Hope In Every Season

Showing Compassion-- Part One

2012-02-12T18:23:00.000-08:00

A few months back, I began reading Proverbs again. I was doing a little "research" for a study I wanted to put together on the wisdom Proverbs provides to women. I'm sure I'll complete that study one of these days but a couple days into it, my focus turned toward another topic: showing compassion to the unsaved. This is part one of a study I shared with a group of women at church recently.

Let me begin with the question that got the ball rolling for me: Do I extend the same compassion to others that was extended to me; not only by Christ, but by His church?

Growing up, my family was a moral family. My parents taught my brother and I the basics of right and wrong and my mom encouraged me to take my troubles to Jesus in prayer, but we weren't practicing Christians necessarily and we definitely were not a churched family. Although we knew about Jesus, we didn't really know Him. We were unsaved. (Happy to say that my parents are now also my brother and sister in Christ!) I can remember many occasions when I'd attend church off and on with friends, that people showed me the compassion and grace that Christ showed those he encountered while on Earth. While it was obvious by my attire (or lack of it), my character, and the company I kept, that I was not walking with Jesus, the people at church still treated me with respect and dignity. They invited me to events, talked to me about my interests, and made me feel like I was part of the family. I credit these compassionate, spirit-filled people for making a big impact on the grounded-in-Christ person that I am today!

(Speaking to Christians here) Most of us come into contact with people, sometimes on a daily basis, who are obviously not walking with Jesus. Maybe they are saved but are just having a really hard time showing it that day---maybe they're living a life that is obviously not centered on Him. There are several reasons why we may choose not to show them compassion. I'll speak to those over the next few days. The one thing we need to remember though is this: we are called to compassion. 1 Peter 3:8-9 instructs us in this way: "Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous, not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing."

When we understand and acknowledge what Christ did for us, we will be compelled to extend that same compassion to others. Consider Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." If Jesus would go so far as to die for us, couldn't we at least try to be a little understanding of those around us who appear to be walking blindly?

There are many things we can do to show compassion to the unsaved around us. Our character, who we are day in and day out, is the biggest testament to Christ. Compassion needs to be a character trait and not something we just put on and off on a whim. In addition to developing a genuine character, we can also:

1. Think before we speak: Proverbs 15:28 says, "The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil." It really pays off to contemplate our words before spewing them out. Words stick around so much longer than actions and reverberate in our memories...they can build up or break down.

2. Let our actions do the speaking: 1 Peter 3: 1-2: "Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear." Now there's a lot in that verse that I won't even go into right now, but the main point is that our actions will speak so much louder than our words when it comes to having integrity and being genuine. People will be drawn to Christ when they see His character embodied in us, His people. This is what it means to be "the body of Christ". We are to be the physical representation of Christ in our words, thoughts and actions.

3. Practice unselfishness & looking out for others: Philippians 2:3-4: "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." How will my thoughts/actions affect those around me---both Christians and non-Christians---and not only now, but when they're ready to make a decision for Christ? There are people in our lives to whom we may be the only representation of Christ that they will see. I can think of one specific person who is very close to me that does not run with a Christian crowd. I must emulate Christ to this person because I might be the only one who ever will! We must practice what we preach by giving others grace when they do or say things that offend us. A holier-than-thou attitude is one of the biggest turn-offs related to Christians! If we have been a positive and genuine figure in the life of an unbeliever, we may have the opportunity to be the catalyst through which they someday find relationship with God!

Over the course of this study, I'll share some reasons why we Christians are not so quick to offer compassion and grace to the unsaved, as well as share with you how Jesus treated those the Bible calls "sinners". Please leave a comment, if you've got time, and let me know how you've been affected by Christian compassion---either on the giving or receiving end.

Girls Day Out and Homemaking Link-Up Weekend

2012-02-09T22:20:00.000-08:00

Hello! Welcome to another great Homemaking Link-Up Weekend! I sure hope you've had a lovely week! I don't know about you, but I am SO ready for some relaxation time! Here is a cute ATC I worked on late last night. I was ready for bed but knew I had this swap to do and wanted to do ONE more productive thing...so I made this! The lace at the top was hand-crocheted by a Finland friend's great-grandmother and the feather was found by one of my sweet kids!

Today, Lynzie, Selah, and I went for a LONG shopping day in Eastern Washington! The girls wanted to dress up like Anne of Green Gables and her friend, Diana Barry.

While we were in Michael's Craft Store, I came across this cute craft made from terra cotta pots! Adorable!

However, this awesome microwave at Target takes the cake! Isn't this adorable?? I wonder how much convincing my husband would need.... (ETA: wouldn't you know it---I told my husband about it and now he's like "GET IT"!!! Ha! Gotta love someone who appreciates my weird quirkiness! :)

Don't forget the quarterly Giveaway Jubilee for the month of March! Would you like to participate as either a giver, a winner, or both? Click my adorable new button for all the details!

And...now it's time for this week's Homemaking Link-Up Weekend!

Would you like to participate in the party each week but just can't remember to link up? There's a couple things I can do to help you out with that! First, there's a cute button at the top of my sidebar that you can put on your blog to serve as a reminder for you---and an advertisement for me! Secondly, I can send you an email reminder! I send out a short email to participants who've requested one on Wednesday nights to remind everyone about the party. Please let me know in the comments below if you'd like me to do that for you!

I'd love to have you link up your homemaking posts below! Hope you have a GREAT weekend!

Also linking with:

Shabby Chic Chandelier --- Guest Post

2012-02-07T11:49:00.000-08:00

I am so happy and honored to have my good friend Rachel from Bubbly Nature Creations here guest posting today! I have been inspired countless times by her unique creativity and bubbly personality! So many of you have commented on how much you love my blog design---we have Rachel to thank for that, as she is the one who put it together for me! Enjoy the tutorial and be blessed!

Hi everyone! My name is Rachel from Bubbly Nature Creations and I am
so excited to be featured here on Sarah's blog!!! She is such a
sweetie and I love her
kind and gentle spirit. She lifts me up in so many ways and I am so glad to be
her friend! I also love her blog and wanted to share with all of
you over here how to make a regular chandelier, or other type of hanging light, into a
cute Shabby
Chic Chandelier just in time for Valentine's
Day!

what you will need:

strings of pearls and beads- fake or real if you wish... mine are
totally fake! (make a color scheme from these)

a few yards of lace

ribbons in coordinating colors

First take your strings of pearls and beads and wrap them around
the inside so that they hang down the middle. It doesn't have to
be perfect either!

Then take your lace and start hanging it between the lights... tie the
two ends of the lace together and just adjust how they hang down from
there. Next tie little ribbons to the light posts and then you
have your cute shabby chic chandelier!!! Wasn't that so easy?!?

I really love the way
that this turned out! I am thinking of going to the
dollar jewelry store for some Easter colored
beads next!

Happy Creating!!!

Be sure to visit my
blog this week to find out more about my Valentine's
decor... I will be offering a tutorial on how to make
these:

and I also have a great post about a Valentine's Themed
Iced Coffee Party which shows everything that I
have made for Valentine's decor... well so far! :P

Thanks for letting me come and
share this with you today!!!

Winter Promise by Martha Rogers --- Book Announcement

2012-02-06T18:35:00.000-08:00

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Martha Rogers

and the book:

Winter Promise (Seasons of the Heart)

Realms (January 3, 2012)

***Special thanks to Jon Wooten of Charisma House for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Martha Rogers is the author of Becoming Lucy; Morning for Dove; Finding Becky; Caroline’s Choice; Not on the Menu, a part of a novella collection with DiAnn Mills, Janice Thompson, and Kathleen Y’Barbo; and River Walk Christmas, a novella collection with Beth Goddard, Lynette Sowell, and Kathleen Y’Barbo. A former schoolteacher and English instructor, she has a master’s degree in education and lives with her husband in Houston, Texas.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

A painful past has left Doctor Elliot Jensen uninterested in love.

Until he meets Abigail.

Single, educated, and looking for a new start, Abigail Monroe decides to join her brother and his wife in Portersville, Texas. Near her twenty-fifth birthday and without a suitor, she fears she will become a spinster if she stays in Briar Ridge, Connecticut.

A sprained ankle sends Abigail to the new doctor in town, Elliot Jensen. He is smitten, but tragedy in his past has left him bitter, guilt ridden, and afraid to fall in love again.

When the town’s deputy sheriff rescues Abigail after a robbery, Elliot’s feelings for her get stronger. He is jealous of the attention Abigail is getting, but he fears he can’t compete with the handsome deputy sheriff and his heroic deeds.

Has he waited too long to share his feelings for her? Or will Christmas bring them both the gift they seek?

Set in the late 1800s, the Seasons of the Heart series follows the lives of four women and their families, weaving together their stories of faith, life, and love as they bond in friendship only God could orchestrate.

Product Details:

List Price: $13.99

Paperback: 304 pages

Publisher: Realms (January 3, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1616384980

ISBN-13: 978-1616384982

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Porterfield, Texas, 1890

Porterfield, next stop in ten minutes.” The conductor’s announcement sent the butterflies to dancing again in Abigail Monroe’s stomach. Ever since they entered the state of Texas,

her mind had flitted from one thing to the next in a series of images that blurred one into the other. What she remembered from her visit last spring had been enough to give her the

desire to return as a permanent resident.

All around her passengers began gathering their belongings and preparing to leave the train. Mrs. Mabel Newton, who had accompanied her on the trip, adjusted her hat and picked

up her handbag. “Well, your adventure will begin shortly.”

Abigail grinned at the elderly woman. If it had not been for Rachel’s aunt’s desire to come west to visit her daughter, this trip may have been delayed indefinitely. “Thank you so

much for coming with me, Aunt Mabel. You know how Father worried and didn’t want me to travel alone.” Abigail had fallen into calling the woman “Aunt Mabel” due to her close friendship with Rachel.

“And well he should have been. It isn’t safe for a young woman of your standing to be crossing the country by train without an escort.” She tilted her head toward Abigail, and the

feathers on the black hat covering her gray hair quivered with the movement.

Her parents had at first refused to even consider such a move for their only daughter, but as they began to realize that she was almost twenty-two years of age, their objections lessened.

They had been in Porterfield a few months earlier for the wedding of Daniel, Abigail’s brother who came to Porterfield a year ago as the town’s only attorney. Now he served as county attorney and prosecutor. When Mabel Newton had said she wanted to visit her daughter and niece, Father had finally agreed to let Abigail go.

Another factor in her decision to leave Briar Ridge had been Rachel Reed, her very best friend since childhood. Rachel’s husband, Nathan, had taken Daniel’s place as an

attorney for the citizens of Porterfield, and now they too lived in the Texas town. As far as Abigail was concerned, God had orchestrated a great symphony of opportunities, and she had

seized the score to become a part of the music.

“Aunt Mabel, do you think my plan for establishing a library is a sound one? Nathan and Daniel have found a building they think is suitable and will negotiate the purchase

of it if I approve.” “Every town needs a library whether they know it or not. Your brother and Nathan have good judgment, so the place must be about perfect.”

A snicker escaped Abigail’s throat. Daniel had always been her protector, and if the building suited him, it most definitely would suit her. She’d been so angry with him for leaving her

behind in Briar Ridge last year. Of course he thought it was because she’d miss him, but it was really because she’d been jealous of his new adventure.

“I’m sorry things didn’t work out for you and that young Wentworth. He seemed very interested in you when you and Rachel were in Boston.”

Abigail had been interested too at first, but when she realized what all would be expected of her as the wife of a Wentworth, her interest cooled, and so had his. Now she had this new adventure ahead of her.

“It worked out for the best, but life became so dull in Briar Ridge without Rachel or Daniel that I could hardly bear it. I’d grown tired of entertaining with Mother and taking part on church committees. I want to do something on my own for a change.”

“I see. So the fact that Porterfield has an overabundance of single men of all ages didn’t have anything to do with your decision.” Aunt Mabel’s blue eyes sparkled with merriment.

Abigail’s cheeks filled with heat. She truly wasn’t interested in finding a husband anytime soon, even if other people thought so. The train whistle screeched through the early

afternoon air. Abigail clutched her handbag and closed her eyes. Please, Lord. Don’t let this be a mistake. Help me to dothe things I want to do for Porterfield with books and accept

whatever else You have planned for me.

The train stopped with a jolt that sent her forward with

a lurch. She assisted Aunt Mabel with her bag then followed

the older woman down the aisle. Dozens of people lined the

platform waving as the train emptied itself of its load of passengers.

As she stepped from the train car, Abigail scanned

the crowd, and her heart leaped with joy when she spotted

Rachel.

Rachel rushed forward and grabbed Abigail. “Oh, I’m so

glad you’re finally here. I thought the last three months would

never end.” Then she turned to hug her aunt. “I’m glad you’re

here too. With Seth, Sarah, Abigail, and you, I won’t feel at

all lonesome, not that I could the way the Muldoon clan has

taken us in.”

“When I met them at Daniel’s wedding, I knew they would make all of you feel right at home. I’m anxious to talk with Mrs. Sullivan again.” Abigail had been impressed with

the boardinghouse and looked forward to living there.

“You’ll get to see her soon enough. She’s waiting for you and has your room all ready. The Muldoons are having us all for dinner at the ranch tonight.”

That meant a quick study of the members of the Muldoon family would be in order before the trip out there. She hugged Rachel again and noted the glow in her eyes and face. “You

must really be happy here with Nathan.”

Before she could answer, Aunt Mabel stepped back and

eyed Rachel. “My dear, are you in the family way?”

Heat flooded Rachel’s cheeks, and she grinned. “Yes, I am, and so is . . . “ She clapped her hand over her mouth. “Oh, I almost slipped. She wants to tell everyone herself at dinner.”

Abigail ran through the list of possibilities. Kate? Erin? Sarah again? Whoever it was, the baby would be welcomed by many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Arms wrapped around her shoulders from the back, and she craned her neck to see who it could be. “Daniel!” She turned and hugged her brother. “Isn’t this exciting? I’m here at last. We had a delightful train trip, and I can’t wait to see your new house. And where’s Kate?”

“Hey, slow down, little sister. No need to get it all out at once, but to answer your question, Doc Jensen and Elliot had an emergency at the infirmary, so she’s there. She said she’d meet us wherever we were when she finished.”

“I believe Aunt Mabel will be staying with Sarah and Donavan. At least that’s what she plans on. Mrs. Sullivan said she has a room for me at the boardinghouse, so that’s where I’m headed.”

Daniel frowned and peered at her. “But Kate is hoping you’ll live with us.”

“Oh, Daniel, you two are newly married. Besides, I’d rather be closer to town so I can take care of the library.” Kate and Daniel didn’t live far from town, but her staying at the boardinghouse would be less of an intrusion on their new marriage.

They headed toward the cart where the baggage had been unloaded. Aunt Mabel busied herself with telling Rachel all about the trip cross-country. Abigail gazed at the town beyond

the depot. Porterfield, Texas, would be her home now, and it looked just as friendly and nice as it had when she’d been here in the spring. A little more primitive than Briar Ridge, it still

had all the stores and businesses one could need, including a delightful bakery.

Daniel heaved down a trunk and headed to his surrey with it. Abigail walked along beside him and noted how the men stopped to stare. Her cheeks filled with heat. She may as well

be on display in a store window.

“I didn’t realize . . . never mind.” She grinned and hopstepped to keep up with her brother.

He pushed the trunk onto the floor behind the front seat.

“By the way, the building Nathan and I have in mind for you is across the street from the infirmary. It’s where the land offices were until the new courthouse opened. Now it’s vacant, and it’s just about the size you’ll need for the library.”

“I’m sure it will be fine if you and Nathan think so.” She shook her head and giggled as they headed back for more of her things. “I still can’t believe he and Rachel moved away from Connecticut. I always figured that when they did move, it would be to North Carolina, his home.”

Another man had joined the group and helped unload Aunt Mabel’s bags. She recognized him as one of Kate’s older brothers she had met at the wedding. What was his name? Oh, yes, Cory, the lawman and only single male in the Muldoon family, as well as one of the most handsome men Abigail had ever met.

Daniel grabbed her arm and took her over to greet him. “You remember Cory, one of Kate’s brothers.”

Abigail smiled and extended her hand. “I certainly do. You and your brothers were quite the pranksters at the wedding.”

Red tinged Cory’s well-tanned face. His eyes, more green than blue, sparkled with humor. He pushed his white Stetson back on his head, revealing sandy red curls on his forehead, much like her brother’s dark ones. “Guilty as charged, but we had to make up for not doing anything at Erin’s. Didn’t want to play tricks on the reverend.”

Getting to know the Muldoon family would be fun, but getting to know Cory might be even more so. Perhaps she should reconsider her decision not to become involved with any of the eligible young men in Porterfield.

Elliot finished the stitches to close the wound on the balding head of Cyrus Fuller. He’d tripped coming out of the bank and fell, cutting his head on the edge of the boardwalk. Elliot used five stitches to close it. “There, now, Mr. Fuller. You’ll be right as rain. Come back to see me in a few days and let me check on the stitches. Don’t get it wet for a while.”

He pushed back his rolling stool and picked up a bottle. “If you experience any pain, take a few drops of this and it should be all right, but don’t take more than a few drops. Understand?”

The bank teller nodded and took the bottle. “I do, and I won’t take it unless I really need it.” He stood and grasped the edge of the bed for support.

Kate Monroe picked up the tray with the suturing supplies and equipment. “Aunt Mae will make certain you’re comfortable, Mr. Fuller. She’ll take good care of you.”

The man’s face, including his bald head fringed in gray, turned a bright red. “I’m sure she will, but I don’t want her to go to any trouble.”

Kate laughed. “It won’t be any trouble. You know that.”

Elliot turned to put the bandages back in the cabinet to hide his smile. Everyone in town knew Cyrus Fuller was sweet on Aunt Mae, and she didn’t spurn his attention either. This

was one patient he wouldn’t have to worry about.

He walked with Mr. Fuller to the front door of the infirmary just to make sure the man was steady on his feet. At the door Cyrus shook Elliot’s hand. “Can’t thank you enough, Doctor Jensen. You did a fine job, and it hardly hurts at all. Tell your uncle I said hello.” He lifted his hat to set it on his head, felt the stitches, and promptly put his hand down, still holding the hat.

Mr. Fuller took off in the direction of the boardinghouse, a few blocks down the street. Elliot continued to observe the man as he made his way home. Satisfied that he was all right, Elliot turned to walk back inside when he spotted Daniel in a buggy with a young woman beside him. Her golden brown hair peeked from beneath a black hat trimmed with yellow flowers, which matched the yellow dress she wore. She shifted her gaze toward him and locked with his. Something inside Elliot clicked, and a feeling he hadn’t experienced in a long time came over him.

Elliot looked away and forced the emotion back into the deep recesses of his soul. He’d never let those feelings back into his life. They hurt too much.

A voice beside him caused him to blink his eyes and turn. “What did you say?”

Kate stood beside him. “I said that’s Abigail, Daniel’s sister. She was at his wedding, and she’s come to live here in Porterfield. Remember I told you about her coming to set up a

library for the town?”

“I remember.” But he never expected her to be so pretty. He cleared his throat and hurried back into the infirmary. He needed to clean up the room where they’d just worked on Mr.

Fuller, and it would help him forget the girl in yellow.

Kate’s voice followed him. “If you don’t have anything else for me, I’m going to run down to Aunt Mae’s and meet up with Daniel and Abigail. I’ll be there if you need me.”

He waved her out. Kate was a good assistant. He and his uncle had come to depend on her for so many things at the infirmary. Doc should be back shortly, that is if everything went well at the Blalocks’ place. Mrs. Blalock didn’t usually have trouble with her deliveries, and as this was the fifth one, no problems were anticipated today.

Cleaning up didn’t take long, and when he’d finished, Elliot went to the desk to fill out a report for Cyrus Fuller’s medical file. The image of Abigail Monroe swam before his eyes. Porterfield sadly lacked young women of marrying age, so Elliot had no trouble staying away from what social life existed in town. He’d left Ohio with the vow that he’d never become

involved with a young woman again. Everything had been fine until today when that little spark had jumped in his chest.

“I hear Cyrus Fuller had an accident. Get him all taken care of?”

Elliot jumped and dropped his pen. He greeted his uncle. “When did you come in? Yes, he’s fine. How did things go at the Blalocks?”

His uncle grinned and set his bag on the desk. “Just like it should. This little boy decided to take longer than necessary, but he’s good and healthy.” He removed his hat and hung it on

a hook then removed his coat. “I saw Daniel Monroe with a pretty young woman down at Mae’s. Must be his sister from back east.”

“It is. Kate was here to help with Cyrus, and then she left to go meet them.”

“She’s a pretty little thing from what I remember of last spring. It’ll be nice to have a young woman like her around her for a change. You, Cory, and Philip Dawes are about the most

eligible young men in town, and one of you ought to set your sights on her.”

“There’s a lot of men over at the sawmill, and many more on the ranches. That’s why Frank Cahoon and Allen Dawes sent off for those brides. Remember?” So many other men in town would take an interest in Abigail and keep her busy. He’d managed to stay clear of any kind of relationship so far, and that was just the way he wanted it. Never again did he want to feel the pain he’d experienced in Cleveland.

The Harbinger by Jonathan Cahn

2012-02-05T21:15:00.000-08:00

Today's Wild Card author is:

Jonathan Cahn

and the book:

The Harbinger

Frontline Pub Inc (January 3, 2012)

***Special thanks to Jon Wooten of Charisma House for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jonathan Cahn leads Hope of the World ministries and the Jerusalem Center/Beth Israel, a worship center made up of Jew and Gentile, people of all backgrounds, located in Wayne, New Jersey. His teachings are seen on television and radio throughout the nation and are known for their prophetic significance and their revealing of deep mysteries of God’s Word.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Is it possible…

That there exists an ancient mystery that holds the secret of America’s future?

That this mystery lies behind everything from 9/11 to the collapse of the global economy?

That ancient harbingers of judgment are now manifesting in America?

That God is sending America a prophetic message of what is yet to come?

Before its destruction as a nation, ancient Israel received nine harbingers, prophetic omens of warning. The same nine harbingers are now manifesting in America—with immediate ramifications for end-time prophecy.

Hidden in an ancient biblical prophecy from Isaiah, the mysteries revealed in The Harbinger are so precise that they foretold recent American events down to the exact days. The revelations are so specific that even the most hardened skeptics will find it hard to dismiss or put down. It sounds like the plot of a Hollywood thriller – with one exception… IT’S REAL.

The prophetic mysteries are revealed through an intriguing and engaging narrative the reader will find hard to put down. The Harbinger opens with the appearance of a man burdened with a message he has received from a mysterious figure called The Prophet. The Prophet has given him nine seals, each containing a message about America’s future. As he tells of his encounters with The Prophet, from a skyscraper in New York City, to a rural mountaintop, to Capitol Hill, to Ground Zero, the mystery behind each seal is revealed. As the story unfolds, each revelation becomes a piece in a greater puzzle – the ramifications of which will even alter the course of world history.

Product Details:

List Price: $16.99

Paperback: 272 pages

Publisher: Frontline Pub Inc (January 3, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 161638610X

ISBN-13: 978-1616386108

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

An Ancient Mystery

An ancient mystery that holds the secret of America’s future.”

“Yes.”

“What would I think?”

“Yes, what would you think?”

“I’d think it was a plot for a movie. Is that it? Is that what you’re presenting . . . a movie manuscript?”

“No.”

“A plot for a novel?”

“No.”

“Then what?”

He was silent.

“Then what?” she repeated.

He paused to carefully consider what he was about to say and how to say it. Her reputation among those in media was that of a woman who neither wasted her time nor indulged those who

did. She was not known to suffer fools gladly. The discussion could meet an abrupt end at any given moment and there would be no second chance with her. The fact that there had even been a

meeting in the first place, that she had even agreed to it, and that he was now sitting in her office, high above the streets of Manhattan, was nothing short of a miracle—and he knew it. He had only one concern—the message. It didn’t even occur to him to remove his black leather overcoat, nor had anyone offered to remove it for him. Leaning forward in his chair, he gave her his answer, slowly, cautiously, carefully deliberating every word.

“An ancient mystery . . . that holds the secret of America’s future . . . and on which its future hangs. And it’s not fiction—it’s real.”

She was quiet. At first, he took the silence as a positive sign, an indication that he was getting through. But then she spoke and quickly dispelled the notion.

“An Indiana Jones movie,” she said. “An ancient mystery hidden for thousands of years under the sands of the Middle East . . . but now revealed . . . and upon it hangs the fate of the entire world!”

Her flippancy provoked him to become all the more resolute.

“But it’s not fiction,” he repeated. “It’s real.”

“What would I say?” she asked.

“Yes, what would you say?”

“I’d say you were crazy.”

“Perhaps I am,” he said with a slight smile. “Nevertheless . . . it’s real.”

“If you’re not crazy, then you’re joking . . . or you’re doing this all for dramatic effect . . . part of a presentation. But you can’t be serious.”

“But I am serious.”

She paused for a moment, staring into the eyes of her guest, attempting to ascertain whether he was sincere or not.

“So you are,” she said.

“So I am,” he replied, “and you have no idea how much so.”

It was then that her expression changed. Up to that point it had suggested a trace of amused interest. It now turned to that of total disengagement.

“No, I guess I don’t. Listen, I believe you’re a sincere man, but . . . I’m really . . . I’m really very busy, and I don’t have time for . . . ”

“Mrs. Goren.”

“That’s Goren. The accent’s on the last syllable. But Ana is fine.”

“Ana, you have nothing to lose by listening. Just go on the slight possibility . . . ”

“That you’re not crazy?”

“That too,” he said. “But the slight possibility that what I’m saying could actually be true, even the slight possibility that there could be something in what I’m telling you, even for that slightest

of possibilities . . . for just that . . . it would be important enough to warrant your time. You need to hear me out.”

She sat back in her chair and stared at him, making no attempt to hide her skepticism.

“You still think I’m crazy.”

“Fully,” she said.

“For argument’s sake, let’s say you’re right. I am crazy. Indulge me, as a public service.”

She smiled.

“I’ll indulge you, Mr. Kaplan, but there’s a limit.”

“Nouriel. You can call me Nouriel.”

At that, she got up from her chair and motioned for him to do likewise. She led him away from her desk to a small round conference table where the two sat down. The table was situated in

front of a huge glass window through which one could see a vast panorama of skyscrapers with similar windows, each reflecting the light of the afternoon sun.

“All right, Nouriel. Tell me about your mystery.”

“It’s not my mystery. It’s much bigger than me. You have no idea how big, or what it involves.”

“And what does it involve?”

“Everything. It involves everything, and it explains everything . . . everything that’s happened, that’s happening, and everything that’s going to happen.”

“What do you mean?”

“Behind September 11 . . . ”

“How could an ancient mystery possibly have anything to do with September 11?”

“An ancient mystery behind everything from 9/11 to the economy . . . to the housing boom . . . to the war in Iraq . . . to the collapse of Wall Street. Everything in precise detail.”

“How? How could an ancient mystery possibly . . . ”

“Affect your life? Your bank account? Your future? But it does. And it holds the key to America’s future . . . to the rise and fall of nations . . . to world history. And it’s not only a mystery, it’s a message, an alarm.”

“An alarm?” she asked. “An alarm of what?”

“Of warning.”

“To whom?”

“America.”

“Why?”

“When you hear it,” he said, “you’ll understand why.”

“All this from a mystery that goes back . . . how far did you say?”

“I didn’t say.”

“So how far back does it go?”

“Two and a half thousand years.”

“A two-and-a-half-thousand-year-old mystery behind what’s happening in the twenty-first century from politics to the economy to foreign affairs—all that and you’re the only one who knows about it?”

“I’m not the only one.”

“Who else knows about it?” she asked.

“There’s at least one other.”

“Not the government? The government has no idea, even though it’s behind all that?”

“As far as I know, no government, no intelligence agency, no one else.”

“No one but you.”

“And at least one other.”

“And how did you happen to discover it?”

“I didn’t discover it,” he answered. “It was given to me.”

“Given? By whom?”

“A man.”

“And who was this man?”

“It’s hard to say.”

At this she leaned forward and spoke to him in a tone both intense and slightly sarcastic.

“Try me,” she said.

“You won’t understand.”

“What was his name?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” she replied, with a trace of amusement in her voice.

“No, he never told me.”

“So this earth-shattering mystery is known only by you and this one man who gave it to you but doesn’t have a name.”

“I didn’t say he didn’t have a name. He just never told it to me.”

“And you never asked?”

“I did, but he never told me.”

“No phone number?”

“He never gave me one.”

“No business card?”

“No.”

“Not even an e-mail?”

“I don’t expect you to believe me yet.”

“Why not?” she replied, making no attempt to hide her skepticism.

“It sounds so plausible!”

“But hear me out.”

“So this man with no name gives you this mystery.”

“That’s correct.”

“And why to you?”

“I guess I was the right one.”

“So you were chosen?”

“I guess so,” he replied, his voice trailing off.

“And where did he get the mystery from?”

“I don’t know.”

“A mystery on which the nation’s future is hanging, and no one knows where it came from?”

“From where do prophets get their messages?”

“Prophets!” she said. “So now we’re talking prophets?”

“I guess we are.”

“As in Isaiah . . . Jeremiah?”

“Something like that.”

“The last time I heard about prophets I was in Sunday school, Nouriel. Prophets don’t exist anymore. They’ve been gone for ages.”

“How do you know?”

“So you’re telling me that the man who gave you this revelation is a prophet?”

“Something like that.”

“He told you he was a prophet?”

“No. He never came out and said it.”

“And you believe all this because it came from a prophet?”

“No,” he answered. “It wouldn’t have mattered who said it. It’s not about the messenger; it’s about the message.”

“So why are you telling me all this? Why did you come here? I’m not exactly known for dealing with anything remotely like this.”

“Because the stakes are so high. Because the future is hanging on it. Because it affects millions of people.”

“And you think I have a part in this?”

“I do.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

She leaned back in her chair and stared at him for a moment, intrigued, amused, and still trying to figure him out.

“So, Nouriel, tell me how it all began.”

He reached into his coat pocket, laid his closed hand down on the table, then opened it. In the middle of his palm was a small object of reddish, golden-brown clay, circular and about two inches in diameter.

“It all began with this.”

He handed it to her. She began examining it. The more she looked at it, the more intrigued she became. It was covered with what appeared to be ancient inscriptions.

“It all began with this.”

“And what is it?”

“It’s a seal,” he answered. “It’s the first seal.”

I Actually MADE something I pinned on Pinterest!!!

2012-02-04T20:58:00.000-08:00

My good friend and seasoned Pinterest pinner, Audra, told me this about Pinterest last night as I was lamenting the fact that I keep pinning and never creating: "Pinterest newbies - pin, pin, pin, pin - repeat excessively. Pinterest regulars - pin, try something, pin, pin, try something, go about life, pin, try something..."

So, as my official graduating act, I am pleased to announce that I've actually MADE something that I saw pinned on Pinterest! These little dresses were in a tutorial by Dreadlock Girl.

I was commissioned to make a poster for our church to display pictures from a recent Women's Ministry event. I had ideas forming in my mind all week long and, this afternoon, I began this (you can click the pictures to enlarge them):

Everything that's done with book pages is made from pages of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility.

I could just make those dolly dresses all day long! How sweet!

Do you love Giveaways? How about joining in my Giveaway Jubilee March 1-31st? Click the button below for all you need to know!

Linking up with:

Spring 2012 Giveaway Jubilee

2012-02-02T10:55:00.000-08:00

I am SO excited to be announcing a fun new event on my blog! A quarterly GIVEAWAY JUBILEE!!!

Each quarter (January, March, June, September), I will be hosting a month of giveaways! I would love for you all to participate---either as givers, receivers, or both!

Here's the details:

1. Take a button below to display on your blog. This will remind you and your friends to come back and participate on March 1st. (My husband and I made it this morning---isn't it adorable??)

2. Decide if you'd like to be a "giver". If so, be thinking about and planning what you will give away. This can be anything of your choosing: something handmade, homemade, purchased, re-gifted... If you're not sure, ask me! Please also decide whether you will send your gift just within your own country or internationally. Either way is fine, but you'll need to clarify this in your giveaway post. When it gets closer to time, prepare your giveaway post so you can link it up when I put up the linky on March 1st. I will leave the linky open all month so late-comers are still welcome!

3. Whether you are a giver, or just want to come enter all the great giveaways, be sure to come back on March 1st and join in on the fun! Check back all through the month as others will be listing their giveaways as the days go on.

4. Please pass the word! Most bloggers love a giveaway and this one could really be a blast if we get lots of participants! PLEASE let me know if you have any questions---I'd hate for someone not to play just because you don't understand how it works!

Do you need a reminder email? Let me know in the comments below and I'll put you on the list!

Groundhog's Day and Homemaking Link-Up Weekend

2012-02-02T08:05:00.000-08:00

Photo courtesy of Urlesque.com

This morning, my step-dad left some cookies on our porch. Mom had written a note that said, "Happy Groundhog's Day, Love Grandma". I read it to the kids and quizzed them about Groundhog's Day.

Me: "Does anyone know what Groundhog's Day is?"

Michael (10): "A Chinese holiday?"

Me: "No"

Michael: "Well that's what Lynzie said!"

Lynzie (12): "Oh, maybe it was Japanese."

Me: "No."

Lynzie: "Well it's SOMETHING."

Michael: "A day that has something to do with groundhogs."

Me: "ha ha ha"

Michael: "A day to RESPECT the groundhog."

Me: "no."

Cainan (7): "A day to give each other cookies?"

I'm SO very excited to announce my Giveaway Jubilee for the month of March! Would you like to participate as either a giver, a winner, or both? Click my adorable new button for all the details!

And...now it's time for this week's Homemaking Link-Up Weekend!

Giveaway Jubilee --- Spring 2012

2012-02-01T07:02:00.000-08:00

Just a super quick note to let you all know...

I'm planning a quarterly Giveaway Jubilee!

This month-long giveaway party will give each of us the opportunity to:

**Increase traffic to our blogs!

**Share something beautiful with someone else!

**Visit lovely new bloggers, as well as our familiar favorites!

**Possibly win something special for ourselves!

My dear husband is soundly sleeping at the moment; but when he wakes up, I'll ask him to make us a sweet button to advertise the fun. Then I'll post it here with all the information you need to participate!

For now, plan on linking up your giveaway(s) here March 1st-31st...and check back within the day for all the details!

Are you interested? Let me know! This will be such a fun way to ring in Spring!

Antique Inspired Journals and ATC

2012-01-31T21:58:00.000-08:00

Tonight, Jamie introduced our two oldest kids (12 & 10) to The Lord of the Rings movies! They've been wanting to watch them for years but we haven't thought they were ready for the scary images in some of the scenes.

Well, tonight was the night! All three thoroughly enjoyed themselves and the kids said they weren't freaked out at all!

While all this was going on and the 6 younger kids were either sleeping or playing downstairs, I worked on some crafts for some upcoming swaps.

Here are some journals I made for a journalling swap that is coming up this month. I had to make one extra for me because these are just so adorable!

Here they are from the back:

I'm also participating in a Valentine's Day ATC swap so I created this gorgeous card. I took a good close up so I can make myself a replica!

What sorts of crafty things have you been working on lately?

Linking with:

Give Them A Break!

2012-01-29T21:04:00.000-08:00

Brotherly Love at the Coller House

2 Corinthians 5:12-21:

¹²For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. ¹³For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. ¹⁴For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; ¹⁵and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

¹⁶Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. ¹⁷Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. ¹⁸Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, ¹⁹that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

²⁰Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. ²¹For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

One of the well-known "new believer" verses is 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation..." This is a compelling thought, but do we always treat one another as if that thought were true?

I think that we are hesitant to extend brotherly love and kindness to some of God's new creations if we are familiar with how they were in their "former life". It can be difficult to imagine that angry father, alcoholic mother, or partying brother as a new creation, once they've received Christ and begun to change their ways.

However, we have been given the "ministry of reconciliation" and because God doesn't hold our repented-for trespasses against us, then who are we to hold others' against them?

Christ reached out to us with a spirit of forgiveness and a desire for restored relationship. We can honor God by doing the same to those around us who are looking forward to a fresh start in Christ.

In the story of the Samaritan woman in John 4:1-26, (read it...come back...) we are especially moved by verse 24: "those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth." Are those newly-saved, not-quite-squeaky-clean loved ones around us worshipping in spirit and in truth? God will deal with the details in time. Before anything else, God desires that hearts are his. Don't be a stumbling block with a self-righteous attitude. Join that loved one in authentic worship---you might learn something!

Truly, those around us who are making the good attempt to live Godly lives don't really need our approval! They'll be just fine without us cramming our opinions down their throats. Read this excerpt from Romans 3:

^"21But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, ²²even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all^[a] who believe. For there is no difference; ²³for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, ²⁶to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."

In verses 22-23, we are reminded: "For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Verse 26 points out that Jesus is the justifier of those who have faith in Him!

In God's eyes, our levels of sinfulness (high) and levels of worthiness (non-existent) are all the same---no matter how long we've walked with God! "For you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26-29).

Rather than focusing on others' specks, thorns, and thistles, let's focus on putting this last verse into practice with everyone around us---no matter how new they are to the faith: "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one." (Colossians 4:2-6)

This article was printed in The Christian Home magazine, Issue 47.

When Mommy Gets Sick --- Homemaking Link-Up Weekend

2012-01-26T19:44:00.000-08:00

Part of good homemaking involves delegation and training. Delegating (and rotating) chores so children can learn them, and training children in the proper way to do household tasks, really pays off on days like today!

I woke up early this morning to a full blown case of the flu! It's going on 16 hours now and I'm still feeling lousy!

What a blessing and a relief I felt when my husband said, "stay in bed---we'll handle it!" I'm so thankful for my sweet kids who were so willing to help Dad pick up my slack.

My sweet husband had to leave for a couple hours to go pick up the company laptop so he could work from home tonight and take care of things. He even stopped by the store to grab me 7up, ice cream and chicken noodle soup!

Now that I think about it, being sick does have it's benefits!

A Mommy of Eight DOES Get Her Sleep --- and Quiet Time Too!

2012-01-19T06:20:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone! It's the weekend again---Woo Hoo! Better still, it's time for another Homemaking Link-Up Weekend! Today I'm debunking the myth that a Mommy of little ones can never have her quiet time! Enjoy and please link-up your posts below! While this is called the Homemaking Link-Up Weekend, I'm pretty flexible...I just want you to come to my party! So, link-up and visit some of the other great bloggers who are partying with us this weekend! (Be sure to check out #8 with the George Washington picture...that's my 12 year old daughter, Lynzie! :)

Here's my cute button for you to display on your blog after you link up! (Or put it in your side bar as a reminder!) Continue reading for my contribution to this week's party:

One morning recently, I read a blog where the mother was giving advice on finding time to have Bible study or prayer time when one is the mother of little ones. Her suggestions included the idea that our quiet times were going to be short and interrupted often---and that we should learn to accept that as a mother's lot. While I agree that a mother probably doesn't get as much alone time as she likely desires, I think this is an area where mothers can easily train their children to obey and respect her time. We are not at the mercy of our children's desires but, instead, they will benefit tremendously from learning self-control for the sake of others.

A couple of years ago, after dealing with feelings of frustration over my children waking us up as early as 5:00 am some mornings (thus thwarting any chance at quiet time with God--or, just, SLEEP!), I decided that this was an area that needed training and discipline.

I bought digital alarm clocks for each of the kids' rooms. I set them to go off at 7:00 a.m. and showed them what 7:00 looked like. I told the kids that they may not get out of bed or make any noise at all until 7:00. I told them that if they were still asleep at 7:00, then the alarm would go off and they could all get up and get ready for breakfast. On nights when we are not planning on doing formal school the next day, I don't turn on their alarms but, instead, tell them they have to stay in bed and be quiet until I come and get them. (Let me just add here that this works for my children ages 4 and older. I have three in the house right now that are two and under and they still like to wake up and babble! Babbling is something I can doze or read through. Screaming sword fights and shouts of victory on the other side of the wall are not as easy.)

I set my alarm clock for 6:00 a.m. so I'm at least promised an hour. Often times, the baby wakes me up closer to 5:00 a.m. for her morning feeding and I'm able to have time with God, read the Bible, check emails, etc. while I'm feeding her and afterward until 7:00. On non-school mornings, I don't set the alarm but let the baby wake me instead. I can have my alone time and then rest a little longer if I need it. The kids might end up staying in bed until 8:00 a.m. on non-school days but they've all got their books right there from the night before so they can use that time for reading time, if they wish.

This has worked really well for our family for the past couple of years. The clocks are also handy at nighttime when the kids have been tucked in and are having reading time. I go in and tuck them in at a time that works for me---after I get all the babies to bed---and tell them to turn off their lights at a certain time. They quietly read until that time (it varies depending on what is going on the next day) and then they turn off their lamps and go to sleep.

Not only does this training in "when to get up" help me have my morning time with God or with myself, but it teaches the children respect for the rest of the family. Ours is a family of 10 and Daddy works until 1:30 am---then he comes home and either does his college homework or works on web design jobs until 3 or 4 am. This is a way the kids can show their appreciation and respect for the hard work their Daddy does for them and me.

Of course, I agree that it's important to do what works for one's own family---and it's important to incorporate your Bible study into the reality of Mommyhood---but there are also times when we need to be alone with God. What if we need to pray about something that the kids should have no knowledge of? What if God wants to really show us something profound that will take a little time to process at the time he is revealing it? We need to make these times ALONE as much as possible and there's no reason why we can't train our children to obey during our morning time (or evening time---whatever), just like we teach them to obey in other areas of the daily routine. It's just another child-training time.

Would you like to participate in the party each week but just can't remember to link up? There's a couple things I can do to help you out with that! First, there's a cute button at the top of my sidebar that you can put on your blog to serve as a reminder for you---and an advertisement for me! Secondly, I can send you an email reminder! I send out a short email to participants who've requested one on Wednesday nights to remind everyone about the party. Please let me know in the comments below if you'd like me to do that for you!

I'd love to have you link up your homemaking posts below! Hope you have a GREAT weekend!

Also linking with:

The Homemaker's Trap

2012-01-18T08:08:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 14:1: "The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands."

I've heard this verse a zillion times and have always agreed with the "yeah, whatever" general meaning of it. However, tonight I was reading through Proverbs and stopped on this one to really think about how this plays out in real life---how have I pulled down my house with my hands?

Any time we deliberately cause strife and negativity in our homes, we are pulling them down with our hands. Your mother, like mine, may have taught you that the woman sets the tone for the home. Boy howdy, it's the truth: If mama ain't happy--ain't NObody happy! (This is because we, unfortunately and immaturely, make sure that everyone around us knows that there's a problem---and then we expect them to read our minds and fix it. ...But that's another post...)

One way we can pull down our homes is by sabotaging our good times together as a family. What? You've never done this? Well, perhaps you should be writing this article! Oftentimes, and especially with those of us who have gone through times when we were abandoned or lied to, we tend to deliberately (even if not totally consciously) put a damper on a happy day---for fear that something else will happen to ruin it---something that we had no control over. We rationalize this behavior by thinking that we just can't handle the rejection or hurt that would come from something or someone else messing up a good time, so we decide to mess it up first so we have control over how that happens.

My mom has a saying that goes something like, "Never be afraid to pick a flower, just because you know it will wither." I can't tell you how many times I've heard that---but never really "got it" until I was an adult. Ladies, do we really want to run from all the wonderful blessings that life has to offer, just because we're afraid of the bad things that WILL happen in between? We've only got a short time here---let's enjoy every minute!

Another way in which we often pull down our homes is in the times that we refuse to face the problems in our lives because of fear or laziness---or both! What happens when your kid starts to throw a tantrum in the Walmart check out? Are you afraid of what people with think of your discipline? Instead of taking care of the problem, do you ignore him in order to appear to be a "good mommy" who is "nice" to her children by not walloping them in public? Are you sick of dealing with him so you ignore his behavior and stand there texting your friend/husband/mother about how bad this day is?

Proverbs 13:24 says, "He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly."

Why allow your child to develop bad character by giving him chance after chance to obey? Each chance leading up to the "last straw" is an opportunity to rebel, disrespect, and snub authority. When your mama said, "I'm doing this for your own good", there was truth to that! A parent who is concerned for her child's future will take the initiative and responsibility NOW. She will mold that character in the ways of God and correct wrong behavior. Do this--- while it's still something as simple as dealing with whining for the strategically-placed candy bars at the check out!

Thirdly, a foolish woman pulls down her house by allowing a lack of order and a lack of planning to create a stressful atmosphere in her home.

When there are no meals planned then mother, father or children are scrambling to find something to eat and it usually ends up being something unhealthy. Family meal times are missed out on as each person is required to scavenger the cupboards for something edible and then go off to do his or her own thing.

When there are no clean clothes, or the clean laundry stays on the couch for days at a time, time is wasted trying to find something to wear and one might even resort to pulling dirty clothes out of the laundry basket just to put a decent outfit together.

When we wake up to a messy bedroom, a sink of dirty dishes, or an overflowing garbage can, it starts our day off on a negative note and makes us feel overwhelmed. When we go to bed looking at a dresser covered in clothes that need to be hung up or yesterday's evening snack dishes still sitting on the bedside table, it stresses us out and makes us feel guilty that we didn't do enough that day.

These issues of lack of order and lack of planning all come down to prioritizing our time. We need to be careful not to take on too many things that get in the way of our basic responsibilities. Do you find yourself working as hard as you can every day but still not getting it all done? If we are putting forth our best efforts each day, we should see progress and we should feel a sense of accomplishment for the things we succeeded at. If you are not feeling this, I encourage you to talk to God about what you can cut out of your life to make things run more smoothly.

God will give us the time we need to do the things He has called us to do. We will be able to do them well and with a peaceful spirit. If you are feeling overwhelmed, you've probably got some things in your life that God didn't approve. Ask Him what they are---He will be faithful to show you.

I'll be honest with you. I am a stay at home, homeschooling mom of eight children. In my heart, I believe that God's desire is for a married woman to be a homemaker and a mother, if God blesses her with children. However, I know this is not feasible for everyone and I know there are many homemakers out there who also work outside the home and love it. I know there are moms out there who sometimes feel torn between a job that they either want or need, and their home and children that they desire to give more attention to.

I am not about to tell you what God's will and purpose is for your life---that's between you and Him. What I know to be true is that any of us with a "house" has the opportunity to either build it up with good deeds and hard work or tear it down with laziness and negative attitudes. I challenge you to take some time sometime soon and evaluate how you are doing in this area.

Each one of us has room for improvement!

This article was featured in The Godly Home magazine.

Jan. 27th--Linking with:

Don't Misplace God's Glory

2012-01-15T19:22:00.000-08:00

You know on Charlotte's Web, at the end, when everyone is singing the praises of Wilbur the pig: "He's Some Terrific, Radiant, Humble, Thing-a-Majig Of a Pig"... Well, I was contemplating that song recently, and realized something. It's not the pig who is terrific, radiant, humble, for crying out loud---it's the spider!!! The pig did absolutely nothing to make himself praiseworthy---it was Charlotte, his spider friend, who used all her gifts and abilities to make him shine. Did anyone ever think to give glory to the spider? Nope, she just gave birth to her most magnificent masterpiece...and then died. Talk about humility...

So, it got me (eventually) thinking about Hebrews 11. In this chapter, we find the Hall of Faith...all the great men and women of renown and all their worthy accomplishments in the name of faith. Not to discount these honorable brothers and sisters in the faith---but don't we see some liars here? Some murderers? Adulterers? I mean, when we look really closely, the things that make these people worth remembering are all the things that the Lord did in their lives by His power and covenant with them. It is nothing that they did on their own. They would be unmentionable nobodies---runts doomed to death---if it weren't for the Lord.

Now, I don't want to make a big deal out of what is meant to be an innocent and lighthearted story, I'm just using Wilbur's tale as an example. We are warned about this practice of giving glory where glory isn't due in Romans 1:25 where Paul mentions the people "who exchanged the truth for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever."

Sometimes God's glory can be misplaced and misunderstood. The Lord does wonderful things through us and, often times, those around us see these wonderful things and begin to think highly of us. It's fine for us to talk up our spouses or brag on our kids---as long as we ultimately give the glory back to God. It can be something as simple as replacing, "My husband is so awesome. He found this great job and is the best employee on his team," with something like this: "God is so awesome! He blessed my husband with this great job and has helped him become a valuable member of his team."

Our family struggles with receiving misplaced glory a lot. Our kids are well-behaved and converse well and politely with people of any age. My husband and I love each other and are one another's best friend---and it shows. Our home is clean and welcoming. Sometimes we feel like Wilbur, as those who see us from the outside tell us how great we are. We have a responsibility to give that glory back to God, as we would have nothing and be nothing if it weren't for God's blessings in our lives. Blessings we've done nothing to earn---but blessings, nonetheless.

I'm sure that many honorees in God's "Hall of Faith" would not have ever imagined that they would be known in history as faithful, loyal, Godly men and women. Paul also tells us in Romans 3:23 that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Even though we all mess up and find ourselves in less-than-honorable situations, isn't it wonderful that we have the opportunity to ask Jesus to cover us, restore us and set us up in His Hall of Faith as well!

From now on, when I think of these "great men and women of faith", I'll remember that they are only known as "great" because of the One who lives in them---the only true Great One, Jesus!

This post was published in Issue #45 of The Christian Home magazine.

(1/18) Linking With:

Chasing Mona Lisa Book Tour

2012-01-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

I have to start out this review by saying that I really, really wanted to love this book! I love reading about art history, scandals involving art, etc. I REALLY love to read about history in general. This book had a lot of great historical facts and scenarios---it was obviously very well researched.

Unfortunately, I was not at all prepared for the amount of violence and graphic descriptions of gory murders there is to be found in this book. As a Christian, I am very careful to guard my mind and heart against evil that is meant to be entertaining. Of course I am aware of the reality of all the horrible scenarios described in this story, but if I am going to spend my time reading, I want to fill my mind with pleasant images as much as possible. Had I known the graphic descriptions of death and sexual imagery that I would be exposed to, I never would have requested this book. I think that, especially being a Christian publisher, some sort of warning/disclaimer should be noted in books that would be considered disturbing by many.

That said, there are others, I'm sure, who can handle these things better than I. If you are one who can look past these sorts of disturbing things and enjoy the heart of the story, than I'd suggest picking this one up and trying it for yourself. You will learn a lot about the resistance underground during World War II, as well as art history.

Notes from the publisher:

"One enigmatic smile. Two passionate protectors. And a
relentlessly ticking clock.

August 1944. Paris is on the cusp of liberation. As the soldiers of the
Third Reich flee the Allied advance, they ravage the country and steal
countless pieces of irreplaceable art. In fact, Reichsmarschall
Hermann Göring will stop at nothing to claim the most valuable one
of all—the Mona Lisa—as a postwar bargaining chip.

But the woman with the mysterious smile has some very determined
protectors. Can Swiss OSS agents Gabi Mueller and Eric Hofstadler
rescue Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece before it falls into German
hands?

With nonstop action and intrigue, Chasing Mona Lisa is sure to get
your adrenaline pumping as you join the chase to save the most
famous painting in the world. From war-ravaged Paris to a posh Swiss
chateau, the race is on--and the runners are playing for keeps."

Tricia Goyer is the coauthor of The Swiss
Courier as well as the author of many other
books, including Night Song and Dawn of a
Thousand Nights, both past winners of the
ACFW's Book of the Year Award for Long
Historical Romance. Goyer lives with her
family in Arkansas.

Mike Yorkey is the author or coauthor of
dozens of books, including The Swiss Courier
and the bestselling Every Man's Battle series.
Married to a Swiss native, Yorkey lived in
Switzerland for 18 months. He and his family
currently reside in California.

“Available January 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Kids' First Stitches Display Project

2012-01-14T15:21:00.001-08:00

This year's Christmas was a crafty Christmas at our house. Each of the older kids (5 to 11) asked for different items for crafting. Lynzie, 11, received some supplies for ribbon embroidery, a book on how to make stuffed animals from the Peter Rabbit series, and a bunch of yarn and Aida cloth for various projects.

Cainan, 7, really wanted to learn to cross stitch so he got a starter box of needed things for that. Elisha, 8, has been begging me to teach him to sew, so he got a box of sewing supplies and a promise to raid my box of scraps. I wanted to teach Selah, 5, to stitch a straight line, so we got her a small sewing kit as well.

Here is Selah working on her first stitching project! I drew lines on a piece of cloth and she stitched along each one of them. After that, I wrote her name and she stitched over that too! She has really enjoyed practicing on her little pieces of cloth---the other day she taught herself to sew on a button!

I used the same idea with Elisha. He stitches like a pro now!

After Elisha finished his first little sampler, he was ready to move on to making a pillow! This has been a dream of his for most of this last year! I'll post pictures when he gets all done with it.

My husband, Jamie, bought me this pretty scrapbooking paper for Christmas---it's Victorian themed. I made this display to show off the kids' hard work and stitched the words, "First Stitches" along the bottom. You can click on the picture to see it more closely. I plan on using this paper in several projects this winter and spring, as I transition our home out of Christmas decorations!

Linking with:

Show Off Your Cottage Monday @ The House in the Roses

Wrapping Up Christmas -- Homemaking Link-Up Weekend

2012-01-12T21:45:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm a little later than usual this year, but I think it's about time I put away our Christmas decorations! While it was a great Christmas, I still regret that it went by so quickly and I wish we would have stressed less and enjoyed more!

There were a few things that I had taken photos of in December and had planned to feature here but never did get to it...so, I thought I'd do that today for the Homemaking Link-Up Weekend!

My Mom bought me this gorgeous teapot when we went for our annual Christmas shopping day the weekend after Thanksgiving. I love it---thanks, Mom!

Mom also gave me my great grandma's neat vintage tree and deer. I'd love to find more in this set!

Here's all the family (except Liam who was napping) after they'd completed the annual gingerbread house!

Dad got pretty creative this year with his decorating ideas! Love it!

Would you like to participate in the party each week but just can't remember do link up? There's a couple things I can do to help you out with that! First, there's a cute button at the top of my sidebar that you can put on your blog to serve as a reminder for you---and an advertisement for me! Secondly, I can send you an email reminder! I send out a short email to participants who've requested one on Wednesday nights to remind everyone about the party. Please let me know in the comments below if you'd like me to do that for you!

I'd love to have you link up your homemaking posts below! Hope you have a GREAT weekend!

Also linking with:

Beverly's Pink Saturday

The Gospel Story Book Book Tour

2012-01-12T08:42:00.000-08:00

Today's Wild Card author is:

Marty Machowski

Illustrated by:

A. E. Macha

and the book:

The Gospel Story Bible:

Discovering Jesus in the Old and New Testaments

New Growth Press (December 5, 2011)

***Special thanks to Audra Jennings – The B&B Media Group – for sending me a review copy.***

My Review: Our family is planning to use this book in our daily devotions with Dad---now that we are finished with our Christmas study. We are excited to go through it. I love the unique illustrations and the writings I've skimmed seem to be Biblically sound. I think this will be a great study resource for our family!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marty Machowski is a Family Life Pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church, a Sovereign Grace Ministries church in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, where he has served on the pastoral staff for twenty-three years. Marty leads Promise Kingdom, the children’s ministry of Covenant Fellowship. He is also the author of Long Story Short: Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God and the forthcoming Gospel Story Sunday school curriculum. He and his wife Lois and their six children reside in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Visit the author's Facebook Page.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:

I have never been the best at anything. This has given me the freedom to really enjoy alot of things; perfection is not on the line. So my drawing is not clean, my patchwork corners don’t really match up, and my cooking is always an adventure. I was raised by a single mom who has an exhausting amount of creative energy. My brother and I were taught how to create our own entertainment and seek adventure in the everyday.

When I was in Jr High, both my parents remarried and let’s just say things have never been boring. A foster brother, two step sisters, and a half brother were added to the mix. I have aunts and uncles who have been beyond generous and helped raise me in many ways. I have been blessed to travel overseas and even live in Prague for six months. My dad and stepmom run a special needs home in Guatemala where I have spent time and really fallen in love with the culture. My brother and his wife run a shoe company out of Guatemala. Everywhere I have been, even a dirt floor hut in the hills of Guatemala, there has been art: design and color. I believe as humans we are created in the image of The Creator, and so we all have some creative effort to put forth.

I have a BFA in Illustration because after all the studio classes one takes to finish an Art Education degree, I found what I really like to do is draw. I doodle. Alot.

Presently, I am married with two little ones, living in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. I teach art part time at a sweet little christian school, grow tomatoes and beets, and sew or draw when I get the chance.

My first illustration project is coming out in the fall, 156 illustrated Bible stories in the “Gospel Story Bible” by Marty Machowski, published by New Growth Press.

Visit the illustrator's Website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Sometimes it’s easy to forget Jesus in the midst of frantic schedules, family squabbles and conflicting priorities. For many Christians, God often becomes little more than an afterthought after days absorbed and depleted by the busyness of life. But the truth is that he is the hero of every story—including the mundane, ordinary ones we experience on a regular basis. That is why Marty Machowski beckons families to take time out from the daily grind to be transformed by the message of the Good News in his latest release, The Gospel Story Bible: Discovering Jesus in the Old and New Testaments (New Growth Press, November 2011).

Based on the ESV Bible, this uniquely illustrated Bible storybook uses 156 stories to present God’s plan of salvation in Christ from its opening narrative in Genesis to its finale in Revelation. This easy-to-read storybook written for children from preschool to high school introduces readers to many captivating people, places and events from the Bible’s Old and New Testaments. At the same time, Machowski skillfully connects the individual stories to the overall gospel narrative of how God redeemed a broken world through sending his son Jesus to save his people. Each story ends by connecting to Jesus and his gospel of grace. By sharing these Bible stories with each other, young and old will learn together the life-changing habit of recognizing the presence and workings of Christ in every moment of their day.

“The gospel is deep enough to keep the oldest and wisest parents learning and growing all their lives, yet simple enough to change the heart of the first grader who has just begun to read,” says Machowski. “That’s what makes The Gospel Story Bible ideal as a storybook for a preschooler, a devotional for a grade school student, a refresher for the adult believer or an introduction for the new one. Parents and children will learn together to read the whole Bible as one story, with one hero—Jesus Christ.”

Vibrant illustrations by A. E. Macha, child-friendly discussion questions and Scripture references accompany each story to help lead families in exploring the Bible. Parents and teachers will be delighted to discover how easily even a young child can understand the original text of a story that he or she has already come to love. A companion to the family devotional Long Story Short: Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God and the soon-to-be-released Gospel Story Sunday school curriculum (February 2012), The Gospel Story Bible is also a great resource for churches, Sunday school classes, home-schoolers and Christian schools who want to teach their children to apply the gospel to every situation and make Jesus the most important part of their everyday lives.

Product Details:

List Price: $29.99
Hardcover: 328 pages
Publisher: New Growth Press (December 5, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1936768127
ISBN-13: 978-1936768127

AND NOW...Some Sample Pages (click images to see them larger):

The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher --- Book Review

2012-01-10T20:44:00.000-08:00

I am on page 46 of this book and I am stopping. I normally don't review books that I haven't read, but I was given a free copy of this by the publisher in exchange for a review so I will post my thoughts on the first 46 pages.

Overall, my impression of the book is that it has the potential to be middle-of-the-road Amish fiction if it wasn't written so carelessly. It's 10:00 p.m., I'm exhausted after a long day and dozing off while reading, and I'm still catching error after error. Surely a paid editor would pay close enough attention to the story to find the things I'm finding in my state of semi-consciousness! Also, there are several details that are inconsistent with most Amish practices that make the characters seem less than authentic.

First of all, on page 21, Sadie "cut the last piece of gingerbread", leaving the plate now empty. If one were to cut the last piece, there would actually be two pieces because the last piece had been cut. It makes more sense to say that Sadie, "took the last piece of gingerbread."

On page 33, "croppy" should be "crappie" since they are discussing fishing. A "croppy" is a late 18th Century term for an Irish insurrectionist.

On page 46, there is an incident mentioned about M.K. having "long conversations" with a dog that had a walkie-talkie hidden under his collar. How could M.K. have a two-way conversation over a walkie-talkie if she was not holding down the button on the device when talking back?

Concerning practices inconsistent with the majority of Amish communities, I understand that each community has it's own rules and some are stricter than others. However, it would lend a good deal of credence to Fisher's claim to knowledge of the Amish ways if she prefaced some out-of-the-norm things by saying something like, "even though many communities did not accept the use of _______, Julia's bishop had granted the local families permission to __________________."

For instance, the Lapp's refrigerator is a subject of much talk in these early pages. Since most Amish shun electricity, it would be wise for Fisher to either use some sort of explanatory sentence as I've suggested above or to just make it an ice box and eliminate the seemingly inconsistent idea. Another option would be for Fisher to explain that it is a gas-powered refrigerator. I suppose this may seem petty, but it's distracting...or maybe I'm just in a "mood". :)

Another thing that didn't fit with Amish customs, was the fact that everyone in Julia's life seemed to know about her relationship with Paul. It is very common for an "engaged" couple to keep their upcoming wedding plans a secret from even the closest family members until shortly before the wedding when their intentions are "published" for all the community to see. Not only did Julia's sister, Sadie, know about her "boyfriend", her little sister M.K. and her father knew as well. Then, to make it even less believable, Uncle Hank mentioned it when he came to visit.

I will also note that I had my suspicions about this story from the first time I saw the heavily made-up "Amish girl" on the cover. I suppose it's possible that the heavy eye makeup, blush and lipstick were okayed by her bishop. However, that is inconsistent with most Amish practices, and is actually inconsistent with the story itself. In the first couple of pages, this book's main character guiltily used a mirror to "vainly" check her face. Why would she feel so guilty about the vanity of checking herself in the mirror if she wore such a ridiculous amount of makeup to begin with?

As I said earlier, I really do think this book has the potential of being a moderately good Amish fiction story. It just needs some serious thought and care put into either explaining things that don't seem to line up, or researching the facts and writing truth. I've read a lot of Amish fiction and have studied the culture for about 10 years now. I'm no where near an expert, but I do feel like I'm wasting time with this story so I'll go ahead and find a new home for it.

Thank you to Baker Publishing Group for sending me a new copy to review. My opinions here are my own and have not been swayed by the fact that I was given a free copy of the book.

Suzanne is hosting a "honey of a giveaway"during the blog tour for The Keeper! During 1/3-1/17 you can enter to win an iPad2 from Suzanne and connect with her on January 17th at The Keeper Facebook Party!

During the giveaway one Grand Prize winner will receive a Prize Pack valued at $600:

A brand new 16 KB iPad 2 with Wi-Fi
A $25 gift certificate to iTunes
A copy of The Keeper

But wait there's more! Just click one of the icons below to enter, then on 1/17 join Suzanne for The Keeper Facebook Party! During the party Suzanne will announce the winner of the "Honey" of an iPad Giveaway and host a fun book chat and give away some fun "honey" inspired prizes - It'll be 'sweet"!

RSVP early and tell your friends!

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 17th!

Here's some information from the publisher:

"A family. A farm. A heart. All in need of repair. Life on Windmill Farm hasn't been the same since Julia Lapp's father has had trouble with his heart. But that doesn't stop Julia from hoping for a bright future. She has planned on marrying Paul Fisher since she was a girl. Now twenty-one, she looks forward to their wedding with giddy anticipation. But when Paul tells her he wants to postpone the
wedding--again--she is determined to change his mind. She knows who is to blame for Paul's sudden reluctance to wed: the Bee Man. Roman Troyer, the Bee Man, travels through the Amish communities
of Ohio and Pennsylvania with his hives full of bees, renting them out to farmers in need of pollinators. A mysterious man who relishes his nomadic life, Roman especially enjoys bringing his bees to Stoney
Ridge each year. But with Julia seriously at odds with him, Windmill Farm is looking decidedly less appealing. Can Julia secure the future she's always dreamed of? Or does God have something else in mind?"

Endorsements:

"The Keeper is a keeper. From a fabric of likable and original
characters, Suzanne has crafted a moving story of faith and loyalty, a
story of hope shining out of the darkest places. A captivating read."
--Dale Cramer, bestselling author, Levi's Will

Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Ritz Peanut Butter White Chocolate Cookies --- Homemaking Weekend Link-Up

2012-01-05T19:14:00.000-08:00

I'm making it short and sweet tonight because, honestly, I really just want to get out there and read whatever you've all got to share!

Here's one of our family's favorite Christmas cookies: the Ritz Cookie! I got this idea from my friend, Dawn, and they're so easy!

Just spread peanut butter between two Ritz crackers, dip in melted white chocolate (I use almond bark), and sprinkle with pretty colors! You're done! They set up in about 5 minutes and they're gone by bedtime....Ha!

Please feel free to link up your homemaking-related posts below! Do you need an email reminder? Let me know in the comments below and I'll send you a weekly reminder about our Homemaking Link-Up Weekend via email. (Please remember to add your email address if you want the reminder!!)

Also linking to:
My Romantic Home: Show and Tell Fridays
Beverly's Pink Saturday
Domestic Arts Monday at Vermont Sewing Cottage
Homemaking Link-up @ Raising Homemakers

Peaceful Changes

2012-01-04T14:37:00.000-08:00

A few days ago, I blogged about my New Year's Resolutions. I told you how my main goal this year is to not do things that I don't want to do. Of course, we all know that this is an impossible task, but let me clarify:

I, like most well-meaning women, have a tendency to take on way too much more than I can handle. In my effort to do all the things I think God wants me to do, I end up doing a lot of things that he doesn't want me to do and I put off the things that he really does want me to do. (Does this remind anyone of a Bible passage? Romans 7:15, perhaps?)

This year, I'm resolving to stick to the plan: God's plan.

God has created me to be a wife and a mother. He has called me to homemaking and homeschooling. He is encouraging me to prepare healthy meals for my family, to keep my home clean and beautiful, and to use the knowledge, creativity, and talents that he has given me to bless my husband and children.

God usually uses the Godly people in our lives to help encourage us in our walk with Him. I have been blessed to find Godly counsel right here in my own home. First and foremost, my husband is more than happy to help me find direction and steer me clear of things that would distract me from God's priorities for me. Just yesterday he helped me out of an overwhelming task that I had taken on without first consulting neither the Lord nor him.

Secondly, God has led me to some very inspiring bloggers who have been springboards for positive changes. You will see some of them listed on my sidebar under "Blogs That Inspire Me to Greatness".

Mrs. Jennie Chancey of Sense and Sensibility Patterns gave me the idea to honor my marriage by using my married "title", Mrs. Sarah Coller. Another thing I did to honor my husband's name was to buy napkins monogrammed with a letter C at Christmas time.

This morning, I read a post by Darlene of Time-Warp Wife on boosting self-discipline. One really great tip that I implemented today with great success, was to put a notepad and pen in my apron pocket for writing down notes throughout the day. It really helped me not to stress out this morning as I came across things I keep forgetting to do---I just wrote them down and put them out of my mind! My husband said this would serve to help me not get distracted as well. I can continue with the task I'm on and just make a note to do the "distraction" later.

A third blog is my most favorite blog of all, The Legacy of Home. I value that blog so much that I've made it my homepage! Just about every morning, I wake up to Mrs. White's encouraging wisdom regarding running the kind of home that I desire and being the wife and mother that I want to be. I've taken a couple of her ideas for making my kitchen a place that I desire to work in. I recently rearranged my counters to make room for a pretty little lamp that I turn on in the evenings while I'm doing my kitchen work. I also asked my husband for, (and received!) a kitchen stereo for Christmas. Now I can listen to uplifting or soothing music while going about my kitchen responsibilities. It's getting to be a really relaxing place to be! Next, I'm going to make pretty tags for my canisters from the Victorian paper that Jamie got me for Christmas. Then I want to paint the antique dresser that I've got in there that is holding my aprons and other kitchen supplies. I even saw a blog recently where a girl had tole painted her microwave! Hmmm.....maybe!

A final change that is blessing our family is the changes we're making to our diet. My friend, Krystal from A Blessed Journey has been posting about some of the nutritious things she's been making her family and it's inspired us to get healthily creative in the kitchen too!

I hope you'll take the time to check out some of these blogs that I've mentioned here. Maybe you'll be inspired too!

I'm praying God's blessings on you and your family today!

New Year Goals & Homemaking Link-Up!

2011-12-30T18:14:00.000-08:00

Do you have any goals for this new year? I have quite a few but, above all else, my main goal is to not do things that I don't really want to do or that I know I don't have the time to do. I want this to be a "no-obligation" year. An obligation is different than a responsibility in this sense. An obligation, as I'm referring to it, is something that I shouldn't have gotten myself into but, since I've gotten myself into it, I feel obligated to follow through. I want this to be a simple year. I need a simple life for a little bit! :)

Here are some of my goals for this new year. Please scroll down to join weekend Homemaking Link-up!

Relational Goals

*Walk With Jesus*

1. Work Through Elizabeth Prentiss Study

2. Work through Proverbs---my notes on it’s wisdom for women

3. Prepare for my turn to teach Women’s Sunday School weeks ahead of time

4. Spend time with God out of desire, not out of guilt

5. Listen to praise/worship music on my NEW stereo while doing kitchen chores

*Marriage*

1. Remember that Jamie desires a sweet spirit above anything else

2. Ask what the needs are instead of assuming---his expectations of me are far simpler than what I think they are!

3. Pray for his goals: weight loss, finishing Bachelors Degree this fall, looking for long-term work

*Children*

1. Homeschool consistently Jan-May; take short summer break; continue Aug-Nov

2. Prepare L, M, E for standardized testing this year; follow through on testing whether it’s “their year” or not

3. Be very choosy about outside activities; instead, focus more on building solid characters and obedience training at home :)

*Friends*

1. No obligation friendships: schedule “friend time” when and if it works for our family and stop feeling guilty when it doesn’t! :)

*Ministry*

1. Remember that my ministry is my family. Anything else is extra and not mandatory.

2. Prepare for ministry commitments in a timely manner. Study and prepare Women’s Sunday School lessons and Bible Study lessons before the night before.

3. This year I will serve on the Women’s Ministry board at our church. Remember that this is, for me, a no-obligation ministry. I will serve when I can and when it works well for my family.

Hobby/Creativity Goals

*Writing*

1. Submit at least one blog post a week to Christian Home online magazine---I’m already an established contributor there.

2. Consider whether I have the time to pursue other freelance opportunities and possibly do so.

3. Continue with my blog, posting at least twice weekly. Bring followers up to 300 by the end of the year.

*Etsy*

1. Continue adding crafty items and vintage/antique items.

2. Try to phase out candy sales until the holiday season comes again as it’s too big a temptation to have in the house.

*Sewing*

1. Really focus on finishing up projects I’ve started and using up my stash. Some ideas include: marble bags, crazy quilts

*Crafting*

1. Work on using up stash.

2. Host a CTMH party in early spring.

3. Refine the art of the ATC! :)

*Musical*

1. Decide which instrument of my 3 that I want to learn first: Celtic Harp, Cello, A/E guitar? I think I’m leaning toward Celtic Harp.

2. Patiently accept Jamie’s help in learning it!

3. Establish routine of singing hymns with kids before bed.

*Reading*

1. Read 50 books.

2. Be more involved in BookCrossing.

3. Read regularly with the kids.

Homemaking Goals

*Home *

1. Plan meals and grocery lists several days before shopping trip.

2. Reassign chores to distribute the work a little better.

3. Continue working on my kitchen to make it a more pleasant place to work.

4. Focus more on healthy homemade recipes.

5. Shabby-Chic my piano and hutch. Do a good job so Jamie will let me do my dining room table and matching hutch too! Also want to do the antique dressers in my kitchen and bedroom.

6. Plant vegetables and flowers this spring.

7. Buy a red geranium and put it in a green pot for my porch chair.

Health Goals

*Physical*

1. Drink plenty of water daily.

2. Set up small challenges for myself and reward myself when I accomplish them.

3. Ride my bike when weather is nice.

4. Go for walks…by myself and with family.

What are some of your 2012 goals? Please join me this week by linking up your homemaking-related posts! *****Do you need an email reminder? Let me know in the comments below and I'll send you a weekly reminder about our Homemaking Link-Up Weekend via email. (Please remember to add your email address if you want the reminder!!)*****

Also linking to:

Beverly's Pink Saturday
L.A.C.E. Wednesday
Encourage One Another Link-up

Mercy Come Morning by Lisa Tawn Bergren --- Book Review

2011-12-29T09:46:00.000-08:00

Today's Wild Card author is:

Lisa T. Bergren

and the book:

Mercy Come Morning

WaterBrook Press; Reprint edition (August 16, 2011)

***Special thanks to Laura Tucker of WaterBrook Press for sending me a review copy.***

My Review: I did not finish this book. I read about 80 pages and decided to stop. It wasn't that it was necessarily bad writing---it was more that it just wasn't holding my attention. About 50 pages in, I felt like I was continuing more out of obligation rather than interest.

The story seemed to be predictable and the characters seemed to be stereotypical. Dane was too nice, too good to be true. There's a part where he tells Krista he was "with someone" on the last two Christmases and she feels a little jealousy in her heart. I bet you a million bucks that he was with her mother, rather than some other woman. It's just one of those stories where you can already predict the ending and the reasons for things---but you read it to see how things play out. I guess I just didn't feel tied enough to the characters to want to finish it up.

I think that this book would really speak to the heart of someone who has or has had a loved one with Alzheimers Disease. I have never experienced this in the life of anyone I know but I think that, if I had that tie, I'd have related much more to Krista and the other characters and probably would have finished.

This is the first adult book by Bergren I've read. I will look out for more of hers, though, as it's possible this was just an exception based on my own preferences.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

LISA BERGREN is the best-selling, award-winning author of more than thirty books, with more than two million copies sold. A former publishing executive, she now splits her time working as a freelance editor and writer while parenting three children with her husband, Tim, and dreaming of the family’s next visit to Taos.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

There are no second chances. Or are there?

Krista Mueller is in a good place. She’s got a successful career as a professor of history; she’s respected and well-liked; and she lives hundreds of miles from her hometown and the distant mother she could never please. It’s been more than a decade since Alzheimer’s disease first claimed Charlotte Mueller’s mind, but Krista has dutifully kept her mother in a first-class nursing home.

Now Charlotte is dying of heart failure and, surprised by her own emotions, Krista rushes to Taos, New Mexico, to sit at her estranged mother’s side as she slips away. Battling feelings of loss, abandonment, and relief, Krista is also unsettled by her proximity to Dane McConnell, director of the nursing home—and, once upon a time, her first love. Dane’s kind and gentle spirit—and a surprising discovery about her mother—make Krista wonder if she can at last close the distance between her and her mother … and open the part of her heart she thought was lost forever.

“A timeless tale, to be kept every day in the heart as a reminder
that forgiveness is a gift to self.”
—PATRICIA HICKMAN, author of The Pirate Queen

Product Details:

List Price: $13.99
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press; Reprint edition (August 16, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0307730107
ISBN-13: 978-0307730107

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

“She’s dying, Krista.”

I took a long, slow breath. “She died a long time ago, Dane.”

He paused, and I could picture him formulating his next words, something that would move me. Why was my relationship with my mother so important to him? I mean, other than the fact that she was a patient in his care. “There’s still time, Kristabelle.”

I sighed. Dane knew that his old nickname for me always got to me. “For what? For long, deep conversations?” I winced at the harsh slice of sarcasm in my tone.

“You never know,” he said quietly. “An aide found something you should see.”

“What?”

“Come. I’ll keep it here in my office until you arrive. Consider it a Christmas present.”

“It’s December ninth.”

“Okay, consider it an early present.”

It was typical of him to hold out a mysterious hook like that. “I don’t know, Dane. The school term isn’t over yet. It’s a hard time to get someone to cover for me.” It wasn’t the whole truth. I had an assistant professor who could handle things on her own. And I could get back for finals. Maybe. Unless Dane wasn’t overstating the facts.

“Krista. She’s dying. Her doctor tells me she has a few weeks, tops. Tell your department chair. He’ll let you go. This is the end.” I stared out my cottage window to the old pines that covered my yard in shadows. The end. The end had always seemed so far away. Too far away. In some ways I wanted an end to my relationship with my mother, the mother who had never loved me as I longed to be loved. When she started disappearing, with her went so many
of my hopes for what could have been. The road to this place had been long and lonely. Except for Dane. He had always been there, had always waited. I owed it to him to show. “I’ll be there on Saturday.”

“I’ll be here. Come and find me.”

“Okay. I teach a Saturday morning class. I can get out of here after lunch and down there by five or six.”

“I’ll make you dinner.”

“Dane, I—”

“Dinner. At seven.”

I slowly let my mouth close and paused. I was in no mood to argue with him now. “I’ll meet you at Cimarron,” I said.
“Great. It will be good to see you, Kristabelle.” I closed my eyes, imagining him in his office at Cimarron Care Center. Brushing his too-long hair out of his eyes as he looked through his own window.

“It will be good to see you, too, Dane. Good-bye.”

He hung up then without another word, and it left me feeling slightly bereft. I hung on to the telephone receiver as if I could catch one more word, one more breath, one more connection with the man who had stolen my heart at sixteen.

Dane McConnell remained on my mind as I wrapped up things at the college, prepped my assistant, Alissa, to handle my history classes for the following week, and then drove the scenic route down to Taos from Colorado Springs, about a five-hour trip. My old Honda Prelude hugged the roads along the magnificent San Luis Valley. The valley’s shoulders were still covered in late spring snow, her belly carpeted in a rich, verdant green. It was here that in 1862 Maggie O’Neil single-handedly led a wagon train to settle a town in western Colorado, and nearby Cecilia Gaines went so
crazy one winter they named a waterway in her honor—“Woman Hollering Creek.”

I drove too fast but liked the way the speed made my scalp tingle when I rounded a corner and dipped, sending my stomach flying. Dane had never driven too fast. He was methodical in everything he did, quietly moving ever forward. He had done much in his years since grad school, establishing Cimarron and making it a national think tank for those involved in gerontology. After high school we had essentially ceased communication for years before Cimarron came about. Then when Mother finally got to the point in her descent into Alzheimer’s that she needed fulltime institutionalized care, I gave him a call. I hadn’t been able to find a facility that I was satisfied with for more than a year, when a college friend had shown me the magazine article on the opening of Cimarron and its patron saint, Dane McConnell.

“Good looking and nice to old people,” she had moaned. “Why can’t I meet a guy like that?”

“I know him,” I said, staring at the black-and-white photograph.

“Get out.”

“I do. Or did. We used to be…together.”

“What happened?” she asked, her eyes dripping disbelief.

“I’m not sure.”

I still wasn’t sure. Things between us had simply faded over the years. But when I saw him again, it all seemed to come back. Or at least a part of what we had once had. There always seemed to be a submerged wall between us, something we couldn’t quite bridge or blast through. So we had simply gone swimming toward different shores.

Mother’s care had brought us back together over the last five years. With the congestive heart failure that was taking her body, I supposed the link between us would finally be severed. I would retreat to Colorado, and he would remain in our beloved Taos, the place of our youth, of our beginnings, of our hearts. And any lingering dream of living happily ever after with Dane McConnell could be buried forever with my unhappy memories of Mother.

I loosened my hands on the wheel, realizing that I was gripping

it so hard my knuckles were white. I glanced in the rearview mirror, knowing that my reverie was distracting me from paying attention to the road. It was just that Dane was a hard man to get over. His unique ancestry had gifted him with the looks of a Scottish Highlander and the sultry, earthy ways of the Taos Indians. A curious, inspiring mix that left him with both a leader’s stance and a wise man’s knowing eyes. Grounded but visionary. A driving force, yet empathetic at the same time. His employees loved working for him. Women routinely fell in love with him.

I didn’t know why I could never get my act together so we could finally fall in love and stay in love. He’d certainly done his part. For some reason I’d always sensed that Dane was waiting for me, of all people. Why messed-up, confused me? Yet there he was. I’d found my reluctance easy to blame on my mother. She didn’t love me as a mother should, yada-yada, but I’d had enough time with my counselor to know that there are reasons beyond her. Reasons that circle back to myself.

I’d always felt as if I was chasing after parental love, but the longer I chased it, the further it receded from my reach. It left a hole in my heart that I was hard-pressed to fill. God had come close to doing the job. Close. But there was still something there, another blockade I had yet to blast away. I would probably be working on my “issues” my whole life. But as my friend Michaela says, “Everyone’s got issues.” Supposedly I need to embrace them. I just want them to go away.

“Yeah,” I muttered. Dane McConnell was better off without me. Who needed a woman still foundering in her past?

I had to focus on Mother. If this was indeed the end, I needed to wrap things up with her. Find closure. Some measure of peace. Even if she couldn’t say the words I longed to hear.

I love you, Krista.

Why was it that she had never been able to force those four words from her lips?

Excerpted from Mercy Come Morning by Lisa Tawn Bergren Copyright © 2011 by Lisa Tawn Bergren. Excerpted by permission of WaterBrook Press, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

A Sound Among the Trees Book Review

2011-12-27T15:40:00.000-08:00

Today's Wild Card author is:

Susan Meissner

and the book:

A Sound Among the Trees

WaterBrook Press (October 4, 2011)

***Special thanks to Laura Tucker of WaterBrook Press for sending me a review copy.***

My Review: I really did enjoy this book! Anything having to do with old houses, family secrets, history... How great to find a book with all these elements that doesn't contain some sort of horribly illicit affair, murder or profanity. The only part of the book that I didn't particularly find fascinating was the last few pages as everything is "wrapped up". It seemed sort of hurried and "wrapped up" too nicely. I also didn't like that they decided to show Carson the journals. It didn't seem to fit with the idea of them all starting over in a new place with out the "ghost" of Sara still lingering. All in all, though, it was an excellent offering from one of my favorite authors and will go into my permanent collection.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Award-winning writer Susan Meissner is a multi-published author, speaker and workshop leader with a background in community journalism. Her novels include The Shape of Mercy, named by Publishers Weekly as one of the Best Books of 2008. She is a pastor’s wife and a mother of four. When she's not writing, Susan directs the Small Groups and Connection Ministries program at her San Diego church.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

A house shrouded in time. A line of women with a heritage of loss. As a young bride, Susannah Page was rumored to be a Civil War spy for the North, a traitor to her Virginian roots. Her great-granddaughter Adelaide, the current matriarch of Holly Oak, doesn't believe that Susannah's ghost haunts the antebellum mansion looking for a pardon, but rather the house itself bears a grudge toward its tragic past.

When Marielle Bishop marries into the family and is transplanted from the arid west to her husband's home, it isn't long before she is led to believe that the house she just settled into brings misfortune to the women who live there.

With Adelaide's richly peppered superstitions and deep family roots at stake, Marielle must sort out the truth about Susannah Page and Holly Oak— and make peace with the sacrifices she has made for love.

Product Details:

List Price: $14.99
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press (October 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0307458857
ISBN-13: 978-0307458858

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Excerpt

The bride stood in a circle of Virginia sunlight, her narrow heels clicking on Holly Oak’s patio stones as she greeted strangers in the receiving line. Her wedding dress was a simple A-line, strapless, with a gauzy skirt of white that breezed about her knees like lacy curtains at an open window. She had pulled her unveiled brunette curls into a loose arrangement dotted with tiny flowers that she’d kept alive on her flight from Phoenix. Her only jewelry was a white topaz pendant at her throat and the band of platinum on her left ring finger. Tall, slender, and tanned from the famed and relentless Arizona sun, hers was a girl-nextdoor look: pretty but not quite beautiful. Adelaide thought it odd that Marielle held no bouquet.

From the parlor window Adelaide watched as her grandson-in-law, resplendent in a black tuxedo next to his bride, bent toward the guests and greeted them by name, saying, “This is Marielle.” An explanation seemed ready to spring from his lips each time he shook the hand of someone who had known Sara, her deceased granddaughter. His first wife. Carson stood inches from Marielle, touching her elbow every so often, perhaps to assure himself that after four years a widower he had indeed patently and finally moved on from grief.

Smatterings of conversations wafted about on the May breeze and into the parlor as received guests strolled toward trays of sweet tea and champagne. Adelaide heard snippets from her place at the window. Hudson and Brette, her great-grandchildren, had moved away from the snaking line of gray suits and pastel dresses within minutes of the first guests’ arrival and were now studying the flower-festooned gift table under the window ledge, touching the bows, fingering the silvery white wrappings. Above the children, an old oak’s youngest branches shimmied to the tunes a string quartet produced from the gazebo beyond the receiving line.

Adelaide raised a teacup to her lips and sipped the last of its contents, allowing the lemony warmth to linger at the back of her throat. She had spent the better part of the morning readying the garden for Carson and Marielle’s wedding reception, plucking spent geranium blossoms, ordering the catering staff about, and straightening the rented linen tablecloths. She needed to join the party now that it had begun. The Blue-Haired Old Ladies would be wondering where she was.

Her friends had been the first to arrive, coming through the garden gate on the south side of the house at five minutes before the hour. She’d watched as Carson introduced them to Marielle, witnessed how they cocked their necks in blue-headed unison to sweetly scrutinize her grandson-in-law’s new wife, and heard their welcoming remarks through the open window.

Deloris gushed about how lovely Marielle’s wedding dress was and what, pray tell, was the name of that divine purple flower she had in her hair?

Pearl invited Marielle to her bridge club next Tuesday afternoon and asked her if she believed in ghosts.

Maxine asked her how Carson and she had met—though Adelaide had told her weeks ago that Carson met Marielle on the Internet—and why on earth Arizona didn’t like daylight-saving time.

Marielle had smiled, sweet and knowing—like the kindergarten teacher who finds the bluntness of five-year-olds endearing—and answered the many questions.

Mojave asters. She didn’t know how to play bridge. She’d never encountered a ghost so she couldn’t really say but most likely not. She and Carson met online. There’s no need to save what one has an abundance of. Carson had cupped her elbow in his hand, and his thumb caressed the inside of her arm while she spoke.

Adelaide swiftly set the cup down on the table by the window, whisking away the remembered tenderness of that same caress on Sara’s arm.

Carson had every right to remarry.

Sara had been dead for four years.

She turned from the bridal tableau outside and inhaled deeply the gardenia-scented air in the parlor. Unbidden thoughts of her granddaughter sitting with her in that very room gently nudged her. Sara at six cutting out paper dolls. Memorizing multiplication tables at age eight. Sewing brass buttons onto gray wool coats at eleven. Sara reciting a poem for English Lit at sixteen, comparing college acceptance letters at eighteen, sharing a chance letter from her estranged mother at nineteen, showing Adelaide her engagement ring at twenty-four. Coming back home to Holly Oak with Carson when Hudson was born. Nursing Brette in that armchair by the fireplace. Leaning against the door frame and telling Adelaide that she was expecting her third child.

Right there Sara had done those things while Adelaide sat at the long table in the center of the room, empty now but usually awash in yards of stiff Confederate gray, glistening gold braid, and tiny piles of brass buttons—the shining elements of officer reenactment uniforms before they see war.

Adelaide ran her fingers along the table’s polished surface, the warm wood as old as the house itself. Carson had come to her just a few months ago while she sat at that table piecing together a sharpshooter’s forest green jacket. He had taken a chair across from her as Adelaide pinned a collar, and he’d said he needed to tell her something.

He’d met someone.

When she’d said nothing, he added, “It’s been four years, Adelaide.”

“I know how long it’s been.” The pins made a tiny plucking sound as their pointed ends pricked the fabric.

“She lives in Phoenix.”

“You’ve never been to Phoenix.”

“Mimi.” He said the name Sara had given her gently, as a father might. A tender reprimand. He waited until she looked up at him. “I don’t think Sara would want me to live the rest of my life alone. I really don’t. And I don’t think she would want Hudson and Brette not to have a mother.”

“Those children have a mother.”

“You know what I mean. They need to be mothered. I’m gone all day at work. I only have the weekends with them. And you won’t always be here. You’re a wonderful great-grandmother, but they need someone to mother them, Mimi.”

She pulled the pin cushion closer to her and swallowed. “I know they do.”

He leaned forward in his chair. “And I…I miss having someone to share my life with. I miss the companionship. I miss being in love. I miss having someone love me.”

Adelaide smoothed the pieces of the collar. “So. You are in love?”

He had taken a moment to answer. “Yes. I think I am.”

Carson hadn’t brought anyone home to the house, and he hadn’t been on any dates. But he had lately spent many nights after the children were in bed in his study—the old drawing room—with the door closed. When she’d pass by, Adelaide would hear the low bass notes of his voice as he spoke softly into his phone. She knew that gentle sound. She had heard it before, years ago when Sara and Carson would sit in the study and talk about their day. His voice, deep and resonant. Hers, soft and melodic.

“Are you going to marry her?”

Carson had laughed. “Don’t you even want to know her name?”

She had not cared at that moment about a name. The specter of being alone in Holly Oak shoved itself forward in her mind. If he remarried, he’d likely move out and take the children with him. “Are you taking the children? Are you leaving Holly Oak?”

“Adelaide—”

“Will you be leaving?”

Several seconds of silence had hung suspended between them. Carson and Sara had moved into Holly Oak ten years earlier to care for Adelaide after heart surgery and had simply stayed. Ownership of Holly Oak had been Sara’s birthright and was now Hudson and Brette’s future inheritance. Carson stayed on after Sara died because, in her grief, Adelaide asked him to, and in his grief, Carson said yes.

“Will you be leaving?” she asked again.

“Would you want me to leave?” He sounded unsure.

“You would stay?”

Carson had sat back in his chair. “I don’t know if it’s a good idea to take Hudson and Brette out of the only home they’ve known. They’ve already had to deal with more than any kid should.”

“So you would marry this woman and bring her here. To this house.”

Carson had hesitated only a moment. “Yes.”

She knew without asking that they were not talking solely about the effects moving would have on a ten-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl. They were talking about the strange biology of their grief. Sara had been taken from them both, and Holly Oak nurtured their common sorrow in the most kind and savage of ways. Happy memories were one way of keeping someone attached to a house and its people. Grief was the other. Surely Carson knew this. An inner nudging prompted her to consider asking him what his new bride would want.

“What is her name?” she asked instead.

And he answered, “Marielle…”

Excerpted from A Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner Copyright © 2011 by Susan Meissner. Excerpted by permission of WaterBrook Press, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

Our Day Today Homemaking Link-Up Weekend

2011-12-15T22:36:00.000-08:00

Have you entered my newest book giveaway?

Today, I thought I'd share with you all a little from a typical day at our house! There's always something fun and crafty going on around here---especially when we're taking a holiday break from our homeschool!

A few days ago, 5-year-old Selah surprised us all by sitting down and flawlessly playing, "Up On the Housetop"!

Her three oldest siblings have been taking piano lessons but we weren't planning on her having lessons for another few years!

Apparently, one of her big brothers took it upon himself to get her started. Now she's playing all kinds of things from her siblings' older books!

Kynthia Joy, who turned 4 months old on December 2nd, rolled over for the first time today!

We've all enjoyed playing with sweet Kynthia as she's starting to explore her home!

I made this yummy pasta dish for lunch. I am trying to use up the things we've got in our freezer and pantry this month and start the new year out with a newly-stocked kitchen so this was a hodge podge of ingredients that turned out really great! I'll try and put up the recipe later this week.

Yesterday, 11-year-old Lynzie made another cute rag doll. She has always been into the American Girl dolls and recently read about the 1856 doll, Kirsten, who had a little doll of her own named Sari.

Lynzie decided to make her own Sari doll and asked me to help with the hair since I'm not comfortable with her using a hot glue gun yet.

Here she is with her sweet new dolly. I'm so glad my young lady has retained her childlike spirit this far! While she could easily run this entire household, including care of the children, she still finds joy in childhood past times like dolls, dress-up and playing make-believe games with her younger siblings.

I've tried, on many occasions, to interest Lynzie in using my sewing machine, but she is more comfortable with her needle and thread.

Her hand-stitching rivals my machine stitches any day!

I think I did her hair pretty cute!

I hope everyone who celebrates is enjoying getting prepared for Christmas! I can't believe there's only 10 days left! I've got quite a bit of sewing to do myself this next week. Liam is getting a "big boy pillow" now that he's almost 2 so I'm sewing him a cute pillowcase with lions on it. Baby Kynthia is getting a quilt I'll make from pieces from my fabric stash and a Sunbonnet Sue block that was found in my grandmother's things after she passed away. I've gotten everyone marbles so I'm wanting to make them some simple felt bags to store them in and I have a canvas book bag to decorate for 2-year-old Avalon Grace. I think I'll use some of the printable fabric that Jamie got me for my birthday last year and find her some pretty vintage image to put on the front of the bag. She loves going to the library and will enjoy having her own special bag for books.

What kinds of special gifts are you giving to loved ones this year?

I'd love to have each one of you link-up with my Homemaking Link-Up Weekend this weekend! It's so fun to visit so many creative and encouraging bloggers! In fact, I'd like to introduce one of my favorite bloggers from last week's party: Shirley of Sweet Romantic Notions!

Shirley decorated this gorgeous silver tree with special handkerchiefs and handmade ornaments!


I was just really taken with the beauty of this tree and asked her if I could please, please share it with you all! If you've got a minute, stop over and visit Shirley at Sweet Romantic Notions and tell her you "met" her here!

I've just been so blessed this week as I've gone about making my home a happy and comfortable place to live! What sorts of things have you been doing around the home this week? Please, share below! Have a lovely weekend!

Also linking with:

Beverly's Pink Saturday
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Giveaway and Book Announcement: On the Path with God

2011-12-13T22:03:00.000-08:00

Notice Readers: I am giving away my review copy of this beautiful book! It will arrive to you in gift-giving condition and has a page in front for a gift message. In order to win, you must be a follower of my blog and you must leave a comment on this post! This giveaway is open until December 31st.

Today's Wild Card author is:

Erwin W. Lutzer

Photographed by:

John and Debora Scanlan

and the book:

On the Path with God

Harvest House Publishers (July 1, 2011)

***Special thanks to Karri | Marketing Assistant, Harvest House Publishers for sending me a review copy.***

My Review: This is a beautiful book filled with gorgeous photograpy and encouraging thoughts and studies regarding God and His word. My ONLY complaint is that there's not clear information about the photography---where the pictures were taken or why they were chosen. Lovely book!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR and PHOTOGRAPHERS:

Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer, Senior Pastor of The Moody Church since 1980, is an award-winning author of more than 20 books including Walking with God. He’s a celebrated international conference speaker and the featured speaker on three radio programs that are heard around the world. He and his wife, Rebecca, have been married for 35 years. They live in the Chicago area and are the parents of three married children.

Visit the author's website.

John and Debora Scanlan are partners in life and in creating Scanlan Windows to the World™ Fine Art Photography. They are internationally renowned for capturing the beauty, intrigue, and romance of the world while presenting the essence of every scene. Their work is featured in galleries, special exhibitions and juried art shows, on numerous products including cards and calendars, and in their breathtaking fine art photography book Windows to the World.

Visit the photographers' website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Inspiring meditations from the heart of popular pastor and author Dr. Erwin Lutzer join breathtaking photographs of winding country paths and cobblestone streets and invite readers to take time to walk with God. The joy-filled promises of faith await those who treasure an enriched journey with the Creator.

Product Details:

List Price: $15.99
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (July 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736939369
ISBN-13: 978-0736939362

AND NOW...THE FIRST FEW PAGES (The images were scanned so that you may see what this delightful book looks like, but the words were placed here from these scanned images, so that you may read and be blessed.) Please click on the images to see them larger:

Why Walk with God?

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

A tour through a cemetery can be beneficial and educational. I like to read epitaphs because they often say something interesting about the person who is finished with this life and has gone on to the next. Maybe epitaphs should be required reading for everyone once a year. They are a reminder that life is short and that eternity is near.

Most epitaphs are serious, some are tragic, and yes, there are at least a few that are funny. I’m told that this poem is found on the tombstone of a lady named Anna Wallace in England:

The children of Israel wanted bread.

The Lord sent them manna.

Old clerk Wallace wanted a wife.

The devil sent him Anna.

Here is a poem I learned in grade school, though I doubt it is on a tombstone—it could be. It contains an important message about automobile safety:
Here lies the body of William Jay,

Who died while maintaining his right of way.

He was right, completely right as he sped along,

But he’s just as dead as if he’d been wrong!

My favorite epitaph is found in the Bible, embedded in a long list of genealogies in the fifth chapter of Genesis. To read these verses is like walking though a cemetery. The names are difficult to pronounce and we are left to guess what life was like so many centuries ago. Like the tolling of a bell, every tombstone bears the same message; six times we read the simple phrase “and he died.”

Then unexpectedly we discover that there was a man who did not die! His name was Enoch, and of him we read in verse 24, “Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” Twice we are told that Enoch “walked with God.” In fact, He walked with God right into heaven!

This epitaph is perhaps one of the most beautiful phrases in the entire Bible. If it could be said of you and me that we “walked with God,” nothing more need be said. Those few words contain an eternity of meaning.

An Invitation to the Journey

Walking with God is both difficult and simple. Difficult because it takes thought, discipline, and commitment; simple because the same characteristics that apply to walking with a close friend or a loved one apply to walking with God.

Enoch walked with God in the midst of a society filled with temptations and obstacles just like those we face. He is a powerful reminder that we can be faithful to walk with God in our day as well. When we accept the invitation to begin the journey, trials and distractions need not keep us from our time with the Almighty.

Interestingly, Enoch was motivated to begin this journey after his first son Methuselah was born. Maybe he felt a new sense of responsibility as he held the baby boy in his arms. Perhaps as the child reached out to touch the stubble of his father’s beard Enoch said to himself, “I need to reorder my priorities and begin to take God more seriously.” Evidently he realized that the greatest contribution he could make in life was to guide his family on the right path.

Spend some moments reflecting on what motivates your heart to walk with the Lord today. Have you faced a trial and found yourself ready to give your sorrow to God? Do you long to leave a legacy of faith for your children? Maybe you’ve been in fellowship with the Lord for many years and you are ready for refreshment. Together we can explore how to walk with God and embrace the meaningful, remarkable, and abundant life He has planned for you. Let’s take a step forward toward the light of life.

You have declared this day that the LORD is your God

and that you will walk in his ways, that you will keep his decrees,

commands and laws, and that you will obey him.

And the LORD has declared this day that you are his people,

his treasured possession as he promised, and that

you are to keep all his commands.

Deuteronomy 26:17-18

Help for the Journey

I’ve often thought about what others might say of me after I die. I don’t mean the beautiful eulogies often given at funerals. Instead, I wonder what people will really think—what they will really remember about the impact for good or ill I have had in their lives. God of course, will give the final evaluation, but imagine our legacy if it could be said that we “walked with God.”

If an epitaph were written for you today, what would it be? Are you satisfied with that? What do you hope you will be remembered for?

Consider Jesus’ simple invitation to brothers Simon and Andrew referenced below. Think about how wonderful it feels to have Jesus call to you today in the same, simple way. What is your response to Jesus as He waves to you and says, “Come, follow me?”

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men” (Mark 1:16-17).
God provides what you need each step of the way. What worries or weaknesses do you want to give to God—need to give to God—in exchange for His hope and renewing strength?

Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:30-31
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105

Angel In My Room by Betty Collier Book Review

2011-12-12T06:20:00.000-08:00

Today's Wild Card author is:

Betty Collier

and the book:

Angel in My Room

WestBow Press (September 26, 2011)

***Special thanks to Betty Collier for sending me a review copy.***

My Review: I normally don't read books about "true" supernatural experiences because, nowadays, it's hard to tell whether or not the instance really happened or someone is just putting you on for whatever myriad of reasons. While I don't think it's warranted in this case to accuse someone that I don't know anything about with putting me on, I made the statement above because there is a distinction between believing I'm being misled and just not being convinced. In this case, I'm not convinced. Because I struggle with hurting others' feelings, I had such a hard time writing this review! Lillie's story will no doubt bless and encourage many readers, yet I can't help but find so many things, both in the story and in the writing style, that make me hesitant to recommend the book to my readers.

Let me begin, however, with the positives. Overall, the book tells Lillie's story of allowing the Lord to guide her through the most devastating time in her life. Lillie's faith and willingness to serve others is encouraging and inspiring. I also appreciate Collier's salvation message at the end of the book. (Although, it disappointed me that she prefaced this part with saying she was giving the "Come to Jesus speech". This seemed to give the impression that it was obligatory and something to apologize for and get out of the way.)

While I am not in the position to negate Lillie's experience with God, I do have to say that some of it seems odd and not quite lined up with Scripture. The most poignant example of this is when Collier describes Lillie's baby appearing to her as an angel. She says, "He was literally flying around in her room with his little wings". It seems odd to me that God would turn us into angels when we die. I believe that we will still be humans, just like Jesus, and all of us, including Him, having been made "just a little lower than the angels" (Ps. 8:4-5; Heb. 2: 7, 9). If Jesus was born as a man, died as a man, and is still being called the "Son of God", this would lead us to believe He is a man still. Wouldn't we, who were born as men, also die as men and be raised to eternity as Sons of God? I'm thinking it's a "once human, always human" thing---but I suppose I could be wrong.

I also find the description of Lillie's "out of body experience" to be sort of convoluted, but it's possible that my hesitation to believe it just comes from the way in which Collier wrote about the experience. On page 33, she says "Lillie died". Then, a couple paragraphs later, she describes what was happening, "as she was dying" and that she asked the Lord to wait. Then, a couple more paragraphs later, it states that, "Lillie carried on like this for hours." If one tried to put this all into a real-life picture in the imagination, it would seem that Lillie was dying for hours. What exactly does that mean? How can someone die and then be dying for hours? A statement from someone with access to Lillie's medical records at the time, who would be able to verify that she was either mechanically or physically monitored as being dead for hours, would add a lot of credence to this claim. If she was checked into a hospital, surely someone came along during those unspecified hours to find that she was in the process of dying?

This illustrates a lot of the frustrations I found throughout the book. There's little continuity. There's little flow. Experiences hop from scene to scene with little details or depth. Having lost a child myself, I was hesitant to read this book as I was worried it would stir up too many painful emotions. I have to say that the only emotion that was stirred up while reading this was annoyance caused by confusion and frustration. An experience that, with a little thought and time spent on descriptive detail, could have been a gut-wrenching tale, actually ended up being about 8 pages of sterile facts sandwiched between enough extra information to fill a very thin book.

A lot of thoughts were repeated, making the story very wordy and sort of unprofessional. For instance, in one paragraph it says, "(He was) completely whole and free from all the ailments that plagued him at birth. He was perfect, free from all physical disorders..." Those are two sentences that are saying the same thing. Later in the same paragraph it says, "Looking at the angel in her room gave her indescribable peace that is beyond the human vocabulary." The terms, indescribable, and beyond the human vocabulary mean the same thing! I really don't like to pick the book apart---it's just that these sorts of things happen consistently throughout and it just makes for a very disjointed read.

In all actuality, this story would have made for a really great magazine article or short essay. Everything that was told in this 83-page book (with small paragraphs and large spaces between paragraphs, I might add) could have been summed up in a few columns in Reader's Digest and, shortened down and to the point, would have made for a really touching story---even if one didn't believe that people come back as angels to fly around a hospital room.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Betty Collier is a wife, mother, nurse, author, and child of the King. In her Living Inside The Testimony book series, she inspires others to discover that they too live inside testimonies meant to be shared. Betty lives inside the testimony in Bartlett, Tennessee, with her husband and two sons.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

It has taken thirty-one years, but the story will now finally be told. It’s a story of love, compassion, and forgiveness. Lillie Hopkins had a miraculous encounter that changed her life forever on the day she gave birth to her one and only child. The joy and excitement she had previously anticipated suddenly disappeared and was replaced with the unbearable realization that something dreadful had occurred and things had gone horribly wrong. She was absolutely devastated and consumed with an irreparable broken heart. Excruciating sadness, agonizing sorrow, and total brokenness threatened her very desire to live, but then she had an angelic encounter which left her with indescribable peace. You will discover how Lillie caught a glimpse of heaven and was touched by an angel on April 21, 1980, the day her beloved son, Derrich, was born.

Product Details:

List Price: $11.95
Paperback: 108 pages
Publisher: WestBow Press (September 26, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1449726976
ISBN-13: 978-1449726973

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

My Walk Took a Detour

I remember watching the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon every year since I was a child. Lewis has hosted the telethon to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) annually since the 1960s. Each year, the telethon concludes with Lewis tearfully singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Sometimes I would cry along with Lewis as he sang these words that still resonate in my mind.

Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart,
And you’ll never walk alone,
You’ll never walk alone …

Although most of “Jerry’s Kids” were in wheelchairs and couldn’t walk due to the disease, they didn’t have to “walk” alone. Jerry Lewis and the entire MDA were with them, giving them all the support they possibly could—with millions and millions of dollars in donations each year.

Life is easier when you have a support system—family, friends, and significant others whom you can depend on in times of need. You should never feel you’re all alone in this world. It’s often surreal when you reflect back and realize that you don’t walk alone. At times, I’m sure Lillie Hopkins felt like she was all alone on this earth, with no one on her side. She had been walking with the Lord and had a personal relationship with him ever since she gave her life to him in April 1963. She was very assured of her salvation and her place in heaven.

She had indeed devoted her life to the Lord for many years—actually, all of her adult life—and nothing was going to separate her from Jesus Christ … no one or no thing. Fast-forward to April 1980, seventeen years after becoming a born-again believer. Could something so awful, so horrendous, so extremely dreadful and unbearable happen to shatter her very existence and her will to live?

In order to answer this question, we must go back to the beginning. Lillie Hopkins was born in the 1940s in a rural town near Memphis, Tennessee, in the segregated south, the fifth of her mother’s eight children. As a young African-American female born thirteen years after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born, she lived through the civil rights movement. In 1963, the same year Lillie gave her life to the Lord, Dr. King was in the middle of the civil rights movement. He helped organize a massive march on Washington, DC, where he delivered his famous speech, “I Have a Dream,” on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. It was seventeen years later that Lillie’s life was shattered beyond recognition.

Now, putting things into perspective, although Lillie was not directly part of the civil rights movement, one must realize that growing up in the segregated south during this time in our nation’s history would cause one to look at his or her own life and dream of a better future. Such was the case for Lillie, who saw the struggles and challenges her poor parents faced while trying to raise their family under very unequal circumstances.

But Dr. King had taught Lillie a very important lesson: to have a dream. She believed that one day she would grow up and marry a wonderful man, and together they would raise their children in a nation that was changing for the better. She started to believe that she had a promising future—not one marked by hatred, bigotry, and inequality but one filled with the love and peace of God, one in which she would simply be judged by the content of her character.

After all, who would ever question the content of Lillie’s character? She was the perfect child who always did as she was told. As her siblings described her, she was the one who always got them into trouble because she tried to ensure that they did the right thing. She always did the right thing herself, so why would her brothers and sisters not comply with their parents instructions and do the right thing as well? She took it upon herself to make sure they behaved, but as you can imagine, that didn’t always go so well. She frequently found herself being ridiculed by the other children who simply wanted to have fun and do things their way.

If there was a rule to be broken, Lillie was certainly not going to be the child who broke it. She never broke any rule. She always did what was expected of her. Since I’m not from that generation, I don’t know what they would have called her, but I would imagine it was the equivalent of “Little Goody Two Shoes.”

While doing what was good, what was right, and what was expected simply came naturally for Lillie, there was a period in her life that surprised her entire family. No one had ever questioned her Christianity or her morality, simply because she had never done anything to cause anyone to question it. Time passed, and as the 1960s turned into the ’70s, Lillie found herself a single woman in her thirties with no prospects for a future husband. Her heart’s desire was simply to get married and have children. But she was still living at home with two of her adult sisters, caring for their mother who had become ill. Lillie’s five other siblings had all left home and gotten married.

So there she was, in the late 1970s, in the same home her father had built many years prior to the civil rights movement. This was the home she had grown up in. Why was she still there with her other two sisters and her aging mother? Time had certainly passed her by; she had missed the opportunity to get married and have children. Her biological clock was ticking like a bomb, and if she waited much longer, it would simply be too late to fulfill her dream.

Being confident that her mother and sisters were financially stable without her, Lillie finally moved out of her mother’s home in the late 1970s into her first apartment. By now she was well into her thirties with a time bomb about to explode. Was it too late to fulfill her dream of a wonderful husband and beautiful children?

At least she had a job she enjoyed. Working with handicapped and autistic children in a state facility gave Lillie a great source of joy and satisfaction. Her job was secure but also very challenging. She took work-related and college courses to become more proficient in her job and was very happy to be doing so. Her life was good, but since she was nearly forty years old, she also felt like her dreams would never come true. She had missed what she considered the epitome of womanhood: a husband and children.

Lillie became unfocused after she moved into her own apartment. Soon her thoughts became very selfish and self-centered. She wanted what she wanted, which wasn’t necessarily what God wanted for her life. She began to walk away from the Lord, and her mind was no longer able to concentrate on all the things she had been taught as a Christian. Looking back now, she knows that was definitely the wrong thing to do. But at the time, she was being controlled by thoughts that certainly were not her own, and soon her desires took her to a place she later wished she had never gone.

She had been taught what the Bible says in Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” God was there, just waiting to give her peace to accept the life he had given her, but that’s not what she wanted. She had no peace, because she wanted something that was not God’s plan for her life.

What happens when you start looking around at other people? The grass always appears greener on the other side. Lillie started looking at other people and simply felt left out. Everyone her age was married with children. That’s what she wanted too. Her mind was not on the Lord; she became distracted; and her biological clock had nearly reached the end of its time.

When faced with the possibility that she would grow old alone, she took matters into her own hands. After all, men had been pursuing her for years, not just pursuing her, but downright chasing her! As soon as the next Mr. X appeared, wrapped in all the right packaging, the temptation became too great, and she finally yielded. He was a very nice man, extremely kind and incredibly gentle. He treated her very well. Was he the one? Had God sent Lillie the husband she had been waiting for? Were her dreams about to come true?

The courtship began.

A few months later, the courtship was over.

Lillie knew in her heart what the Bible said, and guilt was consuming her very existence. Even Mr. X recognized it but could do nothing to stop her uncontrollable guilty conscience. Confronted with the realization that she had gone contrary from her Pentecostal religious beliefs, Lillie and Mr. X separated. Shortly after the courtship ended, his job moved him out of town. He called her a few times after he left Memphis, but the courtship was already over. She was left behind with nothing—nothing but guilt, remorse, embarrassment, and a broken heart. Her last chance at “happiness” had ended as quickly as it had begun, and she had nothing … nothing that she knew of, anyway. Lillie’s lifelong dream was over. Or was it?

God Gave Us Love Board Book Book Review

2011-12-12T06:01:00.000-08:00

Today's Wild Card author is:

Lisa T. Bergren

and the book:

God Gave Us Love board book

WaterBrook Press; Brdbk edition (December 20, 2011)

***Special thanks to Laura Tucker, WaterBrook Multnomah Publicity, for sending me a review copy.***

My Review: Our family has enjoyed Bergren's, "God Gave Us" series for several years now! This latest title in board book form is just perfect to pop into a toddler's stocking this Christmas! In fact, that's exactly what I'm going to do with my review copy---Liam, 18 months, will be thrilled!

Our kids love to follow along with Little Cub as he discovers answers to questions about God and Creation that all of us, at any age, ask at one point or another.

Bryant's sweet and soothing artwork brings such a peaceful feel to the book. Thanks, Lisa and Laura, for another great keepsake book!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

As Little Cub and Grampa Bear’s fishing adventure is interrupted by mischievous otters, the young polar bear begins to question why we must love others… even the seemingly unlovable.

In answering her questions, Grampa Bear gives tender explanations that teach Little Cub about the different kinds of love that is shared between families, friends, and mamas and papas. Grampa explains that all these kinds of love come from God and that it is important to love others because…

“Any time we show love, Little Cub, we’re sharing a bit of his love.”

This sweet tale will warm the hearts of young children as they learn about all the different sorts of love, while the gentle explanations of each provide a valuable opportunity to encourage children to share with others a “God-sized love.” Now in a sturdy format, ideal for the littlest hands at storytime, bedtime, or anytime. Would make a great Christmas gift!

Product Details:

List Price: $6.99
Reading level: Ages 0 and up
Board book: 22 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press; Brdbk edition (December 20, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0307730271
ISBN-13: 978-0307730275

Here's an excerpt from the first book in the series: God Gave Us You (Board Book). (Click on images to see them larger):

Best Friends --- Homemaking Link-Up Weekend

2011-12-08T22:22:00.000-08:00

I've got some great PINKS in my Etsy shop for Christmas! This French Ballerina Pillow would be a sweet gift for someone---like yourself!

How about some PINK wrapped carmels? I also wrap them in gold and red! Visit my shop today to order lots of yummy treats!

I had every intention on doing a great Christmas decoration themed post tonight but, as I was going through my pictures, I found these and just had to share them!

Our oldest son, Michael, celebrated his 10th birthday on December 3rd. On Tuesday, he had his best friend Jonathan come and stay the night for a friend party. L-R: Michael, Jonathan, Elisha, Cainan, Selah, Avalon (all are ours except Jon)

He was pretty excited with the Nerf-like gun that Jonathan gave him!

The thing I just love about these guys is that they treat each other with such kindness. They are true friends and show Jesus' love to each other whenever they're together. It is such a joy to have Jonathan over and Michael is such a kind boy.

Michael is the kind of kid who just loves life. He's loving and patient with all his other seven siblings and does his best to please his Daddy and I.

Happy Birthday dear little boy!

Please feel free to link up your homemaking-related posts here! Homemaking Link-Up Weekend runs every weekend from late Thursday night until late Sunday night!

Also linking to:
L.A.C.E. @ Lily-Rose Cottage
Beverly's Pink Saturday

The Story Template by Amy Deardon Book Announcement

2011-12-07T21:16:00.001-08:00

Today's Wild Card author is:

Amy Deardon

and the book:

The Story Template: Conquer Writer's Block Using the Universal Structure of Story

Taegais Publishing, LLC (July 25, 2011)

***Special thanks to Amy Deardon for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Amy Deardon is married with two children, and spends much time taking care of her family. In her life BC (before children) she was a scientist who did bench research. She is also a Christian who came to faith under protest through studying the historic circumstances surrounding the death of Jesus.

Amy has written one novel, A LEVER LONG ENOUGH, about a small military team that travels back in time to film the theft of Jesus' body from the tomb. This book won two awards.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

THE STORY TEMPLATE is a programmed learner that allows the writer to develop her story from chaos. The book uses a series of exercises for the writer to construct her story’s four foundational pillars; learn how to use the “secret weapon” of story structure: the story template; build character depth and believable change; and construct subplots. THE STORY TEMPLATE then reviews writing techniques, and finishes with discussions of editing, writing the synopsis and query letter, submitting one’s work to agents, and types of publishing that the writer may wish to pursue.

Product Details:

List Price: $15.95
Paperback: 260 pages
Publisher: Taegais Publishing, LLC (July 25, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0981899730
ISBN-13: 978-0981899732

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Writing a novel or screenplay sounds like a great idea until you sit down to start. Where do you start? Many different methods exist to write the story, ranging from extensive preplanning to venturing onto the first page without an idea. This book describes an approach to developing story--laid out as a sequential series of exercises to facilitate implementation--that you can use whether you prefer a structured or loose approach to writing. You can use it at the start to develop an idea fragment, or later to rescue a partial or completed manuscript that doesn't seem to be working. The method works whether you want to write plot-driven (genre) or character-driven (literary) stories. It enables you to efficiently use your time and creativity by breaking down the process of story building into a logical plan. You will not waste time sitting at your keyboard, wondering what you should write and how you can organize your ideas into a complete manuscript.

The idea for this book originated from my own learning process in producing a novel. Having written scientific articles, newspaper columns, and other nonfiction, when I decided to write a novel I was surprised by how difficult it was to get the words down. I tried outlining, and I tried just going ahead. I had wonderful ideas, but although the scenes I wrote were exciting the story itself often seemed somehow “wrong.” I threw out more pages than I care to remember. Through sheer grit I finished the novel, but when I thought about writing another my heart sank. I decided to first solve the problem of understanding how story worked.

I chose twenty entertaining, modern novels in different genres, and fifteen more-or-less recent films (and I've since confirmed my preliminary observations with tens of more stories). One at a time, I took them apart: I made a list of each scene, then did a word count or timed the scene, calculated percentages and other statistics, and graphed each story onto a five page chart. I studied each story's progression, then compared the progressions of different stories to determine common pathways. I also read all that I could on constructing stories. The writing how-to literature was heavy on techniques (plotting, point of view, characterization, dialogue)--all of which are important--but there wasn't much on blending it all together. Screenwriting how-to books were stronger on structure, but still didn't give me all I needed.

I studied story after story, puzzling out how they were built. First, I identified elements called story posts, and found that these posts fell reliably within the timing of the whole. Then I found consistent trends of progression in the plot, as well as consistent trends of development and interactions in the characters. My biggest surprise, in fact, was finding just how unvarying were the underlying levels of the story. I also identified a unit of story construction I call a “bubble” that bridges the gap between the high concept ideas for the story and individual scenes.

Once I had my background knowledge, I coached students to develop their stories, and thereby constructed an algorithm for the practical application of this theory.

So, what is this “story template” that is the title of this book? Is this a formula or blueprint you can mindlessly follow, like a paint-by-numbers canvas?

In a word, no. I like to call what I found a template since it describes the shape or progression, on a deep level, of virtually all stories. Recognizing this pattern in a story is something I liken to sketching a face. An artist will tell you that a person's eyes are about halfway down the head, and are separated by another eye width. The bottom of the nose is halfway between the eyes and the chin, the mouth is proportionally between the nose and the chin and extends to imaginary vertical lines drawn below the eyes' pupils, the tips of the ears hit about eyelid level, earlobe tips at bottom-nose level, and on and on. Faces are infinitely varied, yet if the artist ignores these rough proportions, no matter how carefully sketched the face will always look “wrong.” Similarly, you will use the template to ensure that your story elements are proportionally correct and all present. The template gives you a guide, but never dictates, what you can write.

Getting the story shape right is the first, and (in my opinion) the hardest step to writing a gripping novel or screenplay. Without good structure, the story tends to meander without a point: although it may have high action, it is characterized by low tension.

You may want to first read this entire book to get an overview of story before starting with the exercises. Keep in mind that shaping a story is intensive work, and it will take you weeks or even months to get your story organized. This is normal. Don't get discouraged, and don't skimp on the exercises. Take your time to thoroughly work through each step. At the end, your story will be much stronger, and the actual writing will go like a dream.

This book is not sufficient for producing a finished story ready for publication or production. You will need to master further writing techniques such as characterization, description, dialogue, transitions, editing, etc. I will touch upon a few of these to give you some direction, but the only way to get really good is to practice. Fortunately, many excellent books are available for help. See Appendix One to start.
Outline of The Plan

I like to use the metaphor of constructing a house to envision building a story. To assemble a house, you move from larger to smaller elements to sequentially put something together. Only after you have worked through many tasks is it finally time to do the fine details of painting the windowsills and installing the wallpaper. Similarly, while you have ideas about character arcs and plot twists, and maybe you've even written some scenes, you will be well served to develop a direction before writing through your manuscript. If you write your first draft as the ideas occur to you, then this will comprise your story planning. You'll find that you probably don't have enough material to form an entire novel or screenplay, and even if you do it may not hang together. Believe me, this is a laborious and frustrating way to go.

The Story Template gives a series of actions for you to do that will allow you to develop your story ideas with a minimum of angst and wasted energy. Some exercises will be quick, others will require a great deal of thought, and perhaps even a marination of thought, before finishing. Don't be in a rush--some of your best ideas will come as you play with character or event possibilities. As you continue to develop your story you will probably revisit different components of these exercises, going back and changing previous work, as you move through this programmed story outliner. That's okay. Just go with the flow, and have fun.

When you've finished with these exercises, you will be ready to start writing your manuscript, with ease and flow and speed, because you will have already done the hard organizational work. Even if you want to change the story as you're writing, you'll be able to do so with an understanding of how to balance the changes. You will have a detailed roadmap that will allow you to bring your vision--your book or screenplay--to completion.
Writing Tools

You are a writer. Before you start, you need to assemble the following items:

1. A tool with which to do your major writing, either a computer, an old-fashioned typewriter, or paper and pencil. If you do handwrite your notes, you may want to treat yourself to a special pen that you love, and is only to be used for your magnus opus.

2. A system to organize your template exercises. I prefer hard copy: printing out computer files, or writing on loose leaf paper, then placing the sheets in a three-ringed binder. This notebook may inspire you and give you a sense of accomplishment as you look through to see how much you've done. Not as recommended is keeping files only on computer because they're harder to flip through, mark up, and juxtapose ideas; or a spiral or bound notebook because you can't replace pages or change their order. But do what works for you.

3. A small notebook to carry with you at all times. Use this to jot down any thoughts that come to you.

4. Index cards. Get two packs, and we'll go over how to use them to story board. Also get a roll of masking tape and a permanent marker (thin tip) for bold marks. Finally, you may want to purchase an index card binder to permanently keep your cards in order.

Getting the Words Down

Here are some tips to help you get the words down:

1. Decide on a daily quota of words that is manageable. A good starting goal might be 300, but remember to keep pushing this number up as you become accustomed to the writing process. Create a log to record your daily output. Post this on your refrigerator or otherwise keep it prominent in your daily life.

2. Set aside at least fifteen minutes at a time in which you can remain undisturbed. Aim for an hour or more if you can.

3. Don't start your writing session by checking your e-mail or doing anything else except for writing.

4. Turn off anything that might distract you--music, radio, or television. Some people can write through these things, but try without for a few days to see if you do better.

5. If you're stuck, do free-writing where you talk to yourself on paper. Something like, “I'm trying to figure out what Jason's problems with Mike might be in this scene. I was thinking about…”

Let's get started.

Hope---2011

2011-12-03T20:52:00.000-08:00

Every year near this date, I repost this short story I wrote in honor of the baby we lost in November 2007. I hope it blesses you today.

Hope sits still and serene at the edge of a melodious river, dangling one bare foot into the warm, blue water. Her lovely blonde ringlets reflect the light of the afternoon sun and form a shimmering halo around her young head. Though she can’t help but raise her eyes every so often to the far-off hills, He has told her to wait patiently and so she will. “I’ve got a surprise for you,” He’d promised. If she has learned anything from past experience, she’s learned that time is relative no matter where one is. Even in this youthful body, she knows that the time it takes to endure is well worth the rewards that fortitude brings.

Since patience seems to be coming much more easily than normal this day, she begins to take inventory of her new appearance. Strangely, she can not see her reflection in the water in front of her. From the moment she arrived here in this glorious place, she’s wondered about herself. There isn’t much she can learn about what’s inside; about her dreams, wishes and longings. She’s treasured all of these, along with many thoughts and questions, since the day she was conceived. It’s her outside that is so new and clean and unfamiliar.

With a little shake of her head, she can see that her hair is golden and beautiful. She reaches for a curl and lets the silky strand slide around her fingers and over the back of her hand. As she moves to examine the hand more closely, she spies a simple white butterfly hovering near her knee. She watches with innocent interest for just a moment before it flutters over to a nearby snapdragon and gracefully lands beside it in the grass.

Lifting the small, delicate hand up to eye-level seems so simple now and she marvels at the lightness of it; both in skin tone and in weight. Turning this hand right-side up, she examines the lines upon her tiny palm. Amazing, she thinks, and so real.

Her eyes follow the motion as she slowly places the hand back in her lap. Fixing her gaze on the arm for just a moment, she changes her mind about resting it and, using her newly-nimbled fingers, explores the length of the opposite arm. Leisurely, she runs her fingers up and back down. Tickles, she says to herself, as even now the new word tickles her tongue.

A slippery smoothness is caressing the bottom of her one wet foot. Her brown eyes settle on a long and shiny creature gliding through the water. Father loves fish, she thinks to herself. But just as quick as it caught her attention, the creature is gone and her mind becomes occupied elsewhere.

“She’s here,” the butterfly whispers up to the snapdragon. The flower shivers with a sudden air of excitement and replies, “So soon? I didn’t realize we’d get to see her so perfectly formed so early!” The butterfly sighs. “Yes, she’s a beauty, isn’t she? She’s just the image of perfection!” She flurries up to give the snapdragon a butterfly kiss and then takes off back into the sky in search of a honeysuckle treat.

The snapdragon proudly pulls herself up to her full height--six inches at last measurement. As she stretches her lush leaves against the warm sun’s rays, a tiny yawn escapes from her delicate, pink lips. Lifting her head to peer over the sleeping marigolds, she stands upon the tips of her toes (which are firmly rooted in the ground, of course) and sees, just over the nearest hillside, exactly what she is looking for.

“Come children, come quickly”, the Man says as he ascends the last mound of lush, emerald hilltop. He takes care not to hurry the young family, most of them less than five years old. The Man turns to face this great group of children, His very presence commanding their complete attention. He smiles warmly and lovingly, sits down on a nearby rock and takes a young Asian boy on his lap. “Children”, he says, “I want you to remember back to the first time you realized you were in Hope’s place. Be patient, be kind. Be gentle and show her love. Come. Let’s go down to the river.”

The friendly party makes their way across the honey-scented meadow. “Look”, cries the Man, “there by the water!” He stops the children and they all stand still, amazed at the way the sunlight bounces off her flaxen hair. “She looks like my Angel”, says a little Irish red-headed girl, “only my Angel is a lot bigger than that!”

“Come”, says the Man, “Let’s take some time to offer our welcome wishes to this newest reflection of me. There’s a new child in Heaven today.”

Easy Petits Fours and Homemaking Link-Up Weekend

2011-12-02T01:09:00.000-08:00

Good Evening! Wow, where has the time gone? I have to admit, it's been a crazy busy week! It's 1:00 a.m. on Friday and I am ready for bed!! I'm going to sort of cheat a little this week and offer up an old post.

My recipe for Easy Petits Fours is, by far, my most popular post. I have people coming to that post every single day! It's very popular on Google Search---Ha! So, here you go!

When you're done reading the recipe, please make sure and read about my blogging friend, Cindy at Blessings From Cindy, and the gorgeous craft idea she came up with! Her Craft Blotter is so easy---you could make one today for a Christmas gift---and make one tomorrow for yourself!

Have a lovely weekend and thanks for linking up with my Homemaking Link-Up Weekend!


For several years, I would make these really easy petits fours for different church functions. I hadn't made them in a long time but was thinking about them the other day and thought they'd make a good blog post, as well as a yummy treat for my friends at our homeschool co-op today! Here's how you can make a simple petit four with basic ingredients and supplies you likely have on hand.

Begin with a boxed Pound Cake mix and the ingredients mentioned on the back (eggs, water, etc.) You will also need a package of almond bark and food coloring if desired.


Line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper. I like to spray the pan with nonstick spray or water first to help the paper stick to the pan and not roll up. Mix your cake ingredients according to the directions on the box, spread batter into pan, and bake at 350 for 15-20 min. or until done and lightly golden brown.


Let the cake cool completely and then cut it into squares with a sharp knife. You will likely not cut into the parchment paper but if you are concerned about that you can turn the cake out onto a cutting board and remove the paper first. Pound Cake is very easy to cut into nice squares thus eliminating the need for an actual petit four pan.


When cake is completely cooled, break half the package of almond bark into a bowl and microwave at 30 sec. intervals, stirring in-between. I like to add some oil or shortening too to make dipping easier. When it is completely melted, you can mix in some food coloring if you'd like.

Using a fork, dip the cake into the coating to cover it completely. The coating gets thicker as it cools so you may find yourself having to spoon the coating onto the cake and then tap the excess off on the side of your bowl. Transfer the coated petit four to wax or parchment paper.

If you desire a decoration on top, add it as soon as you place the cake on the paper to cool. Almond Bark sets up pretty quickly and you want your decoration to stick. I found these pearly candies at Target in the Easter section.

Once the coating has hardened, you are all done! I got several compliments on these today from my homeschooling mom friends! In the past, I've taken the time to fill them with jelly or frosting. This makes for a much taller petit four, but one could always cut the cake in half before filling---although this will make it less stable as the cake will be pretty thin. Have fun making these and make sure to send me pictures of your own creations!

Make sure and visit Cindy's blog, Blessings from Cindy to learn how to make this adorable Craft Blotter:

Cindy's instructions are super easy and the project is made from things you probably already have around the home! Thank you, Cindy!

Linking up today with Beverly's Pink Saturday!

Giveaway!!! Children's Bible Story Book --- International

2011-11-29T08:07:00.000-08:00

I am so happy to offer my readers to win a sweet little book just in time for Christmas!

Baker Publishing Group is offering to send one of my readers a copy of My Favorite Bible Children's Bible Story Book.

All you have to do is leave me a note in the comments below and you will be entered in to the drawing! The giveaway is open to international readers as well!

Also, if you are reading this via my Facebook page, a comment within that feed will earn you an entry.

Here's what the publisher has to say about My Favorite Bible:

"With the vibrant illustrations and engaging text in this Bible storybook, you can enjoy sharing the best-loved stories of the Bible with the children in your life and encourage a life-long love for the Word of God. My Favorite Bible is a book of exciting Bible stories and activity pages that guide children through the foundational truths of Scripture.

Each story is fully illustrated and includes a simple narrative full of things kids love: repetition, rhythm, and energy, along with a key biblical theme, a key Bible verse, and discussion questions to help adults introduce children to the Bible.

The colorful illustrations will capture the imaginations of children ages 4–8, and the stories will help adults to pass along the most important truth in life—the Gospel. Families will cherish this time as they read, listen, learn, and love, growing closer to one another even as they grow closer to God."

Giveaway ends December 12th.

Disclosure: (because the law will come after me if I don't disclose...) I didn't receive anything from Baker Publishing Group in exchange for posting this giveaway notice---well, nothing except a bunch of happy readers!

There's Just Something About a Boy -- Book Review

2011-11-28T00:00:00.000-08:00

Today's Wild Card author is:

Jenny Lee Sulpizio

Illustrated by

Peg Lozier

and the book:

There's Just Something About a Boy

Isaac Publishing, Inc. (September 23, 2011)

***Special thanks to Jenny Lee Sulpizio for sending me a review copy.***

I just love this sweet little picture book. The story makes me want another little baby boy!!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jenny Lee Sulpizio, M.S. is a wife, business owner, and mother of three residing in Boise, Idaho. She is an active member within her church and community, and enjoys tapping into her creative side whenever she gets the chance. There’s Just Something About a Boy is the second picture book released in a series that also includes Mommy Whispers, an ode to mothers and daughters everywhere.

Visit the author's website.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:

Peg Lozier is an award winning portrait painter and illustrator whose work is known for color, whimsy, and a sense of fun. Raised in Boulder, Colorado, she now lives with a plethora of pets in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Visit the illustrator's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

There’s Just Something about a Boy is a children’s keepsake picture book celebrating the special bond between a mother and her newborn son as she anticipates the love, laughter, and unparalleled adventure that will surely come from raising a little boy.

Product Details:

List Price: $12.95
Paperback: 30 pages
Publisher: Isaac Publishing, Inc. (September 23, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1609200365
ISBN-13: 978-1609200367

AND NOW...THE FIRST PAGES (click illustrations to enlarge):

Recalling the moment, that special day
Your tiny image took my breath away.
A precious baby with nothing to hide,
My sweet, little son nestled inside.
There’s just something about a boy…

I prepared your nursery
since around month five,
Waiting for the day
you’d finally arrive.
Stuffed animals, blankies,
your daddy’s first glove--
They sat in your room,
awaiting your love.
There’s just something
about a boy…

Homemaking Weekend Link-Up! Pretend Tea Party!

2011-11-22T23:52:00.000-08:00

My husband works nights and tonight I was feeling a little lonely. So, I fixed myself up a pretty table setting and enjoyed a big pot of soup, a whole pot of tea, and a plate heaped with rich, creamy fudge !


Ok, true confession: My husband DOES work nights...but I fixed the setting so I could show off my new soup tureen! (Everything's actually empty and the fudge is wrapped up to send with my mom to work tomorrow!) I found this neat Lefton soup tureen at Salvation Army recently for $2.00!!! Our local store has a little room with extremely overpriced "antiques" (some of which are actually Dollar Store items that were made to look antique...but whatever...) I saw this tureen in the window and knew it would be priced pretty high. When I got in there, I saw that there was no price on it! I asked the girl and she said $2.00!! OKAY!!! Oh, I should add that our family will not actually use this for soup---it's waaay too small for the 10 of us! Instead, it will be our gravy "boat" this Thanksgiving...just the right size for that!

This pretty china set and (some of the) tea service was in a shop that my mom bought a few years ago. She gave it to me and I love using it! I bought the pot and a few extra items on eBay.

Since I don't take milk with my tea, I thought Sam the Lamb would be a cute addition to the table! I should also add that this "table cloth" is actually a flannel nightgown I made myself a couple years ago! Ha!! That cracks me up!

Here's a pretty sampler my oldest daughter made me last year for Mother's Day. She's got such talent---especially for an 11-year-old girl!


Here's a couple new flavors of fudge I just put in my Etsy store tonight. Here is Pumpkin Pie fudge and Mocha Almond fudge! Are you interested in winning some? Check out my giveaway here. It's time for another Homemaking Weekend Link-Up! I'd love for anyone interested to link-up her homemaking posts today! You can do more than one a week, if you'd like, and please make sure to take a button and link back to this page so others can visit as well! The button is at the top of my sidebar!

Linking to:

Encourage One Another Link-Up @ Deep Roots at Home

Homemaking linkup @ Raising Homemakers

White Wednesdays @ Faded Charm

Vintage Thingie Thursday @ Coloradolady

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple

Pearls and Lace Thursday @ Faith, Grace & Crafts
Beverly's Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound

Fall Decorating, Fruit Cake and Homemaking Weekend Link-Up

2011-11-17T21:05:00.000-08:00

The other day, I let our almost 10-year-old son, Michael, take some photos around the house. As I was going through my pictures from the week, I found all the ones he'd taken. There's shots of all the family, a few random things, and then a picture of each of our fall decorations! I thought that was pretty sweet! Here is a picture he took of all the kids' pictures. Michael is the second from the left on the top.

So, since he took the time to take them, I'll feature them today for my Holiday Weekend Link-Up! Here is an adorable Thanksgiving feast set that I bought for a really good price from a local artisan at our city's annual holiday bazaar. Mom and I are getting excited about going to it this Saturday---I wonder what treasures we'll find this year?

These scarecrow and fall picks replace the pink cherry blossoms I did have filling this pretty blue jar.

I bought this cute turkey the first year that Jamie and I were married. His plea of desperation, "Send Out for Pizza" has always cracked me up!

This cute little scarecrow is resting on a shelf between my vintage cookbook collection and my vintage collection of O. Henry books. That little brown recipe box belonged to my great-Grammy Annabelle.

After looking through the pictures, I thought it would be fun to sit and go through some of Grammy's recipes. Here are a few that I thought were neat:

The one at the top left is a letter from her friend, "Your Loving Friend until the end, Doris" It's a recipe for Mrs. Peabody's Prize Sponge Cake. Doris asks Grammy, "So Dearest, who are you going to cook it for, the future?" Ha!! The second on the left is a recipe for Hood River Unbaked Cookies. I'm sure my mom can tell me more about this one so I'll update if she's got anything to add. The newspaper clipping is from November 10, 1982 and gives instructions and tips on making fruitcakes for the holidays. The small index card on the left is a recipe for Date Marshmallow Log that is pretty much the same thing in a different form as the Top Secret Ancient Family Thanksgiving Recipe that I posted a couple weeks ago!

Speaking of fruitcakes, here's a recipe for Mrs. Bradley's Dark Fruit Cake. Mrs. Bradley was Grammy's mother-in-law---my great, great grandmother. What a GREAT recipe to have! ;) Is anyone interested in having the recipe? If so, let me know in the comments and maybe I'll post it in a day or two!

Well, it's time for another Homemaking Weekend Link-Up! I'm so excited by all the interest in the link-up and I'd love for anyone interested to link-up her homemaking posts today! You can do more than one a week, if you'd like, and please make sure to take a button and link back to this page so others can visit as well! The button is at the top of my sidebar!

One more thing, have you entered my GIVEAWAY? Please do! Have a great weekend!!

Also linking with:

Learning to Live a Surrendered Life and:

Holly Hobbie Pumpkins and a Giveaway!

2011-11-14T06:53:00.001-08:00

I've got two more of these cute blue Holly Hobbie pumpkins left in my Etsy shop if anyone wants one for the holidays! Do you like giveaways? Well then visit this page to see how you can enter my newest giveaway for a box of fudge or carmels!

Happy Blue Monday! Linking here today:

Modest Dressing: Modern Regency Look

2011-11-13T18:27:00.001-08:00

It's that time of year for me---the in-between pregnancies time when I'm so so SO tired of the maternity clothes but the regular clothes aren't quite fitting yet! (Yes, this really is a yearly thing for me!) One of my favorite things to do during this time is to experiment with what I have in my closet and see if I can come up with some new outfits!

Here is an idea that readers of all generations might like to try out:

I often find so many cute dresses that I'd love to wear but they're too short! Here is a gorgeous burgundy, high-waisted dress that I found last year at Motherhood. It hits just above my knees, which is shorter than I'm comfortable wearing.

I found this black, flower-print skirt at a yard sale a few years ago and fell in love with it (even though I don't normally wear a lot of black). The only thing I didn't like about it was that it was semi-sheer and I didn't like how the outline of my legs could be seen when light shined through the fabric. So, I stuck it in my mending pile and planned to *someday* make a lining for it.

I sprayed the two pieces inside and out with Scotch Guard to keep them from forming static and layered the dress over the skirt.

Because the top of this dress is a little big on me, especially post-maternity, I layered a lace-topped camisole from Maurices underneath.

My jewelry included this vintage-style necklace that I found at Maurices last year. I've gotten so many compliments on this necklace---I love it!

I finished the look with a light-weight sweater (also from Maurices).

I like to call this my "Modern Regency Look". Whenever I wear this dress over another skirt, it reminds me of this pattern that Mrs. Jennie Chancey created for Simplicity:

This dress is a popular style today and is reminiscent of the lovely empire-waists and puffed sleeves of Jane Austen's England.

Here's an image from Ackerman's Repository of a Regency lady wearing a Spencer jacket. I suppose my little black sweater could serve as a Spencer jacket for my modern-day walking dress!

Hmmm, now to find me a bonnet...

Have you entered my Giveaway? Check it out here!

This article was published in The Christian Home Magazine, Issue 37. Check out this great online magazine here!

Linked with: