows someone on the spectrum! It is literally, the best info I have ever read on the subject of autism or kids on the spectrum in general. You can purchase this book through Amazon here . Becky shares not only her story of how she learned and managed her children's autism, but gives practical advice and great research on the topic. The book is very clearly organized and easy to read. It is one of the few books that I can refer back to again and again as I need inspiration, education and direction on the subject of autism. The list of resources is amazing! It made me feel like I now know where to start in helping my child with eating, learning, and getting diagnosed. I am also using Shaklee products to help my son (who has autism symptoms) and have already seen a big improvement - you

Almost Amish by Nancy Sleeth 5 Stars Yep, this is another book that I really did love to read - it was very well written and although our family does a lot of what she said in the book - there is oh, so much more that we could do. I love that the Sleeth family is living what they preach - their lifestyle and the way it is written makes me want to do more to keep life simple! Have you ever stopped to think, Maybe the Amish are on to something? Look around. We tweet while we drive, we talk while we text, and we surf the Internet until we fall asleep. We are essentially plugged in and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Rather than mastering technology, we have allowed technology to master us. We are an exhausted nation. No one has enough time, everyone feels stressed out…..  This book has common-sense steps to living a slower paced life. It looks at the need for caring for the environment and being stewards of the land and your home. Take time to make

Review: 4 Stars No Marriage is ever perfect. None. (But, thank the good Lord - mine is very close!) Now that we got that outta the way, let me say:   'Happily Ever After: Six Secrets to a Successful Marriage' by Gary Chapman is a thorough and realistic book. Dr. Chapman is upfront and open, using scripture, real life stories and good counseling advice, bringing to light the issues that come up most often in marriages, - including money, in-laws, kids & yes, sex! Dr. Chapman addresses the six most common problems that couples experience in their marriage which include fighting fair & negotiating, managing money, raising kids, a healthy sex life, and getting along with in-laws....... something I still have a need of improvement on! Each chapter ends with "assignments" and discussion questions which will help you to dig deeper into the book, to work on that particular problem, whether together with your spouse or independently. The book also de

"Encourage one another and build each other up." -  1 Thessalonians 5:11  In today's fast paced society and advanced technology - there's something extra special about receiving an unexpected handwritten card in the mail! It's one of the most welcomed form of communication, and speaks right to a persons heart.  Cards are loved by all ages - it can make the elderly feel appreciated, the lonely feel loved, the stay-at-home mom feel that she's not forgotten, the single that their not alone, the teenager that their important. A card can bring a brighter day to the sick and injured, and a smile to the tired soldier.  Send a thank-you card to a pastor, teacher, or babysitter. A card is a reminder of love. It can bring hope and joy - send someone a card, 'just because'! I was excited to be picked by (In)Courage to receive a Simply Marvelous 10 pack and a Simply Marvelous thank you 3 pack from Dayspring. They also sent me a card org

Keep in mind this Christmas shopping season... YOU, the customer, are our everything! Spending $100 at Walmart or another retail or department store during the holidays won't make a difference to anyone; but spending $100 through a home business owner for Christmas means our business can continue, it provides for our families, helps us meet our personal goals, and helps us continue to do what we love without using harsh sales techniques. The big stores will not care about you the way we will because unfortunately, you don't mean that much to them. You mean the world to me!!! Shaklee  - Give the gift of health to your loved ones that will last throughout the new year and will continue to change their lives and their future! They will thank you!   www.srkindred.myshaklee.com   Below are some great Shaklee Gift Idea's:        Vitalizer & Protein - feel better in 30 days or your money back - guaranteed!  - Get a FREE Shaklee lifetime membership wit

Every summer, you can find the hubby and I at a few tractor shows - while he loves all the tractors, after an hour or so, I get restless ( I like tractors, but after awhile the details start to blend) and go walk the flea markets! Well, I happened to see a booth by American Forging (Unique, American Made, Hand Forged Aluminum Giftware with anvil and hammer)  this summer - I loved the idea of taking aluminum cans and recycling them into something so neat! The Cornucopia caught my eye - and my handsome Hubby, being the sweet man that he is, bought me the Cornucopia Hors D'oeurve Tray!  I was thrilled! I keep it on my china hutch and proudly show it off to all my guests! Well, a few months ago, I stumbled across their Facebook page and entered to win a few of their giveaways...... guess what?? I won a Dragonfly Ornament (which I gave to my oldest daughter and now she proudly shows it off. And.... it gets better...... I also won a colored Cornucopia Hors