I also started (and finished) a new book by Erin and Philip Ulrich called, Begin. It’s the first in a new series about a bear named Growly (insert “awwww”!). Philip had this idea for a kids’ tv show about a bear who came out of the woods and helped a whole village of people. This idea turned into a CD and now a book series. Don’t you just love creative people?!

Growly is an almost-grown bear cub who sets off on a bear-y traditional 3 month solo adventure before returning home a full-grown bear. And Growly most definitely has an adventure–there is hang gliding, a monkey village, ziplines and thunderstorms! Plus, there is love and respect for parents, sacrificial actions for others and just a plain old good story!

I love reading stories of other worlds and this Bear world is so fun! I actually did start reading it to Lydia and she totally loved it—but I stopped because I wanted to finish it myself! Now that we’re done with Farmer Boy, this will be our new bedtime read.

source: oohamanda instagram

The illustrations in the book are by my friend, Annie from Be Small Studios who offered those beautiful Christmas prints on the Truth in the Tinsel blog last year. All of her work has a wistful, emotive feel to it. I’m so excited to be  giving away a print of Growly and his bird friend today! Just use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter.

And oh! don’t forget to buy this Growly book! It’s a perfect read for filling up these summer days. Your kids (especially boys, I think) will enjoy the adventure of Growly. If you buy the book at the Growly site, you can get some free music and a bookmark. Or you can buy a print from the book to frame (how cute is that?!). Of course, you can also snag it on Amazon for your Kindle and it’s even free if you’re an Amazon Prime member. (<–you remember how much I love that!)

source: be small studios

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Begin Your Summer with Growly is a post from: ohAmanda.com

Click here to download your free ebook, Praying God's Word for Your Kids. Enjoy! :)

Asa has been waiting and waiting to get to the helmet and sword in the Armor of God. (I’m sure you’ve been waiting, too. Do you like the way this series has literally taken me five months to complete?! Just trying to be an example of how every little bit counts. *wink*)

We suited up and used my balloon making time to review each piece of the armor. It’s nice that Lydia can read now because she read while I outfitted Asa.

Once they were completely armed (don’t they look fierce?!) They had a nice sword fight (which is awesome with balloons because you seriously can’t even poke an eye out!)

We talked briefly about the helmet of salvation and how it related to Asa praying for God to change his heart. Then we spent time with Hebrews 4:12 and talked about how God’s Word is a sword we can use to defeat the enemy!

This conversation spilled over last night into our Mealtime Devotions which was about Jesus being tempted in the wilderness. Jesus defeated Satan with God’s Word. It’s so simple! Satan defeated with Scripture. There was no special words, big voice or crazy ritual. Just speaking God’s Word out of your mouth!

I’m so thankful for that story (which we also read in our Jesus Storybook Bible) because it shows the very hardest position Jesus is in–Satan is standing before him tempting him! Besides the cross what is equal to this conversation? And in our lives, what in the world comes even close to this?!

Jesus gives us what almost seems to be a pat, trite response: just quote God’s Word. However, instead of trite, I see a simple, powerful weapon: the Sword of the Spirit given to us to defeat DEFEAT the enemy!

This should be something we use in our own lives, model before our children and teach them to do on their own. The next time you are struggling to have good thoughts or words, speak God’s Word outloud:

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

When your children whine and complain, have them repeat God’s Word after you:

Do everything without complaining and arguing, Philippians 2:14 NLT

If your kids tend to become frightened easily, help them memorize God’s Word and encourage them to speak it outloud whenever they feel scared:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:17 NLT

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Helmet & Sword is a post from: ohAmanda.com

Click here to download your free ebook, Praying God's Word for Your Kids. Enjoy! :)

Several months ago we met Yancy and her family in downtown Atlanta to visit the World of Coke. I have no idea why we picked that place but after we sampled every kind of Coke product imaginable (and I was reminded why I don’t drink soft drinks), we hung out in the parking garage chatting. Yancy turned on her van and let me hear some new music she was working on. She said it started off as lullabyes for her son, Sparrow. But after sharing the music with others she felt like it might have a broader appeal.

As I listened to the music, I felt like jumping up and down! The words to the songs are the exact kinds of prayers I was writing for Praying God’s Word for Your Kids! I told her, “Moms are going to love this! This is exactly the kind of thing every mother wants to sing over her children–and have their children sing for themselves!”

These songs have released today on an album called Roots for the Journey. They are a far from rock-a-bye-baby and settle somewhere between Seeds Family Worship and chill modern rock. Turning this music on brings an immediate blanket of peace into your house. I am sitting here listen to the CD now trying to decide which one is my favorite but I can’t decide. Here’s a few of my favorite lyrics…

Seriously. How could I pick just one? I love every bit of it! Roots for the Journey is a perfect CD for every family–a gift for new mamas, a peaceful retreat for moms who need to be reminded of their high calling and a plumb line for kids who want to follow Jesus.

Here’s a video of the song Safe, to whet your appetite…

{click here if you can’t see the video–>Safe from Roots for the Journey by Yancy}

You can get the CD from Yancy’s site & get FREE shipping with code: yancylovesme

or buy it on iTunes 

or download it at Amazon.

I don’t care where you get it, just get it! You’re going to love it as you find yourself singing these powerful words over your kids!

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Roots for the Journey is a post from: ohAmanda.com

Click here to download your free ebook, Praying God's Word for Your Kids. Enjoy! :)