Interview and Giveaway with “Facts of Life”‘s Lisa Whelchel!!!
“Ya take the good, ya take the bad, ya take them both and there you have the Facts of Life…..”
It was 9:00 pm on a Wednesday night in the early 1980’s. I made sure my homework was done, my clothes were all ready for the next day, and my chair was closer to the TV than my brother’s, just in case he had the bright idea of hopping up and turning the dial off of NBC channel 10. (FYI…for those of you much younger than I, there were no remote controls then and our television only got in four channels!!!)
Yep….it was time to spend a half hour with my television friends Tootie, Natalie, Jo and Blair.
I especially connected with Blair.
And her hair.
I so wanted to have “Blair hair”.
So did thousands of other girls across the nation. I nearly popped a circuit (with two different curling irons and a set of my mom’s old hot rollers from the late 1960’s plugged in and perched on our bathroom counter) as I attempted to acquire my own “Blair hair”…… to no avail.
Fast forward about twenty years…..
I was sitting in our church’s foyer perusing a pamphlet I’d found. In it was a story about Lisa Cauble, pastor’s wife, homeschooling mom of three and the woman who, years earlier, had been the very Blair Warner whose hair I so coveted. I read the article, discovering that she had left showbiz and had instead dedicated her life to being a wife to Steve and mom to Tucker, Haven and Clancy. I knew right away we simply HAD to have her come speak to us at a Hearts at Home conference for moms!
In the fall of 2002, Lisa did just that. I had the pleasure of meeting her. She had the pleasure of hearing myself, along with three friends, sing a little parody of the Facts of Life theme song put to “mommy” lyrics to fit the conference. (NOTE TO SELF: When meeting other famous, TV star people in the future, do NOT make up a silly parody theme song. They might not be as gracious as dear Lisa. In fact, they might think it is downright stalkerish and promptly call security!)
Today, I am fortunate that Lisa is my friend and has been a wonderful roll model for my nearly 19 year old Mackenzie. We have kept in touch, have spoken at various events together over the years and when she is in Michigan speaking, Kenzie and I offer to help her husband Steve run her book table.
That man is a GEM!!!!!! (No wonder! Reminds me so much of my own handsome, “how-can-I-help-you-out-honey?” husband) Seriously ladies, I wish he had about three single brothers for three of my single friends. I’d be doing the matchmaker dance in no time at all! And what a story about how they got married! It is Kenzie’s FAVORITE!!!! Maybe I’ll have Lysa back sometime to tell it….or you’ll just have to read her books and find out for yourself!
But, I digress!
I can attest to you now that Lisa is the real deal. She loves the Lord, her family and helping girlfriends all over to become better moms, wives and Christian women. She writes awesome Christmas letters, loves anything deep fried (although her figure would never tell you!) and is simply NOT diva-like in way, shape or form. In fact, she is exactly the opposite of Blair! This is a woman who was kind enough to quietly forgo her speaking fee at an event we appeared at together and tell the church to send it to me instead. (Lisa—PLEASE don’t get mad at me for telling. You didn’t want to tell anyone you did that. You never said I couldn’t!!!)
Little did she know, my hubby was facing a months-long layoff and we didn’t have enough money set aside to pay our bi-annual property taxes. When the check arrived in the mail, it was almost to the dollar the exact amount we owed! Yes, ladies, this gal loves the Lord, listens to Hims and helps teach the rest of us how to do the same.
Today, Lisa is going to join us to talk a little about her Christmas, give away a wonderful book and ask our thoughts on a new one she is writing. So gals, get ready to meet YOUR new cyber girlfriend Lisa Whelchel!!!
Lisa, what is life like at your house during this crazy/busy Christmas season?
Well, the weeks leading up to Christmas have been pretty hectic. I am writing a new book and the manuscript is due later this week. So, I have been taking 2-3 days a week to get away and write. It has been kind of hectic juggling writing and Christmas but the two weeks after Christmas, we have nothing planned but being together as a family. Tucker will be home from California where he attends college and the girls are still here in Texas, one at a local college and one still in high school. It will be really nice to just be together and enjoy the stillness. I also bought a MacBook and have been too busy to learn how to use it so I will be spending some quality time with my family and my laptop!
You have a passion for helping moms point their kids to Christ in the midst of the sights, symbols and activities of the holiday season. Your book, The ADVENTure of Christmas, (a yearly staple at our house for the past 5 years, I might add!) does just that. Can you tell our cyber sisters a little bit about it and why you wrote it?
When our kids were little, I wanted so badly to give them great Christmas memories like I had growing up. However, there seemed to be a trend in some Christian circles to not do some of the traditions of Christmas because, on the surface, they seemed to be secular and had nothing to do with Jesus, the real reason for the season.
It was then that, instead of just doing (or not doing) what everyone else was, I made the whole issue a real matter of prayer. Feeling like Jesus had gotten lost in the frenzy of the holiday season, I asked the Lord to show me what I could do to teach my children the true meaning of Christmas.
I was caught off-guard when He simply replied, “Don’t do anything differently. Look in the middle of the celebration and you will find Me.”
He was right! There is no need to orchestrate moments to pontificate about “the commercialization of Christmas.” Instead, Jesus is beckoning us to come to the party and bring the kids. In doing so, we run into Him at the mall, the movies, even at school. He hides in the lights, the carols, and the cards. He is there when we dress the evergreen tree, when Dad dresses up in a red suit, and even when we eat turkey and dressing!
My book The ADVENTure of Christmas is a guide for moms concerned that their children are losing sight of Jesus in the midst of the distractions the holiday season brings. Instead of abandoning the traditions of Christmas, as a family rediscover their original meanings, which were intended to remind people of God’s unfathomable gift. Hanging lights on the house, wrapping gifts, and decorating the tree can be opportunities to teach your children and grandchildren about how they relate to Jesus’ birth. With The ADVENTure of Christmas, mothers can redeem what’s been lost from the very symbols that are gentle reminders of the true meaning of Christmas.
(Karen’s footnote: And this gorgeously illustrated, hardcover book tackles 25 traditions of the season, giving their historical origin, their intended purpose and even lists discussion questions to help your kids discover Jesus in the midst of whatever topic is being addressed that day. But it isn’t just for small kids. In fact, later today I am holding a “Baking Day with Mom E.” for some of Kenzie’s college-aged friends here in Michigan and intend to utilize the section on the tradition of Christmas baking!)
Lisa, as a sweet holiday gesture, you’ve offered to give one fortunate gal a personalized copy of this wonderful resource to use year after year with her family. But in order to be entered to win, the gals must leave a comment. What should they tell us?
Well, since I am meeting lots of new friends today and am busy trying to finish my latest book entitled Friendship for Grown Ups; Lessons I Missed and Learned Along the Way, I’d really like to hear from everyone about the topic of friendship.
Christmas is a time for remembering friends or sending long distance friends a Christmas letter or picture. But what are some ways you connect with your nearby friends on a day-to-day basis? There can be many challenges present in the friendships of women; challenges we need to overcome. I’d like to know what ways your readers have learned to connect heart-to-heart with their girlfriends in practical and tangible ways, maybe avoiding some of those challenges that might otherwise have occurred.
So tell me, what do you do (or what are you careful not to do) when it comes to forging, nurturing and maintaining friendships with those you love? What are some practical ways you go deeper in your relationships and help point each other to Christ? I am just finishing up the section in my book on this and would love to know!
Thanks Lisa for carving time out during this very full week to spend a few moments with us and we can’t wait to read that new book!
You are so welcome, Karen. Merry Christmas everyone!!!
Okay gals…hop on now and leave your friendship comment. One of you will be chosen to receive Lisa’s Christmas book. She will personalize it to your family, using your last name, and will autograph it too. I know it will become your most beloved Christmas book ever! Winner announced tomorrow. (Yesterday’s winner is announced at the bottom of this post)
And, for those of you who want to purchase an autographed and personalized copy for yourself, here is the info.
The book retails for $20, but Steve and Lisa are offering it to you for $15 (plus $3.95 shipping)! Remember that Lisa can not only sign the book as the author, but can personalize it to you and your family, or to those to whom you are presenting it as a gift. What a special present! And think—where else can you find a gift for the entire family that will be used for the entire month of December every year for only $15—and one that’s also personalized to them by the author? (Keep in mind, too, that these books make excellent “Teacher Gifts” and that teacher’s love sharing the stories with their classes—and it’s a “legal” way to get the gospel into the classroom!) Click here for more info on purchasing.
Finally, the winner of yesterday’s giveaway– the peppermint themed gift box and Jennifer Silvera’s book Believe is: Christina in KY; timestamp 12/14 at 2:03 pm
Please email me at [email protected] to give me your mailing address. Congrats!
Merry Christmas and Friendship Blessings,
I was a huge Facts of Life fan, and greatly admire Lisa. Several years ago when my kids were younger, her book Creative Correction seemed like a much needed mommy manual, and after reading it, I shared it with a friend who needed some advice on discipline too.
The main way I keep up with my friends is just simple phone calls and emails, but I am always eager to get together. It seems that most people though are not as willing to set aside time for girlfriend time, and I think that is so important. I have one friend who will not go anywhere without her husband, and although on one hand that is great, on the other hand, it keeps her from building really close friendships. The more I can get together physically with friends and just have coffee or brunch or a quick conversation in the park, the stronger our friendships become.
oops!! I almost forgot!! Thanks for the interview Lisa and Karen!! I really enjoyed it!
Several years ago I decided to make a consious effort in my girlfriend relationships. It was important to me. I have many friends, but only a few that I have choosen to nurture. There is only so much time!! I have lunch every week with one friend, coffee every Saturday morning and a Tuesday night dinner and movie with two others. It’s just kind of turned out that the friends I’ve remained closest to are all devoted, Christian women and it’s been a great blessing to talk (and walk) through life with them. Also, we laugh a lot. It’s such a huge stress breaker to go out for lunch and laugh for an hour!! My children are grown, but even when they were teens I started making the extra effort devoting more time to friends and I just can’t tell you how that has helped as I’ve faced the whole “empty nest” thing! Well, I’m off to my weekly lunch date!!
I enjoy texting my friends prayers for their families or themselves. Just a little reminder that someone is praying for them. I also pray for my Facebook friends. It helps me remember to use the social networking for good:) I can’t wait to read Lisa’s new book!!
Online tools have made it so much easier to keep in touch with close and distant friends. Twitter and Facebook are no substitute for a good in person visit. But in today’s world of busyness it is really nice to be able to keep up with everyone’s lives by reading a sentence or two from them when they get time to post. The sharing of pictures has never been so easy too. I can’t imagine all of the things I would have missed out on from geographically distant friends if it hadn’t been for the WWW!
Hello,
I’m pretty sure I was at that Hearts event when Lisa was the keynote speaker. I thought your parody was really funny!
As a pastor’s wife we have moved a lot and it is hard to make new friends. I have learned that I have to go out of my comfort zone a lot at first and go to things where I don’t know anyone. After we’ve been in a place for a while, God has always been faithful to place friends in my life. It’s hard to keep in touch with all the great people we leave behind, though I know they are just a phone call away. We try to get back to visit people during the summer and it’s always great to catch up. One of my new friends and I try to get together to scrapbook once a month. It’s a fun way to spend time together and we learn about each other by seeing what we are working on!
Rebecca Ann
I really enjoy having the accountability with close friends and sisters in Christ. It is a way that we can help each other and build each other up along our journey in life. When I am having a rough time, they are very quick to come along side and remind me of God’s promises for me and my family and I try to do the same for them. I think as women we are constantly trying to compare ourselves to other women (or at least what we think they are). We really need our standard to be Christ and my friends help me remember that!
I enjoyed today’s devotion so much. I watched many, many episodes of Facts of Life with Lisa. It is makes me so happy and is so reassuring to see a mom like Lisa so dedicated to the Lord and sharing and witnessing to other moms. You are still beautiful Lisa…now I know both inside and out.
I wasn’t going to comment but after reading through everyone else’s I thought “why not”.
I have one very close, dear friend. We have taken yearly girlfriend trips, we have spent weekends watching movies and signing along to the soundtracks, I have celebrated the birth of her two children, she has held me up through my seperation. But in between all of those, we have gone for days, months and even years without a word. The joy of our friendship is that it doesn’t matter how long it has been we always pick up like it was just yesterday.
She knows what makes me smile, what I like and don’t and I know the same about her. We are as different as night and day in some areas but our friendship overrides everything else.
I wish I knew the secret to our friendship but I don’t. I just know that it works and I am greatful every day for her.
I have three special girlfriends that have been a part of my life since we were little girls in elementary school. I don’t have to work hard to keep them close to me, they are just always there. I can count and depend on them.
I have made friends with women since I have grown and it’s not that same way. These newer friendships take more work and attention. Some days I don’t have the energy or time to put into these relationships. Days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months.
I know they say there are seasons in life and some friends may only be there for a season in your life. Something in your life or their life caused them to be there and it’s ok to let them go. I don’t have to worry about my three lifelong friends. They are there for me when I need them and vice versa.
Thanks Lisa for this topic and good luck with the book. I’m sure it will be a huge success. I have read many of your books and have enjoyed seeing you speak at Hearts At Home.
Thank you Lisa and Karen for this great giveaway! I just finished reading Lisa’s book So You Are Thinking About Homeschooling? and recently took the plunge into homeschooling my two daughters. We are in week three and loving our new life!
I have been thinking a lot lately about how important my relationships are to me. I feel rich because of the love in my life and my girlfriends are so important. I’ve been struggling with how to balance homeschooling and staying connected with my friends. There just doesn’t seem to be enough time in each day. Praying for my friendships and the needs of my friends has become more important than ever. I have less to give them right now, so I’m relying on God to pour love on them and show me how to be a good friend.
I’m in a learning curve right now trying to figure out this new adventure in my life and balancing other priorities, too, like marriage, friendships, and staying healthy.
I was just thinking about how I wanted to find a resource for celebrating Christmas with my kids. Lisa’s book is just what I’m looking for!
Merry Christmas!
I have to admit that most of my friendships have been strained due to the economy. We were in a small group for 2 years, and then we fell apart, due to many different circumstances. But the ones I was closest with, we keep in touch at least once a week with emails and text messages, we’re too busy with our families to get together, but we try to!
For me, its been especially hard to get together with my local friends because we lost our family car around Easter (it died, so sad!), and so we have a still-running 15 year old car (husband’s work car) we’re relying on. These friends have been so sweet and thoughtful to pick up my son for church events and offer me rides when we do plan to get together. I’m so grateful for them.
I called a friend recently to see how she is doing and when she told me she is struggling with home schooling right now, I offered to get together and talk about it to see if we could come up with some solutions. She said she had been praying for help, so my call came at just the right time. I asked if she wanted to come to my house or have me come visit her, and she immediately replied, “Both! Let’s do a double whammy!” So this Thursday I am going to her house, and on Friday she is coming to mine. Sometimes a friend needs someone to listen, to know she isn’t alone, and to brainstorm through the practical issues. I don’t get to do things like this often since I am busy with my own 10 kids, but I try to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
I agree that remembering to pray for your friends is essential to developing and keeping that relationship. Life often takes over and I don’t always remember. Thanks for this wonderful interview!
As an adult I have learned that sometimes I have to be upfront about what I’m wanting/needing in a friendship at the time. My friend Katherine was the same way so we both just told each other that we wanted someone who was interested in living life together on a weekly basis and would be willing to put the time in to get to know each other. Over the past 3 years our friendship has grown and she joined my mom & me for an overnight trip.
I think another key to friendships are not moving too fast too soon. Letting the relationship have it’s “surface” experience time and then with time allow it to naturally as well as purposefully direct it to more deep conversations.
OH MY GOSH!!! Thank you thank you thank you for having Lisa come on your website! Lisa, I was only about 6 when I started watching your show in the 80’s but my twin sis and I loved your show so much-we’d run around the coffee table at the beginning song and, yes, we desperately did want to have hair like “pretty Blair”. :)
Anyway….
My greatest gift for friendship is the gift of listening. Sometimes that’s downright difficult; especially when I really, really want to say something! God is working with me on holding my tongue and not being offended when someone says something that normally may hurt my feelings. (Proverbs 19:11) I’m learning to not jump to conclusions with my loved ones—something that helps the relationships.
Again Karen, thank you for this great post!! :)
I listen, plain and simple. I try to tell them my thoughts and opinions without being “preachy” or “holier than”.
Being willing to listen (not offer a suggestion to ‘fix’ your friend) is a sure way to connect with others.
The gift of women’s friendships is something I treasure. God created us to need each other in a very unique way and too often we unknowingly miss the greatest things by not investing in each other’s lives. I have tried to get into facebook and even email but the thing that seems to work best for me to stay connected is to call from my cell in between errands or “taxi” duty. I jot down certain friends that I haven’t talked to lately or that God impresses on my heart and then call them at some point in the day. I appreciate your passion for the things of God His plan for our families. Merry Christmas!
As a mom in the preschool/infant stage, I find that it is absolutely essential that every couple of weeks, I grab a hot chai with a friend to enjoy some UNINTERRUPTED conversation! :)
This is fun! Thanks Karen and Lisa!
For me, one of the most important things I do when it comes to friendship is actually putting dates on my calendar to spend quality time with friends. It’s so easy to say, “Let’s get together,” but then life happens and you never do it and time slips by and suddenly you realize that you aren’t that close anymore.
Also, when I say “get together” I’m not referring to an email, a text, or an updated status on facebook, though all of those things are wonderful. I’m talking about physically being present in the same place (for those friends who are close by), even if it’s just a half hour chat at Starbucks. For those who live far away I like to schedule an actual voice to voice conversation on the phone every once in a while.
The busier we are the more important that time with friends becomes. My kids are older now and we’re busy in new ways, but when they were babies and I was constantly busy and constantly giving of myself, the shining glory of my month was the two times I met with a group of moms to talk, read the Bible, and pray with one another. It was my lifeline.
I pray for my friends. I know that seems rather simplistic, but so often we find ourselves saying to our friends, “I’ll pray for you” and then get distracted or busy with day-to-day activities and then forget to pray. Usually it’s unintentional, but it happens nonetheless. So, several years ago – I made an intentional commitment to pray for my friends regularly (not only when they ask me to). I truly believe that prayer has nurtured my friendships and created new ones!
Oh, I really have to not be judgemental. It is something God and I are working on, but when it comes to my family, it is so hard.
I think that having a clear and uninterrupted conversation with a friend when both parties have babies and toddlers is a real challenge that I face. In an effort to stay connected with others, my new friend from church and I have “email fellowship.” We both have internet in our bedroom and periodically throughout the day pass by the computer while doing laundry or making the bed or putting things away. A couple times during the week we bounce back single paragraph or sentence emails. Such as “How can I pray for you this week?” or “I am heading out for a walk, what are you up to?” I really enjoy checking in with her during the week, so that when I see her on Sunday, it is like we got to see each other during the week….sort of :)
Thank you for giving us a chance to know Lisa a little better. I have read her creative parenting book and love it.
Like everyone these days, our lives have been very hectic. I have not been able to connect with friends like I want to. After Thanksgiving I made turkey soup, making more than our family could eat. I had a dear friend who’s kids were sick over Thanksgiving. I surprised her one morning in car-line with a big bowl of turkey soup. When I gave her the soup I could see the relief in her face that she didn’t have to make dinner that night. I was glad to know that by listening to God’s little tugging on my heart I was able to minister to my friend.