(in)courage John 3:16 Heart and Globe Wall Hanging and a Giveaway!!

I was thrilled to be chosen to review a product from (in)courage! (If you've never visited their page then you should do that now but come back here!)


I received a beautiful wall hanging (that I have been wanting for a while). This inspirational Heart and Globe Canvas print, based on John 3:16, was inspired by a young girl and is a beautiful expression of God's great love for us.

This hand-stretched gallery wrapped canvas print is printed on high quality canvas and proudly made in the USA.

Scripture:
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Product Details:
*Size: 16" W x 20" H x 1.5" D
*Made in the USA

History of the picture
Madison Atwood is a disabled 11-year old girl. For Christmas 2006, Madison's mom decided that Madison would paint a picture of a heart as a gift for her dad. An artist friend, Holly, outlined a heart in pencil. She gave Madison the paint brush (one color at a time) and Madison started to trace the outline in lots of bright colors. When Holly gave Madison the turquoise colored brush, she turned her back for a second and Madison colored a big circle over the heart! They initially thought the painting was ruined. But as they looked a little closer, it became clear that the big blob was the globe, and the whole image was an example of how big God's love is for our world.

Madison's Big Heart, Little Globe became the inspiration for the John 3:16 Heart and Globe print. Now, when Madison sees her picture, she says, "Our world is so small but God's love is so BIG!" What a wonderful reminder!

Really, these pictures do not do this wall hanging justice. As soon as I opened the box, I found a place to hang it on my wall. I love seeing it every morning as I head to get my coffee and as I walk out of my kitchen to start my day in the world. You can purchase the picture by clicking here. One thing...it's on sale this month! (And it's worth every dime, on sale or not.) They have a few other pictures that I am putting on my wish list.

Not only did (in)courage offer me the opportunity to review this product (and I LOVE IT), they are offering you the opportunity to win a $20 gift certificate! Woot! Woot! You can enter several different ways. 

• First, leave a comment on this post. 
• If you post the giveaway on your blog, another entry. 
• If you tweet about the giveaway, another entry. 
• Post something on Facebook about it, another entry. 

So, you have four different ways to enter. Just make sure you come back here and comment. (Oh and please make sure I know your email address!) The giveaway will end Wednesday night, 2/16/11. The winner will be announced on Thursday.

In exchange for posting a review, (in)courage sent me this wall hanging for free. Thank you (in)courage!

Radiant by Kate Carlson

CONGRATS CATHY! You won!

I am honored to tell you about this new EP (CD) by Kate Carlson, a Worship leader and talented musician!  I met Kate and her mom, Melissa, through twitter and an online bible study we did. (These are both some very talented ladies!)  You can go to Melissa's blog to read more about Kate and her calling as a worship leader.

The CD has five songs on it:  Saving One, How Marvelous, Desert Song, You Are Able and Revelation Song.  Two of these songs were written by Kate - Saving One and You Are Able.  Oh my goodness, I thought Kate wrote You Are Able just for me!  Such a beautiful song of redemption and God's love for us.

Kate has a beautiful voice.  When I picture angels singing, I can imagine they sound like Kate!  I don't feel I'm doing this CD any justice, but explaining how much I've enjoyed the CD is hard.  (You can tell I like it - look at all the exclamation points!)

Not only did Kate give me a copy of her CD to review but she also gave me an extra one to giveaway!  All you have to do is leave a comment.  For additional entries, you can tweet or Facebook about the giveaway - just leave a separate comment for each entry.  I will close this out on Saturday and announce the winner on Sunday.

If you cannot wait for the giveaway, you can go to Melissa's blog and order a copy of the CD or download it. Do it!!  You'll be glad you did!

Pay It Forward

CONGRATULATIONS MOCHA WITH LINDA!

My friend, Cathy at TCKK, posted a Pay it Forward giveaway post last month and I won!  If you haven't visited her blog before, you should go!  She has the sweetest spirit and has been a pure delight to me.  We're all sorts of cyber connected and I love it!

Look at the sweet gifts she sent me.  (She sent me a book by one of her favorite authors, a snowman, an angel, a donation for my India trip and a sweet note!) My favorite gift was the handwritten note with a donation for my trip and the precious words of encouragement.  Sweet sweet lady. Thank you, Cathy!

Since I won, I get to Pay It Forward and send a prize to two winners. Now, you have to know that I'm a little slow in sending out things because we cannot mail anything from our office and I always forget to go to the Post Office.  So, I just wanna make sure you know that :-).  Anyway, here are the rules:

In order to win, you need to be willing to...

• Give me your mailing address so I can send a small gift your way.
• Write your own Pay It Forward post after you receive your gift telling about it, and in that post link back to my blog.
• Come up with gifts to send out to YOUR 2 winners.

*If that sounds like rules you can follow, then please leave me a comment letting me know you'd like to be entered! Anyone may leave a comment. You do not have to have a blog but I will need to know how to contact you.

*If you're listed above as a Follower, you may leave a 2nd comment thus doubling your odds.

*If you blog about the giveaway, you may leave a 3rd comment!

This contest will close on Friday night, October 30. Winners will be chosen randomly... I'll post the Winners by Sunday, November 1st.  Bon chance!

The Sound of Sleigh Bells - Giveaway

Congratulations Cathy & PJ!

 Summary:  
Beth Hertzler works alongside her beloved Aunt Lizzy in their dry goods store, and serving as contact of sorts between Amish craftsmen and Englischers who want to sell the Plain people’s wares. But remorse and loneliness still echo in her heart everyday as she still wears the dark garb, indicating mourning of her fiancé. When she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow, something deep inside Beth’s soul responds and she wants to help the unknown artist find homes for his work–including Lizzy’s dry goods store. But she doesn’t know if her bishop will approve of the gorgeous carving or deem it idolatry.

Lizzy sees the changes in her niece when Beth shows her the woodworking, and after Lizzy hunts down Jonah, the artist, she is all the more determined that Beth meets this man with the hands that create healing art. But it’s not that simple–will Lizzy’s elaborate plan to reintroduce her niece to love work? Will Jonah be able to offer Beth the sleigh ride she’s always dreamed of and a second chance at real love–or just more heartbreak?

Cindy Woodsmall is the author of When the Heart Cries, When the Morning Comes, and The New York Times Best-Seller When the Soul Mends. Her ability to authentically capture the heart of her characters comes from her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families. A mother of three sons and two daughters-in-law, Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband of thirty-one years.



Buy it or WIN  IT!  I have two copies to giveaway and all you have to do is leave a comment.  If you have a friend who you know would like a copy, either send them this way, or if they don't blog, leave a comment for them!  See how easy this is??  I'll announce the winner next week!

*I received a free copy of this book from Multnomah Books, a division of Random House in exchange for posting this on my blog  Thank you Multnomah :-)!



Do you have any blogger friends who might like to participate in this or any other blog tours? Please direct them to the official WaterBrook Multnomah Blogging for Books site page at http://www.randomhouse.com/waterbrook/bloggingforbooks/.

Another One Where She Talks About Her Friend's Giveaway

Another sweet friend has a giveaway going on!  Mocha with Linda is my bloggy friend who has helped connect me with different publishers who allow me to read read read books and post an opinion about them!  AWESOME!

Go on over to Mocha with Linda's for a chance to win Randy Alcorn's newest book - If God is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil.  It's quick, easy and best of all FREE!

Go on now!  Hurry!

The Blog Where She Talks About a Friend's Giveaway

Does anyone else besides me have the hardest time coming up with catchy and witty titles?

I'm digressing and I've barely started!  My sweet friend, Cathy, is hosting her FIRST giveaway!  She is such a precious lady and I would love for her to have so many entries she doesn't know what to do with herself!  So, please, go on over to her bliggity blog and enter her giveaway.  While you're there, look at the pictures she posts.  I love them!

Good luck with the giveaway Cathy!

(Addendum: I receive extra credit for blogging about her giveaway, BUT I would gladly promote her even if I didn't.)

Exceeding Your Expectations -- Blog Tour *giveaway*

Exceeding Your Expectations: Learning the Ten Leadership Principles that Guarantee Results by Linda Olson (Guardian Books)

Is it possible that no matter how many times you’ve failed at getting ahead, that the secret to finally breaking through could be … Easy?

The Answer is Yes…No matter how many times you have tried to get ahead and failed, even if you have had little breakthroughs and then were set back again – you can learn to rise above your circumstances and enjoy the life you deserve.

Linda Olson is best known for her work in equipping and empowering women. She knows how discouraging in can be to work hard at getting a breakthrough only to be set back one more time. She also knows that getting the big breakthrough is possible regardless of how many setbacks, how many people tell her to give up, or discourage her from moving ahead. Linda has learned to exceed her expectations wherever she goes.

Exceeding Your Expectations offers timeless principles in an easy to follow format where readers can journal their insights about the material. Applying the principles will work in any situation, for any generation, and are guaranteed for a lifetime.

Anyone reading the book will benefit by: 1. learning the secret to connecting with others wherever you go2. recognizing the power available through relationships3. following the actions steps that position you to exceed your expectations.

Exceeding Your Expectations, a must-read in this economy, teaching how to rise above your present circumstances and learn to exceed your expectations.

About the Author
Linda's infectious storytelling ability, along with her passion for giving to others, captivates audiences wherever she goes. Linda believes in living life and living it to the fullest.

From a farm in Midwest Canada to the desert in Southern California, Linda has embraced every part of her journey. She has learned strong work ethics, the power of perseverance, and finds her strength through her personal faith in God. Her leadership journey began at the age of twenty-one and has included everything from teaching troubled teens to surviving on an island. She has enjoyed the college life as Dean of Women, counseling men, women, and families in her private therapy practice, empowering women through service in Women’s Ministry, to inspiring women to preserve their photos and memories through Creative Memories. She has also worked as a counselor and program coordinator at a Domestic Violence Shelter, as a social worker with Visiting Nurses in the Hospice department, and has volunteered many years in children’s and women’s ministry at her church. Linda has encouraged people from all walks of life, equipping them to fulfill their innermost dreams.

Her formal education includes a Master’s in Marriage & Family Therapy, and one in Christian Education. She’s a Certified Life Coach, a member of Toastmaster’s, and has over thirty-five years experience as an entrepreneur and leader–all of which have equipped her to train and inspire leaders to become who they were meant to be. Linda has empowered audiences throughout the United States and Canada since 1973 with her inspirational stories, leadership principles, vulnerability, and call for action.

Linda has a special heart for non profit organizations. She loves to “give back” to the organizations whether it’s a church group or a fundraiser in the community. She speaks to both Christian and secular audiences-both men’s and women’s groups-on anything from inspiration and motivation to developing Christian women in leadership. Her husband, Rick, a counselor, Life Coach, and speaker, often joins her at her events. Together they have raised two beautiful daughters, and make their home in Palmale, CA.

There are several things available on Linda's website (including how to purchse the book) which is www.madeforsomethingmore.com.

• Coordinating Journal, Goliath Challenge – My gift to you.


• My new book & DVD, Exceeding Your Expectations.


• Capturing your Vision – is a program where I will work with a leadership team and teach them to Capture their vision, Explode their influence and Bring $ back to their organization. As part of that program I speak to their group equipping and empowering women to recognize their value and their potential.


• Teleseminar Series – for anyone who wants to go deeper. This series consists of 6 teleseminars as well as time for leaders to ask their personal questions.

If you'd like to win a copy of the book, then enter one of the following ways:

• Leave a comment (making sure I can contact you).
• Blog or tweet about this giveaway and then come back and leave a comment.
• Go to Linda's website and then...come back and leave a comment!

Giveaway entry will end August 22nd and winner will be announced August 23rd.

May you have a blessed day and good luck!

Confessions of Pastor's Wife: Giveaway*Congratulations Lianne*

Confessions of a Pastor's Wife: He Speaks, Can You Hear Him?


by Kathryn Bonner

If you could hear God whispering, what would it sound like? Are you able to recognize His voice?
In Confessions of a Pastor’s Wife: He Speaks…Can you hear Him? author Kathryn Bonner shares her true confessions, revealing her teenage pregnancy and the many different ways God has spoken into her life, through subtle and profound ways, and even through humorous means, shedding light on the unique voice of God! Anyone from the outside looking in would think Kathryn’s “charmed life” had always been just that. As you read this page turner of confessions, you will discover that has not always been the case. Discover how to take steps with God, believing Him to guide and direct you, even when you don’t know where He’s taking you! Are you ready to hear Him speak into your life? Kathryn’s prayer for you is to know how God reveals Himself to you. You will learn to hear Him, and recognize His voice after reading Confessions of a Pastor’s Wife: He Speaks…Can You Hear Him?
“Kathryn’s zest for life and love for God jumps off of every page! This intimate personal story is like sharing a conversation with a girlfriend. Curl up in a favorite chair and be ready to laugh, listen and learn from this Sister in Christ.” Mary M. MacGregor; Women’s Ministries Consultant and Director of Leadership Development for the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. Kathryn Bonner has a God-given passion for you to experience your life from this point forward with new ears to hear!

About the Author
Gifted, Gracious, Genuine, Insightful, Good-humored and Petite. These words make it possible for you to have a bit of insight to Kathryn. Her depth, and her love for life, laughter and the Lord and her size! She has a passion for God's word. Kathryn has a way of finding the humor and the lighter side of things that will cause you to giggle and laugh out loud in one moment and ponder deeply the things of God and the application of the Word to your life in the next moment. Her radiant touch combined with her knowledge of the Word makes Kathryn unique. You will enjoy your time immensely with her and will discover new insights, new truths, and new ways of “doing” life.
Kathryn is married to a pastor, and loves being in ministry with her husband Bruce. They are empty nesters and enjoying life at this stage of the game. Kathryn shares who she is openly, including the fact that she has had teenage pregnancy. She wants everyone to know that though each of us have a past, we can stand free, completely free in the saving grace of Christ. God has been able to take her mess and use it for a message of hope and healing. She has love for God’s healing power and wants each of you to know that as well.
Kathryn is an author, a speaker and a Life Purpose Coach. She knows the power of breaking through the fears and stepping fully into your faith by the gift of coaching.
Kathryn has been married to Bruce, the love of her life since 1989, truly a gift from God. They have two wonderful daughters, Tabitha and Kellie Ann, and two wonderful sons-in-law Gerald and Chase.

Leave a comment and be entered into a drawing to receive a free copy of this book! Contest ends 8/8/09.

Mother's Day Giveaways - MochaWithLinda

Giveaways with MochawithLinda!

Linda and I have very similar reading tastes and we review some of the same books. So, I'm thrilled to share she has a giveaway going on at her blog and it's for BOOKS!! Many different types of books and most (if not all) are autographed. Go over and see what Linda has to offer. She'll bless your socks off!

A Perfect Stranger - a Giveaway!

We have a winner! Congrats Robyn - 3GirlsMom

Giveaway!

I'm sort of doing a pay it forward type of giveaway! I've been so blessed lately and have won many books that I want to return the prizes. I just won Day with a Perfect Stranger, which was the second book in a series (of sorts) from Mocha with Linda. I bought the first book, Dinner with a Perfect Stranger on Saturday and finished it on Sunday. I read the second book on Monday and Tuesday.

So, I'd like to giveaway both of the books I just won! While they aren't brand spankin' new - they might as well be. If you love books the way I do, you probably won't mind that someone else has already spent a little time reading them.

All I need you to do is leave a comment and a way for me to reach you if you win! I'll use some highly scientific method for chosing a winner and announce it on Sunday. Tell your friends!

DINNER WITH A PERFECT STRANGER
You are Invited to a Dinner with Jesus of Nazareth.

The mysterious envelope arrives on Nick Cominsky’s desk amid a stack of credit card applications and business-related junk mail. Although his seventy-hour workweek has already eaten into his limited family time, Nick can’t pass up the opportunity to see what kind of plot his colleagues have hatched.The normally confident, cynical Nick soon finds himself thrown off-balance, drawn into an intriguing conversation with a baffling man who appears to be more than comfortable discussing everything from world religions to the existence of heaven and hell. And this man who calls himself Jesus also seems to know a disturbing amount about Nick’s personal life."You’re bored, Nick. You were made for more than this. You’re worried about God stealing your fun, but you’ve got it backwards.… There’s no adventure like being joined to the Creator of the universe." He leaned back off the table. "And your first mission would be to let Him guide you out of the mess you’re in at work."As the evening progresses, their conversation touches on life, God, meaning, pain, faith, and doubt–and it seems that having Dinner with a Perfect Stranger may change Nick’s life forever.A provocative novella set almost entirely in a modern-day Italian restaurant, Dinner with a Perfect Stranger presents the opportunity to listen in as a skeptical young professional confronts Jesus with challenging questions about the claims of Christianity.

A DAY WITH A PERFECT STRANGER What if a fascinating stranger knew you better than you know yourself?When her husband comes home with a far-fetched story about eating dinner with someone he believes to be Jesus, Mattie Cominsky thinks this may signal the end of her shaky marriage. Convinced that Nick is, at best, turning into a religious nut, the self-described agnostic hopes that a quick business trip will give her time to think things through.On board the plane, Mattie strikes up a conversation with a fellow passenger. When she discovers their shared scorn for religion, she confides her frustration over her husband’s recent conversion. The stranger suggests that perhaps her husband isn’t seeking religion but true spiritual connection, an idea that prompts her to reflect on her own search for fulfillment.As their conversation turns to issues of spiritual longing and deeper questions about the nature of God, Mattie finds herself increasingly drawn to this insightful stranger. But when the discussion unexpectedly turns personal, touching on things she’s never told anyone, Mattie is startled and disturbed. Who is this man who seems to peer straight into her soul?

“I assure you: If anyone says to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for—believe that you have received them, and you will have them." Mark 11:23-24 (HCSB)

This is not something I have said often...

...but lately, I've been able to say it more in the last bit than ever before...I'm so lucky!

I won a CUSTOM BLOG DESIGN! I entered this giveaway for this prize from Judi Ledford of Doodlebug Designs. She's giving away a CUSTOM BLOG DESIGN to one lucky BBA reader!!! She's also celebrating one year in business with an offer of $10 off each custom blog design.

I found out I won it through an email and this post about the winner of the giveaway!

I'm a wee bit excited ~ can you tell? I'm looking forward to the redesign :-)!

“I assure you: If anyone says to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for—believe that you have received them, and you will have them." Mark 11:23-24 (HCSB)

Pay It Forward!

Go to Mocha with Linda's blog for a chance to win one of three great music DVDs! Go on now - whatcha waiting for? Thank you, Linda, for having me as the winner of your last giveaway!

(Which reminds me of a post I previously did...I must go find...you visit Linda and I'll be back in a jiff. Ok, I'm back. Phew that took a while! I wrote this in Jan. of 2006.)

1/7/06

Pay it forward
What a great concept to pay it forward. You are helped by someone and in return you help someone else when he/she needs it.

Years ago, my infant nephew was at the doctor's office for his third week checkup. Such a cute little angel he is. He went blue though while at the doctor's office. And the start of a long (but successful) and trying process started for my brother-in-law and his wife, and of course my nephew. He was diagnosed with a very rare heart problem. The only doctor who could help him was in San Francisco. Little Charlie was medivacc'd to San Francisco. Greg & Angela needed to get their as well, but did not have the funds to take such a quick and expensive flight. (FYI, this is my ex-husband’s brother’s family.)

The start of pay it forward for our family began right then. One of the nurses offered them the money for the flight. I can't remember the exact amount, but it cost somewhere between $1000 to $1500. Her only requirement for such a generous gift was that they help someone when they could. She had been helped by someone and this person's requirement was that she pay it forward.

I'm happy to say that little Charlie is almost 6 now. He still has some medical problems and will still require additional surgeries and such the older he becomes. He's so darn adorable (though he doesn't want you to touch him). (Another side note, he’s almost 9 now! They recently moved to California to be closer to a facility specializing in autism.)

It has been my experience that if I have been able to help someone, I am not looking for his or her thanks or for repayment. It is very rewarding for me to be able to share. I only ask that he or she pay it forward as well. You never know when your generosity will make a world of difference to someone.

I just finished watching the movie Pay It Forward (gotta love TBS!) and as always was very touched by the message it spreads. Below is the link for the Pay it Forward foundation. If so inclined, check it out!
Pay It Forward Organization

(Updated 3/5/09~Now we're facing medical problems my nephew, but my nephew from James' side of the family. The outpouring of love and support has been tremendous. Mike's Baton Rouge neighbor told him that she donated monthly to St. Jude's Hospital, and she offered to pay for his next month's rent. When he told the neighbor he would be out of the apartment this weekend, she offered to pay him the money instead. I don't know anything about this neighbor or the story she might have to offer behind such a generous act, but I know that Mike won't be able to repay her in the coming months/years. My prayer is that he'll pay it forward, just like I'm sure he will.)

(P.P.S. - My brother, who passed away 7 years ago this month, was never married nor had any children. I love children and I always wanted my own little nieces and nephews to love on and adore. I've been fortunate enough to be married to two men who had a niece or a nephew or BOTH, and so I've claimed them as my own. Just because the marriage doesn't work out doesn't mean I stop loving those little ones. My niece is graduating from high school this year!!)


“I assure you: If anyone says to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for—believe that you have received them, and you will have them." Mark 11:23-24 (HCSB)

I'm a Winner!

Honestly, I've never won anything, not even the door prizes when there were only 3 of us there. But in the last 4 months, I have won many of the giveaways I have entered, especially the book giveaways! I attribute it all to Someone who is continually blessing me and showing me that if I keep believing Him, He will delight me (Ps. 37:4). His love surpasses knowledge that I may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. He is able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within me! (Eph. 3:19-20 NIV) Oh He is sooooo speaking my love language!

This is what I saw on twitter: @BooksALatte WINNER OF BUNDLE OF BOOKS!: Congratulations Cathy Davis! You’ve been commenting on.. http://tinyurl.com/defuwq

(She's got a great name for a site too!)

YIPPEE!!!!!!!

WINNER OF BUNDLE OF BOOKS!

Congratulations Cathy Davis! You’ve been commenting on the posts with FREE giveaways and it has paid off. You can expect a bundle of books in the mail this week.
Take a look at what you’ve won:
1. The Best Life Ain’t Easy, But It’s Worth It
2. I Do Again
3. Love As a Way of Life Devotional
4. For Couples Only Box Set
There will be more freebies on Books A Latte coming soon. Keep posting comments for your chance to win! (She made me the coolest badge that says WINNER and then CATHY DAVIS and I wanted to post it but it doesn't want to load. If you click on it at her site, it brings you over here! How dandy!)

This is the second time I've won from this site, and as much as I love to win, I also love a good site! So, if you like reading book reviews and the chance to win free books (and I know my 3 readers do ;)), then go check out BooksALatte!

Thank you!

“I assure you: If anyone says to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for—believe that you have received them, and you will have them." Mark 11:23-24 (HCSB)

Really?

God is so awesome! I have entered sweepstakes for years now, and I've never won. I never win the door prize or the contests. Usually, I'm sitting next to the person who wins...you get my drift? Lately, I have been amazed with all that I've won! A beautiful necklace, books, CDs, decorative plate and more books! (I need to link up to all the precious people who have given me prizes because I really apprecite everything I've received!)

Allow me to digress briefly (I promise, I'll try to be brief...I know I KNOW). A couple of months ago, I began crying out to God and holding on to His word as my marriage was quickly crumbing. I knew that if I held on to His promises, then no matter what happened would be for His glory. I was believing God - not just in Him but believing Him.

Here are a couple of the promises I held on to and kept repeating over and over:

Psalm 37:4 - Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) -- For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

So, things between James & I are steadily improving. Yippee! And, I've won all these prizes and I have had precious people just give me sweet presents and items to let me know "I love you". So to all of them I saw - THANK YOU!!! I honestly feel the Lord used these people and giveaways to remind me of the delight only He can give. So I PRAISE HIM! Thank you, Abba!

Imagine my surprise when I got home yesterday and I had a box from TitleTrakk.com that said "your prize is inside"! WHAT???? I won a stack of Christmas books from TitleTrakk.com. I went to their site to copy what I'd won for the blog, and there was my name! (The list of books has been taken down already.)

Let's give God a big round of applause and praise Him! Thank you Lord finding favor in me and giving me the desires of my heart. I will worship while I wait on You.

Have a beautiful Saturday. And remember to praise Him through your circumstances. He is worthy!


“The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

Booked for the Holidays: Talking Tips

Go over to Mocha with Linda's site. As you can see from my little button over there, to the right, she is having a Booked for the Holidays giveaway! Today she is giving away Vicki Courtney's 5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter.

(The following is from Linda's site.)

Vicki has done her homework and the book has many statistics regarding the culture our girls are facing. Yet it's not a dull listing of numbers and percentages or a doomsday prediction of dire warnings. And unless you live under a rock, your girl will not avoid being exposed to the "stuff that's out there." But just as we protect our children physically from diseases by immunizing them, this book provides information on how we can innoculate our daughters with the serum of God's truth so that they can recognize the lies the world feeds them.The 5 conversations, which have several chapters devoted to each of them, are:

1. You are more than the sum of your parts.
2. Sex is great . . . and worth the wait.
3. It’s OK to dream about marriage and motherhood.
4. Don’t be in such a hurry to grow up.
5. Girls gone wild are a dime a dozen—dare to be different

And the book also gives guidelines on how to have these conversations according to your daughter's stage of development: ages 5 and under, 6-11, and 12 and up.

AND, if you also notice, there is a button over there on the right for a book club staring on 1/5/09 for this book!

So, head on over to Mocha with Linda for a chance to win this great book! Good luck!


For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11

Congratulations!

Congratulations to all the winners of the bloggy giveaway!

The Avon BondGirl cologne winner is: TCKK.

The CM Paper Album winners are:

KawaiiNeko2008 (at) aol (dot) com
Not the Queen
mannequin
Chrissiealexatyahoodotcom
Kim
majellamom
angel
slboom(at)hotmail(dot)com
zizziecards@gmail.com

I've contacted everyone, so I ask that you please email me your mailing address so I can mail your prize to you!

Congrats again!




For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11

Bloggy Giveaway #2 ~ Creative Memories *CLOSED*

Congratulations:
KawaiiNeko2008 (at) aol (dot) com
Not the Queen
mannequin
Chrissiealexatyahoodotcom
Kim
majellamom
angel
slboom(at)hotmail(dot)com
zizziecards@gmail.com


Hi there and welcome to my Giveaway! I'm so happy to be part of the Bloggy Giveaway Carnival.

Today's giveaway is a paper album from Creative Memories! The best news is that I have 9 of these to give away, along with some of the paper you'll want to have to coordinate with it. (Forgive me, I don't have a picture of the paper.) The pack comes with 2 small paper albums, two envelopes for mailing and a sheet of stickers.



If you want a chance to win this giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment, making sure to include a way for me to contact you if you win! The contest will be closed Friday night, I will use a random number thingy to decide the winner this weekend. I'll post the winner here and I'll notify you by email.

Yesterday's giveaway was a new fragrance by Avon. Have you entered? It's pretty easy to enter that one too!

I'm glad you've come by and good luck! Back to Bloggy Carnival.



For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11

Bloggy Giveaway ~ Avon's New BondGirl Cologne *closed*

Congratulations to TCKK! You are the winner of the Bond Girl cologne!

Hi there and welcome to my Giveaway! I'm so happy to be part of the Bloggy Giveaway Carnival. Today's giveaway is a bottle of Avon's brand new Bond Girl 007 cologne spray.

Brief description:

Behind the sleek, shapely silhouette of Bond Girl 007™ is your ultimate weapon of seduction - a sexy cocktail of exotic orchid and velvety white peach, refreshed with orange blossom and warmed by sensual cashmere woods that promises to captivate and entice. 1.7 fl. oz.

Feel free to check out my Avon site and shop if you so desire.

If you want a chance to win this giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment, making sure to include a way for me to contact you if you win! I will use a random number thingy to decide the winner this weekend and I'll notify you by email.

Please keep coming back to check what else I will be giving away, or just to read what's going on in my part of the world. I'm glad you've come by and good luck!

Back to Bloggy Carnival.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11

Neat-o Links!

I found some neat-o sites tonight and I wanted to share them! I believe I found them through Bloggy Giveaways (look for a giveaway carnival next week ~ I'm going to go through my Avon and/or Creative Memories for a giveaway. Heaven knows I have alot of both!).

Seems the big craze is vinyl lettering. I gotta admit - I am loving all the things I'm seeing with the lettering. I am loving the sayings on the walls and the thought of having something like that on my wall without having to try and paint it myself is extremely cool!

So, anyway, I went to Tip Junkie first and she has a ton of links to "mom shops". From there, I found this site My Tree House Treasures. She has some really cute products and none of them will break the bank.

Another giveaway site! Great homemade jewelry from RHBDesigns.



Go check these sites out - I know it's helping me pass time on this Friday night.


For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11

Surrendering the Secret

I hope I'm linking this correctly. If you have any trouble with a link, please let me know. ~Cathy


A Giveaway That Keeps on Giving
Do you know that one in every three women has had an abortion? In fact, 43% of women of child-bearing age have this secret. And I don't use the term "secret" lightly. While there is certainly a multitude of unbelieving women out there that tote this secret sadness in their hearts, there are as many BELIEVING women - FORGIVEN, SAVED WOMEN in YOUR CHURCH - who are walking around unhealed. Why? Because they are paralyzed by shame and fear at the thought of surrendering their secret.

You may remember my mentioning Pat Layton, my friend, and the founder of A Woman's Place Ministries in Tampa, Florida. With first-hand experience, she intimately understands the fear and heartache that surrounds women, post-abortion. After she was saved, she looked for material to help her and others heal, but there was none. So, she and God wrote a study that was used for 20 years at her crisis pregnancy center. This year, Surrendering the Secret was released in DVD form by Lifeway, in response to the thousands of hurting women that flooded the altar for prayer in this area, after each of their large events.

While I, personally, have never experienced this heartbreak, I know a LOT of women who have. I bet you do, too. The effects are so far-reaching. As you can imagine, with this situation often being shrouded in secret, even if a woman knows about this study and longs for healing, she's not likely to buy it herself. This is why our churches - EVERY ONE OF THEM - need to have a copy. This is where our giveaway comes in - a chance to win one for YOUR CHURCH!

God has recently impressed upon me that we, the blog community, can partner with Lifeway and Pat, to make a BIG DIFFERENCE in this area of secret pain. Just as He multiplied the five loaves to feed thousands (Mark 6:41-44), I'm believing that He will do the same with this giveaway of the Surrendering the Secret study. So, here it is:
Five (5) Winners
One (1) DVD Leader Kit (including DVD study, leader guide and one member book) PER WINNER
Twelve (12) Member Books PER WINNER
Click HERE to watch the promo video of the study.

Giveaway will run through Sunday, October 12th - WINNERS ANNOUNCED MONDAY, OCTOBER 13TH (per random.org)
Because it is my heart that the word get out to as many churches and people as possible, I'm going to give you two chances to win:
Leave a comment
Link the giveaway in a post on your own blog, then leave a SECOND comment, including the link to your post. This is NOT about blog promotion, but about spreading the word of healing!Other ways to get involved:
Tell your church about the study and work toward getting a copy purchased for their use, if you don't win.

Encourage your pastor to discuss abortion from the pulpit and include it in the sins mentioned from the pulpit that are forgiven through Christ. There are MANY women who walk away from a sermon feeling like their sin is unforgivable, simply because it's never mentioned.
Invite Pat to come and speak to your women's group and/or leadership about ministering to women in crisis, or to train your leaders to present this study.
Consider donating financially.
Join me in thanking God in advance for what He will do! Praise Him that He will multiply this small mustard seed of faith into a great movement of healing across our nation.
THERE IS HOPE AND FREEDOM IN SURRENDERING THE SECRET.
You can make a difference for someone else who is hurting - maybe even for yourself.
In His marvelous love,

(From Melinda's blog - Please visit her blog to enter!)




For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11