Contributing to The Spirit of America
About once a year I have had the privilege of being a contributing author to a book. In years past, I contributed to such books as Ready to Wed, Supporting Families Through Meaningful Ministry, The Christian Leadership Experience, and Spiritual Mentoring of Teens as well as others.
My latest contribution is in the new book, Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Spirit of America. It releases today, and the stories within its pages are inspiring, to say the least. I think the timely nature of this book is important to many of us right now.
If you’re like me, this election cycle has been challenging, frustrating, confusing, and disheartening on many levels. Although our system seems to be terribly flawed, I have chosen to remain consciously aware that we are still a very great nation. We are still a country with so many freedoms, so many rights, and so many blessings that we often take for granted.
America truly is a great country, with people who are generous, patriotic, creative, industrious, and more. We are nation of heroes, a country who helps other countries and other people who are need help. We are a country of traditions and a culture that has a Judeo-Christian foundation at its roots. All this makes our country strong.
When I travel to other countries and see what they’re dealing with–the corruption, the excess or the lack of things we take for granted–its typical for me to breathe a sigh of relief when I get home to the United States of America and am again able enjoy all that we have. My husband and I have been to more than 40 countries, and we always return home with a new found appreciation for America.
But our flawed system can cause us to feel cynical, even disillusioned and angry at times. It is then we need to find a little encouragement, a little inspiration that can align our thinking back to center and give us a fresh and positive perspective once again.
My story in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Spirit of America is called “Summoned to Court.” It’s about an experience I had on a jury, a lesson that showed me what an amazing judicial system we really have. The other stories in this book can help realign our thinking as well, so I’m proud to be part of it.
So if you need a little inspiration about our country right now or in the future, pick up Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Spirit of America and be encouraged. Here’s the link.
What has helped you to keep your perspective on our great nation? I’d like to know!
Employing Patience
It sure is interesting how God works. Today I am having hand surgery, the kind where they take my thumb apart and put it back together. The recovery takes several months, so I’m going to need an extra measure of patience for the season ahead.
My new book, Lexie’s Adventure in Kenya: Love is Patience, teaches children to be patient. Now I’ll have to employ a good deal of patience—the very thing I taught in the book—while I have use of only one hand and heal. So to that end, and for all of you who need a bit of encouragement as you learn patience now or in the future, here are a few inspiring quotes that may help. God’s not finished with any of us yet!
“God’s way of answering the Christian’s prayer for more patience, experience, hope, and love often is to put him into the furnace of affliction,” Richard Cecil. Yup, I think surgery might be my furnace at the moment.
“We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world,” Helen Keller. What a woman she must have been!
“Patience is not simply the ability to wait—it’s how we behave while we’re waiting,” Joyce Meyer. Very true. I’ll remember that when I have physical therapy. Smiles.
“Our real blessings often appear to us in the shape of pains, losses, and disappointments; but let us have patience, and we soon shall see them in their proper figures,” Joseph Addison. Hmmm. Got to ponder this one.
“I have seen many storms in my life. Most storms have caught me by surprise, so I had to learn very quickly to look further and understand that I am not capable of controlling the weather, to exercise the art of patience, and to respect the fury of nature,” Paulo Coelho. Interesting.
“Good character is not formed in a week or a month. It is created little by little, day by day. Protracted and patient effort is needed to develop good character,” Heraclitus. When all is said and done, may you and I be found with a new measure of patience and stronger, more godly character that will bless others, especially God.
How is God teaching you patience? I’d love to know!
For the Love of Books!
Several years ago I started a tradition of reading stories to my grandchildren over Skype, and it’s been fun. But the best of all is when they request my book, Lexie’s Adventure in Kenya: Love is Patient. Since the oldest was the model for it, she says it’s her book, but the other two enjoy it as well, and I can’t wait to have an entire collection of books written by their grandma. But it’s not just that book they enjoy; they love anything I read to them!
A recent study out of the University of Nevada at Reno discovered that a child who has more than 25 books in his or her home is equal to a year of education, and a child who has read or been read 500 or more books equals 3.2 years of education! I’m going to shoot for the 500 or more books, and I know my daughter would agree.
It’s easy to impart the love of reading to your preschooler. Reading books aloud builds vocabulary, comprehension, attention, and a love of books. Be sure to use a lot of drama, excitement, emotion, and inflection as you read to hold their attention. And ask lots of questions as your read through the book.
Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or caregiver, always keep books handy. My daughter encourages reading by letting my granddaughters take books in the car and to their naps and quiet times, rather than toys. She’s a wise mom, and the girls look forward to “reading” books anytime they can.
Put books in the car, in your bathroom, in every room of your house. And when a child says, “I’m bored,” respond with “read a book” to help them know that they never, ever need to be bored if there are books around.
Model the love of reading by letting your child see you read…and not just on technology. Let them see you hold a book, flip a magazine page, or read a paper. And then talk about what you’re reading. And if you’re reading on your Kindle, be sure to tell them you’re reading a book and share a little about it. They won’t know unless you tell them. Why would a child want to read if she never sees you read?
Make reading a social event. Go to the library or bookstore regularly. Take your child to the library’s story time, or start one yourself. In your mom’s group, be sure to include a reading time, or if you have a play date with other moms, take time to read a book. And don’t forget to give books as gifts.
Read constantly. Read signs, posters, billboards, menus, recipes, instructions. Play games as you’re driving, like “Who can find the letter “S”?” Give your child notes, even if she can’t read them yet. Write letters to her. Create a reading culture, and your child will learn to love the adventure of reading.
What are other ways to impart the love of reading? I’d love to know!
A Deeper Look
Today I’d like to give you a deeper look into Lexie’s Adventure in Kenya, my debut illustrated storybook for children, ages four to eight. It’s the first book in my Love Series Storybooks about 1 Corinthians 13.
What’s more fun than going on an exciting adventure with a friend to a far-away place—and explore an interesting culture while learning how to love others as God does?
This beautiful watercolor picture book tells the story of a little girl and her family who travel to Kenya, Africa, to visit missionaries and the Maasai tribe. Lexie learns to be patient meets a mischievous boy who becomes a bully to her.
In the book you’ll also meet:
- Mutaka–a Maasai boy who bullies Lexie
- The Bordens—Missionaries to the Maasai—Mr. and Mrs. Borden and their two boys, Jesse and Trevor
- Lexie’s family—her father who travels around the globe helping missionaries, her mother and her little brother, Cori
- The Maasai—an African tribe in Kenya who have many interesting cultural uniquesses
- A sneaky snake—and more African animals.
With The Love Series, children and adults can snuggle up together and learn how to live out 1 Corinthians 13 principles while they enjoy adventures around the globe. I hope you’ll find your new friends to be a special part of your lives!
Lexie’s Adventure in Kenya is available on Amazon now!
And please leave a review of the book. It’s really quite simple. Just tell others what you liked about the book…the characters? the illustrations? Lexie learning to be patient? The lesson in bullying? The sneaky snake?
What do you think of this book? I’d love to know!
Just Playing Around
When I’m with my granddaughters, one of our favorite things to do is to go to a playground. Their imagination goes wild! Swings let them fly like birds. Slides let them soar like a dolphin in the blue ocean. Monkey bars let them be monkeys swinging in trees. Rings and balance beams let them be acrobats in the circus. It’s great to watch them have fun, use their amazing imaginations, and be creative in their play.
My very favorite playground is my imagination. For me, there’s nothing more exciting than dreaming up a lovely setting or a compelling dialogue or discovering a character’s new perspective that changes her life. When I write, I’m definitely in one of my favorite play places, and when I’m done “playing”, I feel like I’ve had a fun afternoon at the playground.
I’m tired but happy. I’m satisfied and energized. I’m content.
When we use our imagination, creating makes us feel alive, and when we fully access the possibilities of it, it’s a blast. We hear sounds and see details that we might not ever see otherwise. We smell the rain coming and taste flavors we might never taste with our tongue. We feel the leather or the rough homespun cotton of an Irish immigrant. We hear conversations that make a difference in the lives of others.
Our mind’s eye becomes vibrant with the details and scenes and characters and plots that challenge our fingers to virtually fly over the keys, trying to keep up with our excited creativity. We enjoy the journey so much that it doesn’t matter if our stomach is growling or sweat forms on our brow or our girlfriends are e-mailing. We are in the zone. We are playing in God’s playground.
We’re giving birth to a story, and we know it’s God leading us to write it down. For those of us who are not writers or haven’t yet experienced such elation, don’t worry. We writers are not crazy. You’re not crazy. We’re all just unique. And that’s okay.
Whether you’re a four year old on the playground, a fourteen year old in English class, a forty-year-old beginning writer, or an eighty-four year old seasoned author— allowing the imagination to play and creativity to grow will open your world to an exciting new life. And even if you’re not a writer, creating a new recipe or building a new wood project can give you that creative excitement and play.
So no matter where you are in life, go and play in the playground of creativity. Let your imagination soar and let inspiration and creativity flourish. Make time for it. Develop the skills to grow in your creativity. Let the childish play begin, and see what God might do.
What’s your favorite playground? I’d love to know!
Celebrating the Adventure
There are so many things to celebrate as I launch my first indie publishing adventure. Most of all, I want to celebrate YOU—all those who have stood with me, encouraged me, read my blogs, and spurred me on. It’s been a long and winding road, but you have been there, and I appreciate it more than you can ever know.
The work of writing is often a lonely one, but when people like you connect with me—whether through a blog post comment, a FB “like”, a retweet, or personal interaction of some kind—well, that makes my day, week, and sometimes my month! Thank you.
To my husband who gives me the space and time to keep on keeping on. Thank you!
To my illustrator who made the story come alive with her beautiful art. Thank you!
To my designer who puts it all together into a wonderful thing called a book. Thank you!
To my picture book critique group who massaged the story over and over again until it was just right. Thank you!
To my writing colleagues who faithfully gave me honest feedback, even when that feedback was tough. Thank you!
To my friends and family who have inspired me, cheered me on, and never given up on me. Thank you!
To all who encourage me through their texts, emails, or social media contacts. Thank you!
To all you non-writers who just don’t get why I spend my days and years creating “stuff” without criticizing. Thank you!
To everyone who doesn’t say, “Why aren’t you published yet?” Thank you!
So now, if you haven’t had a chance to check it out, here’s the link: http://www.amazon.com/Lexies-Adventure-Kenya-Love-Patient/dp/0692686630/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1460662300&sr=1-3&keywords=Lexie%27s+Adventure+in+Kenya (There’s also a hardback and ebook edition). I hope you and the children in your life enjoy it, and I’d be so honored if you would pass on the word and write a review.
Thanks again! What do you think? I’d love to know!