GUEST AUTHOR!!! Precarious Yates!!! GUEST AUTHOR!!!

The Heart of the Caveat Whale is a story about an orphan named Shunda, a warrior named Qoshonni and a prince named Mookori. In the first book, The Captives, Shunda meets Mookori and befriends while he looks for other aquavians, those who can live in water and on land. He learns that aquavians, human-like beings that love peace, laughter and growing things, have been corrupted to fight for the MerKing.

In Book 2, Pyromarne, Shunda leaves his friend Mookori to find allies to help them fight the MerKing. But the MerKing has a secret weapon no one anticipates.

These books are filled with poetry and songs around the stories. Here is one of the songs below:

A song from Pyromarne, book 2 of

The Heart of the Caveat Whale

I saw a goat float on a boat on the river one fine spring morn.

I gave a sigh and plied for why a goat should look so forlorn.

He said his date ate late: at eight, and he could not wait around;

He had to eat a treat of wheat he found on her family's ground.

The sire grew dire, his eyes afire, his sweet wheat stolen, and how!

He chased the goat to the boat to float on the river and made him vow:

To address this mess with finesse, no less, and promise to bring some seed

To sow a row he'd never mow with teeth so given to greed.

This goat, smitten and so love bitten, did no less than what he was told,

And expressed remorse, or forced his course, by bringing his love marigold.

Pyromarne is FREE for the Kindle Tuesday 11/13/12 through Thursday 11/15/12

Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009H68R44

The Captives is FREE for the Kindle Wednesday 11/14/12 through Thursday 11/15/12

Link: http://www.amazon.com/Captives-Heart-Caveat-Whale-ebook/dp/B008GNOSGU

Author Precarious Yates lives 500 miles from the closest beach but hopes that will change. When she’s not dreaming about tropical paradises, she teaches homeschool, plays tag, cares for her chickens, and works to raise awareness about modern slavery.

To God Be the Glory!

Nov. 6, 2012 millions of Americans went to the polls and re-elected President Obama for a 2nd term in office. A lot of us were dismayed late last night when the truth was revealed. People were ready to move in another direction and hopefully a direction that will lead toward prosperity. Yet, enough Americans thought that continuing the follow the leader and going forward in his direction was the right move for America.

Whether you agree with President Obama, or you are busy preparing for doomsday, God is still on His throne. As a mom I hope that my daughter learns that presidents come and go, but Jesus is King and He rules forever. Jesus knew what was going to happen last night, Jesus knows what is going to happen during this upcoming presidential term.

To God be the glory! God created us to love and serve Him, God gave us the free will to choose anything. Last night we Americans chose President Obama (and a majority of Democrats to fill Senate seats). We can also choose how we will react to this news. We can choose to praise God through this, or we can choose to be depressed and worried. We can choose to give God the glory that He deserves.

Whether you are pro-Obama or pro-Someone Else, let us use the current events to spur us on to spread the love of Jesus. Obama has 4 more years, but Jesus has forever. Obama has limited power, but Jesus' power is limitless. Obama surrounds himself with imperfect (human) advisers and makes human choices, Jesus has perfect knowledge and rules the world accordingly. May we see today (whether we consider it a victory or a concession) as a chance to get out and do the Lord's work and bring Him glory!

Let today be a day where you tell your children, "I used today to serve my King. I used today to share His love with others. I used today to focus on Him and heal what needed healing in my life. I used today to say To GOD BE THE GLORY!"

-JLP- 

God and Fog

This morning I woke up to a very foggy day. The fog was thick that it hid the cornfield right behind our house. I love fog. It is beautiful and mysterious. The familiar becomes the unknown. Time seems to slow down during a foggy day. Fog is one of God's more unique and expressive ideas.

Fog is also like God and like Christianity. We read the Bible, we pray, we go to church and learn about God. We become familiar with Him. Then we have a day or an experience and all of a sudden God seems hidden, just like the cornfield was this morning. We know that God is there that He hasn't moved, yet we can't see or feel Him as easily. Our knowledge tells us God is still there, but our experience says "I can't see him, I'm lost."

It is very easy to get lost and turned around during a thick fog experience. You can walk in circles and not even know it. I know that in my life I've done this a few times with God. I know where He, and I know who He is, but my experiences have me going in circles and getting nowhere.

What is the answer? Today I just had to wait for the fog to "burn off" and slowly the cornfield was revealed. When it comes to Christ I have to do the same thing. I keep reading and praying and slowly the veil of knowledge and feeling is lifted and once more I am headed in the right direction. It is about faith and trust and knowing that even in the fog God is still there and still watching out for me and that if I am patient I will once more see Him.

-JLP-

Daughter- You are Loved

As a teenager I remember praying that someday God would give me a husband to love and who loves me back. I also prayed for children to call my own. I prayed to be able to go to college to earn a degree to help support the family that I yearned for.

On a momentous day in early May I earned by high school diploma and that Fall I was headed for college, God's plan for my life and His answers to my childhood prayers were beginning to be answered. Less than 1 year later it looked it was all going to end. Gigantic evil came into my life, but so did the hope of new life, in the form of a little baby growing inside me- that is your angel sibling.

1 year after I graduated from high school, my angel baby conceived in evil, but loved unconditionally, was whisked away to Heaven, to bypass this life. When angel baby died I tried to as well, but God was not finished with me yet, I still had a full life to live, and His will to accomplish.

4 years after I graduated from high school I graduated from college, yearning even more for a husband and a family of my own, for people to nurture and love unconditionally. God said "wait my child"

So I waited. I waited and I worked. I put my degree to use, and every night I prayed "Dear Lord I'm ready, please send me a husband and send us children to love, to fill our home with laughter and joy." And still God said "Not yet" It wasn't time yet, Mommy and Daddy were not ready for you.

As I grew and started to learn about patience and God's timing, all the way across the country God was working in the life of a country boy--- wild, following his own rules, but still under the control of the Father. This boy needed to grow up. So, even though I didn't know who I was waiting for, I waited. Yes, I thought I found him once or twice, but God kept saying "Not him, wait, I'll show you the one for you. Wait my daughter."

So, I waited and I prayed, and my arms yearned to hold MY child. I loved my nephew, the kids at church, special friends, but still while my arms were full, my family was not complete.

Then, one day God began to nudge me "Get up and move, the plan I have for you is not here, it is there, in the land of your ancestors." So, with much excitement, fear and anticipation I packed up, moved and started graduate school 2000 miles from Wyoming, in Virginia.

I met a plethora of godly men but still God kept saying "Not him, not him, and not even him. The man I have for you is not here." I was lonely and yearning like never before for my family to begin. I felt like I was in a holding pattern, I was ready to be a wife, to love, serve, and cherish someone, to find that best friend, that boon companion to spend my life with, to grow in grace with, to have a family with. But where was he?

Finally, God said "Here try this, he is there. Trust me, I'll show you who." And that is when I met my husband. The graduate student from Wyoming and the work hard with his hands country boy from Virginia. Not the most likely pairing, but a God pairing. The girl that in many ways felt older than her years, and the boy that took his time growing up, but it didn't take long to know that this was God's match.

An early December day, with snow just beginning to fall marked our wedding day. My dream, my prayers were answered! At the perfect age of 27 I was the bride walking down the aisle, saying my vows, kissing my husband! I was the new wife cutting my cake and escaping off on my honeymoon!

Being married was an answer to prayer, it has been wonderful. I have found my boon companion, my lover, my best friend, someone that I can be totally me with, someone that has my back and that no matter what, loves me.

It wasn't too many months later when much to our surprise the next stage in our family came to be. I was pregnant!!!  It happened quickly, but the blessing was enormous. A husband and now a child. The next months seemed to drag on, so ready was I to hold my child in my arms. We quietly celebrated our first anniversary, our 2nd  Christmas together, and then we went to the hospital.

And, the day I had prayed for for most of my life was finally here, I was holding my daughter (YOU) in my arms and sitting next to my husband! I had my family. I remember holding you and thinking "Lord thank you. It took awhile but look--- You answer prayers. I trusted you, I waited on your timing and now I have this precious daughter as proof that your timing is best."

So my little snowflake, never doubt that you are loved. Never doubt that you are wanted. Not only do Mommy and Daddy love you unconditionally but God has been planning for your birth and your life for so long. He loves you even more than we do. He is already working on what He has in mind for your life. So, wait for Him, trust Him and while you wait your Mommy and Daddy will be beside you, guiding you, loving you and supporting you as you grow into God's woman. You are loved so very much. 

God's Camera

Why I battled the storm

Friday night was a harrowing night for me. The evening started out so innocently. It was the last night of VBS at church and it was a BLAST! We had a big water-slide set up for the kids. It was a wet and wild evening, full of laughter and smiles.

Then, with hardly a whisper of warning a derecho storm attacked the area. I saw that clouds darkening and felt the wind, so I ran to my car to head home and weather the storm with my family.  We live about 25 miles from our church and those 25 miles felt more like 100! No sooner had I entered the interstate and the full fury of mother nature was lashing out. My car was surrounded by lightning, thunder shook the area, and the wind did her best to blow my car off the road.

I turned on my worship album and just prayed over and over again, "Lord please get home to my family. I just want to be with my family, please." It was a plea of fear from a child to her daddy to protect her. As I prayed, drove and the weather attacked I knew in the midst of even this the Lord was with me. His eye was on me, His hand was covering my car.

Somehow amidst the fallen trees and other debris I was able to navigate my way home. As soon as I pulled into our driveway I said, "Thank you Lord. I'm here." I got out of the car and rushed inside to hug my husband and cuddle my daughter. I have never felt so thankful for those two faces! It felt so good to be with my family. The storm raged on outside downing power lines and leaving us in the dark, but it didn't matter-- God had delivered me home.

We ended up being without power from Friday night till lunch time on Tuesday. While it was a headache it was survivable. I had my family and we were all safe. Then, today I received an e-mail from my aunt and it contained a little story that I just love.

"One day a little girl was walking home and a thunderstorm came up, so her mom jumped into the family car to pick her daughter up. When the mom came upon her daughter she noticed that each time a bolt of lightning would flash her little girl would pause and look up at the sky. When the child was in the car the mom asked her about this. "Well mom, God was busy taking my picture so I wanted Him to see me smiling."

What a great picture of lightning--God's camera flash! Friday as I was driving home through the raging storm, God was taking my picture!

-JLP-

How do you picture storms? Do you see them as something to fear like I did, or as an opportunity to smile at Jesus as the little girl did?

Like a Child

As a mom it is my job to protect, guide, discipline and lead my daughter. God has entrusted Punky jr. to our care, we are her teachers, her parents. Yet, everyday she teaches me so much. By watching Punky jr. grow up and go about her days I am learning why Jesus told us that we needed to have the faith of a child.

My child instinctively trusts that mom and dad will keep her safe. She trusts that we will feed her, clothe her, entertain her and love her. Part of this is because so far we always have. When she is in pain we try to help her feel better. When she is hungry we feed her. When she is frightened we pick her and comfort her till she is happy again (or asleep). Because we have proven to be able to take care of her, she trusts us.

That is how God is. He is our loving Father. As Father he has fed us, clothed us, provided us shelter, he guides us, disciplines us and leads us (it is our choice to follow or not). He has never let us down, so just like my daughter instinctively trusts us, I need to trust God with that same faith.

One other lesson that Punky jr. has taught me is that it is ok to cry. Each tear we cry is a prayer that goes straight to God's heart. Just as Punky jr's tears go straight to mine. It is a sign that we need comfort. We live in a fallen, unfair, horrible world. What was once perfect is polluted by sin and sorrow. God knows this, even Jesus wept (not just cried but wept) in sorrow. It is OK to cry. Crying is a release, it is honest. Crying won't last forever, eventually those tears turn into smiles as we trust in God's comfort. Just as Punky jr cries for awhile and then Mom and Dad can fix it and she doesn't cry anymore. God is there wanting to fix our tears.

Our God is many many things, and it is important to recognize that. One of His traits that He emphasizes in the Bible is that He is our Father. He loves us, just as we love our children. He wants our honesty our sincerity, just as we value the sincere expressions of our babies. Faith like a child is the most mature, honest faith there is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4MbnlSMDoE 

-I just love Mandisa, her lyrics are amazing and speak to me. This song Just Cry tries in well with today's post. Enjoy-

-JLP-

My husband is sleeping in the bedroom. Punky is in her crib and she snores these cute little snores, the dog is curled up on her bed, and the cat is in the living with me.  Outside the sun has just come up and a few birds are tweeting "Good morning" to each other. It is very peaceful at the moment.

It is one of those idyllic, country, Spring mornings when all seems right and it is easy to say "Thank you Lord, for everything." God gives us these moments because He knows that we need them. He knows that life can be exhausting and hard and sometimes we just need a break from it all. Time to rest up for the next challenge.

So, when you have a special, quiet moment. Enjoy it. Drink it in and recuperate so that when God calls you to go out and do, or when you are in the midst of a storm, you can say "I'll get through this."

-JLP-

Smiles and Giggles

There is nothing more relaxing, more fun than watching miss Piglet as she smiles and giggles. She is generous with her affection and will smile at just about anything! It makes my days go by so quickly. It is fun to watch her growing up. I know it has only been 3 months, but already I can tell she is growing.

Not only is she bigger, but her development is right on track too! She generally enjoys tummy time and is getting stronger, able to hold her head up for longer periods and move around a bit. She can grasp things and shake them, though she doesn't grasp things too often. It is fun as I watch her begin to realize what her hands can do. Everything in her world is new and exciting. She wants to know, explore and do.

That is how life should be. God loves to watch us grow. He loves seeing us explore His word. When we grasp a new concept, God smiles. When we throw away an old sin, God is overjoyed. When we pause to take in the beauty and the newness of each day, God is thrilled. Our smiles and giggles can light up Heaven.

As we begin to realize just how effective we can be for the kingdom, why the party is on in Heaven! Just as parents celebrate the growth of their children, God celebrates our growth. Are we giving Him reason to celebrate, or are we leaving Him waiting???

-JLP-

My Cup Runneth Over

"Jehovah is my shepherd I shall not want... My cup runneth over. Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah forever." (Psalm 23 ASV)

Spring is here, I don't know how long she shall stay for this visit, but today she is here.  As I type this it is 78* and sunny.  I have windows open, short sleeves on and my daughter is in a cute dress.  I have a comfortable home, I get to stay here and raise our daughter, and I know Who to thank for this gorgeous day.  My cup really does run over.

I love Psalm 23. If people know nothing about the Bible, they will have heard this psalm.  I love it because in these few short verses David sums up life.  God is our provider.  If we trust Him we will not be in need.  He will take care of those needs.  God is also our protector.  He will not keep us from the valley, but He will get us through the valley, and awaiting us is some R&R (rest in a peaceful place and a harvest).  He does all this because of His mercy and love.  Not because of anything we have done, but all because that is who He is.

Today I am thankful for God, for His provision, His protection, His mercy, His love and for days like today that even though I am busy doing the work of a wife and mother, it is a restful day because God has given me a peaceful place to live and a gorgeous day.

-JLP-