This seems to be so true:

 

A quote I recently found...

 

 

 

"When you put something down that happened, people often don't believe it;

whereas, you can make up anything, and people assume it must have happened to you."

~Andrew Holleran

 

 

 

 



Frito's Inspiration

So some of you might have seen on the Lauren website's "About" page that inspiration for Lauren's dog, Frito came from my family's own German Shepherd, Einstein. But here's a couple of things you might not have known:

In book one A Thief in Pigeon Valley the original idea was for Frito to be a puppy in the entire book, rather than in just the Forward.

Also, it was considered to make Lauren's dog a Golden Retriever. Can you imagine?! That would've been so different!

(German Shepherds are my favorite breed, followed by Golden Retrievers. :)

Just thought it could be fun to post some behind the scenes info. :)


And by the way, the German Shepherd on the website is not our dog, Einstein. That adorable dog belongs to Elizabeth's (Lauren model) grandfather. I thought he did a marvelous job playing Frito!

 

Einstein as a puppy

 

 Loyal friend

 

 

 

 

Poems by a Fellow Writer

A friend lent me a book of poems she had written, and with her permission, I wanted to post my favorites here for you all to enjoy as well!

 

 

Resolution

 

Oh, Jesus, hold me and never let go,

for I'm caught in a storm and the winds do blow.

 

I've been dashed against the rocky stone,

I've been left utterly alone.

 

But I hold onto Your steadfast Name,

For You are forever, You are the same.

 

I will place my trust in You,

In all that I say, in all that I do.

 

Wherever I go, I will cling to Your love,

As You smile on me from high up above.

 

I will fight the good fight, keep up the pace

Continue the journey, finish the race.

 

I will not despair on this earthly sod,

For there You sit at the right hand of God.

 

With peace my broken heart does fill

For I will do not as I, but You, will.

 

 

 

A Prayer

 

Help me, oh help me, oh help me, I pray

And take all my wanting and doubting away.

Remove everything that's deceitful and wrong

Guard me and fill me with praises and song.

Help me to love everything that is true,

And help me to sacrifice for others, too.

Curl up my tendrils of selfish desire;

Purify my soul with Your holy fire.

 

 

                                                                     By Cordelia Hartfield

  

 

Now I have used her pen name, at her request, but I'm sure many of you know this young poet :)

 

 

 

Convention Follow Up

We left home Thursday afternoon (May 30th) to set up for the convention. Stayed at a nearby hotel that night, and then were in the exhibit hall by 7:30 the next morning.

 

Chelsea and I at the Lauren Books booth Friday morning.

 

 

Chelsea enjoyed exploring the shelves of the many booths :)

(I spent some time looking at books myself ;)

 

 

Question & answer time after the talk.

 

 

Authors Brian D. Johnson (left) and Rick Barry (right)

 

 

 

It was a blessing getting to converse with the many families who attended the convention, and I hope to do it again next year, Lord willing! Perhaps then there will be at least one more book in the Lauren Series (book 3).

Chel is also hoping to be published, and so then we shall have a shared author booth! :)

 

 

 

 



Christmas Guest in now available!

Book two in the Lauren series, Christmas Guest is now in print and available via Amazon: http://amzn.to/YHL7CC

 

 

 

I look forward to hearing your opinions! :)

 

 

 

 

 



Homeschool Convention Approaching

I guess I haven't posted in a while! Though we have certainly still been staying busy, book-wise, there wasn't really anything new to tell of.

However, the Indiana Association of Home Educators (IAHE) convention is approaching, and, as some of you know, we are planning to set up a Lauren Books booth at it (Lord willing)! It will be our first convention. :)

My plan is to have book one in the Lauren series, A Thief in Pigeon Valley there, as well as some Lauren-style costumes. Book two, titled Christmas Guest is in the proofing process right now, and I would appreciate every one's prayers for it to be in print in time for the convention, God willing. :)

I'm a bit nervous about the other half of our reason for exhibiting at the convention... I am scheduled to be a speaker. :-O As this event will be my first time to be an exhibitor, it will also be my first time to give a presentation.

Praying,  and trusting God for everything to work out!

The convention will be at the fairgrounds in Indianapolis, May 31st and June 1st. You can find more details at their website: http://iahe.net/