Mother Inferior

Welcome to my Internet home-away-from-home. My name is Dena Dyer and I'm a mommy, wife, writer, speaker and performer from Texas. I'm so glad you stopped by!

Have you ever thought to yourself, "I love my kids more than life itself, but I wonder if I'll ever have a life myself?" I have. In the crazy/busy world we live in, we moms can get swept up in the insane (why aren't I thinner? how do my kids compare to theirs? ) and the mundane (what kind of eco-friendly detergent won't make my sensitive child break out?) pretty quickly.

Most days, I feel like I just don't measure up--so I'm glad I have a God who more than makes up for my forgetfulness, foibles and foolishness!

If you're a ragamuffin mom like me, I hope you'll find encouragement, hope and lots of laughter ('cuz humor heals!) in the posts and links on this page.

If you're an editor looking to work with me, please see my profile, credits and available projects here. If you're a women's ministry director or meeting planner, hop on over to my "Grace Notes Ministries" speaking page to find my topics and endorsements. And if you're an aspiring writer, take a look at the frequently-updated page I've created just for you.

Whatever brings you to "Mother Inferior," I hope you'll kick your shoes off, stay awhile--and come back often. You're welcome here--and you never know just what you'll find!

Boys Will Be Boys

My four and nine year-old sons are the source of lots of laughter in our home. Case in point: recently, my husband, Carey, and I took the boys to dinner at a local restaurant. Afterwards, as we drove home, the boys began making jokes about bodily functions--as much of the male persuasion loves to do. (In fact, as I'm typing, they're making those kind of jokes RIGHT NOW!)

Carey knows I have a limited tolerance for crude humor, and he said, "That's enough, boys. There's a lady in the van."

Quicker than you can say "snot," my toddler exclaimed, "Who IS it?"

*by the way, the picture with this post is taken post-food-fight (one that I actually allowed, since we were eating outside).*

Movie Reviews, Juno Complaint, and a Cool Contest

Here's my opinion of several recent (G- and PG-rated) big screen and DVD releases:

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Annoying.

Horton Hears a Who: Adorable.

Enchanted: Enchanting.

Nim's Island: Cute.

Mr. Bean's Holiday: Hilarious.

By the way, I HATED the much-ballyhooed Juno. Everyone (especially faith-based reviewers) seemed to love it, and recommended it as a "redeeming movie." But the DH and I walked out after about 30 minutes. I thought it was over-the-top crude. Maybe it's because we haven't been in youth ministry in over a decade and I just don't "get" teenagers. Maybe it's because I'm too sheltered, or because I wasn't in the mood. But I didn't get it, and I didn't like it at all. I'm usually pretty open-minded about movies, but I couldn't sit through it. Anyone care to comment? Am I alone in that opinion?

Finally, I saw this recently in the Christianity Today movie newsletter (which I thoroughly enjoy, by the way--check it out if you love movies):

"What about you? Have you ever watched a film and been stirred to do something? To contact your congressman, write a check, take a missions trip, sign a petition, reach out to the homeless, feed the hungry—to get up off of your couch and make a difference.

We want to hear your stories. Not just about movies that made you cry or laugh. Not just about films that moved you emotionally or even spiritually. But about flicks that moved you physically, movies that made you act upon an issue.

Tell us your story in 750 words or less, and we'll print the best ones at CT Movies at a later date. Send your story—either as an attached Word file or in the body of an e-mail—to ctmovies(AT)christianitytoday.com with the subject line "Movies Changing the World."

Deadline: 9 a.m. (Central), April 28. We look forward to hearing your stories!"

A HUGE book giveaway

Do you love books? Do you like free stuff? Me too! So I'm really excited to announce a HUGE book giveaway. I've recently begun writing monthly devotionals, called "Faith Lifts: Deep Topics with a Light Touch." I'm having a lot of fun writing them, and I'd love to build my subscriber list. Here's the first devotional, so you can see whether or not it's something you'd be interested in.

So here's the deal: if you sign up for my devotional to come in your in-box once a month (just enter your email in the box on the top left of my website), I'll enter your name in the drawing for the big prize package. :)

I'll hold the drawing on May 25, and ship the books to the winner as soon as I receive their mailing address. Here's what I'm giving away:

Non-fiction:

A hot-off-the-presses copy of Heavenly Humor for the Woman’s Soul by Martha Bolton, Anita Renfroe, Patsy Clairmont and others (including Dena Dyer)
Fueled by Faith by Jennifer Kennedy Dean

Facing Every Mom’s Fears by Allie Pleiter

Let Your Life Count by Donna Partow

Building the Christian Family You Never Had by Mary DeMuth

Naked Fruit by Elisa Morgan

The Woman I’m Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller

Fiction:

Come, my Little Angel by Diane Noble

After the Leaves Fall by Nicole Baart

A Whisper of Freedom by Tricia Goyer

Quaker Summer by Lisa Samson

Fair is the Rose by Liz Curtis Higgs

Sweet Caroline by Rachel Hauck

Children’s media:

Two books in “The Adventures of Bailey and Canteen” series: Lost and Found and Canyon Rescue by Eddy Bolton, illustrated by Jerry Pittenger (books with read-along CD’s, which include 6 original songs)

Veggie Tales DVD (Where’s God When I’m Scared?) from their “Classics” series

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So, good luck--and please tell your friends!