Flyby Review: Alone Yet Not Alone

I was given the opportunity to review the book Alone Yet Not Alone by Tracy Leininger Craven.  The historical fiction novel is based on the true story of sisters Barbara and Regina Leininger, members of the author's own family tree, who were kidnapped during the Penn's Creek Massacre in 1755.

With their mother and older brother, John, gone for the day, 12-year-old Barbara and 9-year-old Regina were taking care of the house chores and fixing lunch for their father and their oldest brother, Christian.  Suddenly two Iroquois braves burst into the house.  Barbara and Regina were taken captive without knowing the fates of the rest of their family and forced to walk with other captives over 200 miles to the Indian villages where they would be forced to work.  When they were separated even from each other, how could they keep their faith?  Would their Heavenly Father take care of them even when their earthly father was unable to do so?  Or were they utterly alone?

I love historical fiction books and have considered writing some from my own genealogy studies.  In a world where people did not take freedom for granted as we do today, what did freedom in Christ mean to a person?  Alone Yet Not Alone is a beautifully written, poignant tale of the bravery and endurance of these young girls.  I cannot wait to see the movie!

The feature film will be released in theaters June 13th, 2014.  You will want to read the book before then, and it will make great summer reading for any teen or preteen girls in your home.  I have a Special Movie Edition copy to give away!  Leave a comment here or on my Facebook page to enter the random drawing that will be held on Tuesday, May 13.

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

This historic book is recommended for children ages 8 and up and is a read they are guaranteed to love. It combines great adventure with even greater values - kids won't even realize they are learning about history!

About Alone Yet Not Alone:

Settled in the Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania, deep within America's new frontier, the Leininger family celebrates the blessings of a beautiful homestead and bountiful harvest. That is, until tragedy strikes with the beginning of the French and Indian War and the devastating raid known as the Penn's Creek Massacre.

The lives of this simple, God-fearing family are forever altered when Barbara and Regina, two young sisters, are carried away by a band of Allegheny warriors. Driven by their faith in God and the powerful bonds of family, Barbara and Regina hole firmly to the belief that they are never alone, even in their darkest hour, and that they will be reunited again.

Rich in historical details, Alone Yet Not Alone is an inspirational, true story of a family caught in the cross fire of the French and Indian War.

About The Author:

Tracy Leininger Craven loves history and retelling real-life stories in her historical fiction books. She also loves spending her free time in the great outdoors with her husband David and their three children.

Alone Yet Not Alone

Written by: Tracy Leininger Craven

Publisher: Zonderkidz

Paperback: 148 pages

Official website for the movie, releasing JUNE 13th: http://www.aloneyetnotalone.com

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/aloneyetnotalone

RESERVE YOUR SEATS TO SEE THE MOVIE: http://seatzy.com/main/moviedetail/alone-yet-not-alone

Flyby Review: Impact

Impact:  Great Leadership Changes Everything, by Tim Irwin, PH.D., takes a thought-provoking look at what makes good leadership.  What makes people follow certain leaders?  How can they lead well?  Once they reach the top, how can they keep from being corrupted by power and plummeting from their pinnacle?  There are many things that affect leadership, but the most important thing is the strength of your inner core.  How can you make sure you have what it takes to pass the tests that will surely come?

Tim Irwin is an organizational psychologist and management consultant who has worked with many leaders and has studied what made them successful or unsuccessful.  His unique insight can help anyone who wants to know that he or she is making an impact in his or her sphere of influence.

Impact contains principles that are not specifically from any particular religious worldview, but which I certainly believe are consistent with my Christian worldview.

While this book was written with primarily business leaders in mind, I think it is very applicable to stay-at-home moms and homeschoolers as well, whether they are leaders in a co-op, a carpool, a church group, or just their own families.  Sometimes I wish I saw more of these principles of leadership in my non-business world.  In addition, I think it is a very valuable book to read as a mother.  The core character that Tim Irwin talks about being necessary for good leadership is one that can start very young.  We are responsible for giving our children the background and tools they need to be the great leaders of the future.

Would you like to win a free copy of Impact:  Great Leadership Changes Everything?  If so, leave a comment here or on my Facebook page.  I will draw for a random winner on May 1.

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

IMPACT: Great Leadership Changes Everything

For more than 25 years, organizational psychologist and management consultant Dr. Tim Irwin has worked with thousands of leaders in well-known global companies. He knows most leaders work for recognition and advancement and they want more challenge and responsibility. He’s also found this to be true: Most of us want to make a positive difference through our work and to have our lives count for something more than simply making a living. We want to make an impact.

About the author:

Dr. Tim Irwin, the author of the New York Times best-selling book Impact: Great Leadership Changes Everything, has been a confidante to thousands of global leaders. He is a favorite guest of Hugh Hewitt and is being featured on a number of Christian radio programs. Irwin sees one central issue anytime a leader “derails”—he believes they have a defect in their “core”, which Irwin says goes beyond the overused term “character”. His new book, Impact, addresses this and gives actionable ways leaders can protect themselves, and better serve their organizations—especially crucial for those of us who serve in ministry and are walking a Christian walk.

Stay Connected: 

Website: http://www.drtimirwin.com

Take the personal assessment: http://drtimirwin.net/assessment/impact-assessment

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtimirwin

Twitter: https://twitter.com/drtimirwin

#Impact

Resurrection Cookies

These are a fantastic activity for tonight.  Have a blessed Resurrection Day!  :-)

Recipe at Motherhood On A Dime.

Flyby Review: The Amazing Spiderman 2 Discussion Guide

I've got some real super-hero fanatics around my house.  My son had the "Captain America" movie banner as his computer wallpaper for a year before the movie came out.  They race home from Scouts and soccer practice every Tuesday night to watch Agents of Shield.  And of course, we are breathlessly waiting for The Amazing Spiderman 2 to hit the theaters!

One thing I've always enjoyed about the traditional comic book super-heroes is that most of them are good (though imaginary) role models.  Existing in comic books instead of in the real world, they are able to consistently make the right choices in the epic fight of good against evil.  While not religious in any of the stories, they are generally "good" and believe that those who have the power to help others also have the responsibility to do so.  Even as the super-heroes in many of the modern movies have become more "human" and acknowledged more of a "dark side," Peter Parker has remained a pretty good guy.  In the Amazing Spiderman 2, however, he will face his greatest challenge!

This cosmic fight of good against evil, where good must always win in the end, leads to some good discussions with students.  If, for instance, you were bitten by a genetically altered spider in a high-tech science lab and then discovered that you possessed super powers and the ability to swing from building to building on webs you produced (this is THE DREAM for every third-grade boy I know), how would you behave?  Would you use your new-found abilities to help others, or would you spend your days swinging around town on webs?  Does great power come with great responsibility?

To my youngest son's great disappointment, no spiders around our house in North Carolina seem to have the ability to impart super powers.  Not once has he woken up with the ability to spin a web, fly, have super strength or super speed, or any other super ability, despite his greatest expectations.  He does, however, have talents of his own, as do all of my children.  Whether they talk, sing, play guitar, play soccer, or have a black-belt in karate, how can they use these talents to help others?  Do they have a responsibility to use their talents for others, or for God?  What makes a great leader?

These are the questions we have been discussing this week, led by The Amazing Spiderman 2 Discussion Guide.  The discussion guide covers several key points about the characters in the movie (none of them are spoilers if you are already familiar with the comic books and/or the first movie).  It brings up quotes from the movie, discusses how the heroes and villains handle different situations, and lists applicable Bible verses.  This has been a great way to use the excitement over the upcoming movie to inspire discussions about character and selfless actions in our house.  I highly recommend the discussion guide for anyone with children who plans to see The Amazing Spiderman 2.

Flyby Promotions provided us with a fun prize pack including The Amazing Spiderman 2 Discussion Guide, an Amazing Spiderman 2 t-shirt, a Spiderman mask, and a phone case.  I have another prize pack to give away on my blog!  Simply comment on this post or on my Facebook page by April 30 to enter the drawing.  I'd love to hear ways that you have incorporated super-hero stories into your own homeschool or family discussions!

Download the free Amazing Spiderman 2 Discussion Guide from http://differentdrummer.com/tasm2/TASM2_bible.pdf!

Official website for the movie: www.theamazingspiderman.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theamazingspiderman

Twitter: https://twitter.com/spidermanmovie  

Watch the Trailer!

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising): Many thanks to Propeller, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification."

April Showers and FREEBIE

Dandelion Dust Designs' April Showers is the perfect kit for scrapping fun in the spring rain!  Find it exclusively at ScrapTakeout.

Plus, download the paper stacker from Mediafire.  PU only.

Happy Scrapping!  :-)

Disclaimer:  I received a free copy of this kit in exchange for layout.

New Kits from Dandelion Dust Designs

It's just about that time again: time to go Berry Picking!  Our berries are coming in a little late here in NC this year because of the weather, but we are eagerly awaiting our friends at the berry farm to let us know they are open for business!  Dandelion Dust Designs just released a great kit and matching alpha for all those berry picking pictures.  I used them to scrap some of my pictures from last year.

Find the Berry Sweet kit and Berry Sweet Alpha exclusively at ScrapTakeout!

Download free QPs from Mediafire!  Click images to go to downloads.  PU only.

Happy Berry-Picking!  :-)

Disclaimer:  I received a free copy of this kit in exchange for layouts.

Happy Taxes Day from Bean & Bailey!

One More Freebie from Share the Memories

Here is one more freebie from Share the Memories:

Download this patriotic freebie from My Memories.

Available until April 20th.

USE THIS CODE: STMMMS79285

 
to get $10 off My Memories Suite Software! (in the US and Canada)

Happy Scrapping!  :-)

Another Share the Memories Freebie!

Needing another freebie to get you through the week?

Download the free Happy Birthday Mini from QueenBrat Designs at My Memories.

Available until April 20th.

USE THIS CODE: STMMMS79285

 
to get $10 off My Memories Suite Software! (in the US and Canada)

Happy Scrapping!  :-)

Share the Memories Freebie!

My Memories has some fantastic little freebies for us this month!

For the first one, download the "Home Sweet Home" frames from Touched by a Butterfly at My Memories.

Available free until April 20th.

 

USE THIS CODE: STMMMS79285

to get $10 off My Memories Suite Software! (in the US and Canada)

Happy Scrapping!  :-)

Sugar and Spice FREEBIES!

Dandelion Dust Designs has a new Facebook freebie for April:  Sugar and Spice!

Click image below to download free quickpage from Mediafire!

Happy Scrapping!  :-)

Knowledge Box Central Surprise Sale!

Spring Surprise Sale! This year the Easter Bunny isn't just bringing treats for the kids...  Mom gets a surprise too!! Share this surprise!      Don't miss out on this HUGE Sales Event! This week only, grab  ANY PRODUCT,  ANY FORMAT,  40% Off!  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ebooks! CDs! Printed Books! Assembled Lapbooks! Use Coupon Code:SSS40 Don't forget... Today is World Health Day! Get all of our Health & Body Systems Lapbooks  NOW, while prices are low!  Here are some GREAT products to GRAB!

Knowledge Box Central, 155 Clements Road, Plain Dealing, La 71064, USA

4th Annual Hope for Brady Blog Train

Today is the 4th Annual Hope for Brady Blog Train!  The Hope for Brady Blog Train was started to raise autism awareness.  While I have no special needs children of my own, my family has become very involved in Jars of Clay, the special needs ministry at our church.  We have friends and family who are on various levels of the autism spectrum, and it is a ministry that has become very near and dear to my heart.

4 My Babies Scraps generously allowed bloggers to make items from her Hope for Brady kits to use as blog giveaways today.  Click on the image below to download the quickpage I made from one of her kits.  Image linked to Mediafire.  PU only.

For more information about Brady, and for the HFB Blog Train links, go to 4 My Babies Scraps.

To read more about the Jars of Clay ministry, see Treasures in Jars of Clay.

Happy April!  :-)