CHANCE OR CHOICE

This week, I celebrated my birthday. Suffice it to say I’m way past 39 and still more than a stone’s throw from an octogenarian. Still, it’s a pretty safe bet that I’ve lived more years than I have ahead of me. I’m at that point in my life where I reflect on past accomplishments and still strive to achieve unrealized dreams.

My husband and I spent a couple of days away in one of our favorite places, Cripple Creek. It is one of the gaming towns in Colorado. I know there are those who frown on gambling and I respect their view, but I have to admit that once a year or so, I become an avid gambler.

It is exciting to watch the slot machines spin, waiting to see how the combinations will line up on the pay line. I consider it a form of entertainment, so win or lose, I have a good time.

I like to observe others around me and see how they handle wins or losses. Some people pound on the spin button as though their whole future depended on the outcome. Others play two or three machines at a time. There are those who play the same machine for hours, only to walk away and have someone else take their place and hit a big payoff with just a few coins.

Gambling is all a matter of chance.

Life can be a gamble, but we have far more control over the payoff than we do when we play a slot machine. The paths we follow are determined by choices.
As I look back on the past years of my life, I feel blessed to have made some right choices. It took me a long time to do it, but I finally quit smoking. (Ten years smoke-free this November!) I chose a loving husband who gave me two wonderful children, one of which presented us with an adorable granddaughter. I chose a noble profession. I chose a solid church with an enthusiastic pastor who preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ. A long time ago I chose to accept Jesus as my savior.

No, I didn’t win in Cripple Creek on my birthday, but I’m rich in so many ways that it really doesn’t matter.

I love to play games of chance – but I’m grateful for the opportunity to make choices.

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Review of A Lever Long Enough by Amy Deardon

Time travel has always been a concept that fascinates me. The idea of living in the past, the good old days, has sounded appealing on more than one occasion.

Amy Deardon’s book, A Lever Long Enough, incorporates the use of time travel with enough scientific knowledge, technology, and historical fact to make the reader imagine it could really happen. However, the main theme of the story is the mission of the time travelers, a military team sent to film the theft of Jesus body from the grave, thereby disproving the resurrection story and destroying the faith basis for “followers of the way”.

For a crucial period of 72 hours, the four team members must adapt to a culture of long ago while concealing the technology at their disposal in order to survive and accomplish their goal. Ben Feinan, captain of the team, faces the challenges of command while struggling with his feelings for Sara, who he has reason to believe might be a traitor to their mission. Meanwhile, in the present, a ruthless saboteur raises havoc on the Israeli military base.

Amy Deardon guides the reader skillfully through a maze of past and present, melding the two in a tale packed with suspense, adventure, romance, and intrigue. The well-developed characters enrich the fast-paced, action-packed plot of this superbly written novel.

The story reflects the author’s scientific knowledge as well as the doubts and questions she herself has faced about the Christian faith. The movement of the characters in ancient Jerusalem is well researched and depicts the culture of the time period. A compelling sequence of events keeps the reader turning pages and leads to a dramatic ending that poses more questions.

Will this author follow her debut novel with an equally satisfying sequel? I hope so!

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Keeping in Touch

Our son and daughter-in-law are currently in China on a guided tour that includes a view of the upcoming solar eclipse. We’re excited for them as they take advantage of this opportunity, but to know they are on the other side of the world is a bit scary

They were in contact with us via email for the first few days. Each day, Jason gave us a little synopsis of the trip so far, what they had seen and learned. In the last message, he reported that they were moving to another city might not have Internet access. We’ve not heard from him for a couple of days and probably won’t until they return to the states.

The inability to communicate is disturbing. Text messages and emails go unanswered and probably unread. It makes me wonder how God feels when we stop communicating with Him. Unlike our traveling kids who are prevented from getting in touch because of technology, we have the capability to keep in touch with God at all times. Yet it is so easy to forget that He is patiently waiting for a “message” from us.

Even though God knows what is going on with us, our every move and thought, He still longs to hear His children talk to Him, whether through prayer, praise, or worship. It must grieve His heart to see us enjoy the blessings He offers and shoulder the burdens life brings without taking the time to stop and thank Him or look to Him for comfort and guidance.

Think about how you feel when you don’t hear from your children. Then take a moment to communicate with your Heavenly Father. Keep in touch!

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Summer Reading With A Twist

This has been another busy month with me working several extra shifts to accommodate vacations. We've seen some rain here on the porch, for which we are most grateful, followed by soaring temperatures. Still, we haven't come close to those southern states with thermometers topping up in the triple digits. We've ranged from low eighties to high nineties.

Summer reading is a hot topic in the writing world these days. Everyone is buzzing about the greatest books, giveaways abound, and many humid summer evenings are spent between the pages of an irresistible read.

Summer reading holds a little different meaning for me. Since I am a member of the local library board, I am in close touch with the programs offered. Our main event after school lets out is the summer reading program.

The theme of this year’s program is "Be Creative". The kick-off featured a magician who fascinated the children with many tricks while all the time emphasizing the importance of reading and the value of the library. Other programs will include flower arranging, photography, music, and acting.

Of course, we writers know that scribing words on paper is undoubtedly one of the creative arts. I happened to make mention of that at our board meeting the other evening, and before I knew it, I had been volunteered to present a program on writing to the little ones.

I’m excited and a bit nervous. I have almost a month to come up with a program that will hold the interest of young, impressionable minds while entertaining them at the same time. My thoughts are running toward the idea of talking briefly about the basic elements of a story in very simple terms, then engaging the children to collectively write a story that could maybe even be printed in the local newspaper.

I could sure use some advice! Thoughts, anyone?

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Interview with Author Deborah Vogts

It's warm and sunny on the porch this afternoon with a breeze that is rapidly working up to a strong wind. We wonder if our granddaughter's machine pitch baseball team will be able to play with all the dust. Today, it is my pleasure to bring you an interview with debut novelist Deborah Vogts.

Deborah, welcome to Patti’s porch. This is an exciting month for you with the release of your book, Snow Melts in Spring. Tell us about your story.

It sounds like you hold the area you write about, The Flint Hills, very dear. Is this the part of the country where you grew up?

First, thank you for having me on your blog, Patti. To answer your first question, I didn’t grow up in the Flint Hills, but I went to college at Emporia State University where I took a Flint Hills Folklife course taught by Dr. Jim Hoy. Along with classroom study, we took field trips into the heart of the Flint Hills and visited with old-time ranchers, schoolmarms and post-mistresses. It was such a delightful experience, especially our drives into the pastures. We would get on these back roads and drive over pasture guards into the open range. We would travel for miles without seeing another car or even an electric line—just pure, native prairie. That summer, I fell in love with the Flint Hills and it has stayed with me all this time. I’m so glad I have this chance to share this place with my readers in this book and in the Seasons of the Tallgrass series.

You have planned a book launch party. Tell us about it.

Actually, I’m having two launch parties. One in the Flint Hills, and one in my home town. I really wanted to have a launch where my book takes place—and my fictional town of Diamond Falls is loosely based on Cottonwood Falls, set in the heart of the Flint Hills. The Flint Hills Book Launch will take place in Cottonwood Falls on June 12 & 13. At this launch, I’ll be giving away a “Getaway to the Flint Hills” prize, featuring a one-night stay at 1874 Stone House B&B plus a three-course dinner for two at Grand Central Hotel and Grill. Both of those prizes were donated, so I’m thrilled to promote their generosity!

The local book launch takes place in my home church on June 27, where I’ll have two more giveaways and all of the book proceeds will go to a Kenyan Orphanage Mission Project.
I’m looking forward to both of them, as a way to celebrate this first book in the series! If interested, readers can learn more about these launches on my web site at www.deborahvogts.com

How long have you been writing?

I wanted to be a writer since high school, but it wasn’t until 2002 that I began taking serious steps to get to the goal. I joined a local writer’s group and ACFW, (an online writing organization), joined a critique group, read writing how-to’s and attended writing conferences. I met my first agent at the ACFW Nashville Conference. We hit it off at our meeting, and she gave me some tips on making my book series “bigger.” I did that and submitted my idea to her and she took me on. We shopped Snow Melts in Spring and the Seasons of the Tallgrass series for a year and had a few bites (one of them Zondervan) but no sale. In the end, she released me, which was a real heart breaker. However, we don’t always see the big picture like God does, and six months later I signed with agent, Rachelle Gardner with WordServe Literary, and we had an offer from Zondervan three months after that.

What is your favorite thing about writing?

Learning about my characters is most rewarding. It is so fun to discover something new about a character you’re writing about—when that new thing suddenly pops onto the page that you didn’t know. And hearing from readers who have enjoyed my book is double rewarding.

Least favorite?

Writing to deadline.

Plotter or SOTP?

A little of both. I am required to put together a synopsis of the story before the story is even finished for marketing purposes, so I have that to go on. From there, I’ll break the story into thirds and try to plot out the chapters more as I go, but there is quite of bit of freedom for SOTP’s writing.

Give us a preview of your next book, Seeds of Summer.

Seeds of Summer is about a former Miss Rodeo Kansas who returns to the Flint Hills to run her deceased father’s ranch and care for her two younger siblings. It’s a story about lost dreams and learning to put your future in God’s hands.

Any advice for unpublished writers?

Just that this business is not for the faint of heart. You have to be determined to see your dreams through. When you receive rejections, cry and scream if you need to but don’t give up. Keep dreaming, studying the craft, and reading. Stay tuned to what God wants for you and let scripture keep you afloat. Learn to depend on God for everything—every step of the journey. Just knowing that He is in charge and knows what is best for you, helps to alleviate the pressure of “getting published” so that you’re able to ENJOY the journey AND life.

Thanks for a great interview, Deborah. Best of luck with all your release of Snow Melts in Spring and the other books in your Seasons of the Tallgrass series.

Thank you again, Patti, for having me. Many blessings to you & your readers this summer! ;)


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