Giving...

So awhile back I posted on my Facebook that I was looking for good organizations, places, etc. to donate money to. I had been feeling the tug on my heart to start researching and thinking about places to bless with a donation. I did all this even though in my heart I knew where the first donation was to go. Several people suggested some wonderful places and I was educated on many of them. Our oldest daughter, Olivia Li, will be starting Kindergarten (**tears**) this coming school year. Many times a week we drive by the elementary school where she will attend, oddly enough it's the same elementary I attended as a kid..... I have fond memories of the place. Since she was 2 years old, no lie, she has begged to go to school. We kept telling her "When you turn 5 you can go." The morning after her 5th birthday she came downstairs dressed and ready and promptly stated "I'm ready for school!" Bless her little heart, I made Sloan be the bad guy and explain that she was gonna have to wait a bit. Lol. Anyways, back to my original thought. The Lord laid it on my heart awhile back that I'd soon be giving to Tarver Rendon Elementary. I of course said I'd gladly do so when the opportunity presented itself (a.k.a. MONEY). I called and spoke with the principal and she asked that I come in and speak with her. I set up an appointment and met with her a couple days later. She's a very nice lady, and happens to live just down the road from me. (The world gets smaller and smaller every day in case you weren't aware). I told her in a vague way that I felt led to give to the school, but I wanted the money to go to needy students. I asked about paying for lunches, buying supplies, etc. While there I gave her a book and we briefly talked about my journey this past couple of years. This all ended with me speaking to the counselor and being invited to come speak at Career Week at the school. She took me on a tour of the school (I hadn't set foot in the building since 5th grade). My girls were excited and asked many questions about my time there as a child. Some of the same teachers are still there! I walked out of there knowing that I would indeed give money when the time came.

That was several weeks ago........and yesterday I felt the Lord remind me as I went to the mailbox. Opened the mailbox and got what I like to call "mailbox money". I know the amount I am to give, and was going to talk to Sloan about it but got distracted. I was on my way to take Olivia to art class today, and as we drove by the school I was reminded again. I texted Sloan while sitting at the stoplight "Hey, I feel like we are to give Tarver Rendon xxxxx amount of money. You pray about it and let me know what you think." He promptly responded "We're spooky. I had that exact figure in my mind yesterday. Do it." I was relieved to have the confirmation.

Sooooo, tomorrow I'll go up to the school and talk with the principal again and give her the money. Those of you who are praying folks, please just pray that the money goes to the kids who need it the most. Tarver Rendon is currently building a new school and will be moving before the new school year. I realized the irony in my timing by thinking "they are getting a brand new school........they don't need my money" but was quickly reminded of the kids. We're those 'hippy' parents who aren't happy with any educational choice for our kids. I'm not a fan of homeschooling, I'm not a fan of public schools, private schools, charter schools, etc. In a perfect world we'd live in a community/compound where different people taught our children different things. They'd go to you for math (sure as hell wouldn't learn any math from me! LOL), they'd go to Sloan for history, they'd come to me for English, they'd go to so-and-so for science, etc. So, until we win the lottery and can hire a scholar like Sloan wishes we could do, I'll settle for helping my kids as much as I can. Working with them. Enrolling them in whatever outside things I think they should partake in and would like. Being present and making sure I feel they are getting as much as they can from our public school system. We hope to push them, propel them, encourage their spirits, and go for what they are good at.

Anyway, I'm rambling on. Hope you all have a great Tuesday. I'm fixing to groom some dogs!!!

Monday!

Returned home yesterday from a wonderful weekend in Palestine, Tx. We were guests of honor at the Palestine Community Theater, and got to see 'Ghosts' the musical. It was my first musical since being activated, and it was great! I had a book signing, sold some books, made some new friends, hit up the local thrift store, ate some yummy food, and took the girls to see The Croods (it was really good).

Last night we had a meeting to go over the Advocare 24 Day Challenge we started this morning. I'm excited about this venture. Days 1-10 are 'cleanse' days, and I know my body could use it. The girls and I have been running errands and decided to stop for a pedicure :) We are getting our garden ready, so we're heading to the feed store to get seeds afterwards. Both our girls have gymnastics tonight.

Tomorrow, my oldest daughter Olivia starts art lessons. she is so excited. Tomorrow night I speak at a DynaMaxx meeting in Arlington.

This is my Monday in a nutshell!

Schedule...

Ok, several have asked that I post my schedule on here......I'll post what I know so far. There are several things that are 'in the works' but I don't like to post until it's a sure deal ;) I'm open to speaking gigs and signings, just holler at me for details.

March:

Thursday, March 21st: I'll be at a "Meet the Authors Night" in Cleburne at Wright Plaza. 5:30 to 9. There will be several other authors there, as well as a wine tasting and snacks. I'll be signing books and speaking.

Saturday, March 23rd: I'll be in Palestine, Texas at Old Magnolia Mercantile starting at 11. I'll have books.

Tuesday, March 26th: I'll be speaking and doing a signing at 'Setting the Pace, Team DynaMaxx' in Arlington, Texas. Starts at 6:30.

There are some other possible things for March, but it's looking like they'll be moved to April.

April:

Friday, April 12th: I'll be in The Woodlands for a book club that's hosting me. I'll be speaking and signing books there at 1 at the Country Club.

Friday, April 19th and Saturday, April 20th: I'll be at the Super Stakes in Fort Worth! I'll be at the Justin Insurance booth on both days. Stop by!

There are some church things that may pan out, and a signing at a local beauty salon, as well as a few other things. I'll post once they are set in stone. I appreciate you all following along :)

WOW!

Ok, so yesterday I did an 'AMA' on reddit. WOW! I was completely overwhelmed at the response and still have not gotten through all the questions. I'll do another one when I'm more prepared and schooled on the whole thing. Thank you guys!!! I've offered to do a 'Q & A' type thing here on my blog, but it never took off, so I assumed the reddit thing wouldn't fly well either. I was wrong!

Anyway, I wanted to take a moment to remind some of you folks that I do have a public Facebook page at:

www.facebook.com/sarahmchurman

If you are a 'Facebooker', go check it out :) I try to keep it current with interviews, upcoming signings, book news, and just general stuff. I do giveaways from time to time too. I really appreciate all of you out there. I wanted to thank those of you who have left a review of my book on Amazon. If anyone else that has read the book would like to help me out and leave a review, the link to do so is:

http://www.amazon.com/Powered-SOUNDS-Choose-Hear-NOISE/product-reviews/0985603356/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_summary?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

I GREATLY appreciate you guys!!!!!

If anyone is wondering where to buy a copy of my book at, go to www.indigoriverpublishing.com, or you can purchase a signed copy from me as long as you pay shipping.

I hope everyone is having a fantastic Monday so far, I plan to make it a good one. I have groom dogs coming, and then I foresee a pedicure in my future :)

Some have suggested that my Facebook posts are worthy of my blog......so I'll give it a go! Today is Friday! It's a beautiful day here in North Texas :)

Ellie May Clampett post #296: I should be cleaning my house and getting ready for 'Girls Game Night'......but my new Kitchen Aid mixer was screaming to be sent out on its maiden voyage.....so what's a girl to do? Bake up a batch of organic dog biscuits of course!

I'm sure my dogs are thrilled......but I really should bake something for all my friends coming over tonight ;) Im off to do that!

Best Seller & Mover and Shaker!!!

Sarah and I just wanted to shoot out another e-mail saying THANK YOU to all who participated in yesterday's best seller launch on Amazon. By 8pm last night, 'Powered On' earned the best seller title! Sarah's book started out the day ranked #381,773 out of all books on Amazon. She went all the way to spot #361! She got 'best selling biography/memoir' coming in at #64 out of the top 100 best sellers, and eventually earned #1 'mover and shaker' on Amazon books. We are so excited, but more importantly, so grateful for everyone who helped make this happen. We hope everyone who ordered books will enjoy them and return to Amazon to leave a review.

Indigo River Publishing is a great group of folks to work with, and we greatly appreciate them and their heart. We are excited to see where things go from here, and we are prepared for whatever else God has for us.

Sarah has a radio interview this Tuesday with a station out of Philadelphia that has 3 million listeners, as well as a book signing in Marshall/Jefferson, Texas this weekend at Books and Java. She has news interviews, radio interviews, and paper interviews lined up for Shreveport for this event. March has several things lined up at churches, health fairs, meet the author nights, etc. Your further prayers are greatly appreciated. 

Thanks,

Sloan & Sarah

Whew!

Well, not gonna lie........I once again have gotten behind on here :( Lots has gone on! I am in the works of starting a video blog, maybe I'll be better about that. We shall see. Lol. Anyway, our main focus at this point is the 'best seller launch' that is happening this Saturday, the 9th. I previously posted about it, but it is now 4 days away and I'm getting SO nervous. Here's the link to the Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1259389100867831/

Hope that some of you guys will feel led to share, invite your own peeps, and be a part. I greatly appreciate it. Also, today an interview I did with a fellow blogger is posted today! Here's a link to that:

http://lipreadingmom.com/2013/02/05/meet-sarah-churman-youtube-star-and-author-of-powered-on/

In other interesting news, I was contacted by a Korean TV station wanting to do an interview, I'll post more info when I get it. There are several exciting things that are 'in the works' for us......but I'm not one to count my eggs before they hatch, so more on that as it comes to fruition.

The last few days have been pretty warm here in Texas, and my girls have been enjoying it to the fullest. We have a new miniature horse named 'Macho', and Olivia rides him every chance she gets. Elise prefers the bigger horses and rides with Daddy a lot. This Saturday Ms. Elise will have her 3rd birthday party. I've rented a monkey to come do a show, and the girls have no idea. Sloan and I have managed to keep it a secret all these weeks and we are so proud of ourselves. Lol. Anyway, they are gonna freak when it arrives Saturday :)

I hope everyone is having a great week so far, hope this nice weather holds out.