Sad and disheartening news - but all is not lost!

You must have noticed my absence of posts lately.  Well, life has kind of caught up to me, and I've had to make the hard decision to take a break from blogging for a while.  I find I haven't had time to keep up with/comment on the blogs I follow, and I really want to be able to do that to be a good blogger.  Not only that, I find I don't really have much to say to y'all that is all that important, and even though I think I certainly shall take up the internet pen once more, I think it's time for a sabbatical.  So, even though I *really* regret having to say this, this will be my last post for a while.

However, I am *not* going to delete this blog, so please keep following it, because you'll want to catch up with me when I begin again.  When I do, it will be with purpose and conviction.  You guys have been *amazing*, and I feel bad that I haven't kept up with your blogs and sites like I wanted to.

Also, a friend of mine has started an online support group that I want to share with you.  She is a really special person with type 1 diabetes, and she started this support group and website to connect with other people who have type 1 diabetes.  Please take a look - you will be blessed!

Until later, my faithful friends!  Continue to write for the glory of God!

- Madeline alias *the Bedouin*

Start Here

I'm pretty sure the majority of you have either heard about or read the book Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris.  I own it myself, and it has got to be one of the best books I've ever read.  It's an inspirational, challenging book, written by teens for teens, in order to spread the message that we can do more than we think (and more than our culture expects us to do).

Now Alex and Brett have authored a new book, Start Here, which illustrates how to put Do Hard Things into practice in our day-to-day lives.  It's basically a starting point - and if you reacted to Do Hard Things like I did - will hopefully help to channel the excitement that comes from reading the first book!

This is an excerpt about the book from their website:

"The Rebelution is an unlikely movement. It isn't the result of carefully laid out plans -- it was just two ordinary teen guys with a blog and a desire to glorify God.

It's also never relied on slick marketing or targeted ad campaigns -- instead it has been driven by ordinary teens like you spreading the word in your circles of influence.

Do Hard Things -- and the Rebelution as a whole -- is a grassroots success story. For the message to continue to reach our generation, it will take that same motivation and determined action. That's why we're asking you to join us in an exciting effort.

Two years ago, rebelutionaries drove Do Hard Things to the Top 5 on the Amazon.com Bestseller List - where it stayed for over 24 hours and shocked the publishing world.

Here's the question: Could we drive Start Here even higher? To the top spot? And what a platform to spread the message to a wider audience than ever before!"

To get this book off the ground, the Harris brothers are having an Amazon Book Bomb on February 23, 2010.  For every book you preorder on that day (if you plan on doing that, put your email address and the number of books you plan to buy on this page), Alex and Brett will donate one book to a ministry or organization to distribute free to people who can't afford them.

If Do Hard Things was any sign, I would highly recommend Start Here to any teen who is ready to do what they thought they couldn't.

Some great links

I just kind of want to promote some other people's blogs and sites that I follow - young authors, "real" authors - and sort of get some links around so you guys know who's in my loop.  Check them out:

Wayne Thomas Batson, Christian fantasy author

K.M. Weiland, Christian author

Christopher Hopper, Christian fantasy author

Jacob Parker, young author

Brianna, young author

Nathan Petrie, young author

Seth Reid, young author

Storyteller, young author

There's tons more in my sidebar.  Please check them out!