Kaylea Hutson's Blog, page 30

Blog Tour: Forever Hilltop (Review)

What happens when a college professor decides to leave life in a classroom and become a small-town pastor in the heart of a Scandinavian farming community?

From a pig named Twinkle Toes, to a colorful cast of characters (which includes a little boy and his "humane society" - one thing is for certain. Life will never be "boring" again for Alex Armstrong.

An Unlikely Blessing and Surprising Grace - the newest releases in the "Forever Hilltop" series provides readers with a surprising view of the world, through the eyes of a pastor.

The stories are charming. They remind me of Jan Karon's "Father Tim" series - except this time, the main character is a protestant pastor.

Warm, inviting, humorous and poignant, Baer gives an "idealistic" view of what life might be like for someone in the ministry.

(Ok, kinda like "little house" makes people long for farm life.)

In reality, these books are sweet diversions from life. I could only WISH life was like this for someone who works in a church.

The books will make you smile and laugh. It will also make you want to know what happens next. There better be a third book, because honestly, it ends with a slight "cliff hanger."

If you are looking for a sweet book to read this summer, Forever Hilltop should find its way into your beach bag.

On the scale of one to five, I give it a solid and fun three.

More About The Books
(From The Publisher)
The charming and often hilarious Forever Hilltop series follows the experiences of former city dweller Alex Armstrong as he settles into his new role as pastor of a Scandinavian community in rural North Dakota. Alex is sometimes baffled by his parishioners and their colorful ways, but he comes to appreciate their simple wisdom. One thing's for sure -- life in Hilltop Township is never dull! This new two-in-one format features An Unlikely Blessing along with its sequel, Surprising Grace.

In An Unlikely Blessing, Alex Armstrong is a former city dweller who has just accepted his first parish assignment to a small community in the wilds of North Dakota. In Hilltop Township, Pastor Alex becomes familiar with the residents and their odd traditions, from julebukking to King Oscar's fish balls. And then there's the excitement the single pastor creates among the unmarried women in the community! Alex soon discovers that his new church home has as much to teach him as he has to teach them.

In Surprising Grace, Alex Armstrong is settling into his new role as pastor of Hilltop Church, and he's even starting to understand the strange ways of the people who populate this barren stretch of North Dakota prairie. But he also finds that his flock needs help and counsel like he never imagined. In this cozy and entertaining read, Alex must choose between the woman he once loved -- and the home he's come to love.

More About The Author
Judy Baer was born and grew up on a farm on the prairies of North Dakota, experiencing many of the same things as her Hilltop characters. An only child, she spent most of her days with imaginary people-either those she read about or those she made up in her head.

Baer graduated from Concordia College with majors in English and education and a minor in religion. While at the time, she was simply studying what interested her, Baer later realized that she was educating herself for her future career as a Christian writer. She certainly put her education to use as she is the author of more than 75 books.

A certified professional life coach now certified in three coaching disciplines, Baer coaches primarily professional and aspiring writers. She is also a faculty adviser in the Department of Human Development at St. Mary's University in Minneapolis, MN. Baer has two daughters and three step children. She and her husband live in Minnesota.

She invites you to visit her at her web site www.judykbaer.com for more information on her and her books. 

Online Resources
Follow the blog tour
Buy the 2-in-1 volume at Amazon
Find out more about Judy Baer @ her blog

It's A Contest
@JudyKBaer is giving away a Kindle for YOU … and one for a Friend in her Forever Hilltop Giveaway!

Celebrate with Judy by entering to win a Kindle for you and a friend!




One lucky winner will receive:

Brand New KINDLE with Wi-FiBrand New KINDLE with Wi-Fi to Giveaway to a Friend!Forever Hilltop by Judy K Baer for you and a one for a friend
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 22nd. Winner will be announced 5/24/12 on Judy's Blog.


 


Don't miss a moment of the fun. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 21st!
As a freelance journalist, I was provided a copy of this book by Litfuse Publicity Group. This review was not influenced by a free book - just in case you (or the FTC) were worried about this detail.

Photo Flashback: Oct. 2009, The Eilands

Photo Flashback - moving photos from my old photo blog, to this one...enjoy! A few pics from one of my fav families - so they could be in the new church directory....

Photo Flashback: 2008 November - Chandler Christmas Photos

Moving photos from my photo blog, to this one.......This session still makes me smile!
Photos of my friends, the Chandlers, taken for the Christmas Cards....

Photo Flashback: Summer 2007 - JCYF Royalty Pageant

Moving photos from my photo blog, to this one....
Photos from the Jasper County Youth Fair, July 2007, Royalty pageant


































































































[image error]

Sunday Thoughts: Advocate

"But Jesus said, 'Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.'" - Matthew 19:14 NLT
I really love this Bible verse. It really sums up children's ministry.The message was brought home today,as I stumbled across this cartoon. 
Jesus was the first child advocate.an Advocate
So what is an advocate.It's someone who....
"a person who speaks or writes in support or defense of a person, cause, etc. an advocate of peace"
or 
"a person who pleads for or in behalf of another; intercessor."
Honestly, I think all volunteers in Children's Ministryserve as advocates in some way.
They step out of their comfort zones at times to minister to children. 
They speak not only with their wordsbut with their actions.
(Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.  ~Robert Fulghum)

They give up time - s scarce commodity to be with students.
(Kids spell love T-I-M-E.  ~John Crudele)
And frankly, they build the kingdom of God one child at atime.
Children's ministry is a TEAM effort.TogetherEveryone AchievesMore
May we all follow Jesus' modeland advocate for the childrenin our lives.[image error]

Worry

It seems like a lot of my friends- and myself - are struggling with worry this week.
Worry about familyhealth issueskids stuffjob stuffreally everything.
Since I'm a visual person, I did a "quote" searchon Pinterest to seewhat I could find.
To minister to my soul.
I love this first image. http://pinterest.com/pin/123426846007572552/ Doesn't it really sum up what God wants us to do?Have a faith that is bigger than fear.
http://pinterest.com/pin/123426846007933481/ I also love this Bible verse. It reminds us to rely on God not ourselves.
http://pinterest.com/pin/123426846007933471/ Isn't this the truth?Worry drains us of our strength.Ok, at least it does for me.
Worry makes me tired.It makes me cranky.It simply drains me of all vitality.
http://pinterest.com/pin/123426846007933478/ Again this reminds me that faith is bigger than worry.
http://pinterest.com/pin/123426846007933469/
If at all else fails, this quote from Charles Schulzreminds me to keep humor in life.
Worry - a five letter word.Faith - a better five letter word.
May my faith grow larger than my worry.[image error]

A Fun Way To Spend Friday Night

So how did you spend your Friday night?I spent mine with a group of fun, free-spirited tweens.Third, Fourth and Fifth Graders - and well, maybe a few sixth graders tossed in.
This is the St. James portion of last night's T2 (Tween Time) Unplugged. (The other eight students were from Asbury UMC)
We played Groga cross between "captured the flag"and "freeze tag" in the dark.
It's quite interesting to see the kids playinteract togetherhave fun
One of the funny moments cameas we kept hearing the kids yell "chicken noodle soup"
That was their code for "the Grogs are coming"(The people who were "it")
We announced that we'd do another joint event this summergoing to the water park in Hot Springs.
No cheers.
The kids wanted to have another grog night again.Like tomorrow night.
A friend joking called it "playing with the box the gift came in."LOL.
I'm just glad the kids had funbeing togetherinteracting and being connectional.
So how did you spend your Friday night?[image error]

Guest Post: 183 Ways to Lose Guilt and Find Joy

Guilt! She pokes you as you write about your quaint, eccentric aunt. She grabs you as you wander from e-mail to Facebook to laundry instead of focusing on your work. She kicks you as you complain about your husband to a friend.

Have you noticed? Women seem riddled with guilt. And it’s hard to know if guilt is legitimate or simply a product of our imaginations. After all, should we really feel guilty about things over which we have no control?

The three of us share in a speaking ministry and we have learned a few things about losing guilt and finding joy through the years:

1. We are not perfect. Sooner or later we say the wrong thing, do the wrong thing or fail to do the right thing. That’s life. While we feel guilty when we flub up, we thank God that memory fades and the rhythm of life continues. If our actions have hurt someone, we apologize—to the other person and to God—then we joyfully move on, guilt free.

2. We have no control over some things, so it’s no use feeling guilty. For instance, our children may suffer injuries as they participate in sports. When that happens, we look for ways God may be teaching us and them life lessons and trust God will use the experience to the good of all involved.

3. We can’t do it all. Much as we want to solve others’ problems, achieve perfection on our jobs and keep our homes neat and clean as a plastic dollhouse, we can’t. Maybe someday when we’re old and gray (Ha. Shirley already is, and it hasn’t helped her.) . . . .

We shared our insights in our book, Turning Guilt Trips into Joy Rides. We would love to have you visit www.friendsoftheheart.us to learn more about us, order the book, invite us to speak or just to enter our Blog Tour contest. We will give away a free half-hour telephone consultation on each of the following topics:

1. “Writing for Publication” with Shirley Brosius. If you’re a wannabe writer, Shirley can suggest ways to get published; if you’re already writing, Shirley can help you set goals and suggest how to reach them.

2. “Children and Sports: Running the Race from Preschool to College and Life After Sports” with Janine Boyer. If you’re considering signing up your child for youth sports or wondering about the impact of sports on college and life beyond, talk to Janine. She can also tell you what to expect of coaches and how to relate to them.

3. “Building a Youth Ministry” with Kim Messinger. If you’re volunteering as a youth leader at your church and want your group to grow, talk to Kim. Her youth group increased from 20 to 75 youth--and is still growing.

May Romans 8:1 help you enjoy the abundant life in Christ: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Shirley, Janine and Kim

Kim Messinger, Janine Boyer and Shirley Brosius had a common bond of Christian service when Christ drew them together for their first small group meeting in January, 1998. Since then they have drawn closer through life's joys and struggles and found God to be sufficient for their every need. 

They call themselves "Friends of the Heart" because their passion is to help women open their hearts and find joy in Christ. Kim and Janine supported Shirley in writing Sisterhood of Faith: 365 Life-Changing Stories About Women Who Made a Difference, which was released by Howard Publishing, a division of Simon & Schuster, in 2006. 

More recently the three women worked together to write another devotional book, Turning Guilt Trips into Joy Rides. They have spoken at women's retreats and events in five states. All three women live in Millersburg , Pennsylvania.

Take Note: You can read my review of the book here: http://www.myscrappylife.com/2012/05/blog-tour-turning-guilt-trips-into-joy.html [image error]

Blog Tour: Turning Guilt Trips Into Joy Rides (Review)

G.U.I.L.T.

Let's face it. for lots of women - I'm pointing four fingers back at myself as I type this - Guilt is the new "five letter" word.

You know the feeling. Knots in your stomach, a gagging feeling in your throat.

Guilt can paralyze you. It can keep you from being productive.

It stops you from living up to your God-given potential.

Three friends - Kim Messinger, Janine Boyer and Shirley Brosius - have created a six-month devo plan, that women can use to turn guilt trips into "joy rides".

More than a "turn your frown upside down" plan, this book helps women turn guilt trips into "grace" filled joy rides.

Using the acronym GRACE - for God, Relationships, Acceptance, Challenges and Emotions, the three crafted devos that will give you a nugget of joy - and something to think about (especially if you  read it on a daily basis.)

Grace is definitely a better word "five-letter" word to focus on.

Note: I read this book on my iPhone (e-book version) and I think it would be even better in paperback form - so you could truly dive into one (or two) each day. It's probably a book you could savor, rather than read straight through. It's written in a friendly, easy to grasp method.

On the scale of one to five, I give this a solid three.

More About The Book:
Women today are busy, stressed, and guilt-ridden, yet they long to develop their spiritual sides. Turning Guilt Trips into Joy Rides offers inspirational thoughts based on scripture--brief enough to be read during a television commercial, yet insightful enough to open your eyes to the grace of God on days you change diapers and/or lead corporate meetings.

Each reading suggests a "Guilt Trip to Avoid" and ends with a way to "Take the Joy Ride." The book includes six months of daily readings so that you may establish a habit of connecting with God. Readings are listed under the letters G-R-A-C-E, representing God, Relationships, Acceptance, Challenges and Emotions.

The coauthors hope these meaningful readings will help you deal with guilt--both real and imagined. By applying the insights shared in Turning Guilt Trips into Joy Rides, you may develop a calmer, less guilt-ridden life-style and become better equipped to function as wives, mothers and friends. Younger women often develop patterns of thinking and experience feelings of guilt that carry over into their mature years, so women of all ages will find this book helpful.

About the authors:
Kim Messinger, Janine Boyer and Shirley Brosius had a common bond of Christian service when Christ drew them together for their first small group meeting in January, 1998.

Since then they have drawn closer through life’s joys and struggles and found God to be sufficient for their every need. They call themselves “Friends of the Heart” because their passion is to help women open their hearts and find joy in Christ.

Kim and Janine supported Shirley in writing Sisterhood of Faith: 365 Life-Changing Stories About Women Who Made a Difference, which was released by Howard Publishing, a division of Simon & Schuster, in 2006. More recently the three women worked together to write another devotional book, Turning Guilt Trips into Joy Rides. They have spoken at women’s retreats and events in five states. All three women live in Millersburg, Pennsylvania. Visit their website for more info.

Online Resources
Link to buy the book: bit.ly/HZSBdg 
Find it on Amazon: here
Follow the blog tour: http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13480254/guilttrips
Visit their website: http://friendsoftheheart.us/ 
Find them on Facebook: here

It's A Contest
Guilt! She pokes you as you write about your quaint, eccentric aunt. She grabs you as you wander from e-mail to Facebook to laundry instead of focusing on your work. She kicks you as you complain about your husband to a friend.

Have you noticed? Women seem riddled with guilt. And it’s hard to know if guilt is legitimate or simply a product of our imaginations. After all, should we really feel guilty about things over which we have no control?

We are not perfect. We have no control over some things, so it's no use feeling guilty. We can't do it all.

To celebrate the release of Turning Guilt Trips into Joy Rides, Shirley, Janine and Kim are giving away some great prizes during the blog tour. Share your own "guilt trip" or "joy tip" and be entered to win a free life coaching consultation and a $50 Amazon.com gift certificate.

JUST CLICK THIS LINK (http://justforfun.friendsoftheheart.us) and share what trips you up, holds you back or any tips you may have for overcoming guilt and keeping your joy. Fill out the quick form at the link and you'll be entered to win a free life coaching consultation from one of us AND a gift certificate to Amazon.com to use to purchase whatever strikes your fancy!

The contest runs until May 12. The winner announced on this site on May 14.

Spread The Word On Social Media
TWEET THIS: "Guilt trips...we've all got them and we've all been along for the ride." Turning Guilt Trips into Joy Rides bit.ly/HZSBdg @WestBowPress @litfuse

FACEBOOK THIS: Guilt! She pokes you as you write about your quaint, eccentric aunt. She grabs you as you wander from e-mail to Facebook to laundry instead of focusing on your work. She kicks you as you complain about your husband to a friend. Have you noticed? Women seem riddled with guilt. "Turning Guilt into Joy Rides" is a new devotional designed help you deal with guilt--both real and imagined. Click to find out more. http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/134...

As a freelance journalist, I was provided a copy of this book by Litfuse Publicity Group. This review was not influenced by a free book - just in case you (or the FTC) were worried about this detail.[image error]

OLW Blog Hop: April in Review

It's time to "round" up another month from the One Little Word class, taught by Ali Edwards.

This month, Ali encouraged us to sit down and write a letter to ourselves - a future letter that dealt with our word.

My word is Rest.

I haven't written the letter yet. I'm still trying to figure out the words. - Go figure.

But I did take time to rest this month.

I broke my Lenten Starbucks fast mid-April, taking an afternoon break with a fun drink and the OLW homework. Something tells me this may be where you find me this Saturday....hum.

I also slipped away for a few days in a "luxury" spot - I felt like an Ozark princess (lol). I rested and relaxed.


I also tested out the jacuzzi tub, with some new aromatherapy stuff. Note to self for the next time I try this "relaxation" method, I need to use less bubble stuff. Bubble stuff + water jets = an over abundance of bubbles. I felt like it was the scene from "Pretty Woman" when the bubbles filled the tub.

It was fun to enjoy the little "perks" at the resort - fancy soaps and homemade cookies on my pillow.

Part of the assignment meant also taking a self-portrait this month. I'm not sure if this will be the photo I use for the assignment, but gave me a chance to show off my new glasses and my new t-shirt.

Rest.

I'm still learning how to incorporate it into my life.

Rest is vital. I need it to recharge my batteries.

(I also wrote a devo about Rest....but since I've submitted it for consideration in a potential devotional book, I can't include it....)

Rest.

I think I need to remember this quote more and more....
Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time. ~J. Lubbock

It's ok to rest.
I wonder how I'll rest this month.....


You Probably Came From Here
Ruth     http://suburbansahm.blogspot.com

You Are Here
Kaylea    www.myscrappylife.com

Your Next Stop
Cindy    http://www.cynthiacrysdale.com/

Follow the full blog hop here.
Margie   http://xnomads.typepad.com/blog/one-little-word
Monica   http://scrapinspired.com/
Jamie    jmpgirl.blogspot.com
Lisa     http://backtoallen.com/category/challenges/one-little-word/
Jenn     www.studiojenn.blogspot.com
Jill    http://jillconyers.com/
Veronica     www.veronicanorris.typepad.com
Cheri    http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com
Monica B    http://questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com/
Ruth     http://suburbansahm.blogspot.com
Kaylea    www.myscrappylife.com
Cindy    http://www.cynthiacrysdale.com/
Donna    http://holimess.blogspot.com/
Kelly    http://mindingmynest.com
Carolina    www.micinnamons-en.blogspot.com
Cindy    http://seriousplay.typepad.com
Naomi    http://poeticaperture.com
Nikki    www.inkyart.com.au
Amanda    http://scrappnbee.blogspot.com
Rebekah    http://istampscrapcraft.blogspot.com/
Tere    http://terecontodomicorazon.blogspot.com/
Kimberlee     http://scrapsandsass.blogspot.com
Brighton    www.dearbrighton.com
Kristina     http://hrinspirationfromthe403.blogspot.ca/
Missus Wookie    http://mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.com/[image error]