Sunday, November 27, 2011

Join the Blog Tour for Benny's Angel!

     This week, from Monday, November 28 through Friday, December 2, a group of bloggers will be hosting a blog tour for Benny's Angel, my new children's book.
     Leave a comment on one or more of the following blogs and your name will be entered in a drawing to win a prize package worth $85.00.


11/28/11 http://www.sickofmg.blogspot.com
              http://inthepages.blogspot.com
              www.sarahsblogoffun.com/              

             http://www.annhibbard.com
             www.reallifedeals.com


              http://bookjourney.wordpress.com
              www.lesleypeck.com
              http://jdellis.blogspot.com
              http://www.chelled.blogspot.com/
              http://psmomreviews.blogspot.com
              http://shopannies.blogspot.com

              http://janey-demeo.blogspot.com/
              http://ausjenny.blogspot.com
              www.lovingheartmommy.com

     Thank you so much for checking out some of these websites and entering your name in the drawing!

                                                                                            ~ Laura 

Saturday, November 26, 2011

A Velveteen Rabbit Christmas

  

      Yesterday was Black Friday, the day that launches the beginning of serious Christmas shopping, when businesses hope to get in the black financially. Paul and I chose to forgo the sales in favor of something far more valuable, a special day with our two great-granddaughters, Brianna and Reyna. Our destination was Derby Dinner Playhouse and the Children's Musical Theatre production of A Velveteen Rabbit Christmas. What fun!
      After diving into a sumptuous buffet lunch of mostly "kid food" like corn dogs, chicken nuggets, waffle fries, green beans, and macaroni and cheese, we settled down to watch a musical based on a beloved children's classic, The Velveteen Rabbit. The original book by Margery Williams was published in 1922. It tells the story of a brown velveteen rabbit stuffed with sawdust that is placed in the Christmas stocking of a little boy named Oliver. Even though Oliver receives other toys that are more colorful and sturdy, or have mechanical parts, the velveteen rabbit becomes his favorite. The little rabbit is dearly-loved and handled by Oliver. It goes through may adventures and mishaps, until it loses all its fur and looks quite worn out. That is when  the rabbit undergoes a wonderful transformation. It becomes real!
     The story of the velveteen rabbit has a clear message, one that is particularly important to remember during the holiday shopping season. Nothing bought in a shopping mall or on the web can compare with the love that we are capable of experiencing among family and friends. As we see in the story of The Velveteen Rabbit, it is the giving and receiving of love that makes us real. We have the life-giving capability to love because our Maker loved us first and gave us the most precious Christmas Gift of all, Jesus. (1John 4:19)

                                                                                            ©  Laura Allen Nonemaker

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Book Launch Contest - Win a Limited Edition Print


OLD TIMER

Visit my author website at http://godsgarden.tateauthor.com/ and e-mail me your comment about my new children's book, Benny's Angel. Your name will be entered in a drawing for my limited edition, signed and numbered print titled, "Old Timer." The original artwork for this print won first place in the Fine Arts portrait division of the 2006 Kentucky State Fair.


Note: Last date to leave a comment is December 10, 2011.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Book Signing at Fishers of Men Lutheran Church


Author, Laura Allen Nonemaker, with Benny Bunny and friends at a recent book reading and signing.

This coming Saturday, Laura Allen Nonemaker will sign and personalize her new children's book, Benny's Angel, at the holiday craft show sponsored by Fisher's of Men Lutheran Church. Laura's colorfully illustrated book, written for early elementary age, uses animals, nature, and a visit from an angel to teach children the value of prayer and the importance of trusting God. It is the first book in the series, God's Secret Garden Adventures.

Get an early start on your shopping at the Fishers of Men Craft Show, November 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The church is located at 10360 Stringfellow Road, St. James City, Florida.

Monday, November 7, 2011

The Tragedy of Inner Vows

     When I was a child, certain events caused me to make a decision that plagued me much of my adult life. I decided I would never allow anyone else to control me. This was impossible, of course, if I was going to be a lawful citizen and moral person. Everyone is subject to some kind of authority, whether in school, on the job, or as a member of the community. But as time went on, my subconscious found subtle ways to control aspects of my life and the lives of those around me. I was acting out the "inner vow" I had made when I was young.

     An inner vow is a decision, usually subconscious, that we make due to some uncomfortable or traumatic experience. For example, I watched my own father allow an inner vow to affect him in a negative way throughout his entire life. As a younger man, he received a life-changing blow to his career. Because of that disappointment, he lived the rest of his life dominated by sadness and depression. Only death gave him complete release from the burden he carried.

     My father made an inner vow that changed the course of his life. Unfortunately, it also affected the rest of our family as well. Living with the emotional fallout of his loss planted a deep fear of loss in my own life. As a result, when I became a young woman, I struggled with the need to exert control over the circumstances of my life and the lives of those around me.

     Fortunately, we can be released from these subtle, but powerful, controls on our emotions and behavior. Victory over the effects of my early decision began after I read about the concept of inner vows, understood it, and recognized symptoms of it in my own behavior. I saw that a lot of my life revolved around my fear of losing control over my life.

     The next step in my recovery was to turn the situation over to God and allow Him to have ultimate control of my life. Scripture says that perfect love casts out fear. God's Word also says that fear has torment and I had experienced that torment. As I submitted to God's love and his will for my life, I was gradually able to hand the reins of control to God. As a result, my fear of  loss lessened and so did the need to control those around me.

     When we examine the roots of our negative behaviors, we likely will find an inner vow somewhere in the mix. Releasing past trauma to God initiates a healing process that frees us from the negative effects of an inner vow.

                                                                                                © Laura Allen Nonemaker

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Book Signing and Book Fair This Saturday

       Laura Allen Nonemaker will take part in the annual Holiday Shopping Extravaganza at McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers, Florida this Saturday, November 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Laura will sign and personalize copies of her new children's book, Benny's Angel. The church is located at 3759 Colonial Boulevard.
        Meanwhile, Laura's husband, Paul, will represent her at the annual Faith Lutheran Church Book Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Signed copies of Benny's Angel will be available for purchase. The church is located at 705 Leeland Heights Boulevard in Lehigh Acres.
        In addition to Benny's Angel picture books, Benny's Angel 3-D books, coloring books, T-shirts, and character Christmas ornaments will be available for purchase at both locations.