For more than a decade, author Tricia Goyer has drawn from her experiences as a teen mother and leader of today's generation, to be a voice of hope and possibility for teen girls, pregnant teens, mothers and wives.

Married to John for nineteen years and the mother of three, Tricia believes ordinary women can accomplish extraordinary things with God's help. She shares this message in her 20+ contemporary fiction, historical fiction, and nonfiction books and through speaking engagements across the country. Her invitation to women everywhere is to cast aside discouragement and fear to live real life, inspired! Thursdays at 3pm CST!

Have a question for Tricia or one of her guests? Tricia will be taking calls the last 15 minutes of each show. Call 1-877-864-4869.

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I have two fabulous guests this week. The first half hour we'll meet Mary Ann Kirkby, author of I Am Hutterite.The second half hour we'll be chatting with Dallas Woodburn, a young woman who started a literacy non-profit for children called Write On Books.

 Mary-Ann Kirkby: Mary-Ann Kirkby was born on a Canadian Hutterite colony near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. One of nine children, Kirkby was raised in the Hutterite tradition, similar in some respects, to that of the Amish or Mennonites. At age10 her life was turned upside down when her parents abruptly left behind the comfort and security of the colony and relocated their family to a lonely farm house in the “English” world. The transition to a startling fast-paced society was overwhelming for a young Mary-Ann as she clashed head on with popular culture.

Growing up in the isolated self-sustaining Hutterite community of Fairholme Colony, Kirkby had little contact with the outside world. A primarily agricultural community dominated by male leadership, Kirkby’s childhood dreams included a happy marriage with healthy children, good food, strong friendships and a deep devotion to her unique way of life. Those dreams where shattered when her parents packed up their large family and moved to a new world, full of unknowns.

Thrust into a foreign universe that she didn’t understand, Kirkby worked hard to adapt to a new way of life and a new identity by abandoning the culture that had defined her. She struggled to reinvent herself by denying her Hutterite heritage in an attempt to avoid the stigma and cruelty associated with being different.

A graduate of the National Broadcasting Institute Kirkby made her way into the world of journalism as a news anchor and reporter. She was the senior reporter responsible for aboriginal issues at CTV in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and worked in Ottawa for several years as a freelance journalist and as Media Relations Consultant for the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. The recipient of two Can-Pro Awards, Kirkby has made a career of telling other people’s stories. She is gifted singer, a sought after speaker and member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers.

Finally embracing her role as a daughter of two cultures Kirkby has used her talents to chronicle her own life story. Her first book, “I Am Hutterite,” was published in Canada in 2007 and will be released in the U.S. by Thomas Nelson Publishing in May 2010. The book has garnered rave reviews as readers react to the Kirkby’s honest and compelling story told in her charming style. “I Am Hutterite” won the Saskatchewan Book Award for Best Non-Fiction in 2007.

About her fascinating book: Mary-Ann Kirkby revisits a hidden past and weaves it into her ground-breaking memoir “I Am Hutterite: The Fascinating True Story of a Young Woman’s Journey to Reclaim Her Heritage.” This compelling story will keep you glued to every page vicariously reliving the memories of Kirkby as a young child, now a storyteller in her own right as an award-winning author and news reporter. She was awarded the Saskatchewan Book Award for Best Non-Fiction and received notable acclaim in the first edition of “I Am Hutterite,” published for the Canadian audience in 2007. With outstanding reviews and affection from readers who were awed by her courageous story, she has partnered with Thomas Nelson Publishers to bring her book to the United States. Releasing in the U.S. in May 2010, Kirkby’s memoir will resonate with anyone who has ever experienced a desire to fit in. But perhaps those who will enjoy this book best are those eager to peel away their own defenses and embrace the simple truth that beneath every human exterior beats a heart longing for understanding and acceptance. For more please visit: http://www.iamhutterite.com

Don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win a copy of I Am Hutterite! (Don't forget to leave your email address!)

More about Dallas: At the ripe old age of 22 she has dedicated her life to making a difference in the lives of others! She is so inspiring. She has created an orgainization called Write On Books which is dedicated to encouraging kids to discover joy, confidence, and a means of self-expression and connection to others through reading and writing endeavors.

Dallas is a 2009 summa cum laude graduate of the University of Southern California with a B.A. in Creative Writing and a minor in Entrepreneurship. She published her first book, There's a Huge Pimple On My Nose, when she was ten years old, and has been hooked on writing ever since. She is the author of a second story collection, 3 a.m., and has signed with a New York literary agent to represent her first novel manuscript.

Dallas Woodburn is the author of two award-winning collections of short stories and a forthcoming novel. Her short fiction has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and has appeared in numerous literary journals including Monkeybicycle, The Newport Review, and flashquake. She has also written articles and essays for Family Circle, Writer's Digest, Motherwords, The Los Angeles Times, and eight Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Dallas is the founder of Write On! For Literacy, an organization that encourages kids to discover confidence, joy, self-expression and connection to others through reading and writing. She teaches writing workshops, holds essay contests, and organizes an annual Holiday Book Drive that has donated more than 11,000 new books to underprivileged youth. Her latest endeavor is starting a publishing company, Write On! Books, that publishes anthologies of short stories, essays, and poetry written entirely by young writers. The first anthology, Dancing With The Pen, features more than sixty young writers from all across the U.S. and is scheduled to be released this summer. Learn more at www.writeonbooks.org and http://dallaswoodburn.blogspot.com/

Join me this week as I interview author Deb Kalmbach who writes about living with an alcoholic spouse. We'll hear her touching story as she found the grace to love her husband through his illness and how her husband was able to stop drinking. Don't miss Deb's redemptive story of the power of forgiveness.

About Deb: Deb is the author of Because I Said Forever: Embracing Hope in a Not-So-Perfect Marriage (co-authored with Heather Kopp) and the author of a book for children, Corey’s Dad Drinks Too Much. She has been a contributor to many books, including The New Women’s Devotional Bible and Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace. She has written for Focus on the Family, Christian Parenting Today, and many other publications.

Deb married Randy Kalmbach at 19. They thought all they needed was love—and the possessions they could fit in their metallic blue VW bug! What they didn’t realize was how much it would take to live with adversity, disappointment and heartache. They never imagined their journey taking them into the depths of addiction with Randy battling alcoholism for almost 30 years before he experienced the miracle of sobriety.

Deb isn’t just theorizing when she gives hope and practical solutions to those who struggle with difficult relationships. Her own brokenness has given her great compassion and insight for others who are hurting. With her vibrant and engaging manner, she speaks profoundly about God’s faithfulness and how to embrace a God-honoring life in the midst of almost unbearable circumstances. Deb and Randy are grateful beyond words for their 40 years of “not-so-perfect” marriage. For more about Deb, please visit her website: www.debkalmbach.com

They make their home in rural Washington state with their two lively Jack Russell Terriers, Kramer and Kosmo (yep - they even have their own blog!). Their grown sons, Chris and Jeremy, and a daughter-in-law, Jen, live on the Seattle side of the North Cascades Mountains.

About Because I Said Forever: Embracing Hope in a Not-So-Perfect Marriage: A recent study indicates that Christian marriages don't fail as often as secular marriages -- they fail more! Debbie Kalmbach, the wife of a recovering alcoholic, understands the longing to leave but offers Christian wives solid reasons to stay in a difficult marriage. This is not a "how to save your marriage" but more a guidebook for wives on how to save their ability to love, to honor their commitment to their husbands, and to maintain their faith in God while in marriages that may never live up to their dreams. Debbie tackles tough questions such as "Why won't he go to counseling?" "Can I change him?" and "What do I do when I don't feel in love anymore?" with a warm, compassionate approach sure to encourage and inspire every struggling wife.

Win a copy of Deb's book by leaving a comment on this post! Don't forget your email address - the winner will be notified via email.

Purchase a copy of Because I Said Forever here.

Don't miss this week's show with homeschool maven Amanda Bennett! She has written over sixty homeschool curriculums and is perhaps busier than even I am. (Is that possible?) Plus she's a total hoot! Hear how she got started homeschooling, how she made it her business and learn a little about the woman behind the whirlwind who is Amanda Bennett! Join us on Thursday at 3:00pm Central.

About Amanda: Amanda Bennett is the author of more than 60 books, popular conference speaker, wife and homeschooling mom of three. She has had quite an interesting journey in life so far, from receiving her degree in engineering, to working as an engineer and professional researcher, to eventually going home to raise their three children. She has learned about parenting the hard way – practicing on their children and remembering that a sense of humor is an important survival skill. Her story is full of ups and downs, just like yours.

With more than seventeen years of homeschooling experience, Amanda has a wealth of tips and ideas to share and encourage homeschooling parents. Two of their children have finished college, one is a veterinarian and one helps manage their family tree farm. Their youngest child is still being homeschooled through high school, and life at their house is never boring.

Her groundbreaking unit studies have become very popular with homeschool families around the world. Amanda’s new Download N Go unit study/lapbook series, published by The Old Schoolhouse, has been a huge hit with the K – 4th grade crowd.  As a result of her unique and effective unit studies, Amanda travels to speak at conferences and retreats, sharing tips, ideas and encouragement to help others along the way. Visit her website, www.unitstudy.com, to learn more about Amanda and her books.

“While I have learned so much about teaching children in these years of homeschooling and writing, I have also stayed busy trying to learn how to live, love, and be the parent that the Lord had in mind. Writing these studies is a labor of love – one that I can’t believe that I get to do day after day. I write to help children discover His creation and sense the wonder and excitement that learning offers. I write so that children can know what it is to anticipate days of learning adventures!”   Amanda Bennett

Amanda has generously offered two copies of Birthday Bonanza to give away this week. Leave a comment here for your chance to win! Birthday Bonanza is only available with a purchase and can not be purchased separately. Cool!

About Birthday Bonanza:  Would you like to jump start your children’s excitement and interest in their studies?

Give them a birthday boost . . . a FUN enlightening celebration they’ll never forget!

Day 1: Let’s Spend Today Learning About ME!
Day 2: What the World Like When I Was Born?
Day 3: How Am I Special?
Day 4: This Is My Life . . .
Day 5: Celebrate Me!

A birthday is such a special occasion—for any child. So who wouldn’t be thrilled to enjoy a week long birthday celebration? Really! Why not use this opportunity to help your children learn more about themselves and their own “birthday” history while preparing for a fun celebration of their very special day?

Weave daily lessons and lapbooking together with eye-pleasing pages and exciting, interactivity-based learning! With Birthday Bonanza, you may start a new birthday tradition at your house. Help your children discover how truly special they are!

    * How did I get my name and what does it mean?
    * Who else was born on my birthday?
    * How many days old am I today?
    * What did the night sky look like on the day I was born?

This study is not available for individual purchase, only as a BONUS item
with the purchase of the 38-week bundle.

Take a peek inside or read reviews about Birthday Bonanza

I'm thrilled to have my friend Cheryl Ricker on this week. Her beautiful book of poetry, A Friend in the Storm, has just been published by Zondervan. We'll be chatting about poetry, family and life. Don't miss this show and leave a comment for your chance to win a copy of Cheryl's book!

About Cheryl: Cheryl Ricker is a prize-winning poet who resides in southeast Minnesota with her husband and sons.

Born and raised in Canada, Cheryl graduated from York University in Toronto with a degree in Creative Writing.

Her passion to draw people closer to God led her to Christ For The Nations Institute, Dallas, where she expressed her evangelistic heart by ministering on the streets, on stage, and in prisons.

While visiting a young mother with terminal cancer, Cheryl discovered she could share peace, assurance and comfort through personal poetry from Christ’s point of view.

After five years of writing and praying, Cheryl’s poetry was turned into a life-changing, Zondervan gift book.  A Friend in the Storm is available in stores this August, 2010.

With fun, flair and transparency, Cheryl writes and speaks about God’s big-picture hope.  She’s passionate about helping people in pain keep their eyes on Jesus so they will experience Him in a deeper, more personal way.

For more about Cheryl or to purchase her book, visit her beautiful website.

About A Friend in the Storm: Author Cheryl Ricker reaches into the depths of human suffering from the perspective of Christ speaking to the reader in soothing poetic truth. This elegant gift book lightens the heart and soul of anyone facing difficult circumstances, leading them through their suffering into the arms of a faithful loving God.

Each two-page spread includes a poem, as well as reflections written by Christian leaders, along with healing Scripture verses. An elegant foil-stamped fabric binding makes this the perfect gift.

Don't miss our guest on Thursday - talented author Suzanne Woods Fisher. Suzanne is currently the only author writing both fiction/non-fiction Amish books.She has a ten book contract - wow. That's huge. :) Suzanne also has her own show here on Toginet - Amish Wisdom on Thursdays right after my show - 4:00 pm Central! Besides talking about writing Amish books (I too am writing a three book Amish series) we'll be chatting about Hong Kong and Guide dog puppies. Hmmm.... the Amish, Hong Kong and puppies. Sounds a little random - don't miss this one. :)

In no particular order, Suzanne Woods Fisher is an author, a wife, a mother, a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind, a cook and a gardener…the latter two with inconsistent results. A former contributing editor to "Christian Parenting Today," Suzanne's work has appeared in many magazines, including "Today’s Christian Woman," "Worldwide Challenge," and "Marriage Partnership."

Her first novel, "Copper Star," a World War II love story, was published by a small press and received three literary awards. It opened the door to a literary agent. The agent knew of Suzanne’s connection to the Plain People—her grandfather was raised Plain—and introduced her to an editor at Revell, a division of Baker Books. Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World was Suzanne’s first book release with Revell. It’s a non-fiction book of true stories about the Old Order Amish and was chosen as a book selection by Doubleday, Crossings, and Book of the Month 2 Clubs. It is also a finalist for the ECPA Christian Book of the Year Award.

“The Choice,” a novel about a young Amish woman, is the first in a three-book series, is in its third printing and is an ECPA and CBA bestseller. Wal-Mart chose “The Choice” for its January Inspirational Book Shelf, and it was the Main Selection for Crossings Book Club, as well as Doubleday, BookSpan, and a large print edition for Literary Guild. In August of 2010, Suzanne will release another non-fiction book, “Amish Proverbs: Words of Wisdom for a Simple Life.” In October 2010, “The Waiting” will release; it is the second in the ‘Lancaster County Secrets’ series. Six other books—both fiction and non-fiction—are contracted to release over the next two years.

Another new venture for Suzanne is “Amish Wisdom,” a weekly radio program in which she interviews all kinds of interesting guests who have connections to the Amish. You can listen on-line at www.toginet.com/shows/amishwisdom. And you can always find Suzanne at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com

Don't miss Suzanne's latest release: Amish Proverbs: Words of Wisdom from the Simple Life. If you want to know a people, know their proverbs. These small, concentrated packages of insight allow outsiders to peek into a fascinating closed community. In Amish Proverbs, a collection of more than 200 proverbs uncover the rich heritage, folklore, faith, values, history, and essence of the Amish people. Ranging from the simple to the profound, from the serious to the humorous, these sayings will stick with readers through life's joys and sorrows.