Greetings on a B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L Saturday morning from Dallas, TX! This is Karen Power standing in for Allison. While she’s in seclusion to finish up her third fiction book (I’ve read some drafts of it….WOW!), we have two exciting events to tell you about today.
First, Allison has been busily doing interviews for her lastest book, Setting Boundaries with Your Adult Children. This book is really striking a chord with parents across the country and around the world.
Allison was recently interviewed by host, Pastor Steve Hill, on the Trinity Broadcast Network’s Praise the Lord show. It aired this week on TV and now is available on the internet for viewing. Please go to www.SanitySupport.com and click on the TBN logo to watch the interview.
As Allison has been talking to people across the country (even Canada and England) about Setting Boundaries, a couple of questions often come up. What if I have young children? What can I do to prevent them from becoming dysfunctional adult children? Allison’s says, “Begin now to speak words of hope, healing and unconditional love into the hearts and minds of the children in your life. It’s never too late to start.”
This brings us to our second exciting event for today…Roberta Simpson’s blog tour for her children’s book, Nana’s Bible Stories.
BBR: Roberta, thanks for joining us today!
ROBERTA: It is truly an honor to have the opportunity to share some of my personal thoughts and experiences as a new author with you, Allison, and the Boomer Babes Rock ladies! I am so blessed to see the work you are doing to help and encourage each other!
BBR: There are so many gifts lying dormant in the lives of women—just waiting to be discovered or understood. I pray not only that my book, Nana’s Bible Stories will be encouraging to the children in your life—but, also that my personal story will be of encouragement to many of you as you pursue your calling.
Why did you decide to begin a career at the age of 70?
ROBERTA: I was not looking for a career! I thought that raising 5 children, and being a stay at home mom was career enough! It was as if the “career” found me! It is so exciting, and I love the changes that are happening due to this new career.
I loved being a mother, and one that was able to stay at home. (Actually, it would have been very difficult to find someone to look after five kids!) Although, there were times I would have just loved to shut my eyes, shut my ears and hide for several hours! But really, I would do it all over again. I am so grateful to my husband for letting me be a “stay at home” Mom!
God chose for us to be mothers, and what a wonderful joy it is to have children, no matter how harassed we are or how tired we become. We are raising little armies for Jesus! And how wonderful it is that God continues to use us long after our children are grown!
BBR: Your personal story is one of obedience. You didn’t plan to become an author. Tell us about some of the challenges you faced from family, friends, etc. on your journey.
ROBERTA: Challenges do come, and they come often. Some years ago, I did a writing seminar, here in Barbados. I remember being so excited, as I did want to write, but up until then, I had only written articles for the newspaper, and a few plays for church.
The gentleman who read and corrected all that I had written scribbled all over them with a nasty little red pen. On the bottom he wrote, “You can’t write!” I shrugged and thought, “I have five kids to raise and I have lots to do, so never mind!” He was a very influential man in Barbados – in fact, he was a well known Pastor! Lesson to be learned in this? When God says you can do it, even a well known Pastor cannot get in the way with his negative comments!
Years later, when I knew God spoke to me about writing, I felt excited and flew home (I mean drove!) and started to write. I believe what was important at that time, was obeying God, and not listening to man!
Friends and especially family have totally encouraged me on my adventure, and this is really special!
BBR: You are truly “Nana” to many young people – including those outside of your family. You have even challenged other Nanas to become more involved. Why do you think it is important for Nanas to become involved in the lives of young people?
ROBERTA: I absolutely love and adore my children and grandchildren. But I have had the privilege to meet and be involved with so many kids outside my own family. It is so important for us, either as Nanas, or Nana figures, to be involved with kids. I believe they need us, and we have much to give.
There are many kids out there, who are lonely and unloved. I really pray my book will allow me to touch the lives of many of these children, to love on them and encourage them. There is so much we can do, and we can truly, with a compassionate heart, be the hands and feet of Jesus in children’s lives.
BBR: What words of encouragement would you give to other women who are Boomer Babes with Brilliant Dreams, and may now have the time and want to use their gifts and talents to start a career or business? Is it ever too late?
ROBERTA: Well, first of all, it is never too late. So I say to all you wonderful ladies, go girl go! I say God has placed wonderful gifts inside of you, which some of you may or may not be aware.
I did not know I had books inside of me! So I know God will take some of you by surprise. He will take you on a great adventure! Some of you know already what you want to do, and have obvious gifts that others can see.
Just give your life over to Him in a new way, and ask Him how to proceed in your new career. He will answer you!
BBR: Do you plan to continue writing?
ROBERTA: Yes, yes, yes! I have so many stories and books inside of me; I just pray I will live long enough to write them!
Thank you for allowing me to share a part of my life and calling with you. If you would like to learn more about me or my book, please go to www.nanasbiblestories.com. You may download one of my favorite stories, The Butterfly and the Cross—the story of the crucifixion as told through the gentle and tender eyes of a butterfly. I have also included a special devotional for the story which you may share with your children this Easter season. Cuddle up with a child and enjoy!
Thank you Roberta! We bless you as you continue on your Blog Tour. This book is beautifully illustrated and is narrated by two amazing boomer babes - Jane Seymour and Sheila Walsh. Please visit Roberta’s web site at www.nanasbiblestories.com and pick up a copy as an Easter/Passover gift for your children or grandchildren.
