Living the Parables {Book Review & Giveaway}

I am thrilled to be a part of Covenant Communication's Blog Tour and Giveaway for this fantastic new book by Hank Smith and co-author Kathryn Jenkins called Living the Parables - Applying Christ's Teaching to our Lives!  

This book is quite a treasure.  Smith & Jenkins kick off this fantastic read by describing the four Gospels of the New Testament and offering insight behind the author of each one.  (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John)  They continue by pleading the case for why we should study the New Testament as a whole since, when we do, it sheds new light on each parable and puts each in an understandable context.  The authors then introduce the two types of parables (I had no idea there were two!) and how the Savior used each type to bring understanding and clarity to the hearer.  

If you are anything like me, then you too have always believed that Jesus spoke in parables to make complex things easier for his audience to digest.  By using simple stories He could teach gospel principles in a way that everyone could understand.  But, the authors go on to share with us that this is a common misconception and not necessarily accurate.  Referring to parables as "unequaled in history" and "a lot deeper than they appear," the authors walk you through the well-known, and many lesser-known, parables found in the New Testament.  Sharing with you how to understand the parable, interpret the parable and then apply its teachings in your life you will put not be able to put this book down.  

Living the Parables is a fantastic supplement to the new Come Follow Me curriculum for home & families and can be purchased from your favorite retailer!

I am also excited to share a giveaway with you on my blog!  Enter to win a copy of Living the Parables using Rafflecopter below!  Thanks so much for swinging by!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0ae98b8a181/?RAFFLECOPTER:

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer:  I was provided this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.  A special Thank You to Covenant Communication for letting me enjoy this great book!  :) 

May

Remember the caterpillars that Kayley got way back in September?  (See below).  Well, she did it!  Both caterpillars survived the winter, hatched and turned into gorgeous polyphemous moths.

She barely got a chance to discover they had hatched before she also learned that one must've been a boy, the other a girl...because they promptly looked at each other through their lashes and the female laid eggs.  LOL. 

We also finally finished up our school year.  At times it felt like we were crawling to the finish line, but both girls wrapped up the 3rd and and 7th grades respectively.   

  

We are looking forward to summer!  

Miscellany

I know it has been a long time since I blogged!  It just seems that life keeps getting busier and busier!  

Over the last couple of months the girls just keep plugging away at school in our quieter pockets of time while we have stayed extremely busy in other pockets!  

They have enjoyed doing several science experiments. 

Kayley transformed herself into a unicorn. 

We went to the Kids Safe Expo again this year.  

We always enjoy it! 

The girls enjoyed meeting Abby Dyer from KY3.

They also had an opportunity to learn some gun safety and practice shooting at a target. 

We found this random turkey egg in our backyard.

At least, we think it is a turkey egg! 

Kayley also had a chance to go roller skating for the first time.

She was pretty good at it! 

She also made about 247,982 batches of cookie dough for her girls camp fundraiser!

We also enjoyed a great family workday cutting down trees and splitting firewood!

Easter 2019

Well.  The Easter Bunny outdid himself again this year.  (Thanks to Papa!)  

He created a huge maze of yard through the yard and house.  Each girl had to follow their particular string to find the goodies at the end!

Disney World 2019

We enjoyed a trip to Disney World this month!  This would be considered our summer vacation, since we generally try to go on vacation when everyone else is in school.  While we don't necessarily homeschool through the summer, we do not typically travel anywhere since things are busy and it is hot.  We had a great time, spending 5 days at the parks.  Here are a few pictures of our fun week!

First & last ride always involved the bus.  WDW does a pretty good job of transportation.  It was nice to just hop on the bus and go from place to place. 

The Lego Store at Disney Springs.

That's a LOT of Legos. 

Disney's Animal Kingdom. 

It was SO hot.  Look at this red face... 

Epcot... 

We interrupt this vacation for laundry... 

It was terribly crowded, even in February.  

I cannot imagine trying to go in the summer, it must be nuts. 

The People Mover in Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom... 

We went to the Luau at the Polynesian Resort.  

It was really fun!

Toy Story Land, Hollywood Studios 

Our resort (the All Star Music) had Guitar Hero in the Lobby.

This became a favorite...