Friday, February 19, 2010

Dude, I Won!



So. We were sitting on the sofa, watching a Charlie Chan movie when the phone rang. Being married to a preacher, I expect the unexpected but c'mon guys, this is Valentine's Day, and our 35th anniversary, for crying out loud! If you have to get sick and go to the hospital or need to plan a wedding, can you pick tomorrow? I'm not really this mean. Most days.

Kevin, always the gentleman, rushed to answer it. "Oh, yes, she is. May I ask who's calling?"

I wrinkled my nose. Kev shruggd, "She says she's Tammy Barley, author of "Love's Rescue."

Oh. My. Gosh. I had entered a contest on Tammy's website a few months ago. A contest to win a 7-day vacation at a Colorado dude ranch. I knew Tammy would be picking a winner on Valentine's Day, but...

I grabbed the phone from Kev's hand and tried for the nonchalant voice thingie. "This is Jeanette."

A silky voice greeted me, "Jeanette, this is Tammy Barley. You entered a contest on my website..."

I interrupted her, "Did I win? Did I win the trip?" So much for nonchalant.

Her voice broke with emotion. "Yes, you did! And I'm the one crying!"

"Oh, Tammy, I can't believe it! This is our 35th anniversary! And we've never taken a trip like this. Most of our vacations have been to visit relatives, since we've not usually had the money to afford motel rooms. Thank you so much! Thank you! Thank you!"



I think Tammy was as happy to award the trip as I was to win it. Her voice rang with elation as she described horsback riding, white water rafting, hiking, etc. A dream come true.

I am still thanking Jesus for His goodness to us. I told Kev I'm going to start calling him "Dude."

Would you like to see where Tammy's generosity is sending us? Take a peek at this...









In a future post, I'll be interviewing Tammy, and one blessed reader will win a signed copy of "Love's Rescue," which went into its second printing after only five weeks. Stay tuned...

32 comments:

  1. I am the first to congratulate you again!! WOW!!!! Hide me away in your suitcase:) I always thought it would be awesome to go to something like this! You deserve it!

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  2. Aaaaaeeeeeiiiiikkkkk!

    LOL! This is AWESOME! Wow. God has an amazing, wonderful way of surprising us, doesn't he.
    How fun and exhilarating for you! Bet your hubby's glad you spend time on the internet now, huh? LOL!!!

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  3. Ssqqqquuuuueeeeeeeeeaaaaallllll!

    Yay YOU!!!!! I am so excited for you, Jen, and am so happy the Lord has blessed you with His PERFECT timing in this gift! May your time with your husband be a treasure cove of memories for years to come!

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  4. Wonderful. Have a wonderful time dude and dudette.

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  5. WOW!!
    My sweet friend,
    I can not think of anyone who deserves it more. Happy Anniversary and may GOD bless you like never before.

    Thank you for loving, praying, and encouraging both myself and my family.

    Hugs, andrea

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  6. This is far too cool! Dude, you won! :D I love how you asked her right away. I love getting to know you through this blog.

    Most of our vacations are going to see family too.

    Happy Friday,
    Wendy

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  7. Thanks, you guys. I knew you would rejoice with me, as loving friends. Wish I could take you all along!

    Jen

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  8. Hi, Jeanette~

    I found you via Andrea at Arise 2 Write and thought I would stop by for a visit!

    WAHOOOOOOO!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS to you and your husband on being married for 35 years and to then receive such a wonderful gift!

    GOD IS GOOD!

    I can't wait to come back and visit again!

    Blessings~
    Laura

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  9. Happy Friday, Jeanette and Gals!

    Yep, I was just as choked up as Jeanette when I told her she won. All along I'd been praying that God direct my hand to draw the name of the person whom He most wanted to win this vacation. I'm so jazzed Jeanette has won.

    At my Web page, http://www.tammybarley.com/index.html (Jeanette's link doesn't appear to be linking), you'll find a place to sign up for the Lassos -N- Lace newsletter. Enjoy the latest news from yours truly, plus special giveaways and surprise goodies available ONLY to newsletter subscribers. Always something new.
    Always inspiring.
    Always great with chocolate. =)

    I'd be tickled to see you there. =)

    Here's a little bit about the novel Jeanette read, Love's Rescue:

    A Dividing Conflict
    In 1863, the War Between the States is dividing more than a nation. To escape the conflict, Jessica Hale and her family flee their Kentucky home and head for Nevada Territory. Her brother, Ambrose, committed to the Confederates, rejoins his Kentucky militia and is disowned by his father. But the worst is yet to come.

    A Heroic Kidnapper
    When Unionists presume the family to be Confederate sympathizers, they set a devastating fire to their home. All alone and then “kidnapped” by cattleman Jake Bennett, Jessica is taken to a ranch deep in the Sierra Nevada wilderness. Can she overcome her resentment toward Jake for failing to save her family?

    The Depths of Love
    When Jake launches a plan to help Jessica’s brother escape from prison camp, she sees him for the honest, good-hearted Christian man that he is and now knows the depth of his love for her. Through the lingering smoke and smoldering ashes from her ruined home and murdered family, will Jessica see a future with Jake?

    If you enjoy book trailers, Love's Rescue trailer (http://www.tammybarley.com/Bookshelf.html)has phenomenal music. Feel free to have a peek.

    Hugs! Hugs! Hugs!

    Tammy

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  10. BTW, if anyone is curious, Jeanette and her Dude will be going to the Deer Valley Ranch (http://www.deervalleyranch.com/) if you'd like to see more pix--gorgeous place AND owned and run by a Christian staff.

    =)

    Tammy

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  11. Congrats!!! It's crazy how happy it makes me to know that someone won a trip like this. I'm so excited for you. :D

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  12. Congratulations!! I'm so happy for you.

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  13. GOD IS SO GOOD! I love how he surprises us by interrupting = with something wonderful!!! Enjoy!

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  14. Congratulations! What a blessing:) Have fun, have fun, have fun!

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  15. What a wonderful way to get a hug from God! He loves you so...he wanted to see his daughter smile and you sound so happy. Congratulations!

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  16. Oh my Gosh, Jen! How wonderful for you. You deserve it! We want to hear all the details when you get back from your trip.
    Are you going shopping for boots and a cowgirl hat????
    Love ya
    Jan

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  17. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

    Can it be any more exciting! You both deserve it and please take lots of pictures. :O)

    www.dianeestrelal.com

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  18. Oh so sorry about the link: I fixed it now, so you can hop over to Tammy's lovely website.

    Jen

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  19. Oh my gosh, this is awesome! I'm so excited for you--congratulations.

    It's beautiful here in Colorado, you're going to love it :)

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  20. I was wondering when you were going to tell us how your big day went. Wow! Jesus can truly do above and beyond what we can ask or think. Never had a vacation like that? Well,you deserve one. I can't imagine a prettier place. Enjoy and let us know all the lovely details.

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  21. This is so very cool. With your great graphics, and Dude, caption, I've already been!!!!

    Yee-haw!

    Patti

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  22. That is so wonderful! What a tender mercy! I'm so happy for you! Colorado is beautiful! I hope you love it!

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  23. Jen:
    Congratulations to you and your Kevin. Colorado is geourgeous.

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  24. Oh, what a wonderful and well-deserved blessing! How glorious God is in His gifts! Enjoy the anticipation and the awesome vacation, and congratulations to you!

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  25. First I have to ask, what's that noise Jessica made way up yonder? LOL!

    Jen, this is so awesome! I can imagine you and Dude are incredibly deserving. In fact, I'm sure of it. You enjoy it. Take lots of pictures and store away those memories. Wonderful!

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  26. Hi Jen -

    Oh, I'm so thrilled for you and Kevin!!! God's blessing are chasing the two of you down wherever you go.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  27. Yee haw! I'm thrilled for you. I can't think of anyone else who deserves it more. XOXOXO

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  28. I am just so happy for you! What a great anniverary present. If you remember it was my 25th on that same day! (didn't win a trip though - Ha!)

    Hope you have an amazing time!

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  29. G'day Jeanette ~ How wonderful a gift for you to win on such special days in your life ... memorable moments to come, I am sure.

    We will be anxiously awaiting to hear all about your adventures.

    Have a beautiful weekend.
    Hugs, Marydon

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  30. I'm so excited for you!! How wonderful. Take plenty of pics to put on your blog!! Congrats!

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  31. Awesome! Wonderful! Exciting! Congrats on your win! I'm a bit (no. . . a lot!) envious of the trip you won! Can't wait to hear about your adventure and see pics!

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  32. What a wonderful gift and what a wonderful place to be going! I'm so happy for you! Have a marvelous holiday there and collect lots of memories. Who knows, maybe the setting will find its way into a future novel. :)

    Carol

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