Mary Moments: Rosary Edition

Today Sarah posted this very special Rosary-themed Carnival at "Behold Your Mother."

Whether you've been praying the Rosary all your life, are intrigued by the notion of learning how, or are just interested in finding out why Catholics (and other Christians) "love those beads so much," why don't you stop by and check it out?

Only 3 days left ...

... to order Heidi's book "Behold Your Mother." Get your autographed copies of the book shipped FREE in the continental U.S. if you order by 3/15.

Makes a wonderful Easter or Mother's Day gift. To order now, click here.

Something for your Easter basket?

ONLINE PAYMENT SERVICE NOW AVAILABLE AT WWW.CHRISTIANWORD.COM!

I'm so excited about this ... and I hope you will be, too!

Do you know someone (a non-Catholic relative, perhaps)who has had difficulty thinking about Mary as her own spiritual mother? Does Mary seem too exalted ... too, well, pristine ... to bother with colic and potty training? I used to think so, too -- and I write about it here.

Behold Your Mother is a revised, expanded edition of a book I did years ago with Loyola Press (it used to be called "With Mary in Prayer"). Since the first edition, a significant development in my own life made me see Mary with fresh eyes:

I became an adoptive mother myself.

This book includes three real-life (mine) stories about Mary and me, as well as 48 meditations based on both the devotional titles of Mary and her story in Scripture.

Author Ann Ball wrote about the first edition: "Heidi's imaginative personification of the life of the Virgin leads us to understand the humanity of the woman while drawing us to the divinity of her Son.”

Preorder and Save! Bezalel Books will be releasing this book in time for Easter (makes a great Mother's Day gift, too). And if you order this book right now, I am offering a special pre-publication rate of $10 per copy (autograph is free). Plus, if you order by 3/14/08, I will spring for shipping and handling - no matter how many books you order! (Free shipping applies to continential U.S. only.)

To order either or both my new books by PayPal or credit card, click here.

Exciting Announcement ... a New Blog in Town!

Dear Friends: As I've been gearing up to start promoting BYM in earnest, I realized that I need to become more intentional about how and when I do my other writing. To that end, I've decided to discontinue "Streams of Mercy" for a time ... and begin a new blog that is dedicated to all things Mary. You can check it out here.

I've also issued an invitation ... which I do here as well. I'd really like it if the "BYM Blog" became a community effort, a quilt of love to Mary from all her daughters. Stories, prayers, questions, requests, quotes ... everything has a place in this little corner of cyberspace. I invite you to drop me a line if you'd like to share something at hsaxton(at)christianword(dot)com.

And now ... back to our regularly scheduled (adoptive parent and family life) programming!

Lenten Progress

In my previous post, I announced that Behold Your Mother: Mary Stories and Reflections from a Catholic Convert -- a new, updated version of my book of Scripture reflections on Mary -- is being produced by Bezalel Books.

In honor of the first week of Lent, I thought I'd share a reflection from the book, based on the story found in Luke 9.

Months had passed since I’d last seen him.
So, wrapping up a handful of his favorite fig-pies,
We made our journey to see the Nazarene.
Even a Miracle-Maker must take a break
to see his mother! Surely … wouldn’t he?

The crowds huddled thick as we approached.
“Andrew! Andrew! Tell him we’ve come.”
Returning, he did not look me in the eye.
“My Lady, I’m so sorry, he cannot see you now.”
Through the blur I saw him, and remembered.
“A sword will pierce your heart”

For more information about how to order a copy of this book, and take advantage of the pre-pub rate, click here.