Julie Arduini's Blog, page 13

Finally Defrosting

Happy Fall! It’s been a bit since I’ve been here and it sure isn’t for a lack of trying.

First things first.

If you read this in time, tonight I’ll be over at Maria’s Muses participating in Game Night. Last month I hosted and it was so much fun. This month I have a game from childhood ready to go. I think you’ll enjoy. Join me and bring a friend!

So defrosting. That’s a great visual for my life right now. The last three years have been rough for us all. This year I have battled the lack of movement in my life and calling. I felt frozen. Stuck. Circling like a plane with no airport. As I prayed and sought God, others prayed too. One let me know she saw me as she prayed. I was in a canoe on still waters going no where.

That tracked.

There was a shift, my word for the year, and suddenly I was on rapid waters. Nothing was the same. I needed an upgrade in my canoe and equipment.

When she finished she said things are going to look very different by the end of the year.

Well, we are there.

I have a shift going on in ministry. We have youth pastors in place after a two-year search. That lightened my load which was good because now I’m active with women. It started with teaching Revelation in Sunday school. A community is rising up and events are happening. I attended a conference. It’s been crazy good.

That’s not all. Last month I started receiving requests to go places and pray in a way I’ve never done. Some invites came from my Friend and Counselor the Holy Spirit. Others were from acquaintances and friends. They weren’t sweet little prayer chats. It was a throw down, send the devil packing with his tail in between his legs because the power of Christ was being proclaimed. It’s surreal, amazing, and a little scary, but I’m smart enough to know I don’t enter those situations on my strength. It’s all God and the blood of Jesus.

Then there’s writing. Most of this year I’ve wondered is this my life anymore? I believe the answer is yes, but not with the striving. Perhaps the fruit comes long after my work has been released. I don’t know, but I’m still writing the Surrendering Hearts series. In fact, after a frozen laptop, the third of four it has taken to write Repairing Hearts, I have a working laptop. What a difference when things work!

I’ll be talking about Repairing Hearts a LOT more, but TOMORROW/Thursday, my newsletter will have an exclusive cover reveal. If you want a peek, subscribe for free at Link Tree. I’m super proud of the cover and the story.

Slowly but surely I’m defrosting in every way. And it feels amazing.

Can you relate? Share your thoughts in the comments or contact me at juliearduini@juliearduini.com.

Fall Back and Find Me by Sarah Hanks

Fall Back and Find Me

My latest split-time novel, Fall Back and Find Me releases today, September 19th. This stand-alone novel is the second in the Sister in Arms collection, which features a secret female Civil War soldier in the historical storyline. (A Battle Worth Fighting was the first book in this collection.) While Willow’s story as a guerilla hunter in war-torn Missouri is fascinating in its own right, today I’m going to give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the modern-day protagonist’s story.

Amber Prichard is rocking her role as pastor’s wife and indispensable volunteer. She’s the first to show up at any church function and the last to leave. You know the type. Perhaps you are the type. She’s also an uber dedicated mom. Need someone to run the class party? Call Amber. She’s doing all the things and doing them well. Until chronic illness comes calling.

Here’s what the book’s back cover copy won’t tell you: Amber’s story is my own. Well, not exactly. This is fiction. I’m not Amber. She’s not me. But the feelings she goes through—the journey of the heart—I wrung that onto the page from my own soul.

Around nine years ago, I was living my best life as a children’s ministry director and mother of seven children when I started battling extreme fatigue. What the doctor initially thought was a thyroid problem didn’t improve with medication. For nearly a year, I worked with doctors to untangle the mystery of what was happening to me. Why could I barely get out of bed? Why did it hurt to lift my arms? What was with the chest pains? Then I began passing out.

A cardiologist finally solved the mystery. I had POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), a form of dysautonomia. My autonomic nervous system was malfunctioning. I saw a specialist who did a tilt torture test—oh, I mean a tilt table test—to confirm the diagnosis, and yes. Upon standing, my heartrate would skyrocket, and my blood pressure plummeted. Cue lightheadedness and a whole host of symptoms.

Here’s what I was told: this is a chronic condition that will never go away. It isn’t likely to get better. In fact, it may get worse. Drink lots of water. Eat salt. Wear compression socks. Try to exercise on a recumbent bike. This is your life now.

I was in my thirties and using a walker to get around.

This was my life now.

I was in my thirties and had a handicap parking tag.

This was my life now.

I never knew when I’d pass out next. I’d fainted at the grocery store, at church, in the driveway, at public functions. I’d fallen down the steps of my home. The only safe place was in my bed.

I went from being the woman who could do it all to being able to do nothing. I couldn’t work. Couldn’t care for my family. Couldn’t do.

So, who was I?

As Christians, we “know” that our identity isn’t wrapped up in how we perform. I knew that I wasn’t what I did or a job title. Everyone knows that, right? But the gap between knowing and knowing can be a chasm. For me, it took having all of the doing stripped away to settle into allowing myself to be loved as a child of God.

If you want to know more about that journey, read Fall Back and Find Me. I poured it all into Amber and onto the page.

It took seven years, but the Lord healed my body completely. I’m eternally grateful for the work He did. I can do all the things I couldn’t do in that hard, dark season. But I’m not sad I went through it, because before He healed my body, He healed my heart. To Him, that was even more important. I praise Him for His wisdom and tender care for me. He held my hand and walked me through the valley. He spoke words of love over me until I believed them.

I only had to fall back to find Him.

Sarah Hanks is an award-winning author of Christian fiction in both the contemporary and historical genres. After spending over a decade mostly writing and teaching Sunday school curricula for churches in her community, she finally jumped into writing fiction full-time. She and her husband have nine children of their own, a couple of whom seem to have inherited their mother’s love for playing with words and crafting stories. Though Sarah dreams of a cabin by the beach, the family lives jammed together in beautiful chaos near St. Louis, Missouri. She buys earplugs in bulk.

Purchase Fall Back and Find Me here: https://a.co/d/dKmhW7v

Website: www.sarah-hanks.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSarahHanks/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorsarahhanks/

Fiction Finder: September 2023 New Releases

 

September 2023 New Releases

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Contemporary Romance:

A Louisiana Christmas to Remember by Morgan Tapley Smith, Betsy St. Amant, Lenora Worth — Three heartwarming, interconnected stories of faith, love, and restoration, brought to you by three Louisiana-native authors. Will a rare snowy Louisiana Christmas bring restoration and hope to the hometown and hearts of three women from the town’s founding family? In A Louisiana Snow by Morgan Tarpley Smith, meet Mattie: A passionate visionary who learns to forgive and finds love in unexpected places… In Restoring Christmas by Betsy St. Amant, meet Jolene: An artist and prodigal daughter who discovers love exists in the very place she once called home…
In A Christmas Reunion by Lenora Worth, meet Adale: A beautiful widow who finally dares to love again… (Contemporary Romance from Barbour Publishing)

Redeeming the Cowboy by Lisa Jordan — Five years ago, bull rider Bear Stone lost everything. His best friend. His fiancée. His career. And Piper Healy, his best friend’s wife, never forgave him for the rodeo accident that killed her husband. Now they’re working together to save his family’s ranch. But can this cowboy choose between his last chance at the rodeo…and the woman he’s falling for? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired/Harlequin)

Where Love is Planted by Dawn Kinzer — A beautiful horticultural therapist.A handsome social worker in a woman’s prison. Will their loyalty to others cost them their own happiness? Or will something beautiful grow where love is planted? (Contemporary Romance from Morningview Publishing)

Historical Romance:

A Counterfeit Betrothal by Denise Weimer — A frontier scout, a healing widow, and a desperate fight for peace. At the farthest Georgia outpost this side of hostile Creek Territory in 1813, Jared Lockridge serves his country as a scout to redeem his father’s botched heritage. If he can help secure peace against Indians allied to the British, he can bring his betrothed to the home he’s building and open his cabinetry shop. Then he comes across a burning cabin and a traumatized woman just widowed by a fatal shot. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

Francine’s Foibles by Linda Shenton Matchett — World War II is finally over, and America is extra grateful as the country approaches this year’s Thanksgiving. But for Francine life hasn’t changed. Despite working at Fort Meade processing the paperwork for the thousands of men who have returned home, she’s still lonely and very single. Is she destined for spinsterhood? Grateful that his parents anglicized the family surname after emigrating to the United States after the Great War, first-generation German-American Ray Fisher has done all he can to hide his heritage. He managed to make it through this second “war to end all wars,” but what American woman would want to marry into a German family? Must he leave the country to find wedded bliss?? (Historical Romance from Shortwave Press)

The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky — In 2012, art historian Gwen Morris travels to England’s Lake District to appraise the paintings and antiques of an old family friend, hoping to prove herself to her prestigious grandfather. When Gwen stumbles upon a one-hundred-year-old journal and an intricately carved shepherd’s staff similar to one in a photo of her parents, she’s left searching for answers. In 1912, after her father’s death, Charlotte Harper uncovers a painful family secret she can only confess to her journal. As Charlotte grows closer to shepherd Ian Storey and rebuilds her shattered faith, she must decide whether she will ever trust in love again. (Historical Romance from Bethany House)

Wooing Gertrude by Jodie Wolfe — Enoch Valentine has given up finding peace for his past mistakes. He throws everything he has into being the new part-time deputy in Burrton Springs, Kansas while maintaining the foreman position at a local horse ranch. But when trouble stirs on the ranch, he questions whether he’ s the right man for either job. Peace has been elusive for most of Gertrude Miller’s life, especially under the oppressiveness of an overbearing mother. She takes matters into her own hands and sends for a potential husband, while also opening her own dress shop. Gertrude hopes to build a future where she’ ll find peace and happiness. Will either of them ever be able to find peace? (Historical Romance from White Rose Publishing)

Literary/Contemporary:

The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass by Katie Powner — After years of drifting, fifty-year-old Pete Ryman has settled down with his potbellied pig, Pearl, in the small Montana town of Sleeping Grass–a place he never expected to see again. It’s not the life he dreamed of, but there aren’t many prospects for a high-school dropout like him. Elderly widow Wilma Jacobsen carries a burden of guilt over her part in events that led to Pete leaving Sleeping Grass decades ago. Now that he’s back, she’s been praying for the chance to make things right, but she never expected God’s answer to leave her flat on her face–literally–and up to her ears in meddling. (Literary/Contemporary from Bethany House)

Split Time:

Fall Back and Find Me by Sarah Hanks — Two resilient women separated by over 150 years are linked forever by their challenges, values, and determination. (Split Time from SonFlower Books)

Thriller/Suspense/Romantic:

Facing the Enemy by DiAnn Mills — When the long-awaited reunion between Risa and her brother, Trenton, ends in tragedy, Risa is riddled with guilt, unable to cope with the responsibility she feels over his death. On leave from the FBI, Risa returns to her former career as an English teacher at a local college, only to see her past and present collide when one of her students, Carson Mercury, turns in an assignment that reads like an eyewitness account of her brother’s murder, with details never revealed publicly. Alarmed by Carson’s inside knowledge of Trenton’s death, Risa reaches out to her former partner at the FBI. Special Agent Gage Patterson has been working a string of baby kidnappings, but he agrees to help look into Carson’s background. Risa and Gage soon discover their cases might be connected as a string of high-value thefts have occurred at properties where security systems were installed by Carson’s stepfather and children have gone missing. There’s a far more sinister plot at play than they ever imagined, and innocent lives are in danger. (Thriller/Suspense/Romantic from Tyndale House)

Seeking Justice by Sharee Stover An agent and her K-9 partner risk their lives in the ultimate mission.
With her partner gravely injured in the line of duty, FBI agent Tiandra Daugherty has one shot to complete her mission. She’ll have to convince her partner’s twin brother, Officer Elijah Kenyon, to take his place undercover in a deadly drug ring. Together they must find justice for his brother and dismantle the gang. But the target is now on them, and the mission could prove fatal. (Thriller/Suspense/Romantic from Love Inspired/Harlequin)

Young Adult:

The Text by Julane Fisher — In 2048, 25 years after a pandemic killed one-third of the world’s population, America is flourishing under the department of Safety Threats and Reinforcement (STaR). STaR keeps citizens safe and healthy STaR’s social media app, Allicio, boasts two billion users. The a power outage shuts down STaR’s health monitors and disables millions of mobile phones. Sixteen-year-old Rami Carlton earned a starting spot on the varsity volleyball team. For fun, she races tech-genius Finley Drake to decipher the online identities of their techie friends. The game is harmless. So they thought. Rami receives a chilling text message that she’s being watched. That night, her mother disappears. Despite thousands of city-wide monitors, STaR’s Reinforcement Division cannot locate Rami’s mom. And Rami’s stalker threatens to kill her brother if she talks to Reinforcement Officers. When Finley hacks the nation’s cellular provider, Connect Mobile, he discovers STaR has a secret. STAR isn’t just watching. They’re manipulating Allicio. And Rami is their next target. (Young Adult from Infinite Teen)

Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:

Cold Case Revenge by Jessica R. Patch — A kidnapped child. An unsolved cold case. This K-9 is on the trail. (Thriller/Suspense/Romantic) Daniel’s Oil by Urcelia Teixeira — Keeping a secret is easy. Getting away with it is the hard part. (Thriller/Suspense/Romantic) Escaping Illusions by Therese Heckenkamp — All she wants is a new beginning, but it will come at a chilling cost. (Thriller/Suspense/Romantic) Just Be Here by Susan Page Davis — If Nick gets the promotion he’s dreamed of, will it rip him away from the woman he loves? (Contemporary Romance) Reclaiming the Spy by Lorri Dudley — How can he protect her from himself when she keeps winding up in his arms? (Historical Romance) The Last Laird of Sapelo by T.M. Brown — Based on the tragic story of Randolph Spalding, the youngest son of Georgia’s most well-known antebellum-era coastal planter and influential political figure, Thomas Spalding. (General Historical)

That’s Not Quite My Name

I met my husband’s family before I met my husband. Their last name was a tongue twister for my mom. When we started dating and she knew it was serious, she admitted she was never going to get the name right.

And she never did.

When I’m online for a book event, I spell my name out so hopefully in the future there will be name recognition. It’s Are-due-we-knee. Is that how you thought Arduini was pronounced?

I have another name that isn’t quite the way it should be. When I started writing as a ministry, I knew I needed a brand. Someone suggested the Surrendered Scribe. My heart is about finding freedom in Christ through surrender. Great.

One problem.

Surrendered is past tense.

Surrendering Scribe doesn’t have the same ring to it, but it’s certainly more accurate. Whether it’s fiction, blogging, or posting on social media, I share my journey. Often I’m still going through it, and we’re learning and surrendering together.

But this I know, I haven’t mastered anything but mistakes.

If you are a new reader, I hope that encourages you. I changed my tag to “Together we’re surrendering the good, the bad, and—maybe one day—the chocolate.

That’s accurate.

We are in this together. Some of you might be letting go of bad habits or choices. Maybe God has asked you to surrender a home or familiar place that is good, but He has something better. My sense is many can relate to my struggle, chocolate. A little isn’t bad. Lately I’m off balance. But I’m having trouble letting go of that today.

There you have it. My name is not Julie Ard-weenie, and I’m not really the Surrendered Scribe.

I am Julie Arduini, and I’m a Kingdom minded wife, mom, grandma, author and mentor who is surrendering stuff right along with you.

—Julie Arduini

Thanks for taking the journey with me!

If you’d like to find me other places, the best thing to do is visit me on Link Tree.

Review: Life Counsel Bible + #giveaway

Whatever you’re facing, the Bible has something to say. The
NEW CSB Life Counsel Bible contains articles from leading biblical counselors that
will give YOU the tools you need to take action and FIND HOPE through all of life’s
storms.

Featuring over 150 articles on topics related to marriage, parenting, relationships,
mental health, and so many more- this Bible is like having a complete biblical counseling
toolkit in one resource! Check out www.lifecounselbible.com for a full list of
topics and order yours today.

The CSB Life Counsel Bible features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the
Christian Standard Bible. The CSB captures the Bible’s original meaning without sacrificing
clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture’s life-transforming message
and to share it with others.

Have you ever felt stressed, or been anxious, or experienced grief? Have you ever
wanted to know how to help a loved one through addiction, or marital conflict, or
parenting challenges? I’m really excited to share with you an amazing new biblical
counseling resource created in partnership with Holman Bibles and New Growth
Press. The Life Counsel Bible provides practical wisdom for all, equipping readers
with biblical truth and counsel on a wide range of topics and tough life issues. With
over 150+ articles this Bible is full of useful tools and resources for life application
and discipleship. It’s great for couples, parents, ministry leaders, and anyone who
has ever struggled with tough life issues (yep, that’s all of us!). Check out lifecounselbible.
com today to see a full list of articles and order your copy today!

LIFE COUNSEL BIBLE HIGHLIGHTS

More than 150 full-length articles from respected Christian counselors and
scholars on topics like anxiety, depression, abuse, sexuality, marriage and divorce, parenting struggles, finances (full list available at lifecounselbible.com.).

Callout quotes placed near each article provide truth, hope, and encouragement
to apply to life.

Over 100-word studies focusing on key words applicable to personal healing,
growth, and counsel,

Book introductions including “Circumstances of Writing,” “Structure,” “Contribution
to the Bible,” and a special “Truth for Healing” section with an overview
of key truths related to healing from each book of the Bible.

Wide margins for journaling and note taking.

Robust page-end cross-reference system with over 25,000 cross-references
connecting Scripture from Genesis to Revelation.

Easy-to-read 9.5-point type size.

Presentation page for gift-giving (this makes a great wedding/parenting gift!

JULIE’S REVIEW

After the last three years, the world needs hope more than ever. I believe hope is found in Jesus and His Word. The CSB Life Counsel Bible is a great resource for anyone seeking to learn more about Christ and/or the problems in the world. I found the Scriptures accurate and the CSB version a good one for anyone wanting to read the Bible, no matter their experience with the Bible.

I was very impressed with the articles. One article addresses a topic that needs to be talked about in the Body of Christ, gender issues and the pride community. It talks about how important the topic is, especially to Gen Z, and discussion points to use with kids that include Scripture. The article was Biblically accurate and filled with grace. By no means did I see anything hateful suggested, nor did I see anything Biblical set aside to impress a movement.

I also liked learning the meaning behind words, something I’ve never seen highlighted in a Bible before.

My only question mark is the publisher notes the easy reading with a 9.5 font. Perhaps if you’re under 50, but I struggled to read it. That said, I have a high prescription, bad glasses, and I understand if the Bible was made to a size font pleasing to me, it would be impossible to carry. This Bible is perfect to take to church and/or study at home.

Overall, I’m highly pleased with the CSB Life Counsel Bible and I think you will be as well.

Order your copy today!

GIVEAWAY:

I’m able to give ONE US winner a $10 Amazon gift card. Leave a comment below on what topic you look forward to reading more about from the full list at lifecounselbible.com. I’ll choose from Wheel of Names.

Disclosure:
Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for
this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

Official Hashtags: #LifeCounselBibleMIN #lifecounselbible #christianstandardbible
@christianstandardbible @bhpub (please use for all posts!)

©

Review: God, Family, Football + #giveaway

God. Family. Football is a coming-of-age docuseries following former pro football player, legendary high school football coach, and pastor Denny Duron, as he comes out of a 30-year retirement from head coaching to lead the football program he founded at Evangel Christian Academy back to national prominence.

Love football?

Love rooting for underdogs?

Love strong characters with backstories?

Love having a Mama/Daddy heart for teens?

Love watching content where God is glorified and not cursed?

Amazon Freevee has exactly what you’re looking for in the new docuseries streaming for free starting today, God, Family, Football.

Whether you love the sport or not, I believe you’ll be invested as you watch Pastor Denny Duron, former NFL player and a retired Evangel coach return to the game,

The Evangel Eagles from Louisiana were known nationally as an amazing Christian team with 14 state championships in the last 20 years. However, in 2020 Coach Denny returns looking for redemption. They have lost nearly 70 players in recent years to graduation and the young players are coming off their worst season in school history.

The series, executive produced by NFL quarterback Russell Wilson, shows Coach Duron’s Christian leadership that extends beyond the new turf. Most players don’t have fathers participating in their lives, so Coach Denny mentors these teens on how to be Godly, family-oriented, and then focus on football. He’s the real deal and a pleasure to watch. Not cheesy, real. How refreshing to see on television.

The boys had my heart in the first episode. My son teaches at a Christian school with a football team that reminds me a lot of Evangel. The impact a strong male can have on them is eternal. Boys like Toad, and the twins with a NFL dad coming around are impossible to dismiss. They share their backgrounds, their respect for their moms, their hopes to join the NFL, and the frustrations they face on the field and off.

Coach also has adults who support him that are interesting to watch. There are the single moms, Coach Denny’s wife, Coach “Fabulous”, and Josh Booty, alumni, former NFL player, and dad to Peyton and Parker.

I follow football enough to have a conversation (Go Bills!) but this series is so much more than football. It’s way past time to bring God back to TV. This show features real people, fun experiences, and true emotions.

I loved God, Family, and Football. It has heart, a sense of family, integrity, and of course, football. I can see many ages of men and women enjoying this. Head to Amazon Freevee and start streaming. This show is a touchdown.

That’s not all! There is a $10 Amazon gift card giveaway to ONE US winner. What do you need to do? Share a comment below on what aspect of God, Family, and Football has you most interested to watch? I’ll use Wheel of Names to choose a winner. If you have won with this particular promotion somewhere else, thank you for letting someone else have an opportunity.

Start streaming on Amazon Freevee now! Click HERE.

Many thanks to Amazon Freevee for providing a sample of the product for this review.
Opinions are 100% my own.

Menopause-Induced Hulk

Raising kids, overall yelling wasn’t really an issue I had. Although the youngest challenged me in her pre-k nonverbal to very verbal years, I didn’t have a lot of repenting to do about yelling.

Enter menopause.

My fuse is short. That’s pretty new. Here’s a snapshot of my anger last week:

Panera associated shorted me $4 with wrong order with the justification, “Let’s just call it even.” I called corporate.

Lady decided at McDonald’s to skirt the drive thru line by cutting ahead from a different entry point. I beeped and when she looked, I made a circle motion to let her know her entitlement was noted and not appreciated. She called me a bad word so I rolled my window down to be sure everyone heard me. Did I swear back? No. But I YELLED, “have a blessed day!”

Our senior dog had surgery and his anxiety wearing the cone was at a 15. This of course ramped up my anxiety. They made it pretty clear what would happen if the stitches came out, and when he used me as his battering ram to break the cone, I told my husband that I think every dog in the cul-de-sac sat down because I screamed so loud.

What has happened to me?

I was talking with a dear friend with the sweetest disposition and although I’ve yet to see it, she admitted menopause has brought on an edge she’s never had before. That struggle is real!

I hate how agitated I get these days, and how fast. The dogs misbehaving. Technology not working. My schedule changing. A grocery item not available. It takes so little to set me off. I don’t scream blessings to the public that often, but my poor family has heard my dramatic sigh with an increase. The worst is when I start to cry. I rarely cry out of sadness. It’s usually anger I can’t communicate in words, so I cry.

It’s hard.

Summer amplified this. For me, humidity is my kryptonite. It’s been a pretty humid summer. When I perform one task and my hormones decide a line of sweat should be constantly running down my face, that triggers me. Add my glasses aren’t right, they get fogged up, then blotchy with my sweat, and I see less than normal. Those aren’t odds anyone wants until my new glasses arrive. I get so angry.

I’m writing this because I promised I’d blog more, and I have a feeling there is someone reading this thinking, “Oh my. I’m not alone. Thank God.” Because honestly, feeling this way is a lonely feeling. The Avengers didn’t run to the Hulk to be their BFF because he was so pleasant. No, they needed Bruce Banner’s wisdom. Big difference. Who wants to be around a raging hormonal lady? I don’t.

Julie Arduini

What am I doing during this season? For one, I refuse to make this my lifestyle. Even if the hormones stay out of whack (my labs always come back great,) I don’t want my anger to be who I am.

I’m breathing. Thanks to Alisa Keeton’s Body Revelation, I’m taking those deep breaths. It’s a recalibration. Do I remember every time? No, the lady at McDonald’s who cut ahead of me knows. I’m trying, though.

I’m listening. I listen to my words and how I say them. If they need adjustment, I try. If I feel unable/overwhelmed, I retreat. It might be crating the dogs for ten minutes. Crating myself, LOL, in my room. I listen to Psalms for Sleep playlist at night. I listen to the “move” portion of Body Revelation when I walk the Beagle. It’s full of principles from the chapter plus encouragement and Scripture. I’ve tried to stay mad when I’m listening to this and I just can’t.

I confess. I’ve been going to God a lot. Asking for His help. Confessing what I did. Said. Thought. I go to my family and get specific on what I’m feeling and how they can help. Or just to let them know. I confess to friends. They pray. I know, because they either stop right there, or they tell me. And I’m feeling those prayers.

Menopause isn’t a death sentence but I struggled HARD in the reproductive years. I had menopause start at 39 when I had surgery. I didn’t know the hormonal storm would hit in my 50’s, probably my body saying this is when you would have gone through this, don’t miss out! Whatever the reason, I wish I got a pass on it all. But when I struggle, I really believe I’ll get to the other side. When I do, I believe my broken places can help someone else.

So if you’re ready to blow, I’ve got you.

And you will be okay.

Promise!

Body Revelation by Alisa Keeton

Body Revelation by Alisa Keeton

Book Review by Julie Arduini

First appeared August 4, 2023 at Christians Read.

Do you sometimes feel as though your body is a problem to solve? Discover how to make it part of the solution instead. It’s now known that the emotional and relational pain we’ve lived through has a profound negative physical effect on our bodies. Alisa Keeton, popular fitness professional, proposes that the reverse is also true: What we do with our bodies can have a dramatic positive effect on our emotions, relationships, and our connection with God. In The Body Revelation, she shows us how to use our bodies as a means of healing past pain and promoting physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

Too often, people of faith are taught to ignore, avoid, or forget our bodies, but Alisa reminds us that God calls our bodies good and cares about our pain. Offering a variety of physical and spiritual practices as well as stories from her own journey, Alisa walks us through six steps for metabolizing personal pain; shows us how understanding the mind/body/soul connection can help us make healthier choices; teaches us how to achieve well-being and live for more than a number on a scale, and more!

Other features of this book include:

adverse childhood experiences questionnaire for helping you process past painmovement calendarfood journal template

You can enrich your life, celebrate your body, and find holistic wellness. Journey alongside Alisa, and discover scientifically based, biblically-sound mind-body tools to forever change how you process pain so that you can experience emotional freedom, physical renewal, and spiritual transformation.

Julie’s Review:

I rarely sign on to do book reviews because I don’t have the time. It’s very rare when I post a review from my own reading time because I’m behind on reading. Writing a review before I finish a book? Unheard of.

I felt compelled to share my thoughts on Alisa Keeton’s The Body Revelation because I receive enough feedback when I share a post here to know we live in a broken world and there are readers right now who are hurting.

I raise my hand with you.

Two years past my mom’s death, God continues to peel the onion layers of my life back, and I’m discovering things now that I believe He kept from me until I was ready to process and heal.

-I became so natural at stuffing my feelings I literally held my breath sometimes

-Anxiety has been part of my life forever, yet I never realized how much so until recently

-Stomach issues recently diagnosed I believe are in part because of stress I never dealt with

At the same time, I deal with hormonal imbalance and heavier menopause symptoms than most. My weight isn’t where I’d like it to be, but I’ve reached a place where I know it’s not time for another weight loss adventure or pyramid scheme. I want healing. If that leads to a change in my pant size, hallelujah..

Enter The Body Revelation. I read the above before the actual book release and I was intrigued. Now that I’m 2/3 done reading it, I’m transforming. My pant size? I don’t think so, and that’s okay. I’m discovering and expressing feelings. I’m asking God for help. And I’m moving more. These are all changes since I’ve started reading.

What makes this book extra special is it is more than a read. Alisa includes links with each chapter for movement. While I walk my dog, I listen to the latest chapter. She has workout music that isn’t cheesy as she leads you through the chapter. It isn’t instead of reading, but in addition to reading. She also has a meditate type link, and I listen to that before bed. The information is getting to me because I’m not just reading it. I’m hearing it, and applying it.

She also has sections to metabolize and pray, and I believe they are key.

Not only that, but her podcast has a season where it aligns with the book. I am listening to that, too.

The book contains her own story, as well as stories from people you can relate to. She includes Biblical information that backs up the principles, but isn’t preachy. She also has scientific evidence that is easy to understand but doesn’t contradict Scripture.

She says in the book that the Bible states we will have trouble. Swap out trouble for trauma. Some of our trauma is a T, and some of it is a t. All of it is painful and must be dealt with.

The Body Revelation is transforming my life and I’m only 2/3 done. Are my pants smaller? I don’t think so, not yet. However, I’m recognizing things, past and present. I’m looking at the Trauma and traumas of my life and expressing feelings, asking God for help. I’m breathing more and moving. These are all since reading. I still reach for chocolate when overwhelmed, but I’m seeing that as a choice I’m making, not blindly eating. That’s a victory. With His help, I will choose Him first.

If you’re tired of living like I was, or being in pain, I HIGHLY recommend The Body Revelation. Your body will thank you.

That Black Moment

As I wrote in my last post, I still write. Barely. I don’t understand my lack of motivation because I LOVE my Surrendering Hearts series. I am so proud of the first book, ANCHORED HEARTS. I am OVER THE MOON for Book 2, REPAIRING HEARTS.

But I have wasted a lot of time not writing.

Last night I reached the place that I’ve had in mind the entire time I’ve been writing Repairing Hearts. The black moment. It’s where everything comes to a head and all hope is lost.

It’s crushing. Hard. Sad. And I love writing those things.

Confession? I love the black moment more than writing the romance!

Why is that?

Without giving too much away, Ryan Hart is a loner among the sextuplets. When his siblings went to college, he joined the Navy. While most still live at or near home, Ryan bought a place forty minutes away. He always did his own thing.

Turns out, that house purchase wasn’t a great transaction. The house is a pit and Ryan doesn’t have the funds to renovate. Sextuplet #3, Evan, concocts a plan to help Ryan and help celebrate their twenty-fifth birthday with the public.

A reality show.

Repairing Ryan’s Heart is supposed to be a quest for Ryan to find a project manager for those renovations. Once that person is hired, a second show moves to a sister network where the siblings work with the project manager and crews to make Ryan’s house a home.

What happens isn’t quite the same. The project manager angle isn’t as important as pairing Ryan off. All the contestants are female and have varying home renovation experience. The goal is to capture Ryan’s heart.

It’s been fun to write this because reality shows are a bit dramatic so the contestants are enthusiastic. At least, most of them are. BJ Wallace is experienced in home repair and construction, but she wants no part of the show or Ryan.

And that’s why the black moment has been so enjoyable to write. Ryan is aloof and BJ has secrets. One is full of faith, the other hasn’t stepped inside a church since their mother’s funeral. Ah, conflict!

I thought maybe conflict was why I love writing the black moment. It’s the opposite.

I love a bottom-of-the0pit experience because that’s where hope is found.

—Julie Arduini

Jesus extends a hand and lifts us up. He helps. Heals. Strengthens. Loves.

My characters are fictional, but they are flawed. Jordyn has control problems. Ryan is proud. My prayer is readers relate to them and surrender their lives and issues to the Lord, because that is where freedom is found.

That’s why I do what I do.

That’s why I love the black moment.

If you’d like to stay in the loop concerning this series, the best way is to follow me across social media and book sites, as well as subscribe to my newsletter. You can do all that through Link Tree.

Strategic Shifting

Well, hello! It’s been a minute.

I remember when this blog was the first place I headed to. The posts were numerous. Fast forward and social media is where everyone shares their “stuff”. Blogging is the forgotten child in preference of podcasting. And I am trying to prayerfully figure out my place in it all.

I’m one of those people who pray each year for a word for the year. This year it is shift. I am seeing it come to pass everywhere. Globally. Politically. In the Church. My church. My life.

This is the first time I have a word for the month.

Strategic.

I love to laugh and be juvenile at times, but when I pray, it’s serious business. I believe as I have prayed that this month we are to be strategic. Be very aware of the choices you make, and don’t.

-If you don’t have a personal faith that is rooted in Christ, take time to re-consider. Need a starting point? Find a Bible, New International Version might be a good one for you, and take a chapter each day to read from the Book of John in the New Testament. As you do, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to you. And watch out. If you have questions, please ask! If I don’t know, I’ll find out. juliearduini@juliearduini.com.

I write that because I believe in the coming months, and I have read it from other praying people across the world, that a shaking is coming. It will be rough. Maybe devastating. The purpose isn’t to punish but wake us up. To know Christ. And honestly, to stop mocking Him and treating Him as an idiot. We’ve globally done this to the point that Jesus needs to flip some tables and set us straight.

If you do know Christ in a personal way, take stock with Him. Is there a shift He wants you to take? Surrender something? Confess? Repent? We all could use improvement and in order to advance, we can’t work in the ways we used even months ago.

Do I have all the details? I do not. I wish I did, but if I did, no one, most of all me, would need to seek God. He has the answers and direction and longs to show us. Remember, it’s always in His way and time.

That’s where a lot of my time goes. Praying these things out. Reading. Meeting with others.

I feel a shift in writing. I have a series I’m super excited about. Yet, I no longer refer to it as my small business or even ministry. The business side has been so abysmal it qualifies as a hobby. And that feels right. My ego can handle it. When people ask what I do, I changed it up. Instead of saying I’m an author, I say I’m a homemaker and an author. My bio states I’m about advancing the kingdom. That I accomplish through ministry work and writing.

I’m more strategic about my reading. This summer I have focused on Alisa Keeton’s The Body Revelation. I knew it was time to work on some healing from the past and how to move going forward. I can’t say enough about this book. To learn more, read my review HERE.

In other news, I was strategic about my hair. I let it grow, which didn’t take long thanks to my thick locks and collagen, and enjoyed wearing it up for the first time in years. My goal was to make it to the end of the month where I felt a chop was in order. I believe I need a more mature look as I sense I will be out and about more, and should look more professional than I have. Thanks to the humidity I went for the cut earlier in the month, and I love it.

This site was down for nearly a week and not having access to it gave me time to think. Most posts here are by guest bloggers sharing their latest fiction release. I love that. But my heart is to encourage and talk about surrender issues and chocolate. I’ve gotten away from that. I hope to improve.

If you are receiving this by email, I hope you come by the site and check it out.

Oh, and while you’re here, I have an invitation. I’ll be hosting game night on my Author Page. It’s a fun way to meet and engage with authors. Each author shares a few posts about themselves, and then a game we can play. I’ve never hosted before, and this is a back-to-school edition. Many posts will be sharing that theme.

I’m so glad we connected today. I promise I won’t be a stranger. I hope you won’t be , either.

If you’re looking for an easy way to stay in touch, Link Tree has follow options/subscribe/social media/book sites. Find it all and follow HERE.