Memorial Day

 It's Memorial Day. The day that Ty Carson had to sing a solo in front of the town. This excerpt from Graveyard Bend sums up Memorial Day perfectly. It's a day to remember those who've died for our freedom, but most of all, to remember that Jesus also died and paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

Excerpt from the book:
“Don’t you know anything?” Colton asked. “The Memorial Day festival has only been a tradition of Grandpa’s for the last thirty years!”
Uncle Wyatt nodded. “That’s right. Carl always invited the whole town out to the farm, we have a baseball game, and then we throw a little carnival for the town kids and different war vets share their stories. It’s a day of honoring and remembering the men and women who shed their blood to give us freedom.”
“Just like Jesus died to give us freedom!” Squirt piped up.

It Must be Spring!

The petunias are in! Every year, planting the petunias along the main highway in town seems to mark the beginning of spring. 

Once we plant, everyone else knows it’s time to plant their gardens as well! 

Now, it did sleet some while planting… or maybe it was snow? Freezing rain? Whatever it was, it was chilly! But all the more motivation to work faster! 

What a great crew!!!! I love working with these young people!

Making town more beautiful one flower at a time! 

 

Book Research!

For those of you who don’t know, I’m ALWAYS working on something… usually multiple somethings… ;)

But since I was in Duluth, I did some research on my next Christmas book that takes place in Duluth! 

I’m starting to wonder if Lake Superior is always foggy! 

If you’ve never climbed the Enger Tower, it’s totally worth the stop! Plus, you can see a lot from up there… including part of a golf course, and that could be significant… 

Bridgemans was also “for research”… ;D 

Southern style poutine is amazing! I think this northern girl still prefers the Canadian way of making it, but the southern version was worth trying! 

And of course… traveling with Priscilla for book research may involve stopping at a cemetery. 

The Bethany Cemetery is such a beautiful peaceful place, and had a lot of research material… 

 

Overlooked

 The MACHE homeschool convention was another amazing event this year!!!

I so enjoyed getting to meet Bridgette Cameron Ridenour, the author of Overlooked!!! 

You may know her brother Kirk Cameron, or her sister Candace Cameron Bure, but did you know Bridgette is an amazing author and speaker? 

What a blessing to meet this encouraging sweet lady! 

January/February Recap

 January/February has been a busy time filled with work, fun, and adventures.

Somehow, when I'm babysitting, I always end up with some crazy selfies with at least one of the kids!

And while you can't see it on the picture, we had a great time painting nails together!

Then, I got a new cart for book conventions, and it turns out it's pretty fun to surf around the house on it!

I got to go curling for the first time! For living in Minnesota all my life, with all my Canadian neighbors, you'd think I'd have played it before, but nope, it was my first time! No, I wasn't great at it, but it was a ton of fun! Definitely more fun to play than watch!

It was a learning curve, and my first few tries weren't phenomenal, but I got the hang of it faster than I thought I would. And I got a few cool bruises out of it too.

Then, one of my sisters-in-law sent me a recipe for homemade milk bubble tea.

Making the bubbles was way easier than I thought it would be, and I'm looking forward to making them again, and experimenting with different flavors.

I love our church, and how encouraging everyone is! Just this past week, I walked into the parking lot, and found this very creative bouquet that a talented crafter put together for me!

I went to the ND Homeschool convention, and loved getting to meet up with all my friends in Bismarck!

Turns out, the other day was National Minnesota Day! I didn't know this until one of my publishers did a highlight for their Minnesota Authors, and I saw this on their webpage!

RS. What do those letters mean?

A few weeks ago, at the ND homeschool convention, I had the opportunity to chat with a fan, who told me Freedom's Captive was her favorite book. That didn't surprise me, but what did surprise me, was when she pulled out her fancy custom made camera strap, and showed me the letters 'RS' embossed in the leather. Why? Why would she choose to use those letters?

In Freedom's Captive, those are the letters branded onto James's face to tell everyone he's a runaway slave.

In the book, James struggles with the shame of the letters branded onto his cheek. The shame of his past, the embarrassment of the stares, and the constant reminder of who he was.

But after he finds true freedom, and comes to know God's forgiveness, he chose to let the letters stand for something else.

Instead of being defined by being a runaway slave, he let the letters stand for his new identity. Redeemed Sinner. When the shame came back, he allowed the memories to remind him of what Christ had done in his life.

We all have shame in our lives. Most of us don't walk around with a brand on our cheek for the world to see, but we all have those little reminders in our lives. The reminders of the painful times. The reminders of our guilt. The reminders of who we used to be.

Instead of letting the past hold you back, choose to let those painful memories remind you of what God's done in your life, and where God's leading you.

I was so blessed to chat with this reader, and seeing that camera strap with the letters RS on it, from my book, was a reminder to me that the most painful things in life, often lead to our greatest potential. The Runaway Slave can become the Redeemed Sinner. Whatever shame or pain you're living with, choose to let those letters be a reminder of what Christ has, and is doing in your life.

And, I've been working with our church young people on a one-act-play. It's a little small for me, but I think this casket will be a great prop!

In other news, I've been busy with all the usual stuff. Taxes, a dentist appointment, making a will, writing, working at the coffee shop, and overall staying busy.

Coming up, I have a few things planned! 

May 2nd-3rd, I'll be in Sioux Falls, SD for the CHCSD convention.

May 16th-17th, I'll be in Duluth, MN for the MACHE convention.

So, book your calendars, and stop by!

Then, this week, I'm heading to Florida and Alabama for a writer's conference!

And there you have it, a brief recap of the past two months.

Christmas Movies Countdown to Christmas!

 On my Facebook page, I’m doing a 15 days till Christmas movie’s countdown! We’re on day thirteen, and so far, we have… 

15 - Sons of Mistletoe - A super fun family movie about a boys’ home. The craziness at the boys’ home reminds me of my Ty Carson books, and I love the many quotable lines! 

Then, number 14 - It Happened on 5th Avenue! What a plot!!! I love the epic characters and my memories of watching it for the first time at my sister’s boyfriend’s family Thanksgiving! It’s been a favorite ever since. 

Then, with 13 days till Christmas, we have Christmas at Plum  Creek! I remember watching this VHS at my Grandma’s house at Christmas and feeling like Mary when she couldn’t figure out what to get Pa for Christmas. But, like Ma said, if Christmas is special, it’s not because won’t be because of the gifts. 

Christmas Audio Books!

 I’ve listened to two great Christmas audio books this year! 

The Unlikely Wiseman, and The Candle in the Window! 

It’d been a long time since I’d listened to The Candle in the Window and I was encouraged by the reminder to have hope. Even when it takes courage. 

A Big Day!

 Today is a big day for two reasons! First, I had my book signing for The Secret in the Steeple. 

I brought along some old records to set a Christmas mood! 

And then tonight, I have my first ever bell choir performance!

These pictures were taken back stage, this the odd lighting, and we had already started putting them away after practice, thus the out of order bells. But they’ll all be set up tonight! 

Then, since we missed the “turkey” shoot on Thanksgiving, some of the fam is out shooting the prepared targets for Pearl Harbor Day. 

Always something happening! 

Book Ideas

 I know I’ve shared this list before, but with Christmas shopping season, I thought I’d share it again. 

15 Favorite Tween Books

People are always asking me about books for 10-15 year-old readers. What books do I recommend? So, I've put together a list of books that either I loved as a tween, (and still do love), or books that my nieces love.

 

Now, I have to say, I'm super conservative and picky about books. I don't like books where the kids are brats, and I don't like books that delve into fantasy. So, if you're looking for fantasy or sci-fi, you won't find any on this list.

   

 

1. Sherlock Jones Series, by Ed Dunlop 

2. Peabody Adventures, by Jeri Massi

3. Arby Jenkins, by Sharon Hambrick 

4. The Adventures of Arty Anderson Series, by Mark Redmond

5. The Accidental Detectives, by Sigmund Brouwer

6. The Young Refugee Triology, by Ed Dunlop 

7. Gatlin Fields series, by Sandra Waggoner

8. Freedom Seekers, by Lois Walfrid Johnson 

9. The Northwoods Adventures, by Lois Walfrid Johnson 

10. The Wall Series, by Robert Elmer

11. Adventures Down Under, by Robert Elmer

12. The Jed Cartwright series, by Ed Dunlop

13. The Missionary Adventures of Bob and Arty, by Jeff Barth

14. The Ivan books, by Myrna Grant

15. The Scripture Sleuth, by Mat Halverson

And then, I have a few books that I've written for those ages.

The Mystery in the Corn Maze

The Ty Carson Series

The Adventures of Amy

The PK Detectives 

I hope these books will be a blessing to you and your young readers.

Book Signing!

 

Where – Caribou Coffee (Doug’s Supermarket, Warroad)

When – Saturday, Dec. 7th from 10am – 2pm

Special Deal – 1 FREE small Caribou drink of your choice with every book purchase!

Copies of ALL of my books will be available for purchase as well. Stop by and pick up a few Christmas gifts!