Erica Vetsch's Blog, page 15
December 20, 2022
Advent Reflection 2022
By Debby GiustiTwo thousand years ago, the world awaited the coming of the Messiah. As scripture tells us, when Christ was born a star marked the spot over Bethlehem, shepherds rejoiced and Magi payed homage to the King of Kings. All that had been foretold was brought to fulfillment in Christ Jesus, yet many folks failed to recognize him as their Savior and Lord. They expected a worldly king and powerful ruler instead of a tiny infant lying in a manger.
Today, we—like the people of old—anticipate the coming of the Christ Child. Our period of waiting is called Advent and starts on the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas. During this time of expectation, we prepare, once again, to welcome Jesus into our hearts and homes.
The Holy Night, Antonio de Correggio (1489-1534), Dresden,Germany. [PD-US]
Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical year, and in spite of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, the days leading to Christmas are a perfect time for reflection. The shopping and decorating, the cards and gift wrapping can wait. Let’s take a few moments to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going as writers.
Throughout December, the weather where I live fluctuated greatly and the changing temperatures frequently brought fog that clouded the view from my window. Peering outside, I was reminded of our human inability to see beyond the present. We can plan for and anticipate the future, but as finite creatures, we have a clouded view of where we’re going and sometimes even question where we have been.
Adoration of the Shepherds, Matthias Stomer, c1680, Palazzo Madame, Turin. [PD-US]Without clear vision, we could miss the true meaning of the twists and turns of our lives and all that has brought us to this moment in time. We look too often at that which has not come to fulfillment instead of the positive steps we have taken forward. Like the Jews of old, we misinterpret signs that point to that which is to come. Often, this brings discouragement and despondency and may cause us to give up dreams that are closer than we think to realization.
Perhaps we have set our sights on a certain achievement or goal. It might be a request for a submission or a book contact. It could involve catching the attention of an agent or editor or making a best sellers’ list. It might be to finish a manuscript or write a certain number of pages within the past year. If we haven’t achieved our goal, we may wonder if we are wasting our time and energy on a dream that will never come to fruition.
We’ve said it often here in Seekerville. The writing journey requires hard work and determination. We have to keep moving forward in spite of struggles and rejection. Writing detours happen, but we can’t give up. A wrong turn is not always a mistake, especially if it leads us along a fresh path that ends in a new destination we never would have imagined if we had stayed on the chartered course that seemed so appealing.
Adoration of the Magi, Bartolome Esteban Murillo, 1655-1600, ToledoMuseum of Art. [PD-US]
Instead of looking at what we haven’t achieved, let’s find the positive growth—even the small steps forward—we may have previously overlooked. Any forward progression means we’re moving in the right direction.
As we gather around the manger this Christmas to welcome the Christ Child, let’s give thanks for the many blessings the Lord has bestowed upon us and especially for the many ways he had led us through the fog to a new realization of his love and mercy.
A favorite Christmas Eve appetizer:
Place a block of Philadelphia Cream Cheese on an oblong serving dish.
Cover with fresh crabmeat. A can of crab meat (lump is the best) can be substituted. Drain well before arranging the crab over the cream cheese.
Top with Cocktail sauce: Mix a large spoonful of horseradish (or more) into a cup of ketchup, add salt, mix and spread over crab-covered cream cheese.
Serve with Triscuits or other favorite crackers. Enjoy!
Dear Friends, I’ve been praying for you throughout Advent, asking the Lord to shower you with abundant blessings now and in the New Year!
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
Debby Giusti
THE PERFECT STOCKING STUFFER!
IN A SNIPER’S CROSSHAIRS
By Debby Giusti
An assassin’s loose in Amish country…
and she’s not the only target.
When a radio broadcast describes taxi driver Lily Hudson’s passenger as an armed criminal, she becomes his immediate target. Narrowly escaping, Lily accepts Matthias Overholt’s offer to hide at his Amish family farm for Christmas—until evidence reveals the gunman’s plan is tied to Lily’s past. Now to prevent an assassination, Lily and Matthias must unravel a years-old conspiracy…and evade a sniper who has them in his sights.
Order HERE! https://www.amazon.com/Snipers-Crosshairs-Love-Inspired-Suspense/dp/1335587330/ref=sr_1_22?crid=4LDG9MPZSI65&keywords=Debby+Giusti+books&qid=1662728609&sprefix=debby+giusti+%2Caps%2C456&sr=8-22
December 19, 2022
Tidings of Comfort & Joy
I love singing Christmas carols.
Even this Christmas (or, maybe, especially this Christmas) as I grieve the unexpected loss of my dad a month ago, continue to grieve the loss of my little bro from last year, AND work through the loss of relationships in a church family, I find the words, truth...and sound theology within those carols fantastic reminders to my hurting heart of God's ultimate message for Christmas.
The message of hope. Of joy. Of promises. Of truth.
And of the right now that points to the some day.
Singing those carols have been good for my heart because they've pulled my mind from the temptation to spend too much time focusing on what I've lost and reordered my thoughts in a heavenly direction. They've helped remind me of the bigger Story and broadness of God's great plan. and they've comforted me with the knowledge of God's purposes, sovereignty, and ultimate love.
Because, Christmas can be really hard when we have empty chairs at the table and/or broken relationships. And grieving is normal and healthy and one of the sad "curses" of this life. But, the beauty in the brokenness is that...THIS is not the end of the story. Just as the cross wasn't the end of the story.
As Christians, we know a secret as "magical" and wonderful as the shepherds' message those many nights ago and it's displayed in the carol, Joy to the World. This "secret" helps us find hope in the present as we wait for the "some day".
I'm highlighting this verse from Joy to the World:
No more let sins and sorrows grow
nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found,
far as, far as, the curse is found.
Why can there still be joy and singing and celebration of Christmas, even as we grief the losses?
Because, the true ending of the story is a joyful one. The "curse" that brought death and broken relationships and shattered hearts and longing souls has been taken away. Because of Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection, "his blessings flow" throughout all of the world to restore what was "destroyed". His coming made death temporary, gave the broken hearted hope for restoration, and offered the longing soul a sure, beautiful, and eternal place of belonging.
This chapter of our stories may be hard and sad and heartbreaking, but it is only a chapter. As we keep moving forward in the next parts of the book that God is writing of our lives (and the lives of others), we can turn the page with hope knowing the end of the story. We can celebrate the happily-ever-after where God's presence and our loved ones presence will all be joined together forever because of a little baby born in a stable over 2000 years ago.
What a story! What a hope!
I'll leave you with this lovely quote from C.S. Lewis from the final Narnia book, The Last Battle:
What is one of your favorite Christmas carols? How do the words to that carol comfort you or bring you joy?
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Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is a wife, mom to five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus. Her novel, Hope Between the Pages, was a finalist for the prestigious Christy award. Pepper loves connecting with readers and other authors through social media outlets like Facebook &
Instagram.
You can learn more about Pepper and her books on her website at www.pepperdbasham.com
December 18, 2022
A Child's Christmas in the Midwest
Welcome to the last week before Christmas!!!
As a child, I counted down the days until Christmas...how could there be so many??? Could we survive the wait?
And then suddenly it arrived. Somewhere between visiting Santa at Rike's Department Store downtown, baking cookies with my mom, an evening of decorating those cookies with my brother (and maybe a few cousins,) and wrapping presents, Christmas came!
Christmas 1961
The Christmas Eve service, candles glowing, Silver Bells playing on the radio, the excitement of finally hanging our stockings, and reluctantly heading to bed...it was magic.
Do you remember that same magic? That same Christmas feeling?
Christmas sometime around 1965
But things changed when I became an adult. I realized that Christmas isn't just ribbons and bows and toys and Christmas cookies...Christmas came to mean A LOT MORE.
That Christmas giddiness of my childhood was as sweet as sugar, and just as fragile. But as an adult, that sugary sweetness was slowly replaced by lasting, pure AWE.
This Jesus whose birth we celebrate at Christmas was born to glorify the Father, and born to wear the thorns for me...
Another thing that has changed in these grown-up Christmases is that I'm eating a LOT less sugar these days, and I've slowly been adjusting my favorite Christmas treats to sugar-free treats.
It isn't as horrible as it sounds!
My go-to fudge recipes these days come from a website called "My Montana Kitchen," and they are no-guilt delicious!
They all start with a basic recipe - Sugar-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk.
Yes, sugar-free condensed milk. The recipe uses cream, butter, and a stevia/erythritol sweetener blend (aka "Gentle Sweet" from Trim Healthy Mama, or you can use the recipe found on the My Montana Kitchen website.) The recipe takes time, but it's worth it. I have to keep myself from making it too often...it's that delicious!
Here's the link to that recipe: Sugar-Free Keto Sweetened Condensed Milk
Once you have that basic recipe, you can use the sweetened condensed milk in all sort of recipes, and my favorite is chocolate fudge. Here's the link to the fudge recipes: 5 Sugar-Free Fudge Recipes
Eating mostly sugar-free has been an easy transition with recipes like these. I still make the regular fudge for family and friends...but that's okay. I get the sugar-free version all to myself!
Wishing you a blessed Christmas from our family to yours!
May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be white.
December 17, 2022
Sunday Scripture & Prayer Request
FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT
The Annunciation by Murillo, 1655–1660,
Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg. [PD-US]
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
"Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means "God is with us."
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
Matthew 1:18-24
WISHING YOU A JOYFUL AND PRAYERFUL ADVENT
AS YOU JOIN US IN PREPARING FOR THE BIRTH OF THE CHRIST CHILD!
The Seekerville bloggers are praying for YOU and for our entire blog community. If you have any special intentions that need additional prayer coverage, leave a request for prayer in the comment section below.
Please pray for our country and for an end to the problems that plague us at this current time, such as the increased cost of fuel and food and the rise in crime.
Also, please join us in praying for the protection of our military and for law enforcement officers and border agents.We are so grateful for all of you—for your friendship and your support!
May the Lord bless you and keep you safe.
December 16, 2022
Weekend Edition
If you are not familiar with our giveaway rules, take a minute to read them here. It keeps us all happy! All winners should send their name, address, and phone number to claim prizes. Please send to Seekerville2@gmail.com. If the winner does not contact us within two weeks, another winner may be selected. **(All winners' emails will receive a response within a week. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, we may not have received it. Please leave a comment in the following Weekend Edition.)
Monday: Jaime Jo Wright offer suggestions on how to survive Christmas Chaos
Tuesday: Dana Lynn talked about fascinating research for her books
Wednesday: Ruth Logan Herne gifted us with a mix of her favorite Christmas carols on YouTube and her delicious Clams Casino Dip
Thursday: Winnie Griggs shared her historical research for the beloved Christmas carol Do You Hear What I Hear? and a tasty recipe for Cajun Corn Maque Choux
Monday: Jan Drexler is your hostess
Tuesday: Pepper Basham is your hostess
Wednesday: Debby Giusti is your hostess. She'll be providing an Advent Reflection.
Thursday: Pam Hillman is your hostess
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Erica Vetsch is joining a couple of her writing buddies in aProgressive Regency Christmas Dinner and you're invited to attend! You can start the dinner at author Michelle Griep's Website and continue to follow the links until you reach the end. Enter the giveaway at the last site to be entered to win a "Tea With The Authors" onlineevent in the New Year.
Disclaimer: Any blog post that includes an offer of product purchase or service is NOT to be considered an endorsement by Seekerville or any of our authors (please see our Legal page )
Writers, One Word Makes All the Difference by Beth K Vogt at The Write Conversation
What Derails Your Writing Dream? by Tara Johnson at ACFW blog
Feed Your Soul by Jennifer Deibel at Learn How To Write A Novel
Writing Out of Sequence by John Gilstrap at Killzone blog
Why is Writing So Hard? at WriteToDone
How to Decide What You Really Want from Your Writing Career by Colleen M Story at Writers In The Storm
How to Show a Character's Repressed Emotions by Angela Ackerman at Jane Friedman
Facing Down Fear by Kathleen McCleary at Writer UnBoxed
Even the Best Get Rejected by Steve Laube
Dealing with Multiple Drafts During Revisions by Janice Hardy at Fiction University
December 15, 2022
Do You Hear What I Hear
Hello everyone, Winnie Griggs here. I love Christmas carols – in fact I’ve been known to sing them year round. When my children were young, a bedtime practice was for me to go to each of their rooms and tuck them in with a song. I’d let them pick the song and among the ones frequently requested were Christmas carols. Many's the night I would get requests for The First Noel, or Away In A Manger or Gloria in Excelsis Deo.
Today, however, I wanted to focus on Do You Hear What I Hear. Not only have I always loved this song but I was also curious to learn its history. What I discovered when I dug in surprised me.
I’d always assumed this was a long standing traditional carol with European roots. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, it wasn’t even written as a Christmas song at all.
Here’s a little of what I learned. A Frenchman named Noel Regney penned the lyrics (how’s that for an appropriate name!). Born in 1922, he was trained as a classical composer. During WWII Noel was drafted into the German army. But he hated the Nazis and in fact joined the French Resistance in secret. The horrors he witnessed during the war would continue to haunt him throughout the remainder of his life.
After the war, Noel worked in French Indochina for the French Overseas Radio Service and then in 1952 he moved to the United States. There he met his future wife Gloria Shayne who was working as a pianist in a hotel dining room. During the 50s and 60s the pair wrote several successful songs. Gloria usually wrote the lyrics and Noel composed the music. But during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, Noel was moved to write the lyrics of this song as a plea for peace. In a later interview, he made this statement “I am amazed that people can think they know the song and not know it is a prayer for peace. But we are so bombarded by sounds and our attention spans are so short.”
Noel’s favorite version was the one sung by Robert Goulet. You can hear it here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xABgIBUaWrE
My favorite is this one, sung by Bing Crosby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f5cyiTH3KI
To all of you out there I’d like to wish you a very peace filled and joyous Christmas!
And now for a recipe. This is a corn dish called Cajun Corn Maque Choux. It makes a great side dish for both a down home family meal and a festive holiday meal. This recipe is one a friend gave me many years ago but I’ve modified it a bit over time.
Ingredients
Butter - 1 Tablespoon Onion - 1 cup chopped Red Bell Pepper - 1 med chopped, about 1 cupJalapeno - 1.5 tblsp, choppedBacon - 6 slices, crisp cooked, crumbledCorn - 4 ears fresh or 3 cups frozenTomato - 1 large, choppedGreen Onions - ¼ cup, choppedCajun seasoning - 1 tblspMilk or chicken stock - ½ cup
Directions
Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; sauté 5 minutes, or until onion begins to turn translucent. Add bell pepper and jalapeño pepper; continue sautéing for 3 minutes. Stir in corn, bacon and tomatoes with the onion mixture. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 10 minutes longer, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, adding small amounts of liquid if needed.Add Cajun seasoning. Lower heat, cover the skillet, and cook, 5 to 10 minutes longer, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.Add the milk (or chicken stock). Let it warm for about 2 minutes, stirring a bit, then remove from heat and serve.
December 13, 2022
Advent in Seekerville!
O come, o come Emmanuel!
During this wonderful, marvelous season of waiting and anticipation of Christ's birthday, the Seekers are sharing some of our favorite recipes, thoughts, hymns and songs and traditions as we move through the beauty of a waitful Advent.... and a glorious morning to rejoice in Christ's birth. Emmanuel! God with us!
I have so many favorite Christmas hymns and songs.
This compilation/mix is a huge Ruthy favorite:
And when it comes to recipes for holiday get togethers, there are so many! I'm going to give you this one today, Clams Casino Dip, a recipe that we used at parties about forty years ago and I pulled out of the old recipe box to revive it for this holiday season. It was time to change things up a bit, you know?
And there is a NEW RUTHY BOOK that had hit the shelves, a Christmas mystery from Guideposts!
"Love's a Mystery in Cut and Shoot, Texas"!
In true Ruthy-style, this wonderful story kind of grabs your heart from the get-go and doesn't let go.
She can't get over the guilt of a tragic accident and he can't get over the fact that he can't fix it, and if you know anything about cowboys, they like to fix things.... But when a tiny baby gets delivered by a suspicious old man, that sure as shootin' gives him something to fix. Starting with non-stop diapers and a hungry baby girl....
Who was the old man?
And why is baby Libby here, at the ranch?
There's one thing he does know...
He can't do this alone and who better to call on for help than his beloved, estranged wife?
You'll laugh, you'll sigh, you might shed a tear or two, but in the end... you're going to love, love, love this story.
Bestselling, award-winning author Ruth Logan Herne is so excited to be doing exactly what she always dreamed of doing: Writing great books with unforgettable characters that make you smile, sigh and sometimes even cry... because that's kind of life, right? Sending blessings to all of you and I'm so happy to hear from folks! Send me an email at loganherne@gmail.com, visit my website ruthloganherne.com or hang out with me on Facebook.
December 12, 2022
Where Did You Learn That?
Before that, I was able to research the US Marshals for a book.
Sometimes, I get really involved in a story and I don't want to loose momentum and stop writing to research. I leave myself a note, either on a pad of paper or in a word document, to go back and look up what I need. This is crucial. I don't want my lack of knowledge to pull someone out of the story. For example, I am currently writing a story involving bounty hunters. I had set the story in Illinois, near where I grew up. Then after I had written enough to know my characters, I went back and started diving deep into the world of bounty hunters. Cringe. I found out that bounty hunting is illegal in four states, including Illinois. Oops. Sometimes I need to research places. I love taking research trips! There's nothing like visiting places and listening to the people who live there. Sometimes, though, a trip isn't possible. I can still talk with people from the area. Most of my research comes from the internet. So now I'm curious. What's something fascinating that you've learned in your life? Or what is one thing you want to learn about or how to do?
Dana R. Lynn is an award winning, USA Today and Publishers Weekly best-selling author of more than twenty romantic suspense and Amish romance books who believes in the power of God to touch people through stories. Although she grew up in Illinois, she met her husband at a wedding in Pennsylvania and told her parents she had met her future husband. Nineteen months later, they were married. Today, they live in rural Pennsylvania and are entering the world of empty nesters. She is a teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing by day and writes stories of romance and danger at night. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray with the Steve Laube Agency. Dana is an avid reader, loves cats and thinks chocolate should be a food group. Readers can contact her or sign up to receive her monthly newsletter at www.danarlynn.com.
Christmas Chaos, anyone?
Is anyone else feeling the Christmas rush? I just lost a week this morning! I checked my emails to a reminder today was my day to post here at Seekerville and I was shocked to find out last week was over and THIS was the week my calendar was on.WHO LET THAT HAPPEN?
Do you all find the Christmas chaos to be a little much sometimes? I purchased a Christmas novella collection to savor and enjoy this month and I've yet to open it. Here's my full confession: the chaos has NOTHING to do with Christmas. Life has just gotten a bit coo-coo and between work and writing and helping out my Dad and more writing and oh yea, that thing called writing . . . it's my Monday to post at Seekerville already and I didn't even realize it!
So I'm taking tips on how to start slowing down for Christmas . . . anyone? Bueller?
Here's what I've collected so far (in the last two minutes since I realized I should probably try to slow down):
1. Determine to slow down - I think that sounds a tad silly but isn't it true? If we don't make the decision to prioritize Christmas and the people around us, it's going to come and go and be gone and welcome 2023!
2. Realize you can't be all things to all people - I don't typically realize that. I'm not a "Yes" person so much as I'm a super heightened responsible person to my already commitmented things (It's why I'm writhing in utter shame that I'm only now posting this blog post!) So, yes, there are commitents--like this post--but then there are also the whole, maybe-I-don't-have-to-wrap-everyone-gift-like-I'm-Martha-Stewart things.
3. Refill your coffee (or tea) - This. This should move up to priority spot #1.So today, I'm taking tips and tricks! Please leave YOUR suggestions in the comments below.
_________________________________
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!
December 10, 2022
Sunday Scripture & Prayer Requests
THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT
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St. John the Baptist Preaching, c. 1665, by Mattia Preti, Legion of HonorGallery 6, Belgium. [PD-US]
When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ,
he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question,
"Are you the one who is to come,
or should we look for another?"
Jesus said to them in reply,
"Go and tell John what you hear and see:
the blind regain their sight,
the lame walk,
lepers are cleansed,
the deaf hear,
the dead are raised,
and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.
And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me."
As they were going off,
Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John,
"What did you go out to the desert to see?
A reed swayed by the wind?
Then what did you go out to see?
Someone dressed in fine clothing?
Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces.
Then why did you go out? To see a prophet?
Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
This is the one about whom it is written:
Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare your way before you.
Amen, I say to you,
among those born of women
there has been none greater than John the Baptist;
yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."
Matthew 11:2-11
WISHING YOU A JOYFUL AND PRAYERFUL ADVENT
AS YOU JOIN US IN PREPARING FOR THE BIRTH OF THE CHRIST CHILD!
The Seekerville bloggers are praying for YOU and for our entire blog community. If you have any special intentions that need additional prayer coverage, leave a request for prayer in the comment section below.
Please pray for our country and for an end to the problems that plague us at this current time, such as the increased cost of fuel and food and the rise in crime.
Also, please join us in praying for the protection of our military and for law enforcement officers and border agents.We are so grateful for all of you—for your friendship and your support!
May the Lord bless you and keep you safe.
