** 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!
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I can totally relate to Angie’s comment that God shines through our brokenness. The day before my 60th birthday I was diagnosed with and agressive form of breast cancer. This year of trials, surgery, chemo and radiation have reinforced what I already knew: God is made strong in my weakness.
Would love a copy of this book
I know I am surely broken. I want to believe that God
Loves me and wants to heal me… But He has never spoken to me.
He has been silent.
Layla, THANK YOU for sharing the video promo for “Mended!” It is so beautiful and has left me in good chills and tears in my eyes. I am looking forward to reading it. I want to also tell you that you are in my prayers as you go through the journey towards adoption. What a wonderful blessing and journey!
I love the phrase “paper pregnancy.” I’ve never heard it before and may find a way to use it myself! 🙂 I do know the blessings of adoption journeys firsthand (we have two of them ourselves that I never tire of telling or thinking about …) and I pray you sense God’s peace and faithfulness all through yours.
I would love to win this book! If not, I’d like to get it. It reminds me of when my daughter purchased a bird statuary for me and broke it before she gave it to me. She painstakingly glued all of the pieces back together and gave it to me. Ordinarily, I am not one to keep anything even chipped, but this has always been special to me. Our lives are not perfect, but they can be mended. I hope that everything went well for you today and that your adoption journey will go smoothly.
Oh wow so many have responded. How awesome.
Wow. I watched the video and ended up w/ goosebumps and a healthy dose of tears welling up in my eyes. I think about my own life and where I’ve come from, and the direction I go to, hopefully a stronger person with each step.
I love it when bloggers write books! Congrats on another step towards completing your dream!
I’d love to read that book.
Sounds so wonderfully encouraging………..amazing inspiration.
I can’t wait to read it.
Thank you for sharing 🙂
Ooh, there’s someone that we know that could really use Mended. I love the part where she talked about the light coming through the cracks. Lovely.
I too have been through the home study process on my journey to adoption. And I too feel I live a life through the prism of many broken pieces. Thankfor the chance to win such a gracious story .Peace and blessings to you both in your journey.
Would love to be able to read this.
I saw Angie at Women of Faith. And she is amazing. A true woman of God.
Love what Angie said about the Light being able to shine through the broken pieces because they don’t fit back together perfectly. If we were perfect we would have no need Of Him. What a wonderful thing to think about. Thanks for sharing this today. I needed it.
This sounds like an awesome book. Good luck as you walk down the path of becoming a parent. There is nothing like the blessing that a child brings into your life
I LOVE Angie! Have followed her blog for years, she has a wonderful heart. And her writing is wonderful!
I think coming to terms with your past is one of the most difficult parts of our journey. I know I still struggle with it daily but what a beautiful way to describe our “brokeness”. I would be honored to win this book.
Wonderful! Perfect for the season of my life as well!
I’m pretty sure Angie was on a women’s
Lifeway devotions CD I got for Christmas- I really like her! If that’s her home in the video- we need a tour via your blog 🙂
Wow, this books seems like just what I need right now. Thank you!
Good luck with your home visit. I just know you’ll be shining stars! And I’d love to win “Mended”!
Thanks for the opportunity
Be sure to discuss teaching your child how to fish! If you need assistance, you know I’m available!
That’s looks like an amazing book
I love reading these posts about your adoption journey! Thanks for the book recommendation – can’t wait to hear more news about your little one!
My family and my life is so broken, trying to get back on the right path and soak my everything in the lord…. Sounds like a book to help me in that journey…. I would really like this book, feels like it is what’s calling to me now.. thank you for the giveaway.
I stopped by your site this morning and was curious about the broken pitcher…needless to say the answer I found brought tears to my eyes. I think we all are broken pitchers. However, I feel sometimes we are ashamed of our broken pieces and try to pass ourselves off as being shiny and new to the world. When faced with the true reality that I too am broken, it brought me to instant tears. Thank you so much for putting her video on your site.
Oh I love Angie! God has used her book “What Women Fear” to shed light on things I had been harboring, that I had no idea I was. Thankful for Godly ladies like you both! Praising God on your “paper pregnancy.” :0) My husband and I have just finally said “yes, Lord” to His calling on our lives to adopt. We always thought we “couldn’t afford it.” Truth is, we can’t afford not to!!
I would love to read that book! Thanks for the giveaway!
Would love to read Mended. Just got done with Proof of Heaven, To Heaven and Back and am now reading A Thousand Gifts.
Wow! How timely was your blog post! Lately, out of nowhere, I’ve been beating myself up for my past mistakes as a mother and a woman and it makes me cry when I recall all of my shortcomings. Angie’s video made me cry and prompted me to order her book. I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for sharing Layla. Once again, your blog has been a blessing to this new follower.
Sounds great…thanks for the chance to win! And many prayers for your beautiful journey!
I am so excited about your adoption journey. I see Jesus in you two and I know He is watching over this entire process.
The trailer for this book reminds me of my niece-by-marriage, Tammie Head. She has written a Bible study, “Duty or Delight” and is currently writing a book of her testimony. She is so on fire for Jesus and has lived through so MANY broken pieces of her life to be radically redeemed.
I am so excited for the journey you are on! I also love reading anything Angie has done…thanks for the chance to win this book!
Thanks for the chance to win! Reading “TLC” always makes me smile!
Thank you for sharing your journey with us. We are inspired by your dreams and actions. Our prayers and thoughts will be with you and your family as you take this incredible journey.
I would love to read Angie Smith’s story.
would love to read Angie’s book…. need to read Angie’s book. Dont have any Lifeway’s in CT!!
thanks for sharing. if i do not win, i will definitely be purchasing this. the trailer made me cry. it is exactly how i feel TODAY. i feel that my life has taken me down some really rough paths, especially this week, and i know that there is a reason god puts us where we need to be.
good luck w/your adoption journey! thank you for sharing your story! xoxoxo
Looks like a great read!
Just what I needed to see today (the book trailer). I would love to win a copy but will buy it if I don’t. Have a Blessed day Ms.Layla!
I would love to read this book!
Looks like a great book!
Sounds great! We all have been broken and I’m sure this book would be an encouragment to all. Great analogy! Layla and Kevin I am so happy for you both. Parenting is a wonderful journey and I know God will place with you just the right one who needs you and who you need. So happy for you….
I just recently discovered your blog and I love what you do. I would love to win the book, but if I do, you will need some extra postage since I live in Norway…..! Good luck with the adoption!
Looks good. If I can’t win the book I’ll definitely have to go buy it!
I know y’all don’t know me, but I am saying prayers for you and Kev for a successful adoption journey. God will bless you with the perfect child at the perfect moment. Good luck with everything and thank you for sharing bits of y’alls life with the bloggy world.
Thanks for sharing your lives with us. Praying for you. This looks like a great book.
That image of light shining out from a broken vase or pitcher has always been one of my favorites. I’d love to win a copy of that book! Praying for you during your adoption process!
I’d love to read this! Thanks for sharing!