we have a winner, and another giveaway!

I would like to congratulate Adrianne on winning the Perfect Mess give-away! With two little girls under three, I think she can relate all too well! Congrats, I'm sure you'll enjoy it! This winner was generated using a random number generator created by Violets are Blue (although I still haven't totally given up on the drawing names out of a good old Abe Lincoln top hat idea).

Alright, here's another one for you moms out there. Check it out.



Blue Like Play Dough
the shape of motherhood in the grip of God giveaway

Does the name not say it all? Again, I just had to have this one based on the title alone, and I'm sure every mom who has ever wondered just how does Play-doh get their blue to be so electric feels the same. If it bothers you that there is actually a piece of orange play dough on the cover, when the title clearly refers to blue, you are not alone. But this book is a little all over the place like that. Here's the book jacket summary:

In the everyday stretch and squeeze of motherhood, Tricia Goyer often feels smooshed by the demands of life. In Blue Like Play Dough, she shares her unlikely journey from rebellious, pregnant teen to busy wife and mom with big dreams of her own. As her story unfolds, Tricia realizes that God has more in store for her than she has ever imagined possible.

Sure, life is messy and beset by doubts. But God keeps showing up in the most unlikely places–in a bowl of carrot soup, the umpteenth reading of Goodnight Moon, a woe-is me teen drama, or play dough in the hands of a child.

In Tricia’s transparent account, you’ll find understanding, laughter, and strength for your own story. And in the daily push and pull, you’ll learn to recognizes the loving hands of God at work in your life… and know He has something beautiful in mind.

Sound good? Well it was. Tricia Goyer has a great sense of humor, and this book was a fun read. I just love the imagery of making the connection between our relationship with God and play dough. She describes herself as a lump of play dough in God's hands, and the constant reminder that we are there to be shaped, stretched, pulled, formed and molded according to His specifications. It got me thinking even further about this play dough metaphor. Like how happy my toddler is to have the stuff in his hands, the joy shat shines through his face. That's the way God feels about us (when we're not fighting him during the process). Or maybe that we're not supposed to care if there's crumbs in it or (heaven forbid) the colors get mixed! Although it's hard to see at the time, those steps are all necessary in order to reach the final product. And if your kids are anything like mine, they sure have a way of seeing a magnificent creation amongst the neon orangish greenish garnished with Cheerios lump. Maybe that's why we are told to have child-like faith. This book helped put some perspective into my life full of twenty little curious fingers (yes, the little on is mobile now, VERY mobile). Tricia Goyer tells her story of raising three kids, making a big move, homeschooling, fulfilling her dreams of writing, all while keeping God at the center. Sound difficult? I guess that's the point. Although it is through her honest and humorous writing that I have found some of my own motivation. And I'd love for you to give it a read also!

OK, here's how to enter this one. If you are anything like me, you have trouble moving past making snakes or balls out of play dough. So, I'm asking you experts out there, what is the most creative thing you or your kiddos have made with play dough? Or what is your favorite 'tool' to use with play dough? Got a good play dough recipe? Or, remember the time you found play dough (insert really funny story here). Anything will do, as always this is just for fun!

To learn more or purchase the book online from Random House, click here.

Have you realized yet how great Blogging for Books is? Want to join? Check it out here.

Good luck and happy commenting!

A Perfect Mess give-away

Yes folks, it's time for another Blogging for Books give-away! I just couldn't resist the title: A Perfect Mess, I mean come on, it's the story of my life! Here's a quick summary:

Caught up in the self-imposed pressure to do and be all the things they think a Christian woman ought to do and be, countless women are working desperately to convince everyone, including God, that they have it all together. Few have any idea that the Creator of the universe looks at them with delight even when they yell at the dog, drive a minivan littered with French fries, or think bad words about that rude clerk at the store.

Can you relate? I certainly could and Lisa Harper has to be one of the most down to earth, tell it like it is authors I have come across in a while. By journeying through selected Psalms, she has the ability to bring you from belly laughing to deep thoughts all within a few lines. This book also has an 'Enough about me. What about you?' section that has several questions at the end of each chapter. This would also make it a good book for a bible study or small group. To be honest when I'm reading these kinds of things by myself, I usually just skim or skip sections like this, but I think I felt obligated to give this one my all because, well, you really should read the whole thing in order to give a true blue review. But, I'm glad I did because these were really good questions! It's like I would read one and the world would stop because I really had to get quiet and think about it, which is hard for me to do! Lisa Harper really has a way with words, and I don't want to say it is an 'easy' read because it certainly got under the surface for me, but maybe that it reads very easily because it is just filled humorous illustrations and hilarious stories from her own life experiences, and I just love that! I also just love the idea of a perfect mess, and the reminder that it's in those moments that we can rest assured that God is still behind us (or maybe even alongside us, aiding in the clean up efforts).

And now for the good stuff, I have one brand new copy of A Perfect Mess by Lisa Harper to give away! To enter the give-away, all you have to do is stand on your head and type 'the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog' ten times. Alright, kidding. In the comment section, tell me about the biggest mess you made, or helped make, or had ringside seats to witness someone else make (come on moms, I know you've got some stories ;) The winner will be chosen at random on Tuesday, July 28th, but don't delay, comment today!

To learn more or purchase the book online, try here.

Wondering what Blogging for Books is? Think you may be interested? Try here.

Good luck and check back next week to see who the lucky winner is. I know people, it's not the lottery, but it is a free book (well free for you, I pay the shipping). But last time we had all of five entries, so odds are in your favor :)

and the winner is....

Kelly from A Goddess Rising! Check out her site, she's an amazing photographer, and I have no idea how she has time with five little girls underfoot! They are precious, too! Congrats Kelly, I hope you enjoy it!

Check back, the next book give-away is right around the corner, promise!

In case you were wondering, I did debate about tossing names into a hat, but the winner was actually generated by random.org this time. Might have to check the local Goodwill for one of those Abe Lincoln top hat types and get creative next time.

Holy Roller give-away

Yes folks, it's time for the very first Blogging for Books give-away! And I am very excited to be able to share this one with you! Ok, here's the 'book jacket summary':

Julie Lyons was working as a crime reporter when she followed a hunch into the South Dallas ghetto. She wasn’t hunting drug dealers, but drug addicts who had been supernaturally healed of their addictions. Was there a church in the most violent part of the city that prayed for addicts and got results?
At The Body of Christ Assembly, a rundown church on an out-of-the-way street, Lyons found the story she was looking for. The minister welcomed criminals, prostitutes, and street people–anyone who needed God. He prayed for the sick, the addicted, and the demon-possessed, and people were supernaturally healed.
Lyons’s story landed on the front page of the Dallas Times Herald. But she got much more than just a great story, she found an unlikely spiritual home. Though the parishioners at The Body of Christ Assembly are black and Pentecostal, and Lyons is white and from a traditional church background, she embraced their spirituality–that of “the Holy Ghost and fire.”

In case you were wondering what I thought of the book, let me paint a picture for you. It's 11pm and you've finally just got your daughter to sleep in her crib after being up the past two nights sick with the stomach flu, you finish the last minute packing because you are scheduled to leave at 3am to start the 2,000 mile road trip back home and probably should take advantage of this precious sleeping time (all 4 hours), but instead you find yourself spending the next hour or so deeply engrossed in Holy Roller. True story. For some reason I was expecting something much different after reading the summary, and although it didn't quite go in the direction I thought it would, I still felt this book was a good read (obviously if I'm foolishly burning the midnight oil to do so). But then again I love to hear people's stories, and this truly ends up being a book about her story (her being Julie Lyons, the author). And she is a very interesting lady let me tell you. I found her spiritual journey to be very engaging, encouraging, and even a bit freeing. I'd also love to be a fly on the wall in her Dallas church! Well, are you ready to read it for yourself? Since this is the first giveaway, we'll start out easy, and to enter all you have to do is give me the name of a book that has been inspiring to you. Or if that's too hard, just give me your name. Seriously, just write something, even a few letters, or better yet symbols (Windings anyone?) You have until 12AM Friday, July 17th, as I will announce the lucky winner that day. So go forth and comment.

And now the fine print: To learn more or purchase this book at RandomHouse.com please visit here

And if you are interested in joining the Blogging for Books program, which I highly suggest (hello, free books!) here's that link.

Did I mention this is a brand new hardcover book I have to give away. So get commenting!