Writing From Home

I Am Not Afraid

I am often asked if I am afraid. I should be after sending my firstborn off to Africa where so many bad things can happen. Well, I’m not afraid of all those bad things. I’m not naïve, I’ve read the news and perused the web. I know a lot can happen. A lot can go wrong. But I’m not afraid.

I’m not afraid like that anyway.

This is what I’m afraid of.

See all those adorable children? They frighten me.

My biggest fear for Gabby in Uganda is that she will fall head-over-heels in love with those little darlings and make Africa her home. And that will mean I will miss her. Like I do now. Only for a really, really long time.

So, I appreciate your concern and am grateful for your prayers. Keep them coming. If God chooses to keep Gabby in Africa, I am afraid I will have to get over some serious selfishness.

Gratefully,

Beth

Gabrielle is taking God's Love (and our hearts!) to Uganda

Yesterday we drove our precious 21-year-old daughter, Gabrielle, to San Francisco where she boarded a plane to Dubai. She will spend four days with her Uncle Tony and Aunt Kathy before venturing on to Uganda. There Gabby will be serving as an intern at a Christian boarding school, ministering to orphans. She will be there four months.

Gabby has always had a heart for missions. When she was six, she attended a school chapel service where a woman and her daughter shared their testimony about a mission trip to Romania. Gabby left chapel with tears streaming down her face. When I asked her why she was crying, she said, “I want to go and teach the children about Jesus.”

A year later, a friend began the adoption process of a young Russian orphan named Kostya. Gabby and I prayed every day for Kostya and the other orphaned children. We prayed that Kostya would come home to his adoptive mommy and a better life in America. A few months into the adoption process, the Russian government shut down all foreign adoptions for about 18 months. Gabby and I continued to pray daily for Kostya. After four long years, Kostya’s adoption was complete and he came to America.

I believe God used both of these events to prepare Gabby’s heart to minister to orphaned children with the love of Jesus. She has since completed training with YWAM (Youth With a Mission) and traveled with them on several mission trips.

Please join me in praying for Gabby as she shares Jesus’ love with the children in Uganda. Pray for her safety and that God will use her in powerful ways.

Gratefully,

Beth

I’m Going to Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference

Very early tomorrow morning, I will be heading to Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference with a group of writers from Inspire. I am so excited that I doubt I'll sleep much tonight.

Why am I so excited?

• Well, Mount Hermon is a gorgeous place, located a short drive from Santa Cruz and some beautiful Northern California beaches.

   

• I love spending time with Christian writers. These are my people. Really. Something amazing happens when a group of people who love Jesus and love to write come together to worship God, seek his will and improve their craft.

   

• I get to travel with several of the Inspire Christian Writers! We will be praying for and with each other throughout the conference.

   

• I can't wait to meet several online friends (from Facebook, Twitter, and ShoutLife) and connect with them in real life.

   

• I get to spend five days alone with Jesus. (As alone as I can be with hundreds of other writers.) Every time I attend a Christian writer's conference Jesus shows up. He speaks to me and gives me direction, affirmation and lots of love. I need that.

   

• The classes and workshops and keynote addresses are always fantastic. I learn and grow and am stretched in ways I never imagined each time I attend.

   

• And I'll be meeting with agents and editors to pitch my books.

So, now I'm off to bed to try and sleep. My next post will be from Mount Hermon.

Gratefully,

Beth

PS: Thanks to those of you who are praying for me, Dee, Joanne, Lori, Chris and Kelli. We really appreciate it!

News from Across the Web: Baby Stellan, Montana Plane Crash, Red Envelope Abortion Protest, Tea Party Rallies, and a Luscious Lemon Pie

I've been a busy girl this week and have so much to share with you that I thought it best to condense it into one quick post. You can learn more about each item by visiting the links.

Please pray for baby Stellan and his precious family.

Here's the side of the Montana plane crash story you won't see on network news or in the newspapers. I hope it spurs you to prayer like it did me.

And while we're talking about abortion, have you purchased red envelopes for the abortion protest yet? I found some at Tuesday Morning (yes, real cheap!) They are also available at Kinko's and craft or stamp stores. Check here for more info. Then mail out those envelopes on March 31^st.

And since we're in the mood to protest, why not participate in a national tea party (Taxed Enough Already) protesting our government's economic stimulus plan, the mounting national debt and the forced redistribution of wealth. The Tea Party Rallies will take place on Wednesday, April 15, in cities all across the country. You can find out details for the rally in your area here: http://www.teapartyday.com/

Okay, I know these are all heavy issues. Once you've followed those links and learned what you can do about some of the more serious things going on around us, stop by 4 Reluctant Entertainers and be encouraged to open your home and your heart to others during this beautiful Spring season. Sandy provides great entertaining advice and delicious recipes like this one for Creamy Lemon Pie. Yum!

Okay, that's enough information for today. I hope you will join me in prayer for Stellan and for our nation. I also hope you will stand up for the unborn, and for the next generations, who will bear the consequences of decisions made in our generation.

Have a blessed Sunday.

Gratefully,

Beth

New Waterproof Bible Now Available

 

You have to see this to believe it… a Bible that is WATERPROOF!

Now why on earth would you need a waterproof Bible? I'll tell you why…

No more worries about drenching a leather bound, onion-skin-page Bible in the bathtub.

Now we can be inspired anywhere. In a bubble bath or beside a bubbling brook, the Outdoor Bible is completely waterproof and tear resistant. You can take it camping, hiking, to the pool, anywhere you like.

Great for missions trips, too. I know several young missionaries who will enjoy receiving one of these. To see the Outdoor Bible in action, head over to www.theoutdoorbible.com.

 

Special thanks to Karen Powers at Christian Speaker Services for bringing this fun new product to my attention.

So, what do you think? Is this a great idea? Let me know what you think. As for me, I think I will have to order one for myself and one for my sweet daughter who is preparing for an extended mission trip. (We'll talk more about that once her plans are firm.)

Gratefully,

Beth

Too Many Books? Donate to Christian Library International

For the record, I don't believe you can have too many great books. However, during my recent home office renovation, I decided to part with some titles because I need the space. Heartbreaking, I know.

Here's the good news: I found this great organization that distributes Christian books to more than 900 prisons and jails in 49 states. So, I'm boxing up the books I am not likely to read again and shipping them off to Christian Library International.

Now my books will have the opportunity to impact the lives of inmates, bringing them hope, encouragement and the truth about how much God loves them. Isn't that wonderful?

If you have books that need to find a new home, go to www.christianlibraryinternational.com for shipping information.

 

Gratefully,

Beth

Grief Devotional “No Shrinking Back” at Comfort Cafe

Have you ever grieved the loss of a loved one? Or do you know someone who is grieving today?

If so, head over to Comfort Café to read my devotional, "No Shrinking Back."

For more grief devotionals and other resources, visit www.FaithandGrief.com.

Gratefully,

Beth

Beyond the Call to “Pray for Your Enemies”

This morning I read a great article written by my friend Norris Burkes and I want to share it with you. Norris is a chaplain in the California National Guard, currently serving in Balad, Iraq. He is also a syndicated columnist and author of the book No Small Miracles.

Here's the article: Enemies Need Prayer, Care, Too.

Go ahead, click over and read it, then let me know your reaction to it.

Gratefully,

Beth

Under the Banner of God’s Love

We left 20 minutes late for our 40-minute commute to school this morning. It was raining hard and water pooled on the roadway. Welcome to Monday. I hate being late. I mean it, I really hate being late. Especially to school where I knew I would be met by the haughty eyes of those parents who are never late and have no grace for those of us who sometimes struggle with timeliness.

I could feel the tension clawing at my shoulders as we waited in traffic a mile from home. I silently begged God to keep my frustrations from spilling over into my children's hearts—even though I am not the one who dawdled, changed clothes three times and grumbled about the breakfast Mommy made.

As we inched forward, my stomach knotted around my oatmeal. Have I mentioned that I hate being late? It makes me feel inadequate faster than just about any of my other shortcomings. I prayed again, out loud this time, "Lord please help. You're our only hope for getting to school on time. Could you part the traffic ahead of us so we don't have to face the humiliation of going to the office for a tardy slip?"

I plugged in a worship CD—Selah's Press On—and sang along. Loudly. My darlings know this is a good sign. It means Mom has moved on from frustrated to trying to make the most of the situation.

I noticed the clock said 8:10; we were about five miles behind schedule. Not too bad, considering. As we approached the intersection that usually takes 10 minutes to traverse, I noticed there were very few vehicles, and as we approached, the light turned a lovely bright green. My hopes rose. "Hey, we might make it after all!" I said.

We made our final two turns and right over the school a marvelous sight materialized out of the gray drizzle, a giant rainbow proclaiming God's grace. I looked at the clock again—8:22—we were three minutes early. On time. On Monday. After a very late start. And under the banner of God's love.

I hope whatever you are doing today, you also experience God's grace and love.

Gratefully,

Beth

Pulled from the Web

I am going through my emails and peeking at websites others have alerted me to. I wanted to share some of the fun things I've found with you.

 

Here they are:

 

What is your Birth Verse? Find out at www.birthverse.com/mybirthverse.cfm

 

Want to know how your state ranks on religion? Find out at USA Today

 

Would you like to see a really cool birthday surprise? Check out What's in the Box.

 

Enjoy!

Beth