A few weeks ago I received a much awaited parcel in the post (don't we all love parcels)...
I have been reading Ann Voskamp's blog 'A holy experience' for a while now & was so excited when her book was released & so I ordered it all the way from America & then had the long wait as it flew across continents & oceans to land in my little mailbox here at Sunnyside somewhere near the middle of Australia.
I began reading wondering if it really would be all I was expecting (with so many blogs reviewing this book I wondered if it was all hype of not - although I do know that I love her blog). Once I got past the first paragraph (birth scenes are indelicate - particularly your own birth scene) I was quickly captivated. The story of a woman who has been battered & bruised by hurts in this life - the story of someone who asks the questions that we all eventually ask of God. This book is about Ann's journey from a life of sadness to one of joy, from a life of distance to one of closeness with the Lord. As she writes about her delicate dance with God- He guiding her step by step, you can't help but be pulled in. It is a story of hers, yet it is the story of every Christian. The parallels are overwhelming at times - although my journey is different from Ann's the lessons God wants to impart are much the same. Ann uses her beautiful gifts of understanding & teaching to write about this walk she takes - one over a couple of years. She faces subjects that are brutal & honest - she rips open her own life for all to see - she perfectly relays that through all things God is there - God is love - God wants relationships - God wants you!
This book is one I wish I could give each of you. I feel that no life would be the same after reading it - you can't help but be drawn closer to the Lord - you can't help but be eager for a crescendo moment of your own - a beautiful tango of soul lovers stepping together in perfectly unison - the creator & His bride!
One thousand gifts - one thousand blessings - one thousand moments. Every second, every breath, every part of your world - a love gift from our Father. A challenge to list your own thousand - I began my list on a scrap of paper, but choose to preserve it here:
1. A book that is written by a busy farmers wife, a mother of many, yet she takes the time to share her heart with us all & we can't help but be challenged.
2. The beautiful song of the birds high up in the old iron barks
3. Children laughing, singing, talking, humming...never a quiet moment
4. Bare feet running up & down the hall
5. The leadership of a strong Godly man for our family
6. Winter pajamas for cold mornings
8. The rattle of a million leaves in the breeze
9. God's word - full of wisdom & strength
10. Jesus
11. The cutest 4 children ever... (OK I'm totally biased)
12. The fresh, clean smell of sheets straight off the washing line...
13 The sky ...God's love letter to us
15 Overflowing water tanks - filling with the gifts straight from Heaven
16 The soft cluck of the hens around my ankles
17 The last day of summer...today...a perfect summers day
18 The smell of biscuits baking in the oven
19 My new oven - big enough to feed a whole army
20 The tuneful singing of an 8 year old boy "Holy, Holy, Holy..."
For each of these & so much more I thank the Lord....
In my parcel I received not one, but two copies of the book "One Thousand Gifts" - the best part is I have one to GIVE AWAY!!!!
If you would like to enter to receive my extra copy of "One thousand gifts" by Ann Voskamp please leave me a comment
~ For an extra chance to win choose to follow my blog - please tell me that you have just become a follower or already are one.
~For yet another chance to win you may post about my giveaway on your blog, or twitter or face book ( please leave a comment for each of these)
GIVEAWAY ENDS MIDNIGHT SUNDAY 6TH MARCH
~Australian Eastern Standard Time~
This is open to all readers including international ones!
GIVEAWAY ENDS MIDNIGHT SUNDAY 6TH MARCH
~Australian Eastern Standard Time~
This is open to all readers including international ones!
Today is the day to be thankful for each gift....
Have a happy day
*** If you are having troubles leaving comments, please just email me & I will ensure your entries are added into the giveaway***
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37 comments:
Hi Renata,
I am reading this book too right now!!! Great minds read alike!!! :-)
So glad that you are wnjoying it too! I barely got past the first chapter and had to put it down for a few days because it was so intense!!! BUT I LOVE IT!!! And am now reading it again!
How sweet of you to have a give away of it!!! Since I already have it, please do not enter my name in the give away, I want someone else to enjoy it just as much as we have!!
But I did want to say HI! And that I am following your blog! ;-)
Love carissa XOXOX
Hi Renata,
I would so love to get a copy of the book! But with you being in Australia and mein California, I completely understand why you wouldn't want to include me. Still I had to comment. :)
Renata, I just have to say how much I LOVE this book! I'm reading it now and it is LIFE CHANGING! I hope every single reader here, orders a copy if they don't win. (Since I already have a copy, save the give-away for someone who doesn't have it yet and I'll enter another give-away some other time.)
Blessings for your Journey of 1,000 Gifts and beyond!
Hi Renata!
I ordered my copy through Koorong and it arrived last week - I'm only onto chapter 2. Takes me a little while to decipher her writing and that would be my only criticism - it is a book for those who are quite literate if you know what I mean! Now I don't need another copy for myself but I should enter your giveaway because if I win I can give it as a gift, maybe to my sister who has a birthday coming up. She's a Christian but works full-time and her life is one big juggling act - I think some of the messages about the sacredness of the home could really speak into her life. If you like Ann's writing you will love the book I took on holiday with me. 'Somewhere more Holy' by Tony Woodlief. I see he is one of the authors who recommends 'One Thousand Gifts' on the dust jacket. His book is probably one of the best books I have ever read about the sacredness of the family home - the saddest of life stories yet one of the most uplifting books I have ever read - I know you would love it.
I just found way to your blog from Homeschool on the Croft. Looks like a good book to look up. (I will get my own copy!)Thanks for the encouragement of looking for blessings!
I've heard about this book and the 1000 blessing challenge from another blog I read. It sounds like a great book, so I'd love to go in the draw.
BTW - I've been a follower of your blog for ages :)
And I just told all my FB friends about your giveaway.
If Mum-me wins, I could borrow her's when she's done :)
So glad to hear you and so many other people have gotten so much out of it.
Oh I would love this book. If I don't win I will have to order a copy :-)
Hey did you get my email? I sent it from my phone so I always worry about them not going through.
anyway I hope you are having a blessed day!
Cassandra xx
Hi Renata! I'd love a chance to win this book! I don't have it yet, but I've been a follower of Ann's blog for several years and I love her writing there. I've also read reviews of this book on other people's blogs that I follow and it really looks like a "must read"!
Thanks so much for the chance!
I've also heard a lot about this book lately and wondered if it lived up to the hype. :)
I'd love to read it,
~Laura
I also follow/subscribe to your blog :O)
~Laura
I am new to your blog...recommended by Mum-me. I would love to try and win a copy of the book. I will follow your blog as soon as i get to a computer instead of my itouch. :)
This is the first I've heard of this book. I'll have to check out her blog. Did you post the link and I somehow missed it?
Don't worry about entering me in the contest. Thanks for your sweet and supportive comment on my blog today.
Renata,
Yours is the first review I've read of this book. I have heard of it but I must be in some little blog bubble where I haven't yet heard a review on it! :) I'd love to be entered. Thanks!
Shared it on my FB page here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mountain-Home-Quilts/112333178800644?ref=sgm#!/pages/Mountain-Home-Quilts/112333178800644#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=191457510886952&id=100000681147105¬if_t=feed_comment
sounds like a great book! I'd love to have the chance to win it.
Thanks so much.
God bless.
Lisa
www.lisawith4.wordpress.com
loko6 at peak dot org
Oh my word! I have seen this book on blogs and too wondered about it?
I am certainly interested now.
I am already following your blog:)
Please please enter me for a chance to win!
AND THANKS!
I would love to read this book. I have heard so much about it and enjoy reading Ann Voskamp's blog.
Just signed up to follow your blog.
I have heard wonderful things about this book. I would love to be entered in your giveaway.
And I'm a follower!
I have heard so much about this book as well. Sounds like a great read.
And have just started to follow your blog. Thanks.
I must live under a rock as this is the first time I recall hearing about this book! Sounds like a great read!
Thank you for this opportunity. I would love to be entered in this book give-away.
Just wanted to thank you for your sweet encouragement about teaching my Siah to read. It has definitely been a challenge but this week I think we have reached a turning point. :) As of today, we have had three whole days of no tears. Praise the Lord!! And he is starting to even read a bit faster and recalling some words that he has never been able to recall. You must have been praying! Thank you! :)
Love, Kacy
Just the cover picture alone on this book is enough to make me want it. :) Thanks for a chance to win it!
Hi Narn,
Well, I already own the book too....but you could put in an entry for Martine instead!
I am on 5 days off, so call me anytime,
luv
sel
This looks like a LOVELY gift! Count me in!
Thank you so much for your kind comment! I am glad you are enjoying the series!!
-Angela
ParisienenFarmgirl.com
Hi Renata?
I'd be silly not to enter too!! Your's is the 2nd review I've read of this book! Looks like a must-read. I just started a book club with a friend so maybe i'll have to recommend it!!
Hope you are well ;)
C xo
Hi Narn,
I just spotted a copy of that book sitting in a Koorong Box in our back room....Actually Sel had showed me it, but I didn't have time to look at it. However, she's very graciously let me read it. Have a lovely weekend. Love you all, Mum xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi Renata,
Thank you so much for your comment on my blog. I am feeling great now! Praise be to Jesus! I am loving reading your beautiful blog. This giveaway is awesome. I am going to enter it! My sister is reading this book, and loves it,but I don't have it yet. Blessings to you!
-Hannah
hannahavery85@yahoo.com
I am following you on Google Friend Connect.
hannahavery85@yahoo.com
I blogged about this giveaway on my blog.
http://pursuingvirtue.blogspot.com/2011/03/love-of-giveaways.html
hannahavery85@yahoo.com
Oh, I have heard great things about this book!!
angelahscalf@gmail.com
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