How is God using you?

In my recent newsletter I asked this question:

When do you feel God's pleasure? What gifts has God given you? How do you share His truth with your world? For all of us it's different, and that's the great part. God uses all of us in unique ways ... I'd love to hear how He uses you! Email me at the address at the end of the email. If I share your story on my blog I'll send you a special gift! I can't wait to hear!

I've received some AWESOME replies and I thought I'd spread the encouragement...

This one is from Sherri in Oregon.

I would love to share with you how God uses me -- how I feel His pleasure.

I love to communicate to people through dramatic presentations at my church. I love everything about it -- writing the play, producing it, directing it. I find great satisfaction in communicating God's love in a way that is not only easily understood, but enjoyed. The writing process allows me to stop and think of the basic message I want to get across, and lay it out in such a way that it can be understood and taken to heart by both the churched and the non-churched alike. The production process is enjoyable because I get to imagine the experience folks will have, and determine how everything will work together, from the colors used to the lighting to the music. I enjoy directing the church volunteers and bringing out in them certain emotions or abilities that even they didn't think they had. The whole process is a lot of hard work, but after it's all over with, I experience a huge amount of satisfaction.

Sherri Emitte

Medford, Oregon

Thanks for sharing, Sherri!

Writing Space: Gayle Roper

An inside view at where your favorite books are created.

I took these photos a couple of years ago when we were talking about a messy office contest at the retreat. The contest never came to pass, but the office has stayed much the same--just new junk for the current project.

The lady hanging on the wall is and enlargement of the cartoon on an early book of devotions for young mothers.

Note the white sign hanging on the shelf over the computer in the second pix. Chuck made it for me, and in case you can't read it, it says Plagiarism Saves Time.

Gayle Roper

www.gayleroper.com

The Heir blog tour...

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing THE HEIR
(Bethany House March 1, 2007) by Paul Robertson!

Paul Robertson is a computer programming consultant, part-time high-school math and science teacher, and former independent bookstore owner in Blacksburg, Virginia. This is his first novel.



ABOUT THE BOOK:


Jason Boyer Just Got an Inheritance to Die For!

The fortune wasn't supposed to befall him. Jason Boyer had known all along his father's business empire would pass to different hands. Which suited him just fine. The money was crooked and the power corrupt. But when an accident claims the old man's life, everyone is stunned by the unveiling of the will.

With the passing of the Boyer crown, power-hungry politicians and shady business partners all try to force Boyer's hand. Fighting the temptation of influence and riches, he simply wants to be a better man than his father--but attempting to stand for what’s right soon brings murderous consequences. As those closest to him are endangered--and news emerges that his father's accident may be something more sinister--Boyer finds himself fighting for his soul…and his life!

Is There Any Escape for The Heir?

All the money he could ever crave. In the splintering crash of a car plunging through a railing, Jason Boyer's life is changed. All the fame he could ever desire. But the last thing he wanted was the throne of his father's corrupt business empire. All the power he could ever wield.

The estate should have gone elsewhere, but the will was changed. And now everything is Jason's. But gaining the whole world just might cost him his life.THE HEIR is a Grisham-like tale of intrigue and murder with a lot of humor and well-drawn minor characters.

Endorsement:
"In THE HEIR, Paul Robertson serves up politics, privilege, and murder with a side of acerbic wit. What a fabulous book--a great mix of angst, humor, and ultimately, hope."T.L.HINES--author of Waking Lazarus and The Dead Whisper On

Research Photos!

I was a guest on my friend Camy's blog, Camy's Loft. Her post was so great...I begged her to let me post it on my blog as well. Thanks Camy! And here we go...

As something unique and different for my blog (because she likes me! :)) Tricia gave me some pictures that the World War II veterans sent her while she was researching for her novel. Not everyone has broadband, so I posted them here on my scrapbook blog.

Here's what Tricia has to say about them:

One of my favorite parts of researching is connecting with
veterans. While researching for Arms of Deliverance, I found some amazing men from
the 91st Bomb Group, based in England.

Here's a sneak peek at some of the photos they sent to me to help with
my research. These are the photos that helped as I wrote my scenes.
Are they cool or what?!

Blessings!
Tricia

This is an illustration of the pilot's control panel sent to
me by veteran
John Howland of the 91st Bomb Group.

This is an example of the shirt and pants of an OD uniform sent
to me by veteran John Howland. He said, "It wasn't very attractive,
but it was wool and it was warm in that harsh English climate."
These are photos of the Norden bombsight and
the tracks for 50 cal ammunition fed to the twin 50 chin turret
below the bombardier. Also visible is the astrodome used by the
navigator and the navigator's table. The photos were sent to me by
John Howland. They all play a part in "Arms of Deliverance."

Here's a picture of a WW-II throat mike sent to me by John Howland.

Here is a link to the official website of Liege, Belgium, sent to me by my
Belgian friend, Roger Marquet.
http://membres.lycos.fr/risack/homeg.html

Here are interior photos of a B-17. They were sent to me by Joe
Harlick and TAKEN by Joe Harlick during WWII. Here is what Joe had to
say:

"The first is snap looking forward from the tail wheel. It shows the
two waist guns, the top of the ball turret, and into the radio room.
The second is looking from the radio room towards the tail wheel of
the two waist gunners in action.

"The third is a photo of me loading a K-17 Bomb Strike Camera in the
camera pit under the radio room floor One third of our planes, on
each mission, carried a bomb strike camera. The cameras are all
preset for shutter speed and " f stop " exposure settings. They
would be turned on at bombs away and make an exposure every 6 seconds,
then rewind the film. They would continue running until well beyond
the target that was hit. The particular camera in the photo makes a
9 1/2 x 9 1/2 inch negative. We would pick up the film magazine as
soon as one of the planes landed and rush it back to the photo lab,
process the film, make wet prints from wet negatives. These were
hand carried to the commanding officer and woud be referred to during
crew interrogation after the mission. They would have immediate
answers as to the weather condition, if they hit the target, and an
estimate of the damage to the target."




Here is a photo of a Navigator sent to me by Joe Harlick and TAKEN by
Joe Harlick during WWII. This was my inspiration for Eddie!


These are more photos from Joe Harlick. Each photo has a caption.

Joe said, "You will find that 99% of my photos are black & white,
color film was rare and used mostly by the PR photographers from
London. Some individuals had 35 MM Kodachrome film sent to them from
the states. The flight crews were not supposed to carry camera's on
a mission, but some officers did, especially the latter part of the
war."

Teen Book Going to Committee today!

Please pray because a teen book I proposed is going to committee today. I hope the publisher decides they want to publish it. It's a book I really want to write! Of course, my ultimate prayer is that God's will be done.

Thanks for praying!

Stories for buttons...Travel story contest

This weeks entry in the travel story contest is from Robin Gunn. Don't forget to leave your comments!


Hi my friends,

I just returned from a trip to Ft. Myers, Florida for a huge Reading Festival sponsored by the Public Library. They had 15,000 people attend. The quick trip started out with delayed flights, lost lugggage and hotel room challenges. But God did some wonderful things.

First, I had a book signing at a Christian bookstore on Friday morning and a woman came all the way from Ohio! She said she saw in my newsletter that I was going to Ft. Myers so she talked her husband into coming for the week with 8 of their 10 children and having a spring break at her sister's vacation home! She started crying as she told me how God has used my books in her life and in the life of her daughters over the years. Suddenly my cute shoes and all the delayed bookmarks and publicity material didn't matter. I had everything I needed - two open arms and a big smile.

Then I had lunch with my dear, dear Uncle Harry and Aunt Marlyd. They were celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary that week! I loved being able to hug them and hug them some more. What a gift to be able to talk and laugh and make up for years of not being close.

That evening I went to the Ft. Myers yacht club for the opening reception. It was located on the waterfront next to the home of Thomas Edison. Gorgeous sunset! The dress I'd packed in my still delayed luggage would have been way too thin for the strongly airconditioned building. I met some delightful new friends and the five of us ended up going to dinner after the reception. We all piled into a rented red Mustang convertible, put the top down and off we went! Sisterchicks forever! Our dinner conversation was fantastic. All of us clicked and soon discovered we were all Believers. Excellent time. So sweet! The connection we have in Christ is amazing, isn't it? In a room full of people, the five of us were drawn together.

When we arrived back at the hotel at 11:00, my luggage had arrived!

Saturday morning the Reading Festival kicked off with a booksigning at one of the outdoor tents followed by an interview by the local newspaper. At 1:00 I was on a panel with two other novelists. We were all coming from different points of view but each of us was given the freedom to talk about why we write what we write. I felt complete freedom and spoke openly. Afterwards one of the event organizers came to me and said that after the panel they had decided they will invite Christian authors from now on. She said she was one of the ones pushing for me to come and since it went so well, the door was open for other Christian authors in the future. Awesome!

I was on a second panel and then did a second booksigning. Full day. Rich in unseen ways. I left for the airport at six the next morning and after three flights and two missed flights, I am happy to report that my luggage and I made it home at 7:30 Sunday night.

The whole weekend - well, from when you started praying on - I felt such a sweet peace and sense of purpose. I felt strong and courageous and knew the Lord was with me. On the way home I was upgraded to first class from Chicago to Seattle. I was so comfy, I wrote a children's book I have due on April 1st as well as the article I had due for the travel column I write for More to Life magazine. The subject for this month? Lost Luggage, of course. Nothing is wasted in the Kingdom, is it?

Love to all of you!
Robin
http://www.robingunn.com/index.html

Are you prepared?

It just takes 2 minutes ...

I first heard about the "Roman Road" when I was dating my husband John.

Supposedly it's this "path" of five Scripture verses through the book of Romans that you can use to explain the gift of salvation and lead someone to Christ.

Over the years, I've read Romans dozens and dozens of times and each of my Bibles now highlights all the key verses. But, yesterday morning I decided to get prepared--really prepared.

I found the Roman Road, and I wrote the first verse, Romans 3:23 in the inside cover of my Bible. This verse was already underlined, but to make it easy to remember what was next, I wrote Romans 6:23 in the margin (right next to Romans 3:23). At Romans 6:23, I wrote Romans 5:8 in the margin. (Are you getting the picture?) At Romans 5:8 I wrote Romans 10:9-10. And at Romans 10:9-10, I drew an arrow down to Romans 10:13. How easy was that?

At Romans 10:13 I also wrote a summary of what all these passages mean. There just a few words that will help me explain salvation to someone God will bring in my path.

So now I'm prepared. It seriously only took 2 minutes. But for someone that God leads into my life these verses could transform eternity!

So here is a summary of the verses, and a list of my key words I added to the margin of the last one. And, if I may be so bold, maybe you should prepare to. What are you waiting for?

Romans 3:23

Romans 6:23

Romans 5:8

Romans 10:9-10

Romans 10:13

Key words:

--RECOGNIZE SIN

--REPENT

--ASK FOR GRACE

--TURN OVER YOUR LIFE

--LET JESUS BE LORD

Do you ever wonder where writers work?

If you imagine a beachside cottage ... well, you live in a fantasy world! Last week I showed you my "Real Life" writing space...

Some writers have pretty cool offices.

Here is the office (and the puppies!) of Angela Hunt. In no particular order, Angela Hunt is a novelist, teacher, mother, wife, mastiff owner, reader, musician, student, aspiring theologian, and bubble gum connoisseur. The things that enter her life sooner or later find their way into her books, hence "a life in pages."



And...

here's is multi-award winning author Gail Gaymer Martin's space. She writes Christian romance and romantic suspense for Steeple Hill and Barbour. She's signed her 40th fiction contract and has one million books in print.

Her book on Writing The Christian Romance will be released in December 2007 from Writers Digest.

CFBA Blog Tour, A Bigger Life by Annette Smith

About the author:

In 1997, Annette was working as a home health nurse. She traveled the back roads from house to house, caring for ill and injured, homebound people. Because of her unique position in the lives of relative strangers, she often found herself bearing solitary witness to intimate behind-the-scenes situations full of grace and meaning. The desire to honor both a particular patient and a poignant scene involving the woman and her husband prompted Annette to write a fictionalized story, The Anniversary. That first story appeared as a column in the Houston Chronicle newspaper and as an essay in Today’s Christian Woman magazine. Later it became a chapter in Annette’s first and best-selling book of short stories, The Whispers of Angels, that has sold more than 100,000 copies.

Since then, Annette has penned four more books of stories, two volumes on parenting, and the Coming Home to Ruby Prairie trilogy. Annette and her husband Randy, a High School teacher and coach, make their home on a wooded lot in Quitman, Texas. They are the parents of two young adult children, Russell and Rachel, both out on their own. Wally, a grateful, rescued mutt provides warmth and entertainment and keeps the Smith’s empty nest from feeling too lonely.

In addition to writing, Annette continues to serve part-time as a registered nurse. She finds the people she works with and the patients she cares for provide great inspiration for her fiction.


About the book:

Joel Carpenter did not plan for his life to turn out like this. He never meant to be a single dad, working at a hair salon in Eden Plain, Texas. But after making a careless choice four years ago, his marriage was permanently shattered.

Now at twenty-seven, he finds himself juggling custody of his preschool son with Kari, the ex-wife he still loves, and sharing Sunday dinners with a group of other single dads. Joel regrets the choices that brought him to this place, but it's not until the worst happens that he learns how much he still has to give. In the midst of deep tragedy, he learns that forgiveness is way more important than freedom. Hopefully it's not too late!

A BIGGER LIFE is a story of love in the midst of heartache, and friendship in the midst of real, everyday life.

How BIG is your God?

Cd in my player at the moment ... Invitation to Eavesdrop by Shaun Groves.


Book on my night stand ... Traveling Light by Max Lucado.


Book on my desk ... Canteen Dreams by Cara Putman (pre-published!)





My husband and I read the Bible, a devotional book, and pray together every morning. This passage from Traveling Light really made my heart soar.


You don't need what Dorothy found. Remember her discovery in THE WONDERFUL WIZARD of OZ? She and her trio followed the yellow-brick road only to discover that the wizard was a wimp! Nothing but smoke and mirrors and tin-drum thunder. Is that the kind of god you need?



You don't need to carry the burden of a lesser god ... a god on a shelf, a god in a box, or a god in a bottle. No, you need a God who can place 100 billion stars in our galaxy and 100 billion galaxies in the universe. You need a God who can shape two fists of flesh into 75 to 100 billion nerve cells, each with as many as 10,000 connections to other nerve cells, place it in a skull, and call it a brain.


And you need a God who, while so mind-numbingly mighty, can come in the soft of night and touch you with the tenderness of an April snow.

You need a Yahweh.


And, according to David, you have one. He is your shepherd. ~Max Lucado, Traveling Light, p. 16-17



How BIG is your God today? How powerful is He? How does this transform your day? Your life?


"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
2 Corinthians 4:7-9



My God is BIG, and today I expect Him to do BIG things!



How about you?

Stories for buttons travel contest...

This week's travel story contest is from Melinda Smith!

Don't forget to leave your comments...the winner will be judged on the amount of feedback they get on their story!

The Cruise That Went Up in Flames!

In January 2000 we took a Caribbean cruise.

On our third night out, we heard people yelling “fire”. A steward was posted in the hallway confirming the fire, stating it was under control. Not reassuring!

The ship was dead until 6:30 a.m. Wednesday. We should have been in Jamaica then. We limped into Montego Bay. Little information was given. We were told to pack our bags and leave our cabins before noon. It was hot inside and windy outside. With nearly 1200 passengers in a confined space without food, water, or sufficient toilet facilities, tempers flared. We finally docked around 3:30 p.m.

At 5:30 p.m. we left the ship with instructions to locate our luggage and board a bus. After filing onto a Jamaican bus, we endured a harrowing ride to the airport.

After standing in line for over an hour, we obtained tickets to New Orleans. Then more waiting! With uncontrollable children and tired parents, boarding calls were barely heard. We walked nearly a mile to board our 747 outside around midnight. One woman suffered a stroke and was left behind. Another refused to board. She was diabetic and had taken her medicines but didn’t eat. Once she drank some juice, she settled down and we took off.

We rushed through customs in New Orleans at 2 a.m. to board a bus for a hotel. The cruise line would pay for one nights lodging. The bus started to pull out but the driver felt something wasn’t right. We got off that bus and onto another, finally getting a room around 4:30 a.m. The desk phoned at 9 a.m. to inquire about our length of stay. Since we were awake, we grabbed our bags, checked out, got food, drove home, and spent the rest of the week at home alone!

Hi from San Antonio

It's like 100 degrees here--okay, not really, but it seemed like it!

Over the weekend I signed like 300+ free books for librarians. It was awesome! I love librarians!

If you're wondering why I took the trip from San Antonio, it's because of TLA. The Texas Librarians Association. I came down and hung out with my awesome friends from Moody Publishing. They hooked me up with two book signings, and I've never seen so many fun people excited about my novels!

My husband, John, came with me and he videotaped part of the signing. He also talked to people in the aisles about the novels. He was so great. The librarians loved him, too. How could they not?

Saturday night I also hung out with my husband, an awesome salesman from Moody, and one of my too-awesome marketing people. We ate dinner in a Mexican restraunt that was so loud we had to shout to talk. Then we walked along the Riverwalk and got caught in a rain/hail storm. By the time we got back to our motels we were totally soaked.

When it rains it pours! And I'm meaning the whole, wonderful day.

From Dust and Ashes, Where it all began...

On October 9, 2000 two friends and I rolled into the town of St. Georgen, Austria. The Danube looked gray, not blue, as did the sky. The picturesque village was no different from dozens of others I had seen on European travel videos. The square, plain houses that lined the road reminded me of a pretend town my children had once made out of cereal boxes and construction paper. Pointing the way to the town center was a white sign in the shape of an arrow. Why do I remember that arrow so vividly now? What other changes in my life was the arrow pointing to? I am still on the path to finding out.

Looking back, I now realize my anticipation was overwhelmed by a grip of apprehension as the road curved closer and closer. I entered as an adventurer enjoying a holiday with heart-friends. I exited feeling strangely different-more responsible, more grown up, and yes, even more alive. For in some mysterious way my heart was now interlocked with hearts of distant strangers. Real breathing, dreaming, loving/hating people who had been thrown together by the decision to build a concentration camp in the beautiful Austrian hills.

We had entered in search of one woman, Martha (pronounced Marta), the town historian who had made-real the vision of creating an annual memorial service for camp victims. We exited carrying sheaves of tales-many came from those that still lived among those same Nazi-built roads, bridges, and homes.

As we listened to Martha that evening over bread, cheese, and lukewarm tea, I imagined thousands of voices trapped inside her head, wishing for their chance to break free. From Martha came a flood we dared not damn up with questions. Before one story was finished another equally as poignant broke through. There was nothing we three could do but sit and absorb them as a wet sponge soaks up spilled milk.

Later that night as we entered the local bed and breakfast, I couldn't face lifting my suitcases from the car. I had no desire to be weighed down with "things" while struggling to hold on to so many stories. From the twenty-three American soldiers who liberated thousands, to a lone
woman venturing forth to feed the half-dead, to the prisoners who beat the odds and lived to see life outside the camp, I knew I had to share these people with the world.

When we rolled out of St. Georgen the next day, my eyes were fixed on a new vision. The town of October 2000 was a blur, somehow replaced by the town of May 1945. And from that day until now, I still carry those people, those stories, that place, with me. Forever in my mind. Forever in my soul. Forever a teardrop away. And now, my dear heart-friend, it is time to share all of them with you. Will you also be forever changed by the tales you're about to partake in? In that I have no doubt.

CFBA Blog Tour: Coral Moon by Brandilyn Collins

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing CORAL MOON Zondervan (April 27, 2007) by Brandilyn Collins

Brandilyn Collins is the bestselling author of Violet Dawn, Web Of Lies, Dead of Night, Stain of Guilt, Brink of Death, and Eyes of Elisha just to name a few.

Brandilyn and her family divide their time between the California Bay Area and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

She also maintains an informative blog called Forensics and Faith where she daily dispenses wisdom on writing, life, and the Christian book industry.

About the book:
The figure remained still as stone. Leslie couldn't even detect a breath. Spider fingers teased the back of her neck.

Leslie's feet rooted to the pavement. She dropped her gaze to the driveway, seeking...what? Spatters of blood? Footprints? She saw nothing. Honed through her recent coverage of crime scene evidence, the testimony as last month's trial, the reporter in Leslie spewed warnings: Notice everything, touch nothing...

Leslie Brymes hurries out to her car on a typical workday morning...and discovers a dead body inside.Why was the corpse left for her to find? And what is the meaning of the message pinned to its chest?

In Coral Moon, the senseless murder of a beloved Kanner Lake citizen spirals the small Idaho town into a terrifying glimpse of spiritual forces beyond our world. What appears true seems impossible.

OR IS IT?

My "Real Life" Writing Space

This last weekend one of my writer's loops asked everyone to share a photo of their writing space. They have no idea what they started.

To say my space was over-packed with books and "stuff" would be an understatement. As a writer AND a homeschooler I love have lots of resources at my fingertips. I wanted to take a picture, but it was waaayyyy too messy. So I started cleaning ...

Right off I knew I had to find a place for all the books I didn't need at this moment in time. My best bet, I figured, was to only have current research/homeschooling books in my office. My idea was to get plastic bins and "pack up" what I wasn't currently using. (It took ten bins!)

Of course, where would I put the bins? My ideas was under my TALL bed. Perfect. The only problem was that there was already stuff underneath it. Mostly sleeping bags and suitcases.

Of course, those things should be in the garage, right?

So ... Saturday John and I cleaned out the garage to make room for the sleeping bags and suitcases. (Did I mention it was my Anniversary. What a guy!)

Once those were put away, there was room for the bins of books.

And then ALL the books in my office had to be resorted and organized.

In the end, my office is the cleanest EVER. And ... ta-da, finally I had my photo to post on the loop! (See above.)

Of course, if it's this clean, I just HAD to take more than one photo!

This is a photo with one of the "natives." I homeschool in the same room where I write. I'm sure he's doing his work and NOT playing video games.

Cory and Nathan's spots. They took the photos on the wall.

This is the view from were I sit and write. There is an field behind our house. Those gray bumps in the distance are the Rocky Mountains. You can't see the peaks because of the clouds.

This is a view of the office from my doorway.

This is a view from the bookshelf of our four chairs. Yes, this is how I write, with three kids within 10 feet of me. And two dogs at my FEET!

Here is the organized bookshelf.

Speaking of dogs ...

And here are those two dogs I mentioned. Lilly is a seven-year old "Blue Heeler knocked up a Sheltie." And Jake is a 5-month old, "Pomeranian slipped through the fence and became friends with a Scottie."

When I was young...

Here's an excerpt from an interview about my childhood (plus super cute pictures of me) from Chat 'n' Chew Cafe!

Aaahhh...Memories!

Favorite Outfit as a child:

In 5th grade I got this really cool green satin jacket. I lost it at school a few weeks later. I was VERY sad.

Favorite Childhood Movie: The Parent Trap. Since I didn't know my biological father I always wondered if I had a sister out there. (I grew up with one brother.) Amazingly, last year I met three sisters!!! I have one more sister I haven't met yet. They are more amazing, wonderful, and similar to me than I ever imagined.

Favorite Childhood Book: Little House on the Prairie (by Laura Ingalls Wilder)

Childhood hero: Helen Keller

Read the rest here!

Stories for buttons travel contest...

Here is another entry in the Stories for buttons contest! This one is from Grace who lives in New Zealand!



Don't forget to leave your comments--Remember the story with the most comments wins!


I couldn't resist this one. But I have a problem. What story do I talk about?

I could tell of night-time boat rides to a volcanic island, where we then had to hike through the bush to a clapboard hut at the mudflats.

I could tell of four hours of huge waves under a jetboat's keel, followed by an hour in a rusty bus on windy gravel and dirt roads which lead to a place that must come pretty close to heaven.

I could tell of a one-roomed youth hostel in a tiny beach town called Okarito in the deep south of New Zealand, my homeland.

That's just stuff from home.

I could tell of winter's culture shock on my first trip to Germany.

I could tell of my first encounter with Turkish food. It happened in Australia.

I could tell you about my love affair with Africa, and how I got stranded in Timbuctu. Sounds like a great story, but it was really only petty fraud. A travel agent sold us seats on a return flight that didn't exist...

I could tell of walking from Switzerland to France and back again in the mountainous borderlands near Geneva, and of driving hairpin bends in the Bavarian Forest to translate for visiting dignitaries from Botswana who were inspecting the Czech border post. Or the time I spent all day at a castle perched on a hill to translate into English for a French businessman. That was just last week...

I could tell of a literary holiday in Tunisia, but the videos on my homepage do a better job.

I could tell of springtime in Ireland, but I'm not going there till next month...

And I could tell of living in a house that was built in the 1200's. But that's not travel, that's home. For now, at least.

Whoever said Kiwis can't fly? This one can...

I know the contest calls for a story, but perhaps this will do as well.... :)









Grace Bridges
...the future is what you make it...
Author homepage: http://www.gracebridges.com/
Myspace: http://myspace.com/grace1979
Shoutlife: http://www.shoutlife.com/gracebridges


And...well, the blog tour for A Valley of Betrayal is almost over, check out these last stops:

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Martha/

http://shadowbearcat.bravejournal.com/

http://www.miraleesdesk.blogspot.com/

Veterans--Amazing Men

One of the best things about writing WWII historical novels has been meeting some amazing men--veterans who have helped me with my novels. WWII soldiers who share their experiences with me in order than future generations will never forget.

Yesterday, I received an email from one of these men. Here is a story about Easter 1945.

Dear Tricia,

To you and yours we hope you always enjoy what Easter has given us.

For me individually I always look back this time of year, 62 years ago at where I was in our Forced March situation as a POW in Germany. We were on our last 85 mile forced march between Nurnburg and Moosburg. We did not know but it was the last leg of our 345 mile forced march. On April 17th we arrived at Moosburg again we did not know it would be the place of Liberation.

Moving with 9,999 other POW's along the road not knowing what the future held...well the anxiety and uncertainty takes its toll on the human body and mind.

For this 84 year old man we appreciate your caring and concern. God bless you in your continuing walk in life.

Thanks for the Easter card.

Marion.



Lord, help us never to forget what others experienced for our freedom. Lord, we thank you for liberation--in our bodies and souls.



And...today's stop on the A Valley of Betrayal blog tour is:

http://ginnyslc.tripod.com:80/id1.html

Emptiness

There is nothing worse than feeling empty. Nothing worse that having desire unfulfilled. When we're empty were unsatisfied. And we are placed at risk because we seek to be filled. (I've struggled with that!)

Too often we try to fill ourselves up with the wrong things. In the end, after much pain and heartache, we discover our desire was misplaced. And we still feel empty.

Proverbs 13:12 says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick."

What do you hope in? If you hope in relationships, you're often disappointed. If you hope in stuff, you'll discover "things" brings you the happiness you hoped for.

Do you hope in friends? As a generation, we have never been so in touch with people, yet so empty, too. All the friends we have via the web (even as wonderful as they are) can fill us. People we know and love often don't see us when we're in our room, crying into our pillow.

If you're empty, I have good news. The tomb was empty, too. And because of the emptiness there, your emptiness can be filled. If you turn to Jesus, He will fill you with His love.

"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, not things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39, NKJV

Feeling empty inside? I know Someone desiring to fill the empty space. He loves you so much. In fact, there's an empty tomb to prove it.

Some Friday Fun!

Just in case you've ever wondered what I'd look like as Yoda...




or Superman...

or as a soldier...

Now you know!


And...don't forget to check out today's stops on the A Valley of Betrayal blog tour!

http://www.janicemary.com/logosbookreviews.htm

And...over the weekend I will be here:

http://margosmoments.blogspot.com/

http://cwahmjill.blogspot.com


Have a Blessed Good Friday and Easter!

And he departed from our sight that we might return to our heart, and there find Him. For He departed, and behold, He is here.
~~St. Augustine, Confessions

CFBA Blog Tour: In High Places

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing
IN HIGH PLACES (Bethany House March 1, 2007) by Tom Morrisey




About the Author:
Tom Morrisey is the author of four previous novels and numerous short stories, a world-renowned adventure-travel writer whose work has appeared in Outside, Sport Diver (where he serves as Executive Editor) and other leading magazines.
He holds an MA in English Language and Literature from the University of Toledo and an MFA in Creative Writing from Bowling Green State University. He lives in Orlando, Florida.

About the Book:
For Patrick Nolan, every climb tells a story. And now maybe it's his own …. He's right at the rim, staring over the cliff's knife edge and wondering how things went wrong so quickly.

It all started after arriving home from a weekend climbing trip with his father, Kevin. That's when word reached them. In a silent moment, they'd lost the person most important to them—her death raising unanswerable questions and dangerous doubts.


Launching a new life in a new town to escape their pain, son and father find themselves in danger of being torn apart forever. As his father seeks a route to solace on the dangerous high face of the rock, Patrick finds a path to hope with the unlikeliest of allies—a pastor's daughter. Together they must discover the one answer that can bring Patrick and Kevin back from the brink of the precipice.


Endorsements:
"It is rare to find a 'man's man' who knows the human heart, much less one who can write with such a well-balanced combination of sensitivity and adrenaline-charged adventure."—Athol Dickson, Christy-Award-winning author of River Rising

"Beautifully exciting, haunting, and satisfying. Morrisey leaves you hanging by your fingertips."—Lisa Samson, award-winning author of The Church Ladies and Straight Up

"Tom Morrisey is a master wordsmith and an expert at weaving gripping stories. If I pick up a book with his name on it, I know I'm going for gold."—Angela Hunt, author of Uncharted

Buy the book here!


And...don't forget to check out today's stop on the A Valley of Betrayal Blog tour!

http://www.gracereign.blogspot.com/

The BEST game for writers!

I was at our state homeschool convention this weekend, when I came across THE BEST game for writers. It's called Liebrary and if you like books or writing you're going to LOVE this game.

If you've ever played Balderdash then it's the same basic idea.

Which is, each player will hear the title and a short description of a book. (Either Children's, Classics, Fiction/Non-fiction, Horror/Mystery/Sci-Fi, or Romance.)

It's your job to create a convincing first line to fool your fellow players into thinking yours is the REAL first line of the book. The player who reaches the end of the board first wins!

The game is beautifully done, and all the book cards look like those old ones in the library card files. (Remember those?) There are even Liebrary cards that look like those ones in the front pockets of library books that I used to sign my name in. (And I guarantee that I must have signed 25% of the books in the Weed City Library during my growing up years!)

Here are a few examples:

Category: Children's
Title: Black Beauty
Author: Anna Sowell

First Line: The first place that I can remember was a large pleasant meadow with a pond of clear water in it.

Plot: A horse in nineteenth-century England recounts his experience with both good and bad masters.

(The point of the game is to read the plot and everyone playing has to MAKE UP a first line. One the person whose turn it is knows the real first line, and you score points if someone guesses YOUR line.)

Another example:
Category: Classics
Title: Sense and Sensibility
Author: Jane Austen
First Line: The family of Dashwood had long been settled in Sussex.

Plot: The Dashwood sisters are very different from each other in appearance and temperament; both struggle to maintain their integrity and find happiness in the face of a competitive marriage market in Sussex England.

Is that great, or what? Anyone wanna come over to play???

(Actually, this game would be GREAT for those of you who teach writing classes too . . . I know I'm going to use it for that!)

Well, even though I have three kids, and I have to write two more books this year (no joke!), I like this game so much that . . . I signed up as a "consultant." The idea hit me because for the last few months I've been praying that God could some how make a way for our three kids to join John and I on our trip to China (mid-2007) to pick up our new daughter.

Yes, I know, I doubt I can make $6,000 off of board games, but if my writer friends LOVE this game as much as I do, then it will be a good place to start!

To check out the game for yourself, go to: http://www.triciagoyer.simplyfun.com
(Click on PRODUCTS, then GAMES, then LIEBRARY in the column on the right.

There's also a video to show you how to play. (Click on Liebrary.)

They have other great board games too. In fact, I also purchased Eye to Eye and my family has played it FIVE times over Memorial Day weekend. The teen parents I mentor came over one night and they had a blast too!

Okay, here's one more Liebrary card. This time YOU have to guess the first line! Fun!

Category: Romance
Title: In Too Deep
Author: Cherry Adair

Plot:
Tally Cruise had come to Paradise Island for a long-awaited reunion with the father she never knew. But when she arrives, he is nowhere to be found. Still, she is so thrilled by the seductive beauty of the island that she doesn't see the danger that is boiling right below the surface.

First Line:

I should have expected he'd stand me up again. After all, it had been the norm for all of my twenty-six years.

Turn around, lady.

It was Saturday.

It wasn't a likely place for disappearances, at least at first glance.

It was the longest day of the year.

(Okay, what's your guess???)

CafeMom. com Bible study

Starting this week, I'm going to be leading a Bible Study on Generation NeXt Parenting on www.CafeMom.com

It's part of the Bible Babes Bible Study Group.

You can go here to sign up! http://www.cafemom.com/group/75/

We will read one chapter a week and the go over the Scripture verses and discussion questions. Each week we will talk about parenting in light of Scripture.

The book is not about "how to parent," but "how to turn to God as a parent" during this time in history.

And...don't forget to check out today's stop on the A Valley of Betrayal blog tour...

http://lynetta.blogspot.com

Stories for buttons travel contest...

The 4th entry in the travel story contest!

This on is from Jeanne Marie Leach

Enjoy!

David and I flew to South Dakota for my father’s funeral in the middle of a sub-zero snowstorm.

Dad and mom had no money since both had been sick for decades. Dad prearranged to pay for his funeral expenses by leaving all furniture and anything of value to the funeral home. The fami