Hey Supporters, Several of the authors I blog with at http://christianchildrensauthors.com have agreed to share something out of our experience as writers. You can check out the post by Cheryl C. Malandrinos and Janice D. Green. This week I have decided to share something similar. However, I have decided to talk about my ideal week because no day is typical and I am struggling with consistency in many areas of my life. I am hoping that by blogging about my idea week it will help me be consistent and accountable. Despite my struggle, I recognize I have a choice in life. I can either live on-purpose, according to a plan I have set out; or I can live by accident, reacting to the demands of others. The first approach is proactive; the second reactive. I feel like I have been reacting to life for most of 2014. However, I know that I will feel better, more at peace and just happier when I am proactive. So what follows is my ideal week. I was first introduced to this concept by Michael Hyatt. According to Hyatt, the ideal week is similar to your financial budget. The only difference is that you plan how you will spend your time rather than your money. And like a financial budget, you spend it on paper first. I created my ideal week in a simple word document. It represents the “perfect” week if I could control everything that would happen each week. As I was developing my week, I realized that there are way too many things on my to-do list each week than I had time. In order to help me focus, I decided to group like task together and break my day into three segments whenever possible. So over the next few weeks, I will be testing out my idea week and tweaking where necessary. Just looking at my ideal week, I realized a lot has to change. For example, I currently have over 30 clients on my schedule (my job only requires that I schedule 21 patients each week) and I am constantly taking on new patients. I realize I am going to have to stop taking on new patients and hold my patients account for meeting their treatment goals. I also realized that I need to set an alarm to stop working the same way I set an alarm to wake up each morning. I don’t remember the last time I left work (main job on time); I was also guilty of working on a book project till midnight this week. My final confession is the last time I started my day at 5am was for track practice back in my college days. So supporters, have you ever done an ideal week or time budget? If so, how did it go? If not, what do you think about the idea? I have also included a blank template here (simple tip, right left click to merge cells). Feel free to ask me any questions about my week or life as a Christian, psychologist, writer, and single person. Until next time, continue to pray for me and know that I am praying for you. Corine P.S. If you haven't already, please check out my most from earlier this week on helping a blogging associate adopt a child http://www.booksbycorine.com/1/post/2014/04/please-help-merissa-adopt-10-days-12000-1-baby.html
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Hey Supporters, As you know I have a heart for foster-care and adoption. It was recently brought to my attention that a fellow blogging friend needs help raising money to adopt a little one. If you have a moment, please read below and consider supporting Merissa. As always, please pray for me, Merissa, foster and adoptive parents, foster and adoptive children and know that I am praying for you, Just last week Merissa, of Little House Living, shared that she and her husband were preparing for their first adoption fundraiser. The blogging community quickly shared their need for donated items and hoped that many of you would come alongside of them in that effort. But, to our surprise, Merissa announced on Sunday that they had just been chosen to be the parents of a healthy baby boy born on that same day (read the full story here)! Today the blogging community has the opportunity to come alongside of Merissa and her family as they adopt this precious baby boy into their family! Merissa and her husband are traveling to pick up their new son on Wednesday, but that have not had time to fundraise. They need $12,000 in 10 days. $12,000 sounds like a lot doesn't it? It is. But, with each of use giving at least $10, it's really not that much! Can you forego a cup of coffee or a fast food lunch this week in order to bring home a new life? Not only that, would you share this with your friends? Email it, Facebook it, Tweet it, Pin it, Stumble it, G+ it. Whatever you can do. And if you're a blogger that might be willing to blog about Merissa's story, please leave a comment below or email Christie and we'll forward you the details! Life is worth it. Adoption is worth it. Let's bring this baby boy home!! This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosure policy Hey Supporters, I know I usually post on Fridays, but with Good Friday coming up I figured I would post early this week. Today’s post is about a wonderful way to teach children what this week means using all five senses. In psychology, there is a term called sensory integration. Simply put, sensory integration is using as many senses as possible to teach a lesson. The idea behind sensory integration is that the more senses that are used to teach something, the more likely you are to remember the lesson. Making Resurrection Cookies is a way to use sensory integration in order to teach about the holiest week of the year. The below recipe uses all five senses in order to help you and your child learn the resurrection message. These cookies are designed to be made the night before Easter. On Easter morning, you wake up to an empty tomb just like disciples. Praise God that the tomb is still empty.You can also click here for a PDF version of the recipe. So that is all for now, feel free to share other ways you are teaching or learning the resurrection message in the comment section below. As always, please pray for me as I pray for you, Corine P.s., if you are looking for a cute way to share the resurrection message as a family, consider this super-cute shirt that is available on Amazon. Resurrection CookiesIngredients Needed:
1 cup whole pecans or 1 c of chocolate chips 1 tsp vinegar 3 egg whites Pinch of salt 1 cup sugar Other Supplies Needed: Bible Wooden Spoon or Meat Mallet Zipper baggie - gallon size Tape 1. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees F. 2. Place the pecans or chocolate chips inside the zipper baggie. Read John 19:1 & 3 Plate gave orders for Jesus to be beaten with a whip. 3 They came up to him and said, “Hey, you king of the Jews!” They also hit him with their fists. - Explain that after Jesus was arrested, the Roman soldiers beat him. Let your children take turns beating the pecans or chocolate chips into small pieces with the wooden spoon or meat mallet. Don’t crush them finely, but leave in small to large pieces. 3. Take out the vinegar and let all the children smell it. Explain to them that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, this is what they offered him to drink. If you child would like to taste it, allow a small taste but do not force them to. Pour the vinegar into a mixing bowl Read John 19:28-30 28 Jesus knew that he had now finished his work. And in order to make the Scriptures come true, he said, “I am thirsty!” 29 A jar of cheap wine was there. Someone then soaked a sponge with the wine and held it up to Jesus' mouth on the stem of a hyssop plant. 30 After Jesus drank the wine, he said, “Everything is done!” He bowed his head and died. 4. Pour the egg whites into the mixing bowl with the vinegar. Explain to your children that eggs represent life. Then tell them that Jesus gave his life for each and every one of us. Read John 10:10-11 - 10 A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest. 11 I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives up his life for his sheep. 5. Next, put a tiny bit of salt on each of your children’s hands, and let them taste it. Tell them that this salt represents the salty tears of Jesus’ followers that loved him very much. Read Luke 23:27 A large crowd was following Jesus, and in the crowd a lot of women were crying and weeping for him. Put a dash of salt in the mixing bowl. 6. Now, let each child hold out his/her hands, and this time, give them each a taste of the sugar. Tell them that this is the sweet part of the story because Jesus died for our sins because he loves us! John 3:16 KJVFor God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Add the sugar to the mixing bowl. 7. Beat the mixture on high. Keep beating on high for 12-15 minutes or until still peaks form. The mixture is now pure white. Explain to your children that this symbolizes Jesus’ purity because Jesus never sinned. Read Isaiah 1:18 I, the Lord, invite you to come and talk it over. Your sins are scarlet red, but they will be whiter than snow or wool. Read John 3:1-3 There was a man named Nicodemus who was a Pharisee and a Jewish leader. 2 One night he went to Jesus and said, “Sir, we know that God has sent you to teach us. You could not work these miracles, unless God were with you.” 3 Jesus replied, “I tell you for certain that you must be born from above before you can see God’s kingdom!” Now explain when your sins are cleansed by Jesus, they are as white as snow. 8. Next fold in the beaten pecans or mini chocolate chips. Drop by the teaspoon full onto a cookie sheet coverd with wax paper. Tell your children that these lumpy mounds represent the tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matthew 27:58-60 went and asked for Jesus' body. Pilate gave orders for it to be given to Joseph, 59 who took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth. 60 Then Joseph put the body in his own tomb that had been cut into solid rock and had never been used. He rolled a big stone against the entrance to the tomb and went away. 9. Put the cookies in the oven, and turn the oven OFF! Give each child a piece of tape to “seal” the oven. Read Matthew 27:65 Pilate said to them, “All right, take some of your soldiers and guard the tomb as well as you know how.” 10. Explain how the disciples were in despair to leave Jesus’ body in the tomb. Explain to your children that you must leave your cookies in the sealed oven overnight, even if it makes them feel sad. Read John 16:20 & 22, I tell you for certain that you will cry and be sad, but the world will be happy. You will be sad, but later you will be happy. 22 You are now very sad. But later I will see you, and you will be so happy that no one will be able to change the way you feel. Now have your children prepare for bed. 11. Have your children, remove the tape and open the oven on Easter morning! Your cookies are hollow, just like Jesus’ tomb was on Easter morning! Read Matthew 28:6 He isn’t here! God has raised him to life, just as Jesus said he would. Come, see the place where his body was lying. 12. Enjoy the cookies and discuss what Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection mean to you. Also, talk about how we know Jesus rose again and there is no other explanations for the empty tomb (i.e., the tomb was sealed like the oven ant there were guards to watch the tomb. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible verse are taken from Contemporary English Version (CEV) - Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society Also note, I did not create this recipe but found it on the internet awhile ago. For all my research, I cannot find the copyright. Hey Supporters, Happy April! Easter is just 9 days away! Last year, I sent several of the little ones in my life an Easter Activity book. This year I was thinking it would be nice to give an Easter story book to several of the little people in my life. So what follows are several recommendations for a few Easter books for your child’s Easter basket, or just to share the true meaning of Easter. Each of the books below focuses on the true meaning of Easter. In addition, if you order through Amazon (just click the picture on links) you can get most of the books in time for Easter. Please feel free to add your favorite Easter book in the comment section, As always, please pray for me as I pray for you, Corine The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story by Mike Berenstaie (Author), Jan Berenstain (Author) The Bear cubs and Papa are candy-crazy this Easter! But Mama, with help from Papa, tells the cubs about Jesus' resurrection and shows them that salvation is much sweeter than candy. Includes a colorful sticker set. Easter Bunny, Are You For Real? by Harold Myra (Author), Jane Kurisu (Illustrator) Easter eggs, Easter bunnies Easter parades. Children see animated characters, hear silly stories, and shout with glee in egg hunts during the spring "holiday" season. This book helps parents help their children see beyond the commercialism and grasp the true celebration of Easter. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Easter Egg Haunt (Tales from the Back Pew) by Mike Thaler (Author), Jared Lee (Illustrator) With hilarious stories and nutty pictures, the Tales from the Back Pew series offers kid's a unique view of church. Enjoy plenty of giggles with your child---and learn fun, important truths about God, church, and the Bible. It's Easter. Will the Easter bunny be ten feet tall? Will it really lay eggs? I hope they're not scrambled! The Flowering Cross by Beth Ryan Six-year-old Katie’s next-door neighbor Papa Jack has the most beautiful flowers in town. He seems like a mean man to most, but Katie has a special place in his heart. Every Easter Sunday she stops by to get her flowers for the Flowering of the Cross at church. Only this year, Papa Jack decides to come along, and Katie helps him discover the real meaning of the Cross. Designed to place God's truths in the heart of children, The Flowering Cross, has Faith Imprint suggestions thoughout that will help parents share God's Word with their young one. Also included are instructions for making a Flowering Cross. My Easter Basket: And the True Story of Easter Board book by Mary Manz Simon Children will discover the true meaning of Easter using the colors found in a traditional Easter basket! This fun book features a rhyming format, bright colors, unique glitter art, and a die-cut shape. My Very First Easter Story Hardcover by Lois Rock (Author), Alex Ayliffe (Illustrator) The Easter story is at the heart of the Christian faith, and is here retold simply and sincerely - from Good Friday to Easter day. Extracted from My Very First Bible, this forms part of the hugely popular My Very First range whose flagship Bible has sold well over 250,000 copies. Why Do We Celebrate Easter? by Mark I Sutherland (Author), Julie Hammond (Illustrator) Have your kids or grandkids ever asked what Easter is all about? Have you ever looked for a book to tell the amazing story of Easter, with captivating illustrations that will inspire the imagination, written so that chidren ages 3-9 could understand and enjoy it, while not losing the essential elements of why Jesus came to earth? This was the situation author Mark I. Sutherland was in with his four children, and, after not being able to find a book that fit what he needed, he decided to write the story himself. His kids both enjoyed it and understood it. Now, after joining forces with professional children's illustrator Julie Hammond, Mark's story is available for you and your family.
Hey Supporters,
Now that April has started, we're one-quarter of the way through 2014. Just wanted to give you a quick update on how things are going with my Amazon raking. As you may remember, I started this year with a goal to review 104 books on Amazon and get my reviewer ranking under a hundred thousand. Good news, my current ranking is 66,877 and I have reviewed 24 books. Even though I have met my goal of getting my ranking under a hundred thousand, I still need to review 80 books by December 31, 2014. If you have a book that you are interested in me reviewing please check my book reviewer guidelines. Now it is time for a surprise. I decided to spotlight one book a month. The best book I have reviewed in the last month (or in this case three). So drum roll please.... The honor for the first ever Book of the Month Pick by Corine is......
Hey Warrior Kids! Grab Your Slingshot!
By Virginia Finnie About the Book: Every child has experienced it. Lying in bed, in the dark and feeling afraid. Is there a monster in the closet or under the bed? What's a kid to do? Beginning with the retelling of the story of David and Goliath, Hey Warrior Kids! Grab Your Slingshot! gives kids the weapons they need to battle the "giant of fear." Their slingshot is God's Word (the Bible) and their smooth stones are God's Truth (scripture). God’s Warrior Kids are encouraged to speak out God's Truth to overcome fear. Hey Warrior Kids! Grab Your Slingshot! is the second book in the Hey Warrior Kids! series. My Review: As a clinical psychologist, I am often searching for material to use in my therapy sessions with children. I was surprised on so many different levels by Hey Warrior Kids! Grab Your Slingshot!. I initially bought Hey Warrior Kids! Grab Your Slingshot! to read to my nieces as a bedtime story. However, I quickly realized that it was packed with a lot of powerful information. Hey Warrior Kids! Grab Your Slingshot! retells the story of David and Goliath in a way that children can understand. However, it does not stop there. The author helps children to apply the story of David and Goliath to their lives by explaining how every child has a slingshot (the Bible) and smooth stones (bible verses). This book also teaches children how their thoughts can overcome fears (and other life circumstances). The book ends by walking children through a personal example (feeling afraid at night). I am planning on using this book in my therapy sessions to help teach children the importance of meditating on God's Word; remembering what God says about them and not what a bully says; the importance of your thoughts (CBT); how to handle fear; and how as Christians we do not have to be afraid of anything because God is bigger. I am looking forward to seeing what is next in the Hey Warrior Kids series. You can order Hey Warrior Kids! Grab Your Slingshot! from Amazon for about 7.99. For more about Finnie’s Hey Warrior Kids! series visit: Website: http://heywarriorkids.com/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12B43kZtDw4 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeyWarriorKids Twitter: https://twitter.com/heywarriorkids To check out some of my other reviews or the reviews of my books, click on the picture below. Until next time supporters, please continue to pray for me as I pray for you, Corine P.S. Feel free to share the best book you have read in the past month. Also, please share this post to that others my learn about Hey Warrior Kids! Grab Your Slingshot! |
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