A Recipe for all that Leftover Turkey

Did you head out and brave the crowds today? Or did you stay home and decorate for Christmas? Or cheer on your favorite team in their last regular season game? (Roll Tide!)

We'll be doing several different and exciting things here at Pix-N-Pens over the next six weeks or so. Today, we share a recipe and a story from Christian author Kay Marshall Strom.

LEMON CHICKEN SOUP – SENEGAL, WEST AFRICA

This warm, mellow soup from Senegal, West Africa, can easily incorporate any extra turkey you have on hand. Just substitute it for the chicken.

You will need:

1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon curry powder
2 teaspoons flour
2 cups chicken broth
½ cup diced chicken (or turkey)
1 cup yogurt
juice of 1/2 fresh lemon
fresh chives, washed and snipped

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the curry powder and flour and cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Gradually blend in the chicken broth and bring to a boil, continuing to stir constantly. Add diced chicken (or turkey).

Remove the kettle from the heat and cool the soup slightly. Gradually stir in the yogurt, a small amount at a time. Squeeze the juice from the lemon half and add the juice to the soup.Garnish each bowl of soup with a dash of fresh chives.

The Women at the Well

Kay Marshall Strom

In Senegal, West Africa, I sat beside the community well, because that’s where the village women gathered. Out of the dusty wasteland they came, from every direction, their babies tied to their backs and their water containers balanced on their heads. They were glad to rest beside the well, for they had to walk many miles to get there. The average woman in the world, we are told, walks seven miles a day in her quest for water. When you factor in those of us who only walk to the kitchen to turn on the faucet, you can see that some must trek much farther than seven miles!

At the well, the women have a chance to catch up with the goings-on in neighboring villages, to air their complaints with one another, and to share their own news. And so I sat by the well with Obei and Helene, two Christian women in a country 98 percent Muslim, and waited to meet the women as they came for water.

And come they did.

A young woman came, sobbing over her baby son who was burning with fever. We prayed together in Jesus’ name that her baby would be healed.

A girl came and whispered her wish to learn to read, but said she could not because the walk to the well and back took her all day. Obei offered to teach her a little every day when she came for water. She started with: “For God so loved the world….”

A woman came with terror in her eyes and confided that her daughter must surely be a witch. Helene prayed for the girl, but also for the mother. “Do not believe what others tell you,” she warned the distraught mother. “Believe in the power of God.”

And Songa came. Obei and Helene had prayed with her before in Jesus’ name, and Songa had seen a miracle as her seriously ill son was healed. Now she too, was a follower of Christ. “My husband ordered me to renounce Jesus,” Songa told us. “When I would not, he threw me out of the house, but he kept my children. Please, please… pray for my little ones. Pray that they too will know the God of mercy and love.”

This holiday season, I am thankful for the women at the well in Senegal—all three of them, for Songa has joined the other two. I’m thankful for the lives they are touching in the name of Jesus. Most of all, I am thankful for the Living Water that flows freely for every one of us.

Author Kay Marshall Strom has two great loves: writing and helping others achieve their own writing potential. Kay has written thirty-six published books, numerous magazine articles, and two screenplays. While mostly a nonfiction writer, the first book of her historical novel trilogy Grace in Africa has met with acclaim.

Kay speaks at seminars, retreats, writers’ conferences, and special events throughout the country and around the world. She is in wide demand as an instructor and keynote speaker at major writing conferences. She also enjoys speaking aboard cruise ships in exchange for exotic cruise destinations. Learn more about Kay at her website.

Fun Interview Celebrates Christmas Miracles

Today, continuing our celebration of Christmas Miracles, we feature a fun interview between the two authors. Be sure to check out yesterday's two posts for your chance to win a copy of Christmas Miracles or to participate in our special writing contest for your chance to win one of three cash prizes or a huge box of books.

Interview with Cecil “Cec” Murphey
by Marley Gibson
Co-authors of Christmas Miracles, from St. Martin’s Press

I am extremely privileged to have the opportunity today to talk to my friend and co-author, Cecil “Cec” Murphey, and to chat about our newly released book, Christmas Miracles.

Marley: Cec, thanks for spending some time with me today.

Cec: Marley, it's great that you could take time away from important things like making a living to spend a little time with me.

Marley: I’m so jazzed about our Christmas Miracles book that’s coming out soon. I’ve had a lot of questions from folks wanting to know how we met, what brought us together, etc. So, I thought we’d do a back and forth on how it all came to be. Of course, I have to give props to our amazing agent and friend, Deidre Knight, for bringing us together. For those of you who don’t know, Cec co-authored the runaway New York Times bestselling hit 90 Minutes in Heaven with Don Piper.

Cec: I have to say thanks to Deidre Knight as well. Between Deidre and my assistant, Twila Belk, I've been able to sell quite a few books. 90 Minutes in Heaven has been my big book. I'm also proud of a book I wrote in 1990 called Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story. The book has never been out of print and has hit close to four million in sales. Early this year, Cuba Gooding Jr. starred in the made-for-TV film version.

Marley: That’s amazing! You are truly prophetic and definitely “the man behind the words.” Now, people ask how we teamed up. Sadly, there was a personal tragedy that brought Cec and me together as friends.

Cec: True. In early 2007, our house burned and our son-in-law died. Aside from the grief over Alan, we lost everything. Deidre and Jan, my-then-assistant, sent the word out of our tragedy without telling me. I'm immensely grateful for every gift people sent, but I probably wouldn't have admitted I needed help and wouldn't have asked. They taught me how much we need other people.

Marley: Deidre put out a call to other clients of The Knight Agency, to help Cec and his family out in any way in their time of need. At the time, my company was moving and we were cleaning house. We had a ton of office supplies that we were either going to throw away or give to some of the charities the company worked with. I got my boss’ permission to send a large care package to Cec…full of office supplies for him to re-stock his writer’s office. You name it…post-its, staples, paper clips, pens, pencils, markers, white out, ruler, scissors, paper, notebooks, notepads, envelopes, a laptop case, tape, glue, folders, binder clips…etc. A veritable potpourri of office delights. I was hoping that it would help Cec have a sense of getting his office back so he could keep working.

Cec: Marley's gift was the most unexpected I received. We hadn't met, although Deidre Knight had spoken of her many times and kept telling me she was wonderful. I wonder if you can imagine what it was like for me to open that box from someone I didn't know. I saw all those practical things for my office and yelled for my wife. I felt as if I were reading a first-grade book. "Look! Look and see! Oh, look!" I was overwhelmed by the gift and even more to receive it from a stranger. Those supplies were the most practical gift anyone could have given me. I'm still using black paper clips and red folders from Marley.

Marley: Awww…thanks, Cec! I didn’t have to think twice about doing it. Writing is such a solitary “sport,” but the writing community always astounds me with how they help their own. Not long after that, over plates of spinach and Gouda omelets, Deidre introduced me to Cec in person and I was thrilled to finally meet the man behind the words. Deidre knew we needed to work on a project together and thus began our brainstorming. What did you think of that first meeting, Cec, and cooking up the idea to work together?

Cec: Deidre and I had already spoken about a Christmas book and I had some idea about what it should contain, but nothing had come together. One day Deidre told me that Marley was coming to visit her and she wanted us to work together on a Christmas project. Marley and I talked before we ate and again during the meal. Everything felt right to me. I knew my strengths and Marley knew hers (and Deidre knew both of us). Everything clicked. Marley, a far better networker than I am, immediately sent out the word for submissions. Within days she had almost four times more than we could use. (She read every one of them!)

Marley: I was truly impressed with the submissions we received and it was hard narrowing it down to the ones we chose for the book. We’re fortunate to have such a go-getter agent in Deidre Knight. Cec, can you share how the whole idea of Christmas Miracles came about and what you thought of the project originally?

Cec: For me, it actually started while I was on the rapid-rail train from the Atlanta airport when I listened to teens talk about Christmas and it was mostly about gifts. I had the idea then, but nothing really came together. Months later when Deidre I and had a meeting, she brought up the idea of a compilation and mentioned my working with Marley. I've been Deidre Knight's client since 1997 and I've learned to listen carefully when she comes up with an idea. I said yes before she gave me all the information.

Marley: That’s the truth about Deidre! Getting back to those submissions, Iwant to say we got more than two hundred submissions for Christmas Miracles. So many wonderful stories to read through and select for the book. It was a challenge to pick and choose which ones were right for the book, but I loved every minute of it. After I chose the entries that would go into the book, Cec toiled long hours editing the works for a unified voice. What was the biggest challenge you found in the editing process, Cec?

Cec: I've been a ghostwriter and collaborator for twenty-plus years and this was a switch to give the book a unified voice—which was mine. It would have been easier to stay with each writer's voice, but the book—like many compilations—would have been uneven in tone and quality. When I discussed this via email with our delightful editor, Rose Hilliard, she was (to my surprise) familiar with my work. She told me she liked the warm tone of my writing and that I don't waste words. "That's the voice we want," she said. It still wasn't easy, but it was an exciting challenge. After Marley and I agreed on the stories and gave them that unified voice, our editor pulled six contributions. Although different, Rose felt they were too similar to other stories.

Marley: Can you give our readers a preview of the book? A favorite story perhaps…or one that moved you to tears? (I have to say the little boy who wished for nothing but to be able to read a book all the way through because of his stutter had me bawling when I read the submission.)

Cec: That's not fair! I liked them all. The one that touched me most, however, is the last story in the book, "Sean's Question." We had almost finished the book and I was teaching at a conference in Florida. I felt we needed one strong story at the end. Despite all the good ones, I didn't feel fully satisfied to conclude the book. On the last day of the conference, I met a conferee named Sara Zinn for a consultation. As we talked, I mentioned Christmas Miracles and that I still needed one more story. "I have a Christmas story," she said and told me about Sean. As I listened, tears filled my eyes—but, being the macho type I am, I was sure it was an allergy. Sara wrote the story, and it became the one I sought.

Marley: Oh yes…that one is an emotional one all right. It was meant to be in the book because of how you met at the conference. Now, you and I have both had challenges in our lives that others might have found too much to take, but we are both very strong in our faith and our relationship with God. How do you think Christmas Miracles is going to help others feel closer to God and experience His miracles in their own lives?

Cec: Awareness and appreciation are the two things I want readers to grasp. Awareness means for them to realize that they're never totally alone in life. Those unexpected, out-of-the-ordinary events remind us of that. Appreciation means to be thankful for what we already have. Too often, and especially at Christmas, we focus on what we'd like or what is supposed to make us happy. Christmas Miracles gently reminds readers of both.

Marley: In this day and age when our country is fighting two wars, unemployment is high, and a lot of people have a lack of hope and faith for their future, what do you want readers of the book to take away from Christmas Miracles and how can the stories in our book help provide comfort to those struggling?

Cec: I want readers to see that miracles do happen—sometimes simple, unexpected blessings or those that involve the supernatural (as in one of Marley's stories). I call myself a serious Christian. For me, the world's greatest miracle began with the birth of Jesus. Regardless of a person's religion, this book encourages readers to think about life during the Christmas season and see that life as more than gifts and celebrations. It's also a reminder that God loves us and hears our needy cries.

Marley: Beautifully put, Cec, and I couldn’t agree with you more. Can we share what’s next after Christmas Miracles?

Cec: Why it's the Cec and Marley show, of course. Because of our go-getter agent and our enthusiastic editor, we've already received thumbs up for The Christmas Spirit. This will be stories of people who express the true spirit of Christmas by acts of love and kindness, for release in the fall of 2011.

Marley: And I can’t wait to start working on that project! Thank you so much for your time, Cec, and answering my questions. It was a privilege and honor to work with you and I look forward to our future projects together. You’ve helped me along during a trying time and I appreciate your friendship and support.

Cec: I liked this project because Marley had to send out the word, collect submissions, read them, and discard the weaker ones. I get to see only the better-written stories. (Don't tell her that I have the better job.) Although I mentioned only one story, all of those in the book touched me because of the poignancy of their situations and the miraculous answers. I won't say the stories increased my faith, but they increased my appreciation for the delightful mix of human need and divine intervention.

Marley: Thanks again, Cec! God Bless! And to our readers, please be sure to pick up a copy of CHRISTMAS MIRACLES, from St. Martin’s Press. It’s a great stocking stuffer or gift basket filler. We hope you, too, will discover your own Christmas Miracles in your life.

When God Turned Off the Lights

Today, we celebrate the release of Cecil Murphey's latest book When God Turned Off the Lights.

I had mixed emotions about reading this book - I wanted to read it because my friend wrote it, but I didn't want to read it because I was afraid. I feel silly sharing my fears, but I hope you'll understand. I was afraid that if I read Cec's book, I could no longer claim innocence or naivete that God does turn off lights for people sometimes, and by not reading the book, I could continue believing He wouldn't do that to us. I was really afraid of that once I learned He did that for others, He would do it for me. Or perhaps He'd already turned off the lights, and I'd never recognized it. Ignorance is bliss, right?

But I read it anyway, because my respect for Cec was greater than my fear.

The book is excellent. Cec openly shares this painful time in his life, and rather than giving us a "quick fix" on how to get out of it, he shows us how to live IN it, should it ever happen to us. He doesn't come across as a martyr or a saint - he comes across as a genuine Christian struggling with life in so many ways I identify in my own Christian walk. I was even able to finally identify a particular insecurity I've been dealing with for years, and can now deal with it and pray about it. Cec also reaffirmed some of the actions I've taken in my own life the last year or so, so it was enlightening, encouraging, and inspiring.

The best part? I'm not afraid anymore. His book gave me hope that if this happens to me, I can live through - and grow through - the time just as Cec did. Just reading the book helped my faith grow immeasurably. Thank you, Cec, for sharing with honesty, vulnerability, sensibility, and sensitivity such a painful time of your life. I thank God for you.

What to Do When the Lights Go Out

by Cec Murphey

If you sincerely desire to follow Jesus Christ, life won't always be easy. Many times the Bible promises victory, and you may need to remind yourself that there can be no victory without struggling and overcoming obstacles.

In my book, I used the image of God turning out the lights because that was how I perceived the situation. I felt as if I walked in darkness for 18 months. We all interact differently with God, and my experience won't be the same as yours. Even so, most serious Christians have times when God seems to turn away or stops listening. And we feel alone.

Perhaps it's like the time the Israelites cried out to God for many years because of the Egyptian oppression. "God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant promise...and knew it was time to act" (Exodus 2:24 NLT). God hadn't forgotten, of course, but from their perspective, that's how it must have seemed. It may seem like that to you if you're going through your own form of darkness.

Here are a few suggestions to help you:

1. Ask God this simple question: "Have I knocked out the lights by my failures? Have I sinned against you? After you ask the question, listen. Give God the opportunity to speak to you.

2. Don't see this as divine punishment (unless God shows you it is), but consider the silence an act of divine love to move you forward. This is God's method to teach you and stretch you.

3. Avoid asking why. You don't need reasons and explanations--and you probably won't get them anyway. Instead, remind yourself that this temporary darkness is to prepare you for greater light.

4. Say as little as possible to your friends. Most friends will want to "fix" you or heal you and they can't. They may offer advice (often not helpful) or make you feel worse ("Are you sure everything is right between you and God?").

5. Stay with the "means of grace." That is, don't neglect worship with other believers even if you feel empty. Read your Bible even if you can't find anything meaningful. I chose to read Lamentations and Psalms (several times, especially Lamentations) because they expressed some of the pain and despair I felt.

6. If you don't have a daily prayer time, start one. Perhaps something as short as three minutes--and do it daily. Talk honestly to God. It's all right to get angry. (Read the Psalms if you're hesitant.)

7. Remind yourself, "I am in God's hands. This is where I belong and I'll stay in the blackout until I'm ready to move forward."

8. Pray these words daily: "But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults" (Psalm 19:12 TNIV). Some versions say "secret sins." These are failures and sins of which you may not yet be aware. One of the purposes of your darkness may be to bring those hidden problems to light.

9. Ask God, "What do you want me to learn from this experience?" You may not get an answer, but it's still a good question. Continue to ask--even after the lights go back on again. If you're open, you will learn more about yourself and also about God.

10. As you receive "light" about yourself while walking in darkness, remind yourself, God has always known and still loves me.

About the Author:

Award-winning writer Cecil Murphey is the author or co-author of more than 100 books, including the "New York Times" bestseller 90 Minutes in Heaven (with Don Piper) and Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story (with Dr. Ben Carson). He's also the author of When Someone You Love Has Cancer and Christmas Miracles, both 2009 releases. Murphey's books have sold millions and have brought hope and encouragement to countless people around the world.

About the book:

Is it possible that God would use a time of spiritual loneliness and isolation in our life as an answer to our prayer for "something more?" That's what happened with best-selling author Cecil Murphey. In When God Turned Off the Lights (Regal, September 2009), he openly shares from his journey that seemed to be stalled in darkness.

Murphey decided to write about his months of seeking God in the darkness because he suspected his situation wasn't unique. "If this happened to me, a rather ordinary believer, surely there are others out there who have wept in the isolated blackness of night and wondered if they would ever see God's smile again."

Murphey could have handled this topic as a theologian and given pages of heavy, hard-to-read advice, but he chose to write from his heart and expose it for the readers to see. He talks honestly and shares his skepticism and frustration. He asks hard questions. And he lays out the steps of healing that brought him back to the light.

When God Turned Off the Lights is a book for those of us who ask, "What's wrong with me? Why are others living in the sunlight while nothing but dark clouds and darkness envelop me?"

Readers will learn:

• Why God turns off the lights



• Why we have to have dark nights
  


• Why asking "why" isn't the right question
  


• What's worse than going through the darkness
  


• How to feel worthwhile and accepted by God
  

Bonus:

Each chapter of When God Turned Off the Lights ends with an inspirational personal quote from Cec.

Here's a sampling:

Although it may seem as if God is asleep when we go through deep darkness, could it be that God is most watchful in the moments of our despair?

Could it be that moving from why to what might take us one more step closer to the light?

Our task is to hang on. We wait until God takes us off hold and deals directly with us again.

God's provision is based on unconditional love - not on my faithfulness.

Through the Eyes of Christ ~ How to Lead Muslims into the Kingdom of God

Reviewed by Tracy Ruckman

Through the Eyes of Christ ~ How to Lead Muslims into the Kingdom of God

by Harry Morin and Nikki Arana



When I first learned of this book, I was eager to read it, eager to "get down to business" in converting Muslims to Christianity. I thought the book would be a simple "step" book, as in "Do this, this, and this, and wham, they're converted."



Yeah, right. No, I'm not really that naive. Just hopeful, I guess. And even though there are some Middle Eastern people in our area, there aren't very many. So I knew my role would be more of a prayerful role, than one of action - at the moment anyway.



But as I began reading the book, the Lord spoke to me in a number of areas. This book is thoughtful, and laid out in such away that it is indeed a step-by-step process. But many of the truths offered in the book apply to more than Muslims - the truths apply to us as Christians as we go about our daily lives, interacting with people in general - people of all faiths. To be honest, the book touched me in a way I had not expected, and wasn't sure how to deal with it.

Thankfully, I am acquainted with Nikki, so I wrote to her, and we had a conversation. Today, I'd like to open the conversation up to all of you Pixels. I'd love to hear your thoughts, experiences, and comments after you read about the book. If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments, and Nikki will be happy to answer.

First, from author Nikki Arana:



God called me to a ministry to Muslims about two years ago. I live in Post Falls, Idaho and have never seen a Middle Easterner in the 15 years I've lived here! Needless to say, I found this call unusual. But I've walked with the Lord long enough to know that He prospers what He ordains, so I waited for clarification. Over the past two years He has done that for me. I find that my ministry is not directly to Muslims. He is asking me to help call the American Christian Church to reach out in friendship to the Muslims who live among us, model the love of Christ to them, and then with the leading of the Holy Spirit give them the Gift that Islam can not give.

I found there were few resources available for me to use to learn about Islam and the Muslims. Through further prayer God led me to Global Initiative, in Springfield, MO. Harry Morin, on staff there, has been involved in ministry related to evangelizing Muslim people for over thirty years. I explained to him that God had burdened my heart for the Muslim people living here. Though his ministry is primarily overseas, he agreed to join me in writing a book designed for the lay Christian in America who is at least curious about the Muslims they live and work with. (I'm an award-winning author of Inspirational fiction, so this was provision for the non-fiction assignment the Lord had led me to!)


The book introduces Christians to Islam and the Islamic culture, and with the use of scripture shows the reader how to see Muslims through the eyes of Christ. The book is titled, Through the Eyes of Christ: How to Lead Muslims into the Kingdom of God. Billy Graham Center has endorsed the book.

While I was waiting for the book to be printed the Lord provided me with one more resource . . . I went to a Bible study and sat next to a woman I didn't know. It turned out that woman has been a missionary to Muslims in Europe for 24 years. She is associated with Arab World Ministries. She and her family moved to Idaho just last year. She had been wondering how, in north Idaho, God would use her and her years of experience of ministering to Muslims! We began to pray He would show us.

It seems the next step of this journey is now being revealed. I have recently learned that an Islamic Center opened about fifteen minutes from my house. Their Grand Opening was July 10, just a couple of months ago! This gives new meaning to all that has happened over the past two years. Beyond that, I just found out that the Anglican Church of North America is beginning an effort to evangelize Muslims here in the US. I can't help but believe that God is starting a movement in the United States.

If you feel that the increasing population and influence of Muslims here is something that we should respond to, but you haven't known how to do that, now there is a resource you can use that will equip you to reach out in love to the Muslims who live and work in your area.

To learn more about Nikki, please visit her Web site.


TRACY HERE:


This book is challenging, inspiring, encouraging - to our faith, to our beliefs, to our daily walk with God. The chapter titles alone are revealing:



Why Should I Care?

Islam: A Religion of Peace or a Religion of War?

Why They Hate Us

By Our Love They Will Know Us

Cultivating a Sincere Understanding About Muslim People

The Major Beliefs and Religious Practices of Muslims

The Dark Side of Islam - Folk Islam

How Muslims View God and Sin

What I Need to Know Before I Witness

What I Need to Know About Islamic Culture

How to Respond to Islamic Culture

What Would Jesus Do?

How Can I Deepen My Relationships with Muslims?

Leading Muslims in Prayer

Why Are We So Often Misunderstood by Muslims?

Learning to Avoid Unnecessary Controversy

Keeping to the Core Theme of the Gospel

What Topics Can I Discuss That Will Build Bridges?

From Jesus the Prophet to Jesus the Savior

Leading a Muslim to the Lordship of Christ

Discipleship for Muslim Background





Order the book through Amazon or an e-store. To order 10 or more copies, e-mail Nikki.



As you read this book, look at the truths it shares. These truths can be applied to your life with not only Muslims, but with other cultures, too.



Be sure to check out the back of the book, too. Appendix A offers an interesting (and admittedly sad and alarming) look at Population Growth Comparisons, originally titled "Christianville" and then, "Islamville."





Through the Eyes of Christ is definitely a MUST-READ for ALL Christians.

So You Want to Be a Work-at-Home Mom?

Our friends at Christian Work at Home Moms are celebrating the release of their latest book, and we'd like to help spread the word. I'm an entrepreneur myself, so I love this wonderful resource!

Home-based businesses are estimated to be a $427 billion-a-year industry. In recent studies it was found that as many as 105 million people in North America alone were working at home. Considering this information, it is obvious that home-based businesses can be successful and authors Jill Hart and Diana Ennen will help you succeed with your own. So You Want to Be a Work-at-Home Mom details all the basics of starting a business in a spiritual, motivational, and comprehensive manner. From deciding what type of business to start to keeping your family and faith first, this helpful tool details every aspect of establishing a business. With proven success tips utilized by the authors and others who own work-at-home businesses, this inspiration approach will provide you with the resources you need to start your own home-based business. So You Want to Be a Work-at-Home Mom includes: * Detailed information on types of businesses to start * Ideas and assistance for setting up, operating, and marketing your business * Definitions and descriptions of work-at-home terminology and processes * Help for developing your Website * Explanations of the business nuts and bolts, including bookkeeping, taxes, and more About the Authors JILL HART is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com. Jill is a co-author of So You Want To Be a Work-at-Home Mom. Jill has published many articles and is a contributing author in Laundry Tales, The Business Mom Guide Book, I'll Be Home for Christmas, and Faith Deployed. She holds a bachelor's degree in human development and family studies. Learn more about working from home at http://www.cwahm.com/work-at-home/ . DIANA ENNEN has been a leader and mentor in the work-at-home industry since starting her business, Virtual Word Publishing, in 1985. She is the author of many books, including Virtual Assistant the Series; Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA and Words from Home: Start, Run, and Profit from a Home-Based Word Processing Business. She resides in Margate, Florida, with her husband and their three children. Below is an interview with the authors of So You Want To Be a Work-at-Home Mom – Jill & Diana. If you have questions they are happy to answer your questions anytime. Leave a comment below or email Jill@cwahm.com or Diana@virtualwordpublishing.com How long have you been working at home? Jill Hart - I've been working at home since 2000. I had to go back to work full-time for a brief period in 2003 when my husband got out of the Air Force. At that point I got even more serious about making my business work and I've been home full-time since then. Diana Ennen – I’ve been working at home since 1985, when my son was born. He’s now graduated college and already working towards his own career. I absolutely love it. I can’t imagine doing anything else. What types of businesses do you operate? Jill Hart – I run Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com, a website full of free resources, job listings and information about home businesses. I also write articles and books (yes, more books to come!) and am a blogger for sites like Time/Warner's Christian Momlogic.com and a member of the Guideposts blogger team. Diana Ennen– I’m the President of Virtual Word Publishing. I’m a virtual assistant and specialize in marketing & publicity. I’ve also written numerous books on how to start a VA business and offer PR and VA Coaching. Tell us about your book? How do you think it can benefit those who want to start a business? Jill Hart - The book has been such a "God thing." He orchestrated the entire sequence of events - from putting Diana and I together as co-authors to bringing us to the right publisher. The book is a hands-on practical guide for anyone who wants to build a business from home. We cover topics ranging from how to select the right type of business for you, to how to get started, to how to market and grow your business. Diana Ennen - I think one of the best features of our book is that it’s not only informative, but motivational as well. You’ll feel like friends are helping you on your journey to success. Also, we discuss numerous types of businesses to start and provide proven methods to achieve success. We also often hear how starting a business can be so overwhelming. That’s why we pay special attention to all the how tos. We feel very confident our book will help, not only those starting a business, but those already in business wanting to expand it. What types of businesses are featured in your book? Jill Hart - We have such a great range of contributors - everything from direct sales companies like Southern Living at Home and Avon to unique product-driven businesses like BSM Media and GrillCharms. These woman are amazing and give readers a great insight into how they've grown their businesses in very different ways. Diana Ennen - We cover everything from direct sales companies to specialized areas such as medical transcription and virtual assisting. Also, Jill shares detailed information on starting a community based membership site. We think you’ll get a lot of helpful tips too from such work-at-home powerhouses as Maria Bailey and Lesley Spencer Pyle. Do you have any tips for success for Christian entrepreneurs that you’d like to share? Jill Hart - I think my favorite tip - shared with me by one of our contributors, Tammy Degenhart, almost ten years ago is that working together benefits everyone. She told me, "Jill, what you give to others God brings back tenfold" and I've seen that hold true time and time again. It may not be in financial gains and it may not look like what we expected but God is so faithful in that when we work together there is no competition - it's a win-win situation. Diana Ennen - Do what you believe in and use your own skills and prior experience to find the business that’s just right for you. Research/Research/Research. The more you research, the better your business. Continue to market and be out there. So many once they find a few clients stop marketing. You need to get out there continually. You then become the go to person when someone needs services or products that you offer. What are some of the challenges that you see with those starting or operating a business? Jill Hart – In my experience, I've talked with many women who get frustrated because success doesn't come easily or quickly. Working from home may sound easy, but in reality it can actually be just as hard as working outside the home. There are many unique challenges, especially when working at home while raising children. If women don't prepare themselves, they can become discouraged and disheartened. Diana Ennen– One of the major challenges I see is losing belief in yourself that you can do it. That’s why I think a faith-based book will be so beneficial. Even when times get tough, you can rely on your faith to forge ahead. With the economy, do you believe it’s still a good time to start a business? Why? Jill Hart – I think it's a better time than ever. The internet is so much more widely used than it was even nine years ago when I began my website. If people do their research and find a company that fits them as well as their budget this can be a great time to break into the work-at-home field. Diana Ennen – Absolutely. In fact, I think there’s never been a better time. You might have to work a little harder, but it absolutely can be done. Plus, there are so many businesses who need us more than ever because of the economy. For example, with virtual assistants because businesses are downsizing they are seeking the help of a VA to help on an as needed basis. Your book is written from a Christian perspective? Tell us a little about that and how you feel that makes it so unique? Jill Hart – My faith is central to who I am and therefore central to my business. I began Christian Work at Home Moms because I wanted women to have a safe place where they could discuss not only business things, but also talk about an area that doesn't get talked about a lot in business circles - how our faith affects our businesses. The book is written in a way that doesn't hit anyone over the head with our faith, but it's true to who we are and talks about things from the vantage point that we see life - through the lens of our faith. Diana Ennen – There are so many books out there today on starting a business. However, few have the Christian mom in mind. We provide a lot of scriptures and examples of how you can use your faith to help you. Our hope is that not only will your business thrive, but it might just give a little boost to your faith as well. Learn more about the book at Beacon Hill Press or SoYouWantToBeAWAHM.com.

Remember the Woodhouse Family on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition?

UPDATE: The YouTube videos previously listed in this post have been removed, so we've removed the links. Sorry for the inconvenience.




We are big fans of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition so last year when we learned that a writer's family had been chosen, we were ecstatic. I knew Kimberley Woodhouse through American Christian Fiction Writers, so it seemed more personal than usual.





Now Kimberley has written a book about her family's experience and we're helping her celebrate by spreading the word! (We're giving away TWO COPIES of her book - see details below.)





Welcome Home: Our Family's Journey to Extreme Joy is an inside look at the family's life before they were chosen for the Makeover and the entire Makeover process (including photos of their new home.) Kim writes with honesty and vulnerability, which allows us to feel their pain as they struggle to keep daughter Kayla alive, keep a roof over their heads, and try to maintain a "normal" life. In fact, Kim's view of normal - described early in the book - influences the attitude of the whole family, and they are an inspiration to millions. You'll laugh, cry, and cheer from cover to cover - just be sure to keep a box of tissues nearby for tears of sorrow and of joy!





The official release date of the book isn't until September, but you can pre-order your copy at a discount, so order today. (They'd also make great gifts for your family, friends, and libraries, so order more than one! It's possible they'll begin shipping early, too.)


About the book:

Thanks to being featured on the hit TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, the Woodhouse family of Colorado Springs is known across the country. Their poignant, heart-touching story of having a child with a rare medical disorder, which led to a mountain of hospital bills and the loss of their home—and their need for a home that would be safe for daughter Kayla—has put them in the public spotlight and kept them there. The theme that carries through Welcome Home is James 1:2-4. We’re all a work in progress, and it can be “Pure Joy” to be a parent. But, how does joy evolve out of a potentially devastating reality? Kimberley’s candid stories of both failures and successes, and the ultimate resource—the Bible, will point readers in the right direction for establishing JOY in their homes.


From the back cover:


Overwhelming trials . . . met with overcoming joy. Kayla Woodhouse is not your typical twelve-year-old. Due to a rare medical disorder, she feels no pain, doesn’t sweat, and needs protective cooling gear just to go outside. With her restrictive lifestyle; countless hospitalizations, including brain surgery; and the resulting mountain of hospital bills, what’s a family to do?

How the Woodhouse family has faced seemingly impossible challenges is a story that has captured the hearts of America. Millions of people have experienced glimpses of their lives on Discovery’s Mystery ER, The Montel Williams Show, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (recently voted one of the show’s all-time best episodes!).


Now Kayla’s mom, Kimberley, takes readers behind the cameras to reveal their family’s journey as never before told. From medical sleuthing to cross-country moves, from freak fires to battles with insurance companies, Welcome Home proves that truth really is stranger than fiction. This candid life story reveals both success and failure and demonstrates how, even during tough circumstances, to shift your life from heartbreak to extreme joy.


Peek inside the Woodhouse family’s life (and their famous house) with a 16-page photo insert.


About the Author:


Kimberley Woodhouse is a wife, mother, author, and musician. She maintains a quick wit and positive outlook even while enduring difficult circumstances. A popular speaker, she has shared at more than 600 venues across the country. The story about Kimberley and her family has garnered national media attention for many years, but recently the Woodhouse clan has been featured on ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," "The Montel Williams Show," and Discovery Health channel's "Mystery ER." Millions of viewers around the world have seen these shows and recognize the Woodhouse family as friends. She and her husband, Jeremy, school their two children in a truly "extreme" Colorado home.


Read the first chapter here.




TRACY HERE:


Please continue to pray for this family. The house is a blessing beyond measure, and helps them in ways most of us can't imagine, but they still need our prayers, because Kayla's condition is still very much a part of their daily lives.


Woodhouse Family - thank you for sharing your journey with us. May God continue to use you in tremendous ways and may hearts and lives be changed because of your testimony.



And now - a CONTEST!


I'll give away TWO COPIES of Kim's book to one winner at the end of the month - one copy for the winner, and one copy for the winner's public library OR church library.


Here's how to enter:


Share in the comments how YOU shared about this book. Did you tell your sister? neighbor? friend? Did you tweet about it? Share it on your blog? Tell your church? Share the videos with your cousins? Talk about it at the water cooler at work? Share it with your Sunday School class?


No links required - just share with us. Be sure I have a way to contact you if you're chosen winner.


All comments should be made by Friday, August 28th (you can enter as many times as you talk about the book). The winner will be announced on Monday, August 31st.

Part 2: Interview with Cecil Murphey

We continue our celebration for the release of Cecil Murphey's latest book When Someone You Love Has Cancer. Be sure to read yesterday's post for your chance to win a huge gift basket worth $300!

A Word from The Man Behind the Words

by Cecil Murphey

When Shirley walked in from the garage, she didn't have to say a word: I read the diagnosis in her eyes. I grabbed her and held her tightly for several seconds. When I released her, she didn't cry. The unshed tears glistened, but that was all.

I felt emotionally paralyzed and helpless, and I couldn't understand my reaction. After all, I was a professional. As a former pastor and volunteer hospital chaplain I had been around many cancer patients. I'd seen people at their lowest and most vulnerable. As a writing instructor, I helped one woman write her cancer-survival book. Shirley and I had been caregivers for Shirley's older sister for months before she died of colon cancer.

All of that happened before cancer became personal to me--before my wife learned she needed a mastectomy. To make it worse, Shirley was in the high-risk category because most of her blood relatives had died of some form of cancer. Years earlier, she had jokingly said, "In our family we grow things."

In the days after the diagnosis and before her surgery, I went to a local bookstore and to the public library. I found dozens of accounts, usually by women, about their battle and survival. I pushed aside the novels that ended in a person's death. A few books contained medical or technical information. I searched on-line and garnered useful information--but I found nothing that spoke to me on how to cope with the possible loss of the person I loved most in this world.

Our story ends happily: Shirley has started her tenth year as a cancer survivor. Not only am I grateful, but I remember my pain and confusion during those days. That concerns me enough to reach out to others who also feel helpless as they watch a loved one face the serious diagnosis of cancer.

That's why I wrote When Someone You Love Has Cancer. I want to encourage relatives and friends and also to offer practical suggestions as they stay at the side of those they love.

The appendix offers specific things for them to do and not to do--and much of that information came about because of the way people reacted around us. It's a terrible situation for anyone to have cancer; it's a heavy burden for us who deeply love those with cancer.

An Interview with Cecil Murphey:

The first sentence of your book reads, "I felt helpless." Tell us about that feeling.

CM: Because her doctor put Shirley into the high-risk category, I felt helpless. To me, helpless means hating the situation, wanting to make it better, but admitting there was nothing I could do for her.

On that same page you also write, "One thing we learned: God was with us and strengthened us through the many weeks of uncertainty and pain." How did you get from feeling helpless to that assurance?

CM: Shirley and I sat down one day and I put my arm around her. "The only way I know how I can handle this," I said, "is to talk about it." Shirley knows that's my way of working through puzzling issues. "Let's consider every possibility."

If her surgeon decided she did not have breast cancer, how would we react? We talked of our reaction if he said, "There is a tumor and it's obviously benign. Finally, I was able to say, with tears in my eyes, "How do we react if he says the cancer is advanced and you have only a short time to live?"

By the time we answered that question, I was crying. Shirley had tears in her eyes, but remained quite calm. "I'm ready to go whenever God wants to take me," she said. She is too honest not to have meant those words. As I searched her face, I saw calmness and peace. I held her tightly and we prayed together. After that I felt calm. Since then, one of the first things I do when I awaken is to thank God that Shirley and I have at least one more day together.

When most people hear the word cancer applied to someone they love, they have strong emotional reactions. What are some of them? What was your reaction when your wife was diagnosed with breast cancer?

CM: As a pastor, a volunteer chaplain, and a friend I've encountered virtually every emotional reaction. Some refuse to accept what they hear. Some go inward and are unable to talk. Others start making telephone calls to talk to friends. Me? I went numb, absolutely numb. That was my old way of dealing with overwhelming emotions. I heard everything but I couldn't feel anything. It took me almost two weeks before I was able to feel--and to face the possibility that the person I loved most in the world might die.

"What can I do for my loved one with cancer?" That's a good question for us to ask ourselves. How can we be supportive and helpful?

CM: Many think they need to do big things; they don't. Express your concern and your love.

Be available to talk when the other person needs it--and be even more willing to be silent if your loved one doesn't want to talk. Don't ask what you can do; do what you see needs doing. To express loving support in your own way (and we all express love differently) is the best gift you can offer.

Why do you urge people not to say, "I know exactly how you feel"?

CM: No one knows how you feel. They may remember how they felt at a certain time. Even if they did know, what help is that to the person with cancer? It's like saying, "Stop feeling sorry for yourself. I know what it's like and I'm fine now."

Instead, focus on how the loved one feels. Let him or her tell you.

Those with cancer suffer physically and spiritually. You mention God's silence as a form of spiritual suffering. They pray and don't seem to sense God. What can you do to help them?

CM: God is sometimes silent but that doesn't mean God is absent. In my upcoming book, When God Turns off the Lights, I tell what it was like for me when God stopped communicating for about 18 months. I didn't like it and I was angry. I didn't doubt God's existence, but I didn't understand the silence. I read Psalms and Lamentations in various translations. I prayed and I did everything I could, but nothing changed.

After a couple of months, I realized that I needed to accept the situation and wait for God to turn on the lights again. Each day I quoted Psalm 13:1: "O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way?" (NLT) I learned many invaluable lessons about myself--and I could have learned them only in the darkness. When God turns off the lights (and the sounds) I finally realized that instead of God being angry, it was God's loving way to draw me closer.

Guilt troubles many friends and loved ones of caregivers because they feel they failed or didn't do enough. What can you say to help them?

CM: We probably fail our loved ones in some ways. No one is perfect. If you feel that kind of guilt, I suggest 3 things:

(1) Tell the loved one and ask forgiveness.

(2) Talk to God and ask God to forgive you and give you strength not to repeat your failures.

(3) Forgive yourself. And one way to do that is to say, "At the time, I thought I did the right thing. I was wrong and I forgive myself."

Do you have some final words of wisdom for those giving care to a loved one with cancer?

CM: Be available. You can't take away the cancer but you can alleviate the sense of aloneness. Don't ever try to explain the reason the person has cancer. We don't know the reason and even if we did, would it really help the other person? Be careful about what you say. Too often visitors and friends speak from their own discomfort and forget about the pain of the one with cancer. Don't tell them about your cancer or other disease; don't tell them horror stories about others. Above all, don't give them false words of comfort. Be natural. Be yourself. Behave as loving as you can.

Thank you, Cec, for sharing your journey and your heart with us. May God continue to bless you and Shirley, and may He continue to use you both to touch hearts and change lives. You are a blessing to us all.

Pixels - leave comments on yesterday's post to be included in the contest should Pix-N-Pens qualify!

Win Huge Gift Basket of Books Worth $300!

This week, I'm thrilled to feature a new book by a very precious man I'm honored to call friend and mentor. We're announcing the release of Cecil Murphey's latest book When Someone You Love Has Cancer.

I cried as I poured over this beautiful book - wishing I'd had one so many times before whenever someone uttered the word cancer. The stories within are touching and real, the appendix filled with practical tips that help any of us when someone we love is facing this disease. As you read the book, you know it was written by someone who KNOWS what it's like, someone who UNDERSTANDS, and someone who CARES. It's truly a beautiful book that is perfect to share with anyone to show you care.

Thank you, Cec, for creating a book so beautiful, and so needed.

To celebrate the release, author Cecil Murphey is giving away a huge gift basket of books. During the tour this week, whichever blog ends up with the most comments will qualify to hold a drawing for the basket. Grab your friends and leave your comments below so Pix-N-Pens can qualify!

Tomorrow, we'll also have an interview with Cec, so be sure to come back to read more about him.

Now, information about the book and the author.

About the Book:

The World Health Organization reported that by the year 2010 cancer will be the number one killer worldwide. More than 12.4 million people in the world suffer from cancer. 7.6 million people are expected to die from some form of cancer. That's a lot of people, but the number of loved ones of cancer sufferers is far greater. What do they do when a special person in their life is diagnosed with this devastating disease?

Murphey brings his experiences as a loved one and many years of wisdom gained from being a pastor and hospital chaplain to his newest book When Someone You Love Has Cancer: Comfort and Encouragement for Caregivers and Loved Ones (Harvest House Publishers). His honest I've-been-there admissions and practical helps are combined with artist Michal Sparks' soothing watercolor paintings.

Readers of When Someone You Love Has Cancer will receive:

• Inspiration to seek peace and understanding in their loved one's situation
  
• Help in learning the importance of active listening


• Guidance in exploring their own feelings of confusion and unrest


• Suggestions on how to handle anxiety and apprehension
  
• Honest answers to questions dealing with emotions, exhaustion, and helplessness
  
• Spirit-lifting thoughts for celebrating the gift of life in the midst of troubles
  

Murphey explains why this is a much-needed book: "Most books about cancer address survivors. I want to speak to the mates, families, and friends who love those with cancer. I offer a number of simple, practical things people can do for those with cancer."

Cec designed the appendix to be the most practical part of the book. He's witnessed too many situations where genuinely caring people had no idea what to do, so he has tried to givea few general guidelines.

1. Before you offer help. Learn about the disease before you visit. Determine to accept their feelings, no matter how negative. Pray for your loved one before you visit. Don't throw religious slogans at them, such as, "This is God's will" or "God knew you were strong enough to handle this."

2. What you can do now. As the first question, don't ask, "How are you?" Instead, ask, "Do you feel like talking." Don't offer advice. Be willing to sit in silence. If you need to cry, do so. Be natural. If appropriate, hug your loved one. Human touch is powerful.

3. Long-term caregiving. The overarching principle is to let the seriousness of the disease determine the amount of time and commitment you offer. This can be a time for you to help them spiritually. Think about tangible things you can do that say you care. Plan celebrations for every anniversary of being cancer free.

Ask them reflective questions such as:

• What have you discovered about yourself through this experience?
  
• What have you learned about relationships?
  
• How has your faith in God changed?

About the Author:

Cecil Murphey is an international speaker and bestselling author who has written more than 100 books, including the New York Times bestseller 90 Minutes in Heaven (with Don Piper). No stranger himself to loss and grieving, Cecil has served as a pastor and hospital chaplain for many years, and through his ministry and books he has brought hope and encouragement to countless people around the world.

For more information, visit The Man Behind the Words.

The Grand Prize Winner will receive a gift basket filled with these books:

When Someone You Love Has Cancer

90 Minutes in Heaven (hard cover)

Heaven Is Real (hard cover)

Daily Devotions Inspired by 90 Minutes in Heaven (hard cover)

90 Minutes in Heaven, gift edition (selections)

90 Minutes in Heaven, audio (5 CD set)

Heaven Is Real, audio (6 CDs)

Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story

Think Big

Everybody Loved Roger Harden

Everybody Wanted Room 623

Everybody Called Her a Saint

Committed But Flawed

Immortality of Influence (hard cover)

Touchdown Alexander (hard cover)

Aging Is an Attitude

My Parents, My Children: Spiritual Help for Caregivers

Don't forget to leave your relevant comments below for a chance to win!

Read Part 2 of our visit with Cecil Murphey.

Fun Writing Contest

It's been awhile since we've had a writing contest here at Pix-N-Pens, so pull out those pencils and get to work, 'cause this one promises to be fun!

This week, we welcome Adam Blumer as our special guest judge. Adam's debut novel, Fatal Illusions, released in March and he's giving away an autographed copy to the winner of this contest.

CONTEST DETAILS:

Write a 1,000 word (or less) short story that includes all five of the following words: calligraphy, Chicago, pastor, Houdini, and lighthouse. Send your entry to Tracy at tracyruckman[at]gmail[dot]com by Friday, July 10th. Adam will judge all entries, and we'll post the WINNING entry on Monday, July 13th. Be sure to include your bio, with links to Web sites and blogs, in case you're chosen as the winner.

The winner will receive an autographed copy of Fatal Illusions.

About the Author:

Adam Blumer lives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with his wife, Kim, and his daughters, Laura and Julia. He works full-time as a freelance writer and editor. A print journalism graduate of Bob Jones University (Greenville, SC), he served in editorial roles for fourteen years at Northland Baptist Bible College (Dunbar, WI) and Awana Clubs International Headquarters (Streamwood, IL). He has published numerous short stories and articles. Kregel Publications (Grand Rapids, MI) released his first novel, Fatal Illusions, on March 31, 2009.

About the Book:

Gillian Thayer’s calligraphy business helps to keep her mind off two small headstones in the cemetery. Still healing from the death of her twins during birth, Gillian absorbs another emotional blow when she finds a love letter addressed to her husband Marc, a pastor and counselor. But before Gillian can confront him, a gunshot shatters her already fragile world. Gillian’s family is forced to leave Chicago to escape the eye of the media. Together they seek refuge in Whistler’s Point, a historic lighthouse on Lake Superior near the tiny town of Newberry, Michigan. But they are not the only new arrivals looking for a place to lay low. Haydon Owens, an amateur magician and accomplished killer, has also come to Newberry hoping to start a new life, but he isn’t there long before he spots another potential victim.

Win a $25 Gift Card for YOU and a $25 Gift Card for Your Reader!

Fun contest and awesome interview this week - I'm so excited!

First, contest details: Our special guest author this week, Terri Kraus, is giving away two $25 amazon gift cards - one for YOU and one for one of YOUR READERS if you are chosen as winner. Here's how you enter (be sure to leave contact information with your entry):

Blog about this contest (or post a note on Facebook, Shoutlife, MySpace, Twitter or wherever), and about Terri's books - get your readers talking about RESTORATION - in whatever form it takes. (Terri's series is Project Restoration - you'll read more about it in the interview.) Be sure to link back to this interview. Then, come back here and leave a link to your blog post. At the end of the week, we'll draw a winner from everyone leaving a post. If you are chosen the winner, you draw a name from anyone leaving comments on YOUR post - and we'll award both of you a $25 amazon gift card AND an autographed copy of Terri's book!!

We're also giving away one more copy of Terri's book - just answer this question in the comments and you're entered to win.

Choose one word - Renovate, Restore, Renew - and write a paragraph of what this word means to you in your own spiritual walk.

Everyone writing a paragraph will be entered to win an autographed copy of The Renewal.

Sounds like fun, doesn't it?

Now read Kay Shostak's awesome interview with Terri Kraus. Thanks, ladies, for joining us here on Pix-N-Pens!

KS: Which would YOU rather do with your husband – renovate a house or write a book? Terri Kraus has done several of both!

Terri, tell us how you started writing with your husband:

TK: I've co-written 10 books with my husband, both historical and contemporary fiction. Jim works for Tyndale House, and they gave us our start when in 1996 we co-authored the Treasures of the Caribbean Series (Pirates of the Heart, Passages of Gold, Journey to the Crimson Sea.) That was followed by the Circle of Destiny Series by Tyndale (The Price, The Promise, The Treasure, The Quest.) Both are historicals. Then Barbour published the Stories from MacKenzie Street Series (The Unfolding, The Choosing, and Scattered Stones (coming in 2009) which are contemporary.

KS: What’s the most important thing to know when you start trying to collaborate on writing a book?

TK: The blessing in it has been that we have very complementary skills. That's important to consider at the outset. I would say that's it's the most critical factor in a working partnership: to really KNOW THYSELF and be honest about where you excel/don't excel. It also minimizes conflict because you learn to value and rely on the partner for what he/she brings to the collaboration. For example, if both of you were great with dialog, and neither were good at plotting, then you may have a weak story but overkill (and conflict) on the verbal exchanges. In our partnership, I'm research/detail-oriented, and Jim is speedier and more "big-picture." So it's worked well. You break up the tasks by who is better at them.

KS: However, in 2008 and earlier this year, you’ve released books, written on your own, in a new series, right?

TK: As I’ve traveled internationally and visited many of the places I’ve studied independently and in the course of my education in design, I’ve become even more passionate about restoration. (I’m the woman you might see sitting on a bench along the wall of the Sistine Chapel, silently weeping as I take in Michelangelo’s magnificent masterpiece in the simplicity of that sacred space.) I can talk forever about the importance of preserving buildings that are testaments to the creative impulse, the hours of painstaking effort, the motivation and dedication of artists, designers, craftsmen and artisans from previous eras. All were, no doubt, imperfect people—but people used as instruments in God’s hands to create perfectly rendered works of art that endure and can stir our hearts so many, many years later.

I love the metaphor of restoration, which is why I came up with the idea for the Project Restoration series—stories that would follow both the physical restoration of a building and emotional/spiritual restoration of a character. Book One in the series, The Renovation, was released last year - 2008, Book Two, The Renewal was released earlier this year and Book Three, The Transformation is to be released in a few months.

KS: With the economy and the housing market, this series is a perfect fit for our times. Have changes in those situations changed your marketing strategy or the direction of your series in any way?

TK: Not really. The books were planned before the recent dramatic downturn in the housing industry. I think people will be all the more interested in renovation right now, since many are finding the need to stay put and redo the homes they’re in rather than moving.

KS: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

TK: I love to study the Bible, lead neighborhood Bible studies and help women grow in their faith.I love to listen to music—all types, from classical to contemporary.

I love to cook and bake. I like to joke about having “worked” with the best chefs in America…while I’m making a meal, I watch the Food Network on my kitchen TV, and cook alongside them! I love to experiment with tweaking existing recipes and creating new ones. Being 100% Italian, I’m mainly interested in the cuisine of Italy, varying greatly from province to province. I learned from two amazing northern Italian cooks—my mother and grandmother. I particularly enjoy finding new combinations of flavors for pasta dishes that work together and enhance each other—a little of this and a lot of that (which is usually garlic). I delight in seeing how my resident guinea pigs—my husband and son—rate my creations.

It’s a lot like writing a book. You start with a basic idea, composed of a few novel structural elements (the simple sauce made with the freshest ingredients) then flesh it out with some spunky characters, like you add just the right amounts of seasonings and spices), around which you design plot surprises (the new twists in the recipe) and bathe it all in romance (find the perfect blending of flavors) to tantalize your readers. It’s a lot like adding layers of flavors to a dish to wow the taste buds. I love to write historical fiction—books set in the framework of a past era. Likewise, it’s fun to use family recipes from Mom and Nonna when I cook as the springboard for a new culinary delight.

The joy comes when the reader, like the diner, dig into my work and—hopefully —come away not just satisfied, but having had a sumptuously memorable experience.

KS: From writing books, to cooking, to travel - family seems to play a big role in your life. It even seems to play a part in the topic of your Project Restoration books. What else about the topic drew you?

TK: Writing a novel set in the world of the restoration of old buildings has always been a dream of mine. The idea of renovation is in my family’s blood. I’m an interior design professional. My brothers are rehabbers. My husband, Jim, and I have survived the renovation of three houses.

I know well the upheaval, the despair of having no control, the agonizing over style decisions, the budget constraints, the disagreements between contractor and owner, and the emotional rollercoaster of unexpected problems and unanticipated gifts along the way. Together my clients and I have accepted big disappointments, celebrated tiny successes, and experienced the inexpressible elation at seeing what was once in ruins—old, broken, useless—become, with all its quirks, a beautiful, completely renewed, and usable place for people to share life again. Looking back on all those projects, I can echo the sentiment in the opening line of Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

All my books have a message of the hope that is found only in Christ, and are anchored in the Truth of the Gospel. They are written around themes such as forgiveness, new beginnings, grace, etc. Perhaps in one of these three books my readers will find a character who mirrors their own life, defining an area where they struggle, and which will point them toward the an kind of restoration you they long for. After all, we all are in need of healing. God is in the business of restoring lives— reclaiming, repairing, renewing what was broken and bringing beauty from ashes. The light of his love shines on all those dark places deep within us, exposing what needs his healing touch. This is the type of restoration I’ve become passionate about too, and what I’m writing about.

I want my readers to ask themselves, “What event in my past do I need to let go of?” It is my hope and prayer that they, too, will experience the renovation that awaits them through saying “Yes” to God’s invitation of heart restoration…and the life-transforming joy that will follow.

KS: So, back to working with your husband. What’s the best and worst of writing ten books and renovating three houses with your spouse?

TK: Best part of writing books---the synergy of working together, someone with whom you can discuss ideas, who really "gets" you, who can be your best critic, who provides support and inspiration. The worst? Nothing I can think of.

As for renovating houses, the best is it takes a team to get through all the upheaval. I can't imagine having to go through it alone! The worst is when my perfectionist tendencies sometimes will not be in sync with Jim's desire to avoid conflict.

KS: I’m so impressed with everything you do. How do you keep your sanity with so many interests and so many different directions to potentially run in?

TK: I’m getting better at creating boundaries and exercising my “NO” muscle. I’m learning the spiritual disciplines of contemplation and silence. Also hobbies—travel, reading, music, photography, knitting and quilting—are relaxing and renewing.

KS: Before we let you go back to those fun and creative hobbies, tell us what you are currently writing.

TK: My work in progress is historical, about an Italian-American young woman in the 1930’s and 40’s, in which I draw on many elements from my Italian heritage. It’s set mainly in Italy, so I will use what I have seen and learned in my travels there. I’m really excited about it, and hope a publisher will be, too.

KS: I hope so, too! Thanks, Terri, for letting us in on your energetic life and experiences in writing, cooking, renovating, and traveling.


Kay Dew Shostak lives in Marietta, Georgia in a soon-to-be empty nest. After years of newspaper reporting and editing, she’s left the real world and trying to break into the real, real world of fiction writing.

Kay has three stories in the compilation books Heart of a Mother, Heart of a Teacher, and Embrace of a Father.

An Inspiration for All: Meet Connie Pombo

Before I go into detail about this week's book, I have an announcement. I've recently been named the National Christian Writing Examiner at TheExaminer.com. Over there, we'll discuss all things related to Christian writing - conferences, resources, training, interviews, profiles, and more. Hope you'll come over and check us out!

With this week leading to Mother's Day, I interviewed one of my favorite moms and authors to share a bit of her life with us. Her testimony is so tremendous, we'll share it today here on Pix-N-Pens and on TheExaminer, and then I'll share the rest of her interview on Wednesday and Friday over at TheExaminer. Be sure to check over there for the rest of the interview.

Connie Pombo's latest release, and a perfect Mother's Day gift, is The Ultimate Mom. Do yourself a favor and pick one up. Connie has three stories in the book, and many other authors share heartwarming stories, too.

CWE: The testimony of your life is tremendous, and such an inspiration to so many - myself included. Please share your story with us.

CP: It’s interesting because I never sought to be a writer/speaker, but sometimes you have an epiphany and you realize that’s what you were meant to do your entire life—you just never realized it before.

The day I started to write was the “worst” day in my life; I heard the words no woman wants to hear, “you have breast cancer.” I was forty years old at the time and my boys were just 9 and 14 and I wondered, “What are they going to do without a mother.”

My high school friend flew to Pennsylvania to take care of me during treatment and she handed me a journal with the words, “Start Writing!” I let that journal collect dust because I was numb and reeling in shock. As with many cancer survivors, the last day of treatment was like falling off a cliff. I held it all together until that last day of radiation treatment and then I “crashed.”

I don’t remember walking out into the hospital parking lot, driving home, or how my dozen pink celebratory roses made it from the back of the car seat to the kitchen table, but I was numb. For the first time in my life, my family saw me without a smile on my face or laughter in my voice. My husband sent me off to California to visit my folks, but that week still remains much of a blur. I had hit rock bottom and was diagnosed with clinical depression.

When my husband picked me up at the Baltimore Washington Airport, he couldn’t believe how I had digressed so quickly in such a short amount of time. As we drove up the driveway to our home, I noticed that my husband had perfectly landscaped the backyard (that’s what husbands do when their wives are going crazy). And in the center of the yard was a gorgeous pink dogwood tree. I asked him, “What’s this?”

And with tears glistening in his eyes, he said, “This is our tree of life; we’re starting a new beginning. God hasn’t brought us this far just to leave us.”

For the first time in weeks I saw a glimmer of hope; it was brief but it was there.

The next few weeks allowed me to build on that glimmer of hope, and one afternoon as I looked out at that tree in full bloom, I asked myself the question, “What if I had a year to live, what would I do?”

I randomly wrote down 27 things I wanted to do before I died: write a book, take a photography course, go back to Italy and visit friends, and #27—parachute out of an airplane. It was my “bucket list.”

That was 13 years ago and today I’ve accomplished every single passionate “to-do”—except #27. Through my tragedy, pain, and loss, I discovered my passion of speaking and writing. Ironically, I worked seven more years in the medical field, so I could obtain “life insurance,” and the day that my policy was handed over to me, I quit the medical profession. And I’ve never looked back. Shortly afterwards, I attended the Weekend of Hope in Stowe, Vermont for cancer survivors and their families, and during that week I discovered my passion for writing. I took a “Writing to Heal” course, and finally got out that journal that my friend had given me at the beginning of treatment and started writing. I felt like Forrest Gump, I just kept writing and writing. I’m not sure when I’ll stop; I hope never!

Head over to TheExaminer on Wednesday to read Part 2 of our interview with Connie Pombo.