Lorrie's Audios... a Gabby review

It's that time again... time for another review for Eternal Encouragement and the Gabby Moms.


Honestly, this review is hard for me to do.  I've spent the week ruminating on how I would write this review.  I hope and pray that my words are encouraging and God honoring even though I really didn't like these products.  


Lorrie Flem and her team at Eternal Encouragement sent me two mp3 files to download, listen to and review... Attitude Adjustments and Keys to a Queenly Castle.  Each of these files is available as an mp3 file for $6.97 or a CD for $9.97 at www.eternalencouragement.com.


Both audios are recordings of Lorrie Flem teaching at a homeschool convention sharing her life lessons that she has gleaned being a wife to Randy and mother to 8.  While she has experiences to share, I found her to be distracting at the beginning of both speeches because she sells herself and her product.  Most of her products stand alone and do not need solicitation but because she is at a convention, she directs her listener to "the best curriculum in the vending hall today."


As I listened to Lorrie, I don't remember ever hearing her say "this is what has worked in my home."  Instead, I got the distinct impression that she feels like she is teaching the only way to accomplish a particular goal.  The concepts she teaches are Scriptural.  However, sometimes a mom has to teach something 2 or 3 or even 10 different ways to her 2 or 3 or 10 different children.  

Because both of these audios were recorded as workshops at conventions, there is some background noise and the audio isn't as clear as it would be if they were recorded in a studio.  For me, this made them more difficult to listen to than other recordings or podcasts I have heard.

Lastly, the content of both audios seems to be a bit redundant.  Not only does Lorrie repeat herself often, the subjects of each audio overlap in areas which leads to a feeling of deja vu.

I am sorry that this review is so negative.  However, I felt like I was expected to give an honest review and honestly, I do not think either of these downloads are worth the price of $6.97/ea.  Especially considering that in both audio sessions, Lorrie stressed she is doing this as a ministry and is not making money from her products.

**disclaimer... I was given these 2 free downloads for my honest review.  I received no other compensation. 

To Have and To Hold... A Gabby Review

dun dun ta dun... dun dun ta dun... 

It's that time of year again... wedding season!  It seems like every week there is another wedding invitation in the mail.  I love it!  I love the joy of young brides.  I love seeing their plans come together and the thrill of their big day.  

The dilemma when the mailbox is full of wedding invitations is .... THE GIFT.  It doesn't seem to matter how many places the Bride and Groom are registered, the gift I inevitably choose to purchase is either more expensive than I was thinking of spending or it is no longer available.   Until now...

Thanks to Eternal Encouragement and Mrs. Lorrie Flem the wedding gift dilemma has been solved... Marriage: To Have & To Hold ebundle.

Marriage: To Have & To Hold is a bundle of wisdom and knowledge for marriage life after the big day.  Lorrie Flem has compiled a downloaded electronic bundle of audio sessions...

                5R's Session 2 - Rekindle
                One Life to Live, One Man to Love 

and ebooks...

               Loving Your Knight in Shining Armor Even When He Doesn't Shine 
               Roadmap to a Marvelous Marriage 
               Marriage Tidbits to Treasure 
               Quotes Not Quibbles 
               Marriage Report 
               E-Booklet 
               31 Daily Biblical Prayers for Wives to Pray for Their Husbands 
               Encouragement Report 
               Don't Settle 
               SHIMLY 
              What God Says about Marriage 
              75 Inexpensive Romantic Rut 
              It Happened One Afternoon 
             2001 Summer Issue TEACH Magazine "Loving Your Husband" 
            2009 Spring Issue TEACH Magazine "Marriages Made Marvelous"  

Within these titles is sage wisdom that I wish someone would have shared with me 17 years ago.  As a wife, mother, and homeschool teacher I found much in this bundle that applied to me now and more that I would have loved to have as a young bride.  My favorites include the "31 Daily Biblical Prayers for Wives to Pray for their Husbands" which I've printed and placed in my Bible as a reminder to be praying specifically for Chad and "Quotes not Quibbles" which includes...

Love is what you've been through with somebody.

James Thurber

@}~

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.

 Mignon McLaughlin

An electronic bundle like this makes gift giving so simple... no last minute shopping, fumbling with paper and tape and no more crushed bows on the way to the ceremony!  And, instead of wedding gifts that may get lost or broken through the years, you have a gift that will continue to encourage the Bride and Groom to a life long commitment.

Eternal Encouragement has wrapped this entire package up with an super shiny bow!  This $100 value is available at www.eternalencouragement.com for $39.95.

Disclaimer... Through my affiliation with Gabby Moms I was given a copy of  Marriage: To Have and To Hold for my honest review.  I received no other compensation.  

Oh the places you will go...a Gabby Mom review

Oh the places you will go

and the things you will see,

if you are my Eternal Encouragement

magazine along with me!

We'll travel together, you and I;

you are such a great size!

You fit so nicely in my purse

this issue... Time Flies.

I can take you to track meets 

while passing time in the bleachers.

I can take you to shoe stores

while the 14 year old looks for new sneakers.


Snippets of wisdom
and essays of God's grace
 make it easy to read you
in line... saving my place.

These dear homemaking writers

and moms who walk the path ahead

I read their lessons and insight

until late, snuggled in my bed.

My favorite article on page 38

tells of "A Mother Who Takes Time."

Donna Venning's words cause me to ponder..

I can take time and move outside to dine!

I'm so very thankful for www.eternalencouragement.com

and for The Gabby Moms too

and for the opportunity they have given me

to do this review!

Oh the places you will go 

and the things you will see

If you are my Eternal Encouragement

magazine blogging next to me!

**disclaimer...

This product was given 

free of charge to me

for my own thoughts and honest review...

Dr. Seuss I do not claim to be!

Encouraging Moments... a Gabby Mom review

I am an avid reader.  And, for me, reading is sensory.  I use more than just my sense of sight when I read... I love the feel of a book, especially one that is printed on thick, quality paper and is bound well... I love the smell of the ink and paper of a new book and the smell of the years gone by of an old book... and, I love the sound of the pages turning.  I love reading books, magazines, newsletters, articles... even cereal boxes early in the morning.

In this day and age, it's hard to be a sensory reader because more and more publications are electronic.  As much as I love my macbook, there just isn't the same enjoyment in reading ebooks, ezines, enewsletters or any other epublication on it... it's hard to feel the book or magazine, smell the ink and hear the pages turn....

So, here's my great confession... I really dislike epublications.  

I keep thinking I will grow up and grow to like them but it's just not happening for me yet.  So, when I found out that my February assignment for Gabby Moms was to review Encouraging Moments, the enewsletter for Eternal Encouragement (formerly TEACH magazine), I was less than excited... no crisp newsletter feel... no inky smell... no swish of turning pages... in a word, boring.

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I was wrong.

Encouraging Moments, a free enewsletter for moms... wives... homemakers, is not boring.  Mrs. Lorrie Flem, founder of Eternal Encouragement, does a wonderful job of publishing an organized and informative newsletter that is encouraging, God-honoring and easy to navigate.  

The publishers even include short video clips called Chick Flicks for Mom. These short video clips of Lorrie Flem offer some quick and easy tips for parenting, marriage and godly living.

My favorite part?  Encouraging Moments is one of the few enewsletters that I've read that doesn't have a hundred and one distracting links to it.  Instead, it is crisp and clean and easy to read.

I'm not sure I'm willing to cross over to epublications just yet.  I'll take my hard copies any day but for a quick encouraging word, I'll definitely be enjoying Encouraging Moments enewsletter.

Check it out for yourself at www.homemakingwithteach.com and sign up for their FREE enewsletter along the left side bar.

**disclaimer... I was given Encouraging Moments enewsletter for my honest review of this product.  I received no other compensation.

True Treasures special offer... a Gabby Mom Review

IT'S BIG

IT'S BEAUTIFUL 

IT'S BRIMMING WITH ENCOURAGEMENT

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that I am now a Gabby Mom. Well, actually I've been a mom for almost 14 years and I've been gabby my entire life but in November I was chosen to officially be a Gabby Mom... one who reviews for TEACH magazine.   Not only did TEACH magazine chose bloggers to be Gabby Moms and review for them, they also changed their name... TEACH Magazine is now Eternal Encouragement.  

My first assignment... True Treasures 10 Years of TEACH Magazine.  What a fun first assignment!  The best of ten years worth of TEACH magazine compiled under one cover.  This book is so much more than a homeschooling book.  It's filled with well-written and practical advice on homemaking, godly living, marriage, parenting and homeschooling. Each article is a nugget of its own and can be read in just a few minutes.  

My favorite articles?  It's hard to choose... here are six of my favorites (one from each section) ...

      "Just Say No" by Mrs. Lorrie Flem pages 12-13

      "It's Raining, It's Pouring" by Mrs. Lorrie Flem pages 28-29

      "Six Things to Say to the Blessings in Your Life" by Marybeth Whalen pages 52-53

      "Getting It All Done" by Marilyn Boyer pages 64-65

      "A Real Mom's Homeschool" by Maggie Hogan pages 82-83

      "In Search of Serenity" by Jessica Cover pages 92-93

There is so much more!  This book is a wealth of godly advice and sound wisdom for wives and moms.  Those who have gone ahead share their own life lessons with humor, insight and compassion.  

Do I think you should read this book?  Absolutely!  

Do I think you should order a copy today?  Definitely!

Would I recommend this book to moms who don't homeschool?  Without a doubt!

True Treasures can be found at www.HomemakingWithTEACH.com.  And, because you are a ...with thankful hearts... reader I have a special offer for you!!  Eternal Encouragement is offering $4 off True Treasures with coupon code "GabbyMom".  This offer is good one time per person between now and May 31, 2011.  

If you are interested in seeing Eternal Encouragement Magazine for yourself, check this out.  The editors of the magazine offer an online free sample... and when you do, there is an instant coupon code for 10% off your subscription.  

True Treasures truly is big, beautiful and brimming with encouragement.  Thanks to the Gabby Moms for starting out with this great gift to review!

Click here to read what other Gabby Moms have had to say about True Treasures.

**disclaimer... I received this product for honest review from TEACH Magazine as part of The Gabby Moms blogging program.  All opinions expressed are solely my own.

gabby.. giggly... glittery?

"Heidi enjoys talking too much during class time."

"Heidi visits frequently with her neighbors rather than doing her schoolwork."

"Heidi has developed verbally very well.  She would do well to develop other areas."

Those are things my teachers in school would say on my report cards.  Apparently, they thought their comments would cause me to change... or at the least, cause me to stop talking. 

Not so much.  I've been this way from the beginning... it's who I am.  And, those of you who have followed for any length of time know... I have the gift of gab.  I like to think its a great gift.  Seldom am I at a loss for words... and when I am, I have the unique ability to fake it... at least until I stick my foot in my mouth.

"I can not STOP laughing!"

"THAT is SOOOO funny!"

"Stop it!  STOP IT!! Or I'm going to pee my pants!!"

Those are true to life things I have said... and said more than once.  I love to laugh!  My college best friend is the funniest woman I know.  I seriously laugh so hard when I am with Ruth that my stomach muscles are sore for days.  

I laugh when I'm with my family.  In fact, next weekend we will all get together to celebrate a belated Christmas (Audrey's birth caused us to push Christmas back a little) and the adults will gather round after bedtime for a raucous time of fun and laughter... seriously, tears streaming down cheeks type of laughter.  Can't wait!!

I laugh when I'm with my man.  One of the very first things that attracted me to him almost 20 years ago was his sense of humor.  He is hilarious!  And together, we love laughing with and at our kids.

"I love that! It sparkles"

"oooh! More glitter please!"

"The shinier... the better!"

Okay... this post very well could have been titled "2 truths and a lie".  Here's the lie.  I don't do sparkles... I don't do glitter... I don't do shine.  I'm not very girly.  Haven't ever been.  Probably never will be.  Gabbing is in my genetic makeup and so is giggling... glittering, though, skipped a generation and is all over my two girls.

Why all the talk about gabbing, giggling and glittering?   Gabby Moms!  I've been chosen to write reviews for Gabby Moms.  Gabby Moms is a review team for Eternal Encouragement Magazine (formerly TEACH Magazine).  Stay tuned... first review is next week!

Gabby Moms...

We Gab... We Giggle... We Glitter...

... and to quote an old MeatLoaf song... 

2 out of 3 ain't bad!