Julie Arduini is a FaithWriters 500 member and graduate of the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild Apprentice Program. She also has a passion for marriage and has been involved with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). Join interviewer, Lynda Schab, as she questions Julie about these things and more…

LYNDA SCHAB: Tell us about yourself

JULIE ARDUINI: I'm a thirty something wife, mom, and writer who lives in NE Ohio. I'm originally from Corning, NY where both my husband's family and my mom and sister still reside. Although my writing is a fairly new thing, I'm a graduate of the Christian Writers Guild. Currently I am facilitator of the CWG Forum's Missing Pages Book Club as well as the Forum's Sunday "mommy" blogger.

Tom and I have been married close to 12 years. We have a nine-year-old son and a four- year-old daughter. I'm also blessed to have two adult step children. They live out of state so we don't see them often but for all the negative stereotypes you hear about step moms and children, I'm blessed.

Before our second child was born I worked ten years for the Steuben County, NY Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, RSVP. I placed senior citizens fifty five years and older into not-for-profit organizations throughout the county. For someone who never really remembered my grandparents, I was able to enjoy friendships with over 200 seniors. Quite a few of my FW challenge entries involve senior citizens, always a tip of the hat to that time in my life.

I've had the same best friend since kindergarten. In fact, she is the one who first told me about Christ. Although I rejected her and her message during my college years, her prayers were a catalyst to bring me to a daily faith and walk with Him. I encourage people who pray for loved ones that even one person praying makes a difference. I am living proof.

LYNDA: When did you discover your love for writing? And do you remember the first thing you ever wrote?

JULIE: I began first as a lover of books. My mom still recalls me savoring and memorizing every word of bedtime stories while my younger sister hung upside down off the bed, not paying attention. If you look at my blog you will see my Shelfari.com bookshelf. I am always reading - sometimes too much so because I'm not writing as I probably should be.

I'm not sure about the first thing I ever wrote but I do recall something that got people talking when I was in middle school. I worked for the school newspaper and the teacher asked if I could put together a poem for Martin Luther King, Jr. day. Ten minutes later I handed it in and they could not believe I wrote so fast. Although I'm sure it was an amateur effort, they were very positive in their comments.

As a child, I was overweight and sensitive and writing was my escape. I used to write stories for the other kids on my bus and each day they couldn't wait to read more. The characters were my friends and never let me down, and in those vulnerable years, that really helped me navigate through adolescence.

LYNDA: You are a die-hard blogger. How did you get started with blogging and how does it help you as a writer? Also, tell us about your blog, The Surrendered Scribe.

JULIE: I don't know about being a die-hard blogger but I can say that in 2007, blogging was the one door in my life the Lord blew completely open for me as a ministry. Late in 2006 I felt a call to surrender my fears and as Joyce Meyers says, "Do it afraid." I have quite a few stories from years ago that need polishing, as well as new ideas in my head, but the blog was the first and main thing God directed me to do last year.

I researched other blogs before I started. I had a very creative friend from Mothers of Preschoolers, MOPS, who came up with a partial blog name about a Scribe. I really believe God provided the rest of the name---The Surrendered Scribe (http://thesurrenderedscribe.blogspot.com/) My header explains that "My past was all about fearing rejection and worrying about what others thought of me. My present is all about obeying God, surrendering my fears, and stepping out of the comfort zone. My future is sharing His messages of encouragement and love with you, as well as personal posts on marriage, parenthood, writing, ministry, and pretty much anything in between! Be encouraged, blessed, challenged, but be back often!"  That really sums the blog up.

When I turned 30, I felt like God spoke to my heart that my purpose was to "encourage women with the written word." I thought serving in MOPS satisfied that purpose, but now I see the blog reaches even more people. When I surrendered, I gave up the fact that I know I'm not the best writer out there. But like the saying goes, "God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called." I blog with what He gives me. He gives me crazy material but it truly encourages women. I'm not ashamed to confess on the blog that I struggle with being content, especially when I want a house with a two car attached garage. I had a lot of women share their thoughts when I admitted I take fries from my kids drive through meals and justify it as a tax of sorts for taking them there, and I'm working on that. I never felt mentored by people who were coming off as all-together when deep down I knew they were as much of a mess as I was. I write authentically to hopefully let readers, women especially, know God finds them amazing even on their worst day. He loves them. They will survive. And one day, they will laugh at the things that are taking them to tears right now.

The blog has helped my writing in ways I never expected. It's given me confidence and a platform to minister that in person I'd probably be more reticent to do. The blog opened doors for public speaking opportunities and just last week the blog, through God's favor, gave me an honored writing opportunity. Months ago I let readers know about a book I devoured called "Lessons in Buoyancy" by Kathy Vick. I really got a lot out of that book in a year where Beth Moore's, "Get Out of that Pit" and John and Stasi Eldredge's, "Captivating" really were more mainstream. Kathy was online last weekend seeing if the book was still out and about and she found my blog. She started reading my thoughts about her book, and she kept reading. She was so taken with the blog that she looked me up and contacted me. She has a gift book coming out in 2009 by Simon and Schuster called, "Run Like a Girl." She invited me to be a part of this book by submitting a quote of how I recalled running like a girl. She said my surrendered spirit spoke of freedom, courage, and surrender just as a running girl does. I never thought my little blog would create opportunities like this.

In addition I heard from Pentecostal Evangel editor Ken Horn who contacted artist Ron DiCianni. I blogged about a DiCianni painting but did not use the image because I did not have the copyright. They were so impressed that Grant DiCianni gave me one time use of the "Diving Healing" image Ron created for Assemblies of God. What favor! I also received comments from authors Camy Tang and Deborah Raney. I've made friends, learned, grown, and pointed folks to Christ all through the blog. God is good.

LYNDA: How did you find FaithWriters and what made you stick around?

JULIE: I was finishing up my course with the Christian Writers Guild and joined their brand new forum. I met Sara (ScarletFury on the message boards) from FW, who is also with the Guild/Forum. She strongly encouraged me to check out FaithWriters. I made joining part of my surrender goal and I submitted my first Challenge entry the first week of January 2007. From there I joined the message boards. Things progressed and I started judging for The Challenge and then I judged the Best of the Best. It was a no brainer to stick around. I can't even pick the best part of belonging because it is all good. I love to encourage and honestly, I love judging and reading/commenting on entries more than I love writing and submitting. It sounds corny but I felt so honored to judge the Best of the Best. I took it so seriously and still count that as a highlight of my FW experience.

I've met great friends. I've not yet met anyone from FaithWriters in person but still, if I need prayer, I'd probably go to them first. Cheri Hardaway is someone that approached me early on with a generous and kind offer to help me take my writing to another level. I'm very weak in grammar and active verbs and those are Cheri's strong points. She has mentored me in that, and also in so much more. She is a literal prayer partner for my writing, and I pray for her.  That's just one example of friendships on FW.

FW has also given me opportunities to get my writing out there. The free reprint section has been worth more than gold to me. Right now, getting published for money is not my goal. I'm still working on the surrendering part of getting my work out there. The free reprint section has been a great way for me to do that. My story about our daughter's near death started out as one of my Guild lessons. I polished it and put it in the Free Reprints. Lori Wagner, another FW, found it and asked if she could use the story in her book, Quilting Patches of Life. That book, out last year, has done more to encourage friends and loved ones to trust God than I could have ever said in a conversation. I know other reprints are in magazines and websites. I had people trying to find me for years who Googled my name and found me on FW, FaithReaders, and my blog.

I also got to know Jan Ross and Heart of God Ministries through FaithWriters. I was reader of the month last year and submitted two pieces to their upcoming anthology. Both works were accepted. Again, a FW connection.

I also submitted to the Peculiar People's Postcard Project and that was my biggest surrender to date. I made that connection through FW and am thrilled that my submission was accepted. Again, none of these things would have opened up without my being active in FW. I've been given so much I went to my husband to ask if I could subscribe to the FaithWriters 500. I strongly felt that small act would be a way to give back to something that has continuously given to me.

The Challenge is an amazing experience, too. I am such a cautious person, yet I feel some of my best work has come as a direct result of The Weekly Writing Challenge. I wrote redneck humor in "Sweet and Sowers-A Deer Hunting Love Story." I wrote about the first marital encounter after breast cancer called "Come Str8 Home". My teen genre challenge was written in the POV of a suicidal teenage boy. FW is a safe place to try new things and grow from it.

LYNDA: Tell us about your experience with MOPS. And are there other ministries that you feel passionate about?

JULIE: MOPS is a must for every mother with preschooler children. I've been involved since 2000 when a chapter started in Upstate NY where I lived. For me, MOPS helped me through post partum depression, miscarriage, high-risk pregnancy, near death of our baby, and my dad's death. When my husband received a job offer five hours away, knowing there was a MOPS chapter in that new area was the ONLY thing that gave me courage to leave everything and everyone I knew at a time when our daughter was so sick and my family was grieving. I was a publicity team leader in both NY and Ohio, but I recently gave up that position when I felt God asked me to. I adored preparing our newsletter called the MamaGram but God asked me if I could let go of my Isaac---my love of MOPS. Surrendering publicity was what gave me the blog, FW, and other writing opportunities. I still write monthly devotions for the local steering team because I know how much encouragement and prayer the leaders need as they in turn pray for the moms.

If anyone wants to know more, visit www.mops.org.  MOPS is for any mom with kids age birth through kindergarten. Meetings include speakers, a craft the mom can do on her own, refreshments, small group discussion, mentor-moms who are ahead of us and can offer support and wisdom, all while children are cared for in age appropriate classrooms by trained volunteers. I can not say enough about this ministry.

I also have a heart for marriage. The church I was saved in was very active with the FamilyLife marriage conferences. By the time my husband entered the picture, I was gung-ho to attend as an engaged couple. He attended to please me, but God gave us both a burden to strive for oneness not just for ourselves, but as a legacy to our children. There were times I wasn't sure about my parent's marriage (it survived and one of my highlights was planning their 30th anniversary) and I never want my kids to question our commitment. My husband has gone through a divorce. The FamilyLife marriage conference gave us to the tools to start off our marriage on a solid foundation, with the mindset that we are in a covenant. We've facilitated and promoted FamilyLife ministries- like conferences and HomeBuilder studies. Again, our passion and mission is to show couples that every relationship has two roads - oneness or isolation. Just like your car, you don't want to wait until your marriage falls apart on the side of the road to service it. Active participation in a marriage ministry does not mean you have trouble in your marriage, although it can and that's ok. For us, we want all couples to know good marriages can be better. Strive for oneness. Currently we are on a core team for a marriage ministry at Highway Tabernacle Assembly of God called 221. (two to one).

LYNDA: On a more personal note, what do you like to do for fun

JULIE: I usually surprise people with the answer to this question. Of course, I love to read and write. I'm enjoying my time facilitating the Missing Pages Book Club where so far I hosted a live chat with James Scott Bell, Eva Everson, and Sandra Byrd is scheduled in March. I really do enjoy blogging; in fact I believe in 2008 God is asking me to start a new blog about deeper things of faith with two mom friends who are also writers. I have a minor blog about my 5 Things I'd like to achieve, although lately I'm not getting much done on that list!

But I tend to surprise people when I say I watch NASCAR. We used to live only seven miles from the Watkins Glen track. We got a lot of race traffic at our house and I still enjoy following the sport.

Friends are surprised to know I'm very competitive. My latest vice is the Nintendo Wii that I play with the kids. I am embarrassed to say how hooked I got on Hannah Montana dance off!

Also surprising to some is that I enjoy public speaking to large groups. Smaller groups intimidate me. After my dad's death, my mom created a scholarship for technical students who have faced adversity and would otherwise not be able to continue their education. Although my contribution is small, I absolutely get a charge out of delivering the winning speech on behalf of the family and encouraging the young person that won. It's one of those things that allow us to take a hard situation like losing my dad, and make it into something good.

LYNDA: Randomly name a few of your favorite things

JULIE: Mocha…chocolate…libraries…YMCA…red velvet cake…chicken parm…lilacs…roses…TNT's, The Closer…camping…Adirondack Mountains…all water (waterfalls, oceans, swimming pools)

LYNDA: Red velvet cake? Me too! Yum! Tell us a little bit more about your family.

JULIE: Tom is a computer programmer and also choir director at church. He is a gifted teacher and musician, teaching himself as a child how to play drums and keyboard. He is so patient with me and we laugh and enjoy many of the same things. He was so worth waiting for!

Our son is a great blend of the both of us. He is computer savvy and was getting on the internet before he was 2, yikes! He now plays drums and is in a ministry at church called Sticks. He is a real prayer warrior and has a heart for missions and the persecuted church. He is very sensitive and caring; I've never seen a better big brother than him.

Our daughter is four and when I was pregnant God shared that she would be an over-comer. How true this has been. As a baby she nearly died from croup and doctor error (the story is chronicled in Buzzard's Roost, Lori Wagner's Book called "Quilting Patches of Life"). She also has congenital hypothyroidism so her early years were full of sickness and delays. Now, at 4, her health is stable, her thyroid great, and she is excelling in pre- school where she receives therapy to catch up on delays she had as a baby. When we visit our old church before our move folks are in tears to see what God has done in her. She is a joy - a literal walking party.

Tom has a daughter and son that are grown and live in Wisconsin. We get along so well Tom was afraid to marry me thinking I'd be more of a camp counselor than step-mom. His daughter works and has a serious boyfriend and puppy dog. His son is a college student pursuing a business degree.

I'm very close with my mom and sister. Mom is very crafty - I inherited none of that! She makes beautiful quilts and lives the dream I always remember her having – knowing and being friends with the Amish. The Amish community near her has taken good care of her, even inviting her to a recent Amish wedding.

My sister is an elementary school teacher and our almost getting buried by a snow plow when we were younger is the basis for the quote I submitted for Kathy Vick's book, "Run Like a Girl."

LYNDA: Where do you see yourself five years from now?

JULIE: That's a tough one! I'll be in my early forties by then with both kids in school. I'm already sensing that God wants me to stretch my comfort zone once again, so I wonder if I will be writing even more, polishing and submitting my stories.

I do a lot as an encourager and intercessor for local ministries and I have a feeling that will still be a part of my life. I read a lot of Beth Moore's studies and I truly Believe God and pray fervently for big things. I doubt that will ever cease.

I hope we can stay in this area as we are so blessed with a school we believe in, a great church family and employment we do not take for granted. Yet 2004 showed us that things can definitely change! We changed almost every aspect of our lives and are prepared for the fact that God could take us or keep us anywhere.

I'm hoping I still can order BK Joe's off the Burger King menu, go on a cruise with my family, and keep writing and encouraging others as He leads.

LYNDA: Thanks, Julie, for taking the time to chat with me. Much continue success in everything you do. Looking forward to seeing how God uses you in your writing and your ministries to touch others for His glory.

Happy blogging!

For more information on Julie Arduini and to read her work on FaithWriters, visit her profile at: http://www.faithwriters.com/member-profile.php?id=24102.

Visit her blogs, The Surrendered Scribe at: http://thesurrenderedscribe.blogspot.com and Christian Writers Forum Blog:  http://christianwritersforum.com/Blog