The Gift of Ann {Giveaway}

Thank you for your entries in this giveaway! A winner was chosen via Random.Org, and the winner was #4, "Chris".

Chris, I'll be in touch with you shortly for your mailing address!

I'll likely be doing this again in a few weeks, keep checking in :o)

_________________________________________________

Like so many others across the world, I have been reading "One Thousand Gifts" by the beloved Ann Voskamp. I can only recall counting down the days to the release of a book three times in the past decade -- twice for books by first time authors, Ann being one of them.

Even though I had anticipated reading this book for months before it became available, I have to admit that I had it in my hands almost two weeks before I opened the cover. This wasn't going to be the average book to be read casually in one sitting. Even the name of her website hints of what's to come in those pages -- "A Holy Experience".

As expected, Ann's words are exquisite, urging us to slow down and savor the truth that pours out of the pages she has penned -- truths that release us from darkness.


Truths rooted so deeply in His word.



Much of what I've read in Ann's book is familiar; I'm not surprised. Having also been through a very difficult past, I too had come to many of the same conclusions -- gratitude is a way of life that gives life beyond measure, and the ability to experience gratitude in the smallest of wonders often comes from the cost of having known the deepest of pain. We choose to either stay in the valley, or climb the mountain of gratitude.

I found myself cheering her on silently, praising God for the ways He redeemed the pain and the past, and for how many lives were being changed by this book right now. Perhaps it is because it was all too familiar that I held my breath in excitement as Ann shared in the process, the journey, the learning and discovering... all woven together so beautifully. Reading it, I feel as though I'm on her farm in southern Ontario as she and I walk through fields and forests as she recounts the story of her journey, a quiet conversation with a familiar friend. It is uplifting and encouraging to see how she stumbled upon her discoveries through the careful study of God's words to us and to learn about each connection she made along the way.


A classic from the very start, this book will become the gift for all occasions, for many, many years to come.




If you don't yet have a copy of this book, I'd love to bless one of you with one of my extra copies. Simply leave a comment introducing yourself and including the best way to contact you. The winner will be chosen on Sunday evening, Feb 20th, 11pm AST.