Boys....

Zander really likes this series....we are getting quite a collection. He saw the amazon package and said, "Now which one should I read first?"

It's official! Jamin received the acceptance letter to Eugene Bible College. He says he's leaning towards it...but still praying through a couple of issues.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Book Share

Cheryl (not sure if she'd want me to share the link to her blog) is a local friend. Cheryl is "the one" who loaned me this book. She's told me to go ahead and pass it along.

If you live in the local area (you know where that is) and would like to read this book, please contact me. After we've passed it around here, maybe I'll offer it as a giveaway. ::snort::

I suspect several would enjoy reading this one. I found it interesting. The only thing I really, really disliked is the way they switch writing perspective. I wish they'd chose ONE and stick with it..... IE "I (Jim Bob)" and then in the next paragraph read something that is obviously Michelle's perspective....and vice verse...but that's not a huge problem. LOL

Thanks, Cheryl!

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Christian Writers’ Market Guide 2009 by Sally Stuart

Our budding author, Jamin, states that the Christian Writers' Market Guide is a "vital tool for those wishing to publish in the Christian Market." No, he's not found a publisher for his novel BUT he has published in several magazines and online sources....and he's been researching new publishers to pitch his novels to, researching writing agents and entering contests etc. all resources found in this book.

Publisher's Notes: (Christian Writers' Market Guide 2009 is) "The Resource Guide to Getting Published"

For 24 years running, the Christian Writers’ Market Guide has remained the most comprehensive, complete, essential, and highly-recommended resource for beginning and veteran Christian writers, agents, editors, publishers, publicists, and those teaching writing classes.

This year’s Guide is even handier with a CD-Rom included that features the full text of the book for easy searches of topics, publishers, and markets, as well as 100 pages of exclusive content including indexes and writing resource listings.

This is the resource you need to get noticed—and published.

Completely updated and revised to feature the latest on…

*more than 1,200 markets for the written word
*416 book publishers (32 new)
*654 periodicals (52 new)
*96 literary agents
*100 new listings in Resources for Writers
*226 poetry markets
*316 photography markets
*25 African-American markets
*166 contests (29 new)

Author Bio: Sally E. Stuart is the author of thirty-six books and has sold more than one thousand articles and columns. Her long-term involvement with the Christian Writers’ Market Guide as well as her marketing columns for the Christian Communicator, Oregon Christian Writers, and The Advanced Christian Writer, make her a sought-after speaker and a leading authority on Christian markets and the business of writing. Stuart is the mother of three and grandmother of eight and lives near Portland, Oregon.

This is on my 2009 Reading List.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Children are bad for our Economy? (And other rhetoric)

*Warning - I'm climbing on a soapbox...do not read if you do not share my political views.

I was recently given a book to read by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar on their family life and history. (Thanks, Cheryl, I need to send that back with Mike). I was STUNNED at some of the comments others have made when they simply SEE this cover. I almost covered it in a brown paper bag. ::snort:: I also wondered if those who were declaring how selfish Michelle must be, how wrong large families are, etc, remember that they are in the presence of a woman who HAS 9 children.... if every baby I'd conceived had been born I'd have 17 children. Do they think the same about our family? Do they think that I'm destroying my body? Do they think that I'm lazy? Do they think that I simply "birth children and force the older ones to parent them?" Hmmm.....

I read, Twenty and Counting, before I formed my opinion on the Duggars. I do not have television and haven't followed their story closely. Frankly, life is far too busy raising, mentoring, and educating my children. Not once in the book do either Jim Bob or Michelle say that "all" families must dress, eat, conceive, spend or educate as they do. Not once. I would not make all of the same choices on parenting or homeschooling that they have....but they don't SAY that all have to do it their way. They simply share their convictions. For that they are ridiculed on the internet. Unfortunately, all the comments I have received come from Christian women. When did it become unacceptable in America to live out and share one's convictions?

I am bombarded daily by the convictions of the culture around me. I'm told to be tolerant. Why in the world are parents of large families not afforded the same respect? I would NEVER say to another, "the choices you have made before God are selfish," or "you obviously don't value children because you x,y or z", or "your educational choices are wrong"....so why do others feel it is o.k. to make such comments to me? It really is very intolerant of them. ::snort::

I have discussed the thoughts I will share in the next paragraph with a couple of dear friends and Mike this week. I mentioned that my common comeback when told that, "large families are a drain on the economy," is to say, "Your tax dollars do not pay for my children's education, food, medical care, or housing." I also like to point out that MY LARGE FAMILY is doing our part to solve the social security imbalance in this country. ::snort::

I realized during this past week if America goes to nationalized health care, I will not be able to say, "Your tax dollars don't provide for my children." Hmmm....I further predicted to friends and Mike that if America goes to more nationalization of these services, there will first be complaints about how large families "use more resources" and then there will be pressure to limit family size for the "good of the economy".

I didn't expect these thoughts to be shared quite so quickly or blatantly. I was SHOCKED at the gym this a.m to hear Nancy Pelosi explain that the BAIL OUT/stimulus package contains dollars for contraceptives because, "The states are in terrible fiscal budget crises now..." Speaker Pelosi goes on to say that, "...contraception, will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government." She said she has, "No apologies. . . we have to deal with the consequences of the downturn in our economy."

A friend actually sent me the above link and said, "I believe you predicted this". For the most part I stay away from politics on my blog. I do not want to drive folks away from Christ who I long to share more than any one political view. Comments generated by my reading choice, the executive orders concerning abortion coming out of Washington DC, my study of PS 127 and these comments by Speaker Pelosi convince me that this trend to devalue children will continue. I've watched this trend for 20 years. Regardless of your personal life choices...all who name the name of Christ should be able to agree on the fact that the Bible calls Children a BLESSING...again regardless of how many you have, how you educate them etc.

Our leaders want to blame America's Economic woes on CHILDREN? Shame on them. Yes, I realize that the quotes I shared do NOT quote Pelosi saying "children are at fault" but that is certainly the way it was being reported on various news channels this a.m. I have a newsflash:

America's citizens/states are in this situation because we have an
addiction to debt and spending....not because of anything any child has
done. Speaker Pelosi feels that a "consequence" of this downturn is to
limit children in America? I submit that it would make more sense to QUIT
OVERSPENDING at the personal, local, state and national levels.

Let me submit that Children are GOOD for our economy (if you wish to think in those terms):

1. My large family spends MORE on expendable products that the average family of 4. Therefore, we help our economy.
2. I pay property taxes that go towards the education of America's children, and yet I do not send my children to their schools. My large family helps the economy.
3. Many in our large family work at a young age....they are productive members of this economy.
4. We spend, we save...we simply don't do debt.
5. My children and dh who work pay taxes - lots of taxes - which certainly helps the government to continue spending and helps to keep Social Security afloat.

Are you aware that JAPAN is telling it's citizens to have more children (as reported on FOX news this a.m.)? They've realized that Children are NOT bad for the economy. I pray that Americans slow down and think about the rhetoric before we continue to throw willy-nilly spending at an economic problem. If we want to see lasting stimulus to our economy we are going to have to address the issues that got us to this place.....plain and simple. I know many are struggling. I know that many saw their retirement savings take a huge slide. I sympathize and pray for real solutions to be voted on. I pray for our leaders (of both parties) to have wisdom as they seek to fix this problem.

CHILDREN did not create this economic climate...."adults" did.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Confessions

"Hello. My name is De'Etta, and I'm a blog-aholic..."

I have wondered if it's a sign of blog addiction when your children commonly are heard saying, "Mom, take a blog photo!" or if you think, "Hmmm....we better go to the park, I need to blog"....or....

Ok - all - JUST KIDDING! It should be apparent that I DO have boundaries in place for my blogging time...which is why y'all get 7 posts in ONE day.....because I'm not busy this afternoon.

Seriously, I love Rick's Doodles. Go check him out. Now, I really must bring this post to an end and go open my BIRTHDAY GIFTS! ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

BTW, *MY* laptop is a Gateway! ::snort::

Winner!

We had planned to pick a winner from Our Interactive Christmas Quiz/Letter on the 24th of Jan.....a day late...but here we are. Jamin chose the number and the lucky winner is Gilda. Gilda - if you know my personal email will you send me the email you'd prefer to have your $25 gift certificate sent to? If not, use the email in the side bar. I'll remember to check.

Thanks to all who played along. This idea allowed me to conquer my fear of the Christmas letter. Maybe it will become an annual event. LOL

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Saturday.....ahhh

We noticed while shopping that while it was cold, it was NOT windy. It seemed to be the perfect afternoon to try flying the plane again.

Cockleburs are the bane of W TX

Oh oh - repairs needed

Last night I collapsed. I have no idea why...but I went to bed at 7:30 p.m. and didn't wake up until 4:30 this a.m. Mike and the kids watched a couple of Netflix movies. We'll do gifts and more ice cream cake tonight.

I had refreshments for Fellowship hour today. It was hilarious. I got up early. I had everything ready. I promptly FORGOT it was my week during the sermon. While I was greeting folks and inviting them to the Fellowship Hall - I remembered. I RAN across the street to set things out. We have most gracious parishioners. The kids were excited as I took things we've not had around here much....figured we could enjoy a taste of them and yet not have them HERE forever.....brownies with cream cheese frosting, chex mix....no fruit at all. I think it surprised those who know me best. ::snort::

I taught RE this a.m. We had a lot of fun. I'll have to get photos up.

We covet your prayers on various fronts this week. I'm debating and may put a prayer list in the side bar.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.