Voices

Wednesday’s Spotlight: Voices

New years. Do you love them or hate them? I love them. I love opening up a new calendar, cleaning up my desk, making resolutions …

Might seem odd to spotlight Chris Young’s song today, but it’s swirled around in my head for quite a few weeks. It has even helped me to form a new resolution for 2011 …

I also think this is an amusing song. Several years ago, one of those difficult years, I made the conscious decision to SEEK LAUGHTER. That’s right. If there was a comedy on tv, I watched it. If a music video amused me, I taped it. If a certain author made me smile, then I read them more … you get the idea. I needed to find the brighter side of life that year.

When I first heard Chris’s song, I was reminded of that time in my life. The whole idea of “hearing voices” … yeah, I’ve been there. But we all hear voices, right? We all have important people in our lives, who have given us valuable advice. And we’ve all tried to ignore it at times. : )

Turns out I’m pretty dang lucky
For all that good advice
Those hard to find words of wisdom
Holed up here in my mind
And just when I’ve lost my way
Or I got too many choices

I hear voices
I hear voices like
My dad sayin’ quit the team
And you’ll be a quitter for the rest of your life
Mama tellin’ me to say a prayer
Every time I lay down at night
And grandma sayin’ if you find the one
You’d better treat her right
Yeah, I hear voices all the time

Sometimes I try to ignore ‘em
But I thank God for ‘em
‘Cause they made me who I am

My dad sayin’ work that job
But don’t work your life away

Can you guess which line made it on to my resolution list? : ) Here’s wishing you the very best in 2011 … a year filled with God’s love, the spirit’s peace, and the grace of our Lord.

V~

VannettaChapman@gmail.com

Mailbox Monday

I’m a little surprised the mail was able to run with all the snow everyone has had. Here in Texas we had RAIN, which was wunderbar. We hadn’t seen rain in many months, so it was the very best Christmas gift we could ask for. Now for the mail —

• I love all things Amish…and read all my beloved authors of Amish stories. I now count you among my favorites! I just finished reading A Simple Amish Christmas, and noticed in your acknowledgments you mentioned continued prayers for baby Kiptyn and the little boy in your story is named Kiptyn. Are you at liberty to share baby Kiptyn’s story with us? This child is heavy on my heart for some reason and I now pray for him daily. Thank you so much for this wonderful story…looking forward to reading more! ~Norma (12.22.10)
• Just wanted to say that I finally got to read A Simple Amish Christmas. I loved it. I look forward to reading future books of yours. ~Marianne (12.22.10)
•  I started and finished your book today. It was my Christmas present to myself. I loved it. Your characters are authentic and real, and make me want to know them all personally. And I adored the ending, although I didn’t really want it to end. I do hope you have more stories planned that include Annie, Samuel and the others in Mifflin County. They already feel like family to me. I’m so thankful the Lord has opened up doors for your writing and can’t wait to read your upcoming books. Hope you had a great Christmas and experience even more of God’s blessings in 2011. ~Sheryl (12.25.10)
•  Hi Vannetta! Is this your first novel? I am half-way through this book and I am loving it. I really hope to see more Amish books from you in the future. I have an account with Christian Books on line and I buy every Amish book I can find. ~Debby (12.25.10)

To answer the questions above–Baby Kiptyn is doing well. I know his parents will appreciate your prayers. And ASAC was actually my 9th novel, andmy first inspirational novel to be published. Coming next to a bookstore near you is Falling to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder (Zondervan). I saw the preliminary cover this week and it’s fabulous, but I can’t share it yet. Soon! Happy New Year’s, ya’ll. May God bless you and keep you safe in 2011.

~V

VannettaChapman@gmail.com

Merry Christmas

I would like to wish you and everyone dear to you a very special day.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem to the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloth and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  ~Luke 2:4-7

Merry Christmas, everyone.

V~

VannettaChapman@gmail.com

Celebrate His Birth

Wednesday’s Spotlight: Celebrate His Birth

I came across this little book while I was at Lifeway Bookstore, and it really is a gem. It’s a combination of quotes, verses, songs, various things. I found it to be charming, and exactly what I needed to help me calm myself during this season. Some of my favorite were –

When I think of Christmas Eves, Christmas feasts, Christmas songs, and Christmas stories, I know it was not a short and transient gladness. It was–and is–a joy unspeakable and full of glory. ~Corrie ten Boom

We recall the special Christmases that are like little landmarks in a life of a family. ~Marjorie Holmes

If we could condense all the truths of Christmas into only three words, these would be the words: “God with us.” ~John MacArthur

May these bring you a tiny bit of the Christmas spirit this week.

V~

VannettaChapman@gmail.com

Mailbox Monday

By now you know how much I love receiving mail. When you work for hours alone at a computer, it does help to hear that someone out there is reading your words.

This week, I was very touched when a dear, dear man at my church turned to me and said “My wife very much enjoyed your book. She had nearly made it to the end, only had this much to go …” He raised up his fingers and showed about a quarter inch. “She liked it very much.” His sweet wife passed on a few weeks ago. She’ll be missed by our entire congregation, and of course by her family. The idea that A Simple Amish Christmas was the last story she was reading is quite humbling.

Now for the rest of the mail –

• I enjoyed your story so much I was wondering if any of your upcoming Amish fiction will include characters from your Christmas title?  The younger sisters could be heroine’s in spin-off romances. Merry (first and second) Christmas! ~Donna (12.18.10)
• Got the signed copy for my granddaughter yesterday.Thanks so much. ~Wilma (12.19.10)

And two fun reviews that were posted on Amazon …

• This book was a wonderful story of a young Amish woman who has several choices to make while in those awkward years of young adulthood. I do believe that the ending could have been drawn out a little longer, it was abrupt but all in all a great book. I recommend it to anyone it is great for all ages and may be a great gift for your reader this Christmas. Always remember it is good to be home for Christmas no matter the method that brought you home. ~Johnathon (12.14.10)
• I loved this book. Whether you’re a fan of good wholesome reads, or enjoy a great Amish story, or like a slow, sweet romance, then you definitely need to pick up this debut novel from Vannetta Chapman, but be warned once you start reading you wont be able to put this one down! ~Brenda (12.14.10)

I thought my pastor had a nice parting word of advice this Sunday … enjoy the season. Enjoy the birth of Christ. Whatever you are doing this week, sit back, rest for a minute, and be mindful of enjoying Christmas.

~V

VannettaChapman@gmail.com

First Christmas

The Amish View:  First Christmas

I’VE RECEIVED many letters responding to A Simple Amish Christmas, my debut book. Most readers appreciated the Amish way of life. How do they manage to keep things so simple? Wouldn’t it be nice to not have all the rush and stress around Christmas.?

When I began my research for this book, I wasn’t aware of the Amish practice of First Christmas and Second Christmas. As I fell into the storyof my characters, I also grew accustomed to the rhythms of their lives.

First Christmas — a full day spent worshipping the child, remembering his birth, reading his word.

Second Christmas — a simple celebration with your closest family. A few gifts, chosen because they express your heart (not your wallet). A meal shared together.

For many of us, Christmas no longer represents those things. Sadly it has become something to endure, something to “get through.” I think a lot of us know this, but we don’t know how to move from where we are to where we’d like to be. Trust me when I say that I’m right there with you. I think maybe it starts with letting go of the guilt and expectations.

I think maybe that baby in a manger came to free us from such things. Christmas is next week. Try to enjoy the season, instead of endure it.

V~

VannettaChapman@gmail.com

Winter Snow

Wednesday’s Spotlight: Glory in the Highest

Christmas is NEXT week, so I have Christmas music on the CD player in the house AND in the car. : ) This CD is available where Christian CDs are sold or on Amazon. I heard it at the LifeWay store in Hurst while I was signing books. (They had it for $5, which I thought was quite the deal.) I wasn’t familiar with Chris Tomlin, but I adore this compilation of old and new tunes.

The song I want to highlight for you is Winter Snow (featuring Audrey Assad).

You could’ve come like a mighty storm.

With all the strength of a hurricane.

You could’ve come like a forest fire.

With the power of Heaven in your name.

But you came like a winter snow

Quiet and soft and slow

Falling from the sky in the night

To the earth below

You can read all the lyrics at metrolyrics, but you really need to HEAR this song to appreciate it. If you have a favorite Christmas song, post it below. I’d love to know what it is. I hope everyone is enjoying this Advent season.

V~

VannettaChapman@gmail.com

Mailbox Monday

Christmas is a week from Saturday. I need to start addressing my Christmas cards! : ) Until then, here’s this week’s mail. I’m going to begin with a notice I received of my Midwest Book Review. That’s a first for me, and a very nice Christmas gift.

• Young people out of an Amish community are permitted to leave and decide if they wanted to leave Amish society. “A Simple Amish Christmas” tells the story of Annie Weaver, an Amish woman who during her rumschpringe decides to become a registered nurse. Away from the community for years, she just may finally return to the community when she finds romance with an Amish farmer on her return home for Christmas. “A Simple Amish Christmas” is a compelling blend of romance and the Amish, recommended. ~Midwest Book Review (12.10.10)
• I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know I just finished reading “A Simple Amish Christmas”.  Great Job. About a week before Thanksgiving, I quickly ran into Barnes and Noble to pick up some light reading to keep on hand for myself  for long surgery recovery starting within the next few days .  I was only in the store a few moments, and one of the reasons I picked up your book was because the cover caught my attention and I noticed that you live in the Texas Hill Country! Later I realized this was your debut novel!!!  Congratulations!!!  I loved this book, it has been a great distraction during my recovery!  I look forward to reading more of your books.  You are a very talented writer. ~Christine (12.12.10)
• I just finished “A Simple Amish Christmas” last night. It was a wonderful holiday read. I love Amish Fiction. Will there be a follow up to this book? ~Terri (12.09.10)
• I just finished your Amish Christmas book and wanted to write this email before I let anymore time pass. I enjoyed the book–it illustrated a wonderful caring sentiment of Amish life as well as the simple beauty of Christmas.  Best of Luck with any additional novels. Hope to read more. ~Sharon (12.09.10)
• I LOVE this book!! I downloaded it to my Kindle and could not set it down!! It was awesome!! I highly recommend this excellent Christian novel! ~Jessica (12.08.10)
• I just finished reading A Simple Amish Christmas!  What a beautiful story.  My grandparents we descendants of Pennslyvania Dutch.  I remember an iron tvivet that hung on the wall that said “Throw Papa down the Stair His Hat”  Us grandkids always wondered about such odd wording.  You’ve sparked and interest in researching my family tree- Allentown area,Stahl surname and from Germany is all I know for sure. My BIG question for you is about the cradle to the Cross bookmark that Samuel gave Annie.  As an avid crocheter, especially threadwork/filet crochet I would like to know if you made up the story of the bookmark or if you have ever actually seen one.  I would love to make one!  ~Ruth (12.06.10)
• Loved A Simple Amish Christmas. A good read any time of the year. ~Brenda (12.06.10)

By the way, my book signings are over for 2010, but you can still purchase ASAC at B&N.com, Amazon.com and  at your local bookstore. I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday season, and thanks for the mail! ~V

VannettaChapman@gmail.com

Last Book Signings for 2010

I seldom use this page for blatant self promotion, but I wanted to take a chance to thank everyone who has come out for my book signings which began back on October 1. There have been somewhere around 30 of them, and you all have been wonderfully supportive. I’ve been amazed at how many people are willing to give a BRAND NEW WRITER from a little town in central Texas a try.

My last book signings for 2010 will be in the Dallas area this weekend. If you live nearby and can make it by, I’d love to see you. I always offer a newsletter sign-up, and give away a basket of goodies, but I’m going to raid the goody closet this time … in celebration of Christmas and as a big thank you. 

This weekend’s SPECIAL BOX of goodies will include an Amish quilted hot pad and 3 autographed books by some of my fav writers–Never Far from Home (by Mary Ellis), A River Walk Christmas (Barbour collection, including Lynette Sowell), and A Friend in the Storm (Cheryl Ricker). Stop by and sign up to win. I’ll draw a name Sunday! Can’t be there? Leave a comment with your email addy to sign up for my newsletter. THAT will enter you in the drawing. But you have to leave your email address.  It’s best to leave it like this.  “I’d love to be added to your newsletter list! Send it to JoeSmith (at) gmail.com.”

Easy, right? Or you could come and see me!

12.10.10 Lifeway Christian Store. Mesquite, TX. 5:30-7:30

12.11.10 Lifeway Christian Store. Hurst, TX. 10:00-11:30

12.11.10 Barnes & Noble Bookstore. Arlington, TX. 1:00-4:00

Everyone have a safe weekend and Feliz Navidad! (I just enjoy saying that a bit early.)

V~

VannettaChapman@gmail.com

The Christ (a song for Joseph)

Wednesday’s Spotlight: The Chirst (a Song for Joseph)

Lots of folks are highlighting Christmas books, so I thought I’d do something a bit different and highlight some fav Christmas songs. Music is a muse for me. It inspires me as few things can, and I have it playing nearly constantly. Don’t get me wrong — I’m not against some quiet time. But I ENJOY music.

So I thought I’d begin my December Wednesdays by sharing THE CHRIST, which is new to me, with you. I found it on a collection CD entitled Mary Did You Know, which I purchased because it was playing while I was signing at a Lifeway Bookstore. The music overall is lovely, but Billy Dean’s song is particularly moving.

Here are a few of the lyrics. The words alone can’t do the song justice. You would need to hear the acoustical guitar, Billy’s voice, and the light rhythm of the drum. But I wanted to share the lyrics nonetheless, because they did remind me of why we celebrate –

It was on one frosty morning,

In a town called Bethlehem

You came to us adorning

The redemption for our sin

And in the name of God

You were born that night

To bring eternal life

Jesus The Christ.

You should have seen those kings adore you

They knew your father’s plan

Shepherds bowed before you

They knew you were The Lamb

And in the name of God

You were born that night

To bring eternal life

Jesus The Christ.

And I held you there

While I brushed back my Mary’s hair

And you didn’t cry, at least not as much as her and I

Cause in the name of God

You were born that night

to bring eternal life

Jesus The Christ.

V~

VannettaChapman@gmail.com