A New Adventure

November 18, 2009 by 6 Comments

As Kristin’s mom and dad and right-hand moving team (don’t get me started on how many times we moved her while she was in college), we got to be on-site this past weekend for the new adventure she and Shawn are traversing. Along with Shawn’s parents, we helped our kiddos load up their belongings, say good-bye to the first home they had known together, and then journey on to part two of their story as man and wife.

Leaving family, friends, and all that’s familiar to move to a new community hours away from loved ones is probably one of life’s biggest challenges — especially for sentimental types, like our girl Kristin, whose attachments run deep even after a short time. Books and kitchenware aren’t the only things that have to be packed during a move. Memories and desires have to be boxed up, too, and that’s much more difficult to do.

Once the letting go is past, though, the beginning again can start in earnest. And this is where Kristin and Shawn face an extra measure of challenge. Because of her commitments at the university, it will still be nearly a month before they can be together full-time in their new home. They’ve already faced over three weeks of seeing each other only on weekends while Shawn started his new job at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. In this regard, I guess you could say it’s been a rocky road to Little Rock :)

But it won’t be long now until that part of the journey is over. Soon they can settle into regular routines and begin navigating the challenges of a new community together. Lots of finding will be going on. Kristin will need to find work while they also find a new church, new friends, new doctors, a new hairdresser, a favorite new grocery store… and the list goes on. Hopefully, they’ll be able to sell their home in NW Arkansas soon and move out of the rental pictured above and into a permanent home in Little Rock. And yes, the old right-hand moving team will be at the ready again :)

Perhaps some of the rest of us are in the midst of a new adventure or having to begin again. We may be traversing our own rocky roads or having to box up memories and desires dear to our hearts.

Like Kristin and Shawn have done and will continue to do, I’m sure, let’s turn to the One who will make the journey with us each step of the way. Remember, He has promised, “‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'” (Hebrews 13:5b). Our God is always at the ready. Let’s be sure to call on Him for each new adventure we face.

**Last chance: Current and new subscribers to Life Notes, my free quarterly inspirational newsletter, will be included in a drawing for a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble. Sign up by noon (CST) Sunday on the sidebar to the right for a chance to win! See Nov. 1st post for details.

Filed Under: change, family, new thing, unplowed ground

Springing Forward

March 8, 2009 by 8 Comments

So did you all spring forward successfully today? Or were you one of the ones who arrived just in time for church when you thought you were actually getting there for Sunday School? Don’t worry. I’ve been there. I think we all have at one time or another.

Thanks to daylight savings time we’ll all get to enjoy an extra hour of daylight in our evenings for the next several months. Nothing to complain about there. The process of getting that extra hour, though, is not totally pain free is it? I mean, who likes to lose an hour of sleep? Makes for kind of a rocky start to the new day, huh? Once we’ve adjusted, though — once we’ve made that little sacrifice — we love the benefit we’ve gained.

Can’t help but wonder if there are other areas in our lives where we might benefit by some more springing forward. You know, just taking the leap and doing some things. Things we’ve hoped for or talked about doing but for some reason just remain dreams and talk. Maybe some personal or professional goals we’ve not tackled yet or possibly steps in our spiritual growth or steps toward better spiritual and emotional health. We each know the things that call out to us, the things that beckon us forward.

And yes, I realize taking a leap might require some sacrifice. Much like gaining our extra hour of daylight, the process might not be pain free. Whether we have to give up things like time, money, comfort zones, or even addictions or possibly things like lack of discipline, unforgiveness, fears, or idols, each one can hurt for awhile or be difficult to achieve. Each one comes with a cost.

What good things await you if you’ll only take the leap? Remember, once you’ve adjusted — once you’re made that sacrifice — you’ll love the benefit. So go ahead. Spring forward!

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

**Don’s mom is very tired and weak but is hanging in there. She’s a fighter. All prayers still appreciated…

*Flickr photo by sabrina stash

Filed Under: change, new thing, time, unplowed ground

New Year, New Challenges

January 4, 2009 by 6 Comments

Don’t you love the way a new year looms large? It’s filled with the prospect of opportunities, changes, challenges, blessings, and sometimes fears. If offers us a new canvas. A portrait of 2009 just waiting to take shape.

Let’s think today about the new challenges each of us will face. Some of them we’ll have no control over, but others can be ones of our own choosing. That’s right. A new year gives us a chance to try something new, to grow in some way, to expand our horizon.

To be honest, I haven’t given a lot of thought to what new things I might attempt this year, but a couple of things come to mind. I was challenged with one, quite by surprise, about a week ago.

On the LPM blog, Beth Moore invited readers to join her in memorizing (or seriously meditating on) two verses of scripture per month this year, posting our verses as comments on the 1st and 15th of each month. I’ve memorized quite a bit of scripture in the past, but haven’t done so on a regular basis for many years now. I decided to go for it. It seems like such a doable plan. Just two verses a month, and if our memories don’t cooperate, we can fulfill the requirement by meditating deeply on the verses. I know God will bless this new venture so many of us have embarked upon (3000 and counting!). By the way, I’ve used my first verse as the Words To Live By this week on the sidebar to the right.

The other new thing that’s on my mind? Going somewhere I’ve never been before. Somewhere big. Somewhere like the Big Apple, in fact. Or at least somewhere east of the Mississippi :) Believe it or not, in my 50+ years, I’ve never been east of St. Louis.

New York City is just one of the places I’d like to see. I’d also love to visit Washington, D.C. one day. Truth is, Don and I feel too chicken to attempt NYC on our own. I threw out the idea to Kristin and Shawn over the holidays, and they actually nibbled :) I’m not sure what we may decide as the year progresses, but I sure would like to go somewhere :)

I want to be alert to other new things I should take on in the coming months as well. Stepping out into new territory is usually a little scary, but it almost always produces a positive benefit or blessing. The good news? We don’t have to step out alone or unguided. I love the promise found in Proverbs 3:5-6(KJV): “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” The Lord is indeed our perfect compass and map.

What new ventures are you going to be involved in this year? If you’re not sure, start thinking about it. Maybe you can try a new hobby or take a class. Or is it time for you to teach a class? Maybe it could be something as simple as listening to a new style of music or reading in a new genre. You could even get in on Beth’s scripture memory challenge — bet it’s not too late. Or if you’re really adventuresome, you could hit the road with me, and we could take NYC by storm :) (Just kidding — wouldn’t want to leave my hubby out of that adventure!)

Okay, so who’s ready for new challenges? Happy traveling to all!

*Flickr photo by Zach Dischner

Filed Under: goal, new thing, travel, unplowed ground

Help Me Out Giveaway!

September 7, 2008 by 17 Comments

It’s giveaway time again! This time everyone who signs up will get something (my newsletter), and one lucky person will win a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble as well as his or her choice of one of two devotional books — Grace for the Moment (Volume 1) by Max Lucado or Daily Devotions for Writers (I’m a contributor to this one!). The thing that makes this giveaway different is that you will be helping me by signing up. Keep reading to figure that one out! :)

To enter the giveaway all you have to do is sign up to receive my free newsletter (sign-up is above my picture to the right). The deadline for the giveaway is noon CST on Oct. 1st. If you’d like to receive the newsletter at more than one email address, you may do that, but you will be entered only one time in the contest.

The newsletter is a brand new venture for me. For my writing, I’ve recently adopted the tagline of “Refreshing Spirits, Nourishing Souls”, and the newsletter will follow that theme as well as give me an avenue to share any publishing news I may have. I hope to send it out every two to three months — that is, with the help of my techie son-in-law! Shawn is the one who did the sign-up for me, in fact. (Thanks, Shawn!) I’m learning computer “stuff” slowly but surely, but I still need Kristin and Shawn’s help on the extras.

I need your help, too. In the publishing world now, agents and editors want to know what the author can do to help market his book. They want to know what avenues the author has to connect with readers (through speaking engagements, email newsletters, etc.). The term for this in publishing circles is “platform”. So… in order for my book ideas to be seriously considered by those in the publishing industry, I need to work on building my platform. By signing up for my newsletter, you will be helping me do just that. You will be helping me show agents and editors how I can connect with readers.

So who is ready to help me out?! I hope you all are :) You can help even more by sharing the news about the giveaway and giving the link to my blog to everyone you know. The more that sign up, the better — for me anyway! :) Thanks to everyone! I appreciate you all!!

“I thank my God every time I remember you.” Philippians 1:3

*Flickr photo by futureshape

Filed Under: giveaway, help, new thing, unplowed ground, writing

New Territory

June 22, 2008 by 7 Comments

I’ve been walking in new territory since last month. Didn’t intend to — just stumbled upon it by accident really. I could have turned and gone another way, but the challenge and excitement over the possible outcome drew me down the new path.

So what am I up to? I’m developing a Bible study for writers. And no, I’ve never done anything like this before, but like I said, it was more or less an accident. When my regular Bible study group adjourned for the summer, I decided to find a writers’ Bible study and do it on my own. My search turned up only two possibilities, and I had already done those. Disappointed, I thought, well I guess I could try to come up with my own study. Of course, that’s all it took to get my writer brain whirling, and the rest, as they say, is history. Or in this case, barely history and still in progress.

In fact, I’m sure it will be in progress for quite awhile. I’m only giving as much time to it as I would any other Bible study. I don’t want to neglect my other writing projects. I figure I can work on it slowly but surely and possibly seek publication for it someday. I’ve already asked a few of you to pray for me in this new venture, and those of you I haven’t asked yet, consider yourselves asked now. I’m sure I’ll need all the help I can get :) Just teasing — I certainly know where my help comes from. “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 127:2) And He is fully able.

Is there some new territory beckoning you right now? Something new you should try? Granted, the prospect of the unfamiliar can be a little scary for us at times, but let’s not let that hold us back. Just think of all the good things that can happen when we expand our horizons — personal growth in skills, character, or faith; new groups of people that we can relate to or help; new places to experience; maybe even a new career. The list goes on.

So go ahead. Stumble into it if you have to. Let the challenge and excitement of the possible outcome draw you into your new path. The Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth, stands ready to help you. Tell me about it, if you’d like. I’ll pray for you if you pray for me! :)

**By the way, I finished reading The Shack (mentioned in previous post). I’ve heard there’s some controversy over it in the Christian community. You can read more about it at http://www.theshackbook.com/. For me, there was much about the book I really liked, but I also had some concerns. I mentioned my main concern in the comments section of the previous post if you’re interested.

Filed Under: books, goal, new thing, unplowed ground, writing
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