Rainy Day Feeling Again

It's Sunday afternoon, and raining. I like it. Kind of cozy. Rocky V is on the WB and for some reason, I'm watching it.

I actually cooked Sunday dinner. I know, I know, pass the smelling salts, revive the masses. Rachel Hauck cooked a whole meal! I smooshed together hamburger, onions, egg and A-1 sauce to make a meat loaf. Then mashed a few potatoes and steamed up a bag of broccoli. Tony kept going "Yum, good, babe!" A real meal. Such a rare treat in this house. Last night it was a salad and pop-out-of-the-can biscuits.

Church was good this morning. Pastor Gary talked about Moses. God shows up, calls Moses to deliver the Israelists, turns a staff into snake, makes his hand leprous and then heals it - all this after the burning bush encounter. Guess what Moses says? "I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." In the common vernacular, "Me, God? No way. I can't do it."

So God had to draft Aaron to help Moses. Gary's point: "God wanted to use Moses alone. But because Moses refused to abandon his weaknesses, even the Lord's glory was impacted by Moses' fear. And Moses had to share his glory with his brother."

How often do we do that? "God, me? Really? I can't do it!" We deprive God of an opportunity to glorify His name. We deprive God the privilege of giving us glory (for His name sake.)

I am bound by my weakness. But He is not. I want to learn from Moses and say, "God, me? Really? Okay, let's go!"

Too often we fear God leaving us high and dry, and place full confidence in ourselves. He's a gazillion times better! He never fails. He is faithful. He is willing and able.

Fire! Fire! Fire! I decided to burn a fire in the fireplace last night since winter is really about over in Florida. "Last time for a fire, Tony," I said.

Thirty minutes later, a lovely fire flickers from the fireplace. Then a knock on the door. Tony answers. It's our neighbor. Smelling smoke, and thinkng it was too warm (duh!) for a fire, he came over to make sure every thing was okay.

Tony laughed. "Yeah, we're fine. My wife is weird, but we're fine."

Son of Pale Face - Watching the old Bob Hope movie, Pal hops up and starts barking, looking out the window.

"Pal! Hush." I glance out to see "what now" and there, in the road, are two little white puppies, drenched. It'd stopped rainy, thankfully. Tony and I went out to rescue them. We live by a busy road. They were hiding in a wooded lot, and so cute. I coached one of them out of the brush. He'd run toward me, sit up on his hind legs, then run away. Finally, he ran up, licked my hand, then ran away. But third time is a charm and I captured him.

We couldn't find the other puppy, but I had a feeling they belonged to the neighbors next to the empty lot. They have two white dogs. Sure enough, when we walked over, there was Mom, Dad and brother. The little ones escaped through the fence which is six feet tall. Tony had to get a ladder to drop them over the side, then we had to figure out a way to block the escape route!

They were so cute. I was sorta hoping to keep them. Which would have turned our house upside down. LOL. But for once, Pal's bark alarm accomplished something!

Hi Mom.

Way down upon the Suwannee

Or in my case, way up to the Suwannee. I drove to Live Oak, Florida yesterday and spoke in the evening to the Glowing Embers group at the Advent Christian Community. It's a beautiful retirement community tucked away in north, central Florida.

I had a great time. There were about 100 people at the Glowing Embers dinner, and I stayed the night with a wonderful woman named Fran Brunner and her sweet dog, Spooky. This morning, I met with several ladies interested in writing. I could talk about writing and Jesus all day.

I drove home this afternoon, and am now... at home. Tony and I are having an evening together.

That's what I like about you

We celebrated a friend's birthday last night. Since it was his "day", he got to choose the game. We went around said what we admired or liked about the person next to us.

Then, we said what we liked and admired about the people not sitting next to us. So everyone received about eight encouraging words. It's interesting to see how other's perceive you, the first things they share.

Funny the first things we say about others. I told Tony he was the "coolest guy I know." Among other nice things.

But, isn't that a great game. Not a game really, an great evening with friends. Even the six and three year old participated. It was cool to hear what brother said he loved about sister.

Try it with your family. It will make a difference. Plus, this is my thing this year. If I don't have love, I'm nothing. If I I can't say anything nice, I'm not going to say anything at all.

Had a good day writing on Lambert's Peace. Was worried about being under in word count, now I think I'm going to be over! No, just kidding. It will be just right. I'm actually making this story a strong romantic, relationship story. The best parts are when the hero and heroine are on stage together.

Off to dinner.

If I have not love...

I've been thinking a lot about love lately. The kind of love Jesus demonstrated by leaving His rightful and privileged place in heaven to make recompense for man's sin. Some times when we sing antiphonally, we ask, "What kind of love is this?"

Not was, but is. A continual, unconditional love. A love that qualifies us to walk in the domain of light!

Jesus prayed in John 17:26 "...so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them." He's asking the Father to love us as He loves Jesus. How can we stand under such love? How can we not love others? I've spun my wheels trying to love the unlovely. I've had very limited success. But Jesus prays further to the Father and says, "I'll be in them."

It was this kind of news that rocked the world of the Jewish leaders. "What? God living inside of us? Impossible." Colossians 1:27 says it's the mystery of the ages, but here it is, "Christ in you, the hope of Glory."

So if Jesus lives in me, and the love of the Father is in me, then I should love others as the Father would love others. Hum... still working on it. But, it is my heart. Heidi Baker has practically taken over Mozambique for Jesus by loving. "Love the one in front of you," she says.

Then it hit me. If I don't have love, I'm nothing. I'm a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. In fact, I'm down right annoying. Ever heard a noisy gong or clanging cymbal? Shiver! So what if I write best selling novels, speak to thousands, earn millions if I don't have love. I am nothing! If I pray for the sick and see them recovered, but don't have love, it means nothing.

Do I stop writing, living life, pursuing the things of God? No. But it means I pursue love first. How different the world would really be if we pursued love, if we pursued Jesus with abandon.

You know, the disciples saw Jesus perform wonder after wonder, miracle after miracle. John the Beloved said the books of the world couldn't contain all He did. Jesus even told them to go out and do greater works that He! Remember that in John 14:12? If not, look it up. ;) Yet, the disciples didn't question Jesus about the miracles. They didn't question Him about how to perform wonders. They questioned Him about prayer.

"Lord, teach us to pray." They understood the power and importance of communion with the Father. They understood the profundity of Jesus came out of intimacy with the Father. Jesus even said, "I don't act on my own initiative, but I do what I see the Father doing."

And so should we. Loving others comes out of being confident in love ourselves. We must meet with the Father, cry out of the kisses of His Son's words on our hearts. Cry out to be changed, to love like He loves. Then, love the one in front of us. A neighbor, or friend. Perhaps a co-worker. There is no room for unforgiveness, bitterness and hate. No room.

I want to love like He loves. I'm tired of spending my prayers and energy on myself. I want to be like Jesus.

Prayer Retreat - We went on our annual prayer retreat with the teens. Four churches went up to Teen Missions in Merritt Island. It's a great place to go - lots of trees and paths to walk. God did some dynamic stuff with the teens on Friday and Saturday night. My intimate encounter came Saturday morning. I was sitting in the meeting room, worship was going on and Jesus called me to Him. I stood outside this cirlce, and His gaze caught mine.

"Come here," He said. I started to cry. In many areas of my life, I see myself just outside the circle. I"m good but not great. Playing the game, but second string. A wife, but not a mom. I won't bore you with the details, but this is a heart issue I need Him to change. Fearlessly, I stepped into the circle. We danced - Jesus and me. He can have all of me.

I am nothing without Love. Nothing.

A boo-boo

Tonight Tony and I were putting the top up on the Cabrio, and my finger got caught in the mental hinge. Tony was trying to lock his side down and I'm just screaming! Good bit of pain for about 20 minutes. My finger had a metal bar imprint and there's bleeding under the nail. It hurts to type.

Poor finger. I kept thinking, "How do you get the pain to stop?" Wow! Not fun, but I'm better now.

Good call with my Steeple Hill editor, Krista, today to discuss final changes on my chic lit. There aren't many. She's liked my rewrite. (huge sigh of relief.) I'm about to finish reading Bad Heiress Day. Very good story, and another Steeple Hill Cafe release.

Writing Lamert's Peace now and finding I'm a little short on my word count. I think. Not sure yet. I hate that. I didn't write myself into a corner, but need to add more emotion I think. Lambert's Code, I was over on word count. Go figure. And I thought that book was hard to write. LOL

The trip to Nashville went really well. Sydney, our new conference coordinator will do a fabulous job. The Sheraton is beautiful. The conference will be grand.

My friend, Ted, blessed me today. He said, "Rachel, I'm going to pray the joy of the Lord is your strenght always. That your radiate joy, impact others with the joy of the Lord."

I said, "Hum, I'll take it."

Well, we are going to watch Raising Helen.

My favorite men

Dad and Tony are spending Valentine's Day with me. I'm blessed. Dad had some business in South Florida, so he stopped for the night at Hotel Hauck. We are having fun talking about the Lord, and trying to understand the depths of Luke 24:31.

We went to the gym this morning. It's was couples day and we didn't know. A little after noon time, there were about 10 senior couples working out together! Too funny.

Neighbors just came by and brought us a present from their cruise to Mexico. How nice.

For Valentine's, we went to dinner at Outback. It was nice.

Off to watch a movie. Tomorrow I'm going to Nashville to visit the conference hotel and meet Sydney our coordinator.

A booksigning, and fried chicken

Lynn Coleman, Lousie Gouge and Eva Marie Everson and I had a booksigning in Orlando at Long's Bookstore today.

What fun! I roped Sheree into going with me. She took the pics. We met a lot of really nice people and had fun talking about writing and publishing.

Eva, Me, Louise, Lynn


Talking with a new friend


On the way home - Traffic was bad and we were starved. I wanted to go to Uno's Pizza but they were packed! Saturday night at 5:45. Hum.... go figger. So we whipped into Wendy's. I ordered a Number 5 combo meal with salad instead of fries though I was jonesing for some fries! But I unwrapped my sandwich to find a "Number 4" which is a double bacon cheeseburger. Definitely not Weight Watcher's friendly. So, thinking they made a mistake, (isn't it usually their fault) I kindly went over and told them I wanted a chicken not beef-n-pig. She fixes me up a new sandwich, I return to my seat to see it's not the grilled chicken I wanted-but-never-said, but the fried. Forget it. I bite.

I realized I ordered a Number 4 by acccident. Here's what happened. I know you're wondering. In line, I said to Sheree, "I'm getting a Number 5."

She said, "I'm getting a Number 4."

So, what do I do, step up to the counter and order a Number 4. Bottom line, it's Sheree's fault. Wink, wink.

At home - I kissed my hubby and got down to editing the galley's for Lambert's Code. Chatted with Tracey, Chris and Eric on line and sat in front of the fire. It's cold tonight. But I want to enjoy it while it last even though the house smells like the aftermath of a forest fire. Not quite, but you get my meaning.

Yes, the time stamp is correct. I have to go to sleep or I won't be awake enough to lead worship in the mornig. Be sure to click on the name of my fellow authors and visit their sites!

Peace Out.

Day in the life of a writer, well at least this writer

Write two lines, stare out the window, write two more lines, look up and think I'm sure so-n-so and so-n-so would write this story better than I am.

Let one of the dogs out. Write a sentence, pause to worry about next book. Let the other dog out. Write more. Throw a log on the fire. Wish I was Tracey Bateman or Kristin Billerbeck. Focus! Focus! Back to the story. Let dogs in because the scratching at the door is irritating.

Make a cup of tea. Wonder if it's going to turn my teeth some shade of yellow. Did I mention I think my hair is thinning on top? I promise! My part shows much more scalp that it used to! And my bangs fall funny. What will I do if I go bald on the forefront of my head? Wear a bandanna? Oh law.

Back to the story where the heroine has lucious blonde hair...

Cathy Got Married

Sitting in IHOP Saturday morning, Tony and I did the "old married couple thing" and sat at breakfast reading. He, a Sci-Fi on his palm, me, the Florida Today (which I read once a year, maybe.)

Waiting for my eggs and 'cakes, I flipped to the comics. What? What's this? Cathy got married! Cathy, the single, career woman's comic icon, the original "chic." Bridget Jones' predecessor. The first to make fun of our obsession with weight, shoes, and noncommital boyfriends. (See "He's Just Not That Into You.")

Saturday's comic was her wedding day! She married Ivan. I can't believe it. Since I haven't kept up with the story line, I have no idea what lead up to it, but Cathy Got Married.

I heard this is the year the Lord is blessing people with marriages. Maybe Cathy is a "sign." Ha...

Super Bowl - The Super Bowl is always fun. Big screen TV at church, lots of food, Greg with a microphone. The night of Super Bowl XXII, Tony and I talked for the first time. Back in those days, we had Sunday night church and while I had Super Bowl plans with my friends, they fell through hours before the big game. I got in my car to go shopping, but the Holy Spirit kept tapping my heart, "Go to church."

"I did, this morning," I said. But I couldn't shake the proding. So, I went home, changed and went to church. Tony and I stood in the back afterwards and talked for an hour. Seventeen years later, we're still talking.

I guess Super Bowl XXII has to be my favorite. Don't know who was playing, don't know who won. Maybe the Broncos? The '80's was their heyday right? Or the Redskins.

Anyway, I guess you could say I found love because of a Super Bowl. LOL! Mostly I found love because of a Super God. There's no one like Him.

Sling Back Chair - Years ago, before we were married, Tony's parent's bought him this sling chair that he could rock in. It's really comfortable. My backside sits lower than my legs. It's a great laptop writing chair. I've pulled it into the living room and spent time today writing. Got stuff done. :) I think the chair is now an official part of my writing life. My writing chair.

Joined the Gym - Oh yeah, joined the gym tonight. Tony went to another place last year, but I wanted to start lifting weights again, so we joined Pro Health together. I loved it. I'm excited. I've gained flghdut number of pounds (that's me with my hand over my mouth) and want to get it off and get down to my goal weight. No more fooling around. (Bill Cosby: "You've fooled around long enough.)

John 3:27 & 29: Great revvy today. Disciples of John the Baptist complained to John that Jesus was baptising people. John responds with, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven." Then in verse 29, he blows us away with, "He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice So this joy of mine has been made full."

Basically, it's all about Jesus. We can't be jealous of each other because a man can receive no-thing unless heaven gives it to him. And, the bride (hint: the church) belongs to Jesus. He's the bridegroom. We can't covet the Bridegroom's bride. "Hey, Jesus, mind if I use the ones you love for my own gain?"

No, only He's earned the right to call us His own. I didn't die for the Bride, you didn't die. Only He gave up His life for love.

You belong to Jesus. I belong to Jesus. We can't be jealous over each other, or covet what the other has. We should point to Jesus, point to the good in each other and remind ourselves "you are the Beloved."

"Rightly do they love you, Jesus."

Well, off to do other things. Maybe sleep.

Oh, see below. My boy Eric, Wheaton grad, with a friend in Chicago.

There's no place like home, really?

We're home from vacation. Got in this afternoon. I've already vaccumed and mopped, unpacked, emailed, and am now blogging. (This one's for you, Chris.)

It's simply a beeeaauutiful central Florida day... not! It's cloudy and raining... and what IS that smell in my house? I cannot figure it out. Part musty, part stank. Anyway, I cleaned (sorta) so I'll have to figure it out later.

We have youth church tonight. Talk about hitting the ground running. Tomorrow is Fire Dweller leaders meeting and Mary Hogan's funeral. I need and want to be at both of those, so I plan to write in the morning and then in the evening. I have several things to be working on in February, the short month. Plus a trip to Nashville to view the conference site and a prayer retreat. And one speaking engagement. No two.

I read this in my RWA chic lit newsletter. Interview with Stephanie Lehmann, author and agent. She said, "I would never write from anything but the heart." I love that. I have to keep that in mind. Yes, their are publishing trends and demands. Do it. But write my story from my heart. Write my voice.

Does anyone know how to renew my RWA membership? I don't and I think it's due soon.

My tenure as ACFW President is drawing to a close. I'm both sad and excited. Sad to be leaving a position I love and a Board I adore. Excited to give more time and mental energy to writing. ACFW is an exceptional organization. I thank God for the ladies who founded it on a wing and a prayer: Lynn, Andrea, Tracie, DiAnn, Gail and Brandilyn. Thank you!

A cute little girl sat across the aisle from us on the airplane ride home. When we landed in Orlando and while taxing in, Tony unclicked his seatbelt. "Um, tellin'." So the little girl does the same and hops out of her seat like, "Woo hoo, we're here!" Her mom snaps her up and buckles her back in the seat. The little girl looks at her mom, then leans way over and looks at Tony, then looks at her mom again. I laughed and nudged Tony, "You're setting a bad example." The look on her faces was "sumptin ain't right here." But hey, she's spending the week with Micky. Her worries are over.

Click on Photos to see new pictures!

Happy Birthday, Maureen! LIOB

Rebel without a blog

You gotta blog, you know? Really, everybody is doing it and for once, it's OK to be doing what everyone else is doing.

No blog? Get one. What a great way to blah, blah, blah your life for the rest of us to yadda, yadda, yadda about. For writers, it's critical, IMHO.

Readers love to know more about their favorite author, or the author of a book they just read. Bloggin gives them reason to visit your site over and over. Then, when a new release comes out, they have car keys in hand, on their way out to B & N, or zipping over to Amazon.com.

I've been a blogger since I was a preteen. I had a little girl's diary at the age of seven which I wrote in often. By the time I was a teen, I blogged, ooops, journaled several times a week if not daily. Now I have opportunity to share my life with the world. Yippy for you.

I wouldn't have wanted to cyber blog during my teens and twenties, really. My personal thoughts and feelings out there for everyone to read. Yowza.

But really, get a blog. Don't be a rebel. ;)

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! My mother-in-law called up the stairs this morning, "Rachel, look outside." Big white snowflakes were coming down. I shoved Tony out of bed to the tune of "do I have to?" and made him boot up and go outside for a photo op. I haven't seen snow since November of '97 when Laura, Esther, Cassie and I trekked to Poughkeepsi with woman named Judy. ("Hey, can you tell me how to get to Broadway?") Oh man, too funny. We laughed so hard. Anyway, we lead worship at a Woman's weekend at the River Church. It snowed one afternoon. The ladies blamed me. I didn't mind, but if you actually think I have that kind of power... ha!

Meeting Beka. Tony and I drove down to Shelbyville to meet with Beka, Josh, Caleb and Elizabeth for dinner. Chuck didn't feel well, so he stayed home. We missed him. But the kids are doing well. When I first held Elizabeth she looked at me so intent like, "You seem familiar, but you're not my mommy." Anyway, we had a nice time. Drove home in a fresh snow fall, stopped at Barnes & Noble 'cause I needed a new writing-ideas notebook and now we are home.

The writer's life. It's a hard life, but a good one. So full of doubt, but I have to believe that the Lord is leading me. Amen and amen. Blog that.

Gosh, it's it Friday already

Vacation weeks go by so quickly, don't they?

I had a great time yesterday visiting with Colleen Coble and Diann Hunt. We talked, ate, talked some more and laughed a lot. We have the same agent, so we took a picture together. I told Colleen to send it to her with this title, "Your favorite clients." I'll post the picture as soon as I can edit it down. It's too big right now.

Not too much else to report. All's still fair in love and war in case you were wondering. Although I wonder about that statement. Like is murder fair for the sake of love? Not really. Is adultry fair for the sake of love? Not really. So perhaps that should change. All is NOT fair in love. War, different story, I suppose. But being as I'm not experienced in war, I'll refrain from commenting.

We are going over to see Tony's sister today. She has a bunch of barn yard animals. Then we are going out to dinner. I should write, but am enjoying being in vacation mode. I guess I'll have to write tomorrow.

Oh, let me tell you what is true about love: it is patient, kind, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures. Love never fails. God is love. Pretty cool, eh?

Well, off to do something, perhaps nothing, but I'm done here. :)

Vacation, Day II

It's the end of day two. We flew in yesterday and spent the evening relaxing, dining with Tony's sister Sally and her husband Jose and son Che.

The cat's run from us, but the dog, Molly wags her tail and whines. She loves us. The weather is beautiful. Sunny and cold. The snow is melting, but hopefully it'll snow again before we leave.

I feel rested. I've been writing off and on all day. Wrote two synopsis. One romance, one chic lit, just hammering out ideas. Both ideas came so consise and clearly, I couldn't resist writing them down. But they need polishing, of course.

I finished a chapter of Lambert's Peace and am starting the next. I'd like to write on it more before going to bed. Thursday I'm driving to Wabash to visit my writing friends Collen Coble and Diann Hunt.

A word about Johnny Carson. I was sad to hear he died. Though I'm only 44, he was apart of my growing up. In the summer, it was a big deal to stay up late and watch Johnny Carson. I'd check to see if my favorite stars would be on. And yes, I'm not crazy. The show used to be an hour and a half. I thought so. When did it change? Johnny, a loved icon of American entertainment. I hope he knew Jesus. Better Him than all the stars in the sky, or Hollywood.

Well, I'm thirsty. Hi to Alison and all who've stopped by recently. Sign my guestbook.

Just call me Eva Knieva

I drove the mile over to Publix this morning without my seatbelt! Daring! Gutsty! I know. Breaking the law, yeah, well sorta. Sorry about that. But I confess it's my own little passive agressive revolt against the idea that lawmakers think they are doing society a favor by requiring them to wear seatbelts, all the while burying their head in the sand over the thousands of unborn babies aborted each year.

If abortion is protected under the guise of a "woman's right to do what she wants with her body" (never mind the baby's) then why can't I drive down the road without my seatbelt? Isn't it my body? Who am I harming? Can't I do with my body want I want?

Geez, now I've done got on my soapbox. It must be the Eva Knieva in me. Climbing down. As I do, let me say this. Abortion is a tough issue. I have compassion for woman who've had to choose. Jesus has compassion for them, too, and offers grace, forgiveness and peace.

Look, He didn't go to the Cross to for the right to condemn us with our weakness and sin. He went to the Cross to purchase us from the evil one, the one who does condemn us and continually accuse us before the Righteous One. In John 3:17 Jesus tells us He came not to judge but to save. Those who believe in Him are NOT judged.

The Cross, Life and Resurrection of Jesus is about qualification, not disqualification. He's glad over you! He sings over you! He's not mad or disappointed. He knows our frame, our weakness. Abortion or not, His arms are waiting for you.

You know what Jesus told me once? Maybe I've blogged it already, but it bears repeating. I was singing to Him one day after a hard phone conversation with someone. I played the keyboard, pouring out my heart, trying to get the slim off of me, and He sang back. "I've searched the whole earth, the whole earth, through all of time and Rachel, there is no one like you. No one." I burst into tears, feeling, thinking, "No, that can't be. I'm nothing. I'm ordinary." But the truth is, in all of human history, there is no one like me. I'm unique. Song of Solomn 6:9 "But my dove, my perfect one, is unique."

That's me! That's you. The King of King, Lord of Lords wants you. He must have you. There is no one like you. He loves us so much He bore the Cross to prove it. No Mohammad, no Budda, no Maharishi, no Confucius, no religious zealout, leader, guru took the thorny crown, the whipping with a cat-of-nine tails, the fist beatings, the pulling out of the beard, the nailing to the rugged, wooden Cross, the spear in the side, the pain, shame and rejection for you to have life abundantly. No one but Jesus! It's only our arrogance and darkness that keeps us from seeing "what kind of love is this?"

All the religions of the world are about man becoming like God, man making a way to God, man appeasing God. But faith in Jesus is about realizing God became man, God made the way for man to come to Him, and He appeased Himself with Himself. Mind blowing.

Wow! I didn't know the soap box was so tall. I'm down now.

Exhortation. I started reading the book Bonnie gave me about the life of writers/authors. Several impacted me deeply. I felt God whisper over me after reading several this morning. I've really carried the burden of being told I'm not great, and have a lot of work to do. I don't want to dismiss the counsel, 'cause I know I'm not "great," but it's made me want to give up. So, the Lord said to me, "Rachel, you're not great, but the One who is great lives in of you."

Tears, of course, the tears came. I'm not in this writing biz alone. I know I have work to do. I want to get better, grow in my craft. Pull out that deep story inside of me, but I don't have to work, walk, write alone. The Great One lives in me.

I said it before, I'll say it again, Jesus rocks! My Father in Heaven is kind, loving, full of mercy and compassion. He loves me.

We go on vacation tomorrow and I need to get cleaning the house. I have the windows open and it's freezing in here, but once I get cleaning, I'll warm up. Tonight is Javi and Brenda's ordination at Rapha Christian Center, so we are going to that.

Grace and Peace.

I did a thing today

Yeah, a thing. Spoke at the Ladies Winter Luncheon at church. Small crowd, but we had fun. We dressed Styrofoam Snowmen with items from our purses. It was so funny to see what people came up with.

Sheree, Chelle and I worked together to dress our Snowman. Gum box hat, money belt, shredded paper skirt, velt bag cape, gum buttons, foil eyes, ear plug ears, asprin feet. Too cute.

I spoke on life's currency that has eternal value - words, time and money. These are the commodities that store up treasure in heaven. What we do with our words, what we do with our time, what we do with our money.

Oh, driving to church, I had inspiriation on a chic lit idea. I've got about 10 of them, but this one keeps coming to the surface, getting deeper and more developed.

Now I'm home, trying not to fall asleep. We went over to help our neighbors, Dave and Ilene, with the trusses for their room addition. Tony glanced out the Florida room window and sees little tiny Ilene trying to hoist a truss over her head and he was moved to help. LOL

It's a nice night here in Central Florida. Cloudy, but not too cold. I have a fire going. It's nice.

Bonnie gave me a nice gift bag for speaking today. One of the items was a collection of stories about Christian authors and how they made it in publishing. I'll keep it around for the hard, dark days of writing. I know writing is my calling, part of my calling in God anyway, but I've yet to see the big picture? New York Times best seller. In Rachel's dreams, yes! In God's heart, not so sure?

I know He gives us the desire of our hearts. I know He wants us to dream big all the while pursing Him with our whole heart. I don't dream big enough. A friend encouraged me in my writing a few months back, well, I think thats what it was supposed to be, but it ended up discouraging me.

It's that economy of words thing. We never know how our words are going to effect others. I think this person meant to spur me on, but the net result has been the blaaas. So, I decided I can use God's words to challenge my friends words and rise above, or use my friend's words to doubt God go nowhere. I choose God's words.

I may have to fight my way back into the Ring of Confidence, but I can do it. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Fire Dweller has been good the past few Fridays. Last Friday we got into this song of the Lord, crying out to Him. I kept singing, "tremble at His Word" and "fear of the Lord is wisdom." My words were weaving with the electric guitar. It was cool. Jer lead last nigt and it was good. Good prayer time at the end.

Oh my gosh! More of my clothes are shrinking. Help. Need new dryer.

Words of Wisdom from The Carrie. She called from FSU looking for ideas on a story she's writing for class. Due Tuesday. Little brainstorming can make all the difference, ja know? Anyway, I asked, "Any more thoughts on what you want to do after you graduate?"

"No, but I made a new goal for myself. Spend a half hour a day on my future - looking for jobs, investigating my options."

Wow! Light bulb over Rachel's head clicked on. What a great idea. Spend a half hour a day on my future. Researching story ideas. Writing on a story idea. Thinking of characters and backstory.

Carrie called for help from me, and ended up helping me.

Well, it's dinner time. I need to cook something. Grace and Peace

The Bullet, the Bull Dog and the Gun

The summer of '77, we moved from south Miami-Homestead area to Tallahassee. I worked at the Cutler Ridge Publix and the Saturday night before we moved, the entire store threw a party for me at Denny's. Even the Manager came. Now would that happen today? Not!

My then boyfriend, Pete Ramirez, had a couple of friends, Kevin and Bob. They called themselves the Bullet, the Bull Dog and the Gun. Don't ask me which was which. Anyway, Pete and I showed up at Denny's for my surprise party. I wrote this in my diary....

Pause for real life interjection. I was reading this in bed last night and started laughing so hard I couldn't talk to Tony. I wanted to read it to him, but I couldn't. When he read it for himself, he smiled and goes, "Guess you had to be there."

Guess so.

Quote from July 9, 1977:
"Kevin and Bob came over (to where Pere and I were sitting.) We all sat around talking. The Bullet, the Bull Dog and the Gun! The trio. Though Bob looked more like the Bull Frog with his hair parted down the middle and all."

Hahahahahah! Still makes me laugh.

From the summer of '76 to the summer of '77, I laughed so much. My friend Lorena and the Bull Frog, er, Dog, used to argue all the time. They liked to argue. I'd sit up listening to them until 2 a.m., laughing hysterically.

It's odd to see my teenage wisdom scrawled across lined notebook pages. I had some, actually. I just lacked experience. Now that I have experience, I need some of that sixteen year old wisdom and zeal.

Ah, life's a quagmire.

Tony and I are doing well. Going on vacation Monday. I'm so looking forward to it! I have to write, but I'm always writing on vacation.

Tomorrow I'm speaking at the ladies Winter Luncheon so I need to prepare for that today. At 11:00, I'm lunching with Laura, Jer, Ezra and Laura's mom, Lois. Then Fire Dweller tonight.

Youth Church was good. Before worship, I prayed to get us settled down and focused. God showed up, and we never sang or played background music. In the silence, He came and ministered to us. It was pretty cool. Around 9:30. I got on the piano and sang softly. One of the girls started crying. Later we found out Jesus came to her, literally, either in physical or heart eyes, but it was real. He took her face in His hands and kissed her. She cried for twenty minutes. Jesus rocks!

Chris went home yesterday. It was good to have him here. We miss him!

Last night, I held my final board meeting as ACFW President. I'm sad to be leaving the position. Sad to be out of the decisions and leading, but I'm also relieved. I can already feel the weight lifting. It's been a good two years, but it's time for me to move on. The next Board will take ACFW even farther. I had a great board, and made some great friends. Well worth the sacrifice. Thanks, Lord.

Well, better get to preparing my teaching. I'm talking on Money, Time and Words - life's currency that has value in Eternity.

Too early on Monday to think, but...

I woke up at 5:21 this morning. No, take that back. I got UP, as in out of bed, at 5:21. I woke up before that, tried to sleep, but couldn't so I decided to get up, make tea, pray, (ooh, house is cold. Change blanket for robe and flannel pants), drink tea, read Bible, fry an egg, toast a muffin, pour a Diet Coke, and finally, boot up computer.

It's now 8:25, I'm sleepy again. The day is dawning clear, sunny and cold. It's in the 40's, but "feels like" 30's. Chris Schoff is here from Guatemala. He just left with the Phillips' for Universal. Tony is sleeping. Smart man.

We had a bonfire last night with several other church. Javi lead worship. Ahhhhh! He's so fun to sing with. It was a good night to have a bonfire since it was so cold. Julie Roper Sumner was there with her neice. Yeah! We talked the whole time. It was good to catch up with her. She's one of our kids from the '90's. She's a mom now with two boys.

I pulled on my freshly laundered painter jeans when getting ready to go up to the fire. They are feeling tight these days. Dagum if the dryer isn't shrinking my clothes again!

Speaking of tight clothes. I saw some show about the latest diet fad. Eating like the French. LOL. It talks about how you can eat whatever you want and lose weight, you just eat less and drink leaks soup. Whatever. You know what? There is no perfect diet plan. Not Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Dr. Phil, Atkins, pick your poison. All diets require the same thing: life change and discipline.

I was successful with Weight Watchers. But I've heard people pan it, and other plans, saing they don't work becuase they tired the plan and failed. Or had some success, then failed. The problem is not the plan. The problem is the planee. The person. The one not sticking to the discipline of eating right. If you try to dunk a basketball and miss, is it the ball's fault? The hoop's maybe. Ah, no, it's your shoes. Yes, I can't dunk a basketball because my shoes are all wrong.

Diet plans don't fail. People fail. I had a friend who under went gastric bypass surgery and even he had to watch what he ate or he would gain weight! There's no miracle cure except close your mouth and run outside and play.

That's it! The perfect diet plan. Record your mom's voice saying, "Click off that TV and go outside and play!"

However, in my case, it's that I need a new dryer. One that doesn't shrink my clothes, especially my jeans. Seriously, new dryer.

Sheree. Remember my dear Sheree. She wrote the guy an "after" email. Wrong move. Now he's got hand, as in the upper. She bid him good-bye, farethewell, totally controlled the upper hand. Now she's done gone and given it away. I told her so, but yet, in all reality, I understand. It's hard to say good-bye to a close friend. One to whom she committed her heart. But we ladies make the classic mistake. "I closed the door so hard, he'll never come back, even if he wants to! Hurry, go open it a crack."

Truth is, if a guy really misses you and wants you, he'll kick the door in and sweep you off your feet. Until then, ladies bar the door. We settle too soon, too quick. Guys have it made.

To Sheree's dude, I say this, "If you don't want the old girlfriend, as you've told my Sheree, then break the soul tie and move on. Ask the Lord to show you why you're so connected to someone you claim you don't want. If you really do want her, fess up to Sheree so she can go on with her life. Apologize for being a weeny and lying about it."

Did I say Chris was here? It's good to have him. He's such a good friend. Wow, I'm really getting sleepy. Maybe it's time for a mid-morning nap.

Hey, wanna bet I can stay in my pajamas all day? Oops, no, sucker bet on my end. It's too gorgeous outside to stay inside.

Quote from He's Just Not That Into You: Don't waste the pretty.

Quote from Shakespeares Merry Wifes of Windsor: SLENDER: Mistress Anne Page? She has brown hair, and speaks small like a woman. (we speak small?)

Finally warming up

I've noticed lately that I'm not cold all the time. Finally. Five months after leaving Harris Publishing and the refigerator they housed us in, my body has adjusted. I can no longer ride in the car, sun beaming in, windows rolled up and the air off and my sweatshirt on.

I can go into a restuarant without hauling in my parka! It's marvelous.

Update on my friend Sheree: Well, the dude was a dud. He made the leap, but turns out he was bungy corded to an old girlfriend "back home." It's been hard for my dear Sheree, but you know, she's free to find the good man that is out there, waiting for her.

The Randy Clark meetings went well. Lots of faith building stuff. He said something so cool last night. When he asks people "what they want" when he prays for them, they answer, "Whatever God wants."

"No, what's on your heart?"

"I don't know."

Randy insist we do. We have to be confident that the desires of our heart, cause we seek Him, are His desires. He's not an ogre who sends us places we don't want to go, make us do what we hate or be who we are not. He's loving, kind and gives us the desires of our hearts. Psalm 34. If we don't want to go, do or be something He's calling us to be, He will give us the grace and desire.

We've got to take the responsibility off ourselves and let God be God. He's a wonderful Father. Of course, if you're stealing from the supply closet at work and have no desire to quit, well now, that's a different matter.

Quote from He's Just Not That Into You: "When it comes to men, deal with us as we are, not how you'd like us to be."

Well said, well said.

It's Tuesday at 6:45...

Tony's gone up to the Randy Clark meetings at Our Father's House. I'm home writing Lambert's Peace.

Actually, I'm writing my blog, but shhhhh...

I luncheoned with Allison Wilson today. We reviewed the 2004 conference manual. It's bigger than War and Peace. I'm still in the process of hiring a coordinator. I've probably spent 40 hours on that this past week alone - Conference and ACFW stuff.

I have a potato in the oven. One loan potato because I didn't have two. Later, I'll do something miraculous with chicken strips, green beans and yellow squash.

My friend Sheree's in a quandry. A guy friend of hers called at 6:30 in the morning last week and told her he wanted to pursue a more serious relationship. Until now, they've been friends. He lives in another state, so it's long distance, but sometimes those are the best "get to know you" deals.

So, I think pretty cool, good for Sheree. She deserves a good guy. I asked her the other night how things were going, mind you it's been a week since the wake up call, and she said she hasn't really talked to him. She finally called him on the weekend. He said he couldn't talk and would call her later. Last I heard, no call.

Sorta makes you go, "Hum." So, should she call him and ask what's going on? Or should she just wait for him? Or should she take a hint from the book "He's Just Not That Into You" and move on? Why would a guy do that? Call at 6:30 in the morning, declaring his intentions to have intentions and then not call for days?

Weird.

Lookit, I have got to get to work. Oh, looked over edits on Lambert's Code today. Looking good. The editor is pleased.

Procrastination, the name of the game

What is it about starting a new story that breeds procrastination like pollen in the spring? Dang. I am dragging my heals on this Lambert's Peace story, but I want to write it. In fact, I already have a chapter by chapter outline, so it's not like I don't know where to go.

Christmas tree is still up. That should tell me something.

I feel tired. We've been getting up early for prayer this week, but not managing to get to bed early enough. Better than we were pre New Years, but still not when we should.

It's all excuses, though, isn't it?

Here's a great exhortation for waiting on the Lord in prayer: Isaiah 64:4. "He acts on behalf of those who wait on Him." You wait - braid yourself together with Him - and He will act on your behalf.

But it's true. Waiting is the hardest part.

I need a Diet Coke. 7-11 run.

Yeah! My sorority Big Sister visted my site. Yeah! Hi ya, Tish! Love you. ;)