Author Archive

Posted on November 29, 2011 - by JerriLynn

If I Ever Have Time Again…

I understand Shannon’s feeling left out when this topic comes up, because for the first time since we’ve started, I don’t have a book that I’ve actually read to share with you.  I haven’t had much time for reading lately, and I can tell you, I miss it terribly.

I did try to start a book a couple of weeks ago.  I won’t give you the author’s name, but I will say it was an award winning author, and the book was so difficult to get into I finally put it down and just quit trying.  I was disappointed.  I finally carved out a couple of hours to read, and I couldn’t get into the book that I’d selected. Bummer.

I should have started with something that I knew I wanted to read.  For example, there’s this collection of books by Shiela Lowe, the Forensics Handwriting Mysteries, that I’m dying to read.  They look like super interesting books, and I want desperately to read them.  I wasn’t going to start them, though, because I don’t have time to read three books and I know I’m going to want to devour them in a stretch of “ignore-the-world-around-you” time.

The holidays are also around the corner and I usually like to read one Christmas-themed book about this time of year, too.  Last year I think it was “The Shack.” I loved that book.  But I’m not a re-reader, so this year it will have to be something else.  Yesterday, I downloaded “Remembering Christmas” by DanWalsh.  That may be my Christmas title this year.

That’s assuming I can find some time to read.  You’d think as much time as I’m spending in waiting rooms right now, I’d have plenty of time, but honestly, I spend most of the time talking to my Mom. And by the time I drop into bed at night I just don’t have time to read.  It’s terrible how much I miss it.  And I hope I’ll find some time to read soon!

Posted on November 15, 2011 - by JerriLynn

Letter to Myself: What’ll Get You to the Flipside

Dear Jerri Lynn,

There are so many things I wish that you knew, but not much that I’d tell you. After all, each and every tear you cry, mistake you make, and success you achieve will work toward making you the person that you’ll be in the future.

That person, by the way, isn’t perfect. She’s a little on the dumpy side (okay, so maybe I would say you should appreciate this time in your life when you “think” you’re fat, cause honey, in the future, you’re going to put on a few extra pounds). She can be a dork. She’s made LOTS of mistakes. And sometimes she loses her way. But you know what? She’s pretty prefect just like she is.

So, looking back what WOULD I tell you? Just this: Remember who you are and where you came from. I’m not talking familial lineage, here. I’m talking about that person that you don’t show everyone. THAT person is who you should strive to hold onto because for a little while, doll, you’re going to lose her. And you might not think that’s a big deal, but from this side of that chasm? It’s a huge, scary loss that’s going to be hard to come back from.

Hold on to who you want to be, and remember that if other people want you to change for them, then they probably only have their own interests in mind.

And where you came from? Well, you probably already realize that though they’re tough, your parents are good,loving, and supportive parents.  And you’ll always appreciate them. But I’m talking about the OTHER where you came from. The place in God’s heart where he knew you long before you were born. That one element, friend, would make such a difference for you.  Instead of spending a few years floundering around, if you remember where you came from, you’ll always know where you belong, even when you can’t seem to find that perfect place to fit in one earth.

Beyond that, younger me, keep right on doing what you’re doing. Suffer a little for me. Sing a little for everyone. And always, always, take the time to feel everything as fully as you can. It’ll hurt, it’ll feel fantastic, and at times it will be so confusing you won’t know exactly what it is you’re feeling.  But those emotions will pave the way for what’s coming. Those experiences will take you along a path that not too many people would choose to follow.  That’s okay. Less crowds, more rewards.

Just be yourself, my friend. Because it’s in being yourself that you’re the happiest, kindest, funnest person you’ll ever be.  And there’s nothing in the world wrong with that.  There’s nothing wrong with changing nothing and learning from everything.

Have fun, and I’ll see you on the flip side.
Jerri Lynn

Posted on November 1, 2011 - by JerriLynn

She Needed To, But…

I love stories that tie me in knots, create an emotional response, and make me want to (occasionally) reach into the pages and shake the hero or heroine.   These are stories that drag me along, page by page. They’re stories that are full of tension.

Notice I said “tension” not “suspense.”  There’s a difference.  You can have tension without suspense. Or you can have tension and suspense together. But a story without tension isn’t really a story.

It might be best to start this with a very brief description of what tension and suspense are.

Tension: The state of being stretched tight.

Suspense: A feeling of uncertainty or anxiety about an outcome.

“The state of being stretched tight.” Tension is sometimes also called conflict, but you could argue that even conflict is different than tension.  Conflict is the battle of the antagonist against the protagonist and/or sometimes other elements that help to create tension. Conflict is the actions and situations that help stretch your characters and your reader tight. It’s what makes them make decisions (right or wrong) and creates an emotion response in readers. It’s what builds tension.

So, what kind of conflicts help to create tension in a story?

It could be some action packed event. Take a standoff between an armed gunman and your hero. There is tension there. The hero is being stretched to him limit because he doesn’t want to shoot the gunman. He wants the situation to end without anyone getting hurt. But the gunman is getting crazier and more dangerous because his demands aren’t getting met. Then, the hero gets an opportunity to take a shot. The only problem is, there’s another person near the gunman and in order to kill the gunman, the hero has to make the perfect shot. He was a long-range sniper in a past career, so he can make the shot. He just doesn’t want to. THAT is tension.

Another example might be a critical moment in a relationship. Say your heroine is reluctantly beginning to realize that she’s interested in the hero. Then she finds out that he has a secret past that he hasn’t told her about, and it’s a past that goes against every moral she has. He’s changed, but the fact still remains that at one time he was someone with values that she despises and he wasn’t honest with her.  Still, she’s drawn to him. It’s the stretching of her character between desire and loathing that creates tension. How she works through those differences creates tension.

The tension in a story is actually THE story. It’s the whole reason a writer can put together 250+pages of story, because without tension a story would be as simple as “John met Jane. They fell in love. THE END.” Or maybe it’s “The man pulled a gun. Hero told him to put it down and kick it over. When the man did, Hero moved in and handcuffed him. THE END.” Stories without tension just aren’t stories.

Toss in a good dose of tension, though, and suddenly you have characters acting in uncharacteristic ways. They need to change their existing reality to match a new normal, and in truth, that’s an uncomfortable (and usually very messy) process. THAT is where the story is.

Posted on October 18, 2011 - by JerriLynn

Your Rod and Your Staff, They Comfort Me

I love the 23rd Psalm. It’s a promise of protection and provision, so when I come to the end of the 4th verse, I’m always confused. Here is the story of  a loving God that provides rest and restoration. He provides nourishment and guidance. And He is with me, no matter what I must go through.

And then there’s the statement Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

I never understood that. To me, a rod and a staff are tools of punishment and correction. What I’ve learned recently is how wrong that I am.

A Shepherd has one job. To keep His flock safe. There are many facets to accomplishing that end. He must protect them. He must nurture them. He must guide them and care for them.  And to do all of these things, the Shepherd has only two tools: His rod and His staff.

To understand how these two tools do not apply to discipline in this case, it’s important to understand how the tools are used by the Shepherd. The rod was not a stick with which He beat the sheep to keep them in line. In actuality, it was a thick piece of wood used to protect the flock. Shepherds didn’t have guns or other weapons. They had sticks. And if danger threatened the flock, the Shepherd used that stick to help eliminate the danger.

The staff, on the other hand was typically a longer stick, with a curved end. The Shepherd kept the staff with Him at all times, and He used it for a number of purposes. For example, the curved end of the staff was perfect for pulling wayward sheep back into the group if they began to wander too far astray. It was also perfect for bringing the group together if they were faced with danger.

A good Shepherd could use that staff as a means of “steering” his flock, as well. He would simply lay the staff on the back of the leading sheep, and with gentle pressure he could guide them in the desired direction.

So, Shepherds were not about beating their flocks into submission. And the tools they used were not designed to that end. Instead, a Shepherd formed a bond with his flock. It is said it was such a tight bond that the sheep would recognize his voice in the midst of other flocks and other shepherds. And he used the tools of his trade to further that trusting bond. After all, the Shepherd has more to gain by creating a trusting, loyal flock, than he has to gain by beating his flock into submission.

So, “Your road and your staff, they comfort me” is not a verse about discipline and embracing the discipline that is sometimes necessary. It’s a verse about trust. It’s about believing the Shepherd will protect and guide you on your journey. And there is comfort to be had knowing that your Shepherd cares enough about you that He would have the tools needed to ensure you are safe and well cared for in His care.

 

Posted on October 4, 2011 - by JerriLynn

It’s Not ACFW But…

I wish I had stories of ACFW to share with you.  This was going to be the year that I went and finally met the friends that I’ve made through the ACFW online forums.  For a variety of reasons, it didn’t happen.  God has a way of taking you in the direction that you need to go.

Instead, I ended up going to a conference (on the same weekend) in South Caroline called The Writer’s Police Academy.  What a weekend I had!

The weekend started off with a meet and greet reception on Thursday night.  You’re familiar with these.  Everyone is getting in, getting ready for the “main event,” registering, etc. It was my first exposure to a man I’ve long followed on the Internet, Lee Loffland.  Lee’s a great guy.  He’s an ex-cop that shares his knowledge with writers so they can get their stories right.  Lee’s a hoot online, but in person he’s closer to a comedian.

Friday kicked off the first of two and half days of intense teaching about what else? Law enforcement “stuff.”  I had to say stuff, because it was far more than just crime scene investigation and arresting techniques.  My first “class” of the day was actually a very detailed tour of a fire station, along with a description of the protective gear, the workings of  pumper truck, and some forcible entry techniques used when it’s essential to get through a locked door during a fire event.  Tim Fitts, who did most of the talking and demonstrating, took the time to answer all of my questions about fire cadets, arson investigators, and the nature of fire and arson investigations.

I followed up with an arson investigation class. Did you know that it’s actually not all that difficult (in most cases) to tell if a fire is arson or accidental?  Fires create very distinct burn patterns based on where and how they started.  A trained arson investigator can spot these patterns and then use those to lead to additional clues that will help them learn the origin of a fire. I learned about accelerants, the different colors of fire, the heat generated by a fire, and most interesting, that everything has to turn to gas before it will burn. That’s a super interesting thing to watch when you know what you’re looking at.

There was so much information in that arson investigation class that I actually took it the second time around in the afternoon.  So, my first full day at WPA consisted of all things arson.  I could probably write a pretty good arsonist and arson investigator now.  In fact, I will be writing on in Biloxi Heat the third book of the Biloxi series.

There was one non-arson related lecture I caught by Dr. Katherine Ramsland.  She spoke to us about the tools of forensic psychology.  Interesting subject!  She set me straight on some mistaken beliefs about criminal profiling, as well as provided information about kinesic (body movements) evidence that can be helpful during the investigation and after an arrest.  I found another story idea there, too. Unfortunately, I missed the evening discussion with Lee Loffland about the demon in his brain, but hopefully I’ll have a chance to catch it next year.

Saturday was full-tilt all day long.  I started the day out in FATS – Fire Arms Training Simulator. Now, if you want to know what it’s like to be faced with someone that’s dangerous and how it feels to shoot a person, this is as close as you’ll get to the real thing, I think.  You’re placed in a dark room with a screen on which a scenario plays.  You have to decide whom and when to shoot.  The scenarios vary widely, but you have to make the decision in a split second.  I’m still amazed how the “real” world faded away around me and I ended up screaming at the screen before taking a shot.  (By the way, you’re not supposed to scream “Freeze, police!” You’re supposed to yell, “Police. Stop. Put the gun down!” Or whatever the situation warrants – but “Police!” has the be the first word you say.)

(For the record…I had three kill shots out of five and wounded the bad guy twice.)

I also got to taste of crime scene investigation, though admittedly, the torrential downpour we had all weekend long made the whole crimes scene experience a little difficult.

I witnessed a house fire. I learned how different it is for women in law enforcement. I learned about cold cases and the VIDOQ Society. I witnessed a hostage situation that ended because a sniper made a fantastic shot.  And I learned so much more that I can’t possible put it into a single post.  I also made a lot of new friends.  And I’ve added a completely new depth to my writing that I would never have been able to add without the experience.  So, yes, I missed ACFW, but I’m pretty sure this might have been exactly where I was supposed to be this year.

Posted on September 20, 2011 - by JerriLynn

Just Rolling Along

Do you remember that awkward stage you went through as a pre-teen where it seemed your body just wouldn’t work the way you told it to work?

My kids are nearly grown now.  My son will be 20 in less than a month, and my daughter’s 16th birthday is just around the corner.  We’re currently in the middle of Homecoming float madness (meaning, there are 20+ girls here every afternoon building it in my backyard). And I recently suffered through the Homecoming dress unveiling that took a decade off my lifespan.  How in the world did she go from my little Sweetie Petey to this knockout young woman?

I’m glad they weren’t born young adults.  At least a I had a few years to enjoy each of them before the world took over.  I got to see them grow up, and I have to tell you, my son grew – a lot! Most of it during one summer. I’m what friends and family refer to as “fun-sized.” At five foot four, I’m not quite average height, but also not what would be considered petite. And since I am blessed with a touch of height imparement, I had a tough time the first time I had to look up at my son to say “Good morning.”

When the kids were younger, we would sometimes take them to the mall just to get out of the house.  We weren’t necessarily buying but after hanging out in the house for long enough, a nice stroll through the mall will did wonders for the hubby and I. And the kids enjoyed it too.

One of those trips through the mall, my husband and I were walking along talking.  We had our daughter between us.  She was maybe four years old at the time, and we’d swing her out and back between steps.  Meanwhile, hubby and I were just having a relatively quite conversation, as much as you can with two kids and a mall full of people as audience.  Our son was walking along sligtly behind us, his head all wrapped around the music he was listening to at the time.

“I was thinking we might put a wall up in the den to divide it into two rooms.  Then we’ll have an extra room that we can turn into a bedroom or an office, or whatever.” My husband flung my daughter forward into a high arc in front of us.

“Oh, that’s a great idea.” I love remodeling.  And the thought of starting yet another remodeling project on the house we’d lived in for three years was just the thing to get me chattering. “Maybe we could…”

Just about that time, as my daughter was yanking my arm trying to get us to sling her forward again and I was in the middle or redesigning my den into a new bedroom for my son and a small sitting area, said son went rolling past us.  Literally, head-over-heals rolling past. My first reaction was shock.  I jerked around looking for the person responsible for sending my son flying past us.  Problem was, no one was there.

“Oh my gosh, son, are you okay?” I turned back to him as my husband helped him up off the floor.

Of course, the reponse I got was the tyical pre-teen, “Yeah.” But he did look a little sheepish at the spill he’d taken.

“What happened?” His dad asked.  I was pretty sure he’d done the same thing I did trying to find the culprit and coming up empty.

“Uh.” My son looked down at the floor he’d just tumbled across. “I guess my feet got in the way.”

I laughed until I cried.  Poor kid.  His growth spurts had finally caught up to him.  His brain couldn’t signal his new bones and muscles fast enough,  and he’d tripped over his own to feet.  And gone rolling right past us.

Posted on September 6, 2011 - by JerriLynn

Who Knew? A Little About Lorna Seilstad

I was most blessed to have our very own Lorna Seilstad take some time to answer some questions for me.  Lorna’s a sweet person, who works her tail end off to keep us in reading material.  She’s also responsible for my recently acquired taste for historical fiction. Read on to learn about her, her books, and her writing.

Jerri: Please tell us a little about yourself and your books.

Since most of you reading this know the basics about me, I’ll try to share something new. I grew up on a farm in Iowa. My dad worked for the railroad at night and farmed during the day. My mom, a former executive secretary, stayed at home after I was born. I have an older brother and sister and one younger brother.

My mom’s name was also Lorna. Even though they always called me “Lori”, she named me Lorna because she thought it sounded more professional in case I became a doctor or a writer. I answer to both names now.

My husband David and I have been married 21 years. He works for Iowa State University Extenion as a youth specialist. We have three children. A son who is a sophomore in college, a daughter who is a high school senior, and another daughter in the seventh grade.

My favorite things to drink are Ghiradelli double chocolate cocoa and Diet Mt. Dew. I’m addicted to Oreos, and I won’t let my daughters have a puppy right now. They ask constantly and even put little notes on my cell phone about it.

About my books:

Making Waves, the first book in the Lake Manawa Series, came out in Sept. 2010. A Great Catch, the second book, released just this May. The books are stand-alones, meaning they have a compelte story in each of them. They are linked by the location and some recurring characters.

Here’s the blurb for A Great Catch:

She wants to change the world.
He wants to change her mind.

It’s the beginning of a new century at Lake Manawa resort in Iowa, but some things never change. When Emily Graham’s meddlesome aunts and grandmother take it upon themselves to find her a husband among the resort guests, the spunky suffragist is determined to politely decline each and every suitor. She has neither the time nor the need for a man in her busy life.

Carter Stockton, a recent college graduate and a pitcher for the Manawa Owls baseball team, intends to enjoy every minute of the summer before he is forced into the straitlaced business world of his father.

When their worlds collide, neither Emily nor Carter could have guessed what would come next. Will Carter strike out? Or will Emily cast her vote for a love that might cost her dreams?

The perfect summer novel, A Great Catch will enchant you with its breezy setting and endearing characters.

Endorsements

“A Great Catch weaves humor, history, romance, and spiritual truths into a delicious story that will delight readers’ hearts. What a fun, relaxing read! I’d like to remain at Lake Manawa forever.”–Laura Frantz, author of The Frontiersman’s Daughter and Courting Morrow Little

“A Great Catch is a grand slam! In a story as refreshing and invigorating as lemonade, Seilstad raises deep questions about a woman’s relationship with God, her dreams, and the people in her life–while making me laugh so loudly my kids came running to get in on the joke.”–Sarah Sundin, author of the Wings of Glory series

Jerri: What is your favorite bible verse? Why?

Romans 8:38-39 “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I love this verse because Paul is trying so hard to help us understand the depth and breadth of God’s unshakable love.

Jerri: What inspired the Lake Manawa series?

My father grew up in the Lake Manawa area. When the park’s days came to a close, my grandfather purchased one of the bath houses for $300 and moved it to a lot on what was once the Midway. That was the house my dad grew up in until they moved to the farm where he now lives.

Jerri:  How much research went into the series, and what methods did you use for conducting and keeping up with your research?

Any historical takes a lot of research in order for the books to be accurate. I was blessed to be able to write about my own hometown so some of the sources were more accessible than they would be otherwise. Besides the trips I made down to the lake just for inspiration, I spent hours in front of the microfilm viewer reading the old newspapers for stories about Lake Manawa. I also consulted books and online sources. I found some wonderful old postcards which helped me picture the setting. Some of my most useful sources end up being old Sears and Montgomery Ward catalogs.

Jerri:  How long did it take you to complete the first book in the series? Each subsequent book?

After the initial research is done, it takes me about nine months to write a book.

Jerri: Do you have a favorite character in the Lake Manawa series? Why?

You know, this is a hard question. It’s sort of like asking, “Which of your children do you like better?” I like each of them for a different reason. If I had to pick any favorites that weren’t heroes or heroines, I’d pick the aunts in A Great Catch. They were so much fun to write.

Jerri: Do your characters take on a life of their own as you’re writing?

Absolutely!  I always know quite a bit about the hero and heroine when I start, but I’m always surprised by some of the things that come out.

Jerri: What was the most interesting fact that you learned while researching the series?

I think one of the most interesting things I learned was something I didn’t include in the books. Ben Marks owned the hog farm/ gambling parlor. He and his wife were well respected citizens of the area. While he operated the gambling parlor, she ran the bordello upstairs.

One day, some of the ladies from the upper society came to call on her. They invited her to join them, but said she would have to give up her “occupation” of course.

She simply smiled and said, “Thank you for you kind offer, but I will have to decline. Now, if you ladies will wait here, you’re husbands will be down in a moment to escort you home.”

Can’t you just see the faces of those women?

Jerri: What are some of the challenges that you face as an author?

I think the biggest challenges involve balancing things—family, home, church, friends, business side of writing, promotion, research, and actually writing.

Jerri: How do you overcome those challenges?

I don’t know if I do overcome it. I try hard to keep my priorities straight, but it’s never easy. Then again, life seldom is easy for anyone. We all have to balance those things.

Jerri: What aspects of writing do you most enjoy?

My favorite part of writing is the storytelling. I love the creation part and when everything fits together. I also love the writing friends I’ve made along the journey.

Jerri: What is your goal or mission as a writer?

I want readers to be transported to another time and place, and experience God’s truth in a new way while being entertained. Story is first. Of course, I want readersto laugh a little along the way.

Jerri: What upcoming projects can we expect from you?

Next spring, the third book in the series is coming out called The Ride of Her Life. It’s Lilly’s story and involves a roller coaster designer.

I’m working on a new series tentatively called The Gregory Girls. It involves three sisters who vow to help each other achieve their dreams after their parents’ death. The oldest daughter becomes a “hello girl” or switchboard operator. She’s the main character in book one.

 

Posted on August 23, 2011 - by JerriLynn

A Little Music is Good for the Soul

I have a confession. I’m not much of a music buff.  Oh, I like good music.  But I’m the last person on the planet any of my friends will ask about a group or an artist, group, or song title, because honestly, I usually can’t answer their question.  I’m just not that into it.

Now, that doesn’t mean I live under a rock.  In fact, I have pretty eclectic music tastes.  They run the gamut from the really hard stuff to country music, and even a little jazz.  About the only thing I won’t listen to is hard-core rap and opera music.  I also listen to both secular and Christian music.

But when it comes to songs that touch my soul, there are a few that I have always loved and a few new ones that fit (or at least have fit) my personal placement in life.

On the side of songs that touch my soul are Go Tell It on the Mountain. Specifically the Dolly Parton version.  I grew up listening to Dolly Parton, and I always imagined that she and I were soul sisters.  I remember very clearly walking the quarter mile gravel drive from the bus stop to the house during the time that my parents owned their farm, singing Dolly songs loudly the whole way.  Go Tell It on the Mountain was always the first song of choice. And the second was her He’s Alive.

Amazing Grace will always be a favorite traditional hymn. But if I’m telling you the whole story, I have always loved it, but there’s a new version that’s only been out a year or two by a popular Christian group that I absolutely adore.  Can’t remember the group, but I could belt out the song, given the chance and someone willing to listen.  That last part might be a bit of a stretch, though, because as we used to say in the hills in Kentucky, I can’t carry a tune in a bucket!

Not being able to carry a tune makes songs like Monster and Rebirth by Skillet great songs for me.  I can sing right along with those songs and they’re loud and screechy enough that no one really notices that I’m off-key. Those songs fit especially well for me when I’m just not feeling like my heart is in the right place.

Happy Plastic People is another favorite (again, I don’t remember the artist/group).  The point of the song is to be who you are instead of a happy, plastic person.  As I have re-discovered who I really am after years of pretending to be someone else, this has become an anthem of sorts for me.  I don’t want to be a pretend person…I much prefer genuine, even if that sometimes makes people uncomfortable.

Discomfort isn’t a problem when I’m listening to the newer version of Jesus Love Me that my husband introduced me to a couple of years ago.  It’s nothing like the version that we learned as kids.  Instead, it’s a jazzy, bluesy, wailing version that’s both very adult, and somewhat soothing. Even better, it lifts my spirits when I can’t seem to remember that no matter where I’ve been or what I’ve done, Jesus loves me.

I’m not the person who has to have music on all the time.  In fact, I spend most of my time in relative quite with no music or television for background noise.  I like the quite. The sounds of the house living around me when I’m the only person home or awake are more soothing to me than most music.  Those sounds, along with the sounds of the family and dogs are my hymns.  They speak to me every day of the love that God has for me.  He loved me enough to forgive me when I wasn’t worthy of forgiveness and he loved me enough to bless me with this family. So, to hear those blessings – to really hear them – is the best melody I could ever be granted the privilege of listening to.

Posted on August 9, 2011 - by JerriLynn

The Summers of a Military Brat

I didn’t have typical summers growing up.  Most of my summers before high school were spent on a military installation somewhere overseas.  But, while I did’t have “typical” summer vacations, my summers held some seriously interesting locations.

For a couple of summers we were stationed in Reykjavik, Iceland.  Probably the coolest part of that tour was that during the summer there are very few hours where the sun isn’t shining.  That meant that on the weekends, when all of our parents got together to play cards until two in the morning, us kids got to play out on the playground behind the housing unit that we lived in.  It was pretty cool be the out there in the middle of the night and it felt like the middle of the day.

Being in Iceland also meant that I got to see neat things during the summer. One summer camp that I went to was actually a week-long trip spent sleeping in a lava cave that had been converted to an inn, of sorts.  We had bunks and a full kitchen. And during the daytime hours we got to explore caves, check out hot springs and water falls, and go to a whaling factory to see what happens to a whale once it’s been brought in for processing.

A few more summers were spent in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. That was pretty cool too.  We camped on the beach, spent entire weekends sleeping on and fishing from a pontoon boat in the Mangrove swamps, and spent endless hours as the swimming pool.  I was lifeguard certified that year (but never again since).

Summers in Cuba were a little less “exciting” because we couldn’t leave the post.  But that’s where I first figured out that I wanted to write.  One summer, I wrote several plays, casted the actors, and helped build the sets. We’d put the plays on for whomever wanted to come see them for a few days at time.  Then we’d grow bored with them and start on something new.

If I had a choose a favorite summer activity from our time in Cuba, though, it would be the outdoor movies. Because it’s such a temperate climate there, indoor movie theaters didn’t exist.  They were all outside, built like amphitheaters.  And every weekend of the summer there were movies playing.  My friends and I saw countless movies, though I couldn’t tell you what a single one of them was.  All I remember is laying on the concrete, on a blanket, with the movie on the big screen and more stars in the sky than you could every think of counting.

I’m a little saddened that my kids never got to experience the summers that I did.  Because although we never went on trips or took “vacations” I have memories from summer that are different from what most people have.  Memories that make me wish for summer again, and for the experiences that only a military brat can appreciate.

Posted on July 26, 2011 - by JerriLynn

The Blessing of Community

This past weekend I had a group of friends over for dinner.  These are people that I’ve been friends with since I first moved to Mobile and began attending church for the first time in nearly two decades.  They were the “Singles Group.”

The church had a fancy name for our class, something like Joyfully Single, but we always just called ourselves the Singles Group.  We had a bond – all of us were single.  Various circumstances had left us all without a mate, and we were all wounded in some way.  But those wounds held us together.

I can’t tell you the number of times that this group held me together.  It started with the very first get together we had.  It was Halloween.  And we all gathered at one member’s house, brought food, and spent a wonderful evening just chatting on the back porch.  At the beginning of that evening, I stayed in the corner, hands in my pockets, watching everyone interact.

By the end of the night, I was part of the group.  And a couple weeks later, everyone was at my house, hanging on my tiny balcony and stuffing ourselves with homemade lasagna.  See, that first night, when people finally began to draw me out of my shell it came out that I can cook.  And that I have a toolbox.  And I know how to use all of the tools.

A gauntlet was thrown.  Could I use my culinary skills to impress this group of Southerners?  I think they were afraid to challenge me to use the toolbox and its contents…who knows what I might have constructed.  I took the cooking challenge, though, and at the appointed time, ten people showed up at my tiny little two bedroom apartment.  At midnight, we were still sitting around talking, and it was agreed, that I had passed the test.

Over the years since then, that group has been through a lot together.  We’ve had relationships that didn’t last, and a couple that did.  We’ve had study groups that ran the gamut of emotion, we’ve been on outings together, and we’ve helped each other through a myriad of health issues.  We’ve dealt with the death of parents and children.  A lot of things have changed.

But as that group of people gathered in my kitchen on Saturday night, there was one thing that remained.  Despite all we’ve been through, our faith is still intact.  A prayer was said over our meal that was similar to the first prayer.

Thank you, Lord, for the people gathered in this room.  For the bonds that hold us together and the strength that you lend to each of us through those bonds…

We’re called to community through many verse in the bible, but perhaps my favorite is Hebrews 10:24-25:

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The Singles Group may not all be single now.  And we may not always get to spend as much time together as we would like, but regardless of the circumstances and the changes, we “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” and we encourage one another, always.  My blessing, the one that Jesus knew I needed as I started my own life over, was the blessing of community, in the form or a rag-tag group of individuals that needed a place to belong.