Wednesday, December 30, 2015

The Violin Must Go

As part of our "sell everything not bolted down" approach to fundraising, we are selling my husband's beautiful violin to help pay off the last $3000 due on the first of January 2016.

This violin is amazing. It's beauty and tone are unmatched. With the stroke of his bow, Shawn has made it sing. Our pastor, an accomplished violinist, has even borrowed it on occasion just to listen to the rich melodies that resonate from the heart of this fine instrument.



And just in case you're wondering...

Case and bow are included in this sale, husband is not.

If you are interested in purchasing this violin or learning more about it, please send me an email at margieseely@yahoo.com.

Thank you!

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Tuesday, December 29, 2015

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Friday, December 25, 2015

Christmas Miracle

T'was the night before Christmas and peace ruled my house,
But my mind was a-stirring with grim thoughts and doubts.
My prayers had been said with faith and great care,
In the hopes they'd be answered with much time to spare.

Our newest child was snuggled all safe in her bed,
With strange English words dancing through her head.
And papa had fallen to sleep with a snore, but I,
Could not coax sleep to dim even one blue eye.

My heart was a'flutter with the money still owed
To the agency who'd brought our sweet girl home.
Our expenses were high; our income seemed low,
How could we make our payment? I didn't know.

Three thousand remained, a far cry from the start,
I knew God had already answered the prayer of my heart.
But still I worried and worried some more,
Hoping a windfall would crash through my door.

The only answer that came was the stillness of night,
And the sweetest assurance that all would be right.
I don't know when, I don't know how, and yet I believe,
My God is faithful, His promises I will receive.

Our sweet girl from Ukraine to us He did bring,
Three thousand dollars to Him is a very small thing.
As I gazed out my window to the stars up above,
I knew He would fill me with His peace and His love.

So this Christmas Eve the miracle, in part,
Came not to my door, but was the change in my heart.
And now I exclaim, with faith and not sight,
God's answer has come! Now to all a good night!

Wishing all a blessed day!

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

It's On Amazon, Baby!

Yup! My book has made it to the big time. Drum roll, please! "Marie: Woman of Beauty, Mother of Courage" can now be purchased as an Ebook on Amazon.com. (Although, while uploading, I failed to mention that I am the author. Whoops! I'm going to have to fix that little glitch.)

For those of you still making last minute gift purchases, and who isn't, this gift is sure to please. I have received so many positive comments from young and old, male and female. Here's a small sampling:

"I really enjoyed it. It was quite well written ... and I was impressed with all the research that was evident. ... It borders on the unbelievable all that some people went through." Mike from California, USA

"I cannot put it down. You are such an awesome, enthralling writer." Yonka from British Colombia, Canada

"All I [wanted] to do was sit down and read the book!" Kirrisa from Oregon, USA

"I read it cover to cover. It is a story that needed to be told." Betty from Sydney, Australia

Order your copy now by clicking HERE!

P.S. Be sure to leave your comment at Amazon.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

I Said I Would Never

Never in a million years did I ever think we would be doing what we are doing now. Never in a million years did I ever think we would spend invest as much money as we are now. Never in a million years did I ever think we would sponsor a college student to live with our family for the next three plus years. Never in a million years has my faith been stretched so far out of shape that it is virtually unrecognizable.

And when I say "I will never..." you can pretty much bet your bottom dollar it is never, never, never going to happen. Not in a million years. Some might call me stubborn.

But something happens when God gets a hold of my "I will never!" proclamations. Gently, lovingly, tenderly He reshapes them into something that more closely resembles, "Yes, of course I will! Why didn't I consider this earlier?!" And then He changes my heart just as subtly so that the very thing I said I would never do is the very thing I am begging God to help me accomplish. How does He do that?!

I said I would never take a child too old to be adopted.

No way was I going to get attached to a child I could never call my own.

Nope!

Nuh-uh!

Never!

Can I just say how thankful I am that God is in charge and not me? I am so grateful for Tatiana being here. She is such a blessing to our entire family. And if I had stuck to my stubborn, willful way, I would have missed out completely. I am so glad God changed my heart, because not in a million years would I want to miss out on the blessings we are experiencing today.

Nope, NEVER!!!

Friday, December 4, 2015

Hello Ebook World! We Have Arrived!



And so my huge miracle of a book has achieved Ebook status! This little book, that God has breathed into existence is now making its way around the world sharing God's message of love and peace, in both print and ebook formats. I am thrilled to watch what God is doing. He took my childhood dream of writing a book about my grandmother's escape and made it blossom and grow. He truly is an amazing God.

Ebooks can be ordered here:


Print books can be ordered here:

http://margieseely.wix.com/marieholmstroem

It is a story like no other. You will be blessed!