My First Writer's retreat

I just got back from my very first writer's retreat with the best editor ever (ok, so she's the only editor I've ever worked with but I can't imagine anyone any better. Cheryl rocks!!!) We went away to her cabin in the mountains which is truly inspiring! The view is breathtaking and opportunities for adventure abound! I can't wait to go back when I have more time to explore.

I am amazed by the progress we made on the book in such a short period of time. I am giddy with excitement. Ever since I was a little girl I've dreamed of writing a book. When I was in elementary school, one year I spent the entire year writing a story to give to my parents for Christmas. The following year, my dad had 100 copies of it printed in a booklet form and gave it back to me. This was one of the best gifts I've ever received! I realized this week that my dream of becoming an author is coming true! While it is yet to be published, the first draft has been written and I can't express the fierce joy (that was for you, Cheryl) that I feel! I am so thrilled I could explode!

There is still a lot of hard work to be done and this is just my first revision, but I am hopeful. Join me in prayer as I work to polish and revise the manuscript. Pray that God will guide me to the right publisher for the task. Pray that God will help me to decide on a title for the book. Ultimately, pray that others will be encouraged through the book.

The Gift of Light

Ever had one of those weeks when everything seemed to be going wrong? A few weeks ago, I had such a week. I didn’t even want to answer the phone because almost every phone call was laden with bad news. Then it came – a message of light via facebook. A friend of Michael’s (my late husband) and I had been corresponding via facebook for some time. I was astounded when I opened the message from him to find that God had laid in on his heart to give me a gift in memory of Michael. This wasn’t just any gift; it was an extraordinary gift, one that humbled me to the core. He wanted to give me a Thomas Kinkade painting that reminded him of Michael and me. What? Why would he give me such an incredible gift? I’d done nothing to merit such a thing.

After repeatedly asking if he was serious and finding out that he was indeed, I found myself on my knees before the Father. I prayed asking God why he would tell this man to give me such an extravagant gift. God’s answer to me made me come undone. He spoke to my spirit saying, “Because I love you with an extravagant love.” Wow! The God of the universe not only loves us, but He loves us with an extravagant love! This painting is a picture of that love in my own life and he used a man I’d never met to show me His great love.

Alas, I met my facebook friend and had dinner with him and his girlfriend. It was such a blessing to meet them and I’m still overwhelmed by his generosity. I now have a beautiful portrait of God’s extravagant love hanging in my living room. Matt, I know that this painting will remind me of the Light in times of darkness. I can never thank you enough!!!

Homeward Bound

Jorjanne spent the last two weeks at my mom’s. Yesterday I met my mom and grandma halfway to pick Jorjanne up and bring her home. All of us gals (four generations) went shopping together. Keeping in mind that Jorjanne had been with her grandmother for two weeks (her one suitcase grew into several) and then we went shopping, you can imagine the load in my car on the way home. On the drive back, there was a fatal accident on the interstate and the exit where we ate dinner was closed, meaning we couldn’t get back on the interstate. If you know me, then you know that I am directionally challenged and I was not too happy about this change of plans. There was no one directing a detour so I began to fight with my GPS. After some time, Jorjanne found a map in the car and we ventured out on a new adventure. Our quick trip had suddenly become long and laborious. Ten minutes after finding the map, Jorjanne fell asleep.

I rode for hours in the car, fighting sleep and fighting my radio. You see, my car radio died and I had to get a new one. The only problem is this new one came with a CD-rom to teach you how to operate it. Needless to say, I haven't had time to figure the blasted thing out. I tried to turn it off at one point and ended up cranking up the volume full blast. When I tried to turn it off, it began scanning different stations, still at full blast. I finally had to pull over and punch a lot of buttons to figure out how to turn the thing off. Thankfully, after this escapade, my friend Bobbie called me and kept me awake as we journeyed home.

About five miles from my house, we came upon a roadblock where the police were checking licenses. With blue lights flashing and the policeman peering into the driver’s side window, Jorjanne woke up terrified. I wish I had a picture of her face as she looked up at this big guy sticking his head in my window. As I calmed her down, the officer handed me my license and insurance card and then walked around my car shining his flashlight into my backseat. After some time, he returned to my window and asked me, “Are you moving in or moving out?”

You Never Know...

I went camping last weekend with some friends and one afternoon we all went to the river. While they were fishing, I decided to sit on the bank and enjoy some peace and quiet while reading. Along with my friends, there were a couple of other fishermen as well as tubers floating down the river. In the peaceful sereneness of the moment, I was gazing at the river contemplating deep thoughts (yeah right) when I heard a man shouting, "Wait! Wait!" I looked up to see that he had caught a tuber with his line. The funny thing isn't that he caught a tuber, but what tuber he caught. He had caught the devil. The man in the tube was wearing devil horns and even shouted, "Betcha never thought you'd catch the devil today, huh?" I couldn't stop laughing. I only wish I'd been quicker to get it all on film. By the time I got my camera out, the moment had passed. Oh well, I guess its better to catch the devil than have him catch you.