Ruth O'Neil's Blog, page 20
December 3, 2014
Book of the Day Author Suzanne Williams
There are soooo many good books out there (dare I say it?). almost too many to read in one's life time. Because of the number of good books, who wants to waste their time with bad ones? Over the next couple of weeks or so, I will be spotlighting books from authors who write from a Christian perspective. You'll find books from all genres, so everyone is sure to find something they like.
My guest today is Suzanne Williams. I had a few questions for her about her book A Kiss in September.
Tell me about your book.
A KISS IN SEPTEMBER is a novella about a girl named September Blessing who through a series of happenstance events finds herself stranded at the grocery store. A grocery store employee, James Davis, steps into help her. When a few hours together shows the promise of true love, they determine to see each other as boyfriend-girlfriend. But a series of unplanned accidents gives her parents the wrong impression that no matter how hard they try seems will keep them permanently apart.
What made you decide to write it?
I was at the grocery store, actually, with my daughter, and we couldn’t find a clerk to help us. There we stood spinning in circles, wondering if our food would thaw before we could check out. The opening scene where September is trying to buy a pot pie and its melting is mirrored after that.
Did you learn anything from writing it?
I always learn from writing. The more I write, the more I better my craft. This story had an intricate plot that needed quite a bit of fine tuning. Also, the sub-character, James’ best friend, Chuck, takes a key role. Making him likeable at the end took deft wording because he misbehaves through much of the story.
When and why did you begin writing?
I was a graphic designer first, doing newsletters, book covers, etc. I also wrote devotionals and published my personal testimony. Delving into fiction came through the encouragement of a friend, and though I was way over my head at first, I never looked back. It’s been the best part of my life since.
I would love to include a little ditty about why you wrote this book, a funny story about something that happened while you were writing, a difficulty you had while writing, or simply a word to your readers.
Writing YA is therapy to me. I also write “adult” Christian fiction, but I always come back to the simplicity of YA. It removes all the junk in my head and returns me to a happy place where love is young and fresh and spontaneous. This book is a slight side-trip plotline-wise from the ones I wrote previously. I like to be upbeat and funny, and this story has that … but it also looks at how misunderstandings and personal judgment can cause a lot of hurt. I try to give all my YA a moral, of sorts, but I also like to remind readers that it IS fiction and meant to be enjoyed as such – a few hours of a reader’s day when they can step away from life and live in a book.
A Kiss in September is available for only ¢.99 today. Grab your copy while you can!
Best-selling author, Suzanne D. Williams, is a native Floridian, wife, mother, and photographer. She is the author of both nonfiction and fiction books. She writes a monthly column for Steves-Digicams.com on the subject of digital photography, as well as devotionals and instructional articles for various blogs. She also does graphic design for self-publishing authors. She is co-founder of THE EDGE.
To learn more about what she’s doing and check out her extensive catalog of stories, visit http://suzanne-williams-photography.blogspot.com/ or link with her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/suzannedwilliamsauthor.
Thanks for stopping by, Suzanne!
Tell me about your book.
A KISS IN SEPTEMBER is a novella about a girl named September Blessing who through a series of happenstance events finds herself stranded at the grocery store. A grocery store employee, James Davis, steps into help her. When a few hours together shows the promise of true love, they determine to see each other as boyfriend-girlfriend. But a series of unplanned accidents gives her parents the wrong impression that no matter how hard they try seems will keep them permanently apart.
What made you decide to write it?I was at the grocery store, actually, with my daughter, and we couldn’t find a clerk to help us. There we stood spinning in circles, wondering if our food would thaw before we could check out. The opening scene where September is trying to buy a pot pie and its melting is mirrored after that.
Did you learn anything from writing it?
I always learn from writing. The more I write, the more I better my craft. This story had an intricate plot that needed quite a bit of fine tuning. Also, the sub-character, James’ best friend, Chuck, takes a key role. Making him likeable at the end took deft wording because he misbehaves through much of the story.
When and why did you begin writing?
I was a graphic designer first, doing newsletters, book covers, etc. I also wrote devotionals and published my personal testimony. Delving into fiction came through the encouragement of a friend, and though I was way over my head at first, I never looked back. It’s been the best part of my life since.
I would love to include a little ditty about why you wrote this book, a funny story about something that happened while you were writing, a difficulty you had while writing, or simply a word to your readers.
Writing YA is therapy to me. I also write “adult” Christian fiction, but I always come back to the simplicity of YA. It removes all the junk in my head and returns me to a happy place where love is young and fresh and spontaneous. This book is a slight side-trip plotline-wise from the ones I wrote previously. I like to be upbeat and funny, and this story has that … but it also looks at how misunderstandings and personal judgment can cause a lot of hurt. I try to give all my YA a moral, of sorts, but I also like to remind readers that it IS fiction and meant to be enjoyed as such – a few hours of a reader’s day when they can step away from life and live in a book.
A Kiss in September is available for only ¢.99 today. Grab your copy while you can!
Best-selling author, Suzanne D. Williams, is a native Floridian, wife, mother, and photographer. She is the author of both nonfiction and fiction books. She writes a monthly column for Steves-Digicams.com on the subject of digital photography, as well as devotionals and instructional articles for various blogs. She also does graphic design for self-publishing authors. She is co-founder of THE EDGE.
To learn more about what she’s doing and check out her extensive catalog of stories, visit http://suzanne-williams-photography.blogspot.com/ or link with her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/suzannedwilliamsauthor.
Thanks for stopping by, Suzanne!
Book Giveaway - Merry Christmas to YOU!
Cut It Out
by Terri Gillespie
I'm so excited that one of my cyber writing friends, Terri Gillespie, released her new book CUT IT OUT this week. I’ve already had an opportunity to read it in advance of its release (I love my job!). It’s wonderful! Because of all this excitement and wonder, she is offering to give away a copy of her book, you can choose either print or ecopy. All you have to do is leave a comment and your name will be randomly chosen. Make sure to leave your email address so I can get in touch with you. You don’t want to miss this great read!
Here is my review of CUT IT OUT and a few words from Terri:
This is my second go–round with the Mavens. While I did find the first book a little difficult to get into (probably because of too many distractions in life!) I had no trouble whatsoever with Cut It Out. It pretty much began right where book 1 left off.
The new Hair Mavens Salon is about to open and everything is falling into place…almost. A receptionist is suddenly needed. The salon manager Shira hired doesn’t seem to be getting along with the other mavens. Katya, who has come out of her shell, is insistent on the salon getting involved in some silly organization, and Shira just does not have time for that! Then there’s Jesse. *Sigh*
One of the things I loved most about this story is the camaraderie amongst the women. So needed, yet so lacking, in our society today.
This is definitely a great read, especially if you’ve already read She Does Good Hair. If you haven’t, you need to.
Thanks to Terri for allowing me to read your book before many others get a chance. Job well done!
A Word from the Author:
This may seem a tad grandiose, but my reason for writing The Hair Mavens’ series was because of Jesus’ prayer in John 17. He prayed that the Jewish disciples would first be one with one another, then He prayed for those who would come to faith through their words—those of the nations—would be one as well—Jew and Gentile, one in Messiah. I really wanted to be part of the answer to that prayer. Pretty presumptuous, right?
But the really cool thing is that the first example of this type of unity was two women—Ruth and Naomi—a Moabite and a Jew. Their beautiful story of unity is why I write the stories I write. Women who become sisters in Jesus—what could be better?
You can visit Terri at www.terrigillespie.com.
If this sounds like a book you'd like to read, simply click on the cover to go to Amazon. Or if you would like to WIN A FREE copy, leave a comment.
You can also purchase Book 1 She Does Good Hair by clicking on the cover to the right. It's only ¢.99 as of this posting.
I'm so excited that one of my cyber writing friends, Terri Gillespie, released her new book CUT IT OUT this week. I’ve already had an opportunity to read it in advance of its release (I love my job!). It’s wonderful! Because of all this excitement and wonder, she is offering to give away a copy of her book, you can choose either print or ecopy. All you have to do is leave a comment and your name will be randomly chosen. Make sure to leave your email address so I can get in touch with you. You don’t want to miss this great read!
Here is my review of CUT IT OUT and a few words from Terri:
This is my second go–round with the Mavens. While I did find the first book a little difficult to get into (probably because of too many distractions in life!) I had no trouble whatsoever with Cut It Out. It pretty much began right where book 1 left off.The new Hair Mavens Salon is about to open and everything is falling into place…almost. A receptionist is suddenly needed. The salon manager Shira hired doesn’t seem to be getting along with the other mavens. Katya, who has come out of her shell, is insistent on the salon getting involved in some silly organization, and Shira just does not have time for that! Then there’s Jesse. *Sigh*
One of the things I loved most about this story is the camaraderie amongst the women. So needed, yet so lacking, in our society today.
This is definitely a great read, especially if you’ve already read She Does Good Hair. If you haven’t, you need to.
Thanks to Terri for allowing me to read your book before many others get a chance. Job well done!
A Word from the Author:
This may seem a tad grandiose, but my reason for writing The Hair Mavens’ series was because of Jesus’ prayer in John 17. He prayed that the Jewish disciples would first be one with one another, then He prayed for those who would come to faith through their words—those of the nations—would be one as well—Jew and Gentile, one in Messiah. I really wanted to be part of the answer to that prayer. Pretty presumptuous, right?
But the really cool thing is that the first example of this type of unity was two women—Ruth and Naomi—a Moabite and a Jew. Their beautiful story of unity is why I write the stories I write. Women who become sisters in Jesus—what could be better?You can visit Terri at www.terrigillespie.com.
If this sounds like a book you'd like to read, simply click on the cover to go to Amazon. Or if you would like to WIN A FREE copy, leave a comment.
You can also purchase Book 1 She Does Good Hair by clicking on the cover to the right. It's only ¢.99 as of this posting.
November 25, 2014
Table Talk
What is quality time with the family? We hear a lot of talk about that today. I saw a commercial that proposed that quality family time was spent in front of the TV. It is enjoyable for our family to order pizza and rent a movie to watch together, but I much prefer the times we can actually talk and get to know each other better. That’s the way it was when I was a kid. As we become adults we realize that it’s a fact of life that kids grow up, move away, and sometimes start their own families. That is when it’s time for family reunions where everyone gets together and remembers the past. It seems we don’t often remind each other of the sensible or successful things we have accomplished throughout our lifetimes, but of the silly, the stupid, the ridiculous, the things we would rather not be reminded of. At least that’s the way it is with my family.
One of the events that’s always remembered among my family is dinnertime. It’s brought to mind the most because that’s where we were together as a family. Mom made sure of that. If us kids weren’t working, we were expected at dinner with the family.
There were four kids in our family and the dinner table was where we told of the day’s events, our plans for the next or where we vented our frustrations with the world and with each other.
One thing that always comes to mind is when during dinner my dad would fuss at those preachers that promote quality time is made at the dinner table. My dad very much enjoyed listening to those preachers, but oh, how he wished to invite them to dinner at our house. He always asked, after someone belched, made a rude comment or some such nonsense, “Is this their idea of quality time?”
Our dinner table could also actually be a place of warfare. It was also where most “accidents” occurred.
One time, my sister, Martha, had been bothering me all day long. After my parents left the table my sister pushed me to the limit. I pushed her, right into her tuna noodle casserole. She came up dripping with noodles. They hung from her eyelashes, chin and nose. Then a pea rolled out from one of her nostrils. Needless to say, she didn’t bother me for the rest of the evening.
A couple of hours unannoyed by your little sister, that’s quality time.
As a child, there were times that I believed that brothers were put on this earth for the sole purpose of annoying sisters. Mine tried to get me in trouble whenever he saw an opportunity. And because I didn’t get caught too often he tried his best to succeed in bringing my wrong doings to our parents’ attention.
One cold morning before school, my mom was in her “you need to eat a hot breakfast” mode. Billy and I were sitting across the table from each other eating before school, when I sneezed unexpectedly. Unlucky for him, my mouth was full of cocoa.
He yelled that I spit in his mug on purpose, even though it didn’t go anywhere near him or his mug. Mom made me drink his, while she gave him a fresh cup.
Getting your goody-goody sister in trouble, that’s quality time.
Then there was my youngest sister Sarah. She didn’t always want to eat what she was given, so she would arrange her unwanted food underneath the edge of her plate, trying to make it look like it had fallen off. One night, she had a little help from big brother. When they were finished, one side of her plate was three inches higher than the other. Did they think Mom wouldn’t notice?
Sharing the blame with your favorite brother, that’s quality time.
The rest of us had ways of getting rid of unwanted food. Billy simply put his on Martha’s plate when she wasn’t looking. Martha put hers in the pockets of her overalls, and then went to feed the cats after dinner. Of course, this only worked till mom found squash in the pockets one day while doing the laundry. I would wrap my food up in a napkin and throw it behind the water heater in the bathroom. I wish I had known that my uncle was coming over to help my dad replace the water heater. I would have gotten in less trouble if I’d had fair warning to get rid of the evidence.
After our tricks were found out, we just had quiet food fights after my parents left the table. They couldn’t understand why we were so eager to sweep the floor after dinner, but we all remained silent.
Siblings sharing secrets, that’s quality time.
All that sounds like we wasted a lot of food, but we really didn’t. We were a family with a healthy appetite so there were hardly ever leftovers. One night we had a cookout. We had steak, baked potatoes and fresh salad with vegetables from our garden. I had already had my share and then some. There was one potato left and we were taught manners, so I asked if anyone else wanted it. No one answered, so I reached out to grab it. Suddenly, my dad’s fork was lightly poking my hand. I looked up and he smiled and said, “I’ll split it with you.”
Sharing the last potato with dad, that’s quality time.
Corn on the cob was a family favorite. We served it one night when the Pastor’s family came over for dinner. The corn was fresh and it was juicy! When I took a bite, juice flew from my cob and hit my pastor right between the eyes. He wasn’t too happy about it, but I really didn’t mean it. Neither did his wife when she got him in the side of the head a few minutes later.
Helping a stuffy pastor relax a little, that’s quality time.
The furniture and house helped make dinner exciting, too. We lived in an old farmhouse. Our kitchen table was an antique hand made by my great-grandfather. Neither the floor, nor the table was level. Actually, they leaned in the same direction. One night dad, at the high end of the table, was cutting his pork chop when his knife slipped. The knife scraped across his plate and hit his peas. We all watched as a dozen peas rolled down the table into my mom’s lap.
A show and dinner with the whole family, that’s quality time.
Then there was the time none of us will ever forget. As children are learning to cook, sometimes things don’t always come out well. We all burned things! A friend of our family’s stopped over right before dinner, so my mom invited him to stay. I was fixing dinner and most everything was cooked to perfection, except the rice. You know, the kind you have to sauté first and if you don’t keep a close eye on it, it will scorch? This friend of ours must never have cooked for himself or at least cooked worse than I did at the time.
I scorched that rice so badly nobody wanted any. However, Mr. Friend couldn’t stop eating it. We all encouraged him to take as much as he wanted.
Not having to eat all that scorched rice ourselves, that’s quality time.
There were some very precious moments that happened over dinner at our house. However, when we are all around the dinner table or tables now, depending on how many grandchildren join in the fun, it’s the silly, stupid things that we all remember. They were, after all, much more numerous than the serious or sad.
We still get together for dinner, though not as often as we all would like since between the four of us kids, we live in three different states.
So for all those parents out there that complain about everything that happens at the dinner table that isn’t particularly pleasant, stop and enjoy. These are exactly the times that will be remembered and cherished. Create some memories while spending time with your family because just like everything else, time spent all together will pass away. I think that if Christ was at the table with my family, even He couldn’t help but laugh and enjoy Himself. The most special guest for dinner is your own family.
And even after all these years, my dad still wishes to invite those preachers to share a meal with our family because the grandkids come up with new tricks that make him question the value of quality time during dinner at the table.
That in itself, is quality time.
This Thanksgiving I hope your family is like ours. We ENJOY being all crammed around the table together. That way no one misses anything and everyone feels special. Make some memories!
November 15, 2014
Christmas Gift Ideas
I have the pleasure of a job that I love. Who wouldn’t like to write and read all day? All right, I know there’s probably plenty of people that would not enjoy that, but for me, it’s next to heaven, especially this time of year when I can work curled up with a quilt next to the wood stove.
Because of my love of books, I often enjoy passing along my joys by giving them as gifts to others for Christmas, whether hard copies or ebooks. When I give a book, I feel that I am giving a gift that will last a lifetime. Once a person reads a story, it becomes a part of them. So, here are some of the favorite books I’ve read this past year. Click on the covers to go to Amazon and find out more about them and make purchases for the readers on your list.
The Shift by M. Ann Ricks
The Daughter of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky
I Saul by Jerry Jenkins
Three by Ted Dekker
The Reunion by Dan Walsh
Belonging by Ruth O'NeilThen there is one of my books that came out this year Belonging.
Christmas at Martha's House by Jeri DonerIf you are more into shorter fiction, here is a short story to help you and your family get into the holiday spirit. "Christmas at Martha's House" is a story that was written by my mother when us kids were young. I may or may not have a part in it. If you know me and my family well, you can probably pick me out. I may even be willing to tell people if anyone asks in the comments. I love this story as it brings back so many memories of Christmases past for me.
These are just a few of my favorite books. To see more, follow this link to my book review page for even more good books. What are some of your favorite books you’ve read this year? What are some of your favorite Christmas memories? I’d love to hear from you, so please share them in the comments. For anyone who shares a comment, you are automatically entered into a contest to win a small Christmas gift from me.
Because of my love of books, I often enjoy passing along my joys by giving them as gifts to others for Christmas, whether hard copies or ebooks. When I give a book, I feel that I am giving a gift that will last a lifetime. Once a person reads a story, it becomes a part of them. So, here are some of the favorite books I’ve read this past year. Click on the covers to go to Amazon and find out more about them and make purchases for the readers on your list.
The Shift by M. Ann Ricks
The Daughter of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky
I Saul by Jerry Jenkins
Three by Ted Dekker
The Reunion by Dan Walsh
Belonging by Ruth O'NeilThen there is one of my books that came out this year Belonging.
Christmas at Martha's House by Jeri DonerIf you are more into shorter fiction, here is a short story to help you and your family get into the holiday spirit. "Christmas at Martha's House" is a story that was written by my mother when us kids were young. I may or may not have a part in it. If you know me and my family well, you can probably pick me out. I may even be willing to tell people if anyone asks in the comments. I love this story as it brings back so many memories of Christmases past for me.These are just a few of my favorite books. To see more, follow this link to my book review page for even more good books. What are some of your favorite books you’ve read this year? What are some of your favorite Christmas memories? I’d love to hear from you, so please share them in the comments. For anyone who shares a comment, you are automatically entered into a contest to win a small Christmas gift from me.
November 13, 2014
Wonder Woman
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I once knew a woman who was constantly looked down on by her mother in law because her home was not perfectly clean. This mom spent her days taking care of her son knowing the days with him were short. She chose to enjoy every moment possible. While she kept up with household chores while he napped there were some things that were neglected, but a perfect house wasn’t of great importance to her.
Once you have children your time is no longer your own. Your days are filled tending to other people’s needs. Often it may seem there are not enough hours in the day to cram in everything you need to do.
If you weren’t feeling badly enough about all the chores you’ve left undone, along comes Wonder Woman whose house is in perfect order, never fixes her family frozen pizza for dinner and is always impeccably dressed with her perfect hair and perfect make-up. The same goes for her kids. You think it’s great if your kids are all fully clothed. We all inwardly do not like this Wonder Woman.
Let me tell you a secret, even Wonder Woman has dust bunnies under her bed.
Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes there is a time for everything under heaven. There is a time for us to plant our gardens and also a time to pick the vegetables that have grown there. The key is that we must do everything in its time. When our children are young, we must put time and effort into raising them. Read a book or play a game with them. Forget the laundry that isn’t folded and the pile of dishes on the counter that is growing larger by the second. What is truly important here? The child.
Take the thirty minutes to an hour, or even a whole day if necessary, to spend time with your precious offspring. No, the laundry and the dishes won’t be done, but they’ll still be there later – trust me on this, I know.
Take note of what is truly important and spend your time there. No one ever said on their deathbed they wished their house was cleaner. Yes, the mess may make your home seem a little more chaotic, but you are creating something pretty special in that chaos – a happy childhood. Don’t worry about perfection. Your home should be clean enough to be healthy, but perfection can be a trap and an unattainable goal.
The holiday season is fast approaching. We seem to be called on to make each year surpass the last. But remember, we cannot do everything all at once, but we can do everything in its own time. That makes you Wonder Woman.
Once you have children your time is no longer your own. Your days are filled tending to other people’s needs. Often it may seem there are not enough hours in the day to cram in everything you need to do.
If you weren’t feeling badly enough about all the chores you’ve left undone, along comes Wonder Woman whose house is in perfect order, never fixes her family frozen pizza for dinner and is always impeccably dressed with her perfect hair and perfect make-up. The same goes for her kids. You think it’s great if your kids are all fully clothed. We all inwardly do not like this Wonder Woman.
Let me tell you a secret, even Wonder Woman has dust bunnies under her bed.
Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes there is a time for everything under heaven. There is a time for us to plant our gardens and also a time to pick the vegetables that have grown there. The key is that we must do everything in its time. When our children are young, we must put time and effort into raising them. Read a book or play a game with them. Forget the laundry that isn’t folded and the pile of dishes on the counter that is growing larger by the second. What is truly important here? The child.
Take the thirty minutes to an hour, or even a whole day if necessary, to spend time with your precious offspring. No, the laundry and the dishes won’t be done, but they’ll still be there later – trust me on this, I know.
Take note of what is truly important and spend your time there. No one ever said on their deathbed they wished their house was cleaner. Yes, the mess may make your home seem a little more chaotic, but you are creating something pretty special in that chaos – a happy childhood. Don’t worry about perfection. Your home should be clean enough to be healthy, but perfection can be a trap and an unattainable goal.
The holiday season is fast approaching. We seem to be called on to make each year surpass the last. But remember, we cannot do everything all at once, but we can do everything in its own time. That makes you Wonder Woman.
October 16, 2014
The Power of Prayer
This post is a little bit different from the norm, but maybe there is someone out there that needs it today.
Do you remember important dates like when you bought your first car or house, your first kiss or your wedding and when your kids were born? Do you record milestones of children in baby books?
Do you remember what was going on in your life when prayer became real to you? A lot of us prayed as children just because our parents did, but there needs to be a time when your prayers made a difference in your life.
I remember when it changed for me. We found out my mother had cancer. The doctors gave her thirty days to live. Imagine discovering that you have to cram the rest of your life into thirty days!
Naturally, I prayed for God’s healing. I believed God could heal her and didn’t want to believe that He would do anything else but make her well again. She was a beautiful, Christian woman and still had children to raise. She was too young to die.
Everyday I prayed, “God, heal her.” I thought I should have some semblance of God’s comforting presence after I prayed, but I didn’t. God wasn’t answering my prayers?
One night, my husband and I were talking about my mom and he asked, “What if she does die? Will you be able to handle it?” I don’t know why he felt he needed to ask me that. I didn’t think it was necessary for anyone to force reality on me.
As much as I hated to admit it, his "what if" question made me think of things I had pushed aside for so long. I realized that she wouldn’t always be a phone call away, even if she did live for several more years. I didn’t know it at the time, but those questions changed my prayer life.
My dad’s reports on mom’s health were good. Maybe he didn’t want to face reality either. But, since I lived in a different state and couldn't see her I had to live on the hopes that my family gave me.
Later that night, I started to say the usual shallow prayer for my mothers return to health. I still believed in intercessory prayer and that God could heal her. I still prayed that he would, but I added something new. “Lord, you know I want her to be healed and I know you can make her healthy again, but if she does go home to You, please prepare me for that.” I didn’t know if it would make any difference, but I tried.
There were so many people at church who tried to give me support by saying, “If your mother does pass on, it will be a great relief to you and your family to know that she is home with the Lord and that she is no longer suffering.” “You know she’s saved, so you’ll see her in Heaven again someday.”
I loathed being told those things. I wanted to scream at them, “You’re talking about my mother, my best friend, my daughter’s grandmother. How can you tell me how I’m going to feel and that it’s going to be OK?”
To be honest, I didn’t believe that knowing my mother was in Heaven would be much consolation for me, no matter what anyone said. All I was sure of was that my mom would not be here on earth with me, where she was needed. I wouldn’t be able to talk to her and she wouldn’t see my children grow up. Being an adult, being married and being a mother myself, made no difference. I still needed her.
When the phone rang one evening, I didn’t want to answer it. I knew who it was and what they were going to say. Knowing that whether I answered the phone or not, the message would still be the same, I picked up the receiver.
“Hello?” I hoped for a wrong number.
A voice that sounded like my brother’s, but was quiet with sadness, simply said, “Mom’s gone.”
I told my husband and then I sat down, expecting the tears to start flowing uncontrollably. A few did come, but not as many as I had expected. They were almost forced. I felt guilty. I thought I should have been bawling my eyes out. She was my mother after all.
When the funeral was over and everything had settled, my husband made a comment that again made me think. “Your family seems to be doing OK.” That was when I realized that what I had prayed for, God had granted; the part about being able to handle whatever God sent my way. True to one of His aching souls, He prepared me.
The last words my mom said to me were, “I love you. I want to go home.” Now she was finally home, doing what she had been created for, worshipping her Lord.
Through this, I have really learned to lean on God and apply scripture to my own life. My favorite verses in the Bible are Romans 8:26-27. When I use these verses, they bring peace to my prayer life. I have asked the Holy Spirit for help many times since then. And every time when the problems were all over, I could see where God’s hand had been at work. He was strengthening my family and me. Every time God provided the comfort I needed, and I know that He will continue to do just that. I can see God at work more now than ever before.
The power of prayer is not something we can be taught, whether we were raised by Christian parents or not. We can watch other people learn, but it won’t really have any effect on us till we learn it for ourselves. Praying is such a large part of our walk with Christ. It is how we communicate to God and partly how God communicates to us, if we are willing to sit quietly and listen. His comfort is always there, waiting.
Do you remember important dates like when you bought your first car or house, your first kiss or your wedding and when your kids were born? Do you record milestones of children in baby books?
Do you remember what was going on in your life when prayer became real to you? A lot of us prayed as children just because our parents did, but there needs to be a time when your prayers made a difference in your life.
I remember when it changed for me. We found out my mother had cancer. The doctors gave her thirty days to live. Imagine discovering that you have to cram the rest of your life into thirty days!
Naturally, I prayed for God’s healing. I believed God could heal her and didn’t want to believe that He would do anything else but make her well again. She was a beautiful, Christian woman and still had children to raise. She was too young to die.
Everyday I prayed, “God, heal her.” I thought I should have some semblance of God’s comforting presence after I prayed, but I didn’t. God wasn’t answering my prayers?
One night, my husband and I were talking about my mom and he asked, “What if she does die? Will you be able to handle it?” I don’t know why he felt he needed to ask me that. I didn’t think it was necessary for anyone to force reality on me.
As much as I hated to admit it, his "what if" question made me think of things I had pushed aside for so long. I realized that she wouldn’t always be a phone call away, even if she did live for several more years. I didn’t know it at the time, but those questions changed my prayer life.
My dad’s reports on mom’s health were good. Maybe he didn’t want to face reality either. But, since I lived in a different state and couldn't see her I had to live on the hopes that my family gave me.
Later that night, I started to say the usual shallow prayer for my mothers return to health. I still believed in intercessory prayer and that God could heal her. I still prayed that he would, but I added something new. “Lord, you know I want her to be healed and I know you can make her healthy again, but if she does go home to You, please prepare me for that.” I didn’t know if it would make any difference, but I tried.
There were so many people at church who tried to give me support by saying, “If your mother does pass on, it will be a great relief to you and your family to know that she is home with the Lord and that she is no longer suffering.” “You know she’s saved, so you’ll see her in Heaven again someday.”
I loathed being told those things. I wanted to scream at them, “You’re talking about my mother, my best friend, my daughter’s grandmother. How can you tell me how I’m going to feel and that it’s going to be OK?”
To be honest, I didn’t believe that knowing my mother was in Heaven would be much consolation for me, no matter what anyone said. All I was sure of was that my mom would not be here on earth with me, where she was needed. I wouldn’t be able to talk to her and she wouldn’t see my children grow up. Being an adult, being married and being a mother myself, made no difference. I still needed her.
When the phone rang one evening, I didn’t want to answer it. I knew who it was and what they were going to say. Knowing that whether I answered the phone or not, the message would still be the same, I picked up the receiver.
“Hello?” I hoped for a wrong number.
A voice that sounded like my brother’s, but was quiet with sadness, simply said, “Mom’s gone.”
I told my husband and then I sat down, expecting the tears to start flowing uncontrollably. A few did come, but not as many as I had expected. They were almost forced. I felt guilty. I thought I should have been bawling my eyes out. She was my mother after all.
When the funeral was over and everything had settled, my husband made a comment that again made me think. “Your family seems to be doing OK.” That was when I realized that what I had prayed for, God had granted; the part about being able to handle whatever God sent my way. True to one of His aching souls, He prepared me.
The last words my mom said to me were, “I love you. I want to go home.” Now she was finally home, doing what she had been created for, worshipping her Lord.
Through this, I have really learned to lean on God and apply scripture to my own life. My favorite verses in the Bible are Romans 8:26-27. When I use these verses, they bring peace to my prayer life. I have asked the Holy Spirit for help many times since then. And every time when the problems were all over, I could see where God’s hand had been at work. He was strengthening my family and me. Every time God provided the comfort I needed, and I know that He will continue to do just that. I can see God at work more now than ever before.
The power of prayer is not something we can be taught, whether we were raised by Christian parents or not. We can watch other people learn, but it won’t really have any effect on us till we learn it for ourselves. Praying is such a large part of our walk with Christ. It is how we communicate to God and partly how God communicates to us, if we are willing to sit quietly and listen. His comfort is always there, waiting.
October 9, 2014
Clean Indie Reads Fall Book Sale
The change of seasons brings about the need in many people to change other things. Some people change out their wardrobe. Some people change the decorations in their home. Me, I look forward to cooking recipes appropriate for the new season. I love soups and stews in the winter and salads in the summer.
What about when it comes to reading and writing? Do your tastes and choices change with the seasons? Do mine? I’m not sure my tastes change; I ALWAYS love to read and write. There is something about summer that makes me want to read more. Perhaps it’s because I can easily take a book outside and enjoy my guilty pleasure: the sun.
I find that I do more writing during the winter months while I curled up under a quilt near the wood stove. I do like to read Christmas stories during the holidays to help get me in the mood. Here’s a link to one short story to help you get in the mood for the holidays. It’s entitled Christmas at Martha’s House and it’s only $.99. Just click on the cover.How about you? Do your reading and writing habits and choices change with the seasons? Let me know in the comments.
If you’re looking for some more great deals on books try visiting my fellow bloggers on the Clean Indie Reads Blog Hop or click on the CIR graphic above to find even more books on sale.
Hop on over to
http://feliciarogersauthor.weebly.com...
http://amethysteyesauthor.blogspot.ca/
for more blog hop news!
September 30, 2014
And the Winner is...
Today is the day that we find out who the winner is of the Kindle!
But first, I would like to take the time to thank you all for your support of Belonging. Many of you read my book before it was published, to give me feedback. You know who you are and you are irreplaceable to me. I am fortunate to call many of you dear friends and your friendship is something I will cherish forever.
There are those of you who purchased books. Unfortunately, I don’t know all of you by name as Amazon does not give me that information for sales. You are priceless. Thank you for your multiple purchases.
Thanks to all of you who have shared information about my book with your friends, family members, and followers on Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc. There is nothing that helps get the word out about books than good old word of mouth. I often buy books that others have recommended to me. I hope others do the same when hearing of my books.
And now, without further ado, the winner of the Kindle is ….
Kate, booklover
Here is her 4* review – “A sweet story of discovery. Shelly discovers parts of herself she never knew, discovers new faith in God as she 'steps out of the boat', and finally, discovers a family she never knew she had. A little predictable in spots, it was still fun to read and had many little gems of wisdom. As a shy person myself, I could relate to Shelly's struggles to overcome her fears and anxiety when dealing with others. It was also a pleasant surprise to recognize the area where 'Belonging' takes place, right down the street. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a pleasant way to pass a few hours.”
Congratulations, Kate! I will be in touch with you. Thank you so much for your support!
If anyone would like to further help me promote Belonging, I am working on a Thunderclap campaign. This just helps me reach people that I would not normally be able to reach. All you have to do is sign up, Thunderclap does the rest. It’s easy, painless, and FREE! Your support will help get the word out about Christian books and spread the Gospel to some who may never have heard. Follow this linkif you care to help.
If you would like to purchase Belonging, simply click on the book cover above to go straight to Amazon. For those of you who have asked, I will let you know when I have paper copies available.
Thanks again to all of you. Words cannot express how much you mean to me!
But first, I would like to take the time to thank you all for your support of Belonging. Many of you read my book before it was published, to give me feedback. You know who you are and you are irreplaceable to me. I am fortunate to call many of you dear friends and your friendship is something I will cherish forever.There are those of you who purchased books. Unfortunately, I don’t know all of you by name as Amazon does not give me that information for sales. You are priceless. Thank you for your multiple purchases.
Thanks to all of you who have shared information about my book with your friends, family members, and followers on Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc. There is nothing that helps get the word out about books than good old word of mouth. I often buy books that others have recommended to me. I hope others do the same when hearing of my books.
And now, without further ado, the winner of the Kindle is ….
Kate, booklover
Here is her 4* review – “A sweet story of discovery. Shelly discovers parts of herself she never knew, discovers new faith in God as she 'steps out of the boat', and finally, discovers a family she never knew she had. A little predictable in spots, it was still fun to read and had many little gems of wisdom. As a shy person myself, I could relate to Shelly's struggles to overcome her fears and anxiety when dealing with others. It was also a pleasant surprise to recognize the area where 'Belonging' takes place, right down the street. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a pleasant way to pass a few hours.”
Congratulations, Kate! I will be in touch with you. Thank you so much for your support!
If anyone would like to further help me promote Belonging, I am working on a Thunderclap campaign. This just helps me reach people that I would not normally be able to reach. All you have to do is sign up, Thunderclap does the rest. It’s easy, painless, and FREE! Your support will help get the word out about Christian books and spread the Gospel to some who may never have heard. Follow this linkif you care to help.
If you would like to purchase Belonging, simply click on the book cover above to go straight to Amazon. For those of you who have asked, I will let you know when I have paper copies available.
Thanks again to all of you. Words cannot express how much you mean to me!
July 31, 2014
Being a Mom
I have a lot of friends (of all ages) who are new moms or have very young children. Many are enjoying motherhood, but feel stressed at times. We all want to be that perfect mom and raise perfect kids. There’s one thing you can stop stressing about right now. You already know you aren’t perfect and your kids won’t be perfect, either.
I enjoy babysitting little ones once in a while and I love working with them at church. But when I see parents exhausted from midnight feedings and from chasing toddlers around all day, I think, “I’m glad that’s not me”…anymore. I’ve reached a new stage in my life.
I love being a mom and loved watching my children grow up, but I’m almost completely to the other side of that. I know from experience that being a mom can be stressful.
I’ve dealt with boys peeing on things that weren’t supposed to be peed on (fortunately he’s outgrown that stage!). I’ve dealt with the teenage girl drama: the door slamming, the dreaded “I hate you,” and “You love her more than me.” I’ve been up all night with sick kids (more than once) and then had to still function the next day. I’ve cleaned up projectile vomit and explosive diarrhea. I’ve given punishments that truly broke my heart. I’ve gone without so my kids could have. Being a mom sounds glamorous, doesn’t it?But the good times definitely outweigh the bad.
I learned a few tricks over the years, especially when my kids were little, to help relieve the stress a little and remind myself that being a mom is one of the tasks God called me to do.
There were days I would watch my kids when they didn’t know I was watching I would smile at their “concentration” faces, their mannerism, their talk and play with each other. I love watching my too-big-for-her-britches teenage daughter playing outside in the snow with her little brother. Sometimes we would just have “huggy time,” which is exactly what it sounds like. There were days I would get so angry with their behavior that there was nothing I could do but tickle them all over, until we were both laughing uncontrollably. Laughter is a great stress reliever. One of the things I enjoyed most was just listening to conversations in the back seat of the car. I dare you to be quiet and listen.
Yes, being a mom can be stressful, cut it can also be the most rewarding job you’ve ever had. For all you new/young moms out there, don’t worry, the good days outnumber the bad and you’ll end up forgetting most of the bad ones anyway. Just keep pressing on.
Now, I’m almost ready for grandchildren…almost.
I enjoy babysitting little ones once in a while and I love working with them at church. But when I see parents exhausted from midnight feedings and from chasing toddlers around all day, I think, “I’m glad that’s not me”…anymore. I’ve reached a new stage in my life.
I love being a mom and loved watching my children grow up, but I’m almost completely to the other side of that. I know from experience that being a mom can be stressful.
I’ve dealt with boys peeing on things that weren’t supposed to be peed on (fortunately he’s outgrown that stage!). I’ve dealt with the teenage girl drama: the door slamming, the dreaded “I hate you,” and “You love her more than me.” I’ve been up all night with sick kids (more than once) and then had to still function the next day. I’ve cleaned up projectile vomit and explosive diarrhea. I’ve given punishments that truly broke my heart. I’ve gone without so my kids could have. Being a mom sounds glamorous, doesn’t it?But the good times definitely outweigh the bad.
I learned a few tricks over the years, especially when my kids were little, to help relieve the stress a little and remind myself that being a mom is one of the tasks God called me to do.
There were days I would watch my kids when they didn’t know I was watching I would smile at their “concentration” faces, their mannerism, their talk and play with each other. I love watching my too-big-for-her-britches teenage daughter playing outside in the snow with her little brother. Sometimes we would just have “huggy time,” which is exactly what it sounds like. There were days I would get so angry with their behavior that there was nothing I could do but tickle them all over, until we were both laughing uncontrollably. Laughter is a great stress reliever. One of the things I enjoyed most was just listening to conversations in the back seat of the car. I dare you to be quiet and listen.
Yes, being a mom can be stressful, cut it can also be the most rewarding job you’ve ever had. For all you new/young moms out there, don’t worry, the good days outnumber the bad and you’ll end up forgetting most of the bad ones anyway. Just keep pressing on.
Now, I’m almost ready for grandchildren…almost.
July 30, 2014
Inspired By Nature
Nature is another thing that encourages and inspires me to write. I can watch a child run through a field and all of a sudden I have a new idea for a story.
The scenery in Belongingis not from my imagination; rather, it was from my childhood. I loved growing up out in the country. The world seemed so big and so small at the same time. The wide open farmland surrounding my house made it seem big. Knowing absolutely everyone who lived around me made it seem small.
So, in honor of my childhood home, please enjoy the scenery below.
Share a pic of your childhood home. Share it anywhere you please, just be sure to tag me in it so I can see it. You never know, it might give me inspiration for a new story!
Click on the book cover to go to Amazon to purchase the book. Don't forget to leave your review to be entered in the Kindle giveaway contest.
Quote from Belonging:
The weather took a turn and Shelly could not resist the sunshine that beckoned her to come out and enjoy. A walk would be just the thing to clear her mind.
While she walked she took note of her surroundings. She smiled when she saw the old apple tree he had fallen out of one time. Then, unannounced, tears began to flow uncontrollably. The thoughts of her dad were almost too much.
“Where did all this come from?” she wondered as she wiped her nose. Most days she was able to think of her father and all the good memories they shared without shedding one single tear. Apparently today was not one of those days.
The scenery in Belongingis not from my imagination; rather, it was from my childhood. I loved growing up out in the country. The world seemed so big and so small at the same time. The wide open farmland surrounding my house made it seem big. Knowing absolutely everyone who lived around me made it seem small.
So, in honor of my childhood home, please enjoy the scenery below.
Share a pic of your childhood home. Share it anywhere you please, just be sure to tag me in it so I can see it. You never know, it might give me inspiration for a new story!
Click on the book cover to go to Amazon to purchase the book. Don't forget to leave your review to be entered in the Kindle giveaway contest.Quote from Belonging:
The weather took a turn and Shelly could not resist the sunshine that beckoned her to come out and enjoy. A walk would be just the thing to clear her mind.
While she walked she took note of her surroundings. She smiled when she saw the old apple tree he had fallen out of one time. Then, unannounced, tears began to flow uncontrollably. The thoughts of her dad were almost too much.
“Where did all this come from?” she wondered as she wiped her nose. Most days she was able to think of her father and all the good memories they shared without shedding one single tear. Apparently today was not one of those days.
