One Year Blogiversary and a Giveaway

Today is my one year blogiversary! I wanted to post something really great and profound about what blogging has meant to me and how much I appreciate this amazing community. But, the truth is...I'm so tired that the words are blurring on the page as I type. So, I'm not really sure if anything of value will come out right now.

The thing is, I love words. We have shared a love affair for as long as I can remember. Love to read them, to speak them, and most of all...to write them. I love to learn new words, and to string them together in a beautiful flow of thought. (That's the goal anyway!)I get really excited when I hear my children using a diverse vocabulary. Today, in Wal-Mart (in the middle of a showdown over a Transformer toy that did not come home with us!) James said, "I'm going to be so glum today...for the rest of this day I will be glum." Even in the midst of my annoyance over his behavior, I had to smile at his glorious use of the word glum.

I have been given many words. They sort of ooze from me. I was voted "most talkative" in high school (that hasn't really changed, my IRL friends can attest), was recommended for the National Speech and Drama Award and adored Advanced Composition. If only all the classes were Advanced Composition. Who needs math anyway? I remember riding the school bus and dreamily wondering if I would be able to achieve my dream of becoming a writer one day. (In addition to my dreams of being an actress or maybe a singer...there were certainly options in dreamland!)

Many of those dreams were set aside for new dreams, as I became a young wife and mother. And, it was certainly a worthy trade. The words, however never left. And, in time, the Lord entered my heart and began to weave a story the likes of which I had never imagined. It was actually a story that began long before. You know, the funny thing about the tapestry He weaves in our lives (and another on the long list of things I love about the way God works!) is that He doesn't waste anything. He weaves it all together...the good, the bad, the ugly, the desires of our heart, our abilities, our personalities, our hopes, our dreams, our joys, our sorrows, everything that makes us who we are. And, somehow what comes out is a beautiful masterpiece that brings Him pleasure and glory. He created each of us for a unique purpose. And He will use the special things that make us who we are to fulfill that purpose. Isn't that amazing? You are who you are for a reason. And He can use you...just as you are. You are beautiful to Him. You are His masterpiece. I love how He works!

O.K....I'm getting a little rambly (did I mention I like to make up words, too). So, I'll just skip to the point. About five years ago, I entered a little contest (at the prompting of my in real life friend, Lynette T.) hosted by Family Christian Stores. They wanted to put together an anthology of short stories that would encourage, inspire, and reveal God's hand in our lives. So, I wrote about my Faith, Grace, and Thomas...the most I had ever known of the love and grace of my Savior. And...my story was published (among several others of course)! It was so exciting. I know, it was just a little contest...and just a short story. But, the writer in me was blessed beyond words to see my name in print along with the other authors...in a book. And to know that others would know the story of my Faith, Grace, and Thomas. And...even more, that their lives would be used to bring comfort and hope by pointing others toward the Lord. What a gift.

It was the beginning of the idea God planted in my heart to write the Dreams of You Memory Book for grieving families to honor the lives of their babies...the beginning of Sufficient Grace Ministries, and all that has grown from those first steps. Someday (maybe soon) I hope to complete my own book, fully telling the story of His grace in our lives... to offer encouragement and hope to grieving families. And, for now, I am so blessed to write on this blog. To walk with you...and to find encouragement as you walk with me. You have no idea how your words encourage me to continue on when I grow weary. I have found so much love and support in blog land. And, truly...this blog family has blessed my soul.




So...I would like to celebrate this first year of blogging by giving away a copy of Encounters With God (the book containing my little short story on pg. 67). There are other inspiring stories throughout the book. Some are better than others, so if you read one that you don't like, keep reading. There are a variety of topics...all sharing an "encounter with God". To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment below. Followers get a second entry!

Also...just wanted to share that today is our sweet Thomas Patrick's birthday. He would be 11 years old today. I can't imagine the birthday parties in heaven...but I bet they are great fun! Happy Birthday sweet boy! We love you!

Oh...and one more thing for those participating in Walking With You...we are changing the topic for Walking With You this week. The topic will be Choosing the Names for our Babies...and the Meaning Behind their names instead of The Early Days of Grief. We will begin talking about grieving the following Thursday and will spend several weeks sharing different aspects of the grief process. Thanks so much to Shannon for suggesting the topic.

Love to all...and thanks so much for walking with me...flaws and all...