SpellQuizzer Giveaway

We were contacted about a month ago by Mr. Dan Hite, owner of SpellQuizzer.com, a great new educational way for kids to learn through a spelling program that helps children master their spelling and vocabulary. SpellQuizzer is spelling software for students that need help learning their spelling and vocabulary words. There are pre-made spelling lists you can download and use from the SpellQuizzer website. Even the most misspelled words!

Miss Virginia and I enjoy SpellQuizzer and what it has to offer homeschool kids. It has a voice that speaks to them so they hear the words being recited to them and they get the opportunity to type in the spelling of the spoken word. You can also create sentences for them to read that gives clues to what the word is. I feel this is a great program that also helps them learn some typing skills too. They even have a page just for homeschoolers.

It does take a little bit of time to program in your chosen spelling words, but it's worth it. Once you take the time to train your child how to use the program, which is quite easy, then they can get on the computer for some fun learning.

SpellQuizzer is not like any other online educational program. SpellQuizzer is downloaded to your computer for you to keep!

Mr. Hite has graciously offered to give away a copy of this software to one blessed reader and here's what you can do to win this program:

-Blog about this giveaway on your blog.
-Send out a message on Twitter and include the link to this review. Hashtag #GGMgiveaway
(limit once a day, but feel free to tweet every day for more chances to win)
-Post about it on Facebook, in a NOTE and tag all your homeschool connections.
-Leave a comment below with your links for verification.

As you can see there's a lot of chances to win, just keep telling others about it and you'll have a higher chance of winning.


Sisterlisa is the owner and Editor-in-Chief of Growing in Grace Magazine and owner of AGMinistries, a devotion blog for women. She is married and homeschools her four children while remaining active in serving the Lord in her community.

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Chrissa Stands Strong: Review

by Sisterlisa

I am not usually one to make a full 100% support of a film and even when I am, I will let you know what concerns I have for it as well. First and foremost Chrissa, a ten year old girl, attends a public school and the topic of homeschooling does come up, although is not pursued which is a disappointment. I feel it would be beneficial for American Girl to incorporate a homeschool girl into their cast of characters and dolls for the 21st Century.

I believe that 21st Century homeschool girls do face challenges for their family's decision to home educate and I feel it would behoove AG to look into another American Girl who lives the homeschooling lifestyle.

Now although Chrissa goes to public school, I feel her experiences with the girls in her school is a socially educational study, because I have seen plenty of the same struggles within many different girl groups, including among adults in most 'churches'. I don't mean that as a knock against people, but the study of group dynamics crosses many social circles.

Years ago I read a book that covers this very topic and found there are many books and websites available for resources to parents and girls about how to deal with the drama that surrounds that passage of life. Keywords for adults for searching are: school bullies, mean girls, queen bees, teen group dynamics, Rosalind Wiseman.

In Chrissa Stands Strong we see a short story about a girl who moves to a new town and struggles with making new friends. The popular girls, the Mean Bees, in school seems to be bold and sure of themselves, but their subtle manipulation puts Chrissa in a paralyzed state of confusion.

A word of caution about this film; the Mean Bees are mean, really mean. I Gasped many times during this movie and was even moved to tears at times. I grew up in a public school and my girls in a Christian School and I can tell you from experience that Mean Bees from all over the world know how to perfect their craft. This is what is so startling to so many parents. This craftiness by Mean Bees is dangerous and must be dealt with.

Chrissa needs to make a decision about whether or not to tattle on these girls, or is it called standing up for yourself? No one wants to be labeled a tattle tale. I believe every young girl should be counseled by their parents on exactly how to handle situations like this. By the time you reach the conclusion of this film, take some time to discuss the story with your children. This AG film just barely touches the hem of the garment of how dangerous this issue is today.

If you decide to see this film, you may want to pause it after each scene and discuss the trials Chrissa is facing.

Some questions to consider:

How would you feel if..... happened to you?
How would you make a friend in a new situation?
What would you do if you saw girls treat others like that?
Would you know what to say?
Are you afraid of telling sometimes?
What kind of fears do you think Chrissa had in coming forward for help?
How much worse do you think it could get if she never told anyone?

This review is meant simply to give you some basic information about the film and the content thereof. If you are sensitive about bathing suits, Chrissa is on a swim team, but these girls are far too young to show any neckline issues. There is no bad language or romance involved. This story is just one of many reasons why our family chooses to homeschool. Keep in mind that this kind of bullying is not just in social circles in real life, but in virtual life as well. Cyber bullying is included in this film and should be researched in depth by any parent who allows their child to be a part of social network groups, message board forums, and blogging.


Sisterlisa is the owner and Editor-in-Chief of Growing in Grace Magazine and owner of AGMinistries, a devotion blog for women. She is married and homeschools her four children while remaining active in serving the Lord in her community.

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The Wintons Bluegrass Gospel

by Sisterlisa

My dear friend Lisa Winton, a homeschooling mom, sent me a copy of their CD, The Wintons. My family has enjoyed their CD for over a month and we have told all our friends how enjoyable their music is. You can listen to some of their songs at their Shout Life page here.

Their CD is 'This World is Not My Home' and is available for order through Paypal in the left side bar of their blog. You can follow The Wintons on Facebook as well. They are also at Behemoth.com and you can download individual songs for your MP3!

Authentic Bluegrass Gospel music at it's finest! Fast fiddles, acoustic guitars, and banjos will keep your toes tappin' all day long! Great for the entire family! Some songs are quite soothing too, brings a calm peace over the soul. So, whether you need motivational housecleaning music or peaceful soul stirring worship time, The Wintons have a gift that brings the Spirit of God into your home.

And here is the fantastic news, Lisa Winton is donating a Download card(for your MP3) to one of our readers! In addition to that Growing in Grace Magazine is purchasing a CD, so we will have TWO winners!

So here's what you can do for a chance to win!

-Grab the icon below and add to your side bar. When the winner is announced, that icon will automatically change and you'll know to come see if you've won!
-Grab the large icon to use in a blog post on your blog, announcing this giveaway.
-Tweet about this giveaway and DM the link to GGM's Twitter account.
-Post about the giveaway on your Facebook Wall and add The Wintons Facebook page! Then post on their wall letting them know you posted it on your page.
-Comment below with all your links so we can confirm your entries.
-Deadline for entries is Saturday August 22nd!

<a href="http://www.growingingraceonline.com/2009/07/wintons-bluegrass-gospel.html"><img src="http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm244/ggmstaff/Buttons/wintonsgiveaway.png " alt="The Wintons Music Giveaway at GGM!" border="0" /></a>

Sisterlisa is the owner and Editor-in-Chief of Growing in Grace Magazine and owner of AGMinistries, a devotion blog for women. She is married and homeschools her four children while remaining active in serving the Lord in her community.

Subscribe to Growing in Grace Magazine by Email

Basic Cake Decorating Tutorial

by Lady Jess

Basic Cake Decorating
Kathy Brodock
Teaching Good Things
www.teachinggoodthings.com

This DVD was a step by step lesson on cake making and cake decorating. Mrs. Brodock has been baking and decorating cakes for over twenty-years, and now she wants to share her knowledge with the next generation of homemakers. You can find all kinds of different tutorials on homemaking skills from cake decorating to quilting.

She says "I have created hundreds of cakes for just about every occasion! I have catered countless parties and weddings. In addition, I have taught dozens of cake decorating classes to adults and children. I have packed everything you need to know about basic cake decorating into this one-hour DVD."

"Is it hard to squeeze the extra money from your budget to take a class? At a fraction of the cost of taking classes, you can learn the basic techniques in the privacy and convenience of your own home."

The level of difficulty would be simple for anyone who is familiar with baking cakes, yet also easy enough for someone who is not. This DVD tutorial was easy to follow along with,and she made it seem quite like "a piece of cake". This was much easier to follow than most popular cooking shows and a down to earth viewing that wasn't intimidating. You could tell that Mrs. Brodock has experience with baking cakes and that she has a passion for using her creativity while teaching. Listening to her voice throughout the video brought a comfort feeling that reminds me of baking with my own mother, yet my mother doesn't have that sweet southern accent.

I admire this family for putting together this video in their own home to encourage others in this simple, but important, homemaking skill. Because this was a homemade film it makes it seem as if I was there in her kitchen as if Mrs. Brodock was speaking directly to me.

I thought that this tutorial video demonstration was very informative. It had many great ideas in it and many different techniques and tips that I feel is very useful. I think the decorating idea that I enjoyed the most was both the roses and the regular waves. I think that I will have to make myself a cake soon and put this lesson to good use for my family. Mrs. Brodock made it look so easy! I really enjoyed what this tutorial gave me, and I'm sure you will too!


Lady Jess is a teen lady who is homeschooled along with her siblings. She assists her mother in teaching her younger siblings, is an interpreter in her church's deaf ministry, sings in the choir, and is assisting her family's ministry for Literacy for Adult Education.

'Sydney Claire' Discovering Grace in the 60's'

by SisterLisa

Sydney Claire is a young girl who is living amidst the changing culture of America during the 60's. Sydney's parents seize the opportunity to teach Sydney about God's grace while she is actively seeking jobs to raise money to be able to purchase a puppy. Sydney attempts to raise money washing dogs, but ends in disaster and loses her reputation of being a lady with her friend's mother.

She has an idea on how to get money by opening a lemonade stand. Sydney and her friends make a mistake when adding what they thought was sugar. Their first two customers were the boys who lived down the street, but they were caught by surprise as they sipped the lemonade and discovered it was made with salt instead of sugar! The boys make sure to let her customers know how awful her lemonade tastes. No matter how hard Sydney tries to raise the money she doesn't seem to be able to find happiness in anything she does.

Will Sydney ever be able to raise enough money to purchase the puppy she loved so much? Will a puppy bring her the happiness she is desperately trying to get? How will her parents be able to teach Sydney what God's grace is in the middle of the culture change America experiences during their time?

You can find out how God works His miracles as you read Sydney Claire's book of growing in grace during the 1960's.'Sydney Claire' is just one of six books currently written about Sydney. Written by Pam Davis and a part of the Girls n' Grace Collection, this story is one of several Pam has written. You can meet her Girls n' Grace at their website.

We have two of these books to give away!
Simply follow the FOUR instructions below:

1. Announce this giveaway on your blog and use the graphic below.
2. Leave a comment with your link.
3. Subscribe to GGM in the subscription box in the right side bar.
4. Send your subscription confirmation email to us at
(If you already subscribe, send us an email from the email account associated with your GGM subscription for verification.)

For a second chance to win, Tweet about the giveaway and Direct Message GGM's Twitter page for verification. (Be sure to add us if you haven't already)

For a third chance to win post about this giveaway on your Facebook page, then come by our Facebook page and leave us a message stating that you entered.

Grab your codes here:

<a href="http://www.growingingraceonline.com/2008/12/sydney-claire-discovering-grace-in-60s.html"><img src="http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq6/ggmeditor/January/SydneyClaireGiveawayTag.png" align="center" alt="Sydney Claire Book Giveaway at GGM" border="0" /></a>

Sisterlisa is the owner and Editor-in-Chief of Growing in Grace Magazine and owner of AGMinistries, a devotion blog for women. She is married and homeschools her four children while remaining active in community service and leads the deaf ministry at her church.

'Mesi' A Girl of Grace

by SisterLisa

Mesi (Pronounced Maycee) is a young girl living in an African village among a culture of prejudice between tribes in the area. She is privileged to be able to attend a school since most of her people do not know how to read or write. Her parents and village chief regard her as a strong young girl who is responsible and allow her to have responsibilities that most girls her age are not allowed to have.

Mesi has a dream of building a church so her people can come learn about the Jesus she discovered from her friend Miss Ama. Mesi has a joy in her heart that the other villagers have taken notice of. Miss Ama has been teaching Mesi about the Lord's mercy and grace. Mesi has a heart's desire to learn more about God and how she can teach her people about His everlasting love.

During a night of serving the men of her village she hears about the animosity between her tribe and that of another. A wall of prejudice has existed between their people for a number of years. The village's lead fisherman discovered that his boat was missing and their first suspect is that neighboring tribe. Without that boat they would not be able to fish and provide food for their people.

Mesi's mother asked her to wash the laundry by the riverbed and while she and a friend were faithfully fulfilling their chores they heard a noise from behind a bush. Fearful that it could be an alligator or a lion, they cautiously investigated. The girls discovered an injured boy hiding along the riverbank. He was a boy from the neighboring enemy tribe.

Will Mesi report to her angry villagers about the enemy being on their land? What would they do if they found him? If she leaves him there an alligator or Lion could discover him and have him for a meal. Should she keep his location a secret from her parents? She believes that God has given her His answer for what she should do.

I highly recommend this book to girls ages 8 and up. Even a mother could learn a lot from the life of this small African girl. My heart was deeply touched by this story and it is a story I will never forget. Mesi's story is one that is a wonderful family devotion of God's mercy and grace, a story you will want to read again and again.

'Mesi, a Season of Change' is just one of six books currently written about Mesi. Written by Pam Davis and a part of the Girls n' Grace Collection, this story is one of several Pam has written. You can meet her Girls n' Grace at their website.

I have two copies of this book to give away.
Simply follow the FOUR instructions below:

1. Announce this giveaway on your blog and use the graphic below.
2. Leave a comment with your link.
3. Subscribe to GGM in the subscription box in the right side bar.
4. Send your subscription confirmation email to us at
(If you already subscribe, send us an email from the email account associated with your GGM subscription for verification.)

For a second chance to win, Tweet about the giveaway and Direct Message GGM's Twitter page for verification. (Be sure to add us if you haven't already)

For a third chance to win post about this giveaway on your Facebook page, then come by our Facebook page and leave us a message stating that you entered.

Grab your codes here:

<a href="http://www.growingingraceonline.com/2008/12/mesi-girl-of-grace.html"><img src="http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq6/ggmeditor/January/MesiReviewGiveawayTag.png" align="center" alt="Mesi Book Giveaway at GGM!" border="0" /></a>

Sisterlisa is the owner and Editor-in-Chief of Growing in Grace Magazine and owner of AGMinistries, a devotion blog for women. She is married and homeschools her four children while remaining active in community service and leads the deaf ministry at her church.

Flergalicious Review and Giveaway

We are very happy to introduce Megan Farrow of Flergalicious. She is a digi scrap designer with Studio Flergs at Scrabookgraphics.com

Megan's set 'Dusk til Dawn' was used to design this month's layout design and as a digiscrapbooker and graphic artist I am thoroughly impressed with this set. Every portion of her set has intense detail and vibrant colors! She also has a set of GORGEOUS glitters that you can purchase that coordinate with this set.

Megan has graciously donated one free mini kit of this set for one of our lucky readers, but will have two winners! GGM is also offering a chance for you to win either the Dusk mini kit or the entire set. If you'd like to enter, please follow the instructions below.

* Please note that you do need a digital program to use this product as it is digital-scrapbooking. However, it is printable.

Rules Of Participation

1) Leave A Comment
2) Announce this giveaway on your blog (include links to GGM and Scrapbook Graphics).
3) Please put the icon on your sidebar, linked to this article.

Giveaway Button Code. Select all, copy, paste into your site template.

<p align="center"><a href="http://www.growingingraceonline.com/2008/08/flergalicious-review-and-giveaway.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm244/ggmstaff/Site%20Graphics/giveawaykit.png" border="0" /></a></p>

This giveaway will end at midnight, Friday, September 19th, and the winner will be announced the following Monday. Please make sure you follow all the rules to be entered! We don't want to have to exclude anyone due to lack of participation!

Gracious Reviews: Laylie's Daring Quest

Laylie’s Daring Quest is a book in the Life of Faith series. Laylie and her brother Luke are African-American slaves from the 1830s. They work at a plantation in South Carolina.

Laylie Colbert is a very outgoing girl who is not afraid to take risks. One of Laylie’s biggest challenges is to come to know Christ, but when she becomes Millie’s slave, very interesting and new things happen. What I like about Laylie the most is her bravery. It doesn’t matter to her if she is a slave, she acts herself no matter what happens. She stands up for what she thinks and never gives up.

My two most favorite parts about this book is when Laylie’s brother Luke had to wrestle an alligator. Isaac their preacher came running down to help Luke because he knew Luke was not a Christian and he didn’t want him to die. This part of the chapter was really exciting. It left you hooked and all you wanted to do was read more to find out if Luke lives. My other favorite part is how Laylie grows through difficult times. If you read this book, you won’t believe how she changes from the beginning to the end.


I recommend this book to people who want exciting, but emotional books. You will learn how to overcome fears and also learn about slavery and what it means to be free.

A Life of Faith

My favorite book series is the A Life of Faith series. It is published by Mission City Press who updated the original books that were written by Martha Finley in the 1800's. They also have a website, www.alof.com .

There are eight books for each of the three characters. The characters are Elsie Dinsmore, Millie Keith, and Violet Travilla. Elsie is Millie’s cousin and Violet’s mom. The books start with them as children and then they grow through the books until they are in their 20's. Each individual series (Elsie, Millie, or Violet) can be read separately from another series.



They have recently introduced two new series. The Laylie Colbert and Kathleen McKenzie series. These are not written by Martha Finley but they are still very good!

The Life of Faith books are uplifting, clean, and funny. I could go on...and on...about the books because I like them so much. However, I think I should share with you a pretend letter I wrote to Martha Finley (who has now gone on to be with the Lord), because it shows what I like about the Millie Keith series.

Here is the letter (I wrote it about a year ago):

Dear Mrs. Martha Finley,

I have read all of the Millie Keith books in the "A Life of Faith" series. Reading your books made me desire to grow closer to God. It made reading the Bible seem an exciting and rewarding thing to do, instead of something that I have to do. It also made me want to be more loving and kind towards my brothers, and respectful and obedient to my parents.

I think it is really neat that you start each chapter with a Bible verse that is relevant to the chapter. I have shared these books with my friends and they love them, too. I really like the fact that Millie asked God to keep her heart for her and to only give it to the right man when/if the time came. She did not kiss or do anything else that was not appropriate, but stayed pure and waited for the time when she would get married if that was God’s will for her.

Millie was the oldest child and sometimes she was frustrated or upset with her younger siblings but she prayed to God to help her become more patient. I am also the oldest child in my family and I want to be more patient with my younger brothers as well. I want to be gentle and kind and yet be bold and strong in my faith, just like Millie.

Your books show that a strong faith in God and good moral character are much more important than money or things. I completely agree with that! I think it is great that Millie’s Bible was her most prized possession. It is so wonderful to read books that value and promote purity and godliness in young women. Thank you so much for writing books that encourage people to live for God!

Reviews

We have a panel of reviewers of all ages here at GGM. If you have a product that you would like GGM to review you may send the following information to GGM.

Why would I choose GGM to review my product/service?
Our panel of reviewers are girls of all ages 10 and above, including mothers. What better way to advertise, for just the cost of your product being donated, than to have a girl of that specific age group to write how she likes it? This manner of reviewing is an unbiased opinion of a peer to our readers and is most beneficial to you as the vendor.

Guidelines:

If you have a product you'd like to have reviewed please understand that you must be willing to donate that item to GGM and that it is not to be returned. This is your gift to our reviewer for them promoting your product. The reviewer has two months to review the product and then her review will be scheduled to appear in an upcoming column.

Books: Book reviews are written by one of our girls. We ask that two books are sent. One for our reviewer and one as a giveaway. In the review of your book we will offer a giveaway for a reader to win. We will also link to your site for those who wish to purchase.

Homeschool Curriculum: We have both mothers and daughters who can review homeschool curriculum. Having one of our young authors review your curriculum is of great benefit to you. What better way to get the word out about how great your product is, than to have another young mind say how much they enjoy it.

Beauty and Health: Lady Jess writes a weekly column for beauty and a monthly column on health. If you would like to have your family friendly product reviewed in one of her columns please contact us.

Homekeeping/Homesteading Items: We have a panel ladies who can review your home-keeping products as well.

Other: If you have another product or service not listed here, that you would like to have reviewed, you may contact us for more information.

Your product must be of the utmost Christ-like nature(conservative family friendly) to be accepted at GGM. We reserve the right to deny submissions of any product by any vendor with or without explanation to the vendor.


Please include the following in your e-mail.
Send to: GGM
Subject Line: REVIEWS

Name:
Product:
Website URL:
Blog URL:
Requested Age of Reviewer:

Gracious Reviews "Strawberry Shortcake"

Strawberry Shortcake is a fun cute character that many moms remember from the 80's and we fondly recall the sweet fragrance from the doll collection. We want to share a few thoughts from our resident tween author Olivia and a sweet reader named Gina.

"If you are a girl between the ages of three and eight, then chances are you have seen Strawberry Shortcake. This cartoon is a great show for this age group.

Of course, the main character is Strawberry Shortcake. She and her playmates are very kid-friendly. My personal favorite is Angel Cake.

What also makes this cartoon so sweet is all of the cute colors, the happy music, and story lines. Even an older girl can still appreciate this sweet and innocent show. If you haven’t seen it, you should check it out!" ~Olivia

Olivia says that she enjoys Strawberry Shortcake's website of fun filled adventures with coloring pages, games, and more!

A GGM reader named Gina says, "In this book, 'The Berry Big Storm', we read about a ginormous spring rainstorm that hits Strawberryland, and Huckleberry Pie's fort is flooded! They have a big disaster to clean up, but Strawberry Shortcake and her friends learn that the hardest jobs are easier to accomplish when everyone works together. They learn to work as a team and Huckleberry's fort gets fixed up and ends up even better than before!"

Growing in Grace found some additional information, at Strawberry Shortcake Central, that might prove fun for mothers and daughters to enjoy together. If you've saved any of your Strawberry Shortcake memorabilia from the 80's, you might find the worth of that collection at this site.

"I always enjoyed the dolls when I was a little girl and although I adore the vintage Strawberry Shortcake, I'm happy to see our fun little character redesigned for our own little girls. Such a fun way to connect with our daughters!" ~Sisterlisa

Growing in Grace Magazine is pleased to see an animated series and book collection that portrays the kind of Christ-like character shown in the lives of these sweet little people. Kindness and common courtesy is becoming endangered and it's important that we do all we can to preserve the qualities that God intends for us to have.

'The Berry Big Storm' is being given away this month to one special girl living in the United States. Please follow these guidelines:

1. Post about this giveaway (linked to this post) on your blog, or your mom can do this on her blog.

2. Bring your URL back here for us to see and you'll be entered to win!

3. Deadline for entering will be Feb 13th, 2008 and the winner will be announced on February 14th!

4. Be sure to leave us a link where your mom can be contacted in the event that you win.

5. Get your parent's permission.

Each month GGM is willing to review a product or service for company's that exhibit moral excellence in their businesses. If you would like our team to review your family oriented product or service, please contact our administrator.