Baby Elephant Birth

http://www.dumpert.nl/mediabase/656611/d1dfcfee/live_olifant_geboorte_tv.html

Above is the link to a live elephant birth. You may have already seen it on its flight around the internet. Well, I watched it today, expecting to be grossed out. It was a little graphic, but not as bad as I feared. The real story begins after that baby hits the floor. Oh, when the momma elephant desperately cradled her baby's head to get her to breathe, tears welled in my eyes. Check it out. God has made the animals so sweet. I can hardly wait for Heaven, where the animal kingdom will be restored!!!! You have no idea how my heart aches for that.

Tis the season ... for grandkids

My sister & her hubby just had their first grandchild via Stephen's daughter, Michelle. The tiny 6 pounds 10 oz girl is named Eden. Great name!!! I just love it!

My close friend, Trish, just had her first grand child, an adorable baby boy named Conner, weighing in at 8 pounds 13 oz. Big boy for such a tiny mom.

So, congrats to Lori & Stephen and Trish & Dan. (Their kids too!)

Well, you all know my first (and only) grandchild is Bree's dog Toby. And I am crazy for that little pooch. He loved playing in Lake Henry on the Honey Creek Ranch in Texas. Below is a cute video of Toby in the water. He LOVES the water! Besides the usual dog tricks of sit, stay, and shake, Bree has taught him to bow, crawl, and play dead when she shoots him with her finger and says, "Bang." My grand dog is so smart!

(This is my last Texas post. Back to a diary of change...so desperately needed!)

Honey Creek Ranch in East Texas

Welcome to Honey Creek Ranch. It is beautiful! My uncle owns 8 Tennessee walkers and my aunt owns like 26 mini-horses, including one mini-donkey, and 5 pregnant mini-mares.
My mom and Aunt Rose are above with Thunder and below mom pets a mini-donkey. I didn't even know there was such a thing. He really protects the horses and the babies!Bree and Toby are above, checking stuff out! Horses did not like Toby going into their pasture. (More on that next post.)We went on a tour of their property. Below is me and uncle Ron. There are 5 graves from the 1800's on their property. Someone has preserved the grave stones with newer bricks. Uncle Ron plans to put a little white picket fence around it to further preserve the area. The middle grave says 'Laura Center, 1853 - 1873'. Both graves flanking her state 'Infant Center 1873.' I bet this poor young girl died giving birth to twins. How sad.

Nestled in the woods on Honey Creek Ranch is Lake Henry. It is secluded and very picturesque. But what I love the most is the name, for Lake Henry was named after the greatest man I've ever known. My grandad!

Above is my mom, Aunt Rose, and BreeAnna. I am posing below at the end of Lake Henry with Uncle Ron and my Mom.Lots of fresh water turtles live in this lake. This poor little shell is without a host.

I have no idea what these bright purple berries are, but they sure are purdy!

This horse had blue eyes. She would not cooperate for an up-close picture.

And this time she blinked.

Stay! Ayeyeye! You'll just have to take my word for it. Super blue eyes, probably the bluest I have ever seen.
Aunt Rose shows mini-horses. Above she's working Risky Business out, below she is giving my mom a ride, and the video at the bottom is of my ride. Risky trots the whole time and it's hard to discern his gait changes when Rosemary gives him the signal. That's a very good boy!

I've added a link to my right bank to the Honey Creek Ranch Website, or click here, in case you want to buy a mini-horse. They sure are fun!

Days 51 - 55 of making changes.

I want to post some pretty wedding pictures from my trip to Texas. But first, how about a status update on making permanent changes? Well, I am holding strong at 10 pounds lost, which is a miracle because I've been dipping into the Halloween candy at work. This morning I walked 5 miles in the rain—my first exercise since before Texas. My 1/2 Marathon is exactly 4 weeks from today, so I've got to get out there and cover some ground. I've been reading lots of non-fiction diet information. I probably have 5 diet books on my list right now—more than I've ever read before. For those of you following along, my eyebrow grow-out is complete. They are only slightly thicker, so no-one's really noticed, which is very good as it means they don't look like a uni-brow or anything. I like them. So now if I can get back on the diet stick, I'll be really happy! I've got to lose 10 more pounds. Just 10 little pounds. I can do that! My goal is 5 by the 1/2 marathon. I think that will help my time.

As far as personality changes, those are so much harder than physical changes. I sort of feel bad for not liking myself, when God is the one who created me this way. On the other hand, God's word tells us to bridle our tongue and be quick to listen, slow to speak. I consider these spiritual discipline items that I am supposed to change. So, how does one permanently affect these changes? I think daily asking the Holy Spirit to prompt me and help me, and being quick to listen and obey His lead.

Okay, now for Texas Wedding Pictures, my nephew Scott married Miss Pretty Courtney in San Antonio while I was in Texas. All my sisters flew out for the wedding. It was so pretty!

Above is Lori, me, and Margie. Below is my sister Connie, AKA mother of the groom, and BreeAnna.

Cousins Bree & Scott the groom. And below is Scotty with his Granna, AKA my mom.

And here's the new Mr & Mrs!

Days 49 & 50

Wow 50 days...hard to believe, of course I haven't really been doing anything to change my habits in the last 10 days. I have even been very bad. I had a diet coke on the plane and a Butterfinger at work yesterday, then a hamburger and potato salad at the Salem Academy Homecoming last night. Err! I hate myself when I am bad. I must get back on the stick. I've been afraid to weigh since getting home from Texas. So, I am forcing myself to get back on the wagon. I'll weigh on Monday. Scary!!!!

Saturday: Deep cleaned the house, did all the laundry, re-wrote 4 chapters of my book and a whole new one, hallelujah! I feel very productive. Praise God for Saturdays! Also read half of the book 'Pounds and Inches' and restarted my tea. (Baby steps. The harder part comes next...hours and hours on the treadmill. I have a 1/2 Marathon in exactly 4 weeks. Where did the time go?)

Now for a little fun. At my nephew's rehearsal dinner in San Antonio, his bride, Courtney, surprised him with a karaoke machine. It was so much fun to watch. Below are some pictures. My 3 sisters got up and did a trio to 'Eight Days A Week.' They were great! I have a video, but it won't load on here. Not sure the problem, perhaps I can get it to load later.

Left to right below: Stephen, Lori, Connie, Steve, Margie and me, with my mom sitting.

Scott started us of with a rowdy country song!
Courtney, her mom, and sister highly entertained us on the dance floor.

Above is Scott and Courtney singing a duet and below are my 3 sisters singing 'Eight Days a Week.' My favorite part was watching Lori hog the mic and Connie fight to get a little piece of it! She finally won.

YEP, MY SISTERS ROCK!!!!

Now for a little subject change. Below is my brother-in-law Steve and his son Matthew, a Warrant Officer in the Army. Please pray for Matthew as he'll be heading back to Afghanistan sometime soon.

Check back soon for wedding photos. And maybe some diet news.

Days 38 through 48

I'm home from Texas where I had a great time with my daughter and family, went to my nephew's wedding, went to my uncle's horse ranch, ate lots and exercised nil. So, back to the drawing board of change. But first...fun pics from my trip. I'll have to do this in a couple posts, starting with the San Antonio River Walk. It was so cool!


The photo above is from our hotel room down onto the River Walk. It was my first time there. The River Walk is along the San Antonio River, it is below street level, and opens up to all kinds of shops and cool restaurants.

We took a boat ride tour and learned lots about the history. The River Walk is only about 2 miles long. A sidewalk runs along the whole thing. Some parts are very lush, others are commercial, with lots of restaurants offering outdoor seating.Above is me and Bree and below is my mom with Bree. We enjoyed the boat tour so much, we did it again the next day with my sister Lori and her hubby Stephen. (It is only $8.25 per person.)


Lots of fun. Now, be sure to check back soon for some Karaoke blackmail pictures.

Interview with Author Christina Berry

INTRODUCING MY FRIEND AND DEBUT AUTHOR, CHRISTINA BERRY. ISN'T SHE PRETTY!!!












Several years ago at one of the Northwest’s premier writing conferences, I met a kindred soul, Christina Berry. I say kindred because we both had a love for writing, a passion to get published, and a joy for learning the craft. Throughout the years, we've reconnected at conferences and stayed connected via the blogging world. Well, Christina’s first novel has now been published by Moody and she’s busy blog touring, promoting, and attending book store signings. She is also a substitute teacher, single mom, foster mom, and is writing her next book(s). As a major coo for WRITE STEPS, Christina has stopped by for a little interview. Please read below and leave a comment to be entered into a drawing for her book.

Welcome, Christina. Thank you for taking time out of your busy blog tour schedule to stop by my little corner of the sphere, WRITE STEPS.

1) I want you to know I love The Familiar Stranger! The twists, turns, and tiny little elements of romance make it a page turner! But let’s start with a personal question. Can you give us a glimpse into your life?

Though the plot of The Familiar Stranger came from news stories, I’d been looking for a fictional vehicle to express the lessons I’d learned regarding forgiveness in my own marriage. I knew no one was interested in reading my particular story, but I still felt God had given me something to say. My husband and I worked through a major issue six years ago and found a vibrant, completely renewed marriage on the other side. However, seven months ago, that same issue broke our bond. Now as a newly-single woman, I’m in the midst of promoting a book that touches far closer to home than I would have ever dreamed. If no one else ever reads it, I’ve been convicted and encouraged by my own words. If that isn’t a gracious God at work, I don’t know what is!

2) The Familiar Stranger came from a news story—tell us about that.

I think this is pretty typical of authors, but almost every day I hear or see something that has potential as a plot line. Just the other day I read about a woman who was so badly mutilated when her boyfriend killed her that the police identified the body by the serial numbers of her breast implants. That’s horribly graphic, I know, but my first thought is, “There are serial numbers inside countless women? Do they know this? What if the numbers had been switched?” Yes, it’s a sickness. In the summer of 2006, two stories appeared in the newspaper. One was a huge, national story; the other a smaller, local-interest item. I wondered what it might look like if those two stories conceived a child. Boom! I had the entire plot for The Familiar Stranger. It will be interesting to see if readers can figure out which stories inspired the book.

3) Well, I have a couple ideas that I'll ask you about later. In the mean time, why don't you share a few other personal tidbits.

I was the team captain and second answerer in the speed round for our family on Family Feud in 2000 … and we won! Also, I grew up in Nigeria, West Africa, while my parents were Southern Baptist missionaries. I remember being awed at the selection of toilet paper in the grocery store when we returned to the States.

4) And what about your Karate’? Aren’t you a black belt or something?

It's a pitiful story really. I was well on my way to a black belt in Tae Kwondo. I had even envisioned talent night at writing conferences where I would break boards and do an inspirational talk about breaking through to the published side. :)

Two years ago I tested for my 1st degree purple belt, did my form, sparred, and kicked through the two boards. BUT as I landed from my reverse jumping side kick, my lotioned heel hit the rubber edging of the mat and I slipped, tearing my ACL. Why was my heel lotioned? Because I'm a girly-girl!

Anyway, after months of physical therapy and surgery, I decided I was not willing to risk a similar injury again. But I still beat bad guys up in my dreams!

5) Christina, tell us about your first book signing. Was it surreal and everything you’ve dreamed of?

Technically I had been part of the ACFW 100-author signing in Denver a few weeks before, but this was the first where I got clear billing and had near my friends and family. It was an amazing, amazing night. One that will never be repeated and will always hold a special place in my heart and memories. Last night, as I watched the DVD my dad made of the signing, it hit me that the entire event started with my making one call to K-LOVE. I was sure they would turn me down. Instead, they took the idea I had of on-air giveaways and ran with it, turning it into a concert and multi-author signing with food. :) It showed me that anything is possible.

6) How long have you been writing/how long did it take to sell your first book?

Well, my mother, Sherrie Ashcraft, and I began writing in the summer of ’99. We figured the accountability of having a co-writer would make us actually do what we’d always dreamed of but never put action to. It took a long road of learning how much we didn’t know, tons of re-writing, brooding over rejections, making connections, pitching at conferences, and directional prayer to make our writing salable. In the summer of 2007, when Mom was busy caring for her dying mother-in-law, I got the itch of a new story idea. Undiscovered was written by February 2008, edited by June, won second place in the ACFW Genesis Contemporary category, and was renamed The Familiar Stranger and contracted by Moody Publishers in October. One decade from naïve first scribbles to debut novel!

7) You've been a foster mom for a while now. What has been the biggest blessing about being a foster mom?

Knowing I am providing a safe, protective, and loving home for a child who needs it. My favorite book of the Bible is James and in the first chapter we are told that God excepts pure and faultless religion as the taking care of orphans in distress. If foster children aren't America's orphans, I don't know who are.

8) And what’s the biggest challenge?

I think it's the same challenge as mothering any child. Setting firm and clear boundaries, always following through, being patient, and teaching character and not just knowledge.

Maybe most people would think the giving back of children would be the challenge, but I firmly believe that God is in control of every single placement and I have, so far, found it easy to trust His movement of children into and out of my home.

9) I read in one of your other interviews that you endeavor to point people to Christ. Can you describe in a tangible way how non-authors can do that?

Give your friends my book. Just kidding! :) (Though you can feel free to do so.) I believe every Christian points to Christ, or away from Him, simply as we live our lives. If we are striving to live at peace, be generous, put others above ourselves, live a lifestyle above reproach ... then others will be drawn to Jesus.

Christian authors could fall into a trap of believing their writing is their only avenue of witnessing and miss out on many acts of mercy and love God has laid out in advance for them to do. We must get out in the world and do real things too, not just play with our imaginary friends in the world we created for them.

10) Above is my little homemade video of Christina reading the first few tantalizing paragraphs of her highly entertaining new novel. Tell us, Christina, how can readers purchase your book?

Here are two links: http://www.christianbook.com/familiar-stranger-christina-berry/9780802447319/pd/447319?netp_id=612553&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW&view=covers http://www.amazon.com/Familiar-Stranger-Christina-Berry/dp/0802447317/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239913987&sr=1-1 You can also have any bookstore order copies for you if they don’t have any in stock.


Christina, thank you so much for stopping by WRITE STEPS. I am honored! Where are you off to next on your blog tour?

On Tuesday, 10/20, I’ll be with Margie Vawter at http://www.marjorievawter.blogspot.com/ Then on Wednesday, Wednesday, 10/21, I’ll visit Lynette Sowell at http://myslicesoflife.blogspot.com/


Best wishes and abundant blessings to you, my friend!

***

Christina strives to Live Transparently—Forgive Extravagantly! Her work has also appeared in The Secret Place, The Oregonian, and Daily Devotions for Writers. Find her at http://www.christinaberry.net/ and http://www.authorchristinaberry.blogspot.com/ I recommend signing up for her emailed Infrequent, Humorous Newsletter, which will enter you in a drawing for a 4GB iPod at www.ashberrylane.net/update.aspx.

Remember to leave a comment, which will enter you in a drawing for her book at the end of the month.