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Showing posts with label CW Blog Chain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CW Blog Chain. Show all posts
Jun 25, 2012
Today is our 30th anniversary.
And - yes - I was a child bride!
The years have flown by while we've pursued life as a married couple. And it has been a pursuit. Life isn't easy. Married life isn't easy. We've had our disappointments, disillusions, and times of discontent. Those obstacles strengthened our relationship because we didn't let them derail our goal - our pursuit - of a life together.
So why have we persevered when so many marriages haven't. I'd like to say we're just that good... but in truth, we're blessed. When we stood in the church before God and said our vows, we meant them. They were not said lightly. And He has blessed us time and time again through the good times and the bad because - I believe - we have honored our vows and our commitment to Him. We don't always get it right. It's not always pretty. But our hope - and marriage - is build on nothing less, than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
This post is part of Christian Writers’ May Blog Chain on the topic, “Pursuit.” Check out the other Blog Chain posts by clicking the links right.
Apr 12, 2012
Lynnette Bonner is joining me for the Christian Writer’s Blog Chain today and our topic this month is JOY. She is enjoying the release of her second novel, High Desert Haven. Lynnette is also a member of Christianwriters.com and is known by the username Zanzibar. It’s a joy to have you here, Lynnette!
Thanks for having me, Pegg! :)
During the process of writing, editing, and now releasing High Desert Haven, what brought you the most joy and why?
Wow, that is a hard question to answer. The writing of High Desert Haven was spread out over several years – I had started the book, and then took a break from writing, but picked it up again after my boys went off to school. I think I’d have to say the day I wrote the last line brought me the most joy! That is always such a feeling of accomplishment. I just turned in the 4th book of the series a few days ago and with each successive story I keep thinking, “Completing this book is going to be easier than that last one,” but each time I’ve been let down, so far! :)
High Desert Haven is a romance so there must be some joyous moments for your characters. Describe a joyful moment Nicki Trent experiences. Share an excerpt if you like.
There is a key moment of joy toward the end of the book, but to share that one would be to give too much of the story away, so I will share this excerpt from early on in the book. Dominique Trent (Nicki) has lost her husband to a mysterious riding accident. A man has come to apply for the job, but she really doesn’t know much about him. She’s trying to run her ranch mostly alone, and needs someone she can trust by her side. Is this man trustworthy? She needs to be sure. There’s that moment of elation when she discovers he’s a believer, like she is.
This section starts out during a conversation she’s having with Tilly, her neighbor who comes over to help watch Nicki’s son. (And to see Nicki’s handsome, young, ranch hand, Conner. :) )
“So? Who is he?” Tilly got back to the subject at hand, gesturing out the window.
“He has come to apply for the foreman job.”
Tilly peered out the little circle again. “Wait until I tell Janice. If he stopped in town, I bet she talked him into a corner. She always talks too much when she gets nervous. And you know how she gets around good looking men.” She glanced at the man out the window one more time. “He does have blue eyes, doesn’t he?” Tilly’s nervousness over the gunfire was making her own tongue run from the middle.
“Sí.” Nicki took another sip of coffee, trying to push the thought of those alluring blue eyes from her mind. “Pero, no es oro todo lo que reluce.”
Tilly turned toward her with a puckered brow. “What?”
“All is not gold that glitters. You don’t have any idea what he is like. Just because he is fine-looking doesn’t mean that he is kind and loving. Nor that he loves our Savior, no?” Nicki spoke the words to Tilly but inwardly realized that she was preaching herself a sermon.
Tilly wrinkled her nose. “I suppose you’re right.” But she quickly returned to high spirits. Her face brightened and she said animatedly, “It will give Janice and me something to talk about, though. It’s not often that strangers come through town, much less ones as good-looking as him. And the very day he arrives, you are shot at and he saves you!”
Nicki smiled at Tilly’s adolescent romanticism. “Better than me being shot at and him not saving me, yes?”
Tilly chuckled.
Stepping over to the rag rug where Sawyer played with his pile of blocks, Nicki squatted down, ruffling his hair. For a time she closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of his little head beneath her hand, thanking God she was still here to enjoy it. When she opened her eyes he was staring up at her. She smiled. “How is Mama’s big boy this morning?”
The eighteen-month-old grinned at her, banging two blocks together. “Hi, Mama! Watch dis.” He stacked the two blocks on top of each other, adding a third, his tongue held between his teeth in concentration, then joyfully knocked over the tower.
“Wow!” Nicki said enthusiastically. “Can you do it again?”
“No.”
Nicki shook her head at his independent spirit. If she hadn’t asked for a repeat performance, he probably would have contented himself with doing the same thing over and over all morning. But since it had been her suggestion to do it again, it no longer sounded like fun.
A knock sounded on the door.
Tilly moved to open it as Nicki seated herself at the table, trying to compose her thoughts. What questions do I need to ask? I don’t know the first thing about running a ranch, so how do I know what to ask him? He might not even want the job after what he’s seen.
Jason was taller than John had been. For where there had been plenty of room for John’s head, even in this low-ceilinged building, Jason’s hair almost touched. He curled the brim of his hat into one hand, tapping it against his leg. Tilly traded him the hat for a cup of coffee, and he thanked her warmly. A blush skittered across her cheeks, but he didn’t seem to notice. His gaze was fixed on the little boy playing on the braided rug, a sudden tenderness in his eyes.
Nicki watched as his sorrow-filled glance flickered from Sawyer, to the floor, into his coffee, and then back to the baby, finally settling on her face. “I’m so sorry for your loss, Mrs. Trent.”
Nicki could barely speak around the lump that suddenly formed in her throat. “Thank you.”
Jason looked back to Sawyer. “I lost my father when I was just a little older than he is, my mother a few years later.”
“I’m sorry.”
A sad light was still in his eyes as he pulled out a chair and seated himself. “It worked out. I don’t know if I would ever have come to serve the Lord if I hadn’t been raised by my grandmother.”
Even as elation surged, Nicki heard Tilly give a little gasp from where she stood by the stove. So the glitter might have a little gold in it.
Joy can sneak up on you sometimes, and find you in places and in situations you don’t expect. How does joy surprise Nicki and Jason in your novel?
Neither character was in a position of looking for love, yet love sort of sneaks up on both of them in this book. For Nicki, it is the joy in finding love for the first time – even though she’s been married before. For Jason, it is the joy in second chances from a God of mercy who doesn’t hold our past mistakes against us.
What type of comment from someone who reads High Desert Haven would bring you the most joy?
“I loved this book so much I’d like to buy 100,000 copies so I can give one to everyone I meet!”
Oh, not that kind of comment? :) Hey, who wouldn't like that kind of comment?!
No, seriously, my whole purpose in writing is to hopefully help others to see that God loves them unconditionally and has good things for them. I think the comment with regard to my first book Rocky Mountain Oasis that brought me the most joy was from a woman who had never read a Christian fiction book before. She was a manager at my local Borders store, which has since shut down. She wrote up a promotional poster and displayed my book in the center aisle of the store for a few days. The gist of what she said was that the story remained with her long after she turned the last page, and gave her a lot to think about. Oh what joy! If my book was her first tiny seed of introduction to God and His goodness… I’ve prayed for her often, since that time. Don’t know where she is, now. But God does.
So something along those lines… may people be drawn to His Truth!
Any other joyful thoughts to share with the Chain Gang today, Lynnette?
I guess just this…. We’ve all been created for a certain purpose. And our creator has set out certain rules for us to live by. When we choose to ignore those rules and do things our own way, destruction comes into our lives. Ah, but when we live the way God intended us to live, then we find True Joy.
May True Joy be yours!
Lynnette’s books are published by OakTara and are available in Christian bookstores. She has a webpage http://www.lynnettebonner.com/ where you can order a signed copy of her books! Or check it out at Barnes & Noble.
Lynnette is also offering a free electronic copy of her book to one commenter on today’s post. So leave a comment telling us about the thing that brought you the most joy this week to be entered into the drawing. Comments will be left open until Friday, April 20th and then the winner will be notified via email. Be sure to leave your e-mail address to be entered!
This post is part of Christian Writers’ April Blog Chain on the topic, “Joy.” Check out the other Blog Chain posts by clicking the links right.
Mar 15, 2012
“EweNika says the shepherd will open the pasture gate soon.”
“Remember the taste of grass?”
“Do I ever!” Tap lifted her top lip and sucked the damp air deep into her lungs. “I can almost taste it already.”
Twinkle jerked her head up, ears swiveling toward the farmhouse. Tap took a step forward and watched the shepherd walk around the corner of the barn. Alerted by their actions, the older ewes raced across the paddock, flinging mud in all directions and bawling to be released onto the first grass of spring.
Twinkle and Tap hung back and watched as the shepherd opened the pasture gate and leaned on the gatepost. EweNika sprinted through the opening, the rest of the flock flowing behind her like sand through an hourglass. The young sisters came through last, saving their strongest burst of energy to plunge past the shepherd. Wool bouncing against their backs, they skidded to a halt in unison.
Tap ripped up a mouthful of the vibrant green shoots and squeezed her eyes shut, chewing slowly. Twinkle grabbed three bites before stopping to chew.
“Why are you eating so slowly?” Twinkle mumbled around the juicy greens in her mouth.
“I want to savor each bite.”
“It is a taste worth savoring.” Tap’s eyes popped open at EweNika’s deep voice.
“Why doesn’t the grass taste this good all year?” Twinkle asked around a fresh mouthful.
“If it did, we would grow bored with it and long for something else,” EweNika said.
“Impossible,” Tap said, “I could never grow tired of this.”
“Isn’t that what you said last fall when the shepherd brought in the hay?” Twinkle asked, her eyes living up to her name. “And just yesterday you were complaining it tasted like dust and mouse droppings.”
“I suppose, but hay isn’t spring grass.”
“It doesn’t matter what it is,” EweNika said. “We need change and variety to teach us to savor the differences. The Creator knew this and gave us many good things, each in their own season.”
“Well this is my favorite season and I’m going to savor each bite,” Twinkle said, sucking a bit of juice into her windpipe which set off a spate of coughing until her eyes watered.
“You can’t savor while you gulp,” Tap said with a nod of her head. “Slow down if you want to savor it.”
“Your sister is quite right,” EweNika said as she stepped away from the young ewes. Over her shoulder she added one parting comment, “Slow down and savor the good things in life. You can’t enjoy what you rush past.”
The girls watched the wise old ewe amble off and looked at each other before emitting a sheepish giggle and plunging their noses back into the rich spring offering.
This post is part of Christian Writers’ March Blog Chain on the topic, “Savor.” Check out the other Blog Chain posts by clicking the links right.
“Remember the taste of grass?”
“Do I ever!” Tap lifted her top lip and sucked the damp air deep into her lungs. “I can almost taste it already.”
Twinkle jerked her head up, ears swiveling toward the farmhouse. Tap took a step forward and watched the shepherd walk around the corner of the barn. Alerted by their actions, the older ewes raced across the paddock, flinging mud in all directions and bawling to be released onto the first grass of spring.Twinkle and Tap hung back and watched as the shepherd opened the pasture gate and leaned on the gatepost. EweNika sprinted through the opening, the rest of the flock flowing behind her like sand through an hourglass. The young sisters came through last, saving their strongest burst of energy to plunge past the shepherd. Wool bouncing against their backs, they skidded to a halt in unison.
Tap ripped up a mouthful of the vibrant green shoots and squeezed her eyes shut, chewing slowly. Twinkle grabbed three bites before stopping to chew.
“Why are you eating so slowly?” Twinkle mumbled around the juicy greens in her mouth.
“I want to savor each bite.”
“It is a taste worth savoring.” Tap’s eyes popped open at EweNika’s deep voice.
“Why doesn’t the grass taste this good all year?” Twinkle asked around a fresh mouthful.
“If it did, we would grow bored with it and long for something else,” EweNika said.
“Impossible,” Tap said, “I could never grow tired of this.”
“Isn’t that what you said last fall when the shepherd brought in the hay?” Twinkle asked, her eyes living up to her name. “And just yesterday you were complaining it tasted like dust and mouse droppings.”
“I suppose, but hay isn’t spring grass.”
“It doesn’t matter what it is,” EweNika said. “We need change and variety to teach us to savor the differences. The Creator knew this and gave us many good things, each in their own season.”
“Well this is my favorite season and I’m going to savor each bite,” Twinkle said, sucking a bit of juice into her windpipe which set off a spate of coughing until her eyes watered.
“You can’t savor while you gulp,” Tap said with a nod of her head. “Slow down if you want to savor it.”
“Your sister is quite right,” EweNika said as she stepped away from the young ewes. Over her shoulder she added one parting comment, “Slow down and savor the good things in life. You can’t enjoy what you rush past.”
The girls watched the wise old ewe amble off and looked at each other before emitting a sheepish giggle and plunging their noses back into the rich spring offering.
This post is part of Christian Writers’ March Blog Chain on the topic, “Savor.” Check out the other Blog Chain posts by clicking the links right.
Feb 11, 2012
Daisy crowded to the back of the flock, her wooly rump smashed against the hay feeder. The banging and scraping gave way to brilliant beams of sunlight as the barn door slid open. Joy scuttled through the flock like clouds on a windy day. The storm had passed and unmarked snow lay beyond the door.
EweNika, the flock matriarch, snorted and stamped a front hoof. The shepherd moved to the side, one hand still on the door. EweNika lowered her head and charged. A shovel fell sideways across the open doorway but the large ewe leaped over it with ease. Dance and Mingle followed a half-step behind, leaping the shovel handle just before the shepherd pulled it back out of the way.
Queen and Lilly skidded to a halt, eyes wide, ears pitched forward. Lily cast one nervous glance at the shepherd before the lure of sunshine overrode her fear. She leaped through the doorway with Queen on her heels.
Daisy rolled her eyes at the doorway. The other young ewes crowded behind her, pushing her into the unwelcome lead position. A gust of sweet air blew into the stale barn and she couldn’t hold back any longer. Head high and hooves scarcely touching the ground, she bolted for the opening, leaping through and wheeling around as soon as she was clear of the doorway.
“What a bunch of loonies!” Tam, the black and white Border Collie, snickered outside the door. “What did you think you were leaping over?”
“Everyone leaped through the door.”
“The first three leaped over the shovel handle, but it was gone long before you came through. You leaped for nothing!”
Daisy watched the shepherd open the gate, shovel in one hand, and whistle for Tam to follow. The dog slipped through the gate and then sat with her nose pressed between with fence wires.
“Didn’t your mother ever tell you to look before you leap?”
“My mother leaped and so did I.”
“If you had a brain, you’d be dangerous.” The dog snorted and trotted off behind the shepherd.
Daisy took a step back, her ears swiveling back and forth. She pawed through the snow to find some dried grass beneath. The dog’s silent laughter rang in her sheepish ears.
This post is part of Christian Writers’ February Blog Chain on the topic, “Leap.” Check out the other Blog Chain posts by clicking the links right.
EweNika, the flock matriarch, snorted and stamped a front hoof. The shepherd moved to the side, one hand still on the door. EweNika lowered her head and charged. A shovel fell sideways across the open doorway but the large ewe leaped over it with ease. Dance and Mingle followed a half-step behind, leaping the shovel handle just before the shepherd pulled it back out of the way.
Queen and Lilly skidded to a halt, eyes wide, ears pitched forward. Lily cast one nervous glance at the shepherd before the lure of sunshine overrode her fear. She leaped through the doorway with Queen on her heels.
Daisy rolled her eyes at the doorway. The other young ewes crowded behind her, pushing her into the unwelcome lead position. A gust of sweet air blew into the stale barn and she couldn’t hold back any longer. Head high and hooves scarcely touching the ground, she bolted for the opening, leaping through and wheeling around as soon as she was clear of the doorway.
“What a bunch of loonies!” Tam, the black and white Border Collie, snickered outside the door. “What did you think you were leaping over?”“Everyone leaped through the door.”
“The first three leaped over the shovel handle, but it was gone long before you came through. You leaped for nothing!”
Daisy watched the shepherd open the gate, shovel in one hand, and whistle for Tam to follow. The dog slipped through the gate and then sat with her nose pressed between with fence wires.
“Didn’t your mother ever tell you to look before you leap?”
“My mother leaped and so did I.”
“If you had a brain, you’d be dangerous.” The dog snorted and trotted off behind the shepherd.
Daisy took a step back, her ears swiveling back and forth. She pawed through the snow to find some dried grass beneath. The dog’s silent laughter rang in her sheepish ears.
This post is part of Christian Writers’ February Blog Chain on the topic, “Leap.” Check out the other Blog Chain posts by clicking the links right.
Jan 25, 2012
“What are you doing?”“I’m on a quest.”
“What’s a quest?”
“It means I’m searching for something important.”
Milly looked around the barn’s dim interior. Feeble sunlight funneled through cracks and painted random patterns on the dark walls. She cocked her head and focused on Dance who continued to paw through the deep bedding.
“What can you find in the straw that’s important?”
“The right place.”
Milly perked her ears and moved closer but the older ewe walked away and began the pawing in a new spot. Poking her nose in the straw, Milly sniffed and shook her head. It was just bedding, the same as it had been for the past month since the shepherd shut the barn door against the howling winds and blowing snow. She lifted a hind hoof and scratched behind her ear.
“You look troubled.”
“I don’t understand, Mama. Dance says she’s on a quest but she’s just digging in the straw.”
Mingle nodded and stood shoulder to shoulder with her yearling daughter.
“She is. Her time draws near.”
“Her time for what?”
“Her time to give birth.”
“Why can’t she give birth anywhere? The barn is big, there is plenty of room.”
“She searches for a place where the cold drafts don’t reach, a place where the bedding is deep and soft, a place that smells welcoming to her newborns.”
“How will she know the right place?”
“She will know it when she finds it. Some things are hard to explain. When that happens we must rely on what we know inside. Next year, when your time comes, you will know too.”
“How will I know?”
“The Creator of the universe gave you what you need to be who you are. The quests you must make in this life have answers. Trust that He will guide you to what you need when you need it.”
Milly watched as Dance shook herself and bent her knees, folding down onto the straw with a sigh. She tipped her head back and burped up a cud of hay to chew, her eyes half closed, ears relaxed.
“When you’re in the right place, doing the right thing, you will have that level of contentment as well.” Mingle looked at Milly and nodded. “Time spent searching is worth the reward of finding the right answer.”
This post is part of Christian Writers’ January Blog Chain on the topic, “Quest.” Check out the other Quest posts by clicking the links at right.
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