The Life of Joseph: A Review and Giveaway

It was with much anticipation and eagerness that we started school today.  I wrestled with our start date . . . being one of the last to launch our studies out of my group of friends.

As I was prepping Monday night for the big day, butterflies attempted to take flight.  I thought myself silly . . . as did the Engineer.  Regardless of my experience in teaching, I was still nervous. 

Maybe it was because I wanted everything perfect.  I desired that my students enter with excitement, curiosity, and thirst for new knowledge. 

As I nestled into my teacher chair this morning, I breathed a sigh of contentment.  Content, not that I am homeschooling, content because I was in the Word with my kiddos . . . enjoying fellowship with them and rich conversations.

So, if you think that Stick Figuring Through the Bible is just for homeschoolers, think again. 

It’s for any family that has a desire to study the living Word of God together relying on Scripture to interpret Scripture.  Priceless.

This past summer (that ended yesterday for us) was spent studying about a man named Joseph.  He traveled to Canada with us and later to Wisconsin.  I must admit Joseph was largely ignored in Wisconsin, BUT the fact remains that GrapeVine Studies will travel.

Just like your Bible.  Just like God. 

Not much has changed regarding how we study the Bible using our GrapeVine Bible curriculum, other than my new markers.

My IRL friend, Dianna Wiebe, has a tendency (which I love) to use rather colorful drawings.

I never had the right colors for our last Grapevine study, much to the dismay of my sons.

Not so now. 

Like I said, not much has changed how we study the Bible.   But Grapevine has made some huge changes on their end that are pretty slick.  And are slightly tree-hugging.  Which I like.

Notice in the above picture . . . 4 lessons are on one page instead of only two lessons being hosted on one page (as illustrated in the below picture).

The Joseph lesson begins with a timeline . . . an overview to give you and your children an idea of the grand scheme . . . the entire story.

After taking the survey, you then enter the story . . . you begin to grasp the details of the story so that you can apply them to your life. 

Each lesson ends with a review.

I heart Grapevine Studies . . . especially knowing what I know about the people behind this curriculum.

You have the opportunity to join us in studying Joseph this year! 

Enter to Win a hard copy or an ebook of the Life of Joseph (complete with teacher’s manual)

from GrapeVine Studies! 

or you may purchase them directly from Grapevine Studies at 20% off all items NOT on already on sale using the coupon code blog55! 

Please list each entry separately!!!!  Winner will be chosen via www.random.org.

(Mandatory)  Visit this Grapevine Study link and tell me how you would teach your student.

1. Become one of my fans through Google Connect.
2. Tweet about this giveaway using the following :   @GranolaMom4God is hosting @GrapevineStudies Life of Joseph giveaway:
   http://j.mp/qZE5FO
3. Would you like the e-book or a paper manual? And what level?  Click this link to see your choices.
4. Like Grapevine on Facebook.
5. Follow Grapevine on Twitter.
6. Subscribe to my blog.
7. Try a Sample study over at Grapevine Studies.

Remember, only #1 is mandatory. The rest of the entries are optional (bonus), but you MUST comment separately for each one.

The Fine Print: I will email you when you have won. You must respond within 48 hours.

Contest ends September 20, 2011 at Midnight (not that I will be awake)

Want to keep up with the Granola Mom 4 God blog? Sign up to get my posts emailed to your doorstep right here, delivered to your reader of choice.  Or just like Granola Mom on Facebook.

This is a Test.

I want to see if you are paying attention.

Because I am. 

And I’m sorry I don’t have pictures. 

A few months ago, I hosted a giveaway that received over 300 entries.  It was for a toy.

Toys are great.  I am a fan of toys, as you know.  I am a wood toy SNOB to the max. 

But it costs about 20 bucks and will one day be boxed up like most of Andy’s toys (for you Toy Story folks).  This greatly concerns my sons. 

Not only will the toy one day collect dust and be forgotten, it won’t sustain life. 

It won’t heal.  It won’t give back the things that the How to Cook Real Food online course will teach you . . . provide for your family.

It has a lifetime value . . . in fact, I would wager a generational value.  Because the things that I have learned from Jenny McGruther and others . . . I am passing on to my children.

And should the Lord tarry . . . it will be passed on to their children.

That’s just how it works. 

Right now I am hosting a giveaway that is worth $199 full market value.  You have the opportunity to win it for free AND receive three months of Nourished Kitchen weekly menu plans. 

I can’t even begin to tell you the time those menu plans save you.  Step by step.  Down to what you can chop a week ahead of time. 

Don’t miss out. 

Sign up before September 15, 2011 and you will automatically save $50. 

Use the coupon code GRANOLAMOM and you will save another $25. 

Take the class and receive three months worth of meal plans gains you $30 plus your time.

Total savings = $105.

Or enter to win it for free. 

Let me give you another opportunity to earn more entries.

Here is why.

I’m honest. 

The person who wins the How to Cook Real Food course will be chosen by www.random.org.  I won’t fudge it or pick my favorite person.

But I do have a favorite.  It’s someone I know. 

I want her to win.  BUT I also want her to get a run for the money (time) she has been spending on gaining the most entries. 

Because if she doesn’t win, I want to (while I’m being honest) earn enough through my affiliate sales of this class to buy my friend the class. 

So, I’m not trying to go below the belt . . . or  grovel . . . well, I might be groveling.  But I’m being honest.  Truthful. 

Make my friend have to work harder. 

• Enter to win The How To Cook Real Food Course by watching this video.  Once you watch it, leave a comment on the contest blog post. 

• Visit The How To Cook Real Food Course lesson plan and list the three courses you are most excited to watch.  List each course separately for a total of three entries.
• Find out what the Bonus Lesson is . . . and like the others, leave a comment on the original contest post. 
• And for fun, go through my archives and tell me what one of your favorite posts is along with the link!  (Leave a comment here.)

Giveaway ends September 5, 2011.

If I Gave You a Baby Gift: A Lovey

A lovey. 

That soft doll that by the end of your childhood -- only you could adore . . . due to the well worn places loved by moving figures. 

My lovey was the female version of Snoopy.  I don’t know her real name. 

I called her Bell.

Before that was Dog.  My mom had to sew Dog’s neck a few times, as represented by the ribbon that mimicked a scarf worn for a baptism on a spring day.  Pale yellow.

Dog, also a Snoopy, never was white.  At least that I recall.  He looked more like Scooby Doo.  Mostly because he was filled with love dirt.  Child dreams.  Tears. 

For some reason, lovies bring comfort. 

They are the faithful friend. 

The representation of safety, security, companionship.

We have several in our house.  Go figure.  With four children there are bound to be favorite, treasured stuffed animals.

We have a giraffe called, “Help.”  Because he helps my son when he is scared. 

Another orange creature called, “Leon.”  He was given to Gabe at Christmas and is Noel spelled backwards.

“Puppy” wanders around complete with a leash, bell, and collar.

And now . . . Irene.  Soft cotton.  Visually stimulating.  Fringe.  Jingles.

It began with a simple follow on Twitter.  Which initiated a discussion.  Then a package in the mail.  And now a giveaway.  (Partially because I enjoy getting the word out about crafty moms . . . hence several of my Baby item giveaways!)

Handmade.

Complete with a crinkle noise.  And a loop. 

Wanna win a Lovey for your little one?  You will be BLESSED!!!!!!

Mandatory:  Visit Made on Fifth Street’s website and tell me what doll you would like to win. 

• Follow Sarah, owner of FifthStreetMama on Twitter.  And tweet about the giveaway as often as you like!
• Like Made on Fifth Street on Facebook. 
• Become a Fan of Granola Mom 4 God (look over on the side for all the people).
• Leave a comment on any posts that I write leading up to September 16th. Then, leave a comment here and say you left a comment elsewhere on my blog.  I know . . . redundant.  But it makes it easier for me to count how many entries I have.)

Open to Canada and the United States only.  Must be a doll that is in stock, as Sarah is expecting a baby girl any day now!

Giveaway ends:  September 16, 2011 at Midnight.  Winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond.

Five Minute Friday: Rest

It may sound silly.  Dramatic.  Childish.

But I *heart* 5 Minute Friday.  It is like five minutes of rest for me.  Rest. 

Rest from a required blog post.  Rest from editing a photo.  Rest from trying to be crafty.  Perfect.  Intriguing.  Gripping. 

Rest from something that I do for free.  I call that silly.  But at times it is true.  This blog has become its own beautiful beast.  Which is a whole different story.

God called us out of Colorado to find rest.  To do rest His way.  A sabbath’s rest.  We haven’t perfected that practiced rest.  That true rest.  Try as we might.  Which is why we probably haven’t entered that true rest.

Rest is sitting.  A coffee in hand.  A book to read when you aren’t worried about time or what you have to do afterwards. 

Rest is uninterrupted sleep.  Rest is fellowship without worries.  Sitting amongst friends and just being. 

Rest is what I would like to do when I see my dog up on the couch.  Ruth knows how to rest.

Five Minute Friday’s are sponsored by The Gypsy Mama.  I heart them. 

I Have Featured It Several Times

You may have seen a picture popping up on my blog recently.

I’m kind of proud of it. 

It has been a long time in the making.

And everyone is looking at the camera.

Everyone *almost* looks like they are having a good time.

The picture was taken at Fort Wilderness.  The canvas was made for me . . . a custom job thanks to,

It was easy, as their name implies.  I probably spent all but 5 minutes making it?

It looks great. 

I have it residing in the kitchen on my “mom” reference bookshelf.  This bookshelf is in my line of vision from my “assigned” seat.

Would I randomly use Easy Canvas Prints?  That would depend on if I had a coupon.  The 8x10 I received costs $33.53.

Ouch.  BUT if you “like” them on Facebook you can receive 50% off plus free shipping.  They offer other deals, too. 

So I am told.

Soooooooooo . . . yes, I would order a print.  For $15 – that sounds reasonable.

Perfect for a newborn print . . . a family portrait . . . or a random fabulous shot I happen to take while in my manual setting, soon-to-be thanks to Angela’s ebook, Life As You See It, from which the proceeds will be put towards the adoption of their daughter, Rose.

(By the way, that was one of the best run-on sentences that I have EVER written!)

It’s easy.  I am happy.  And you can do all sorts of things to your canvas to get it looking to JUST the way you want it.  (I had our photo wrap around.)

Have fun!

Disclaimer:  I was not paid for this post nor do I have an affiliate status with Easy Canvas Prints.  In exchange for an honest review, Easy Canvas Prints sent me an 8x10  canvas of my picture choice.  I wanted a recent and decent print of my family . . . and this review came along at a great time!  I promise that I won’t keep doing all sorts of reviews.  But I really liked this review.