Loose Ends * The Final Giveaway * November 2018

Dear Friends ~

I'm up, up, and away in the Adirondack mountains this week.  It's crisp and gray, frigid and snowy.  All is calm, all is bright.  I've come to retreat, yet I'm armed with books to finish, posts to write, a stack of magazines to page through.  My Bible, a journal, a coloring book, a handful of gel pens aren't far from reach.

One thing I've learned over time is that we can make all the plans we want, but the Lord has a way of upending and re-ordering our days so that His purposes can be fulfilled.

My purpose?  To rest and to create and to plan. Yet I'm prepared to toss all my preconceived notions to the wind and pay attention to His whispered sacred agenda.

ADVENT OPEN HOUSE

I'm ready to roll into my 2nd Annual Advent Photo-A-Day here on the blog.  Last year, I found the weeks leading up to Christmas so much more purposeful, peaceful, and profitable than expected as my mind became focused on each day's Advent Whispers post.   And wonder of wonders, my heart filled with anticipation and joy in the process of waiting for Jesus in ways that I hadn't experienced before.

December became an oasis instead of a madhouse.  The daily rhythms turned out to be hope-giving, not a must-do.  When all was said and done, writer and readers blessed each other with our calming dialogue.  It was a spiritually heartening experience for me.

This year, I'm calling the gathering an Advent Open House.  Each day I'll be sharing a simple photo and just a few words, Scripture, a prayer, or a song.  Let's see where the Spirit leads.

I'll be opening the doors this Sunday, the 2nd, and continuing through Christmas Day.  I hope you'll find your visits to be a gently peaceful oasis, a bit of needed white space, and a calming grace in the crazyness of planning, shopping, decorating, wrapping, caroling, baking, cooking, and get-togethers.

Subscribe here so you won't miss a single day.  And if you'd spread the word to your social media friends, I'd be so very grateful.

Want to join me in creating your own Advent Photo-A-Day?  All the info you need is right here at Tim and Olive's .  If you share your photos on social media, please tag them with #adventphoto2018.

HOLIDAY LINKS

55 Best Gifts for Writers

Dr. Michelle Bengtson

Two Timeless Tips for a

Simple, Cozy, Christmasy Home

Myquillyn Smith

Avoid Holiday Overwhelm by Saying No to Almost Everything

Courtney Carver

Is It Time for Us to Rethink How We Give Gifts?

Joshua Becker

The Family Tradition That Changed Christmas Forever

Sharon Darmody

ONE FINAL GIVEAWAY!

It's been too much fun sharing all those pre-Christmas goodies with you all this year!  Congrats again to our winners Jeanne, Betsy, Bill, Lisa, and Michele.

I've saved one final CD for this Loose Ends post ... Chris Tomlin's HOLY ROAR.  Chris is one of the most heralded singer-songwriters in the world, amassing an impressive body of work along the way.  He has sold more than 8 million albums, 11.3 million digital tracks, 16 #1 singles.  The Grammy® winner’s list of music awards include an American Music Award, 3 Billboard Music Awards, and 21 Dove Awards.  His worship songs have found a permanent place in our hearts and in our churches.

Take a listen to the majestic HOLY ROAR

watch the video here

I'm giving away a free copy of the HOLY ROAR CD to one person who leaves a comment on this post by Sunday, December 2nd at 8 am {eastern}.  U.S. only, please.  Please be sure that your contact information is easily available when I click on your name.  

You may enter via email as well.  Send your comment to lindastoll @ juno . com

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SUNDAY UPDATE

Congrats to the winner of the giveaway

Nicki Schroeder

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I'll see you on Sunday for the launch of
An Advent Open House.  
Please bring your social media friends to the party!

<< In Which I Share 3 Gorgeous, Top Notch Journals

Hope * Advent Open House >>

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visiting with

 Emily * Mary * Holley