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Second Chance: How Adoption Saved a Boy With Autism and His Shelter Dog: Blog Tour

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Second Chance is a touching story of a boy with autism and his shelter dog Chance. I liked the story itself and the idea of this book and I believe you can never have too many adoption books in your home library if your family is formed by adoption. However, for me there were slight narrative problems that detracted from the overall effect of the book. I applaud the author for choosing this topic matter and would still recommend this book to parents of children with special needs. However, I personally found the dog as narrator to be grating and, an unfortunate choice.  The author Sandra Gerencher was a special education teacher in the public school system and she adopted a son with autism. Gerencher has worked and rescued several dogs from certain death in high kill shelters. Chance is adopted by the author and her son and this is the story of how that came about. Chance is a puppy who gets a second chance when he is taken to the boy’s home to meet the many other dogs already living there.The adoption of this dog is a catalyst to talk further about themes of adoption, loss and second chances. I think the most compelling and interesting plot here is a bigger picture story, that is really just touched on here. The use of animals as service dogs and helpers has become a growing phenomenon that isn’t being fully explored right now in research or in non fiction. Chance is an example of the many ways in which animals positively impact children who are disabled, abused or traumatized. There is much anecdotal evidence that adopting an animal into a home where a child has been adopted or is being fostered, makes a great difference emotionally to the stability of the child. And dogs like Chance can be excellent candidates for bridging traumas children have gone through, similarly they can be effective therapy dogs or cats. For me personally, I think this story might have worked better and been more effective as a tool for change had it been written as a non fiction story straight up in reportorial style without the gimmicks. As it is, it’s difficult to take a dog narrator seriously. Second Chance is $12.95 and a portion of the price goes to the Humane Society.

Human Body Detectives: CDs and Workbooks Review

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How do you teach school-aged children about science, healthy eating and the body? Well, the Human Body Detectives series, by Canadian Heather Manley, now living in Hawaii, is one of the smartest tools available. Dr. Heather Manley is a naturopathic doctor and a parent who created the series called Human Body Detectives. (http://www.humanbodydetectives.com/) There are three stories so far in this series and each one tackles a topic of biology and features sisters Merrin and Pearl as they are transported through the human body in search of clues as to what might be happening to a friend or a relative. In Battle With The Bugs, Merrin and Pearl are vacationing with family in Mexico when their young cousin Max gets ill. Together, they journey inside Max’s immune system and learn how the body fights bugs. The story is educational and entertaining. My kids were using very complex science terms like leukocytes and macrophages after only hearing this audiobook once. The drawings on the app _downloadable app for the digestive system book called Lucky Escape _ and on the workbook pages are dynamite and truly high quality. I loved that this series came with an audio CD. I like these a lot for reinforcing learning in the car.

You can purchase the CD set with workbook and colour stickers for only $15.00 through Dr. Heather Manley’s web site. The app for Lucky Escape is a steal at $1.99. I give this series a $$$$$ out of $$$$$. Educational, smart and makes sense for families on the go. Also promotes healthy eating in children. Meant for ages four and upto 12.

(Join us later this week Thursday, Jan. 6th at 1 p.m. EST for a twitter party #drheather and you could win your own set of these books and CDs.) Stay tuned for more details.

My Top Five Reads This Year at Brainfood

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Well, as it is the time of year when everyone waxes nostalgic on the year that has passed, I felt a list was in order. So without further ado, here is my lift of top five books that I read and reviewed here this year. (Not all are brand new books, but a few are still hot off the press.)

1. Secret Daughter, by Shilpi Somaya Gowda.
Absolutely exquisite story of a young woman adopted from India by an American-Indian mixed race couple who are both doctors. Also a best-seller that had me spell-bound from start to finish. Accurate rendering of all adoption details and a really gripping read.

2. The Forty Rules of Love, Elif Shafak.
A Love story that begins with a book reviewer and disenchanted housewife who is asked to review a book by a poet. This is a contemporary story written by one of Turkey’s most well known authors. An equally interesting parallel plot runs in the 13th century, the timeframe during which the author’s story takes place.

3. My Name is Memory, Ann Brashares
I truly thought this one would be an even bigger seller than it was. I learned something from it as the plot, centring on a time traveller of sorts jumped from era to era, each time period recreated with great detail and authenticity. The love story of Daniel and Sophia transcends time, but doesn’t involve vampires. Look for the movie version soon.

4. Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson
Melinda Sordino, the narrator and main character has been selectively mute ever since she called the cops regarding a summer party. Why is she mute and why don’t her parents pay attention to what is going on with her? Why is she being bullied? Why does everyone hate her and what happened at that party? Brave story for dealing with anxiety, rape and depression amongst the teenage audience.

5. House Rules, Jodi Picoult
Picoult tackles Asperger’s disorder, a type of high functioning autism, this time around and she gets it so right you wonder how she can keep on delivering this way. Jacob has Asperger’s and he likes to recreate crime scenes. But when a real life murder happens and the police suspect Jacob, will the truth come out? Is it a mistake? Is he credible to stand trial? I loved the gorgeous exploration of life inside a family where one child has special needs. Emma is a great character, a martyr and the mother of Jacob. Autism and sensory issues are really well done and described here, as is the inner workings of a child on the autism spectrum.

Trendspotting 2010: What Was The Biggest Publishing Story of The Year?

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Marina Glogovac discussing Kobo at ShesConnected

 So what’s the biggest publishing story of 2010? I think, without doubt the story still has to be ereaders and the growing trend to buying epubs. Last year, for the first time ever numerous public libraries noted that epublications had outnumbered actual physical books being borrowed by patrons. This year the story will be the same, with a small twist. Now there is an even greater emphasis on book apps too. That will continue in 2011. Apps for everything and on line magazines, digital publications will continue to explode. Ebooks now outnumber regular book sales on Amazon. Back in the summer I reviewed the Kobo ereader, on loan from the company for purposes of review. I now own one and have found it to be enjoyable, fun and a nice supplement to my reading. Back in the summer I noted that ereaders are to books, what book to film adaptations are. Both are unique and should be judged on own merits. I still feel they can be complementary. And frankly as a book reviewer my amount of paper hasn’t decreased. Books are still piled high on the bedside table for review. Publishers are still making galleys. I have compared many of the ereaders on the market and found the Kobo the most economical. Also I like the company. Not that I don’t like Sony, whose ereader has received great reviews also and was recently highlighted again in the Globe and Mail as one of the best gifts of the season. I like Kobo, as the little company that could and has taken the market by storm. (Just six months ago the tiny company had 30 employees and now they’ve grown to over 150.) Kobo smartly partnered with Indigo/Chapters early on and that has been a very positive experience for both companies. Kobo churned out a lovely little ereader that women have loved and bought in droves. Their business skyrocketed and then some. They created a gadget that looked like a book, not a piece of computer equipment and that resonated with women. Not that there aren’t a few bugs to still be worked out with this whole phenomenon, but right now it is changing the ways we read. Back in October I heard from Marina Glogovac of Kobo, who spoke at ShesConnected. “Our mission from the beginning was just to get books into your hands.” That they have done. The price of Kobo, the most economical and perhaps the most user friendly of the ereaders, succeeded in changing the price point driving sticker price down on other models. Right now you can purchase a Kobo for $139. For consumers that was a win-win situation. Seniors are another demographic enjoying this new way of reading. Both tech savvy seniors and those who are not so much gadget geeks. Nursing homes and some senior’s facilities are now using these because they’ve found them to be easier for seniors with arthritis. In future ereaders will need to add more children’s books to their library. Kids can easily use these gadgets and will start using them at younger ages. Also some thought needs to be given to sharing of titles. If I buy a book for instance for my Kobo and then want to share it with my mother, as I would with a hard copy of a book, there should possibly be a means to safely and responsibly share my copy. Now excuse me while I finish reading The Room on my Kobo.

Twelve Pearls of Christmas: Guest Series and Giveaway: What’s The Best Thing About Christmas?

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Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom”! Please follow along through Christmas day as each post shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year. AND BEST OF ALL … there’s also a giveaway! Fill out the quick form at the link located at the bottom of this post to be entered to win a PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS!  Pearls – a tangible reminder of God’s grace to us all.

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What’s the best thing about Christmas?
by Maureen Lang
The answer to that question will undoubtedly be different depending on the age and the faith of the person being asked. Most children will say it’s all about the gifts. Adults, even if they secretly still enjoy the gifts, will probably strive to sound more mature and say the holiday is all about friends and family. Still others might say it’s about tradition, or memories or the music or even the special food we connect to this time of year. The scrooges among us might say this season is just another marketing gimmick, or materialism gone awry. The faithful will say it’s all about Jesus, a reminder of why He shed the glory of Heaven to step into human skin and frailty. I’m not here to defend or attack any answer to this question, but rather to ponder those possible answers.
Gifts: They touch us in personal ways, as tangible evidence of someone else’s thought and affection. Even if we don’t get exactly what we hoped, there’s something to be said about the thought behind a gift being the important part. Why wouldn’t gifts be an important and valid part of this holiday in which we celebrate God’s gift of salvation?
Holiday Gatherings: Parties might be a lot of work, forcing some out of their comfort zone, but at the core they’re all about human connection. Isn’t that what most people want?
Traditions and memories: They remind us of the past, of who we are, with the hope that even as we look forward to an unknown future we still hold some things worthy enough to repeat every year. We might find ourselves letting go of some traditions, or we might want to start some new ones.
The music: This is the only time of the year when even secular radio stations welcome songs about a baby born in Bethlehem. As a nation we may be getting stringent about separation of church as state, but the lines blur just a bit with old favorites that reflect this season.
Scrooges: The holiday season is probably a time to endure rather than enjoy, but even the scroogiest-scrooge might admit the lights of the season are pretty to behold. They’re free to look at, after all.
As for the food, the busyness, the expense and all the other things that make up this season: keep in mind that it’s all temporary. This, too, shall pass. Until next year, of course.
I’ll leave you with this thought: we are all made in God’s image, whether we believe that or not. Part of that image is the ability to give—and to receive. So here’s my thought for the day: stop a moment and dwell on all the gifts of the season. From the little mementos that say we haven’t forgotten someone or been forgotten by others, to the costliest gift of all: what God did for us in the form of Christ. As you enjoy the sounds, the sights, the scents and the tastes of this season, may your only trouble be in choosing just one thing among so many best things about Christmas.

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About Maureen: Maureen Lang is the author of ten books, her most recent from Tyndale House is The Great War Series which are full of romance, adventure and spiritual journeys. She lives in the Midwest with her husband, two sons and their lovable Labrador Retriever.
For more information please visit Maureen at her website, http://www.maureenlang.com/.

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A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year’s Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is {FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. One entry per person, per day. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com/) on New Years Day!12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit http://www.pearlgirls.info/

Twelve Pearls of Christmas: Guest Series and Giveaway: Good News

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Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” Please follow along through Christmas day as each post shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year. AND BEST OF ALL … there’s also a giveaway! Fill out the quick form at the link located at the bottom of this post to be entered to win a PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS!

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Good News!
by Deb Kalmbach
The first Christmas card of the season arrived in my mailbox way back in August. How could anyone be that organized? Then I noticed my friend, Nita, had sent me a card I had written to her more than 20 years ago!
Memories rushed back as I read the words penned in my familiar handwriting. It was Christmas, 1991, and my world had unraveled. I could almost pretend everything was all right at this most wonderful time of the year—but not that year. My husband Randy’s drinking problem had escalated to the point where his job and career were on the line. He had already been through two alcohol treatment programs and managed to stay sober for short periods of time. Then he slipped back into old, familiar patterns. His ongoing relapses were a crushing disappointment for our family.I had looked forward to Christmas Eve and our family traditions; making homemade lasagna, singing carols around the piano, attending the candlelight service at church, and then coming home to open one token Christmas Eve present. “Randy, are you ready to crank out the pasta?” I called to him over the Christmas music I was playing to lift my spirits. I peered into the living room to see what was keeping him. My heart froze. Randy sat on the couch, trance-like, watching a basketball game while sipping a drink.No, not on Christmas Eve, I screamed inwardly. I felt like I was suffocating. Usually Randy pulled himself together but it didn’t happen that night. He drank vodka all evening while I finished holiday preparations on autopilot. None of us felt like eating lasagna or celebrating. Only a few days earlier, I had written these words on the Christmas card to my friend, Nita. I don’t know God’s plans, his timing or his ways in accomplishing his purposes, but I am learning to trust him. He is faithful! I suspect Nita kept my card all those years because she saw a small seed of faith and it encouraged her heart. I didn’t know it at the time, but it would be eight more Christmas seasons before Randy experienced the miraculous breakthrough of finding freedom from alcoholism. As I read the card I had written so long ago, I felt awed by God’s faithfulness to us—even when our situation looked completely hopeless. You may be facing great difficulty as the holidays approach. The last thing you feel like is celebrating. And that’s O.K. The Good News of Christmas isn’t about picture perfect holidays where our homes are decorated a la Martha Stewart and tables are laden with holiday delicacies. Your days may not be merry and bright. You may be grieving the loss of a loved one or the loss of a relationship through divorce or estrangement. Your world has unraveled. That’s exactly why the message of Christmas is Good News. The Savior is born! The One who came to set you free, to give you peace and hope and help beyond anything you could ever imagine is as near as your next breath. Today you might not be able to see how God’s purposes are unfolding for your future, but you can be assured that He is working all things for good in your life. A twenty year-old Christmas card came on a summer day as an unexpected gift and gentle reminder of God’s presence—especially in the worst of times.

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About Deb: Deb Kalmbach is the coauthor of Because I Said Forever: Embracing Hope in a Not-So- Perfect Marriage and the author of a book for children, Corey’s Dad Drinks Too Much. She has contributed to The New Women’s Devotional Bible, Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace, and other anthologies. She is a vibrant and engaging speaker who gives hope and practical solutions to those who struggle with difficult relationships. Deb and her husband, Randy, live in a tiny town in Eastern Washington. Visit Deb at: http://www.debkalmbach.com/, or on Facebook and Twitter.

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A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year’s Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is {FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. One entry per person, per day. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com/) on New Years Day!12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit http://www.pearlgirls.info/

Twelve Pearls of Christmas: Guest Series and Giveaway: Wrapped In His Love

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Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom”! Please follow along through Christmas day as each post shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year. AND BEST OF ALL … there’s also a giveaway! Fill out the quick form at the link located at the bottom of this post to be entered to win a PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS!  Pearls – a tangible reminder of God’s grace to us all.

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Wrapped in His Loveby Rebecca OndovThe temperature is below zero and dropping quickly—probably to -15 or lower. Old Man Winter gusted in a couple days ago, leaving cold temperatures and a foot of snow behind. Moments ago I bundled up in my long johns and Carhartts to go out and feed. Of course I had a warm horse blanket draped over my arm. When it’s below zero I wrap Czar in two horse blankets. Czar nickered as soon as he saw me coming. When I buckled up the blankets, it was as if I was wrapping him in my love. He buried his head in my chest. I snuggled him and stroked his long red winter hair. I pulled a couple icicles out of his black mane as my mind drifted through memories.  I’d bought Czar when he was a month old; it was love at first sight.  After he was weaned from his mother, I brought him home. Czar leaned into me, almost as if he was hugging me. I patted his neck, “That was thirty years ago, Czar. Can you believe it?”  Czar had been my main saddle horse when I worked in the Bob Marshall Wilderness of Montana. I’d ridden him over 20,000 miles. Together we’d faced grizzly bears, mudslides, forest fires, and even fallen off a cliff. He’d saved my life more than once. With my finger, I traced a couple gray hairs that dotted his forehead. “You’ve earned your blankets, buddy.” The icy breeze nipped at my cheeks and I thought how much his blankets resemble God’s love for us. God was there when we were born—and He loved us at first sight. He’s faithfully been with us through every step of our lives—through every joy and sorrow. He’s cried with us and laughed with us. He cheered when we’ve overcome. Most of all, when I’ve gone through tough times, it’s been God’s love which wrapped itself around me like a shield and pulled me through. The snowflakes glistened in the sun. His love surrounded me: the wind whispering in the pines, the chickadee that serenaded me this morning, the gurgling creek that flowed through the pasture. And His greatest love is manifested in the prize of His creation –you and me, the ones created in His image.
This Christmas season, I’m praying that you feel the God of the universe—the one who hung the stars in place—wrapping His loving arms around you and holding you tight (two horse blankets worth). And I pray that all of us experience the love He’s given us in Jesus.

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About Rebecca: Rebecca Ondov is the author of Horse Tales from Heaven: Reflections along the Trail with God and Horse Tales from Heaven: Gift Edition. She was a contributing author in several books including Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace. She lives in Western Montana with her family, horses, mules, barn cat, and golden retriever. By day she works for Fox Lumber, brokering lumber throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. By night she forges ahead with her mission, writing stories which equip Christians to lead extraordinary lives. Join her on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn by going to her Website: http://rebeccaondov.com/

A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year’s Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is {FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. One entry per person, per day. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com/) on New Years Day!12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit http://www.pearlgirls.info/

Twelve Pearls of Christmas: Guest Series and Giveaway: Home

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Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” Please follow along through Christmas day as each post shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year. AND BEST OF ALL … there’s also a giveaway! Fill out the quick form at the link located at the bottom of this post to be entered to win a PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS.

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There’s No Place Like….by Melody CarlsonI grew up spending Christmases at my grandparents’ quaint Victorian home, surrounded by lots of relatives, laughter and love and really good food. For a little girl growing up in a single parent home, harried working mother, no church family, and TV dinners, these extended family holidays spent at my grandparents were like a real gift from God. But as a young adult, my grandfather passed on, the old house was sold, I grew up and eventually had a small family of my own. Still I longed for those familiar kinds of “big” Christmases—I wanted that house full of relatives and fun times to go home to—I think the “child” in me thought I deserved it somehow. But my grandmother had gotten older and lived in a tiny apartment, and my mother and my husband’s parents were not comfortable hosting Christmas in their homes. For a while we went to my cousin’s, but I soon had to come to grips with reality. The days of going to Grandma’s for the perfect Christmas were a thing of the past. In other words, it was time for me to grow up—time for me to start hosting our own Christmas celebrations. So biting the holiday bullet, I decided to just do it. With two very small children underfoot, I cooked my first turkey, made my first stuffing, invited some family, neighbors, and friends over, and we all crammed ourselves into our little house, balanced our plates on our knees, and had a very good time. Oh, I’m sure the turkey was dry and the gravy lumpy, but what I remember most is that everyone seemed truly happy to be there. And I realized that I wasn’t the only one longing for that sense of warmth and community—that longing to “go home again”—and I finally grasped that I could (with God’s grace) help to provide that for my family and others. So for the next three decades we continued to host Christmas in our home. I got better at decorating, cooking, gifting…the works. Some years the place would be packed and crazy. A few years were thinner and quieter. But family, friends and neighbors could always count on the fact that the Carlson’s would be “doing something for Christmas.” It was a no-brainer. Until this year. This year, for the first time in more than thirty years, my husband and I decided we’re going to take a pass on hosting Christmas—we are going to the beach. At first I felt terribly guilty, and even right now I’m a bit unsure—and wonder if I’ll end up changing my mind at the last minute. And yet, I believe it’s the right thing for us to do—for a lot of reasons. One being that my husband’s birthday is Christmas and he never gets to do what he wants on his birthday—this year will be different. But more than that, I hope that our stepping aside will encourage the younger members of our family to find and embrace some of their own traditions—to grow up and look for opportunities to stretch themselves a bit. Because, similar to how and oyster creates a pearl—or how a young mom learns to be a hostess—with some discomfort and distress a burnt turkeys, the end results are truly valuable.

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About Melody: Melody Carlson lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Labrador Retriever. She’s the author of around 200 books including this year’s Christmas novella, Christmas at Harrington’s.Visit her website for more information, http://www.melodycarlson.com/.

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A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year’s Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is {FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. One entry per person, per day. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com/) on New Years Day!
12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit http://www.pearlgirls.info/

Twelve Pearls of Christmas: Guest Series and Giveaway: The Joy of Unexpected Circumstances

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Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom”! Please follow along through Christmas day as each post shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year. AND BEST OF ALL … there’s also a giveaway! Fill out the quick form at the link located at the bottom of this post to be entered to win a PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS!

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The Joy of Unexpected Circumstances
by Lori Kasbeer
The Christmas season is upon us again. Starbucks is selling their Christmas blend; stores are posting their holiday hours; and moms everywhere are making a list and checking it twice, planning for a special Christmas day. It has been our family’s tradition to spend Christmas with relatives.  Last year money was tight and we were unable to travel, this is not how we had planned to spend Christmas day but circumstances were beyond our control. Realizing my three boys–who are now teenagers–will not be under our roof for much longer, I wanted to have a special Christmas with just the five of us. Leading up to Christmas morning we all made mouth-watering, cinnamon cut-out cookies, spent time together sticking tape everywhere while trying to wrap presents, and enjoyed spending time together.  We did not have much money, but were having fun making memories.  When Christmas morning arrived and we sat around to open gifts my eyes welled up with overwhelming joy.  This mother was trying to absorb all the activity that was going on all around her: the smiles from each of my teenage boys, the sounds of laughter, and the smell of cinnamon rolls cooking in the oven.  If I could freeze a moment in time, this would be it.  I don’t know what the future holds for each of my boys, but that Christmas morning I wanted to soak it all in so I could recall this special day for years to come.  Despite struggling financially, unexpected circumstances turned into immense joy and a lifetime of memories. Mothers treasuring special moments is not something new.  Mary, mother of Jesus Christ, was one who tried to soak in everything that first Christmas morning.  Even after Christ’s birth she was still trying to absorb what the angel had said to her when he delivered the news that she was going to be the mother of the coming Savior.  She reflected on the time she had with her cousin Elizabeth while they were both pregnant.  Along with comprehending the unusual way her son came into this world. While very pregnant with child, Mary and Joseph traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem to register Mary for the census.  Never did she image she would deliver her baby in a barn with a manger being the only thing to lay him down in.  These were not the circumstances she had envisioned.  Before she had time to catch her breath, suddenly all around her there was excitement when shepherds showed up reporting what they had seen and heard.  There were angels—a multitude of angels—who were singing and declaring the Savior was born and a bright star led them to her and Joseph. So much has happened in a short amount of time and Mary did not want to forget any of it.  Instead she stepped back and “treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) Mary did not exactly know what the plans were for her son, but she knew it was going to change the lives of everyone on earth.  She was preparing her heart to obey God concerning her son Jesus, without the full knowledge of what was going to come while at the same time quietly reflecting and capturing this one special moment in time. May this Christmas be filled with joy and a lifetime of memories, even if you find yourself in unexpected circumstances. Merry Christmas!

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About Lori: Lori Kasbeer lives with her husband Tadd and three teenage sons in Florida. She’s a contributor for Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace and a Christian book reviewer. Please visit Lori’s Book Reviews for more info. You can also find Lori on Facebook and Twitter.

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A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year’s Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is {FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. One entry per person, per day. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com/) on New Years Day! 12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info.

Did She Know? 12 Pearls of Christmas Guest Series

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This is a guest post installment of the lovely 12 Pearls of Christmas series.  Please remember to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a set of pearls.

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Did She Know?by Anna Joujan
Mary, did you know . . . that your baby boy is Heaven’s perfect Lamb?  And the sleeping child you’re holding is the great I AM. I am in the middle of a revival of my used-to-be-annual project of a Christmas card sketch.  For several years, with a few years missed, I have done a sketch of some image of Mary the Mother of Jesus, something that came to my mind without complete awareness of why that particular picture was needing to be put to paper.  It was originally a simple pencil sketch that, once completed, I would have printed out into a set of cards that would go out to all my friends and family.  Along with the sketch, however, I have always had a verse that came to mind to signify the meaning of the drawing in my mind.  And so I have had images such as “Be it unto me according to your word,” as well as a more enigmatic one that went with “Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me . . .”  But each one was important for that year of my life.  And so I would spend the necessary costs in order to produce and mail in relatively large scales, for my general penny-pinching tendencies.This year I did not expect to produce a card.  The fact of my life lately as a boarding school librarian/teacher in Zambia, Africa, has made such projects feel rather far-removed from the realm of possibility.And yet, I have had an image in my head for several months now.  I started to put it to paper, and I abandoned it for a bit, figuring it was a bit frivolous with all the practical work I had to do.  But then I picked it up again, and it is now nearing the stage of completion, hopefully to be completed with printing and mailing once I arrive in the U.S. for a holiday visit with family. What I realized is that, frivolous though it may seem, it is actually quite important.  For women [especially Western women of faith], the holidays carry with them great amounts of expectation and stresses.  So much so that we often get swallowed up with the hectic pace and forget to soak in the meaning.  What is important for each of us, I believe, is to “pick and choose.”  We must resist the pressure to do what doesn’t not bring meaning for us.  And we must cling to those traditions and activities that promote an aura of true, Christ-centered celebration for ourselves and for our loved ones. So this year, Lord willing, I will be sending out my cards—and enjoying every bit of it; and in case you wondered, Mary did you know . . .?  will be the theme

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About Anna:  Anna G. Joujan was born in South Dakota, as a Canadian citizen, and was raised in Zambia, the child of missionary teachers. Since her family’s move to the U.S., Anna spent her childhood and early adulthood traveling throughout the world thanks to various educational and work opportunities . . . France, China, Peru, and Jamaica being some of the stops in her journeys. Her undergraduate degree in French Literature led to a Masters in Information Sciences, and to work as a college and high school librarian, and a cross country coach. She has also returned to Zambia multiple times to teach for individual families and for local schools. All the while continuing pursuing her passions of writing, artwork, photography . . . and card-production.  You can find her online at http://annajouj.wordpress.com/


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