This book I came about by accident because I downloaded an app called, "Book Shout." The app provides free downloads of book for a temporary amount of time. Meaning that if you down load it before the end of the days it's free. I downloaded one book that was a Christian Living book and it started sending me emails once a week with books that the app thought I might be interested in. I now have a few books to read.
This book, "The Four Seasons of Marriage," was written by Gary Chapman. He wrote another book that I have read called, "The Five Love Languages." I his new book, he uses the four seasons we observe: winter, spring, summer and fall, to describe times of marriage. Spring and summer are the appealing seasons while winter and fall are used to describe times we encounter in marriage, but don't want to stay.
The book explains each season, and characteristics of marriages in those seasons, and then strategies to prevent fall and winter and stay in spring and summer. The book also provides questions and suggestions for bible study with the book and groups of married couples and then for couples individually.
Some of the information that stuck with me included the importance of honestly communicating with your spouse, engaging in active listening, learning how to serve your spouse the way that The Bible commands us to and how to forgive. These principals were very helpful and a great reminder of how to love our spouses. I highly recommend this book to read as an individual or as a group of couples that want to encourage each other to grow in their marriages.
Friday, March 22, 2013
February Book Review- The Total Money Makeover
Book number two for the year was written by Dave Ramsey. This book is a condensed version of the financial peace university class. It is very good, however I do not recommend just reading this book, I would recommend taking the Financial Peace University class to help apply all the principles that you can learn from the book/class. And then re-reading the book whenever you need a reminder to stay on track.
This book goes through the 7 baby steps and how to apply them. And the book provides new stories of how real couples have achieved their Total Money Makeover throughout the pages. And the back of the book also provides all the documents needed to start your Total Money Makeover.
I highly recommend this book if you are not totally bought in to taking the Financial Peace University class. Our housemate read most of the book and then took the course to start her journey to financial peace. Hope you will take a look at it too.
This book goes through the 7 baby steps and how to apply them. And the book provides new stories of how real couples have achieved their Total Money Makeover throughout the pages. And the back of the book also provides all the documents needed to start your Total Money Makeover.
I highly recommend this book if you are not totally bought in to taking the Financial Peace University class. Our housemate read most of the book and then took the course to start her journey to financial peace. Hope you will take a look at it too.
January Book Review Finally finished...
One of my goals this year is to read a book (non-fiction) a month. Which isn't a problem if I focus on one book at a time, but I had three going at once. Regardless, I finally FINISHED my first book. The book was called, "The Runners Complete Guide to Running." Here is my brief review:
There was a lot of sound advice in this book that I took away from the reading. Two particular workouts stuck out:
Sprint workouts are important... In order to increase your speed over a long period of time, you should complete a speed workout a week during your training. (I already knew this, but I couldn't figure out how to determine what kind of speed workout to do), for marathon training, repeat 800's is helpful. Bart Yoos suggests starting with four 800's and adding an additional 800 each week' and then tapering off at 3 weeks before your race. Whatever your goal finish time is for your marathon, should be your time for your 800. Example, if your marathon goal time is 3 hours and 45 minutes (3:45) then you should complete each 800 for this workout in 3 minutes and 45 seconds. Fool proof, and actually works.
Another workout that I liked, that should be done on rest or off days is an embedded circuit training. Many runners don't lift writs and they should. There was a very specific workout listed... 2 miles of warming up, 12 lifting exercises (mostly upper body, but a w lower body) one set, with 30 seconds of stationary bike, or jump rope between each lift and then a 2-3 mile cool down. Because I have a pretty strong weight lifting background, this was fairly easy. However, I did this workout yesterday, and my calves are killing me. Then I realized it was because of the 6 minutes (total) of jumping rope!!
There were a lot of beginner runner tips that were really helpful in the book... How to select shoes, and gear, how to prep for a race, and even a chapter on women runners.
The only disappointment was that most of the training suggestions were for a marathon. I ran a marathon a few years ago, and well, it's not for me, ... at least not right now. I was hoping to get some training advice for a half marathon. Maybe I could just taper each of the training regiments, or find another book. Overall, it was very informative. And I recommend it for beginning runners and those who are interested in marathons.
There was a lot of sound advice in this book that I took away from the reading. Two particular workouts stuck out:
Sprint workouts are important... In order to increase your speed over a long period of time, you should complete a speed workout a week during your training. (I already knew this, but I couldn't figure out how to determine what kind of speed workout to do), for marathon training, repeat 800's is helpful. Bart Yoos suggests starting with four 800's and adding an additional 800 each week' and then tapering off at 3 weeks before your race. Whatever your goal finish time is for your marathon, should be your time for your 800. Example, if your marathon goal time is 3 hours and 45 minutes (3:45) then you should complete each 800 for this workout in 3 minutes and 45 seconds. Fool proof, and actually works.
Another workout that I liked, that should be done on rest or off days is an embedded circuit training. Many runners don't lift writs and they should. There was a very specific workout listed... 2 miles of warming up, 12 lifting exercises (mostly upper body, but a w lower body) one set, with 30 seconds of stationary bike, or jump rope between each lift and then a 2-3 mile cool down. Because I have a pretty strong weight lifting background, this was fairly easy. However, I did this workout yesterday, and my calves are killing me. Then I realized it was because of the 6 minutes (total) of jumping rope!!
There were a lot of beginner runner tips that were really helpful in the book... How to select shoes, and gear, how to prep for a race, and even a chapter on women runners.
The only disappointment was that most of the training suggestions were for a marathon. I ran a marathon a few years ago, and well, it's not for me, ... at least not right now. I was hoping to get some training advice for a half marathon. Maybe I could just taper each of the training regiments, or find another book. Overall, it was very informative. And I recommend it for beginning runners and those who are interested in marathons.
Canyon Lake Middle School
"I GOT A NEW JOB!"
It all started last summer, when Colin and I had just finished facilitating our second Financial Peace University class at Sandals Church. We still had about $55,000 worth of debt and Kellen was about ready to start preschool in the fall. We knew that if we wanted to be able to afford preschool, and keep the debt snowball rolling, I would need to work, at least part time.
In September I started substitute teaching for the Lake Elsinore Unified School District, part time, and Kellen was in preschool Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It was a little bit of a tough transition, but Kellen eventually grew to LOVE school and would ask me to go home and get him later if I came to pick him up before 3pm. The extra income paid for preschool and extra cash to pay towards our debt.
In January, we decided to try full time preschool for Kellen, and five days a week subbing for me. At first it was a little rough (seems to be the pattern, ha ha). But Kellen seems to do better with the routine being consistent. The only real downside to preschool is that he's had 4 ear infections (thanks to germs and colds from classmates) since he started. Even that seems to be routine now!
After two months of full time subbing, I was pretty much working at Lakeside every day. Most of the days went real well, the kids are great and I have been able to spend lunch with Colin each day. Kellen's school is a mile down the road and it has been working out. We now have $32,500 left in debt; (thanks to taxes and the extra income) it is encouraging to see it go down. Towards the end of February Colin (and all the teachers in the district) received an email from the district office announcing an opening for a PE teacher at Canyon Lake Middle School. For those of you that do not know, before I had Kellen I was a full time PE teacher in the district at another middle school. The job posted online and was available for application submissions for only a week. Colin and I talked about it and decided I should apply and see what happened. I submitted my application a few days later and didn't hear anything. A few weeks later we happened to pass by the assistant superintendent of personnel at a stop light and we asked him how the process was going. He said there were over 100 applicants and they were still in the process of screening applications. At that point I figured, well, maybe this isn't what God had planned. We both realized that if I didn't get a phone call we'd just continue with our current plan. March 11th I received a phone call from the district office wanting to know if i was still interested in the position and wanted to set up an interview. I have no idea how many people were interviewed, but March 14th when I interviewed, the only other applicants I saw were males. Each interview was 15 minutes long and had 6 questions. I tried to keep each answer short and simple, but Im pretty sure I rambled on one of them. I wasn't very confident leaving, I sorta suck at interviews. :-/ I seem to freeze and forget everything I was planning on saying. I found out later that I don't think I smiled at all during the interview either (yikes).
March 20th I got one last call from the district office... "So, Mindie, are you ready to come back to work?" I was a little surprised, but super excited. I completed all the paperwork yesterday, and I start April 1st. I'm nervous. I'm the newbie and I want to do a good job. I have about a week to plan and hopefully meet with the other PE teachers and make the transition pretty smooth. These kids have had two teachers, a long term sub and plenty of other people come and go this year and I hope they will give me a chance. I will need a few days to get to know them before we jump in to our current unit, basketball.
Please keep us in your prayers...
-Wisdom- to bring my best to work each day. To prepare well, love on the kids, and be an example to them. And have FUN!
-For the students- to transition well (they have now had 3 teachers this year, and probably are eager for some routine and consistency).
-Colin and I to continue to communicate well. Two full time jobs,and one little man to take care of. And one car to travel in.
-That Jesus will be reflected in my life. That my family would still be priority over work. Prayer and guidance to balance family and full time job.
-Kellen to adjust well. It won't be much different for him. He misses the cut off for kindergarten so he will go from preschool to pre-k in September at the same school. His schedule does not change.
-Additional wisdom for our finances. This second paycheck will allow us to eliminate our debt (Lord willing) within the year... Almost 2 years ahead of schedule.
Thank you for your prayers and congratulations! I feel really loved on, and appreciated.
Blessings!
It all started last summer, when Colin and I had just finished facilitating our second Financial Peace University class at Sandals Church. We still had about $55,000 worth of debt and Kellen was about ready to start preschool in the fall. We knew that if we wanted to be able to afford preschool, and keep the debt snowball rolling, I would need to work, at least part time.
In September I started substitute teaching for the Lake Elsinore Unified School District, part time, and Kellen was in preschool Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It was a little bit of a tough transition, but Kellen eventually grew to LOVE school and would ask me to go home and get him later if I came to pick him up before 3pm. The extra income paid for preschool and extra cash to pay towards our debt.
In January, we decided to try full time preschool for Kellen, and five days a week subbing for me. At first it was a little rough (seems to be the pattern, ha ha). But Kellen seems to do better with the routine being consistent. The only real downside to preschool is that he's had 4 ear infections (thanks to germs and colds from classmates) since he started. Even that seems to be routine now!
After two months of full time subbing, I was pretty much working at Lakeside every day. Most of the days went real well, the kids are great and I have been able to spend lunch with Colin each day. Kellen's school is a mile down the road and it has been working out. We now have $32,500 left in debt; (thanks to taxes and the extra income) it is encouraging to see it go down. Towards the end of February Colin (and all the teachers in the district) received an email from the district office announcing an opening for a PE teacher at Canyon Lake Middle School. For those of you that do not know, before I had Kellen I was a full time PE teacher in the district at another middle school. The job posted online and was available for application submissions for only a week. Colin and I talked about it and decided I should apply and see what happened. I submitted my application a few days later and didn't hear anything. A few weeks later we happened to pass by the assistant superintendent of personnel at a stop light and we asked him how the process was going. He said there were over 100 applicants and they were still in the process of screening applications. At that point I figured, well, maybe this isn't what God had planned. We both realized that if I didn't get a phone call we'd just continue with our current plan. March 11th I received a phone call from the district office wanting to know if i was still interested in the position and wanted to set up an interview. I have no idea how many people were interviewed, but March 14th when I interviewed, the only other applicants I saw were males. Each interview was 15 minutes long and had 6 questions. I tried to keep each answer short and simple, but Im pretty sure I rambled on one of them. I wasn't very confident leaving, I sorta suck at interviews. :-/ I seem to freeze and forget everything I was planning on saying. I found out later that I don't think I smiled at all during the interview either (yikes).
March 20th I got one last call from the district office... "So, Mindie, are you ready to come back to work?" I was a little surprised, but super excited. I completed all the paperwork yesterday, and I start April 1st. I'm nervous. I'm the newbie and I want to do a good job. I have about a week to plan and hopefully meet with the other PE teachers and make the transition pretty smooth. These kids have had two teachers, a long term sub and plenty of other people come and go this year and I hope they will give me a chance. I will need a few days to get to know them before we jump in to our current unit, basketball.
Please keep us in your prayers...
-Wisdom- to bring my best to work each day. To prepare well, love on the kids, and be an example to them. And have FUN!
-For the students- to transition well (they have now had 3 teachers this year, and probably are eager for some routine and consistency).
-Colin and I to continue to communicate well. Two full time jobs,and one little man to take care of. And one car to travel in.
-That Jesus will be reflected in my life. That my family would still be priority over work. Prayer and guidance to balance family and full time job.
-Kellen to adjust well. It won't be much different for him. He misses the cut off for kindergarten so he will go from preschool to pre-k in September at the same school. His schedule does not change.
-Additional wisdom for our finances. This second paycheck will allow us to eliminate our debt (Lord willing) within the year... Almost 2 years ahead of schedule.
Thank you for your prayers and congratulations! I feel really loved on, and appreciated.
Blessings!
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