11th Day of Christmas Giveaway….with Suzie Eller
On the 11th Day of Christmas….. you get to meet one of the newest members of the Proverbs 31 speaker team! Oh, I think you are going to love her as I do. (If you are just joining us in our 12 Days of interviews and giveaway goodies, click here to get caught up. You can enter to win the prizes on any of the 12 posts until midnight EST on this coming Sunday, December 13th.)
Suzie Eller and I have known each other for years. We both speak at Hearts at Home conferences and first became friends years ago as we chatted at our book tables or shared a quick lunch between sessions. I soon learned what you are about to discover: she is a treasure.
Suzie has a zest for life, a deep love for God, a knack with teens and hurting women and excels at all things ‘techy’. She even taught yours truly how to Twitter — or is it Tweet?— when we were roomies at last year’s P31 She Speaks Conference.She is friendly and stinkin’ cute, with a love of fun and funky shoes to match! Suzie really is an incredible woman with an incredible life story. (If you have time, click here to read it. Especially if you come from a difficult childhood. You won’t be sorry!)
Now, meet my friend Suzie! (And check out her FABULOUS giveaway!!!!)
T. Suzanne Eller (Suzie) is the author of several books and hundreds of articles. She’s been featured on TV and radio programs, sharing her story of overcoming faith and living free. Suzie is married to Richard, a guy she still loves like crazy, and is mom to Ryan, Leslie, and Melissa and her much-loved in-law children, Kristin, Stephen, and Josh. She lives in Oklahoma. You can learn more about her at: http://tsuzanneeller.com
Suzie, can you share a tradition your family has enjoyed over the years?
My kids are in their twenties, and married. The traditions are more important than ever—for them! We have become the “hub”. It still feels strange that we are now the hub, when our parents used to be that for us when our children were younger. We have several traditions. We always have a special breakfast. All the guys cook while Christmas music plays. Richard reads the Christmas story from Scripture and we pray together as a family. Then we open presents one at a time. There is tons of laughing, teasing, and genuine fun during the opening presents. Presents are personal. A lot of thought is put into the present.
How do you intentionally focus on Christ in the midst of all the flurry of activities that happen in December?
18 years ago I found out I had cancer. Now that’s a bummer way to start this story, but that period of time taught me a lot. It taught me what was important, and what was not. I learned to slow down and savor life and people and moments, rather than trying to have an elegant dinner or picture perfect Christmas. We still have great foods and there are lots of pictures and memories, but the atmosphere is relaxed and focused on Him, and each other.
What has been your most memorable Christmas as an adult?
Growing up was hard because my family was chaotic, so every Christmas with my children and Richard seem super special. Last year Kristin (my DIL) was in the kitchen dancing playfully. My SIL Stephen was joking with Richard nearby. Melissa and Leslie were tucked close, just talking, and Ryan was telling a story to whoever would listen. Music played in the background. That’s home to me. That’s family. So every Christmas that I have with these very special people is memorable.
What activities do you most look forward to doing with your family at the holidays?
Playing ping pong, playing Wii, Apples to Apples, and cards.
You are offering a great giveaway today to one of our cyber sisters. Can you tell us about it?
Four (FOUR!) of my books:
- The Woman I Am Becoming
- The Mom I Want to Be: Rising Above Your Past to Give a Great Future
- Making It Real: Whose Faith is It Anyway?
- Real Issues, Real Teens: What Every Parent Needs to Know
(Click here for the descriptions of Suzie’s books.)
WOW! Thanks for the great giveaway Suzie, and thanks for hanging out with us today!
Here we go, gals. If you want to be entered to win Suzie’s books, leave a comment answering this Christmas shopping question: Since Suzie is very tech savvy and I am a store shopping nut, do you prefer to shop at the stores while braving the crowds or on-line while at home in your jammies?
Do tell….
Shop-til-You-Drop Blessings,
I prefer online for most items (especially if I can get free shipping); however I don’t mind the store shopping if I can do it alone (without kids).
Suzie – nice to meet you and Happy Holidays to all!
I prefer actually being in the store and seeing the item..
I definitely don’t like to shop…so I’ll have to say I like shopping online and having it delivered to my front door. I’ve only gone out on one black friday to get an item for my son. :-)
Love to shop online. You can get great deals by price searching or find what is in the stores quicker.
I prefer to shop online. That way I don’t have to fight the crowds at the stores.
I prefer to shop online. That way I don’t have to fight the crowds in the stores.
I like both. I like the on-line deals but I also like the feel of being out with the music and decorations. And people do seem to be a little nicer.
Hmmm. I live in an area where I am an hour and a half away from the closest Walmart, not to mention other stores. More often that not I like to shop online. Except for clothes. Then I plan my day, go shopping and hit the clearance racks. Clothes you just need to try on.
Hi! I like to do both actually. I like to bargain shop and will look for coupons online when I do shop online. And also like to do some shopping in the stores.
I love shopping and finding personal gifts for the people I buy for. With three kids I have to admit that online has become my favorite way to shop,for now at least. Thank you for the reminder to slow down and focus on the important things about Christmas. The book collection looks like an awesome one to have and I’d enjoy reading each one. Thank you for offering such a meanigful gift.
I prefer doing the shopping myself. I love the decorations at the mall and the crowds don’t bother me too much. If the lines are too long, I’ll come back later! I’ve ordered items online that I can’t find anywhere, but shopping at the store is more fun, in my opinion. :)
SHOPPING!!! I LOVE to go get the gifts myselt if at all possible. I think the whole experience is great….even if sometimes the lines are crazy, some of the people are rude and parking is a nightmare. (There, did I talk anyone into it?!) :) My twin sis is my favorite person to shop with and people watch with. I like bargain hunting too….if there’s a better deal online, sure, I’ll order it online, but I’d rather go to the mall or Target, Kohl’s, or another store.
I like the “feel of the product” that the stores offer me; however, I really do prefer the ease of online shopping! :)
Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca
HI–I like to do both–there are some things like “lots” of legos on ebay that I can’t get in the store. I love to make each present special–sometimes that is easier than others. As people get more and more, that gets harder and harder. I’m glad my family has switched to gift exchange where we do one present each. Then we can really stop and focus.
I’m an online in my jammies girl!!! I dislike crowds and the pushing/shoving.
Thanks for introducing me to such a wonderful woman.
A little of both. I love being able to start my shopping by looking online. It helps to be able to determine what stores carry what I am looking for when I go out shopping. I order some of the things online, which makes it nice to not have to go from store to store to find a certain gift, but it is still nice to go out with the purpose of enjoying the holiday season. I don’t think it would be the same to do it all online, but the web certainly takes some of the pressures off!
iIlike to do both. My favorite, though, is when I’m not intentionally shopping for anyone and find something I know somebody would love.
I have shopped online for Christmas gifts for the first time…it’s been great because so many places offer free shipping and the items have actually been cheaper than purchasing them in a store! So I’ve loved it…but am heading out to do a few last things in a local mall tomorrow..that’s fun too. I read Suzie’s story just a few minutes ago and so enjoyed..and so appreciate it because I grew up with very similar circumstances.
In the stores I like to shop online and go to the store to buy because you don’t have to pay shipping.
I have so enjoyed reading all about the great women at Prov. 31!
I like to go to the stores and hand pick a gift, give it thought and make sure it is just the “right one”
Terry
http://pink-itsmorethanjustacolor.blogspot.com/
I shop for the best deals. Typically, I’ll find the item online and figure out the lowest price. I’ll venture out to the stores to see if I can find it for less. I end up doing a little of each.
I like to shop on black Friday for the deals. I look at the fliers on Thanksgiving, make my list of stores and deals, and shop from about 9am-2pm. I do not like the huge crowds so this is usually a good time for me. I like to be done early in the season. I also like to shop online for some things.
Gotta love all types of shopping, but I typically shop based on where the best deal is. Your books sound wonderful!
I am split down the middle on this issue. Before Black Friday I did a lot of shopping online. The women in my family always go shopping on BF and then I usually just have a couple things here and there to pickup after that.
Definitely shopping in the stores is my favorite. I actually love the “hustle and bustle”.