One Beautiful Dream - a G I V E A W A Y

Today is the release day for Jennifer Fulwiler's new book One Beautiful Dream. (affiliate link)

Probably you have heard about it but if not let me tell you: it is SO GOOD.

Now, yes, I do know Jen, so perhaps there is a teeny tiny bit of bias. But really, guys, it is a really incredible book so even if you take away the 5% bump my friendship with Jen gives it we are still left with just an incredible book. Not too shabby, folks.

One Beautiful Dream covers the five years that Jen was building her career as a writer, having babies, and growing in her new Catholic faith. It is incredibly well written, very funny, and a powerful example of how we can pursue our passions while in the midst of family life.  Jen is relatable, telling stories about her life that are honest and funny, a sort of modern day Everyman. 

At times I was moved to tears as she recounted the lessons God was teaching her and the insights she had on things like accepting help and letting people into your life. At one point, Jen shares the story of how she let go of some great opportunities, thus making room for God to fulfill her dream in a different but more lovely way. When I read it I got goosebumps, and cried, and reflected on my own life to see if there were things I needed to let go of because God wants to do the same in my life.

It's like one part memoir, one part spiritual exercise!

I've been reading Jen's blog for years (a decade?) and so I had heard several of the anecdotes she recounts in the book but in One Beautiful Dream they take on more color, more depth, and it's like we have a behind-the-scenes look at what was happening in her home and in God's plans.

It's beautiful.

And on a far more personal level, I was so encouraged to read Jen's book. NFP is hard. Some Church teachings are hard. Growing in holiness (like true holiness that loves and cares and gets dirty for Christ's sake and the salvation of souls) is hard. Jen gets this and it's nice to find a Simon of Cyrene in a radio host / blogger / speaker / author who, with great empathy and honesty, will say, "I know, but it's worth it."

Although what she really said was, "It didn't seem like the perfect time for a baby to come along, but it never did... Yet when the child arrives, his or her life is instantly intertwined with yours in a way that feels so right that it's as if there were never a possibility of this person not existing. The minute you see that baby, the whole universe retroactively adjusts itself so that this life was meant to exist all along." Which is exactly how I would word it were I smarter.

Guys. I want you to read this book. I pre-ordered mine months ago but then Jen kindly sent me a copy to celebrate her launch week. Therefore, I get to give one away! To celebrate the launch of her new book Jen invited me to answer the question, "What's the secret to following your dreams?" in three words. Here's mine:

Enter to win a copy of One Beautiful Dream by leaving a comment answering Jen's question. What's the secret to following your dreams?

RULES:
Please leave ONE comment only answering the above question.
Must be 18 or older and a resident of the continental USA (Sorry. I know and I'm sorry.)
Comment must be linked to or include email address.
Contest closes on Friday, May 4th at 12 o'clock noon CST.
Winner has until 12 noon CST on Monday, May 7th to respond with mailing address or a new winner will be drawn.


PS - Haley and Christy did a super interesting interview with Jen on their podcast Fountains of Home. Go listen!
PPS - You can read more about Jen, listen to her radio show, see if she'll be speaking in your area and more here.
PP the PS - You can buy Jen's first book Something Other Than God and / or One Beautiful Dream with my Amazon affiliate link here.