Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Women Who Shape the Heart

Many women have touched my life, left their fingerprints on my heart in one way or another.

A few have not only left a print, some have actually shaped who I am and who I desire to be.

There is my mom, of course, wounded and broken, yet strong and courageous.  She loves, and loves hard and deep.  Of all the women I know she is by far my biggest cheerleader.  She believes in me even while I drown in self-doubt.  She has said, more than once,  ‘I wish I had you for a mom.’

There have been three women called Mary, in my life.

My grandmother, who loved and sacrificed and hung on my every word.  Gentle eyes and strong work-worn hands.  She taught me so much, even more since her passing, as I look back through grown up eyes.

Mary, a woman older than myself.  She encouraged and challenged and held my hand as I fell deeper and deeper in love with my God, His Son, and His Word.

Mary, this one is one of those most wonderful girlfriends that you share your whole heart with.  One that knows exactly what page you are on with the Lord and so ‘gets’ your heart.  One that loves your children as if they were her own.

The most recent woman to totally and utterly shape who  I am and who I crave to be.  One God uses over and over again to draw me back to Him, to joy, to thankfulness.  Her name is Ann, “a plain Ann without even the fanciful “e”, a farmers wife, a mama to six.  Most of you know and love her too.  She pours her heart out daily at A Holy Experience.  You simply cannot read her words without leaving changed in some way.

Her words have been gathered into a beautiful book called, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are.  Take a moment to watch the short video below.  Be forewarned, once meeting Ann, you won’t be the same.

One Thousand Gifts

I would like to give away a copy of Ann’s, One Thousand Gifts.  In an effort to support the beautiful message of her book, I would like to make the criteria for getting your name in the drawing be a blog post. Could you feature a picture of her book  and this give away?  Please link back to this giveaway post.  In the event you don’t have a blog, could you email five friends and tell them about her book?  You could comment letting me know that you did, I trust you. Winking smile I will draw a winner on the morning of January 26, 2011.

comp_1000gifts_revised-1

Join me in getting the word out about this treasure.

19 comments:

Mrs. Stam said...

This is a great book, I so want to read it!!!

cooperkelly4 said...

lol, I just bought this book! Mine doesn't arrive until the end of january though!!! How did you get it so quick! ahhh, another awesome read I think. =0)

4kids1mom said...

I, too, have been waiting for this book to be released! I'm entering this giveaway - please check my blog for my blogpost about it!

http://fourkids1mom.blogspot.com/

Jennifer said...

I put the picture and link on the sidebar of my blog. I would love to read this book. Ann is one of my favorite bloggers. Thanks for the giveaway!

cooperkelly4 said...

Helping ya get the word out. =0) Posted it on my blog here:
http://lovinglifeslittlemoments.blogspot.com/2011/01/awesome-giveaway.html

Since I ordered my copy, if I win, I would love to share it with a friend. =0)

Lynn said...

Michelle, I put your giveaway for this book on the sidebar on my blog..

I would love to have my name entered in your giveaway for this book. It looks and sounds to be real good!

Blessings,
~Lynn
countryheartandroses.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Came over from Kelly's blog-joined up to follow and look forward to reading more.
Would love to be entered to win this book-sounds wonderful.
Blessings
Jill
http://pathwaytopurpose-jillaileenjones.blospot.com

Blessed Homemaking said...

Wow, Michelle. It looks like such a good book. I would love to read it as I surely need to slow down. The video brought me to tears. I posted about it on my blog http://blessedhomemaking.blogspot.com/2011/01/one-thousand-giftsa-giveaway.html

Nicole said...

I have been reading Ann's blog since this fall and her heart is amazing. I look to her for her honest insight and the love she pours our for others to take in. I posted the giveaway and photo on my blog, thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Hi Michelle, Thank you for once again being such a blessing. I just wrote a post about your give away! {{{{Ruth}}}}
http://ruthkaup.wordpress.com/2011/01/20/one-thousand-gifts-by-ann-voskamp-give-away/

Jenny Cross said...

Dear Michelle,

I am so excited to have found your site today via Blessed Homemaking...I have your button on my Featured Sites and posted today about your blog. I have also subscribed to your website to I can get updates to my email.

I would LOVE the book...but more importantly...I want to learn from you!

http://www.the21stcenturyhousewife.com/2011/01/it-must-be-give-away-season.html


Kisses and Hugs,
JennyMay

Kati Potratz said...

I'm pretty sure I need to read this book. Just turned 30 and I think this book could be a good start to my new life. I'm going to keep reading her blog, too. Thanks for posting this, Michelle.

Alison said...

Thank you so much for this opportunity to win this o-so-lovely-book! I've emailed five friends,so count me in ,please!

Sue said...

I've so been wanting to read this book! Love reading Ann's blog. Thanks, Michelle! I posted about this special give-away over at my blog.

http://mysimpleblessedlife.blogspot.com/2011/01/there-is-very-special-give-away-being.html

Blessings! ~Sue~

Coby said...

I've just "discovered" Ann Voskamp, and she is amazing, so I'm entering the giveaway! I just wrote a blog post tonight and scheduled it to publish tomorrow in the AM.

http://sugarbaby-coby.blogspot.com

Sharri said...

Thanks for the giveawy, I blogged about it here
http://sharrissnapzshotz.blogspot.com/2011/01/book-giveaway.html

Angie @ www.ourjoyfulliving.com said...

Posted about it on my blog here.
http://jeffratzlaff.blogspot.com/2011/01/one-thousand-gifts-book-by-ann-voskamp.html

I enjoy your blog. Please enter me for this giveaway look forward to reading this book.

Thanks for offering the giveaway.

Unknown said...

I would love to win this book! I emailed 5 friends about it!

Thanks,

Marsha

Faith Hope and Cherrytea said...

so sorry to have missed your giveaway! i've done 2 blogs promo on this book ~ thx for your generosity!