Just a quick note to let you know that the paper part of school is now complete! Graduation will be held on September 11 and for the first time, I'll walk with cap and gown. I'm excited, but have found the moments I'm not working have been quickly filled with things I've so long had to neglect to get through this.
The last few months have been more difficult than I can explain, but thanks to those whose prayers I felt, even when they didn't know what they were praying for. It's a new day now and I'm headed in a direction I never knew I'd be headed to do things I never knew I could do!
I've already started the process of agent hunting. It's the next step in this very long process.I haven't written a lick since January, but am writing down observations
again, which for me is the beginning of a story.
With that said, look for blog posts again....I'll be in touch.
Buttons! Buttons! Everywhere!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Spring Abounds Everywhere Even in Politics
Well I'm shaking off the pain and stress of a ugly winter. My final semester for school is just days away and I'm almost giddy in expectation of finishing. Changes are everywhere around me, inside and out. This past few months have driven me to my knees repeatedly and as always, God has never failed to lift me up and send people into my life to pray with me and send words of support.
Spring is flashing signs it has arrived everywhere, from the heads of the flowers that are poking through the soil to the sky to the blossoming bellies of so many women I pass in the airports. This always makes me give pause to the newness of this season and how God has created Spring to give us hope. It's a time of repentance and forgiveness and great joy!
Not to bring you down but its also the time when the politicians descend upon Iowa like we were sugar and they were bees. Iowa stands out in the nation as being the first to attract these odd balls. Then again, Iowa is a state filled with contrasts. We have the leaning left, the dozing right, the hacks, the wanna-be's and the down right, never been out of towners who all think they know what is best for the nation. I'm truly ready to move! But sadly this next week, Iowa will host the "Atheists" Conference which deeply saddens me.
For a state with opinions on just about everything, there is no outcry for the Lord. We have become so easily swayed by being political correct that God's truth has been lost. Funny how the devil never needs to hide sin. He just cloaks it in political correctness.
The Wicked by Ernest Larson
The wicked prosper, so they say.
As for being good, that doesn't pay.
It's said the wicked have more fun.
The good stay home when day is done.
Well, now, I doubt this is trus.
The wicked have their troubled too.
The daily paper tells me so.
I buy it so that I will know.
I read the paper page by page,
to learn what sin is all the rage.
and what evil destroys and kills
that fills that world with all its ills.
This about evil cand be said:
it causes newspapers to be read.
What God says:
Psalm 21:9
..."The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath, and his fire will consume them."
Spring is flashing signs it has arrived everywhere, from the heads of the flowers that are poking through the soil to the sky to the blossoming bellies of so many women I pass in the airports. This always makes me give pause to the newness of this season and how God has created Spring to give us hope. It's a time of repentance and forgiveness and great joy!
Not to bring you down but its also the time when the politicians descend upon Iowa like we were sugar and they were bees. Iowa stands out in the nation as being the first to attract these odd balls. Then again, Iowa is a state filled with contrasts. We have the leaning left, the dozing right, the hacks, the wanna-be's and the down right, never been out of towners who all think they know what is best for the nation. I'm truly ready to move! But sadly this next week, Iowa will host the "Atheists" Conference which deeply saddens me.
For a state with opinions on just about everything, there is no outcry for the Lord. We have become so easily swayed by being political correct that God's truth has been lost. Funny how the devil never needs to hide sin. He just cloaks it in political correctness.
The Wicked by Ernest Larson
The wicked prosper, so they say.
As for being good, that doesn't pay.
It's said the wicked have more fun.
The good stay home when day is done.
Well, now, I doubt this is trus.
The wicked have their troubled too.
The daily paper tells me so.
I buy it so that I will know.
I read the paper page by page,
to learn what sin is all the rage.
and what evil destroys and kills
that fills that world with all its ills.
This about evil cand be said:
it causes newspapers to be read.
What God says:
Psalm 21:9
..."The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath, and his fire will consume them."
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Need A Good Cowboy
Just a quick update. Thougth about John Wayne the other day, his larger than life attitude, his swagger, the way he smiled out of the side of his mouth. Made me think he could take on the world at any given moment and never failed. Not bad for a man whose mother had named him Marion!
As you can see I've been conspicuously absent from the blog and probably will be until I get my internship overwith in May. Then I'll be back on track, so watch for me! In the meantime, I'm busily wrapping up my project, travelling and trying to get through my days, (which have been brutal, I might add.) Thanks for all of the prayers I've been receiving. I feel their power. And trust that I know God has not abandoned me:)
Hang in there with me and somebody.....if you see a good cowboy out there that can take on the world the way John Wayne once did without ever failing....will you tell him to call?
As you can see I've been conspicuously absent from the blog and probably will be until I get my internship overwith in May. Then I'll be back on track, so watch for me! In the meantime, I'm busily wrapping up my project, travelling and trying to get through my days, (which have been brutal, I might add.) Thanks for all of the prayers I've been receiving. I feel their power. And trust that I know God has not abandoned me:)
Hang in there with me and somebody.....if you see a good cowboy out there that can take on the world the way John Wayne once did without ever failing....will you tell him to call?
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
War and Rumors of War
I read USA Today on the airlplane as I returned from my weekend trip to Florida. The front page showed the faces of Egyptians and Libyans in turmoil and pain. The stock market gave grim news. Gas prices shot up seventeen cents while I was gone. In Mississippi, a court is deciding whether or not to issue a license plate in honor of a former KKK leader. Drug cartels are killing hundreds of people daily in Mexico. Labor Unions in Wisconsin are wreaking havoc while two police officers were killed in Florida just a week after two of their buddies were shot down in cold blood.
But in one small corner of life I heard about a twelve-year-old boy who donated his five-dollar allowance to Kyle Busch, NASCAR race driver, because he heard Kyle didn't have enough money to keep his truck team going in 2011. To some this might seem silly, but amidst all of the talk of war and rumors of wars this young man, Kyle Savoie, concentrated on something so simple that it drove away the thoughts that pound at us everyday. He thought of giving to someone else. A good thought to drive away bad things, isn't it?
THE COST OF A MIRACLE by Ruth Haven
Tess was a precocious eight year old when she heard her Mom and Dad talking about her little brother, Andrew. All she knew was that he was very sick and they were completely out of money. They were moving to an apartment complex next month because Daddy didn't have the money for the doctor's bills and our house. Only a very costly surgery could save him now and it was looking like there was no-one to loan them the money.
She heard Daddy say to her Mother with whispered desperation, "Only a miracle can save him now."
Tess went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured all the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes. Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out of the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door.
She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention but he was too busy at this moment.
Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster.
No good. Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it! "And what do you want?" the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. "I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen in ages," he said without waiting for a reply to his question. "Well, I want to talk to you about my brother," Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. "He's really, really sick.. and I want to buy a miracle.
"I beg your pardon?" said the pharmacist.
"His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?"
"We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help you," the pharmacist said, softening a little.
"Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs."
The pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, "What kind of a miracle does your brother need?"
"I don't know," Tess replied with her eyes welling up. "I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money".
"How much do you have?" asked the man from Chicago.
"One dollar and eleven cents," Tess answered barely audibly. "And it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.
"Well, what a coincidence," smiled the man. "A dollar and eleven cents--the exact price of a miracle for little brothers." He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said "Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the kind of miracle you need."
That well dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed without charge and it wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well.
Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place. "That surgery," her Mom whispered. "was a real miracle.
I wonder how much it would have cost?"
Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost.. one dollar and eleven cents ...... plus the faith of a little child.
What God Says:
Matthew 24:6
"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
But in one small corner of life I heard about a twelve-year-old boy who donated his five-dollar allowance to Kyle Busch, NASCAR race driver, because he heard Kyle didn't have enough money to keep his truck team going in 2011. To some this might seem silly, but amidst all of the talk of war and rumors of wars this young man, Kyle Savoie, concentrated on something so simple that it drove away the thoughts that pound at us everyday. He thought of giving to someone else. A good thought to drive away bad things, isn't it?
THE COST OF A MIRACLE by Ruth Haven
Tess was a precocious eight year old when she heard her Mom and Dad talking about her little brother, Andrew. All she knew was that he was very sick and they were completely out of money. They were moving to an apartment complex next month because Daddy didn't have the money for the doctor's bills and our house. Only a very costly surgery could save him now and it was looking like there was no-one to loan them the money.
She heard Daddy say to her Mother with whispered desperation, "Only a miracle can save him now."
Tess went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured all the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes. Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out of the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door.
She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention but he was too busy at this moment.
Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster.
No good. Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it! "And what do you want?" the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. "I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen in ages," he said without waiting for a reply to his question. "Well, I want to talk to you about my brother," Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. "He's really, really sick.. and I want to buy a miracle.
"I beg your pardon?" said the pharmacist.
"His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?"
"We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help you," the pharmacist said, softening a little.
"Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs."
The pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, "What kind of a miracle does your brother need?"
"I don't know," Tess replied with her eyes welling up. "I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money".
"How much do you have?" asked the man from Chicago.
"One dollar and eleven cents," Tess answered barely audibly. "And it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.
"Well, what a coincidence," smiled the man. "A dollar and eleven cents--the exact price of a miracle for little brothers." He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said "Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the kind of miracle you need."
That well dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed without charge and it wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well.
Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place. "That surgery," her Mom whispered. "was a real miracle.
I wonder how much it would have cost?"
Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost.. one dollar and eleven cents ...... plus the faith of a little child.
What God Says:
Matthew 24:6
"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
Monday, February 14, 2011
When is Love Real?
USA Today recently posted results for its online survey of 1,000 people that showed how easy it flirt, meet people and follow up with new dates on social media sites. Results showed more than a third (34%) of respondents believed it's possible to have a romantic relationship on the internet, especially men (41% versus 28% of women). It went on to talk about how the internet makes it easier to meet or break up with new partners as well as start an innappropriate relationship the way the married, former Congressman Chris Lee did when he shipped off a shirtless photo of himself and a flirty message to a woman he met on a dating site on craigslist.
Makes one wonder if there is any need to meet anyone in person any more. Can you tell if you love someone online? Is it the thrill of the hunt without contact? Or the fact that you might not want the pain that sometimes comes with love. Whatever the reason for utilizing social media to meet your "dream" partner, remember this Valentine's Day, nothing beats real contact with a real love that can span the test of time. Happy Valentine's Day!
Enjoy this classic sonnet by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight.
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! -- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
What GOD says about true love....
John 3:16..."For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believeth in HIM, should not perish but have everlasting life."
Now THAT's true love!
Makes one wonder if there is any need to meet anyone in person any more. Can you tell if you love someone online? Is it the thrill of the hunt without contact? Or the fact that you might not want the pain that sometimes comes with love. Whatever the reason for utilizing social media to meet your "dream" partner, remember this Valentine's Day, nothing beats real contact with a real love that can span the test of time. Happy Valentine's Day!
Enjoy this classic sonnet by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight.
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! -- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
What GOD says about true love....
John 3:16..."For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believeth in HIM, should not perish but have everlasting life."
Now THAT's true love!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Book Clubs
I read a wonderful article today about book clubs that are popping up like daffadils all over the country. These seemingly small groups of six to twenty people get together out of love for the written word. It's a social club filled with wonderful people who appreciate quality writing and good stories. It made me think of the Des Moines Book Club which consisted of several women who graciously read the first draft of my manuscript.
Just like the article in The Oregonian, (I'm in Portland, OR), the women of the Des Moines Book Club were brutally honest in their reading, which not only gave me a better sense of my story but made me totally rewrite parts of the book so the reader might better understand what was rolling around in my head. Lesson well learned.
So to book clubs across America, thank you for your honesty. Writers need it. Thank you for the generosity of your time as you make us better writers.
Here's a short tribute to those of you in book clubs whose importance cannot be denied.
Surprise
by Beverly McLoughland
The biggest
Surprise
On the library shelf
is when you suddenly
Find yourself
Inside a book-
(the HIDDEN you)
You wonder how
The author knew.
What God says:
Psalm 139:4 "Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely."
Just like the article in The Oregonian, (I'm in Portland, OR), the women of the Des Moines Book Club were brutally honest in their reading, which not only gave me a better sense of my story but made me totally rewrite parts of the book so the reader might better understand what was rolling around in my head. Lesson well learned.
So to book clubs across America, thank you for your honesty. Writers need it. Thank you for the generosity of your time as you make us better writers.
Here's a short tribute to those of you in book clubs whose importance cannot be denied.
Surprise
by Beverly McLoughland
The biggest
Surprise
On the library shelf
is when you suddenly
Find yourself
Inside a book-
(the HIDDEN you)
You wonder how
The author knew.
What God says:
Psalm 139:4 "Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely."
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Internship with Etruscan Press
For the next few months I will be an intern with Etruscan Press in an effort to finish up my MFA. Although this will again limit my time to blog, trust me, I will still be here. For now, I am asking for prayer. Fervent prayer. The kind that pulls God's amazing power to earth and shatters whatever the Devil is trying to do in and around me. Pray specifically that his will be done in everything I am aiming for and remember, I am praying for you too!
I love the people I will be working with at Etruscan. The work will be challenging but I swear it couldn't be worse than what I have just come through! Hang in there!
I love the people I will be working with at Etruscan. The work will be challenging but I swear it couldn't be worse than what I have just come through! Hang in there!
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