Five years ago, my friend and co-author Sara wrote this on her blog:
I got a typewriter for my ninth birthday.
It was light brown plastic with a dark brown top, and old fashioned keys that had to be pushed down hard to make the metal lever move. There was no whirring, like my mom’s electric typewriter that sat on her side of the desk in my dad’s office. It was as simple as they come, but it was MINE.
And I decided that made me a writer.
That summer I would try to act grown up and lay out in the afternoon sun with my sisters, trying to get a tan and be fabulous. But in truth, I was far too antsy to lay there and do nothing. So I would haul my typewriter out onto the lawn, set it in front of me on the blanket, and begin my novel.
It was then I decided I would write short stories instead.
Because coming up with a novel at nine was hard. It took more words than I knew and more patience than I had developed. I remember thinking I couldn’t wait for the day when I had something to write about.
In the interim, while I was waiting to live more life so I would have something to say, I instead immersed myself in books. Words melted on my tongue like chocolate and shivered my skin like the tart apple off our trees. Words made me feel emotions I hadn’t experienced and took me places I would never travel. I had to wait to be a writer until I had something to say, but I never had to wait to be a reader.
If you’ve read anything Sara has written – on her blog, on (in)courage, in our book – then you know that she definitely lived a full life and had so much to say. Her message of hope and joy in the midst of incredible challenges, combined with her warm voice and sense of humor, has already changed so many hearts, so many lives. I cannot wait to see how God uses this book to do even more. I’m grateful for the opportunity to partner with Sara this way and so excited for our book’s “birthday.”
And I don’t have to wait any longer. That’s because today – TODAY! – those words and that book are available everywhere. Or, at least in all the major bookstores, including Dayspring, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.
To celebrate today’s book launch, I’m giving away five custom Lisa Leonard Choose Joy necklaces! To enter, simply leave a comment telling me a) that you bought the book (see what I did there?) and b) how you’re going to choose more joy this year. Winners will be randomly selected this Friday, January 8.
If you’d like more information about Sara’s and my book, visit TheChooseJoyBook.com. And don’t forget to enter to win a necklace!
Happy book day! Yay! So proud of you!
A) I BOUGHT THE BOOK!!! It downloaded onto my Kindle last night and I’ve already started reading it. I cannot believe how much I am humbled by Sara’s story. I’m excited to read more!
B) I have decided to make my phrase of this year “Choose Joy”. I’m in a job I’m not happy in and feel that life is just dragging me through it. I’ve heard God say to me that despite life and my job I have the opportunity to CHOOSE joy and also to receive it! My goal is to choose the joy that God has already given me. And, I’m hoping to write my experiences to look back on what He’s brought me through!
I can’t wait to start listening to the book. I preordered it via Audible; I love to “read” and knit at the same time so this works perfectly for me. You gotta love multi-tasking!!;-). I would love a “JOY” necklace; JOY Is my 1 word for 2016. Amazingly, enough I had chosen it before I read your blog about Choose Joy. It usually takes me a week or so into the New Year to choose my 1 word and yearly verse. However, my choice was clear during one of my husband’s Advent sermons. Then God confirmed it via you blog!! Having a Joy necklace would just be an extra bonus and constant reminder that I am committed to “Choosing Joy in 2016”!! Thanks for your blog and you spirit filled writing!!
Laura S.
I just ordered from Amazon! I have been waiting for this book to come out. This year I am choosing joy by choosing to focus on the positives and walk by faith through the negatives. There is some uncertainty in my life right now (job situation) and I am choosing not to fret about it. That is HUGE for me.
So glad I got to be a part of the launch team. Thank you–the book has been life changing for me and my ‘one word’ for 2016 is Choose.
Just finished reading the book. It was bittersweet….felt like sweet Sara was sitting right next to me. Thank you for all of the tireless hours that you spent weaving her story. Many blessings.
I will choose joy as I start my bone marrow/stem cell transplant procedures this Friday! I am looking forward to showing the nurses, doctors and other patients at the City of Hope hospital that I can smile, say thank you, hum a song, and Praise Jesus amidst so many unfun days of chemo, stem cell harvest, bloodwork, possibly losing hair, etc…I will focus on what I can do and not what I am missing because there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I have so many prayer warriors rooting for me and a big God who loves me no matter what. the JOY of the LORD is my strength! and yes, i will buy this book and will check if there’s one available in a Lifeway Christian Bookstore in our city. Excited!
What an amazing thing to be a part of! Congratulations, Mary!
I *did* buy the book and was hoping it was going to be delivered today b/c I feel totally out of the launch of this b/c it’s not here yet. *sniff*
SO EXCITED, Mary. Cannot wait to read the words God has for me (us)!
Love you!
I am Buying this book tomorrow!! The past 2 years I’ve chosen ONE word to focus on and allow God to refine me through it. This year JOY chose me! A friend of mine discovered your book on Instagram and tagged me! I refuse to allow the things of this world still my joy. In order for me maintain my JOY, I must saturate myself in the word and really pay close attention to how I respond (not react) to my surroundings. The necklace is a beautiful reminder to Choose Joy moment by moment! Congrats!!
im going to order tonight! so excited because Joy is my word for 2016. I am going to choose Joy by remembering that we were created in joy, I have been sung over with joy and his joy has the power to give me strength!
Happy BookDay, Beautiful! I’ve ordered one book and will have to order more because I keep giving mine away. Reading, giving, sharing about all the ways I know . . . it’s all about giving and receiving joy!
I did buy the book and am looking forward to reading it.
I’m going to choose more joy this year by focusing on what is going right in my life rather than what is going wrong. I’ve been down about some things but need to get out of the pit.
Hi Mary! So grateful that I discovered your blog tonight, & to discover the Choose Joy book. I’ve just downloaded it from Amazon, & can’t wait to curl up with my iPad & read it. I’m going to check out Sara’s blog as soon as I post this comment. I have a feeling I’m going to be so blessed by visiting there.
I’m going to choose joy this coming year, by letting go of some painful stuff in my life right now, & trust the Lord to fill me with the joy of His salvation. True joy comes through knowing Him! Time to redirect my focus from the things that try to steal that joy!
I am buying the book after I post this — I hope that’s okay. I just figured since I was on this page already . . . Anyway, after 6 years of first, grieving and then living in a fog, and then emerging from the fog, and then just surviving the unexpected illness and death 6 weeks later of my husband, I am determined to truly *live*. Not just get by or exist or go through the motions, but live with intention and joy. How? By immersing myself in Bible study and reading books that will help me focus on the true Source of all joy, and by eliminating from my life things that diminish that joy.
Since “discovering” Sara in the last year or so of her earthly life, I’ve been moved and inspired by her heart. I cannot wait to read the book! Congratulations on its release.
a) I bought my copy of the book and it was delivered yesterday. Yay!
b) To help me choose joy this year, I plan to not overschedule and to spend more time at home.
Hi Mary, I just bought the book from Amazon and am from the old school so I bought the hardback! That way I can more easily share it. I have found myself staying in my home too often since retirement. I want to go out in the world and spread a little light. The Joy that Gitz was often talking about. She had a remarkable life and effect on other people from what I gathered from the video. Her seed was planted and much fruit has come from it.