Heaven Revealed

I was given two books: One to read and one to give to the readers of this blog. The subject of the book is a good one. One we all think about but don't really know much about--Heaven.  There are so many questions and so many longings. Sadly, many of the books written or words spoken about heaven have no basis in fact. Most things being taught about heaven are feel good "we'll all be together again, happy" words spoken at funerals.

I am curious, we are all curious. Where should we look as believers in Christ? The Scriptures. Paul Enns did just that when his beloved wife of 40 years died suddenly. He wasn't angry at God or feel sorry for himself as I would have done. Paul Enns went to Scripture to learn more about where his beloved now lives. That right there wet my appetite.

Heaven Revealed is one man's quest to find  anwers to his own questions about Heaven through the study of scripture. Paul Enns serves as a professor and the director of the Tampa Extension, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has also taught at Northwestern College, Dallas Theological Seminary and Talbot Theological Seminary. He is the author of The Moody Handbook of Theology and Approaching God. He recently spoke with Rc Sproul and . Again, I am still listenining.


His book is a quick and pleasant read and I enjoyed reading the book. Paul Enns is a very clear writer and a thorough researcher. He is coming from a dispensational premillenialist theology while I am not. I still have questions. Some of the answers that he found through the Scriptures he listed werent the answers that I found there. He also brought up questions that I hadnt even thought of and answered them profoundly. The author does a very good job of pointing us to Scripture for our answers and listing the Scriptures where he found his answers. This book was not written as a textbook to show definitively what we will find in paradise but rather a freind taking us by the hand and saying, "look! look at these things that I have discovered and found in my search of the Scriptures about Heaven." Paul Enns did a great job of doing just that and his search is one worthy of shadowing.

I will be hosting the giveaway through July 30th. to enter just leave me a comment. Any commnet.

want extra entries?
-follow this blog through GFC
-share with us another book about Heaven that we should read.
Disclaimer: Thanks to C. Grant and Company for sending me two Moody Publishers complimentary copies.
 My review is my own.

Are we that Family?

Have you ever seen two young people in love and thought, "wow they will have gorgeous children." Or saw a church directory and thought: "how in the world did THOSE two people make those beautiful children." Terrible. Horrible Shallow. I know I know.

I dont think I'm all that wonderful but I also dont hide under a paper bag. I think my husband is OK. I'm attracted to him. I think my kids look nice. They are mine and I like them. I dont turn away from framed pictures of them.

Every once in a while a good friend will look me square in the eye and explain that I have really beautiful children. OK. This has happened more than once. Are they surprised? Is this some odd encouraging word of affirmation someone somewhere suggested we say to people?

This weekend my husband and I saw several people that we hadnt seen in YEARS. Some not sicne our wedding. I got this statement a few times again. It wasnt a casual thing it was that look you square in the eye and state a fact that you JUST must hear.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN? I'll never know. Now that I've posed the question, you all will be squinting at my family photo and giggling. You'll think you need to say something encouraging or shoot me down in my attempt at getting compliments. I'll never know if we are one of those families.

Audio Books and reading out loud (a giveaway)

I love literature. I love books. My husband loves books. Literature shapes us and there is nothing like hearing a book read out loud to you. There was a period of time where I had surgery and my husband had a back injury, we read out loud. Most of the day. We read and read and enjoyed so much together. We both got on our feet again and were blessed with two more babies. Life got busier and busier.

Don't misunderstand, we read. We read and read and read. We read to our youngest children. Our older children read to younger children (and to each other) but there are also times when its just easier to turn on Sponge Bob. I want to make it easier to quickly get good literature.

Spurred on by June being national audio book month.  I wanted to set my 10 year daughter up with an Ipod of audio books but when I started looking online for downloads I had trouble finding ones worth reading/listening to.

I was contacted by Molly of My Audio School, which she founded in 2009 to "give children safe and easy internet access to classic audio books, educational radio drama and television and radio broadcasts of historic events." I was so so impressed by the site. It's content and quality are exemplary. While searching the internet myself I had trouble finding worthy titles, but once on My Audio School, I immediately wanted to listen to many. And I could. We could.


My Audio School came out of Molly's desire for her children. Molly has a son with dyslexia, she didn't let that stop him from having access to good literature and a good education. She has chosen titles and content for her site with amazing vigor. Vigor that our families can now benefit from. I am so grateful for that.

There are many areas in my life where I could improve. Many that I want to. Honestly though, sometimes there just isn't the time or energy or resources to figure out or implement these changes. Starting in June, our family will be exposed to and benefit and grow from more literature and more reading out loud thanks to My Audio School.

********AND guess what? My Audio School has generously offered a one year subscription (a $14.99 value) to one of our readers!!

to enter:
tell me a book from your childhood that stands out in your mind

extra entries:

<3 head over to my Audio School and come back to tell me one title you want to sink into right now
            Keep in mind that what you see listd is only a small fraction of what is available to members.
<3 like my Audio School on Facebook
<3 become a follower of this site

I will choose a winner (through random.org) on 6/30

Washcloths by Madelyn

Our 10 year old daughter Madelyn wants lip gloss and silly bands and other silly things. I was raised by two strict people who lived through the depression. I am cheap. beyond cheap. I also dont have money to spend on these things.


I am not crafty. I really like the idea of WAHM. Of "stealing" little snippets of time while babies nap and between drying tears and wiping noses to make small crafts etc to add to the families extra money. Trouble is that I am not crafty.

Madelyn has been in an amazing Girls Club for a few years now and has learned some really neat things: baking, knitting, jump rope, camping, quilling, needlepoint, painting and crochet.

She has been hoarding yarn under her bed. (in a sealed plastic container) It bugged me. I tried to find a good parenting moment here. I found a pattern that seemed easy enough and made some prototypes. She is making washcloths to sell. We talked about 10% going to her Girls Club dues, 20% for tithe and needing to pay for supplies. There is a homeschool craft fair in the Fall and we are preparing for that. Then I got carried away and thought about Etsy. And a logo and business cards and blog giveaways and.....

I also dropped and broke my camera.

Today I tried to get my act together for her and took some pictures with a lame camera and posted to Etsy. There will be matching ribbon tied sets soon, more (hopefuly better pictures) and if money comes in a logo and some giveaways. Maybe some money for lip gloss and silly bands and popscicles from the ice cream man.

Please do take a look. the Washcloths are well made and clean and very scrub worthy:)

Keeping Me Posted

Summer is approaching quickly and as the temperatures heat up I cant help but think about gatherings, parties and graduations. Our family also has a few summer birthdays and some new babies coming this Summer. I discovered a husband and wife team that creates georgous invitations!

https://www.keepingmeposted.com/

At, Keeping Me Posted, you can purchase unique announcements, party invites, and holiday cards.  Keeping Me Posted has new designs that constantly get updated with the latest trends and styles of today.  The state-of-the-art photo personalization tools make any person a card designer.  Try the cutting-edge tools to upload photos from Facebook, Flickr, Picasa, and SmugMug.  Fresh, new designs fill the website’s pages.  The customization tools on the website can change the font color, size, and style.  The tools can be used to change photos from color to black and white or sepia.  Review your card electronically for free. Want a design you don't see on the site? Not a problem--Just let Keeping Me Posted know about it, and a perfect design can be made just for you for free.  HP Indigo printing presses print the cards on top-quality thick matte paper.  Cards are reviewed carefully during the various production stages so you get something special that you will be satisfied with.  Stop by Keeping Me Posted today at www.keepingmeposted.com to let people know you are moving, having a baby, or throwing a fabulous party.

By order of the Management

I just discovered a new blog that I absoulutely HAD to share with you!

She is offering these two posters free to download.

Don't ya just love 'em?!?!?

Why don't ya head on over to:

say hello from me and download these babies for yourself!!

Happy Birthday Rachelle

It's Rachelle's birthday! You know when you sit down and make a list of who your true friends are, the ones that you can really count on? (You all do that right) Rachelle is on my list. But we weren't even born in the same decade, now do we live in the same state, or part of the country and we haven't met. Hello to the wonders of blogging, and the internet.

She is a gem. A sweetheart. She is turning 24 and man does she know how to celebrate!

On Friday she is hosting the mother of all giveaways. Head on over and

where there will be an AWESOME GIVEAWAY EVERY HOUR!!

It's birthday week over at