A Sunday Psalm

But I am like an olive tree
flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever.
I will praise You forever for what You have done;
in Your name I will hope, for Your name is good.
I will praise You in the presence of Your saints.
    --Psalm 52:8-9

Interview and Giveaway

Andrea is having a Birthday Bash on her blog this week and today she chose to interview me and give away a copy of Wings of a Dream! Click here and come to the party!

What Are You Trying to Teach Me, Lord?

In my mind, this was the week to settle back into my writing routine. I looked forward it. Planned for it. By Monday morning i was almost giddy in anticipation. 

Then, as often happens, life intervened. A sick child. Errands that demanded attention. Suddenly my day had slipped away. I did a little bit of writing, but not what I’d intended to accomplish. At first, I was frustrated, determined to recover those lost hours later in the night. To push myself harder and longer. But as I sat down with my Bible and my journal, I found a question rolling around in my mind.

What are you trying to teach me, Lord?

So many times when situations batter my well-laid plans, I sniff Satan in the air. But this time, I stopped to consider. Was this a moment for pushing through the obstacles— or for embracing them? 

It occurred to me that perhaps the Lord didn’t want me to start  fumbling around with the new story yet. Perhaps He desired me to slow down, not speed up. To enjoy a day of my son at home, albeit sick, when I hadn’t seen him for almost two weeks. Perhaps He used those situations to stay my hand, to let ideas simmer a little longer, to allow some new thought or situation to invade the story world. To trust that when He said, “Go,” that He would keep unexpected distractions at bay, as He has so often done before. 

I pondered this. Took a deep breath and set aside my lofty agenda. Not in laziness or procrastination, but with a firm belief that the Lord was asking this of me. Only time will tell, I guess, if I read the situation rightly. But given the peace that took control of my heart that day, my guess is that I did. 

Sometimes God doesn’t ask me to accomplish. Sometimes He just asks me to be. 

Making the Most of Opportunity

When I signed my book contract, I made a few commitments to the Lord for the new journey. One of them was that I would embrace every opportunity He brought my way to promote my book. Now, if you know me well, you know this didn’t mean I’d be a marketing machine. That’s just not me. It did mean, however, that if an opportunity came my way—even if it was out of my comfort zone—I’d do it.

So a couple of weeks ago, when an independent bookseller called and asked if I’d like to participate in a book signing with a NYT bestselling romance author, I said yes, though it tied my stomach in knots. I understood from the first it wouldn’t be about selling tons of books. It would be about making new contacts and gleaning wisdom from a writer who’d walked this road longer, and apparently walked it well. And I was okay with that. At least until the day arrived. Then I found myself dreading sitting quietly to the side while people swarmed the other author. But I knew the Lord had opened this door—I’d done nothing to seek it on my own—and so I prayed He would show me very clearly why I was to be there.

I arrived to find a flurry of people, though not as many as I’d anticipated. And I learned that award-winning, bestselling author Jodi Thomas had brought one of her award-winning co-authors, Phyliss Miranda, with her. I set up my books next to Phyliss, feeling like a wallflower at a high school dance. But I needn’t have worried. Phyliss struck up a conversation right away and made me feel at home. When she and Jodi discovered that this was my debut novel, they gave me several sheets of their “autographed copy” stickers to put on the books I signed, something they do whenever they meet a debut author. 

Phyliss, Me, and Jodi

Over the course of the evening, I actually sold a few books, but that wasn’t why I was there. I was there to get to know and to learn from two gracious and humble ladies. What did I learn? That the number of books sold at an event isn’t as important as the connection with the booksellers. That some books take longer to write than others, and sometimes, even after 20 years of writing, it takes time to understand exactly what story you are trying to tell. That it is hard to do events where you have no relationship with the store or its employees. That you should network with readers and book reviewers every where you go. 

Some of these things I’d heard before, of course. But it helped to hear them again. Mostly I drank in their encouragement. I left there with three new friends--two authors and a bookseller. And I thanked the Lord that He’d given me that opportunity. The one I’d been dreading all morning. 

Phyliss, Me, Jodi, and Gayle, the bookstore owner

A Sunday Psalm

Praise be to the Lord,
for He heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in Him and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.
The Lord is the strength of His people,
a fortress of salvation for His anointed one.
Save Your people and bless Your inheritance;
be their Shepherd and carry them forever.
    --Psalm 28:6-9

There You'll FInd Me by Jenny B. Jones

I still very much enjoy reading YA (Young Adult) fiction. A good story is a good story, no matter the age of the protagonist. 

I also very much enjoy reading things written by those authors I call friends. And after spending time with a new friend in July at She Speaks and then again in September at ACFW, it made it very natural to pick up Jenny B. Jones’s newest YA book, There You’ll Find Me. 

Of course, being a sucker for anything set in the British Isles, I immediately took to this story that takes place in Ireland. But it was more than the setting that kept me reading. I loved her characters, loved the unexpected twists and turns in the story, loved the “realness” of the issues. 

It is a novel about letting go, about leaving behind control, about navigating the messiness of life and not being embittered by it. Jenny says in her note at the end that this book “kicked her tail” trying to get it right. Well, my friend, I think it worked. You got it just right.

Glad To Be Home!

We are finally home! After five days at the ACFW Conference in St. Louis, a quick two days at home--ending with participating on an author panel at a library event, we (Jeff got to go with me on this trip!) then embarked on a seven day excursion to Jeff’s hometown of Huntingdon, PA. 

My sweet in-laws and the extended family came out in droves for my book signing on a cold and rainy Saturday. A few people ventured in after reading about me and the book in a sweet article in the local newspaper by my new friend April Feagley. (She loves to read historical fiction and she loves Jesus! We instantly clicked!) Of course I told you a little about the great researching--and the Lord even brought to light some long-hidden records on our last day in town!

I’m (again) climbing out from under the piles that have accumulated while I’ve been away. But don’t worry. You’ll find me back here on Friday--hopefully with something new to say! In the meantime, here are a few pictures from my book signing at Harmony Christian Store last weekend. Enjoy!

Adventures in Research

I spent Thursday and Friday of last week researching. In fact, I’m headed back to the library to look through old newspapers this morning, too. I came looking for specifics about the Huntingdon Home for Orphan and Friendless Children, a private “orphanage” that began in the late 1800s but did so much more than take in orphaned children. Really they were a ministry to poor and neglected children whether their parents had died or not. 

At first it seemed as if there would be few details to find. Then Kelly, head of the Huntingdon County Historical Society, decided to call her predecessor, Nancy Shedd, who has done extensive research herself into the orphan home. 

Nancy graciously met me and as we talked through what was known, she suddenly thought of a place she hadn’t searched for documents--the Juniata College archives. She made a phone call. Later that afternoon, the archivist emailed us both with a list of items in her possession. Nancy and I made our way to see them on Friday. And what a treasure trove we found! I came away with most of what I wanted to find out, and with a new friend as well. It is always fun to spend time with others who share your passion for research, especially when it is on the same topic!

And the really cool thing about Nancy? Her great-grandmother was the first matron of the home after the founder, David Emmert, relinquished that role!

I love how God connects me with just the right people when I venture into these adventures of research!

A Sunday Psalm

I will listen to what God the Lord will say;
He promises peace to His people, His saints--
but let them not return to their folly.
Surely His salvation is near those who fear Him,
that His glory may dwell in our land.
    --Psalm 85:8-9

The Climb

After a decade-long uphill climb toward publication, I reached the summit— or so I thought. I signed a book contract. But even as I penned my name on the line, the Lord whispered in my ear. 

This is just a ledge. Catch your breath, we’re climbing higher. 

By that I knew exactly what He meant. Not that I would climb to heights of fame and fortune, but that I would climb a steeper, narrower path, one that required a strengthening of the faith He’d grown in me thus far.  

And I was right. 

First it was writing a new book, research to revisions. On a deadline. During my son’s senior year of high school. Then it was deciding what to do next, discovering what story ideas might take root within me. (I’m still climbing this one. Not sure if they’ll want the next ones or not!) 

The book released— yet another steep slope to navigate as pebbles slipped under my feet and careened into the abyss. Now it is managing time and energy, both limited resources being pushed to the limit. 

My climb might be slower than some. I might lose my footing on occasion, find myself tumbling downhill until the Lord puts a boulder in my way to stop me. But my desire is to set my face heavenward, eyes fixed on Jesus rather than seeking the top of the mountain, shrouded in clouds. I don’t want to worry about what’s up ahead or when I will reach a more restful plateau.  

Today my faith muscles are sore. My feet ache and my eyes sting. Yet I take another step, reach for another handhold. Moving forward, uphill, confident that my God will supply all my needs according to His riches in glory— even if that supply consists of a rock to break my fall. 

Desperately playing catch up

Hey y'all!

I'm home from the ACFW Conference and desperately playing catch up. But while I'm working, y'all can hop on over to Margaret Daley's blog if you want a chance to win Wings of a Dream. You have all week to post comments to enter. I'll try to be back here tomorrow. I've missed you!

A Sunday Psalm

Show me Your ways, O Lord,
teach me Your paths;
guide me in Your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in You all day long.
     --Psalm 25:4-5

A Necessary Deception by Laurie Alice Eakes

One summer, several years ago, we went on a library spree. We didn’t go to the small library in our little suburb/town. Instead, we went to the one a little bit larger, in the town that butted up against ours. An older, larger town. 

What I loved about its library was the vast collection of older books. Not old as in collectables, but old as in really good reads that you sometimes don’t run across anymore because space in libraries made way for newer titles. 

That summer I discovered a new-to-me author: Patricia Veryan. She wrote novels set in England but they weren’t the drawing room dramas of Jane Austen, though they covered much of the same time period. No, these stories had adventure and intrigue. More along the Scarlet Pimpernel lines. I devoured them--somewhere around 15 or so--that summer. 

Fast forward. In one of my online historical writer groups, I became friends with Laurie Alice Eakes. I remember getting excited when she mentioned Patricia Veryan in one of her posts. And when she told me she’d been contracted for a series of Veryan-esque Regency novels, I was so excited I could hardly stand it!

I received my copy of A Necessary Deception last week and it did not disappoint! Lady Lydia Gale, a widow, is determined to help her sisters do what she could not--make a happy marriage. But nothing turns out as Lydia expects. She is unwillingly drawn into a world of spies and national security in order to save her family from scandal but when two different men present themselves as her contact, she doesn’t know who to trust. A Necessary Deception is an adventure, a love story, and a spy story all rolled into one. And with an important spiritual thread to hold it all together!

Not only did I thoroughly enjoy this book, it left me eagerly anticipating the other two books, which will focus on Lydia’s sisters Cassandra and Honore. I just wish I didn’t have to wait so long to read them! 

Off to ACFW Conference!

I'm as excited as a two-year-old going to a birthday party.

Or Disney World.

I'm off to the ACFW Conference today. I missed last year, which means I haven't seen many of my writers friends for at least two years. Besides that, I'm really excited about actually getting to meet some of those who I've only known online. And my awesome friend and crit buddy Mary DeMuth and I will be rooming together! Not to mention great classes on writing, great food, and great times of prayer and worship.

But don't worry. I'll still be around a bit. I've got a special post all ready for you on Friday. And you still have the rest of the week to chime in on my interview over at K Dawn Byrd's blog for a chance to win Wings of a Dream. 

A Chance to Win!

I'm over at K Dawn Byrd's blog. Come read the interview and leave a comment for a chance to win Wings of a Dream.

Leslie Wilson's website

I'm so excited for my dear friend and critique partner, Leslie Wilson. Her new website is up! If you don't know Leslie, she is one of the funniest people I know, and yet truly practical as well. She's been a mommy speaker and newspaper columnist for years.

Go on over to her new website and welcome her to cyberspace. And click around. She has some really fun things to find!

A Sunday Psalm

Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as You have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.
May Your deeds be shown to Your servants,
Your splendor to their children.
May the favor of the Lor our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us--
yes, establish the work of our hands.
    --Psalm 90:14-17

My Actions, God's Work

The other day I came across this amazing chapter in 2 Kings. (Yes, 2 Kings. I know, you usually blow through that book, if you read it at all. Of course, being a history nut, I tend to enjoy some of those Biblical books that seem dry to others.) 

2 Kings 4 tells four short stories from the life of Elisha the prophet. Four scenarios that are very different, yet, surprisingly, so very much the same. 

Scenario 1: A widow of a prophet is destitute, about to be taken into slavery along with her two young sons. She appeals to Elisha. Elisha asks her what is in her house. “A little oil,” she replies. Then he gives her three tasks to do: gather empty jars from her neighbors, shut herself in her house with her boys, and pour the oil into all the jars, filling each one. 

None of those tasks met her immediate need, which was money. But when she did what Elisha asked of her, the Lord multiplied the oil to fill every jar she’d collected. Then the oil stopped flowing. She sold the oil to first pay her debts, then support her small family. God did the miraculous, but He did it after she’d obeyed His instructions, ones that probably made little sense to her in the moment. 

Scenario 2: A woman graciously feeds Elisha on his trips past her house. Then she builds him a small room so he can stay whenever he wants. He wants to repay her gracious hospitality. She and her husband are childless. Elisha tells her she will have a son. Fast forward several years. The son falls ill. He dies. The woman seeks out Elisha and throws herself at his feet. He returns to the house with her, prays, and the son is restored to life. 

The Lord used Elisha to breathe new life into the woman’s son. But didn’t receive him back until she asked. And my guess is that the humility with which she appealed to Elisha, who then appealed to the Lord, had much to do with His answer. Again, an action on her part followed by a miracle on God’s part.

Scenario 3: While eating with the prophets, poisonous plants get put into the stew. The men are dying. Elisha throws flour into the pot— an ordinary substance— and suddenly it is okay to eat. Two interesting actions in this story. Elisha had to throw the flour in the pot, but the prophets with him had to chose to eat it again. 

Once more, faith put into practice resulting in a work only God could perform. 

Scenario 4: A man brought bread to Elisha. “Give it to those with me,” Elisha says. A hundred hungry men. Only twenty loaves. Reluctantly, the man did as Elisha instructed. The bread not only fed the men, but they had left overs. (Sound familiar?) Another simple act of faith that didn’t solve the predicament. Another instance of God’s hand providing for the need. 

Why did this chapter jump out at me? I guess because as I walk this journey of life and writing, I’m understanding more and more that the Lord asks me to do something before He shows His power in a given situation. Often the task set before me seems inconsequential or maybe even ridiculous. And it certainly won’t remedy the situation in and of itself. But once I have made that step of faith to trust and obey (yes, there is no other way!), His all-powerful hand can work. It isn’t that He couldn’t act prior to my action, it’s that He chooses my action to be His invitation to step in and do what I cannot. 

What has the Lord asked you to step out and do today? 

Extravagant Generosity

I’ve been rolling this phrase around and around in my head since the day of my book launch signing: extravagant generosity. 

I consider myself a generous person. I give of my time. My money. Other resources. But that weekend of my book signing, I realized that my generosity hasn’t always been extravagant. Not in the light of family and friends and friends of family and friends who arrived to buy my book. At full price instead of online at a discount. Not in the light of others who spent much time, money and energy to provide a lovely dinner to celebrate afterwards. 

Oh, on occasion my generosity could be defined in a similar way. But as friends and friends of friends flowed through the book line, and as friends ate and chatted and enjoyed the book-related decorations at the dinner, I realized that my generosity toward those beyond my inner circle of family and friends was more often calculated. I weighed if I could “afford” to give instead of just giving what sprang up in my heart. Again, not just money but time and other resources. 

And as usual, all this pondering circled back around to Jesus. To the ultimate example of extravagant generosity. 

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

If I want to be like Jesus, I have to live a life of extravagant generosity toward all— not just those closest to me. I don’t think that means giving foolishly, but it means when the Lord pricks my heart to bless another person, I need to do everything that is in my heart without pulling back to measure it first. That is how people gave to me a few days ago. Extravagantly. It blessed me. It humbled me. It pointed me back to Jesus. And because of their extravagant generosity, I will never be the same. 

What gift of extravagant generosity from another person has humbled you, made you realize anew the free gift of love God demonstrated towards us through Christ? 

10 Years Ago . . .

On 9/11/2001, I remember . . . 

• Turning on the TV because my husband called.
• Watching in bewilderment, along with the TV commentators, as the 2^nd plane hit the 2^nd tower. 
• Praying, praying, praying.
• My neighbor and best friend bursting through my backdoor, asking if I knew.
• Weeping for the families of those whose loved ones came home to them--and the families of those who didn’t.  
• Trying to figure out how to explain what happened to my 10, 8, and 6 year old kids.
• Being grateful my husband wasn’t traveling that day. 
• Hugging my children hard when they came home from school.
• Wondering how it would change our world. 

Later in the week, I attended a prayer service at our church. I remember sitting in the pew, praying, singing “It Is Well With My Soul”, and, strangely enough, wondering if that feeling of agony and fear, of the uncertainty of the future, was the same as those who sat in pews and prayed after Pearl Harbor. In that moment, I felt a kinship with the past, with those who lived through other horrific events and survived. 

I thought about all that this weekend, with the rubble cleared away and new construction moving forward on the ground that absorbed such tragedy. Again, I prayed. Again I listened to stories of tragedy. But I also heard other stories, new stories of hope and redemption. Stories pieced together through years of wondering and searching or lived out in the midst of great pain. And in those I remembered again that this world has a Creator and a Savior. One that brings beauty from ashes. 

Oh, Lord, may we see Your hand in everything, bringing light into dark places, bringing life out of death, bringing hope in the midst of pain and suffering. Be near to our hearts, O God. Be near.




**********


I'm guest posting on Cara Putman's blog today--and she's doing a giveaway! You'll also find my book on a variety of blogs this week on my CFBA blog tour. See you around cyberspace!

A Sunday Psalm

The Lord watches over you--
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm--
He will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
    --Psalm 121:5-8

The 2nd Hottest Summer

To say it’s been a hot summer in Texas is like saying it’s a bit chilly in Siberia. It’s been HOT!  In fact, by the numbers it has been the second hottest summer on record. (I lived here through the first hottest as well, in 1980.) We’ve had 68 days where the high reached the 100 degree mark or above--40 of those coming on consecutive days. But another statistic I found about this summer really summed up the heat. In the past 115 years of keeping temperature records in our area, only once has our highest low temperature been 85 degrees. (Read that again. 85 degrees as the low for the day.) Once until 2011, that is. We hit that 85 degrees or higher as our low mark on nine  days this summer. The hot was hot and didn’t abate when the sun went down.

So where am I going with this? Of course I’m going to the God who shows us spiritual truth so often through the natural world.

On September 3, I woke up and made my usual trek to the coffee machine. I noticed my husband outside in a chair on the deck. I opened the door to ask him why he was out there, but my breath caught in my chest before I could utter a word.

He looked up at me. “75 degrees. Isn’t it wonderful?”

My coffee and I joined him outside. As if that weren’t enough, the following morning was so cool (68 degrees with a brisk wind) that I had to put on my lightweight sweatpants and wrap a blanket around my shoulders in order to sit outside with my coffee.

As I thought about this summer, it has reminded me again of how God often works in our lives. We walk through scorching hot trials, where the sweat rolls and the heat refuses to back off even in what ought to be the cool of night. Day after day after day with no respite. We begin to believe that life will forever be marked with hot. Cool— autumn— will never again appear. We will live from one 100 degree day to another, with no end in sight. We convince ourselves we simply have to learn to endure the heat, and we soldier on, determined yet wishing we could remember what it felt like to be cold.

Then one day, the door of our lives opens to a fresh breeze that whispers cool across our skin. In the blink of an eye, when we’d quit watching for the end, life changes. The fire of trial dies down, perhaps not retreating to nothingness, but at least no longer alive with blazing intensity. We lift our faces to heaven and understand once again that He hasn’t left us to wither in an unrelenting sun.

So that’s what I learned this summer. How about you?


* * * *

Today I’m over at my friend Jen AlLee’s blog. Come join in the conversation!

I've Missed Y'all!

So I guess you’ve noticed that I’ve kind of had an impromptu blog tour that has been taking up my blog space. At first, I was relieved to just post where I was each day and not have to write something new. Between getting my kids situated in college and high school and preparing for the official book launch, I was stressed and figured not blogging was one less thing on my to do list.

But during these past couple of weeks I discovered something. I missed blogging. I missed you, my blog readers! So in light of that, I want you to know that I’m returning to my regular posting schedule (Mon, Wed, Fri, and a Sun Psalm). At the bottom of each post, I’ll let you know if I’m being featured on another blog so you can visit and comment and keep me company in new places.


 *  *  *  *  *  

Still time to comment for a chance to win Wings of a Dream at: Debbie Lynne Costello’s blog
                                                                                                       Janalyn Voigt’s Novel Books

Tea (or Coffee) and A Good Book

My friend Susie, at Tea and a Good Book, had me tell ten things about myself. Some of them might surprise you!

The Book is Launched!

Wow! What an amazing book signing and celebration! My friends and my family made it a day I will never forget. Here are a few pictures. Wish you could have been there, too!

Want a chance to win a copy of the book? Comment over at Novel Books.

Join me at Novel Books

While I'm still compiling the pictures from Saturday's book signing, please join me at Novel Books today with Janalyn Voigt.

A Sunday Psalm

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him
and in whose spirit is no deceit.
    --Psalm 32:1-2

Are You Ready for a Book Signing?

I'm not sure I am! But ready or not, here I come! If you are in the area, I'd love to see you. Here are the details:

Barnes and Noble

Firewheel Towne Center

Garland, TX

Saturday, Sept. 3, 2-4 pm

I'm super excited that we are doing this in conjunction with a book fair that will benefit the library at my kids' school. I look forward to connecting with you there!

Wings of a Dream Release Day!

Hey y'all! Today's the official release day! I stand in humble amazement of all God has done and continues to do through this imperfect woman. And I know that none of it is for me or about me. It's all about Him. His glory and His fame. Oh, that His name would be praised in all the earth! Selah.

I'm celebrating the release of Wings of a Dream with a two day interview over at the Barn Door Book Loft. Stop over and leave a comment for a chance to win the book!

I'm never home!

Home on my blog, I mean! Lena Nelson Dooley asked me all kind of interesting questions in the interview on her blog today. Come by and comment for a chance to win a copy of Wings of a Dream, too!

Humility

As I’ve started another journey through the Bible, from beginning to end, it seems the theme the Lord is showing me on this trip is humility. First I saw it anew in Moses’ life. (He is named as the most humble man on the face of the each.) Now I’m recognizing it in David’s life, though it is not actually named as such. 

In David’s life, I see humility in the lack of a presumption on his part. In spite of being anointed king by Samuel, David doesn’t take that word and say, “Ok, I’ve got this Lord. You told me what I’d be, now I’ll make sure it happens.” Instead, at every turn, he seeks the Lord’s direction--even when others are declaring that direction to be clear in the circumstances. (Most often those people were wrong!) 

David’s humility also comes in the form of forgiveness, of not holding a grudge, of maintaining integrity in his own words and actions no matter what his enemy did or said. That’s humility. Just like Moses, David didn’t feel a need to defend his position (or his future position). He left that to God to do or to not do. He was secure in his belief that God’s plan was superior to his own, in spite of what the circumstances looked like. 

Like Moses, David was also quick to repent when he realized his sin. And both men also understood that God’s reputation was more important than their own. And isn’t that humility, too? Realizing that my life isn’t about me. That my circumstances, whether marked by blessing or discomfort (or a bit of both), aren’t about me getting what I “deserve,” good or bad. The end result of all my life is simply to be a showcase for God’s glory, a revelation of His power, His love, and His forgiveness. 

Of course I’m only in 2 Samuel, but I have a feeling these lessons on humility will continue on through. After all, even in the New Testament God reminds us that He opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6, I Peter 5:5)

I want to walk the rest of my life in that kind of humility. How about you? 

Another Interview

I know. You think you know everything about me. :)

But amazingly enough, each person asks a few slightly different questions. Come to Debbie Lynne Costello's blog and see what she wanted to know.

A Sunday Psalm

I will open my mouth in parables,

I will utter hidden things, things from of old--

what we have heard and known,

what our fathers have told us.

We will not hide them from their children;

we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord;

His power, and the wonders He has done.

   --Psalm 78:2-4

Come Visit!

I'm over at Salena Stormo's blog today. Come by and visit!

The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund

You might remember last year when I told you about a wonderful novel by debut Bethany House author Jody Hedlund called The Preacher’s Bride. Well, Jody’s second novel is now releasing (September 1 is the official date) and let me tell you, The Doctor’s Lady did not disappoint! 

Like Jody’s first book, this one is also based on the real lives of historical figures. This time we embark on a historic missionary journey across the then unclaimed and untamed western territories. Jody’s author notes at the end of the book will amaze you as to which incidents were drawn directly from the journal of the first white woman to make the trek. But the beauty of this book is more than its historical accuracy. Jody crafts characters that grapple with real issues as they seek to honor God with their lives. And in their struggles, I see my own heart more clearly. That’s what makes for a special book.  

An Interview

I know my blogging has fallen by the wayside this week. Forgive me! I'm getting back on track again now.  But today, come read an interview over on my friend Mary DeMuth's blog. We're even giving away a copy of Wings of a Dream!

Character Spotlight, Author Memories, and Story Behind the Story

Hey y'all! I'm in three places at once!

Come visit Relz Reviewz for a spotlight on Wings of a Dream protagonist Rebekah Hendricks.

Come visit Anita Mae's blog Author Memories to find out how I tracked down a very special piece of family history related to Wings of a Dream.


Drop by Nicole Miller's blog and discover some of the Story Behind the Story of Wings of a Dream. 

A Sunday Psalm

Search me, O God, and know my heart,
try me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there be any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
    --Psalm 139:23-24

My Journey to Publication (the short version)

I'm over at my fellow author Richard Mabry's blog today talking about my writing journey to publication. Stop by and comment!

Too funny!

A friend sent me this link and I thought it was hilarious! So in honor of the DVD release of the new Jane Eyre movie:

I'm at Seekerville today!

Come read my post about writing contests over at the Seekerville blog today!

Worship and Surrender

There are a few worship songs that grab me by the heart and hurl me into intimate worship, all with a strong sense of who God is and my surrender to him. Yesterday in church we sang three of them right in a row! So I thought I’d share this morning.

If you don’t have time to listen to them, just read the lines I pulled from each song, words that stir me tears every time. And may your day and week and life be one of total worship and surrender.

“So let my life be a blazing offering, that shouts and sings the greatness of my King. Take my life and let it be, all for You and for Your glory. Take my life and let it be Yours.”

 "My heart and my soul, I give You control, consume me from the inside out, Lord.”

“What can I say? What can I do? But offer this heart, O God, completely to You.”

A Sunday Psalm

It is good to praise the Lord and make music to Your name, O Most High,
to proclaim Your love in the morning and Your faithfulness at night.
     --Psalm 92:1-2

Stuck in Neutral

I turn terribly unproductive in about the last week before school starts. It isn’t because I’m trying to hold on to summer. Believe me. I’m chomping at the bit for a semi-predictable schedule again! No, it’s much less noble that that. And honestly, it happens with more than just the first day of school.

I find that when any big event looms on the horizon, I go into a holding pattern. The anticipation of it—even the good anticipation—stalls me out. I can’t seem to make myself move forward again until that event comes and goes. This phenomenon could last a few hours, a few days, or even a few weeks. All I know is that this tendency in myself drives me crazy!

Does this ever happen to you? Do you have a method for breaking stalemate or do you go with it and ride out that last little bit of time in neutral gear? 

The Great Paperless Experiment

I’m on day three of my great paperless experiment. Yes, this week I decided to see if I could live with just my online to do lists. I have several different ones, just as I did with my paper lists. One for general items. My calendar for scheduled items. And another for writing tasks. But all my electronic ones sync to my phone, which means I never leave home without them.

So far, so good, but it does feel strange to see blank pages staring at me from the notebooks that sit open beside my chair. And my computer/online lists aren’t perfect in the same way my written lists weren’t perfect: I still can’t manage them all in one place. But it’s close. In the end, I think it will come down to whether or not I can give up the actual act of writing things down when the week comes to its conclusion. For now, I’m not making any permanent decisions, but at some point I’ll have to either buy a new paper calendar notebook or not. We shall see. . .

Self Control

It’s a subject I’ve been contemplating for a while and it came up again in our class at church this weekend: self-control. 

We were discussing it in terms of being a fruit of the Spirit, but the truth is that self-control is one of those things we often try to conjure up in our own strength. We try to deny ourselves the things we realize are a point of overindulgence but often end up giving in to the very cravings we are trying so hard to tame. At least I know I do. So where is the line between the two? How can I know my self-control is the Holy Spirit kind and not the kind destined to eventually fail? 

I don’t have real answers yet. I find there are areas of my life I see the true fruit of self-control. And there are areas of my life that I struggle, try to impose my own limits, and fail. But the subject is on my mind and in my prayers a lot these days. 

Any insights out there? 

A Sunday Psalm

[The Lord's] pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
nor His delight in the legs of a man;
the Lord delights in those who fear Him,
who put their hope in His unfailing love.
     --Psalm 147:10-11

Surrender the Dawn by MaryLu Tyndall

I loved two things about MaryLu Tyndall’s latest book, Surrender the Dawn. First, the scenes on the ships. In those moments, I can feel the wind whipping my hair, taste the salt spray on my lips. I can feel the up and down swell of the waves. I can even here the movie music in my head as two ships engage in a chase or in battle. That is MaryLu’s signature strength--the scenes at sea--and this book delivers again.

But even on land the book does not disappoint. Cassandra and Luke seem to continually find themselves in all kinds of trouble even when their feet are firmly planted on Baltimore soil. And that is the second reason I enjoyed this book: Baltimore. My family has spent time around the harbor and touring Fort McHenry. In fact, I remember watching the Fort McHenry movie and then standing in the fort overlooking the harbor and imagining the scene myself. But MaryLu put me in the battle with Luke and his friend Noah, as well as with Francis Scott Key watching from afar. I love when a historical event and place spring to life in the pages of a book!

If you are up for adventure, you’ll enjoy Surrender the Dawn. If you want to experience a piece of our country’s history often overlooked, this is your book, too. And of course to top it all off, it’s always a pleasure to read MaryLu because she is such a sweet lady!

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher.

Gone All Apple

I’ve gone completely Apple.

We bought our first iMac in 2006--for the kids. Hubby gave me my white macbook for our anniversary in 2007. In 2009 our daughter bought a macbook pro to take to college. Then my husband dove in with a macbook pro as well. We gave up our blackberries for iphones--my husband first, me holding out much longer. And this summer our son bought his macbook pro for college.

After seeing the new Lion features on my son’s computer, I decided we all needed to upgrade, which has been no big deal for hubby and daughter but requires a bit more for my laptop (needs more RAM) and the desktop computer (still running Tiger). In the meantime, my son waffled on what word processing program to get for college (He’s cheap. He didn’t want to pay for Microsoft Office.), and I got my first look at Pages.

Love. At. First. Sight.

When we bought the first mac, I’d heard Pages was harder to use. Not compatible with Word. Etc, etc. So we didn’t even consider it. I don’t know if I heard wrong or if improvements have been made, but after one look at the current version, I made the switch.

Hello, iWork. Goodbye, Office. Now if I can just get my memory upgraded so Lion will install . . .

Celebrating the day

What’s going on in my life today?

I’m celebrating!

Why?

Three big reasons:

1. All of my children are at home this week. That is becoming such a rare occasion that I’m learning to savor the moments. And I’m trying not to think that in less than three weeks we’ll move our son into his first dorm room and come back home to only one child.

2. Fifteen months of waiting have whittled down to one. It’s finally time to start marking the days off the calendar until the official book release date for Wings of a Dream. Thirty-one squares to go.

3. My son’s high school class is having a fundraiser at our favorite restaurant, so I have an excuse not to cook!

Can this day get any better?

A Sunday Psalm

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore.
     --Psalm 125:1-2

Elusive Characters

I’ve always been a “seat of the pants” writer. When I was writing, writing, writing novels to learn the craft of fiction and in hopes of publication, I simply listened for a character to start talking. I didn’t wait for the whole story to take form; I just started putting it to paper (or screen). But now that I don’t have to write an entire novel before I can sell it, everything has changed. Now I need a storyline to pitch—one strong enough to capture my editor, then the acquisitions committee, then the pub board.

So I thought: how hard can this be? I mean, really. I do some research, come up with a storyline and wah-lah!

Right.

For two days I read over my research then stared at the blank screen. Yes, I already had a vague paragraph that intrigued my editor to ask for something longer, but I couldn’t seem to make it stretch. The characters became elusive, like they rounded a corner just ahead of me and I just missed laying a hand on their shoulders from behind. So I took a different approach. I quit trying. I cleaned out part of my office, listening to music, with a notepad at my side.

As my hands worked and my brain pulled thoughts of organizing my office to the forefront, in slipped a thought here, a word there. I jotted. Worked some more. Added another impression.

I feel a bit less stressful now. They are starting to talk. Not “sit down across the table and spill their story” talk, but a word whispered near my ear before they sprint away and hide again. I think they are telling me not to hurry, to be still. Not easy, but necessary.

Good thing I have lots of closets left to be organized!

Declaration of Dependence

One of my major goals as a parent has been to raise children who at some point become independent of me. Not just financially, but in every other respect as well. We expect this of them as they mature. God, on the other hand, doesn’t raise His children to become independent in any way, shape or form—not even those He considers most spiritually “grown up.”

I remember hearing this truth in a Bible study (Maybe a Beth Moore study?) years ago and it shook me to the core. You see, I’d always prized my independence, worn it like a badge of honor. I was always the child who could “do it myself.” I didn’t want help. I didn’t need help. Or so I thought. But that day I suddenly realized that independence was the last thing God desired of me. Instead, He wanted me to live in total dependence on Him. Forever.

Dependence. Not as a weakness, but as the ultimate strength. Dependence. Not by remaining a babe still feeding on the milk of the Word but through continued growth feasting on the meat found in Scripture. A deeper relationship to foster a greater dependence, not a lesser one. As an immature believer that truth sometimes chafed. Now dependence resonates as the sweetest freedom of all. 

She Speaks Conference and P31 Ministries

Hey y’all!

This post is slow in coming because I’ve been at the SheSpeaks conference this weekend. This was my second year to attend, though I use “attend” loosely. I went in my capacity as a freelance editor with The WritingSpa, so I got to sit in on the general sessions but didn’t get to soak up all the other good stuff She Speaks had to offer. However, just knowing the women of Proverbs 31 Ministries who put on this conference each year, I can say with confidence that the sessions are more than worthwhile.

So while I recover from three days of meeting new writers and deepening friendships, I just wanted to encourage those of you who aren’t familiar with P31 Ministries to check them out. I love their “Encouragement for Today” devotional emails that come to my inbox each morning. And I usually read their physical magazine from cover to cover each month. And if you are (or have a desire to be) a writer, a speaker or lead a women’s ministry, I encourage you to pray about registering for next year’s conference. But be warned: they fill up fast and usually have a large waiting list of people that don’t get to attend!

A Sunday Psalm

Praise our God, O peoples,
let the sound of His praise be heard;
He has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.
For You, O God, tested us; You refined us like silver.
You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs.
You let men ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water,
but You brought us to a place of abundance.
      ---Psalm 66:8-12

She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen

I finished She Makes it Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen a while ago, but I wanted time to process the story before I wrote about. I loved the book. I really did. But not in the “what a fun story” kind of way. More like in the “ouch, that hurt, but it made me think” kind of way.

The story isn’t anything out of the ordinary, really. At least not out of the ordinary in the lives of most women. At its heart, it’s a story of a comparison and contentment—or rather, the search for contentment. Honestly, I could identify with Ariel and Justine. I’ve been both of them, at times ordering my life to mask the discontent that writhed within me, at times desperately searching for acceptance and affirmation, for the serenity that seemed in abundance in every other woman’s life I knew. So as I read, I hurt for their pain, because it had been my own. Yet I also rejoiced, recognizing that God faithfully brought me through to a different place, one that more fully reflects who I am because I am His.

It was a bittersweet read for me, too, because I lived eight years with my friend in my backyard, like they did. Kids running in and out of each other’s houses. But unlike Ariel and Justine, our friendship was genuine, one of those rare relationships where we didn’t allow each other to hide behind facades. Instead, we encouraged each other to seek Jesus, helped each other weather storms of life that came in our circumstances and in our hearts.

She Makes it Look Easy is a book I will not forget for a very long time.

What Wasn't Said

I love this little verse I found the other day. Joshua has just taken over leadership of Israel and the nation has crossed over the Jordan River on dry ground. They have set up a memorial of stones to remind them what God has done for them. Then Joshua says this to the people:

“He [God] did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” (Joshua 4:24)

Of course I immediately recognized the two reasons God dried up the river for them to pass through: so all in the earth would know God’s hand is powerful and so that Israel would always fear God. But what struck me was what Joshua didn’t say.

He didn’t say God rolled back the waters so the children of Israel wouldn’t have to deal with wet feet. Or damp belongings. It wasn’t so they didn’t get knocked down or swept away by the current. Or so that wouldn’t be tired from wading as opposed to walking. In other words, God didn’t perform this miracle because He wanted them to have it easy. Or to be comfortable. He did it to show His power to those who didn’t know Him. He did it to remind His people that His power is to be respected.

How many times have I looked back on something God has done in my life and thanked Him for making my way easy instead of praising Him for showing His power and reminding me of it? How many times have I rejoiced that my feet weren’t wet instead of glorifying the power of the One who commands the water? Far too many, I fear. But it’s never too late to adjust my focus.

The Secret Garden

I have a tendency, when life feels stressful or out of control, to return to books I know and love. Right now that book is The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I remember the first time I heard about this book. I was in the sixth grade. A friend told me about it. Her mother had recommended it to her. I think it was the first “classic” piece of literature I’d ever read, though I didn’t know it at the time. I only knew that Mary and Dickon and Colin and Martha captured my imagination—and probably fueled my love for all things British!

Years have passed since I’ve read through the book, though I can’t count the number of times I lived in its pages growing up. It was the first book I bought for my daughter—the hardcover version with the Tasha Tudor illustrations, as a present on her first Christmas. She was nine months old. She’s twenty now and I don’t think she’s read it yet! Sigh. But it’s still there. Waiting. For her—or for my future granddaughters. Doesn’t matter which. I’ll just enjoy sharing the story and hoping one comes to love it as much as I do.

A Sunday Psalm

Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven.
The Lord will indeed give what is good,
and our land will yield its harvest.
Righteousness goes before Him
and prepares the way for His steps.
    --Psalm 85:10-13

The Muir House by Mary DeMuth

Instead of the normal “this is why I liked this book,” I thought you might enjoy a glimpse into the creative process with my friend, Mary DeMuth. I sat down and talked with her about the unique setting she close for her latest novel, The Muir House.

Thanks for spending some time with us, Mary! All your previous novels have been set in fictional towns. Why use a real location this time—and why use the town you live in?

I adore Rockwall. It’s my home. In a few months, it will be the longest place I’ve ever lived. Writing this book was my tribute to it.

What particular challenges did you face in using a real town vs. a fictional one?

Well, I worried that I might make folks mad. I think I wrote something about the police ticketing folks (We have a lot of police here.), so I worry a police officer will read the book and then be angry!

What was your favorite hometown detail that made it into the book?

The restaurants. I adore them! So it blessed me to be able to highlight them.

How did you decide what places to mention and which ones to leave out?

Totally personal preference. I didn’t want the book to read like a Rockwall brochure, so I didn’t include everything. So if you’re from Rockwall and your business has been left out, please don’t be angry with me! :)

Did anything in Rockwall help or hinder your initial ideas for Willa's story?

It’s a pretty contained town with a lake providing a huge boundary. I think folks here in Rockwall feel that boundary in particular, so leaving past the lake seems like a huge excursion. I tried to capture that boundary in the book.

Now that you’ve set Willa in Rockwall, do you ever think you’ll run into her in Target?

Yes, in fact I’m going there right now.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this small glimpse into The Muir House and its creator. Below you can find the book trailer for the story. After that, read it for yourself and see how Willa Muir and Rockwall flow into a seamless story.

Agent Envy

I don’t have an agent. For those of you who aren’t writers, that might not seem strange. But in today’s world, most published authors do. And now that I’ve turned in my second manuscript, the last in my current contract, I’ve found myself battling agent envy. Not that my editor isn’t going to look at new ideas. Or my husband, who reads my contracts, won’t look out for my interests. But it isn’t the same as when I hear of my friends using their agent as a sounding board for ideas or getting advice on mapping out a career plan.

So I whined to the Lord the other day. As I did, the words sounded vaguely familiar in my ears.

“An agent could help me get things I might not get on my own.”

“An agent could protect me if things go wrong.”

The longsuffering Lord whispered patiently to my heart. I’m your agent. I got you the first contract. Can’t you trust me with the rest?

I argued back, knowing His words to be truth, but my flesh wanting something more. “But everyone else has one!”

Suddenly I knew where I’d heard the words before. I Samuel 8:5. The Israelites came to Samuel and said, “now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”

Israel dealt with king envy the same way I’ve been dealing with agent envy. All the other nations could see their king. They wanted one, too. God gave them what they wanted, but His response always makes me sad when I read it: “And the Lord told him [Samuel]: ‘Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their King.’” How could they do such a thing after all God had done for them?

Ouch. I was rejecting God as my agent when He’d clearly orchestrated things to put Himself in that place. Now don’t get me wrong. Having an agent isn’t bad. But what if you start thinking another person’s agent is better than the one the Lord gave to you? What then? The point is that for me, He chose fill this role in my life by Himself, without the intermediary of an agent. And I rushed headlong into the same trap as Israel—looking around and envying what others have rather than trusting God in the path He set for me.

Unlike Israel, I saw my sin and repented. That doesn’t mean I don’t still battle an occasional bout of agent envy, but now I recognize that thought before it takes root and I run to the One who holds it all in His hands. If someday He chooses to give me an agent, great. If not, I will trust Him to guide my writing path even if I can’t shoot Him an email or pick up the phone and call.

Is there someone in your life right now that you are trying to put into the role that God means to have for Himself?

Shifting Roles

Lest there be any doubt that we have entered a new era with our children, the point was demonstrated in our weekend visit to our daughter who is at summer school in another state. She picked us up from the airport, was there at the right time, in the right place. She knew the way back to her town without her Daddy’s input. When we arrived at her apartment, she’d put fresh sheets on the bed, washed all her towels. In spite of her busy schedule, she’d picked up milk and cereal for breakfast.

The next morning, she got up, ironed her uniform and left for class. (A culinary class where they run a “restaurant.” We’d been earlier in the summer on the day she helped pick the menu and run the kitchen. We were back this time for her day as Maitre D’.)  After our lunch at the bistro, we went back to her apartment (after we’d made a Walmart run and restocked some things we noticed she needed) and amused ourselves until she finished her work. That evening, we all went to dinner (my parents had come as well, though they were staying in a hotel), then our daughter made sure we had all we needed before she left for her midnight to 8am weekend job.

It was strange to be the “guest” of our child, but it was very satisfying to watch her handle her life so efficiently and responsibly. And while I know there will still be many, many times when she comes “home” and we revert back to our old roles of parent and child, this weekend proved a definite shift into the era of dealing with each other as adults.

A Sunday Psalm

The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.
Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side.
His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
    ---Psalm 97:1-4