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Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Giveaway - Fragrant Whiffs of Joy


I need the reminder. I need to be told that some day I'll look back at the mundane acts of service that fill my days and know that that it was worth it. 

I just finished reading a book that reminded me of just that. 

Every month Dorcas Smucker write a column for the local newspaper in Oregon. Every couple years, Dorcas compiles these essays into a book. Her newest book is entitled Fragrant Whiffs of Joy. I love Dorcas' combination of humor, honesty, and insight. She shares every-day stories of a busy life with six children flying out the nest. She tells of the ordinary duties of every mom of laundry and endless food prep, but intertwines wisdom that had me turning the page for the next chapter. 

Sometime I laughed out loud such as when Dorcas admitted that she is only pretending to be a perfect minister's wife or the story of the maintenance man or of hacking the computer printer.

Sometimes I nodded such as when Dorcas remembered her sons' escapades and wondered "Why couldn't God have made me know back then what I know now? Wouldn't I have freaked out a bit less?" 

She helped me understand why older mothers say those annoying words to exhausted young moms, "Enjoy them while they're little. They grow up so fast." And reminded me that "when I wait to try it until I'm fully prepared, and make a choice between perfect or nothing, I'll most likely end up with nothing."

Dorcas writes about sisterhood, storytelling, and sickness. The topics of adoption, fabric stashes, winter depression, and letter writing find their way into her tales.

Fragrant Whiffs of Joy gave me encouragement in my mothering journey that can be summed up in the last paragraph of the book. "There are no guarantees or easy answers, only love, hard work and the grace of God." 

Dorcas sent me three copies of her book: one to read and review, one to give away to a blog reader, and one to share with someone who is going through a hard time. I'm going to let you all help me choose the recipients for these two books.

For this giveaway, instead of giving your own name, share the name of someone who would be encouraged by Fragrant Whiffs of Joy. It doesn't have to be someone who is facing a giant problem, just someone you want to bless. You don't even have to say why you'd like to give them the book; just give a first name. Also give your email address so I can contact you for the mailing address. 

The giveaway will be open for one week and is open to US mailing addresses. I'll use Random.org to choose two names to receive a copy.

Want a book now? Order from Dorcas Smucker at 31148 Substation Drive, Harrisburg, OR 97446. Books are $12 each plus $2 postage. Checks or PayPal accepted. (dorcassmucker@gmail.com) Also available on Amazon. You can also check out Dorcas' blog.

(This post contains affiliate links.)

108 comments:

  1. Hi Gina,
    So glad you are doing a giveaway for this book. I've read her other books, follow her on Facebook and have been entering the giveaways in hopes of winning.
    I think my mother would enjoy this book. She is 81 and can only walk with use of a walker. Her memory is failing just a bit. So, reading the short, complete chapters would be an excellent way for her to read....in fact I think I'll send her the other books of Dorcas's as well.
    Thanks so much, Beth
    twagenius@yahoo.com

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  2. I just love Dorcas! She is funny, honest and loves the Lord!

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  3. I enjoy reading her blog and books and sharing them with others.

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  4. My granddaughter Kayla, who is a busy mom with 3 little ones. my email is grandmazerilda@gmail.com Sounds like a wonderful book, esp for young mothers

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  5. My daughter, Angela is raising 3 boys and 1 girl. She homeschools and is very busy being mom!! I'm sure we'd both love this book! Barb. barb60@zitomedia.net

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  6. I would love to give this book to my mom, Arlene.

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  7. Hi Gina! What a sweet gesture! I have a friend named Sherry who found my blog through yours. And it turns out she lives 1 1/2 from me. Anyway she just had her 9th baby and I'm sure it would bless her.


    coffeeteamama@gmail.com

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  8. my friend Bernice is a kindred spirit like I think Dorcas would be! kenyakurtzs@gmail.com

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  9. Gina, I am so very glad you told us about Dorcas Smucker! I have never read her books and I just spent some time reading her blog posts and love her style of writing! Thanks for the opportunity to be included in the give-away.

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  10. I think my friend Laurie would enjoy this book! She's very special, a mother of 7 boys and is expecting a baby in January. You'd think she'd be so busy with her own family ,but she always finds time to bless others as well!

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  11. I would love to give this book to a single mom, Lez, whose husband left her, and their 4 children.

    stardustsoycandles@gmail.com

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  12. My granddaughter has just given birth to her 3rd daughter and is exhausted from having a new baby and 2 toddlers. She could use a bit of fresh joy...

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  13. Of course I'd like to read it! :-) And I'd like to give one to my friend, Janice.

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  14. My sister.
    email: tndzimm@outlook.com

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  15. I'd love to give this book to my sisters, Mary Kay or Marilyn, or my cousin Christine. I love Dorcas's writings! mfmoser76@gmail.com

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  16. This would be a great gift for my Poor Little Young Grandma who fell and broke her foot a few weeks ago. She's supposed to stay off her foot for 3 months, which will get long for her since she's such a busy lady!

    janessaplett96@gmail.com

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  17. The book sounds interesting. I would enjoy giving it to a friend who is a writer, Steph.

    keithnjulieforever@gmail.com

    Julie

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    1. Another friend would be Jenny....hard decision here. :)

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  18. I'd like to enter our niece: Kelly.

    dlpintor@gmail.com




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  19. I enjoy reading Dorcas' writings, but would love to bless my friend Diane.
    nrfaus2000@gmail.com

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  20. I'd love to give this book to Caitlin.
    Dorcas would be a great read for the winter days coming up.
    Rachel
    racheleve.828@gmail

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  21. I would love to present this book to my dear friend Ann. She's been waiting for a long time for God to bless her with a baby. jlesh106@agapemail.com

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  22. I'd love to give this book to my friend Anita. Okiesmiller@hotmail.com

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  23. I'd love to give this book to Ruth, a friend from church who will soon be recuperating from oral surgery. Jls92vms@gmail.com

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  24. This looks like a wonderful book, and one that would be fun to share with my friend, Marlene...also a pastor's wife. Thank you for the recommendation, Gina! :-) ~Eunice tigergal01 at gmail dot com

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  25. My mom.
    Dsiegrist2010@gmail.com

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  26. I do have a US mailing address even though I live internationally..does that still qualify? I would give this book to a friend...Kristena Weaver...
    Bertha
    berthamollie@gmail.com

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  27. I would love to bless my friend Vera, who has been a widow since last Christmas. weyoders@gmail.com

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  28. I'd bless my friend Susanna, whose family has faced lots of tough times in the past few years and whose 17 year son now has cancer...
    Mary Beth
    Iamrichlyblest@gmail.com

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  29. Melissa....my daughter...she needs encouragement....janiceartman@yahoo.com

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  30. I would love to read this book but I would also love to be able to give it to my friend Rhonda. She is going through a time of real testing. Last year one of her sons had a brain tumor and has been severely impaired as a result of his surgery. A second son has just been diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer. Her daughter is expecting a baby and has been threatening to deliver early. Last Friday her mother passed away after a long illness. My email is becloach@gmail.com

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  31. My Heart Sister, Juanita, who has 3 children and would SO love to be called Mom again!:)
    Tina
    tina@zimmermanauto.biz

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  32. My daughter, Courtney, would be blessed by this book. She lives in a new home in a new state and is a new pastor's wife! brooks3rf@sbcglobal.net

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  33. My friend Rhonda. friendlywiggles@gmail.com

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  34. My sis Marjorie. If I remember right I gave her one of Dorcas's other books. We both enjoy reading good books.

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  35. My mom. Dad has Alzheimer's and these winter nights get long.
    Rosa
    lbwillard@juno.com

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  36. My friend Bethany

    drseibel6@gmail.com

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  37. I would like to see my friend Susan get a book for her many years of dedication to keeping a ladies Bible study going strong. brosscoffeetime@gmail.com

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  38. I have a friend, Heather, who would love to read this book. She is the mother of 3 young boys, one who had a kidney transplant and who is facing another transplant in the future. She is a preschool teacher as her youngest just started first grade this year. The family this year has undergone some fiery trials financially dealing with medical bills and a change in employment for her husband. She is on my mind each day as she goes about her routine. I'm sure she could use a little encouragement... Thanks, rem1752nh@gmail.com

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  39. Love to give this to my niece who is a busy mom of 5 and another on the way. fernelaine45@gmail.com

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  40. Taylor Kimball,my daughter.She is a homeschooling Mom of 3,needs encouragement.bdbrown105@gmail.com

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  41. Christine Zimmerman, a mother of 8, who lost her husband to cancer this past summer. We have gone to school with them for quite a number of years. glendagroff69@gmail.com

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  42. I would love to give this book to my friend Anita. greeneyd65@gmail.com

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  43. I love Dorcas Smuckers books! I would like to bless my friend Dani, who is a widow and a wonderful mother to her three little ones. sheilazimm77@gmail.com

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  44. I would love to give this to my widow friend, Bonita. Mjdueck70@gmail.com

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  45. My friend, Wendy, who is in the thick of motherhood and loves to read if ever blessed with a spare moment. eheatwole07@gmail.com

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  46. Good idea! I have a friend Martha who is faithfully caring for her 100-year-old mother and doesn't get out much. She could use a whiff of joy! bookworm@bnin.net

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  47. I have a friend whose husband died 1 yr ago with cancer. I want to encourage Miriam....my e-mail address is cmbmetzler@frontiernet.net Dorcas is related to our son-in-law :) I have read some of her blog writings !!

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  48. I have a feeling my sister might be hopefully reading this list...I would love to give it to Sheila who has, if possible, more on her cooling plate of leftovers than most of us....

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  49. I would like to give this to my friend Bekah, mother of 5 young children, home school mom, minister's wife, dealing with Lyme disease. Thank you, Gina! We continue to keep you and Ed in our prayers. balmer1968@gmail.com

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  50. I want to nominate my daughter-in-law Sarah. She is currently juggling her jobs of mother of 5, wife and homemaker while getting her and my son's home for sale. He is working on his Master's degree so she has alot on her plate and could use some extra joy!

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  51. I'd love to give this book to my friend Linda. kookinkris@gmail.com

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  52. I would give this to my 'sister' Tracy, a mother to 4 sweet little ones.
    kristajb99@gmail.com

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  53. I would bless my friend Jenna with this book.
    Gina, many blessings your way!
    Yoder4@gmail.com

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  55. I would like to enter my friend Jennifer from church whose 6th baby is in the hospital because he was born too soon.
    melehigh@gmail.com

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  56. I would love to give it to one of my closest mommy friends.... Wanda

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  57. I would give one to my mom Christine. Smdj10@gmail.com

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  58. My mom... she has Dorcas' other books... I also enjoy reading them! jimang6@verizon.net

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  59. Gina, Just wanted to tell you that prayers here in Texas continue for Ed, you, and the family. Today at Sister's sewing I shared your post on Who is Your Father? The message was beautiful. All of us here either know of, or know Timo Miller, and until recently one of his sister's lived in our community. The family of God ties us together with the love of Christ. Prayers from Bastrop Texas, Gaylene

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  60. I would like to bless my daughter Esther with this book.
    zaisr3@gmail.com

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  61. Peggy, because it’s going into winter now and she can use the laughter and domesticity.

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  62. I can't go in the draw as I live in Australia but thanks for the link to Dorcas' blog, Gina. I will check it out.

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  63. Another Laura
    sheldonandlaura@gmail.com

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  64. Would love to give 'Fragrant Whiffs of Joy' to Brenda; a sweet 'sister' who is raising her five daughters alone. havenwood93@gmail.com

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  65. I would love to give a book to my cousin Karen. LRM

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  66. My mom who is doing Chemo loves Dorcas' writings and i would love to gift her with this! my email rhonz84@gmail.com

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  67. Rosie

    Kristy Goode kls1999@juno.con

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  68. Oops I put con instead of com accidentally :-( kls1999@juno.com

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  69. Enjoy your blog.. Prayers for you and your precious family....Would love to give this book to my dear friend,Lisa who has been a widow for 11 years and is raising her family of 5 alone. my email mnrluv4ever@gmail.com

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  70. would like to give the book to my daughter, Gabrielle. She has 5 children and 2 are babies, she homeschools.

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  71. I am quite sure my mom would love this book. Either that, my friend Jenny. My email is inspiredbygod@agapemail.com

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  72. My friend Charlou.. who has been a great blessing in my life right now as she walks with me through a deep deep valley of sorrow.
    paramedicwife@yahoo.com

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  73. Cherie, my mom.
    rasouli.carissa@gmail.com

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  74. Jeanie, my step mom.
    Kerrahoover@yahoo.com

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  75. My mom... she loves to read her books! :)
    ilovethcountry16@gmail.com

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  76. jean jakah@verizon.net

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  77. My Mom-in-law.
    She has a US address even if I don't!
    Regena

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  78. Renee
    mheisey7@comcast.net

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  79. Doris, a friend, with whom I share a common bond.
    Diane
    Jdhistand7@frontier.com

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  80. What a unique giveaway idea, Gina!
    My person is Carol.
    Serendplicity at gmail.com

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  81. My friend J-C would love this book. She's a young mom, and I think Dorcas's stories would encourage her.

    Gabrielle PinkTree.13 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  82. My niece, Dakota, who has three precious over energetic children under age 5. Cindy
    cnrclc@teleclipse.net

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  83. The book by Dorcas Smucker sounds very interesting! I'd like to give a copy to our church Secretary, Dena, who could use some encouragement. Thanks for providing the giveaway!

    mbreidigan69@gmail.com

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  84. Laurie and her sister in law Dawn, because we are in the trenches of motherhood together.

    lamissy01@gmail.com

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  85. My wonderful friend Annie, would love this book. She can share it with me when she's finished. Nannie nannyb@gpcom.net

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  86. I would like to give a copy to my sister Jane who is always blessing others. Lynette
    Allenlynettenell@gmail.com

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  87. My friend Kathy who has the sorrow of watching most her children leave the way of life in which they were trained.
    Kansasunshine90@gmail.com

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  88. Heidi, my sweet daughter, with 4 daughters of her own. She would get a lot from a book like that. mikejulie1984@gmail.com

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  89. My husband's cousin, expecting their longed for baby, in February - Jodi. My email is karabraun44@ gmail . com

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  90. Our daughter, Joanna, loves reading Dorcas's blogs and books and would really enjoy getting this book!:) You can reach me at hesscroft@gmail.com

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  91. my sister lucy~
    jakelapp77@gmail.com

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  92. I would nominate Ashley Schroeder who is being a solid rock for her family while caring for her 4 year old son who was recently diagnosed with a rare, aggressive form of cancer on his brain stem. My e-mail is rayannemark@gmail.com

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  93. Heidi Reinford,my mom

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  94. Daddyslilcowgirl99@gmail.com is my email

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  95. My sis in law Fern
    justinandmary@ebersolefamily.com

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  96. Penny, daughter in law
    midgetmama51@yahoo.com

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  97. My friend Laurel Tmweaver@yahoo.com

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  98. My friend, Jennifer, who has inspired me with her joy even during difficult times.

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  99. My daughter's teacher...
    beccashirk84@gmail

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  100. I'd love to read this book. I've enjoyed her writing and I'm sure my sharing sister, Janetta, would as well. :)
    randyandlinette@aol.com

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