Mother Inferior

Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture

My friend Mary DeMuth has written a fabulous (and much-needed book) called Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture. In it, she shares from the heart about her family's experience trying to authentically live out their faith in France.

Mary and her family served as missionaries during the time she was writing the book, and she bares her soul (and her kids') as she lets readers in on their journey to keep the faith in an often-hostile environment.

We as modern parents can learn so much from the DeMuth's struggle to integrate honest faith into every single aspect of their lives--and, in doing so, impact their world for Christ.

You can read a great review and an interview with Mary about the book here. You can visit Mary's super-cool blog--and buy an autographed copy of the book--here.

The Geeks Will Inherit the Earth

Last year, my eight year-old and his friend who was spending the night were telling me about the groups at school (it's already started--in third grade)! They said the cool kids were the ones who played football, then there were the kids who thought they were cool and weren't, and there were the nerds, who were so smart they were annoying.  :)

Then I said, "So which group are you in?"

Jordan

said, "We're not cool, and we don't care!"

I could NOT have been more proud!!!

I'm raising a geek....yay!

The funniest part: when I told them that geeks and nerds (i.e. Bill Gates) will most likely become the bosses of the cool kids one day, their eyes lit up and Drew yelled, “PAYBACK!”

Gotta love it.

Good News Musings

I'd be honored if you'd hop on over to my friend Lorri's blog to read her interview with me. Lorri is a nationally-syndicated radio host, speaker, and a dear friend. She asked me some great questions (like has faith always been easy to hold onto and what books have influenced me)!

Tag: I'm It! (Books)

Rachelle at Seek First His Kingdom tagged me--thanks, chicka!

1. What's the one book or writing project you haven't yet written but still hope to? A coming-of-age novel.

2. If you had one entire day in which to do nothing but read, what book would you start with? Probably a great novel like The Time-Traveler's Wife or Water for Elephants, both which I received last Christmas as gifts but haven't had time to read yet.

3. What was your first writing "instrument" (besides pen and paper)? An Apple computer, one of the first they made (this was in the "Pong" era of video games).

4. What's your best guess as to how many books you read in a month? I read less than I used to, since I have a toddler. But I probably read 4-5 a month.

5. What's your favorite writing "machine" you've ever owned? My laptop with a wireless card.

6. Think historical fiction: what's your favorite time period in which to read? I don't read much  historical fiction--but I guess my favorite time period is the early 20th century, or the late 19th.

7. What's the one book you remember most clearly from your youth (childhood or teens)? One book? ONE BOOK? Like Rachelle, I am and have always been a read-a-holic. But I remember reading and re-reading Scott O'Dell's Island of the Blue Dolphins as a pre-teen.

What about you, dear readers? Anyone want to answer these questions? I love talking books almost as much as I love reading (and writing!) them.

Children's Book Contest from Cheerios

What’s better than sharing a great story with a child? Maybe when that great story is one that YOU wrote! For the past five years, through our Spoonfuls of Stories program Cheerios has been helping to get great books to children and encouraging parents and children to read together. This summer, we’d like to encourage aspiring children’s book authors to write and share their best story – through our new Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories Children’s Book Contest. The contest is open to unpublished authors ages 18 years and older, to submit their children’s story. The story should be suitable for children ages 4 to 8 years old. No entry fee. One Grand Prize Winner will receive a cash prize from Cheerios and have an opportunity to have their book reviewed for a potential book deal with a publisher. In addition, two First Prize winners will receive cash prizes. All three Prize winners will have their stories featured online at spoonfulsofstories.com. The contest opens June 19, and all entries must be received by 11:59 P.M. on September 7, 2007. Click here for more info.

God is Good

After a painful season, full of changes, upheaval, disappointment, and lots of uncertainty, God has been showing me His goodness in many ways. I'm so thankful!

On the ministry front:

• I've been asked to contribute essays and/or devotionals to several projects for moms--and I am excited about each one. I LOVE sharing with my fellow mommies what God has taught me.
• Both Bibles I contributed to last year were recently nominated in the same category for a major Christian book award from the Evangelical Press Association. They didn't win, but it was truly "an honor to be nominated." :)
• I had a meeting last night with a Christian event planner who sets up retreats for women in Kerrville (only 20 minutes from here). It looks as though I may be singing on a praise team and speaking for breakout sessions at her three 2008 retreats. Her keynote last year for one of the events was Gloria Gaither...so I'm pumped about the quality and caliber of the retreats, and the ministry potential! As it has happened so many times in the past with me, this incredible opportunity just "fell into my lap." (When I try to promote myself, it doesn't work. When I pray and allow Him to promote me, things fall into place. I'm getting it, Lord, finally!)
• My trip to the International Christian Retail Show was awesome. Read more about it here.
• I saw the card I sold to American Greetings at the HEB grocery store here in Fredericksburg! What fun! I also got a call-out for more ideas, and hope to sell some more things to them in the future. It's a great change of pace from my other writing.

And on the family front:

• Fredericksburg is beautiful. I love the slower pace, the friendly people, the beautiful homes, and the quiet neighborhood we're in (at least it was quiet until we got here). Though the moving in and getting settled process is slow, each day our house feels more like "us."
• Jordan learned to swim! He had been in lessons several times and never quite "got it" until he had private lessons with a young man who's on the swim team here. He is so proud of himself--and said, "Mom, I found my sport! It's so fun!" I'm tickled pink.
• In a recent supporter newsletter, "Life Today with James Robison" featured a picture of our boys, a picture of James with Jordy, and a small article about the water-for-life project we helped with...WOW! (They had interviewed Carey, Jordy and me about our experience--and treated us to a taping and dinner before we left the Dallas area. James even called him out and praised him for his giving heart in front of the studio audience, after the show was finished taping.) How like our sweet Father to bless our impressionable 9 year-old with such memorable rewards for obedience!

And last, but not least:

• We have found a church! I love the blended style of music (with REALLY good songs and great hymns, not just "fluffy" P&W), the fact that they have communion weekly, and so many other things about it. I can't wait to really get plugged in. It's a huge answered prayer.

I miss my friends, of course, and it is taking time to make new ones, since we've been busy getting the theater up and running. But God is so good to show me daily that we're right where we need to be, and that He is with us. Praise Him, from whom ALL blessings flow. Time and again, He has confirmed that (as it states in 1 Cor. 2:9), "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him."