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2013

Daphne’s Top Inspirational Posts of 2013

 
Hi, friends!
 
 
Thank you for making this another wonderful year! God has been so good.
 
topinspirational2013rev
 
Similar to last year and 2011, I want to look back to all my posts from 2013 and get a glimpse of what topics resonated with you most.
 
 
Based on your comments, likes, tweets, stumbles, pins, and other sharing, I have created a list of top inspirational posts for 2013. I hope you will keep this list as a handy reference whenever you need a little comfort. And I hope you will pass it on to others who might be struggling as well. And… if as you reread the posts and comments, you want to continue the conversation, feel free to do so.
 
 
So… here they are. Drumroll, please!
 
 

Number 9:

Oh, God! Quick: Fight, Flight, or Freeze?!?!

 

Number 8:

My Declaration of (In)Dependence

 

Number 7:

Close the Door and Open your Heart

 

Number 6:

I Just Want to Hear Your Voice

 

Number 5:

Do you know someone with a mental illness? Yes, you do.

 

Number 4:

You Don’t Have to Handle Everything All by Yourself

 

Number 3:

Encouragement RoundUp

 

Number 2:

Miley, the Morning After

 

And Number 1 of Daphne’s Posts of 2013… Drumroll, please!

10 Benefits of Friends

 
 
Once again, I want to thank you for your comments, likes, tweets, stumbles, pins, and sharing. Every time you respond to a post, you affirm this ministry, and I am greatly appreciative.
 
 
 
Please keep me in your prayers as I begin 2014. This past year was another fruitful year:

  • My first book, Dragonflies, Ketchup, and Late-Night Phone Calls
  • The Polk Authors and Illustrators Festival
  • 3rd Annual Spring Market and Craft Fair
  • Sharing my testimony at local Celebrate Recovery meetings
  • Presenting my work at Truth Factory’s Christian Community Theatre production, “Bet on Job”
  • Affiliate relationships
  • 15 Articles published in various magazines
  • Readers from 6 of 7 continents
  • 67% returning visitors to the site

 
 
I give all glory to God for these and other blessings.
 
 
Please enjoy the posts–again. Share them with others.
 
 

Bring on 2014!

 
Big hugs,
Daphne
 
 
 
Come alongside… Which was your favorite post and why?
 
 

December 2013 Book Giveaway Winners

 
Hi, friends!
 
Cover3What a great response to the book giveaway. It’s neat to hear the different things people thank God for; it encourages me to look at things differently. Isn’t God good?
 
So this is how the winners were chosen: First, I assigned each comment a number and entered the numbers into a random number generator. Five numbers were generated. Then, I cross-referenced the numbers to their names. Each name won a signed copy of Dragonflies, Ketchup, and Late-Night Phone Calls, my 31-day thankfulness journal.
 

And the winners are…

Lori R.
Latasha D.
Larry and Sara G.
Denise M.
Kathy P.

 
 
Congratulations to each of you! I will send you a direct message with additional information. I hope you will each benefit from the words written in this book and that you will encourage others to purchase it as well. I would love to hear the unique things you are thankful for, so send me a note every once in a while.
 
Also, it would be great if you could write a review on Amazon, GoodReads, and other online book retailers once the book is out officially. 🙂
 
Here is a description of the book, from the back cover–in case you missed it in an earlier post:

It’s no secret: Insects can be annoying. They zip around and get in your face, usually while you’re trying to do something productive or have a conversation. Ketchup? Some people take it; others leave it. Sure, it makes burgers and hot dogs taste better, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s just a condiment. Late-night phone calls? Chances are you’re not going to like what you hear on the other end of the line.
 
These three things probably wouldn’t make it on your list of God’s blessings. But they’re on Daphne’s!
 
In Dragonflies, Ketchup, and Late-Night Phone Calls, Daphne Tarango reveals why she now sees these minor, insignificant, and annoying things as God’s blessings. Daphne will help you keep a quick journal of how God smiled on you throughout the day—your very own dragonfly, ketchup, and late-night phone-call moments.
 
Dragonflies, Ketchup, and Late-Night Phone Calls goes beyond general thank-yous to God. Each day begins with a prayer of thanksgiving. You fill in the rest with your specific blessings for that day: Morning, mid-day, evening, and bedtime. There’s even room for jotting down more thank-yous to God on extra pages. (Believe me, you’ll need them.)
 
Journaling God’s blessings using this 31-day journal can make your good days even brighter. “Hey, God is thinking about me!”
 
On bad days—maybe even difficult seasons, journaling using Dragonflies, Ketchup, and Late-Night Phone Calls can make your heart lighter and your mind clearer. Your situation might not have changed when you lie down at night, but your lips just might curl up on one end as you think, “That wasn’t such a bad day after all.”
 

 

To Pre-order the Book

If you would like to pre-order a copy of Dragonflies, Ketchup, and Late-Night Phone Calls, you can do so via PayPal. December is a great opportunity to purchase several copies–-one for yourself and others for a mother, wife, sister, daughter, or friend. This is a great resource for children. Men can order too! 😉 It makes a great stocking-stuffer. 🙂
 


 
Once the book is out officially, you will be able to purchase via Amazon and other retailers.
 
Once again, thank you so much for your support of this ministry. God has opened so many doors for me this year, and I can’t wait to see what He has in store in 2014.
 
 
Blessings and big hugs,
Daphne
 

8 Ways to Deal With the Blues at Christmas

 
Hi, friends!
 
I tend to get depressed during the holidays. I wrote about that last year. So as the holidays approached this year, I was pleased to hear my pastor, Dr. Jay Dennis of First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland, Florida, preach about depression during the holidays.
 

Image from First Baptist Church at the Mall, Lakeland, Florida, USA

Image from First Baptist Church at the Mall, Lakeland, Florida


 
Today, I am sharing his sermon and his notes with you in various formats. You’ll want to watch, listen, or read the information below. It really encouraged me this past Sunday, and I’m sure to refer to it again and again during the holidays.
 
 
 

Watch

 
[vimeo 80830395]
 
 
 

Listen

 

[powerpress url=”http://fbcm.bc.cdn.bitgravity.com/2013/20131201.mp3″]

 
 
 

Read

(click on the image of the study notes)

 
BlueChristmas-spread
 
 
I know you will find these eight steps helpful as you navigate the holiday season.
 
 
Come alongside… Have you struggled with depression during the holidays? How did you handle it? What steps did you take? Which of the eight steps in Pastor Jay’s sermon resonated with you most? What steps can you take this year to help you through the holidays? Please share with us in the comments below. Remember, you can share anonymously.
 
 
Note: All information in the video, audio, and study guide is copyrighted by Jay Dennis, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland, Florida. Used with permission.
 
 

News: Lots going on at DaphneWrites

 
Hi, friends!
 
The Lord has blessed this ministry a lot in the past couple months. Here’s what’s been going on:
 
 

Events

I had some opportunities to display and sell my books at the 4th Annual Polk Writers and Illustrators Festival here in Lakeland, Florida. I met a lot of great people and was able to share my story with them.
 
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I was so proud to be one of six writers from our very own Lakeland Christian Writers, a chapter of American Christian Writers (ACW). Here are some of them.
 

With April Whitt, author of the Romeo Riley Series, and member of LCW

With April Whitt, author of the Romeo Riley Series, and member of LCW


 
Chris Pylant, co-author of A Touch of Heaven, and member of LCW

With Chris Pylant, co-author of A Touch of Heaven, and member of LCW


 
Beth Miller, co-author of Under His Wings, and member of LCW

Beth Miller, co-author of Under His Wings, and member of LCW


 
I was also invited to display and sell my book at Truth Factory’s artistic production, “Bet on Job.” (That’s Job like Job in the Bible.) 🙂 Here is some information from Truth Factory’s Facebook page:
 

Truth Factory is “a platform for local Christian artists to share their unique and inspirational gifts with the greater Lakeland community. We strive to encourage creativity which portrays the principles of Christianity in the tangible form of artistic expression. Artists are invited to showcase their talents and demonstrate the breath of creation reflected in their body of work. We promote artistic freedom for artists to express their love of God, to share His message of hope and to communicate their personal experience of Him with others.
 

I look forward to participating in other Truth Factory productions, along with other local artists.
 
 

Books

I’ve been working on two books. One I’ve already written you about in an earlier post. That one is still a little ways off. Be in prayer for that. The other book is further along and will be published in the next few weeks–just in time for the holidays, although it can be used year-round. Be on the lookout for it. I’ll write more about it as we get closer to publication date. And I’ll be holding some giveaways, so watch for those too. 🙂
 
 

Affiliate Merchants

I’ve been trying to work on my writing full-time and treating it as the career I want it to be. I’ve also been in prayer about the best ways to supplement my family’s income with the talent God has given me. After much research, I’ve decided to become an affiliate publisher of several big-name and respected merchants: DaySpring, Family Christian Stores, and Amazon. Please know I am in no way employed by these companies. What it does mean is that you might see links and images throughout my web site that advertise products from these merchants. When you click on a link and make a purchase, I might receive a small commission in return. You can read more about my role as an affiliate publisher on my disclosure page.
 
If you look on the new Resources tab on my web site, you will see several drop-down menus:

  • Disclosure
  • Printables
  • Books, Movies, and More
  • Sales and Specials

I hope you will browse around those pages and see what interests you. Share the resources with your friends and family. I will update the products periodically, so check back often.
 
 
Phew! That was a lot.
 
Please keep me in prayer as I continue doing what God has laid on my heart. I want to encourage others with the comfort He has given me. I want everything I do to point to Him.
 
I love you all.
 
Big hugs,
Daphne
 
 
By the way, what’s going on with you? Share in the comments. I want to join with you in prayer.

You Don’t Have to Handle Everything All by Yourself

 
Hi, friends!
 
Today, I want to introduce you to my dear friend Terry. I’ve known Terry since 2006, and we’ve become very close friends since that time. Terry has an amazing story of recovery from trying to do all things by herself. I wanted her to share it with you, so I now introduce Terry.
 
 


 
 
I grew up in Longwood and Winter Springs Florida. I was one of five children with two older brothers and two younger sisters. Our home had an atmosphere of fear and anger. My parents divorced before I was five and my Mom remarried when I was eight. Both my Father and Stepfather were abusive. In addition, my Mother was working so much and dealing with her own life that she had nothing left for us children. I found out early how to take care of my siblings and myself. By the time I was 11, I was cooking meals, doing laundry, cleaning house, and babysitting to earn some money.
 
TerrySelf
At 14, the abuse worsened so, my sister and I went to live in Utah with my Dad for a year. That turned out to be a nightmare. He was even more abusive than our Stepfather was. We went back to Florida at the end of the school year but things there had only gotten worse. I imagine that the years of abuse had finally rubbed off on my Mom and she had become abusive herself. I started making plans and moved out 5 days after high school graduation.
 

When we were young, my Mom sent us to church on the bus. There I learned all about God and Jesus but never learned anything about knowing them or following God’s word. By the time I was a teenager, I felt like I had gone to Church as much as I needed to and left. I had been baptized when I was eight and had considered myself a Christian ever since. Only, you couldn’t tell that by looking at my lifestyle. I continued to search as an adult and tried several other religions along the way. None of them seemed to make any sense so I filled my life with work. I went to college off and on some but didn’t get to finish my AA degree until 2012.
 
I kept on with using my coping skills of staying busy with work and taking care of not just myself but everyone around me. I was very confident in my ability to take care of any situation that came along. I got married in 1986 and we seemed to have the perfect marriage. We never argued, not once in 10 years. It turns out that we were both experts at avoiding conflict, until he was no longer able to and suggested we divorce. So we did… in 1996.
 
After the divorce, I spent the next 3 years trying to fill the hole with everything the world had to offer but that just made the hole bigger. By the end of that time, I had sunk into a deep depression. I would go home from work on Friday and stay in bed until Monday. Going to work was the only reason I had to get out of bed. I’m so thankful I had a job I loved during that time. The depression continued for 3 months. I was finally up against something I couldn’t handle all by myself.
 
One day, a friend and I were talking about how bad the language had gotten on the radio. She said, “I know a station you would like where they don’t do that and they play the kind of music you would like.” So I thought I’d give it a try and she was right, they didn’t do that and I did like the music. That station was The Joy FM, and I’ve been listening to it ever since. One day, while driving to work, a song came on called I Am Not Alone by Natalie Grant. That song made me realize that even though I had been trying to handle everything all by myself, I didn’t have to. There was help available. In that moment, I was finally able to tell Jesus that I needed His help. After all the years of searching for love and approval, I had finally found it and it was unconditional. It didn’t rely on my performance at all.
 
I visited several churches and finally landed at my home church. In the early days of my salvation, I leaned heavily on the verse in Romans 8:28: “All things work together for good to those that are called according to His purpose.” I immediately started getting involved. I joined the choir and planned activities for my class. I took any extra classes available and within a few years, I was leading a Connect Group and a Ladies Bible Study. In 2004, I had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Moldova and then got to go again in 2006. I also led several sessions of Divorce Care and in 2008, I got involved in Celebrate Recovery at my church. After completing a step study, I volunteered and led small groups and eventually became a member of leadership.
 
After being single for 15 years, I married Jim in 2011 and now we both help lead a Celebrate Recovery at another church and I lead support groups at my church on Wednesday evenings. Oh, and Jim and I are involved in an adult class on Sunday mornings to plan and coordinate ministry activities.
 
One of the most amazing changes in my life is that before salvation, it seemed as if I was walking around with a giant mirror in front of me. I could never see a clear path to the future, only the distant painful past behind me. Now, it’s like that giant mirror is gone and I can clearly see the future that is in front of me. Like Natalie Grant says, “I am not alone.” With Christ, I can live in freedom from my past and even be used by God to help others find that same freedom. Now I lean on the verse in Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans for good and not for harm, to give you a hope and a future.”
 
Thank you for letting me share.

 
 

 
 
What a great story of moving from self-sufficiency to God-sufficiency! Thank you, Terry, for your courage and transparency. May God continue to bless you and use your story to help others struggling with giving control of their lives to God.
 
 
Friends, I hope you will comment and encourage Terry for sharing her story with us. Tell us what part or parts of her story you related with and why. If you have any questions for Terry, feel free to ask her in the comments section below. If you need prayer, please share that with us as well.
 


 

Terry’s picks

 

 

Affiliate Disclosure

Daphne Tarango is a participant in affiliate programs with Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, DaySpring, Church Source, Hazelden, Christian Strong (via Conversant and ShareASale). These advertising services are designed to provide a means for sites like DaphneWrites.com to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to said merchants. Some images and articles may contain links to products on merchant sites. Should you choose to make purchases through those links, please understand that I will receive a small commission. Please do not feel like you need to use these links to make any purchases. The links are only for your convenience. Thank you.

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