Thursday, December 30, 2010

Farewell 2010




This will probably be my last blog of the year, unless I get seriously inspired to write something in the next twenty four hours or so. It's been a year of hellos and goodbyes, friends come into my life, go and come back and go again, but it shows me who my true friends are. And what matters to me most is of course the good Lord, but my family and true friends they matter to me too, in fact i care about many things, but at times I feel like I can't take anymore of some peoples not wanting to own up to the mistakes I made, and yes I make mistakes too, but what is it with some people who get it in their heads, that they don't have to live with what they have done...


I know one thing the last six months especially has taught me is that I need to spend more time with the Lord and less time with those friends who prove to be anything but...

I am not trying to be judgemental but I truly believe I have got to let somethings go and just pray for certain people because what more can I truly do? At times I feel that I have been all prayed out, but I know the Lord gives me the words I need and thats what matters.

For 2011 I want to work more on what I am doing with the Childrens ministry, I am believing that 2011 is going to show little Elijah healed and well again!!!! I am also proud to watch my niece grow up!!! She is fourteen now, and will be graduating from Middle School going into Highschool. Can it really be so close that she is off to college? And I believe she is going to make something great of herself!!! I see the future shinning bright for her!!! But for the Grace of God!

In Christs Love
Michelle~

Friday, December 24, 2010

Let Me Celebrate The True Meaning~








Merry CHRISTmas from my heart to yours!

So much to celebrate this day, and yes there is still sadness and sorrow in the world but when you serve the Lord of Lord and the king of kings you know that "this to shall pass"


So instead of getting wrapped up in the hussle and bussle of the Season, getting stuck on the commercialism, the whats gift is hot and whats not of the Season I want to celebrate the gift of Salvation, and of Family and friends, those I care so deeply about.

Now I love the Spirit of giving don't get me wrong! And I enjoy finding little gifts for those I care about, but the greatest gift can not be bought with any amount of dollars, they were bought with his blood.

I want to see my friends and family happy and loved!

I am belieiving for Little Elijah to be healed.

I am believing for a finacial miracle for Karen and Karla!

I am believing for my loved ones who are not saved, to be surrounded by his love.

May everyone have a MERRY CHRISTmas and a blessed New Year!

Monday, December 20, 2010

Letting Go, Looking Upward

We have all been offended at one time or another I am sure, but as Joyce Meyers points out in her book Power Thoughts "Believing the best of people is very helpful in the process of forgiving people who offended us."

Let's face it we all make mistakes we say things that are said in the heat of the moment, but that doesn't mean we have to hold on to the bitterness and anger. As Joyce Meyers points out once again in the same above mentioned book, "when we hold on to anger, we are not hurting the person we are angry at, but at ourselves."

That can be hard to comprehend sometimes, because so often our flesh gets in the way and our emotions get the best of us, but we can try and let things go and allow ourselves to heal, and though it may happen at a different pace for everyone, it should happen if we give it to the Lord.

God Bless
Michelle~

A Gift to Be Cherished





Life is a gift to be cherished and around Christmas we need to remember that, because at Christmas we are celebrating life, and rebirth, because without Christ we would truly not have anything to Celebrate.

I know that without Christ we would not have anything to Celebrate, and we learn through the life of Christ that life can be both to short and amazing. There is pain far to much sometimes but if we have the Lord on our side we know that life is a gift to be cherished.

I hope as we are opening our gifts this Christmas we remember it all started with an infant babe, the Son of man come to earth!!!! Christmas should be about Celebrating Christ and his amazing life.... And we should cherish those that are brought into our lifes.


God Bless
Michelle~

I write like
Margaret Atwood

I Write Like by Mémoires, journal software. Analyze your writing!


Friday, December 17, 2010

In The Midst of Life Storms

I am a firm believer that the good Lord brings people into my life for a reason, so when I am blessed with a friend I treasure them, each and everyone for the person they are. I know that we may not always see eye to eye, and some of my closest friends and I get in arguments over the silliest things, but the fact that we are still friends speaks alot to me.

The fact of the matter is I am the type of friend who is going to be there for my friends when they need me, whether they want me to be or not LOL! In the end they usually end up thanking me for sticking by them. Because I am a firm believer that a true friend will stand beside you in the midst of the storms of life.

I try to look at the postive side of life, and the postive side of my family and friends, that is not to say I don't see the mistakes people make, but i know it is not my place to judge my friend, but to love them, because the good Lord calls me to love not to judge.

I do not have to condone what a person does, in order not to judge them, I just have to love them through the situation...

In Christs Love
Michelle~

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

It Makes You Think

There are those minutes I find myself letting that enemy get into my heart...

I'm not good enough

I don't measure up

But I know that its not about that, the Lord has saved me and I live for him, but sometimes the flesh gets in the way.

I am far from perfect, but if we are honest with ourselves we are all far from perfect aren't we?

How is perfection defined anyway, because I certainly do not want the type of perfection that is described in earthy terms, no I desire for something more.

To live for the Lord and that is what I try to do.

I admit I falter from time to time, but he always reaches out when I need him.

I pray, I cry out and he hears my cries.

When no one else is around he is.

Copyright Michelle R Kidwell

What The Things of Christmas Symbolize to Christians

It's that time of the year again, Carolls are being sung, Santas are lining up at Malls, Trees are going up, and Nativitiy scenes, Candy Canes are popular items once again, but what do these things symbolize to those of us who believe?

The Candy Canes shape, is that of the Sheperds staff, and the colors red and white symbolize his blood and his purity:

The wreath is in the shape of the circle because it has no begining and end, just like God's kindgom has no begining and no ending. (Revelation 1:8)

The lights represent Jesus, because he is the light of the world! (John 8:12)

The Holly represents the Crown of thorns!

The Star is to mark the place where Jesus lay.

The Christmas Tree Symbol of the Jesse Tree the symbol of David's Father Jesse. It is from Christ's earthly Lineage. (Isaiah 11:1-2)

Santa Claus was actually based on Saint Nicolas Arch Bishop of Asian Minor in the Third Century he tossed coins of gold to the needy people in his area. His feast day is celebrated December.6 but Jesus is the only one who can give us the greatest gift of all ETERNAL LIFE!

The Christmas colors of red (representing Christ blood shed for our Sins John 19:34)
Green represents eternal life
White the Purity of Christ
Gold The Kingship and Royalty of Christ

Some of the info was gathered from....

http://http://www.theromantic.com/stories/christmas/christiansymbols.htm


God Bless

Michelle~

Monday, December 13, 2010

Merry Christmas 2010




















May you have a blessed Christmas this year. May you remember the true meaning of the season. If we take Christ out of Christmas then what are we truly celebrating? Let's not aim to be "Politically correct" but lets opt to remember why we celebrate this day!
I hope as you are celelbrating with those you care about, you take the time to remember the true meaning of the Season, the birth of our Savior born over two thousand years ago in an animal stable.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Blog Interview: Author of the Divine Appointment





1). Anita, congratulations on your new book! Can you tell us a little about it?




Yes I'd love to. I felt the need to let people know more about God's miracle on the bridge. Sometimes we focus on the outcome, and never look closer to see the details. God restored a life that day, but He had been busy a long time before then. Yes, God was in the detail-business long before that fateful day.


I awakened one morning with the book title in my mind: Divine Appointment: Our Journey to the Bridge. It is an appropriate title, as I reviewed my life and past decisions that took a specific route toward a timely divine encounter. The "appointment" was with Don Piper, the man who died and came back to life.


My husband Dick and I met Don Piper on a Texas bridge where Dick prayed for Don, a man pronounced dead. I believe it was a daring act of obedience for Dick to pray as he did, yet he was confident God directed his prayer. Don's return to life was the miracle answered prayer now shared around the world.


Many people know about the bridge miracle because of Don Piper's story in the New York Times bestseller, 90-Minutes in Heaven.


Millions have read Don's account, and now the companion story is here: a back-story about the man who prayed, and his wife who is the only eyewitness to this miracle today.


My book, Divine Appointment: Our Journey to the Bridge, chronicles the life my husband Dick and I shared, as well as the decisions that ultimately worked together to place us with Don on that Trinity River bridge.




2). Can you tell readers a little about your journey to the bridge on that fateful day? Where had you been? Where were you going?




Dick and I had attended a conference in east Texas. Don Piper was there too—although we really did not know one another. We all left the conference grounds around the same time, and within 15 minutes Don's car was crushed in an accident. There was only ONE reason Don's car was hit and not our car. Only the time required to drive through Dairy Queen for a cup of coffee made the difference! You may wonder how I know that?? Because, our car was the very first vehicle to approach the wreckage, and for the longest time all Dick and I could think was how our car would have been hit had we not stopped for my coffee.


As I pondered the events of that day, and our life, I realized how God used each major decision we made as a part of the puzzle that brought us there that Wednesday, January 18, 1989.








3). What was running through your mind when your husband, Dick, was praying for Don Piper?




I was at another location on the bridge when Dick prayed for Don.


Dick is the single person who prayed. He felt compelled by God and could not escape the strong urge to pray. He acknowledged his hesitation, and questioned his thoughts, but when God continued the urge to pray specifically for the man, Dick finally obeyed. I was amused to discover that when he decided to obey God, he prayed verbally and aloud "for anyone nearby to hear."


I learned about his prayer, and Don's return to life after we left the scene of the wreck. Dick told me God led him to pray two very specific things: 1) that the man live, and 2) that the man have no internal injuries. And—what happened next WAS the miracle. God brought Don back to life, and he had no internal injuries.


It was not unusual for Dick to stop at an accident scene and pray. Also, he was a man who typically sought God's heart as he prayed.




4). Did you realize, at the time, that your trip to the bridge was, indeed, a divine appointment? Or did you just see it as a coincidence?


I'm not sure that Dick or I saw this as a divine appointment at that time, but we were certain it was no coincidence. I do not believe in coincidence – for everything that occurs is part of the Sovereignty of God. So, we knew God had purpose. Only in retrospect did I observe our life events connecting in such a way that specifically brought us to a certain time and specific place.


I believe it was no coincidence at the role chosen for Dick and for Don. God knew which man would dare to pray, and which man would be alive to declare the story that has profoundly affected lives.




5). How did the journey to the bridge change your husband's life?


The journey of our life and ministry changed everything about my husband's life. God wrought the change, although his mother always felt God had a special call on his life. Dick and I saw our life as a journey – not as a circular thing, but moving from one place to another because of God's direction. We sought to live according to God's timetable.




6). How did the journey to the bridge change your life?


Dick died in 1996 before Don wrote his book in 2004, and before our book was published in May 2010. So, I conclude I am more changed by reflecting upon our journey to the bridge.


However, Dick wrote for our church congregation in 1993, and I used his own words and comments throughout Divine Appointment. I am privileged to have been part of our life journey, and witness to things God did.




7). Can you catch readers up? What's been happening in your life since that incident?


Dick continued as pastor of a local church in Spring Texas for seven years after the bridge miracle. God blessed our ministry there until his death.


The most significant event for me was Dick's death, because that changed every iota of my life. Suddenly everything about it seemed foreign and unfamiliar. My grief was complicated from losing my husband, and also my pastor of 25 years. I lost the open door to ministry, and so much more.


Much has changed for me since then. I remarried to Ed Wood, and this sweet man is my most significant encourager and prayer warrior.


I identified God's call on my life, and began that part of my personal journey by finishing college, and then a master's degree in Christian education and women's ministry. I graduated in 2007, and loved every minute of that challenge.


I have five grandchildren today, whereas Dick only knew our older three. All of these grandchildren are believers, and will reunite with Granddaddy one day. Until then, I trust my life will become a legacy and example for them.


While this segment of my life is distinctly different from earlier years, God moves me along His plan for my life and continuing ministry.




8). Are you still in touch with Don Piper?


Yes. Our relationship grows as years go by. Don hosted a ministry event recently, called HOPE SUMMMIT, where he was keynote. His wife Eva and I were session speakers. It was wonderful serving God with them.


Don has been a faithful voice to the miracle God wrought—the event that has forever united our lives.


And, he wrote the forward to my book!




9). Has God given you other "divine appointments" in the years since witnessing Don's amazing resurrection?


Of course, God's timing is so precise. I believe He brings people into my life, and uses me to affect others. Some appointments may seem small: like encountering someone in the store, listening to their story, and then praying on the spot. A small appointment for some, yet it's huge when you are the one needing prayer.


One specific incident captured my attention: I was attending a Bible study group when two women arrived. Introductions went from woman to woman as we attempted to learn something to connect us around the tables.


One new lady mentioned her favorite book was 90-Minutes in Heaven. About that time, the leader said to me, "Now, tell her who you are!" [Meaning I was in the book, as well as Dick being the man who prayed.]


What really caught my attention was the rest of Debbie's story, "my husband was recently born-again by me sharing this book; it was when he had surgery recently: June 6th." I was astonished, because June 6th
was Dick's birthday!! This was no coincidence! It was God's way of assuring me He knew where I was, and about my life.


I love how God communicates with me, and continues directing my steps toward His path for my life. I don't want to walk in any other place.






10). If you could say one thing to readers, what would it be. . .and why?


Your journey is different from mine, but equally significant to God. I think if more people grasped the significance of their life from His perspective, they would be more content, and discover life is an awesome adventure. If God cares enough to count each hair on our head, then we can trust Him with the details of our life.









Friday, June 25, 2010

Putting It Into Perspective

  • I find myself reflecting and thinking how blessed I am, I could have got down, when the doctor told me my foot maybe broke, but then I read a note from Kristen Jane Anderson on facebook talking about letting go and moving forward, in her case she was letting go of shoes she had before she lost her legs it was kinda of a closure for her, but it put things in perspective for me.

     
     

    The fact is Lord never promises you life is going to be easy, that you are not going to have any troubles, because there is no such thing as the perfect life, but when you live for the Lord, you are serving a perfect Lord.

    A Couple of weeks ago Amber and I spent a couple of days reading Life In Spite of Me, Kristen Jane Andersons story of surviving a suicide attempt, that should have killed her, she lost her legs, but her life was spared, and her testimony continues to save lives!


    Yes Life in Spite of Me is an intense and painful read, but it is also a story of how God can transform something negative into something used for his glory which is why I wanted Amber to read this, but I wanted to read it with her incase she had any questions.

    A couple of weeks later, I still find myself thinking about what Amber and I read, and Amber continues to talk about it!

    In Christs Love

    Michelle~

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

My Niece and I just finished Life In Spite of Me, yes it is an intense book with a serious subject matter, but I believed it was important my Niece and I read this book together, because it speaks so openly of one Woman's attempt to end her life (Kristen Jane Anderson) when she was still a child really only seventeen: The book speaks of the fact that that is not an asnwer though, and that Christ has a purpose for our life, and that he loves us! I wanted my thirteen and a half year old niece to be able to hear this story, and I wanted her to see that when things are bad we can always turn to God, and there is no shame in getting help when it is needed .I both read the book to her, and she read parts of it herself, and we discussed what were the good decisons made and what were the bad, I first heard Kristens story on Oprah a few years ago and when she and Tricia Goyer announced they were writing Kristens story together, I knew that this was a book I wanted to read and to share with others, I believe Kristen's story will literally save lives, I know it already has!I work with children and I have a teenage niece, as well as other teenagers in my life, so I felt I should read this book for that reason and because it is simply a story that needs to be told needs to be read, because despite the darkness she went through it speaks so beautifully of how that darkness transformed to light when she opened her heart to Christ.I would recomend this book to anyone really, because it is such a powerful story that speaks so beautifully of how God works in lives...God BlessMichelle~

Friday, June 11, 2010

Guest Author Interview Anita Higman and Janice Thompson Authors of Ozark Weddings

Your Barbour Heartsong 3-in-1 collection is entitled, Ozark Weddings. Tell us a little bit about the three stories.

Anita: All three stories are set in Arkansas—Eureka Springs, Little Rock, and Hot Springs. Larkspur Dreams and Castles in the Air are romantic comedy, while the middle story, The Love Song, is more dramatic in tone.

Janice:
Larkspur Dreams is a lighthearted, whimsical tale that will appeal to inspirational romance readers, particularly those with artistic leanings. The Love Song reaches into the depths of the reader's soul, dealing with the topic of overcoming past hurts. Castles in the Air provides a humorous look at the way we are perceived by others, and teaches us that our prejudices (comical as they might be) often keep us from the very thing God has planned for us.


 

Anita, you and Janice co-authored the three stories in Ozark Weddings. How do writers go about co-authoring?


 

Anita: There are a number of ways to co-author a novel. One writer might do the research and the other writer may actually write the story. Or co-authors may each choose a character and write from that character's POV. In the three novels, I guess you could say I wrote the body and wings of the stories, and Janice helped to make them fly. She has a gift for critiquing.

Janice: Working with Anita is a breeze because she conceives and fully plots the stories then lets me add my thoughts/tidbits to give them flavor. She is so quirky and fun to work with, and I am very proud of the stories we have co-produced.

Were there times when it was hard to work together?

Anita: Janice is not only talented, but easy to work with. There were a few times in one of the novels that I found myself writing in a way that strayed from the general concept of a Heartsong romance. Janice made some good suggestions, which steered me in the right direction.

Janice: I can honestly say that I've never worked with anyone who was so willing to accept critique and/or take suggestions as Anita. She is a precious friend and collaborative partner. I already knew she was talented (even before we began this project) but had no idea how gracious she would be. Since I've written for the Heartsong line for years, I was able to "teach her the ropes" (as it were) and she was a ready learner! That's not to say she hasn't taught me a thing or two. I've learned much from her throughout this process, particularly as it applies to romantic tension. She's far better at that than I am, and I'm happy to admit it.


 

Why did you choose to be a writer?

Anita: Ever since I was a little girl, I had this need to express myself in some sort of artistic medium. I've tried a number of things: piano, painting, decorating, and acting. But I've never been very good at any these endeavors, except writing. I guess really then—writing chose me.

Janice: Like Anita, I've always been artistic. As a youngster, I sang, danced and played the piano. I was also very involved in theater as a young person. I've been writing since childhood. I wrote my first novella in 6th grade, then went on to write musical comedies for the stage before turning to books in the mid-90's. Like Anita, I can truly say that I didn't choose writing; it chose me. Or, perhaps I should say that God chose it for me, as a gift.


 

When did you have your first success as a writer?

Anita: After several years of writing, I had some gradual success—books for children, books of one-act plays, and nonfiction for women. These successes were enough to keep me going toward my ultimate goal, which was to write novels.

Janice: This may sound a bit silly, but my first real writing "success" happened my senior year in high school, when I was chosen to help write the senior production. I had a blast, and the scene I crafted (a 1930's/Busby Berkeley-esque "The Show Must Go On" scene) was a huge success. I can't tell you what fun I had, or how great it felt for people to respond as they did.


 

Do you have any special methods of getting into the writing zone, such as favorite scents, music, or certain foods?


 

Anita: In the past I used to go to a French café, order coffee and scrambled eggs, and then write a rough chapter. The noise, music, and bustle always energized me creatively. But now I'm more of a homebody, so I sit for long hours in my office, working on my stories.

Janice: An "ideal" writing situation for me would involve someplace like Starbucks (or otherwise) with a cup of my favorite hot beverage in my hand (to be discussed below). Ironically, when I'm at home, I can't stand having music going. I find it terribly distracting... something about the "beat" drives me nutty. Having the television on is okay, but it's often muted. Crazy, I know. I'm a fanatic about my Diet Dr. Pepper and several flavors of hot tea. I particularly love Earl Grey and Chai Latte, among others. And I'm nuts about hot chocolate in the wintertime. I'm also crazy about my puppies. I have two red mini-dachshunds named Sasha and Copper. They usually settle in next to me on the sofa, Sasha on my right, Copper on my left. When we're all in place (with a cup of tea or a Diet Dr. Pepper on the end table, depending on the season) I'm ready to begin. Of course, I usually have to weed through several emails (clearing a path) before I can actually start writing. Whew! Sounds like quite a process, doesn't it?! It's a wonder I get anything done at all!

 
 

 What is your best advice for aspiring writers?


 

Anita: If you feel called to write, don't let people discourage you. I'm sure they don't realize the impact of their words, but negative remarks can undermine our courage and joy. Comments similar to: "Maybe you weren't really meant to be published." Or, "Are you making any money at this yet?" Perhaps you've heard, "Why can't you write like my favorite author?" Honestly, I could go on and on here. Writing is a great and honorable profession—one that can challenge, inspire, and change people's lives. If you love words and love arranging them into stories, then don't let the battering influence of dispiriting comments shatter your dream. Keep pressing on!


 

Janice: I often say this to young/new writers: Learn the craft, but don't necessarily write what the publishers/agents/houses tell you to write. Trends change. Stick with the stories God places on your heart and if He intends them to be published, He will find the right publishing house in the right time.


 

What are your writing plans for the future?

Anita: I'd love to just keep doing what I'm doing. But I think I'd also enjoy writing novels for the young adult market.

Janice: I'm open to whatever God wants (and I really mean that). If He shifts me in a new direction (women's fiction, for example) I'm following His lead! If He asks me to lay the writing down for a season in order to accomplish a different task, I'm open to that, too.


 

We'd love for you to visit our websites at www.anitahigman.com and www.janiceathompson.com. If you're interested in our Heartsong collection, Ozark Weddings, it can be purchased in bookstores or ordered online at www.amazon.com.

Thanks for inviting us to your blog!


 


 

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

What About the Children

I read a startling statistic the other day, 68 times more per capita on a felon than is spent on a church ministry for kids who are seeking the Lord. Perhaps you don't agree with my stand on this, but facts are facts, and the fact is that we need to reach children while they are still children, because if we do that, perhaps we could cut down the number of felons. There is no doubt that things have changed in this day and age, and danger lurks at places, but I truly believe if we give a solid foundation when the time comes children will be able to do things on their own, but not only that, they will know that when things are touch they can always lean on the Lord when times are tough.


 

I try to remind my thirteen and a half year old niece of just how much the Lord loves her, and we love her. Lately she has been haunted by nightmares of something that happened when she was little, but she knows that she has people who care, and that Jesus loves her. That foundation not just of faith, but of love but at the same time I do worry, because of the way things are, I want my niece to get an education that will help her to achieve her dreams, but even more than that I want her to have a foundation in faith, and so I often find myself praying for my niece. She has gone through a lot, and needs stability and needs to no that she is loved, which I make sure she does know, as does my Mom "Grandma" And my brother "Uncle Sean." When Amber is with us she is surrounded by people who care and who will talk to her and help her figure things out, I know how difficult it is to be a thirteen year old girl, but she deals with things that I did not have to deal with, because it was a different era.

That one statistic I read in has had me thinking for the last few days and has got me thinking and then when Amber came up today, after dealing with a difficult few days I once again find myself thinking of ways we could better serve our youth. I may not have a child of my own, but my niece is like a daughter to me, and I will do what I can to help her not just become some statistic, I am believing she is going to serve the Lord and show the world what it is to live for Christ…

God Bless

Michelle

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Her Walls Came Down

The phone rang one Sunday morning. The familiar voice of my best friend on the other end.

I could hear the tears in her voice, she wasn't one to easily cry, but she was only human and she had those moments as we all do.

"I wanted to walk into service for Easter Sunday, I really did." Melissa said.

"It doesn't matter how you got there, you were there Melissa, that's what the Lord saw." I said offering her the encouragement she so often offered me.

Mimmi was a strong one, but she would be the first to tell you she was only human, she had her battles, she struggled with questions. I asked the same questions.

I saw Mimmi's strong side, but I was one of the few who also saw her more vulnerable side. She would share with me things she did not share with many. Told me that I was the Sister of her heart, and her Sister in Christ, that stuck even after she was called home to Jesus.

Mimmi and I talked often on the phone and we wrote as often as we could, often twelve page letters. She wrote about how God revealed himself in the storms of his life, and she always told me how grateful she was that the Lord had saw it fit to bring us together. We could laugh together, and cry together.

Several years before I had met her, I had written a story about an amputee, a woman like her who had lost her leg, I can't remember the details of the story now, but I remember Melissa's reaction.

"I don't know how you did it, but you managed to capture what I felt exactly." Melissa said, wiping tears from her eyes. I hated that I made her cry, but she assured me it was a good thing, that the story had so deeply resonated with her.

Mimmi generally was not one who wore her emotions on her sleeves, she wore them inwardly to a fault sometimes, and she went through things that I will not talk about, because just thinking about its too painful, but she and I could open up to one another, and I was more than grateful for that.

I knew the Lord's hand was in it when her walls came down, and I saw Mimmi's whole self.

Mimmi the nickname Mikey and I had dubbed her, and only we were allowed to call her.

Mimmi whose now free and whole with Jesus, who is in the arms of our loving Father…


 

Saturday, May 15, 2010

• Possible Author Photo For Buried Truths






Buried truths the third in the Marishka Tanya Alexei series is on its way to publication, this series will probably be the last of the books published with my current publisher and look for a different one. I want to finish this series out and the book I am currently working on outside of the series.


I have one photo that may work for my Author photo, at least one that I like






As I get some more possible photos ill share them, but I have got a lot of good feedback on the first one...


In Christs Love


Michelle~

Friday, May 14, 2010

Front Page Love Paige Lee Elliston



















Book Two in the Montana Skies series:
Copyright 2006

A drought has crippled the town of Coldwater for the past year and a half. Julie a reporter for the local paper and is trying to help others with her column. She wants to show the affects of what a one and half year drought has done to this community, a community of many ranchers. But in getting to the story, she visits a town bar, that she believes has been serving a minor, but even writing this story can cause her trouble. In the midst of all of this she realizes she is falling in love with the town vet, who supports her.

The story though continues to cause her trouble, especially when the Chief of Police, the very one who is supposed to protect her, tries to hurt her, because he is friends with the bar owner...

Once again Paige Lee Elliston draws me into the characters life, and does a wonderful job of painting a very vivid and clear picture...Another book I highly recomend

Happy Reading!

Michelle R Kidwell

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Book Review: Change of Heart Page Lee Elliston


Copyright 2005
Book One Montana Skies
Megan is on top of the world with a sucessful ranch, a husband that loves her, it seems like she is living the picture perfect life, but when tragedy strikes and her husband dies unexpectedly it feels as if her world is unravelling. She buries herself in the work of her ranch to kind of numb the pain, but eventually she is going to have to face her life, and she will discover that perhaps her heart can love again, when she is faced with two men who like her. Will she love again?
I recomend this book, because though short, at two hundred and thirty pages, it has a lot of good messages in it. Happy Reading!
Michelle R Kidwell

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Transforming Change

What is it about change that so often frightens us? Change does not always represent the bad, but so often we find ourselves fearing change. What is new to us can be overwhelming, but change is a necessary part of life.

In the introduction to Joyce Meyers book The Love Revolution she says this:

"Nothing will change in our lives unless each one of us is willing to change."

We all need to do our parts if we want things to really change. I mean really change not some outward change, but a transforming change that goes from the inside and out.

The moment I gave my Heart to Christ something inside me began to change, the emptiness slowly became filled, and I began to see that the true change occurred when I thought less of my wants and needs and found time to care for others as well. We are of course supposed to take care of ourselves, but we do not have to become totally selfish.

Remember what we learned as children "It is better to give than to receive." I remember that, but living that can be hard at first though in time it gets remarkably easier.

"We shall live for others and learn that wonderful secret that what we gives away come back to us many times over." Joyce Meyers The Love Revolution

Part of our calling as Christians is to share the good news with others, and to serve others as Christ served. We are to preach the good news of course, but we are called to do more than just that.

Luke 4:18-19 (New International Version)


 18"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
      because he has anointed me
      to preach good news to the poor.
   He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
      and recovery of sight for the blind,
   to release the oppressed,
    19to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."[
a]

Perhaps now more than ever it is important that we help others. We live in a dark and scary times, and his truth, his love needs to come out in the lives we live. As Christians, we cannot continue to sit idly by, doing nothing.
It is time that we make that transforming change.


 

Hebrews 13:5 (New International Version)

5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
   "Never will I leave you;
      never will I forsake you."

It is time that we stop letting the things of the world, stop us from living in God's will, we have a choice on how we use these things, and I believe it is time we start using them for his glory…

Michelle R Kidwell

May.11.2010


 

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Words Can Be A Powerful Weapon and A Healing Gift

"Before saying anything, pass it through three sieves: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?" ~ Amy Carmichael


 

Have you ever said anything and immediately wished you could take the words back, or have been hurt by words yourself? Has anyone said something that made you feel like you were two inches tall? I think we all have been the giver of this kind of pain as well as the giver, after all we are all human right? We are going to make mistakes, we are not perfect, that is Christ and Christ alone who is perfect. As humans we are going to make mistakes, we are not going to always say the right thing, but there are times when we can really mess up, when we can look back and realize that we really messed up, we really hurt someone with our words, or someone hurt us.


 

Some say that actions speak louder than words, and sometimes that can be true, but when words have a negative impact they speak plenty loud enough, and they can really hurt, whenever someone tells you, you are not pretty, you are not smart, or that they simply do not care about you and what you are feeling, then the words speak plenty loud enough.


 

"Yet we must say something when those who are saying the most, say nothing." Augustine Confessions


 

For those of us who write we know the power of words, and the same can be said for those of us who read, are very aware of the power of words, we know that words are a gift from the Lord above and that for those of us who are called to write, we are given a very special gift, we are called to write, and it is up to us how we decide to use that gift.


 

I am sure that some are born to write as trees are born to bear leaves: for these, writing is a necessary mode of their own development. If the impulse to write survives the hope of success, then one is among these. If not, then the impulse was at best only pardonable vanity, and it will certainly disappear when the hope is withdrawn." CS Lewis, Letters from CS Lewis to Arthur Greeves

How are you going to use your words today? Are they going to be a tool to build someone up, or break them down? What do you think Jesus would have you do?


 


 

pe is withdrawn. - C.S. Lewis, Letters of C.S. Lewis to Arthur Greeves

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

I Won the Sunshine Award









Fellow blogger/Author and Friend Delia Latham has passed on the Sunshine award to me, and I am going to do the same to some of those whose blogs have touchecd me...





Deliah Latham The Melody Within


Lisa Buffaloe Lisa Buffaloes Blog


Tricia Goyer Real Life Inspired

Michelle Sutton Edgy Inspirational Author Blog

Lori Laws: Nothing but the Truth

Persevere...

Miralee Ferrell Novel Journey

Friday, April 23, 2010

What Do You Choose?

Dictionary.com says this about Victory

1 a success or triumph over an enemy in battle or war.

2.

an engagement ending in such triumph: American victories in the Pacific were won at great cost.

3.

the ultimate and decisive superiority in any battle or contest: The new vaccine effected a victory over poliomyelitis.

4.

a success or superior position achieved against any opponent, opposition, difficulty, etc.: a moral victory.


 

We can choose to live a life of victory or we can wallow in self pity, letting every obstacle we face stand in our way. I am not going to sit around feeling sorry for ourselves, or we can wake up and give God the glory… The fact is it is up to us to choose whether we are going to allow our lives to be that of victory or that of defeat.

Living with a disability does not mean we have to live a life of defeat, and the some of us certainly is not defined by our physical abilities, or lack thereof, it is our souls that are more important than our bodies anyway, these bodies are only temporal vessels our souls are going to be part of us even when we die. Our bodies return to the dust from which they were created our souls do not.

1 Peter 1

 1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
      To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood:
      Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

Praise to God for a Living Hope

 3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

 10Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

Be Holy

 13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."[a]

 17Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

 22Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.[b]
23For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24For,
   "All men are like grass,
      and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
   the grass withers and the flowers fall,
    25but the word of the Lord stands forever."[
c] And this is the word that was preached to you.

Living in victory to me is not necessarily about winning the race, but competing in it, the race we call life, is not about taking what we can out of it, but giving of ourselves, and we can find the victory in that, no matter what our disabilities, no matter what our differences, the choice is ours, we can live our lives for Christ, or we can let the obstacles in our lives drag us down, and let us loose that faith. The choice is ours, I pray I always choose victory over defeat.


 


 

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Have We Become Closet Christians?

Whatever happened to being true Christians in every aspect of our lives? Now mind you I am not talking about everyone, but it seems sometimes we have become closet Christians? We will use faith when it suits us, and deny it when it doesn't. A relationship with Jesus should not be something we should just turn on and off, only to use when it suits us, we need to speak for Christ in all aspects of our lives, not just when it suits us, and that includes in our friendships, and everyday relationships. We do not just turn off faith when it seems like it will better suite us, because believe me, it never does. We will eventually pay for our actions, for denying Christ, just because our so called friends are doing that, we can use all the excuses we want, but the fact of the matter is we need to get with the program, and open our eyes to who Christ really is, and live like we love him, not like he was just some kind of fairy tale figure, because Christ is as real as you and I.

Romans 1:18-22

 18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

 21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

I have learned that we can try and hide from God all we want, we can try to hide our faith all we want, but pretending to be something we are not is not going to work, and God will call us out on it. He is going to make sure we do not put ourselves in place that will ultimately destroy our faith, and if our faith is destroyed, that is on us, our choices our decisions, blaming God isn't going to change anything. We need to stand up, and stop pretending, (those of us) who have become closet Christians. I feel it is time we wore our faith proudly, and stopped trying to fit in simply for the sake of fitting in.

A large part of our nation have become Christian in name only, it is time we stop being Closet Christians, and started wearing our faith proudly.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Don’t You Think God Gets Tired of Our Excuses?

Ephesians 4:13-15 (New International Version)

13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

 14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

Why is it that so often we do not allow ourselves to grow in Christ, that we become frozen at some point in our walk with Christ, we let hurdles stand in our way, because we cannot see beyond the obstacles that lay in front of us, but in order to grow in faith, we need to move forward, we need to make mistakes, and learn from them, not make mistakes and sulk over them. Or we let them become stumbling blocks to our Faith, we think we can't move forward because we don't allow ourselves to move forward.

Romans 8:28-31 (New International Version)

More Than Conquerors

 28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[a] who[b] have been called according to his purpose.
29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

 31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

How often do we get mad at a situation and blame God, or get mad at a mistake we made, and blame God? I mean really, who are we to blame God for every little mistake we make? We were given free will, but that does not mean we are not the ones making the mistakes, it often means we are not listening to the Lord speaking to our hearts.

Don't get me wrong I know there are times that things happen that we don't deserve, but every bad thing is not some kind of punishment from God, that we are going through something because we did something wrong, when often that is not the case.

The fact is bad things happen, no matter how good we try to be, and it is up to us how we react to them. We can either let this get us down, or we can use these trials to draw us nearer to the Lord, and stop spending every minute blaming God for every wrong thing in our lives.

I know there are times when we genuinely cry out, when we genuinely don't understand and the Lord is there to listen to us, but we are not being punished every time we stub or toe, or break a finger nail.

We can be secure in God's love for us, even when bad things happen we can see God's love.

I often find myself wondering why so many people fall away when times are tough, either that or go to the other extreme and only pray when they need something instead of taking the time to thank God every day.

Don't you think God gets tired of our excuses when we say we are too busy to pray, to read the word, to fellowship in anyway?

Don't you think he wonders when we can spend hours a day at the computer playing games on different networking sites, but goodness we are just too busy for Church, for prayer, for the Bible.


 


 

Friday, April 16, 2010

It’s Time to Put on the Armor of God

11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Now more than ever we need to be aware of the importance of putting on the Armor of God. It is true that we live in a dangerous time, even our own nations foundations are being threatened, with a president who does not seem to care so much about the Christian values this nation was founded on. I do not believe that we should have our Christian values taken from us, if you don't want to worship Christ, fine, but why take away our national day of prayer?

It is also important that we put on the Armor of God, of course, but it is also important that we don't become so wrapped up in our lives that we forget to take the time to spend with the Creator of our Lives. Why is it that so often we either wait until a time of crisis to realize the importance of putting on the Armor of God, or we forget to do it all together, trying to fight battles that were never ours to fight alone. We are so much stronger when we have Christ on our side, and the truth is he does not leave us, we leave him.

We get this idea that we can handle things on our own, that we need to prove just how strong we are, and yet without Christ a big part of us dies, and without Christ we are not ever going to be as strong as we could be with Christ. Yet here we go through life, trying to carry the burdens on our own, or we get so busy living, we forget to look to the Creator.

Ever find yourself saying I am just too busy, too busy, to pray, to worship, to do what the Lord would have you do, yet we will sit down and watch a two hour movie, but we are too busy to listen to a forty five minute sermon, or spend a few minutes in prayer.

Something is wrong with this picture, so let's get back to putting on the Armor of God…

Copyright Michelle R Kidwell

Apr.16.2010

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Cast Your Cares

1 Peter 5:7-9 (New International Version)

7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

 8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Ever feel anxious? Of course you have, if you tell me you haven't I am going to wonder if you are being truthful, after all we are only human, humans with human emotions, and human patience with worries, but we do have hope, when we are feeling overwhelmed with the worries and the cares, we can give them to the Lord. We are not supposed to spend our lives worrying, full of fear, because the good Lord wants us to cast our burdens on him.

I am reminded so often of God's Grace, when I truly give my cares to the Lord.

If I let myself be anxious, or worry about every little thing in my life, then the fact is I would be so overcome with worry that I would not have room for faith, and I want my relationship with the Lord, to be the first thing that.

In the book of Matthew it is made clear that the Lord does not want us worrying about the things that he takes care of, even in this day and age, when we seem so overwhelmed by worried, the Lord is still providing, when we truly believe:

Matthew 6:25-31 (New International Version)

Do Not Worry

 25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]?

 28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'

Worrying does not add a moment to our lives, in fact it only serves to make us sick, to pull our hair out, to bite our nails, perhaps literally, perhaps figuratively, but if we worry about tomorrow before it comes what point is that?

I admit I am a worrier, but I am focusing more on worrying about other things like whether or not those I care about have given their hearts to Christ.

Copyright Michelle R Kidwell

April.15.2010


 


 

Book Review: From a Distance Tamera Alexander




Book Title From A Distance

Author Tamera Alexander

Copyright 2008


Elizabeth Westbrook travelled from Washington D.C to the Colorado Territory, to take photographs for a Washington Paper, she wanted to secure her place as a photographer for the paper, and she hoped the cool dry air would cure her mysterious lung ailment.
Elizabeth hires an assistant when she gets to Timber Ridge a former slave named Josiah, an unlikely paring perhaps but Josiah is a quick learner and quickly becomes a person Elizabeth can trust despite the things being said about him.
She also meets a former Confedorate sharpshooter who acts as a guide to help her on some of her trips to photograph, bur when her equiptment is vandalized, she begins to wonder if this entire trip was a waste of time and effort. In the 1870's women were still having trouble finding any place in a professional sense, and women photographers were rare, but Elizabeth was determined to show the world just what she saw in her lenses.
From a Distance will take you on a fun and educational journey, and it will show you that some things are not always as they seem. If you are in the mood to travel back in time, with a woman ahead of her time, you will enjoy From A Distance.


Tuesday, April 13, 2010

It Taught Me to Embrace the Moment

I've lived with aspects of my condition all of my life, but for most of my life, the condition was unnamed, I was told over and over again that it was in my head, that I was faking it, by doctors, by teachers, by many of the people who should have been listening. I knew it was not in my head though, that bladder issues, that weakness, that falling, were just not some psychosomatic thing, that I was not just imagining it all. I had one teacher who always thought I was faking it no matter what I did, that teacher to this day is one of the teachers that stand out in a negative way, not positive, yet strangely I do not remember her name, maybe that's my way of dealing with the way she made me feel. I was a sophomore, fifteen or sixteen at the time, and I did not need her making me feel even more confused than I already was, but as vividly as some of the things this teacher said, the ones who offered me support, who actually taught me things, beyond the school learning, beyond the books as important as they are to me especially as a writer, the gifts that they gave me that I carry with me are great, and I cherish those gifts, those were the teachers who made a difference in me.

In a strange way my disability itself has been a teacher, or perhaps it is not so strange, the fact is the condition has taught me things I might not otherwise learn.

I am certainly more empathetic to others, I have learned to be more understanding, to be more patient, and it has taught me to slow down and enjoy life a little, because tomorrow is not a promise, but if we do have tomorrow it is a gift, a gift from God, a gift that we should not take for granted.

Living with a disability has also made me realize that there are others a lot worse off than I am. I have a neuromuscular condition, but I can still walk, and do many of the things I did before, I just have to give myself more time, than before, and have to prepare myself before. Granted there are times when I need the aide of cane, or I use my AFO's probably a lot less often than I should, but to me those things do not confine me, nor do they define me they allow me the freedom I need, they are the tools that have allowed me to be independent, that have allowed me to do the things I want to do, and I thank God for that. Whether its playing with my nieces and nephews or my friends children, taking care of my thirteen year old niece Amber, or taking care of my dog and cat.

I've learned through this that I have to be patient with myself, and that I have to be patient with others, it has taught me to listen better and understand better. I am not saying that I am perfect, that I don't make mistakes that I don't grow frustrated, and ask myself why me, because the fact is I do, but I have learned to be more understanding, and I have learned to accept what this condition entails. What my life entails, and I try my best, to live my life to its fullest, and live for the Lord. This condition and the faith I have in the Lord has taught me to embrace the moment, not take it for granted.

God’s Grace Was There

I am often reminded of Christ's love in the everyday things I do, and it is an amazing love, even when I am feeling like the weight of the world is on my shoulder, I know I can lean on Jesus.

As a Christian I know I am not perfect, but Jesus' blood bought me forgiveness of my sins, does that mean I just go around sinning, because I know I am forgiven, no of course, not because that is not the way it works, we learn from our mistakes, and when we know we've done wrong we ask for forgiveness.

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."- Romans 3:23-24

No one but Christ himself was free of sin, but that does not mean as Christians we go around intentionally sinning, and it does not mean we go around judging everyone, because that is certainly not our place, like everyone else, I weigh the facts, and I look at the different sides of things then I state what I am feeling, my feelings are often based on the facts or the things I have experienced, but my faith is so much stronger than even my emotions, because even when I am an emotional wreck, I know somewhere deep down that the Lord is there, that no matter how emotional I am feeling the Lord is there for me.

The fact is the Lord has seen me through things I would not have gotten through on my own.

The lost of loved ones, including my best friend, who died when she was only thirty six, and other looses that weighed heavy on my heart, but I rest comforted in the fact that they are resting in the arms of Jesus.

I am reminded of the ways he has touched my life, and the ways he has brought gifts into my life. Gifts that perhaps in the end were simply there to teach me to lean on him, even when I have lost people, even when people ultimately ended up hurting me, I knew that the Lord's hand was still evident, despite the pain I was feeling, I knew somewhere God's Grace was there.

Through rejection, and hurt, through illness, and disability, through struggles I can still see his grace.

In the laughter of a child I can still see his grace.

I look at things differently now than I did before I came to Christ, and the fact is I believe I am a better person, not the shy timid, scared girl I once was, not the one looking for answers where no answers lay, but I see Christ, in the simple things, and I embrace the small gifts in life. And the fact is because of God's Grace I have better been able to deal with my weakened muscles, in a way it has taught me to lean stronger on the Lord.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

This Writers Dreams

As a writer I am also an observer.

Often writers are told they have their heads in the clouds and sometimes that is true. Which one of us have not been guilty of putting our head in the clouds? I mean who can honestly tell me they have not day dreamed. Truth is there is nothing wrong with day dreaming, but there are times when we have to be acutely aware that is not true for only writers but everyone, but as writers, we learn to study people. A certain mannerism, a certain figure of speech anything can be an inspiration for a story idea a character.

Some of my greatest ideas have actually come from dreams, dreams that the Lord blessed me with, and let me remember.

It was a dream that gave birth to A Sister's Justice, Followed By Deception Beneath, and Buried Truths. A dream was what created Marishka Tanya Alexei Character.

Anna was dead, just like that, she had taken her own life. I thought she was getting better, that she was going to start a new life, I never imagined that she would end her life. I was the oldest sister, I should have known something like this. I should have seen it, made her get help.

I prayed that I would wake up and this would all be a nightmare. Anna really couldn't have killed herself, yet deep down I knew it was real.

" We need you to come down and identify the body, we are sure it's her, but it's part of the procedure."

The body, my sister was more than a body! A Sisters Justice Page.40-41 Published 2009 PublishAmerica.

Books of course are another great source for ideas, as are pictures, a single image can spark a myriad of ideas. Different authors will see different stories in that same photograph that same image.

As a writer and a Christian I find myself praying that I am able to touch others for Christ with my words, and to educate others. We as writers are learning from the past in more ways than we realize, and we live in a day and age where that knowledge is right at our fingertips, the internet can be a tool for evil if we allow it, but I choose to use it for good. I am by no means perfect, but that is not the point I do serve a perfect Lord, who has blessed me with the gift of words.

And I never know what dreams the Lord might bless me with and how they may turn into stories, stories that show just what others are capable of, stories that look beyond a person's disabilities or differences, and show the love of Christ shining through them.

From Deception Beneath Book Two In The Marishka Tanya Alexei Series Published October 2009

As I watched my children though, I had faith that they would not

follow the path Anna followed, and I had faith that they would learn from

my mistakes as well. I wanted them to understand that it was okay to talk

about things that were bothering them. I did not want them thinking they

had to bottle everything up. Something Sophia, Anna and I had believed

growing up. It was Ana who first broke the silence about what happened

to us as children. Page.13

Dreams can carry us to places that we may never see otherwise, and I truly believe that the Lord gives us certain dreams, for certain reasons, and I believed he wanted me to tell Marishka's story, something I am still telling to day. Book three has been submitted for publication and I am currently mapping out book four. All for the glory of the Lord.

In Christ's Love

Michelle~