ALEX BOYE' Undertakes Huge Humanitarian Project - Home for a Download

ALEX BOYE' is renowned for his incredible voice. He currently sings in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and is recognized worldwide for his musical career.

Born and raised in London, England, Alex joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of sixteen. He later served an LDS Mission to England Bristol. Alex sang regularly on his mission, and with encouragement from his Mission President pursued a career in music when he got home. He became lead singer in the European Boy band "Awesome," and signed a recording contract with Universal Records in 1996. The band had hits in over fifteen countries, selling over half a million CDs, and performed alongside such groups as N'SYNC, The Backstreet Boys, Missy Elliott, Bryan Adams, Mary J.Blige, The smashing Pumpkins, and George Michael to name a few.

Alex is also known for his generous and friendly disposition. His latest project sounds impossible to achieve. But not to Alex. He’s committed to making it happen, and because of his determined effort to help others, I’m blogging about it today. I hope readers will play a part, and share this post on blogs, on Facebook, and by email. Below is Alex’s request to us all:

My name is Alex Boye’ and I want to buy a house for a refugee family in my neighborhood.The family are originally from the Congo, but now live in a YWCA in Salt Lake city (where I also live). They are about to get kicked out, because they have stayed over their allotted period of 2 yrs.

The father recently committed suicide, leaving the widowed mother, wrought with health problems, to provide for the family. I don't have the type of money they need, but have decided to spend my whole summer raising it from the 100% sales of my music. I’m an independent musician, and my goal is to get as many people as possible to download my Single (Crazy For You) for 99 cents from iTunes between July 27 and the end of summer. 100% of the money raised from the sale of the song will be used to buy this family a home.

I’m calling this project “Home For a Download.”

I felt inspired to do this after watching the movie Pay it Forward. This movie helped me realize that it can be a powerful thing do something big for somebody else that they could not do for themselves and not expect anything in return.

I’m rallying around my own State to get the word out. But I need to bring awareness of this project to as many people as possible, so the community can help make this happen.

I am blessed and grateful for the musical talent God has given me, and want to use the awesome power of music to PAY IT FORWARD.

To see the smile on the faces of this family when this is accomplished would be joy and a priceless memory for us all!

I filmed a short video of the family, which you can see by clicking HERE.

The Facebook page for Alex's event is HERE.

Funny Video - Dog Plays Dead

I saw this over on Cindy Beck's blog and had to share. What a hoot!

GIVE-AWAY - TWO Gifts - Laura M. Brotherson's And They Were Not Ashamed -- Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment, and a CD!

This week, Laura M. Brotherson, (another contributor to forthcoming book, Famous Family Nights) is giving away a copy of her bestselling book And They Were Not Ashamed -- Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment, together with a copy of her talk on CD, Love 101 -- Learning to Love More Meaningfully.

Laura M. Brotherson is the author of this groundbreaking book on sexual intimacy and marital oneness entitled, And They Were Not Ashamed -- Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment . Laura shares her passion for building strong marriages and families as an author, intimacy educator and relationship consultant. Laura writes for multiple magazines -- Meridian Magazine, and Mormon Times -- and speaks in various venues from couples’ cruises and conferences to television and radio shows. Check out "Laura’s Strengthening Marriage Blog" for mini-articles on marriage, sex and intimacy issues.

Laura and her husband, Kevin, are the founders of Strengthening Marriage, Inc. You can learn more about Laura on her Author Information page.

The Love 101 CD can be found HERE.

You can sign up to receive Laura's “Straight Talk about Strengthening Marriage” newsletter by visiting her website www.StrengtheningMarriage.com.

StrengtheningMarriage.com is your trusted resource for education, products, and services to strengthen marriages . . . intimately!

Two quotes from Laura's website:

1) Comment about the book: "This book is wonderful! It caused me to have a real epiphany regarding marital intimacy. I have read many other books, but this is the one that really changed my life."

2) Comment about the CD: "Every married person, and those planning to be, MUST listen to this. Simple, yet vitally important keys to help understand how love works and what your 'language' is. It's the best marriage tool we've received that strengthened our marriage and it only took 50 minutes! It's exactly what my husband needed to hear and in a way that 'clicked' with him. It was a miracle for our marriage."

GIVE-AWAY RULES:

Mention this week's give away on your blog (linked back to my blog), OR on Facebook (click on Anne Bradshaw and add me as your friend if not already), and leave a comment here on my blog (with a link back to you).

OR - for this week only - you can also enter this give-away by emailing me HERE instead of commenting online. And the winner's name and blog can also be kept private if required.

Today's contest ends Wednesday, July 22nd. There will be a reminder at the top of my blog each day. The winner will be chosen from the comments. The gift comes direct from Laura M. Brotherson.

GIVE-AWAY RESULT - Heather B. Moore's Land of Inheritance

The winner of Heather B. Moore's Land of Inheritance is Ibeeeg at Mom's Musings.

Congratulations, Ibeeeg! Please send me a mailing address, which I'll forward to Heather. You can find my email address on my website by clicking on www.annebradshaw.com.

Thanks so much, Heather, for giving away a signed copy of your book. And thanks to everyone who took part in this contest. I really wish you all could win.

Please return in a moment for this week's exciting new give-away.

Confetti Antiques & Books Holds Author Marathon During Spanish Fork Fiesta Days

One of the book world’s “best kept secrets” is a quaint store in Spanish Fork, Utah, called Confetti Antiques & Books. For those in the know, it’s a favorite place to browse for hard-to-find, out-of-print, used, and rare books. They also offer many new titles from LDS Publishers, including Deseret Book, Covenant Communications, Cedar Fort, Signature Books, Millennial Press, and more. They also sells LDS Books on consignment.

To quote from Confetti Antiques’ website, “We specialize in LDS, Latter-day Saint or Mormon books both non-fiction and fiction; LDS art and photography; and anything Utah. If you love LDS Church history, biographies of early saints, teachings of the Prophets and Apostles, Book of Mormon or scripture commentaries, then you have found a home!”

In addition, Confetti Antiques buy hardcover and paperback books. They pay cash for non-fiction (such as biography, history, science) and are always looking for books of special interest to Utah and the Mormons, with particular emphasis on rare editions. If you have books to sell please call them at 801-798-0137 or send an email to info@confettibooks.com.

Confetti Antiques & Books add new titles daily and strive to offer something for everyone. Take a peek at their categories and titles at their website. If you fill out their off-line search form, they will search their off-line inventory, other bookstores, and book search services for you.

From July 7th to July 25th, Spanish Fork is holding their annual Fiesta Days (this year, called "Living the Dream," with fun and entertaining events daily. For example, on Sunday July 19th, there is Sunday Night Music in the Park at 6:30 pm, featuring Nathan Osmond. On other days, there’s a rodeo, baby contests, tennis tournament, theatrical productions, kickball challenge, sidewalk sales, and more. Check out all the options at www.spanishfork.org.

Confetti Antiques & Books (one of the stores involved in the sidewalk sales) is holding an author-signing marathon in honor of Fiesta Days. There will be 30 LDS authors signing for 3 days - Saturday July 18th, Monday July 20th, and Tuesday July 21st.

The address is Confetti Antiques & Books, 273 North Main Street, Spanish Fork, UT 84660. The lineup is below. Where you see “TBA,” I’ll fill in the names as Donnie Morris sends them to me. If you’re an author reading this and want to participate, please get in touch with Donnie now by email or ‘phone – info@confettibooks.com or 801-798-0137.

Saturday July 18th
10-12 pm
Dennis Mangrum author of The Mystic Cipher, Cedar Fort
Laura Bingham author of Alvor, Cedar Fort
12-2 pm
Tristi Pinkston author of Agent in Old Lace, Cedar Fort
Dr Craig Dunn, author of The Dispensation of the Fullness of Times, Granite
2-4 pm
Elodia Strain author of Icing on the Cake and Previously Engaged, Cedar Fort
Guy Galli author of Shadow Hunter, Covenant
Monte Nyman, author of the D&C Commentary, Commentary on the BOM, etc. , Granite
4-6 pm
Mark Harrison, author of Hiking Boots and Gospel Truths, Cedar Fort
Shelly Greenhalgh, author of Eagle Rising and Eagle Shadow, Timberfork

Monday July 20th
10-12 pm
TBA
TBA
12-2 pm
Heather Moore author of Abinadi and Out of Jerusalem series, Covenant
Lu Ann Staheli author of When Hearts Conjoin, Richard Paul Evans publishing
2-4 pm
Lu Ann Staheli author of When Hearts Conjoin, Richard Paul Evans publishing
G.G. Vandergriff author of The Last Waltz, and more, Deseret Book
4-6 pm
Bron Bahlmann author of Bone Warriors, Cedar Fort
David Ridges author of Scriptures Made Easier Series, Cedar Fort

Tuesday July 21st
10-12 pm
Frank Cole author of Hashbrown Winters, Cedar Fort
TBA
12-2 pm
Tuesday: 12-2
Sarah Merkley, author of A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief, Granite
TBA
2-4 pm
Jonell Francis, author of Feel Good Cookbook, Granite
Anne Bradshaw, author of Please No Zits!, and other short Stories for LDS youth.
4-6 pm
Lisa Mangum, author of The Hourglass Door, Shadow Mountain
TBA

Interview with Motherboard and Mombabe from Mormon Mommy Blogs

For a long time now, I’ve enjoyed posting information about my give-aways on Mormon Mommy Blogs, (MMB) and was delighted to bump into its owner (who goes by the name of Motherboard) at Marvin Goldstein’s concert in Provo last month.

(Photo by Ann Montgomery)

Today, I’d like to share a recent interview with Motherboard about her blogging enterprise. She began blogging five years ago to stay in contact with friends left behind when she moved to Utah. The transition wasn’t easy, and blogging offered a creative outlet. Motherboard has since found friends from all over the world.

Me: Why did you begin Mormon Mommy Blogs?
Motherboard:
MMB wasn’t my original idea. It was originally started by a well-known blogger, Sue from Navel Gazing. When she pulled out, I took over. I turned it into a company and started working towards making it an interactive community. It’s “A gathering place for Today’s Woman.”

Me: What kind of following did you anticipate, and has it reached your expectations?
Motherboard:
We started in September of 2008 and have grown quite quickly. It has completely surpassed what my initial expectations were. In a two month period, we had over 200 bloggers that wanted to be added to our directory. We are still a young, growing blog aggregate. Typically, we do not publish our own material; we have our blog members do guest spots on the MMB. That increases their readership, which is one of the great perks of being a member of the MMB.

Me: How much time does it take to run your blog?
Motherboard:
In the beginning, it was quite a bit of time. Now, it’s anywhere from 4-8 hours a week. I pick one day a week and add all the new blog requests, and answer emails and get guest posts and sponsorships for giveaways.

The giveaways are scheduled out in advance as well as the guest posts. It got to be WAY too much work, so I brought onboard a couple of other people who help out in the editing of guest posts and reviewing of products.

Me: What would you like to see in the future for Mormon Mommy Blogs?
Motherboard:
Being that we are still young, we are trying to get more members involved in our community. The purpose of MMB is to be a gathering place for today’s woman that is a safe place for people who enjoy reading blogs. We are trying to gather not only just Mormon Bloggers, but other Christian bloggers who share our same values.

We are constantly trying to improve on our initial design and concept. We have some regular features that will be starting in the next while: Discussion Wednesdays—discussing various topics of interest to our readers-- and Dear MMB -which will handle questions submitted by our readers.

We would love to see bigger giveaways, and maybe even a blogger conference. We are working towards making it more of an online magazine where the members of our community can have their blog posts highlighted and interact with each other via the comment section and our Ning community at Mormon Mommy Blogs

Me: What kind of feedback have you had from members?
Motherboard:
Our feedback has been extremely positive. We have been featured numerous times on Deseret News Mormon Times and also in a BYU Studies Review article. Most people love our giveaways, our giveaway directory and the mere fact that they can read blogs and not worry about content.

Motherboard:
I asked Mombabe, who does a TON for the MMB to respond to your questions as well. She's funnier than me... so that will be good.

Why did you begin Mormon Mommy Blogs, Mombabe?

Mombabe:
I didn’t begin anything. That’s Sue’s fault. She started it, and then handed it over to Motherboard. I got involved because they were looking for someone to design a header for MMB, and that’s something I like to do, and I was doing it for free (which is always preferable.) So I designed the original Mormon Mommy Blogs header, and included the infamous “Taking Over the Bloggernacle” line (which started a whole messy debate). Then when MMB was getting too big for its britches, I worked with Motherboard to implement the current blog website system, design, and social site we have now.

Motherboard:
What kind of following did you anticipate, and has it reached your expectations?

Mombabe:
I’m a little bit blown away by the response some days, and not very impressed others. What can I say, I’m a woman and I’m apt to change my mind.

Motherboard:
How much time does it take to run your blog?

Mombabe:
That’s something else that changes almost daily. Some days, I work on the MMB for a few hours, other days, I ignore it completely. I guess I could average the time for you, but then we’d all be embarrassed by how much time I spend on the computer, and we wouldn’t want that.

Motherboard:
What would you like to see in the future for Mormon Mommy Blogs?

Mombabe:
I’d really like to see MMB become an online magazine. I’d love to turn each of the categories we have now into different channels, where we have articles specific to that demographic posting daily. I’d like us to grow enough that we could hold an annual conference. I’d like us to be in demand, I want us to be on everyone’s “Must Read Daily” list. I want MMB to be recognized for its NORMALCY. I think people the world over have a very specific and sometimes negative view of the LDS church, and while I don’t expect everyone to agree with what we say, I do want them to respect us for our beliefs.

Motherboard:
What kind of feedback have you had from members?

Mombabe:
Umm, NONE. I’ve even asked, and they won’t give it to me. Believe me, I thrive on critique. I need to know what I can do to improve things. If something bugs you about the site, even a smidgeon, then I need you to tell me.

Thank you, Motherboard and Mombabe. It’s been great chatting with you. I hope your ambitious project keeps growing. I appreciate having somewhere to post give-aways from my blog. Long may you grace the internet.

20-Year-Old LDS Woman Defends Her Faith in Personal Quest for Purpose

I found this enlightening video this week. It is a recording of a knowledgeable twenty-year-old LDS (Mormon) woman from Harvard University being interviewed on a religious panel. She does an amazing job. It's fairly long, so watch when you have enough time. The young lady's name is Rachel Esplin from Idaho.


Day of Faith: Personal Quests for a Purpose - Rachel Esplin

GIVE-AWAY - Heather B. Moore's Land of Inheritance

This week, award-winning author Heather B. Moore (another contributor to forthcoming book, Famous Family Nights) is giving away a copy of her Whitney Award-winning novel in the Out of Jerusalem series, Volume Four – Land of Inheritance.

From Heather’s biography on her website at www.hbmoore.com:

Heather was born in Providence, Rhode Island, but spent most of her childhood in Orem, Utah. During these years, her family traveled back and forth between the Middle East and Utah. At the age of eight, while living in Egypt, she was baptized in the Red Sea. Heather attended the Anglican School of Jerusalem from 1987-88, and returned again to Jerusalem with her husband in 1994.

Heather graduated from Brigham Young University with a major in Fashion Merchandising and minor in Business Management. This has nothing to do with writing books, but at least she can color-coordinate her kids school clothes and balance a mean checkbook.

Heather is a member of the League of Utah Writers and LDStorymakers. She also manages the editing company, Precision Editing Group, LLC. She is the author of the historical series, Out of Jerusalem, and of Abinadi (2008 Whitney Award Winner & 2009 Best of State Winner).

GIVE-AWAY RULES:

Mention this week's give away on your blog (linked back to my blog), OR on Facebook (click on Anne Bradshaw and add me as your friend if not already), and leave a comment here on my blog (with a link back to you).

Today's contest ends Wednesday, July 15th. There will be a reminder at the top of my blog each day. The winner is chosen from the comments. The prize comes direct from Heather Moore.