Interviewing Cynthia

Triumph Through Trial

Q.  Hello Cynthia.  Why don’t you introduce yourself to my readers?

A.  Well, I’m Cynthia Owens, one of the main characters in Triumph Through Trial. I am the matriarch of the family.

Q.  How many others are in the family?

A.  My husband, Michael and I have three children.

Q.  Are they young children?

A.  No, they are all young adults.

Q.  Does that cause conflict?

A.  Does it ever.  There is drama in their lives and they bring it home on a daily basis.

Q.  What about your marriage?  Is there drama there?

A.  I thought we had a wonderful marriage, but Michael thought there was drama.

Q.  You don’t agree?

A.  No, I don’t.

Q.  Can you tell us about the story?

A.  Like many Christian families, the Owens family lives a different life in private than they show to the rest of the world.  Theresa tells how the stress is affecting each family member.

Q.  Is there a lot of sin in their lives?  Does Theresa share that in the book?

A.  Sin is sin and all is displeasing to God.  Yes, Theresa does share that in the book.  But if you are thinking this is a book about the seedy side of life, you are mistaken.  This family is not secret mobsters or prostitutes.  This family is just your average American family whose private life is not pleasing to God.

Q.  What could they be doing that is so displeasing to God?

A.  Anytime we don’t bring honor and glory to God, it is displeasing to Him.

Q.  Is the whole family displeasing to God?

A.  Actually there is one character that wreaks havoc on the family.

Q.  Is there love in this family?

A.  Like all families, we love each other in spite of ourselves.

Q.  How does the story end?

A.  Oh we can’t give away the ending.  But Theresa will keep you guessing to the last chapter.

Q.  At one point it looks like the family will split up.  Does that happen?

A.  God has many ways of teaching us what He wants from His children.  Sometimes those lessons aren’t pleasant, but if we yield to God’s will, it will bring honor and glory to His name.

Q.  I’m not sure that answers my question.

A.  I’m sure it doesn’t, but Theresa will answer it in Triumph Through Trial.

Q.  Where can we find the book?

A.  It is available on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.  You can also get a link from any of Theresa’s blogs or websites.

Q.  Can you give us those addresses?

A.  Certainly.  http://theresa-lifesjourney.blogspot.com or http://theresa-thebookmama.blogspot.com or www.storiesforchrist.com

Great Start to the Day

This was so funny I had to share it with you.  I will admit that I don't read my messages very often on Facebook.  I get very few direct messages and just don't take the time to look for them.  A few days ago, an author friend told me about Tweetdeck, a site that shows you facebook and twitter on the same page.  This makes it easier to see and manage all your messages on one page.  I have enjoyed it.  This morning while looking at the new format, I noticed I had some messages on facebook.  I logged on and read all the messages.  Some were from relatives I haven't seen in a while and others were invitations to play games.

Then I noticed a couple of very personal messages from people I didn't recognize.  I read them and pondered at the meaning of the message.  I reread both of them several times.  Finally it hit me.  They were from two single men trying to make a connection with me.  I laughed and laughed.  Facebook could become the cheapest dating site around.  The messages boosted my ego and started my day off right.  By the way, no I didn't answer the messages, however I do appreciate the thoughtfulness of the men.

"Well, Dad..."

As a child, our younger son was very inquisitive.  He always wanted, well maybe had to know how something worked.  When he was less than 2 years old, he played with his brother's Fisher-Price drum and ball set.  The object was to drop three balls into the hole in the side of the drum, turn the drum up on its side to extract the balls and begin again.  Now his brother's idea of the best method to extract the balls was to pick up the ball-filled drum and sling it against the wall.  It did work--all the balls fell out.  But I don't think that's what Fisher-Price had in mind when they designed it.  Our younger son would sit on the floor, drop in the balls and then stand and walk around the drum several times until he determined the appropriate method of extraction.  I would sit and watch him as he circled the drum.  The look on his face showed him deep in thought.  It amazed me that such a small child could actually problem solve.

When he was 7 years old, his daddy decided to donate his old pick-up truck to a family salvage yard for spare parts.  He had not used the pick-up in months and had removed the battery for some other use.  Early in the week, he announced to the family that on Saturday, he would install a new battery and drive it to the salvage yard.  Saturday morning dawned and my husband said to our 9 year old, "Let's put that battery in the truck."  Our 7 year old stood and watched the installation without comment.  Then my husband said, "Alright boys, let's start her up and see how she runs."  Again our 7 year old stood without comment, which should have been a sign to his daddy because this child was never at a loss for words.  My husband opened the driver's side door and saw his steering wheel strewn across the seat in about 15 different pieces. 

My husband said, "What happened to my truck?"  To which our 7 year old replied, "Weeelll Dad.  I got a little curious.  I wanted to know how a horn worked so I took it apart."  I went out to see what was taking so long and found my husband trying to stuff all those parts back into the three inch steering wheel column.  He didn't have to say anything for me to know he was furious.  I was such a good wife.  I stood and said encouragingly, "Well Sweetheart, it will be alright."  Then I walked back into the house, stood against the closed door and burst out laughing.  It was the funniest thing I had ever seen.  The entire time I stood there, I kept praying, "Lord please don't let my husband open this door.  He will kill me if he sees me laughing like this."

A few minutes later, our 9 year old walked into the kitchen.  I said, "What did Dad say when he opened the door and saw that?"  He answered, "Trust me, Mom.  You don't want to know."  I still don't know what he said.  As I prepared my husband's breakfast, he sat at the table and fumed.  I stood it as long as I could and then told him, "Now if anyone at work told you about this, you would laugh.  Don't you leave town without letting (our son) know it is alright."  He promptly called our son in and said, "Next time you get curious, let me know.  I'll find you something to take apart, but leave my truck alone."

It has been over 25 years since that incident and I still laugh about it every time I think of it.  I often tell young parents when I see their frustration, "Some day this will be funny."  I encourage you to think about the things that your children did when they were young.  Maybe the behavior was frustrating at the moment, but hilarious now.  Take a moment to laugh today.

90 Minutes in Heaven

Please see my review of 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper on http://theresa-thebookmama.blogspot.com

Sisters in Cahoots!

Sisters in Cahoots!

Click the link to see a wonderful interview by Amanda Stephan, a fellow author and friend of mine.

Proud Wife

Today I get to brag about my husband.  He started working in a grocery store when he was 16 years old and has worked diligently at several jobs since that time.  Today, 44 years later, we are celebrating his retirement.  The unit he works with at the refinery honored him today with a retirement luncheon.  I was invited to the luncheon.  Some of his crew members, some for 23 years, spoke of the time they have worked with him.  There were some good natured jabs, but most spoke of his work ethic.  During the luncheon, but after the speeches, the superintendent of the unit came in to speak to my husband.  I heard him say, "I don't know everyone very well, but I have heard many times about your work ethic.  You will be missed.  We appreciate your service."

I was very proud of him.  He is a hard worker and always has been.  He is also dependable and reliable.  The unit counts on him to do a job.  He will also make sure he does the job correctly.  Some of the teasing was about how many questions he asks before doing a job.  The crew member said, "Sam is going to make sure he does the job right.  He wants to know the procedure and policy.  He wants to understand the job and will a million questions until he does understand."  Let me tell you, he does the same thing at home.  It has been the source of many conflicts in our home.  I would venture to say that he would be more comfortable if I wrote procedures with everything including how to change a light bulb.-- Just teasing.

I am proud of him and thankful for his work ethic.  It is a tribute to his character and his faith.  He believes a Christian ought to be known by his works.  Matthew 5:16 says "Let your light so shine before your men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven." 

Do people at work know you are a Christian by the way your do your job?

Friends Helping Friends

Some friends are helping me tell others about my first adult fiction book titled Triumph Through Trial.  Please stop by their blogs and leave a comment to encourage them.

www.rosemccauley.blogspot.com
http://bit.ly/HBiAFV

Exciting Opportunity For You

Beginning May 7th, John 3:16 Marketing Network is sponsoring a Blog Hop.  You will be able to follow the links we provide and enter to win a prize on every blog.  If you visit every blog and sign up on every page, you will be eligible to win one of two Kindles being given away.  There will be nothing to buy on this Blog Hop.  We are not selling anything.  We just want to share our blogs with you and give you the opportunity to win prizes.  Below is the official announcement.

Only one month to go until the John 3:16 Giveaway Blog Hop –

May 7^th – 14^th!

Join over fifty authors and bloggers who will be offering great books and other prizes on their blogs during that week. As a reader, you just “hop” from blog to blog and sign up to win some great prizes at each blog.

But wait…you also have a chance of winning one of two Kindles!

How’s that for fun?

Tell all your friends and join us May 7^th – 14^th for the

John 3:16 Marketing Network Giveaway Blog Hop!

Pinterest Tutorial

If you have not found Pinterest yet, please let me introduce you.  Pinterest.com is an online social group where members share pictures of the things they love.  The subjects run the gamut from cooking, sewing, decorating, reading, tools and lots more.  My daughter is planning her wedding and we have gotten many ideas from pinterest.  Many of the pictures are from blogs that the contributor follows.  When they 'pin' the picture from the blog, it is automatically linked back to the blog.  That way, if you need more information about the project, you can click on the blog and read the instructions or article. 

Pinterest is an online pinboard.Organize and share things you love.           Request an invitation

When you enter the pinterest site, you will see a yellow banner like the one above.  You will need to click on the red button to request an invitation.  If you know someone who is on pinterest, you type their email address and they can send you an invitation. But I don't know anyone on pinterest and I really want to get on the site  What do I do,Theresa?  Very simple, my dear.  Leave me a comment your email and I will send you an invitation.  Don't worry--comments on my blog are not published until I moderate them.  I will not publish comments with email addresses.  Before you receive an invitation, you will be able to see a few pictures to see if this interests you.

After you receive an invitation, you click 'Add' and you will see the banner above.  Click 'Create a Board' (the icon on the right) and label it.  Then as you are browsing through the site and see a picture that you like, hover over the top left corner of the picture and three 'buttons' will appear.  Repin, Like, and Comment.  If you need to remember the picture as in for a wedding or decorating, click 'Repin' and the picture will go to your board.  There it will be saved for you and reposted on Pinterest.  Why???  Because people will follow you--because you post such great things--and they will see your picture and repin or like or comment. 

Here are a few of my pictures from a few of my boards:

Fancy Food

          

For the Home

 

Gift Ideas

  

Books Worth Reading

 

I hope this tempts you to visit Pinterest.com.  If you do, please look me up.  http://pinterest.com/theresa3953/

New Review On The Bookmama

I have just posted a review of Prophets and Loss (A Johnny Ravine Series, Book 1) By Martin Roth on http://theresa-thebookmama.blogspot.com.  Please stop by to read it.

Your Duck is Dead

If this doesn't make you laugh, you either haven't been to the doctor in a while or you are dead.

A woman brought a very limp duck into a veterinary surgeon. As she laid her pet on the table, the vet pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird's chest.

After a moment or two, the vet shook his head and sadly said, "I'm sorry, your duck, Cuddles, has passed away."

The distressed woman wailed, "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am sure. Your duck is dead," replied the vet..

"How can you be so sure?" she protested. "I mean you haven't done any testing on him or anything. He might just be in a coma or something."

The vet rolled his eyes, turned around and left the room. He returned a few minutes later with a black Labrador Retriever. As the duck's owner looked on in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his front paws on the examination table and sniffed the duck from top to bottom. He then looked up
at the vet with sad eyes and shook his head.

The vet patted the dog on the head and took it out of the room. A fewminutes later he returned with a cat. The cat jumped on the table and also delicately sniffed the bird from head to foot. The cat sat back on its haunches, shook its head, meowed softly and strolled out of the room.

The vet looked at the woman and said, "I'm sorry, but as I said, this is most definitely, 100% certifiably, a dead duck."

The vet turned to his computer terminal, hit a few keys and produced a bill, which he handed to the woman..

The duck's owner, still in shock, took the bill. "$150!" she cried, "$150 just to tell me my duck is dead!"

The vet shrugged, "I'm sorry. If you had just taken my word for it, the bill would have

been $20, but with the Lab Report and the Cat Scan, it's now $150."

New Book Review

Please click on theresa-thebookmama link to the right and read my review of Desert Intrigue by Linda Weaver Clark.