Day 2 of 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways (with Alena Pitts)
*Give Away has Ended*
It’s Day 2 of 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways! If you’re just joining in, be sure to start at Day 1 here.
Today is a bittersweet day in our series. One of my guests in this series in 2017 was Wynter Pitts, author and founder of For Girls Like You, a resource ministry for tween girls and their parents. Sadly, Wynter passed away suddenly in July of 2018 leaving behind a husband and four daughters. Her passing was an unexpected shock that left many family and friends devastated. However, Wynter’s husband Jonathan has determined to trust God despite this tragedy and today, I get to introduce you to their oldest daughter Alena. A budding actress and singer, you may recognize her from her role in the movie The War Room. I have asked her to share one of her favorite memories of her mom during the holidays.
Here’s Alena…
I’ll never forget the holidays with my mom over the years. We were alike in so many ways and one of the things that made us most similar was our love for sleeping. It’s pretty embarrassing to share the amount of time we would spend taking naps together over Christmas break but for both of us it was super refreshing. She was an introvert and so am I. She enjoyed being around people during the holidays but she would need time to refuel just like I do. You could always count on one of us to be hidden somewhere alone, or both of us together, buried underneath a warm fuzzy blanket. I imagine her in heaven under a fuzzy blanket even now, enjoying her rest with the Lord. In honor of her, I’ll be taking plenty of naps this holiday season. And I’ll take some moments alone too, so I can refresh my soul. Hope these resources might help you do the same as you take some time to replenish your soul over the holidays. ~ Alena
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Day 2 Giveaway
Alena is giving away two of her mom’s books: Emptied: Experiencing the Fullness of a Poured-Out Marriage, co-authored with Alena’s father Jonathan, and I Am Yours: Prayers for God’s Girl.
Giveaway rules are listed below. Enjoy!
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Alena Pitts is a 15-year-old actress, author and vocalist. The Kendrick Brothers’ WAR ROOM marked Alena’s professional acting debut and launched Alena headfirst into the spotlight at the age of eleven. Shortly after, Alena started on a new journey and co-authored a three-book fictional series aptly titled, Lena In The Spotlight (Zonderkids, 2017). The books are written with her mother, Wynter Pitts, author and founder of For Girls Like You Magazine. Though having experienced unbelievable success, Alena’s journey has not come without loss. She tragically and unexpectedly lost her mother on July 24th 2018 at the age of fourteen. Though heartbroken, she is not without hope and is using Wynter’s passing from death to life as an opportunity to share the hope and love of God in Jesus through her voice and her writing. Alena is the oldest of four sisters, Kaitlyn (12) and twins Camryn and Olivia (10). She and her family reside in Franklin, TN. She enjoys all things music and competitive volleyball. Connect with Alena here.
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12 Days of Christmas Giveaways Rules
- U.S. Addresses only please.
- You can comment on all 12 days (once per person) up until midnight Pacific time, Sunday, December 22. Each day will be linked below for easy reference.
- One daily winner will be chosen from each day’s comments.
- To enter to win the Grand Prize (worth over $150 and includes a $75 Amazon gift card, and two admission tickets (with meet-and-greet) to a concert with award-winning country music artist, Granger Smith, comment on, and share, all 12 posts. You can use the share buttons below or repost and share on Instagram (my fave!) and tag me @karenehman.
- All winners (including Grand Prize) will be announced here on the blog on Monday, December 23, and contacted via email. Please allow 4-6 weeks to receive your prizes.
- If you’re not already subscribed, click HERE and you’ll receive an email notification each day of our series, plus my Bless Don’t Stress devotional.
DAY 2 GIVEAWAY QUESTION:
Do you have a favorite holiday memory of your time with your mom, or another loved one, growing up? What is it?
Let us know in the comments and you’ll be entered in today’s giveaway. Remember, if you want to enter to win the grand prize, you must comment on and share all twelve days.
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Day 1 with Candace Cameron Bure
Blessings to you and your family, Alena. such a hopeful story! My Mom & I used to enjoy making hard rock candy during Christmas time! And of course, I couldn’t eat enough of it!!
my mom made us a fantastic ‘village’ from cardboard & paper straws. The straws back then had red & white stripes,so it was a ‘candy cane’ village! we always had fun setting it up & putting santa & the elves all around!!
Going to the Christmas mug party with her at her church
Making Christmas cookies with my mom using my great grandmother’s recipe is something we did every year! It’s also my favorite thing we do as a family with my daughter s and grandson!!
So many memories
Never too overwhelming just a few gifts, that really meant alot. Its about gathering, eating laughing not about all the gifys
When I was growing up my favorite memory with my mom at Christmas time was helping her make the food to take to my aunt’s house where her 9 brother/sisters and their growing families all came out for mid day meal. It was the most precious time of my year and what I looked forward to all year long.
Growing up , would have to be when some of the best memories. . Always having my Grandma and Aunt’s and Uncle’s around every Christmas. Now they have all passed away except for my godmother. I fond memories with them around at this time of the year. It’s a sad month though my grandma passed during this time and one of my aunt’s. But we celebrate them at this time , and are thankful to have shared in there lives. It’s a special month. The birth of Christ, and the ones we have loved and lost.
A favorite holiday memory is my time spent with family. We went to my aunt and uncle’s house for Christmas dinner. She made a feast for all of us (maternal grandparents, her siblings and their families. She set up a table in her utility room for the kids. So much fun, eating with the cousins. Wonderful memories I’ll treasure forever. I miss her. Although my grandparents and my aunt our no longer with us the tradition continues. We will get together for Christmas dinner. We will have soups, sandwiches, iced, decorated, butter cookies and homemade candies.
I love my time spent with my mom in the kitchen! Growing up she taught my two sisters and I how to bake and cook, and now we share that love with our families. A traditional favorite is making lefse. It’s a long process, but so rewarding when you bite into a fresh, warm piece of sugared lefse!
My favorite memory of my mom was when we decorated the tree and baked cookies. My mom passed away when I was 20. I miss here everyday and the holidays are really hard for me even though it’s been 33 years.
My favorite holiday memory is spending it with my Granny. I miss going to her house to open gifts and her calling on Christmas morning to ask the kids what Santa brought.
We lived in Chattanooga growing up but my grandparents lived in Crossville a much smaller town about 75 miles away. My favorite childhood memories are going to our grandparent’s house every Christmas Eve and traveling back late to wake up on Christmas morning at home.
I always loved decorating the house and making cookies with my mom. It was always so exciting. Oh and she would always let me lick the spoon.
Every Christmas we would make hard candies with my mom. The ENTIRE family participated including cousins and aunts. She still carries on the tradition even though all of us are grown and love in different places. She hosts great-nieces and nephews now instead :)
My mom loved Christmas because it was a time for all of us to be together. We were poor when I was growing up but she always made it the best it could be. One of my favorite things were the homemade butter cookies she would make (and hide) for us. It was a wonderful treat. I loved just being with her.
From childhood, we would always go to my grandparents on Christmas Eve and the entire family would help decorate the tree. They always left that til when everyone was together.
My favorite holiday memory is of my mom making Christmas Breakfast Bake every Christmas morning. It is a delicious sausage, egg, cheese and bread filled casserole that she would have in the oven cooking so we could eat immediately after opening our presents.
rolling out raviolis. And stamping them out. Filling and moving the sheets over to the bed when done and start the next batch. Lol and filling sausage casings. Omg I miss Nana Rose more than I can say. The world is a different place without Rose Salvatore-Monahan. My Nana ??
My mom went home to be with Jesus three years ago. I do miss her but know she is smiling and pain free.
My favorite memory growing up is baking and decorating sugar cookies while listening to and singing together to mom’s favorite Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby Christmas songs. I cherish these memories!
Losing a loved one is so hard. The holidays bring those loses to the forefront for all of us. Thankfully out Lord can give us peace.
Even your mother is not with you on earth , she still shares the holidays with in your heart!
Alena, I prayed for you and your family after the passing of your mother. It is such a blessing to see you continuing her legacy. I’m praying for you now! Your mother was such an inspiration to me how she raised you girls and started a ministry at the same time! No excuses for her!! What a Kingdom Woman. I know anything she has to say is worth listening to. God bless you.
I remember a snow day where all the neighborhood kids played and then retreated back to my place where my mom had hot coco ready. Community connection in our kitchen!
Shopping at dollar tree for each person- started by my dad. To remember it’s not about the gift it’s about Jesus and family.
I have so many precious memories with my mom at Christmas . One of my favorites was five years ago ,the la st Christmas I had with my parents, due to a tragic car accident that ended their lives , 3 days after Christmas. I was sitting at her feet , snuggling close ,as she played with my hair .