From Me to You ... Video, Photography and Book Reviews

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Guest Post :: When God Wraps a Present . . . by Julie Lessman | 12 Pearls of Christmas & Giveaway

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!

Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.

We’re giving away a pearl necklace in celebration of the holidays, as well as some items (books, a gift pack, music CDs) from the contributors! Enter now on Facebook or at the Pearl Girls blog. The winner will announced on January 2, 2013 at the Pearl Girls blog.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we're all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of "Mother of Pearl: Luminous Lessons and Iridescent Faith," "Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace" or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls™.

"When God Wraps a Present . . ." by Julie Lessman

We’ve all heard the adage “it’s better to give than receive,” but never have I agreed more than the year I was engaged to the love of my life.

It was truly a Christmas to remember—spiced egg nog and snickerdoodles and shimmering presents unwrapped in a circle of love. Of course, we all ooohed and ahhhed over each gift opened, one at a time, reveling in the glow of excitement for giver and recipient alike.

And then it was my turn. Everyone waited while I tore into a small box, anticipation fairly shimmering in my fiancé's eyes.

“Do you like it?” he asked, grinning like a little boy when I unearthed a very pretty silver watch.

No. “It’s beautiful,” I said with a shaky giggle, slipping it on and holding it up for everyone to admire. I quickly gave him a sweet kiss on the lips. “Thank you so much, babe—what a perfect gift!”

Perfectly awful, that is. You see, when you are a twenty-eight-year-old Type A career woman who is very set in her ways, there are just some things you have to buy for herself—books, costume jewelry, purses ... a watch.

All right, yes, I’ll admit it—“high maintenance” is my middle name because heaven knows I’m one of the most particular people on the planet, especially when it comes to watches. They have to be digital, waterproof, have a day and date window, an alarm, chronograph, second hand, both silver and gold metal to wear with either silver or gold jewelry, stretch band skinny enough to fit my wrist . . . and a GPS. Okay, I’m pulling your watch chain on the last one, but you get the picture—NOT easy to find, especially with numbers big enough for someone blind as a bat.

So, yes, I faked it, of course, thanking my soon-to-be husband for the “prettiest watch I had ever owned,” because it was—I just didn’t like it. But did I “fake it” with God? Uh, no. I went straight to His throne in prayer and begged Him to help me love this watch because the man I loved gave it to me and I just flat-out didn’t want to hurt his feelings. I even went so far as to write the prayer request on a piece of paper and put it in my Bible so I could “wrap” it in prayer every single day, which I did.

Until the fateful moment years later when my husband used my Bible one day and found the note.

“You don’t like your watch??” he says, confronting me with hurt in his tone while his eyes flicked to the pretty watch on my wrist.

“What are you talking about?” I asked, somewhat confused.

He held up the note. “You told God you hated it in this note I found in your Bible.”
Uh-oh . . . BUSTED!

“Oh, babe,” I said with my brightest smile and a quick kiss on the lips. “That was then and this is now. It’s perfect for me, just like you, and I absolutely love it.
And you know what? I did!!

About the Author :

Award-winning author of “The Daughters of Boston” and “Winds of Change” series, Julie Lessman was ACFW’s 2009 Debut Author of the Year and voted #1 Romance Author of the year in Family Fiction magazine’s 2012 and 2011 Readers Choice Awards. Winner of 14 RWA awards, she also appeared on Booklist’s 2010 list for Top 10 Inspirational Fiction and has just released her 7th novel, "A Light in the Window: An Irish Christmas Love Story." You can contact Julie at her website, on Facebook, on Twitter at @julielessman, or read excerpts of her favorite romantic and spiritual scenes from each of her books at http://www.julielessman.com/excerpts/.

Find Julie Lessman :

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Feasted On: Masks by Evangeline Anderson

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 151 KB | Release Date: November 2009 | Publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing | Obtained: Amazon.com

"Masks" by Evangeline Anderson (aka Emmaline Andrews)

My Book Summary : Chloe's identical twin sister (Zoe) asks her a favor, to switch places once again since Zoe sprained her ankle and Zoe needs Chloe to cover for her at work. However, right after Chloe reluctantly agrees to help out she finds out that her sister's actual job isn't an investment banker like she's told everyone she is actually a dominatrix! Now Chloe (who's really a shy First Grade teacher compared to her twin) has to dress up and pretend to "dominate" a man she has never met before! She is way out of her league, which gets confirmed when Chloe meets Zoe's client, a hunk of a man, who decides he would like to dominate Chloe instead of being dominated.

Thankfully, passion like Chloe has never felt before hits the instant the two of them touch but can she just have fun and enjoy their game of play for one night or will she loose her heart in the process?

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars! This sizzling novella will hold your attention to the very end!! I loved how Zoe found a way to get her shy twin to open up in the most unexpected way. It turns out to be a very sweet read. And if you are not into reading hot and heavy erotica then this should be just the right amount for you. Since at the beginning it leads you to thinking it will be the typical BDSM read but this was a lot softer then I expected yet I still enjoyed what I read!

My only wish was it was longer and there was more to read about of Chloe and Mark! They made such a cute couple! =0)

I recommend this to anyone wanting to read a unique take on a contemporary romance!

Author's Novel Extras : Read an Excerpt

Book Teaser(s) :

Zoe was balancing a brush, a hot roller, and a kit of exotic and expensive-looking makeup all at once.
Chloe winced as the brush snagged in her hair. “Ouch! Watch it. So this means you’ll come in and substitute for me the next time I want a day off from teaching first grade, right?” She was joking, of course. Her twin and a roomful of kids would be a disastrous combination, she was certain. But Zoe was unperturbed.
“Sure, I’ll sub for you. Don’t forget, I’m good at making people mind.” She winked at her sister in the mirror and Chloe felt her mouth go suddenly dry. Could she really do this? Did she want to? The decision was rapidly being taken out of her hands as Zoe painted and perfumed her and hot-rolled her hair into a luscious tumble of honey-blonde waves that Chloe was certain she never could have achieved herself.
“You look perfect,” Zoe said at last. “You haven’t looked this good since you let me do your makeup and hair for our senior prom.”
“You mean the one where Michael Carlson puked down the front of my gown?” Chloe stared at the exotically beautiful stranger in the mirror.
“Yes, that one.” Zoe grinned at her. “Truly a magical night. Now, just one more thing and you’re ready to go.”
“What’s that?” Chloe looked at her apprehensively. What other accessory could this outfit possibly need? A riding crop? A bullwhip? ~ within Chapter 1

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Evangeline, then please check out her website.

Guest Post :: Year of Adversity Brings Joy by Leslie Gould | 12 Pearls of Christmas & Giveaway

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!

"Year of Adversity Brings Joy" by Leslie Gould

I’ve been writing Amish fiction for nearly three years now—telling stories about non-resistant people who live a simple life. It’s a nice reprieve from my own life.

When my husband, Peter, joined the Army Reserve back in the mid 1980s, I wasn’t thrilled about it. Nor did I believe him when he said he’d probably never see action. Sure, the Cold War was ending and—for a short time—all seemed well in the world, but I had a degree in history. I knew better. I didn’t want to be a controlling wife (as new to the job as I was!) and come out and say he absolutely couldn’t do it. And it did help that he was joining a medical unit. Still I had my reservations.

We’ve been far more fortunate than many military families, but still it’s been quite a ride. The first exciting episode began in 1990 when Peter flew to Germany on Christmas Eve to work in an Army hospital during Desert Storm, leaving me behind with our two young sons. During the next twenty years, Peter went from being a Lt. to being a Col. and commanding a unit. Countless maneuvers and a mobilization occurred during that time, but his Army Reserve career culminated in his deployment to Afghanistan in 2011.

My days throughout last year were an odd combination of hearing the daily news from a war zone via Skype and then writing about the plain life of the Amish. By last December I was working on my third Amish novel of the year while, in contrast, Peter and his field hospital staff had cared for hundreds of NATO soldiers and Afghan nationals, endured ten months of rocket fire, and continued to grieve the killing of one of their own.

Surprisingly, what seemed like it might be our worst Christmas ever, even harder than in 1990, wasn’t. Our four children (one teen and three young adults now) rallied to help make it a memorable day. We counted our blessings—Peter was well, we had all we needed, and God was at work in the life of our family. The result was an underlying joy, deeper than what we’d felt during past Christmases.

In reflection, I wrote: When it started, I thought 2011 might be one of our worst years. But it hasn’t been. Sure, it’s been one of our hardest, but a lot of good has come from it.

That was evident on Christmas morning as we Skyped with Peter. We were so thankful for the good connection and for all of us to be “together” that we hardly noticed we really weren’t.

This December, Peter is back at his civilian job (as a manager for a hospital corporation) and also commanding a nearby Army Reserve unit, which means one weekend a month and plenty of evenings—but no rockets or causalities.
I’m working on a new Amish novel and still enjoying my “time” with those who practice non-resistance, which doesn’t discount the appreciation I have for my husband’s service. I’ve even grown to the place where I’m thankful he joined the military. They’ve served each other well.

Our year of adversity resulted in a deep joy. I’m pretty sure it will carry over to this Christmas as well.

About the Author :

Leslie Gould is the award-winning author of fifteen novels, including the #1 bestseller and Christy Award winner "The Amish Midwife," co-written with Mindy Starns Clark. Her latest release is "Courting Cate," a retelling of the “Taming of the Shrew.” Leslie lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, Peter, and their four children. www.lesliegould.com

Find Leslie Gould :

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

The Voice's Tribute to the Connecticut Shooting Victims

If you missed The Voice last night then you should see this beautiful tribute to the Connecticut shooting victims with Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah." Please check out the video below.

Made the Grade: Sex with Strings Series, Book 1

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 164 KB | Release Date: February 2011 | Publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing | Obtained: Amazon.com

"Kissing Phoenix" [Sex with Strings Series, Book 1] by Shona Husk

My Book Summary : Lilith & Aidan have been dating for the past six months and Aidan is ready to propose. However, before he can propose he needs to reveal to her that he is a Vampire ...

Yet, even before he can get his news out Lilith, reveals a secret of her own ... she recently was told that her cancer has come back and she only has about three months left to live.

Now it's a race against time, with Aidan willing to do whatever is possible so Lilith will survive. Even if that means going against the rules of his own "people."

Nevertheless, what are they both willing to give up in order to be together or at the very least to have Lilith survive?

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars. A cutely erotic short story. I enjoyed getting to know Aidan & Lilith they were a unique duo. It was also intriguing to read about this version of Vampires & Weres that Ms. Husk came up with, very creative!

The only thing I didn't like about this novella was how rushed it felt going from what seems to be the beginning of wrapping everything up at the end of Chapter 4 to Chapter 5 being a couple of months later (like an epilogue), it all just didn't flow well at the end. =0/

Anyways ... when I purchased this novella it was FREE so, if you can get this as a FREE read too then I do recommend this to anyone who like paranormal romance with a bit of erotica thrown in. However, if it isn't FREE then I would only recommend it if you are a big fan of Ms. Husk.

Author's Novel Extras : Darklight on...Shona Husk: The allure of the novella | 12 months on from the call | Good News Day! | Release Day! | Good News Day! | Magic Thursday Giveaway - Shona Husk: Good Things Come in Threes | Good News Day!

Author's Series Extras : Sex with Strings Series Info | Magic Thursday Giveaway-Tasting Thanatos | Good News Day! | Good News Day!

Book Teaser(s) :

He fixed his gaze back on the road and traffic of the M25. Theo had been happy to squeeze in the appointment. Pity he hadn’t told him the whole truth. His heart contracted hard, making breathing impossible. There was still a bloody massive chance Theo would do nothing and that Aidan would have to take her home and watch her die.
He wasn’t strong enough to do that again. He’d been lost for a decade after Eve had died. This time would be worse. Lil was part of him, now that he’d tasted her blood, as well as part of his life and heart. He’d lain awake half the night wondering if Owen was right—loving a Vampire was easier as everyone got bored before anyone died. He sighed. Immortality was a bitch. ~ within Chapter 3

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Shona, then please check out her website.

Guest Post :: Will They Know What It Cost? by Glynnis Whitwer | 12 Pearls of Christmas & Giveaway

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!

"Will They Know What It Cost?" by Glynnis Whitwer

My daughter Cathrine went on a field trip to the Grand Canyon when she was in fourth grade. As I picked her up upon her return, she couldn’t wait to show me an adorable little stuffed brown bear she’d bought as a gift. She started to say that it was for everyone—meaning her three brothers and sister—but then her words got jumbled. Tears welled in her eyes as she tried to explain how she ran out of money when trying to buy gifts. Her distress was obvious.

To understand fully, it might help to know that Cathrine was born in Africa and experienced deprivation of every sort for the first eleven years of her life. At thirteen years old, she was only in fourth grade. And although she has made remarkable gains, even now she struggles with communication and math—especially money.

Later that night I finally understood what Cathrine was trying to tell me about the bear. She had taken twenty dollars of her own money to buy herself a souvenir. But before buying herself something, she wanted to buy some small gifts. So she started with two of her teachers and bought them each a small ring with the first initial of their last names. I looked at the price on the rings and realized each was $3.99. Times that by two, add tax, and Cathrine would have been left with eleven dollars for other gifts and herself.

I imagine she stood at the gift store counter bewildered by what she had just done. She was probably embarrassed to ask any of her classmates for help. And maybe the teacher wasn't around. There she stood with just over half of her money, and three brothers and a sister left to buy for. She decided to get a group gift, and that’s where the bear came in.

Standing in our kitchen, looking at the three items she purchased, I smiled brightly and told her everyone was going to love their gifts and that she’d made wonderful purchases. She smiled back, and the night ended well.

The next morning as she wrapped up the little rings, I kept thinking about those two teachers who were going to receive a gift that day. All they would see is a little silver ring. I knew they would be very loving and appreciative. But would they truly understand the sacrifice Cathrine made?

Would they understand their gifts cost Cathrine half of what she had? Would they ever know the frustration and worry Cathrine felt as she realized she didn't have enough to buy her family any gifts? Would they treasure those little rings, or would they put them in a drawer with gifts from other students throughout the year?

As I pondered these thoughts, I considered a gift I was given two thousand years ago: Jesus. God sent His Son into the world as a baby, knowing He would die on a cross for me. The cost of this gift staggers me.

As I decorate my tree and shop for my family, I’m reminded of what my freedom cost my Heavenly Father. Do I truly understand the sacrifice of that gift? Do I understand the anguish God the Father must have felt sending His Son? Do I treasure this gift, or do I take it for granted?

Christmas is a time for celebration. But it’s also a time to remember God’s sacrifice. For it is in understanding the cost, that we fully appreciate the gift.

About the Author :

Glynnis Whitwer is an executive director with Proverbs 31 Ministries. She is one of the writers of Encouragement for Today, the Proverbs 31 e-mail devotions, with over 500,000 daily readers. Her newest book, "I Used to be So Organized," was released last fall. Glynnis, her husband Tod, and their five children live in Glendale, Arizona. Visit www.GlynnisWhitwer.com for more information.

Find Glynnis Whitwer :

Monday, December 17, 2012

Guest Post :: A Mistletoe Medley by Margaret McSweeney | 12 Pearls of Christmas & Giveaway

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!

"A Mistletoe Medley" by Margaret McSweeney

“You have breast cancer.” Those four words my doctor said the week of Mother’s Day 2012 have forever changed my life. Mere months after my fiftieth birthday, I encountered this unexpected “lump in the road” and ventured through a major detour after reaching my half-century mark.

Through this “grit,” God has covered me with His amazing grace! At the same time of my diagnosis, two books released: "Mother of Pearl: Luminous Lessons and Iridescent Faith" along with "Aftermath: Growing in Grace Through Grief." During this Christmas season, I rejoice that my cancer was caught and treated at an early stage. After six weeks of “daily radiance” (AKA radiation therapy), I started my daily dose of Tamoxifen to help battle any potential cells that might cause a recurrence. Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers.

While writing "Aftermath" and sharing my journey of grief as an adult orphan, I experienced several “hugs from heaven” as I discovered family letters, journals, and even a video in which my mother shares her faith. This is a mistletoe medley from my mother’s heart:

Each Christmas season my father used to go down into the woods behind our home and bring us back some mistletoe. It was a present that my sister and I loved. We’d tie it with bright ribbons and would hang it over several doorways in the house.

It was always fun of course for a Christmas party, but it came to mean more than that to us. It seemed to become a symbol of the meaning of Christmas: Love, God’s love for the world that prompted Him to send Christ to become our Savior. Somehow it seemed to enhance our love for each other as a family. And we found ourselves stepping under the mistletoe to give someone a hug or to plant a kiss on someone’s cheek and say, “I love you.”

I thought of these mistletoe Christmases during my mother’s losing battle with cancer. I penned my thoughts like this:

Illness, you ugly parasite!
Like mistletoe, you’ve entrenched yourself upon my body!
As you bloom and grow, you feed upon my strength.
I shall fight!
Battalions stand by to help!
My doctor’s scalpel will sever you.
Modern medicine will shrivel you.
You shall fall to the ground,
And I shall stand again strong and well.
But what if I cannot conquer you?
If you are with me still
As my constant, inevitable companion,
I pray that God will help me
Learn to live with you in peace
And somehow discover how you, my enemy—
Like mistletoe at Christmas—
Can serve some useful purpose.

There are times when we cannot rid our lives of things that hurt such as pain or grief, loss, illness, sorrow. Sometimes they’re with us as our inevitable companions and we must learn to make peace with them.

Those are the times when we can ask God through Christ to help us transform the loneliness, the pain, the grief, the loss-symbolically into something that can serve a useful purpose in our lives.

May you feel an extra “hug from heaven” this Christmas season from the loving arms of our Heavenly Father. God is present, and He knows your name!

*Text quoted from "Aftermath" (New Hope, 2012) by Margaret McSweeney, pp 114-115

About the Author :

Margaret McSweeny is a well-published author and freelance writer for the 411 Voices and the Daily Herald, the largest suburban Chicago newspaper. She is the author of "Aftermath," "A Mother's Heart Knows" and "Go Back and Be Happy." She is also the founder of Pearl Girls™ and the general editor of the Pearl Girls™ books; "Mother of Pearl" and "Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace." All proceeds from the sales of the Pearl Girls™ books go to charity. For the past five years, she has served on the board of directors for WINGS, an organization that helps abused women and their children get a new start in life. Margaret would love to meet you too. Follow her on Twitter or friend her on Facebook. You can also keep up with Margaret at Kitchen Chat or the Pearl Girls blog. Margaret lives with her husband and two daughters in the Chicago suburbs.

My Previous Guest Post(s) by this Author : “Joy to the world!” - December 2011

Find Margaret McSweeney :

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Made the Grade: Spikes & Spurs Series, Book 6

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 324; Kindle Edition - File Size: 573 KB | Expected Release Date: December 1, 2012 | Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca | Obtained: NetGalley

"Just a Cowboy and His Baby" [Spikes & Spurs Series, Book 6] by Carolyn Brown

My Book Summary : Gemma recently decided to lease her salon and go on the rodeo circuit as a bronc rider (the only woman in a "man's" sport) in hopes of becoming the second woman to win the Million Dollar PRCA saddle bronc-riding event at the end of the year. That is if Trace, her biggest competition and a man who she completely attracted to, doesn't get in her way during the process. However, once they officially meet they seem to run into each other everywhere, which only increases the combustible attraction running between them. Then when unforeseen circumstances bring them together more permanently it'll take everything they have to see if their growing relationship will work while they are in a continuous 8 second fight of their lives to this bronc riding competition...

My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars! Follow two stubborn, tough, goal seeking people who happen to fall in love during a time in their lives when they weren't looking for it. Admittedly, this was the first novel that I've read by Ms. Brown and though I didn't love this novel as I would have liked (because the description, title, and beginning held such promise), and I didn't hated it at all either. This novel fell into the in between for me because it had my emotions going crazy from happy at the beginning (I loved how Trace & Gemma meet and get together) to confused and a bit upset in the middle (the way that Gemma keeps referencing her past yet doesn't really explain why and how she gets a bit wishy-washy when it came to her feelings) to being thrilled to seeing everything come into place the way I wanted it to.

Overall, I loved Trace & Gemma together! My one wish, for me to like this novel more, was to have the baby be in this novel more than closer to the end of it. That was disappointing.

However, with all that being said, I recommend this novel to anyone who fans of Carolyn Brown and to those who like cowboy romance novels!!

Author's Novel Extras : Guest Post – Just a Cowboy and His Baby by Carolyn Brown | ARC Review – Just a Cowboy and His Baby (Spikes & Spurs #6) by Carolyn Brown | Just A Cowboy and His Baby! | Jingle Bells & Holiday Tales – Carolyn Brown | Carolyn Brown | Just a Cowboy and His Baby | Carolyn Brown is Back with Romance for Christmas!

Author's Series Extras : Lookin' back! | Everyone Loves Cowboys!!! Great Prices | Two-Fer Review – One Hot Cowboy Wedding (Spikes and Spurs #4) by Carolyn Brown | Carolyn Brown | Why do Girls Need a Cowboy? | Cowboy Christmas Round-Up ~ Carolyn Brown | ARC Review – Mistletoe Cowboy (Spikes & Spurs #5) by Carolyn Brown | Guest post by Carolyn Brown + Giveaway | Review: 'Mistletoe Cowboy' by Carolyn Brown | Interview & Contest: Carolyn Brown

Book Teaser(s) :

Teaser #1 ~ within Chapter 1

"Dammit to hell on a rusty poker," she exclaimed. ~ within Chapter 4

"Okay," Trace drew out the word to four syllables long. "I bet you still believe in Santa Claus if you believe that fairy tale."
She cocked her head to one side. "You don't? Didn't you ever sit on his knee?"
"Every year, and Mother has the pictures to prove it. What'd you ask for when you sat on his knee?"
She flashed him a brilliant smile. "Depends on what year."
"How old were you the last time you sat on his knee?"
"You mean last year?"
Trace smiled. "You really did?"
"Momma has the picture to prove it, but I'm not telling you what I wished for. It's between me and Santa. He said he couldn't get it on such short notice, but he'd work on it for this year. We'll see if he's really magic or just a man in a suit."
"Come on, what was it?" Trace asked. ~ within Chapter 5

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Carolyn, then please check out her website.

Guest Post :: Who is Mr. Carbunkle? by Debora M. Coty | 12 Pearls of Christmas & Giveaway

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!

"Who is Mr. Carbunkle?" by Debora M. Coty

In a dream this November, I was playing Clue (remember that board game from your childhood?) with three friendly strangers. We were each moving our pieces from room to room in the mysterious mansion trying to figure out who-done-it.

So far we knew it wasn’t Miss Scarlet in the parlor with a candlestick . . . or Colonel Mustard in the drawing room with a wrench.

With a voice bursting with sudden enlightenment, the player to my right announced, “Why, it’s Mr. Carbunkle!*”

My other two opponents and I looked at one another in bewilderment. Everyone knew there was no such character in this game.

It seemed my lot to state the obvious. “Who is Mr. Carbunkle?”

The words continued to ring in my head as I sat straight up in bed. I must have spoken the question aloud to jerk me awake so.

Who is Mr. Carbunkle?

And then I knew. I knew just as surely as if the Almighty had sent me an e-mail titled, “Hey, Deb, here’s your answer.”

I had been praying for several weeks about how Papa God would like me to use my writing tithe this year. It’s been my custom, for the nine years I’ve written professionally, to give away each December (anonymously, if possible) ten percent of that year’s income from my writing ministry to someone the Lord designates.

The sum isn’t really all that much in the grand scheme of things (contrary to popular belief, Christian writers don’t get rich), but it’s enough to bless somebody in their celebration of Christ’s birth with the knowledge that their Heavenly Father knows about their needs . . . and cares.

I thought about the only Mr. Carbunkle I knew—the one who attends our church, a quiet, unassuming man who’d been out of work for more than a year. I confess that I knew about his plight but hadn’t really given it much thought—or prayer—lately. Although he never complained, I knew his family must be struggling.

So Mr. Carbunkle it is.

You know, there are lots of Mr. Carbunkles out there who would be blessed mightily by a love-gift from you this Christmas. It doesn’t have to be money; it could be help with yard work, or home repairs, or a loaf of banana bread, or best of all, a gift of your time. Thirty minutes of your undivided attention for a lonely soul who needs to know Papa God knows his or her needs ... and cares.

Who is your Mr. Carbunkle?

Don’t have a Clue? I know someone who does. Just ask Him.

*Name changed for privacy

About the Author :

Debora Coty is an occupational therapist, a piano teacher, and a freelance writer. She's also involved in the children's ministry at her church and is an avid tennis player. Debora began writing to fill the void when her last child left for college, and it has since become a passion. Debora has a real knack for getting across sound biblical concepts with a refreshing lightheartedness as attested in her monthly newspaper column entitled "Grace Notes: God's Grace for Everyday Living." Look for "Fear, Faith, and a Fistful of Chocolate: Wit and Wisdom for Sidestepping Life’s Worries" in February of 2013.

My Previous Guest Post(s) by this Author : Inside Out Christmas - December 2011

Find Debora M. Coty :

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Guest Post :: An Inexpensive New Christmas Tradition by Christy Fitzwater | 12 Pearls of Christmas & Giveaway

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!

"An Inexpensive New Christmas Tradition" by Christy Fitzwater

I was invited to play some Christmas carols on the piano for a senior-adult luncheon, but before I got up to play they had a time for the seniors to share what they remembered as their favorite Christmas gifts.

There was talk of new bicycles, a pony, and a new dress.

Then one elderly man took the microphone and said, “An orange.” When he was young, an orange was a rare treat. As he spoke, he got choked up and had to stop talking to collect himself. He explained that his Sunday School was giving an orange for anyone who memorized a Bible verse. He tearfully described earning that delicious orange and slowly savoring every bite. When he was done eating the orange, he put the peel on the furnace so it would dry, and then he chewed on the peel.

He said with conviction, “We just don’t know how rich we are in this country.”

Christmas is usually the time when I feel broke. I tuck away money for gifts all year long, but money doesn’t go very far these days. My husband and I love to spoil our kids and try to scheme how to get them a big-ticket item. We’ve enjoyed the Christmas mornings when we’ve been able to enjoy watching our kids open such gifts as an electric guitar or an iPad.

I stopped to imagine how our whole family would feel if, on Christmas morning, the only gift under the tree was a small basket cradling an orange for each of us. I think we would feel disappointment and great loss. What would we do the rest of the morning if not consumed by opening gift after gift? Where would the focus be?

Our years of wealth make thankfulness for an orange seem ludicrous.

As I processed this man’s story, I decided what we lack at Christmas isn’t money to buy nice gifts—it’s gratitude to relish the simple treasures we enjoy every day.

This Christmas I am going to begin a new tradition for my family, and I would invite your family to do the same. I am going to place a small basket with four oranges under the tree, along with a printed copy of the man’s story of the orange. We’re going to pause at some point in the morning and each hold an orange while we read the story. And then we’re going to hold those oranges up to our noses and breathe in the fragrance God built into it, peel it slowly, and enjoy each juicy bite. And while we eat it, we’ll each speak thankfulness to the Lord for the grace He has poured into our lives.

In that moment, we’ll know how rich we are.

About the Author :

Christy Fitzwater is a writer and pastor’s wife living in Kalispell, Montana. She is the mother of a daughter in college and a high-school boy. Read her personal blog at christyfitzwater.com.

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