Rhonda "sUess" Galizia [ga-litz-a], aka "Moongold~O~" aka "Leslie DeShannon" is a wife, mother to 5, grandmother to 13, and great-grandmother to two. She is a Biblical Christian Counselor and a Fully-Ordained Minister. The latest addition to her family is Great Grandson Daemon!! (The new ratio is 11-4, boys far ahead!)
A former graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature, 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!

A hopeless romantic, Rhonda has written her (C)"Moongold~O~Romance Series", a tender and wholesome collection of young-love poetry ..beginning with the heartfelt attraction, that eventually turns into a courtship, which, in time, leads to marriage and a commitment for life. It is pure nostalgia and safe enough for her granddaughters!

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 have made 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 Counselor, 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 Patriot and a Lifetime Member of The VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and has written special lyrics for songs for past Birthday Dinners. Her mother was both Auxiliary and District President in the past, and her elder brother, Dave, a decorated Viet Nam Vet, not long ago completed his term as Commander of Post 249!

Sadly, both her mother and brother have passed on.
Gladly, she will see them again one day in the presence of The LORD!

Rhonda has sent her work to paralyzed Vets and Fallen Police Officers to honor them [her husband Joe is the namesake of his uncle, a fallen Police Officer.

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!"
(Ode to Oklahoma appeared in The International Poetry Hall of Fame (now defunct) when Rhonda was elected to same in 1991.)

She was named as a 2006, 2007 and 2008, U.S. Ambassador of Poetry, and has been recorded manifold times for the ILP's Sound of Poetry Collections and by Eber & Wein. Rhonda's poetry was also taped in church and further to fulfill individual requests.

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!

She is deeply grateful to the Lord, to Whom, Rhonda gives ALL the glory.

March 2006, 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".
Rhonda was asked to pen a poem or letter for the troops, to be published in Xulon Press' anthology, "We Support the Troops!" It was being sent to the troops in Iraq for Christmas, so they know they are loved and not forgotten. She penned "Living Stars" (which can be viewed at her Ministry/counseling website on the UNSUNG HEROES page) and considers it a high honor to have been asked to do so. KUDOS TO XULON PRESS!
One of her most-recent poems, "America, The Great", is currently published in the anthology, "American Poet" by Eber & Wein, and Rhonda finds the quality of their work to be impeccable. To top that, Eber & Wein Publishing is Veteran Owned & Operated!
To date, Rhonda is a Certified Child Advocate, has received her Board Certification in Biblical Counseling from AACC, and is also a Fully-Ordained Minister now. In February 2013, she received her hard-earned degree as an Associate of Counseling at TECU, with an astounding 3.86 GPA! "ONLY THE LORD, FOLKS!" she says triumphantly, as a massive stroke survivor. Currently, she is working on her Bachelor's Degree to further her studies in Counseling & Pastoral Psychology.

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. And what warm and wonderful friends one makes here - a family, if you will. Thank you, bless you, Founders Matt & Jackie Miller!

LORD, I speak A Special Blessing onto every Reader.. for without them, writers are meaningless.

"May God use my gift to minister to ..your need."