God Allows U-Turns

SUBMIT YOUR TRUE STORY NOW!

2007-07-27T15:01:00.000-05:00

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ATTENTION WRITERS
GOD ALLOWS U-TURNS WANTS YOU!
SEND YOUR TRUE SHORT STORIES NOW!

God Allows U-Turns is the acclaimed Christian inspirational book series with 23 books under the recognized God Allows U-Turns "brand." The editors have just announced a new CALL FOR TRUE SHORT STORIES and are compiling stories for THREE new volumes to release in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Submit true short stories for ...

God Allows U-Turns - Parents Setting Boundaries

God AllowsU-Turns - Boomer Babes Rock, and

God Allows U-Turns - Writing from the Heartand Soul

For complete writer's guidelines, visit the web site at: www.godallowsuturns.com

Submit stories to: stories@godallowsuturns.com

Make sure to sign up for our monthly "Dream-Zine" at:
www.BoomerBabesRock.com

Check out what Allison Bottke is doing here:
www.AllisonBottke.com

Check Out Our New Web Site!

2007-01-25T18:01:00.000-06:00

Greetings to all!

Please visit me at Boomer Babes Rock! and check out the video welcome on the Home Page from yours truly.

I also want to invite you to check out our Boomer Babes Rock Blog, a co-author blog written by six amazing baby boomer women, including several best-selling CBA authors and speakers!

God's Peace!

Allison Bottke

On an Extended Writing Sabbatical

2007-01-06T19:25:00.000-06:00

Dear Family and Friends:

Happy New Year! I pray everyone is in good health and spirits as the New Year enters it’s second week. I am heading out tomorrow for a writing sabbatical and will not be back until 1/29. While I’m gone, I encourage you to check out our brand new web site, blog, and Dream-Zine launching on Wednesday, January 10th.

Visit http://www.boomerbabesrock.com after January 10th and sign-up for the Dream-Zine and receive cool FREEBIES! Boomer Babes Rock!

There’s a video welcome by yours truly on the new web site, check it out and share the site with your friends. Sure would appreciate it!

In the mean time, we’ll be making some announcements regarding God Allows U-Turns in February so make sure to stop back, okay?

God’s Peace,

Merry Christmas - We're Going on Vacation!

2006-12-16T12:01:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas and God’s Peace!

May the blessings of this Christmas season be upon you. We are taking the remainder of the year off from blogging and will return in January with a very special announcement. Stay tuned.

God be with you and yours!

An Unforgettable Gift

2006-12-10T10:02:00.000-06:00

Posting by Guest Blogger: Karen O'Connor
Day Seven of Seven

This is my last blog on U-Turns this time around, so I want to close with this Christmas story from our family's history. I hope it will bless you as it has me.

On Christmas morning, 1912, in Paducah, Kentucky, fourteen-year-old Charlie Flowers and his three brothers and two sisters huddled in their beds, fully dressed, trying to keep warm as the wind howled outside their small frame house.

It was a desperate time for the family. The coal had run out. There was little money--none for gifts. Their tree with decorations made from scraps of colored paper had been given to them the night before by a local merchant who said he "couldn't sell this last one." And earlier that year their father had died.

To pass the time, the children joked and shouted stories from their bedrooms across the hallway from one another. Then suddenly a racket from the alley at the rear of the house broke into their games.

"Charlie," his mother called, "would you see what's going on out there?"

Charlie pulled on his shoes and ran out back. There stood a man in a wagon bent over a load of coal, shoveling it into the shed as fast as he could.

"Hey mister, we didn't order any coal," Charlie shouted. "You're delivering it to the wrong house."

"Your name's Flowers, isn't it?" the man asked, still shoveling.

Charlie nodded.

"Well then, there's no mistake. I've been asked to deliver this to your family on Christmas morning." Then he turned and looked the awe-struck boy square in the eye. "And I'm under strict orders not to tell who sent it," he teased.

Charlie ran into the house, his coat tail flapping in the cold morning wind. He could hardly wait to tell his mother and brothers and sisters. God had provided.

Charlie Flowers died in 1994 at age 96. And right up to the last year of his life, not a Christmas went by that he didn't tell the story of that sub-zero Christmas morning of his boyhood when two men gave his family an unforgettable gift.

It wasn't the coal that was remembered or cherished, Charlie often recounted--welcome as it was--but rather what two men brought to his desperate family. One, for his gift of recognizing their great need and taking the time to do something about it, and the other for being willing to give up part of his own Christmas morning to deliver it.

That gift of so long ago has continued to warm the Flowers family from one generation to another, as Charlie's son--my husband Charles--calls to mind these two unknown men each Christmas morning and whispers a prayer of thanks. Then we as a family praise God for His gift on the first Christmas morning––the gift of His son, Jesus Christ, whom He sent to a needy world--the One who makes possible the U-Turn that brings each one of us to Him, our Lord and Savior.

God bless each of you and my thanks to those who sent comments during the week. May Christmas this year be special for all of us and the new year, bright with the promise and hope that Jesus brings.

You Turns

2006-12-09T09:29:00.000-06:00

Posting by Guest Blogger: Karen O'Connor
Day Six of Seven

I've made a few U-Turns in my life, and I imagine I'll make a few more—and not just at a stoplight. But I'm concerned with a different kind these days. I call them You Turns. I notice as I grow older that I'm more concerned with 'you' than I am with myself. What a refreshing observation that is. I'm sure if my mother were still alive she'd like knowing that. I remember a time in high school when she said with conviction, "The whole world doesn't revolve around you, Karen. You just might want to focus on others for a change."

Now why didn't I think of that? Probably because I was 15 at the time and really did believe the whole world revolved around me.

Today it's fun to see how many You Turns I can make.

• Chatting with the grocery bagger, a young man who is mentally challenged but who has a smile to die for.

• Complimenting the receptionist at the doctor's office on her efficiency and welcoming words.

• Waving a driver to go ahead of me into traffic.

• Fixing my husband the kind of lunch he loves: hot soup, cheese bread, salad with olives and a chocolate cookie for dessert.

• Visiting a neighbor in the hospital as he recovers from bypass surgery.

I feel good when I make You Turns. And I can tell that others like it when I do. One You Turn can lead to another and another until suddenly I find myself making another major U-Turn in my life--from self-centered to selfless. I think I'll stay the course. I like this new direction. My life is becoming brighter and I see the love of Jesus brightening the lives of those around me.

"We love because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). Lord, help me to keep on loving.

Help Wanted––and Needed!

2006-12-08T09:13:00.000-06:00

Posting by Guest Blogger: Karen O'Connor
Day Five of Seven

I never realized until now (living within ten minutes by car from three of my grandchildren) how many advantages there are to being a grandparent. In case you haven't yet experienced this divine season of life, here's a glimpse into some of what you can look forward to. As a grandmother you'll have:

• someone to remind you to cover your legs with a towel at the beach—so the blue lines on your legs won't show.

• someone to spot the stray hair growing out of your husband's ear so you can pluck it before he goes out in public.

• someone to tell you she loves the feel of your hands just when you're noticing how old they look.

• someone to jump up on the kitchen counter in one bound—to reach a bowl or a cup that is too high for you.

• someone to tell you that your shoes are 'cool,' your earrings are just the right color, but your knit turtle neck shirt shouldn't be tucked in. "You're supposed to wear them over your jeans."

• someone with whom to make cookies, read bedtime stories, skip in the rain, laugh at knock-knock jokes, and fall asleep in front of your favorite cartoons.

Being a mother is superb. Being a grandmother is supernal! Thank you, Lord, for grandchildren. Gettin' old ain't so bad after all!

Spring Cleaning in December

2006-12-07T09:26:00.000-06:00

Posting by Guest Blogger: Karen O'Connor
Day Four of Seven

The thought of cleaning house puts some people to bed. But for others it's a reason to get up. I'm one of the latter. I don't LOVE housework but I find it satisfying in an odd sort of way. I like chasing those dust bunnies around my hardwood floors and actually catching them, and I love the look and feel and smell of a lemon-fresh bathroom. But most of all I get pleasure from wiping down the photos and art work that adorn the walls of our home, laundry room, and garage. Yes, garage. We have paintings and photos there too.

I got in touch with this new dimension of cleaning a couple of years ago when we did a major overhaul––you know, the kind that involves painting walls, peeling off ugly wallpaper from the guest bathroom, and discarding clutter––the stuff I never should have purchased in the first place. I wonder what treasure today will be tomorrow's trash. Hmm!

Anyway, back to cleaning. As I spritzed the glass and dusted the picture frames that held photos of my children, my husband, my parents and siblings and myself, I got misty-eyed. I even cried over some. How could that pudgy little toddler be a man of 40 today? How could my darling daughters once standing on the balance beam in their leotards be mothers of their own children? Two of my kids are 'boomers.' Where does that leave me? In the dust! (Pardon the pun.)

Being amazed, however, has given way to gratitude. And it continues to this day, December 7, 2006, as I prepare my home for the company arriving for the holidays. I will never clean my house again with the same 'let's get it over with' attitude that marked cleaning days of long ago. Now I use the time to lift my head and my mop and broom toward heaven—blessing God and thanking Him for the gift of life, especially the lives of the people I love so much, whose framed photos I dust and hold close to my heart. Even cleaning one's house can be a kind of U-turn—from obligation and duty to praise and gratitude. ". . .give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thes. 5:18).

Hob Nobbing

2006-12-06T09:22:00.000-06:00

Posting by Guest Blogger: Karen O'Connor
Day Three of Seven

I shop for some of my groceries at Nob Hill Market. Sometimes I refer to it as Snob Hill because the prices are a bit higher than Save-a-Lot, but I love the atmosphere, the wide selection of organic produce, and the many familiar health food brands that I favor.

This week I pulled into the parking lot in front of the store, in a hurry, as usual, and did not make a note of the slot I chose. I simply dashed in, bought more than I came for, what else is new, and rushed through the check stand. As I wheeled my cart out the front door, a young man with a Nob Hill shirt headed me off. "May I help you to your car?"

I smiled but waved him off. "It's okay. I can manage. Only two bags. No problem."

He took the cart right out of my capable hands. "I insist. Besides, I like getting out in the fresh air."

I tried to talk him out of it, but he'd have none of my persuasive chatter. Then my heart pounded—FAST! I had forgotten where I'd parked. Darn! If only I'd stop and pay attention this wouldn't happen so often. I was caught. As the man waited for me to direct him to my car, I admitted my memory lapse.

"Good," he said. "It will take longer." Then he winked and nudged me with a shoulder. "Is that why you didn't want me to help you out?"

"No," I lied. "I just didn't want to take you away from your work."

He smiled—knowingly. I guess he'd heard that line before—from other grayheads like me. "What does your car look like?"

Look like? It looks like it's lost—that's what!

I pasted a smile on my face. "Gray, like my hair. A wagon with a rack on top."

He spotted it and within a moment he loaded my bags into the trunk, my face returned from red to white, and I was on my way. Drat! I thought being a baby boomer was tough. Imagine what's ahead when you slip into elderly. No wonder I've had no trouble writing for the over-50 crowd. All I have to do is live my life, take a few notes, and presto, I have a book!! Help, Lord! I'm Having a Senior Moment and another Gettin' Old Ain't For Wimps. Both have sold over 100,000 copies each so I know I'm speaking to somebody out there. Maybe Allison and I should get together and write a combination that is sure to be a winner: Growin' Old Is Just One U-Turn After Another.

Dear God, I'm so glad you've promised never to leave nor forsake me (Joshua 1:5)––no matter what!

Boom! Boom! Boomer!

2006-12-05T08:59:00.000-06:00

Posting by Guest Blogger: Karen O'Connor
Day Two of Seven

I remember a time when Boom! Boom! was the sound of my brother and his buddy playing 'war' with their toy guns. Now it refers to a whole group of people called boomers born between 1946 and 1964. I missed this target range by eight years. The more appropriate chant for me is Pow! Pow! Power! An investment counselor told me recently that based on my current age (68) I have a life expectancy of 110. With that in mind—I'm just a bit past middle age. Wouldn't you agree that's a powerful position to be in? Cruise lines, investment brokers, physicians, travel agents, car sales people, retirement village developers, and time-share operators are all after me and the big bucks they assume I have.
Then there are the vendors who think my 'real' age is what matters. They presume I live on a 'fixed income' and I see no good reason to tell them otherwise. These compassionate individuals offer me a discount on movie tickets every afternoon, hamburgers and fries for half price on Tuesdays at Dinette Don's, a free breakfast at the Senior Center every Friday morning, a low-priced concert ticket for the local symphony––if I have it in me to climb to the rafters for a seat, and free lemonade and cookies if I stop by the bank on Monday afternoons, instead of Friday afternoons when all the 'earners' are cashing paychecks.
But most important to me are God's promises, especially the one from Isaiah 46:4. "Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."
Ah yes, I'm into THAT kind of pow-pow-power! And I'll keep right on enjoying these benefits till I'm 110! I've made a U-turn for life and I'm never going back again.

Second Chances

2006-12-04T09:19:00.000-06:00

Posting by Guest Blogger: Karen O'Connor
Day One of Seven

U-turns, second chances, new beginnings. Sometimes I can hardly wait for them. And sometimes I feel like a kid being forced to eat those green things Mom said are good for me. Does that ever happen to you? For me 2006 has been a bit of both--anticipation and anxiety. Now that I'm at the end of this year of change and challenge, I'm excited to shout "Yeah! God! You always know what's best for me. Why do I ever doubt it?" He keeps picking me up, dusting me off, and letting me start all over again. This year the fresh start is in a new city in a new house near our youngest daughter and her family. This is something I've always wanted but never thought I could have––for all kinds of reasons I made up, like not having enough money, or time, or believing it would take too much effort, etc., etc., etc., as the King of Siam said with a wave of his hand in The King and I. I saw boulders in the road. But God removed them, one by one. He's into U-turns. He took my longing and turned it into a possibility. So here we are--in a house of our own in the beautiful Central Coast of California surrounded by acres of strawberry farmland, the Pacific Ocean nearby, and the Diablo Mountains behind us. I can see the stars at night in the cold black sky, hear the waves crash on the shore as I drive north on Highway 1 and feel the cool breeze sail down the mountains in the early morning.
All this in a community of other people over 55 who, like my husband Charles and I, are also making U-turns, eager for new adventures and new friendships. As one neighbor put it, "There will be no strangers here. We're going to take care of each other." And so today I am turning again--with thanksgiving and praise for the gifts of faith, friendship, family, finances, food, fitness, fun––and second chances.

Karen O'Connor - CELEBRITY GUEST BLOGGER

2006-12-03T10:40:00.001-06:00

Starting on Monday, December 4th we're in for a big treat as author and speaker Karen O'Connor joins us for a full week of postings on the God Allows U-Turns blog!

Karen O'Connor is an award winning author of more than 50 books, and is an accomplished speaker and a writing mentor with Long Ridge Writers Group and the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Group. Karen's latest successes are in the 'senior market'--boomers and beyond. Titles include: Help, Lord! I'm Having a Senior Moment! The Beauty of Aging (Regal Books) as well as "Gettin' Old Ain't For Wimps, Gettin' Old STILL Ain't For Wimps, and just completed for 2007 publication, Walkin' With God Ain't For Wimps (Harvest House). Visit Karen's web site for more information: www.karenoconnor.com.

Come back and visit and tell your friends!

God's Peace!

Thanks to you!

2006-11-25T13:26:00.000-06:00

Guest blogger: Amy Wallace

It's been an amazing week here and I've enjoyed sharing with you all! Thanks for coming by and for visiting my websites.

To close out our time together, I wanted to expound on my first post about how I learned to be thankful for God's "No" because I saw first hand how the answer I received instead was truly for my good.

I really didn't like being in a cast, but I love that I kept my toddler out of the ER. (To learn more about this story, please check out God Answers Mom's Prayers and the story "For This Child.") I felt a bit like a hero and it's amazing how much I was able to accomplish on the computer sitting there for 10 hours a day just writing.

That was fun!

In six great weeks I wrote my first novel, which is coming out in April 2007. Ransomed Dreams is about a Crimes Against Children FBI agent and a mom looking for answers into her family's death. Their stories become entwined because of an attempt to kidnap a British ambassador's daughter.

From typing "THE END" for the first time I knew God had called me into this career ministry. In other words, God's "No" about protecting my physical health was because He had something better: an opportunity to follow Him into an exciting ride of life to learn that while obedience is sometimes painful, it's the best ever place to be.

If you'd like to hear more about my story, what God continues to teach me through both painful and enjoyable times, or learn more about my novels and non-fictions stories, please come visit me at Heart Chocolate, Defenders of Hope, or my blog the Peek-a-boo ICU. When you stop by, sign up for my newsletter and get registered to win an awesome gift pack of 23 top fiction books, a Starbucks gift card, Defenders of Hope merchandise, and Godiva chocolate. (Sound good? Come visit! ;-))

Here's my prayer for you as we close our time together on Allison's awesome blog:

Heavenly Daddy, I pray You’ll wrap Your strong and protective arms of love around each blog reader. I give thanks to You for Allison and these readers allowing me to be here at this time. Please open our eyes to see the amazing plan You have for each and every one of us. Guide us to walk with our hands in Yours and follow Your path through the valleys and mountaintops of obedience. Heal and cleanse our hearts and help us see You. You are God. You are good. And Your ways are so much higher than ours. Thanks for knowing and doing what’s best for us. Help us trust when understanding and acceptance are slow to come. Thanks for smiling over us no matter what. We love You. Amen.

Thanks again for joining me this week! May your holidays be filled with the goodness and grace of God!

Because of His grace,
Amy

More Thanks the U-Turns Way

2006-11-24T14:50:00.000-06:00

Guest blogger: Amy Wallace

God Allows U-Turns for Teens

God Answers Mom's Prayers

I sure hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving! We enjoyed a quiet family time at home and it was awesome. Since this week we're talking about the incredible U-turns ministry and how God changes lives, I thought I'd share my top 10 reasons I'm thankful that are taken from my U-Turns stories.

Amy's Top Ten Reasons for Giving Thanks

1) I'm thankful I can call God Daddy.

2) I'm thankful I have a family who loves me and who I adore and enjoy.

3) I'm thankful I can walk. (Did I mention I'm in a cast again after yet another foot surgery? Trust me, walking is a big thing to be thankful for! For more details, check out "For This Child" in God Answers Mom's Prayers)

4) I'm thankful for the gift of sight~ both to see the world God has made and for the spiritual gift of seeing deeper with discernment.

5) I'm thankful for heart healing.

6) I'm thankful that God says I'm beautiful.

He says you're beautiful too!

(Please check out God Allows U-Turns for Teens "If Only I Were Beautiful" to see why I know this is absolutely true.)

7) I'm thankful for little kids' prayers and that I get to hear them every day.

8) I'm thankful that my husband and I have careers where we use the gifts and talents God has given us for His glory.

9) I'm thankful for an inner circle of friends who love me anyway and always point me to Jesus.

10) I'm thankful for blogs. ;-) And I'm thankful for the ability to make online friends and enjoythe community offered here.

My prayer for you as we wrap up our week together on Allison's awesome blog tomorrow is that you will allow the Thanksgiving holiday to prepare your heart and open the door for a Christmas season filled with deep joy and a greater experience of God's smile over you.

Praising Him with you,

Amy

Heart Chocolate

Defenders of Hope

You are beautiful

2006-11-22T19:24:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!!!

Guest blogger: Amy Wallace

God Allows U-Turns for Teens

What are you going to say tomorrow when someone asks why you're thankful? With my family, we’ll go around the table as we eat and name blessings we remember from this past year. My children will go far beyond their five pieces of corn we give to each person to name one praise per kernel. My husband and I will too. But for me it wasn't always that way.

So today I wanted to share a little about a reason to praise I wonder if you've thought of~ because God says you are beautiful.

Do you believe that? Do you thank God for that? Most people don't.

I didn't for years and years. I grew up in a painful home and jumped into a relationship as a teen that I knew I shouldn't be in. But I did it anyway because he said I was beautiful.

Then he raped me.

I didn't feel beautiful anymore. I felt like trash. And I spent the better part of my young adult years knowing God loved me, but feeling that I was "less than" everyone else. Ugly. Used goods.

My story in God Allows U-Turns for Teens is about how I went from saying "If Only I Were Beautiful" to knowing and receiving what God says is truth. I'd like to share two quotes and what made my U-Turn happen.

"No love of the natural heart is safe unless the human heart has been satisfied by God first." (Oswald Chambers)

"We are not wrong to think we desperately need to be loved. We do. Our need does not constitute anyone else's call but God's" (Beth Moore)

So how did God make those two statements “real” to me? He had me teach them to a group of young ladies who didn’t believe God said they were beautiful either. I looked deep into their gorgeous eyes and into their even more stunning souls and caught a glimpse of the beauty God sees.

Then God led me to the mirror and said the same about me.

I wanted to turn away because I still didn’t see what God saw. But He kept speaking to my heart over the next few weeks. I became convinced that my bottomless need to be loved, to be seen as beautiful, would be satisfied first in God.

Or it wouldn’t be satisfied at all.

So I stopped saying, “If only I could lose a few pounds” or “I would be beautiful if only _____ changed."

We can all fill in that blank, can’t we?

What I started saying instead were the words God had spoken to me. “I see you. You are beautiful. You are loved and you are Mine.”

I still don’t always believe that. But those times are far less frequent. What happens more often now are the times I look in the mirror and smile simply because that’s what my heavenly Daddy does.

So this Thanksgiving I’ll enjoy some turkey and pumpkin pie and I will not step on the scale later. Instead, I’ll look in the mirror and smile.

I’ll listen to the words God says. Will you join me?

Take a good look in the mirror. God has much to say about what He sees there. Listen closely. He is enthralled with your beauty. (Psalm 45:11)

The King is enthralled with you. Enjoy Him.

Happy Thanksgiving y’all!

Abundant blessings and praise,

Amy

Heart Chocolate

Defenders of Hope

What about when you don't want to praise?

2006-11-21T13:58:00.000-06:00

Guest blogger: Amy Wallace

God Answers Mom's Prayers

What about when you don't want to praise?

Yesterday we talked a little about what we're thankful for, but the thought God gave me this morning centered on when I'm not thankful.

Have you ever felt that way?

Everyone around you has hands lifted in praise at church, or every friend has great stuff happening and you feel any thing but grateful.

Yep, me too.

I wish I had written a great U-Turns story detailing an about-face from overwhelming sadness, depression, or dare I say anger at things not going the way I'd prayed. My story "For This Child" in God Answers Mom’s Prayers deals with hearing God say "No" to a prayer and how I learned to trust Him and be thankful even when I didn't understand.

But truth be told I still struggle with praise and thanksgiving at times. Life is never just what I want it to be. It's hard. It's more work than I thought I signed up for and more often than not, it just plain hurts.

So God had me doing Thanksgiving cards with my kiddos this morning. I was so NOT in the right frame of mind.

But God's funny like that. So I went through the motions until I read this quote from Francis Schaeffer, "We are not only to sing the doxology, but to be the doxology."

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen.

The book I was reading aloud went on to talk about the birds, how they throw their whole being into singing and that being an example of how we’re to praise God.

Now that set my mind spinning. Birds sing because that’s what God created them to do. They don’t analyze it, argue with it, or decide they don’t want to sing. They just do.

So can I in terms of praising God simply because that’s what I was created to do: to glorify God by enjoying Him forever and singing the song that is my life. Sad notes and all.

So can you.

I’m not suggesting we ignore depression nor am I saying we should “put on a happy face.” There are reasons behind why we don’t feel like praising that we need to explore with God.

I’m praying as I write this that you’ll hear the Father call you to come talk and listen to Him and discuss those very things going on in your heart. He cares. He loves you. And He wants you to come real.

At the same time, I think there is much wisdom to be gained in doing what Job and King David did in their dark nights…

Praise Him anyway.

Turn to Him and just talk to Him, remember who He is. That simple act, however hard it may be at times, is praise.

Instead of recalling all the hurt, remember the times God Himself—with nail-scarred hands—carried you through.

Instead of focusing on what isn’t right, praise God for the little things that are right and consider that your journey through pain and joy is working in you something good.

Also, instead of trying to “be the doxology” consider that you already are. And God welcomes the words or groans of your life song as He sings right along with you.

Praise Him.

Tomorrow, I’ll share my continuing U-Turn toward praise in the form of my story in God Allows U-Turns for Teens about date rape and my healing almost two decades later.

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15)

Trusting and praising anyway,
Amy

Defenders of Hope

Heart Chocolate

What are you thankful for?

2006-11-20T13:49:00.000-06:00

Guest Blogger: Amy Wallace

God Answers Mom's Prayers

What are you thankful for?

I'm thankful for ripped tendons and scars. Why? Because almost five years ago I took my eighteen-month-old daughter's place in the ER and learned that when God says "No" to my request for protection, what He's really saying is "I have something better."

For me God's "better" meant a painful surgery and six weeks in a cast. Those six weeks of having my wonderful husband take care of our children, cook, clean, and do all my mom duties plus his allowed me to write my very first fiction novel, Ransomed Dreams. Plus, my surgery left me with a scar that I look at now and remember that God's "best" is often difficult to comprehend, but in the end it is always GOOD.

You can read more about this experience in "For This Child," my very first U-Turns story in God Answers Mom's Prayers.

Welcome to Thanksgiving week at God Allows U-Turns! I hope you'll join me again tomorrow as we look at more of the myriad reasons we have to give thanks.

Abundant blessings,

Amy Wallace

Please visit me at Heart Chocolate

or Defenders of Hope.

This Blog "On Temporary Hold"

2006-11-13T07:30:00.000-06:00

Greetings to All!

As you may know, the Blogger/Blogspot program made a swtich to a Beta format and I'm afraid it's caused havoc on my blog design template. Until I can get things figured out, I'm afraid there will be very little activity on this Blog site. Thanks for your support and encouragement and please check back soon, okay?

In the mean time, please make sure you are signed up to receive our periodic e-blast mailings via our Bravenet email service. You can visit my web site and scroll down to the Bravenet button on the right side of the Home Page to register. We never sell or share our mailing list.

Have a blessed week!

Thank You to Nancy Anderson!

2006-11-12T23:25:00.001-06:00

Bravo to Guest Blogger Nancy Anderson for an excellent week of postings. I sure enjoyed revisiting her work in the various God Allows U-Turns publications. Hope you did, too!

Check back next week for a special announcement from me....

Until then, have a blessed day!

AFFAIR REPAIR

2006-11-11T10:05:00.000-06:00

Guest Blogger: Nancy C Anderson

My husband, Ron, and I have been married for 28 years and we have a healthy, strong marriage now, but it has risen out of the ashes of my infidelity.

The most dramatic U-Turn in my life (other than my becoming a Christian at age 16) was
my decision to stay married to Ron, despite my “love” for my coworker Jake. My book, Avoiding the Greener Grass Syndrome: How to Grow Affair Proof Hedges Around Your Marriage tells the whole story, but here’s a snippet about my defining moment of change.

I wondered if there was any way out of the chaos I had created. I went into the living room, sank into the sofa, held a pillow to my chest, and called out —to God. I had been avoiding Him for months. My guilt and shame had built a wall between us. But, brick-by-brick—as I confessed each sin—I tore down the wall—and let the Light in.

I prayed, “Lord, please show me your will for my life.” Then, I remembered the simple words that Jesus said to the adulteress woman. “Go and sin no more.” I knew exactly what I had to do. I surrendered my will and my heart to the Lord and asked for the strength to walk away from Jake and make a full confession to Ron.

Ron forgave me and we started over. That was 26 years ago, and now we have a ministry helping other couples who think marriage problems are fixed by divorce. We know that repentance, love and forgiveness fix marriages—heal people.

We have had the privilege of telling our story on many national shows including Montel Williams, The 700 Club, FamilyLife with Dennis Rainey and Revive our Hearts with Nancy Leigh DeMoss. You can read more at JoyfulMarriage.blogspot.com

It’s been great being with you this week! Blessings, Nancy C Anderson
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PS: ATTENTION BABY BOOMER WOMEN! Allison Bottke will be the Featured Author of the Month for November at America's #1 web site for baby boomer women.
Visit Allison's main web site at http://www.godallowsuturns.com/ and click on the National Association of Baby Boomer Women logo to join the NABBW or to visit the free forums at Boomer Women Speak. Join Allison in the Featured Author Forum in November and learn how wise, warm and witty baby boomer women are connecting, encouraging and supporting one another every day.

Teenage Thievery

2006-11-09T12:16:00.000-06:00

Guest Blogger: Nancy C Anderson

Well, it’s Thursday and I promised to tell you about my shoplifting adventure.

The full story appears on page 183 of Allison’s book titled, God Allows U-Turns for Teens

In my small hometown of Winona, Minnesota, there was only one discount store, and I stole from it—and got caught. The police took me to the station where my father came to get me. He was silent as we drove home, but had much to say as we sat in our living room discussing my behavior. Here’s an excerpt from “Yes, Daddy, I Promise”

I said, “Each time I stole, it got easier. Until now. I can see how wrong it was.” tears bit

my face as I said, “Please forgive me…I‘ll never do it again. Stealing was easy…getting

caught is hard.”

He said, “Yes, and it’s going to get harder. Tomorrow morning, we will go to all the places

on your list and you will ask to speak to the manager. You will tell him that you were a

shoplifter and list the items you stole from his store. You will apologize and repay him.

I’ll loan you the money, and you will work all summer to pay me back. Do you

understand?”

With my heart slamming, and my palms sweating, I nodded.

The next morning, I did exactly as he asked. It was impossibly hard, but I did it. That

summer, I repaid my father the money, but I will never be able to repay him for the

valuable lesson he taught me. I never stole again.

To read the whole story, order God Allows U-Turns for Teens at Amazon.com

Tomorrow's post will be about my marriage U-Turn. It's a doozy--you won't want to miss it!
Blessings, Nancy C Anderson

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PS: ATTENTION BABY BOOMER WOMEN! Allison Bottke will be the Featured Author of the Month for November at America's #1 web site for baby boomer women.
Visit Allison's main web site at http://www.godallowsuturns.com and click on the National Association of Baby Boomer Women logo to join the NABBW or to visit the free forums at Boomer Women Speak. Join Allison in the Featured Author Forum in November and learn how wise, warm and witty baby boomer women are connecting, encouraging and supporting one another every day.

A soldier's story

2006-11-08T10:39:00.000-06:00

Happy Wednesday from Nancy C Anderson! I’m on my third day of
blogging with you and I have a new story about a brave soldier.

This one’s from “God Answers Prayers—Military Edition” and it’s on page 34.

My Great, Great, Great Grandfather, Henry B. Rowe, wrote 29 letters which taught me about bravery, honor, and prayerful perseverance in the face of fear. He was a Yankee farmer, who wanted to preserve The Union and free the slaves, so he became a soldier—and marched south.

His letters from the battlefront, addressed to his wife, were poetic; filled with love and faith. He writes,” May heaven’s choicest blessings rest upon you and the children. Be true and faithful soldiers for Christ and I will be the same for my country. And if I fall for my country, then it will be an honor to you. I pray that we may meet again where wars will never separate us.”

Those letters are more significant than any history book I will ever read, because the words were written by a man whose blood still flows through me. I am a writer as he was a writer. I am a Christian because faith can also flow through families.

In his words from Winston North Carolina, March 16, 1865 he writes about loving his “enemies.” “Yesterday, I stopped at a house and there sat a woman with three children, not a thing in the world to eat. I saw that her baby girl was sick with the measles so I gave the mother my rations and passed on. She thanked me kindly with tears in her eyes…and so it goes. God speed the day that we may be a free and happy people.”

Amen.

(To read the whole story, get the book from Amazon)

Tomorrow’s post will be about my father’s reaction to my shoplifting charges. It is from God Allows U-Turns for Teens.

I am Woman. Hear Me Roar?

2006-11-07T11:53:00.000-06:00

Hello Again, I’m Nancy C Anderson and I’d like to tell you about another U-Turn Story in my life. When I married Ron in the summer of 1978, I thought we’d continue in our blissful, romantic mode. I was wrong. I turned into a nag-a-holic thinking complaining and criticizing would give me the control I wanted. Then, one morning, I had a U-turn moment:

Here is an excerpt from “I am Woman. Hear Me Roar?" This story begins on page 206 of
God Allows U-Turns for Women:

“I carefully spooned the vanilla nut de-cafe into to the pot, as I remembered the day I forgot the filter. The coffee was bitter and full of undrinkable grounds. I had to throw it away.
Then it dawned on me, the coffee, without filtering, is like my coarse and bitter speech.
I said, “Oh God, please install a filter between my brain and my mouth. Help me to choose my words carefully and speak in smooth and mellow tones. Thank you for teaching me the “Parable of the Coffee Filter.” I won’t forget it.”

Ron and I recently celebrated our twenty-eighth wedding anniversary and I’m happy to report that my “filter” is still in place—although it occasionally springs a leak. I’ve also expanded the filter principal beyond my marriage and I have found it amazingly useful when I speak to telemarketers, traffic cops, and teenagers.
__________________________________________________________________

Tomorrow, I'll tell you a story about my great-great-great-great Grandfather's Civil War letters
which are quoted in God Anwsers Prayers-Military Edition

2006-11-06T11:54:00.000-06:00

This week’s guest blogger- Nancy C Anderson

I met Allison about 4 years ago at a Christian book convention and we “clicked” right away. She invited me (and my best friend Tonya Ruiz) to a luau, sponsored by her publisher, and of course, we went--and we’ve been pals ever since. As Allison became a publishing “machine” she included my stories in four of the books under the U-Turns umbrella.

The first one I’d like to chat about is “God Answers Moms’ Prayers” My story is called “Timmy’s Ring.” (page 168)

My son, Timmy was diagnosed with a terminal chromosomal disorder before he was born--when I was about 3 months pregnant. My doctor and many friends suggested that I get an abortion. I struggled to decide if my “pro-life” position was just my talk—or my walk.

Here’s a short excerpt:

“That afternoon, I prayed, “Lord, I believe abortion is wrong, but on my own, I don’t have the strength to fall in love with a baby who is going to die. Please show me how.”
I kept saying it, even before I meant it. “I choose to love this baby with all my heart.” I willed my words into actions. In faith, I moved my hands as I timidly caressed my stomach. In faith, I moved my lips as I mouthed the words, “I love you.” No sound came out. I kept repeating the phrase until my brain found the secret passageway to my heart and I was free to taste the bittersweet tears of loving a child who would never love me.”

Four months later, Timmy died, wrapped in my love, on his birth-day- 6-22-1990
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Tomorrow’s post will be more fun. It’s about nagging wife-me!
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PS: ATTENTION BABY BOOMER WOMEN! Allison Bottke will be the Featured Author of the Month for November at America's #1 web site for baby boomer women.
Visit Allison's main web site at http://www.godallowsuturns.com and click on the National Association of Baby Boomer Women logo to join the NABBW or to visit the free forums at Boomer Women Speak. Join Allison in the Featured Author Forum in November and learn how wise, warm and witty baby boomer women are connecting, encouraging and supporting one another every day.

Guest Blogger - Nancy C. Anderson!

2006-10-31T12:50:00.000-06:00

Greetings!

I just told my fiction editor at Bethany House that if I had an audio version of the theme song from Rocky, I would be playing it now. Why is that? I just hit “SEND” on the final revision of my second novel.

ONE LITTLE SECRET is officially completed, at least on my end. For those who know what this is like…I’d love to hear how you celebrate this momentous occasion, and for those to whom this kind of deadline is foreign, what do you suggest? ONE LITTLE SECRET will release in summer 2007.

I’m heading out on Friday to speak at the BOOKS ALIVE! Event in Jefferson, Texas, sponsored by the PULPWOOD QUEENS, if you live nearby come see us! I’ll be sharing my debut novel: A STITCH IN TIME. This is a fund-raising event for Hurricane Katrina survivors and there are almost one dozen authors on the roster. Check out the Press Release to find out more.

Our Guest Blogger for November 6-12 is Author and Speaker Nancy C. Anderson. Nancy’s book, AVOIDING THE GREENER GRASS SYNDROME was featured on the Montel Williams Show where Nancy and her husband appeared as guests. You’ll want to visit her web site to find out more about her and make sure to stop here daily to read her posts and share them with friends!

I think I’m going to take a hot bubble bath and read a good book! No more computer work for me today, if that’s okay with ya’ll?

That’s what’s on my mind today,

Little Lucy to the Rescue!

2006-10-22T16:09:00.000-05:00

Greetings!

Okay, I’m done feeling sad and sorrowful. One of the blessings of having a blog is the ability to share yucky feelings with folks who care enough to post a comment or send a private e-mail to tell you to hang on…or to let you know you’re not alone…or to simply say, “I’m praying for you.”

It’s hard to believe how many folks have dysfunctional adult children and/or grand-children that are lost. I cannot begin to comprehend the collective pain of countless parents and grand-parents who struggle with feelings of blame, shame, inadequacy and fear. There are numerous resources available to help the adult children we love—if only they would reach out. Yet little exists to speak to the hearts of those of us who struggle daily trying to understand what we should or shouldn’t do, what we did or didn’t do, and what we can or cannot do NOW to help.

We want so much to help.

I spent most of yesterday with my oldest step-son. He came to help me do yard work in preparation of the upcoming Minnesota winter. He brought Lucy with him, his first born daughter, to play with Grandpa (my husband) while we worked. That’s Lucy feeding our chickens. Cutie-pie, eh?

But that’s not all, my step-daughter also stopped by to visit a bit, as did my younger step-son. My birth child may be missing, but the Lord wanted me to be aware that I have three lovely adult step-children who are walking with Him. I couldn’t help but feel that in my own son’s absence, God sent my family to teach me a lesson.

Sometimes…the pain, anguish and anger we feel over a dysfunctional adult child can keep us from seeing the joy and love that still exists around us. God is good…all the time. He is in control. Yesterday was a good day. Seeing my precious grand-daughter was a blessing. Spending time with my God-fearing step-son was encouraging and uplifting. Watching my husband play with his first grandchild filled my heart with joy and thanksgiving.

Thank you…to all of you who sent messages to help pull me up from the pit of despair I allowed myself to fall into this past week. Thank you. God bless you.

And that’s what’s on my mind today,

My "Baby" Will Be 35...

2006-10-18T11:36:00.000-05:00

Greetings!

Meet CJ, my only child. This precious photo was taken when he was less than a year old. We were living in Cleveland, Ohio and I was a divorced teenage mom of 17.

This Friday my son will be 35-years-old. This is hard for me to believe, considering that would make me over 50. Even harder for me to believe is how much has changed over the past 35 years...in my life, in my son's life, in the lives of my family, and in the world.

Yet one thing remains the same.

"We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19 (NIV)

I'm sure this birthday holds particular meaning for me because I was 35-years-old when I left behind a life of sin, shame, desperation, and lonliness and made my U-Turn toward God. Until then, I had been trying to fill the empty places in my life with everything and anything except a relationship with God.

Unfortunately, CJ was a casuality of my aimless search for happiness and meaning during my lost years.

My son was 17-years-old when my eyes were finally opened to the Truth of the Gospel. The very day I asked the Lord to change my heart, CJ was behind bars in a juvenile detention facility...the first in a long and painful history of incarceration.

Why am I sharing this today? It's cold here in Minnesota and a light snow is falling. I'm feeling melancholy and a bit adrift because as my son's birthday draws close, I have no idea where he is. Once again, we are estranged, and the pain comes like a wave and knocks me off my feet. I know I'm not alone in weeping for my child, many of us suffer in silence from choices our adult children make.

I guess I just decided not to suffer in silence today.

So I pray for my son, for other hurting parents, and for the lost children who wander the land seeking...may God give us all strength of heart and soul. May God protect us all as written in Psalm 121:7-8

"The Lord will keep you from all harm--he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."

God's peace to those who read this today.

Lights, Camera, Action!

2006-10-09T17:14:00.000-05:00

Greetings!

I'm back from a whirlwind trip to South Carolina where on Wednesday the 4th I taped the TV program: A TIME FOR HOPE with Dr. Freda Crews. The program will air internationally on Wednesday, November 22, 2006.

You can visit their web site to locate the broadcast schedule for A TIME FOR HOPE to see where you can view the program in your area.

I really hope you'll tune in. :-)

Here we are on the set...sitting in plush chairs by the roaring fire. This was my first time meeting Dr. Crews and she was truly a delight. A licensed psychologist, this precious woman of God has a heart to help those in pain. She interviewed me about my non-fiction book: "I CAN'T DO IT ALL," co-authored with best selling author Tracie Peterson and Dianne O'Brian. The interview went very well and afterwards I found myself thanking God for the ability to share this book with an ever increasing audience.

A high point of my time at the studio was to meet author/speaker SHAUNTI FELDHAHN. The author of For Women Only and For Men Only (as well as a host of other books and a nationally syndicated column) we shared bagels and coffee in the green room before our respective tapings. That's us on the set, Shaunti's in red. Shaunti's interview will air on Wednesday, November 29th.

I went from the TV studio on Wednesday the 4th to a fabulous event at the First Baptist Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina on Thursday the 5th. Stop by later this week to hear about this incredible group of women who invited me to speak at the opening event in honor of their 20th Birthday Celebration!

To God be the glory, great things He has done!

And that's what's on my mind today,

October Cover Girl!

2006-10-01T06:30:00.000-05:00

Greetings and God's Peace!

I'm off to South Carolina to speak for a lovely group of women at the First Baptist Church in Spartanburg. This event is open to the public so if you are in the area, please stop by! The info is at the bottom of this post.

Please check out the October issue of Christian Women Online for Heather Ivester's interview with me regarding my debut novel, A STITCH IN TIME. Heather's interviews are always pretty in depth, so make sure to read some of her other interviews in the CWO archives when you visit Christian Women Online.

This online publication is first rate, folks, so if you don't currently subscribe to Christian Women Online pop on over using this link and check it out now! You'll love the publication that founder and editor Darlene Schacht has developed.

Have a blessed week and I'll talk to ya'll after the 9th of October when I return home!

COME SEE ME IN SPARTANBURG!
And Bring a Friend!
Thursday, October 5, 2006

Ladies First Thursday
20th Anniversary Celebration
Date: Thursday, October 5, 2006
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Venue: First Baptist Church, Spartanburg, SC
250 East Main Street in Spartanburg, SC
Keynote Speaker: Allison Bottke
Open to the Public: Registration Required
For More Information: Call the Church

It's Official - I Win the Prize!

2006-09-25T21:34:00.000-05:00

Okay folks, I freely admit it. I'm in the Top Ten of the world's worse bloggers! I win the prize! I have been hard pressed to update this blog since the 15th of September...and my guest bloggers have been having their share of time issues as well. -sigh-

Now, I'm off tomorrow for Indiana and then on to Spartanburg...and I won't have access to an Internet connection until after October 6th. Therefore, I'm officially going AWOL until sometime the second week of October.

Until then, stay safe and God bless!

Come See me in Virginia!

2006-09-14T13:55:00.000-05:00

The photo above was taken during my Keynote address at the Crystal Cathedral International Women's Conference in Garden Grove, California in October of 2005.

Greetings to All!

I’ll be giving the Keynote Address this Saturday, September 16th at an annual Ladies Banquet that is open to the public in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The theme this year is SHOW YOUR STYLE and the ladies of Grace Church of Fredericksburg have pulled out all the stops to make this an event you’re certain to enjoy. If you live nearby I’m extending a personal invitation for you to join us this Saturday for the 7:00 PM dinner banquet. Please call Candy for last minute reservations. If it gets too late you might not be able to join us for dinner, but you can more than likely come for the message. Make sure to say hello and tell me you read my BLOG!

Grace Church of Fredericksburg - Ladies Banquet
Date: Saturday, September 16, 2006
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Venue: Grace Church of Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg, VA
Keynote Speaker: Allison Bottke
Tickets: $15.00 Per Person
Open to the Public: Reservations Required
For More Information: Call Candy at 540-287-7818
Or visit their web site: http://www.gracechurchoffredericksburg.com/

Attention Writers!

2006-09-02T05:54:00.000-05:00

I’m excited to let my writer friends know about an exciting new blog that I am participating in regarding book promotion. The Christian Authors Network BLOG! I am one of a dozen CBA authors who will be sharing tips and information about what is often a writer’s least favorite activity – marketing. My day to blog is every Tuesday – along with CBA author Cyndy Salzmann. This month, I’m sharing strategies and techniques for BRANDING. Stop by – and let’s learn from each other!

And that's what's on my mind today.

2006-08-29T12:46:00.000-05:00

The photo is Kathy L. Patrick and Jay.

Ya gotta love extroverts. Those amazing people that God gifts with the ability to light up a room with their energy and passion. I don’t personally know Kathy L. Patrick, but I imagine her to be one of those folks. Kathy is the founder of The Pulpwood Queens. She owns the world’s first Hair Salon/Bookstore. A great combination if you ask me.

From Kathy’s web site: My life is about to be an open book. Yes, coming soon to a bookstore near you is my story 'The Pulpwood Queens' Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life' to be published by Hachette Book Group USA formerly known as Time/Warner Book Group. This is my story on how books saved me, the story of Beauty and the Book, and the Pulpwood Queens, and why I am on a mission to get the world reading. My book will also be a resource book for readers and book clubs. It is kind of a one stop shop for readers. For you, it will give you all you would ever want to know about The Pulpwood Queen!

Kathy has organized the first ever BOOKS ALIVE!, a celebration of Christian and Inspirational literature and music to be held at The First United Methodist Church in Jefferson, Texas. This event which will be held annually is sponsored by Beauty and the Book and The Pulpwood Queens, and will be a fundraiser for The First United Methodist Church mission and outreach programs. FUMC is the church that was instrumental in coordinating the relief efforts for displaced families of Hurricane Katrina and Rita and continues to do so. All proceeds and profits will go to supporting the mission and ministry of The First United Methodist Church of Jefferson, Texas.

I’m excited to share with y’all that I have been invited to join Kathy and a host of authors for this special BOOKS ALIVE! event to be held November 3-5, 2006 in Jefferson, Texas. Visit the web site to find out more. If you’re in the area please come out and say hello!

Stay tuned for more information on this upcoming event and more info on the Tiara Wearing Queen in future God Allows U-Turns BLOGS. I hope you’ll find this woman and her mission to be as fascinating as I do!

And that’s what’s on my mind today,

Knights and Mayonaise

2006-08-27T07:18:00.000-05:00

Day Seven of Seven
August 27, 2006
Guest Blogger: Charles Gibson

My first attempt at fiction was a story I wrote in third grade called "When Craig and I Were Trapped Inside a Mayonaise Jar." It was a thriller with a narrow escape. In the story, Craig and I both worked at a "mayonaise factory" and were somehow sucked into a giant jar of mayonaise. We barely managed to unscrew the lid from the inside before the jar left the factory. Whew!

I have loved to write ever since. I also love to travel and have ambitions to be a travel writer. The kind that travels to different countries and writes about the experiences I've had and the people I've met. Trish and I have already ended up in some interesting travel situations. Three years ago, we went on a trip to sites in Greece and Turkey from the missionary journeys of the apostle Paul. Trish was two months pregnant with our son, at the time, which is a story in and of itself. The trip was during the time of the build-up to the 2003 Iraq War and we were in Turkey when the war started. We spent the first full day of the war on the Greek island of Patmos, where the book of Revelation was written, hearing of "wars and rumors of wars."

Since I decided to more seriously pursue writing in the last seven years, I have concentrated on non-fiction. In addition to the two stories I wrote for the God Allows U-Turns Series, I have written for a Twin Cities paper called the Minnesota Christian Chronicle, including an article about a U-Turns book-signing from this March and the Minnesota connection of Allison and Bethany House Publishers.

It was at that book signing that Allison asked me when I was going to write my first novel. Just the week before, I had been thinking about turning some of my interest for medieval history into a novel. Out of that conversation, I submitted first a query letter, then was asked to submit a full proposal to a major Christian publisher, where it was well-received. That was in the spring.

Just a couple days ago, I received a reply that they want the to see the full-manuscript of the novel, which of course is not finished yet. It's exciting and overwhelming at the same time. I need to become more disciplined with my schedule to make it work. The novel is about a knight in 13th century France fighting a different type of Crusade. Instead of fighting with the Church in the Holy Land, he finds himself fighting against the Church on his own land.

I wanted to thank Allison again for letting me share what God has put on my heart this week. I hope the Lord has used my blogging to speak to someone and encourage them.

Blessings,

Charles (Chad but not Chuck)

Cleaning up Lies and Toothpicks

2006-08-26T07:40:00.000-05:00

Day Six of Seven
August 26, 2006
Guest Blogger: Charles Gibson

A couple months ago, our 2 year-old little boy, Trenton, raided a drawer in the kitchen. He grabbed a large box of toothpicks and proceeded to spread them around the living room floor. When I told him to pick them all up and put them back in the box, he said "okay," then proceeded to start putting the same two toothpicks in and out of the box.

For whatever reason he had decided he wasn't going to pick up his mess. When faced with various measures of discipline, including missing the chance to go to grandma's house, he still refused, but wouldn't directly tell us "no." Instead, he shrugged his little shoulders and said the toothpicks were "too heavy."

Trenton is very skilled at making messes. He is good at evenly distributing the mess for maximum clean-up difficulty. Another time he found a piece of styrofoam in a box. He broke it into small pieces and spread it around his room. It looked like it had snowed in there.

But this mess I didn't expect him to clean-up. I cleaned it up with a shop-vac. Even though Trenton was responsible, he couldn't reasonably pick-up all that styrofoam with his hands, especially the way styrofoam sticks to you.

I believe God deals with us in much the same way. There are some messes we make in life that we can and should clean-up. But there are other messes we make that we can't fix ourselves that God, in his grace, will clean up for us.

By mess I'm really talking about the consequences of our sin. Maybe it's a word spoken to someone else out of anger, or perhaps the effects of a sin that's become a harmful addiction. Either way, God desires to first clean-up the mess in our own souls, damaging lies we've believed that led to the sin. God also provides the grace to help us clean-up the damage our sin causes in relationships. Whatever the issue is, call on him today to bring his cleansing truth to where the lies are in your life.

Leaving Luggage in France

2006-08-25T16:52:00.000-05:00

Day Five of Seven
August 25, 2006
Guest Blogger: Charles Gibson

In the year 2000, I went on a short-term mission trip to France. I wrote about it in my second U-Turns story, Leaving Luggage in France (God Allows U-Turns: The Choices Teens Make, p. 138). During the week and a half our team from Minnesota remodeled a building for Toulouse International Church in Toulouse, France, I shared a room with Andy, the only teenager in the group.

Now Andy talked fast. Really fast. In the story, I wrote that “Andy rattled off words with the tempo of a machine gun. His statements gave new meaning to the term run-on sentence.”

There was also the issue of the Suitcase.

Everyone on the team brought tools on the trip. Since tools are heavier than clothes for example, people on the team spread their tools around between their suitcases and carry on luggage to distribute the weight. However, Andy didn’t do this.

The story opens this way (story text in blue):

“I need a hand with this suitcase.” Andy struggled to move the heavy weight from the trunk of the car to the ground.

“How heavy can it be?” Charles yanked on the handle and the suitcase barely moved. “What’s in here, lead weights or a bag of cement?”

“Nope, tools actually.” Andy was serious. “I brought hammers, hacksaws, screwdrivers, a cordless drill, tape measures, a tool belt, and duct tape. I want to be ready for any job.”

Charles shook his head. “You put all your tools in one suitcase? We have a long walk to the train station.”

…While most of the team’s luggage could be wheeled around, Andy’s was awkward. He carried the suitcase, dragged it, heaved it up on his shoulders, [and] shared his burden with others.

The latches on the suitcase were broken so Andy had wrapped it in multiple layers of duct tape to keep it shut. It stayed shut. The problem was trying to get it open once we arrived in Toulouse (story text in blue):

As Andy tried to hack the tape off his Samsonite using a pen, keys, his teeth, and anything else he could find, he took a step back and said,”Duct tape sure keeps a suitcase closed. It’s gone halfway around the world and I still can’t get it off. If I could only get my saw out. I could cut a hole in this thing. But I guess that wouldn’t work, either. I couldn’t get all my stuff back home with a hole in the suitcase. Maybe I could cover the hole with duct tape. Wait, here’s a pair of scissors.” Andy started tackling the tape. Things are sure a lot easier to open if they’re not wrapped so tight.”

Andy didn't realize it, but he was wrapped as tight emotionally as that suitcase was with duct tape. Many difficult experiences in his life had led to anxiety and a desire to control what was going on around him. Taking a risk in going to France, stepping out in faith and being part of a supportive team, helped him leave not only the suitcase and his heavy tools in France, but much of his anxiety about life as well.

Having a Respite

2006-08-24T08:39:00.000-05:00

Day Four of Seven
August 24, 2006
Guest Blogger: Charles Gibson

As a college student, I had a part time job working on campus as a janitor. It was two nights a week. The building where I cleaned was called Nazareth Hall, an ornate structure that was the oldest on campus. In that building was the college chapel, which was a beautiful marble sanctuary that was booked with weddings every weekend, and the college banquet hall, the Blue Room, which was cleverly painted (you guessed it) blue.

Sometimes I would work Friday nights, which often meant that we, the work-study janitorial crew, could look forward to whatever food was left over after a banquet, usually chicken with plum sauce and rice pilaf. But if the function was hosted by the college president or board of trustees, then the steak and lobster (our crew was in tight with the "chefs" that prepared the Blue Room meals) was the culinary highlight of the year, at least for college students living on mac and cheese and top ramen. After all the guests in their suits and dresses had left, we would file in with our t-shirts and blue jeans, park our vacuums, and partake of our own feast. It was food that would have gone to waste anyway. Why worry about sending it to hungry children in China, when you have starving American college students to feed?

Then we would vacuum the Blue Room afterward of course.

Sometimes in the midst of the work of cleaning up the messes of life and seeking to become like Christ, God gives us a welcome respite, a break, even a small taste of heaven. For college students who were taking a full class load, working, and trying to figure out life at the same time, it was good to have a somewhat extravagant meal every now and then.

Often the path that God calls us to is hard, but in his grace, he will always give us that good thing at just the right time. Maybe it's a nice meal, or a gift, or time with friends, but often it's more intangible than that.

The greatest gift that God has given us is himself, and sometimes what we need is to experience his presence. Those times when he "shows up" unannounced in a way that seems to have nothing to do with the events of the day. Yet we can look back on those times and realize that the experience of his Holy Spirit is exactly what we needed.

One such time happened in college when I was walking from the dorms to another building for a class. It was an intense time. I was in the middle of breaking free from my family of origin and establishing my own life and identity. Though I never participated myself, multigenerational bondage to the occult on both sides of my family of origin had led to generational strongholds that were very entrenched. My determination to follow God and experience freedom in Christ, led to a prolonged spiritual battle.

I don't remember what I was thinking about at the time, but I can still picture the exact place on the sidewalk and the time of day when God intervened and lifted some of that conflict off of me. Not all of it. I don't know how to explain it other than it felt like some of the load I was carrying was taken away. He had his purpose in using the spiritual battles I was going through to build my character and help me learn to take every thought captive. But I know he didn't want me crushed under the weight of it either. Why he picked that particular place on a Tuesday afternoon, I don't know. There were other times I felt much worse and cried out for him to remove the conflict from me. But he moves in our lives based on our needs not our wants. He wants to build our character more than give relief or comfort. God uses even the respites of life to make us more like him.

Exploding Illusions in Life

2006-08-23T12:49:00.000-05:00

Day Three of Seven
August 23, 2006
Guest Blogger: Charles Gibson

Mr. Shobe was the teacher for my Current Events class my sophomore year in high school. He was in his fifties with shorter hair (his name wasn't Chuck though, I don't think), and a product of the depression/WWII generation. He was no nonsense and very straightforward. I can't remember what this assignment had to do with current events, but he wanted us to write down a profession that we thought was dishonorable. In my view, as a 16 year-old, that was a garbage collector. All the stink and mess, how yucky to deal with all that stuff. I wrote down garbage collector expecting him to agree with me. What honor was there in dealing with trash?

Mr. Shobe, to say the least, took issue with my choice. He didn't say "I understand why you feel that way" or " let's look at this from a different perspective." He simply wrote on my paper that I was wrong. That being a garbage collector (meaning someone that drives a garbage truck and picks up the trash, not a dumpster diver) is honorable because civilized society cannot function without the removal of the garbage it generates.

I was a little bit shocked that day, because I wasn't used to being confronted directly, even if only on paper. I think Mr. Shobe wanted something like drug dealer or mafia kingpin, someone who harmed society. I remember little else about that class, but that confrontation was burned into my soul, and the Lord has reminded me of it many times since. There is honor in hard work and honor in cleaning up messes. Not just cleaning up physical messes but beliefs and thoughts that are garbage and lies as well.

I believe that much of the work of us becoming like Christ is about taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (II Cor. 10:5) and not conforming to this world but being transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:2).

As I wrote yesterday, I became a Christian when I was 16. It was during the first semester of my sophomore year. It was exciting for about two months. The most immediate change was an instant desire to start going to church every week. I had mostly hated going to church before that. I think it was God's grace that I was not saved until I had my driver's license and could drive myself to church. My family was very sporadic with church attendance, and my growth may have been snuffed out before it started. I went every Sunday, even if the rest of my family was still in bed.

As soon I hit the second semester of my sophomore year, the Lord started to confront my sense of protectiveness and the smug, quiet arrogance that had grown around it. I believed I could pretty much look out for myself. I thought I had life figured out more then the rest of my family, at least spiritually.

Then on January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded. My experience of that event, watching it on TV while working on a geometry assignment in the high school library, was the subject of my first God Allows U-Turns story, published, as I said before, in the American Moments volume.

The explosion was a shock to the nation and to me personally. Here's some of what I wrote (in blue):

"It blew up! The Challenger blew up!"
I was in my high school library when the librarian shouted her announcement. I had been engrossed in a geometry assignment. I liked geometry because it made sense to me. I could apply theorems and corollaries to arrive at a final answer--definite proof. Proof that the world made sense, that I could bring order to my existence.
When the Challenger exploded, I was a new Christian. I knew where I would go when I died, that I would spend eternity with God, but I wasn't sure about much else. Many of my illusions about security in life were shattered in an instant. If one of the most sophisticated machines ever built could erupt into a ball of fire and smoke, then what about my weak attempts to figure out this life? What guarantees exist short of heaven?

When I walked into my geometry class, I quickly saw I was the only one who saw the explosion on TV and knew that all the astronauts had died. I had a choice to make. I could have stayed anonymously quiet, like I had in the past, or just say what I knew. I told the whole class what I had just seen. Out of that event, I had the chance over the rest of the semester to form some friendships and talk about my new faith in Christ. It started with the fact that I rejected the lie that I had nothing to offer and chose to do something different. It was the beginning of allowing God to be my protection.

Digging Deep for Peace

2006-08-22T15:20:00.000-05:00

Day Two of Seven
August 22, 2006
Guest Blogger: Charles Gibson

When I was about 8 years-old, some of my friends and I decided that we wanted to dig a hole in my backyard. My parents said we could, so we got shovels and started to work. You see we thought we could make a lot of money doing it. This other kid who lived up the street, who was a 4th grader and two years older than us, said there was this guy, an old mining prospector, who would pay a lot of money for bedrock, which was supposedly really valuable. All we had to do was dig down to the bedrock below the dirt and this guy would pay us like $500 a pound for the stuff. We knew that $500 would buy a lot of candy and matchbox cars. We dug and dug in my parent's backyard in a spot right behind the house, until the hole was deeper than we were tall. The thing we exposed was not bedrock but part of the foundation of the house. The biggest financial implication of our labors was not money for bedrock but a flooded basement that came from a thunderstorm that night. It was a failed venture and my parents were unhappy to say the least.

It was all a lie. It was also a bitter way to learn that ordinary rock buried deep in the ground isn't worth any more than the same rock above ground. After my punishment was meted out, I was angry enough to confront the 4th grade kid about his "advice." He continued to insist that the "old prospector" paid for bedrock, we just didn't find real bedrock.

Growing up, I knew I wanted things like candy and matchbox cars. But the thing I wanted most was peace, I just didn't know it at the time. But looking back, many of the things I did were an attempt to find peace in the midst of often chaotic circumstances.

A chatterbox as a toddler, I started to withdraw more and more from other people as I got older. As me and my siblings tiptoed around my mom's anger, I learned fairly early that I couldn't count on my dad for protection. He seemed more interested in "keeping the peace." Every so often he had had enough and would verbally rip into my mom while I silently cheered him on, but those times were few and far between, and my dad spent the intervening times doing penance for his outburst. After all, my mom was justified because of her own chaotic childhood, at least that was the message that I received. I became scared to express my own feelings or problems, because I never knew what would set my mom off. Her pain and anger from her own childhood was never far from the surface, always ready to boil over with any elevation of emotional temperature.

I realized by the time that I was six or seven that I had to protect myself. My strategy was to bury who I was and retreat from the world, and I did just that whenever possible. I loved reading (and still do) and I buried myself in Hardy Boys books and a set of 1977 World Book Encyclopedias. That's right, encyclopedias. If the Hardy Boys books were about trying to figure out the mysteries of my world, then the encyclopedias were about trying to understand the world beyond my little life. I especially loved reading about geography and history. I wanted to visit every state capitol and every country in the world after that. I learned the encyclopedias so well that I became a much sought after trivia game player. I still remember that the 1977 population of Tokyo was 11,856,000, or something like that.

By the time I was twelve, after more painful and confusing events in my family, I realized I would have to figure out life somewhere other than from my parents. I became involved in the youth group at the church we were attending. It was the first church we had gone to where the gospel was actually preached and the Bible was taken literally, not metaphorically. The graceful atmosphere of that youth group was the first place I ever had a taste of true peace.

It wasn't until I was sixteen, four years later, that I found true peace, or at least the beginning of it. On a youth retreat at another church, I experienced the overt presence of the Holy Spirit for the first time. I didn't know it was the Holy Spirit, I just knew I had found what I was searching for and was moved to ask Christ into my life. It was a very emotional experience. I felt him enter my heart. I felt it physically in my chest. It was like He was so excited that my heart was finally open to Him that he rushed in to my life.

A few months later, the space shuttle Challenger exploded seconds after liftoff. It was an event that had a big impact on me as a new Christian and became the focus of my first U-Turns story. More about that tomorrow.

What's in a Name?

2006-08-21T06:13:00.000-05:00

Day One of Seven
August 21, 2006
Guest Blogger: Charles Gibson

Actually I go by Chad. But my legal name is Charles and I've been published as Charles, so we'll go with that.

As a kid, I didn't like the name Charles, because then I would get called Chuck or Charlie, which I liked even less. On the first day of class every year, the teacher, seeing that my name was on the class list as Charles, would inevitably ask for "Chuck" when taking attendance for the first time, and every year I would look around in curiosity with the rest of the other students wondering who Chuck was and waiting for him to say "here." Then after a few moments of silence in the class, I would realize "oh, the teacher means me." Then I would raise my hand and say "here, but I go by Chad."

And I'm still saying that today. Except now I like the name Charles, but don't call me Chuck or Charlie. Nothing against those names, they just don't fit me somehow. I guess in my mind, Chuck is someone from the fifties with a buzz hair cut. Although I do know several nice guys named Chuck, some even with longer hair.

Enough of my ramblings about my name. I'm appreciative of Allison for giving me the opportunity to post on her blog this week. For that matter, I'm thankful for all the opportunities she's given me in the last four years. I've had two stories published in the God Allows U-Turns series, and have participated with Allison in several book signings. My first story was published in the American Moments volume and is about how I was impacted by the space shuttle Challenger explosion. The next story, released this year in the Teens volume, is about the experience of a 17-year-old on a missions trip to France. I'll get to the stories later in the week, probably tomorrow, but I wanted to tell you a little bit more about me first. You can see some of my other writings at www.chadgibson.blogspot.com.

I've been married to my wife, Tricia, for 12 years and we have a little boy named Trenton, who’s almost 3. We live in Centerville, MN, about 15 miles north of St. Paul. My wife and I have actually known each other for 17 years since we dated for 5 years before getting married, which is quite an accomplishment considering that the first three years we were both at a private Christian college, where the pressure to date for 1 year, then get engaged is very intense. It’s very interesting. We simply outlasted all the questions of “are you engaged yet?” We weren't going to get married until we were ready. My wife, however, who married someone still very much under construction, wished at times we had waited another 5 years to get married.

We also waited to have kids. We believed that God had his own timeline for us. Often people have their own ideas of how things should be. I know there were those who thought we waited to have kids simply so we could both establish our careers and make more money, but the main reason was so that God could finish some of his "construction work" in me. It had taken me several years and a lot of hard work to deal with the effects of a passive dad and a mom prone to fits of rage.

I knew my wife would make a great mom, but I also knew I was still too passive and didn't want to have our child deal with a passive dad. It cannot be said too loudly that passivity is a curse. In her classic book, War on the Saints, Jessie Penn-Lewis wrote that "the chief condition, therefore, for the working of evil spirits in a human being, apart from sin, is passivity." My family background, in fact, was very cursed. With generations of deep-seated sin and occultism, there was involvement in everything from spiritualism to witchcraft to freemasonry. I went through a lot to break the curses of my ancestors and was determined that my children would not receive such a demonic inheritance as I did. My son will hear someday about the bondages of his ancestors and what his dad went through to overcome it and it will feel very removed to him. I thank God for that. More about my story tomorrow.

Feeling a Bit Stressed

2006-08-15T12:45:00.000-05:00

A special thank you to our recent Celebrity Guest Blogger, Eva Marie Everson. I hope everyone enjoyed her postings last week, and that you’ll pick up one of her latest books. Eva writes both non-fiction and fiction, so there’s something for everyone available! Visit Eva’s web site to see her recent books as well as to find out more about what she has in the pipeline.

Speaking of pipeline…I’m working on a book proposal as we speak and must get back to it. I’m feeling a little like the baby in the photo above.

That’s what’s on my mind today,

High Maintenance Diva

2006-08-11T15:43:00.000-05:00

Day Five of Seven
By: Eva Marie Everson
Guest Blogger

I awoke to some startling news this morning. As my husband slipped into his shoes before leaving the house for work and I sipped on my coffee and groggily stared at FOX News, he said, "I think there will be no more carrying cosmetics on planes. You'll have to leave your lipstick at home."

I immediately woke up--fully awake this time--and watched in horror as women (and some men) standing in long lines at the airport, tossed their lovelies into those horrid little "Rubbermaid" bins. For some, the cost of the hair products and perfumes were higher in price than the cost of the ticket to fly to wherever they were flying off to. I'm left to wonder what these women will do when they hit their layovers, which were designed by men but upgraded by women as a time to primp in the ladies restroom, which is--of course--why the lines are so stinkin' long and extend out into the hallways of the concourse!

Because I fly a lot--heading here and there to speak to women's groups, etc.--I am often met at the airport by a woman from the group who has seen my photo but has never met me in person. And, let's face it. Most of us don't look a thing like our pics! Especially airbrushed ones....

So, I usually say something like, "I'm wearing a black travel suit and a cute little baseball cap with the High Maintenance written across it in Swarovski crystals."

Now what will I say? "I'll be the ugly one without lipstick getting off the plane?"

Until tomorrow...

Eva Marie Everson

Picture: Eva Marie (in cap) with granddaughter, Jordynn.

A Memory of Daddy

2006-08-10T14:28:00.000-05:00

Day Four of Seven
Written by: Eva Marie Everson
Guest Blogger

A friend came by for a visit yesterday. She is also a writer and makes her living working in the sports section of our metro newspaper. Pretty cool stuff, I'm thinking.

We talked about how much we both love to read and we talked about reading the classics. She mentioned something about the Babysitter's Club and that's when it hit me that she is a great deal younger than me! Turns out, she's a year older than my youngest daughter. Who cares! Friends are friends at any age and we shared some great laughs.

I had a bit of an emotional evening though. One of my dearest friends in the whole world was "laid to rest" back in March. I gave the eulogy. The editor of a magazine was there and asked if he could print the eulogy in an upcoming edition of the periodical and I said that of course he could.

The magazine came in the mail yesterday afternoon. My article, titled "Daddy's Hug" took up two pages, filled with the same words I'd spoken and two impressive photos of my father, who would have been 75 years old this week had he not stepped through Heaven's Gate five months ago.

I miss him so much.

One major regret I have: Daddy never got to read the second novel in the Potluck series! (Amazon.com: The Potluck Club: trouble's Brewing: Books: Linda Evans Shepherd,Eva Marie Everson ) Daddy, who said he'd not read a novel that he could remember since high school, couldn't put the first book in the series down. I got quite tickled at him and my mother, who had long ago divorced, talking on the phone like old friends themselves (and I guess they were), saying things like, "What page are YOU on?" and "Did you read the part about Goldie getting mad at Jack yet?"

So Daddy didn't get to find out "what happened next," but that's okay. Something tells me he's pretty happy where he's at!

Until tomorrow....

Eva Marie Everson, Author/Speaker
U-Turns Guest Blogger

Photo: Eva Marie sitting high atop the world on her daddy's shoulder

Sex, Lies and the Media

2006-08-09T08:27:00.000-05:00

Wednesday August 9, 2006
Day Three of Seven
Written by Guest Blogger:
Eva Marie Everson

My 25-year-old daughter Jessica and I have now written two books together. The first one, Sex, Lies and the Media (Amazon.com: Sex, Lies And the Media: Books: Eva Marie Everson,Jessica Everson ) is a look at media's influence on youth culture. We have spent several weekends over this past year traveling from city to city to speak to parents on this subject only to discover that the parents who come are the ones already hardest hit by the effects and not those who want to know what to do to help their children when the effects hit. Bottom line is: they think it can't happen to them. They believe, as I once did, that because they live in the Christian home and raise their children with Christian values, the world won't come knocking at the doors of their children. Or, that if it does, their children won't answer.

Jessica and I are living proof that this simply is not the way it works and we talk about it as honestly as anything you'll ever read in our book. The world knocks and even Christian kids answer. The key is to help them to be IN the world but not OF it. To function normally. To survive.

For example, my granddaughter and I were shopping in the mall a few weeks ago, buying school clothes for her and maybe a baubble or two for me. A song on the overhead sound system was one that even my 8-year-old granddaughter knew was inappropriate, as she calls it. Did we run out of the mall screaming? No. I used it as a teaching moment and we talked about it.

Jessica and I discuss how to do all this in our book. We've been on The Coral Ridge Hour (Coral Ridge Hour Broadcasts) and several other shows. Yesterday we traveled to the Tampa Bay area, leaving early in the morning and returning late in the afternoon, to film HOMEKEEPERS
(Christian Television Network ) with Arthelene Rippy. Our hostess, a lovely woman of God!, was so enthralled by what we had to say, she asked us to stay and film a second show. A third show featured "just me" talking about my speaking ministry (Eva Marie) ...which was fun, too. Before we left she asked that we come again when our next book, Sex, Lies and High School (Amazon.com: Sex, Lies, And High School: What Your Teens Are Learning And Aren't Telling You: Books: Eva Marie Everson,Jessica.. ) is released.

A half hour after I got home I was teaching our homegroup Bible Study.

All in all...a pretty good day's work. But I'm tired....

So, until tomorrow....

Eva Marie Everson

Sabbath Monday

2006-08-08T08:49:00.000-05:00

Day Two of Seven
Written by Guest Blogger: Eva Marie Everson
Tuesday August 8, 2006

My Sabbath falls on a Monday.

Like many in my “profession” (a.k.a. ministry), my weekends are usually so filled with travel for speaking engagements, speaking, etc., in an exhausted heap I decided to designate Monday as my 7th day of the week.

Fortunately for me, I attend a church with seven services each weekend, the last one falling on Monday evening, so as part of my Sabbath, I enjoy an evening in praise and worship and a time of hearing the Word of God preached by some of the best. It’s the perfect ending to—what I always hope will be—a perfect day.

These are days for reading books and watching sit-coms in syndication. I putter around the house. I take a long walk, a short nap. I pore over the Word of God. I languish in the shower and take my time putting on my makeup. Some Mondays I schedule coffee at Starbucks with a friend or lunch at Casey’s Grille, that kind of thing. Because my nickname is “Eva Diva,” I like to think of it as a real Divine Diva Day.

This is an opportunity for my mind, my body, and my soul to catch up to each other.

Too often we post modern men and women of the church ignore that deep-rooted need inside us. We push ourselves beyond our own boundaries and then wonder why nothing is ever done well enough. We look at even our good accomplishments and think, “It’s just not good enough.”

Recently I turned in a book titled “Oasis; a Spa for Body & Soul” (Revell, 2007) in which I explored the elements of our physical bodies vs. our spiritual bodies. The chapter in which I wrote about “napping” and such really struck a chord in me. I realized even as I was writing that at one time I’d been so good to myself and then I just let life take over, push me to the rear, push God to the rear….

But taking a Sabbath on any day of the week allows us time to drink in the refreshment of the Lord. It allows us to survive the rest of the week, quite frankly.

And Day One of the rest of the week, for me, begins tomorrow.

Until then, I am…

Eva Marie Everson
Sabbath Diva

CLOSING PS FROM ALLISON (Aka: Ali-Diva) We'll be featuring "Oasis: A Spa for Body and Soul" on our web site as a free contest give-away in spring 2007. Make sure to stay in touch with us!

A U-Turn of Another Color ...

2006-08-07T12:42:00.000-05:00

Day One of Seven
Written by Guest Blogger:
Eva Marie Everson

I have kept a diary my entire life yet have yet to catch hold of the "blogging" craze. Sure, I have done it. I've blogged. I tried it at my website for a few days, felt overwhelmed, and then stopped. Eventually I developed a "journal" page, which is, right now, as I type, hopelessly behind. I've got a few pics up and every day I promise I'll add more, but I don't. Actually, I'm waiting on Allison for that. She has my pics. Allison is awesome for taking photos at events so I don't have to do a true panic at the thought of having left mine at home. I only have to pretend to panic.

So, here I am "guest blogging." Now there's something I never thought I'd hear myself say. "Hello, my name is Eva Marie Everson and I am a guest blogger." But, Allison insisted. "You have to do this," she said. "You have to be my guest blogger."

Anyone who knows Allison knows well that you rarely can say no to the woman.

"What do you want me to blog about?" I asked, thinking that surely nothing in my life could possibly be interesting enough for others to read about.

"Anything," she answered. "But be sure to mention a U turn."

Sure, Allison. Be sure to plug your ministry in the middle of my blog....

All kidding aside, I love Allison and I love her for allowing me to do this. Over the past few weeks (okay, months) I've been thinking about what I would say or could say or even should say about U turns. Then, today as I was helping my husband rip away the dropped ceiling in our kitchen (in a few weeks I'll have a stunning new kitchen, he says) I realized that nearly every day of my life, some U turn is going on somewhere.

Take today for example. This morning I woke up, shuffled into the soon-to-be-new kitchen and poured myself a cup of coffee, then shuffled on into the living room where I turned on the TV to watch a bit of news. The situation in Israel is the headline. I thought about my friends who live there and my upcoming trip there to work with Miriam Feinberg on our book "Falling Into the Bible" (W Publishing, 2008). My husband says Hezbollah has wakened a sleeping lion and the lion is fighting back. I like that, but I am sad none-the-less, that this great nation, Israel, is under such attack. I wish everyone loved her as I do.

Then I watched Father of the Bride with Steve Martin and remembered that the first time I saw it, 1991, I had yet to have one of my daughters fall in love and marry. Seeing it now gives a whole new perspective.

After that, I worked on the fourth novel in the "Potluck" series I'm writing with Linda Evans Shepherd http://www.sheppro.com/potluckclub.htm. One of my characters is about to make her own U turn...and it's not a good one. What Linda and I have done with our characters is show the kind of women we come in contact with when we minister at churches. Women today--even good Christian women--are hurting. Some are making positive U turns and some are not. Our novels, we pray, will give all women hope and point them toward the One who loves them not only in spite of their weaknesses, but also because of them.

In between all this, I helped my husband with Project New Kitchen.

I guess you could say that our kitchen is making its own U turn. Let's hope we survive it to tell its story to the very end.

Until tomorrow…
Eva Marie Everson

Schmoozing at CBA

2006-07-26T18:45:00.000-05:00

One of the most difficult things about attending special events and parties at CBA/ICRS is all of the schmoozing one must do. –heavy sigh- You can tell by the look on my face that I am having a horrible time of it as I visit with Jonathan Clements from The Nashville Agency and Steven James, Author/Speaker, at the Baker Publishing Group Dinner held on Sunday, July 9th, which just so happened to be my birthday as well.

Tough life, but hey, someone’s got to do it. :-)

Have a blessed day!

And that’s what’s on my mind today.

Nothing Changes ...

2006-07-24T07:36:00.000-05:00

Good Morning Bloggers!

It’s Monday morning and I hope everyone had a pleasant weekend. With only four days left to complete my second novel, I’m entering the home stretch. I’ll do my best to blog this week, but not sure how successful I’ll be. Make sure to stay tuned for our next Celebrity Guest Blogger – none other than author, speaker, and Bible teacher: EVA MARIE EVERSON. For a great summer read you might want to pick-up her latest novel, co-written with Linda Evans Shepherd and the second in the Potluck Club series: TROUBLE’S BREWING.

Eva’s BLOG week begins Sunday, August 7 thru the 13th.

In the mean time, I came across a couple old black and white photos my mom took of me when I was a kid. Things don’t change much over the years, do they?

Have a blessed day!

And that’s what’s on my mind today.

The Joy of Photo Memories!

2006-07-22T09:12:00.000-05:00

Good Morning Bloggers!

If you’ve read any of my blog posts this past week, you’ll know I’ve been having one heck of a time uploading photos. Sigh. Hopefully, it will work today. Why all the fuss about photos? Because it’s true, a picture really is worth a thousand words.

I grew up in the projects in Cleveland, Ohio and one of the few “luxuries” my mother insisted on was to always have film in her old Brownie camera. I can recall when months would go by and there was no money to develop the exposed film, and roll upon roll would collect in her dresser drawer. But when a windfall came our way, she’d gather up the film and take it to the drug store to be developed. Back then, they were usually black and white photos with scalloped edges. (Yes, I really am that old.) It used to drive all three of us kids crazy that mom was always pointing that silly camera at us. But you know what? Today we have celluloid memories that can never be replaced and, guess what?

I’ve become my mother with my own silly camera—always pointing it in someone’s face!

For example, let’s take Day #1 at CBA/ICRS in Denver earlier this month. It was Friday, July 7th and I had stopped by the Denver Athletic Club on my way over to another event at the Adams Mark Hotel. No, I wasn’t there for a quick work-out. It was the gala dinner for AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Services.) I was kind of bummed out I wouldn’t be able to attend, but equally excited that I would be signing my first novel for a group of Parable bookstore owners at an event hosted by my publisher. I stopped in long enough to say hello and to Oooo and ahhh at how wonderful my fellow AWSA looked.

I was dressed in casual business attire, but everyone at the AWSA gala was dressed to the nines. Especially the Diva herself, Eva Marie Everson (Eva Diva to us.) Looking ever so mahvelous in her elegant black velvet gown and diaphanous shawl, she hurried over to me and said, “Have you got your camera? I forgot mine, I can’t believe I forgot mine. I must have a picture of this dress.” (Truth be told, it was how she looked in the fab dress after losing ten pounds that she really wanted captured on film, but hey, who am I to let that cat out of the bag?) And yes, I must admit, she looked great J as did everyone!

If my photos uploaded without trouble, you’ll see Eva Diva at the top of the page, and the encouraging Lucinda Secrest McDowell and the gracious Pam Farrell directly above this text. (That's me in the suit.) All three awesome AWSA’s and all three authors and speakers with a heart for Jesus and a passion to share His love with the world.

Have a blessed day!

And that’s what’s on my mind today.

Brandilyn Collins, Allison & Lissa Halls Johnson

2006-07-18T21:42:00.000-05:00

Another photo that was supposed to accompany the Monday, July 17th posting. Is anyone else out there is the blogosphere having as much trouble as I am uploading photos to blogger.com?

Liz Curtis Higgs and Allison!

2006-07-18T21:38:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers:

Okay, now this is the photo that was supposed to be part of Monday's posting. Whew!

Photos for Previous Posting!

2006-07-18T21:26:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers:

Okay, here are the three photos I refer to in my previous posting. Now, if I could figure out how to COMBINE my photos and text postings I'll have it made! I'm going to see if I can upload the photo of Liz Curtis Higgs and Brandilyn Collins. Be right back!

Allison

A Day at CBA in Denver

2006-07-18T06:57:00.000-05:00

Good Morning Bloggers!

It’s a little after 6:00 AM here in sunny southern Minnesota. It was 52 degrees this morning at 5:00 AM when I got up – too weird! Considering it’s been in the 100’s the past several days. Don’t get me started on weather, but something pretty weird is going on these days, don’t you think?

I tried on and off all day yesterday to post photos on my blog – to no avail. My dear friend, author, teacher, editor, and tech wizard W. Terry Whalin also tried for me – and while he was able to see the photos on his end, I’m afraid most of my readers could only see empty photo boxes. Sigh. And I have such a lovely photo of Lissa Halls Johnson and Brandilyn Collins in her green sequin dress (different from the one she refers to in her blog posting) and another great pic with Liz Curtis Higgs. Shucks. Maybe I can get things to work later today. I’ll keep trying. Any feedback from fellow bloggers about this photo posting issue? Feel free to send comments.

In the mean time, I promised more updates from my week at CBA/ICRS in Denver from July 7-13. It was a whirlwind of activity and appointments.

Bethany House hosted the first book signing for my debut novel (A Stitch in Time) at their booth on Wednesday, July 12. I was seriously stressing all week that no one would show up. Believe me; I’ve been to more than my share of book signings where helpful volunteers are pulling people into line off the floor so I’m not standing there looking like a blonde joke.

Well, I was joyfully stunned! We had a non-stop line and I think I signed about 200 books. I know we handed out every book we had. With the help of Bethany House publicist Linda White, and my dear friend and author Sharen Watson, I praise God that we were able to get my debut novel into the hands of book buyers and bookstore managers from all points of the country.

There would be no photo record of this occasion were it not for author, speaker and friend Tracy Klehn. If you can see the photos she sent to me, I’d like you to pay attention to the close-up. See the book poster on the wall behind me? I am always amazed at how God works. While I know that God is at the helm of any success I might be having with my writing career, I also have a lot of His children here on earth to thank for where I am today.

One of those special people is best selling novelist Tracie Peterson. A couple years back I took her fiction class intensive at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference. The novel in progress I used as my class project was A Stitch in Time. It was in a very rough form but her encouragement and her teaching helped me get to where I am today. I’m not sure A Stitch in Time would be published were it not for her support. I love this woman not only as a writer and as a friend, but as a true sister in Christ.

If you’ve not had the opportunity to read her new Alaskan Quest series make sure to pick them up soon. I read Summer of the Midnight Sun (#1) in one sitting and as soon as I meet my August 1st deadline for my next novel, I plan to sit on a beach somewhere (or maybe just in my back pasture with the cows,) and read #2 in the series, Under the Northern Lights. Whispers of Winter, the third book in the series, is the cover you see on the poster that appears over my shoulder in the photo. (That is, if you can even see a photo.) J I think it releases next month.

I cannot believe I share the same publisher as Tracie Peterson. God is so good and I am praising His name for His transformational power. Since my first u-turn back in 1989 I have walked a journey filled with twists and turns. Many of us can relate. Yet through it all I rest in assurance that God is in control. His control and the way He orchestrates His plans was evident throughout my week at CBA. This poster of Tracie's newest book directly behind me was but one God-cidence in a week of head-shaking awe.

Check back tomorrow when I share highlights of other authors who were in attendance at CBA. I stood in a lot of author book signing lines to greet my brothers and sisters in the Lord who are working on the frontlines of literature today to bring the message of faith into homes around the world.

Have a blessed day!

And that’s what’s on my mind today.

A Week at CBA in Denver! A Retrospective

2006-07-17T11:30:00.000-05:00

Greetings Dear Readers!

I’m back from CBA/ICRS in Denver and my head is still spinning! But first, a special thank you to guest bloggers Connie Pombo and Jennifer Cary. I’m sure you’ll agree that their posts gave us a lot to think about. I encourage you to please continue to comment on postings so we can stay on top of subjects that touch your heart.

Our next scheduled Celebrity Guest Blogger was to be “America’s Teacher,” Vicki Caruana. Alas, Vicki suffered a death in her family and is currently en route to a funeral. Please join me in praying for her traveling safety and that she would have strength of heart during this period of mourning.

Author and speaker, Eva Marie Everson will be our Celebrity Guest Blogger from August 7-13. Until then, it’s yours truly who will once again do her level-headed best to check in on a daily basis. However, I am on an August 1st deadline for novel #2 and I’m doing my best to stay focused. Ha! Easier said than done for an adult with ADHD. –Sigh-

I've decided to share highlights of CBA with you this coming week. But first, I am having one heck of a time referring to CBA as ICRS. Forgive me, okay? I’m afraid it will always be CBA to me.

I attended my first Christy Award Ceremony on Saturday, July 8th. Imagine my surprise when my editor, Charlene Patterson, sat me down at the same table with Gary Johnson, President of Bethany House; Carol Johnson, Vice President of Editorial (Fiction) at Bethany House; and Dwight Baker, President and CEO of Baker Publishing Group. Gulp. I did my best not to gawk and gush, but I’m telling you, I am so like a kid when it comes to rubbing elbows with folks like this. I pretend I’m one of them, and I imagine I don’t look too much like a bumbling idiot, but I want to pinch myself and I continually whisper thanks to God above for the places He puts me!

One of those amazing places was orchestrating my exit from a taxi cab just as Liz Curtis Higgs was walking into the hotel for the Christy Awards. Liz was nominated in the Historical Fiction category for her novel: Whence Came a Prince (Waterbrook Press)

Liz has been one of my most favorite writers for years and years. I have read just about everything she’s ever written. Really. Every time I see her at a CBA event or a conference, she is always gracious to say “yes,” when I ask if I can have my picture taken with her. I am worse than a Paparazzi, it’s horrible. But I’m afraid it’s all a dream and if I don’t have visible proof I’ll wake up and find it’s all been a glorious fantasy. This photo of Liz and me was taken in the lobby of the Marriott City Center Hotel about one hour before her novel was given a Christy Award for Best Historial Fiction. Congratulations Liz! Don’t we look like we’re having fun? We were in full-blown evening gown mode and Brandilyn Collins had something to say about this on her blog – check it out here and make sure to scroll down and read all of her CBA updates.

(Note to Brandilyn: I for one LOVED your green sequin gown. I doubt you left green sequins in your wake as much as I left gold glitter. I felt like Gretel, leaving a trail of golden breadcrumbs to find my way back to my seat. No wonder my gown was on the sale rack at Neimann Marcus! Said gowns are displayed in the photo with the lovely and petite Lissa Halls Johnson.)

Any way, Liz was sitting almost directly next to me at the table next to mine at the Christy’s. Everywhere I looked I saw writing luminaries we have all grown to love—folks like James Scott Bell, Brandilynn Collins, Angela Hunt, Jerry Jenkins, Beverly Lewis, Gayle Roper, Tracie Peterson, and the list goes on and on. I was like a kid in a candy store—praise the Lord and help me not to be a total nincompoop!

NOTE: Bethany House went on to win four out of the seven Christy Awards and I'm honored that my debut novel, A STITCH IN TIME, has been published by Bethany House. Carol Johnson was the key force behind the creation of the Christy Awards and she still serves on the Christy Award Advisory Board.

Click here to read a list of the seven Christy Award recipients.

Stay tuned this week for more updates and photos as I share my CBA week with you. The 4th Annual God Allows U-Turns “Strength of Choice Award” was presented and I can’t wait to tell you who won! Plus, there was the AWSA Golden Scroll Banquet, and the Pearl Girl Tea, and the Women in Publishing event, and the Baker Dinner (WOW!) and ….well a lot happened in one week!

I’ll also be visiting with you about my time spent with Terry Whalin, Heather Gemmen, Eva Marie Everson, and a host of others, including Mark Kuyper, President of ECPA! Make sure to come back. Oh, and please check out our newly revised web site and tell me what you think, okay? God Allows U-Turns has a super new look!

See you tomorrow!

And that’s what’s on my mind today.

A Prayer of Blessing

2006-07-16T19:05:00.000-05:00

Well, my friends, here we are at my last day, my last post to you on this blog. I hope you have been blessed as I have. This venture has required me to think, to look deep inside, to recall happy and painful moments, and to turn to our loving Abba for guidance and words. I must confess I have procrastinated posting this last time, struggling with what to say in closing. I’ve decided to share a brief story before praying a blessing on each of you.

The incident I want to share happened when I was a teen. My parents were going through a rough patch and my grandparents wanted to help. Their offer was politely, but determinedly turned down. Finally, my grandmother called my father over and indicated that he sit. When she had his full attention, she took his hand and simply said six words. “Don’t deprive me of a blessing.”

My father couldn’t argue with such logic and accepted the help. It was the first time I had looked at it from that viewpoint. When we bless, we are blessed in return. That is not to say the return blessing is immediate or even in this life, but our Father knows. That is enough.

Dear Abba, thank You so much for the opportunity to share how You have poured out Your blessings on my life. I ask that these posts touch those that need to hear of Your extravagant mercy and love. Let every reader who comes across these messages be blessed by Your grace. May we bless others as You have blessed us and in so doing, bless You, in return. Father, I ask for favor to surround Allison and her team and the whole GAUT project. May You be glorified and may many make u-turns back to Your heart of love. I thank You again, for all You have done, for all You are doing, and all that You’ve yet to do. Be praised in Jesus’ Name. Amen and amen

Abundant blessings now and always,
Jenny

Blessing Discoveries

2006-07-15T12:18:00.000-05:00

Welcome back! Yesterday I promised to let you in on some other discoveries I’ve made concerning blessings. I hope you are ready.

Just to set the stage, I want to remind you of my suggestion (from my first post) that perhaps God sometimes orchestrates the u-turn. I’ve been thinking about that and maybe that isn’t quite the best way to state what I mean. Maybe it is more like “orchestrates the opportunities” for the u-turn. With that in mind, here’s the story.

Back in the summer of 1775, a group of men from the wilds of Tennessee gathered. They were unhappy about their tax situation. Virginia and North Carolina both demanded taxes from Tennessee as both claimed ownership of the area. So, the men chose a few delegates to travel to Pennsylvania where they heard a congress of men from all the colonies were meeting. Perhaps they could get this ownership/tax problem settled. A young man named John was picked to go along as one of the volunteers.

That July, when John and the other men were meeting with some of our founding fathers, their settlement back home was attacked by renegades. When John returned, he learned his parents and most of his siblings had been killed. One brother was maimed and one brother, a deaf mute, taken captive. If John had been there, the odds were he would have been killed as well. Since he wasn’t there, he still had his life to live. He married, raised a large family and watched one son rise to become a Representative in the Congress of the United States. This son also had an unsuccessful bid for the office of president and eventually left for Texas where he fought at a place called the Alamo. You’ve probably heard of him—Colonel David Crockett.

My thought is this: If John had not gone to Philadelphia, he probably would have died. If he had died, there would have been no Davy Crockett. If there had been no Davy Crockett, there would have been no “me”—Davy Crockett is my great, great, great grandfather. God blessed Grandpa John with the gift of longer life by orchestrating the idea to go to the First Continental Congress for help and advisement. That did not change John’s free will, however, which he freely wielded by turning to alcohol (he was a raging drunk) instead of u-turning to God when faced with the torment of what we now know to be post traumatic stress syndrome.

So why is it that in spite of numerous opportunities to turn to God and allow Him to work in our lives, we often do horrible, destructive things, refusing His mercy, yet still live to tell about it?

My theory, and it is just a theory, is that God knows us and blesses us before we are even born. If our ancestor does not surrender to God’s love and guidance, then maybe the next generation will. We are not stuck in the curses of our ancestors. We do not have to remain in the family fetters. God has blessed us with life and gives us the opportunity to turn to Him, allowing Him to remove the chains that bind.

I’d love to hear what you have to say about this. Like I said, this is just a theory on my part, but Jeremiah 1:5 gives me the idea that this theory is a possibility.

Can’t wait to hear from you!

Abundant blessings,
Jenny

Undercover Blessings

2006-07-14T00:28:00.000-05:00

Ever run across a blessing in disguise? I know we all have heard the story of how someone who knows someone else whose cousin’s ex-wife’s step-sister’s uncle got stuck in traffic and how he ended up missing an important flight by mere seconds only to later hear the plane crashed. It makes a great movie but I’m talking about real life—your own life. Have you ever run across an undercover blessing?

There’s a story about the Reverend Dr. John Witherspoon from when he was president of what became Princeton University. A young man came rushing into Dr. Witherspoon’s office one day. “Dr. Witherspoon, you must pray with me now,” he demanded.

“Certainly young man. What do you want to pray about?”

“I want to thank God for sparing my life. I was on my way here and as I was coming around the bend, another buggy came careening in my direction. I thought for sure it was the end but somehow the buggy made it past and I want to pray and thank the Lord for His protection.”

Dr. Witherspoon stood and came from around his desk to put an arm across the young man’s shoulders. “I would be honored to pray a prayer of thanks with you but first I believe we should thank our Father for all the protection He offers that we do not see.”

I love that story. It helps me to remember that perhaps that slow car that won’t let me make it through on the yellow light might have just saved my life. Or maybe when I can’t find my keys for the longest time (only to discover they were right where I’d left them) that maybe I’m being protected from injury or expensive damage.

Several years ago, Ian’s doctors suggested we apply for disability through SSI for Ian. We did but were turned down. At the time, I was back in school working on my elementary education degree. Nearly two years later, when I was in my last semester, we received a letter from the Social Security Department. Apparently they had turned down someone who didn’t take it kindly—so much so, they unkindly took it all the way to the Supreme Court. And the Court ruled in their favor. The Social Security Department had to go back through their files for ten years and notify everyone they had turned down that they could now reapply. If accepted, the recipient would be paid a check for the back payment they should have received. We were able to make a down payment on a house with the money Ian got (this was approved because it provided shelter for Ian). If Ian had qualified when we first applied, we never would have gotten our house.

Another time, I went through a season of feeling forgotten by God. I had been graduated from a good university with a high GPA rating. I had all sorts of references and did well with my interviews. But time and again it would come down to me and someone else, and the someone else would get the job every time. I couldn’t understand it. I wanted a full-time teaching position. I wanted it with all my heart. Wasn’t God supposed to give me the desires of my heart?

About four years after graduation, I ended up having major surgery and was not available to interview for a full time job. I had been running on stress for so long that the time at home healing was a gift. The desire for my own classroom left though I knew, financially, I needed to work. So I prayed. “Lord, I hate to interview. If You have a position for me, would You please have them call me?”

The doctor released me on a Wednesday and I got a call on Thursday. “You don’t know me, but you were recommended to me. I have a preschool teaching position opening up and wondered if you might want to interview for it.”

It was a perfect fit and I loved my work. The pay wasn’t anything like an elementary classroom teacher would make but it was enough. Then in the spring of 1999, my boss and her boss asked me to stay after a meeting. They explained that when we moved into the new building (that was nearly finished), there were only two preschool rooms. Beginning with the upcoming year, one of those rooms would house a multi-needs preschool. I was not qualified to teach that and the other preschool teacher had more seniority. They didn’t want to lose me, though, so they offered me another position as Preschool Coordinator at a different site. I would be getting a promotion and a major raise.

I thank God to this day that I didn’t say yes on the spot. “May I go home and pray about this over the weekend?” They gave me the time and in the process I learned that if I took the job, it would cost us $300 per paycheck, besides losing Ian’s SSI money. He would no longer qualify for SSI or the state insurance or Children’s Rehab Services. Phil’s insurance with the city had been in place long enough that they wouldn’t cry “preexisting” if we added Ian but the formulary didn’t cover all his medications—some of which ran over $1000 per month. I suddenly realized that it had been a blessing all along to not get the positions I thought I wanted so badly.

I learned something else in the process. When God says to delight yourself in Him and He will give you the desires of your heart, He’s not talking like some cosmic sugar daddy. When I make Him my delight, my focus, my lord, He places in me the desires He has for me—to do what He wants, to fulfill the plans He has for me. I must seek Him first and His righteousness and these things will be added unto me. Make sense? It finally did with me.

Tomorrow I will share another discovery I’ve made about blessings. See you then!

Abundant blessings,
Jenny

Blessings All Around

2006-07-12T23:51:00.000-05:00

I don’t know where I heard the story, but it stuck. Perhaps you’ve heard it as well. It goes something like this: In ancient China, a farmer had a couple horses. A storm came and the farmer’s horses got free. A neighbor noted the empty yard. “Oh, your horses ran away. That’s too bad.”

“Maybe yes, maybe no,’ the farmer replied.

The next day the horses returned with five wild mares. The neighbor heard the horses neighing and came by to see. “Now you have seven horses! You are very lucky!”

The farmer shrugged. “Maybe yes, maybe no.”

Word spread of the farmer’s good fortune. One day his only son came out to help him break in the new horses. He was thrown from one of them and broke his leg. Of course, the neighbor heard the commotion and raced over to see what happened. “Oh my, this is too bad for you.”

The old farmer didn’t even look up. Instead he helped his son into the house. “Maybe yes, maybe no,” he called over his shoulder.

The very next day soldiers of the emperor came riding in to the village and took every able bodied young man with them to fight in the war. Because his leg was broken, the farmer’s son did not have to go.

I think Job said it best when he asked his wife, “Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?” Just like the whole half-empty/half-full glass theory, it is all in how we look at things. Everyone has troubles and everyone has blessings. If I came here to tell you all the hard parts of my life, you would probably have a hard time believing that I feel blessed beyond measure.

The same thing goes for our Ian. Born with a genetic disease that would one day take his life, Ian made so many trips to the hospital, I lost count—I stopped counting after thirty. Would you believe that we had to make him work on staying healthy? True! He had so much fun at the hospital he would let himself get sick so he could go back! Cable TV, sleeping in to whenever he wanted, a computer for his room, gifts and attention from friends and family, celebrity visits and the food he wanted—what’s not to like? All it cost him was some therapy and a few needles and he could handle that.

Thankfully, Ian outgrew that attitude but it was hard for awhile. Instead he developed an attitude of humor and generosity. He enjoyed making people laugh and bringing joy. I’ve dedicated a page on my website to his wit—we’ve come to call the sayings “Ian-isms” because they are so him.

After Ian went home to be with Jesus, our family gathered to remember stories and find reasons for joy. A friend took notes so the stories could be shared his memorial service. And oh, the stories we shared! I learned things that night as Ian’s sisters let the cat out of the bag for several things. Even in our grief, we couldn’t help but realize how blessed we were to have had him in our lives. Ever since, I’ve held on to those stories and laughter. I could choose to thank God for blessing me with Ian, even for such a short time or I could hold on to bitterness and grief and lose out on the joys of the present and the hope of the future. Like God said, He has placed life and death, blessings and curses before us. He pleads with us to choose life. He even sent His Son to die for us that we may have abundant life. Since it is a choice, I choose life. I choose blessings.

In closing today’s post, I’m going to share one of my favorite Ian stories. I was teaching at the same school where my kids attended. One day while I was working after school, Ian was hanging out in the boys’ bathroom with one of his friends. Now to get the proper picture of this, you have to know that both boys were in the seventh grade. Ian’s friend was on the Jr. High football team and was not only good sized for his age, he was also wearing his uniform, pads and all. Ian, on the other hand was more than a head shorter, a good fifty pounds lighter and wearing no padding whatsoever. However, both being thirteen year old boys, they were doing something which seemed to them most fun and entertaining—they were taking turns shoving each other into the bathroom door. Ian’s friend took his turn, by this time getting into the game, and shoved a little too hard. Ian’s g-tube popped out. At least, this is the story Ian told as he came running into my classroom, his hands cupped around the g-tube.

I’d like to say I didn’t panic, but I think I’m supposed to be honest here so let’s say I behaved like any other mom in the same situation. I called the doctor and we ended up spending the evening at the ER getting things fixed. It wasn’t until that evening of sharing Ian stories that I discovered what he had neglected to tell me.

Meg saw Ian at the water fountain. He was getting a drink, but then he straightened, lifted his shirt and stared at this stomach. Then he got another drink and did the same thing. “What are you doing,” she asked.

“I want to see if I leak.”
Well, his stomach might not have leaked, but his humor and generosity spilled out on all of us who knew him.

Abundant blessings,
Jenny

PS If you have a story of blessing that didn't start out that way or a possible Ianism, please feel free to share in the comments. We love to hear from you and you might get drawn for a free book!

And Then What Happened

2006-07-11T22:08:00.000-05:00

Welcome back! (Didn’t I just say that yesterday?) I’m glad I haven’t chased you away and hope you are ready for my Paul Harvey imitation—you know, “The rest of the story.”

Yesterday I shared how, in spite of my prayers to the contrary, our son Ian was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. For those of you who do not know, CF is a genetic disease that attacks the lungs and pancreas. In short, the gene that is supposed to cause fluids to pass through cell walls is mutated making mucus in the lungs thick and sticky. Bacteria and viruses are trapped in the lungs. Also, the pancreas is unable to release enzymes for digestion so people with CF can technically eat 24/7 and die of starvation. It sure explained how Ian had managed to have bronchitis and pneumonia each twice before his first birthday. It also explained why he was so small and having difficulty putting on weight in spite of an appetite so large that I wrote to Kellogg’s to tell them how much cereal the boy inhaled daily. They were kind enough to send me some coupons for free cereal—and trust me, it came in mighty handy (thank you very much!).

It took a while to get Ian on the right track but he responded well to treatment. However, we were so busy getting used to our new lifestyle of twice daily chest percussion therapy and medication regime, we were a little surprised to find we were about to add to the family. Let me restate that—we were shocked and terrified to learn another Cary was on the way.

Remember back in biology class when you had to make the eye color chart? Well, the cystic fibrosis gene works the same way. Because it is a recessive gene, both parents have to be carriers. Carriers have no symptoms and, until fairly recent, there was no way to tell if you were a carrier unless you had a child with the disease. Once scientists isolated the gene in the mid-90’s, things changed but, at the time, Phil and I had no clue we were carriers until Ian was diagnosed. Then we learned that every child we had had a one in four chance of being born with the disease, a fifty-fifty chance of only being carriers, and a one in four chance of no CF/no carrier. We faced nine months of not knowing. More than once we were offered the opportunity to end the pregnancy, but we put our faith in God and said, “No!”

June 25th, five days late, we welcomed our beautiful Margaret Kathleen. One week after that we received the phone call. “How does it feel to be the proud parents of a perfectly normal baby girl?” My hand shook so hard I dropped the phone. When I found air enough to speak, I felt as if I’d been holding my breath for the entire pregnancy. And I cried—of course, I cried, my husband cried, my mother and mother-in-law cried. Another blessing. God is so good! All three of our girls have been tested now—even to see if they are carriers. In spite of the odds against it, all three girls do not have the disease nor are they carriers. Praise God!

I’ve learned over the years to count my blessings. I find myself looking for that blessing in disguise. Please, don’t mistake me for Pollyanna. Trust me, I can whine with the best. But I’ve experienced the living Word of God. His promises are not just words in a book. They are active and true. I know. I know.
I’m including a picture here of my kidletts when they were younger—taken the summer Charles Barkley took the Suns to the finals (hence the purple and orange) Our youngest, Meg, is now twenty so that should give you an idea how old the picture is. Even so, it is still my favorite. You probably couldn’t tell that Ian was making 2-5 hospital stays per year back then or that they had been putting up with Mom going to college and getting her degree or dad working long hours to meet the bills. We look happy and in spite of all the hard things going on, we were. And that’s another blessing.

Can you see a theme here? It’s a way of thinking that Ian caught and lived. Tomorrow I’ll share some examples. Until then. . .

Abundant blessings,
Jenny Cary

The Story Behind the Story Continues

2006-07-11T00:08:00.000-05:00

Welcome back! When we left our heroine yesterday she was. . . oh, right, that was me. Okay, when we left off yesterday, I was sitting on the edge of my bed, little understanding the u-turn in progress. I was seven months pregnant and my husband was not only out of a job for the second time in a year, we were now without health insurance. Yet God was asking if I was ready to trust Him. It seemed like the best idea. (Okay, it was the only idea.)

As it turned out, our church was in the midst of a building program (not the same one from “A Legacy of Giving”) and we held an auction. Everyone one offered something of value and we auctioned it off with all proceeds going to the church. Our Sunday school teacher’s husband was a doctor and he offered a complete obstetrics plan. My mom purchased it and gave it to us thus providing where the insurance had left off. My brother-in-law decided to sell his lawn business and move his family to New York. My husband bought the business and we had income. God continued to meet our needs.

About two weeks before our son was due, our doctor (and friend) explained he had added a partner to his practice. “You could go into labor at any time. I’m going to be gone for about a week. You’ll like Dr. Smith.” Not funny.

Sure enough, early on the Sunday morning my doctor was due back, I went into labor (ten days before my due date) and our son Ian arrived. Dr. Smith was nice, like my doctor promised. As time went on, I noticed things were different with this baby—and not just because he was a boy. He didn’t nurse well, he projectiled formula, and he was slower putting on weight. (Projectile vomiting will do that.) We were scheduled to see Dr. Smith instead of my friend with the check-ups and Dr. Smith didn’t think there were any problems. Finally, due to the long drive, we changed doctors and I saw several others, not satisfied with any of them. At one point I asked if Ian could have cystic fibrosis and was told no. “It’s an expensive test and in my opinion he doesn’t have it.” I later learned the test was only $75 but I would have needed a doctor’s recommendation to get the test.

When Ian was twenty months, he stopped trying to walk or play. A friend recommended another doctor (doctor number five) who decided to do some testing, beginning with the sweat chloride test for CF. The hospital she wanted to send us to was booked until the next week. Our new doctor didn’t want to wait so she sent us to another lab. I watched carefully as they prepared the copper plates that would have electric charges sent through them to mottle Ian’s tender skin on the back of his calf. I was assured repeatedly that although he might feel something, it wouldn’t hurt.

They started the machine and Ian yelped. “It’s hurting him,” I told them.

“Naw, it doesn’t hurt.”

But when they took the copper plates away, there was a black blister, the size of my little finger nail, on the back of Ian’s leg. We were rushed to the ER where the head of the department gave us some salve for the burn and pushed us out the door. “I wouldn’t worry. Babies with CF sweat a lot and he didn’t so he should be just fine.”

However, Ian’s doctor didn’t agree and scheduled another test at her first choice hospital. Our family faced the longest weekend of our lives and I turned to my Abba, positive He would give us a negative report.

I was wrong.

Come back tomorrow when I share how God turned what was considered to be a death sentence in to victory. Until then . . .

Abundant blessings,
Jenny

PS Remember to post your comments for an opportunity to win FREE BOOKS at our monthly drawing. See you tomorrow!

Jennifer Lynn Cary--Guest Blogger This Week

2006-07-09T23:09:00.000-05:00

Hello! My name is Jennifer Lynn Cary but my friends call me “Jenny.” Since you are going to get to know a lot of the more personal aspects of my life this week, let’s be friends, K?

Before I get started I want to thank Allison for this opportunity. I can still remember when I first met her. I’d attended the God Allows U-Turns banquet with my friend, Esther Bailey, during the CBA convention in Orlando. My number was drawn for a door prize, one of Allison’s GAUT books for kids, and I hung around after in hopes of getting it signed. Allison explained she had to do some PR but if I could wait a bit, she’d be glad to sit and talk awhile. For someone hoping for an autograph, that was right up there with dark chocolate (okay, my name is Jenny and I’m a chocoholic—non-recovering). When we finally got to sit and chat, I mentioned I had written a piece for GAUT. I thought I had submitted it but then maybe I’d only planned on doing it and forgot to follow through. (Wouldn’t be the first time).

Allison started to tell me to send it again but stopped and asked what the story was about. I gave her a quick synopsis and she put her hand on my shoulder. “I remember that story. I put a star on it.” She looked across the table to another of the GAUT authors. “You know what that means.” The other author nodded.

I looked back and forth between the women. “So, what does it mean?”

“It means it made me cry.”

My stomach knotted. “Is that a good thing?”

“Oh, yes, that’s a very good thing.”

More than a year passed though before we found the right book for that piece—“A Legacy of Giving” ended up in God Answers Moms’ Prayers. What I hope to share with you this week, among a few other things, is the story behind that story.

I’ve been thinking about the concept of God Allows U-Turns for sometime, especially since I learned I would be blogging to you all this week. When I think about the idea of a u-turn, it reminds of how the idea of repenting was explained to me. When a farmer is plowing, he makes his cut into the earth deep and straight. Once he reaches the end of the line, he moves the plow into a 180-degree turn and then makes a parallel line back in the direction from where he came. I understand that type of turning is where we get the root word for repent. But how many people in today’s society relate to the idea of plowing? (Besides my farm boy Ivy League husband, that is.) Driving terms are far more familiar.

So then I got to wondering if God allowing u-turns is only for the idea of repenting. Don’t know if you will agree with me or not, but I think it encompasses much more. In fact, sometimes, I think God orchestrates the u-turn. You can let me know if you agree after you read my posts.

The story behind my GAUT piece really began the summer of 1982. We had new neighbors who just happened to be new believers. They’d recently had a baby boy and we had welcomed a new daughter to our family so both of us moms were looking to lose a few post-baby pounds. Char, my neighbor, suggested we have a workout and Bible study three times a week. The workout sounded fine and the Bible study okay. I had grown up in the church and taken catechism classes from the time I was in third grade. I figured I could hold my own with a newbie. Funny thing, though Char didn’t know as many facts as I did about the Bible, she sure had a grasp on the relationship side that was new to me. It didn’t take long before I became the pupil and Char the teacher.

At the end of the summer, our family took a long awaited two-week vacation to visit family on the other side of the continent. The morning after we returned, my husband went into work at seven and was home by eight with no job. The company was downsizing. I dug deeper into my Bible.

My husband got another job with less pay and we plowed on. Then, in February of 1983, I was let go from my job (more downsizing from same company my husband had worked for previously). A month later I learned I was pregnant. Six months later my husband was out of a job again.

A particular moment in that day is etched in my memory. I sat on the edge of the bed wondering “Now what?” It was then I heard the words. “So, will you trust Me?” I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and made my choice. I even spoke it aloud. “Yes.”

If I’d had any idea what I was signing on for, I doubt I would have sounded so sure. But God knew how this u-turn business would transpire.

And I’ll give you all an idea of what happened tomorrow, same bat time, same bat channel. Or is it same GAUT time, same GAUT channel? Until then. . .

Abundant blessings,
Jenny

Ciao!

2006-07-09T17:16:00.000-05:00

Day Seven of Seven
July 9, 2006
Posted by Guest Blogger: Connie Pombo

“Who has been in Italy can forget all other regions. Who has been in heaven does not desire the earth.” —Gogol

You are looking at Lake Como and I’m standing on the terrace of Villa Serbelloni in “Bellagio”—deemed one of the prettiest towns in Europe. This place—heaven on earth—has attracted the likes of Goethe, Shelley, Byron, and many others. Wordsworth described Lake Como as “a treasure, which the earth keeps to itself.” But to me, this is where my passion for photography began! It was a perfect day in April of 1997, number five on my passionate to-do list. I flew over to visit friends—Vince and Cathy Costa—in Milano (“No”—not the Pepperidge Farm cookie—the city!). The cost of my airfare: $300 roundtrip (which I recovered from being bumped on several flights); the view—priceless! This is where my passions began and this is where I will end my posting journey on “Living the Passionate Life!” found in God Allows U-Turns for Women: The Choices We Make Change the Story of Our Life (volume 4). This is by far my most favorite photograph because I took it with a Fuji throwaway camera, and I didn’t know “anything” about photography (rule of thirds, aperture or shudder speed). It really doesn’t matter (does it?), especially when you have a view like this one! I keep several copies around the house: one on the refrigerator door, in my Bible, living room, bedroom, and office. “Why?” Because I never want to lose sight of the passion I felt when I first looked through the tiny lens of the camera and said, “I get it!”

A picture is a moment in time: that time, that place, that person will never be the same again, and that’s what I wanted—more time! Time to enjoy the gifts of this life; time to see my boys through safe passage into adulthood (see yesterday’s post—Day Six); time to spend with family and friends—I just wanted more TIME!

Since then I have added a few more passionate “to-do’s” to my list, and I have discovered that I’m passionate about speaking and writing (although I have yet to attend a writer’s conference). I know you editors out there are “cringing” right now (just to let you know, I do have an editor that I work with in town—Gregg Dubbs—and I have his number on speed dial). He is so passionate about all things “editing”: like an ellipsis, em-dash, en-dash, and other punctuation “marks.” Actually, he’s quite obsessed with them! I’m so thankful he’s on vacation this week because there would be a lot of red marks all over my posts. That’s okay! I’m not passionate about editing, but I am passionate about sharing my heart!

Speaking of writing, I just might have to attend a writer’s conference because last night I couldn’t get to sleep (it was that café mocha that I had at 10:30 p.m.). I rummaged through my suitcase at 1:30 a.m. and started reading A Stitch in Time. Well, I got hooked and now I’m half way through (don’t anyone e-mail me the ending!). What are you waiting for . . . go buy your copy! Thanks, Allison, now I’m inspired to write fiction (it’s been a “secret” passion of mine for a while). I would love to write Christian romance novels in Tuscany (after all, I know the language, the culture, and “yes” . . . the people!). But, alas, I will have to attend a writer’s conference and figure out how to develop my characters and plot!

Okay, this is where I say, “Ciao”! In Italian, “Ciao” can be used for “hello” and “goodbye”—the beginning and the end! I just love the way Italians stand on their doorstep and wave “Ciao”—a backward “Hi.” They wait, waving continuously, until you are gone from sight and then—and only then—they close the door! Can you tell I left my heart in Italy? In three years when my “caro sposo” (Mark) retires, we will have a change of address once again—“Under the Tuscan Sun”! Until then, dear friends, “Ciao” for now!

Allison, thank you for this rare opportunity to share with the world “all things” passionate. You have been so gracious to share this “place” of U-Turns with all of us--especially me. By the way, I logged on this morning to the new U-Turns website. Wow—what a “facelift”! It looks like a road trip to me—I’m ready! (Next week: All things French—Quebec City—here we come!)

Okay, this is the end (il fine!). If you would like to know more about Women’s Mentoring Ministries or the books that I’ve written, please feel free to browse my websites (listed below).

My greatest love is the “Passion-Giver,” the Lord Jesus Christ, who turned my greatest tragedy into a life of joy, purpose, and “yes”—passion. I’m so thankful we serve a God who specializes in “U-Turns”!

Okay, this really is “Ciao.” Did I happen to mention that Italians have a difficult time saying “goodbye.” Arrivederci tutti!

Living Life Passionately!

Connie Pombo
My Blog: Living Passionately!
Trading Ashes for Roses: From Pain to Passion
Baskets Full of Hope

Postscript: Many of you personally e-mailed me regarding “Bob”—the Wal-Mart greeter (Day Six). Maybe someday I will have the opportunity to share with you this incredible “U-Turn” story!

We'd love to hear from you! Remember to post your comments for an opportunity to win FREE BOOKS at our monthly drawing.

Passing It On . . .

2006-07-08T18:20:00.000-05:00

Day Six of Seven
July 8, 2006
Posted by Guest Blogger: Connie Pombo

Climbing the “Heights” of His Passion: Yosemite National Park (June 27, 2006)

“No temple made with hands can compare with Yosemite,” wrote naturalist John Muir. Jeremy, my 25-year-old son, would agree! He celebrated his twenty-fifth birthday “climbing rocks.” If you’ve never been to Yosemite, check out page 585 of 1,000 Places To See Before You Die by Patricia Schultz.

El Capitan (“El Cap”—to rock climbers), is the largest single granite rock on earth, rising over 350 stories from the valley floor—drawing rock climbing enthusiasts from around the world (including my son).

Jeremy is passionate about climbing (I think it’s one of the reasons he became a teacher, so he could climb during the summer!). Rock climbing is a dangerous sport (have you seen the movie: “Cliffhanger”?). I “try” not to think about it too much when I know he’s doing a difficult climb. But that’s what moms do—worry about their “children”! This is Jeremy’s last note to me before he left for the “Disneyland” of rock climbers:

“Mom, just wanted to let you know I stopped by to say 'goodbye'; I’m sorry I missed you! I will make sure I come back in one piece (maybe two) and take tons of pictures just for 'U.' See you on June 30—my 'B-DAY'—25 years old. Love, Jer!” (Yes, I missed saying “goodbye”!) Doesn’t he write nicely for a high school teacher (he's a poet too!)?

I took that note, along with the first picture I have of him in Yosemite (age three, throwing rocks!), a photo of Yosemite Chapel, and tacked them up on my bulletin board as a prayer reminder: “Lord, please keep Jeremy safe and bring him back in 'one' piece!”

Which all brings me to number “ONE” on my passionate to-do list: “Seeing my children through safe passage into adulthood.” I have done that! This year they are now twenty and twenty-five. And guess what? They are “passionate” about life!

Jer discovered his passion for the “rock” at age fourteen, shortly after I was diagnosed with cancer. It was a great escape for him (who wants to see “Mom” suffer?). So we sent him indoors to a rock climbing gym (hint: they have spotters!); then later outdoors (I watched him with eyes half shut); and much later came weeklong climbing trips (I prayed: “Oh Lord, couldn’t my ‘boys’ be passionate about playing an instrument—like the violin instead?). Jeremy worked through his pain and loss on the rock: “A Metaphor for Life” (for a copy of his college entrance essay, just e-mail me). This summer a lifelong dream was realized, climbing in Yosemite for ten days—the “summit” of his passions!

In the book, Conversations on Faith, I write: “Cancer was once a huge boulder, so large I couldn’t see beyond it. Then as time went on, I saw it more like a rock; the path was less obstructed. Then cancer became more like a pebble in my shoe—annoying to have it there—but I didn’t want to stop and take it out. Now, it’s more like grains of sand; a constant presence, a friendly reminder of the once huge boulder that stood in my way!”

Friends, it doesn’t matter if you’re hang gliding off a cliff, climbing “El Cap,” working in a “tollbooth,” being a greeter at Wal-Mart, writing, or taking pictures of sunsets; if you’re passionate about what you’re doing, God will use you in ways you never thought possible!

I’m convinced that God wants us to be “passionate people,” and then and only then, will we realize our God-given potential! But first, we need to be connected to the “Passion-Giver.” Through my tragedy, pain, and loss, I made a “U-Turn” toward my passions and I’ve never looked back!

I will leave you with a classic book on pain and suffering. If you haven’t read it yet, grab yourself a copy: You Gotta Keep Dancin’ by Tim Hansel. Put this one at the “top” of your passionate to-read list!

It’s been a joy to share my passions with you this week (I told you that I would be using that word a lot)!

Remember: Passionate people don’t give up . . . they pass it on!

From God’s Word: “The joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10, NIV).

Tomorrow: The end . . . or is it the beginning?

Living Life Passionately,

Connie Pombo
My Blog: Living Passionately!

P.S. We'd love to hear from you! Remember to post your comments for an opportunity to win FREE BOOKS at our monthly drawing.

Don't Let Your Passions Pass You "Bye"!

2006-07-07T17:44:00.000-05:00

Day Five of Seven
July 7, 2006
Posted by Guest Blogger: Connie Pombo

In December of last year on a cold and blustery Thursday afternoon in a small café, I met with "Ellen" (not her real name). She sat across the table from me twisting her paper napkin with pursed lips. I broke the silence! “So, how’s your new book coming along? I wasn’t prepared for what I heard next: “Writing was my passion; I don’t write anymore!" Did she say, "Was?" (I’m not an English major, but that’s PAST TENSE—that means not present—not future—PAST; it is no longer!) I swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and paused before I spoke (very difficult for the Popular Sanguine Personality to do—ask Katherine Robbins). And then I asked, “You mean you don’t even write your mother?” She smiled, the corners of her mouth widened into a grin, and we “both” started laughing!

How did “Ellen” let her “passion” pass her “bye”? Let me paint a picture for you: Ten years ago, I would wake up at 7:00 a.m. sharp, to a blaring alarm clock, grab a piece of burnt toast, and rush out the door. I listened to NPR, the weather report, and put on make-up in the car (I still do that!), and then tried to beat the next person in line for the closest parking space to the office door. After work, I jumped in the car, got in the fast lane, headed for the gym, and waited—with my foot tapping—for the first available treadmill. I hit the red button for 30 minutes, and ran as fast I could until my heart reached its “peak” target rate, jumped off, didn’t acknowledge anyone in the gym, and speeded home. I fixed dinner, cleaned up, listened to “NBC Nightly News” for five minutes, and went to bed! I never saw a sunrise; never admired a sunset, and I couldn’t tell you what flowers were blooming! (This weekend: Rent the movie, “Ground Hog Day,” and watch it over and over and over again—until you FINALLY get it!)

That was ten years ago! Today, I let my body wake me up (usually around 7:30 a.m.) as the morning’s rays filter through our bedroom window. I don’t need an alarm clock (unless I have to catch an early morning flight—Ugh!). My body wakes me up. I pour a hot cup of hazelnut cream coffee, walk outside, and see what new portrait has been painted on the canvas of dirt (all from a packet of “wildflower” seeds, bought from the Dollar Store). My blooming extravaganza includes: California poppies, baby’s breath, and an array of purple, yellow, pink, orange and fuchsia flowers. I know they all have names, but I don’t care to know them all! I just enjoy watching them blow gently in the breeze—a symphony of color! I pick off the dead ones, brush away the beetles, and talk to the flowers and say, “You are so pretty today; keep standing straight and tall—don’t let last night’s storm get you down!” Before you reach for the phone and call the “National Mental Health Association’s Hotline,” read on . . .

Ten years ago, I could repeat the weather report verbatim: 87 for a high, low 58, light winds from the north, and a chance of rain. Now I feel the warm sun against my face, the gentle breeze in my hair, and the dew on the grass with my bare feet. I look up at the blue sky with white fluffy clouds and say, “What a beautiful day!”

Ten years ago, after work, I jumped on the treadmill and watched the LCD screen until I reached my target heart rate. Today, I usually walk or jog OUTSIDE at a healthy pace, unless it’s raining (I go to the gym!). I often stop—more than once—to smell the flowers and soak in the warm sunshine.

Ten years ago, I never noticed a sunrise or sunset, now I’m a sunset chaser! I actually keep a “throw-away” camera in the glove compartment of the car, pull off the side of the road, and watch the red fireball in the sky float down below the horizon, casting off hues of orange and yellow, until it totally disappears. It takes just a few seconds and it’s gone. Another portrait in the sky captured on film!

You know what’s interesting? I’m busier now than ever before! I have more on my plate at fifty than I did when I was twenty-five. I have deadlines, speaking engagements, articles to write, e-mails to answer, laundry to fold, and dishes to wash. But here’s the difference: I have learned to set priorities: God, family, friends, and then ministry! Get a copy of the book, Boundaries: When to Say Yes, When to Say No, To Take Control of Your Life by Henry Cloud and John Townsend (I’m so glad I read it—thank you Carolyn Ruch!). I have learned to say, “No.” If it’s not on my passionate to-do list, and I don’t have a green light from God; it’s “no” for now—maybe forever! I don’t keep a perfect house because people are more valuable than things! Do I always keep on task? “No!” Do I ever miss a deadline? “Yes!” Do I always get it right? “Absolutely not!” Am I passionate about what I do? “Without question!”

Recently, I spoke to a group of cancer survivors at the"Weekend of Hope". My favorite audience is a group of “survivors.” You know why? They get it! They don’t have to watch “Ground Hog Day” over and over again! They nod in affirmation while I’m speaking because we’re all on the same page!

In May, from the Salzburg Suite (compliments of the von Trapp Family Lodge), I set my alarm clock for 5:30 a.m. Where’s the sun? I waited until 5:45 a.m. Okay, that's it; I’m going back to bed! And then it happened: a gorgeous palette of purples, blues, and yellows filled the sky! The sun crept ever so slowly over the green mountains of Vermont, while I hummed the tune: “Here comes the sun . . . dah-dah-dah-dah!" It was a rare moment; I don’t get up that early! I had to speak later that morning and I knew by nightfall, I would be exhausted. But do I regret rising to see such a spectacular creation of God’s pure majesty? Never!

Remember: Don’t let your passions pass you “bye”!

Thought for the Day: "That it will never come again, is what makes life so sweet." —Emily Dickinson

From God’s Word: “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4, NIV).

Tomorrow: Passing it on . . .

Living Life Passionately!

Connie Pombo
My Blog: Living Passionately!

P.S. We'd love to hear from you! Remember to post your comments for an opportunity to win FREE BOOKS at our monthly drawing.

Passionately Making a Difference!

2006-07-06T12:39:00.000-05:00

Day Four of Seven
July 6, 2006
Posted by Guest Blogger: Connie Pombo

Yesterday, I went to Wal-Mart to pick up some things before our trip to Canada next week. The parking lot was full, so I checked around the corner next to the Bible bookstore (I wanted to pick up a copy of Allison’s new book, A Stitch in Time, and read it while we're on vacation). Both parking lots were full, so I circled around again and ended up in another “country" (okay, okay--another parking lot!). It was pouring down rain, but I still managed to smile at the “greeter” in Wal-Mart. He’s blind, but he recognizes people by their voice, so I always make a point to shake his hand and ask how he’s doing. I hurried through the store, picked up a "few" things, and headed for the self-checkout (not always the fastest route!). It stopped raining, so I ran into the Bible bookstore, picked up Allison’s book, and out the door I went (that’s no small book!). When I got back in the car, I checked the rearview mirror and screamed! It was my reflection, but who was "that"? I had mistakenly put on “waterproof” dark brown “eyeliner pencil” on my lips, and never filled it in (I guess that would have been worse—right?). I thought of Marita and Florence Littauer who taught us in CLASS to always put on a darker shade of lipstick—it shows up better in pictures (I don’t think that's what they had in mind!). Thankfully, no pictures were taken and I have a healthy sense of humor!

But taking a hard look at ourselves is so difficult, isn’t it? We miss all the "small stuff" that others see so clearly. The “joy mentors” that John Ortberg speaks about in his book, The Life You Always Wanted, make the “truth” feel like a warm blanket instead of a cold wet towel. Two of my “mama” mentors are now with the Lord, Juanita Hiestand and Edith Keener, but they were my prayer warriors through my many years as a young pastor’s wife (oh, how I needed their prayers!).

And now, a whole “new world” of mentors in the area of speaking and writing that I would have never met had I not discovered my “passion.” Some I have not been introduced to personally—only through websites and blogs—and others I’ve had the privilege of meeting at conferences and book events. And still others I feel as though I have known all my life. At the top of the list is the incredibly faithful servant of God, Joni Eareckson Tada. As writers we are all too busy—most days—and Joni more so than most! But as a 17-year-old reading her first book, Joni, I got a rare glimpse into the world of “suffering” and “passion.” Through her tragedy, pain, and loss, she discovered her passion of speaking, writing, and art. Her words made an indelible mark on my heart and life. The original paperback, Joni, has joined my items of timeless treasures.

When I was writing Trading Ashes for Roses last year, I e-mailed Joni a permission release to use a quote from a Billy Graham crusade that she had spoken at several years ago. Not expecting to hear for weeks—and most likely from an assistant—I filed it away. On June 22, 2005 at 3:50 PM, a personal e-mail appeared from Joni.

“Dear Connie, thanks so much for contacting me regarding using my name and my quote in your new book. I am always amazed—always so thrilled—to learn how God has used this wheelchair to inspire or encourage others. I’m humbled that those few words I spoke on a Billy Graham crusade touched you so deeply. Because of the brevity of the quote, no formal written permission from me is required. Many blessings as you publish this book and as others are inspired to a closer walk with Jesus Christ through reading your words.” ~Joni Eareckson Tada

Joni has been my “mentor” in suffering. How could I know at the age of seventeen that her words would penetrate so deeply? And then when my greatest trial came, her words came pouring back like a spring rain to refresh my parched soul. We never know how God will use our “suffering” to touch the lives of others.

As writers and speakers our words have impact, and sometimes we will never know who our audience is. But the truth is—words matter! They have the power to change lives. I know the “greeter” at Wal-Mart will never see my face, but he knows my voice!

Let me close with some marvelous speakers and writers who are making a difference in my life and others: Allison Bottke, the U-Turn Poster Girl, and "sister" to us all, who is so incredibly gracious and generous with her time and resources; the ever quirky, hillarious, and incomparable Julie Ann Barnhill; the eccentrically wonderful,Charlene Baumbich; Liz Curtis Higgs (who loves all things “Irish” as I love all things “Italian”); the elegant Marie Barlow (thank you for the privilege of working with you last year at Mt. Gretna--your voice is a national treasure); Debra White Smith; Gracie Malone, and the list goes on . . . Oh, "Ms. Personality”—Kathryn Robbins! Did I mention she is hysterically funny, but so refreshingly real! And my CelebrateMoms Team, especially Kathy Pride, who can make writing and talking about the most difficult subjects seem so easy!

But the ability to share with others what I’m learning is the best part of the journey: Katherine Bowers you have taught me so much more than I could ever impart to you! I can't wait to read your next book: Don't Drink the Water Under the Outhouse! By far, the most incredibly talented writer I know—you are the genuine article! Funny, funny, funny--did I mention she was funny?

And to my U-Turn Sisters: Susan Kelly Skitt, Carolyn Ruch, and Tammy Gehman—I’ll meet you "girls" at the “tollbooth” (see post for July 3, 2006).

Living Life Passionately,

Connie Pombo
My Blog: Living Passionately!

Challenge for the Day: Take some time today to write an e-mail, note, letter, or postcard to someone who has made a difference in your life. I know they will appreciate it! And, Joni, if you’re reading today, my heartfelt appreciation for showing me the way!

Postscript 1: Oh, I almost forgot, my editor friend, Gregg Dubbs. You always clean up my mistakes and make me look so good on paper (oh, how I needed you this week!).

Postscript 2: This almost sounds like the “Academy Awards of Writing”; I know I forgot someone . . . oh yes, my husband, who hears me “clack, clack, clack” all night long on the keyboard. How are those new earplugs working for you, honey?

Tomorrow: Don't let your passions pass you "Bye": Avoiding Burnout!

Living in the Present Moment!

2006-07-05T15:40:00.000-05:00

Day Three of Seven
July 5, 2006
Posted by Guest Blogger: Connie Pombo

I would like to introduce you to “Carlo,” our gondolier in Venice (#17 on my passionate to-do list)! Never mind that my husband was kicking and screaming the whole way—I got him in the boat, didn’t I? (See him smiling?). He’s passionate about what he does (no—not my husband—“Carlo”). In fact, he is the fourth generation gondolier in his family. The gondola that we’re standing in has been passed down from generation to generation. It’s more than just a job; it’s more than just a profession—it’s a way of life! They don’t have the “Teamsters” in Italy; they have the “Gondolier Association,” made up of passionate Italians gliding through the glistening canals of Venice. Yes, they’re “touristy” and “overpriced”—unless you speak Italian (hint!). But they are the most enjoyable and romantic way to see the hidden corners of this unique city whose streets are filled with water. Do you ever get the feeling that one of my “secret” passions is to be a travel journalist?

What’s the ONE thing you would do if time and resources were no problem? Okay, better put: If all jobs paid the same, what would you be doing? I know "Carlo" is passionate about his "job," and he couldn't imagine doing anything else! But what about you?

There is a worrisome trend in America: We are not necessarily "passionate" about our jobs or professions. We are a “to be, to do, to have” culture, which means “things,” mean a lot to us. We seem to need a lot of them! Fortunately, I had the privilege of living in another culture—Italy—that regards relationships as the most important “thing” in life—family and friends! I married into a large Sicilian family and I have been showered with hugs, kisses, and yes—“pinches” for the past 30 years. You can’t help but feel “loved” in Italy. Italians are "passionate" about life in general!

My son, Jeremy (Geremia) was born in Catania, Sicily—the birthplace of his great grandfather (bisnonno). I’m blessed to speak another language and to know another culture. Why is it so important? Because we need to realize that there is more than one worldview, and if you have the opportunity to visit another country—DO IT! (In fact, put that at the top of your passionate to-do list!) You just might realize a "new" passion!

Speaking of Italy, I can’t help but share this story: When I first met the legendary Florence Littauer two years ago at CLASS, I had never heard of her before (remember: I’m still a newbie!). I just returned from Italy with a broken foot and was miserable with a hard cast up to my knee. I spent most of my “free time” in the hotel room at Sandy Cove. The last day, I managed to make it to the dining hall and sat at Florence’s table (everyone was bearing her gifts). One of the author/speakers had just returned from Florence, Italy and brought her an exquisite Florentine pendant. I was gushing over its beauty and then turned to Florence and said, “So, what’s your favorite city in Italy?” Everyone seated at the table was silent—all eyes were on Florence—waiting for her timely response (I still didn’t have a clue as to what I said wrong!). I absolutely love what Florence did next. She smiled graciously, picked up her fork without a pause, and said, “Florence, Italy.” By the way, I still didn’t get it (duh!) until I got back to my hotel room and ended up laughing myself to sleep that night! There are some things in life you can’t do without it and a sense of HUMOR is one of them. Don’t leave home without it!

It’s been a long holiday weekend, full of celebration, travel and family get-togethers. Some of you are waking up to the “real” world this morning and off to work. So in case you were away and didn’t read my last two posts (by the way “Day Two” just won the award for the lengthiest post in GAUT history—thank you to “everyone” who e-mailed me to share that wonderful news!).

Here’s the Reader’s Digest version of the Last Two Days: “Living Life Passionately!” found in God Allows U-Turns for Women: The Choices We Make Change the Story of Our Life (vol. 4): What I thought was the “end” of life was just the “beginning” of a glorious road trip! And what I perceived as a “Dead End” was a miraculous “U-Turn.” And this “ONE” thing I know: God takes us from the place where we are to the place where He wants us to be. And He wants us to be “passionate” not only about Him, but what we are doing!

Friends, I feel so blessed to wake up every morning and feel intense excitement about the work God has given me to do. It brings me such great joy to know that I’m right where I’m supposed to be. And I believe that’s when we’re doing what we’re supposed to do—it not only brings a SMILE to our face, but to God’s as well!

There are several books in my library that I read over and over again—I never tire of them! One of my favorites is Life Wide Open by David Jeremiah. He writes, “Passionate people hang in there when the going gets tough. They persist, they persevere, they never lose heart, and they never quit.” He goes on to share this verse: "For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again" (Proverbs 24:16, NIV). In other words, we need to get back up!

The most passionate people I know are the ones who have suffered the most (look up the etymology of the word “suffering”). Is it any wonder? Check out one of my favorite resource tools: P-R-E-C-E-P-T A-U-S-T-I-N (you will think you died and went to resource heaven!).

The best advice I ever received on life came from a nurse oncologist: "Connie, this isn't the end of life . . . it's only the beginning. Some women start entirely new lives: they go back to school, travel, quit jobs they dislike, and pursue their passions." You know, she was right. Cancer was a wake-up call! I feel such an urgency about life! I have no regrets, just great memories!

Remember: "Yesterday is gone, tomorrow isn't here yet, we only have this present moment--that's why it's called a gift."

Thought for The Day: “Don’t waste life in doubts and fears; spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour’s duties will be the best preparation for the hours and ages that will follow it."
—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Tomorrow: The people, the places, and the mentors that have given me inspiration. Don’t miss this one—your name just might be on the list!

Living Life Passionately,

Connie Pombo
My Blog: Living Passionately!

"Let's Take a Road Trip!"

2006-07-04T16:28:00.000-05:00

Day Two of Six
July 4, 2006
Posted by Guest Blogger: Connie Pombo

Warning: This post is not for the weak or faint hearted. You may get carsick!

Back to the “end” which is really the “beginning” . . . (continued from Day 1):

Did you ever take a road trip that you wished would never end? My trip in May to Stowe, Vermont was ONE of the “never-want-to-end” road trips! I followed 87N all the way up to catch the last ferry across Lake Champlain (just 26 miles from the Canadian border). Along the way I had lots of company—breathtaking scenery along each curve, surrounded by the Catskills and the primeval forests of the Adirondacks with more than 2,500 lakes and ponds including: Lake Saranac and Lake Placid. Everywhere I looked there was more blue sky and open road. I sang, clapped my hands (yes, I was the driver!), whistled a few songs (I can’t sing), prayed (with my eyes wide open), and took pictures with my digital camera (please don’t try this at home—I mean in your car!). I called my husband from my final destination, the von Trapp Family Lodge (remember: 1,000 Places to See Before You Die)and said, “I’m not coming home!” Mark didn’t even “flinch” because he has heard me say the same thing—at least 1,000 times!

I was in Vermont for the Weekend of Hope for cancer survivors and their families giving a therapeutic writing workshop. Each year the Stowe Community opens their hearts and their resorts to “survivors’ for a weekend of hope and healing (including the renown von Trapp Family Lodge). The entire weekend, I was Maria von Trapp singing (whistling): “The hills are alive . . .”

Not all my road trips have been so lovely! On a moonless night on March 7, 1996, I took a “short-cut” and ended up on a country back road in Lancaster County, PA (to get a better idea where I live, you can rent the movie “Witness”). The two-lane road quickly turned into one lane, through a covered bridge, and then abruptly ended in a “dirt” path. When I looked up, I was facing a “Dead End” sign! I laid my head on the steering wheel and cried out to God, “I can’t keep on like this—you have to do something!” That sign represented my life: I too had come to a dead end. For months—maybe years—I had experienced a “gnawing” sense of emptiness. I was tired, irritable, restless, and overly discontented with life in general. It was a “secret” I kept hidden from the world. After all I was a former missionary and pastor’s wife. Everyone looked to me for counsel and guidance, but I was running on “fumes”!

I asked God for help, but “help” came in the form of an unexpected package. Isn’t that how all U-Turns begin—at a point of desperation—when we’ve used up all of our “natural” resources? Two weeks—to the day—after pleading with God for “help,” I was waiting for biopsy results from the surgeon’s office. In a monotone voice the surgeon said, “You have breast cancer.” I was in shock! I couldn’t believe it was happening to me. I screamed, “What did I do wrong?” I was 40 years old—in the best shape of my life—running and working out every day, eating “tofu” (when no one else knew what it was), and drank bottled water! What could I have possibly done to “deserve” cancer?

The following weeks found me numb as I tried to absorb the shock of a life-threatening illness. My greatest fear: not being around to see our boys—ages 9 and 14—through safe passage into adulthood.

I struggled through surgery, treatment, and six weeks of radiation. On the outside, I kept up an “it’s okay façade,” but inside I was crumbling. I would leave on my 45-minute lunch break with my familiar jingle: “Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go—can’t be late to radiate!” So deeply entrenched in denial, I asked the hospital staff if they could possibly make a “well” waiting room for those of us who didn’t need to be brought in by ambulance or wheelchair. After all, I wasn’t like “them”! I was perfectly fine—I just had “cancer.”

On the last day of radiation, the doctor sauntered into the exam room and exclaimed, “You’ve completed all the treatments successfully, but I need to go over a ‘few’ more things before you leave.” What happened next is still a blur, but I remember the words “survival rate” and “mortality” being used in the same sentence. I don’t remember walking out into the hospital parking lot or even how I drove home that night. But I do remember the following weeks found me numb—depression had replaced fear.

After several weeks in my despondent state, my husband sent me off to California to visit my folks. They took one look at me (a skeleton with a zombie-like gaze) and realized they had their work cut out for them!

During those seven days I stared out the window and watched the movie “City Slickers” with Billy Crystal and Jack Palance. I caught ONE phrase in the entire film. These “businessmen” were on a quest—to find out what they were missing in life. They were trying to escape the “tollbooth attendants” for another life on “horseback.” Curly (Jack Palance’s character) shakes his bony finger at “Mitch” (played by Billy Crystal) and says, “This ONE thing!” And Billy Crystal, in a confused state, says, “What thing?” Curly retorts, “It’s for you to find out!”

I repeated that line over and over again, “This ONE thing!” until I boarded US “Scare-Ways,” on my way back to Pennsylvania, where I rocked back and forth for six hours (the flight attendants and other passengers didn’t have any trouble avoiding me!).

My husband picked me up at the Baltimore Washington Airport—his eyes glazed over from lack of sleep. I caught his expression as he looked into my blank eyes. I knew what he was thinking, Where’s my wife, where did she go?

As we drove up the driveway to our home, I realized the backyard had been perfectly landscaped: there were colorful flowerbeds were mounds of dirt had been and in the center—a beautiful pink dogwood tree. I whispered, “What’s this?” Mark reached over to grab my hand and said, “This is our tree of life; we’re starting a new beginning. God hasn’t brought us this far just to leave us!” For the first time in weeks, I saw a glimmer of hope—it was brief, but it was there!

One afternoon as I looked out the window at that beautiful tree in full bloom I asked myself this ONE question, “What if I had a year to live—what would I do?” I randomly wrote down 27 things I wanted to do before I died! That would become my passionate to-do list: spend more time with family and friends, take a vacation to Maine, go on a cruise, visit friends in Italy, write a book, and #27—parachute out of an airplane!

That was ten years ago and today, I have accomplished everything on my list except ONE thing: parachute out of an airplane (You are all welcome to join me with your parachutes if you like), but I reserve the right to decline!

Although I can’t imagine re-living the events of the past ten years, I can’t imagine my life without them! There were mentors along each turn of my “road trip” that showed me what this “ONE” thing was . . . putting the “Passion-Giver” first! I had been so busy controlling my life, I forgot who was “in control.” God knew exactly what He was doing . . . I finally let go and let “Jesus Take the Wheel!”

Thought for the Day: “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” —Annie Dillard

From God’s Word: “I’ll be with you. I won’t give up on you; I won’t leave you” (Joshua 1:5, The Message).

Are you headed in the wrong direction, are you facing a dead end, do you need to make a U-Turn? Just remember this “ONE” thing . . .

Tomorrow: “Back to the Future” . . . fasten your seatbelts!

Living Life Passionately,

Connie Pombo
My Blog: Living Passionately!

Postscript: A note was pasted on the double-glass doors of the gym this morning: “In honor of the birth of our country’s independence, we will be closed.” As you travel on the roads and gather with your families for a picnic, remember this ONE thing: God has set us FREE! Have a glorious Fourth of July!

Connie Pombo - Guest Blogger for the Week!

2006-07-03T16:15:00.000-05:00

Day One of Seven
July 3, 2006
Posted by Guest Blogger: Connie Pombo

First of all, thank you, Allison, for the opportunity to be a guest blogger on GAUT. I have so much enjoyed reading all the prolific posts of the “bloggers” before me!

A brief introduction is in order because I’m sure by now you’re saying to yourself, Connie, who? Here’s my attempt at being “brief”: I'm an empty-nester mom (don’t worry—it’s just a term—“once a mom always a mom”), wife (to my college sweetheart, Mark), author, speaker, and founder of Women's Mentoring Ministries.

My life at age 50 is full to overflowing . . . most days! It’s certainly not the life I envisioned for myself—thanks to my U-Turn—but a life that I’m “passionate” about. You’ll be hearing that word a lot this week! When I’m not speaking or writing, I’m traveling. In fact, I just picked up a book for my husband (really for me!), titled: 1,000 Places to See Before You Die by Patricia Schultz, and I’m checking them off just as fast as I can!

After having lived in Italy for six years ("la dolce vita”), we returned to the states to “finish” our family. We have two almost grown sons: Jeremy (a high school social studies teacher), and Jonathan (a sophomore at Grove City College).

I’m fairly new to the world of writing (I pursued my passion of speaking first!). As I have learned from many authors/speakers, there is no right or wrong way to begin—just follow your passion! With that being said, my list of writing credits include: Conversations on Faith by Insight Publishing; Trading Ashes for Roses: From Pain to Passion, and contributing author to God Allows U-Turns for Women: The Choices We Make Change the Story of Our Life.

In the July/August 2006 issue of “Coping” magazine, my article “Living Life Passionately: Portrait of a Survivor” will appear. It’s the story of my life—surviving cancer and finding my passion! Sometimes our greatest tragedy in life can lead us to our greatest passion, and in my case an amazing "U-Turn."

After that “brief” introduction, I would like to ask you a question: Are you passionate about what you are doing? If you’re a speaker or writer, I would hope you would respond with an exuberant “yes”!

But did you realize that 84% of Americans dislike their career or profession? And a whopping 63% dread getting out of bed on Monday morning because they dislike what they do! I was amazed—shocked really—to realize most of us are not living in our “passion” zone. Since reading those startling statistics, I have adopted a new policy when going to the dentist. Before they start drilling, I ask: “Are you passionate about your profession?” If there is even the slightest hesitation, I vanish!

Last month the “U-Turn Sisters of PA”—as we like to call ourselves: Susan Kelly Skitt, Carolyn Ruch, and Tammy Gehman and I were at a GAUT book signing event at Barnes & Noble in North Wales, PA (see Allison’s post on Friday, June 23). It was an easy two-hour drive from my doorstep. That is until I met up with the tollbooth attendant (if you’re wondering, most of these folks are in the 84%--see above). I missed my exit on the Pennsylvania Turnpike (not good), and made a U-Turn (really not good), and didn’t have a tollbooth ticket when I exited (unforgivable!). When I feebly tried to explain my predicament to the tollbooth attendant, she didn’t want to hear my pitiful excuse. She asked for my driver’s license and a "quarter" (I’m still not sure what that was for?), and exited her booth to write down my license plate number. (I was just a little disappointed that she didn’t ask me first because it’s one of the few things--besides my phone number--that I actually have memorized!) When I tried to ask for directions, she murmured, “I’m on my break!” I was close to tears and pleaded, “I need some HELP!” To that she responded, “Are you raising your voice? Do I need to call a State Trooper?” For those of you who are wondering, I have this strange habit of “raising” my voice a few decibels when I’m lost, scared, and dangerously close to being late for a book signing! I tried to imagine how the headlines would read in the “Philadelphia Inquirer” the next morning: “U-Turn Author Arrested at Tollbooth Plaza for Raising Her Voice!”

After I drove off (without my driver’s license), I thought, I bet that tollbooth attendant really dreads getting out of bed on Monday morning!

Ten years ago, I was in her “booth”—dreading going to work every morning, and I didn’t have a clue as to what the word “passionate” meant. But then I hit a “Dead End” sign on a moonless night on a country back road in Lancaster County, PA. That night changed the way I would live the rest of my life!

Tomorrow, we’ll start at the “end” which is really the “beginning.” Stay tuned!

I’ll close with this thought: "Be careful when you put off the enjoyment of life until the time is right. Before you know it, the right time can change into a lost opportunity." —Author unknown

Living Life Passionately!

Connie Pombo
My Blog: Passionate Living!

Welcome Celebrity Guest Bloggers!

2006-07-03T12:36:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers:

I pray you are having a relaxing Fourth of July long weekend. I am heading out of town on Friday to attend CBA/ICRS in Denver. We will be having three back-to-back Celebrity Guest Bloggers starting today! All of our Guest Bloggers are Contributing Authors for God Allows U-Turns and one is a nationally published author known as “Americas Teacher.” All three of these amazing women will be sharing their U-Turn thoughts with us for the next three weeks.

Please welcome Connie Pombo from July 3-9, Jennifer Lynn Cary from July 10-16, and Vicki Caruana will be posting with us July 17-23.

Have a blessed holiday!

Remember to post your comments for an opportunity to win FREE BOOKS at our monthly drawing.

And that’s what’s on my mind today,

Did You Win FREE BOOKS?

2006-07-01T14:46:00.000-05:00

It's the first of July and we have June Winners!

A hearty thanks to those of you who took the time to post comments on our God Allows U-Turns BLOG in June. As promised, we’ve randomly selected two names from those of you who posted comments to receive FREE BOOKS! I need the following folks to send me their mailing addresses ASAP so I can mail your FREE books!

Congratulations to:

Diana – “Praying for Your Prodigal” in Medina, Minnesota

and

Charlene Davis

If you know these folks, please send them an email now. Tell them to contact me at: Allison@godallowsuturns.com

Be sure to post your comments in July for your chance to WIN FREE BOOKS!

And that's what's on my mind today,

Help Title My Next Novel!

2006-06-27T14:17:00.000-05:00

Dear Reader:

YOU can help title my next novel!

Any chance you can give me about three minutes of your time and take a quick six question survey to help my publisher decide the title for my next novel? My debut chick-lit novel called A Stitch in Time just released from Bethany House. My second novel will release next June. Bethany House is trying something new in utilizing a public survey to help decide on the title for my next novel. I won’t share with you the title I like best – but if you will click on this link below and take the short six question survey I will be so very appreciative. Stay tuned to our blog and web site for the announcement when the final title decision is made.

Feel free to pass the survey link on to anyone you think would be interested in participating! I will be really grateful. I would love to send everyone who responds a box of chocolates (Whitman’s Samplers) if I could, but alas … sigh … no can do. But hey – the thought is there!

You need to complete the survey within the next few days – please.

Click here: Help title Allison’s next “Lady-Lit” novel.

If the link doesn’t work, type this:
http://faithinfiction.com/phpsurveyor/index.php?sid=5

Blessings and hugs to all!

Contributing Authors Sign Books at Barnes & Nobel!

2006-06-23T11:38:00.000-05:00

Our Contributing Authors Make a Difference! We want to share the wonderful news and experiences of some of the book signing events our contributing authors have been holding. A dozen contributing authors have held events throughout the USA in the last two months!

Connie Pombo, “Living the Passionate Life” (God Allows U-Turns for Women), Susan Kelly Skitt, “A Test of Faith” (Women’s), Carolyn Ruch, “Ever After” (Women’s) & “Sentence Overturned” (God Allows U-Turns for Teens), and Tammy Gehman, “My Favorite Color is Red” (Women’s) are a group of contributing authors from Pennsylvania who have been tearing up the town with multiple book signings!

Here is an update from Connie Pombo:

We had a great turnout at the Barnes and Nobel store in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and the CR manager requested 12 of each book (women and teens) to be autographed and left for purchase. Wow! Our next one is in North Wales on May 28.

Afterwards, we went out for dinner at Carrabbas Italian Grille and planned our next venture. Susan is excellent as a PR person; she worked the floor passing out U-Turn tracts! We had a "U-Turns" basket to give away, lots of chocolate and freebies! We had a great time!!!

Our next book signing/discussion at the Barnes and Nobel in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania on Saturday May 27 went really well. We were at the front of the store with our U-turns table, U-Turns give-away basket, and passed out frappuccinos--courtesy of Barnes and Noble! It was a great way to connect with our "audience" before the book discussion. The balloons and display generated a lot of interest and we had a great crowd for the Memorial Day Weekend.

During the discussion we each took 3-5 minutes to discuss our U-Turn story. Afterwards we opened it up to questions from the audience and then went into the signing.

Before we left the store, we autographed copies of the books and placed stickers on each to leave with the store manager. Afterwards we went out to eat at the Macaroni Grille with the "hubbies"! It was a great book signing and we look forward to June 3 in North Wales!

The four authors met again on June 3rdt for another event

We had our third U-Turns book signing at the Barnes and Noble in North Wales, PA and it was a great success--thanks to the rain! We were placed right in front of the store by the café. Susan had a wonderful display of a recent newspaper article of her poignant story.

Our signing was from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM--having the extra time was a big plus! We all remembered to wear our white jackets this time. We found that dressing like the cover of the book: blue, white, yellow, and black draws interest and creates a conversation piece for us to share our stories.

There's so much camaraderie when authors get together, and the customers that come into the store can sense and feel our passion and excitement. It makes it easy for them to approach us and gives us opportunity to share our God Allows U-Turn stories.

Blessings to our Pennsylvania team! This is an amazing way to share the gospel with the world! Let us know if you've had an opportunity to meet any of our contributing authors over the past few months, we'd love to hear from you!

And that's what's on my mind today.

Angie Hunt Rocks!

2006-06-22T09:25:00.000-05:00

I’m trying very hard to post daily, like so many of my friends and mentors do. But alas, I am having one heck of a time being profoundly pithy! So, I checked out Angela Hunt’s blog today for her words of wisdom and what do I find as her blog topic? Her recent Netflix video rental!

“Okay,” I said to myself. “I can do this. I can blog about things like this.”

I watched The Producers last night and never knew Matthew Broderick could sing and dance. I’ve always loved Nathan Lane. And yes, if I believed in reincarnation, which I do not, I would want to come back as Uma Thurman.

Visit Angela Hunt’s blog – she’s brilliant.

That’s what’s on my mind today.

A Word About Mentors

2006-06-19T11:59:00.000-05:00

Regarding Mentors …

Our last celebrity guest Blogger, Dena Dyer, recently posted about “Mentors.” (You can scroll down to read her message below.) Her message made me think about another aspect to mentoring.

I’d love to hear from readers about mentors in your life who have helped you although they are not specifically your personal mentor in the sense that they have knowingly come alongside to help you. I’ve found in my journey over the past years that I have learned from amazing people with servant hearts who teach what they know in group settings—and thus become mentors without being fully aware they are doing so.

“Mentor” means; “A trusted counselor or guide.” It doesn’t necessarily mean that we intimately know the person who has mentored us – or vice versa.

A prime example is my relationship with best selling author, speaker and teacher, Gayle Roper. The photo above was recently taken at the Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference last month.

Many years ago I attended a “Writing for Fiction” class Gayle taught at the Glorietta Christian Writers Conference. I had met Gayle briefly at a CLASS Seminar but as a newbie I was horribly intimidated by her talent. Yet she was oh so gracious. Later, I ordered the cassette tape set from her and used it extensively to study how to write my first novel. Although we are sisters-in-the-Lord, Gayle and I are not close personal friends in that either of us knows intimate details of one another’s life – but we do occasionally email and we frequently run into each other at writer’s conferences. I do not call her up for personal mentoring advice, although I did ask if she would read and endorse my debut novel (which she most graciously did.)

And yet I consider Gayle Roper one of the strongest mentors I have ever had.

I have read many of her books, studied her teachings, and I’ve heard her give several keynote addresses over the years. I have learned greatly from this awesome woman of God. I’m not sure she’s even aware how much she has touched my life.

Let’s hear from others who have mentors who might not even be aware of what they have done for your life and/or for your career.

And remember, everyone who posts a comment to our blog will be entered into a prize drawing for free books at the end of the month.

Have a blessed day!

And that’s what’s on my mind today.

Adios and Thanks!

2006-06-18T16:52:00.000-05:00

Day Six of Six
June 18, 2006
Posted by Guest Blogger: Dena Dyer

I have really enjoyed the opportunity to post about my U-Turn. Thanks, Allison, for being so generous with this platform. It's been wonderful!

My passions are faith, family and communicating about the love and peace of Jesus through singing, speaking, and writing. I enjoy teaching others about writing, too--so if you would like to see the writing classes I teach (they're online!), hop on over to Writers Helper.

My latest book is the second volume in a "book-i-lation" series called The Groovy Chicks' Road Trip to Love, and you can find out more about the crazy gals "The Groovy Chicks" and all our exploits at our funtabulous website.

For more info on my speaking or other books, I'd love for you to drop by my website. And if you're in the mood to read another blog, mine (especially for other busy moms) is here.

If anything I've said has touched your heart, I'd love for you to drop me a line at mailto:denadyer@sbcglobal.net.

Have a blessed Father's Day! I'm thankful for my daddy--and my Heavenly Father, too.

Dena Dyer
www.denadyer.com
Amazing Grace-land, my blog:
www.denadyer.typepad.com

P.S. from Allison: If something our Celebrity Guest Blogger shared today
has
touched you, we welcome your comments. Simply click on the comments
link
below. By posting a comment, your name will automatically be entered
into a
prize drawing for FREE BOOKS. We will randomly select two names at the
end
of each month to receive a special gift of GOD ALLOWS U-TURNS books.

A Mentor's Role

2006-06-17T10:48:00.000-05:00

Day Five of Six
June 17, 2006
Posted by Guest Blogger: Dena Dyer

(continuing story)

One of the other things God used to help me make a U-Turn back to Him was a young woman I "mentored." My hubby had talked to her mom at our church and found out that Chansin was interested in writing as a career. Beyond that, she was a leader in her youth group and was the editor of her school paper. Carey said she was looking for a mentor and he thought we might hit it off.

Little did he know! I spent time with Chansin over a year's time, helping with scholarship application essays and praying with and for her.

But you know what? In reality, she was the one doing the mentoring! Her passion for God, her boldness at sharing her faith, her absolute devotion to Christ--was convicting to me. She was who I was in high school....and now, I was someone else...someone without that pure devotion.

I'm proud to say that I was the learner, and she the teacher. I'm also proud of her--she became one of four finalists for the Brio girl during the year we met together.

I have other people who have been instrumental in my life as mentors. Among them are my friend and tearoom lunch buddy Ruthie Arnold, who has helped me become a better writer, and who introduced me to her daughters, Becky Freeman and Rachel St. John. They, in turn, introduced me to wonderful Christian authors and speakers like Ellie Kay and Gracie Malone. (And let's not forget Lee Hough, who's a guy and a literary agent but who encouraged me anyway!) LOL

In the Christian book industry, the legendary Littaurs, this blog's generous and dedicated "mama" Allison Bottke, and MANY others ahead of me on the path have been instrumental in helping me discern my calling, develop my confidence and make invaluable contacts.

Other women of faith, like Karol Ladd, Esther Burroughs, Donna Partow and Karen O'Connor, I have only met briefly in small group situations. They have always been kind to answer email or in-person questions, and I'm thankful for their witness and continuing faithfulness to God. And then there are wonderful women of faith that I've never met in person:

Can you tell mentoring is a passion? I simply can't imagine what my life would be like without the godly influence of these women who are serving as the "Paul" to my "Barnabus." (And there are MANY others who I haven't mentioned by name. God has truly allowed me a multitude of mentors. I'm very grateful.)

Would you consider mentoring and/or being mentored? If you're busy (and we all are) it may take some creative scheduling--but I promise you, if you make the time to invest in someone's life, or if you allow someone who's listening to God on a regular basis to speak into your life, you WILL be blessed!

Till tomorrow--
Dena Dyer
www.denadyer.com
My blog:
www.denadyer.typepad.com

P.S. from Allison: If something our Celebrity Guest Blogger shared today
has
touched you, we welcome your comments. Simply click on the comments
link
below. By posting a comment, your name will automatically be entered
into a
prize drawing for FREE BOOKS. We will randomly select two names at the
end
of each month to receive a special gift of GOD ALLOWS U-TURNS books.

God's Power Within

2006-06-15T22:14:00.000-05:00

Day Four of Six
June 16, 2006
Posted by Guest Blogger: Dena Dyer

(continued from Day Three)

So began my quest to get back to the state of faith I describe as “revolutionary.” With God’s help, I began to seek out people, places, and conversations that would help me become passionate. Along the way, I discovered that if I was going to follow Jesus like He asked, I would have to make some tough decisions. I might even have to be willing to be considered weird, or countercultural. For sure, I was going to have to be brave--because the world had changed. The media, political climate, and society at large wasn’t as friendly to Christians as it had been when I first came to Christ.

And as Kathy Troccoli says, “There is so much white noise in our culture. We overlook opportunities to feast at the feet of Jesus. We don’t ‘fine dine’ with Him. There is change and transformation when we meet Him there.”

Around the time that my own change was happening, I read a book called Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. It’s a classic tale of a futuristic society in which love equals sex, feelings are considered dangerous, and uniformity is king. In Huxley’s version of the world, a drug called “soma” is handed out like candy to keep the masses in line with the status quo. Materialism is encouraged, happiness is the ultimate goal (achieved by any means necessary) and media is used as a hypnotic tool. Sound familiar?! :)

Mr. Helmhotz Watson, one of the characters in Brave New World, said something to another character that struck a real chord with me. "Did you ever feel like as though you had something inside you that was only waiting for you to give it a chance to come out? Some sort of a power that you aren't using—you know, like all the water that goes down the falls instead of through the turbines?. . . I'm thinking of a queer feeling I sometimes get, a feeling that I've got something important to say and the power to say it – only I don't know what it is, and I can't make any use of the power."

That’s how I feel!

As God got a hold of me again, the writer/speaker in me began to long to share what I was finding with other women.

So I'm doing that--little by little, with God's power. He's the power I wasn't using. . . and He is giving me the ways to say something "important"--not only to audiences, but to my family, each day as I make the right decisions.

Is your water going down the falls or through the turbines?

Consider that today...and until tomorrow, be blessed by the awesome, extraordinary love of our wonderful Savior!

Dena Dyer

P.S. from Allison: If something our Celebrity Guest Blogger shared today has touched you, we welcome your comments. Simply click on the comments linkbelow. By posting a comment, your name will automatically be entered into aprize drawing for FREE BOOKS. We will randomly select two names at the endof each month to receive a special gift of GOD ALLOWS U-TURNS books.

Seeking God as a Busy Mom

2006-06-15T16:24:00.000-05:00

Day three of six
June 15, 2006
Posted by Guest Blogger: Dena Dyer

(continued story from day two)

Once God began calling me back to Him, I began responding. But as a busy mom, I still wasn't too sure how to best fit time with God into my day.

The contemplative in me longed for long, lazy stretches with God. I researched Benedictine retreat centers on the Internet and longed for my hubby and boys to go on a vacation—without me. If I just had a few days alone, I thought, I could rebound spiritually. I could confess of every sin I’d committed over the past few years, spend time fervently worshipping at Jesus’ feet, and pray for every need I’d ever heard about. (I know, I know—I tend to get carried away. My husband can “amen” that!)

The administrative side of me started planning out my days to include at least one and one-half hour of prayer and Bible study. The only problem? I have a rambunctious toddler, a seven year-old who craves lots of attention (and deserves it), a husband whose work schedule changes week-to-week, and a home business that helps pay the bills. My schedule went out the window the same week I made it—because the baby got croup.

Finally, I asked Him for some fresh ideas. And He gave them!

I began to see that it would be wrong of me to neglect my family for the sake of God—and that He wasn’t requiring that. Instead, He was actually pleased with my efforts and my desire to be more disciplined. God also revealed to me that my former “perfect attendance quiet time award” wasn’t something He had required. I had been prideful, and just plain wrong, to think that punching the clock with God would make Him love me more.

So I decided to take pockets of time during my day and put them to meditative use. I prayed while doing the dishes, read a devotional while waiting on my son in the pickup lane at school, and read scripture while working out on the elliptical machine at the gym.

Slowly, by changing my heart, He was changing my habits--because I was longing to be with Him. Just the fact that I missed Him when I couldn't spend time with Him was pleasing to me--and to God--because the desire hadn't been there for so long!

Patiently and lovingly, God reminded me that my carefree days were over—for now. Someday, I would have more free time (the youngest is only—sob!—three years away from kindergarten, after all). Sometimes, it was okay to go away by myself for a retreat—but I didn’t have to wait for that. I could spend time with Him every minute of every day.

In her wonderful book The Velveteen Mommy, Jenn Doucette says, “God wants us to be in constant communication with Him, aware of His continual presence, thanking Him for everything He gives us, praising Him for who He is, and yes, even crying to Him for emergency help. As moms, we can ‘practice the presence of God’ (in the words of Brother Lawrence) as we go through our day by staying in constant communication with Him. I find that the more I do this, the more He miraculously opens up quiet moments in my day or evening when I can sit and truly focus on Him.”

Gradually, I’ve come to the conclusion (and this is difficult for a recovering control freak) that the best “system” for pursuing God just might not be a system at all. So some days, I get up early (okay, that’s rare—but I have been known to attend an early morning prayer group once in a while!), some days I study while the baby naps, and some days I get my sitter to come early so I can spend a couple of hours alone with God before I start writing.

I’ve finally realized that a devotional life—like everything else in life—has its seasons. (Once, a college Bible study teacher told me to “enjoy my singleness” while I had it, because after marriage and kids, it would be hard to find time with God. At the time, I scoffed. I wanted to be married so badly, I didn’t revel in what I had—unlimited time, disposable income, and no one depending on me.)

So as a mom of young kids, I’m trying to re-learn what I should have let God instill years ago…contentment with my circumstances. I don’t want to go back to the place where I ignore God—that doesn’t please Him, or do me any good. But I don’t have to berate myself just because I fall asleep praying once in a while…or because I can’t tackle a Beth Moore study every twelve weeks. God knows where I’m at—He gave me these kids, and this hubby. He understands!!!
What freedom there is in that...especially for a recovering overachiever.

More tomorrow--thanks for reading this far! :)

Dena Dyer
Amazing Grace-land, my blog:
www.denadyer.typepad.com

P.S. from Allison: If something our Celebrity Guest Blogger shared today has touched you, we welcome your comments. Simply click on the comments link below. By posting a comment, your name will automatically be entered into a prize drawing for FREE BOOKS. We will randomly select two names at the end of each month to receive a special gift of GOD ALLOWS U-TURNS books.

God's Disruptive, Delightful Love

2006-06-14T14:14:00.000-05:00

Day Two of Six
June 14, 2006
Posted by Guest Blogger: Dena Dyer

"We have been called into a dynamic love affair--one that gives more than we could have ever hoped and demands more than we would freely give. To receive God's grace in Christ is to be brought into a revolutionary reign, not ushered into a quiet rest home! God's love is as disruptive as it is delightful, as demanding as it is delicious!" Scotty Smith, The Reign of Grace (Howard)

Yesterday, I mentioned that God got my attention recently and made me aware that I had lost the all-consuming passion of First Love with Jesus. And then, my patient, perfect Navigator showed me the way to make a U-Turn back to Him.

As I pondered what had happened, He gently revealed that I had let several things--the busyness of life, a well-placed dedication to my three awesome guys, fatigue and depression brought on by a continuing struggle with thyroid disease, and doubts and anger resulting from several big losses--dull my relationship to my wonderful Savior.

It was hard to admit that I had put Him down the list--especially because I was enjoying a new dream job as a book author and speaker to women's groups. To be completely honest, even as I was talking and writing about God to people, I wasn't making Him a priority. He wasn't a consuming fire like He had once been.

When He finally got my attention through a friend (see yesterday's post), I tried to deny that things were wrong. But in my heart, I couldn't shake the feeling that my buddy was in love with Jesus--and I was not. I wanted to go back to Him, but I was tentative.

I felt guilty, but not yet ready to confess my backslidden (to use a good-old Baptist word!) status to the Lord. So one night not long after God confronted me with my lukewarm-ness, I went searching for companionship and understanding in a book. As a read-a-holic, I often go to the written word for comfort.

So I pulled Tender Mercy for a Mother’s Soul by Angela Thomas off my shelf (I had bought it while doing research for my first book, a devotional book for busy moms) and started thumbing through it.

Suddenly, I caught my breath as I read: “Numbed by the hugeness of motherhood and spiritually paralyzed by the blur of the years rushing by, I was not growing deeper with God.”

Angela had walked the road I was on, and reading her book was the first step towards a new way of living. And God was faithful to me, as he was when He called Angela back to Him.

That night, and many times over the next few months, I did what I should have done in the first place: confessed my weakness, frailty and my disobedience to God. I told Him I missed the closeness we used to have, and wanted to be "on fire" for Him again.

And you know what? He didn’t laugh at me, strike me down with lightning or rake me over the coals.

On the contrary.

I felt peace as my loving Father whispered to me, “I’m so glad that you want to spend time with me. I love it when you do.”

More tomorrow--

Dena Dyer
www.denadyer.com
www.denadyer.typepad.com

Falling In Love Again

2006-06-12T22:35:00.000-05:00

I want to thank Allison for the opportunity to share my story on her GAUT blog. I first met Allison several years ago at CLASS (Christian Leaders, Authors and Speakers Services) speaker training conference, and I was impressed right away with her zeal about sharing people's U-Turn stories. She had just gotten an agent for the GAUT book series, and she gave me a button and asked me to submit a story. Since then, I've watched her (and the series) take off and fly, and have been excited about the opportunities the Lord has given her. I love her ideas, her zest for life, and her passion for using her talents--and developing others' gifts--for God.

Over the next few days, I want to share a recent U-Turn that God has allowed me to make. You might recognize yourself somewhere in the story...

"Don’t you just love it?” my friend Theresa asked. She smiled at me over her soda as bad country tunes played scratchily on the roller-rink speakers.

“The music?” I asked, grimacing. Birthday parties at the skating rink weren’t my favorites—but at least they gave me a chance for some adult conversation.

Theresa laughed. “No, silly,” she said. “That feeling you get, when you’re with Jesus, and He just sweeps you off your feet.”

“Oh, that,” I said, glancing down at my baby as I jiggled the stroller with my foot. Feeling strange, I scanned the kids near the snack area to see if my older son was around.

“It’s so wonderful when I’m with Him!” she gushed.

I mumbled something in return, about how I understood, but soon I made excuses to leave.
Later, I thought about what she’d said, and I realized with remorse that I had felt like Theresa did—years ago. It had been way too long since I craved time alone with the Lover of my Soul.

What had happened? That night, I got alone and asked myself when I had let myself fall away from my First Love.

I became a Christian at the tender age of seven—and lived out a pretty passionate faith through my growing up years. Though my past was far from perfect, I could remember being quite bold and different from the world in college. And when I graduated, I served as a missionary for two years, where I met my husband.

So when had the fire cooled? I concluded it must have been around the time I had suffered a miscarriage and gone through a depression. Then my husband and I were blessed with demanding jobs, children, and bills. Life’s stuff had happened, and because of stress, busyness, and daily-ness, I had let my passion for Christ dwindle. While I didn’t stray from my faith, I wasn’t too occupied with the things of the Lord. Instead, I found myself consumed with diapers, dishes, and deadlines.

Maybe you've been there--or you're there now. I hope you'll join me again tomorrow as I share how God wooed me back, and helped me make a U-Turn...right back into His arms.

Much love--
Dena
www.denadyer.com
www.denadyer.typepad.com

Dena Dyer - Next Guest Blogger!

2006-06-12T22:22:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers:

A very special thank you to Sharen Watson for sharing her passion and purpose with us this past week. I was in Wheaton, Illinois at the Write-to-Publish Conference and will be posting an update on that fabulous conference soon.

But first, let me introduce you to our next Guest Blogger who begins her six days of postings tomorrow! Dena Dyer hails from Texas and I'm sure we'll be blessed by her insights this week.

In her own words...

As a busy mom, wife, author, and speaker, I adore my life—but there are days when I definitely want my own mommy! Thankfully, I have God, my mom, and a Christian counselor on speed dial. I’ve been married to my soul mate, Carey, for ten years. We have two boys (who are ALL boy), Jordan , 8, and Jackson, 2, and we live in Texas.

When I’m not desperately trying to find my keys or cell phone, I enjoy writing, reading, blogging, and cuddling with my three boys. My hobbies B.K.--before kids--included scrapbooking, watching old movies, and decorating. Now, my interests (obsessions?) are napping, eating, working out to work off what I eat, and playing Bunco with my girlfriends.

Essays I’ve written have appeared in over a dozen anthologies such as Simple Pleasures of Friendship (Conari), The Heart of a Mother (Bethany House), Humor for the Teacher’s Heart (Howard) and Divine Stories of the Yahweh Sisterhood (Legacy).

My book credits include Grace for the Race: Meditations for Busy Moms (Barbour), The Groovy Chicks’ Road Trip to Peace (Cook/Life Journey) and The Groovy Chicks’ Road Trip to Love (Cook/Life Journey), both with Laurie Barker Copeland.

Thank you, Dena, for being our next God Allows U-Turns Guest Blogger!

Have a blessed evening to all!

My Final Thoughts for the Week

2006-06-11T11:09:00.000-05:00

Day Seven of Seven
June 11, 2006

I can’t believe it’s the last day of my BLOG debut! I hope you have enjoyed my posts and that God has touched you in some way through them. I think the main point I want to leave you with, is this – God has a purpose for you. You just have to release all of your own goals and plans. I realize that is much easier said than done. Believe me, I struggled, battled really, to make my own way before the Lord had finally had it with me and just said, "Enough!"

This is the point where U-Turns occur, and that is the heart of Allison Bottke’s U-Turns ministry. Thank you, Allison!

He tells us in His Word that we have purpose in Him and His plans are good for us. Why in the world do we run around striving to find our own purpose? Here’s a Scripture I think speaks volumes…

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."
Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)

If we live in Him and desire to follow after Him, He will see to it that His purpose prevails. No ifs, ands or buts. And from experience, I’d rather not fight against that purpose, because He tells us in His Word…

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Oh, my friends, some life experiences can be extremely difficult. I know. I’ve lived through many of them. Abuse, poverty, low self-esteem, single parent household (all of these, to name a few, are just a portion my childhood experience). And I’m telling you, if God can turn my life around, He can and will do the same for you. He is faithful!

Aside from the ministry of Words For The Journey Christian Writers Guild, the Lord has called me to women’s ministry. Speaking for women’s groups is a passion the Lord has given me. Ministering at retreats and other women’s events is a natural outflow of what the Lord has done in my life. I’m also writing a book series specific to relevant issues of women today. If He can work out the mess of my life’s past, He can work in anyone’s life. "Words For A Woman’s Journey" best captures what He desires to share from my heart to yours. And the same Scripture applies…

"because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me…"
Luke 11:6 (NIV)

I would love to hear from y’all to know who’s been keeping up with my guest appearance on Allison’s BLOG. As an incentive, for the first person that emails me with "God Allows U-Turns BLOG" in the email subject line, I will mail you a free copy of God Allows U-Turns for Women or God Allows U-Turns for Teens. Even though I only shared from my story in the women’s volume, I also have a story in the teen book. You can email me at IRite4Him@aol.com.

If you are looking for a speaker for your women’s event, I would love to talk more with you about speaking topics, etc… If you are interested in starting a branch of Words For The Journey Christian Writers Guild, I’d be happy to help you establish this ministry in your area. I’m also available to speak at Christian writing conferences. Just put your need into the subject line of your email.

Now Father, I ask You to bless those who are reading these words. If there is need for a U-Turn in any of their lives, I pray that You would pave the way so they can see the change of direction easily and follow it without complaint or restraint. Make plain the paths You have set before each one, Lord, and give them each the courage to follow them, step-by-step. In the Name of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus, we pray…AMEN.

Be blessed y’all!

Eternally His,
Sharen Watson
www.wordsforthejourney.org

Seasons of our Spirits

2006-06-10T02:27:00.000-05:00

Day Six of Seven
June 10, 2006

Welcome back to my sixth day of BLOG-dom. This week has been a learning experience for me because, I have never been a BLOGGER. And since Allison is off gallivanting (Is it someplace fun?) once again, she left me in charge of posting. And I will figure out the whole "more than one picture" per BLOG difficulty I’ve been having. How did Heather do that? Oh yes…back to BLOGGING…There are a few BLOGS I read when I have the time, but unfortunately, time is a precious commodity around here. Of course, Allison’s BLOG is an exception. I’ve been enjoying each guest. Everyone has shared their own distinct messages and I’ve been encouraged by all of them. I pray that my U-Turn story to Words For The Journey has blessed you in its own unique way as well.

Today, I’m going to share something completely different, because I believe that our life’s seasons can be equated with U-Turns. One of the topics I especially enjoy speaking to women’s groups about are spiritual seasons, how they transition from one to the next, and what that looks like. Let’s see, to put you in the right frame of mind, I’ll include a photo of my new home, one of the outside photo that give me inspiration and feed the allegory I use to compare weather related seasons to the seasons of our lives.
God is God over the seasons of His Creation…

"And God said, ‘Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years’"

Genesis 1:14 (NIV)

And, I am so glad to know that He is God over the seasons of my spirit. I love what He says in His Word about the days of our lives, but one verse delights me each time I read or recall it.

"One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple."

Psalm 27:4 (NIV)

According to the previous Scripture in Genesis, God separated the days from the nights by setting the lights in the sky. And eventually those days turn to seasons, just like the days of our lives and our spirits.

Looking back over my previous postings, they indicate not only a U-Turn, but a change of season. There was no avoiding it, even with all of my DO and DO attitude. God took me from the busy days of summer (DO-ing time) to the uncomfortable transition of fall (Remember my longing to pick up the juggling balls that weren’t mine?), and then into winter. Oh winter… A time of solitude, stripping away and undercover growth. I surrendered to the winter, just like nature. As my physical body recovered with stillness, my spirit did the same. There is no other choice, really. When this season comes, life, for the most part, rests. Some of it even dies.

But then, with the melting of the snows and the warmth of the sun, life blossoms once again. The seed lying dormant (actually without life) bursts to the surface, and trees, stripped of unnecessary burdens of useless branches, strengthened in hidden moments under the frozen ground, burst into color once again. It is spring, glorious spring! And life is new again.

And the repetition of the cycle is all it is meant to be – a series of U-Turns. And the choices we make to cooperate with the One Who created us, the One Who loves us most, are a crucial part of our journey through the seasons of our spirit.

What season are you currently experiencing? Know that it is meant for your good. God made the seasons to serve His divine purpose and you, precious One are part of His divine plan.

God Bless Y’all! Enjoy the weekend! I’ll be back tomorrow with my final thoughts for the week. Again, thanks Allison, wherever you are, for allowing me to share my journey.

Until tomorrow…I am fully aware and amazed by…

…His Lavish Love for you and me,

Sharen Watson
www.wordsforthejourney.org

Words For The Journey Christian Writers Guild

2006-06-09T02:27:00.000-05:00

Day Five of Seven

I am so enjoying this BLOG-ing gig! Thank you, Allison for inviting me to participate. I hope y’all are enjoying my U-Turn story.

As of yesterday, I wrapped up the BLOG by telling you that my U-Turn was not quite complete. In fact, there was a U-Turn within a U-Turn. Is that like a double negative? More like a double positive if you ask me.

When my husband’s career decided to move us to Colorado, I was apprehensive to say the least. My heart (attached to my two older children) really struggled with the fact that we would be residing in different states, miles from each other. We prayed, and asked others to pray about whether this was the right move for us, and all indications pointed positively toward transfer. Most of all, it was a struggle of the wills, mine vs. the Lord’s. I have learned that it is better to be obedient and say yes the first time instead of taking the long way around. So the final leg of, or if you prefer, the new U-Turn began.

I never anticipated opening a new branch of Words For The Journey. I didn’t plan to, and I even substantially thinned out my files of WFTJ materials before we packed. Blessed to have served the members of WFTJ for nearly two years, I thought that a season of my life was simply coming to a close.

Since I never tightly gripped WFTJ with any kind of ownership, leaving my role as director was easily accomplished by just passing the torch to Linda Kozar. The hard part was leaving the members. I had grown to love each of them as precious sisters and brothers in Christ. My consolation was that I would visit as often as possible. My children were still there after all.

August 4, 2006 was moving day (I discussed that in my first BLOG post). Two months later, once we were almost out of boxes, I visited a writing group called, Jubilant Writers led by Jan Parrish, someone I had met online earlier that year. She knew I was headed that way, and invited me to attend. What I didn’t know was that the Lord was leading Jan to exclusive time serving another ministry.

Once again, the Holy Spirit started opening doors. And having learned obedience before, I gladly stepped through each one. Once again, prayer and fasting were in order. If the Lord wanted a new branch of WFTJ, it would be established by His hand – again.

After spending time in prayer myself, I asked to Lord to direct me to someone I could partner with, someone who had strength where I had lack, someone who would pray, love and care for the members of Words For The Journey. Megan DiMaria was a faithful member of Jan’s group and the Lord wasted no time in showing me that she was the one He wanted ministering with me. Our talents and gifts compliment one another, and she has been a huge blessing. I’m so grateful to the Lord for putting us together.

And because both of us desired to submit Words For The Journey – Rocky Mountain Region into God’s hands, we surrendered it together in prayer before opening the group. We asked the Lord to reign over it and lead it according to His plan. Besides being faithful to pray, Megan was instrumental in finding a place for us to meet. She spoke with the staff of her church, Southeast Christian Church, and they welcomed our group, providing a place for us to meet weekly. By the way, the Lord also opened the door to continue our ministry of once monthly outreaches at Barnes and Noble in Lone Tree, CO.

Is there more to this U-Turn? I don’t know, but if there is, I’m going do my best to listen for God’s leading and obey His direction. I’m completely in awe of His GREAT works and ministry through Words For The Journey Christian Writers Guild so far, and can’t wait to see what else He has in store.

Until tomorrow…

Eternally Grateful for His Grace,
Sharen Watson

U-Turn To Words For The Journey (cont.)

2006-06-08T11:00:00.000-05:00

Day Four of Seven

And now, without further adieu, here is the final installment of my U-Turn to the inception Words For The Journey…

Looking back to yesterday, I’ll once again repeat the last sentence of my previous post.

"On the first refrain, I rose to my feet, raised my hands, and knew in that moment that surrender was sweet."

The Bible study had ended, but without any hesitation I continued walking in the freedom of rest. The constancy of DO-ing was in my past, and that was where it was going to stay.

A couple of months later, I spoke with a couple of friends, who like me, enjoyed writing. None of us were pursuing publication at that point, but each of us was eager to learn more about our passion for words. I casually mentioned that we should meet and talk about writing. Maybe even help one another with getting published. Just a small gathering, maybe once every couple of weeks. If anyone else wanted to join us, they could. We could look over each other’s work, help with grammar, and whatever else writers do. We would have to look into that process.

I asked my friend, Linda, "Why don’t you start this group for us?" And she looked back at me and asked the very same thing.

"Sharen, I really feel like the Lord wants you to organize this thing." Hesitant, because of the Lord’s directed season of rest, I told her I would pray about it.

I repeated the same question to another friend who was a prolific journal writer. I had seen some of her journal entries. They were beautiful. Surely she would want to start the group. Instead of, "Sure, I’ll start it," Rhonda repeated the same thing as Linda. "Why don’t you start it. I’ll do all I can to help."

I asked one more friend, and again, there was that reply. "Why don’t you start a group, Sharen?"

Three people who I knew were capable of leading a small group like ours all said the very same thing. So I told each of them I would pray. And I did, fervently. After all, I had just been through a major life struggle with my DO-er attitude. I needed to be VERY clear whether or not the Lord desired this responsibility. His answer was quick.

I’ll do this thing. You just be obedient.

I took that message to my writing friends. "I’ll do it, but I want us to pray together about what this is supposed to look like. It’s not my group, but God’s, and that’s the way it will stay." They wholeheartedly agreed, and we met the following week in Linda’s breakfast nook. We had each honored a time of fasting before we met and were eager to pray and worship together. I brought a CD with me that included THE song that so moved me, based on Song of Solomon 2:10-14.

The same lyrics that touched me now moved my friends, and all three of us spent time honoring and praising our Lord together. Each of us felt like we were headed in the right direction, but really didn’t have a plan so to speak. I asked each of the ladies to think about a name that might fit our group, and told them we should have a mission statement, a vision for our group and our purpose for existing. When I went home that afternoon, I expected to continue in prayer while the other ladies thought about everything we needed. I didn’t expect to be the one the Lord gave our name through.

The name, Words For The Journey Christian Writers Guild came to me almost as soon as I arrived home. I called Linda and asked her what she thought. She concurred.

And Father, what about a Scripture? I went to www.biblegateway and looked up the word "journey." Luke 11:6 was the verse that immediately brought an understanding of the natural outflow of our group. Our prayer was to mentor writers by offering tools and encouragement by way of sharing whatever resources and knowledge we had available. "A friend of mine on a journey has come to me…" fit our purpose well. The Vision Statement and Purpose each followed easily.

Linda, Rhonda and I met again to pray and discuss the time and place of our meetings. We asked our church if they would provide a space for us. The staff of our fellowship, WoodsEdge Community Church, welcomed us, providing a room for us to meet weekly. One month later, on September 19, 2003, Words For The Journey Christian Writers Guild held its grand opening meeting. Through the course of more prayer, we also opened a monthly meeting at Barnes and Noble for those who can't make daytime meetings.

If you’re wondering about this business of my tendency toward DO-ing…
I knew, and believe you will understand (if you don’t already) the difference of DO-ing for doing sake versus stepping out in faith on a path clearly prepared before you.

Thank You, Lord for allowing U-Turns. Especially this one – The U-Turn from chaotic, frenzied busyness to the fulfillment of Your business.

Tomorrow, I’ll talk about the establishment of our newest chapter, Words For The Journey – Rocky Mountain Region. Here’s a little peek… I had no idea my U-Turn was still in process. Stay tuned…

Signing off for now... Sharen Watson

U-Turn to Words For The Journey (cont.)

2006-06-07T10:14:00.000-05:00

Welcome back to the second installment to the "cliffhanger," U-Turn to Words For The Journey. Memories of the humble beginnings of Words For The Journey Christian Writers Guild have been occupying my thoughts this week. WFTJ – Rocky Mountain Region met yesterday, and as I opened the meeting in prayer, I was keenly aware of His hand in this ministry. But before I go to that, let’s move on to the rest of my journey to and through the CROSSroads.

Let us begin where I left off…

…That’s when I finally reached out to God, not as a DO-er, but as His daughter. "Where do I begin again?"

I remember at that point, reaching for my journal in the nightstand – and for His Word. I turned to Jeremiah. Known as the weeping prophet, I figured we at least had tears in common at that point. These are the words I read in Jeremiah 6:16:

"This is what the LORD says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.’ But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’"

Choose the good way…Clearly, I had chosen wrong, veering off onto paths that weren’t mine to tread. Not only had I confused and exhausted myself, but think of those whose paths I had disturbed. I was horrified.

As I reflected on that Scripture, I felt the Spirit’s gentle nudge to sketch an image of the cross. So I did. But as I outlined this simple, yet profound symbol of my faith, I realized that I had not enclosed the four ends.

I paused and asked the Lord, "This is odd, Lord. Why would I leave the cross open-ended?" I read the Scripture again…

"Stand at the crossroads and look…"

Again, there was the gentle, yet unmistakable nudge of the Spirit. Once again, I put my pencil to the page, and dashed lines running through the open-ended cross were sketched in place. It was obvious. The cross = my CROSSroads.

"What is it, Lord?" I put the point of my pencil directly in the center of the cross.

There, my daughter…

"Oh, my God, my Lord." I cried, pressing the lead even further into the page. "Here I am. Where do I go?"

May I interject here that I did not here an audible voice throughout this process, but a very distinct impression that the Lord was showing me things I had refused to see before. I am in awe at the way He chooses to uniquely speak to each of His children in the way He knows we will understand.

I continued driving my pencil further into the thick page of my journal. Again, another clear impression…

Stay right there, Child. Stay at the center of the cross, at the heart of your Savior and press in. Don’t go left; don’t go right. Just press in – further still. I’m here.

My DO-er brain finally understood. Don’t do anything. Just stay here at the center of the cross, near to His heart. And another Scripture came to mind, Psalm 46:10

"Be still and know that I am God"

What precious relief! The DO-er had permission to "be still," and it felt right, finally.

Over the next few weeks, as my physical body gained strength, I was very selective in choosing my involvement. Attending, not teaching, a weekly Ladies Bible Study was the only thing I felt God’s direction toward. There were a few different study choices, but the one I chose was a study titled "Worship." The woman who taught it had pulled in many various resources to show us different expressions of worship.

One aspect was music. It just so happens that music touches me deeply, reaching into the depths of my emotions and spirit. Ten weeks passed, and the study continued. Speechless (not my norm), I soaked up every word taught, every song played. And then during the last study, the leader played THE song. I don’t know the artist who sang it. I only know the words were almost verbatim to Song of Songs 2:10-14. On the first refrain, I rose to my feet, raised my hands, and knew in that moment that surrender was sweet.

And now comes the fun part again. Sorry for the abrupt ending, but I once again bid you adieu with a cliffhanger. I’ll not make any promises, but tomorrow should be the culmination of my U-Turn and what it brought into my life. Y’all come back now, here?

Many blessings,
Sharen Watson

U-Turn to Words For The Journey

2006-06-06T12:18:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my second day as guest on Allison Bottke’s BLOG. For some reason, Allison and I couldn’t get my picture to work on my first day’s introduction, so I wanted to be sure and include it today, and voila! It worked! That’s me in a picture taken by my husband against my faux-painted breakfast nook wall in Texas, before the big move north and west. My, what we can do with digital technology! Okay, so it didn't work. Sheesh! If you want to see who I am, you can mosey on over to my website www.wordsforthejourney.org. Hopefully, we can work this out so I can show you some other pictures I have to share.

Alright, back on task…Yesterday, I just wanted to give you a snapshot of who I am and what the Lord has assigned to me. An odd choice of words, I know, but I believe the things He is doing in my life, and yours, are exactly that – assignments. Words For The Journey was only birthed because it was His will to do so. Believe me when I say, He completely led the way. There was certainly no opportunity for dodging this particular path he laid before me. The only reason I can say that is because I was at the point of complete surrender. His will, His way…I wanted nothing more, nothing less. But, before "surrender" I was faced with a "CROSSroad." And that is what my story is about. You can see the story in its entirety in Allison’s latest book, God Allows U-Turns for Women. But I believe it bears worth repeating here, not verbatim, but from my heart once again.

Like so many young women, I was a go-er and a do-er, busy with this and that, accomplishing anything and everything that crossed my path. The necessities of life became burdens. After all, who really needs to sleep longer than 5 or 6 hours a night? And who says we need to eat with health in mind to sustain our energy? And while we’re at it, why in the world would God put so many tasks in front of me if He didn’t see fit for me to tackle each of them myself? And then, He pulled the emergency brake.

I found myself in bed with a low-grade fever, achy muscles, and absolutely no energy. In fact, I could barely get up for a minute at a time without feeling as though I would pass out. And after brief excursions, to the restroom and back, I would have to lie very still, letting the lingering affects of dizziness and nausea pass. The doctors passed it off as a virus and told me that I would just have to let it run its course.

One month passed, and I knew that all the proverbial balls I had been juggling in the way of hectic activity had dropped from my hands. The thing I didn’t realize was this – I wasn’t supposed to be juggling all those balls. They didn’t belong to me, and somewhere along the way, I had relieved someone else of a responsibility that was uniquely assigned to them, not me. I watched women I had known for so long graciously come in, pick up the dropped balls and walk away cradling them steadily in their hands.

At first, this process felt like they were stealing from me. Those were my obligations, not theirs. Was God stripping me of all I could DO for Him? Would He ever let me DO for Him again? Many questions cluttered my mind as I questioned my life’s importance. I truly loved God with all my heart, but couldn’t help but wonder if was doing something wrong? Had I fallen from His grace? How could I possibly please Him from my bed? All I could do was rest, and watch the joy of busy-ness release easily into other’s hands.

Here is an excerpt from my story to express my deepest frustrations:

The previous two years had been a time of waiting, searching, listening, and watching. Contentment had been hard to find, and I ran circles trying to find fulfillment. "Is this what you want me to do, God? Do you want me to give more time to the schools, to the church? I'll do it all. I'll do it all for You. Just tell me; I'll do it!"

That’s what I had been doing. Running circles, spinning wheels that didn’t belong to me, all for my OWN fulfillment. My thinking had been skewed into believing that the only way God would find me pleasing to Him was through my DO-ing.
Then came the point of surrender. I was undone and all my works had ceased. That’s when I finally reached out to God, not as a DO-er, but as His daughter. "Where do I begin again?"

Don’t you just love cliffhangers? I think I’ll stop there and pick up the rest of my story tomorrow. Stay tuned…

And that is my entry for today. Until tomorrow, and forever…

…under His Grace,
Sharen Watson

Sharen Watson - Guest Blogger This Week!

2006-06-05T09:17:00.000-05:00

Day One of Seven - June 5, 2006
God Allows U-Turns

I suppose the first thing on my agenda is an introduction. I figure I owe you all as much since many of you have no clue as to who I am. Here’s a brief bio: My name is Sharen Watson. I’m married to my college sweetheart, Ray (25 years now), and we have three amazing children, Shawna (happily married to Hector), Stephen (college is halfway over) and Scot (what can you say about a 16-year-old?).

Let me take a look at my business card just to give you an indication of my “other” life. It reads like this: Sharen Watson, Author/Speaker/Editor; Founder, Words For The Journey Christian Writers Guild; Director, Rocky Mountain Region, along with the following Scripture on which this ministry is based… “because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me…” www.wordsforthejourney.org. Please take a moment to visit and then pop in and say hi. I would love to hear from you.

Here is a little bit of background on Words For The Journey… After much prayer and fasting for direction, the Lord opened the doors for the first meeting in September 2003 at WoodsEdge Community Church located in The Woodlands, Texas. After two years of leading the wonderful members of WFTJ group #1, Linda Kozar (WFTJ Co-founder) graciously and energetically swooped in as Director of the group when my husband, Ray, accepted a new job position that moved us out of state. The Lord continues to grow the Texas group, and I’m amazed by the ministry He has accomplished (and is accomplishing) in the hearts of those who attend. He is SO good!

August 2005 - Onward and upward…NORTH – to Highlands Ranch, Colorado. We packed up our home, our sixteen-year-old son, a super-spoiled Lhasa Apso, and to top it all off, our equally spoiled, Calico cat. We were quite the carload, barking, meowing, singing, snoring and whining our way to The Rocky Mountain State.

Normally, I’m a pretty patient traveler, but even I was groaning, “Are we there yet?” Eighteen hours later, we tumbled out of our Explorer grateful to be anywhere we could stretch out on a bed (even though the movers had only set them up, minus the freshly washed sheets and fluffy pillows). But no matter, a mattress was a mattress and the pillow-top desirable, covered or not.

This was the beginning of a new life adventure. As soon as the boxes were unpacked, Ray and I started exploring our new home. Colorado is majestic! There is simply no other way for me to describe this place. The mountains called out to us, and we answered by following our compass west. In less than an hour, we were smack dab in the middle of evergreens, aspens and magnificent peaks. Absolutely captivating!

Well, that’s what I have for today. I’m looking forward to our daily visits throughout the week. I have a lot to share with you, including my own testimony of U-Turns. Oh, God is SO good!

Blessings!
Sharen Watson

Amazon.com #1 Reviewer LOVES A Stitch in Time, my debut novel!

2006-05-29T10:53:00.000-05:00

Dear Blog Friends:

I'm back from speaking and teaching at the Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference. It was a spirit-filled conference and I am looking forward to reading true short story submissions (for future books in the God Allows U-Turns anthology series) from many attendees!

I plan to post an update on the conference in a few days...as soon as I get my photos back from Wal-Mart (that's correct, I do not have a digital camera.)

I took time out from writing this morning to check Amazon.com for reviews of my debut novel that just released from Bethany House. A Stitch in Time currently has two book reveiws posted, and I'm hoping by the end of this month to see more reviews posted. (hint-hint?)

Readers, if you enjoy a book and wish to share it with others, please consider writing a review and posting it on Amazon.com. Book reviews really can make a difference.

I was thrilled to see that Harriet Klausner, a #1 Reviewer with Amazon.com loved A Stitch in Time!

Harriet Klausner was an acquisitions librarian in Pennsylvania and wrote a monthly review column of recommended reads. She found she liked reviewing and went on to freelance after her son was born. A speed reader, she reads two books a day. As of today, Harriet Klausner has reviewed over 11,400 books for Amazon.com, and is ranked as a #1 Reviewer. (Bless you, Mrs. Klausner!)

Here is Harriet Klausner’s Review of A Stitch in Time, by Allison Bottke

In Los Angeles, Dee Harris Decker rediscovered religion and her toes at about the same time she learned her spouse was cheating on her. At the age of fifty, Dee left her philandering mate Lyle and underwent gastric bypass surgery to drop well over a hundred pounds in order to start over. Though she started her new vocation just after her surgery, she has become one of the best at raising funds, which ironically also brings out the best in her as she enjoys doing this especially for a good cause.

Dee has reached another crossroad, but this time she is filled with confidence that the Lord will help her choose correctly. Her project might make her a Nevada rancher's wife, but Lyle, assisted by their adult daughter Kelsey, has other plans for his now size-ten svelte almost ex-wife.

The key to this delightful inspirational chick lit charmer is Dee. The physical make over helps, but it is her spiritual, mental and emotional changes that turn her into a success, and the novel into a fine inspiring read. Allison Bottke emphasizes Dee's trials and tribulations as she becomes all that she can be with for the most part the bypass is bypassed as helpful but minor if one fails to heal the soul and the mind.

Harriet Klausner, #1 Reviewer with Amazon.com

A Stitch in Time in Bookstores Now

2006-05-19T09:47:00.000-05:00

Greetings to All!

I'm heading off tomorrow to speak and teach at the Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference in North Carolina. I won't be posting any new BLOG entries until I return after the 29th, sorry. Our next Guest Blogger will be author/speaker Sharen Watson who begins her week long postings on June 5th.

In the mean time, my debut novel is now available! PTL! This is a dream come true, and I sure would love to hear what y'all think of A STITCH IN TIME, so pick up a copy and send me an email! allison@godallowsuturns.com

Here's what some folks are saying about A STITCH IN TIME, my first contemporary chick-lit novel from Bethany House Publishers:

A Stitch in Time is a witty look at an all-too-flawed woman in search of perfection, and boy, could I relate to her! A wonderful read.
–Angela Hunt, Best-selling author of The Novelist

Breakout novelist Allison Bottke will gain hordes of new fans with the first of (what we can hope to be) many novels! From the first page, you'll not want to put this one down. A Stitch in Time proves that we are all hungry for more of God, all of us, no matter where we come from or what we do. A must read!
- Eva Marie Everson, coauthor of The Potluck Club

Allison Bottke pens a wonderful tale of forgiveness and reconciliation. A Stitch in Time takes the reader through a lifestyle few have experienced first hand, while dealing with emotions and day to day conflicts familiar to us all. This book is sure to please.
- Tracie Peterson, Best-selling author of Heirs of Montana and What She Left For Me

Intelligent. Witty. Real. Energetic. Fascinating. Life-changing. All of these characteristics of Allison’s debut novel make it some of the best fiction I’ve read in a long time and an accurate description of the author herself. I can hardly wait for more books from this amazing woman.
- Heather Gemmen, Best-selling author of Startling Beauty

I enjoyed this book—fun reading. Allison Bottke is a fresh, honest voice in contemporary fiction of the chic lit style, whose 50-year-old heroine pushes the age boundaries. A Stitch in Time leaves the reader with a renewed appreciation for God’s grace and purpose at all stages of our lives.
- Lauraine Snelling, best-selling author of the Red River of the North series

Have a blessed week!

And that's what's on my mind today.

DREAMS DO COME TRUE!

2006-05-15T10:38:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers:

This Blog was developed to share true stories of life from a Christian perspective, for both READERS and WRITERS. Our fundamental goal is to encourage and strengthen our readers.

As someone who often teaches at Christian writer’s conferences, I feel strongly about sharing that no matter how long it may take, we must keep our dreams alive and persevere. It’s not always easy—especially when the dream to be published remains elusive.

I’ve been blessed to have twenty books published in the past five years under the God Allows U-Turns umbrella brand. These twenty books are all NON-FICTION. However, I’ve wanted to write fiction since I was a little girl. (In fact, my ultimate goal when I grow up is to become a screenwriter, but that’s another story altogether.)

Well, my “little girl dream” has come true!

I’m fifty years old and it’s finally happened! My debut novel, A STITCH IN TIME (in the hip-lit genre) will “officially” release from Bethany House on June 1st. However, this past weekend I had my first book signing for my novel at Barnes & Noble in Burnsville, Minnesota. It was a phenomenal success. I’m still floating on a cloud and praising God!

So, long story short … if you have the dream to write and be published … keep the faith! I never stopped working at it, I never stopped learning, and I never stopped trying new things. Most importantly, I never stopped praying!

A STITCH IN TIME is available now online and at bookstores everywhere.

And that’s what’s on my mind today.

What does God have planned for you TODAY?

2006-05-11T07:26:00.000-05:00

This photo of author and speaker Eva Marie Everson and yours truly was taken recently in Florida where I was spending cloistered retreat time working on my second novel. We took a break to…you guessed it…go shopping. The hat was my Park Avenue purchase, a total steal at $13.00. But I digress…that’s not my point. Here’s my point…

We never know upon meeting someone for the first time what the Lord has in mind. There are times He thrusts us into the life of someone for one brief moment in time, like that time in the grocery store line when your words of encouragement to the harried mom just may have saved her life. Or how about the time when a jealous co-worker made a U-Turn away from vindictiveness, because you boldly shared a word given to you from God—a word you’d read only that morning in your daily devotional? All around us are divine appointments that when we look back in retrospect we can see are all part of a grand plan God has for each of us—His beloved children.

There are countless times in the course of our life (in the course of our day for some of us!) when we have scarce enough time for ourselves or our immediate families, how are we to know when God puts someone into our sphere that he wants us to get to know better?

Five years ago I was introduced to author and speaker Eva Marie Everson at a CBA Book Expo in February of 2001. The very first book in the God Allows U-Turns anthology was going to release that coming July at CBA in Atlanta. We had lunch with our publisher and when he left us alone to visit afterwards, who would have suspected that years later I would count her as one of my most trusted friends? It was, quite simply, a divine appointment.

As you go about your day today, I would ask only that you look at everyone you meet with that glorious expectation that God has arranged it all…and then see what happens. God is in control and He has a plan far bigger than anything we could ever hope or dream for. The meetings he orchestrates daily with friends and strangers, is part of that grand plan. Don’t miss out on what God is doing in your life…keep your eyes...and heart open.

“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” – Hebrews 13:2 (NIV)

And that’s what’s on my mind today.

Tracy Klehn Visits Minnesota!

2006-05-09T07:10:00.000-05:00

This past weekend I had the opportunity to spend time with author, speaker and friend, Tracy Klehn. That's us in the photo, I'm the older one, ha-ha. My church hosted Tracy as the keynote speaker for our annual Mothers and Others event held on Saturday, May 6. Tracy’s first book is published by Bethany House, my publisher, so we had the chance to visit with our Bethany House family on Friday, including lunch at the Mall of America! It was a busy and spiritually rewarding weekend.

Tracy did a fabulous job on Saturday, speaking on prayer. If you're looking for a dynamic speaker make sure to visit her web site and contact Tracy directly. She has over a dozen presentations and your ladies will love her! You’ll want to check out Tracy’s just released book: Prayer Starters for Busy Moms, How to Pray All Day and Still Put the Laundry Away.

Now, it’s back to work on my second novel. I have a June 1st deadline for this draft and still need to write about 25,000 more words! My actual publishing deadline is August 1st. Time sure sneaks up on a gal, doesn’t it?

And remember folks, for those of you in the Minneapolis area, my debut novel, A Stitch in Time, is being released at Barnes & Noble in Burnsville this coming Saturday from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM. Stop in and say hello! Also signing her debut novel, The Secret Life of Becky Miller, will be author Sharon Hinck.

That’s what’s on my mind today.

LET THEM EAT CAKE!

2006-05-02T09:44:00.000-05:00

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. My granddaughter, Lucianna May Bottke (Lucy) recently celebrated her first birthday here in Minnesota. Methinks this is the way we should all have our cake and eat it, too!

May God bless your day.

That’s what’s on my mind today.

A Day in the Life of a Writer

2006-04-26T09:07:00.000-05:00

It’s a beautiful Florida morning and since I got to wake up at a Holiday Inn Express, I’m having a hot cinnamon roll and a cup of coffee. (A Holiday Inn Express does for cinnamon rolls what Krispy Kreme does for doughnuts.) ‘Nuff said. For those of us who travel a lot, you’ll know it’s the little things in hotel experiences we crave. I have friends who prefer hotels based on things like “does it have a gym,” (gosh, do hotels actually have gyms? Go figure!) If it has a pool, the close proximity to restaurants, you know … stuff like that. I go for the cinnamon rolls – sigh.

I’m nearing the end of a three week writing retreat here in sunny Florida. My WIP (work in progress) is coming along well. I’m at almost 60,000 words. This book will be approximately 90,000 words. I’ve been working at a friend’s home in Orlando, but yesterday I drove to the Clearwater/Tampa area to check in to this hotel. Today I am taping a TV show over at Channel 22. For those of you in the viewing audience, I’ll be on the HOMEKEEPERS program on the CTN Network with host Arthelene Rippy. I have no idea when the air date will be, but I’ll keep you posted.

I checked in early yesterday and gave my friend Angela Hunt a call to firm up the time we would meet later in the day for dinner. Lo and behold I connected with Angie at a time when she needed to play hooky and we spent not only dinner together, but lunch and the better part of the afternoon as well. The photo above was taken in Angie's house - don't we look - uh - literary.

Neither of us got any writing work accomplished, but God in His infinite wisdom knew exactly what we needed. He brought two friends together to hang out and talk about the stuff of life. Angie has posted a photo of me and her pony on her Blog today. A bit of an eclectic woman, she keeps her pony in the house and his name is Charley Gansky. They all think he’s a dog, but where I come from any animal that weighs 180 pounds must be a calf or a pony.

Well, I’d best hit the road for now. But first… a special thank you to our last Guest Blogger, Heather Gemmen. If you missed any of her postings, make sure to scroll down to the archives, you won’t be sorry. Heather’s gift of powerful pithy postings was a blessing to many of us!

Not sure how much I’ll be able to blog the coming week, but I’ll do my best. I return to Minnesota the first of May. Our next Guest Blogger who starts a week of postings on Sunday, May 7th will be author/speaker Michelle Medlock Adams.

And that’s what’s on my mind today,

Heather Gemmen -- Day Seven of Seven

2006-04-22T08:38:00.000-05:00

"The choices we make change the story of our life." Reminds me of Freaky Friday when Jamie Lee Curtis calls out to Lindsey Lohan the very wise advice: "Make good choices!"

Embarassing for a high school student to have shouted out at her maybe, but still true! Isn't it strange how the simplest ideas are usually the most profound?

Love your neighbor as yourself.
If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.
Laughter is good medicine.
No pain, no gain.
Home is where the heart is.

Maybe the reason we tend to use cliches is because they're true. (Don't tell any of my writing students I said that!) Repeating something often is a sign of its value. And making good choices is something worth reminding ourselves to do.

PS Even a child is known by his actions; get your kids started on making good choices right now. See these choose your own adventure books by Allison and Heather

Thoughts posted by Heather Gemmen.

Heather Gemmen -- Day Six of Seven

2006-04-21T03:40:00.000-05:00

I recently received this email message:

"About eleven years ago, a woman at my church asked for prayer for her friend. I had no idea who the friend was, but my heart went out to this young woman, and I prayed every day.

Just recently, I saw your article in the Spark. I immediately recognized you as the woman I had prayed for. I read your book, and I'm so glad to see that you are now sharing your story to bring healing to many women."

It's true, Startling Beauty is bringing healing to people around the world—but only because people around the world were bringing healing to me all those years ago.

God doesn't always let you see the results of your prayers, but don't let that stop you from making a difference in the world in the most effective way possible—prayer. Your perseverance might be just the reason someone else takes a u-turn.

Thoughts posted by Heather Gemmen.

Heather Gemmen -- Day Five of Seven

2006-04-19T16:08:00.000-05:00

It's not too late to make a u-turn toward a life of integrity.

Integrity is living out your beliefs; it is congruency between your profession of faith and your walk with God. I suppose it would be fair to say that a man who beats his wife and brags about it has more integrity than a man who pretends to love his wife but is actually cheating on her. (Of course, the man who says he loves his wife and treats her with dignity is the honorable man—his integrity encompasses the full meaning of the term: authenticity and goodness.)

If you are to live out your beliefs, you have to know what you believe. This takes work. To live with maximum integrity, you will need to be intentional about discovering what your purpose for life is (your mission), to sort out your desires and goals (your vision), and know what are the basic standards to which you hold (your core values).

It is tough to formulate these thoughts overnight or all alone. Take several weeks or months to think about this issue, chewing it over in the back of your mind as you continue your daily life. Read other people’s mission statements (which are often posted on web sites and blogs) to jumpstart your own thinking on the topic. Take a friend or pastor or spouse out for lunch once or twice to discuss these issues, and ask each one of them to help you see yourself more clearly. Pray regularly that the Holy Spirit will guide you as you lay out a life plan for yourself.
Write out your mission statement (getting help from another source like Franklin Covey is perfectly appropriate, especially if writing doesn’t come easy to you) and place it in a location you will often be able to view it.

Your desire to intentionally seek a u-turn experience will be honored by God. "If you look for [wisdom] as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God," Proverbs 2:4.*

Thoughts posted by Heather Gemmen.

Heather Gemmen -- Day Four of Seven

2006-04-19T06:48:00.000-05:00

We are trying to figure out how to work the camera, and my husband is shooting away with his own. Incidentally, of all the pictures I have of the three of us (and I do have many), this is my favorite because here Larry caught our personalities: Allison is trying to get to the bottom of things; Mary sees it all clearly but will not interfere unless asked; I'm just having fun, sure it will all work out.

Every single person has a uturn story (or perhaps many)—and if you know Allison, Mary, and I, you know ours are significant—but we each respond differently to the situations God puts us in. I don't have Allison's pizzazz or Mary's gentleness, but I do have this innate ability to enjoy life even when things are not going smoothly.

Imagine it wasn't a camera that was malfunctioning, but a neighbor who was, say, dealing drugs: Allison would probably confront the woman, Mary would pray for her, and I would make friends with her. Different ways to handle the same problem—all of them good.

It's not personality that determines if we are on the right path; it is the attitude of the heart.

How's yours?

Thoughts posted by Heather Gemmen.
Picture taken by Larry Wilson.

Heather Gemmen -- Day Three of Seven

2006-04-18T06:48:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I cheated yesterday—I told someone else's u-turn story. Thank you, friends, for the gentle reminders. (Amazing what people will tell you via email. It used to be we would confess and confront around a campfire where no one could see our faces. Now we've got the internet.)

My first u-turn happened when I was twelve years old. I had always gone to church twice a Sunday, attended Sunday school classes, showed up at church during the week now and then, and attended a Christian school, so it wasn't that I really needed to learn anything else about God. Still, there I was in catechism class, arguing with my teacher. (Yes, I even argued back then.)

"You can't talk to God anytime you want, you know," Mr. Davies told us.

I couldn't believe that no one was arguing him. They were nodding their heads like brainless lemmings. I stood up. "Yes, you can!" I told him. "I talk to God all the time about anything I want, whenever I want. He's my best friend! Do you think you can't talk anytime you want to your best friend?!"

Everyone stared at me for a moment and then Mr. Davies cleared his throat.

"Umm...thank you, Heather. You are quite right. You can talk to God anytime you want. Thank you for illustrating my point."

I had heard him wrong. I had stood up and defended my faith for no good reason. Except this: for the first time I realized that this whole religion thing really was MY faith. It was not just the faith of my parents or my friends or my teachers. It was mine. And Jesus really was my best friend.

In that little temper tantrum I made a u-turn from caretaking to owning this precious thing called faith. And I've never turned back.

Thoughts posted by Heather Gemmen.

PS I guess I haven't ever made the u-turn from being a kid to being an adult, though. Check out these u-turn books that Allison and I wrote for kids. Fun!