Team Mommies

I wanted to let you all know that I am now a member of Team Mommies!  Be on the lookout for even more reviews and giveaways.  I am very excited to be a part of this group of bloggers!

Thanks for reading,
Darby

"As One Devil to Another" Review and Giveaway

In the tradition of C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters, Richard Platt's As One Devil to Another is a series of letters between devils, Slashreap and Scardagger.  Though a work of fiction, it is a chilling glimpse into the tricks and trades used by Hell to lead Man astray.


I cannot begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this book.  Certainly, it will be added to my list of books that will be read over and over again.  I was continually amazed at the variety of methods the demons used to attempt to lead "The Client" down the wrong path.  From life changing events, such as career choice and death and illness, to seemingly mundane decisions, like where to have lunch on a particular day, the tempter was with the client trying to distract her from the path God had set before her.  Thankfully, God (referred to by the tempters as The Adversary) was also with the client and had His own plan for her life and people He used to help her make the right choices.  I found the ending quite amusing, but I won't reveal any more about it than that.  For a fiction novel, I found it especially convicting.  The thought that I may have my own personal tempter hanging around urging me down dangerous paths and towards misguided decisions, was actually very eye-opening.

It is difficult for me to go on about this book without giving away too much, but I loved looking at God's plan for Man through the enemy's eyes.  Suffice to say, this was a wonderful story full of illuminating ideas about the world in which we live.  It was as if C.S. Lewis, himself, were given a glimpse of the 21st Century, and wrote a fresh, new version of The Screwtape Letters for us to relish all over again.

The wonderful people at Tyndale have generously given me an extra copy of As One Devil to Another to give away to one of you readers.  I am going to make this giveaway fun and easy.  The author came up with very clever monikers for the demons in the book, such as Slashreap, Scardagger, Snitchweed, and Gritslime.  Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to come up with another clever name for a tempter.  If, in fact, we all do have a tempter assigned to us, what do you think yours would be called?  Leave a comment with your tempter's name as well as a way for me to contact you if you are chosen as the winner.  Winner will be chosen by Random.org and will be announced on June 1, 2012.

Thanks for reading,
Darby


Here's the legal stuff I'm required to post:
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Mother's Day Interview

Answered by my 6-year-old son, "C" and my 3-year-old daughter, "L."  You can probably tell that L was listening in on C's interview.

1. What is something mom always says to you?
C - "I think you missed a kiss."
L - "Read a book"

2. What makes mom happy?
C -  "Always kisses and hugs"
L - "When I give you hugs and a kiss"

3. What makes mom sad?
C - "When I have to get a spanking"
L - "When you spank my bottom"

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
C - "When you smile"
L - "When I make a funny face"

5. What was your mom like as a child?
C - "You like Barbies"
L - "Um, a toy"

6. How old is your mom?
C - "25"  (I like this answer!)
L - "Um, four years old"

7. How tall is your mom?
C - "20"
L - "This many" raises arms in air

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
C - "Get hugs and kisses"
L - "Go to the doctor" (I have no idea where this came from.)

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
C - "Have fun with my little sister"
L - "You go to my school"

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
C - "One hundred"
L - "For crying"

11. What is your mom really good at?
C - "You're really good at hugs"
L - "At shopping" (Finally, a correct answer!)

12. What is your mom not very good at?
C - "at building and making wood"
L - "at not climbing"

13. What does your mom do for a job?
C - "you go to my school and make popcorn" (Wishing I got paid for this...)
L - "You go to the doctor's"

14.What is your mom's favorite food?
C - "whatever's my favorite food" (Um, no.  Sorry, kid.)
L - "Apples and grapes" (Still no, but nice try.)

15.What makes you proud of your mom?
C - "looking at you"
L - "hugs and kisses"

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
C - "You would be Cinderella." (I was expecting Wonder Woman, but Cinderella is pretty...)
L - "Cinderella"

17. What do you and your mom do together?
C - "Have a blast in the house"
L - "We play"

18. How are you and your mom the same?
C - "We're the same cuz we both like hugs and kisses."
L - "a spaceship" (I'm thinking I had lost her interest at this point...)

19. How are you and your mom different?
C - "We're different cuz you're a girl and I'm a boy."

L - "we got two dresses"

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
C - "Cuz you always give me hugs and kisses"
L - "Mommy loves me."

21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?

C - "To the doctor"

L - "To McDonalds"  (No, Sweetheart, this is your favorite place to go.)

Ah, kids!  Gotta love them.  Remind me to do this again next year. 

Thanks for reading,

Darby

What a Deal!!

Hello Readers,
If you are anything like me, you love shoes and great deals.  Well, here is a great deal on shoes...





Now, I realize that it is for winter boots, but the best time to get a great price on Winter shoes is in the spring. And just think, when fall rolls back around, you will have a brand new, super cute pair of shoes just waiting to be shown off! Simply click on the picture above to take advantage of these super low prices!

Leave a comment to let me know which shoes you chose!

Thanks for reading,
Darby

A Conversation with God - Book Review

Several months ago (yes, months), my friends at Booksneeze sent my a copy of A Conversation with God by Alton Gansky for me to review.  To say I struggled to get through this book would be an understatement.  I love the concept of this book, a series of challenging questions that many people have about God, The Bible, Heaven and just life in general.  Each question is answered from the point of view of God, Jesus, and other prominent Biblical figures such as David, John, and Stephen.  Like I said, the concept is fabulous, but the book itself was quite overwhelming.  I think it is very beneficial on a question by question basis and would make an excellent reference book, but to read it through cover to cover was difficult for me.  I would recommend this book for pastors, church leaders, and Christian counselors.  It would also make a great gift book for new believers, as it covers several of the most basic questions new believers ask.  But, if you are looking for a little light reading, this is probably not the best choice.  Here is a link to the book if you are interested in reading more about it:

A Conversation with God

Thanks for reading,

Darby



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Women of Faith

So, I have already mentioned that my friends at Booksneeze are sending me to Women of Faith this fall!  Have I mentioned that I am super excited?!  I think (and I emphasize think) that I am going to the one in Dallas at the end of August.  When I registered, I was torn between Dallas and Denver, being about equal distance from them both, and I am unsure as to which one I finally chose.  I've slept since then, what can I say?  Anyway, now it is just a waiting game to see where I am going when my registration arrives.  I am hoping for Dallas, because I have just a few friends there...ok, lots of friends there and I miss them terribly! And, if it turns out to be Denver, I will be just as excited, because 1) I will not miss my niece's baby shower, 2) I have never been to Denver, and 3) I still get to go to Women of Faith!  Anyway, if you have never heard of Women of Faith, here is a preview of what I will get to experience:

I understand it is an awesome experience, and one every woman should have at least once in her life. I am so grateful to the kind people at Booksneeze for giving me this opportunity and cannot wait to tell you all about it! What a blessing this will be! I know God has awesome things in store...

Thanks for Reading,
Darby

Book Review: Attack at the Arena

For my latest book choice, I thought I'd try something a little different.  I chose a children's book and read it with my five-year-old son.  The book was Attack at the Arena by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker.

This is a chapter book for ages 7 and up and is the second in The Imagination Station series.  It tells the story of cousins Patrick and Beth and their adventure in ancient Rome.  The authors incorporate history and a true historical figure (Telemachus) into the story.  It was a little advanced for my five-year-old.  Even though he didn't always understand what was happening in the the story, he was always excited to hear what happened next.  The book has lots of action and adventure and is a great read for children.  I love that it introduces the historical fiction genre to such a young age group.  I definitely plan to continue the series with my children when they are a little older.

Thanks for Reading,
Darby

Here's the legal stuff I'm required to post:
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”