Category Archives: Eve

choice and accountability, Eve

Fear

This last two weeks have been hard for me. No, no problems with rain or snow. Lucky me, I live in the desert southwest. Instead, I’ve been fighting my own personal demons.

Have you ever worked hard on something personal to you, and then, when it is time to share, held back in fear? I have.

I have worked over two years on my first book, writing and rewriting it. I’ve had others I trust read it and worked to make it as good as I know how. Now it’s time to edit.

I found the courage to find editors who gave me sample edits and hired an editor. I sent it off.

And now. Now I’m frozen in fear. Will it be good enough? Will I need to rewrite it all again? Are there big problems with it?

Other rough drafts need to be worked on, so I can have more than one book available for you to read. I have such big plans. But this past week I’ve been frozen in fear, unable to do very much.

I’ll get past it. I’m strong, and my other books will be written. I’ll survive the edits, rewrite again, and again, if necessary, so I can have the best book I can write for you to read. This book and all the others I have planned.

Eve must have had days of fear. Many times she could not stay frozen long, for if she didn’t do the work, it would not be done. I think of her now, and take courage. Onward.

When do you become frozen? How long has it held you back? Share with me and give me hope.

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choice and accountability, Eve

How is Yours?

Audio

The news is filled with sadness. Good men and women are killed. A police officer was shot and killed when he showed up to investigate an automobile accident. Homes are invaded, robbing and killing the occupants. Angry people decide the only way to solve a problem is with a weapon. Those who are involved in taking the life of another have allowed their soul to become dark somewhere along the way.

20150810_210057Do you know someone with a darkening soul? Someone you fear to be near for very long?

I am rereading my current work in progress, a spin-off book from the original series called Lost Children of the Prophet. As I read, I found a selection I’d like to share.

A short set up: Two young women, teenagers, are discussing a man at a recent party.

       “His soul is black as the crow sitting out there on the tree          branch.”

       Tawna  felt herself shiver and leaned back in her chair. “He seems so nice, spoke to father, asked to be introduced. We even danced—and he kept his hands to himself. No grasping or groping. It was a pleasure to dance without all that. And you say his soul is black?”

         “It’s a show,” Ziv said. “He wants something and act a way to conceal his real intentions.”

Many years ago, in Gibraltar, we met a man we later learned was a murderer. Even our little daughter could tell he had a black soul. I try to stay from that kind of darkness. Better, still, I have felt light in the souls of many others.

Sometimes we have a “gut reaction” to another, immediately loving them, or knowing to be on guard. Is that the color of their soul?

Some people, men and women, have ulterior motives, act nice to your face, while saying nasty things to your back. Politicians are like that, say what they think you want to hear to get your vote. After they are elected, they change, most often, significantly. Do you recognize their darkening souls?

Others souls, too, darken because of their business activities, choosing to pursue success and gain. Forgetting to be of service to others, they do all they can to “climb to the top,” regardless of who is hurt.

Eve’s soul was filled with light, as was her beloved husband, Adam. In contrast, Cain, their son, found his soul darkening as he listened to the destroyer. It blackened, even more, when he chose to kill his brother.

Beware of your own soul. Are you doing something that may darken it? Who have you met with a darker soul? Who do you know who has a soul filled with light? How is yours?

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choice and accountability, Eve

Do You Have a Power Ball Plan?

pabloThe news is full of the current Power Ball drawing. If you choose the correct numbers, you can win a ridiculous amount of money. It’s a gigantic IF! Lines snaking down the block and around the corner form at stores on the borders of states that don’t allow power ball. Crazy people, taking a chance, hoping to get a lot of something for not much.

Everyone has a plan for the money: helping others, helping animals, buy a new house, pay the bills, the hopes and choices are endless. Someone will eventually get their dream, and their life will be changed. A huge amount will be “donated” to the government in taxes. People will ask for a handout, others will cheat and try to steal some or all of it. Lifestyles will change, and not all for the better.

All this hubbub is interesting to watch. I doubt I’ll know the winner, nor know how that life is changed. I don’t really care. I am happy with what I have.

I guess I have my own power ball in the making. My week has been spent finalizing my first book, Eve, First Matriarch, for a professional edit. I’m down to choosing an editor, a daunting process. I don’t want to win the power ball, I’m not even going to buy a ticket. I’m hoping that when I publish someone will read and enjoy it, share with others they like it, and purchase the next one. That will be my winning ticket.

Eve’s story has been a joy to write; I’ve learned much from and about her. I’m hoping you will like my writing enough to enjoy her story, when it is finally ready.

Have you bought a ticket or do you have another plan to make your life happy?

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Challenges, Eve

Are You Enjoying Your Weather?

20140628_161623January seems to be a time when weather is in the news. This is an El Nino year. Washington and Oregon have been hit by snow and freezing rain. California is being inundated with rain nearly every day. I expect to hear of mudslides and floods that accompany heavy rain in those parts of the company in the near future. The mountain west has frozen for the past few weeks, even the deserts of Nevada and Arizona face unusually cold weather. People in the midwest, especially Missouri, are recovering from flooding and tornadoes. The east coast has been unseasonably warm, receiving no snow and at the end of the year golfers, rather than skiers, have enjoyed their sport.

Those of us in the west are accepting the gift of moisture and praying for the safety of our loved ones. While much of the rest of the country suffered from floods and heavy storms, we in the west have faced severe drought. The sun has been lovely, but it is scary to watch our lakes, and our future water supply, dwindle. Water piping has been moved to deeper in Lake Mead to provide Southern Nevada with drinking water. We hope these rains refill our lakes and reservoirs, though the drought is so deep, meteorologists say we will need many years of El Nino rain to end the drought.

Reports of future disasters add to the jitters. Seismologists warn that the Pacific Northwest is a disaster waiting to happen when the tectonic plates “give” and cause major disaster along the northwest coast. Others are watching the dormant volcano in Yellowstone. Hurricanes regularly threaten Florida and the east coast, as well as the west coast. If you are fearful, you will stay far away from these possible disasters. When I read again about the Pacific Northwest, my first thoughts were “I’m not going to visit Washington or Oregon and I hope none of my family move there.

It would be easy to be frozen in fear of future events, never traveling, always fearful. Preparing for emergencies, with sufficient water and food for at least 3 days in a pack you can evacuate with would be wise. Stocking shelves with the January case lot sales makes sense. Having food, water, and cash on hand to use during an emergency of any kind would be valuable.

I doubt Eve was faced with scientific warnings of future disasters and would not have been frozen in fear of these. She didn’t have stores to run to if she ran out of food, so she would have spent the growing seasons preserving and storing food for the coming year. I believe she and Adam faced floods and droughts, and even felt earthquakes and saw volcanoes. They did all they could to be prepared for any emergency.

What about you? Are you prepared for an emergency? Will you allow your fears to prevent you from enjoying the coasts of the Northwest? More importantly, how are you staying safe in the January weather? Share. I’d love to hear from you.

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Eve, Holidays

Looking Back and Forward

New Year!Happy New Year!

This is a time many look back on last year and make plans for next year. I’m in the same mode—thinking about my writing last year and making plans for next year. I didn’t get everything done that I planned for last year, but I did some things I hadn’t planned on.

Last year my goal was to get my first book, Eve, First Matriarch, published. It isn’t there yet, but I’ve learned so much in the process. I plan to have it ready for publishing, along with at least two more, so they can be published soon after the first one. That sets me up for lots of work.

Along with that, I need to find a professional editor to help me make the books the best they can be. I’m hoping my artist friend has time to create my covers, she is so awesome she is kept incredibly busy. Great book covers help readers choose great books to read, so I’m hoping she has the time to help me.

I managed to write the rough draft for three more books. I now have at least a rough idea of what all but one of my first series will be, and most of the first book in my second series. I hoped to have that one done by today, but time in the hospital and a wrong turn in the story has put that goal off a month. I think I’m on track again, now, and can finish before the end of January.

So, get a book or two rough drafts written, and three or more published. Should be a happy, busy year.

What do you plan for the upcoming year? Anything fun? I’d love to hear.

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Eve, Holidays

Merry Christmas!

Holiday_6Merry Christmas to all my friends around the world.

I’ve been busy this week finishing Christmas presents for my grandchildren. I’ve sewn 6 pair of pajamas and 3 nightgowns, plus I’ve crocheted 3 little animals and a huge play-mat road for the little ones. Some took longer than expected. I haven’t even opened my computer much for days.

I hope your life is busy and happy, filled with the joys that Christmas brings, as you celebrate with your family.

Eve could not have celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ, for it had not happened in her time, but I believe she looked forward to that day. She knew it was coming.

I’ll be back with more next week. Busy, busy, busy until then.

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choice and accountability, Eve

Are You on the Dark Side or In the Light?

Holiday_8The force is with many this week as they wait impatiently for the new movie. I wish it was with me. No, my book isn’t ready to be published yet, but I’m closer. I wish I was ready to share the good news, but, not yet.

During this time of year, I wonder if the “force” shown in the Star Wars movies is the force we need to be thinking about. It may be, if you think about it. The dark side, indicating the hate and fear the world is feeling. We see crazies hurting others en mass. I heard arguments and cursing in stores and from inside homes. The dark side is strong in this part of the world.

On the other hand, I see many people giving of their small resources to help the less fortunate. Children receive shoes and socks, because customers of a business donated a dollar. Food, bicycles, toys, trees, and a multitude of other gifts have been donated so there will be less children who wake up on Christmas morning with no tree and no gifts.

Eve would tell you the dark side is caused by the destroyer, he who beguiled her. His purpose is to cause hatred and sorrow for as long as possible. She would also tell you that the real reason for joy and kindness comes from the Savior of the World, He who left His place as a God to redeem us all. She and Adam knew He would come, taught their children to wait for the glorious event.

We now wait for His return. Until He comes, stay in the light.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannakuh, Happy Holidays.

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choice and accountability, Eve

Don’t Let This Happen to You

20150810_210057It’s amazing how things can change for you in seconds. I woke up in the middle of the night and bumped my arm on my nightstand drawer. No big deal. Because I have the thin skin of a hundred year old, I bled. I stumbled into the bathroom an covered it with bandages.

The tiny gouges were infected two days later, my arm swelling and red two days later. Now, after a second trip to the ER, I’m admitted to the hospital to receive IV antibiotics. Difficult for me, as I’m allergic to many antibiotics. (This is a poor excuse for a late blog.)

As I think of my silly little injury, that could be life threatening, I think of the people who have gone about their lives, attending concerts, Christmas parties, eating in restaurants, and other common events, only to have their lives disrupted by crazed people seeking infamy in deaths of others. I wonder if those who died remembered to kiss their loved ones good-bye as they left that day. Did they leave for work with an argument on their lips?

Eve’s life changed in moments when she chose to marry Adam and live on this earth—yes, I believe she had that choice. That time was a time of challenges and joys. Later, her life changed again when Cain killed Abel, this was not a happy change. Each time she was required to decide to make the best of the changes.

We never know when our lives will be changed suddenly. Though it may be difficult, remember to leave your loved ones with love rather than in anger. Don’t be the one to mourn if your life changes suddenly.

I’d love for you to share your tales of sudden life changing events. Please share, here in the comments section, or direct to my email: [email protected]

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Eve, Holidays, Veterans

In Honor of Our Brave Veterans

20150914_185748This Veteran’s Day, 2015, I offer my gratitude to all who gave their lives in service to our great nation over the years. Some died, like my great-great uncle who died on the steps of Lexington. My uncles and father-in-law returned from World War II, alive, seemingly well. However, along with thousands of others, they were left with lingering fears and PTSD. You did not want to touch my father-in-law to wake him, you may have been welcomed by a fist in the face. Others, like my husband and brother, put their lives on the line every day, not behind a gun but providing support, always facing the possibility of attack.

Millions died in the wars. Those who lived lost a part of themselves, more than just their youth. Young families gave up hopes of a home for up to twenty years, living on near slave wages to serve. Improvements in medical care saves lives; but many return from the latest wars with body parts missing, requiring medical care and support for the rest of their lives. Young soldiers return broken in both body and spirit.

Almost everyday someone posts pictures of these brave veterans with missing arms and legs. Worse is the damage to their souls. I cannot imagine the things they have seen and done that would cause so many to cower in fear, or even worse, take their own lives. Suicide has become the way “out” for too many of our valiant young people who volunteered, or who joined one of the local Reserve units, and found themselves in the war zone.

War is not pretty. It is an “adventure” that should be offered to the politicians and generals who call for it. Our young men and women need to know war is ugly, evil, and damaging. Even those, like my brother and husband, who never fired a shot, had their lives damaged by their service. Long hours, constant danger, and stress took a toll on them, aging them early.

I honor all who gave all their lives, for a time or forever, in service to our country. In a very real way, they have protected our borders and kept us safe. It is sad that the government has not yet honored these men in an honest way.

Eve knew that war was wicked and evil. The Destroyer spurned men to hatred, fighting, and war. It is the women, mothers and wives, who watch their sons, and now daughters, leave to protect their borders or fight in enemy lands.

Eve would have argued against wars. Women through the ages argued against the violence causing death and maiming of their beloved sons, husbands, and fathers. I am glad my sons are now old enough to avoid military service. Their dad spent enough of his life for all of them. I fear for my grandsons. I will beg them to wait to be drafted, rather than placing their lives in the hands of immoral politicians.

Do you agree? Share your thoughts and stories.

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Eve, National Novel Writers Month, Uncategorized

National Novel Writing Month Updaate

It is November again. Three Novembers ago I was working on my first ever rough draft of a book. Before then, I wrote poetry and very long letters. I took a creative writing class in college, where I started a novel. I wrote one chapter. Since then,

My sister has been working on writing fantasy novels for several years. I’ve watched her, and wished I could. She heard of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), which happens each November, and invited me to join her three years ago. The goal is to write 50,000 words in the month of November. You just write, not worrying about corrections.

What would I write? One of the stories I tried to write before was the story of Eve. I have often wondered how she managed to give birth alone, just her and Adam. How did they figure out how to live in a new world? These and other questions filled my mind for years. I realized I had been taking the wrong point of view. Thus, I began to write.

If you write every day, you have to write close to 1700 words each day to write 50,000 words in 30 days. I had things to do on Friday and Saturday, and took the Sabbath off. Each year we go to my parent’s home two hours away for Thanksgiving, and my birthday is at the end of the month. My goal was to be finished before Thanksgiving, so I could spend time with my family and not have to worry for my birthday.

I finished the 50,000 words that Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Not the book, it took another six weeks to finish the first draft, all 100,000+ words of it. Then I began the rewrites. I’ve lost track of all the times I’ve gone through it. I’m finally ready to send it to an editor. I decided to write a serial, and shorten the book about Eve. It is now the first of the series, Ancient Matriarchs: Eve, First Matriarch.

In the two years since that first NaNoWriMo, I’ve completed the rough draft of two others. Last November I wrote about Enoch’s wife, this summer I wrote about Seth’s wife, and I’ve started a side series that came from the writing of that first rough draft: Lost Children of the Prophets. My husband will tell you I spend nearly every extra minute writing. I’ve found once you start, once you actually get through a rough draft, it becomes almost addictive.

It’s November again, and I’m working on the rough draft for a new book, book 3 in the series about Enos’s wife. After this month, I’ll have the rough drafts, and more, of the first four books of the series. My goal is to have at least the first three ready to publish by the end of next year. The story of the wife of Noah will finish the series, and is the only one without anything written.

Eve, First Matriarch is ready to go to the editor. I’ve talked to my artist about the cover. Watch for it to be ready soon. I haven’t published books before, so I won’t suggest a time frame, just sometime next year. Watch for it and the rest of them.

If you have an idea of what you think might go into these books, or a suggestion of a name for Noah’s wife, please comment.

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