Blogging for Books

Long time readers know this....I blog for books. I blog for Waterbrook Press, Multnomah, Doubleday, Random House and Thomas Nelson. You'll see links in the side bar if you are interested. I've done this for years and have had a great time with it.

The basics? They send me offers, I choose the books I want to review, they send me a book (sometimes with a giveaway book), I read the book and write a review.

Moving to Japan complicated this system. Reviews are ideally posted during a certain week. I have two books to review that both came recently, well past the deadline. The good news is that Waterbrook sent the last book PRIORITY and I have a week to read before posting. ::grin:: Thomas Nelson allows you to choose a book and you pick the next one when you post a review for that one....no time deadlines to meet.

I've noted, over the summer, that publishers aren't giving away quite so many freebie books for bloggers to share.....but hopefully you'll still find the reviews to be helpful.

I used to review EVERY book I read. I found this to be cumbersome in 2009 and quit the practice....but I will review some. I'll always let you know if a book I'm reviewing was a gift from a publisher.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Unexpected Day

We didn't go to church today. It wasn't the weather as much as it was "our Sunday" to be "off". The chaplains here have it worked out so that each 3 day weekend one chaplain takes all 3 services. This means that every 3rd holiday you work all Sunday, but the other two you have a 3 day weekend. It works well. This was our holiday off. I'd forgotten it WAS a holiday - tomorrow.

We relaxed. We slept in. We found our Jesus Stocking!

From 2010-01-17

It's packed away with the CHRISTMAS stuff now for next year. We still haven't found all of Nolan's photo ornaments or my early years Photo Album...but the list of things we're missing is dwindling. ::snort::

From 2010-01-17

We took down Christmas decorations. It was time, I guess. Having a tree covered with photo charms of the children is a GREAT thing, however, it was emotional to pack the older kids away. ::sniff::

Mike and I went for a wintry walk. We dodged Pirates....

From 2010-01-17

...and Robin Hood.

From 2010-01-17

We had dinner. We read another chapter in Nate Saint. It was a good day.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Nativity 2010

I always leave a bit of Christmas out year round. It's a secret code for me. It's a tangible reminder to celebrate Christ year round. At least that is how it began. I no longer need a reminder; but it's a great conversation starter. ::grin:: Seriously. I can't tell you the number of grown women who work up the nerve to ask why I have a nativity out in June....and the kids never hesitate to ask. I love to explain. It's led to some interesting conversations.

From 2010-01-17

No, this is not the one I left out. ::snort::

In TX, I'd been leaving the complete Willow Tree Nativity out in our entertainment center. I simply don't have that much space here. I thought leaving just the Jesus/Joseph/Mary out would work....and the two angels mean various things as Willow Tree Angels do.....so I liked this.

From 2010-01-17

It fit, it's pretty, it's unobtrusive....but now I'm wondering if it looks too much like the shrine shelves that I see around here in homes. Hmmm....I may have to find another spot.... I want to generate questions, not confusion.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Prayer - A Watchman's Duty

"My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct [my prayer] unto thee, and will look up." Ps 5:3 KJV

Those who know me, know that there are few things I like better than to unpack a Scripture, examine it, make it mine, put it neatly back together, apply it, and pass it on. The above verse caught my attention today.

Morning - means MORNING - day break (Strong's 1242)

Lord - We're talking about our self- existing Yehovah, He is that He is (Strong's 3068)

Direct my Prayer Unto Thee - Arak (Strong's 1694) - to arrange, set out, state in order as in a legal case!

Will Look Up - tsaphah (6822) - Ready? This word means to SPY, observe closely, to KEEP WATCH (a military term), enlighten with the eyes. Twenty times in the Old Testament this word is translated "Watchman".

This speaks to me. Watchman - SPY - I've ALWAYS loved mysteries and wanted to be a spy. God is allowing me to be that in the spiritual realm.

A watchman has a responsibility to rise early and present prayer concerns in an intentional, systematic way. There is most likely a place for jello prayers. Being an observant spy for the Lord calls forth more order in my prayer life.

In order for God to "hear my voice at daybreak," I need to BE UP and SPEAKING TO HIM (not blogging, reading email, taking care of PWOC Regional business)....early in the a.m.

I've long held that early hours are the BEST time for me to complete unfinished household tasks, write Bible Study lessons, finish writing projects, get a jump start on the day's activities....a watchman is called to use those hours speaking to our always EXISTENT, Lord.

Two weeks into 2010 and God is starting to speak to me about the path He and I are on this year. I'm to be a conscientious, observant, spiritual spy and watchman.

I think the Holman Christian Study Bible translates this closest to the Hebrew...."At daybreak, Lord, You hear my voice; at daybreak I plead my case to You and watch expectantly."

Still, if we are left with the idea that we nonchalantly pray and then sort of wait to see what may happen...we miss what David is conveying. David is eager, intentional, diligent....He is guarding while he waits to see God at work....

I've really not organized "my musings"....as I have other parts of the blog, but if you'd like to read more musings such as this, click the category by that title in the side bar.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Amusing Sign

We saw this sign up in Aomori. I'm not sure it's the best marketing for a restaurant.

From 2010-01-08 Sannai-Maruyama Ruins

"Balanced Food - Calorie Mate".

JOSIAH & JAMIN ARE HOME!
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Disappointing Day

Today was a sad day. Zander was invited to a birthday party. He's been counting down to the day. In fact, he KNEW it was the day after Josiah left, and it had become somewhat standard for him to ask Josiah how many more days he would be here and then say, "And the next day is John's birthday party."

Unfortunately, today was snowy, windy, near white out conditions at time....we estimate somewhere between 10 - 12 inches again...based on the new amounts on the fort, road, and my car. ::snort:: I KNEW the drive was beyond my driving ability. Mike started out with Zander....but they returned. They couldn't see the road. So....we're home bound. Zander was disappointed. We promised to invite John over for cupcakes or cakes and give him his gift. A play date should help to make it up. We missed another birthday this a.m. - Ricky's. BUT we'd not told Stacia about it, so she wasn't sad.

The boys' facebook shows that they are home in TX.

Stacia dons a scarf from Afghanistan and finds a new dancing partner.

From 2010-01-16

Pass the Bomb (13 and up) is a new game we found at the BX. It's HARD but fun. You are given letter combinations and have to come up with words that contain those letters as you pass the bomb. Yes, it explodes. Now I see there is a JR version of the game (5 years and up). Hmmm....

From 2010-01-16

Stacia is our simple chaos factor

From 2010-01-16

After the real game was over we played hot potato with the bomb

From 2010-01-16

We started reading, "Nate Saint:On a Wing and a Prayer," by Janet & Geoff Benge.

The younger ones are watching, "Fancy Pants" (Bob Hope). Jared and Mike are tired from snow shoveling and have called it a night. I'm going to join the kids and try to stay awake through the movie.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Whole Wheat Popovers

From 2010-01-16

3 large eggs
1 1/2 C milk
1 C whole wheat pastry flour (soft white - but I used Prairie Gold/hard white)
3/4 tsp sea salt

Preheat oven to 450*; makes 12; grease muffin pan.

Place all in blender; blend on high speed for 30 seconds.

Pour batter evenly into muffin cups, stirring the batter a couple of times because the flour has a tendency to quickly settle to the bottom of container.

Bake at 450* for 15 minutes.

Turn oven temp to 350* and continue to bake about 20 min longer until golden brown.

Cool 5 minute before removing from pan. Serve immediately.

From Sue Gregg's Soups and Muffins cookbook. These were wonderful. 5 of 7 ate them. LOL This means cornbread is still the favorite but this is a good bet too (and easier to make).

For more yummy recipes check out my index.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...