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.

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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.

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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!!!

pubshine_aLisa, 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?

t.adventure.bookWhen 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,

89 Comments

  1. I can’t wait to read Lisa’s new book! I learned a lot from her “Taking Care of the Me in Mommy”.

    I am a mother to 3 precious gifts (7, almost 6 and 4). They alone keep me busy, but add Children’s Minister, wife to an entreprenuer and PTA President to that and I barely have a free minute. I have learned that maintaining my friendships is key. Just how I maintain these friendships differ from friend to frirend…

    One of my friends and I started a book club. We now meet once a month with 6 other women!

    Another friend and I meet up for coffee periodically after we put our youngsters down.

    Still another friend and I are accountability partners. We text, facebook, call or whatever means of communication is needed every friday. We tell each other about our week and share our goals for the following week.

    I went through a period of not allowing myself time with my friends and I regret it. Now I try not to say no to godly female companionship!

  2. I use to feel so sad when a friend would move or change jobs and then we would be in contact less and less. Now through email and texting,a quick note to say hi how are you doing works great for me. I felt so blessed to have my cell ringing off the hook (okay you know what I mean) with text messages on my birthday this past year. Now with facebook and twitter more friends and old friends are connecting again.
    I feel things happen for a reason and God puts people in my life at the right time. My close friends are like my family now since most of my family members have passed. I now take every event as a blessing because you don’t know if they will be there the next time.
    May God Bless,
    Rhonda

  3. I try to keep an open mind and heart–that way, I won’t miss those opportunities to love and nurture that might otherwise get lost in the shuffle.

    Prayers and blessings,
    Rebecca

  4. I love friendship, the very essence of it is from the heart of God! It is however, not always easy to navigate.
    Because I have read other books from Lisa, I know that her writing will be the kind that instantly pulls you in and that her information will be “real” and “helpful”…in this case I am sure even inspiring.
    It is my hope that a book like this will call women into deeper relationship with one another…we need that!

  5. Lisa, I want to read your book. I have followed your career for soooo long. Gosh! I am glad I “found” you here on FB.

  6. Although I loved Facts of Life growing up, I really love that I have ‘gotten to know’ Lisa beyond that!! When I see her name now or a picture I don’t think ‘Blair’… I think… Lisa. Sweet God fearing kid supporting mom inspiring Lisa!!

    Thanks for sharing this!

    Blessings-
    Amanda

  7. I so want to form good meaningful holiday traditions! I struggle with that every year, no money, no time, little kids, older kids, too many kids, you pick the excuse. Would love to win a book!;) thank you so much for doing this interview and for yours and Lisa’s REALness!

  8. Fun to “meet” Lisa. I too was a fan of “The Facts of Life”. I actually met “Tootie” many years ago.

    I connect with friends through e-mails and letters. Yes, I’m an old-fashioned letter writer. I love to sit down and visit via mail. For friends who live closer, nothing beats an afternoon of tea to warm my heart. I find I have to make time for this or I can so easily allow busyness to crowd out this blessing. There are so many references to “one another” in the Bible. The Lord made us with a desire for connection. I think it is essential to make times for friends.

    I just found out today that a very dear friend is moving. Her husband lost his job at General Motors months ago, and the Lord has provided another employment opportunity about 3 hours from here. It is a bittersweet answer to prayer. I know my friend and her family are following the Lord’s leading, but it’s still hard to think of them going. I’m so blessed for the years that the Lord has given us as close friends, and she will remain close in heart.

    Blessings,
    Joy

  9. I’ve learned so much from other women about the importance of being real. Life is wonderful, funny and sometimes downright hard, but we’re all going through the same struggles and learning along the way. Bible study and prayer with a few friends keeps us grounded and has deepened these relationships. It’s those freindships that encourage me when all is well and point me to scripture when I falter. These are the ones I wouldn’t trade!

  10. One thing that has worked this fall for me has been praying and studying God’s word with other women. It is amazing how bonding God’s word is! I am part of a group of 4 other women who meet every other week to study and pray together. I am also part of a weekly prayer group for my kids school. Both have created much deeper friendships than I would have otherwise.

  11. I am learning that friendships change and evolve and fade and simmer and are life like. I have mourned the loss of friendships that didn’t survive distance. I have rejoiced when a move brought new friends to my life. Friendships have always been a unique creature for me–as a people pleaser–I’ve had to learn about true friendship

  12. I have a 20 month old daughter, and most of my close girl friends and I have been in the process of learning how to be friends with kids, after we’ve been friends without kids. It’s a big change, and I’ve found that we have to be really intentional about building and growing our friendship.

    Practically, the best thing I’ve done is to schedule regular times (a pre-scheduled, repeating date) to get together with different friends. We agree in advance how frequently works for our family, and after that, it’s a set thing on my calendar. Without that, we just get too busy.

    We’ve also had to be intentional about having good, deep conversations…even when kids keep us distracted (perhaps there is no eye contact, which is weird at first), and there isn’t much time. We force ourselves to just get together and say, “how are you doing with God lately?” and then force yourself to be honest about your answer. With infants and toddlers, there is no time for pretense.

    And in between those times… we love keeping up with each other on email and facebook.

    Thanks!

  13. this book sounds just like what i need; my daughter is only 17 months and i’m struggling how to make Jesus the center of our holidays without sacrificing the fun and traditions that i grew up with. friendship for me is challenging as the women i’m around have been friends forever and i often feel like a 3rd wheel; i’m praying that God will bring a true girlfriend into my life

  14. I enjoyed reading your devotion and blog. The interview with Lisa was great! How special to know that she is a woman of God, helping so many women to know Him in their daily lives.

    The book sounds awesome, and is something I could definitely use to help bring Christ back into Christmas for my family. With two sons in college, one on his own and one still at home, they see Mom as the dedicated Christian but don’t see Christ working in their own lives. This would be a great conversation starter!

    As for friendships, I treasure them. The words of a friend in a time of need can calm my soul. To nurture friendships, I try to be there for my sisters-in-Christ, not just to be a needy friend. To just be quiet, and listen, and understand. If God puts words on my heart to say, I’ll share them.

    Friends are one of life’s greatest blessings!

  15. I just try to listen. I seem to be the good ear. And then I try not to judge or put in too much of what I would do. I just listen and and for some reason it seems after friends have shared everything seems to come to them.

  16. I find that I tend to think of my friends more often that I really let them know. In the age of technology, we tend to lean towards quick status updates and tweets. I take moment to send my friend an email when I’m thinking about her…and let her know the context…an old memory, feeling that she needs a prayer, whatever…just to let her know that I care. Something that simple can really brighten someone’s day and let them know that they are loved.

  17. Hi Karen and Lisa,
    Lisa I too have been a fan since I first saw you on the Micky Mouse club. Even then I felt as if you were a friend I’d never actually met.

    Deep friendship is giving so much more of yourself than is reasonable to the world. Here is an example. I have beem friends with Paula for over 20 years. In our second year of friendship, we were both in Seminary in Ky but were both from SC. My Granny suddenly passed away on Sunday. I was devestated. Paula came right away. She put me in the shower, packed my clothes, Then her and her fiance’ Drove me 9 hours home to SC. She held my head in her lap most of the way. They spent the night and drove the 9 hours back the next morning. There was not a question of should I do this in her mind. She knew the drive was impossible for me. Mot just because of my emotional state, but she also knew that because I have a mild case of Cerebral Palsy, the drive was physically impossible.
    It has been the greatest act of friendship I have ever experienced. The model which I try to emulate in my other friendships.
    You could say it is a way of laying down your life for a friend.
    Thanks for the opportunity to share.
    Pamela

  18. Thank you Lisa & Karen! In terms of friendship, I am just starting to understand and employ the power of encouragement. Even if it’s just a quick phone call or an email just a few sentences long, I will let them know when they did something that inspired me or that I am just thinking or praying for them. Last week, I saw some friends of mine handle a difficult situation quite gracefully and they were both so appreciative when I told them how much I learned from them during that encounter. Another friend of mine is sick and I have let her know that I am actively praying for her healing and that her children won’t get sick. We’re all very busy moms, and don’t have the time for long conversations on a regular basis, so just a quick word of encouragement seems to lift their spirits and keeps us all going :)

    In Him,
    Melissa

  19. Thanks for this opportunity! I try to stay sensitive to my friend’s needs. I can usually tell by their facebook status or their tone on the phone if they are having a rough day and I pray for them. I also try to remember them on their birthday with something homebaked or a card.

  20. Reading Lisa’s book “So, You’re Thinking About Homeschooling” helped confirm our decision to homeschool this fall. Would love to read her Advent book! I too was a big fan of FoL, even though I was a little young for it at the time!

    Friendships are hard to maintain on a daily basis when we’re all so busy, and it’s even harder to forge new ones. Facebook and email have helped–I just have to caution myself to not settle for those forms of communication instead of in-person!

  21. I find that it is important to pray for my friends. And listen when they need me too. Also, we try to meet often for lunch so we can just reconnect.

  22. I just love Lisa Whelchel! I too grew up watching her show in the 80’s….How much fun…but I related to the character Jo (the tomboy).
    I have grown to love the ministry of Lisa over the past couple of years and have read several of her books and did the personal mom coach from her book “Taking Care of the me in Mommy.” What a blessing it was in my life! I am also on her Cyber Prayer Warrior email list. :-)

    I try to encourage my friends through phone calls, emails, and shared devotionals. With four boys under the age of 6 (one still at home) I don’t get much time out of the home, so most of my contact is electronically. Sometimes when I read a devotional – the Lord will just put someone on my heart that I need to share that with and I do. God is so cool in helping you build friendships!

    I would so love her book on Advent from Lisa to share with my boys…

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