To my regular readers and faithful audience, thank you so much for your prayers and support! It means more than you know!
Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Review!
Last month, I entered the Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews and Awards Contest. I won’t know until September about the awards part of the contest, but I did receive a 5-Star Review!
As an author, I am so excited to share this with you! It feels like a dream come true.
Snapshot of Book Review Source
Snapshot of Book Review Online
If you are interested in purchasing an AUTHOR SIGNED copy of book, you may click the link below, from my online Store:
This month, I published my first monthly newsletter, entitled THE HAVEN NEWS.
This will include any events I have planned or attended, sneak peaks on my current projects, and insider info. about book releases, events, and so on.
This NEWSLETTER will be great for the many of you who’d like to keep up with me and my author journey. Please ADD your EMAIL ADDRESS below to be included into my AUTHOREMAIL LIST:
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New Videos Coming Soon!
For those who’ve read my newsletter for March 2020 already know this. I am in the process of planning to begin a podcast or similar video series.
For the podcast, I am planning on talking about biblical, family, miscarriage, and life as we know it.
Stay tuned to the April 2020 Newsletter for more details!
In addition, I am hoping to integrate these VIDEOS on my blog. To be notified when I share a NEW post or video, please SUBSCRIBE below to my blog site, The Haven:
Thank you!
THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT!! Your encouragement means so much to be and motivates me to keep going forward. God bless!
Adrianne Babbitt
Author of The Miscarriage Project, with 5-Star Review from
“Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews and Awards Contest“
This may be an odd title for a post, but it is on my heart to share with you today.
How many times has God asked us to do something or tell someone something, we don’t follow through?
Lately, I have been feeling stuck. I have been praying and praying for direction, what to focus on in my life, but nothing clear.
Then I realized yesterday, it has been clear for a long time, but I was choosing to ignore God’s direction.
The Miscarriage Project
Most of you know of my recently published book, The Miscarriage Project: Testimonials of Parents of Who Found Hope in God.
Finally becoming a published author is a dream come true for me!
However, I didn’t expect the before, during, and after process to be so hard! To name a few challenges:
First, you have to write your manuscript. Short like a children’s book, or long like a novel, both take a lot of time to brainstorm, write, edit, rewrite, etc.
Next, finding a publisher willing to publish your work is the hardest part. This is something I had to do a lot of research to find.
The publishing process is such a waiting game and is necessary to have business and marketing knowledge (or know someone who does), I’ve had to learn most of this from scratch – research and asking others a lot of questions.
Once you are published (and beforehand), comes the marketing. This, for me, has been the most challenging part.
How do I help people find out about my book without breaking the bank? How do I convince them to then read it?
Asking the Wrong Questions
I will be the first to admit, it is so easy to get caught up in the ways of the world.
Instead of writing to make money or to sell books (to provide for my family), I am only effective if I use my gifts for God’s glory.
The world makes so many empty promises. Why do we continue to believe them?
True Purpose
Our true purpose of our existence is not to spend our lives afraid of insignificance, and striving for impossible perfection, according to the world’s ever-changing standards.
We have God-given purpose – to love God, to love others.
The world leads us to believe we deserve whatever we want. As long as we work hard enough, we can do or be anything we want.
This is faulty logic, when God really created us for a specific purpose.
No matter how hard I want to be perfect, only Christ is perfect. Only through Him can we be sanctified – continually made more and more like Christ in his attributes.
The God-Shaped Hole
When I think of this concept, I think of these song lyrics, “there’s a God-shaped hole in all of us.”
There is always this lingering emptiness in our hearts. A desire to matter, to be whole, to find peace.
The world offers so many counterfeits to fill this whole, but only our true Lord and Savior, Messiah and friend, can fill it and truly complete us.
We lost this fullness and unbroken connection with God when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. Ever since then, we have lived lives of brokenness, sin, and chaos.
However, our story doesn’t end there. Jesus Christ made this connection possible yet again with his death on the cross, and resurrection to the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
Hope in the Struggle
The amazing news: God doesn’t leave us alone in our pain and struggles. We have hope of a new, eternal future:
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Rev 21:4 NLT)
I don’t know about you, but I am glad 2019 is over!
Don’t get me wrong, it hasn’t been all bad, but has been a huge struggle for me.
This year, I published my first book (The Miscarriage Project), launched my new business brand, Bold and Beautiful. My husband graduated with his MA, and honestly, forgot this until I was reminded, because this year has been so full – the good, the bad, and the ugly!
This year I struggled. This has been the hardest year in terms of dealing with anxiety. I don’t know which is worse, the anxiety or the depression. Either your’e too sad and sluggish to get out of bed, or you’re too jittery and scared to go to bed. It’s a toss up.
Just within 2019, we lost so many people. In our church congregation, there were 12 funerals. I lost my one and only college roommate to cancer, and one of our college brother-floor guys committed suicide, both just before Thanksgiving. One grandma-in-law died in August, and the other, was admitted to the nursing home 2 days before Christmas. Not to mention all of the miscarriages, (of people I know), experienced this year.
This was a sad, sad year people. Tears well up in my eyes as think about the preceding paragraph. So much loss.
Hello 2020!
However, every new year brings a fresh new season of hope.
Beat anxiety and depression, as I gradually go off my meds.
Invest in my personal and spiritual health.
Be more intentional making “breathing room” in my and my families lives and schedules.
Publish 1-2 more books this year.
Not avoid what God has me to do, but boldly charge ahead to fulfill the call.
Fully grieve those I’ve lost.
For myself, I know I have so many goals and hopes for this new year, and probably by next December, I will have forgotten them. Although, if I press on, be consistent, and remind myself what I’m aiming for, then I will stay focused on the prize ahead.
“God, please help me to have a more calm and peaceful year. Give me eyes to see those I am to help, and give me strength to say no to those things that will steal my time, joy, and family time. Sustain me every moment with your love, peace, comfort, and joy. Protect me as I follow you, and watch over my family. Give me the boldness to follow your calling for my life this year. In Jesus name, Amen.“
Hooray! My first ever book release party is in the books!
Thank you Erin for helping me set up my display!! It looked great!!
Thank You
First, I want to give a special thank you and shout out to Eric and Kristen Meeter, owners of Pressed Studio + Store in downtown Spencer. You both were an amazing couple to work with, and am so thankful for your wisdom, guidance, and hospitality.
Second, I want to thank Bri Schubert, owner of Bri Lifestyle Photography, for capturing the evening on film. Those pictures to come later, but so thankful for her willingness to be a part of the night.
with Bri Schubert
Last but not least, I want to thank my friends and family, as well as everyone else who was in attendance. As the author, I was so blessed to see the faces of those who the book will be impacting and I pray it is a blessing to each and everyone who reads it.
Reflection
As I reflect on the events of last night’s book release party, I find myself both joyous and thankful, as well as resistant and distant to God. Let me explain why.
The Due Date
As some of you know, yesterday was not only the book release party, but it was also my son’s due date, three years ago. Some asked if I did this on purpose, but I myself didn’t realize it until after the event had been scheduled.
When I realized the common date, I felt this sense of awe and deep sadness. What a better way to honor his memory, on his due date anniversary, than to share his story, our story, to those who need it most.
As a grieving mom, I am so thankful for the growth and healing that has taken place since then.
Vulnerable to Resentment
Yet, there is still part of me that is vulnerable, angry, and resentful. Just because I published a book about my experience, does not mean I stopped struggling with these feelings.
No matter how much I’ve already written about our miscarriage, it still stings. No matter how many times I’ve poured my heart and soul out, sharing with someone, there is still a somberness that remains. Can anybody relate?
Have in Common
As I was talking to several women and couples at the signing, I began to see a pattern among their experiences.
Not so Comforting Words
First, words from others can be more hurtful than helpful. If you haven’t been through it, don’t pretend to understand. Don’t try to fix it – because let’s face it, you’re not God – and you can’t.
Never assume it’s anyone’s fault but Satan, the deviser of evil, destruction, death, and despair. Who are you to know the true reason a baby dies? Who are you to yoke someone in despair, with an impossibly heavy burden?
Husbands
From many women I’ve talked to, several have made comments about their husbands or significant other’s reaction to the miscarriage.
Sadly, many say their husband dismisses it and disregards the wife’s feelings about the loss of their child.
After talking to my husband on several occasions, I have some compassion for these dads. My husband explained he didn’t get a chance to bond with our son. As such, his grieving looked much different than mine, and lasted much less time.
However, I urge husbands to have compassion on your wives. Don’t push her away because you are afraid to be vulnerable with her, or to seem weak. She needs to see you are hurting, so she knows she isn’t alone. You are the father, you are the only one she can truly share this baby with, and the loss of them.
A Success
To be honest, I have struggled for weeks with anxiety and worrying about this release party. Not because of anything circumstantial, but simply because of my inner struggle.
Yesterday, I was finally about to put that to rest. Those who attending the party blessed me with their stories and support. I am truly thankful for the treasure God produced out of our tragedy.
*I dedicate the party and this post to our son. We love you Sweetheart!*
For those of you who’ve been following my publishing journey, the book is out and we are having a party!
First, I will be holding the Book Release Party at Pressed Store + Studio in Spencer, IA. I am so blessed to be partnering with them.
There will be treats, giveaways, book signing, and special offers! Hope to see you there!
Second on the book tour, I will be doing an Author Talk at the Ericson Public Library in Boone, IA. At this event, I will be going more in detail about myself and how the book came to be published.
Even if you can’t make either of these two events, you can still order the book on Amazon, westbowpress.com, or right here on my blog site.
In addition, I looking for more speaking engagements and book signings, so if you are interested in having me come to your church or event, please contact me at boldandbeautifulblogger@gmail.com.
For those of you who’ve been following my publishing journey, The Miscarriage Project is officially published! In addition, I am selling copies as well (1,500 to be exact).
You might assume that all the new attention surrounding my book being publshed, would make me feel complete; like I’ve finally arrived.
Wrong.
Don’t get me wrong, I am excited to see what God is already doing with the book. It’s the behind the scenes I am referring to.
To make this work, I’ve had to learn how to run a business from scratch. No marketing degree, no business degree – just a B.S. in Biblical Studies.
However, God reassures me I have just what I need to succeed. When I am weak, He is strong. With man it’s impossible, but with God, all things are possible through Him and His will.
When I think of success, I think of using my strengths to achieve. Not the case at all. With God, He gets all the glory, so He uses our weaknesses more than our strengths.
Kind of ironic, don’t you think? But He’s God, so He gets to make the rules.
Please pray for me!
I am guessing I’ve struggled with anxiety for a long time, I just didn’t know what it was. It escalated this past year, after having my youngest child.
Even in my worrying weakness of anxiety, God is strong. Even though I can’t breathe, He provides the breath of life. He makes success possible, but not the world’s measure of success, His.
Renew your mind with the reading of God’s Word. There are many nuggets of wisdom, we have to put forth the effort to find them. Let’s get digging!
For those of you who’ve been following my writing and publishing journey, of The Miscarriage Project, I have exciting news!!
Finally Published!
After a three-and-a-half-year long journey, The Miscarriage Project is finally published and to purchase, as of yesterday!!
Behind the Cover
Here is the official Cover Reveal for my special blog readers:
Cover Reveal
It may seem a bit simplistic, but that is how I intended it to be. I didn’t want to trigger anyone who might read the book, with anything too sentimental or graphic.
Instead, the idea came to me of the three hearts, you see above.
Red & Black Hearts
The red heart signifies the life of the child, but also the love of the parents for the child. The black heart signifies the death of the child, as well as the grief, pain, and loss experienced by the parents.
Golden Heart
However, my favorite heart is the gold heart, which signifies the eternal life with Jesus that child has, as well as the hope parents can have in Jesus Christ, their ultimate Healer and Comforter.
I Have a Story…
Since God gave me this idea for the cover, rich with symbolism, an awesome coincidence happened.
While I was running an errand for a friend, in an office, I spotted something – and what do you suppose I saw?
You got it! Three hearts, colored with the exact three colors you see above! This decoration had an arrow through it, which looked quite exciting in my opinion.
Words of Wisdom
However, after consulting some trusted people in my life, I decided to not include the arrow, because it may give the wrong message.
I though it would be neat, because the Bible talks about children being like arrows in the quiver of a warrior, and I loved the symbolism there .
Even though we lost these children, their lives still matter and matter for God’s eternal kingdom.
Although, to others, it may represent their death and pain, and that was not what I wanted for my readers.
The Cause
My vision for this book is to help as many parents as possible!
Here’s how you can help:
Pray!
1 – First and foremost, you can pray. Pray for the book to reach the people who so desperately need it. Pray it is a comfort for them.
Purchase
2 – Purchase a book for yourself or a friend. This way, you can share this wonderful resource and pass the word, so the book can reach farther than we can imagine! Here is the current link to purchase the book:
This will take you to the WestBow Press bookstore, and you can either search The Miscarriage Project, or look under New Releases to find it.
The Miscarriage Project is also available on Amazon, and in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats.
Donate to Hospitals
3 – I am currently sponsoring a fundraiser, raising money to pay for these books. Once these are purchased with donations, they will then be donated to local hospitals!
To donate to the Books for Hospitals fundraiser, you can follow the Facebook link below to my fundraiser:
God is so amazing! He even worked out for a friend I met through B.S.F. (Bible Study Fellowship) last year, to contact me. It just so happens she works for our local hospital’s OB department, and is in charge of their bereavement services.
Thanks be to God!
Can I get an Amen to that?! I am so beyond blessed by God’s faithfulness and I pray our pain and sorrow can ease someone else’s.
Thank you for your prayers and support through this journey! I am so excited to see God’s impact with this book and how He will transform lives for the glory of His name.
The Miscarriage Project book$12.00
