Thanks, Dad

To EXCLAIM!!!! or not.

Since I started a job as a marketing consultant, I stopped deleting the ad e-mails the minute they appeared. Suddenly the "deals of the day" are treasure troves of valuable information—maybe I can learn all the secrets of the marketing trade. One thing I've learned: advertisers love exclamation points.

A) Today is the best day ever! $5 gift card at Starbucks when you buy a $25 gift card!!!

B) When I came home from Spain last year, my boyfriend met me at the airport, kidnapped me, and took me to a nearby river. He had a boat waiting. He rowed us out into the sunset, and when the light was at its most brilliant, he proposed. I said yes. Then started crying.

Which story is more gripping?

Note: To the best of my knowledge, the proposal story and Starbucks deal are fictional.

Author-ity

The Author I love sits on a throne and does not move.

He has seen my life from its beginning–

it was and always is on his mind.

He combs the story like a mom her daughter's tangled hair.

He puts it far away to examine it in context,

holds it close to enhance the smallest detail,

and plays and replays greatest moments.

He does not grow tired of it...or me.

His stories make his heart race;

his children leave him speechless.

Gungor's album, Beautiful Things

Sally Lloyd-Jones

Sally Lloyd-Jones is an amazing author for children.

Check out her website: www.sallylloyd-jones.com, sign up for her newsletter, and follow her on Twitter.

She's the author of How to Be the Baby by Me the Bride, The Jesus Storybook Bible, and the brand new Jesus hug-a-bible. I'm working as her assistant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC7ESuyDGqs This is a book trailer for her book Being a Pig is Nice.