Mom's Book Nook
Dateline: Feb. 12, 2008
The Kingdom of Love

I'm still working through my series of books by Hannah Hurnard.  The one I'm reading now is called "Kingdom of Love".


This is a challenging book.  It directly addresses the issue of Christians not being able to get along, and gives us the "ABC's" of love - Acceptance, Bearing, Creative Prayer.

There are some more historical tidbits from Hannah's very interesting life, and some very real spiritual challenges here.  I come away disgusted with myself, but hopeful in a God big enough to change me!

Darlene
Who Believes that Being a Mom is Really Awesome

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Dateline: Feb. 7, 2008
Transformational Life Coaching

I'm fascinated by the Life Coaching profession.  It is one of my (many) goals to become a certified life coach.  In the meantime, I read everything I can get my hands on regarding it.

This is my latest read:



It's a challenging book, with some great information.  Dr. Cherie Carter-Scott is one of the pioneers of the profession, so it's very interesting to read her take on it.  I come from a completely different place, spiritually, but she still has much to offer.  If you're looking for a great book on Life Coaching, this is one I'd recommend:


Darlene
Who Believes that Being a Mom is Really Awesome

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Dateline: Feb. 5, 2008
The Hearing Heart

Hello Moms!

I usually like to read for a short while before I retire at night, just to refocus the brain waves and calm down my body.  Of course, I like to read anytime, anywhere, as well! 

Right now I'm working through a series of Hannah Hurnard's books.  I've just finished "The Hearing Heart" which is her autobiography.  It's very short, and quite profound.  It was a real encouragement to me to read about how God spoke to her and led her through some very interesting life choices. It goes hand in hand with the study I'm doing at present (see the last blog post for information on that)

So, if you want a short little book that's a huge inspiration, let me recommend this one:


Enjoy!  And may it bring you a fresh awareness of God's deep desire to communicate with you!

Darlene
Who Believes that Being a Mom is Really Awesome

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Dateline: Jan. 31, 2008
Hearing God's Voice

Our ladies study group at church is doing some amazing studies that I wanted to share with you.

We've recently "discovered" Priscilla Shirer.  Truly a gem!  Last term I did her study called He Speaks to Me
which was all about how God speaks to us - excellent:





The one we're doing now follows on from that, and it has really impacted me - confession, realization, tears, hope, all of that.  WELL worth your time to work through.  It's all about discovering how I know it's actually God speaking to me.  Powerful stuff:

 

So, if you're looking for new material to work through, this stuff is awesome.  It's real.  Not fluff and warm fuzzies (though very encouraging) but "scrape the gunk off the hull" kind of stuff.  I am a real fan now.  I think I even like her better than Beth Moore - though I love her too!

Just thought I'd share!


Darlene
Who Believes that Being a Mom is Really Awesome

    Learn how losing weight can get you a luxury trip for two to Hawaii!


     http://triminthetropics.blogspot.com/

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Dateline: Jan. 28, 2008
Blog for Business

I'm not sure if my readers have a home business or not, but I'm assuming that bloggers everywhere are usually pleased to make a little money on the side.

I've been experimenting with blogs for the past little while, and I've put together an e-book you might be interested in about blogging to build a business.

It's free, and you can get it here: "Build a Blog that Builds your Business"

Enjoy!



Darlene
Who Believes that Being a Mom is Really Awesome

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Dateline: Jan. 18, 2008
The Woman's Guide to Money

Hello, Moms!

Ok, I'm behind again.  I have quite a bit on my plate right now, but I'm expecting most of it to be gone by the end of today.

I'm doing a big promotion on my blog in February about Money.  Because of that, I've been reading lots of great books and so wanted to share one with you today.

Here it is:




Kelly has some really great, practical tips for controlling your money, changing your attitude, and encouraging you on to better money health.  I highly recommend it!


Darlene
Who Believes that Being a Mom is Really Awesome

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Dateline: Dec. 21, 2007
PEAple who need Twitter PEAple

Ok, so this is NOT your normal "wonderful book that I'm reading" post.  It's different.  And it's VERY special!

There's a really cool thing happening over at Twitter.  Here's a blog post that explains the background:

http://everydotconnects.com/2007/12/20/community-vs-cancer/


Now PEA-vatars are springing up everywhere!  It's absolutely amazing.

My 13 year old daughter has joined in, and helped me make an PEA-vatar:
 
She wants to raise funds for Cancer, too.  She's charging $10 for a PEAvatar using the photo of your choice, and then donating $5 to the Frozen Pea Fund:  http://frozenpeafund.com/

Join us!

Darlene

Who Believes that Being a Mom is Really Awesome

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Dateline: Dec. 17, 2007
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

If you've not read "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" you are missing out on a wonderful Christmas experience.  Regardless of what your beliefs are - or aren't - this will challenge you, make you laugh out loud, make you cry, and put that wonderful sigh of peace in your heart. 


We get the audio book out of the library every year and listen to it (it's quite short) bundled up in afghans curled up on the couch, sipping hot chocolate.  The Best Christmas Tradition Ever!

Darlene
Who Believes that Being a Mom is Really Awesome

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Dateline: Dec. 14, 2007
Who Put the Skunk in the Trunk?

Morning moms!

I have another really fun book for those of you who need a laugh.  The cool thing is it's all about a positive attitude, but it's written in such a hilarious way that you "get it" without needing to be preached at. 

Here's the book:



Phil Callaway is from our area, and his brother used to be our pastor, so his books are rather special to us. 

Besides, they teach the kids great truths while causing us to fall about the place laughing!

Enjoy!

Darlene
Who Believes that Being a Mom is Really Awesome

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Dateline: Dec. 11, 2007
Home to Holly Springs

Hello, Moms!

Yeah, I know, I'm AWOL again.  Sometimes I just really need to make choices about the use of my time!  It's been a busy couple of weeks.

However, I've still managed to find time to read, because reading keeps me on an even keel, better enabled to handle the stress of my day.

I have a new book for those of you who need to just "kick back and relax"!

I love Jan Karon.  Her books are always a great read.  I laugh, cry, wonder, and am challenged, all while being seriously entertained!

So, enjoy this one over the holidays!  You'll be glad you did!

Darlene
Who Believes that Being a Mom is Really Awesome

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Dateline: Nov. 5, 2007
In His Steps

It's been a while since I've done a review - sorry!  I've been too busy to read!  This is a very bad sign.

But I'm back today with a new book:

In His Steps

This is quite an old book, but I came across it on my shelf, and thought I'd take a look.  It's quite good.  It's about a congregation who decides to live a full year asking themselves "What Would Jesus Do?" in work, in recreation, in their finances, etc. 

The book was a challenge to me in a number of areas, and it was also a very pleasant, entertaining read.  We'll be doing this one next with our kids, I think.  We always read a "spiritual training" book together before bed.

That's it for today's review!

Happy reading!

Darlene
Who Believes that Being a Mom is Really Awesome

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Dateline: Oct. 19, 2007
Results of "Stand Up and Speak Out"

Morning Moms! Happy Friday!

I apologize for not blogging yesterday. It has been such a stressful time for me in my business and personal life lately (all GOOD stress, but stress nonetheless!) that I took my own advice (!!) and took a day off. Boy, I needed it! I was actually in bed, lights out by 7:30 and woke up this morning feeling refreshed for the first time in AGES.

I also want to give you the results of our Stand Up and Speak Out campaign. Here’s what it says on the site:

Over 38.8 million people, in 110 countries have broken the Guinness World Record – set last year at 23.5 million - for the largest number of people to “STAND UP AGAINST POVERTY” in 24 hours. Read Full Press Release here

This is VERY exciting,and I want to say a big thank you to those who participated!

We still have LOTS of squares to fill up on my poverty page, however, so if you missed the festivities, please check out the projects I have listed – there is something for everyone’s time/money/spirituality there. Together, we moms can band together and help other moms who have no hope. Please, please join me!

Here’s the link: http://www.mom-defrazzler.com/defrazzlepoverty.php



Darlene
Who Believes that Being a Mom is Really Awesome

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Dateline: Oct. 17, 2007
More on Standing Up and Speaking Out

Welcome back moms, and happy Wednesday!


Today is the official “Stand Up and Speak Out” day!  I hope you’re all participating somehow!  This is a really important event, as it’s very possible to correct the problem of poverty with very little sacrifice on our part!  Let’s all do what we can!

I thought you’d like to keep abreast of what’s happening around the world today.  Check out the blog and see what’s going on! http://www.standagainstpoverty.org/en/blog

I’d like to especially draw your attention to this particular post as it’s something we can all do: http://www.standagainstpoverty.org/en/node/16368

And, of course, there are the various projects on my own site that you can see here: http://www.mom-defrazzler.com/defrazzlepoverty.php

You can also put a link to this post in your own blog, put a link in your FaceBook, or MySpace bulletins, or post a link to Twitter, Jaiku, or whatever other social networking program you use.  You can even just "bookmark" this post by clicking here: MumDinger This!

Whatever you do, please don’t “do nothing”.  It takes very little to make a huge difference!

Make this a family project!  Get your kids involved! You'll be glad you did!


Have a Wonderful Day!

Darlene

Who Believes that Being a Mom is Really Awesome

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Dateline: Oct. 16, 2007
Stand Up and Speak Out - II

Hello, Moms!

Happy Tuesday! Today promises to be “one of those days”, rushing straight through from getting up until about 3:00pm when it all stops for an hour or two before making supper and then heading to the gym. Sigh.

So, I’d better get this off my plate and into my blog.

The Stand Up and Speak Out campaign actually begins tonight at 9pm GMT (which is 3:00 pm here in Calgary, 5:00pm EST, 2:00pm PST) and continues until the same time tomorrow – a full 24 hours to Stand Up and Speak Out against Poverty.

You might want to actually participate in an event to “let your voice be heard”. If that’s the case, go to the following link and choose your country to find out what’s happening in your area: http://www.standagainstpoverty.org/events
Bring your kids - it would be a great experience for them!

And if you would rather stay home and participate, please take a moment to check out my poverty page and see if there’s anything there at all that would interest you – you can even make money helping the poor – check out the last option on the page: http://www.mom-defrazzler.com/defrazzlepoverty.php


Darlene

Who Believes that Being a Mom is Really Awesome

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Dateline: Oct. 15, 2007
A Daring Cause!

Hello, Moms!

This is NOT your typical "Mom's Book Nook" post.  I feel I need to look in a different direction this week.

I want to bring to your attention that this is the week of the mammoth "Stand Up and Speak Out" campaign to end world poverty. I believe in this cause, because I believe it's very possible to end world poverty. By ending the poverty, we can also begin to end the ignorance that's creating such havoc in many third world countries.

Last year I began a campaign to help this, but I was pretty unknown, so it didn't really go anywhere. This year, I'd like to really make a difference, and I'd love to have your help. First of all, let me introduce you to the "Stand Up and Speak Out" campaign through this very short (3:39) video:


If you'd like to do something about poverty yourself - or as a family project - please check out my page at http://www.mom-defrazzler.com/defrazzlepoverty.php

There is something there for the religious, and the non-religious;

there's something there for the wealthy and the broke;

there's something there for those with nothing to do and for those with no time on their hands;

there's something there for everyone.


Please pick a project that works for you, sign up, and email me me so I can colour a square for you in the appropriate place.

Can we fill in all the squares this week? What a blessing THAT would be!

Invite your friends to participate, and let's see what we can do! Please pass this on to your friends, book mark it, invite everyone you know to take a look. Thanks!

Darlene
Who Believes that Being a Mom is Really Awesome

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Dateline: Oct. 12, 2007
Asking Questions . . .

The thing I love about small kids is that they ask questions.  Tons of them.  Fascinating ones.  Ones that make me re-think my universe.  I love that about kids.

What I dislike about adults is we often stop asking ourselves questions, and end up with dull, unimaginative lives being lived on autopilot because of that.

Well, no more.  In case you're not imaginative enough to figure out your own questions, here's a whole book of them.   1001 of them, to be exact.  Big questions.  Challenging questions.  Helpful questions.  Stretching questions.  These are the questions that matter.  Here's the book:


Now there's no excuse for not living the life you love!

Darlene
Who Believes that Being a Mom is Really Awesome

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Dateline: Oct. 5, 2007
MegaShift

Almost every night before we turn in, the family piles on our bed and my husband reads something that will hopefully inspire the kids to move ahead in their faith.  Currently we are reading this book:


and it's blowing our socks off.  In fact, there are times when the wonder of it makes me laugh out loud!

If you thought God was dead, if you think Christianity is boring, if you think miracles are dead, you need to read this book and get energized.

The times, they are a changin!  Don't get left behind!

Darlene
Who Believes that Being a Mom is Really Awesome

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Dateline: Oct. 4, 2007
Resilience

Not a very "modern" word, somehow.  We sure don't hear about "resilience" on an everyday basis.

This book, however, has brought it sharply into focus for me.  I'm reading it with a friend as we work on a relationship based on mentoring each other.  It's been quite a challenge, and from the very first chapter I felt God speaking to my heart.

This one is really worth a look:


I think we have become very soft in our attitudes these days.  We need to sharpen our perspective and get ourselves disciplined for the long haul.  Sigh.  It's hard work!  I believe it's worth it, though, and I plan to practice resilience over the next little while.

Why don't you join me?

Darlene

Who Believes that Being a Mom is Really Awesome

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Dateline: Oct. 1, 2007
An Amazing Series

I believe I mentioned earlier how my teenage son picks books for me to read every August.  Well, this year he also picked some in September.  I am usually too busy to read novels at the beginning of the school year, but I made an exception this time. 

My son got me a series of four books and they were riveting.  They are Ted Dekker's "Martyr's Song' series.  Fantastic, very challenging, and forced me to re-think my faith.  Not a bad thing.

Anyway, here's the first book in the series:



It says on the cover that the other books can be read in any order, but there is actually an order to them that I think is valuable - otherwise you don't know what the books have to do with this first one. The order for the rest of them would be:

  1. When Heaven Weeps
  2. Heaven's Wager
  3. Thunder of Heaven.
Ok, that should do you for a while!  Mind you, I read the last two this past weekend - just did a reading marathon!  It was GREAT!

Darlene

Who Believes that Being a Mom is Really Awesome

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Dateline: Sep. 26, 2007
The Art of Home

Ok, I confess.  I am not a natural housekeeper.  In fact, I do everything I can to avoid all things homemaking as long as I can. 

I'm getting better, but I'm still struggling.  My dream is to hire a housekeeper/cook - sort of like "Alice" from the Brady bunch - remember her?

Well, if you're like me, and can't afford an Alice, this is the book for you.  It's very practical, and laugh-out-loud-funny (just ask my teenage son who was startled and embarrassed by a loud guffaw bursting from his mother in the waiting room at the dentist's last week!)

Check it out:


Ah, the joys of making housework fun again!

Darlene
Who Believes that Being a Mom is Really Awesome

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