The Winner of the Journal the Word Bible

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
And I'm happy to announce the winner of the Journal the Word Bible.
Congratulations Jennifer R. of N.C.! Jennifer, I'll contact you about delivery of your Bible.
Thanks to all of you who shared comments on how God's Word has influenced your life.

I am thankful for each of you,

Sally

The Fears and Joys of Our Adoption Journey (Part 1 of 2)

by Sally Matheny

(The Fears and Joys of Adopting)

Our son was nine days old when we first met him. As soon as I entered the room, I saw a large, white basket on the sofa. Like a strong magnet, it pulled my heart.  

My husband said, “Wait. Let me get the camera.” I shook my head replying, “I have waited for years, and I cannot wait a moment longer!”  

Gently, I scooped up the tiny miracle and nuzzled him in for a kiss. In that moment, an amazing peace and overwhelming love swaddled us together. Every previous concern, every fear melted away.

Many uncertainties had emerged during our adoption adventure. Nonetheless, more delights resulted. In honor of Adoption Awareness Month, I'd like to share with you a few of our adoption fears and joys. Perhaps they'll encourage you if you're considering adoption.

Journal the Word Bible--One for Me & One for You!

by Sally Matheny

Photo: Journal the Word Bible

How sweet the season is—a time of thanks and giving! Christian publisher, Thomas Nelson sent me, not one, but two, NKJV Journal the Word Bibles. One to keep, and one to give away. First, let me tell you how awesome this Bible is!

Every cream-colored page contains wide margins of lightly ruled lines. You can either journal your thoughts or illustrate the meditations of your heart.


I’m doing a little of both in mine, but mostly journaling. No more writing on the back of church bulletins or loose papers! Everything will be in one spot, ready for future reference by me, or the next generation.

The Winner of the Children's Book--More Giveaways Ahead

I Won?
Public Domain Photo

Congratulations to Melinda Roberts on winning A Night of Great Joy by Mary Engelbreit! Melinda, contact me with directions of where to mail your book.

Thanks to all of you who shared your Christmas ideas. You'll have several other chances to win books this month. 

Right now, author, Carrie Daws, is offering five copies of her book, The Warrior Bride: Biblical Strategies to Help the Military Spouse Thrive to one of my blog readers. You can find out more about this fantastic giveaway on this week's post.



Wouldn't it be wonderful if you won these to give to military wives or to donate to churches and libraries? Carrie is selecting a winner on Nov. 18, so read her great article on my blog and get in on that drawing.

Also, in about two weeks, I'll be reviewing an awesome journal Bible and I'm giving one away. It's a NKJV and one of those that has room on the side of every page where you can journal or illustrate what you're meditating on in God's Word.

I'm thankful for the publishers and authors who donate these books for my readers. 

Also, I'm thankful for you, dear friend. I appreciate your involvement in my blogging ministry and the Christian encouragement you share with others.


                                      "Every good and perfect gift is from above,
                                       coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
                                       who does not change like shifting shadows."
                                                                   James 1:17

A Night of Great Joy- Children’s Book Review & Giveaway

Photo: Make it A Night of Great Joy

Christmas is less than seven weeks away. Can you believe it?

Before the little ones become enraptured with twinkling lights and toy displays, snuggle them in for a story. The picture book, A Night of Great Joy, written and illustrated by Mary Engelbreit, would be a delightful choice. Allow me to share with you a little about the book, and how you can possibly win it.

This beautifully illustrated book is sure to captivate young children's attention. Engelbreit chose to tell the nativity story through a children’s Christmas pageant.  Children of all ethnicities, clad in colorful costumes, tell the story of Christ’s birth, on a stage using handmade props.

The story unfolds with one to three free verse sentences per page. The message is sweet and simple.

The illustrations are precious. Two children tug over a stuffed lamb. Another child seemingly wants to draw attention to herself. And one is an eager participant in the beginning, but later loses interest.

How fitting for Christmas to illustrate our sinful nature and our need for Christ.

Who wants to win this book?

All you have to do to get your name in the drawing is share something you’ve done, or plan to do, to help children focus on the Reason for the season.

I’ll announce the winner of the book on Saturday, Nov. 12. Leave a comment and get your name in the drawing!

**(Make sure you visit the blog on Veterans Day! I have a wonderful guest blogging for me that day and she has an AWESOME giveaway planned.) 

*MELINDA ROBERTS- You're the winner! Please contact me by Nov. 26 with directions for where I need to mail your book. Congratulations!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Trusting God Through a Miscarriage (Part 2 of 2)

by Sally Matheny

October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. In my last post, I shared with you the excitement of my third pregnancy and the devastation of a miscarriage.

Today, I want to encourage you by sharing another portion of my miscarriage journey.

If you’re dealing with an infant or pregnancy loss, you already know some days are hard.  Really hard. I promise you, it will get better. I hope you'll find encouragement here and in a resource I've included at the bottom of the post.

And, if you’re someone who has never experienced a miscarriage, and are at a loss of knowing how to help someone who has, there’s something here for you as well. It helps to have friends and family support while trusting God through a miscarriage.

Trusting God Through a Miscarriage (Part 1 of 2)

by Sally Matheny

Trusting God Through a Miscarriage
(photo by Pixabay)

October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.  In remembrance of that, I want to share with you a portion of my own miscarriage journey. Perhaps you can relate. Hopefully, you'll be encouraged.
Not even the startling, cold lubricant squeezed onto my belly could stifle my excited chatter.

I was on the verge of being the first one to hear a great secret—the gender of our third baby!

Earlier that day, I had taken our seven-and nine-year old daughters to a sitter. They wanted to go with me for my 12-week check up. I told them the following month’s appointment would be an ultrasound. I assured them they could go with me, and their daddy, to see the baby growing inside my tummy then.

Now, here I was, by myself about to hear the big reveal earlier than expected. Finding it difficult to locate the tiny baby with his stethoscope, the doctor asked how I felt about an ultrasound to see if I was as far along as we thought.

I happily agreed but told him he’d have to do another one next month because I’d promised my girls. Plus, my husband was out of town on business, so there was no way he could get there in time to see today’s ultrasound.

So, I felt rather special since I was about to receive some exciting news before everyone else. What a nice gift after enduring three months of nausea!

“If I’m not as far along as we expected, will you still be able to tell if it’s a boy or girl?” I asked.

“Maybe. We’ll see,” the tech said as she slid the probe around.

A few seconds later, she added, “There’s the baby.”

“Awww, it looks like it’s waving,” I said, noticing five, distinct, widespread fingers held in front of a profiled head and nose.

My heart pounded, waiting for her to tell me the big news. Boy? Or girl?

A few more swipes. She announces on her way out the door, “Okay. The doctor will be in to see you in just a minute.” 

Odd. Maybe the tech isn’t allowed to say anything and has to wait for the doctor.

A few minutes later, the doctor comes in and repeats the same movements over my belly. It’s awfully quiet in the room until the doctor grunts a low, short, “hmm.”

I feel my enthusiasm fade in the dimly lit room. Something isn’t right.

Announcing the Winner of the Children's Christmas Book: Operation Birthday Blessings

Congratulations, Janey G. from South Carolina! You've won a free copy of Angelika Martin's children's book.

I'll give Angie your full name as the winner from my blog. Go ahead and contact her on her website at http://www.jesseandbongo.com/contact.html. Contact her before the end of October so she'll have plenty of time to personalize your book for you.

Thanks to all who participated in the giveaway. I've got several more fantastic giveaways coming up soon!

I hope you all have a week full of joyful blessings and a peace that passes all understanding,

Sally