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

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!!

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. =)

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.

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-fiancé 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!