Excerpt from Slippers | Writing Update

I'm writing again! I know that seems funny to say, because to some people, it probably looks like I write all of the time. However, I'm in the middle of a busy season -- my oldest brother is getting married in less than two weeks, Lord willing! And, we are finishing out bedrooms upstairs so we can rearrange bedrooms.

Anyway, I was able to do some writing in the car over the weekend (8-hour round trip) and in that time, the Lord helped me to reach a "moving forward" point in "The Secret Slippers" rewrite. Then, I had time yesterday to actually sit down and WRITE (not just "try to get a few words as I am taking a break from something."). I am now excitedly eager to see the end of Raoul's journey. I have rewritten up to the point I had, but the story has to go further... I'm not 100% sure what to do there. Praying for answers! Then, I have to go through Lia's part (which, I'm hoping and praying is just editing and tweaking, not a full rewrite like Raoul's).

Here's an excerpt from Chapter 19... I can't give too much, cause I don't want to give away any important information. ;)

The wind blew in short puffs, threading its invisible fingers through Raoul's hair as he walked through the center of town, where Jolin and Gale had agreed to meet him. Though he knew it was unlikely that Ellia was in the crowded streets, he couldn’t keep from observing each lass’ gait. They all skipped or steadily walked as they did their tasks. Which was a good thing, unless one was looking for a lass who was unable to do either.

How was your weekend? Did you get to do any projects you were looking forward to doing?

Scripture Graphics 24

"Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God....Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any." Isaiah 44:6, 8

The more we know and believe about God, His eternal power, and His everlasting rule over all, the less we will fear; the more we will be confident in Him.

There Were Six of Them...

And these six are now making their entrance into the world via their own short story...

There were six of them…

And these six children have an important lesson to learn

when it comes to Mr. Hartly and his manor. Is he the scary

man that Rees says he is? Or will the children discover

something else as they get to know him?

Available today on Kindle

Hook, yarn...afghan!

Okay, so now I'm just getting corny with craft post titles. ;) If you didn't see last week's title, you probably won't get it. ;) And no, I probably won't have a craft done for next week, but I figured that since I HAD them this week and last, I'd just as soon post them. Cause honestly, I like crafts, and in many ways,  I feel like technology is stealing us from being as creative with our hands (okay, okay, so I just need to speak for myself here...). So, if you haven't done a hand craft in a while, why don't you pick something up? All you need to do is a few minutes a day and before long, you'll be holding a completed project!

When my computer crashed in November, I picked up crocheting (for the first time in probably ten years), with a simple Granny Square pattern. It gave me something to keep my hands busy when watching movies or visiting with people (yes, I usually did computer work when watching movies; no, I can't keep still for long). Just finished it last weekend! And I think gray is my new favorite color!

What do you usually do when watching movies?

Do you do any hand crafts? If so, what kind?

Hallelujah! What a Savior | Music Video

When I was about seven, we started going to a new church. If we had sung "Hallelujah! What a Savior" before then, I honestly don't remember it. This was the pastor's favorite song, so we got to know if very well. I used to play it all exuberant and loud. But when I got to reading the words...reflective is also a good style for it.

One of my favorite things about this arrangement is that it is arranged using simple timing (no eighth notes).

Information about the sheet music here.

Want Writing Help?

If you're like me, you've probably looked into a few writing conferences just dreaming...because you knew that it really wouldn't work into your schedule (or budget) to attend one quite yet. Well! A fellow author is putting together an e-conference! That's right... a writing conference that you can attend from your computer!

I will be participating in this conference a day or two. It won't be until March 20-24, but let's get excited already, can't we? :) Find our more details here.

Scripture Graphics 23

"The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just. Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." Isaiah 26:7-9

So much in these verses!
- Is my path in uprightness?
- Do I wait, keeping in the way of God's judgments?
- Is my desire to God's Name?
- At night, do I let my thoughts wander or turn them to Christ?
- Do I seek God early? (Early in the day, early in a decision)

Do I put as much effort in *living* Christian as I do in trying to "sound Christian?" God can see through a facade. We may deceive others into thinking we're pleasing God, but He knows our heart and motives.

Do I search God's Word (daily!) for myself to see His standard for fear and honor? Or do I apply rules that man has set because it "sounds good for a Christian to do that?"

This was spoken to Israel, but it also applies to us. We tend to think if God answers "no" or "wait" to our prayers that maybe He didn't hear, or maybe we didn't pray hard enough or use the right words, or He didn't understand our request. But it easily could be that God is waiting because He is being merciful and gracious to us.

Instructions for all people: praise God. Instructions for older generations: make known God's truths. If these two pillars crumble, society will crumble. Which begs the questions: Am I actively praising God? And, even though I'm not a parent, am I making God's truths known to others?

"I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour....I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." Isaiah 43:11, 25

What comforting words: "I, even I." Isaiah has several beautiful promises attached to "I, even I." I encourage you to look them up today!

The C Family | Photoshoot

Yep. Another "C" family. ;) And yes, they're also friends. :)

I had a super fun time with a "mini-photoshoot" around Christmas. A family of boys. :) I don't photograph those often, but they were real troopers and I *think* we all had fun! And, of course, an old train depot just added to the whole feel.

Paper, Scissors... Cards!

It's that time of the year... The Christmas gifts are moved from around my desk to their respective places and it's time to write thank-you cards.

I know that writing thank-you cards are probably a little old-fashioned for some people, but I really like doing it (to the point of being a little perplexed that I can't send one to my friend overseas due to her location). If you want to read a post about my perspective of writing thank-you notes, I wrote one last year: "Why I Don't Write Thank-You Notes." ;)

Sometimes, I get to feeling a little crafty. Last year, I created a few printable thank-you notes. But this year, with more space (having moved into our new home) and a little more time (since we're not building), I took a few evenings to make some hand-made cards. It was like rediscovering a lost love. I enjoyed it so much! You'll see a decided musical theme for my cards. ;) I'm sorry... I couldn't help it. Music just makes a really good substance for cards -- and, music is so me. :) 

Have you ever made cards? What are your favorite things to use?

Now for the cards (excuse the pictures... I didn't feel like being fancy here and just took snap-shots)...