Sunday, October 16, 2011

I'm Back and my first ever Giveaway!

There's simply no way to catch up a blog that's been neglected for months, so I'm jumping in right where I am.

This summer I bought a Kindle version of the book One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, by Ann Voskamp a Christian blogger whom I adore.


This book has a hold on me that won't let go and I hope it never does. She's a non-denominational Christian and yet, from the first pages, she had me smack dab in the temple. I saw myself in her brutal honesty and as I read I determined that I'll no longer live my life an amateur.

So I bought a hard copy to read again with colored pencil in hand. And I bought a journal to write down my own one thousand gifts and I'm haltingly filling it up. It's all starts and stops and forward three steps and back two, but there's so much beauty and joy in this journey.

I'm giving away a copy of this beautiful book, my very first giveaway. Only one entry per person. No facebook liking, following me on twitter or posting on your own blog on this one. To enter, just leave a comment listing three things you're thankful for--gifts from God. They don't need to be profound or astounding. For example, here are the first three gifts Ann Voskamp wrote down (pg 45):
1. Morning shadows across the old floors
2. Jam piled high on the toast
3. Cry of blue jay from high in the spruce

Your list can be simple things, like Ann's, or bigger things. Whatever, it's your list.

That's it. The winner will be announced one week from today (unless I forget and take a day or two longer). If I can figure out how to work one of those random online things, I'll do it that way. If not, I'll write your names on paper and have my seven-year-old draw a name out of a hat.

So leave your comments and let the giveaway begin.

Wow, it feels good to blog again!! (Thanks for the gentle push, Amanda!)

23 comments:

  1. Yeah for the push cause I have missed you!!

    Three things that I am thankful for (off the top of my head)
    1-Family
    2-The Gospel
    3-Fuzzy socks

    I have been thinking about you today and missing you something fierce! So I am glad for a little update!! Love you lots!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Three things I'm grateful for:
    1) The little girl I'm growing in my tummy
    2) The ability to stay at home to grow and raise my children
    3) Pumpkins

    ReplyDelete
  3. Welcome back! Three things...

    1 fall leaves
    2 orange jello cups with mandarin oranges in them, cause it's a good when you're pregnant sick food
    3 kisses from Ivy, which she loves to dole out on everyone

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hooray to see you posting again! I've missed you! I was running band rehearsal the other day, and Janeen was there watching. I guess she kept saying how much I sound and act like you. I took it as a huge compliment!!

    3 things I'm thankful for:

    1. The sound of rain beating on my window as I type this
    2. A merciful Heavenly Father who blesses me with never-ending reminders of His love
    3. Sunday naps!

    Love you!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You're welcome!

    1. weekends
    2. blankets, lots and lots of blankets
    3. family

    ReplyDelete
  6. oh, this book sounds really cool.

    i am thankful for--

    repentance. gave a talk on it yesterday, so the whole miracle of being able to change and leave our mistakes behind has been in my head.

    learning stuff. i feel really lucky to be back in school, in this place where i can't help but learn new things every day.

    missionary work. i get to be a ward missionary, and it's just so exciting! i love it.

    i'm glad you're back. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am grateful for
    1) A Biscuit making husband
    2) Primary children
    3) Finding truth in great music

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ahh Lisa I love that you are back posting...and giving away a book that sounds amazing. Whether I win or not thanks for the info on a great book to read. Love you Aunt of mine!
    I am grateful for-
    1- The Gospel and all it includes; prayer, repentance, peace, service, and family!
    2- My family I have one of the best and I feel so blessed for that! The unconditional love that we all share is amazing and truly a gift from above.
    3- My hands which allow me to do the small things around the house, and to help others through massage!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sis, you are wonderful!

    As for my thankful list:

    1. For nurses who don't turn me away when I end up in labor and delivery only to be sent home... again.
    2. For a silly hubby who makes me laugh
    3. For Popsicles. Seriously, I love them.

    You are great, and I love you!

    ReplyDelete
  10. We've missed you Momma!
    1-Literacy, I love to read and I can honestly say that this love came from you!
    2-Food, Its just so yummy!
    3-Blankets, I have to echo my wife here, It is so nice to snuggle up in a blanket!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Welcome back - I have wondered where you went!

    3 things:
    - Beautiful Autumn
    - Good books
    - Kisses and Hugs from my family

    ReplyDelete
  12. SO wonderful to see you blogging!
    My blessing list...
    1-Family (the whole kit and kabootle)
    2-Blue skies
    3-The smell of dinner cooking.

    Love ya sis!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Welcome back. Are you still running?
    What a fun giveaway!

    I'm thankful for:
    1. My family
    2. The beautiful mountains with the Fall colors
    3. My job.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Isn't it awesome that you've been gone so long, and you still have this many people commenting!

    1. a gentle wind
    2. chocolate
    3. feeling loved

    ReplyDelete
  15. Yes, Connie, I'm still running (just not as often as I should)

    Laree, it is nice to see this many comments, I'm sure it's only because of my insightful post and has nothing to do with the fact that I'm doing a give away.

    ReplyDelete
  16. cool - i didn't know you had a blog :)

    * clean sheets
    * hearing my kid's laughing together
    * fall sunsets

    ReplyDelete
  17. We love you, not the giveaway!
    1) My Boys, including the hubs
    2) Pinterest (I am thoroughly addicted)
    3) Do-overs

    ReplyDelete
  18. Fun to see you blogging again. If I do not win I may have to NOOK it myself. Yet, it sounds like you need the hard copy.

    In no particular order:
    **My Family. I could not imagine a life without them.
    **The Atonement. Without it I would have no sense of hope or unconditional love.
    **Sunshine on the ocean. The sound of the waves and the smell of the salt.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lisa I am new to your blog but I love you, so naturally I will love the blog!! (I hope it is ok that I stumbled upon it on facebook and came on over!)

    My 3 things:
    1: My family
    2: Fall Leaves
    3: The ability to laugh!!

    Have a great night!!
    -Aubs

    ReplyDelete
  20. Just 3 things?
    Family
    Music
    Sunshine

    ReplyDelete
  21. Your blog is almost as good as a phone call. With pictures maybe even better.
    1. 70 yrs. of great memories.
    2. a wonderful husband who still manages to make me laugh most days.
    3. A constanly growing family that are (almost) all trying to live the kind of lives that they know their Heavenly Father (and me) want them to.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Too bad I missed this. I too have been a slacker in the blog world and I'm trying to get back to it. This book looks really good, thanks for the review.

    1. Little one's bedtime
    2. Chocolate
    3. Pinterest (although it is a love/hate relationship!)

    ReplyDelete