After years of caring for her family, author Laura Ruth Ellis finally felt free to pursue a new life purpose. Almost immediately, however, she was pulled back into the role of dutiful daughter when her mother succumbed to dementia. The years she spent as full-time caregiver were stressful and exhausting—but from the fears and challenges came the transformation she had sought all along. In We You Me, Laura recalls from her journal entries the emotional turmoil the caregiver role brought to her and the lessons it taught her. With intimacy and honesty, she recounts the stresses, strains, and shame she endured along the way. As the years went on, a change began; she moved from denying life’s circumstances to accepting life as it comes, eventually gaining an awareness of life’s bigger picture in the process. Her focus shifted from duty to others with love to love of duty to her inner self. Life presented the role she needed to finally find and accept who she most wanted to be and her buried dream was released. This personal narrative presents a journey of acceptance through the realms of caregiving toward true self-knowledge, as one woman’s dream deferred for duty is brought to life.
A pair of activity books to inspire bonding between parents and kids You, Me, We! is a set of fill-in books that give parents and children an opportunity to express themselves and connect with each other in the process. Filled with activities that appeal to the kid and the kid-at-heart, these identical books are designed so that a parent and child can capture memories, share interests, and collaborate on silliness at the same time! Created by Erin Jang (@indigobunting) and kid-tested by her son Miles, these boldly designed books are gender-neutral and written for moms, dads, sons, and daughters alike. They are ideal for taking on vacation, breaking out on a rainy day, or doing a page at a time as a nightly ritual. An easy way to capture the parent-child relationship at a moment in time, You, Me, We! will become a treasure in the making. Special Features Two paperback books packaged together with a clear acetate jacket Activities are suitable for ages 7 and up Full-color illustrations throughout
When You Talk, Are People Changed? Whether you speak from the pulpit, podium, or the front of a classroom, you don’t need much more than blank stares and faraway looks to tell you you’re not connecting. Take heart before your audience takes leave! You can convey your message in the powerful, life-changing way it deserves to be told. An insightful, entertaining parable that’s an excellent guide for any speaker, Communicating for a Change takes a simple approach to delivering effectively. Join Pastor Ray as he discovers that the secrets to successful speaking are parallel to the lessons a trucker learns on the road. By knowing your destination before you leave (identifying the one basic premise of your message), using your blinkers (making transitions obvious), and implementing five other practical points, you’ll drive your message home every time! “Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away…” “Once upon a time…” “In the beginning…” Great stories capture and hold an audience’s attention from start to finish. Why should it be any different when you stand up to speak? In Communicating for a Change, Andy Stanley and Lane Jones offer a unique strategy for communicators seeking to deliver captivating and practical messages. In this highly creative presentation, the authors unpack seven concepts that will empower you to engage and impact your audience in a way that leaves them wanting more. “Whether you are a senior pastor with weekly teaching responsibilities or a student pastor who has bern charged with engaging the hearts and minds of high school students, this book is a must-read.” -Bill Hybels, Senior pastor, Willow Creak Community Church “A very practical resource for every biblical communicator who wants to go from good to great.” -Ed Young, Senior pastor, Fellowship Church, Grapevine, Texas “To communicate effectively, you have to connect. Andy has been connecting with people for years, and now he’s sharing his insights with the rest of us.” -Jeff Foxworthy, Comedian Story Behind the Book Andy Stanley and Lane Jones are on staff at one of America ’s largest churches, North Point Community. Leaders of thousands of people, they regularly speak in front of large groups. They also listen to numerous speakers and know the disastrous effects of a poorly delivered message. This book is the result of their efforts to make public speaking—one of the most common fear-inducing activities known to mankind—simple, easy, and even enjoyable, so that God’s messages will readily produce the life-changing results they should.
In the same way Francis Chan’s book Crazy Love changes the way we see our relationship with God, You and Me Forever by Francis and his wife, Lisa, radically shifts the way we see our relationship with our spouse. Marriage can be great … but how would your marriage flourish if you focused on something even greater? Ideal for couples and singles who want to experience God in a new way, this countercultural book: Equips us to pursue a marriage that radiates God’s glory Motivates us to make courageous decisions based on devotion to Jesus Helps us prepare ourselves and our loved ones for eternity Shows us how living with an eternal lens sharpens our focus on the here and now Unlike marriage books that narrow our attention to the marriage itself, You and Me Forever shows how to prioritize our eternal relationship with our Creator above all things—because only when two people are right with God will they be right with each other.
The days are long, but the years are short. No matter if it’s your child’s first step, first day of school, or first night tucked away in a new dorm room away from home, there comes a moment when you realize just how quickly the years are flying by. Christian music artist Nichole Nordeman’s profound lyrics in her viral hit “Slow Down” struck a chord with moms everywhere, and now this beautiful four-color book will inspire you to celebrate the everyday moments of motherhood. Filled with thought-provoking writings from Nichole, as well as guest writings from friends including Shauna Niequist and Jen Hatmaker, practical tips, and journaling space for reflection, Slow Down will be a poignant gift for any mom, as well as a treasured keepsake. Take a few moments to reflect and celebrate the privilege of being a parent and getting to watch your little ones grow—and Slow Down. Nichole Nordeman has sold more than 1 million albums as a Christian music artist and has won 9 GMA Dove Awards, including two awards for Female Vocalist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. Nichole released a lyric video for her song “Slow Down,” and it struck a chord with parents everywhere, amassing 14 million views in its first five days. She lives in Oklahoma with her two children.
This is no ordinary apocalypse... Hannah wakes up to silence. The entire city around her is empty, except for one other person: Leo. Stuck with only each other, they explore a world with no parents, no friends, and no school and realise that they can be themselves, instead of playing the parts everyone expects of them. Together, they search for answers amid crushing isolation. But while their empty world may appear harmless . . . it's not. Because nothing is quite as it seems, and if Hannah and Leo don't figure out what's going on, they might just be torn apart forever. Perfect for fans of John Green. A romantic apocalypse story like no other.
This heartwarming picture book reassures children that a parent’s love never lets go—based on the poignant lyrics of JJ Heller’s beloved lullaby “Hand to Hold.” “May the living light inside you be the compass as you go / May you always know you have my hand to hold.” With delightful illustrations and an engaging rhyme scheme, this book offers the promise of security and love every child’s heart longs to know. From skipping stones and counting stars to climbing trees and telling stories, every moment is wrapped snugly in the certain warmth of a parent’s presence and God’s blessing. With poignancy and joy, this bedtime read captures the unconditional love parents want their children to know but so often fail to express amid the chaos of daily life.
Ally Mindset is a model for proactive, thoughtful work relationships that enable you to thrive when you have colleagues who have your back at work, providing ample evidence for how adopting the Ally Mindset increases happiness, incentivizes collaboration, and improves business outcomes.
“Equal parts wry comedy and touching family drama, it’s ultimately a heartbreaker that’ll stay with you long after you’re done.” —Marie Claire “Glass of chilled rosé, check. Comfy chair, check. Box of tissues, check. You Me Everything is everything you need for a moving, funny, heartbreaking, and ultimately joyous read.” --Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Map of the Heart Set in the French countryside on an idyllic summer vacation, a delicious, tender novel about finding joy and love even in the most unexpected places. Jess and her ten-year-old son William set off to spend the summer at Château de Roussignol, deep in the rich, sunlit hills of the Dordogne. There, Jess’s ex-boyfriend—and William’s father—Adam, runs a beautiful hotel in a restored castle. Lush gardens, a gorgeous pool, delectable French food, and a seemingly never-ending wine list—what’s not to like? Jess is bowled over by what Adam has accomplished, but she’s in France for a much more urgent reason: to make Adam fall in love with his own son. But Adam has other ideas, and another girlfriend—and he doesn’t seem inclined to change the habits of a lifetime just because Jess and William have appeared on the scene. Jess isn’t surprised, but William—who has quickly come to idolize his father—wants nothing more than to spend time with him. But Jess can’t allow Adam to let their son down—because she is tormented by a secret of her own, one that nobody—especially William—must discover. By turns heartwrenching and hopeful, You Me Everything is a novel about one woman's fierce determination to grab hold of the family she has and never let go, and a romantic story as heady as a crisp Sancerre on a summer day.
