Amusing Grace + A Blog Giveaway

Whenever I find myself with some free time, I would almost always spend it reading. I am not a picky reader for I love reading anything I could get my hands on... books, magazines, blogs, e-books, newspapers.... Kahit ano! :) I shared a few years back at how happy I was for having a house for my books, but fast forward to today, that same bookshelf is bursting, and books are spilling over - to my happiness, of course!

Just to show you, the topics of the books in my bookshelf ranges from biography, fiction, self-help, cookbooks.  But one thing is for sure, when I love a book, I always go back and re-read it again and again and again.:)

Just a few weeks ago, someone gifted me with a signed copy of the book Amusing Grace, A Second Helping written by Rosanne Romero. Amusing Grace, is a book that is a collection of short musings on faith, family and how to find God in the midst of sickness and adversity. Romero has multiple sclerosis, a disease she has been dealing with for close to three decades now. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative disease that damages the insulating covers of nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.

Amusing Grace, A Second Helping shows us the secrets to a life of meaning and joy amidst suffering and long-term illness. This second collection of Rosannes's articles from her "Kitchen Scribbles" column in Kerygma carries with it the depth of insight and humor that makes her column one of the best -loved among readers.

It is the perfect book to read at this busy summer time because the book is actually just a compilation of essays. I read about 2-3 chapters in one sitting. But one could easily get engrossed and read the entire book at once.

Instead of focusing on her illness, the author inspires everyone to look at life beyond the suffering, and that life does not always flow as we think it should.  Romero reminds us that within every experience, there is a spiritual lesson, and we should instead look to God for His sustaining grace.

I am sharing with you a short excerpt on one of the chapters that made me re-read the entire chapter twice because the tone was humorous, but the message on how she gets courage from her depressing situation is inspiring.

This is going to be another one of those articles about little things we take for granted. I'm sure I've already written similar articles in the past, but God keeps showing me more stuff like these to write about.

This time, I want to focus on that small, fat and short finger - the thumb. You're thinking, "What's the big deal?" 

Some months back, I lost the use of my right thumb. At first, it just started getting weaker. Later, it became stiff, inflexible and painful. It was hard for me to make people see why this was upsetting me. After all, I still had four fingers left, right? 

There are everyday tasks that become maddeningly difficult without the thumb. Try frying anything with just your four fingers...hmmm. Try buttoning a shirt...tsk! Try pulling a zipper up or down... double tsk! use a nail clipper - sigh! Get bills from your wallet or get a coin from your coin purse - darn! Hold a bar of soap? double darn! Turn a doorknob? Grrr! Tie your shoelaces? Double grrr. Try holding a tootbrush. Arrrgh. Try flossing your teeth! Double arrrgh. You can drive without your thumb... if you can get the key in and start it with four fingers. Qwjd!!#nchfgiuhv@#!

This is why I write about these little things I suffer on account of MS - I want my life to honor God. This life now- the one that has a problematic thumb, wobbly legs, slightly deteriorated vision, etc - I want this life of mine to honor God. 

O di ba? It's written so very simply, and yet it has the power to stir up strong emotions. I guarantee you will enjoy this book. It is a light read, but it is full of inspiring messages that can make us rethink that inspite of all our problems, we still have so much more to be thankful for.

If you want to purchase her book, you can visit www.amusing-grace.com and have a signed book delivered to your doorstep, you can also get it from the nearest bookstore for only P250.00, or you can also join my BLOG GIVEAWAY!!!

TPM Blog Giveaway!!!

As a summer treat to my readers, I will be giving away 1 copy each to 3 winners!
If you love to read like I do, I guarantee you will enjoy this book.  All you have to do:

1. Like The Phenomenal Mama on Facebook. Comment here why you want to win.

Post by The Phenomenal Mama.

2. Follow The Phenomenal Mama on IG. Comment here why you want to win.

It's time for another BLOG GIVEAWAY! Summer is always a good time to catch up on reading, and one of the most inspiring short reads I've discovered recently is #Amusing Grace. It's lightly humorous and inspiring at the same time. I'm giving away 3 books, find out details on the blog www.thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com or the clickable link in my bio.

A photo posted by The Phenomenal Mama (@thephenomenalmama) on Mar 22, 2015 at 4:53pm PDT

3. Follow The Phenomenal Mama on Twitter. RT this and why you want to win.

Amusing Grace + A Blog Giveaway http://t.co/HU49Pdeuzc
— The Phenomenal Mama (@PhenomenalMama) March 22, 2015

I will be getting one winner from Facebook, one winner from Instagram and one winner from Twitter.

You can join ALL three for more chances of winning.

1. For Metro Manila participants only
2. Giveaway ends April 6, 2015
3. Sharing this giveaway on your social media accounts is not required 
BUT WILL BE SUPER APPRECIATED!!!
4. Winners will be announced on the blog on April 13, 2015

For more info about the book, you can check out her webpage: http://www.amusing-grace.com/about-.html

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS!!!

IG: Vix Parungao

Twitter: Jacq Paraguya

FB: Toni Tiu

Please send an email to phenomenalmama16@gmail.com indicating your 

full name, complete Metro Manila address and mobile number.

If I don't hear from the winners in 2 weeks, winner automatically forfeit their chance and a new winner will be drawn.

FOLLOW ME!