Thursday, September 3, 2009

Life in the Slow Zone

This is my 100th post! I can hardly believe it. It seems like just yesterday when I sat staring at my computer afraid to hit the "Publish post" button. Now eight months later I am hitting 100.

To celebrate this post I have an amazing giveaway. But first you have to read a little about it. . .

I just finished a book that has been life changing for me. For those of you that know me you know that I am an extreme Type A personality. I usually have a million irons in the fire and am running around with my head cut off trying to figure out what I need to do next. I have a hard time saying "No" and I love to be right in the middle of everything.

So naturally, I think that my children need to be involved in everything as well. God helped me out a little in this department when he pushed us a little to move to a very small town. All of the activities that I had planned to enroll my children in, were no longer available.

However, even a small town has things to get involved in, so it is easy to over schedule and over commit.

In the past year our family life has been crazy. . .and I am tired.

About a month ago I was looking at possible books to review on my blog and I saw this book. I knew that I had to have it. I had to read it.


Since starting to read this book I have had the opportunity to visit with the author Ann Kroeker through e-mail. She is an amazing author and woman. I wish she lived down the street so I could sit and visit with her gaining pieces of her wisdom.

I usually read books very quickly, but I took a clue from the title and savored every chapter. The nineteen chapters break down different areas that we need to learn to slow down. Some examples include "Slowing Down Childhood, Forget the Joneses and Taking Time to Create".

The chapters not only include references to scripture, but also real life lessons that Ann's family has learned along the way. At the end of each chapter their is an opportunity to journal about your family and it gives you solutions that you can apply to your family life. She also includes "Live from the Slow Zone" entries in each chapter. These are stories from real families that have chosen to live life in the "Slow Zone" and the rewards they have received in doing so.

I wanted to include one of my favorite excerpts from the book from her chapter on "Slowing Down Spending".

"Instead of rushing to the mall in search of satisfaction, I will sit at the Savior's feet and look to Him to satisfy my deepest desires. I hope that things I thought were so necessary will grow strangely dim. One day I hope that we can all say, 'That'll do. That's enough. My God has met all my needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.' He is enough. He is more than enough."


This amazing book is available for you here. You can also check out the book's website here.

But for one of you lucky readers, you will receive a signed copy of Ann's book with a personal message. I am so blessed that you take the time to read my blog. All you have to do is leave a comment to be entered into the giveaway. The giveaway will end on Thursday, September 10th at midnight.

Thank you Ann for the gift my family is receiving because of your book. We are committed to slowing down and sitting at our Savior's feet.

15 comments:

Collette@Jesuslovesmums said...

this book sounds like a really worthwhile read! Glad you have gained from it!
Love Collette xxx

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Oh, this one sounds right up my alley...I am a big fan of not enrolling my kids in hundreds of activities.

Happy 100th post!
~ Wendy

Unknown said...

I found you through SITS this morning. I have 2 little girls and have been feeling guilty that they aren't yet enrolled in any extra curricular activities. I would love to lose the guilt as well as slow us all down a little in the day to day. Glad to meet you... Oh, and I just subcribed! ~Lanie

http://www.dothisallday.com

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness - I so want this book. :) Count me in. :)

Shelley said...

Please enter me in the drawing for this book. I would consider it a blessing if I won.

Rhonda said...

Coming over from Shawn's...seriously! I would love to have this book! We limit activities in our home, but may still need to whittle back more?? Count me in! ;O) Thanks for being a giver.
Rhonda

Beth@Not a Bow in Sight said...

The book looks awesome! Sign me up!

Michelle said...

I'm intrigued. This book sounds about right. No matter what. I'm going to see if our library carries it.

Not Your Aunt B said...

We were just talking about this at the church with some other moms. Sounds like a great read at a perfect time! Maybe I outta take the hint from up above.

L.L. Barkat said...

Ann is a wonderful writer. Thanks for this opportunity! :)

kellyjae said...

Hi Amy! OK, I'm commenting...:) But really, this sounds like a really interesting book. I would love to hear Ann's ideas for how to spend that "slow" time with my family. With Michael being a freshmen this year, I am really feeling a sense of urgency in regard to the amount of time we have left with him at home. It went by so quickly with him...I know that it will be the same way with the other three. Thanks for the opportunity to win this. I guess if I don't I will just borrow your copy!!;)
Love,
Kelly

KEE said...

I've been struggling with this very issue. On the one hand I want my kids to have all the oppurtunities that I did not have growing up. We never had the money foe dance or soccer or any extra activities.

My son is enrolled in soccer, his second year. We have talked about putting our daughter in dance. Then there are so many school related activities it's hard to know which ones to do.
It's all about balance and I have not figured out how to obtain that. I guess I most definitelty need to pick up this book. : )

Goat Gal said...

Hello I found you blog through Not a Bow in Sight. What a great giveaway. Please enter me.

Diane said...

The book sounds great. We all need to slow down in one or many areas. :O) Thanks!

Unknown said...

Love Ann, Love the concept of this book. Love give aways =)