Julie Arduini's Blog, page 138

Write Integrity Press Christmas: Pictures and Ugly Sweaters

All week the gang at Write Integrity Press is celebrating Christmas. We’ve been having special blog posts and giveaways culminating with a special Facebook Christmas party tomorrow night from 7-9pm EST. I’ll be chatting around 8:30 so I hope you join us. I am really excited.

Speaking of exciting, what’s Christmas without Christmas pictures. How about ugly sweaters? They are coming back as trendy, who saw that coming? That’s what we’re talking about today.

Christmas pictures/Ugly Sweaters, etc…how active are you involved in these things?

Elizabeth Noyes:

I have to admit I wore Christmas sweaters for many years. I think it’s a rite of passage for entering your fifties. LOL. I’m a little more subdued in my apparel these days.

Betty Thomason Owens:

We try to remember to take Christmas Pictures, but usually forget. There are no ugly sweaters allowed in our house. This is my husband’s rule.

Phee Paradise:

Barely ever do anything like that.

I never intentionally wore an ugly Christmas sweater but I’m sure there was a few in my closet. I do enjoy Christmas pictures. I think because we didn’t take a lot as a family growing up and we’re a blended family with children who lived out of state, I wanted to capture memories.

Arduini Christmas card 2012

These days I take my own pictures and create collages and cards online and use those as Christmas cards. I love looking back over previous years and seeing how we’ve grown. Or, how many hairstyles I’ve had over the years!

Tags:  Christmas, Christmas cards, Elizabeth Noyes, Julie Arduini, pictures, ugly Christmas sweaters, Write Integrity Press




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 Character Confession: Forgiving Judas  My Early Christmas Present: JournEzine's 6th Annual Christmas Story Contest  12 Pearls of Christmas | Day 4 - A Mistletoe Medley by Margaret McSweeney  Book Review: Heather Munn/Lydia Munn Deliver with How Huge the Night  Sabbath Sunday: Like God Likes YouCopyright © Julie Arduini [Write Integrity Press Christmas: Pictures and Ugly Sweaters], All Right Reserved. 2014.

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Write Integrity Press Christmas: Christmas Music

All this week the Write Integrity Press family is celebrating Christmas with special blogs, blog giveaways, and a Facebook party Friday, December 5th from 7-9 pm EST. I’ll be chatting at approximately 8:30 but the entire party is going to be full of fun and party favors you don’t want to miss.

I’m celebrating with Christmas posts this week. Each day I’m asking questions and sharing my memories, and the WIP gang is joining me. Here’s today’s question.

When do you start playing Christmas music?

Tracy Ruckman: 

Well, I could LISTEN to Christmas music year round, but to spare others, I don’t. We do start watching Christmas movies in October. Tim always had a yearly tradition with his family concerning one particular piece of Christmas music, so we’ve carried that tradition into our own marriage. Every Thanksgiving, while his mom was preparing their dinner, he would put The Ventures’ Christmas album on, and blast their music through the house. He always just got in one song before she made him turn it down, but it was always fun and made the family laugh. I had never heard of The Ventures until he introduced me, so it’s been a fun tradition to carry on.

Elizabeth Noyes

It depends. Some years, I need the uplift only Christmas carols can bring. Other times, I try to hold off until after Thanksgiving. The key is when I find myself humming or singing to myself—then it’s time.

Betty Thomason Owens

After Thanksgiving, when I start to prepare my home for the Christmas holidays.

Phee Paradise

I refuse to do anything Christmasy, including playing music before the first Sunday of Advent.

My husband starts listening in late summer/early fall for his duties with choir at church. It’s only the music he needs for the concert so I think we both start listening to the classics around the second week of November. I know I need it to be cold before I listen, and that seems to be the time when winter makes an early entrance and Christmas music seems the natural thing to do.

 

 

 

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 An Inside Look at the Laurel 2012 Finalists  The Nativity by Lynn Austin  Featured Video of the Week: The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman by Carole Brown  Character Confession: What I Wish the World Knew About Depression  Saturday Confession: Resurrected FireCopyright © Julie Arduini [Write Integrity Press Christmas: Christmas Music], All Right Reserved. 2014.

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Write Integrity Press Christmas: Presents

All this week Write Integrity Press is celebrating Christmas. Many of the authors are participating with their own blogs and everything culminates with a Facebook party December 5th from 7-9 pm, EST. I’ll be chatting at approximately 8:30. Join me!

I love a party so I wanted to celebrate as well. Given November was another blessed month with the thankful series, I thought why not keep the fun memories going? So each day this week I’m sharing a Christmas memory with reflections from my Write Integrity Press colleagues.

Today is about the shiny presents. It isn’t the reason to celebrate but like it or not, they are a tradition for most families. We were all kids once so I asked  my friends if there was a special gift they longed for, and did they receive it?

 Our fearless leader, Tracy Ruckman shared:

Although we didn’t have a lot of money growing up, we were pretty spoiled. Even if we didn’t get everything on our list, our parents – and Santa – always had lots of surprises for us. My dad always gave us brain-teaser puzzles. And he usually had some kind of fun surprise waiting for us. One year, we had a note that told us our big gift was waiting outside, where we found another note, saying it was somewhere else. He led us on a scavenger hunt for about 30 minutes before sending us to the basement where we discovered a ping pong table. That was great fun and totally unexpected. 

 Betty Thomason Owens, author of Amelia’s Legacy, said:

A “Chatty Cathy” doll (from ancient times, I know) & no, I didn’t get it.

 

Elizabeth Noyes, author of Imperfect Wings:

Growing up, the one thing I remember wanting more than anything else was a Tiny Tears baby doll.  That year for Christmas, Santa brought me a stack of booklets instead, all filled with S&H Green Stamps. Two days after Christmas, my mom took me to the redemption center … and I got my doll. When I was older, I learned she’d tried so hard to get the doll for me for Christmas, but the stores had run out. She used the stamps she’d been saving for a vacuum cleaner to get my doll instead.

Phee Paradise, A Ruby Christmas:

I can’t think of anything I ever really wanted. When I was 58 I asked for a bicycle and my husband laughed and my children asked if I could ride one. I got it and rode it almost every day.

 

As for me, I remember being about seven when I wanted a Barbie Dream House. Money was tight and even at that age the stress of that and other things was palpable. I got it. But it didn’t stop me from asking.

Santa didn’t deliver.

I’m sure I got other things that were just as nice but back then, I focused on the negative. For all I had, my thoughts were always on what I didn’t have. When I thought about knowing God in any way my logic always went back to the fact that if God cared, I’d have a normal, happy family. Money wouldn’t be a problem. And I’d have a Barbie Dream House.

As I left childhood and entered my teens, times grew tougher and so did my attitude. My foundation was anger and self entitlement. As I pursued academics, common sense went out the window. Faith? I had none.

Even after I asked Jesus into my life, my defenses remained. Thankfully He was patient and gave me tools and resources to not just heal, but transform.

It was in this season God showed me the Barbie Dream House.

It was a want, not a need.

I confused Santa with God.

I lived the illusion that God was angry with arms closed, never available.

When I want to whine about what I don’t have, my mind goes back to that Barbie Dream House. I have so much more than that plastic thing. I’m in a relationship with a Heavenly Father who I know through personal experience loves me every day of the year with arms wide open. He knows what I want and He knows what I need.

No matter my zip code, no matter where I hang my coat, I don’t have a Barbie Dream House.

But I have the promise of an eternal home.

What a present.

 

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Tags:  Betty Thomason Owens, Christmas, Eliabeth Noyes, Julie Arduini, presents, Tracy Ruckman, WIP, Write Integrity Press. authors




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 Sabbath Sunday: Not Shaken  Sabbath Sunday: Made to Soar  Clash of The Titles End of Summer Survey  COTT Massive Birthday Bash  12 Pearls of Christmas---Shellie Tomlinson's Let the Baby Grow Up This ChristmasCopyright © Julie Arduini [Write Integrity Press Christmas: Presents], All Right Reserved. 2014.

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Sabbath Sunday: Muddy Road

One of my favorite poems is Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken. Probably because I can relate. The wide path everyone else takes? I was never one to follow. I was the pioneer taking the narrow way rarely understanding why I wasn’t like everyone else.

Thing is, the path God gives you, it’s not going to be laden with golden brick.

That’s heaven, and you aren’t there yet.

Life is muddy. There is change. Loss. Challenges.

Enough to consider, if only for a moment, about taking an easier route.

Thing is, those muddy moments produce growth.

The valleys brought me way more wisdom than the mountains.

My faith in Christ and His track record moves forward because He moved me in the hardest of times.

If you’re stuck in the mud, don’t despair.

The road you’re taking isn’t an accident and not meant to destroy.

In fact, it’s the fast trek to faith and trust with the One who created your road.

Tags:  amateur nature photo, challenges, Julie Arduini, life, muddy road, Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken, trusting God




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 Margaret McSweeney's Mother of Pearl Facebook Party September 4  Sabbath Sunday: Ever-Present  Sabbath Sunday: Blazing Love  My Two Cents About the Ice Bucket Challenge  Book Review: Your Heart's Desire by Sheri Rose ShepherdCopyright © Julie Arduini [Sabbath Sunday: Muddy Road], All Right Reserved. 2014.

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Saturday Confession: My True Self

I’ve been helping out with youth ministry the last few months and our pastor has been sharing a video series on issues that we need to get real about. Anger, guilt, that kind of thing. He said something that stuck out to me, that our true self comes out with our reaction to a stubbed toe.

Well, I handle a stubbed toe pretty well. I whine like a girl, but I don’t curse or get angry.

But that doesn’t mean I should be wearing a halo.

My true self comes out when my goals are blocked. When I’m sleep deprived, and hungry.

I’m not from the south, so I’m not going to respond with a “Bless your heart.” I’m going to most likely get overly dramatic, complete with sighs, talk to walls because no one with a sound mind wants to be near me. Negative? I invented emo. I could probably enter the Oscar consideration pool if it were theatrical.

It’s just me being my true self.

My true self hates when things don’t go my way. I have a list, written or in my mind, I need to check stuff off that list or I lose it. I don’t enjoy having three dogs that at times need me just when I’m getting stuff done. A spill that comes not long after I’ve cleaned everything, something that takes me away from writing and marketing. I often resent the homework I know I need to check on because I know this work is smarter than I am and the way they want the answers is pure bunk. (I’m looking at you, Common Core.) I don’t get giddy when a child needs a ride with little notice because again, I’m a planner. I’ve come absolutely undone when I’m making a meal and realize I’m out of a key ingredient.

My true self has spewed some pretty ugly things from sarcasm with the intent to bite to discouraging words that Jesus girls shouldn’t be repeating. It’s been happening a lot lately, and I’m a thinker. It started at an event where I didn’t plan on anything that went down that night happening. I didn’t plan on it being busy. I didn’t think I’d have a rough go of it on many levels. I didn’t put on my list that I would stew about it. I didn’t pencil in the added time needed to prepare two kids for two plays. A child struggling and needing extra help. A child having a setback in health and losing days of peace, sleep and sanity in a fight to get her back on track.

The anger that this child had to suffer in the first place.

And on and on I could go.

My true self was screaming at the dogs for getting tangled around my legs in a trip to the their bathroom that shouldn’t be so complicated. I was threatening to send them away and yelling for them to hurry up. Slamming doors when they wanted out again and again and again.

My true self at the core is selfish and mean. Angry. Tired. Burned out. Dependent on lists and toddler insistent that I do it my way, myself.

It’s not pretty to admit this, but I know there’s someone else out there beating themselves up for reacting to anything from a stubbed toe to a sick child. Thing is, it’s not just you, although that accusatory voice hissing in your ear would like you to believe that. And you don’t have to stay in that pit. Yep, we were born sinful, but we don’t have to stay that way. I’m visual and thanks to Christ’s work on the cross and my friendship with Him, I picture every day as a new slate. Whatever happened even an hour ago, I can confess it and the slate is clean. It’s not my license to act like an idiot, that’s not a fruitful life. But who I am, truly am in Christ can come back and live free.

I’m still tired and I’m fighting the bah humbug of the season. A late Thanksgiving is too much pressure for a list maker like me, so I need to be intentional about enjoying it all. I need to say no to things, as good as they are, to make sure I get rest. To push away the emails and get back in Bible study. I can’t coast without these things for long. Trust me, you don’t want me to.

So, that’s my confession. I’ve felt dead inside most of this year and my true self is pretty horrid.

But, I’m not alone. I have hope, a future, and a promise.

And so do you.

 

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Tags:  angry, Bible study, burned out, confession, Julie Arduini, meltdown, reaction, revive, tantrum, true self




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 COTT: A Place in His Heart by Rebecca DeMarino  Character Confession: That Comforts Me  COTT: Giveaway Tuesday!  Celebrating My Blog Anniversary with a Book Giveaway  Character Confession: What Desperation will DoCopyright © Julie Arduini [Saturday Confession: My True Self], All Right Reserved. 2014.

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Five Golden Days

Are you playing Christmas music yet? Is the tree up? Started shopping?

I’ve had the music going for a couple weeks and my favorite version of the Twelve Days of Christmas is the Muppet one. I love when Miss Piggy belts out the Five Golden Rings. Love her sass.

Well, starting Monday and running throughout out the week, the authors with Write Integrity Press (I’m one!) and Pix N Pens will be celebrating Christmas throughout cyberspace with the Five Golden Days.

Look for special blog posts, fun, food, fellowship. Giveaways.

Then, on Friday, December 5th from 7-9pm EST, we gather around and party on Facebook. There will be more fun, party favors, author chats and more. Drop in as you can, or stay the whole time. It’s going to be a blast. I will be chatting at approximately 8:30 and I’d love to connect with you.

To learn more, visit Write Integrity or Pix N Pens.

Tags:  authors, Christmas, Facebook Christmas Party, Five Golden Days, Julie Arduini, Pix N Pens, Write Integrity Press




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 Saturday Confession: I'm Glad I Listened  Instead of the Snow I See the Cardinal  Book Review: Tricia Goyer's Beyond Hope's Valley  COTT: Vote for Your Favorite Winter Release  Today, I'm Thankful by Carole BrownCopyright © Julie Arduini [Five Golden Days], All Right Reserved. 2014.

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Ruth and the Comfort Zone

I’ve been enjoying Ruth’s story from the Bible with a twist—Jennifer Slattery is facilitating this study on FB and her blog sharing against the backdrop of her own contemporary romance Beyond I Do.

Last week she was kind enough to open up her blog to allow me to share insights.

It’s a chapter in the Book of Ruth I’ve read several times but I saw received fresh insights that I really could relate to as I compared my story to Ruth’s and to Ainsley, the heroine in Beyond I Do.

I’d love for you to read what I wrote.

Click to read about Ruth and the Comfort Zone.

Tags:  Beyond I Do, Bible study, Boaz, comfort zone, guest blogger, Jennifer Slattery, mother-in-law, Naomi, Ruth, Ruth 2




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 Sabbath Sunday: Your New Normal  A Writer's Thanks by Betsy Duffey and Laurie Myers  How Would You Handle It? Tot Mom Shows Up at YOUR Church Edition  Character Confession: I'd Drag My Feet but I'd Probably Have to File a Claim  Interview with Author Eileen RifeCopyright © Julie Arduini [Ruth and the Comfort Zone], All Right Reserved. 2014.

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COTT: A Miracle of Hope by Ruth Reid Wins Laurel Award

[image error]
On October 22, 2014, A Miracle of Hope won Clash of the Titles’

Laurel Award. During a six-week period, the novel’s first 3,500 words were

read and judged by avid readers of Christian fiction who determined it to

be the worthiest to receive the 2014 Laurel Award.

Clash of the Titles extends a heartfelt congratulations to author Ruth Reid

for her commendable work. We wish God’s abundant blessings on her future

projects.

 

“A Miracle of Hope quickens a reader’s heart in hope that one child’s faith

will be miracle enough.” –Alan Daugherty, News-Banner columnist

[image error] About A Miracle of Hope

Lindie Wyse thinks an arranged marriage is the only way to preserve a

future for herself and her unborn child. Josiah Plank is certain he’ll

never love again, but he needs someone to care for his deaf eight-year-old

daughter, Hannah. The two take on their arrangement tentatively at first

but soon realize they are each in for more than they imagined. After a

short time, Lindie experiences a breakthrough with Hannah when she

recognizes the child’s special gifts, but a risky pregnancy and serious

health issues threaten to demolish the foundation Josiah and Lindie are

building—and the love that is growing between them.

Will their marriage survive their struggles, or will their hearts become as

cold as the northern winter?

PURCHASE

YOUR COPY

“A beautifully written love story, A Miracle of Hope is both heartwarming

and heartbreaking and features believable, charming characters who are

willing to do whatever it takes for love.” 4 stars, RT Book Reviews

[image error]

Listen to Cynthia L.

Simmon’s” Heart

of the Matter” radio interview of Laurel Award Winner,

Ruth Reid!

[image error] About Ruth:

Ruth is a CBA and ECPA best-selling author of the Heaven on Earth

and Amish Wonders series. When attending Ferris State University School of

Pharmacy in Big Rapids, Michigan, she lived on the outskirts of an Amish

community and had several occasions to visit the Amish farms. Her interest

grew into love as she saw the beauty in living a simple life. Ruth resides

in Florida with her husband and three children.

She can be reached HERE.

“…Ruth’s descriptions of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula during the winter are

vivid and almost hauntingly beautiful—yet the hardship and “cabin fever”

element are very real. But it’s character depth that is this story’s

strength…” –Carole Jarvis, Amazon Review

Ruth’s Upcoming Projects:

Her

Christmas Pen Pal, a novella in An Amish Second Christmas collection

released

October 2014.
A

Woodland Miracle will be released in January

2015
She is currently

working on book three of the Amish Wonders Series (untitled at this

time; release is planned for 2016).

****

 

OLYMPIA OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS!


 
Authors, take note!

 

Clash of the Titles has opened its doors for

submissions to the 2015 Olympia.




[image error]

 

The

Olympia is COTT’s yearly contest for unpublished writers. The

submissions are judged by their audience—readers well versed

in

Christian fiction yet not associated with the CBA industry.

Authors write for readers, so why not have readers be

the judges?

Finalists in the contest will also have their work read and judged

by three industry professionals!

 
With a submission fee of only $15, easy electronic submission, a

bevy of prizes, and judges devoted to Christian fiction and author

encouragement, the Olympia is a contest like no other.

 

But

once our doors are open, you’ll need to act quick! Slots are limited. To avoid overburdening our volunteer

judges, we are limited in the number of submissions we can

accept.
 

Submissions:
Oct. 31, 2014-Dec 12,

2014

For more details, please visit our

site.


Stay tuned for updates by
subscribing

to COTT’s blog and “liking” our

Facebook page .

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Tags:  A Miracle of Hope, Clash of the Titles, COTT, Julie Arduini, Laurel Award winner, Olympia award, Ruth Reid




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 A2Z Meme: I Used to Wish Life was Easy  Labor Day: So Why Do You Have the Day Off, Anyway?  My Gift to the King by Sheryl Giesbrecht  A2Z Meme: But I Got the X In!  Wishing You a Safe and Happy Holiday!Copyright © Julie Arduini [COTT: A Miracle of Hope by Ruth Reid Wins Laurel Award], All Right Reserved. 2014.

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Thankful: Jill Fortriede’s Road to Salvation

I’m thankful that 6 years ago, I gave birth to the beautiful baby boy who change my life. You see, if it weren’t for him, my husband and I would have never come to Christ. We found out in September of 2008 our baby was going to be born with multiple birth defects. Looking for answers, we walked into the church behind our house. And even though we have switched which church we attend, we have never turned away from our faith we gained during the 10 months of our son’s life. As hard as it was, I wouldn’t trade that time for anything.

 

 

Jill Fortriede

I live in central Indiana with my husband and the two beautiful daughters God has blessed me with. I’m fortunate to be a stay at home mom and will be homeschooling my daughters, when they get old enough.

Tags:  birth defects, church, faith, Jill Fortriede, Julie Arduini, loss of child, thankful




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 COTT Survey: What Summer Book Would You Read First?  COTT: Blind Trust by Sandra Orchard Wins Clash  COTT: Announcing the Laurel Award  COTT: Betrayal by Anne Patrick  My 2013 Word of the YearCopyright © Julie Arduini [Thankful: Jill Fortriede's Road to Salvation], All Right Reserved. 2014.

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Sabbath Sunday: The Muddy Road

One of my favorite poems is Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken. Probably because I can relate. The wide path everyone else takes? I was never one to follow. I was the pioneer taking the narrow way rarely understanding why I wasn’t like everyone else.

Thing is, the path God gives you, it’s not going to be laden with golden brick.

That’s heaven, and you aren’t there yet.

Life is muddy. There is change. Loss. Challenges.

Enough to consider, if only for a moment, about taking an easier route.

Thing is, those muddy moments produce growth.

The valleys brought me way more wisdom than the mountains.

My faith in Christ and His track record moves forward because He moved me in the hardest of times.

If you’re stuck in the mud, don’t despair.

The road you’re taking isn’t an accident and not meant to destroy.

In fact, it’s the fast trek to faith and trust with the One who created your road.

Tags:  amateur nature photo, challenges, Julie Arduini, life, muddy road, road, Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken, trusting God




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 A2Z Meme: Gimme a Break This Summer Vacation  Book Review: Heather Munn/Lydia Munn Deliver with How Huge the Night  Character Confession: The Independence Day Injection  12 Pearls of Christmas | Day 5 - Will They Know What It Cost? by Glynnis Whitwer  Character Confession: Rebel with a CauseCopyright © Julie Arduini [Sabbath Sunday: The Muddy Road], All Right Reserved. 2014.

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