Birthday Bash and Shop to Stop Slavery

 I was recently introduced to an organization called Shop to Stop Slavery.  Their one mission is to provide credible business opportunities for women who have been subjected to slavery and prostitution. From their website:

"By purchasing products that eliminate poverty, provide fair wages, and restore former slaves you are empowered to stop slavery worldwide. Shop with confidence knowing that your purchases contribute towards eradicating modern day slavery."

One of the many shops that support Shop to Stop Slavery is Delicate Fortress Creations.  Karyn and I have had an ongoing email conversation, and we both have a soft spot for Haiti!  She has absolutely beautiful things in her shop!  I can't wait for you to see them.

Right before Christmas I ordered a bracelet from her.  I don't usually wear bangles because they are typically too big for my arms, but I thought I would take a chance because the description said it was bendable.  Look what I got!

I know!  Isn't it gorgeous??!!  This beautiful Metal Impression Cuff was only $22! Can you believe it?  And I could not be happier with it.  The description is perfect and I can squeeze it smaller once it is on my wrist and it stays in place.  I've waited so long for a bangle that would do that!

The detail is exquisite and it can be worn alongside any of your silver jewelry.  I have had so many compliments!

Ready for your gift?  Karyn is offering everyone a 10% discount code for anything in her store, today through Thursday, with the code BDAY!

I'm so excited!  I hope you can go over and spend some time looking around, finding something to purchase for yourself or as a gift, knowing you will be changing someone's life in the process!!

Happy Shopping!

Unveiling the Kings of Israel Book Review

I have recently discovered a fascination with Biblical Archaeology.  I am intrigued by the ancient finds that archaeologists are finding when they dig deep into the earth's surface in search of answers to lost civilizations.  The amount of information they are able to garner from the articles they find is astounding.

When I saw that MasterBooks had a new book out about archaeological bible history, I knew I had to get my hands on it!  It is beautifully written, with great photos of the artifacts that have been found.  I love that they are able to fit those into the history and timeline of the bible.  What I love seeing are the photos of excavations that have unearthed entire cities, palaces, and burial sites.  Archaeology has helped give answers and evidence to many questions surrounding the great flood, the fall of Jericho, and the Israelites move into the promised land.

This book is a great addition to any bible library. 



*My thanks to MasterBooks for my complimentary review copy of the book.  All opinions are expressly my own.

Warrior Prrayers - A Review

When I meet a Prayer Warrior, I am always in awe!  I want to know them, I want to pick their brain, I want to be like them, I want to learn from them.  God has gifted many women I know with the ability to pray continually, and my friend Brooke McGlothlin is one of them!

I "met" Brooke online through Twitter.  I started seeing prayers for her boys in her twitter stream with the hashtag #warriorprayers.  I was so intrigued, that I had to investigate further.  The prayers were so true from a mother's heart that I began writing them down to pray for my daughters.  The prayers were all based on scripture, so I knew they could be prayed for any child!

Last October I was excited to get to meet Brooke in person at the Relevant Conference.  She was just as sweet and sincere in person, of course.  (Do you know what else I love about Brooke?  She loves photography!)

Soon after the conference Brooke released this fantastic ebook called "Warrior Prayers: Praying The Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most".  I was so excited!  I knew I had to get my hands on this book.  I really didn't care that she was targeting boy moms, I needed this book to pray scriptures for my girls.  I'm sure Brooke thought I was stalking her, because every time she did a review or a book giveaway, I was right there in the mix with all those boy moms trying to win a copy!  Once when I didn't win, she took pity on me and sent me one anyway!  She's awesome like that!!

Well I couldn't wait to dive in, and I was not to be disappointed.  Brooke writes from her momma heart, and as I suspected, every word written is applicable to girl mommas too!

From her introduction,

"Friends, the battle for our sons' (and daughters) hearts won't be won just by reading and implementing the best parenting techniques. It won't be won through late nigh talks, lectures on right and wrong, or even committing to a Bible-preaching church.  These things are all important parts of the equation but they don't trump the most important piece of the fight.

Prayer.

This battle is best fought on our knees."

Brooke has both inspired and convicted me to be more diligent about praying the scripture for my girls.  I encourage you to order this ebook. (you can even buy it for a kindle or nook)  You will not be disappointed!  Once you've done that, head on over to Brooke's websites and get to know her.....for that, you will be blessed.

The Book of Acts and a new Resource

One of the great ways to learn and grow as a family is to study God's word together.  As we've been going through the Book of Acts, I recently discovered a website that I want to share with you. 

Scripture Adventures has all kinds of great curriculum for kids to learn the Bible, and its not just for homeschoolers!   They not only have theme studies, but also Old and New Testament studies.  What got my attention was their study on Acts!  They graciously sent me a copy to reviews(its an ebook and was super easy to download), and I absolutely love it!  This book is full of so much information, including maps, charts, and history!  Each chapter guides your child through not only the chapter of Acts, but also the history behind it, as well as cross references and character studies.  I've learned a ton myself!

This is a terrific companion for our study here on Acts and is a great way to involve the whole family.  Go cruise around their website and check out all their great resources.  You'll even find a few freebies!

Christmas Photo Cards by Dayspring and a Giveaway!

For the first time EVER, I  placed my order for  photo Christmas Cards and they are sitting on my kitchen table ready to be addressed!  Studio Dayspring has the cutest templates ever, and what I love is that you can start with a template and still make changes or additions to the template!  It was so easy!

 

I know I just ruined it for those of you who actually get a real card from us each year, but I felt it was worth the risk just to let you in on my great find this year!

While you are at the Studio Dayspring  site, could you also create and send a card to an un-sponsored Compassion child in Ecuador?  Show your love this Christmas all the way around the world!!

Dayspring has very generously offered my readers a 20% off coupon code for your order!!  Just enter HEARTANDSOUL20 at checkout!

AND one lucky reader will win 50 flat or 25 folded designs!! Want to win????

Go over to Dayspring and choose which card you would order and come back and let me know in the comments!  Receive an extra entry if you become a new follower and let me know in the comments. Entries remain open until Friday, November 19th,  at midnight.

Many thanks to the Dayspring team for the complimentary photo cards!

Fun Etsy Reviews and Giveaway

I am very excited to be introducing several new Etsy Shops to you this week.  They have all graciously agreed to giveaway some of their very cool goodies.  So let's dig in!

Today I want you to meet Kelly from Kelly Joy Boutique.  She opened her Etsy shop in April and has created some of the most ADORABLE hair accessories I have ever seen!  Many are absolutely beautiful for little girls, but the bonus is that many can be worn by women as well.  Several can be either hair clips or used as a brooch on a jacket or purse.  Her newest adventure is creating hair clips for your favorite university teams!  Isn't that clever?

See that adorable baby in the photo?  That is Kelly's beautiful little girl.  She makes an exquisite model, don't you think?

So what do you have to do to win the $10 Gift Certificate to Kelly's shop?  I am so glad you asked!!

1. Go visit Kelly's shop and let us know in the comments what you would buy with your Gift Certificate.
2. For another entry, go "like" Kelly's Facebook page, leave a comment that you did.
3. For a third entry, follow Kelly on twitter @kellyjoydesigns, leave a comment that you are following.

Tomorrow you won't want to miss a fabulous piece of jewelry from Nelia's Designs. I've worn a piece of her jewelry every day this week and have been receiving comments like crazy!

All winners to the drawings taking place this week will be posted on Friday, so check back here to see if I drew your name!