Wednesday, May 9, 2012

NAME THE BOOK CONTEST

Synopsis
DEAR MOM AND DAD, PLEASE SEND MONEY
by
Linda Bello-Ruiz

I grew up among vineyards and green rolling hills in Northern California. On high school graduation night, June 1969, I moved to San Francisco to work for the summer. There, I met Raymond. My life changed forever. Misplaced love and lust turned into drugs and degradation. In June, 1971, I was again in San Francisco. This time I was hiding from Raymond, deeply depressed, fearing for my life and contemplating suicide.
Chance, or divine intervention, brought me together with a group of young Christians. I didn’t like Jesus people, so I resisted their message of hope and redemption. However, five hours later I became a new person with a new name and a new family -- the revolutionary Children of God. Some called us radical and evil. Parents stormed our communes to kidnap their children. Blind obedience to my leaders propelled me to Mexico and then Central America. There, I awoke from a spiritual sleep and began to question the dictates of our leader, Moses David Berg. I planned my escape and, with help from my parents, returned home to California.
            God had different plans for me. Months later I was back in Costa Rica, and had joined forces with a Catholic Priest and an American Missionary. Together, we established Costa Rica’s first Christian halfway house for street girls and under-aged prostitutes.  At the age of twenty-three I found myself playing mother, teacher and counselor to rebellious teenage girls just a few years younger than I was.  Our hearts became entwined. All of my bad life choices became meaningful. I understood these girls. God's Spirit was at work. Their lives and mine were forever changed.  

17 comments:

  1. My friend Sally contributed the following for the book title: UP FROM THE STREET, One Woman’s Hell with a Pimp, Cult, and Homelessness and Her Miraculous Gift.

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  2. I like the title you have already, and i want a sign copy of the book.

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  3. I'm excited about the finished story, I can't wait!!!

    One title I thought of:

    "Journey from the Redwoods, finding my way back Home."

    I really want a signed copy so I might keep submitting :)

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    1. You're coming up with great ideas, Jeaneen. Thanks!

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  4. I'm super excited to finally read the whole story!!! I can hardly wait.

    I really want a signed copy and so I intend to submit several options.

    My first:

    "Journey from the Redwoods, finding my way Home."

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  5. "Am I leaving my mark on the world?"

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  6. Faith Brought Me Back

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  7. "Hard Knocks to Harmony" would be another choice

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  8. I like Dear Mom and Dad, Please Send Money but if you want other suggestions, how about

    Journey to Jesus

    My Life's Journey to Jesus

    (If I think of anything else, I'll resubmit)

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  9. After reading and editing the manuscript, I suggest one of the following:
    "A Spiritual Journey Down the Path of Life Choices";
    "A Journey Down the Path of Life Choices";
    "A Journey Through Life Choices";
    "A Spiritual Journey Through Life Choices"

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    1. Thanks, baby brother. And thanks for the editing. It's comforting to know that if a typo shows up in the book I can refer it back to you... lol! hugs

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  10. I really like your original title! How many times in life...do we...our children...grandchildren...reach out...to those who have always been there for us...to love us enough to let us go...but still there to help us pick up the pieces and help us get back on track!Linda Talso

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  11. Thank you, Linda. I'm getting lots of "keep the original title." BTW, I mention Redwood Valley Community Church in the book....hugs to them!

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