Friday, March 28, 2008

Book Review - Family Squeeze by Phil Callaway

If you’re in the “Middle Ages”–sandwiched between the “greatest generation” and the “gimme” generations, busily juggling both with no relief in sight, then this book's for you. Children are driving, and parents are not. Money is tight and so are your favorite jeans. And things that never ached before are beginning to give you trouble! For every baby boomer who wonders if it’s possible to navigate the Middle Ages with grace and style, Phil Callaway offers plenty of hope and a little hilarity, too. Because there’s nothing like a smile to make wrinkles less noticeable.

This book was of interest to me because I am seeing more and more of our friends beginning the process of helping to care for their aging parents. My mother turned 84 this year and although she's living on her own now, we know that it's just a matter of time before we'll need to help even more, or potentially have her come and live with one of us. Phil takes some very difficult situations and helps us to see how to make the best of them. More importantly, he shares how he has learned to give them over to God, who is the ultimate helper in all situations anyway. I recommend this book to anyone going thru or anticipating that next phase of life.

Sorry, I don't have any extra books to give away this time. It's too bad, because it's a great read! Visit Amazon here if you want to buy the book.

Author Bio:

Described as “Dave Barry with a message,” author, speaker, and television host Phil Callaway has written twenty books, many of them bestsellers and is a popular speaker at conferences, camps and marriage retreats, coaxing laughter and tears from audiences worldwide. Of his personal accomplishments he rates the following highest: shutting off the TV to listen to his children’s questions (twice), taking out the garbage without being told (once), and convincing his high school sweetheart Ramona to marry him (once).


And the winner is....

...well the competition was fierce, but after all was said and done, Linda is the winner of the "Experiencing The Resurrection" book!

CONGRATULATIONS, Linda. I'm sure you'll like it. It will go out in the mail today.

Thanks for entering.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Only two days left to register for the drawing for the free book. Look at my post from last Saturday and add a comment if you want a chance to win.

I'll be posting a new review this Friday too, but I don't have a book to give away for that one, so take a chance while you have one.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Check out these cute pics that Amy took when we went to lunch with my mom and older sis on Friday.

Can you see the mischief in their eyes?

Don't forget to add a comment to my post from Saturday so you can get in the drawing to win the free book. The odds are good so far.
Come on guys...leave a comment on my last post so I can send this free book to someone.

Thanks!

Saturday, March 22, 2008


You can win a FREE copy of this hardcover book if you comment on this blog entry!

I will be honest and say that I haven't had a chance to read the whole book, so I can't really comment on it personally. Below is a quick summary to give you an idea of what it's all about. I hope that you have an awesome Easter!

I will be drawing the winning name and announcing it next Friday, March 28th, to allow time for more folks to add a comment.

What does the resurrection of Christ really mean for us? What does it reveal about the heart and mind of God? And what real differences can the miracle of the resurrection make in your life today?

Discover answers to those and other questions as you examine God’s Word with this book, Experiencing the Resurrection by Henry Blackaby and Melvin Blackaby, and it's companion study guide. You will receive the hardcover book (not the study guide) if you win the drawing

The Experiencing the Resurrection study guide is packed with practical notes, advice, and questions for reflection, this highly interactive guide—ideal for small group or individual use—shows you how to witness Christ’s resurrection in and through your life. Each chapter of the book is explored in a flexible one-week format with “life change objectives” that arise from applying the truth for each day to your life.

Author Bio:

Dr. Henry Blackaby, president emeritus of Blackaby Ministries, is the author of more than a dozen books, including the best-selling classic Experiencing God. He has spent his life in ministry, serving as a music director and as a senior pastor for churches in California and Canada. Today he provides consultative leadership on prayer for revival and spiritual awakening on a global level. He and his wife make their home in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Melvin Blackaby coauthored with his father, Henry Blackaby, the Gold Medallion winner Experiencing God Together. He travels extensively as a conference speaker. He and his wife and their three children live in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada, where he serves as senior pastor of Bow Valley Baptist Church.

If you don't win the free book and want to buy your own copy, please visit Amazon.com here.

Sunday, March 16, 2008


I just found this great engagement photo of our nephew, Jeremiah and his fiance, Amber. They're getting married in June. Aren't they a great looking couple?

Friday, March 14, 2008

I am so sad...I just spent an hour working on a blog post, then somehow accidentally deleted the whole thing while I was on the phone with my mom. Now I have places to go so I can't recreate it. I'll go ahead and post the pics and maybe add some text later.

Some of my favorites from Terry's dad's visit and the flowers from Catalyst (see note in previous post).
Click the links to get news on our family. It's amazing what you can find on the web these day:

Amy Schubert
Daniel Hann
Jeremiah Hann
Matthew Hann
Nick Sheffield

Terry & Ginny Hann - Great article about them being hospice volunteers

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

FLOWERS MAKE ME FEEL LOVED...

I know that there are probably very few people left who check my blog, since I've been so bad at posting. Hopefully it will get better. Flowers have been a big part of my life over the last few weeks and just I LOVE IT!!!
I love seeing flowers of any kind and feel truly blessed when I get the chance to enjoy them at home or in nature. They remind me of how much God loves us because He gives us gorgeous gifts like this that are here today and gone tomorrow. How much more must He love us since we're created in His image? Here are just a few of the ways that I was blessed by God's creation over the last few weeks.

The first two pics are of our front yard. Normally this is "desert landscaping" which is lots of rocks, some cacti and a few other plants. This time of year these gorgeous daisy-like flowers bloom and there are more and more every year. This year we also have several other kinds of purple flowers. It's amazing and we don't have to do anything to get them to grow!

The next 3 pictures of the blue succulent, fuchsia ice plant and orange flowers are from two weekends ago when Terry's dad (Terry) and his wife, Ginny came to visit from North Carolina. While they were here we took them to Boyce Thompson Arboretum and Lost Dutchman State Park near the Superstition mountains. It was too early for most of the flowers but there were a few nice ones and the base of the mountains was covered with a gorgeous carpet of green .

This past weekend we drove up to Lake Pleasant with some friends and hiked about 4 miles on the Pipeline Canyon Trail. The poppies were outstanding! Here are just a few photos that don't do it justice. You just had to be there. The last one has the reflection of the water from a creek below in the background...kinda artsy. I like it.

I also had one more unexpected encounter with flowers last week. On my first day of work at my new job, in the middle of the afternoon I had a delivery from the florist! It was this adorable bouquet of spring flowers in a big coffee cup and it came from Bruce, my boss at my previous job, and from the whole Catalyst team there wishing me all the best. How sweet is that!!!! It makes me smile just thinking about it. They are all so precious to me. I do miss them. Sad thing is that I took pictures of the bouquet and now I can't find the pictures. I need to keep looking and I'll post when I find them. I felt very loved.

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Lots to post about from the weekend, but I start my new job today. I'm excited!