by Guest Writer Sarah Rupp

In a few weeks, I am going on a service trip to Canada with my youth group. We will be fixing up a camp and getting it ready for the campers. The week’s projects consist of digging a ditch, cleaning up the cabins and the grounds, and building docks for the lake. Now, I’m excited because I’ve never been out of the States before, but when looking at all the work to do, it’s easy to get down about it. (more…)

By Staff Writer Sarah Rupp

Katelyn drew her legs up in her favorite chair and tapped the pencil on her notepad. The words flowed into her mind and she transferred them onto paper… (more…)

I was privileged to have the chance to interview Betsy St. Amant, Christian fiction author with Steeple Hill. Along with writing romance novels, Betsy also writes for Crosswalk, Scribble Chicks, and keeps a personal blog.

Sarah: When did you first know you wanted to become a writer?

Betsy: I think I’ve always known. One year in elementary school for Career Day, I took a pen and notepad with me and said I was an author. I remember pounding out stories (usually never finished and without much of a plot line!) on my parents’ first computer when I was about 7 years old. I have disks after disks of saved manuscripts as a child that crack me up! But the dream was always there. (more…)

the story of Cassidy Ladd as told to RTF Staff Writer Sarah Rupp

Cassidy pressed the eraser of her pencil to her lips and stared at the form for the school play. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Shakespeare” lined the top of the page in big, bold lettering, and three questions followed. Checks marked the page beside the other two, but the third question had Cassidy stumped: “Do you mind kissing on stage?” (more…)

by RTF Staff Writer Sarah Rupp

Tiny warm fingers curled around mine. I looked down to find Allie looking up at me with her big blue eyes. “I want my daddy. Can you help me find him?”

I smiled. “Sure.” At that, Allie took the lead to the door, leaving the nursery and the other childcare workers. The empty halls indicated the meeting must be over, and Allie’s dad would be somewhere around here.

Allie skipped ahead, blonde curls bouncing as she searched for her father. Still holding her hand, I struggled to keep up with her. I would not be seen running through the halls of a public building! (more…)

By RTF Staff Writer Sarah Rupp

(To read Part I go here.)

The room echoes with gasps. I know this will mean a life sentence, but I also know I’m guilty. My emotions bubble from the depths of my stomach and push these words out, “I’m guilty! It was my lies that put him on the cross!” I turn to the man seated beside the judge, who I now identify as the father of Jesus, tears overflowing from my eyes. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize sinning would make your son die.” (more…)

By RTF Staff Writer Sarah Rupp

Sirens sound outside my house. I rise from my chair to look, but before I reach the window, a bullhorn squeals and I stop in my tracks. “This is the police,” says a gruff voice, “Come out of the house with your hands in the air and throw down any weapons.” (more…)

by RTF Staff Writer Sarah Rupp

Day 1

Traveling on a bumpy dirt road on a donkey. Really? A donkey? At least my new husband was thoughtful enough that I don’t have to walk. My back already hurts from the baby inside. I’m not sure which is worse, riding or walking. If I ride – wait – let me back up a little, explain why I’m traveling and most importantly, why I’m pregnant.

It started when I was doing my chores and a strange man came up to me. He told me he was an angel from the Lord and God wanted me to carry his son. This really confused me at first. God wanted me pregnant? I wasn’t even married! I was engaged to my husband Joseph at the time. In my culture, it’s a shameful thing to be pregnant when you’re not married. But I was raised to say yes when the Lord asks. So I did.

Then our land’s ruler had this plan to make everybody return to their hometowns to be counted. Yes, the ruler is a man. He obviously didn’t think of pregnant women like me. I tell you, someday they need to think up a better way to travel. (more…)