Friday, February 7, 2014

Rhonda and Kaley Faith Rhea: Why Changes In Life Are Possible

Everyone's Story warmly welcomes the mother and daughter duo Rhonda and Kaley Faith Rhea. I love watching how God graces people and in return how these recipients take His gifts and turn them around to shower His beauty on others. When I first became acquainted with Rhonda I thought she had so much going for her, marveling how she helps others to smile while bringing them closer to God. Now I'm pleased to see God expanding her reach as Mom Rhonda shares her joy of God with both her daughters in a TV program and co-authoring with daughter Kaley. It's my pleasure to host Rhonda and Kaley Faith this week. Please check out their interview, Rhonda's awesome and uplifting YouTube video, and of yeah, their generous BookGiveaway! We're all looking forward to hearing from you.


Book Giveaway:
Rhonda is offering a great opportunity for two lucky winners. One randomly chosen winner will win ESPRESSO YOUR FAITH and a second randomly chosen winner will win HOW MANY LIGHTBULBS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A PERSON. The winners will be announced here on Friday, February 14th, between 5-6 PM EST. Please leave your contact information within your comment. Thanks!



This is Part 1 of 4 part series on How Many Lightbulbs Does It Take To Change A Person that Rhonda has shared on YouTube. It's full of warmth and smiles. Check it out!


Questions for Rhonda Rhea and Kaley Rhea

Rhonda, if you were to describe yourself to a stranger curious about your writing and speaking, what would you say?

I would probably say that this kind of insanity is not contagious so DON’T BE AFRAID. Sometimes a bit of crazy is a good way to open the door to chat about topics that really count.

Rhonda, how did you venture into your career as a beloved writer, radio personality, and now TV star?

Beloved? Star? I love the way you ask questions. Thanks for that. I actually started writing articles, then humor columns (and I still enjoy doing both of those), then books. I’m so excited about my 10th nonfiction book, just releasing now. It’s a book for pastors’ wives titled, Join the Insanity—Crazy-Fun Life in the Pastors’ Wives Club. I happen to be a pastor’s wife and this book is a heart-to-heart to refresh and encourage fellow ministers’ wives. I’m also so very excited about the first two fiction works co-authored with Kaley. The first is releasing this year. We’ve had a blast working on them. Anyway, after the first few books, more radio and TV doors began to open. It’s great to have so many different ways to connect with people on topics I’m passionate about.

Kaley, you’ve co-authored two novels with your mom and both you and your sister, Allie, work with your mom hosting a TV show, “That’s My Mom.” How did this family partnership come about? You make it look easy, but is such collaboration easy?

We make it look easy, huh? Nice. It’s probably because the three of us are all consummate professionals. … Oh, wow. Go easy on the disbelieving stares. Okay, so we’re rarely professional, but that’s probably a pretty huge part of why we work well together. We’ve had a couple decades to get to know one another—our strengths and weaknesses; so I think that kind of frees us up creatively. For the most part, each of us gets to work on portions of whatever our current project is for which we are best suited. Also, I think that—especially with the TV show—the whole opportunity was one we couldn’t have orchestrated if we’d tried. So totally a God thing. It makes it a little harder to have a bad attitude or an ego trip when the very thing you’re working on is a glaring reminder itself that, Hey. It’s not about you. Silly goose. Also it helps that we like each other and if we weren’t doing this, we’d still be hanging out. Probably God realized He’d better give us something productive to do because we clearly should not be left to our own devices.

Kaley, tell us about GET A GRIP and CLING TO REALITY, your soon-to-be released novels.

Stoked! Do people still say stoked? Yeah, I’m gonna go with that. I am so stoked about these two books. They’re in a series tentatively titled Invisible Hands. It follows brothers Micah and Sammy (aged seventeen and thirteen respectively) who lost their parents ten years before the story begins. When a startling and potentially dangerous ability begins to present itself in Sam, the boys are thrust from their already unstable lives into a world of chaos. There’s peril and stuff. Mortal danger, etc. But it’s mostly about these characters—about people and family and trust and whether or not God is even really there much less someone to be counted on. It’s been a blast writing these guys. The target audience is probably young adults, but really, this series is for anyone who’s into fiction.

Rhonda, why “hilarity and hope in Christ”?

The hilarity is a direct result of the aforementioned crazy. That part is actually a tool that helps us get to the heart message, that heart message being the genuine hope found only in Christ. Hope in Christ makes all the difference in life. It’s the difference between living in joy or defeat, bearing fruit in life or never accomplishing anything of eternal value, understanding what life is about or missing it altogether. Jesus IS that heart message.

Kaley, your mom’s forte is humor. What about you and your sister? Do you counterbalance or add to the humor and what do you all offer readers and viewers?

Well, we think we’re hilarious. Ha, I’ve gotta say, Allie cracks me up on a daily basis, and she is so crazy creative. If you get a chance to watch That’s My Mom, should you find yourself laughing audibly, I would lay odds that it was either something she said or some segment that she came up with. All in all, I think we all play off each other pretty well. As far as what Allie and I offer to readers and viewers, I think it’s cool that we’re all at different stages of life. Like my mom, obviously is…hm. As a writer, I should probably be able to come up with a better term than older, but… More mature? Um…ripened? That’s terrible. She’s been a Christian the longest out of the three of us. That’s all I’m saying. And she’s got all this godly wisdom, and she’s an excellent example of a wife and a mom. There’s just a ton there, and I love it. Then there’s Allie who has a giant heart for missions, been all over the world, and is a newlywed. And then there’s me, living the single life. All of us face and have faced different challenges, and I think that’s equal parts fun and valuable. I can hardly be in the same room as these two without learning something.

So, Rhonda, how many lightbulbs does it take to change a person and what does one do—short of dashing off to Wal-Mart to buy more—if they run out of the power to change a bulb?

If I were a good marketer I’d tell you that to find the answer to that question, you have to read the book. But since marketing is not always my best thing, I’ll just tell you. It requires zero lightbulbs. But it does require full surrender to THE Light. And as we surrender to Jesus, the Light of the world, any—absolutely any—change is possible.

If you would like to revisit with Rhonda on her first guest appearance on Everyone's Story, visit here.

Rhonda and Kaley's Ah-hahs To Tweet:
Mother & daughter writing duo, Rhonda & Kaley Faith Rhea, shares how to collaborate with family members. (Tweet This)

Rhonda & Kaley Faith Rhea: adding “hilarity and hope in Christ” (Tweet This)

Rhonda Rhea & Kaley Faith Rhea offer a 2 #BookGiveaway. (Tweet This)

Everyone has a story: meet Rhonda & Kaley Faith Rhea. What’s the firm ground they stand on? (Tweet This)



Authors's Bio:
Get a Grip and Cling to Reality are the first two novels co-authored by mother/daughter writing team, Rhonda Rhea and Kaley Faith Rhea. Along with fellow-family-member, Allie Rhea McMullin, they co-host a weekly TV show for Christian Television Network called, “That’s My Mom.” Rhonda Rhea is also a nationally-known speaker, a humor columnist and the author of 10 nonfiction books, including Join the Insanity and Espresso Your Faith. Rhonda is a pastor’s wife and mother of five grown children. She and Kaley both live in the St. Louis area.

Places to connect with Rhonda and Kaley:
Website for Rhonda
Website for Kaley
Rhonda's Twitter
Kaley's Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads
Amazon

24 comments:

  1. What a great interview!! I'm still listening/watching the TV show and really enjoying it. Love their sense of humor.

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    1. Pat, you're the greatest for all of your support to me, to Everyone's Story. Happy you're enjoying Rhonda & Kaley Faith's segment.

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    2. Particia Bradley--that's the sweetest thing ever!

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    3. Thanks Patricia! So glad you're enjoying the show. That's great to hear, particularly since we've never done ANYTHING like this before (especially my sis, Allie, and me). Thanks tons for the encouragement! Bless you!

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  2. Elaine, loved your interview with Rhonda and Kaley! Growing up as a PK and now a deacon's wife, I appreciate folks who tell it like it REALLY is--especially with a humorous flair ('cause sometimes... you really do just have to laugh!) And I do believe God has a sense of humor, which I'm thankful for because I do, too! :)

    Great interview! (Which BTW, they always are!)

    Side note... Blogger and WP sometimes don't get along, so I often have trouble leaving comments, but I temporarily switched to a different browser to see if this helps. 'Cause where there's a will, there's a way! :)

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    1. Cynthia, I so appreciate your visit--and the effort you made to leave a comment. As a Blogger I actually had to start a WordPress account in order to have ease to leave a comment on a WP blog. I know how frustrating it can be. If by chance you ever have trouble again, please email me your comment and I'll be happy to post it for you. Another way around it is to leave an "Anonymous" post and include your name… but then your lovely photo wouldn't be included. I think I'll include a mention about this in the commentary section.

      This world is so vividly beautiful and with so many variations, and if indeed the heavens are even more stunning beyond are imagination, then how can God's "personality" not be rich with a keen sense of humor?

      Thanks for making my day with your visit.

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    2. Cynthia, I love people who love to "get real" too. You're awesome. Beautiful sentiment from you--and from you, too, Elaine. You're such a great and gracious interviewer/blogger.

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    3. Sweet words, Rhonda. Thank you.

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  3. Your books look like a breath of fresh air. I would love a chance to win either of them. And, Kaley, your novels in the tentatively titled Invisible Hands, look like books I would love to read. Thanks for this opportunity.

    clSwalwell@gmail.com

    in Him,

    Cheri :)

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    1. Cheri, thanks for your visit today. You've helped to brighten my little world. You're in the drawing!

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    2. What a sweet response, Cheri! Gotta say, hope you win. :)

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    3. Cheri! I love you! Thanks so much! Hope we can get some books in your hands soon! Hopefully we'll have some more info on when and where the novels will be available up on Facebook soon. Thanks for being interested and such a wonderful encourager. :D

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  4. I love family collaborations. Just think of all the less than harmonious families you are inspiring to put God first. I agree that it really is about setting aside your ego. I recognize that my husband is much better at that than I am!

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    1. Ah, the ego. It is a formidable beast, isn't it? I hear that. It's definitely good to be reminded very often that the Lord has to be at the center instead of me. I was blessed with a family that can call me out on my nonsense when indeed I am being nonsensical. I like your use of the word "harmonious." I wouldn't have thought of us as being a very harmonious family (especially as often as we tackle each other and wrestle and yell way too loudly while playing the Wii and jump on the couch and break so many living room lamps we practically consider them disposable at this point). But it's a different kind of harmony we have, I suppose. Thanks for, perhaps inadvertently, giving me something to ponder and be thankful for. :)

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  5. That's so sweet, Sara. We really are oh so blessed to get to do what we do--and to do it with family.

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    1. Sara, thanks for your visit. I love seeing your smiling face here, especially because I know it reflects your warm heart. Ah, ego. Ironically, and I say this because I'm basically an introverted person who battles with self-esteem, I look back the past few years and see that God has been teaching me lessons of humbleness the past few years. It's really all about putting Him, and others, first.

      Rhonda, you are truly, truly blessed to have a close, loving family that you can pull together and work with. And may all of you continue to be blessed.

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  6. Love you guys! What a blessing you have given to us with your love, your compassion, your help, your writing. Oh yeah..... and a little humor, coffee, and chocolate never go to waste. Well, maybe the chocolate (you know.... go to WAIST.... lol). Write on! Let's see.... the instructions said to leave our name in case we are the winner. Here goes: Diana Parson

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  7. What a delicious sentiment, Diana. I gained three pounds just reading it, heh heh heh. Thank you so much for the gracious words of encouragement. Hugs!

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    1. Diana, welcome to Everyone's Story. I'm feeling those sparkles you're emitting and am glad Rhonda and Kaley bring that out in my viewers.

      If you'd like to be entered for the Giveaway, please include your email address.

      Hope to see you again.

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  8. And I want to "testify" the real-ness of these gals. Truly kind to all, and grace-giving to all, that is one of the most impressive things about these gals. Of course, I could talk about their talent, beauty, fun-filled personalities, obvious love of Christ, but for now...I will just leave it at the genuineness...because that is a pretty like-able characteristic. :) Because I don't know how to do the "select profile thing" I will learn from one of my mentor's before me...Diana P. :) Sincerely, and with love....Sharon Duffey

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    1. Sharon, what if I tell you that it's my fakeness that you find so genuine? Lol. I'm deeply touched by your kinds words, friend. Thank you so much. What a blessing you are. :)

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    2. Sharon, I'm honored that you've spent a few minutes with us and so appreciate your visit.

      Please leave your email address within a comment to be contacted if you were to win the Giveaway.

      Hope to see you back as well.

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  9. Due to a major snow storm, which in these parts of the woods might mean power outages, Everyone's Story is wrapping up a day early and launching the next scheduled guest.

    I want to thank Rhonda and Kaley Faith Rhea for guesting this past week, while they too struggled with wintry weather and actual loss of internet services. They've enjoyed an awesome collection of international viewer hits and I hope this will translate into a growing fan club of adoring and devoted readers… and viewers for their TV program!

    Thanks, Rhonda and Kaley, for the generous book giveaway. The winners are…

    Diana for ESPRESSO YOUR FAITH
    Cynthia for HOW MANY LIGHTBULBS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A PERSON

    Happy reading, ladies. Both Rhonda and I will be in direct contact with you in a little while.

    And, if you have a chance, don't miss out on my very special guest kicking off the new blog week in just a few minutes.

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  10. Thank you so much, Elaine, for your great interview questions and for engaging so sweetly with your readers. You make it so fun. Thank you for all your encouraging words, as well. Stay warm and be blessed, my friend!

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