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Anyone want to win a copy of the new Sara Groves album Invisible Empires?

Yeah, I thought you might.

I have 10 copies to give away this week!

Here’s how you can win:

Simply “Like” the page for this site on Facebook.

You can visit the page or just click “Like” below!

See how easy that was?

On Friday I’ll pick 10 winners from the people who’ve “liked” and send you a message with your download code!

If you had already “liked” my blog page on Facebook, but don’t want the album download, just give the code to someone who does! Merry Christmas!

I’m very excited about this particular giveaway. I first heard Sara Groves at a concert I went to back in 2008, right in the early days of fighting through depression and PTSD after losing Felicity, our daughter.

As I moved through that very painful stuff, God ended up bringing particular songs into my life that hit me right where I was, right with what I was dealing with. I ended up compiling quite a playlist of these songs and they were a lifeline for me. Not surprisingly, for those of you who know her music, Sara Groves made it onto that list a number of times. I love that she doesn’t bypass really hard things in her lyrics. She even takes on bioethics on this album. Not many people singin’ about that, I imagine.

You can hear for yourself what was on her mind in crafting this new album:

PS-She gives props to Laura Ingalls Wilder in the interview. Remember how we love her???

My favorite songs on the album are “Miracle,” “Open My Hands,” and “Finite.” Any of you want to share your faves?

Thanks so much for reading and supporting this blog. Hope you win!

If you’ve ever wanted to turn one of your favorite snapshots into art for your wall, you may be interested in the giveaway we’re doing this week for readers of this blog and 22 Words.

On Saturday, Molly and I will do a drawing for one free product up to $100 from Online Poster Printing. (And the shipping will be free, too, if you’re in the US or Canada.)

How to Enter the Drawing

All you need to do to be entered to win is contact us and tell us you want to participate. You can simply say “I wanna win” or “Pick me” or something like that.

How to Enter the Drawing Multiple Times

If you want to increase your chances, here are 5 ways to be entered in the drawing extra times:

1. Subscribe to this blog. (RSS or Email)
2. Subscribe to 22 Words. (RSS or Email)
3. Let people know about the giveaway on Twitter…
4. …or Facebook…
5. …or your own blog.

When you contact us to enter, include that you’ve done any of these 5 things, and we’ll put your name in the hat an extra time for each.

Thanks a lot for reading!

I know I told you in my email that I’d get the books right out to you. Well that was before I woke up and it was -20F and with wind chill -34F! I love all my readers, but I’m not crazy. You’re gonna have to wait until tomorrow, when we’re expected to get out of the negatives. Such is life for a Minnesotan in winter!

It was so cold this morning that Orison’s preschool was cancelled. Thus all my bright ideas for productivity this morning were promptly derailed. Ah well, I like having him around.

Here’s how to win

1. Subscribe by email or RSS. (If you don’t know what RSS is, my husband can show you. It’s really easy.)
2. Contact me to let me know you’re a subscriber.
3. I’ll draw a winner on Wednesday, January 14th.

Bonus Entries!

If you refer a person to this blog and they subscribe, let me know. I’ll enter your name again each time you do it! (I’ll just be trusting you, so play fair. :) )

Casey is one of my male readers (way to represent!). He entered the contest to win the nursing cover for his wife—what a good guy!

Casey was kind enough to provide a little information about himself and his family that I found very interesting and thought you might find it cool too.

He provided a link to his sisters’ blog, nurses who are “kicking butt” in Haiti.

About himself he said:

I am currently a stay at home pops/ part time seminary student. My wife and I live in Seattle where she is completing her residency in internal medicine, after which we plan to head to Haiti and love on some Haitians ourselves… for as long as we both shall live.

I found his family’s interest in Haiti particularly compelling after having read an Associated Press article about Haiti last week. (via Shawnda)

Sometimes when I read articles like this and see pictures of starving children, my reaction is to turn off emotionally, because it just seems like too much—the need is so overwhelming.

I’m thankful to be able to put names and faces to people who are rising to the challenge. It’s inspiring, and it brings me to a place where I can pray, think about how we can be involved, etc.

So congrats, Casey, and God bless you and your family in the work you’re doing!

I’m offering one of these lovely nursing covers, made by my friend Jenna from All the Way Home.

I know this won’t be relevant to all of you, but certainly you know someone who is pregnant or nursing, so anyone can win! I’m certainly using mine a lot right now.

Why I love this nursing cover

• The boning in the top gives you a line of sight to the baby under there.
• The D-ring clasp lets you adjust it to just the right length so you don’t have to tie it every time.
• The baby can’t pull or kick it off!
• It’s reversible!

Incidentally, this one I’m giving away is the exact same fabric that I have, so I’m dubbing it the “Molly” line.

Here’s how to win

1. Subscribe by email or RSS. (If you don’t know what RSS is, my husband can show you. It’s really easy.)
2. Contact me to let me know you’re a subscriber.
3. I’ll draw a winner on BLACK FRIDAY… MWAA-ha-ha-ha!

Bonus Entries!

If you refer a person to this blog and they subscribe, let me know. I’ll enter your name again each time you do it! (I’ll just be trusting you, so play fair. :) )