Sunday, May 6, 2012

In Honor of Mother's Day...A Giveaway of Hearts Communion

In honor of Mother's Day, I'm giving away two autographed, print copies of Hearts Communion - which was recently named Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year in Romance!

This giveaway means a lot to me for two reasons: First and foremost, Hearts Communion is all about celebrating the power of motherhood, and the beauty of family. Wait until you meet Monica and JB--and experience their journey to love! Second, I'm all about sharing the joy I feel that Hearts Communion earned such a wonderful award from CSPA.

So, with out further fanfare, share a memory about your mom, a memory of Mother's Day, or share a tradition. Every comment equals an entry to win, and I'd love to hear from you. Let's celebrate Mom!

I'll announce a winner right here on Mother's Day morning. Be sure to leave your e-mail address so we can connect if you win. 

God bless!

Marianne

23 comments:

  1. We have a "flower" tradition for Mom in my family. She has an expansive deck, and my brothers and I enjoy delivering huge, flowering plants the weekend of Mother's Day, and the sight of those fresh, colorful blooms all around the deck, is beautiful---just like her! Love you, Mom!!!

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  2. One thing about Mum is her house is always so spin and span. No dust, or anything out of place. When she comes here I run around like a mad thing before hand cleaning. Kids reckon I only clean when Grandma's coming over.
    I can remember going there early once and found her hoover in one hand duster in the other. I looked at her and she just grinned and said "Well you were coming so I thought I'd better clean!"

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  3. Clare, I'm laughing, and rejoicing that I'm not the ONLY one who goes into an absolute cleaning frenzy when my mom is scheduled to visit!! I knew we were kindred spirits....LOL!!! My kids would tease me that they wanted to buy me some white gloves so I could go around the house, checking all the ledges for dust bunnies and the like. :-) Thing is, I don't think my mom would really care, but I guess it's my way of showing love and respect...to have her visit a clean, well-tended home, because, like your mom, mine is very organized, and meticulous. :-) Happy Sunday!!!

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  4. So enjoyed reading both yours and Clare's "mother memories," Marianne!

    My mother has been with the Lord for 16 years now, but my memories of her are just as vivid as ever. She stood 4' 11.25" (and we'd be risking a tongue-lashing if we ever DARED forget that 1/4 inch!!!), but she was larger than life and the epitome of dynamite in a small package. I have SO many memories of Mama, it's hard to choose just one. But I'll never forget living in the house behind her and Dad, and having her call me on many, many mornings. "Hi, Deedee," she'd say. "I've got a big pot of stew (or dumplings, or some unbelievably delicious Top Ramen dish...one never knew!), and it's pipin' hot. Why don't you come on over and have some with me?" Oh, how I'd love to go share something with her right now!

    Thanks, Marianne...I'll be a blubbering mess the rest of the day. lol

    Happy Mother's Day to you, sweet lady!

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  5. My mother is 87 and still going strong. But my favorite Mother's Day memory is the birth of my 3rd son, in 1974.

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  6. Delia, your comment turned ME into a blubbering mess! What a beautiful ode to a woman who sounds simply amazing. Doesn't surprise me much, since YOU'RE amazing - :-) - Thanks so much for the visit, and for sharing your heart. (and being vertically challenged myself -- LOL -- I can relate to her not surrendering the 1/4 inch of height!!!!) xo

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  7. Oh, Yellow Rose, I love your comment. The birth of my two babies, who are FAR from being babies any longer - is a highlight of my life. Thanks for your visit, and enjoy your Mom's good health and vitality! That's awesome!!!

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  8. This will be a rough Mother's Day for me. I lost the Mother who raised me when I was 17..that's 48 years ago and I have many fond memories of her. This past week I lost the Mother who gave me birth but was never a part of my life but deep down I can not help but have feelings to know She gave me life and could had gotten an abortion..talk about mixed feelings I have them right now. In any case I will dwell on the positive things and be proud to be a mother of four children all grown now and on their own. Happy Mother's Day every mom here. sue Leech garysue@dejazzd.com

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  9. Susan, your comment today tugged my heart, and reveals the beauty of God's timing. As I type this reply, I'm finishing up book 2 of my Sal's Place series. It's called Beautiful Music, and part of the struggle faced by my heroine centers on the issue of abortion. I trust God to give me the means by which to tell the stories he places on my heart, and I always hope they will find their way into the hearts and lives of those who read them. After reading your post, I find myself amazed yet again by His hand at work. God bless, and may this Mother's Day find you abundantly blessed! :-)

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  10. Hi Delia - I couldn't read your beautiful comment and not think about the 4'11" firecracker in our own family - Granny Maxine. She'll be 83 on New Year's Eve and yes, she is as explosive as ever! I remember a time when she had minor outpatient surgery and after leaving the doctor's office, Granny had a bandage taped around her forehead. The comment was made that she looked like the Karate Kid with that headband and yes... Kung-Fu Granny was born! We've laughed about that for years after - especially when she starts her kicks and karate chopping. (look out!)

    Hi Marianne - Thanks for inviting us over to your blog to share our Mother's Day memories. I *love* the flowering plant idea. That's a gift that will keep coming back and stir happy memoried for years after. I think my favorite Mother's Day memory so far (I have two little boys, 6 and 2-years-old): When my oldest son was a young toddler,we sat at the kitchen table and were chatting about something or another. He sat across from me and looked at me so intently, that I finally asked: "What, Honey?" I wasn't sure he'd even know the words to say to express his thoughts. But he stared back and me and then said a single word back to me: "Pretty." My heart melted! What a percious memory I will always cherish.

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  11. Kristy, what a tremendous gift your son gave you!! Straight from the heart and full of love. Awwwww!!!! I'm delighted you stopped by and shared such a wonderful pair of Mother's Day moments. Your Kung-Fu Granny sounds entirely awesome!!! xo God Bless!!

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  12. My best memory of Mother's Day was my very first one after the birth of our daughter.

    I had a hard time getting pregnant and then had a miscarriage. After trying for a couple of years, we saw many doctors who concluded that children may not be in our future. Their advice to us was to sell our house, buy a town home, and travel and have a great life with each other.

    So,we put our house up for sale, and promptly got pregnant. I tip toed during the whole nine months and finally we were able to meet our sweet daughter. The following Mother's Day was so special for both my husband and me.

    Later, we had no trouble conceiving our two sons who are blessings to us too!

    Blessings,
    Denise

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  13. Denise, thank you so much for stopping by today! Your post brought tears to my eyes, and really touched my heart. God is SO good!!!!! Blessings to you, and I'm so glad you shared your story! Happy Mother's Day!!

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  14. have grown to love my mom more thru the alzheimer journey we're on.. dearly loved and deeply appreciating who she is even now !
    God Bless you, MoM !
    faithhopecherrytea at *gmail.* com
    TY for this wonderful offer Marianne !

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  15. My favorite Mother's day was the year I had my first child. She was five weeks early, so by Mother's Day, she was 4wks old. I went to church with my mom and my Nanny (grandmother), so there were 4 generations that day. If my baby girl had waited until her due date, I would have had to wait a year to celebrate that way with my family, but she came and it was a beautiful day!!

    ladettek[at]gmail[dot]com

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  16. Faith, I'm the one who thanks YOU - for your visit and for sharing such a beautiful post. God bless you, and your mom. Have a wonderful mother's day!!

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  17. pwnmom, I loved your post! Thank you for sharing that beautiful memory. There's something so precious about gathering the generations, especially on a holiday as special as mother's day. What a blessing!!! Thanks for your visit!

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  18. My favorite mother's day was last year, when I got to celebrate Mother's day for the first time. I hd just adopted two of the sweetest 6 year old twin boys, and was so happy to be able to rise in Church when they called all the mothers to stand. The previous year, I thought I was adopting my cousin's bsby, but then she changed her mind, and decided to keep the baby. I was heartbroken, but saw the grace of God when the baby died 3 months later. In the state I was in, I truly would not have been able to handle that.

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  19. It wasn't Mothers' Day. It wasn't my day either. A new mother, visiting my Mum with small child, struggling to cope and be mother and daughter both, I dropped a beloved dish that used to be my Gran's and it broke. Mum saw me crying and took me aside. She knew it wasn't just the dish. "You don't have to be perfect," she said. "Just be good enough." Whenever things get on top of me I remind myself of that piece of advice from my wonderfully imperfect and deeply loved Mum.

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  20. Oh, Lessie - a glimmer of hope in the storm, realizing God was at work for your very best, despite outward appearances. WOW! Thanks so much for sharing your story!!! God bless, and happy Mother's Day!!

    "Just be good enough." Lisa, those words are so powerful, and so packed with wisdom. GREAT advice!!! God bless, and thanks for your touching visit!

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  21. And so, on this wonderful Mother's Day morning, I'm thrilled to announce the two winners of autographed print copies of Hearts Communion!

    SUSAN & FAITH HOPE CHERRYTEA!!

    Please e-mail me privately at marmo212 (at) yahoo (dot) com so I can get your snail-mail addy and pop the book in the mail to you!! Hope you enjoy, may God bless you all, and HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

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  22. absolutely delited to win this work of your heart! TY !

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  23. Congrats and Blessings to you too, Susan!
    God is with you - your Ever Present Helper ...
    You are dearly loved !

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