Tag Archives: Inspirational

Review: Just Show Up | Tried and True Friendship Giveaway

14 Oct

Just Show Up

Just Show Up by Kara Tippetts and Jill Lynn Buteyn

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1Guvl0N

Kara Tippetts’s story was not a story of disease, although she lost her battle with terminal cancer.

It was not a story of saying goodbye, although she was intentional in her time with her husband and four children. Kara’s story was one of seeing God in the hard and in the good. It was one of finding grace in the everyday. And it was one of knowing “God with us” through fierce and beautiful friendship.

In Just Show Up, Kara and her close friend, Jill Lynn Buteyn, write about what friendship looks like in the midst of changing life seasons, loads of laundry, and even cancer. Whether you are eager to be present to someone going through a difficult time or simply want inspiration for pursuing friends in a new way, this eloquent and practical book explores the gift of silence, the art of receiving, and what it means to just show up.

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My thoughts:

“When we show up for one another, we invade each other in love and become witnesses to the truth that trials and sickness and pain are not the whole story. There’s more, so much more.”

Last year, I was privileged to read and review Kara Tippett’s book The Hardest Peace. It is a breathtaking book, and her words stirred my emotions and touched me in ways I never imagined. If you have not read The Hardest Peace, I urge you to do so!

After reading that book and following Kara’s story through her blog, I knew Just Show Up would be a must read. Co-authored with her good friend Jill Lynn Buteyn, this special book shares “the dance of walking through suffering together”.

Kara and Jill share, openly and honestly, their friendship and finding peace and grace in the midst of life’s hard. Walking with someone through suffering is a gift that can change lives. Just Show Up shares both sides of the journey, the giving and the receiving of this precious gift. Not only do Kara and Jill share the value of showing up for each other, they also share tangible ways we can show up for those around us who are struggling or suffering.

Heartfelt and hopeful, Just Show Up is a beautiful book! I encourage you to read it, savor it, and commit to just show up!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Landing page:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/tippettsbuteyn

 

Celebrate the gift of friendship with a Tried & True Friendship giveaway—a prize for you and for a friend!

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One grand prize winner will receive:

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 23rd. The winner will be announced October 26th on Jill’s blog.

Is one of your friends going through a tough time—maybe you need some encouragement? Stop by Kara and Jill’s author page, click on the reviews bar, and read through some bloggers’ stories of how their friends got them through suffering.

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Kara & Jill

The late Kara Tippetts was the author of “The Hardest Peace” and blogged faithfully at mundanefaithfulness.com. Cancer was only a part of Kara’s story. Her real fight was to truly live while facing a crushing reality. Since her death in March 2015, her husband, Jason, is parenting their four children and leading the church they founded in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Read Kara’s blog.

Jill Lynn Buteyn is the author of “Falling for Texas,” an inspirational novel, and a recipient of the ACFW Genesis Award for her fiction work. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Bethel University. Jill lives near the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her husband and two children.

Connect with Jill: website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Review: Girl Meets Change

17 Sep

Girl Meets Change

Girl Meets Change by Kristen Strong

Purchase a copy:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Christianbook | DeeperShopping

Whether chosen and celebrated–like going off to college or welcoming your first baby–or unexpected and anxiety-inducing–like losing a job or grappling with a broken trust–all change brings stress. Kristen Strong knows about change–especially the kind you didn’t choose or expect. What she’s fought hard to learn over the years is that change is not something to be feared but something to be received as a blessing from a God who, more often than not, works through change, not in spite of it. Strong has learned to see change not as a grievance but as a grace.

 

My thoughts:

Change is something we all experience. It’s inevitable and often met with resistance, fear, or dread. In this heartfelt book, Kristen Strong shares ways to embrace the changes we experience and realize they are part of God’s purpose for our life. She shares insight, experience, and practical advice for finding peace, purpose, and hope through life’s transitions. I delighted in the wisdom and encouragement offered in these pages and look forward to sharing this book with others. Girl Meets Change is a wonderful book that shares an inspiring message!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.  All thoughts expressed are my own.

 

Change

 

Kristen Strong
Kristen Strong is a popular blogger at Chasing Blue Skies and DaySpring’s (in)courage. Her work has appeared in MOMSense and Family Fun magazines. She and her husband, David, have three children. Together this military family has zigzagged across the country (and one ocean) several times. They currently live in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

 

 

Review: Who’s the New Kid? | Fitbit Giveaway + Facebook Party

2 Jun

Kid

Who’s the New Kid? by Heidi Bond with Jenna Glatzer

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1R01IuI

Who’s the New Kid? shows readers how Heidi helped her daughter lose weight without the aid of fad diets, medication, or surgery and how other parents can do the same with their kids.

At nine years old, Breanna Bond weighed a whopping 186 pounds. Just walking up the stairs to her room was a challenge. Her legs chafed to the point of bleeding from rubbing against each other, and her school days were filled with taunts of “Hey, Fatty!” Breanna’s mom, Heidi, was devastated and wondered, How can I get my daughter healthy again?

In just over a year, Heidi’s plan worked! Breanna dropped 40 percent of her body weight and was transformed from a morbidly obese child who spent her days in front of the TV eating chips and chocolate to a vibrant, healthy, energetic little girl.

Thoughts:

Who’s the New Kid? is an inspiring story!  In this encouraging book, Heidi Bond, Breanna’s mother, candidly shares the challenges and rewards of their emotional struggle and life-changing journey of transformation. 

While the book is primarily the Bond’s story of overcoming Breanna’s obesity, helpful tips and advice, nutritional information, a forty day meal and exercise plan, and recipes are also included.  Written with openness and honesty, Who’s the New Kid? will make you stop and think and encourage you to make the necessary changes in your life to achieve better physical health. 

I received a complimentary copy of Who’s the New Kid? through Litfuse Publicity.  I appreciate the opportunity to read this book and share my honest opinion.

Landing page:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/hbond

 

Celebrate the release of Who’s the New Kid? by entering to win a Fitbit and RSVPing to Heidi’s June 9th author chat party!

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One grand prize winner will receive:

  • A Fitbit
  • A copy of Who’s the New Kid?

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 9th. Winner will be announced June 9th at Heidi’s Facebook partyRSVP here! 

Plus, participate in the #WhosTheNewKid conversation by pinning a family-friendly, healthy recipe (or two) to a Pinterest board!

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RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on June 9th!

 

Bond

Heidi Bond has appeared on Good Morning America, CNN, and The Biggest Loser. A sought after speaker, she has helped thousands of parents who are struggling with overweight, underactive children. Heidi lives in Clovis, California with her husband, Dan, and their children, Breanna and Nathan. 

Find Heidi and Breanna online: website, Twitter, Facebook