What Do We Have to Give? NOVEMBER 2022 |
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SCRIPTURE FOCUS: Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done 1 Chronicles 16:8 NLT |
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Ponder on that this month! |
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It was 5:30 a.m. on a blustery, winter morning in February 2020. Snuggled on the couch under a cozy quilt, I spilled out the contents of my heart to the Lord-––reminding Him of something He birthed in my heart over 30 years ago. “Jesus, if I never write a book before I die, I know I will have regrets.” I sensed the Lord’s gentle presence as He let me know it was time to embark on what turned out to be one of the most amazing journeys of my lifetime. |
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Until that morning, though the desire to write never left, I was unsure what I’d write about. But Jesus knew. In my warm, candle-lit room, as if an actual window opened, God poured out a simple framework to start with. Little did I know Jesus had so much more to show me as time went on––the inspiration to share life stories of 12 biblical women, interwoven with slices of my own story. He knew the lives of many would be touched through their stories and mine. Hope would be birthed in hearts when they realized their story matters, too. |
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When they begin to realize their story has the possibility to change the course of history, affecting the outcome of eternity one heart at a time, excitement to make a difference for the Kingdom begins to take root in their hearts. For those who are just meeting Jesus through my book, they’ll weep like I did when they realize there’s room for them at His table. Our stories of His faithfulness shines a light on a with-God life that is available to all. It’s for whosoever will come. If I have any passion now, any burden for what’s next, it’s to continue to impart the Lord’s heart regarding His call on lives to share our stories with others––to live deliberately for what matters to Him. We have life-giving, life-changing stories that can make a difference in the outcome of eternity as people respond one heart at a time to the truth-–Jesus has plans and purposes for their lives! Wow! What a privilege! |
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Will you put your YES on the table and answer God’s tap on your shoulder? Will you consider this your Holy Interruption and cherish the fact that you are part of a larger story and your story matters? I did, and it’s changed my life. I want to spend my days left this side of Heaven letting the whole world know what He has done. I want to give Him thanks and proclaim His greatness. What an amazing God we serve! |
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It has happened. I received an inquiry whether or not someone in AFRICA could purchase my book, Holy Interruptions: When God Taps You on the Shoulder on Amazon Kindle! I was happy to say YES! Amazon also has it on Kindle. Today is what my book launch leader calls Power Purchase Day! If you plan to purchase my book, every purchase made will continue to boost my book to a place, hopefully, where Amazon will put it on the “Hot New Release List” and will recommend it as one to purchase. If you'd like to order the book, please click the link below. My prayer is that many will see, purchase, and find the hope written throughout the pages–––their story matters and Jesus has plans and purposes for their life. | | |
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What traditions do you have for Thanksgiving? I’d love to hear what you do for your holiday celebrations. If we all share in the comments below, we may help to foster new traditions for each other. I love to share my childhood traditions with others. Maybe add a favorite recipe. What time you eat and why you chose that time. What time you put your turkey in. Stuffed or unstuffed? Sharing traditions warms our hearts. Since our family is so big, we usually split up. Bobby and I go back and forth each year between the families. Hannah always hosts, and so does Dana. This year we’ll be at Dana’s. Then we’ll go to Hannah’s for dessert. |
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We always share the meal. Every year, whichever house we go to, I make one turkey and my daughter makes one. I want the smell of Thanksgiving food in my house, with a carcass to bring home for soup. We share the whole meal as well. We each bring side dishes and specialty desserts. Keely’s apple pie and her yeast rolls are amazing. Hannah’s gluten-free crust and healthy pumpkin pie is fantastic. She also makes a delicious gluten-free stuffing. This year, I’m glad I’m getting to Hannah’s for dessert because being gluten and white sugar-free, I know she always has desserts that I can eat! We also include friends that may otherwise be alone. Dana invites one couple to all our events because we love them! But also, because they have no family anywhere near us, so they’ve become our family! Another precious young man lost both his mom, and his dad––both too young. He’s an only child. Jesus sets the solitary in families. This dear one is a solid part of our family now. All holidays. We love him! |
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Then after a day spent together, we go home for a short sleep and at 3:45 a.m. Friday morning, Dana picks me up and together with a couple of my daughters and two granddaughters we “do Black Friday”! Now, why is that one of my favorite days of the year? Not because I get deals, although that can be a big help. It’s one of my favorite days of the year because I get to spend all those hours with my girls and grand girls. We have so much fun! We laugh, we get great deals, we have coffee early in the morning together, then we have an amazing lunch, and arrive home about 7:30 at night with the car bursting with gifts––it’s amazing we can all still fit into it. And we have a great jump on our shopping. |
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You know what I realize as I reflect on our years enjoying this tradition? I can’t remember one sale or one great gift I bought on Black Friday for the last two decades. What I do remember is the fellowship, the laughter, the joy of being together. And that is what makes this day one of my favorite days of the year. May this season find us making memories that matter to Jesus and to those we love. |
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Forever Asking: What Can I Give This Year? |
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Planning ahead for Christmas is a must for me. Coming from a huge family with many gifts to buy just for grandchildren alone, I always try to figure out what I can purchase that will mean something to each of my grands and greats. Often, I end up making fleece blankets or bathrobes. But I love it when I find treasures I can spend time re-doing, like tiny, toddler-sized chairs with gorgeous, caned seats for the greats. This year I found a brand-new doll bed, so I’ll make a doll quilt and add a baby doll to the bed for my little great granddaughter, Esme. It’s easy for the littles but we have multiple bigs. Do I want to buy them a sweater or another item of clothing they’ll discard a year later? Nope! |
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This morning my phone rang, and it was my first-born, Dana, who watches over me and my gift buying at Christmas. Considering the size of our family, she’s always on the lookout for sales-––things she thinks may be a great gift for Bobby and me to give. But this year, she had a new idea. She said her Daddy and I each needed a theme for the bigs. “Mom, nothing would make these kids happier than time spent with you and Daddy. Why don’t you take the girls and Dad can take the boys and each of you spend a special evening with them. Different nights, of course. For the girls, you can buy each of them a pair of fuzzy, snuggly socks and a fun coffee mug. Make some hot chocolate, delicious desserts and have them over to watch a movie and spend the evening with you. At the end of the evening, you can give them each one of your silver rings you’ve been saving for gifts. There’s nothing they’d love more than time with you and a treasure they once saw you wearing.” |
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“Daddy can grill steaks for the guys and give them all a pick of his stash of treasures. They love being with their Papa and listening to his stories way more than a gift card. What do you think?” My first reaction-–I rejected her thoughts right away. I didn’t feel like it was enough (an issue I have). I wanted them to have something to open when the entire family was together for our Annual Dufek Family Christmas. But the more I thought about it, the more I began to warm up to the idea of spending the time together and especially snuggling up for a classic Christmas movie or perhaps Little Women or Anne of Green Gables. I knew the boys would be thrilled. They all love Papa’s stash of vintage/historical finds! (And his grilled steaks)! So, guess what? It’s in the works and my question that tends to plague me has been answered. What can we give this year? We’ll give the gift of love, the gift of time and treasures from yesteryear! I think this year will be a memorable one. Maybe it will become a tradition! |
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The Joy of Tiny Christmas Treasures |
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I’m so happy to be able to share a brand-new book with you, written by my writing coach and dear friend, Karen Porter, and her daughter, Cherry McGregor. Make Your Heart a Manger is now available on Amazon! A perfect gift for family and friends, it’s a Christmas book with a timeless message–––a story that will forever change your heart! You can also order the book, together with an ornament, and a few other tiny treasures from their website, www.makeyourheartamanger.com |
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So, what can we give this season? Let’s remember to give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness! As we share His faithfulness in our lives, we share a living hope-––something there’s a shortage of in hearts today. I want the whole world to know, as followers of Jesus, being His kids, our stories matter. Sharing them with others will be world-changing…one heart at a time! Happy Thanksgiving to you all! |
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I want to thank my amazing Book Launch Team and Karen Sargent, my stellar team leader, for the wonderful, heart-felt job each of you have done to send this book from sea to shining sea, and actually around the globe! Rejoice with me, will you? This has been one amazing journey … one you can take, as well, if you’re willing to share what Jesus has done in your life. Love you all! On this journey together, Deb |
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