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I have been perusing DaySpring’s Illustrated Faith line for some time now.  I love that this company creates stickers, washi tape, pens, paint and die cut prompts specifically for Christians that Bible Journal.  Although I don’t journal in a Bible – I often write parts of Scripture inside my prayer journal.  As I scoured over the website at all of the products geared towards prayer, I thought of how much I could do with them in my own prayer life.

I was so excited when I received the Praise Book, Pens, Sticker and Clips Set to review!

Seriously – it felt like Christmas morning!  Since I had planned on doing more journaling for Lent, I decided to dedicate the Praise Book as my Lenten Journal.

At first, I was super excited about the stickers and die cut prompts, but a little skeptical about the binder.

Up until this point, my favorite prayer journal was the good ol’ fashioned Catholic school marble notebook (I’m sorry, Amazon calls these “composition books“).  I had recently tried a notepad that opens vertically, and decided that I would never go that route again.  So the binder – I wasn’t so sure about.

But, I dived right in.  Before even entering one prayer, I was so grateful for the inside pockets.  I often glue prayer cards to pages and write around them – so these pockets provided the perfect place to hold them.  I loved that the pockets were in the front and the back of the binder.

The next step I took to personalize the Praise Book and make it my own, was I wrote “Lenten Prayer Journal, 2017” on the first page.  I used one of the Illustrates Faith pens that came with the set.  I’m being totally honest here – I think I said out loud after I wrote:

Wow . . . these pens write nice!

Then like a dumb, dumb, I left the lid off of the one until the next day.  It was dry and I thought it was done forever.  Luckily the next day it worked better – but warning – put the cap back on the pen when you are finished using it!

I love the two pens included in this kit. Each one writes with a different thickness, so depending on what your preference is that day and how much you plan on writing, one of the two will be the perfect writing tool.

My prayer life was given a lift before I even started the official “Lent Journal”.  I loved how the prayer cards looked in the front pocket and how I decorated my title page so much – I had to stop and take a picture!

I mean really – I even posted it on Instagram!

My first entry was simple.  I copied a prayer I found that really spoke to me, and used a colored pencil to highlight some powerful sentences.  The next entry I was so excited to use one of the die-cut prompts.  On almost every page I found myself using the stickers to be an added fastener for prayer cards and prayers.

Then I showed my husband the clips.  These were new to me, so I wasn’t sure how I was going to implement them.  He picked them up and started saying “these are great, you can . . .” and he started describing ways they could be used!

Then, a few days into using the Praise Book Set, something awesome happened!

The extra features that were included in this set that were new to me, allowed my whole prayer experience to be brought to a new level.

The binder includes transparency dividers that you can write on and give one of your pages an added layer of creativity.  The first one I came across I took out and put in the back of the binder!  I had no idea what to do with it.

But one night when I was reading Resisting Happiness, the author, Matthew Kelly,  got me thinking about what my image of God is . . . He challenged the readers to really think about it and write down how we view God.  I thought this would be a great journal entry, so I did it.  When I was done writing, I looked at one of the cardstock sticker packs that were included in the set.  Almost every sticker was a title that described an “image of God”.  I took a transparency divider and put the titles over the words I had written.  I then used the clips to put actual images over what I wrote.  It was really quite a mediative and prayerful experience!

I am really enjoying using all the elements of this set.  I feel like I have tapped into some creativity that I did not realize I had inside or maybe the materials themselves have allowed me to be more open to the Lord’s inspiration.  Whatever the case, I am so grateful for this product!  Using it has given me even more ideas to share with you!  I am so excited!

And as for my pessimistic view of the binder . . . that went away the minute I realized I could take out a page I was working on and really get it to look exactly how I envisioned.  That mobility provided by the binder makes it another positive feature of the whole set.

I love using this set and I am truly happy with the quality and diversity of the materials included in it!  You can purchase your own Praise Book Set by clicking here: Praise Book, Pens, Stickers and Clip Set

Also, if you order today – the Illustrated Faith – Starter Kit is on sale – $15.00 off the normal price!!!  This sale is only on until Wednesday – so even if you win the giveaway, this starter set will enhance your experience with some different materials!

Would you like to win your own Praise Book, Pens, Stickers and Clips Set?  Enter below!!!  This contest ends on March

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The post Prayer Journaling with DaySpring’s Illustrated Faith Line [Review and Giveaway] appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.  The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear.  The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2: 8-14

Confession: This Advent; I have said the names “Santa” and “Saint Nicholas” more than I have said the name “Jesus”.  I know, not a good thing.  However, I know my weaknesses and since I am determined to teach my child how much Jesus loves him, I reached out to DaySpring and asked if I could review The Shepherd on the Search Advent Activity Set.  Thankfully, DaySpring agreed to send me the kit and allow me to host a giveaway!  I can honestly say, I am so glad we are actively participating in this activity in our home!  After reading our son the book and completing some of the fun games and crafts that accompany it with our son, I can share why I LOVE this gift set and would recommend it to everyone who celebrates Christmas!

Five Reasons Why I LOVE DaySpring’s The Shepherd on the Search

1. The Shepherd can be used with or without the Elf!

If you already use the famous Elf on the Shelf; you can easily add the Shepherd to the mix.  In fact, you could probably have a ton of fun teaming them up to do some entertaining things and allow your children to find them both together some mornings.  However, if you are not an elf fan – you can use The Shepherd instead!  We don’t have an Elf.  Our view is – Santa sees you no matter what – all the time.  I will say, sometimes I wished we had one.  The Shepherd was exactly what I was looking for . .. we can still have fun with looking for the little guy in the morning – but we are always reminded of who we should always search for . . .

2. Your child or children can touch The Shepherd and it’s all good!

I’ve heard that for those who do participate in “The Elf on the Shelf” that no one is allowed to touch the Elf.  I’ve also heard, that when children inevitably touch him, that creates more work for the parents.  The Shepherd can be touched and in fact, DaySpring offers online activities that go along with The Shepherd’s search – and our son’s FAVORITE involves hiding and seeking the Shepherd. That leads me to my next reason . .

3. The Daily ADVENTures found on DaySpring’s Website

DaySpring offers lots of ideas to use The Shepherd as a teaching tool and gives me ways to simply spend quality time with my son.  Our son, Xavier, is 4 years old.  He loves to cut and use scotch tape!  So, I was thrilled when I saw the first suggested activity was to create a paper chain countdown!  We made that chain together and it was a great activity for us.  We don’t get to do each ADVENTure – but again, that’s okay! One of the suggested activities is “Find the Shepherd”.  My son is so into hide and seek right now, so I thought, “he’ll like this game”.  Well – he LOVES it and wants to play EVERY DAY! I’m sure there is an ADVENTure your child will love as well!

4. Your child gets to name the Shepherd and he gets to look for him in the morning

You can hide him – or you could lose him for three days and say he must have found a really good hiding spot (cough, cough – that might have happened here).  Sometimes he’s in a funny spot.  No matter where he is, when Xavier finds him he smiles and is so happy!  I get a kick out of where my husband puts him sometimes.  Other times, I like to be creative and silly.  It’s fun – for all of us!

5. And Finally, The Shepherd is based on Scripture and the true meaning of Christmas

When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”  So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.  When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.  All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.  And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

Luke 2:15-20

The Shepherd on the Search book uses this Bible verse as a starting point.  The Shepherd, who comes with the book and your child names, is a child that helps the adult shepherds.  The men tell the child to stay back – but he is to excited and follows behind – but not to close, because he doesn’t want to get seen (since he was told not to come along)!

It’s a great book to add to the nightly bedtime routine.  The illustrations are fantastic.  The story is fun and clear.

Want one?  DaySpring and Prayer Wine Chocolate have teamed up to give one Set away!! Enter below!

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The post The Shepherd on the Search {Review & Giveaway!} appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.