The SG Notebook

In celebration of spring and for a limited time, we’re offering the Bright Gems for His Crown book at a special discount rate to churches which sell books. Churches only have to buy six or more books to get a 45% discount off the list price. So, if your church sells to its members by means of a book shelf or table or has a book room where you can purchase books, it would work to your advantage to have them take us up on this offer. They could then pass the savings on to you! So whoever is in charge of this ministry in your church–let them know and tell them to call us! The information is here, so you can send them the link to the offer page.

We, or should I say the Lord, has chosen a winner for our latest giveaway. Whenever I put names or anything else in a little basket or bag and someone “randomly” chooses one of them, I always feel the Lord is deciding, since nothing happens by chance! And He has decided that Cheryl, one of the commenters, would be our winner. She had indicated in her comment that if she were to win, she thought she might use this lovely wall art as a giveaway at their church women’s ministry. Now wouldn’t that be nice! So I will be writing Cheryl soon to get her address to send her our gift, praying that it will eventually fall into the hands of that person whom the Lord wants to bless in a special way. Thanks for participating, Cheryl, and thanks to all of you who took part.

Also, we will be sending the extra gift of the little promise box to my friend Laurie, who was the first person to place an order with one of our affiliates. We KNOW this little box of encouragements from God’s Word will be a special blessing to Laurie, who has already been a blessing to us here at SG.

So, thanks again! And come back on a regular basis to see what we have cooking here. There will be more giveaways in the future and we have some new products being introduced soon. Also, we still encourage you to go often to our special offers page to see what’s posted there.

Blessings to you and your household!

Beverly and Maxine

We’ve had to make a few adjustments on our shipping rates, even though we still feel our economy rates can’t be beaten. Unfortunately, postal rates keep creeping up on all of us and we haven’t been keeping up. Thanks for understanding.

We’re making a few changes to our website, so if you see anything askew, you might be able to attribute it to that. Stay with us; we have other changes coming as well. Hope you think they’re good ones.

It’s been a pretty tough winter for much of the country. We’re wondering how things are in your neck of the woods. Hope you’re staying safe and warm.

God bless,

Maxine

Just a quick note about the devastation from the huge earthquake in Haiti. We’ve talked before about World Vision and how sponsorship through them is a great way to help a needy child. But whenever there is a disaster anywhere in this world, World Vision is there to help and they have always been, at least so far, an organization that can be trusted. If you are looking for a place where you can give and want to feel assured that your money will be put to good use for this specific purpose, you can go here to make a donation.

Praying for Haiti,

Maxine

Well, wishing all who stop by a very Happy New Year and many blessings from the Lord in the year 2010. We’re off to a slow start here with much going on and not enough time in the days. So, already we are behind in much that we need to be doing. New publications are coming, but writing projects are going slowly, as is the newsletter. But we are determined to press on with God’s help! I, like many others, hesitate to make resolutions at the beginning of a new year, partly due to worrying that I can live up to them. But I sure am “hopeful” that we can be more faithful this year in keeping our friends and customers updated on what is happening and what is going to be happening at SG.

The home (particularly the children in it) is the primary emphasis here, as those of you who know us are already aware, so we sure do like to help out in the home when and where we can. As a stay at home mom, Beverly prioritizes helping out her husband by saving money, and she has even encouraged me along those lines. There are quite a few ways that this can be accomplished, but we have to give our time and attention to it. I was thinking recently that having more time aids in saving money, and that being more organized helps to save the necessary time. Hope that makes sense?

Well, I just recently came across a site that I love which is helpful in both areas and wanted to pass it along. After all, any time and any money which you save will reap bountiful blessings to you and your household. (Proverbs 31:27) Go see Molly and see what you think. I have a hunch that you will be bookmarking her site. I sure am:

Again, hope blessing will abound in your home the coming year!

For His Glory,

Maxine

I told you it was coming! Our newsletter subscribers got first dibs, but now our Christmas list is available for everyone to view and enjoy. Click on the picture above to see what we recommend for children of all ages. We’ve even included links to reviews of some of the books! Consider a meaningful gift for a child you know this year.

Is the building of Christian character in children still desired in the parenting of today? Unfortunately, I think most of you would undoubtedly agree that instilling virtue in our young folks is a slowly dying American dream. We want to see gains in the area of education; that’s a big priority. We’re concerned about rights and choices. We’re very concerned about things such as equal pay and health care, etc. But what about character? Is that why we allow them to sit in front of the computer and tv for hours on end? Is that why we give them tons of secular books to read, but sometimes don’t get around to inspirational or spiritual literature? Just a few questions for us to think about, and please don’t think I’m being judgmental. I have and still do struggle with the very same issues that you do.

For the record, though, SG does care a lot about it. In fact, it’s our top priority when it comes to what we offer to children. It looms largest in any publication we offer to the young. Once again, I want to encourage you to go to our main Growing Children page and there you will find all the links to the pages on our site that we have in place for the purpose of helping parents in this important crucial aspect of preparing their children for the world they must deal with. We want to help; really we do.

Also, if you bookmark the following site, you may get a few helpful ideas, particularly if you’re homeschooling:

Christian Character Builders

Blessings to you as you raise your tender plants.

For His Glory,
Maxine

Happy to see September again? I am. I’ve always loved this month. We’re back to school in our house and we’re back to many other things at Speakable Gifts. While we start the Junior year of high school here and preschool at Bev’s house, we’ve also just published another edition of the newsletter. Somehow, we’re wading through the technical issues, partly due to the fact that Bev has agreed to do the bulk of the work. We’ve spent a lot of phone time trying to resolve our computer woes, but we’ve managed to persevere! You would not believe what yesterday was like, but we got it done and sent. If you haven’t subscribed yet, what are you waiting for? It’s as easy as one, two, three, so hop over and sign up! If so, you’ll get the current edition right away.

We’re also back with another writing contest for your children. As usual, we have the two categories utilizing two of our Speakables: Second to fourth graders on the Aesop fable and fifth to sixth graders on a very popular saying (proverb). Want more details? You can find them here.

And new products are about to emerge. We’re excited about them and are in the process of finding the best way to have them published here at Speakable Press. We’re hopeful (and prayerful) that God will see us through and we can offer them to you very soon. Of course, we’ll let it be known as soon as these publications are available.

God’s blessings to you and your household. Have a wonderful, wonderful fall of the year. Whatever your schooling situation, hope you get off to a good start.

For His glory,

Maxine

Well it’s that time again, and it is so hard to believe that it is here already. Yes, our kids are going back to school. Whether your children go to school outside of the home or are homeschooled, you might be starting to think about organized lunch making. Here are some websites that may be helpful:

Lunch Ideas

Article on Essential Vitamins and Minerals Kids Often Miss (and how to get them!)

Paper Bag Lunches

8 Healthy Lunch Box Ideas

We hope these links are helpful to all of you as you thinking about feeding your children healthy and energy providing foods!

In Him,
Beverly