Tuesday, February 10, 2015

In Plain Sight: Stories of Hope and Freedom

Several years ago, I had an idea to write stories focusing on a largely misunderstood and underestimated problem in our nation: Sex trafficking. In my idea, the heroes were those who would rescue girls from the streets, and the heroines were the girls who struggled for freedom. I saw the stories as a spin on the Underground Railroad. And this past year, I have heard of “Operation Underground Railroad,” a group that goes into foreign lands to rescue girls from the sex slave trade,  In Plain Sight, a documentary on the sex slave trade in the United States which featured several homes that I would say are the likeness of my story ideas.

For me, this is both confirmation that this issue is on the heart of God and that it is an underestimated problem in our nation. One day, I may get to write a series of stories. One day, maybe I can serve them in more physical ways. For now, however, I can invite you to get hold of the film “In Plain Sight” narrated by Natalie Grant, and share it with your friends, churches, schools, and whomever else you can find who will listen. Our neighborhoods are screaming for attention and compassion. Let’s unstop our ears and open our hearts to their cries.

Executive Produced and Narrated by Natalie Grant
IN PLAIN SIGHT
STORIES OF HOPE AND FREEDOM
RELEASING TO VIDEO January 13th 2015


You can visit Amazon for your DVD and also a 31-Day devotional/study guide for you. 


**Note: This video documentary was sent to me for review by Edify Media. My comments and opinions are my own.


Weaving words for the heart and soul,
Karlene A. Jacobsen
Freelance Writer
southpawscribbler@gmail.com

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Christmas with Karen Wingate and Family


I'm off, again. Finishing the final three weeks of the fall term at school as I pursue my nursing license. It's amazing how God has poured out His blessing this year. In the course of a week, I passed my nursing school entrance exam and 3 of my stories showed up with incredible writers in this very beautiful, very diverse Christmas Anthology, Christmas Treasures. 

Since I'm away from my desk, my friend, and co-author, Karen Wingate has agreed to be a guest and share her favorite Christmas tradition.

And when you've finished reading, you are invited to purchase your copy of Christmas Treasures: A Christmas Anthology at our Amazon bookstore. 

Enjoy!

***

Our Family Traditions: Meet Karen Wingate

For one reason or another, whether it’s ministry, the military, global workers, or jobs, many families live far enough away from each other that “home for the holidays” is out of the question. Since my husband is in the ministry and we are called by local churches rather than being assigned by a national board, we’ve spent only a handful of holidays with extended family. 

That means we’ve had to make up our own traditions instead of borrowing or depending on what our families always used to do.  From the first year we were married, we decided we were going come up with our own unique celebrations.  And create new traditions we did!

Now don’t gag, but for years, our tradition was to have Swordfish for Christmas dinner.  We accompanied it with Grand’s biscuits, strawberry walnut Jell-O salad, twice baked potatoes, and green beans amandine.  Dessert was either nibbling on leftover Christmas cookies or, as our two girls grew older, spending Christmas afternoon making a dessert we had never made before.  

Why Swordfish?  It was something different, expensive and quite tasty.  Since we were usually exhausted by that point by all the church Christmas programs, it was a simple meal that for the most part, went together in about half an hour. Swordfish is now beyond what our debit cards can afford so we’re looking for a new Christmas dinner menu.

We never regretted the exhaustion however.  Christmas Eve services have always been a highlight of our Christmas.  The entire family got involved in the program, whether it was preparing candles for the candlelight portion of the service, singing “Mary Did You Know” as part of a quartet, or playing in the bell choir.  My husband, two girls and I would stand at the exit door, greeting each person with “Merry Christmas.”  After the service, we would go eat at a Chinese restaurant (only restaurant open at eight at night on Christmas Eve) and open the many cards church members had pressed into our hands. Our local Chinese restaurant closed last year –so yet again, we’re going to have to find another tradition.

The best tradition of all though, is reading the Christmas story right before breakfast.  The story never grows old. It always has some new meaning we find to discuss over Christmas breakfast, and unlike swordfish or Chinese restaurants, God’s Word is always available.

My story, “The Christmas Gift” that will be in the anthology, Christmas Treasures: A Collection of Short Stories, is based on one Christmas during our ministry in Colorado.  That was one year I really did miss my family!  It was a year when things didn’t go according to plan or tradition but it ended up being one of our best Christmases ever. –  or at least most memorable!



Karen Wingate, has worked beside her minister-husband, Jack, for the last thirty years and has developed and directed children’s and women’s ministries at each church where they have served.  For years, Karen wrote curriculum for Standard Publishing, the Salvation Army, and Rainbow Publishers’ 5 Minute Sunday School Activities series.  Now, Karen focuses her writing efforts on fiction and is waiting to publish her series of historical fiction sent in east-central Ohio where she and Jack had a small ministry.


Thank you for stopping. Remember to order your copy today, at Amazon.com and visit again next Monday, when Ann Evans joins us for a visit.

Weaving words for the heart and soul,
Karlene A. Jacobsen
Freelance Writer
southpawscribbler@gmail.com

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Christmas With Linda Glaz

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

So many exciting things are happening. One of which, I am excited to announce that I get to be part of. Several writers, and I are releasing a Christmas Anthology, especially for you. There's something for everyone in this book. I'll talk more about that later.

FIRST I want to introduce you to a few of my friends, incredible writers, who are part of this project. And because I love to hear about traditions, I've asked each to share their favorite with us. 

Meet Linda Glaz. 


Words from a Christmas-a-holic.
Can you smell the cookies baking? Taste the icy eggnog? Imagine the Baby in the manger?
Yes, I’ll admit it. I’m a Christmas-a-holic. And I have no intention of an intervention. I want to be addicted to the happiest day of the year.
MERRY CHRISTMAS! I’m not afraid to say it!
I love Christmas. From the shopping for the right gift, to the special services at church, the music, the cassette (yes, my car’s 17 years old) of Miracle on 34th Street that I listen to at least two or three dozen times between Halloween and Christmas, the bright paper and ribbons, and most of all: FAMILY!
What have I left out? Books. Wonderful books about Christmas.
One of my favorites that I read numerous times each year is:
A Christmas Gift by Glendon Swartout, originally The Melodeon. If you are nostalgic at all, this book will send you over the top. A young boy is taken in by grandparents during the Depression. Wonderful story of love and growing up!
Christmas Gift, Lucy Agnes Hancock. Written in the 30s, a Harlequin romance about family. Wonderful story of two old folks who simply want their very successful children back home for a Christmas visit.
Yes, I tend to like sappy and cheesy at Christmastime. I’ll admit it. It makes my heart sing. Here’s a new one that I’m proud to be part of:
Christmas Treasures!
An anthology of heartwarming short fiction.
I so enjoyed being part of this amazing work. Short stories, all different, but sharing one thing. They all celebrate Christmas. Look for it soon on Amazon.


Linda S. Glaz


I trust you've enjoyed a glimpse into Linda's favorite things about Christmas. Please come again for more about the Christmas Treasures authors.

Weaving words for the heart and soul,
Karlene A. Jacobsen
Freelance Writer
southpawscribbler@gmail.com

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