WHO ARE THOSE HAPPY WOMEN???

Someone might ask who the divas are and what the diva Facebook group is all about. Let me share.

One day Lacresha Hayes and I were chatting and she kept going on and on about the women who'd helped her live when she wanted to die. (I write that with her permission.) I had a similiar experience with a few online friends myself. And so often, we all tire of a social network, get bored or whatever and then you lose someone you wanted to hang on to forever- a real friend.

So, we decided to start a group which I wanted to name Divas because of how I view Lacresha. She came up with the acronym and we have been going ever since. This group of women are not just women who want to join a group so they can have something fun to do. This is a group of women who have inspired others by the tens, hundreds or thousands. They all have a testimony. They all have a generous spirit. They're all sweet women who share love, prayers and wisdom. We may not always agree, but we always love one another. That is our oath and we keep it daily.

The next time you see us chatting and talking amongst ourselves, you're not witnessing a group, but a lifelong sisterhood. We are D.I.V.A.s and we're proud of it!

Marriage Restoration with Lensey and Lacresha Hayes

I love anything that builds marriage, but this book is something different, refreshing and honest. Lensey and Lacresha Hayes put their heart and soul into this book, Truth and Intimacy: A Couple's Journal, and it shows with the responses they are constantly garnering in their couple's ministry work.

Marriage restoration is as big a part of this book as marriage building. The stories are inspirational and honest. In fact, the book is raw and ready for those who are truly ready to change. If you have the opportunity, visit their marriage blog and get a copy of their book. Support those who are doing a great work and you will benefit yourself beyond words.

Two Thoughtful Posts

Today, I happened upon two thoughtful posts. I couldn't rest tonight so I got up to make a post. Over at Free Spirit, Marvin Wilson asked a question about a compromising professional and ethical position. I couldn't comment because I seriously had never thought about it, but it is food for thought.

Also, my good friend, Lacresha Hayes, blogged about the white/black issue that still plagues us. She is one open lady, but it made me remember something that I teach my students. You may not be my students, but this is for everyone. Be careful about divulging information online. It's a whole lot easier to destroy someone when you've never shaken their hand or ate dinner with them. Don't give anyone any ammo to destroy you with. Lacresha has one of the most interesting and controversial blogs on the net to me. Eventually, she's going to make enemies. If you are an honest Christian and are extremely verbal about your beliefs, you'll make enemies. It's unavoidable. So, be leery about trusting people so quickly. Be leery about the info you give out. Just be leery. Now, visit those blogs and leave your comments.

Raising Children Isn't Always Easy

Yesterday, my good friend Lacresha talking about parenting from a hypocritical standpoint. As much as I hate to admit it, I suppose all parents have some hypocrisy about themselves. We don't try to be that way. It just ends up like that. It's never purposeful, hopefully not.

I know that being a parent isn't easy. In fact, it can be one of the most challenging jobs in the world. You have to deal with your insecurities in light of your children, your friends and everyone else that is watching you raise them. You're going to make mistakes along the way, but if you can avoid the pitfalls of blaming, denial and hypocrisy, you'll be just fine.

See Lacresha's post on the topic at Celebrate Women.

People of Integrity and Greatness

There are some people who walk according to paths already cleared. There's nothing wrong with these kind of people. There has to be someone to walk in cleared paths, but there also has to be those who are bold and courageous enough to go in uncharted waters.

I was visiting the site of one of those kinds of people today. Lacresha Hayes is just an all-around wonderful woman. As I visited her site today, I found yet another one, Minister Celeste Kelley. This woman is absolutely amazing. I loved the interview to pieces.

Go see for yourself at http://learntofeelpretty.blogspot.com

Hanging with this woman makes me look good. Some things are all about who you know because you become what you hang around.

A Chance to Win More Than 27 Books

After the recent storms in Arkansas, and the loss suffered by Lacresha Hayes and her church family, Joyce Anthony decided to collect books from various authors and sell chances to win it at $1 each, with all the funds going to Lacresha Hayes and her church family. Please see the list of books below and the link to send your money to for the opportunity to win these books:

1. It Had to Be Us by Harry and Elizabeth Lawrence http://www.bettyjotucker.com/
2. Susan Sarandon: A True Maverick by Betty Jo Tucker http://www.bettyjotucker.com/
3. Confessions of a Movie Addict by Betty Jo Tucker http://www.bettyjotucker.com/
4. Death By Candlelight by Billie A. Williams http://www.billiewilliams.com/
5. Knapsack Secrets by Billie A. Williams http://www.billiewilliams.com/
6. Storm by Joyce A. Anthony http://joyceanthony.tripod.com
7. Conduct Unbecoming by Nina M.Osier http://www.geocities.com/nina_osier/
8. Redemption by Judith Rochelle http://www.judithrochelle.com/
9. Shepherd’s Pie by J. D. Webb http://www.jdwebb.com/
10. Heal and Forgive: Forgiveness in the Face of Abuse by Nancy Richards www.healandforgive.net
11. Cherry Blossoms in Twilight: Memories of a Japanese Girl by Yaeko Sugama Weldon and Linda E. Austin http://www.moonbridgebooks.com/
12. I Romanced the Stone by Marvin D. Wilson http://inspiritandtruths.blogspot.com/
13. Different Roads by Joyce Sterling Scarbrough http://www.authorsden.com/joycelscarbrough1
14. True Blue Forever by Joyce Sterling Scarbrough http://www.authorsden.com/joycelscarbrough1
15. Gentle Journey by Elaine Lyons Bach http://www.shoutlife.com/profile_view.cfm?uid=39176
16. Angel’s Dance by Lynn C. Johnston http://www.lynncjohnston.com/
17. Bank Roll: A Max Stryker Mystery by Janet Elaine Smith http://www.janetelainesmith.com/
18. Dakota Printer by Janet Elaine Smith http://www.janetelainesmith.com/
19. The Rape of Innocence by Lacresha Hayes www.authorsden.com/visit/viewwork.asp?id=22774&AuthorID=73926, http://learntofeelpretty.blogspot.com
20. Becoming by Lacresha Hayes www.authorsden.com/visit/viewwork.asp?id=22774&AuthorID=73926, http://lacreshahayesfanclub.weebly.com
21. The Feeling Soul: A Roadmap to Healing and Living by Mark Linden O’Meara http://www.healingresources.org/
22. Crazy Thoughts of an Online Romance by Epstein LaRue http://www.epsteinlarue.com/
23. Arpetta Honor by Annette Snyder http://annettesnyder.atspace.com/
24. The Kahills of Willow Walk by S. K. Hamilton http://www.skhamilton.com/
25. Beyond Dancing by Anita Bloom Ornoff http://beyonddancing.tripod.com/
26. One Frog Sang by Shirley Parenteau http://www.shirleyparenteau.com/
27. Curley and Q and Me, Too Baby Album by Marcia Trimble illustrated by Kim Spanaugle http://www.clearblogs.com/kimsponaugle

One lucky winner will get a box that includes all the books on this list!!! In addition, there will be numerous additional drawings for a copy of one of the books, so the chances of winning a prize are numerous.
To enter the drawing, you can do one of two things:
a. Go to http://paypal.com and buy as many chances as you wish, using the email address : lacresha.hayes@gmail.com. Every one dollar donation gets you one entry in the drawing.
or
b. Contact Joyce Anthony at rainbow@velocity.net and I will send you information on where you can send a check or money order for your chances.
The drawing will be held on July 1, 2008 and winners will be notified by email by July 5, 2008.

Want to learn how to write a book?

Have you heard the news? Living Waters Publishing Company is sponsoring two book writing webinars. Each one will detail how to write a book when you have an idea, but no writing experience.

They will be held on March 1st and March 29th. The cost is $45. For more information, contact Lacresha Hayes at preacha1975@yahoo.com.

Uncomfortable Attention

Some very mean people have been visiting my blog with nonsense of late. There's a few things I have to say about that to you anonymous tipsters, as you must obviously call yourselves. Don't ever write me anything negative about a person on my blog. They are here because I trust them. What I don't trust is anonymous tipsters. If you are right, why hide your identity? Or, are you running from a lawsuit which is inevitable if you continue on.

I believe Living Waters Publishing Company is a great company. I trust Terry Kennedy, wholeheartedly. His research matters to me. Some of the other sites I can do without. Before this past incident with Absolute Write, I trusted Victoria Strauss. I don't anymore. I don't know if it's her or her associates there, but I know they have went too far for me to call them credible.

I know Lacresha through a few Yahoo groups, and some emails. I know she is a woman who loves God. And to attack her, call her a liar, say she hates gays, is prejudice and more that has been sent to me is downright unacceptable. To attack her because she is only 32 and has a 17 year old son, and was raped is dispicable. No person who cares about authors would stoop so low. So, please, don't write this blog or you will be reported, tracked and charges will be pressed (if I can do that). If I can't, I'll try. I will not be a part of this mess. I serve you warning, a few of us are gathering to approach whomever we have to for Absolute to be removed from the web altogether, or at the very least, what's decent, is to take down the post about her rape and her son. That's mean, vindictive, spiteful and only done by people without a real life.

An Interview with Lacresha Hayes

This interview was easily conducted. I had already done a lot of research. My interest was peaked when I found her on the RAINN Speaker's Bureau list, thanks to Katherine Hull. Her latest book, The Rape of Innocence: Taking Captivity Captive, features information in the index about various sexual assault organizations. So, without further ado, let's get to this interesting interview:

Q: Lacresha, tell my readers a bit about yourself.

A: There's actually not a lot to tell, Deb. I'm a wife and mother, a good ol' country girl, an author and a business owner. I am enjoying life inspite of how it started.

Q: What made you write this particular book?

A: My life was hard, and as hard as it was for me to imagine it, millions of women and men have been through worst. What choice did I have? To be silent would be to exacerbate the situation so many suffering people are in.

Q: How did you come about join RAINN (Rape, Assault and Incest National Network) in their quest to alert the public to a growing threat to families and sanity?

A: That was another natual step, to be honest. They are people who truly care, as I do. I see what they are doing. They are active. I don't want to sit around behind some desk talking about the problem. I want to put my hands to the plow, so to speak, and help people heal. I healed, and if I healed, so can others.

Q: What is the theme of your book?

A: Sexual abuse, abandonment issues, domestic violence, suicidal tendencies and an overcoming salvation and faith in Jesus Christ. No matter how horrible some of the story is, I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me. God brought me out of it all with a fairly sound mind. (LOL)

Q: What advice would you give others who have been hurt like you?

A: Seek God first. There are no other real options. In fact, everything else makes it worse before it gets any better. It's not the end of the world. My new motto is to make your pain your power! I mean that with my whole heart. This is the key to healing. Avenging the evil of your past by doing good for someone else.

Q: Any other works in the making?

A: As a matter of fact, there is. Becoming: My Personal Memoirs is due out sometime in the next two weeks. Introducing the Culpeppers, my first try at a children's book, will be released in March of this year. Full Exposure: Behind Church Walls is coming soon also. There are a lot of books in me, so I may be writing for the rest of my life.