Happy New Year 2022!

Have you noticed that, as every year rolls by, the times are becoming more exciting! I’ve always hated “normal,” so last year was amazing. Some days I woke up and wondered if I was living in the book of Revelations. LOL.

Rebecca & Sunrise

Here’s a snapshot of my highlights:

Winter ’21: a German shepherd puppy wiggled her way into my heart and Sunrise, my golden retriever, and I started training her.

Spring ’21: I learned how to memorize whole chapters of the Bible by following the book “An Approach to Extended Memorization of Scripture” by Andrew M. Davis. I’ve never been one who could do memorization—so this was huge for me!

     As the weather warmed up, I built a rose arbor archway over the entry to my sidewalk and planted the climbing roses (from my sister Julie and her husband Mike) on either side. They bloomed profusely all summer and one stem is already 7’ tall!

Summer ’21: Landscaping! I shoveled—by hand—over 12 yards of dirt and four yards of rock into a portion of the yard I couldn’t get to with the tractor. It’ll take a couple years to complete landscaping, but at least I’ll be on the tractor for the rest.

Fall ’21: Some friends and I drove over to our state capitol in Helena, Montana and testified before a committee hearing about some upcoming legislation. Wow! Talk about stretching myself—but it’s something “We the People” need to be doing. And we also got a private tour of the Montana State House of Representatives and Senate Chambers. I discovered that outside our capitol building stands a semi-circle of flags: the United States flag, the Montana flag, and flags of the sovereign nations of the Native Peoples of Montana. I searched through them for the flags of a dear friend and texted pictures to her. Honoring people and history is important.

    Later in the fall I hosted a Biblical Citizenship in Modern America class through Patriot Academy. All of us came away with awe and wonder of the miracles God performed to create the United States. I highly recommend every Christian to go through this to help understand our responsibilities as Biblical citizens. Did you know that the average constitution for a nation lasts only 17 years? But God gave us this Constitutional Republic, a one of a kind government where “We the People” are the rulers, and it’s worked for 246 years! I believe that our purpose is to share the gospel with the rest of the world.  And that purpose hasn’t changed. It’s time for “We the People” to roll up our sleeves and turn this nation back to God!!! Here’s a preview: https://coach.patriotacademy.com/biblicalcitizenship/  

Christmas ’21: My sister and brother-in-law from Minnesota flew in to celebrate with my brother, sister-in-law, and me. It was the first time in two years we’d been together. Special!

Winter ’22: I will be hosting a Constitution Alive! class through Patriot Academy. It’s a game changer! Find out more about constitution classes at PatriotAcademy.com.  And at the same time I’ll be taking an American history class through Wallbuilders & Patriot Academy.

Rebecca & Willow

     I’m still working my job brokering lumber, am under contract to write for a Guideposts publication entitled “Walking in Grace,” and am tinkering on some other book ideas. The word “bored” is not in my vocabulary for 2022!

May your 2022 be filled with excitement & adventures!

Blessings,

Rebecca Ondov

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Are you wondering about this photo? I took it because it was such a crazy-busy year that I told my sister-in-law that I wasn’t going to get a tree or decorate.  Her words to me were, “I can’t imagine Christmas without a tree.”

Those words swirled through my mind as I drove down the highway.  At a roadside stand I spotted the cutest wild-cut tree. Of course I bought it and strapped it on. But life took over and three days later the tree was still atop my car! I hadn’t had time to take it down. So…I had to put lights on it and take this picture to share with you–to put a smile to your face and bring joy to your day.

And here’s a snapshot of why life has been so crazy.

Whew! That is my word for 2019. It was the busiest year of my life.

While working my regular job, farming my small acreage, and squeezing in some writing, I designed my home and barn.

After having an engineer and a couple other designers help me, I acted as the general contractor on both projects. I hired subcontractors and had both buildings built on my farm.

During the days I was the one running to the lumber yard gathering supplies, only to discover an hour after I got back that the guys needed something else.  Off I’d go again. In the evenings and on the weekends I was a laborer on the project as well.

I literally didn’t have time to eat or sleep. By October I was falling asleep while standing up. But the great thing was that I lost what I call the “middle ages” around my middle, slimming down so much that I fit in my favorite jeans again.

At the beginning of November, even though the wooden trim wasn’t up around the doors or windows and there weren’t any closet rods in the closets (my winter projects), I moved in. Wahoo!

I never could have done it all without my faithful friends, who encouraged me and showed up to stain my barn and sand and stain nearly 200 2×6’s for the wrap-around-deck. Others helped me move–a priceless gift. Thank you!

Thank you to all of my prayer warriors who stood in the gap for me while I battled through many many TOUGH days as a single woman running crews of construction guys, especially at the end when I was so exhausted and almost lost SkySong, my saddle horse, to a mysterious illness. Thank God SkySong has fully recovered.

I never could have done it without God’s wisdom or love. He led me to hire an incredible team of laborers.

I am so grateful and blessed beyond my wildest dreams.

My New Year’s Resolution=SLEEP

So therefore–even if life is crazy-busy–Remember to Keep Joy in Your Christmas.

Love to you all,

Rebecca

 

 

Happy New Year!

 

Happy New Year!!

What an amazing and eventful year 2016 was—here are a few highlights:

Ever since I moved to this valley many years ago, I’ve leased some land with a little cottage while searching for a place to call my own. I finally found my dream piece of land and bought it in January—Wahoo! What a way to start the year.

Before the end of January I was learning how to write with my left hand. That’s what happens when you break your right arm and have a titanium plate put in—it’s months before you can use your right hand, thus, lots of practice with your left.

I thank God that I was a part of Samaritan Ministries Health Share as every penny of the nearly $25,000 was paid for. My experience with Samaritan Ministries was exceptional.

Had I been on my previous insurance plan, I would have had to pay $24,000 out-of-network—for starters—because I chose a surgeon whom I considered to be the best, but was out of their network. Check out my x-ray—yikes! This was NOT the way to start the year.

The end of January a new book of mine was released—My Horse Diary for Girls: What I Love about Horses. Perfect for those horse-crazy girls.

April, May, and June: my physical therapy was picking rocks out of my new hayfield and putting them in a pile. I decided that from the time God created the earth—until April—I was sure that nobody had ever picked up one rock. My neighbors thought I was building Stonehenge. Yes, I live in the ROCKY Mountains. Through it all, God has blessed me with nearly 100% recovery of my arm.

 

May through the end of August: while I flood irrigated my little farm, Sunrise, my golden retriever thought she was in heaven. I’m sure that she thinks every golden retriever needs 10 acres underwater. Many days she played so hard, she would barely be able to keep her eyes open on the way home (me too, from irrigating).

 

July: brimmed with excitement as I stepped back into the saddle with my new “bionic arm” and took in my first crop of hay. I also had a re-release come out with photos in it, which my readers had been asking to see. They’re loving it.

October: my literary agency had a conference in Monterey, CA where I hung out with incredible authors and learned about the latest trends in the industry.

November: Dad and I celebrated Thanksgiving together at his home in Minnesota.

What an incredible year I’ve had—and this is only a small sampling.

2017 brings fun ideas to the drawing board: I’m considering turning my books into audio books; I’m still writing away on a spec movie script; and my mind whirls with ideas of more books and movies.

I’m praying that your 2017 is abundantly blessed with His love, peace, and joy!

Will You be One?

Last weekend I went hiking with a friend and it turned into a treasure hunt. We found a couple old dumps complete with a pickup truck, which we took turns snuggling in the saggy seat and giggling while we wondered what it had looked like when it was shiny and new.

My view of the United States isn’t much different that what I saw in that old truck. Today when I looked at the crazy political headlines and the candidates, I grimace and wonder, Is this the best we can come up with?  The truck was shot full of holes, much like our constitution, and the paint was rusty, much like out spiritual condition. Unlike the truck, which will eventually disintegrate, there still is hope for the United States–but it depends on you and me.

Will you be one?? For the next 30 days would you be willing to invest 5-10 minutes a day for our nation?

Ponder this…one person rallied against God and over a period of time got prayer taken out of schools…what can we Christians do to take back our nation for God? Last night I was challenged and I accepted…and now I challenge you with the words from a dear friend of mine, Denise Hartmann Echterling:

“Our nation was built on the foundation of His love, Justice and Word. Everywhere you go in Washington DC you see God and the Bible mentioned. Why have so many forgotten their heritage? We believe it is our calling to remind our nation that we are a nation under GOD – will you join us in this calling and a time of Prayer?

Prayer is critical to any nation, especially one that proclaims a connection to God. The United States has historically claimed such a connection, but it seems as if things have changed. Our only hope is to return to our biblical foundation and this will only come through prayer.

Beginning October 9th – November 8th, would you commit yourself in prayer to intercede in one of our nation’s most critical seasons and elections ever? Each day, we will post on what to focus your prayers on for these upcoming days before our National Elections. Will you join us?

Imagine what could happen if the church stood unified in the spirit of 2 Chronicles 7:14…’If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.’

Psalm 110:3 (Amp). ‘Your people will offer themselves willingly in the day of Your power…’ With America at a crossroads, Prayer is the only thing that will bring real change. Let’s not miss this opportunity.”

Everyday for the next 30 days I’ll be sharing Denise’s prayers.

Are you willing to take 5-10 minutes of your day and pray for our nation? I am. Join me starting October 9th.

After all, what have you got to lose? One nation…under God.

Love, Rebecca

 

Day 3 of 3 Days~21 Free Books!

Welcome to Day 3 of 3 Days~21 Free Books!

This is the last day of the 3 Days~21 Free books! And you’ll have a chance to win if you submit a correct answer to the question below.

Below is a question and I will randomly choose 7 winners out of those who answered correctly. When you enter, you agree that you are of legal age, live within the US (or have a military APO), and that events like this are legal where you live. You will also be signing up for an occasional newsletter from me filled with fun tidbits. Only one winner per household per day–which means you can enter again today if you previously won! If you win, you’ll need to respond to my email announcing that you’ve won within 24 hours, or you’ll forfeit your book. You also understand that your first initial and your last name, as well as your state, may be announced if you win.

July 16th I’ll be giving away 7 autographed copies of my new re-release Heavenly Horse Stories

And here’s the question:

What is the name of my horse in the picture below? (You can find the answers in the beginning of Great Horse Stories and Great Horse Stories for Girls–look inside on Amazon.com) Photo by Deborah K. Hamilton

Click on this link to answer: https://forms.aweber.com/form/91/1003858591.htm

Day 2 of 3 Days~21 Free Books

Welcome to Day 2 of 3 Days~21 Free Books!

During the next 2 Days I’ll be giving away 21 Free books! And you’ll have a chance to win if you submit a correct answer to the question below.

Here’s how it works. Each day, July 15th-16th at 12:01 am Eastern I’ll post a question and I will randomly choose 7 winners out of those who answered correctly. When you enter, you agree that you are of legal age, live within the US (or have a military APO), and that events like this are legal where you live. You will also be signing up for an occasional newsletter from me filled with fun tidbits. Only one winner per household per day–which means you can enter again tomorrow if you win! If you win, you’ll need to respond to my email announcing that you’ve won within 24 hours, or you’ll forfeit your book. You also understand that your first initial and your last name, as well as your state, may be announced if you win.

July 15th I’ll be giving away 7 Kindle E-books of Great Horse Stories

July 16th I’ll be giving away 7 autographed copies of my new re-release Heavenly Horse Stories

And here’s the question:

 In one of my stories, what was frozen that I had a hard time wrestling through my tent door? (Hint: check out Horse Tales from Heaven on Amazon.com–Look Inside)

To answer click on this link: https://forms.aweber.com/form/93/1405575493.htm

 

3 Days~21 Free Books–Wahoo!

Welcome to 3 Days~21 Free Books!

During the next 3 Days I’ll be giving away 21 Free books! And you’ll have a chance to win if you submit a correct answer to the question below.

Here’s how it works. Each day, July 14th-16th at 12:01 am Eastern I’ll post a question and I will randomly choose 7 winners out of those who answered correctly. When you enter, you agree that you are of legal age, live within the US (or have a military APO), and that events like this are legal where you live. You will also be signing up for an occasional newsletter from me filled with fun tidbits. Only one winner per household per day–which means you can enter again tomorrow if you win! If you win, you’ll need to respond to my email announcing that you’ve won within 24 hours, or you’ll forfeit your book. You also understand that your first initial and your last name, as well as your state, may be announced if you win.

July 14th I’ll be giving away 7 autographed copies of Heavenly Horse Sense.

July 15th I’ll be giving away 7 Kindle E-books of Great Horse Stories

July 16th I’ll be giving away 7 autographed copies of my new re-release Heavenly Horse Stories

And here’s the question:

On the dedication page of one of my books it reads,

“By the way, remember all those prayers you said for me when I worked from the saddle? Good thing! In a few pages you’ll find out why.”

To whom was the book dedicated? (Check out Amazon.com–“Look Inside” feature for my book Horse Tales from Heaven.)

This giveaway has closed and we have some winners…wahoo!

 

Sizzling Summer Fun (& a chance to win oodles of books!)

Are you ready for some Sizzling Summer Fun?

The next couple weeks are jam-packed with chances to win oodles of free books–including my new re-release Heavenly Horse Stories. Wahoo!

So many of you readers have asked to see photos with my stories, so the publisher and I put our heads together and repackaged Heavenly Horse Sense with the new cover and title, and YES! there are photos sprinkled in too. You can check it out on my Website: http://rebeccaondov.com/Books.html

The great news for you is that Heavenly Horse Sense will be faded out–making it a collectors’ book–and in a couple days I’ll be giving away 7 autographed copies during the 3 Days~21 Free Books event I’ll be hosting July 14th-16th.

Then to wrap up the fun, the Grand Finale–the week of July 17th-23rd–is the Annual Christian Author Network’s Scavenger Hunt, where, through a “blog-hop,”  you’ll be able to meet dozens of Christian authors and have more opportunities to win free books.

To top everything off–now through July 25th the E-book Great Horse Stories is on sale for only $0.99. What a great way to take a book on vacation–as an E-Book!

Are you wondering how you might have a chance to win one my books?

Here’s the scoop. On July 14-16th I’ll be giving  away 7 books each day. I’ll post a question here on my blog each of those days at 12:01 am Eastern. There will be an answer box for you to fill out then click “send.” The answers to the questions can be found in my books (I might even give some hints too.) I’ll randomly choose 7 people who answer the question correctly as the winners.

On July 14th I’ll be giving away 7 autographed copies of Heavenly Horse Sense.

July 15th I’ll be giving away 7 Kindle Versions of the E-Book Great Horse Stories

July 16th I’ll be giving away 7 autographed copies of my new re-release Heavenly Horse Stories

So, for the opportunity to win one of my books July 14th-16th come back here–to my blog–and submit an answer to the question.

For information on the Grand Finale–The Annual Christian Authors’ Network Scavenger Hunt on July 17th-23rd–click here http://christianauthorsnetwork.com/newreleases/ 

I’m looking forward to giving away 21 books in 3 days–Be sure to come back here, to my blog, on July 14th-16th for Your Chance to Win!

 

 

Packing away Christmas Decorations–in April???

Yes, it’s April and I’m boxing up my Christmas decorations and tucking them away in my storage shed. Have you ever heard that before? No, it’s not because I wanted Christmas to last forever.

It’s because the weekend in January when I was going to do it I fell on the ice and broke my arm. Not just my arm, but my right arm. I’m right handed. And not just a simple break. I sheared the bones in two.

For the last couple months I was unable to do anything with my right hand or arm. My life stopped while I cradled my broken arm next to my body to protect what was left of it and waited for surgery.

A couple weeks later, in February, my doctor helped me become a bionic woman with a titanium plate and screws to put everything back together. When asked what color of cast I wanted (I’d already used up my favorite colors on the splints I’d had). I jokingly said, “Glow-in-the-dark.” Guess what? I got it–and it did GLOW when I turned the lights out.

To my shock, I discovered that, throughout my whole life, my left hand had hung uselessly by my side. I laughed my way through the last couple months as I trained my left hand to put the toothbrush in my mouth and brush my teeth. Have you ever tried tying shoes with one hand? Opening a jar? Or writing cursive with your off-hand? I couldn’t even jot a note to myself. Or how about opening an envelope?  I felt vulnerable when in public and helpless at home.

Gradually my left hand and arm became productive. Now, I’m nearly ambidextrous.

It was a wild ride, living with one useful arm until just a couple weeks ago. I’m still under weight restrictions, so this is the first weekend since Christmas that I’ve been able to lift lightweight boxes. Thus the box of Christmas decorations is still sitting on the living room floor.

Through it all I’ve discovered that I have amazing friends and that I live in a community filled with kind and helpful strangers. And my heart is filled with a deeper compassion for those who struggle with physical restrictions.

There’s something that you can do too. I’d like to encourage you to do a simple experiment. Take your dominate hand and put it in your pocket for an hour–and do not use it–no matter what–not for anything.

Afterwards, reflect on how would your life be different if you only had one arm. Life can change in a split-second, in ways that we don’t like.

Then, I’d like you to apply what you learned to help someone else. Out of consideration, first ask if they’d like you to help and how. It might be as simple as opening a door, or retrieving a can of soup off the top shelf in the grocery store, a shelf they can’t reach.

I firmly believe that together we can make the world a better place by being kind to those around us.

It’s time to go get that box of Christmas decorations out of the living room and put it away–after all, it is April and I can use two hands and arms. Wahoo! Thank You, Jesus!

 

 

Wishing You a Blessed Christmas!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

I feel blessed to be surrounded by family and friends who made my year so special—thank you! I love catching up with you on Facebook, by email, and snail mail. And I want you to know that I pray for you in the mornings—that God pours out His peace, love, and blessings on you and your families.

Here are a couple highlights from my year:

In July I flew to Alaska with my brother Chuck and his wife Cindy, where we met with several friends and fished the salmon run on the Kenai Peninsula.

With fish everywhere you’d think it’d be a snap, but I was skunked a couple days before I finally got the hang of how to catch those illusive fish!

I was thrilled to bring home a box of salmon and am planning on smoking some for Christmas. See the grin? I was one happy girl that day.

Cindy and I had some great “sister time” hiking up to a glacier AFTER taking a Kenai Fjord tour where we learned that July in Alaska it is only 30 below zero! Just kidding. But we did have to bundle up aboard the ship while we were entertained by the interesting sea animals and by the jaw-dropping scenery.

 

In August I celebrated the release of the book of my heart, Great Horse Stories for Girls. The goal is through my true-story devotions my horses, to help the reader discover what a treasure God created them to be. Don’t be fooled by the title; I’ve got gals in the 60’s and 70’s who have fallen in love with the book.

 

 

I’m excited that in February of 2016 my next book My Horse Diary for Girls launches—yes, it’s what the title says, it’s a fun diary for girls that has some horsey quotes in it.

I also have a re-release (with photos) of Heavenly Horse Stories coming up and I’m thrilled and honored to be one of the authors in the Daily Guideposts 2016.

 

Whew! It’s been an amazing year for which I give God all the glory and thanks.

Wishing you the very best Christmas ever–and an incredibly Happy 2016!

Rebecca