A Winner! Where Do We Go From Here??

The results are in!  My hubby was kind enough to do the honors and draw a name the old-fashioned way...from a hat.  The winner of the "Making the Write Connections" survey is:  
                              Teresa Richardson

Congrats, Teresa!  Please use the link here to choose the handmade "Fresh As A Daisy" soap of your choice. When you contact me (jarm@me.com) I'll give you further instructions....

I want to thank everyone for your participation, and, in a way, you have all won.  Your responses will help me build a better blogpost...one that will benefit every writer.  If you are curious about the survey, check it out here. So, what were the results??

The majority voted for A: Mulling it over Mondays...excerpts from books on the craft of writing, for those of you who have little time to spare.

Second in the running C: Thesaurus Thursdays...a list of descriptive words and/or verbs to replace those overused "lazy" words.

A few suggested a combo of A and B(Tricks of the Trade...tips from "Elements of Style", "Writer's Inc." or other grammar guides.)

So, I will be "mulling over" my first post for Mondays.  Here's where you can help.  Which topics are you most interested in?  Where should I begin with "Mulling it Over Mondays"?  Choose one below:

A. Social Media (FaceBook, Blogging, etc)
B. Art of Writing (picture books, novels)
C. Life of a Writer (scheduling time)
D. Craft of Writing (tips and tools)
E. Market Guide info (children's book publishers, links, etc.)

Leave your choice in the comment box, and I will give you another chance to win a bar of handmade soap from "Fresh as a Daisy Soaps".  Below is my "Writer's Bookshelf of Possibilities." Choose the one you would like me to focus on first in my Monday post, and I will enter your name twice in the drawing.

My Writer's Shelf

I look forward to serving you through my blogposts.  And, I appreciate your input...thank you friends!

Kicking off ArmChair BEA: Introductions!

Ever heard of the Book Expo America and the Book Blogger Convention? 

 Neither had I until I saw it featured by  a blog team member, The 1st Daughter at "There's A Book"  Danielle's site sponsors a reading challenge I will be participating in this summer.  Since I could not make it to the convention in NYC this week, I was thrilled to discover that I could participate from my cosy chair at home...thus, the ARMCHAIR BEA!

First on the agenda was to introduce myself, so, here goes:

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself:  Who are you?  How long have you been blogging?  Why did you get into blogging?

I am a Christ follower, Wife and Mother, who's primary responsibility is to home educate our two teens.  When I have free time, my passion is to make History and Scripture come alive to my readers, so I have been writing for children since 2010.  Of course, loving to travel, we have taken our children on many overseas educational trips, so my blog began in 2005 as a travel log called, "Traveling Through History".  It has since morphed into a writer's blog and retitled, "Making the Write Connections"

2. What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?

I love the Victorian Era, so the book I am currently reading, written in 1905, is "The Wide, Wide World"   This book, reprinted by Lamplighter Publishing, is the story of a young girl who is torn away from her dying mother, and sent out into the world where she is forced  to depend on God for everything.  The trials that come her way teaches her who He is, and what loving Him is all about.

3. Tell us one non-book related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.

My parents were older when they married and gave birth to me.  My Mom lived until three months short of her 100th BD, and my Dad (although he died when I was four), served in both WW1 and WW2.  Had he lived, he would be 114 in August!

4. What is your favorite feature on your blog (i.e. author interviews, memes, something specific to your blog)?

Since I love variety, my blog reflect my personality.  I have Q and A's, travel logs, photography, quotes, memoirs, and historic information.  I always include links...that's the educator in me!  I don't have a published e-book to offer, but I can direct others to interesting sites.

5. Where do you see your blog in five years?

Lord willing, I will have a published book to my name, and will feature posts on my journey into publishing, Writer's tips, and historic info which will complement my non-fiction picture book.  And, it goes to say, I will post our family adventures in real time!

6.  Which is your favorite post you have written that you want everyone to read?

Hmmm...that's a hard one!  I love the posts that feature my photography, and those that hold factual information.  But, I think my childhood memories of my travels with Mom were the best received and the most rewarding to write.  Here is the link for those who are interested:http://4ambassadorsofchrist.blogspot.com/search/label/Memoirs

7. If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be, and why?

Another tough question!  Would it be Jane Eyre, for her strength of character?  Or Jane Austen, whose brain I'd like to pick...how did she build her characters?  Who were her models?  What was her source of inspiration?  I think you have my answer...

8. What literary location would you most like to visit and why?

Northern England, where Jane lived and wandered.  It seemed to move from the town to the country to the hills and rocky outcroppings, then back to the country manor.  And, I'd like a tour given by Jane herself!

9. What is your favorite part about the book blogging community?  Is there anything that you would like to see changed in the coming years?

I love the support of other bloggers, the creativity I see, the tips and information I glean, and the "scope for imagination" I experience that Anne of Green Gables held so dear.
At this moment, I can't think of anything I would like to see change in the blogosphere...

10. Have your reading tastes changed since you started blogging?  How?

Yes, I think I have become more introspective in the last few years, and therefore read more biographies and non-fiction, rather than fantasy and romance.  I don't want to escape...I want to meet life head-on, making a difference in my readers lives.  Realizing I have fewer years left than I did when I was younger, makes me want to make every second count for eternity.  I want every word to encourage, teach and admonish others to live a life pleasing to God.

The Theme this year is "building community through blogging".  It's an extremely busy week for me, but, I will attempt to take in what I can. Interested?  Check out the link here.

The Kreativ Blogger Award

I've been awarded twice for the Kreativ Blogger Award...thank you ladies!

Chris at Kelworth Files who hosted the A to Z "Script Frenzy", and  KS Collier, author of "The Veil" (see her marvelous book trailers) passed it on to me...what a surprise!  Check out their blog links above, and read their answers to the Kreativ questions!


What is involved in receiving the honor?  Here is a rundown:

KREATIV RULES:

1. Thank and link back to the awarding blog.
2. Answer the seven questions
3. Provide ten random factoids about yourself.
4. Last but not at all least, hand this on to seven deserving others.

So, here are my questions (a melding of the two sets given to my predecessors) and Random thoughts:

THE QUESTIONS:

1. What’s your favorite song?

I am drawn to meaningful old hymns: "It is Well with My Soul", "Take My Life and Let It Be", and, "Be Still, My Soul". Here is an excerpt:

"Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain."

2. What’s your favorite dessert?

I have always loved ice cream, so, you can see how disappointed I was to discover I am intolerant to dairy!  But, my second choice is baked goods, and I've learned to make some delicious gluten-free versions. My current favorite is a lemon cake made with almond flour...very moist and flavorful.

3. What do you do when you’re upset?

Talk to God, sometimes shed a tear, and often keep it inside so I don't bother anyone.  It depends if it's a "sad" upset or an "angry" upset. I tend to show my feelings more if I am angry.


4. Which is your favorite pet?

We have had so many unusual pets...chameleons, hedgehog, mudskippers to name a few, so it's tough to choose.
Then, there is the dog/cat dilemma.  I've had both, but I must say, that I prefer cats because it's so easy to care for them, and they don't demand anything from you (other than your service to them!). Our two Ragdoll cats, Luciano and Cosette, are opposites, but they each have their virtues.
My childhood pets were two Chihuahuas, Scampy and Geronimo...both whom I loved dearly!

5. Which do you prefer? White or whole wheat?

Ask my children that question, and they will immediately say, "wheat, of course"!  No pasty white "enriched" (with chemicals) Wonder bread that you can roll into a tight spitball-sized orb.  Nope...I want all the natural vitamins that the bran provides (which makes it "whole" wheat), the way God intended it to be eaten.  (I can see my son cringing right about now...enough said!)

6. What is your biggest fear?

Heights, definitely...especially if I am on a mountain, or tall building where there are no protective railings.

7. What is your attitude mostly?

I'm generally even tempered (unless I am sharing a passion or pet peeve of mine, then, look out!), and want to please others.  Hurting other's feelings is a big concern of mine, so sometimes I compromise my standards which I am not proud of!

RANDOM FACTOIDS:

My father was born in The Czech Republic, and my Mother's parents, in Slovakia, so I am truly "Czechoslovakian"!

I took a few months of Japanese lessons when I was in upper elementary school.

I was 17 when I graduated from HS, and only 20 when I received my teaching degree...I went straight through college in three years!

I've travelled to six out of seven continents in my lifetime...some two to three times.

I am a morning person...if I am awakened by an alarm too early, I can't get back to sleep.  Very frustrating for me!

I was a nanny for a Chicago news anchor in the 80's.

My favorite high school subject was etymology...the study of Greek and Latin roots.  I became quite good at it, and was the winner of the "numbskulls" team in our class' "word root" bee!

I refuse to follow the crowd...I like to be unique in every way.  I choose what I like to wear regardless of trends, and don't let the world dictate who I am or what I do.  Only God has that place in my life. It comes, I think, from being an only child.

I am the ultimate in frugality...I refuse to pay full price at resale shops!

In HS, my Driver's Ed teacher called me a "lead foot"...I always engage the cruise control on the tollway, so I don't accidentally exceed the speed limit.

7 AWARDS FOR 7 KREATIV BLOGGERS:

So, I’m passing the Kreativ Blogger award to the following deserving writers:

Pam at 2Encourage
Mandy at Biblical Homemaking
Carrie at "The Slow-DrippedLife"
Brianna at "BibleBloggers"
BJ at "Joy2Journey"
Sue at "Kid Lit Reviews"
Arlee at "A Few Words"

Enjoy, and pass on the torch to others!

Post-Challenge Reflections: A to Z Blogging Challenge

I am so thankful I took the time out from my busy schedule to participate in the A to Z challenge!  The growth I have experienced has served to define who I am and how I can best interact with the public in the future.  If you have not planned to write a Reflections Post, and you have been part of the Challenge in April, please do...it will help us all!  Click here to see the details.


Reflecting back on the Challenge, here is my summary:

Things I've learned:

Ins and outs of running a blog (I have far to go in this category)
Turning off word verification
Scheduling a post
What draws people to my blog and make comments
I.e.photos, part of my story, memoirs of travels


It was extremely helpful to receive tips from the A to Z Blogging Challenge hosts beforehand, which smoothed the way...thank you one and all!


I have immensely enjoyed: 

Meeting new people, viewing a variety of blogs, and following those that had similar interests to mine and from whom I could learn.

Commenting on other's posts, and replying on mine...it strengthened my communication skills


I'm so grateful for all my new followers...although I did not reach 100, I did more than double my readership!  With their help, I will develop content that will benefit many.


I was disappointed because:


Not everyone visited or commented on my blogposts...had all participants visited 10 blogs a day, and commented on every one, as was requested, I would have received at least ten comments a day.  I was faithful to visit 10 a day (in order), comment on each one (even if I couldn't fully appreciate the post or theme of the blog), and reply to all the comments left on my posts.

A few sites had suggestive images...

On average, one out of 10 blogs I visited had no intention of participating in the challenge, or, gave up early on, yet their links were still on the list.  I wasted precious time visiting them, when I could have been commenting on a faithful participants post.  


Since this has been such a positive experience for me, I will continue to:

Visit 5-10 blogs a day (from the signup list) when possible, leaving a comment, and following those who are "kindred spirits."

Post 2-3 times a week, as I discover what content would draw and keep followers.

Join the Challenge again next year!

Congratulations to all those hard working bloggers who made it successfully to the end!

Before I say goodbye, I would like to share links to a few participants who's blogs I have enjoyed and am following:


Joy2journey for BJ's love of home decorating
31 days Early I Rise for Elizabeth's love of Biblical Wisdom
2encourage for Pam's love of God's Word
1st Writes for Dawn's love of Lizards
Up on Haliburton Hill for Joanna's love of all things Victorian
AtoZmommy for Tracy's jump into the Blogosphere
The Slow Dripped Life for Carrie's love of wellness
Bible Bloggers for Brianna's clever Bible Character Diaries
Kylie's Creative Play Place for her love of the "Very Hungry Caterpillar"
W.I.P  for Lynda's love of photography

Thank you, friends, for sharing your treasures with me!

What was your favorite part of the Challenge?  Or, which of my posts did you enjoy the most?  What would you like to see in the future?

Repurposing and Recycling Your Rubbish: A to Z Blogging Challenge

I have been fascinated lately by the term, "repurposing," which to me is a fancy way of saying "recycling"...or is it?


When I googled the term, I found a few blogs and sites that promoted repurposing.  Then, I went to Pinterest, and found boards with that theme, and hundreds of photos and projects related to it.  So, I began a board of my own, which you can find HERE.


Then, I looked online and at the library for some good books on the topic, and here is what I found:


RealSimple: 869 new uses for old things
Edited by Rachel Hardage and Sharon Tanenbaum 






Here are a few examples from the book:




Cake stand..cluster pillar candles on it for a centerpiece,
use it to hold soap and washcloths on vanity for guests, or, display perfume bottles.

Cassette case...roll up ear buds and store inside to prevent tangles


 Citrus peel...drop down disposal with ice cubes to freshen it.  Serve sorbet in half a scooped out citrus peel,or, clean stains from mug with the inside of a citrus peel sprinkled with salt.

Contact lens case...carry salt, pepper and spices for camping trip, or pills for a weekend trip.

Rice... Mill a handful of uncooked rice in your coffee grinder to clean out oils, stale odors and grounds.  Can also be used to remove odors if you use the same mill to process whole spices, and then back to coffee.  Or, place rice in plastic bag with artificial flowers and shake to remove dust particles.

Rubber bands... wrap ends of hangers with rubber bands so camisoles won't slip off hanger, or, use several colored bands on a small gift to add pizzazz instead of a bow.  Slip a few around a drinking cup so young children can get a better grip on a glass of milk. Hard to open jar?  Encircle lid with rubber band to get a better grip.

Egg slicer... Use to cut strawberries, mushrooms, and mozzarella.










And this one: 1,000 Ideas for Creative Reuse
By Garth Johnson

I discovered many websites with creative projects.  Here are a few:

http://ragsbysockmonkey.blogspot.com/2011/10/t-shirt-shag-rug-tutorial.html 




http://www.homemadeginger.com/p/30-days-of-repurposing.html




















http://savedbylovecreations.com/2012/04/50-button-crafts.html







http://www.makeit-loveit.com/category/re-purposing





I hope these links and resources will stir the creative juices within you, and help you REPURPOSE items at home that are no longer useful in its present form.

What repurposing ideas have you put into practice?

Puritan Prayers: A to Z Blogging Challenge

I admire the Puritans!  They have been given a bad reputation, mostly unfounded, because they were a group of English who believed that the church was becoming   secularized, and thus, was forgetting their first love...GOD.  They desired to 'purify' the church of it's ungodliness, and bring it back to honor and obedience to the Word of God.

http://ushistoryimages.com

Hear a portion of their prayers prayed over the centuries, taken from "The Valley of Vision":




Faith and the World p.107

..Thy Word is full of promises...

May I be made rich in its riches,
Be strong in its power,
Be happy in its joy,
Abide in its sweetness,
Feast on its preciousness,
Draw vigor from its manna.

Lord, increase my faith.




VOYAGE p. 110

O Lord of the Oceans,
My little bark sails on a restless sea,
Grant that Jesus may sit at the helm and steer me safely;
Suffer no adverse currents to divert my heavenward course;
Let not my faith be wrecked amid storms and shoals;
Bring me to Harbour with flying pennants,
                                       Hull unbreached,
                                       Cargo unspoiled....


The Family p. 113


..Let those who are united to me in tender ties
Be precious in thy sight and devoted to thy glory.
Sanctify and prosper my domestic devotion,
                                     Instruction,
                                     Discipline,
                                     Example,
That my house may be a nursery for Heaven,
My church the garden of the Lord,
Enriched with trees of righteousness of thy planting,
                                                             For thy glory;...






MORNING NEEDS p. 118

..Teach me how to use the world, and not abuse it,
                                   To improve my talents,
                                   To redeem my time,
                                   To walk in wisdom towards those without,
                                         And in kindness to those within,
                                     To do good to all men,
                                         And especially to my fellow Christians...

Amazon.com

Some links about the Puritans:

A Puritan's Mind

The Hall of Church History

What is your passion?

Missionary Martyrs: A to Z Blogging Challenge

A somber topic, yes....but their voices need to be heard.  Missionary Martyrs are the most Memorable HEROES that deserve a Moment of Meditation:

Wheaton College Archives

Jim Elliott, killed in the jungles of Ecuador in 1953 along with 4 other missionary men by Auca Indians, was dedicated to sharing the Gospel with their tribesmen.  This was the motto that drove his passion:  "He is no fool who give up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."  He lost his earthly life (which we can never keep), but is living a heavenly life (which he will never lose) with His Savior right now....and forever.

The following year, thousand of young people took their place on mission fields all over the world, compelled to bring the life-changing Gospel to unreached peoples.  Hundreds of Aucas, including those who speared the five men, came to Christ as their wives stayed in the jungle, continuing the work the husbands began.  Read the full story here.


Betty Stam young missionary to China was captured by communists in 1934 and beheaded alongside her husband, John. She had written these words in her Bible years before:

Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes,
All my own desires and hopes
And accept thy Thy Will for my life.
I give myself, my life, my all
Utterly to Thee to be Thine forever.
Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit.
Use me as Thou wilt, send me where Thou wilt
And work out Thy whole will I my life at any cost now and forever.

John and Betty Stam: carlstam.com

Read their story from the Stam family's website here.













Ridley, chaplain to King Henry VIII, and Latimer, bishop of Worcester, were both burned at the stake in Oxford for their Protestant beliefs in 1555:

Ridley said to Latimer as the fire was about to be lit:  "Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man; we shall this day light such a candle by God's grace in England as I trust will never be put out."

Their deaths fanned the flame of Protestantism, which spread throughout the world!
Read the story here.


Voice of the Martyrs quotes:

"God, I do not ask you to make my life easy; I do ask you to make me strong"
From a Jewish child found in the rubble of a Jewish ghetto in Poland after it was bombed by the nazis

"We have learned that suffering is not the worst thing in the world-disobedience to God is the worst."  A Vietnamese Christian Pastor imprisoned for his faith


"O God, accept all my sufferings, my tiredness, my humiliations, my tears, my nostalgia, my being hungry, my sufferings of cold, all the bitterness accumulated in my soul.  Dear Lord, have pity also on those who persecute and torture us day and night.  Grant them, too, the divine grace of knowing the sweetness and happiness of your love."
From a Christian Woman who was serving time in the Siberian Labor Camp, Vorkuta


Hebrews 11:13

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."

What are you willing to die for?  Do your troubles seem small in comparison?

Lessons from Lanky Lincoln and other Leaders: A to Z Blogging Challenge

"In regard to this great book, I have but to say it is the best gift God has given to men. All that the good Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book."  Abraham Lincoln, speaking about the Bible 


"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be." 

"The philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation will be the philosophy of the government in the next." 


"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." 


"He does best in God's great world who does his best in his own little world." 




"Undertake not what you cannot perform, but be careful to keep your promise." George Washington, "Rules of Civility"

"It is impossible to govern rightly without God and the Bible." 
















"An undutiful daughter will make an unmanageable wife." Benjamin Franklin, "Poor Richard's Almanac"

"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.  As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters."


"If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time must be the greatest prodigality."  










"I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward."  Thomas Edison 













Quotes taken from "Lessons for Leaders" compiled and arranged by Sandi Queen

Which of these quotes rings true with you??

Journey to Jerusalem: The Jewel of the Jews A to Z Blogging Challenge

Jerusalem...one of the oldest and most sacred of cities.  For the Christian and Jew, it is a city of symbolism, hope and prophecy.

Other names for Jerusalem:


Mt Moriah (where God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, but, provided a lamb instead)

Jebus (Jebusites, of course, lived there.)

City of David (the oldest part of the city, which King David won from the Jebusites in battle)

Zion (reflects the religious aspects of the city)

The Holy City

View of Jerusalem from the Mt of Olives

Jews all over Israel would flock to Jerusalem three times a year to celebrate their religious festivals.  It was the center of their lives.  Since the city was on a hill, no matter which direction the people would travel from, they would always say they were going "up to Jerusalem."

Here are some other facts about Jerusalem through the centuries:

Jews came here to celebrate Passover each year

Solomon's temple was built on this spot

God's presence was found here in the ark of the covenant which the children of Israel placed in the temple

David ruled as King in Jerusalem, at that time called 'the City of David.'

David's harp...a symbol of the City of David

Known as the "Beautiful City" by the Jews
Destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BC but rebuilt in 516BC   Psalm 137

Remodeled by Herod the Great  in Jesus time (1st century)

Place where Jesus was crucified, buried and raised alive from the tomb.

He will come again and place his foot on Mt of Olives and reign for 1,000 years.  Isaiah 65:18-19.
There will be a 'New Jerusalem' where Christ will reign forever with His saints. Revelation 21-22

Isaiah 2:3
And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem.

Here are some links you might find 
interesting:


City of David
Christian/Jewish Religious gifts from Israel
Friends of Israel
Michael Rydelnick: Messianic Jew and Bible
Teacher, author and tour guide.
Shabbat Shalom Cooking
Charlie Dyer: Holy Land Expert
Joel Rosenberg, Author of 
"Epicenter" and other Middle East
Thrillers

Our family had the opportunity to take an "Into the Promised Land" tour in 2010.  You can find our blog posts here.

When you think of Jerusalem, what comes to mind?  Shalom!