Finished

I am completely finished with my course through the Christian Writers Guild. This past Wednesday, October 22, 2008, I sat in the St. Cloud Hospital and waited while my husband had tests run. He was put to sleep while they ran a camera down his throat. We have to wait for the results from the tests. While I waited, I read Words to Write By: Author Devotionals coomplied by Robin Bayne. Those devotionals reached out to me and gave me hope, hope to continue writing about the family I love so much and about my hero husband and all he's done for me. Thank you God for my family, friends, and my wonderful husband, whom you sent to my front doorsteps. The devotionals gave me hope to write for God and glorify Him as he so richly deserves. When I reflect back upon my entire life, I can see God's hand working miracles so many times. God is a miracle worker, and I'm praying for Him to work a few more in my life right now. I've been sick with a bad head cold for two weeks. The cold is better in the sense that I don't feel so bad anymore, but the cough still lingers and is so miserable. I talked to the doctor after my husband's tests, and she said the pictures looked pretty normal, but they sent off pieces for tests to rule out cancer. Please pray for our family at this time. Dear God, please touch, bless, and heal our family in its health and spiritual needs at this time. My youngest son is also sick with a cough. I spoke to him by phone yesterday and heard it in his voice and found that over 700 miles away in another state, he sounds much like his mother, since he's coughing, too. The good news is I've finished my writing class, and I'm a believer in God and all He can do. I realize if it is His will, and He so chooses, He will guide and direct me in what He wishes me to write for Him. In His own perfect timing, after much hard work and learning on my end, if it be His will, my writing will reach out and touch and inspire others, as so many other wonderful writers for God have done for others, including me. Jerry B. Jenkins says Riven is his life works. I pray God shows me how through His blessed Holy Spirit to craft a novel that will be a legacy of love for my family, a legacy showing them my love for Jesus and the personal relationship I enjoy with Him, in Jesus's name I pray, AMEN. My writing mentor through the Guild says I have what it takes, and I pray she's right. I begin each morning with a prayer and spend time talking to God. There is power in prayer and God. Wishes don't come true, but God's no fairy tale.

Nearly Finished

One more writing lesson to go, and I'll have completed the writing program I've been working on with Christian Writers Guild. Eva Marie Everson has been my writing mentor, and she informs me that I have what it takes. I pray she's right. I've been down sick with a bad cold, but I made myself complete two lessons, and I've only one more to go. I've finished reading Jerry's book, Riven, and I've found it to be an excellent model for reading as a writer.

Riven by Jerry B. Jenkins with The Christian Writers Guild

Paperwork never ends. It seems like it steadily increases from year-to-year and there's a mountain. There's an old saying that woman's work never ends. So it is with teachers' work. The good news is I just finished reading Riven by Jerry B. Jenkins. What a story he told! I'm nearly through with my Christian Writers Guild classes, so mayble I'll find more time for writing once I complete them. I have only three more to go! My writing mentor says I have what it takes, and I pray she's right. I've been reading different books on writing and put my book on a back burner until I complete my writing class and the reading of the writing books. I've finished reading the books and have built a small reference library with them for writing. I've read Writing a Breakout Novel by Donald Maass, Stein on Writing by Sol Stein, An Introduction to Christian Writing by Ethel Herr, and Creating Fiction edited by Julie Checkoway. After reading these fine books, I can spot areas of my writing I need to revise and improve. Jenkin's novel is an excellent one of illustrating how he moves from one scene to another and switches back and forth to keep the reader hooked. He's also not afraid to hurt his characters. I have written three book reviews for his latest novel. One may be found on Amazon, and I think I have one at Barnes and Noble. I read the Left Behind series years ago. Those books really had an impact on me. I feel Riven, which he deems his life's work, will have an impact on many others. If you're a reader who loves great fiction, check out his new novel! I finished it last week. As you can see, I've been busy reading instead of writing lately.

New Devotional Book for Writers

I'm holding it in my hand and reading my devotional about writing. It's full of beautiful devotionals for writers by many other writers, complied by Robin Bayne. See the picture of the beautiful candle-lit cover. A variety of well-known authors share scripture and quotations they find inspiring as they write. The devotionals reflect all aspects of the writing life: basic motivation, rejection, publishing, and succeeding. Discover the words other authors write by. Look for this new awe-inspiring book at Treble Heart Books! The publisher is Lee Emory at leeemory@earthlink.net. Get inspired.

Back Home

My son and his family left about 3:30 Monday evening to return home. I felt such a loneliness after he'd come and gone. It is always so good to see him, but I miss him even more after he leaves. He made it home safely, thank God. And, thank God, all my children made it safely through Hurricane Gustav.

Now, Hannah, Ike, and Josephine are lined up like bullets shooting toward us and loom on our horizon. The weather has been so bad, on and off, that I've spent little time on the computer.

May God give all in the direction of these hurricanes and tropical storms the protection of His front and rear guard and full coat of armor. Lord, please put a protective barrier around my loved ones in Louisiana, bless them all, and keep them safe in your loving arms. AMEN.

Love and prayers daily,
Mom

Words to Write by Complied by Robin Bayne Coming Soon!

A beautiful devotional, especially for writers, is tentatively scheduled for a September release. More information wll appear as the book becomes available for purchase. My devotional "Why Write even When You Keep Getting Rejections?" will be included.

Psalm 1:44 I was being activated throughout the earth!"Blessed be the Lord my strength,who teacheth my hands to war and my fingers to fight!"

A week's worth of my devotionals will appear in Devotions by Standard Publishing in Spring 2010. Two devotionals have been accepted by Mustard Seed Ministries. "Reunited," a recently published one by Mustard Seed appears under devotionals on their site.

Once published this beautiful book illustrating how to keep the fire or candle burning, your writing passion alive for God will be available for purchase through Treble Heart Books.

Golden Corral with Youngest Son

My youngest son and his family evacuated from Louisiana because of Hurricane Gustav. We went to the Golden Corral for breakfast yesterday, his treat. I cooked a shrimp, sausage, and chicken gumbo for dinner.My two grandsons enjoyed swimmng and were not worried about a hurricane. I made a short video clip of them swimming with my flip camera. They brought their little dog with them, and he is hyper. My son watched a movie with us after dinner.

No one wants a hurricane, but at least something good came out of this one, and I got to see my son and grandkids. My youngest daughter was supposed to come with two of my other grandchildren, but she changed her mind and stayed behind.I pray the storm doesn't strengthen, and God forms a protective barrier around all my loved ones who remain in Louisiana, including my oldest son and more grandchildren. May God calm the winds and waters into gentle breezes and drizzle without tornadoes.

As I watch the news, a tornado watch is out and there is rotation. My family is on the bad side of the storm for tornadoes. God, please keep them safe. In Jesus' name I pray, give them all the protection of your front, rear guard, and full coat of armor. Let Jesus guide and direct them through life's journey back home to You. AMEN.

Bob Evans Dinner with Youngest Daughter

My youngest daughter, Wendy, flew to Lake Mary, Florida, for bank training the week of August 24. On August 26, we met her after work for dinner at a nearby Bob Evans. Wendy and I enjoyed Chicken Alfredo, and I had strawberry tea, a treat I've only found in New York.

It was a wonderful surprise to have an opportunity to visit with her unexpected, since I live so far away and only get to see her once or twice a year. Now, the hurricane is headed her way. She's back home. I pray God gives her and my loved ones the protection of His front and rear guard and full coat of armor.

My youngest son is supposed to evacuate. I pray the Lord puts a protective circle around him and provides the protection of his front and rear guard and full coat of armor during his evacation process.

I pray for all those who have to brave the approaching hurricane and all of Florida's recent flood victims. May God give you the strength to endure and rise above the flood that has intruded upon your lives.

Blessings,
Barb

Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow Book Review

Book Review
by Barbara Robinson
Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life
by Janet Perz Eckles

Truly amazing Janet Eckles, completely blind, but with more insight than most sighted people, has written a true jewel within the pages of Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life. With more personal crosses to bear than most, like the loss of her sight and her son, Janet’s book is inspiring, encouraging, and courageous, like Jan. She has taken her trials and turned them to treasures for the glory of the Lord. Jan is bubbly and full of joy, a spectacular speaker and gifted writer. Her nonfiction book takes you on a journey of discovery, as she learns to put her faith and trust in God. When she put Jesus first, He blessed her and turned her life around. If you’ve ever lost a loved one, don’t miss how Jan Eckles deals with her loss. Discover the good news and blessings she has to share. Find out why good people suffer and discover how God uses the bad things that happen to good people for good. Though blind, you'd never know it to meet her. Her book describes how she puts on her own makeup and does her own nails without sight, but even more awe-inspiring is the fact that she never worked when she was sighted, but found the position she was meant to serve in once she lost her sight. Just as she does in person, her book will make you laugh and cry at the same time. While sad, it resounds with the joy that overflows from Jan upon meeting her and turns her cross into triumph to truly serve and glorify God while helping others. Don’t miss the journey of a lifetime, Janet’s lifetime, as you turn the pages of a book you won’t want to put down. Her book makes a wonderful Bible study group guide and Part III of the book actually contains such a guide with thought-provoking questions designed to enhance the spiritual journey. Published by Xulon Press in 2004, the book may be purchased through Amazon, Xulon, and other book stores. It is a beautiful paperback well worth the reasonable price of $12.47 at Amazon. ISBN number ISBN1-594674-36-1. Visit www.amazon.com and get your own copy while it’s on sale! This book will make a wonderful gift for people in your life who are dealing with the loss of loved ones or other obstacles in life.

Pony Penning Days

If not for a colleague, I'd never known about Pony Penning or Misty, Thanks to her, I read the book Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry and saw the movie. I've gotten three other books by the same author: Stormy Misty's Foal, Sea Star, and Misty's Twilight. Midnight Mist is the latest descendant of Misty. It was quite an experience watching the wild ponies swim from one island to the other.

Scroll down to see more pictures of Virginia Pony Penning Days, an annual July event that takes place the last Wednesday and Thursday each July on Chincoteague Island, Virginia. This was the July 2008 Pony Swim.

Pony Penning in Virginia Chincoteague Island

The last Wednesday and Thursday of July each year are Pony Penning Days in Virgina at Chincoteague Island. The ponies were corraled on Assateague Island by the fire department. At 5:00 A.M. on Wednesday July 30, 2008, I stood waiting for the annual pony swim to begin. At approximately 7:30 A.M., pony heads bobbed their way from Assateague to Chincolteague. People swarmed from various locations to watch the exciting event.

Misty of Chincoteague by Mauguerite Henry is a novel that tells the story of how pony penning began. Misty was the wild pony that got it all started, and she is preserved at the BeeBe Ranch along with her foal Stormy. The wild ponies are beautiful. We saw them on Assateague awaiting the swim the next day, watched them swim, and saw them at the annual carvinal where an auction takes place the day after the swim, July 31, 2008, this year.

If you've never seen wild ponies swim with saltwater cowboys, don't miss the opportunity next July! Check out the pictures by scrolling down the side.

Don't Miss Fudge-Laced Felonies by Cynthia Hickey

Review of Fudge-Laced Felonies
by Cynthia Hickey
http://cynthiahickey.blogspot.com/

Reviewed by Barbara J. Robinson

*Don't miss the cover art in the pictures to the side. Click on book cover to go to author's site.

From the lead, “I marched into church on Sunday – not to search for God, but to find a killer,” spunky heroine Summer Meadows captures your heart with humor even in the darkest situations, as you journey with her to solve a diamond mystery. A light, easy read, this page turner takes you into the Ozark foothills. Set in a small town, Summer owns a candy store and is up to her wrists in chocolate, when she’s not knee deep in trouble playing detective.

Hooked from the lead, I was riveted in the mystery and completed the novel in several readings. When interrupted, I couldn’t wait to return to Summer’s world of chocolate, diamonds, and mystery.

Rich with fresh similes and metaphors, readers savor a taste of Southern grit as two handsome men compete for Summer’s attention, but only one of them truly loves her. She must decide between Man of God, Ethan, with rough, working hands, or smooth-talking Nate with hands softer than her own. Nate says all the right things while Ethan teases like a childhood friend, leading Summer to believe that he thinks of her as a sister. Then there’s beautiful Terri Sue who once dated Ethan and attempts to pick up where she left off. Summer knows her natural beauty can’t complete with her store-bought façade.

Summer is down-to-earth, but feisty. Used to being in control, she has to learn to let God guide her steps and relinquish control to the One who can make an eternal difference in her life. She’s a Christian who attends church every Sunday, but grows in her faith through her struggles and learns to depend on God to see her through.

Have you ever treasured your flower garden and thought it worth gold? Summer’s rose garden is worth a small fortune in cash and diamonds, and she must solve the mystery of who killed her prized rose bush before she ends up a dead summer flower.

Candy-Coated Secrets is the second book in the Fudge-Laced Felonies series – Heartsong Presents. If you love humor and mystery entwined, snag both books for great summer reads. See http://cynthiahickey.blogspot.com/ for more information. ISBN-978-1-60260-181-9, $6.95 paperback, 244 pages, 22 chapters of love and mystery.

If you need bookmarks, check out Cindy's site! For fun cozy mysteries and riveting romantic suspense, check out her Summer Meadows mysteries.

Mom-Poem Published in Who's Who in Poetry 1994

Mom

Mom, I just want you to know,
That my reading and writing ability,
To you, I owe.
For, you read to me before you ever sent me off to school.

You gave me an early start.
I grew up on Cinderella and fairy tales,
And reading, I never ever failed!
And now, at writing, I excel!

I was first published at a third grader in The Enterprise, the oldest newspaper in my hometown. My teacher submitted my story about my dog. My first college essay titled "April Flood" was published in another local newspaper. It was about the 1983 flood residents of our parish endured. In 1992, another poem titled "Someone Special" was published in the Southern Poetry Association, a poem about my father, who died when I was four years old on Christmas Day.

In 1988, my short story "The Lord Had Something Better in Mind," won Southeastern Louisiana University's fiction-writing competition and was published in their literary magazine, GAMBIT, Volume 18. The story was reprinted in Pebble Lake Review in Summer 2004, Vol. 1, Issue 3. It's listed in the side column with a picture of the magazine cover.

Though Mom raised me on fairy tales, she also raised me on Bible verses in such a way that they became part of my life, leading to my faith in God. One thing Mom failed to tell me was, God is not a fairy tale. I always said I'd never raise my girls on fairy tales, because they'd be disappointed when they met toads instead of Prince Charming. I remember one fairy tale where the princess kissed the toad and turned him into a prince, "The Frog Prince". If only it were so easy. I've met my share of toads, but Jesus is my Prince and my best friend.

Barb

I've been working on my novel again. A short synopsis follows:

When Faith Russell catches her fiancé having an affair, she breaks her engagement, hides her heart deeply in Christ, and vows she doesn’t need a man, until she discovers a hidden-treasure helpmate sent from God. But her ex-fiance seeks to avenge her loss, and God’s plan fully emerges. Hidden Treasures offers hope and illustrates how Jesus delivers us from a temporary life of conflict to an eternal haven when Faith collides with Matt Allen at fictitious St. Cloud World Peace Church. As berries slowly ripen on the vine, Faith and Matt’s love buds, blooms, and blossoms in small-town St. Cloud, Florida, where love finds Faith when she returns home to nurse her broken heart, write, and farm strawberries. This action-packed, suspense-filled novel turns the pages of Faith’s heart and allows readers to journey with her from St. Cloud, Florida, as the suspense mounts to climax in the busy streets of Key West, Florida.

Faith Russell suffers a broken relationship with her fiancé, hides her heart deeply in Christ, and vows she doesn’t need a man, until she discovers a hidden-treasure helpmate sent from God.

That’s the premise for my Inspirational Suspense novel HIDDEN TREASURES, a 55,000-60,000 romance that takes readers from a small strawberry farm in St. Cloud, Florida, to a Key-West, Florida, honeymoon.

I have a personal knowledge of strawberries from working in them. My educational background includes a bachelor’s in secondary education/office administration/business education, with a minor in English, journalism classes, creative-writing classes in college, student in the Christian Writers Guild, graduate of Long Ridge Writers Group, member of Southeastern Louisiana Writing Project, member of American Christian Fiction Writers, and a master’s in education. I won a creative-writing short story contest in college and was published in the university’s literary magazine, Gambit.

I've added a picture of me with my grandchildren, if you scroll down the pictures on the side. You'll also find my Florida sunshine there. I have ten grandkids, but Hunter was not available when we toured Rosedown plantation Sunday, June 29. Out of the pictures we made, my daughter has a blurry one made in the Red Room, and my husband has a blurry one taken in the upstairs foyer. Both have objects in them that were not present when we took the pictures without using a flash. I toured Rosedown in the 70's and was not allowed to take pictures. This time, we were allowed to take them without using a flash, and out of the many taken, only two were blurred and contain interesting objects. My husband's digital camera is brand new and takes nearly perfect pictures, but out of all the pictures he snapped, one looks as though it has a presence from the past, a woman lying on one of the empty benches in the upstairs foyer. My daughter's picture had a little girl looking at us behind the rope, a roped-off area in the Red Room, the only room that has roped-off areas.

I truly enjoyed getting together with my large family and many grandkids. It was a fun day. I don't get to visit them often with life's responsibilities, so I like to spend some quality time with them doing something special when we can get together.

We shot fireworks at my daughter's house and enjoyed an early Fourth. We dined at my youngest son's home. He grilled burgers, hot dogs, and chicken, and his wife made a delicious homemade potato salad. Her sister made brownies with white chocolate Hershey kisses, and they were the best brownies I've ever eaten, other than my husband's homemade ones with nuts.

I hope you find as many hidden treasures in your family as I find in mine.

Blessings,

Barb

Thank God for Time with Family and Friends

This is my first day back from vacation. We visited my family and toured Rosedown. Then, my husband and I went with his mother to Key West for July 4. I thank God for this quality time we were able to spend with our families.

In Key West, a man followed us for three blocks, but God kept us safe. We watched fireworks, and the boats lined up across the water, as great balls of multicolored fire blared in our faces coming from the pier.

We had a flat one night and had to sit on the side of the Interstate for two hours, but God kept us safe. Thank God for the safe trip and quality time with my loved ones. Praise and thank God in all things.

May your family enjoy quality time together. Blessings,

Barb

Morning Devotionals

I not only read them -- I also write them. "Reunited" is at MustardSeed Ministries when you click on devotionals and look in the archives. It is my first publihsed devotional with them. I've had another one accepted, and it will be published with them soon. There is no pay with MustardSeed, but if my devotionals bring a bit of enjoyment or help to another, that's payment enough. If they further the Kingdom of God, that's the best payment of all.

A colleague read what I called a short article I'd written and told me it was beautiful and served as her morning devotional. She thinks it should be published as a devotional. I came across a piece of writing in my files the other day that could also serve as another devotional. My friend and colleague said maybe devotional writing is my niche. I do love to write them, and I also love to read them.

I've been reading devotionals long before I started writing them. I've bought little devotional books. I enjoy them so much. Morning devotionals are an alone time with God, a time for reading and reflecting, praise, worship, and thanks. What a way to start a day, asking God to bless it from the beginning.

I've always believed in prayer and begin my morning with prayer for all my loved ones who live so far away, for our United States, our country, our world, and I thank God, even for my pets.

I've gone over Chapters 15 and 16 of Hidden Treasures and made some revisions, but that's just a once over. I'm ready to begin chapter 17. I thank God this morning for His inspiration, words, direction, and guidance, and I ask Him to infuse me with His Holy Spirit as I write for Him.

May your day be blessed with all good things.

Barb

Work-in-Progress

Hidden Treasures is coming along slowly. I completed Chapters 15 and 16 this morning, rough drafts. I've got to go back over Chapters 13 on and revise, before going back over the entire book again. Spent the morning writing and the evening cleaning. Can't wait to see my children and grandhchildren, so my mind is not really focusing on writing. I need some time away. I'll get it soon. Looking forward to a break.

Checked on Kristy this morning. She's keeping everyone else's spirits up, and her family's keeping hers up. Time slips away so quickly. It's so important to spend quality time with your family and friends while you can. Slow down and enjoy life. This reminds me that sometimes I need to slow myself down with my writing as well. I need to spend some quality time with my writing, too. When I write fast, I make mistakes I normally wouldn't make and can't believe I made them when I look back after the writing has cooled.

Cindy and Laura are great, helping me catch them, lending me two other pairs of eyes. Thanks guys. See their links below. Cindy writes great mysteries, and they're funny, too. Laura has an intriguing novel as her work-in-progress. I'm learning so much from working with these two wonderful ladies in my ACFW group.

Barb

How do you Know You're Called to Write a Certain Book?

That's a question I've often heard asked, or how do you know if you're called to write for God? The first question is probably a little easier to answer. If you're called to write a certain book, it won't go away. It keeps kocking on the doors of your mind, and I have a few that keep knocking. I've written short articles about some of them and even started a book on one. I may need to turn those short articles or short stories into novels. Some are very important to me and are part of my story, my testimony.

I have given my writing to God and prayed that He'll use it to help others, to reach out, uplift, and encourge others. I feel he has called me to write what I write because He has placed that God-given desire and inspiration within my heart. He gives me my dreams and heart's desires. It is up to Him, His will, not mine, how He uses my writing, but I pray that He uses it to further His kingdom. If my short stories, articles, poems, books, or devotionals can reach out and make a difference for someone else, that's reason enough to write. My writing is a way to share my heart and soul and life's experiences, hoping others will come to know Jesus as their best friend and enjoy the same personal relationship I have with Him.

I watched Home Improvement last night on TV, and the show really touches my heart every time I watch it, but last night's show really impacted me. I have written about the topic in a short form titled Sometimes Being Strong Means Letting Go. I had the beginnings of this story for a long time, and I recently completed it as a Long Ridge student. It needed fleshing out and was too short before I reworked it. This story is one of many of which I've written that really hits home and is like a personal testimony for me. The woman in last night's story didn't make it out. It's a hard choice, a hard topic, and so many women feel they're caught, because they're doomed if they stay and doomed if they don't. The woman of last night's story tried to get out. She had the guts and courage to try to build a better life for herself. I admire her for doing so. I thank God that her children are being cared for and have a nice new home after all they've been through. Their memories will haunt them forever, as will the material God places on my heart and calls me to write. God, if it be your will, let these stories be published and told and let my voice be heard through my writing as a way to help others.

Barb

Praise God

My grandson, Hunter, is out of intensive care. His brain was swelling,and they had to gradually bring his sugar down to keep it from shrinking too quickly and sending him into a coma. God does answer prayers. He is going to be okay, but he needs to learn to keep a better check on his sugar. He is supposed to check it four times a day, faithfully. Hunter is my grandson from my oldest daughter, Paula.

Update on Hidden Treasures. Two are listed above, though they're not hidden, other than the fact they live so far away. They do seem hidden in that aspect. My novel is coming along. I have completed Chapter 14 and have Chapter 15 started. The great ladies in my ACFW group are helping me by lending me their eyes,providing feedback and insight to help me with the proofing and revision process, and by being wonderful friends. They are greatly appeciated, and I thank God for being part of such a wonderful critique group. Check out Cindy and Laura's blogs from my blog lists. If you like mysteries, be sure to check out Cindy's books. She writes great cozies. I should know. I get to read them in the making. Thank God for all of these little treasures and the wonderful, helping people He continually sends into my life. Thank God for my family and friends, the treasures of this earthly world.

Barb

Nourishing and Keeping a Spirit Alive

My morning devotional has become checking on Kristy and reading her blog as well as my own private devotionals. Kristy Dykes from sunny Florida is truly an amazing, awesome woman, as is her whole family. The two videos on her blog this morning display how to norish and keep a spirit alive, even in the toughest of times. Her family wraps her in a cocoon of love, as they continue to encourage and inspire her through her trials. May God truly bless each and every one of them. I feel so fortunate just to have known this piece of Florida sunshine through her blog and her writing.

She continues to struggle, but she is courageous and trusts in her Lord. Please click on the Christian Love Story link below if you'd like to share your heart with Kristy and her family.

My grandson is also struggling with health issues and is hospitalized in ICU in Las Vegas, NV. My oldest daughter is there alone with him. Please pray for her strength and his healing. He had to be hospitalized for sugar shock and was near a coma.

Barb