Genesis Moments - A Writer's Journey

NEW Edition: Project You is Back at School!

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Dining with Susan Hirshman of "Does This Make My Assets Look Fat?"

Last week, I enjoyed a wonderful dinner with the lovely and talented Susan Hirshman who is promoting her first book on teaching women financial literacy. A group of ladies participating in The Bloggers Book Club met with Susan at the lovely and delicious Trattoria San Nicola in Paoli, PA.

The book parallels dieting and finances and I would tell you more but I just finished a more thorough write-up over at DIYFrugal.com; so, I'll send you over there to read the rest - by clicking HERE! Enjoy the desserts of saving and investing now and having the money to retire happily later.

 

Learn about The Zone & Toxic Fat with Dr. Barry Sears

After picking up a copy of The Zone off a resale shelf at the library, I was excited to get the opportunity to interview the famous author Dr. Barry Sears who has a new book out called Toxic Fat.

To check out our interview, click over HERE to DIYFrugal.com where I posted my article based on our talk. The man has some fascinating things to say about fat! (By following his principles, I've lost 8 pounds in the last TWO weeks! Only 43 to go - based on the Metropolitan Life Tables of 1983. Boo- hisss. .. )

To check out his new book, click over to Amazon by selecting the link below!

Book Review: When Your Child Is Hurting

 Glynnis Whitwer, Senior editor at Proverbs 31 Woman Magazine, published a new book called When Your Child is Hurting that helps parents deal with the ups and downs in children's lives. This book is especially important to me because Glynnis quotes one of the trials from my childhood in Chapter 11 on "Investing in Your Children's Strengths." In tenth grade, I had been a cheerleader for a year and was trying again for the next year. In an ambitious move, I also tried out for the school play (which had a smaller cast than in previous years) and I went up against my twin brother for class president.

Trying to do too much, I did nothing well and got eliminated from all of the above pretty much in the same week. It was really painful (especially the Saturday when two of the results were posted). My mom was a huge support to me as I pursued other avenues and became heavily involved in community service. It turned out to be an incredible experience that changed the course of my life. Glynnis's book is chock full of many more examples, testimonies and scripture to helps deal with the hurts children go through. I highly recommend it.

Here's a description of the book from the website:

Author, speaker, and mom Glynnis Whitwer understands how you desperately want to protect your child from hurtful or discouraging experiences-harsh reprimands from coaches or teachers, uncaring remarks from family or friends, troubling misunderstandings between siblings. Glynnis also sympathizes with the parent whose well-meaning assistance is often skewed by his or her own painful memories and experiences. Practical and insightful information, fitting Scripture verses, inspiring quotes, and study questions give you tools to help your child confidently walk through life's everyday hurts and grow into a healthy adult who turns to God as the true source of hope and guidance.

Chapter Titles Include:

The Difference A Parent Makes

Dealing with Disappointment

When Words Hurt

Overcoming Fear

Managing Stress

The Pain of Loneliness

Turning Failure into Victory

Body Awareness

Hope After Loss: Dealing with Grief

Anger: When Is It Wrong?

Investing in Your Child's Strengths

Overcoming Insecurity

Dealing with a Bully

Caring for a Child with a Physical Difference

When Your Child Learns Differently

Knowing When to Get Professional Help

And, I love this Bible verse (one of many referenced in the book)

Romans 5: 3-4 "We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character and character, hope."

Purchase When Your Child is Hurting by clicking here.

Disney on Ice through the Eyes of Pre-Teens

 
Last night the girls and I went down to opening night of Philly's Disney on Ice Celebrates 100 Years of Magic at the Wachovia Center, thanks to Moms Central and the Feld Family Activator Program.

As always, Disney knows how to put on an amazing show. No holds barred, lots of cool special effects, amazing skaters doing cool routines in costumes and fantastic fireworks at the end. We had some awesome seats too!

The show was a compilation of all the Disney story lines (except Sleeping Beauty which my daughter could not stop bringing up - I don't know why. She's at the age that noticing what is missing must be cool instead of being grateful for the representation of every other storyline that existed.) I will say that as with any compilation, you don't get the strength of any one storyline - only the highlights.

BUT, you really did feel like you got a sneak peek into what going to Disney offers since Cinderella's castle was the backdrop and the evening ended with fireworks shooting off the top.

Only, they forgot to add the monorail to get us back to our cars and out of the parking lot. I only honked once at a man who pulled right into my lane. You feel a little guilty since small children are in cars all around you but he was truly putting us ALL at danger so I justified getting all my driving angst out on him with a good resounding horn blowing.

The GREAT part about going with pre-teens (age 11 & 12) is that 1) they already have light up toys gathering dust at home so they are totally cool when you say NO; 2) they love to analyze the sets (like "did you see that Mulan was the only one to change costume in the middle of the ice when someone helped her turn around her coat"); 3) they can go to the bathroom by themselves and call you on your cell phone from the lobby; and 4) they don't melt down on the way home (instead they want to blast their Taylor Swift music which I have to admit I truly enjoy too).

The SAD (for me) part is that they DON'T want to get their pictures with the characters any more. We were so close to the ice and several performers were milling around near the edge. Lots of parents and kids headed down for a quick snap. I tried one lame, "Want you picture made with the characters?" only to be greeted with the typical pre-teen, "Yeah, right, Mom. Uh, no."

THE BEST part about going with a group like the Feld Family Activator Program is that you get to see fellow bloggers which is always a treat. I didn't get to talk to anyone except Mel from A Box of Chocolates who I sat beside but we had fun talking as always! Her daughter was so cute to watch as she took it all in with awe and wonder. I miss that age but I love this age too with my girls. New wonders all the time.

I have to add ONE thing. Disney, can't you come up with better wigs for those guys? Oh my. I know, I know, they have to be sturdy to fly around the ice and stay on but they really did look like fuzzy rugs on their head. Okay, now that is out of my system.

THANK YOU, Mom Central and the Feld Family Activator Program for send us to Disney on Ice!!

Inspiring Words from Exodus

Ever wonder if you can do the job God called YOU to do?

Check out Moses's conversation with God:

"Oh my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow speech and slow of tongue." So the Lord said to him, 'Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.' " Exodus 4:10-12

Just like God gave Moses Aaron as a spokeman, He gives us the Holy Spirit today to lead and guide us through the job, the journey, the joys He called each of us individually to experience in our own worlds as we seek to live a pure and holy life, walking in righteousness and service to our Lord Jesus Christ.

I have tried so many new things in the last year and now I am settling into a few things that I really enjoy but I daily face those nagging doubts of "God, I'm not good enough" and the quiet voice continues to whisper "But, this is what I gave YOU to do. You will be able to do it. I will make the way possible. I will give you what you need." Praise the Lord.

 
I was inspired to write this quick excerpt from my life after finishing R.C. Sproul's "The Mystery of the The Holy Spirit", a clear and precise teaching on the wonders and joy of the third person of the trinity, the Holy Spirit. It is a rich, enlightening look at the work of the Living Spirit of the Living God. It is encourages you to think on a deeper, more theological level without going over your head and leaving you under the bus, spiritually speaking. I highly recommend it!

LIMITED OFFER: FREE copies of Stay Home Stay Happy

In conjunction with the release of her new book, Stay Home Stay Happy, Rachel Campos Duffy is giving out a limited number of free copies for review! See my previous review HERE for additional information on all the fun, witty advice Rachel shares in the book.

Let me know ASAP if you would like a copy!

Watch Rachel, former TV host, mom of 5, & now book author on Dr. Phil Tuesday, September 22. Check your local schedule for times in your area!

Book Review: "Stay Home, Stay Happy" by Rachel Campos-Duffy

I had the pleasure of meeting Rachel Campos-Duffy at the RightOnline conference in Pittsburgh last weekend. Coming home with several good reads, I found Rachel's book the one I couldn't put down.

"Stay Home, Stay Happy" sounds like it might only apply to stay-at-home moms but I found plenty of great advice for all parents - male or female. It is a warm, friendly guide to life written by a mom who has known the spotlight though tv hosting and realized the richness & diversity "just" being a mom brings - which everyone who has been a mom and especially one with 5 kids like Rachel knows, there is no "just" being a mom. It is a full-time job.

Rachel's ten secrets to loving at-home motherhood range from pride in your motherhood to organizational and wellness tips to relationship advice. I especially enjoyed her twenty mom must-haves -- which included my personal favorite: the Magic Eraser. I have to say that I had never heard of a "Hooter hider," a bib-like cloth that you can strap around your neck for instant discretion while you are nursing. Loved nursing, so glad I am done.

Now, Rachel - frozen cookie dough? - when making and mixing is such a great learning tool for kids? I guess everyone has their own short-cuts! Well, she does redeem herself with adding to the list the site Epicurious.com, an excellent cooking website.

Finally, my all-time favorite advice are six small gestures that say "I love you" which include:

1. A love note slipped into a briefcase or coat jacket or onto the mirror in the morning.

2. A favorite meal or beverage waiting when he comes home.

3. An unsolicited foot or neck massage.

4. Letting your spouse sleep in on the weekend.

5. A cup of coffee and the paper by his night table for when he wakes up.

6. A long kiss for no reason.

Way to go, Rachel. We look forward to hearing more. For regular posts on family and parenting, you can also find Rachel at AOL's ParentDish.com.

Rachel will also be on an upcoming Dr. Phil show. I believe she said they were taping August 31st to show on Sept. 1st but I will repost if I find out different.

Meet "Daisy Chain" author Mary E. DeMuth

Mary E. Muth graciously answered my questions about her new novel Daisy Chain. I received a copy at Blissdom '09 and finally had time to read it this last week on a much needed vacation!

Daisy Chain is about a young girl who goes missing after playing with her good friend Jed, who leaves her alone to find her way home. Feeling guilty, Jed circles around to check on her and discovers her shoe along the path. Worried, he stops by her home where her less-than-attentive mother grows worried over her disappearance.

Jed's own father is a pastor with a hidden tendency to abuse his family when things aren't perfectly in order. Jed's guilt over leaving Daisy in an abandoned church where they played is compounded by his father's anger and retribution.

In the midst come two mysterious outsiders, Hixon, a black man called a prophet by locals and revered for his intimate knowledge of God and Muriel, a free-spirit who is believed by some to have killed her cultish pastor of a husband and who now fights for her life against cancer.

With the help of Hixon and Muriel, Jed finds his strength to stand against the hypocrisy of his father's torment and protect his younger sister and mother. Torn between family loyalty and the wisdom of outsiders, Jed must decide from whom he will grow spiritually and who he can trust as the search for his friend widens.

Definitely a must read with quick moving action that makes you think about faith, family relationships and motives behind murder!

Below see the Q & A granted to me by Mary:

Is there any one character in the book with whom you most closely relate? Or perhaps, which parts do you draw from your own experiences and life? There have been times when I’ve felt both like Hixon and Bald Muriel, on the outside of things, sometimes misunderstood for my desire to follow Jesus. But then there’s a part of me who is Hap, hiding away the icky parts of myself so the world sees the shimmer. And I totally relate to Jed, trying to figure out who God is when the adults in my life had a hard time demonstrating Him.

How many books do you anticipate in this series? For example, when you started did you have an idea that this would be a trilogy or other? It is already complete and is a three-book series. The second book, A Slow Burn, releases in October. Here’s a teaser: http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Product/ProductDetail.htm?ProdID=com.zondervan.9780310278375&QueryStringSite=Zondervan Yes, I knew it would be a trilogy.

Do you find settings similar to the story to go research or is the burned-out town, for example, completely created in the inspiration of your imagination (through the Lord, of course)? I had the opportunity to live in East Texas for two years, so a lot of what I learned, I gathered from that experience.

How has writing affected your own personal walk with the Lord? Where has it helped you grow the most? Every book I’ve written, whether nonfiction or fiction, has had an element of God healing me through the writing or editing process. I wonder if that’s why God called me to write, because He knew He’d be doing so much personal healing through the process. I’ve always been a communicator, so when I write or speak, I learn a lot in the process. I actually process my life by communicating about it. And when I do, I gain new insight.

Oh, can I ask why we didn't learn about Daisy's killer in this book? I would have loved that to be in there;) )

Alas, you will learn, but you have to read the whole series. So sorry!!! My closest friends have asked me as well, and I can’t even tell them!

Thank you, Mary! To go to her personal website, click HERE!