Introducing Book #4

We are so excited to introduce the fall book selection for Bloom.



You can find Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives on Amazon. As we mentioned in the video, your purchases from Amazon will help fund the shipping expenses for books to those not able to purchase a copy.

Also, remember that quantities may be limited, so order soon! You should also be able to find the book at local book stores, used book stores, and at the library.

Update: The publisher has informed us that if they sell out, they can print more in a matter of days. HOORAY! :)

Schedule
We will post a video discussing one section of the book each Sunday starting on October 17. That should give you enough time to get the book and read the first section.
 
The schedule is as follows:
October 17: Rest
October 24: Rhythm
October 31: Time
November 7: Happiness
November 14: Wisdom
November 21: Consecration and A Sabbath Day

Community
We are excited to have started a BlogFrog community so that we can easily get to know one another and discuss the book. Just click here to join!

Please also "like" The Bloom Book Club on Facebook so you are alerted when we post new content on this blog.

Books for Those in Need
Part of the ministry of Bloom is to provide books to people who are unable to purchase one for themselves. We do this in two ways:

1. Bantam Books donated 100 copies of Sabbath for us to give to people in need (Thank you Bantam)
2. Other Bloom participants volunteer to buy an extra book and send one (or two or 10!) to others

Tomorrow (Monday) we will post a form for people to fill out IF YOU CAN SEND A BOOK TO SOMEONE IN NEED. This form will be up for two days. Update: Click here to fill out the form.

On Wednesday, we will post a form for people to fill out IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD A BOOK. This will be up until all books available are requested. We will then send donors the addresses of the people who need books.

We are soooooo excited to read Sabbath together. It has been a life changing book for us both.

Be sure to check in next Sunday because we will have a special post up from Sabbath author, Wayne Muller!

Now go buy Sabbath!

Love,
Angie and Jess

Facebook: Do You Like Us?

Do you like Bloom?

If so, will you please "like" us on Facebook? We are transitioning Ning to Facebook and want to be sure we don't lose you.

Click here to join our Facebook page.

Love to all!
Ang and Jess

Encourage a Bloom Member

Angie and I were so touched by this email we received from a fellow Bloom member. Would you consider blessing her with a card of encouragement?

I'm writing with a prayer request. I'm 22 years old, a nanny, and finishing up nursing school. I had a beautiful life, got back from a fabulous vacation after last semester (in May) and 2 days later I found out I had a tumor on my liver and would need chemo and a liver transplant. This is uncharted territory for me, and I'm so scared. I was wondering if it would be too much to ask all the Bloom girls for words of encouragement. I've already begun the chemo, and right now I'm on the organ waiting list, which is miserable.  The doctors had me quit school and my nannying, so I wait day in and day out.

Any day I will undergo surgery for a new liver, spending an average of a month in the hospital. I just got over a rough breakup with my fiance of nearly 3 years (it was what God wanted) and I'm just still in shock over how my life has gotten here, and why.

I'm just devastated and feel so alone in this.

My birthday is August 2nd and odds are, I'll still be waiting or in the hospital. I didn't plan on this - no one does - and I just don't know what God's plan in this is.

My blog of this journey is http://amandasjourney.tumblr.com if you'd like to stop by

Thank you and may God bless you.

Amanda Goodwin

If you would like to send Amanda a card, please send it to:
Amanda Goodwin
281 Cheltenham Ln
Munroe Falls, OH 44262

We are praying for you Amanda!

Send a Card to Sara

As many of you know, Sara/Gitz's dad passed away very unexpectedly this past Friday. Because of Sara's chronic illness, she is homebound and can't attend the funeral.

We wish we could drive to her house and hug her, but we can't.

Thankfully, DaySpring is giving us all the opportunity to love on Sara through a card basket they are planning on sending. Each one of us can send her a card - for FREE!

Will you include a card in it and let her know your prayers are with her? 
It will mean so much to her.

Here are the instructions for making the free card: 

• Pick a Design &; personalize it. (Feel free to start from scratch or pick a pre-designed card. Add a photo of you, and/or write out your message.) These two links are great places to start: Sympathy or Hope & Encouragement

• Add to Cart & Proceed to Checkout

• Use GCSARAJULY21 promo code in the Checkout Details. This will ensure that your card is included in the card basket.

• For the Shipping Address, enter YOUR shipping address. This will NOT BE CAPTURED, since all of the cards will be gathered up and sent to Sara.

• Your order total should be $0.00.

• You have until Wednesday the 21st to make your card to be included in Sara’s card basket.

Thank you for loving on Sara.

To read an update on how she is doing, click here.

Peace be with you today.

Chapters 10-12

Well, we did it. We made the last video for Strong Women, Soft Hearts. It is worth watching the whole thing - not only is Charlotte in it the whole time, but we end it well. :)


Strong Women, Soft Hearts - Chapters 10-12 from angie smith on Vimeo.

Like we mentioned on the video, we are going to be transitioning from using ning for our discussions to Facebook. The "like" page is VERY bare bones right now, but we would be grateful if you would go ahead and "like" us now! :)

We will be taking a break for the summer, but have big plans for the fall, so keep in touch!

We love you and are thankful for you.

xo
Jess and Ang