I Have This Friend...

Do you have friends that stick to you like glue, even when you embarrass yourself or do something stupid? I want to hear your stories.

I have a friend who loves me, and is always encouraging me that, "there is only one Kim." (Many people are probably thinking, "Praise God, there's only one!" Because I am a little on the crazy side.)

And I have several friends who stick with me even through my insane schedule and lack of communication. (I am SO thankful for that!)

And I have friends who started out as teaching buddies, grew into scrapbook buddies, Bible Study buddies -and then into the closest of friends - who knows how God is going to bless you with that special friend!

And I have a friend that has shared some of life's most difficult moments. We have been through the "wringer" together.

So, I'm going to tell you a story about one of my friends. My sister was getting married, and I was doing the cakes, catering, dresses, flowers, etc. This friend and I traveled together for the week of wedding preparation - otherwise known as code words "wedding chaos."

We had 4 kids in car-seats. In a mini-van. With ALL the stuff for the wedding (i.e. cake pans, all the cake decorating paraphenalia, flowers, pedestals, bows, etc.) Not to mention luggage and diaper bags, things to entertain the munchkins -- oh, and a TV/VCR bunjie-corded in for the kids to watch. (Anyone who knows me, knows that I am prepared for EVERYTHING - and do not under any circumstances, "travel light.")Go ahead and laugh.

Let's pause for a moment and really let that sink in. Deep Breath. You're probably all thinking that we were crazy. Well, that's beside the point - even if it is true.

An hour outside of our little town, we got lost in a city. The little highway we were following, zig-zagged through the big city, but for some unknown reason - the signs weren't all there to tell us which way to turn to follow said highway. Yeah. That was fun. We were in Louisiana, and needed to make it to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Oh boy.

Four adorably-sweet-children all asked at the same time, "are we in Tennesseesseessee yet?" Questions about our location were banned from that moment on. Of course, they were our chatter-box babies, and other questions filled the trip - but not about where we were at any given time. We told them we were on an adventure. And we were.

I still don't know how we survived that week. I do remember arriving in Tennessee the next day, and I vaguely remember a trip to the aquarium - and my friend and the kiddos going on a train ride. Other than that, it's all a blur of cake, cake, and more cake, buttercream icing, cheesecakes, heart-shaped crab dips, heart-shaped ice cubes, and lots of other heart-shapes... and purple... and lights... lots of lights. Oh, and don't forget the golf-course cake for my brother-in-law-to-be whose birthday was the day before the wedding, and the hundreds of chocolate-covered strawberries.

But - we will never forget the fun, and the bond we shared. It was such a special trip in so many different ways, and a crazy escapade.

So, I would love to hear some of your stories. What does "friend" mean to you? Someone you can cry with? Someone you can laugh with? Someone you can bare your soul to? Someone who will love you no matter what you do? Let me hear about that - comment on this blog, or email me through the website. Let me know if you mind your story being shared or not.

And to all of my wonderful friends - you know who you are - Thanks for sticking with me through thick and thin.

New Website! And Discovery Health Channel Info

I don't post here often because most everything is on my website:
www.kimberleywoodhouse.com


But I have had thousands of emails since the last ABC EMHE airing and want to make sure that everyone can find what they are looking for.

The Discovery Health Channel will be airing our Mystery ER episode on September 8, 2008. Please check your local listings for accurate times.

And if you have questions, hop on over to the website. There are a couple of ways to contact me through there, or comment here on this blog.

God Bless You and thank you for your wonderful support!

Chocolate Baklava, Green Beans, Reading Contests, Schedules... My Life

DISCLAIMER: This blog post may make complete sense, or no sense whatsoever. Good luck following my train of thought.

Wow - who knew that another airing of our EMHE would put my life in the spin cycle again? (Don't answer that, I'm sure many of you predicted it.)

I've had thousands of emails, contacts, and phone calls. It has been amazing how many wonderful people have helped us, encouraged us, provided new cooling products to try for Kayla, and blessed us with smiles and cards -- And then, how many people we've been able to help by encouraging them, pointing them in the right direction, or helping with medical questions and sources of information.

All of that in and of itself - made me think that there really should be about ten of me to keep up. But wait - it gets better.

I also challenged my readership to a reading contest (see the blogs about our new reading contest)just a couple of weeks prior to all of this. Hundreds of people have entered and are asking their friends to join. And I have wonderful authors who have donated incredible books for the prizes. (I promise I will get to your email about the contest if I haven't yet!) :)

AND - I'm a wife and a mom. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

AND - I homeschool my kiddos. (And another child.)This year is major, with lots of dificult work, and lots of teaching and planning on my part. (I say that every year... and each year it keeps growing...LOL)

AND - I'm writing several books.

AND - last week we canned hundreds of jars of blackberry jelly, strawberry jam, and salsa.

AND - after the Olympic Trials, we had a lot of encouragement for Kayla to be on a swim team, since her dream is to swim in the Olympics. She is so excited about it, too!(Let's see, that adds only eight more hours to our already eighteen hours/week swim schedule.)

AND - I've lost my mind. (This should need no further explanation.)

AND - I'm NOT superwoman. Or supermom. Or superwife. Or superkim. I've tried, but sad to say, it hasn't happened. (Maybe I need to make myself a costume, with a cape --- oooh and I need boots, too! ...then again, maybe not.)

SO, yesterday, Kayla was having a little bit of a "down" day. We're all exhausted from the day-in/day-out crazy schedule. Everyone needed a little pick-me-up, a little encouragement, a little of Mom's "love." AKA - mom in the kitchen baking something sweet.

Kayla asked for chocolate baklava. i.e.- Eighty layers of ooey-gooey, buttery, sugary, flaky, yummy, don't-want-to-know-the-calorie/fat-count, chocolatey goodness.

Josh asked for green beans. i.e. - green beans. (Both of my kids love vegetables, don't get me wrong-- it just made me laugh!)

I made both :)(I know, quite a combination, but I promise there were things other than just baklava and green beans.)

And as we finished yet another grueling week of school, we talked about family - and how we stick together, work together, play together, and sacrifice together.

Life is hard, and crazy, and fun, and distracting, and sad, and adventurous. But GOD is still God - and HE is good.

So-- I may not be superwoman, I may not be able to swim as fast as my kids anymore, but - I love them dearly, make a mean baklava, and am ready to face what comes each day.

My Life-- I praise God for it. Moment by moment and day by day.

Help for AnnaSophia

I'd like to spread the word about much-needed help for little AnnaSophia. She has had her heart transplant, and some wonderful people in our area are helping out. I know what it is like to have the medical bills soar, and for a community to come together and help - and so I would like to plead with you all in the area to pass the word around and reach out to this precious family.

Local merchants, friends pitch in to help heart-transplant baby

Small business owners John Leavitt of Sports Clips and Doug Howell of Smoothie King have teamed up to help a Falcon baby born with severe heart defects. The two are hosting fundraisers in August at their businesses (details below) to benefit the Family Fund for AnnaSophia Berry.

AnnaSophia Berry was born Dec. 31, 2007 with misaligned arteries and a hole in her heart. When several open-heart surgeries failed to correct the problems and her heart eventually began to fail, doctors put her on the heart transpant list. She received her new heart July 12.

Her parents and two older siblings have had to temporarily relocate to the Ronald McDonald House near the Children's Hospital in Aurora to be close to the hospital for emergency visits and check-ups, while her father attempts to continue working at his job in Colorado Springs.

Fundraisers for the family's medical expenses and related costs are as follows:

Sunday, Aug. 10: Smoothie King, 9275 N. Union (at Briargate Parkway), will donate 30 percent of the day's proceeds to the fund.

All Saturdays in August: Sport Clips, 3736 Bloomington St. (Powers Boulevard and N. Carefree Circle), will donate $5 from each MVP haircut service to the fund.
The fundraisers are organized by a group of friends who seek to support the Berry Family.

NOTE: More information about AnnaSophia and the Berry Family is posted at www.ourannasophia.blogspot.com.

Another Year, Another Birthday...

So, another year has passed, and I am getting older. I don't mind, although I often wonder where the time has gone, and why has it gone so quickly.

Anyway, my birthday is coming up and my kids have lovingly teased me about a comment my son made a couple years ago.

It was the year I turned thirty-three. We had been having a fun, together-at-home day. Late in the afternoon, my son all-of-a-sudden gasped REALLY LOUD...

"Mom!" He exclaimed.

"What, Honey?" I just knew he had thought of something sweet and profound to tell me.

And without missing a beat, he informed me, "You're as old as Jesus was when He died!"

Let's just say that everyone else there laughed. Hard.

I attempted to keep a straight face and looked at my loving boy, Josh. "Wow. I hadn't thought of that. And I'm so proud of you for remembering how old Jesus was when He was crucified, and then rose again. Thank you for telling me."

My husband, Jeremy, tousled our sweet boy's hair and Josh ran off to build something with legos, I'm sure. Jeremy smiled, "Out of the mouths of babes, huh?"

We laughed, and we have laughed about it ever since, but it has also made me think. Josh did say something very profound that day.

Jesus lived such a short life here on earth and yet, accomplished so much. And He was perfect. Sinless. Never made a mistake. As believers, we are supposed to be striving to be like Him. So, on that day of my thirty-third birthday, my son reminded me of what I should be working toward. These precious years we've been given in this life are not about us. A lot of people think they are, but they aren't. They live their lives selfishly and does it help them in any way?

My questions for today are not easy. What are you living for? WHO are you living for? What have you done with your life? It doesn't matter if you are sixteen or sixty - these questions still apply to you. Are you caught up in the day-to-day stress and forget the end goal? Are you running toward that finish line? Where is your focus? Do you get distracted and take little side trails?

I wrote a post a year ago entitled, "Running... Out of Time"
I've updated it a little and am reposting it. I think we all need the reminder.

"Running... Out of Time"
I'm always amazed at how time flies! Our beautiful daughter had brain surgery almost two years ago; it feels like it was just yesterday, and it also feels like a lifetime has passed since then. Where did the time go? My kids were babies just yesterday . . . weren't they? My beautiful sister reminded me that my son will be a teenager soon . . . let's just NOT go there! :) (And Josh is a teenager now!)


My title for this was: Running . . . out of time. Aren't we all running? Shouldn't we be running? Hebrews 12:1-3 says this, "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart." (NASB)

So yes, I'm running. And I'm running out of time - we ALL are. I'm running the race set before me and as the enemy tries to steal my time (especially my writing time, it seems) I'm going to keep ON running. How many more people will God place in my path? I don't know - because I don't know how much time I have left -- but I DO know that He wants me - and all of us - to be lights for Him, use the gifts that He has given us, and keep running the race.

Throw off those encumbrances, get rid of that sin, fix your eyes on Jesus and let's run with whatever amount of time we have left.

MBUs, Mail, and Happily-Ever-Afters

I've had at least fifty of you wonderful people ask me if there was ever an "ending" to my mailbox story.

Well, I'm pleased to announce - we have MBUs. I still don't know what that stands for, and I don't want to know - so don't spoil it by telling me. :) We have many neighbors now, so it needed to happen. Today, I received my mail in my nice, little, locked slot. Our mail carrier, Tom, is about the sweetest thing ever as we laughed about my lovely mailbox in a tub which has served us well these past months. I guess it will have to be retired now. Several asked for me to post a picture of this. (I mean really, can you imagine my mailbox on a post in a bucket of cement in front of the Extreme Makeover home?)Quite the sight, let me tell you! I may just have to add that to my list so you can see.

So, to give you hopefully a chuckle, and some insight into "Kim doesn't always handle things perfectly" - I'd like to re-post this little snippet entitled:

Nothing Simple About the Mail...

***Do you remember the day when your mail box was on your front porch? Or better yet, you had a slot in your front door and it just came shooting through? I remember being a kid and trying to catch it and then yelling, "THANK YOU!" back through the slot at our mail-carrier. He always smiled, laughed and shook his head at me. He told me once, that I was the only one to ever say thank-you and I had a very unique way of doing it. And my guess was that he at least preferred it over a barking dog.

I was musing over this yesterday as my friend Lori and I were hauling a giant tub, filled with 60 pounds of concrete, a post, and you guessed it - a mailbox out to the curb. Why would we do this, you ask? Well, let me tell you! (With a smile on my face, of course!)

A couple of weeks ago, we found out our mail was no longer going to be delivered. (We are the only house in the neighborhood right now, and we had a great mail-carrier who was bringing it to us - after the Post Office had hemmed and haw-ed over what to do with us... again, another crazy adventure in my life - but, that's beside the point - it gets better...)

I called the Post Office in my sweet, sing-song voice but unfortunately, spoke with someone who cared very little that I am without my mail and they proceeded to give me another number to call. So, I tried the next number. This time, I didn't even get to explain... they hung up on me. By the third phone call, I had lost a little of my "nice guy" voice and was greeted by someone who needs a little work on their manners. And I'm being generous here. I had witnesses to my side of the conversation and they were laughing - yes, laughing - because I was not allowed to finish one comment or sentence. Enter - my temper. I raised my voice (yes, I know, not a very nice thing to do) and said, "You have not allowed me to finish one thing I have tried to say - WILL YOU PLEASE LISTEN?!?!?!?!"

Let's just say... things went downhill from there. And I felt the stress just oozing over the phone lines. I now understand where the phrase, "going postal" came from. I made a smart remark, "Isn't it the Post Office's job to deliver the mail?" I don't think she liked me after that. I was informed that the Post Office didn't have the time or resources to do door to door delivery. Okay... ?? In my mind, I'm thinking, "So...wow, how is everyone else getting their mail?"

At this point in time, I'm confused, aggravated and unsure of the next step. I'm given yet, another number to talk to another P.O. (Post Office) employee. I was less than enthusiastic about calling, but dialed nonetheless.

"You need a mailbox." She said - since the MBU thingies weren't up yet in our neighborhood. (MBU - stands for Mail Box Units? Multiple Box Units? Mail But Undeliverable? I don't know - I'm guessing... you try!) Anyway, we already had a mailbox - it was sitting on the front porch where they told me to put it months ago.

Yay! We would get mail!

Um, no.

That would be too hard for the mail person - they'd have to get out of their vehicle and walk up to the porch. (Wouldn't they have to get out of their vehicle and walk up to the MBU? I know, I know - I'm thinking too hard. I need to be nice.)I've never had to deal with a situation like this, so I'm at a loss. And our old mail carrier had been so nice, I didn't understand what was happening.

"No, put it out on the sidewalk," she said. Okay...? It can't be put on a permanent post because they'll be putting in the MBUs - so I put the mailbox out on the sidewalk. (Let me tell you how great this looked, and how many questions I received about the mailbox sitting in the middle of the sidewalk!)

Yay! Now... we'll get mail...??

Um, no. Close, but, not quite.

"Put it on a temporary post, in a bucket, on the curb."

Thus, Monday morning, Lori and I carrying out a tub filled with concrete, a post and a mailbox. A very nice-looking mailbox I might add. A little odd with the tub and concrete - but, nevertheless a nice-looking mailbox.

Now, if you can read between the lines, you know there's more to the story -- but, that would take up way too much space. So, you're wondering... how does this story end?

I don't know. I'm still waiting for my mail. :)***

*** And now, we have the ending. Our happily-ever-after with mail being delivered in the MBUs. I have to say, looking back, I feel really bad for causing more stress for the poor Post Office people who obviously had too much on their plates to begin with and didn't know what to do with me and my mail. I truly wasn't trying to be difficult. :) I promise.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

Our episode of EM:HE will air again this Sunday, July 27, 2008 on ABC.

I'd like to take a moment to thank all of the thousands of wonderful people who nominated us over the years for the show. When we heard about the nominations, tears flowed... abundantly.

God is so good. Through Josh's life and death hopitalizations. Through Kayla's trials and triumphs with her disorder. Through her brain surgery and recovery. And through the day to day challenges we've faced, God is so good. And He will continue to be.

This experience has changed our lives in many, many ways. Kayla's health has skyrocketed in the time we've been in our new home, and Josh hasn't had one incident with his asthma. I don't have to take Kayla's temp all the time inside our home. And as we are in the hot months, spending time inside is never boring. :)

Thank you to our wonderful community, Colorado Springs. Thank you to Premier Homes. Thank you to all of you who gave of your time, money, effort, gifts, products - the list could go on forever. We are so very grateful to all of you.

I've received cards, notes, and emails from thousands of people - telling me that this experience changed their lives. Let me say, that we feel so very blessed by all of YOU. And we want to thank YOU.

David Phelps - performs my favorite song - THAT'S WHAT LOVE IS - on our episode. His generosity and love never cease to amaze me. He is an incredible person - I hope you all check out the page on this website about him, and go to his website as well!

Heat Relief Depot - provides the cooling vests that you see Kayla wearing, and have made it possible for her to get out of the house occasionally. Their information is on the Kayla's Story page, as well as the Links page.

Gift of Pain - is the foundation that has helped our family numerous times over the years. Gabby's parents are the ones who started the foundation, and their hope is to help all the families out there who deal with this very rare disorder on a day to day basis. Thank you for your support - and to all of you who have given over the years to help provide for the medical needs. Their info is also on the Kayla's Story page and the Links page.


Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And praise God from Whom all blessings flow.

God Bless You All!

Sticks and Stones...

I never have liked that little rhyme, because for the most part, it isn't true.

Words are very hurtful, and they can never be taken back. Do you think before you speak? Another ouch. (Yes, we're ALL guilty.)

We've dealt with a situation for a while now where a family has lied about us and said some very negative things. Oh, not to our faces, but to other people. And when we've gone to these people that have said the ugly things to ask them about it, they've always said there isn't a problem. The only thing we can do, is forgive them and move on. But those words, those lies were still said. They can't be taken back.

People are motivated by many things to say what they do, but I believe, it comes down to pride. Competition, jealousy, arguing a heated topic... it all leads back to pride. Everyone wants to be right. Everyone wants to be the most popular. Everyone wants to be liked. So, how do we combat this ugly monster?

The Bible say this:
Proverbs 10:19 (NIV) - "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."

Proverbs 10:20 (NIV) - "The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value."

Proverbs 10:31 (NIV) - "The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out."

Proverbs 11:12 (NIV) - "A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue."

Proverbs 12:18 (NIV) - "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

Proverbs 12:19 (NIV) - "Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment."

Proverbs 15:2 (NIV) - "The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly."

Proverbs 15:4 (NIV) - "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit."

Proverbs 17:20 (NIV) - "A man of perverse heart does not prosper; he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble."

Proverbs 17:28 (NIV) - "Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue."

Proverbs 21:23 (NIV) - "He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity."

James 1:26 (NIV) - "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless."

James 3:5 (NIV) - "Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark."

James 3:8 (NIV) - "but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison."

These are just a few of the things the Bible says about the tongue. I'd encourage you to do a search on your own to see how many times our great God tries to get our attention about our speech.

Are you an encourager? Or is your speech filled with negativity? Do you always have something nice to say? Or are you always pointing out everyone else's faults? Do you ever ask people to stop their gossip? Or do you join in for the latest juicy news? Tough questions - but they need to be asked. Each one of us needs to ask them every day -of ourselves.

I've had a lot of people ask me how we've handled this situation. Well, it's a tough answer - I've kept my mouth shut, and I'm working on forgiveness every day. And I should say, GOD has kept my mouth shut, because I certainly couldn't do it. I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to go give them a piece of my mind, or defend my family, or defend the TV show and station that the Lord blessed us through. But - the Lord hasn't told me to do that. I often wonder what other people think, if they are to hear the ugly lies -- but HE gently reminds me that I shouldn't care what other people think. People will find the truth if they truly look for it. And this Scripture keeps coming to mind:

1 Peter 3:9-11
"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, 'Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.'"

So, what kind of shape is your tongue in? Mine needs a lot of work, too...

Let's lift one another up and encourage one another to guard our speech (and our minds.)


All Scripture Quotes taken from:
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

How Many Pages? Our New Reading Contest!!

I have had a LOT of interest in the reading contest I challenged you all to last month.

So, here is another reminder and more info.

Keep track of the title, author, and number of pages for the books that you read.
And ALL books count. If you are a pre-school teacher and read a stack of books each day to your students, they ALL count. Keep track of them! The non-fiction, self-help books that you read, Bible Study books, novels, books you read to your children, AND there will be a special prize for those who read through the entire Bible during our year-long contest!

There will be winners for:
Most Books Read
Most Pages Read
Most Variety of Authors Read
and those who read through the entire Bible AND one of the above.

So, get to reading!

I've had hundreds of emails from you all saying how inspiring it is and you love the idea - so pass it on to your friends. I will be telling you all about different authors and books for the prizes as we go along. Stay tuned! It's sure to be a fun year!

The contest will end the last day of June, 2009!

Feel free to email me through the website, or post a comment with any questions you may have.

I know someone who read thousands of pages on their vacation to get a jump-start, and another lady is reading picture books to her child every day and keeping track, so let's do it!

I would also love to hear from all of you about how you are doing as the year progresses - And would love to use some of your testimonials.

I need to hurry up and post this as my battery is dying!
Have a wonderful day and read, read, read, READ!!

Please! Turn Down the Music!

We live in a neighborhood that is under construction (in fact, we were the first house in the neighborhood) - a LOT of construction.

This morning, I was editing the chapter I wrote yesterday, and music blaring from the home-site behind us kept interrupting my train of thought. Let's just be honest, it was driving me nuts. We've had a serious issue with this, and I don't know how many times I have calmly driven around the neighborhood asking the various workers to turn down their music. We homeschool, my husband works at home, and I write at home--we are home all the time. (I know, we're not the average family - but that's a long story in and of itself) :) Anyway, I got so aggravated that I actually opened the door and yelled out, "PLEASE!! Turn down the music!"

Yes, I know, highly intelligent - since the music is so loud that I can hear it inside my house, how on earth were they supposed to hear me? So, I drove around the block and walked up to the site. I asked them nicely to turn down the music. That didn't go over well with the workers. Or the guy in charge. He looked at me like I was the meanest person ever (he probably thought something else, but let's not even venture there). One guy yelled from the upper floor, "It's a job site!" To which I replied, "it's also my home." I won't tell you the other choice words spoken to me. They weren't very nice. I asked him to please turn down the music.

Fuming inside, I climbed into my truck and drove back home. I wanted to do something about it. I wanted the annoying noise to stop. I wanted to be able to work in my own home in peace. And...I realized my attitude stunk, even if I had been treated poorly.

So, what did I do? I made cookies. And then I brought them a plate of those cookies. Did it make anything better? I don't know. It didn't bring world peace, and as I'm typing this - music again reverberates through my walls. It's taking me twice as long to get my thoughts down, but I'm still trying to accomplish something. Do they think I'm a nice person? Probably not. Do I care? Not really. Not anymore. I realized I'm responsible for me, my attitude, and my actions. Other people see those attitudes and actions, and what are they going to see?

I know what I want them to see, but also understand that I have a long ways to go before I am "mature and complete" like it states in James 1.

Perseverance...
Must...
Finish...
Its...
Work.

Maybe I should go make some more cookies.

AnnaSophia

A few months ago, I had the privilege of meeting another incredible Mom. I had spoken to their group and she approached me afterward with this precious, beautiful, little baby girl in her arms.

The baby girl is AnnaSophia Berry.

I'd like to ask you all to pray for AnnaSophia and the Berry family. AnnaSophia has gone through more medically in her tiny life than most of us will go through in a lifetime. She is now awaiting a heart transplant.

Mary, (AnnaSophia's mother) and I talked for a long time that night. There was such a connection, as we bonded over God's love and blessings on our children- through the most trying of circumstances. Mary and her family are heavy on my heart.

So, would you all pray with me for the Berry family?
To read more of this incredible story, go to:
www.ourannasophia.blogspot.com

Promises, Promises by Amber Miller

I'm pleased to be a part of my good friend - Amber Miller's - blog tour!

Amber Miller is a new author with Barbour Publishing's line: Heartsong Presents.

Her first title: Promises, Promises released to the book club in February and is in bookstores now in July! AND -- the second title in her Delaware Brides series - Quills and Promises - releases this month to the Heartsong Presents book club and will release later in stores! There will also be a third installment in this delightful Delaware series.

Promises, Promises is filled with romance, historical detail, and a touch of humor. The first chapter will reel you in and keep you baited until the end. An enchanting tale, I'm sure you will enjoy this book! If you are not a member of Heartsong Presents, there are purchase details below.

Promises, Promises
Publisher: Barbour/Heartsong Presents
Release date: February 2008 through Heartsong Presents; July 2008 to bookstores and online retailers
Genre: Historical RomanceSeries: Delaware Brides, book 1
ISBN: 9781597899390
Ordering link: www.ambermiller.com/books.html

Quills & Promises
Publisher: Barbour/Heartsong Presents
Release date: July 2008
Genre: Historical Romance Series: Delaware Brides, book 2
ISBN: 9781602600492
Ordering link: www.ambermiller.com/books.html

Blurb: Promises, Promises

Has God forsaken Raelene?

What kind of God would take a girl's family and leave her alone in a wild land where women have no voice? When Gustaf Hanssen promises Raelene's dying father that he will take care of her, he finds himself bound to her happiness, her success, and her well-being in ways he never imagined. To keep his word, must Gustaf really oversee all of Raelene's affairs, find her a husband, and maintain her farm, while she does nothing but scorn him? Can God reach through Raelene's pain and self-centeredness and give her the love that awaits, if only she will accept His will?

Blurb: Quills & Promises

Innocence paired with wisdom beyond her years-- With these traits, Elanna Hanssen unwittingly captures the attentions of Major Madison Scott. Her honest desire to understand the war fascinates him, and he resolves to get to know this perspicacious young lady better. When he is called away to fight the French and the Indians, they begin a correspondence, cautiously baring their hearts to one another. Elanna has never known emotions like these before, but she is drawn to the integrity she sees in her major. When a writer for the first newspaper in the colony questions the major's credentials and activities, however, will she allow her heart or her head to rule? Can true love grow over such distance and around such obstacles?

Author bio:
Amber Miller is an author and freelance web site designer who lives with her husband in beautiful Colorado Springs. They don’t have any children yet, but they do have a vivacious puppy named Roxie, who is half Border Collie and half Flat-Haired Retriever. Already nearing 65 pounds, she keeps them on their toes. And with her penchant for rising at 6am on the dot, Roxie is giving Amber and her husband a good taste of what it's like to be parents. Amber has sold four books to the Heartsong Presents line of Barbour Publishing with the promise of two more before the end of the year. She is currently pursuing an expansion into trade-length historical fiction as well. Other writing credits include several writing articles for various publications, five short stories with Romancing the Christian Heart, and nine contributions to the book, 101 Ways to Romance Your Marriage. A born-again Christian since the age of seven, her faith in Christ has often sustained her through difficult experiences. She seeks to share that with others through her writing. Read more about her at her web site: http://www.ambermiller.com/.

check out the rest of the BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE!

Shirley Connolly (July month-long feature) - http://apenforyourthoughts.blogspot.com/

July 7 - Margaret Daley (bio) http://margaretdaly.blogspot.com
July 7 - Dawn Kinzer at From Dawn til Dusk, Musings of a Night Owl http://dawnkinzer.blogspot.com
July 8 - Donna Moore at Write by Faith http://writebyfaith.blogspot.com
July 8 - Kim Woodhouse at God's Grace, Love & Forgiveness http://www.kimberleywoodhouse.com
July 9 - Margaret Daley (interview) http://margaretdaly.blogspot.com
July 9 - Amy Riley at The Friendly Book Nook http://thefriendlybooknook.com
July 10 - Jenny Blake at Come Meet AusJenny http://ausjenny.blogspot.com
July 11 - Rose McCauley http://rosemccauley.blogspot.com
July 11 - Shauna Sturge at The Coffee Stop http://shaunasturge.blogspot.com; Long and Short Reviews http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com
July 12 - Carolyn Strawder at Quiet Time with Carolyn http://www.quiettimewithcarolyn.com/Serenity
July 14-19 - CAN! blog spotlight http://canblog.typepad.com/canbookmarketing
July 14 - Martha Rogers at Martha Writes http://marthasbooks.blogspot.com
July 15 - Leslie Sowell at A Little Bit of Sunlight http://www.footprintsinthesand.us/blog
July 16 - Novel Journey / Novel Reviews http://noveljourney.blogspot.com / http://novelreviews.blogspot.com
July 17 - Eileen Astels at A Christian Romance Writer's Journey http://eileenastels.blogspot.com
July 17 - Cheryl Wyatt at Squirrel's Treehouse http://scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com
July 18 - Cara Putman at Cara's Musings http://carasmusings.blogspot.com
July 18 - Tyora Moody at CB Reviews http://www.faithwebbin.net/cbreviews
July 19 - Stacy Johnson at Vader's Mom http://jeffstacyandvader.blogspot.com
July 21 - CFBA blog tour date (various blogs) http://christianfictionblogalliance.blogspot.com
July 21 - Camy Tang at Camy's Loft http://camytang.blogspot.com
July 21 - Jennifer AlLee at Musings on This, That & The Other Thing - http://jenniferallee.blogspot.com
July 21 - Trish Perry (interview) http://www.trishperry.com
July 22 - CFBA blog tour date (various blogs) http://christianfictionblogalliance.blogspot.com
July 22 - Cindy Woodsmall at the Plain Talk Blog http://www.cindywoodsmall.com/category/plain-talk/
July 23 - CFBA blog tour date (various blogs) http://christianfictionblogalliance.blogspot.com
July 23 - Delia Latham at The Melody Within (review/interview) http://themelodywithin.blogspot.com
July 24 - Margaret Chind at Creative Madness http://cherryblossommj.blogspot.com
July 25 - Delia Latham at The Melody Within (guest blogger) http://themelodywithin.blogspot.com
July 25 - Christa Allan at Fictionary http://cballan.wordpress.com
July 26 - Paula Moldenhauer at Grace Reign http://gracereign.blogspot.com

Our EMHE episode on YouTube

I have probably a couple of hundred requests a week for people looking for our episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Well, I have good news - thanks to one of our students from Anchorage - we discovered that our episode in its entirety is on YouTube.

To find it:
go to www.YouTube.com - and in the search box type "Extreme Makeover Home Edition Woodhouse Family" and it will pop up. There are five short segments that comprise the whole episode without the commercials.

I have no idea who it was who put the episode up - and it's been on there a little less than a month - but is there nonetheless!

Thank you guys for bearing with me through all the publicity, craziness, and moments of insanity when I cannot keep up!

God Bless!

Flying Through the Water

We've had the awesome privilege to be at the Olympic Trials for Swimming in Omaha, Nebraska. What fun it has been!

We've watched Michael Phelps, Katie Hoff, Natalie Coughlin, and countless others in their pursuit of their Olympic dreams - and in the process World Records have been broken and lives have been inspired.

One thing that never ceases to amaze me is the diligence of these athletes. They work hard -- and I mean HARD. Race after race, lap after lap, stroke after stroke. I've always been impressed, but watching up close and personal - seeing their faces and determination - gave me a new appreciation.

It makes me think about how we live our lives. How many times do we start something and not finish? We find someone else to blame for why we didn't achieve our goal and move on to something else. We're not consistent with how we do things, making up new rules as we go along. :) Excuses are made so that we can feel better about ourselves. That's not diligence, or determination.

What has happened to the work ethic in our country? Why have we gotten so lazy? Why can't we admit that we make mistakes, that we are wrong, and apologize?

I challenge you all to watch at the very least a portion of the Olympic Games this summer. Maybe we'll all learn a thing or two from the athletes and get off our lazy rear ends and do something about it.

I know I'm inspired. How about you?

Mystery ER on Discovery Health Channel Air Date

We finally have an air date for the Mystery ER episode!

September 8, 2008 - It will premier on Discovery Health Channel and I believe the time is 8 pm Eastern and Pacific. But check your local listings to be sure.

After it airs on Discovery Health Channel it may run on Discovery or TLC if you don't receive the Discovery Health Channel.

We are praying for the producers and cast of the show, and for accuracy :) Which is always fun in television.

I will let you know more as I receive the information.

God is good and He is God.

The Alarmed Milk-Man

Last night, I was still awake in the living room, attempting to get some work done since my brain was still in high gear. It was around 11:30 pm and through the front blinds, I saw what I thought was a flashlight coming up the driveway. I watched as the light drew closer and then bolted into "mother bear - protect" mode.

Not fully thinking through my plan of offense, I yanked the front door open, successfully setting off our custom, high security, alarm system. What did I find? The milk-man. Delivering our milk and icing it down in the ice chests, so that we would have fresh, organic milk in the morning.

Not only did I freak the poor man out - I sufficiently scared myself with the screeching of the migraine-inducing alarm. I don't suggest this scenario to make a good impression.

I never thought through the process that our sweet milk delivery company goes through. Our milk-man (who may want to be taken off of our route after this episode) had a light attached to his helmet, so that he could carry our delivery up to the porch and place it in the ice chests they provide for their products. They deliver in the middle of the night, and they don't want to disrupt their customers. A new light bulb has flickered in my brain with understanding.

So, to my milk-man - my apologies. I don't think words are enough for the scare I put him through last night, but I hope he knows it is sincere. :)

And to all of my readers out there, try not to scare your delivery people. It won't be a pleasant experience for either one of you.

Turbulence... Continued

I have had a BUNCH of emails about my last post. :) Thanking me, begging me for help, telling me you're completely lost, but want to try. Remember, we are all in this together, we should be helping one another, encouraging one another, holding one another accountable.

None of us are perfect. There has never been a perfect parent on this earth, nor will there ever be. We should strive to follow God's example - because we are His children. And HE is the perfect example.

First, I'm going to ask some interesting questions.
#1 - Have you noticed the difference in the children in our society today?
#2 - If you lived fifty years ago, or a hundred years ago, would you be raising your child in the same manner? (i.e. discipline, standards, rules, etc.)
#3 - Are you consistent in your parenting, and do you follow through?

I had a mom email me - and she asked me to share her story here. :)
She has four children under six years old. Twins (almost six), a four-year-old and a two- year-old. One has been diagnosed with ADHD and has other issues. Another has issues that we will keep private. Needless to say, this mom has no easy task on her hands. She's always worn out. And she feels like she's failing.

She wrote to me and said, "I cried when I read your post. Those are my children, they scream when they don't get their way, they run over people everywhere we go, and friends don't invite us over anymore and I know it's because of my children. Last time we went to someone's house, my children were running all over the place, and when the hostess told them 'no' about something, they asked her 'why?' They question everything. They jumped on her furniture and threw pillows. This older lady sat me down and said, 'you need to find someone to help you with your kids.' I knew it was true, but I wanted to get defensive, my pride kicked in and I wanted to tell her what a hard job it was and that I thought I was doing pretty good. Then my ego deflated as I looked into her caring eyes. She wasn't attacking me, she wanted to help. I've always thought I could handle it. I've prayed about it...over and over. I'm always tired. I'm not doing my kids any good."

This mom and I emailed back and forth. I asked her a few questions. She realized right away one of her mistakes - made out of her effort to be a great mom (just because you make mistakes does not mean you don't love your children, or that you don't want to be the best parent you can be.) Her mistake? She was revolving around her children. Have you ever heard that illustration? Either the parents are the nucleus, or the children are the nucleus. Who revolves around who?

Illustration: This mom would say, "I would like you to go clean your room, all right?" Was this mom asking her child's permission? Who becomes the authority? The kids never did it, or followed through. She would say, "If you don't clean your room, I'm going to do _____. " And then, the child wouldn't do it, so she would come up with another one, "If you don't clean your room, I'm going to take away _____." The child still wouldn't do it - but what was really the cause? The mom didn't follow through. She was inconsistent. And that's the example she was showing them whether she wanted to or not.

Illustration: God gave Adam and Eve the rules - they broke the rules - even as much as He loved them, He had to follow through with His discipline - the consequences. What if God had not been consistent? Ouch.

Are you willing to follow God's example? It's tough. It's sometimes heartbreaking. But it needs to be done. His love is unconditional. Just like our love for our children should be. And His forgiveness is unending. Just because we follow through with discipline doesn't mean we aren't forgiving. There are always consequences, but there should also always be forgiveness.

Her last email was beautiful. Here's part of what she said:
"I realized how many times I had begged God to help, but didn't go search His Word to find the answers. I looked at other people in our society, I looked to books by experts that didn't point me to His Word. I blamed the society and times that we lived in.

I grew up with an alcoholic mother. She would yell and scream, kick and hit. So I decided I would never raise my voice or spank. I've always tried to persuade my children to do what was right, I was always reasoning with them, as if their logic would prevail. And all of this took so much time and energy. I was pouring energy into being inconsistent - whereas had I poured my energy into being consistent - things would be completely different.

My husband came home and we talked about it. He's never been involved because I never let him be involved, and he felt just as clueless. We've only been at this a few hours now and the change is amazing. And I'm not near as tired, and I'm smiling more. I showed my husband your note about one of your kids and how strong-willed they were and the lack of pain giving them no fear of falling or getting hurt or consequences. He was encouraged to see that even children with special needs and special circumstances can make it. We had both met you years ago when you spoke to our large homeschool group and we were so impressed with your children. To me I guess that's what says it all. I was a first-time mom and wanted to homeschool and raise my children right. I saw what you had, and wanted it too. Thank you being willing to put yourself out there, and willing to answer my plea for help."



Now, let me tell you again that I am not perfect, and my children are not perfect. But God is. Let's keep looking to Him for the correct example.

Life is full of turbulence. It's hard. It's painful. Parenting is full of turbulence, too. There aren't a lot of easy, pat answers. We are all going to fall down, make mistakes, and fail. Love unconditionally as God loves us, forgive always as He has forgiven us.

Let me end with a few questions:
Are you consistent?
Do you follow through?
Are you willing to follow God's example?

A.K. Arenz

Bio: Mother of two grown daughters and grandmother of three, A.K. Arenz has been writing since she was a child. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Arenz lives in Missouri with her husband and two Himalayan cats.

Book: The Case of the Bouncing Grandma

Book Blurb: Reduced to watching new neighbors move in as a form of amusement, Glory Harper is stuck in a wheelchair with a broken leg, bored and itching for excitement. She just doesn’t expect it to come in the form of a fool dangling from the end of a carpet as it’s carried into her new neighbor’s house.

The problem is getting someone to believe her. It’s bad enough that her daughter and sister are convinced she imagined the incident. But when the police recognize Glory as the woman whose skateboarding accident resulted in a multi-car pile-up, her believability quotient lowers even more. Just when she thinks she’s finally gotten someone to take her seriously, Glory realizes Detective Rick Spencer, a Harrison Ford look-alike, appears more interested in her than in her story.

The more Glory learns about her new neighbors, the more she realizes she’s stumbled onto something bigger than just a murder case. But by now she’s made enough enemies to put herself and her family in danger. While she’s following what seems to be the obvious path to the culprits, the real criminals are closing in.

Shirley Kiger Connolly

Bio: Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. Shirley knew she wanted to write all her life. Although her creative imagination and love for “make-believe” keeps her active as an historical romance writer, on the side, Shirley also wears other hats by writing devotionals and teaching at women’s retreats.

Book: A Flame from Within

Book Blurb: When a Yankee-induced fire destroys her family and her home, young plantation-bred Amethyst Rose finds herself on the run. Angry towards God and the men in blue, Amethyst’s only choice left is to move in with her elder and controlling sister, who runs a bordello in The French Quarter of New Orleans—a decision guaranteed to destroy Amethyst’s personal respect and tarnish her family name.

With her bitter hatred towards all Yankees plunged into high gear, nothing seems to matter anymore, until, on a riverboat en route to New Orleans, she finds herself intrigued by the presence of not one, but two Union officers. Each in his own ways to tug at the heart and soul of this woman lost.

Mary Davis

Bio: Born and raised in Washington State, Mary now resides in Colorado with her husband of nearly twenty-four years, three teenagers, and six pets. She earned her college degree in elementary education and has taken an advanced course from the Institute of Children's Literature. Mary leads two critique groups, one in the local Colorado area as well as an on-line critique group. She regularly attends the American Christian Fiction Writers conference and has spearheaded a writing contest for youth for several years. She is a local ACFW chapter president. Washington Brides will be her fourteenth book, which contains three previously released novels.

Book: Newlywed Games

Book Blurb: Megan Livingston has it all worked out. Her mother will visit and be gone before her fantasy husband is sheduled return from his non-existent bussiness trip. But Bruce Halloway inadvertently steps in the middle of her masquerade and winds up playing son-in-law.

Book: Cinda’s Surprise

Book Blurb: Cinda Harrison is content not to marry but her good intentioned friends set her up as a mail-order bride. She knows nothing of the engagement until the day her groom, Lucas Rawlings, shows up to seal their agreement with wedding vows and take her to Montana. Upon arriving at his farm, she finds out his real intentions for wanting a wife.

Book: Marty’s Ride

Book Blurb: There is nothing timid or shy about Marty Rawlings. She is all boy. Her survival skills serve her well when her nine year old nieces are kidnapped and she races after them. Can she rescue them before they are turned over to greedy relatives? Or will the smooth talking lawyer, Reece Keegan, who kidnapped them, talk her out of them and steal her heart?

Book: Roger’s Return

Book Blurb: On the night of their first wedding anniversary Jackie Villeroy plans to tell her husband they're going to have a baby, but he disappears without a trace. Two and a half years later, he resurfaces. Why did he leave so suddenly without a word? And where has he been? Can she trust him not to break her heart again?

Book: Lakeside

Book Blurb: LORELEI NEEDED TO GET AWAY.
The last ten years of her life have left Lorelei Hayes with no hope. In a desperate attempt to regain peace, she returns to the lakeside cottage of her youth and prays the Lord will bring healing and rest.
Garth Kessel has spent the last ten years of his life in love with Lorelei. Since he stole a kiss from the red-head one summer, he has committed her into the Lord's hands. Now it appears God has brought her back - and the woman she has become far surpasses any boyhood dream he may have created.
But Lorelei has a secret - one she's convinced will keep her from enjoying life - especially a life with Garth. Can this beloved lakeside retreat provide happiness again? Or have the sins of others stripped her of a future?

Book: The Island

Book Blurb: Historic Mackinac Island. Haley thought she had found the perfect haven to escape to. But when a handsome tourist rides her carriage for three days straight, she thinks her little patch of heaven just got a little nicer until she learns his true reason for being on the Island. She will not allow herself to be used again. But will she bend her will to let God use her?

Book: The Grand Hotel

Book Blurb: Aimee has the perfect plan, attach herself to a June wedding party in a remote way so she can search the Grand Hotel for what her great-great-grandfather left hidden in the hotel almost one hundred and fifteen years ago. But will the handsome and determined assistant manager stand in her way? Can she accept what she finds?

Book: Heritage

Book Blurb: Rachel is excited when she inherits a house on Mackinac Island until she learns about the ancestors that come with it. How could she be related to Indians when she disliked the lazy savages? Will her fiancé forgive her this one blemish on her past or will she find a new love on the romantic island? And will she learn to accept her heritage as God accepts her?

Book: Michigan Weddings

Book Blurb: Mackinac Island Harbors the Brokenhearted.

Mackinac Island is one of Michigan's most popular wedding locations. But three modern women only seek a safe harbor for their wounded hearts along the island's quiet paths.

Lorelei Hayes returns to the island carrying a secret that has stolen her joy and hope for the future. Garth Kessel has waited ten years for her, but will he want the woman she has become?

Haley Tindale's job on the island hides her from family conflict and the fear of being used by others. Then a handsome customer arrives, asking for her help and stirring up old fears.

Aimee Mikkelson seeks family treasure and adventure at the Grand Hotel, but Dillon Thurough, one of the assistant manager's, adherences to order and routine threatens her goals.

Will God's guidance lead these women down the pathway to forgiveness and romance? Will there be any hope for more weddings on the island?

Book: Love Letters

Book Blurb: Love Is Sometimes Read Between the Lines . . . Four generations of women find themselves intrigued by the written word. Will the friendships from the men on the other end of the correspondence be the key to their happiness?

In Love Notes, Laurel has just lost her father in a bank robbery of his own scheming. She is ashamed of his behavior, the only solace she finds is in the sheet of music she discovers propped up on the piano in the church. She thanks God for sending her the music. Ethan has his arm in a sling because Laurel's father shot him in the holdup. She can't bear the shame to face him. Ethan thinks Laurel hates him because he is the one who killed her father.

Book: Uncertain Alliance

Book Blurb: Alice can't trust another man.

Alice Dempsey's husband squandered the family's money. When he died, he left her destitute and solely responsible for her aging grandfather, younger brother, and toddler son. Debt forces the family to move to a Seattle tenement. When Alice is fired from her job, she becomes desperate. Will she and her family end up on the streets?

Ian MacGregor has loved Alice from afar for months, but he can't get past the wall of formality she has built around herself. When he learns of her job loss, he offers her employment in his pharmacy. She turns him down, suspicious of his motives. But when her younger brother gets into serious trouble and Ian is the only one who can help, Alice warily allows him into their lives.

Will Alice find love where she least expects it? Or will this uncertain alliance prove her fears of betrayal true?

Book: The Captain’s Wife

Book Blurb: Only Vivian knows the truth.

Vivian is the new wife of respected Captain Randolph Carlyle, but when Randolph dies at sea, only she lives with the truth. No one else knows that his last words to her were an angry indictment of her secret past life--not his brother, not his servants, and certainly not his best friend, Conner Jackson. So when Vivian calmly accepts the news that her husband's will had not been updated to include her, those who care about her are puzzled by her reaction.

Vivian is convinced she has received God's forgiveness for her past behavior, but as she and Conner are drawn to each other, she fears that, like her late husband, Conner will reject her if he ever learns of her past. Will her secret remain safe, or will its existence threaten the love she seeks?

Book: Reckless Rogue

Book Blurb: Lizzie Carter is no ordinary doll.

Lieutenant Pete Garfield loves to flirt with the ladies—"dolls" as he calls them—in every town where he lands his Curtiss JN-4D biplane. There are always plenty in the crowds who gather to gape at his amazing aeroplane and pay him for a ride. But one special girl in Cashmere, Washington, captures his interest with her extraordinary knowledge of aeroplanes and her insistence on flying his! No one but Pete flies the Jenny, but he sure doesn't mind giving pretty Lizzie some free rides.

Lizzie Carter has always dreamed of flying, but she won't be satisfied until she pilots an aeroplane herself. She sees Pete's arrival in Cashmere as the perfect opportunity to make her dreams come true. But she didn't expect this carefree aviator to capture her heart.

Will Pete settle in one town long enough to fall in love with one special girl? Or will the past he's been flying away from finally catch up with him?

Sharon Dunn

Bio: Sharon Dunn is the author of the Ruby Taylor mystery novels including Sassy Cinderella, which was Voted Book of the Year by American Christian Fiction Writers. She earned a BA in television production and a master’s in history from Montana State University, where she currently tutors and instructs. Sharon lives with her husband of nineteen years, three children, three cats, and lots of dust bunnies.

Book: Death of a Garage Sale Newbie (Book one)

Book Blurb: Meet Ginger Salinski. Her heart beats faster when she passes a clearance rack and there has never been a good deal she couldn't sniff out. Ginger and her bargain hunter friends are bonded together by the need to be first in line at doorbuster sales, but when one of the bargain hunters goes missing, they must track down clues instead of discounts.

Laurie Alice Eakes

Bio: Award-winning author Laurie Alice Eakes does not remember a time when books did not play a part in her life; thus, no one was surprised when she decided to be a writer. Her first hardcover was an October, 2006 Regency historical from Avalon Books and won the National Readers Choice Award for Best Regency, as well as being a finalist for Best First Book. She has also sold other books, articles, short stories, and essays. A graduate of the Seton Hill University Master of Arts Degree in Writing Popular Fiction, she is an experienced speaker, making presentations at local and national RWA conferences, as well as universities, schools, and libraries. She lives in Virginia with her husband and assorted cats and dogs.

Book: Better Than Gold

Book Blurb: Lily is tired of her one-horse town. Lily Reese can't wait to escape Browning City, Iowa. She's sure she'll be happier in the big city, if only she can save enough money to get there. But then Ben Purcell rides into town, threatening not only Lily's place of residence and growing sense of family, but her safety and peace of mind, as well. And Ben has every intention of sticking around and becoming a small-town guy. How can Lily even consider the feelings he evokes in her? Rumors of a long-lost cache of gold bring danger swirling around them, but Lily and Ben find themselves on a quest for something more. Will releasing their plans and desires bring heartache or a reward they had never imagined?

Tina Ann Forkner

Bio: Tina writes contemporary fiction that challenges and inspires. Originally from Oklahoma, she graduated with honors in English from CSU Sacramento before ultimately settling in the wide-open spaces of Wyoming where she lives with her husband and their three bright children. Tina serves on the Laramie County Library Foundation Board of Directors, volunteers with her local Mothers of Preschooler group, and enjoys gardening and spending time outdoors with her family.

Book: Ruby Among Us

Book Blurb: Lucy DiCamillo is safely surrounded by her books, music, and art–but none of these reclusive comforts or even the protective efforts of her grandmother, Kitty, can shield her thoughts from the mother she can barely recall. Lucy senses her grandmother holds the key, but Kitty seems as eager to hide the past as Lucy is eager to find it.

From the streets of San Francisco and Sacramento to the lush vineyards of the Sonoma Valley, Lucy follows the thread of memory in search of a heritage that seems long-buried with her mother, Ruby.

What she finds is as enigmatic and stirring as it is startling in this redemptive tale about the power of faith and mother-daughter love.

Cynthia Hickey

Bio: Cynthia lives in Arizona with her husband, two of their seven kids, two cats, one dog and a fish named Floyd.

Book: Fudge-Laced Felonies

Book Blurb: Summer Meadows entered church on Sunday, not to find God, but to search for a killer.

While transplanting the rosebush her church's handsome Sunday school teacher, Ethan Banning inadvertently killed, Summer and Ethan discover a hidden stash of diamonds, a rusty can full of cash, and a bloody gardening glove. This discovery sets Summer and her candy-making aunt on a search for a killer.

As Summer gets close to the truth, not only of the theft, but of her true feelings for Ethan, the diamond thief hatches a plan to hush the feisty sleuth.

Ethan's love for Summer stays buried beneath his teasing, waiting until God tells him it is time to declare his feelings. Meanwhile, Summer's quirky and daring resolve to solve the case has him acting in a heavy-handed manner in order to protect her, and almost pushes her away.

Anita Higman

Bio: Anita is an award-winning author of nineteen books. She enjoys hiking with her family, visiting show caves, and cooking brunch for her friends.

Book: Another Stab At Life

Book Blurb: Bailey Walker has just lost everything—her family, her job, and her home.

She has nowhere to go except the dilapidated mansion she’s just inherited from her granny Minna. Unfortunately, Bailey discovers that the house has a history as a shadowy as it’s hidden passages and finds the neighborhood overflowing with some rather quirky folks—as well as one particularly appealing bachelor. Bailey feels like she’s trapped inside the pages of a gothic novel but with a comedic twist. In order to honor her grandmother’s wishes and stay at Volstead Manor, Bailey must unravel a string of mysteries and secrets, which all seem determined to stay happily ever buried.

Book: Larkspur Dreams (written with Janice Thompson)

Book Blurb: Larkspur Wendell hates to see anyone not enjoying life. So when she gets a new neighbor who seems more interested in his computer than communication, Lark feels compelled to get to know him. But her spontaneity and zeal for life seem to push him further away.

Book: The Love Song (written with Janice Thompson)

Book Blurb: A painfully shy woman named Clair O'Neal must find the courage to follow her heart's dream in the music business, and she must choose between the two men who love her dearly.

J.M. Hochstetler

Book: Daughter of Liberty

Book Blurb: As the first blood of the Revolution is spilled, a beautiful rebel spy and a jaded British officer fight their own private battles of faith—and a forbidden love.

Book: Native Son

Book Blurb: Caught between two worlds at war, he could lose everything—his country, his faith, and the woman who holds his heart captive.

Book: One Holy Night

Book Blurb: What God has in mind this bleak Christmas is a miracle. As on that holy night so long ago … in a world torn by sin and strife … to a family that has suffered heart-wrenching loss …will be born a baby …

Michelle Sutton

Bio: Michelle Sutton, otherwise known as the Edgy Inspirational Author, is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and volunteer officer on the ACFW board and the editor in chief of Christian Fiction Online Magazine. She is a social worker by day and prolific reader/book reviewer and author the rest of the time. Her debut novel is "It's Not About Me." She lives in Arizona with her husband of nearly eighteen years and her two teenage sons.

Book: It’s Not About Me

Book Blurb: Annie has it all. She's attractive, graduated with honors, was accepted at the college of her choice, has supportive parents, good friends, and a steady boyfriend who loves her. But the focus of her life is to please everyone and not make any waves. Her reputation means everything to her.

But one night Annie's safe world is shattered. As she fights to put the pieces of her broken life back together, against her will she is caught in a war between two brothers, both of whom claim to have her best interests at heart. Who will Annie choose? And will she finally come to know the One whose love will never fail, even in her darkest hour? Will she learn the truth about life--that it's not about "me"?

Nancy Jo Jenkins

Bio: Nancy Jo Jenkins is a Texas native who descends from a large Irish family who love “rowdy get-togethers.” She has taught special education and accelerated student classes in Austin, where she is heavily involved in the public school system as well as being an active member of her church. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, and is a past member of American Christian Writers Association. Nancy Jo and her husband, David, have three grown children and eight grandchildren.

Book: Coldwater Revival

Book Blurb: Just three weeks before her wedding, Emma Grace Falin has returned to her hometown of Coldwater, Texas, consumed by a single, burning desire. She must confront the guilt and shame of a devastating event that has haunted her since childhood. Nancy Jo Jenkins has woven an unforgettable tale of shattering loss, desperate grief and despair, and one family’s amazing journey to restoration and forgiveness. A masterful debut, Coldwater Revival will be etched in your memories and upon your heart.

Patti Lacy

Bio: Patti Lacy graduated from Baylor University with a degree in education. She taught at a college in Illinois until 2006, and now writes full-time. She has two grown children and lives in Illinois with her husband, Alan, and dog named Laura.

Book: An Irishwoman’s Tale

Book Blurb: Mary Freeman’s earliest memory has haunted her since childhood: An old oaken table, bitter faces drinking bitter tea, a heated discussion of what’s to be done with the “little eejit”—her. Now she is far removed from this family that didn’t want her, and separated her from her native Ireland. Living in the United States heartland, Mary searches out fulfilling roles—entrepreneur, wife, Christian, mother, community servant—but her loneliness and torment remain as acute as ever.
A crisis in her youngest daughter’s life—and the encouragement of Sally, a plucky Southern transplant—propels Mary back to the rocky cliffs of her home in County Clare, Ireland. Her harrowing journey unveils her tragic past, and forces her face-to-face with God.

Vickie McDonough

Bio: Award-winning author, VICKIE MCDONOUGH, believes God is the ultimate designer of romance. Vickie loves writing stories where the characters find their true love and grow in their faith. Her first novel, "Sooner or Later" was released in 2005, and she has several more Heartsong Presents novels coming out in the next few years. She has also authored four novellas, which are included in "A Stitch in Time", "Brides 'o' the Emerald Isle", "Lone Star Christmas", and "Kiss The Bride". She is a member of numerous writing and critique groups and has been a book reviewer for four years. Vickie is a wife of thirty years, mother to four sons, three of which still live at home, and she just became a first time grandma. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and traveling.

Book: Sooner or Later (Oklahoma Bride series Book one)

Book Blurb: A young woman fleeing an arranged marriage is rescued by a lonely farmer when she collapses on the prairie. The last thing Mason needed was another person to care for. Can two people running away find peace and love?

Book: The Bounty Hunter and the Bride (Oklahoma Bride series Book two)

Book Blurb: Will God use a rugged bounty hunter to save a young bride from making a grave error?

Book: A Wealth Beyond Riches (Oklahoma Bride series Book three)

Book Blurb: Can a young woman from the New York theater world find the love she longs for in Indian Territory ?

S. Dionne Moore

Bio: S. Dionne Moore is a bunion-free supermom, able to leap piles of a homework and loads of laundry in a single bound. Not only does she write, homeschool her daughter, and help her pastor-husband, but she also plays piano, loves to garden, and encourages other writers.

Book: Murder on the Ol’Bunions

Book Blurb: LaTisha Barnhart’s bunions tell her something’s afoot as she delves deeper into the murder of her former employee, Marion Peters. When LaTisha becomes a suspect, the ante is upped, and she is determined to clear her name and find the culprit.

She’s burping Mark Hamm’s bad cooking to investigate his beef with Marion. . .getting her hair styled at a high falutin’ beauty parlor to see what has Regina Rogane in a snarl. . .playing self-appointed matchmaker between the local chief and a prime suspect. . .and thinking Payton O’Mahney’s music store lease might be the reason he’s singing out of tune when discussion of Marion’s murder arises. LaTisha’s thinking she just might use the reward money to get her bunions surgically removed. But she’s got to catch the crook first.

Trish Perry

Bio: Trish Perry is an award-winning writer and editor of Ink and the Spirit, a quarterly newsletter of the Capital Christian Writers organization in the Washington DC, area. She has published numerous short stories, essays, devotionals, and poetry in Christian and general market media, and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers group.

Book: The Guy I’m Not Dating

Book Blurb: Kara Richardson has finally suffered one breakup too many. She's decided to go the no-dating route to romance, although she's not quite sure how that works.

She couldn't have picked a worse time to meet Gabe Paolino. Gorgeous men hardly faze Kara. A personal trainer, she works with hunks every day. But Gabe, the handsome young deli owner in town, proves way too available and way too challenging for Kara's vow of friendship. How will she adhere to her new lifestyle without scaring Gabe away?

Enter matchmaking friends, a strange elderly aunt, three demanding teens, and one hard-to-take vixen with eyes for Gabe. Add an overcrowded road trip and plenty of God's blessings, and Kara may discover that the guy she's not dating is the best boyfriend she's ever had.

Book: Too Good to Be True

Book Blurb: Rennie Young, heroine of Too Good to Be True, meets the gallant Truman Sayers after she faints in the boys’ department of the local super store. Despite this unromantic introduction, Tru Sayers, a handsome young labor–and–delivery nurse, seems like a gift from God. But a recent divorce and other life disappointments cause Ren to question whether she can trust her heart and God.

This clever novel encourages readers to lean on God’s leading and to be open to life after the hurt—even when it seems too good to be true.

Staci Stallings

Book: Dreams by Starlight

Book Blurb: If the world’s a stage and each of us plays a part, then Camille Wright is the high school wallflower that nobody remembers and only the bullies ever knew was there. However, her headlong dash to Princeton’s Aerospace Engineering program crashes to a heart-jarring halt when in order to “round out all those math classes,” she is unwillingly signed up for drama class. Awkward, shy, and quiet, Camille struggles to stay part of the wall even under the bright lights. But sometimes where you want to be isn’t where you were destined to be at all…

Book: Reflections on Life

Book Blurb: A collection of short stories that will uplift the weary traveler on life's highway. Filled with God and all things Holy Spirit, this is a book you can't afford to miss.

Book: Reflections on Life II

Book Blurb: Packed with 81 remarkable stories, Reflections on Life II: Notes from the Journey will encourage you to find God’s path for your life and follow it. Learn how to trade an ordinary life for one of extraordinary love and abundance in God, through God, and with God. If you’re living small, this book will inspire you to live big, to reach for everything God wants for your life, and to do all you do with bravery, integrity, and most of all… love.

Book: Cowboy

Book Blurb: Life has done its best to knock Beth McCasland to the ground, and the truth is: it’s done a pretty good job of keeping her there. Stuck in a minimum-wage job with a young daughter counting on her, Beth does her best to stay standing under the weight of it all because she knows God is on her side. Then one night she gets the chance to be an angel to another of life’s weary travelers. For once hope has never looked so real. Cowboy is a grace-filled story about the power of giving everything to God and how a simple act of compassion can change lives forever. Emotional, soothing, and heart-wrenching, Cowboy is infused with the message that no matter who we are and no matter what life has thrown at us, we never have to walk alone. Staci Stallings has intertwined the loss and grief of two characters into a sweet love story. Full of truths and illustrations of God’s grace, Cowboy will capture a reader’s heart. Stallings has peppered in song lyrics that strike a beautiful chord.

Book: Lucky

Book Blurb: Kalin Lane had his dream in hand. Then, on the cusp of mega-stardom, Kalin’s world crashed down around him in a hail of stupid choices. Five years later, Kalin is back, reaching for his dream once again; however, time hasn’t erased his past. Will the lessons of the past be enough to save him from himself this time around? Danae Scott thought she was headed toward the future every girl wants. However, in one night that belief is ripped into unrecognizable shreads. Devastated and confused, Danae is an anguished mess when an angel trips over her. Does this angel have the answers she didn’t even know she needed? One man, One woman, One night that changes everything.

Camy Tang

Bio: Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. She used to be a biologist, but now she is a staff worker for her church youth group and leads a worship team for Sunday service. She also runs the Story Sensei fiction critique service. On her blog, she gives away Christian novels every Monday and Thursday, and she ponders frivolous things like dumb dogs (namely, hers), coffee-geek husbands (no resemblance to her own...), the writing journey, Asiana, and anything else that comes to mind. Visit her website at http://www.camytang.com/ for a huge website contest going on right now, giving away ten boxes of books and 30 copies of her latest release, SINGLE SASHIMI.

Book: Sushi for One?

Book Blurb: Will Lex Sakai be able to surrender her "perfect man" list and give Mr. All Wrong a chance?

Lex Sakai's family is big, nosy, and marriage-minded. When her older cousin gets married, Lex will become the oldest single cousin in the clan. And that makes her a moving target for Grandma Sakai, who insists that Lex bring a date to her cousin's wedding.

Of course, Grandma Sakai has some perfect candidates for Lex. Too bad they don't speak English! And Lex herself has used her Bible study class on Ephesians to compile a huge list of traits for the perfect man. But the one man she keeps running into doesn't seem to have a single quality on her list. Aiden Young is not her type. He's not a jock, he's not a Christian, and he has a bad history with Lex's cousin, Trish. It's only when the always-in-control Lex starts to let God take over that all the pieces of this hilarious romance finally fall into place.

Debra Ullrick

Bio: Debra Ullrick and her husband of thirty-four years, along with their daughter lived and worked on cattle ranches in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. A famous movie star and her screen writer husband purchased property at the last ranch where they lived. Debra's husband has met many celebrities and had the privilege of taking Eddie Albert horseback riding. Recently Debra and her real-life hero, Rick, moved to the flatlands, where they're dealing with cultural whiplash in the city. Besides Christ, Debra's passions include attending Red Rocks Church, talking with her ACFW friends, reading, writing, drawing Western art, watching Jane Austen movies, Monster Jam World Finals DVD’s, mud bog racing, collecting monster truck and muscle/classic car models, and going to classic auto shows. Debra loves to hear from her readers. You can contact her through her website at www.DebraUllrick.com

Book: The Bride Wore Coveralls

Book Blurb: Can bitter rivals come to love each other? Fighting deep prejudice against her femininity, her choice of vehicle, and even her heritage, Camara Cole is determined to win the mud-bog racing championship this year. Her biggest competition seems also to be her worst enemy. Chase Lamar has been racing mud-boggers as long as Camara, and he grudgingly admits she's the best driver-mechanic he knows. Their rivalry has been long and bitter. But Chase is a new Christian. As he begins to change, he finds his relationship with Camara changing, too. When Camara's vehicle is sabatoged, she naturally blames Chase, despite a growing attraction. Chase must prove his innocence, but evidence points his way. When the smoke clears and the truth is known, will each be able to extend forgiveness, maybe even love?

Turbulence

I'm in Nashville, and we had the wonderful privilege of flying. (And for all of you jokesters out there - No, my arms aren't tired - we flew on an airplane.)

Anyway, it was an interesting flight. And quite a turbulent one to boot. Add a screaming toddler a few rows back, and it became an adventure.

Let's just say that when the flight attendant gets on her little speaker thingy (RUNS to her speaker thingy is a better choice of words) and says, "All right everyone, the captain has illuminated the fasten seat belt sign, and you'd better make sure it's tight!" You should know at that point, that it's going to be a bumpy ride.

Now, we've had lots of practice with turbulence. Landing anywhere in Alaska proves to be turbulent, no matter where you are going in the beautiful state - and that's on the big planes. We had to fly on a 1939 WWII Grumman Goose to get to the island we lived on for a couple of years. Now THAT was turbulence.

Today reminded me of that turbulence, only we were in a large plane. There were several people who gasped, even squealed, when we dropped who knows how many feet. (And on a sidenote - When your rear end no longer touches the seat below you, you know it's a substantial drop.)

Don't forget the screaming toddler. This child screamed almost the entire trip. Now, I'm going to get up on my soapbox here -- children need training. Training takes consistency, discipline, and patience. Flying on an airplane can be scary, it can be no fun when your ears don't pop, and add in the crazy turbulence - it can be downright miserable. This parent was not doing anything to help the child. The parent wasn't even trying. That's the part that is disheartening.

Note: I am NOT saying that screaming children are horrible. And I'm not saying that if your child screams, you are a terrible parent. I love kids. I have worked with kids of different abilities for a long time, and my own children are precious. But this particular child needed help - he needed to be prepared for the journey.

You're probably wondering where I'm headed - well, most of you know that I do a lot of speaking. And most of it has to do with parenting and our story. I'm also in the process of writing a "personal parenting encouragement" book. Why? Because I've been asked by so many people to do it. Not from an expert (because I am NOT one), but from an ordinary mom with an unusual story.

Life is not easy. Parenting is REALLY not easy. But - you can do it. A child will face a lot of "turbulence" in life, and if he is untrained and unprepared, he will kick, scream and whine his way through.

These are tough questions, but these are only on the surface - they're not the truly tough questions. In today's society - morals and respect and common courtesy are a rare find. Selfishness and pride seem to reign supreme, and it scares me to think where that will lead.

Are you prepared for turbulence? Are you preparing and training your children for turbulence?
I'd like you to go look up James 1:2-4 (yes, again) - and read the first chapter of I Peter. Look specifically at what it says about trials and joy.

We'll pick up here in a few days... Look for "Turbulence... Continued"
God Bless You All and I'm praying for you...

How Many Pages? A New Contest!

Once again, my children amaze me.

We just finished another quarter of school, and as I tally up grades and prepare report cards, I also add up our reading lists. We each keep a list of the books we have read - author, title, number of pages.

They have each read thousands of pages in a single quarter. My daughter, has read 20,874.

Did you catch that? Twenty Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy Four. One hundred and eight books. In ONE quarter. That's not a quarter of a year - it's a quarter of a school year.

So, I decided to come up with a challenge for all of my readers. For one year, I'd like everyone to keep track of the books they read. Write down the title of the book, the author, and how many pages. If you read picture books to your kids, write those down too! All those pages count.

I'm going to gather up some really great prizes. I have many author friends and I'm sure we can come up with a LOT.

In the coming weeks and months - I will check on everyone - and announce prizes. Keep checking the website and blog for more information.

There will be more than one winner. A winner for the most books read (hint, hint- if you're reading short books to your kids, they will add up REALLY fast,) A winner for most pages read, etc.

Hey, even if this inspires you to read the cereal box, it's a start.

So, get to reading - and no, Kayla will not be allowed to enter, but we should all strive to keep up with her! :)

On your mark, get set, READ!