Adoption and More Adoption: Writing Up a Storm

Yesterday, my second post went live on Fort Worth Moms Blog: http://fortworthmomsblog.com/2013/06/12/dfw-adoption-agencies-the-fab-four/. 

It's all about the four main adoption agencies in the metroplex. While our area boasts MANY agencies and lawyers who can make adoption a reality, these four are the oldest and most well established in the area.

I also covered some of the questions most helpful to the hubs and me when we were considering which adoption agency to choose.

And along adoption lines, I happened across this fantastic post from a father whose educating the masses on what is not okay to say to an adoptive family: http://www.danoah.com/2010/09/how-much-did-your-kid-cost.html. If only I had written this . . . haha.

Another Book Project: Legendary Locals of Fort Worth!!!!

Hip, hip, hurray! How exciting to announce to you, dear readers, that I will be writing another book, along with my stellar co-author Joan! This one is about Fort Worth's finest folks, featuring more than 100 of Cowtown's exemplary citizens. The remainder of this year will find Joan and me researching, writing, and securing photos. So much to do before the November deadline. (If I look frazzled and covered in paper cuts when you see me next, now you'll know why.)

So proud to be an Arcadia author!

Fort Worth Moms Blog: Read MY Post

Y'all.

**scream**

I am soooo thrilled to be a regular contributor to the Fort Worth Moms Blog (FWMB)--a new website dedicated to the moms of Cowtown. It has great info about local activities, good ol' parenting stuff, blog posts from real-life Fort Worth moms, GIVEAWAYS, and (coming soon) ways to connect with other moms and kids (life play dates, events, etc).

FWMB is a great resource. Heck, I've already learned something and it just launched on Monday. Who knew about the Little Sprouts FREE program at the BRIT? We are going--sans disaster or sickness--on the 28th.

My niche is covering adoption-related topics, sharing what life is like as a transracial family, and documenting the highs of lows of toddlerhood. Of course, my first blog post, which went live this morning; and, of course, my first, best topic is my sweetest girl.

(This is the part where you click the link for my post). Click here, please.

Leeland and Sanctus Real

I know the organizers for this concert; so I'm helping them with a wee bit of promo . . . .

Two popular Christian bands will be playing in Frisco, TX in September as a part of the Out of the Ordinary Concert. Sanctus Real and Leeland are two of today’s hottest CCM acts. Sanctus Real is most noted for their runaway hit song Lead Me while Leeland is highly recognized for popular songs like Sound of Melodies and Tears of the Saints.

The concert will take place on Wednesday evening September 21, 2011 at 7:00 PM at the Frisco Convention Center and Embassy Suites near the Dr. Pepper Arena. Popular student and family ministry experts Mark Matlock and Hayley DiMarco will lead this exciting night of praise in the Metroplex. Event promoters anticipate that many churches will bring their youth groups.

For ticketing information and pricing go to http://www.OutOfTheOrdinaryConcert.com.

For more information on the bands, updates, or other social media sources check out:

· The concert Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Out-of-the-Ordinary-Concert/169308523126680

· Concert Twitter page: https://twitter.com/friscoconcert

· Sanctus Real’s website and videos: http://www.sanctusreal.com/

· Leeland’s website and videos: http://www.leelandonline.com/

For more information go to http://www.OutOfTheOrdinaryConcert.com. For media interviews call 615.804.8784 to speak with Matt Markins or email him at matt.markins@randallhouse.com.

'Grace in the Empty Spaces' video

First of all, please allow me to express my displeasure that I could not italicize the Bible study's title in the blog title. Ah, the annoyances of an editor. Teehee . . . .

I'd be dee-lighted if you watched this video created especially for our Bible study, Grace in the Empty Spaces. I'd be even happier if you posted it to your blog, Facebook, Twitter, or email it to everyone you know (okay, "everyone" may be asking too much). Please help me spread the word!

Grace in the Empty Spaces . . . Is on Bookstore Shelves!!!

Grace in the Empty Spaces: Transformed by the One-Another Passages, a Bible study I co-authored with Mark McPeak, is RELEASED!

Last Friday, I received copies in the mail, making that moment the first time I'd see the final hard copy. And I'm so excited about the final product!

So, what's the study about? Here's how the publisher put it:

If you could improve—even remedy—the dysfunction in your local congregation, would you? Of course, we all strive for unity in various settings, but we often ignore direct instruction given in Scripture on how to treat others. This is an excellent small group study that will teach those principles and give practical instruction on how those should impact every life. Imagine the significant turnaround in today’s society if such principles were practiced.

FEATURES

God’s design for close relationships is intentional. He means for our closeness with each other to be a benefit and a blessing. This is a six-week small group study that is centered on the instructions in Scripture on how to treat one another. The following subjects are covered:

• Love One Another
• Pray for One Another
• Forgive One Another
• Fellowship With One Another
• Submit to One Another
• Minister to One Another

Visit your local Christian bookstore to pick up copies. If it's not yet on the shelves, ask to order it. The study retails for $10.99. You can also find the study on Amazon.com; or you can go straight to the source and order from the publisher--randallhouse.com or 1-800-877-7030. If you order by the case, you get a discount price of $8.99 per book--a great deal for use in small group settings.

Mark and I also wrote a Leader's Guide to aid study group facilitators in leading discussion for church groups, etc. The Leader's Guide is FREE and can be downloaded at randallhouse.com/page.asp?pg=downloads.

Please feel free to ask me any questions about the study! I'm dee-lighted to talk about it. :-)

My Other Child

Friday is--fingers crossed--the DAY Grace in the Empty Spaces is RELEASED! However, you can already take a peek on Amazon. This project has been life-changing for me. My co-author, Mark McPeak, totally humbled me when he asked me to join the writing process. Looking at the finished product I cannot believe we produced something so great. Although it sounds loopy, it almost feels like an out-of-body experience! Ha!

I certainly pray as it hits the shelves that it will challenge others as it has me to be more intentional with relationships within the Church.

A Bible tip

I rarely do this--mix work with the blog--BUT, I came across an interesting tool for Bible study through my Evangelical Examiner writings. It's a really in-depth software for study. It's like the iPhone of study software--top-notch tech, easy to use, and uber cool.

Read here for more info.

Writing Ventures

For more than a year, I have been writing and editing Bible studies for Access Downloadable Curriculum (ACD). This is a new product line through Randall House of 4-6 week Bible studies only "accessed" by "downloading" them off its website. ACD offers great topical study materials for small group settings, whether it be in the Sunday school classroom, coffee shop, or living room. Below are links to and explanations of the ones I have written:

For Sure: Be Confident You're a Christian--this study discusses the fears and anxieties regarding assurance that are plaguing the Church, provides in-depth learning into the Bible, and understanding what God says on the issue. Don’t succumb to doubts any longer. You and your group can know how to become a Christian and be a confident Christian.

Daybreak--Light for the Gloomy Soul is a study of God’s comfort and truth for those dealing with sadness, emotional struggles, and/or depression. Although not a treatment or cure for the serious and complex issue of depression, this Bible study seeks to recognize the reality of emotional distress and address the spiritual truths used to combat those struggles.

Real Friends searches the Scriptures to understand the role of God as friend, the importance of friendships, what true friendship looks like, and how to be a friend to the friendless. Study sessions will also evaluate practical ways to grow and care for godly friendships.

In Mary Magdalene--Who Was She? group participants will gain answers from history and the Word of God to help them separate truth from tale, understanding Mary Magdalene’s place in Christ’s life and Christianity.

What's the Problem? Studying God's Promises to Battle the Problems of Life helps group members recognize the subtle work of Satan and false methods of “escape” and invites them to choose the real solution to life’s problems. God’s Word is bountiful in truth to bring perspective and victory to any predicament or crisis.

I Am Having a . . .

Book.

Or should I say, Bible study.

Last week I signed the dotted line for my first-ever, royalty-paid project--co-authoring a Bible study with a good friend of mine.

I feel so honored to be able to work with my author pal, Mark. A few years back, when I donned the acquisitions editor desk at Randall House, his proposal crossed my path. I cheered its arrival because I felt the topic was timely and the idea unique. Now, as a freelancer, to be asked to join his ranks in making this manuscript a reality--I'm feeling so blessed.

Thus, between now and May 21 (the DEADLINE), I shall be working, working, working to write, alongside my buddy, the best Bible study you've ever seen. :-)

More info, such as title, synopsis, etc to come.

Oh, and if I'm a little tardy with the e-mails and Facebook . . . you know why!

Need Your Help

Can you help me, please?

I am presently working on an article about the top five books every Christian should read (besides the Bible, obviously). Would you list the top five most influential books in your life, and then a 1-2 sentence explanation of how/why each book impacted your life? And if you don't have five, no worries. Just list what you know!

You can reply by clicking "Comments" at the bottom of this post. I need your contributions by noon on Monday, January 11.

And thanks!

Star-Telegram

After 10 years in publishing, my list of career "firsts" is lengthy; however, I know there is still a lot of road to travel and always plenty to learn. Today, I had a career first, one I am through-the-roof about! My first article appeared in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram! With curriculum, books, and magazines all in my corner, I never dreamed I'd get to write for a paper--and one that's reputable for a large city! You can read it here.

Fred Stoeker

Just a little pumped to interview, Mr. Fred Stoeker, who's created an empire in Christian publishing thanks to his Every Man series. You can read the interview here:

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-19787-Fort-Worth-Evangelical-Examiner~y2009m9d15-Interview-with-Fred-Stoeker