Celebrating Forty with Friends and My First Giveaway!

Yes, I turn the big 4-0 today.  
Do I feel older? Well, if you are talking about the fact that I have to hold books out a foot from my eyes now to read them, or the fact that my knees crack when I stand up, or that I feel the need to go to bed at around 9:30, then yes, I feel older. 


Honestly, I am incredibly blessed and I felt like today was a great day to celebrate His goodness in my life...and have a giveaway (that comes at the end.)


Today I am grateful for:


the fact that God loves me unconditionally and that after 40 years, I am really beginning to understand that love. I am thankful for my salvation, for my walk with Jesus, for my calling, and for the Spirit that enables me to fulfill that calling.


my husband of almost 20 years. He is an amazing man. I love him dearly and I am thankful that we have a marriage built on Christ.  We went to our first marriage retreat this year...and were affirmed that we were doing a lot of things right (by the grace of God!) He is my biggest fan...he just never comments on my blog.


my children. Bekah is 12 and wise beyond her years.  I think there is an old soul buried beneath that veneer of a young woman. She challenges me to slow down, to think deeply, and to love wholeheartedly.  Ryan is 8 and rocks my world. He always has. Ryan is a great kid with a big heart, a huge imagination, and a ginormous amount of energy.  My children are gifts that allow me to know and understand God better. And this was the year my family became complete in Christ when Ryan gave his heart to Jesus in July!


my extended family. So many I can't name, but I am thankful for all of them. I am blessed to have such an extended network of support.


my friends. You are one of them. Old friends. New friends. Thank you for your love,encouragement, and prayers. You are a blessing.


my church family. I love Christ Community Church.  I love serving alongside of such godly people who are passionately in love with Jesus.


my ministry at CCC. I never would have thought that I would be paid to do something I love so much. I absolutely love encouraging, equipping, and empowering people for ministry and seeing them reach their full potential in Christ.


my new emphasis on writing and speaking. Thanks to your encouragement and readership, I have been writing on this blog since July 4 and have written 33 blog posts on this blog and have guest blogged 3 times for others. I also went to my first speaker/writer conference  (She Speaks) this year and proposed my first book! I have been blessed to speak over 20 times, lead two bible studies, and speak for the first time internationally at a pastor's conference in Caracas, Venezuela. By His Grace and For His Glory!


These are just a few of many, many things I am thankful for.  Thank you for letting me share them with you.  


Now...for the giveaway...
I am giving away THREE books that have hugely ministered to me deeply this year and a Starbucks gift card (that ministers to me, too!)


The THREE books:
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa TerKeurst
Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick


Here's how you can enter to win:
1. Leave a comment on this blog and if you are feeling punchy, I would love to hear a subject you would love for me to blog about.


2. Spread the word about his giveaway via Social Media -
Facebook, Twitter, etc. and let me know that you did that by leaving a comment.  (Use the share link at the top of the page)


3. Follow me on Twitter (@kelliwommack). If you do already, thanks and let me know that !


4. Follow this blog by either signing up for it via email, Google Reader, or Networked blogs.  (You can do this all via the side bar.) Let me know that you did this by leaving a comment. If you already do, let me know that!


Thanks for helping me celebrate today!  I will post the four winners on Monday, October 17.  


Unwrapping the gifts of life,






Kelli


P.S. You have made my day.  I love you all!