or is anyone else having a rough week?

Nothing is going my way the past few days. Which might just be an indicator that I’m too focused on my way at the moment.

It’s high time I started looking up, fixing my eyes on Jesus, resting in His promises.

Since I’m too wiped out to review a book or be profound or make up new uses for a leaf blower, how about we play a game?

What do you is think the average age of people who read this blog on any given day?

Here’s how to play:

1. tell me YOUR age (no fudging–and whole numbers only)

2. then tell me your guess for the average age in parentheses (   )

For example: 33 (35 ) I’m 33, and I think the average age is 35.

Obviously, the people who comment first will be at a disadvantage, because they won’t get to see the other people’s ages. So, how about we do this–make your guess without peeking at anybody else’s answer. (Who am I kidding? I totally can’t trust you.)

There will be a prize for the person who guesses closest to the average age. Tiebreaker–whoever’s age is closest to the average. In other words, say Marilla and Cordelia both guess 40, and 40 is indeed the average age. But Marilla is 60 and Cordelia is 32. Cordelia wins!

Totally confused now? Sweet.

Tell me how old you are. Then, in parentheses, guess what the average age of your fellow blog-readers is.

The game will end on Friday at noon.

Have a SUPER day!

Every year I PROMISE myself that I’m going to make the most of Christmas. I’m going to start preparations WAY ahead of time, so that I never once feel rushed–the whole month of December. I’m going to spend quality time with my daughters, instilling in them the hope and true meaning of Christmas. I’m ONLY going to purchase gifts that are meaningful and fraught with eternal value (not to mention economical). I will NOT succumb to the horrors of last-minute shopping. I’m going to bake, bake, bake and give, give, give. Our home will be filled with greenery and candles and nativity scenes and music and people and laughter and a variety of delicious soups simmering in the Crock-pot.

It never happens.

The Advent Calendar, the Joshua Tree (okay, Jesse Tree–see what I mean?), the caroling around our neighborhood bearing homemade goods? Never happens.

So, this year? I have no lofty expectations. And keep this on the down-low, but I’m thinking that this might be the year that BIG things happen.

It’s already started. I got this book in the mail a few days ago and read it in no time flat.

And promptly wrote an Amazon review.

Touching Wonder by John Blase

Many of us have heard the Christmas Story a bazillion times. It quickly becomes impersonal, just some plastic story about people who aren’t even real. The last few Christmases, I’ve tried hard to put myself in the story as much as possible. To imagine the characters–Mary, Joseph, shepherds–as normal people just like me. People with feelings, weaknesses, fears. I love reading historical fiction accounts that help me empathize, relate, appreciate. (Two from Galilee and the Nativity Story are favorites.) I love how Touching Wonder takes actual Scripture (mainly from the raw, poetic Message Version of the Bible) and then extrapolates on those verses with poignant narration from each of the main players (and some “extras” as well). I’m adding this book to my collection of books that help me truly experience the Christ in Christmas.

I don’t know the author personally, but I feel like I know his wife after reading her blog and chatting with her online a bit. Meredith lost her daddy a little over a month ago to pancreatic cancer (the same thing Patrick Swayze had), and her post yesterday about him really touched my heart. Sending prayers and hugs out West to you, Meredith!

John has graciously offered to let me keep my own copy of the book (woohoo!), and he’s going to send the winner their very own personally autographed copy! And he said he’d sign any name you want. For example: To Krista, Christmas Blessings! Yours–Max Lucado. Seriously, he said he could do that.

So, for a chance to win Touching Wonder: Recapturing the Awe of Christmas, tell me one thing you’d like to do this season to make Christmas meaningful. I’ll draw a winner randomly at noon on Friday. And John’s giving away a few copies on his blog as well.

For an additional entry in the give-away, all you have to do is dress up like Santa today and walk up and down the streets of your city/town wishing people a Merry Christmas.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

And the winner of the Scenarios Books #1 and #2 is…

Here are your random numbers:

23

Timestamp: 2009-09-08 16:19:02 UTC

Stephanie your sister, that’s YOU!

Wait a minute! That’s Stephanie MY sister! Is this allowed?? Of course it is! Congrats, Steph! Love you! Now you’ll have something to read when your new baby comes, and you’re tired of soap operas and bon-bons. And no need to send me your address (unless of course I’ve misplaced it for the 14th time).

More give-aways coming soon!

I read a couple books–Truth or Dare and All That Glitters–over the past week or so and wanted to pass them along to one lucky reader. It could be YOU this time!

Remember those “Choose Your Own Adventure” books from back in the day? I used to get them at our church library all the time–or was it the school library? The regular library? Anyway.

Nicole O’Dell’s new Scenarios books for tween girls are similar to those. In each book, the main character is faced with a tough decision, and you help her make the choice. There are alternate endings and everything. Pretty cool concept.

Here’s the deal: I’m tempted to gush about the books and tell you to rush out and buy them. All the reviews I’ve read have been stellar, and I don’t know the author personally, but from what I’ve read on her blog and website, she seems stinkin’ awesome. I love, love, love that people are writing wholesome fiction for my girlies to read in the months and years ahead.

But.

I didn’t love the books. They were just a little too Christian-bookstore and contrived for me. From the way the characters talked to the sermons they sat through at church, I just didn’t buy it. I love reading secular YA (young adult) fiction, and this just didn’t measure up to some of the great stuff I’ve read.

HOWEVER, I don’t know that it’s even possible to write good, clean fiction for young girls AND share the message of the Gospel AND impart the values that Christian parents want instilled in their kiddos AND leave the reader thinking, “Wow, what literary quality!” I certainly don’t have the writing skills to do it.

So, bottom line. The author is awesome, the books are beautiful, and chances are, your daughter/niece/granddaughter/little sister will love them. Don’t let my opinion discourage you from getting them. I just have to be honest, so you’ll trust me when I review books.

Here’s Nicole’s website, her blog, and an interactive site for young girls. Girls can even ask Nicole (and her 2 daughters!) questions. She has six kids–including one-year-old TRIPLETS!! And I love this guest post she did for author Mary DeMuth about her unconventional journey to publication. Super encouraging for those of you who dream of writing a book!

One lucky duck is going to win both books. All you have to do is answer ONE of these simple questions:

1. What was/is your favorite young adult book?

OR

2. If you had triplets, what would you name them?

U.S. addresses only. Winner will be announced Tuesday at noon. Have an awesome Labor Day Weekend!

Comments now closed. We have a WINNER! I’ll announce the happy news on Thursday’s post. Thanks for playing! Stay tuned for lots more book give-aways in the next month or two!

I’m giving away not one, but TWO, books today! One lucky (blessed) winner gets a copy of The Devil in Your Garden by Natalie Witcher and Misplacing God by Joanne Heim.

Let’s start with Natalie. I don’t know her personally, (as in, we’ve never met in person) but we’ve chatted online, and I know she loves Jesus to pieces. She’s a wife and mom to three kiddos (with another one newly on the way–congratulations, Mama!) and a gifted writer. Her blog will make you laugh, it’ll make you think, and I guarantee you–you’ll be able to relate to something (or a lot of somethings!) she’s written.

The subtitle of her book is Finding Victory Over Shame, and I love her courage in sharing what God has done in her life in hopes of giving hope to so many other women struggling with this same thing. Bless you, Natalie!

And Joanne. After two-and-a-half years of online friendship, I can finally call Joanne a real-life friend! She and her family were going to be driving through Ohio on their way to Pennsylvania on July 1 but decided to move from Denver to Phoenix that day instead (!!). So, we decided to add Phoenix to our California Zoo Trip, and we got to meet after all! Love you, friend!

Just like Natalie, Joanne is one courageous woman. At her Simple Wife blog, she blogs about her girls (love those two!), her home, her crafty nature, food, what God is teaching her, things she loves, lessons from seminary, and all kinds of wonderful stuff. But she and her husband Toben also write a blog together–Our Crazy Marriage–about surviving mental illness in marriage. If you, or someone you love, are in a marriage affected by mental illness, you’ve got to read T & J’s story. I’m so proud of them for allowing God to use it to help others!

So, hey. I didn’t say much about the books. Natalie’s is pretty self-explanatory. Need help in overcoming shame in your life? Natalie shows you how to do it through the power of Christ’s love!

And Misplacing God (and finding Him again)? Do you desire a relationship with God but aren’t sure how to go about it practically? Do you want to spend time with Him, but it just keeps getting crowded out by everything else you have to do? Joanne’s passion for God’s Word will inspire you to make it a priority in your own life.

To be entered to win BOTH BOOKS, tell me about a book you’re read lately that has had an impact on you in a positive way.  If you’re not a reader (then why are you entering this give-away?), tell me your favorite school supply.

Give-away ends Wednesday at noon (ET). Only U.S. addresses eligible to enter.

Thanks, and have a super-duper day!