a coffee for mr. coffey

Congratulations to Billy Coffey, who has won the Starbucks gift card giveaway. Billy, if you'll send me your contact info (email me at PrairieTales@hotmail.com), I'll get the card right out to you.

I did use random.org to determine the winner, because nobody guessed correctly who cut the middle of the brownies out of the pan. So I thought pooling all of you into one and randomly choosing would be the best way to determine a winner.

What's that? Who did bake those brownies and cut the middle out?

Well, not me. Because, contrary to Billy's belief, I do not eat brownies - not even gluten free brownies, because I don't eat any grains. Or sugar.

Boring, I know.

It was not Jessie either. Because Jessie doesn't like to cook.

It was not Shaun, because Shaun doesn't cook very much, and he likes the crunchy edge pieces.

It was not Ashlee, because Ashlee lives in Georgia with her new husband. :)

Peter is as innocent as he looks. Peter eats anything and everything, no matter how it's cut. But he was innocent. This time.

It was Andrew. My pitcher loves to play chef, and he likes what he likes when it comes to brownies. He'll not hesitate to eat edge pieces, but apparently, given a choice, he prefers the middle!!

So congratulations to Billy Coffey for winning some coffee!!!! Sorry, I couldn't resist. If you haven't visited Billy's website, please hop on over there by clicking here. Billy is an incredible writer with his own book, Snow Day, coming out this year. I'm personally twiddling my thumbs, waiting for day it hits the shelves. I'm going to gobble Snow Day up like Andrew gobbles brownie middles.

Now I'm off to start my day with Jessie, who is feeling akin to Eeyore today. And for very good reason. Stay tuned to find out why!

My New Year's Resolution

If you're a regular reader here, you'll know that I have determined in my very own little heart to write a book this year. I've wanted to do this for quite some time. But frankly, I've been intimidated, and the self-doubts that arise in me are most overwhelming at times.

While I'm not a fan of New Year's Resolutions, I'm making an exception this year. I'm taking the plunge, putting myself out there, taking risks, trusting in my Lord and Savior, and ... writing a book.

I have many ideas and plans for the books (plural!) I want to write. But I quickly narrowed it down to three:

1. A devotional book, with a theme on suffering.
2. A devotional book, with no particular theme (other than Christ centered, obviously).
3. A novel.

I love devotionals, and I seem to have a knack for writing them, and blessing others in the process. So I really leaned towards this idea. The book I would like to write on suffering, would, in my opinion, take a huge amount of planning, prayer, and studying. All of which I am not sure I am prepared for.

The second book would certainly be easier for me to write, but after consulting my best friend (who also happens to be my husband), I could see how I would possibly have trouble getting that type of project published. After all, I am not well-known.

Heck, I'm not known at all!!

I also struggled with the idea of writing a novel. Not because I wouldn't love the process, but because I want what I do to have an eternal effect. Not just for me, in the form of pleasing the Lord and living a life that is not wasted. But in other's lives as well. I wasn't sure that a novel could accomplish all of that, and I've struggled the last couple of months with whether novel writing is a futile undertaking.

I asked myself if writing a novel could lead others to desire a closer relationship with God. Could a fictional story truly glorify God? My fictional story?

Again, after consulting with my best friend, I am convinced that it can. Ok, maybe convinced is too strong. I am hopeful it can and trusting it will.

I am reminded of my sister-in-law, who came to know Christ by reading some Christian fiction that I had loaned her. It was a story about a young lady that was nearly as stubborn as herself, who had to ultimately learn to lean on Christ after an accident that left her blind.

I am also reminded of the many fictional pieces I have read, and the resolve that I have walked away with to live my life for the better, because of what my favorite (or not so favorite) character had shown me.

What better way to encourage my readers to live a life for the glory of God than to give them an example to follow? Or to learn how to heal from past hurts? Or to learn how to deal with difficult people? The list goes on and on.

If you haven't guessed by now ... you're dense!

With God's help, I'm going to write a novel this year!!!!

If that's not the most difficult, wild and crazy resolution I've ever made, I don't know what is! I personally think I'm nuts! But I suppose Noah was deemed nuts also when he started building a monstrous boat in a world that had never seen or felt a drop of rain. And David? What kind of small-statured nut case goes out and fight's a giant with a piddly little sling shot and a few stones?

The kind of nut case who is God fearing, obedient when the task seems impossible (ridiculous even!), and the kind who realizes that it will not be his own strength that wins the battle, that's what kind. Noah and David had what seemed to be impossible tasks. And now so do I.

I can't do it without God's help. But I will do it regardless of who tells me that I can't (this includes myself). I'll do it because God wants me to. I'll do it because with God, all things are possible.

I'm trusting in that truth. I'm trusting in Him to enable me. And I'm trusting that He will be glorified thought it all.

May He increase, while I decrease.

~Brenda

Prairie Pebble #4

Howdy Lovely Lurkers!

I hope you are doing well! It has been snowing here this last week, in spite of the fact that the calendar tells me it is Spring.

Where does one file a complaint about that anyway?

Eh hem ... On to the fourth Prairie Pebble, aka a little tidbit about myself that I share with you so that you can get to know me better. And so that I can be more transparent. Cuz my husband tells me I need to.

So Prairie Pebble #4:

I am an author.

Seriously. Published and all! It's not like I wrote a book or nothin' though, so don't get too excited. You'll be the first to know when and if that ever happens.

However, I am published, and I thought you might like to know where. I've submitted my work three times, two of which I was accepted. Both accepted submissions were for compilation books. You know, like Chicken Soup for the Soul? Yeah ... those type of books.

I really love compilation books because you can read a little, then put it down without it being too painful. Whereas with a novel, I have a hard time remembering that I am in fact a mother and wife, and would really prefer my responsibilities to end while I indulge myself.

Anyone else like that??

I thought so.

So here are the books where my work can be found:




This is a devotional for married couples. I have one devotional in it, and my bio is in the back of the book. I see this book all the time in Christian bookstores, and you can order it off of Amazon also.

Just in case you're curious.

And here's the other book:





Isn't that a precious cover?

This book is a compilation of stories that inspire childlike faith. I wrote about my son, Andrew, and his childlike faith while I was neck deep in an undiagnosed illness. Wayne Holmes, the compiler, is a very gracious and patient man.

You'd sorta have to be to work with me.

He just started a blog, which you can find here.

And fyi ... this book is also found in Christian bookstores, and Amazon.

So tell me honestly. How many of my Lovely Lurkers are published authors?

Hmmmm??

Just so ya' know ... I visit every Lurker that leaves a comment. And I must say that some of you are very talented writers.

So 'fess up, will ya?

Toot your own horn!!

~Brenda, the horn tootin' little housewife on the prairie