Showing posts with label Hope Tour 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hope Tour 2012. Show all posts

Monday, August 20, 2012

Week 10: Where in the World is Magnificent Hope?


Magnificent Hope and I got busy publishing a couple more books, so the blog has been rather quiet. Today, we gear up again with a guest post from author Traci Hilton, and another installment of "Where in the World is Magnificent Hope?" The contest ends August 31st, so be sure and get your entries in now for your chance to win a Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet, a $100 gift card, and a bunch of books!

When you live two thousand miles away from grandparents, it can be hard to make the kind of memories I shared about in Life Lessons from Mom. You can’t just pick a random afternoon to take a ramble with Grandma and hear stories about her childhood. Six month to a year’s worth of bonding have to be organized and scrunched into seven to nine days at a time.

We had the happy good fortune of having those nine days with the Grandparents in our town this summer, and so planning the life-long memory and lesson-building activities fell on me.

I wanted to balance time spent in the comfort of our little home, playing in our yard, eating around the family table, with going to big, exciting places. I live near Portland, Oregon and have to admit that big, exciting, places are hard to come by around here.

But we did our best. We bundled everyone off to our favorite beach along the Columbia River for a picnic. I’d say this little hideaway is my favorite place … on Earth. Yes, quite likely my favorite place on Earth. Silky sands, warm water (compared to the Pacific Ocean anyway!), wide beaches, quiet and secluded beauty. And since it is August it is even sunny and warm. With shovels in hand and the family dog in tow we spent an afternoon I can only call heavenly.

Whenever we go to the river I bombard the kids with stories from my childhood of camping along the river, riding in boats that bump bump over the wakes made my other boats, and the ship wreck we used to scramble over as kids. Since we don’t have a ski boat, (and the river I tell them stories about isn’t as clean as it used to be) we can’t camp on that island like I used to do. But they get a little taste of what it was like, and so far, they love it.

I said there were not many big and exciting places around these parts. No Disneyland or Six Flags type of fun anyway. But my area does have one very big and exciting feature. A place my family loves to visit. We don’t go that often because it’s about an hour and a half away. The Grandparent’s had driven over the Rocky Mountains to get to us, what was another little drive?

So with Magnificent Hope tucked into the pocket on the back of the passenger seat of the mini-van so that she wouldn’t get crumpled*, our family: (Dad, Mom, Grandma, Grandpa, and two little girls) drove off to the big, exciting, landmark. It’s a great place for a picnic, a hike, and a nerve wracking drive. It boasts fir trees, trillium, Indian paintbrush, Elk, death defying bridges, and a gift shop.

Can you guess where we took our family and Magnificent Hope to make memories? Check out the picture to see if you can recognize it!

(*Poor Magnificent Hope! I accidentally left her in the van. Also, pictures from our most recent trip managed to travel back to Kansas with the grandparents, so Maggie has found herself photoshopped into a picture at the same big, exciting, location, but last year and with my girls and their Great Grandma.)


So, readers, can you guess where Magnificent Hope is this week? 

Answer the question correctly to be entered to win a Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet.

Here's how to play:


Each week, we’ll post a photo of Magnificent Hope near a landmark. If you know “Where in the World is Magnificent Hope?” send us an e-mail with the subject line CONTEST WEEK 1, CONTEST WEEK 2, CONTEST WEEK 3, etc. The person with the MOST correct entries and bonus entries at the end of the contest will win their choice of either a Kindle Fire or a Nook Tablet, a $100 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card (depending on which reader your choose), and a copy of all our WIP and PNP books published any time during this year!

Bonus entries may be earned three ways:
  1.  By “liking” all three Facebook pages – Write Integrity, Pix-N-Pens, and Magnificent Hope – just be sure to let us know you liked us in your first contest entry, and we’ll add the bonus points.
  2. Bonus entries will also be given for anyone submitting by e-mail one or more photos taken with Magnificent Hope AND at least one of our books anywhere on her journey. One photo per location, please. (For example, if you bump into Magnificent Hope at a Jennifer Fromke event in North Carolina and take ten photos with her at that same event, only one photo will count. But if you bump into Magnificent Hope at Jennifer’s event, and then again at an event with Dianne E. Butts, you can take photos both places and get two bonus entries!) Send your photos in .jpeg format, attached to an email, and we may use them in blog posts or perhaps even a book.
  3. Telling your family and friends about Magnificent Hope, Hope Tour 2012, and our books and authors – through Facebook, Twitter, blog posts, interviews with our authors or Magnificent Hope, or other ways. One share per week gets you an extra entry, so send us your links by e-mail so we can tally your points.

(If you have trouble using the links, the e-mail address to send entries to is: magnificenthope [at] yahoo [dot] com.)

For those of you coming on board in the middle of the contest, you can go back and enter the previous weeks whenever you wish. Just find the "Where in the World is Magnificent Hope?" contest links in the list below and submit your best guess for each week. 




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Monday, July 30, 2012

"One Hope" Contest Finalists Announced

Write Integrity Press is pleased to announce the following authors are finalists in our "One Hope" writing contest. Writers submitted entries that consisted of a short blurb, one-page synopsis, and the first chapter of their unpublished book.

Finalists must now submit a completed manuscript by December 31st for a chance at publication and cash prizes. One fiction and one nonfiction manuscript will be chosen as winners.

Finalists (in no particular order) are listed by category.

FICTION:

Heidi Blankenship
Jeanette Edgar
Bonnie Engstrom
Sharyn Kopf
Molly Noble Bull (withdrew 12/22/12)
NONFICTION:

Pat Ennis (withdrew 12/24/12)
Tina Hunt
Debbie Ryan
Anusha Atukorala
Joanne Sher

Congratulations to each of you. Get busy writing! We look forward to reading your entries!


Don't forget, the "Christmas Hope" Contest ends tomorrow! Get those Christmas manuscripts submitted asap!




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Thursday, July 12, 2012

Magnificent Hope in Sparkles, Taffeta, and a Relay!


Today's Mission Event is written by author Sheryl Holmes.

The sky darkened and it was inevitable as the rumble of thunder came slowly like a growl.  Lightening and an immediate down pour nipped furiously on the heels of another bellow of thunder.  Meanwhile, Magnificent Hope was eagerly slipping into her sparkles and taffeta readying herself for her place alongside me as I prepared to walk my first Survivor’s Lap around the track at the local Relay for Life event.  We both exchanged quizzical and questioning looks between us as we wondered if the event would be canceled due to the foreboding weather upon us.  But, true to New England weather, the rain suddenly stopped and gentle white clouds appeared and the sky returned to a soft blue hue and the early evening sky looked promising.




Gathering in front of the DJ’s podium, Magnificent Hope caught the eye of everyone; she  was dazzling!  People stared and made friendly comments.  Fifty or so of us stood in our purple “survivor” t-shirts – many of us with our caregivers and supporters.  Maggie Hope, as I heard was her nickname, remained by my side, hand in hand with me as we made our way around the track.  I was delighted to display the personification of  the HOPE that sparkles in my heart as a believer and follower of our Lord Jesus Christ.  It was just this HOPE that spurred me on and uplifted me through many a dark day as I battled cancer last year.  Joy filled my soul as I reminisced with the many others walking in front and in back of me in celebration that we are survivors.  Side liners cheered and gave out winsome smiles and good words for all of us.  I cheered inside my heart as I praised my Father in Heaven for the healing hand He had upon me as I endured cancer, allowing me to survive.  My life was sustained. Magnificent Hope prevailed.

Following the walk, Maggie Hope and I greeted people who passed by my table with vivacious “hello’s” as we offered my book Towdah: A Cancer Survivor’s Song of Hope for sale.  Proceeds went to the fundraising efforts of the Relay; this was our mission. Relay for Life is a fundraising event for the American Cancer Society.



It began in 1985 as an oncologist in Tacoma WA decided to run and walk a track for 24 hours in order to raise money for research – through the night to symbolize the fact that cancer never sleeps; he raised $27,000 as people supported and watched  his 24 hr. marathon.  Since then, teams walk in relay style to raise money and support those who have battled cancer and have survived, those who are battling, and those who lost the battle - lighting luminaries in memory of those loved ones.

Magnificent Hope and I are HOPEFUL that those who purchased my book will be encouraged and find that Magnificent Hope is available to all who earnestly seek after and follow our Savior Jesus Christ – doing His will.


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Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Magnificent Hope Visits Kentucky Conference


Magnificent Hope has been traipsing around the country with Stan and Ann Knowles—NC, VA, WV, KY—on her way to the Kentucky Christian Writers Conference in Elizabethtown, KY. Look, there she is on Ann’s book table and I spy books published by Write Integrity Press and Pix-N-Pens Publishing.

Hope especially enjoyed the scenery along the way, but her favorite parts were the endless white fences, beautiful stallions, and lush bluegrass. Near Bluegrass Airport in Lexington, she saw an amazing life-sized mural that served as a backdrop for  grazing horses and several statues of horses. Being the traveler that she is, Hope wanted to stop and visit every historic site and learn all about the folks who made Kentucky famous—from Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace at Hodgeskinville to Bardstown where Stephen Foster composed “My Old Kentucky Home.” On the way to the Renfrow Valley Barn Dance in Renfrow Valley, famous for country music, they passed by Colonel Sanders’ first KFC in Corbin. She found Kentucky a fascinating place to visit and wants to go back again when there is more time to enjoy the scenic ride and participate in some of the local events—especially the Barn Dance.

During the conference, Hope graced the book table as Stan stood nearby to help anyone who needed a helping hand or a listening ear. They had an opportunity to meet almost every person at the conference because everyone scouts out the book tables. She and Stan kept their ears open for anyone who needed a word of encouragement or HOPE. After all, that was their job—to offer HOPE! Believe me, there were plenty of writers who needed a message of HOPE and they were  grateful for a listening ear and a word of encouragement.

When Ann arrived home and discovered her keys were missing, she was the one who needed HOPE! Now, keys are important, but those pictures of her grandchildren on that key ring were what mattered most. She called the Holiday Inn Express and received the word of HOPE she desperately needed. “Yes. The housekeeping ladies found the keys and turned them in to the front desk. Yes, we will mail them to you. And no, there is no charge for mailing them. We always do that for our customers.” What a great place to stay if you’re ever in E-town, KY.

Back in NC Stan and Ann sent HOPE off on her next excursion. Where will HOPE go next?


About Ann: Ann Knowles has been an educator for thirty-three years (teaching and curriculum development through community college level). 

Ann began writing in 1990 and launched her freelance editing business in 2005. Her stories appear in Life Lessons from Dads and Life Lessons from Grandparents.



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Saturday, June 23, 2012

Week 6 Contest: Where in the World is Magnificent Hope?


School’s out for the summer, so naturally Magnificent Hope headed for the beach. She found a couple of friends to share the joy with her.

This beach is a popular family destination where kids can find lots of things to do when they get tired of the sun and miles of warm water and sandy beach.

This little carnival is just one of the many attractions found in this beach town. 

Families have their choice of mini-golf courses, water parks, museums and shows. In the evening there are free concerts and fireworks where celebrities like Elvis Presley might show up.

And when you just need something refreshing, there’s always ice cream.





So, readers, can you guess where Magnificent Hope is this week? 

Answer the question correctly to be entered to win a Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet.

Here's how to play:


Each week, we’ll post a photo of Magnificent Hope near a landmark. If you know “Where in the World is Magnificent Hope?” send us an e-mail with the subject line CONTEST WEEK 1, CONTEST WEEK 2, CONTEST WEEK 3, etc. The person with the MOST correct entries and bonus entries at the end of the contest will win their choice of either a Kindle Fire or a Nook Tablet, a $100 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card (depending on which reader your choose), and a copy of all our WIP and PNP books published any time during this year!

Bonus entries may be earned three ways:
  1.  By “liking” all three Facebook pages – Write Integrity, Pix-N-Pens, and Magnificent Hope – just be sure to let us know you liked us in your first contest entry, and we’ll add the bonus points.
  2. Bonus entries will also be given for anyone submitting by e-mail one or more photos taken with Magnificent Hope AND at least one of our books anywhere on her journey. One photo per location, please. (For example, if you bump into Magnificent Hope at a Jennifer Fromke event in North Carolina and take ten photos with her at that same event, only one photo will count. But if you bump into Magnificent Hope at Jennifer’s event, and then again at an event with Dianne E. Butts, you can take photos both places and get two bonus entries!) Send your photos in .jpeg format, attached to an email, and we may use them in blog posts or perhaps even a book.
  3. Telling your family and friends about Magnificent Hope, Hope Tour 2012, and our books and authors – through Facebook, Twitter, blog posts, interviews with our authors or Magnificent Hope, or other ways. One share per week gets you an extra entry, so send us your links by e-mail so we can tally your points.

(If you have trouble using the links, the e-mail address to send entries to is: magnificenthope [at] yahoo [dot] com.)

For those of you coming on board in the middle of the contest, you can go back and enter the previous weeks whenever you wish. Just find the "Where in the World is Magnificent Hope?" contest links in the list below and submit your best guess for each week. 

Read more about Magnificent Hope's Journey:






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Friday, June 22, 2012

Magnificent Hope Celebrates Father's Day in Colorado



Hi! Dianne E. Butts here again. Magnificent Hope surprised us again when she attended church with my husband and me in Lamar, Colorado. She heard my husband, Hal, had been asked to fill in on Father’s Day for the Pastor (who was out of town to perform a wedding of one of our church’s kids!)


Hal preached on a timeless “father’s” story Jesus told: the Prodigal Son. Hal talked about how the Father in the story, whose son left and squandered all his money, ran to welcome his son back home when he saw him off in the distance coming down the road, and that’s how God welcomes each of us home when we decide to return to Him.

Hal also talked about how, when we see Jesus coming on the clouds, riding a white horse, at His second coming, He will have His arms straight out, palms out, nail prints in His hands and feet showing, ready to embrace us, and He will say, “It’s time, children. Come on home!”

Oh my. What a sight He will be! Hope and I talked about whether that day is very far off. Seems like a lot is going on in our world today, and that’s why people need hope. And that’s why Magnificent Hope is on tour, taking magnificent hope in Jesus to people everywhere.

Hal and I rode our motorcycles to the church in Lamar where we used to live. It’s a two and a half hour ride…one way. The ride home was in wind and 100+ degree heat. Magnificent Hope decided not to ride with us under those conditions. (I think she feared she might spontaneously combust.) So she headed off to visit the next author on her Hope Tour at her next destination. We asked where that was, but she wouldn’t reveal that top secret information.

Meanwhile, Hal and I soaked our skill caps in water for a little air conditioning on the road. We got home safely, and spent the rest of the afternoon soaking in air conditioning and sucking down H2O!

So long, Hope! See you next time.


Bio: Dianne E. Butts and Renee Gray-Wilburn co-authored Grandparenting through Obstacles: Overcoming Family Obstacles to Reach Your Grandchildren for Christ, releasing from Pix-N-Pens Publishing in August 2012. The Choice film was inspired by a true story in Dianne’s latest book, Deliver Me: Hope, Help, & Healing through True Stories of Unplanned Pregnancy, a finalist for the 2012 Golden Scroll Nonfiction Book of the Year and a “Book of the Year” award-winner at Christian Small Publishers Association. Dianne writes frequently for print magazines, www.FindingGodDaily.com , www.ThinkingAboutSuicide.com, and www.TheChristianPulse.com.


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