Katie Ganshert, Author at Katie Ganshert

Battle Two: A Celebratory Cake and Giveaways!

Posted on March 18, 2013March 18, 2013 by Katie Ganshert

Week Two of the Pinterest War between author Becky Wade and myself is a cake.

In fact, it’s a celebratory cake.

Becky is challenging me and YOU to recreate the cake above in celebration of the release of my second novel, Wishing on Willows, which hits stores tomorrow, March 19th!

And this time, we’re looking for a little more reader involvement!

So to give you a little incentive to join in the fun, we are giving away prizes!

Three hot-off-the-press copies of Wishing on Willows.

One advanced copy of Becky’s upcoming release, Undeniably Yours.

And courtesy of Becky Wade, a $25 gift card to the winner’s choice of either Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

That’s 5 different opportunities to win!

Every person who attempts to re-create the cake above and posts their picture on Becky’s Facebook page, my Facebook page, or Twitter (make sure to tag us) will receive five entries into the hat.

Every person who shares this blog post or Becky’s Facebook post and leaves a comment here letting us know they shared on either Twitter or Facebook, will receive one entry into the hat.

On Friday, not only will Becky and I post pictures of our cake creations, we will draw winners for the prizes!

Also, don’t forget to mark your calendar for tomorrow, March 19th, 6 pm, CST for the Wishing on Willows Extravaganza! I’ll be streaming live via video, chatting with readers and giving away a slew of prizes. Plus, two of my favorite authors are joining in the fun–our very own, Becky Wade, and another great friend, Courtney Walsh! Both ladies are giving away copies of their books too! To see the prizes, visit the extravaganza page and don’t forget to RSVP!

It’s also your last day to receive a complimentary set of 7 devotionals with your pre-order of Wishing on Willows. My publisher made them all pretty looking!

Let’s Talk: When’s the last time you baked a cake? Are you any good at it?

Both Becky and I have Pinterest War boards on Pinterest. Follow Becky’s board or my board to stay updated! If you post your challenges to Pinterest, let us know and we’ll repin them to our boards!

Pinterest War: Battle One Results

Posted on March 15, 2013March 15, 2013 by Katie Ganshert

The top picture is the one found on Pinterest. The one below is the Ganshert’s attempt to wax Easter eggs.

Okay. So our eggs aren’t the prettiest eggs you’ve ever seen.

Although I must say, the cracked one with the toothpick antennae has a certain charm to it. And who doesn’t like a black Easter egg? Symbolic of Black Friday, no?

Despite their slightly pathetic appearance, they were super fun and easy to make and a huge hit with my son who does not like to color paper but apparently likes to color hot, hard eggs.

Did you play?

If so, Becky Wade and I would love to see your picture on Facebook or Twitter! Make sure to tag us so we can see it.

We’ll enter all participants’ names into a hat and at the end of the war, we’ll draw some winners to receive our novels!

My newest release, Wishing on Willows, hits shelves next week, March 19th! Pre-order your copy now and my publisher will email you seven free devotionals I wrote especially for my readers!

Becky Wade’s newest, Undeniably Yours, follows a few weeks later on May 1st!

Before you vote on a winner for this epic first battle, I think it’s only fair you see Becky’s eggs. I’m afraid the Wade eggs put the Ganshert eggs to shame! But fun was had by all, so that’s what matters, right? (says the loser)

Now the question is….Pinterest success or fail?

I’m guest posting on Divine Moments today about how to conduct a successful puzzle piece adoption fundraiser!

Peace Doesn’t Just Happen

Posted on March 13, 2013March 13, 2013 by Katie Ganshert

I love meeting with God in the morning. In those quiet moments before my day really begins, His mercies are so new, His words are so sweet, His presence is so strong and my heart is so still that the Lord’s peace is palpable.

But then I close my Bible, I put away my journal, and I dive into an ever-growing to-do list. Something doesn’t happen like it was supposed to happen. Brogan wakes up in a whiny, messy mood, leaving a trail of debris everywhere he steps. We rush and rush to get out the door on time but somehow we’re late, because we’re always late. And then I get home and there’s an unexpected bill in the mail and that peace that surrounded me in the morning is so very far away and distant that nobody looking at me would ever suspect I experienced it in the first place.

Shew.

Am I the only one who experiences this?

Seriously, if not for life, my quiet-time afterglow would last for an eternity.

Lately, I’ve been searching out God’s promises in Scripture.

The other morning I remembered that Psalm 34 was jam-packed with them, so I turned there. I got to the second part of verse 14 and it was like the words jumped off the page and pinged me between the eyes.

…search for peace and work to maintain it.

Ping!

Light bulb moment.

Life is broken. We’re all operating within a faulty system.

Which means…

Peace is not our default setting or some natural state.

Oh friend, it was supposed to be.

And some day, when Jesus comes again, it will be.

But right now, it’s not.

Yet there I was, living under the false assumption that peace would just come. That it would naturally arise or remain, all on its own.

Only that wasn’t happening.

Because peace isn’t something that magically comes to us or stays with us. We have to go after it. And once we’ve taken hold of it, we have to work hard to maintain it.

Living out a life of peace is an active pursuit, one that requires intentionality and an effort that stems not from our own strength, but from the Spirit inside of us.

The only way we will win this battle for peace is by wielding the Spirit’s sword – which is the Word of God.

So the next time my to-do list feels like I’m being sprayed in the face by a fire house, I can fight back with…

He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. ~Psalm 23:2

Or the next time my son wakes up cranky and terrorizes my clean little house, I can fight back with…

This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. ~Psalm 118:24

Or the next time something doesn’t go the way I expected it to go and I don’t know how or when it will get fixed, I can fight back…

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you. ~Isaiah 26:3

Or the next time an unexpected bill comes in the mail, I can fight back…

Don’t worry about anything. Instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. ~Philippians 4:6

Even in this chaotic, busy, broken world, may we be a people marked by peace. And may that peace point to Him.

Let’s Talk: Are you actively pursuing peace in your life? What Scriptures help you fight the battle?

Don’t miss the Wishing on Willows Facebook Extravaganza – a live video streaming event in celebration of my second book release, Wishing on Willows! I will be chatting with readers, there will be SIX awesome prize packages to win (click on the extravaganza link to check out some of the prizes), and two amazing guest authors – Becky Wade and Courtney Walsh. Make sure to mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 19th from 6 – 7 pm, CST. Please click on this link to RSVP!

There’s a guest post AND giveaway of my new novel over on Lindsay Harrel’s blog. I’m talking about fear and the ways we let it hold us back.