Rewarding Those Who Labor

     I love Christmas. I told a friend of mine the other day that we're a Christmas company and she said, “Do you really think so?” I said, “Yes, we’re often told that our books are on somebody's wish list.”  It's not that our products don't sell at other times of  the year – they do – but there’s a quality about them that makes them perfect for gift giving at Christmas.  
    As I look across the room from me right now, the loveseat that once held packages of The Gift of Family Writing, The Girlhood Home Companion, and The Pebbly Brook Farm Stories is now empty. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that the last of the orders are speeding across the country to bring joy to families everywhere (if you wonder where your order is, it’s on its way).
    The sacredness of this season always causes me to reflect upon the people who mean so much to me. And just as the lyrics of the song Silver Bells say, “Christmas makes me feel emotional,” so I have the perfect excuse to wax sentimental and thank one of the most important  people who makes Remembrance Press a possibility.
    I've written about our son Eric(16) before, but in case you didn’t know, he is the technical mind behind everything we do here at Remembrance Press. From recording and duplicating CD’s, to maintaining computers and designing website templates and printed material. Eric is the true “brains” behind all that we produce as a family. And not only is he a blessing to our publishing company, but many others as well. It isn’t unusual for me tell my publishing friends, “Just a minute, I’ll ask Eric. He’ll tell you what to do.”  Eric has a true servant’s heart and he loves helping others find solutions to their technical problems. 
    But the thing I love most about Eric is that he is a gifted writer. He blogs almost every day and feels that writing about his faith is his most sacred calling. I remember when he was 11 and we had just discovered the joy of journaling together. He had to dictate his journal entries to me because he could tell his story much faster then he could write it down. Slowly over the years, however, my role as a writing coach has diminished as he continues to grow and become a skilled communicator of his faith. He feels empty inside if he doesn’t get to write about something almost everyday. But it can’t be fluff. It has to count. Is Eric driven? Definitely – but not just to tell about what happened that day, but to find the right words to give away as gifts to his audience. That’s Eric, a gift-giving blogger with a mission to draw people closer to Christ.    
    So I just want to thank Eric for all that he has done for the homeschool community. I don't think he will ever truly know how many ways he has touched the lives of homeschoolers worldwide by helping me to understand how to use the technology from recording our stories, to giving workshops in cyberspace conference rooms. He will never know how many he has influenced to continue blogging. Recently, one of his best friends was just about to quit, and Eric had just written a post encouraging his friends to continue blogging about their faith. His friend said, “Wow, your post was just what I needed to hear. I was blogging for all the wrong reasons.” We can forever be grateful for Eric’s servant heart and his willingness to be an encourager.
     So I humbly come before you as Eric’s mom and friend to ask you to vote for his blog in the homeschool blog awards (if you already have, thank you). If you have at all been encouraged by this ministry or Eric’s blog, please take a moment to thank him by giving him your vote a confidence for the next generation of Christian writers. Let’s show others what these blog awards are all about – rewarding those who labor to make a difference in the lives of others – one post at a time.  http://homeschoolblogawards.com/index.php/best-teen-guy-blog-2007/      

6:53 PM - Dec. 13, 2007 - post comment

Eric's Blog

Eric's blog is a joy to read for myself and for my daughters. He has wisdom beyond his years and he expresses himself beautfiully. God bless him. It is also a joy to see a mother encourage her son in the way you did with your blog today Jill, God bless you too.

Linda - 8:22 PM - Dec. 13, 2007

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I have already voted my support for Eric...I check his blog everyday, anxiously awaiting his updates, or when he comments me. He is forever making me laugh, or encouraging me, giving me a pat on the back, or taking my mind off current problems...He is a joy to know, and a blessing in my life!!!

I feel as if I have to commend you and your husband as well, because Eric didn't become as great of a young man as he is now, without your love and guidance!! Pat yourself on the back, and thank God, because you have done a great job with him...(I don't know your other children so won't say about them.)

Blessings,
Vicki
www.prairierosesamongthorns.com/vblog

Vicki - 2:43 AM - Dec. 14, 2007

Thanks for the encouragement!

My son, Andy (15) just started blogging. One of the first blogs he read was blogboy. I have to admit I was leary even of letting my children blog - I have been warned about the depressed mood of many teen bloggers. To my delight, Andy has found many uplifting and encouraging teen bloggers, and of course he aspires to be one himself.
I have not made time to read or write many blog entries myself (I read all of Andy's of course) but I hope to schedule more time for myself in the coming year.
Keep up the great work and hats off to Blogboy!
Audrey - aka Andy's mom

AlethiaAcademy - 7:27 AM - Dec. 14, 2007

Congratulations

Congratulations on receiving the Blogging with a Purpose award

heartofwisdom - 9:41 AM - Dec. 14, 2007

Hello!

I wanted to come by and say hello! I hope your day is going good.

I don't know if I answered your one comment that asked me if I had the Barn Swallows video. No, we don't have it. I would like to have it some time. Along with the drawing hollyhocks too. I think it's great!

Have a lovely day!
Love,
Rachel

rjdjohn316 - 10:06 AM - Dec. 14, 2007

HI Jill!

Just wanted to say hello, and thanks for sharing Breezy's artwork! When I popped over to your blog, I saw the Tasha series, and HAD to read those posts! What a blessing, even in the midst of a crazy day.

And guess what? When we were first married, we LIVED in the Saratoga Springs area, and traveled into Vermont every time we could, exploring old country stores and sleepy little towns. And I had no idea who Tasha was at that point in my life! I "met" her through Victoria magazine a few months after he was transferred to Norfolk, Virginia. And it's because of Tasha (and my Nana, who would have gotten along famously with her!) that we ended up with a flock of chickens, a handful of goats, and little girls that wandered about in old fashioned dresses.

Have a great day, and a Merry Christmas!
Kim :-)

KimFrey - 5:09 AM - Dec. 15, 2007

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What a blessing you are, Jill, to all of your readers AND to your Eric. He has taken after you, blessing others through his gifts.

Holding you close in thought and prayer, Beckie :o)

LittleEblingsAcademy - 1:08 PM - Jan. 7, 2008

Hello Mrs. Novak!

Bonjour Madam Novak

I do believe I have commented on your blog before but I am not sure. But that is not why I am here.

A client of mine, as I understand, is a part of your magazine the Girlhood Home Companion, though she writes for the Little Women's Gazette. Alright, I suppose she is not my 'client', she is my sister, Mariel. I do enjoy your magazine and all of the beautiful entries I find by different young ladies. And lately I have been wondering, as I do enjoy writing myself, if I may write in it as well? Do you accept reviews on novels about young women following Christ? I have mainly reviewed books by my favourite author Emma Leslie. But would gladly review any other novels that come my way. Though I believe book reviews are my specialty, I love writing in any way possible.

Please answer soon as I would like to be able to send in something or other before the deadline hits!

Merci Madam Novak!
Au Revoire!
~Cornflower~

Cornflower - 1:23 PM - Feb. 5, 2008

Happy Birthday!!

I hope you had a wonderful day today! Did you eat a lot of cake?? Ice Cream? Candy? Truffles??? Cheesecake? Yummmmmy!
I hope you got oodles of gifts and fun treats, you deserve the best!!!
Love,
N.

Nancy - 9:31 PM - Feb. 7, 2008

Happy Birthday, Mrs Novak!

A little bird (called Eric) told me that it is your birthday! I hope you're having a wonderful day!
From,
Deiniol (and his Mum - mamasmurf)

littlesmurf - 7:52 AM - Feb. 8, 2008

Thinking of you today!

Hi, Jill! I was thinking about you this morning and thought I would say hello.
Did you get my email?
I am praying that all is well for you and yours.
Blessings, Beckie :o)

LittleEblingsAcademy - 8:02 AM - Feb. 10, 2008

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