Dear Ann,
I’ve been reading your new book One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, and I wanted to share a few things that’ve been on my heart since I’ve started reading it.
Your life humbles me. I read your words and find myself struggling to wrap my mind around the things you’ve experienced, yet you still find the Beauty of the Lord in ways that most of us can only dream of. Your life is this incredible act of worship, and I pray God would use me even a fraction of how He’s used you.
Your words… they reveal the beauty, grace, hope, and glory of our King.
Your writing inspires me. You make me want to be a better writer. Not to write more like you, but to write more like me. When I read your words, I can see your face and hear your voice. Just like that time when we were talking about how our recent mission trips challenged us as we returned home into a world of plenty (or sometimes excess).
I remember the #fistbump and encouragement that you shared with me while we gathered overlooking the Frio as iron sharpened iron. And as I read One Thousand Gifts, I see the same face… hear the same voice… encouraging me and so many others.
That’s just who you are. And I think the greatest compliment that I can give you about what you’ve done with this book is that in it I see you. I see my friend. I see my sister in Christ. I see someone who inspires many with life, which is this amazing and beautiful act of worship.
You’ve inspired so many others to recognize and share their #1000gifts, so I wanted to start my own #1000gifts list too:
#1 – Page 1 of One Thousand Gifts
#2 – Page 2 of One Thousand Gifts
#3 – Page 3 of One Thousand Gifts
(I could do this for a while, so for the sake of space I’ll skip a few here…)
#225 – Page 225 of One Thousand Gifts
#226 – Page 226 of One Thousand Gifts
#227 – Page 227 of One Thousand Gifts
Yes, Ann, you’ve read that right. I believe that every page of this beautiful book is a gift. And I know that in your humility you’ll probably be shaking your head in disbelief, but it’s true. Your words… your life Ann… bless me. So there’s one more that I want to add to my list right now…
#228 – My friend Ann Voskamp
I pray that this book continues to reach and inspire many more, just as it’s reached and inspired me. Thank you Ann.
All is grace,
Dan
That’s pretty awesome,Dan. And ditto here to Ann. #fistbump, buddy.
yeah… it’s pretty cool when someone’s writing inspires so much like this…
#fistbump to you too!
I love what you say about Ann making you want to become a better writer — not to write like Ann, but to write in the way that God has uniquely gifted YOU. And right here, I offer a double #fistbump to you as you pursue the writing projects that the Lord has laid before you. You have a great voice and a HUGE BibleDude heart. And, you — my friend — inspire me.
I’m eager to take another canoe ride down the Frio with you and hear how God is stirring words inside of you.
Meantime, I’ll add you to my own list of gifts. 🙂
Yes, all’s grace.
– Jennifer
*blushing*
Thanks for you kind words to me Dukes Lee! You rock so much! And I also look forward to another canoe ride down the Frio with my good #fistbump friend!
And your writing is pretty cool too! Getting Down With Jesus rocks!
I’m all ready emotional this week. LOL. That book does interest me. I’ve been following her posts now for a while not even caring to network because her words are just so powerful that I find myself returning again and again.
I hope that this doesn’t push you over the edge emotionally, but you’re the post comments winner of the copy of the book! I’ll connect with you over email to get the mailing address that you want me to send it to.
If you’ve enjoyed her blog, then you LOVE this book!
That was beautiful. I love that so many men are reading her book, too. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy so I can really sink into what Ann has written. Her words are fitted and woven together so beautifully and even the threads of pain seem to sparkle like glitter floss. Oh, that we could all see pain as the finishing threads and not the threads that unravel the rug underneath us…
Thanks for your review. And thank you, Ann, for your book that is inspiring so many.
#fistbumps for all.
shay
“Oh, that we could all see pain as the finishing threads and not the threads that unravel the rug underneath us…” I love this!
And congrats on being the FB winner for a copy of this book! I think you’ll really enjoy it!
Your heart comes through in your writing, Dan. I’m with Jennifer…you–and the rest of the HC community–are a gift to me, and to so many others.
thank you @denadyer! the @thehighcalling team (and whole community) is the best!
I agree with Jennifer and you, that Ann’s style doesn’t make me want to write more like her, but more like me. Love this, love her.
We should start a little ‘write like me’ support group or something! Love it!
And congrats on be the Twitter winner of the giveaway for a copy of this book! I know that you’ll love it too!
I have this book, but have yet to read it. Now I want to crack into it right now.
I hope that you love it as much as I have! I’d love to hear your thoughts as you start to dig into it! Seriously, let me know what you think…
What a beautiful tribute. I felt the same way reading this book. It’s a gift. I’ve already loaned my copy out!
Thanks Charity! I’m so glad to hear that my heart for this resonates with others! I asked a couple of others to read it before I posted it because I wasn’t sure about it… But it’s honestly what I feel as I read this book!
yay! My copy showed via fed ex only minutes ago-can’t wait!!!!!!!
Let me know what you think about it Sherri! I love to talk about stuff like this! Glad you’re excited to dive in!
I’m a guy, and I approve this book. 😉
LOL… dude… you rock! I’m glad to know that there are other GUYS reading and enjoying the book besides me!
Ok I have got to get it. I follow her blog and her writting in indeed pretty awesome. Thanks for this post!
i definitely think you’ll LOVE this book! if you read it, please come back here and share what you got out of it…. i’d love to hear your thoughts!
Dan, this is terrific. I totally love what you did with the ending. Too funny!! 🙂 (and sweet)
Hey, on another note, congratulations again on your new little chloelove 🙂
#1000gifts #229 my friend @llbarkat
I loved this book review. Really. I love it.
#1000gifts #230 my friend @DeidraRiggs
Loved the book so much that I purchased the audiobook too. Most enjoyable book I’ve read so far this year.
it’s definitely some inspirational writing! glad to hear you’ve enjoyed it so much!
I especially like the part about being a better writer. We’re surrounded by so many gift writers at The High Calling. It’s tempting for me to compare myself and I don’t stack up. But then I remember I’m not called to be Ann or LL or even, The Dude. Just me. Great review!
#fistbump