Welcome to my journal!I can still see myself: four-years-old, standing at the door of the kindergarten classroom, my little stomach churning with first-day-of-school jitters. Unfortunately, this dread of “firsts” has dogged me into my adult life. From my first day of school as a rookie teacher to my first appointment with an editor at a writers’ conference, beginnings terrify me.
Yet without a beginning we’d never know the joy of new experiences. So, although excitement battles trepidation, today I’m embarking on another new beginning: blogging.
Within the pages of this journal/blog I’ll share musings about life as a writer and librarian, as well as words of encouragement for your walk with the Lord. Other times I’ll don my children’s librarian’s hat and declare “Library Day”— a blog post filled with reviews of children’s books or tips for sharing books with children. Speaking of beginnings, what firsts do you dread? Or, if you are the adventurous sort who loves beginnings, what advice do you have for the more timid of us?
To celebrate the debut of my new Web site and blog, I’m holding a drawing for a free comfort mug, filled with comfort items along with a copy of The God of All Comfort: Devotions of Hope for Those Who Chronically Suffer. To enter the drawing, all you need to do is leave a comment. You can share a comforting thought, quote, or favorite Bible verse, or a note about why you could use a comfort mug right now!
The deadline the giveaway is Friday, January 9, 2009, so please be sure to add your comment before then.
One random winner will be chosen, and I'll announce your name here on the blog. The winner will need to send me a snail mail address via my Contact form.
Thanks for stopping by! I'll look forward to reading your comments.
26 comments:
Hi Judy, I love your site! My very favorite words of encouragement are John 3:16. Please enter me in your giveaway contest--so many people are hurting right now and I'd love to be able to give this to one of them. Thanks!
I agree, Marilyn. John 3:16 says it all.
You're in the drawing for the Comfort Mug & book.
Blessings,
Judy
What a beautiful site! I don't need entered because I already have your wonderful book, but I wish you the very best on this blogging adventure.
I've found that if half the blogs I write in my head when I'm away from the computer actually made it to the screen, I'd be prolific!
I like your new site. It's very welcoming.
Oh, this is SO cool, Judy. The blog incorporated right into your website. How very convenient. I see you are on Twitter. For the life of me, I can't figure out what it's good for. Are you on Facebook? That's a bit more fun. :-)
I bet you are SO excited with your new "Home, Home on the Web."
And I got a Christmas "present" last week. Kregel wants to do book 5. What a pleasant surprise in these trying times!
You can visit me at my blogger account (which I use to do what I'm doing now . . . commenting on blogger friends) or at any of my other blogs.
Oh, I just figured it out. Your VERY clever web master used your web site template as your blogspot template. Very, very clever. I'm totally impressed!
Hi Judy.
Congratulations on your new site. It's wonderful and you and Kelli did such a great job of sharing your sweet spirit. It's almost as good as sitting down with you in person. :-)
I'd love to have a copy of your book. I already have one, but I'm always giving books to my church library.
Blessings to you,
Bonnie
www.bonnieleon.com
Hi Judy,
My husband suffered from an excruciatingly painful condition for three years, and could not work during that time. It was tough. Your book sounds wonderful.
And your site is lovely. Very easy on the eyes.
The Lord brought us through that difficult time, and had nuggets of blessings along the way. Many blessings to you and your continued success.
Judy, I have several friends who would love your book. They have chronic pain.
This is a beautiful site.
Margaret
Judy,
Your website is wonderful - one of my favorites of those I've seen. I'm getting ready to redo mine, so will forward your link to my web designer as a great example.
Please put me in for the drawing. I have a writer friend with chronic pain and the giveaway would be perfect for her.
Blessings on your writing in the new year.
Hello, dear friend! What a pleasure to visit during your "open house." I'm having a VERY slow computer day today so unfortunately I can't spend the time I'd like looking all around your site, but from what I've seen, it's great! Congrats on joining the blogging world. It's a hard thing for me to be consistent with, but changing that is one of my goals for next year.
Please enter me in your drawing. Like Christina, I already have a copy of your book, but it's inscribed to us so I don't want to give it away. But I have a friend I met at OCW this past summer who struggles with a rare chronic disease, and your book would be perfect for her!
Love,
Sherrie
Judy,
Your new home delights: visually clean and engaging. Easy to read. Great content!
I'm sending your link to some of my peeps. Okay, my sisters. I don't think I have peeps. I don't like marshmallow peeps. Wait...focus, Carrie.
Anyway, your new home is totally awesome! Yes, I'd like to be entered in your give-away, too!
Thank you for all the wonderful comments about my new "home" on the web! PulsePoint is an amazing design team.
All of you who indicated you'd like to be in the drawing, your names are in the hat.
SuzyScribbles--congrats on your new contract!
Carrie--I don't like marshmallow peeps either! :-)
Judy
Hi, Judy! Your site is so clam and comforting! Your spirit shines through. My favorite Bible verse is 2 Samuel 23:4:
'And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises,A morning without clouds, Like the tender grass springing out of the earth, By clear shining after rain.’
I'd love to be entered in your contest. Thanks for the opportunity.
Stephanie Reed
Oh, brother. Your site is not 'clam', Judy, but it is 'calm'. :-)
Hi, Judy! I love your website & look forward to reading your book. I suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis & receive HopeNotes from Lisa Copen. Rest Ministries is a very uplifting organization.
Your friend "SuzyScribbles" recommended your site to me as inspiration for my current writing project. Thank you for the work you're doing!
Sincerely,
Jodi Whisenhunt
www.aimforperfectionediting.com
Oh! Please do enter me in the drawing. Thanks!
Jodi
Hi Judy and Happy New Year!
I am entering the draw ( I hope I am doing this right? ) but not for myself. I have a dear dear friend who struggles with constant pain who I think would be blessed by this give away!
1 Cor 10:13 has always been one verse I had clung to for encouragement!
Cheers,
Tracey
Judy, I love your new site...warm and welcoming! Blessings to you on your blogging journey (love the mug and book idea!). I'm brewing a cup of coffee in my mind. :)
HUGS TO YOU!
Dear Judy,
Welcome to the world of blogging. I love that you're doing a give-away. I look forward to getting to know your site.
As you know there are too many reasons to name them all as to why I could use a cup of comfort. But, I'm sure there are many others who could use it just as well. We all suffer and suffering is fun for no one.
Eccl 3:1,11a are some of my favorites. It promises that all we go through in life is just a part of living, but that God makes all things beautiful in its time.
Big hugs and Happy New Year!
PS - Even though I already have your book, I have a friend who has suffered for most of her life with doctors telling her that her pain is caused from her mental condition. I'd love to share your words of comfort with her! She's getting ready to see my Lyme doctor, but she's at the end of her rope. She was through with doctors, but when I told her about my doc, she decided to give him a try. Please pray for her as God brings her to mind. Thanks!
Hi Judy! I'm so glad you've joined the blogging community! You have so much to give, it's a wonderful way for you to share more of your wisdom. :) I can't tell you how many people I have recommended your book to who are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis like I am. Thank you!
What a lovely website!
Hi Judy,
What a beautiful site. PulsePoint Design is a dream to work with. My favorite comfort Scripture is Isaiah 41:13. Many's the time I've closed my eyes and held out my right hand to the Lord. "Firsts" terrify me, too!
Please enter me in your contest.
Thank you, dear friend.
Blessings,
Ann
Great site, Judy! Congratulations.
LeAnne
Thank you for your encouraging comments about my new "home" on the web!
I'll draw the name of the winner of the "Comfort Mug" on Saturday morning, and post the winner's name on the blog.
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