Temper Tantrums. Not Just for the Young

It was a cold, dreary night. The wind pounded against the windows. I could hear tiny pellets of rain smacking  against the house and I slipped ever-so-gently into a peaceful slumber.

Without warning, the phone rang and rudely jarred me from sleep.

It was my husband.

Instantly awake, I grabbed the phone.
Please dear Lord, don't let anything be wrong. Let him be all right.

"Hey sweets, just wanted to let you know that house we were looking at? Someone put an offer in on it, and it looks like it was accepted."

Of course, at that time, I was so thankful there wasn't anything mortally wrong with him. I mean, come on. He's my best friend. So, I assured him it was fine, that it was God's answer to our combined prayers in regards to obtaining this house, and have a good night.

And I meant it. Every single word.

Until morning.

See, we thought we found the 'perfect' house. Model worthy. Granite countertops, trey ceilings, hardwood flooring, 1800 sq feet, double vanities in the master bath, bay window, *sigh*...must I go on?! And, to make things even better, it was affordable.
Yes please!

But now? Now that someone else is going to own what I'd set my heart on? It's like pouring gobs of salt on an open wound. And lemon juice. With more salt on top. Forget the cherry. Let's just punch the wound to mash in the salt and lemon juice just to make sure I got the point. Twice.

Look. I'll be honest with you. This morning, when it dawned bright and clear that God had once again said no to the very thing I wanted, I pouted. In fact, I was upset. Well, actually, it was more than upset. Try hurt, frustrated, miserable, teary-eyed and mad all mixed into one huge pity party, and you'll pretty much get an idea of what my morning was like.

(To my poor family: I'm sorry. From the deepest recesses of my heart, I truly am sorry.)

This morning, my attitude was so very foul, that I, (silently), fussed at God. Yes, I do this silently for a reason. The fewer people that think I'm crazy, the better.

And in fact, I pretty much asked Him to burn our house down so we could rebuild and have a nice house. Pretty nasty of me, isn't it? I know. I'm ashamed of it, but I do have a point. Stick with me for just a few more minutes and we'll get there.

And then, I started considering all those overwhelming details that seemed so very important. You know the ones. The poor-me, I have it soooo bad things.

Like drywall that needs repairing.
Landscaping that need to be finished.
Bugs to be sprayed for. (because I'm an 'ewwww, it's a bug!' freak.)
Wallpaper to be applied.
Painting that needs to be done.
Carpets that need to be cleaned.
A porch railing that needs to be finished.
A ceiling that needs to be finished.

As if all that weren't enough to send me to the pity-party-palace, I started dwelling on the things that weren't working.
Like our stove. Which, had we been able to purchase the other house, came with a nice, new, shiny stainless steel one.
A refrigerator that leaks.
And no garage.
Seriously. Having a man with no garage or pole barn is tough, and this morning, I thought it was the end of the world.

I had worked myself up into such a terrible pity mood, that I barely prayed loud enough for the kids to hear me during our morning devotionals. I even went so far as to 'wonder' to God if He liked telling me no.
Yep. It was that bad. I know, right? Stand back and watch for the lightening bolt!

And then a miracle happened. God sent a message through a friend of my husband's.
This wise person told the realtor's spouse (who is a mutual friend),
"They're good with their money and they don't do anything quickly without thinking everything through. They don't act impulsively and do something without praying and making sure that it's God's will."

Taking my husband aside, he asked how I was taking it. Of course, hubby didn't know I was having a major brat-fest because he was still at work, and he said, "She's disappointed, but she said that this obviously  wasn't God's will and she's good with that."
Boys. They can be so naive. Come on ladies, we were talking granite countertops...this was no laughing matter anymore!

We had prayed and prayed and prayed that if it was God's will, that He would allow us to have this house. I had philosophized with the usual:

"God's bigger than that."
"He's the Creator of the Universe. What's a house?"
"If I can trust Him with my salvation, I can trust Him with a tiny house, right?"
"I felt peace when we last saw it."

My point in all this is, what happened to this attitude when God said no?

I didn't take it well. I didn't philosophize then.
No indeedy.
In fact, I threw a fit.

What a spoiled brat I am.

And I'm so ashamed of myself. Truly ashamed. Because after a few minutes of sulking and fussing at God, a thread of optimism started to shine through the darkness. The still small voice of God started pricking my heart.

God: Your husband has a job. 
Me: I know, Lord, but still. I'm upset.

God: Your kids have a place to run and play.
Me: But this other house had the same amount of acreage, Lord.

God: I gave you a perfectly fine house.
Me: Yes, I know. But is it wrong for me to want something better with a garage?

God: Not at all. 
(and this is the kicker...)
God: But what if there was something at that other place you wouldn't have been able to handle? 

And my attitude vanished.
Because He's right.

I see only a small amount in the grand scheme of things. I only see this. Right. Now. Not so with God. He sees the whole picture. The eternal picture.

And that matters the most. Even more than granite countertops.

This is my attitude after I repented of my ugly attitude~

Me: My God is bigger than that.
God: Yes I am.

Me: But remember, Lord. If that house goes up for sale again or if it falls through, remember...
God: I'll keep it in mind.

Praise God He still loves us in spite of ourselves.
For further reading and growing, read Genesis 13:1-13; Genesis 19

Psalm 19 AudioBible Series

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Cleaning off Book Shelves - Win one of 7 books!

It's not Spring cleaning around here, more like I'm winterizing my bookshelves. What that means is, the stacked and packed shelves need to be cleaned off so I can have room to put my winter-reading books somewhere. These times are usually fraught with both trepidation and excitement. Trepidation as I look at these books as time well-spent because I learned something from each of them, and excitement because I know something else is going to take their place.

Instead of taking them to my local Goodwill or posting them on Paperback Swap (which I do often, by the way. I read a lot of books, so if you want to follow my profile so you can see what books I'm posting, be my guest. Amanda's Paperback Swap Profile) or taking them to my local library, I wanted to offer some to my friends first.

So, today through 8/31, I'm hosting a Rafflecopter giveaway where you can enter to win your choice of book.
There will be three winners chosen, First place gets first choice, second place gets second choice, and third place gets third choice. The catch? You MUST answer me within 24 hours or another winner will be chosen.

That's it.
Different ways to gain more points, so don't be shy! Share away and enjoy the fun!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


What you could win:

A Bride for All Seasons -

It all started with an ad in a mail-order bride catalogue . . .

This charming bouquet of novellas introduces you to four Hitching Post Mail-Order Bride Catalogue prospects in the year 1870, all eager for second chances . . . and hungry for happiness. Year in, year out, they’ll learn that love often comes in unexpected packages.

Secretly Smitten (ARC) - 

Summer, fall, winter, spring—Smitten, Vermont, is the place for love . . . and mystery!

There’s a secret in Grandma Rose’s attic—a forgotten set of dog tags belonging to her first love. But David Hutchins was killed in action and never returned to Smitten. How did the dog tags end up in the attic?

Every Hill and Mountain (ARC) -  

Visiting another century...not the summer vacation she had planned. 

Those who have read Time and Again and Unclaimed Legacy know that Abby Thomas is a college student on a summer service project with 11-year-old Merri. And they know that the summer is not going the way Abby had expected--but in a good way.

Agent Colt Shore Domino 29 - 

When an ordinary kid learns he’s the heir to a secret agent dynasty, F.A.L.C.O.N puts him on a case to protect a famous rock group and find a missing journalist. Before he knows it, Colt Shore has gone from body guard to rock star to full-fledged agent when he learns that a human trafficking ring plans to kidnap a group of teenage girls. It will take more than his ingenuity and skills and a couple of cool gadgets to protect his new friends and rescue the captured girls before it’s too late.

Rosemary Cottage - 

Amy came to Rosemary Cottage to grieve, to heal, maybe even find love. But there’s a deadly undertow of secrets around Hope Island . . .

The charming Rosemary Cottage on the beach offers Amy Lange respite she needs to mourn her brother, Ben. She’s even thinking of moving her midwife practice to the Outer Banks community. It’s always been a refuge for her and her family. She also wants to investigate Ben’s disappearance at sea. Everyone blames a surfing accident, but Amy has reason to wonder.

Whispers on the Dock - 

Three sisters. A charming inn. Hints of mystery and romance. And a gorgeous seaside setting. Escape to Misty Harbor Inn.

As Nantucket reaches the pinnacle of its summer glory, and the Marris sisters welcome guests at Misty Harbor Inn, youngest sister Sam Carter enters her mother's cobbler recipe in the Summerfest baking contest. But she faces a formidable opponent, a past winner who is determined to keep her title even if it means stooping to dirty tactics. Can Sam's newfound faith help her rise above the fray and reach out to this lonely woman? Meanwhile, an elderly guest arrives who knows the inn's history, and the sisters are stunned to learn that their late mother lived there as a child. But she told them she'd never been to Nantucket until her honeymoon! Through the woman's reminiscences and photos, the sisters make an intriguing discovery -- not only about the mysterious Hannah Montague, the young woman who disappeared from the house in 1880, but also about their own family history.

The Year of the Great Seventh - 

Sophie has always felt out of step—an outsider, even amongst friends in her high school with all the hype about celebrity culture. Her life in L.A. seems to have been already written for her, but when her junior year starts, it all takes a drastic turn. When she crosses paths with the school's heartthrob, Nate Werner, they fall for each other in a way neither can understand. What they don’t know is that by giving in to their desires, they are unlocking an ancient Egyptian prophecy that threatens to return Earth to the dark ages.

The Uneducated

I must ask your forgiveness because apparently, I'm uneducated. Please allow me a moment to explain.

My children are both teenagers. I've had these same children for the past, oh, let's say, seventeen years. I've spent almost every single day of their lives with them. I've shared their tears, their heartaches, their hopes, and their dreams. I've spent nearly twenty-four hours of every single day with them.

If you haven't figured it out, I homeschool. 

And I like it. Wait. I take that back. I don't like it. I love it. Even on the ugly days. But I digress.

My children and I help out/work at the food bank on most Thursdays. And we each have our separate duties to perform that the boss gives us to do. 

One Thursday, there was a new boss because the other one needed a well-earned vacation. I have seen this person on several occasions, but we haven't talked much. On this particular Thursday, we settled down for morning devotions before the crowd came in, and this new boss asked me which school my children go to. (Perhaps she was a little bewildered because they weren't attending that Thursday morning. Understandable.) 

Without hesitation, I replied that I homeschool. And without hesitation on her part, she says...

"Oh. I didn't realize you were uneducated." 

Without a blink. Without a smile. Without me knowing her very well at all. Ahem. 

When will I learn to be better prepared for what people say?!

Dictionary.com defines Socialization as a continuing process whereby an individual acquires a personal identity and learns the norms, values, behavior, and social  skills appropriate to his or her social  position.

This is one MAJOR 'fault' people seem to have with homeschooling. So, just for those who are concerned about it, our children regularly attend church. Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night. Not only do they attend, but they also help us run the Wednesday night children's club. They're often asked to help in the younger group's junior church or in various Sunday school classes. They both do this without hesitation or complaining and with a smile. (score one to the parents. Or, maybe five or six, if we want to be technical.)

Now get ready for this one...

We occasionally allow them to leave the house and go to...

Walmart. 

Yes. I said Walmart. (ducking the stones you all are throwing.) And Hobby Lobby.

And then, there's karate lessons. Each and every Tuesday. With multiple other...*gasp*... people in attendance. (I'm really showing my heathenism now, aren't I? But don't worry. It's run by a very respectable Christian man who loves the Lord and doesn't promote the Eastern stuff at all. Not that I'm saying our children would get *anything whatsoever* like that at a regular school. Right?!)

And I don't think I should mention that these children go along with me to every single book signing I have and not only help me with my books, but also sell their very own wares they themselves have made. (They're working toward college. Should I mention that?)

So, for all those that would like to know how we run our school days, here's an itinerary. We promptly get up, Monday thru Friday, at six a.m. We eat breakfast as a family and begin our school days at seven. (No, not one of us wear our pajamas to the school room. You'd be surprised how many people ask that very question. And yes. We have an actual room set aside for school. It even has desks. Fancy, I know.) 

We do seven subjects usually in this order: Bible, Math, English, Literature, spelling, Social Studies, and Science. Our daughter has done several foreign languages - Dutch, French, and a little Spanish. Our son will start this year. Her electives are current with today's computer-driven society. She has learned how to build websites, manage and run blogs, reach out and get author interviews (gasp, I know. How's that for being socialized?) and she often relates her thoughts on current events in our country, as well as on religious topics on her blog. Without my prompting her. And no, I haven't forgotten our son. 

Boys, having been created differently, they learn differently. Our son is a fantastic worker outside. Never once does he complain when he does the yard work (without my asking), the tilling, weed whacking, mowing, and plowing of our driveway. Weed pulling, not so much, but he does it. He's built dog houses, cat houses, (without my help), helped build decks, barns, porches, and renovate houses. All at the ripe old age of...thirteen. When we're at book venues, there is nothing I ask him that he won't do willingly. He helps me set up, sets his own wares out, and gets food and drinks because I forget to bring something to eat. Often.

Our children aren't perfect. There are times they burp at the table (and get into trouble for it) and there are times they are stubborn and have attitudes. There are times when they sass (again, they get into trouble for it) and they joke at inappropriate times. But on the flip side? They laugh and smile. They hold open doors for strangers (who quite often don't even bother to say thank you. Bunch of turds) and they help out whenever they're asked. They carry sacks of groceries out to stranger's cars with the hot sun bearing down upon them, or with the rain pouring down on their bare heads. Because the stranger has the umbrella and has to show them where they parked.) They stand up for what they believe in when no one else is - and they've been bullied for it. 

If this is uneducated, then thank you for that loveliest of compliments. And no. Your opinion doesn't offend me in the least. Because I'm the one walking this road. I'm the one with a fantastic family. And I'm the one who is deeply blessed to be this uneducated.

Thank you, dear Lord! 

Whispers on the Dock by Evangeline Kelley Book Review and Tour

About Whispers on the Dock:Three sisters. A charming inn. Hints of mystery and romance. And a gorgeous seaside setting. Escape to Misty Harbor Inn.

As Nantucket reaches the pinnacle of its summer glory, and the Marris sisters welcome guests at Misty Harbor Inn, youngest sister Sam Carter enters her mother's cobbler recipe in the Summerfest baking contest. But she faces a formidable opponent, a past winner who is determined to keep her title even if it means stooping to dirty tactics. Can Sam's newfound faith help her rise above the fray and reach out to this lonely woman? Meanwhile, an elderly guest arrives who knows the inn's history, and the sisters are stunned to learn that their late mother lived there as a child. But she told them she'd never been to Nantucket until her honeymoon! Through the woman's reminiscences and photos, the sisters make an intriguing discovery --- not only about the mysterious Hannah Montague, the young woman who disappeared from the house in 1880, but also about their own family history.

Readers will delight in the inviting Nantucket setting and be enthralled by the adventures of these sisters who reunite to bring their mother's Misty Harbor dreams to life.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/nXSVh

About the authors: Evangeline Kelley is the pen name for the writing team of Patti Berg, Pam Hanson & Barbara Andrews, and Camy Tang, the four authors who collaborated to create Postcards from Misty Harbor Inn. Each of them has published novels individually, but this is their first series together. 

Follow the Tour!

My Thoughts:

I didn't get a chance to read the first two books in the Postcard series and it was noticeable. I would suggest that you read them first (The first book - Seaside Harmony and the second - Sunflower Summer) as apparently, there are many loose threads tied up in this one. While I didn't hate the book, I didn't love it either. I thought it was difficult to lose myself in the story and I did find that I skipped and skimmed quite a bit of the scenery details. I did enjoy the fact that all sisters were middle-aged rather than the typical young and perfect most of today's romance/mystery novels are about. It's nice to know there's life after 30.

Also, I liked how the situation between Sam and Betsy was resolved, and I did like that not everything worked out exactly perfect ~ which made it more realistic. While this wasn't my favorite book, I would still recommend it to someone who enjoys clean, gentle romance, scenic writing, and light mystery.

*My thanks to the publisher and LitFuse for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest opinions.*

Psalm 18 AudioBible Series

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Winter in Full Bloom by Anita Higman Book Review & Tour

About Winter in Full Bloom:

Lily Winter's wings are folded so tightly around her daughter that when empty nest arrives, she feels she can no longer fly. But Lily's lonely, widowed life changes in a heartbeat when she goes to visit a woman who is almost a stranger to her---a woman who also happens to be her mother. During their fiery reunion, her mother reveals a dark family secret that she'd been hiding for decades---Lily has an identical twin sister who was put up for adoption when they were just babies.

Without looking back, Lily---with her fear of flying---boards a jumbo jet and embarks on a quest to find her sister which leads half way around the world to Melbourne, Australia. Befriended by imprudent Aussie, he might prove to be the key to finding her sister. But her journey becomes a circle that leads her back home to attempt a family reunion and to find the one dream she no longer imagined possible-the chance to fall in love again.

Purchase the Book: http://ow.ly/nIIcx



Meet Anita: Best-selling and award-winning author, Anita Higman, has over thirty books published (several coauthored) for adults and children. She's been a Barnes & Noble "Author of the Month" for Houston and has a BA degree, combining speech communication, psychology, and art. Anita loves good movies, exotic teas, and brunch with her friends.

Connect with Anita at: www.anitahigman.com 

Follow the Tour!



My Thoughts:

Ms. Higman takes us on a journey of life through an empty nester, Lily Winter, who has a heart of gold. Timid Lily, after hearing a secret her cold and distant mother has hidden from her for nearly forty years, travels halfway around the world with just a name and lots of hope. Little did she know her actions would touch much more than just her heart, but would set in motion a series of events that would change her views of her past, her present, and her future as well as those around her.

For years, Lily has walked away from life and was content to live in the shadows, this is her story. This is how she learns to confront the demons of her past - betrayal of the worst kind as well as rejection from her own mother - and move forward and unlock the love in her future.

Being the same age with a daughter on her way to college, I really connected with Lily and felt her pain. Her happiness. Her sorrow at the rejection and distance her mother continually offered. I cheered for her when she blossomed and realized that God does have a purpose for His children - even after your own children have moved on. This is an inspirational book that encourages us to look beyond the bitterness we could so easily adopt and see the beauty of the blessings God has already given us. It teaches us how to forgive the unforgivable, how to love the unloveable, and embrace the beautiful when it's offered to us.

Highly recommend.
*I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required they be positive. My thanks to the publisher, River North for this opportunity.*

Say I Love You. Now

I received this in an email from my loverly (yes, I said loverly) daughter. It was too poignant not to share. I hope it's a blessing to you today.

One day a woman's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't "anymore". No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more "just one minute."

Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, never to return before we can say good-bye, say "I love you."

So while we have it, it's best we love it, care for it, fix it when it's broken and heal it when it's sick.

This is true for marriage 

And old cars

And children with bad report cards,

and dogs with bad hips, and aging parents and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.

Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a sister-in-law after divorce. There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what.

Life is important, like people we know who are special.. And so, we keep them close!

 Suppose one morning you never wake up, 

do all your friends know you love them?

Let every one of your friends know you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back. And just in case I'm gone tomorrow:

Live today because tomorrow is not promised.

Psalm 17 AudioBible Series

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Regret

The Free Dictionary.com defines regret as:

v.tr.

1. To feel sorry, disappointed, or distressed about.

2. To remember with a feeling of loss or sorrow; mourn.

v.intr.

To feel regret.

n.

1. A sense of loss and longing for someone or something gone.

2. A feeling of disappointment or distress about something that one wishes could be different.

Each one of us deals with some sort of regret about something in our lives. Perhaps it's a mistake we made when we were younger. We can wish all day long that particular incident was different; that you'd made a different choice. Yet all the wishing in the world will not take it away. Neither will self-condemnation.

I've got quite a few regrets under my belt. There are times I'm a little embarrassed to tell someone from my past that I'm a Christian romance author. Why? Because of some infraction I've committed that they'll remember. Oh goodness, just ask my mother-in-law. Scary, I'm telling you!

In fact, I've found that the longer I live, the more regrets I rack up. Not because I'm necessarily stupid, but because...well...I'm human. And we all know what that means. Human = mistakes! 

But, let's reflect for a moment. Can worrying about something in our past erase it from our history? Absolutely not. You can pretend it never happened, but all the pretending in the world won't take it away. It's still there. The only options I see? Ask for forgiveness and move on. Get up. Admit you're wrong, brush yourself off, and keep going. This may seem a little simple, but really it's not. We humans have a tendency to remember every mistake (whether it's our own or someone else's) and that is what keeps us down. It impairs our ability to move forward. 

I've got a news flash for you.

You're going to make mistakes. In fact, some of your friends are going to make mistakes. They're going to let you down. Someone is *going* to hurt your feelings ~ whether intentional or not ~ it's going to happen. 

My advice? Consult your Bible. Read it. Pray over the situation. And if you have a problem with regretting things, ask God to help you get over it. Why? 

So you can move forward.

Do you see this picture? (ignore the fuzzy die...)

This is a rearview mirror. 

And rearview mirrors have one job. 

To show what's behind you.

And we need to be looking ahead.

Not the past.

So next time you're tempted to concentrate on the past, remember the rearview mirror. Its only job is to give you a *small* glimpse of what's already behind. Why is this important?

James 4:14 

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁴ Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Next time you feel someone has done you wrong, don't waste time on holding grudges and heaping up regrets while you stew about it, let it go. Pray about it. 

Because we're only here for a little while.

Only one life will soon be past

Only what's done for Christ will last.

Psalm 16 AudioBible Series

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Keeper of Reign - Meet Author Emma Right!

Keeper of Reign

by Emma Right

About the Book:

ISBN: e-book  B00CVK128Q

ISBN  Paperback: 978-1939337696

Genre: YA adventure fantasy

Publisher: Telemachus Press

Publication Date: May 18 2013

# of Pages: 340

Books written in blood. Most are lost, their Keepers with them. A curse that befell a people. A Kingdom with no King. Life couldn’t get more harrowing for the Elfies, a blend of Elves and Fairies. Or for sixteen-year-old Jules Blaze. Or could it?

For Jules, the heir of a Keeper, no less, suspects his family hides a forgotten secret. It was bad enough that his people, the Elfies of Reign, triggered a curse which reduced the entire inhabitants to a mere inch centuries ago. All because of one Keeper who failed his purpose. Even the King’s Ancient Books, did not help ward off that anathema.

Now, Gehzurolle, the evil lord, and his armies of Scorpents, seem bent on destroying Jules and his family. Why? Gehzurolle’s agents hunt for Jules as he journeys into enemy land to find the truth. Truth that could save him and his family, and possibly even reverse the age-long curse. Provided Jules doesn't get himself killed first.

Watch the Trailer!

Meet Emma:

Emma Right is a happy wife and homeschool mother of five living in the Pacific West Coast of the USA. Besides running a busy home, and looking after their five pets, which includes two cats, two bunnies and a Long-haired dachshund, she also writes stories for her children. She loves the Lord and His Word deeply, and when she doesn't have her nose in a book, she is telling her kids to get theirs in one.

Right worked as a copywriter for two major advertising agencies and won several awards, including the prestigious Clio Award for her ads, before she settled down to have children.

Why did Ms. Right write Keeper of Reign?

I wanted to write an allegorical fantasy about the fall of man and the redemption story set in a fantasy setting that's filled with danger and adventure. Something young readers can enjoy but still have a Christian message.

I hope my readers can see that with the power of the gospel, we can overcome our problems and difficulties. I want to empower young readers with this message, that if they seek the truth (the Ancient Books, in Keeper of Reign) they will find wisdom and answers to life's problems. It doesn't mean the answers are going to come easy, but persistence will pay off, and the Bible has the answers.

Connect with Ms. Right!

And please, do connect with me…

Please visit my Webpage

my Facebook

Facebook fanpage 

and follow me on twitter. 

If you sign up for my newsletter on my www.emmaright.com page I will give you book and contests updates.