Candleglow Dreams-Sexual Abuse Theme

In writing Candleglow Dreams, i wanted to use my experience with working as a child therapist-At least one out of three children had been abused-These kids came fom all walks of life-Many from the foster system-some from homes where the abuse went on in the next room-For my story I researched the perpetrator who goes for several children at once. In creating Celeste's situation I made her into a girl who fir the profile-At age tweleve Celeste loses her parents-a good farm family-She winds up with an aunt she has never heard of-There is a family secret that her mother, a compliant woman can't bring heself to share fearing that her children will blame her for the discord-the aunt, Sylvie, a socialite-and psyccopathic personality takes her rage out on Celeste who looks like her mother-Celeste is twelve when she and her brother move there-In the story she is isolated from all those she knows-A shy girl who is constantly put down by the aunt-she has no friends and is shut off from her sister-two years later she is placed with a bogus pastor who runs a group for "shy" girls-He is extremely persuasive- a man who is worshiped by a huge congegation-As soon as Celeste meets him-in her loney state-he begins to flirt-By now she is sixteen and begins to fantasize-She's Aat the age where she would normally want a boyfried-She falls in love but only in her mind-As time passes-she grows dependent on him-but at the same time knows his touching ia wrong-When she confronts him he gets angry threatening to cut her out of his life-she finds herself in a vicious cycle-She wants to think he is good-Afterall hundreds of people believe in him-Likewise he shames her when angry-Eventually she begins to find him pathetic-Less mature tha the boys at school-Yet he has a way with her-like being hypnotised-she can't get out from under his apell-Eventually something happens and she realizes how sick he is-albeit he makes his move-She is blamed-this is convenient He operates by moving from church o church-She is made to think she is evil and that it was her fault-In Part Two she meets her father's
boss's som- a rancher-A love story follows-and the quesion is.. Will she return home to the hills of Nebr-The perpetrator goes after those who need them-At least this is common and a good way to hook a child-Mnay won't have the background necessary for understanding what is happening or to say "no."

Simple and Beautiful Like Jesus

Holidays, gifts, trees, Stores, parties, relatives, friends, cookies, bars, Hordoerves, cards. Wines, travel, ribbon, Wrappings, Money, Clothes, music, snowmen, Decorations, Lights, More Money, Noise, Flashing lights...Is any wonder we feel stressed-Along with doing it right is the plight of trying to satisfy and please everyone from family to coworkers to friends and acquaintances. What an enormous task to ask of others and ourselves. For some this is right but for many Christmas turns into an event that's a bit like living in a zoo-although I think a zoo would be easier than what we do. Have you ever wondered what Christmas for Jesus would have been like had he celebrated this holiday.I liked the softness that my ways as I pondered this thought.I felt free as though-Jesus so loving was giving me permission for simplicity -He lived a simple life devoid of possessions, of pleasing others for the sake of being liked, he had boundaries, took time for prayer...I think he would have calmly stated his needs and gone about his business (teaching us to care and love) ...that giving one small thing was  a humble expression of love... more thought provoking than spending more than we have, by giving gifts that aren't wanted or used...I think Jesus would have suggested that we simplify the season, that we delve into our spirituality, that our time be more "simply wonderful." My ideal Christmas would be food and clothing my on someone truly needing-then a gathering- a small group at our cabin-to eat, sing, laugh, share stories, perhaps take a walk, or ride, even making cookies together would be fun...Perhaps  giving a small gift. The joy would be in the sharing of hearts.So simply beautiful...Next time-some simple gifts.to give-