New Series with Lauraine Snelling! And The Story of How That Happened…
Once upon a time, a shy homeschooled teen in rural northwest New Mexico eagerly anticipated the arrival of the rural bookmobile each month. She devoured most of the books in their several shelves of Christian fiction, but her favorite series became the Red River of the North historical novels by Lauraine Snelling. She fell […]
Special Announcement: Sign Up for My Newsletter!
Hello, friends–I have some exciting news for you! In view of some upcoming developments with my writing, and out of a desire to connect more personally with you, my readers, I am launching a quarterly newsletter! You can subscribe here. I’m so looking forward to sharing this first issue with you…I’ve packed it full […]
Trusting God’s Timing: A Novel’s Journey (Guest Post and Giveaway with Lori Benton!)
You may remember me mentioning Lori Benton and the depth and detail of her award-winning historical novels in the past–I’ve been blessed indeed by both her writing and her friendship. Lori’s novels always strike me deeply with both her sensitivity in handling intercultural history and relationships, and the redemptive power in her stories. Her upcoming […]
The Shaking: Of Arendelle, America, and Stepping toward Healing
My sister and I love Frozen. Okay, maybe we’ve all heard “Let it Go” enough times by now, but there’s something about this sweet story of the love between two sisters that connects with our hearts, and I almost always tear up at the climax when Elsa is hugging Anna-turned-to-ice. Plus, all the little […]
Our Gift: A Poem in Honor of My Son’s First Birthday
I don’t usually write poetry–in fact, I’ve told my students many times that they write far better poems than I can! But for some reason, in this season of quarantine, free verse poems have been bubbling up in my heart like never before. So this week, in honor of my sweet little boy’s first birthday […]
The Birth of a Baby Boy…and a Mommy
Nearly seven months ago, a little after two o’clock in the morning and after about twenty-five hours of labor, a soft, warm, pink, little bundle was laid naked on my tummy, with a lusty yell and damp golden-brown curls. And my life was forever changed. There’s a reason I’ve been rather absent from this […]
The Color of Life: A Journey toward Love and Racial Justice
This winter, I’ve had the privilege of being on the launch team of Cara Meredith’s debut memoir, The Color of Life. Cara and I belong to the same literary agency, and I’ve followed and admired her work since first hearing her as a guest on one of Barb Neal Roose’s podcasts (which are wonderful—check […]
Getting Ready for a Baby
Merry 4th Day of Christmas, friends! I’m glad we don’t have to stop celebrating Christmas quite yet, even if the 25th is now past. I love the old English tradition of the 12 days of Christmas, carrying us right up to Epiphany on the 6th of January. Sometimes I enjoy the days after Christmas even […]
Giveaway and Guest Blog with Kathleen Maher!
Today I’m delighted to host a new writer friend, Kathleen Maher! We have connected through being regular contributors on the Heroes, Heroines, and History blog, as well as a common interest in Native American history and racial reconciliation, which all weave into our stories. I hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as […]
Of Summer Rest and Writing News
Hello, friends! It’s summertime…a special time of year. Does it feel like it where you live? After a June mostly in the 80s—sometimes even 70s—summer came with a vengeance for us, with one day reaching around 117 in our area. We survived thanks to our three window unit air conditioners (which kept the […]
Of Red Envelopes and Praying around the Globe: My 10th Grade Homeroom Boys
School is almost out! Which means I see exhaustion and I’m-so-ready-for-this-year-to-end on the face of every student and teacher in the classroom or hallway. But in the midst of being oh-so-ready-to-be-done, I have much to be thankful for from this year. Not least of which are my seven 10th grade homeroom boys—my smallest […]
3 Ways to Celebrate Black History Month—All Year Long
Well, it’s the last day of February—the month we take to especially honor and celebrate the heritage and history of African Americans. In the past I’ve written about why to celebrate Black History Month, and some ideas for how. My favorite article for this month remains one written a few years ago by my dear […]
Of Beautiful, Rowdy Stories (Thank you, Allen Arnold) – and How We Need Them
When I saw The Greatest Showman with my husband and father-in-law the week after Christmas, I sat in the movie theater and cried. It was probably partly the state of my heart right then, and lingering emotion from our own theatrical production of The Promise a few weeks earlier. But the story just captured me […]
The Promise: When Dreams Come True, Stories Live, and Nothing is Impossible with God
Last week, I sat in a darkened church and saw a story live and breathe on stage…the story of Immanuel. I saw a young girl, unsure about being betrothed to a man she knew little, have her world turned upside down when one of God’s heavenly warriors showed up in her little home in Nazareth, […]
He Never Said It Would Be Easy: of Theater Productions, Marriage, and the First Christmas
It’s almost Christmastime. In many ways, the season has already begun—Christmas music on the radio, Christmas movies on Netflix. We even got our Christmas tree this past Sunday, much to our kittens’ amazement and delight—and some scolding as we learn the Christmas tree is for looking at, lying under, and gently playing with the lower […]
Of Two Little Kittens and Lessons in Love
My great-uncle Glenn passed away last Friday. He truly was a GREAT uncle in every sense of the word—over six feet tall, an encyclopedia of knowledge on everything from science to literature to history to woodworking to plants, and always ready with a wisecrack, a story, or a hug. This past Easter, the last […]
When the Pupils Teach the Teacher: 7 Lessons from My Students
If you become a teacher, says Anna Leonowens in the classic musical The King and I, your pupils will end up teaching you. (That’s not exactly how the line goes, but I can’t quote songs on a blog without infringing copyright.) But you get the idea. 🙂 And it’s true. We’re into our […]
A Prayer for America after Charlottesville
Lord Jesus, We need you right now. I know we always do, but I’m very aware of our desperate need at this moment in our country. There’s so much hurt, Lord…so much hate. How we must be grieving Your heart. Yet I have to believe that You can bring good, even from this. Use […]
How I Thought I Didn’t Want to Be a Teacher (And Why I’m Glad I Was Wrong)
Sometimes my students ask me if I always wanted to be a teacher. “I think I did,” I say. “But I didn’t realize it.” Many times in my six years of working in the Writing Center at our local community college as a tutor and TA, different English professors would ask me if I […]
Our God who Grieves: BBC’s Father Brown, Unexpected Tears, and Jesus
My newest favorite BBC TV show is the cozy mystery series Father Brown, based on the character created by author G.K. Chesterton. He reminds me of a cross between Sherlock Holmes and Father Tim of the Mitford books, this balding, kindly priest with equally incorrigible compassion for lost sheep and taste for a good mystery. […]
Of Birthdays, Looking Behind and Ahead
Earlier this week, author Barbara Neal Roose, a fellow writer with Books & Such Literary Agency whose encouraging blogs and podcasts have really blessed me—check her out here!—posted a special blog in honor of her birthday. She shared her struggles with past birthdays, how the Lord has helped her come to rejoice over them, […]
Hiking in Canyon de Chelly: Of Kit Carson, Scorched Earth, and Our Desperate Need to Listen
It was a warm, blue-skied afternoon on our recent trip to Arizona and New Mexico, and Anthony and I were about to hike down into historic Canyon de Chelly. First Ted and Evie, our hosts and my dear friends for a number of years now, walked us to several of the most famous lookouts […]
When Love Comes Softly: The Day I Didn’t Want to Say Good-bye
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading these snippets of Anthony’s and my love story–“Our Story”–so far! Click here if you’d like to catch up on previous installments. It was late at night—going on 10:30 as we stood talking in the community center parking lot. I needed to get home, and let Anthony go […]
Of the Fourth of July, a Messy America, and Hope
Growing up, I loved celebrating the Fourth of July. Most years, my family would head to a nearby large, grassy park late afternoon. We’d watch the small-town parade of veterans and boy scouts and antique cars and children on streamer-bedecked tricycles. One year we even entered ourselves and rode on a “covered wagon” built […]
Our God Who Knows: Blog Tour and Giveaway with Author Debbie Lynne Costello!
Today I’m excited to host historical author Debbie Lynne Costello here on my blog! It’s been a blessing to get to know Debbie a bit as she has welcomed me as a new blogger on the Heroes, Heroines, and History blog, of which she is a hostess. In addition to sharing some of her personal […]
Our Story: Of Good Friday, Little Girls, and Opening Hearts
I hope you’ve been enjoying reading snippets of Anthony’s and my story so far! If you’ve missed earlier installments, feel free to check them out here. I stood in the darkened church that Good Friday, my heart a mingle of emotions. Beside me stood Anthony—the first time we had worshipped together. He […]
Music that Tells a Story: What Are Your Favorite Soundtracks?
It’s the week before finals at our high school. And it shows–whether in my brain-fried students, two of whom called me completely different names the other day, or in myself, who later the same day stopped at a green light for no apparent reason, yielding my husband’s alarm and taking over the driving after […]
Of Graduations, Rainbows, and His Faithfulness
My little sister graduated from college last Saturday. It doesn’t seem that long since she was graduating high school—in fact, I posted about it here. She seemed so grown up then, yet now, looking back, the eighteen-year-old Maren appears so young. Today she has a B.A. in Theater Arts, with […]
Our Story: Of “Getting to Know You,” Virginia Reels, and a Certain Waltz
I hope you’ve been continuing to enjoy Anthony’s and my love story! If you’d like to read the first two installments, click here and here. Anthony and I were on our second official “outing,” to the local arboretum where he invited me to visit. While I still felt a bit shy and awkward—especially […]
Inauspicious Moments Leading to Land of My Dreams: Visit and Contest with Author Norma Gail!
Today I’m excited to have writer friend Norma Gail visit my blog! You may remember Norma from her first visit here when her beautiful contemporary romance, Land of My Dreams, first debuted. This spring her novel is “turning three,” and in celebration Norma is hosting a special contest and giveaway. See below for details, […]
Our Story: Of First Dates, Critique Partners, and Facebook Messages
I hope you are enjoying this series! Read the first installment here. Anthony and I had just had our first date. And I felt rather discouraged. It’s not that we hadn’t had a pleasant time—we had. He’d taken me to see the new movie Saving Mr. Banks, and I’d greatly enjoyed it. I […]
Maundy Thursday: Through John’s Eyes
“Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” ~John 13:1 John I don’t understand, Lord. Since supper started, things haven’t been […]
Our Story: How I Didn’t Fall in Love at First Sight
I didn’t fall in love at first sight with my husband. In fact, when I first saw Anthony, I thought he was interested in someone else. Which he was, at the time. And when we first went out, I was actually interested in someone else. But I’m getting ahead of the story. […]
Come and See: Glimpsing His Presence Now
We stood around our students, we teacher-chaperones, our arms outstretched over them. Together we prayed, aloud and all at once, as believers in Korean churches often do. And amid sniffles from the students and tears pricking my own eyes, I felt the presence of Jesus there, covering us, surrounding us. Have you […]
One Year Ago…
One year ago, God began something new. He took two broken people—with strengths and weaknesses, heartaches and foibles—and brought them together, bound into one by vows and exchanged rings beneath an arch of hydrangeas, surrounded by loving friends and family standing to support us, taking the bread and cup together beneath a […]
And our Winner Is…
Thank you so much to all who participated in our 28 First Kisses Giveaway this past week! Today I’m delighted to announce that our randomly chosen happy winner is…Kristy! Congratulations, Kristy! We hope you deeply enjoy this delightful novel. Thanks again for joining the conversation, everyone! I hope you will still take a […]
Can You Have 28 First Kisses? Interview and Book Giveaway with Sandra Barnes!
I have a special treat for you this Valentine’s Day week: a delightfully romantic book giveaway! If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you may have seen me mention my amazing friend, critique partner—and wonderful YA novelist—Sandra Barnes. Today I want to introduce her to you again, along with her newest […]
Praying for US – A Reminder from Across the World
I received an email from my friend in New Zealand the other day. We’ve never actually met, but that is one of the blessings I’ve found in our current digital, Social Media world—being able to make friends all over the place, even without meeting in person. I know online relationships aren’t the same […]
Of Hidden Figures, Inaugurations, and Finding Reasons to Hope
My husband and I sat in the movie theater watching Hidden Figures on Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year. I loved the movie—so well written, directed, and acted, and such a beautifully inspiring true story. If you haven’t seen this uplifting film of three African-American women, mathematical and computer geniuses working at […]
Falling like the Rain: Mercies in the New Year
It’s raining as I write this, pattering gently down outside the darkened windows of my parents’ white farmhouse-style home. I’m in their cozy guest room upstairs, the one with quilt-covered bed and fireplace and the little antique desk where I’ve done much writing. Though I no longer live in this place, it’s been […]
That Night in Bethlehem…Merry Christmas!
A bit of a 3rd day of Christmas gift for you, friends…thank you for joining me in some of these snippets from the Journey to Bethlehem yet again, and Merry Christmas! Joy to our dark and troubled world…our Lord is come. “How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is given So God imparts to […]
Journey to Bethlehem: Mary
Join us on this special Advent journey! And be sure to comment with an idea for another character to add to this series if you want to enter the Cozy Christmas giveaway (see this post). Stay tuned for more…and a blessed Christmas season to you, friends! Mary “For the Mighty One has done […]
Journey to Bethlehem Time – and a Christmas Giveaway!
It’s Advent, friends! Perhaps the time of year most precious to my heart. Over the past few years, I’ve been so blessed by writing and sharing the “Journey to Bethlehem” with you, as I’ve taken time to slow and ponder what might have been on the hearts of the various real people who were privileged […]
Looking to the Kingdom: Of Elections, Division, and Reasons to Hope
It was Election Day, and my Journalism students entered the classroom vigorously debating the merits—or lack thereof—of the U.S. presidential candidates. I told them that it was fine to have opinions, but they needed to be civil to each other. Upon which some defended their freedom of speech, only to be reminded that […]
Native American Heritage Month: Creating a Common Memory
I watched my students, their faces stricken. My heart pinched for them . . . because I remembered how it felt, to learn some of these things for the first time. This school year I’m teaching American Literature, and one of things I love about our school is the flexibility to somewhat develop my […]
Learning to Listen: How I Wasn’t Letting My Native Characters Have a Voice
I hadn’t been sure what was wrong. This story-in-progress, my third full novel manuscript, has definitely been my most troublesome “child” so far. First, my heroine didn’t want to behave, taking months before she would even “talk” to me. (Yes, novelists hear people who aren’t real. But I don’t think you need to sign […]
Someday, Somewhere: Of Shootings and West Side Story, Then and Now
We stood in the parking lot, my sister and mom and I, talking animatedly though the clock ticked toward eleven at night. It was this summer, less than two weeks after the killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, followed by the shooting of five police officers in retaliation, and the country was reeling. […]
Of Change, Broken Bowls, and God’s Grace
Change isn’t always easy. Or perhaps better to say—is change ever easy? This past year has held incredible life changes for Anthony and me. Being engaged . . . getting married . . . moving . . . starting to teach high school (for me) . . . the sometimes wonderful, sometimes stressful task […]
A World on Fire and Aslan on the Move
It’s been quite a summer, hasn’t it, friends? Not only has it been a rather full and crazy month or so in my own life (hence not much posting here!), but it’s been a hard one in America and round the world. First there was the awful bombing and attempted coup in Turkey. […]
Victorian Letter-Writing Tips and Social Media: What do you think?
I have lately been perusing through a delightful antique volume I received from my grandmother, the 1892 edition of Modern Manners and Social Norms by Mrs. Julia M. Bradley. (Okay, I have a thing for old books—no wonder I like to write historical fiction. 🙂 ) It’s been helpful in researching my current […]
Dr. Who and Jesus: How Watching BBC Sci-Fi Helps Me Know God Better (No, Really…)
A few weeks ago one of my students asked me, “Mrs. Giron [both they and I were still getting used to that name], are you a Who-Lockian?” “A what?” I asked. “A Who-Lockian. A fan of Dr. Who and Sherlock.” “Oh,” I said. “Well, I guess thanks to my husband, I’m […]
Have Mercy on Us: Of Old Liturgy, Chalk Words, and When We Just Need His Grace
England has been on my mind a lot lately—partly because my husband and I love British TV shows (really, I do like Downton Abbey and Dr. Who and Call the Midwife and Sherlock way better than most American shows I’ve seen!). And partly because my sister is going to get to study abroad at […]
Laden with Happiness and Tears: Sunrise, Sunset in Life and Marriage (and a Few Wedding Photos too!)
In case you didn’t know, I got married about six weeks ago. (See photos!) My beloved and wonderful husband, Anthony, and I have been busy settling, and you may see some changes coming to my website (and name) in the weeks and months to come. But don’t worry, we’ll make sure things don’t get too […]
And the Crazy Thing Is, It’s All True: Star Wars, Godspell, and Stories That Give Us Hope
I have married into a Star Wars family. My beloved new husband, Anthony (yes, I’ll post some wedding pictures soon!), grew up on the Star Wars movies and delved into the novels as a teenager. His mom loved Ewoks, and his younger brother’s alternate moniker is Vader (though he’s an extremely good-natured guy). […]
He is Risen: Through Mary Magdalene’s Eyes
As we celebrate our Lord’s resurrection today, I thought I’d share the last installment from the “Journey to Jerusalem” series posted in years past. Happy Easter, dear friends–He is risen! He is risen indeed. May that truth and hope fill your hearts today. “Therefore you too have grief now, but I will see you […]
More Than Enough: Of a Song, Singleness, Getting Married, and Just Needing Jesus
The sermon series at church lately has been on, “How do we love?” Each week, the speakers have focused on loving a different group of people. When the focus has been on marriage and singleness, a couple of points especially stuck out to me. Marriage is good. Singleness is also good. Marriage […]
5 Reasons to Celebrate Black History Month – Whatever Your Color!
Originally posted February 5, 2015. It’s February—Black History Month! Sometimes people feel that separating out a select month for African-American history only emphasizes racial divisions rather than helping overcome them, but I love how my friend Sandra Barnes addresses this issue here. It’s only in the last few years that I’ve really become aware […]
In Honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
A re-post from last year’s “Stories that Need to Be Told: Selma, #BlackLivesMatter, and a Truth Commission,” posted January 21, 2015 (though with an update at the bottom) in honor of this MLK day. With all the heartache and death and division that’s continued to tear our country this year…and yet also many efforts toward […]
To Us a Son Is Given
This post taken from the “Journey toward Bethlehem” series, first posted December 2011. I hope you enjoy this peek into what it might have been like to be one of those real people present the night Jesus came. Merry Christmas! “How silently, how silently The wondrous […]
When We Desperately Need Christmas
Over the past few years, I’ve shared the “Journey toward Bethlehem” with you reader friends as we’ve explored what might have been in the hearts and minds of those very real people in the quiet, wondrous, incredibly human-and-divine miracle we celebrate at Christmas. The coming into this dark and sin-broken world of Jesus…for us. […]
“Do Not Be Afraid” in a Scary World
I was feeling good. My classes had gone well so far, things felt fine between my fiancé and me. After my last study hall for the morning, I clocked out for my break and opened Yahoo to check my email. And saw, “Breaking News: Active Shooter in San Bernardino, CA.” With beating heart, […]
Grieving with Paris…without forgetting the rest of the world
My family and I spent one day in Paris nearly eight years ago. And I fell in love with that city. I know not everyone loves the feel of Paris…some people very dear to me don’t. And I was a bit surprised myself. I’m not that much of a big city person […]
When We Simply Need to be Held
A broken heart is a very tender thing. I was at college. Amid being a new transfer student at my university, and all the other adjustments and homesickness of new people and new classes and being away from home, I had just discovered Facebook evidence that the guy-friend I’d been building castles in the […]
Living in a War Zone: Spiritual Battle and What’s Really Going On
Some of my favorite movies are set in wartime. At the beginning of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, German bombers drone ominously over London, sending the Pevensie children and their mother scurrying for their lives into a bomb shelter. The war forces Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy away from […]
5 Reasons Why I Love Teaching at an International School
A few weeks ago, I mentioned how I’ve really enjoyed the international aspect of the high school where I’m the newly-minted English teacher. This week, I thought I share with you a few more reasons why this environment of missionary kids and students from all over the world is pretty awesome. Intercultural friendships happen […]
When Heart and Flesh are Weary: Glimpses of Eternity
I kept trying to ignore the gentle nudge. I sat outside the building where our classes meet, under the big oak tree at the picnic table that seems built for first graders, though our high school students often have lunch there. Purple pen in hand, I was trying to annotate my way through […]
6 Lessons from My First Week behind the Teacher’s Desk
I just finished my first week of teaching high school English. This job came about quite suddenly and unexpectedly—it really did seem a “God-thing.” I learned about the opening at a small private Christian international school near us only days after I realized I needed to find a new job—not because I didn’t like […]
When He Calls You Out Upon the Waters
Last Sunday my family went for a catamaran ride. I don’t think I even knew what a catamaran was before last week. But while up on Santa Cruz for a week—thanks to generous cousins making their beach cottage available to us—my dad found that joining a group on a catamaran would […]
But Prince Charming Didn’t Act Like That! (And Neither did Cinderella): When Real Life Isn’t a Fairy Tale
The Prince bent, and slid the glass slipper gently onto Cinderella’s foot. It was a perfect fit. And as he stood and took her into his arms, she knew this was only the beginning of their happily ever after. They were married, and it was so…except for a few things. Like how […]
When Your Prince Hasn’t Come: Or, the Baby and the Sheep on the Airplane Screen
It was the baby that did it. I was at LAX Airport, departing for the 2013 ACFW conference. I had lots to look forward to—seeing two of my critique partners, meeting with my agent and potential publishers, a trip to visit friends in New Mexico on the way back. My first completed […]
Once Upon a Time: A Story and an Engagement
Once upon a time, there was a little girl who loved to play Cinderella. She would don her grandmother’s tattered patchwork skirt and go about with her broom, or dress up in her mother’s beribboned petticoat and bedjacket and run upstairs fleeing the “palace” and leaving her slipper behind for the prince—who might […]
After Charleston: How Now Shall We Live?
It’s been quite the couple of weeks, here in America. We’ve had a historic and divisive Supreme Court decision, my own state of California has passed a controversial law on vaccines, and we’ve been shaken by the sharpest reminder in some time that violent, blatant racism is far from dead. How are you […]
Of Relationships, Healing, and Hard Work: In Fiction and Life
Over the past year or so, I’ve realized a lot of my writing—at least my fiction writing—is about healing and relationships. Healing of relationships, or healing through relationships. Relationships that bridge cultural and racial divides, and relationships right within families. Often both. In my first manuscript, my characters Tse and Caroline begin […]
Praying for Charleston…When There Are No Words
I’m not sure what to write, reader friends. I’d already been struggling to come up with a blog for this week (as evidenced by my lack of usual Wednesday post yesterday), as my mind has been rather occupied with matters other than writing of late…more on that soon. But now in light […]
Of Summer Rain and Quietness
It rained last night. Oh, I know that might not seem unusual to those of you in more eastern climes where summer rain falls often. But to us in drought-parched southern California, where rain on a warm June night is near unheard of even in good years, this moisture came a sweetly […]
Touching History: Woolworth’s Lunch Counter, Medgar Evers, and Me in DC
Sometimes history seems far away. Though we know it happened, the people in those grainy black-and-white photographs or rich-hued oil paintings seem to belong not just to another time but another world. It’s hard to fathom they once lived and breathed and loved and laughed and wept on the same ground we walk today. […]
In the Footsteps of History: Snapshots from a Trip to Washington DC
Well, I’m back, friends! And what a week it was in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC as my sister and I soaked up the green with our drought-dry California eyes, explored this area of our country so saturated with history, and enjoyed the hospitality of dear friend Sandra Barnes and her gracious family. (By the […]
A Visit to the Home of Frederick Douglass
Greetings from the East Coast, dear reader friends! I apologize for not posting last week…things have been a bit crazy, but good. And right now my sister and I have the privilege of visiting my dear friend and critique partner, Sandra. We’ve been having a wonderful time enjoying her family’s hospitality and exploring historical sites […]
Hope When the World is Falling Apart
I know, kind of a depressing title, right? But if you’ve been monitoring the news the past week or so, maybe you understand a bit what I mean. My heart has been heavy for those in Nepal, with loved ones buried under piles of earthquake rubble…for those in Baltimore, where pain and frustration […]
Why I Hate Tension—and Why I Maybe Shouldn’t
A fat rubber band lay on every seat in church this Sunday. The worship leader assured us at the beginning of the service that this wasn’t a mistake, but we had to wait to find out the purpose of these scattered office supplies. Once it came time for the sermon, the pastor, after some […]
The Impossible Dream: Newsies, Abolitionists, and Us
Recently, my family had the treat of seeing a live production of the Broadway musical Newsies. My feet tapped and heart swelled with delight as I watched the singing, dancing, show-stopping performance. Little puts a grin on my face as easily as top-notch musical theater! (If you’re the same way, watch this trailer—doesn’t it […]
The Wood’s Edge Giveaway Winner!
Thank you to everyone who commented and shared in our special interview and sneak peek with Lori Benton–and who entered the giveaway for a copy of her powerfully beautiful, about-to-be-released historical novel, The Wood’s Edge! Today I have the pleasure to announce that our winner is: Donna B.! Congratulations! And if you hoped to win […]
Sneak Peek, Interview, and Giveaway: The Wood’s Edge with Lori Benton!
We have a very special treat today—I am hosting one of the final sneak peeks into Lori Benton’s newest historical novel, The Wood’s Edge, before its release on April 21st! The beauty and power of Lori’s writing, as well as our shared heart for Native American history, made me a devoted fan of […]
Journey to Jerusalem, Day Five: Mary Magdalene
Thank you for joining me for this special Easter journey! Read Parts One, Two, Three, and Four of our “Journey to Jerusalem” here. Happy Easter–He is Risen! “Therefore you too have grief now, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.” […]
Journey to Jerusalem, Day Four: Peter
Join us for this special Easter journey! Read Parts One, Two, and Three of our “Journey to Jerusalem” here. A blessed Good Friday to you. “All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To […]
Journey to Jerusalem, Day Three: John
Join us for this special Easter journey! Read Parts One and Two of “Journey to Jerusalem” here. A blessed Maundy Thursday to you. “Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own […]
Journey to Jerusalem, Day Two: Mary of Bethany
Join us for this special Easter journey! Read Part One of “Journey to Jerusalem” here, and feel free to subscribe to be sure you don’t miss any of the series. “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted…to grant […]
Journey to Jerusalem, Day One: Andrew
In the spirit of Journey Toward Bethlehem, I hope you’ll join me on another special journey with several biblical characters this year as we move toward Holy Week, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. Remember you can subscribe (see right sidebar) if you want to make sure not to miss an episode. 🙂 Blessings! […]
Stories from the Heart: Finding Neverland and Winnie-the-Pooh
I recently watched the movie Finding Neverland for the first time. I was touched and moved by this story, based on a true one, about the sensitive Scottish author of Peter Pan and the little family of four boys and a widowed mother who captured his heart and helped inspire the timeless tale of the […]
When He Makes Us Lie Down In Green Pastures
Well, last week I blogged about To-Do List Craziness. And apparently what happens when I let my to-do list get too crazy is: I get sick. Sometimes I think the Lord lets me get sick just so I’ll slow down a bit. Does that ever happen to you? Thankfully—one of the […]
To-Do List Craziness and Remembering to Be Still
I don’t know about you, but lately I feel like I’m constantly trying to catch my breath. Not physically, but just trying to keep on top of all the . . . stuff to do. I need to finish reading a manuscript for a dear critique partner. Then I need to read a […]
A Conversation in Black and White: Two Friends Talk About Race
When I started getting ideas for how to honor Black History Month on this blog, I sent them to my friend and critique partner Sandra Barnes for her feedback. She responded with her usually gracious insight, but then she said: “Also, IF you really want to go deep, get the conversation started, demonstrate […]
Of Lent and Looking for the Light
Note: Taking a break from our Black History series today to focus on Lent, but watch for a special guest to finish the month off next week! It’s Ash Wednesday, friends. The beginning of Lent, when believers round the world will take time to look into ourselves—and hopefully, at the Lord—and prepare our hearts […]
Five Ways to Celebrate Black History Month—Whether You Have Before Or Not!
Last week I wrote of some reasons why I think Black History Month is worth celebrating, whatever our color. But how can we celebrate it? Here are a few ideas I’ve come up with—please feel free add your own in the comments below! 1. Learn Read biographies, slave narratives, historical fiction, and original writings […]
Five Reasons to Celebrate Black History Month–Whatever Your Color
It’s February—Black History Month! Sometimes people feel that separating out a select month for African-American history only emphasizes racial divisions rather than helping overcome them, but I love how my friend Sandra Barnes addresses this issue here. It’s only in the last few years that I’ve really become aware of Black History […]
Music that Tells a Story—and Helps Us Better Tell Ours
The other evening, my parents watched The Legend of Bagger Vance for their “date night” in our living room. “It was a good movie,” my mom told me afterward. “Sounded like it,” I said, “by the music.” It’s funny. I had picked up very little of the storyline from the bits and […]
Stories that Need to Be Told: Selma, #BlackStoriesMatter, and a Truth Commission
Stories. They matter, because God uses them to reflect His truth and reach our hearts. And because He Himself is the most masterful Storywriter of all. I loved some of the comments and insights you readers shared on this topic here last week! But sometimes stories also matter because they need […]
Once Upon a Time and Into the Woods: Why Stories Matter
I watch movies differently than I used to. I’m not as picky about content now, though if I have children someday, I’m sure I’ll carefully and prayerfully monitor what they watch. But lately for myself, while I still pay attention to language and sex and violence red flags, I care more about […]
He is Here: Immanuel in the New Year
On Sunday I sat and watched as a script I’d written came to life. A project that’s been growing for four and a half years now, this little drama explores the journey of Mary, Joseph, and the other human participants in Jesus’ coming to earth, built into a musical around Michael Card’s beautiful […]
When We Were Gone Astray: The Gospel and Christmastime
We took Communion at church this Sunday. I followed the line of other believers up to the front, received the fragment of bread and tiny cup of deep red juice. As I held them, heading back for my seat, I passed the Christmas trees, still decked with their red and gold balls and […]
Journey Toward Bethlehem, Day Twelve: Simeon
Thank you to all who have followed our Journey Toward Bethlehem this Christmas season! I hope you have been blessed as I have. (If you want to catch up on any parts you’ve missed, just click here!) May the Lord bless you each one with His Immanuel presence through the rest of this special […]
Journey Toward Bethlehem, Day Eleven: To Us a Son is Given
And our Journey Toward Bethlehem has reached its fulfillment (watch for one more follow-up installment soon!). But this extra-special Christmas post is published this year on Molly Green’s online magazine. Please click here to read…I hope you are blessed. I have been by sharing this journey with you! Merry Christmas, friends. To us […]
Journey Toward Bethlehem, Day Ten: Mary
Join us as we continue this Advent Journey! Click here to read Days One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, and Nine. “Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting light The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight…” Mary So much waiting, and […]
Journey Toward Bethlehem, Day Nine: Elizabeth
Join us as we continue this Advent Journey! Click here to read Days One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, and Eight. “Lo, how a rose ere blooming From tender stem hath sprung Of Jesse’s lineage coming As men of old have sung…” Elizabeth Mary and Joseph sup with us […]
Journey Toward Bethlehem, Day Eight: Joseph
Join us as we continue this Advent Journey! Click here to read Days One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, and Seven. “Come, Thou long-expected Jesus Born to set Thy people free From our fears and sins release us Let us find our rest in Thee…” Evening light glints on the soldiers’ […]
Journey Toward Bethlehem, Day Seven: Mary
Join us as we continue this Advent Journey! Click here to read Days One, Two, Three, Four, Five, and Six. “Of the Father’s love begotten Ere the worlds began to be, He is Alpha and Omega, He the Source, the Ending He…” Mary Joseph came home tired tonight. He tries not […]
Journey Toward Bethlehem, Day Six: Elizabeth
Join us as we continue this Advent Journey! Click here to read Days One, Two, Three, Four, and Five. “Let all mortal flesh keep silence and with fear and trembling stand Ponder nothing earthly-minded, for with blessing in His hand Christ our God to earth descendeth Our full homage to demand.” […]
Of Clogged Shower Drains, Crazy Schedules, and Christmas as a Time to Love
Note: If you’d like to follow my special Christmas series Journey Toward Bethlehem posted throughout the week, feel free to subscribe on the right side of the home page or here to get notification of new blog posts. Your email won’t be used for anything but that. 🙂 I heard a rare […]
Journey Toward Bethlehem, Day Five: Micah, a Shepherd
Join us as we continue this Advent Journey! Click here to read Days One, Two, Three, and Four. “O come, O come Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear…” Nights fall cold and early now. The sheep crowd near us as we huddle […]
Journey Toward Bethlehem, Day Four: A Wise Man
Join us as we continue this Advent Journey! Click here to read Day One, Day Two, and Day Three. Star of wonder, star of night Star with royal beauty bright Westward leading, still proceeding Guide us to the Perfect Light. Balthazar By the flickering flames of the oil lamps […]
Journey Toward Bethlehem, Day Three: Mary
Read Day One and Day Two here. “For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name. And His mercy is upon generation after generation toward those who fear Him. He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their […]
Stories in Community: Bespoke, Star Song, and the Christmas Chronicles
Note: If you’d like to follow my special Christmas series Journey Toward Bethlehem posted throughout the week, feel free to subscribe on the right side of the home page or here to get notification of new blog posts. Your email won’t be used for anything but that. 🙂 There’s an old idea that writers […]
Journey Toward Bethlehem, Day Two: Joseph
Welcome to the continuation of our Advent journey! Read Day One here. Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit . . . ~ Isaiah 11:1 Joseph She is gone . . . thank God, she is gone. I grip […]
Journey Toward Bethlehem, Day One: Elizabeth
Amid the bustle–and often, stress–of this season for many of us, it helps me to have intentional ways to focus my mind and heart on why we celebrate this time of Advent anyway. To remember that Jesus really did come to this messy world of ours, to real people in real, and often difficult, circumstances, […]
Where Is God When the World Is Dark: Meditating on Immanuel
Sometimes life is not easy. My family lived with and cared for my elderly grandmother for over eight years until she went to heaven at ninety-six. I’m so glad we had those years with her, and we have many sweet memories. But sometimes, not having a home of our own and being continually […]
Thanksgiving Amid the Imperfect
Do you ever find it hard to be thankful? I do, sometimes. And judging from a chat with someone else today, I’m not alone. I’m not thinking of the struggle to give thanks in difficult circumstances, though I’ve certainly experienced that before. Right now, though, I have much for which to be thankful—loving […]
“Getting to Know You”: Creating Characters
I’ve been getting to know some new folks the last few months. In many ways, it’s like forming any new relationship. I have my first impression, and think these might be some pretty cool friends. I get to know them a little better, and see some of my initial opinions might have been off. […]
5 Ways to Honor Native American Heritage Month (Whether you have before or not!)
Do you celebrate Native American Heritage Month? I haven’t become very aware of it until the past few years. And though I’ve been learning more about the stories and heritage of the host peoples of our land year-round, I haven’t usually done anything much different during November. But this year, I had several ideas […]
God Works in a Weird Way
When’s the last time God worked the way you expected Him to work? Think about it a minute. Have you thought of an example yet? Me neither. So why do I keep expecting Him to? A couple of weeks ago, I started watching again History Channel’s “The Bible” series that I’d begun […]
A Mighty Fortress is Our God: Messed-Up Reformers, Flawed Saints, and How God Uses Us Anyway
I grew up celebrating Reformation Day on October 31st (no offense to my Catholic friends out there!). My teen years are peppered with fond memories of dressing up in 16th century garb, eating lentil stew by candlelight, and playing the piano for us to sing Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” together. […]
The Story of a Critique Group: Meet Three of My Best Friends
We gathered, stiff and quiet and rather nervous, in that small room at the 2011 Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. For most of us, it was the first time we’d ever been to a writers’ conference. We were four new novelists, each working on our first major manuscript. And we were about to have our […]
An Ever-present Help: Guest Post with Norma Gail
Today we enjoy another guest post from my New Mexico writer friend Norma Gail! I hope you enjoy her reminder from God’s Word today and also check out her lovely released-this-year novel, Land of My Dreams. If you enjoy settings as diverse and romantic as Scotland and New Mexico–and a love story deeper than many–you […]
Mustard Seeds, Yeast, and the Slowness of God
Sometimes God takes a whole lot longer than I’d like Him to. I know this isn’t unique to me. Moses, Abraham and Sarah, Elizabeth and Zechariah, all had to wait a very long time for God to fulfill His purposes and promises for their lives. And the Israelites—boy did they have to wait. […]
A Peek into the Past: Living History at Fort Tejon
So sorry for the lateness of this posting, friends–I’ve been a bit swamped getting back in the swing of things after this year’s ACFW conference in St. Louis, Missouri. But…I thought you might like to take a peek into the setting of my next novel! Fort Tejon, California, was an occupied military outpost during the […]
Reconciliation is Possible: Freedom Riders, Police Chiefs, and the Grace of God
I read the most beautiful story in the newspaper yesterday. I’m not much of a newspaper reader. For most of my life, my dad hasn’t been either, but the last few years he’s enjoyed taking in a Daily Times. And he’ll save articles he thinks would interest me, usually those covering Native American […]
Adopted by God: Guest Post with Norma Gail!
Please forgive the lateness of this posting! Website problems. 🙂 Norma Gail has been such a blessing to get to know over these past few years through writing connections online, though we’ve yet to meet in person! Norma is a New Mexico writer, so though I don’t live there anymore, we’ve connected through our stories […]
“Apart from Me You Can Do Nothing”–and Why I Often Need to Be Reminded
It’s been quite a week! This past Saturday, I took a wee trip into the past—and the setting of my next novel—at Fort Tejon, California, with their monthly Frontier Army Days Living History event. I used the magic words “I’m a writer” and watched as the floodgates of the interpretive staff’s knowledge and even […]
Not Against Flesh and Blood: The Spiritual Side of Reconciliation
Have you ever noticed that times when God is working in your life, when He is using you, are the times most likely for relational conflict and tension to crop up? I think it’s one of the Enemy’s favorite—and ugliest—methods of attacking God’s children: to divide them against each other. I’ve seen it in my […]
Thy Kingdom Come
Last night I was at a prayer meeting where friends shared burdened hearts, feeling lost and without a sense of God’s direction for the future, aching over the pain of others and in the world. Then today I got an email prayer request for Christians in northern Iraq, where the militant group ISIS is […]
Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy: Racial Reconciliation and Our Sinful Hearts
“Come ye sinners, poor and needy, bruised and broken by the fall Jesus ready stands to save you, full of pardoning love for all…” ~ from an old hymn by Joseph Hart Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve heard from an African-American friend of how her children have been hit and […]
A Rock in the Midst of Change
I tend to like change. Until it actually happens. My sister is more realistic. She doesn’t like change, and she knows it. I’m a bit more all over the place. When a potential life change looms on the horizon, I get excited—perhaps it’s the latent pioneer girl in me. Then it actually hits: […]
Stories that Help Us See: Transformational Fiction
I didn’t used to care that much about Native American history and culture. That might surprise people who’ve met me in the past few years. 🙂 Oh, I knew some. I studied a little in school, knew the Native peoples of this land hadn’t been treated very well, and even lived near the […]
The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn: Giveaway Winner and Follow Up
Thank you so much to all of you who commented on the “Characters of Color, Christian Fiction, and the Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn…Giveaway!” post last week. I’ve never had quite so much discussion on this blog! It was wonderful to hear all your perspectives and insights. I’m still learning so much about all this […]
Characters of Color, Christian Fiction, and The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn…Giveaway!
Enter below for a chance to win a signed copy of The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn! I love Christian fiction. But one thing that sometimes bothers me about the genre is its color…or lack thereof. Oh, the covers might be beautifully colorful, with lavish historical costumes and inviting landscapes. But with a few […]
God’s Guidance and 5 Small Loaves
I sat on the carpet in their living room, with these friends in their home on the Navajo Nation, and shared my heart. Last September, I’d just come from the ACFW conference in Indianapolis and then stopped to visit friends in New Mexico and Arizona. While staying with Mark Charles and his […]
Out of the Ruins: Interview with Author Karen Barnett
Would you like to travel back in time to the 1906 San Francisco earthquake? Well, maybe not in real life, but how about in the pages of a book? Author Karen Barnett‘s second historical novel, Out of the Ruins, released just this spring (following her very successful 1920s suspense Mistaken), and […]
It’s Going to be Okay
Our little gray kitty cat knows a number of words. She knows “Outside” and “Food” and her name, “Rosie.” And of course the ubiquitous “Here, kitty, kitty!” She’ll come to that call—at least when she wants to. Another phrase she seems to understand is, “It’s okay.” We use it often to reassure […]
My Writing Process – Blog Tour!
Hello, reader friends! Welcome to this special Monday posting for the My Writing Process Blog Tour. You might have previously followed this tour with Norma Gail, New Mexico writer friend and author of the lovely new novel Land of My Dreams. Read her post for this tour here. Now, on to my part! I’m […]
Remembering the Days of Old
Note: I do apologize, reader friends, for the lack of a post last week and the lateness of this post today. I seem to have been a bit off-kilter of late, plus I’ve been sick, but I expect to be back on my normal Wednesday posting schedule next week. Also watch for a special […]
A Little Fish and a Big God: Finding Nemo and the Prodigal Son
My sister and I just watched Finding Nemo for the, ahem, first time. (I know, I know, it’s a classic, please don’t hate us.) But we really enjoyed it, and last night after we finished it, my sister said to me, “It’s kind of like a Prodigal Son/parallel to Jesus story, you know?” […]
When A Story Begins to Own You: Special Double-Post with Jennifer Major
Last week my friend Jennifer Major presented a question I’ve been pondering: “When did you know the story owned YOU? Jennifer and I both write about Navajo history in our novels and have been blessed with the same Navajo/Anglo family to take us under their wings and teach us much. So today, we […]
Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife, and Me
Special Note: Stay tuned for a special “same day blog” with Jennifer Major next week! And now, for our current program… For the first time in my life, I’m following a couple of current TV series. I’ve been watching through PBS online or Amazon Prime streaming, as we have neither cable nor a […]
When You Have to Trust One Day at a Time
The past couple of weeks, I’ve started watching History Channel’s The Bible series, as it’s now available streaming on Netflix. Despite some (unnecessary) inaccuracies and a lot of (necessary) condensing and cutting of the story, it still touches me, maybe because I’m such a visual learner, to see biblical accounts I’ve read so many times […]
A Long Talk to Freedom: The Power of Conversation for Racial Reconciliation
Continuing the conversation from last week’s “Friendship as a Key to Racial Reconciliation.” A few months ago, I saw the Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom movie with my dad. What a powerful story of a courageous and hugely influential man. But one thing that struck me from the movie’s title was that Nelson […]
Special Post: Mothers of the Bible Speak to Mothers of Today Giveaway!
A special Tuesday post before my normal Wednesday posting: Please check out this wonderful giveaway from author Kathi Macias! Click here to enter a special extended Mother’s Day drawing of her devotional book, Mothers of the Bible Speak to Mothers of Today. Kathi Macias is a wonderfully faithful author of Christ-honoring books, both […]
Friendship as a Key to Racial Reconciliation
Recently the racism in Donald Stirling’s alleged remarks has created a bit of a media uproar. For me, it’s been another reminder, as with Trayvon Martin, that while we’ve made progress, racial tensions are far from resolved in America. And it’s gotten me thinking. If Mr. Stirling did indeed make these remarks, I can’t help […]
Input Please! What Kinds of Posts Would You Like to See More?
Hello, friends. So…I’ve been wondering lately how to make my blog better, how to serve and connect with readers more. But I’m not quite sure the best way to do that. So since YOU are my readers, I’d love to hear from you…what kinds of posts you like the best and what types you’d […]
Interview with Land of My Dreams author, Norma Gail
It’s been a privilege and wonderful learning experience to be part of New Mexico writer Norma Gail’s book launch team this spring for her contemporary inspirational romance novel, Land of My Dreams. I’ve just recently gotten my own e-copy to read, and the story is truly blessing me, the message of “where God is when […]
A Series for Holy Week, Part 3: Through Mary Magdalene’s Eyes
Click for Part 1 and Part 2. “But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared…” ~Luke 24:10 Mary Magdalene The birds twitter in the pearly predawn as we make our way up the stony path to the tomb. I want […]
A Series for Holy Week, Part 2: Through Peter’s Eyes
Read Part 1 here, or click here for Luke’s account of Peter’s story. Peter Darkness. I stumble through the Jerusalem streets, half-lost, wishing no one to find me. I stumble and fall, cracking my elbow against an abandoned vegetable cart, welcoming the pain. I deserve far worse. I huddle on the rocky ground and clutch […]
A Series for Holy Week, Part 1: Through Mary of Bethany’s Eyes
This Holy Week, I’ll be posting several snippets from the Easter story imagined through the eyes of those who were there, some revised from last year’s To Jerusalem series, today a new one. I hope you enjoy! Please comment and share your thoughts as we experience this week anew together. Mary of Bethany Laughter, […]
And a Little Child Shall Lead Them: The Little Blonde Girl at the Pow Wow
We heard the announcement over the microphone as we arrived at the circle of booths and pulsing drums: “Where is the little blonde girl who was dancing? We want to honor her with a special dance.” Little blonde girl? Not exactly what you’d expect to hear at a Native American pow wow. The announcement repeated […]
Mighty to Save
Last week, my small group from church watched Prince of Egypt during our regular Bible study time. We’d just finished going through the story of Moses and the Exodus, so it seemed appropriate to take an evening to enjoy it on the big screen. I’d only seen the movie once before, and while it obviously […]
Catherine Richmond and Through Rushing Water: A Story of the Poncas
I first heard of author Catherine Richmond a few years ago, when we both became part of the Transformational Fiction group for writers who write stories that deal with tough issues in the light of God’s redemption and grace. (Check out and “like” our Facebook page here!) But it wasn’t until this winter that I […]
But What If I Mess It Up?
Perhaps my favorite section in C.S. Lewis’s second-written Chronicle of Narnia, Prince Caspian, happens when young Lucy encounters Aslan one night in the forest. She had seen the Great Lion the day before, but since no one else could see him, nor would believe her that he wanted them to follow him a […]
Let It Go: The Great Divorce, Frozen, and Psalm 46:10
I went on a bus trip to heaven the other night. We sat on padded chairs in the rearranged sanctuary of a community church and watched as a troop of Christian actors—the same group who gave Godspell a couple of years ago —brought C.S. Lewis’s The Great Divorce to life before our eyes. We joined […]
Of Ash Wednesday, Remembering, and Being Still
Ash Wednesday…a day that marks the beginning of the preparation. For Jesus, this had gone on His whole life. But around this time two thousand years ago, things were kicking into high gear—in God’s camp and in Satan’s. Once I read that the days leading to Good Friday were the only time in history that […]
Black History, American History
My last semester of college, one of my apartment-mates invited me and another of our roommates to a special meeting of our campus Black Student Association, of which she was a member. An African-American English professor was leading a special program, and since our other roommate and I were English majors, she thought we might […]
Stories, Spina Bifida, and How Books Change You…Especially When You Write Them
I’ll confess I haven’t always been the most comfortable around people with disabilities. I often don’t know what to say, what to do. Sometimes I might smile awkwardly, other times look away. Through the Dickens story Nicholas Nickleby and the character of Smike, as well as working with students at our local community college, the […]
Music of My Heart
Singing “Jesus, Lover of My Soul” this past Sunday to our church’s “folk band” accompaniment of guitar, mandolin, and accordion, I started thinking how songs like this connect with my heart—both old, faintly Celtic or Appalachian hymns and the more contemporary worship songs I grew up with. I love songs like this that speak of […]
Being Mean to My Characters
The other day I told my mom I was feeling bad about being mean to my characters. She laughed, but sympathized. Since stories are built on conflict—and more conflict—it’s a writer’s axiom that in writing a good story, you get your beloved characters stuck up in a tree. And then you throw rocks at […]
Why We Need Stories
I so enjoyed seeing the movie Saving Mr. Banks a few weeks ago. As a writer, I loved the “behind the scenes” angle on a story going from book to screenplay to film, plus the marvelous acting in a poignantly multi-layered story. But one line struck me in particular, and I’ve been pondering it since: […]
White Blossoms in the Dark
It’s January, and the blossom trees are coming out. Though here in southern California we do get spring flowers while much of the country lies still immersed in winter, it’s been an unusually warm month even for here, and the pink and white tufted trees keep catching me by surprise. The other night as my […]
When I Can’t
When I can’t…make hurting children cooperate. This week when I helped during after school time at the transitional housing home, I had to have a supervisor’s help with both kids I was paired with. I didn’t seem to be able to get their attention, keep them on track, or maintain control. I tried to keep […]
New Things and a New Website
Blossoms in our back garden when I lived in Oxford “Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it?” ~Isaiah 43:18-19 This verse seems to have come up a lot these past […]
Toward Bethlehem: To Us a Son is Given
Originally posted in Toward Bethlehem series, December 25, 2011. Merry Christmas, dear friends! How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is given So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heaven… Joseph And He is born. I lay Him on Mary’s chest, warm and wet and wailing, and cover them both with my […]
Christmas as War
With a somewhat heavy heart, I sang Christmas carols in church this Sunday. Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Let earth receive her king Let every heart prepare Him room And heaven and nature sing… But through my mind whirled the shootings of this past month and the mother we heard of the […]
God of the Unexpected: Mary
Our Christmas series continues–click to read Parts One and Two. Part Three: Mary “For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name. And His mercy is upon generation after generation toward those who fear Him. He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who […]
When Christmas is Messy
All our family Advent wreath times have been a bit different so far this year. The first Sunday, we rushed to do Advent wreath before dinner and my sister’s return to college in preparation for finals. The phone rang and the answering machine picked up as we read Scripture and sang carols for the Prophecy Candle…a […]
God of the Unexpected: Joseph
Our Christmas series continues from last week! Read Part One here. Part Two: Joseph, Son of David Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit… ~ Isaiah 11:1 She is gone . . . thank God, she is gone. I grip the doorframe as […]
Nelson Mandela and the Ministry of Reconciliation
South Africa The Good News / www.sagoodnews.co.za I watched this video of Nelson Mandela’s memorial service this morning. It made me choke up. I’ve been realizing how very little I knew about this man before these past few days, except that he was a great South African president, imprisoned unfairly for many years, and hugely […]
God of the Unexpected: Elizabeth
A blessed Advent to you, friends. In this season, I hope to post a more “regular” post on Tuesdays and a special Christmas post on Fridays. But first, a little introduction. 🙂 Our God is a God of the unexpected. Certainly in the way He came into this world, as we celebrate this Christmas season, […]
Unexpectedness and Beatitudes
I had hoped to write an insightful Christmas post for today, maybe even to kick off a new Christmas blog series for this month. But it just hasn’t happened, and here I am barely getting a Tuesday post in at all. After a prayer meeting tonight, though, where a theme seemed to be how God […]
One Step at a Time
I’ve been sick for the past week. It’s been a while since I was truly sick—I’ve been fighting bugs all fall, but this one got me, with a genuine bad sore throat, slight cold, and yucky-feeling chest. At first, I’ll admit I half enjoyed it—the excuse to lie around and read Sherlock Holmes, watch a […]
Lowlands of Scotland and Wrestling with God
Ruined castle amid the green – from my own trip to Scotland The story of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah set in 18thcentury Scotland? Now there’s a novel thought…pun quite possibly intended. 🙂 Liz Curtis Higgs’s Lowlands of Scotland series has rather captured my mind and heart these past several weeks. I’d shied away from Thorn […]
Veterans Whose Lives Touch Mine
Yesterday was Veteran’s Day. When I saw my godsister, who served in the Air Force for a number of years, post pictures of her personal friends killed in Afghanistan, I realized how removed I really am from the depth to which Veteran’s Day can reach. Handsome 40s couple! Poppa in his uniform. Both my grandpas […]
When We’re Tired of Waiting
I feel like I’m in a “waiting” stage of life right now. Waiting for a publisher. Waiting for some direction for my future. Waiting, I hope, for a man to partner and move forward with into that future together. I feel like I’ve often been waiting. And I know quite a few friends in a […]
Kathi Macias and Human Trafficking
Early last year, I connected with a lovely authoress after I watched an online interview she did on human trafficking, the focus of several of her novels. When I emailed to thank her for helping raise my awareness, this gracious lady, Kathi Macias, offered to send me one of her books for free, so I […]
A Writer Goes A-Journeying…
So…I realized I never shared many snapshots from my most recent writer’s journey last month, to the ACFW conference in Indianapolis and then to visit friends and go a-researching once more in New Mexico and Arizona.Well, only one way to fix that! First, a peek into the ACFW Genre Night: I modeled a 1910-era white […]
A Writer Goes A-Journeying…
So…I realized I never shared many snapshots from my most recent writer’s journey last month, to the ACFW conference in Indianapolis and then to visit friends and go a-researching once more in New Mexico and Arizona.Well, only one way to fix that! First, a peek into the ACFW Genre Night: I modeled a 1910-era white […]
Putting Things in Perspective
It sneaks up on me, sometimes. I might check facebook, and see pictures posted by friends, some much younger than I, who seem to be living the life I hoped I might by now. One posts pictures of her adorable little girls, another of her new baby boy. Another just got engaged. I’m happy for […]
On Columbus Day
Hello, friends. I’m generally only going to be posting on Tuesdays now as a regular thing. But today, I wanted to just re-share a couple of posts from years back, both sharing a little bit different perspective on Columbus Day than many of us have. Some of you may have read and watched these in […]
On Columbus Day
Hello, friends.I’m generally only going to be posting on Tuesdays now as a regular thing. But today, I wanted to just re-share a couple of posts from years back, both sharing a little bit different perspective on Columbus Day than many of us have.Some of you may have read and watched these in years past. […]
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
Lori Benton, interviewed here a couple of weeks ago, first told me about the movie Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. We share a heart for Native peoples and their often untold history, so I knew it would be a worthwhile watch, though I didn’t expect an easy one. I also wanted to see another […]
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
Lori Benton, interviewed here a couple of weeks ago, first told me about the movie Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. We share a heart for Native peoples and their often untold history, so I knew it would be a worthwhile watch, though I didn’t expect an easy one. I also wanted to see another […]
And the Winner Is…
Thank you so much to all those who participated in, entered, and just commented and contributed to community with our interview with Lori Benton and giveaway of her beautiful historical novel Burning Sky! It’s been a wonderful experience getting to know some of you a little better and others for the first time. And we […]
An Interview and a Giveaway: Lori Benton and Burning Sky! Part 2
Welcome back to Part Two of our interview with historical novelist Lori Benton! I know you’ll be blessed as she shares from her heart. 7. You do such a wonderful job of transporting us to the 18th century New York frontier—did you do much hands-on or on-site research? Thank you! Will it surprise you […]
An Interview and a Giveaway: Lori Benton and Burning Sky! Part 1
Welcome to my very first author interview and book giveaway! I have been so blessed to connect with historical novelist Lori Benton and her heart for Native American history these past few months, and I’m honored she agreed to not only be interviewed but to give away a copy of her beautiful book Burning Sky […]
A Week, an Award, and a Story
With two of my CPs at the ACFW Awards Gala Well…I’m back, friends. Back from the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) conference in Indiana, and then visiting friends in New Mexico and Arizona, with a good bit of research and learning along the way. It’s been an eventful week. My novel Beneath a Turquoise Sky […]
All He Asks of Us
Do you ever find it hard to catch your breath? My dear friend and college roommate came to spend this past weekend with me. While we had a lovely, relaxing time, she was heading back to an increasing pile of responsibilities and tasks this week. Then Monday I visited my rather overwhelmed sister at college, where […]
One Season Following Another
My sister moved to college this weekend. My best friend, my roommate, confidante, giggling and crying, girl-talk and movie nights sister…she now lives miles away. I know it isn’t so very far. I know I’ll get to see her again before too long. I know this is a good thing and where God wants her to be […]
Messy History and Mustard Seeds
Sometimes history is hard to learn. When I first read Richard Twiss’s One Church Many Tribes, at least once I stopped in tears and couldn’t pick the book up again for a while. I think it was the chapter about the abuse of Native American children at many mission boarding schools . . . central […]
Down Beside the Sea
When I was down beside the sea A wooden spade they gave to me To dig the sandy shore. My holes were empty like a cup In every hole the sea came up Till it could come no more. ~Robert Louis Stevenson I’ve been down beside the sea. Thanks to the shared space of some […]
Of Little House and the Birth of a Writer
It’s Laura Ingalls Wilder’s fault that I write historical fiction. Well, not entirely. God has something to do with it too. But I distinctly remember my mom pulling the car up to the library with me when I was little. I would jump out of the car and dash in, straight back to the shelf […]
Lori Benton and Burning Sky
Would you like to… …tread the early paths of the eighteenth century New York frontier, tugged between those who first called it home and new settlers? …feel the pull of being caught between two worlds, belonging to both, yet neither? …see through the eyes of people in a time and context far from our own—yet […]
Remembering the Long Walk
Photo from the Long Walk It was my very first interview for the story just starting to germinate in my brain and heart. Despite living five years quite near the Navajo reservation, I really knew very little about that nation of people. But my dad knew a man willing to help—Potawatomi himself, but his wife […]
You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught
My mom and sister and I finished watching South Pacific the other night. We’d started it a while ago, after I gave it, along with two other classic Rodgers and Hammerstein DVDs, to my sister for her birthday, but with the busyness of life lately we’d hadn’t yet seen the second act. Though […]
Aiming at Heaven
I was a teen when I first heard it, that C.S. Lewis quote our pastor mentioned one Sunday morning in northwest New Mexico—that aiming at heaven would get you earth thrown in, but aiming at earth would get you neither. I wrote it in my journal, the little notebook covered with dark blue fabric printed […]
Good Summer Clickin’
Hello, friends…I’ve been in a bit of a blogging fog lately, between post-show blues and general family recovery from the life-upheaval of putting on a musical–plus just life itself. But I wanted to share with you some wonderful summer “clickables” by other bloggers that have been blessing me lately. I hope they bless you too!First, […]
Singin’ the Post-Show Blues
It’s always a little hard to come down from the mountaintop of a performance weekend—all the weeks and months of hard work leading up to a show, and then it’s over in just a few days. I’ve heard it called the post-show blues, and I know many from our Josephcast have been dealing with those […]
Another Op’nin, Another Show
Those lyrics from Kiss Me, Kate—though I’ve actually never seen that musical—usually start going through my head about this time. Tonight marks the opening of our theater company’s summer musical—yay! And yikes! Unexpected challenges and curveballs always seem to hit when you’re putting on a theater production (well, why should this part of life be […]
I Won’t Let You Fall
We’ve been doing a lot of lifts in rehearsal lately. See? That’s me up in the air. Ahh! But it’s fun. 🙂 Most of us are rather new to lifts, but there’s something thrilling about them, though they can be tricky. Both lifter and liftee have to work together, getting the right grip, balance, position, […]
Milestones and the Sound (literally) of Music
Our house has been “alive with the sound of music” lately. We’ve been holding vocal rehearsals for our next show at our new home in recent weeks, with harmonies, melodies, and foot-stomping beats ringing from the walls. We love it. Wednesday night was our last rehearsal here, as we’ll be in the theater from now […]
Getting Unstuck
So, remember that post I wrote about feeling stuck in my current story? Well, it worked—I’m getting unstuck, I think. With prayerfully interviewing my character, getting to know her better, and putting myself more in her shoes. Also letting things be a little harder on her, letting her struggle more. Amazing how that makes a […]
When I’m Feeling Stuck
So . . . I’ve been struggling with writing a bit lately. See? 🙂 I’ve started a new book, and I was really excited about it for a bit. But the last few days I’ve been feeling stuck and less-than-motivated. And only on the third chapter! Oh, dear. But I think I might have figured […]
Those Who Wait for the Lord, Part 2
Read Part 1 here.God is big on waiting. Sometimes I wonder why. As I told Him recently one night before falling asleep, “You know, Lord, it would be a whole lot easier to trust You if I knew what was going to happen.” I wonder if I made Him laugh. But the response I sensed […]
Those Who Wait for the Lord, Part 1
She had almost given up hope. No matter that everyone called her beautiful. What was beauty, or anything, if you couldn’t pass it on to your children? And she had no children. The shame of it cloaked her, gnawed at her insides. What was a woman without children in her time? Far worse than one […]
When I Feel Inadequate
I’ve often felt inadequate lately. Ever since we moved, I can’t seem to get on top of things. Blogging—writing—keeping in touch with friends—housecleaning—laundry—unpacking. Each day, it seems, I’m confronted with my inability to keep up with pretty much anything, at least to the extent I think I should. Then I started realizing, maybe one thing […]
When We Don’t Know Why
My little brother went to heaven sixteen years ago today. Most people don’t know my sister and I even had a little brother—he was stillborn so early, at only sixteen weeks. But we could tell he was a boy, which our mom had already sensed. And he is still an unseen part of our family, […]
Blogging and a Good Book: Unraveled
When I first read about Unraveledon the ICFW (International Christian Fiction Writers) blog, the storyline fascinated me enough to prompt me to comment on the post—thus entering a drawing to win the book. And yep, I won! Funny, it’s the third time I’ve won a book in similar manner the past few years, prompting me […]
Beauty and the Beast: Story Building Blocks
As promised, here are the ways I’ve been coming to understand some of the basic building blocks of story–with a certain Tale as Old as Time as example. 🙂 1. The Inciting Incident I first heard of this concept in a screenwriting class in college. This event is what gets the story going. […]
Beauty and the Beast…and a Sense of Story
My sister and I are unashamed musical theater geeks. Sometimes I wonder what people sitting behind us in the audience think when we squeeze hands and sway and bounce together in time to the music during the overture—if they can even see us in a darkened theater—but we don’t care. We agree the most exciting […]
You know you’re moving when…
You know you’re moving when… – The rooms you live in are a strange mixture of empty and chaotic – You accidentally grind up a twistie tie in the homemade ice cream—oh, dear, what are those funny green flecks of paper? – People referring to “home” or the “house” have to clarify which one they […]
To Jerusalem, Part 4
“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared…” Mary Magdalene The birds twitter in the pearly pre-dawn as we make our way up the stony path to the tomb. I want to shush them. It doesn’t seem right for anyone […]
To Jerusalem: Part 3
Peter Darkness. I stumble through the Jerusalem streets, half-lost, wishing no one to find me. I stumble and fall, cracking my elbow against an abandoned vegetable cart, welcoming the pain. I deserve far worse. I huddle on the rocky ground and clutch my head in my hands, thankful for the night-blackness around me, though it […]
To Jerusalem: Part 2
John I don’t understand, Lord. Ever since we sat down to supper, things haven’t been right. First You washing our feet—though only Peter had the guts to speak up to You about it. Then You saying things like “He who eats My bread has lifted up his heel against me” and “one of you will […]
To Jerusalem: Part 1
A little like Toward Bethlehem in December, I’m going to try a series leading us toward Easter–or as it was for Jesus and those who followed Him at this time of year two thousand years ago, up to Jerusalem. I hope we are all blessed as we turn our hearts to Him–to remember what He […]
Again, Lord?
A bestselling author I was privileged to learn under at Mount Hermon a couple of years ago commented how many of her stories dealt with a theme that seemed to continually come up in her own life: God saying, “Are you going to trust Me?” Sometimes, she said, she felt like responding, “Haven’t we been […]
Hi, I’m Martha
The heat from the cooking fire dampened her face and plastered her hair to her forehead. Duck roasting, stew bubbling, bread baking. She glanced into the front room, irritation rising like the steam from the lentil pot. Her sister still sitting. Of course, it was a good thing to listen to Jesus. A very good […]
Richard Twiss: In Memoriam
Wiconi International I first heard Richard Twiss speak at a center for world missions a few years ago. With flowing dark hair and an impressive bearing, this pioneering Lakota scholar, missionary, and follower of the “Jesus Way” shared with us his journey as a First Nations believer, how our cultural perceptions can affect the way […]
My Shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd. Tender and patient, picking me up when I fall and pulling me away from dangerous places. Never leaving or forsaking His silly sheep. I shall not want. I should ponder that one a while. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters. Even when […]
A Way I Cannot See
View of Oxford from a medieval church tower. A little over five years ago, I waved good-bye to my family and stepped onto a plane to study abroad for a semester in Oxford, England. I later wrote that I’d felt a bit like an eaglet thrust from a cliff-top nest, hurtling into space with no […]
Jazz Antigua
The dancers leapt, reached, and whirled on stage to the rhythm of percussion and a live reading of Langston Hughes’s poem “Drums.” Moving and acting in harmony with each other, they brought to life their heritage—the dances of Africa, the billowing sails of the slave ships, the music and color of New Orleans, the heart-tugging […]
Busyness, Next Steps, and One Thing
We put on a show the other day.During both performances, I stood in my little corner at the back of the theater, near the door to handle tickets for any late-comers and close to the table of “Singing Valentines” I supervised at intermission, and watched in delight as our young performers–ages 9 to 25–danced, sang, […]
A Valentine Potpourri
Happy Valentine’s Day, dear reader friends!In whatever life’s place this holiday finds you, I hope you enjoy this collection of posts–and even a video–reminding us of love and most of all His love. They have blessed me this week, and I hope they bless you too!First, my lovely agent Wendy Lawton had a wonderful reminder […]
Flash Mob
I’d never been part of a flash mob before—or seen one except on YouTube—until this weekend. Saturday evening, the senior division of our little theater company gathered outside a movie theater at an outdoor mall. The night air nipped cold for southern California, so we bundled in hats and scarves. Trying to act as if […]
The Liebster Award
A lovely new blogging friend, Jessie Gunderson, was kind enough to nominate me for the “Liebster Award”—liebster apparently being a German word for “favorite,” and this being a way to help get the word out about small-scale bloggers whom others might enjoy. The idea was to share 11 things about yourself, answer 11 questions, and […]
Of Laundry and Lyrics
Folding laundry can be enlightening sometimes…at least when I’m listening to Michael Card. Feeling a little overwhelmed by all that needs doing in the next few weeks and unsure where to focus—including what to blog about—I decided tonight to tackle the obvious: a couple of piles of clean clothes and towels. And continue where I’d […]
Anxious for Nothing?
Lately I’ve realized I’m feeling anxious nearly all the time. It’s not like anything horrible has happened. I know families facing crises right now, and ours isn’t one of them. But the daily stresses of winter sickness running through our household, our theater company getting ready for a show, selling one house while getting ready […]
Apology to Native Peoples Petition
Hello, dear reader friends. If you’ve read my blog much, you probably know a little about how the Lord has been teaching me about racial reconciliation and the often-tragic history of our country in relation to the first peoples of America. I’d just like to share with you an opportunity to raise our voices […]
Of Les Mis, Narnia, and Fishermen
I rarely go to see movies in the theater—and almost never see the same movie twice on the big screen. But I did with Les Misérables. Many of my friends have loved this musical for years, whereas it’s only been this fall that it’s captured my heart–a combination of plugging through the book, seeing our […]
Blog Hop with Jennifer Major!
One of the many blessings I’ve discovered through joining American Christian Fiction Writers is the chance to connect with other Christian novelists. It’s amazing how much you can get to know, help, learn from, and network with each other online before ever meeting in person. One day last fall, one of these writers commented on […]
Yesterday, Today, and Forever
Christmas is definitely over at our house—after a joy-and-laughter-filled Epiphany party and play reading Sunday night, our house is looking rather stripped bare. Not only did I finish packing away all the Christmas decorations last night, but we are getting ready to move, and our grandma’s house, where we’ve lived the past eight and a […]
Toward Bethlehem: Simeon
Israel’s strength and consolation Hope of all the earth Thou art Dear desire of every nation Joy of every longing heart Simeon I pause within the temple gates to catch my breath, wheezing slightly. The milling crowd presses about me. Lord, did I hear You aright? Through the shouts of money-changers and bleating of goats […]
Toward Bethlehem: Unto Us
Originally posted December 25, 2011. Merry Christmas, everyone! How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is given So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heaven… Joseph And He is born. I lay Him on Mary’s chest, warm and wet and wailing, and cover them both with my robe, and kiss her sweaty […]
Toward Bethlehem: The Fullness of Time
Originally posted December 24, 2011 Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting light The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight… Mary So much waiting, and now everything is happening too fast. Dusty sandals hurry past me as I huddle in the street corner. Joseph settled me here when […]
Two Nights Before Christmas
‘Tis two nights before Christmas. Tomorrow will be gift-wrapping, and letter-mailing, and cookie-and-bread-and-pie baking, and Christmas-Eve-Service-ing. And then Advent Wreath, when we will light the final and white candle, the Christ candle that signifies He is born. The last couple of Christmas Eves, my mom and I haven’t managed to finish wrapping presents until after […]
Toward Bethlehem: Joseph
Originally posted December 17, 2011 Come, Thou long-expected Jesus Born to set Thy people free From our fears and sins release us Let us find our rest in Thee… Joseph Evening light glints on the soldiers’ helmets as they disappear in a cloud of dust. I stare after them. Lord, if I’d known you meant literally […]
Toward Bethlehem: Abiding in the Fields
Originally posted December 3, 2011 O come, O come Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear… Micah, a young shepherd. Nights fall cold and early now. The sheep crowd near us as we huddle by the fire beneath our robes. When I lie on my […]
Toward Bethlehem: Mary
Originally posted December 11, 2011. Of the Father’s love begotten Ere the worlds began to be, He is Alpha and Omega, He the Source, the Ending He Mary Joseph came home tired tonight. He tries not to let me see, but I know it wears on him, the talk of Rome and taxes and blood […]
Weeping for Her Children
“Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. Then what had been spoken through […]
By His Doing
The lights went off at our church this Sunday morning. I was in the windowless ladies’ room when it happened and fumbled my way out with the light from my cell phone. It turned out the whole senior center where our church meets—in fact, the whole city block—had lost power, right before Sunday service started. […]
Toward Bethlehem: Elizabeth
Originally posted December 5, 2011. Let all mortal flesh keep silence and with fear and trembling stand Ponder nothing earthly-minded, for with blessing in His hand Christ our God to earth descendeth Our full homage to demand. This Sabbath was read in synagogue the scroll of Isaiah, the part which begins with the people walking […]
Empty Chairs
We gathered in the living room, this first Sunday of Advent, our just-delivered, two-days-fresh-from-Oregon fir tree filling the house with its sweet-spicy scent that says “Christmastime” like no other. Bright flames danced in the fireplace, and our mom danced a little too as she strung the lights about the tree to a Christmas concert of […]
Toward Bethlehem: A Wise Man
Last year during Advent, I began a series of “peeks” through the eyes of various characters present at the coming of Jesus and what they might have felt in those weeks leading Toward Bethlehem. This year, I’ll be reposting those, as well as adding new installments, starting with this one. I hope you enjoy and […]
Coming…
Advent is coming. I feel I’ve been tiptoeing around it, now quite daring to breathe it in yet, because it won’t be official until Sunday, but catching whiffs that thrill my heart with the coming promise of the season. A few early Christmas lights twinkling in the dusk…the nip in the night air when I […]
Shall We Dance?
My family and I had so much fun tonight. My sister dancing around–a few years ago. 🙂 Then my sister started showing us her dance routines from her community college classes leading up to performances in December. She put music on, and our dad started dancing around too, and then our parents showed us the […]
Bountifully
He huddles, perhaps in a cave, deep in the cold darkness of night. His men sleep sprawled around him, swords always at the ready. Bending by the small flickering flame of an oil lamp, on a clay tablet or bit of leather, he pours out his aching heart. How long, O LORD? Will You forget […]
Dominus Illuminatio Mea
Christchurch Meadow, Oxford, in January. It has been a rather gray, drizzly day. Generally I love the rain, and I have enjoyed it today the few times it’s been heavy enough to actually pitter-patter, but coupled with people in our house not feeling very well—including me—and some general stress, it’s felt a bit dreary. This […]
A Mrs. Rachel Lynde
“I wish you’d consulted me first.” Anyone who has visited Avonlea through L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables books knows Mrs. Rachel Lynde, the village’s outspoken, know-it-all, kind-hearted busybody—and the first to set off newly-arrived orphan girl Anne’s redheaded temper. I’ve loved the Anne books since I was a girl, and seen bits of myself […]
To Ask Forgiveness, Part 2
Read Part 1 here. When we reached the Window Rock monument, I climbed out of the car to follow my Navajo host, while his wife stayed in the car to write an anniversary card for their son and his wife. The two of us surveyed the Code Talker memorial, where he showed me the […]
To Ask Forgiveness, Part 1
The warm desert wind whipped my hair across my face and snapped the flags above me, flags of New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, and the Navajo Nation waving beside the Stars and Stripes. I gazed up at the towering red rocks, the round hole to the clear blue sky, above the Window Rock Veterans Memorial. Below […]
October Gifts
I’ve still been reading Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts a bit at a time, trying to absorb it. It strikes me as a little like dark chocolate—I can only take a bit at a time, savoring and trying to grasp the richness, both of her prose and of the ideas therein. She does rather make […]
Stories in Real Life
I bent forward over the lamplit table, following the fingers of my Navajo host as he sketched out words for me in my little notebook, repeating them aloud for me to try at pronouncing. Ya’at’eeh abini—the morning greeting Hagoóne’—the way to say farewell, a kind of blessing as you leave someone Again and again I […]
Snapshots from the Diné Tah
I spent this past weekend in New Mexico again, in the Diné Tah, that beautiful land of the Navajo people whom I am so privileged to continue learning from and writing about.There is much on my heart to write and share with you, from this trip and others, but I came home and promptly got […]
Another Perspective on Columbus Day.
Last year I posted that I didn’t know what to think of Columbus Day anymore.This year I wanted to share this short video, made by a Navajo man seeking to further reconciliation and understanding between the native and immigrant peoples of our land today. And again this Columbus Day I want to say it: thank […]
A More Perfect Union
While discussing the presidential debates at Bible study last week, one of our group members mentioned that at a previous election, even his own family members were afraid to tell each other who they planned to vote for. I could kind of relate, for I hoped the other members of the group wouldn’t ask me…though […]
Book Friends: Rather New
While many of my favorite authors I’ve loved since my teens, in the past year or two I’ve discovered more writers who, with their stories, have quickly found their way into my heart. I’ve mentioned these three here before, but never all together! Sarah Sundin truly has the gift of story, exacting historical detail, and […]
He is Here
I hadn’t felt very close to Him lately. Maybe it’s been partly the aftermath of my grandma’s death, the sometimes unconscious grieving that affects us beneath the surface. Maybe it was partly still being tired, as our whole family is, from the strain of the past month. And I kept filling my mind and heart […]
Book Friends: Tried and True
I once read an old volume that urged young ladies to “make friends of books.” That’s never been hard for me, at least of storybooks—since little girl days when I fell in love with Little House in the Big Woods and Little Women, books have been treasured companions to me. Much as I love my […]
Trust II
Trust…it’s been coming at me from all directions lately, especially in books. Trusting God seems to be a lesson He never tires of, or at least one I need to learn over and over again. …In One-Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, which I am slowly nibbling my way through bit by bit. Her observation that lack […]
History in Hand
It might have been a sad time, the sorting through of my grandma’s things. And sometimes it may be. But though the grief and trials and uncertainties of daily life would soon encroach again, in that evening of digging and discovering and sharing—aunt, uncle, cousin, my parents and sister and I—we found treasures, memories, and […]
As a Child
Laughter peppered our ride in the family car to my grandma’s graveside servicelast week—thanks in large part to my little four-and-a-half year old cousin. Her dimpled smiles, dark curls escaping her French braid, and innocent comments helped bring out the joy God was giving us amid grief. “What did one ocean say to the other […]
‘Twixt Time and Eternity
That’s where it feels like we’ve been, these past three weeks of my grandma’s transition from life to death, from earth to heaven. It’s been a bit of a blur, and with the funeral over, all still seems a bit unreal. During the week at the hospital, and especially the nine days after she came […]
The Valley of the Shadow
Yea, though I walk through the valley Of the shadow of death I will fear no evil For Thou art with me Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23 has taken on new—or perhaps old—and precious meaning for my family this past week and a half, as we have been walking with […]
To Know and Not to Know
You never know what a day will hold. On a day when you expect to leave on a road trip with friends, you can end up waiting in the emergency room because your grandmother had cardiac arrest. After thinking she might not take another breath, you can find yourself having a conversation with her the […]
Learning from The Lord of the Rings
English major though I am, I read no Tolkien beyond The Hobbit until after I graduated college (perhaps a good thing most of my fellow students in our Oxford study abroad program didn’t know that 🙂 ). I made it through the first two volumes a year or two ago, but it wasn’t until this summer […]
Of Faithfulness and Forgetting
God was so faithful on this most recent research trip to New Mexico. While I had a list of places to go and questions to ask, I really didn’t know how it would all work out or whom I would get to see—yet I sensed the Lord’s leading to go, and tried to trust He […]
They Were There
“Yáat’eh,” I said, hoping I got the tones of the greeting right. It must have been okay, for the elderly Navajo man who had opened the door shook my hand, then pulled me into a hug. Tentative, amazed this was happening, I followed the missionary I had come with and this gracious man into his […]
Home
It has, yet again, been a while since I last posted—I’m sorry, dear readers! But I’ve been in New Mexico, the land of the setting for my novel, and one deeply imbedded in my heart. It’s strange, how a place where I’ve lived only five years of my life became so much home that this […]
Out of Focus
During one of our early dress rehearsals for Cinderella, I determined to get some good photos to post on facebook, in order to better promote the show. So I dutifully clambered around the seats in the auditorium—empty but for a few mothers sewing costumes and younger children watching—to get the best angles, and clicked away. […]
Transformational Fiction
Forgive me, dear blog readers, for the scarcity of posts here lately. My family and I are still coming out of the blur of Cinderella, but I hope to begin picking up the pace now! I’ve written a good deal about story here and the power it can wield. Over the last couple of months, […]
The Prince is Giving a Ball…
Come one, come all!Cinderella opened last night to an almost sold-out crowd–and there are three more performances! (My sister, shown in dress rehearsal at top left, will be Cinderella in the matinee. 🙂 ) Check out more pictures from dress rehearsals here and here. And if you’re in the southern California area, email showlights.theater@gmail.com for details […]
To Put on a Play…
My family’s life right now is a whirl of rehearsals, emails, and phone calls, of altering costumes and gathering props, of organizing tickets and writing programs, of juggling—as are our directors and all the families involved in our upcoming production of Cinderella—all the myriad details that come with putting on a musical. We open in […]
To Be Not Afraid
Lately I’ve been discovering the heroine of my novel-in-progress and I have something in common: fear. Perhaps it’s our protective, big-sister natures—perhaps it’s from experiences in our past—perhaps it’s just our own sinful frailty. But we both struggle to let go of our fears and worries, to truly place people and situations close to our hearts […]
June Thankfulness
So much crazy busyness lately at our house, between high-gear pre-production for Cinderellaand the final push for finishing revising my manuscript. Thusly, dear blog readers, my posts are likely to be limited to once a week or so for a few weeks. But while sometimes it feels like we’re barely keeping our heads above water […]
Wings of Glory
On Monday, my sister had her “vintage” birthday party. She and her friends dressed in ‘40s-ish clothes (handy that those are in style again now!), danced to Big Band music, and sipped root beer floats. She reminded me of the young heroine in the Hallmark movie The Lost Valentine, with her green-flowered vintage dress, curled […]
Sisters
We watched the home video last night: a tiny, pink faced bundle cradled in loving arms…the bewildered cries of a newborn…proud grandparents arriving to see and hold…a ten-year-old Kiersti crying tears of joy for the first time in her life. Seventeen years ago, my baby sister was my dream come true, an only-child’s years-long prayer […]
Swept Away
I talk a lot about story on this blog—the power of storiesand how they change us, how God can use them to shape our lives. But sometimes, stories can just carry you away—to another place, another time, even another world, a mini-vacation in themselves. And this too, I think, can be God’s gift. The Colonel’s […]
For Sinners Such as I
In a newly formed ACFW online group I’ve joined, we’ve been talking lately about how we want to write stories “with a purpose,” with the aim to not just entertain but help transform readers lives. Stories can affect us deeply–sometimes, at least for me, even more than a sermon or nonfiction inspirational writing, though the […]
The Yada Yada Prayer Group
When one of my critique partners recommended The Yada Yada Prayer Group to me, I expected it would be good. But I didn’t know I’d fall in love with it by Chapter 2. I’d never read a novel quite like it. In some ways the story reminds me of my critique group: a group of […]
Tiny Reminders
I took a walk this morning and was struck by the flowers. Not so much the cultivated roses and azaleas in people’s yards, but the tiny ones sprinkling the parkways, almost too small to notice unless you were looking. I gathered a few of each kind—yellow and lavender, fuchsia and periwinkle, blossoms and stars and […]
Such as These
My mom and I taught a class of wiggly two-and-three-year-olds (though not the one to the left) about the ascension this past Sunday. It’s always a fun, albeit hectic, hour or so of dropped crayons and smashed cheerios and squealing little people and occasional I-miss-mommy tears. But as I sat in the circle of carpet […]
Mount Hermon Highlights
Little did I know when I arrived at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference a year ago, slightly terrified of pitching to editors and agents—and of meeting and being mentored by one of my favorite authors, Lauraine Snelling—that I would gain not only incredible knowledge and connections, but a critique group who would become some […]
Story-Spinner
My family spent this past weekend in Solvang, a town begun in 1911 by Danish immigrants to California seeking to keep their culture alive in their new home. As the great-great-granddaughter of Danish immigrants myself, I delighted in learning a bit more about my ancestry…even gained the possible seed of a new story to simmer […]
His cross and ours
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suff’ring and shame; And I love that old cross where the dearest and best For a world of lost sinners was slain. So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it […]
Holy Week
Early this Palm Sunday morning, I climbed to the top of Mount Hermon with two dozen or so other attendees of the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Quiet darkness covered us as we started, the air gradually lightening to pale gray as we hiked through the redwoods. Then, at the top, there it was—the cross. […]
To be Thankful
So much is going on…the good, the hard, and the unknown. It’s so easy to be anxious, to let it all tie my stomach in knots. Lord, help me keep my eyes on You and be thankful… For rain Musicals Yellow tulips New leaves on the trees My sister having a good time at a […]
Mitford
Eating chicken salad and chatting with friends at the Main Street Grill…spending a peaceful Sunday afternoon at Meadowgate Farm…listening to one of dear old Uncle Billy Watson’s famous jokes…sitting in prayer within the quiet stone walls of Lord’s Chapel with Father Tim. These are some of the things that make you feel At Home in […]
Trust
Trust…when I can’t see the road ahead. Trust…when I can’t see through tears. Trust…when some dreams seem near crushing while others near blooming. Trust…because He’s never failed us yet. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make […]
A Bit o’ the Irish
Top o’ the mornin’ to ye! ‘Tis St. Paddy’s day, it is, and I’m celebratin’ a wee bit o’ me Irish heritage. Aye, for though this stab at an Irish way o’ talkin’ might well pain the ears o’ any current sons an’ daughters o’ Eire, I’ve got more Irish blood in me veins than […]
March Thankfulness
Just after I titled this post, I got up to settle my grandma in her favorite spot in the sun and handed her today’s paper. The front-page photo caught my eye, a man carrying a boy wounded in the current conflict in Syria. I turned the paper over so it wouldn’t upset my grandma too […]
Of Walls and Bridges
I went to a powwow last Saturday. Odd that after living five years near the largest Native American tribe in the country, it took moving back to California to get me to a powwow. But one is held quite near us here, sponsored by Christian Native Americans, though many vendors and participants are not believers. […]
Godspell
My family went to a production of the musical Godspell last night. One of the directors of our little theater company was in it, and none of us except my dad had ever seen it performed on stage—only the movie version, purported to be far inferior. We’d often wondered if it were a show we’d […]
“Lift Every Voice and Sing”
It was a Sunday near Martin Luther King Jr. day, my senior year of college, and I was visiting a church I had never attended before with two of my roommates. Near the close of the service, we sang a stirring and unfamiliar song. At the bottom of the music, I read, “African-American National Anthem.” […]
Considering the Birds
I’ve been hearing birdsong a lot lately—I guess it must mean spring is coming. This morning when my sister and I were having our quiet times, some sweet little bird was trilling merrily outside our window. My sister said, “You know that verse in James that talks about how every good and perfect gift is […]
A Different Sort of Wednesday
While studying late one evening at the English Faculty Library during the term I spent studying in Oxford, the toll of church bells began to invade my absorption in the texts. I was used to their pealing from the medieval churches all over this “city of dreaming spires” on Sunday mornings, but not on a […]
His Faithfulness
My dad gave the cue. The lights in the little theater went down. My mom opened the backstage door, and she and I sent fifteen kids and teens in blue shirts and cowboy hats filing out onstage. As the first notes of “Oklahoma!” rang out, I closed my eyes and pressed my fingertips together. Thank […]
Of Valentines and Hearts
When I was a little girl, I woke on Valentine’s Day mornings to a paper and doily heart by my bed with “Follow Me” printed on the back. I climbed out of bed to a room criss-crossed and webbed with string—one end of which was attached to the heart—and delightedly follow it around the house, […]
A Prayer
Lord— Forgive me for when… I get so focused on all that is going on around me—even good things, things you are doing—that I forget to focus on You, to take time to just be with You and listen to Your voice. And for when I get so focused on our needs, and then on […]
Hints of Spring
A daffodil bloomed in our patio today. My sister and I bought the little pot of miniature daffodils a few years ago for our mom. In fall and early winter, it sits empty, the bare brown bulbs apparently dead. But each spring, fresh shoots of green spear above the earth. And then open the delicate […]
Blogging Daze
Happy February, everyone! Am I the only one who always has to think about the spelling of this month? Or am I the only one who doesn’t tend to pronounce that first “r”? 🙂 Well, I’ve officially missed my Tuesday blog for this week. Sometimes life just happens–or I just forget. So, I thought today […]
What is it about a story? (Part 2)
Read Part 1 here. Some might say we love stories because they offer escape, a brief trip out of a meaningless and messed-up world into one that makes more sense. Certainly stories can be a form of escape—I know I’ve used them as such. But the best stories, the good and true ones (even if […]
No Matter How Small
In the musical Seussical, one version of which our little theater company performed this summer, Horton the Elephant fights to save the tiny people on the miniscule planet of Who, so small that no one but Horton, the only one who can hear the Whos’ voices, believes it even exists atop his clover. During the […]
What is it about a story? (Part 1)
I recently read an article in Guideposts magazine where the author shared the impact the movie Doctor Zhivago had on her as a young girl. Times were tight for her family, and she and her mom both worked at the local movie theater. After seeing a late showing of this particular film, for the remainder […]
Long Time Coming
I’m glad I picked up Long Time Coming from the Abingdon Press table at the ACFW conference this past fall. I read the book over Christmas break, and I hope its imprint will remain on my heart. It’s the story of two women, Kenisha and Deirdre, who live very different lives on the socioeconomic scale, […]
RainSong
In a recent discussion on the American Christian Fiction Writers email loop, various writers shared how music intertwined with their writing. Some listen for inspiration but must write to silence, while others have certain music for different stories that helps them get into the setting and characters as they write. I am rather a mixture […]
The Fullness of the Earth
On New Year’s Eve, my family went to the zoo. We saw the new elephant exhibit and watched a keeper feeding the tusked giant treats of carrots and squash. We stood at the tigers’ fence until the napping twin cubs, like giant striped kittens, woke up to play with their heavy-pawed mama. We saw a […]
Christmas is Past…
“Now Christmas is pastTwelfth Night is the last…”~Robert Herrick, 17th century English poet My family likes to leave our Christmas decorations up through Epiphany, today’s observance of the Wise Men’s visit that coincides with old English Twelfth Night. I’m glad there is a traditional and liturgical reason for lingering this precious season, for it is […]
And a Happy New Year…
“Fast away the old year passes, FalalalalalalalalaHail the new, ye lads and lasses, Falalalalalalalala…” My critique partners and I have been chatting about New Year’s resolutions, goals, or hopes this past week. It hasn’t been something I’ve usually done, picking a particular aim for a new year…I’m not sure if it’s more because I’ve learned […]
Toward Bethlehem, Part 7
How silently, how silentlyThe wondrous gift is givenSo God imparts to human heartsThe blessings of His heaven… Joseph And He is born. I lay Him on Mary’s chest, warm and wet and wailing, and cover them both with my robe, and kiss her sweaty hair. And we laugh through our tears, and I think I […]
Toward Bethlehem, Part 6
Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting lightThe hopes and fears of all the yearsAre met in thee tonight… Mary So much waiting, and now everything is happening too fast. Dusty sandals hurry past me as I huddle in the street corner. Joseph settled me here when I could walk no farther, while he […]
Toward Bethlehem, Part 5
Lo, how a rose ere bloomingFrom tender stem hath sprungOf Jesse’s lineage comingAs men of old have sung… ElizabethMary and Joseph sup with us this night. We laugh and chat and eat as if Caesar were not turning the entire province upside down with this census. At least the rest of us eat; Mary picks […]
Let Nothing You Dismay
Sometimes Christmastime is hard. I know of a number of families for whom it may be hard this year—those dealing with tight funds, burglary, hurting relationships, cancer, grief. Christmas was hard for me a few years ago, when my family had moved from out of state into a rather difficult living situation in someone else’s […]
Toward Bethlehem, Part 4
Come, Thou long-expected JesusBorn to set Thy people freeFrom our fears and sins release usLet us find our rest in Thee… Joseph Evening light glints on the soldiers’ helmets as they disappear in a cloud of dust. I stare after them. Lord, if I’d known you meant literally for the Messiah to be born in […]