Monday, August 29, 2011

How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. For Your Kids by Rachael Carman

The Crew year is off to a great start – our very first product to review this year is How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. For Your Kids, a great little book by Rachael Carman, owner (with her husband Davis) of Apologia. 
Several years ago, when the Carmans purchased Apologia, they decided to expand the company’s vision.  Now, in addition to the great science curriculum that we’ve all come to know, love, and trust, Apologia also has a Press division that contains lots of awesome resources to encourage  the homeschooling parent.  The books they have available really excite me – and I can’t wait to read more of them (and will surely be posting about them on my blog in the months to come as well).  But, right now, the focus is on:
287 How well do you really know your kids? What has God shown you about who they are and who they will become? He has sent these children into your home at this specific time for His glorious purposes. Indeed, you have been invited on the adventure of a lifetime, a journey on which you will see walls fall, seas parted, and giants slain. You don't need special skills or training for this journey—you need only to seek God and hold tight to His mighty hand! As with so many things, the first step to having a heart for your children is knowing your heavenly Father. As you seek daily to share His heart for your children, keep this inspirational book close at hand.
I was impressed with this book upon first glance.  It’s a small (approx. 5x7”) hardbound book and the cover is just so attractive (the picture doesn’t do it justice – you need to see it and hold it in your hands to get the full effect!)  I opened it, started reading the introduction, and thought “now this lady really seems sincere!”
I’ve confessed to not being a huge non-fiction reader – I tend to easily bore with non-fiction and sometimes don’t even finish books.  If I do finish, it usually takes me awhile.  Not so with this book!  I devoured every tidbit of it.  I really enjoyed Rachael’s writing style – she makes the book so personal by sharing candidly from her own heart and experiences. 
I especially liked the way the word “heart” was used as an acrostic.  Each letter plays a very significant role in the book as a whole – without one component, the idea of having a heart for your kids won’t work. 
H – Have a Heart for the Things of God
E – Enrich Your Marriage
A – Accept Your Kids
R – Release Them to God
T – Teach Them the Truth
There’s a chapter for each letter listed above, as well as a lengthy introduction and an epilogue that will encourage you to put the book’s ideas into practice in your own life and family.  Definitely well worth reading, especially for the homeschool mom, but I’d recommend it to anyone!
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I had the honor of meeting and sharing lunch with Rachael a few weeks ago.  I got to hear her talk about her passions – not just in the writing of this book, but for the Apologia Live Retreats as well.  (I’m looking forward to attending one of these retreats in the spring – and will be giving away a free ticket to one of my readers as well!)  Anyway, I was thrilled to have Rachael sign my copy of the book and very much enjoyed spending time with her and getting to know her better. 
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If you have a chance to read one of Rachel’s books (you can read more about her first book – Sound Bites from Heaven – here) or to attend an Apologia Live event, I’d encourage you to do so!  Who knows?  Maybe I’ll see you there!

7 comments:

Nikki said...

I was immensely blessed by this book! It is a small book (which is great for busy homeschooling moms), but it was packed full of encouragement and Truth!

Jodi said...

So funny! We were just talking about the retreat this morning! LOL! Nice review. This sounds like such a nice book. :)

Rodna Allman said...

I really loved this book too!

Wendy R said...

This truly is a wonderful little book. I am so blessed to have been able receive it and read it....and cry my way through it.

Sacha from Home in the Trenches said...

It was such a great book wasn't it? Stopping over from the Crew Blog Hop!

Rachael Carman said...

Thanks for the review! It was great meeting you too. Grace-Rachael

Jennifer said...

How cool that you got to meet her! The conference sounds amazing, too. I also enjoyed this little book.

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