Lessons Learned While doing the Bible in 90 Days

For some reason this post to didn't post, however I wanted to share my experiences with the Bible In 90 days.


It is finished - I completed my reading in 89 days.  I honestly did not think I would make it.  I was about a week behind, but I continued to read.  One night I read for six hours.  I learned that it takes a commitment to read the Bible.  You have to be serious about it and you have to schedule the time.  Pray before you read and read.

Here are few lessons I learned on the way.

1.  Make time to read -  In order to stay on track for 90 days, you need to schedule time to read.  I decided to use my lunch break as my reading time, but I didn’t think about the weekends.  I thought I’d get up early and read, but it never happen.  Most times my weekend were so busy, I didn’t have time to read, which made me two days behind each week.

2. Use your free time for catching up - You’ll be surprised where you can catch up on your reading.  Waiting in the doctor’s office, sometimes I’d get 15 minutes of waiting.  Waiting in the drive thru for lunch.  Sitting in the park while the kids swing.  If you need to catch up.  Use your free time to catch up so you won’t feel overwhelmed.

3. Read Ahead – If you can, read few days ahead, this will help if you fall behind on your reading, you’ll still be on track and won’t have so much to read to catch up.

4. Participate in the check-ins.  – I liked that they had a checks every week.  It made me more accountable and it was also encouraging to read others posts.  I could see those who were moving along and I could understand those who were having a few challenges. 

5.  Participate in the chats – If you have the time participate in the weekly chats.  I was able to attend one chat and it was very encouraging.  It was nice to chat with others who were on fire for reading the Bible.

6. Don’t get discouraged – Reading the Bible in 90 days seems like an easy task when you sign up, but if you fall behind, you will want to throw in the towel.  I encourage you to continue reading.  Read the posts for your check-ins.  Ask for prayers.  Say your own prayer.  Try to continue on.

7. Mentors – I was blessed with a great Mentor, Christy.  She was very encouraging and she didn’t try to force you to read.  She sent her gentle reminders and she always had something positive to say to us all.  Thank you Christy for being a wonderful mentor.

8. Mom’s Toolbox -   This is the place that I heard about the Bible in 90 days.  Amy posted information everyday for 90 days.  She was our biggest encourager and I learned a lot from her.  I will continue visiting her blog.

9.  Retaining Information – I have always tried to read the Bible in a year, but I never past the half way mark.  I wondered about how much I retain from reading so fast this time.  Then I realized my goal was to read the Bible.  Studying the Bible comes next.  So don’t feel bad if there are a few books, you wonder what were you reading?  You have plenty of time later to reread them and get the knowledge you need from them.

10. What if I don’t make the 90 days?  - The goal is to complete the Bible.  If you go over the days allotted, that’s OK because you read the Bible.

Now that I’ve read the Bible, I’m looking forward to going back to certain books and rereading.  That’s the good thing about the Bible; you learn something new every time you open it.

CFBA: An Unlikely Suitor by Nancy Moser

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing An Unlikely Suitor Bethany House (May 1, 2011) by Nancy Moser



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nancy Moser is the award-winning author of over twenty inspirational novels. Her genres include contemporary stories including John 3:16 and Time Lottery a Christy Award winner, and historical novels of real women-of-history including Just Jane (Jane Austen) and Washington's Lady (Martha Washington). Her newest historical novels are Masquerade and An Unlikely Suitor. Nancy and her husband Mark live in the

Midwest. She’s earned a degree in architecture, traveled extensively in Europe, and has performed in numerous theaters, symphonies, and choirs. She gives Sister Circle Seminars around the country, helping women identify their gifts as they celebrate their sisterhood. She is a fan of anything antique—humans included. Find out more at www.nancymoser.com and www.sistercircles.com and her historical blog: http://footnotesfromhistory.blogspot.com/





ABOUT THE BOOK

New York dressmaker Lucy Scarpelli befriends socialite Rowena Langdon as she's designing her 1895 summer wardrobe. Grateful for Lucy's skill in creating fashions that hide her physical injury, Rowena invites Lucy to the family mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, encouraging the unusual friendship.



One day Lucy encounters an intriguing man on the Cliff Walk, and love begins to blossom. Yet Lucy resists, for what Newport man would want to marry an Italian dressmaker working to support her family?



Rowena faces an arranged marriage to a wealthy heir she doesn't love, but dare a crippled girl hope for anything better?



And Lucy's teenage sister, Sofia, falls for a man well above her social class--but is he willing to give up everything to marry a woman below his station?

As the lives of three young woman--and their unlikely suitors--become entangled in a web of secrets and sacrifice, will the season end with any of them finding true happiness?



If you would like to read the first chapter of An Unlikely Suitor, go HERE.

CFBA: To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingTo Win Her HeartBethany House (May 1, 2011)byKaren Witemeyer



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Karen Witemeyer is a deacon's wife and mother of three who believes the world needs more happily-ever-afters. To that end, she combines her love of bygone eras with her passion for helping women mature in Christ to craft historical romance novels that lift the spirit and nurture the soul.



After growing up in California, Karen moved to Texas to attend Abilene Christian University where she earned bachelor and master's degrees in Psychology. It was also there that she met and married her own Texas hero. He roped her in good, for she has lived in Texas ever since. In fact, she fell so in love with this rugged land of sweeping sunsets and enduring pioneer spirit, that she incorporates it into the pages of her novels, setting her stories in the small towns of a state that burgeoned into greatness in the mid- to late1800s.



Karen is living her dream by writing Christian historical romance novels for Bethany House. When she visited her publisher back in January of 2010, she was interviewed by the staff. If you'd like a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how she develops her story ideas and a description of her bumpy journey to publication, click here to listen to a podcast of that interview.



ABOUT THE BOOK

After completing his sentence for the unintentional crime that derailed his youthful plans for fame and fortune, Levi Grant looks to start over in the town of Spencer, Texas. Spencer needs a blacksmith, a trade he learned at his father’s knee, and he needs a place where no one knows his past.



Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing instead to devote her time to the lending library she runs in the town her father founded. When a mountain-sized stranger walks through her door and asks to borrow a book, she's reluctant to trust him. Yet as the mysteries of the town’s new blacksmith unfold, Eden discovers hidden depths in him that tempt her heart.



Eden believes she's finally found a man of honor and integrity. But when the truth about Levi's prodigal past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back the librarian’s affections?



If you would like to read the first chapter of To Win Her Heart, go HERE.

Miracles

This past Friday St. Louis experienced one of the worst tornados ever. It destroyed communities.  Thankfully no one was hurt.  If you saw the damage the tornados had done to these communities you would wonder how no one was hurt.

To me that’s just one of God’s miracles.  He closed his arms around us during the storm and kept us all safe.

There will be a lot of families rebuilding or relocating, but there will be no funerals.

I praise God for that.  You can replace things, but you can’t replace people.

I love when God shows us he’s still in control. 

Thank you Jesus.

What was the last miracle you experienced?

Early Morning Writing

Image: Nicholas Tarling / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

At four in the morning, the 4yr old decided to wake up and go to the bathroom and wanted me to go with him.  He fell back to sleep and I was wide awake.  I decided to get up and do a little SORMAG work and maybe get a little writing in.

I’m still working on the middle grade/young adult book.  I’m at the second draft stage right now.  I have about 150 pages so I need to expand a little more.  I’ve broken the book down into chapters and I’m re-reading and doing what I’m calling layering.  I have checklist of items I look for that I make sure is in each chapter to help it flow right.

Sometimes I like this process because I get more story ideas and sometimes I dread this part because I’ll read the chapter and be stuck because I don’t know what to add.  The checklist has helped on focusing on what I need to improve the chapters.

I was able to knock out six chapters before the kids woke up. I was surprised that once I was up, I could concentrate on my assignment.  It felt good because no one was there to interrupt me.

It would be so nice to do this every morning, but I can never get myself up to do it.  Next week I’m going to try to get up an hour earlier and see if I can finish this second draft, so I can type in the changes.  My hope is to start something new in May. I’m so ready to meet new characters.

What are your best times for writing?

The Bible In 90 days - UPDATE

One of the things that drive me crazy when reading the Bible is reading about who begat who.  Saturday it finally hit me in the face why this is done.  I was reading about Jesus’ birth and they listed who begat who and it showed his lineage all the way to Adam.  Now if that wasn’t deep I don’t know what to tell you.

I will say this 90 days has been an experienced.  Some days I asked myself why are you doing this?  However when I started, I promised myself I wouldn’t quit until I hit the last page.  Right now I’m behind, so I don’t know if I’ll make it to Saturday.  I decided it didn’t matter, if it takes me an extra week, I will complete the Bible.

I highly recommend this for everyone to do at least once.  It is a great way to read the Bible every day.

After I’m done, I will share a few tips for you if you decided to take up the challenge this year.

Survived Spring Break

Hanging out with my family can be trip sometimes.  I will admit I enjoyed Spring Break with the Hoffman crew and will consider making this an annual event for us.  However I will consider the following tips.

1. Never have a suite that doesn’t include a room for the children.  Sharing a room is not the way to go.

2. Remember your children aren’t angels, make sure they have things to do and if bored make sure they don’t have to occupy the same space.

3. If its March madness time, leave the hubby at home because he doesn’t want to move from in front of the t.v.

4. Bring your books (kindle, nook) because you will have time to read.

5. Make sure the continental breakfast is something your family will eat or you will end up spending money on breakfast.

6. Bring toys to play in the pool with, (noodles, balls etc)

7. Bring plenty of change, for the vendor machines and arcade games.

8. Bring the wii, it’s a fun way to hang out with kids and you get a little exercise.

9. Bring the wii if you have netfix, saves on buying in room movies. (must have free internet to do this.)

10. Bring your laptop so you hang out on facebook or play bejeweled.

Those are few tips that help me have a successful spring break with the family.  I didn’t get a chance to do any writing, but I did get to read and catch up on my 90 days Bible challenge.

I think if we’d had separate rooms, I’d gotten some writing and more reading in, but that’s fine.  The goal was to hang out with the family and that’s what I did.

How did you spend your spring break?

Spring Break

This week is spring break for my kids. I decided to take today and tomorrow off to hang out with them. We rented a hotel room and plan on acting like we’re on a mini vacation. I have thoughts of lots of junk food, swimming in the pool and catching up on my reading. Yes I’m bringing the kindle and I have plenty of books to keep occupied.


Do you hang with your kids for their spring break?

Being Obedient

My children and I have been fighting over chores.  I gave them a list of what they have to do.  They fight me every step of the way.  They just don’t want to do them.  I say its your duty to this family to do chores.  They listen but still slack on them.

As I was washing a pot for dinner and fussing because they wouldn’t do their chores without me screaming at them.  The spirit whispered, do you listen to your father?  It hit me hard because, lately I’d been disobodient doing my own thing when it came to my faith.

I know a few of you know of my feelings of being burnt out and loosing my way.  I’d gotten into the habit of staying home on Sundays instead of going to church to learn and worship.  I missed church, but was too lazy to deny myself and get up.

How could I expect my children to obey me when I couldn’t obey my own father?

Yes I’m still the child, still learning as my children are.  Some days its hard, and some days I want to do what I want.  I understand how my kids feel especially when it comes to dishes, its like a vicious never ending cycle.

As their mother its my duty to teach them right from wrong and to have responsibility.  I know my mother did it for me and I will do it for them.  I also know that you lead by example, and I haven’t been giving a good example lately.

So I ask for your prayers as I try to be a better example for my children and a better Christian for my Lord.

How do you handle obedience in your life and your children lives?

Lesson Learned – Being a Judge

If you ask any published writer about learning the craft of writing, they will tell you to READ.  I have to agree.  I learned so much about writing from reading a good book.

One way to learn the craft and get your reading in is to volunteer to be a judge for a book contest. 

For the past 10 years I’ve been a judge for different book contests.  I wanted to share a few lessons I’ve learned from being a judge.

1. Know how many books you can read before you commit to being a judge.  I once committed to 10 books, and it was probably the worse time in my life to be trying to read.  I read them, but it was very stressful.

2. Make sure to choose the type of books that you write or want to write.  This helps you to see what the market is buying and you get to see what made these books sellable.

3. Choose a book that isn’t in your genre.  I always pick a genre I’ve never read before.  You can learn from these books too.  Your goal is too see what is selling and why.

4. Pick a genre that is hot right now.  I always pick a genre that is hot right now.  I want to see what the big deal is and I want to see how the book is written.

5. Make time to read.  The last thing you want to do is have to read all the books in one month.  Spread your reading time over the time limit they give you.  You’ll enjoy it more if you’re not rushing to read.

6. Judge each book right after you read it.  Don’t wait until you finish all the books, because you might not remember each book.  Take the time to fill out the judging sheet after you read the book.  The book is fresh in your mind and you can give an honest opinion.

7. Read the whole book.  Even if it’s not your cup of tea, finish the book.  You’ll learn what doesn’t work for you as a reader and you can use this knowledge in improving your own writing.

8. Do you have a problem with your writing; (dialogue, conflict etc); dissect these books for these problem areas.  See how the writers over comes them, learn how to improve your writing.

9. Write down the names of the books and authors.  Once you send in your information, you’ll probably forget about them later.  When the awards are announced, it’s nice to see if the books you enjoyed or the ones you didn’t make it to the winner circle.

10.  Support the writers you enjoyed.  I think the best part for me with being a judge for a book contest is finding new authors to read.  I visit their websites and add them to my to buy list.

These are a few lessons I’ve learned over the years as a judge. I hope they help you in determining you want to judge a book contest or help you with your first contest.

Have you judged a book contest?  Share your wisdom.

Jumping off the fence

I’ve been on the fence for a few years.  I’m one of those who likes to say I’m a writer, but I haven’t had anything published, so I’m not a paid writer.

This year I decided to kick past the fear and do some different things.  I found an editor and I’m working with her.  I’m in a critique group and I entered the Genesis yesterday.  One day before the deadline.

I almost chickened out.  I was like why bother, its not going to happen.  Then Holy Spirit whispered in my ear, can’t happen if you don’t get off the fence.

I jumped off yesterday by finishing my synopsis. Yes it was driving me crazy trying to come up with a one page synopsis.  I did the best I could.  I formatted the manuscript the way they wanted and filled out the form and paid my payment.  Now the fun stuff begins, waiting.

There are two more contests I’m interested in submitting to, the Romance Slam Jam and Faith and Fiction contests.  I want to enter something different that way I can get some feedback on three books versus one.

I’ll keep you posted if I decide to stay off the fence.

What’s stopping you from jumping off the fence?

Thanks For Your Time

A friend of mine sent me this in an email and I wanted to share because I experienced my time with my children during the snow storm that hit the midwest.  Even though we were snowed in, I enjoyed my time with my kids.  Kids are young for only so long.  Enjoy your time with them.


It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams.

There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could
stop him.

Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his
childhood days.

"Jack, did you hear me?"

"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.

"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.

"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.

"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said

"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.

The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.

Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly.

"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.

"The box is gone," he said

"What box?" Mom asked.

"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.
It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box.. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.

"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read. Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been
mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope.. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.

"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.

Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:

"Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."

"The thing he valued most was...my time"

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.

"I need some time to spend with my son," he said.

"Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!"

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,"

Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.

1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.

4. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

5. You mean the world to someone.

6. If not for you, someone may not be living.

7. You are special and unique.

8. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you trust God to do what's best, and wait on His time, sooner or later, you will get it or something better.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.

10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.

11. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.

12. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.

13. Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you'll both be happy.

14. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.

Oprah and I have something in common

I finally had time to watch the Oprah met her sister show. I’d taped it, because I was curious to see how Oprah found out she had a younger sister.


You see I have a younger sister too, that I just became reacquainted with.

Oprah met her sister on Thanksgiving, so did I.

Listening to the show brought back so many sweet memories of my reunion with my sister. Seeing her beautiful face for the first time was worth the long wait.

Oprah sister knew she was given up as a baby. She didn’t know she had other siblings. My sister didn’t either. She has a brother and a sister but she didn’t know her father had more kids.

My sister’s mom died when she was young so she never got to know her or be able to ask her questions. She had never met my father. She’d gone through life thinking she had a deadbeat father. She never knew for years she had sisters who often thought about her and wondered where she was.

Being a researcher, I looked her up online and found her. When I first contacted her just like Oprah’s Mom she wasn’t ready. So I had to let a few years go past before I tried again. The next time I contacted her she said YES - I wrote about finding her.

If you’d ask me when I started this journey it would be similar to Oprah's, I probably wouldn't believe you.
Watching Oprah talk about her sister and talking about getting to know her.  I know exactly how she felt.
Yes Oprah and I have something in common. We met our long lost sisters.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Missy Buchanan

Even when age creeps up on the body and mind, and life changes from what it once was, is it still possible to have a purpose in life?  When it is no longer possible to venture out and do the things you once loved, can you still find a reason to look forward to each day?  Missy Buchanan, a leading expert and advocate for senior adults, believes that you can.  Buchanan wants to encourage older adults to find their purpose, share their stories, and make an impact on those around them.

What made you decide to start ministering to and writing books for older adults?

Well, as a middle-aged adult, I never had any intention of becoming an author of books for older adults.  But because of the journey that my own aging parents were on, I realized how they had become disconnected from their church as their lives changed.  They started off as active older adults and then that circle got smaller as they had more needs and physical limitations.  As I would visit them at their retirement community, I would also see so many others that were just like them.  They needed spiritual encouragement.  And so that’s why I got started.  The first book began as a project just for my own parents.  I wrote devotions and kept them in a loose-leaf notebook.   But others started asking for them and things just spiraled from there.

What do you think children need to know about their aging parents?

What I realized personally was that I had been so caught up in my parents’ physical needs that I had neglected their spiritual needs.  They were no longer connected to their church, at least in regular worship attendance, and that had been such a huge part of their lives.  I almost made that mistake of just totally missing that, and that was the point where I began to write.  I looked and there were other books written about older adults but not very many that were written to them and for them.  So the first thing I would tell their children is to pay attention not only to their physical needs but also to their spiritual needs.

What is your opinion about role reversal with children and their aging parents?

I hear the whole idea of role reversal where the older parent becomes a child and the grown children become the parent, and I understand what they are talking about because my own parents became more dependent on me.  But I think that when we refer to it as a role reversal, and we begin to think of our aging parents as children, we strip away their dignity.  We rob them of respect and we overlook the fact that they are not children.  They have had a lifetime of experiences that a child has not had.  And I think that is an important difference that grown children need to think about and pay attention to.  It’s more of a role shift in responsibilities and not a role reversal.  I know how much it hurts an aging parent to feel like they are being treated like a baby or like a child. 

Other than aging adults, who else has benefited from your writing?

A friend of mine in an assisted living facility asked me to bring some books for one of her tablemates.  Her tablemate explained that these books were for her adult children.  “They don’t understand what it feels like to grow old, and I can’t seem to make them understand, but your books say it better than I ever could.”  My books are all written in the first person as if an older adult is speaking directly to God.  There are a lot of adult children that are buying them for themselves and older adults buying them for their grown children. 

And I’ve heard of different youth groups that have been reading my books in order to better understand what it’s like to grow old.  Instead of just mocking their older peers, they are learning that they share a lot of the same feelings—feelings of insecurity, feelings of fear.  As a result of reading the books, one youth group in Tennessee has even adopted the residents of the senior living center across from their church. 

How can faith change our idea of growing older?

So many see aging as a punishment, and they dread it so much.  But even though it is difficult to be limited by an aging body, they need to look at it as a gift that God has given them.  They still have so much to give.  They have great wisdom to share and stories to share.  I always tell my older friends that their story is not yet over.

Missy Buchanan is the author of Talking with God in Old Age: Meditations and Psalms and

Living with Purpose in a Worn-Out Body: Spiritual Encouragement for Older Adults (Upper Room Books).

Click here to watch Missy Buchanan’s recent interview with

Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts and Roberts’ 86-year-old mother.

Visit Missy Buchanan’s website, www.missybuchanan.com, and blog, http://missybu.wordpress.com/.

Become a friend on Facebook (Aging and Faith) and follow on Twitter (MissyBuchanan).

 Talking with God in Old Age: Meditations and Psalms

In Talking with God in Old Age, Missy Buchanan sensitively address the worries, fears, and frustrations of older adults and extends hope, encouraging them to maintain an open dialogue with God. Each reading features:

·         A candid conversation with God

·         A related passage from Psalms

·         Easy-to-read print

Seniors grappling with the aging process will readily identify with these reflections and will find reassurance of God’s Presence. Caregivers, family members, and others seeking to understand aging loved ones will gain insight into the thoughts and emotions of the elderly frail.

Living with Purpose in a Worn-Out Body: Spiritual Encouragement for Older Adults

Birthed out of real-life experience, Living with Purpose in a Worn-out Body is a big does of authentic spiritual encouragement for frail elderly who struggle to find purpose a the end of their lives. These devotionals addressed to God raise in prayer the many concerns of the frail elderly and provide opportunities to reminisce and reflect on their blessings.

Each devotional offers the following:

·         Easy-to-read print

·         Reader-friendly format

·         Comfortable, nonacademic language

·         A first-person address to God

·         Brief supporting scriptures from the New and Old Testaments

Reading the Bible in 90 days

I signed up to read the Bible in 90 days. Yeah what was I thinking? lol

I honestly wanted to see if I could do it and I hoped it would help with me reading the Bible more, something I have on my goals for 2011.

I was placed in a group of seven with a mentor and we have to check in on Monday. I told them that I recommitted myself at church. The last five months I’ve been in sort of a funk and it’s been kind of hard getting out of it.

 I was talking about this with my co-worker and it hit me that I’d lost my purpose in church. I’d been the Children Church coordinator for 10 years, it was part of my life. When I gave it up a two years ago, it changed my life and not for the good. Without a commitment to the church, I found myself staying home more until I just stopped going.

I wasn’t fellowshipping at church, but I feel my relationship with God developed more. I talked to him daily, prayed constantly and read my Bible more. I got my word for Joel Osteen each Sunday.

I do believe you need to fellowship, so I returned to church. I also know that I’m not one to just warm the pews. I like being part of a ministry. I’m an usher and I want to find something else that gives me a purpose. I will be praying for God’s guidance and I ask for your prayers too.

Have you ever read the Bible in 90 days or in a year’s time?

2011 Word

Happy New Year everyone.

Are you excited about the new year?  I always look forward to the new year.  I feel it is the time to start anew with your life and leave the old things behind.

I decided on my WORD for the year.

My word is ORDER.

I think my life is so crazy sometimes I don’t have the order I want. So a little each day, I’m working on the ORDER in my life. Which includes, ORDER in my home, in my finances and in my writing.


Do you choose a word for the year? What’s yours?

Lessons Learned This Year

This year has been a lot of little lessons. I’ve enjoyed a few and I’ve been hit over the head with a couple.

I learned the lesson of making time for me when I went on the cruise trip. It was so peaceful just focusing on me for a change. I’m forever mama, wife, SORMAG editor, government worker. I’d forgotten who LaShaunda is. What are my likes, what are my dislikes?

I reconnected with me and it was great.

I learned the lesson of making time for friends. I missed hanging out with my girls. The road trip to Miami showed me I missed talking with other women. I do a lot of talking online, but it doesn’t beat talking face to face. I truly missed that. I want to make more time for my friends.

I decided to try the critique group again. I was ready to step out and let others read my stories. I’m part of the ACFW so I sent out a feeler to see if anyone would be interested in joining me for a critique group. I got a few feedbacks and had our first official meeting in June and its been going well. I’ve met some nice people who can write and they have been very helpful in helping me improve my writing.

I also decided to try a new genre, young adult fiction. I started a story that has been in my head for a while. I thought my daughter and I would write it together, but I think she chickened out when she realized it takes time and effort to write a book.

It has been a fun adventure coming up with new chapters for the story and I’m enjoying myself as I write.

As I write this post I realize that I have a lot I learned this year, so I’m going to break them into a couple of posts, so you don’t have to run screaming from the blog, because your eyes are tired of reading.

What lessons have you learned this year?

I Wish You Enough

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess..

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

CFBA: Emily of Deep Valley

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Emily of Deep Valley Harper Perennial Modern Classics; Reprint edition (October 12, 2010) by Mitali Perkins





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A word from Mitali: Who In The World Is Mitali Perkins?



That's a good question. I've been trying to figure it out myself, spending most of my life crossing borders.



I was born Mitali Bose in Kolkata (Calcutta), India, and always tried to live up to my name—which means “friendly” in the Bangla language. I had to! Because my family moved so much, it was the only way I could make new friends.



By the time I was 11, I'd lived in Ghana, Cameroon, London, New York and Mexico before settling in California just in time for middle school. Yep, I was the new kid again, in seventh grade, the year everybody barely makes it through.



My biggest lifeline during those early years was story. Books were my rock, my stability, my safe place as I navigated the border between California suburbia and the Bengali culture of my traditional home.



After studying political science at Stanford and public policy at U.C. Berkeley, I taught in middle school, high school and college. When I began to write fiction, my protagonists were often—not surprisingly—strong female characters trying to bridge different cultures.



Mitali Perkins is the author of several books for young people, including SECRET KEEPER (Random House), MONSOON SUMMER (Random House), RICKSHAW GIRL (Charlesbridge), and the FIRST DAUGHTER books (Dutton).



ABOUT THE BOOK

Often cited as Maud Hart Lovelace’s (of Betsy-Tacy fame) best novel, Emily of Deep Valley is now back in print, with a new foreword by acclaimed young adult author Mitali Perkins and new archival material about the characters’ real lives.



Emily Webster, an orphan living with her grandfather, is not like the other girls her age in Deep Valley, Minnesota. The gulf between Emily and her classmates widens even more when they graduate from Deep Valley High School in 1912. Emily longs to go off to college with everyone else, but she can’t leave her grandfather. Emily resigns herself to facing a “lost winter,” but soon decides to stop feeling sorry for herself. And with a new program of study, a growing interest in the Syrian community, and a handsome new teacher at the high school to fill her days, Emily gains more than she ever dreamed...



In addition to her beloved Betsy-Tacy books, Maud Hart Lovelace wrote three more stories set in the fictional town of Deep Valley: Winona’s Pony Cart, Carney’s House Party and Emily of Deep Valley. Longtime fans and new readers alike will be delighted to find the Deep Valley books available again for the first time in many years.



If you would like to browse inside Emily of Deep Valley, go HERE.

CFBA: Divine Appointments

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Divine Appointments WaterBrook Press; Reprint edition (September 21, 2010) by Charlene Baumbich



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Charlene Ann Baumbich is the author of the previous three books in the Partonville series. A popular speaker, journalist, and author, for several years she has lectured to women’s groups and retreats. Baumbich is also an award-winning journalist whose work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Today’s Christian Woman, and numerous other publications. She is the author of six nonfiction books of humor and inspiration.



Charlene says: For over two decades of writing and speaking, my passionate pursuit to entertain and rejuvenate using humor (I love to laugh-especially at myself), uncommon wisdom, and passionate insights has been affirmed through countless calls, letters, and evaluation sheets. A reader recently e-mailed, "There is so much depression and sadness in this world. I applaud you for reminding all of us to treasure the moments in our lives, and for encouraging us to find joy in the little things. What you do helps so many to rise above the heaviness of life and live, and laugh, and face another day, so thanks!!!!" That is exactly why I keep doing what I do.



I am a firm believer in the power of story (short or book-length, funny or insightful, real or fiction, on stage or page) to accomplish my purpose, which is to remind you: Don't Miss Your Life! Whether you're tuning into me live or in print, fasten your seatbelt. I promise you a wild, fun, provocative, heart-warming ride.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Josie Brooks, at the age of 47, thought she was leading an enviable single life. A successful consultant, she calls her own shots, goes where the money is, and never needs to compromise. But her precisely managed world begins to falter during a Chicago contract when an economic downturn, a bleeding heart boss, and the loyalty and kindness between endangered employees ding her coat of armor.



Throw in hot flashes, a dose of loneliness, a peculiar longing for intimacy, an

unquenchable thirst—not to mention a mysterious snow globe with a serene landscape, complete with a flowing river and lush greenery that seems to be beckoning her in—and Josie’s buttoned-up life is on the verge of coming completely undone.



Maybe her solitary existence isn’t as fulfilling as she has convinced herself to believe. It will take a few new friends, a mystical encounter, and an unexpected journey to set Josie on her own path to “right-sizing” and making the life changes that really matter. Filled with laugh-out loud moments and a gentle dash of inspiration, Divine Appointments is another heartwarming charmer from a master storyteller.



If you would like to read the first chapter of Divine Appointments, go HERE.