Thanksgiving: The Musical?

Lots of families have a hard time visiting over a long day. Chats turn into criticism and irritation over old habits invade what's supposed to be a pleasant holiday.

What if you could change it this year by getting out of the rut?

For musical families, the change is easier than you think. Tell everyone to bring their instruments and have  a good old fashioned jam session.

What if you're not so musical?

Plan some silly moments around creating music with odd instruments and rhythm. Spoons, rubber bands, boxes, pots and pans, old glasses filled with water. See if guests can guess that tune. Then everyone divvy up the parts and try playing it. Start simple with children's songs and build up. The familiarity will give everyone confidence.

Try karaoke in the living room.

Pass out kazoos or penny whistles.

Put in a musical and create a sing-a-long.

Find Silly Songs from the Vegie Tales. (You'll be shocked at how many adults know them too!)

Using music in the background can add dimension and atmosphere. It can also bring back the 50's, 60's, and 70's! Teach the younger generation the dances from your generation. Get them excited about it by dressing for the event in costumes.

Talk about the history of your family and how certain songs remind you of significant family or historic events. Were any of your family members involved in those historic events? Protests, wars, the Great Depression, serving during a catastrophe all have huge impact on our country and telling those stories crosses generational lines. Did anyone become a hero or cross paths with a famous American? Play the music that helps you tell the stories. Share the stories that shouldn't be forgotten.

The idea isn't to show off your talents but to invite, encourage, and enlist everyone present to be a participant in the laughter and bonding.

May your gems of wisdom overflow and fill the treasure chests of those you love,
Angie

Long Time Coming by Vanessa Miller

This week the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance introduces  Long Time Coming  Abingdon Press (November 1, 2010)  by  Vanessa Miller   

A note from Angie: Behind the scenes at a ACFW's annual conference, I had the pleasure of meeting Vanessa Miller. We chatted about book marketing and media. We tipped our heads together for ideas and a new friendship. Today I have the pleasure of featuring a new friend on my blog who shares an excellent message for women today. I hope you'll take the time to become her friend by getting to know her through the books she writes. Vanessa is a lovely lady with a heart to share stories that will enhance the lives of her readers. This book is especially poignant to me because I've also dealt with cervical cancer. I luckily survived. But many women find out too late. Please, ladies, get your check up every year. The vaccinations do not protect against everything and should not be your only defense. I'm now 8 years out from a life saving operation and hope you will love yourself and your family enough to care for your health. Take care of yourself so you can take care of them! Please welcome, Vanessa :-)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vanessa Miller of Dayton, Ohio, is a best-selling author, playwright, and motivational speaker. Her stage productions include: Get You Some Business, Don’t Turn Your Back on God, and Can’t You Hear Them Crying. Vanessa is currently in the process of turning the novels in the Rain Series into stage productions.

Vanessa has been writing since she was a young child. When she wasn’t writing poetry, short stories, stage plays and novels, reading great books consumed her free time. However, it wasn’t until she committed her life to the Lord in 1994 that she realized all gifts and anointing come from God. She then set out to write redemption stories that glorify God.

To date, Vanessa has completed the Rain and Storm Series. She is currently working on the Forsaken series, Second Chance at Love series and a single title, Long Time Coming. Vanessa believes that each book will touch readers across the country in a special way. It is, after all, her God-given destiny to write and produce plays and novels that bring deliverance to God’s people. These books have received rave reviews, winning Best Christian Fiction Awards and topping numerous Bestseller’s lists.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Two women from different worlds find hope together.
Faithful Christian Deidre Clark-Morris is a professional career-minded woman with a loving husband, but no children. Kenisha Smalls has lived in poverty all her life. She has three children by three different men and has just been diagnosed with inoperable cervical cancer.

While the meeting between these two women appears accidental, it becomes their catalyst of hope. Neither woman expects the blessing that God has in store for her. While Deidre will guide Kenisha on the path to eternal life with Jesus Christ, Kenisha will teach Deidre how to stand strong against the hard-knocks of life.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Long Time Coming, go HERE

Watch the book video:

Hatteras Girl by Alice Wisler

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance introduces  Hatteras Girl  Bethany House; Original edition (October 1, 2010)  by Alice Wisler   
Angie's Take:
I am really enjoying Hatteras Girl. About 18 years ago my family took a wonderful week at the outerbanks of North Carolina. Finding a book that let's me re-experience that time on the beach is pure fun! This locale is unique, quirky, and peaceful--well it's supposed to be peaceful. Then comes along Jackie and her dream to own a bed and breakfast. A seemingly perfect dream in a perfect place. But it all takes the most imperfect detour so not in Jackie's plans to help her find the substance of her dream. A delightful book. I'm thrilled with the recipes at the back too. Having just published Creative Cooking for Simple Elegance, I could see these recipes would fit right into my kitchen. Alice Wisler met me as a reader on so many levels--fun, old memories, food, friends, and how to get to a dream even though it feels like an ocean away. Loved the romp on the beach and the depth of life in Hatteras Girl.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alice J. Wisler is an author, public speaker, advocate, and fundraiser. She has been a guest on several radio and TV programs to promote her self-published cookbooks, Slices of Sunlight and Down the Cereal Aisle. She graduated  from Eastern Mennonite University and has traveled the country in jobs that minister to people. Alice was raised in Japan and currently resides in Durham, North Carolina.

Facts about Alice

* Born in Osaka, Japan and lived in Japan for 18 years

* Went to Kyoto International School and Canadian Academy

* Majored in Social Work and graduated in 1983 from Eastern Mennonite University

* Worked at a group home for disadvantaged kids outside of Philadelphia

* Taught English and Culture Orientation at a refugee camp in the Philippines

* Taught English as a Second Language in Japan

* Speaks and teaches on Writing the Heartache

* Has three kids on earth, and one in Heaven

* Recently got married to Carl on 2/7/09   

ABOUT THE BOOK   

There are two things twenty-nine-year-old Jackie Donovan asks God for: an honest, wonderful man to marry, and to own a bed-and-breakfast in the Outer Banks region. In the meantime, Jackie works for Lighthouse Views magazine, writing articles about other local business owners, and intrepidly goes on the blind dates set up by her well-meaning but oh-so-clueless relatives.

There's one specific property Jackie dreams of purchasing: the Bailey Place, a fabulous old home where Jackie spent many happy childhood afternoons, a place that has now fallen into disrepair because of its outrageous price tag.

When Jackie meets handsome Davis Erickson, who holds the key to the Bailey Place, Jackie is sure God has answered both her prayers. But as Jackie learns some disturbing details about Davis's past, she begins to question her own motivation. Will she risk her long-held dreams to find out the truth?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Hatteras Girl, go HERE.

Feeling Loved: Connecting with God in the Minutes You Have

Angie: I'd like to welcome a guest post today from Marnie Swedberg. She's definitely on my radar because she ministers to super busy women. Hmm, know anyone like that? Come on along :-)

A few facts first you don't want to miss and then into the guest post:

Book Release Party – November 8-11, 2010

http://www.Marnie.com

About the Book

Feeling Loved: Connecting with God in the Minutes You Have

Reading this book is like spending a few hours with Marnie over lunch. It is a conversational “how to” book sharing her relationship with God, the feeling of love it generates inside her and how you can experience God’s love in a personal way as well.

Because she believes that every relationship begins, grows or dies based on how we handle our emotions, much of the book deals with feelings – what they are, why we have them and how God views them as a trigger to constant contact and closer connections with Him.

About the Author

Marnie Swedberg

Mentor to super busy women from around the world, Marnie Swedberg was described by one regional newspaper headline as the, "Wonder Woman of the North Country." She hosts mega websites, manages the family's restaurant, assists with the family’s retail store and espresso café. She is the author of eleven books and eBooks, a public speaker and consultant for religious, business and government organizations and has been interviewed on radio and TV talk/news dozens of times. In her new book, Feeling Loved, Marnie shares her relaxed and doable approach to growing closer to God in the minutes you have.

Excerpt from Chapter 5 – Dealing with Feelings

I’ve always loved Winnie the Pooh, especially little Piglet. He is so scared and timid. When he is blown away by the wind, I can feel myself being pushed around by forces bigger than life.

The following is my simple analysis of how my feelings play out:

1. Feelings are. They come plowing into my life without warning, permission or balance. They simply show up and take over my brain.

2. Feelings can be easily manipulated both from internal and external influences. They intensify based upon circumstances, my understanding of the facts or a perceived threat of any kind.

3. Feelings are important. I always want to be able to laugh and cry. If I’m afraid, I want to know it and admit it. If I feel hurt when wronged, that’s wonderful, because it proves I’m alive. Feelings in themselves are not wrong. They are vital to a healthy life.

4. Feelings are often inaccurate. They are based on individual pieces of information funneled through my limited knowledge and experience. Upon collecting the rest of the facts, or viewing a situation from a different perspective, my feelings about it can change.

5. Most importantly, feelings are the number one thing “triggering” me to talk with God. Every intense emotion is an invitation for a conversation with God.

Every time I bring my emotions to God, He cares. He shares His perspective with me providing the balance I need.

Nancy Missler, author of “Way of Agape,” says this about spiritual maturity and emotional self-life,

“Whether we have been a Christian one year or 51 years, our self life will never improve with age. It’s still as ugly and as self-centered now as it was the first day we believed. We cannot tame our self life…. I believe a mature Christian is one who recognizes his self life and makes the appropriate choices to give it over to God.”‚

Emotions are usually the flag-bearers of “self life” or self-absorption. They can be volatile, intrusive, exasperating and out of control. But if we choose to view them as gifts, they can serve as a water slide straight down to a deeper, more loving relationship with God.

We will always have to pay close attention to our emotions. A good goal is to get faster at identifying them and running our feelings to Jesus with the words, “God, help me understand this from Your perspective.” When He does, it changes everything for the better.

Conversation Starters.

The book can be a quick, two-hour read or a leisurely, ten-week group study. Each chapter ends with a set of conversation starters for a personal chat with God or a lively group discussion. Two of the questions for this segment include:

-       With which Winnie the Pooh character can you best relate and why?

-       Do your feelings usually prompt you closer or farther from God? Why do you think this is true?

FREE Stuff for You!

Visit the Feeling Loved  book release party this week, November 8-11, 2010, during National Pursuit of Happiness Week at http://www.Marnie.com/FeelingLoved.php.

When you register to win one of the free books being given away, you will also gain instant access to three free gifts: 

1) Marnie’s copyrighted Personality Type Test

2) Marnie’s Two-Hour Time Management Course for Super Busy Women (an online, instant access audio including PDF workbook)

3) Marnie’s Scripture Memorization Tool, which is designed to help “slow learners” memorize Bible verses quickly.

Be sure to visit http://www.Marnie.com/FeelingLoved.php today!

Mrs. High Energy is Back!

Hah! Figured it out! So excited! I went from feeling like this even after a good night's sleep...

Sleepy Panda

Caffeine became my crutch...And having felt like that all day for the last several months...

Super sloth in the afternoon

I was ecstatic to realize I didn't need a nap today to feel like this...


How?

I did the unthinkable! Yes, the thing most people dread... I had my annual check up and learned something about myself I didn't know. Something that might be helpful to other people too.




I learned that all I needed was to supplement with some folic acid and Vitamin D3. In fact, my doc helped me understand the right amount for me. I'm feeling a lot better and am thrilled that I can see it will keep getting better as I build my immunity and minimum needs back up. (By the way, minimum needs of folic acid are not those touted on cereal boxes. Doc says that's just enough to stop the rickets but not enough to help with fatigue, diabetes, and colon cancer.)

How did I get so tired? Coping with Colitis is a difficult chore. I've spent a long time discovering the foods I can and cannot eat. Dark greens and fresh vegies are a real problem for me. But there are other people out there that can eat them and just don't.

My doc was thrilled with all my blood tests, blood pressure, heart and all my results. Except this one thing kept plaguing me, fatigue, but my thyroid numbers were doing fine. So we ran back through my regular daily diet. Because the colitis interferes with the foods that have folic acid and I live in a Northern clime, she determined I had some deficiencies we could clear up simply. Yahoo! I'm all about simple.

So once I undersood that certain elements in our diet really do matter for energy, protection from diabetes, bone density, and metabolism then I saw dramatic results in how my body functions.

For me, it was such a dramatic difference after even 2 doses of higher level folic acid and Vitamin D3 that I'm astonished. I'd forgotten to ask how long until I'd see results. I wish I could express to you how different this is. Maybe Snoopy does. My eyes are not burning. I'm not yawning. I'm not dragging through the afternoon like I have for the last year. I feel elated!

Do you know what else she said? Keep eating what you're eating. It's working well and add the supplements. Oh yes, I am sticking to her advice!

Something so very simple and yet so crucial. May I suggest you talk to your doc, evaluate your personal requirements, and recover from the fatigue?

We'll Snoopy dance together :-)

Is fatigue an issue for you?


Keep eating what you're eating because it's working...
Here's how I eat. :-)
Creative Cooking for Simple Elegance

Interview with Kathi Macias on her new book, Red Ink

Angie: Today I have the privilege of sharing an interview from Kathi Macias about her new book, Red Ink. Kathi is an amazing lady. She's genuine, wise, and willing to help others through her story telling ability. I love Kathi and her writing! Please enjoy this interview as a special treat for you to get to know Kathi too. I posted my review of Red Ink on Oct. 19th, 2010 in case you'd like to read that too.

Questions/Answers from Kathi Macias

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Q: Red Ink is the third book in your four-book Extreme Devotion series. Each book is set in a different country, with the theme of first devotion and commitment to Christ above all else running through all four. How is Red Ink different, and who/what inspired you to write this book?
A: Red Ink is the only one of the four books that actually deals with someone being arrested and suffering specifically for her faith in Christ. The story is loosely based on my own personal heroine, Li Ying, who is currently serving a ten-year sentence in China for printing/distributing Christian materials, particularly to children. I pray for Li Ying daily, and I remind myself how very blessed I am to have the freedom to do what she did—without paying the price she now pays.

Q: Can you give us a brief synopsis of this story?
A: A young Chinese woman, Zhen-Li—raised to observe the party line, including its one-child-per-family doctrine—falls in love with and marries a Christian, and adopts his faith. Though the couple downplays their Christianity in an effort to survive, Zhen-Li’s family is appalled, and she and her husband are ostracized. When she becomes pregnant for the second time and refuses to have an abortion, the persecution begins in earnest. Zhen-Li’s parents, under pressure from the government, pay to have Zhen-Li kidnapped and the baby aborted.
It is then Zhen-Li decides she must live up to her name—"Truth"—and take a firm stand for her faith, regardless of the consequences, and so she begins to regularly teach children about Zhu Yesu ("Lord Jesus") and to distribute Christian literature every chance she gets. Based loosely on the life of Christian magazine editor Li Ying, currently serving a ten-year prison sentence in China, the story of Yang Zhen-Li tells the desperate tale of her incarceration and separation from her family, as she continues to minister to other prisoners, and even to her guards, leading to a surprising conclusion that will both stun and challenge readers.


Q: How did you get into writing? Has it always been your passion, or is it something you came to later in life?
A: I’ve always wanted to write, for as long as I can remember. I was an avid reader even before I started kindergarten. I wrote a short story in third grade that the teacher liked so much she showed it to the principal, and they decided to turn it into a play for the entire PTA. I was hooked! One day when I was about 13, I was walking home from school with my then boyfriend (now husband), Al, and I told him I’d be a writer some day. He often reminds me how blessed I am to have been able to do what I dreamed of all my life.


Q: I understand you’re running a special contest that has to do with this book. Can you tell us about it?
A: Actually, I’m running the same contest twice—two chances to win a free Kindle! To be eligible, follow these three steps:

• You have to read Red Ink and post reviews on Amazon, CBD, etc., and/or your personal blog;
• You must also be a follower of my Easy Writer blog (address below); and,
• Let me know via my website contact email: mailto:ezyrtr@ca.rr.com that you have met the requirements and want to be entered.

The first winner will be announced in early November; the second in mid-December, just in time for a last-minute Christmas gift.

Q: In addition to writing, you are a popular speaker at women’s event, writers’ conferences, and various venues around the country. How can people find out more about you, your writing and speaking, sign up for your weekly devotional newsletter (in English or Spanish), and/or just view your many book videos, etc.?
A: They can find me at my website (http://www.kathimacias.com) or blog (http://kathieasywritermacias.blogspot.com). There is a “contact” button on my website if they’d like to send me a message. I always respond to all my emails!

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Kathi Macias A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me as a blog tour host by New Hope Publishers in exchange for posting this interview on my blog. Please visit Christian Speaker Services at www.ChristianSpeakerServices.com for more information about blog tour management services.

What is the book about?
Red Ink by Kathi Macias (New Hope Publishers)
A young Chinese woman, Zhen-Li—raised to observe the party line, including its one-child-per-family doctrine—falls in love with and marries a Christian, and adopts his faith. Though the couple downplays their Christianity in an effort to survive, Zhen-Li’s family is appalled, and she and her husband are ostracized. When she becomes pregnant for the second time and refuses to have an abortion, the persecution begins in earnest. Zhen-Li’s parents, under pressure from the government, pay to have Zhen-Li kidnapped and the baby aborted.
It is then Zhen-Li decides she must live up to her name—"Truth"—and take a firm stand for her faith, regardless of the consequences, and so she begins to regularly teach children about Zhu Yesu ("Lord Jesus") and to distribute Christian literature every chance she gets.
Based loosely on the life of Christian magazine editor Li Ying, currently serving a ten-year prison sentence in China, the story of Yang Zhen-Li tells the desperate tale of her incarceration and separation from her family, as she continues to minister to other prisoners, and even to her guards.

About the Author

Kathi is a multi-award winning writer who has authored nearly 30 books and ghostwritten several others. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs. Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences, and recently won the prestigious 2008 member of the year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) at the annual Golden Scrolls award banquet. Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband, Al, where the two of them spend their free time riding their Harley.

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Vietnam War Memorial

Pencil rubbing of my uncle's name

 One of my dreams was to visit the Vietnam Memorial and see my uncle's name. I didn't want to see stones polished for beauty. I wanted to honor his memory and recognize the sacrifice of those who died in service to our country. Uncle Paul was a radio man.

Paul Lee Bigelow died in Vietnam the first week he arrived in a huge Viet Cong sweep.

 Uncle Paul's name is found on panel 44E line 57. Both my brother and my son bear part of his name.

Vietnam Memorial

I was surprised by the sheer size and the emotion that seeing all those names sparked. I didn't think I'd cry. I really didn't. But I did. The magnitude of all those lives stunned me. Remembering my uncle, fondly, brought emotions I'd never expected. It's just a black shiny wall, right? 

Sculpture of service men at the Vietnam Memorial

But my uncle could have been a model for one of these men. He answered the call to duty. He deserves to be remembered with honor, love, and gratitude. Today is All Saints Day. One to remember those who have gone before. Thank you, Uncle Paul, for going before and out in front.

Also remembering my mom Eva,  cousin Dale Nelson, and grandparents Burt, Maybelle, Cleo, and Ralph today.

Do you miss someone?

How do you honor them and your grief today?