Car Window Decals/Stickers

As you know, the contest for the free book in June is for the best idea for me to use in marketing "Nan's Journey". When I first got the marketing package from my publisher they recommended that I read a book by Leon Mentzer called "Amen". One of the many ideas within the pages of the book was to put a sign on your car. I was timid about doing that so I didn't know what to do.

One day I was driving down Main Street and noticed a neat looking decal on the back window of a minivan. It was a logo of a college sports team. I decided to contact a friend of mine who owns a sign company in Liberal, KS and ask her to design a bumper sticker-sized decal with a clear background and white script letters. After some thought we decided it should read:
Read Nan's Journey
Get it at
nansjourney.blogspot.com

That is all it says! It looks great and she did a wonderful job. When Aimee saw it she wanted one to put on her car in Denver. I sent a quick email to Jammie, my sign maker, that I needed ten more stickers. Terry heard that I ordered ten and told me to scale back because we didn't need ten. I began to wonder how I would "get rid" of nine window stickers. I put out a plea on myspace saying that I had free window stickers for anyone who would really put it on their car to help me advertise "Nan's Journey". In two hours I had 14 takers!!! Now I had to order more!

I ordered 20 so now I have 6 left!!! I am overwhelmed with the support that has been given to me and this book. It is more than I can say in gratitude when readers take on the promotion. Their kindness is...humbling.

Do you have an idea or two or a hundred? Come on...you just might win the June contest!

If you want information on Jammie and her sign business, sign my guest book and I will let her know.

Body Image- Joyce Meyer puts it into the right perspective

Isn't it strange how something like body image can hold us back. I know people who would write a book, but they don't want anyone to single them out in public. People who have known me for years, know that even though I talk a lot, I am basically very shy. I tend to talk when I am nervous or unsure ... that breaks down to a lot of talking!

Last year when the picture for the "back matter" of "Nan's Journey" was taken, I wished with all my heart that I was fifty pounds lighter. I had to realize that the photo was a true depiction of my looks at the time. (I have lost about fifteen pounds since, but I'm not changing the photo!) Standing or sitting behind the book signing tables I realize that I might not be the image of what readers have in mind of an author. I'm not slick. I am more like corn bread and that is o.k. Authors are just people.

Joyce Meyer was remarking about people who now have implants put into their behind. She had the same thought I did. I always thought my behind was way too big. I cannot imagine adding to it. Don't lose the point she was making in her broadcast. It was that if we get obsessed with body image, it is harmful to us. If we fixate on the flaws it can cripple us. Nobody is perfect even if we think they look perfect.

I AM all for being as healthy as I possible can be at this age. Walking and other exercises call my name...I don't always answer, but they call to me. Eating a balanced diet is important to me although I fail at that many times. The point is, I am improving the way I think, move, and eat. I think that is progress! Don't get discouraged. Keep on keeping on.

Teen Challenge Radio.com

Teen Challenge Radio.com
Joey and the guys at Teen Challenge Radio.com are some of the sweetest, most professional people I have ever dealt with. In the ministry of Christian radio they have gone beyond the call of duty in their kindness. In the future they will be interviewing me on their online radio. I will be sure to let you know when to tune in.Their site includes a format that allows you to include your prayer request or even call in 24/7. They are part of the ministry David Wilkerson founded years ago. This tells me that they really care about their listeners. I urge you to log in or call and ask for prayer when you need it. 508-941-5673The format is especially for the young crowd, but oldies like me enjoy it too. They have been very patient with me and I really appreciate them. Hopefully, I will be able to download the spot they are playing two times per hour on their station. (That is a miracle!)Pray for their ministry and be sure to tune in. 100.3 WTCRteenchallengeradio.comWTCR@TCBrockton.org

Dottie Rambo - Her Influence on My Life

On Mother's Day this year a great woman of God died. She was known and loved by millions. I loved her. The songs she wrote helped me articulate the thoughts and heartbreaks I experienced throughout my life. I looked at the titles of the songs she wrote and realized that those were most of the songs I played on the piano with tears streaming down my face and sang with brokenness. I prayed those songs from the deepest part of my spirit.

When my heart was broken as a teenager by friends and loved ones I sang: "Its Me Again Lord". "I Will Glory in the Cross, We Shall Behold Him, Too Much to Gain to Lose, What Earthly Reason, and many others" were the songs I sang as solos in my small church. The words and melody were a conduit sending my deepest needs before the Lord.

Her songs were comfort at the funerals of my mother, dad, sisters, and numerous loved ones. At every funeral "Sheltered in the Arms of God" being sung was healing oil to my soul.

My family loves to sing and laugh...and remember the good times. At one time we wanted to be "The Singing Reeves Family" or something on that order. We were blessed with musicians and singers and worshipers. Somehow, life rolled on and things happened and the dream never materialized... but THOSE SONGS still minister to us and bring happy memories of those gone before.

Reading Dottie's biography from the Internet I am inspired to attempt to look at life like she did. She went through many heart breaks, pain, and barriers and managed to stay focused on the Savior. She never knew my name, but I knew hers and her love for Jesus still shines. Thank God for people like her.

Amy from San Angelo Won "Nan's Journey"

Terry picked the names that Amy from San Angelo sent in. I had him choose because I knew the people who submitted.

You have another chance to win a copy of "Nan's Journey" on June 20, 2008. This time the contest is about marketing ideas to promote the book. Try to think of original things that don't cost a bag full of money...even some that do is fine. Submit as many ideas as you think of. Multiple submissions are encouraged. (They also will be sooooo helpful!) One to one hundred per day is fine. I need all the help I can get.

I would love for you to post on this site or on amazon.com or both... your comments on "Nan's Journey". The overall feeling you got from the book thoughts it provoked in you. (No spoilers please.)

Thank you!
Elaine

Contest for Horse, Cow, Dog & Cat

May 20 is the day Terry and I are choosing the person who submitted the best names for horses, cows, dogs, & cats for future books. They need to be names that would have been used in the 1800s. So far, only one person has submitted suggestions and that was posted on myspace. If you want to have a chance to win a copy of "Nan's Journey" you have just a few more days to get your names in!!!!
Post your stuff today!

Story Behind the Story

Gloria Gaither's book, "Something Beautiful", is a wonderful book that tells the story behind some of the 700+ songs she and her husband have written. Tears flow freely down my face at almost every chapter. Isn't it amazing that when we see these"perfect" people singing the beautiful songs that they have written, somehow we don't realize that they have lived out the message in the words in one way or another? Some of the back stories were of friends and family experiences and some their own personal experiences. All of them resonate in my heart.

I have been asked if "Nan's Journey" is the story of me. No, but I have felt some of the things that each character has felt. I was never beaten like Nan was but I felt the pain of verbal abuse. The unseen scars run deep and take as much forgiveness as getting over physical scars. I have to concentrate on the fact that I am a very blessed woman. I will not...I will try not to get back to the pit of self-pity and self loathing.

Hopefully, the story of Nan, Elmer, and Fred will strike a chord in your heart. A lot of contemporary issues are addressed in "Nan's Journey" even though the setting isColorado in the 1800s. People are the same now as they were then. Maybe our knowledge is more widespread about these issues, but everyone's pain is so very personal. Am I right?

Personal pain has as many faces as the people who carry it. Loneliness, abuse in all forms, feelings of insecurity and inferiority...fill in the blank. Even Christians carry the burden of these things. We don't have to, but it is familiar to us and it is sometimes hard for us to hand over to God. We are afraid that if we let God take it away from us that there won't be anything left of us. Our identity is tightly wound into it.

I know about this. I was afraid to see what was left when I finally gave it all to Jesus. I now have freedom in my spirit that I never have had before. I can love freely and not hold back because of distrust and self-preservation. God has poured into me healing oil and the memories of the past don't cripple me as they did in the past. It is truly a miracle. It doesn't make scientific sense, but it happened to me. My wish for you is that if you have experienced pain in your life, you will also find peace and joy in the healing touch of Jesus Christ.

Headed for Denver!

This week Terry and I are headed for Denver. Our dear daughter-in-law set up 3 book signings for us! The first will be Saturday, May 10 from 10a.m. - noon at Barnes and Noble Booksellers in Westminster, CO. The second will be also on May 10 from 1-3 p.m. at Littleton, Colorado at Mardel's Bookstore. The third will be in the Club house at their Apartment complex in Englewood, CO. If you have a chance to come by, I would love to see you!

We are really excited to see our kids and grandkids. They are so dear to us. It is always fun to spend time with them. I have to say that I am really ready to get out of town for a few days. A change of routine is welcome.

Terry has been fighting truck breakdowns and long hours. It is time for him to get a break from driving. He has been putting in long hours hauling oil. He loves his job, but sometimes a change of scenery is welcome. (He drives in 150 mile radius and puts in hundreds of miles per day over the same old roads...ugh)

We are ready to see everyone we can in Colorado and we are grateful for the stores that are allowing us to sign books and see how far we can take "Nan's Journey". They have been very receptive because the setting for "Nan's Journey" is Colorado in the 1800s!

Hope to see you there!