The Narrows in Zion National Park is one of my favorite places in the world. It’s just a gorgeous, awesome, fanciful, wild place. Walls 2000 feet high, and only 20-30 feet apart in some places. Hiking the Narrows means tramping through the waters of the Virgin River, an altogether different experience from hiking on trails. This was the second time …
Where Angels Fear to Tread
We’re on vacation this week, and the initial dichotomy strikes me. We landed in Las Vegas last night. As anyone who’s been here knows, first thing you see when you deplane—slot machines. At baggage claim, slot machines. Picking up your rental car, more one-armed bandits. On the escalator down to baggage claim, we were flanked by huge ads for male …
“Relatively Inferior in Every Aspect”
I’ve been researching my next book, spending a lot of time on ancient warfare. I now know more about siege towers, casemate walls, and revetments than I should ever have need for. I even know where the word undermining comes from, and it has nothing to do with psychology. I’ve also been looking at tells in present-day Israel—hills created by …
In the Shadow of Sinai on Audiobook!
In the Shadow of Sinai is now available as an audiobook! It’s on audible.com for $24.95, Amazon for $21,83, and iTunes for $21.95. Unfortunately, I have no control over the prices (neither does the publisher), and I have no free copies to give away. Daniel Koehn narrated for us. He is a voice instructor at Asbury University in Kentucky. He …
How Many Times Do I Have to Prove My Children Are Mine?
Last week we got passports for all our children. Should be a straightforward process, even for adopted children. We had to show the adoption decree along with birth certificates and proof of citizenship. It turned out to be a huge mess. Because we wanted to travel before the standard three-month window, we went to a library where there was a …
What’s Better than Coffee from Colombia?
My husband traveled to Colombia many years ago and brought home coffee. I don’t drink it, but it did smell wonderful. As you know, I am a huge supporter of adoption. Every child deserves a loving family. The Burch family are friends of a dear writer friend of mine. I’m sharing their story this week. Please help – say a prayer, be encouraging, and if …
It’s All Joshua’s Fault
I’ve been plotting out a possible book, looking at characters and times and events, and trying to make everything fit together. A couple things weren’t quite working, and I realized, it’s all because of Joshua. The scriptures never really say how old Joshua is when he goes into the Promised Land as a spy. Caleb is 40, so most people …
“Sweeter than Honey to My Mouth!”
When I was young, we used to drive from my home in San Diego to visit my grandparents in Blythe, California on the Colorado River, on the border of California and Arizona. On the way we usually stopped in Indio at a date farm and purchased some of the glossy brown, sweet fruit. I remember wandering through the rows of …
“I Don’t Have to Shower – I’m a Boy”
Pray for me. This week my son turned 13. Last month my youngest daughter turned 13. The next oldest is 15. I am now the mother of three teenagers, and will be for the next five years. Two are girls. You have no idea how much drama takes place in my house on a daily basis. Choosing who sits in …
What do Pajamas, Cats and Axe Have in Common?
A few months ago I was invited to speak at career day at my kids’ middle school. Actually, they invited all parents to come, and I volunteered. I agonized over what to say, researched to find tips for young writers, even had some bookmarks made with those tips on the back. Then the day before the presentation, they told …