Skipping This Week

I apologize to those of you who came looking for my thoughts on rest this week. I have been lost in the Alaskan summer (far more projects than hours in the day). One of them is helping my neighbor who is fighting severe breast cancer. The hours to be writing have escaped me. Please pray for my neighbor and me as I minster to her.
Thank you.

Julie Federico Interview

Welcome, Julie. Where are you from? 

I live in Denver, CO.

How did you get started in writing?    

I wrote my first book Some Parts are Not for Sharing in 2007 after working as a middle school counselor for many years.  I heard all types of abuse stories from my students.  After hearing the all too frequent story about how mom's boyfriend harmed yet another student I said "Enough!"  From this point on I began trying to reach out to children at a young age and teach them about appropriate boundaries.  My books are for young readers 0-7 years old.  I am the only author talking to babies about domestic violence and child abuse prevention.

Why did you write Anger is Okay Violence Is Not? 

I wrote this book in April 2011 after presenting at a Headstart Preschool in Hartford, CT.  I was visiting multiple Headstarts and sharing the prevention message in Some Parts are Not for Sharing.  At one of the schools the director looked right at me and said "We love your child abuse prevention book.  We need a book like this on domestic violence prevention."  I said "I am not done with marketing Some Parts are Not for Sharing yet."  She said "You do not have to be done, just please write another book on domestic violence."  I wrote the book on the plane ride home.  I had no idea the scope of this problem until I began to market the book.  Almost 9 million children under the age of 18 witness domestic violence each year.

Do you have a favorite story to tell about the impact of your writing?  

The biggest impact is from young mothers who tell me they were not protected as a child and want to make sure to give this information to their children.  I love speaking to students, but when I can address a room full of receptive parents I get giddy.  Parents are the ones who drive their children into or away from danger.  Parents are the ones who decide if they will share the prevention message with their child or remain silent.  I think if you choose to remain silent on this topic your child will be or may already have been harmed.  Talk about prevention with your child before the perpetrator puts lies into their head; "This is our secret."  "No one will believe you."  Telling your children you will believe them if they ever report any inappropriate boundary issues is like giving your child a gift that no amount of money can buy.  Being a small, innocent, powerless individual every child needs prevention information.
 
What can parents do to protect their children from child abuse?
1. Read Some Parts are Not for Sharing to your child over and over.  To read or order the book visit www.juliefederico.com
2. Make it safe to tell.  Tell your children repeatedly that if anyone touches them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable you want to know.
3. Believe that anyone could cross inappropriate boundaries with your child.
4. Never say to your child if they report an incident, "They would never do that."
 
If children know that it is okay to tell parents, then if something happens that makes them uncomfortable you are laying the ground work for them to talk.  This is superior to not saying anything to your child, then praying that no harm comes their way.  Prevention is power, with this knowledge your child has a much better chance of staying safe and not suffering from long term abuse in silence.

Have you written other books? 

Only two. However, Some Parts are Not for Sharing is also available in Spanish.

Do you have more books planned? 

Yes, many more.

Are there other resources you would like to recommend to families on these hard issues?
Another great body safety books is: Jon Holsten's TheSwimsuit Lesson  
Child Help works for the prevention and treatment of child abuse:

How do people get Anger is Okay Violence Is Not?


Enter for a free paperback of Anger is Okay Violence is Not: Leave a comment  by June 30. On July 1 I will draw a name from those who have commented. Be sure you enter your email address(just so I can read it) so I can contact you if you win.

Winner of the free copy is Stephanie!

You can purchase Julie's books at Tate Publishing, amazon, and many other retailers.

Links to Some Parts are Not for Sharing: Tate Publishing , Kindle version on Amazon

Links to Anger is Okay Violence is Not: Tate Publishing , Kindle version on Amazon

Please consider sharing this post online, where ever you share – facebook, twitter, etc.

Anger is Okay – Review & Giveaway

Read below how to enter for a copy of Anger is Okay Violence is Not.
Winner of the free copy is Stephanie!

It’s okay to get angry. What can you do when you get angry? Hit?  Bite? Throw things? NO! Play? Cry? Talk to someone? YES!

Julie K. Federico wrote Anger is Okay Violence is Not to help raise awareness among children about domestic violence. Set under the sea with fish of all kinds getting angry for many reasons and written in a question and answer style it’s a great  discussion starter. She helps kids know what to do when they are angry and what to do when the adults in their life are violent.

Anger is Okay Violence is Not would be a great help in starting conversations about

• what makes your children mad
• acceptable ways to deal with anger in your home
• righteous verses unrighteous anger
• forgiveness
• how keeping anger hurts you - often more than the other person

This is a cute book with an important message. “Anger should not hurt others.”

Anger is Okay Violence is Not would be a great resource for classrooms and children in homes with domestic violence. Julie provides resources and contact information in the back.

If you visit www.juliefederico.com you can read Julie’s first book, Some Parts are Not for Sharing. She is passionate about helping children so the book is there for everyone to read anytime, FREE! Neat idea!

Tomorrow I hope you’ll stop by to read a little of Julie's story as she shares her passion to make a difference for children and families.

How to enter for a free paperback of Anger is Okay Violence is Not: Leave a comment below by June 30. On July 1 I will draw a name from those who have commented. Be sure you enter your email address so I can contact you if you win.

You can purchase Julie's books at Tate Publishing, amazon, and many other retailers.

Links to Some Parts are Not for Sharing: Tate Publishing , Kindle version on Amazon

Links to Anger is Okay Violence is Not: Tate Publishing , Kindle version on Amazon

Please consider sharing this post online, where ever you share – facebook, twitter, etc.

Resting Place

We went away this weekend to our resting place.  We enjoyed the scenery, the sounds, even the snow. Mostly we enjoyed the rest.

Scripture uses the phrase “resting place” three times in the KJV.

The first time is in Numbers. Israel is looking for a physical place to rest for them and the ark of the covenant. I really like Moses declaration when the ark is set to rest. God’s presence with Israel is resting and his enemies will scatter and flee. No wonder resting in Him is so powerful.

Numbers 10:33-35

(33)  And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them.

(34)  And the cloud of the LORD was upon them by day, when they went out of the camp.

(35)  And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee.

The second time is in a prayer of David’s asking for God to rise to His resting place. It seems God answers prayers from His resting place.

2 Chronicles 6:41

(41)  Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness.

The third mention of resting place is a warning to the wicked. They are warned not to spoil the resting place of the righteous.

Proverbs 24:15

(15)  Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:

When I first read this verse I realized the righteous are to have a resting place. After seeing the other mentions of resting place I am wondering if the warning is because like our God our power is in our resting, in our covenant with Him for protection and provision. Spoil can mean rob or destroy.

God has a resting place. We, the righteous, have a resting place in God. He gave us one day in seven to rest, to be refreshed.

Question: Do you have a physical place of rest? How often do you go there?

Challenge: Choose, find or make a place of rest in our near your home so you can rest often.

Practicing Rest

My soul finds rest.... -Psalm 62:1-2

image All Rights Reserved © Lamplight 2012

I’m nearly half way through my year of focusing on rest. Not that I have been resting all year. I would really like to say that I have been, especially spiritually; but I haven’t been.

Yesterday I was silently pleading with God for answers and peace.
“I’m tired” I thought.

“Rest” he said.

I have been learning about rest, not so much learning to rest. I have learned, sometimes and in some things. 

I am a person who likes plans – detailed, thorough plans. My life has very little of those right now. Instead of applying what I have learned and resting in the love of my Father I was tiring myself out trying to find answers and make plans.

I am reminded again as Psalms 62 says God is the only place of rest. My plans, even the best ones I can imagine are not a place to rest. They are unstable and always subject to change. Resting in God my rock is the only place I will not be shaken.

To learn to rest I must practice. When I'm wondering and scheming for the future I must remember his promises to me.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.(Jeremiah 29:11)

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.(Romans 8:28)

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.(Philippians 4:19)

Question: How do you practice resting in the Lord?
Challenge: Search your heart for an area you are not resting. Search the Bible to see what God has to say about it.

"What's for Dinner Mom?" Review

This giveaway is closed, but it's still a great book :)

Trying to figure out what to make for dinner every night is tiring. I don’t want to think of new things to make, yet I don’t want to make the same things so much my family doesn’t want to eat them anymore. I have considered many different options. However I find yet again I’m stuck not knowing what to make or what to put on my grocery list. 

Price $12.97

This is why I was quite excited to see the topic for this month’s Gabby Mom review. Lorrie Flem, the mother of eight, has written a cooking resource called "What's for Dinner Mom?". This is a nearly 200 page spiral bound cook book and SO much more.

I figure a woman who has figured it out for a family twice the size of mine has to have some insights I can benefit from. I was right. Lorrie shares her successes and failures with simplifying the cooking for her family. This includes an overview of several different methods, what she liked about them, what didn’t work so well. There are tips for freezing your meals. Lorrie provides insight into setting up your kitchen to work for you. Beyond the tips and advice there are recipes. Recipes tried not only by Lorrie’s family, but other families, too. You’ll also find: (From EE’s description)

• A revolutionary bulk-cooking plan that won't kill you
• Tightwad shopping tips
• Resourceful storage ideas
• Freezer know-how
• What kitchen tools are worth the investment
• Time saving suggestions
• Ideas on how to include the children
• And of course, scrumptious family recipes, each one tested and the results listed for you to see
• Tips and directions for a month's worth of meals in a few afternoons

This is a book I look forward to using. Reading Lorrie's journey inspires me to keep going and finding what works for me and my family.
There are two ways you can get a copy for yourself. First, you can head over to the EE website and purchase a copy for $12.97. Second, you can leave a comment here, be sure to leave your email address so you can be contacted if you win. One winner will be chosen June 23 from the winning Gabby Mom’s blog. To increase your chance of winning visit all the Gabby Moms and encourage them as well. 
Here they are: Gabby Moms 2012 

• Amanda Bracknell @ Life's Simple Stories
• Amanda Carlson @ Zolmama
• Ana Cooper @  My Knights and Maidens
• Audra Silva @ AudraSilva.com
• Betsy Price @ Mrs. Price is Right about Homeschooling
• Caroline Shinn @ Living, Loving and Learning with the Lord
• Charity Vanderhoof @ Vanderhoof House
• Cindy Lemay @ For One Another
• Deanna Welch @ Embracing My Mission
• Elizabeth Yenca @ Educating Our Boys
• Emily Quintana @ Blessed Homemaking
• Hazel Mae Cajandig @ My Little Professor
• Heather Gaffney @ Behind the Scenes
• Jalynn Patterson@ A Simple Life, Really?!
• Jen Steed @ Happy Little Homemaker
• Jenifer Metzger @ Sweet Blessings
• Jennifer Self @ Cherish the Call
• Karilyn Putt @ 4dputts
• Laurie Bostwick @ Abundant Blessings
• Mary Clendenin @ The Encouraging Home
• Melissa Waters @ Melissa's Musings
• Nicole Vaughn @ Confessions of a Christian Housewife
• Sandra Norris @ Rustic Country
• Rita Hernandez @ Rita Reviews
• Sarah Coller @ Hope in Every Season
• Trish Rock @ A House Upon The Rock
• Vera Christian @ Vera Christian | Mom University
• Yvana Hernandez @ Grant Us Wisdom

I received a digital copy of this great book in exchange for my honest review. If you and I win we will get a real spiral bound edition in the mail. Be sure to comment soon!

This giveaway is closed, but it's still a great book :)
Amanda had the winning blog. Check it out!
Question: How do you decide what's for dinner?
Challenge: Plan out a week or more of meals with a grocery list. If you usually do - congratulations! 

Resting in Detours

Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.  (Psalms 5:8)

While on our way to the Airport in unfamiliar territory we ran into a detour. It was about 3:30 am. There was just one sign pointing us out of town. From all obvious signs the detour headed out into the country never to return. We headed off into the dark early morning and after a few miles were relieved and somewhat surprised to see another detour sign heading us in the right direction.

One week later, in the same place, at the same time in the morning, with massive rain, lightning and thunder we again came to the detour sign. We turned as before and almost before we knew it we are at the next detour sign, the one we thought would never come a week before. Why the change?

The Lord impressed on my heart that this was a picture of resting in Him. Traveling through life on a new route, with unknown circumstances it is easy and natural to worry, stress, and even be afraid. I’m not after easy and natural. I want supernatural. Thankfully God has provided that for me. The circumstances may be new but God never changes. I can rest in Him and travel with ease because not only does He know the way – He designed it! Regrettably I do not always choose to rest in Him and thus my travel is not always easy.

The second trip around the detour was stress free because we had traveled that way one week earlier. Walking through life’s challenges can be equally stress free when we realize Jesus traveled the detour the first time. He arrived, completely victorious. Stress, worry and fear now are only in my life if I allow them. That hurts because often I do allow them. I quickly forget Jesus has made the way. I do not need to know the entire path, I know The Way, Jesus.

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.  (Psalms 37:5)

Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.  (Psalms 143:8)

Question:  Has your life experienced a detour? Are you on one right now?

Challenge: Check your heart for anywhere your way is being treated as more important than God’s. Repent – turn around to get back on His path.