December 2013 Book Giveaway Winners
Hi, friends!
What 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
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.
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 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
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.
Book Review: “Women of the Secret Place” by Lisa Wulf
Earlier this year, I posted that I published my first book, Women of the Secret Place (Ambassador International).
I also had a contest in which several readers each won a copy of Women of the Secret Place. One of my readers and contest winners, Lisa Wulf, had this to say about the book:
Within the ordinary minutes of a woman’s life are found extraordinary examples of courage, faith, love and strength. The authors of Women of the Secret Place poignantly depict stories of family heartache, life transitions, illness and pain. Yet God’s love is reflected in new beginnings, joyous memories and the celebration of life itself. Each devotional in this captivating collection truly does remind us that His mercy endures forever.
I am so excited to hear how this book is blessing others. Thank you, Lisa, for your wonderful feedback.
Visit my book page for more information on Women of the Secret Place and to purchase your own copy.
Blessings!
Daphne
January 2012 Book Giveaway Winners
I’ve enjoyed reading your comments this month, and I want to thank each of you who participated in the contest.
We had quite a few entries into the January 2012 book giveaway. I was so excited to go back through all of the comments. I assigned each comment a number and entered the numbers into a random number generator. Four readers were selected–each to win a signed copy of Women of the Secret Place, a collection of inspirational stories and personal moments with God.
And the winners are…
April W.
Kellie R.
Lisa W.
Kathy D.
“HE THAT DWELLETH IN THESECRET PLACEOF THE MOST HIGH
SHALL ABIDE UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY.” – Psalm 91:1
There is a place, a secret place where women find refuge from the daily stresses of life, those besetting troubles that often leave us perplexed and wondering, “Why, Lord?” Women who resort to the quiet sanctuary of the “secret place” find the strength to move forward, to meet the challenges of the day with courage and confidence. We understand that this place belongs to God alone. He beckons us to come closer to Him, to find all that we need, all that is truly important, all that is meaningful to our happiness in life.
In this private and secluded place, we discover the value in our experiences—good and bad. We see things as they really are; not disguised, neither distorted by our human reasoning. When the veil is lifted during our visits to this solitary place, we see Him more clearly—a God of love and compassion who shows us ourselves. It is in those moments alone with God that we see Him as He is; merciful, ready to forgive, an amazing Deliverer sharing our daily life.
The stories, devotional excerpts, and personal experiences on the following pages are the reflections of my own experiences and those of other women who abide under the shadow of the Almighty, who wish to share what they have learned in the beautiful sanctuary of the Most High. Some stories will make you laugh, some may touch a cord of sadness and compassion, and still others will spark a searching; a desire to discover your own secret place with God. This is our prayer.
Ruth Carmichael Ellinger
Once again, thank you so much for your support of this ministry. God is already opening so many doors for me this year, and I can’t wait to see what He has in store.
Blessings and big hugs,
Daphne
The Story of My Life
Last week, my husband and I took a day trip over to Sarasota for the Ringling Museum. If you haven’t been, I highly recommend it. Mr. and Mrs. Ringling–yes, I’m talking about the circus folks–purchased 20 acres of waterfront property in the early 1900s and built a home there. Well, it’s really a mansion, and oh what a mansion!
The Ringlings loved art, and they built an impressive art collection over the years.
As my husband and I walked the 21-gallery art museum, we saw scenes of people’s lives.
- Biblical.
- Historical.
- Fictional.
- Everyday people.
Each painting or tapestry was distinct. But all told a story.
- A snapshot in time.
- A turning point in someone’s life.
- A story of the person’s life.
I got to wondering–as I often do… What’s the story of my life? If an artist wanted to tell others about me, what would he paint, draw, sculpt, or weave? I just couldn’t shake that thought as I took in each of the paintings throughout the day.
What is the story of your life? Think about it. What would you want an artist to portray about you?
My husband and I talked about this on our way home. I’ll share my story, and he’ll share his in the comments. But I wanted to start us off with my painting, my tapestry, my story.
I see a house–my house. The scene outside is rather dark, and as you approach the house, it is warmly lit. People–adults and kids alike–are walking up to the house worn and weary. Some are looking behind them as they run to my home. Others are leaving the house. They’re smiling, standing tall, healthy.
You can look inside the house through the front windows and see people–lots of them– sitting all around the front room. On the sofa, on the floor, on chairs. They’re huddled together, blankets over each person’s shoulders. There is some activity in and out of the other rooms, but the central focus is on the front room. All face in one direction–toward a cozy plantation chair in the corner. I am sitting on that chair reading to them from the Bible. Other books are on my lap. My eyebrows are raised, and I have smile on my face, as I lean in to tell them what appears to be good news.
The title of the painting is, “The Comfort Station.” (I actually have a sign in my house today.) The subtitle is, “Comforting others with the comfort she received from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).”
That’s how I would like to be remembered. That is the story of my life.
Come alongside… What is the story of your life? Share it with us. Invite your friends to share their stories.
(Remember… January is book giveaway month. The more you comment below, the more chances you have to win a copy of my new book, Women of the Secret Place.)
Resources for Leaving a Legacy
