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 fourth in the Love Defined series is written and waiting for edits! I can't wait to get this final book in the series into my reader's hands! Currently, I have published twelve books, creating the covers on most of them. The cover work is something I really enjoy! Stay tuned for more on that. 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. 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

His Way

deborahanndykeman

I struggle with posting. Not so much with what to write about…I have many topics to post on. As my family knows, and probably many of my friends, I’m not too shy about sharing my opinion. I have convictions and I have a definite thought on pretty much everything.

But I struggle here with what to share with you, my reader. I’m still finding my little comfy corner and the readers that want to join me there. Should I keep it light and funny, gently touching certain topics? Or should I delve deeper, going to places that aren’t so fluffy and fun? Should I speak of my convictions, stress what I believe?

I know what I don’t want to do, and that’s become political on here. Yes, I have concerns about our country and our world. I don’t like much of what is happening. I’m not very proud of our leaders in America today, but they are our leaders and I feel very strongly that the role should be respected. That doesn’t mean I agree with what’s happening.

What I do want to stress is that I know we are to live our lives as unto God, if we are saved. He has a certain set of standards, and He has given us a guidebook called the Bible. No, as a Believer I have not always followed that guideline, but I am still here, my hope is in Heaven and each day that I open my eyes to the new morning, I will apply His Word again.

I do want to live my life, and post on here with Christ’s example. He walked this earth for 30+ years, it is documented and He showed us the Way. That is my goal. He treated all people with love and respect, He prayed, He corrected and told those to go and sin no more. And He had a sense of humor.

If I can apply that last paragraph to my life, to my writing…I will be happy, and know that the gifts He gave me have been used to honor and glorify Him. I have a message to share, the answers are His answers. No, it’s not always easy and sometimes it’s downright difficult. It is a journey, and we can make it whatever we want it to be.

So please pray for me as God gives me the stories to write, and the posts to share. Sometimes they will be light and fluffy, but other times more difficult topics may have to be discussed. That is life.

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Just For Fun!

Hot Enough to Fry an Egg!

deborahanndykeman

Is it hot out? No, it’s pretty much gone to the broiling point. Birds have stopped singing, my flowers are shriveling, the lawn is browning and I’m itching. It must be August. June? It can’t be happening already! After a perfectly gorgeous spring with lots of rain, we are in the not-so-enjoyable days of summer.

What made it worse was that our air-conditioning also quit. Each year, our goal is to see how many days in the spring and fall we can go without turning on the air-conditioning or the heat. This past year has been fairly fantastic from that standpoint. We had several months with nothing on…and we were actually pretty comfortable. So, when the weather showed triple digits on the way, we finally turned on the air…and there wasn’t any!

Yes, they were able to do a quick fix and we now have cooler temps inside than outside our back door. But the long-term solution is going to be into the thousands. Such is life.

By the way…has anyone really ever tried to fry an egg on the sidewalk? I always thought that would be fun to experiment with. But the price of eggs now…well, maybe not so interested. Stay cool!

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Just For Fun!

Perseverance, Endurance & Determination.

deborahanndykeman

This is a fantastic story! I’m looking forward to following this gentleman and his journey! I cannot even imagine trying what he is striving for!

Carolyn's avatarThe 1940's Experiment

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It’s taken me about over 20 years to truly understand what it takes to accomplish a lofty goal. These things are perseverance, endurance and determination and you have to have all three of them…

For the past six months I’ve been studying people who achieve great feats in the hope of determining what makes these people stick with something and achieve their goal to succeed! The reason I’ve been doing this is partly in my own personal battle against obesity. I want to get into the minds of these people, understand where there mental stamina comes from, what sort of mindset do they have? I figure that losing a large amount of weight is possibly on a par with the achievements of endurance athletes, explorers, entrepreneurs, those that rehabilitate themselves from serious illness, those who overcome disability.

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Recently, through a friend at work I came to talk to a gentleman…

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Our Christian Walk

A Future to Be Sure Of

deborahanndykeman

Future Self

Wow…think about that for a moment. “Our actions and decisions today will shape the way we will be living in the future.” 

A pastor of a church I attended when I was a teenager, really impacted my life. One of the many things he said was that, “bad decisions close down your options for future good decisions.” Now that is not to say that you no longer have an opportunity to make a good decision, just that your options are different than they would have been, and maybe you don’t have so many to choose from any longer.

For example, if you are a ballet dancer and you choose to go sky-diving and you don’t land correctly, causing you to lose the use of your legs…your ballet future is impacted. The scenarios are endless. That ballet dancer may go on to do just as fantastic in some other area…but dancing probably won’t be the option it use to be.

This is a lesson I tried to teach our children…and I think it is a lesson that almost always has to be learned, ‘hands on’. Going through something, reaping the discipline or rewards helps that experience solidify in your brain. It begins when we are very young. A parent tells a child, “Don’t touch the stove, the burner is hot.” Very rarely will that child process in their mind, “Oh, Mommy spoke and I will obey.” They usually have to give it a try. Hopefully, as that child racks up some experiences, they will learn to listen when spoken to. When they hit the age of thirteen…it begins again…only on a different level.

It boils down to being very cautious about the decisions you make in your life. No, we shouldn’t tread in fear, always wondering if we are going to mess up our future. But we should learn from our past mistakes…touching the stove when told not to and getting burned. It you want to be a prima ballerina, maybe jumping out of airplanes isn’t such a great idea for you.

There is a second stage to this process of thinking. It is why I use Psalm 118:24 on this blog and why I think about it each and every day. We ALL make bad decisions. We have ALL touched the stove when told not to. Most of us have had another opportunity to try again. I very firmly believe, that as long as you are on this earth…you have another chance. If you jumped out of that plane, you may not be a prima ballerina, but you could be something else just as grand…an inspiration to others.

And no, I don’t believe this is all just by chance. There is a plan. God has designed it…and it works extremely well. He is far more forgiving, offering many more chances than I would ever allow if I was in charge! He guides and directs our lives, if we care to listen. Yes, sometimes discipline is in order and many times there are rewards. Almost always, that discipline is far less than what I would have handed out if it would have been up to me! God is gracious, merciful and loving…just as we should be as parents. He is also just and righteous, disciplining when needed…just as we should as parents. The difference is that He is far more fair…He is God.

“Our actions and decisions today will shape the way we will be living in the future.”  Have you accepted Christ as your Savior? Do you know where you will go when your physical body dies? These are the two most important questions of all…and they will most definitely shape your future.

 

Just For Fun!

Summer Songs

deborahanndykeman

I don’t know if it’s because I’m a writer…but my senses are usually in overdrive. With every change of season, my eyes, ears and nose go into full swing. No, not with allergies, but just the enjoyment of that new, precious time. I am very thankful for this.

It is now summer, not officially on the calendar, but in our everyday lives. School is out in some places…and it is hot and getting hotter. Childhood memories of going to bed in the daylight and sweating until the wee hours of the morning knock on my brain. Afternoons at the swimming pool, mowing lawn, riding bikes, and the ice cream truck. The smell of that fresh grass and a newly cut field of hay. A summer day downpour…cooling the air in Colorado where I grew up…making it steamier here in Kansas…usually.

So music also plays a big part in my brain…setting the scene for summer. Of course the Beach Boys always comes to mind…probably for most people. They are the quintessential summer group, in my humble opinion! There are other songs as well, but today this one came to mind…and as always…I can’t shut if off in my head! So, I’ll share it with you.

The very first time I heard this, was with my husband, no children, (and they were all at home then), on a gravel road heading to our little town from Manhattan, Kansas. And yes, summer was coming! It just set the tone for that day and gives me pleasant memories each time I hear it again. Enjoy! Summer is here!

 

Writing

Why Readers Stop Reading a Book.

deborahanndykeman

Another fantastic post to share for you writers and editors. I’ve learned so much from reading these! Hopefully I will put them into practice as well! 😉

 

Recently, we here at LitWorldInterviews.com conducted a survey, “Why do you put a book down?” and through the assistance of the writing community we had a very nice response. Now it’s time to share…

Source: Why Readers Stop Reading a Book.

Writing

What Exactly is Poor Writing?

deborahanndykeman

Attention all writers and editors! This is an excellent post…and I wanted to share it with you. A lot of great pointers to keep in mind…scrapbook-1345381__180

 

 

 

 

Any of you who have editing experience can back me up when I say that it is a very tiring process, especially when the piece you are reviewing is poorly written. And while the perceived quality of …

Source: What Exactly is Poor Writing?

Just For Fun!

Tiny Topics

deborahanndykeman

I’ve always been enthralled with anything miniature. I think it’s amazing that you can make something out of itsy-bitsy items and it’s looks real.

So, as you can imagine…I love doll houses. I could get lost in studying a room like the two pictured above…each little detail.

I love the train displays…not because of the trains, but because of the little villages the track weaves through. I find it fascinating to see the wee towns and the ‘houses’ on the hillside.

After many years, I finally have a fairy village. No, I don’t really believe little people come and visit and night, (although I tell my grandchildren they do! ;)) I spent hours a couple springs ago, repainting my fairy village houses. What fun! Now that’s something I could do for a living! I received so much enjoyment looking up all the options for houses and accessories online. The possibilities are limitless!

I also have a Christmas village that has grown too big for my upright piano top. I originally set it there to keep away from little, exploring fingers. Someone would always lift them up and point out the ice-skaters on the little ‘pond’ made from tin-foil, the children sledding on the ‘hill’.

Tiny to me…is tremendous! Check out my Facebook post for today and you will find another petite puppy to make you smile.

Baby mice, hummingbirds, tiny table settings, white picket fences two inches tall, stone cottages for a tree frog, teacup chihuahuas, bistro for baby…and of course babies in general. These are some of my favorite things! Happy Friday to you!