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Research – Do You Like Doing It?…

research_20140123i LOVE reading!

i will read almost anything, in English (German takes me too long and Mandarin is too hard now that i’ve left it behind decades ago), with the exception of very theoretical stuff like Chaos Theory.

When i did History, Geography and Literature in school, subjects where research is important, i was in heaven! i also enjoyed reading all of the research i had to do for my thesis when i was at university.

So now that i’m writing a novel, it seems strange that i’m a little reluctant to do some research. It’s not the having to do all the reading that is making me hesitant, it’s the time it takes and how easily distracted i get following one link to the next to the next and beyond BUT…

… research is important!

i have just finished listing my scenes and “interviewing” all of my major characters and think i’m ready to start writing proper. However, there were a few points which came up in the “interviews” which should really be researched on. They are not major plot points but they relate directly to the characters involved and could very well influence things like dialogue.

Then i read Do the Write Thing and now i have decided i should do the research!

Because who knows, it just might be my novel which unexpectedly blows Dan Brown out of the literary waters and (i’m) suddenly swamped with speaking or blogging requests*, i don’t wanna be caught out on a few poorly researched points…

So anyone knows how to put a few more hours into the very short 24 we have been given a day so i can get all these research done? 😉

Do you research details of the story you are writing? Do you like doing research? How do you do your research? Internet? Go old-school – at the library?

syc

*orange text is quoted from Do the Write Thing. i am grateful for the inspiration and encouragement from The Write Practice blog.

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They were Mean to My Kid…

meantomychild20140118Yes, kids can be mean; my boy has seen his fair share of mean kids and the mama bear in me wants so very much to go and knock some sense into these kids who use their words as a weapon and do mean things to get a laugh. BUT… i don’t …

Why? One reason is because i can’t express myself sufficiently well enough in German to get my full intent across. Another reason is sometimes (just some of the time) i feel my boy needs to learn to stand up / speak up for himself.

It’s a fine line and one i have lots of problems walking along because my boy is a sensitive child and what people say to him and about him really does bother him a whole lot!

Like just the other day, on the way home, his friend called him dumb. Apparently for no reason and without provocation. He was upset and felt that all the kids must think that. When he left to go back to school for the afternoon, he didn’t want to walk with his best friend because his best friend was already walking with the friend who called him dumb. They were ahead of us and kept looking back. My boy was upset, thinking they were talking about him and how dumb he is. i told him that may not be true and that he should be the bigger person and just let it go.

Yes, easier said than done.

i wanted so much to go up to the other boy and ask why he called my boy dumb – but i didn’t. i wanted to call his mother but i didn’t. Should i have? i’m not sure it would have been the best thing.

i read this article yesterday  – What to do When Someone is Mean to Your Child – and it hit home

And what she said to her boy is exactly what i want and need to say to my boy.

My boy needs to know that mean people will always exist regardless of how good you try to be and that we should never try to please people. We live by God’s standard.

My boy needs to know that what people say of him / about him does not define who he is. He is a well-loved son, grandson and friend and most importantly, a beloved child of God.

My boy needs to know that he can be assertive without resorting to physically hitting back.

My boy needs to know that there are people (like his teachers, us, grandparents, uncle etc…) he can go to if he needs to; when bullies get to be too much.

My boy needs to know that God’s standard means we need to be kind to everyone; it’s a way of showing God’s love to the people around us. And the kindness he shows will come back to him.

My boy needs to know that bullies can sometimes be victims themselves and he needs to be like Jesus and try to see the possible good in a person and see how he can help.

It is a tall order and i hope that my boy will learn it and be the kind friend. He won’t learn it all at once but bit by bit i pray he will grow into that kind of person.

So what do you do when someone is mean to your kid?

syc

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All From Asia #11…

allfromasia11_map_20140114It’s 2014, our second year and our 11th post highlighting Families Adopting From Asia. These families have answered the call to provide loving homes for special needs orphans and it is not an easy journey they have undertaken. Therefore they will need all the help they can get; help from you, supporting them in spirit, in prayers and in giving. Thank you.

Families Who Are HOME:

The Murdoch Family is home with Corina and doing well. Follow their journey here.

The Dismuke Family is home with Johanna and enjoying being a family of five. Follow their journey here.

The Estes Family is home with Julia Mei and Jacob. Follow their journey here and here.

Families Who Are Still On Their Journeys:

The Lewis Family are waiting on a court date (this week!). They are asking for prayers that court orders to be written up quickly so that Abby-Kate’s passport can be issued and they can go bring her home. They have to wait for her passport to be issued before they can travel and are still short about US$2500 for travel expenses. Please help them meet this last funding need. Give here. You can follow their journey here. UPDATE: 16 January: They passed court and have been officially named Abby-Kate’s parents! Praise the Lord! Now they wait for her passport to be ready (pray that it will take less time) and then they can go pick her up. 29 January: They have a T-shirt Fundraiser to raise that final travel costs! See here – it’s a cute tee!

The Wetherington Family has LID (Log-In-Date) which means their dossier is now logged into the adoption system in Elliette’s and Henry’s country. They still need US$25,000 to be fully funded for both adoptions. They have an amazing giveaway here. Please check it out and take part. You can also give directly to their adoption grant here. You can follow their journey here. UPDATE: 22 January:T-shirt Fundraiser – Love >Distance – please check it out here!

The Smith Family has sent their dossier to country and are still working hard fundraising. They have quite a number of fundraisers going on, so pick one and go shopping!  Amazon Link, Just Love Coffee, Adoption Bug and Young Living (use number 1450122).Also Jamberry Nails and Ginger on a Mission (enter Smith family for Steve in the notes to seller). You can give directly to their adoption grant here. You can follow their journey here. UPDATE: 1 February: They have LOA! Praise the Lord! Now they wait for Travel Approval (TA).

The Huhn Family is waiting on LOA (Letter of Approval). They have just received a US$7000 bill from their agency. Please consider contributing to their adoption grant here. You can follow their journey here.

The Monier Family is awaiting USCIS Approval and need US$4000 in order to send their dossier to country. They are working hard, making lovely new jewelry at their Esty shop, so please go over and make a purchase. You can also shop at Channah’s Guardian Angel’s Esty shop with lovely sandwich bags and business card holders, please put in a note at checkout that you would like 50% to go to Channah. You can contribute directly to their adoption grant here. You can follow their journey here. UPDATE: 16th January: Please pray for this family as they are hit with unexpected urgent needs which are pulling away funds they have saved for the adoption. 18th January: USCIS Approval received! Praise the Lord! Which means funds need to come ASAP! 27 January: they have received a new picture of Channah! See here.

The Campbell Family has Travel Approval! Which means they would be leaving in a few short weeks to bring Darcy (Allyson-Kate) home. They are asking for prayers for that Darcy will be prepared to receive them and that her grief will be minimal. Pray that they will have wisdom, patient and understanding as they help her through all the adjustments she needs to make, having a family of her own. They still need to raise US$13,500. They have the following fundraisers: Usborne Books, Trades of Hope, Thirty-One, Young Living Essential Oils, Just Love Coffee, Pasta Fundraiser and Online-Auction. Also you can shop through their Amazon Link. Contribution can also be made to their Project Hopeful account. You can contribute directly to their adoption grant here. You can follow their journey here. UPDATE: 14th Janaury: Online Auction to bring Darcy home – click here to bid on wonderful books and lovely jewelry! They leave on 4th February, Gotcha Day is 10th February! Consulate Appointment (CA) is 19th February. 27th January: Silpada Jewelry Fundraiser! Check it out here. They travel in a week! 30th January: Their agency called the orphanage and found out that the compulsory orphanage donation has been reduced! So now they only need US$4500 to be fully funded! Praise the Lord! Please do take part in their final fundraiser and give here. 1 February: They have a Lilla Rose Fundraiser now. This online shop sells absolutely lovely and practical hairclips and hairsticks. Please make a purchase and help them meet this final costs! 9 February: They will meet Ally Kate tomorrow and are still short on funds! Please help by giving here. They also have an Online Auction here.

The Aschoff Family has USCIS Approval and now wait for Matching Approval for Leo. They need another US$5800 to be fully funded. They have a t-shirt fundraiser on their blog, see this month’s design here. Purchase the t-shirts with the buttons on the left of their blog. They also have 25 Apparent Bracelets left to sell. You can also contribute to their adoption grant here. You can follow their journey here. UPDATE: 27 January: Here‘s a breakdown of the upcoming fees. Even while still needing funding themselves, they are helping to raise money for another worthy cause – check it out here. 9 February: They have a new BRAVELET Fundraiser. Check it out here!

The Rakoczy Family got Immigration Approval and their dossier has just gone to their agency and then it will go to Daniel’s country. They have another US$10,000 till they are fully funded. They have a t-shirt fundraiser here. And are organising a Tupperware fundraiser as well as a Couch to 5K fundraiser – stay tuned for details. You can help by shopping through their Amazon Link. You can contribute to their adoption grant here. You can follow their journey here. UPDATE: 1 February: They are DTC (Dossier to Country)! Praise the Lord! Now for LOA!

The Lanz Family has LOA (Letter of Approval). Now they wait for TA (Travel Approval). They still need US$17,000 and have the following fundraisers on:  Puzzle Fundraiser (specifically for Peter’s plane ticket), Amazon Link and Ginger On A Mission Esty Shop (mention “Peter and the Lanz Family” at checkout). You can see most of the fundraisers on this FB page. You can also contribute to their adoption grant here. You can follow their journey here. UPDATE: 27 January: They have been working on getting Peter’s (Issac’s) room ready – sneak peep here and here. They still need a lot of funds but have chosen to focus on getting the paperwork done and the house ready for him… PLEASE help them meet the funding need! Give here! 9 February: They have a Valentine’s Online Auction here!

The Fraley Family praises the Lord for providing the funding they needed for their latest bill so their dossier is en route to Autumn’s and Abby’s country. They are now working on I-800 Approval. Their latest fundraisers will be posted on this FB page. You can contribute to their adoption grant here. You can follow their journey here.

The Collins Family just had their last meeting with their social worker so their homestudy should be done soon. In the meantime, they have tried a t-shirt fundraiser for Caleb but had very little success. Would you please encourage them by giving a little to their adoption grant?

The Cassel Family has one more week of homestudy to go and then they will be submitting their USCIS form to get approval to adopt Shawna. They are selling handmade wooden pens to raise the needed funds. The pens are lovely – check them out here. You can contribute to their adoption grant here.

The Perry Family is on the final leg of their journey to bring Vonnie home. Gotcha Day is 9th February! Please pray for a safe and hassle-free trip. You can contribute to their adoption grant here. You can follow their journey here.

The Duvall Family has finished their homestudy and is compiling their dossier now. They have a Puzzle Fundraiser going on and a T-shirt Fundraiser. They have an Esty Shop with lovely crochet items. They and Jimmy will be featured on Give1Save1 for a week, starting January 20th, stay tuned for details. You can also contribute to their adoption grant here. You can follow their journey here.

The Anderson Family has been pre-approved for their two boys. They have a t-shirt fundraiser going on now.  You can contribute to their adoption funds here. You can follow their journey here. UPDATE: 24 January: A very Unique Fundraiser is happening – Name a Character – you get to name a character in upcoming books of a published author! There is also an Envelope Fundraiser and a Bumper Sticker Fundraiser! All fun and wonderful… click here for all the details. 27 January: They are now on a medical expedite track as Wayne needs medical care ASAP… see here for details. Please pray that Wayne’s health holds on.

The Stickley Family has been told that they need to be in country either on February 9th or February 16th. They are praying for February 9th. BUT they are still short US$15,000 for in-country expenses and visas/passports etc. Please help by giving towards their adoption grant here. You can follow their journey here. UPDATE: 9 February: Travel date is February 14th! But they still need funds! Please give here.

The Smith Family (a different one) has completed their homestudy. Please continue to pray for them as they move forward to adopt Barry. You can contribute to their adoption grant here.

The Casebier Family has been waiting for LOA. Please pray that they will receive it really soon. They have about 12 weeks to raise the US$10,000 in orphanage donations for their 2 girls. Please pray that these funds come in. If you feel led to help them, please comment below with your email and i’ll put you in touch with them. The country they are adopting from has strict rules about sharing information so i can not give you more information at this time. UPDATE: 15 January: They now have a YouCaring account – give here! 29th January: They have LOA! One of their girls is Brandy, the other is from a partnership file so i don’t have details for the other girl. 5 February: They have a Reece’s Rainbow FSP now! Give here (tax deductible for US citizens).

The Maple Family sent their dossier to be authenticated and it should be en route to country soon. They still have another US$9000 to raise. And have a T-shirt fundraiser which needs 50 orders by TOMORROW Tuesday, 14th January or they lose everything already pledged. Please ORDER HERE! You can give to their adoption grant here or here. You can follow their journey here. (Blog to be updated soon.) UPDATE: 15th January: they met their goal for the t-shirt fundraiser! Thank you. 18th January: they have DTC! Now they wait for LOA. 9 February: They are taking orders for a special Premier Designs Necklace called Matthew17:20, with semi precious stone(bluish stone) – natural Amazonite. Prices 1=$46, 2=$87, and 3=$98. Email sjomaples@yahoo.com for picture and to order.

The Reed Family are not newcomers to adoption, 4 of their 8 current children are adopted. They are adopting Joel and Sophia this time. They are 5.5 weeks away from travelling to bring these precious ones home and still short US$15,000. Sophia has a heart condition which requires immediate care so time is of the essence here. Please help them raise the needed funds. You can buy handmade bracelets made by Joel’s and Sophia’s new sister here and hairbows here. You can also contribute to their adoption grant here. You can follow their journey here. UPDATE: 15 January: They have a Red Envelope Fundraiser!! Request to join the group, pick a numbered envelope, donate that amount – easy! 29 January: They have a Matching Grant (US$4000) from Lifesongs! They need to raise $4000 to get the $4000. Please give here (Family Account Number & Family Name Fields – Reed/#4340). 9 February: PRAISE THE LORD! They are FULLY FUNDED! Please do continue to pray for Sophia’s health and a hassle-free quick paperwork process.

The Settles Family has considered adoption for a long time but each time it seemed the timing just didn’t work out. But NOW the Lord has paved the way so they are on a journey to bring Hudson home. They need US$400 IMMEDIATELY (need met!) in order to submit their paperwork to country. Please help by giving to their YouCaring account here. They are also selling delicious fudge – check it out here. As well as lovely prints (photos). You can keep updated via their FB page here. You can give towards other upcoming expenses here. You can follow their journey here. UPDATE: 14th January: they have met their immediate need of US$400, Praise the Lord! Please continue to help them as they move forward.

The Grady Family had their eyes opened since their first adoption and has not looked back. They are now on a paperchase to add Hudson (a different one) and Evie to their family. They have received LOA which means travel is coming up soon. They are short US$9500. Evie has a critical heart condition and needs to be home ASAP. Please help them meet these final funding needs. Stay tuned for details of an upcoming auction. You can give to their adoption grant here. You can follow their journey here.

3 families home. 3 NEW families. 22 families on their adoption journeys, all needing your support, prayers and help in funding, emotionally and spiritually. Please give generously. Thank you.

syc