Author: deborahanndykeman

Writing has always been a love of mine. Except for school reports! I didn't cherish those moments. I began with poems in grade school, and short little stories that I illustrated. I created something for each family celebration and probably wore my family out. But I graduated to a longer 'book' by the time I was 18. Following traditional romance novel writing, I pounded out a pretty cheesy story on a Royal typewriter I had found at a garage sale. You didn't worry about your nails when using one of those! When four of our five children were still young, I wrote my first full-length book back in 1998. I followed it with three more in that series. Those are my current WIP, needing many updates and editing. I'm happy to say as of this writing, the third in the Love Defined series is almost ready to be released! Currently, I have eleven published books. My husband and I have been married for forty-one years, and we have five children and nine grandchildren. I've been a homeschooling mom, Sunday school teacher, AWANA director and a pastor's wife. I've worked as a CNA and an Activity Director. A new love of mine is book cover designing! Stayed tuned for more on that. When I'm not busy writing...which I love, BTW, I'm working on home projects, marketing and attending events, where I love to meet you...my readers!
Our Christian Walk

“I Know the Plans I Have”

deborahanndykeman

Anyone over the age of about thirteen can look back on this year and say, “Wow!”

It didn’t really matter if you were Republican or Democrat, rich or poor, owned a home or rented, had children or not, etc. I think we can all agree that it was a rough ride in many ways.

Every year I see something in the news about the people we lost over the past year. This year has been especially shocking to me. I don’t know if I’m just getting older, so I’m aware of more people, and have followed them over their careers. Maybe it’s more of a surprise because so many have been young…around my age. And yes, that’s young to me. To only reach your fifties or not even…half your life in the way I look at it.

And of course I always wonder what their belief system was. For me, to think that a person did not know Christ as their Savior before their death is scary and sad.

So many celebrities had it all while they lived their lives on this earth. So very many had tumultuous lives. It seems to me that they were searching for that perfect combination, that balm to the soul and all the money and fans could not appease that hunger.

That is not to say that if you accept Christ as your Savior your life is monetarily successful. That you have all that this world deems important and affluent. And I have had people say, “Then why bother? I’m fine on my own.”

But are we?

I like to have a plan, a goal, and know what’s ahead to some extent. No, you can’t know everything and life is full of surprises. Some wonderful and rocking our world, others not so much. At times those unexpected little things are just down right depressing and pretty formidable. But for me, wondering about where I would go after I’m no longer here on this earth would be unacceptable. I want to know and be sure. And I think most people do.

Because God created us that way. He created us to need other people for encouragement, support, accountability and love. He gave us a desire to have others in our lives. He designed us with emotions, feelings, taste and a decision-making process…for a reason. It was planned.

And for me, a plan is pretty fantastic. I want to know what’s ahead, and what I’m expected to do. And you can.

I look back on 2016 and think, “Wow!” But I look back on my entire last 52 years on this earth and can say the same. It’s been a pretty exciting ride, most of the time. Looking to the future of 2017 is a bit scary. There are many unanswered questions. And I don’t like that. But faith is where it’s at. I know God has a plan, and I’m part of that plan, and He’s the ultimate planner.

Jeremiah 29:11 King James Version (KJV)

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jeremiah 29:11 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

11 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Tomorrow is the last day of the year 2016. The year has flown by, many changes have occurred over the past twelve months. We know, take by faith, that the sun will set tonight and rise again in the morning. Time is short, for all of us. None of us know how long we will be here. Make the most of the time you have, make the best decision of your life. Accepting Christ as your Savior, is a plan you can be sure of. And it sure beats having no clue! hourglass-1703330_1920

Start the New Year with a clean slate. Decide to live your life differently. Each day we are given affords that opportunity. If you are saved, make 2017 the year you put your Christian walk first in your life. That will be my goal.

John 3:16 King James Version (KJV)

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

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Parenting 101

“Natural” Childbirth: Anniversary Edition 

deborahanndykeman

Granddaughter number four was due on the 23rd of December…and she has not arrived! I know I should be patient. I know I shouldn’t be anxious. But when your children go through something difficult, it’s a lot different than when you go through it. 

I have shared a couple other times from this blog. She is fun to read, she is married, she is a mother of multiple children, she’s a Believer and most importantly…she’s funny. So, in light of our daughter being a bit overdue with our granddaughter, I just wanted to share this. Having babies today is very different than when I had mine almost thirty years ago for the first time. And yes, I attended ‘prepared childbirth’ classes. I didn’t have a clue when I went into labor for the first time and it took me three days to deliver our firstborn, just a couple days before Christmas. So this gave me a chuckle and I had to share. Now, back to being patient! 😉

I am old. This is what the new batch of our babies have to look forward to. They have an old mom. And she’s way behind the times. They will to go school with kids that were birthed into swimming po…

Source: “Natural” Childbirth: Anniversary Edition 

Parenting 101

New Kitten On the Block

deborahanndykeman

Babies of all kinds are special in my opinion. Kittens are adorable, and very difficult to turn your back on. This is why we are currently foster parents to a kitten. Is our elderly cat excited about this? Not really. Cassie has seemed to forget her days as the baby on the block.

About a week ago, our fourth child heard the plaintiff cries of a kitten outside the apartment she and her husband live in. Of course it was one of the days it was very cold outside. Our second child agreed to take the little orphan to the shelter. No animals allowed at the apartment.

Well, as you know, kittens are adorable. Second child decided to bring the baby home but after some discussion, the cute little guy ended up here. He is not to make this his home forever, more of a stopping place until the second or fourth child has the ability to shelter a cat.

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He comes with a hip set of dishes and this cool kitten carrier. The currently youngest grandchild really loves the little guy! 15368983_10154833407218804_1284910142_o

After much discussion, the name of Pip was decided upon. It compliments him very well. He has a wonderful personality and he’s done a fantastic job of cleaning out all the little areas around the house that I can’t reach. He also loves to sit on my shoulder while I’m trying to write. My lap doesn’t seem to be as comfortable, and if you’re under the desk, you can’t watch the cursor jump around! So now, for serious writing, (which I really need to get back to), the office door is closed, with Pip mewling from the other side.

There’s been a few failed attempts to locate the litter box, but now that Pip can jump off our youngest’s high bed, that doesn’t seem to be happening. Huge sigh there! So, Pip is a great new, temporary addition to our family. Unless you talk with our older cat, Cassie!

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Yes, I have featured her before. She has seemed to forgotten that at one time, she was the new baby coming into our home. She also arrived around Christmas time, at just about the same age. And now it’s been 10 years! She earned the respect and finally the love of our cat, Daisy at the time. Daisy wasn’t around for very long after Cassie arrived, maybe a year or so. Daisy was also a stray, found outside our house one cold evening when we returned home from AWANA. Kittens are cute, they are hard to ignore and now you know the scenario!

Cats are much like people. They have to establish the boss and their territory. And Cassie is putting Pip through  his paces right now, just as Daisy did to Cassie all those years ago. Daisy and Cassie became great friends, almost inseparable. When one was sleeping, the other was there. When Daisy had to leave, Cassie was devastated and lonely. She cried for days. And I don’t think she has ever adjusted to being alone.

The dance has begun. The games that we all play in this life. It amazes me each time I watch the elder and the younger, and the resemblance to my five children and their interactions at times.  This is my space, my food, my family! I’ll tease and I’ll play, but you’ll have to beg me first. If you walk past, be aware because I will swat you and make you earn the right to be here…every, single, time.

Cassie and Pip now touch noses, and just yesterday they were eating side by side. Soon, I expect to see them cuddled together, purring with  contentment. And now, maybe Cassie can spend her later years with a friend that understands what it means to be a…cat.

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Just some other cute kitties for your enjoyment!

 

Just For Fun!

Someday

deborahanndykeman

A couple of weeks ago, our second oldest shared this song with me. I not only really love the song, but as our daughter pointed out, it is Orin and Annabella’s story…and that part was really neat. If you haven’t read, A Place of Refuge yet, this is a spoiler alert! But give it a listen anyway because it’s a fun song. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR4YE7htLgI

Thank you Michael Buble and Meghan Trainor for a great song!

Just For Fun!

For Women Only!

deborahanndykeman

That got your attention, didn’t it?! I’ll have more men readers today than ever before! 😉 This post may get a couple people in my family upset. My husband because he thinks I have too many shoes, my daughters because they think I should give them away…to them, of course!

Shoes!!! I love them. Pretty strange for someone that prefers going barefoot, and once did most of the time. Not so much anymore, need a bit more padding in the foot area these days. But just think of the shoe options! Pumps, platforms, flats, chunky heels, spikes or kitten heels. Beaded, sequined, ruched, leather or satin. And the lists just go on and on.

Each time we have moved, my husband has commented on the amount of shoes I have, the boxes I needed for them. To be fair, I don’t really have as many as I have seen some women. I don’t have a huge walk-in closet lined with shelves of shoes. I keep mine in their original boxes, stacked in neat rows on the bottom of my closet.

Which is why I’m posting this today. Every year, usually the first of April and the first of October, I get ready for the new season. I have posted on the cleaning aspect of this a couple of times on here, so you can go check that out if you’re interested. But I also rotate my shoes. My closet is small…sigh…and I move those stacks every six months. And yes, I’m a bit late this year. But the flip-flops just don’t work in December…really people. Unless you live in the tropics. So put them away until warmer days arrive!

When I had all those boxes pulled out, I took some pictures to share. And now you can see that I really don’t have that many. Of course these pictures show only a few of my shoes. I thought I should add that disclaimer.

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You always need a dressy shoe for that special occasion. The black ones don’t show well in this picture, but they’ve had a lot of use. The silver ones are really comfy!

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I love the turquoise flats and they are SO comfortable. The pump in the back has a lovely tweed look to it and I haven’t even worn the other platform sandal yet. That is one that could show up missing if my daughters have their say.

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Again, more shoes that I haven’t worn yet! The navy blue and white pump is really pretty and great for summer. The slingback goes perfectly with a dress I have. The red, cute, cute shoe in the back was bought for my daughter and I have a blue pair that I have worn a lot. Again, a dress that goes perfectly with them!

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And of course, boots!!! I adore boots and I wear them a lot in the winter. The burgundy pair in the background was a really nice surprise today. I had purchased them in the summer and I had completely forgot about them! Happy Birthday to me! The black ones in the front go over my knees and they are really comfortable and warm. Purchased for my daughter, but she gave them to me after a season.

Do I have a problem? Should I seek shoe therapy? I think not. Every pair of shoes I have are purchased at extreme sale prices, almost always under $20. I wear my shoes for years, wash them after each use and pack them in their little box. I don’t spend my life shopping for shoes and I don’t keep them on display. But I do enjoy what I have! Now I just need to wear them more!shoes-619529_1920

This is a little bonus for you. Aren’t they adorable? Yes, we start women to thinking about shoes very early on in their lives.These cute, cute little shoes made me think of our newest grand-daughter, due to arrive on December 23rd. And no, the white pumps at the very top are not mine, but they are gorgeous! I wonder if they come in my size? 😉

Just For Fun!

A Concert for One

deborahanndykeman

Sometimes you just have to share. This video was taken a couple of months ago now. It has taken me this long to find a way to put it on here! Can you get anymore cute?! Oh, our son did a pretty good job with the guitar and singing too! 😉

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eowI9QWsT-g&feature=youtu.be

Writing

Cover War

deborahanndykeman

I know, I know, people are going to become sick of hearing this, but I really want to win this little war! The cover for the first book in the Rubyville series, A Place to Call Home is in a cover war at this site: http://authorshout.com/cover-wars/. You can vote on a cover once every 24 hours, and they are very strict about this. They won’t take your vote until it’s been the 24 hours. The cover war for this set of 15 covers will end on Saturday, the 19th. So, please vote for Rubyville…even if you think another cover is better! 😉 I personally think mine is the best one, but I’m a little bias on this one.

So please vote every day through the 20th and help Rubyville – A Place to Call Home to win!!! And of course, if it looks interesting, give it a read and let me know what you think. It’s available on kindle and paperback through https://www.amazon.com/Rubyville-Place-Call-Home-Book/dp/1518744672/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479222875&sr=1-1&keywords=deborah+ann+dykeman

Thank you for your vote!

Just For Fun!

The Christmas Village 🎅🏻🎄🎁☃️

deborahanndykeman

Okay…Halloween is over. So I can tolerate seeing Christmas advertising. I wanted to share this post because it just put me in the frame of mind to start thinking about Christmas. It just looked happy…and we need a bit of happy right now. Enjoy!

A Day to Remember

America

deborahanndykeman

Yes, I voted on November 8, 2016. Who I voted for is not the purpose or topic of this post. I am always disgusted by bad behavior, no matter where it comes from, or who does it. It’s not about your gender, color, background or education. It’s all about your actions in this life.

I am a Christian, and I believe in the Sovereignty of God. And as a Believer I abide by the laws of the land and respect my leaders, no matter who they are. I may disagree, be angry, want to fight, but I can still show respect. Christians are in the world, but not of it. That means you take part in what is going on…vote, pay your taxes, abide by the laws, and train your children to do the same. Yes, there are isolated situations where you may need to take a stand for your beliefs, but you can do it with respect and love toward others, shining as a light in this world.

As a citizen of the United States of America, it is my responsibility to uphold the laws of this land. This country was founded on a great value system, which included God. No, all the founders didn’t live an ideal life, no they weren’t perfect and yes they made mistakes…but we all do. I sincerely believe they were in prayer about establishing this country and they did the very best they were led to do. Now it is our responsibility to do the same.

Elections in the United States of America are not about and shouldn’t be about the candidates color, gender or most of the ‘stuff’ mainstream media has made it . It should be about the very best man/woman for the job. The person that can lead our country and uphold the values we were founded on. It has become almost a popularity contest like we all would have seen in high school.

America was great, is great and I pray it remains so. We are a country like no other. We do have equality in gender, color and background, and if you disagree, check out the news in other places. And we are still striving to be better in all those areas. People in America are standing in the streets protesting the new president-elect. Other places that I can think of, this would not be tolerated. Generally, here in America, we have the right to live our lives as we choose. That is not so in many, many places here on this earth.

United We Stand, Divided We Fall. It’s simple. I do understand disappointment, fear, anger and hostility. But our actions are what makes the difference. I can disagree with someone’s religious views, abortion, homosexuality, being a vegan and whether they don flip-flops in the winter. But once it leaves my thinking process and enters my actions in a negative way, it’s wrong. Having respect for another person in any decision they make, from whether they voted for Trump or Clinton, to how many body piercings they have is what it’s about. God looks on the heart/soul. Man looks on the outward appearance.

Let’s stand united! Let’s look toward the next four years and what we can do as a nation. Let us respect and love one another, building up and not tearing down.

A Day to Remember

Have Fun…Shop Local

deborahanndykeman

I had the pleasure of attending another event in our little town on Saturday night. It’s called Candlelight Charm and it’s held every year on the first Saturday in November. The purpose is to get everyone in the Christmas shopping mode. The stores all stay open late and they have specials, drawings and refreshments for the shoppers. It’s just another neat tradition our little town has.

Of course I was there with my books! Our oldest daughter was chained to our booth, so she didn’t get a chance to walk around like she loves to do. But it was great to have her there for moral support and to talk to people. I’m a much better writer than ‘speaker-to-people’ person. If I have a speaking event, then I’m good with that. But small talk is not my forte! I usually end up babbling, talking in circles, until my face turns red and I just smile.

But when a grandchild enters, I have no problem babbling.

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As you can see, when it comes to grandchildren, I can be a pretty scary person. Poor Ava, if she could walk, she probably would have jumped from the stroller and run very, very far away.

We had a good time, sold a few books, ate some fudge and met lots of people. All in all a great evening. Until next year…

Here’s the rest of the family, minus a couple working sons-in-law, and of course the picture taker, our second oldest. I think they had a good time too.

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