Kids are kids all over the world

I recently returned from a mission trip to the Ukraine with the mission organization known as Goin' Fishing. GFM (see more info in previous blog, January 29, 2009) was started several years ago by a man very dear to my heart and the hearts of many others, including my family. Bro. Earl Mullins was the principal of Portland Christian School, my Alma mater, for many years. After he retired, he started GFM so he could "Go Fishin" for men! And he did, in many places around the world, with an emphasis on Russia. Since Bro. Earl's death in 2006, Paul Kitzmiller has led Goin' Fishing Ministries and the mission trips. He and his wife lived in Russia off and on for over three years.

Our team was composed of Bro. Paul, his wife Virginia, a lady from Sellersburg, IN, Libby McMahan, and my neighbor and friend, Joan Marsh. God truly blessed this trip with financial support and much prayer support. We thank all of those who shared those blessings with us so we could pass on the blessing to the Ukrainians, and receive a rich blessing ourselves.

We had many eye-opening experiences and met many fine Ukrainian Christians, but as a former elementary teacher and mother and grandmother, the best part for me was the interaction with the kids!

I have been given the opportunity to travel to several countries, and I can truly say that "kids are kids all over the world." The Ukrainian children were no exception. Their smiles lit up the rooms and our hearts.

Much of our work was with about thirty sixth and seventh grade students at the Rainbow Orphanage outside Donetsk. The children swarmed around us when we arrived, and met us at the door or on the front porch on following days. We divided into three classes. I taught the Bible lessons while Joan did skits that emphasized the theme of the lessons, and Libby aided the students in making crafts that also correlated with the Bible theme. At the end of each hour, the students rotated, while we teachers stayed in the same room and taught the same lesson three times each day. Kind of a mini-VBS!

Our overall theme for the week was God's love--using stories of God's creation, Adam and Eve's sin, and Jesus' birth, death, resurrection and ascension. Our team was pleasantly surprised at how much Bible knowledge the students already possessed, and we pray that as they remember the lessons we shared they will internalize and accept God's love and salvation into their own hearts.

On the last Saturday of our time there, the kids were treated to an outing at the Circus. Although we did miss seeing the circus through their eyes, due to the tickets being for the wrong date, we were very happy the circus manager made it possible for the kids to experience it, and we did get to hear about their favorite parts later when the children were brought to a Ukrainian church for a meal and treats. They also performed a concert for us, displaying their talents at singing popular songs and Scripture songs.

The one thing different about these children compared to American children is that when the meal was finished, the kids immediately stood and began clearing the dishes from the table, an example American kids should emulate! I even have the picture to prove it! (see first picture above.)

We met several children at the three churches we attended, including the young boy shown with his mother above. I also had the opportunity to speak to the 8th graders at the Christian Day School on the campus of Donetsk Christian university where we stayed. All of the Ukrainian children spoke much more English than I could speak Russian! The picture of me with a pretty young teen girl shows one of the students I met at the Christian school who came to tell me "good-by" or "Das Vadanya" on the day we left.

I miss the children and pray for them every day. I hope you will join me in prayer for these orphans and all those who work with them--orphanage employees and local church groups who visit and teach them weekly. And I encourage anyone who has the opportunity, to open your hearts to the possibility of taking a mission trip to the Ukraine or where ever God leads you.

Ann Gabhart wins Love Finds you in Valentine Nebraska by Irene Brand, will you be the next winner of Kaye Dacus's book Stand-In Groom?



Congrats to Ann G. I hope many of you will leave a comment this month to have a chance to win a copy of Kaye Dacus's heart-warming story Stand-In Groom, the first book of The Brides of Bonneterre series.



Although this is Kaye's debut novel, the writing is so great that it reminds me of Liz Curtis Higg's contemporary books with characters who seem like people you know, a plot with many turns and twists, and emotion-packed scenes filled with humor and pathos.



The main character, wedding planner Anne Hawthorne, is introduced to a man by her cousin. George Laurence and Anne share a mutual attraction--until Anne discovers he is the groom-to-be in a wedding she is slated to plan. But, things are not always as they seem. You'll enjoy the highs and lows of this roller-coaster journey as you travel the path to the altar with Anne and George and the other characters.

I hope you will read more about Kaye and her upcoming books at www.kayedacus.com. Leave a comment anytime this month to be eligible for the drawing of a copy of this book, or head on over to www.amazon.com or www.cbd.com if you want to enjoy the read even sooner!

Thanks to everyone who prayed for our Ukrainian mission trip. I am about recovered from my jet lag and hope to post some pics and some highlights of the trip soon, so check back next week.

Robin Grant wins again and new book contest

Our winner of Megan DiMaria's book Out of Her Hands is Robin Grant. Robin is one of my faithful few bloggees. She is the only person who will not be eligible for March's contest. Anyone else who has a USA mailing address and leaves a message on one of my posts during the month of March will be entered in the drawing to take place on April 1st or shortly thereafter. (If you scroll down to previous posts, you can read about the mission trip I will be taking to a Ukrainian orphanage March 19-31st, so depending on flights, jet lag, etc. I may be a few days late with the drawing. Also prayers for our team and all those we will meet with over there are much appreciated.)

The book you can win this month is Love Finds You in Valentine Nebraska by Irene Brand. It is autographed by Irene who is a very prolific writer of over forty-five books with over two million copies in print! Very impressive! I have met Irene, and she is as sweet as she is prolific!

Here is a blurb from her website www.irenebrand.com
"A thoroughly modern young woman is drawn into an ancient feud that has nothing to do with her--or so she thinks. When Kennedy Blaine inherits Circle Cross Ranch in Valentine, her first impulse is to sell it. Her second impulse is to travel to Valentine, a town that seems to have come right out of the pages of an old western, and visit the ranch. Kennedy finds herself charmed by the ranch--and by its attractive manager, Derek Sterling. She questions her decision to sell the Circle Cross, especially when her cousin, Smith Blaine, mysteriously conceals the identity of the person who wants to buy it.But when Kennedy decides to spend the summer in her ancestral home, she's subjected to a series of harassments. When Kennedy and Derek try to discover who's behind these offenses, they're drawn into a feud that just might divide the town--and place Kennedy's own life in danger."

While on her site, you can also see a YouTube video about the book and check out more about Irene and her many fine stories. So hurry on over there and discover a whole library of books to order. And leave a post here for a chance to win a copy of this one.

Book Review--Love Finds You in Miracle, KY by Andrea Boeshaar

As a native Kentuckian, I can assure you that Andrea Boeshaar has the mood of a small town in the Bluegrass state and its down-home folks and their friendliness shown very realistically in this book. As a retired elementary teacher, I can also tell you that the author does a wonderful job of portraying the heroine, Meg Jorgenson, as a caring, involved teacher. Meg moves from Chicago to Miracle to get a fresh start at life, and to renew her relationship with her grandmother. Meg grows very close to one of her students, and the student's father. It will take several miracles to work out God's will in the lives of these realistic characters. I hope you will read this book to find out how that happens. Finding Love in...followed by a name of an actual town in the United States is a new series by Summerside Press. This book was the first one I read in the series, and I enjoyed it so much I am now on my third! So hurry up and order this book. I bet you will enjoy it so much that you do the same!

Book review--Love Finds you in Last Chance, California by Miralee Ferrell

I just had to stay up late last night to finish Miralee Ferrell's latest book--Love Finds you in Last Chance, CA. This book is one of the first in a new series by Summerside Press. All the books start with "Love Finds you in... followed by the name of a real town in the USA. Miralee and her husband visited Last Chance and she describes it as "now a ghost town with only one small shack and a cemetery attesting to the thriving mining town that once existed."

Using that bare bones scene as a starting point, Miralee has written a fascinating fictional story set in 1877. The hero and heroine are both characters you will find yourself falling in love with. Add some quirky secondary characters and some missing cattle and gold, and you have a page-turner that will keep you up late reading to find out what happens next. I hope you will check out this book and this series of books for some great reading.

Book Review-- Out of Her Hands by Megan DiMaria

Megan DiMaria's second book lives up to the writing standard (4 1/2 stars Romantic Times magazine!) she set in her first novel, Searching for Spice. In Out of her Hands, the heroine we met and loved and identified with in Searching for Spice, Linda Revere, continues on her journey as a working mom, wife, and everywoman who continues on her journey to learn to trust God more.

With her best friend moving across country, the need to help her widowed father-in-law move on with his life, and her son set to marry an unbeliever, Linda's life often seems out of control until she remembers that it is all out of her hands anyway, and in the hands of the only One who can make sense of it all.

I hope there is a third book in this delightful series. Leave a comment anytime this month to be eligible to win a copy of this book in my monthly drawing. (See last post for requirements.) And if you haven't read Searching for Spice, be sure to get a copy of it. Happy Reading!

Have you heard about the ice storm in KY last week?

That's the reason my posting of the contest winner is so late this month. We were without electricity for 7 days. Then it stayed on for one day and went out again the next. Ever since it came back on the second time I have been experiencing computer woes. I had the son of friends here today and he got my internet explorer to work without error messages so far, but he still can't get my outlook express to open with all my emails.

Our winner of Longings of the Heart is Ginger. I have contacted her and will send the book as soon as I receive her home addy. This would be a good time to mention the contest rules for my monthly book drawing. You must leave an email or way for me to contact you for your addy if you are the winner. Also you must have a US address, and the same person cannot win two months in a row. Check back next week to find out more about this month's book--Out of Her hands by Megan DiMaria. Every time you leave a message each month, you will get an entry into the contest, so let me hear from you!

NEW Blog Launches: "Writer to Reader" ~ Where writers & readers connect by Peg Phifer

I am proud to announce a new blog recently started by Peg Phifer for both writers and readers. So, if you fit into either or both categories (doesn't everyone?) go to http://www.writer-to-reader.com Peg is setting up a schedule that will include postings of book reviews, contests, and interviews and more. I especially like the "Road Signs" segments which remind me of the old Burma Shave signs, except they all are pithy sayings about reading or writing. This site is a real treat. My only problem is that I could visit it for hours and not get any writing done! LOL I hope you'll mosey on over today.

Prayer requested for mission trip to Ukraine, Mar. 19-31, 2009

Dear Family & Friends, (I am interrupting my regular blog about books to share this information with you, my readers. And I plan to share more info and pictures when I return from this trip.)

Greetings! It is my prayer that this letter finds you and your family doing well. I am writing to make you aware of my intentions to participate in a mission trip to the Ukraine in March, 2009. Our team is planning to depart on March 19 to work in Donetsk, the second largest city in Ukraine, for about twelve days. During that time we plan to conduct a day camp with Bible lessons, crafts and drama at one of the local orphanages and visit several churches in the area.

To say I am excited about the opportunity to be a part of this mission team and serve the needs of the Ukrainian people is an understatement. I hope that you can share my excitement and join me in this ministry. I am asking for your support and prayers for this mission trip.

The trip is being funded entirely through donations and by those going on the mission trip. The trip itinerary and activities will be under the direction of Goin’ Fishing Ministries which is based in Louisville, Kentucky. My goal is to raise at least $2000 for this project. The money collected will be used to pay for expenses related to team travel and ministry to Ukrainians, especially orphans.

If you are able to assist financially, please mail a check to “Goin’ Fishing Ministries” (P O BOX 2474, Clarksville, IN 47131) along with a copy of this letter. On the memo line of the check, you may designate: “Ukraine trips” Do not include my name on the check if you intend for your gift to be tax deductible. You may attach a note or write my name on the flap of the envelope if you wish your support to be credited for my part of the trip expenses. On behalf of everyone taking this trip, I thank you for your prayers and financial support. I hope you will copy and post this letter with its heading on your frig as a reminder to cover us in prayer. May God bless you richly! Rose McCauley

And the winner is...

Robin Jones Grant. Robin is a frequent bloggee on my site, so I am pleased to announce that my hubby chose her again as the winner of the latest book drawing. Read the post for Dec. 21st to find out more about this month's book contest for Longings of the Heart by Bonnie Leon. It is an enjoyable book. Check back around the first of February for a winner. Everyone with a US mailing addy except Robin is eligible so leave a comment.

Merry Christmas to all my readers!

Thanks to all who have read and left comments on my blog posts this year. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Check back the first of January to see our latest winner and our new book contest.

Book Review--Longings of the Heart by Bonnie Leon

Have you ever wanted to take a trip to Australia? Well, you could watch the movie that is out by that name, or in the almost three hours it takes to view the movie, you could read and enjoy Longings of the Heart and enjoy a great story set there while learning about the history and scenery of Australia. And you won't even have to leave your nice warm house to drive to the theatre. (It's 5 degrees above zero here in KY as I type this!)

This book is the second in the author's Sydney Cove series. The first one is entitled To Love Anew, and they are both published by Revell. Here's some of the back cover copy to whet your appetite:

"Hannah and John have embraced the wondrous land of Australia as their own. As they venture into the unknown to start a sheep farm, they must rely on God and each other to scrape out a living and fulfill their dreams of having a family of their own. But life on the fledgling ranch is fraught with pitfalls and hidden danger. And the past is finally catching up with them.

When a mysterious woman shows up in town, Hannah is in danger of her own dark secrets being revealed. Can John and Hannah weather the storm? Or will the harsh realities of life tear them apart?"

I hope you will order this book from Revell or check for it at your local Christian bookstore so you can be swept away to the sunny shores of Australia. It's summertime down under!

Time for a new winner and new book review--A Taste of Murder by Virginia Smith

My fabulous hubby who does most of my book drawings has selected Karin as the winner of Rhapsody in Red, so the book will be in the mail as soon as she sends me her mailing info.

Anyone who posts this month will be eligible for a drawing on Jan. 1st for an autographed copy of A Taste of Murder by Virginia Smith. (see picture of Virginia and post on Nov. 2)

This is one of the five books I read this past month and I really enjoyed it. It is set in Owensboro, Ky which is just a couple hours' drive from where I live. Jasmine Delaney is a member of a musical ensemble which has been hired to play at a wedding in Owensboro during the Kentucky Bar-B-Q festival. Ginny Smith combines murder, a budding romance and lots of local color into an entertaining read which will keep you reading and turning pages. I was happy to read in her newsletter today that this book will be the first of a series of three, one highlighting each ensemble member. Check it out at www.VirginiaSmith.org and order some of her other books. Just remember to leave a post here this month if you wish to be entered in the drawing. The two rules are you must have a US mailing addy and I have to have some means of contacting you if you win. Happy reading!

Book Review--Rhapsody in Red by Donn Taylor

Well, this post is 28 days after my last one, but I did manage to keep my promise to post again this month. Barely! My husband and I returned this past Tuesday from a 10 day vacation--5 day cruise to Mexico and then a stay at Orange Beach, AL. I was without computer access the whole time, but did have plenty of time to read!

First I want to give my own personal review for Donn Taylor's book Rhapsody in Red. I will draw tomorrow, December 1st, then post the winner of this book. They are in for a real treat. Donn's writing and characters draw you in from the very start. There is a musical quality to his writing and a musical theme throughout the book that adds much to the storyline. I even suggest you play some of the classical pieces his hero, Preston Barkley, is hearing in his head, while you are reading this book, to heighten the mood and the effect of the words.

I don't want to give away much of the plot line other than the back cover blurb I quoted from in my last post. I will share that Donn is a master at working all the subplots together seamlessly into a whole that will keep you guessing who the murderer is because he introduces us to so many well-written red herrings that you may not figure out the villain until almost the very end like Professor Barkley. The last line of the book leads me to believe there will be a sequel, and I certainly hope so. Preston Barkley now seems like a friend with whom I want to stay in touch. So, hurry up and write more, Donn.

Contest Winner, New contest and Excuses, excuses...

The winner of Ann Gabhart's The Outsider is Diana. I know she will enjoy it muchly. I saw Ann a couple of weeks ago at her booksigning in Lexington, KY, and she said a sequel is in the works, so I am eagerly awaiting it! Ann is on the left in the red jacket and Virginia Smith who also signed books that evening is in the red jacket on the right. I'll post more about Virginia later on this month, so check back to read about her and one of her new books. The other two ladies are members of our Unity Christian Church book club, Ellen Whitaker and Thelma Taylor, who also attended the signing at Joseph-Beth with me.

This month's book contest is for Rhapsody in Red by Donn Taylor. Don is another ACFW member whom I have met at conferences, along with his lovely wife, Mildred. Although I am only about 1/4 way thru this book (see excuses below!), I can already tell you that I am very impressed. Not only has Donn hatched a plot that has me wanting to stay up past my bedtime to see what happens, he has also done it with the cadence and lyrical writing one would expect from the poet that he is! Here's a blurb from the back cover copy to whet your appetite and make you want to leave a post so you have a chance to win this book:

"Preston Barclay is a self-made recluse (and he likes it that way). Teaching college history allows him time to grieve the loss of his pianist wife and find relief from the musical hallucinations that have been playing in his head since her death. But when he and a headstrong colleague, Mara Thorn, discover the body of another instructor on campus, Press's monotonous solitude is destroyed. When the preliminary evidence singles out Press and Mara, they must take some chances (including trusting each other) to build their own defense--by bending the rules just a bit...Otherwise they both might end up unemployed, behind bars, or worse..." Sound exciting? Leave a post!

Now for the excuses part. I really hate to make excuses for not finishing this book sooner and for not blogging more this past month, but...I was taking two online classes, plus working on getting my final rewrites done before sending my two requested proposals off, plus had friends visit for nine days... So, although November looks to be a busy month also, I pledge to write at least one more time this month--once I get said proposals sent off and read Virginia's book so I can post a review of it. Hope you will check back and keep me accountable!

Book Contest Winner and new contest for The Outsider by Ann H. Gabhart

This month's contest winner of the two Trish Cunningham mysteries by Candice Speare is Cecilia Dowdy. I hope she is ready to read because you won't want to stop these books once you get started. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!

Our next book drawing will be for a new book by a multi-published Kentucky author--Ann H. Gabhart. I met Ann at one of our Kentucky Writers' meetings and at the booksigning where I bought this book . This story centers around a place not too far from my home and Ann's home--Shakertown. In fact, she only lives 30 miles from Shaker Village and "has walked the same paths that her characters might have walked in generations past. Her thorough research provides a convincing and colorful backdrop for The Outsider"--back cover copy

This is a historical story of love and of decisions which will affect the characters throughout their lives.

I, too, have walked the paths of Shakertown and toured the buildings where the Shakers lived and worked. In fact, I have a funny story to tell about one of the times we visited there. My husband and I decided to spend the night for an anniversary trip one year. We stayed upstairs in one of the buildings. I awoke early in the morning and told my hubby he had to hurry and get up because I smelled smoke and thought the building was on fire. It turned out that the shop downstairs dyed the wool and I smelled the fires the workers were preparing for that job!

I am happy that Ann's publisher, Revell, has provided a book for me to use in this drawing so I can keep my own copy. All those who leave a blog comment with a US mailing addy and a way for me to contact you will be entered. (except for Cecilia. She'll have to wait a month to win again to give more people a chance.) Happy reading!

2008 ACFW Conference

Last weekend I attended the 7th annual ACFW conference held in Minneapolis, MN. I want to share a few of the highlights with you and some pics, too.

I again had the privilege of traveling from Kentucky with Ruth Seamands, who at 91 is the Mama of our group. We arrived on Wednesday, and I spent part of the afternoon helping ready the bags for the attendees. That night a group of us went to TGIF's for supper. Here are Ruth and I with Kim Sawyer (check out her site at http://www.kimvogelsawyer.com/) and Margie Vawter.

On Thursday morning I was honored to introduce Margie Lawson as our Early Bird speaker for the second year in a row. After taking her class last year at conference, I devoured all three of her online classes this past year, and rewrote my WIP using her techniques. I am already signed up for her October advanced class. If you have taken a Margie class before, you know how helpful this will be, so hurry on over to http://www.margielawson.com/ and sign up!

The third picture was taken at our awards' banquet. Mama Ruth in the middle is dressed in her sari, flanked by me and my wonderful roomie, Jennifer Johnson. Check out Jen and her books at http://www.jenniferjohnsonbooks.com/

The only bad part about conference is leaving and knowing that you won't see many of your new and old friends for another year. But, we have our ACFW loop to keep us in touch. If anyone is reading this who is interested in writing fiction, hurry on over to http://www.acfw.com/ and sign up for the best writing organization in the world!

So Long, Farewell, auf Weidersehen, Adieu...

In a day and a half I will be on my way to the airport to fly to Minneapolis for the annual American Christian Fiction Writers Conference, so this will be my last post until after I return.

I am so excited at the prospect of seeing old friends from past conferences and meeting new friends in person with whom I've only cyber-chatted. I also have a book critique scheduled and meetings with an editor and agent, not to mention all the great classes we'll have from early in the morning to the Late Night Chats. But my favorite part of conference is the times of Spirit-led worship. There is something very special about hearing 500 voices lifted in praise to our God. No matter what style of worship we are used to in our home churches, we all come together to praise Him. "Your Name is a strong and mighty tower, Your Name is a shelter like no other, Your Name--let the nations sing it louder, for nothing has the power to save like Your Name!"

Please pray for all of us travelling and attending the conference, and all those unable to attend. May we all learn to better use our talents for Him alone Who is worthy of our praise.

And the winner for last month's comments is...

Robin Johns Grant. As soon as I receive her mailing addy, Ramona will mail Robin an autographed copy of Sweet Forever. Congrats to Robin, and many thanks to Ramona! The rest of you need to go to http://www.heartsongpresents.com/ and order you a copy before they are all gone!

This month's winner will win 2 books by Candice Speare...

Murder in the Milkcase--Will Trish Cunningham's discovery sour her on milk forever?
AND
Band Room Bash--This murderer is playing for keeps.

These books are the first two in the Trish Cunningham murder series. And I can't wait for the next one! Trish is a mom, wife, stepmom and business partner who somehow manages to do all that and still get involved in her town's murders. Candice, another fellow ACFWer, writes about murder in a fun, unconventional way that will keep you reading while laughing and identifying with the characters. You can find out more about her at http://www.candicemillerspeare.com/ and if you don't want to wait a month for the drawing, you can order them now at http://www.heartsongmysteries.com/

Happy reading everyone!

Nashville, Indiana-- His Book Shop and The Cornerstone Inn

I didn't post last weekend after a three day trip to Nashville, Indiana with a longtime friend. I had never been before, but my friend Jane goes every year. And now I can see why she enjoys it so much!

We stayed at a lovely Christian B&B named The Cornerstone Inn. (see picture above of me and jane in the swing in front of the Inn.) The rooms are decorated mostly Victorian style, and each room has an open Bible. There are also Bible verses on lovely pictures throughout the building. They already have expanded to another building where they have a floor of suites called The Upper Room! And they are in the process of building cottages next door to the original Inn. Even if the rooms weren't so nice, I would stay there again just for the delicious food! They have a wonderful buffet breakfast each morning with at least two hot dishes and a table full of baked goods. Then each afternoon and again in the evening they put out several more snacks and sweet treats. Plus tea and coffee are available all day and night.

From the Cornerstone Inn you can walk to anywhere in Nashville. We went to several stores and watched a lady play 35 bells all by herself on Thursday night before closing time, then went to a very professionally done play presented by the University of Indiana players. On Friday we made our rounds to the rest of the shops. Nashville has three scrapbook stores where I bought some unique papers. I had looked thru one of the travel guides and saw there were two bookstores in town, so I told Jane we had to go to them. My favorite was called His Book Shop. When we walked in, I said, "I could stay here all day." I meant it literally. We did stay for over an hour, browsing the well-stocked bookshelves and chatting with the owners, Terry and Rusty Caldwell. They had recently purchased the shop and have many old classics as well as new books on the Christian best-seller list. See picture above of Jane in front of the store. Check them out at www.hisbookshop.net

Friday evening we went to a fun patriotic show called America, the Music. Nashville is definitely a family place. Several of the shop owners and workers were Christians who spoke of how their town was becoming better all the time. If you have ever visited Nashville, I hope you will list your favorite places. I certainly plan to go back again and encourage you to visit also!