Through My Tears...

Ohhh another wonderful book and give away!

2012-01-16T10:49:00.006-05:00

My friend, Suzanne Woods Fisher, has yet another book about to be released and here is a fabulous give away to go with it! Be sure to RSVP today because the give away is tomorrow!

A " Honey" of an iPad Giveaway

Invite Friends

Prize Details: A “Honey” of a Giveaway from Suzanne Woods Fisher!

Suzanne is thrilled to announce the release of The Keeper!

Full of the plot twists and surprises her fans love, The Keeper is the first in a new series by bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher.

“Packed with romance, secrets, betrayal, and forgiveness—Fisher knows her Amish history and stays true to their beliefs and way of life.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

Follow the blog tour and see what the reviewers are saying!. Many of the bloggers are giving away copies of the book.

The Keeper is in stores now and to celebrate Suzanne is hosting a “Honey” of a Giveaway and a fabulous FB Party (1/17).

*During the giveaway one Grand Prize Winner will receive a Prize Pack (valued at $600):

* A brand new 16 KB iPad 2 with Wi-Fi

* A $25 gift certificate to iTunes

* A copy of The Keeper

Then on 1/17 join Suzanne for The Keeper FB Party at 5:00 PM PST (6:00 MST, 7:00 CST, 8:00 EST)!

During the party Suzanne will announce the winner of the “Honey” of an iPad Giveaway and host a fun book chat and give away some fun “honey” inspired prizes – It’ll be ’sweet"! RSVP early and tell your friends!
_____________________________________

About The Keeper:

Can Julia secure the future she’s always dreamed of? Or does God have something else in mind? 4 Stars from Romantic Times, “The Stoney Ridge Season starts off with characters who are trying to make the right choices, but sometimes with unexpected results. Fisher always brings freshness to her Amish novels. The Amish culture is interesting to read and learn about, but there is also a message: God has plans and those plans may vary greatly from the plans you have”.

Meet Suzanne:

Suzanne has a great admiration for the Plain people and believes they provide wonderful examples to the world. In both her fiction and non-fiction books, she has an underlying theme: You don’t have to “go Amish” to incorporate many of their principles—simplicity, living with less, appreciating nature, forgiving others more readily— into your life.
When Suzanne isn’t writing or bragging to her friends about her first new grandbaby (!), she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To Suzanne’s way of thinking, you just can’t take life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone’s underwear in its mouth. Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.
Prize Eligibility: Only persons residing in Australia, Canada, and United States who are at least 18 years of age can enter.
Sweepstakes Starts: January 03, 2012 @ 12:00 am (PST)
Sweepstakes Ends: January 17, 2012 @ 12:59 pm (PST)
Need more Details?: Read the Official Rules

2012

2012-01-01T16:23:00.007-05:00

Happy New Year to one and all!

Every year for the past five years or so I have decided to not have a New Year's resolution. Instead of resolutions which I tend to "break" after a very short amount of time. I decided to pray in the months before the end of the year about a "theme" that God wants to speak to me throughout the year. Some of the themes of the past years have been:

*Fasten your seat belt, God is moving fast
*Help me to look for God in unexpected places
*You (God) take my heart by surprise
*Be still and know
*Let me see others through God's eyes

This year I think I may have a double word. The first one being: "For such a time as this" and the second is: " Lift your vision higher, for without a progressive vision we run aimlessly."

So, what has God been speaking to you?

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T12:35:00.003-05:00

It began in a stable, progressed to a cross, and ended with forgiveness for all!

Merry Christmas to you all. May Jesus be the focus of your Christmas.

Inspire A Fire

2011-12-05T19:18:00.001-05:00

How A Little Can Change A Lot

“We have much to be judged on when he comes, slums and battlefields and insane asylums, but these are the symptoms of our illness and the result of our failures in love.” – Madeleine L’Engle

When my brother traveled to the Sudan he had an encounter that changed his life—and as it ends up, mine too.

He stood in Darfur at an orphanage filled with children leftover from the genocide. There were over 800 children, and during the night wild dogs were dragging them off and killing them.

My brother already felt shell-shocked from the travesties he’d witnessed in Uganda.

The day was hot. The sun beat down upon him. His camera had nearly been ruined from all the dust. He’d barely slept. His gear was heavy. Yet his conscience was seared by the numbness he felt, so he turned and confessed to a Sudanese pastor.

“We shall pray right now that your heart will be opened,” he was told.

Not long after that prayer three young children approached Joshua and started to follow him. After a bit, his father nature kicked in and he stopped and sang Father Abraham. It didn’t take long before the four of them were dancing and going through the motions.

When they finished, he asked the children to tell him how they came to be there.

The oldest, a girl, answered. “The soldiers came and shot my mother and father, so I came here.”

The two other children nodded in agreement. “Me, too.”

He was grief struck, but it was what transpired next that tore my heart. “Do you have a Mommy?” The little girl asked my brother.

“Yes,” he answered.

“And a Daddy?”

Again, his answer was yes.

“Oh,” she said, her voice hinting at a strange intermingling of numbness and grief.

Her question stirs me still. For I believe it came from her soul and revealed the thoughts of her heart. She didn’t want to know what his country was like, what kind of food he ate, or what he did for a living. She had her own bullet holes leftover from the genocide. Her world consisted of this single question: Who still had parents and who didn’t?

In her questions I heard her worry and fear. Imagine being trapped in a war-torn country, a land of famine, drought and disease. Imagine trying to survive it as an orphan with death threatening you every hour. No matter how much she’s endured, at the end of the day, she’s still just a little girl. And all she really wants is her Mom and Dad.

I imagined my daughter living as an orphan in the Sudan. If I were shot and dying, it would be my hope that my brothers and sisters would care for her. But what if her aunts and uncles were killed too? What was it then, that her parents hoped?

As members of the body of Christ these children are not alone. They have aunts and uncles. Multitudes and multitudes and multitudes of them. Talk about staggering! These kids are our nieces and nephews! Mine. Yours.

So who, I wondered, within the church has the responsibility to step in?

I didn’t like the answer that came. Earlier that week I was shocked to learn that globally I was one of the richest people in the world—even though as an American, I’m pretty poor.

Like it or not I was the rich aunt. I had knowledge of the situation. That made me accountable.

I wasn’t comfortable with the knowledge then, and I’m not comfortable with the knowledge now. But I am determined to do something. Anything.

That day Joshua had in his possession a picture book that someone had asked him to give to someone in the Sudan. It was a children’s book with a story about how we have a Heavenly Father who always loves and cares for us. Joshua read the book and gave it to them.

An American woman took it upon herself to raise the money to build shelter. Every person who donated, even a dollar, helped to create a place where the little girl now sleeps safe from wild dogs.

When Joshua told me he’s going to start a branch of Watermelon Ministries called Media Change, a non-profit encouraging Americans to give up a portion of the money spent on entertainment to serve those fighting world hunger and thirst, I wanted to support it.

For seven years he’s helped non-profits raise money that serves the “least of these.” He’s seen the impact a small investment can have. This is a brand new initiative. He’s not quite ready to launch, but you can sign up and be kept updated at www.mediachange.org. His first goal is garner the support of 10,000 people who are willing to give $10 a month. I’m number #3.

This is only a blog post, but who knows what one blog post can do.

What if the task of helping others isn’t as overwhelming as we make it?

Jessica

Jessica Dotta, Sr. Editor of Inspire a Fire, has earned the right to wear the title of: Social Media Specialist, Consultant, Publicist, Brand Manager, Editor, Writer, Social Activist, and Business Manager. But the only titles that matter to her are: Called – Redeemed – Beloved – Known by the Father – Daughter – Accepted. . . and Mom. Her life has recently undergone a shaking—one that uprooted nearly every trace of her former life. You’ll have forgive her unconventional posts, as she’s still trying to work out her perspective. She knows one thing though. The most humble and worthy person she ever encountered lived in near obscurity—but sent ripples of change into the world. All because he took the time to care about each hurting person he met. He wasn’t Jesus, but he followed the Great Shepherd and left a legacy. She wants to follow that path.

A message to you all ~

2011-11-24T17:05:00.004-05:00

The Art Of Helping Blog Tour

2011-11-07T19:12:00.002-05:00

THE ART OF HELPING by Lauren Littauer Briggs (Book Tour & Book Giveaway)

Lauren Littauer Briggs

All of us want to offer comfort and support to someone who is hurting, but we often don’t know what to say or do. The Art of Helping—What to Say and Do When Someone is Hurting addresses 30 of the most common heartaches people face and takes away your fear of involvement by helping you understand what people are feeling and going through. From over 100 interviews and her own life experiences, author Lauren Briggs shares proven advice and offers practical help with a list of what to say— and do.

Why should I read The Art of Helping?

Do you know someone who is facing a crisis and wondered what you could do to help? Have you ever faced a difficult time and wished your family and friends knew what you were going through and knew how to help you?

I found that during my darkest hours, no one knew how much I was hurting, what I was going through or how they might help.

This is a book you’ll want to read before you need it—so that you will have ideas of what you can do and how you can respond—when you first hear the news. We want to help our family and friends through the hard times, but the right words or actions just don’t come to mind. The Art of Helping will give you the tools and enable you to turn thoughts into action.

How will The Art of Helping change me?

The Art of Helping is your go to book when life gets tough. It is a social Bible filled with concrete, tangible action items to empower you to make a difference at times when we would otherwise feel helpless. When people get this book in their hands, they always say, “How I wish I had this book when my friend needed help.”

What are some basic Do’s and Don’ts I need to know?

DON’T wait before you make contact.
DO Respond as soon as you hear the news.

DON’T SAY “If there’s anything you need, give me a call.”
DO Offer a specific thing you can do.

DON’T put pressure on yourself to do something you don’t like to do.
DO use your gifts and talents to help.

DON’T minimize what they are going through.
DO offer caring statements of acknowledgement.

DON’T ASK “When will you be your old self again? or Aren’t you over it yet?”
DO understand that once their life is touched by tragedy, they will never be their “old self” again. They will eventually reach a “new normal” but life will never be the same.

What are some of your favorite creative suggestions in The Art of Helping?

A mother of two young children picked up a hurting family’s laundry on Mondays, took it home and returned it all laundered and folded on Thursdays.
A man volunteered to come mow the lawn once a week and do some simple “honey do” chores.
My sons brought their game boy to the hospital for a friend going through chemo therapy. Every few days they would bring a different game to swap.

How can I learn more about The Art of Helping?

POST A COMMENT ON THIS BLOG to enter your name for a FREE copy of THE ART OF HELPING by Lauren Littauer Briggs. Drawing will be held of November 21, 2011. (US residents only.) I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting the author’s interview on my blog. This blog tour is managed by Christian Speakers Services (ChristianSpeakersServices.com).

Women Inspired

2011-10-27T15:30:00.003-04:00

Hello all of you lovely ladies (I know there are a few gents too) This is an amazing ministry that my friend, Julie Gorman, has asked me to share about! I know several of these ladies personally, or know their individual ministries. WOW, all of them together is pretty special! Please check it out and seriously consider membership! A great way to be inspired, or if you really think about it, you could buy someone a membership as a Christmas gift! How ever you decide to do it, do it soon!

Don't miss your chance to WIN a WOMEN INSPIRED EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP offering access to 7 EXCLUSIVE COACHING SERIES by Shannon Ethridge, Tammy Maltby, Jil Swanson, Julie Gorman, Lorraine Pintus, Kendra Smiley, and Sandra Aldrich. Simply Tag Women Inspired on your FB page and share their site http://www.womeninspired.org/ and you'll be entered to the drawing. DRAWING takes place FRIDAY. Good luck!

Women Inspired

www.womeninspired.org

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of everyday living and overwhelmed by never-ending to-do lists of life. Add … Learn More

Blog Tour with Kathi Macias

2011-10-10T15:37:00.000-04:00

During Isabella Alcantara’s seventh month of pregnancy, her parents and siblings are murdered in gang- and drug-related violence, simply because their home was targeted by mistake. Isabella knows she was spared only because she now lives in a different location, but she knows too that the same thing could easily happen to her and her husband, Francisco. When her grandfather offers to hire a “coyote” to bring them across the border to America, she agrees. But Francisco and Isabella are abandoned by the coyote and left to die. Francisco then valiantly sacrifices himself to get Isabella to safety. Homeless, nearly penniless, pregnant, and alone, Isabella determines to find a way to honor her promise to her beloved husband.

Living on one of the smaller spreads along the Arizona border, Miriam Nelson becomes furious with God and turns from her faith when her
border patrol agent husband, David, is killed in a skirmish with drug smugglers. Though her mother and young son do their best to woo her back from the anger and bitterness that have overtaken her, they make little headway.

Two widows—one driven by fear and a promise, the other by bitterness and revenge—must make their journeys along different pathways, but with the same destination: a barn full of animals that stands waiting for them on Christmas Eve. Forced to face their personal demons, Isabella and Miriam soon discover a common yearning that will bind them together in a most miraculous way.

Watch the book trailer video ... click on the graphic below

Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored nearly 30 books and ghostwritten several others. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs. Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences, and recently won the prestigious 2008 member of the year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) at the annual Golden Scrolls award banquet. Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband, Al, where the two of them spend their free time riding their Harley.

Preserving for the Winter

2011-09-07T20:49:00.002-04:00

I sit in my recliner listening to the last batch of soup simmering in the pressure canner, and realize just how exhausted I am. I have noticed that over the past year my fibro has worsened and has really caused me a lot of pain, and it really makes me mad! For goodness sake I am only 51 years old but feel at least 90 on days like this.

I find it extremely frustrating! I have so much to do and rather than get more done, it seems I get less done every year.

I look at just what I have gotten done in the last three days and it sounds like a lot, but it is not nearly what I have gotten done in the past.

Here is the list so far:

19 1/2 jars of Strawberry jam
21 quarts of soup (two kinds)
20 jars of hot pepper butter (mustard)

I still have applesauce, Amish peanut butter spread, salsa, and more spaghetti sauce to do. And perhaps more soup.

Throw in a few loads of laundry, all of the clean up from canning and there you have my day! Hmmm, guess I have earned a bit of a rest tonight. The canner still has an hour to go, so forget about going to bed early... yawn :-0

I will have to slow down tomorrow cause I am supposed to work... and Friday I leave for the Circle of Friends Women's Conference that is being held at Malone University. www.circleoffriends.fm The speaker is Carol Kent, sharing from her recent book "Between a Rock and a Grace Place", and Lisa Troyer and the COF worship team will lead worship. Lisa will also be doing a book signing for her book "A Place to Belong". It was released last week. My week and weekend will be busy but good.

Then on Wednesday, the Circle of Friends will host a luncheon at Dutch Valley Restaurant in Sugarcreek. If you would like to attend you may contact Circle of Friends at 330-852-0000.

In the meantime, if I have any time I may do some writing...or not. I am thinking a little rest for the moment.

Good night!

I am a radio guest today!

2011-09-01T15:48:00.003-04:00

Today, September 1, I will be a guest on Suzanne Woods Fisher's program "Amish Wisdom". Here is the link to go to at 5 p.m. ET. http://toginet.com/shows/AmishWisdom

Be sure to stop by and listen! If you listen and follow the directions your name will be added to a drawing for a free gift!

Dreams

2011-08-21T08:02:00.002-04:00

Last night I dreamed about Liz. That is something that doesn't happen often. Matter of fact it has been years since I last remember dreaming about her. I knew at the time that I was dreaming and even thought "it's been years since I have dreamed about Liz". Apparently God knew I had reached my really need to see Liz limit, ans He allowed it. I always feel emotionally refreshed after one of those types of dreams.

Liz is always on my mind, although I don't dwell on thoughts of her, my heart is ever near heaven.

So, I just want to say thanks God! I really needed that. I got to see her, got to hug her and talk to her, laugh with her... and all the time knowing it was a dream, but having those needs fulfilled for this momma is a real blessing!

I love you Liz and miss you, thanks for "visiting" with me for a while last night!

Mom <3<3<3

God's thoughts vs my thoughts

2011-08-15T10:13:00.004-04:00

In the posting of "Journals of the Heart" by Brenda Craig, today's word that really spoke to me is the following: It is a prophetic word from God.

Not only do I behold you but My thoughts are ever on you (Psalms 33:13-15). Do not in any way be fearful of this prospect. Sometimes your thinking can be so wrong in this area. Often you think the thoughts you have about yourself are the same as Mine. This is only true if all your thoughts about yourself are thoughts of love, goodness, kindness and mercy…full of mercy grace and believe you are walking in a future filled with hope (Jeremiah 31:17).

I have mentioned before that I suffer with the malady of low self esteem. A week ago Jeff and I attended a new church here in our area called The Potter's House. It is a very small non- denominational church that Jeff had driven by a few times and mentioned he would like to check it out. I was a bit hesitant since I have certain preferences in music and typically small churches tend to do a "country music" style of worship and I am not a fan. (Sorry if I have offended any one!) We all have our preferences. Needless to say I felt that we did need to try this tiny church.

We did a week ago and found several people there that we know. Now, for those of you that know me personally this won't be a surprise since I seem to know MANY people! We figured with the amount of people in attendance we know about 1/3 of the attendees. We ended up enjoying the service. Then a friend that attends there asked if we had lunch plans. We decided to go out to a local restaurant and not only did our friend go , the pastor, a visiting pastor and the evangelist that began meetings that morning joined us! What a great time of getting to know folks and also fellow shipping!

We decided to go back to the evening service. At the end of the service there was an offer to pray for those that need healing and several went forward, including me! I have had migraine headaches for 20 years, nearly every day. I was prayed for and have seen an amazing difference in the migraines! They have occurred less frequently and are not as bad. It has truly given me encouragement. I fully expect them to be gone completely soon!

At the end of the prayer he also began to speak words that could have only been from God. I never said anything to this man about my low self esteem or thoughts in my heart. He began to tell me that I need to pray this prayer everyday:

Lord Jesus,
Help me to see myself as You see me.
A Godly woman
A Godly wife
A Godly mother
A Godly friend
Let me draw my dignity from the things of my eternity
Let my security be found in the purity of my heart
and devotion to You!!

After the things I read this morning, and also some of the scriptures I have read over this past week, I truly believe God is trying to change my heart about the way I think about myself. The lies I have believed that I don't have anything worth offering to God, let alone anyone else. Or any other degrading things need to be gone from my heart and mind.

I am not quite sure why I felt I needed to share this since it is so very personal other than the fact that there just may be someone reading this that needs to hear it, to pray the prayer written above, to have it begin to change your heart and life just as it is beginning to change mine!

What we all need to remember is that God has given us the abilities that we have, the opportunities as well and He has BIG plans for us! Let's begin to change our thoughts and speak positive things into our life!

My heart

2011-08-02T09:06:00.000-04:00

I have come to the place in my life that I simply do not know where to go next. The thoughts of wondering if I should quit, ring quite loud in my head. Lifting these issues to the Lord in prayer. Then waiting. I can tell you that after all of the years since I began writing my story, I still believe that I am being obedient to what God put on my heart way back in July of 2000.

Eleven years after the task was set before me, I once again asked God if I should simply stop writing since it appears I am not getting as far as I hoped I would. I was sitting with my accountability friend and was discussing this possibility of quitting. We were sitting at my dining room table deep in conversation. Suddenly my phone rings. I feel some disdain at being interrupted. I look at the caller ID and it appears that it is a “sales” type call so I do not answer and let it go to voicemail.

A moment later a voice comes on and leaves a message. The message the man left was that he and his wife were reading a devotional that I wrote several years ago. It was actually the very first thing that I wrote and sold! (To be honest, it is the only thing that I have made money on. Everything else that I have written has been given to a particular ministry, and has had no monetary benefits.) Anyway, he went on to say that what I had written was very good, and that it spoke to he and his wife. He left his name, and address along with the words encouraging me to continue writing!

If I ever questioned whether God still speaks in an audible voice, I now know He does!

As Christians we often question God about our lives, for direction, for answers to prayers that we have prayed and so on. I am among those. I do believe that we all want to do things that will be right, that will bring Glory to God in some way. We don’t enjoy making mistakes, at least I don’t! I want things to be right, and correct. I hate making mistakes, and find it hugely embarrassing. Yet, I know that while I still have breath in my body, I will make mistakes.

I have written before that I worry about disappointing God. I am sure that I have out of both innocence and guilt. I will on occasion do something that I want to do without considering whether it is a good thing or not. I imagine that if you are reading this, you are probably among the majority as I am. If you are among the minority, I ask that you pray for me.

My point? To show you and myself that God is always listening, always working to prepare us for the task that He has set before us. He will equip us to do what He asks us to do. Yep, He will and He does!

2011-08-01T11:39:00.002-04:00

Miralee Ferrell 's new book that I just ordered from Amazon. Check it out along with her blog listed here and also on the left side of this blog under friend's blogs. http://miraleesdesk.blogspot.com/