I am aware that most of you are not reading these first paragraphs, and that you have already skipped ahead to see if you won a book or not. That gives me complete liberty to say anything I want. I will say this: Yesterday was a very strange day. When I put out the request for comments, I knew I would get quite a few, but I was surprised at how many you submitted. What surprised me more was how nice they were. I was expecting more suggestions and criticism, and less praise and gratitude. I am sorry to tell you that the results of the drawing were completely random, and that no amount of kissing up would have impacted the results.
The comments were so kind, and made me feel good. Somewhere in the depths of my soul, I began to feel small stirrings of pride. For the most part, I have managed to overcome pride in my life – and I am very proud of that. But as the positive feedback kept coming, my fragile male ego began to swell like Kirstie Alley when she’s not on Dancing With the Stars.
Thankfully, the pride is tempered by a sense of responsibility. So many comments talked about important things – personal changes, raising families, appreciation for doctrine – that I am a keenly aware that I have a much larger responsibility than to just goof around. I am hugely grateful that you can see through the silliness and understand that I am in love with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
One of the losers. non-winners, LInda, made the following comment: “I don’t follow many blogs regularly because I find what I need in yours. A gospel message, some humor but mostly a way to link the two that I never saw coming.”
Perfect. That is the tightrope I try and walk – and sometimes I fail, but I hope you know my heart by now. Thanks again for your birthday wishes, and for your continued support.
…and I apologize in advance for tomorrow’s post.
Thank you.
————
THE WINNERS
I am truly sorry that so many of you out there are losers. But we can’t all be winners. (If it weren’t so early, I could probably have phrased that better.)
Here are the five that won the book giveaway.
Jamie
Please email your address to middleagedmormonman@gmail.com, and I will have your prize to you next week. Congrats!
If you didn’t win, there is still time to get your book before Christmas – which would effectively move your from being a loser to a winner. Go here:
I received my book in the mail! Thanks! We’re enjoying it!
You had a birthday? Dang! I totally missed that.
I read the first two paragraphs before I scrolled down…I should still win a book. lol
Oh my! I never win anything so i was surprised to see my name at the top of that list. I had to go back to yesterday’s post and do a search for “Jamie” just to make sure it really was me! Thanks!
I am proud of you for the Kirstie Alley reference. Oh, and for being a spiritual giant and all that, but the Kirstie Alley joke strengthened my testimony for sure.
Just trying to be of humble service.
Do you take IOU’s on your book?! Send me one and I’ll owe you;) Thanks for giving me courage to comment. Now you know I exist. Oh and I will join facebook when they create a much needed “NOBODY CARES” button! Too mean? Ya. And I eat miracle whip by the spoonful:) Have a great day. Jess
I had decided to send you a book on credit (IOU), but at the very end of your comment you mentioned that you eat “Miracle Whip by the spoonful.”
How can I trust someone to repay me who does stuff like that? I’m sorry, but I just can’t do it in good conscience.
Please consider getting some help.
Miracle Whip is mentioned somewhere in Revelations as one of the plagues of the last days. It’s in there somewhere.
Actually it is part of the sealed portion. How merciful.
I’m pretty sure you have a typo; that should be Sariah, right? Not Mariah. 😉
Congrats to the winners! 🙂
Swell like Kirstie Alley…
Hahaha
I’m already a winner…or at least I will be when the book I bought arrives!
Oh bummer I didn’t win. Thanks for he the fun contest though. My real name is Jamie so does that count for something?
I vote for a recount!!
Or not, thanks for the giveaway and here’s to many more posts you may or may not have to apologize for.
Alas! I am a loser.
Fortunately, my order is already in. Which is some comfort.