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I would like to introduce you to my cousin, Rachel Ann Rogish. She and I have always been close, despite our 6-year age gap, and I’m so thankful for her friendship. Rachel is an artist of words and has done some work for Schoolhouseteachers.com in the drama and arts department. Homeschooling moms, you might be interested in her Simply Shakespeare and Everyday Easels curricula. An aspiring historical fiction author, Rachel is working on her first novel, which you can read about below; and she has recently taken up some journalism as well. You can keep up with Rachel and her journey over at her Facebook page. I asked Rachel to write up a little something about herself, and you can read it below.
We took these pictures while Rachel and her family were down in my area. Unfortunately, we stayed out too late shopping; and by the time we got back, dusk approached. I hate using flash for pictures (and am quite inexperienced in doing so), but in this case I had to, so I tried my best. Enjoy, and check out Rachel’s story below:
“Hello! My name is Rachel Ann Rogish, and it is a privilege to be one of Briana’s cousins. 🙂 Her dad and my mom are siblings, and, in many ways, both of our lives have been shaped by the decision made by our grandfather who followed Christ’s call to minister in the northwest corner of Pennsylvania. Amid times not knowing where finances would come from and daily working with people, our grandparents chose to remain on the path, no matter where it led. My cousin Briana and I are direct results of their journey and of our parents who also took up a life of faith.
I suppose my life could be considered a roaming one. Being raised in a pastor’s home offered many adventures while growing up – meeting new people in multiple states and holding yard sales in January after a snowstorm. The path did not always make sense, and at times I wondered why I couldn’t be like other people who went to the same church their whole life and had the same phone number. But who am I to demand that life make sense? Today, I’m still learning what it means to live by faith!
I am blessed to live by the Atlantic Ocean on an island off the southern coast of New Jersey; here by the sea I assist my parents in our ministry while expanding my horizons and sharpening my skills as a writer. I’m also excited to give back to the mission of homeschooling as a Star Contributor and Creative Consultant for Schoolhouse Teachers.com, a website dedicated to providing quality materials for families all over the world. I work with incredible people who have mentored me along my journey as an aspiring writer. From creating a series of Shakespeare unit studies to co writing Everyday Easels (an art appreciation unit), I’ve been able to learn how practical the Fine Arts can be in everyday life.
When I’m not writing, I enjoy learning the domestic arts, exploring the wonders of nature, reading a good book, working on my first historical fiction novel, entering short story competitions, and preparing for the day when I will meet the one God has for me.
Immanuel’s Veins, set during the unsettled 1790’s, is my first novel in progress! Immanuel’s Veins took its first breath in the fall of 2008 during my freshman year at university. My soul burned with unanswered questions at the time – questions about life and a Christian’s place in society. The question would not be silenced: “how could people live out the Gospel even when their culture and other believers were against them?” How could someone do the right thing when friends, family, and their countrymen chose either to ignore issues or to rebel?
Suddenly I found myself on a journey to find the truth. I read everything I could on the American and French Revolutions, wandering the streets of 18th century Philadelphia. The story of Morgan Rhys, a young man trying to find his place in the world, grew with me as I typed the first chapters.
Morgan’s journey leads him from tranquil Princeton, NJ, to the turbulent streets of London and Paris in 1792 – in order to claim his inheritance, he must leave the familiar behind. His life entwines with Irish sailors, English aristocrats, French revolutionaries, and others simply trying to survive. Morgan learns the true meaning of liberty, honor, and love in the face of danger, ancient family secrets, and death.
The title was inspired by the first line of the hymn “There is a Fountain”, by William Cowper, and those words will never let me go. As our own world stands at crossroads, we find that people are the same no matter when they lived. Position, status, and education are not the answers to hatred, violence, and loneliness. We need the love, forgiveness, and simplicity found in Immanuel’s veins.
You can follow my literary journey on Facebook at Sea Gypsy, Rachel Ann. All journeys have bumps and different twists and turns, but it’s worth the trip!”
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