What do broken spades, big rocks and lots of dirt have common? They are all supply motivation and inspiration for my life. Living in a rock garden, I was determined to make some improvements in my life so I started digging. The more I jammed my spade into the ground, the more I hit rock bottom. So being the stubborn person that I am I took that battle against the boulders personally. Bound and determined to win, I wedged my spade underneath the rock pulled with all my might. The spade broke. So I got another...and that broke too. I found a third and put forth all of my effort and pulled out rock after rock, with a slightly bend spade to show as my trophy.

The moral behind this story? That's easy. I have learned that when I hit rock bottom, there is no place to go but up. As long as I put all of my heart and soul into it, I will overcome any obstacle although I may be broken along the way. It takes will and belief to make it to where you want to go.

So by the end of the day I stood back and looked at what I had created. Where misery and challenges once stood is now replaced by beauty and peace. A reminder of what I have overcome and what I am capable of doing. Yes, I can create my own destiny.

It never crossed my mind years ago that my life would take me in the direction of becoming a writer. Sure when I was young I would often find myself with a paper and pen, but typically I was working on poems or creating lyrics for songs. (I gave up writing in a diary after my mom got a hold of it and wrote comments on all the pages...lesson learned!)

In high school I did enjoy being editor of the yearbook but soon after graduation my life went on a roller coaster ride and the creative side of me fell into deep hibernation. It wasn't until just a few years ago that I secretly started to journal, which opened a door into the literary world. 

In the past year I have written a full length manuscript, published an anthology, started working on its sequel, created a website, joined a writers critique group , began public speaking and accepted second place in a county wide writing contest. Tonight I accepted my second award...this year I placed third in the Oswego Reading Councils annual writing contest. 

Life often works in mysterious ways. Right now I am planning my presentation for this summers Delta Lake Writers Gathering and I'm still trying to wrap my head around how I got here. Each time I venture down a path I find a new opportunity has arose, and I am very grateful for that. Where will my writing take me next? That's between the universe and me!

On behalf of Elaine W. Miller, I would like to thank you for all of those who partcipated in the review of her latest book, We All Married Idiots. I am proud to announce that the winner of the book give away is..  {drum roll please...}
Kim Grindle !!!

If you would like to meet Elaine W. Miller  in person she will be attending the Delta Lake Writer's Gathering this July, along with several other amazing authors. Stop by for a day of writing, learning

Have you purchased a copy of this book already? Feel free to come back and comment on your thoughts as well as visiting Elaine's website at http://www.splashesofserenity.com.

Author and speaker, Elaine W. Miller is proud to announce the birth of her latest book, We All Married Idiots: Three Things You Will Never Change About Your Marriage and Ten Things You Can . Now you may be thinking "Why is a preacher's wife calling her husband an idiot?" Here's her explaination:

I married an idiot–and so did my spouse. The word, “idiot” is derived from the Greek word meaning “common man.” Aren’t we all common man? In fact, there is only One who was uncommon man–Jesus Christ.  Elaine W. Miller encourages couples  to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus and run a marriage marathon like an idiot, but  not like a fool. An idiot may stumble or fall, but a fool runs the wrong  way.


We All Married Idiots teaches husbands and wives to stop concentrating on the three things you will never change in your marriage and begin focusing on the ten things you can. Then, you will esteem your mate as a gift to treasure,  not as an idiot to tolerate.  You can purchase the book here.

About the Book

What do drive-by diaper stores and God have in common? When is blabbing an  acceptable habit? Why should you beware of moths and sligs? In her entertaining, uplifting style,
award-winning author and humorist Jeanette Levellie weaves 72  amusing stories with affirming Biblical truths. These soul-nourishing examples  of God’s favor and grace will help you:

Laugh when you find cow patties in your field instead of daisies
Discover the bottomless heart of God
Grow in your acceptance of yourself and others



Welcome a vacation from stress as you discover the sweetness of TwoScoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top.  You can buy  the book here.

About the Author

A spunky pastor’s wife of thirty-plus years, Jeanette Levellie
authors a  bi-weekly humor/inspirational column, God is Bigger, a popular feature in the  Paris Beacon News since 2001. She has published stories in Guideposts  anthologies, stories in Love is a Verb Devotional with Gary Chapman,  articles in Christian and secular magazines, greeting card verses, and
poems for  calendars.  She is also a prolific  speaker for both Christian and secular  groups, and loves to make people laugh while sharing her love for God and  life.

Jeanette is the mother of two grown children, three grandchildren, and  servant to four cats. She lives in Paris (not the French one), IL. with her  husband, Kevin. Her hobbies include dining out, talking baby talk to her cats,  avoiding housework, reading, and watching old classic movies.

Visit Jeanette on her blog, On Wings of Mirth and Worth, at  www.jeanettelevellie.com.

My Review

Do you like to laugh? Enjoy finding the silver lining behind a setback in life? Jeanette Levellie delivers all this and more in her latest book,Two Scoops of Grace with  Chuckles on Top. Sharing stories from her own personal life, Jeanette uses humor to offer insights on how to deal with tough situations, and challenges us all to inspire to become a better person.

This was a can't put down title. I nearly died laughing at the story of a grieving widow (pun intended!). There was a part of me that felt horribly guilty for having a big belly roll at such a sad circumstance, but this is exactly why Jeanette put it in the book. She wants us to know that even in the darkest of times, having a little humor can help us during a time of mourning.

And the story about her raging hormones that nearly kept her off an airplane...yes there was even a moral behind that one! Is your wallet running on empty or have you ever found yourself looking foolish? Here is a woman who can take any situation and turn it into a learning moment. This book is a gift that is meant to be shared. Here's how you can get a FREE copy for yourself!

Jeanette’s Giveaways

You can win one of ten free downloads of my debut humor devotional, Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top for your eReader. Here are the very simple rules: For each share of this post link on Facebook, Twitter, or your blog, you will receive one entry.

For each like on Jeanette’s Author Page or my Two Scoops Book Page on Facebook, or follow on my Twitter page or this blog, you will receive one entry. If you already like and/or follow me, mention that and I will count it.

Please send me ONE comment at the end of this post to tell me how many times you shared, liked, or followed, so I can give you the correct amount of entries. I reserve the right to verify all information given me, and disqualify anyone from the drawing who falsifies information. (Do not leave comments here to be entered, you MUST go to Jeanette’s blog post for the giveaway.)

Contest starts today and ends midnight, May 10, 2012. Jeanette will announce the winners in a blog post Sunday, May 13, 2012.

….and a $100 Gift Card Drawing~~~WOWZA!!!

After you have read/reviewed Two Scoops, check out my blog at www.jeanettelevellie.com for a contest to win a $100 gift card by answering ten easy questions about the book! After I receive your entry, your name will go into the hat for a $100 gift card to one of the following places (your choice): Amazon, Barnes and Noble, CBD, Hobby Lobby, Chick-fil-A, Wal-Mart, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, or Ruby Tuesday. This giveaway will run until August 10, 2012 so there is PLENTY of time for you to enter!

The author sent me the above book for review purposes. She will allow me to keep the book. I have no other connection to and have received no other compensation from Jeanette Levellie. The entire blog tour can be found here.

Wow,  for two days in a row I have received some wonderful news in my inbox. If good things happen in three's, I can't wait to see what tomorrow may bring.

Yesterday I got an invitation to speak at the Delta Lake Christian's Writer's Gathering.
On July 5th from 3:30-4:30 I will be taking the podium and talking to the audience about the art of self publishing. I plan on sharing my experiences with the formatting process, promotional aspects, and all of the tiny details that go into actually publishing the book.

Today I was notified that I placed 3rd in the Oswego Reading's Council annual writing contest! This year's writing prompt was: Reach For The Stars. Here's a sneak preview of my entry:

Under the Blankets of Heaven

　
It was hot that summer night when I placed my blanket on the plush green grass and laid upon it. The air, calm and crisp, smelled of budding flowers and fresh lake water. Crickets chirping in the background provided the only noise within miles. It was the kind of night that made one feel as if anything were possible.

Setting my gaze up towards the pale blue moon, I noticed one particular star shining brighter than the others. It’s magnificent glow drew me in like a painter placing marks upon a fresh canvas. Mesmerized by its beauty, I found myself softly uttering a little tune that I had learned as a kid.

“Star light, star bright, the first start I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight.” As a young child, that had always seemed to be nothing more than just a silly nursery rhyme. But tonight, with that one golden star shining bright enough to light up the vastly dark sky, it seemed as if the impossible could happen. So closing my eyes, I placed a wish under that beautiful star beam, before slowly reopened my lids in order to savor every last moment. Then I reached out towards the light and tried touch those stars, in hopes of keeping one for myself.

I wasn’t at all surprised when my arms could not reach the sky. As much as my fingers longed to caress those diamonds dancing in the night, I knew those gems were far too special to be had by just one person. They were a gift from heaven that was meant to be shared by all. Every wish from around the world was centered on the faith that these tiny stars held the power to make everyone’s dreams come true. They provide a small glimmer of hope to those who are desperate to fill a void in their lives. This hope was not mine to take. Content with my revelation, I knew it was time to go home.

Rolling up my blanket, I neatly tucked it under my arm and proceeded down the path of which I had come just one hour earlier. The walk home was different than the one I had taken previously. Instead of looking for a place to escape, I had found a path that was full of pure contentment and peace. I saw life differently now. Because I reached for the stars, I had touched upon an epiphany. Millions of miles away there was a speck of light that guides us along our lives. If we follow it’s glow, we will find what our heart truly yearns for, and become the person that we were meant to be. I found my path that night under the blankets of heaven. And I will follow the light ‘til it guides me to my next destination.

~Amy Quonce