April 11, 2005

Your photo's  are beautiful!  I enjoyed looking at them. I wish I had flowers in my backyard like those.  What type of camera do you take the pictures with?

Carla (mother, grandmother, bird lover, and cruise taker from California)

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April 12, 2005

I haven't got far in reading your website additions/revisions yet; but I had to write and tell you that the photo of the waterfall on the home page moved me to tears it's so beautiful.

Janet (Mother, Tolkien Fan, & Local Activist from England)

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April 14, 2005

Crikey, all that work.  I saw the photos of all the pastors....
The mob of sheep photo is the best for me.

Mary Pat (Photographer, Teacher, and Mother from California)

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April 14, 2005

Hi Lonna,
Linda here :) the website is great!!! Have spent the last half hour looking
at it, and will read the first 4 chapters of Selah part 2 when I get back
from work!

Linda (Pastor's wife, preschool teacher, and mother from Wellington, New Zealand)

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April 14, 2005

Your photos are awesome, I think it's great that you can do that, and make
it look so professional.

Lisa Williams (No relation; former Radio Host & now a Mom & teacher, California)

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January 28, 2005

Hi Lonna,

I love your family dress up photos. We have a slew of Disney costumes, personally.

I have 2 cents about your "Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter" essay. I must say I come from an opposite vantage point ­ as someone who never made it through a Tolkien book but loved the movies. I have read all the Potter books and am OK with my kids owning the DVDs and hearing them in the background of my day. I was also raised an Orthodox Jew.

My 2 cents are: Harry does admit to hate his enemies. But lucky Frodo was living a life free of enemies until he had a ring in his possession. Then he suddenly was informed of those who would hate him, whereas Potter was actually harmed by the people he hates. 

Also, Harry is meant to be the kid next door. I know my daughters have had to deal with the kids at school who drive them crazy. Although I steer them from the word "hate", and we dislike the actions, not the actual person, the fact that Harry grapples with the same feelings brings a sense of comfort to children. It makes him easier to relate to and allows them to think that their problems are not nearly as bad as his so maybe they can chill out a little about the girl who got the swing first at recess.  

You are correct that the Potter books do not focus on a God-like high power. But they aren't meant to be Christian. I don't think Nancy Drew looked to God, or the Baudelaire orphans, or Little Orphan Annie or Ramon Quimby or Judy Blume's Fudge. I don't believe all childrens books need to steer them to God.  

I do think in the "For Further Study" section at the bottom you should list your own fantasy series mentioned. 

I do own a broom, but I sweep my kitchen with it J

G'night,

Raffi (Florida)

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February 9, 2005

Dear Mrs. Williams,

Like you, I'm an avid fan of Tolkien. I have read all five books, and have made studies of my own. To let you know how I came to find out about you, I was researching Harry Potter and its morals (or lack of morals) when I came upon your article "Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, a Compare and Contrast Essay." I was amazed! Here was a person who shared my own personal opinions on not only the books, but the movies as well!

Nathanael (14) aka "The Goth" (Japan)

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August 30, 2004

Dear Lonna,

I have checked out the website. You have a lot of interesting stuff there and it is beautifully done. I have just checked out the "Fire" and "Passion of the Christ" so far.

God is good.

With regards,

Dick (New Zealand retired Anglican Reverend, card sharp, and gunslinger)