The Ties that Bind
I got home last night from spending four days with my brothers. It was truly an extraordinary time; special to me in a way I'm not sure I can completely convey. The three of us live in different cities; I live in a different state. We see each other a couple of times a year, typically around a holiday, and always around a large group of people. There are exchanged pleasantries, and catching up on the latest with our families and jobs. A few times they've come with their families to visit me, but we've never spent time alone - just the three of us. We've never given ourselves time to get past the surface stuff and talk, heart to heart, about the things that matter. That is, until this...
Four Days with My Brothers
About two years ago, I read a book by Nicholas Sparks called Three Weeks with My Brother. It is his only non-fiction work, and it tells the story of a trip he took with his brother and the way it drew them closer together. Ever since reading it, I've wanted to take a trip with my own two brothers, but was hesitant to suggest it; I'm their sister, after all, and, well, I thought they might consider it weird! However, I never could get it out of my mind. So, finally, I asked them and they said "Sure, let's do it!" I couldn't have been more surprised or delighted!So, I'm writing you from Santa Fe, New Mexico, in a little casita that houses my two brothers and me. I'll be posting some...
The Winners Are…
Our Surrendering the Secret DVD kit/books winners are:93 Tiggerdaisy7 Gratefulinga83 Stephanie63 Waymorehomemade36 AmyhwaddellTimestamp: 2008-10-13 10:30:50 UTCCongratulations! I will be contacting you later today to get your mailing address, or if you see this and beat me to it, please email me via my contact link and we'll get the kits right out to you. If you didn't win, don't despair! Pat Layton has decided to keep this thing going and is offering an EXTENDED GIVEAWAY of 5 more DVD kits at the Surrendering the Secret Leader Blog!!! You can go right on over there and enter again...and leave an encouraging comment while you're there, as the leaders of STS groups would be so...
Our Astounding God
This has been an AMAZING week. One week ago, I sat at this computer and typed out a post outlining a giveaway that the Lord had placed on my heart. I committed it to Him, asking that He multiply my small offering of five Surrendering the Secret DVD kits/books to "feed" thousands upon thousands, just as He did the 5 loaves in Mark 6:41-44. So, this is what He did:Sent thousands of people to this blog to discover (many, for the first time) the far-reaching the effects of abortion and the fact that it has touched the lives of 1 in 3 women.Encouraged 130 commenters to boldly step out to try to win a kit for their community.Placed on the heart of almost 50 of those people to link to the...
A Giveaway That Keeps on Giving
Did you know that one in every three women has had an abortion? In fact, 43% of women of child-bearing age have this secret. And I don't use the term "secret" lightly. While there is certainly a multitude of unbelieving women out there that tote this secret sadness in their hearts, there are as many BELIEVING women - FORGIVEN, SAVED WOMEN in YOUR CHURCH - who are walking around unhealed. Why? Because they are paralyzed by shame and fear at the thought of surrendering their secret.You may remember my mentioning Pat Layton, my friend, and the founder of A Woman's Place Ministries in Tampa, Florida. With first-hand experience, she intimately understands the fear and heartache that surrounds...