Across the amber (air)waves of grain

If you live in Duluth or Portland, you might have heard me on the radio today. Ted Elm of Northland Notebook in Duluth, Minnesota (WWJC) had me on his show this morning. This afternoon (their time), I talked with Georgene Rice on KPDQ in Portland. Next week I'll be doing several taped interviews that will air at later dates and times. More to come.

Splitting up our selves

If you live in two worlds, are you still just one person? That's the question that seems to be asked in a book for children called A Heart with Two Homes. From GTR Newspapers:

In a beautifully simple and accessible way, along with wonderful illustrations, the book tells the story of a young girl named Elizabeth; “Lizzie” to her mom, and “Beth” to her dad. “Lizzie” is a girl who is a “girly-girl” when at home with her mother because she and her mother spend time doing girl things, and she wants to please her mother. “Beth” is a tomboy when she is at her dad’s house because they spend time doing sports, and she wants to please her dad. It’s a story about a young girl who moves from being “Lizzie” to “Beth” on a regular basis, who feels increasingly distressed that she is being dishonest about who she is because she had two “different selves,” and who eventually is able to integrate “Lizzie” and “Beth” and just be a girl with a one heart named “Elizabeth” who has two loving homes.

The author, Monica Epperson, is a Christian whose faith informs her writing about the topic of divorce:

“Starting when I was very young my mother told me that I always had and always will have a Father in heaven. Consequently, even though I experienced five divorces before I was 12, I have never felt fatherless. I have always known that I have a Father, that He has always loved me and that He will never leave me.“ In fact, Epperson is already busy writing her next book, “Never Left Fatherless.”

Challies review

Click here to read Tim Challies' review of Child of Divorce, Child of God. Many thanks to Tim for the great review!

Just a side note: When I read Tim's review there was one comment from a guy who wondered how the book would be different if written from a male perspective. He hadn't read the book, but if you're like him and wondering whether this book will be specific to my own situation as a child of divorce and a woman, let me assure you that's not the case. While I do tell my own story of growing up as a child whose parents divorced when she was three, I also interviewed others and include their stories as well. The book includes stories of people whose parents divorced when they were children, teens and even adults; stories of people whose fathers were the ones who left and others whose mothers were the ones who left; and, yes, stories of both men and women who had experienced the divorce of their parents.

Never forget

Photo taken in 1991 from Empire State Building.

Allergic to divorce

Have you noticed how many kids today have allergies? Researchers in Germany might have an explanation for this trend. Apparently, they've connected immune deficiencies, including asthma, allergies, and eczema to childhood stress and specifically to the separation or divorce of one's parents.

Meet me in St Louie

I'll be on KFUO, broadcasting out of St. Louis, today at 5 p.m. Eastern. You can listen online here.

Radio interview

You can listen to me live on WMUZ (Detroit) on Monday, September 8 from 1:00 to 1:30 pm Eastern. Follow the link to listen online.

9Marks Buzz

My pastor, Mike McKinley, just posted a gracious recommendation of Child of Divorce, Child of God on the 9Marks blog. If you're a pastor or lay leader and aren't familiar with the 9Marks blog, you should check it out; it's a great group of pastors who discuss theology, church life, and the occasional scary baby video. (I'm sure a lot of people thought he was cute, but that kid freaked me out more than Chucky.)

Detroit radio on Monday

I'll be doing a live radio interview on Monday, September 8, with Bob Dutko of WMUZ in Detroit beginning at 1:00 Eastern and lasting for a half hour. If you're not in the Detroit area, you can listen online.

Stay tuned for info on future listening opportunities!