Ellen Senechal's Blog, page 14

Hey everyone! Just a quick head's-up to remind you today is the last day to enter the giveaway. I'm so excited to have received so many entrants already, and I can't wait to announce a winner!! *happy dance* *confetti*
If you haven't entered the giveaway yet but would like to, go HERE. And be sure and stay tuned for tomorrow's post!! :D
Blessings,

Ellen S.

Hey everyone! Just a quick head's-up to remind you today is the last day to enter the giveaway. I'm so excited to have received so many entrants already, and I can't wait to announce a winner!! *happy dance* *confetti*
If you haven't entered the giveaway yet but would like to, go HERE. And be sure and stay tuned for tomorrow's post!! :D
Blessings,

Ellen S.

Easter In 2020

Happy Easter, everyone!! JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN!! <333
On Easter Day of last year (April 21st), my family followed the usual routine: get up, get dressed, go to church, come back to a tasty Easter dinner, and then depart to our rooms for a few hours of quiet-time, during which we allowed our food to digest. (I also returned to the Internet that afternoon after a forty-day break.) 
This year, things look different.
Church buildings are closed all over the globe. People are urged to keep a distance of six feet apart from each other, masks are used when going to the grocery store, and it doesn't appear anyone prepped for the big Easter meal. After all, it's not worth risking our health just to run out and pick up a ham and some cranberry sauce. So, yes, to many people, Easter is ruined. There're no huge bunnies, baskets full of chocolate, or stuffed eggs littering the yard. No friends are coming over and no families are visiting. Yet, if there's one thing this coronavirus pandemic is pointing out, Easter is not about these things. It's not about big meals and bigger bunnies, nor egg hunts and chocolate. It's not even about going to church. It's about the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As my mom is fond of remarking, Easter to us as Christians happens every day, not just one day a year. And if we truly believe that Jesus died and rose again to make us new in Him, nothing else matters. Today, like any day, is the day to shout our joy. Today, like any day, is the day to sing praises to our blessed Redeemer. The government may have closed the church buildings, but one thing it cannot do is close the church itself, Christ's body. Perhaps God is using this unexpected time in quarantine to keep our focus on Him, and not on the temporary things that slip away like a breath in the wind.Praise Him today for your health, for the family that's with you, for the fresh new morning and the blooming flowers. Praise Him for the gift of His Son. HE IS RISEN INDEED.
Click the video to listen to one of my favorite songs by Casting Crowns, "Hallelujah."

Release Tour Day #4: The First Giveaway

Welcome to day #4 on the release tour . . . the first giveaway! *throws confetti*Are you new to the tour? Click HERE to see what the excitement is all about, and HERE for more info on my book. :D
Lord willing, there'll be one giveaway happening each week till the release of The Whispers God Gives. Two weeks = two giveaways, two winners, and two sets of prizes.I'm super excited about this. Let's get started!Thanks to my precious mama, the prizes for this first giveaway include a . . . 
*signed paperback copy of The Whispers God Gives *homemade bookmark
*handmade necklace and*two scripture cards
Do these prizes look amazing or what??? ;D 
Now, the big question: how can I enter?
Mom and I had fun choosing the four different ways you can enter the giveaway. Each option is worth one entry:
❤Follow Ellen's Musings (via either email or blogger)❤Spread the news about this giveaway on any social media site or with a friend
❤Follow my Author Page on Amazon❤Comment below and share a whisper God has given you at any point in your walk with Him

You have from now until April 14th to submit your entries for a chance to win.At the end of that time, Lord willing, one blessed winner will be picked to receieve all these awesome goodies, and I'll announce the second giveaway. Please note that this giveaway is open to USA residents only.
And . . . that's it! Have fun, and good luck! Be sure to comment and let me know how many entries I should credit you for! <3
Blessings,
Ellen S.

Release Tour Day #3: Acknowledgements

It's day #3 on The Whispers God Gives blog tour! You guys excited? I sure am. After all, there're only fifteen days left 'til the release!!! I can hardly wait to hold an author copy in my hands and send out happy mail to my giveaway winners. :D Oh, but before you get too excited, no, there're no giveaways yet. That has to wait for just a little while longer. =) 
To add more to your eager anticipation . . . my mom is helping me get the prizes ready, and believe me, this is something you won't want to miss! *wink* Stay tuned! Okay, moving on.Today on the tour is my Acknowledgements page. I wasn't able to include this page in my devotional book, so I thought, "Hey, why not post it right here on the blog?" Here goes!

So many people helped out as I wrote and published The Whispers God Gives. Between emails, phone calls, blog comments, NaNo messages, letters, and hours spent Skyping, these sweet friends never let me give up. They were my constant source of encouragement, and they each deserve a huge thank-you, a plate of chocolate chip cookies, and a hug. With this whole social-distancing and coronavirus thing going on, however, I hope they'll be content with taking these gifts via a virtual route. =) 
Mom, Dad, and all eight of my dear siblings, you guys are simply the best. You laughed with me, you cried with me. You let me talk your ears off and endured every moment of my writing journey, be it either joyous or painful. Every one of you has truly been there for me when I needed it. Mom, your lettering job for the front cover of my book is perfect. I'm so pleased that you were able to do that for me. And Sadie, my sweet two-year-old sister, my inspiration behind so many of the devotions included in The Whispers God Gives . . . you're so loved, baby girl. Never forget it. <3 
Amy Jordan, my fabulous cover designer. Working with you has been a joy, and I absolutely LOVE the finished cover. You willingly put up with my tweaks and persistent thread of emails. I have been so blessed by you. Thanks for everything!
Emma, you listened as I shared the excitement of my heart, and you have been nothing but supportive since the beginning of this whole adventure. Thank you, dear friend - it means so much to me. <3333
Sandrina, my single beta reader and faithful email/pen/Skype pal . . . no words can ever fully describe my debt of gratitude towards you. You're amazing, girl!! 
My team of ARC readers, Kaitlyn, Hosanna, Izzy, Emma, Sandrina, and Mrs. Hickey. Some of you have stuck by me the whole journey, others getting on board nearer the end. Whatever the case may be, I've appreciated all you've done for me and my book baby. :D Keep shining for Jesus!
Mrs. Susan K. Marlow, my mentor, editor, formatter, go-to person . . . for being all this and more to me, THANK YOU. You went above and beyond preparing my manuscript for publication. I couldn't have done it without you. 
Special thanks to all my buddies on NaNo who had to live through my many spur-of-the-moment messages and slog their way through a bunch of links. You all have been sooooo encouraging. Abigail J., thanks so much for starting up the Circle C Writers' Group. Writing and talking with my fellow Andi fans has been amazing. <3
Finally, to all my viewers here on Ellen's Musings, thank you. You guys are wonderful. You listen to my ramblings and take the time to leave a sweet comment or two on every post. I've been flooded with uncountable exclamation marks, along with earnest support and plenty of questions. Could ever a girl ask for more?? 
And of course, I can't end this without turning all credit and praise to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who truly guided every word I wrote. He's led me in the way I should go and provided for me when I least expected it. I'm not worthy of His love, yet He loves me anyway. The knowledge of this is what keeps me going when I'm down, and what continually spurs me onward to the finish line. He has so many plans in mind for this book, and I'm eager to see just how He uses it to bless others in their walk with Him! <3

And now, just because, a pic of Ruby Jane and me. :D She's two months old now and growing like a weed!


Did you enjoy this post? Are you excited for the next part of the tour? Have any questions? Let's talk in the comments below!

"The Whispers God Gives" (Kindle Edition) is Available for Preorder

For anyone out there who planned on purchasing the Kindle edition of The Whispers God Gives, it's now available for preorder on Amazon. Click HERE to check it out! *happy dance*

Release Tour Day #2: Back-Cover Summary and Snippet

Hi friends! Welcome to day #2 of the release tour for my devotional book, The Whispers God Gives.
While I don't plan on doing a full-blown blog tour, I would like to have something new to share with y'all about my book at least once every week. And if any of you want to go ahead and spread the word about the release of my book baby, by all means feel free. ;D 
I uploaded the FINAL version of The Whispers God Gives to KDP this morning, and my mentor/editor/formatter, Mrs. Marlow, just sent the Kindle file, all ready for publication. (Eeks! It seems so real now!)
Lord willing, reviews and giveaways will be coming soon!!! For now . . . 

Today on the tour, I'm sharing the back-cover summary for The Whispers God Gives . . . and, at the bottom of this post, a fun snippet. =)
Special thanks to Mom, Dad, and Susan Marlow for their help in making this summary shine.

Hear God whisper as you read!

Have you ever found yourself questioning God's will for your life? Are you battling things nobody else seems to relate to? What about bitterness after losing a friend? Perhaps you've scoured the Internet and came up dry because you couldn't find anything that spoke directly to your teen or pre-teen heart.

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, this book is for you.

In The Whispers God Gives, teenaged author Ellen Senechal speaks from her heart and from God's Word. She longs to share what she couldn't find no matter how hard she looked - a clean, wholesome Christian devotional that's short, sweet, and to the point. A book centered around strengthening your relationship with God your Savior, Counselor, and Friend in thirty days.

Let God's whispers begin!


And, of course, the snippet. :-)

INTRODUCTION
If you’re reading this, it’s because God has given you breath in your lungs and a heartbeat. He’s brought you this far. Perhaps you’ve entered your teen years or are about to leave those years behind. Possibly, you’re a tween, and you’re looking for words of comfort, peace, and advice as much as any teen. Whatever the case, it is my prayer that God uses these devotions to speak to your heart. The Whispers God Gives offers glimpses of how God can use what feels like the worst moments in your life for His glory. You will read how God used my experiences with friends and anxieties. You will also step into my “teen moments” in regards to appearances, people-pleasing, and the usual “Life is so unfair!” cry. I urge you to read these thirty devotions as you deem fit. Don’t feel pressured to read one each day. Read them instead as God is calling you. These devotions are in no particular order, so be encouraged to pick and choose the ones that meet you where you’re at right now.So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.  ~2 Corinthians 4:16-18
The Whispers God Gives © 2020 Ellen Senechal

What do you think? Are you excited for the tour and release? Will you be entering the giveaway(s)? Let's talk in the comments below!

Exciting News!

Friends, I am like . . . beyond excited right now. You won't believe what came in the mail yesterday!
But oh, I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's take this one step at a time and start way back at the beginning of this whole adventure.As some of you can no doubt remember, I took nearly the entire month of March and almost all of April off the Internet last year. It was a hard challenge for me, but definitely so very worth it. 
You also may recall that since I've returned, I've hinted time and time again at a "special project" I had in the works. Yep, you guessed it. Now is the time to break the news and reveal to you all just what I've been up to since March of 2019.Are you ready for this???? *throws confetti* *dances around* 



During my time away from the Internet, God worked in me to bring about something I was doubtful would ever happen: writing a thirty-day devotional book for teen girls that would make its way, slowly but surely, to publication!!!
I am soooooooooo ecstatic and caught up in awe at the way God has been leading me with this book. As the proof copy arrives and I enlist my sister's help in snapping a picture, I'm reminded yet again about His faithfulness.
He truly gave me the endurance I needed to do what had to be done . . . as well as two fantastic parents, a bunch of encouraging siblings, several amazing friends, and a favorite author who offered me constant support throughout the whole publishing (and writing!) process. (You guys are the bestest!!! <3)
The release date for this devotional book, The Whispers God Gives, is set for April 21st, 2020, the same day a year ago I returned from my Internet break. Lord willing, it will be available on Amazon as both a paperback and Kindle edition, in case any of you are interested in purchasing a copy or two. ;D
Be sure to stay tuned, as there's a slew of fun stuff in store for the release that just might include giveaways, snippets, and reviews from a group of awesome ARC readers! Next week, I'll be sharing the back-cover summary. =)



Comment below if you're excited!!
Blessings,
Ellen S.

Holding Onto Truth In a World Filled With Fear

Hello all!! Ellen here, reporting to you live in her St. Patrick's Day attire (green shirt and grey sweat pants). While her family is not one to celebrate the holiday, Ellen's siblings have made it a tradition to pinch whoever isn't wearing green on March 17th. Hence the shirt that she only wears once a year.
Okay, time to get back into talking first-person. XD
As you guys are well aware, the coronavirus is e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e. It's on the news. It's in people's homes all around the globe. It's made us shut down restaurants, theatres, schools, and libraries. It's even succeeded in changing Walmart's hours, which have been 24/7 for as long as I can remember. It's emptied the shelves of sanitizers and Lysol wipes. It's closed the door to gathered worship with more than 50 people.
There's no escaping this "state of emergency." It hangs over us like a dark shadow, threatening to steal our peace and replace it with anxiety. 
As we watch everyone around us get hysterical, load their carts with toilet paper, and take off to quarantine themselves at home, our faith can begin to sway. We can begin to doubt. We can begin to think, What if my family catches this? Our newborn baby? Would half of us end up in the ICU?
In the midst of all this fear and panic, we need to remember the One in Whom we've placed our trust. We need to cling to His truth and His promises. We need to let things go. We need to surrender our whole lives to Him. 
He still has us, even if the world around us feels like it's whirling out of control.
Psalm 91:2-6 holds such a deep, comforting assurance from our Savior, one I think we all should reflect upon, especially now. 

I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in Whom I trust." For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and a buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. (emphasis mine)

As you walk into Target today and see the bare shelves and large crowds, remember this. As you read headlines, remember this. As you start to doubt, remember this.
The coronavirus may be big, BUT OUR GOD IS ALWAYS BIGGER. <3
Praying for you all!!

Blessings,
Ellen S.

Unexpected Hamster Adventures: A Search Party at Four In the Morning

Yes, I think the title just gave away everything this post is about.