Monday, January 7, 2013

Isn't It Time for a Coffee Break?



Isn't it time for a coffee break? Blog tour with ameliarhodes.com
My answer to that question is; "when isn't it time for a coffee break?"I think my friend Amelia would agree. She so loves coffee that she wrote a book with the title question as the title. Let me backtrack for a minute Amelia's book isn't really about coffee it's actually about friendship and relationships and it's so so good.

Most of you readers know how close to my heart the issue of relationships between women is. God created the female heart to need the love and companionship of other female relationships, and I think that is so amazing! Amelia takes you through all the aspects of relationships with the symbolism of coffee leading the way. This book is a great read on it's own but would make an even better group study. In celebration of it's publication I sat down with Amelia to ask her some questions.


Amelia tell us a little about yourself.

Thanks for having me on your blog Jessie! I live in Michigan and have been married to my high school sweetheart, Kedron, for 15 years. We have two young children (kindergarten boy and 2nd grade girl). I looove coffee with friends and have a passion for encouraging women to share an authentic life together. When I’m not writing or helping in my kids’ classrooms I’m chasing groundhogs out of my garden or running or sewing or knitting. I like to do a lot of things I guess!

How did you get into writing and how did you end up writing this book?

I always enjoyed writing and telling stories as child. In our mid-twenties Kedron and I moved to Florida and both of our children were born there. Kedron suggested I start a blog to keep in touch with our family back north. I asked, “What in the world is a blog? And WHY would anyone ever want to read one?” Little did I know! Ha! At his urging, I reluctantly started a personal blog. As I told the stories of our every day life, I fell back in love with writing. I also began to see how the pieces of our little stories fit into God’s bigger story. One thing led to another and a few years ago I started to submit to various publications and began to blog for Circle of Friends.

 I had been blogging for Circle of Friends for a year or two when they approached me about a series of books they were creating called Women Living Life Together. (Check their website www.ourcircleoffriends.org for the other 4 books in the series by other authors!) Circle of Friends sent me a list of topics, and this one about “doing life together” stuck out to me since it’s something I’m passionate about. It also didn’t hurt that the title had a coffee theme, and I’m addicted to it (pausing to slurp a little now).

 Tell us a little about your book?

Isn’t it Time for a Coffee Break? offers humor and insightful Bible-based encouragement that will inspire a new outlook, as you begin to discover the beauty and fulfillment of “doing life together” with your sisters in Christ.  Throughout the book, I share many of my own life experiences and the stories of friends to take a closer look at doing life together according to God’s plan.

I’m particularly fond of the chapter titles (which I came up with during a six mile run).
The Aroma of Relationships: Love
Brew a Strong cup of Friendship
Share a Cup: Generosity
Experience the Variety of Blends: Hospitality
Filter out the Grounds: Unity
Sweeten Your Cup: Forgiveness

I work in the church and value the relationships I have with other women. I've also seen how poor relationships and misunderstandings can really injure the entire church body. I was wondering what your thoughts on interrelationships between women in the church are?

Jesus said that “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35 NIV).
Our lives together matter. The world is watching. In chapter 5 I talk about unity among believers. I tell a story in that chapter of a family friend who read the whole Bible, and believed it was true. But after watching how Christians treated each other he decided it couldn’t be true and turned to Buddhism instead. We don’t know who is watching, and how our actions reflect Christ in us, for good and for bad. So it’s extremely important that we focus on loving each other, even when we disagree.

Why do you think it is so important for women to have relationships with other women?

Sooner or later we all hit what I call “rocks of impossibility,” situations in our lives that bring us to a standstill, times when we just feel “stuck” and don’t know what to do or how to get past it. There will be times when you need the help of a friend see the good things in your life. She can be the outside pair of eyes that can see God’s work, when all you can see is the rock of impossibility in front of you. We need women in our lives who have their feet firmly planted on the solid rock of God’s truth who can call out to us and urge us to keep going, to hold on, to remember we are God’s beloved daughters.

What women have been most inspirational in your life?

My mom has been quite inspirational for many reasons. I used her as a great example in the chapter on generosity. She has spent her life using her gifts and talents to serve others. In fact, Jessie you’d love my mom, because her gifts and talents come in the form of fabric and yarn. The work of her hands has traveled the globe and blessed countless people. You’ll have to read chapter 3 to see what I mean!

What advice could you give to the fellow moms out there?

The normal, mundane routines of life – the grocery store, the bank, in your kids classrooms, packing lunches, changing diapers, making dinner – those things matter. Look for God’s story in the little things that happen every day. I love this verse from 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Those every day, monotonous tasks can bring glory to God when you do them out of gratitude and service to Him.

If there was one specific thing you would want women to know about your book, what would it be?

I’m praying that this book might be a tool women will use to reach out and invite others into their lives. I hope they might invite someone new to their circle of friends and open up a seat at their friendship table for someone they might not normally associate with and get to know her better. I think women crave a place to belong, and many of us put up a good front that life is ok and that we have plenty of friends. But I think many of us would admit that we have room in our life for more friends and are craving to be known, accepted and loved just as we are. My hope is that after reading this, women will reach out and offer that love and acceptance to others.


I hope you'll take the time to pick this book up and give it a read. And, to celebrate we're having a giveaway. Comment on this post telling us what woman has been the most influential in your life to enter to win. If you go to Amelia's facebook page and "like" it let me know in the comments and I'll enter you into the giveaway a second time. The giveaway will be open through Friday.
Look at these great prizes!

4 comments:

Court said...

I would say my Grammy has been one of the most influintial women in my life. Her loving heart, strong faith, and daily witness helped shaped my own heart and faith.
Also Claudia Davenport she is always on fire for God and intimately seeking, her way of life and deep connection with God always chalanges me.

Anonymous said...

My mom has had the most influence on me.
- Jennie Boroughf

Anonymous said...

And I liked Amelia's FB page.
- Jennie Boroughf

katiebeth said...

I would have to say my mom. she is such a great support in everything!! but there are many amazing women in my life. I am very blessed!!!