Author Spotlight with New York Times Best Selling Author, Tosca Lee: Interview & Giveaway!!

Welcome Dear Readers!! Today we have New York Times Best Selling Author, Tosca Lee, with us! Tosca will be giving away an eBook copy of her novel, Havah: The Story of Eve! Leave a comment below to enter to win!  Read on for another special gift from Tosca to you!!

Meet Tosca:

Tosca Lee is the multi award-winning, New York Times bestselling novelist of Demon: A Memoir, Havah: The Story of Eve, Iscariot, The Legend of Sheba, and The Books of Mortals series (Forbidden, Mortal, Sovereign) with New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker. She is best known for her exploration of maligned characters, lyrical prose and meticulous research.

Thank you for being here today with us, Tosca. I'm a HUGE fan, and I know you have A LOT of readers here today that feel the same. We've read all your works, and now we're curious...do you have any current projects you’re working on? Care to share?

I’ve just finished a contemporary thriller. (Yay!) It’s a small break from the biblical historical genre, and I really needed this. It was a super fun ride filled with action and suspense and romance, too. I hope you enjoy it!

I can't wait to get my hands on it!! And congratulations on finishing this novel. I know how difficult it can be to etch/carve/pray out time to write in order to meet those deadlines.  Is there a favorite time of the day you prefer to write  to get the job done?

You know, I tend to do anything serious in the evening. Usually after 9pm. These days I work until dawn, and now that it’s spring, the birds are out to sing me to sleep (or keep me awake…)

Ha! I have a love-hate relationship with the birds outside my window too! Now, is there a specific place where you like to write? I have to kind of lock myself away.

My office is the place I write—there is only one seat in that space, and it’s behind my claw-foot desk. For some reason, I always seem to work at night.

All writers reading this, take note: a claw-foot desk, and night writing. I'm on it!


Moving on! I'm gonna get a little nosey here.  but I wanna know if there are there things you put off doing because you dread them? (ie I can’t stand to fold socks. Torture!)

I am a master procrastinator. I put off writing until I either can’t stand it any more or I better get a move on if I want to make my deadline. It’s a form of perfectionism that stems from fear. And in the end, the fear never goes away—I just start slogging through to the end.

I appreciate your transparency and your bravery to face fear by "slogging through to the end." Fear is something that we can all struggle with, and it's encouraging to know we don't have to succumb. 

Switching gears  a bit now. I'm a Military wife, and love to have my guests put themselves in the military life roll. Let's play!

Many Military families move several times over the course of their career relocating to duty stations all over the country and the world. While moving can be difficult, it’s also pretty exciting to meet new people and see new places. Sometimes we’re able to choose our duty station. If you had a choice, where would you like to be stationed and why?

Korea. :) I have a ton of family (half of it) in Seoul. And I need me some good Korean food.

My hubby spent a year in South Korea!! I got to spend close to a month over there and LOVED it! Seoul was amazing! And you're right, the food is crazy tasty!

I also like to honor the Service men and women in my guest's family. Do you have family that have or are serving in the Military?

Some of my extended American family have served in the Air Force—uncles, a cousin. All the men on my Korean side of the family have served in the Korean military (it’s compulsory). My uncle is a former Korean Secretary of Defense, but the coolest part of his career, for me, was when he was a two star general because I got to ride around with him in his Jeep. ;D

That is totally awesome! Please thank both sides of your family for their service!

I'm not only a Military wife, but like a large portion of my friends and readers, I'm a stay at home momma.  It gets a bit crazy around my house, especially when I have edits to get to! Could you share some advice for all those parents out there raising their babies juggling insane schedules?

Oh boy. I’m a brand new step-mother to be of four—one young lady (19) and three young men (14 and 11 year old twins). (My fiancé is a single father.) So I’m the one who needs the advice—namely, ways to make vegetables appealing. Right now I’m just trying not to get wiped out by kid germs. (I managed to catch Whooping Cough last January.) One of the most amazing privileges of coming into this role is listening to them talk about the things that are important to them (i.e. football and Minecraft).

First off, Tosca, CONGRATULATIONS!!! Welcome to the wild, wonderful world of parenthood! Readers, let's shower Tosca with some advice in the comment section! My advice: pray. Pray for your kids to like veggies. Pray you don't get sick. And pray with them...even about Minecraft, football, or in my case, Elsa, Anna, and Pokémon.

Tosca, I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to be our guest today. We've had a great time, and have room for one more response.

Is there anything you’d like to say to your readers? I know they’d love a personal note.

I love you guys. I truly have the most wonderful readers in the world. I think of you as I sit down to work, as I go about the business side of writing, and am grateful every day. One of my greatest joys is when I get to meet readers at signings, talks or events and hug them.

Again, thank you for being here with us today! Tosca has a special gift for everyone here
today! See below for the details! Remember to leave a comment to enter to win Havah: The Story of Eve!

Ismeni, the free eBook prequel to The Legend of Sheba is available for free on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and in all eBook formats.

No eReader? Get the FREE app for your computer, phone or tablet: https://www.amazon.com/gp/digital/fiona/kcp-landing-page?ie=UTF8&ref_=kcp_pc_mkt_lnd 

 

REMEMBER TO COMMENT BELOW TO BE ENTERED TO WIN HAVAH: THE STORY OF EVE

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Book Review: A Captive Imposter by Dawn Crandall (Book 3 in The Everstone Chronicles)

Author of The Everstone Chronicles, Dawn Crandall, will be joining us next week, but today I have the privilege of reviewing her latest release!

I should be finishing up my next novel. However, I had no other choice but to turn away from my computer screen if I ever wanted to get a restful night's sleep again, without wondering about the main characters like I knew them! 

I’m not sure if I should thank Dawn for this novel or not… :)

Yes, I’ll thank her!

The Captive Imposter, Dawn's third book in The Everstone Chronicles DOES NOT DISAPPOINT!

The title of this book itself caused my eyebrow to arch with interest. Her writing continues to grow stronger with each novel...so elegant, and vivid. And then there’s that storyline that just held onto me!

Estella Everstone, born into wealth and privilege, is in danger, and has gone into hiding at one of her father’s hotels in the mountainous region of Maine, assuming the name Elle Stoneburner, and a lowly status as lady’s maid. After a cancelled engagement, and a family tragedy, she struggles to mend and find her life’s direction. Dexter Blakely, an ill-tempered hotel manager with an apparent distaste for those born to wealth and privilege, and a disdain for all things romantic, catches her eye, and confuses her heart.

Neither can deny the pull that exists between them when they are together. However, Dexter doesn’t know Estella’s true identity, and that the woman he’s grown to love is the embodiment of everything he’s vowed to hate. She has to tell Dexter the truth, reveal all, and hold nothing back, but where will that lead, and can she handle the fallout?

Set in the late Nineteenth century, a simpler day for sure, The Captive Imposter drew me, quite willingly, into the past, and dazzled me with an elegant setting, exquisite scenery, and spot-on dialect for the time period. Let’s not forget the mystery, suspense, and hints of a budding romance.

The story sprouts themes of forgiveness, restoration, God’s purpose for our lives, and His ability to use the bad things for His glory—all of which I applaud. The characters…real…sincere…flawed, and forgiven…just like us. I found this novel daring, true-to-life, and lovely! Kuddos to you Dawn Crandall!

No foul language was found, however, there is a brothel mentioned, and a woman held against her will worked there. This was not an issue for me, but because of the nature of this topic, I suggest mothers with daughters younger than thirteen may want to have an open discussion about this before allowing their younger girls to jump into this book. 

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a novel with Christ-focused themes. Fabulous!! If I had three thumbs, I’d give it that!

Follow the fun with Dawn as she promotes her latest release. Prizes and giveaway daily throughout the Blog Tour!

Add to GoodReads - www.goodreads.com/book/show/21490845-the-captive-imposter

About the Author:

A graduate of Taylor University with a degree in Christian Education, and a former bookseller at Barnes & Noble, Dawn Crandall didn’t begin writing until her husband found out about her long-buried dream of writing a book. Without a doubt about someday becoming traditionally published, he encouraged her to quit her job in 2010 in order to focus on writing her debut novel, The Hesitant Heiress. It didn’t take her long to realize that writing books was what she was made to do. Dawn is represented by Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary.

Apart from writing books, Dawn is also a first-time mom to a precious little boy (born March 2014) and also serves with her husband in a pre-marriage mentor program at their local church in Northeast Indiana.

Dawn is a member of Romance Writers of America, American Christian Fiction Writers, secretary for the Indiana ACFW Chapter (Hoosier Ink), and associate member of the Great Lakes ACFW Chapter.

The Everstone Chronicles is Dawn’s first series with Whitaker House. All three books composing the series were semifinalists in ACFW’s prestigious Genesis Writing Contest, the third book going on to become a finalist in 2013.

Want to read more reviews or interviews?

Check out:
Though My Heart is Torn by Joanne Bischof
Catch a Falling Star by Beth Vogt
Where Treasure Hides by Johnnie Alexander

4 Tips for Planning a LEGO Birthday Party

Welcome, Dear Readers!

This year I've set out to get to know you better, hear your story, what God's done or doing in your life, lessons learned, trials, triumphs, recipes, and fun projects. I want to hear what you have to say, and so do a whole host of others.

Today we welcome Nicole Hines! Nicole is a mother of two, a Kindergarten teacher, and my sister-in-law! She's got some great crafty ideas, and today she's sharing some excellent tips on throwing an incredible Lego themed party!

Meet Nicole:

Hi everyone!
Since my boys birthdays are 3 weeks apart I decided to have a joint birthday party this year.  One thing both my boys love are LEGOs.  So I quickly decided on a LEGO themed birthday party and started surfing Pinterest for ideas. My goal was to spend as less as possible but make it look like I spent a lot. Here are 4 tips to how I got the job done!

1. Centerpieces:  I took glass mason jars and filled them with Legos.  I actually had my father-in-law cut some PVC pipe to place in the middle of the jar as a filler.  That way I didn't have to use all my Legos for the centerpieces.  I then tied balloons to the jars for some height.  Under the jars I used some Lego mats from a Lego set I already owned. Finally, I sprinkled some jumbo Legos on each table too!  I think it turned out so cute!

2.  Cake: I love cupcakes!  They are so easy for birthdays, and so good.  So I bought some Lego molds off Amazon for $8.  I bought just regular white frosted cupcakes from Kroger.  I got red, yellow, green, and blue candy chocolate from Michaels craft store, and made Lego bricks to put on the cupcakes.  I was worried that the different colored chocolates would taste gross, but I had so many compliments on how good they were.



3. Games:  A birthday party is not complete without some type of entertainment.  The space I rented for the birthday party wasn't big enough for an inflatable.  Honestly, I didn't want to blow my entire birthday budget on one bouncy house anyway.  So I had to get creative in order to keep 15 little kids entertained.  First, we played pin the head on the Lego man.  Then I used the remaining Legos, scattered them all over the hallway, and gave each child a paper bag to decorate.  When everyone was ready, we had a Lego hunt.  The goals was to pick up as many Legos as possible.  After the hunt all the kids had to try and build the tallest structure.  To say they loved it was an understatement. 



4.  Party Favors:  I used the mini figure Lego mold and made Lego crayons (I got the mold from Amazon).  The boys loved helping me peel the crayons paper off, break them into pieces, and place them in the molds. We baked them in the oven at 200 degrees, for 15 minutes. Once removed from the oven, I used a toothpick to pop the air bubbles in the melted crayons, then set the mold in the refrigerator until it cools. Afterward, I popped them out of the mold. Easy! :) Each child at the party left with 2 Lego crayons and a small little tablet. It was a hit!



Thank you for sharing Nicole!

Guest Reader Jessica Adkins: Living Love Loud by Becoming a Surrogate

Welcome, Dear Readers!

This year I've set out to get to know you better, hear your story, what God's done or doing in your life, lessons learned, trials, triumphs, recipes, and fun projects. I want to hear what you have to say, and so do a whole host of others.

Today we welcome Jessica Adkins! Jessica has quite a testimony to share with you, and it seems quite fitting given that it's Easter weekend, and we have so much life to celebrate!

Meet Jessica:

 

I’m 28 weeks pregnant with a precious baby boy. The twist? He’s not my husband’s baby...or mine! I am a gestational surrogate for an international family. I am just the incubator, or an extreme babysitter, for another family’s biological child. 

 

Meet Jessica Adkins

At this point, there Is no hiding that I’m pregnant! So, there are a lot of questions and comments from random people. Everyone loves a pregnant person! Or maybe it’s just they love to give advice and talk about your size! Most comments are from strangers making small talk who don’t know I’m a surrogate. I often struggle with knowing when to tell people that I’m carrying for a family or when to just smile and say, “Thank you.” 

 

My desire during this journey was to be open and vulnerable and make the entire process known.  I wanted people to see my heart, how The Lord was working through this, and what an amazing blessing this has been for both our families…it’s just kind of hard to share that in a 3 minute conversation! When I do mention that I’m a surrogate there are some people who are instantly supportive, but I mostly get a really weird sideways glance with three responses, “Why would you do that?” “I could never do that” and “Won’t you be too attached?” 

 

I totally understand all of those questions! I thought those too. I have been living through this process almost two years now and often times it’s still crazy to me that I’m pregnant with another family’s baby! I didn’t enter this process lightly and without prayer or guidance. I completely understand people have different opinions and values that they are entitled to.

 

THE WHY? 

 

We have 2 small children of our own. They are such a blessing and bring so much joy to our lives. Daily they humble us and teach us amazing truths about God’s love...but we feel complete with our family! No more planned babies for us! However, maybe that would convince my husband to buy me the minivan that I so desperately want…

 

When we made that decision not to have anymore kids, my heart was kind of sad! I am not a great pregnant person who loves every second of being pregnant if that’s what you assume! I complain about being pregnant every day that I’m pregnant…but there was still this longing to help create life, or carry life. Crazy woman hormones. 

 

As I’ve gotten older, I was taken back by the amount of infertility struggles that so many women and our close friends were struggling through. Honestly, I didn’t know surrogacy was a valid option until I quickly researched it. Once it was on my heart, I couldn’t get it off. 

 

One of my favorite versus is 1 John 3:18-24; “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth…” 

 

When I read this verse, it always hits me in a different way depending on my stage in life. How can I ‘love out loud’? I wanted to not only have a heart for families by being supportive and praying for them…I wanted to find a way to love them with actions. My body could carry a baby and there are families that desire a baby, so why not?! Obviously, there is more involved, but those were my beginning prayers! 

 

We chose to pursue surrogacy through an agency for the protection of our family. There are a lot of laws, medical, and legal issues that come along with surrogacy. Having an agency handle the business aspect allows us to focus on the relational side. We were matched with a wonderful couple based on our interest and personalities. It has been the greatest match. The mom had tried IVF 3 times before cancer was found and she had to have a full hysterectomy. They were on the adoption list for several years, but waiting up to five years is common. They chose to come to the US to pursue surrogacy since it is illegal in their country. 

 

Aren’t you going to be attached?

 

Precious Baby Boy

Right now, I am focused on enjoying this process. My husband and I are loving the relationship we are building with the parents. Being able to meet a couple we would have never known and call them family now is amazing. A pregnancy has never went by this fast in the past! It really is enjoyable…maybe because I now realize how amazing of a gift being pregnant is?! I love to feel him move, kick, and punch because I know he’s growing and is healthy. My husband feels my belly and is protective over my pregnancy and health. We both love the baby and his parents. So, yes we are attached! 

 

However, it’s just different. I don’t feel like he is my baby (because he’s not). I don’t have a crazy plan to ‘keep him’.  It could be because I’m not spending that time nesting in our home and planning his future. I feel like I love him and want the best for him…for him to be with his parents who love and desire to finally be able to hold him in their arms! The excitement and anticipation of that moment make it all worth it. 

 

I am not just helping to create a baby for a family…but a future brother, son, uncle, husband, father, and grandfather! That makes my role in this feel so small in comparison of what God can do through him. 

 

I would love your prayers for the rest of this pregnancy and over this sweet little boys life! If you would like to follow our journey you can check out my blog at: www.letsnotjusttalkaboutlove.weebly.com


Thank you for being with us today Jessica! I'm moved to tears, and I will be praying for you, your family, this precious boy, and his family. You'll have to come back and give us update info and pics!!

Author Spotlight & Novel Giveaway: Author Johnnie Alexander

Welcome Dear Readers!! Today we have Author Johnnie Alexander with us! She'll be giving away an eBook copy of her debut novel, Where Treasure Hides, to one lucky person who leaves their comment & email below. 

Meet Johnnie!

Johnnie Alexander writes inspiring stories that linger in the heart. Where Treasure Hides, her debut novel, won the ACFW Genesis Contest (2011) and Golden Leaf Award (2014). The first of her three contemporary romances, Where She Belongs (Misty Willow Series), releases from Revell in January 2016. A graduate of Rollins College (Orlando) with a Master of Liberal Studies degree, Johnnie treasures family memories, classic movies, road trips, and stacks of books. She lives in the Memphis area where her morning chores include feeding dogs, cats, chickens, and a small herd of alpacas.

Johnnie, thank you for being here with us today! And thank you for being so willing to give away a copy of your debut novel, Where Treasure Hides. Please, tell us about your latest novel, Where She Belongs, and any personal inspiration behind it.

Revell will release my newest novel, Where She Belongs (Misty Willow Series), in January. I first wrote this story while participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) about ten years ago. Since then it has changed titles five or six times, the heroine’s name got changed once (after which she actually cooperated with the story), and the opening pages went through several transformations.

This is a story-of-my-heart novel inspired by a Civil War-era brick house I lived in as a teen. After my parents moved from there, the house sat empty and fell into disrepair for several years. My dream as a young adult was to buy the house, fix it up, and live there once again. That dream didn’t come true for me, but it comes true for the heroine of Where She Belongs. However, living in the house of her dreams doesn’t solve all her problems.

That's beautiful inspiration for a story. You've got our attention with a hook like that! Any other projects you're working on that will reel us in as well?

I’m working on Book #2 in the Misty Willow series tentatively titled Love’s Deeper Season. The not-so-evil antagonist of Where She Belongs steps into the role of hero in this story. It releases in September 2016. Then it’s on to Book #3, tentatively titled Before September Comes which releases in May 2017.

Your readers will be happy, and you'll be spending a lot of time at your computer! Do you have a favorite time of the day to get all this writing done? What about a favorite place?

These days I write at the kitchen table which allows me views of a gentle slope, budding trees, and clumps of daffodils from two tall windows. Mornings are often busy so usually write in the afternoon and into the evening if necessary.

Can I come over and write at your kitchen table!? Oh my goodness you have to post a picture of that view you described! Nowadays, I too write in the afternoons and evenings. Mornings are spent spending time in God's Word, and getting kids ready for the day. I have to say that when I miss my time in God's Word, I feel it for the rest of the day! I know you can relate. Could you share with us a favorite scripture?

I have to choose just one? (That’s so hard, she whined.)

My life verse is Colossians 3:1 and 2. But a verse that’s become more and more meaningful to me over the past couple of years is Psalm 31:8 which reads in part: “You have . . . set my feet in a spacious place” (NIV).

A similar passage is Psalm 18:19:  “He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.”

God gave me Psalm 31:8 as a gift and a promise during my morning quiet time when I was at the 2008 Florida Christian Writers Conference. Nothing special happened for me at that conference, but I posted the verse on my bulletin board.

The thing about those kinds of promises is that it can take a long time before you know whether it’s a heartfelt hope or truly a promise. And yet a verse like this is so comforting because if nothing else it’s a promise that God is watching out for us, whatever happens.

When I dug out the manuscript which became Where She Belongs for the umpteenth time, I had no idea whether anyone would want it. In fact, I figured not since it’s a contemporary, and I was now contracted for my historical, Where Treasure Hides. (Genre-switching this early in one’s career isn’t exactly encouraged.) But I loved the story, and working on it was like a treat.

These two “spacious place” verses became important to my heroine as she accepts the truth that a spiritual legacy has more value than a material one.

Wow, Johnnie! I'm so glad I asked about your favorite scriptures. Thank you for sharing! Since you've shared something very heartfelt with us, would you mind sharing something a little silly? What is the quirkiest thing you’ve done? (My son and I like to speak in a British accent when we’re out in public. So much fun!)

It’s not really quirky, but in the past year I have learned to medicate an alpaca’s ear, worm the herd, and give subcutaneous injections. You never know what interesting tasks God is going to give you.

Okay, no, for real, that's quirky! I'm seriously laughing over this!! You made my day!

Onward! I'm an Army Wife, and I like to invite all my guests to step into the military world. Many Military families move several times over the course of their career relocating to duty stations all over the country and the world. While moving can be difficult, it’s also pretty exciting to meet new people and see new places. Sometimes we’re able to choose our duty station. If you had a choice, where would you like to be stationed and why?

My brother was stationed in Germany around twenty years ago, and he and his family were able to travel throughout Europe. I’d love to have that opportunity.

Out of the nearly 12 years my husband served in the Army we never got to go to Europe! What are the odds? Ha. :)

Tell us, are you a veteran or do you have someone in your family that served in the Military? Would you mind to tell us a little bit about your service or their service; it’s our way of honoring you/them.

Both my brother and my father served in the Army. My mom’s six older brothers fought during WWII and, thankfully, each one came home.

That's incredible! All six of them coming home is nothing short of a miracle! You have quite a heritage of service. A huge thanks to your family!!

 Our time together is coming to a close. I want to thank you again for joining us today. It's truly been a pleasure. Before we give this eBook away, is there anything you’d like to say to your readers? I know they’d love a personal note.

You are very important to me, and I appreciate your emails, Facebook friend requests, and notes. Thank you for your encouragement and support. God bless and best wishes.

There we have it folks! Give a round of applause for Johnnie Alexander!

Connect with Johnnie via the provided links below and pick up a your eCopy of Where She Belongs today! You can purchase this eBook at Amazon, ChristianBooks.com, and Barnes & Noble. The paperback will be available in August 2015. Leave a comment AND YOUR EMAIL below in the comments section, and YOU could win an eCopy of Johnnie's debut novel, Where Treasure Hides!

Connect with Johnnie!

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Author Spotlight: Renee Blare & Latest Novel GIVEAWAY!!

Today on our Author Spotlight we are lucky to have Renee Blare! Renee will be hanging out with us, talking about her latest novel, AND giving away a paperback or digital copy (winner's) choice!

Meet Renee!

Raised in Louisiana and Wyoming, Renee started writing poetry in junior high school and that, as they say, was that. After having her son, a desire to attend pharmacy school sent her small family to Laramie and she’s been counting pills ever since. While writing’s her first love, well, after the Lord and her husband, she also likes to fish and hunt as well as pick away on her classical guitar.

Nestled against the Black Hills with her husband, crazy old dog and ornery cat, she serves the community of northeastern Wyoming as a pharmacist and pens her Christian stories, keeping them interesting with action and intrigue, of course. She loves to interact with readers and invites you check out her website, blog, and social media

Renee, thank you for joining us today! PLEASE Tell us about your latest novel, Beast of Stratton, and any personal inspiration behind it.

Beast of Stratton’s a contemporary suspense novel I wrote at the prodding of my crit group, Rough Diamond Writers. Each of us picked a fairy tale and penned a story. Historical, contemporary, romance, suspense…you name it, we did it. It was a ton of fun!

My story took on quite a suspenseful quality, of course. After all, that is what I write, but it’s also quite mysterious. It was quite the puzzle. I didn’t figure it out until the end myself!

I love to hear writers say that. Stories take us on a journey even as we write them! Do you have any current projects you’re working on? Care to share?

I’m working on a novella right now for Prism Books called Racing Hearts. It’s about a couple of newlyweds who, after discovering they’re expecting a child, move across the state in search of work. Here’s the a little bit about it:

Full of hope for the future, a young couple sets off on a new adventure. They welcome their home with open arms. The mountains glisten, the lakes sparkle, and a new life grows. But challenges soon arise and their fresh love faces a trial of almost insurmountable odds.

For the two Christians, placing the fate of their unborn child in the hands of God seems rather easy, but trusting each other? That may prove to be the challenge of a lifetime…as hearts race in the Rocky Mountains.

This sounds pretty suspenseful!! Of course it has to be! :) The dilemma(s) this couple face could benefit from God's Word, which brings me to my next question. What is your favorite scripture and why?

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

I used to worry…a lot. A “dilemma” turned into a nightmare before I could blink. And then, with the help of the Father, I discovered what it meant to trust. He taught me not to worry about what tomorrow may bring. To rest in His arms no matter what was looming around the corner. It’s amazing to experience heaven’s peace amidst the sting of life.

 I can relate well! Life does sting at times, and there are definitely things I avoid to try to prevent that sting! Are there things you put off doing because you dread them? (ie I can’t stand to fold socks. Torture!)

Clean…period. I know. I’m terrible, but I hate to clean. The kitchen, the bathroom, you name it. I would blame my mom for making me do it as a kid, but that’s not fair. It’s not her fault. I just dread the task. So I put it off until I can’t anymore. Or my husband complains so loudly about having to do it time after time, I get the message. (If you get my meaning…) As far as laundry goes, I usually start it. Does that count? LOL Can I stop now? Please!

YUP! You can stop! Ha! Even talking about it is causing dread! :) Sorry. :( SO! Let's have a little fun with these next questions!

I’m an Army Wife, and all Military Wives have to be flexible. Plans change at the drop of a hat. So, pretend you’re a Military Wife. Ok. Ready?!

Your spouse came down on orders to relocate and you’ve got 30 days to move. What are the first three things you do to prepare? GO!

I’m not a military wife, but I can relate to the “relocation” issue…a lot. I’ve been married for almost twenty-six years and according to my husband, we’re on move number twenty-two. Let’s see…

Number one: Garage sale! Lighten the load. I’d sell anything and everything I don’t need or want to move. That means for pennies if I have to. After all, I’m trying to get rid of it, not make a fortune. LOL

Number two: Go out to dinner. Treat those friends who’ve stood by my side through thick and thin to a local restaurant’s fine meal and say thank you.

Number three: Donate anything I don’t need or can’t sell: If I can’t sell it, can’t wear it, don’t need it, it goes to Goodwill, Salvation Army, a local church or any other place I can find that may have use for it. That include clothes, books, tools, equipment…anything. If they don’t take it, a sign in the front yard’s always an option!

That's some seriously great advice! Hope my military wife friends are reading this!!

Ok, one last question!! I’m a bit of a History Buff and Sci-Fi Geek. Oh how I’d love to time travel! If you could time travel, where would you go and why?

It’s a toss-up between the past and the future. Both seem rather intimidating. The past? The highlands of Scotland before the time of England’s takeover. Although harsh and rough, it seems like an amazing time. When clans ruled their own territory and the land was as wild as the men. I’d like to see that. The future? Oh the prospects…living, working, playing in space? Traveling to other planets for the day and coming home to wake up the next day and do it all over again? Yeah, that be cool.

Yes it would! I think you could come up with a pretty good plot for another novel thinking about these thing!

Renee, I can't thank you enough for joining us today!

Readers, thank you for stopping by as well!! Renee will be giving away a copy of Beast of Stratton's away! Leave a comment, along with your email address, to enter to win a paperback or digital copy of this novel (winner's choice!). A winner will be selected and announced on Monday, March 23rd.

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7 Verses That Can Rock Your World: Words to Live By

Today I'm sharing 7 verses that have rocked my world--words to live by.

We all know life gets hard. It gets crazy. Insane. Sad. Stressful. Unpredictable. Non-stop. Even when life is good, great, wonderful, and filled with laughter, we need something steady to keep us grounded, focused. Why can't we be our own source of strength? Why can't we choose to do the things we wanna do, and take the path of life we wanna take? Well, we can, free-will, right? BUT, God's Word tells that there's a way that seems right to man, but in the end it leads to death (Proverbs 14:12). Yeah, thanks, but I'll skip the death road. However, when we choose God's way, it leads to life. This whole life and death talk can be both literal and figurative. That's beside the point.

How do we know how we should live? How to act? How to treat each other?

We find those answers in God's Word.

The verses below grabbed hold of me many years ago and taught me a few lessons. 1)God's Word is powerful, real and living. 2) He wants me to trust Him with my worries enough to leave them with Him. 3)My thoughts matter. What I think about becomes my actions. 4) If I believe God's Word is powerful, real, and living, then it will transform every part of my life.

Simple, but profound.

These verses have rocked my world, and I hope they rock yours too!

• 1 Peter 5: 7: Cast all your burdens on him because he cares for you
• Romans 8: 28: And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
• Romans 12: 2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
• Hebrews 4:12: For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
• Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
• Philippians 4:12-13 “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. ¹³ For I can do everything through Christ,^[d] who gives me strength.
• 1 Corinthians 13: 7 “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Related Post: Stressed or Blessed?

5 Ways to be Blessed in the Stress: A Military Wife's Perspective

So. Stress. Let’s talk about that.

We’ve all felt it, right? Life gets real, real fast. Traumatic events. Loss. Broken hearts. Then there are the little stressors that just get under your skin like when a car pulls out in front of you, and then slows down! What’s with that?! Or the person at the drive in in front of you decides to order the entire store when all you want is a black coffee with no creamer or sugar. Geez people!

If you’ve never felt stress, where have you been? Tell me your secret! Turn on the news and I guarantee you’ll be taking meds for high blood pressure soon. The world is a mess, ick.

Stress doesn’t just come from things we experience or see. Certain types of food can cause our bodies to be stressed. Too much caffeine (Sigh of sadness). Sugar is the worst…so sad. Sugar is actually an anti-nutrient…it sucks nutrients out of our body and causes us to be sluggish, sick, and tired, but unable to get the kind of good hearty rest our bodies need, and a lack of good rest/sleep causes more stress on our body. A vicious cycle ensues!

No wonder the world has gone mad. We’re drinking some caffeine-filled beverage in one hand, eating something sugary with the other, couple that with a lack of sleep, our fast paced schedules, life’s issues, and we’re a big ball of stress just spewing all over the place.

Our environment, toxins in the air, and chemicals in the hygiene products we use every day can cause stress to our body. Nice, right?

The medical world even knows how serious our stress issue is, admitting that 80% or more of all disease and illness is stress related. How 'bout that? Insane!  

We can't live in a bubble, though, nor would I want to. Ok, maybe I would sometimes.

What does God say about stress? He says in 1 Peter 5:7 to cast all your burdens on him because he cares for you. He says to come to him for rest (Matthew 11:28-30). He says not to worry about anything, but pray about everything (Philippians 4:6&7).

When the American Medial Association says that 80% or more of all disease and illness is stress related, do we have any other choice but to give that junk over to God?

Being an Army wife, I know stress, and being the wife of a wounded warrior who struggles with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), well…let’s say stress and I are on a first name basis. 

Yes, life gets crazy, but I can’t seem to find a time, even in the stress, that I haven’t been blessed. I’d imagine if we all took the time to look past our stress we could see how we’re being blessed.

 Having a hard time seeing it? Wanna know how to be blessed in the stress? Here are 5 ways:

1: Be a blessing and Love others:

• 1 Corinthians 13: 7 “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  I'd add, No Matter What to that if I could.
• In Matthew 14, after finding out his cousin, John the Baptist, had been killed, Jesus withdrew to be alone, but crowds followed Him. He didn't lash out in his grief, or tell them to go away. He saw their need. He knew a key to being blessed in the stress was to be a blessing to others, and to love those around Him.

2: Be content:

A good friend once told me the keys to being content were: Don’t Compete, Don’t Compare, Don’t Complain. That's a pretty good start, and to keep us from competing, comparing, and complaining, Paul defines contentment best here:

• Philippians 4: 12-13 “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. ¹³ For I can do everything through Christ,^[d] who gives me strength.

3: Get in God’s Word

If we're believers, we have no excuse but to be students of God's Word.

• Hebrews 4:12: For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
• 2 Timothy 3:16:  All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

4: Be intentional with your thoughts & words

I’m going to park right here for a second. As an author words are a HUGE deal to me. We create with them, and they have purpose and a meaning. Check this out: God created the world with his Words…and we're made in His image, meaning in part, that our words too, are powerful. He says we can speak life or death with our words (Proverbs 18:21), build up or destroy (Proverbs 12:6), and we're accountable for the words we speak (Matthew 12:36-37). Thoughts turn into words, so both are a  big deal. Our mind/thoughts/words need to be transformed and focused.

• Romans 12: 2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
• Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

5: Forgive:

• Matt 6: 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins

I don’t claim to understand all the ins and outs of this verse, but I will say, when we are able to kick our pride to the curb and forgive, there is some serious healing and stress relief that takes place. Sometimes we need to forgive, sometimes we need to ask for forgiveness, and often it's a combination of the two.

Here's the bottom line:

We can CHOOSE to be blessed in the stress. We choose love others, be content, get into God's Word, be intentional with our words & thoughts, and forgive.

I'm thankful for that choice, aren't you?

 

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