Free ebook: 31 Days to Clean

One of my biggest personal struggles in being a wife/mommy is keeping my house clean. Sarah Mae from Like A Warm Cup of Coffee has written an ebook called "31 Days to Clean: A Martha House the Mary Way" and is giving away free copies to anyone who posts about it on their blog, facebook, or twitter. After you have shared this book with your friends, email Sarah Mae the link to it, and she will email you a copy of the book! (this offer expires tonight at 12midnight, EST)

I have so much to learn about keeping my home clean!

Thanks, Money Saving Mom!

Book Review: "Out of a Far Country"

I first met the author, Christopher Yuan, at Moody Bible Institute where we were both students together, and had many mutual friends. I quickly came to know him as a man who loved to laugh, sing with his whole heart in the gospel choir, passionately serve those who didn't know the Lord, as well as slow down to sit and listen intently to a fellow student. During my time at Moody, he shared with his fellow students bits and pieces of his past story, and continually testified to the power of God's desire to redeem all individuals. There's just no other way to describe Christopher as anything but passionate about seeing others come to know the love of Jesus Christ.

So my husband (also a fellow MBI student) and I were excited to read more of his story in his new book, "Out Of A Far Country" that he had co-authored with his mother, Angela Yuan. As I started the book, it seemed unreal to read the beginning chapters and try to compute that man with the Christopher we knew in college. What an amazing, incredible story of how God has the power to radically change a person's life! Before knowing Christ in a personal way, we are all selfish and seeking that what pleases us. After Christ, He steps in to start changing us from the inside out, transforming every believer's life to be more selfless and passionate of loving others. From the first page until the last, this book strongly carried the message of God's plan of redemption, seeking and saving all of us who were once lost!

The best way to capture the heart of this "Out of a Far Country" is from the following excerpt:
    "The story that is told in Out of a Far Country is a true account of God's seeking and saving two people who were lost (see Luke 19:10): a mother who was so distraught she had decided to kill herself, and a son whose pursuit of pleasure, money, and success led to arrest, prison, and a life-threatening illness. Both mother nd son hit bottom, and at different times they both turned to God. The changes in their lives are nothing short of miraculous." (pg. 205)

Please take a quick moment to rate this review here! I am new at reviewing books, and would love feedack via rankings!

Out of a Far Country was released on May 3rd, 2011. Right now you can order it on Amazon for $8.70 (list price $14.99).

"Out of a Far Country" is hands-down the best book I've requested and reviewed as part of Waterbrook Multnomah's "Blogging for Books" program.

* Disclosure: "I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review, as part of their "Blogging for Books" program."

Book Review: Lillies in Moonlight

If you pick up "Lillies in Moonlight", be ready to enjoy a ride through America's Roaring 20's. The author, Allison Pittman, creatively takes her readers through various elements in the 1920's, giving a taste of some of the joys & struggles present in such a tumultuous time! Lilly, the main character, shows the new lifestyle being offered to young women throughout the country because of the women's liberation movement, and Cullen, another character, shows how during the "Roaring 20's" America was still a country recovering from the pain of a war (World War I). This is a great historical fiction, not getting bogged down in details, but staying true to the time period. Woven through the entire story is the ageless message of God's love for each and every person, and His desire to have a personal relationship with every individual. It gives a story of grace and redemption, love and forgiveness. I definitely enjoyed the book and recommend it to others who like historical fiction!

Lands' End: 30% off EVERYTHING plus FREE SHIPPING!!! (through 4/11)

Lands' End, an online clothing store, is offering 30% off everything storewide, plus free shipping, when you use  promo code "FAMILYSHARE" and pin "6319" at checkout. This applies even to their "Overstocks"  (clearanced items). I saw quite a few fantastic winter coats/jackets already marked 50% off, and this 30% would be on top of that. This offer expires Monday, April 11th.

I have been waiting to order a new pair of water shoes, and this was the perfect time! The Women's Mary Jane Water Shoes in Overstocks are only $11.15 shipped with this discount (normally $39.95). Can't wait to see if they fit!!! (there is a much larger selection for wide width, though...)

If you sign-up, or sign in, to Ebates, you can also earn 6% cashback at Landsend! (so sign in, then click on Landsend, which will open a new screen. Stay in they screen to make your selection, and purchase what you want... Ebates will track it and credit your account! New members automatically get $5 added to your account! Refer a friend, and both of you get $5*!)

I can vouch that Lands' End products are usually high quality and last a long time... I have been buying swimsuits, clothing, coats, winter accessories, and shoes from Lands' End for over 15 years. If you are dissastified for any reason, their customer service does an excellent job of replacing/returning an item. You can also return items directly to any Sears, saving yourself the return postage fee (several times I have ordered two sizes of something, then returned the size that didn't fit). I especially like the quality & modesty of many of their swimsuits... Even though the new ones can be pricey, they last several summers easily.


* Ebates offers a "Tell-A-Friend" program, giving both of you and your friend $5. So yes, that is my referral link posted above! Grab your referral link and start sharing with friends!

Groupon: $10 for $20 at CiCi's in Niles, OH

Head over to Groupon and snag today's local deal: $10 for $20 at CiCi's in Niles, OH, by Eastwood Mall. That definitely makes for a fun, budget-friendly family night out! Or a cheap hang-out night with three other friends if y'all all pitch in $2.50 instead of the usual $5. Remember, it usually takes 24hours to be able to print your groupon to take with you!