Friday, November 28, 2008

And the winner is....

And the winner of my Autumn Giveaway....the winner of the amazing story by Alison Pittman...the winner of a FREE book is....
COURTNEY MALONE!!!
Congrats Courtney!
Email me your address at betsystamant@yahoo.com and I'll send your copy ASAP!
Happy Thanksgiving! Blessings!!
* CHECK BACK SOON FOR MORE CONTESTS AND GIVEAWAYS *

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!!!


Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

A Day In the Life of Audrey...

Ssshh.....

Mom doesn't know I'm writing this. She blogs allllllll the time, so I thought I'd take a shot at it and tell you what my life is REALLY like!

First of all, I get woken up from a sound sleep most mornings around 6:30. Why don't they just let me sleep??? Mom then coos and grins and makes really weird faces at me over the edge of my crib. I usually smile back just so she'll stop. Then I get my diaper changed - FINALLY, by now its like ten lbs - and my nightgown comes off. Sometimes I get stuck. That's kinda scary.


Its really cold being nakey, but my crib blankie is soft so that's good. I get wrestled into my clothes for the day, and then WHOOOOSH I'm suddenly in the air and in her arms and we're heading down the hallway to eat breakfast. She always calls breakfast "waffles" or "pancakes" or "bacon" but I know its just formula. Silly Mama.

Some days Daddy feeds me in the morning, then I'm usually forced into such shenanigans as pictured below. Oh, the embarassment.



After breakfast I have to sit in my bouncer chair and watch cartoons while Mom bustles around doing different things in the kitchen and in her room. I don't know why she puts the tube on Blues Clues or Max & Ruby when I really want to watch CNN. I need to be briefed, you know? I need to know what's going on in that big world out there. But nooooo, Mama insists on the cartoons. I want to make her happy though, so I kick and play with my stuffed horse, Moo, and watch the TV for her sake.



Then it's off we go again. I get stuck in my carseat and ushered into the car, and zzooooom down the bumpy gravel driveway toward Nana's house. Over the river and through the woods, indeed. Some mornings when its cold Mom makes me wear a beanie and a coat. I like my LSU hat though. Its pretty trendy.


I spent the day at Nana's sometimes while Mama goes somewhere called Work. She always tells me she'd rather be with me, which is nice. Other days Daddy is home and we hang out at the house until Mama gets back. Then its playtime!!




One night we all three played Snoopy Monopoly. Dad showed me his money. It doesn't look like real money. Bottom line, Dad, can I buy shoes with that or not???


My parents are pretty cool, even if they do keep making funny faces at me all the time. They take good care of me and we do fun stuff together. Like one night we went to a hockey game. That was super neat.

Sometimes Mama reads me books. I like that. The pictures are bright and fun. Other times we go for walks outside in what they call the "country" and see big trees. I like being outside. Mama lets me sit in her lap in her office at the computer and help her write blogs and stories and emails. She types so fast!
Oh and somedays Mama takes me to the station to visit Daddy. The other fireman are pretty handsome but not as handsome as Daddy. They all ooohh and ahhh over me and tell me how sweet and beautiful I am. That's nice. But Daddy tells me the same thing all the time and I like that better.



Night time is usually bath time and snuggle time. Me and Mama watch Wheel of Fortune almost every evening. We should be rich by now, but I guess if you play from home you don't get to keep the money!!!! =(
I like my nights at home with Mama and Daddy. Some nights Daddy works, so me and Mama hang out. My favorite nights are the ones where we're all together. =)
Yes, nighttime is good. Except for the other evenign when I was force fed rice cereal from a spoon. Let's just say I'll leave you to imagine what happened next.....

That's it! That's my life in a nutshell. Food, sleep, food, burps, food, more sleep, food, playtime. It's a good life! I liked being cozy in Mama's womb but being out here is pretty cool. I like Mama and Daddy's hugs and snuggles and kisses a LOT.
Mama and Daddy tell me all the time how much they love me, and how much Nana and Papa and my aunts and uncles and friends love me. And how much Jesus loves me. I don't know much about Him yet but I am sure I will one day. So much doesn't make sense around here yet but I bet I get smarter as the days go on. I used to not even be able to move much on my own, and now I can hold my head up and everything. I'm a genius! Watch out world!
~ LOVE AUDREY

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...?


I think the famous Christmas song is mistaken. The most wonderful time of the year to me has to be Autumn.




Think about it. It's glorious! The leaves are changing, the trees are covered in rust and gold, the air is crisp. I think of Autumn and immediately smell a woodburning fire place and feel a cold breeze on my face. I think of caramel apples and leaves crunching under my shoes and warm sunny afternoons. I think of roasted marshmallows and bonfires and hay rides.

Technically, I suppose Autumn is a season of dying. The leaves offer one last, gasping breath of color before succombing to winter's chill. The world is giving up life for the winter, to be reborn in the spring.

But to me, Autumn represents life. The season falls toward the end of the calendar year, but its also a time of fresh starts - such as the school year beginning. It's a season of change - changing the clothes in our closets, changing the decorations inside and outside our houses...and hopefully changing our mindset as another season graces us with its red and yellow presence. We can choose to embrace the coming season and the coming holidays with joy. We can choose to offer our lives as a colorful sacrifice to Christ, just as the leaves do every year. We can choose to be clothed in God's glory and live our lives worthy of honoring Him.


In honor of my favorite season, I'm doing a book giveaway this week. Alison Pittman's SPEAK THROUGH THE WIND, a potent, inspiring story of forgiveness and change.


Here's a blurb:

When Reverend Joseph plucks a gravely wounded child from the mean streets of Manhattan’s rough Five Points District, he intends to give her a real home. And though Kassandra flourishes in the preacher’s house, learning Bible verses at his knee and going to school, as a young teenager she makes the first of many devastating decisions, running away from the only haven she’s ever known.

What follows is a waking nightmare: life in a tiny room above a brothel, the loss of a child, a lover’s rejection, and finally, life as a prostitute. As circumstances lead her further and further from the reverend’s secure home, an ashamed Kassandra is certain that neither God, nor Joseph, will ever forgive her.

Feeling as though she has nothing left to lose and nowhere to go, Kassandra leaves behind her hopes of redemption and heads west to California, where she is transformed into the woman known as Sadie.

Unfortunately, nothing in her life is pointing to a happy ending, and Sadie is forced to grapple with the question: Once you’ve passed the point of no return, can you ever go back?

To sign up for this amazing novel in the Crossroads of Grace series, simply leave a comment to this post telling me your favorite part of Autumn and why. Then check back this upcoming Friday the 28th to see if you won! =)
Happy Autumn, everyone!

Monday, November 24, 2008

It's almost Thanksgiving!!




I saw a Snoopy comic strip that showed Snoopy telling Woodstock that at Thankgsgiving, people eat turkey...and chicken, quail, and pheasant. Snoopy said "it's a bad time to a bird."
Woodstock's response?
"Woof!" =)
It might be a bad time to be a bird, but it's a great time to be a mom, and a wife! I'm so looking forward to Audrey's first Thanksgiving. She's just now mastering the art of rice cereal, so its not like she can really partake of any Thankgsiving treats, but I believe its never too early to start teaching my daughter how to be grateful. Teaching her how to count blessings and be thankful for her family, her food, her toys, etc. even now at this young age could have positive effects later.
I know how blessed we are, and I want my daughter to feel that postive energy. I want her to be aware of her blessings and be thankful for them year-round, not just at Thanksgiving. I want her to be grateful for good health, for loving family and friends, for a good church, for always having her needs met, etc. There are so many people in the world who struggle, who live in extreme poverty, who can't always eat and drink enough or be clothed and warm all the time. I want her to be aware of that difference in lifestyle and grow up wanting to help others by donating to food drives or toy drives, to sponsoring children in third world countries, etc. I want her to see Jesus in those acts and be used by Jesus to meet the needs of others. And I want her to grow up grateful for the new things she does get, instead of just always wanting more.

Wow, being a Mom is hard work. =)
Well, I already know she's already grateful for her new stuffed horse. haha. This morning she was playing with him in her bouncer chair and I said "You need to name your horsey. What's your horsey's name?" She looked right at him and said "moo". Haha!! She's starting to get her coos and goos down , and apparently we're working on "M" now as well. So now we have a horse named Moo. =)
What does everyone have planned for Thanksgiving?
Hubby has to work so I'll be hanging out with Audrey and my family, at my grandma's house part of the day and at another grandma's another part of the day. It'll be busy but fun! I'm sure we'll visit Hubby at the station at some point and take him some desserts and let Audrey give him a kiss. (okay, its more like a lick, she's not really mastered kissing yet either but loves licking things. LOL!!)
Anything fun planned???

Friday, November 21, 2008

To see or not to see...

......That is the question!


As a lot of people know, the long awaited tween/teen movie Twilight is released today in theater, based off the ever-growing famous novel series by Stephanie Meyer. These books are geared toward YA and are, of course, labeled secular, but I've heard great things about them from fellow ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) members who read them to study craft. Apparently the tension between the main characters is worth studying, and because of the circumstances between the characters (i.e. one is a vampire, one is not) the issue of physical intimacy IS an issue. The vampire loves her and doesn't want to get carried away and hurt her, therefore, no touchy.

Which is actually a refreshing twist from the sexual romps that sadly fill the pages of most YA books today.

And you know what? Twilight, by Stephanei Meyer, is the number 4 ranked best selling book on Amazon's charts today, and I know it was selling even better than not too long ago!




I'm going to read at least the first book before I see the movie. To be honest, it looks like a pretty good story and as an author, I like to read the books that are somewhat controversial and are best-sellers.

Which brings me to the debate - as Christian authors, should we put ourselves in the position of reading these books/watching these movies?

I'm strict with myself and my family concerning movies. If there is graphic sex or over-the-top language or extremely violent scenes that I know I won't like watching, I won't see it, even if its supposed to be a best seller. There is a website I go to before seeing any movie in the theater that screens them. http://www.kidsinmind.com/ If anything is over the top, it will tell you! (there, now you have no excuse either to watch smut) =) They have archives of old movies, too, if you are curious about renting one from the store.

Same with books. If one is known for being disgustingly violent and putting bad pictures in my head, I'll steer clear. Those don't appeal to me. If its laden with sex, same thing. Though that is easier to skim past the 2-3 pages to get to the point afterward. Like with THE NOTEBOOK- one of my favorite books/movies ever, and there is a pretty big scene in it. But its also a love story that will easily become a classic for tomorrow. Therefore, I skip those pages and hit fast forward on the DVD player.

I digress. Back to my point...

I'll admit it - I read THE DA VINCI CODE. And I saw the movie! And you know what - I thought it was pretty good. Craft-wise, the book needed some help. Oy. But tell that to Dan Brown who can probably live quite comfortably off the interest of the royalties he made, and be set for life.




Same with TWILIGHT. Several of the reviews on Amazon from readers say they were disappointed because of typos, weak writing, bad pacing, etc. Yet...still a best seller. Story beats craft, unfortunately or fortunately, you decide. Its just true. And in the world of media, there really is no such thing as BAD publicity. Christians as a whole went nuts fighting the movie release of THE DAVINCI CODE and you know what? I feel that really just made it even more of a hit. People got curious and so sales went up. Kinda like rubber necking at a wreck. Its human nature.

I keep chasing rabbits!! Okay, my point is as a Christian, I don't want to support "bad" books and "bad" movies. But as an author, I want to understand and study the concepts behind best sellers. What makes them best sellers? What makes characters so beloved? What is going to make Stephanie Meyer an extremely wealthy, famous woman? She came out of nowhere, sort of like J.K. Rowling, and while she probably won't ever reach Rowling's unbelievable level of fame and fortune, she's going to be pretty darn close.

Where is that line between studying and endorsing? Researching and supporting?

My question for you today, Christian authors and Christian readers, what do you think? What are you convicted about regarding books and movies? What is your view on this debate?

Tell me!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

You know you're tired when....



You know you're tired when....


10. Your eyes burn when you stare at your computer screen.

9. You don't have the energy to pop the top of your Diet Coke.

8. You consider a coffee IV.

7. You squint against the sun and almost fall asleep in your car.

6. You realize you're so far past tired that tired would actually feel fabulous.

5. You talk with a hoarse voice and don't even care how stupid you sound.

4. You look as if you're wearing red eye liner.

3. You don't even check to see if your shoes match your outfit before stumbilng out the house.

2. People look at you as if you might be on some kind of illegal drug.


And the number one sign you KNOW you're tired is....


1. You're waiting for your elevator in the lobby of a crowded, public bank building and you have no problem closing your eyes, leaning against the wall, and nearly falling asleep.

FYI - the above 10 things have ALL happened to me this morning so far.

Caffeine, anyone?


My daughter has slept through the night - soundly - since she was about 8 weeks old. She's 4 months now but for some reason the past week she's been restless at night. We think its because she's pre-teething and is getting uncomfy. Usually we (usually ME) can go in her room and roll her over on her side (her preferred sleep position) or give her her pacifier, etc. and she'll be fine. She wakes up crying but never actually WAKES up. Just fusses enough to need some kind of help or adjustment. She'll go right back to sleep after just a second of "fixing" but then will do the exact same thing 20-45 minutes later. Its like this all night long after about midnight.


I'm praying its just a stage. We got spoiled sleeping all night for so long that now its even harder to get up then it was when she was a newborn. Plus, we both work, and I get up most mornings at 5:15 anyways to get me and Audrey dressed and ready to take her to Nana's house for the day.


Anyone else been through this? Any advice? The doctor gave us permission to start Audrey on rice cereal tonight so maybe that will help her sleep more soundly. I'm praying so!!!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Super Hero Alert!



Ssshh.....

I've discovered a secret. A very special, very intense secret that dawned on me July 14th, 2008 and has continued to prove itself to me over and over ever since.


Moms are Super heroes.


It's true! Think about it.
There's no other explanation for how Moms can:
1. Contort their bodies while driving a car to hold a pacifier in their baby's mouth during a 35 minute ride home.
2. Manage to do/perform/get/take/bring everything their baby needs to them 24/7 while running on zero sleep and even less energy.
3. Make bottles in the middle of the night with their eyes closed, yet still measure just the right amount of formula.
4. Make their babies smile when no one else can.
5. Put their own needs on hold for hours or longer while taking care of their baby. After 9 months of bladder abuse, we can still somehow manage to hold it while in the middle of Baby's snacktime.
6. Show amazing amounts of patience and understanding and compassion while the non-super-hero part of us wants to bang our heads against the wall until we knock ourselves unconscious and finally get some sleep.
7. Suddenly become ambidextrous. A mom who has been right handed for 24 years can suddenly eat and perform other tasks easily with her left hand.
8. Multi-task like nobody's business. Moms can carry a fussy baby on their hip and still cook dinner, do a load of laundry, make a bed, straighten up the house, and type at a computer.
9. Manage to stretch a onesie with a ridiculously small neck hole over Baby's head. Proportionally, its impossible. But not for Super Mom!

And most importantly, only a Super hero Mom could:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
10. Do it all over again with Baby #2!!
So cheers to you, fellow Moms. Cheers for your sore necks, achy backs, red-rimmed eyes, and hearts of gold. God bless you today!!

Monday, November 17, 2008

The Purse Predictor...

How about a fun quiz to start our Monday? This little quiz was eerily accurate for me!!!

WHAT DOES YOUR HANDBAG SAY ABOUT YOU?


You are concerned with how you appear.
Projecting your high status is important to you.You tend to be relaxed throughout the day.
You are naturally at peace.
You are a high maintenance person.
You feel lost outside of your normal environment.
You are open and comfortable with who you are.
You don't hide anything.You are an organized and together person.
You are competent and successful.
You are practical and down to earth.
You tend to be a rather reserved and quiet person.

Take it yourself HERE and post your results in the comment section!

Friday, November 14, 2008

7 Little Things...

I was tagged by my friend Stacy (check out her Etsy creations on her blog! Amazing baby gear!) and so I'm supposed to write 7 random things about myself, then tag 7 other people to do the same!

Here are the rules:

Put a link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.

Share 7 random facts about yourself on your blog.

Then tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their name as well as links to their blogs.

Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

HERE WE GO!

1. I've been to Mexico. (laying on the beaches there make you feel like you should be in a Kenny Chesney video or something! BEAUTIFUL ocean and sand!!!)

2. I'm claustrophobic. (even driving my car in heavy rain or a thick fog makes me that way! weird!)

3. I'm coulrophobic (super afraid of clowns!)

4. If it were up to me, I'd take an hour nap or longer every SINGLE day. Sleep is the best!

5. I have two books coming out with Steeple Hill Love Inspired in 2009!

6. I'm a hockey fan. (Go Mudbugs!)

7. I have two vices in life - Diet Coke, and tanning beds. =)

Now for the tagging of 7 lucky others...hehehe

Georgiana
Erica
Shelley
Jenness
Jenny
Eileen
Lori

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The things we'll never know...

Angels.


Some appear with the faintest rustle of wings...the barest fluttering of wind as an invisible motion teases tendrils of your hair, the smallest beacon shining between tree branches in the twilight while golden shadows dance past the moon.

Others appear in the shrieking of metal as celestial arms of steel haul back on your car bumper.

The things we'll never know...

This morning it was raining - steadily, since before I woke up. I was already dreading the drama of getting me and Audrey and all our stuff in my car to take her to my mom's house for the day. It's hard enough juggling my purse, my lunch box, my jacket, her diaper bag, and her in her carseat without the hassle of rain - and no porch roof or quick way of walking to the carport since our muddy yard seeps over the concrete stepping stones if the skies even CONSIDER raining.

But, I'm a Mom, a.k.a. Superhero, so we'd figure it out, right? =) Thankfully Super Dad brought my umbrella in from the car earlier so we'd at least have a shot at staying dry.

Against all odds, I somehow got me, Audrey and all Our Stuff loaded in the car on time as usual and only slightly damp. We hit the road, windshield wipers on full speed, and crunched down the gravel road. Turned onto our fun windy, twisty, wet country highway, and made our way toward town. An 18 wheeler was coming toward me in the opposite lane, so I scooted over a tad to give the monster some room. They never slow down on these country roads, even in the rain! Hooligans.

The 18 wheeler passes and from out of NOWHERE, a burgundy Buick pulls out of a driveway in front of me. It was like I was simply invisible, or maybe they never thought to check both ways after the 18 wheeler monster passed. Regardless, I'm going 45-50 mph. as is the speed limit, and she is suddenly in front of me. The old woman doesn't even pull out in front of me and lay on the gas pedal, nooooo - she pulls out in front of me and just sort of hovers. Like a bad perfume.

I SLAMMED on the brakes. A no-no in wet weather, I know - but seriously, what else could I do? I've been in a 3-car, double rear-ending accident several years ago and had no desire to be an accordian ever again. I sucked in my breath and debated whether it'd be better to hit the Buick or go off into the ditch on the side of the road, all while fishtailing across my lane. Not good options but in that literal split second of decision time, I opted against the ditch. Too steep and muddy, we'd never get my car out, plus the impact might be worse at such an angle.

I wanted to close my eyes, but didn't. I knew we wouldn't stop in time, the Buick was barely moving and I'd had zero time to react anyway. We were going to nail her.

But we didn't.

There was no hard jerking motion of being pulled away, no sudden stop, no pressure or impact or anything to indicate someone or Something tugging us back from danger. But I know it happened. There is simply no reasonable, logical, earthly explanation for why we didn't slam into that Buick.

But I happen to believe in things that aren't always reasonable, logical or earthly. =)

Grandma in the Buick (seriously, she must have been 100 years old and DEFINITELY should not be allowed to drive) puttered on down the road after that at 29 miles per hour (15 under the speed limit) oblivious to what almost happened and somehow oblivious to me laying on the horn for the next quarter mile as I struggled to stop shaking and breathe again.

No angel wings in the dust on my bumper. No celestial fingerprints.

But...

"...faith is being...certain of what we do not see." Hebrew 11:1

Monday, November 10, 2008

Another fantastic novel by Lynn Austin!

What an amazing novel! Lynn Austin has always been one of my favorite authors, ever since I read All She Ever Wanted. Lynn is a master storyteller, no doubt about it. And this new novel of hers doesn't disappoint! I'm not quite done with it yet, and to be honest I'm a little sad to think about it being finished!! It's that poignant and touching.

Here's the back cover copy:

Life in Sweden seems like an endless winter for three sisters after their mother's and father's suicide. Ellin feels the weight of responsibility for her sisters' welfare and when it circumstances become unbearable, she writes to her relatives in Chicago, pleading for help.Joining sixteen million other immigrants who left their homelands for America between 1890 and 1920, Ellin, Kirsten, and Sophia begin the long, difficult journey. Enduring the ocean voyage in steerage and detention on Ellis Island, their story is America's story. And in a journey fraught with hardships, each woman will come to understand her secret longings and the meaning of home.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Until We Reach Home, go HERE!



For many years, Lynn Austin nurtured a desire to write but frequent travels and the demands of her growing family postponed her career. When her husband's work took Lynn to Bogota, Colombia, for two years, she used the B.A. she'd earned at Southern Connecticut State University to become a teacher. After returning to the U.S., the Austins moved to Anderson, Indiana, Thunder Bay, Ontario, and later to Winnipeg, Manitoba.Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992.
She has published twelve novels. Three of her historical novels, Hidden Places, Candle in the Darkness, and Fire by Night have won Christy Awards in 2002, 2003, and 2004 for excellence in Christian Fiction. Fire by Night was also one of only five inspirational fiction books chosen by Library Journal for their top picks of 2003, and All She Ever Wanted was chosen as one of the five inspirational top picks of 2005.
Lynn's novel Hidden Places has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel, starring actress Shirley Jones. Ms Jones received a 2006 Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Aunt Batty in the film.
Among her lastest books are A Proper Pursuit and A Woman's Place
To buy a copy of this amazing novel, go here!! Or, to read more about Lynn on her website, go here!!

Friday, November 07, 2008

Kickboxing shenanigans...



I did it! I went to my kickboxing class last night, and survived. I'm even typing, so I'm not as beat up as I thought I'd be. =)

It was fun. This new class is different from the one I attended a year ago, but I think I might like it better. Where the old class was very similiar week after week, so anyone new could just jump right in, this class is being taught more like a series. Each week will be do more and more advanced moves and harder exercises. It'll be a great way to chart our progress. Every class will be different, as well, the instructor promised, so we won't get bored or be tempted not to come. Pretty cool!

So last night on my way to the gym I stopped and bought hot pink and black gloves. My old ones had ripped, and these were a good price, and best of all - they matched my hot pink and black gym bag. And my hot pink and black shoes. And of course, I was wearing black yoga pants and a black and pink tank. My thought was "I might feel fat and be totally uncoordinated, but at least I'll match!!" haha. Several people gave compliments on my gear, which was nice, so at least I made an impression =P

We warmed up and began learning (or re-learning) a few basic moves, like right and left jabs and side kicks. We did this combination on our bags for so many minutes, and our little Energizer Bunny instructor had us doing two jumping jacks between every move.

Jump, jump, jab jab, right side kick.

Jump jump, jab, jab, left side kick.

Over and over and over.

And over.

Five minutes into it my arms were trembling, my hip abductors were highly upset, my toes were cramping in my shoes, I was pouring sweat....and it was GREAT! I felt like I was back! =)

Until Bunny pulled four little yoga mats out onto the floor in front of our mats and asked for volunteers. She said she wouldn't tell us what we were going to do until after we committed. Well, a really nice lady named Michelle and I had kinda bonded (that's what griping together during class does for ya. haha) so we volunteered to take the first two mats. Might as well get it over with, right? One side had to do sit-ups, the other side had to do push-ups.

For a solid two minutes.

We got the sit-ups first. I looked at Michelle, who totally got my sarcasm. "Oh goodie. Sit-ups. The strongest part of my body after having a baby!!" She cracked up. Seriously, writing this now, my abs HURT. Just remembering. haha.

We did it. Not sure how. But we did. Then we had to do the push-ups. Bunny told us she wanted at least ten real push-ups before we resorted to the "girl" pushups on our knees instead of our toes.

I burst out laughing. Right at Bunny. Straight "HAHAHAHAHAHA". Which was good because the noise covered Michelle's snorts of disbelief. Bunny apparently forgot WE were human and not robotic. But she insisted. And we pushed. And we collapsed. Then pushed again. Then cheated and went to our knees. =)

Then we got to go back to the combination drill on the bags and grin in revenge at the other people taking their turn on the mats.

Class was 45 minutes, but it felt like 45 days. I left sweating, trembling, totally disgusting, and drove home with a cramp across the base of my right toes.

And a big smile across my face. I'm baaaaaaack. =)

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Just ONE post...

God bless America. Oh please, God bless us.



I really thought I could make it through this entire election process without posting a political blog...but I just can't! One post, one vent, and I'll be done - I promise! =)


So, last night, I have to admit, my first initial thought after Obama's victory was - Hmmmm. Should we move to Canada, or the Bahamas?

Let me just put it this way. I have NO beef with Obama's skin color. He could be black, Asian, Hispanic, whatever - that's not my concern. What concerns me is his beliefs and his morals/values and his past voting history. Basically, I would feel this way about any Democratic President. I am not against African Americans - (though it is frustrating for everyone to be saying this is the first "black president" when he's really only 50%, but whatever!) - but I am against anyone who is for abortion, higher taxes, homosexuality, etc. Homosexuality is an abomination in the Bible. And just because the Good Book was written a long time ago doesn't mean God has changed His mind on the concept since then.

Sigh.

And abortion....ohhhh don't even get me started. I guess I'm even MORE adamently against it after having my baby girl. I can't even begin to fathom someone choosing abortion, and it hurts my heart to think of all the babies who might not live if Obama and the rest of the Democratic congress members and whoever else support "woman's choice."

Which is also a bunch of PPHOOOOEYY. To put it bluntly, if you don't want a baby, then DON'T HAVE SEX. Its really not that complicated. And I'm not trying to put guilt on any Christian woman who has experienced this choice and was saved/convicted by God afterward. I'm just saying that for our country, having an appointed leader who believes in abortion absolutely breaks my heart because it means things in that area are bound to get worse. But I know he will answer to God for that as well as anyone else who sets it up to make abortions easier to obtain. Just think of all the women who have had abortions and regretted it. If that choice wasn't made so obtainable to them, millions of lives could be saved and millions of women free from guilt and burden!!!

Then there is a whole other plethora of concerns I have that I really shouldn't get into here beacuse they are hearsay and speculation and predications, nothing guaranteed. Things about border control and terrorism and........

BAAAHHH.

Okay, so there is my rant. Emotions over.

I know-know-know that God is still in control. He is not up in Heaven freaking out over the election results, and therefore we as Christians shouldn't either. We might be disappointed or or mad or even a little scared, but GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL.

It says in the Bible God appoints our leaders and we (unfortunately in this case for many) are still supposed to show them respect. I truly believe that if we as Christians show that respect and not go around dissing our President 24/7 or laughing/sharing nasty political or racial jokes, that God will bless us for it.

We need to now, more than ever, pray for our President. Pray for our country. Pray that God convicts Obama's heart and the hearts of our other leaders and sways them to His values. It can happen, and what a miracle and testimony to God's glory THAT would be!!

So do your part - don't just rant and rave and cry and do nothing but think we're all doomed because the results didn't go the way you wanted. =) It would be easy for many to do that. But we need to pray.

God bless America. God bless President-elect Obama.

God save us.

Monday, November 03, 2008

A new contract!!!!

What a great weekend! I have a new contract with Steeple Hill Love Inspired, for a sequel called(working title) TASTE OF LOVE.

The first book is RETURN TO LOVE, set for a July 2009 release date. If all goes all planned this sequel should hit the shelves at the end of 2009. How exciting!

Here's a quick blurb to get the gist of the story...


Lori Perkins gave up on romance, finally accepting her destiny of being "just friends"—until she starts receiving gifts from a secret admirer! An Italian chef, a youth pastor, and her ex-fiancĂ© are all on the suspect list….but only one can offer this chocoholic a true taste of love.

I can't believe that (Lord willing) I'll have two books out in 2009! This is such a blessing. Thanks for sharing this with me, everyone. =)

And of course, many thanks to my Super Agent, Tamela Hancock Murray with Hartline Literary, for making this sale and encouraging me along the way. Tamela, you rock!