Welcome to my new blog/web-site

  Hi, to all my wonderful readers!!
 I stopped blogging on this blog some time ago.
  But I didn't stop blogging! By no means!! I have been just as diligent as ever in writing on my blog what God puts on my heart and mind to share with my fellow women. It is just that I am over in a new place.
 So if you have ended up here to read and see what I have been writing lately come on over with me to my new little ministry spot. You will be glad you did!!
  It is both a website and blog. And is 2 blogs in one. I still blog as I had been doing here, on spiritual things and motherhood related things, but now I am also blogging about the new journey we are now on.
 For any of you who don't already know, we lost our second oldest son in a tragic quad accident in April 2017. A terrible thing for any parent to go through. But with God, He has given us joy again and has given peace and comfort the whole way. He said He would never leave us nor forsake us. He hasn't it!
 This part of the new blog is called Grieving with Hope. Because yes, we grieve, but not without hope. So if you reading right now and have been through this, or something else just as hard, Know that there is hope in Christ. He loves you, cares for you, has a great plan for you and your life, and will never ever leave you!!
  So come on over and be blessed with the Lights for Jesus Ministries!!
 In Him, Mae

New blog

  I have just started a blog over on my web-site, so for any future posts you will have to hop on over there and check it out. I like some advantages that blogging there will offer me, like easier posting pictures, and will be in all one place for me. I will copy and past a few of my recent posts from here over there, other wise that blog will be all new posts.
 So from now on all blog posts will be written on my web-site blog, and for any older posts they will be here. This blog will always be here for you to visit anytime.

About Self Publishing

 I am sharing an article here that my son Nathan just recently wrote for his school about self publishing. I thought it to be very informative and helpful to anyone who may be considering writing, especially if they will be self publishing. Self publishing does take a bit of work to get something done well though, I have gone over my Psalms book several times and yet in my final copy I still have found an error. But I am not here to discourage you, but to encourage you in your passion for writing. If we can do it, you can too!!

 In Him, Mae


                                        Self Publishing  ( by N.C.R. )

There are around 1,000,000 books being published in the United States alone per a year, about half of which are being self published*. That is a big number and every year there are more and more writers wanting to publish their books. Maybe you are one of those people; a writer who wants to publish a book, and maybe you are looking into self publishing. I myself have self published over 5 books, and would like to share with you some pointers (that I learned) for self publishing your book, along with a few places you can self publish your book.

There is a vast world of ways and places to self publish your book, but regardless of how and where you self publish your book there are a few pointers that will always help you out. As a self publisher there are things you will have to do that other writers normally don’t have to do or worry about. If your book was to be published by a real publishing company you would not have to edit your book, make a table of contents, worry about copyright information or anything. But as a self publisher you are in control of the whole book and you are the one responsible to make sure that everything gets done.

The first step to getting a book published is the writing step. I write my stuff out on paper first then onto then onto the computer, but writing it on paper is not that necessary. Before typewriters were invented in 1867 you could send your writing to the publisher in your best handwriting. But since the invention of computers it has become a to must write your manuscript on them, from there you can print it off if necessary or do just about anything with it.

Copyrighting your books is a pretty big must, but is a pretty easy thing to do.  

 “When you create an original piece of writing, you automatically get certain property rights in that work. These rights are called "copyright" and automatically attach to certain works. If your work is copyrightable, it will be copyrighted as soon as it is "fixed." Nothing more needs to be done to gain the protections of the law. However, there may be certain reasons you want to register your copyright and formally protect it well into the future.”- http://www.wikihow.com/Copyright-Your-Writing-for-Free

Editing is fairly important. Some would say it is the most important part of your manuscript, but I would say that the only thing that really matters is that you are glorifying God through your writing. Still you should your best to edit your book as good as you can, and do not worry about the mistakes you did not fix, at least you did your best. As a self publisher I think you have more editing options than other types of writers. You can edit the book yourself, with a group of friends, or you could hire and editor. There are also many online writing sites where you could write your manuscript out and have it edited for free, actually I only know of one site grammarly https://app.grammarly.com/ . They can help you catch most mistakes.

 The table of contents is a pretty important part of your book, but is not something you should make to soon. When I made my first book I made it too soon, and wasted a lot of time having to change it as I edited the rest of the book. The table of contents is something you should do last.

 An ISBN number is a pretty important part of you book. Note: Most self-publishing operations will provide you with a free ISBN for both your print book and e-book but whatever operation provides you with the ISBN will be listed as the publisher.

There are many, many place you can self publish your book. I publish mine with Blurb www.blurb.com or .ca . But I have heard of other places such a lulu https://www.lulu.com/   or tellwell http://tellwell.ca/. And there are many more besides. What you got to do is find the one that suits your tastes. One you find the place you want to self publish your book just read their instructions.

I hope that I have helped you, and pray that your book will help others. There are many more pointers that I could have given you, but the last thing I will share with you is that you always have to be open to learning. Then you can learn all the other things that I could have told you, besides I think experience is better than any other pointers I could have given you. And make sure you are using your experience and talents for the glory of God.  ( N.C.R)

Birth Announcement and More

   So our 8th blessing who was due the 7th of January made her entrance exactly 2 weeks later! She just had to drive her mom crazy like that!! She had me nervous as ever about having to deliver another 9 lb. baby, about having to be induced with hard and painful labour like my last one, and because of those 2 concerns had me trying everything I knew possible to kick labour off , and had me praying desperately and almost constantly that I would start labour on my own and that if not and the DR. had to induce that inducing would be better experience this time around. (Now the latter thing was a good outcome of it all, because praying desperately is what we all need to do anyway. It is trying circumstances that drive us to the feet of Jesus, and show us we are nothing and can do nothing with out Him. If everything worked out the way we wanted, when we wanted, and how we wanted we would not rely on Him as much, and we would not see Him at work. Though He would be there the whole time doing His thing, but it's much easier to take Him for granted that way, or not even know it was Him at work in the first place.)

So now for birth announcement details!
Rebecca Marie born Jan. 21st, at 9:04 p.m. Weighing 8 lb.s exactly! Rebecca is little sister to five older brothers and 2 sisters.

 

 

     Labour was 5 1/2 hours after they started me on the drip at 3 :30 p.m. to induce labour. At which I was already 4 cm.s, which I am sure was due to the Foley bulb that they had used the night before on me. Out of those 5 1/2 hours though only 2 of them was hard and more painful contractions. Until 6 p.m. I did not feel them at all even though they were showing up good and strong and steady on the monitor. From 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. I started to feel them and breath through them, though not bad at all and I even remained reading my book!!. Then after 7 p.m. at which point I was at about 7 cm.s they were painful enough I needed something for pain relieve, and my book that I no longer was able to read was put aside.  So that gives you a picture how great my labour and delivery experience went for me this time. Even though I was induced it went well, and was not crazy and supper painful or anything.( This is not the birth story though, just a few details for now, the birth story will come later.)

Looking back at what may have helped to make this labour and birthing experience different than last one and the all the others really was a few different things. Top thing was God of course. I had been praying so much for this labour and delivery, and many others were too. This was also the very first time I drink red raspberry leave tea which I started drinking in my 39th week. I would have started earlier but only just was recommended to me. I got to drink it for 3 weeks since baby was lovingly over due for me!! Also was using a product called EZ Birth for the first time. You start taking it in 37th week up to delivery, well I ran out of it. So got more and kept taking it up to birth of baby. Also used blue cohosh off and on in the 2 weeks before baby came after I hit 40 weeks which is noted to induce labour naturally, but only works if body is ready and doesn't always work for everyone or every labour. And it id not induce labour for me. Yet just the same it can be good and helpful anyway when labour does start, so thinking that could of played a part too in my wonderful labour. ( It is noted that blue cohosh does not work alone, but use together with black cohosh. )

If you want to learn more about the effects and benefits of the red raspberry leave tea, EZ Birth, and blue and black cohosh tinctures just google them. Lots of info out there on those, though you can't believe everything out there or trust every source of course, but I found the info very helpful just the same. Also if your looking for things for naturally inducing labour you will be surprised at what all is suppose to work for that, from dates to pine-apples!! Literally!!

Here our sweet baby girl is now 3 days old. Healthy as ever, a great nurser, and beautiful to boot!! I can't ask for more! I am so ever thankful and grateful to God!! She did drive me crazy there going so far over due and all, but all is good, and like I mentioned above it made me rely on God just that much more! And what a great an awesome God He is!! No one else I would rather be totally and completely dependent on!!

In Him, Mae

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10


I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all from all my fears. Psalms 34: 4

The righteous cry and, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. Psalms 34:17

Waiting on Baby!

So most of you reading my blog will know we are expecting our 8th baby. And due date is like now!
 So we are anxiously waiting on baby right now.
 Any momma I know gets just a tad impatient when it's about her time. Gets a little hard to wait patiently. But that doesn't help much. I try to comfort my self in the knowledge that the baby is easier to take care of inside the womb than out. No Diapers, no feedings, and every where you go, baby goes too! Much easier isn't it!? So that is a comfort!!

 I never am really excited about labour. But I do know that is what it takes to get baby here. So with that in mind I do always anticipate labour, and am like, "When is it going to start already!!?" And every night I go to bed wondering if this is the night, and every morning I wake wondering if this is the day?
 Last labour was very long. I was at the hospital 23 hours before baby was born. Though that was not all in full labour. I was in very early labour with regular contractions though not painful at all when I went up to the hospital. But being my 7th I thought it would go very fast, and being an hour away too, I thought I should go see if I was progressing at al. Well I wasn't, but they did go ahead and keep me in the hospital in case things started to progress and went fast. But id did not! In fact basically stalled altogether. Eventually the contractions did start more and harder, but before it was all over the had to give me something to speed labour up. That was the first time I ever had to have that in my labours, and was it ever rough on me. I used laughing gas to make it through. That and praying! I was constantly talking to God through it all. He kept me going!!

 Anyways so hoping this time is way different! I for one have been taking a product called EZ Birth which you start taking in the 37th week. Is suppose to be a great product. Also now this last week started drinking LOTS of red raspberry tea! And praying about this labour, that I would go in to it with out fear. And that I would really rest and trust in the Lord.
  Someone just recently told me that she really found comfort in Psalms chapter 34 and 37. So I have been reading those often.
 
  Just now while I have been thinking about waiting on baby. A verse came to mind on that. I remember it is one that I really clung to when I was going over due with baby #7. I was over due 2 whole weeks before his delivery.  So I will share that here. May it encourage you too if you are waiting on a baby, or anything you may be waiting on.

Psalm 27:14
                                     Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.         

 Beautiful isn't it?! And there is many more such verse like that through out Psalms.
 
 Take care, and no matter your situation wait on the Lord, be patient, and trust in Him! He has got you covered!!
 In Him, Mae

P.S.. I will try to post on here as soon as I can after our baby does arrive!! I usually always share the birth story. I know I love reading birth stories, and I trust other mommas do to!!                                                                    

Happy New Year 2017!!!

Happy new day, and new year ya all!

But don't take for granted that we will have this whole year. We never know when our time is up on this earth.

 We must live each day as if each day is a percious miralce and a gift from God. Because each day truly is!! And live each day for God, and be ready to meet Him at any moment!!

 The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.

The Lord lift His countenance unto you, and give you peace!

 

 Use this day and every day for our Heavenly Father! Stay strong and true in Him, and never loose hope!! He is with you and for you 24/7!!

In Him, Mae

About Christmas

  This time of year, I all most always write a post on Christmas. My family and I do not keep or celebrate Christmas so I love to share about that.
 Over the years I have written many posts on Christmas, and they are here on my blog. So you can read them if you like.
 
 This time I want to do something a little different and just share links to sites with information on Christmas, its origins and traditions. Very good info that we should all know.

Jim Staley with Truth or Tradition from Passion for Truth Ministries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEeBzIoQVS0

Christmas -- Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas

The true origin of Christmas -- The Real Truth
https://realtruth.org/articles/169-ttooc.html


You can find many more web-sites with information about Christmas on Goggle. Just put in origins of Christmas. But I will let you do that, this will be enough to get you started.

 In Him,
Mae