Blog - Julie Bonn Blank, Christian Author, Afterlife Survivor & Speaker

Randy Kay and Julie Talk About Heaven

Julie BB2025-07-23T17:58:16+00:00Appearances|

I really enjoyed meeting with Randy Kay to chat about all things Heaven. Well, not “all things,” of course (lol), but about my experience traveling there, journeying back, and all that still transpires from it. He has offered many new insights, and, of course, I have been busy considering, praying, and implementing those. God is truly in the details, and I am still awestruck that He sees me as capable, a delight, and the only one who can fill this particular mission, just like you alone can fulfill yours.

He has called. And I will go.

My new fave verse I keep writing in books as I sign them: Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’ (Isaiah 6:8 NIV)

I love it when others who have been there offer insight – I know God is using them to speak into my life. I am very honored. And I look forward to meeting people in the future as God leads me to return that favor. Those who know me know that it is ALL about bringing up the people.

It’s time to develop a team – and this will very likely be the best and most exciting use of my God-given leadership skills yet.

Writing Update

As I write the Heaven book, author-related things are suddenly speeding forward. Many events and questions from the past seven months (and even before) are becoming clearer every day. I hope you decide to hang out with me on this new and amazing path Jesus has me jogging on. You might as well come along and explore – there might be something for you, too, just around the hill that sometimes blocks your true vision, over the old, covered bridge, and around the bend. :-)

As with my Innocent Lives trilogy, writing this Heaven book also doesn’t feel like “work”. The Holy Spirit anoints the stream of words, and Jesus is guiding the topics. It’s his book, not mine – which I also say about my other books. I worked on it yesterday and couldn’t figure out why I was in so much pain later that evening. I realized that I had written for about 12 hours, minus three brief breaks for quick meals standing at the kitchen counter. Oops. Way too much! Today, I am forcing myself to stop after six or so hours.

I have so much to say! My learnings continue. Jesus even told me this week that we had more conversation during our visit than I remember. He’s released a bit of that because He knew I would need peace about a certain emotional family situation this week, and I can’t wait to hear the rest of our chats when He is ready to share more. And yes, I have incredible peace that can ONLY be from Him.

In the Heaven book, I feel honored to share the near-death experiences, afterlife stories, and heavenly messages of others as well. And because I write most of the accounts (or heavily edit them, except for the stories submitted by writers I’ve already worked with), I get to meet them and talk to them pretty extensively.

Such a privilege!

These Heaven Pilgrims truly touch me. Many of us are now on a mission. Well, like me, many were already on missions, but sometimes routes change! There are some newbies to missions, and when you have an experience that profound, you often have some deep things to say. I have been soaking all that in. These are amazing people.

Heaven Encounters 2025

I’m eager to attend the Heaven Conference in October, where I can connect with even more people who have had afterlife and near-death experiences. I look forward to attending a Ceremony of Life for those we’ve lost, praying with whomever God brings to me, absorbing the words of the speakers, taking copious notes, worshipping colorfully, learning from the planned healing service, and supporting those who are affected. I hear they experienced a lot of healings there last year.

You know – just God being fantastic again.

I invited a few friends. Author Pam Farrel will be joining me. When I returned from Heaven and desperately sought others who’d also journeyed to Heaven and back, she lovingly returned my messages, and we even set up a Zoom so I could bombard her with questions and ask her recommendations for processing the experience. She is a beautiful soul, and I am so honored to now call her my friend.

We will try not to stir up any trouble. No guarantee! :-)

Additional Recent Happenings & Links

Still looking for a few near-death, afterlife, or related stories.

Heaven Blog (Substack)

Heaven Song Playlist on YouTube (helps keep me focused)

Download This Free Heaven Stories Book. Please also share it with others and/or print it for those who may need encouragement or would like to learn more about Jesus.

Julie’s Books on Amazon – Yes, the grand finale of my suspense trilogy has been released in both ebook and paperback formats. The audiobook will be coming at the end of August. By the way, you can also find ‘Innocent Souls’ (a standalone version) on all the ebook sites and BN if you aren’t into Amazon. And if you’d like an autographed paperback, you can order it directly from my website. Thank you to all who helped me bring this final book to completion. If you (5-star) LOVE IT *****, please leave a review. Those are so very helpful, and so far, the book has a perfect track record.

I hope you enjoy the interview. If you feel led, please give it a thumbs up and leave a comment so I know you visited. <3

Randy Kay Interview

Full Circle with Cynthia Ruchti

Julie BB2025-07-23T17:11:00+00:00Writing|

Check out Cynthia’s new Christmas book, The Spirit of Christmas: Discovering His Presence Throughout the Advent Season.

I am looking forward to reading it!

Curious about the connection? Read on…

Cynthia was a wonderful, sensitive keynote speaker for our CCW Fall Conference. We enjoyed taking her to dinner afterward and catching up with her.

A few years ago, I attended my first writing conference. It was Write to Publish in Chicago, once managed by Lyn Johnson and now owned/managed by Steve Laube.

I had completed Innocent Lives (over several years). And struggled to convince the Christian world of publishing to accept a book primarily written from a trafficking victim’s perspective. I intended to educate (as I once thought trafficking only happened in “other” countries) and to touch people’s hearts to DO something about human trafficking and domestic violence.

I wasn’t sure where to go with it anymore. Yes, I was discouraged.

I told the Lord I would attend this conference (we lived fifteen minutes away at the time, so I didn’t have any excuse!) and make one last effort to immerse myself and my work there. If there were no results, I would self-publish it. I knew God wanted it out there – I just wasn’t sure of the exact path yet.

People kept telling me they read fiction to RELAX – for the happy, chill-out moments on the couch or the back porch. Even though my books end well, I wondered if I was wrong in what my Lord was calling me to do. Was I bananas???? Was I not hearing Him when He said that my fiction is supposed to be a catalyst for change and to transform lives?

Please, Jesus, make it so very clear. I begged!

I almost didn’t enter the building. I was that nervous. And I knew no one. I only walked in because I had already paid.

I had a good lunch with a tableful of ladies who seemed enthralled with my own story of abuse and how that had led to my heart for this topic. “Your book is so needed,” they said.

I met with a top-notch and well-known editor/agent who was so encouraging that I floated out of the auditorium. I actually did sign with an agent I met there (not Cynthia), but after a lot of noncommunication on this new agent’s part, I later terminated that relationship.

During worship on the last day, I headed to the front row (which was four rows back). Attendance was lower as some had left, and I’m sure I stuck out like a knot on the forehead in that row by myself.

I had no idea I would shortly be bawling my eyes out.

Cynthia Ruchti led worship that year. And I believe she was a substitute.
While she was there, she received an important text and said she had a story to tell us. In her small town in Wisconsin, a strip club had become an eyesore. It was the first building people saw as they entered the city.

What?! She had my attention – much human trafficking happens at clubs, and there is a scene depicting this in Innocent Lives.

A Place for Ministry

Cynthia’s church group started ministering to the ladies who worked there. They painted their dressing room so they had a more pleasant place to “be” (Huh? I hear some of you asking). They brought them treats and loved on them like Jesus would. They didn’t criticize, as some Christians might. They just LOVED them. True servants of Jesus. And this was not a one-time event. They loved on these ladies for a couple of years!

This church group had been so effective that the owner experienced an extreme heart change. He decided that this club was NOT the legacy that he wanted to leave for his children and grandchildren.

Cynthia had received this text because the owner of the club was currently bulldozing the building to the ground. Yes, I choked up then, and scrambled for a tissue in my purse. Because they don’t provide Kleenex in the auditorium of the Billy Graham Center.

“OK, Lord, this is like my fourth confirmation in two days! I got the message!”

I learned that the owner chose to sell his property to the church. The church, small as it was, shared the story and passed the offering plate. The amount of quite a bit over one hundred thousand dollars seemed astronomical to a small church, but they raised it during that offering. The property is now a park, beautifully landscaped. A “healing place.”

Where Did The Workers Go?

What about the gals who had worked there? I had to ask, of course.

Several of them now attend Cynthia’s church. After the conference, she updated me and also said, “We are a church of the redeemed. One sitting to our right was just released from jail. One on the left is on his way there.”

YES!

We are ALL churches of the redeemed (or we should be), and I am so thrilled that they found this as their Mission. We are a church for the hurting, and every church should have a focus on healing, not just through leadership and sermons, but also through small groups and recovery opportunities.

Some churches also meet physical needs. When I was in need, in abuse, and then later as a single parent, my church at the time provided food, gas money, and Christmas gifts. Do they even realize the firestorm they helped create? Probably not! God, as we know now, had plans for me. I wouldn’t have made it through without their very real support. I never would have reached those plans.

Walking Close to the Savior

I was very pleased to see Cynthia’s closeness with our Savior. Since I have returned from Heaven’s gates, I realize even more so how vital this remains. (Read my heaven blog here). This agent/author/woman extraordinaire prioritizes God in her life. She easily and naturally deflects all the accomplishments He has given her to HIM. She is passionate on stage, talking about what HE has done for her, and she is incredibly humble and secure in who she is as a daughter of the Most High King.

It does indeed feel like a full circle. I thank God that onstage in 2018, Cynthia Ruchti confirmed to me that I was on the right track and unknowingly encouraged me to continue working to get the word out to all people. She bumped me up when I was at my lowest, and gave me the strength to push forward in the mission that Jesus had for me! And in 2024, in a completely different venue, she confirmed this yet again.

She also told me to stay alive this time. :-) Ha ha.

I wasn’t even sure if she would remember or recognize me at first. But I know that the God of our hearts did! And His plans are so much greater than ours. Thank you, my Lord.

Please pray for Cynthia as she continues her writing, agenting, and ministry. I know she welcomes your prayers.

BTW, BOOK 3, Innocent Souls (the Grand Finale), was just released. It has all 5-Star reviews. God was truly in the writing of it! It is also available as a Standalone on BN and all the ebook sites. Both Innocent Lives and Innocent Voices are now on Kindle Unlimited for free.

The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.

Proverbs 18:10 NLT

What You Should Know About Kids in Abusive Homes

Julie BB2024-10-05T01:42:22+00:00Abuse, Social Causes|

I had the opportunity to participate on this educational panel about how kids are affected by indirect abuse in their homes. We had over 300 people attend and the numbers kept rising. Many have also watched it since.

We as panelists were shocked at the comments. Many stated this was the first education they’d received on the topic. As we shared, judges watching expressed grief and disappointment in the court systems that are struggling to accept and understand abuse. Teachers, social workers and counselors asked how they can help make changes and how they can best serve these families. Survivors clamored to explain their abusive court systems and struggles they experienced while trying to protect their children from more harm.

Thank you to the Alliance of Hope for arranging this educational opportunity, to the Family Justice Center of Washington County Oregon for allowing me to start our survivor VOICES committee chapter four years ago, and to my fellow panelists, JoAnna Baanana, Lisbet Perez and Tracy Vineyard.

The main information begins about 14 minutes in.

Webinar: What Survivors Want You to Know: Talking to Survivors About Their Kids

Near-Death (NDE), Afterlife, and Other Miraculous Experiences

Julie BB2025-07-27T11:53:56+00:00Writing|

While in an ambulance last summer, I flatlined due to an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), and the Lord transported me home to Heaven for a short time.

But Jesus sent me back. He told me that there is still so much work to do here.

I’ve learned that I am an Afterlife Survivor.

Of course, there is a lot more to the story. You can read it on Substack for no charge. Or watch my Randy Kay interview here.

God has encouraged me to think forward on several projects. I do not believe He wants me to be silent, even though it isn’t always easy to talk about – as odd as that sounds.

Do you have a Christian afterlife, near-death (NDE) experience, angel event, God-given vision, or another miraculous, divine occurrence? Or do you know of someone who does?

I am collecting stories, and I would be honored to hear from you. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a writer. I am happy to interview you and write the story, or have one of my writer friends help out with that. If you are a writer, I also welcome your contribution, but please note that edits will likely be made. Please complete the form below. If we plan to use your story, we will be in touch. Thank you for sharing!

Read my Heaven Blog Here

The Story Behind Up Faith & Family’s THESE STONES

Julie BB2025-07-23T10:34:54+00:00Just Me, Media, Writing|

Cheryl McKay

Welcome Cheryl McKay!

Writer and producer Cheryl McKay (Price) became my friend when tragedy struck our family. My brother Rick was hospitalized, on a respirator. He struggled to heal from pneumonia and right-sided heart failure.

After he graduated to Heaven, I filled a momento book with his impact and testimonials from hundreds of people. We, as his family, had no idea that he had touched so many. And one really stood out. Cheryl needed my support—and to grieve with me.

Rick was instrumental in her career as a mentor, helping her develop as a writer through scriptwriting. She continually shared that she wouldn’t be where she is today without his support and care. With each text and message, we grew a bit closer and bonded in our shared loss.

I followed along as Cheryl continued to work in the industry. I was part of her prayer team during the years she searched for a home for the first season of THESE STONES. And now, her hard work has paid off, and season one streams on the Up Faith & Family Network.

My Review of These Stones

Rick Bonn, Stormie Omartian, and Cheryl McKay

This show, my friends, is worth your time, and of course, I am not surprised. Rick was a stickler for quality in Christian writing and films, and apparently, so is Cheryl. I have also adopted this striving-for-excellence approach in my writing and connections with other Christian writers (CCW).

I returned from a visit to Heaven last summer (although I did not get to see Rick, the Lord has given me some visions of him before and since). I was awestruck to realize even more now how important it is to reflect Jesus’ quality in our work for Him here.

Lives depend on it.

The award-winning THESE STONES meets a human need for compassion, spirituality, and love, as exemplified by Jesus. From the score to the acting to the cinematography, the quality shines.

Touched by an Angel

In the scheme of “Touched by an Angel” and “Highway to Heaven” (only with several fun twists), each episode is uniquely watchable on its own. But you won’t want to stop at one. I admit to – ahem – binging just a bit. The colors, flavors, brilliance, and emotional tug of these stories will touch your heart.

It is a drama that may elicit tears from sensitive individuals (or those who know the story behind it), but it is well worth your time. Our Up subscription comes with our Amazon Prime membership. I noted that I had to go into Amazon on my television screen to access it (top, small print).

Although I waited a while to watch THESE STONES, I was so excited after watching two episodes that I pelted Cheryl with questions. She was kind enough to share with me and give permission to pass them on to you!

Interview with Cheryl McKay

Cheryl McKay Price and her hubby Chris, on set.

Hi Cheryl. Thank you for joining us. How did you get started on your journey as a scriptwriter and producer?

I started writing plays when I was five. I staged them and acted them out with (and for) the neighbor kids. (Captive audience, I’m sure!) My original goal was to act, but in a BFA undergraduate acting program, my professors told me that wasn’t my talent. I didn’t believe them at first. But it was the best rejection I ever had because it redirected me to my true professional love, which is writing. It was orchestrated by God to get me on the right path. I was already writing all the time.

When I was 15, I saw an Afterschool Special on TV that I loved! I tracked down the writer/director/producer, Susan Rohrer, and asked her how I could one day do what she does. She’s been my writing mentor (and life mentor) and great friend ever since. She also directed all six episodes of THESE STONES. This series was my first chance to produce what I wrote and serve as the showrunner.

Thanks to Susan for her part. How inspirational is that! Cheryl, what have you learned along the way? What has God shown you?

The last earthly message between Rick and Cheryl. They will message again, just in a different way. :-)

God is much more concerned with the character I am than the characters I write. There was a time I had made writing an idol, more important than Him. I was living in Los Angeles, and was very obsessed with getting that first real writing job in LA. I’d write morning, noon, and night around the hours of my “day job” at PAX TV in the promo department.

I saw writing as my “salvation” out of that post-production job. It didn’t work out so well. God didn’t want anything else to be more important than Him. I came to a place where I willingly gave it up. I became a substitute teacher to at-risk students, and for a season, it drastically changed my life.

The Ultimate Gift Movie

I feel like once He knew I could be trusted with the gift I so wanted, He was able to give it back to me. And He did, in the form of a job writing the feature film, The Ultimate Gift.

I’ve also learned a great deal about the power of the pen and the responsibility that comes with what we write (or produce, or act in). You can’t argue with the fact that the media (including television and movies) shapes culture. That can be for good or bad. I want to make sure my work has an eternal impact, a positive impact on others, and inspires good.

One of the things that excites me most about my new series, THESE STONES, is the way we can inspire hope and encourage others to delve deeper into the Bible stories we hint at, or even learn about the acts of kindness that can emerge from ideas inspired by these stories. My director and I co-wrote a devotional study guide to accompany the series: THESE STONES: Your Personal Devotional & Group Handbook for Season 1. The book contains lots of what we call ACTIVATIONS, which are ideas inspired by each episode of the show. I hope people start to do them and share stories about them online or with friends and family.

Cheryl on set with the Stuart family

What About the Stones?

I have always loved rocks – to my detriment. In fact, my folks had me watch “The Long, Long Trailer” with Lucille Ball (hilarious!), and once my husband, who was packing them around for me in Arizona, told me I was cut off. Ha! It’s so cool that a rock with a message is included in each episode.

Cheryl, please tell us about any future dreams/projects?

Of course, I hope THESE STONES gets multiple seasons. I love the show, its format, and the types of stories still left to tell.

My number one writing dream is to have Never the Bride, my favorite script I’ve written, made into a movie (and possibly movie series) in three parts or a spin-off into a TV series, called Love Almighty. I started that project in 2006 when I was single and annoyed at God for taking so long to write my love story. It’s loosely based on my fights with Him.

Never the Bride is about a woman who accuses God of being asleep on the job of writing her love story, and God Almighty shows up to face those charges. And He’s handsome, close to her age. He has a proposal for her: the only way He will write her story is if she surrenders her pen, the same purple pen she’s used her whole life to write in her journals about how her love life should go.

The latest version of the script has been winning numerous awards lately, including Best Romantic Comedy and Best Screenplay. So hopefully, that dream will become a reality. I also sold the novelization rights to Random House, and the novel was adapted by my incredibly talented friend, Rene Gutteridge, who also novelized The Ultimate Gift.

Rick Bonn and Cheryl McKay

Stories Until the End, Chocolate, and Cats

That’s so exciting. I can’t wait! What is one thing most people do not know about you?

I wish I could say my addiction to 85% dark chocolate and that I eat it every day is a secret, but it’s not. Or that I love cats, even though I’m allergic. I have an insatiable desire to see leaves change colors in the fall or celebrate Christmas before Thanksgiving starts. For about six weeks straight! But any person who is my friend on social media already knows all that.

Something I’ve only recently started sharing is that when the time comes when I no longer write screenplays, I don’t want to retire. I hope to become a novelist and self-publish whatever stories I still have left to tell. One of those is based on my complete obsession with Solvang, California. My novel series, about a set of four sisters, will be called Windmill Falls. One day…but I’m in no hurry to get there.

What else would you like to share with us?

I miss Rick all the time and loved working with him. He didn’t just mentor me – he secured me several writing jobs at Pure Flix*. He could be challenging at times. (Yes, lol) But he also was my fiercest defender. He stuck up for what he believed in.

I’m a better writer today because of him. I wish he could watch THESE STONES today. I know he’d be so happy to see that my dream has come true: to both write and produce my show.

Thank you, Cheryl. And yes, he would be oh so proud of you, just as we all are. I’m fairly certain he’s aware of it and can’t wait to congratulate you someday. ;-)

Check out Cheryl’s books plus new Coloring Activity Books on Amazon

*PureFlix (Movies) has since merged with Sony and become Affirm Films, but you can still subscribe to the PF channel (Now Great American PureFlix) to stream all kinds of cool shows. Rick was the Director of Development for PureFlix for several years and is most known for his work on God is Not Dead: A Light in the Darkness, God is Not Dead 2, The Case for Christ, and Samson (although he was not happy with the changes that he felt sharply decreased the quality of the Samson movie).

Links are Amazon Affiliate and help fund Julie’s insatiable need to research Heaven.

The Family Justice Center of Washington County Survivor Art Show

Julie BB2024-09-09T15:53:58+00:00Abuse, Social Causes|

NOTE – Images may be triggering to survivors

On Sunday, the FJC had their open house and survivor art show. I shared a little speech, we lit candles and several others and I read a Proclamation that the Center has adopted as theirs with a commitment to take care of abuse survivors, both children and adults.

The Family Justice Center is combining forces in the next couple of years with CARES NW and will become “The Family Peace Center”. At a recent Survivor Voices Committee Meeting, we got to help them build the list of services that should be included in each Tier of Care.

The Tiers include:

1) Abuse Prevention

2) Intervention

3) Healing

4) Hope

I wanted you to be able to see some of the amazing art included in the survivor art gallery, as well as the happenings around. Sorry I cannot post them all-it clogged up WordPress when I tried. Yes, there were several types of art medium but since I focus on writing, these ones were particularly interesting to me.

I Love Rainbows & All They Represent

Julie BB2024-09-10T21:39:49+00:00Just Me|

I was so excited this past week when a found a set of serving dishes and platters with multiple-colored stripes at Goodwill. I LOVE stripes. I also loved the absolute miracle of rainbows and the incredible colors that God paints within those.

But as we know, the rainbow has become a sign of the Pride community. Of acceptance, of love no matter what that form takes and recently I learned, to help the Pride community feel safe in businesses, etc. that they visit and support.

I was surprised when one of my conservative Christian friends posted after I placed a picture of the dish set on my Facebook. They basically wanted to know where I fell on the issue. If I buy rainbow-colored dishes, am I accepting of the LGBTQ community?

Well yes, of course I am.

Jesus was, as well.

But is that why I bought the dishes and was so excited about them? No, I just loved the colors and stripes!

I was raised in a very conservative Christian home. I don’t believe that this was all my folk’s doing-I believe it was an era of our time in the Christian churches, especially in our Evangelical ones. I believe they did the best they did the best they could at the time, with what they were given.

We have LGBTQ folks in our family. One just announced she is marrying her beloved. One said this past summer that she is actively dating women. One has expressed a desire to change a gender and yet a fourth says that he is attracted to both men and women.

I work on groups and committees via my work environment with LGBTQ people and the experience has been eye-opening, and extremely helpful. They once coached me on the proper terms to use with a member in my family in the LGBTQ community (I tend to tongue trip over the “LGBTQ” term and was not sure what new gender term to use with a particular person so I wasn’t being hurtful to them). They were giving, and non-judgmental of my beliefs. We experienced a lot of laughter as I tried to get it right and they were understanding and kind.

Why, oh why, can we not be the same back? No wonder so many of the LGBTQ have been turned away from our Christian churches and communities! We have held them back with a very evident attitude of “Go away, you sinner” when in fact, we ALL have our struggles!

Being Christians has not made us immune-but it has challenged us a bit. After all, “gender dysphoria” has been diagnosed as a mental health condition in the DSM and we also know from studies that many in the LGBTQ community have experienced a great deal of trauma in their lives. But do we tell those with anxiety or other mental health challenges that they are not welcome in our lives, that we don’t love them, that we don’t pray for them? Jesus never did that.

Being a Christian has other challenges too. My husband works with churches in conflict or decision making and as you might expect, some churches and denominations have been struggling with the issue of whether to be “open and affirming” to the LGBTQ community. The issue here should never be “should we welcome them?” Of course we should! Did Jesus not welcome everyone? He ate dinner with those who were evil tax collectors and known prostitutes. He knew their hearts. He knew their trauma. He loved them anyway.

My husband has long brought up the issue of the lovely signs outside of our churches that say, “All are Welcome”. Well, really? ARE they? If Jesus was sitting in our congregation, he would have stood, gone out and pulled them inside with a gentle hug. Just like he would have done with ALL of us- who sin daily, who have mental health issue, who are starving for unconditional love and acceptance.

Those in our alternative communities have instead been turned completely away from churches, and families, from the true HEART of God’s word.

Being Christians in this situation also means that we are held even more responsible for our loving or unloving reactions to these situations. Whether we believe it is a sin or not, that is not the point. Since when did it become up to us to judge? Um, never?! I have sinned with the worst of them. I have fallen off points I never thought I would go. And never has it been anyone else’s jobs to convict me. IF there is need of conviction, that is up to the Holy Spirit only, no one else. (Trust me, it is much more effective for me coming from him, anyway. LOL)

Our job is ONLY to love and pray. For everyone. And their love language (how they feel loved) might be much different than yours, so I encourage you if it is a close friend or family member, to spend some time learning their love language and putting it into practice, even if that is a struggle for you.

So back to those dishes, I revel at the history of rainbows and stripes.

-We know why God made the rainbow initially. But don’t you think with that action that He wasn’t just saying “I won’t ever flood the earth again” but that he was saying “I love you SO much and accept each of you SO much that I will not flood the earth again to harm you?” His rainbow, with its beautiful colors, truly is an indication of how He feels about each one of us. And of course, therefore the Pride movement has chosen this as their welcome sign. Because God put all those colors in there and called us united within a frame of a rainbow.

-There is a reason we sang “Jesus loves the little children, all the children in the world. Red and yellow, black and white, we are precious in his sight” in the early years. We recognized various colors, and it is time to love those too with alternative lifestyles.

– I once heard a wise man say at his daughter’s (47 years old) deathbed, “when it comes down to it and the end of our lives, only two things matter: our relationship with God and our relationship with others.” SO wise and so true. My friends, don’t let it become too late. Life is not a guarantee. Prioritize having an active and loving your relationship with your loved ones (and THEIR loved ones), and let God work out the rest.

Touring Zonta International Headquarters

Julie BB2024-09-09T15:40:06+00:00Social Causes|

My first introduction to Zonta was through Anna Weselak, and I was incredibly pleased to learn that they STAND up and MAKE a DIFFERENCE in women’s lives, all over the world. Although when the organization began in 1919, it’s was largely focused on “women’s rights”–when I toured the World headquarters, visited and listened this week, I heard from current members that they are very concerned about “Human Rights”, that is, the right of ALL humans, not just women. Although they take a special effort to recognize and support women’s issues, it seems that many Zonta members are in tune with the fact that many MEN and WOMEN are not receiving the basic human rights that we all should have.

In case like me, you are a novice, here is more from the website:

Mission
Zonta International is a leading global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy.

Vision
Zonta International envisions a world in which women’s rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential.

In such a world, women have access to all resources and are represented in decision making positions on an equal basis with men.

In such a world, no woman lives in fear of violence. (emphasis is mine).

More….

Zonta International’s story does not end here. Today, Zonta International is a global organization of nearly 30,000 members in 1,200 Zonta clubs in 66 countries. As we prepare to celebrate our 100th anniversary in 2019, we look back on some of the most significant milestones in our rich history of empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy.

History Timeline

1919 – Convention of Zonta Clubs founded in Buffalo, New York, USA. Mary Jenkins is elected first president.

1920 – Zonta colors and emblem are adopted and the first issue of The Zontian is published.

1923 – The first international project is funded to care for 115,000 orphan children and women in Smyrna, Turkey.

1927 – The first club outside the US is formed in Toronto, Canada.

1930 – “Zonta International” name is adopted as the first European club is established in Vienna, Austria.

1938 – The Amelia Earhart Fellowship is established in honor of the Zontian after her disappearance in 1937.

1948 – The first Z and Golden Z clubs are founded in Burbank, California, USA.

1963 – Zonta International is granted roster-level status by the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

1968 – Zonta International elects Helvi Sipilä as the first International President outside of the US. Contributions reach 1 million USD.

1970 – Zonta International elects Angie Brooks-Rudolph as its first International Honorary Member.

1975 – Zonta International President Eleanor Jammal and UN Committee Chairman Harriette Yeckel serve as Zonta’s official delegates to the UN International Women’s Year Conference in Mexico City, Mexico and Helvi Sipilä serves as secretary-general.

1983 – Zonta is granted consultative status with the Council of Europe

1984 – Zonta International Foundation is established

1986 – Zonta International becomes the first NGO to support UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women) and continues to support.

1987 – Zonta International dedicates their first world headquarters building in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

1990 – The Young Women in Public Affairs Award is established.

1998 – Zonta welcomes its 1,000th club, Lomo, Togo. Zonta International Strategies to End Violence Against Women project (ZISVAW) is adopted as an on-going program. The Jane M. Klausman Women In Business Scholarship is established.

2012 – Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women annual campaign launches

2014 – “Empowering Women Through Service and Advocacy” slogan adopted

Last pictures of Amelia Earnhart, Zonta member

I am especially pleased to learn that each Zonta member gives service hours each year, and that each Chapter supports a couple of organizations. In Chicago, that is the Family Shelter Service and Poised for Success (at least for this year).

Although I have never considered myself a “feminist”, I do believe in equal rights for both women and men, and also teach a weekly group for women who are survivors or victims of domestic violence.

I have grave concerns that the administration of the USA taking over this month will waylay our progress to this end, and that women (in particular) will be “set back” in our efforts for much deserved equality and balance. I am pleased to know that an organization like Zonta exists, and that they will fight to keep all humans benefiting from the rights that they do indeed have.

“Top Gun: Maverick” & Julie: What We Have in Common

Julie BB2024-09-09T15:21:28+00:00Just Me|

(no spoilers, I promise)

We were visiting my folks and Mom and I were excited about going to see “Top Gun: Maverick”, a fact we all found a bit amusing since as a teen, I was banned from seeing the first one. Since I worked at a video store (Cinema I Video in Port Orchard, WA), I managed to sneak in a view anyway. Apparently, Mom found the VHS tape under my mattress.

WHAAAT?

Well, apparently MY FOLKS saw the first one too. 🙂

We dragged Dad and Bill to see it with us (it was Father’s Day, after all). Well OK, they were willing but as mentioned above, found it a bit ironic.

Pre-movie found us in a conversation with the folk’s neighbor, L. He’s a chatty fellow and we enjoy checking in with him. He told us that they’d seen the movie, and that all the women/girls rated it a 10, but the men rated it only a 5 or 6. “Interesting.” I noted this, wondering if it was the Tom Cruise factor or another shirtless beach scene. I found that a bit hard to believe as Tom (like me) is in his 50’s, although several years older than I and to be honest, the shirtless scene in the first movie was never one that I was drawn to.

Only seeing it would tell.

I don’t know if you’ve seen it. I’m not going to spoil it for you, in case you haven’t, but the movie indeed was jaw-dropping, and not because of the beach, shirtless scene. And certainly not due to Cruise, who with makeup and lights in the movie looks about forty-ish at the most but shows his true self in a quick “thanks for coming and sorry it’s been so long” at the beginning of the movie.

Part of the magic was the incredible flying, of course. The flying and the maneuvers were much improved. I was happy to see a female Top Gun pilot in this class (although I was hoping she’d play more of a role in a victorious ending) and I could hugely relate to Mav’s frustration about aging, having the younger crowd look down on him (until they learned who he actually was) and fighting to have his wisdom validated by both those below and those above him. But then again, being OK with it if they didn’t. Or couldn’t. As we get older, we learn the importance of that too.

The story was well-written and the casting, excellent. Cruise’s drive for excellence really shined throughout. And part of the movie, of course, dealt with the past – and what to do with the repercussions of it.

What touched me most was the secret he kept (and never let go) and the reasons he felt he had to keep it. I don’t think I could have been the better “man” in this situation. I think I might have folded. I always have to work on this. People don’t always have to know who asked you to do something and why, or the behind-the-scenes take on why it’s best for them, or even what you feel their next step should be and why. This is especially true in parenthood and it is also true when we mentor others. Our true job on both occasions is to guide, not force. To walk alongside, not spout out all the experience we’ve had and how it works and may turn out for them.

Now granted, Mav in the classroom differed a bit, whether that was in the seats or in the planes. He built the plan that would take the mission to success and taught them. But when it came down to it, he once again was right beside them encouraging and mentoring during the practice sessions…and later for the real mission. He guided his class to success. And he never stood in front of them and said “Do you know who I am? Do you know what I’ve accomplished?”

True men (and women) never have to say it. It shows as they mentor others and guide them to success.

After the movie (which Mom rated a 12, btw), Bill and I took a walk and passed by L once again. I shared with him Mom’s score, and that I would give it a 8-9. Bill agreed that his was a little lower for him. L shook his head. “I don’t get it.”

I smiled. “I do. The movie was about healing. That’s what the true story was all about. THAT’S why we women are drawn to it.”

Ahhhh. OK. Both men nodded, and mused.

Healing is my calling. Guiding people to where they can live abundant lives. Mav couldn’t live his abundant life, and neither could some of the other characters, until the past was dealt with, forgiven and healed from.

That’s the true message within the movie.

“Innocent Lives” Receives International Book Award

Julie BB2024-09-09T15:15:48+00:00Media|

Life is busy! I am a part of an upcoming expert speaker panel on human trafficking for Hope PYX (and also won an international book award with them for “Innocent Lives“- awww). The conference is now virtual on October 21st and there is still time to register if you are interested! Check it out here.

I continue to guest on podcasts, as well as interview others.

Recently, I connected with Veronica York, a high-conflict divorce coach (mostly domestic violence) who is co-writing a book with Barry Goldstein, is an expert witness in DV cases and has been crucial in pushing forward two very important laws: The Safe Child Act and Kayden’s Law.

In my day job at ARMS/Abuse Recovery Ministry Services, we have seen way too many children returned to the custody of the abusive parent and over the past several years, 890 children have been killed by that parent after their return. This is atrocious! These laws would allow expert Domestic Violence testimony for the first time and recognize that mental health professionals do not necessarily have the training needed to be DV experts. They would potentially DECREASE the amount of children returned to their abusive parent and also require judge’s training in domestic abuse. One law would also outlaw “reunification camps”, when a child is forced to go to a camp with the offender and “work their issues out” with counselors, groups, activities, etc.

Recently here in Washington County, our Survivor Voices Committee became intensely aware of the lack of judge’s training. We wrote a letter to a committee of judges and attorneys explaining how a survivor acts on the Stand. A survivor, often suffering from PTSD, can be highly agitated, appear “crazy”, have inappropriate emotions at inappropriate times and be highly adversely affected and terrified by having to face their abuser in court, making all of this worse. It is essential that our judges, attorneys and court advocates become more trauma-informed.

Our children’s lives could depend on it!

Now in saying this, Victoria and I both realize that most judges and attorney’s want to do the right thing. “They don’t know what to think,” she shared. “They hear so many sides of the story and aren’t sure what to truly believe. But the ones we meet DO have a good heart and really do want to do the right thing.”

Proverbs 18: 17-24, anyone? 🙂

We were fortunate that our local committee seemed very open to learning more and I can only continue to hope and pray for the same results in other counties. Both these laws would be a large step forward towards where we need to go.