Thursday, September 2, 2010

All Together Now!



by Jen AlLee

When we started talking about having a blog-o-versary party, I couldn't believe it. Have we really been doing this for a year? It feels like we just started talking about coming together on this blogging adventure.

At the same time, it's hard to remember a time when I wasn't a part of this group of amazing women. Over this past year, we've become sisters of the heart. Like true sisters, we don't always agree on everything. (How boring would that be?) But we know that we all have the same goal... to support each other and our readers.

It's been quite a year. Every one of us has faced challenges. Some were personal, some professional. We've had lots of opportunities to pray for each other. Sometimes the answers to our prayers came quickly. For other things, we're still waiting on answers. But God has been so good to give us each other, to lean on, to confide in.

I hope all of you, our fabulous readers, feel that you've joined a community, too. So on this auspicious occasion, I'd like to invite you to share your heart with us. Are you facing a challenge? Can we pray for you? Has God done something amazing in your life? Then let's give Him some praise!

We're all in this together. Pretty awesome, isn't it?


WIN A BOOK!
As part of our blog-o-versary celebration, I'm giving away two copies of my novel, The Pastor's Wife. To be eligible, just leave a comment on this blog. I’ll pick a winner at random on September 3rd. Please leave an email address so I can contact you if you're one of the winners. (To prevent spammers from trolling for your email, please use this format with the brackets--you [at] yourmail [dot] com--or something similar.) Good luck!





Photo credit
Hands - morguefile.com

23 comments:

  1. Thanks Jen.
    Your words are so true! I feel like there'd be a big hole in my world if I didn't have my Inkwell sisters.

    I hope we hear from some of our friends, followers, commenters, lurkers today. We truly do love to get your thoughts!

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  2. I'll play. I've written two new books this year, both of which are finished now. That's pretty exciting for me since in my first three years of writing I completed one book, then in my fourth year completed two. I also really enjoyed teaching my adult writing course this summer.

    As for prayers, you can all feel free to pray for my challenging cross-cultural marriage. The Inky's already know, but we've been in counseling all summer. This is our fifth round of counseling.

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  3. God's doing amazing things for sure. I know for myself I just received a promotion which will start as soon as I hire and train my replacement, but the longer the day the more Satan has me second-guessing my capabilities and wondering if I'll be able to do this job.

    I know I can, but goodness I'm starting to get intimidated!

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  4. Well,
    I must say that this blog over the summer has meant a lot to me.It has given me a chance to meet so many wonderful ladies that have a real passion for God and writing.I pray that all of you are blessed with your endeavors.
    llizsemail(at)gmail(dot)(com)

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  5. And I think Louise may have been our first ever "Inkette" poster. That's a change I look forward to seeing more of in the future.

    I especially enjoyed working with Liz (Louise) in my class because we got to do what I call "writing therapy" and undo some of the harm a nasty English teacher did to her writing dreams in high school.

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  6. Love to keep in touch with your blog. Keeps me updated with new books and learn from your interviews and reviews.
    Would love a copy of your book. Please enter me.
    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  7. I have followed your blog almost from the beginning and I've enjoyed it thoroughly. Even though I've never met any of you, I feel like I have some new friends! Guess that has been rather one-sided! Won't heaven be cool when we can actually meet face to face?!!

    I would love a copy of the novel. Please enter me!

    As for a prayer request, my husband and I need to make a decision very soon about a short-term missions trip to India. We have some of the financial resources in place but one of our concerns is my husband's health. Will the air conditions there adversely affect the breathing issues he has? We would both love to go on this trip but don't want to jeopardize his health either. Thanks for your prayers!!
    Elaine King
    elaineking1 (@) hotmail (dot) com

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  8. So good to see all you ladies here! Now that my son is back to school, I'm running around like a crazy person (he's in a college/high school program, so every day his schedule is different). But I'll try to get back later and write something more coherent!

    Elaine, we'll definitely keep you and your family in our prayers!

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  9. It's so great to feel accepted and welcomed here! I feel like I get a booster shot of encouragement and community every time I visit. It's becoming a habit!!

    Dina, my prayers are with you.

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  10. Thanks for your comments Louise!

    Linda and Elaine- you've made my day!
    Cheryl came back too, despite our teasing her. Phew, we didn't scare her off!

    I slacked off last night and WROTE. Slacked off my promise to pick a name from monday's post. As I honestly write names on a piece of paper and put them in a hat (yes even if there are only two) I will do that tonight.

    Meanwhile--

    The East Coast is in my thoughts. Prayers for homeowners and travelers alike for SAFETY through Earl. Earl is getting bigger and badder. Two of my family members are on their way to MD for a soccer tourney and supposedly, a weekend at the beach. Can you say ADVENTURE!

    Dina and Gina, need some rain?

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  11. Louise, Cheryl, Elaine and Linda... You ladies have melted my heart! I'm so glad you're part of the Inky family!

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  12. This is funny... even though I read Lisa's post yesterday, I didn't pay much attention to the pictures (sorry!). I only now realized that I used a hand picture almost identical to the one she used. I shake my head thinking of how long it took me to find that thing... I could have just stolen the one Lisa used ;+}

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  13. As you all learned from our weather posts, neither Gina nor I fret about storms. But my family is praying this one will head back out to sea because my son is supposed to have a military camp out with challenge courses and water guns this weekend. Would not be nearly as fun indoors.

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  14. the hands... I thought they were the same ones at first.

    If you keep thinking alike so much, you won't be any good as crit partners!

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  15. Hey everybody! It's great to see you all here.

    What a year it's been. Looking back gives me hope for the future too...you just never know what God will accomplish through each of us us in the twelve months to come.

    One thing He's taught me is that every good thing that's happened has been a gift from His hand. Inkwell, too. You guys are the best!

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  16. I am wanting all of you to pray for me.I have a brother Travis in prison and I was looking at some stuff today to try and find out what exactly happened and was shocked at the comments that people left about him being scum of the earth.It breaks my heart that people could be so cruel as to say very nasty things about someone that they have never met.

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  17. That's okay, Jen. I've heard that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!

    Louise, Elaine, Dina, and all-I'm writing these down so I don't frget any of them. And if you didn't mention something, God still knows and can use people who've never 'met' you to intercede for your situation. So even if you don't mention a specific. I'm praying for all our readers.

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  18. Louise, I would be honored to pray for Travis!
    Blessings.

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  19. Thank you ladies all very much and I appreciate the prayers for him.I know that God is going to do something very great with him and who knows how many men might be saved through his being there.

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  20. Life just seems to be so busy with everything. . . it is hard to find time for all that needs to be done. I truly enjoy the time I get to spend reading Christian fiction. I have also enjoyed finding blogs about the latest in Christian fiction which has lead me to new authors and books to try.

    Thanks!
    Sheri

    hspruitt {at} juno {dot} com

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  21. Happy Blog-0-versary Ladies...
    I always enjoy visiting :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I have worked closely with our pastor for many years and know that the family often struggles. Thank you for the chance to win your book, Jennifer.

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thanks to everyone who stopped by and left comments. The book winners are...

    Carole and Linda!

    I'll be emailing both of you ladies :+}

    ReplyDelete

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How Our Giveaways Work: The Official Rules

We, the ladies of Inkwell Inspirations, would love to give free stuff to everybody. Since we can't, we will often have a giveaway in conjunction with a specific post. Unless otherwise stated, one winner will be drawn from comments left on that post between the date it was published and the end of the giveaway as determined in the post. Entries must be accompanied by a valid email address. This address is used only to contact the commenter in the event that he/she is the winner, and will not be sold, distributed, or used in any other fashion. The odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. NO PURCHASE, PLEDGE, OR DONATION NECESSARY TO ENTER OR TO WIN. ALL FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND MUNICIPAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

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