Peace and the Single Mom--Giveaway WINNER!

Kristy M., YOU are the WINNER of an eBook of Peace and the Single Mom: 50 Moments of Calm in the Chaos!!



To my readers:
I want to let you know that I am thankful for each one of you! I hope you are encouraged and empowered with each post. May your holiday season be filled with love, peace and an overwhelming presence of the Lord working in your life on your behalf!!

Blessings!

Tip Tuesday: Five Weeks of Preparing for the Holidays

Time to Rest and Relax

As we wrap up the final portion of Five Weeks of Preparing for the Holidays, I hope you have gleaned some decorating ideas, healthy eating ideas and fun for the holidays. The final portion of our series, though, focuses on you! 

This week as your hurriedly prepare the turkey, gain sore muscles from mashing potatoes, and have the unmistakeable feeling of overindulging, remember to take some time for yourself! Rest, relax, and get alone with the Lord. Tell Him of all the things you're thankful for and how much you love Him. Take time to reflect on those things you have been blessed with this year and look to the upcoming celebration of the birth of our Savior with joy and excited anticipation!

(C) home-ec101.com

May your thankfulness be a testimony to the favor of the Lord on your life!

Blessings!

Book Reveiw: One Year Amish Peace

Finding Peace in the Simplicity of Amish Living

I have had the honor of being on Tricia Goyer's 2013 Launch Team. A few weeks ago, I received the One Year Book of Amish Peace to read and reveiw. What I enjoyed most about this book is that it matches the Word with practical, simple Amish values. Daily devotional time can be accomplished in just a few minutes each day. Tricia gives the reader a glimpse of what it is like to possess Amish morals and values in a pleasant manner. It is a joy to read of the simple things in life that we should cherish and focus on in addition to the Lord. I'm thrilled to add this to my daily devotional time with God. If you enjoy Amish history or the lifestyle, this book is a must have!

You can find One Year: Amish Peace on Amazon and Barnes & Noble!!

Weekly Recap!

Book Reviews, GIVEAWAY, and Time With Family

I wanted to let you know that this week I'll be posting two books reviews: Peace and the Single Mom and Putting on the Spirit: 10 Minute Devotions for Busy Moms! Be sure to check those out and recommend them to other moms!

We are also in the final hours of our giveaway!! Please enter for your opportunity to WIN an eBook copy of Peace and the Single Mom: 50 Moments of Calm in the Chaos!! ENTER here!

Finally, I will not be posting on Thursday or Friday so that I can enjoy the holiday and be thankful for my time with family. 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Tip Tuesday: Five Weeks of Preparing for the Holidays

Make Ahead Recipes for Thanksgiving

Our friends at Organized Chaos Online have created a whole Pinterest board dedicated to Thanksgiving! If you need more ideas for ways of making this holiday season stress-free and less chaotic, you have to visit their page!

(C) The Country Chic Cottage

http://www.pinterest.com/oconline/thanksgiving/

Peace and the Single Mom: 50 Moments of Calm in the Chaos

I'm hosting a book giveaway! 

It's been a while, but I am excited to share this book written by my friend, Jennifer Maggio. 

Being a single mom is often seen as a joy-stealing and dream-dashing cross to bear. The truth is, it's hard. Some days it can seem impossible. But in the midst of the chaos of single parenting there is much hope...if only the wind and rain would calm just long enough for the light to shine through. With these 50 moments of peace, Jennifer Maggio gracefully weaves scriptural truths and personal stories to gently soothe the storm that rages in every single mom's heart. Single mom, are you overwhelmed, stressed out, and fed up? Are you desperate to find peace in the storm? 
Partner with Jennifer Maggio to win the battle over self-doubt, regret, and fear. Peace and the Single Mom offers 50 Moments of calm in the chaos, guiding single moms to strength and hope. 

Like a wise friend, Jennifer Maggio invites single moms to experience Jesus as she parents those beautiful babies God placed in her heart and life. Maggio gets it, because she s lived it, and it shows in every single word. Suzanne Eller, Proverbs 31 Ministries author and speaker, radio co-host of Encouragement Café, and creator of Moms Together 

Downloadable group study guides of various lengths are also available, each designed to encourage individuals while fostering unity among the single moms in your church or community.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out her other books, too! You can find them on Amazon.com.

What Am I Supposed to Do?

Indentifying Your Purpose and Calling in Life

I used to listen to people who had found their calling in life and knew what God had planned for their lives. I remember wishing I were in their shoes; that I knew for sure what I was made to do. Several years ago, our pastor said that finding out what our calling is, what we were made to do in this life for the Kingdom of God, meant idnetifying that thing you enjoy doing that even if you didn't get paid to do it, you would still do it. 

Here's a list of what you can do to focus in on your purpose:

• What do you enjoy doing? Go ahead and make a list.  
• Now, of those things you listed, which ones could you make money doing?
• Which ones are you passionate about?
• Which ones would be willing to do even if you didn't make that money?
• Which ones could help you reach those who haven't heard the Gospel?
• Which ones are left? Those are the things that are a part of your calling, your assignment in life!

If this list helps you find your calling, let me know. If you want to share how the Lord guided you to your calling, I'd like to know that, too. 

Blessings!

Peace and the Single Mom: An Author Interview with Jennifer Maggio

Recently, I had the opporutnity to interview author Jennifer Maggio, founder of Life of a Single Mom Ministries. Her newest book, Pease and the Single Mom: 50 Moments of Calm in the Chaos, was launched this week! Learn more about Jennifer and her passion for ministering to single moms.

What inspired you to write your first book? Necessity. I had a burning desire in my soul to put my story on paper, a God-given passion to be transparent in hopes of encouraging other hurting women, abuse victims, and single mothers alike.

What book are you reading now? I am reading and re-reading the Psalms, right now. The honesty of the author, the peace offered there, it is like reading it for the first time.

What are your current projects? My latest release, Peace and the Single Mom: 50 Moments of Calm in the Chaos is a project that I’m super-excited about bringing to single moms everywhere. I am also founder of Overwhelmed: The Single Moms Magazine and The Life of a Single Mom Ministries, a global nonprofit that exists to help churches better minister to single moms. All of these projects keep me busy!

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? I love the latest book. I love the tranquil cover. I love that Peace and the Single Mom is written as if you are having a girl-chat on the sofa with a friend. I love that it teaches single moms to laugh again. I love that it is raw, real, honest.

Can you share a little of your current work with us? The Life of a Single Mom Ministries is my primary focus. The books I’ve written flow from what we are doing with the organization. There are 15 million single mothers in the U.S. and 2 out of 3 do not attend church anywhere. Yet, less than 1% of churches have a formal outreach and ministry program for single parents. My passion is helping churches formalize a support group, outreach program, and effective ministry for these precious parents, while also seeing this parent thrive. We believe no single mom should walk alone.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? I am a mom first. Time with my children is so very important, so sometimes, deadlines get pushed back or I write through the night, so I don’t miss anything.

Who designed the covers? Choose Now Publishing

What was the hardest part of writing your book? Time. Time is my worst enemy. So much to do, so little time.

Do you have any advice for other writers? Pursue your dream. Write because you have to. Write because it burns within you, not because you hope you’ll sell a million copies. God takes care of the rest.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? Thank you. Thank you for the inspiring letters. Thanks for the social media shout-outs, the donations to our organization, the constant encouragement, and the support of book purchases. Everything I do is to see others come to know our amazing Heavenly Father. And I couldn’t do it without you.

Jennifer Maggio is an award-winning author of four books, including her latest release, Peace and the Single Mom: 50 Moments of Calm in the Chaos. She has appeared on countless radio and television programs. For more information, visit http://www.jennifermaggio.com. 

Tip Tuesday--Five Weeks of Preparing for the Holidays

Decorating Your Home: Simple and Inviting

I really enjoy decorating for the holidays! I also like to find things that are inexpensive or free to make our home a little more festive during the fall and winter holidays.

One thing I have done for a few years is to go to the local pumpkin patches at the end of Halloween and ask if they have gourds and cornstalks they are getting rid of. Most corn maze farms no longer use them after the end of October and the pumpkins, cornstalks and other vegetables just rot away for not being cared for. This is a great time to get some fall decorations!

(C) momendeavors.com

As for winter decorations, consider what you might find at the local Goodwill or other second hand store. We have found unopened packages of clear glass ball ornaments that we have used inside the house to decorate with paint or photos on the inside. 

Also, look for wreaths that you can add inexpensive greenery and ornaments to.

Book Review--A Christmas Gift for Rose

THE Amish Book You Need to Read!

I hadn't really been drawn toward historical fiction before, especially not Amish fiction. But all that changed when I read Tricia Goyer's book "The Promise Box." Now with her novella, "A Christmas Gift for Rose," available, I knew I would be caught up in a great story steeped in rich history and based on a true story.  

My favorite character was Marcus. A brief background about him. He is the older brother of the main character, Rose. He has only her best interests in mind, but is also caring, gentle and loving. He gives his sister just what she seems to need when she needs it. I won't go as far as to say the 'perfect' big brother, but he's definitely a strong constant in her life.

My favorite part was when another character, Harold, was having flashbacks from the war and Jonathan, Rose's love interest, talks him down with such a compassionate way about him. He never makes excuses for Harold but simply gets him through a tough time. Writing like that in which the reader can visualize the experience is truly a gift and Tricia has been blessed with it!

If you're looking for an easy read (not too long, not too short!) during the holiday breaks coming up, this book is a great place to start. And I think once you read one of Tricia's books, you'll want to read more!

Find A Christmas Gift for Rose on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Be sure to look for some of her other books, too!

Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska

The Memory Jar

The Promise Box

Chasing Mona Lisa

Financing Your Dreams

Do You Have a Budget-Based Vision or a Vision-Based Budget?

I love to daydream about what my life would be like "if money were no object." I had never stopped and thought about what I was saying about my dreams. I did not realize that I was actually limiting God in the area of our family's finances.  See, I was thinking about what I could do based on the income we already have.  I wasn't thinking about the size of my vision and how God could finance all of it!

(C) Moneystance.com

I had a budget-based vision.  I thought, "What can I do with things they way they are right now?"  Well, the reality is that I could do very little,especially if I was going to rely on my ideas and strengths to accomplish goals rather than on what the Lord could do for me.  Instead, I believe the Lord wants us to adopt a vision-based budget to see our dreams and goals become successful.  

Here are the final thoughts I want to leave you with.  We need to get a vision for our money in addition to our dreams and goals.  Can you see how money would help in your calling?  Can you believe the Lord in faith that He will provide the funds you need to fulfill your vision?  And lastly, remember that you may not have what you need, but you are never without the seed to obtain it!  

Blessings!

Five Weeks of Preparing for the Holidays

Menus

(C) macxdvd.com

This year for Thanksgiving we are having my soon-to-be son-in-law's family over.  I had thought about making all of our usuals, but then it occurred to me, "What are THEIR traditional holiday foods?"  This season as you have friends and extended family over for meals, consider what they might like or invite them to bring one of their favorites dishes to share.  

Also delegate a dish to each family so that no one is really overwhelmed with food preparation!

Blessings!

Why Focus on 21 Days of Thankfulness?

Praising God for All His Blessings

(C) sohp.com

Every year on Facebook, I see many of my friends posting 21 days of thankfulness starting on November 1st and going until Thanksgiving.  Some post daily, some play catch-up after missing several days of posts.  I personally don't participate in this annual event, but the question did cross my mind:  why do we focus on just the 21 or so days before Thanksgiving to list all that we are thankful to the Lord for in our lives?  The Bible reminds us that in everything we should give thanks for that is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us!  Certainly in one year, we could list many more things than just those twenty-one!

(C) struggletovictory.com

My challenge to you is to consider the favor, the blessings, and the many things you are thankful to God for over the course of a year.  I am going to take this challenge, too, because it doesn't make sense for me to challenge you and sit back and watch when there are lots of things I am thankful for, too.

Starting in January, let's plan to meet each week and post those things we are thankful for, those times when the favor of the Lord was clearly on our lives, and those blessings He has poured out that we don't deserve.

Tomorrow, we continue our Five Weeks of Preparing for the Holidays!

Blessings!

My book is FREE on Kindle today!

If you've been wanting to purchase my book, but life has gotten in the way, today is for you!  My book, The Breakthrough, is FREE today on Kindle.  One year ago today, I began writing this story, and in honor of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) I am offering you the Kindle version of my first NaNo winning book!

About the book:
Darren Grady's life has been turned upside down. His wife was killed in a car accident; he has taken a leave of absence from his job as a fire fighter because of the accident; and his dream of having a family and opening a youth center have died along with his wife. Can he learn to live again? Learn to dream again? Learn to love again?

Get your copy TODAY!

Available at:  amazon.com