My kids are VERY creative. Being homeschooled, they usually had 2-3 hours of school work and the rest of the time they goofed off ... or entertained themselves. Creativity is the result. They write songs, write stories, read, and do video productions ... just for fun.

Also, they've recently "taken over" their youth group's drama department. This week Cory, Leslie, and Nathan are doing a skit on the theme "I am Bold." Nathan (14) has amnesia and he is very timid. The other two tell me that he's actually an accomplished and well-known person, and they enourage him to Be Bold.

The point of the message, of course, is to remind us who we are in Christ. Sometimes we forget.
Okay, most of the time we forget.

Anyway, here are a few of the illustrations the kids came up to to prove Nathan's success. I thought they were great!






Stop Lurking! Every week I will draw names for a free Tricia Goyer book from those who comment on my blogs. Winner's choice! Tell your friends.

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Thoughts on Home, Family, and God from the middle of Suburbia!

Before 1999, I didn’t think much about heaven. It was out there somewhere, beautiful and wonderful I was sure.

Thinking of it, reminded me of food. (Like everything else reminds me of food, too.) Although meat always smells good when you pass a barbecue, grilling up dinner, if you’re not hungry, has no draw. But the hungrier you are, the more interest you have in what’s under the cover of that grill. And it wasn’t until death met our home that I became hungry for heaven.

It all started when my husband and I moved 1,000 miles from California to Montana. I had one main concern, and that was leaving my aging grandparents behind. A few years after we’d moved, the news I’d dreaded came. My grandfather was dying of cancer and he didn’t have long to live.

The thing that surprised my extended family the most was his desire to spend his last days in Montana. So over Christmas break, my husband and I drove through a blizzard, packed my grandparents up, and moved them to our home.

My grandpa seemed fine at first. Sure, he was a little slower than normal but that was to be expected. Then the weeks and months passed, and the weaker he became the more I started thinking about our eternal home.

I had listened to songs about heaven and read about it in the Bible, and while it was interesting, when you’re in that situation it’s about as filling to your soul as reading a cookbook or watching to a cooking show when your hungry.

Never having lost a close family member before, I had a hundred ideas of how I thought I’d deal with things, but none of them were right.

After four months living with us, my grandfather was bedridden. My grandmother and I would spend time in his room reading Scripture verses and praying with him.

Then, one day the idea of heaven heightened. I was reading aloud to my kids when my grandmother called me into the room. My grandpa was praying with hands lifted. Later he described smelling beautiful scents and seeing white birds and a gentle lion. More than that, he saw his Savior with arms stretched wide.

The next day, my grandfather went into a coma, and while I should have been terribly sad instead my heart nearly burst with joy. Every time I walked into the room it was as if heaven had touched the room with blue electricity. It seemed brighter and filled with the sensations of the brush of angel wings.

I have two final memories of my grandpa’s last waking moments. One was the peace in his eyes, and the other was the kiss he blew my direction. Though unable to speak, he was giving me a final farewell. Or a “see you later” to be exact.

So while I’m not ready for my life to be over today, heaven has great appeal. The small taste of it was enough to last a lifetime, and the reality of it will be a feast that I’m eager to enjoy . . . forever.

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It's the Christmas season ... there's no better time to talk about teen pregnancy! I'm being totally serious here. (And if you keep reading this WILL tie into Christmas!)

I first started thinking about this topic when I heard a recent report that the number of teen births have risen ...


>
Washington, DC -- Today, the National Center for Health Statistics released preliminary 2006 birth data, and highlighted the fact that for the first time in 14 years, the teen birth rate has increased. The rate rose from 40.5 births per 1,000 females aged 15-19 in 2005 to 41.9 births per 1,000 in 2006--a 3 percent increase.

>



I read some newspaper reports that are stating that abstinence education is the cause ... that we're not giving teens enough information on contraception. Hmmm ... instead maybe we should consider:

*** All the movie stars having babies ... MANY outside of marriage. On every magazine what do you see babies, babies, babies. It's the new fashion accessory.


*** How sex is portrayed on TV and movies. If you are in love, jump in bed.


*** How sex is written about in books. Or in soap operas. It's now if you're chosing to have sex ... it's who's sleeping with who THIS WEEK.


*** How we dress. Skin is in (unless you are in Montana and it's December). We train young women to dress as sex goddesses and then shame them when they act like one?!

Also, should it be any surprise that Hollywood is on board with this trend?

There is a new movie called Juno opening December 14. It's the third comedy of the year, after “Knocked Up” and “Waitress,” about an unexpected pregnancy. I plan on watching it ... because my HOPE is that it has a good message of second chances and making right choices.
(link for article)
(link for trailer)

Actually, there's a movie I want to watch even more than that ... and it's called Bella.

(link for trailer)



If that doesn't make you want to run to the theater, I don't know what does! You can find more information about it here: http://www.bellamoviesite.com/

Which leads me to Christmas! A few nights ago my family watched The Nativity Story

(link for trailer)

I TOTALLY recommend it. All members of my family greatly enjoyed it. In fact, I might watch it again soon. I loved how it brought the Roman persecuation of the Jews to life. But mostly I loved how it portrayed Mary as a teen facing an unexpected pregnancy. The shame. The whispers. The strength it took to believe that God had a plan.

It makes me think of my own story too. Nineteen years ago I was a pregnant teen--unsure of my future. Now look what God has done! He can bring GOOD out of any situation. He has for me! And he can for all those new moms who are young, yet enjoying their baby's first Christmas this year.

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I've been homeschooling for thirteen years. Kids are now 18, 15, and 13 and my oldest is graduating this year. (Although we are in the process of an International adoption, so I'll be starting all over in a few years!) Anyway, during this time my husband and I have felt God's leading in towards ministry. My husband works full-time, out of the home, yet God led us to start a dynamic, weekly children's ministry at our church. John writes the curriculum, and the rest of us help as actors or with sound/lighting. We've done this every week for the last ten years.

Also, when I was pregnant with my youngest, I felt God's leading to start writing. Since that time I've written fourteen books that have been published by houses such as Zondervan and Thomas Nelson. I write both historical fiction and non-fiction books concerning parenting, marriage, books for teens, etc. I also write regularly for Focus on the Family and other national magazines. I also helped to start a crisis pregnancy center in our town in 1999, and volunteered there for many years. My children helped through remodel, babysitting for teen moms, etc.

There were times when it was hard balancing it all ... but I also feel that we, as homeschooling parents (or all parents!), do our kids no favors when we neglect to follow our God-given dreams. In fact, I feel it has benefited my kids to see me seeking God, setting goals, and accomplishing my dreams through God's strength. They see lived-out examples of how one person can reach many, and they've witnessed and people blessed as a result. They shared dinner with teen parents, have visited with WWII vets, and have "proofed" my books before they go to print. Their lives are enriched, and they've seen God at work.

So what about you? Have you bought in to the lie that you'll do something for God "once the kids are older"? If so ... what a shame. Just think of what an example you can be TODAY. Just think of how seeing God at work in your can mold YOUR children's future!

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...have you ever thought about going back to school? Enrolling in a correspondence course? Starting a new hobby? Try this:

1. Ask for help. You may need help with things like babysitting and homework. (Yes, homework!) Make a list of those who can help with your various needs … and don't feel too proud to accept their help.

2. Seek alternatives. Some schools have alternatives programs, such as free childcare, community classes, or correspondence courses. Talk with advisers to see what alternatives are available to you.

3. Don't give up! Schooling is hard, but the time you put into it will improve your future. Also, don’t feel you have to finish by next year. If it takes you four years to complete a one-year program … you’re still done! Remember that you will reap rewards in the future for sacrifices you pay today.

4. Finally, remember that YOU are your child's example. Be the person who can show your child to follow big dreams!

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Greetings from Atlanta!

Today was another day of workshops with fiction writers. We talked about marketing, business planning, and the “other” part that comes with book editing.

I’ve also had a chance to talk with a lot of writer-friends and get free copies of their new books, yeah! It’s great to be around a group of people that can talk deadlines, sales, marketing, etc.I haven’t been outside yet today.

So, currently “ Atlanta ” means the inside of the Hyatt and the Marriott. (Okay, I did cross the street to get from one hotel to the other.)

Last night was the Christy Awards, and all I can say is AMAZING. The friends were wonderful. The keynote by Lauren Winner was FANTASTIC. And everything else from the prayers, introductions, and awards presentation really was well-done.

And the winners of the Christy Awards ...Contemporary Stand Alone: Winter Birds by Jamie Langston Turner!

Contemporary Series, Sequels, and Novellas: The Brethren by Beverly Lewis!

Historical: Madman by Tracy Groot!

Lits: Sisterchickes in Gondolas by Robin Jones Gunn!

Romance: The Measure of a Lady: by Deeanne Gist!

Suspense: Plague Maker by Tim Downs!

First Novel: Where Mercy Flows by Karen Harter!

Young Adult: William Henry Is A Fine Name by Cathy Gohlke!

Congrats to all the winners!

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Tricia Goyer here.

You know what I've been thinking about? I've been thinking about YOU.

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Some of my favorite memories of growing up in the 70s and 80s was playing Barbies with my friend. When I was in 2nd grade my friend Laura lived in the house behind me. We spend HOURS setting up our play houses, dressing our Barbies, and just letting our minds wander as we played pretend.

 

A few years ago I received an email from Laurie. It was great hearing from her after so much time. You see, we I was in the 4th grade Laura moved away and we lost track of each other.Laurie emailed me and we talked about the fun we used to have. Laurie also said she discovered some of my Barbie items when she was going through her things. Can you imagine? She kept those things after 20+ years.

 

Yes, good memories are worth keeping around.Of course, things are different now. It’s sad, don’t you think that often little girls don't have the time just to play? One reason is that parents have the signed up for every activity under the sun. Six-year-olds need their private calendars just to keep track! (I devoted a whole chapter to this in my book Generation NeXt Parenting.)

 

Another reasonI think girls don't have time to play is that they seem to be growing up too fast—the clothes, the makeup, the music. It seems the stuff I was drawn to at sixteen is being marketing to girls at age six! (Don't get me started on this!)Amazingly, I discovered I’m not the only one who thinks little girls are growing up too fast.

 

Check this out: http://www.webelieveingirls.com/index.htmlMattel and Barbie have a new website to encourage parents, teachers, leaders to let little girls be little girls longer. Way to go Barbie! I knew I liked you.

Here is some of what they believe: (from their website)

• We believe in girls. In their dreams. And in their very natural, built-in desire to change the world.
• We believe in playtime (and more of it).
• We believe, in fact, that the magic of a happy, playful, inspired girlhood is the same secret ingredient that creates happy, inspired and powerful women.
• And the world could use as many of those as possible, right?

So, do you think little girls are growing up to fast? Check out the resources on this page and give voice to what YOU believe.

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