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I wrote this story in 2009 and read it to my kids every Christmas Eve. I hope you’ll enjoy it too! Merry Christmas!

copyright 2009 Pepper D. Basham

Powerpoint of the pics

Life is busy.

Believe me, I know this truth all too well.

Between being a mom to 5 awesome kids (one who is applying COLLEGES right now), wife of a music minister, working as a speech-language path, and writing books (3 coming in 2016), I sometimes feel like I’m in a constant tailspin.

The daily ‘bog� of business brings a heaviness to it which can sometimes blur our vision and we overlook the smallest beauties.

The crowded stores and streets also crowd out our excitement to share family time with our loved ones. The pressure to find the perfect gift presses out the sweetness of memory-building.

The ‘bigness� of the expectations minimize the greatest reason for this season.

Great things truly come in small packages. In fact, SUPER-SIZED JOY came in a small package. A baby.

If you need to feel crowded, crowd your mind with the glories of such a love as God’s gift to the world.

If you need to feel pressure, press upon your heart the sweetness of his grace to those who lived in darkness.

If you need great expectations? Well, you can’t get any greater than the joy of knowing the most amazing gift we could ever ask for comes in the shape of grace.

God’s promise fulfilled. The Rescuer is born. Messiah. King. Healer.

Savior.

This is the reason for the season.

The hope of life, real life, through Jesus Christ.

Super-sized Joy.

God-sized Love.

Ìý

God uses the smallest people in my life to make the biggest impact on my heart.

My kids.

There are so many ways I see their understanding and growth at a younger level mirroring my spiritual growthÌý at an older level.

And sometimes, their simple statements wipe the dust of ‘life� off of gospel truths I’ve allowed to become dimmed over time.

For example,Ìýa few months agoÌýI was with my youngest daughter, Phoebe. We needed to pick up two quick items from the grocery section of Wal-Mart â€� time was short and money was tight. As we did a quick tour of the snacks there was a sale rack filled with little girl bathing suits.

Phoebe gasped. Low and behold there was a Little Mermaid bathing suit ON SALE and just her size. She oohed and ahhed over it for a moment and then asked the inevitable question: “Can I have that one, Mommy?�

It was a cute swimsuit. A GREAT price.

We were in a hurry. I had to get to work. She had to get to school. Things at work were tense. Things at home were busy. And the budget was ultra-tight.

I had to say ‘no�.

Her smile faded, but she didn’t say anything until we’d paid for our two items and walked out the door.

As I placed her in her carseat, she looked up at me and said, “Mommy, even if I don’t have that Little Mermaid swimming suit, God has given me a happy heart. Because God gives us happy hearts, doesn’t he?�

I almost melted in a pile of tears on the pavement.

God spoke to me through my daughter and reminded me of a simple, yet profound truth. Joy is a God-given constant � regardless of the circumstances.

Happiness changes based on the circumstances and disappointments. The trials or heartaches.

But joy is from God � and God’s love doesn’t change.

The point is this: Gratitude is wearing God-colored glasses to view our lives.

It doesn’t mean we’ll always be happy with our circumstances, but it does mean that at the heart of who we are there is solid peace and hope beyond our circumstances.

There is a certainty of being loved far greater than our human minds can ever comprehend.

There is knowledge that even though we can’t understand the situation, it had to sift through the fingers of a loving Father before it reached our lives.

I’ll leave you with two fabulous quotes by author Charlotte Bronte, whose life was certainly not what anyone would call ‘happy� or ‘easy�.

She lost her mother at a young age, suffered from poor health her entire life, and watched all of her siblings die at young ages before her. The only Bronte

to marry, sheÌýat the age of 38, along withÌýher unborn child.

Here are two of her quotes:

“Cheerfulness, it would appear, is a matter which depends fully as much on the state of things within, as the state of things without and around us.�

“I try to avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward.�

Words to remember.

With my upcoming release in April with Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, I’ve had the opportunity to get to know some new authors who are sharing the writing journey with me in that house. It’s my pleasure to introduce Linda Glaz and her new release, Fear is Louder than Words.

Check out that cover! Doesn’t the story look so intriguing!! Just wait until you hear about it from Linda.

Thanks for visiting today, Linda.ÌýWould you share with us the basic gist of yourÌýnovel, Fear is Louder than Words?

We have no way of knowing just how difficult life can be for those in celebrity status, be it a talk show host, athlete, or medical pioneer. We only see dollar signs and assume they are happy. But life can be difficult for everyone. Louder explores these themes using creepy characters alongside a romance.


Oooo, creepy characters and romance combined!! Plus a look into the life of a celebrity! It sounds really unique and interesting.Ìý What do you hope readers will come away with after reading your novel?


That there is always hope. That we have to be open to change, and that we have to try let people into our lives.

Ìý
A theme very dear to my heart…hope! So as you developed this story,Ìýwhich character from this bookÌýbecame your particular favorite? Why?


Oh, probably Rochelle. She’s sassy, caustic at times, vulnerable, but tries to always do her best to help other people.


Nice. She sounds like a strong heroine.ÌýAnd speaking of heroines,Ìýas the main character of your own life,Ìýwould you tell us a little about YOU â€� where are you from? hobbies? Best dessert EVER! Top movies of all time…you know, the basics :-)



Oh, boy. I was raised with brothers, so I love all things boy! LOL. I love sports…go Redwings! I reffed soccer for 25 years, taught karate and self-defense off and on for 30 years. Served in the Air Force when it wasn’t a fashionable thing to do in any sense of the word. I love theatre. To watch it, be part of it-sing, sew costumes, wherever I’m needed. I directed Oklahoma at a community theatre 8 years ago, and I still have such awesome memories. Godspell and Les Mis are probably my faves. I absolutely LOVE to redo recipes so that they are grain-free sugar-free masterpieces. Best movie ever? Hmmmm…it has to be a Christmas movie. I am a Christmas-aholic! Seriously! Majorly! Completely! Maybe…A Christmas Carol. The �38 version.


What an eclectic life!! And you’reÌýa ‘classicsâ€� lover I can tell :-)
ÌýSo, what’s on the horizon for you?


I have 5 other suspense novels that I’m editing, but also starting a new suspense around the topic of bullying. We’ll see how that evolves. Mostly, right now, I’m busy getting my clients� works out there in a market that’s really tough for new authors, but quit is NOT in my vocabulary.

Ìý

Good for you!! Fortitude and perseverance are definitely dietary staples in the life of a writer :-) Thanks so much for sharing about your book here today! To find out more, you can check out Linda’s book, Fear is Louder Than Words on Amazon or LPC.

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About Linda Glaz:

Linda is a wife, mother, and grandmother who draws most of her stories from life experiences and lifelong fears. Nothing like fear to weasel out a great suspense idea. Many of her story ideas come from her eclectic background. Linda is also a literary agent, so she stays on top of what the industry is looking for. Join her as she runs her characters through dark alleys, hospital morgues, and maybe a funhouse or two when she brings you heart-pounding Suspense Sealed With a Kiss.

Ìý

Oh boy! Oh boy! I have two audible copies to give away of my debut novel, The Thorn Bearer!! And guys, the narrator for the book is ENGLISH! Her accent and voice are so nice as you are swept away aboard the ill-fate Lusitania to the Derbyshire, England countryside.

You can hear Rachael’s lovely voice in this sample:

For your chance to winÌýa copy of this audio version to add to your collection, you can doÌýthese things for a chance to be in the drawing.

Leave a comment to this blog post with your email address. This will get your name in once. Easy peasy!
(to have your name added again!!)
AND if you’ve already read The Thorn Bearer and just want this amazing audio version to add to your collection â€� I’ll place your name into the drawing for each review you’ve added for Amazon, B&N, and/or Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. Leave that info in the comments too!! I’ll check out your review and then add your names to the drawing! Soâ€�. you could possibly have your name added five times!

Soooo…� leave your comments, reviews, and likes for your chance to win! The contest will be live until Wednesday, November 18th, 10pm.

Thanks so much for being a part of this journey.

Yesterday was National Author Day, and I’m honored to get to celebrate an author’s release this week who has been such an encouragement to me. For over five years, I’ve been blessed with Julie Lessman’s stories and her friendship, and now I’m excited to celebrate her newest (and first contemporary) novel, Isle of Hope.

Julie never fails to include three key components into her novels.

Romantic Tension
A compelling story
Faith

(Plus lots of kisses, but I figured that goes along with the ‘romantic tension� thing) J

And don’t forget Julie loves to throw in that secondary romance of her older characters � which, to me, was an even more compelling and authentic romance in Isle of Hope than the younger characters� romance, and making her themes of ‘forgiveness� and ‘hope� even more beautiful.

This story, at its naked core, is about forgiveness. A cast of broken people come together on the pages to find the ultimate healing through forgiveness, in its various forms. Lacey embodies the story’s heart as a woman whose past is littered with mistakes that have injured all the people she loves, especially the man she was supposed to marry eight years before. Her purpose in returning home after all those years of simmering bitterness is to seek forgiveness. Isle of Hope is an appropriate place for her to embark on this journey of reconciliation, healing, and, of course, hope. That’s what almost every character in the story is looking for. From the ‘hope� of a second romance even as one grows older, to the hope of forgiveness for breaking a fiancé’s heart, to the craving of healing between a father and a daughter, Julie Lessman’s novel provides the answer of ‘hope� in each character in her novel.

Now, if you are an avid reader of Julie’s books, you’ll discover a few differences about this one. The faith thread is much more overt in Isle of Hope than in any of her other novels, which provides opportunity for her to share a deeper understanding of the reconciliation and healing of the Gospel.

Another slight difference is the pacing of this book. Because of the storyline taking a longer focus on faith, the pacing may not feel as fast as in her previous books, which may suit wounded readers well as Lessman continually reminds them in each fictional relationship of God’s outpouring of grace as a balm to cure to most broken souls.

And though the kisses seemed more tender than spicy, (and there were still some spicy ones) the overall focus of the book was more about piecing together lives with hope and forgiveness than being swept away in a lover’s embrace (unless the ‘lover� was the Lover of our souls).

This novel was a beautiful story and one that will remind you of how much you are loved by a Mender of broken things. Definitely a worthwhile read from Julie Lessman.

What people are saying:

“Emotionally captivating and spiritually challenging� � Denise Hunter.

“Lush details, dynamic characters, and a storyline that keeps you turning the pages� � Beth Vogt

“A delight!� � Becky Wade
Ìý

Hey guys! I’ve listed the four winners of the Cover Reveal Party for The Thorn Bearer on my Facebook Author Page! Check it out at

And thanks so much for celebrating with me!!

Inspiration for Catherine Dougall

Today is the day!!

Time to see the cover for book 2 in the Penned in Time series, The Thorn Keeper.

The trick to this ‘game� is�.

I’ve listed 8 blogs participating in the party. You can leave a comment on one or all blogs to get your name in the basket for a digital advanced review copy of The Thorn Keeper (releasing in February 2016).

Here’s a little about the book:

Inspiration for David RossÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Ìý©2012 Carnival

With her past in shambles, how can she fashion a future of hope?

Catherine Dougall’s past of manipulation has left her future in threads. With a new faith, she longs to take the remnants of her life and make something beautiful, but shame, societies� judgments, and the natural consequences of an unplanned pregnancy test her newfound hope. Dr. David Ross doesn’t help either. His kindness, sacrifice, and tenderness tempt her to impossible dreams. A fallen woman doesn’t merit a fairytale.

David Ross has made every effort to keep his life above reproach. His passion for the sick pump fresh purpose through his choices, but without financial support to maintain his war hospital, all is lost. When his notorious aunt offers an easy solution, David is tempted to give in to her demands, but his growing affection for the reformed flirt, Catherine Dougall, unwinds the careful wall around his heart and offers an unexpected choice.

When the worst of war tears them apart, can love renew the memory of what was lost or will tragedy steal away their hope forever.

From the beautiful Derbyshire countryside to the trenches of World War One, Catherine and David must learn to trust in a God who designs a masterpiece out of brokenness and fashions hope in the most unlikely places.

So, visit one…or ALL…of these blogs to SEE the new cover and to enter for your chance to win. Just leave a comment about something you like about the cover. Make a guess about the story. Tell us what you enjoy most about a heroine or a hero! What is one of your favorite ‘stories� from the World War 1 era?

JoinÌýthe fun!

Angie �

Rachael �

Robin �

Dawn �

Carrie �

Faith �

Renee �

Stacey �

Marisa �

This week my sweet little 8-year old daughter’s world changed�.

so to speak.

She got glasses.

Her eyesight was pretty bad too. 20/200 in both eyes, which made me feel like a crummy mom for not noticing before now, but the ophthalmologist told me I was not allowed to harbor ‘mommy guilt� because I have a very easygoing daughter who adjusted to her vision without a hitch. So she didn’t ‘show� the symptoms as quickly and changed her environment to meet the needs of her vision on her own.

But, boy, her world took a big turn on Monday when she put those glasses on for the first time. Her cute little mouth dropped open and she said, “Wow. I can see leaves and little grasses (blades of grass).� The entire ride to school, after collecting her glasses, she stared out the window, awestruck, occasionally commenting on the ‘clearness� of what she saw.

Even now, days afterward, her morning prayer each day has been “Thank you for my glasses.�

There’s such a gratitude there. Of course, she didn’t� even know how bad her eyesight was until she got her glasses, but once she realized what she was missing, her little heart overflowed with thanksgiving.

You know where I’m going here, don’t you?

The Bible uses ‘blindness� to refer not only to a physical inability to see clearly, but also spiritual ‘blurred� vision. We are born with distorted views of ourselves, others, and the world around us.

In a much more convoluted way than my daughter’s eyesight, we see through a ‘dark� lens of self-focused, Me-centeredness. Our vision is veiled…until God opens our eyes to His truth.

Lots of times we don’t even know we have blurry vision until His grace become apparent to us. Once we truly ‘see� His love and our brokenness, an amazing thing happens. We become awestruck with the wonder of ‘new vision�. Seeing the world through grace-eyes keeps us in a state of love-marveling!

For the first time…we truly see.

Which should not only fuel our desire to do what’s right, but also encourage us to bring that same grace-wonder into the lives of others around us�.with gratitude.

I need to remember this too.

What is your purpose? Mine?

If we’re Christians, we are called to glorify God and enjoy Him forever!