I have been crazy excited the past few days because I knew today was coming–I’m introducing the title and cover of my Christmas ebook! Are you ready? (I seriously got NERVOUS writing this!) Here it is…
The more I’ve gotten into writing and finishing this book, the more excited I am about it. I know ebooks are a dime a dozen right now (and I’m a sucker for each of them!) but I really wrote this out of an authentic experience with my daughter and son. I actually wanted to write it last year, but as usual I got lazy or overwhelmed with life and put it on a back burner.
When I was at Relevant I had a hard copy of the ebook printed out. I clutched it nervously in my hands and went to an ebook class with ebook-super-stars, Sarah Mae and Stephanie Langford. During the entire class I was emotional. I kept thinking, “Accch. I might have missed it. I might be too late. I might not have it together in time to promote it correctly or generate enough buzz.” And I felt sick because suddenly I realized God wanted me to do this book. I couldn’t keep it on my heart for another whole year!
I literally have tears in my eyes now writing this post because I can clearly see kids and families using this book and getting to know Jesus this Christmas. And maybe this will be their year. THE YEAR. The one they understand that Jesus loves them. The year they “get it” on their level and ask Jesus to be their very best friend.
And it’s not because the book is so incredibly well-crafted, designed or written. It’s because God’s Word is SO POWERFUL and ALIVE! The whole concept of the book is to read a portion of the Christmas Story directly from Scripture. Then make an ornament craft to go along with it. The talk about the event or the person in the story. It sounds simple but I know (and you do, too if you have kids) that when kids get to use their hands to create and they get to talk about something, it gets into them. I see these Advent activities in the book as kid-friendly ways to meditate on God’s Word.
Psalm 145:4-6 says,
One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works—and I will proclaim your great deeds.
And that is the picture I see of this book! I see one generation telling another the awesome, mighty, glorious, majestic, wonderful work of Jesus’ birth on earth. And the second generation listening and meditating on those great deeds. The great news is that God’s Word always produces results. As we lead our children into meditating and understanding His great and mighty deeds, I know their hearts and lives will be changed!
Would you help me a little? I’m crazy nervous about the timing of the book because it’s releasing the day after Thanksgiving (BLACK FRIDAY! Look out for an amazing intro price that day!) and that’s only a few days before December 1st, when Advent starts! Will you like the Truth in the Tinsel Facebook page for me? As soon as I get enough LIKES I can get the custom URL (which is just cute & much easier to share!). I also need 20 bloggers with an appropriate audience (mom bloggers, craft-y bloggers, homeschool bloggers, ministry/church bloggers, etc.) who would be willing to blog about the book the week before (or after) Thanksgiving in exchange for a free copy. If you are interested, please email me at amanda at impressyourkids.com. Got ’em! *whew* THANK YOU!
OK. I think that’s it. I could go on and on but if I do, I’d just have the whole book out here for your perusal! Let me know what you think about the ebook! I’d love to hear your input!
Carisa says
YAY!!!!! The title is wonderful and love the cover design! I am so happy for you and for the MANY families who will be blessed by this!!!
Tracee says
I am so excited about this!!!!
Casey says
I can’t wait to buy this. Seriously excited to use this with my kids this Christmas. I agree that the cover and title are super cute! Can’t wait to see the inside.
Audra says
Looks like such a sweet book! Excited to get mine! Thanks for being willing to share your heart and being obedient to the Holy Spirit even in your uncertainty.
Leigh says
Girl – I am so excited for you and for us!!! This is fabulous, and yes, amazingly adorable! I cannot wait to get my hands on it! Thank you for sharing this experience with us!
Dakotapam says
I just zipped you an email, I’d love to review for you, it looks great!
Sharla says
I love the cover. It’s cute and approachable and unique! Great job! This sounds like something that I would love to do with my kids. When are you launching it? I will be getting one for sure and if my kids like the activities (which I’m sure they will), I will blog about it and help spread the word. All the best to you on this…it’s very exciting!
ohamanda says
It will be released the day after Thanksgiving.
Heather says
Yippee!!! I have goosebumps. I’m not kidding. I am ridiculously excited for u. I think when we talked the first night at relevant u said u were going to wait until next yr. Sooooo happy to hear the Spirit led u to this yr!! I will totally review it, promote it, stand on a corner holding a sign, whatever u need!!!
MommaKristi says
So excited about this…I emailed you!!! Conveying Christmas to my boys is so tough!!! I’d love the help!!!
XOXO
Jen Barry says
I am SO excited!!!
Maureen says
How exciting Amanda! I’m willing to promote and review if you need another blogger.
-spelloutloud
Candace says
Love the cover! Can’t wait to buy it for our family this year!
Desiré says
Oooh! Looking forward to this! There’s not a lot of advent stuff out there that works well with younger kids. Can’t wait!!! 🙂
Dixiemom7 says
I am so excited for you! Congratulations on your book and obedience to God’s voice. I can’t wait to read it and try it with my 7 kids. I would LOVE to review it and blog about our intentional advent. LOVE the cover and title! 🙂
Madonna says
Can’t wait to to check it out.
Elizabeth c says
Wow! I look for great Christmas books to read with my kids every year…I have yet to find one…I have a feeling this will be it!!! Any chance it will be printable? I’m still a “hold it in my hands” kind of girl 😉
ohamanda says
Yes! It will be printable! AND it includes some SUPER cute printables, too! 🙂
Kariann says
Hooray!
I am so excited!! 🙂
Kariann
Lisa Tompkins says
I would love to review and introduce your book on one of my blogs. I have a homeschooling blog as well as a photography/introspective blog.
Kris says
That looks WONDERFUL! Yay!
Valerie says
I just came to your blog today with the intention of searching for Advent activities! How wonderful to know you are publishing an ebook and it will be available soon!!
Thank you for your obedience. I’m sure our family and many others will be blessed this year with something like this to help focus us on the true meaning of Christmas!
vanessa@silly eagle books says
It looks amazing! I love the design. 🙂
Katie says
It looks amazing! Good luck on your venture.
Cindy Hunnicutt says
Honey,
I am so proud of you. This is going to have an amazing impact on kids and their parents- and for the kingdom of God as well.
I can’t wait to see how it’s going to ‘take off’ to bless you and your family too!
Jennifer says
I hope you will be sending out a reminder through Facebook when the book is available. I am so excited now, but am afraid I will forget about it by then.
ohamanda says
Oh, don’t worry! I’ll probably err on the side of letting you know TOO much! 😉
Amy says
Thank you so much for writing this!! I’m sure that this e-book will be as big of a blessing to me and my family as the rest of your blog and sharing!! Bless you!
Mandy says
Yay! I have been looking for the perfect devotional for our family this advent season. I’m so excited to see this! What ages is it geared for?
Krissa says
Can’t wait to read this! I am so excited for you and the cover is super cute! 🙂
Laura says
The book is EXCELLENT. The cream of the crop. Truly. We WILL be doing these lessons and I’ll highly encourage my readers at TheHomeschoolBaby.com to try them out, too. Really, Amanda, this is the perfect way to encourage us mothers of the littlest learners. I could kiss you!!
ohamanda says
Thank YOU! I could do the same to you! 🙂
a
Kelly says
This is really, really cool! I have a couple questions about ebooks since I have never before gotten one. If you have time to answer that would be great. My little guy is not yet old enough to do these. If I buy the ebook now do I always have it, even years from now to do with my kids? How is it stored or whatever on your computer, do they take a lot of space? Thanks so much! Kelly
ohamanda says
Oh yeah, you’ll have it forever! It’s just a downloadable PDF (only a REALLY cool pdf!). It won’t take up so much space on your computer–it’s just a file! 😉
Leanne says
I’m so happy for you! Your excitement definitely beams in your writing. Good luck.
ohamanda says
Thank you, Leanne! I’m honored you left a comment, friend! 🙂
Gail says
Congratulations Amanda!Sounds like a great tool to involve parents & children in learning God’s Truths.The cover is adorable & I can’t wait to see the rest of it…sounds awesome!
Danae says
Previewed the book…ekkk…Can’t wait to put up my blog post or do these with my kiddos 😀 Trying REALLY HARD to wait until after Thanksgiving 😀
ohamanda says
Yay! So glad you like it! 😉
Melody says
Can’t wait!
http://mahalkavanshavali.com says
Hi, Neat post. There’s an issue with your website in web explorer,
could test this? IE still is the market leader and a large part of other folks will pass over your fantastic writing due to this
problem.