Old Photographs and the Kingdom of God - M. Laycock

Some time ago my sister gave me a disc that a cousin of ours had put together. It contained copies of dozens of old photographs of our relatives, many of whom I have never met. I didn't bother to even look at the disc for some time, but one day when I was clearing off my desk I discovered it and put it into the cd reader on my computer. Two and a half hours later I was still engrossed. I was especially taken by old photos of my grandparents and a few of my great-grandmother and her parents. I had never seen photos of them before. In fact, I didn't even know my great-grandmother's name until that day.

I was amazed at the feelings it stirred in me, the sense of belonging, the desire to know more about my ancestors, the desire to connect with my relatives again. As I peered at the photos I could see the "family resemblance." My youngest daughter looks a bit like a great aunt, another favours her sister.

There's a line I like in the book, Secret Life of Bees -“We are looking for ways our stories fit together.” (p. 105).  We all have a need to feel connected, to feel as though we are part of a family, a community, part of something bigger than ourselves. As writers we are privileged to be able to make those connections for our readers. By telling stories that reveal those threads of connection, we bind one another together.

In a way, we all share the same story, the universal themes of life that never die, the threads of life that connect us into one body. It is when we realize this that we are able to live at peace with one another, in compassion and empathy, and in love. The greatest works of literature achieve this height and are revered.

The Bible tells us that we, as believers in Jesus, are one body, connected by the Spirit of Christ, one organism working as a unit to build His kingdom, one family, each with our own strengths and gifts that benefit the whole. It is when we realize this that the church shines and the world takes notice.

And it is when, in our writing, we reveal this universality that our work shines. When we draw our readers into the understanding of the family of faith, a humanity dependent on grace, and make them long to be part of it, we will accomplish a most holy goal. It`s called making disciples. It`s what Jesus told us to do as he was about to leave this earth after his resurrection - ``Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...`` (Matthew 28:19).

We are able to do this through our writing as we give our readers stories that reveal the connectedness of man and his need to be reconciled to a holy God. All to His glory.

Marcia Lee Laycock writes from central Alberta Canada where she is a pastor's wife and mother of three adult daughters. She was the winner of The Best New Canadian Christian Author Award for her novel, One Smooth Stone and also has two devotional books in print. Her work has been endorsed by Sigmund Brouwer, Janette Oke, Phil Callaway and Mark Buchanan. Marcia's second novel, A Tumbled Stone has just been released. Abundant Rain, an ebook devotional for writers can be downloaded here. Or visit Marcia's Website

Trouble



collapsed farmhouse

      Ever notice how we're all fascinated by trouble?  Who doesn't slow down to look at an accident?  There's a reason newspapers lead with stories about disaster, scandal, heartbreak and war.  As a species, we humans are captivated by trouble.  No one wants to read a book where two nice people, meet, fall in love and live happily ever after. B-o-r-i-n-g!

       As a writer of fiction, i.e. a storyteller, I need to paste this reminder on my monitor. The story is in the trouble.  No one wants to invite trouble into her own life or those of our friends, yet that is where our interest is piqued.  It seems we want to like our heroine and hero, we want them to be good people, but we want them to go through the fire before allowing them to reach HEA.  
        I had a graphic illustration of this fact at a recent family reunion.  As part of the weekend, we went on a heritage tour, seeking out gravestones, baptismal certificates and a fallen in log cabin -- all in search of our roots.  It turns out, my ancestors, like most immigrants, were hard up.  They received a land grant on acreage that grew nothing but stones.  In the end, after two years of struggle, they were declared destitute and given a second piece of land.  Not much better as it turned out, but at least they didn't starve.
     One of my great great grandmother's had thirteen children and outlived nearly all of them.  Now, there's a tale of trouble that had us all shaking our heads and booking appointments with a cardiologist.  Seems heart trouble is endemic in that branch of the family. 
      This same ancestor, in her old age, was offered a comfortable home in town.  A place with hot water and central heating.  After a year or so, she went back to her homestead, a hard place, without running water, uninsulated against a Canadian winter.   She was afraid of fire, so wouldn't light the stove after 6:00 pm.  Icicles formed on the walls by bedtime.  Yet, this was the place she chose to live out her last days.

        That story sets my mind churning.  Why choose hardship?  Why do we admire her?  Did she demonstrate mulish folly or a determination to live life on her own terms?  Was she clairvoyant?  The house eventually did burn down, fortunately with no loss of life.  Apart from the important dates in her life and the location of her tombstone, I know nothing about this ancestor, yet her story excites my imagination.  Why?
          I think what appeals to us in these stories is the fortitude shown in the face of trouble.  None of us wants to sleep on a hard floor, or worry about growing enough food to feed our families through the winter, but we are drawn to the steadfastness of those who did.  It's true in every family.  Some may like to boast of finding an exalted member on their family tree, but the stories that get told over and over are of the black sheep, the awful aunt, and the great disaster.

       And let us not forget that Jesus told stories of trouble for their impact, The Good Samaritan, The Lost Sheep, The Parable of the Talents, . . .  trouble figures large in all these stories, and they are so powerful that even those who do not know the scriptures, recognize them as part of our culture.
        The great hymn "How Firm a Foundation" contains these lines:
When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace all sufficient, shall be they supply;  
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design,
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
Memorable characters survive trial and hardship with integrity.  Their gold shines through the dross of trouble.                                                                                                                   In practicing the art of story telling, remember to look for trouble.  That's where the interest lies, that's where character is built and that's what lingers in the memory long after the book is closed.            

Alice Valdal is Canadian through and through but she may be spending some time on ancestry.ca checking out her European roots and finding story ideas from her intrepid forebears.   www.alicevaldal.com

Interview with Aussie author Carol Preston and book giveaway

I’m delighted to be able to welcome my friend Carol Preston, an Australian historical romance author, to our blog today.

Jo-Anne: Carol, how long have you been writing? What originally inspired you?

Carol: My interest in writing historical novels began when my children started school and I took up family history research. While I wondered if I might find some English aristocracy or perhaps a famous explorer in my background, instead I found seven generations of Australians, mostly of British and Irish convict heritage, stretching back to the First Fleet on my mother’s side. So, having come to terms with originating from a long line of petty criminals, I became intrigued with the daily challenges, struggles, losses and achievements of my ancestors. I wanted to write those stories in a way that not only my children and grandchildren could learn from and enjoy but also in ways other people could find interesting and inspiring.

Jo-Anne: Has any aspect of your previous occupation helped you as an author?

Carol: I think being a psychologist and listening to my clients share their own stories of loss and betrayal, the struggle to forgive, to overcome tragedy, to relate in healthy and meaningful ways, has really helped me to imagine the interactions and personal, daily journeys of my ancestors because I believe these personal and relational battles are common to human beings in every generation, everywhere.

Jo-Anne: Earlier this year, I really enjoyed reading your fifth novel Mary’s Guardian. What would you like readers to take away with them from this book?

Carol: The most inspiring aspect of Mary’s Guardian for me as is that lives which seem doomed to utter despair and hopelessness can be restored and healed through the most unexpected circumstances; that something good, even wonderful, can come from the most dreadful situations with God’s help.

Jo-Anne: What other books have you had published already and where are they available?

Carol: My first three novels were a trilogy – Suzannah’s Gold, Rebecca’s Dream and The Price of Peace. These are a saga of the Oakes family, one line of my ancestors, and are available from Zeus Publications www.zeuspublications.com, First Edition books www.firsteditionbooks.com.au or directly through my website www.carolpreston.com.au. My fourth novel, The Face of Forgiveness, is available through Light the Dark www.lightthedark.com.au or Even Before Publishing www.evenbeforepublishing.com or also through my website. Mary’s Guardian, my fifth novel, is available through Light the Dark or Even Before Publishing and also through Amazon www.amazon.com or Koorong Books www.koorong.com.

Jo-Anne: And you have a sixth novel, Charlotte’s Angel, due for release in October this year. What inspired you to write this one?

Carol: Charlotte’s Angel is the sequel to Mary’s Guardian and continues the story of the Douglass family. Charlotte is one of my favourite characters in my novels. I think she has a great story to tell which will inspire hope in readers.

Jo-Anne: You have obviously done many hours of research for your novels. Do you have any tips in this regard?

Carol: I think if you have a natural interest in history or in your own genealogy, the research is nearly as much fun as the writing! There is so much material available now online as well as in history books that the problem for me becomes when to stop researching. I have to remind myself that every detail of what I’ve discovered can’t possibly be put into the novel. If research is a battle for writers, however, they probably need to write straight from their imagination and avoid the need for so much research.

Jo-Anne: Do you have any further novels in mind?

Carol: Oh, yes. I have plenty more family history to draw on, and with every story there’s a rich source of inspiration and life lessons to share – so many aspects of faith to explore in so many situations. As soon as I’m finished one novel, my mind starts plotting another ancestor’s journey.

Jo-Anne: What has been the most memorable event of your writing journey so far?

Carol: I don’t think one particular event stands out but the most gratifying moments are when someone tells me they have been inspired or challenged by my stories. My desire is that readers will not only identify with the journeys of my characters but will also meet God in them or through them. It’s a thrill to hear about, but I’m also aware I may never know when a person is touched by these stories. It’s enough to leave that in God’s hands – something I must keep remembering.

Jo-Anne: Thanks, Carol, for sharing something of your writing journey with us.

By commenting below on this interview, you will be eligible to win a copy of Mary’s Guardian from Carol. A winner will be chosen on Friday 15 July and announced on Sunday 17 July. Please leave an email address [ ] at [ ] dot [ ] where you can be reached.
“Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.”

To find out more about Carol, please visit her website, www.carolpreston.com.au.

Jo-Anne Berthelsen grew up in Brisbane and holds an Arts degree from Queensland University. She has also studied education and theology and has worked as a high school teacher and editor, as well as in local church ministry. Jo-Anne loves communicating through both the spoken and written word and currently has five published novels - Helena, All the Days of My Life, Laura, Jenna, and Helena's Legacy. For more information about Jo-Anne, please visit her website, www.jo-anneberthelsen.com.