Christmas is hard when Dad or Mom is deployed, and providing support, strong connections to the deployed parent, and a solid sense of family tradition can help the child feel loved and secure. There are two sets of tips—for parents of military children, and for civilians who want to bless military kids in the community.
Thank you
Somehow the calendar has flipped enough pages that Thanksgiving has returned. In just a few days, many of us will share huge meals with family. In some of our homes, we’ll even take a few minutes to remember why we’re celebrating. We’ll think back to those early Pilgrims, and pause to remember how they celebrated what little they had in the …
6 Ways to Spread Love This Holiday Season to Military Spouses
I remember all too well the challenges that my family faced when my dad’s National Guard unit was called to active duty for Operation Desert Storm. I was 16 when my dad got activated — two days before Thanksgiving. But I was 17 when he returned right around Easter. I didn’t recognize my dad — might have had something to …
When Life Knocks You Down
Saturday I was watching my college’s football team play. It worked out great that my MBA classes ended as the game was slated to start. I got home, talked to our friend who’d been babysitting, then rushed into workout clothes and hopped on the treadmill. We were ahead, and the first quarter and a half were fun to watch. Then …
Use Me, Lord
This week has been a week of vulnerability. Last night I spoke at a local church for their book club. I had a BLAST! But as I walked into the room, I realized the PowerPoint I had on a flashdrive wasn’t going to do me any good. It was a great exercise in relying on God! I love those times …
BOGO: Books for the Military
I am so very excited about a promotion my publisher is running for Where Treetops Glisten. I knew Waterbrook/Multnomah was a great house to write for, but this promotion just sealed it for me. We’re partnering with you as readers in an exciting opportunity to buy a copy of Where Treetops Glisten and then the publisher will send one of five books to someone currently serving in the military.
The Face Me Challenge: Dare to show your Beauty
Today I’m participating in the Face.Me blog tour. If you’re here from other blogs, you’ve probably heard that this is a risky venture. As I’ve prayed about why, God showed me that at least for me make-up is part of my mask.
5 tools I use for Social Media Efficiency
One question I am asked periodically is how to make sense of the immense pressure on authors to build a platform. Many people will tell you the best marketing an author can do is to write the next great book. That’s so true. Here are five tools I use to be more efficient.
Author Chat & Giveaway with Brandy Vallance
Today I’m delighted to introduce you to my new friend Brandy Vallance. Her debut novel The Covered Deep released recently, and I read it after my friend Kristy Cambron raved about it. After I read it, I understood why. This book is an adventure novel in the lines of Indiana Jones or Romancing the Stone. Bianca, the heroine, is selected …
Meditations: A Spacious Place
As I was looking through my blog, I rediscovered this post. I love how God will use my writing to challenge me. I originally wrote this at the very end of October 2012. A few things have changed in my life since then. I’ve written a couple more books. I’ve been earning another degree. I’ve made the decision about my …