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Rhonda "sUess" Galizia [ga-litz-a], aka "Moongold~O~" aka "Leslie DeShannon" is a contented and joyful wife, proud Mother of 5, and prouder Grandmother of 9:)with another due in August to daughter Michaelle - another GIRL at last! (The new ratio will be 7 to 3)
Recently added to her family, was a lovely and charming redhead named Aubrey and her son Jake, 10, in a beautiful and Christ-centered wedding, to eldest son, Robert and his son, Alexander, 5.
The official blending of the families was on April 08, 2008, and was performed by the Reverend John Snyder, St. Luke's Reformed Church, Kittanning PA.(He is also Rhonda's own Youth Pastor from 50 years ago!)
The boys were stunning as the ringbearers, and Rhonda wrote and presented her poem, "Come To Me" to the Bride & Groom. It was a great honor to do so - and it was also her first public presentation in six years! (since her massive stroke) Reverend Snyder was pleased, which blessed Rhonda, as it was like coming full circle, and "returning the fruit to the sower."
The groom's maternal grandparents, M/M C.V. Ayers, were also in attendance, making the event even more special.
The Bride & Groom were exquisite, the boys delighted, Reverend Snyder's prayers and blessings exemplary, and The LORD was truly magnified.
Rhonda possesses a spirit of joy and encouragement, and loves nothing better than to share it with everyone she meets!
Graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature [over 20 years ago!] Rhonda was blessed to learn from - and be extremely encouraged by - the incredible Norma Paul Reudi Ainsworth! She told Rhonda that her work was "powerful", and that she was amazed by her, because she had the ability to "preach without preach-ING!"; PRICELESS!
Also a graduate of ICS Master Art [certified] Rhonda enjoys creating portraits and landscapes, using various mediums. She began developing her own line of cards, as well.
Mrs. Galizia has enjoyed helping her first- and second-born grandsons, Jason and Jeffrey in their past school projects. Her collaboration with Jason in his short story, "GHOST-WITCH" is posted here. Both boys are gifted in writing in unique ways, and Rhonda still has quite a few characters of her own for future use!
Rhonda's grands range in age from two 5's to 18!
"They are each special to me, and each one has their own gifts and unique personality...I love them all, with every ounce of strength this granny can muster!"
Her beautiful granddaughters,(Namesake)Rhonda Nicole,14 and Destiny Marie,9 are her major inspirations for her "Moongold~O~ Romance Series", a tender, and wholesome collection of youthful love ...beginning with the heartfelt attraction, that eventually turns into a courtship, which, in time, leads to marriage and a commitment for life.
Mrs. Galizia is thankful for the numerous opportunities to: be published, nationally and internationally; enjoy multiple publishers; have many recordings made of her work; to have received various certificates, trophies, awards,
medals, etc.; to make public presentations to various Church Bodies, as well as, to have been a Speaker for The Women's Shelter, in conjunction with, the local government re: "TAKE BACK THE NIGHT" Rally, for Abuse Victims/Survivors. She personally created several patches for the quilt [for her daughter, Anna, and for herself] and then, she presented a plaque with her poem "The Cleansing Tree" on it [which her gifted artist friend, Ray Cline, had graciously designed and mounted] to 5-star Counsellor, Mrs. Winnie Boser(since retired), for her exemplary work. After having addressed the audience, and read her poem, she met with and spoke to several in attendance. This resulted in News interviews and articles and photos of the same.
Mrs. Galizia met Mr. Cline during her years of work as an Executive Secretary and Assistant Development & Funding Director for an Historical Research & Landmarks Foundation.
Further, Rhonda is a Lifetime Member of The VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and has written special lyrics for songs for past Birthday Dinners. Her elder brother, Dave, a decorated Viet Nam Vet, not long ago completed his term as Commander of Post 249!
Rhonda has sent her work to paralyzed Vets and Fallen Police Officers to honor them [her husband Joe is the namesake of fallen Police Officer, Joseph Galizia of Beaver Falls; a beautiful stela representing Joseph and the others is located at the Beaver County Courthouse, Beaver PA]
Mrs. Galizia has made personal appearances and presentations at family/friends' Birthdays, Showers, Weddings,and other Special Occasions.
"Every day, I try to send out at least one poem, to address another's need and offer Hope. When Rev. Billy Graham fell ill, I sent a copy of my Ode to Oklahoma: City of Grace [re bombing] to his son, Franklin, to let him know how beloved he is to all. What a great moment to be alive, when I received such a warm and gracious response!"
Rhonda has also been blessed to: receive over a
dozen Editor's Choice Awards; be a 1996 Electee, into the Int'l Poetry Hall of Fame [link at bottom of page]; be chosen for the 2004 and 2005, 2006, 2007 Editions of The International Who's Who in Poetry; become a Lifetime Distinguished Member of Int'l Society of Poets; [although, with the NEW Board & format, she has been "made an Associate Member"?]
She was named as a 2006,2007, and now, 2008,
U.S. Ambassador of Poetry, and has been recorded manifold times for the ILP's Sound of Poetry Collections. Rhonda's work has also been
taped for individual requests.
She has been nominated 17 consecutive years for Poet of the Year ["Alas, you have to be present, and I simply haven't been able to attend the Conventions/Symposiums...although, I hear they are amazing!"] She was published by Famous Poets Society and nominated for the 2005 Famous Poet of The Year Award. In 2006, Mrs. Galizia was officially awarded the gorgeous 24k gold embossed Noble House Lapel Pin and is now recognized as a POET FELLOW OF NOBLE HOUSE LONDON!
A once in a lifetime award and she is deeply grateful to Mr. Ely...Mr. Hillary...
and to the Lord, to Whom, Rhonda gives ALL the glory.
Last March, she learned that she was a Contest Winner and was included in (the major Christian Publisher) XULON PRESS' anthology, "Memories of Mother", which was released to 25,000 stores in May 2007 - just in time for Mother's Day! She and her dear old Mama were ecstatic, and rejoiced in the LORD's goodness! Her Contribution was the true story, "Pink Apron Strings".
To date, Rhonda has her own internet domain for her Ministry and the link can be found at the bottom of the page. She cordially invites every Reader to come and be refreshed at her unique web site.
Rhonda does not "read" music, but she plays piano - supernaturally! ["Father God sings songs over me, and I play them!"]
Originally, Rhonda played guitar the same way- a beautiful acoustic Yamaha.
Then, her daughter, Anna, prophetically bought her a Keyboard ...and from there, the LORD called her to the piano! [a digital Baldwin, nonetheless, which her Persian Calico Queen, JadeBelle, also likes to play! Well... THATZ CATZ!
Rhonda was then granted the gift of the tangible
transfer - given the opportunity to touch the very hands of 3 Great Musicians: The Internationally Renowned Christian Pianist, Randy Estelle! ["Who called to check on me when he heard of my stroke - and sent his latest CD to me, through my daughter, Anna - complete with his blessing and signature on it! What an incredible surge of healing he brought to me!"]
I further got to holy-kiss the hand of Dr. Mike Murdock, one of my God-given Wisdom-Mentors and I received the laying on of the hands of Pastor Mark Bristow. They all have the gift of Healing in their music - and I had asked The LORD to give ME that gift also - that's HOW He did it! And WHY, I had to go to a piano! HE always has a plan, amen?
"I also got to shake the hands of the awesome Pastor John Hagee, who is so devoted to Israel, and her people, whom I also love.. [I told him that when he preaches, it is like being wrapped in A Blanket of Conviction!] His beautiful wife, Diana, accompanied him.
Joe and I went to meet them and to buy his book, The REVELATION OF TRUTH, which he graciously signed to me and grandson, Jason Michael. More recently, we have acquired JERUSALEM COUNTDOWN, which we strongly recommend every American should read! The Anointing is so present on Pastor John, as well as, on Diana. She is also quite the writer/teacher! They are holy - and wholly amazing folks....
"I have written tons of songs," related sUess,
"I am very very excited - but, make no mistake - the glory is The LORD's!"
And as a final note, Rhonda adds, " I truly appreciate the Authors Den! What a cleverly-designed site, and fabulous opportunity for the integrity of the author-author and author-reader relationship. Thank you, bless you, Founder Matt Miller.
And I speak A Special Blessing onto every Reader...for without you, writers are meaningless. May God use my gift to minister to ...your need."
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