A couple months ago, I introduced a new blog Gabe made for The Worlds Apart Project. And I gave some background details here. I really had no idea what to expect. Would anybody read it? Would anyone like it enough to want to buy it? And why in the world was I putting myself out there like that anyway?

For starters, because one of life’s lessons that I reeeeeeally want to get down is that IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT ME.

And also because I want to help some people I love who are sharing the gospel on the other side of the world.

(Not that the other side of the world is more important than this side, but that’s another post for another day.)

So far, 23 people have bought the book, so that’s $92 raised for missions. Woohoo! And a huge thank-you to each one of your for your sweet support! (I sent the first $50 to Jen in Cambodia and as soon as I sell 2 more books, I’ll have $50 to give to Janelle for Africa.)

I got an e-mail last week from a sweet gal who said, I finished the book and loved it! Of course, I wanted more but I think that is what makes a book good, when it is so good and happy you don’t want to stop reading about these people who have started to feel like friends.

Then she asked me–Also, my husband asked me what would stop me from emailing the book to someone else? At first I thought, integrity. And then I thought that if it was a printed book, I would lend it to someone. I guess I’m just not sure how to handle it. I only have it on my computer, I haven’t forwarded it to anyone, but I’m wondering what you think about that. And since I know you are selling it for charity… it makes it all a gray area. I don’t like gray areas.

Hmmm… good question. I told her I’d leave that up to her. Kind of a gray answer, huh?

And my favorite line of her e-mail? It made me write an email to my mother in law telling her thank you for raising such a great son and accepting me into her family. It totally made me realize how great I’ve got it! So, thanks!

Now, that’s pretty cool.

In other (related) news, my hubby and I should be getting our passports in the mail in a couple weeks. In plenty of time for our July trip to visit Anne and Tommy.

I wanted to give away a few copies of Worlds Apart, but then I thought the winners might feel bad for reading the book and not donating any money to missions (some of you are thinking, “sure, but I’d get over it.”)

Then I thought of a way to solve that problem. I’ll tell you in just a sec. First, a little synopsis of the book.

Worlds Apart is a tale of two college friends who take different paths after graduation, then reconnect a few years down the road. Anne marries her college sweetheart, and they move to Cambodia as missionaries. As the story begins, Anne is expecting baby #2 in 2 years. Carly gets a job right out of school and does the bar scene for a couple years before meeting Ben, now her husband.

Carly contacts Anne for help with her Master’s project–a study on the mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship. Neither friend has what could be called a healthy relationship with her husband’s mom. As Carly works on her project and surveys lots of mothers- and daughters-in-law, some crazy stuff happens, things that neither woman ever would’ve expected. Somebody gets some bad news, someone has a huge scare, someone gets the surprise of her life. And that’s just in the first 10 pages of the book.

In 10 months’ time, God does an amazing work in the hearts and lives of both friends, their husbands, and their mothers-in-law. After all they go through together, none of them will ever be the same.

So, I’m giving away 5 copies of Worlds Apart, and each of the 5 winners? Gets $20 donated to the missions project of his or her choice. Cool, no?

Here’s how you enter:

1. Tweet about The Worlds Apart Project or put it on your Facebook status or mention it on your blog or tell 5 people you know (phone, e-mail, in person, by megaphone) about it.

2. Come back here and tell me which of those you did.

3. And which missions organization you want a $20 check to go to if you win. (The only stipulation is that it be an organization or ministry that specifically tells people about Jesus, not just a charity. If you’re not a believer and/or aren’t familiar with any, I can help.)

I’ll randomly draw 5 winners first thing on Wednesday morning. If you’ve already bought the book (thank you!!), enter anyway for the $20 to your favorite missionary!

Here’s a sample sentence you can tweet, facebook, e-mail (feel free to copy and paste as is):

My friend Marla Taviano started The Worlds Apart Project to raise money for world missions. Check out http://worldsapartproject.com to see just how easy it is to help people in need!

Thanks for helping me spread the word, friends! I’m so grateful to those of you who have bought the book so far!! Don’t pass up this chance to give $20 to a ministry close to your heart!

p.s. Please keep praying for Faith. Her mommy wrote out the amazing story of her birth (if the doctor would’ve had his way, Faith wouldn’t have survived past her 24th week in utero). Praise the Lord for how He’s already been working in her sweet life!