Happy Holidays, Everyone! I met a new friend recently. Her name is Gayle Boss. Gayle loves to go on nature walks and especially loves observing critters in the woods. I thought she would make a fantastic guest on Cindy Rollins' Mason Jar podcast, and Cindy agreed! We will let you know when it drops, but meanwhile Gayle, Cindy, and I are teaming up for a special giveaway. My picture book, Hildegard's Gift, always makes a great Christmas present for little ones, so I have decided to give away three autographed copies over the course of Advent. I'll share how you can enter to win one in a moment, but there's even more good news. Gayle Boss has written a lovely Advent book filled with lush descriptions of nature and animals and musings about the deep, difficult work that takes place in the dark shadows of winter, both in nature and in our own lives. It's a gorgeous book called All Creation Waits, and Gayle has offered to give away three copies of her book, too! Here's a sample: "Her gaze was fixed ahead, her every move food-purposed, her intention fierce and singular. Until the voice prompted an utter turnaround. Let go, it said. Go limp. The nut trees and berry bushes are skeletons now. Crouched in the snow-muffled quiet, I imagine hearing her slow breathing. I imagine smelling slow-burning bear—the fat she made from all those nuts, berries, bugs, and plants melting and fueling her sleep ... " And now, even more great news -- Cindy Rollins has graciously offered to join our giveaway, too! I hear her book is on back order, so you definitely want to enter for a chance to win Cindy's beautiful Advent guide, Hallelujah! A Journey Through Advent with Handel's Messiah. Cindy is a wonderful friend and mentor and just a kind, loving soul. I know you're going to love her book, and here's a bonus -- another friend of mine, Lynn Bruce, has written one of the entries in it. Lynn is a member of the Ambleside Online Advisory and is also a brilliant writer. You will have several chances to win -- each action you take below earns you one entry into the drawing, so your name could go in many different times or just once. The Contest Begins NOW! Your name can go in up to six times for the November 23 drawing for Hildegard's Gift: 1) Go to Paraclete Press and scroll down to read the PDF of Hildegard's Gift. THEN: Review it here at Amazon. 2) Like the Hildegard's Gift Facebook page here. 3) Leave a comment below on this blog. 4) Follow me on Twitter here. 5) Share this blog post on Facebook. 6) Share this blog post on Twitter. Don't forget to use the hashtag #AllinforAdvent so we can find you! Your name can go in up to five times in the November 26 drawing for All Creation Waits: 1) Go to Paraclete Press and scroll down to read the PDF sample of All Creation Waits. THEN: Review it here at Amazon. 2) Like Gayle Boss's All Creation Waits Facebook page here. 3) Leave a comment below on this blog. 4) Share this blog post on Facebook. 5) Share this blog post on Twitter. Don't forget to use the hashtag #AllinforAdvent so we can find you! Your name can go in up to five times for the November 29 drawing for a signed copy of Hallelujah! A Journey Through Advent with Handel's Messiah: 1) Sign up for Cindy's newsletter here. 2) Join Cindy's Mere Motherhood Facebook group here. 3) Leave a comment below on this blog. 4) Share this blog post on Facebook. 5) Share this blog post on Twitter. Don't forget to use the hashtag #AllinforAdvent so we can find you! If you already OWN a copy of these books, we want to hear from you, too! Join the fun by taking a picture of yourself or your favorite little person reading one of these three books and post the pic on social media with the hashtag #AllinforAdvent to join our special campaign. Don't forget to sign up for The Mason Jar podcast, so you can meet Gayle Boss and learn about Cindy's new book and my children's picture book, Hildegard's Gift! Best Wishes as we enter the holiday season! Giveaway only available to friends living in the continental US. If you can't wait for the giveaway and want to purchase any of these books, just click on the covers below. ![]() Hallelujah! A Journey Through Advent with Handel's Messiah Edited by Cindy Rollins Reflections on Advent from Cindy Rollins, Karen Kern, Brian Phillips, Greg Wilbur, David Kern, Lynn Bruce, & Kerry Williamson Included in this handbook: • Daily Listening Guide to Handel’s Messiah • Daily Scripture Readings • Poems & Passages to Memorize Each Week • Christmas Recipes • Advent Hymns to Sing Together ![]() All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings by Gayle Boss In twenty-five portraits depicting how wild animals of North America ingeniously adapt when darkness and cold descend, we see and hear as if for the first time the ancient wisdom of Advent: The dark is not an end but the way a new beginning comes. ![]() Hildegard's Gift by Megan Hoyt Hildegard's Gift makes a wonderful Christmas gift for the small child in your life who needs to remember that even when life is difficult, we can rely on the Holy Spirit to breathe goodness and joy into our lives and use us as His instruments, as long as we remain, like Hildegard, a feather on the gentle breath of God.
48 Comments
Amy
11/14/2017 11:55:07 am
What a wonderful package of books to add beauty and wonder to this holiday season!
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Veronica
11/14/2017 01:12:20 pm
This is exciting!
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Lydia Graves
11/14/2017 04:35:32 pm
Thanks for all three of these giveaways! How fun!
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Krystle
11/15/2017 02:34:46 am
This looks like a great collection of books. I love the Christmas season!
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Petra Gibson
11/15/2017 01:23:56 pm
Wow! Love to see All Creation Waits included in this giveaway! It's a gorgeous book for Advent. Featuring the winter habits of the woodland creatures, it's a new way to contemplate Advent and prepare for Christmas and New Years! Original artwork puts this book in a class by iteself. The black and white illustrations are thoughtfully done and are a perfect comliment to the text. Highly recommended as a meaningful way to enter into this season! I hope the winner enjoys this book as much as I have!
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Christina
11/15/2017 10:19:12 pm
I would really love to win Hallelujah! I have read Hildegard's Gift with my daughter and just love it!
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Eddie
11/16/2017 02:35:32 am
I am pleased that I got to meet Megan Hoyt and see her book in person. The beautiful words and pictures seem to flow from page to page, giving us small glimpses of Hildegard's visions.
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Bethany Cohen
11/16/2017 02:29:27 pm
So beautiful! Will be purchasing these books even if I don’t win!
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Julie
11/18/2017 12:59:16 am
We own Hildegard's Gift and it is a lovely book. My girls spent a lot of time coloring the coloring pages over and over in different ways. When the book came out I was in the midst of what turned out to be over six years of daily migraines. Can I tell you that the book reminded me that I wasn't alone; that others have suffered the same thing as well? Thank you for writing it!
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11/18/2017 06:31:15 am
Julie, I'm so sorry! I used to get migraines, too, for many years, beginning at age 9-10. Back then, they didn't know what to do about it. I had EEGs and was a zombie from Phenobarbitol. I think that's what drew me to Hildegard in the first place. I so identified with her struggle and couldn't imagine what it would be like to deal with headaches during the Middle Ages. I think they chewed willow bark, which is where we get aspirin from, but other than that she just suffered. I hope you're better now!
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Jenna Dilts
11/18/2017 01:19:35 am
Soooo basically all of these books are must-haves. Thank you for the giveaway! <3
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11/18/2017 06:04:49 am
How fun, Megan!!! My copy of Hallelujah arrived in the mail yesterday. So lovely! I'm ashamed to admit to you that I do not yet own Hildegard, but may I say that I am eagerly anticipating your next book and, thanks to your recommendation, already purchased the adult counter part for my husband as a Christmas gift?
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11/18/2017 09:29:57 am
Megan, Thank you for this beautiful giveaway. You have picked really wonderful books. I have never participated in anything like this before, so I hope I'm doing it correctly. How do we let you know which of the items we have completely on the lists?
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11/18/2017 09:43:22 am
I'm keeping a log, so I know where you all have been! When we pick the winners, we will need to contact you by email to get your mailing address, though. I was hoping everyone who leaves a comment would plug in an email address, but some haven't! In any event, I will announce the winners at the end of the comment stream so you get a notification.
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11/18/2017 10:27:48 am
We already love Hildegard's Gift at Harvest! Primary A class just finished reading it this term. I ADORE Handel's Messiah and have my own score of the vocal part. The illustration on Gayle's book looks so inviting. What a great idea!
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Angie
11/18/2017 01:20:42 pm
I love stories of Hildegard. I have 2 CD's of her music, and am always looking for new publications about her. Thanks for having a give-a-way! Not to be selfish... but I hope I win! :-)
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Megan Hoyt
11/18/2017 01:43:59 pm
I'm putting your name in, Angie! Winners will be posted here, so email me at [email protected] with your contact info if you win!
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Carin
11/18/2017 02:18:20 pm
Megan's book has been on my wishlist but I'm excited to learn about the others. Yay for giveaways!!
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Deborah
11/18/2017 02:37:21 pm
Thanks for this wonderful giveaway!
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Cassandra
11/18/2017 03:18:02 pm
These books look wonderful!
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Crystal
11/18/2017 04:13:36 pm
What a lovely stack of gifts for a giveaway! Any of them would be a treasure.
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Misty
11/18/2017 06:39:21 pm
This is fabulous! Oh how I'd love to win!
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Sarah
11/18/2017 07:43:04 pm
What great giveaways! We already own Hildegard's Gift, but would love to win Cindy's book.
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Jessie
11/18/2017 08:46:29 pm
Wow! Thank you for offering the giveaways!
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11/18/2017 09:34:18 pm
LOVE Hildegard's GIft! It is such a lovely introduction to the world of composers and their music.
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Arenda
11/18/2017 09:47:47 pm
Oooh, love a good giveaway! I've been eyeing Cindy Rollins' book!!
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Rachel Green
11/20/2017 08:07:41 pm
How nice! How generous! May your advent season be blessed!
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RachelR
11/21/2017 08:13:20 am
My sister was born on winter solstice and we always celebrate by going to Handel's Messiah at the symphony. Our family would love to win Cindy Rollins book! My nature-loving children would be thrilled with All Creation Waits!
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Jessi Strom
11/21/2017 08:52:31 am
These books look great!! Thank you for this giveaway opportunity.
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Chrissy Rener
11/21/2017 03:04:52 pm
I would LOVE all creation waits for my science and nature loving little girl (who is also obsessed with foxes right now 😉) thanks for doing a give away! So fun!!
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Kim
11/21/2017 03:43:29 pm
Just purchased a copy of Hallelujah and can't wait to start! But now my list has grown. :) I'd really love to have a copy of All Creation Waits for my bookshelf too. It is so uniquely beautiful.
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Angie
11/21/2017 03:50:49 pm
I'm buying the books now on amazon, but hope to win so I can bless a friend! Loved listening in on the Mason Jar Podcast! Can't wait to read all three.
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Amy
11/21/2017 06:13:49 pm
“Liked” in FB and shared this blog post :)
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11/21/2017 07:58:32 pm
I would adore having any of these books. We don't normally celebrate Advent, so either of the Advent books would be an enjoyable way to "dip a toe."
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Roberta
11/22/2017 12:10:29 am
All three of these look like wonderful books.
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11/23/2017 06:07:22 pm
You won an autographed copy of Hildegard's Gift, Roberta! Congratulations! Email me at [email protected] with your mailing address!
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Mary
11/22/2017 07:42:06 am
Hildegard's gift looks like a wonderful book to read with my children. I"m excited about All Creation Waits. Cindy's book sounds good, too. Has Paraclete press sent All Creation Waits to Pope Francis? When I heard Gayle talk about the book, I thought it sounded like something he would enjoy. :)
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Emily Betcher
11/22/2017 12:42:33 pm
These are perfect additions to our growing library. It was a joy to listen to Gail - thank you for this helpful and interesting interview.
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Chandra Osorio
11/22/2017 06:01:28 pm
Such lovely books! I enjoyed the Mason Jar podcast of you three SO much! Thank you for sharing this giveaway!
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11/23/2017 06:08:53 pm
You won an autographed copy of Hildegard's Gift, Chandra! Congratulations! Don't forget to email me at [email protected] with your mailing address!
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11/22/2017 06:39:24 pm
So excited! I've had All Creation Waits in my Amazon cart for a year or more, and missed the first run of Cindy's Messiah by a nose :( Thanks for the chance to redeem myself! As you know, I'm a huge Hildegard fan and your book is already an asset to my is collection -- so beautiful! Now to save my shekels for A Touch of the Infinite!
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Wendi Shipe
11/22/2017 10:34:29 pm
Love this giveaway!
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Autumn Shea
11/24/2017 12:27:42 am
I was certain I had left a comment a few days ago.... but I don’t see it here. Permit me to resubmit while there is still time to try for the other 2 books?
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Raquel F
11/25/2017 10:34:10 am
I am finally catching up on my podcasts and came across your interview on the Mason Jar - what an unexpected delight to learn about two new gifted authors! I would be thrilled to win any of these books so please enter me into the drawing!
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11/29/2017 08:33:54 am
I bought Cindy's book on Kindle but a real book is always better in my opinion. I'd love to win this!!
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Megan Hoyt
11/29/2017 08:53:44 am
The drawing is today at 4 pm! You made it in just in time! :)
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About meWhen I first stepped into a tiny library in East Dallas and checked out The Fairy Doll, time stood still for one brief moment. A book! A lovely, magical book about a little girl, overshadowed and overlooked, the youngest of four, just like me! she thought. Rumer Godden gave way to Madeleine L’Engle and Frances Hodson Burnett. Soon, a sturdy, low-hanging backyard branch became a thoughtful spot where some rather large ideas began to take shape. If reading James Barrie can make a girl flap her arms and jump off a garden wall fully expecting to fly, books truly do pulse with life. Archives
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