Valentines Gift from Denise Hunter!

Denise Hunter posted on her facebook today with an amazing Valentine treat!

Her first book in the Chapel Springs series is free! All month long!

This book has been on my wish list for a while. I'm glad to be able to read it (though I will probably end up buying it in paperback before I'm through with it).

For those of you who love reading eBooks though, this is a great treasure to your collection! Denise Hunter is an amazing author!

Don't forget to share with your friends and family!

It's the Small Things

It's amazing what blessings God sends to us in our every day lives. Things, people typically don't notice or maybe even take for granted.

Last night, my family decided it was a good night to get a pizza; I couldn't have agreed more. So, we stopped by the store to grab some soda's before picking up the pizza and that's where I met my blessing.

This man and his 9 (I think) year old daughter were waiting in line. The line was really long! So, there was time to kill just standing there. The father struck up a conversation with me about the lines, the stores, and just casual conversation.

See, my family and I just moved up here just before Christmas. Now we're in a much bigger city, a metropolis, from our last home of 10 years. I thought I'd miss it a little, because I knew where everything was and when to go and how to get there, etc,. But, I've realized I not only don't miss it, I like our new home 10 times more then I ever liked our last place.

Sure, it's busier. I don't know where everything is, yet. It takes longer to get to places and there are some days you shouldn't go because traffic is so bad. But here's what I've noticed in the short time I've been here.

The people.

They talk to you. They are more polite. They are just friendlier people.

A couple of times when I've been to the grocery store people ahead of me have done things for me, though they may seem simple, mean a lot to me. Asking if I need help or putting the bar to separate our orders for me, making room for me to put my things on the belt.

With a smile.

It makes me want to cry on the spot.

Things I found out in my ten minute conversation last night:

The man was from Guatemala. He's been here since 1991. In our part of town since 2001. We both agreed Walmart was a crazy place to shop, for many reasons. There's a Walmart (or 2) in the second capital of Guatemala now. The farmers market downtown used to be three times the size of when it first started, you couldn't even find parking. And you can only find replacement toothbrush heads at Publix.

Just having someone initiating a conversation with me made me not fill invisible. Or unapproachable (sometimes I'm too self conscious or maybe believe no one will talk to me because of my size)

That was major part of the blessing. Here comes to icing on the cake.

He finished paying for his and his daughters things. They used some gift cards and the last one had $1.88 left on it. He handed it to me and said to use it. He said it wasn't much, but it was something.

And he was right. It wasn't much in one hand to card wasn't much, but in the other the gesture was worth its weight in gold. It was so kind and genuine.

Then he said, "God bless, you".

So sincere. Not like when some people say it in passing, like they've just made that their signature for every day conversation. But that he meant it, he was asking God to bless me.

Ever since my family and I moved up here, I've felt like God brought us here to start over. That he gave us a new and empty book to start writing the next Arc in our story for his Glory. Haha, that rhymed.

I feel fresh air coming back into my lungs, and it really feels good to breathe again.

~~

Take time out of your day to talk to someone. Someone you don't know or don't ordinarily strike conversations with. In the store, down the road to a neighbor. Engage them with Christ's love and sincerity. Bless someone with your time and attention, even for just a few minutes. You have no idea how much that will impact someones life. It's the small things, too.

Have a wonderful day and

God bless you all, from the bottom of my heart. <3

Lord, I Lift Up My Friend To You

I came across this song just a few minutes ago and it made me think of my best friend, Christina Jamison, that I mentioned in a Prayer Request.

It's the prayer that is now imbedded into my heart, put into song, and worship.

Please continue to pray for her. It's been a hard couple weeks for me, being unable to talk to her, share my joy and laughter with her. To see and know how she is doing. I miss her, a lot. More than any other friend before.

Lord, I lift up my friend to you, my best friend in the world I know. I know you love her more than I ever could. I know you can and will take care of her, because you love her. And because you know how important she is to me, too. Send your angels to surround her, protect her. Show her the way, Lord.

In Jesus name, I pray, Amen. 

Guest Post: It's January by Susan May Warren

It’s January. 

This is what my town looks like in January. 

Do you see the cold pallor? The icy streets? Right now, I am currently sitting under a blankie, with little half-gloves on to keep my fingers warm. 

I know, I know. WHY do we live here? 

Because it’s a gorgeous place to set a story. Located on the rocky shores of Lake Superior, It’s a little touch of Lake Woebegone – all the men are good-looking, all the women heroic. And it has the overtones of small town Cheers, where everyone knows your name. Which means that when you get into trouble, the entire town knows about it. Ack! 

Welcome to Deep Haven, the home of the Christiansen family! 

Their resort…Evergreen Outfitters and Cabin Rentals is located on an inland lake in the woods, nestled among the pines, serenaded by the call of the loons and the waves against the shore. 

And If you haven’t met the Christiansens, they’re a crazy, love big and live life out loud family who *might* be a little like my family. (and one that might feel like yours, too!) The 6 adult children and two parents, run a resort and try to figure out faith while living life (that often goes wrong). They make mistakes, but they love each other through them. 

Not unlike our family. (That’s us, not the Christiansens. Just in case you might be confused.) 

The Christiansen family series follows each one of the adult children through their trials and triumphs of falling in love and finding their way in the world. The next book hits the shelves in the next month – Always on My Mind, a story about Casper, brother #2, who just can’t get the wrong girl off his mind... 

Right now, I’m hunkered down writing book #6…The Day After Forever, the last story in the series, a story that asks…can Prodigals come home? (Um, I sure hope so!) 

I wanted to write a series about a family with adult children, learning what it meant to carry on the legacy of faith into their lives. And I wanted to write a series that would really let readers dig into the family, feel like they were a part of their journey. The first two books ignite the series not only by introducing us to Darek and Eden, the two oldest children, but also set up the series with the loss of the family resort to a forest fire. Book 3, When I Fall in Love brings us to Hawaii and back home and sends our prodigal on his way, and scatters the family.

 Book 4 picks up the pieces of the prodigal’s actions and brings home the family peace-maker, Casper in Always on My Mind, and Book 5 adds in a new twist, when daughter Amelia has to choose between a hometown boy and a rich European she met while overseas. (And hello – have you see the hunk on THAT cover? The Wonder of You, baby!)

And then there’s Owen. Troublemaker Owen who just might surprise them all when he comes home…just in time to save the day. Or not… (Cover still pending!) 

As the Christiansens rebuild their resort, the kids need to decide whether they want to carry on the family legacy…or if life and faith might bring them somewhere else. 

And, did I mention romance. Oh yeah – we have to have something to keep us warm up here during the chilly months. 

It’s a series full of family drama, community and…some really great food. 

And cookies. (Seriously – check out: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/blog/2014/11/11/tuesdays-tasty-treat-eden-graces-lucky-kiss-peanut-butter-cookies/ ) 

That’s the news from Lake, um, Superior. 

Have a great January…and try to keep warm – Susie May the Siberian 

Always on my Mind by Susan May Warren

Book Description

After a failed dig in Honduras, aspiring archaeologist Casper Christiansen heads home to Minnesota to face his unresolved feelings for Raina Beaumont, the woman of his dreams. But when he arrives unannounced on her doorstep, he receives the shock of a lifetime: Raina is pregnant with someone else’s baby.

Heartbroken, especially when he discovers the identity of the baby’s father, Casper tables his dreams and determines to be dependable for once, helping his older brother, Darek, prepare the family resort for its grand reopening. Casper longs to be the hero of at least one family story, but a never-ending Deep Haven winter and costly repairs threaten their efforts—and the future of the resort.

Worse, one of Casper’s new jobs constantly brings him into contact with Raina, whom he can’t seem to forget. A tentative friendship begins to heal fresh wounds, but can they possibly overcome past mistakes and current choices to discover a future together?

My Review

I couldn't wait to wait to return to Deep Haven. But boy, was I in for a treat of a lifetime! This book had so much to give, I wish I could talk about it all day without wearing you down. Haha. 

Casper has runaway in search of a great treasure. That's been his life's passion; to find something that every one else over looks. In "When I Fall in Love", he thought he found that treasure in Raina, but when he discovered she had relations with his brother, Owen, she broke his heart. He ran away to escape her, his family, his feelings. But, he couldn't get her out of his mind even thousands of miles away. 

When he comes back to Deep Haven, he's shocked to see she's having a baby. Owen's baby. But she refuses to let the rest of his family know about the baby because she is giving the baby up for adoption. Rains believes it's the best thing to do for her daughter. But, truth is, she is afraid she will make a terrible mother, isn't good enough, and wants to give her baby the best. 

In the middle of all this, another Christiansen is having his own troubles. Darek is drowning with responsibilities, and feels he is failing his family in all directions.

Months after the baby, both Raina and Casper have new jobs. Raina an at antique shop and Casper at a Sport shop. But both are pulled together in a common mystery.

The legend of Duncan Rothe!

But what I found truly profound in this book was something Darek said when Casper became really upset over Raina and who she was dating, etc,.

"The fact is, when God brings Christians into the lives of the hurting, it's because he intends to use us to be light and truth to them. Not fix their problems but to point to the One [God] who can."

It just pinged to very the core of my heart. 

Watching Casper pray for Raina whenever he thought of her or passed by her, had an uplifting affect on me as a reader, not just in the story. 

At first, I thought the title "Always on My Mind" was the essence of the characters and their current story, but I saw something more. I felt, and saw, it's about God and how we are always on his mind. He never forgets us. He is always planning for us with us in mind. 

Really, this book has left me pretty speechless, which is terrible for writing reviews. But, it's a testimony to how beautiful this book, and series, truly is. You won't want to put it down once you start. It has a wonderful message and an amazing love story. 

By the way, I am so glad Casper kicked Monte's BUTT! Thank you Mrs. Susan!

For everything. 


I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommended to all. 

I received this book for free from the publisher’s in exchange for this honest and unbiased review as part of Tyndales Blogging Review program.

My-Day Friday #1: It's Not that Confusing!

I think it's so hilarious how one word can spark a memory and come back to life. As my sister and I are in Walmart the other night, a single word was said and it instantly turned into song.

"Confuseled"

Well that ignited us both into song throughout the store!

"A Heffalump or Woozle is very confusel. The Heffalump or woosel is very sly 

- sly - sly - sly"

Singing about confusing Heffalumps and Woozles, can you imagine? We continued warning the patrons around the women's department.

"Beware Beware Be a very wary bear

If honey is what you covet you'll find that they love it 

Because they guzzle up the thing you prize"

But, alas, they were too confuseled to heed our warnings.

My sister and I love singing songs in the store. We've done it so much that it's actually integrated into our very beings... We don't even think about it, we just do it like a normal person would start a conversation!

If only my other sister were with us that night, we would have had a chorus!

Singing is one of my fondest memories growing up with my sisters. We used to take our Disney and Veggie Tales tapes and turn on the caps; fast forwarding and rewinding for hours until we learned all the lyrics by heart. Then we'd act them out when we'd go outside to play on our bikes.

Yeah, singing and riding bikes at the same time equaled best time of my life! That, and I could ride standing up on one pedal. I felt like Supergirl, soaring in the air. Sometimes, I'd extend my other leg to look like an Ice Skater gliding on the smooth (though bumpy) surface.

Those were the days!

Whenever we do sing fun tunes in the store, it reminds me of when I was a kid, and it lets me be a kid again for a few minutes. Releasing that joy and freedom.
It also draws me and my sisters closer (no matter how awful we actually sound!) and keeps us in sync.

It's also just good laughter. And we all know that is medicine to your soul! {Proverbs 17:22 NLT}

Heffalumps and Woozles? Yeah, not so confuseling afterall. ;)


Have a wonderful and blessed Friday everyone!



DISCLAIMER: No patrons were exposed to our not-so-wonderful, yet talented voices. However, singing actually did occur at a lower tone than that of an actual singer belting it out on stage. We recommend that be done in the shower (unless you can actually sing!) or for private family and friend audiences only. Tootles!

Winter Delight!

I got a lovely package in the mail the other day! Evergreen, a Christiansen family novella by Susan May Warren! Check it out! Eeek!

I couldn't wait to share this with you guys. Wanna know how I came to get this little treasure? Through Tyndale Rewards! I'm serious. I didn't spend a penny on this book! 

This is actually the second item I've received from Tyndale Rewards. I can't tell you the other one (it's a surprise present for my sister!) but it looks just as wonderful as this! I redeemed it for 70 points a few days before Christmas and it came 3 weeks later in perfect, brand new condition! I truly love this program! 

Here's how it works, easy and simple: sign up!

Seriously, it's that easy. If you use my promo code when you sign up, you get an additional 25 points for signing up. I get 10, but I'd do this without any incentive. However, you guys get the better end of the rewards! Which is why I added my promo code to this post. Every 25 points counts!You can earn up to 50 points a month just for tweeting about it, sharing on your facebook, or blog. Then there's simple survey's that get you a pretty bunch of points. 

"Evergreen" was only 70! 

And there are so many more for that same price, some even a little lower. There's more than just fiction, too. There's Bibles, Non Fiction, Audio books. If you're careful and watch out, some books get featured that aren't normally on there (like Evergreen!) 

When I first started out with this program, I earned almost immediately 150. Spent 175 and then a couple months later earned another 150; spent 70. And then earned back more than half of it in the same hour just by tweeting! And, because they are Tyndale products, I can earn 10 per item I review as well. So, I will earn 10 points back (because you all know I love to share my books with you all!), which really only made it 60 points in the end!

I'm not hear to win more points. I'm sincerely sharing with anyone who's interested in this to sign up and really get some free (non hassle), Christian books. :) I am truly impressed with them and had to share about it.

Click the Tyndale Reward picture below. It will bring you straight to the signup with my promo code already set in. You just fill in your email address and zip code and your ready!

Incase the picture link doesn't work you can click here, too: 

www.tyndalerewards.com/signup/?pc=hsmp-noww-p8gt-ljrq

God bless you this fine Thursday!