Saturday, June 20, 2009

Pearl Girls

My friend Margaret McSweeney is the inspiration behind the book, Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace. Margaret is one of those incredible people who just blesses everyone fortunate enough to meet her. And if you so much as ride in an elevator with her, you WILL meet her. She's one of those outgoing people who is just full of joy! Anyway, she has assembled some of the best female Christian writers on the planet to add their wisdom to this amazingly inspirational book. You'll find stories from Debbie Macomber, Shaunti Feldhahn, Melody Carlson, Robin Jones Gunn, and many, many others! For some reason she asked me to contribute also.


This book, I'm certain, will bless the lives of the people who read it, but not only that, it's going to bless a whole lotta people near and far because all proceeds are being donated to two charities. One is Hands of Hope - "Hands of Hope is a community of women helping women and children in crisis, with a current focus on Africa." The other is Wings (Women in Need Growing Stronger) - "WINGS helps homeless and abused women and children by offering integrated services that meet their needs for shelter, education, guidance and support."

I was fortunate enough to meet Rebecca Darr, the Executive Director of Wings and later was given a tour of one of Wings' safe houses this past winter. I was surprised at not only how nice the house was, but at the services offered. Wings does not just provide a safe place to stay for women and children escaping domestic violence. It provides education, and help in finding employment. Wings doesn't kick the women and children out of the safe house after a couple weeks or months and leave them to fend for themselves either. They find them housing and continue to work alongside them.


Rebecca is on the far left

This book contains over 60 essays from some of the awesomest writers. (Yes, it's a word!) I know you'll find it inspiring! Get a copy for yourself and all the wonderful women in your lives. It's not only a book that will bless you, but it'll bless the lives of women and children struggling to survive in Africa and women and children fleeing from domestic violence here in the Chicago suburbs. You can get a copy of Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace HERE.

I have a copy of Pearl Girls to give away! Leave me a comment here, and I'll choose a random winner on Wednesday. Good luck!

84 comments:

Snow Mommy said...

Me me me! I would love a copy of the book!

DaneMom04 said...

I would love a copy!!

Sue Bohlin said...

Well, wasn't Margaret smart to ask you to contribute, Dawn! I would LOVE to read this wonderful book!

Unknown said...

What a wonderful concept for a book..and what a smart lady she was by asking you to contribute !

GrammaMack said...

Count me in!

gomomyourock said...

Sounds like a great book. I'm feeling like a random winner!

Jessica Y. said...

Wow, fantastic giveaway! Thanks! :D

jess^^^4002 [at] gmail [dot] com
(without the ^^^)

Anonymous said...

I am due for some winning luck :0)
Thanks.
Stephanie

Suburban Correspondent said...

Count me in! How's your own book doing?

Frau Mahlzahn said...

Oh, sounds good, hope I can get a hold of it in Europe, too.

So long,
Corinna

Cheryl said...

I'd love a chance at winning a copy of the book...sounds great!

Thanks for making me laugh with your stories. :)

Asher said...

My mom would love this book! Save me some shopping :)

Brenda said...

Sounds like a great book to read, pass on to my daughters and then to the other women in the family who love to read. (then ultimately to our church library)

Bailey's Leaf said...

I would love to read this book! Thank you for offering it to us!

Adrienne said...

I would love a copy!

Nina said...

what a lovely idea of a book. thanks for the opportunity to win.

Anonymous said...

I feel lucky today! We'll see if my feeling was true or not... :)

dicity said...

Ohhh, pick me.

dicity

Jane said...

Wow! Sounds great!

annemarie said...

This book sounds great - hope I am lucky.

Tina said...

What an awesome group of authors! Thanks for sharing.

Tina said...

sounds like a good book to have.

Rachel said...

I would LOVE a copy of this! We are studying grace in Sunday school now, and it's really eye opening for me......

:)

~Isabel said...

Wow...great give-a-way for a great cause!

Ross Momma said...

Wow, what a wonderful book. I love those authors. I'll have to find it if I don't win!

Julie in PA said...

This book sounds wonderful! I'm reading your book right now, and I love it. I'll need another book to read soon though, so I hope I win!

pednurse said...

I would love to read the book! And I like that they are using the proceeds to benefit such worthy causes! Awesome!

Aloha Ya'll! said...

Soud like a wonderful book!

Liz's Random Thoughts said...

That sounds really cool!
I hope my comment is random enough..? :)

Pam from alertandorientedx4 said...

I'd love to win a copy....and promise to pass it along when I'm done...

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great book!!

SPepper22

The Grown Up Teenager said...

What a cool idea. I'd love a copy.

Roni said...

I would love to win a copy of the book. At least something to read while waiting for your next book. ( I read Because I Said So in ummm 2 days LOL)

Cropaddict said...

Can't wait to read it.

dhaynes said...

Please pick me this time!

Diane H

joyce said...

i'd love to read that =)

Anonymous said...

II the mother of a spousal rape/abuse victim I'd like the book to give to my daughter. I think it would help to inspire her, give her hope for a future.

My daughter's story watch the video and know her fear.

Rebecca Dar was instrumental in getting my daughter help. She and Harvard Law Professor worked with the Cindy Bischof Foundation.

Diane wrote my daughters' lethality assessment for the court. He met 16 of the 18 points. He has stalked her from May 2006 - Feb 2009 from jail, prison, on parole. He is back in prison until 2011.

Right now there is some semblance of peace but she must remain diligent.

Hope and a future is what I most want for her and her children.

Anonymous said...

WINGS is a fantastic organization - I met Rebecca years ago, when as President of the Chicago Northwest Suburban Chapter of the CPCU Society became involved and provided some support to one of the WINGS homes. WINGS does a fantastic job, and Rebecca Darr is a fine woman. I moved away, and often wonder how the organization is doing. Glad to hear they appear to be thriving.

Anonymous said...

I would Love to read this one Dawn. Kristine in Michigan.

Patti said...

It sounds like a wonderful book. I would love it!

Tami said...

Picki me I need some summer reading while watching the kids at band camp!

Abby said...

I could use something hopeful right about now. Thanks for sharing.

Janice said...

Pick me!!!!


janicemitchell43@yahoo.com

Emily said...

I would love a copy of this book for my mother-in-law! Thanks, Dawn!

And I'll Raise You 5 said...

I have a lot of grit on my floors...does that make me more eligible to randomly win?

Heather said...

Congrats on being included in, what sounds like, and awesome book!

Now I have a ? (Maybe SSO?) Every time I load your page and see the "About Dawn" section and it reads "I'm a 30-something year old
stay-at-home mom of 3 girls
and 3 boys. The original Brady
Bunch (without Alice!)"
I ALWAYS wonder if people think you and Joe are on marriage #2, that he had the boys and you had the girls etc. like the atual Brady Bunch. Of couse I know that is not true, but have any other "first time" readers thought that? Just wondering...I have wanted to ask this ? for sooo long, but always felt dumb asking it. Oh and Happy Father's Day to Joe!

Amber Narae said...

I would love to have a copy of that... I could really use some uplifting right now! Deployments SUCK.

Christina Marie said...

It must be such a joy to contribue to an amazing cause such as this book!

Cindy said...

I am so excited to read the book! It sounds like a work of art. I think it is amazing that all proceeds are being donated to two wonderful charities. That alone tells me how wonderful this book actually is. You are so kind and giving, and I am sure that shows in the book too! Congrats! This seems to me as if It will be one of those perfect summer reads! Thank you for the excitement in looking forward to it!!!

Unknown said...

It sounds like the book would be very inspirational. I would love a copy.
Tina

heyteach said...

Sounds like a perfect summer read (then again I teach and summer is the only time I have to read so everything is a "summer read")

Kathy said...

I would love a copy, it sounds like a very helpful, inspirational book.

Stephanie said...

Sounds like a good book.

Christy P said...

Congrats on being asked to contribute - it sounds like a great idea for a book!

Mississippi Mommy said...

I love your column, blah, blah.

Anyway, I just found out about this Kids' Restaurant Week in Chicago! I can't believe I'm missing this! I have a 2 year old daughter I haven't brought with me to Chicago yet, because I just didn't think she'd have any fun at the restaurants. This would be the perfect introduction for her. I also thought about you being able to take you kids and not have to get yet another mortgage - KIDS PAY THEIR AGES! MOMMIES AND DADDIES ARE ONLY $29 each!

Lisa said...

I would love to have a copy of this book. It sounds like a great book.

Tracy S said...

Sounds like a great book!

Erin said...

I would LOVE to read this!

Rox said...

Sounds like a great book! I would love to read it! Thanks!

Michelle said...

Very cool -- congrats on being asked to contribute. What did you write your essay on?

And WINGS, oh such a great organization! I have never volunteered there (shame on me) but a good friend of mine did once a month and had such great stories after each time. Definitely a worthwhile organization!

Zach and Beth said...

What a great idea for a book! I'd love a copy!

Unknown said...

I would love to read this book! I work as a researcher for a Community Psychologist--she does research on preventing violence against women & children and it sounds like really neat read.

khill said...

I would LOVE to read this book and even better to win it! Thanks for sharing the word with us!

Chelsa said...

sounds like a great book :)

Anonymous said...

I would be delighted to get a free copy of Margaret's book!

Karen

Shelly said...

I would luv a copy!

Anonymous said...

I'd love a copy! Inspiration is always needed.
Laura in Iowa

Sara said...

i love to read and the books sounds wonderful. I would love to read it!

zekesmom10 said...

It's amazing how many more comments a blogger gets when they are giving things away. :D

Anonymous said...

This sounds an sbsolutely wonderful read and I could use something like that in my life right now!! Would love an opportunity to read it and get some inspiration for some goodness.

Anonymous said...

This sounds like an absolutely wonderful book - and I could use some inspiration in my life - too much negative energy lately, we could use a turn around. (sorry left a comment before but forgot to leave my name) Jo-Ann B, Westbank, BC

RobinAN said...

Sounds like a great read!

Judy Black said...

sounds like a great read.

Caroline from Memphis said...

I would LOVE to win a copy of this book! I don't get a lot of spare time to read, so I'm kinda picky about what I do read...And this looks like it would be great!

Christine in NJ said...

Dawn - I would love to read this book!... Thanks for another great contest!... You are the awesomest! (learned that word from you!)

Christine

Denise said...

Sounds great! Come on random number generator pick me! :) :)

Cheryl Pitt said...

The book sounds great. But I'm LOL. All that black, you ladies look more like mafia wives...no offense.

kirine said...

Sounds like a terrific read. Thanks for the idea Dawn and the giveaway!

Lisa said...

Sounds like this would be a great book, I did put this in my shopping cart at overstock if I dont win (Pre order)

Kristina said...

Sounds like a inspirational read. Would love to read it. Thank you for the opportunity.

Karrie S. said...

I would love to win a copy! Thanks

Siemens said...

I am so inspired by great women writers. Would love the book and will share it with others.

Anna said...

Is it too late? I'd love to win a copy of this book.

amyanne said...

THANKS DAWN! Wonderful post!

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