Birthday Bash Day 5 with Special Guest Julie Lessman!

Well, all good things must always come to end, but at least we're going out with a bang!  You're gonna love *everything* about today's post with my very special guest, Julie Lessman, so why don't we just get right to it, k?  :o)

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What’s one of the most memorable gifts you ever received for your birthday?

Well, I can’t remember if it was my birthday or Mother’s Day, but my wonderful artist husband gave me something so unique and beautiful, that I will treasure it always. He’d just built us a beautiful media room in our basement, a work of art really, because the man is incredibly creative and handy, and it had these multi-colored pillows on our leather sectional couch. Would you believe he took a picture of one of those pillows and designed three different versions in the same colors, then superimposed them on canvas frames as a wall grouping?

“It’s beautiful, babe,” I said, amazed once again at his mind-boggling creativity. “Look closer,” he said, and I squinted a bit, suddenly seeing our entire life before my eyes. Yes, you guessed it—this incredible man actually super-imposed pictures of each of us—me, my son, daughter and himself—over the multicolored canvases to create living artwork that captured US (I hope it shows in the pix I took)!! WOW!! Let me tell you—I teared up on the spot and threw myself into his arms, giving him the biggest, most grateful kiss I could!  What can I say—MasterCard has nothing on him—he’s “priceless.”

Awww, Julie, I love those pictures!  You've got a keeper of a husband!

Do you have any special memories of the year you turned 30?

Oh, honey, at my age, do you really think I can remember back that far??? 

Mmm... let me see (straining brain here)... not, 30 so much, but I will NEVER forget age 32! Why, you ask? Well, you see, I was an infertility patient who was desperately trying to have a baby. It was a very traumatic time for me with LOTS of tears, but as with everything when God is involved, He turned it around to be one of the greatest lessons of my life on the power of praise. Anyone who would like to read about it in my article entitled “Clean Heart, Dirty Diapers,” can do so on the Hannah’s Prayer Ministry (an infertility blog) website called HELD at http://hannahsprayerblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/clean-heart-dirty-diapers.html, but keep in mind that I no longer monitor the comments.

Anyway, the day I found out I was finally pregnant is emblazoned in my memory! I was helping my neighbor paint her bedroom and needed to call the doctor for the results of the pregnancy test, but I didn’t want her to know. So I ran home to call privately (this was WAY before I owned a cell phone), and when that nurse told me the rabbit died (smile), I’m telling you right then and there, I just about did too!! I had had SO many months of disappointment after disappoint with infertility drugs, sonograms, charting my temps and my poor hubby in boxers, that I literally gasped and yes, started sobbing like a baby myself! Let me tell you, it was sheer murder trying to act calm and nonchalant in front of my neighbor after that, but I managed because I wanted Keith to be the first person I told, and I wanted to do it in person when he got home that night!!

Wow, what a story, Julie!  I can see you now...trying to act "calm and nonchalant!"

If you could only give one book to me for my birthday (not including your own), what book would I find underneath the wrapping paper?

Mmmm...well, since this is the Southern Sassy Things blog, I’m guessing you already have a copy of Gone With the Wind, so that rules that out! ;) So … I would probably give you a copy of Prayers That Avail Much by Germaine Copeland because after the Bible, that book has impacted my life more than any other. Mind you, all it is is a compilation of prayers for any possible need you can imagine—from depression or fear, to buying a home or wayward kids, etc. The prayers are simply Scriptures strung together in a heartfelt and poignant petition for whatever trial you are undergoing, BUT … they are SO powerful because think about it—it’s 100% Word of God put into a prayer! I bet I have given at least 20 of these books to various people over the years, it’s that good!

Yes, I do have a copy of GWTW (that ashamedly, I haven't read yet), but that prayer book sounds like one I might like to have someday.  It reminds me a great deal of a similar book, Daily Light by Anne Graham Lotz.  It's more of a devotional with a series of scriptures to read each morning and evening, and they all flow together in the greatest way.  I've given a couple as gifts, too.

And the most important question of all... What’s your favorite flavor of birthday cake? :o)

LOL!! Yes, indeed, a MOST important question!! White cake tops the list, followed by red velvet—lure me with either of those two, and I’ll follow you anywhere! :)

Who says we can't have both today?!  White cake is oh-so-yummy, and while I'm personally not a fan of the red velvet, I'm sure we have a reader or two that is.  :o)  (Oh, and I can never think of red velvet cake without thinking of Steel Magnolias, either!)

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Y'all, I'm so sorry that this week has come to an end!  I hope that each and every one of you has had as great of a time as I have, and in just a couple more days, a few of you will be the big winners!

Now, for today's "present," we've got something a little different...a reader's choice, so to speak.  If you sign up for today's giveaway, you have your choice of receiving any of the following:

Any one of Julie's books, including her newest release, A Heart Revealed,

OR

a writer's critique and the detailed handout from my and Ruth Axtell Morren's ACFW Workshop, A Kiss is NOT Just a Kiss.

To enter today's giveaway, simply fill out the form below to be entered. We're getting close to the end of the week, and that means you've only got 3 DAYS to enter Julie's contest! All contests are open until Sunday, December 4th, and winner will be announced Monday, December 5th. US addresses only, please.



And if you've missed any of the other posts this week, get your entries in while you have the chance!

Click here for Vickie McDonough's interview and giveaway.

Click here for a post chock full of book giveaways!

Click here for Ginger Garrent's interview and giveaway.

Click here for Lori Copeland's interview and giveaway.

Once again, thank you all SO MUCH for spending this week with me!  I appreciate all the wonderful comments more than you possibly know, and I feel like I have made some new friends this week, too.  :o)  Y'all don't be strangers now, ya hear?  And when it's your birthday, I hope you'll consider inviting me to your par-tay...I'll bring the cake!