Encouragement for the Journey

Moving to a New Home

2011-07-21T19:00:00.010-06:00

A cyber-home that is.

After two years of blogging here, I'm pleased to announce my updated website with integrated blog (woohoo!). All the content stored here ... is now also over there. (And will also look great once I do a few formatting fixes post by post on 230 posts!)

One great thing about the new platform is the search feature. If you liked the series of posts on vacations, road trips, gardening, transformations, or football in the fall ... you can type in search words and get all the relevant posts easily.

My new address? http://www.candeefick.com/ I can wait to see you over there!

Vacations - Revisiting History

2011-07-18T05:00:00.077-06:00

When compiling my list for this summer's virtual vacation tour, I had two other types of locations in mind. Historic battlefields, landmarks, and colonial villages. And family reunions. (Granted, some family reunions have their own inherent battlefields, but let's just assume we can all get along!)

We own a timeshare and have exchanged it the last five years for a week in Branson, Missouri. But, every year, I thumb through the resort directory to see where else we could travel (assuming airfare for five wasn't an issue and there was stuff for the kids to do once we got there.) Personally, I would love to visit New England or Williamsburg, Virginia. I know others enjoy seeing Civil War battlefields or the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. Places bursting with historical significance. Where events occurred that changed the path of our country.

On the other hand, multi-generational family gatherings are also full of history. It's nice to see all the distant cousins and catch up on all the news (er, gossip). But the rich treasure lies in listening to the stories of the oldest ones there. What was life like when they were growing up? What were their dreams? What tragedies are woven in the fabric of their lives? What quirks have they passed on to their children? What unusual jobs did they have? (Can you imagine my surprise to learn one relative had served food to Japanese prisoners during WWII?)

Revisiting history is a journey back in time to remember the past, to honor the legacy of those who lived before us, and to learn the lessons they would teach.

What about you? What interesting jobs have your ancestors held? What historical place would you most like to see?

Vacations - Solitary Places

2011-07-11T05:00:00.056-06:00

Ask some people where they would choose to go on vacation and you'd hear all about a fishing trip. Not exactly my first choice (or even the top ten) because I don't like touching fish, smelling fish, cleaning fish, or eating fish. Baiting hooks with worms or salmon eggs isn't exactly on my favorite list of things to do either!

However, if you take fish and bait out of a fishing trip, what does that leave? Hours spent sitting in a quiet (and often scenic) location. Maybe the excuse to sit in a solitary place is as much a part of the whole experience as actually reeling in the big one. (After all, it's called fishing, not catching!)

So, since this is a summer of virtual vacations, I'm headed to a solitary place to sit for awhile. To stop the frantic pace of life and get away from the deadlines, computer, television, and phone. To let stress wash away and troubles sink to the bottom. To let the true priorities of my life bob to the surface. To meditate on truth and contemplate the future. To sort through options while a gentle breeze brushes my face.

And if I never catch a thing, the experience will have been worth it.

What about you? Do you like fishing? What would you think about while on a fishing trip?

Celebrating Freedom

2011-07-04T05:00:00.026-06:00

We interrupt this summer's virtual vacation tour in order to spend time with the family. I can guarantee there will be grilling done today and fireworks tonight.

And somewhere in between, I'm pausing to remember where we've been as a country (in bondage to a foreign power) and the price paid by those who saw beyond themselves to declare our independence.

Happy 4th of July!

How to be Successful

2011-06-29T05:00:00.058-06:00

"Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day." ~Jim Rohn

Since I've never heard anyone say they wanted to fail or to grow up to be an underachiever, I'm assuming that we would all like to be successful. However, if that's the case, then why do so many of us fall short?

Because wishing and being are two different things. And the dreaded "D" word, discipline, is the key ingredient.

I'd like to succeed in dropping a few pounds and getting into shape. But that means dragging myself out of bed in the morning and lacing up my running shoes. Pushing for an extra lap or two. Saying no to the french fry craving and saying yes to a salad. Success takes discipline in the little things repeated daily.

I'd like to build our family's financial stability. That takes discipline to cut back on spending, to find bargains, to pay down debts, and to set aside money into savings.

I'd like to earn enough money from my books to pay for my kids' tuition at their private school. Well, that too takes discipline. Discipline to write consistently, to read voraciously, to learn all I can about the industry, to submit to critique groups, to query agents, to meet editors at conferences, to network with other writers and potential readers, to build a "tribe" of followers, to develop unique ideas, to promote my work, and to do it all over and over on a daily basis.

How much do I want to succeed? It'll show up in how disciplined I become.

What about you? Where do you want to be successful? What simple disciplines done daily will get you there?

Vacations - The Amusement Park

2011-06-27T05:00:00.032-06:00

What do professional athletes say after winning the Super Bowl? I'm going to Disneyland! Well, not really. After all this is a virtual vacation blog tour. But this week we're headed to the amusement park.

What do places like Disney, Six Flags, Silver Dollar City, or the traveling rides camped out in the vacant lot have in common? Wild rides and funnel cake. Ferris wheels, bumper cars, roller coasters, and spin-until-you're-sick mechanical contraptions. Popcorn, frozen lemonade, hot dogs, and cones of rainbow-colored ice shavings.

A place where adrenaline rules and nutrition is optional. A place to step out of our comfort zones and push back the boundaries of our fear. A place to create memories, earn bragging rights, and experience the stories that will fuel the family lore for years to come.

Stories like: Remember, dear brother, the time you bribed me with the promised of a funnel cake if I'd strap in to a seven-story tall hydraulic swing that launched us into the air, upside down (both frontwards and backwards) before screaming (literally) back toward the earth? A ride that made me lose all desire for funnel cake and gave me a headache? A ride that made the next one seem like child's play?

Yep, that's the extreme change of pace found only at the amusement park.

What about you? What is your favorite amusement park memory? Favorite ride? Favorite food?

Don't Look Back

2011-06-24T05:00:00.039-06:00

If I had to pick my favorite fiction genre to read, romantic suspense would be near the top of the list. Because I really enjoy the mixture of a good love story and a mystery to solve.

This week's fiction focus is on Don't Look Back (Revell, 2010) by Lynette Eason. It's book two in a series, but I didn't feel like I had to have read the first book in order to understand this one.

Jamie Cash is a forensic anthropologist (meaning she studies bones for clues and reconstructs faces to help identify victims). Twelve years ago, she survived a brutal attack and is working to rebuild her life and ability to trust again. However, her attacker is back and taunting her from afar. Now, she must face her fear to help solve the crimes as she identifies other victims.

In this fast paced novel full of twists, turns, tension, and a touch of romance, Jamie displays a life transformed by the pain she experienced. She finds an inner strength honed through the fire of suffering and is able to offer comfort to other victims and their families.

The title advises not to look back - implying that she shouldn't dwell on the past, but instead move forward. Yet, by looking back, she is able to recall significant clues and gain the strength to face evil once again.

What about you? Have you grown stronger after going through pain? Do you look back at that time or look ahead? Should we do both? Why or why not?

Prioritizing the To-Do List

2011-06-22T05:00:00.000-06:00

"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible." ~St. Francis of Assisi

I love lists. Daily to-do lists. Weekly goals. Groceries. Marketing contacts. Project steps. Writing ideas. And almost as much as making the lists, I love crossing things off of them! (Confession time: I've been known to put things on a list after I did it, just so I could draw a line through it.)

But how do you know what to put on the list?

Start with what is necessary. Quiet time, exercise, meals, a load of laundry, errands that must be done today. The next steps to complete a project at work. These are the things that have to be done and really need to be finished today.

Next on my list are the things I'd like to get done if I have time. Additional errands I can cross off now on this trip. A trip to the swimming pool with the kids. The next items on the top of my writing to-do list. A craft project. A batch of cookies. These are the extras that will free up additional time later and take me another step closer to my other goals.

Like the opening quote pointed out, if I'm getting the necessary and the possible done, suddenly I find myself able to do the impossible. Why? Because with steady progress and focused efforts, I have journeyed to the place I previously thought impossible. Hmm. Kinda like redesigning a website and self-publishing a book in three weeks while working 35 hours a week and shuttling three kids to various activities over summer vacation.

What about you? Are you a list-maker? How do you decide what to put on your list? Have lists helped you accomplish your goals?

Vacations - Other Cultures

2011-06-20T05:00:00.068-06:00

In our continuing summer of virtual vacations, this week we're headed to another country (or at least another culture within our own borders.)

If money, time, travel speeds, and political situations were not a factor ... what parts of our world would you like to see? The lush tropical rainforests of the Amazon? The Inca ruins of Peru? The pyramids of Egypt? The Eiffel Tower in France? The Neuschwanstein castle in Germany? The Great Wall of China? The Alps of Switzerland? Victoria Falls between Zambia and Zimbabwe? The gypsies of Romanian history?The Eskimos in Alaska? The Amish in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania?

Why are these places so fascinating? I think it's partly geographical and partly historical. What events took place there? What is life like in a different climate or part of the world? For me, I'm curious about the people and what their lives are like. My imagination runs wild as I try to picture myself living in a different place and time. (Perhaps that's why I also write fiction!)

Visiting other cultures takes us out of our comfort zones and stretches our experiences about what life on planet Earth is like. We start to see ourselves as a piece of larger humanity and develop greater compassion for others when our similarities outweigh our differences. And these lessons stick with us when we return home.

What about you? Where in the world would you like to go? Where have you been? What lessons about humanity did you bring home with you?

Making Lemonade - FREE for a Limited Time

2011-06-17T05:00:00.108-06:00

When life gives you lemons, how you approach, process, and transform them makes all the difference. Especially for parents facing the sour experiences of raising a child with developmental, behavioral, and/or health needs.

Making Lemonade: Parents Transforming Special Needs incorporates practical strategies from a Christian worldview and the emotional stories of parents (including me!) busy in the kitchen of life to offer readers hope and encouragement as they face their own lemons. Mirroring the steps of a recipe for making lemonade, this book covers the pucker reaction, juicing process, adding sugar, watering down with life, adding other fruit, stirring, the pitcher of support, chilling, sipping, and sharing.

Does this sound like something you, or someone you know, would be interested in reading? If so, the book is available in both print and ebook formats. And, for a limited time, you can download the ebook in a variety of different formats for FREE.

For a free ebook download (or free sample): Go to Making Lemonade at Smashwords and enter the following coupon code -- RN93L -- to get the $2.99 ebook for free for a limited time. (Formats available for Kindle, Nook, iBooks, Sony reader, pdf, html and more.) The ebook is also available now at the Amazon Kindle store (full price) and through other online retailers soon.

If you'd rather get a print version, go to Making Lemonade at CreateSpace and get the book for 20% off the regular price of $9.99. Discount code -- 8FHJYB6E. The book should be on Amazon within a few more days and other distributors in the weeks to come.

Either way, may I ask a favor in return? Please spread the word. And consider posting a review on Amazon and/or Smashwords. Just let others know what you thought about the book and if you found it helpful or not. The more reviews, the higher it appears in search engines and the more likely families searching for books on this topic will find it.

Why did I write this book? Well, as many of you know, my fourteen-year-old daughter has Cornelia de Lange syndrome and it has been an emotional parenting rollercoaster. What you might not know is that my seven-year-old son has allergy-induced asthma requiring medicine to visit Grandma's house. When he was diagnosed, I discovered the surprising truth that my emotional journey as the parent of a child with asthma was strikingly similar to that as the parent of a child with CdLS. I interviewed seven other families facing a wide variety of issues including autism, mosaic Down syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, and cancer. The common threads of our experiences were woven into the pages of this book.

What about you? What's been keeping you busy so far this summer? (Formatting, editing, and self-publishing have been on my list!)

Vacations - Mountains

2011-06-13T05:00:00.054-06:00

This week we're continuing our summer of virtual vacations by heading for the hills. I live close to the Rocky Mountains, so it's not hard to imagine driving up winding canyon roads hemmed in by steep rock faces.

As we gain altitude, we are surrounded by hillsides of evergreen trees sprinkled with the lighter green of aspen leaves. The pine-scented air may be light on oxygen, but it's noticably missing the smog of city life. Jagged rocks contrast with delicate wildflowers. Melting snow feeds ice cold streams while hidden canyons beg to be explored on foot.

And all around are massive and majestic peaks. Mountains that are so much bigger than my circumstances. Mountains that remind me of words the Psalmist wrote so long ago. "I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-2)

By looking up from my current situation and fixing my eyes on mountains bigger than myself, I am reminded that God is bigger still. After all, He formed the heavens and the earth ... and these few rocky peaks ... and can certainly handle my personal mountains.

I head for the mountains and find my perspective is changed.

What about you? Do you live near any mountains? Do you have any mountain-sized circumstances?

Peace, Be Still

2011-06-10T05:00:00.054-06:00

I've got a very large stack (well, stacks) of to-be-read books and my seven-year-old son picked out the next book for me to read. This week's fiction focus is Peace, Be Still by Terry Fowler (Heartsong Presents, 2011).

Katy Sinclair faces serious storms in life. Her little girl was kidnapped and she suspected her estranged husband was behind it -- until he turned up dead. Following the inner compulsion to do her own investigating, she heads to a beach house on the Atlantic coast and into the path of a hurricane. In the aftermath of destruction, she meets her husband's half brother, Richie, and together they must unravel the clues to find the child.

At one point, Katy commented on how she thought the beach would be a peaceful place and that she wanted her life to be the same. In reply, Richie pointed out that life is exactly like the waves -- sometimes calm and sometimes stormy.

I sense an unexpected theme this week. The beaches on Monday. Suffering and overcoming on Wednesday. And a character facing down the storms of life ... on a beach.

What about you? Have you found life to be more calm or more stormy? Sometimes even a hurricane? How is life like the waves upon the sand?

Overcoming

2011-06-08T05:00:00.044-06:00

"All the world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming." ~Helen Keller

As a child, I remember reading a book about Helen Keller. If anyone knew first hand about overcoming, she was certainly one of them! Left deaf and blind after illness at age 19 months, it was years before Helen discovered the power of sign language and communication through her teacher, Anne Sullivan. She went on to college and in 1904, was the first deaf blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Radcliffe. Helen was a speaker, author of twelve published books, political activist, and world traveler.

A life full of suffering. A life full of overcoming. And she couldn't have done the latter without experiencing the former. After all, in order to conquer or prevail, there must be opposition standing in the way. And a world full of suffering is also full of opportunities to be victorious in the face of trouble.

What about you? Have you experienced more suffering or more overcoming in life? Are the two connected?

Vacations - Beaches

2011-06-06T05:00:00.077-06:00

Summer is the perfect time to get away from home and take a vacation. Especially if you have kids out of school and running around the house. On Mondays for the next couple of months, I'm going to take you on a virtual vacation to the kinds of locations on my dream list of getaways.

Pack your bathing suit and sun hat, because the first stop is the beach.

My dad was raised in southern California and I remember trips to visit my grandparents in Long Beach. Of course, a trip to Disneyland was usually on the agenda. But I always remember going out on the ocean in Grandpa's boat. And going to the beach.

Slogging through deep, hot sand until we reached the packed, cool sand at the shoreline. Foamy waves washing in to tickle bare toes and suck the sand out from under your feet as they receded back where they came from. The salty spray on my face. The screech of seagulls carried on the breeze. Exploring the tide pools to find colorful sea urchins, sea slugs, starfish, and other creatures seen only at the aquarium. Collecting shells and hunting sand crabs. On rare occasions, watching territorial seals barking at each other on the rocks. Splashing in the cool water and then retreating back to sit on a towel and soak up the warm sun.

Years later, my grandparents moved and I recall driving along the coastal highway in northern California and Oregon. Those beaches were less populated, the water colder, and the terrain more rugged. Yet the same ocean waves are pulled by the cyclical tides to crash upon the shores.

For me, there's something soothing and relaxing about the beach. Watching the surf roll in and out, washing away the footprints in the sand and leaving a clean canvas. Staring out to where the sky meets water and wondering about how big God is to have created this vast expanse.

What about you? Do you have memories of the beach? Would the beach be your top choice in vacation spots? Why?

The Pastor's Wife

2011-06-03T05:00:00.046-06:00

I'm a PK (pastor's kid), so when a writing friend passed along a book she thought I'd like ... and the book turned out to be The Pastor's Wife by Jennifer AlLee (Abingdon, 2010) ... I assumed I knew what I'd find inside the covers.

Yes, there were church council meetings with a few stern and judgmental types seated around the table. Not to mention references to a parade of casseroles and a parsonage furnished with hand-me-downs.

I also found an engaging character in Maura Sullivan. She thought she knew what she was getting into when she married a soon-to-be pastor. But when his devotion to the congregation left her out in the cold, she ran. Now, six years later, the provisions of a will bring her back to the small town ... and husband she'd left behind.

In the past, she had tried unsuccessfully to fit into the mold of expectations for the role of pastor's wife. This time around, she's learning how to forgive, to stand up for herself, and to find the unique niche God created her for.

And all because of the crazy provisions in Miss Hattie's will.

What about you? Have you ever tried to live up to the expectations of others only to find your personality squashed?

The Applause of One

2011-06-01T05:00:00.052-06:00

"The person who seeks all their applause from outside has their happiness in another's keeping." ~Dale Carnegie

Last week was the end of the school year, complete with elementary awards assemblies and field day. A time to honor those who have achieved great things and celebrate their accomplishments.

But not everyone got a certificate. Not everyone is gifted with artistic or athletic abilities. What about those who went home empty handed?

What about me? I'll be the first in line to admit that I like being recognized for a job well done. I'll also admit that I've (sometimes) gone out of my way and turned myself inside out striving to gain that moment of fame ... only to hide my tears when another's name was called and slink home in misery. Ouch. The truth hurts.

However, like today's quote points out, there is a danger in pinning my hopes for happiness on things I cannot control -- like the opinions of others.

What if, instead, I simply did my best with the gifts I've been given? What if the applause I sought after was to look at myself in the mirror at the end of the day and know I gave it 100%? What if I lived to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant?"

If I never heard the accolades of others, would the applause of One be enough?

What about you? What applause have you received? Have you pursued the applause from outside more than the applause of One?

Happy Memorial Day

2011-05-30T05:00:00.023-06:00

In honor of this day to honor those fallen in service to their country, I'm taking a break from work ... and blogging ... and writing. Just for today.

Instead, I'm spending time with family and remembering those whose sacrifice allowed the freedom for me to worship God and pursue my dreams.

Happy Memorial Day!

Dear Enemy

2011-05-27T05:00:00.084-06:00

Have you ever had an enemy? Maybe not even someone out to get you personally, just someone on the other side of a conflict or situation. Someone you have learned to hate or at least dislike. When their behaviors line up with your expectations, well, at least some things in life make sense. It's the good guys against the bad guys.

Not that we like to admit it, enemies seem to be a part of life. But Jesus taught that we should love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us for His name's sake. How on earth are we supposed to love people like that?

For Annie Rawlings, the main character in Jack Cavanaugh's novel Dear Enemy (Bethany House, 2005 and Oak Tara, 2009), she has every reason to hate the Germans. An army nurse during World War II, she's experienced the horrors of war and heard about the atrocities of Nazis shooting the American wounded. The conflict gets even closer during the Battle of the Bulge as she watches her best friend die ... then her husband ... and she is captured by the German soldier who killed him.

Hatred simmers to a boiling point. However, over the next few days stumbling through the forest, Annie discovers that life isn't so black and white. Some of the "good guys" do bad things and some of the "bad guys" show compassion. And beneath the skin of an enemy, there may lurk a friend ... or more. (But will her friends and countrymen ever understand if she has a change of heart?)

What about you? Have you ever discovered common ground with an enemy? Did that change your relationship? How?

Making Friends

2011-05-25T05:00:00.073-06:00

"A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." ~Proverbs 18:24 (NKJV)

Growing up and through high school, I was very shy and insecure. Somehow, I'd gotten the impression that others would reject me if they really knew me. That it was better to stay quiet and out of sight on the perimeter of the crowd than to be singled out for attention.

I remember my mother quoting the first half of the above verse many times. My heart longed to have friends, but fear held me back. Instead of being friendly and reaching out to people who probably felt the same fears I did, I withdrew into myself, filled my journal with angst and bad poetry, and tried to be content knowing I had one Friend in Jesus who stuck much closer than my often bratty, younger brothers.

Until I packed to go away to college. Something clicked in my head and heart. If I was ever going to change the perceptions of others, it was the perfect opportunity to start fresh. If I was ever going to show on the outside the person I'd become on the inside, it was time to take the risk and be friendly.

Be friendly. Two extremely hard words for an introvert. But I tried. I made eye contact. I asked about the people I met. I made a point to remember their names. And in the chaos of moving into dorms, lots of other people were doing the same thing. Before I knew it, I had a host of friends. And (shocker!), they actually liked me and my sometimes-quirky sense of humor. I gained confidence through those friendships and returned home from college a changed person.

It's a life lesson that has stuck with me ever since. If I want to have friends, I must be a friend. Take the initiative and reach out. Because, very likely, the person I approach might just be too shy to make the first move.

What about you? Do you find it easy to make friends? Or are you the shy-type who struggles in a crowd? What does "be friendly" look like to you?

It's Time For a Vacation

2011-05-23T05:00:00.043-06:00

At 11:00 last Friday morning, my 14-year-old stepped off the school bus in front of our house. Her summer vacation is officially underway.

(The boys and my teacher-husband aren't free until the end of this week.)

With over two months of freedom hanging tantilizingly before us, what are we going to do this summer?

Rising to the top of our family's list are athletic events. A basketball skills camp. Special Olympics state track meet. A church sports camp. Another month of baseball games and the league tournament. Football weightlifting sessions. Swimming lessons. Not to mention a family pass to the city recreation center and frequent trips to the pool.

Beyond the sports, I see time outside enjoying the warm weather ... from under a shady tree or rocking in a chair on my front porch. A good book, colorful flowers, the smell of freshly mown grass, and a glass of cold lemonade. A planned trip to Branson, Missouri with a swing through Tulsa, Oklahoma on the way back to visit friends who recently moved. Fireworks displays and grilling hamburgers.

Why do we take vacations? To rest. To change the scenery. To reconnect with friends and family. To create new memories. To experience new places. To recharge our emotional reserves and return ready to tackle the next project.

What about you? If you were to plan a vacation, where would you most want to go? Why?

One Step Closer

2011-05-20T05:00:00.118-06:00

What have I been reading this past week? My latest manuscript.

Why? Because I'm one step closer to reaching my dream of being published in fiction.

For those following my blog who aren't writers, here's my abbreviated version of the Path to Publication:

Get an idea. Brainstorm, research, outline, and put 80,000 words on paper. (Check)
Revise and send out chapters to critique partners. (Check)
Revise again, incorporating the feedback received with an empasis on theme or symbolism. (Check)
Read out loud. Polish. Check for any misplaced commas, etc. (Check)
Develop the sales tools needed to get the attention of an editor or agent -- synopsis, pitch, one-sheet, and proposal. (Check)
Since the bigger publishing houses only accept proposals submitted through agents or after meeting authors in person at writing conferences ... research potential agents and their submission guidelines. (Check)
Send queries to several agents. Wait to see if they are interested and want to see more of the manuscript. (Check)
Register for a writers conference. Request appointments with particular editors. Prepare verbal pitches. Hope and pray they request a proposal and/or three chapters after you meet them. (Check)
Get an agent to agree to represent your work.
The agent shops the manuscript to specific, targeted publishing houses to attract the interest of an acquisitions editor.
The acquisitions editor - whether he/she learned of the manuscript from the author or an agent - presents the project (and others) to the publication board. Marketing and sales input is gathered, and they decide whether to offer a contract and set the terms.
The contract is negotiated and signed.
The editing process begins. The publishing house sends a letter full of content and plot changes. The author makes the changes and sends the new manuscript back. Copy-editing is done and changes approved. Final galley proofs are sent and signed off.
Meanwhile, the marketing department develops the back-cover blurb. The cover is designed and approved. The sales team gets the season catalog and makes the rounds to get bookstores to place their orders for books. The author works with the marketing department to get advanced copies out to book reviewers, schedules blog tours, and send out press releases.
The book is sent to the printer, pre-orders are filled, and the author plans a launch party.
Marketing continues. Hopefully, lots of people buy the book and tell their friends.
Repeat. (Except, if you have an agent, skip steps 6 through 9. If you have a multiple-book contract, also skip steps 10 through 12.)

In the last three weeks, I've checked off steps seven and eight! One book editor wants to see the first three chapters. One agent wants to see the full manuscript.

Does that mean I have an agent? Not yet. Does that mean this editor will fall in love with my book and be able to convince the publishing board at her company to offer a contract? I hope so, but no guarantees. And I'm still a long way from step 15. However, I am one step closer ... and that is worth a celebration.

What about you? If you are a writer, where are you on this path? If not, what path are you on and how do you measure progress toward the goal?

Hard Work

2011-05-18T05:00:00.065-06:00

Dreams are nice, but as Thomas Edison said, "There is no substitute for hard work."

Work is physical or mental activity done in order to achieve a purpose. A sustained effort to overcome obstacles in order to produce or accomplish something. And hard work would be ... um, extra work in order to reach the goal.

Last week I went to the Colorado Christian Writers Conference. In many ways, attending a conference qualifies as work, especially for an introvert with chronic fatigue syndrome. Being around people all the time drains energy that isn't easily replenished while sleeping in a different bed. Actively networking and meeting people. Attending classes and workshops from breakfast to bedtime. Skyrocketing hopes and nerves before meeting with agents and editors. Recovering quickly when appointments didn't go quite as planned.

I'm back home, but the work didn't stop when the conference ended. Now it's time to apply what I learned in all those workshops, followup on the contacts I made, and submit the requested materials. Not to mention redesigning my website, revising another manuscript, writing a few articles, and brainstorming my next project.

There is no substitute for hard work when it comes to getting dreams off the ground. Thomas Edison should know. He experimented with thousands of different filaments before finding the right combination to produce a long lasting glow in a light bulb.

What about you? What work does your dream require? Have you ever tried to get by with less? How did that turn out?

Navigating: Where's North?

2011-05-16T05:00:00.034-06:00

I remember when my younger brothers were in Boy Scouts and learning about backpacking and camping. One important skill they needed to master was the use of a compass.

A compass is a device used to determine geographic direction. It usually consists of a freely rotating magnetic needle that points to the earth's magnetic north pole. By turning the compass case, I line up the "N" for north under that needle and then find the direction I want to go.

Let’s say you needed to go east (and didn’t have the handy Rocky Mountains outlined against the western sky). What would you do first? Find which way was north using the compass and face that direction. The rest of the directions -- west, south, and east -- are relative to north. So, in order to head east, you would turn 90 degrees clockwise or to your right.

The same can be said of navigating through life. Orient myself to the truth, and the rest is relative to that unmovable reference point. And if I ever get lost or confused, I can always compare my current direction to the truth and see if I've veered from the correct path.

What about you? What do use as a reference point in life? Do you look there first when changing your direction?

Patchwork Dreams

2011-05-13T05:00:00.065-06:00

Imagine being an unwed mother in an Amish community in Missouri. Even though you confessed your sins and were forgiven, the rumors and lies have ruined your reputation along with any chances at close friendships and finding a good man to marry.

Such is the situation of Becky Troyer, in Patchwork Dreams by Laura V. Hilton (Whitaker House, 2011). Her heart longs to be loved, but she is afraid to step out of the shadows. What if she got burned again? Will she ever be able to piece together the scattered pieces of her former dreams?

Then a distant cousin of her father's arrives from Pennsylvania. Jacob Miller has a girl back home, but after one look at Becky, he decides to do everything he can to bring a smile to her face again. Even if it means falling in love and risking his heart.

While the characters in this book are fictional, they wrestle with the same emotions we all do. Yet, like in all good fiction, they reach a happily-ever-after victory. And maybe show us a way out of our own problems.

(By the way, this author is one of my critique partners. I had the privilege of reading the first draft and then bought a copy when the book was released last month so I could see the end result after the revisions and editing. Great job, Laura!)

What about you? Have mistakes from your past held you captive? Have you been unhappy with your situation but still afraid to take a risk? Has there been someone in your life to help pull you forward into freedom?

Your Dream Is Possible

2011-05-11T05:00:00.046-06:00

"I advise you to say your dream is possible and then overcome all inconveniences."

~Les Brown

When I think about the word "dream," I used to imagine grandiose, pie-in-the-sky, seeming impossibilities. Those kind of images usually haunt my sleep when I'm on cold medicine -- like riding a purple-spotted hippopotamus down the middle of Main Street after winning the World Series. Never. Going. To. Happen.

But the word dream can also mean a hope. Or a condition or aspiration I long to achieve.

These kinds of dreams include things like family harmony, health, financial stability ... and publication. If I think they are impossible, I'll only sit around wishing and hoping, but never achieving. In order to make these dreams a reality, I need to take the advice offered by Les Brown at the beginning of this post.

I believe my dream of publication is possible. So I'm at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference this week and weekend. The inconveniences to overcome? Three kids at home, lunches to be packed, carpools, school activities, a Special Olympics track meet, not-so-restful-sleep away from home, my introverted comfort zone, and the fear of rejection by editors and agents. Yet, I am determined to overcome them in order to reach my goal (and am extremely grateful for the help of my mom and husband to cover things on the home front).

What about you? What is your dream? What inconveniences will you need to overcome in order to achieve your dream?

Navigating: Maps and Travel Guides

2011-05-09T05:00:00.026-06:00

If you want to visit a town in another state or take a hike in a National Forest, one of the first things you do is check a map, right?

Why? To see how far away the destination is and long the trip will last. What road will get you there and what turns to take. What kind of terrain to expect and if there are spots to stop along the way. All of this is vital information you need to prepare for the journey.

Another resource is the travel guide, a book that focuses on a particular area. It often includes a little history lesson, a description of must-see places to visit, a list of recommended restaurants, and maybe even a few places to avoid.

What do maps and travel guides have in common? They are both prepared by those who have been there in order to help those who come later. (Just be sure to find one that’s up to date. Our cover-less road atlas has coupons in the back that expired in the 1980s!)

We can benefit from this navigation example beyond our physical journeys. Say you get a discouraging health diagnosis. Or learn your child has special needs. Or want to get out of debt. Or want to pursue the dream of someday being published.

Where do you go for information and advice? To those who have been there. Whether it's a book, a website, a support group, or a friend, we go to the source for the details that will aid our own journeys. How long will this take? What can I expect along the way? What unexpected solutions did they discover? What mistakes can I avoid making? What did they learn as a result?

And, someday in the future, I may be able to pass along what I've learned about this life's journey.

What about you? Do you follow the advice of others or try to forge your own path? What maps and travel guides are you making for others to follow?

Stuck In The Middle

2011-05-06T05:00:00.085-06:00

I'm addicted to books. There are piles three wide on the floor beside my bed. My iTouch e-reader apps are loaded with a virtual library. Should I mention that my library card also sees frequent use? I've been known to satisfy my addiction while waiting in the carpool line and while cooking supper. I've even stayed up much too late at night with the desire to read just one more chapter.

Is it any wonder that I became a writer?

With all of these characters -- both mine and in the books I read -- romping through my mind, I'm reminded that every story is about a journey. So, on Fridays, I'm going to share some of the lives of the characters I'm reading about with you.

Stuck in the Middle, by Virginia Smith, tells the story of Joan Sanderson. Like the title implies, Joan is stuck in the middle. She's the quiet dark-haired sister between two vivacious blondes with happy lives. In a boring job a furniture store, she still lives at home with her mother and aging grandmother. Abandoned by her father and an old boyfriend, she's left with insecurities and a superficial faith.

Until a handsome doctor with a strong faith moves in next door.

The rest of the book is a fun romantic read with lively sibling banter and humor throughout as Joan is pulled out of her rut into the kind of life she's always hoped for.

What about you? Have you ever felt you were lacking in comparison to others? Have you ever felt trapped in a life that didn't turn out like you had imagined? What did it take to pull you out of your rut?

In God We Trust

2011-05-04T05:00:00.018-06:00

On my way to the gym, I drove past a church marquee board with the following saying: In God We Trust ... It's right on the money.

Since I'm a writer, I appreciated the play on words.

And then the message hit home. This simple, yet profound, statement of faith is perfectly true in each and every situation. In the face of a medical diagnosis. In a heartbreaking or rocky relationship. In disappointing news. In turbulent economic times.

In God We Trust.

And, in case we forget it, we can read the truth for ourselves every day ... right on the money we use.

Navigating: You Are Here

2011-05-02T05:00:00.011-06:00

With a son playing competitive baseball, we get to travel to different towns for games. In order to find the various fields, I’ve become reacquainted with searching for directions online.

Type in the address and get a detailed map of the area including satellite photographs and even the locations of nearby restaurants or gas stations.

But to get directions from here to there? I have to type in my starting location. It reminds me of those maps in the mall that show where every different store is located … with a star or arrow labeling “You Are Here.”

I may know exactly where I want to end up, but navigating the journey ahead begins with an honest evaluation of where I am.

How can I determine my starting location? Sometimes it’s easy to see my faults and weaknesses. Other times I need the objective opinion of a trusted friend. My job does annual performance reviews where I get feedback on areas to improve. In writing, critique groups, contests, agents, and editors show me where I stack up against other authors and stories.

It’s tempting to justify, argue with, or dismiss these evaluations, especially if they hit on a sensitive area. But, I want to grow. And in order to measure that growth, I need a starting point.

What about you? How do you evaluate your strengths and weaknesses? Who would ask to give input?

I Live To Serve

2011-04-25T05:00:00.018-06:00

… because I live to love.

I woke up one morning last week to a fresh mountain of wet bedding and a litany of demands from my 14-year-old special needs daughter.

As I stripped the sheets, I couldn’t help but think a few woeful thoughts. “Happy Birthday to me. Is this what the next year has in store? Do I live to serve?”

The answer slipped into my heart. Yes.

After all, Jesus narrowed over 600 laws and commandments down to two. Love God. Love people.

Then He showed what that love looked like by putting off glory and taking on human skin. By living among and healing the afflicted. By washing the feet of his friends. By teaching by example that those who want to be great should be the servants of all. By hanging on the cross to take the punishment earned by selfish mankind. By conquering death to give us life.

With these thoughts flooding my heart, I stuffed the bedding into the washing machine. My complaint had become my mission statement.

I live to serve … because I live to love.

What about you? Who do you serve? Why?

The Wall

2011-04-18T05:00:00.124-06:00

Years ago, way back in high school, I used to be a long distance runner. Most races ranged from a mile to three miles, but my sophomore year, I entered a half-marathon. That's over 13 miles of putting one foot in front of the other.

I can still remember parts of that race. The starting line was miles up a canyon in Utah. Soon after the gun fired, the pack of runners spread out along the winding, scenic road to the valley below. The twists and turns masked the length of the journey and sporadic tables with paper cups of water helped break up the monotony.

Until about mile marker nine when I hit The Wall. That place in long races where every muscle cries out in pain for you to give up and quit. That reaching the finish line isn't worth this level of physical torture. Where you're wishing for an injury just to be able to bow out with grace instead of humiliation. Where every step forward is a supreme act of the will. As if you've run into a brick wall blocking your forward progress.

I'd like to say I've only encountered The Wall when running, but we can all reach that place in the long journeys of life. Marriage. Parenting. Work situations. Health issues.

Solution? Keep putting one foot in front of the other. For just a few more steps and then a few more. Maybe slow the pace down and walk a bit, but always keep moving at all costs. And when you push through The Wall, something amazing happens. The pain fades away and you get a second wind to carry you forward to the cheering crowds at the finish line.

I'd hit the wall with editing my latest manuscript. All of my critique partners' comments were marked on the paper copy and sticky-notes flagged pages where I needed to add different plot threads. The revisions were done in my head, just not in the computer file. I was full of excuses about being swamped at work and having a hormonal teenager in the house, but the real problem was procrastination.

Then I got a much needed kick in the pants from a quote I heard on the radio. "Procrastination is the grave where opportunity is buried." Ouch. Oppotunities to seek agent representation and pitch this book to editors at a writers conference I'm attending in May would never amount to anything unless I had a finished product to send them.

I shifted my schedule around and blocked out two days for writing in hopes to get momentum building again. I started that weekend with 13 of 30 chapters in pretty good condition and the knowledge that I needed to add another whole chapter. Friday morning, I plodded my way through another chapter's worth of revisions.

Not bad. I started in on chapter 15 and then the phone rang. It was the call notifying me that this very manuscript had advanced to the semi-finals in the ACFW Genesis contest. Talk about a jolt of new energy and motivation to pursue this opportunity!! By the end of the weekend, I had written a completely new chapter and had 19 of 31 chapters ready. Over halfway done and motivated to push forward, I found my second wind.

Last week, even on nights when I was extremely tired from work and baseball games, I found the time to get a couple more chapters done. Then, Friday night, I went on a pre-birthday dinner date and saw the musical that plays a significant role in this book. Flooded with fresh ideas, I spent much of Saturday pounding away at the keyboard, adding new threads and pieces of dialogue to the already-revised chapters as well as pushing ahead on other needed changes. With only five chapters left to revise, the end of this stage of the race is in sight.

I've left The Wall far behind.

What about you? What long journey are you on? Have you ever hit "the wall?" Did you quit or push through? Did you gain a second wind of energy to carry you forward?

Tunnels

2011-04-11T05:00:00.014-06:00

Two weeks ago, my family headed into the Rocky Mountains for a Spring Break trip in Breckenridge, Colorado. With sledding and hot-tubbing on the agenda, the kids were more than excited.

The two-hour drive took us up winding canyons, beside rippling creeks, and through seven tunnels. (The whole car counted them thanks to my daughter’s autistic characteristics.)

Some tunnels were quite short. One stretched for over a mile and a half and crossed the Continental Divide at over 11,000 feet elevation. All were hewn from solid rock through the sacrifice of countless hours of work, blood, sweat, and tears.

Why? To make the journey easier for those who came behind.

Before the tunnels, travelers faced narrow paths perched on the sides of steep mountain slopes. The long scenic route isn’t relaxing when one faces sheer drop-offs along the way. Factor in the extra time and energy invested to make it over or around the mountain standing in the way. Not to mention thunderstorms and blizzards eroding the path or blowing you off course.

Why go over or around the mountain, when a way is made to go through? Yet, how many times in life do I try to do it my way and ignore the difficult lessons learned by those who have gone before?

Going through a tunnel isn’t cheating. It’s wisdom.

What about you? What tunnels have you found in your journey? Have you carved any for those who come behind?

Scaling Mountains

2011-04-04T05:00:00.003-06:00

Many years ago, I climbed two different 14,000 foot-high peaks with my family. My dad had started a quest to scale all of the 14-ers in Colorado (long since accomplished) and wanted to share the experience with the rest of us.

So, we loaded up the car, drove a few hours, and set up camp complete with tents and sleeping bags. After all, in order to climb a tall mountain, one needs to start extra early in the morning so you can be done before any afternoon thunderstorms decide to develop. After a not-so-restful night’s sleep on the ground, we filled our water bottles, laced up our hiking boots, and hoisted day packs onto our shoulders.

At first the trail was easy. Well-groomed, wide, mostly level, and meandering through meadows of wildflowers.

Then we began to climb. Still beautiful scenery but a steeper slope. A few switchbacks to make it easier to gain the vertical distance. A few more rocks in the path and the first of many water breaks.

Before long, we were huffing and puffing behind Dad with gazes fixed on the path before our feet. One wrong step and we’d twist an ankle for sure. The scenery changed, too, as we finally reached timberline. Tall trees were replaced by stubby, twisted bushes that faded into memory behind us.

Without the trees, I felt the wind more. I also noticed the huge boulders littering the mountainside. And looking further up the path, I saw it. The summit. Standing clear against the blue sky.

With the end in sight, I found my second wind and pushed onward and upward to reach the goal. Only to find it was the first of several false summits as the narrow trail wound further up the mountain.

Oxygen grew scarce. My lungs burned. My muscles quivered. One foot in front of the other, I stumbled forward. Why was I climbing this stupid mountain anyway? I could have been relaxing back at camp reading a novel.

And then a voice called from above. My dad’s voice. “You’re almost there. You can do it.”

I staggered forward over the last bit of the trail and collapsed onto a rock at the top of the world. After catching my breath, I gazed in awe at the panorama before me. Peak after majestic peak for as far as I could see in all directions. Tiny colored dots moved along the trail below. A vast expanse of sky above. And the exhilaration of doing something few would ever do.

What did we do then? Said a prayer. Took a few pictures. Drank some water. And started the long and winding journey down to valley below. All the while wondering when and if we’d scale another peak.

Life is full of mountains to climb and the journey to the top isn’t as easy as we’d like it to be. Yet, when we’ve reached the end of our own strength, there is One who calls from above. “You’re almost there. You can do it.” And after we've conquered the first, we see a whole world of possibilities spread out before us.

What about you? What mountains are you climbing? Are you on the easy trail or the rocky slopes? Are you discouraged by a false summit or have you reached the top, only to find there are more mountains waiting to be conquered?

Bite By Bite

2011-03-28T05:00:00.003-06:00

How does one eat an elephant? Bite by bite. How does one climb a mountain? Step by step.

Not that I’m hungry for an exotic (and probably illegal) form of meat or planning to scale Everest in the future. These are just simple ways to remind myself to keep putting one foot in front of the other. It’s how I’m facing life right about now.

One day at a time. Step by step. Bite by bite.

When tackling any enormous task, like, say, parenting teenagers or writing a book, I’m learning not to look too long at the big picture. Otherwise I find myself discouraged and tempted to give up before I’ve hardly started.

Instead, I’m trying to do at least one small thing toward the goal every day. Point out something my son did well. Edit one scene. Turn over a bit of responsibility. Write a blog. Pray for wisdom and patience with my daughter. Brainstorm an article.

It may not seem like much, but every bit adds up. The pace may be slow, but at least I’m moving in the right direction instead of standing still, staring at the task with debilitating fear.

And before you know it, I’ll be further along the path than I’d have ever imagined possible.

What about you? What elephants or mountains are you facing? What bites or steps are you taking?

Spring Is On The Way

2011-03-21T05:00:00.004-06:00

It has been a long, dark, cold winter, but there are signs that spring in on the way. It's more than a date on a calendar. It's not just the slightly warmer temperatures, baseball practices, tiny buds and peeking daffodil stems. I'm talking about spring inside.

Since the first of the year, I've been swamped and exhausted. As a mother adjusting to a special needs child with hormones plus all the activities and sports of three kids plus lingering sickness plus an almost full-time job plus wanting to edit a book and send out agent queries but not having the time or creative energy to make any significant progress resulting in a load of guilt to go with my crazy schedule.

You get the idea. It felt like I'd never get a breather. A long, dark, cold winter of the soul.

Until out of the blue, I got a glimpse of spring. Half a day to edit a chapter and then read for fun. Time to work on a puzzle. Some activities ending and the after-school schedule easing up. A return of physical energy after being sick.

Spring is on the way.

I may still have looming work deadlines and issues with the girl ... but the fact I had both inspiration and time to blog in almost two months?

Well, I take that as a good sign.

What about you? Have you felt the drain of winter? What is your favorite thing about spring?

Don't Blink ...

2011-01-31T05:00:00.004-07:00

... or time will pass you by.

Last week, I had one of those moments when reality hit me right between the eyes. While Anna's been talking for over a year about going to high school, nothing makes it all sink in like setting foot inside the doors of the building to register for classes.

My little girl is growing up. I've known it all along. After all, that's why we've invested years in early intervention, speech therapy, and intensive treatment programs. All to help her develop to her full potential and live a quality life as an adult. In that far-off place called the future.

Now, at age fourteen and with the hormones to prove it, she's about to launch the last stage of her educational journey.

Four more years of school.

Four more years of support.

Four more years within the safe routine.

Just four years left until she graduates.

Graduates. Can I help it if I still picture her like this?

I must have blinked. Because somehow we're further along this journey than I had ever imagined possible.

And the future looks a bit scarier the closer it gets.

What about you? Have you ever blinked and found time had passed by? Have you found the future closer than you were comfortable with? How did you handle it?

I Got New Shoes

2011-01-24T05:00:00.004-07:00

Now, before you think I'm a stereotypical female with an addiction to footwear, let me be the first to burst your bubble. My shoe collection consists of the barest of necessities purchased from such establishments as Wal-Mart, Payless, and thrift stores. (As in "I'd like the cheapest pair of black size nines you've got.")

Until Saturday.

My daughter won a free pair of shoes from a store specializing in running shoes. A store that doesn't carry anything even close to small enough to fit her feet. So, they let me use the gift certificate instead. After all, now that I'm exercising more consistently and even starting to (gasp) run again, I needed a good pair of shoes.

Enter a very thorough shopping experience. Starting with analyzing my stride and measuring my arches. The salesman then recommended shoes designed for stability and brought out a pair for me to try. Lace them up, walk around the store, even head outside to try them on the sidewalk. Back for another pair. Compare the differences. Test pairs three and four. By then, I was very aware of the nuances of my feet and what felt like a perfect fit. Not too tight. Not too stiff. Not too high of an arch support.

All of this to find the right pair of shoes to support my weaknesses and give freedom to my pursuit of health and exercise.

The whole experience made me think. Why don't I give the same care to selecting the tools to pursue my dreams, including my dream of writing for publication?

What if I started off by analyzing what I needed? My strengths and my weaknesses and where I wanted to go? What if I explored the possibilities and tried a few routines or methods on for size? What if I even took them for a test-drive? What if I was willing to try another plan ... and another until I found the right one for me? All this to say, I don't have to do things the way everybody else does. I can take the time to find what works best for me in my current situation.

For example, do I need input on plot and/or character development? I can try a critique group, contests, workshops, a new book on the craft of writing, or find a mentor?

Do I need a consistent writing time to fit around my kids and day job? Try getting up early or staying up late, or getting an Alphasmart to maximize time spent at kids' activities.

Do I need fresh ideas or inspiration when I'm blocked or dry? Try praying, reading something different, watching a movie, taking a walk, or doing something else like a puzzle.

There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Just like my new shoes.

What about you? Are you pursuing a dream? What do you need? Do you have extra support for those areas of weakness? Is your current pursuit working or do you need a new pair of shoes?

Processing Difficult News

2011-01-08T05:00:00.005-07:00

What do you do with news you didn't expect? I've learned it all depends on what kind of news it is. (Since good news is much easier to accept than bad news.) But it's also important to have a strong foundation for life since the stability of family and faith keep the boat from rocking too much.

On Thursday, I had a meeting with my daughter's educational team to discuss her autistic-like behaviors. The onset of puberty and the resulting hormonal roller-coaster have magnified both the ups and the downs. So, after a CdLS research study strongly recommended further evaluations, we asked the school to take a closer look. I hoped to gain a better understanding of how her mind works and discover strategies to help with the issues at home.

Which brought us to Thursday. As I walked into the school to find out what they had to say, I braced myself for the addition of another label. Austism Spectrum Disorder. At least it would open avenues of understanding and move us toward a more peaceful home.

What did I get? Nothing. (At least nothing really helpful in my opinion.) While she certainly has behaviors that mimic those of autism, she is able to turn them "off" and function socially at school. Kids with "real" autism act the same everywhere. The team's conclusion? It must all be part of her CdLS issues and we'll continue her current education plan.

Best of luck at home, Mom.

It'll take time for me to figure out what this means for our family. In the meantime, I'm a little stunned. And praying for wisdom and patience to handle the years ahead.

What about you? Have you had to process any difficult news lately? How long did it take? What helped the most?

Ending Well and Starting Fresh

2010-12-31T05:00:00.005-07:00

As if you didn't already know, today is the last day of 2010. As I've been doing for many of my almost 40 (gasp) years, it's the perfect time to do an inventory of the past year.

And dream for the future.

What did I want to accomplish in 2010? And how did I do? Hmm.

Pay off a small loan. Checked off the list in August.

Get caught up on the family scrapbooks (starting two years behind). Almost there (just one more marathon cropping day should do it and I've got one scheduled next week!)

Excercise consistently and get healthier. Making steady progress. In fact, I might be in better shape when I hit 40 than I was at 30. Check.

Write a new novel. I finished the rough draft the first week of September and after letting it sit for several months, I'm ready to dive into the rewrites. Check.

Get other writing projects into circulation. I did -- and so far all I've heard back are rejections. At least I got them out there. Check.

My other goals for 2010 were harder to measure. Like my relationships with my husband and children. My relationship with my Savior. My craft as a writer. But I think I can honestly see growth in all areas. Whew.

So, what does the future hold, specifically in 2011? Only God knows the answer to that loaded question, but I'd like to focus on these new goals:

Continued growth in faith, relationships, health and fitness, and writing craft.

Better stewardship of my time as I juggle my more-than-part-time day job with Mom duties and writing projects. (That may mean blogging less consistently.)

Wisdom as I manage the family finances.

Revise and polish two novels. Query agents. Tweak my website. Brainstorm and organize future ideas. Start writing a new book.

I think that's enough to keep me busy for the next twelve months.

What about you? Did you accomplish your goals (or at least make progress)? Are you finishing well? What are your dreams for the next year? What are you doing to start fresh?

The Gift of Giving

2010-11-29T05:00:00.004-07:00

I grew up decorating the house for Christmas on the day after Thanksgiving. Once the tree is up, my mind kicks into full holiday gear, especially thinking about all the things I need to do.

Addressing cards. Writing the annual Christmas letter. Baking. Making our traditional salamis and cheese balls. Filling the house with Christmas music. Attending parties. And last but not least, shopping and wrapping gifts for others.

Gifts seem to monopolize the season. And when you consider we are celebrating the greatest gift ever given - God Himself in the form of a baby - it's no wonder!

Still, I'm trying to turn the minds of my children to what they are giving more than what they might receive. We've already given a stack of loaded shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child and plan to Adopt-A-Family through our local church. That's a start.

But the gift of giving goes beyond wrapped packages under a tree.

During the past football season, you could say that I gave my husband the chance to pursue his dream of coaching at the college level - by working extra hours to replace the portion of salary he lost while volunteering his time and keeping the family running while he was on the road with the team.

This Saturday I'm giving another type of gift. This one is the gift of my time to sit at a book-signing table for a writer friend fighting for her life. Sandi Rog was diagnosed with Stage 4 T-cell Lymphoma as her first book, The Master's Wall, released. With the chemo and radiation, she can't be exposed to germs and was going to have to cancel the chance to promote her book. In support of her dream - not to mention the fact her publisher is giving a dollar per book above her royalties to support Sandi's husband and four kids - I'm glad to be able to do something to help sell a few of her books. (If you like inspirational historical fiction, you will love this story set in Ancient Rome. I devoured her book in a matter of days!)

And I'm giving one more gift this December. This gift is for me. Another gift of time. Time to dream my own dreams and to ask God where He wants to take my writing in 2011. Time to recharge my creative batteries and get caught up on a stack of books waiting to be read. Time to spend with family. Time to end the year focused on relationships rather than lists of things to do.

So, unless I'm otherwise inspired, I'll be taking a break from blogging until January.

What about you? What unusual gifts are you giving this year? What gifts have you given yourself?

Football Friday - Time Off to Watch

2010-11-26T05:00:00.001-07:00

Since it's the day after Thanksgiving, my kids and my husband all have the day off from school. And I'm taking the day off too.

A day off for family, food, and football. Football on television and maybe a little more football in the backyard. But mostly time together as a family.

Enjoy your day!

Exhaling Grace

2010-11-24T05:00:00.002-07:00

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV

As I finished reading Breathing Grace by Harry Kraus, I was struck by one of the parallels he drew. We were all taught in school that we breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. But our bodies can't absorb all the oxygen we take in, leaving enough oxygen in our exhaled breath to save another's life. That's why mouth-to-mouth resuscitation works. It might not be as much oxygen as in the air, but it's still a life-saving amount to the one unable to breathe at all.

The same can be said of grace. When we take in God's grace, love, forgiveness, and comfort, the supply is greater than we can absorb in that moment. Leaving grace to pass along to others in need. And when we are saturated by grace, it is impossible not to breathe it out to those around us. It flows out of us as naturally as, well, breathing.

What about you? Are you exhaling grace into the lives of those around you? Why or why not?

Living Thankful

2010-11-22T05:00:00.003-07:00

"If you're worried and you can't sleep, just count your blessings instead of sheep. And you'll go to sleep counting your blessings."

These words, from a song in White Christmas, seem to sum up this week's theme better than I can. With Thanksgiving on the horizon, it's a good reminder to keep our focus on our blessings instead of our troubles. After all, living thankful should be more than a once-a-year attitude of gratitude (even if I seem to need a scheduled holiday to get my act in gear).

So, I'm starting my week off with a list of all that's going well in my life.

Starting at the top with a relationship with the Creator of the Universe who loves me more than I can imagine.
Followed by my 14-plus-year marriage to a man of convictions.
A special-needs daughter who has surpassed her prognosis and actually has friends at school.
A pre-teen son who is healthy and uses his athletic gifts well.
A first-grade son with a tender heart and a snuggly-gene.
A warm house that more than meets our needs.
Two cars that are paid in full.
A steady job working from home for an amazing company and the fact my husband's job (and our health benefits) are protected by tenure.
Speaking of health, that my chronic fatigue is under control and I've been able to exercise regularly for the first time in years.
Family members who live nearby.
Friends of all varieties.
A church that teaches the Word and feeds my Spirit.
The ideas for stories that fill my head and the two books that are almost ready for an agent-search.
The training I've received, my critique partners, and the other writers I've met locally, nationally, and online.
The freedom I have to worship because of the sacrifice of others.

Wow. That felt good. And I know I've only started to scratch the surface.

What about you? How long is your list of blessings?

Football Friday - The Reward

2010-11-19T05:00:00.005-07:00

It's that time of year again. The time when sportscasters debate the intricacies and merits of the various post-season college bowl games and awards. Who is in the running for the Heisman? Who will be playing for the National Championship according to the BCS (Bowl Championship Series) computer and who should be? Who faced the toughest opponents, who won with the greatest point margins, and whose statistics are more impressive?

It's all about comparisons ... and extremely complex mathematical calculations. And those who come out on top get trophies, rings, national attention, and the chance to keep playing into the new year (and at the next level).

But what about those teams or players who end up just a bit further down the list? Are they any less worthy of recognition for their efforts?

When it comes to life, I sometimes feel like I'm being judged by equally complex calculations. How clean is my house? How polite are my kids? How physically fit am I and how out-of-date is my wardrobe? Do I volunteer at my child's school or our church? How many verses can I quote? How have my trials compared with those others have faced? Have I overcome the setbacks as easily as someone else did?

When I take a closer look, I realize I'm the one doing the judging. And I don't even know the true criteria!

Instead, when it comes to post-earthly-life rewards, I can rest in the word of God: "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." (Jeremiah 17:10 NIV)

What about you? Do you struggle with comparisons? Do you find hope knowing that God is the ultimate Judge? What would be the best reward you can dream of?

Spiritual Emphysema

2010-11-17T05:00:00.003-07:00

I stopped at the grocery store on Monday to pick up a couple gallons of milk and a box of laundry detergent. On my very brief trip through the aisles, I had to maneuver -- twice -- around motorized wheelchairs bearing other shoppers with oxygen tanks. Granted, our area is known for a high percentage of retirees, but it seems like I see more and more people having trouble breathing. And it's not just the altitude.

Dr. Harry Kraus, in his book Breathing Grace, describes patients with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or emphysema as those who have a long-standing partial obstruction to the flow of oxygen in and out of the lungs. This results in higher levels of carbon dioxide in the body. Normally when a person has too much CO2 or can't get enough oxygen, the body naturally starts breathing faster to compensate. (CO2 out, O2 in.) But in people with COPD or emphysema, their bodies have become used to the higher levels of CO2 ... and they don't breathe faster. So, they need a higher percentage of oxygen in the air they breathe.

They have lost their sensitivity to the carbon dioxide -- the very substance depriving them of the oxygen their bodies really need to survive.

What about us? We, too, can lose our sensitivity to sin and its consequences. We tolerate higher levels than we should in our lives. In the name of political correctness or tolerance or justification or self-righteous comparisons with others, we don't give up the very behaviors keeping us from boundless supply of grace. We don't see that we keep slipping into sin more and more often.

The solution to spiritual emphysema? Repentance. Turning away from self-serving behaviors. Looking at ourselves before judging our neighbors. But mostly focusing on the One who gives freely to those who ask.

What about you? Have you lost your sensitivity to sin? Why? Has it diminished your perceived need for grace?

The Joy of Research

2010-11-15T13:18:00.003-07:00

As some of you know, I'm in the process of revising my second novel. Since this book is set in a dinner theatre, I wanted to confirm my details and bring the setting to life (not to mention wanting an excuse to indulge in my love of musicals). So, I booked my husband and I to see a show at a nearby dinner theatre.

The bonus? I had a coupon! Buy tickets to the last show in their old location, and get free tickets to see the holiday show in their new theatre. Not only would I get up-front-close-and-personal tidbits for the book, I could see two different locations for the price of one. (And get a second night out on the town.)

It gets even better.

At the end of the story in my fictional setting, the characters in my book are preparing to do White Christmas. Guess what the holiday show is that I get to see free? Yep. White Christmas. How's that for first-hand confirmation that my storyline is working?

Do you want to know something else? (Of course you do. That's why you're still reading.) My novel opens with the characters auditioning for 42nd Street. Drumroll please. This same local theatre is doing 42nd Street in March.

Coincidence? Nah. I'd like to think that God has a hand in even the smallest of details concerning our dreams. My critique partners have already commented on how real the setting feels - based entirely on my memory. Now, with the fresh experiences, I have a feeling the setting will come to life even more, making for better book. (And all the more likely to capture the imagination of an agent or editor.)

So, on Friday night, I'm headed out to do a little more research for my book. And loving every moment of the journey.

What about you? Have you had any "coincidences" in the pursuit of your dreams? What's your favorite musical? (I may need suggestions for a sequel!)

Football Friday - Time Out

2010-11-12T05:00:00.004-07:00

The older I get (and I'm not sharing how old that is), the faster time flies by. I mean, wasn't it only last month that the kids started back to school? And Thanksgiving, two children's birthdays, and Christmas are coming in less than two months.

The game of life is rushing by with very few (if any) breaks in the never-ending list of things I need to get done. For illustration purposes, consider my day yesterday: get the kids up and off to school with lunches and shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, clean the bathrooms, wash a large load of towels, stop to fill the van with gas, work-out at the gym, head home to read over 300 pages of a deposition and put into a narrative format, nibble on a bite of lunch somewhere in there, greet Anna when she got off the bus, drive the after-school carpool, listen to the 1st grader's reading homework, five minutes later load up the van again, swing by a fast-food place for an early dinner, drive to the 12-year-old's away basketball game, cheer, drive to the 6-year-old's swimming lesson, read more depositions for the next case, wrestle the van home because the power steering decided to go out while on the highway, search the Internet for power steering advice, read more depositions, fill out a form for my daughter's teacher, crash into bed.

Whew. Can't I call a time-out? Because I really need a moment to catch my breath, re-orient my priorities, weigh my options, make adjustments to my strategy, and listen to my coach.

Wait. That's what football players do. Several times a game. After all, each team gets six per game, not to mention the breaks between quarters and at half-time. And if those tough guys on the field need a breather, how much more does this tired Mom?

So, when life comes at you fast, remember to call a time-out. Your sanity will thank you.

What about you? When was the last time you needed to call a time-out? How long did it last? Did it help?

C is for Circulation

2010-11-10T05:00:00.002-07:00

Since it's been awhile since I last passed along a bit of Wednesday Wisdom, let's start with a bit of review. Dr. Harry Kraus wrote a book, Breathing Grace, which compares our physical need for oxygen to our spiritual need for God's grace. Like the emergency room A-B-Cs of treatment (Airway, Breathing, Circulation), our spiritual resuscitation also depends on an A-B-C pattern.

A stood for acknowledging our need. Pride and trying to control our own lives blocks the flow of grace, but recognizing that we need help opens up the "graceway" into our inmost being.

B stood for believing the gospel. Being surrounded by grace (or oxygen) isn't enough. We have to get the muscles moving - specifically the diaphragm muscle necessary for breathing. Believing the gospel means putting our faith into action.

Which leads us to today. C - in the emergency room - is for circulation. Oxygen in the lungs isn't enough, unless the heart is strong enough to pump the oxygenated blood throughout the body to reach the cells. With oxygen, cells can create energy. But without a steady supply of oxygen, our cells begin to die. And that's never good.

The same can be said of grace. I need a continuous, moment-by-moment supply to energize my daily walk. It's not enough to acknowledge my need and believe, I need grace to touch every area of my life.

C stands for communion. Time alone in quietness and solitude. Time without distractions. Time spent listening and letting grace wash over me, saturating my soul and healing every hurt. Time to discover that my worth comes from being, not doing. Time set aside daily (because every day I need grace). Time for the truths to sink in and change the way I act.

And once grace fills us to overflowing, every area of our lives is touched by the abundance.

What about you? How do you remain in continuous fellowship with God? Are these A-B-Cs a natural response when you feel grace-deprived? Why or why not?

Speed Bumps

2010-11-08T05:00:00.004-07:00

Imagine you're in your car, intent on reaching your destination, when you spot a wide yellow stripe across the road ahead. And in case you needed confirmation, on the side of the road is a warning sign.

Speed bump ahead.

What do you do? Accelerate? Maintain speed? Slow down? Your decision will affect the shocks and undercarriage of your car and jostle any open beverages. However, once you adjust to the consequences, you are free to continue on your way.

Why this discussion now? I've been facing several speed bumps in my own journey toward my writing goals. I'd originally hoped to revise and polish two completed novels by Christmas. Then, for the past month and a half, my day job piled on a lot of extra work with tight deadlines. So instead of 20-hour weeks, I've been putting in 35 to 40 hours a week on top of Mom duties, leaving very little time, energy, or inspiration for writing. The result? I backed off my goals to simply getting agent queries, proposals and the first three chapters of each ready.

Then, with a little breathing room at work (i.e. a 25- to 30-hour week), I hoped to get caught up with my critique groups. Until we had an internet glitch at home and I couldn't download the chapters I needed to look at.

What did I do? I slowed down, took a mental break, worked on a puzzle, read a couple short stories, and took a nap. Once the computer guy got me back online, I was ready to get back to work, with my sanity intact.

There's much to be said for a steady pace toward the destination. But when life tosses in a speed bump, I found there's nothing wrong with slowing down and getting over it safely. For now, it's time for me to get back to work on my goals.

What about you? When life gives you a speed bump, do you slow down or do you try to continue at your original pace? What have the results been?

Football Friday - Penalties

2010-11-05T05:00:00.003-06:00

I'm finally back to blogging. (Even if it is later than I had hoped. Blame it on working over 40 hours last week during my "break" followed by a disfunctional wireless connection.)

As most of you already know, I'm a busy mom of three children, ages 6 to 13. By default, that also makes me the referee. Somehow, I'm supposed to be aware of where everyone is at all times, what they are doing, and whom they are doing it to. I should be on hand to immediately step in and punish the misbehaving offender with the appropriate (predetermined) consequence without allowing my personal emotions to influence the outcome.

Yeah, right.

Like I have eyes in the back of my head or something. Like I'm never sleep-deprived, hormonal, or simply frustrated with the frequency of the offenses. Like I don't have other things (work, fixing supper or driving the car) or other people (my husband, the person on the phone, another child) to take care of. Like I always have the appropriate consequence ready to hand down.

So, I miss stuff. The guilty go unpunished and the innocent cry "unfair!" I'm sorry. It happens. And I'll try better next time.

The same can be said of the game of football. Twenty-two players on the field. Four referees. You do the math. Somebody is going to miss seeing something sometime. And somebody is going to think they saw something that didn't really happen. At least they've got the advantage of instant replay in certain situations. But don't tell me that a sideline ref never gets ticked at being screamed at and maybe, sorta, throws a flag on that team in retaliation. They're human too (even if the guy behind me at the last game said they needed glasses).

The point? Life isn't fair. Not all the bad guys are caught or punished. And sometimes the innocent get caught in the cross-fire with unintentional consequences.

The real lesson comes in how I respond in the face of a flag (or no flag). Do I acknowledge I made the mistake and accept the consequences? Do I continue my behavior since I didn't get caught last time? Do I complain when someone else gets away with a foul? Or do I rejoice when others get caught? And do I find reassurance in the fact there is an ultimate Judge upstairs watching every player?

What about you? Are you the referee, the penalized, or both? How do you handle it when the bad guys get away with one? How do you respond when your mistake is overlooked?

Fall Break

2010-10-25T07:25:00.003-06:00

I'm sitting at my computer this morning in a quiet house. My 13-year-old is off to school but the boys are still in bed. No, nobody's sick. Their school has a week off for Fall Break.

Why have a Fall Break? Why not? After all, why does Spring get to have a break and deprive Fall of the opportunity? It's about halfway through the semester, the leaves have turned colors, and the air is crisp with the changing weather. And it's a long haul ahead until Christmas vacation.

So, in honor of Fall Break, I'm taking a week off, too. A week off from blogging. I still have a mostly-full-time job workload to finish this week. Not to mention the usual household duties, but I hope to use any free time I glean to build relationships and recharge my batteries.

What about you? If you had a week off for Fall Break, what would you do?

Football Friday - Believing Your Press

2010-10-22T05:00:00.004-06:00

One thing I've noticed, now that my husband is a part of football at the college level, is that there is at least one newspaper article covering some aspect of the team every day. Every day. Not to mention the numerous radio and television reporters and commentators with their pre-game, game, and post-game coverage. Add in the mid-week coach's show and daily sports talk radio.

That's a lot of press. And a lot of chances, as a player, to see or hear your name mentioned.

Leading to today's dilemma. Is everything the press says accurate? No. They've been known to make the occasional mistake or misquote. Is everything they say flattering? Usually not! But suppose for a moment that it was. Would an all-positive press report be truly accurate?

The bottom line is that we all hear good and bad things about ourselves. The tricky part is learning what press to believe. All good and I risk an inflated ego. All bad and I wallow in self-pity.

The real truth lies somewhere in between. I do some stuff well and drop the ball when it comes to other things. Some days I'm a patient mother. And other days? Not so much. By listening to the good and bad -- the praise and the criticism -- I can identify areas for improvement and receive encouragement for the journey ahead. After all, we all need a few tidbits of praise to keep us going on the tough days.

What about you? What has the press been saying lately about you? Which variety do you tend to believe? How much credibility do you give the critics?

B is For Breathing

2010-10-20T05:00:00.003-06:00

Did you know that I briefly considered pursuing a medical profession like nursing? In high school, I had a wide variety of interests ... and ultimately decided to go into Elementary Education because I could teach a bunch of subjects.

But the remnants of curiosity remain. So, when I started reading Breathing Grace, by Dr. Harry Kraus, my overactive imagination easily pictured the emergency scene when a patient experiences a spinal cord injury severe enough to paralyze the diaphragm. Under normal conditions, this muscle pushes down on the stomach and other guts, lowering the pressure in the chest region and causing air to rush into the lungs. If the diaphragm is paralyzed, air isn't pushed in and out and the patient needs an external machine to help.

The airway may be free of obstructions, but the patient must be able to move the air in and out. Hence, the second letter of the ER priorities - B is for breathing.

Last week, we looked at the importance of keeping the grace-way open by acknowledging our need. Today, we move on the next step in restoring the flow of God's grace into our lives.

B is for Believing the Gospel.

The Scriptures clearly teach that we are saved by believing. By faith. Period. (See John 3:16 and Ephesians 2:8-9) However, we also continue to walk the walk ... by faith. By putting our beliefs into action. Or, as James wrote, "I will show you my faith by my works." (James 2:18b) Faith in action yields fruit.

So, while I have to put aside my pride and acknowledge that I can't do life by myself, I also have to look outside myself for the solution. I must believe. I choose to believe the promises and the good news found in the Bible. I look to Christ ... and then act on it.

What about you? Is there a difference between believing and acting on it? What does belief in action look like?

Scrambled Brains

2010-10-18T05:00:00.004-06:00

. . . And I'm not talking about that disgusting-sounding dish my mother tells of eating as a child. (Pictured for your benefit.)

I'm talking about the brains between my ears. The ones trying to juggle the ongoing stress of getting all the kids to and from their school activities and sports with the necessary equipment while maintaining a semi-sanitary home, keeping the laundry baskets nearly empty, providing semi-nutritious meals, and refereeing the constant whining and fighting. I knew it would be hard single-parenting while my husband coaches football at the college level this fall. That's why I cut back on several other commitments this fall like leading a Bible study and singing in the choir.

But, these same brains are also required to read, process, and summarize thousands of pages of legal depositions on tight deadlines. (Not to mention watching my personal writing goals fall by the wayside.)

In the way-too-brief lulls in the action, I can hear the szzt...szzt...szzt of neurons misfiring and signals getting crossed. I can almost imagine the sparks flying as the connections short-circuit. At night, I wonder if what's left of my brains might be in danger of leaking out my ear.

So, my question to you. How does one un-scramble brains?

Lots of prayer? Followed by a nap? Send the kids to Grandma's house? Take a day off from work? Meet a friend for lunch? Set up rewards? Do a brainless, repetitive task like putting together a puzzle or crocheting an afghan? Have a "Come-to-Jesus" meeting with the kids and divide up the chores ... again?

What about you? Have you ever felt mentally scrambled? How did you sort things out? (Or at least, how did you try?)

Football Friday - Picking Your Fantasy Team

2010-10-15T05:00:00.003-06:00

My husband and son are part of several (free) online fantasy football contests. Every week they check up on their chosen players, bench the injured ones, and occasionally trade a few out for someone with better on-field statistics. Then, every weekend they follow the sports news to see how their teams did.

How did they pick the players on their team? By carefully analyzing past performance and health histories. Are they coming off an injury or are they strong? Are they getting most of the carries on their team or are they sharing the load with a group of running backs? How strong is their schedule this season? Will they be playing outside in Chicago or inside a dome in Minnesota?

After juggling the variables and adjusting for the fictional salary cap (in a few games), they lock in their selections for the week. And hope that collectively the team comes through with a good game.

What about life? I'm part of several teams. My family at home. The company I work for. Writing critique groups. Each member of the team has strengths and weaknesses that affect their particular responsibilities. Hopefully, we balance each other out.

For example, I'm the organized one in our marriage, so I keep track of the family calendar, finances, and taxes while my husband's frugality keeps me accountable in the spending department. I'm horrible (but getting better) at punctuation and grammar rules, so I rely on a couple of my critique partners to catch my blunders. I read fast with good comprehension, so my boss sends me the largest cases because I can get them done quickly while others can glean full reports from minimal information.

So, here are a few questions to consider as you pick your real-life fantasy teams:

Who's on your team? Or who do you want on your team? And why? Do you seek after people because of their contributions? Their consistency? Their ability to push through the hard times by your side? Their willingness to go the extra mile? Or do you end up on teams with people who are takers, whiners, and easily injured?

And, perhaps most importantly, if given the choice, would your teammates pick you?

A is for Airway

2010-10-13T05:00:00.002-06:00

The first priority in the emergency room is to secure access for oxygen. ER doctors are taught the A-B-C acronym to prioritize their actions and A is for airway. Being surrounded by air doesn't help the patient whose throat is swelling shut unless that breath of life has a way inside. So, the staff takes immediate action to insert a tube and keep that pathway open.

What about me? Am I cut off from the life-giving flow of grace that my soul needs? The first step in the treatment plan is to open up the graceway.

A is for acknowledge your need.

As Dr. Harry Kraus points out in his book, Breathing Grace, pride is the main obstruction to grace. It shuts off the avenue and blinds me to my need. Pride causes me to take control of the steering wheel in life and think I can handle things on my own. Pride leads me to conceal my sin and weaknesses.

Instead, if I recognize my extreme need for God's grace and lay down my pride, then I have re-opened the "airway" for the fountain of God's riches to flow into my life. (And I'm the first to admit that I have to do this daily if not more often!)

What about you? Do you wrestle with pride? Can you think of anything else that cuts us off from the supply of grace?

Tension All the Time

2010-10-11T05:00:00.003-06:00

My local writers group, Front Range Christian Fiction Writers, is currently working our way through Donald Maass' book, The Fire In Fiction. And I'm the first to admit that I've been reading ahead. All the way to chapter 8 where he talks about having layers of tension in the story.

Tension all the time.

As a writer, it's a way to keep the reader invested in my characters. Who will win this verbal exchange? Will they achieve their goal? Will they find peace or will they continue to be tormented by that nasty antagonist?

But in real life? I'd LOVE a tension-free day.

I have three kids at home (ages 6, 12 and 13). Factor in the sibling squabbles, homework delays (and excuses), messy rooms, whining, interruptions, and broken rules. Tension? We're full of it.

Not only that, I live in a constant state of tension as my goals and desires stack up against work demands and limited time. Should I work first or write? Scrapbook or watch my favorite TV show? Take a nap or exercise? Edit this or critique that? Or shelve it all and read a book from the to-be-read stack before it teeters off onto the floor?

And underlying it all? The constant longing for heaven. This fallen planet -- full of chronic disease, genetic mutations, and sinful mankind making their own selfish decisions -- is not my home. I hold joint citizenship and this is not my final destination.

Hmmm. Maybe tension all the time is a good thing after all.

What about you? What level of tension do you have? Is there such a thing as "good" tension?

Football Friday - Protecting From Injury

2010-10-08T05:00:00.003-06:00

Life, like football, hits hard and so you'd better be protected.

In my book, Pigskin Parables: Reflections of a Football Widow, I spent a chapter comparing football pads and the spiritual armor listed in Ephesians 6. I won't rehash the topic other than to say "PUT IT ON." Salvation, righteousness, truth, peace, and faith will cushion the inevitable blows in life.

But just because a player is wearing all their pads doesn't mean that injuries can't or won't happen.

Take for instance my 12-year-old son. While playing quarterback in a middle school game, he came down on one foot in time for a linebacker to plow into his lower leg. Rolling his ankle and resulting in a severe sprain.

What's the solution? We started off with the tried-and-true "R-I-C-E" method. Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevation. And after a weekend of treatment, he could walk semi-normally and jog a little.

Before he returned to practice, he strapped on a pair of ankle braces. For support while he continued to heal. And protection from future ankle-rolling incidents (of which there have been several more opportunities).

In life, no matter how well protected we are, we still get hit. Blindsided. Knocked off our feet. Buried at the bottom of the pile. And beyond the bumps and bruises, we might even get injured in the process.

But we can rehab the injuries in similar ways. Prayer to reduce the inflamation and pain. Rest in the Father's loving arms. Lifting the injury up to let God do the healing. And wrapping the pain in a cocoon of faith that shores up our weaknesses and protects us during the healing process.

What about you? Have you been injured by life's hits? What did your healing process look like?

Like Oxygen Debt

2010-10-06T05:00:00.003-06:00

On Monday, I wrote about running long distances and pushing across the finish line. Well, have you ever watched such runners cross the line? A moment of victory followed by a staggering walk, stopping to lean over with hands on their knees, and a gasping for air.

Why? Oxygen debt. The cumulative deficit of oxygen resulting from intense exercise.

Every cell of the body demands oxygen for survival. And when deprived? The body goes into shock. Muscles scream and cramp as lactic acid builds up. The only solution? Extra oxygen intake through deep breathing and rest.

What's that got to do with life? Well, I've just started reading a book called Breathing Grace by Harry Kraus, M.D.. Dr. Kraus is a surgeon who compares grace to oxygen. Consider his subtitle: What you need more than your next breath.

That's right. We need a constant supply of God's grace as much as we need oxygen. And when we turn to other sources instead of grace, our souls begin to experience what he calls gospel debt.

Like the medical field, we can diagnose our gospel debt by asking the tough questions. Am I restless? Am I critical of myself or others? Am I irritated by the needs of others? Am I consumed by outward appearances? Can I do good things without needing to get the credit? Am I indifferent to my sin or justify it? Has political correctness taken priority over obedience? Do I make excuses?

We can also check our vital signs regularly and look for the trends. Because we all have our moments of need. The real question is whether we are living grace-deprived. And if so, what can we do about it.

(Don't worry. We'll take at look at Dr. Kraus' ABC's of Resuscitation next week.)

What about you? Do you suffer from any of these symptoms? Is it a chronic (long-term) or acute (sudden onset) condition? What treatment do you think the doctor will order?

Three-Fourths Of the Way

2010-10-04T05:00:00.003-06:00

I used to be a distance runner and later a coach for both track and cross country. In the longer distances, I passed along a mental strategy to help carry my team across the finish line.

Advice like no jackrabbit starts. Don't go out too fast or you can't maintain the pace and will fall back. Keep a steady pace on target with your goals. Push up the hills and use the downhills for recovery without slowing down. And at the three-quarters mark, put yourself into position for a strong finish. Start picking off the competition, close the distance, and pick up the pace. Get ready for the final kick.

What's that got to do with me? We are three-quarters of the way through 2010 and it's a good time to re-evaluate how far I've come and to put myself into position to finish the year strong.

For example, one of my goals at the beginning of the year was to pay down a debt of $6000. After about a month of extra hours at work, I began to think I might be able to pay it off by the end of the year. By steadily chipping away at the balance, I actually wrote the final check in August. So, now I'm putting that money into savings instead. A strong finish on the year.

Another example. After years of being behind on my scrapbooks and feeling guilty that my kids can't see how they've grown or relive memories, I set a goal to get caught up (or at least within 6 months of current events). I started out with only an hour a week, whittling away at my list of events to document. Then I skipped a week. And then another. By summer, I had only added to the pile of pictures to process and had only started on 2008. This fall, I made a plan to attend a monthly "Craft and Crop" work day at our church. I marked my calendar and scheduled other things around it. After two times now, I'm almost halfway through 2009's pictures and on pace to be into 2010's pictures by the end of the year. (At this rate, I might even have time to work on other crafts instead of just scrapbooking in 2011!)

Exercise? I've joined a gym and now work out five days a week.

Writing? I finished the rough draft of the book I wanted to write this year and only have three chapters still to send on to my critique groups. I'm on pace to finish the rewrites by December.

We are three-fourths of the way through the year. How are you doing with your goals? What adjustments will you need to make in order to finish strong? Can you see the finish line or is it still hidden around the bend?

Football Friday - Strategize for Success

2010-10-01T05:00:00.002-06:00

One of the things my husband loves about coaching football is the strategic planning. Studying the opponent for tendencies and weaknesses. And designing corresponding play calls to capitalize on that information.

Despite only having a few kinds of plays (run, pass, kick), the team's playbook is filled with endless possibilities and variations. Some are used frequently throughout the game, while others are held for specific situations.

And all must be defended against.

Much of the practice time during the week is devoted to preparing the appropriate response, teaching it in team meetings, and rehearsing it against the scout team. When they do such-and-such, we will do such-and-such. Over and over until the time comes to take the field and put the strategy into action.

It's the same in life. But instead of rushes and passes, we face deception and temptation. How will we respond in the heat of battle? With the rehearsed response. And the simpler the better so we can remember it.

I have a basic defensive strategy. Respond in love. Speak the truth. Say "no" to temptation. Honor God in all I say and do. My offensive strategy is simple too. Love God. Love others.

So, when the six-year-old comes tattling because his twelve-year-old brother just tackled him? When I'm leaving the gym after a good workout and drive past a McDonald's with the smell of french fries wafting on the breeze? When I've pushed hard all day to meet work deadlines and my husband asks me to do one more thing?

The secret to strategy is knowing what you may face and having a prepared response.

(Based on Chapter 4 of Pigskin Parables: Reflections of a Football Widow)

What about you? What tendencies and weaknesses do you have in life? How are you defending against the attacks?

Anchor #3 - My Death is Not Final

2010-09-29T05:00:00.003-06:00

I took a Zumba class last week and felt like I was dying. Twenty minutes into the class, I was gasping for air, my face was beet-red, and my leg muscles felt like they were on fire. All to the beat of Latin music and in the name of physical fitness.

After another twenty minutes, things hadn't gotten any worse. (Whew.) I could almost imagine the fat cells on my hips waving a white flag. Staggering on to the end of the hour, I breathed a giant sigh of relief. I'd survived. (In fact, I think I'll have to do it again sometime. Maybe even today!)

The point is, I endured this torture to help prolong my life. When the truth is, my body has been dying as long as I've been living. Blood cells, skin cells, ... brain cells. And as much as I might try to push it off with exercise and healthy eating, someday I will face death itself.

The good news? As Max Lucado pointed out in his book, Six Hours One Friday, Jesus was always interrupting funerals. From the funeral procession outside of town to the daughter of a synagogue ruler. From his dear friend Lazarus to his own tomb.

Jesus spoke life into hopeless situations just to send the message that everything is going to be all right. Death does not get the final word. It's merely the doorway to the life to come.

So, I can "live like I'm dying" and make the most of every opportunity here. And I can also look forward to the day when I shed this life's pain for an eternity in God's presence.

Death is not the end. It is only the beginning.

What about you? Where is the balance between postponing death and longing for the life beyond?

Victory Is Sweeter

2010-09-27T05:00:00.003-06:00

... when the battle has been fierce and the journey has been long.

On Saturday, I attended a college football game with my 12-year-old son, my dad, and my brother while my husband watched from the press box. The Colorado State University Rams faced off against the Idaho Vandals in a stadium filled with retro-uniform orange. Beautiful weather. A spirited band with a chorus line of suicide trombones. Cannon fire after each home team score along with "Cam the ram" being trotted across the end zone. And hopes were high since CSU had a 12-game losing streak going in.

The game was intense as each team exchanged points, the lead, and the momentum. And then in the 4th quarter, CSU scored yet another touchdown. The extra point to tie the game? Missed. Trailing into the final minutes, the crowd helped the defense with a critical stop and the offense took the field for the two-minute drill. Leading to a field goal attempt with 3 seconds left on the clock.

A field goal that split the uprights, securing the victory and snapping the streak. The first win of the year and the first win in over a year.

Watching the team celebrate on the field, I was reminded that the harder the battle, the sweeter the victory. And the longer the journey, the more satisfying the destination.

Working extra hours for three years to pay off a debt? Skipping favorite television shows and writing into the night to finish the rough draft of a novel? Spending hours with physical and speech therapists to help your child walk, run, and talk? Changing your lifestyle and habits to recover from a chronic illness? Sticking with my husband through the better and worse to build a strong marriage? Making the daily choices to live out my faith in a culture that denies God's existence or relevance?

Easy? Never. But the victory is sweeter for the struggle.

What about you? What motivates you during the long struggles of life? Do you have any recent victories to share?

Football Friday - Paying the Price

2010-09-24T05:00:00.004-06:00

Imagine a football player attending every team meeting and participating in every practice or workout. Running wind-sprints. Hitting hard and making tackles. Lifting weights. And risking injury. Day in and day out, making the sacrifice for the team.

Sounds like a player doing what they're supposed to do. Someone who is carrying through on their commitment to the team.

But what if I said they made this level of sacrifice without a financial benefit or scholarship award? Such is the life of the college walk-on. (In fact, one young man in our area, despite great financial need, had to turn down a different scholarship in order to continue participating in football and not violate any rules.)

Why would these young men do this? For the love of the game and the opportunity to be part of something bigger than themselves. For the hope that someday, if they pay the price long enough, they may get the call elevating them from mere walk-on to scholarship player.

And that's worth the sacrifice.

(By the way, the young man who turned down another scholarship started this season as a junior walk-on. Due to other injuries on the team, he is now a scholarship player for the remainder of the year.)

What about me? Well, there are things I do faithfully every day without immediate reward. Granted, not all rewards are financial and not all are seen in this lifetime. But sacrifice happens when the joy of what is coming is greater than the pain of what is required. So, I'll continue to pay the price with my family, at home, on the job, and in my writing.

And hopefully I'll someday get "the call" from an agent or editor offering representation or a book contract.

What about you? What sacrifices have you made? What result are you hoping for? Is the coming joy greater than the pain?

Anchor #2 - My Failure Is Not Final

2010-09-22T05:00:00.003-06:00

Oops. I did it again. Made a mistake. Blew it. Fell on my face. Failed.

I'll spare you the gory details, but it seems like I mess up somehow almost every day. And as the tally count rises, I find myself carrying around a heavy bag of guilt over my shortcomings. Why can't I get it together? Keep my foot out of my mouth? Or at least keep my mouth shut? Why did I snap at my husband or my kids?

Oh, I may try to pass the blame. If only they hadn't done or said that, then ... But, as someone smart once told me, pointing a finger leaves at least three fingers aimed my direction. I can't change others or control the circumstances. I can only control myself - and I don't always respond the way I should.

Dwelling on the failure only leaves me buffeted by a hurricane of regret.

My anchoring point in the storm? My failure is not final.

I have a redeemer who sees me, not as I am, but how I was intended to be. He sees my heart and the potential packed inside. His mission is to repair the damage and set me on the right path again. What I can't do for myself, He does.

I make mistakes, but God doesn't. And He made me.

So, instead of failure and regret, I come running to Him and find forgiveness and a second chance.

(Gleaned from Six Hours One Friday by Max Lucado)

What about you? Are you carrying around a bag of failures or have you left them at the cross? Do you gaze at the past or look ahead to the future?

To Multi-task Or Not to Multi-task

2010-09-20T05:00:00.003-06:00

I've read that a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. If that's true, what does that say about me?

I'm not talking about being wishy-washy on my principles or values. Or about changing my mind about pursuing my dreams or saving for the future. I'm just guilty of trying to tackle too many writing projects all at once. And confusing myself in the process.

Let me explain.

Over Labor Day weekend, I typed the two cherished words every writer strains to meet. "The End." After eight months of mostly diligent time clicking away on my Alphasmart, I reached the conclusion of the work-in-progress I started in January (titled Dance Over Me) and breathed a huge sigh of relief. Mission accomplished. Book written. Time to celebrate.

In the weeks since, I've been struggling to keep my focus. Why? Because I'm trying to polish the last chapters of the new book and send them out to my two critique groups AND do revisions on last year's novel (titled Serving Up Love - the ACFW Genesis runner-up book) at the same time.

Again, why? Because I'd like to have both novels revised and polished before the end of the year so I can seriously start looking for an agent in January.

Being the overly-organized yet realistic person that I am, I divided the two jobs into small pieces with weekly deadlines to keep me on track. That means two chapters of DOM to the critique groups and five chapters (one a day) of SUL revised each week. This way, when I'm done revising SUL, all the comments and suggestions on DOM will be back and I can start in on that book.

One semi-major problem. I'm losing my mind. Confusing my characters with each other. Filing ideas in the wrong folder. Misplacing the fleeting wisps of inspiration. Wasting valuable time trying to mentally switch between the two stories. And feeling guilty about the overall lack of progress on my goal-tracking sheet.

So, I ask you. Which would be better? Make daily small progress on several simultaneous projects? Or knock one project out of the way, creating a larger block of time for the next one?

Football Friday - Doing the Mundane

2010-09-17T05:00:00.003-06:00

I was watching a college football game last night on television and I noticed something. Coaches wearing headsets and carrying clipboards mingled with the team on the sidelines. They sent in the play calls and talked to their players after each series. And appeared on camera.

But behind them? Brief glimpses of others taping ankles, icing injuries, and filling water bottles.

And further behind the scenes? Staff members washing the uniforms, setting up the locker room, making travel and lodging arrangements, ordering food, videotaping games, and tagging game films on their computer system.

Every coaching staff has members willing to do the dirty work. To step up and do the stuff that has to be done, freeing other coaches to study film, strategize a new game plan, and lead the team meetings.

So, what's that gotta do with life? My husband and I are like the coaching staff of our family. (He's the head coach and I'm the assistant.) Together, we teach our kids the game plan for life and guide them toward the goal. And in the process of sharing this load, somebody has to handle the everyday stuff like laundry, meals, transportation, and checking homework.

And seen in that light, doing the mundane becomes a lot more important.

(Gleaned from Pigskin Parables: Reflections of a Football Widow)

What about you? Are you part of a coaching staff? Do you lead some kind of team? Do you have a game plan? How important is the mundane?

Anchor #1 - My Life Is Not Futile

2010-09-15T05:00:00.005-06:00

Ever feel like you're a hamster running on a wheel? That every day you do the same things only to wake up tomorrow and do it all over again? There are still dishes to be washed and socks to be sorted. Day after day after day.

It might be easy for me to think "What's the point in trying?"

But I'd be wrong.

Today, I may be weary and burdened. I may wrestle with feelings of loneliness, anger, fear, guilt, or self-pity. And the emotional hurricane tosses me around.

Until I hold onto this anchoring truth. My life is not futile.

Someone is in control and I have a purpose. A purpose beyond the mundane. Because He takes the common and makes it spectacular. There is glory to be found in my everyday life. Because He is there.

What I already have in Him is greater than anything I may want today. And that makes even washing dishes and sorting socks worthwhile.

(This Wednesday's wisdom has been inspired by Six Hours One Friday by Max Lucado.)

What about you? Have you ever taken a turn on the hamster-wheel of life? How did you get off?

It Must Be Progress When ...

2010-09-13T05:00:00.003-06:00

You choose to go to the gym and workout as a reward for getting your work done.

Seriously, I never thought this would be me. But, Saturday afternoon found me pedaling away on a stationary bike while reading a book. I could have read the same book while lounging on my couch, but I didn't.

Proof that I must have turned the corner in my exercise plan!

You see, four weeks ago, my kids all went back to school and I made the decision to get myself back into an exercise routine. (I say "back" but, aside from one summer when there was a borrowed treadmill in my basement, I hadn't exercised regularly since, um, before I got married almost 15 years ago. Yikes!) Before I plopped down a chunk of money and signed a contract, I decided to scope out a few local gyms by sampling their "try-us-for-7-days-free" trial memberships. And figure out what kind of setting and routine worked best for me.

First stop, a hydrolic-powered, strength-training circuit facility for women only. Upside? No brain required. Just travel from machine to machine when the speaker says "change stations." Downside? Mostly populated by women older than my mother who had way more energy than I did. Oh, and no cardio machines or variety.

On the other end of the spectrum was the intense gym for serious-bodybuilder-types. At least that's what I thought when I looked around the room at the young, fit bodies hammering away on eliptical machines for over half an hour. (Um, I tried one at a slower pace and lasted about, um, five minutes before my legs were quivering. I guess I'll need to work up to that beast.) Upside? Lots of options for workouts and a women only room. Downside? The focus on image over health goals. And the obnoxiously bad lyrics and music blaring out of every speaker.

This search has made me re-evaluate my goals. While I'd love to lose the belly bulge I've been carrying since baby #3 (over 6 years ago), my first priority is cardio health. As in doing something for 30 minutes at a pace above a crawl without passing out. Then I can add in a bit of strength and resistance training and an occasional class to tone-and-trim. In an environment with options, a demographic I fit, and a price I can afford.

And when I choose to go work out on a day I hadn't scheduled it? I must be doing something right.

Not only that, I've learned a bit about developing good habits. The sacrifice required to make myself do something I'd rather not do -- in order to gain something of value. And the addictive joy I feel at the progress I've made.

What about you? Do you exercise regularly? Are you disciplined enough to do it at home or do you go to a gym? What are your goals?

Football Friday - Make a Choice

2010-09-10T05:00:00.004-06:00

After years coaching football at the high school level, my husband is now volunteering at the college level. And this higher intensity game continues to teach me about life.

During the off-season, the coaching staff was busy recruiting. They traveled the country and visited hundreds of schools to meet potential players. Back home, they evaluated film after film sent in by high school athletes eager to play at the next level. After ranking the possibilities, they hit the road again with specific targets in mind. They talked to kids about the football program. The university. The city. They invited players to attend summer camps and extended scholarship offers.

And now they wait.

Wait for the recruits to make a choice. To verbally commit. To officially sign their name on a letter of intent in February. To pack their bags and join the team for next year's spring and summer workouts.

Just because the coaches have offered a place on the team, doesn't mean that student will choose to come. So, they follow up the offer with visits, letters, and phone calls.

What does this have to do with life? We've each been offered a place on the best team in the universe. To join a program whose philosophy is love. To execute plays like forgiveness, compassion, healing, truth. To combat the opponent's strategies of bitterness, hatred, pain, and deception. To live and work under an authority structure rooted in justice and mercy.

But we have to make a choice. Choosing one team automatically rejects another. So chose wisely.

What about you? Have you made the choice? Are you recruiting your friends to join your team? Have you found that the other team is still trying to recruit you?

Anchoring Deep

2010-09-08T05:00:00.003-06:00

It's hurricane season (as evidenced by Hurricane Earl's rampage up the East Coast last week). But not all severe weather in life is a literal downpour. What about broken relationships, lost income, health problems, or the loss of a loved one?

The storms of life come. The waters rise and the winds blow.

I've been reading Six Hours One Friday by Max Lucado. He tells the story of a hurricane warning over another Labor Day weekend and a group of guys anxiously lashing their house boat to every tree within reach in hopes of surviving the onslaught.

Until a wise sailor-type approached with the wisdom of the ages. "Your only hope is to anchor deep."

Why? Because the trees can get blown over. Don't rely on the surface circumstances for security. Instead anchor deep on an unchanging foundation. Find the time-tested truths and hold on.

(And in case there aren't any storms in your life right now, anchoring deep is a strategy for nice weather too. After all, without an anchor, you'll drift with the currents and end up far from where you started out.)

Over the next three Wednesdays I'll be sharing some of Max Lucado's wisdom about finding anchoring points in life. Your life is not futile. Your failures are not fatal. And your death is not final.

What about you? Are you in sunny or stormy weather? Have you tried holding on to the "trees" or have you anchored deep? What happened as a result?

Happy Labor Day

2010-09-06T05:00:00.004-06:00

"...Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called." ~Ephesians 4:1 KJV

You probably know that this American holiday was created by the labor movement as a way to celebrate the contributions of workers to our economy. Today, many see the holiday as the official end of summer and the start of another school year.

So, today I encourage you to honor those around you and the difference they make. Whether they are workers, students, parents, mentors, volunteers, or something else, we can all add something to our world.

And we can all embrace Paul's challenge to live up to our fullest potential - to walk worthy of the vocation to which we are called.

Happy Labor Day!

Focus on the Fundamentals

2010-09-02T05:00:00.004-06:00

What season is this? Did you just you say fall? Well, technically it's still summer, but I'm thinking football season.

Our household seems to revolve around the sport. My husband used to coach high school football, but is venturing out into the college arena and does football year-round. But this time of year, our boys are gearing up. My 12-year-old is playing wide receiver, safety, and back-up quarterback for his middle school team while the 6-year-old will be playing flag football for the first time ever. In addition to all the practices and games, they've been showcasing their tackling skills in the middle of the living room!

After watching the game from the sidelines for years, I started seeing life lessons illustrated on the field. And wrote my first book (Pigskin Parables: Reflections of a Football Widow) based on what I'd been learning. So, when this season arrives, my brain starts seeing the similarities again.

Take, for instance, this common coaching philosophy: Focus on the fundamentals.

Focus: Give deliberate attention to it. Zero in. Block out the distractions. Aim for. Keep in sight.

Fundamentals: The basic components and building blocks. The essential elements. Those things of major significance. The most important and foundational pieces.

In football, the fundamentals include throwing, catching, blocking, and tackling. Without the basic ability to execute the game plan, all the scouting and strategy falls apart.

In life, the fundamentals are harder to define, yet still as crucial. As I started thinking, three things jumped to the top of my list. Faith. Family. Stewardship (making the most of what I've been given including money, time, and talents). And wrapped around them is love. Love God and love others.

Simple? Maybe. But if I can do these few things well, the rest of my life should fall into place somewhere. Not that mastering the fundamentals is easy. That's why every coach spends time at every practice running the players through drills designed to keep the fundamental skills sharp. (Hence the word focus. It doesn't happen accidentally.)

But, in doing this, don't forget what my son's flag football coach said. "We'll teach the boys the fundamentals of the game, but we also want them to have a good time." After all, check out the first three letters: F-U-N.

Focus on the fundamentals in life. And take time to relax and enjoy the journey.

What about you? What fundamentals are you focusing on? What do you do for fun?

Windmills - Power From Pain

2010-08-31T05:30:00.001-06:00

Here in northern Colorado, we have fields of gigantic windmills. Called wind farms, these rows of enormous metal wind turbines bear little resemblance to what I traditionally picture when I think of a windmill.

But the concept is the same. It's all about turning wind energy into rotational energy.

The wind blows and pushes the blades, vanes, or sails, causing them to turn in a circle. Through a series of gears, this rotation is transformed to power to perform a mechanical task.

Historically, windmills were used for grinding substances like grain or for pumping water. Imagine pictures of rural Holland or Texas. Today, the rotation is converted to electricity and used to supplement local power grids.

What about me? In order to function best, the windmill must turn into the wind and face the storm head on. Instead of getting blown over or pushed around (think sailboats), by facing the opposition, I can transform the pain into productivity and power.

For example, when faced with chronic fatigue syndrome and banished to my couch for months, I wailed to God about the injustice and complained about how weak I felt and how little I could do and how worthless I felt as a mother. (Yeah, I got tossed about by the wind for a bit.)

Then, I faced the facts. I did some research into my illness and learned how to rebuild my immune system and energy levels through nutrition and lifestyle changes (i.e. de-stress, more sleep, etc.). I started to think about what I could still do and focused my limited energy in positive directions. Baby steps, but steps nonetheless. And slowly but surely I found myself on the road back to health and productivity.

What about you? What winds are blowing in your life? Are you turning from the wind or facing it head on? Would that make a difference?

Overcoming Obstacles

2010-08-26T05:00:00.003-06:00

Imagine facing a mountain over 19,000 feet high. Do you think you could make it to the top?

Now imagine facing the same mountain without your legs.

That's what happened recently, when three American veterans from three different wars scaled Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro. With only one human leg between the three of them. They did it as an example to other amputees to send the message that whatever your disability, you can still find a way to be active.

I found another lesson hidden in the story.

One of the men had tried to climb the same mountain last year. And failed. Why? Poor planning and trying to go too fast. This time around, the group planned a different route specifically for their needs and almost doubled the time allotted for the climb, even spending an extra night near the top.

What does that have to do with life? We will all face obstacles. Despite previous failures, we can still be successful. We can learn from past mistakes and develop a different plan. A plan that considers our limitations and finds ways to compensate for them. We can climb with people who understand us.

And when we make it to the top, we can experience the same rush of exhilaration at our success.

What about you? What mountains are you climbing? Have you planned your course or are you blindly attacking the summit? Are you climbing alone or with a support system?

Hummingbirds - Live Like You're Dying

2010-08-24T05:00:00.002-06:00

Growing up, I remember seeing a hummingbird feeder and watching these tiny birds fly by for a drink. With wings beating furiously, they hovered near the red pseudo-flowers for mere moments before flitting away.

Then I learned a little bit about hummingbirds. Not only are they really small, they flap their wings an average of 55 times per second (depending on the species) and can even fly backwards. With all this activity, it's no wonder they must consume up to twice their body weight in nectar and small bugs every day.

I also discovered that hummingbirds spend about 80% of their time perching and resting. Why? Because they live on the edge of their energy envelope and flying burns a lot of calories. I learned they eat almost constantly because they live three hours from death. They live on the brink of dying.

What about my life? Granted, my physical metabolism is far from hummingbird-level and I shudder to imagine eating a hundred-something pounds of food every day. But my spiritual and emotional metabolism? It seems like I can burn though my reserves with a single hectic school morning.

That's why, like the hummingbird, I must feed daily on the Word of God and be filled with His Spirit. Feed daily as though I am on the edge of starvation. Feed daily so I can live.

Where do I get my nourishment? Some comes in chunks of time reading my Bible, listening to worship music in my car, or praying while exercising on the treadmill. Other times, I feed in brief snatches. A whispered prayer, a verse taped to my mirror, a glimpse of creation that calls to my soul.

What about you? Do you have hummingbirds where you live? How is your spiritual or emotional metabolism? How often do you need to feed?

Leaning Towers - Part 2

2010-08-19T05:00:00.003-06:00

In writing about Pisa's leaning tower last week, I discovered another truth worth digging into.

The tower leans because it was built on unstable soil with an inadequate foundation.

Obviously, the builders thought it was fine or else I don't think they wouldn't have invested so much time, effort, and money into a project doomed from the beginning. Five years into the construction and three stories up, the tower began to sink. In a twist of fate, regional wars for the century interrupted the construction and allowed the soil to settle a bit. Construction resumed.

In order to compensate for the tilt, they started building one side of each level taller than the other - until the tower actually curved back the other direction. In the centuries since the tower was completed in 1319, numerous attempts have been made to stabilize the structure including adding lead counterweights, removing the heavy bells from the top of the tower, and finally removing soil from under the tall side. And, I discovered, it's not the only leaning building in Pisa. The soil has affected other buildings in the city (just not as famously).

So what does the leaning (sinking) tower have to do with me?

Consider what I'm building. A strong marriage and family. Character in the lives of my kids ... and myself. A writing business. A healthy lifestyle. Each of these requires a solid, firm, deep foundation that will not slip, slide ... or sink. I've found only one foundation that stable and have chosen to build my life on the Word of God.

But, I also have the unfortunate habit of adding inferior materials to the foundation. And not always on purpose. I hear the cultural messages broadcast in movies, books, music, television, billboards, and newspaper headlines. Before I know it, some have sunk in and flawed my thinking. Add a poor-self image, teasing/taunting voices from the past, failures, disappointments, exhaustion, economic issues, disease, stress, etc. and my foundation shifts.

The changes are so small at first that I can hardly see them. But if I continue to build on a flawed foundation, sooner or later, my building is out-of-whack and tilted. So I try to straighten it out by adding a little more time, effort, prayer, and energy. I compensate by piling on weight in a different area. I tilt my head and lie to myself, saying "It's not that bad." Meanwhile, what I'm building gets further and further from true vertical and the unstable foundation affects other buildings nearby.

So, what can I do? The only real fix to a flawed foundation is to drill down deep into the unshakable bedrock. Or, like at Pisa, focus on fixing the problem under the surface (removing dirt) rather than cosmetic changes. Getting back to the basics of faith and lining my life up by God's standards rather than my own. It's not easy, but the result will stabilize my foundation and keep my building from toppling.

What about you? What foundation are you building on? Have you ever found yourself starting to lean? Did you try to fix it at the top or go back to the foundation?

Changing Seasons

2010-08-17T05:00:00.006-06:00

Today is the day.

The day to load up the backpack and venture to new settings. To learn new things. To try something different. To catch up with old friends and make new ones. To start fresh with organizational plans, empty notebooks and brand-new crayons. To establish routines. To set new goals.

It's the first day of school!!! (Can you tell I'm excited?)

I've been looking forward to this day for a very long time. (And not just because the squabbling siblings will be otherwise occupied.) My baby is starting 1st grade and I'll actually have the whole day to get my stuff done instead of dropping everything mid-morning so I can go pick him up.

I'm establishing some new routines for myself as well as a list of ambitious goals for the school year.

First off, it's past time for me to get into shape with a consistent exercise plan. So, after the kids are out the door, I'm heading to a gym. I'll get the heart pumping, sweat pouring, calories burning and mind churning. When I've abused the flab long enough, I should be fired up and ready to write for 3 hours.

Speaking of writing, I developed a list of weekly goals that should take me through the first semester of school. Finish writing the WIP (6 chapters to go), revise last year's novel, revise the current novel, write 5 or 6 articles, revamp the website, and brainstorm the next book. Second semester should cover writing the next book and searching for an agent. (Hopefully, I can spend next summer reading, growing and brainstorming instead of grappling with a first draft.)

Once the writing block is done, my new routine will shift gears to lunch, the part-time job, after-school activities, and fixing supper. Evenings and weekends will be reserved for football games, reading, and family time.

That's my back-to-school plan.

I know, like the real back-to-school emotions, the novelty will soon wear off and it will become drudgery. But, I hope by then to have made enough progress to motivate me to keep pushing forward. After all, if I can quit for the day when the school bell rings, that's incentive enough.

What about you? What routines work for you? How long does it take before you get bored? Did you like going back to school or dread it?

Leaning Towers

2010-08-12T05:00:00.003-06:00

An estimated one million visitors flock annually to view a bell tower on the coast of Italy. Constructed from 1173 to 1370, it is just one of many examples of ancient architecture.

But there's something different about this tower in the oceanside village of Pisa. It's leaning.

The foundation of the building was placed on unstable soil (a future blog post topic). Three stories of construction later, it began to sink on one side. Now, as measured from the seventh story, the tower is out of line by 4.4 meters and has undergone several restoration and stabilizing projects to keep it from toppling.

Yet, if it wasn't leaning, who would care? It would be just another old building in country full of old buildings.

It made me think. Growing up, how many kids wish they fit into the crowd? And turn themselves inside out trying to be like everybody else, squelching their God-given talents and developing warped views of themselves? I wish I could say the quest ended with puberty.

But, it's our differences that make us unique.

This past weekend, I had the chance to get together with several other families raising children with Cornelia de Lange syndrome. In addition to sharing our struggles and gleaning information about transition programs (coming soon for us), the highlight of the day was seeing the diversity present even in kids with CdLS. Size, communication skills, eating abilities, limb differences, and mobility were just a few.

And each child came with their favorite object. The one thing they don't leave home without. Ever. A plastic ball, rubber wristbands, a shoestring, a toothbrush, an Iphone, a CD twirling on a stick. The same collecting trait with a unique twist.

The same, but different. Just like the rest of the human race. As for me, I'm getting old enough that I don't care so much what others think.

What about you? What is unique about your personality or interests? Is it something you celebrate or a trait you hide? Why?

Sitting on the Porch

2010-08-10T05:00:00.003-06:00

This spring I heard the story of an unusual home sale. The seller had an odd condition for the buyer - every morning they were to go sit on the porch and listen to the birds.

Seriously?

Like I could just drop everything at a moment's notice? I've got a job. Not to mention laundry, cleaning, shopping, cooking, and carpooling. Did I mention exercise? Sleep? Writing?

And yet, a part of me responded to the idea. How would my life be different if I spent a little time on the porch? Slower? More relaxed? With a better perspective on what's truly important? Would I be more aware of my surroundings? Would quieting my soul cause me to hear the still, small voice more clearly?

The more I thought about it, the more I longed for the chance. But I don't have to buy a stranger's house to go sit on the porch. I have one of my own. (Not to mention a comfortable recliner inside in case of inclement weather.)

Now, I only have to make myself get up from my desk and head outside.

What about you? Do you need to go sit on the porch? Where is your "porch?" What do you gain from sitting on the porch?

Staying In the Lines

2010-08-05T05:00:00.005-06:00

Brrrmmmp, brrrmmmp. Brrrmmmp, brrrmmmp.

While driving hundreds of miles on our recent family vacation, it's a noise we heard several times on the highway. It wasn't coming from the countless road construction projects we passed. No. This unusual sound came from special ridges carved into the surface of the road to warn drivers that they had crossed the lines and were headed off the road into danger.

The sudden sound is enough to rouse sleeping pre-teens in the back seat and cause the daydreaming driver to steer back to safety. (Not that I had any personal experience, mind you. I served as the navigator and keeper of the ancient map.)

Sometimes, both in driving and in life, we drift off the marked path. That first inch across the line doesn't hurt us, but if we continue our errant course, we could find ourselves either far from our destination or rolled-over in a ditch. That's why it's good to listen to the warning and stay within the lines.

So, what does life's warning sound like? For me, sometimes I remember something my parents, teachers, or pastor said. Or a Bible verse pops into my head and I realize that what I'm living doesn't line up with what I've been taught. Other times, the warning is more obvious and someone tells me I'm getting off track.

Or, like a couple of months ago, my body starts to shut down. Physically, spiritually, creatively - the well runs dry and I realize I've been pushing too hard and chronic fatigue is setting in again. If I'm paying attention, I can pick up on earlier signals and never get that close to the edge.

While I'm thankful for the warning, I think I'd rather stay in the lines.

What about you? What are the warning sounds in your life? Do you listen? Or do you tune out the warning until it's too late?

Walking in the Garden

2010-08-03T05:00:00.004-06:00

One thing I enjoyed about our vacation last month was the lush variety of plants lining the pathways at Silver Dollar City. I know that the higher humidity and lower altitude played a big role in producing such bounty, but that didn't stop me from pausing to admire the colorful foliage and flowers surrounded by tall shade trees.

It reminded me of a time during my college days in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Just months before graduation, I discovered a garden-like park hidden away in a neighborhood near where I was student-teaching. Paths wound between bushes and flowerbeds all in bloom. Overhead, trees bore new leaves and birds filled the air with singing as sweet as the aroma of spring blossoms.

The garden beckoned and I longed to spend hours meandering to explore every corner. If only there had been a special someone to walk with hand-in-hand, sharing our dreams and whispering the secrets of our hearts. Simply walking and talking in the garden in the cool of the day.

Yet, there was. And still is.

Because God longs to spend time with me. He wants to walk around with me through every day. Just like back in the Garden of Eden, He comes "walking in the garden of the cool of the day" (Genesis 3:8). It's up to me whether I will come out of hiding and "keep in step" with Him (Galatians 5:25).

A family vacation at a crowded amusement park reminded me of how much I long to spend time walking in the garden with God. I wonder which path we'll take and what we'll talk about today.

What about you? Do you have a favorite place to walk? Do you walk with God through all of life or only select portions?

What's in a Label? Autism

2010-07-29T05:00:00.002-06:00

As I've shared before, my 13-year-old daughter has Cornelia de Lange syndrome. It's a rare genetic syndrome resulting in growth delays, developmental delays and autistic-like behaviors.

At least, that's the way I used to describe it.

Now, I may be changing labels and "upgrading" her diagnosis. Why? Because we just got the test results back from a study we participated in through Children's Hospital of Philadelphia looking into behavior and autism in CdLS. Was there a higher incidence? Were there risk factors?

So, in 2008, we filled out several behavioral evaluation checklists. In February of 2009, I spent three hours on the phone with a researcher answering another battery of questions. And now, in July of 2010, we finally have copies of the data reports.

The verdict? Her scores are above the cutoffs for a suspected Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis and a full evaluation with her educational and medical team is strongly recommended. Anna will be going back to school in a few weeks. I'll pass the information on to her teachers and we'll see what they have to say before I contact our pediatrician.

In the meantime, what would Autism mean for our family?

As I discovered a long time ago when she was diagnosed with CdLS, a label doesn't change who Anna is. Nor how much I love her. However, a new label would give me another avenue to explore in trying to understand how she thinks. I have a lot more to learn but I might even discover ways to help her cope with transitions when her routines fall apart.

Will others understand her better if she was labeled with a more common condition than CdLS? Will it open doors to new educational strategies? How many new people will I meet as a result of learning more about autism?

What about you? Have you ever received news that turned your world upside down? Do you think that labels are important? Why or why not?

His Eye Is On the Sparrow

2010-07-27T05:00:00.003-06:00

"Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." ~Matthew 10:31 NKJV

We just returned from our 4th annual family vacation in Branson, Missouri. One of the highlights is renting a boat and spending a day fishing/tubing/swimming at Table Rock Lake. The other highlight is spending time at Silver Dollar City with all of the rides, shows and old-fashioned artisan shops.

One of my new favorite shops is an inspirational art gallery near mid-town. We ducked inside to explore in air-conditioned bliss until it was time to meet the rest of the family for a fruit-topped funnel cake. The Bittersweet Gallery features the work of artist Jack Dawson and his "The Seek and Find" Series. Beautiful paintings with hidden messages and symbolism.

My wall now graces a framed print of his painting "His Eye Is On the Sparrow." Why? Because of the refreshing message. Not even the sparrows are out of God's sight and care. How much more does He watch over me?

What about you? Could you spot Jesus in the painting? (Hint: Find the sparrow. Look to the right for Jesus' hand and trace it upward to find His face.) Do you sense Him watching over you?

Being Aware of the Unseen

2010-07-22T05:00:00.003-06:00

While working in my yard this summer, I discovered again the insidious nature of the un-cared-for areas of life. All because of some raspberries and an Ash tree.

Six years ago, we planted several raspberry plants along our back fence along with a bed of strawberries, two cherry trees and a couple grapevines. (We enjoy our homemade jams and jellies!) The front yard got an Autumn Purple Ash tree, surrounded by a bed of bulbs and perennials.

Fast forward to last summer when the raspberries really started taking over. New shoots cropped up everywhere, but they were manageable. Mostly in the right spots, even if they were annoying (and prickly) when harvesting the strawberries, cherries and grapes. I meant to corral them ... but never quite got around to it.

Until this summer.

Instead of gallons of fresh strawberries in early June, we harvested one small bowl. The raspberries were choking them out and blocking the sunshine. Not only that, the cherry trees had whole sections without blossoms because they were being surrounded. Oh, and did I mention that baby raspberry plants were cropping up in the middle of the lawn?

What once was a small problem had become a major chore and took hours of work to dig up. And in the process, I discovered the cherry trees had sent up suckers last year. But they'd been hidden behind the raspberries and required a handsaw to cut them off at the ground.

Meanwhile, the bulbs in my front yard bloomed beautifully. The tree did not. I waited and waited, checking the ends of each twig for buds. Nothing. My neighbors all had leaves, but we didn't. Because of a little ash borer bug (and his friends) who'd been living inside the trunk of our tree and destroying it from the inside out. I didn't even know there was a problem until all that was left was a dry, cracked and lifeless shell of a tree.

So, because I hadn't paid attention to the trunk or known that I should spray for bugs, we got to dig up the Ash tree and all of the surrounding bulbs and plants. And then plant a new tree. And new plants. And new mulch. And I'll need to get new bulbs this fall.

The lessons I've learned? Pay attention to the little things. Take care of them early. And be aware of what's going on under the surface - where unwelcome bugs and roots spread with destructive consequences.

What about you? Are you aware of what's growing under the surface of your life? How do you take care of those areas?

The Running Father

2010-07-20T05:00:00.003-06:00

"But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him ... the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.'" ~Luke 15:20b, 22 NKJV

Don't get me wrong. I have a great Dad. When it comes to knowing how to build and fix stuff, he's the best. Add in strong faith, wisdom, patience and a quirky sense of humor, and my Dad can't be beat.

Well, except by my Heavenly Father.

Jesus told another story to show us what God's Kingdom is like and how God welcomes His children when they head home. The father in this story waits and watches. He sees when his wayward child is still far away ... and runs to meet him. And when he gets there, this amazing father loves. Welcomes. Accepts. Elevates. Lavishes. And throws a party because his lost son has returned.

The prodigal's father was more interested in their restored relationship than restitution for the squandered inheritance. (Unlike the older brother who clung to resentment instead.)

And Jesus said this is what God is like. Ponder that for a moment. God, the Sovereign Creator, who would be fully justified in holding me accountable for all my failings and shortcomings, sees my heart. He waits and watches for me to turn home in repentance. And then He runs.

Our Father, in heaven, runs. To me. And to you.

It reminds me of a song by Benny Hester, When God Ran, (performed by Phillips, Craig & Dean) that says it better than I ever could.

What about you? Are you like the prodigal headed home or the older brother sitting in judgment? Would it be easier to repent if you saw God as the running Father?

Mixed Mail

2010-07-15T05:00:00.003-06:00

Over the past few weeks, I've been getting some mail. Special mail in the self-addressed-stamped-envelopes I had included with query letters to various book publishers regarding two different projects.

Each time I spotted one, my heart rate accelerated and I got short of breath. After waiting for anxious months to learn whether anyone was interested in seeing more of my writing, the moment of truth had finally arrived. My fingers trembled. Should I rip open the envelope and scan the contents immediately? Or should I wait until I was actually inside my house and away from the prying eyes of my neighbors?

The first letter arrived three weeks ago. A form letter in very faint ink telling me that "being turned down, as is the case here, is not necessarily a criticism of your submission." So, why did it feel like it?

The second letter? Another form letter telling me to "look for a more suitable publisher" for my work. Ouch.

The third letter, also a form letter, was the nicest by far. They thanked me for considering them as a possible publisher before saying they were sorry they couldn't use my material.

Three letters. Three rejections. And one very grumpy, discouraged writer.

And then the fourth letter arrived. Holding the envelope didn't yield the same feelings of heady anticipation. In fact, I almost threw it away without opening it. Yet, I'd decided (for tax purposes) to save the rejection letters as proof that I'm actively seeking publication.

I sat down and opened the sealed flap. I tugged the enclosed single sheet of paper out and unfolded it. My eyes scanned the first paragraph. Thanks for your query letter about your proposed book project. We appreciate your interest.

My heart sank. This sounded like the previous letter.

Until I got to the second sentence of the second paragraph. The spot where they asked to see more of my work. My heartrate accelerated and I felt a wave of dizziness. An actual request for a proposal based on a query letter. My. First. Ever. And the emotional waterfall threatened to wash me away into an oblivion of prideful daydreams.

What happens when we get mixed messages? Do we believe the rejections and consider giving up? Or do we believe the praise and wrestle with pride? The bigger question may be whether either message truly reflects who we are at the core of our character? Which message will we believe?

I may have received mixed mail, but I'm still the same person I was before opening either kind of letter. And I have a feeling I'll be getting more of both in the future. So, I'd better to learn how to deal with the emotional aftermath now.

What about you? What kind of mail have you been reading lately?

The Loving Shepherd

2010-07-13T05:00:00.003-06:00

"If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?" ~Matthew 18:12 NKJV

Growing up in church, the story of the shepherd with the lost sheep is a familiar one. So, too, are the images of the shepherd returning to the flock carrying the lost lamb across his shoulders.

But why did Jesus tell the story in the first place? To illustrate the amazing love God has for us. You see. God is like the shepherd who seeks and saves those who are lost.

Like the not-so-bright species of sheep, we've wandered off into dangerous territory. But does our shepherd let us go, hoping we'll learn a valuable lesson? No. He pursues us. And when He finds us, does He scold and nag and punish? No. He carries us back to safety and sets us down on the correct path again.

Have I ever gotten off track in life? You bet. Have I suffered the natural consequences of being lost out in the cold and dark? Yep. And have I experienced the amazing warmth of being pursued, loved, healed, and carried home? Absolutely.

Do I sometimes forget and wander off again? Unfortunately. But I'm so thankful that God is like the shepherd in the story and keeps coming after me.

What about you? Have you ever strayed from truth and gotten lost? Have you experienced God as the loving Shepherd?

Catching Up

2010-07-08T05:00:00.003-06:00

I've spent the last three blog-free weeks catching up.

Catching up on my sleep. On family time. On yard work. On the massive pile of ironing and mending. On sorting the mountain of outdated toys in the basement in preparation for a garage sale. On my to-be-read pile.

Somewhere, in the middle of all my catching up, my dreams caught up with me and the ideas are flowing again. By giving myself the amazing permission to do things when I felt like it (instead of being driven by my ambitious goal lists), I gained rest. And freedom. And, believe it or not, progress.

Who would have thought it was possible to get things done while resting? Certainly not me. But God's mercy is amazing and I'm learning yet again to let Him lead.

So, while I'm back, I'll be posting less frequently for the rest of the summer. Consider it a lesson learned. (Not to mention the family vacation later this month!)

What about you? What have you been catching up on?

Taking a Break

2010-06-14T05:00:00.004-06:00

Ever pushed yourself to reach ambitious goals? It's difficult finding the balance between pursuing a dream and realistically counting the cost. And not just the financial cost. But the effects on our families, work performance, relationships, health, and sanity.

If you don't take the time to make consistent deposits, you'll find yourself overdrawn.

Which is where I find myself.

I adjusted my daily routines to account for having the family around the house this summer. It seems I didn't adjust enough and my chronic fatigue syndrome is flaring up again. I've tried pushing through with a slower but steady pace. It feels like I'm slogging through mud and falling further behind. After another week of trying to hold it together, I made the reluctant decision to cut back on blogging (and a few other things) for the sake of my health and family.

I just didn't think taking a break would break my heart.

Why did I tear up when typing that last sentence? Because I've enjoyed sharing my heart with all of you and hopefully passing along a little encouragement.

So, while my journey has detoured to the shop for an overhaul, I'm still cheering you on. As soon as I'm able, I'll be back.

What about you? Have you ever had to take a break from something you loved?

The Power of Fresh Eyes

2010-06-11T05:00:00.003-06:00

Living in Colorado, I should enjoy the scenic and majestic view of the Rocky Mountains. A panorama of snow-capped peaks against a deep blue sky. But I miss the view.

Why? Because I'm too close to the foothills. To see the full effect, I have to put distance between myself and the mountains, driving east out onto the plains. Then, when miles away, I can turn and see the Rockies in all their song-inspiring glory.

The same is true with my writing. I can be too close to my words and miss the big picture completely. In order to get a clear view, I can try to distance myself by putting the first draft on the shelf for a few weeks. After time, I can come back to the project and edit it from a fresh perspective.

But, the freshest eyes are those who have never seen it before. Like the out-of-state visitors to our state who gawk at the peaks (and gasp for air at the higher altitudes).

Enter the critique group. I am part of two online groups of writers who turn their skills toward my words. Finding plot inconsistencies, point-of-view slip-ups, and cliche characterizations. Pinpointing passive voice and places where I told the story instead of showing it. But, most importantly, they have uncluttered reactions to the story itself. Did they laugh? Or cry? Or ponder?

In seeing my writing through new eyes, I discover my story anew. Like when friends from Kansas see the mountains for the first time and I appreciate the scenery I had grown accustomed to.

What about you? Do you have someone to provide objective feedback? What benefits have you found? Any problems?

Celebrating Differences

2010-06-09T05:00:00.003-06:00

This past weekend, my special-needs daughter was special for another reason. Anna was the center of attention, courtesy of the Special Olympics.

The party started with the Law Enforcement Torch Run. As part of a fundraiser for the Special Olympics program, members of local police and sheriff's departments ran with the torch. This year, the local television channel and newspaper both turned out with cameras to document the event. My 13-year-old got to carry the torch at the beginning of the run and receive it again at the end of the course. Oh, and her brothers also got to participate in both the run and the Bar-B-Que afterward.

The festivities continued at the Summer Games. Dozens of volunteers helped the athletes get to each event and then on to the awards podium. Anna competed in the softball throw, the standing long jump and the 50-meter dash. Earning one silver and two bronze medals awards by plumed and caped Knights of Columbus members to the tune of the Olympics anthem. And photographed extensively and congratulated loudly by her family and friends.

In a culture prizing perfection, it was so refreshing to celebrate our differences and honor those who daily overcome challenges. And to be supported as a family.

What about you? Is there a special someone in your life? What can you do to celebrate our differences?

Being a Servant

2010-06-07T05:00:00.003-06:00

"If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet." ~John 13:14 NKJV

The feet around my house are in desperate need of washing. Summer has arrived. Along with the pile of crocs and flip-flops worn by dusty bare feet. Not to mention the sweaty feet inside baseball cleats.

But Jesus' instructions to wash feet had more to do with the attitude of serving than the action of cleaning. As much as feet need a bath of soap and water, I need a humble attitude even more. And my Teacher, knowing how difficult this is, led by example.

Just hours before He would lay down His life, Jesus laid aside His rights and took on the lowest task. Almost as if He was foreshadowing what was to come and tenderly loving His disciples to the end. Leaving them a memory of His love in tangible ways by performing a routine task.

What about my life? Washing feet is not a common task in today's culture. But there are other ways I can be a servant to those around me. Things such as providing clean sheets and clean clothes. A listening ear when I have a busy schedule. Time to read a book when I have a deadline. Giving up the television remote. Showing patience, gentleness, kindness and love.

Is it easy? No. But if Jesus can do it, then I can at least try.

What about you? What does washing feet look like in your life?

Changing Routines

2010-06-04T05:00:00.003-06:00

It's five months into the year, and, with the exception of a Spring Break trip and the week the entire family took turns with the stomach flu, I've had a solid and productive writing routine going.

My quota? One new chapter a week since the first of the year. Divided into the two mornings I drove the kindergarten carpool. Instead of heading home only to turn around and go back to pick up the boys, I'd drop them off, find a parking spot and pull out my AlphaSmart. No Internet, email or blogs to distract me. No solitaire or sudoku. No laundry or cleaning. Just a quiet car and the freedom to create.

And then came summer vacation.

My teaching husband and our three kids are all home. This means frequent interruptions and distractions. Noise (both happy and not-so-much) from the kids, the television, and the slamming door as they go in and out to play. I can work for my part-time job in the middle of chaos. I can blog, critique, read, and even edit previous chapters in the middle of the active household.

But I'm finding it very hard to create. I get a feisty string of dialogue going and lose it mid-stream. I think of a hook and then it's gone. I find myself telling instead of showing. Falling back on cliches instead of fresh comparisons. Not to mention the word count per writing session is less than half what I normally would write.

If I'm going to push ahead to the end of this story, I have to change my writing routine for the summer. Instead of trying for time on several different days, I may block out a single day each week for creating. By leaving my kids in the care of their father or a nearby grandmother, I can sneak away for a large chunk of time in an isolated place. Armed with snacks and drinks, I'll pound out the words until the chapter is done. And return home one step closer to "The End" not to mention happier for having accomplished my weekly goal.

What about you? Do your routines change with the seasons? Do you have any suggestions for this fledgling writer?

Dividing the Labor

2010-06-02T05:00:00.004-06:00

My kids have jobs for the summer.

I mean, from mid-August through May, their job has been learning at school and doing their homework. But once school is out for the summer, does that mean that I should continue pulling all the weight at home on top of my part-time job and writing?

I didn't think so. Especially since they're now ages 6 to 13.

So, my refrigerator door holds a chore chart for my kids. Every weekday, they have to make their beds and clean their rooms. (It should go without saying, but these same kids will stay in their pajamas all day if I let them.) The little guy is in charge of getting the mail every day. The 12-year-old gets to mow the lawn once a week. And my special needs daughter gets to clean out the inside of the van every week. In addition, they will take turns weekly helping with the laundry, the dishes, or Mom's cleaning chores.

As an incentive to get their work done, we're planning "reward" activities. A trip to the pool. A movie night. A backyard campout. A trip to a water-spraying playground followed by milkshakes.

Work, then play. And everyone pitches in. How's that for a lesson about life and family?

What about you? Do you reward yourself for getting work done? If so, how? If you have kids, do they do chores? How old were they when you started?

Being Light

2010-05-31T05:00:00.003-06:00

"You are the light of the world ... Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." ~Matthew 5: 14, 16 (NKJV)

I once heard a pastor describe light as God's signature. From Genesis chapter one when God said "Let there be light" until Revelation chapter 21 when Jesus illuminates the new Jerusalem, light is a sign of God's glory. A pillar of fire by night led the Israelites on their journey out of Egypt. Moses had to put a veil over his face because it shone so brightly after time on the mountain with God. A star led the wise men to Bethlehem. On the road to Damascus, Saul was blinded by a light from heaven.

Light dispels darkness - especially since darkness is defined as the absence of light - and reveals the truth. Light shows the path before our feet and, like a lighthouse, can lead us safely home. Light is electromagnetic radiation - energy in motion and with a full spectrum of color. Light is necessary for plant growth through photosynthesis and the generation of vitamin D in our bodies. Light is attractive to both bugs and weary travelers. And when light waves start moving in sync with each other they become a laser beam, capable of cutting out tumors and correcting vision. Focus light through a lens and you can start a fire.

And Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world.

That means that God's glory can work in and through me to do all those wonderful things. To be attractive. To reveal truth. To cause growth. To guide to safety. To bring healing. To cause others to see my life and glorify God. But it only works if I'm letting my light shine.

What about you? Are you shining into darkness or hiding under a bushel? Are you in sync with other believers or shining solo?

To Prologue or Not To Prologue

2010-05-28T05:00:00.002-06:00

That is the question lingering in my mind as I digest the feedback from this year's ACFW Genesis contest.

Some of the judges didn't feel a real connection to my protagonist or understand why the search for her brother mattered so much to her. It's a thread that carries throughout the entire book as she tries to regain that sense of security she had as a child. I'd sprinkled hints of backstory into my first chapter, but it appears it wasn't enough to hook them as readers. Or make them care.

Now, I'm considering adding a prologue. A very short scene from the POV of an orphaned six-year-old discovering that her baby brother has been moved to another foster home and is being adopted. Showing her raw emotions at the destruction of what little family she has left. Revealing her childhood promise to find him and take care of him like she'd promised Mommy and Daddy.

Then the story would flash-forward to chapter one as currently written. She's out of college and finally has a solid lead to aid her search, leading her to pursue a job in another town. (It opens as she's walking into the job interview.)

In general, opinions in the writing community are mixed (and heated) when it comes to prologues. Never use one because readers don't read them. It's a good way to set the mood or incorporate another point of view. Only a flimsy excuse for a backstory dump. Wonderful if used correctly (whatever that means).

So, I'm currently debating whether to add a prologue or not. I'm leaning towards the possibilities of strengthening reader empathy for my character while showing the necessary backstory. But, if it doesn't work out, I can always cut it. Right?

What about you? Have you used a prologue? Why or why not? Do you have an opinion about what I should do?

The Extra Chore Jar

2010-05-26T05:00:00.003-06:00

As of noon today, all of my kids are out of school for the summer. And I'm already remembering what three bored children can come up with to entertain themselves.

While it might be less messy than the paint, white-out, vasoline, and markers of their toddler days, the constant picking and button-pushing pulls me away from my work and into the role of referee and judge.

One solution that (sometimes) works is the extra chore jar. I found a glass jar and filled it with strips of paper. Each strip carries a household chore that can be completed in ten to fifteen minutes. Stuff like dusting baseboards, washing window blinds, pulling weeds, matching socks, sweeping the garage, and cleaning toilets. Each task is something that needs doing. And something I'd rather have someone else do.

Whenever someone makes my life difficult (by adding work to my to-do list or pulling me away from my computer and reading depositions), then the offender gets the chance to make my life easier. By pulling a random strip from the jar and putting their excess energy to good use.

You'll notice my disclaimer. This solution only sometimes works. The jar has been known to spark arguments when another child wanted to do that particular chore. And been known to cause extra work for me in the form of instruction, supervision and inspection.

When all else fails, I resort to time-outs in their rooms. Or push them outside to play. Or take them to the park or pool. Or farm them out to the grandparents for a sleepover. All before I return to my desk and secretly mark off the remaining days until school resumes in August.

What about you? For those with squabbling kids, what solution works for you? Can you think of any other uses for the chore jar?

Being Salt

2010-05-24T05:00:00.003-06:00

"You are the salt of the earth." (Matthew 5:13a NIV)

In a health-conscious culture telling us to cut back on our salt intake, it feels odd to be thinking of the substance in a positive light. But Jesus told his followers to be salt. In fact, if they lost their saltiness and weren't effective, they were "no long good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men." Ouch.

In talking about salt, we need to travel back in time to the Middle East in the times of Jesus. A place without refrigeration. How did they keep their meat from spoiling? By rubbing salt into it. The salt acted as a preservative to keep the integrity of the food and create a hostile environment for undesirable micro-organisms. Not only that, we now know that salt induces thirst, adds flavor and is necessary to regulate the body's water and electrolyte balance.

When Jesus told His followers to be salt, He wanted them to be a preserving element in the culture around them. By living and modeling the Kingdom life, they would ward off wrong theology while creating a thirst for God in those they rubbed shoulders with. Jesus never intended for the salt to stay inside the shaker with the other grains. Nor did he expect a single grain of salt to impact the world because it takes the collective effort to bring about the change.

But Jesus left a warning. Salt that isn't salty or changing the surrounding environment has no use. That makes me evaluate my life. Am I rubbing shoulders with people in need of the thirst-inducing flavor of faith? Do I impact their lives or am I essentially no different?

What about you? How salty are you? Do you tend to linger in the shaker or come in contact with the world? Does your life make a difference in the lives of others?

Ideas Are Everywhere

2010-05-21T05:00:00.003-06:00

I started this journey as a writer with a folder of story ideas. Well, snippets really. A short scene with a few words of dialogue. An interesting character or a fascinating setting. A treasure box of ideas needing to be fit into place like the pieces of a puzzle. (And we all know how frustrating it is to be missing a piece.)

Part of my writing journey is spent collecting ideas. Ideas to make a past manuscript stronger. Possibilities for a unique marketing approach. Ways to make things worse for the protagonist in my work-in-progress. Potential for sequels or a series. Topics for future blog posts or articles. Alliteration for a children's story. Unexpected twists in a story line.

Ideas are the lumps of clay waiting to be molded into functional or artistic pieces. The rough stones to be cut and polished into sparkling gems. The colorful pile of beads to be assembed. And the pile of forgotten treasures buried in Grandma's attic.

Where do I find them? Usually when I'm not looking. I get my best ideas while driving, vacuuming, brushing my teeth, showering, or weeding the garden. Anytime when my brain is on idle and the subconscious can finally be heard. I also get ideas by eavesdropping. And people watching or reading the newspaper.

Tomorrow, I'm going to try another method of idea-finding for the first time. My local writing group is getting together for a plotting party. I'm going to toss my storyline into the middle of the circle and ask them to help me brainstorm ways to raise the tension in the middle and unexpected twists for the ending. I should walk away with a pile of possibilities.

More importantly, how do I keep track of them? Mostly by writing fast on whatever surface is handy. I keep notebooks and pens in every room of my house, my purse, and my car. In a pinch, I've been known to write on sermon notes, junk mail, napkins and even my hand. I've heard of those who wrote on the bathroom mirror with an eyeliner pencil. Or wrote on the shower wall with a children's bath crayon or grease pencil.

Other suggestions have been to carry a digital voice recorder while taking a walk or to leave a voice memo on the cell phone. I once tried to call home and leave it on my answering machine ... but I forgot my brilliance by the time it finally picked up.

No matter the recording method, I eventually end up with a pile of paper scraps or post-its that need to be sorted. Some techie-type people type all their ideas and sort them into electronic folders. Personally, I like hard copies. I keep file folders for blog or article ideas and a folder for marketing. Clear page protectors work well as collection points in each manuscript's notebook. Future setting, character, plot, and dialogue ideas have their own place in a binder.

What about you? Where do you find ideas? How do you keep track of them?