Today I celebrate the birth of the woman who gave me life. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!
My mom is one of God’s greatest blessings to me. I’m so grateful for her love, her prayers, her encouragement, and her listening ear. I’m grateful for her example of a godly woman, wife and mother. I grateful that though we’re miles apart she is only a phone call away.
I’m grateful for those who fought before me so that I have the right to vote this Election Day. I’m also grateful this election cycle is coming to an end. I can do without the continuous TV ads and the contentious back and forth of the candidates. And I’m grateful that my hope is in Jesus because no matter who wins, He is still in control.
I”m so grateful for my husband, who at 6:30 every morning, prays with us and then leaves to go to a job that pays the bills but offers minimum fulfillment. I’m grateful for his resolve, his devotion to his family and the great things I know God has in store for him.
You can’t help but to love Maddie Buckner, the heroine of Krista Phillips‘ debut novel Sandwich, With a Side of Romance. You will root for this sassy tough girl from page one, as she lives out her new faith in Jesus while struggling to make a new life for herself and the little brother she desperately wants to get out of foster care. Her move to small town Sandwich, IL marks a new beginning and as her heart eventually accepts, so does Reuben-the-Jerk Callahan.
This novel is engaging and humorous yet seriously deals with the realities of life. Universal themes of grace, forgiveness, acceptance, and unconditional love are woven throughout the story. The characters are memorable and endearing, especially the Callahan clan, a family so rich in love that one can’t help but to cheer on a Maddie and Reuben romance. Krista writes in the novel’s Acknowledgments that “no man is an island” and this novel speaks loud and clear to how God uses the people around us to bless and enrich our lives.
Sandwich, With a Side of Romance reminds us that life is best lived with a whole lot of faith and a little help from friends.
On a personal note:
I have followed Krista’s blog for a couple of years now and though I’ve never met her personally, it is so exciting and encouraging to see prayers answered and dreams fulfilled. God is nothing short of amazing!
Triple digit temps and a cranked up AC- Happy Summer!!! Trying to stay cool, keep the kiddos busy, and squeeze in a little “me” (ie. writing and reading) time along the way. Summer seems to be the season for writing retreats as I’ve come across a number of listings ( http://www.newpages.com/writing-conferences). So I’ve added a summer writing retreat to my ‘Someday’ list (also the title of a great book by Stacy Hawkins Adams). I’m also psyched to be making progress on my ‘To Read’ list, I’ll have to share some of my favorites reads thus far in a later post.
Okay so my son has a wild imagination and from his 6 year old mind comes- Playground Nightmare (his own title)- and to encourage his knack for storytelling, my husband illustrated a couple of the characters. I thought it was pretty cool, my menfolk have such brilliant minds and talent.
It’s been a while since my last post so excuse me if I ramble a bit…
On Focus-
I’ve always considered myself a pretty focused person. I’m a planner, I make lists, devise methods and get the job done. I ‘m all about working now so you can rest later. No taking breaks, no scenic routes- in the words of Mater just “Git ‘er done!” But now when it comes to writing I feel like a scatter brain. So many ideas-poems, plots, dialogue, commentary- some of them make it to paper while others are like a flash of the brain and then forever gone (those days I wish I carried a recorder). I sometimes wonder why I can’t be one of those writers with sudden urgent inspiration and produce a novel in like two weeks. No really, I realize that the craft of writing is a practice of diligent, deliberate action, a commitment. NPR (National Public Radio) recently did an interesting segment on “harmful” reads for aspiring writers. Not because the books are bad but because they’re so well written and loved, that their style might invite imitation (which we know is the highest form of flattery). It’s a point well taken. I remember reading Alice Walker’s The Color Purple and attempting to write a story through a series of “Dear God” diary entries. Recently I read a classic christian fiction novel by Francine Rivers and while I have always been inspired by her style, I was especially taken with the story. A story that nudges me to focus on an unfinished manuscript, just a few pages abandoned in my files. I’m inclined to take a second look.
On Discouragement-
Ever heard the saying “Jack of all trades but master of none”? I think that sentiment can be applied when one says “yes” one time too many, trying to do it all yet sufficiently accomplishing nothing. I’m disappointed I won’t be walking with the LLS Team in Training in the Iron Girl Half Marathon this week as I’d planned (remember that post and my little fundraising widget?). First I was unable to make crucial group training sessions, then I had difficulty fundraising, didn’t meet my goal and it pretty much went downhill from there. Could I have done more? Yes I know I could have. Fundraising was the one thing I dreaded and I probably subconsciously sabotaged myself. I chalk it up to poor planning and unrealistic expectations, I’ve lived and learned.
Then there’s the writer’s discouragement. You know when you wonder who if anyone is reading your stuff, when you’ve received another one of those nice form letters saying, “Thanks but no thanks.” You begin to wonder if your words are impacting anyone or anything. Am I delusional? In the past this discouragement would become full fledge deflation, I would just stash the pen & notebook on a shelf. But this time around the passion is undeniable and I’m determined to push forward. I’ve settled within myself that if I have an audience of just one, it’s one person whose life has been touched in, I hope, a positive way. I’ve been challenged to determine what defines success for me. Is it being published by a traditional publisher? Is it self publishing? Having a web presence? I’m still sorting out the answers to those questions but I’m encouraged and I’m motivated.
Challenges can make you bitter or better. I choose better. Let’s write on, friends. Write on!
Some may ask, “So you have this blog and this dream of being published but what are you actually working on?” Good question! Well first I’d have to say, the fact I’m regularly blogging here is major progress. Five years ago I would have gawked at the idea of transferring the dialogue in my head to the world wide web. I was too concerned about people’s opinions and insecure in my own ability-not exactly useful traits for an aspiring author. But I’m here and I’m doing it one step at a time and my challenge now is to focus. I have notebooks and computer files of ideas, starts and first drafts but lately I’ve been channeling my energy into a collection of short stories and a collabo effort with my hubby. He is mega talented in illustration and voice acting so coupled with my writing we’re trying to create a little magic…Stay tuned…
Today’s Prompt:
You’re invited to a friend’s house for an important holiday dinner. You find a roach in your food. What do you do and/or say?
“Everyone dig in!”
I could sense Kayla’s excitement. She was hosting her first Thanksgiving as Mrs. Redman. I scanned the impressive spread, proud of my friend for taking on such a monumental task. Three kinds of meat and every side dish imaginable-she was determined to win over her in-laws. The table was abuzz with polite conversation as pans and plates were passed. I scooped a large helping of mashed potatoes onto my plate as I waited for the turkey to be carved. Tastebuds watering, I had just stuck my fork into the creamy mound when I noticed it. “Raisins in mashed potatoes?” I thought to myself, an odd choice but I wasn’t much of a cook and Kayla loved gourmet recipes. When I pushed the raisin aside and realized it had six legs, I covered my mouth to suppress a gasp. Quickly hiding my discovery, I looked around the table satisfied that no one had noticed a thing…
Barnabas Blessings 