Being a Good Helper is a great family devotional eBook. I like how it was broke down into five weeks with each week giving you something different to focus on.  I also really liked that there was a suggested activity to do each week as well as questions to discuss with your family after completing the activity.

As a single mom I often found myself struggling to teach my son about Christianity, servant-hood, etc. This eBook doesn’t have to be for ‘families’ where a mother and father are present. The activities and discussion questions can be done in a single family home as well.

I highly recommend Being a Good Helper if you’re looking for an easy but great way to bring your family closer together while learning the importance of servant-hood.

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So when they contacted me again about doing another review, I immediately said “Yes!”  This time I was sent a shag bag and two beautiful bracelets from their Expression line.

The Shag Bag is incredibly cute.  Just look below!

It’s a wristlet bag that measures 7.5 in. X 5 in and is made from recycled scarves.  It’s the perfect size for those quick trips where I don’t want to lung around my big purse.  I can just throw my phone, ID, and some money in the shag bag and I am good to go.  Plus it looks great with blue jeans or a nice dress.  It’s very versatile.

Now the Expression line of bracelets are just my style.  They are beaded bracelets that include different words of expressions.  For example the bracelets sent to me to review include the words “Just Be Blessed” and “Follow Your Dream”.

The bracelets are beautiful without being too flashy – which is just what I like in jewelry.  I’ve been wearing the “Just Be Blessed” bracelet for about a week now and have gotten many positive comments on it.

Of course the best part about the bag and bracelet is that they are very affordable!  You can visit Calypso Studios on their website, Facebook, or Twitter to find out more about their products.

Teaching your kids compassion doesn’t have to take up a lot of time or really even be something that you have to work towards. Compassion should come naturally. It should be a part of your everyday life. Compassion comes when you love and care about other more than yourself. Putting others first is the key. The following are ways that you can incorporate “compassion” into your daily life.

• Help when help is needed. If you see someone stranded on the side of the road, stop to lend a helping hand. Offer them a ride or to use your cell phone to call for help.
• Give when someone is in need. A fact of life is that there will be others who are less fortunate than you are. Allow your children to see you giving to others. Whether it is money or food, a little or a lot, give when you can. Encourage your children to give as well.
• Visit the elderly and the sick. Showing compassion doesn’t have to cost you a dime. Teach your children to care for others by taking them to visit the elderly in the nursing homes or to the hospital to visit the sick.

A change for the better

As you teach your children compassion through leading by example, you are not only encouraging change in a world that so badly needs it. You are also giving them a glimpse into the world as God sees it. The Bible gives commands that you should love and care about others more than yourself. It gives strict instructions that you are love and help neighbors when they are in need. By teaching children compassion through charity, you are encouraging the qualities that God calls for in the Bible. While there can never be a perfect world, it can certainly be a better place than it is now. How different would society be if everyone had compassion?

It is impossible to change the world. What is not impossible, however, is to make a difference in the world around you. Teaching your children how to be compassionate is a great way to leave behind a legacy. Compassion leads to a chain reaction. If you show love and respect for others in need, your children will do the same. As they grow up, they will teach others around them the very same thing. Let compassion begin with you as you instill the qualities within your children. How can you make a difference in the life of someone today? Remember, it is as simple as lending a helping hand.

About the Author:
Olivia Nicholas is a writer and a busy mom. She is always happy to share her passion for life and experiences through her work, and in her spare time works as a freelance writer for Storkie.

The devotional booklet contains 9 devotions, one for each Fruit of the Spirit.  Each devotion is written in a way to specifically help those on the mission field.  They are short and to the point and very applicable to the subject topic.  Each devotion also contains a “Thought of the Day” which gives you an action task to reaffirm the devotional.

Now the key tags are pretty neat.  I can actually see a lot of uses for these even off the mission field. Each key tag contains a Bible verse.  For example, in the Fruit of the Spirit series, each key tag lists one of the Fruit of the Spirits and the supporting Bible verse.

While these are made for use on the mission field, I have attached the fish key chain and Bible verse tags to my purse.   I often find myself repeating Philippians 4:8:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.”

and these key tags are a great way to help me “think on these things.”

Currently Mission Key Tags has 3 different topical devotions and tags available including Fruit of the Spirit, The Beatitudes, and One Another.  They are very affordable and would make great gifts especially for a Sunday school class.

When the introduction had me weeping by a simple question Heather posed, I knew that not only was this going to be a great read but that God was going to use it to change my heart (and He did).

Every part of this eBook touched my heart (and soul) in some way. God used it to make me see some things in my life that I needed to let go of and lay down at the cross. I loved the personal faith stories  throughout the book. They were encouraging and uplifting and Christian’s faith story touched me in ways I can’t even put into words because of something I’m personally going through (a desire of my heart that has been there for years now).

I could go on and on with my rave reviews for Desires of My Heart but really you should just pick up a copy for yourself. I especially recommend it if as a Christian you’re going through difficult times. This eBook is sure to lift your spirits, give you hope and just encourage you to keep on keeping on!

Tishia Lee
http://www.tishialee.com
This ebook was purchased by The Faithful Bloggers Network and given to Tishia to review. 

Those seeking knowledge refer to it. The Book Of Proverbs is for business. The greatest love story is in the Book of Solomon. Financial wisdom and healings abound from cover to cover. But what if…..it holds the secret to cure disease?

Remember your Bible stories. The Three Wise Men brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ child. The Queen of Sheba gave gifts of rare oils to Solomon. Countless passages refer to gifts of oil being exchanged. Why were oils highly prized? Is there something that we are missing or was lost throughout time?

There are 1,035 references to oils in the Bible. They were used for food, fuel, flavorings, perfume, anointing and burial. Did you also realize oils played a part in emotional releasing, mental clearing, physical healing, and the prevention of disease?

In ancient times, healers were also priests. The priests used oils to anoint and heal people of their disease. Passages in the Bible refer to the priests anointing what is now known as the reflex points of the human body. Were they trained in healing knowledge that has been lost?

In Mark 6:13, Jesus told the disciples to anoint the sick with oils and heal them. What we have discovered today are six ways in which essential oils support the body.

1. They fight unfriendly microbes.
2. Balance body functions
3. Raise body frequencies. The human body is electrical energy.
4. Antioxidants in oils purify our system.
5. They clear negative emotional baggage.
6. They cause an uplifting of spiritual awareness.

Certain religious denominations utilize oils and incense in their rituals today.They have carried on century old practices in cleansing and spiritual awareness.

Have we lost the ancient knowledge and replaced it with our modern medicine? When is the last time that your doctor took a holistic approach to body, mind, and spirit?

It is a known fact that essential oils raise your body frequency. When coupled with speech and prayer, they magnify intent.

God is the source of all healing. Think about ancient priests who anointed and prayed simultaneously. Jesus instructed us to speak the Word. Could this combination be a clue to healing that has long been forgotten?

Everyone experiences aches and pains at one time or another. Try using essential oils known to relieve pain symptoms along with spoken prayer. You may be amazed at the power and relief you will experience.

Is it time that we go back and learn from our ancestors? Read and practice some of the healing techniques and apply them to our everyday situations. The wisdom of the Bible hasn’t been disproved. It may very well hold the key to curing all disease.

Karen & Dick Brooks have spent more than 30 years in the world of sales and marketing. Both hold executive positions, managing multi-million dollar business’s. Having hands-on experience, they have built sales and marketing teams from the ground up. Being self taught entrepreneur’s, they realized that there is more to life than the business world.

Both have been advocates for natural health for more than 25 years. After a life threatening blood disorder for Dick, where he was given a short time to live, they began researching alternative cures. He found his cure in an oil and natural food product regime, which has him in top health today.

Karen spent years tending to elderly parents. With the aid of natural products and a healthy diet, she was able to get her insulin dependent mother completely off of the drug, and extended her quality of life immensely.

Spending countless hours reading, researching and practicing what preach, they decided to share their experiences online.

Both Karen & Dick are helping others find the information and products needed to live a happy, healthy and prosperous life. You can visit their blog at: www.backtohealthnaturally.com

Your children look forward to going to school.

Jeanie Cullip is a happily married, stay-at-home mommy of 3 children of her own and 2 step-children. Finding joy, love & hope right in her own back yard and sharing it with her neighbors near and far. In love with Jesus, loves to giggle & loves to drink coffee. She is a freelance writer residing in Gig Harbor. Find out a “latte” about Jeanie on her blog Cup of Joe with Jeanie at www.cupofjoewithjeanie.com . Please e-mail her at cupofjoewithjeanie@yahoo.com

Sonlight (http://www.sonlight.com/)

This comprehensive site guides you through everything you need to know about homeschooling your children, including getting the basics, links to resources, and extensive curriculum guides according to grade level and subject matter. If you still aren\’t able to find the answer to your question, you can ask an expert for individual assistance.

Heart of Wisdom (http://heartofwisdom.com/)

Here you’ll find everything you need to homeschool your children, including links to resources and books, free lesson plans, daily schedules, and freebies. For more extensive guidance, you can sign up for the newsletter or browse the forum. There is also a store with useful resources.

Christian Homeschoolers (http://www.christianhomeschoolers.com/)

There are extensive homeschooling resources here, including links to articles and books, coupons, e-books, events, legal resources, and more. There are also separate sections that address Christian education and information pertinent to military families.

Homeschool Christian (http://www.homeschoolchristian.com/)

Homeschool Christian offers information and encouragement for those looking to homeschool their children. In addition to the numerous resources for homeschooling, there are also tips for home care, family life, and financial planning, making this an inclusive family friendly site.

Christian Resources – Homeschool and More (http://christianhsresources.com/)

Find information, supplies, and books on this helpful site. You can also find resources for curriculum and online education to supplement your plans. There are even links to resources for special learners.

Homeschool.com (http://www.homeschool.com/resources01/Christian.asp)

Homeschool.com is a leading resource for homeschooling information and resources, and the site includes a section for Christian education and resources. There are links to publications, curriculum resources, and online programs.

These are just a few of the resources available for Christian parents looking to homeschool their children. Many more sites and books are available to help make this process easier, as well as online support forums. Do you have any favorite resources that you can share?

Chloe Trogden specializes in research involving all forms of college grants. She has compiled thousands of resources including catholic school grants and Tennessee college grants along with many others. She is currently attending UNC Chapel Hill and is entering her Junior year in the fall. 

I can remember playing Candy Land when I was a little girl and now that I am a mom I was just as excited to get to play Candy Land with my kids.  Even more exciting was experiencing the game with a group of 8 friends of my children.  Hasbro and MyBlogSpark sponsored a Candy Land theme party for us and our closet friends by sending me a “Party in a Box”.  The “Party in a Box” included 15 Candy Land games for the party, a Flip camera to record the party, and a $100 gift card to use to buy supplies.

We didn’t use all 15 games sent, but all the kids that came were able to leave a Candy Land board game of their own.  I was surprised that not everyone already had a copy of the game.  I had just assumed everyone with little kids had Candy Land!  With the $100 gift card I was also able to send home a bag of goodies for each child specifically for use when playing the game.  The gift card was also a big help in purchasing snacks, drinks, and decorations.

Unfortunately, the video didn’t come out right.  After the party I downloaded the video from the Flip, but everything was in very slow motion and choppy.  I’m so sad I don’t have a video of the fun to share with you all, but it was a lot of fun – not just for the kids but for us parents too.

Do you have the game Candy Land?  How often do you play it?  I know it’s my daughter’s first choice when choosing a game to play.