Hello everyone, I hope that you all are doing well. I am really busy but I didn’t want my blog to not be updated.
Today, I want to do something a little different. Instead of me posting my thoughts I want all of you to leave comments and tell me what you think of this election. I hope that all of you will participate.
Today, I want to do something a little different. Instead of me posting my thoughts I want all of you to leave comments and tell me what you think of this election. I hope that all of you will participate.
As some of you may know, I am involved in some campaigning work for the local Republican races. If you are a Democrat or an active member of any other party, don’t leave just yet. I may not agree with you on a number of political issues, but we probably have other things in common that are more important than any party affiliation and I respect your right to hold a different opinion. Anyway, it seems I have committed to working a bunch at the Republican headquarters from now to Election Day so posts maybe rather spotty over the next two weeks and then there should be no political posts for at least two years.
Now, for the writer’s tip of the week; In order to be a good writer, you need to learn to from good published authors. To that end, I have a link for you to look into. Where the Map Ends, is a web site created by Jeff Gerky, who is a published author. As you will quickly see, he loves the fantasy and science fiction genres. He has a section of tips for writers that I have found very helpful. If you have any great websites for writers, just leave a comment.
Now, for the writer’s tip of the week; In order to be a good writer, you need to learn to from good published authors. To that end, I have a link for you to look into. Where the Map Ends, is a web site created by Jeff Gerky, who is a published author. As you will quickly see, he loves the fantasy and science fiction genres. He has a section of tips for writers that I have found very helpful. If you have any great websites for writers, just leave a comment.
I like to scrapbook but I can’t afford to spend three to five dollars a page on stickers, paper and all the other things that you “need”. I get most of my stickers and paper at Dollar Tree, which usually carries a good selection but I also get paper from a web site called www.scrapbookscrapbook.com/. All the papers and embellishments are free to be printed out. Be for warned, if you are on dial-up (like me) it will take a while to down load but it’s worth it!
I woke up today with a lot of things that needed to get done. There was a blog post to write, Bible courses to get to, and a book that still needs to be typed into the computer, but that isn’t what I have spent most of my morning on. Mom was on the web so I decided it would be fun to do dome archery to start my day. I soon found myself with my two youngest siblings defending our castle (a tree fort that my dad built for them) against barbarians. We took turns shooting arrows and throwing balls at the oncoming enemy.
I enjoyed myself despite having a lot of work that needed to get done, and I made two girls very happy. It reminded me that it is important to take time out of my busy life just to have fun with my siblings that are growing up so fast. Oh, and if you happen to be a barbarian, you best stay out of our yard.
I enjoyed myself despite having a lot of work that needed to get done, and I made two girls very happy. It reminded me that it is important to take time out of my busy life just to have fun with my siblings that are growing up so fast. Oh, and if you happen to be a barbarian, you best stay out of our yard.
As early voting starts, and we all began the nail biting wait to see who wins the election, I want us all (that includes me) to take a deep breath and remember who is really in charge.
We live in a place where it is nearly impossible for any one person to destroy our country, but even if somehow someone managed destroy the government, it would be okay. Our ultimate citizenship doesn’t lie in America, it lies in Heaven. I find myself many times these days, fretting over who will win and what will happen to the country that I love, but I need to remember that whatever happens, it is the absolute best thing that could happen because God is in control.
I understand that if certain people win, that they will do things that I don’t like and do things that God doesn’t like. Remember Joseph of the Bible? What his brothers and other men meant for evil, God used for good. Let us not forget who is in control and who we belong to.
We live in a place where it is nearly impossible for any one person to destroy our country, but even if somehow someone managed destroy the government, it would be okay. Our ultimate citizenship doesn’t lie in America, it lies in Heaven. I find myself many times these days, fretting over who will win and what will happen to the country that I love, but I need to remember that whatever happens, it is the absolute best thing that could happen because God is in control.
I understand that if certain people win, that they will do things that I don’t like and do things that God doesn’t like. Remember Joseph of the Bible? What his brothers and other men meant for evil, God used for good. Let us not forget who is in control and who we belong to.
I most of you know I love to write and I have had several articles that have been published in girls magazines. I am looking for some new magazines to have articles published in and was wondering if any of you had any ideas or suggestions. I would love to hear about them so just leave a comment for me. If for some reason you don’t want it published, then just say so.
Welcome to my blog! Every Saturday, I try to post something on writing, such as the things I have learned, my writing adventure, and tips and tricks of the trade. Today I want to talk about something I have learned in writing novels; making your main character a worthy person.
One of the reasons that I started and continue to write is that though I love top read fiction books, there are very few out there that I enjoy. I cannot tell you how many Christian novels I have stared and then set aside in disgust as the story unfolds and the main character, supposedly a Christian, is doing things and getting themselves into situations that are less then godly. I understand that sometimes that the author just is trying to keep people on the edge of their seats or trying to show how Christians can get themselves out of bad situations but it gets tiring.
When I pick up a book, marketed to Christians, I always hope to open it and find characters that have godly character. I want the woman to love being woman and not always wishing they could be men or acting as if there was not difference between the two. I want the men to be strong and have opinions and woman that are respectful not strong willed and rebellious. When I open a book, I wonder if I dare hope that the characters in it will be God honoring in all they do and be willing to do what is right even when it costs them but over and over again I am disappointed.
I want to challenge all of you who are writers or thinking about writing to have high standard for your writing. That all you write would give glory and honor to God and if you ever write a novel, think about how you characters act. I personally like all my characters to be a little better than I am so that they encourage me to higher and better things.
I took longer to write this out then I had intended but I hope that it was encouraging to you. If you have any thought on the subject I would be happy to hear from you. Just leave a comment.
One of the reasons that I started and continue to write is that though I love top read fiction books, there are very few out there that I enjoy. I cannot tell you how many Christian novels I have stared and then set aside in disgust as the story unfolds and the main character, supposedly a Christian, is doing things and getting themselves into situations that are less then godly. I understand that sometimes that the author just is trying to keep people on the edge of their seats or trying to show how Christians can get themselves out of bad situations but it gets tiring.
When I pick up a book, marketed to Christians, I always hope to open it and find characters that have godly character. I want the woman to love being woman and not always wishing they could be men or acting as if there was not difference between the two. I want the men to be strong and have opinions and woman that are respectful not strong willed and rebellious. When I open a book, I wonder if I dare hope that the characters in it will be God honoring in all they do and be willing to do what is right even when it costs them but over and over again I am disappointed.
I want to challenge all of you who are writers or thinking about writing to have high standard for your writing. That all you write would give glory and honor to God and if you ever write a novel, think about how you characters act. I personally like all my characters to be a little better than I am so that they encourage me to higher and better things.
I took longer to write this out then I had intended but I hope that it was encouraging to you. If you have any thought on the subject I would be happy to hear from you. Just leave a comment.
Yesterday, I talked about how we should make sure that we are always making time for people and showing them that we care. Today, I would like to give you a few ideas on how to do that.
One of the things that all of us, including me, tend to do is to stay in our circle of friends and not reach out to new people. One of the things that I work hard to do and personally know help people to know that someone cares is introducing yourself. When we began to look for a new church, and visited what seemed like hundreds of churches, I often felt unnoticed because no one came up and introduced themselves or even tried to talk to me. This is why if you came to my church and were anywhere close to my age I would walk up to and introduce myself to you (or at least I would try to) to let you know that you were noticed.
Another thing that we can do to show people that we care is to make sure that others are allowed into our circle of conversation. The simple act of making room for a person in the circle of your conversation, maybe even asking them their opinion on the topic, shows a person that someone cars what they think and feel and that they are wanted.
Yet another way to show someone you care is to know their name. I still remember when our former church had a work day and one of the kids that were in my Sunday school class was there and said “Hi Sarah” and it made my day. Just the simple act of knowing a persons name can mean the world to them.
The last thing I want to discuss is just having time in you schedule for people. Not just people in your Co-Op and old friends but time for the people who are knew and need to know you care. The thing that totally changed my attitude toward church was that families took of their time to get to know us and bless us. Time is the ultimate expression of love for others. My we all learn to love and care more and more for those around us.
One of the things that all of us, including me, tend to do is to stay in our circle of friends and not reach out to new people. One of the things that I work hard to do and personally know help people to know that someone cares is introducing yourself. When we began to look for a new church, and visited what seemed like hundreds of churches, I often felt unnoticed because no one came up and introduced themselves or even tried to talk to me. This is why if you came to my church and were anywhere close to my age I would walk up to and introduce myself to you (or at least I would try to) to let you know that you were noticed.
Another thing that we can do to show people that we care is to make sure that others are allowed into our circle of conversation. The simple act of making room for a person in the circle of your conversation, maybe even asking them their opinion on the topic, shows a person that someone cars what they think and feel and that they are wanted.
Yet another way to show someone you care is to know their name. I still remember when our former church had a work day and one of the kids that were in my Sunday school class was there and said “Hi Sarah” and it made my day. Just the simple act of knowing a persons name can mean the world to them.
The last thing I want to discuss is just having time in you schedule for people. Not just people in your Co-Op and old friends but time for the people who are knew and need to know you care. The thing that totally changed my attitude toward church was that families took of their time to get to know us and bless us. Time is the ultimate expression of love for others. My we all learn to love and care more and more for those around us.
I love my church. About three years ago, if you had asked me what I thought about church and I would have said I didn’t care. Now don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t that I didn’t understand that church was an important part of every believers life, it was that I had been hurt so many times by the people in the church.
We would ask people to come over and they would agree to but then something else would come up. A lot of the girls were part of a club but I and my sisters were never invited. No one had the time for us but I saw them making time for other people and that hurt. I was only twelve at the time and perhaps I saw some things and misunderstood them but I felt left out and that was painful.
When we started attending White Stone Family Bible Church, I could have cared less. Looking back now, I know that if it hadn’t been for what happened next, I probably wouldn’t be going to church. What happened you might ask? People took the time out of there lived to show they cared. They came over to our home and spent time with us, they let us know that they were praying for us when we went through hard times, and they said ‘Hi Sarah,’ on Sunday mornings, showing me that they knew me and cared. .
One of the things that the Christian homeschooling community has really messed up is that they get so wrapped up in all sorts of activities that they don’t have time for people, yet making time for people and loving them is at the core of our Christian values.
So what can we do to show people that we care? How do we know that we have given enough time to people? We will take about that tomorrow
We would ask people to come over and they would agree to but then something else would come up. A lot of the girls were part of a club but I and my sisters were never invited. No one had the time for us but I saw them making time for other people and that hurt. I was only twelve at the time and perhaps I saw some things and misunderstood them but I felt left out and that was painful.
When we started attending White Stone Family Bible Church, I could have cared less. Looking back now, I know that if it hadn’t been for what happened next, I probably wouldn’t be going to church. What happened you might ask? People took the time out of there lived to show they cared. They came over to our home and spent time with us, they let us know that they were praying for us when we went through hard times, and they said ‘Hi Sarah,’ on Sunday mornings, showing me that they knew me and cared. .
One of the things that the Christian homeschooling community has really messed up is that they get so wrapped up in all sorts of activities that they don’t have time for people, yet making time for people and loving them is at the core of our Christian values.
So what can we do to show people that we care? How do we know that we have given enough time to people? We will take about that tomorrow
I have been tagged by Victoria! So here are six random things about myself.
1.I love history
2.I prefer to read non-fiction books
3.When I work hard all day and stay up late, I will laugh at just about anything.
4.I love to play piano
5.I go to a small church that has about twelve families in it.
6.I have six siblings
I will tag YLCF Anna, Miriam, Sarah, Mrs. Anna T, and Miss Kathryn
Rules:
*Link to the person who tagged you.
*Post the rules on your blog.
*Write six random things about yourself.
*'Tag' six-or-so other people at the bottom of your post-
*And leave comments on their blogs letting them know they've been tagged.
*Let the person who tagged you know when you've written the post.
1.I love history
2.I prefer to read non-fiction books
3.When I work hard all day and stay up late, I will laugh at just about anything.
4.I love to play piano
5.I go to a small church that has about twelve families in it.
6.I have six siblings
I will tag YLCF Anna, Miriam, Sarah, Mrs. Anna T, and Miss Kathryn
Rules:
*Link to the person who tagged you.
*Post the rules on your blog.
*Write six random things about yourself.
*'Tag' six-or-so other people at the bottom of your post-
*And leave comments on their blogs letting them know they've been tagged.
*Let the person who tagged you know when you've written the post.
I am having trouble with my blog. As you can see my side bar is not where it should be. Does anyone know ho I can fix it?
Here we are having so much fun in Corpus Christi!
I will be gone for a few days so I probably won’t post regularly. I will have access to Wi-Fi though and I am going to try to post some pictures.
I know that it is Saturday and that I am supposed to do something of writing but I am not going to do that today. Yesterday, our church had its annual church feast to celebrate another year together as a body.
For the past few years, we have done it around Thanksgiving time but this year they moved it to early October to correspond with the time the church was started. We had so much fun this year with everything. We laughed and praised God as we continued the tradition of each family reads its own thanksgiving proclamation that tells our church family the good things that God has done in our lives over the past year. We ate good food, talked with our friends, and did very poorly at our first attempts of square dancing but had a lot of fun anyway.
There is nothing like a good church family.
For the past few years, we have done it around Thanksgiving time but this year they moved it to early October to correspond with the time the church was started. We had so much fun this year with everything. We laughed and praised God as we continued the tradition of each family reads its own thanksgiving proclamation that tells our church family the good things that God has done in our lives over the past year. We ate good food, talked with our friends, and did very poorly at our first attempts of square dancing but had a lot of fun anyway.
There is nothing like a good church family.
Happy first of October! May this month be filled with wonderful things for you and your family.
About me
Sarah Holman lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, Scott. When not working on her next novel, she can usually be found hanging out with her family, reading, or hiking at state parks with her husband. If there is anything adventuresome about her life, it’s because she serves a God with a destiny bigger than anything she could have imagined.
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Sarah's bookshelf: read
While not the best formatted ebook, not an exhaustive history, I really enjoyed this little book. It was a bit of history, with lots of pictures and interesting facts. I look forward to reading more in this series.
tagged:
2015-reads, on-my-kindle, free-on-kindle, and mayan
I am not going to be to harsh in this review because I didn't finish the book. I got to the chapter of bigotry and I deleted it from my Kindle? Simply put, I think that the author was unbiblical in much of what he said. The book felt lik...
tagged:
did-not-finish and walk-of-faith
by Sarah Holman
I wrote this story in one day after a conversation with my mom. It is a what if story. What if Joseph of Arimathea was the rich young ruler and was on the road to Emmaus.
tagged:
books-i-wrote
Full review coming soon (and it will probably be a long review since I loved this book so much!)
tagged:
2015-reads, received-for-review, on-my-kindle, homeschool-author, a...
Age Appropriate For: 13 and up for romance
Best for Ages: 15 and up for romance
Since I really enjoyed Duty, I jumped at the chance to review Honor. After all, I love how Rachel writes her romances. Yes, maybe there is a little more pre...
tagged:
2015-reads, received-for-review, homeschool-author, and on-my-kindle
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