Book Review - A Mom's Guide To Making Extra Money Selling On eBay

A Mom's Guide To Making Extra Money Selling On Ebay by Natasha Rubin is a good book for anyone new to selling on eBay. Yes, you can and should read the eBay's quick start guide, but a seller's story can motivate you beyond the facts and steps of selling.   Rubin's story motivated this not-so new seller to try again. She wrote down on a board that she wanted to create multiple streams of income which reminded me of things including eBay that  I need to get done like yesterday. Her story of her first big sale made me think about things that I have sitting in the house that could help my family's income.

Her book reminded me why I started selling on eBay in the first place.  I wanted to make a little extra cash in the beginning.  I wanted to be consistent enough to turn it into a part-time business at home.  That dream has not happened yet, but I have not given up hope.

The author gives us the information we need to start selling on eBay today.   Her idea about giving your customers special attention with the packing of their items is important.  Great service will set you apart from other sellers.  You can continue to receive tips and support from her through her Facebook page and email.  

If you need money now or want to look at a long-term source of income then follow the advice given in this book.  You may be surprised at what you can accomplish through eBay.

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Book Review - She's Got Issues

Anyone near me might have heard me talking to myself as I read She's Got Issues: Seriously Good News for Stressed-Out, Secretly Scared Control Freaks Like Us by Nicole Unice.  There was so much in there that I could relate to in this book. I have dealt with and sometimes I still deal with control, insecurity, comparison, fear, anger and unforgiveness.  

Here are some quotes that I had to write down in my journal:

"The ability to see yourself clearly is crucial in your relationship with Christ and in your subsequent ability to serve well."

"To follow Jesus is to agree to change.  That's the cost required of us."

"What if we began to think of our insecurities not as shameful places to hide but as opportunities to see God working in our lives?"

"There's nothing like comparison to keep us distracted from our own gifts." 

The author gave a great visual on the need for taking a mental space bar.  She showed us words without any space.  The words lost their meaning without a space between words.   In the same way, our life needs to have space so it can make sense. Our lives can lose its meaning without taking a pause.  At the end of each chapter, she has a space bar moment for us to reflect on what we read with a prayer, a journal exercise and group discussion questions. 

I was reminded of a few things as I read this book.  I should  put my anchor in God and not in temporary things like my appearance or achievements.  At all costs, I need to avoid the comparison trap because it hinders my life with Christ.   If I compare myself to others then I am not content with what God has given me.  I will start to resent my life.  Anger is a powerful emotion and I need to handle it carefully to avoid harming others with my words or actions.  I have much to "chew" on and prayerfully consider what to do now.

This is a good read for any woman. If you combine it with the DVD group experience you can grow with other women to find your strength in Christ.

The book and DVD was given to me for free from the Tyndale Blog Network.  All opinions expressed are my own.

DVD Review - She's Got Issues DVD Group Experience

Nicole Unice created a wonderful, warm group experience based on her book She’s Got Issues.  The book and the DVD discuss issues that most women would rather keep a secret.  The cover says it all.  There is a woman with her finger to her lips as if she is saying “Shhh...it’s a secret.”  The issues discussed are things women do not want to talk about.  It is easier to not acknowledge our problems and work around them rather than inviting God in and other women to help us face them.

There are 6 sessions about control, insecurity, comparison, fear, anger and unforgiveness. Each session starts with one woman’s personal experience, a time for us to write in our journal and a group of women and Nicole talking about a particular issue.

The group experience sounds great, but I want to facilitate my own personal experience with God and me about the issues I have first.  I will prayerfully consider facilitating this group experience.    I appreciate the advice that Nicole gave to group leaders.  She wants any leader to create a place of safety.  Since these issues are so personal, she suggests that the atmosphere we create is one where everyone can feel grace.  All the women should be able to speak freely without the other women trying to fix each other.   

I would recommend this DVD for any group of women that want to get together and allow God’s Word to help them understand their issues and grow to a more healthier you in Christ.

The book and DVD was given to me for free from the Tyndale Blog Network.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Habitat for Humanity Restore of Coatesville

Habitat for Humanity helps to build affordable housing.  Habitat homeowners participate in the building of their own home or help to build a home for someone else.  I did my part today by shopping at the ReStore in Coatesville, PA.  This store has a little of everything...cabinets, tables, lamps, sinks, bed frames, appliances, dressers, books and more.  Sales from the store help the Habitat for Humanity organization.

My husband was looking for lamps and I shopped for books.  :)   Paperback books are only 25 cents!   The price is a little more for hardback books.  Today, I bought all children's books.  If you want to help to build a library for a child, go to the Restore shop.  The price is so affordable.  I think all kids should have their own personal library. On my last trip, I bought books for me.   I found Praying for Our Marriage: 100 Devotions and Prayers for Husbands and Wives, A Mom After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George and When A Woman Discovers Her Dream by Cindi McMenamin.  You might see some of my great finds on my free book shelf in the future.

Book Review - Submerged

I feel like I have been to Alaska after reading Submerged (Alaskan Courage) by Dani Pettrey.    It is full of suspense, romance and a very important message of forgiveness and love.

Bailey Craig has to return to her hometown of Yancey, Alaska because of the death of her aunt. It is the last place she wants to be because of a bad reputation she created when she was a teenager.   Despite a bad start in her early years, she has done well for herself.  

The second worst part of this trip other than saying goodbye to her aunt is meeting Cole McKenna again.  They were in a relationship, but Bailey was struggling with insecurity at that time and hurt Cole.   Their relationship ended, but it still haunts the both of them.

Bailey wanted to tie up loose ends in Yancey as quickly as possible and get back to her life where no one knew her reputation.    Despite Bailey’s desire to make a quick exit, she decides to stay in Yancey because there is a possibility that her aunt’s death was not an accident.  She works with Cole and the Yancey police force to solve the mystery.   Being close to Cole is exciting and terrifying at the same time.   Bailey does not want to be drawn to him because as soon as the mystery is solved she plans to resume her life elsewhere.

While the murder mystery and the intrigue of Russian Alaskan history has my attention, I am also drawn to Bailey's struggle with her past and present.  She became a Christian after leaving Yancey, but she still views herself as a person not worthy of God's blessings.  She accepts the views of other people who saw her at her worst rather than how God sees her.   Cole told her "You need to start seeing yourself through God's eyes...When God looks at you He sees His beloved child."

This story does have something valuable that is submerged or hidden that has everyone on the hunt for it.   The most important thing that is submerged is the truth that Bailey has forgotten or never really knew...God loves her!

I enjoyed this book because of the romance, suspense and the reminder that I am God's beloved child.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House.

This post does contain affiliate links.  Read my disclosure.

The Purposeful Mom: How to Encourage a Blogger {When You're Not a Blogger Yourself!}

http://www.thepurposefulmom.com/2012/07/how-to-encourage-blogger-when-youre-not.html?m=1

From My Library To Yours

I added a Free Books page.  It is my attempt to give some books away from my own library for no other reason than because I want to do it.  I have been a book giver for many years. The most unique part of my wedding was that during the reception, the guests were allowed to take books from the bookshelves.  My church had built-in shelves which were empty. I thought it would be perfect to put books on those shelves and give them away.  I could not have done it without my husband-to-be's blessing.  I bought a bunch a books and included some from my own library to create the atmosphere I wanted at my reception.  It was our gift to our guests in addition to the normal wedding party favors.  I wish I had a picture to show you, but my photographer did not take a picture of "the library" at the reception even though I requested it.  As a side note to those getting married, make sure you assign others to take specific shots as a back up just in case the professional does not do it.


Now back to the original reason for this post.   I like to give books away when I can.  I always like to find a match between a person and a book.  I will change what is free from time to time.  I do not have a schedule yet on how often it will change.  If you e-mail or post a comment saying you want a particular book then I will mail it to you.  Since these books are from my personal library, the books will be used because I have read most of them.   They will be in an acceptable to excellent condition.  I will probably not have more than one copy.  The first person to request the book will get it.   I hope you enjoy reading from my shelf.  :)

My Reading List for 2012

I know the year is half over, but I decided to write my reading list for the rest of 2012.  The idea came from SarahMae.

Here is my plan for the rest of the year...

Every day I try to follow the Psalms and Proverbs reading plan from YouVersion.

July 

Fresh-Brewed Life Revised & Updated: A Stirring Invitation to Wake Up Your Soul by Nicole Johnson


August


Dug Down Deep: Building Your Life on Truths That Last by Joshua Harris


Submerged (Alaskan Courage) by Dani Pettrey

Android Application Development For Dummies by Donn Felker


September


The Good Wife's Guide: Embracing Your Role as a Help Meet by Darlene Schacht


The Power of Small: Think Small to Live Large by Jennifer Kennedy Dean


October


When Ye Pray by Joy Haney




November


Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People by S. Truett Cathy


Money Secrets of the Amish: Finding True Abundance in Simplicity, Sharing, and Saving by Lorilee Craker


December


Sacred Marriage: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy by Gary Thomas




I would also like to read Anne of Green Gables again.  I read the latest post from Blogging with Amy today and I also want to read The 100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future.  There are many more books that I want to read and they will remain on my wish list until 2013.

Book Review - What Happens When I Talk To God?

What Happens When I Talk To God?: The Power of Prayer for Boys and Girls by Stormie Omartian is a great prayer starter book for children.  The author tells kids what prayer is, when you can do it and what to talk about.  The author really wants kids to know that God wants to spend time with them.  Prayer is one of the best ways to get to know God in addition to reading and listening to the Bible.


Each page describes different things that a child can talk about with God...His Word, family, food, grass flowers, toys, play time, pets, friends, sad things, bad things, sin, confession, forgiveness, ANYTHING!


There is an "I Say" statement at the end of most pages.  Here are a few that I like:

"Thank you God, for everyone You have put in my life for me to love."

"Thank you, God for giving me healthy food to eat and clean water to drink."

"Thank you for my favorite toys and places I can go to play."

I like books that draw me in with its illustrations.  The cover of this book is beautifully illustrated with children from different backgrounds laying in the grass.  Some are looking up and others have their eyes are closed.  It is an invitation for kids to talk with God.There is a diversity of children represented throughout this book.  My 3-year old likes to look at the "prayer book" often and "read" it.  My 7-year old twins have read it many times before, but they still enjoy reading it.  This book is comforting and invites my kids and me to spend more time with God.

Failure is Good?!

"I had to fail to see my weakness." - Me


Failure stinks.  It happened to me recently and it did not feel good at all.  But it turned out to be good for me.   I was able to see where I needed to improve.  Positive change can happen now that I am working on the weak parts of me.  Wish me luck!


I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13)

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Book Review - A Most Unsuitable Match

Fannie Rousseau and I have something in common...a belief that we were not good enough to be a preacher’s wife.

Before Fannie met the man of her dreams who would be a preacher, we meet her in St. Charles, Missouri 1869.  She just lost her mother.  The strained relationship between the two only made her mother’s death more painful.  Some things would never would be resolved.  Fortunately, Fannie had Hannah who worked for her family.  Hannah was very much family to Fannie and gave her the mothering that she needed.

Fannie thought she was the only left in her family until she found letters in her mother’s things that let her know that she had an aunt.  Her hope that she is alive leads her to take a trip on a steamboat to find her.  She was escorted on this journey by Hannah.   

On the trip, she meets Samuel Beck who is more than just a hired hand on the steamboat.  He has a higher calling on his life and he is looking for someone, too.   Her search for her aunt leads her to an area of the country that is less “civilized” than she has known.  Being in the “wilderness” helps her to grow as a woman.  She has to do things that she did not do before in St. Charles.

This was a slow read for me and I was not completely caught up in the story at first.  I became more interested as I kept on reading.  I did want to find Fannie’s aunt and I also wanted to know if Samuel ever finds his sister.  The change in Fannie from a protected young woman to one who has to take care of herself was interesting.     The journey brings Samuel and Fannie closer, but Fannie believes that he is too good for her.  She realizes that he is called to be a preacher and she does not think she has what it takes to be a preacher’s wife.  She believed that they were an unsuitable match because of her flaws.   Samuel also had growing to do because he was preaching before he even accepted the fact that he was a preacher.  I felt like Fannie when I met my husband.  Both Fannie and I had to realize that if God calls us for the job that He will equip us with everything we need to do what He asks.

Overall this was a good read and I do recommend A Most Unsuitable Match.

A free copy of this book was given to me by Bethany House in exchange for my thoughts about this story.

http://bible.us/Eph4.32.KJV And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

My Prayer Circle

Last night, I stepped down on something and my foot went one way and my body went the other way.   My ankle seems to be strained.  I have been limping all day.  Tonight, I asked my oldest daughter to say her prayers before getting into bed.  She said that she had to do something first.  She got her sister, brother and dad to come in her room.  I was told to stand in the center of the room while they joined hands to form a circle around me.  Each one of them prayed for me so that I could feel better.  I was truly touched by their prayers and the faith that my little ones have in God.  They believe their prayers matter.  I thank God for each one of them.


I should not be surprised by what they did.  My husband and I regularly include them in praying for others.  Last year, we we told them their uncle was sick and needed our prayers.  Jeremiah, Jasmine and Madie offered a quick prayer on his behalf right away and before they got into bed.  One time we were going out of town and we were caught in a bad storm.  The rain was so heavy that it was hard for my husband to see clearly.  My oldest daughter, Jasmine, started to pray and asked God to "help daddy drive".  The rain slowed down much to our relief after her prayer.  She was so happy that God heard her and she knows that prayer works.  My youngest, Madie, likes to offer quick prayers anywhere and drop a few words of wisdom.  Her little cousin was sick and she prayed for him and then continued to eat her snack.  I remember another time when I was trying to stop potential panic on the school bus that I drive by getting rid of a bug before the students got on. I became scared myself and screamed when the bug flew towards me.  Madie asked did I need God.  I said yes.  She said that He is already here.    My children are a wonder and a gift from God.  They do not pray long prayers.  The prayers may not be perfect English, but they are filled with faith.  Although I have a group of women that I call with my prayer requests, I have little prayer warriors right here in my home.  I pray that the Lord will increase their faith and that they will never let go of the awe and joy of talking to God.

Scripture of the Day

http://bible.us/Prov3.5.KJV Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Book Review - A Marriage Carol

Every Christmas season for me has some requirements to make it special.   Decorations must be up right after Thanksgiving so I can enjoy them for a month.  Nat King Cole’s The Christmas Song album must be played and A Charlie Brown Christmas must be watched.   At least one version of Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol must be seen.  I do not grow tired of watching Ebenezer Scrooge change from the meanest man in town to a kind and generous person.

What would this classic Christmas story look like if the “Scrooge” was a married couple? We get a chance to see the transformation of a marriage instead of a person in The Marriage Carol by Chris Fabry and Gary Chapman.   We are introduced to Marlee and Jacob who are on their way to get a divorce on Christmas Eve.  Ironically, they were also married on Christmas Eve.   The weather conditions are not great on their way to the lawyer and they become involved in a car crash.  Marlee tries to find her husband, Jacob after the crash.  While searching, she finds an older gentleman at home.     His home is actually a retreat for married couples to heal.   Marlee takes the older man’s offer of hospitality to get warm.   Being in his home is like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket.   The older man tells her about the three golden pots which gave her a glimpse of the past, present and future.   She takes a chance and is given the gift of insight for her life.   

This book made me think about how easy it is to forget what is important.  Marlee was reminded of how special and close she was to Jacob in the beginning of their marriage.   Lack of communication and misunderstandings led Marlee and Jacob to a present that could not have been imagined at the beginning.    She saw how her choices affected everyone around her.   A choice that seemed insignificant today had a great impact on her life and the lives of her children and grandchildren.

One misunderstanding that stands out for me is when Marlee and Jacob attended a marriage conference.   She thought she was the only one who cared about making things work because she was taking so many notes.   Jacob did not look interested and he did not even write anything or so she thought.  That scene alone confirmed for me that I only know so much and that I need to give a little more grace to my spouse.   Wrong assumptions can cause misunderstanding and damage to a marriage.

I enjoyed this book.  I was reminded that even though a marriage can appear to be dead, one spouse can hope and make changes to improve the relationship.  There is no guarantee that the other spouse will respond favorably to the changes you make.  The important part is to work on you and take small steps each day for a lasting marriage.

Netgalley provided this free ebook for me to review.  All opinions expressed are my own.   

I Miss My Local Christian Bookstore

I went to Barnes & Noble tonight looking for devotionals for a preteen boy and girl.  I had an idea what I wanted and hoped that Barnes & Noble had it.  I wanted to read a few pages before deciding.   Unfortunately, they did not have what I was looking for so I will have to order it online.   This trip to B&N made me realize how much I miss Christian bookstores.  The four Christian bookstores that I used are gone.  I just found out another store that I thought had survived is gone, too. I am so upset.


I always enjoy a trip to a bookstore.  Time in a library or a bookstore became a place of refuge for me.  My dad made these places special for me.  Going to a bookstore or library was special because my dad said it was and he was with me.


Although I have visited Barnes & Noble and Borders often in my lifetime, it was the atmosphere of the Christian bookstore that was most special to me.  The music, people and the products offered created an inviting and peaceful atmosphere.  That book I was looking for would have probably been there and I would have someone to discuss the best choice for a tween.


I should not have been surprised that these stores would close.  Times are difficult for everyone and the big book retailers has swallowed up the little stores.  I saw the signs of the downfall of the Christian retail market when I went into my favorite Christian bookstore and the magazines were gone.  My all-time favorite Christian magazines Pray and Marriage Partnership were discontinued.  Those magazines have been gone for a few years now and I am still sad about it.  You can still order back issues at NavPress, but I miss receiving my magazines in the mail.


I will still order online for books.  I will still shop at Barnes & Noble.  I will continue to use my nook and Sony book reader,  but none of these things can truly replace the special quality of a Christian bookstore. :(