Hey all you Book Journey Fans!  This is Alipet813 (Alison) from That’s A Novel Idea.

Sheila is putting us all to shame right now by spending time in Honduras helping people, and she asked me to guest blog today.  Let me just say that this is one of my absolute favorite blogs to visit and I am psyched to be here.  It makes me love Sheila even more to know that she is such a giving person and spends at least once a year in Honduras doing her part to change lives.  I was completely honored to be asked to guest blog today not because I love Sheila but because she actually remembered a review I did a couple of months ago – and she liked it!  My review was on Jantsen’s Gift by Pam Cope. This is a book that focuses on a mother’s grief after losing her son. Not long after she feels that her life purpose is not only to adopt an orphan from Vietnam, but also to travel to less fortunate areas and set up centers to change lives.  Months ago when I read this book it moved me to tears and made me want to get up off my booty and do more for others. Today, I still vividly remember Pam’s grief at losing her son.  I can’t think of it without getting a little teary eyed.  I also remember that Pam is a mom from a small town not all that far from where I grew up. She had no experience with missions work or setting up centers in faraway lands and she did just that.  With faith and prayer I think God can do miraculous work through each and any of us.  No well-known family/star status or millions of dollars are needed to get started.  It basically takes some faith and getting up off our butts.  I am ashamed to say I am still sitting on mine.  I tell myself it is because I have a family to take care of and I have absolutely no extra money, but I think the truth is that I am afraid.  What if I go for one trip and God uses me big like this?  It would be a blessing, but how scary!  So, read Jantsen’s Gift and if you think you should go on a mission trip when you are finished, don’t doubt yourself just start praying and make it happen.  If you aren’t religious and still want to help – forget my God talk and make it happen your own way!  I am quite positive there are many non-faith based programs/trips you can link to and make a difference.

Oh, by the way, Sheila has one copy of this book to giveaway and I think all of you should sign up to win it. You will not be sorry.

Giveaway is now closed

All you have to do to win is go to my blog and read the review I wrote.  Make a comment on the review so I know you were there.  Don’t just say “Jane was here” – this book deserves more than that.  Then come back to Book Journey and leave your email address so she can contact you if she wins.  We will check to see if you posted on my blog.  The contest runs until November 20th and Sheila will pick the winner in her normal fashion. Entries from U.S. and Canada only.

For those of you who would love travel out of the country, but can’t or for those that would love to make a difference but refuse to leave the country there are many opportunities all around you.  You can volunteer at a shelter, a soup kitchen, or a children’s hospital.  You can join a mission that goes away but not far.  You could go to build Habitat for Humanity Houses or clean up a disaster area.  The possibilities are endless.  You are only limited by yourself.