tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-135036402012-01-31T09:30:11.224-08:00Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Tim. 4:12Sarah Anne Sumpolechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06467951500242305919noreply@blogger.comBlogger12771100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-17044875641464989092012-01-30T09:13:00.000-08:002012-01-30T09:15:21.779-08:00

People do a lot of talking. Lots of it. Just look at twitter. And blogs. People have lots to say. I totally understand that (speaking as one with both a twitter and a blog) but you probably also notice that some days I just don't post. That's because I have nothing to say! At least nothing to say that I think is worth bothering you with. I do at least try not to waste my time...and yours.But I

Sarah Anne Sumpolechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06467951500242305919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-21721117419481433612012-01-28T04:00:00.000-08:002012-01-28T04:00:07.274-08:00

My daughter, who is 4, has always really liked blocks and Legos. (Her brother enjoys knocking them over. Which creates some real "Oy" moments in our household.) Sometimes I'm amazed by her good attitude when she's building, bumps a block, and half her creation falls. There are times where she just sighs, then starts to rebuild. And then there are other times when she'll exclaim something

Stephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-30371729202986053732012-01-20T13:55:00.000-08:002012-01-20T13:55:29.212-08:00

Usually when I say the words “but God” it sounds a little like this: “But God, I don’t want to go hang out with that person. It’s exhausting.” “But God, I’m so tired. Getting up early to read the Bible is too much work.” “But God, this situation is awful. There’s nothing good that can come out of this.” “But God, my dream sounds really impossible and it’s getting harder by the day. Can’t

Ashley Mayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03630579296633709154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-78621070270587520682012-01-19T17:19:00.000-08:002012-01-19T17:22:04.631-08:00

I just returned from having coffee with a friend. We spent the entire morning catching up on one another’s lives, encouraging each other, laughing, and finding out how we could pray for each other. What she might not know is that I also enjoyed one other detail of our visit—the chance to buy her coffee. (Actually, she had tea, but it still felt good to do it.)Money has been so tight that, if not

Jeanette Hanscomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08767343618048768514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-52407553809324832922012-01-13T05:00:00.000-08:002012-01-13T05:00:14.680-08:00

Warning: If you are not a person who understands the simple beauty of a to-do list... If you do not feel a strong conviction that meats should go in the meat drawer and veggies in the veggie drawer... And if the sight of this: does not make you giddy with anticipation of how organized your life could be after a shopping spree, then this post may not be for you. My husband was

Stephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-89078166570124320192012-01-10T13:57:00.000-08:002012-01-10T14:06:29.630-08:00

It's 2012, and everywhere around me, people are making resolutions. Odds are, a lot of those sudden, flippant goals are going to fizzle out in a few weeks or a few months, as reality sets back in and life takes over. Some are dedicated enough to fulfill their resolutions, and those are usually the people who have been thinking about or wanting to do something very specific for a long time and are

Betsy St. Amanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326874709264159191noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-41347296222180818982012-01-05T11:15:00.000-08:002012-01-05T11:20:33.509-08:00

Recently, I had an encounter with a stranger that doubled as a lesson in why we are taught not to talk to strangers, or at least why we need to use caution, especially when the stranger is a member of the opposite sex.I met the guy while traveling with my sons. At first, he seemed normal, and so friendly that I expected him to latch onto other people besides me. Hours later, however, things got a

Jeanette Hanscomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08767343618048768514noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-64547864128287415372012-01-04T06:11:00.000-08:002012-01-04T06:18:59.504-08:00

So about that whole having grace for other people thing. I didn’t do it. See, I’ve decided that the holiday season is the.worst.time. for. grace. Sacrilegious, I know. People were cutting me off in traffic, cutting me off in conversation, and cutting me off in the line at Wal-Mart. Oh, don’t get me started on Wal-Mart. I told you not to. Two days before Christmas, not one

Bekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17633693341041790044noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-88796543456896541022011-12-28T04:00:00.000-08:002011-12-28T13:10:52.412-08:00

I'm a girl who likes her lists, and who likes fresh starts. I've been doing some thinking about 2011. About things that went well and things that did not go well. I've been thinking about what will come with me, and what I would rather leave behind. Here are 4 things I will bring into 2012 with me: 1. Forever Reign by Hillsong. My heart beats a little faster every time the worship band at our

Stephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-7431560945497984582011-12-27T10:00:00.000-08:002011-12-27T10:00:01.413-08:00

Camy here! As 2011 draws to a close, how did you do on your reading goals for the year? (Did you have any reading goals? LOL) I wanted to read more Love Inspired Suspenses but didn’t read as many as I wanted to. I just didn’t have time! I did read a rare historical romance since I happened to get a copy I wouldn’t otherwise have gotten my hands on--my friend Becca Whitham let me borrow Practice

Camy Tanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14577747925320907186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-34578839304096535952011-12-24T05:26:00.000-08:002011-12-24T05:26:00.623-08:00

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! It's one of my favorite nights of the year. The very air just feels holy in expectation. I can't wait to celebrate tonight with my family, but I always try to find one quiet moment alone to gaze up at the star studded sky, (even if its cloudy) and just feel Jesus. He's there, you know. And it's almost His birthday :)

Betsy St. Amanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326874709264159191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-86429888409891085412011-12-20T17:08:00.000-08:002011-12-20T17:08:11.571-08:00

Some of my favorite Christmas cards when I was younger were the ones that included letters about all the adventures different families had gone on throughout the year. I thought I'd do the same for you now. So pretend you've just walked out to your mailbox, opened it up, and this is in a red envelope. And I wrote your name and address with a silver sharpie so it's really pretty. :-) To our

Ashley Mayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03630579296633709154noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-1691881704563891092011-12-19T11:13:00.000-08:002011-12-19T11:16:15.999-08:00

This year, I purposely set our Christmas tree up in a different place. I left our Christmas village in the box and created a scene out of choir boys, pine trees, and snow men. Instead of outlining our front window with lights, I set an angel and the three wise men on the sill. I used the same Nativity scene as in past years but changed the arrangement a bit. I bought new stockings, embroidered

Jeanette Hanscomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08767343618048768514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-34315846039301818452011-12-18T16:26:00.000-08:002011-12-18T16:26:09.451-08:00

I know this post is supposed to be about grace but I'm going to have to beg for your grace instead! I have been up for days with a teething baby and a manuscript. Both of them are just as needy! {I promise to get back to our 30 day challenge -- in the new year -- so let's call it our 60 day challenge. I want to hear how it's going for all of you.} In the meantime, I just found out that

Bekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17633693341041790044noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-43933570313384567022011-12-14T15:35:00.001-08:002011-12-14T15:35:03.155-08:00

Camy here! Forgive me, but this is going to be a full-on rant. My friend let me borrow her copy of Practice to Deceive by Patricia Veryan, a Georgian romance author who died a few years ago. Practice to Deceive was published in hardcover in 1985 (with a rather nice pencil drawn cover) with one other English version, mass market paperback with a truly horrid cover in 1986. Practice to Deceive is

Camy Tanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14577747925320907186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-27218086974477924062011-12-13T04:00:00.000-08:002011-12-13T04:00:16.077-08:00

Stephanie here! When I first heard about Rachel Coker - who is 16 and has her debut novel releasing this February from Zondervan - I practically ran to my computer to email her. And I'm so glad I did, because Rachel is not only a gifted writer, she's a sweet, Godly chica. It's been such a blessing to interview her. Rachel, at what age did you start writing Interrupted? Was it your first

Stephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-60631448598875037612011-12-11T14:30:00.000-08:002011-12-11T14:32:39.327-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJa7O8je-xMI'm sooo impressed with this trailer my awesome peeps at Barbour made! Better than I could have hoped! What do y'all think? :) I can't wait for you to meet Addison January 1st!

Betsy St. Amanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326874709264159191noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-66264169790627102942011-12-06T18:52:00.001-08:002011-12-06T18:52:56.614-08:00

Hallelujah, we've been found A child is born to save us now Hallelujah, light is come A Savior who will set us free A promise for those who believe -BarlowGirl When I was eight years old I got mad at my parents and decided to run away from home. Apparently, I didn't think it through very much because the only thing I grabbed in my haste to leave our house was the newspaper. I found that

Ashley Mayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03630579296633709154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-35278386297328072462011-12-05T11:02:00.000-08:002011-12-05T11:05:05.409-08:00

This is a picture of my grandmother, Camilla La Chapell, taken long before I knew her. In fact, I have a feeling that my dad—the oldest child in his family—hadn’t been born yet. When my cousin sent this picture to me the day after Grandma passed away, I couldn’t stop looking at it. I’ve seen old pictures of Grandma before, but this is the first time that I really took time to appreciate her youth

Jeanette Hanscomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08767343618048768514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-88188787720442456362011-12-01T06:55:00.000-08:002011-12-01T07:08:37.300-08:00

I have been a bit MIA lately because I've been directing a youth musical - and well, it's been quite draining - mentally and physically. We opened last weekend with four great shows - well, three - because opening night? Well, that's a whole blog post in itself! Tomorrow we go back for four more shows this weekend and since I won't be directing the next musical, I get tob r e a t h eagain!

Sarah Anne Sumpolechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06467951500242305919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-21441392722517098222011-11-28T08:25:00.001-08:002011-11-28T08:50:27.872-08:00

If you were to say to me, "Is it better to do something perfectly or not at all OR to do your best even though it won't be perfect?" I would try to not laugh at you as I said, "Obviously, the second. Just do your best." But I have been guilty of just the opposite for some time now.   Years ago - like 9 or 10 years ago - I went to the store to buy a chronological Bible. I thought it would be

Stephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-12855356106618422752011-11-27T05:00:00.000-08:002011-11-27T05:00:05.968-08:00

Camy here! Running through to ask for pray from all you guys, since I am on deadline with a book due on Monday. Please pray it turns out great! Thanks! If I can pray for any of you guys (even if you want to list an unspoken prayer request) just leave it in the comments! Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. Out now is the first book in her new series, Protection for Hire, which is

Camy Tanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14577747925320907186noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-76722235853565785742011-11-24T05:06:00.000-08:002011-11-24T05:06:00.250-08:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOURS!

Betsy St. Amanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326874709264159191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-70772960927213735332011-11-20T14:24:00.000-08:002011-11-20T14:29:02.140-08:00

Okay - so I'm going to be a total mom today - I hope you'll understand.If you have a Facebook, would you be willing to use this link and click "like" to like a page??That gives my daughter a vote for mayor and if she wins, she could win tickets to the premiere of The Hunger Games.It's crazy important to her (she got to be an extra in the film so to be able to be part of the premiere would be

Sarah Anne Sumpolechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06467951500242305919noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-69454167256825745112011-11-19T12:55:00.000-08:002011-11-19T13:05:35.285-08:00

This week, a friend and I went to the local art museum to see an exhibit of Italian art. Not only did I get to see the La Bella portrait that I mentioned in an earlier post, but they also had a replica of her famous blue dress and prints of other paintings from the time period. One of the many things that stood out to us was the women’s clothing and hair. “Women back then wore such pretty closes,

Jeanette Hanscomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08767343618048768514noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-39782444718314986302011-11-14T06:00:00.000-08:002011-11-14T06:00:12.685-08:00

Camy here! And just to warn you, today’s post is yet another piece or randomness. So I’m in pre-menopause. It’s a little early for me, but they say that if you don’t have children, you tend to go into menopause earlier, so there it is. The problem is that pre-menopause is a bit like puberty, with massive skin problems. I haven’t had this many zits since sixth grade! Another couple problems is

Camy Tanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14577747925320907186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-42135910766420243682011-11-13T02:00:00.000-08:002011-11-13T02:00:01.707-08:00

Last Sunday afternoon, the weather was so glorious that my husband and I walked the kids up to the park.  As we walked across the soccer field, I said to my almost-4-year-old daughter, "Race you!" McKenna loves to run, and broke into a sprint. Me and McKenna I did the parent thing, where I moderated my speed based on hers. Sometimes I edged in front of her just a bit, which made her squeal, "

Stephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-38611457760066915562011-11-10T05:49:00.000-08:002011-11-10T05:49:00.890-08:00

Betsy here.I usually know what I want to blog about days in advance, and schedule my posts early. After all, I blog on three different blogs (My own, this one, and http://www.scribblechicks.blogspot.com/) I get a topic, or a story, or find an interesting quiz online that applies to writing or something else fun, and have no trouble bringing it all together into a post.Other times, however, I

Betsy St. Amanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326874709264159191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-15891422543002950972011-11-05T09:03:00.000-07:002011-11-05T09:11:24.651-07:00

In my last post, I admitted my anxieties over an upcoming retreat. It turned out to be an amazing weekend, where God did a lot of work on my heart—so much that I can’t possibly share it all in this follow-up. But there is one lesson that I must pass on.The friend who invited me has known me for several years, so she is aware of my low vision. Even though we’ve spent enough time together for her

Jeanette Hanscomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08767343618048768514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-66767935081417947122011-11-04T05:32:00.000-07:002011-11-04T05:35:55.727-07:00

I have a confession to make: I have a mouth. Not a potty mouth, but a mouth. Two lips. One tongue. It’s pretty good at French kissing (sorry – too much information). But it’s also pretty good at doing something else around My Boy: talking mean. I don’t set out to do it. I don’t wake up in the morning and say, “I’d like to be a witch today.”  I don’t set out to be judgmental about people.

Bekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17633693341041790044noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-79496561775521732572011-10-28T02:30:00.000-07:002011-10-28T02:30:02.571-07:00

My sweet, lovely grandmother has a cheery saying she's fond of: If you're not changing it means you're dead. As a girl who tends to stress and worry and panic, change can be a very scary thing. But on my birthday - which is today - I like to take stock of things I learned/discovered/gleaned/perfected over the last year. And here they are, in no particular order: 1. I now make excellent

Stephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-81925605237796940412011-10-26T23:46:00.001-07:002011-10-26T23:46:49.269-07:00

Camy here! Okay, I have to admit I’m in a cleaning phase right now. It seems like when my house and my office is messy, then my thoughts are messy and I just can’t work. I don’t know what the correlation is, but when I see clutter all over my office, I just can’t seem to concentrate on work very well. But you know what the weird thing was? I didn’t realize this until a few years ago. So all

Camy Tanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14577747925320907186noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-83525246949912371492011-10-24T07:36:00.000-07:002011-10-24T08:01:10.377-07:00

Have you ever signed up to do something or made an appointment, and then talked yourself out of it or changed your mind last minute? I can be bad about that. I get all geared up for something and then think "you know, it'd be much more convenient if I just skipped it" or "I don't have time for that now, I'll get my money back or reschedule", etc.There's been a few instances in my life this year

Betsy St. Amanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326874709264159191noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-75731684458948931042011-10-19T15:16:00.000-07:002011-10-19T15:23:58.670-07:00

Tomorrow, a friend is picking me up for a three-day retreat. I’ve attended church retreats before—women’s retreats, a choir retreat, and ski trips when I was in the college group—but this will be a completely different experience. Other than the friend who invited me, and two other ladies that she mentioned were going, I won’t know anyone there. The itinerary doesn’t look anything like the

Jeanette Hanscomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08767343618048768514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-78753366515563906112011-10-18T00:00:00.000-07:002011-10-18T06:38:23.804-07:00

For this child we prayed... It's been a little quiet on my end lately. Well, not quiet for me. But quiet from me.  We have spent the last several weeks  spending time with and thanking God for  the fulfillment of our prayers: I don't know who you are - or what you're going through today. But I do know  God has placed dreams in your heart for a reason. Keep hoping.

Bekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17633693341041790044noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-11062813971043710532011-10-14T05:00:00.000-07:002011-10-14T05:00:02.710-07:00

Camy here! We have a college Bible study at our house twice a month, and last Sunday we discussed finding a significant other. We asked, “What qualities do you value in a boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse?” You list it on a piece of paper. Now look at those qualities. Instead of looking for someone who has all those qualities, you need to make an effort to become the person who has those qualities.

Camy Tanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00790591988777275651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-30274118661905625602011-10-13T00:00:00.000-07:002011-10-13T00:00:08.480-07:00

I'm currently reading Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis for the second time. I allow myself just one chapter a day because it helps me to absorb more. Every time I close the book, I think, "Man, that guy was smart." I love Mere Christianity because even though there's deep stuff in there, it's not tough to wrap my mind around. A couple nights ago, I read this: "Good and evil both increase at

Stephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-85890039271794884872011-10-10T04:58:00.000-07:002011-10-10T19:47:48.237-07:00

One of the best pieces of info I took away with me from the 2011 ACFW Conference this September in St. Louis odd enoughly wasn't craft related (though Kristen Heitzmann's workshop on Deep Point of View in writing was absolutely the best hands-on stuff I'd learned in awhile!) - but rather, spiritual.This piece of truth burrowed deep in my heart during the middle of Jenny B. Jone's devotional one

Betsy St. Amanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326874709264159191noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-90404049785127492512011-10-08T06:30:00.000-07:002011-10-08T06:30:02.434-07:00

For my post here today I've invited my daughter to share her thoughts... Guest blog by Leslie Goyer Do you ever think about lightbulbs? They play a significant role in our daily lives, and yet they're such a dependent object. Pick up a lightbulb by itself -- what is it? A glass bulb with some filament in it, designed in such a way as to conduct electricity and produce light. But what makes

Tricia Goyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15896666883413222867noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-66557621261222376172011-10-06T17:54:00.000-07:002011-10-06T17:54:04.153-07:00

Sometimes I really wish God would just tell me what He wants me to do by attaching a sign to the back of a plane and flying over my city. I don't need a whole paragraph or a dissertation or anything like that. Just a few words would be nice, sometimes. Something like "Ashley, write it!" or "Ashley, don't date him!" would have been nice a few years ago. But that's not what He's done. I haven't

Ashley Mayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03630579296633709154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-85719763786439029412011-10-05T09:23:00.000-07:002011-10-05T09:28:00.910-07:00

My oldest son is getting a lot of extra hours at the art museum where he works, because of one important painting. La Bella is on display for a short time and they are making a very big deal about it. The opening weekend was loaded with events, some drawing international guests. The museum hired an extra security guard just to keep watch over La Bella, which is displayed alone in a special

Jeanette Hanscomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08767343618048768514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-60146872828563962182011-09-28T13:07:00.000-07:002011-09-28T13:07:54.216-07:00

Oh man, I'm running late today! Sorry about that, gals. I was out of town for a few days last week for the American Christian Fiction Writer's conference. Since returning home, I've said, "Sorry, I'm running late" about 4 bazillion times. Me with fellow Girls, God, and the Good Life contributor, Betsy St. Amant. We're still smiling because it's before we've seen what's on our breakfast plates.

Stephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-49061606906706358402011-09-27T19:01:00.001-07:002011-09-27T19:01:50.513-07:00

Camy here! Sorry I’m late posting today. I’ve been busy working on a manuscript due October 1st, but then I realized I could ask you guys to pray for me! So, please pray I can get the manuscript done and in great shape before my deadline! I was hit with a couple migraines last week that really cut into my writing time and also made me physically really tired, which also cut into my writing time.

Camy Tanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00790591988777275651noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-87253162789449014192011-09-24T05:44:00.000-07:002011-09-24T05:44:00.938-07:00

As you read this, I am at the 2011 ACFW CONFERENCE! (I scheduled this post early, can you tell? hehe) Probably right now I'm in the middle of a workshop or sipping my 4th mocha of the day (there is a STARBUCKS IN OUR HOTEL!!) or covering a yawn with my hand or getting dressed for the fancy banquet awards night.I don't know if you've ever attended a writer's conference, but let me tell you, there

Betsy St. Amanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326874709264159191noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-17451116727549045202011-09-22T07:30:00.000-07:002011-09-22T07:30:01.382-07:00

Do you remember the childhood Sunday School song, "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world ..."? I loved that song. It was one of my favorites, but sometimes I forgot that "all the children" really mean "all." And that if Jesus loved everyone, I should too. In elementary school I was very much an ugly duckling. Lucky for me by the time I got to high school I

Tricia Goyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15896666883413222867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-42377966758681526712011-09-20T20:33:00.000-07:002011-09-20T20:33:26.787-07:00

First day of my sophomore year of college. I was a sophomore in college. The summer before the school year started, I'd broken up with my boyfriend, a guy I call Paul. (It's not his real name.) He and I had dated when I was a freshman. The honest truth of it was that I didn't feel like the relationship was God-honoring, right, or even anything I wanted, so I ended the relationship over the

Ashley Mayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03630579296633709154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-5940766816096722532011-09-14T03:57:00.001-07:002011-09-14T03:57:45.500-07:00

Camy here! I was thinking today about my favorite genre. I read a lot of different genres, but I tend to gravitate toward Regency romances, contemporary romances, and romantic suspense novels. I always wonder why certain genres appeal to me more than others. After all, it's not like I'm remotely British, but I love British settings. And I'm a complete wimp and would be the WORST romantic

Camy Tanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00790591988777275651noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-8492702100629356442011-09-13T04:00:00.000-07:002011-09-13T05:17:37.129-07:00

I am a girl who likes her rest. I love getting plenty of sleep at night. I love the tradition of Sabbath, of taking a full day off to rest. I love going to church and hearing inspiring sermons, of getting filled spiritually. I love eating a big meal, especially if I can follow it with a big nap... And - this is a little embarrassing - I turn nasty very quickly when my rest and comfort are at

Stephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-35715507455178904172011-09-10T06:44:00.000-07:002011-09-10T06:44:00.462-07:00

As a young woman still trying to figure out this adventure named "Motherhood" (does anyone EVER figure it out?) one of my constant concerns is what my child is eating.Is she getting enough nutrition? Is she tiny because of metabolism and genes, or because of lack of nutrition? Is she eating too much sugar? If she refuses to eat any vegetable besides green beans, will she grow up to be obese?? If

Betsy St. Amanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326874709264159191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-69312958002303303702011-09-08T07:05:00.000-07:002011-09-20T11:49:15.892-07:00

Looking back at my drama-filled teen years I now wonder … What was I thinking? The truth? I wasn’t. I lived from day to day on every wave of emotion. Some days excitement and passion partnered up, pattering wildly within my heart. Other days, depression and anxiety were my silent friends. I lived each day as it came, with no plan for my future, for my relationships, or for my heart. I lived

Tricia Goyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15896666883413222867noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-82286192823246527872011-09-05T16:01:00.000-07:002011-09-05T16:08:56.728-07:00

The waiter had just set baskets of chips and bowls of salsa on the table in front of us. Mom, Dad, my two sons, and I dove in, ready to enjoy a final lunch before Mom and Dad headed home from their Labor Day weekend visit. In the booth beside us, a man ranted about some recent frustrations. My family was having such a good time that ignoring him would have been easy—if not for his vocabulary. Let

Jeanette Hanscomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08767343618048768514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-4530385992100654082011-09-01T09:03:00.000-07:002011-09-02T09:05:54.909-07:00

Many times I come to this blog after reading something that compels me to want to comment. Maybe get on a soapbox. And occasionally shout from the rooftops. Today is a rooftop day. My friend Mary shared this quote on her blog*: “Eighty-two percent of young, unmarried Christians have had sex. Two-thirds have been sexually active in the last year. Even though, according to a recent Gallup poll, 76

Sarah Anne Sumpolechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06467951500242305919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-2985914414407090322011-08-28T04:00:00.000-07:002011-08-28T04:00:08.749-07:00

Last week, I devoured Anna and the French Kiss. It was an excellent book. Funny and romantic and satisfying, but it also left me aching a bit, and here's why: the main character, Anna, feels embarrassed by being a senior in high school and still a virgin. This is something I've noticed is very common in general market teen fiction, that if the main character is still a virgin, they feel like

Stephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-35213166731130849612011-08-27T00:21:00.001-07:002011-08-27T00:21:22.064-07:00

Camy here! Yes, today is blatant self-promotion day. Weddings and Wasabi, the fourth book in my Sushi series is now available as both a print book and ebook! What’s more, I’m offering the ebook of Weddings and Wasabi FREE to my newsletter subscribers! Go to my website to sign up for my newsletter, then email me at camy {at] camytang {dot] com or leave me a comment here on this blog post, and I’

Camy Tanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00790591988777275651noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-27000586978304042582011-08-25T07:12:00.000-07:002011-08-25T07:20:52.252-07:00

That's right people!!! More than a week later and after four tries I still haven't heard from our first winner so per our rules, she has to sadly forfeit her prize. (Moment of silence) Sad for her but good for you!!! Because that means a new contest winner!!!! So I went back to our handy-dandy number generator and had them give me a new winning number for our contest!! So our new winner is:

Sarah Anne Sumpolechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06467951500242305919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-64534656778312126882011-08-24T04:11:00.000-07:002011-08-24T04:11:00.481-07:00

Hey guys! Betsy here. I'd like to initiate a discussion today, on the age old question - how far is too far when it comes to entertainment? We've all been there - out with friends, sitting in a movie theater, eager to see a popular new flick...when BAM. Embarassing sexual scene on the screen. Or suddenly your ears are peppered with bad language that doesn't seem to stop. Or the violence is so

Betsy St. Amanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326874709264159191noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-15422876981013715992011-08-22T11:49:00.000-07:002011-08-22T11:52:44.990-07:00

So I haven't yet heard from our Summer Giveaway. I'm sending one more e-mail and posting this today - our giveaway winner was Jordyn. She had this comment with this e-mail: So if that's you - speak up quickly and e-mail me at sarah(dot)sumpolec(at) gmail(dot)com Jordyn said... I would love to win this! Love this blog. aqua15cat @ yahoo. com If I still haven't heard from our winner by Wednesday

Sarah Anne Sumpolechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06467951500242305919noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-41147104277970342512011-08-21T18:33:00.000-07:002011-08-21T18:33:42.266-07:00

It happened two weeks ago. But really, if I'm honest, I can say this whole comparing thing has been a lifelong condition. But here's how it happened a couple weeks ago. I was reading a book on the plane to Guatemala. It made me laugh a lot. And some of the words pierced me to my soul. Tears dripped down my cheeks in the plane, and I'm not really all that much of an emotional person. I read the

Ashley Mayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03630579296633709154noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-45636159307952393052011-08-19T11:17:00.000-07:002011-08-19T11:18:40.205-07:00

It seems like last week that I posted a story and picture from our beginning-of-summer trip to Disneyland, and now I’m getting ready to head home after a final get-away before school starts up again. As usual, the summer flew by. This has been a strange summer for us, with some major life changes to deal with. While in some ways, it’ll be good for us to get back into the routine that school and

Jeanette Hanscomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08767343618048768514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-80935322303302159952011-08-18T01:00:00.000-07:002011-08-18T01:00:06.158-07:00

They say “that feeling” wears off after a few years, but I still get it every time you walk in the door. Looking into your eyes, I know you’ve come home to me. Not just with your body, but also with your heart. There’s no vacant stare. No sitting down to the evening news. No mindlessly surfing the Internet. {We save that for later.} You sit down to know me… to ask what’s going on in my heart.

Bekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17633693341041790044noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-34657259357301724002011-08-16T09:01:00.000-07:002011-08-17T16:02:39.757-07:00

Have you ever felt like you needed to rearrange your class schedule at school? Like somehow by mistake you signed up for Algebra II first period and right after it, you've got Trigonomentry and then Chemistry--all three classes before lunch? That's sort of what's happened to me with my writing commitments. I'm a little sad to let you know that this will be my last month to blog here. I want

Julie Garmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774724750356986307noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-7303373376871876392011-08-15T12:58:00.000-07:002011-08-15T13:06:03.250-07:00

Our Good Life Summer giveaway has a winner!! Jordyn! (Your winning comment was on the Summer Giveaway post) Jordyn actually left her e-mail so I'll send an e-mail to that address directly but I wanted to give everyone a huge thank you for participating in our First Giveaway! It was so much fun I think we'll have to do that again! I wanted to also give a shout out and a big thank you to the lovely

Sarah Anne Sumpolechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06467951500242305919noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-89707546825786680322011-08-14T00:01:00.000-07:002011-08-14T00:01:00.990-07:00

Camy here! Most of you are probably getting excited about going back to school, since you’ll see all your friends and get back into your sports and clubs. But as you’re preparing to reenter the world of homework, team practices, and club meetings, also consider how God can use you this coming school year. Every year in January I have a word for the year that I pick to help guide me spiritually

Camy Tanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14577747925320907186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-46196050233076050702011-08-13T05:00:00.000-07:002011-08-13T05:00:10.379-07:00

I was raised in a church that shared communion every Sunday. It consisted of passing a tray with teeny-tiny crackers followed by a tray of thimble-sized cups of juice. For a long time, I knew very little about communion. I knew we did it because the night before he was crucified, Jesus said the bread represented his body, the wine represented his blood, and that we were to do this in

Stephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-35405943959277882402011-08-10T04:00:00.000-07:002011-08-10T04:00:11.560-07:00

I sacrificed my arm to save Buggy Boo. That's not really a sentence you hear much, but hey, fellow mothers everywhere shouldn't blink an eye. They've probably said weirder. Like "We do NOT put Froot-Loops in our panties." Let me explain. We converted my daughter's bed from crib to toddler bed for her 3rd birthday in July. She adapted great, and rarely gets up or has issues staying in it. She's

Betsy St. Amanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326874709264159191noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-58882612528347784352011-08-06T08:00:00.000-07:002011-08-06T08:00:00.711-07:00

I was a camp counselor for three years. Best job ever! But that's another story for another time. :-) Camp is such an interesting environment. I remember when I was a camper. At the beginning of the week, I wouldn't know a single person there, but on Friday I had a whole new set of best friends. And when I first went to camp, I didn't know how to do half the activities, but that changed pretty

Ashley Mayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03630579296633709154noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-88324203346588487922011-08-05T16:25:00.000-07:002011-08-05T16:30:31.258-07:00

I received an exciting package in the mail the other day—a copy of Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson and Susy Flory. You may have heard of Michael and his Guide Dog Roselle, who survived the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center by descending 78 flights of stairs then narrowly escaping being crushed by Tower Two. Mike and Roselle have appeared on CNN’s Larry King and many other

Jeanette Hanscomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08767343618048768514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-50488903959834957812011-08-04T01:00:00.000-07:002011-08-04T01:00:15.884-07:00

 “Young lady, do you believe in premarital cosexual interdigitation?” I felt my jaw drop as my pastor’s question rolled around in my brain. “Premarital… cosexual…” Sex! He said sex! He couldn’t want me to say yes! If I’d paused to listen to his last word, “interdigitation”,  I would have known I’d been asked a trick question. But I was so caught up on the word “sex” that I couldn’t think of

Bekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17633693341041790044noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-72452578732169104712011-08-03T11:53:00.000-07:002011-08-03T12:19:15.359-07:00

Last year at the ACFW conference, one of my silver sandals broke right before the semi-formal dinner. What to do?Lynne Gentry rushed over like an experienced ER doctor. "We need duct tape. Quick." Within seconds, she returned with a roll of just the right shade of silver duct tape. As the crowd began filling in, Lynne Gentry reinvented my left sandal and sealed our friendship forever. I'll never

Julie Garmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774724750356986307noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-62551878474845936862011-08-01T09:33:00.001-07:002011-08-01T09:35:01.505-07:00

I haven't been home very much over the last few weeks. My grandmother (who lives with us) has been in and out of the hospital and two of my three children have been in a theater production that just closed last night.When I woke up this morning (if you can call it that - I'm vertical but most definitely would not describe myself as "awake") I realized that my house has become the victim of the

Sarah Anne Sumpolechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06467951500242305919noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-9110535414235587902011-08-01T08:58:00.000-07:002011-08-01T09:36:58.734-07:00

It's the Girls, God & the Good Life Summer Giveaway!Contest runs from July 20 - Aug 3 Yes, Summer is already well underway but we wanted to celebrate our brand new look with a giveaway just for you! You can win a bushel of books, a handmade bag and a couple of other secret surprises!Here's what you can win:A Gorgeous one-of-a-kind hand-knitted bag from our own Camy Tang. You can see the pic but

Sarah Anne Sumpolechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06467951500242305919noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-2054627388742787942011-07-28T04:00:00.000-07:002011-07-28T04:00:02.600-07:00

Every weekday when my kids go down for their afternoon nap, I head down to my office in hopes of writing. Sometimes my schedule is too clogged to get beyond email and various other business aspects of being a novelist, and I don't get to write on that particular day. On those days, when my husband gets home from work, he'll say to me, "How was your work time?" I'll groan and say, "Horrible. I got

Stephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-81146107062830896042011-07-27T01:39:00.000-07:002011-07-27T01:39:26.374-07:00

Camy here! Thanks so much for praying for me a couple weeks ago. I finished my manuscript on time and thought it turned out rather well, if I do say so myself. :) While I was writing, I totally could feel the prayers of people for me. I don’t know how to explain it. I just knew people were praying. I really felt God’s supernatural power working in me to help me get my book done. In the Bible

Camy Tanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14577747925320907186noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-74031300155046059912011-07-24T05:00:00.000-07:002011-07-24T05:00:03.308-07:00

Hello out there in blog-land! I'm SO excited to be a new contributor to GIRLS, GOD AND THE GOOD LIFE - because seriously, isn't that what it's all about? Loving God, loving our sisters in Christ, and loving life? It's an honor to be here, truly.Here's a few random facts (or maybe confessions) about myself:1. I'm totally addicted to Nerds, preferably cherry flavored. (and I know...you are what you

Betsy St. Amanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326874709264159191noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-67857925122139422212011-07-20T08:00:00.000-07:002011-07-20T08:00:00.615-07:00

When I was seventeen I had a list three pages long of things I wanted in a future husband. I dreamed about him all day, and all night, and I primped before I went anywhere. You know, just in case I might meet him as I sampled a chicken wing at Costco or accidentally brushed his hand if we both reached for the same pair of scissors in craft class where we might be helping at VBS. Some of the

Ashley Mayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03630579296633709154noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-67178642840244509672011-07-17T10:43:00.000-07:002011-07-18T09:33:27.457-07:00

Last week my almost twenty-year-old son was on the computer. "Mom, come here. Listen to this.""This guy's playing the words and the melody," my son said. "I've never heard anybody do that before--play them both at the same time."As I sat there listening, something pretty amazing struck me. This guy is incredibly talented. And then another thought came.I'm talented too. Sometimes I feel ordinary

Julie Garmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774724750356986307noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-71973671081264827532011-07-14T19:00:00.000-07:002011-07-14T19:00:29.979-07:00

Camy here! Sorry today's post is late, but I have a good excuse--I'm on deadline. And while I was sweating bullets today, writing to get my manuscript done, I realized that I'm not alone, and why aren't I asking for help???? I think I get too caught up in trying to do things on my own and not wanting any help, and that's just wrong. Jesus talks about us asking people to pray for us. There's no

Camy Tanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14577747925320907186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-21877578542625922412011-07-13T04:00:00.000-07:002011-07-13T04:00:07.619-07:00

Facebook has made me a more authentic person.Even before the days of social networking, I would occasionally complain that my life was too connected. My coworkers at my 9-5 job included family members and people I went to church with. Moms of my friends did stuff with my mother-in-law or my mom. Sharing news sometimes felt complicated. "If I tell so-and-so, then I need to tell this person too."

Stephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-23802618491174754942011-07-08T07:06:00.000-07:002011-09-20T11:49:31.793-07:00

Time and meditation are necessary to allow the Holy Spirit to make Christ real in your life. If you could develop one disciple in your life I'd encourage you to take time every day to read God's Word, to sit and ponder it, to write down God's truth in a journal and keep track of how the Holy Spirit is speaking to you and what He has to say. It has completely changed my life. I mean COMPLETELY

Tricia Goyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15896666883413222867noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-84064524897190223602011-07-06T08:14:00.000-07:002011-07-06T08:14:29.861-07:00

To my past: You and I have been through a lot together. Some things have been wonderful…graduations, friendships, dreams come true. And then other things. Well, to be honest, I kind of wish I could forget them. Deaths, dangerous relationships, and dreams flushed down the toilet. I used to depend on the good things to make my life. When things were going well, life was great. And I let

Ashley Mayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03630579296633709154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-13184554775406802802011-07-05T19:28:00.000-07:002011-07-05T19:31:22.568-07:00

I’m just getting settled after a two-week visit with my parents that included a trip to Disneyland. My youngest son and I, my youngest sister Kristy, her two boys, and my niece Haley all joined Mom and Dad in their eight-passenger van and drove down to Anaheim to celebrate Mom’s birthday at the Magic Kingdom. What better place to turn . . . the age mom was turning . . . than the place that

Jeanette Hanscomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08767343618048768514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-59725701482415762582011-07-03T13:33:00.000-07:002011-07-05T04:55:50.003-07:00

My stomach turns somersaults when I dig through old pictures of my children. This is from the summer of 1992, our family vacation, Panama City Beach, Florida. It's my husband and children. Back then, we hadn't heard of blogs or facebook photo albums. During the 80's, I was busy having babies and lots of perms. We had a daughter born in '81, a daughter in '84, we lost a son in '89, and had another

Julie Garmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774724750356986307noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-12863803035203169212011-06-28T07:00:00.000-07:002011-06-28T07:00:05.378-07:00

Stephanie here. I just finished reading Mudhouse Sabbath by Lauren F. Winner, who I talked about a couple weeks ago in a post on Girl Meets God. I'm 27, but when I'm reading Lauren's books, I have the sensation of, "Oh ... I want to be Lauren when I grow up." (Really, I want to be a combination of Lauren and Ree Drummond aka The Pioneer Woman. What about you?)I thought Mudhouse Sabbath was

Stephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-455340865249326222011-06-22T07:06:00.000-07:002011-06-22T07:06:00.192-07:00

A few thoughts from my co-author and I from our new book, Praying for Your Future Husband ... if you're already married, what does contentment look like for you? Robin: She found her true love when she least expected it. Seventeen years ago on a breezy September afternoon I stood as a beaming bridesmaid in a lovely southern California rose garden. The beautiful bride stepped forward and met her

Tricia Goyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15896666883413222867noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-1679023646145732812011-06-20T18:35:00.000-07:002011-06-20T18:35:58.424-07:00

"You'll regret opening your mouth. You'll rarely regret keeping it shut." --Max Lucado, When God Whispers Your Name I can remember word for word what my employer said to me almost ten years ago. I'd done what I thought was a great job. I knew I'd been trying my hardest. I put my heart into my work. And I felt good about the things I was accomplishing. So that's why I felt pretty blindsided when

Ashley Mayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03630579296633709154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-29346003079938809642011-06-17T08:06:00.000-07:002011-06-17T12:16:51.057-07:00

I've been reworking an article this week and had gotten to the point of exhaustion.(Writing can be that way!) I was tired of it. Sick of it. Frustrated. It felt like I'd worked the story a million different ways and it still wasn't coming together. Early Wednesday morning, I trudged to the computer and started chopping, reworking, doing it all over again--the whole time pushing down that still

Julie Garmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774724750356986307noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-8694572420837153132011-06-14T20:35:00.000-07:002011-06-14T20:35:56.727-07:00

I'm SO EXCITED!!! The fourth book in my Sushi series, Weddings and Wasabi, is now available! The print book is available now, but the ebook version won't be available for another 30 days. If you want to save a little money, you can buy the ebook version, which will be only $2.99, but if you prefer print book, it's ready for ordering right now! After finally graduating with a culinary degree,

Camy Tanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14577747925320907186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-12413880828136982222011-06-13T08:03:00.000-07:002011-06-13T08:31:44.015-07:00

My husband and I are in the process of looking for a new church.This has not been a decision we've made lightly. My husband and at met at our current church 15 years ago. We have many friends there and are surrounded by people who knew us back when we were awkward and making some questionable fashion choices. Many of the babies we used to care for on Sunday mornings have grown into teens, and

Stephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-16328456138904906522011-06-08T07:06:00.000-07:002011-06-08T07:06:00.611-07:00

My latest book, Praying for Your Future Husband: Preparing Your Heart for His has recently released. If you've ever been to my blog, It's Real Life, you've heard my two cents here and here and here. Now I'd like to hear from you. Are you praying for your future husband? Why or why not? What do you pray for? Have you lost hope? Do you think it matters? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Leave a

Tricia Goyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15896666883413222867noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-1501973416530127812011-06-06T16:04:00.000-07:002011-06-06T16:04:49.003-07:00

When I got my first "grown up" job (ie: no more summer breaks or Christmas vacations), I quickly found out I would need to venture into the world of personality tests. I know some people who hate them, but I actually enjoy them quite a bit. Understanding personalities seems to make the world a more interesting place for me! Well, last year my team started to read a particular book called

Ashley Mayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03630579296633709154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-43913367770913642162011-06-05T19:46:00.000-07:002011-07-05T19:47:06.470-07:00

We need your help in spreading the word about Girls, God & The Good Life! We'll give away five of our ladybug backpacks each month. All you have to do is send us an e-mail HERE and let us know how you are spreading the word about this blog! Include your e-mail and snail mail address to be eligible. Enter as many times as you like!

Sarah Anne Sumpolechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06467951500242305919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-46846599819425621732011-06-05T13:50:00.000-07:002011-06-05T13:52:01.166-07:00

Yesterday the kids’ choir that my son participates in at church visited the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. Their last musical had a harvest theme so they asked everyone to bring canned food to the performance, then we all drove down to deliver it and take a tour. The opportunity for a bunch of 6-12-year-olds to give to those less fortunate doubled as a learning time for all of us. At the Food Bank

Jeanette Hanscomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08767343618048768514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-69406108865679626172011-06-05T08:17:00.000-07:002011-06-05T14:25:19.817-07:00

Back in 2004, I entered the Guideposts writers' contest which includes an all expense paid trip to Rye, New York. I was chosen to attend! It's held every other year hosted by Guideposts. After winning a spot to the intial workshop, writers are invited to submit a story yearly (some years spring and fall) to attend refresher workshops. I'm so excited. I fly to Portland, Oregon on Friday for

Julie Garmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09774724750356986307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-58308566122963224722011-06-04T06:19:00.000-07:002011-06-04T06:19:26.999-07:00

We interrupt our usually scheduled sarcasm for this brief announcement: Four years ago, my life was forever altered by someone I didn’t know. Someone I thought didn’t exist. Someone I swore had died at birth. Until I met him. “Mom,” I announced .2 seconds after I laid eyes on the boy, “I’ve found the man I am going to marry.” If this seems fast to you, imagine how my mother felt. In one

Bekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17633693341041790044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-2760072690255151662011-05-28T05:00:00.000-07:002011-05-28T05:00:00.776-07:00

Stephanie here. I love this book - Girl Meets God by Lauren F. WinnerI read it a couple years ago, and I'm getting itchy to read it again. It's one of those that has a quiet power to it. It's not like every page was sending off light bulbs in my head, but it's stuck with me. Like comfort food, you know?Lauren was a devout Jew - incredibly devout - and became a Christian after Jesus appeared to

Stephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-86990066370165797582011-05-27T00:00:00.000-07:002011-05-27T00:00:04.326-07:00

Camy here, and today I have a question for you guys. I know most of you are in your teens and twenties, so you’re a bit more technologically “with it” than, say, me. Most of my generation is only slowly being won over by the Kindle and Nook and other ereaders, but how about you guys? Do you prefer ebooks or print books? I personally have been completely won over by ebooks. Mostly because my

Camy Tanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14577747925320907186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-16183738891962194812011-05-22T07:16:00.000-07:002011-06-07T12:56:34.913-07:00

What would make you feel beautiful? Would it be to lose 20 pounds? Get a tummy tuck? A nose job? A hair cut? Would it be buying expensive makeup that you can't afford? Would it be new shoes or new jewelry to make you feel beautiful? For many years I struggled with feeling beautiful. It started as a little kid. My friends were stick thin and I had a little more fluff to me. Looking back I

Tricia Goyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15896666883413222867noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-36933938473631514252011-05-20T07:34:00.000-07:002011-05-20T07:34:02.339-07:00

I graduated from high school eight years ago...tomorrow. I could tell you lots of stories from high school, but they'd probably all sound pretty much the same. Something like, "I got up, went to school, took some notes, some kids were mean, ate lunch by myself, took more notes, then went home." Back when I worked for BRIO, we used to have people write letters to their high school selves. I

Ashley Mayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03630579296633709154noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-68915168184351305632011-05-19T14:52:00.000-07:002011-05-19T14:54:28.136-07:00

Today it would be very easy to focus on all that is wrong. A bad situation isn’t getting any better, my insecurities are running high, and the part of my brain that blows things out of proportion refuses to listen to the part that is in touch with reality. If I told you the whole story, you’d probably say I had permission to wallow. But I’m thinking I’d rather not do that today. I’d much rather

Jeanette Hanscomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08767343618048768514noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503640.post-30061141693386107832011-05-18T16:48:00.000-07:002011-05-18T17:08:55.076-07:00

 “Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping – believing that he would be the Father of many nations. For God had said to him, ‘That’s how many descendants you will have!’” Romans 4:18 (NLT) —- I lay in the damp grass and let its scent envelope me. It didn’t seem fair… me here, him there. Alone… hooked up to life-monitoring machines. Katie sensed my worry. “Look at the sky,”

Bekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17633693341041790044noreply@blogger.com2