Summer Reading Enjoyment

My oldest daughter is an avid reader like her mom. This summer, she's already read and re-read a series she wanted to tell folks about.

I'd second her opinion about Kim Vogel Sawyer. If you have any teen or pre-teen readers (moms will like these books too), put the Katy Lambright Series on your to buy list.

Katy's New World (The Katy Lambright Series, Book 1)
By Kim Vogel Sawyer

Katy's New World Review
By EW, age 12

I really enjoyed reading this book. In it, Katy Lambright, a Mennonite teenager, gets to go to high school. She loves it-- especially English class. But soon she begins having trouble fitting in, at school and at home.

I recommend this book for its truths about staying true to yourself within a fascinating, well-told story.

Katy's Debate (The Katy Lambright Series, Book 2)
By Kim Vogel Sawyer

Katy's Debate Review
By EW, age 12

I was really drawn into the story. I laughed a lot, but nearly cried a few times too. It was really good! In the story, Katy finally feels stable in her new school and is on the debate team, which she enjoys. But at home, her dad is courting a woman Katy can't stand, her best friend has a boyfriend who annoys Katy, and she is trying to convince her dad she doesn't need a mom. Worse yet, she likes a boy her community would never accept. She is faced with many choices, but is having a hard time choosing wisely.

I recommend this book for its fascinating plot full of twists and turns and truths about acceptance.

Doctor, Doctor

I'm trying to write a new chapter today but got sidetracked by this very cool YouTube video about one of my hubby's and my favorite new shows~ Doctor Who.

All I did was Google a particular song, and this fun video is what I found. Enjoy.

Auf Deutsch

This week I got word from a German magazine that all three of my books have been translated into German. Since I grew up in Germany, this was thrilling news!

I thought you all might like to see the German covers and read a translated review of the books. Also, here's the link for my German publisher.

Ransomed Dreams review Auf Deutsch:

Pressestimmen (1)

01.08.2009LoveLetter

"Der Tag, der alles veränderte" ist der erste Band der "Defenders of Hope" Serie, in der sich FBI-Agenten auf die Suche nach vermissten Kindern begeben. Die Hauptfiguren im Serienauftakt sind dabei so überzeugend, dass es leicht fällt, sich der Handlung hinzugeben. Gracies Trauma wird derart realistisch beschrieben, dass das Lesen fast körperlich wehtut. Auch Steven hadert mit dem Leid, mit dem er täglich konfrontiert wird. Amy Wallace gelingt es dabei meisterhaft ihre Protagonisten als Menschen aus Fleisch und Blut darzustellen. Obwohl der Roman christliche Werte vermittelt, sind sowohl Gracie, als auch Steven nicht perfekt. Gerade weil sie Wut und Trauer empfinden und Gott in Frage stellen, sind sie überzeugend. Stevens Fall und auch Gracies Vergangenheitsbewältigung sind zudem überaus spannend und packend inszeniert. Die zarte Liebesgeschichte rundet schließlich diesen wunderbaren Roman um Schuld und Vergebung ab."

In English:

"The day that changed everything" is the first volume of the "Defenders of Hope" series in which FBI agents go in search for missing children. The main characters in the series opener are so compelling that it is easy to add the action. Gracie's trauma is described in such realistic that almost physically hurts to read. Steven also quarrels with the suffering with which he is confronted daily. Amy Wallace succeeds masterfully while its protagonists as people of flesh and blood present. Although the novel gives Christian values, both Gracie, and Steven is not perfect. Just because they feel anger and grief and God into question, they are convincing. Stevens case, and also Gracie's dealing with the past are also very exciting and thrilling staged. The delicate love story finally rounds off this wonderful novel about guilt and forgiveness."

Healing Promises review Auf Deutsch:

Kundenstimmen (1)

12.05.2010B. Gregor

Gott sitzt immer noch auf dem Thron. Und er ist gut. Immer. (u. a. Seite 268) Wirklich immer?

Schon öfters habe ich geschrieben, daß ich nicht so recht weiß, wie ich eine angemessene Rezi schreiben soll. Hier bei diesem Buch ist es so, daß ich selbiges eher nicht will. Nicht, weil das Buch so schlecht (oder überhaupt schlecht) wäre, oh nein, ganz im Gegenteil. Das Problem ist, es hat mich persönlich „kalt erwischt“, fast noch mehr, als „Der Tag, der alles veränderte“. Nach Iris Kammerers „Varus“ ist dies in den letzten Jahren das zweite Buch, das mich emotional dermaßen stark berührte, daß mir schon alleine beim Gedanken an den Titel Tränen kommen. Vielleicht, weil Clint am gleichen Tag Geburtstag hat wie ich. Vielleicht, weil eben jenes Zitat aus dem Buch Hiob, das ich für das Totenbildchen meines Vaters ausgewählt habe, hier an entscheidender Stelle zitiert wird. Vielleicht, weil ein Standardspruch meiner Großmutter an zentraler Stelle im Buch fällt. So Gott will.

Aber manchmal will er eben nicht.

Das zweite Buch der Defender of Hope - Trilogie läßt mich etwas zwiegespalten zurück. Stilistisch schien mir das vorige Buch etwas „runder“ zu sein, flüssiger und weniger aus Einzelszenen bestehend, wie ich hier an einigen Stellen den Eindruck hatte. Auf der anderen Seite empfand ich dieses hier wesentlich dichter an den Protagonisten. Konnte ich im ersten Buch eine gewisse (durchaus angenehme) Distanz halten, so war mir das hier nicht mehr möglich. Unerbittlich wurde ich in die Handlung hineingezogen, habe den beruflichen Druck, der auf den FBI-Agenten lastet, verspürt. Habe mitgetrauert, wenn es wieder mal nicht gereicht hat; sei es beim FBI, sei es im Krebszentrum. Und konnte bisweilen mich auch mitfreuen an den viel zu wenigen schönen Ereignissen. Während sich im Hintergrund bereits die Gewitterwolken zusammenballen, die sich im dritten Teil entladen werden.

Der Focus dieses Buches liegt auf Clint und Sara. Bei den Folgeuntersuchungen einer Schußverletzung wird bei ihm Krebs diagnostiziert. Von heute auf morgen wird sein und das Leben seiner Familie, wie auch der Kollegen, aus der Bahn geworfen. Sara trifft es doppelt, macht sie sich Vorwürfe, daß sie als Onkologin das nicht selbst schon früher diagnostiziert hatte. Während Clint also den Kampf mit dem Krebs aufnimmt, jagen seine Kollegen Steven und Michael einen Serienmörder, der offenbar Katz und Maus mit dem FBI spielt.

Wie schon in „Der Tag, der alles veränderte“ gibt es auch hier immer wieder Kapitel aus der Sicht des Täters. Allerdings ist es hier nur anscheinend klar, wer das ist. Sehr geschickt legt die Autorin falsche Spuren, so daß zumindest ich völlig falsch mit meiner Einschätzung war. So offensichtlich der Täter im ersten Band war, so un-offensichtlich ist er es hier. Wie falsch ich lag, habe ich auch erst bemerkt, als das FBI die Identität entdeckt hat.

Das Buch hat mich mit auf eine emotionale Achterbahnfahrt genommen, die öfters nach unten denn nach oben ging. Die „Verlustraten“ sind hoch - beim FBI, Abteilung Verbrechen an Kindern, wie auch in der Krebsklinik. Waren im Vorgänger die Entführungen eben unpersönliche Fälle, kamen sie mir hier schon näher. Oder Frank, der nur (im Buch) lebte, um zu sterben. Das war wirklich (emotional) hart zu lesen, und ich mußte teilweise nach 30, 40 Seiten erst mal eine Pause einlegen.

Als Grundthema des Buches gibt die Autorin die Frage an, ob man Gott in wirklich jeder Situation vertrauen kann. Nicht ganz ohne Grund wird einige Male das Buch Hiob zitiert, um schließlich in der geflüsterten Frage: Wie lobe ich Gott, wenn das Leben so wehtut? (Seite 231) zu münden. Immer wieder gelangen die Protagonisten an diesen Punkt, sind kurz vor (oder nach) der Verzweiflung - und müssen doch weitermachen. Diese inneren Konflikte, in denen wohlgemeinte Sprüche nicht mehr weiterhelfen, fand ich persönlich gut und überzeugend dargestellt. Ich konnte mich mit den „Helden“ identifizieren und ihre Zweifel und Nöte verstehen. Sicher ist letztlich bis zu einem gewissen Punkt klar, wie das Buch ausgehen wird. Selbst die Perfekt- und Vollkommenheit Gracias wird (von Hanna) bemängelt. Dennoch erschien es mir persönlich eben nicht übertrieben, sondern die Personen haben (für mich) im gegebenen Rahmen glaubhaft und nachvollziehbar gehandelt. Gerade das hat noch mehr zu der schon erwähnten Nähe beigetragen.

Als ich das Buch zugeklappt habe und im Kopfkino der Schriftzug „The End“ auftauchte, war ich innerlich gleichzeitig aufgewühlt, aber auch ruhig und zufrieden. Im sicheren Bewußtsein, den mir ans Herz gewachsenen Protagonisten noch einmal wieder zu begegnen, in sicherer Vorahnung etlicher schlimmer Dinge, die da wohl ans Tageslicht kommen würden, in unsicherer Hoffnung, wie alles letztlich ausgehen wird. Und schließlich mit der Frage, wie ich es noch rund drei Monate aushalten soll, bis ich weiterlesen kann.

„Ihre Geschichte ist anders als unsere, aber Gott ist derselbe. Sie können ihm vertrauen. Er wird Sie nicht im Stich lassen.“ (Seite 102)

In English:

Testimonials (1)

12.05.2010B. Gregor

The hours that count~ title

God is still sitting on the throne. And he is good. Always. (Including page 268) Is it good?

Even more often I have written that I do not really know how to write proper Rezi. Here, in this book is such that I tend not The same will. Not because the book so bad (or even bad) would be, oh no, quite the opposite. The problem is, it took me personally "caught cold," almost more than "The day that changed everything." After Iris Kammerer "Varus" this is in recent years, the second book that touched me emotionally so much that I had come alone at the thought of the title of tears. Perhaps because Clint has the same birthday as me. Perhaps because of that very quote from the Book of Job, which I have selected for the little picture of my dead father, is quoted at the decisive point. Perhaps because a standard saying of my grandmother at a central point in the book falls. God willing.

But sometimes he will not.

The second book of the Defender of Hope - trilogy leaves me somewhat ambivalent. Stylistically, I thought the previous book something to be "round", and less liquid consisting of individual scenes, as I have here in some places had the impression. On the other hand, I felt here that much closer to the protagonists. I could in the first book to keep a certain (very pleasant) distance, so to me this was not possible. I was inexorably drawn into the action, have the professional pressures put on the FBI agents felt. Have mitgetrauert when it itself has not yet served, be it at the FBI, whether in the cancer center. And sometimes I was able to rejoice even in the far too few good events. While in the background agglomerate already the storm clouds, which are unloaded in the third part.

The focus of this book is on Clint and Sara. In the follow-up studies of a gunshot wound is diagnosed him with cancer. Of today will be tomorrow and on the lives of his family, as well as colleagues, thrown off course. Sara takes it twice, she reproached herself that she, as the oncologist had not even been diagnosed earlier. So while Clint takes the fight with cancer, his colleagues chase a serial killer, Steven and Michael, who seems to play cat and mouse with the FBI.

As in "The day that changed everything", there are always chapter from the perspective of the perpetrator. However, it is just seems obvious who that is. Very cleverly, the author lays false trails, so that at least I was completely wrong in my assessment. So obviously the offender in the first volume was so un-obvious he is here. How wrong I was, I have only discovered when the FBI has discovered the identity.

The book has taken me on an emotional roller coaster ride that often went down because the top. The loss rates are high - at the FBI, Department of crimes against children, as in the cancer clinic. Were in the previous abductions just impersonal cases, they came to me here closer. Or Frank, the only (living in the book), to die. That was really (read emotional) is hard, and I had some appeal at 30, 40 pages until a break.

The overall theme of the book is the author of the question whether one can really trust God in every situation. Not without reason, some times the book of Job is quoted, and finally whispered in the question: How do I praise God when life hurts so? (Page 231) lead. Again and again the protagonists get to this point, are just before (or after) of despair - and must continue that. These internal conflicts, in which help is no longer well-intentioned spells, I was personally well presented and convincing. I could identify myself with the "heroes" and understand their doubts and worries. Sure, ultimately, to a certain point, it is clear how the book will end. Even the most perfect and perfection is Gracias (criticized by Hanna). However, it appeared to me personally just not an exaggeration, but the people have (traded for me) in the given context believable and understandable. Just that has contributed more to the already mentioned nearby.

When I closed the book and movie in my head the words "The End" appeared, I was deeply disturbed at the same time, but also calm and satisfied. In the safe consciousness, the protagonists meet me to the heart grown once more again, worse in a safe premonition of several things that would come to light as well, hope in uncertain how everything will turn out eventually. And finally, the question of how should I hold out about three months, until I can read.

"Their history is different than ours, but God is the same. You can trust him. He will not let them down. "(Page 102)

Last but not least... Enduring Justice Auf Deutsch:

Ende Juli 2010Nervenkitzel pur

Amy Wallace

Im Hauch eines Augenblicks

Über zwei Jahrzehnte lang hat Hanna Kessler ihr Kindheitsgeheimnis tief in ihrem Innersten vergraben. Aber als die dunklen Schatten der Vergangenheit diejenigen zu zerstören drohen, die sie liebt, muss Hanna sich zu einem schwierigen Schritt durchringen. Sie muss sich den Erinnerungen an jenen Sommer stellen, der ihr Leben für immer veränderte. Und dem Mann, der bis heute ihre Gedanken beherrscht.

Als FBI-Agent weiß Michael Parker, was es bedeutet, einen Rückschlag zu erleiden. Schwierige Fälle und zerbrochene Beziehungen pflastern seinen Lebensweg. Aber als das System versagt und ein Rechtsextremist auf freien Fuß gesetzt wird, wächst sein Wunsch nach Vergeltung ins Unermessliche.

Der gut geplante Anschlag eines Rassisten zwingt Hanna und Michael, sich zu entscheiden. Wollen sie Rache üben oder der Gerechtigkeit zum Sieg verhelfen? Letzteres wäre ihre Chance auf Heilung. Aber ist Gerechtigkeit wirklich genug, wenn der Angriff sich gegen sie persönlich richtet?

In English:

Thrills

Amy Wallace

In the breath of a moment~ title

For over two decades, Hanna Kessler her childhood secret buried deep in her core. But threaten to destroy the dark shadows of the past than those who loves them, durchringen Hanna has become a difficult step. You must make the memories of that summer that changed her life forever. And the man who still dominates their thoughts.

As FBI Agent Michael Parker knows suffering, what does it mean a setback. Difficult cases and broken relationships pave his life. But when the system fails and a right-wing extremist is set free, his desire for revenge grows immeasurably.

The well-planned attack by a racist forces Hanna and Michael to choose to stay. Do you want revenge or justice to help the victory? The latter would be their chance of cure. But justice is real enough, if the attack is directed against them personally?

Enduring Justice, or should I say In the Breath of a Moment will be available in July 2010! ;-)

Sacred Parenting

I'm embarking on a new journey in parenting ~ very soon my oldest will be a teen. Instead of fearing this transition, I'm taking steps to make it the best it can possibly be. And I'm preparing my heart too.

As part of this process, my oldest and I started having an Esther Year and working through an amazing book: Queen Esther's Secrets of Womanhood by Ginger Garrett.


An Esther Year is a blueprint for activities to pamper mom and daughter and for discussions to go deep into stories of the past and wisdom for the future. We've enjoyed a number of diners or coffees out, fun beauty treatments, and lots of good talks.

It's been a great preparation for this transition.

But my heart needed more. So I hinted (okay, a lot) to my hubby and kids that for Mother's Day I wanted a specific book.

They were so wonderful to get it for me.

They had no idea just how much it would change all of our lives.

This book is Sacred Parenting by Gary Thomas. His book Sacred Marriage, which I read last year, changed my heart and my marriage in many profound ways.

I know God will show up through the pages and prose to transform me again in my parenting.

Today, I'm mulling over some fantastic and thought provoking quotes that I wanted to share with you.

"Christian parenting is truly a sacred journey. It invites us parents to purify ourselves, to use the process of raising kids to perfect holiness, and to do this consistently, every day, out of reverence for God."

This section, from chapter one, delves into 2 Corinthians 7:1 and the question: Why Parent?

I love this next quote. It beautifully articulates words that have lived in my heart ever since my oldest was born.

"In the good and the bad they (our children) mold our hearts, shape our souls, and invite us to experience God in newer and deeper ways."

I've long known that my children are amazing teachers, even before their first words. They've taught me about God's love, His infinite forgiveness, and the joy of sacrifice. I pray daily I might teach them something too.

Here are some other phenomenal quotes. I hope you'll savor them along with me.

"It is in families we are broken and it is in families that we are healed." Carl Whittaker

"Sunshine without rain is the recipe for a desert." Arab Proverb

"Repentance, contrary to popular misconception, is not a heroic first step I make toward Christ, nor is it a feeling-sorry-for my sins. It is the divine gift of being turned toward truth." William Willimon

"There is in repentance this great mystery~ that we may fly fastest home on broken wings." William Sullivan

I'm looking forward to this journey, knowing I'll be stretched farther than I've yet been and broken in places I wasn't aware needing breaking. But I'll also be taking a step closer to my heavenly Daddy and savoring His presence as He teaches me to parent more like Him.

I plan to enjoy the journey.

Influence and power

A very close friend called me up on Wednesday to wish me an early birthday and said she’d be praying for me on my birthday (today) and thanking God all day that He made me.

I nearly cried.

What a sweet thing to say and mean.

My daughters and I have been talking about power and influence this week, and today that thought converged with the idea of thanking God for someone’s life.

I wonder if the people I’m in authority over: my children, mentorees, students, lower belts in my martial arts, thank God for me.

What about you? Who do you influence? And how can you use that influence for good, like Jesus did?

By serving. It’s an easy Sunday school answer, but I wonder if you’re like me and that isn’t an everyday thought.

Who can you influence for good by serving?

It might be a smile, a kind word, a firm but loving round of discipline, a cheer when they’re trying hard but not quite getting it.

They may never say thank you, but they will someday be thankful for you. They may even spend your birthday thanking God that He made you because you made a difference in their life.

Always learning?

When I mentor or teach writers—elementary school kids with big dreams, teens, or adult writers—one of the first things I tell them is never stop learning. I also tell them that even if you think you know something so well you could do it in your sleep, keep practicing and improving it.

I got a nice object lesson of this truth the other day.

We were in a martial arts class, practicing blocking moves. In this particular class, we’d gone over these techniques for weeks. I was pretty confident I knew what I was doing.

But then all four advanced belt leaders had something else to show me.

At first, I was discouraged, thinking I’d never get it.

Then I realized they weren’t telling me the same stuff they’d told me last time or the time before. They were teaching me more advanced techniques and pushing me to learn more, to keep improving.

It clicked that evening that even if I know a million and one things about any given subject (I don’t), there are always a million and two things to learn.

Always learning has a ton of benefits—sharper mind, growing base of knowledge and wisdom, winning Trivial Pursuit. That last one matters, truly. Ask my friend Carrie.

It has benefits for the people around you too. Your learning can be a source of inspiration and it can give you opportunities to mentor and help someone else take one more step toward their dreams.

What can you learn today, this week, this year?

Then look around and find someone a few steps behind you in learning that same thing. Teach them, encourage them, and share what you’ve learned.

You’ll touch a life. You might even inspire a God-sized dream.

Happy Easter!

A beautiful look at the richness of Easter through the art of one of my favorite painters, Ron DiCianni.

Enjoy... and worship Him today. He is risen, indeed!

The Final Week of Jesus

This week, my daughters and I are reading through one of my favorite non-fiction books about Easter: And the Angels were Silent by Max Lucado. This book recounts in beautiful words and heart-healing stories the final week of Jesus.

Here's a snippet from the beginning of And the Angels were Silent ... "Commonly clad. Uncommonly focused. Leaving Jericho and walking toward Jerusalem. He doesn't chatter. He doesn't pause. He is on a journey. His final journey.

"Even the angels are silent. They know this is no ordinary walk. They now this is no ordinary week. For hinged on this week is the door of eternity. Let's walk with him. Let's see how Jesus spent his final days. Let's see what mattered to God."

As we've read, we've talked about what mattered most to Jesus. What He talked about this last week. What He taught about. What He did during these seven days...Jesus clearing the temple- His passion for God and His anger at those who would keep us from truly worshipping. We've talked about truth and lukewarm faith and the courage to dream again. Of sandcastles and tides and the fact life is fleeting. And that Jesus is coming back.

No matter how many times I've read this story- I've owned it since before I was married- I cry as I read each chapter. The words are that evocative and the truths that soul-watering.

It's one of the ways I keep this week in my heart.

I hope, no matter how you do it, that you keep this week in your hearts too. Remember who Jesus is and what He's done.

Remember the scourging and the cross.

Remember the blackness of Friday and the glory of Sunday.

An empty tomb. A risen Saviour.

And celebrate!

Fiction Mirror

Fiction mirrors real life.

I learned that hard truth while writing three suspense novels that delved into deep subjects, themes that poured out of my own struggles and triumphs, my own questions and wrestling with God. A lot of me and many people I know filled those pages.

You can't hide writing a novel. And you shouldn't. Because when fiction reflects real life, real people read and not only enjoy a great story that touches them on a deep level, but they also find hope and a mirror into their own soul.

Fiction reading and writing have forced me to face big issues in my heart. That's one of the reasons I'm a lifetime fiction reader and talk passionately about how fiction is a place where wounded people can find hope, healing, and encouragement.

But I've never found that to be true with fiction how-to books or DVDs.

Until last night.

My fantastic local writing group, WORD, met last night and watched part 2 of an amazing DVD ~ The Hero’s Journey.

In it, one of the presenters, Michael Hauge, taught about the hero's inner journey. I scribbled notes furiously and hoped at some point I'd understand concepts that weren't new but weren't quite fitting into my brain very well either.

When I got home, I brainstormed with my husband about my current characters' inner journeys until his eyes glassed over. I still didn't understand, and that bugged me. A lot.

So this morning as I was praying, I started thinking about the concept of identity and essence and how all of the other terms Mr. Hauge used to describe the inner journey fit together.

It hit me that I could plug myself into the concepts and maybe understand them better.

God is so sneaky in getting me to do this. He knew I couldn't pass up the chance to understand the benign subject of writing deeper. Little did I know, I'd be totally exposed in working through a technique just like I am in the actual writing.

As I've done in my books, author letters, and on this blog, I'm going to put my real life examples out there.

Mr. Hauge talked about the concept of longing, a wound, fear, identity, and essence. I'll explain them using me.

A longing~ I long to be a kind, gentle, emotional person.

What's funny to me about that longing is in many arenas I am that person, especially in my writing and with other writers. But it's taken me a long time to get healthy enough to honestly be who I am around other people, especially my family.

A wound~ Growing up I was made fun of for any emotional display, sometimes physically punished. These were not temper tantrum displays, but everyday ones like sadness, excitement, fear, ect. So I learned never to cry in front of anyone. Anger was the only acceptable emotion.

Fear~ Emotion equaled weakness in my family of origin, so my fear as I grew up was that if I showed emotion, besides anger, I'd be rejected and unwanted again.

Here is where I'd attach my understanding of "the lie," a truth and technique I learned from counseling to apply to my own life, to my fiction, and to teach to other writers. My lie that I've lived out of a majority of the time is I'm unwanted.

Identity~ I’ve defined myself as a strong woman and used anger like a sword. This was my protection against rejection in any situation where I might have to risk exposing my wound. Anger happens anytime my lie is pushed on or in some way shown to be true. As in anytime I've felt put down, disrespected, or not liked.

Essence~ This is something that took me a while to understand through Mr. Hauge's teaching. This is basically who the character, or real person, is when all their definitions of who they are get taken away. Instead of defining myself by my family, my work, my abilities, or my characteristics like strong and angry, essence is who I really am.

As a believer, who I am is God's child. A child He made to be very emotional, passionate, and (when I'm listening to Him and believing Him) a kind, gentle, caring person.

The journey of life and of a fiction novel is for the character to be stripped of identity and have their essence revealed and accepted as they live in a new reality being who they really are.

Writers, unlike our characters, are still in process. The last page of our story~ my story~ has yet to be written.

But this insight matters. It forced me to look in Jesus' face and bow before Him, confessing my lie, my self-protections, and my fears. And taking from Him the freedom to be who He created me to be.

I'm sure God has plenty more ways to teach me truths like this. And I’m sure I’ll need them.

But for today, I'm grateful a how-to book/ DVD on writing taught me truth about myself.

Now I must go make my fictional characters suffer as I have so they can rejoice like I am today. ;-)

Fiction is a beautiful mirror. So is anything that helps us look deeply inside and see what God would have us see.

How has a fictional novel or even a fiction how-to book mirrored you and revealed something that helped you grow?

Do What You Love

Life and writing both share some basic “rules.” Do your best. Don’t give up. Treat others the way you’d like to be treated—except you can’t do this to your characters until the last chapter.

An often overlooked “rule” is one thing I try to incorporate into everything I teach because it’s a bedrock good idea if you want to enjoy life… and writing.

Do what you love and do it with passion.

Love and passion are the intangible ingredients that change something good to something filled with wow, something which draws you back for more—everything from beautiful art to beautiful food to engaging drama, warm and wonderful knit clothing, and books worthy of a second or third read.

The big question here is not why—we all know why we love wow experiences and things—it’s how. How do we figure out what we love and do it with passion.

The first step is to think about what you loved as a child. Cooking? A breathtaking sunset? Taking pictures? Making things with your hands? Telling stories that made people laugh?

Often we find something we love as children and let life and busyness steal it away.

I never dreamed about becoming an author. But I started down that path when my husband pushed me to do something he knew I loved but I’d forgotten.

I’d won a writing contest in elementary school, a story telling contest in middle school. And I spent most of my days floating from one movie-like daydream to another. But it wasn’t until someone else saw that spark and nudged me to go for it that I remembered.

So I’m nudging you. What did you love to do as a child? Rediscover it.

The next step is to enjoy it again. Love painting but feel a bit rusty on techniques? Take a beginners class at a craft store or local church. Love photography but don’t know where to start? Barnes and Noble is full of inexpensive books to get you going.

Did you love arts and crafts as a kid? What about scrapbooking, sculpture, building ships or birdhouses or sewing or knitting? Again, ask about classes at a craft store, fabric store, community college or talk to people at church. Chances are someone there loves an activity you love and can help you get started and stay motivated with it.

Then pray about how you can use that thing you love, that activity or cause you’re passionate about, to serve others.

Of course, it’s wise to be praying every step of the way. But don’t let yourself get bogged down with fear about showing your art or creations to others. Not until you’re ready.

And when you are, keep praying. There are people out there who will help you get better. Ask God to connect you to those folks. It may not be easy to hear areas for improvement, but it will help you stick with it and grow.

Another possible step in this process is taking what you love and making a career out of it. Baking, knitting, photography, writing, and art are all areas that can move from hobby to career.

Just remember to do what you love and keep that passion alive. Enjoy it. Your work will shine because of it and your heart will be even more alive. And others will be drawn to that.

It’s a beautiful cycle of joy.

Welcoming 2010

It's January 11th and 2010 has already worn me out. We started the year with sickness and surgery, middle of the night laundry and pain meds around the clock.

But even in the sleep-deprived chaos, God has shown up and set a course for 2010 that scares me senseless at the same time it puts a smile on my face.

To begin with, I'm turning 40. Two of my children are passing through major growing up milestones. I'm training toward a black belt in martial arts. Did I mention I'm turning 40?

Feeling old aside, one of the interesting byproducts of how we entered 2010 (besides lack of sleep) was seeing my oldest shine as she endured her first major surgery.

Her doctor was so impressed he exhausted a thesaurus full of synonyms for amazing. Then, as she was coming out of twilight sleep, I caught of glimpse of the doctor's reasons.

My kiddo, still very asleep and out of it with anesthesia, began to finger spell words with the ASL alphabet. She spelled fine. Then signed that she'd had surgery. Not that I didn't already know that. ;-)

Then she finger spelled d-r-i-f-t. I couldn't figure that one out. So she pointed to the ceiling. Then I got it. She wanted to be sure I heard one of my favorite songs playing though the speakers: Drift Away by Dobie Gray.

I have an amazing little girl.

And this year we're doing something special together to celebrate who she is as we prepare her for the future.

We're having an Esther Year. Yes, this beautiful idea is straight out of another book I'd highly recommend: Queen Esther's Secrets of Womanhood by Ginger Garrett.

An Esther Year is a blueprint for activities to pamper mom and daughter and for discussions to go deep into stories of the past and wisdom for the future.

The first month we'll be talking about beauty. Ginger says, "Beauty is a reflection of God's character and His artistic nature, but the more we focus on defining human beauty in human measurements, the more we're distracted from God."

So we'll be talking about how we've defined beauty and what makes a person beautiful. And what God has to say about beauty.

The part about this Esther Year's journey that makes me smile is how much my daughter is looking forward to our time together.

The part that scares me senseless is that my daughter is looking forward to this time together... and I wonder if I'm up for the task of sharing stories from my past and imparting wisdom as my daughter races into womanhood.

Can I ask a favor? Would you do two things?

One is pray.

The other is help this tom-boy mom with the topic of beauty. Honestly, I had to go to a Clinique counter as an adult to figure out how to apply makeup the right way. (As in not the too blue eye shadow of the 80s I tried when I was 13 with miserable results.)

One of the story starters is a question about who were the most beautiful women when I was growing up. And what made them beautiful. I'm drawing a complete blank. Any suggestions?

Also, I'm curious... how do you define beauty? Inside or outside, or a combination of both? How do your actions back up your definition?

Let's talk!

I'm sure all of us will come away better prepared to encourage and inspire the women around us to see themselves as beautiful.

All About Love

Today is my fifteenth wedding anniversary. And it's fitting that today I'm finally ready to share my word for 2010, a tradition started years ago.

Unlike other years, we haven't spent a lot of time this holiday season looking back over 2009. It was a hard year. One better left in the hands of God as we trust Him to take the last 365 days and continue the quiet work He was always about.

My word for 2009 was PEACE. The oddest of all the words God has given me to reflect on for the coming year.

But it was the good way God showed Himself in the midst of multiple hard things. He was our peace. Both felt and not realized until well after the fact.

When I do look back on 2009, PEACE is what covers everything.

I pray I'll say the same this time next year, because the word for 2010 is LOVE.

Fitting for today, the day David and I said I DO to whatever God had in store.

Like 2009, our wedded bliss has been a challenge, more like a roller coaster ride of high heights and deep drops that God has covered in His grace.

And God has always been at work teaching us about His love.

Sometimes we've listened.

Sometimes we've touched heaven. We've held three precious gifts of God in our arms and released one straight to God's arms.

We've stood in awe when our Heavenly Daddy became our daughters' Heavenly Daddy too.

We've celebrated birthdays and Christmases and anniversaries where love was the focus.

But as God whispered my 2010 word, it was clear there's much more to learn.

I have so much more to learn.

Especially in everyday moments. Those small flashes of time where God is always there, always speaking, and where we make choices which seem small, decisions that don't feel like big things. But they change the course of our lives.

Sometimes, in those seemingly small moments, I don't listen. School, work, even serving others creates a static that drowns out God's words. But God doesn't give up on us. He continues drawing us closer, opening our eyes and ears.

In one of those everyday moments full of big potential, God got my attention and I listened to a set of verses that my whole family got excited about.

Since then, we've started saying these verses together, the verses God used to turn my heart to thoughts of 2010 and LOVE.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Sh'ma Yis'ra'eil Adonai Eloheinu Adonai echad.
Hear, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.

Barukh sheim k'vod malkhuto l'olam va'ed.
Blessed be the Name of His glorious kingdom for ever and ever.

V'ahav'ta eit Adonai Elohekha b'khol l'vav'kha uv'khol naf'sh'kha uv'khol m'odekha.
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

V'hayu had'varim ha'eileh asher anokhi m'tzav'kha hayom al l'vavekha.
And these words that I command you today shall be in your heart.

V'shinan'tam l'vanekha v'dibar'ta bam
And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and you shall speak of them

b'shiv't'kha b'veitekha uv'lekh't'kha vaderekh uv'shakh'b'kha uv'kumekha
when you sit at home, and when you walk along the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up.

Mark 12:29-31

'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

These verses jumped off the page as God reminded me that it truly is all about love. So that's my prayer and my hope for 2010: that all we say and do be all about LOVE.

Speaking of love.... Happy Anniversary, honey! I'm more in love with you today than on that extra-special day fifteen years ago when my heart was more full than ever before. I love you. Always.

And Happy New Year, everyone!

May your 2010 be filled with LOVE. A love that wraps around your heart and soul and warms you in the cold moments, calms you in the tough moments, thrills you in the joyous moments, and comforts you in every moment.

May you love as Jesus loved~ with all that He is. Enjoy 2010 and love well.

Christmas Gifts

The stockings are hung, the decorations are out, and like many of you all I'm almost too exhausted to enjoy the fruits of the labor.

Except that God keeps taking me back to a few simple things...

We celebrate Christmas because of one reason: Jesus came.

Everything else is icing.

So instead of focusing on the icing, I wanted to share some of the good stuff God has been showing me about the Christmas story.

The First Christmas Gifts

Salvation~ Jesus came to make a way for us to be reconciled to God. He came to be the perfect sacrifice, the Lamb of God, on the cross. I wonder if that's one of the reasons the angels proclaimed the first birth announcement to shepherds.

Peace~ After God's glory was proclaimed, the angels spoke of peace to men on whom His favor rests. That's us, His children. He is our peace.

Hope~ Jesus was born into a dark world, a world where many had given up hope. But because of His birth, centuries later we can have hope. Hope that all the trials and hardships have a purpose and that this life is not the end. Because of Jesus, we can anticipate heaven and spending forever face to face with the One who loves us more than we can ever comprehend.

Purpose~ From shepherds to prophets and wise men, in our uniqueness we can proclaim Him and share the good news that sent wise men journeying far, prophets shouting out praise, and shepherds telling everyone they met about all they had seen.

I hope, as you open other gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, that you'll remember these first Christmas gifts too. And rejoice in the truth that God's gifts are life changing. They're never too old or too used to unwrap and enjoy year after year.

May your Christmas be full of awe and wonder as you worship the newborn King, God with us~ Immanuel!

Merry Christmas!!!

Noel with the Novelists

Merry Christmas, everyone!

I'm thrilled to be among a group of Christian fiction authors opening our homes for a special holiday tour and our personal wishes to YOU.

The awesome Marlo Schalesky has linked to me, so if you're stopping by from her blog, a special welcome to you!

Enjoy the video below and then continue the tour by hopping over to my friend and historical fiction author and beauty expert, Ginger Garrett, and her festive video.



Next stop, Ginger Garrett's blog~ Happy Christmas to all!

Making a Difference

Christmas is an amazing time of the year when many turn their focus outward and see how they can show kindness to neighbors and complete strangers.

Because of thankful lists my family made this Thanksgiving and an offhand comment about making our lists come true for others, we're entering this holiday season and 2010 looking for ways to spend time, treasure, and talents to help others.

I have the beginnings of a list for ways to serve others, but would love to enlarge it. Maybe one listed here or hopefully in the comments will start your heart to pumping faster and you'll know you've found a way to make a difference this holiday season and on into 2010.

One person can make a difference. One family even more.

What about you? Who will your life touch this December and New Year?

Ways to Make a Difference:

Give the gift of hope

Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree: http://www.angeltree.org/angeltree-home

Harvest of Hope: give gifts that change lives www.harvestofhope.org

Give the gift of food

Heifer International: giving families a source of food rather than short-term relief http://www.heifer.org

Give the gift of security

Compassion International exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults. http://www.compassion.com/

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian charity organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. http://www.worldvision.org/

Give the gift of respect and health

Secret Angels Project: provide gift cards for moms and grandmoms who care for children born with HIV. Your gift also provides warm clothing, coats, socks, underwear and a toy. Secret Angels Project has offered crisis support in Christian love for the past ten years. http://www.secretangelsproject.com

Thanksgiving Thoughts

New ideas and traditions abound this Thanksgiving Day in the Wallace home. We started the day a new way with a snuggle time devotion in our bed.

First we all piled in and David read Psalm 100. And then each of our girls read Psalm 100 from their different versions of the Bible. Even our youngest... with a little help from Mom.

It was so beautiful.

Next, instead of waiting for the big dinner to do kernels of corn and say five things we're thankful for, we each took sheets of paper and listed lots and lots of things from this past year we're thankful for.

Before I share our lists, an idea hit me. What if we took these lists and found ways to make them come true for others in 2010?

So that's our plan for 2010. Want to join us?

First make a list. Then choose as a family which things you're thankful for to make happen for someone else.

I'd love it if you could share some ideas here. We just might inspire each other and others to make 2010 an incredible year of blessings.

Here's my thankful list:

Jesus being real and powerful in my life
My husband and amazing daughters
David's job
Anchor church and participating in the Children's Ministry through drama
Writing
Teaching
WORD~ Writer's of Remarkable Design
Tao Hsieh Wu Shu and the amazing believers we've met there
Writing a new book that I'm loving

The encouragement from readers and fellow authors who have become friends~ you all make my life so much richer!

Lizzy~ a young lady I'm mentoring in writing

Chip MacGregor~ my awesome agent who keeps me striving higher and working happier

Best friends~ Jen, Sharon, Elizabeth, and Carrie. I love praying with these ladies, laughing, and being nudged to keep growing and loving well

Beauty Secrets of the Bible book~ it's made us rethink our definitions of beauty and see ourselves as beautiful

Beach trips with friends~ Stewarts and Medlins. You guys make it soooo much more fun!

Fresh air
Clean water
Abundant food
A comfortable bed
Books
Laughter
Health~ being in better health this year because of martial arts
Our Compassion Children
Freedom

David's list included many of the above plus:

The gift of a car we couldn't afford
Men's Bible study
A mentor
Growth in our relationships

Our girls has these things to add:

My Bible
My toys
Disney trip
Pictures of fun times
Light
Clothes and PJs
Food and treats
Heaven
Life
Nature
Education
Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes
Indoor plumbing
Animals
Snuggle sessions and devotions

Right away, my mind zeroed in on fresh air, clean water, Bibles, and other things we can be part of bringing to people around the world.

Also, church ministries. What are your gifts and how can you use them in your local body?

How about special times with loved ones and welcoming someone without that into your home and heart?

The possibilities are endless. So what will you do all through 2010? Please share your ideas!

And have a Thanksgiving filled with special, heart-filling moments of love!

Thanksgiving mishaps

Now that many thoughts are turning to turkey and all the fixings, I'm gonna share a red-faced Thanksgiving moment.

This holiday humor is inspired by my dear friend Sharon Hinck as we traded Thanksgiving foibles today.

First you should know that two years ago I was diagnosed with gluten allergies as well as an allergy to eggs and dairy. Sort of shoots Thanksgiving recipes out of the water, huh? Yep.

So this year we're getting creative with all new recipes we pray retain the taste.

So far we've tried cranberry chutney which turned out pretty well. And I baked a from-scratch pumpkin pie.

That's my offering for today's holiday chuckle.

To begin with, I made this pumpkin pie for the first time to take to our church's Thanksgiving meal.

First mistake.

But all went well the entire adventure. My kids looked on with awe as I masterfully pretended to know all about these weird flours and other stuff the recipe required.

A little over two hours later, the pie turned out looking great and smelling great. I even put a cute pumpkin cut out of crust on the top of the pie.

Then we loaded up our food offerings and proceeded to church.

The meal was wonderful. The company awesome.

But at the end of the evening I found the dessert table still held my almost intact pie.

Why?

Apparently, the thick pie crust was hard to cut.

As in try cutting a brick.

So it's back to the drawing board for me... I'm still working on allergy free and tasty... minus the bricks.

And I'll try it out on my family first. ;-)

Life lessons

I'm not big on jumping into the deep end with my eyes closed. It scares the daylights out of me.

But my family and I are part of an amazing group of believers who are also martial artists. The head of our school, our Soke, seems to think it's good to grow.

Which I'm all for... except that deep end, eyes closed jumping.

So he sort of shoved me~ nicely~ off that diving board.

And David and I landed in our first martial arts competition this past Saturday.

My hubby not only looked formidable, he also took ownership of his ring and came out with a second place trophy!

Way to go honey!!!

I came out of the entire experience having learned some valuable lessons.

The first is Do Your Best The FIRST time.

Circumstances converged to shake my confidence, and I didn't adjust. I stayed shaken and technically did a good job with my traditional form~ so says my husband. He's sort of biased, though.

But I knew inside I'd not done my best. And I was ticked at myself.

God was gracious and gave me a second chance. I'd tied for third, and a trophy was on the line.

So I got out there and gave it my all. I earned a score I'm proud of and experienced the difference between good and best.

It's a lesson I won't forget.

The second lesson is to never stop learning.

One of my favorite people in our martial arts school inspires me to keep reaching higher and learning more. She's graceful, amazingly strong (I have bruises to prove it) and such a beautiful person inside and out.

Julia is the kind of person who teaches by example and encouragement. I want to be more like her as I grow in martial arts.

The last lesson I'll articulate here is to cheer for others~ loudly.

No matter what you're doing, sometimes the difference between giving up and giving your all is someone in the crowd cheering for you.

I want to be the person whose words spur others on and strengthen them to do their best.

So that's my goal for the next tournament: Do my best the first time, keep learning, and cheer others on~ loudly.

It's my goal for all of life too.

One last thing I learned... martial artist have pretty good taste in books. Don't ya think? ;-)

Twenty years too late for prom

Seeing as I've already passed my twentieth high school reunion, I've had little use for a prom dress.

Until the first part of November, that is.

My family and I were recently asked to be in a wedding and we said yes. That involved a trip back home to Louisville and getting my children and myself all dressed up. Hubby even donned a tux. He looked amazing too!

We practiced and talked a lot about proper wedding manners.

And we survived. No one fell. (I tripped a couple of times.)

No one burped the ABC's at the formal dinner either.

Success! ;-)

But our kids were ready for bed after a long spin on the dance floor. David and I were not.

So we took a nice horse drawn carriage ride and then headed back to the hotel in downtown Louisville.

The girls were given a cell phone and strict orders not to burn the hotel down while David and I did something we've never done before...

We left our oldest (of baby-sitting age) in charge and went out for a very late dinner.

Dressed in prom attire.

I've never been looked at so weirdly in my life.

I mean, really... what's so strange about a guy in a tux and a lady in a huge, billowing purple dress???

Maybe if we were in our teens and it was prom weekend, all would have been well.

But prom was a long time ago and so were our teen years.

Even so, David and I had a great time, a great dinner, and got some extra mileage out of our wedding attire.

So what do you think? Would you have given us weird looks???

Words

I have a love hate thing going on with words. From what I’ve noticed as a teacher, a church leader, and even in my home, lots of folks feel the same way.

We love words when we’re understood and hate it when we’re not.

We love crafting the right response to a sticky subject, sharing a word fitly spoken, and cheering up a friend. But at the same time, we hate when those things we call words fail us.

Aren’t you glad we can pray without words? (Romans 8:26)

This weekend, and into the holiday season, I encourage you to listen closely to your words. Are they saying what you want them to say?

Or are they getting you into trouble?

Either way, God is there with infinite patience and understanding and wisdom to help. After all, He spoke the world into being and is called the Author of our faith.

Talk to Him. If necessary, use words.