Christmas Memories of a Different Kind by Tanya Eavenson

Today we welcome Tanya Eavenson. She brings a touching, hard-to-read blog, but I encourage you to read to the end.

Tanya Eavenson enjoys spending time with her husband, and their three children. Her favorite pastime is grabbing a cup of coffee, eating chocolate, and reading a good book. Tanya is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and writes for Christ to the World Ministries.

Christmas Memories of a Different Kind

By Tanya Eavenson

I still remember what it felt like—shivering under the hospital sheet, legs drawn, unable to stay still. The two things I wanted were my baby and the pain to stop. I was guaranteed one of those when I awoke and sometime later, the pain had stopped, but my child was gone.

Christmas that year brought many firsts. The first snowfall, the first snow man my husband and daughter rolled, the first time our acre pond froze over that you could actually walk on, and the first time it seemed a part of me died.

I can recall the days afterward as vividly as the day it happened. Like when my husband asked if I wanted to take a ride into town to see the snow and how everything within me cried, No! Or how I told him, “I want that dining room table we talked about. If I can’t have the children to go around it, at least I’ll have the table.” I wanted to fill the void left in my heart, and if a table would do that, then I wanted the table. But nothing filled the void my child left no matter what I tried. At times I felt the Lord nudging me to draw near to Him, but I couldn’t. If I did, I would relive what happened, and I wanted to forget, so I avoided what I felt.

For months I was lost in nothingness--nothing I did could make me happy. Then one day I felt the Holy Spirit pulling me to read scripture. I hadn’t read for a while, but I picked up my Bible and began. It didn’t take long for me to find the scripture God had for me. 2 Corinthians 12: 8-10 says, ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Yes, I remembered pleading with God to save my baby, and to say I was weak was an understatement. But that’s where God had spoken through His word. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” To me, God was saying, I am all you need and I will help you through this. I will make you strong, not in your power, but Mine.

Over the years, God has used my loss to comfort others who’ve lost loved ones. I can relate to what it feels like to lose someone they will never hold again or at all. Do I truly know what they are going through? Only God does, but I’ve become sensitive to others who are hurting. Whether it’s bowing in prayer with someone or through sharing my story, I’ve found joy, knowing God keeps His promises. God never left me, even when I turned from Him in my pain, He drew me like Jeremiah 31:3 says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”

If you’re hurting today from a loss and Christmas is a reminder, remember this, God is near, and He is faithful. Take comfort in knowing He has loved you with an everlasting love and draws you to Himself. There, in the shelter of His arms, you will find peace and rest.

To find Tanya online:

Facebook

Twitter 

Website 

Goodreads

Thank you, Tanya, for coming and sharing such a painful, yet powerful message.

Ya'll know the spiel by now. Comment for a chance to win in my New Year Giveaway. If this is your first visit to my blog in the last few weeks, you can find more information here.

Blessings,

Review: Unconditional by Tanya Eavenson

When I first started reading this book, I wasn't sure I was going to like it. The process to healing is painful at times, and yet, in the end, every minute of every hour is worth it to be whole again. So went Tanya Eavenson's debut novel Unconditional. Every minute I read was worth it as the story revealed a man and woman struggling with their identities in Christ, surrendering their desires for a greater good, and repenting and asking forgiveness from those they hurt.

This is not a sweet, carefree romance, but so worth the read.

About the book:

He will fight for her at any cost... 

Elizabeth Roberts can't remember her past, and the present is too painful. She turns to nightclubs and drinking to forget her infant daughter's death, her husband's affair.

When his wife's coma wiped out the memory of their marriage, Chris Roberts found comfort elsewhere. He can't erase his betrayal, but with God's help he’s determined to fight for Elizabeth at any cost. 

She wants to forget. He wants to save his marriage. Can they trust God with their future and find a love that’s unconditional?

Rating: 5 stars

Blessings,
Ginger

An honor...

Hello Everyone! I hope all is well with you! Well I’ve been tagged by Tanya Eavenson to receive the “Lovely Blog Award”!  Thank you to Tanya for thinking of me. You can find her at http://www.tanyaeavenson.com/

Now on to the seven random facts about myself.

1)   I prefer the mountains to the beach. I dream of living away from civilization, surrounded by trees, and only visiting when the need for food arises.

2)   I am a sweet tea addict - hot or cold is irrelevant. But it can't be syrupy sweet -- eewww!

3)   I HATE to cook. Why, yes, I do have a family of 9 who require food every night :)

4)   I could (and would, if given the opportunity) read from morning 'til night, and sometimes into the wee hours of the next morning.

5)   I rarely watch a movie more than once.

6)   I'm slightly claustrophobic. Small spaces don't bother me as much as crowded rooms.

7)    I hate hospitals. With the exception of the time following the birth of my first child, I have refused to spend more than 24 hours in a hospital. Thankfully, I haven't needed to.

Unfortunately, none of the writers I contacted responded to my offering of this award and so it stops here.

Blessings,
Ginger

The Color of Green by Tanya Eavenson

Today A Bed of Roses...Thorns Included welcomes Tanya Eavenson, debut author and someone I'm proud to call my friend. Please help me make her feel welcome.

Tanya Eavenson and her husband have been in the ministry for fifteen years teaching youth, adults, and counseling. Tanya enjoys spending time with her husband, and their three children. Her favorite pastime is grabbing a cup of coffee and reading a good book. Tanya is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and writes for Christ to the World Ministries sharing the Gospel around the world.

You can find her on Twitter at @Tan_eave and contact her at her website www.tanyaeavenson.com
Want to learn more about writing? Stop by her blog http://guidedgirls.blogspot.com

Newbie Green

By Tanya Eavenson

When you think of the color green, many things may pop into your mind. But today, we’re going to talk about a shade of green that is hard to pinpoint, but everyone has worn at some point in their life. Newbie green.

This term is where I found myself three years ago when God called me to write. I remember saying with ready fingers pressed on the keyboard, “Are you sure, God? I never wanted to write. Never cared to write.” But there I was, typing away at the keys with a burden to share a story I had no idea where it was heading.

As time passed, I believed I was closer to reaching my personal goals, but every time I thought I learned something, I discovered there was more to understand. Learning comes in layers, peeling away what was there to find something exciting, sometimes difficult, yet new.

I began entering contests, guest blogging, attending conferences, starting blogs, and writing for a mission organization. I laugh because the more I learn, the more I realize I will always be a shade of green, even now as my debut novel Unconditional has released. Have I stayed the same shade? No, I’ve darkened a bit. However, I’m still typing away, telling others what God has placed on my heart, unsure where I’m heading.

I’ve also recognized the story I’m writing isn’t the story I set out to write. It has to do with this journey I’m on as an author. How I share Christ with others. How I love people. Or how, relying on God to direct my path takes faith. I don’t know where He will lead me, but I do know I need to trust Him. That’s the real story.

So, what shade of green are you? Newbie green, just starting off, or hunter green, enriched with more strokes from the Creator’s hand. If we are following after Christ, He will continually cause us to learn and grow, molding us to His image. And the blessings from a deeper walk with Him, is our pouring out of His love through our words onto the page for all to see.

About Unconditional:

He will fight for her at any cost...

Elizabeth Roberts can't remember her past, and the present is too painful. She turns to nightclubs and drinking to forget her infant daughter's death, her husband's affair.

When his wife's coma wiped out the memory of their marriage, Chris Roberts found comfort elsewhere. He can't erase his betrayal, but with God's help he’s determined to fight for Elizabeth at any cost.

She wants to forget. He wants to save his marriage. Can they trust God with their future and find a love that’s unconditional?

What others are saying:

"Unconditional is a powerfully-gripping story of deep heartache laced with fears, yet even through the sorrow, Tanya Eavenson reminds us that nothing can separate us from God's love."
 ~ Alice J. Wisler, author of "Still Life in Shadows" and other novels

"Not your typical amnesia story, Unconditional tells a tale of loss, betrayal, and forgiveness. Eavenson drags her characters through the fire, then reveals God’s power through their broken lives. The writing is stellar; the emotion, raw and palpable; the cast, impeccably crafted. This author is one to be watched!"~ April W Gardner, award-winning author

"Unconditional explores the struggles that married couples sometimes experience, and the decisions they must make after going through difficult circumstances. A powerful story of hope and healing."
~ Laura V. Hilton, Healing Love (Whitaker House) 

Where you can find it:

Amazon
Astraea Press

And now back to Tanya's question...what shade of green are you? Newbie green? Hunter green? Or somewhere in between?

Proof, See the Evidence - Interview

Today I have the special privilege of having not one, but three incredible ladies on my blog today. In a moment they are going to tell you about their new blog, Proof, See the Evidence. Before we get to the interview, however, let me take a moment to tell you about these ladies.


Becky Dean works in state politics for pay, and writes novels for fun. Not that politics isn’t fun. Just that writing doesn’t pay. She especially enjoys young adult sci fi and fantasy, and serves as president of her local chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers. Becky grew up in Southern California and now lives in Austin, Texas, where she misses the beach, but loves the BBQ. She met her husband at Baylor University. (Sic ‘em, Bears!)

Tanya Eavenson grew up in a non-Christian home, catching a bus to attend church as a child. She accepted Christ at a young age after walking down the reddest carpet she’d ever seen. At sixteen, she received her first Bible for Christmas. Never in her wildest dreams did she think God would use her to reach others for Him. But that is exactly what she’s been doing since God called her and her husband into the ministry. Tanya is also writer for Christ to the World Ministries, has written for Novel Editions Reviews, Reflections In Hindsight, and The Bookshelf Newsletter. She is a member of ACFW and was a semi-finalist in the 2011 Genesis contest.




Shellie Neumeier holds a degree in Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, with a minor in Psychology, Sociology and Social Studies. A devoted mother of four, Shellie previously worked on staff with Northbrook Church as the King’s Kids ministry assistant (serving children in grades 2nd through 5th). Shellie’s YA novel, Driven (Risen Fiction) and A Summer in Oakville (Black Lyon Publising) are available online and at your local bookstores. Her middle grade chapter book The Wishing Ring will release February 2012. She is an active member of ACFW as well as a contributing author for various blogs. Shellie is located in southwestern Ohio.

Now let's get to the interview. Welcome, ladies.

What is Proof, see the evidence?

Tanya: Proof, see the evidence is a website focused on teens, challenging them to live their lives differently than the world. What does that mean exactly? Well, to one teen it might mean to share the gospel for the first time or to go on a mission trip. For another, it could mean to stand up for those who are unable to stand up for themselves. Really, it’s about following in Christ’s footsteps.

Sounds great. Why target teens and not adults?

Becky: All three of us have a passion for reaching teens, and God really brought us together at the right time to do just that. The teen years are when people really discover who they are, who God wants them to be. One thing we want to do through Proof is look for creative ways to help teens in this process, whether through websites, or online chats, or novels, or music. We want to provide another way for them to explore faith issues, to seek, and to find answers.

How is Proof different than other teen websites?

Shellie: Proof is designed to share the best of many worlds with teens while providing a safe community for them to interact. We’ll host band and author interviews, hear from teens on tough subjects, and hopefully, enjoy a few youtube videos that’ll make us all smile. It’s informative. It’s interactive. It’s fun.

What will teens find on Proof, see the evidence?

Tanya: If you visit our site you will see a range of things. Interviews from authors, bands, and athletes, mission adventures, reviews on some of the hottest books, and topical discussions relating to what teens face today. We’ll also have devotions that hit the crux of the matter, even crazy contests. Next week we plan to start a flash mob contest. And that is something you won’t want to miss. =)

I'll make sure to see it. How is Proof different than traditional youth groups?

Becky: In a traditional youth group, teens are face to face. This can be intimidating for someone who is searching, who looks or talks different, who wants to seek in their own way or time. With Proof, teens can remain anonymous if they want. Or, we hope to provide lots of ways for them to get involved if that’s their style. Teens are the top users of new technologies, so we want to take advantage of that to address important issues in a format that appeals to them.

If you had one Bible verse to share with a teen, which Bible verse would you quote and why?

Shellie: Definitely 1Timothy 4:12: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” I’ve met amazing young adults in my life. Teens that go to foreign countries to serve people they’ve never met with no thought to personal gain. Teens that dedicate hours to small group studies and retreats when it costs them time on the job and time with their school work. Teens that have no shame in sharing what they know about Jesus. Just because they are young, doesn’t mean they aren’t to be heard. If anything, may we as adults listen to what they have to say, a little more often.

Well said. Thank you for coming and telling us about Proof, See the Evidence.

 Thank you, Ginger for having us on today. This is such an exciting time because tomorrow on the 11^th , we officially launch our blog. Melanie Dickerson and the group Disowning Kaleb will be with us “live” to answer questions or comments teens may have. And for those who do leave a comment, they will be automatically entered to win prizes given away that night. So tell the teens you know to stop by and leave a comment. 

Here is a link to our to the blog Proof, See the Evidence  and to our Facebook page.

We look forward to seeing you there! 

Blessings,

Ginger