JanineThrossel.com

You know those evenings as a child that were full of excitement and anticipation because you knew tomorrow was full of good things? The day before a big vacation trip was to begin. . . or the day before your grandparents were coming to visit. . . or the day before your birthday? Then, you get a little older and it's the day before the prom, or graduation, or the first day of college? Maybe the first day of work at the job you've dreamed of for a long time. . . We kind of feel like that tonight because copies of our book Stacking Stones: Stories of God's Faithfulness in Far-Off Places is en route and scheduled to arrive to us tomorrow! Then, we get to have our first book signing this weekend! If you're local and want to attend, drop us a note. After that, Monday, from 5-7PM California time (8-10 on the East Coast), we will be having an online launch party via facebook. Join us for fun, giveaways, conversation and surprises. . . but no food, because, well, it's a...

Want to win a copy of How to Enjoy Reading Your Bible by Keith Ferrin? Leave a comment below sharing a Bible verse that inspires you OR comment with a thought about Bible study and what you hope this book might do for you. I plan to draw a winner after midnight (PST) August 5th. Drawing open to anyone in the USA, except where legal restrictions disallow it. Happy commenting! :)

Congratulations to "Jessbecause!" You won the Holly Yashi earrings! Thank you all for playing along. . . I usually have a giveaway every 4-6 weeks, so come back again for another chance to win something. Have a great weekend!

Well, I was thinking about the fact that it has been several weeks (six, to be exact), since I gave something away on my blog.  So, it is time for another one! And this one is very cool. . . these are a relatively new design from Holly Yashi, which I love. . .  the "Abbey Earrings." In the words of the Holly Yashi website, you can dress with "a touch of Renaissance glamour.":) These are made with sterling silver, Swarovski crystals, and the beautifully colored and imaged niobium for which Holly Yashi is famous. They retail for $48.00. Here's another photo to give you a clearer idea of their size. . . Want to win them? They are gorgeous! Leave your name with a comment at the end of this post.  What is something you love about Spring? COMMENTS FOR THIS OFFER CLOSE ON FRIDAY, MIDNIGHT PST. A winner will be picked AT RANDOM after MIDNIGHT ON FRIDAY, MARCH 13. By the way, I should add that you are welcome to enter the giveaway from anywhere it is l...

And the winner is Philip! Congrats on your new Everfound CD!

I have an exciting giveaway for you this month. . . with choices! :) If you are the winner, you can choose one of three CDs!  All are musical groups that pleasantly surprised me and my family members.  They are from very distinct genres, so hopefully you will find one that is just right for you. Ready to see who they are?  I'll give you a hint. . . they are all trios! First up is the Hanneke Cassel Trio.  We were given tickets to see her trio live and we were so blown away.  Amazing musical talent. She plays fiddle, what the Scots would call "pure dead brilliant" fiddle.  And beyond her skill, artistry, original compositions, and on-stage charisma, I felt within moments that she was worshiping God with each note. Does that sound funny?  Because I had no knowledge of who she was.  But when I read the liner notes from her CD "Dot the Dragon's Eyes," it made sense.  She really goes beyond just playing to pouring her heart out when sh...

By the way, we do have a winner of the beautiful Royal Apothic perfume, "Noble Carnation!"  In the midst of the holidays, I didn't post the winner's first name, but one was pulled as promised and the perfume was given away.  You made it way too easy for me this time. Winner is Audrey. . . who was the only one who commented on the blog.  What?!  So, congratulations, Audrey! :) As we head into a new year, what kind of giveaways would you all like to see this year? Leave a comment! :)

About six months ago, I made a new friend.   In some ways, we are very different from each other.  In others (like our affections for funny stories, people who are authentic and decent, cute dogs, shopping, and chocolate) we are very much alike.  She is the kind of friend that sharpens me.  She helps encourage me to be a better person and make my corner of the world brighter.  I find myself laughing more, giving more, reaching out to be more friendly to strangers, and being intentional about compassion.  Oh, and I'm even taking care of myself a little better--from skin care to exercise.   This Thanksgiving, one of the many, many blessings that I am thankful for, is my new friend. So, in honor of her, I want to giveaway something this month that she likes a lot. . . Royal Apothic perfume.   I'm giving a rather generous travel-size version (.33 fluid ounces), in the top-selling scent "Noble Carnation."  The Roy...

Congratulations to Dria for winning the Bath and Body Works gift card!

Hey, today I hit 1,000 views.  So, how about a giveaway? How about 1,000 pennies worth of credit at Bath and Body Works? (No worries, I'll do the math for ya. . . $10.00) I would like to mail a gift card to one of you, so enter NOW! :) You could start filling your home with the scents of pumpkin-cinnamon, pumpkin-marshmallow, pumpkin-pecan, pumpkin caramel latte. . . or "Sweater Weather,"which is, apparently, a scent. You can get three mini candles for $10 now online, so who knows what kinds of deals you might find in the actual store? Enter between now and October 3rd, midnight in the Pacific Time Zone. Open to any of you in the 50 US States and with a special consideration to my friends in SCZ, Bolivia, because I still haven't mailed that package. . .   SO, if any of my friends in Santa Cruz de la Sierra win this giveaway, let me know what you want to buy with your $10 and I will try to pick it up for you and ship it down. Any questions? Let...

And the winner is. . . . . Jon! Congratulations!! I will try to get that out to you this week. Thanks for participating!

Giveaway #3 So, awhile back I mentioned that I haven't had much time to read paper-and-ink books lately.   Sad, but true.   I've been listening to a lot of audiobooks at work instead.   Well, I did read one book with a binding lately--a slim, but important volume that I would like to share with you. Here it is: I met and worked with author M. J. Weissenberger in South America.   She was a new missionary who would be teaching English to our children.   I can't even express how blessed I am for what she has meant to them. So, when she announced the publication of her book, Two Heavy Words: Reflections of a First-Year Missionary, I was quick to buy it right away, snatch it from its envelope and devour it.   I paid for it, but reading it was a gift. One of the things I love about Mrs. Weissenberger is her honesty and frankness.   Another is her deep passion to keep pushing on and pressing forward in her faith and walk with God. ...

Joni!  Thanks for entering! Please send me a comment with your address so I can send your wonderful prizes!  (I have returned the comments settings to the previous format of being moderated--so it shouldn't show up on my blog at all, just in my mailbox.) Congratulations and enjoy the treats!  

UPDATE: Due to some issues with the comments, I have temporarily changed the settings.  Your comments should go right through--without moderation or word verification.  So, if you have commented and don't see your comment, please try again until you do see it.  Don't send anything through that you don't want published.  Click on the word "comments" at the end of this article (lower right), type in the form (with your name) and then don't forget to press "publish!"  Thanks. Welcome to my second giveaway!   Thanks for dropping by! Do you know what today is? ( I mean, besides Saturday, June 21st, and "a day the Lord has made?")   It is the first official day of SUMMER! Of course, "summer" started for us several days ago, when school ended.   However, the weather people seem to count the solstice--not the local high school--as the marker.   Go figure. :) So, today summer is truly here! To celebrate, I am giving a...

6/4 UPDATE:  We have a winner!  We drew comment number six, which was MaryJane's!  Congratulations!!!  (I don't think I have your address, MJ.  Please message me on facebook and I will be happy to put the earrings in the mail for you!)  Thanks to all of you who played along! ================= 6/3 UPDATE:  Giveaway closes tomorrow (Wednesday) at 5PM Pacific time zone.  Two things about posting. . . 1) Your comments go into a mailbox before I open them and put them on the blog.  So, even if you don't see your comment right away, it is time-stamped at the time you send it/ it arrives to that mailbox.  I may not get them POSTED by 5PM, but if you SEND them by 5PM, they should be fine.  2) Anyone should be able to send a comment.  If you are not a "registered user," "Google Accounts user," etc., send it under the "anonymous" setting.  PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME WITHIN YOUR COMMENT, though, or it won't count (Because I won...