GUEST BLOGGER: DEBUT AUTHOR DENICE STEWART

HERE’S DENICE’S GUEST POST. . .

I wanted to write an article about some of the best ways to balance a hectic lifestyle filled with family, home, work, faith, and other daily activities, but the truth is…I have no balance in my life whatsoever.

I find myself constantly struggling with one issue or another: mad-dash cleaning the house when my brother and sister-in-law call to say they are stopping by for a visit in 30 minutes; separating 4 year old twins and their 7 month old sister when the twins are fighting over the train track they are building, only to have it destroyed moments later by the infant cruising through in her walker; my husband calling from work because he has lost A.) his wallet, B.) his cell phone, C.) his work ID badge, or D.) all of the above; trying to build a writing career with constant interruptions and no quiet time.

So I thought I would write about what “balance” really means to me. In my Webster’s Dictionary, “balance” is defined eight different ways, but the eighth definition is the one that caught my attention…a remainder. What is left over at the end of the day. And one area of my life where my balance – the amount left over – is sorely lacking is the amount of time I spend with God.

Deep down I know the time I spend with God sows seeds of love, patience, hope, and strength I will reap in other areas of my life. The more time I spend in prayer, the time I spend immersed in His word will help me become a better mother, wife, and writer. But when the kids start screaming, dinner is burning on the stove, my husband calls to tell me he is working late, and I will have to find another night to work on my manuscript, I don’t feel very open to God’s word. I feel like drowning myself in a pint of chocolate ice cream and knocking back a Diet Coke the size of your head in a steaming hot bubble bath…on a tropical island far, far away.

But all is not lost. At the end of the day, even though the Bible says God wants ALL of our hearts, minds, and souls, He can still use the remainder – the balance – for His glory. He can bring peace and mercy, like a late husband who brings home a pizza for dinner, a two-liter bottle of Diet Coke, and a movie for the kids to watch while you take your ice cream to the bathroom and enjoy a long, hot bubble bath…minus the tropical island (although if you have an iPod you can still listen to island music of your choice).

And then you can return to your manuscript refreshed and uplifted, ready to share God’s mercy and grace with your readers, and recognize the balance you have received from the Lord.

 

SUPER GIVEAWAY: Denice is featuring a super-giveaway to 1 lucky blog commenter. At the end of the blog tour, the Grand Prize Winner will get: a gift basket with more tweener books and goodies.
 Where Would Cows Hide?

While their parents are on vacation in Hawaii, eleven year old twins Brad and Charlie Parker, and their little sister Zoey, arrive at their grandparents’ cattle ranch in Oklahoma to discover nothing is as it should be.

Grandpa and Grandma’s cattle are disappearing; mysterious strangers are lurking around the ranch; the strange lady at church seems to know their every move; not to mention a psychic lazy dog; and a weird little sister always getting in the way.

How will these twin troublemakers unravel this strange mystery?

Author D.C. Stewart is giving you a chance to win a copy of WHERE WOULD COWS HIDE?, and more! Here ís how to enter for a copy of WWCH and to enter the grand prize drawing: 

1) leave a comment on this blog post (or on any of the blogs participating in the blog tour); 

2) email the contest coordinator at contest@novelinspirations.com with subject line WWCH ENTRYî; 

3) join D.C. Stewartís ezine list by either sending a blank email to: dcstewart_ezine-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or visitinghttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/dcstewart_ezine/ and subscribing through the yahoogroups page. 

Book winners and the GRAND PRIZE WINNER will be drawn on or before May 31st, 2008 and will be notified by email. Please make sure you leave a valid email address on applicable blog posts. 

May 10, 2008 : Heather Thomas at http://misadventuresofthedynamicuno.blogspot.com
May 11, 2008 : Deena Peterson at http://deenasbooks.blogspot.com/
May 12, 2008 : Michelle Kralicek at http://michellesgreatblogs.blogspot.com/ 
May 13, 2008 : Leah Sande at http://ponderingsfrommyheart.blogspot.com/
May 14, 2008 : Rachelle Arlin Credo at http://zyphe.blogspot.com
May 15, 2008 : Amy Lathrop at http://sprightly-amyanne.blogspot.com
May 16, 2008 : Janna Ryan at www.cornhuskeracademy.blogspot.com
May 17, 2008 : Kristy Walker at http://ineedtoread.blogspot.com/
May 18, 2008 : Amy Riley at http://thefriendlybooknook.com
May 19, 2008 : Mimi Baker at http://www.wovenbywords.blogspot.com
May 20, 2008 : Kathie Nolasco at http://takingastroll.blogspot.com
May 21, 2008 : Julia Graham at http://www.reviewzbyjewelz.blogspot.com
May 22, 2008 : Ashley Rutherford at http://godslightuponme.blogspot.com