30 Days of Giving - Wishing Tree

Rona and I went to the shops and picked out some presents to buy for the Target Christmas Tree. I like giving back and the idea that I am making someone's Christmas a little better.

So Rona and I will wrap the presents tonight and I will drop off the presents tomorrow :)

30 Days of Giving - Donating blood

I haven't been able to donate blood for over 2 years now, while pregnant and breastfeeding.

But fortunately they have changed the guidelines, so you can be breastfeeding and donate blood, as long as it isn't the child's main source of food.

It is a little ridiculous how excited I was to be able to donate blood again.

So while Rona was babysat by my Mum, I went and donated blood. I have tiny veins (apparently) so I usually take forever for the right amount of blood to be donated, but today I set a new record; 5 minutes!

I think it is an important thing you should do (if you can) so I encourage all of you to think seriously about donating blood

30 Days of Giving - bits and pieces

Today I drove my brother around, as his car was in the mechanics. It was hot and Rona got cranky, but we managed.

I also put up some inspirational posters at my local shops noticeboard, to make someone smile.

30 Days of Giving - People to give to

Here are some great charities to give to:

Compassion, I sponsor a lovely child called Axel. It is great to know we are making a difference in his life.

Embrace Baby Warmers, what a fabulous invention, keeping lots of little babies alive and warm. Do go check them out.

And Mercy House, a great house for pregnant women in Kenya, started by Kristen from We Are that Family. Another great place to give to.

30 Days of Giving - Expo and Charity

We went to a baby expo recently and while waiting in the line for a promotion, I ended up chatting with two ladies behind me in the line. They had only just arrived at the expo, and so I let them know where some really good freebies were. Usually I don't speak to strangers like that, but I thought they would like to know where the good freebies were.

And on Sunday, I put some extra tins in the Anglicare Tin Bin, I usually forget to buy the tins at the shops and forget to bring them to church when I do, but I remembered this week :)

30 Days of Giving - In the grocery store

Today I went to the grocery store and thought I should give to random strangers.

I collected some trolleys and put them back in the trolley return, then when we were waiting in the line, I let a lady go in front of Rona and I.

30 Days of Giving - Thank you notes to friends

Today I wrote and posted some cards to my two best friends, thanking them for their many years of friendship and just plain being wonderful.

I often think it, but I don't often tell them.

30 Days of Giving - Heart Sister

Lately people in a forum I frequent have organised something called Heart Sisters, which you send anonymous gifts and letters to someone (which you are set up with).

So I have joined and been sending parcels to a lady who is having a hard time.

I have been "stalking" her posts to see what is going on in her life and what kind of things she would like.

I have send her an extra nice parcel in the mail today. :)

30 Days - another thank you note

I wrote a thank you note to our armed forces, because they are people that I don't really think about that much, except on ANZAC day and Rememberance day, really....

So I made time and I wrote a note, well, email actually and thanked the service men and women for their service. I used this link

The note was like this:


Because I am not in your shoes, I know I will never fully appreciate the sacrifices you make for me, your family, your friends and your country every day. However, I am especially reflective of my gratitude this holiday season. I realize your sacrifice is made even greater during this time away from your loved ones.
It is because of your sacrifices that I am able to enjoy our freedoms. So with a great degree of sincerity and humility, I say simply, “thank you” for all you’ve done and continue to do for me, my family, my friends and our country.

An Amish Wedding

I enjoyed these novellas, as I have enjoyed the other stories I have read by the same authors.  I do recommend An Amish Wedding to readers who enjoy Christian, and specifically Amish, fiction.

These short books were simple and easy to read. I quickly fell in love with the characters and wanted to see their individual stories play out. I did enjoy how the books incorporated the same people and allowed you to see different sides of the same ongoing story played out in the three books.

I received this book free of charge from Booksneeze in exchange for my honest opinion.

30 days - church garage sale

My church had a garage sale last weekend, so Rona and I helped out.

Rona had lots of fun "trying out" all the toys and charming the customers.

We were  there from 8am until 2pm. It was a fun day, and very tiring.

Church raised I think around $1500 dollars, which is great.

30 days - driving around

Todays and yesterdays giving was a little impromptu.

Stephen's car broke down and he needed a lift from the mechanics in the morning and then back to the mechanics in the afternoon.
Then it turned out that his car wasn't fixed yesterday, so he borrowed Mum's car, so now I have to pick her up from work.

I don't mind helping people out, I just hope Rona copes with all the driving, we will probably end up in the car for at least an hour to pick Mum up and dropping her back home.

Gotta go!

The Love and Resepct Experience

I love the Love and Respect book by Dr. Eggerichs, it is a fabulous book. So I recently ordered the Love and Respect Experience by Dr Eggerichs.

This book is good, it is nothing new to those who have read the original book though. This would be a fantastic devotional to do with your spouse, a definite must-do.

In case you don't know, the Love and Respect message is based on Ephesians 5:25, that men should love their wives and wives should respect their husbands. And the main point being that God wants us to love and respect each other unconditionally, whether they have earned it or not.

I prefer the original book to the devotional, but if you are looking for a good couples devotional, you should get this one.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

30 days - A letter back

I got a letter back from the local police station, thanking me for the thank you note :)
It was really lovely to receive a letter back, it made my day.

Rebecca, my sister, her washing machine broke down and as she has 4  kids, she really can't afford to be without one.
So I went over to her house and picked up a couple of loads of washing and took them home and washed and dried them.

I am glad that I could find something meaningful to give today.

30 Days - Cake

My sister has done it again, she asks me to make her a birthday cake.

So I have done it, I made her a Nyan cat cake.

I made her a rainbow cake, like the one I made Husband for his birthday, with a Nyan cat on top

Here is the Nyan cat

He doesn't look quite right, as he is still damp in this photo, but I am quite happy on how he turned out

Reluctant Queen

I recently received the e-book A Reluctant Queen by Joan Wolf.

It was a decent read, nothing unexpected from a fictional account of a famous bible story.
It was mediocre, but that isn't to say it was not enjoyable.

The best part was the characterisation, Haman wasn't entirely two dimensional and evil (like in so many other books) and same for Aherserus.

If you are looking for an easy, light read, then this is the book for you.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

30 Days - Writing thank you notes

The first thing I thought of to "give" was thank you notes.

I wrote notes to the local police station, fire station and ambulance (station?). This is because I feel that a lot of people take these services for granted.

Then Rona helped me by drawing a picture for each of the letters, which is about how far she can help me in this :)

In Case You Ever Wonder by Max Lucado

I have loved this book from afar for a while. Working in a Christian bookstore for most of my working life, I know good books from bad.

And this is an excellent book, a must for every child's library.

I received this from BookSneeze on Kindle, so I will be reading this to Rona quite often now :)

The story begins by telling the child "long, long ago God made a decision...a very important decision...one that I'm really glad He made. He made the decision to make you."
The story truly expresses what we as parents all want our children to know: they are very special, unique and have our hearts and this will never change.
"...As you grow and change, some things will stay the same. I'll always love you. I'll always hug you. I'll always be on your side. And I want you to know that... just in case you ever wonder."
The ending is perfect; it talks about heaven.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

30 days of Giving challenge

Last year, I participated in the 30 days of giving challenge. It was truly a challenge, and a wonderful thing to do.

So I have decided to do my own 30 days of giving again this November.

I started making a list of what to do last month, and I am looking forward to what I am going to do this month.


This is a great verse, what will be my motto for the next month at least.

Wish me luck!

The Blessing by Trent and Smalley

Another great book from 2 fabulous Christian authors. Smalley and Trent cleverly tie Christian values to modern psychology.
The book helps us to see that how we were raised has a complete influence on how we are today, without blameshifting the responsibility on our family.
This book is a blessing. Wow! A definite need to read for just about everyone. The time is now. Be a blessing. The importance of the blessing is seen throughout scripture and in the observation of individuals.

I recieved this book courtesy of Booksneeze, in exchange for an honest review