Become a Fan of Beehive Bookstore on Facebook

Inspired by a seminar on Social Media and Linked-In January 27, we finally are on Facebook. The seminar was sponsored by BYU Management Society Silicon Valley Chapter, San Jose State University Alumni Association and Mass Mutual and featured presentations by Arthur Jue, coauthor of Social Media At Work, and Mike O'Neil & Lori Ruff, authors of Rock the World with your Online Presence--Your Ticket to a Multi-Platinum LinkedIn Profile. Mike, Arthur & Lori are the three on the left in the photo. Also pictured continuing on to the left is Mike Rasmussen of the BYU Management Society, Brian Bates of the SJSU Alumni Association, and Susan Dittmann of Mass Mutual Financial Group.

I had been thinking about a Facebook page for Beehive for a while, but this seminar in conjunction with the assistance of my daughter and an enthusiastic employee (Lora of the Beehive Bookstore videos) finally provided the momentum to actually do it. Help us reach our goal of 500 fans by March 15. Become one of our fans (click on Facebook button on right margin) and invite at least 20 of your friends to become fans, and we will give you a 5% off code for our website or a coupon for in the store. Email me at susan@beehivebookstore.com to let me know, and I will email you the code and/or coupon. We are hoping that Facebook will be a an easier place for our wonderful customers can share ideas and recommendations about their favorite LDS products. We will be posting videos featuring new and/or cool stuff in our store. Stay tuned!

Beehive Bookstore's Christmas Jar Report

In the spirit of Jason Wright's bestselling Christmas Jars and Christmas Jars Reunion, we at Beehive Bookstore began our own Christmas Jar and invited our wonderful customers to contribute spare change if they desired. On December 21, 2009, we had collected over $85! We also had a drawing for anyone who would like to be the one to give the jar away anonymously to someone in need. The winner of that drawing graciously agreed to share her experience with us on the blog. She is not named and has omitted some details to keep the recipients anonymous. Here is her report:

Upon receiving the news that my name had been drawn and I had been presented with the unique opportunity to select someone to receive the Christmas Jar, I immediately began contemplating whom this jar would best serve during the holidays this year. I had this on my mind throughout the afternoon, but no one came to mind. I thought of calling the bishop of our ward as he would have greater insight than I as to who might most benefit from this blessing. I called him and he said that through the service of individuals in our ward most who were in need this season had already been taken care of, but he would give it some thought too. After finding out that most of our ward members had reached out to one another this holiday season, I started to think that I might be thinking too small and should maybe reach beyond just our ward. That evening I talked with my husband who came up with the idea to contact the bishop of a ward in our stake that has many struggling families. We called him that night and asked if anyone in his ward could use this great blessing, the Christmas Jar. He said that there were many in his ward who could use it and that he would love to take the jar and give it prayerful and thoughtful consideration before delivering the jar to the family he felt was most in need of this specific gift. A day later we received word from him that the jar went to a wonderful brother and sister who were in need of a little more so that he would be able to meet qualifications necessary so that he could go and serve the Lord. How great a blessing this jar was - not ONLY able to help a family in need, but that it will help others receive the gospel as this service became more attainable through the Christmas Jar. Thank you to all of those who generously gave this year! It was a joy to pick up and pass on!

Beehive Bookstore's Upgraded Website!

An upgrade to our website which has long been in the works is finally here! We apologize to any of you who have had problems with interrupted or very slow connections, the shopping cart or other problems. The new site has tested to be very stable and we are excited about the prospect of many improvements we will more easily be able to make in the future. We welcome any suggestions and feedback about what you would like to see us improve. Come try it out at www.beehivebookstore.com!

The Shepherd’s Song by Larry Barkdull

Review by Susan

The Shepherd's Song is a sweet Christmas tale of the a shepherd whose family cares for the lambs meant for holy sacrifices in the Temple in Jerusalem. When Joshua's wife is threatened with life-threatening complications of pregnancy, he takes his most-loved lamb to offer as a personal sacrifice at the temple to accompany his prayers for a miracle. The story of his journey, its unexpected detours and how he is brought to ultimately sacrifice his will and heart to the Lord is entwined with the story of the birth of Jesus which lightens the dark night of his despair. Prophecies of the coming of Messiah were understood by these shepherds who recognized the signficance of what they witnessed that holy night. Warning: be sure to have tissue ready when reading this book.

The Modern Magi by Carol Lynn Pearson

Review by Susan

Annabelle Perkins lives alone and works as a waitress. She has never married but grew up in a loving home filled with frequent tellings of the Christms story. At age 57 she dreams of traveling to Israel like the Magi and giving a gift to Jesus in Bethleham. She saves her money for months, working extra hours in spite of her health problems. Her anticipation continues to grow, but just as her dream is about to realized something unexpected brings an unwelcome decision. How Annabelle reconciles her dream to give the Christ child a gift with the unexpected twists of fate is an appealing story about the meaning being a Magi in the modern world. Master storyteller Carol Lynn Pearson spins another delightful tale.

Penny's Christmas Jars Miracle by Jason F. Wright Illustrated by Ben Sowards

Review by Susan

Penny's Christmas Jar Miracle tells of a young girl whose family takes turns deciding who will receive their annual Christmas Jar of spare change they collect all year long. It is Penny's turn to decide, and she wants to give the jar to the entire neighborhood by giving a special Christmas party. However, Mr. Charlie, a favorite older neighbor, becomes ill and will not be able to attend. How Penny changes her plans and involves the whole neighborhood is beautifully illustrated in this appealing children's book which is a worthy addition to the Christmas Jars library.

Christmas Jars Reunion by Jason Wright

Review by Susan

This is a sequel to Christmas Jars, the runaway bestseller of a few years ago. The story of Hope Jensen continues as she seeks to expand the Christmas Jar phenomenon which she begins to view as a ministry to share the spirit of giving engendered by this tradition. As the Christmas Jars tradition spreads over the country from Chuck's Chicken 'n' Biscuits diner, new characters and their stories are combined with elements of sorrow, romance, lives changed and a community brought together by a lofty goal. In the end, Hope learns about the true nature of the gift of love represented by a Christmas Jar from a very special little girl named Queen.