Bring on 2012.
I love a fresh start, don’t you?
My friends and I have been talking about what our word for 2012 will be. What are our individual themes? What do we want to focus on? (And either “chocolate” is truly not an acceptable theme or I need new friends.)

I had a word last year, but 2011 kind of chewed it up and spit it out. In fact, last year I was so psyched about my 2011 word, I had it made into a cool charm and necklace. But the thing broke me out every time I wore it. Nothing says “this is not your destiny” like a rash.

So I wasn’t going to do a 2012 word but then the super clever and insightful Natalie Lloyd gave me one. Which I’m not sharing. In case it bombs again. But it’s not! It’s not going to. And I got a charm with that word on it too. And if 2012 tanks too, at least I got some jewelry out of it.

So I’m staying in for New Year’s Eve. Someone had the nerve to breathe on me, and now I have some major crud. Which is okay. Because now I won’t get The Crud for another few years. I’m rarely sick, but when I am, I do it really well. So I’m just gonna stay in, watch the Food Network, and do Aquafina shots every time I hear the words “whole stick of butter.”

Now I want to tell you about a book you must get. In fact, I’m gonna give one away–my favorite read of 2011.
If we were in my classroom, this would be the point I would put on my serious face and say, “I need you to look at me.” Because this book is so important and I believe everyone needs it.

It’s called The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson.
Batterson is a pastor in D.C. and often writes on the theme of dreaming big. He’s the man behind the awesome must-read In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day. (aka: The book with the longest title in the universe.)  This is along the same lines, but REALLY kicks it up a notch. Please know I am promoting this book because I am CRAZY about it. Like I told one friend, if this book were a man, I’d drag it off to Vegas and marry it. I’m getting no kickback here and I don’t know Mr. Batterson. But the man can write. (No ghost writer! Impressive!)

This book is about how you and I need to stop praying wimpy prayers. We need to start being brave and gutsy about our goals–goals that are bigger than we are, dreams that are God-sized. And we need to get strategic about how we pray. There are a million things I liked about this book, but I love that it’s not this vague idea of “dream big.” It’s specific, it’s filled with ideas to use today. It’s encouraging, well-written, inspiring, and the author comes off as a humble, normal guy in love with life, running hard after God, and not content to live in mediocrity. And he has the life experience and scripture to back it up.

I actually got my copy free as an e-book, but 1/4 of the way through it, I stopped and ordered the hard copy. Because I needed to mark and write and underline all over it.

So I’m giving away a copy of The Circle Maker. And I’m strongly encouraging each of you to get a copy for yourself right now. (Even if you win mine, that just means you have one to give away.)

To get in the running, just leave a comment telling me :
1. Best thing about 2011
2. Your goal for 2012.

If you tweet or FB about the drawing and include this post’s link (Such as, “I just entered to win The Circle Maker! http://www.jennybjones.com/2011/12/30/new-year-giveaway/), you’ll be entered once for each shoutout. (For the few, the proud, the brave who do this, leave a comment for each occurrence.)

You have until January 8th to enter. Winner announced Jan 9th. If I get school-closing snow that day, I’ll draw two winners.

This book could totally change your life.
And I know for me, it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Because 2011 gave me a rash.
And I’m circling my prayers for 2012.

Totally stole this from literary-girl Ashley Boyer on the Tweeters.
Check out how helpful Ryan Gosling is to the publishing world.

And thank you to Katie, who has one of my favorite blog headers, for the additional finds. Like THIS. And THIS.

There was a segment on the news last night that hit me right in my exhausted heart. Please tolerate the commercial and watch this bit. Check out 1:13…

Doesn’t that get ya?

I’m sending this nice and holiday-lonely fellow a Christmas card–and appealing to my bloggy friends to do the same. The address to send it to is:

Christmas Card Man
c/o KHBS, Fort Smith
2415 North Albert Pike
Fort Smith, AR 72904

And don’t forget a sweet little message. Cards with just a signature always bum me out. I don’t want to sadden the Christmas Card Man.

If you send CCM a card, you earn a million angel points and I’ll be your very best friend.
Also if you send CCM a card, please let me know. I want to brag on you. To my other very best friends.
Feel free to share on your own blogs, with your classrooms, your friends.
Let’s totally bless a blesser.

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. . . ”

See HERE.

This semester in my creative writing class we’ve been talking about how inspiration is all around us–we just have to retrain ourselves to look. 
I thought I’d share two videos I showed my kids. Both make me smile.
And there’s always educational value in a little bit of happy.

Starling Murmuration

And one that also includes some flapping…

Happy Monday to you.