Santa Cruz, California, October 28th, 2014

Santa Cruz, California, October 28th, 2014

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Yes, but what about the wings?


So, I've talked about why I write and what I write.
Now, I'd like to talk about how I write.
Or, more specifically, how I came about actively pursuing the dream of writing.

I've always been an avid reader, and I read rather quickly, with excellent retention.
Which makes book buying expensive when one factors in the amount of time it takes me to read a book.

Let's go back to 1990, when I was pregnant with the first of our four children. All was fine up until late October, when I got very tired. I wasn't due til December 22nd, which means I had about 8 weeks to go.

I went to my check-up, and was stunned to find out my blood pressure was WAY up.
The doctor hmm'ed and said. "Go home. Rest. NO sodium."
I rested, went back a few days later. And it was worse.
"Go home. Rest. Stay in bed."
"Stay in bed?"
"Yes, you're now officially on bed rest. I sure hope you like reading, watching TV and reading. Oh, and by the way, you cannot be alone. Not for one minute. Don't even lock the bathroom door."

I had toxemia. And I had it bad. 

Well, there went all the fun plans. 

So, on certain days of the work week, my husband John would drop me off at my parent's house. While there, they and my Mom's Hearing Ear Dog, a white poodle named Lambchop, would take care of me.  
The other days, my best friend Robyn Peters would arrive before John left for work, and would take care of me until he came home.

Yes, I did A LOT of reading. And talking. And napping.
Robyn helped with my Christmas baking. Ha! "Helped". She did it all
I did the sprinkles.

John and I would share the books I'd gotten from the church library. 
He'd say "you could write better than that."
I love him, but he was nuts. He said that a lot.
 Not that he was nuts, but that I could write.

Fast forward to December, 2011.
I had come to the Rubicon of my deeply hidden dream. I decided if I was to ever take the leap to write, it was going to have to be soon. I was 48, and not getting any younger. Also, my days of Momming littles was over. 

So, I began.

In secret.

It was Christmas holidays, all the kids were off school. Which meant they all slept in. So, beginning on the 26th, I stayed up late into the wee hours, writing.

A few nights after I started, I tiptoed into our room at about 2:30am.
It was pitch dark. John was asleep.
Since I was still in jeans and a sweater, I needed to get into my pajamas and slip into bed without waking him up...
I closed the door as quiet as a mouse.
I took a step.
Silence.
I took another.
Silence.
One more step.

"Do you mind telling me WHAT you're doing on Facebook in the middle of the night?"

He was furious.
Not slightly annoyed. 
Not kind of mad.
He was seething. 

Oh no.

I could hear how his anger shaped the fury of his...his...not his question, but...his inquisition.
Pain was already involved. 
His.
What was his wife doing online late at night?  

"I'm...uhh...not on Facebook..."
My heart was about to burst.

"Oh really? Then what exactly are you doing?"
It was pitch black in that room.
And that was just his voice.

"I'm...uhh...uhhhhh..."

"What?!"

"I...startedwritingabook!"

Total silence.
Nothing.

Jennifer, you are so stupid...

I heard him take a breath.

...so stupid!!

"WELL, IT'S ABOUT TIME!!! WAY TO GO, HONEY!!!"

Have you ever had a moment when you could just about feel that most important someone set your wings into your back, and tell you it's time to fly?

When I get tired of what it actually takes to write a book, and the feathers fall and I need encouragement? There he is, my husband of 26 years, smiling up at me. "Fly. Just fly. You can do this."

In my second book, I ask a question about love. The question was gifted to me by my dear friend and Navajo mentor, Theodore Charles.



www.birdspix.com
"Which wing is more important to the bird?"




Monday, July 13, 2015

The State of Pollyanna's Union.



There's been some talk lately about the state of Christian publishing, and how things are either grand, or grinding to a halt.

I may be a bit Pollyanna-ish on this, but here's my take.
And as always, for my strength, I look to my faith.

One of my favourite phrases has always been "Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might."

So, let's look at that passage in Ephesians, shall we?

But first, imagine you're actually there...in Ephesus....sniffing the pink oleander...




You just checked some scrolls out of the library...





Now you're waiting for Paul of Tarsus to come and speak...







Eph 6:10-17 (NIV) ...Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.


Now, read that again, and tell me what armour is missing?
Go ahead, I'll wait.

Figure it out yet?

There's no mention of what shall cover our backs, what piece of protection will the armour makers have forged to save our spines and necks?
Why?

Perhaps, and this is a thought I heard a while ago, and I can't remember where, but maybe...
Maybe???


God never meant for us to turn our backs on the battle

Read that again.

When does God realize He's losing? 

When does He sound the retreat for His kingdom? 



Never.



Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Visiting with Jenni Brummett today...come visit!!


Hey peeps, Happy Canada Day!!!

Today, I'm visiting with my good friend Jenni, and we're discussing houses...and I'm discussing a home that is VERY special to Canadians.


Yup, Green Gables.


So hop on over to http://jennibrummett.com/books/my-life-as-a-criminal-began-at-green-gables/