February 27, 2009

TGIF - Thank God I Found It (Okay, really TGIFI - close enough)

I’ve been exploring some new blogs this week. Each one has brought a different emotion—laughter, tears, peace. I’m amazed by these women who sit at their keyboards and move words from their hearts and everyday experiences to the page so the rest of us can read them. I’m sharing a few quotes I loved below. I hope you’ll follow the trail and pay a visit to each one...

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It was as if my presence on her couch was the exactly what she hoped would happen that day. I can't put my finger on any one thing she did to make me feel so loved and special…All I know is that in that moment I knew exactly what it meant to show someone the love of Christ. I could feel it as if it were a physical element.
– Jennifer, Conversion Diary (2/25)

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Because Sr. Edwina never let me forget that poor children in China were starving when I was in the 2nd grade, I am psychologically obligated 40 years later to make the waiter box up food I won’t eat so that I can throw it away a week later, that is if I can find it...
Antique Mommy (2/26)

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It's that messy stuff of life that makes you aware of the now and being in the present. If it weren't for that darn broken pen on the asphalt I would have just plopped him in his car seat and been on our way to the next place, my mind somewhere else thinking busy thoughts.
– Stephanie, Adventures in Babywearing (2/26)

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We must all decide for ourselves the degree to which we will engage with technology. Those who believe that spending hours upon hours with our sets rather than one another risk losing something more important than high quality reception.
– Eileen Button as quoted by Ann Kroeker (2/24)

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Smitty: Um, hey, where'd you learn to dance like that?
Mary: What? That? It's nothing.
Smitty: I've just never seen you dance like that.
Mary: Yeah, I've been practicing. In the mirror.
Insert hysterical, though supportive and loving, laughter here.
– Mary, Giving Up on Perfect (2/27)

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When you can name something, you know what it's made of; the thing finds identity, form. In the naming the things right before us, the thing we'd otherwise miss, the invisible becomes visible. We know the face we face.
– Ann, A Holy Experience (2/26)

February 24, 2009

Exciting news and a surprise for you!

Rain on Me   

My first devotional book was recently published and I'm thrilled about sharing this "prayer come true" with you. It came out of a storm I've walked through the last four years and having it printed feels a bit like having my first baby.

Here's an excerpt from the introduction...

Your first drop may have been a diagnosis given by a doctor with a grim face. Perhaps it was a note left on the kitchen table that said, “I’m sorry but I don’t love you anymore.” It could have been a phone call late at night and someone on the other end telling you the unthinkable.

Or your first drop may have come so softly you didn’t even recognize it. You tried to start a family and after another negative pregnancy test realized something might be wrong. You took a promising job and one day discovered that your computer screen might as well be a “dead end” sign. You began a relationship only to discover that your dream come true has started feeling a bit like a nightmare.

No matter how your first drop fell, it was probably followed by another…and another…and another. Now your heart is soaking wet and you’re wondering if you’ll ever feel warm and dry again.

The good news is God knows even more about rain than those scientists. He knows the destruction it can bring. He also knows how to redeem it and use it to bring beauty and hope to our lives.

Take a quick look out your window. Every flower or tree you see owes its life to rain. Every bird singing, every frog hopping, every living thing draws its strength from storms.

I’m not saying God caused the storm in your life. We live in a broken world and things are not as they should be. But I do believe that God is the Redeemer of the Rain. He longs to bring beauty out of brokenness, healing out of hurts, and new life out of losses.

I know this is true because I’ve experienced it personally…

To download the rest of the introduction, table of contents, and the first devotional, click here: Download Rain on Me Excerpt

Dayspring is graciously featuring Rain on Me on their site along with a set of cards and two exclusive necklaces. Here's the surprise...The book is already 10% off and if you enter holley20 (my special code for friends and family) when you check out you'll receive an extra 20% off everything you purchase (no expiration)! I'd love for you to share your discount with friends and family too.

I appreciate you and I'm so grateful for your support. May God redeem the rain in all of our lives...

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February 21, 2009

Welcome to the World, Lily!

Our dear friends Heather and Tony added a new little girl to their family eleven weeks ago. Lily made a surprise entrance and was born at home quite unexpectedly. Fortunately, all was well and she's doing great. So this morning Mark and I hosted a brunch to officially introduce her. I'd love for you to meet her too...

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Isn't she a beauty? I think she gets it from her Mama. Heather and I have taken countless pictures together the last eight years of our friendship. They mark the milestones of our lives--birthdays, holidays, and now babies. Here's another one to add to our collection...

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Daddy Tony and little brother Micah joined us too. Most of the time Micah ran around and giggled cheerily. But I happened to catch him in one of his rare moments of moodiness (I have those too!). It was just so stinkin' cute I wanted you to see it as well...

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Sweet friends like Ellen stopped by to meet Lily and catch up with Heather. Ellen is a talented artist, storyteller, and I had the privilege of working with her for several years at DaySpring.

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Talent must run in families because when it came time to open gifts, we were all amazed by this diaper tower from Ellen's sister, Karen. Too cute!!

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Love, laughter, and new life. What a sweet combination.

Welcome to the world, Lily, and welcome to our hearts!

* I'd love for you to welcome Lily too by leaving a comment or blessing for her (or her Mom and Dad) here!

cofounder of (in)courage, writer for DaySpring, freelancer, counselor (LAC), chocolate lover, "y'all" user, wife of Mark, follower of Jesus, friend to YOU

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