Katie Ganshert's Blog, page 21

Seeing God in Unexpected Places

Last Wednesday, I had the privilege of listening to a young lady named Sierra Makeever give her testimony at youth group.

As part of her story, she read something she wrote for a friend. A beautiful piece about seeing God. Sierra gave me permission to share it here, on my blog. I hope it blesses you as much as it blessed me…

I see God in beautiful music, the kind that displays someone’s deepest most heartfelt desires.

Quiet moments, the ones where you can hear your own heartbeat.

Moments that are...

Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner

Thanks to all who shared your favorite Christmas tradition on Wednesday and Thursday. They were lots ‘o fun to read!

This week’s prize package included:

The ADVENTure of Christmas by Lisa Welchel
Wildflowers from Winter by Katie Ganshert
God of all Comfort by Donna Pyle
A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California by Keli Gwyn
Lethal Remedy by Richard Mabry
Central Park Rendezvous by Kim Vogel Sawyer, Ronie Kendig, Dineen Miller, and MaryLu Tyndall

And the winner is…..

KARLA HANNS

Merry Christmas Karla!...

Christmas Traditions

Today’s Giveaway Includes:

The ADVENTure of Christmas by Lisa Welchel
Wildflowers from Winter by Katie Ganshert
God of all Comfort by Donna Pyle
A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California by Keli Gwyn
Lethal Remedy by Richard Mabry
Central Park Rendezvous by Kim Vogel Sawyer, Ronie Kendig, Dineen Miller, and MaryLu Tyndall

If you’ve ever felt that Jesus gets lost in the middle of the craziness of Christmas, then this book by Lisa Welchel is just for you! For each of the twenty-four days preceding C...

Go Back to the Beginning

I have a confession to make. It’s time to take off the mask, as my friend Betsy would say, and get real.

Lately, I’ve been struggling. I’ve been a bit deflated. A bit frustrated. A bit….itchy in my own skin.

Lest you start to worry or think I’m in tears throughout the day, I’m not.

I’m generally an upbeat, resilient person and I have so much to be thankful and grateful for.

But sometimes, in those quiet moments between the to-do’s, when I haven’t quite decided what to tackle next, there’s a yearn...

Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner

Thanks to all who shared their favorite on Wednesday and Thursday. I loved reading each of the comments.

This week’s prize package includes:

2 Christmas ornaments
Wildflowers from Winter by Katie Ganshert
Submerged by Dani Pettrey
Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK by Betsy St. Amant
Central Park Rendezvous by Kim Vogel Sawyer, Ronie Kendig, Dineen Miller, and MaryLu Tyndall

I wrote all the names on a slip of paper and Ryan picked a winner last night at 9 pm CST.

An...

Christmas Ornaments and Decorations

Today’s Giveaway Includes:

2 Christmas ornaments
Wildflowers from Winter by Katie Ganshert
Submerged by Dani Pettrey
Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK by Betsy St. Amant
Central Park Rendezvous by Kim Vogel Sawyer, Ronie Kendig, Dineen Miller, and MaryLu Tyndall

Before we get to Bethany and Robin, please allow me to explain the ornaments.

I took my little man (who is sadly becoming less and less little every day) to Target to help me pick out the ornaments for the giveaways.

Originally, we were go...

Christmas in Peaks & Fun Christmas Goodies

Come celebrate the holidays in Peaks with Bethany and Robin every Wednesday until Christmas and tell us what the holiday means to you.

Join us (Bethany, Robin, and I) as we discuss our fondest childhood traditions, those extra meaningful (or slightly odd) holiday decorations, and our favorite Christmas music and movies.

Each Wednesday, I’ll be giving away a fun Christmas goodie (perfect for stocking stuffers), several books by talented authors, and a copy of my debut novel, Wildflowers from Win...

When to Decorate

In a culture where malls are putting up Christmas decorations as early as October, the question begs to be asked:

When is it time to decorate?

In my debut novel, Wildflowers from Winter, the hero, Evan Price, has this thought about his brother and sister-in-law:

Unlit Christmas lights wrapped around the gutters. Micah always put the lights up at the beginning of November. They were that couple. The couple that skipped right over Thanksgiving in their eagerness to spread yuletide cheer.

On the oth...

Friday Faves

Chin-Grabbers for Everyone:

Why Santa Claus Gets on My Nerveslby Jill Kemerer

I’m not anti-Santa. I even think the dude can point to Jesus. But Jill so eloquently explains why this jolly red man makes me want to cringe at times. “Christmas, to me, is about saying ‘thank you, Jesus,’ not, ‘I want….’”

For Those Who Need an Attitude Adjustment (Like I Do)lby Courtney Walsh

Lovely post about shifting our focus.

Chin-Grabbers for Writers:

Why is Your Second Novel so Important?lby Chip MacGregor

Chip answ...

Wanderers, Captives, the Sick and Storm-Tossed

At any time in your life, or perhaps even now, could you place yourself in one of these categories?

Perhaps you’ve felt like a wanderer in the desert, miles and miles away from the tiniest glimpse of the promised land.

Or chained in captivity, like a prisoner. Addiction or shame is the iron shackled to your wrists and ankles.

Maybe you’ve battled illness or maybe you feel like a storm-tossed sailor, even though your feet stand on dry ground.

Let’s park our weary souls in Psalm 107 and soak in an...