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My mom gave me a phenomenal Christmas present this year.  She registered us for the 2015 West Coast Christian Writers Conference. We weren't first-timers.  She and I had been once before, back in 2006, I think it was.  Back then, Lee Roddy was keynote speaker, Jon Drury was Director, it was held under the name "Christian Writers Seminar" in Castro Valley, and I was working on a contemporary novel.  This past weekend, Kathi Lipp was keynote, Susy Flory was Director, we met in Fremont, and I was a little stuck on the non-fiction project I have poured myself into for the past two years. There are so many things to share about the conference, and maybe in the future I will write more about those.  Today, though, I want to tell you about something very personal that happened to us.  Something that felt, in a sea of strangers, like it was meant just for us. Road trip selfie My mom and I are both working on projects, and had a hard time selecting a con...

FAIR WARNING: Today's post is kind of PG-13.  So, kids, ask your parents before you read it. ------------------------------------   I recently overheard a coworker of mine say she is so excited about 50 Shades of Grey coming to theaters that she can hardly wait. I won't be at the theater watching 50 Shades on Valentine's Day.   In the words of Terri Clark, I have better things to do.   "I could wash my car in the rain, change my new guitar strings, mow the yard just the same as I did yesterday. . . . Check the air in my tires, straighten my stereo wires, count the stars in the sky or just get on with my life. . . I got better things to do. . . " (Shapiro/Waters/Clark) I don't mean to sound judgmental, but I won't be seeing it the next day, either. Or even when it comes out on DVD and Blu-Ray. I refuse.   Maybe you don't care why, but I'm going to tell you, just in case. :) I love my husband and marriage.      Years ago, before ...

I usually love pruning my flower bed.   It's like giving my roses a haircut.  I  anticipate how lovely they'll look come summer. But yesterday's pruning was hard.   Even painful.   It felt less like a trim and more like surgery.     You see, I've been worried about one of our roses, a bush that was planted in our yard approximately 100 years ago.   It was full of flowers our first year on the property, but after I cut it back last year, it hardly bloomed.     That is rare.   Usually the right kind of pruning makes the roses stronger.   So, a friend who is a rosarian graciously came over for a look.     Last Spring's blooms on the Lady Banks She said the rose was perfectly healthy, and I hadn't hurt it at all.   In fact, it needed to be cut back even more.   Almost to the ground.   Though it was healthy, it had developed years of twists and turns that were hindering it from being t...

Remember awhile back that I wrote about Operation Christmas Child and packing shoeboxes for children around the world? ( http://www.janinethrossel.com/2014/11/focus-fridays.html ) Well, I wanted to share with you a glimpse of what that operation looks like when seen from the other side, when those boxes are received. Our heavenly Father is so much better than Santa Claus. . . he truly knows the desires of our hearts. ***BE SURE TO READ THE AMAZING STORIES BELOW THE VIDEO!** Enjoy.   Stories from the Philippines You Make Me So Happy “I am Mency, 8 years of age. Thank you for the shoes and socks that I received. Please know that there is a hole in the sole of my shoes that I was using every day. I prayed that Jesus will replace my worn out shoes. I was overjoyed when I opened the gifts box, I found a beautiful pair of shoes that fit exactly to my feet. Not only that, it also contained socks, toys, etc. Thank you very much, you make me so happy.” The Whisper...

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! :)