Embracing It All

I define the words "hopeless romantic."  It doesn't matter how much real life I experience, there is a part of me that clings to the beautiful side.  The side that thinks fresh flowers should be on my counter every day, even though I have a black thumb.  The side that expects the throw pillows to stay artfully arranged on the couch, even though they share a home with people who use them as weapons and fort building material.  The side that believes my hair should look beautifully unkempt when I wake up, even though I've lived through the daily jolt of seeing only unkempt and not beautiful locks looking back at me every morning for forty years.  It's just who I am.  The one who longs for beauty and romance every day.

It's probably why I wrote it.  The one book I've ever completed.  A hopeless romantic kind of story, with not a ton of theological insight, but an abundance of sweet sentiment.

But, I'm also a little embarrassed by that part of myself.  I've never wanted people to know my favorite movie is not some deep war documentary, but instead it's...anything adapted from Jane Austen.  I've also never advertised my favorite author is not Dietrich Bonhoeffer (God bless his profound heart), but instead it's...Jan Karon.

But, it's the truth.  I'm a hopeless romantic, and I can't help it.  There are parts of me that are simply satisfied with a sweet story where the boy gets the girl, whose hair looks beautifully unkempt in the morning. 

And I'm learning that I don't have to be ashamed of any part of how God made me.  The assertive and bold parts?  The ones that got me labeled "bossy" when I was growing up?  They've been His way of developing leadership skills in me that have been needed in every season I've faced in adulthood.  The introverted quiet parts?  The ones that made me label myself "awkward" as I was maturing?  They've been His gifts to place me in a position to listen to what He was doing inside of me, rather than only being able to see the work He's doing through me.

There's not a part of me that He didn't design.  Not a part of me He can't use.

So, I've decided to go with Him.  Just go with Him.  Even if it means confessing something I fear might make me be labeled as silly or sentimental.  Even the hopeless romantic parts.  Because if He put it in me, then it has to be somewhere in Him.  And I think the God I love with my whole soul is hopelessly romantic about me.  It's in Him, so it's in me.  And if He put it in me, it's meant to be shared.

Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Denise Boynton!  She is the winner of the "Treasure the Ordinary" blog book that's fresh off the presses.  Denise is a longtime friend, so when her name was drawn, I was thrilled to be able to send her a copy. 

Is there a friend in your life who needs some treasure?  If you'd like to order your own treasure book, please click here.  I've been so delighted with the way the book turned out, and I'd be happy to send you one for someone on your Christmas list.

Blessings to all treasure readers, and have a very Merry Christmas season!

Author's Note:  For those of you who are in my area, Treasure the Ordinary, Volume One is on sale at the Growth Central Bookstore at Emmanuel Fellowship Church.  You can pick up a copy there without shipping charges.

Some "Treasure" News

Last Christmas, my husband surprised me with a special gift.  A beautifully bound copy of the first two years' worth of writings from "Treasure the Ordinary."  His thoughtfulness took my breath away.  I was especially thrilled when I learned he had bought five copies, one for me to keep and four for me to give my mom, my sister, and my grandmothers.  His gift to me allowed me the privilege of being a gift giver to the women who have impacted my life the most.

This year, he's taken it a step farther.  I received in the mail today thirty copies of "Treasure The Ordinary, Volume One."  He bought them for me to offer readers of my little quiet corner, for we have learned that some people would treasure having the printed version to hold in their hands.

If you are one of those readers, I am pleased to make this beautiful copy available to you.  You can click below to purchase your copy on our ministry website.

I would also like to offer any new readers the chance to win one copy in this year's holiday giveaway!  To enter, just follow the directions in the upper right hand corner to subscribe to "Treasure the Ordinary."  Once your free subscription is activated, you will receive all further posts directly in your email box, and will also be entered in the giveaway drawing.  All entries must be submitted by Monday, December 2.

On one final personal note, I would covet your prayers as I travel to India tomorrow for ten days.  Pray that the Lord's plans and purposes for this trip come to pass and that I will follow His lead to touch the one, and then another, and then another...

 

Click to purchase.

 

Laughter Soothes the Soul, Love Heals the Heart

Author's Note:  I am honored to be featuring a piece written by guest blogger, Paige Allen.  Paige is an amazing woman of God who has the ability to stir passion in your heart when you listen to her speak.  In fact, she recently spoke at a beautiful event in our city as we banded together as women to raise money for a ministry that advocates for those caught in the sex trafficking industry.  When I heard her speak that night, my heart was even more moved for the plight of these precious 27 million people around the globe who are being sold for sex.  So moved, in fact, that I will be traveling with Paige to minister to women in India this November. 

Please take some time to read Paige's report from a previous trip to the country, and allow your heart to be moved as well. 

If you would like to partner with me in prayer or financially, you can log on to my You Caring site here.  I receive 100% of gifts given at this link towards my trip to India.  All gifts are tax deductible, and, if given before October 7, every donor will be entered into a drawing for a Carry Lovely handbag, thanks to their generous donation and tireless work to end sex trafficking.  (To receive tax credit and be entered in the drawing, please make sure you leave your contact information on the You Caring site at the time you make your donation.)

If you would like to read more from beautiful Paige, you can visit her blog, Becoming Paige.  It's a life-giving source of encouragement for women, wives, mamas, missionaries, and followers of Jesus in general.

Be blessed as you read her stirring narrative:


I had the privilege of being involved with a retreat in India at one of the most amazing places I have ever visited. It was an oasis in the middle of crazy India and it housed men, women, and children who have been rescued from the streets and all manners of horror.

The retreat was specifically targeted towards 85 women who were rescued from sex trafficking. Many of these girls were sold or kidnapped into prostitution and others of them were the daughters of prostitutes who also were abused and mistreated on the streets. If you can imagine, I was literally on the verge of tears when I allowed myself to imagine the horrors these girls have faced. Yet, I didn’t see pain or sadness in their eyes, but great hope and joy. There was an occasional flicker of longing or lament, but most of the time I just saw life!

I preached on Friday night about being a daughter and of course in my mind, I envisioned it looking something like what I experienced last year – girls crying, sharing their hearts, praying with the all-wise Americans, etc… Guess what? After I finished what I thought was a pretty good sermon and gave the invitation for prayer, only five girls came forward – yep, that’s it…five. I hate to admit it, but I was about to question God about why He would send me and not use me when Mandi (a fabulous girl from Dallas) started to sing a song acapella – “Child of God.”

I stopped in my mid-complaint as she began to sing because this song was explanation enough from the Lord. You see, God’s revelation to my heart about being His daughter as my identity occurred before I got married, and the story was the focal point of my sermon that I shared that night. Over 8 years ago, the one song that ministered to me in that time was “Child of God,” and it was so instrumental that I even had it sung at my wedding. So, when Mandi started singing this song that is almost 10 years old, the Lord said to my heart…"Paige, you just do what I tell you to do and then trust me to heal their hearts – they are my children.”

I looked out over the sea of women and saw that though they weren't coming up for prayer, some were silently crying, some were writing in their journals, and some were sitting and letting the Father love on them. So, although I didn’t see what I had envisioned, I left with an unwavering knowledge that God is at work in the hearts and lives of these young women.

Later that night, I found out that God wanted to redefine "ministry" for me. He reminded me that there are different seasons – a time to cry & a time to laugh. And after dinner we laughed so much! In fact, I think that perhaps the most good I did that entire weekend was allow the girls to teach me to Bollywood dance…They were doubled over in laughter at times - not sure if they were laughing with me or at me...but the point is - they were laughing!

And as I went to sleep that night, God whispered to my heart, "Paige, they've seen enough tears - tonight I just wanted them to laugh." Who knew my ministry this year would not just be in speaking or prayer but Bollywood dance?!

So, I share a few pics of this fun night, and I ask you to pray for these women, and let these ladies stories...their faces become etched in your hearts.  It changed me...and it will change you.

If only we might do our small part to see more laughter replace the pain that MILLIONS of women face across the world.

      

Giveaway Winners

Congratulations to Ashlyn Alexander and Stephanie Hughes!  They are both winners of a complete set of Marriage Coach CDs!

Thanks to all who entered.  You can find more information about the Marriage Coach resource at the von Atzigen Ministries website, www.vonatzigenministries.com.

Have a wonderfully blessed week!

Giveaway: The Marriage Coach

My husband has a beautiful tradition.  Every year on his birthday, he gives me and the kids a present.  I suppose I think it's a beautiful tradition because he's really good at giving gifts, so I always receive something wonderful--not just on my birthday, but again five months later on his!


This year, I wanted to follow in his footsteps right here on Treasure the Ordinary.  Sunday is my birthday, and to celebrate, I would love to give away two sets of the newest resource from von Atzigen Ministries, the Marriage Coach CD Set.


The Marriage Coach is a four sermon series that "coaches" couples how to succeed in their marriages.  It was released in February of this year, and we have been so blessed to see the fruit it is reaping in marriages and families.


For more information about the Marriage Coach, log on to vonatzigenministries.com.


To enter the giveaway, just enter your email address in the subscription box in the upper right hand corner.  Two winners will be drawn from new subscribers on Sunday, June 10th, and notified that same day.


Blessings to you---may you give and receive many gifts this week!

The Marriage Coach

"All Things New" Winners

Thanks to all those who entered the giveaway!  Here are the 3 winners:

* Steven Dale Alen
* Hunter Crawford
* Brandi Wilson

Congratulations, friends!

"All Things New" Giveaway

The post on Failing Forward gave me the desire to give away a few copies of our cd, "All Things New."  If you'd like to know more about the project, you can find it in the sidebar.  If you already have a copy for yourself, it could make a great Christmas present for someone you love.

To enter to win one of three cds, please submit your email address in the sign-up link to the right.  This will also cause you to receive an email in your inbox when there is a new post in "Treasure the Ordinary."

When you click "submit," there will be a confirmation link sent to your email account.  You will simply need to click on it to be registered.

You must be registered by Tuesday, November 22, to be entered into the drawing.  I will announce the winners the following day, Wednesday, November 23.

Blessings to you and yours this holiday season!