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20 August 2015

Lilacs for Juliana -- Pagels' Pals, Newsletters Subscribers, and Friends Party Today!



It takes a village to make a book! And today I'm having a smallish private party on Facebook to celebrate with my Pagels' Pals Facebook group, my newsletter subscribers, and friends. See that graphic above? Our Aussie Angel reviewer Noela Nancarrow made that unbeknownst to me, about two weeks ago. I felt so blessed! Events in our life like a book release, a baby, a milestone, need to be celebrated and savored.  I even saw some recent research showing that CELEBRATING helps cement your friendships! Yes, even more so than being there for the hard times--which I am BIG on--was some research indicating that the friends who celebrated with you were the ones you could count on! I was kind of surprised, having gone through emergency gall bladder surgery in April, RIGHT after The Lumberjacks' Ball released, plus a grueling Achilles and foot surgery the previous year (awake but numbed during it) with a difficult recovery (Praise the Lord, I am doing better now after undergoing another procedure this March with PRP.) BUT, all that said, those wonderful folks there for me during my recoveries have a special place in my heart. My reader friends from Pagels Pals were INCREDIBLE!!! And of course the OWG Angels had gorgeous flowers sent and were there for me. I wish I had more pictures of ALL the flowers that I received during that time after the gall bladder surgery. Flowers were EVERYWHERE.  And I'd shared this picture before but here are the flowers God sent me:

Lilac Trio, April 2015

This little tree had been in the yard for years and never threw one bloom! Then, as I was recovering God sent me THREE pinkish whitish lilac blooms!!! I grinned ear to ear and hobbled outside, clutching my side (I had over eleven inches of scarring) and took some pictures of what the Lord sent to encourage me. He was still there! I felt so encouraged!

My sequel to The Lumberjacks' Bride was supposed to release early summer, near the time the lilacs bloomed in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where my story is set.  BUT, I had no desire to write. And I trusted God that if He wanted me to do this story that He would give me the desire and the ability to do so. Once He whispered to my heart to get up and go write, the story POURED out of me! I wrote over 15,000 words (maybe closer to 20,000) in about five days. That's unusual for me and especially for having just had major surgery.  A God thing for sure.

Lilacs for Juliana by Carrie Fancett Pagels
Are you one of my newsletter subscribers? Did you get your newsletter this past week? Are you attending the party? If you didn't, email me at CFPagels(at)gmail(dot)com with "Newsletter not received" in the subject line. Also, if you would like to subscribe, send to the same email with "Subscribe to Newsletter" in the subject line.  Hope to see you at the Facebook Party at 5:00 EDT today!  Blessings!

Giveaway: An ebook copy of Lilacs for Juliana, a short novel-length Christian historical romance.  Now available on Amazon and available soon in print!
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33 comments:

  1. Caryl KaneAugust 20, 2015 at 8:37 AM

    Congratulations Carrie on the release of Lilacs for Juliana. Blessings to you!!!!

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsAugust 22, 2015 at 10:11 PM

      Thanks so much, Caryl! You are such a great encourager! Hugs!

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  2. UnknownAugust 20, 2015 at 9:22 AM

    That's a beautiful testimony of how God is right there along with us during those difficult and trying times... Through our friends and their support, encouragement, and prayers, and even through lilacs!! He knows just what we need!! Congrats again on your new release Lilacs for Juliana!!!! Hugs Carrie!!

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsAugust 20, 2015 at 3:46 PM

      Thanks so much Aussie Angel Noela! Yes, even through LILACS! Love that quote. Going to share on the party. I know u will be sleeping. Hugs!

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  3. Rosemary FoleyAugust 20, 2015 at 9:52 AM

    CONGRATULATIONS ON THE RELEASE OF LILACS FOR JULIANA CARRIE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you !!! You have done another great job !!!! Blessings Carrie !!! xo Chicki

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsAugust 22, 2015 at 10:12 PM

      God bless you, Chicki, for always being there for me! Hugs!!!

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  4. Caryl McAdooAugust 20, 2015 at 9:57 AM

    Love and blessings from Texas! I rejoice with you over the launch of Lilacs for Juliana! Books really are a lot like babies, some come early, others late, but each one is always so exciting to deliver and finally hold it in your hand. And for those first few days, you have to carry it everywhere with you :) Releasing a new book --at least for its author-- just never gets old. This morning it's posted on Stitches Thru Time Blog :) More love and blessings!

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsAugust 22, 2015 at 10:12 PM

      They sure are like babies, Caryl! Thanks so much for coming by! And thanks so much for your post!!! Blessings!!!

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  5. Sandy SalsburyAugust 20, 2015 at 10:20 AM

    Congrats, dear Carrie! I am so very happy for you - it has been a wild ride watching your journey the past few years, but you have been faithful and God has led you in some wonderful ways. I think you should receive some kind of Energizer Bunny award

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsAugust 22, 2015 at 10:13 PM

      TY! LOL, Sandy, that is what I called my dad. Poor dad had one thing after another happen and he just KEPT on GOING until the Lord took him home. Dad was a lesson in perseverance and a great model of that for me! Blessings!

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  6. Mrs TinaAugust 20, 2015 at 12:36 PM

    Congratulations on the release of Lilacs for Juliana, Carrie! Your testimony is an encouragement to me (& others) as we too go through challenges. What a blessing God gave you in that blooming lilac bush! I continue to cover you in prayer dear friend.
    See you at the party.
    Blessings,Tina

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsAugust 22, 2015 at 10:14 PM

      Tina, you are so sweet and I remember getting your hugger pillow that you made fore me for when I coughed or sneezed and that was SO special to me! I keep it in my writing room!!! Hugs and love! Keep those prayers coming!

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  7. Diana FlowersAugust 20, 2015 at 3:01 PM

    Congrats, CARRIE! You and I went through some tough stuff this past year, but God is faithful and I'm still here to celebrate with you! That is so cool about the lilacs blooming while you were recuperating. They remind me of something angels would carry -- white and fluffy with a tinge of lavender. God was surely in that...to encourage and let you know His presence was with you!

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsAugust 22, 2015 at 10:15 PM

      I KNOW, Angel Diana!!! That was just how I felt. I love how you and I get the same Bible verses at the same time, the same images!!! Hugs and love to you!!!

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  8. Bonnie RoofAugust 20, 2015 at 3:36 PM

    Congrats on the release of another beautiful book, Carrie!!

    The story of God sending you lilacs made me tear up - so touching. PTL for those little encouragements of His love - always just when we need them!! 'Lilacs For Juliana' isn't late - it's right on time, as God's timing always is!! He was giving you time to more fully recuperate.

    Love you - hugs & prayers!!

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsAugust 22, 2015 at 10:16 PM

      God is so good and so amazing, Bonnie, and we OWGers are counting on Him to pull you through this latest difficulty. Gearing up for a big prayer battle. Hugs and love!

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  9. UnknownAugust 20, 2015 at 4:29 PM

    You're such an inspiration to so many, including me! I'm so thankful to God for bringing you into my life. I hope someday we will be able to meet! God is preparing you for something big! It's through our trials that we have triumphs of victory with Him! You're an amazing woman! Thank you for all that you do!

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsAugust 22, 2015 at 10:20 PM

      TY, Regina. I pray that others with autoimmune disorders will be blessed and encouraged by what I do for God. I hope we will be able to get together in person some day, too, Regina! Those rials make you appreciate the good stuff, too. God bless and keep you!

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  10. UnknownAugust 20, 2015 at 4:39 PM

    Carrie
    I just want to send a big ((((((HUG))))) to you. You have done so much even when you were sick and recovering
    Matthew 5 16 Your light truly shines for our Lord.
    Chris

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsAugust 22, 2015 at 10:22 PM

      Thanks so much, Chris! Praying this story will reach others. God is so good and He helps me every day! Hugs!!!

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  11. AnonymousAugust 20, 2015 at 5:03 PM

    Carrie. Prayers for you. You are such an inspiration to us all. Congratulations on the release of Lilacs for Juliana. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend the party. My son Austin is starting middle school and the orientation is tonight during the party time .

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsAugust 22, 2015 at 10:23 PM

      Hey Deanne, I hope that was wonderful! We did have a great party, the best one I've had yet. Thanks for your kind words!

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  12. AnonymousAugust 20, 2015 at 5:20 PM

    Congratulations on the new book. I am anxious to read Lilacs for Juliana. I loved the first two so know I will love this one too. I love to party. Thanks for the invite. If this is not the party, I haven't found it yet and it's 4:19 here…

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsAugust 21, 2015 at 10:08 PM

      I hope you'll love Juliana and Moose as much as I do, Maxie! Hugs!!!

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  13. BettiAugust 20, 2015 at 5:21 PM

    So very happy to be a part of this special excitement! Congratulations on the new book, Carrie and thanks for sharing how the Lord was there with you through it all. ❤️

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsAugust 21, 2015 at 10:07 PM

      Thanks for celebrating with me, Betti! You are such a blessing! God is so good putting so many special reader friends in my life!

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  14. AnonymousAugust 20, 2015 at 5:22 PM

    Didn't get my comment above finished. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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  15. Anne PayneAugust 21, 2015 at 6:33 AM

    We've come a long way, baby! :-)
    Rejoicing with you in all the ways the Lord is working in our lives.

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsAugust 21, 2015 at 10:06 PM

      Yes, we have, Anne! Praying for God's will in how long you might be coming soon! Hugs!! Love rejoicing with you and hope to do it in person sometime soon!

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  16. AnonymousAugust 22, 2015 at 2:05 AM

    Congratulations on the release of Lilacs for Juliana. The cover is BEAUTIFUL!
    Thanks for the chance to win a copy :)

    lientjiehuman(at)yahoo(dot)com(dot)au

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsAugust 22, 2015 at 10:24 PM

      Thanks so much, Lientjie! And CONGRATS, because you are the winner of the ebook copy of Lilacs for Juliana! Blessings!

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  17. Carrie Fancett PagelsAugust 22, 2015 at 10:11 PM

    Thanks so much, Kate! I hope that when people see what God is doing in my life that they will be encouraged by what He alone can do!

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