Category: humor

Two Scoops of Grace – Book Review and Giveaway!

Posted on by Susan Panzica
When I first met Jeanette Levellie, I’d already known her for years. We first became friends after she commented on my post and then I commented on hers and then emails followed as kindred spirits knit together. Finally  last August, we met in person at the Philly Writers Conference. Smiles and hugs abounded. I’m so happy to announce that Jen’s dream has come true. Her first book is published!

Now you can share with me the delight in reading Jen’s words. Her warmth, wit, and wisdom radiate through these pages. Jen puts a comical and spiritual spin on stories and events from everyday life. You’ll smile, sob, laugh, cry, and draw closer the One who scripts our lives.

Here’s the official blurb about Jeanette, the book, and her awesome giveaway. The contests ends at midnight May 10, 2012:

About the Book
What do drive-by diaper stores and God have in common? When is blabbing an acceptable habit? Why should you beware of moths and sligs? In her entertaining, uplifting style, award-winning author and humorist Jeanette Levellie weaves 72 amusing stories with affirming Biblical truths. These soul-nourishing examples of God’s favor and grace will help you:

  • Laugh when you find cow patties in your field instead of daisies
  • Discover the bottomless heart of God
  • Grow in your acceptance of yourself and others

Welcome a vacation from stress as you discover the sweetness of Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top.

You can buy the book here.

About the Author
A spunky pastor’s wife of thirty-plus years, Jeanette Levellie authors a bi-weekly humor/inspirational column, God is Bigger, a popular feature in the Paris Beacon News since 2001. She has published stories in Guideposts anthologies, stories in Love is a Verb Devotional with Gary Chapman, articles in Christian and secular magazines, greeting card verses, and poems for calendars.  She is also a prolific  speaker for both Christian and secular groups, and loves to make people laugh while sharing her love for God and life.

Jeanette is the mother of two grown children, three grandchildren, and servant to four cats. She lives in Paris (not the French one), IL. with her husband, Kevin. Her hobbies include dining out, talking baby talk to her cats, avoiding housework, reading, and watching old classic movies.

Visit Jeanette on her blog, On Wings of Mirth and Worth, at www.jeanettelevellie.com.

Jeanette’s Giveaways
You can win one of ten free downloads of my debut humor devotional, Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top for your eReader. Here are the very simple rules:

For each share of this post link on Facebook, Twitter, or your blog, you will receive one entry.

For each like on Jeanette’s Author Page or my Two Scoops Book Page on Facebook, or follow on my Twitter page or this blog, you will receive one entry. If you already like and/or follow me, mention that and I will count it.

Please send me ONE comment to tell me how many times you shared, liked, or followed, so I can give you the correct amount of entries. I reserve the right to verify all information given me, and disqualify anyone from the drawing who falsifies information. (Do not leave comments here to be entered, you MUST go to Jeanette’s blog post for the giveaway.)

Contest starts today and ends midnight, May 10, 2012. Jeanette will announce the winners in a blog post Sunday, May 13, 2012.

….and a $100 Gift Card Drawing~~~WOWZA!!!

After you have read/reviewed Two Scoops, check out my blog at www.jeanettelevellie.com for a contest to win a $100 gift card by answering ten easy questions about the book! After I receive your entry, your name will go into the hat for a $100 gift card to one of the following places (your choice): Amazon, Barnes and Noble, CBD, Hobby Lobby, Chick-fil-A, Wal-Mart, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, or Ruby Tuesday. This giveaway will run until August 10, 2012 so there is PLENTY of time for you to enter!

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“The Help” Isn’t Just A Movie

Posted on by Susan Panzica

In August, a family vacation took us to Washington DC at the end of our week. On Sunday, we visited National Community Church that meets in a movie theater.

The movie The Help was showing in the theater where the service was held. Entering the door below the sign, I laughed out loud.
I was going there to encounter God – now He’s really the Help!

Just a few “helpful” verses to bless your day:

  • My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2
  • Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. Psalm 54:4
  • Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18
  • So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Hebrews 13:6
  • Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews. 4:16

How has God helped you?

Tell Me About Yourself

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Thanks Jeanette Levellie for sharing this award with me. Jeanette is a gifted writer whose humor devotional book is coming out in April 2012. Look for “Mirth and Worth in the Real Lane” for a certain blessing.

Here’s the rules of the award – I need to share 7 things about me, and then pass this award along to 5 other bloggers who will do the same, and so on and so on   ;D

Jeanette’s challenge is to share the “messy” and not just “cutesy little tidbits.”

So here goes:

1. I don’t drink coffee. Gasp! Yes, most unusual I know. Especially since my blog header shows two lovely ladies enjoying their coffee at a place called Eternity Cafe. I do love coffee dates with friends, but I just enjoy some other beverage while I enjoy their company.

2. I may not look it, but I am the pickiest eater alive. For example, I order a Greek salad without cucumbers, onions, or olives. And I can do without the anchovies and peppers, but I am willing to pick those out, whereas the cukes, etc. leave their taste on the lettuce. My mom says I place my food order in a restaurant like this scene in When Harry Met Sally:




3. I am a procrastinating perfectionist. Mostly procrastinating. I found I can live with clutter or unfinished  projects if I keep the future perfection firmly in my mind. And yet I’m conflicted about this. Hmmm, I might be slightly schizophrenic too. 

4. My favorite ice cream is Haagen-Dazs. I don’t eat any other brand of ice cream (see #2), so I buy other brands for my family to enjoy and then I’m not tempted! I don’t like anything frozen in my ice cream such as nuts or chips. Must be smooth, and my favorite ice cream flavor is – coffee. Very weird since I don’t drink coffee (#1).

5. I’m beginning to think schizophrenic people are very interesting.

6. I am a reformed disco dancer. Now a big fan of classic rock – especially my husband’s Solid Rock Band.

7. I love football. Especially the NY Giants! But I’ll root for the Jets too. I like the baseball Mets, but I’ll root for the Yankees too. Some (like my son) find this impossible to do. It’s either one or the other. But I guess it’s easy for schizophrenics like me.

8. I would much rather hear about you than talk about me. 

So – would you share with me an interesting tidbit about yourself? I want to know more about you, what you like or dislike, something funny or not. What makes you tick? 

And I’m passing this award on to these 5 excellent bloggers: 

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Just Too Busy

Posted on by Susan Panzica
Just Too Busy is for anyone who is… well, just too busy! And since I don’t know anyone who isn’t too busy, I guess this book is for you, especially if you are the chief cook, chauffer, maid, nurse, sideline coach, and/or tutor in your household.



For me, this book is more than just a good read. It is the culmination of a dream of a dear friend. Joanne Kraft and I met at my first writers’ conference. We shared a lunch, a prayer, and the beginning of a cherished friendship. At that conference, a master discourager tried to convince Joanne to abandon writing her book, devastating news for any writer. After buckets of tears, hugs, prayers, and a phone call home, wise words from her husband Paul [“Remember Who told you to write this book…”] brought clarity and peace to both of us.



In her ‘day’ job, Joanne is a 911 operator, and she has saved me from disaster on more than one occasion. We may live a continent apart, but when we talk, it’s as if we’re sitting across the table from each other.
And when you read her book, it’s as if she’s sitting across the table from you, sharing her personal experience of her family’s victory over busyness. Joanne speaks and writes with sidesplitting humor. She’ll make you laugh, and make you cry, but mostly laugh.
Here’s the official blurb about her book:
  • Just Too Busy is the true story of the Kraft family’s head-on collision with busyness and the twelve-month experiment that changed their lives. When their children could recite the dollar value meals at McDonalds faster than their times-tables, they knew something was very wrong. So, instead of continuing their bad habits and fitting more into their schedules, they took a year off from all activities and learned how to be a family again. 
  • In this book, readers will laugh their way to learning the ten tell-tale signs that they are too busy and discover the symptoms for a common disorder known to moms today: A.D.D. (Activity Denial Disorder). Families will find simple ways to guard themselves from the temptation of constant distraction.

Even though my children are young adults now, I found myself relating to the busyness that Joanne describes. Overcommitment is something that I regularly have to guard against. In the first chapter, Joanne says, “even the good things in life can become the enemy of the best things in life.”
To combat what she calls the “captivity of activity,” Joanne and her family took a year-long “radical sabbatical.” They stopped almost all extracurricular activity and learned what it means to spend time together as a family. Just Too Busy takes us through their experiences, high and low, and provides insight and advice to anyone looking to simplify life. You don’t need to go on a radical sabbatical yourself to enjoy and apply the principles in this book.
Because I know you’ll love it, I’m giving away a copy of Just Too Busy! To enter the drawing, share a comment with me – either here on the blog, on facebook, or in an email reply. Let me know why you’d like to read it or share your funniest busy story.
  

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Is Jesus in the attic?

Posted on by Susan Panzica
Since the snow in the Northeast began on Dec. 26th, we haven’t seen lawns; Christmas decorations are still out; and the roadways have had fewer clear days than treacherous ones. Central Park in NYC had a record 53 days of snow-covered grass.
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I have to admit that our own nativity display is still out. We haven’t been able to get to it due to the amount of snow and ice covering it. After it was buried with the first snowfall, more and more just piled on top of it. Our other decorations were stored away, but we just couldn’t put Jesus back in the attic.
And maybe that’s why sometimes things just keep piling up in our lives — so that we don’t put Jesus away. We have a sorry tendency to tuck Jesus away in a corner when things are going well, but when there’s tribulation, we call out to Him in greater measure. I’ve heard it said – nothing improves your prayer life better than big trouble.


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I think with this weekend’s warmer weather, we may be able to finally put away our nativity set. We’ll put away the plastic Jesus, but not His presence.
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“You have made known to me the paths of life;
You will fill me with joy in Your presence.”
Acts. 2:28.

Jersey? Sure!

Posted on by Susan Panzica
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I am a real housewife of NJ.
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First let me say that I have never seen Jersey Shore or Real Housewives of NJ or any of the other rubbish supposedly depicting my state. But I have seen enough on the news or the internet to know that these programs do not represent where I live and work and raise my family. Although I spent my early years in NY state, I’m a Jersey Girl through and through.
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I love the beaches, the mountains, the 4 seasons, the diversity of ethnic foods and cultures, the 24 hour diners and convenience stores, cheap gas prices and I don’t have to pump it, and of course, the people.
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NJ is called the Garden State because its rich soil grows the best and most abundant tomatoes, eggplants, corn, cranberries and blueberries. There’s nothing so sweet as blueberries in June or a fresh Jersey tomato in September.
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I love being near NYC and Philadelphia, yet being able to go home to my quiet little abode by a lake.  It’s easy to take a plane, train, bus, cab, truck, or boat to just about anywhere on earth. Sure there’s traffic, but lots of places have traffic, don’t they? Some say they don’t like NJ because of the NJ Turnpike, in particular the northern industrial end. I say comparing the state of NJ to the NJ Turnpike is like comparing the state of NY to the Cross Bronx Expressway. It’s just a few miles of industry providing jobs to many people.
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As a college freshman, my daughter had to give a persuasive speech. Her topic? Why New Jersey is the best state. When she finished, her teacher said, “Now I don’t feel so bad about paying my taxes.”
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I know people love to mock New Jersey, but too often people mock what they don’t know, so I thought I’d share a little taste of my state:

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ps- click here to check out why I don’t live in Florida!

i am a … sister!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

….I interrupt my previously scheduled “i am …” series to bring you the first of two highlights from our church’s family retreat last weekend.


…..#1:

Today is a video of a comical skit performed by my friends and me. Enjoy! After you watch it, I’ll share the secret of how it all developed.
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In case your email doesn’t contain the video, here’s the YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxFsZDdEWA8

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Now what’s really funny to me is how God can take a complete lack of talent and an abundance of fears and transform them into a joyfilled experience.

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You see, on our annual church retreats, we have “Share Your Gifts” nights, my contribution usually being an appreciative audience member. This year I wondered what, if anything, I could do. Alas, I cannot sing a single note on key. But, secretly I can lip-sync with the best of them. Then again, I’m way too scared to do anything by myself. Yet I was also a little afraid to ask anyone to join me in such a ridiculous endeavor. Would they laugh at me? Or just think I’m bizarre?
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The small group I attend is studying “authentic relationships,” so I bared my soul and popped the question to my posse. A movement was born! Patty dreamed up costumes. Diane suggested my daughter choreograph our moves, which she did (that was my Lauren dancing in the audience after she successfully led us through our routine!) Even funnier than our performance were our practices. If laughing were an Olympic sport, we won 7 gold medals.
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This just shows how God can use us despite our weaknesses, or in this case, because of them.
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I usually focus on what I lack.
I usually succumb to my fears.
This time, I took a chance and ended up with a memory of a lifetime.
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Whoever said that it isn’t fun to be a Christian – isn’t hanging around with the right Christians!

 

  

Happy Birthdays!!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

I’m a neglectful mother. I thought about it, but I just didn’t do it. I didn’t write special birthday posts for my darling children who celebrated their special days on the 22nd and 27th. But fortunately, their creativity and love for each other provided just the material for you to catch a glimpse into our crazy family. On an ordinary day, I am the proudest mama going, but after seeing their greetings to each other, I’m not quite sure about that anymore! 


Here is the poem that Lauren wrote for her beloved brother:



yo bro

its your birfday and im here to give you a rhyme
i know it wont be long so im sure you got the time
living with you all my life has been kinda crazy
you sweat, eat a lot and sometimes you get lazy

but youre way too cool and smart and really funny
so ill never kick you out even though you like chubby bunnies
the way you sing, smile and fart 
is only just the start
youre more than a brother
youre my best friend
i just freakin love you
THE END



And his greeting to her is the following YouTube video. 
Out of necessity, I’m posting the words first! 

you wrote me a rhyme that was truly sublime
but it will not stand the test of time
because im back with a whole new swagger
my lyrics and moves are makin e’erbody stagger
i got the flow of the century and im here to let you know
it got the biggest baddest happy birthday rap fo sho

you see im singin to the the most beautiful head of curls
whose life of BEIN LOVE inspires so many girls
paper pages in her pocket are the deepest root
because the bible is the key to life’s eternal fruit
if you ask her bout the truth she is compelled to say
that jesus christ is all the love and life and the way
god has blessed her with lifesong always on her lips
lives a life of dance god’s glory moves her hips
the proclamation of salvation grips her tongue
showin love to e’erbody big and small old and young

twenty two years of her life is written on this day
to my sister
how i’ve missed her
HAPPY BIRTH-A-DAY!!

So do you wanna laugh or cry? I’m doing both! 

Help Wanted

Posted on by Susan Panzica

When job-hunting, it is always important to research the long and short-term benefits: health and life insurance, retirement plan, vacation, stock ownership. Working for the King of Kings is no exception. What might a Help Wanted ad for a servant in God’s kingdom look like?
  • Lifetime, full time position (part time is not an option) available to anyone who applies. No prior experience or skills necessary. Training period offered for all candidates includes working alongside the Employer who takes an individual interest in each of His subjects. Each employee must get to know the Employer personally. The retirement and insurance plans provide coverage for eternity. There are no vacation days, no monetary salary, and no guarantee against hardship or adversity, but endless comfort is available from the Employer and is to be shared with others. Opportunity for advancement: Being faithful in a few things will result in being put in charge of many things and sharing the Employer’s happiness. Ownership sharing plan bestows a royal inheritance as a joint heir with the Employer.


Forget not all His benefits (Ps. 103:2)

Need a new job? Care to apply?
ps – This is a snippet from my chapter titled “i am a servant.”

Wrinkled Ladies

Posted on by Susan Panzica
Beyonce has nothing on Anita Renfro and us wrinkled ladies!!





I often lament my wrinkles. They started to reveal their ugly selves when I was in my 30’s. The only benefit to those additional creeping pounds from my 40’s is that my wrinkles smoothed out a bit. I heard somewhere that middle age is when your age starts to show around your middle.

My mother-in-law is 92 (don’t tell her I told you), but the woman has NO wrinkles. Really!   And don’t tell me that worrying give you wrinkles. It’s her hobby. She’d win the gold if worrying was an Olympic event, yet her face is as smooth as it was 40 years ago. There oughta be a law!

I, on the other hand, am not a worrier, but have a lovely wrinkle collection! They say wrinkles are just “antique smiles.” Who knew I was an antique collector??

Someday though, I’ll be wrinkle-free!! Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. Eph. 5:25-28

When I wash stuff, I create wrinkles, but when He does the cleansing, He removes them! Along with all our other imperfections. Can I hear an Amen?

On a weirdly similar theme, the winners of the book giveaway “Who Calls Me Beautiful?—Finding Our True Image in the Mirror of God” are Karen Lange from Write Now, Jeanette Levellie from Audience of One and Cecelia, Quiet Spirit from Following My King. You are each so special and encouraging to me. Thank you!