Re:write Conference Pass Giveaway! (Plus a publishing deal and $15,000 advance from Tyndale!)
November 22nd, 2011
*This giveaway is now closed*
Winner announced at end of post
I have a ticket to the Re:Write conference with one of your names on it.
Re:Write is a conference for writers who are looking for ways to expand their platform and earn money from their writing.
Oh, and when I say “writer” I mean you. Yes you, the one who doesn’t think you are “writer enough” for that title. If you write, whether a blog, in a journal, on keys, you are a writer. But re:write isn’t your typical writing conference; it isn’t about just honing your craft, it’s about learning and growing and stretching and earning an income with your writing.
It’s about getting insights from “been there, done that” speakers who want to help you with blogging, social media, self-publishing, self-marketing and more.
And I have the privilege of being one of those speakers.
I love love love helping people get their message to a larger audience, and I would love to personally help you. But first things first, we’ve got to get you to the conference!
If you are available March 2-4, 2012, and can get to San Diego, CA, then you can enter for a chance to win a full conference pass to Re:Write (access to all keynotes and sessions, meal package, and a gift bag) PLUS a one hour coffee-date with me where I can help you develop your plan for growing your reach, putting out an eBook, and/or marketing your message.
TO ENTER:
- Peruse the Re:Write conference website and then come back and leave a comment letting me know why you want to attend Re:Write. That’s it. Tell me your why.
This contest ends Monday, November 28th at 9pm EST.
Oh, and I forgot to mention one more thing; Re:Write has teamed up with Tyndale to offer one aspiring author a book with a $15,000 advance! WOOT! All the information for that is here.
Follow Re:Write on Twitter here.
“Like” Re:Write on Facebook here.
If you use Google Chrome and can’t access the re:write website,do this – it’s an EASY fix, I promise!
Good “luck”!
Pssst…take 10% off your registration with code: SarahMae (good through December 31st).
…
There is NO way I could choose the winner myself-you all are passionate and beautiful and dreamers…you all should be there! So, Random.org had to choose (um, that’s really kind of like God choosing, right?) and Random.org chose…
(please email me!)
WOOT!
Hope to see many of you there-remember to use code: SarahMae for 10% off!
I Get It
November 20th, 2011
I completely understand how one becomes addicted to a substance.
For me, if I were to indulge myself, that would probably be alcohol. I assume this because my mother is an alcoholic. I vowed never to be like her.
But I am.
I am like her. I’m like the her before she took the drink. I’m tired. I don’t know how to live my life. I’m overwhelmed. I love my children intensely. I have no idea, some days, how on earth I am going to parent them.
It would be easy to start with a glass of wine. A little something to numb the mundane of life.
Because I’m just so tired.
My spirit is that of a ragamuffin. I will never have it “together”…and I’ll never pretend to. In the words of Moses, I’m not eloquent of speech. I wonder why God is using me for His glory when there are so many better than I to use. But that is not really here nor there. The point is,
I’m not going to drink.
Or numb out with whatever.
I’m just going to be tired. I’m going to just walk, slowly, one day at a time as the Spirit makes me holy.
My hands are up.
All is grace.
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification…” 1 Thessalonians 4:3
…
Photo: My mom and me
Adorn Those Lobes! #frumpstopumps Finale and Vintage Pearl Giveaway!
November 16th, 2011
*This giveaway is now closed*
Good times my friends, good times have been had with the Get Dressed! challenge. Thank you all for joining with me and getting a glimpse into what’s to come…a full month of motivotionals brought to you in a new eBook that will release in early December. It will be free as a PDF to email subscribers and RSS subscribers.
In conclusion of the fun, and in honor of what I’ve learned gets me dressed (cute earrings, who knew?!), the Vintage Pearl is giving away a set of antique teardrop earrings to TWO “lucky” readers.
Can I get a WOOT!
Okay, okay, let’s get down to business…
To Enter:
- Leave a comment (easy!)
- Blog this giveaway
- Tweet this giveaway
- FB this giveaway
- Email two friends this giveaway
- Subscribe to Like a Warm Cup of Coffee via RSS or email
Good “luck”!
Books, books, books
November 16th, 2011
I am VERY excited for my friend Crystalwho just happens to have written a book for EVERY MAMA who wants to be a smart home economist (The Money Saving Mom’s Budget-Slash Your Spending, Pay Down Your Debt, Streamline Your Life, and Save Thousands a Year). I love love love Crystal and her book, which is available for pre-order right now. BUT that’s not the exciting news. If you pre-order the book or just spread the word about her new book, you can get a copy of this for FREE:
Click here to read all about it and how you can get your free copy. SCORE!
And then there is this, perfect for Thanksgiving (if you’re anything like me, a scatter brain with planning but you love to be hospitable):
My friend Mary from Giving Up on Perfect (don’t you just love that?!) wrote it, and I can’t wait to dive in! Psst…it’s also available on Kindle.
And last but not least, my friend June (who I did an interview with here) wrote and released an eBook a while ago that I have been meaning to share with you all!
June is sweet and strong and wise and gentle. I know her. She has a heart to encourage mamas in the good things, and I’m thankful for her. You can find her book, True Christian Motherhood, as a PDF here or on Kindle here.
I’ve Finally Figured it Out! | Day 15 #frumpstopumps
November 16th, 2011
I figured out the key to my success in getting dressed!
Well, there are actually three keys:
Cute earrings, a time limit, and instagram.
Yep, that’s it. I have found that when I commit to being ready by a set time, I choose to wear some cute earrings, and I’m held accountable by letting the world know through instagram that I’m ready, I’m motivated enough to get dressed. Is my hair always down and flowing lovely? No, but if I put it up and have some dangly earrings in, you hardly notice the hair!
It’s amazing that it took me this long to figure out my keys to success.
Have you had any breakthroughs this month on what helps you to get ready?
If not, here’s your challenge…the last challenge:
- Find what works for you. Experiment.
- Get some cute dangly earrings…or whatever earrings you like. Can’t get them now? Come back tomorrow for a sweet giveaway! ;)
Thanks for joining me! Happy dressing!
Want the “Get Dressed!” Challenge One-month Motivotional Guide? Become a subscriber and you’ll get it for FREE when it releases! You can subscribe via RSS or email.
Make Everyday a Sunday! | Day 14 #frumpstopumps
November 14th, 2011
“The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, But the soul of the diligent is made fat.” Proverbs 13:4
(Email readers, click here to see the video!)
Today’s Challenge:
- Get dressed!
- Commit to getting dressed between a certain time each day this week. Give yourself whatever time you need (for me that’s about 15 minutes if I shower the night before. I’m committing to getting ready every morning this week between 8 and 8:20am).
Motivotionals in this series:
Day 1 – Dressing in Freedom
Day 2 – Prophesying Hope
Day 3 – What Are Your Eyes Focused On?
Day 4 – Can We All Just Take a Moment of Silence for Showers?
Day 5 – An Eager Mindset
Day 6 – When Body is Weary
Day 7 – Is Being Cute “Biblical”?
Day 8 – Remember the Sparkle
Day 9 – Baby it’s cold outside
Day 10 – A “Quiet” Spirit
Day 11 – Beautiful in Wisdom
Day 12 – “I have no time to get ready in the morning”
Day 13 – Getting Practical Without a Formula
Would you like to get the motivotionals sent directly to your email? Click here.
Getting Practical…Without a Formula | Day 13 #frumpstopumps
November 9th, 2011
“So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus.” 1 Peter 5-8
How are you doing with this challenge? Are you getting dressed everyday?
I haven’t.
I have been much more intentional, and getting dressed much more than I used to…really trying to look nice. I feel better that way, and like I’ve stated many times before, I’m much more productive. But I haven’t been perfectly consistent. I’m also not giving up.
“It’s not so important who starts the game but who finishes it.” -John Wooden
You see this challenge isn’t about getting it all right. It isn’t about not failing. It’s about encouraging one another to press on for our “why”.
Are you going to press on with me?
I’m asking because I, just like you, am a woman on a journey. I don’t have a formula for you on how to make you start getting dressed everyday (man, wouldn’t that be awesome though!). I have me, a normal gal, just trying to improve bits and pieces of this life, all so that I can leave a beautiful legacy for my family and be glorifying to God. And I believe that we, even across invisible wires, are in this together.
So no failure. No perfectionism. No masking. No formulas.
Just encouragement.
I do believe however that we can encourage each other in the practical things without turning to formulas. One size fits all doesn’t work, but a “here are some ideas that have worked for me” can be super helpful.
And here’s where I want to hear from YOU. What have you found helpful to persevere in getting dressed? Where do you specifically need encouragement from other sojourners? Let’s encourage each other today. Let’s be honest without excusing ourselves (does that makes sense? Sometimes when we feel like we can’t do something, it’s easier to cover up with “oh well” type platitudes instead of rolling up our sleeves and staying in the mud). Let’s finish the game.
Today’s Challenge:
- Get dressed!
- Rent Chariots of Fire (I’m serious!) so you can be inspired in not just the race (the game), but also that when you are ready for the day you can be free to be in your element and feel the pleasure of God.
Your Child and Sexual Abuse
November 8th, 2011
Sexual abuse happens all the time, to girls and boys.
In light of the recent, horrific scandal at Penn State (my Alma mater), I want to ask that you take very seriously how prevalent sexual abuse is.
It happens in church Sunday schools, Awanas, and vacation bible schools.
It happens at summer camps.
It happens with friends.
It happens with uncles and aunts.
It happens with family friends.
It happens with those you trust.
It happens at the Day care.
It happens at the babysitters.
It happens even when you’re around.
Adults abuse children. Children who were abused abuse other children (often times).
It is a cycle that has crept into the childhood landscape bringing shame and trauma. And listen friends, your children aren’t just going to tell you about it.
You must ask them. You must ask specific questions. You must take the time to gently, lovingly, talk with them. Even as young as two years old (very gently and wisely).
Ways to talk to your little ones about abuse:
“God made our bodies, and no one is ever supposed to touch your private parts {be specific in naming the parts and pointing them out}.”
“Has anyone ever touched your bum (or whatever word you use)?” Ask if anyone has ever touched any of their private parts – go through each part specifically. Ask if anyone has showed them their private parts.
Do all of this gently and without a trace of shaming in your voice. Let it be natural and smile. Keep it light.
Sometimes it’s helpful to talk to the child’s stuffed animal, asking them questions about your child (so that your child can have the stuffed animal respond).
If you notice your child acting strangely, or getting grumpy or difficult before you go to a certain place, take note-ask questions-be alert! Take note about how they act differently than other children in otherwise normal situations.
Listen! Always listen to your children. They can’t always communicate clearly. If they say they don’t like someone or don’t want to be around them, or they say, “bad person” or anything like that, listen! It may be their way of alerting you.
There is so much shame in sexual abuse that children rarely say anything.
Above all else, pray. Pray for their protection, pray that they would be hidden from the enemy. Pray that nothing would happen to them that hasn’t first gone through their heavenly Father’s loving hands. Pray against lies.
Also, remember that children are just that, children. They can’t be expected to protect themselves. You may tell your child that if anyone touches them they can scream or slap them…and I say, yes, tell them that. But remember that if someone does abuse them and they don’t scream or slap them, they may feel shame that they didn’t do that. So make sure that you tell them that it’s okay if they don’t, and just to always tell mommy and daddy.
Be trustworthy. Talk with gentleness. Pay attention to your gut.
Don’t leave your children alone with anyone that you do not absolutely trust. Don’t take a chance.
You may not always be able to protect your child from abuse, but you can pray.
Never stop praying for your children.
Recommended reading:
7 Steps to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse
Warning signs of possible abuse
Child Sexual Abuse (National Center for Victims of Crime)
P.S. Get pornography out of your house. Period.
“I have no time to get ready in the morning” | Day 12 #frumpstopumps
November 8th, 2011
Psst…the winner of the darling vintage ring of choice is Chelsey Hall! WOOT!
For those who didn’t win, go ahead and take 25% off your order with code: sarahmae2011 (here)
“Dressing nicely requires me to act differently.” -Angie
I get it.
Really, really, I do. Have three little kiddos who need me/want something from me the moment I’m up. It is very hard to get ready for the day when you have little ones.
I know.
I also know that many people would say to just get up earlier in the morning, and that is a very viable idea…if you’re a morning person. Heh. I used to get up early before I had all three kiddos. Coffee worked great then. But now I have a two year old who gets up at least once in the middle of the night and it totally messes with my sleep. So, getting up early consistently is not a spectacular option for me right now (I know many of you can relate).
The thing is, if I don’t choose to “find the time” to get dressed and ready for the day, I waste so much of the opportunities that the day would offer.
“Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-17, Amplified
How can I be ready at a moments notice for an unexpected God appointment if I’m not ready? How can I be hospitable if I’m in a frump slump (where you feel frumpy because you look frumpy)? How can I teach my children the discipline of getting dressed for the day if I don’t do it myself on a regular basis? What am I teaching my daughters about the importance of looking nice for their daddy, my husband, if I don’t take the time to do it? My life is an on-going story that my children are reading every day. What kind of a story am I?
Getting dressed everyday, being ready for the life before me, is not something that should be an issue of bondage or legalism. Rather, choosing to make the time to get dressed is something that can free so that we are free to give life to the rest of the day, unencumbered by the “frump slump”.
So, how do you make time in the morning with all the pressing needs that little ones have? Here is what I’ve started doing:
- I give the older ones (4 and 6) a task to do, either a job (make your beds, empty the dishwasher, etc.) or set them up at the table to color and listen to a book on tape. I take the two year old into the bathroom with me (she follows me everywhere anyway) and give her a makeup brush and empty powder container and she gets ready with me. She loves putting her makeup on. ;)
- If I do get up early, sometimes I will just force myself to brush my teeth, wash my face, and put some makeup on before I have time to think about it. I go all robotic with myself and just do it.
- Wait until after breakfast and put a DVD on for the babes.
- Choose to get dressed. This is really the biggest thing. When I don’t intentionally choose to do it, I won’t do it. And seriously, it only takes 10-15 minutes, so what is all the fuss about? I think it’s more psychological.
Now I want to hear from you. What is the biggest reason you don’t get dressed in the morning? What stops you?
Today’s Challenge:
- Get dressed.
- Nail down your biggest “get dressed” hurdle and then come up with some ways to leap over that hurdle. How about a motivational scripture on your bathroom mirror? How about partnering up with your kiddos and doing this challenge with them (hey, even the babes are great accountability partners!)? How about going back and remembering why it is that you want to be ready for your day in the first place?
…
Photo Credit: Rising to the Sun
Core Lies is now available on Amazon
November 7th, 2011
Core Lies is now available on Amazon for Kindle. It is only $2.99 and all of the profits will go to Navigator staff, Dave and Cathy Bowman, who graciously allowed me to publish the information they taught me.
Core Lies will always be available for free as a PDF.
Click Here to Buy Core Lies on Amazon
(If you’ve read Core Lies, would you consider taking two minutes and leaving a review here? Thank you!)
