Thanks for all the birthday wishes! I have never loved Facebook more than I love it today.

How’s my birthday going, you ask? So far, so crappy. No, really. I’m working on an optimistic attitude, looking for all the happy. Looking, looking…

I went to bed at 7:20 last night. And got up at 10:30. That is a TON of sleep. And sleep? Not generally my activity of choice when my mother-in-law has graciously offered to keep our children for 2 whole days (!).

Anyway, I missed a Delightful Costume Party I’d been looking forward to for a month. And I don’t know that I’ll be going anywhere fun today (I guess I didn’t mention what my deal is–I have some sort of sinus infection where my head and ears feel like they’re going to explode).

HOWEVER, I have something fun I’d like to do right here from the comfort of my desk chair.

I’d like to give some unborn babies the gift of a BIRTH-day this year.

I’ve mentioned several times that I would love to give away thousands of copies of my book Expecting to mamas-to-be who weren’t planning on having a baby. Mamas who are young and/or scared and/or poor and/or unmarried. Mamas who know that the easiest thing to do (maybe the only feasible thing to do) would be to have an abortion.

My hope and prayer is that a pregnant girl would see the drawings of a baby in the womb, read the descriptions and prayers, and that God would whisper to her heart, “There’s a real baby in your belly. A person. A sweet, innocent little life that I created. Please give him the chance to grow up.”

Two moms of teenage boys approached me this week. Both of their sons’ girlfriends are pregnant. I sent Expecting to one, and I’m getting ready to send it to the other. The one girl already read the entire thing (in one day) and wants to come to church with her boyfriend’s family this week.

I can’t tell you how this thrills my soul. I want so badly for God to use my writing to touch hearts, change lives, bring people to Him. I love it when He lets me witness it happening.

So, here’s the deal: in lieu of a birthday gift (because I’m sure just about all of you were contemplating getting me one), would you donate an Expecting book to a scared, hurting mama-to-be here in my hometown Columbus, Ohio? (I’m going to give them to the Pregnancy Decision Health Center to give to the women who come asking for help.)

The books cost me a little over $8 apiece, but if you just donate $5, I’ll donate a book. (and put your first name on the From line if you’d like)

And then I’d ask just one thing more. Would you commit to praying for the woman who will receive your book? I dream of saving hundreds of babies from abortion, but then the reality hits me. How are these mamas going to take care of their babies after they’re born? And how are we going to help?

It’s one thing to be against abortion. It’s another to offer a viable alternative.

I don’t have the answers, so I’m just going to start here.

If you’d like to donate an Expecting book to a pregnant woman in need, click here and donate $5. I’ll write your first name where it says From (unless you specify not to). Your gift will mean that a little baby might have a chance to be born. Have a birthday. I can’t think of a better present on my birthday.

And then don’t forget to pray for the woman who gets your book.

On November 3rd, I’ll let everyone know how many books we donated–and I’ll include a little thank-you list of the donors’ first names.

If you don’t want to do Paypal, e-mail me and I’ll give you my mailing address and you can just send a check.

I don’t think I’ll be able to get tax-deductible receipts for this, but the tax savings on five bucks probably isn’t much anyway, right?

Thanks, friends! This is turning out to be a very Happy Birthday after all!