Zonderkidz The Beginner's Bible Review

My family had the privilege of trying the The Beginner's Bible from Zonderkidz for this review to use in conjunction with our own homeschool curriculum and bible study. This is a Homeschool Review Crew Review. All opinions expressed are my own or those of my family.

Zondervan is a part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. They are a world leader in Bible publishing and provider of Christian communications. For more than 80 years they have provided its bestselling Christian Bibles, books, curriculum, academic resources and digital products. Their products are sold in multiple formats, worldwide in more than 60 countries, and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan is the North American publisher and licensee of the NIV (New International Version) Bible translation. Zonderkidz is the children's division of Zondervan. They provide Christian products for kids under 16. Zonderkidz is also the publisher of the NIrV (New International Reader's Version) Bible translation, the 3rd-grade reading level edition of the NIV.

Since its release in 1989 The Beginner’s Bible has been a favorite with young children and their parents. It has been the best-selling Bible storybook of all time, with over 25 million products sold. Now it has been redesigned with fresh new art that will thrill children for many more years to come. This 512 page Bible brings the scripture to life with fun pictures of scenes from the Bible stories. More than 90 beloved Bible stories are paired with brand new vibrant three-dimensional like illustrations. The full-color illustrations that are on each page will help hold your little one's attention. This hardcover Bible encompasses both the Old and New Testaments with stories from the beginning of creation to Jesus' promise to return to Earth again. Each nonfiction story has illustrations, a title, scripture reference, and a short description of the passages for children to understand.

Teela reading The Beginner's Bible.

How We Used This and Our Thoughts:

We usually work through the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible at our home Bible studies because we feel it to be the most correct translation, but I do love that The Beginner's Bible is so easily readable for younger kids. My daughter Teela who is eight years old and in third grade was able to read it without difficulty and the pictures in it kept both my daughters occupied. Teela especially loves reading this Bible to her younger sister, Zari, who is six. In The Beginner's Bible the great Bible stories are made in more simple terms for my younger children to read and understand, but stick to the originals very well. Though some of the stories are more well known to my children there are still quite a few that they have not heard yet in this book. The pictures, though a little comical looking, are perfect to keep my kids' attention spans in check. I am glad this Bible has thicker glossy pages because most Bibles pages are too delicate for most children. I am also glad that the stories have a reference to turn to in the original scriptures so that we can also read the text in the KJV as well.

We have been using this along with our KJV Bible studies and I believe it has helped my younger children understand the words and what is happening better. We enjoyed reading about Christ's birth during the Christmas holiday in the New Testament and have read other stories as well from this Bible.

I recommend The Beginner's Bible to anyone with younger kids. This is a great children's Bible for ages 4-8 years old! The Beginner's Bible is wonderful for use during church services where children get fidgety to occupy them with something while they try to sit reverently.

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Zonderkidz The Beginner's Bible is just $16.99.

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Website: http://TheBeginnersBible.com

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Bible Journaling Kit Review and Giveaway #BibleJournalingKit #FlyBy

This Bible Journaling Kit from Ellie Claire, a division of Worthy Publishing Group is a great way to personalize the pages of your Bible or Book of Mormon. You can mark your favorite passages, doodle pictures to help you remember scriptures in the margins, or jot your thoughts down as they come to you in fun scrolling fonts as you study the Word of God. Be an artist and draw, color, or journal feelings and special moments with the colored pencils and pen that comes in this kit. Highlight your favorite verses with the stickers and colored pencils. Make your favorite Bible or Book of Mormon all your own and a treasure for generations to read and ponder its pages.

Kit includes:

• 4 sheets of inspirational word stickers
• 4 sheets of alphabet stickers
• 24 tab stickers to mark special passages: some say things like pray, faith, wow!, grace, promise, fear not, beautiful, love is, favorite, blessing, believe and others are blank so you can write your own.
• 8 colored pencil twists to advance and never need sharpening
• 1 archival quality journaling pen
• 1 NIV Philippians 4:8 "Whatever Is Lovely" inspired pouch with adjustable strap to fit Bibles of all sizes
• 1 ruled page protector mat with die cut edge for tracing lines

How We Used This and Our Thoughts:

This Bible Journaling Kit has been fun to experiment with. I love how it comes with colored pencils instead of markers or colored pens that might bleed through the delicate pages. This kit is a great way to start journaling. I love the verse on the pouch that comes with it as well which reads, "Whatever is lovely...think about such things.". This is not the whole verse, but is a shortened version. The stickers are a very nice addition too and make the verses stand out more. This pouch has an adjustable strap that can go around a Bible or Book of Mormon. The pouch can hold all of the journaling supplies except the page protector mat. I love that those supplies fit neatly inside my scripture case inside the pouch so that I have everything I need at my fingertips. This kit would be a great gift for someone!

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DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received this product for free to facilitate this review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Defenders of the Family - LDS Book Review

I received this book free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

“Defenders of the Family” Summary:

Defenders of the Family, assemble! God’s magnificent plan for us rests upon the strength of the family. In this engaging children’s book, discover the roles and teachings needed to unite your family, from devoted parents to extended members, all centered on the power of the gospel. Help your children see their families as they can be: incredible, empowered, eternal followers of Jesus.

Our Thoughts:
Defenders of the Family is a fun hardcover comic book/graphic novel written by Benjamin Hyrum White and illustrated by Jay Fontano. This 32 page book shows children and adults alike how to be defenders of the family and stand up for what we as Christian LDS members believe in. I see this book as a simplified version of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World". It also reminds me of a General Conference talk by Bonnie L. Oscarson where she encouraged Latter-day Saint woman to defend marriage, the divine roles of parents, and the sanctity of the home. This book goes into our foundational beliefs surrounding the family and what we should be doing to protect and strengthen this sacred entity.

We enjoyed the fun colorful illustrations. I loved how the defenders wore capes like superheroes and that there were a number of different races and family dynamics shown. Teela, my eight year old daughter, had no trouble at all in reading this book herself and the words get straight to the point.

I highly recommend this book that shows individuals how to be "Defenders of the Family". We all need this book, especially at this time when it seems that the family unit is only being ridiculed or ripped apart.

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DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received this book for free to facilitate this review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

The Sacrament Is For Me - LDS Book Review

I received this book free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

“The Sacrament Is For Me” Summary:
The sacrament is the most important part of the Sabbath day-and our week. Teach your little ones about the sacred sacrament and how they can apply it in their everyday lives, from the playground to piano lessons. Help your children start each week right and understand the reason behind the reverence of Jesus’s eternal sacrifice, love, and example.

Our Thoughts:
The Sacrament Is For Me is an adorable hardcover book that teaches small children the importance of this symbolic ordinance. It is written by Jessica B. Ellingson and Illustrated by Chase Jensen with 32 pages. I love how the text is in rhyme and the illustrations are relatable. The picture of the boy pulling his sisters hair with the wheel of his toy car was funny, but I can empathize, being a parent. This book goes through and tells why we take the sacred sacrament, what the water and bread represent and should remind us of, how we should act during the prayers and partaking of the sacrament, and what other things we should do to follow Jesus Christ to receive blessings. Besides taking the sacrament, it talks briefly also about the importance of reverence, the temple, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, remembering Jesus, sharing the gospel, being like Jesus, loving others, serving others, following the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and choosing the right.

The last couple Sundays Zari, my youngest, has had trouble sitting still in Sacrament Meeting. I finally brought The Sacrament Is For Me book with us and Zari stopped being so fidgety. Instead she quietly looked at the pages of this book while the sacrament was being passed. This book would also be great to use with Primary or Family Home Evening lessons that focus around the sacrament. I highly recommend The Sacrament Is For Me.

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DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received this book for free to facilitate this review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Blessing Nephite Children and Holy Ghost - LDS Book Reviews

I received these books free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

“Blessing the Nephite Children” Summary:
Snuggle up with your kids and learn about Jesus’s visit to the Nephites. This colorful board book is perfectly designed for little fingers and small attention spans. Experience the beauty of Christ’s personal love in the Book of Mormon with your little ones and come to see the ways the Savior reaches out to them today.

Our Thoughts:
This adorable board book is from the Baby Book of Mormon Stories series. It is written by Catherine Christensen and illustrated by Jay Fontano. Jesus's love for all mankind, especially children shows in this book for youngsters. The illustrations are colorful, fun, and cartoon like to hold the attention of little ones. My daughter Zari loved this book. Her sister Teela read it to her and looked at the pictures with her. This book is a great sturdy book for little hands to introduce or reinforce the concept of Jesus's visit to the Americas and His love for all.

“The Holy Ghost” Summary:
Get to know the Holy Ghost, from baptism on! This engaging book provides fill-in-the-blank stories, coloring pages, and other fun activities for your kids to help get them ready to receive the Holy Ghost and rely on Him for the rest of their lives. Come to understand and feel the Spirit, one of the greatest gifts from God.

Our Thoughts:
The Holy Ghost: Discovering Your Extraordinary New Gift I thought that the coming of this soft cover book was very timely as my daughter Teela had turned 8 and gotten baptized last April. The Holy Ghost: Discovering Your Extraordinary New Gift is a wonderful activity 80 page book with fill-in-the-blanks, coloring pages, word searches, dot-to-dots, mazes, games, crack the code, crosswords, and many other fun filled pages. Answer keys are upside down on the pages that needs them and there are also some in the back of the book. This book teaches children the difference between the power and gift of the Holy Ghost. It also answers the questions of who the Holy Ghost is & how the Holy Ghost guides, comforts, warns and protects, testifies and teaches, and sanctifies teaching also how to use the gift. I think that this book is perfect for the child that just got baptized.

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DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received these books for free to facilitate this review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

My Mother's Quilts: Devotions from a Legacy of Needlework Book Review #MyMothersQuilts #FlyBy

I received My Mother's Quilts free to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

My Mother's Quilts: Devotions from a Legacy of Needlework is a devotional book by Ramona Richards that is about love, legacy, tradition, family and faith. This book features thirty different heirloom quilts, some that are over 100 years old that have been handed down throughout the author's family for generations. These have been made by the author's mother and grandmother, every stitch done with love and care. The short, but sweet devotions are personal stories, memories, and lessons from the author, each one having a full color photo of a quilt, the story title, the quilts name, scripture, and a "prayer starter" that goes with it.

My mother-in-law is a fine quilter. She made my husband and I a gorgeous quilt with dolphins for our wedding present. It is absolutely breathtaking and we will cherish it always. She has also made my kids quilts as well and these will be handed down and kept for generations and generations.

When my daughter Tatiana was sick in the hospital she usually would get a blanket of some sort as a gift from a stranger we had never met. They created a piece of warmth and beauty to comfort the ill. Some of these blankets were quilts. These I will also keep since she treasured them when she was still with us on this earth and as a token of the gift givers kindness.

I love homemade and handmade gifts. They are so special and one of a kind. Each one a symbol of love, devotion, and work for the person gifted them. They really are priceless.

My Mother's Quilts is a book that speaks to the heart and soul. I love reading the stories and looking at the pictures of the gorgeous quilts.

CONTEST OFFER!
Win one of the quilts featured in #MyMothersQuilts by Ramona Richards. Also up for grabs: loads of other prizes including quilting hand warmers, coloring books, and 25 signed copies of Ramona’s book. Winners will be emailed after the contest ends on June 30, 2016. Click the image to get started!

SOCIAL • CORNER
Official Website for the Contest - http://bit.ly/MothersQuilts
Ramona Richard's Website - http://www.ramonarichards.com/
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Or you can also purchase the book at Shop Better Books for $11 currently.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER:  (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC / Flyby Promotions for providing a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Maybe Today Book Review

I received this book free from Shadow Mountain and Ensign Peak to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

Maybe Today by David Butler and Emily Belle Freeman is a lovely hardback book that has pages full of inspiring quotes, thoughts, and messages for uplifting your day. This small 120 page book is perfect for gifting. Its short, but ever so sweet words help motivate anyone who reads them to live a more meaningful, fulfilling life.

Maybe Today consists of five holy patterns described within that, when lived daily, will lead to a soul-satisfying life closer to Christ.

• Tilt Your Soul (prayer)
• Let Down Your Bucket (living water)
• Seek a Compassionate Detour (service)
• Take Off Your Shoes (gratitude)
• Be All In (commitment)

These 5 principles are key to having a life of contentment. Each holy pattern has things to ponder, scriptures to read, quotes from wise famous people. I also love that it has beautiful color photography to go with the messages.

These encouraging messages stay with you after reading them. If you apply them to your life you will become blessed greatly. Read this little book. It will change you for the better. At the end of the book it features an invitation to share the book and pass it on to a friend or family member that needs some uplifting too so that you also "multiply goodness".

Be Social:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/multiplygoodness
Twitter: https://twitter.com/multiply_good
Website: http://multiplygoodness.com

About the Authors:

David Butler by day is a high school religious educator sharing his love for the scriptures and his belief that there is a power for good innate in every human soul. By night he is a fort builder, waffle maker, sports coach, and storyteller for his six favorite little people, also known as his children. Somewhere in between he is a motivational speaker and writer. He also teams with Emily in coauthoring the blog: www.multiplygoodness.com.

Emily Belle Freeman is a mother of four, a coach’s wife, author of the bestselling A Christ-Centered Christmas, and an adored inspirational speaker. She finds great joy in studying the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. For a few minutes every day Emily forgets about the laundry, leaves the dishes in the sink, and writes. She coauthors a blog that is a stopping place for hearts seeking all that is good: www.multiplygoodness.com.


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DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Thanks to Shadow Mountain and Ensign Peak for sending me this book for free to review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

LDS 182nd Annual General Conference

Join with me to watch or listen to the 182nd Annual General Conference, a semiannual gathering of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints members and friends from around the world to hear God's words through His prophet. It starts on March 31–April 1, 2012. The four general sessions will be held on Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. mountain daylight time. The priesthood session will be held on Saturday, March 31, at 6:00 p.m. mountain daylight time.

In biblical times, God spoke to His children through prophets. God loves His children today as much as He did anciently. In our day, He has called prophets in our day to teach and testify of Him. The Prophet and President, Thomas S. Monson, of my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, will be speaking along with other leaders of my church.

If you want to learn more about my church you can go to the LDS website or to the Mormon.org website.

The Daniel Fast: Feed Your Soul, Strengthen Your Spirit, and Renew Your Body by Susan Gregory Book Review

I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers to facilitate this review. Affiliate links may be in this posting. Thanks for supporting my blog.

I know the importance of fasting, but it has always been difficult for me. In my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), Fast Sunday is a Sunday (usually the first Sunday of every month) set aside for fasting. This fast is typically an absolute fast (one without food and water) for two consecutive meals in a 24-hour period. When members of my church fast we give to the church a Fast Offering, money that would have been spent for the food that was not eaten (Isaiah 58:6-12).  This money is given to the church to be put aside for the poor and needy. I usually do not partake in the absolute fast, where no water or food is consumed, or normal fast, where you drink only water, often because my body can't handle it physically. I am underweight and petite. I have always been this way since I was born because of a heart defect (TAPVC) and heart operation to fix the defect when I was a year old. The Daniel Fast is a partial fast, where some foods are eaten while others are restricted, making it so much easier for me and so many others to participate.

The Daniel Fast: Feed Your Soul, Strengthen Your Spirit, and Renew Your Body by Susan Gregory is a book about fasting using the partial fast that is based upon the Old Testament prophet, Daniel, and standard Jewish fasting principals to become closer to God. The Daniel fast is a recommended 21 consecutive day plan (because of Daniel's 3 week fast in the Bible scripture, Daniel 10:2) that follows a vegan type diet with more restrictions and the only drink allowed is water.

Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Daniel 1:12, KJV  Pulse was food that came from seed, including legumes and fruit.

There are more suitable times to use the Daniel Fast than other fasts. The Daniel fast works well for both Lent and the Passover. There is also a corporate fast where some Christians start the New Year fasting for a 21 day period. In this case it is recommended to start the Daniel fast the Sunday after New Year's Day. It is appropriate to use this partial fast when you are fasting more than 3 days or when you have health or physical limitations that preclude you from doing the absolute or normal fasts.

Part one of the book introduces the author and the Daniel Fast. She talks about the different types of fasting, why we fast, and the biblical history behind fasting. She also talks about why Daniel fasted and how, providing a background for this spiritual discipline. She talks about the 5 steps for a successful Daniel Fast which are: Pray, Plan, Prepare, Participate, and Praise & Process. These steps are essential for any fasting regimen. I highly recommend them to help you gain a better understanding and have a more humbling experience while you fast.

Part two of the book consists of a food list, recipes, menus, and devotionals. The food list goes through and spells out what to eat and what not to eat while on the Daniel Fast. It also includes what to stock your pantry with. I have noticed that these food items that are recommended to consume are very close to the things I am moving towards stocking my kitchen with. I love vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and seeds anyway, so eating them comes naturally to me. The book also mentions quality oils and lists canola and grape seed oil on this list. I do not include these particular oils anymore in my kitchen. I have found in my studies that the healthiest oils to use are the ones that say unrefined cold pressed or expeller pressed. It also mentions soy foods to be on the foods to eat list. I would recommend only getting GMO free or organic soy products because most other soy contains genetically modified organisms. Even though some of the food recommendations are not perfect, they are a far cry from the normal American diet of prepackaged overly processed foods. In the foods to exclude list I think I would have the most trouble excluding dairy, molasses, sugar in the raw, and honey. I would also miss my Kombucha, 100% juice, and herbal teas since I am only to drink water for this fast. I see no reason why I couldn't flavor my water with a small amount of lemon and mint though even though it says "pure water".

The recipes in the book look fairly straight forward and some sound better than others. With this fast, I am reminded of Kurt Saxon's 3.3 cent breakfast which is basically, four ounces of untreated hard red winter wheat, sprouted for 48 hours, cooked overnight with boiling water and a little bit of salt in a thermos, and put in blender to make an easy, low cost breakfast. Add fruit like berries and/or bananas and it is the perfect healthy, delicious food. I love that The Daniel Fast book has menu plans for all 21 days with breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack. This makes it easier to focus on the Lord instead of what to make for food. The book also includes a blank meal planning worksheet template in case you want to create your own.

The devotionals for all 21 days have a themed title, scripture or scriptures to go with the theme, and a roughly two page pondering. These help us through our spiritual journey. Susan Gregory says in The Daniel Fast, "The definition of a biblical fast is to restrict food for a spiritual purpose." The sacrifice of fasting is so important. Susan Gregory says in The Daniel Fast, "The Daniel Fast is for the whole person: body, soul, and spirit." Fasting lets us purge the worldly substances from our bodies and cleanse ourselves. It improves our temporal well-being and gives us a greater compassion and desire to serve. It also lets us grow spiritually stronger and brings us closer to God.

Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God. D&C 88:119, LDS scripture

I recommend this book to anyone wanting to get closer to God and eat healthier while doing it.

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DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER:  Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers because I am a part of the Tyndale Blog Network for letting me know about this product and for sending me a free advance viewer copy of The Daniel Fast: Feed Your Soul, Strengthen Your Spirit, and Renew Your Body by Susan Gregory to read and review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.