When I was a young girl, I would dream of someday being a wife and mother. I would lie in bed at night and think of my future family. I wanted a big family. And a husband who loved me completely.
Read the rest of my story HERE!
Living God’s Word One Step at a Time
When I was a young girl, I would dream of someday being a wife and mother. I would lie in bed at night and think of my future family. I wanted a big family. And a husband who loved me completely.
by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment
Celebrate with Ocieanna and me by entering our “Glacier Bay” Giveaway and RSVPing for our Facebook Party on Feb. 12th!
One fortunate winner will receive:
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 11th. Winner will be announced at the “Glacier Bay” Author Chat Party on February 12th. Connect with Ocieanna and me, get a sneak peek of our new book projects, try your hand at the Alaska trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be great giveaways—gift certificates, books, and more!
How do you keep your quiet time fresh?
One of the hardest things for a parent is to see their teens in unsafe or hard situations, yet I’ve found when they step outside of their comfort zone, and are 100% in need of God’s energy to fuel their good ideas, then “faith as a verb” happens.
Four years ago two of my teens traveled to Mexico to build a house for a family. The program is called Homes of Hope. It was a turning point in their faith walk. Maybe you can see way.
Leslie building house in Mexico.
Cory building a house in Mexico.
In this photo Leslie is helping to lift a wall.
Special gifts from the team.
The house builders with the family they built the house for!
Shingle girl
Cory hauling trusses
Brother and sister teamwork
Leslie nailing up drywall
Cory painting
Right now is the perfect time to start thinking about a mission trip for Spring Break or the summer. In fact our family has already started planning an August trip to teach at a teen English Camp.
This idea will take ACTS OF FAITH and GOD’S ENERGY to accomplish, but remember:
Question: If you could go on a mission trip with your family…where would you go?? Please comment and let me know!
I first thought about writing in 1993. A friend from church, Cindy Martinusen told me about her aspirations to become a novelist. My first thought was . . . Real people do that? She invited me to attend Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference with her. I was new as new can be. I was also 22-years-old and pregnant with my third child, but I learned enough at that conference to start off on the right track.
For many years I wrote parenting articles, but I really wanted to get a book published. I tried and tried and although it became very close I didn’t get a contract. I was so disappointed. I questioned God … how come I couldn’t get published? After all, my books would glorify Him. It was during that time when I started attending the Experiencing God Bible Study. The key phrase that stuck with me was, “See what God is doing and join Him.” God was doing a lot … just not in the writing realm. So I started following God.
I helped start a Crisis Pregnancy Center and mentoring teen moms, and I discovered I loved it. I did a little writing, and a lot of serving. Yet it was amazing what came out of that. I started speaking, and I got a contract for Life Interrupted: The Scoop on Being a Teen Mom. Then, after the center was up and going I got a novel contract! I truly believe that since I was willing to follow God He gave me the desires of my heart.
When people tell me they want to be a writer I let them know that if they are serious they need to attend a writer’s conference. In just two, three, or four days they can learn a TON about writing. Not only that, they meet other authors, editors, agents and other publishing folks. From experience I know that relationships are just as important as the writing knowledge. I’ve found life-long friends and critique partners through conferences. I’ve also made connections to agents and editors that have helped me launch my writing career.
In addition to the Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference, I highly recommend the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writer’s Conference). If you are interested in fiction it is THE conference to attend.
I’ve been a part of ACFW for about ten years. It’s an amazing organization filled with caring people who help new authors in unexpected ways–through teaching, mentoring and friends. Here are the details:
Staycation!
Little Rock, Arkansas
When I moved here last year I was pleasantly surprised by this little city that offers so much. As an author of 26 published books I spend a lot of time writing–either at home or Panera–but when I need some down time with my kiddos, I was excited to find these cool places:
1. Heifer Village is in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas. It’s global education facility with hands-on and interactive exhibits. Kids learn hunger awareness are are stimulated to get involved. Another cool feature is Heifer is housed in a sustainable and environmentally sensitive building with adjacent welands that support native species.
2. The Big Dam Bridge is the world’s longest pedestrian and bicycle bridge. It’s located over Murray Lock and Dam and ties together 17 miles of scenic river trails in Little Rock and North Little Rock. A walking platform at 90 feet above the navigation channel, is be an amazing spot to catch an invigorating sunrise or sunset over the Arkansas River. It’s my favorite place in Little Rock to take a stroll!
3. My teens really enjoyed The Arkansas Arts Center in MacArthur Park near the River Market District at 9th and Commerce streets. The 42,000 square-foot museum includes a world-renowned art collection. The museum is free to the public. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call 501-372-4000 or visit www.arkarts.com.
4. Remember the mill with its turning waterwheel in “Gone with the Wind”? You can see The Old Mill in person on Lakeshore Drive & Fairway Avenue in North Little Rock. It’s a great place to bring a picnic lunch! Open from dawn to dusk. For more information, call 501-791-8537.
5. If you look at the Arkansas State Capitol you might want to do a double take. Modeled after the nation’s Capitol in Washington D.C., it’s often featured in movies, filling in for the real thing. Free audio tours available. Open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday; 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. weekdays and holidays. The address: One Capitol Mall, Capitol Avenue and Woodlane. 501-682-5080.
These are just a few places to get you started … but some of my favorite!