Getting Personal

1.Who are you & where do you come from?

My husband would be the best person to answer that as he knows the real me. A Sydneysider, I always wanted to be an artist so I studied art and joined the family ceramics studio and enjoyed etching Australian flora and fauna exclusively for Prouds in Sydney. I met my violinist husband at a YFC meeting and he challenged me to use my gift for God. After our marriage we attended Emmaus Bible College and then joined Dr Gene Jeffries and American evangelist as his music team. We spent two years in America and then answered the call to be involved in missions in Australia. Each year in December, we minister throughout Thailand with a Thai interpreter, Somchai Soothornturasuk. He arranges for us to use our art and music in schools, prisons, orphanages, hospitals and churches where we explain the real meaning of Christmas. During our many years of travelling over countries in SE Asia, I began to write seriously. Though looking back, I used to spin stories with my grandma and I think the seeds were sown then.

 

 2. Tell us about your writing. What do I write?

I love reading historicals. I also love the extensive research involved in writing these. So my chosen genre is Historical Romance. I have had two published by a Sydney publisher. My next was a trilogy: Signed Sealed Delivered, The Tie That Binds, A Parcel of Promises were Indie published.

3. Tell us about your program, what challenges you most and what helps you most?

As I also write and record radio programs with my husband, I'm always challenged to find the time to write my novels.(I wish I had a maid and a cook like those in my historicals!) However I can tune out even with the TV on, because when I write, I am not in my room, not in my suburb and not in my time. I read my Bible study and notes each morning and ask the Lord to guide me in whatever I write as I want it to honour Him. My Thesaurus helps me most of all when I am searching for just the right word.

4. What are your writing goals?

I am now writing 3 synopses for a Book proposal of another series I have just completed under the series name: Daughters of Resilience: Book 1.  Speechless, Breaking Miss Sophie's Silence, Book 2. Defenseless, Miss Dengate's Deliverance, Book 3. Heartless, Miss Kate's Great Expectations.( I use US spelling.) The setting is the Edwardian Era. So my goal is to find an agent who likes my work and who will find a publisher who in turn will actually snap up my trilogy! Easy? Nooooo. I'd value your prayers about this.

5. How does my faith impact my writing?

To answer this I'll share what I have written in my Book Proposal:

Resilience - a combination of perseverance and hope - is a universal theme in my novels. When facing difficult issues, today’s Christian woman can relate when facing hard decisions between making a God honouring choice or whatever is expedient at the time. 

I truly want to share my faith in a practical way. Just as Jesus used stories to illustrate a spiritual truth, so I really want my readers to gain something that might help them in their own life.

Rita has learned her craft by making every mistake in the book!  But perseverance is the key. Besides reading fiction and nonfiction,  read plenty of books in the genre you write. Then write your heart out. Write all your doubts and struggles into your characters. And have fun creating your nasty antagonists.

If you feel the Lord has called you to write, just keep at it whatever it is articles, scripts, Sunday school lessons, women's devotionals, there's a need for all of these.
And never give up.

What Marriage Used to Mean

Author, Angela Crouch shares her viewpoint:

I have seen a growing trend among the people around me, and throughout the world, to question whether or not marriage is worth it anymore, since most of the benefits of being legally and lawfully joined in matrimony can be made available to any couple. Isn’t it just a piece of paper?

Others fight for that piece of paper and legal designation, and by so doing seek to change the fundamental precepts that marriage was founded on — aka “redefining marriage”. With my “old fashioned” view on marriage, I find it hard to understand, or condone either of these.
This is what marriage used to mean and still means to me: 

First, look at government’s stake in, and society’s purpose for marriage through most of human history.

As Thomas Sowell, one of America’s brilliant minds put it this way: “In the absence of the institution of marriage, the individuals could arrange their relationship whatever way they wanted to, making it temporary or permanent, and sharing their worldly belongings in whatever way they chose. Marriage means that the government steps in, limiting or even prescribing various aspects of their relations with each other — and still more, their relationship with whatever children may result from their union. In other words, marriage imposes legal restrictions, taking away rights that individuals might otherwise have.”

With this understanding it makes sense why some couples like the “just a piece of paper” argument. I mean, who wants the Government to have any say in their personal relationships? However, the main focus of society’s past interest in marriage was because of the children that usually result from the union of a man and a woman. It happens.  Deal with it.  But society needed to make sure that those children were taken care of.

“Marriage is the institution that maximizes the likelihood that the two of them would take the
responsibility of raising that child.”

He stated further: “The state’s interest in marriage is not that it cares about my love life, or your love life, or anyone’s love life just for the sake of romance. The state’s interest in marriage is ensuring that those kids have fathers who are involved in their lives.”

Completely logical, but for most people, especially Christians, marriage means much more.

My friend Mary Hawkins expressed the viewpoint of most Christians:

Old fashioned? I don't think so. Not when the meaning of what marriage is has stood for thousands of years. I strongly believe that every person NOT committed to God and His son, Jesus, may indeed have the freedom of choice in relationships. What I do very strongly object to is the demand it still be called marriage so it has all the safeguards and rights governments have made for true marriage. this whole trend just makes me extremely sad - and fearful for our beloved nation.

Well said! Thanks for your very clear comment Mary. 

COMING SOON: To all of you, my readers, who having been following this Inspirational Romance blog, I have an announcement.
In the next couple of weeks this blog will have a new name - Rita Stella Press.com  It will be similar, but will allow me more leeway to write about a wide range of topics.

Thanks for your interest during this time. I believe you will enjoy the new blog just as much.
God bless you

Rita Stella 

LEST We FORGET

THE ODE
by Laurence Binyon

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them." 


In memory of our brave Australian and New Zealand men & women who gave their lives for our freedom

Members of the armed forces at the Sydney Centotaph in Martin Place early this morning. The service began at 4:30 am.

Services were also held at the Gallipoli Penisula in Turkey where thousands massed to remember the blood sacrifice of their loved ones.

We will not forget

THE TIE THAT BINDS

This is a cover for my latest book, an inspirational historical romance.

The Victorian Era fascinates me.
Everything about its customs and the real life stories from that age is enough to inspire me to write fiction about what could have been.

Arranged marriages were often quite acceptable. But what would happen to a young woman if that was not the case? So this is what my story, The Tie That Binds, covers.

It hasn't come off the presses yet, but in several days I hope to hold the very first proof copy in my hand. All the hard work has been done now I wait. I know many folk have been waiting for this second book of a trilogy. And the next book, A Parcel of Promises is being edited as of now. It will follow this soon after.

Everything can change in a heartbeat.

Mayfair London, 1859
All is well in the well-to-do Cantrell household until its scheming mistress begins to act on her self-serving plans.
Forced into the security of an arranged marriage and an uncertain future of eloping with her heart's desire, Charlotte Cantrell's faith and integrity are tested to the limit. Either choice threatens dire consequences to everyone she holds dear, and even as she hovers over her decision, she knows that once made it will affect the entire course of her life.

Only an unforeseen event can rescue Charlotte from personal tragedy and forsaken dreams.
 

AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE

Although a commonplace occurrence in many countries, it rarely happens in Australia. My friend, Hanaa shares her story:

I was born in Alexandria, Egypt, and grew up in a Christian family. As a young woman and a believer, I taught Sunday School in Soul Salvation Assembly.

Meanwhile Moheb, a young man from my church, emigrated to Australia to live and work there for two years with his family. Believing it was time he got married, his mother and sister advised him to return to Egypt to find a Christian wife. It happened that my father and his father worked together at the Alexandria Water Board so they mentioned my name to him.

After Moheb visited my family, he approached the elders in the church about being engaged to me. But before they agreed, they checked whether he would make a good husband by contacting his church elders back in Australia. Only then did they agree, and we had our engagement party. Then they encouraged us to get married in Egypt. And with God's blessing, we were married there.

We were parted when Moheb travelled back to Australia to get a working visa for me. And one wonderful day I was able to come to Australia to live with him. We have been married for twenty-nine years and have two good boys who have grown into manhood. Our trust in is Jesus and now I still enjoy teaching Scripture in many schools with my Christian brothers and sisters at the Campbelltown Christian Community Church.

Thank you so much, Hanaa, to hear how God blessed your life.

HE is THERE

This true story might give you some idea of why Jesus died for us....

Susan was rendered sightless due to a medical mistake. Once a fiercely independent woman, Susan lapsed into a deep depression, hating the fact she was now powerless and a burden on those around her.

Her husband, Mark, an Air Force officer, loved her with all his heart. He remembered his once optimistic wife and was determined to help her gain her confidence and independence again. His disciplined background convinced him that to accomplish this sensitive situation would be the most difficult battle he would ever face.

When she felt she was ready to return to work he drove her there every day on the opposite side of the city where he worked. And he also picked her up afterward. They both realized this was hectic and very costly. He knew he must prepare her to take the bus as she had previously. But Susan reacted bitterly. "I'm blind. How am I supposed to know where I am going? I feel you're abandoning me. This broke his heart.

Mark knew what he would do. He promised her he would ride the bus with her and help her adapt to the new environment. He promised he would do this morning and evening until she felt she could handle it herself. For two weeks Mark did this in full uniform. He taught her how to rely on her senses and befriend the bus drivers so they would save a seat for her. He believed in her and knew she would not give up her struggle.

The day came when her eyes filled with tears of gratitude for his love, his loyalty and his patience. She was ready. She rode the bus successfully for a week. One day the bus driver said to her, "I sure envy you." She asked him what he meant. He answered, "It must feel so good to be taken care of and protected the way you are." She was puzzled until he added, "Every morning for the past week a fine looking man in a uniform has been standing across the street watching when you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross the road safely. He watches until you enter the building. Then he blows you a kiss, gives a salute, and walks away."

Tears of happiness rolled down her cheeks. For although she couldn't see him, she had always felt his presence. He had given her a gift far more precious than sight. She didn't need to see to believe - a gift of love that can bring light when there had been darkness.

I know someone who is always there helping those He loves. His name is Jesus. He shines His light into our darkness. He tells us "I will never leave you, or forsake you."

LAND, LAMBS, and the LOVE of his LIFE

I spent some time with Dr Arthur Gilmour last weekend after 

a barbecue lunch for young people at their property at 

Cargo Vale.  After their forty-three years of marriage,I asked him how he and his wife, Ellen, met.

A country boy, born and bred in the beautiful Riverina area in Boree Creek, he shared how he first became a believer.  As a child, he often listened in to the Sunday School of the Air radio program. This was supported by the Christians of Yackandandah Assembly whom he later met at a Gospel tent at the Lockhart Show. They encouraged him to attend a Way of Life Christian camp.  His mother soon arranged for him and his brother to go, where he came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour

A love of the land saw him pursue Agricultural Science studies at Sydney University and while living in the city he met with a group of Christians at Hebron Hall. Now at the same time, Ellen, a young nurse from the northern state of Queensland had also come to Sydney to study Midwifery. He admired her bright personality and independent spirit. However, they hadn’t dated until he asked her to attend his graduation from an evening Emmaus Bible Study course. She agreed and he knew she was the one God had for his future wife. Ellen evidently felt the same way, but when he asked her to marry him, she said she’d think it over and pray about it. She gave her answer a week later.

Ellen & Arthur were married on his twenty-third birthday.

* As a biometrician, Arthur continues his work in all experimental fields of agriculture. He has developed a software program and recently received special appreciation and high recognition for his work of genetic evaluation with LAMBPLAN. In short, a program to produce lean lambs with a better quality of meat than the fatty sheep of the past.

Thank you, Arthur, for sharing your special memories.