Ada Brownell's Blog, page 62

HOW TO TEACH THE REASON FOR CHRISTMAS IN A SECULAR WORLD

By Ada BrownellA disabled man who grew up in a Chicago orphanage during the violent prohibition era of the '20s and '30s gave his testimony at our church in Arvada, Colo. He told how the famous bootlegger and gangster, Al Capone, visited the orphanage every Christmas, bearing gifts.Historians say despite his unlawful activities, Capone became a somewhat respected public figure because of donations to charities. I'm sure most orphans adored the man. Yet, at least one child discovered someone greater. He heard about a Heavenly Father who loved him, and God's gift to this boy was His Son coming to earth—for Jesus brought the gift of eternal life to anyone who would accept it.The world still needs to hear the wonder of God becoming man that we might have life.Death is why God came down. Sin caused death. Adam and Eve believed Satan when he said, "You won't die!" So they disobeyed, ate the forbidden fruit, and soon after had to bury a son.The Father promised a Redeemer in the early pages of the Bible, Genesis 3:15, to restore immortality. Jesus, God's Son, was that Redeemer and He suffered on the cross to take away sin.So, Christmas is about the cross as much as it is about the manger.How can we share the true message of Christmas with our children and grandchildren?·         Don't talk about Santa as if he compares with the all-knowing, all-powerful God who is everywhere. No one is equal to God.·         Teach about the wonder of "God with us."  Jesus has many names, counselor, almighty God, the alpha and omega, the lily of the valley, but "Immanuel," which means God with us, is most significant. Isaiah prophesied that it would be His name 700 years before the Messiah was born (Isaiah 7:14. Even now, God's presence is with us and if we open our heart to him He is in us "He dwelleth with you and shall be in you" (John 14:17).·         Teach about angels. We should never worship them, but according to Psalm 91, God gives angels charge over us to protect us. They also sometimes deliver messages, as Gabriel did to Mary, when he told her she would be the mother of Jesus.·         Teach about giving and gifts. It is more blessed to give then to receive (Acts 20:35).·         Talk about the stable and how Mary and Joseph were content in the humble place.·         Discuss the inn and the innkeeper. What would we have done if we owned the inn? One of the most dramatic Christmas plays I've seen was a children's Christmas musical, The First Leon. Ever since Leon discovered that his name spelled backwards is Noel, he's felt called to tell the world the true meaning of Christmas. But when he tries out for every role in the annual pageant, he finds that he's the only one who doesn't get a part. Rejected. Now Leon understands how Mary and Joseph must have felt when they heard the words, "No room" that night in Bethlehem. If I remember correctly, Leon breaks into the performance and the boy says even if others have no room, he has a place in his heart for Jesus and He wants Him to live there.The night I attended the play, many gave their lives to the Lord—even adults.That's good. Christ always needs to be in Christmas and celebrations in honor of His birthday.
©Copyright Dec. 13, 2013

OUT OF A DREAM: The dark side of Yoga, New age beliefs, and meditation

Interview with Rosemary Hines
Q. You’ve written a best seller. What do you think launched Out of a Dream into that category?A. The honest truth is that God has had His hand on Out of a Dream from the very beginning, so I really can’t take credit for its success. He walked me through the writing of this story as His way of redeeming the years the locusts had eaten away in my life. I think it resonates with readers because it is very real and suspenseful, and it has a powerful message of redemption and hope. Q. How does this book tap into your salvation testimony?A. Out of a Dream exposes the deception of New Age beliefs. I know this deception personally because I spent years steeped in that false religion. Reading my horoscope daily, participating in séances and Ouija board sessions, practicing New Age forms of meditation, and even reading tarot cards for others were all part of my life. When I was 29, my father took his own life. It rocked my flimsy spiritual foundation and brought me to my knees. Through his death, I realized my New Age philosophies and practices were empty. A search for truth led me to Jesus, and a new path in life. Q. Were you surprised at the response of readers with your revelation of New Age beliefs, the darkness of meditation outside of focusing on things the Bible tells us about, and the negative spiritual side of Yoga?
A.  Many of my Christian readers are uneasy as they read the first part of the book, which shows how easily someone can be seduced by New Age beliefs and practices.  But all of them have given me such positive feedback after they finish reading the story and my letter to readers at the end of the story. In that letter, I share my own painful journey to God and why the writing of this novel was such a gift from Him.
Q. Was it difficult to bring your fictional character “out of the miry clay” of false beliefs and set her feet on “the Rock, Christ Jesus and truth?”
A. One thing I discovered as I became immersed in the process of writing this book is that my character, Michelle, needed to tell her own story. I could not control her every thought and move. So I learned to watch her life unfold as if it were a movie playing out on a screen in my mind. As she struggled along her own path to truth, God showed up and guided the way.
Q. How long did it take to write the book?
A. Not to discourage any fledgling authors, but from the first time I sat down to write until the day it was published was seventeen years. You have to know that writing this was a God thing, not a dream or aspiration of my own. During those years, I was living the life I had planned and chosen — raising a family, getting a teaching credential and a Masters Degree in counseling, and launching a 20 year teaching career. So the writing was sporadic and relied on God’s inspiration and timing.
Q. Was it difficult to show instead of tell the reader what your character, Michelle, was going through?
A. Definitely. Since I had no formal training in writing fiction, I really had a lot to learn. Getting inside Michelle’s head and heart really helped. As she took on life, she breathed her own depth and drama into the story.
Q. Do you have a critique group or critique partners?
A. Currently I rely on a college English professor, who is my editor, and a host of well-read friends to critique and correct my writing. But I did belong to a critique group for several years and have attended numerous writing conferences. All of these people and events helped to shape Out of a Dream and the Sandy Cove Series, which has by God’s grace found its way into many hands and hearts.
Q. Some readers commented they liked the way you handled the romance. Did you plan to weave it in that way? Tell us how you did it.
A. The goal in all my books is realism, not sensationalism. I wanted to handle romance realistically and with sensitivity toward my audience. So I focused on the heart and feelings of my characters as I wrote the romantic scenes. Love relationships are part of life and that is how I wove them into the lives of my characters. I didn’t bend the personalities of my characters to fit the typical formula for romance.I am not a fan of formula writing or of reading books written in that style (the basis for many romance novels). Life is not formulaic. These are stories about real life. From what my readers have told me, the realistic nature of my novels resonates with them at a deeper level, and they feel very connected to the characters.
Q.  What is your next book in the series? Is it available, or when will it be?
A. There are three books in the Sandy Cove Series. All three are available in print and ebook formats. Although each can be read as a stand-alone novel, they also flow seamlessly as one continuous storyline beginning with Out of a Dream, followed by Through the Tears, and finally Into Magnolia.




Q. Are you thinking of your next series? What is the theme?

A. There may be another book in the Sandy Cove Series coming up. In addition, I am considering a Christmas novella and a possible memoir. One of the projects I’d love to see happen is a co-authored novel with my sister. So there are many possibilities on the horizon, depending on God’s direction and inspiration.


Q. How has your life changed since you became a born-again Christian?
A. The biggest changes are in the realms of fear and purpose. Fear used to be the rudder that steered my ship in life. In fact, I wrestled with a pretty intense anxiety disorder for quite awhile. God has patiently pried my hands off that rudder as He teaches me to rest and trust Him with every circumstance and outcome. Lots of prayer, deep breaths, and scriptures are part of this ongoing process.Before I became a Christian, I had many interests and goals, but not a prevailing sense of purpose. Now I look at life as an opportunity to seek God’s direction and plan for each stage of my life, leaning on Him to help me live it out.
Q.  What is your greatest desire at this point in your life?
A. Other than a slew of grandkids? JTo love God completely and live life fully to the very end.
Thanks, Rosemary, for being our guest and for sharing your story with the world.

Thank you, Ada. I’d like to offer a free copy of Out of a Dream to one of your readers. Anyone who shares this blog on social media like Facebook or Twitter during the next 5 days will be entered in the drawing. Readers, if you are entering the drawing, please comment below and indicate your email address as well as where you shared this blog. The drawing will be held on Dec. 12 and the winner will be notified by email.

Interview with novelist Dana Pratola

DESCENDEDBy Dana Pratola

Men like Sebastian want only one thing, and Natalie has vowed not to give it to him. Yes, he’s gorgeous, intelligent and heroic, but he’s also a constant reminder that she isn’t good enough for him. Can she outrun a club owner who wants her dead when she’s weighed down by the failures of her past? 
His whole life, Sebastian has viewed women one way – as marvelous distractions. But when Natalie enters his life, he’s forced to see the world – and women – in a new light. Teaming with Jett Cestone, they enter a world of sex traffickers to rescue young innocents. But only Natalie can rescue him and give him the one thing his heart needs. 


1. What drove you to become a writer?   >> God. It was always there, always in me as long as I can remember. It took me a while though to realize He gave it to me for a reason.
2. What caused the greatest satisfaction in your writing so far?  >> Finishing is always wonderful, LOL. I’m a great starter, but getting mw to finish a project is another story. But I have to say the BEST part is when I get emails from people who say they were touched by my work and that they see things a little differently after reading my books. LOVE that.
3. What are your goals? >> To see as many people come to the Lord as possible through my books. It’s so important to spread the word that God isn’t mad at anyone, just come. There’s a Salvation prayer at the end of Descended~Sebastian (ebook), and I pray unsaved readers see it and give their hearts to Jesus.
4. How long did it take to get Descended published? >> It was written over a two-year period, roughly, and then I indie published it. The publishing part was easy – well, with help from a friend J
5. To be published by Pelican Book Group is a nice achievement. Were you accepted by an agent before you received a contract? >>  No, when I submitted The Covering to Nicola Martinez of PBG (then White Rose Publishing), I had never submitted anything anywhere. The Lord led me to an online conference and I was blessed to get a pitch session with Nicola. It was a 5 minute Q&A session and she requested the full manuscript. It was all God.
 6. Where did Sebastian and the Descended idea come from?  >> It started with a story I was working on about a recluse who falls in love with someone he thinks he can never have because she’s too “normal” for him. It was basically pages and pages of conversations they would have, her never having seen his face. Then I started to build around it, thinking, well, why wouldn’t she have seen him if they’re living in the same house? The idea of being descended from angels just came, and the notion that they aren’t fully angelic, but live as well-adjusted humans but with super abilities. Thus, Jett was born, the first in the series.
7. I presume Sebastian is the first of a series of interesting descendants in a notable family? Who's next, and is that book in progress? >> Sebastian is the second, Jett is first. Aaro, the third, is started and I hope to get rolling with him when I get past the holidays. After him will come Ulrick, the final of the four.
8. Do you have an interesting bunch of  relatives that influence you? How do they influence? >> Interesting is putting it mildly. I’m around my kids most of the time, and no one makes me laugh like they do. Never a dull moment.
9. Is there a spiritual payload to this series? >> I want readers to close this series with the knowledge that God loves them and has made provision for His children. It’s available to everyone, no matter what we’ve done. There’s always a change to look at your life and say, I’ve done it my way long enough, now I want to do it His way.
10. Anything else you'd like to add? >>  Thanks so much for having me. And I pray you and all your readers have a FANTASTIC holiday!!


EXCERPT FROM DESCENDED
Natalie could become a significant hindrance to moving forward, especially now that he found himself suddenly filled with the beat of her heart. It thudded in his chest, a perfect accompaniment to his. He was breathing, finally, but it was her rhythm, faster, more shallow than his own. He blinked and pulled back.“I know this isn’t the time for this....” He shook his head. “Forget it.”“No, what?” she asked.It was insane. Nuts! “Can I kiss you?” he asked. Natalie stared back. “Just once, for my own personal reference. I have to see if I’m off my nut or not.”He took her silence for permission and leaned toward her. She met him half way.He couldn’t say there were fireworks. There was heat, and light, but instead of quick, random bursts of energy and color, there was one long, white hot blaze.This was bad. This was so bad. As his lips pressed more firmly onto hers, as hers softened beneath his, his mind tumbled through time and space. And though he’d never felt anything like this—ever—he recognized the white light for what it was—an emergency flare. Not to signal the forces of nature to run to his rescue and prevent disaster, only a marker, to pinpoint the wreckage of his former life.Was it insane to believe this single kiss changed the course of his life? Because he did. He knew that even in these bizarre circumstances, something had just clicked into place and he was exactly where he was supposed to be. It felt right.He was having such a hard time coping with his own overwhelming reactions that he almost missed hers. She was emotionally engaged, yes, nearly as much as he, nearly as confused, and holding back. Sensible. And necessary at this moment. One of them had to keep a firm grip on reason, and it wasn’t him. His thoughts ran to carrying her to the couch and indulging his fantasies until the sun rose. But, the very next thought made his eyes pop open, his hands ball in his lap, his head lift. Jett could be watching.
 Dana Pratola  God has blessed me with a wonderful husband and three dynamic kids, all of whom are destined to make wide, colorful splashes in this world. We live in New Jersey with our Maltese, Lola, Shih Tzu, Maggie (Magnolia) and German Shepherd, Jett. I have no hobbies to speak of, unless you include writing. I don’t. God gave me a passion to writeChristian Romance. These books don’t contain explicit sex scenes, but my characters have real desires, struggles and choices to make. A lot of the time they make the wrong ones. No subject is prohibited but good always triumphs. This is not your mother’s Christian fiction. 

Parenting: Should parents protect their children from evil?

                           By Ada BrownellThe cradle the mother cuddled her tiny boy into was like no other.Some of the pitch wasn’t quite dry. There was no time, so Jocebed didn’t worry about the sticky black stuff getting on the blankets. The pitch would keep the little ark afloat.Ducks quacked in nearby reeds. A few crickets sang, while a long-legged bird fished quietly."Keep an eye on him and pray," Jocebed whispered to her young daughter, tears rolling down her face. "Pharaoh's childless daughter bathes here."Jocebed disappeared, but soon the beautiful dark-haired princess arrived to wash herself. The sister stood in the distance and watched."Wade out and see what that is," the princess called to her maids, pointing to where the three-month-old baby's ark floated. The child was in danger of death because of Pharaoh's decree to kill all the Israelite boys. Pharaoh wrote the decree because he believed the Jews had become more numerous and mighty than the Egyptians.The princess lifted the blankets and the baby, Moses, began to wail. "This child is one of the Hebrew's children," she said.The big sister, stepped close. "Shall I go and call a Hebrew woman to nurse him for you?"The answer was yes and the child became a grandson of the man who desired to kill him."I'll name him Moses because I brought him out of the water," the princess said, a satisfied smile on her glowing face. Jocebed's scheme worked. She nursed her own baby, and evidently became his nurse-maid or something because she taught the boy about the One God the Hebrews served and about His Almighty power. As a result, Moses didn't accept Egyptians' false gods, and was used mightily by the Heavenly Father.When our children are in danger, are we willing to put ourselves at risk as Jocebed did?A colleague of mine told about a similar situation in her youth during World War II in Holland. A bus filled with Japanese soldiers pulled into the little village. All able-bodied men rose up to fight for their nation, leaving the women, children and old men at home defenseless. Soldiers gushed out of the bus and ran after the young women who had come to see the visitors. As they dragged the struggling girls toward the bus, a mighty scream echoed. As one, women of every age took off their wooden shoes and beat the enemy soldiers on the head, and all over their bodies.Captured girls followed suit and the wicked men dropped them and ran for the bus. The girls were saved.The people dragging our young people off to hell today aren't so noticeable. They start with the mind, teaching them God isn't there, that sin doesn't matter, that there are no consequences for rebellion against the Creator who loves them, the church is irrelevant, and that America and Christianity are evil.

Parents can't protect their children from all the abominations on earth, however. We can pray, but we should go beyond that and teach our children to make good decisions on their own and to choose the path that leads to righteousness and heaven.That's why I wrote the book, Imagine the Future You. The book opens the curtain and reveals the truth. I teach about brainwashing; propaganda; sexually transmitted diseases; evidence from the Bible, archaeology and eyewitnesses that God is there and Jesus Christ rose from the dead so that we can live forever.But that's not all. The book talks about the good things we can put into our minds like money in the bank that we'll benefit from all our lives. I talk about relationships, falling in love, marriage, how to look and be your best, how to develop talents, and tell about people who achieved great things. In contrast, I relate true stories about those who discovered when you only seek after pleasure, riches and fame, a person's future blows away like dust in the wind.  From God's Word, not quickly outdated university textbooks, I show how to find joy and peace beyond your wildest dreams.
Get the motivational Bible study now for you, your children and your grandchildren. It is available for Kindle at the .99 introductory prices, and the paperback is discounted on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001KJ2C06©Ada Brownell, Nov. 30, 2013

Parenting: How far should we go to protect our children?

 
PARENTING: Should parents interfere in the direction their youth go?                                           By Ada Brownell The cradle the mother cuddled her tiny boy into was like no other. Some of the pitch wasn’t quite dry. There was no time, so Jocebed didn’t worry about the sticky black stuff getting on the blankets. The pitch would keep the little ark afloat. Ducks quacked in nearby reeds. A few crickets sang, while a long-legged bird fished quietly. "Keep an eye on him and pray," Jocebed whispered to her young daughter, tears rolling down her face. "Pharaoh's childless daughter bathes here." Jocebed disappeared, but soon the beautiful dark-haired princess arrived to wash herself. The sister stood in the distance and watched. "Wade out and see what that is," the princess called to her maids, pointing to where the three-month-old baby, in danger of death because of Pharaoh's decree to kill all the Israelite boys. Pharaoh wrote the decree because he believed the Jews had become more numerous and mighty than the Egyptians. The princess lifted the blankets and the baby, Moses, began to wail. "This child is one of the Hebrew's children," she said. The big sister, stepped close. "Shall I go and call a Hebrew woman to nurse him for you?" The answer was yes and the child became a grandson of the man who desired to kill him. "I'll name him Moses because I brought him out of the water," the princess said, a satisfied smile on her glowing face.  Jocebed's scheme worked. She nursed her own baby, and evidently became his nurse-maid or something because she taught the boy about the One God the Hebrews served and about His Almighty power. As a result, Moses didn't accept Egyptians' false gods, and was used mightily by the Heavenly Father. When our children are in danger, are we willing to put ourselves at risk as Jocebed did? A colleague of mine told about a similar situation in her youth during World War II in Holland. A bus filled with Japanese soldiers pulled into the little village. All able-bodied men rose up to fight for their nation, leaving the women, children and old men at home defenseless.  Soldiers gushed out of the bus and ran after the young women who had come to see the visitors. As they dragged the struggling girls toward the bus, a mighty scream echoed. As one, women of every age took off their wooden shoes and beat the enemy soldiers on the head, and all over their bodies. Captured girls followed suit and the wicked men dropped them and ran for the bus. The girls were saved. The people dragging our young people off to hell today aren't so noticeable. They start with the mind, teaching them God isn't there, that sin doesn't matter, that there are no consequences for rebellion against the Creator who loves them, the church is irrelevant, and that America is evil. That's why I wrote the book, Imagine the Future You. I teach about brainwashing; propaganda; sexually transmitted diseases; evidence from the Bible, archaeology and eyewitnesses that God is there and Jesus Christ rose from the dead so that we can live forever. But that's not all. The book talks about the good things we can put into our minds like money in the bank that we'll benefit from all our lives. I talk about relationships, falling in love, marriage, how to look and be your best, how to develop talents, people who achieved great things. In contrast, I relate true stories about those who discovered when you only seek after pleasure, riches and fame, lives blow away like dust in the wind.   From God's Word, not quickly outdated university textbooks, I show how to find joy and peace beyond your wildest dreams. Get the motivational Bible study now for you, your children and your grandchildren. It is available for Kindle at the .99 introductory prices, and the paperback is discounted on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001KJ2C06   ©Ada Brownell, Nov. 30, 2013      

Black Friday Sale--Books by a group of 32 Christian Authors

BLACK FRIDAY SALE A Bible study on the eternal:
Evidence you're more than a body
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001KJ2C06
An inspiring novel for youth and adults
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001KJ2C06Give a faith boost 

                                                                    A Motivational Bible study for youth
                  http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001KJ2C06Enjoyable reads with a spiritual payload  
All on sale for .99Paperbacks of these books also available for gift giving
Join a group of Christian authors in their Black Friday Sale http://deborahheal.com/?p=3517 http://deborahheal.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=3517&action=edit

Don't give e-readers gifts empty! Fill them with good books
Meet the 32 authors participating in the event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/516614531768776/?context=create&ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

DO YOU SEE HUMOR IN YOUR DISTRESS? CATCHING UP WITH DAYLIGHT by Gail Kittleson

Book summary
Catching up with Daylight by Gail Kittleson makes a pleasant companion for this season of reflection. Snuggle near the fire with this volume, or give a friend a gift to . . .
celebrate the power of friendship
explore historical and contemporary passages from darkness to light
discover an ancient Benedictine meditation practice
re-experience the beauty of the present moment
                        rethink your favorite gospel stories

Many of us long for rest, as the author did while renovating an old house after her husband’s first deployment to Iraq. Yet a different hunger undergirded that desire: a hunger for wholeness.
No fast track exists to a closer walk with God, but the ancient Benedictine practice of Lectio Divina enhances and extends our times with our Creator. Allowing the Spirit to emphasize one word and ruminating on that word throughout the day empowers us to remain present for every moment, attentive to embrace all that God has for us.

Meet the author, Gail Kittleson 

Bio: After teaching expository writing and English as a Second Language, and facilitating grief and transition workshops for hospice and other caregiver organizations, Gail Kittleson has finally made writing her priority. She enjoys her family (married 35 years, delightful grandchildren), teaching a local memoir-writing class, and writing. Her nonfiction (Catching Up With Daylight/WhiteFire Publishing) and fiction (Historical Women's Fiction (1800'2)  andWorld War II era--still in the works) share consistent themes—personal growth through life's challenges, finding one's voice, and gratitude.

My friend Carol recently discovered she faced a double mastectomy. A day or so later, she did some journaling to vent about an unrelated issue that had niggled at her for many years. When she read her rant to her husband, she said, "Boy, it feels good to get that off my chest." 
         He looked at her and responded, "Be careful what you say."
Our memoir-writing class cracked up when Carol shared this story. She and her husband, known for their mutual respect and a lifetime overflowing with humorous anecdotes, have encouraged me so many times. 
         It's not that they suffer less than others, or that their life has been the proverbial bowl of cherries. But Carol's ever-present sense of humor finds something positive in every situation. How many people do you know who could make a self-effacing joke about a nasty pending surgery? 
         All this to say that humor often slides in to cheer us, even when nothing else can. I don't know about everyone else, but I sometimes have to work at seeing the funny side of things. This is true in my writing, too. 
         What fun, after years of honing fiction writing skills, to have created a couple of characters with a natural humorous side. This manuscript has yet to receive "The CALL," but even the act of creating a middle-aged widower who falls for his neighbor lady, a recent widow, has given me satisfaction. 
Al, an all-around great guy with the ability to laugh at himself, also has enough nervousness left from his WWI service to last a lifetime. The juxtaposition of these two characteristics intrigues me—of course, I hope Al will some day intrigue readers, too.
I'd like to develop more humor about publishing in general—it's such a tense arena these days. A bit of humor helps—being fraught with worry certainly does no good.  
My recent nonfiction release, Catching Up With Daylight, focuses on several Gospel stories of divine reassurance from unlikely sources, highlighting the importance of living in the present moment. The ability to laugh at a moment’s notice is part and parcel of that goal. I wonder if, later in life, the disciples were able to chuckle a little, looking back at their zany experiences with Jesus?
         When has fresh humor, possibly from an unexpected source, given you a boost?
Gail KittlesonDARE TO BLOOM!

You Turkey!

Thanksgiving Musing by Ada BrownellDoes anyone know what calling someone a turkey means? I heard if you call someone a turkey you are calling him stupid and a failure, but they’re wrong.The turkey is one of the most famous birds in North America. Benjamin Franklin wanted to make the wild turkey, not the Bald Eagle, the national bird!The wild turkey we usually see in photos is not the same as the domestic turkey that we love to eat at Thanksgiving. Domestic or farm-raised turkeys weigh twice as much as the wild turkey and are so heavy they are unable to fly. Some people might think that makes them wimpy.Yet, I’ve seen television clips where a female television reporter does a story from the turkey pen, and when one of the birds attacks, you’d think it was a mountain lion. Such screaming! The cameraman must charge through the gobbling swarm of beaks and flapping wings to rescue the damsel in distress. Of course, he brings the camera along, but neither wastes time climbing over the fence to safety.Despite the wild variety’s small size, hunters love to bag wild turkeys, plentiful in my state. The gobblers live in woods in part of North America and are the largest game birds in this area of the world, and they can fly! But to me, wild turkeys aren’t as beautiful as the big-breasted ones raised on farms for profit. Next time someone calls you a turkey, remember the male strutting his stuff with his often colorful plumage fanned like a peacock’s for some gorgeous hen to see.Yet the most wonderful turkeys I’ve seen were in the center of a dining room table surrounded by family and friends who love one another. The bird, no fancy feathers, no caruncle (those brightly colored growths at the throat), no red snood (the flap of skin that hangs over the beak), and no wattle (the red flap of skin under the turkey’s chin), has never been more attractive.The platter is covered by a buttery brown bird chosen instead of prime rib, fancy  steaks, lamb, seafood, lasagna or any other main dish or meat. This bird is the centerpiece as people thank God for His blessings, love one another, laugh with each other, pray for another, and make memories.Never cringe again if someone says, “You turkey!”And be thankful! There is emotional and spiritual power in doing just that.©Ada Brownell Nov. 22, 2013

Journey of Eleven Moons by Bonnie Leon 20th anniversary edition

Back Cover
A successful walrus hunt means Anna and her beloved Kinauquak will soon be joined in marriage. But before they can seal their promise to one another, a tsunami wipes their tribe from the rugged shore—everyone except Anna and her little sister, Iya, who are left alone to face the Alaskan wilderness.
A stranger, a Civil War veteran with golden hair and blue eyes, wanders the untamed Aleutian Islands. He offers help, but can Anna trust him or his God? And if she doesn’t, how will she and Iya survive?


Bonnie Leon is the author of nineteen novels, including the recently released Joy Takes Flight, book three in the Alaskan Skies series and the popular Sydney Cover series published by Revell.  She enjoys speaking for women’s groups and teaching at writing seminars and conventions. These days, her time is filled with writing, being a grandmother and relishing precious time with her aged mother. Bonnie and her husband, Greg, live in Southern Oregon. They have three grown children and seven grandchildren.
Unveiling Truth Through Fiction                     www.bonnieleon.com


Where did you get the idea for this book and the main character?
My grandmother was an Alaskan Native—Aleut. She grew up in Unalaska, which is an island in the Aleutian Chain. When she was a young woman she stood on a bluff overlooking a cove and while she stood there a tsunami barreled into the coast.
The first time I heard the story the image of what my grandmother had seen was ingrained in my mind. When I first started writing, her encounter with nature’s violent power came to mind and along with it a story emerged. I’d always felt connected to my native roots and when I realized I wanted to write I knew my heritage was something I wanted to explore.
When I went to work on the book, I dug in and researched the history of Alaska and its native culture, particularly the Aleut culture. The more I understood about my roots the more completely the story came together. It was an incredible experience.
Who is your favorite character in the book?
Each character is dear to me. I really don’t think I have a favorite.
I love Iya’s sweet courage and her ability to trust in others and embrace whatever life brings her way.
Erik is everything I’d want the man in my life to be. He’s emotionally steady and physically strong. And he loves God above all others, including himself.
Anna is the one I most identify with. She is a strong-willed and tenacious woman. Wrongly, she believes she must present a facade of strength even when she is weak and fearful. And yet, her inner core is strong and resilient. In spite of her fears she follows through with what must done.  Though she can be inflexible she is has enough confidence to bend her will when she must.

Were you surprised at the twists and turns that happened? Was this the result of character growth, rebellion, or change?
When I wrote The Journey of Eleven Moons I’d never before experienced the creation of a novel. It was an incredible experience. Every day I’d sit at my computer and the story would roll out of my mind, onto the keys and appear on the screen. It was exhilarating. As one scene rolled into another the characters became more and more real to me. During the rewrite the experience continued and expanded. Anna, Erik and Iya feel like real people to me. I love and care about them. I want the world to know them too. They are exceptional people living out an extraordinary story. Did you hate to leave the characters in the end and still think about them?
The characters have never left me. They are kind of like family. I believe more so than any others I’ve created throughout the years. That may be because they are part of my first writing experience. In addition, Anna and Iya are native and they helped me connect with my own heritage. In a way, I discovered more about myself as I discovered who they are.

  Unveiling Truth Through Fiction www.bonnieleon.com

IS ABORTION MURDER? A COLLEGE PAPER WRITTEN BY A STUDENT

Melissa with her daughter, Layla


This paper, written by my granddaughter, was used by her professor in his class as a example of possible persuasion from a not-so-popular point of view in secular classrooms. She posted it on Facebook yesterday in response to others asking for it.

______________________________________________________


There is a big vote in ABQ this week! I pasted my paper below from my biomedical ethics class I
took a few semesters ago. I am for the ban, and this hopefully explains my thoughts on the subject. It's rather long, but I told Anna I would share it. 
Melissa Salazar
PHIL 2247
May 5, 2011
Pro-Life View of Abortion
In 1997, an eighteen-year-old girl in New Jersey gave birth in the bathroom stal...l at her senior prom. Within minutes of giving birth, the teen manually strangled and suffocated the newborn and threw him in the dumpster. The teen, Melissa Drexler, was charged with murder and endangering the welfare of a child (Hanley). When the story hit the news, many people were horrified that a mother could end the life of her own child and discard him with the trash. The innocence of that newborn child broke the hearts of many Americans, while the mother did not receive the same sympathy.
Before that child made the eight-inch journey through the birth canal, he would have been considered a fetus rather than a newborn child. If the mother had ended his life while still in the womb, it would have been considered abortion instead of murder. What is the difference? What changed in those few short moments? Abortion is not considered murder by law because a fetus is not considered a living person with constitutional rights. (Hinkson-Craig and O'Brien)
The abortion debate has been the source of extreme controversy in the US since the Supreme Court passed Roe v Wade in 1973 (Feldt). Groups have rallied for and against abortion, even to the point of violence. It is an ongoing political issue, and a major topic of election campaigns. The dividing line between viewpoints is vast with no signs of resolution (Hinkson-Craig and O'Brien). Another photo of Melissa and Layla
The beginning of life is one of the issues on abortion that is cause for much of the debate. To define when life begins we must look at scientific evidence to debate the issue. When the sperm fertilizes the egg and creates a zygote, it is an individual life. It has unique chromosomes from its mother and father. As the zygote travels to the uterus it continues to grow and divide independently from the mother. This is confirmed with in-vitro fertilization. The donor’s egg is fertilized with the sperm and left to grow on its own to ensure that it is an actively growing embryo. Then, the woman receiving the embryo must be in a certain stage in her cycle in order to receive the embryo in her uterus. Eventually, 3-5 days after fertilization, implantation occurs giving the embryo nutrients from the mother (Storck).
Because an embryo has unique chromosomes separate from his parents, and can actively divide on its own for several days without being implanted in the uterus, it is a separate being from the mother from the time of conception. It is true that it does eventually need to implant for growth and nutrition, but it is still a separate person. For the mother pregnancy begins at implantation, but for the embryo it begins at conception.
The first major event in the development of an embryo is neurulation. During neurulation the brain and the spinal cord develop. By the end of the first month of gestation the primary brain vesicles are developed. By the end of the second month, actual brain waves can be recorded. At three and a half weeks of gestation, the heart begins to pump blood within the embryo. At seven weeks voluntary skeletal muscles have the ability to contract causing fetal movement (Marieb and Hoehn).

An undeniable sign of life is brain activity. Psychologists argue death occurs with loss of brainwaves because all cortical functions, response to stimuli, motor reflexes, and other signs have ceased; therefore, the person is no longer able to function other than simple vital functions typically driven by machines (Kail and Cavanaugh). If the absence of detectable brainwaves is a sign of death, would the presence of brain wave not be a sign of life? The brain is functioning to contract skeletal muscles as early as 7 weeks (Marieb and Hoehn). That movement is quite some time before the mother can feel the movement known as quickening that some pro-choice advocates claim is the beginning of life (Hendershott).
A fetal heartbeat can be one of the most precious signs of life. Parents can see the heart beating even at the first ultra sound performed during the pregnancy. Throughout the pregnancy physicians check the heartbeat to ensure that the fetus is still strong and healthy. Through the advancement of technology parents can even use a device to hear the heartbeat from their own home to have the assurance that everything is still ok. If the heartbeat has stopped then the fetus is no longer living. Abortion stops a beating heart (Hendershott).
Even with scientific evidence available for abortion debates, most will argue purely on the basis of morality. The concept of ensoulment cannot be clearly defined since it isn’t on a biological level. There is no medical test that can be done proving one does or doesn’t have a soul. Therefore, this topic is left to moral debate.
The Pro-Life movement is backed by many Christian organizations including the Catholic Church and other private organizations such as Focus on the Family. God, as the creator of life, is the foundation of their beliefs (Focus on the Family).
“At Focus on the Family, we are dedicated to defending the sanctity of human life, and by human life we mean God's creation from fertilization to natural death. In the beginning, God created the earth and everything in it, including humans. As it says in Psalm 139:13, "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." We believe that every human, in every condition from the single cell stage of development to natural death, is made in God's image and possesses inestimable worth. Abortion runs contrary to these beliefs.” (Focus on the Family)
Pro-Life groups focus is on the fetuses right to life. That life is as sacred and unique from any other life. The smallest zygote is regarded with the same view and care as a newborn child. While the mother’s safety is a factor in some cases, the mother’s financial, marital, or social status is not a factor in whether or not her unborn child should live. Wanted or not, the fetus is a living human being created by God in the care of a woman. In rare cases, a pregnancy has resulted from rape, or in a young girl not ready or equipped to care for a child. Even in these extreme cases, Pro-life groups still do not endorse abortion. They do sympathize with those women and provide programs to assist with their situations, but believe that in crimes such as that there are two victims. One crime doesn’t justify another (Hendershott). Melissa's husband with their son, Stone
In efforts to persuade women not to have an abortion, Pro-Life groups have set up crisis pregnancy centers to give women pregnancy tests and, if an unwanted pregnancy is discovered, give out information about adoption agencies. The most effective method in deterring abortion is letting the mother view her child through ultra sound technology at the clinic. Technology has advanced so much with the GE 4D imaging that a mother can actually view the face of her unborn child. Many women who had originally decided to abort the fetus decided against it after seeing the ultra sound. Many women justify abortions because the fetus is so small it is easy to pretend it doesn’t exist. If that woman is given the opportunity to look at her child she can no longer pretend it doesn’t exist.
Senator Hillary Clinton is a well-known Pro-Choice activist. In 2008 she spoke at a Democratic Compassion forum on the topic:
“I think abortion should remain legal, but it needs to be safe and rare. And I have spent many years now, as a private citizen, as first lady, and now as a senator, trying to make it rare, trying to create conditions where women had other choices (Issues2000).”
The tag line “legal, safe, and rare” has become a common response for the Democratic Party (Issues2000). When looking at it from a moral standpoint, one could ask if it is not wrong then why does it need to be rare? If it is indeed a non-living cluster of cells as Pro-Choice advocates say, then why does it need to be a rare practice? Could it be that some Pro-Choice advocates, including Hillary Clinton, may acknowledge that it is a living human being, but regard the mother’s situation as the ultimate deciding factor especially in extenuating circumstances? Women such as Gloria Feldt, President of Planned Parenthood, have a more extreme stance on abortion. She advocates abortion of all levels, for any reason, at any time. She believes women should have complete control over their body at any stage of pregnancy. Laws restricting abortion are an invasion of women’s privacy (Feldt).
One of the major reasons that people would take a Pro-Choice stance is because of the fear that a young teen may get pregnant and not be at a place in life to care for the child. That does happen in rare cases, but the CDC reports that girls younger than 15 account for only .5% of the abortions nationwide. The majority of abortions are being done on women age 20-29 for social reasons (Center for Disease Control).
Many women who have an abortion procedure suffer from emotional trauma afterwards. Guilt and regret are often overwhelming. A lot of women chose abortion because they didn’t see any other way out of the situation. Frederica Matthews-Green has said, “A woman doesn’t want an abortion like she wants an ice-cream cone or a Porsche. She wants it like an animal caught in a trap who gnaws off its own leg.” (Nicholson-Brownell) Little Stone Salazar  in the womb
I strongly believe Roe v Wade should be overturned. I believe abortion is the tragic loss of innocent human life. The rights of a fetus should be protected the same as children who have already been born. While many pregnancies are unplanned and unwanted, the risk of pregnancy comes with choosing to be sexually active and women have to step up and take responsibility. Contraception has advanced with many options available to reduce the risk of pregnancy when used properly. Therefore, I believe that “choice” should be made prior to becoming pregnant. A woman can “choose” to take control of her body by taking appropriate measures to prevent pregnancy. Not all birth control methods are 100% effective, however, for many methods the risk is lower than 1% when used as directed (Planned Parenthood).
In order for Roe v Wade to be overturned, I submit that the procedures for adoption should be improved in order to encourage women with unwanted pregnancies to carry the child to term and give him/her to a family who is willing and able to love and care for that child. In the US adoptions currently can cost up to $40,000. In addition to the cost, an adoption agency can’t guarantee how long the waiting period to get a baby will be (Hendershott). In order to be effective, the Pro-Life groups must take a stronger stand to make adoptions in the US less costly. Women in situations in which they can’t raise a child must have an alternative. Families who want to adopt children shouldn’t be prohibited because of the costs. If the cost of adopting a child wasn’t such a burden on the average family, more families may adopt multiple children. It would also open up the possibility to adopt for families with limited financial resources.




Works Cited
Center for Disease Control. “Abortion Surveilance US 2007.” Statistics. Center for Disease Control, 2007.
Feldt, Gloria. The War on Choice: The Right-Wing Attack on Women's Rights and How to Fight Back. New York: Bantam Dell A Division of Random House, Inc, 2004.
Focus on the Family. Our Position (Abortion). 2009. 2011 йил 1-May .
Hanley, Robert. “New Jersey Charges Woman, 18, With Killing Baby Born at Prom .” New Jersey Charges Woman, 18, With Killing Baby Born at Prom . New York: New York Times, 1997 йил 25-June.
Hendershott, Anne. The Politics of Abortion. New York: Encounter Books, 2006.
Hinkson-Craig, Barbara and David M. O'Brien. Abortion and American Politics. Chatham: Chatham House Publishers, Inc., 1993.
Issues2000. Hillary Clinton on Abortion. 2008 йил 13-April. .
Kail, Robert V. and John C. Cavanaugh. Human Development A Life-Span View. 5th Edition. Belmont: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2010.
Marieb, Elaine N and Katja Hoehn. Human Anatomy and Physiology. Ed. Serina Beauparlant. 8th Edition. Pearson Benjamin Cummings, 2011.
Nicholson-Brownell, Ada. “Pentecostal Evangel.” Finding Forgiveness 2000 йил 16-January: 7-13.
Planned Parenthood. Birth Control. 2011. 2011 йил 1-May .
Storck, MD, Susan. In Vitro Fertalization. 2010 йил 10-Feb. National Library of Medicine. 2011 йил 1-May .
Wyatt, John. “Medical Paternalism and the Fetus.” Journal of Medical Ethics 27.5 (2001).