** This giveaway has ended **
Happy ‘Home Study #1’ Day!!!
We’re SO excited to have our friend/social worker, Beth, coming over for a visit today! It feels like the first real big step in our “paper pregnancy“, so we’re feeling really blessed to be able to spend this time with her today.
We did some laundry yesterday, and we still have to secure of couple of bookcases to the wall in our bedroom, but we were told long ago that this visit isn’t about how clean your house is, so we’re not going to stress about all the chores that still aren’t done.
Instead, we’ve decided to spend some more quiet time with each other so that we can talk about our hopes and dreams for the future, and about what kind of parents we hope and dream to be to our child. That feels like a good way to prepare for Beth’s first visit, and we can’t wait to share more about it all next week!
I started my friend Angie‘s book last night. It’s called Mended.
I scooped up two of them the other day- one for me, and one for someone reading this post! (Note: Mended is on sale for $5 at Lifeway book stores right now if you don’t win the giveaway and would like to purchase it.)
Here’s a short video of Angie talking about Mended: (Email subscribers will have to click over to The Lettered Cottage to watch.)
If you’d like to enter for a chance to win the extra copy I picked up, just leave a comment on this post between now and Monday (January 14th, 2013) at 8:00am (Central Time), and I’ll randomly select a winner after that.
Angie doesn’t know I’m blogging about her book today, (Surprise, Angie!) but like I’m sure our social worker Beth will prove to be throughout our adoption journey, she’s been such a bright light in my life and I cherish our friendship so very much.
Good luck, and thanks so much for swinging by for a visit today!
For pics and updates in between posts, join us over on Twitter, Facebook and/or Instagram!
I’d love to win. Sounds like a book I can relate to.
I would love to win a copy of this book. I have had many events in my life that have shattered me into many pieces. I am always looking for ways to continue the healing process. I’m not sure I will ever feel like I am completely healed until the day I get to see Jesus! But, life is good and He can put the pieces back together.
You are in my prayers through your adoption journey. Would enjoy reading this book too.
Many prayers for your journey ahead. Thank you for sharing it with us. Would love to read the book, looks great.
Good luck today!
Thanks for the link to the book. I’m going to purchase it & also check out Angie’s blog 🙂
I can’t help but think of my daughter when I watched the trailer. I pray that God will direct your steps in the journey as parents.
I am praying for you guys today! This sounds like a lovely book and I’d enjoy reading it!
I would love to win a copy of Angie’s book!! It sounds like a very inspirational read!!
So happy for you!
Blessings for your adoption journey. Years ago I was an adoption SW in Alabama. Amazing to see sweet angels find their forever home! I pray for you two to have peace, patience, and excitement as you prepare your hearts and home for your addition!
Praying for a wonderful home visit! I’ve been thinking so much about you guys these past several days. Thank you so much for including all of us readers into your personal journey!
The book sounds wonderful!
I would love to win a copy. Picking up this book has been on my to-do list for weeks.
I LOVE HER EXPLANATION OF BROKENESS!! WILL GET THE BOOK IF I DON’T WIN IT..
Would love to read this!
That sounds like such a great book, I’d love to win it!
Regarding your adoption process, we adopted two of our kids, and it is the greatest miracle in every way. The miracle of life, their biological mother’s choice, and the miracle that God chose us to give them a forever family.
You and Kevin will be wonderful parents. It all starts with having a great desire to become a parent and then having faith that God will send you the child that needs you the most. Congratulations on your decision and good luck. You’ll be in my prayers.
I live very close to Canton, MI, and loved your blogs from there. I saw the mirror surrounded by wood at another HomeGoods store, and tried to tell someone the whole “new friend” story from your blog. You are a much better communicator than I am!!
It sounds like just the kind of book I need. How wonderful of you to give us a chance to win it. Thanks!
Good luck!
Would love to read this book.
Adoption is so beautifully exciting! Thanks for the book giveaway!
Looks like a lovely and encouraging book!
The book sounds very good. I love to see how God reveals Himself to us….usually not in a way we expect. Thank you
Sounds like a great book!
Would love to read this book! Have enjoyed your site as I discovered it a year ago and couldn’t stop following…blessings…
What beautiful imagery…God shining His light through our brokenness. I would love to read this story. Praying for you in your journey to parenthood.
i’d love a copy! congrats on your homestudy!
I would love to win this book. I will gladly pass it on to be read by someone else when I finish it if I win.
Wow, I love how God loves to shine through our brokenness. Looks like a great book!!!
Honest, Beautiful, Journey of Discovery.
I’ve been following your blog for about 10 months now, and like it because it’s comforting to read.
Thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing about this book! I have always worked in ministry, (from directing a miscarriage/stillbirth ministry) to most recently, campus ministry. Just from watching the brief trailer, this book sounds like it has a beautiful healing message to offer. Thanks again for sharing about it!
Loved the trailer! Looks like a great book!
Layla & Kevin: Please enter my name for the giveaway. The book reminds me of your kitty & the healed leg. Love you two & know you’ll be great parents
WOOHOOO! I hope I win this one 🙂
Thank you for doing the giveaway. All the best for your journey.
Very cool that y’all chose time together over little tasks. The moments, not the mess is one hard lesson I’ve taken away from our first year as parents. Praying for your hearts during this process.
Oh goodness, I have felt this same way so many times and God has mended me again and again. I would love to read Angie’s book.
Unlike objects in our home, I believe people are more beautiful after they are mended.
I would love to read this book, you and your husband are adorable, and really going thru a “growing season”, thanks for taking us all along along on your journy. Sincerely Karen
Sounds like a wonderful, healing book! Something I need in my life, a continuing process….
Layla,
That a beautiful picture of God’s work in our lives, would love to read this book. Thanks for the offering. Praying for you both in all your adoption process. It is worth it. We have a beautiful granddaughter from China, she is a blessing in our family, a life mended from brokeness that was her early infancy. Blessings, Linda
Sounds like a great read.
This looks like a great book…a topic I can relate to! Thank you for the opportunity.
Thank you for taking the time to share parts of your life with us readers! I hope that you continue to share your journey through the adoption process. I enjoy following along while taking notes and cheering you on! I wish you all of the best during your home study!
PS: I would love to win a copy of Angie’s book!
Ooh I like all the books your have reviewed on your website!
Can’t wait to read this one too. xo
I would love the book! Due to sickness I am praying God will mend me physically and spiritually. I pray the adoption process goes fast for you. You have the sweetest spirit and would make a wonderful Mom.
Sounds like a good book. Will definitely get it if I don’t win. My nephew and his wife, Payt and Heather Junkin, flew to Haiti as part of a fund raising effort for orphanages there. While there they will get to visit with the son they are adopting. Read their story at [email protected]
I watched the video and really want to read the book. Thank’s for the opportunity to win it. I’m sure your home visit went well today.
So happy for you and your adoption adventure. God is so very good…all the time.
Thanks also for helping me on my journey today. He’s been leading me down different paths…for different lessons and different reasons…and I’m enjoying the ride. Today, he spoke to me through you by your letting us know about the Mended book for $5 at Lifeway. I had been wanting to read it but had put it on the “backburner.” After reading your post I ran there to pick one up tonight…and lo and behold…there on the shelf…was ONE lonely Mended book left…for me….just for me. I think He was telling me that now is the the time to get to it.
Thank you! It’s so fun to see how God connects us all to help each other…even if it’s something as simple as a great price on a book that is going to bless lives. Can’t wait to hear Him speak through the book. Thanks for being the messenger!
Have a great weekend!
Enjoy each minute of this adventure! It will go by so fast and one day your daughter or son will be in college and you will be wondering where the years went.
I would love this book. I am mentoring a young gal in my church and I think this would help me understand her and help her to see that God isn’t finished with her or me, now,,,,, or ever!
I want Angie to know that her words introducing the book profounding ‘spoke’ to me and lifted my own heart. I cannot wait to read it. I also want to wish you and Kevin all blessings on your journey of getting your baby. I have followed your blog for some time and know you will make amazing parents. (Thanks for posting Angie’s book!)
Praying for you both as you journey to become wonderful parents. Would love to have a great read like Mended.