 What Valuable Heirlooms are you Passing on to your Grandchildren? A book review of 'Heirlooms - Passing Faith Stories to Your Grandchildren (Yep... affiliate links are included which means, if you buy through me, I get some coffee money ... though not enough for the raisin toast as well. Full disclosure listed below.) Stories matter. We relate to stories. They help to answer questions. They draw out emotions. They explain why a person is who he is... Stories can also show us how similar we are. They can tell us about our history. Stories can also help us to connect to each other. Stories can teach. It's not for nothing that so many stories can be found within the pages of the Bible, stories of families and their histories, stories of great faith, stories of heroes, stories of trust and obedience, stories that we understand and can relate to... and children love stories.  I remember the stories of my own grandmother. She emigrated to Australia alone as a young woman. I can only imagine her fear and uncertainty, leaving home and family. She spoke little of the voyage except for one incident, when I had admitted dreading an upcoming event. She was silent for a while.. then she began to tell me her story of the voyage as the boat rounded the Cape of Storms. I listened spell-bound as she described the massive waves towering high above the passenger liner. Wide-eyed, I heard of the boat surging and tossing, struggling to maintain its progress. Grandma was tossed from her bunk and clung to the rails. "Weren't you scared, Grandma?" I asked. "Yes, yes. I was very scared. But God reminded me of a verse from Deuteronomy 33:27.. 'The eternal God is my refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms..' I knew that whatever happened to the boat, the passengers and to me .... even if I was swept into the ocean, God's arms were there waiting for me. He was in control- not the waves or the weather.' My grandmother could have just told me that God would be with me, that I didn't need to be afraid. But her story painted a graphic picture of God's love and care for her. It gave me courage and confidence that He would be there for me, too. And her story reminded me that God's Word held a message to me of His ongoing love and care.  About Tina Houser presents the message that your greatest heirloom, the greatest treasure you can bequeath to you grandkids, is the life-stories and faith lessons you have learned. This doesn't mean that you sit your grandkids down whenever you see them and start expounding your message. Rather, this should be natural and fun. I don't know how many times my own grandkids have asked me to tell them a story. And they love stories of their family. So tell them stories of their own parents when they were young. Tell about your mishaps and mistakes (especially if they are fun ones) plus your achievements and successes.. Tell them about a time past and almost forgotten, when computers and handheld devices were unheard of, a time when TV came in black and white and milk was delivered. But woven into the fabric of the stories should be the message of God's love, regardless of the era, and the value of your faith in Christ throughout your life. That is a story worth telling- a message worth passing on. Important Points to Remember While Tina encourages you to keep the focus on faith-building during your precious time with your grandkids, she also includes valuable tips and hints. She suggests that you keep sticky notes handy and write down any ideas and story suggestions- those times when God stepped in to change your life. Then you will be prepared if and when the opportunity to share a story presents itself. Remember the age and attention span of your grandkids and keep your stories short and sweet for little ones. They'll certainly ask for more if it's fun. Present your stories in a positive light and be honest and authentic. If you can't think of any faith story ideas, use objects as story starters. For example, a piece of jewellery or clothing, an old photo or a piece of furniture can grab a child's attention and help present a faith story in a way that will be remembered. The book concludes with some fun activities that you can enjoy with your grandchildren- activities that will help you connect and build memories together. Tina Houser also lists some focus words that will encourage you to become a better grandparent. My Personal Takeaways I come from a long line of story-tellers and readers so this book certainly resonates with me. I'm also reminded of the times in Scripture when God's people are told to share the amazing stories of God's care and provision: 'Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.' I appreciate the focus words that Tina lists to encourage you to become a better grandparent, too: because, experiences, together, watch, with We've been told that we remember 20% of what we hear, 30% of what we see and 80% of what we experience. So these focus words remind me to build experiences into my short time with my grandkids- do things together, have fun with them, create and enjoy fun snacks together, visit special places. I am all too aware that my grandchildren are growing up fast and my time is limited. So the quote in this book that stands out for me is: "An heirloom you can pass on to your grandchildren is the assurance that you found great joy in spending time together.'  Who would I recommend reading this book? If you're a grandparent, then you should read this book. As a grandparent, it's easy to gain the impression that our role is merely to babysit the kids when required or to provide gifts or even financial assistance. And sure.. there are times when this type of involvement is needed. And it's wonderful if your grandkids enjoy fun visits with you. But grandparents are so much more important that this. Grandparents can have a crucial role in nurturing the faith of their grandkids in simple though important ways. They can share their own faith journey and nurture faith in their grandkids. Read this book and be encouraged to share your faith journey very simply with your grandchildren through stories, sharing and connecting. 
Heirlooms: Passing Faith Stories to Your Grandchildren - by Tina Houser Publisher: Warner Press Inc 2019 Estimated reading time: RRP: $13.99 Format: Paperback I would like to thank Warner Press for providing me with the opportunity to read, and review, this book. (Digital copy provided for review purposes only.) Thank you.  Disclosure: At Grandma's Place is committed to high standards of integrity and quality. I do not promote any brand I do not believe meets these standards, and I only promote brands I would purchase myself. If I don't love it, and don't think you'll love it, it won't appear on my blog.  
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 -- a book review of 'Uncluttered' by Courtney Ellis -- About Have you tried the KonMarie technique for tidying your home? There’s a reason for the current popularity and renown of Marie Kondo’s books and classes on 'the life-changing magic of tidying up'. Almost everyone you meet struggles with the same disarray and disorganisation at home and in the workplace. We have so much stuff, so much that society tells us we desperately need to live and function, so much that is pushed on us by advertising and social media. But we’re suffocating in it. It’s controlling and overwhelming our lives. And sure, tidying up your kitchen, your bedroom, your office, your garage, or your business, is helpful. But it’s only a part of our real problem. Our lives need a complete overhaul, not just of our possessions and our homes. Our lives and the focus of our daily activities need cleaning up. And Courtney Ellis’s book, 'Uncluttered', provides some helpful guidance. Courtney takes a different slant on the whole issue of tidying up. She suggests that our deepest need is to declutter, slow down, simplify life so that you can find yourself and remember what it really means to be a child of God.  Important points to remember Courtney reminds us that the secret of simplicity, and the focus of our entire lives, is to put God first. And in this, as in other areas throughout the book, Courtney explains how she accomplishes this with her family and how you can do it too. ‘When you really, truly love someone- or something- you find ways to put them first.’ Then she follows with practical ways to do just that. No. It’s not a holier-than-thou ‘you need to do this’ type of advice. With warmth and humour, she shows what she and her husband are trying to do, and why, and sometimes how she’s failed and had to start again.. wholly relatable for families with growing kids. Marie Kondo suggests tackling categories rather than rooms as you work through tidying up your home. And in some ways, so does Courtney. She tackles those parts of our lives, our things, our stuff, our schedules, our finances that need clearing up and simplifying- less clothing, less new stuff, less technology, less schedule. She then takes it further and identifies the things that we need more- more hospitality, more listening and speaking, more uncluttered kids, more generosity, more worship. I particularly liked the 7 simple, easy maxims of faithfulness that the whole family works toward: 1. God first 2. We believe God’s heart of openness and joy. 3. We will seek to foster generosity. 4. In our home, Jesus will be given more airtime than any cartoon, mythical figure or pop icon. 5. Whenever possible, we will create rather than consume. 6. We will allow our kids to be bored. 7. Until our kids are in high school, screens will be saved for special occasions. My personal takeaways I spent most of my time as I read this book either chuckling (I can relate to so many of the humorous situations and scenarios) or writing down quotes. Here are a few: ‘If we are consistently over-busy and overburdened and over-scheduled all the time, we have made that choice.’ ‘We are called to work hard and faithfully and well, but we are not called to sacrifice ourselves on the altar of productivity and activity.’ ‘Generosity is learned, and we are on the front lines of instruction.’  Who would I recommend reading this book? What can I say.. everyone. Everyone has been sold the idea that our family, our lives, our entire self-worth is caught up in the importance of things we have and the busyness of the things we do. Anyone who is considering tidying up their homes should take it a step further and tidy up their family schedules and the focus of their lives. 'Uncluttered' is a great read and filled with helpful ideas and suggestions. But it’s not intended as a formula; rather, it’s an encouragement for everyone to slow down long enough to see God in their lives and be reminded of His truth… so that we can become the kind of people that God created us to be. And it includes helpful ideas and suggestions for doing just that! 'The heart of an uncluttered life is the glory of the God who created us, loves us, sustains us, and calls us forth.' Uncluttered -Free your space, free your schedule, free your soul -by Courtney Ellis Publisher: Rose Publishing (January 29, 2019) RRP: $12.37 - $16.86 Format: Paperback, Kindle I would like to thank Rose Pub for providing me with the opportunity to read, and review, this book. Thank you.   Disclosure: At Grandma's Place is committed to high standards of integrity and quality. I do not promote any brand I do not believe meets these standards, and I only promote brands I would purchase myself. If I don't love it, and don't think you'll love it, it won't appear on my blog. 
 A Grandparent's Legacy of Faith- what are you building? A review of Grandparenting: strengthening your family and passing on your faith. (Yep... affiliate links are included which means, if you buy through me, I get some coffee money ... though not enough for the raisin toast as well. Full disclosure listed below.) Who or what is a grandparent? How do you see your role? If you‘re serious about your role as grandparent- if you want to impact your grandkids lives and their faith-if you want to build a rich legacy of faith for future generations, here’s the road map. Everyone looks back in time and reflects that ‘life was so different in my day’. And, when it comes to families, and relationships and being a grandmother, it’s pretty accurate. It's true, a grandma really ‘was so different in my day’. Life was tough, and since I only had one grandma, I can’t make too many comparisons. My grandma dressed differently, always in a dress and wore a hat when she went outside or carried an umbrella. She didn‘t drive a Honda CRV, a Camry or any car, in fact. She walked absolutely everywhere. Ordering groceries via Coles online shopping was not an option since the internet hadn't arrived and she definitely wrote only on a paper tablet not a digital one. Grandmother lived with us so she was an integral part of our family. I learned a lot from her. She regularly told me to pull my shoulders back and stand up straight. Or maybe, it was “Dear, could you please tie back your hair?” The proper way to prepare and serve tea was, apparently, an important skill to learn. She taught me how to care for the fledgling fallen from the nest. She showed me how to grow butter beans and rhubarb- but not to eat the leaves. She would share her favourite Bible verse for the week. And prayer was as essential as breathing for her. She shared many stories of how God had, despite overwhelming difficulties and sometimes despite her mistakes, stepped in to resolve her concerns and deepen her understanding of Him. So.. when I became a grandmother I wanted to be a good one- someone who was always ready for a cuddle or storybook, someone whose middle name was chocolate muffins or buttery croissants, someone who could operate anything from an off-road vehicle to a computer, smartphone or iPad without any assistance, but also someone who shared faith more than cookies. So.. just how is it done? And what else should be the trait of a great grandma? There sure isn't an online Udemy course on the topic- I know, 'cos I checked. However, strangely, there is a course for how to make a great cup of coffee- who knew? Well, this book by Dr Josh Mulvihill provides you with plenty of helpful ideas and advice. A bit about the author- Dr Josh Milvihill He is married with five kids of his own and has served as a pastor for nearly twenty years. He is also a founding member of the Legacy Coalition and RootedKids.com. He has written a number of books: Biblical Grandparenting, Preparing Children for Marriage, the Rooted Kids curriculum. He's also the editor of Equipping Grandparents. Estimated reading time: Approximately 2 hours 'God never intended parents to raise children alone. Instead, God gave families the gift of grandparents to share the burdens and distribute the weight of child-rearing. Grandparents serve as a means to provide multiple influences in raising children in the Lord.' There is plenty of content to sink your teeth into in this book. You'll find 4 parts to the consider: Cultural Messages, God's Design, Discipleship Practices and Strengthening Relationships. While we love our new role as grandparent, our culture seeks to trivialise our influence. But throughout the book you are reminded of the importance of grandparents. God created grandparents to play a crucial role in the spiritual development of grandchildren by linking arms with parents to work toward the same goal of raising future generations to know, love and serve Jesus. It's never been easy to raise a family but it seems especially difficult now. Grandparents have a crucial role in nurturing and building families- an ongoing legacy.  Important points to remember The book also highlights some important points, things that we should keep before us as a reminder. So it's a good idea to write them down and read them often to ensure that our attitudes and behaviours are in-check and in focus. a) Being a good grandparent is not good enough b) My soul’s condition shapes the impact of my legacy c) I don’t have all the answers d) Providing a safe place is more important than proving my point e) My life is short, but my legacy is not. f) Nothing is more important than praying for my grandchildren. The last point, in particular, is a helpful reminder. Sometimes, the best and only thing you can do as a grandparent is to continue to pray for your grandchildren. Prayer is not an extra; it's an essential method to reach and disciple your family. 'The tendency is to look for a quick solution. The temptation is to feel helpless and throw up our hands in frustration. God has given us a solution and it's found in Philippians 4:6.' My personal takeaways A recent Barna study discovered that, after parents, grandparents are the greatest potential influence in the life of a child. For better or worse, young people are imitating the people they know best and who care for them. It may sound simplistic, but those with the greatest influence among young people are typically those who invest the greatest amount of time into their lives- hopefully, that's grandparents. In other words, I need to have an ongoing active presence in their lives- and a positive presence, at that. There have been times when, as grandparents, we would like to offer some input in a situation that we may see as helpful but may be taken as critical or judgemental. It's important to limit any such comments unless they have been sought and to be helpful and encouraging. And yes, it's not easy to be an ongoing positive presence especially if they live hundreds of kilometres from you. I know- five of my grandkids live quite some distance away- 5.5 hours by train. But there are many ways to connect across the distance. You can find some of these in this book, too. What else can you learn from the book? Grandparenting matters. Despite the negative image of grandparents painted by our culture as those who should spend their time relaxing and enjoying life- or maybe even seen as a burden or someone who does little more than dispense sweets and cookies- we are important. We are disciple-makers. And we need to become more active in the lives of our family and grandkids- living obediently and prayerfully, as we seek to pass on Biblical truth to the next generation. Sure.. we don‘t need to step on toes or be thoughtless and unpleasant, as grandparents are sometimes portrayed in movies and sitcons. But there are many ways that we can help parents and be more intentional in their lives. It is given to us to pass on a rich heritage of faith to future generations. I particularly appreciated the regular extension questions to help you revaluate just where you are and where you want to be as a grandparent. And, it encourages you to use the information in practical ways with your family. If you're serious about your role as grandparent. If you want to impact your grandkids' lives and faith today. If you want to build a rich legacy of faith for future generations, here's the roadmap. Let's do it! Who would I recommend the summary to? I’d recommend this book to anyone who seeks to embrace their God-given role as grandparent and strives to pass on a heritage of faith to their family. The book includes a Grandparent Declaration, designed to encourage you to honestly commit to becoming more than just a grandparent- a Christian grandparent and a legacy builder. Key Take-aways
Grandparenting -strengthening your family and passing on your faith -by Dr. Josh Mulvihill Publisher: BETHANY HOUSE PUBL RRP: $10.39 - $22.95 (Kindle $9.42) Format: Paperback, Kindle I would like to thank Bethany House Pub for providing me with the opportunity to read, and review, this book. (Copy provided for personal review through NetGalley.) . Thank you.  Disclosure: At Grandma's Place is committed to high standards of integrity and quality. I do not promote any brand I do not believe meets these standards, and I only promote brands I would purchase myself. If I don't love it, and don't think you'll love it, it won't appear on my blog.  
(Yep... affiliate links are included which means, if you buy through me, I get some coffee money ... though not enough for the raisin toast as well. Full disclosure listed below.)
Silent Days, Holy Night- a heart-warming story that is worth reading anytime by anyone.
The Emerald Crest mansion stand high on the hill above the town for years, cloaked in mystery and silence. That is, until bright, inquisitive and warm-hearted Julia befriends the deaf, reclusive owner of Emerald Crest and ultimately alters the attitudes and outlook of the entire community. Young Julia’s family knows the history of Emerald Crest and they nurture and guide her understanding of Henry Lafferty, the owner of Emerald Crest. She quickly sees beyond his disabilities to discover a kindly, talented sculptor- a brilliant but kind man who’s never been able to hear. “His troubles could have made him a bitter, angry man, but they just seemed to make him better. In his silence, he must have learned some important lessons about living and making a difference in the world.”
There are some descriptive passages that paint the scene in greater detail. ‘Ice crystals around the windowpane fame the view where more snow clouds are settling on the mountains.’
But it is the warm family dialogue that moves the action and story development forward. Indeed, it is through conversations with others that 11-year-old Julia learns about looking beyond exteriors to find someone’s inner motives and see them clearly through their actions. Henry Lafferty may be deaf and have difficulty communicating with others but he speaks kindness and gentleness through his actions.
What themes are included?
As she seeks to bridge the communication gap with Henry, Julia learns other lessons. Her grandmother reminds the curious Julia to keep confidences. “It’s their story story, not our story to tell.” Prayer is frequently a natural response in the story to the growing tension at the mansion and within the community. Julia notes that her grandmother “..prayed like God was right there in the front seat. No fancy works like they used at church. I could tell she talked to God regularly like that.” As the tension develops with unknown intruders on the property at night, windows broken and reports of other planned destruction, we are reminded of the importance of moments. One decision, one moment can change things. “Yes, but it only takes a moment, just one moment, to change a lot of things. That one moment when someone decided to be generous… could be the turning point in their lives.”
The delight of the concluding scenes of the story and changes within the community and Emerald Crest are also reflected in the reactions and behaviour of Julia, fellow students and the whole community.
Personal observations The narrative does develop slowly and I took a while to actually become involved in the story. The opening scenes seemed a little superfluous and, for me, did little to hold my attention. However, once the story progressed, it took form and built interest. So who would enjoy this book? First, the book has a Christmas focus but it could be read and enjoyed anytime. Although it is an adult novel anyone would enjoy it. Since Julia is a young girl, I think that even younger readers would enjoy the story and although there is tension and intrigue, no real violence is detailed. In fact, it would be a good way to teach some of the outlined values to young readers. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review. 
Silent Days, Holy Night -by Phyllis Clark Nichols
Publisher: Gilead Publishing RRP: $9.86 - $22.50 (Kindle $8.45) Format: Paperback, Kindle
Get your copy here..
Disclosure: At Grandma's Place is committed to high standards of integrity and quality. I do not promote any brand I do not believe meets these standards, and I only promote brands I would purchase myself. If I don't love it, and don't think you'll love it, it won't appear on my blog.  'This post was originally published in Nov 2015. It was updated in December 2018 to include updated information and links to resources.' (Yep... affiliate links are included which means, if you buy through me, I get some coffee money ... though not enough for the raisin toast as well. Full disclosure listed below.) Advent in Narnia.....Reflections for the Season Like so many others, I grew up reading and loving the adventure, mystery and excitement of the Narnia series. So a Christmas season devotional based on these books, and more particularly 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' was sure to interest and delight. Certainly, the cold winter landscape of Narnia with the people watching and looking for a king is the perfect parallel for the Christmas story. I did, however, feel a small degree of reservation before I opened the pages of this book; well, to be precise, flipped open the e-pages on my iPad. (It's not exactly the same, is it?) But I wondered if the readings would be more about the Narnia books and less about the Saviour. I was reassured by Heidi Haverkamp's comment, "My purpose in writing this book is not to help you know Narnia better but to know God better.... I hope that by spending a little time in Narnia, this Advent, you will get to know Aslan- and Jesus Christ- better, and to prepare for Jesus' birth at Christmas all the more richly for it." I particularly liked the introduction to this series. The opening reading reminds us of our need for Jesus. He alone can lead us beyond the shadows of our current lives through the doorway to love and life. It's a great starting position for this book of Christmas devotions. "My purpose in writing this book is not to help you know Narnia better but to know God better.... I hope that by spending a little time in Narnia, this Advent, you will get to know Aslan- and Jesus Christ- better, and to prepare for Jesus' birth at Christmas all the more richly for it." You'll find daily devotions with titles like, 'A Great Light', 'Turkish Delight,' 'The Lamppost,' and the 'Full Armour of God.' If you are familiar with the Narnia stories, I'm sure that these words immediately bring certain scenes from the book to mind. Heidi suggests reading along in the novel to refresh your memory of the story as Narnia sheds new light on the Christmas story. (You could also watch the movie.) Questions for reflection accompany each devotion. The book also includes resources for churches. There are Small Group questions for discussion or reflection. You'll also find instructions for presenting a church Narnia Night for Families with ideas for decorations, activity stations, costumes, crafts and more, leading into the church Christmas service and prayer. If you're looking for a more meaningful fun Christmas focus for your own family, you could present a simplified Narnia version that would make your Christmas truly memorable. Whether you know and love Narnia books or have just heard of them, I think you will enjoy this Advent devotional and will wonder anew, this Christmas, 'at the depth of God's love, the power of Christ's grace and totality of his sacrifice.'  I would like to thank Westminster John Knox Press for providing me with the opportunity to read, and review, this book. (Copy provided for personal review through NetGalley.) Thank you. Advent in Narnia -by Heidi Haverkamp Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press RRP: $32.00 (Kindle $9.50) Format: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
You might also be interested in....... Disclosure: At Grandma's Place is committed to high standards of integrity and quality. I do not promote any brand I do not believe meets these standards, and I only promote brands I would purchase myself. If I don't love it, and don't think you'll love it, it won't appear on my blog.  (Yep... affiliate links are included which means, if you buy through me, I get some coffee money ... though not enough for the raisin toast as well. Full disclosure listed below.) 'On a cold Winter's night, a baby hippo was born.' It's a great opening line. It just encourages you to turn the page and read more. I can just imagine my grandkids encouraging me, "What happens next, Nan? Read it!" It's the opening page of the picture storybook, Fiona the Hippo, published by ZonderKids. You know, there's something about a hippo, isn't there, that almost everyone seems to like, especially a baby hippo. So.. will you and your kids enjoy this book? Is it worth buying and reading to them? I did, and here's what I found. Oh... and Zonderkids have also produced a special bonus. You can find it below.  1. Fiona the Hippo is a real character. But first.... Fiona the Hippo. One of the appeals of this picture storybook is that Fiona is, in fact, a real baby hippo not just a fictional character created for a children's book. She was born at the Cincinnati Zoo but as a premmie. She arrived 6 weeks early and quickly became an online celebrity. She now has her own Facebook show. You can read about Fiona in the introduction of this book, Fiona the Hippo, or check out the clip below to find out more about her rough start to life. Show the clip after you've read the story to them.  2. The simple text makes this an easy book to read. There have been times when I've ordered a picture storybook online only to be disappointed when it arrives. Sometimes, there is just too much text, too much detail for young ones to appreciate. And kids quickly become bored. A good picture storybook uses engaging language that is age-appropriate. Ideally, there should be only a sentence or two per page. You'll be pleased to know that this book uses simple text really well.  3. The illustrations in this book are, well, just beautiful. Richard Cowdrey is an New York Times best-selling illustrator. His artwork can be found on advertisements, calendars, book covers and prints. And he also illustrates storybooks. I'm sure you'll love his artwork in this book... it's great. But there's more to illustrations in a picture storybook than looking attractive. They should extend and enhance the text. The pictures should help to keep the reader's attention but also stimulate their imagination. I love it when my grandkids listen to the story and then tell me so much more about the story and the feelings of the characters by looking at the illustrations. So I'm looking forward to hearing more about this story through their eyes.  4. Fiona's fun antics will connect with and delight the kids. She certainly has lots to learn and children will love her tangles with pool noodles and other troubles as she develops the skills a young hippo needs. But, with each challenge she repeats, "I've got this." Maybe your own kids will face their own challenges with this same focus after learning about Fiona.  5. The ending to this story is a happy, positive one. Fiona realises that there is something that she still needs.. to meet and make friends with others at the zoo. And this, for many kids, can be really daunting so they will enjoy seeing Fiona handle this, too. Share the endearing story of Fiona the hippo with your kids. I'm sure that they will enjoy it,, and so will you. :) . Then, download the additional learning resources provided by Zonderkids. You'll find an activity pack for the young ones: make a mask, discover their own Fiona membership card, find a way through the maze and more. For older kids, there is also a curriculum guide with more activities to develop their skills and understand, Find both below. Just a quick note in closing... there is also a board book version for your toddlers. 
 
Disclosure: At Grandma's Place is committed to high standards of integrity and quality. I do not promote any brand I do not believe meets these standards, and I only promote brands I would purchase myself. If I don't love it, and don't think you'll love it, it won't appear on my blog.  
(Yep... affiliate links are included which means, if you buy through me, I get some coffee money ... though not enough for the raisin toast as well. Full disclosure listed below.)
I must admit thatI love planners. I like the clear format, small decorative details and ample areas to fill in personal details. There are usually plenty of options available online and in stores. Leading up to the start of each year, you'll find calendars, planners and diaries flooding the shelves. And yes, i love digital planners, too.
A planner helps me toremember what is ahead during the day, and what I need to do. After all, I'm never going to get another attempt at each day so I'd prefer to run my day rather than the day running me. I like feeling that I am using my day well. But owning and using a planner doesn't automatically mean that my day or week, for that matter, runs smoothly or that I finish everything I'd added to my daily planner. So.. that's why I was interested in reading Simplify your Life: Get Organised and Stay that Way. This book is like a handbook for developing techniques and strategies that will help you manage your busy schedules. More than that, it will help you find a more satisfying life than the constant frenetic busyness we call life. 
'Manage what you must, but organise what you care about.. and what your'e all about.' M.Ramsland
So what will you find in this book?
First, there are many relatable recounts of others who struggle with the same planning and organising problems that dog our efforts. You'll find quizzes like 'Test your organisational skills', tips, hints and simple checklists. There are questions for your own personal reflections and a simple prayer to conclude each section. You'll find helpful advice to overcome the daily struggles we all have to complete everything that we think deserves to be on our daily planner. And you'll relate to the simple tips: Limit your to-do lists to 10 items so that your don't get overwhelmed, and If it takes more than 10 or 15 minutes it's too complicated and should be simplified. Plus.. you'll discover ways that you can simplify your tasks. 
You'll discover plenty of information that with help you:
* develop simple organisational systems *discoer the 7 elements of a great day * practise the 2 minute pick-up * simplify special seasons of life: holidays, parenting, work-life and more * set up a personal organising centre * manage a beautiful, low-maintenance home * find 5 steps for a 15 minute meal cleanup * establish problem-solving dinner schedules
She knows what she's talking about and has helped thousands to live an organised, productive life style.
So.. if you want a simpler, more satisfying life; if you have big dreams but no time to realise them, if you're ready to develop life-long habits that will help you save time and enjoy life, then check out this book.
The estimated reading time is around 4 hours 15 minutes
But, this book would be best read in small doses or chapters so that you can work through the ideas and implement the suggested strategies. You can find this book:
Disclosure: At Grandma's Place is committed to high standards of integrity and quality. I do not promote any brand I do not believe meets these standards, and I only promote brands I would purchase myself. If I don't love it, and don't think you'll love it, it won't appear on my blog.
A book review of Melanie Shankle's book (New York Times Bestselling Author
Church of the Small Things: the Million Little Pieces that Make up a Life. Caution: Do not read this book on a train.
I love train travel. It's relaxing, filled with many distraction-free hours where I can work quietly, plan, unwind, and read. So, I'd come prepared and I worked solidly for a couple of hours. But when the meal trolley rumbled down the aisle and thoughts and flavours of lunch filled the carriage, I decided to stop work and take a break.. maybe read a bit. Mmm... bad decision.
I'd read that the book I'd chosen, 'The Church of the Small Things- the Million Little Pieces that Make up a Life,' overflowed with Melanie Shankle's dry but warm humour. It sounded the perfect choice for my lunch break.
(Yep... affiliate links are included which means, if you buy through me, I get some coffee money ... though not enough for the raisin toast as well. Full disclosure listed below.)
I really enjoyed the introduction while I munched on my Greek salad. I read Melanie's perspective of the faithfulness of the mother who packed a lunch of five loaves and two fish for her boy one day in Galilee.
" I bet she didn't wring her hands over whether or not that lunch might matter in the larger scheme of God's plans and wish she could do something on a larger stage in front of an audience of people cheering her on, as she tucked that fish and those loaves into a basket, and she definitely didn't do an Instagram story about it. The bottom line is, she didn't do the glamorous thing; she did the faithful thing.'
I settled back, opened my orange juice, and decided I'd extend my lunch break a little and read some more. I started on chapter two.
But here's where I ran into difficulty because yes, it's funny. And the humour creeps in quietly, innocently, almost out of the blue, which is why I found myself holding my nose to keep in the laughter. After all, on a train, you can't exactly roll around on the floor laughing. (I was so glad I didn't have anyone sitting next to me, either. ) But this book is so much more than just entertaining recollections of life, though it is that. Rather, it highlights lessons learned and truths gleaned in the small but important pieces that make up life. ' ... life has a way of teaching you as you go, that it's usually not the big moments that make up a life as much as it is the small ones.'
Melanie discusses: family life and women today, life as a mixture of sad and sweet, trusting God in the big and small things, faithfulness in small things, God's care about even the smallest details of our lives and so much more...
'God's will isn't about the things we achieve; it's about the people we become. Life is more about how He uses us to make a difference to the people who cross our paths, even while we are just going about our normal, sometimes boring, lives.'
The Church of the Small Things: the million little pieces that make up a life by Melanie Shankle
So... should you read it? I think you'd be crazy if you didn't. It's one of those books that, the more you read, the more you'll enjoy it. It's filled with family reflections and memories, and lessons learned and reminders of the importance of the small, ordinary acts of daily faithfulness. These are the important things, these are the legacy we leave our family and friends... and everything presented is coloured with the lightness of laughter and humour. 
Disclosure: At Grandma's Place is committed to high standards of integrity and quality. I do not promote any brand I do not believe meets these standards, and I only promote brands I would purchase myself. If I don't love it, and don't think you'll love it, it won't appear on my blog.
A challenge to individuals, the church, and the community to focus on the gift rather than the burden.
In Australia, one person in a hundred- or roughly 230,00 people- has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. That's an huge number and constitutes the largest disability group in the Australian NDIS. But I was blissfully unaware of this startling statistic... until grandson #3 arrived with all the activity and excitement of a new birth in the family. And he was a cheerful little guy ... he delighted in music and listening to singing .. always ready to wrap his chubby little arms around your neck in a big hug... laughing all the time... still does. I cared for him quite a bit while his parents were working so I got to see a lot of him when he was little. Murphy loved his cousins and followed them around giggling delightedly when they chased him or bounced with him on the trampoline. His eventual diagnosis with Autism Spectrum Disorder affected his cousins not at all. They copied his 'happy hands' movement when one of them jumped especially high on the trampoline or flipped a somersault and Murphy laughed louder than anyone. The boys explained Murphy's difficulties to their curious gymnastics team members. So the whole team adopted Murphy's 'happy hands' wave during competitions to encourage one another. Cute! But yes, living with Autism is not cute- it's not all laughter and 'happy hands.' So I was interested to read Ausomely Blessed by Beth Frank. Actually, the book is more a compilation of stories and articles by numerous friends, family and specialists. All of them have a personal acquaintance with Autism Spectrum and special needs kids. You'll find chapters included like Ausome Opportunities, Ausome Potential, Ausome Friendship, Ausome Influence and more. 
Caring for a special needs child can be an isolating existence. Autistic kids respond well to routine and repetition..So it's easier, and less stressful, to stay at home; a simple outing is fraught with the hazard of sensory overload resulting in an embarrassing meltdown. And parents of children with autism, many of whom are non-verbal, just don't have anyone or anywhere they can relax, unwind and talk to about these concerns. Unless you've experienced it yourself it's hard to relate. Find encouragement for the everyday struggles Ausomely Blessed provides just that type of encouragement. It doesn't sugar-coat the problems. It describes heart-rendering, relatable and real situations- the sort of situations where other parents can say, "Yes! I know what you mean. I've experienced something similar." 
-- 'A diagnosis isn't a mandate to watch life from the sidelines, but a call to a destiny of greatness.' --
Focus on the gift, not the burden
Ausomely Blessed does more than just offer encouragement and support. It's so easy to spend all your time listing the problems and yes, there are many. But there are also so many positives. God didn't make a mistake when He made these kids and neither was He surprised by the problems. He knows it all. Each child is an individual who is fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God. Our family would be the poorer without Murphy's laughter and happiness, his excitement to be with friends and family and his hugs. The problems are just one side of the coin and reading this book is a reminder to look for the joy. 
-- 'Every individual with special needs has ausome potential.' --
Look for the hidden potential
Ausomely Blessed also takes time to encourage you, as parents, to look beyond the current circumstances. Each child has potential that you can develop. So take time to regularly challenge your child. Jumpstart their imagination. Turn everyday events into learning experiences. Encourage them to dream. Keep it fun... and remember, God loves to open doors.
This small clip was created by SOAR Special Needs Ministry, and mentioned in this book. It's a reminder to look for the hidden potential in everyone and especially those with special needs.
-- "The greatest legacy is not what we leave for people; it's what we leave in people." --
Become agents of change
Community's perception of those with special needs has changed greatly but still more needs to be done to break down barriers and build understanding and acceptance of individuals and families of those with special needs. It's only when special needs kids and their families are included as valuable members of the church and the community that they will bless others as they also are blessed. Ausomely Blessed encourages you to be an agent of change, to encourage change in the community and in your church. This type of change has already resulted in a heightened understanding of those with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Change has created an increased understanding that those with autism are often highly intelligent, hard-working and willing to go the extra mile to achieve a desired task outcome. Consequently, many employers realise it makes sound business sense to employ these people. Change has also resulted in some supermarkets introducing quiet hour each week for those who struggle with sensory overload. So, for an hour, lights are dimmed, registers and scanners are turned down to the lowest levels, trolley collections and PA announcements are avoided and trained members are available to help customers... and more customers support these innovations and shop at these stores. Maybe the next changes will be initiated by you! Check out this book and discover how 'ausomely blessed you really are!' Find it here: Buy from AMAZON Buy from Booktopia
Special needs kids certainly present challenges. But they also have hidden potential. If you care for a child with special needs, find encouragement, help and understanding in this book, Ausomely Blessed. Learn how blessed you really are.
 Ahh... a quiet afternoon, a hot cup of coffee, a cosy spot in the sun, and a good book... What better way to spend a relaxing afternoon. It's even better when the book is one by Irene Hannon. I've enjoyed a few of Irene's suspenseful mysteries so I was looking forward to Dangerous Illusions. The story opens on a tense scene enacted within a stormy setting. 'Fingers clutching the door knob, he stared at the shadowy figure as shock thrummed through his nerve endings. In the background, another eruption of electricity slashed across the inky sky. A sharp crack of thunder shook the walls of the house. Rain pummelled the tulips rimming the porch, beating their heads into submission!' And so.. the scene is set. In fact, the introduction has all the satisfying elements of an exciting mystery: 'It begins with on a dark night where a dark man waits with a dark purpose' sort-of entrance to the story. But more follows. There's an engaging but capable heroine, a quiet, pensive and insightful friendly investigator, a twist of romance and loose ends throughout that keep you wondering and guessing just how they all tie together.  And what about the illusions? Let's begin with a close community, a respectable neighbourhood, that suddenly hears whispers of scandal and rumours of suspicious behaviour, lurking beneath a calm public facade. The investigating detective notes: 'The neighbourhood might be posh, but as he'd learned throughout the years, ugliness didn't have a zip code. Crime happens everywhere.' And there was a crime. An unexpected, unfortunate and seemingly accidental death camouflages a murder and a sinister purpose. Where does the guilt lie and why? When everyone involved presents the illusion of innocence and respectability, who can you trust? As danger hovers in the shadows, will the answers be found too late? 'Evil intent often lurked beneath a veneer of respectability.' If you enjoy a good mystery, especially one with suspense and romance thrown in as well, then you should read Dangerous Illusions. Can you solve the puzzle? Can you break the illusions? About the Author Irene Hannon has written more than 50 romantic suspense and women's fiction novels. She has received a string of awards such as Daphne du Maurier award, Carol awards, HOLT medallion, National Readers' Choice award and more. She is also a member of the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. You can read more about Irene Hannon on her author website.  I would like to thank Revell Books & NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read, and review, this book. (Copy provided for personal review through NetGalley.) Thank you. Dangerous Illusions Book One Code of Holour by Irene Hannon Publisher: Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group   |
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