STEALING SAVANNAH

The semi-permanent nature of my life is a press-on tattoo that stays with my body temporarily, just when I think it’s a welcome part of me it cracks and fades, peeling away layer by layer. The truth inside of me is written on a flimsy piece of onion skin paper that disintegrates under pressure of pen.

                                                                                        Stealing Savannah

                   Acknowledging our TRUTH shortens the journey
                                from the Pit to the Palace.

Saving San Diego

One of these days I’m going to have my own money to spend any way I like.

There has got to be a day coming where it doesn’t cost a pound of flesh to have my needs met.  I’m not always going to be like this you know.

Someday . . . my life is going to matter. I just hope someone remembers that it did.
                                                                          Saving Savannah

Last night I had the privilege of attending the volunteer training for GENERATE HOPE, San Diego's
 amazing program for women who have been involved in Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation.
So many women joined together, their hearts swollen with compassion and a desire to help our cities most vulnerable. I applaud the ladies in attendance who endured the sad, uncomfortable truth about the underbelly of this fine city.
It takes courage to get involved, to stand up for what's right; most find it easier to simply look away.
Seated at the large table of women, I worried they could see the word "Trafficked!" still stamped on my forehead. I have to be careful in settings like these, not to let shame creep back in and destroy all I have overcome. 
By meetings end I was able to hold my head up high, the faded brands of days-gone-by were forgotten.
I hope someone was able to see my new label "Victorious Survivor" as I walked away.

WAIT.......I HAVE A COUPON FOR THAT!

Yes, it's true. I'm one of THOSE people. I use coupons for EVERYTHING: groceries, dog food, pedicures, fast food, frozen yogurt, shampoo, dentists (not recommended), laundry detergent, even christian apparel.
And points! You gotta love accumulating points for everyday purchases. Bonus! On average I save between 10-30% on everything we buy. (loud applause...hello! That's ALOT!)
My husband,  feckless free-spending hunk that he is... DOES NOT.
Before you go there, I am NOT CHEAP. I just love to get a bargain...plus I have to balance out what Mr. Money is spending!
Because God is so hilarious, my husband and I just began a finance study at our church called the Good Samaritan. Six blissful weeks on budgeting. The funny part is, I let him think it was HIS idea, and so far it's really working!
Putting our finances down on paper, I realized something kinda groovy. The only thing "free" and without rules or an expiration date is our SALVATION. I mean,what if we had to clip a coupon to receive God's Grace? What if you needed 10,000 points to redeem God's mercy? And gasp... what if the coupon expired before you repented? Yikes!
Having a relationship with Christ is a beautiful thing. His goodness is never-ending, his direct prayer line is toll-free and we can worship Him all day long....without a coupon.

Perform a Miracle... In THESE Shoes?

Do you think Jesus ever "called it a day" because his sandals were giving Him blisters? I can't picture Him saying "No more miracles for you!" like the soup Nazi on Seinfeld, just because He had a headache.

What if MOSES never got to part the Red Sea because He had a root canal that day? Can you imagine???

A few nights ago, I find myself in the ER with the worst migraine EVER!
My mind is twirling, visualizing the worst possible outcome. I began to re-think waiting three days to go the hospital. I am very busy wrapped up in ME-LAND. Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me
Suddenly, out of no where, a pitiful, disturbed woman came screeching into the ER lobby. She is carrying a  hot-pink quilted satin bag that probably held everything she owned inside. She was suffering from a serious mental illness coupled with a few pints of vodka and desperately needed attention, medical or otherwise.

My head was throbbing so I had a washcloth over my eyes and ice on my neck. I commanded my husband to MAKE HER BE QUIET! When he refuses, I dramatically sigh and move across the lobby far away from loud girl, totally annoyed. Relief washes over me when I hear my name called into triage. YES!
As if on cue..My hubby suddenly has to "run to Home Depot". (thanks babe)

The loud girl ends up running into traffic and disappeared, she never got the help she came for.

The next day, still suffering by the way, Jesus woke me up first thing in the morning and asked me "WHY? WHY didn't I pray for Samantha? " (the loud girl)
 "Why didn't I reach out to her and tell her about JESUS?"

Embarrassed, I replied... "How could I serve you Lord? I had a migraine".

Derby Girl Rocks It!

Delivered from out of the paw of the lion and the bear, Saul said to David, Go, and the Lord be with you! So… off I go to the Christian Writer's Conference. I am prayed up, prayed over, wrapped in a blanket of prayer, naming, claiming, and proclaiming and covered in the blood of Jesus. I have researched and memorized my top choices of publishers I desire to meet with at the conference.
Sadly, one of my top choices is taken. As I'm removing the adhesive from the back of my sticky name placard to reserve the final time slot left of my back-up publisher, in comes Derby Girl.
You heard me, Derby Girl. With a sharp left elbow she attempts to steal the final timeslot. I confront her and she is adamant. Derby Girl says "I DON"T CARE!!! IT’S THE ONLY ONE TAKING CHILDRENS BOOKS! I HAVE TO HAVE IT!!!!" Talk about a tense moment, what happens next is difficult to comprehend. It's one of those "WWJD?" moments when I actually do the right thing, I step aside and begin removing my invisible knee and elbow pads and unbuckle my helmet. I can hear the Guild whistle blowing the final buzzer that signals the end of sign-ups.
Don't freak out, here's what happens next. All that prayer must have reprogrammed some instincts, I invite the Derby Girl to sit with me and I tell her I am her new best friend for today. I tell her it's okay and that GOD has "got this". HE is going to get me in front of the right people no matter what.
This makes her cry harder and I begin to cry too and I start to pray with her and everyone else I come across that needs it.
Next, I give away another consultation to someone I care for deeply that is distraught about not getting in with a certain publisher. If you know math, you'll see I am going in the wrong direction!
Well thanks to the Derby Girl and the power of the Holy Spirit my day takes a supernatural twist. I end up with FOUR successful consultations and a bonus lunch with an unlikely super hero.
So thank you, Derby Girl, your tenacity scores big in the final lap.

Cover Art

My first bit of cover art for Saving Savannah......Before you say "Hmmm, looks a bit reptilian," I am not a lizard okay? This is Savannah combined to reflect my favorite of all time journal cover. Savannah is fractured. The shell, what is left of the mosaic is what she has become. This is the image you see. Notice the tiles that are missing? These symbolize fragments of hope left behind (chapter 14). My designer, Josh, had cards printed up for me to take to conference with my contact info and blogspot. :^}
Thank you God, it's all coming together, just like you promised!

Grandma...can you hear me?

Grandma...can you hear me?

This coming weekend is the San Diego Christian Writers Conference. For writers, it's the big hoo-rah, the Big Kahuna, the moment we've all been working towards. Our bi-monthly critique group met last night and everyone was in "conference-mode". We are all teeming with anticipation and wonder.
My book, Saving Savannah is a shocking tale that is written for God's glory and honor even if it has a crazy way of getting there. I really don't know too many of us that have slipped on a banana peel or fell off a turnip truck and found God. For me it was a process, and a journey. It wasn't always pretty but it was MINE!
My co-character in my book Saving Savannah is the only reason I am here today. She's Savannah's Grandmother, who kept her (me) alive by her constant prayers. Now it's my turn to pray for her journey. My Grandmother is 93 years old and lives in hospice out of state. I used to call her every week and shout and tell her hello and how much I love her. She can't hear anymore, even when you scream. She can't see either, hasn't been able to for a very long time.
I feel pretty helpless most days and can't begin to understand why Jesus won't let her go home and hang out in Heaven where she belongs. Grandma if you can hear me, I just want you to know how much you influenced my life. I want to tell you that I love you and couldn't have written this book without you.  Grandma, If you can hear me, I just want to say thank you, thank you for Saving Savannah