Every now and then, I'll have some Inspirational Historical Author Giveaways, and I'm excited that my first one is a favorite author of mine, I've read every one of her books and they are great reads.
By Jody Hedlund, @JodyHedlund
I was a PK.
And no PK isn’t texting lingo for Perfect Knitter or
Parachuting Kick-boxer.
PK stands for Preacher’s Kid.
My dad was a Lutheran Pastor. And I grew up in the church.
Not literally, of course. We usually lived in a parsonage, often one that was
next door to the church. But my life centered around attending Sunday School
and church, reading the Bible, and attending catechism classes.
Have you ever seen the movie Footloose? Well, I ended up
being a tad bit like the pastor’s rebellious daughter in Footloose. Just a tad. And only for a couple of years.
Yes, I went through a period of being a stupid moronic
idiot.
And now that I have teens of my own, I realize exactly just
how stupid and moronic I was, especially when it came to thinking I knew better
than my wise and extremely loving parents.
Why oh why do teenagers think they’re smarter than their
parents?
But I digress.
Granted, the pressure upon PK’s is high. They’re often held
to more stringent standards than most kids. Often they get teased by
schoolmates for being goodie-goodies—at least I did.
In hindsight, I wish I’d stayed strong during those
difficult years of trying to find myself. But thankfully, I had parents who
loved me through it all. And when I finally made it to the other side, I was a
stronger person because of it.
I made my faith my own. I learned to love my parents more
maturely. And I began to embrace my uniquenesses.
Being a PK was a special, unique, delightful gift. I can see
that now. I only wish I could have seen it then.
Whatever situation we find ourselves in, instead of trying
to be different than who we ARE, let us try to accept ourselves and embrace our
uniquenesses.
How about you? What
kind of kid were you growing up? What did your dad or mom do? Did you struggle
with fitting in or did embrace your uniquenesses?
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Publisher's Weekly calls Unending Devotion "A meaty tale of life amid the debauchery of the lumber camps of 1880s Michigan . . . exciting and unpredictable to the very end."
To celebrate the release of Unending Devotion, Jody is giving away a signed copy. Leave a comment (along with your email
address) to enter the drawing. Valid only with US or Canadian addresses.
Giveaway ends: September 10th
For more secrets about Jody and additional chances to win
her newest release, visit her Events
Page to see where she'll be next in her "Fun Secrets About Author Jody
Hedlund" blog tour.
Also join in the Pinterest Photo Contest she's hosting. Find
more information about it on her Contest
Page.
Jody would love to connect with you! Find her in one of
these places:
Website: http://jodyhedlund.com/
Facebook: Author Jody Hedlund
Twitter: http://twitter.com/JodyHedlund
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jodyhedlund/
If you are new here, I hope that
you'll come back and browse through the website and find some new books
to put on your reading list by clicking on category tags.
The book we're giving away is a new release. It's tags are:
If you'd like to get a monthly email of all the new Inspirational Historical Releases from me, sign up for the newsletter. And if you're on Facebook, I post all the Inspirational Historical Kindle deals and Freebies on this website's Facebook page.
Don't forget to answer Jody's questions, she plans to swing by today and leave your email address to be entered in the drawing for a free book!
Good morning!
ReplyDeleteI like what Jody is doing in blog tours instead of a Q.A session.
The question is : did I struggle to fit in? Oh yes, I think there are many people who can relate to that. I've also been teased when some friends found out that my dad was a pastor (not a full time one though). But I guess I've never wanted to be anyone else but me. Honestly, it's good to be unique. So when I realised that, I cared less about people's teasing AND wonders of wonders.. they've stopped! :-)
Preach it, Jodi and thanks for the chance to win your book!
g.gclermont AT gmail DOT com
I like this blog! I'm keeping it in mind.
DeleteThat's great Ganise. You can always like this page's facebook (where I also post free and on sale kindles of this genre if you own a kindle)or the newsletter to remind you to come check out the new releases. Though I'm pretty good to get them up on the first...
DeleteHi Ganise! Great to see you here today!! I'm glad to get to know a little bit more about you today too and find out that you were a part-time PK! :-) That's great that you were content with who you were! I'm working hard on trying to teach that lesson to my kids!
DeleteHmmm... what kind of kid was I growing up? Well, there were times when people would describe me as a little crazy, doing some things that I'd never be caught dead doing now... lol! But all in all I'd say I was a pretty easy going kid, one that was pretty much always in a good mood. Oh yes, and I definitely would've been considered a tomboy that could be a girly girl at times. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great giveaway! Can't wait to read this book!
lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Elyssa,
DeleteI agree! I wouldn't be caught dead wearing some of the clothes, styles, or doing some of the things I did when I was a kid! :-) Isn't it funny how much we change over the years! :-)
Both of my parents worked when I was growing up. My dad was the joint owner of a deli, and later worked for our town, and my mom worked in a doctor's office later on in my life. Before that she helped out at the deli with my dad.
ReplyDeletejennycohen104(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for stopping by Jenny! How fun to have a dad who owned a deli! I bet you had some good sandwiches and food during that time! :-)
DeleteGreat giveaway! I'm entering for my daughter's friend, who I know will love this book. =) Growing up I was a nerdy kid that read comic books and that got beaten up, but I did have a lot of friends despite that!
ReplyDeleteicohen62(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Ira,
DeleteThanks for entering the book giveaway for your daughter's friend! That's so kind of you. And I cringe to think of other kids beating you up! Ugh! If only we could teach our kids to be accepting of differences, right? :-)
My dad was a computer consultant growing up, so he sold computers. And my mom stayed at home, and later homeschooled my sister and I. Those were the best years of my life!
ReplyDeletethejesusfreak62(at)gmail(dot)com
That's awesome to hear that your homeschooling years were the best years of your life. I'm homeschooling my five kids and I hope one day they look back on that time with fondness too!
DeleteI can't say that I had any wild stages....I'm more of the quiet type. lol! It was so much fun to learn about Jody's childhood! I loved all of her books and can't wait for this next one!!
ReplyDeleteEmreilly303(at)gmail(d0t)com
Hi Emily! Thanks for reading all of my books and for entering my giveaways! Always love seeing you at the releases of my books!
DeleteThanks so much for the giveaway! I'm so excited about this!!! My daughter is a huge fan of Jody's and I'm dying to give her a try as well. Figured I'd try my hand at a giveaway!
ReplyDeleteDreilly316(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you for stopping by, Debbie! Glad that Emily has inspired you to try my books! :-)
DeletePlease enter my name into the drawing! I was the fourth child in my family...didn't grow up in a Christian home, but I'm praising the Lord that He found me in time to raise my children in His grace. I'm entering for my daughter.
ReplyDeleteJreilly316(at)verizon(dot)net
Several of you are entering for others, I think that's wonderful.
DeleteI love Jodi's books, thank you for hosting this giveaway and all that you do for us readers.
ReplyDeletewfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Hi Wendy!
DeleteGreat to see you today! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll have the chance to read my latest release! :-)
I was an extremely shy person. I would cross the street rather than have to talk to someone I knew. My dad was a farmer, and my mom was a homemaker. Unfortunately, I didn't talk to them much either. So I didn't really have any support. But we all grow up eventually, and things got better. I still think of myself as shy, but I am able to converse and have friends. My biggest friend is Jesus.
ReplyDeletejosieringer@gmail.com
Hi Josie, I don't know why as kids we go through periods of not talking to our parents. I don't want my kids to go through that phase! And I regret now that I put my parents through that! Aren't you glad we eventually mature! :-)
DeleteMy parents divorced when I was 5. I didn't usually fit in with the "in crowd" but that didn't bother me. I didn't stand out from the crowd much, but that didn't really bother me either. I was me, and I made a few friends from each sphere of "society" in school. We moved a lot, so I was often the new girl.
ReplyDeleteAs a teen, I went to church when none of my parents did, and I grew a giant "holier than thou" streak. Thankfully, God convicted that out of me while I was in college.
I married a preacher, and we have a little girl. She's 5 and just entered Kindergarten. I think the PK issues will loom larger the older she gets, and I pray that God will help us hold her, and ourselves, to His standards and not feel pressured to impose anyone else's ideas on our family.
I confess, I'm entering this giveaway for myself, selfish compared to some.
andeemarie95 at gmail dot com
Best of luck to all
I'm sure you'd share with your mother, so only half selfish. ;P
DeleteHi Andrea! It was great to get to know you a little bit more! I'm sure that you're going to do just fine with helping your little girl through the PK issues! :-)
DeleteI did have a hard time fitting in. I was terribly shy. How many people you know had to repeat kindergarten in summer school because they were too quiet?
ReplyDeleteCampbellamyd at gmail dot com
Amy, I never had to repeat a grade because I was too quiet, but once I got a D in Aerobics in 9th grade. I'm a straight A student and did everything required. My mother went in to talk to the teacher and ask what was wrong. The teacher described actions atypical of me. Then Mom asked her to describe me. She had no idea what I looked like. My grade changed to an A. :)
DeleteHi Amy! LOL! That's a great story! My youngest is now very shy, but I've noticed that gradually she's becoming less shy as she's getting older. I think most kids outgrow the "shy" phase! :-) I'm sure you did too!
DeleteWhen I was little my dad was a pastor, around 7 the church joined with another church and he became assistant pastor. And by around high school years he just was on the worship team. I was always the "good girl" I always did everything my parents expected from me. I didn't mouth off or voice displeasure or anything like that. About 17/18 I was sick of being good and decided to STOP. Kids are cruel and I had a hard time being good around people who were supposed to be my friends. So I decided being good wasn't all it was cracked up to be and joined the kids that were more rebellious.
ReplyDeleteTurns out that isn't all it's cracked up to be either. Maybe being good isn't easy, but I was a whole world happier with myself when I was being "good". I decided that god was the one I wanted to please. Not my friends, not cute guys, not even youth pastors or my parents, I wanted to please GOD. Soon after I got my life straightened out, I met my hubby and were married!
Threeboys1gift(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hi Sara,
DeleteLOVE hearing your story! Some kids are cruel and that's just really too bad, isn't it? But you're right about the rebellious phase. It's not all that great either. In fact, it's pretty miserable. I too was SO much happier when I repented, asked my parent's for forgiveness, and started pleasing God!
Thanks for sharing!
When I was younger I was picked on due to having a skin disease. I was chosen last for teams and rarely had friends to share it with. Finally I was invited to bible school and learned of God and what a friend He was. Even though my Mother wouldn't try understanding because she resented me for the cost if medical care, my dad tried but didn't know how to show me the love and understanding I needed. Needless to say, the Love of God and my growing relationship with Him has sustained me into adulthood. Surrounded by my Christian brothers and sisters I have grown more in adulthood than I could have ever in childhood. God is good..... ALL the time. Lcenlow@sit-co.net
ReplyDeleteWow, what a great testament to God's love being able to sustain, and to the power of friendships! Thank you so much for sharing! :-)
DeleteI was homeschooled as a child and for the most part, the peers I interacted with were nice kids, so I didn't experience much bullying. However, I did feel like I needed to excel in school because of the choice my parents made to homeschool my siblings and I. I felt like I needed to validate that homeschooling was the right choice for us, since we had skeptical relatives ... (I never told my parents that though, nor did they pressure me in any way). I'm still a bit of an overachiever and my worst critic, but I wouldn't trade my experience for anything. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win! I loved reading "The Doctor's Lady" last year.
Jafuchi7(at)Hawaii(dot)edu
Glad you enjoyed my last book! Thanks for sharing your experience with homeschooling and the pressure that parents can inadvertently put on their children to excel! It's something I need to be more conscious of with my kids!
DeleteThanks so much for the giveaway -- I love Jody's books! By the way, I was just a regular kid, not real popular but not "unpoplular" either. I was blessed to be raised in a Christian home and am ever so thankful for that.
ReplyDeleteHi Cheryl! Thanks for stopping by! I so glad to know that you're enjoying my books! Sounds like you were very blessed to have a happy home!
DeleteI was a full-time PK and an Air Force Brat. I was kinda of insecure as
ReplyDeletea teen. I could not do any thing like go to a school dance, unless the
deacons said it was OK. The principal of the school who also went to our
church finally told them he would take me. Thank you much for a chance to
win your book. I love to read more than breathe. lol
godblessamerica.jan(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Jan! Sounds like you can relate on the pressure of a PK's kid! And I can relate with you on the loving to read more than breathing! :-)
DeleteHi, Your site is very exciting. Many things of interest, including your book giveaway. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win a great read.
ReplyDeleteBlessed by Grace,
Barb Shelton
I preferred to stay under the radar during school, I wasn't popular but I wasn't unpopular either. I never wanted to be part of the in crowd and was perfectly happy just being me. My dad works for a bank and my mom has always stayed home with us.
ReplyDeleteecriggs1990(at)aol(dot)com
i consider myself an average kid growing up in a neighborhood where all of us kids played...boys/girls/all ages...riding bikes, playing kickball, and enjoying each other's company.
ReplyDeletethanks for the chance to read your novel, jody...i'm looking forward to it.
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
I was always the 'good kid' growing up, still am I guess! Was never really popular, but fit in just fine most of the time.
ReplyDeleteWould love to win a copy of Jody's latest release. Her first two books were great! (I think there have only been two?)
Patty
pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
Yes, this would be her 3rd book.
DeleteAllrighty, this is altogether unique! Secrets are always fun! :) So glad you were a PK growing up, Judy, else you wouldn't write the wonderful books that you do. Thanks for the chance to win one!
ReplyDeletebiblioprincess15 (at) yahoo (dot) com
I was a TK. Teacher's Kid. Both my parents were teachers. And that's a lot of pressure. Especially, when they are at the same school as you. I feel for you, Jody!
ReplyDeletejen
jenmitsch@hotmail.com
Was always a quiet child and in a way I still am. I sure wouldn't switch personalities either just to fit in. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance to win!
samanthaakuiper(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Jody! I haven't read any of your books yet but Unending Devotion sounds really good and I'd love to win a copy!
ReplyDeleteI would have to say for the most part I embraced my uniqueness as a child. Don't get me wrong, I still wanted to fit in and be liked by my peers but I also wanted to be different, be my own person, and not always blend in with the crowd. I believe this was partly my temperament and partly the way I was raised.
Melissa and Jody,
ReplyDeleteMelissa - came by from Jody's site - so glad I found you. Liking you on FB for sure.
Jody - I grew up an MK (missionary kid) and my story is quite similar to yours, the best part being that I, too, had parents who loved me through that time, even though they didn't understand what drove me away. I was fearless and frantic for many years and they could not relate at all. But I, too, upon my return to Christ, gained a deep and fervent love for them and a real appreciation for the life they gave me. Going through those difficult years also gave me much-needed insight into some of the things our children have struggled with. We have survived two teenagers into adulthood - our oldest just married last October, and our son is getting ready to head out on his own, too. THEN... there's our bonus baby, 10-yr-old daughter. She already scares the living daylights out of me and her teenage years are yet to come! Ha!
Would love to win a copy of your new book - beckydwriter(at)gmail(dot)com
Blessings,
Becky
Glad you like the site, Becky. Since this is the main genre I read, I was surprised when inputting these books on how many of them I'd never heard of! Figured I couldn't be the only one and wanted to share the variety with the world at large. My CBD catalog has about a half page of Amish and a half page of the big names with maybe one or two historicals, so the less-known-author novels appear to not even exist. Sad.
DeleteI was raised in a non-Christian but loving family -- the only child -- but I ended up marrying a preacher who was a PK. Our children seemed to fare okay, despite being PKs, too. I love the wonderful adults they've become. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying this opportunity to follow Jody around on her blog tour, seeing what other "secrets" she's sharing beyond what's she said in today's post on my blog: http://wp.me/phaYw-1PB. It's also a great chance to become introduced to new blogs like this one. I'll be back to check out some of your other recommendations. You don't need to add me to the drawing, however, as I already have Jody's books.
Hi EVERYONE! Thank you all for stopping by and sharing about your growing up years! I loved getting to know a little bit more about you all!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you SO much, Melissa, for hosting me on my blog tour! I appreciate it so much!
Love,
Jody
Would love to win a copy of UD. :-) I was emotionally distant from my parents who were dealing with marital unfaithfulness and always fighting, and so I dealt with peer pressure alone. I was a pretty good kid though--God kept his hand on me, and I give Him all the glory for keeping me on the right track. :-)
ReplyDeletegwen[dot]gage[at]gmail[dot]com
How did I not know about this blog, Melissa?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing about being a PK, Jody, and about how your parents stood by you even through your rough years. Since I'm the mother of two PKs, it's helpful to be informed of the struggles they might end up facing.
snowboundintheup at hotmail dot com
I was a pretty good kid growing up with caring parents. My kids have had to deal with the PK/MK pressure. We've always stuck together as a family and discussed the expectations and they've stayed close to the Lord. PTL! I'd love to be entered for Jody's book. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteworthy2bpraised at gmail dot com
I don't think I ever really had a wild stage. I was home schooled and grew up on a ranch. While I was socialized through 4-H and my church I always seemed to have an "old" soul. Though I can be a bit of a dare devil I'm usually pretty responsible. Sometimes I'll let me hair down though ;) Still waters run deep after all.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me! amada_chavez[AT]yahoo[DOT]com
John 3:15-16 (Read it, Believe it, and Be Saved!!!)
Please enter me into this contest. Unending Devotion sounds like a great book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for offering such wonderful prizes.
Blessings,Tina
tfrice@comcast.net
Thanks everyone for entering, the contest is now closed. Random.org chose Jan as the winner.
ReplyDeleteI didn't care about the contest, I just wanted to share, so good for Jan. I wasn't in the best state of mind to comment before, but now I feel safe enough to do so.
ReplyDeleteLike Shelly I more or less embraced my uniqueness, but I still struggle with feeling left behind in a different way than has been described in replies above.
While most people I knew from school have graduated college, have jobs and/or families, I dropped out of school after tenth grade, no degrees/GED, and stuck at home because I can't afford to live anywhere else, and I still struggle with staying the course of getting my GED, despite the pain I still feel of not feeling academically confident in Math and Science, the most important subjects in this age of internet-crazy world.
I guess "Lack of Education" was my greatest used-to-be-secret barrier from childhood, that still plagues me now, and I don't know how to quell the anger and disappointment I still feel.
As much as people tell me lack of degrees and letters in one's name isn't the last word of life, during a time when people with far greater education than me, and are better at handling stress than I'll ever be, are still unemployed, this gets HARDER and HARDER to believe.
Partly I dropped out because of bullying, and also because I was burned out from the grind of focusing on things I've never been good at, and not being a natural academic only made the mixed feelings I still have about education worse.
No amount of 30+ adults telling me how sporadic their post-childhood education was seems to help ease the pain, more often it makes me feel more alone in it.
Taurean, thanks for sharing. I was away from home for awhile, so it took me forever to get the email that you commented!
DeleteMy sister has a story like yours, and I see the same struggles in her. I think what has the potential to help her most is to choose one thing and finish, even if it isn't "important" in the eyes of those telling her that her goal isn't very lofty, at least for her, I think she gets so bogged down in the "I've never finished anything" that she feels like she'll never be able to obtain the dream goal. That's how the bossy older sister sees it, anyway. :)
I'll say a prayer for you on the GED thing and direction.