Read Marsha Burdick

Peace is a gift from God that Even you can receive, if you just ask for it. Against insurmountable odds and in the most difficult Conditions, feelings of calm can flood your soul, Even though you are frightened. If you believe this can occur, Something will begin to change. A light will begin to shine before you. Slowly, you will start to realize That the horrible things that happened Are only pieces of some bigger picture. Terrible as they were, for some reason they came about. Eventually, the message should become clearer. Over centuries of uncertainty, Whom did Mankind turn to for hope? For countless reasons, Who has been taking care of you? Maybe things will remain they way they are now. If that is God’s will, then so be it, for His glory. Never doubt that you and I are His children, and part of His creation. Do believe that His purpose will be fulfilled. ! I wrote this in 2001 after 9/11. It seems to fit today's world as...

Jesus was born in a humble place, a stall, with a manger as his first bed. The lowly circumstances of his birth tell us that he came for everyone : the poor, the hungry, the homeless and the hopeless. No one is beneath him. But he also came for the rich and affluent, the famous, the diligent workers and the people who can get by. No one is well off enough to do without him. His mother, Mary, was found to be pregnant before she was formally married. Therefore, we should remember that God uses all kinds of situations  for His divine purpose, and so guard against judgement of "imperfect" circumstances. His father, Joseph, looked after his family - including the son that technically wasn't his. He didn't make decisions based on outward appearances - but maybe we wouldn't either if we were in on God's plan. We must listen if we are to hear God's direction for our lives, which means always leaving time for silence during our prayers. Angels announced hi...

For the record, I came in second. I had a great time. The anthology containing the 16 stories selected by the contest commission will be out around mid-December. The book is in Italian, of course, but I'm finishing the translation soon so that I can post the story right here on my blog.  

I have worked my way through the selection process in the Giallo Milanese literary contest. On Saturday, November 15th, I'll be reading for the last time so that the audience can vote for the story they like best. There are only two to choose from, so I've got a fifty-fifty chance actually winning! Obviously I'm excited, and really happy that the story was appreciated - especially since it isn't written in my native language. I'm still translating it, and I plan to post it somewhere (probably here) for my English speaking readers (all 5 of you be patient now). I'm sorry it's taking me so long. Now I'm on Twitter and Facebook inviting people to come and vote.

Strangely enough, I wasn't nervous. I got  my turn reading  my story at the Giallo Milanese literary contest on October 16th. (The link goes to a short video with Italian audio in which I read a few lines.) The last person reading in the video is an actor, not the author of the story, and it shows. We writers tend to be a little shy in front of a microphone. In the past, I've attended readings where the authors obviously were used to speaking in front of a group, but they're exceptions. The ExCogita publisher, who sponsors the Giallo Milanese contest, says that publishers choose what to publish, but the public decides what is worth reading. Therefore, the people who come to listen get to vote for the stories they like best. I passed this selection so I'm scheduled to read again on November 6th. I'm so excited!

I'm in! I'm having a story published! Giallo Milanese is a contest run by Ex Cogita publisher. They pick sixteen stories to publish in a small book, and then organise a tournament to pick the favorite story as the "absolute winner". Winners invite friends, family, acquaintences, and everyone else that they happen to run into to the reading so that they will all vote. I read on October 16th, and YOU are invited. As a footnote, I wrote this story in Italian. I'll be doing the translation soon (as soon as I get time because I'm up to my ears in work). But in the meantime - if you happen to read Italian - check out the contest website and read all of the stories .

I changed the URL for my Italian language blog  A Spasso sul Mare  so that it would be easier to find. I'll be giving up the old URL at the end of the month. There's also a new post up on Walking on Water  - finally! Let me know what you think.