Mid-Life Makeover

I never considered myself as middle-aged. That phrase is for aging guys with hair plugs, red sports cars, and twenty-something girlfriends. But with the average life expectancy around 75-80, then (gulp) that would make me middle-aged.

I visited my sister last weekend, who was caring for my new great-nephew. My sister took pictures of me holding baby Jacob. She made a comment that stayed with me--”I really like your new style.”

I turned 40 in March and decided to do a mini makeover. At the beginning of the year, I adopted the mantra “Live Purposefully” as my guide for the year after watching a Joyce Meyer program on TV.

I’m also a huge fan of What Not to Wear on TLC, hosted by Stacy London and Clinton Kelly. They take ordinary women and teach them how to embrace their own style with clothes that fit and look great on them. The key is the participants need to give away their old wardrobes to charity and spend $5000 of WNTW money on a new wardrobe. Some of these women really have a hard time letting go, but in the end they are happy with the changes.

I wanted a new look. I love long hair, but on me, my baby fine long hair was limp and drab, so I had it cut in a fun, flippy style. Hubby and I had been going through photos and he commented that I needed new clothes because I was wearing the same thing in many of the pictures. For Mother’s Day, I was given a shopping spree.

I took the advice from Stacy and Clinton on WNTW and bought pieces that looked good on me and could be mixed and matched to make new outfits. I did it without spending several thousands of dollars, too.

So with a new hairstyle and new clothes, I’ve also adopted a new attitude. I stopped putting myself down. I will never have my nineteen-year-old body again, but I’m working to adopt healthier eating habits and incorporate more exercise in my daily routine. I’m stepping out of my comfort zone to do more things I might’ve not done before. I’m working harder to make my dream of being a published author come to fruition.

Life happens. Embrace it and live purposefully.

Update Your Bookmarks! New website and blog!

I used iWeb installed on my Mac to create a new website. My web address is still www.lisajordanbooks.com, but instead of using Blogger for my blog, it will be a part of my new website. You can access my blog by clicking here. If you have me in your Blogroll, please update your links. I'll leave this blog up to help redirect people to my new site.

I've fixed the link, I think, but if it doesn't work, you can access my new blog here:

http://www.lisajordanbooks.com/Lisa_Jordan/Blog/Blog.html

Copy and paste the link into your web browser.

Sacrifice--Thanks to the Cross

During yesterday's worship service, we sang When I Survey the Wondrous Cross written by Issac Watts and published in 1701. Here are the lyrics:

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride

Forbid it Lord that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ my God
All the vain things that charm me most
I sacrifice them to His blood

See from His head His hands His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ere such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing so divine
Demands my soul
Demands my soul
Love demands my soul
My life my all

I have to admit that some songs have become so familiar to me that I sing their words out of habit and forget to embrace their meanings. While singing this song, the verse "All the vain things that charm me most I sacrifice them to His blood" resonated with me.

I believe the verse asks if we will be willing to sacrifice our most prized possessions for God. For some, these may be very expensive material objects. For others, they may be personal treasures close to the heart. The point is, though, if God asked us, we need to be willing to give anything up for him. The question is, will we? As Christians, our answer should be yes.

Guest Blogger: Betsy St. Amant

I love reading authors' tales of getting The Call, so when I signed up to be a part of Betsy St. Amant's Return to Love blog tour, I asked her to be a guest blogger and talk about the day she got The Call.

Getting the Call

Ring, Ring...

It was any other typical day at work, where I am employeed as a receptionist for an oil and gas company. Phones were ringing, faxes were waiting to be sent, filing was stacking up, my to-do list ever growing...

And then...Ring Ring. Not the company phone. My cell phone. Most of my family and friends know not to call my personal line during work, so I was actually a litle nervous when I pulled it from my purse, hoping it wasn't an emergency.

I saw my agent's phone number in the caller ID screen and froze. I almost couldn't open it. I finally managed with shaky fingers and held my breath. Then realized I had yet to say hello. "HELLO" - part squawk, part squeak. The company phone rang again then, but truthfully, I couldn't care less. I've been with my agent long enough to know now that when she has bad news, she emails. Good news merits a phone call.

And my phone had rung.

(And actually, the company phone was still ringing but again - priorities!! haha!) I could hear the smile in my agent's voice as if she were in front of me instead of half a country away. "I have good news."

My heart line danced in true southern fashion and I clutched my stomach. "Oh?" (trying to sound all professional when I wanted to join my heart in a dance on top of my desk!)

"Steeple Hill bought your romance."

This is when I squealed, and tried to stay professional, but nope, I was little kid, Christmas morning, lots of candy giddy. I don't remember exactly what I said, or rather shrieked, but I remember someone came out of their office down the hall, confused, probably thinking I was being attacked. I hung up with my agent (hopefully not hung ON her, I don't remember now!) and kept squealing, hands over my mouth, head down, trying to be as quiet as I could.

Life was changing in those moments, and I could feel it in all its adrenaline rush glory.

And you know what? The second and third calls regarding my second and third contracts were quite similar. The rush never fades. Or atleast, it hasn't so far. I hope it doesn't. I never want to take for granted hearing that my dreams have once again come true.

God is good, isn't He? =)

Bio: Betsy St. Amant lives in Louisiana and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Her contemporary romance RETURN TO LOVE is under contract with Steeple Hill Love Inspired for a July 2009 release, and the sequel A VALENTINE’S WISH is contracted for a February 2010 release. Betsy has also been published in the Christian Communicator magazine and Praise Reports: Inspiring Real Life Stories of How God Answers Prayer. One of her short stories, Kickboxing or Chocolate, appears in a Tyndale compilation book, and she is also multi-published through The Wild Rose Press. Betsy has a B.A. in Christian Communications and regularly contributes articles to Crosswalk.com. Betsy is a wife, author, new mother, and avid reader who enjoys sharing the wonders of God’s grace through her stories.

Links to blog and website:
www.betsy-ann.blogspot.com
www.betsystamant.com

Back cover copy:

"I'm not the man I used to be!" - if only Gracie Broussard could believe that. Years ago, Carter Alexander broke her heart and betrayed her. Now, just when she needs him most, he's back -- asking her to believe he's changed. But this time, its not just Gracie who'll be hurt if he disappears. A penguin keeper, Gracie urgently needs to find a new home for her beloved birds. Carter is the only one who can help. He promises that she can trust him, that he's not the rebel he once was. And that he needs Gracie as much as her birds do.

To purchase Return to Love, click here.

Social Media Tour--Sunset Beach by Trish Perry

Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a Sunset Surprise!

Sunset Beach
by
Trish Perry
ISBN: 978-0736926751

Back cover blurb: Sonny Miller plans to use a week's vacation at a San Diego beach house to find answers she has wanted all her life. She invites her mother, Teresa, and her mother's estranged sister, Melanie, to the quiet and quirky retreat. They both show up...and with surprises of their own. Teresa, a successful classical singer, brings her latest protege, and Melanie brings along secrets about Teresa and the identity of Sonny's father.

Strong personalities cause big waves, and Sonny quickly finds herself in over her head. But as the sisters begin to reconcile and reconnect, Sonny makes some surprising connections--romantic and otherwise--of her own.

I was excited to read this novel for a couple of reasons. I read the first two books in the The Beach House Series by Sally Johns and loved them. Oh, my! That woman can tell a story! But when I learned Trish Perry was going to continue The Beach House Series, I was even more excited because not only is Trish Perry a good friend, but she is also one of my favorite authors.

I read Trish Perry's first novel, The Guy I'm Not Dating, and LOVED it. It was the funniest book I've read in my life. Every single girl needs to read this book before she begins dating.

Another reason I wanted to read Sunset Beach is because I love beaches. In fact, my skin is still peeling from the sunburn I received during our vacation on Sanibel Island. As I read Sunset Beach, I could hear the ocean waves, feel the sun on my skin, hear the gulls cawing overhead. Reading this novel continued the beach experience for me, so yeah, I loved reading it.

Sunset Beach is more women's fiction, in my opinion, with a romantic thread woven into the plot. The characters were so real with their emotions and dialogue. Kudos to Trish for making them come alive for me. I love the quirky cast that goes along with the well-worn beach house--Julian and Zeke. I think everyone needs a Julian or Zeke in their lives to be their Voices of Reason. Sonny's relationship with her mother could be experienced by many mothers and daughters around the world. Lack of communication, pride, and shame are great motivators for keeping families apart.

If you would like to learn more about Trish Perry, be sure to visit her website, friend her on Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.

Be sure to check out the other blogs participating in the Sunset Beach Social Media Tour.

You can buy Sunset Beach through Amazon.com by clicking here.

Since the book is titled Sunset Beach, I'd like to a couple of pictures I took of sunsets over Sanibel.

Check out other beach pictures posted by other Sunset Beach Social Media Tour on Flickr

Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a Sunset Surprise!