{Book Review}: The Story of King Jesus

I have no idea how I got so lucky, to be chosen to review books for David C. Cook, but somewhere along the way it happened, and I must start by saying it has been an honor and a privilege. This is the 3rd or 4th review I have done for them and it is so much fun because they send me all of these fabulous free books and other gifts (one time I got a Kindle!) and all I have to do is tell you my opinion of these books. What a gig!

This time around was even more fun because I got to include my sweet boys in my first children's book review. Over Easter weekend, we all sat down and read together "The Story of King Jesus" by Ben Irwin. And since then my youngest has read it on his own 2 or 3 times.

I was immediately overwhelmed by the beautifully done, breath-taking illustrations by Nick Lee.

Seriously, gorgeous.

But more than that, I loved the words. A simple, direct presentation of the gospel message, written in a way that children understand. There are not many things that keep both my 6 and 8 year-old boys' attention, particularly since their personalities and interests are like night and day.

But this book did just that. We read it together in one sitting and were in awe of a God who over and over again, forgave and made a way for His people, despite their continual mistakes and desire to go their own way.

He loved them with an everlasting love, even to the point of sending His own Son to die in their place.

My favorite page reminds us that He did not have to die for us. He chose to. And then God raised Him from the dead, so that we can have forgiveness of sins and eternal life with Him.

It is a story that all children need to hear. As the author himself states, it tells "the story of redemption - how God became King, how he's making the world right again so he can dwell with us" and it " has the power to transform a child's life."

I can say for sure that this book will be read over and over again in our house. It is the perfect family book for holidays, special occasions and even for story-time.

I highly recommend it for your family, too!

About the Author: Erin Vick Franklin is the Creation Health Coordinator for Greene County, the Head Volleyball Coach at Greeneville High School and the founder/director at Worthy of the Prize. Erin has a BBA in Marketing and Management from TCU and a Masters of Christian Education in Church Recreation from Southwestern Seminary. She is a published, award-winning author and poet. Purchase her book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp to be used as an outreach tool for your church or mission organization, and her ebook find joy in the journey: how 12 women could face tomorrow just because He lives for inspiring stories of women who found overwhelming joy despite their circumstances. Erin is the wife of A, a Worship Pastor, and a work-at-home-momma to 2 crazy little boys, a and e.

2014 Family Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas from the Mountains of East Tennessee!

We hope this letter finds you rejoicing in the wondrous birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! He is Emmanuel, God With Us. As one of our favorite Christmas songs says, "you could have left us on our own...but you're here, hallelujah you're here." Praise the Lord!!

As always, it has been another eventful year, full of blessings. A few highlights were the trips we took over the summer to Hilton Head with friends, and then to Branson with Erin's family. The boys had a blast on the beach with their buddies and making memories on the lake with their cousins!

Aaron is still loving his job at First Baptist Church, leading both the Worship Ministry and the Senior Adults. One of the highlights of his year was the opportunity to serve on mission in Italy with the Tennessee Men's Chorale. During his free-time, you will find him in sports fan heaven as a result of his beloved Kansas City Royals making it to the playoffs for the first time in 29 years, ending up in the World Series nonetheless! This not to be overshadowed by his Missouri Tigers who played in the SEC Football Championship game for the 2nd year in a row!

Erin is still working for both hospitals here in town, serving as the Creation Health Coordinator for Greene County. As of this fall, she is also the head volleyball coach at Greeneville High School, where her team was the 2014 District Champions! This winter she will be coaching Anderson's Upward basketball team for the 3rd year in a row and as always, she and her sisters continue to run volleyball team camps during the summer, in addition to sending evangelistic balls to missionaries through her sports ministry, Worthy of the Prize. One of their volleyball teams has won the state championship in Texas two years in a row now!

As for Anderson (8), he is still loving all things sports and continues to play baseball every spring/fall and basketball every winter.  He was baptized in January after giving his life to Christ last year and he sang his first solo, helping Daddy lead worship on stage at church, in November. We are so proud of him and cannot believe how fast he is growing up! He is in second grade this year, and seems to be thriving in all areas as he has in years past.

EJ (6) continues to remain interested in all things art and music. He spends his days painting, drawing, singing, dancing and keeping us entertained while Anderson is outside playing ball. He participated in his first piano recital last spring and we love hearing his sweet little voice sing, "Where Are You Christmas," one of the songs from their school Christmas musical, A Very Grinchy Christmas. He started Kindergarten this fall and we are happy to report that he is truly loving it and doing well!

Looking back on another year, we thank God for all of His blessings, and for you. We hope you and yours have a magical Christmas and a wonderful New Year! May God bless you as you seek Him in 2015!

With Love,
Aaron, Erin, Anderson and EJ 

 “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. 
(Matthew 1:21)

{Chosen Child} Support the Hala family!

We have the opportunity to support the Hala family in fundraising for their adoption for the months of January and February!  With the sale of each Chosen Child band, we will donate the proceeds to the Hala adoption fund.  

Let's get to know them!

Jonathan and Megan Hala have been married for 6 years. Their adoption journey began before they even met. Jonathan's father was adopted and his sister has special needs. Brought up in a Christian home, Jonathan learned that love and family was a choice and a commitment one made with those God gives around you. Megan, even as a child, had a strong desire to adopt. She grew up the daughter of a pastor and decided to follow Jesus at a very early age. She felt that God had filled her heart with love and that she could give it to any child, biological or from adoption. 

On their 2nd date (yes they were young and already in love) they discussed what families would look like. Both expressed a desire to adopt. They were engaged 3 months later, and wed on the 1 year anniversary of their engagement. Six years later they have settled in Houston, Texas. They have built a home and community of close friends who love and support their adoption. Megan and Jonathan are adopting through the Gladney Center for Adoption in the ABC (African-American Biracial Child) program. They are so excited to welcome a new member into their family and thank you for your kindness and support!


Click here to purchase a band in support of the Hala Family adoption!

DotMom: The End of Our "Mom" Product Lines

When I started this ministry 9 (or so) years ago, we ran evangelistic volleyball camps for kids. And when I say we, I mean my 2 sisters and I.

All 3 of us are Division 1 collegiate volleyball players turned coaches, with a love for playing and teaching the game. Through the years we progressed from kid's camps to high school team camps.

When Big A and I made our first major move in the ministry, I turned the camps over to my sisters because I was busy being mom, minister's wife, teacher, and coach, who eventually decided to "stay home" with my boys. At that point, I expanded the ministry to reach out to moms through the blog, our fitness camps, fitness products and mom apparel. Not to mention speaking engagements and team-building clinics, mostly because it was tough "staying home" and it gave me something that I could do from home that not only ministered to me, but others like me, and gave me something fun to do with my girlfriends along the way.

I always planned to return to work once the boys were in school (was a highschool teacher/coach before I had the boys) and friends, the time has come!!!

I had an absolute blast at DotMom this past weekend, where my friend Ashley and I sold off ALL of our "mom" product lines including wristlet keychains, cards, shirts, water bottles, etc - except for a few things that I will use to make a final donation to The Mercy House and a local crisis pregnancy center, as well as a few things I kept to use as camp awards!

Wasn't our booth pretty?!!? :)

It has been such a privilege for me to minister to moms and families these past 5 years (or so) and I am thrilled to know that our products are being used by women all over the country (and world) to strengthen their relationship with the Lord! It is my prayer that after our products have served them well, they will pass them along to someone else whose spirit needs to be lifted.

As for me, I am the new Creation Health Coordinator for Greene County - a great job where I am doing a lot of the same things I was doing here at Worthy of the Prize (speaking, coordinating events, promotions, faith and fitness blogging, etc) and where I can set my own schedule and work from home, allowing me to still be mom and minister's wife!

As for Worthy of the Prize, we will continue to run high school volleyball team camps, as well as train others to make an impact through sports ministry, partner with others who are doing sports ministry through J316 Ministries, sell our books and resources in our online shop, and hopefully one day lead sports mission trips and evangelistic kids camps of our own again!

As for our orphan ministries, we will continue both our Chosen Child and Orphan Ball Ministries as long as God leads - these are both very close to my heart because of Little A, and I love helping adopting families and orphans!

My sisters will continue to run camps for me, and Leslie will take over our Chosen Child Ministry, our find joy in the journey ebook promotions, as well as other administrative duties.

You will hear from me every now and then when I have ministry happenings to report or a product to review. I may blog about my family some too. Feel free to follow me at Creation Health - Greene County as well. And be sure to enter our current giveaway over at find joy in the journey.

God bless you all! I could never thank you enough for your support, prayers and donations through the years!

By the way, here are a few highlights from my DotMom trip...

Meeting Jen Hatmaker - my new bff! ;) I purchased 2 of her books - 7 and Out of the Spin Cycle! She signed them both and I can't wait to read them!

Finally meeting IRL my friend Courtney from Lil Light O' Mine! I purchased a set of her fabulous ABC Scripture cards and I can't wait to go through them with my boys!

Have a great week, friends!

About the Author: Erin Vick Franklin is the Creation Health Coordinator for Greene County and the founder/director at Worthy of the Prize. Erin has a BBA in Marketing and Management from TCU and a Masters of Christian Education in Church Recreation from Southwestern Seminary. She is a published, award-winning author and poet. Purchase her book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp to be used as an outreach tool for your church or mission organization, and her ebook find joy in the journey: how 12 women could face tomorrow just because He lives for inspiring stories of women who found overwhelming joy despite their circumstances. Erin is the wife of A, a Worship Pastor, and a work-at-home-momma to 2 crazy little boys, a and e.

{A Review and Giveaway}: New Devotional Film Helps Women Overcome the World

I was once again contacted by Lisa and Francis Chan's ministry, asking if I would like to be apart of their "Not of this World" Blog Tour, to review the third and final film in Lisa's new devotional film series for women, True Beauty: Finding Your Identity in Jesus.

Obviously, I jumped at the opportunity. I mean, hello...when a best-selling author (Crazy Love, Forgotten God, Erasing Hell) asks you to be apart of something they are doing, you don't say no! Plus, I absolutely LOVED the first two dvds in the series, Be Still and Deny Yourself. You can read my reviews here and here.

It amazes me how Lisa's videos always seem to arrive at my doorstep, at just the right time, when I need them most. For the past few weeks, I have been overcome with worry, stress and anxiety, related to several areas of my life. I prayed and prayed, begging God to take it away, showing me how to lay my burdens at His feet, and yet despite my desire and assumption that He would, it remained. Ugh!

I felt overwhelmed, beat down, hopeless, to say the least. Can anyone relate?

This morning I finally had the chance to view Not of this World and as usual, it was exactly what I needed to hear! It made me realize that the things I was so concerned about, were not important at all. They were things that the world says are important, pressures that the world puts on us, unrealistic expectations that make us feel as though we are inadequate, helpless, a failure.

Sometimes the burden of mothering my children is honestly more than I can bear! A little, insecure voice in my head likes to tell me that I am failing as a parent, that my children are not going to turn out alright, if I don't get my act together. Have you heard this voice? It is probably the area in my life that I struggle the most, to let go and let God.

And yet, I was reminded by this wonderful article that "the voice of truth, tells me a different story." That it is not up to me! What a relief!!! All God asks me to do is to turn my children over to Him, strive to be the best example that I can, and He will do the rest!

It is exactly what Lisa's calm, soothing voice invites us to do in her video...quit looking to and listening to the world...to simply turn our eyes upon Jesus and we will be amazed at what we discover...more abundant life than we could ever imagine!

Trouble-free? Absolutely not. But as my daily excerpt from "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young so lovingly reminded me what Jesus promises us, if we would only follow Him:

"Knowing me intimately is like having a private wellspring of Joy within you. This spring flows freely from My throne of grace, so your Joy is independent of circumstances."

Oh, how much better is a relationship with Him than anything this world has to offer! Amen?!

On that note, I am so excited to giveaway one copy of Not of this World to one lucky winner...to be able to bless another with the same blessing that was given to me.

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post!

For extra entries (leave the designated amount of extra comments for each one that you do)...

1. Tweet this giveaway (leave 1 extra comment)

2. Post this giveaway on your FB wall (leave 2 extra comments)

3. Pin this giveaway onto Pinterest (leave 3 extra comments)

4. Blog about this giveaway (leave 4 extra comments)

Winner will be announced Saturday, August 24th. 

If you would rather just purchase a copy, pre-order yours here.

Have a great week, friends! May God bless us as we follow Him!

About the Author: Erin Vick Franklin is the founder and director of Worthy of the Prize. Erin has a BBA in Marketing and Management from TCU and a Masters of Christian Education in Church Recreation from Southwestern Seminary. She is a published, award-winning author and poet. Purchase her book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp to be used as an outreach tool for your church or mission organization. Erin is the wife of A, a Worship Pastor, and a work-at-home-momma to 2 crazy little boys, a and e.

Faith and Fitness= Family Style

As Summer comes to an end I have tried to think of a couple ways that our Thursday Family Nights could incorporate a little more"Active" time. I know that soon our schedules will be filled with extracurricular activities, school, Pre K and work and that it becomes harder and harder to plan and carry out healthy meals and work outs. Staying active and healthy on both physical and spiritual levels is very important to us but I don't want it to be something that just Ben and I do. I want it to be something that is a part of the kid's lives and hopefully something they implement in their lives as they grow up. Here are a couple ideas that we have been doing that not only lets us stay active but includes both Evie and Hudson. I love that they get to see how important it is to keep both our bodies and hearts and relationships with the Lord healthy, growing and thriving.  Try them out and feel free to share different activities you and your family do on a weekly/monthly basis.

1. Plan a healthy meal and let the kiddos help out. Have them help you pick out the recipe ( with your help of course), go grocery shopping and prepare some of the food. This will give you a choice to talk over the healthy choices and ways to stay "fed" spiritually. This also lets them help out and learn to work for the Lord and serve others.

2. Go on a nature walk. For the younger children you can put tape around their wrists and have them place different parts of God's creation on their wrists. For the bigger kids you can give them a bag and talk about the different shapes, textures and smells that the Lord has placed here on earth. Have them put different things in the bag that they find interesting. We have collected everything from feathers to rocks to bugs.

3. Adding on to the nature walk, you can have a scavenger hunt. By using scripture you can give hints or clues about different parts of nature, the outdoors and have a race ( we pair up kids with mom or dad). We take pictures with our phones and then compare the findings at the end of the hunt and talk about the different things we found that the Lord has made.

4. Have a swim or dance night. Find something fun that the kiddos love to do. Enjoy one another and really soak up the blessings that the Lord has given you. If you dont have a pool use the sprinklers, water balloons or the neighborhood pool. For those of you with subpar dance moves..... its okay, its just family.  :)

5. Dinner time Devotionals. As you sit down around the table at dinner talk about the day and the blessings of the Lord. Read a devotional and bring the Lord into the conversation. Here is a site that has great dinner devotionals.
Dinner Devotionals
Dinner Devotional Book

6. Cut out TV/Movies for a week. Have the kids play games, Hide n' Go Seek, make up dance routines. Choose anything that allows them to be active and not just sit in front of the television all day long.

7. Change out the old boring snacks. Use Ants on a Log and spark up conversation about the Lord's creation, even from the smallest of ants.  Have Apple Slices w/ a Cheese Stick or Peanut Butter and talk about how a "tree is known by its fruit" and living a life that exemplifies Christ. Make Trail Mix and talk about the times the Lord walked by himself with the Lord or the different trails/routes Paul took to spread the Gospel.

In all, being intentional is what will start the process. Get creative and have fun! Feel free to share your family activities below! :)

Lollie B

Supporting the Henry Family during July and AUGUST!!!

We have decided to extend the July family into AUGUST! All the support we get from our Chosen Child wrist bands will go directly to the Henry family! They have been anxiously waiting for their little boy that they got to host during the month of July! They are preparing more paperwork and their dossier to the country! Lets support the Henry family!

 

Here is a little more about them from Ryan, the Father:

Linda and I have been married for almost 11 years and from the begin we knew that we wanted to have a big family. While struggling with fertility issues we researched into international adoption. We have been blessed to have 3 amazing children Caden who is a sports loving 8 year old, our 6 year old fashion designer Libby, and Lexie our little entertainer who is 4. We learned about New Horizons for children through a friend who had hosted. It is a hosting organization that exists to show the love of Christ to orphans from Latvia, Ukraine, and China. A side benefit to the program is that it exposes these children to families in the United States. We honestly went into to hosting thinking that we would advocate for this child to be adopted. We were open to adoption but it just didn't seem like the "right time". Little did we know that this child was going to change our hearts.

You can follow our journey at: http://thehenryswish.blogspot.com/

Or if you would like to donate directly:
http://www.opendooradoption.org/Content/Default/1/17/16/about-us/an-open-door-charitable-fund/how-to-donate.html

How are the ways you can help support them? There are two ways besides going to their site, the first is by buying a chosen child band at our shop. They come in all different colors and great for teachers and for your keys!

Also you could buy a chosen necklace from Cap Creation site who have been great supporters in this mission.

We love being able to support each family and have the Henry family join our mission. If you would like to have a fundraiser with us, contact Julie Steed at worthyoftheprize.julie@yahoo.com we have September, October and November open for your family! 



{Hope for the Home} Linky Party: Making JOY Come Alive

He was walking down that long, dusty road from Judea to Galilee. You know the one.

Most would have taken the long way around, avoiding Samaria altogether. It was a dirty place. Filled with ungodliness.  No one wanted to associate with those people. Their very presence could contaminate you.

Coming upon Jacob's Well, he sat down, tired from the journey. When out of nowhere, she shows up, a filthy Samaritan woman. 

I imagine her daily trip to the well was a sort of escape from her life. Anything to avoid the reality of 5 former husbands and now living with a man who was not even her husband.

If only she could meet the right man, her problems would disappear.

Isn't that what we think?

If only I could find a husband...have a baby...get rich...lose weight...land a better job. Get A Drink. Then I would be happy.

Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water that I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water that I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. {John 4:13-14}

What is it that you are waiting on, to be happy?

The woman at the well came in search of water but instead, she found Jesus. Her joy was made complete, despite her circumstances. She immediately ran back to her town, leaving her water jar behind, telling everyone she encountered, "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" 

And they did. They saw a change in her and as a result, they went to him.

You see, happiness is circumstantial. True joy is found in Christ alone. Will you let him fill you up?

Family Activity for the Week...

I have found that focusing on your blessings and being grateful for what you have, instead of what you don't have, leads to joy. This week I challenge you to read 15 Happy Ways to Joyfilled, Grateful Kids and choose at least one of the activities listed to do together as a family. Be sure to leave us a comment to let us know what you did and how it turned out.

Did you do the love challenge from a few weeks ago? (sorry I am so behind on posts, we have been on the road for 3 weeks straight and I am finally getting caugt up!)

Don't forget to hang your {Joy} fruit on your Fruit of the Spirit tree and display it in your home as a visual reminder for your family this week, as you focus on joy in your home. Go here to download the printables that go with our Making the Fruit of the Spirit Come Alive in Your Home series if you missed our introductory post. And go here  for Cat's tutorial on how to make your fruit printables into glass pebble magnets, so that you can hang your tree on the refrigerator.

Happy Monday, friends! Invite your friends to join us next week as we talk about PEACE! :)

About the Author: Erin Vick Franklin is the founder and director of Worthy of the Prize. Erin has a BBA in Marketing and Management from TCU and a Masters of Christian Education in Church Recreation from Southwestern Seminary. She is a published, award-winning author and poet. Purchase her book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp to be used as an outreach tool for your church or mission organization. Erin is the wife of A, a Worship Pastor, and a work-at-home-momma to 2 crazy little boys, a and e.

F.R.E.E.D.O.M Workout/Daily Prayer

I am taking us back old school. I am going to the days of acrostics. I am channeling my inner 7th grader and putting together a F.R.E.E.D.O.M work out & prayer for the Fourth of July!

I want to take a second though and thank all that have given of themselves, their time, their safety, their loved ones and fought for the freedom we have today. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.


Okay, so here is how it goes. I have made a F.R.E.E.D.O.M acrostic for both a workout and a prayer so that you can still stay physically and spiritually healthy over this holiday weekend :)


You will go through the FREEDOM work out 2-3x and the prayer as many times as the Lord lays it on your heart.

Frog Hops
-Stand with your hands behind your head, and squat down keeping your torso upright and your head up. Jump forward several feet, jumping unnecessarily high. As your feet hit the ground, absorb the impact through your legs and then jump again. 2x10 
Run sprints.
--4 sets of sprints down and back. Try for the length of a basketball court.
Elbow to knee crunches
    (Also known as Bicycle Crunch)
-- Lay on your back and touch your elbow to your opposite knee. 2x15
Extended leg flutters
-- Lay flat on your back with your hands under your bottom. Extend your legs out until they are straight. Pull in your belly button down towards your spine and then flutter (kick) your legs up and down for 30 seconds, keeping your legs straight the entire time. 2x 30 sec.
You can do both large and small flutters
Decline push-up
--get in push up position. Place your feet on a box or bench. Proceed to do a push up.  2x15
Open side lunge
- Chest up and hands out in front of you. Step out into a lung. Split your feet. One foot forward, the other foot back. Lower your back knee to the ground. Keeping your chest up. This is a lunge. Twist your body, with your arms still out in front, to the open side. (Side of the knee that is back)  Come back to the front and stand up.  Lung forward again with the opposite leg and repeat. 2x15
Mountain Climbers.
For the correct way to do a mountain climber click here. Do 2 sets of 30 seconds each. Really drive those knees up to your chest.


Freedom prayer. We want to pray for the following people/categories and lift them up the Lord. You may add to this prayer as you feel led to. My desire is for you to make it as specific as you can to your circumstance and those around you.  Start by giving praise to the Lord for all He is and all he has done and then ask Him to open your heart and ears to all he has to say. Then lift up your petitions to our mighty God. He wants to hear from us.


Friends/Family- both saved and unsaved
Run to him with everything. Lay it at his feet and in Him find peace, comfort and strength
Exalt His name throughout the World.
Establish strong, faithful, Christian leaders in our cities, states and country.
Desiring more of Him. A hunger and passion for the Word of God.
Opportunities to share the gospel with the lost around us.
Missionaries and Missions. Protection, energy, and comfort as they proclaim the gospel.

To see the previous posts in the {Faith and Fitness series}, go here.

About the Author: Lauren Barksdale is the founder of Soul Fitness. She has a BA and Masters in Kinesiology from Dallas Baptist University . She coached volleyball at Birdville High School in North Richland Hills for the last 5 years. In college she played volleyball for Baylor's club team and at Dallas Baptist University. She has been married to Ben Barksdale for 5 years and has two children; Evie Grace who is 3 and Hudson who is 10 months old. Lauren has a passion for health and fitness and incorporating that into everyday life as a Christ follower

{Hope for the Home} Linky Party: Making LOVE Come Alive

She had nothing. Nothing but a life filled with sin. Nothing but an alabaster jar filled with perfume.

 

Jesus was having dinner in the home of Simon, the Pharisee. Surrounded by the religious leaders of the day when she showed up. Uninvited. And obviously unwanted.

Right there at the dinner table, she washed Jesus' feet with her tears and poured out her expensive perfume onto his feet. A repentant sinner, anointing him with the only valuable thing she owned.

Seeing what she had done, Simon said, "if this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is -- that she is a sinner."

To which Jesus replied, "Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he cancelled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"

"I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."

"You have judged correctly...Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven-- for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

What is it that you value? What have you been holding onto, keeping for yourself, putting above your relationship with God?

This woman loved Jesus so much, she gave everything she had. What a beautiful testimony of faith.

Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. {1 John 4:7-10}

Family Activity for the Week...

Gather together and have each family member tell one thing that they are going to do this week to show love to Jesus and others. One of the best ways to show love is to put another person before yourself. Sacrifice something for them in the same way that Christ made the ultimate sacrifice for us on the cross. Give up something for them.

Leave me some comments to let me know what you did and how it went. I will be praying for you!

Don't forget to hang your Love fruit on your Fruit of the Spirit tree and display it in your home as a visual reminder for your family this week, as you focus on love in your home. Go here to download the printables that go with our Making the Fruit of the Spirit Come Alive in Your Home series if you missed our introductory post last week. And go here  for Cat's tutorial on how to make your fruit printables into glass pebble magnets, so that you can hang your tree on the refrigerator.

Happy Monday, friends! Invite your friends to join us next week as we talk about JOY! :)

About the Author: Erin Vick Franklin is the founder and director of Worthy of the Prize. Erin has a BBA in Marketing and Management from TCU and a Masters of Christian Education in Church Recreation from Southwestern Seminary. She is a published, award-winning author and poet. Purchase her book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp to be used as an outreach tool for your church or mission organization. Erin is the wife of A, a Worship Pastor, and a work-at-home-momma to 2 crazy little boys, a and e.

"find joy in the journey" celebration giveaway!

Welcome to the PARTY!!!

We are celebrating the fact that after over a year of hard work, our "find joy in the journey" Ebook is finally published, it is getting lots of downloads and the feedback from those who have already read it is amazing!!!

Praise the Lord! It is our prayer as Stevie states in Chapter 12, that "this book reach hundreds of people who are searching for something bigger than this world." 

To God be the glory, may it change lives and further His kingdom, bringing true joy to all who read it, no matter where they are on their journey!

Go here for a description of the book, to read the incredible reviews we already have on our Reviews page and to download your copy!

And now...drumroll please...here are the 4 fabulous celebration giveaway items up for grabs!!! They will go to 4 different winners! Aren't they pretty?!

1. A super-cute fun flops large utility tote from Thirty-One Gifts...perfect for hauling all of your towels, toys, equipment to the park, pool, beach in style this summer! It was donated by the lovely Maureen Emmett who also said that she will donate 20% of all orders referred by me back to my ministry, so if you've been waiting to order, NOW is the time! Place your order here, email her at maureenrossi@hotmail.com or call her at 423-972-1688...just be sure to tell her that I sent you! By the way, the large utility tote is my favorite 31 item, I own 3 myself! And this adorable pattern is ONLY available during the month of June...don't miss it!

2. A Kindle E-reader with the "find joy in the journey" Ebook downloaded onto it! David C. Cook sent this to me as a thank you for the book reviews I have done for them and I have decided to give it to one of you...because I am SO thankful for YOU!

3. A custom, handmade summer fun tote bag in grey chevron from NeeJee Wear, perfect for carrying stuff to the park, pool, beach this summer...can even fit a couple of rolled-up beach towels in it! It is made out of laminated fabric, which makes it super easy to wipe down and keep clean! Love!

4. A custom 16x20 painted "find joy in the journey" canvas from Bee Creative (a fun art studio that my family LOVES to go to), which would look fantastic hanging in any home! A perfect daily reminder that because God is with you on your journey, there is JOY to be found, despite your circumstances!

"And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" {Esther 4:14}

Oh my!! So exciting!! We will have you all set for a little reading on the beach this summer! And trust me...all of these items are EVEN CUTER in person!!!

To enter the giveaway, follow the prompts in the Rafflecopter form below. You MUST answer the first question (after you login, click where it says Answer A Question!) to be eligible for the giveaway! All other entries are simply to increase your chances of winning!

Goodluck! You can enter through Sunday, June 30th. All 4 winners will be randomly selected and announced Monday, July 1st. Must be 18 years old and US resident to enter. No international shipments.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author: Erin Vick Franklin is the founder and director of Worthy of the Prize. Erin has a BBA in Marketing and Management from TCU and a Masters of Christian Education in Church Recreation from Southwestern Seminary. She is a published, award-winning author and poet. Purchase her book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp to be used as an outreach tool for your church or mission organization. Erin is the wife of A, a Worship Pastor, and a work-at-home-momma to 2 crazy little boys, a and e.

Supporting the Besancon's through June!

We have decided to continue to support the chosen child  Besancon family through the end of June!! We were delighted to hear that the original June family "The Kramel's" received all of their money to bring their child home! Please continue to support the Besancon family during their journey!

We are John, Kelli, Quinn, and Caroline Besancon. John and I have been married for 8 years and have two sweet children: Quinn, an energetic and train-loving little boy who is 3 years old and Caroline, a joyful and sassy little girl who is 1 year old. God has been developing in us a heart for adoption since before we were married and we are now in the process of that journey! After much prayer and research, we feel God is calling us to domestic adoption. We love that we may have the opportunity to be an option for a birth mother to choose life over abortion and that we may have the opportunity to share the gospel with our child's birth family. Just as we are adopted by God through Christ, we are excited to share that love with our future son or daughter. We have been in awe of how God has provided exactly what we need each step of the way through this process already. As we continue to fill out the (never-ending!) paperwork and pray for our future son or daughter and his/her birth mother, we are so thankful for this opportunity to share our story and take part in this fundraiser.

How can you help and support them? There are two ways:

1. Buy a Chosen Child Adoption Band {wristlet keychain} from the Worthy of the Prize STORE.

2. Buy a Chosen Child Adoption Necklace from Cap Creations.

We love how each of our families get supported each month by our followers! If you have any questions or would like to be a family in August or September, E-mail Julie at worthyoftheprize.julie@yahoo.com!!!!

About the Author: Julie Steed is the director of Worthy of the Prize Orphan Ministries. She runs both the Chosen Child Adoption Ministry and the Orphan Ball Ministry. Julie has a BA in Psychology and is working towards her Masters in Counseling, hoping to become an adoption counselor someday soon. Julie is married to C, a College Dorm Director.

{Faith & Fitness}: Summertime

Summertime is a welcomed season around here. Sure, I get tired of the heat! But I'm a huge fan of lounging around in the mornings, freedom to do as we please each week, longer days, and sometimes even later bedtimes for the kiddos. I joked with my husband that I would be an awesome stay at home mom if it were summer year round! I am terrible at getting up early and getting everyone out the door on time. I'm also not a fan of the school drop off and pick up. I feel like I waste so much time during the day running carpool. So as soon as summer hits, it's like we all feel refreshed. We have a routine but there's generally no stress. That's my kinda schedule!

And since there's not much stress of any sort (I can not tell you how much better our nights are now that we aren't dealing with homework and making lunches, Lord have mercy, the lunches), it's a whole lot easier to say yes to the kids when they ask to go on bike rides or to play basketball and even jump on the trampoline. So take advantage of the time and get out and be active together...all the while making some great summer memories.... and not to mention burning some extra calories!

And if you are one of the lucky ones that has a pool or access to a pool, use it to your advantage and do your workouts in it.  It's easy on the joints and a great cardio workout. Plus you'll stay cool doing it and if it's outside, you'll get a great tan, too! ;)

Try out all of these or a variety of these exercises and make yourself a pool routine:

1. Swimming laps! Swimming truly is a great alternative to running. If you have a pool where you can do laps, then maybe change up your workout a couple days a week and get in the pool instead of on the treadmill. Since everyone's swimming ability is different, some might tire after only a few laps. I would start by swimming 4 laps in a row and then resting. Repeat until you have done 16-20 laps total. Adjust numbers accordingly.

2. Treading water in the deep end. Start with normal treading water by using your arms and legs and then add in this variation. Make small circles with cupped hands and lift right leg to hip level, keep left leg down. Hold for 5-10 seconds and then switch legs. Keep alternating every 5-10 seconds for a total of 30 seconds to a minute. Do 3 sets.

3. In the shallow end do squat jumps (pull knees to chest when you jump). (Start with squats if you need). Continue squat jumps for 30 seconds and then rest for 30. Do a total of 3 sets. (You can adjust times and set numbers as needed)

4. Jumping/alternating lunges. Again stay in the shallow end and lunge with your right leg, jump up, and bring your left leg in front and lunge. Continue for 30 seconds. Rest for 30 seconds. Do a total of 3 sets.

5. In the shallow end, run in the pool (not running in place, actually run). Run for 3 minutes, then rest a minute. Do 3 sets. You can do all kinds of things besides running (skipping, karaoke, jumping, etc).

6. Using the side of the pool, stretch your hamstrings. This is one of my all time favorites to do in the pool. Put your hands on the side of the pool and hold on. Put your feet against the side of the pool (in the water) and then straighten out your legs as far as you can. Hold for 30 seconds. And repeat as many times as needed.

So as you are feeling physically refreshed with a change of pace, a new routine, and maybe even a new workout, don't forget to refresh and renew your mind.

Come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing, and perfect will. Romans 12:2

I recently started reading Jesus Calling each day and this definitely has been refreshing. Praying we all remember to renew our minds in Christ daily.

To see the previous posts in the {Faith and Fitness series}, go here.

About the Author: Jessica Vick Lewis is a Worthy of the Prize volleyball coach. She was the assistant volleyball coach at Martin High School for 5 years and the assistant volleyball coach at Seguin High School  for 1 year, before she began "staying home" with her boys full-time. Check out her Advocare site for all of your health and wellness needs and follow her family blog to see what her and her boys are up to! Jessica is married to S, a Construction Manager, and they have 3 little boys...c, e and n.