Discover the Treasure Within!

Well hello there! You may have noticed it's been awfully quiet on my blog.

Sorry if you've been missing me (and I hope you have!). If you trot over to www.berniceseward.com, you'll discover my new blog.

My new blog is called Discover the Treasure Within, and it focuses on the treasures we find in life. Treasures found in God and who He is. Treasures found in discovering who we are. Treasures found in discovering God's Big Dream for our lives (and walking in it). Treasures found while living the simple (and not so simple) daily life as child of God, wife, mom, friend, daughter. . . .

So jump on over and say hi at www.berniceseward.com.

I can hardly wait to see you there!

1950s Theme Birthday Party Video

My Animoto Video

I love having an Animoto account! It's easy and soooo fun to create high quality, eye-catching video presentations.

It's addicting, really.

So, maybe I should have started this post with "Hi. I'm Bernice. And I'm an Animoto-aholic."

Check out the video, and you'll see what I mean. Plus, you'll see some fun 1950s themed party ideas . . . .

Anyway, happy **undisclosed year** Birthday, Mom!

Psalm 120, BSV (Bernice Seward Version)

I wrote this personal version of Psalm 120 while taking Beth Moore's Stepping Up Bible study. It's a great study, by the way :-)

 

Psalm 120, BSV

I am distressed and call to my Yahweh;

And You answer me!

Yahweh, deliver me from perceived lack

And desire for things I cannot have.

 

Yes, what will He do to you,

Stricture and deception and want?

Sliced through with the sword of the Spirit,

Divided asunder by the Word of Truth!

 

Such misery, that I have dwelt in Want-land

And lingered over desires that need not be met.

Too long have I lived with discontent.

On one level I desire contentment,

On another I am conflicted.

Excuse Me, God, Was That Really You Speaking?

Sacrifice of Isaac, Giovanni Tiepolo, c. 1726

What would you do if God asked you to do something that seemed contrary to his nature or the promises he has given you?

Would you think you were hearing from the enemy? Would you run the other way? Would you wonder if you were crazy?

I wonder what thoughts went through Abraham's head when God told him to take his son Isaac and sacrifice him on Mt. Moriah.

Did Abraham test the word? Did he ask himself if that was what God really said, what he really meant? Did he wonder how on earth God would bring his promise of descendants beyond number . . . through this promised son . . . . . to pass if he offered Isaac up as a burnt sacrifice?

Whatever emotions or rationalizations flitted through his head, Abraham chose to believe God rather than his own limited understanding. He obeyed God's instruction to him.

For, "against all hope, Abraham in hope believed . . . . being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised" (Romans 4:18a, 21, NIV).

And on the mount of the Lord it was provided, for God provided a ram to take Isaac's place on the altar.

What has the Lord been whispering in your ear lately? Is he asking you to take a step of faith? To traipse up the mountain and lay an offering that's dear to your heart on the altar?

Don't fear! Be strong and of good courage!

Against all hope, in hope believe . . . . being fully persuaded that God has the power to do all that he's promised you.

Letter to Heaven

 

Dear Brendan,

I can hardly believe it's been 10 years since you went to be with Jesus. Ten years since I realized God chose to heal your little body on His side of heaven rather than on ours.

I'm sure that time in heaven passes differently than it does on earth. And just because you were 25 days old when you left for heaven doesn't mean you were a baby when you arrived.

I often wonder what you're like now. Do you look like Daddy or like one of your siblings? What's your personality like? Are you bubbly? Reserved? A peacemaker? A go-getter?

What does a typical day hold for you in heaven? Do you attend some sort of school or training "classes"? Do you worship with the angels? Do you sit at Jesus' feet?

Did you greet Gandpa when he arrived earlier this month? Have you been giving him a tour of heaven and showing him the ropes up there?

Daddy and I love and miss you, sweet Brendan. I am ever grateful for the time YHWH gave us with you on earth--9 months plus 25 precious days. And that we get to spend eternity together in heaven.

Happy "entering heaven" day to you, my precious Burrito Baby.

All my love,
Mama

Time to Fish or Time to Wait?

Maggie shopping for a fish

Now that I have an adult son I think more carefully about the decisions I make, especially financial ones. What will my choices say to him? How will they impact the decisions he makes?

For instance, a video-creating site I wanted to join sent an email with a 20% off code last week. I'd wanted to get a membership, and knew they would probably offer a discount at some point. I was tempted to jump in and begin the membership right then, even though it was two days before I had the money on hand. What's a credit card for, right? And there's no interest due if paid the same month . . . .

And yet, if I set that precedent before my son, what will it create in his mind? An impetus to "get it now" that could lead to him becoming thousands of dollars in debt like the majority of Americans? At 18, he's already surrounded by people who haven't yet grown in wisdom. My example will either help nudge him towards wisdom or towards folly.

So I waited patiently--for two looooong days--and purchased the membership the old-fashioned way. The way that didn't involve the regret of "I just had to have it and didn't want to wait."

I doubt that he consciously noticed my choice, but I am setting the precedent, one decision at a time.

When True Life Begins

Minute Meditation

After the earthquake shook the foundations of the prison Paul and Silas were in, the jailer thought the prisoners had escaped. He prepared to commit suicide rather than face the death penalty such an occurrence would incur. In that instant the jailer thought his life was over--but true life was just about to begin for him, and for his family.


Acts 16:16-34

Note To Self

Note to Self No. 2274:

One should not attempt to can watermelon rind pickles when one is multi-tasking and caring for five children.

A number of difficulties may present themselves, including but not limited to the following--

Uncertainty as to how transparent the pickles should become while cooking. This may lead to cooking the syrup down to Karo syrup consistency, which doesn't leave enough liquid to actually can the pickles.

When looking for the pickling spices, one realizes they threw the bag away since it hadn't been used it in two years and one assumed they wouldn't make pickles again. This oversight leads to spending an hour and an exorbitant amount of money to find and purchase said pickling spices at a local grocery store.

Finding and accessing the canning supplies involves the Herculean feat of cleaning out the understairs closet so one can access them. The resulting mess can exacerbate ones' husband.

Once canning supplies have been unearthed, they require additional time to resterilize. By this time, additional syrup added to the pickles has helped thin the consistency, but the pickles are already candied and there isn't enough syrup to effectively can said pickles.

Write Direction: Blasting Through Uncertainty

Above: Crystal Cathedral and Prayer Spire
Below: Close up of Prayer Spire

What a relief it is to wrap up a pressing project!

At least, until you sit on the other side, with new options and opportunities spread out before you. What do you do? Which opportunity do you pursue?

Instead of inspiring you, the multitude of options stymies you. Overwhelmed, you spin your wheels in uncertainty and indecision. Although there may be time and opportunity, the motivation and direction are absent.

Have you ever faced this problem?

Just as Rome wasn't built in a day--the Crystal Cathedral either, for that matter--our direction and platform don't develop in a day. It is all a process, a glorious process. Laying the foundation requires the most time and provides the least visible results. But once that foundation is laid, the other pieces begin to meld together.

This begins with setting aside time to plan. To answer some questions. Who am I? What makes me tick? What do I want to accomplish? What specific steps must I take to get there? What order do I need to accomplish them in? Who do I need to corroborate with to help me accomplish my goal? What supplies do I need?

Even though we may not see the master plan, the Master Architect knows it by heart. If we take time to confer with Him at each stage of the project, He will provide direction and clarification. And day by day, step by step, an amazing structure will develop.


What about you? How do you find direction when it's time to refocus?

What Are You Looking At?

One morning I walked down to a dock along the Snake River. The path was paved and even, but I found myself looking down at the path ahead of me instead of looking at the scenery unfolded before me.

Sure, I live in rattlesnake country and a man had recently been bitten by a rattler he inadvertently grabbed hold of at the local Walmart's garden center. Sure, I was unfamiliar with the path and wanted to be certain of my footing.

But why? The paved path before me was clear and even. It was plain. Boring.

And when I eventually looked up to take in the beauty before me?

Stunning.

Glistening water, wild grasses, silvery green leaves, steep brown hills ascending from the river valley.

Why did I focus so long on that paved little path? The potential dangers were absent, and I had missed the splendor laid out before me.

Where is your vision focused right now? Downward, at the individual steps ahead? Or upward, at the vast scenery spread out before you?

If we turn our eyes upward and outward, we will more fully witness the greatness and beauty God has laid out for us to enjoy.

Mmmm, mmmm good!

A Writer Writes, Right?

Conversation with myself, moments ago:

I should write something.

Why’s that?

Writer’s group is tomorrow, and I haven’t written anything yet.

Okay. Go ahead.

I don’t wanna.

What? Why not?

I’m tired. And I’m not inspired.

So?

So . . . . it feels like a chore.

Oh. What are you gonna do?

Take a nap.

Really?

Maybe. I’ll have more energy.

Um, not necessarily. But you still won’t have anything to share with those WOW ladies of yours.

I know. Sigh.

Why don’t you work on your branding stuff?

I’m tired of that right now. It’s getting to the “decision-making-and-focused-writing” stage.

But that’s good, right?

Right. But I have to be inspired to do it.

Won’t inspiration come if you just dig in and start?

Probably.

Well then, go for it.

Maybe.

No, not maybe. Do it. Set the timer for 20 minutes and do whatever you can during that time.

Okay, you talked me into it.

Good. ‘Cause a writer writes, right?

Right. I’ll get my cup of coffee and set that timer.

                That’s my girl! On your mark, get set, GO!

The Fruit of God's Presence

Minute Meditation:

When the Ark of the Covenant was at Obed Edom's for three months, the LORD blessed him and his entire household (2 Sam. 6:11). May our lives be so filled with the Lord and His presence that others  can clearly see the fruit of His blessing in our lives. Mmmm, tasty!

Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen?

While the Littles (my two youngest children) and I played at the park earlier this week, a young boy fell and hit his head on the metal edge of a ramp. Like most head wounds, it bled profusely and his dad led him, crying and holding his head with blood-stained hands, into the bathroom for paper towels to staunch the flow of blood.

"Why does God let bad things happen?" asked Caden, scrunching up one eye and gritting his teeth at the thought of the pain the other boy had experienced.

"Sometimes when we disobey we get hurt," he said, before I could answer.

I struggled with how to explain this deep question, one that adults wrestle with, to a 7 year old. If God is good, and if God loves us, why does He allow bad things to happen? Yes, we live in a fallen world. Yes, our choices sometimes lead to painful consequences. I also didn't want my son to think that bad things only happen when we disobey--sometimes, bad things happen that aren't anybody's fault.

"That is true," I agreed. "But sometimes accidents or other bad things happen even when we ARE obeying, Sweetie. I don't think that boy was disobeying his dad, he was just playing and he fell. Even though God allows bad things to happen, He is right there with us, to love us and help us through them."

"In heaven there won't be any accidents or any crying. Or bees!" he answered emphatically.

"That's right" I replied.


As I think back on the conversation, two scriptures come to mind--Romans 8:28 and John 9:1-3

Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose." (NIV)

In John 9, Jesus and the disciples saw a blind man as they were walking. The disciples assumed the blindness was a consequence of sin and asked, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

Jesus' beautiful reply? "Neither this man nor his parents sinned . . . but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." Then Jesus healed the man.

I know I have heard more detailed explanations to this question in the past, and theologians could lay out scripture upon scripture regarding the topic.

But for me, as for a child, knowing that God is present with us through bad circumstances and knowing that He works for our good in the midst of all things is sufficient.

And I pray that the work of God may be displayed in and through our lives.

Greatest Gifts From Mom

One of the greatest gifts my mom has given me is her support and encouragement in following my dreams and passions. With my mom, I never feel as though I am not enough, or as though the choices I have made to follow God—rather than the world’s view of success—have disappointed her.

When I entered a writing contest in 9th grade, she encouraged me, and was excited for me when I won. When I tried out for the Miss Idaho Pageant and Young Woman of the Year, she and my dad were right there beside me, supporting me and cheering me on. When I was the first person in our extended family to attend college, Mom believed I could succeed. And I did.

When I had my first child at 19, out of wedlock, she stood by my side and helped me.

When I met my husband Barry, an incredible Christian man, she was excited right along with me, encouraging me and rejoicing with me. When my husband adopted my son, she was there with her support.

When Barry and I had our first child together, Mom was present with her love and strength, rejoicing with us. When that same baby became sick just days later, and we discovered he had three congenital heart defects, Mom was right there with us, her support, love and prayers a comfort to us. When he went to be with the Lord after only 25 days of life, she was there.

When I wrote an Easter play that was enacted at church, she rejoiced with me, and came to see the play. She enjoyed it and told me how proud she was of me.

When I gave birth to each of my next two children, she was there—or at least en route to our town and hospital, depending on the quickness of the delivery!

When I decided to leave my career to raise my children full time, she encouraged me and was happy for me.

When I began a jewelry design business, she was one of my biggest fans, and she delighted in the creations I made.

When I began writing, her excitement and encouragement helped spur me on.

Thank you, Mom, for being my mom. For supporting and encouraging me. For helping me to know that I am special, that I can and do make a difference. Thank you for encouraging me in my relationship with Jesus. For believing in me. Thank you for loving me. You truly make a world of difference in my life.

I love you, Mom.

Lessons From a Hairy Carrot

What do you see when you look at this picture? Lunch? Old, hairy carrots? Garbage?

Wanna know what I see? I see potential. I see life. I see something that has been uprooted and intended for destruction. . . . which isn't yet ready to admit defeat.

Regardless of its condition or age. Regardless of how long it has spent in a cold, dark place. Patiently, persistently it has pulled from its reserves of energy, ever waiting to reach a situation more conducive to further growth. Sending out silky root tendrils and pale leafy tops in preparation. Waiting, ever waiting.

That sounds like US at times, doesn't it? I think that's exactly why the carrots struck such a chord within me when I saw them--I had considered them dead, but they were very much alive and ready for action!

May these carrots encourage and remind us that where there is life, there is hope. Hope for growth or regrowth. Hope for achieving our fullest potential. For He's not finished with us yet!

Fare Thee Well, National Poetry Month

Has April yet nearly passed us by?

My how the days did fly!

Merely one day more

Til we close the door

On National Poetry Month.

But do not fear!

For today you'll hear

Something to rehearse

It's all about a verse,

We call prose poetry.

Prose poetry is, well, poetry that is free of outward trappings of rhythm and rhyme scheme, of stanzaic patterns, of line length and syllable counts. They contain more natural speech and word patterns than other forms of poetry. Although free of the outward strictures, the poems contain a hidden, inner discipline that mold and shape them.

They are prose and they are poetry all at the same time. Beautiful concept, isn't it?


Following is a prose poem by Oscar Wilde:

THE ARTIST

by Oscar Wilde

ONE evening there came into his soul the desire to fashion an image
of THE PLEASURE THAT ABIDETH FOR A MOMENT. And he went forth into
the world to look for bronze. For he could think only in bronze.

But all the bronze of the whole world had disappeared, nor anywhere
in the whole world was there any bronze to be found, save only the
bronze of the image of THE SORROW THAT ENDURETH FOR EVER.

Now this image he had himself, and with his own hands, fashioned,
and had set it on the tomb of the one thing he had loved in life.
On the tomb of the dead thing he had most loved had he set this
image of his own fashioning, that it might serve as a sign of the
love of man that dieth not, and a symbol of the sorrow of man that
endureth for ever. And in the whole world there was no other
bronze save the bronze of this image.

And he took the image he had fashioned, and set it in a great
furnace, and gave it to the fire.

And out of the bronze of the image of THE SORROW THAT ENDURETH FOR
EVER he fashioned an image of THE PLEASURE THAT ABIDETH FOR A
MOMENT.

And following is a prose poem freshly penned by Bernice Seward:

A POEM IN PROSE

by Bernice Seward

A poem in prose is a poem indeed, unfettered by external bonds. Of rhyme scheme, of meter, of stanzaic compaction. Not compelled to march by corporeal command.

A poem in prose is a poem indeed, engendered from a glorious seed. That sprouts, that grows; roots reach down, tender leaves stretch out--to be and become, to blossom, bear fruit, with cadence and structure, God-breathed, found within.

 Have you ever tried your hand at prose poetry? I'd love to hear about it. Or hear about newly inspired verses!

11 Ways to Yummify Oatmeal

Since eating hot cereal is more cost-effective than eating cold cereal, here are 11 topping ideas I've devised to "yummify" quick oats:

1. 1/2 and 1/2 and brown sugar
2. Handful of trail mix (can add before cooking)
3. Splash of flavored coffee creamer
4. Chocolate chips and peanut butter
5. Raisins, cranberries, or diced fruit
6. Milk and honey
7. S'mores--chocolate chips and mini marshmallows
8. Drizzle of maple syrup
9. Spoonful of jelly
10. PB & J (peanut butter and jelly--crunchy pb is particularly yummy)
11. Walnuts and cranberries

What are some ways you and your family dress up oatmeal?

Five Ways to Save on Groceries This Month

We all want to spend less on our grocery budgets, right? Here are five things I've been doing that help me save an average of $50 a month on my grocery budget:

1. Bin shopping.
I'm sure this is on nearly every "lower your grocery budget" list. At our fairly local bag-it-yourself store, bin items cost about 1/4 the price of prepackaged items at a typical grocery store. And they have a vast selection of snacks, fruits, cereals, nuts, legumes, flours, sugars, spices, trail mixes--the list goes on and on. The bins also include specialty "healthy" options that can provide GREATER than a 75% discount from typical store prices.

2. Peruse local sales paper ads.
Many of these are offered with a local paper (we have a free classified paper delivered every Tuesday that includes local grocery store ads) or can be found online. It is easy to compare sales prices and purchase specific items you are looking for. I've found this particularly helpful when shopping for meat, which is typically one of the highest priced menu items. Couponing can also be very beneficial, although it can be time-consuming and can woo us into buying items we don't really need or use.

3. Eat more hot cereal.
Serving per serving, hot cereal costs less than cold cereal does. And it is easier to control your sugar intake. Oatmeal, for instance, is high in fiber and protein, can be microvawed in just over a minute, and the topping selection is limited only by your imagination.

4. Plan meals in advance.
I've developed a 2-week meal plan which includes a number of inexpensive menu items. When I follow this plan, I can purchase items in advance (often at the less expensive bag-it-yourself store). This saves time as well as money as it requires less trips to the store AND reduces the temptation to eat out or get "quick fix" meals (plus the temptation to buy that pop or candy bar or other little thing that we don't really need).

5. Invest in resources that help lower budget costs.
I purchased three used books that include great ideas for saving money and feeding the family for less. The books have been worth far more than the small investment they required. They are:
The Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn
The Tightwad Gazette II by Amy Dacyczyn
More-with-Less Cookbook by Doris Janzen Longacre

Happy saving! I'd love to hear about your experiences, and any tips you have that you'd like to share.

Sonnet De-Scramble

Here is a fun poetical thing to do for National Poetry Month! The lines of the following sonnet by Elizabeth Barrett Browning are scrambled. Print it out, cut the lines apart, and arrange them in an order that makes sense to you. (Include your family or friends in the project for even more fun!) And NO cheating by Googling to find the answer, either.

Post your answer below, and I will let you know the original line order. Have fun!

A creature might forget to weep, who bore  
A sense of pleasant ease on such a day"—  
If thou must love me, let it be for nought  
Thou mayst love on, through love's eternity.
But love me for love's sake, that evermore  
Except for love's sake only. Do not say,  
For these things in themselves, Belovèd, may 
 Be changed, or change for thee—and love, so wrought,
 "I love her for her smile—her look—her way  
That falls in well with mine, and certes brought
May be unwrought so. Neither love me for
Of speaking gently,—for a trick of thought  
Thine own dear pity's wiping my cheeks dry:
Thy comfort long, and lose thy love thereby! 



A little hint: The original rhyme scheme is abba/abba/cdcdcd

How Do I Love Thee? With Shakesperean Sonnets!

Oh the beauty and cadence of poetry. So exquisite, so deep, so exciting! Take the Shakespearean sonnet, for example.

What IS a sonnet? Well, I'm so glad you asked! A Shakesperean sonnet is a poem with fourteen lines. These lines are organized into three quatrains with a couplet at the end. They have a specific rhyming pattern (abab cdcd efef gg). AND, if that isn't enough, the lines are written in iambic pentameter--which simply means they are written with 5 sets of syllables with an emphasis on the even syllables (da-DAH da-DAH da-DAH da-DAH da-DAH).

A great example is Shakespeare's well-known Sonnet 18:

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate.
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer's lease hath all too short a date.

Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimmed;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance, or nature's changing course, untrimmed;

But thy eternal summer shall not fade,
Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest,
Nor shall death brag thou wanderest in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou growest.

So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

Do you have a favorite sonnet to share about?

When God Can Use Us

God can't use us because we've got it all together in life. Rather, He can use us precisely because we don't.

That is such a relief for me to remember, particularly because today is one of those days when I don't feel as if I have anything together.

At the times when we feel empty, at the end of our strength and our everything, we can return to God's words to the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (NIV).

And, with Paul, we can affirm that "when I am weak, then I am strong" (v. 10), because that is when we are completed with God's great strength.

Take us, use us, Lord, just as we are.

Jeanette Levellie: On Wings of Mirth and Worth: Win a download of Two Scoops of Grace!

Jeanette Levellie: On Wings of Mirth and Worth: Win a download of Two Scoops of Grace!: I know, I know, I said I was unplugging for a week while I flew to Spokane to speak , but I am so excited about a contest I'm having, I just...

Great Expectations of the Realistic Variety

A couple of weeks ago I was frustrated with myself. I was trying to "verbalize" the premise to a book I'm working on, and it seemed like I just could not pull my thoughts together.

"This shouldn't be so hard," I chided myself. Why was it taking so long for me to wade through my thoughts and to create a few simple paragraphs that would capture and convey them?

I worked on this one simple task all week--sitting down with the computer for a couple of hours each night, then putting it up in frustration before I had made much progress. I faithfully kept working at it, though, and little by little it came together. By the end of week I had completed the project, and felt proud of the accomplishment and how it had turned out.

My dear friend Terri had encouraged me in the midst of my struggle. She shared that sometimes we have "perfectionistic, idealistic ideas of what [we] should get done," which don't necessarily line up with reality. If we focus on doing what God wants us to do, He will take care of the rest. He is, after all, quite good at being the Master of the Universe and all that :-)

It is good to remind ourselves every so often (or encourage a friend to remember) that our expectations--especially our expectations of ourselves--are not always realistic. As a wife, as a mother, as a teacher, as a Bible study leader, as a _____________ (you fill in the blank). Let's just be faithful to what we can see, and trust God to be faithful with the rest.

Whether it is weekly, daily, hourly, or moment by moment . . . . He is "all over that"!

Of Friendliness and Rejection, Kid and Canine Edition

This weekend our family went to the park. We spent some time riding bikes, feeding ducks, and monkeying around on the play equipment.

It was a fairly nice day (for early spring) so there were a lot of families at the park, and many of them brought their dogs. My six-year-old son Caden, who is friendly and likes animals, asked pet owner after pet owner if he could pet their dogs. With his requests and friendliness, he met a lot of new canine friends.

That is, until he got close to a fat little chihuahua. Their first greeting was positive--the dog sniffed Caden's hand and allowed him to pet it. Later on, though, when he bent down with his face and body near the dog, the dog growled and snapped at his outstretched hand.

Whether Caden moved quickly and frightened the dog, or whether it was over-excited by the activity at the park, I don't know. (Or, like most of the chihuahaus I've met, maybe it wasn't very good with children.) Caden rose up and walked to my husband, bravely holding back the tears--at least, until he pressed into the strength and comfort of Daddy.

"The dog doesn't like me," he said through his tears.

Yes, the unexpected attack had frightened him. But what hurt even more, I think, was the rejection he received. He tried to share his friendship with the dog, and the dog bit back instead of accepting and returning that friendship.

This was not the first time he experienced the pain of rejection. Nor will it be the last. My prayer is that we as parents will be able to help him (and our other children) process those feelings, take them to the Lord, and grow stronger from the experience.

  

Proposal Jitters

I submitted a book proposal to an editor yesterday for a women's devotional book I am writing.

Although I have submitted proposals for a children's picture book, this submission affected me differently. After I attached the Word document to the email, I found it hard to compose the actual message. Initially, I reverted to ultra-professional sounding terminology, which sounded boring and really didn't reflect my warm, bubbly personality.

After all the time I had invested in the book so far, wrestling to find direction and to clearly express the thoughts of my heart, why would this short message prove so difficult?

I think, maybe, there is more at stake for me in this submission. Not only do the devotions come from my heart, they are a part of my very identity. Each one represents an instance in my life where God met me and drew me closer to Him, or opened my eyes to see Him more clearly. My heart and my life lay open upon the pages, to be accepted or rejected as the case may be.

What if the editor doesn't like it? Will it crush my heart? The idea came to together specifically with this publishing company in mind. I respect the values and the vision they are founded upon.

And yet, I know that the Lord is faithful. Whatever motivated the idea to take shape within my heart, it is His message through me. He will open the doors that He chooses. This could just be one step upon the path that helps to shape this book and my writing journey into the form He desires.

And so, Lord, here I am. Your maidservant. May it be unto me according to your will.

Five things I learned at the Inland NW Christian Writer's Conference

I attended the Inland Northwest Christian Writer's Conference in Spokane, WA last weekend, and I loved it! It was my first writer's conference, and although I felt some flutters as I entered my appointment with an agent and one with an editor, I loved the entire weekend.

What a wonderful group of like-minded individuals encouraging one another on to fulfill the passion and calling that the LORD has placed upon each one of us. I never really felt a shyness or hesitancy about approaching anyone--whether they were other attendees or speakers. It felt like I belonged there :-) And the connections were wonderful--connections with other local writers, along with experienced writers, editors, and agents. I even had a couple of divine appointments I hadn't been anticipating :-)

In my local writer's group, we shared together this morning about the top five things we learned at the conference. There was a plethora (don't you just love that word, plethora?) of great information, but here is the list I shared at our group:

1. Social media is a must. Period. Today's writing and publishing market relies heavily on the author's "social footprint." Blogging, Facebooking, Tweeting, and then some. Editors and publishers WILL "google" your name, so you want your writing "stage presence" to be prominent and visible. So, I jumped in with both feet and began blogging (after having thought about it for a number of years).

2. Write from your passion. It requires a significant investment of time and talent to get into print and to sell books--researching, writing, rewriting, rewriting, (did I say rewriting?), creating a social footprint. To make it worth the investment, I personally need to consider it part of my ministry. Since writing is a gift God gave me and a passion He placed in my heart around 30 years ago, I think I can do that :-)

3. Editors and agents (and successful writers, too!) are real people. They are normal "Joe's". They are approachable. They get tired and cranky (no, I did not experience that personally). They forget business cards or wish they had arranged the time in their class more effectively. Thus, where I am now, so once were they.

When I met with agent Blythe Daniel of The Blythe Daniel Agency, she was interested in helping me see the next stage in my writing pat--regardless of whether or not we mesh as writer-agent and have a long term working relationship. When I met in an interview group with Eddie Jones, Acquisitions Editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, he was approachable and laid back. He listened and asked questions as each of us pitched our book idea. He gave great feedback and also provided additional information to help with our writing.

4. Speaking and writing go hand-in-hand. Not all speakers are writers, and not all writers are speakers. But if you can speak, that helps to promote your platform, which obviously helps promote your book sales :-) This was actually exciting to me, because I've envisioned myself as a speaker at conferences for a number of years.

Part of my desire in writing is to encourage and strengthen other people (especially women) in their relationship with the Lord. He has done so much in my life and invested so much in me, I have a wealth of knowledge and relationship to draw from. I look forward to whatever speaking platform rises up in the next year or so.

5. Be an expert in your field. This part was confusing to me at first. Because I have  begun writing children's picture books, I pictured the need to become an expert in the topics I write about. How do I learn all I would need to in order to be an expert about Antarctica, for example? And then when I write my next book, to become an expert about that? And so on. Also, how would I fit devotional writing into that?

What I realized is that there is a hub that all of my writing will come out from, and that is the hub of who I am and what I do in my daily life. For me, as a home educator, that hub is homeschooling. My interest in educational children's stories (and the creative, funny things elementary students imagine and do) comes forth from that. My desire to help other moms though challenges in their daily lives does, too.

I hope my list is helpful or encouraging to you. If you have any questions, or have anything to add, I'd love to hear from you.

Do you like peperoncinis? Try this tasty trick!

If you like peperoncinis, you may enjoy a treat I discovered this summer. I call it "peperoncini-pickled green beans." My garden produced only a handful of green beans a week, which wasn't really enough to do anything with. I decided to put some of them in the peperoncini jar and see what happened. After they marinated for a week or so, I tried my first "peperoncini-pickled green bean." It was good! Now I buy frozen green beans and stick them in the empty jars. Not only is it tasty and cost-effective, it reuses the pickling juice.

If you try this and like it, be sure to let me know. I'd love to hear about your experience.