Thursday, March 31, 2011

A to Z of Gratitude–Letter N

n

N…  Today I would like to highlight two words for N.

NEST – I’m a bird lover.  When spring arrives I look forward to see and hear the numerous birds that will come back. The first ones I see are the Canadian geese flying in a V formation above my home.  Spring time also means that these birds will build a nest – a home for their family.

Nest for me is an illustration of our home.   Our house is a place where I want my kids to know that they can be secure and that mom and dad are there for them.

Having a home also mean that you have neighbours.   We are called to shine our light for our neighbours.    I am blessed to have wonderful next door neighbours on both side of my house.

365 Project–Day 85

PhotobucketI am participating in the 2011 Mommytography 365 Project! For this year long project I will be posting an image a day, to get me out shooting, using my camera and learning new things with it daily. Anyone interested in photography can join, no need to be a Mommytographer. We have teens to adults, male and female, as well as people from all over the world. Come join the fun!

 

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Me and my 3rd son, Jérémy – yeah boys will be boys….

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Ark Encounter

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Have you heard about the BIG news from Answer in Genesis and the Creation Museum?  They are embarking in an amazing construction project:   building the ark according to the dimensions and size mentioned in the Bible.    The Ark Encounter Project is currently being build on a rolling terrain off Interstate I-75, about 40 miles from the Creation Museum in northern Kentucky (near Cincinnati).

The Ark Encounter will be a one-of-a-kind historically themed attraction which will provide entertainment and education at the same time.    Numerous historical events will be presented in this part which will have a full-size, all-wood Ark at its center.

The plans also include a walled city, the Tower of babel, a first-century Middle Eastern village, a journey in history from Abraham to the parting of the Red Sea, a walk-through aviary, a petting zoo and much more.

I am personally excited about this project and look forward to plan a trip to visit both the Creation museum and the Ark Encounter.    I find that it is important to educate people and present the Bible as it was.   I trust Answer in Genesis in making sure that it will be accurate and educational.    As a homeschooler, I want my kids to visualize the Bible and having Ark Encounter will help to visualize the grandeur of the ark itself.   I am confident that this new theme attraction will be a success.  I sure hope that Middle East food will be offered on site to encourage people to expand their taste buds and to make the experience more real.

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The grand opening is schedule for Spring of 2014.    This opening will include about 95% of the planned attractions.  Phase Two will begin based on funding and Ark Encounter attendance and will include a butterfly emporium and a 500-seat indoor theater.

You can participate in the construction by donating to the project.   A peg is 100$, a plank is 1000$ and a beam is 5000$.  To donate, click here.   Depending of the amount you would give, you will receive various gifts.   For example, for the 5000$ donation, you will get free passes to the grand opening and free passes to a special behind the scenes tour.

donations

Stay up-to-date with the information concerning the Ark Encounter by visiting their blog.

As for us, we will be waiting patiently for the grand opening of Ark Encounter.    In the meantime, I will pray that the fundraising will be fructuous and that many will come on board for the project.    I also pray that the schedule and deadlines are meet.  

PS If Ark Encounter is looking for a family to come and review the opening – please do consider us.  *grin*   We would love to cover the opening and the various attractions in a special blog project of ours.   The kids would be involved in this blog as well (in 2014 they will be respectively 6, 8, 10 and 12 (going on 13)).  

365 Project–Day 84

PhotobucketI am participating in the 2011 Mommytography 365 Project! For this year long project I will be posting an image a day, to get me out shooting, using my camera and learning new things with it daily. Anyone interested in photography can join, no need to be a Mommytographer. We have teens to adults, male and female, as well as people from all over the world. Come join the fun!

 

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Me and my son, Dominic.

Picture taken with smaller Canon camera…. while at the Museum of Science and Tech.

A to Z of Gratitude–Letter M

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M is for Motherhood.

I don’t think I would enjoy life without kids.

God was gracious enough to give me four of them.

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We also have four sponsored kids through Compassion Canada.

One lives in Bolivia.

Two live in Dominican Republic.

One lives in Thailand.

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All these children are precious in my sight and at the LORD’s sight.

No matter where they are, God is with them.  Always.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

The Crossmaker

yhst-20297797956655_2145_902742The Crossmaker – Easter Story and Art Lessons

http://seethelightshine.com/

About the product

New brand See the Light introduces The Crossmaker.  Meet Dominic, the son of a carpenter, who finds himself drawn into the unforgettable trial of the man called Jesus.  Share in this amazing adventure that takes Dominic from Christ's crucifixion to a place of redemption, and a face-to-face meeting with the risen Christ!

Also included on The Crossmaker DVD:   Feed your need for worship! As kids watch and draw-along with renowned chalk-artist Gloria Kohlmann, you revel in the worship music performed by “Breathing Room” recording artists Jan Roper and Kevin Dukes.
Watch & hear the plan of salvation in a clear and creative presentation through the captivating expression of art.  Chalk artist Gloria Kohlmann provides commentary as you watch the Easter scene being created.
Run Time 150 mins.

Our Thoughts

This special DVD contains many goodies for everyone.   A story titled the Crossmaker is included for the kids ages 3 and up.    The story is interesting as it goes through the crucifixion story through the eyes of the son of a carpenter.   This story is interesting as it bring to life a well-known event in the life of Jesus through the art of drawing.    At some point fluorescent pastels/pencils are also used and with the help of a black light you get a more dramatic image of Jesus on the cross.

Also included in this DVD you will have three art lessons.   One specific art lesson deals with creative lettering while creating the word Glory.   Below are the examples that my son, Alexandre who is 9 3/4, and I have made.   Alexandre is not artsy per say but he enjoys exploring drawing with the See the Light products.  

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Alexandre’s Glory

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My Glory

The other art lessons include a step-by-step drawing lesson using chalk pastels as well as a tutorial in water colors.   I particularly like the variety of lessons included in this DVD as it demonstrates that various medium will create something totally different in the end.   It is perfect for art lessons at school or at home in an homeschool environment. 

You will also have bonus features on this DVD which also includes special music performed by the Breathing Room artists Jan Roper and Kevin Dukes while one of the artists draw a special Easter Story for you.

This year explore the Easter season through art and enjoy exploring it with your kids with The Crossmaker.  

The Crossmaker Deluxe Bundle Includes: 115 minute DVD titled The Crossmaker, Music from the DVD The Crossmaker, including 11 tracks plus 2 bonus audio stories, Pocket Size- 6 inch See the Light black light (batteries included), and Fluorescent Pastels 4-pack containing one of each of the following colors: Orange, Pink, Red, and Green  29.99$

The Crossmaker DVD is also available individually for the price of 14.99$

GREAT NEWS!

See the Light has agreed to give away one copy of the Crossmaker DVD to one of my reader.

To participate, go to  See the Light and tell me what you find interesting about this curriculum.  This entry is mandatory.   Don’t forget to include your email address in the comment.

EXTRA ENTRIES

1) Subscribe to my feed on the left side of this blog and let me know about it.

2) Register via email to receive the latest reviews I’ve done directly to  your emails and let me know about it.

2) Like Canadianladybug Reviews! on facebook and tell me about it.

3) Follow Canadianladybug Reviews! on twitter and like me you twitter name.

4) Follow Canadianladybug Reviews! with Google Friends on the left side of this blog and tell me about it (3 entries).   Enter three times in the comment section!

5) Tweet about this contest and give me the link about it.   (One entry per day!)

6) Blog about this contest and give me you link (3 entries) – Give me your link and enter three times in the comment section.

Don’t forget to include your email for each steps.   No email means I will have to pick someone else.    I need to be able to contact you if you win!   Random.org will be use to determine the winner.  You will have 24 hours to contact me and give me your mailing address so I can send it to my contact at See the Light which in turn will ship the Crossmaker DVD to you!

Open to Canadian and US residents ONLY.

Deadline:  April 9, 2011.

Disclaimer: Thanks to See the Light for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way.  All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Keys of the Kingdom

yhst-27697493307697_2142_325851Keys of the Kingdom
from LBGames

About the game

Keys of the Kingdom is a brain-teasing logic PC game which takes you to the romantic epoch of noble knights and heroic adventures! Move back in time to try and help Sir Lancelot save the township from the oppressive King. Solve the exciting puzzles invented by the guards to block your way as you journey to the King’s Castle. Tutorials are provided for each puzzle if you get stuck. Each puzzle contains a powerful Bible verse to keep you spiritually lifted.

  • 7 Tutorials are included to help you learn how to play the game.
  • 100 brilliant levels will bring you hours of fun and intrigue as you work through solutions to the puzzles.
  • Solutions are provided for every puzzle in case you get stuck.
  • Low system requirements so the games can be enjoyed on virtually any modern computer running Windows 98 or higher.

Minimum System Requirements

  • Windows® 98, 2000, ME, XP, Vista, 7
  • Pentium® II 400MHz processor or faster
  • 64MB RAM Minimum
  • 150MB free hard disk space
  • 12x CD/DVD-ROM drive or faster
  • 16-bit 4MB DirectX compliant Video Card
  • 16-bit Windows compatible Sound Card
  • Adobe Flash Player 9 or higher to view solutions (available free on the Internet)
  • Mouse

Our Thoughts

I was curious about this game and watched my 2nd son play with it recently.    The game is packed with logic puzzles that will make you think to be able to bring the key to the lock.   You have to resolve the puzzle to be able to advance on the map.IMG_6496

Based on a medieval theme this game will help your child to develop his thinking skills as he/she has to resolve them to advance.    The ones that Dominic is doing right now are easy according to him.   When I asked Alexandre if he was at the Knight’s Refuge level IMG_6494he said: “Are you kidding?  I’m at the Wolf’s Den and it is getting harder…”  *grin*    As I write this, Dominic just informed me that he has reached the Wolf’s Den already!

There are six places you have to travel to before you reach the castle.    They are: Sheep’s Stables, Wolf’s Den, Lamb’s Hideaway, Lion’s Woods, Knight’s Refuge and King’s Castle.   Through each level, the complexity of the puzzles gets harder and will challenge the person who is playing.    Each of my older sons have their own game going on right now and Dominic seems to enjoy it quite a lot.   After each resolved puzzle, a scripture appear on the screen and a voice is reading it.   I find it interesting that the voice is there because my 2nd son would have trouble to read the somewhat italic writing.     Also included in this software are tutorials to help you play the game.  If you are stuck somewhere, simply watch the tutorial again so you can resolve the puzzle.

My son Alexandre, age 9 1/2,  is the one who used the game the most.    Here’s his thoughts on it:

“ The puzzles are very cool to test your brain.   I like it because there are some cool verses from the Bible.   I don’t really like that the view solution is there because people could just check to do it.   I find that it is showing you how to cheat instead of thinking.”

My son Dominic, age 7, has just started playing with Keys of the Kingdom.   Here’s are his thoughts:

“Cool!  It is fun and awesome.”

Both enjoys playing with Keys of the Kingdom and find the puzzles being more challenging.  I am starting to think that I should tease my own brain with this fun game…

Keys of the Kingdom is available directly from LBGames for the price of 19.98$US.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Left Behind Games for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way.  All opinions expressed here are only my own.

365 Project–Day 83

PhotobucketI am participating in the 2011 Mommytography 365 Project! For this year long project I will be posting an image a day, to get me out shooting, using my camera and learning new things with it daily. Anyone interested in photography can join, no need to be a Mommytographer. We have teens to adults, male and female, as well as people from all over the world. Come join the fun!

 

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The picture is not perfect but I thought she was so cute with two phones….    Is it what it will be in the future?

A to Z of Gratitude–Letter L

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L is for love.

The love God had for me because he sacrificed His own Son for my sins.

The love He had for me as my adopted Father.

The love He gave me when I finally met my husband.

The love He gave me again when I became a mother four times.

The love He continues to show me in various ways.

Knowing that He is with me at all time – good and bad.

Without love I would be nothing.

 

There is are popular verses in the Bible about LOVE.   Check out 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.  It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Someone once challenged us to replace LOVE in these verses by our name.   When you do so you quickly realize that there is no way that we can be like that.   Then replace the word LOVE by God.    Think about it.   He is LOVE.   He is all these things.  He can do it….

GOD IS LOVE!

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Math Dictionary

MathDictionaryMath Dictionary – Homework help for families (Canadian Edition)
Published at DK Canada

About the book

From prime numbers to pentagons, DK’s new Math Dictionary features more than 300 entries on the words, phrases, and concepts used by Canadian grade-school students in their math classes and in their lives outside school. Illustrated with colourful pictures, diagrams, graphs, and charts this is an invaluable homework and learning resource for both kids and parents aimed at expanding math vocabulary.   Over 700 photographs, illustrations, diagrams and graphs are included in this book.    It’s format is based on the alphabetical order.

My Thoughts

Geared for kids ages 8 to 12 years old, this little gem will remind them of the various mathematical terms used during their studies.   As a homeschooler I am glad to have this book in my hands because to be honest some terms have slip my mind with the years…

This book is well done and contains many mathematical expressions, explanations and so on.   I am a bit surprised that it doesn’t contains everything like the Fibonacci number for example.   Maybe it would be too complicated for the ages intended for this book.  Even though the book is a blessing for our household.   I know that this dictionary won’t be used on a daily basis but we will be ale to refer to it when we hit a wall in mathematical and need a definition to get the meaning of a special term.    I suspect that this book would be used more when we start a new year of homeschool as people tend to forget these things during summer time. 

Earlier this year, I was revising a document that will be published to help teacher get exercises for their students.    The document was one of mathematic and there was one questions about angles.    I couldn’t recall the various types of angles.   I had to google it to be able to make sure that the information in that exercise was accurate.   This Math Dictionary contains such information like acute angle, obtuse angle, reflex angle, right angle and straight angle.   I could have used it back then.   Next time such a document arrives, I will be prepared…

The first section of the book is divided in alphabetical order.   The images, graphs and illustrations are very helpful to visualize the definition and comprehend it.   A big majority of the definitions have either a picture, diagram, graph or chart.   In the quick reference section, the child and yourself can easily find meaning of mathematical expressions, metric and imperial units as well as easy conversions.   

The Math Dictionary is a wonderful reference book to have in  your house.    It is available at your favourite bookstore, even amazon.ca.

Disclaimer: Thanks to DK Canada for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way.  All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Monday, March 28, 2011

365 Project–Day 82

PhotobucketI am participating in the 2011 Mommytography 365 Project! For this year long project I will be posting an image a day, to get me out shooting, using my camera and learning new things with it daily. Anyone interested in photography can join, no need to be a Mommytographer. We have teens to adults, male and female, as well as people from all over the world. Come join the fun!

To complete one of his Awana activities, Alexandre had to create a diorama of a scene from the Bible.  He decided to illustrate Paul and Silas in the prison.

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A to Z of Gratitude–Letter K

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K is for kindness.

Have you help a neighbour lately?  Or a family member?

Kindness can be expressed in various ways – from making a meal to a new mom to praying for someone who is sick.

Kindness can be done daily if you open doors to strangers at the store, if you smile to the people you cross on your way to work or simply by being nice on the road while driving.

Kindness is something you sow around you.   Eventually someone will do something nice to you too!

So what are you waiting for…?   Be kind to someone around you.   Even if you don’t feel like it.   You might be surprise what a little bit of kindness will do to you and the person who receives it.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

A to Z of Gratitude–Letter J

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J is for two important people in my life.  Turns out that two of my kids’ name start with the letter J

J is for Jérémy.

Jérémy is a fun little boy who loves to rock to fall asleep (literally – in his bed…).    I caught him often in a funny position while sleeping and I wonder how he does it sometimes.  He is quite flexible and loves to show it to people around him.  Jérémy will eat what he likes and do the chipmunk for the rest.   *sigh*   But this little boy loves to smile and laugh.    He is quite curious about everything around him and enjoys exploring with the rest of the family.

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J is also for Jasmine.

My baby.  oups – she would say I’m not a baby anymore… and she is right.   My youngest child is quite determined and seems to be the one with the strongest will.   She loves to follow her big brothers but at the same time she is everything girly.   She loves dresses, the color pink, ladybugs (lucky me!), dolls and Dora.   

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365 Project–Day 81

PhotobucketI am participating in the 2011 Mommytography 365 Project! For this year long project I will be posting an image a day, to get me out shooting, using my camera and learning new things with it daily. Anyone interested in photography can join, no need to be a Mommytographer. We have teens to adults, male and female, as well as people from all over the world. Come join the fun!

Me and my girl… 

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Saturday, March 26, 2011

evian new glass bottle

IMG_0681In addition to the new evian’s lighter and easy to crush 1.5L bottle that I told you about earlier this week, evian  has also launched a lighter, premium glass bottle, which uses less glass.  The sleek bottle is exclusively available in evian partner hotels and restaurants across Canada. 

evian®’S NEW SIMPLE AND SLEEK GLASS BOTTLE HIGHLIGHTS THE BRAND’S PURITY

The brand’s new glass bottle doesn’t just look good, it uses less glass to reduce its carbon footprint with 75cl is 35.5% lighter than our previous 1L bottle and 33cl is 43.4% lighter than our 500ml and 6.5% lighter than the previous 33cl.  Also, cartons for all evian®’s bottles are made of 100% post-consumer recycled material.    The new bottle will begin rolling out throughout Canada as of early April 2011.  It will be available exclusively to evian’s hotel and restaurant partners. Prices will vary by evian’s partner accounts.

My ThoughtsIMG_0682

I applause the initiative of evian in creating a new glass bottle.    I love the simplicity of this bottle and the fact that I can reuse it for either a vase or simply filling it with water during supper time.   

IMG_0680The new glass bottle has the word PURE written on the side of it and reminds us that water is pure and good for our body.    I also love the accent of the evian well known logo of the mountains on the bottle.   It gives a twists and personalize the bottle even more. The bottle’s design is simple yet straight to the point. Reminding the drinkers that evian serves quality water.

Between the two new designs, this one is my favourite.   For us, having another glass bottle to serve water on the table when we have multiple people is fantastic.   By reusing this bottle on a daily basis we also help the environment.

Disclaimer: I received a 750 mL evian glass bottle in exchange of a post on the new design.    I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way.  All opinions expressed here are only my own.

365 Project–Day 80

Photobucket I am participating in the 2011 Mommytography 365 Project! For this year long project I will be posting an image a day, to get me out shooting, using my camera and learning new things with it daily. Anyone interested in photography can join, no need to be a Mommytographer. We have teens to adults, male and female, as well as people from all over the world. Come join the fun!

 

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Awana Quizzing Competition today – Alexandre excelled again by answering correctly for the multiple choice questions and the speed questions for his book 2 section 1.  He was competing along and ended up finishing 3rd place after all.   Way to go!

A to Z of Gratitude–Letter I

i

I stand for imagination.

Have you looked outside today or picked up a book that display all the various species around the world.

I think God had lots of imagination to created all the living creatures, the plants, the stars and humans.

Recently I have reviewed a book titled Natural History and I am in awe of the various colours and originality behind the bugs, reptiles, birds, fishes, animals and so much more.

Way to go God because without you our life would be more than likely boooooring.   Thanks you for diversity and your imagination.

Thank you for putting this imagination into our mind.   Kids are especially good at this.   

Don’t forget to use your imagination – whatever it would be like writing, painting, drawing or building something special in Lego with your kids…

Friday, March 25, 2011

Random Acts of Chocolate

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It came to my attention that Mars Canada is having a Random Acts of Chocolate event.

I thought the idea was fabulous and decided to post about it…

Are you ready to commit to do a random act of kindness?   If so you might like this special event.

We like to think that we are kind don’t we?  But how kind are we really?   Have you really stop and thought of that?

A way of measuring the kindness of our fellow Canadians is to join the Mars Canada Inc’s RANDOM ACTS OF CHOCOLATE campaign by accepting the MARS Chocolate Kindness Pledge and become a Kindness Ambassador today!  

A unique Kindness Meter is tracking the kind acts to determine how kind Canadians are.

To kick-start all this kindness, Mars Canada Inc. is giving away 50,000 coupons to be redeemed for a FREE chocolate products.    In the SmartSouce magazine (located in the local newspaper) you will find a Buy One Get One Free offer.    Take advantage of it and start the kindness wave around Canada!

In our household, we always try to be kind to neighbours and strangers.   The boys regularly help to hold doors when going to a store or swimming lessons.   It is sweet and very nice to see them do it without us reminded them to do so.     We also help our neighbours whenever we can.   My oldest go shovel the path to the house of one of our neighbours and more recently we shared our heart shaped biscuits with my her when she and her baby were sick.    Once my husband and my oldest boy went down the street to pick up the flying garbage because it was just plain crazy.    These are just a sample of how we are kind to people around us.   How do you teach your kids to be kind to others? 

Go to http://www.marsacts.ca/pages/offer_details.php for more details or visit their facebook page!

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DIsclaimer:  I wasn’t paid for this post.   I just thought the idea was fabulous and decided to spread the word about it.   

365 Project–Day 79

Photobucket I am participating in the 2011 Mommytography 365 Project! For this year long project I will be posting an image a day, to get me out shooting, using my camera and learning new things with it daily. Anyone interested in photography can join, no need to be a Mommytographer. We have teens to adults, male and female, as well as people from all over the world. Come join the fun!

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Friday afternoons are Nintendo afternoons in our house (if the kids didn’t fill their page of strikes that is…)!

A to Z of Gratitude–Letter H

h

H definitively stands for husband…

I am blessed beyond measure with the man that God has put in my life.   When I least expected it, here he was.

My husband is extremely supportive, loves to spend time with me and the kids, enjoys fishing, is willing to work hard so we can homeschool.

My husband is an entrepreneur.  He has many ideas and doesn’t hesitate to try anything.

He is my best friend (after Jesus that is) and he is a wonderful father to our four kids.

I love him dearly and enjoys going through life with him.

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END THE WAIT–Conversations about Adoption

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THE FACT  There are more than 30,000 adoptable kids in Canada waiting to be loved, to have a forever family, to belong.

THE QUESTION How can we as Christians reach out to these kids to help end the wait?

Come hear from adoptive families, Christian adoption professionals and churches making a difference in the lives of adoptive families; then join the conversation as we talk about the many ways believers can respond to God’s call to “look after orphans . . . in their distress” (James 1:27).


imageSpecific topics we’ll be discussing:
*How to adopt
*The facts on Canada’s waiting children
*What it’s like to be an adoptive family
*How to support adoptive families in practical ways
*How churches can start their own adoption ministry
* and more . ..image


DATES AND LOCATIONS
Ottawa, ON – March 25, 2011
Woodvale Pentecostal Church
205 Greenbank Rd.
Ottawa, ON K2H 8K9


Toronto, ON – March 26, 2011
Queensway Cathedral
1536 The Queensway
Toronto, ON M8Z 1T5


Edmonton, AB – April 2, 2011
Evangel Pentecostal Assembly
4461 50 St. NW
Edmonton, AB T6L 7A3


Calgary, AB – April 3, 2011
First Alliance Church
12345 40 St. SE
Calgary, AB T2Z 4E6


Vancouver, BC – April 8, 2011
Broadway Church
2700 East Broadway
Vancouver, BC V5M 1Y8


PRICE $10 per person


*All events will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Go to www.endthewait.ca/tour/index.html for more information.

Smithsonian Natural History

9780756667528HSmithsonian Natural History – The Ultimate Visual Guide to Everything on EarthPublished at DK
About the book
A landmark in reference publishing and overseen and authenticated by the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History, Natural History presents an unrivaled visual survey of Earth's natural history. Giving a clear overview of the classification of our natural world-over 6,000 species-Natural History looks at every kingdom of life, from bacteria, minerals, and rocks to fossils to plants and animals. Featuring a remarkable array of specially commissioned photographs, Natural History looks at thousands of specimens and species displayed in visual galleries that take the reader on an incredible journey from the most fundamental building blocks of the world's landscapes, through the simplest of life forms, to plants, fungi, and animals.

Our Thoughts
Prepare for your breath to be taken away… literally!

This book is packed with stunning pictures of various species we can found on earth.   From the tiny bacteria to the biggest animal, you will be able to discover them in this huge book put together by the Smithsonian Institution.   Did you know that the Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum complex and a center for research?   I have heard that it is a wonderful place to visit and some day I intend to bring my family there.  In the meantime, we will delight in discover the various life forms we can see on this planet.

As a Christian, I am delighted to get this wonderful book in our hands because we can discover numerous plants, bugs, animals without having to spend thousands of dollars to travel.   Don’t take me wrong, I would love to have a huge field trip and discover the planet with my family if I had the money permitting us to do so.   But this book is fabulous as it presents a variety of plants, animals, bugs and much more.
  
While going through the book, we discovered that a spider is called the Ladybird Spider and only the males of his Eurasian spider have the ladybird pattern.    The spider is mostly black but the the top of the body is red with black spots.   Amazing!  We have discover bright and colourful insects, gigantic trees, marvellous flowers growing on cactuses, amazing butterflies, strange and beautiful fishes, as well as mushrooms, snakes, turtles, salamanders, birds small and big, and a ton of mammals.  We were breath taken by the creativity and originality that God has when he created all of them.   

See for yourself by looking at the sample pages below.

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This huge book will also help you develop your muscles in  your arms (the book is quite heavy) as well as stretch your knowledge in your brain…  I originally asked to review this book because my 2nd son is interested in any kind of animals he can come across but already his three siblings are digging into this book and marvel at the pictures included in it.    I also brought the book at the pool while the kids had their lessons and one of the moms there was impressed by the presentation of the information.

Natural History has received the Booklist 2010 Editors’ Choice Award.

Natural History is available at your favourite bookstore, even amazon.ca.
Disclaimer: Thanks to DK Canada for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way.  All opinions expressed here are only my own.