Erica Vetsch's Blog, page 143

Have You Been Forced To Slow Down?

It's so fun to have spent the summer launching another new story in a novella collection out into the book world! Especially sharing it with the ladies here at Coffee Cups and Camisoles.

While I spent a summer redefining my perspective, I spent a week at the birthplace of my story in the Of Rags and Riches Collection. It was so great to be hunkered down in a cabin in the woods, dip my toes in the lake, play along the banks of the Flambeau River in the footsteps of Abby and Charles Farrington the Third, and even catch a glimpse of Harold the Squirrel. :)

Escaping from life is often something we attempt to do in the summertime. Life, however, followed us to the cabin, where my health issues resurfaced and I spent most of one evening on the couch warding off the mysterious non-epileptic seizures that had planted me in the hospital two weeks prior.

Carrying on the elements of perspective, I watched my husband hike my kiddos to the lake to have fun without me while I lay on the couch fully exhausted and a bit weepy from being the reason we had to "slow down" even more on our vacation.

But in the end, perspective was exactly what was needed. Being forced to slow down even more, meant aggressive hikes and jaunts into the woods turned into a long car ride of relaxation to the shores of Lake Superior. We spent the day there, beach combing, reading, playing in the water, and drinking in the sun. It wasn't necessarily what we'd planned, but it became a special memory none-the-less.

I think as we slow down, we realize that while our initial plans may be thwarted, there are even better ones waiting to be discovered.

I found that out this summer? Have you had similar experiences?

Seeing Things From A Different Perspective

One thing I've noticed this summer is "perspective". No, not because I almost had to get bifocals, (because apparently 40 is the magic number), but because sometimes life just throws curveballs and you need to relook at things.

I've had health issues this summer, my daughter's BFF moved away (crushing to an adult let alone a 7 yr old), and I can keep listing things, but really, can't we all?

So as I muddled through summer, I tried to grasp onto perspective. How do I stay positive? How do I stay cheery?

I also turned 41. The day I turned 41 wasn't so great of a day. Birthday-schmirthday, it was more like "get-me-through-this-day-from-Halifax"! Even Peter Pan looked at me, through teary-eyes and said, "See? This is why I didn't want you to turn 41! You were a nice momma when you were 40!" So, the next day, I worked on my attitude and tried to be pleasant and not the raging mother from the day before. Peter Pan looked at me and smiled. "Momma, I'm SO glad you're 40 again!"

Sigh.

Perspective is often hard to grasp. I'm still learning and I don't have any magic bullet point lists to include below to equate to "here's how". I have found prayer becoming far more real and vital. More often than not, through gritted teeth or weepy voice. I've also found reminding myself that I don't owe anyone my entire being. I tend to devote my all to a project, person, place, or thing. But, I've also found now, more than ever, when the world is turned a bit lopsided, that my children rely even more on me for consistency and reassuring.

So, let's chat. How do YOU keep perspective? What helps you balance your emotions, your mental strength, and your physical energy? 

Author Sherri Beth Johnson and a #Giveaway

We're super excited to have a new-to-us author, Sherri Beth Johnson! Join us in getting to know Sherri and her intriguing novels!!
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You’ve had a new release! Can you share a little bit about it and how you first hatched the idea for this story?
Anne of Fales, Book Three in The Royals of Gliston Series, released on 8/12/17. When I was writing Taisia, Book Two in this series, I created Anne’s character, and at first, I was determined not to like her. As I finished Taisia, I thought more of Anne, and I felt rather sorry for her. The first three books in this series happen all at the same time, from three different perspectives. Her story came to me, and I found I couldn’t hate her. She is strong, courageous, and obeys God despite the discomfort it causes her. She has a true servant’s heart mixed with strength and spunk. I adore her now, and loved telling her side of the story.


What is the primary spiritual theme of your book, and if that’s not applicable, what do you hope readers take away from reading your novel?
If I was to give Anne a theme, it would be Submission. Despite being royalty, she submits herself to God and serves others. I personally feel our society today has evolved into the ‘It’s all about me and what makes me happy’ culture. We need to learn to deny ourselves and be obedient to God’s calling on our lives, and especially to be a servant to others. We are His hands and feet, and often times that takes us being uncomfortable. We need to take on His characteristics and truly love and serve others as He did.


Which sub-character is your favorite and why?It is truly hard to choose, but I would have to say my favorite sub-characters are in my book ‘Jessie’ Book Two in the Kenrick Brides Series. It is an eccentric and wise retired pastor and his wife, Reverend Hick Hanks and his wife Hildy Hanks. They run a ranch called the Broken Circle HHH, which the meaning behind the ranch’s name is quite funny. They are wise and hilarious as they lead couples and teach them how God designed marriage to be. I laughed one moment and cried the next as I wrote their scenes. I wove Biblical truths we all need reminded of in our marriages and relationships, just in Hank and Hildy’s unique way.



We talk a lot about faith and how it weaves throughout our fiction, here at the blog. How has your faith affected/or not affected your writing?
My faith is the driving reason I have nine books self-published. I have written for enjoyment since I was a teenager. I had dreamt of being a writer, but life just happened and I never pursued it beyond writing for my own pleasure. Three years ago, our son who has Hemi-Plegia Cerebral Palsy had major brain surgery for life-threatening seizures. We had watched him in a constant state of decline for four years. The toll that takes on you as a parent both physically and emotionally is brutal. God used the surgeons to heal him of his seizures through this surgery. It was a true miracle! But months later, I found myself unable to get out of bed and go to work and just ‘do everyday life’. I was walking and pleading with God to help me get past this depression and physical weakness, when he spoke to me. He gave me the scripture in Isaiah 43:19, Behold I will do a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? God then gave me my first book series, The Andley Sisters Series, Farmers Daughters. I wrote all four books in a month’s time. It was the most healing and precious gift. When he started urging me to publish them, I have to admit I struggled with obeying for a short time. I am shy, and had no idea how to proceed. In my prayer time He gave me scriptures of being obedient. Finally, I listened. It has been a time of stretching me from my comfort zone, and yet I have loved every book he has blessed me with. I only seek to give Him the glory!

** For every paperback of Estelle sold, I donate .50 cents per book to Saving Grace NWA. You can find their website at http://www.savinggracenwa.org.

We’d love you have you share a snippet from your novel to entice us and hook us! J Please share something below:

The tragic death of the beloved King and Queen of Gliston leaves their five children in shock and mourning. Rebels rise up within the kingdom and fight to take control of the throne. Follow the Beckwiths, The Royal Family of Gliston, as each tells his or her story. Read along and discover where God’s divine plan takes them as they accept their callings, find danger, and even discover romance.Estelle is Book One in The Royals of Gliston Series. Here is an excerpt of her story….A thousand thoughts whirled through my head as soon all the parliament members and servants were gathered. The Duke and Mr. Perry informed them of the tragic news and called us all to prayer. My sisters clung to me, weeping. It broke my heart to see their pain, and yet I refused to believe I had lost my brother. God could not be so cruel as to take him away from us scarcely a year after losing my parents.“Princess Estelle,” I heard and looked up to find the Duke of Safford. “We must prepare,” he said. I frowned and shook my head not understanding. “For what?” I asked, suddenly thinking of Grace’s hard work on the wedding banquet. I covered my mouth to stifle a cry. The royal wedding! Princess Anne! “To crown you queen, Princess,” he said softly. I stiffened and held my breath as my sister squeezed my hand. I could not be queen! I was never meant to rule….

** For every paperback of Estelle sold, I donate .50 cents per book to Saving Grace NWA. You can find their website at http://www.savinggracenwa.org.

We're giving away BOOK 1 of The Royals of Gliston! Enter below to win! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How Humbling Yourself In Your Time of Need Changes Everything

We're pleased to have Tricia Goyer guest blogging today about her upcoming book. It's a challenge to all of us to not only WALK our faith, but to know HOW to walk our faith. I'm (Jaime) loving this book as my morning devo. I think you'll see into Tricia's heart here ...
_________________________The other day I was cooking dinner when my six-year-old son rushed into the kitchen.            Beads of sweat slid down his red face. “I’m so hot. You never get me anything to drink.”            I stirred my spaghetti sauce with one hand as I turned to him. “Excuse me?”            His voice rose in a full, high-pitched whine. “You never give me anything to drink!” He waved his hands and dropped to the floor.            I took in a breath and then released in, telling myself to keep my voice steady, calm. “I’d be happy to get you a drink. I just need you to ask.”            He kicked his foot against the floor. “But I want a drink now!”             “I know you do.” I peered down at him. “And as soon as you ask the right way I’m happy to get some some ice cold water.”            And then my son stood, smiled up at me and asked so sweetly for a drink of water …NOT!             Instead, he whined and fussed more. Finally, I asked him to leave the kitchen.             You know what? He never did ask. In fact, he didn’t get anything to drink until fifteen minutes later when we were sitting down to dinner. He was so bent on complaining and whining—in feeding his discontent—he didn’t want to release his control in order to ask me for help. I would have gladly given him the drink he requested if only he asked in the right away.
Feeding Our DiscontentI wish I could say this is just a little kid issue, but I’ve been there myself. During my teen years I lived in that storm of discontent. I complained when things didn’t go my way. I worried. I fretted. I fought.             I even took matters into my own hands when I found myself facing an unplanned pregnancy at age 15. My own fears and worries led me to a choice I now regret—I had an abortion.             It wasn’t until years later, at age 17 when I was pregnant again, that things took a turn for the better. It’s then I humbled myself and turned to God. By this point I realized the whining, complaining, and acting out wasn’t getting me what I wanted or needed.            At six months along, I wrapped my arms around my growing stomach and prayed, “Lord, if you can do anything with my life, please do.”             God showed up big time. He not own gave me Himself (which is the best!), He has also led me on a journey where radical, and wonderful things, have happened. This has included marrying a wonderful Christian man, having two more kids, starting a crisis pregnancy center, mentoring teen moms, adopting seven more children, and writing over 70 books!             God didn’t just offer me a cup of cool water when I asked. He opened the floodgates of blessing. But it took me humbling myself and seeking Jesus to meet my needs.            This reminds me of a Scripture I was reading just this morning, “I called on your name, LORD, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: ‘Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.’ You came near when I called you, and you said, ‘Do not fear.’ You, Lord, took up my case; you redeemed my life,” Lamentations 5:55-58.            Mumbling, complaining and griping is easy, but they rob us of having our greatest needs met. Yet when we humble ourselves and turn to God, things will change for the better.             When we call to the Lord, He hears us. When we turn to Him, He comes. When we call to Him, He reminds us that He is present and we have no reason to fear. When we place our needs in His court, Jesus redeems our life.            It took a lot to humble me as a teen—two unplanned pregnancies in fact. Yet I’m thankful that I learned back then that when I turn to God He will meet my needs. He will meet them in more wonderful ways than I ever expected.   You can read more about how God can show up radically in your life in the book Walk It Out: The Radical Result of Living God’s Word One Step at a Time (http://amzn.to/2wi1Cwi).
If you pre-order Walk It Out before October 1, you’ll also receive 30 Days of Prayer as You Walk It Out FREE! Details here: http://www.triciagoyer.com/walk-it-out/

Dear God, Please Chill

God ... Just CHILL! I love this picture of my daughter. It's nothing fancy--the epitome of bad photography. CoCo was an early 2 when I took it. A quick snap, looking down at her from my cell phone, as she traversed the wilds of our gravel driveway. Intent and focused, too little to go it alone, but unaware of my looming presence as she--in her typical fashion--was determined to be independent.

She was (and still is!) slowly learning that she's not big enough to do everything. But it's hard. When she climbed onto the counter at 3 years old to reach the "cheesies" on the top shelf in the highest cupboard ... when she jumped from the top stair of thirteen steps and assumed I was going to catch her (I did -miraculously) ... when she had to go traverse the hallway down to her kindergarten room alone, and when gradually, life crept in and seemed weightier. Like tonight, when she has to enter second grade tomorrow without her BFF and she cried herself to sleep . . . CoCo

When CoCo was 3, my mom was trying to help her with something  and she gave CoCo a kind suggestion. Without pause and in her classic palm-forward in your face gesture, CoCo stated: "HON, just CHILL". At 3 years old. Just. Chill.

Doesn't it seem sometimes we go through life like 3 year old CoCo? Overconfident, cocky, self-assured ... and then life sets and we plummet from whatever the height, and suddenly, were 7 year old CoCo, anxious, afraid, safety-net of BFF gone for good and we finally look up. For help. For comfort. For reassurance. 
Why does it take plummeting to realize that our self-assured, independant self states all too often: "GOD, just CHILL"? 

I think CoCo started to learn the lesson that she wasn't as invincible as she thought, when she was at the end of 3 years old. When she went flying across the bathroom floor after she took off from the bathtub soaking wet, ignored my instructions to "don't run", and whacked her head on the door frame. It was then she threw it back in a long wail, and found no comfort in herself, no joy in her confidence, no reason in her circumstances.

She needed the powers that be. So I lifted her, cradled her, explained her folly to her ... and strangely enough ... she repeated it again the next day. Only this time she remained upright because right before her wet feet hit the bathroom floor she stopped and giggled and said, "mommy, I don' wanna go flyin'!"

So...tonight I reminded a weepy, anxious little girl "don't go flyin' tomorrow" ... LISTEN to the still small voice. BE STILL and know that HE is God ... and you, frankly, are not. 
7 year old CoCo is asleep now. A little smile on her face. Resting in knowing that telling God to "Chill" is a bad idea. That we aren't independent. That we need His comfort. That He is ever-vigilant. That WE can chill, because He never lets down His guard. 

Friday Encouragement

Friday encouragement from fellow author, Tricia Goyer and her coming release "Walk it Out".

Just gonna leave this here for you to chew on this weekend:

A Trip Through the Midwest

Gabrielle Here:

Recently, I took an RV trip with my parents and four children from Minnesota, through Iowa, into Missouri and Kansas, and then over to Illinois, Kentucky, and Ohio. We left on Sunday morning and returned the following Sunday night, with a stop in Cincinnati for the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat. Along the way, we saw several historic sites and museums and even visited the Ark Encounter in northern Kentucky.

It was a fun, exhausting trip, but we had a great time and made awesome memories. Here's just a snapshot of our vacation.

Our home away from home: my parents' RV The Arabia Steamboat Museum in Kansas City, MO. This museum is filled with original artifacts from a steamboat
that sank in the Missouri River in 1856 and was recovered
in the 1980's. Check it out: www.1856.comThis was taken at the National Toy and Miniature Museum
in Kansas City, MO. Another amazing museum full of
countless miniatures and amazing toys.
Abraham Lincoln House in Springfield, IL.
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in
Springfield, IL.
One of our traveling companions, my parents' dog, Annabelle.
We bought Clue at the toy museum and played it several times
during the trip. Just before entering the Ark Encounter in Kentucky. Wow!
This was an amazing place to visit. The Christian Fiction Readers Retreat in Cincinnati, OH.On Sunday morning we drove home from Ohio and crossed over several more states to get to Minnesota. We had a blast, but we're all thankful to be home.

Your Turn: What summer trips have you taken this year? Do you enjoy flying or driving better?

Gabrielle Meyer lives in central Minnesota on the banks of the Mississippi River with her husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing fictional stories inspired by real people and events.

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The Evolution of Women's Clothing

Gabrielle Here:

Today I'm sharing one of my favorite blog posts from my personal blog, www.gabriellemeyer.com. I wrote this four years ago, but I still refer to it when I'm researching and when I want to marvel at women's fashion.

I've love using Pinterest as a way to collect pictures of clothing for my characters. I've written stories spanning from the 1790s to the 1920s, so I've gathered images from numerous eras.

I thought it would be fun to watch the amazing transformation women's gowns have taken from 1800 to 2017.

It was interesting for me to find that somewhere around 1930 designers started modifying designs from previous generations and "updating" them. The trend has continued to this day. Since 2000 it's hard to determine what the "style" has been. It's such a combination of many eras.

I was also surprised to find that some gowns were only slightly modified from one decade to another, but there are a few decades that changed drastically (such as the 1910s to 1920s).

Here are some of my favorite gowns from the past two hundred years.

c. 1800 c. 1810
c. 1820
c. 1830 c. 1840
c. 1850
c. 1860 c. 1870
c. 1880
c. 1890
c. 1900 c. 1910
c. 1920
c. 1930 c. 1940 c. 1950
c. 1960 c. 1970
c. 1980
c. 1990 c. 2000
c. 2010Your Turn: What is your favorite era? If you could choose, which gown would you bring back?

I have a winner from my Rafflecopter giveaway to celebrate Inherited: Unexpected Family! The winner is Susan Johnson! Susan, I'll email you.

Gabrielle Meyer lives in central Minnesota on the banks of the Mississippi River with her husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing fictional stories inspired by real people and events.

Find her on Facebook
Find her on Amazon
Find her on Goodreads
Find her on My Website
Sign up for Her Newsletter

Gilded Age Giveaway: Anne Love

Anne here.
With the debut of my novella, The Gardener's Daughter, included in Of Rags and Riches Romance Collection, and a few proposal stories floating in the editor world yet un-contracted I'm turning my focus to finish up a full length story. But my mind is already turning toward what might be the next story to spin. I like to find images from history that spark interest. Stories start by brainstorming settings and characters, sort of popcorn style--listing the first ideas that come to mind.

Which one is the most story-spinning worthy?

Lets have some fun! Vote on your favorite scene and character brainstorm for a chance to win a free copy of my debut novella. Leave a comment with your vote for an entry!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

1. A colonial story setting along the eastern coast at the start of the Revolutionary War...



2. A Lady's Bookclub story...



3. A pair of lady botanists with a deadly plan...


4. A Cookery school adventure...


5. A Christmas Tree Deliveryman...


6.  The Sisters of Waterfront Street...


7. The Riverman & The Merchant's Daughter...


For more fun feel free to add a story thread if you have an idea for one! Let the voting fun begin!-------------Blog post by Anne Love-





Writer of Historical Romance inspired by her family roots. 





Nurse Practitioner by day. 





Wife, mother, writer by night. 





Coffee drinker--any time.

Find me at: www.anneloveauthor.com



Find me on:FacebookFind me on: PinterestFind me on: GoodreadsFind me on: TwitterFind me on: Instagram

Day Trip: Shipshewana, Indiana

Anne here.
This week we have Suzanne Woods Fisher doing an interview and giveaway running all week. I figured it was only fitting to share my day trip pictures from this weekend since Suzanne writes Amish fiction. I don't write Amish fiction, but when you've been raised Mennonite, had an Amish babysitter, and live in the heart of northern Indiana--it's the place to visit when your sisters-in-law and your Grandma Nancy come to town! We shopped the shops in Shipshewana--"Shipshe" as we call it--until we dropped!

We hit up Lolly's fabric store with all it's vintage quilt supplies. I remember that my grandmother's quilts had similar print styles to many of these!




The vintage treadle sewing machine is similar to my grandmother's Singer.

I loved these rainbow colored woolens that could be used to braid a rug.







After the sops at the Davis Mercantile, we had a good old fashioned buffet style Mennonite meal.Mashed potatoes, turkey, dressing, salad, and pie!


Now that's a whoopee pie!

Then we headed over to Yoder's Department Store, where they carry every thing imaginable. 


A 36 cup coffee pot!And even some old crocks, love these.

Maybe someday I could have a cabin with one of these!If you get to Indiana, head up north and visit the place where dodging road apples is a way of life.
Readers: What day trip near your own home towns are your favorites? What day trips near you are on on your list to check out?I was raised with gardening, canning, sewing, & quilting.What "simple life" skill would like to learn the most?-------------Blog post by Anne Love-





Writer of Historical Romance inspired by her family roots. 





Nurse Practitioner by day. 





Wife, mother, writer by night. 





Coffee drinker--any time.

Find me at: www.anneloveauthor.com



Find me on:FacebookFind me on: PinterestFind me on: GoodreadsFind me on: TwitterFind me on: Instagram