Signed Book - Giveaway! The Christian Mama's Guide

Do you know any pregnant women? Any girlfriends experiencing morning sickness for the first...or maybe the fourth time? What about a first-time daddy who is confused about late-night cravings, or ggrrravings as author, Erin MacPherson likes to call them?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then stop what you're doing and pick up The Christian Mama's Guide to Having a Baby!

As a mom to four of my own little darlings - and a bonifide bookaholic, I've read my fair share of pregnancy books. When Erin's book, The Christian Mama's Guide to Having a Baby arrived at my house a few weeks ago, I opened it up thinking- I've read this kind of book before.  

Wow, was I wrong.


 This book not only covers the stages of pregnancy and delivery room experiences in humorous detail, it is a phenomenal resource for diet, exercise, baby equipment, pediatrician appointments and home career ideas. 

Erin and I became acquainted a few months ago. There hasn't been a phone call between us that hasn't been peppered with her mothering her two little ones in the background. It is a joy to hear. She is a great mommy. 


And, if I could make a book-prediction...I believe The Christian Mama's Guide to Having a Baby is going to knock good ol' boy What to Expect While Expecting, right off the top shelf at the book store!

If you'd like to be entered to win a signed copy of The Christian Mama's Guide to Having a Baby - leave a comment or click on the "Like" button on the top right Facebook badge over there. The winner will be announced on Sunday.

Without further delay, let's give a warm welcome to our Blessed...guest.


Erin, welcome to Blessed… it’s so great to have you here!

Tell us a little bit about The Christian Mama’s Guide. How did it come to be?

I'm pretty sure I have never met a pregnant mama who was as naive and inexperienced as I was when I got pregnant with my son-- and I'm not exaggerating. I was eight weeks along and I went to the doctor because "I had the stomach flu and couldn't kick it" and when he laughed and told me I was pregnant, I literally said "Um, how did that happen?!" (Nevermind that I had been married for six years and knew exactly how that happened!) I left the doctor and drove straight to the bookstore to find a pregnancy guide. And, of course, there were hundreds.

I found "Belly Laughs" but put it back when I saw the F-word on the first page I turned to. I found "What to Expect When You're Expecting" but after reading three pages, I wanted to cry because it made pregnancy seem so overwhelming and daunting-- and as sick and shocked as I was, the last thing I needed to be was overwhelmed. Later that night, I was talking to my mother-in-law and explaining how I hadn't been able to find a good, light, funny and Christ-centered pregnancy guide, she said "well, then you should write one!". I laughed, but the idea stuck. A few years later, I decided to go for it.

You are a mommy to two and pregnant now, right? What has surprised you most about being a mom? Being pregnant?

Yes. I have a five-year-old son Joey and a three-year-old daughter Kate and I'm having another little boy in May. This is going to make me sound like a terrible mom but the thing that surprised me the most about being a mom was that I could actually fall in love with my kids. For a long time during my first pregnancy, I wasn't sure if I could or would. I was afraid I wasn't cut out to be a mom.

When I was pregnant, I was surprised by how disconnected I felt from my baby and how much I hated the entire pregnancy process. And that disconnection made me sure that I was never going to love my kids... in fact, I remember telling my husband late in my first pregnancy how I couldn't imagine how the pain and stress of pregnancy could be worth it. But then, my son was born. And one look at him and suddenly I realized that every twinge, every time I threw up and every tear was worth it. Every little bit. And that surprised me.

Are you up for a few random questions? What are your favorite pizza toppings? Color? Do you shave your legs in the winter? (I asked Kathi, gotta ask you too.)  Have you ever met anyone famous? Do you have a favorite scripture?

Pizza Toppings: Well, I pretty much like anything cheesy and fattening, but my favorites are probably canadian bacon, mushrooms, fresh tomatoes, peppers, olives.

Color: Red

Shaving: I'm kinda obsessed with having my legs shaved. I do it every day. And, I'm not sure if that's a good thing. The other day, I asked my daughter what she wanted to be when she grew up and she said "I want to be a shaver just like you."

Celebrity Encounters: I really don't think I've met anyone famous, unless you count the fact that one time I was jogging (okay, walking) on the trail in Austin and saw Matthew McCoughnehey with his shirt off running in the other direction. Or at least someone who looked like him. Of course, I handled myself very maturely by quickly ducking my head and moving to the side of the trail and hiding my face behind some bushes.

Favorite scripture: I would say my favorite scripture changes with the seasons and my mood, but the entire book of Ephesians has always been a comfort and encouragement to me. I find myself reading another book in the bible and then going back to Ephesians for a re-read.

What did you have for breakfast? Any gggggravings today?

This morning we had Malt-o-Meal with brown sugar and raisins. Somehow, my husband has convinced my kids that Malt-o-Meal is made from Malt Balls so it's their favorite breakfast. They think I've mashed up candy for them. Which, may mean that I might want to go a little easy on the brown sugar from now on, but anyway...

And, no grrrravings yet today. But, a few nights ago, we went to my mom's house and she made tacos. I got my tortilla shell and then moved onto the toppings... ground beef, beans, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese... but nothing sounded good... until I saw the sour cream. I literally loaded up my tortilla with three (okay, five) heaping spoonfuls of sour cream and wrapped it up. Yep, I ate a sour cream burrito and it was delicious.

A little birdy told me you will be at the MOPS International Convention in Nashville this year. Is that true?

I sure hope so. I'm still trying to work out the details but I'd love to go. I've been a MOPS mom for 5 years and thankfully just bought myself five more years by getting pregnant (I realized the other day that my time was ticking... my daughter starts kindergarten in a year and a half... whew... dodged that bullet!). I'd love to go spend some time with other MOPS moms (and hopefully meet other authors like YOU, Joanne).

You have such a friend-to-friend style of writing. As I read your chapters, I found myself saying, I want Erin for a girlfriend! Is there a way for us to keep in touch with you. Do you have a blog? Newsletter? Facebook page? Can I stalk you!?

Ha. Funny story: When my brother-in-law (who is a college minister) read my book for the first time, he called me and said "Whoa! You're a totally different person on paper. How come you're so serious when you're at my house?!" So, apparently I need to lighten up in real life. But, that said, I love meeting new friends (and stalking my own friends) online so please come visit me on my blog (http://www.christianmamasguide.com) or find me on Facebook or Twitter.


Well, every time we've chatted on the phone, you have been a lot of fun. Tell your brother I said so! Thanks so much Erin, for taking time today to chat with us girls. My prayer is for your book to find its way into the hands of every pregnant woman, and new-mommy.

My First Book Contract - Doorbell-Ditching is Not Allowed

When I was a little girl, I loved to doorbell-ditch. Quietly, I would creep up to the front door of an unsuspecting friend or neighbor's house, knock on their front door, or ring their doorbell and skedaddle. The object of the game was to get the person inside the house to open their front door and discover no one there.


To a ten-year old, this is loads of fun, to an adult not so much.


God’s Word says, "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Luke 11:9-10 NIV


The Lord wants us to ask Him for things. He uses the analogy of knocking on His door, and then reminds us that when we do the knocking He does the opening.

Is there something you’ve been asking the Lord for? Does it feel like you’ve been asking forever? God’s time is not our time. When He puts something on our heart, our job is to ask, seek, and knock. When what we're asking lines up with His will, in His good and perfect time, He opens the door wide for us to walk through.

For years, I’ve been knocking on His door with my prayers. Lord, I have a desire to write a book for moms. I must be crazy to even ask you for this, since I don’t  know the difference between a hanging participle and a hanging plant. If this book is not what you have purposed for me to do, please take this desire away from me. But, if writing this book is in your will for my life, please open the door of publication wide open.


Have you ever asked the Lord for something, and the minute He gave you the green light and began to open doors, you ran? I can see Him opening a door for me and if I stopped to think about how I’m not qualified, or count all the reasons I am not worthy, I want to run too.


Except, I don’t want to doorbell-ditch God.


God has a plan and a purpose for each child He creates. Until the end of time, He has a job to do and invites His beloved children along to accomplish His plans. For those of us who feel unable for the task, that's OK. It’s exactly where we need to be, because when we are weak He is strong. When we know we can't do it ourselves it's God who gets all the glory, as it should be. 

This week, nestled inside the most beautiful FedEx envelope I've ever laid my eyes on, I received my very first publishing contract from Beacon Hill Press. After going over the details with my literary agent, Rachelle Gardner, it's official. A 50,000 word manuscript is due in the hands of their publishers in five months.

My nonfiction book, The Radical Sabbatical – How To Journey From Busy to Blessing is becoming a reality.


The Lord has flung a door wide open. Like that little girl who loved to doorbell-ditch, I want to bolt right off of God's front porch.

But, Lord, I don’t know how to write a book. I’m not sure exactly where to put commas or apostrophes. I don’t have a degree in English, remember? What was I thinking knocking on your door?


What if I allowed fear to hold me back? God’s plans will succeed with our without me. He doesn’t need me for this, He allows me to take part in a small sliver of His work on earth because He loves me. And you know what? I don't want to miss out on any of it, not one misplaced comma, not one apostrophe, or hanging plant!

 *******

And, still my heart races, while the Lord confidently smiles and reaches out His hand for mine. Taking deep breaths, I attempt to settle my rising and falling chest. He softly pulls me by my hand, up against His side, tucking me safely under His arm.

I squeeze my eyes shut and feel Him begin to move me forward. Taking small steps together, I walk blindly by His side. My other arm wrapped firmly around Him, He whispers, "Lean against me. You can do this because I can do this."

Clinging to His robe, we walk through the open door together.