Category Archives: Blog

Understanding the Importance of Seeking Help: A Lesson in Humility

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Too often, we try to handle everything ourselves. We consider our options based on experiences, confidence, financial constraints, and the desire to maintain control. But sometimes circumstances, and God, remind us it’s okay to seek help.

In the past, I had designed each of my e-book covers, and I had intended to do the same for my memoir. This time, I was determined to expand my skills and create a paperback cover. However, my initial efforts fell short of my expectations, so I revisited my photo achieves and selected three different photographs. With a clear vision in mind, I tried to bring my cover design to life, but as time passed and health issues kept me down, it was clear I wasn’t up to the challenge. 

I needed help, but seeking assistance meant I had failed.

Or did it?

For months, I had self-edited my completed manuscript more times than I can count. I made changes (twice) based on my critique partner’s suggestions before doing the same with an editor, then a proofreader. I tackled computer and social media tech problems, spent many hours planning a book launch, creating posts to gain beta readers and launch team members, designing announcement posts, and much more. All this between health issues.

I was exhausted.

I had to make a decision.

Quit or trust God to complete the work He began in me, and reach out to Dawn LeGros, a talented book cover designer.

When I finally contacted Dawn, instantly, the burden of trying to do everything myself lifted. Dawn provided thorough explanations whenever I had questions or needed clarification. Her exceptional communication abilities and friendly demeanor made the entire experience effortless and enjoyable.

Using my photos, Dawn created an eye-catching e-book and paperback cover that perfectly captures the essence of my memoir. Here she is with her adorable 10-year-old daughter, Lilly, after receiving a complimentary copy from me.

Selfie by Dawn LeGros

By seeking help, we not only ease our own burdens, but also allow others to showcase their talents.

Are circumstances or pride stopping you from accomplishing your dream?

If so, here’s a prayer to help you move forward:

“Father, thank you for the dream you’ve placed in my heart, and the skills you’ve enabled me to learn along the way … for the wisdom to know when I need help, and the humility to seek it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Check out Dawn’s beautiful covers on her website and Facebook:

From Dreams to Reality: 3 Questions to get you Started

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Photo: Canva

Many of us don’t expect a gift to fulfill our dreams or lead to a significant lifestyle change. However, that’s what precisely happened when my husband’s gift (sorry, no spoiler) kindled a shared dream to relocate our family.  

Dreams give us hope; they connect us to goals and potential glimpses of a future yet to be realized. Maybe you’ve always wanted to live in a different state or country, or relocate from town to the country or vise versa. You might adore where you live, but you’d love to spruce up your home. Not all our dreams will come true. Some are passing thoughts. Others stay with us until we take that first step to bring them about … to live them to the fullest. Perhaps you’ve been mulling over a dream for months, or maybe even years because you’re not sure. Here are some helpful questions to ask:

What do I want for our family?

Do we Want to Change our lives?

How can we make it happen?

The answers to these questions helped my husband and me make the decision to move. We missed who we had been as children: country off-springs. We wanted our sons to have the same experiences, so we figured out how to make it happen.

Your dream is important, even if it isn’t to create a rural lifestyle. Working to fulfill a dream ignites purpose and enthusiasm. This is powerful. It can encourage your children, spouse, family, friends, and co-workers.

Be inspired through our experiences and useful tips applicable to most people by preordering Country Perks and Grit today, while it’s discounted! You’ll find a bit of humor, arduous and sometimes scary events, leading to a fulfilling adventure.

Six Steps to Get You through the Waiting Period to Your Dream

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This is the road to my home. It’s mentioned in my upcoming book, which is delayed, possibly until after the holidays!

An alternative word for delay is pause. Somehow it feels less discouraging than Merriam-Webster’s definition: hinder.

Who wants to feel hindered from accomplishing their dream?

Pause; however, offers a breather to wait in rest for God’s perfect timing.

Maybe you’re waiting for a raise. Or a package in the mail. Perhaps it’s a car repair or the birth of a child. Recently, my husband spent many days repairing several waterlines. Rain, huge tree roots, and lack of parts delayed the work. After retrieving a wrench from the garage, he stopped at the wooden bench, where I had gathered a few garden vegetables. With a sigh, he remarked, “This is taking longer than I thought.”

I chuckled. “Try writing a book!”

Waiting is hard no matter what size your dream is or how you hope to accomplish it. We don’t easily accept obstacles or individuals that slow us down.

I confess I had to pray for trust during this unexpected pause in publishing my book. I had to keep reassuring myself that God is in control, that He knows exactly how and when to lift the fog.

The Bible says all we need is the faith of a mustard seed, and honestly, sometimes I don’t even have that much.

There’s a saying among authors that we use to encourage one another. It goes something like this: Take a break from your manuscript. When you pick it up again, you’ll see it through fresh eyes.

This is true of most dreams. Facing a pause is more than a breather. It’s a time of rest and trust. It enables us to embrace personal and spiritual growth, new perspectives, and ignites creative spark.

Here are six ways that are helping me to rest and strengthen my faith while I wait for the Holy Spirit to lift the fog.:

  1. Stop thinking about how hard the waiting is. Focus on the good to come from it.
  2. Learn how to enjoy this time through prayer, praise, and meditation.
  3. Share your gifts; help someone else move forward with their dream.
  4. Challenge yourself to do something new.
  5. Plan for when the fog lifts.
  6. Don’t give up. I repeat: Don’t give up!

“5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

What do you find helpful while waiting to move forward?

A HUGE Reason to Celebrate

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What a milestone, to celebrate life THIRTY YEARS FREE FROM my first bout with CANCER! In the past, October has been a hard month for me. It’s when I learned I had this dreadful disease, when subsequently, October became laced with more cancer scares.

This year, I feel different . . .

Blessed.

Grateful.

So very GRATEFUL, minus any sadness from past Octobers.

There are so many ways to celebrate. If you’d like to commemorate October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, here are a few ideas how you can help cancer patients:

Sign up for Send a Smile Today with a subscription to send cards to cancer patients, friends or family.

Looking for volunteer opportunities? Here’s a list of cancer-related groups.

Not sure what to say to someone with cancer? Here’s a list of what not to say.

Want to help financially? Check out this list of 30+ charities and organizations.

If you’re a cancer patient or have been, you’re not in it alone. People all over the world are fighting for you.

Common and Unique Pet Names have Value

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What unique pet names have you heard or given to your adorable companions? Naming them is such a joyful moment. It creates a bond between you and your pet, and lets them know they are an important family member. Once they identify with it, it gets their attention and hopefully encourages them to listen to most of your commands. Just like God, when He changed Abram’s name to Abraham in Genesis 17:5 as a sign of His promise to him, we, too, name our pets as a vow to love and care for them.

Names have been significant since the beginning of time. Psalms 147:4 tells us God called all the stars by name. NASA Science Universe Exploration states astronomers estimate the universe could contain up to one septillion stars! Only God could name that many stars. Knowing He did, tells us how important this is.

Some of the most adorable pet names I’ve heard include:

Have you ever named a pet after a favorite food, song, or celebrity? I loved naming the pets in Dress Shop Miracles, especially the unexpected, little white kitten that suddenly entered Molly’s life. I took great thought to connect its name with the main character’s hopes and dreams.

In real life and in my upcoming memoir, you’ll get to know some of my beloved pets by name, characteristics, and adventures. Unfortunately, not all of them made it into my book. Some of those include Betsy, Brutus, Whitey, Princess, Bobo, Poopsie, Bow, Tiger, and Francine. I bet you can’t guess what breed each is. I’ll give you a hint. They’re not all canine or feline.

Coming back to my question, I’d love to know what unique names you’ve heard or given to your adorable pets, fur babies or otherwise? If there’s a special story attached, I loved to read about it too.

Christmas in Northern Hearts

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Guest Blogger #8

By Laurie Wood

Northern Hearts (Heroes of the Tundra Book 2) is my Christmas novella set in the real-life town of Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. It’s called the Polar Bear Capitol of the World. I set my entire series there, and my husband and I flew up in 2019 so that I could do proper research on the town and its polar bear research facilities.

I set this story during the Christmas in between Northern Deception (Book 1) and Northern Protector (Book 3). The inspiration for the story came to me out of the blue—I love it when my brain and creativity strikes like that—because I was thinking about family situations and secrets.

I had the vision of a rich young woman with every advantage she could have in her life, but still yearning for more. And her family held a long, dark secret in the past. She’s about to find out about a family member she had never known existed before, and how that person had been following her life from afar.

The hero is the opposite. He’s grown up without a proper family in the foster care system and the unknown family member of the heroine has been a stand-in mother figure for him. When the hero and heroine meet and are forced to work together for thirty days to meet the legal requirements of the family member’s will, they have to examine what their relationships mean to them and learn to work together.

Being a romance, they will fall in love, but I include some real-life festivities that take place in Churchill, and some traditions that I wish I’d done myself over the years. I believe that family traditions keep memories alive and serve the purpose of keeping families intact, especially when children are young and growing up. Once they’re grown up, some traditions need to change to facilitate the changes in the family make-up, for example, adult children marrying and the “family” enlarging.

Like the Sabbath being made for man, not man for the Sabbath, as Jesus taught us, I think that family traditions like every person being present at Christmas dinner when that may not be feasible, need to be looked at in the light of love and common sense. Christmas dinners may need to be done rotationally. Traditions may need to grow and change as the years go by.

That doesn’t mean that our Christmas excitement and celebrations of our one true King shouldn’t take place or be enjoyed. They just may look different from year to year, and that’s all right. The true meaning of Christmas is that Jesus is the Light of the World and our Saviour. I wish you all a blessed Christmas!

If you visit my website at https://www.lauriewoodauthor.com and sign up for my newsletter, you’ll receive a gift. Thank you for being with me today.

You can buy Northern Hearts here: https://amzn.to/33CFJeE 

Northern Redemption (Heroes of the Tundra Book 4) will come out in 2023.

Embracing Christmas Traditions

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Guest Blogger #7

By Julie Arduini

Thank you so much for hosting me today!

As a child, each Sunday we could count on roast beef for dinner. If we’d lost all calendars and had no idea what day it was, seeing roast beef on the table would give us a clue it was at least Sunday. Honestly, because it was so predictable, I made fun of it.

Until I moved to a dorm and my family Sunday dinner was whatever I found in the dining hall.

It was then I started to understand the importance of traditions. As a young adult I no longer complained about a Christmas Eve present, a tradition, and knew it was going to be pajamas. Once I married, we’d add attending Christmas Eve service before opening that present. On Christmas morning we’d read Luke 2 before opening presents. Christmas dinner would be at my childhood home, where there would be a ham dinner. Once I got pregnant and violently ill thanks to the spiral ham, the tradition forward was turkey.

Fast forward and our two children are young adults. One is married and about to experience his first Christmas away from home and with his new traditions. Both my parents and my in-laws are gone. The moments I reflect on those past Christmas seasons I realize it is the traditions I hold close.

Some traditions might seem silly like the one my sister, a teacher, created “reindeer food” outside Christmas Eve with my kids. When her son came along, we added him to the process. I still remember his glee when he’d go outside and find the glittery concoction had been touched. Even at 23 and 19, last year my kids headed out to help spread the food. It’s a fond memory for both of them.

There are also traditions that probably only our family invested in. My parents worked hard, but like most families in the 70’s and 80’s, from paycheck to paycheck. Mom did a lot of her shopping after Christmas because it was affordable. One gift she stumbled upon was a vendor at the mall who created a “blue ice village.” Each year I would receive a piece. I was excited to showcase each piece under the tree. To this day, that village goes under my tree. Mom etched each piece with the year she gave it to me. That village means the world to me not for the unique look, but because it came from my mom.

Last year was our first Christmas without a parent. Our boxes were surrounded by memories and traditions I now see I took for granted. I assumed those things would always be there, just like my parents would. The reality is they are gone, and if I don’t pick up the traditions, they die too.

We decided to keep mom’s traditions but added one. Instead of opening a Christmas Eve present, we chose something with a humorous side to help us through our grief. We drew names among the kids, my sister, and myself and chose a white elephant gift. Once unwrapped our tokens included a large glittery rubber duck to a calendar of dogs doing their business. If we keep that game up, it will be a fun tradition that I’ll cherish as one that got us through a rather bleak time.

If you’re facing a Christmas full of traditions that don’t make sense to you, or seems too costly in time or finances, ask God to help you see the interaction as He does. For me, a lot of what I thought was boring and predictable when I was younger was in reality tangible moments with my family I’ll never get back. Those traditions became precious memories, and that’s what I’m left with. There’s nothing in a store that could equal the value of those Christmas times.

What are some of your Christmas traditions? What do you think of them?

Julie Arduini loves to encourage readers to find freedom in Christ by surrendering the good, the bad, and—maybe one day—the chocolate. She’s the author of the new contemporary romance series SURRENDERING HEARTS (Anchored Hearts, Repairing Hearts, +four more.) Her other romance series is SURRENDERING TIME (Entrusted, Entangled, Engaged.) She also co-wrote a YA series with her daughter, SURRENDERING STINKIN’ THINKIN’ (You’re Beautiful, You’re Amazing, You’re Brilliant.) Her stand-alone romances include MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN and RESTORING CHRISTMAS. Julie maintains a blog at juliearduini.com and participates in the team blog Christians Read. She resides in Ohio with her husband and daughter. Learn more by visiting her at http://linktr.ee/JulieArduini. Her newest release can be found at
https://www.amazon.com/Anchored-Hearts-Surrendering-Book-ebook/dp/B09XH1KVXD

Far From Home Christmas

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Guest Blogger #6

By E.V. Sparrow

In 1975, I accepted Jesus Christ’s work on the cross for my salvation, and a few months later, my parents sold my childhood home. We moved into a new community for people over 55. Because of my parents’ ages, they allowed me in. The promise of the clubhouse pool helped sell me on the idea and get excited.

The day we unpacked the moving truck, a friendly neighbor approached from across the street, and introduced us to another neighbor, Bea. She had a son my age. As we stood in our driveway, Bea told us there were four teens now, and she was happy to meet me. She invited me to her church, the youth group, and was the first Christian woman I met. Bea discipled me before I’d heard what it was. She also has the gifts of mercy and evangelism. It’s always Christmas in her heart.

Bea is 100 years old now, and my “second Mom.” She and her family adopted me by welcoming me as a sister. Her two youngest sons were my close friends. One had the travel bug and urged me to come over to Israel and work on the kibbutz for the summer where he lived, then work for the winter in Germany. I did.

It was 1981, and I fulfilled my dream of overseas travel after listening to his stories of working seasonal jobs and traveling for several years. The thought of going to Bible story locations burned within my soul. Experience where Jesus lived and see where He died? Yes. Not only enjoy gorgeous posters of castles on my walls, but to go inside them? I must.

I purchased a one-way ticket to Israel, worked on the kibbutz for the summer, traveled, then flew to Germany to work for the winter. Visiting 14 countries gave me the experiences I wrote about in my short stories, and how God gave me the unexpected encounters with Him as I traveled.

I’d never been so far away from home until that 1981 Christmas and never dreamed of celebrating it in the magnificent setting of the German Alps. It remains my most fantastic memory of Christmas, and I wrote a short story about it for Grace Publishing’s Celebrating Christmas anthology. My hope is it will resonate with your heart.

My Bavarian Christmas story is a gift to you when you sign up for my newsletter. https://sparrow.world/christmas-in-bavaria/

Merry Christmas to all!

Author E.V. Sparrow ministered through short-term missions, worship team, prayer teams, and led small groups in Single’s and Divorce Care ministries. Sparrow’s stories surprise readers when they encounter God’s unexpected presence. She recently signed a contract for three books, with Celebrate Lit. Watch for her first release in December 2023.  You can connect with her here: https://linktr.ee/ev.sparrow

Christmas Season Must-Watch List

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Guest Blogger #5

By Karin Beery

I love the holiday season. It’s not just Christmas—it’s the love, anticipation, grace, and thankfulness that fills our house every November, December, and January. I start decorating the first weekend of November, and I have to pace myself when it comes to wrapping presents, donating gifts, and baking (and baking and baking) so I don’t do it all in one week.

While I’m doing all of those things, I always have a Christmas movie playing in the background.

Though I enjoy Hallmark holiday movies, I can’t watch them while I work—it’s too easy to get sucked into the plot and stop working! Instead, I have my Must-Watch List of traditional and nontraditional movies. They’re perfect for the season without being too distracting (because I’ve seen each one a dozen times!).

Christmas movies became a staple in my life when I was single because I often felt lonely in my apartment by myself. Even though I’m married now, we’re a childless couple. We spend Thanksgiving or Christmas with my family, but the other holiday is spent at home with each other. I love my husband, but our small family lacks the craziness I grew up with having two sisters with less than four years between all of us. I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but now I crave the familiar coziness of it all.

Though I’d rather be with family, these holiday movies set the mood, and because I’ve seen them so many times, it makes it feel like the house is full of friends. I can’t wait to watch them again this year!

Here’s my list of Must-Watch holiday flicks.

Traditional:

White Christmas
The Santa Clause (1, 2, and 3)
The Holiday
Elf
Holiday Inn
The Man Who Invented Christmas

Nontraditional:

Little Women (1994)
Die Hard (1 & 2)
While You Were Sleeping

I’ll also usually watch Home Alone and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, but those are really for my husband, not so much for me.

What about you—are you a fan of Christmas movies? Which is your favorite?

(Movies aren’t the only tradition at our house—click here for the easy-to-make recipes for my husband’s two favorite holiday treats!)

Author of hopeful fiction with a healthy dose of romance, Karin Beery also owns Write Now Editing, helping authors turn good manuscripts into great books.  She lives in northern Michigan with her husband and pets. They drink too much (decaf) coffee, put up their Christmas tree the first weekend in November, and do their best to live every day for the Lord.

Some places where you can connect:

https://www.facebook.com/authorkarinbeery/

https://www.instagram.com/karinbeery/

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/karin-beery

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2666258-karin

A Common Girl, An Uncommon Time

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Guest Blogger #4 Part II

By Jane Carlile Baker

Thanks to Caesar Augustus’s demand for a census, which Mary didn’t mind, since it rescued her from Nazareth, Mary and Joseph trod the same crowded road Mary had six months ago.

The donkey plodded along, and she recalled arranging her clothing to mask her expanding abdomen when she’d walked back into Nazareth after her visit with Elizabeth.

Mary planned to circle around Joseph’s house, but as she was about to, there he stood. Smiling.

“You know that angel?”

“Um hm”

“I met him in a dream. He told me this incredible story’s true. The hundreds of years we’ve waited for our Messiah have ended. Right here, in Nazareth. And just so you know, it doesn’t surprise me one single jot that Yahweh picked you. I’m so sorry I didn’t believe you before. Forgive me?”

“Oh Joseph.” She’d run into his arms.

She’d begged to go with Joseph, though a wife could stay at home if she wanted. Only, she couldn’t stand the staring eyes and wagging tongues of Nazareth, or her parents’ shame, one more moment. Now the sunset as Joseph led their donkey into Bethlehem.

Ouch! What was that? Wait, was it the beginning of birth pains? They grew stronger as the couple came to each door where another innkeeper rebuffed Joseph.

Finally, an innkeeper who also claimed no rooms, seeing her endure a strong contraction, pointed to a stable behind his inn. “You can take her there.”

The Son of the Most High would be born in a stable? Not a palace? Not even a house? Yahweh, what are You doing?

You are rich in something more than gold and silver, Mary. I draw attention to what matters by where you birth My Son.

Joseph piled up clean straw for her, and when she’d accomplished Jesus’s birth, she gazed down into His eyes– His deep eyes held eternity, and love. God had done what He said He would do. Joseph took Him from her and laid Him in a manger where he’d arranged more clean straw. How could she mother God’s Son? How can I, Lord?

I will guide you. But you will make mistakes because you are human, and I am prepared for that.

Rough shepherds appeared and lingered at the entrance. “May we come in? An angel told us while we were keeping the temple sheep that our Savior is here in a manger.” They looked over at Jesus sleeping in His swaddling clothes.

Mary wondered again. No kings, prophets, priests, or warriors–just shepherds? Common people, like her and Joseph. Father, are You telling us that faith is more important than the power, education, or wealth our world approves?

Exactly

“Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”

May the amazing birth of our Savior lead us all to ponder.

Jane Carlile Baker met Jesus fifty-five years ago. She serves children and on the tech team in her church. Jane’s written three biographies, one nonfiction study of the Bible’s take on living in our times, and two novels. She’s at work on the third, Rogue Irishman, set in her beloved Ireland. Jane edits both fiction and nonfiction. She and her husband live in Central California with a dog and three alpacas. They have three children, five grandsons, and two great-grandchildren.

Jane hopes “A Common Girl, An Uncommon Time” warmed your Christmas. She’d love to send you free short stories once a month if you’ll sign up with your email at janecarlilebaker.com.