The Pelsers

Review: You Are a Writer by Jeff Goins

Amanda — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:30:00 +0000

I like reading Jeff Goins’ blog and excitedly jumped at the chance to read and review his most recent book You Are a Writer. I went through Jeff’s writing tutorial email course last winter and it pushed me to write and publish my ebook Finding Joy in Depression.

You are a Writer by Jeff Goins

I like Jeff’s writing style. He’s straight to the point without a lot of fluff and he’s funny. Even better, he gives practical tips and is inspirational. Here’s just one example of how Jeff inspires:

Remember: The fear of something is always scarier than the thing itself. Yes, there is pain and rejection. But the greatest failure is to never risk at all.

Jeff gives a lot of great information about building a platform, a brand, and channels. He includes really helpful sample letters near the end of the book.

You Are a Writer is a must have for anyone who wants to do something with their writing – from bloggers to book authors and more.

{Material Disclosure: Jeff sent me an a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was received.}

Reflections from Apologia Live: Education and Religion – Your Child’s Potential with Zan Tyler

Amanda — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:30:00 +0000

This is the final post in a series of sharing quotes, tidbits, and reflections from the various sessions at the Apologia Live Retreat which I had the opportunity to attend recently. Start here to read about my over all experience at the Apologia Live Retreat and head over to this post to read reflections from other sessions.

Your Child’s Potential with Zan Tyler

Zan Tyler is such an inspiration. She literally paved the way legislatively in the state of South Carolina for homeschoolers. She was homeschooling at a time when there were obstacles at every turn. She humorously described homeschooling in this way:

Homeschooling is like building an ark in your backyard and hoping no one will notice.

Zan went on to share this classic definition for education:

The bringing up, as of a child, instruction; formation of manners. Education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, and form the manners and habits of youth, and fit them for usefulness in their future stations. To give children a good education in manners, arts and science, is important; to give them a religious education is indispensable; and an immense responsibility rests on parents and guardians who neglect these duties. From Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary.

In this definition, education and religion are intertwined. It was assumed, that education and religion go hand in hand. Somehow, our society has slowly ripped the two apart. We now live at a time where education and religion are so far removed from each other that our children have lost the ability to integrate their faith into their everyday lives and careers.

What are you doing to help you child(ren) integrate their faith into everything that they do?

I’m so excited to be partnering with Apologia and hosting a book club using Zan Tyler’s book 7 Tools for for Cultivating Your Child’s Potential. More details are coming soon, but in the mean time, read these 10 reasons that you should join the 7 Tools Book Club. Sign up for the 7 Tools Book Club newsletter and sign up for my daily email so you don’t miss a thing!

Kids in the Word Wednesday: Sneek Peek of Child Training Bible

Amanda — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:05:00 +0000

We’ve been struggling to get back into a good routine following our vacation. I decided to put together the Child Training Bible that I received at the 2:1 Conference and see what Jonathan thought. I’ll be doing a full review soon, but I thought I’d give you a sneak peek today:

I used an old Bible of Josh’s. Jonathan thought it was really cool that he was getting Josh’s special Bible. He’s been so excited about the finished product, he’s been sleeping with this Bible! We’ve had an opportunity to use the Bible to look up Ephesians 6:1-3 and talk about obedience.

Once we’ve have a little more time to use the Child Training Bible, I’ll bring you a full review and a giveaway!

Have you used the Child Training Bible? How have you kept your kids in the Word this week? Fun activity? Favorite resource? Story you read? Share in the comments and/or link up a blog post!

Gluten Free Banana Bread and Muffins

Amanda — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:00:00 +0000

I made some gluten free banana bread and muffins this weekend. The boys were so excited – to help and to eat. Jonathan and Jacob stood on the stool together watching, dumping, and stirring. I’m sure there was batter licking going on when I wasn’t looking. I’ve had this recipe from Josh’s mom for many years, but I’ve tweaked a couple things recently as I’ve experimented with new-to-us gluten free flour options.

Gluten Free Banana Bread and Muffins Recipe

Ingredients

½ C. oil
½ t. salt
1 C. sugar
1 ½ t. baking soda
4 eggs, separated
1 t. baking powder
1 C. mashed bananas (2-3)
½ chopped nuts (optional)
2 C. brown rice flour

Instructions

In a small bowl combine dry ingredients and set aside. In a large bowl mix together the oil, sugar and egg yolks – reserve the egg whites in a medium sized bowl. Beat the egg whites until stiff and set aside. Add the mashed banana to the sugar mixture with the beaters. Mix in the dry ingredients. Stir in the nuts if desired. Fold in the stiffened egg whites. Pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake 325 for 1 hr. 15 minutes or until done. May also be made as muffins.

Modifications

I substituted 1 cup of sorghum flour for 1 cup of the brown rice flour. This in combination with using good baking powder made the bread rise well and have a great texture. Josh’s litmus test is always how gluten free baked goods compare to their gluten counterparts and this sorghum substitution passed with flying colors!

Jonathan approved:

Jacob climbed the stool and helped himself to this second muffin. I think he approved too.

My boys love banana bread! Do you have a favorite banana bread recipe? Have you ever baked with sorghum flour?

Shepherding a Child’s Heart – Chapter 12 and 13

Amanda — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:16:00 +0000

Today we’re in chapter 12 and 13 of Shepherding a Child’s Heart. Get all the details of the Shepherding a Child’s Heart Book Club in the kick off post and join us!

He knows that the rod gets the attention, but the conscience must be plowed up and planted with the truths of God’s ways.
To see them deal with issues of their Godward orientation, you must take correction beyond behavior to addressing the issues of the heart. You address the heart by exposing sin and appealing to the conscience as the God-given adjudicator of right and wrong.

I like these two quotes from chapter 12 because they show us that the “rod” has a purpose. All of communication and discipline has a purpose. It’s to bring our children to a self-assessment based in God’s law. It’s comparing ourselves to God’s law – a law that we cannot possibly keep – that brings us to understand our need for Him. We need the forgiveness that Jesus provided through His death on the cross.

It is our job as parents to create an environment where our kids can reflect and dig into their heart issues. We create teaching moments where they can properly assess themselves and come to an understanding of their need for God. Correcting outward behavior is only half the issue. Without reaching their hearts and directing them God-ward, they will continue to revert their course and be forever stuck in a cycle of trying to correct wrong actions.

These chapters wrap up the first part of the book. We’ve read off of the theory and principles. Next week we turn our focus to learning how to apply what we’ve read in the first section.

It’s your turn! What struck you in these chapters?What have you learned in the first section of Shepherding a Child’s Heart? Share in the comments and/or link up a blog post.

Blog Tour with Amy Bayliss: Making time work for you

Amanda — Mon, 14 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

I’m excited to host Amy Bayliss as a part of her Backwards Blog Tour today. I love Amy’s book Pursuit of Proverbs 31 and have been writing some thoughts here at The Pelsers:

And now… Amy!

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Time management is a large asset for mothers and homemakers. If we can learn to manage our time, imagine how much we can accomplish! Really, time management is HUGE.

I know you have heard the old saying, “time is money.” Well, that may be true in many cases but unlike money there is no refund for time poorly spent. You get no refunds. Spend wisely.
Saying yes to projects and events that you simply feel an obligation to, or can’t say no to, will not be a wise use of your time. You can’t do it all. Choose only those that God prompts you to accept, those that are most important to your family, and those that line up with your family’s mission statement.

Creating and implementing a Life Management Notebook has saved us
much time and money. I was completely unorganized in my early years of being married. We lived in chaos because I am not a natural homemaker.
I don’t have the ingrained routine or superb memory to get it all done all the time. I have to have a guide. That is what my Life Management Notebook is to me. It is my all-inclusive information and guide book. Whether it is an emergency situation or just a slow day at home I can count on this book to have what I need to get to the next step quickly.

If we can learn to designate our time, we could accomplish what needs to be done.

If you’ve ever wanted to tear the 31st chapter of Proverbs out of your bible this book is for you.

She is a wife, mom, business owner, seamstress, she serves the needy, speaks life and wisdom, and seems to be quite the major overachiever, perfectionist type.

Except that…she’s not.

Come along and journey with Amy and take a look at the real woman of Proverbs 31. She isn’t as perfect as she seems. In fact, I think she is a lot like you and me.

If you want the Kindle version, get it here: Pursuit of Proverbs 31 for Kindle. You can also download the free Kindle app on your PC, iPad, iPhone, or many other devices.

For the downloadable, printable PDF version, get it here: Pursuit of Proverbs 31

Amy Bayliss

Amy is a small town Cajun girl living life in the big city. She and her husband Ryan have four children, all boys, ranging in age from toddler to teen! Amy is a full-time blogger and WP designer at My Southern Media. You can visit her at her personal blog, Cajun Joie de Vivre or you can follow her ramblings on Twitter and keep up with her mischief on Facebook.

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Looking for additional resources to help you manage your time? Try the ebook Tell Your Time.

This post contains affiliate links.

The Proverbs 31 Woman: The Kick-Off!

Amanda — Sun, 13 May 2012 10:00:00 +0000

The kick off of the summer session of Good Morning Girls is here! My good friend Kelli from Adventurez in Child’Rearing is co-leading with me this session. We’re studying Proverbs 31 and reading The Proverbs 31 Woman. You’re still invited to join us!

Here’s everything you need to know again:

This session runs from May 14 – August 17.
Get a copy of the reading schedule and the study guide.
Get a copy of The Proverbs 31 Woman. It’s a free download. Just follow the instructions.
Join our Facebook Group to participating in regular discussion of the readings throughout the week.
Come to The Pelsers to find a post every Sunday for discussion of the previous week’s reading and link up a post if desired.
Your favorite Bible translation in paper or online.
A journal or notebook if you prefer that over using the unlined study guide.

That’s my study guide copy up above all ready to go. I printed and bound the study guide and ebook together with laminated covers. Can you say office supply junkie?

If you are joining us, please join the link up so we can get to know you! You can share in the comments too.

May Goals Update – 5/11

Amanda — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:53:00 +0000

Did you see my big goals for May? Vacation kept me from getting very far on my goals over the last two weeks….

Pay $500 a month on our HELOC. Money is slowly coming in from various VA/TA avenues, but I haven’t caught up on post-vacation financial records to know how much has come in this month. I welcomed 3 new WordPress maintenance clients to my business in the last month!
Find an “SOAP” all of the verses in the Bible using the word “perfect.” I was hoping to do a lot of this on vacation. I did a lot more napping than study…
Design the branding for my virtual and technical assistance services and distribute a button for my clients to display. I have some ideas worked up. Now to start putting it on the screen!

Goals and accountability are crucial to success. What are your goals this month and who are you allowing to keep you accountable?

Kids in the Word Wednesday: Joseph from Grapevine Studies

Amanda — Wed, 09 May 2012 10:00:00 +0000

I have the privilege of sharing a review of one of my favorite new resources with you today. Grapevine Studies is a newer sponsor at The Pelsers. I’ve been doing some editing, proofreading, and VA work for Grapevine Studies and they helped my family get to the 2:1 Conference. I just have to say from the bottom of my heart that Dianna is amazing and so are her Bible studies!

In case you’re not familiar, Grapevine Studies takes you on a journey through Scripture using stick-figures and timelines. Jonathan and I had the opportunity to go through the multi-level study of Joseph. Here’s a little about the Joseph book:

Walk with Joseph as he goes from a prince in Canaan to slavery in Egypt and then to the courts of Pharaoh. Your students will enjoy this engaging Bible study.

Follow Joseph as he travels from the tents of Jacob to the house of Potiphar and eventually becomes second in command to Pharaoh. Watch to see how Joseph reacts to slavery and false accusations. See how God uses difficult circumstances in Joseph’s life to prepare him to save thousands of people, including those who mistreated him. Joseph’s story is one of betrayal, forgiveness, and restoration. Take a look at this fascinating Bible story today!

We used the ebook format for both the teacher and student books. As you can see in the picture above, I printed the student book. I chose to laminate the front and back cover and spiral bind it. You could also 3-hole punch it the pages and put it in a regular binder.

For the teacher’s guide, I chose to use my iPad. That saved on printing costs especially considering that you need to see the book in color; the student book internal pages are all black and white. I keep my e-books organized using Evernote on my Mac so that they are also available on my iPad. I can then open the file using the Evernote app on my iPad. It’s easy to use it from there or in my preferred PDF app which is GoodReader. I like GoodReader because I can mark up the PDF if desired with notes and it remembers where I left off. You could easily use the ebook teacher’s guide on your computer or any mobile device or e-reader that can open a PDF file.

Grapevine Studies are designed to be used with any Bible translation and are teacher-directed. There is enough of a script to aid the teacher without inserting theology. The multi-level studies allow you to teach multiple ages at once and at whatever level of detail is best for each child. Dianna has them marked as age 7 and up, but Jonathan at 5 years old had no problem drawing the stick-figures and comprehending the material as written.

After the initial timeline lesson, the lessons are broken down as follows:

Timeline review from previous lesson
Memory verse review from previous lesson
Lesson readings and stick figures
A list of words to look up
Factual review questions
A place to draw your favorite part of the story
Memory verse for the lesson with space to write

The study is designed for the teacher to draw the stick figures on a white board for the student to copy. Jonathan preferred to look at the iPad and copy the stick figures from there as I read the passages aloud. That’s one of the great things about these studies: it’s easy to adapt to fit your child in method and depth of material. You can do the lessons in one sitting or split a lesson over multiple days. Jonathan was so excited that we did one full lesson each weekday for 14 days straight and he begged for his Joseph book each day.

Here’s a sample of Jonathan’s drawings from one of the lessons:

I cannot convey in words how much Jonathan his Joseph Grapevine Study, so I’ll let him show you:

Our next study is on Esther and Jonathan has been begging to do that study since the day we finished Joseph. Look for a review of Esther later this summer!

Grapevine Studies has a gift for my readers: 20% off any item not already discounted in their store! The coupon code is Joe44 and good through May 31. You can get the Joseph study in print or ebook formats.

How have you kept your kids in the Word this week? Have you used Grapevine Studies? Do you think Grapevine Studies would be a good fit for your child(ren)? Share about what you’ve been doing or about Grapevine Studies in the comments or link up a blog post.

{Material Disclosure: I received ebook copies of this study in exchange for an honest review. I also work on contract for Grapevine Studies. All opinions are my own – and Jonathan’s. This post contains affiliate links.}

Homeschooling Freebies at Currclick

Amanda — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:50:00 +0000

Head over to Currclik to get 5 homeschooling freebies, today thru May 15th. There’s also an opportunity to enter to win an iPod Nano and an iPod Shuffle. Visit Currlick’s Facebook page for 5 additional homeschooling freebies through the week.

This post contains affiliate links.