Mel's Heart

Blogging Break

2007-03-20T16:23:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends and Family, Thank you for reading my blog over the past year or so. I'm taking a break, mainly so I have time to work on other things. One day I'll return, and I'll let you know. Blessings - melanie

Just the simple things

2007-03-14T16:34:00.000-07:00

I have my husband back! hee hee Basketball for Scott and the boys was officially over MOnday pm when Zach's All Star team came in second place. We all wish they had won. But mostly I'm glad it's over. It exhausted all of us and challenged our marriage. Scott's being a coach and age commissioner for the community basketball league was more time consuming than we anticipated. He did a great, great job. I love to see Scott in action because his passion is youth sports and he is truly so great with kids. Such a motivator and encourager.

But I've missed the simple things. Last night Scott grilled hamburgers and then just the two of took the dogs for a walk. It's such great weather and we took the dogs to Champion Forest where they can run in the woods, and all that makes me so happy.

Today I cleaned and did laundry and did some work and i'm ready to leave tomorrow for the Hearts at Home conference in Detroit. How fun!

Where are you planted?

2007-03-14T12:28:00.000-07:00

I was blessed yesterday by two things. First, I went to a Bible study group in Indian Trail. They had just finished doing the study at the end of my marriage book. So we just talked and I just shared some of the things God continues to teach me in marriage. They were such a fun and loving group, a group of women so obviously seeking God. So in doing ministry I was blessed. And you know, I've been so busy that just for a moment I had thought about not going. I'm so glad that I did, however, because it was such a great feeling knowing that the book I wrote helped women in their marriages.

Then my devotional ran yesterday and it was an invitation to have a relationship with the Lord, or to recommit to a relationship with the God who loves you. It was part of the devotionals that run through Proverbs 31 Ministry - see sidebar. I got an e-mail from the office that many people had responded that they accepted Christ. How amazing. How much fun it is to be obedient to God and to know that He's using me. There is truly no better feeling!

In Psalm 1:3, 4 we read:"He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers."

So it makes me think about: Where are you planted? Wherever you are planted is the place God wants you to bear fruit, to take whatever that next step of obedience is, to cling to Him. And then we will bear fruit and prosper!

Company in town

2007-03-14T10:12:00.000-07:00

I've been having fun with my relatives. My sister Natlie and her daughter Christi and her son Matthew came into town Saturday. Of course, we immediately were off to a basketball game, All Stars this weekend. I'm glad they got to see Zachary play. That was special. Christi is so fun and so grown-up - driving in just a few weeks. She and Natalie are starting a cleansing fast - does not sound like fun to me! But I admire them!

We celebrated Matthew's 13th bday by letting the boys skip school Monday to go to Dave and Buster's. We've had that planned forever, so even though Tyler missed last week with being sick - again - I let him go. Tyler has called Nat/Christi/matthew about a million times before they come to visit. Now of course he thinks he needs a cell phone - that 7 year old! I don't think so!!!!!!!!

Then Nat and Christi went up to the mountain house to enjoy some girl time, while Matthew is staying here in boy world. He just fits right in - likes to hang out and do the boy stuff, and he brought his unicyle - very cool.

I wish my relatives lived in town.

Heartlight devotional

2007-03-06T13:02:00.000-08:00

/\-----------------------------------------------------------------
\ / HEARTLIGHT(R) Magazine -- http://www.heartlight.org/
--\/------------------------------------------------------------------
March 4, 2007

/--- READY TO CHANGE THE WORLD? -----------------------------\
ACU students do every day! Click to find out more
about Abilene Christian University, recognized as one of
"America's Best Colleges" by the U.S. News & World Report.
\- http://ads.heartlight.org/serve.cgi?req=am_track&go=34 ---/

=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================

I Got God!, by Tammy Marcelain

Special Note: Tammy has been very open about sharing her son's
journey in his battle with a brain tumor and the challenges
involved with doctors, chemotherapy, radiation, and faith -- see
the links at the bottom of this page. She is part of The Coffee
Group.
Jack and I were sitting on the couch the other night. We were watching our favorite show, Deal or No Deal. This show drives me crazy. When I say "our favorite show," I mean my kids' favorite show. I just enjoy being a part of their excitement and listening to their advice for the contestants. My oldest son, Derek, is always pushing for the contestant to open one more suitcase. Jack and I are both saying take the money and go home. My daughter, Sophie, doesn't give her two cents very often.
Jack was playing his Game Boy at the same time we were watching the TV. He was sitting right next to me. The commercial for H & R Block came on the television. You've probably seen them. The punch line is, "I got people." You hear it a half a dozen times during the commercial.
At the end of the commercial, Jack, with his nose in his Game Boy, says, "I got mama." Tears, tears and more tears streamed down my face. I said, "Yes, you do Jack."
My meager human heart was swollen with emotion!
My meager human heart was swollen with emotion with those three words: "I got mama." I love Jack so much. Even now, to write those words makes me cry.
What must God feel when things are hard for us and we say in no uncertain terms, with no waiver in our voice, "I got God."
There was no waiver in Jack's voice when he said, "I got mama." Jack knows I can not fix his brain tumor, but I am by his side ALL the way .. and God is at our side ALL the way.
I don't know God's plans for Jack. I pray for healing, but I don't know if that is in God's big scheme of things. However, no matter which case gets opened, there is peace and confidence in knowing, "I GOT GOD!"
God has said,
"I will never fail you. I will never forsake you"
(Hebrews 13:5 NLT).
---------
(c) 2007 Tammy Marcelain and The
Coffee Group

Thank you, friends

2007-03-06T13:00:00.000-08:00

I got so many supportive phone calls and emails after sending out a big prayer request last night. I had just hit the wall - tired, Scott leaving all week, basketball practice every night, speaking Weds. - and then Tyler woke up sick and the doctor said expect him to be out all week. Poor guy - and poor me:) is how I felt last night.

It's not my favorite thing to ask for help, or frankly, to need help. But man - i'm so glad I sent that email because I was just overwhelmed with love and support. I never would have felt that if I hadn't admitted my need.

My next post is from heartlight devotionals and it just put everything in perspective.

Things that have made me smile lately

2007-03-03T05:50:00.000-08:00

1. Tyler talking with a lisp because he's missing his two front teeth

2. Sitting in the gym at a basketball game, with Scott on one side keeping the clock, and Zachary on the other side keeping the book.

3. My twin sister natalie and I were talking about how tired we are all the time- one of our favorite topics of conversation. She said, yeah, i decided to just accept it and i fix a big pot of coffee in the afternoon.

4. Natalie and her kids are coming to visit in a week!

5. Zachary made the All-Star basketball team.

6. Walking the dogs on a sunny afternoon.

7. I'm going to a conference in two weeks, started to think i need a couple more professional outfits - and was completely blessed with two new jackets this week. The first one came from wendy in the p31 office - she found a cute jacket at walmart for $1, and it fits great! Then my friend Debbie had a pink and brown jacket that doesn't fit and she brought it over Friday - and it fits and i love pink and brown. Isn't that cool?!

8. That I get to go this conference! I'm going to the Hearts at Home conference to help out my friend and fellow Proverbs 31 speaker,Renee Swope. It will be so much fun and the way it all worked out is a miracle.

9. Amy and Mike bought a new house!

10. Encouragment, challenge, prayers, and listening ears from good friends.

11. Hearing from two Bible study groups who did my What a Husband Needs from His Wife book/bible study.

12. Getting my hair colored and i like it.

13. And the one that made me laugh out loud. I woke up one morning with dog hair stuck to my night cream lotion - Emma, yellow lab #2, likes to sleep with a pillow. If you don't laugh, you'll cry!

Response to basketball and holy ground

2007-02-28T04:33:00.000-08:00

This is a a response form my friend Butch Ferguson, who will soon have his own blog up and running. I liked it so thought you'd enjoy it too. He has a great sense of humor and a heart for God. His wife and my good friend Mandy will have a blog soon, too!

"Thanks for sharing your heart and your mission for God, even if He has you on short-term ground. Thanks for being obedient. Sometimes I am blinded to God's message and wonder if I would have been as discerning as Moses. If it were me confronted with a burning bush, I probably would have yelled, "fire", then try to stomp it out with my size 11 desert sandel. I may have even called for one of the faithful followers bring me a goats bladder of water to try to douse the fire. Either way, I would have snuffed out my opportunity to hear God. I'm ignorant that way. That's why I pray, almost daily, to have God keep me grounded and know that He is God. " Butch

Basketball and Holy Ground

2007-02-24T03:11:00.001-08:00

No, I am not worshipping basketball! I'm just learning some things in the thick of basketball season.

We are a basketball family. And I am so thankful that God truly has given me the ability to enjoy this sport. I love watching my sons play and Scott coach. Maybe it all started went I went to the ACC tournie many years ago while I was pregnant with Zachary...

BUT - things have gotten over the top around here. Along with coaching Zach's team, Scott is an age commissioner for the community league. And right now we're in the tournament. This means there are games every night and all day sat and sun for about 10 days. So he has to be there.

Okay, okay, but THEN - there's more. We're using the Union Academy gym and Scott is in charge of opening and closing this gym every time it's being used. Not great, but okay, God we can handle this... but THEN - here's the tough part, Scott was out of town last week, not available to open and close the gym, so who do you think got to do that most nights? That's right, me.

So I have been praying every second because let me assure you this is not what I want to be doing. I have gotten busy. I'm preparing talks, writing book proposals, editing devotionals, trying to work out at the gym and keeping up with the rest of our lives.

And an amazing thing has happened. I have seen God's supernatural grace just land in me and He given me a gracious attitude. Most of the time:)

As I've been praying about it, the Holy Spirit brought to my mind Exodus 3:5 "... for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." This is where Moses stops to investigate the burning bush and then God speaks to Moses and tells him his calling.

We all have holy ground in our lives, a place made holy because God shows up. Moses was being a shepherd, pasturing the flocks, when God changed the common to holy. I think about how Moses could have just passed by that burning bush and really missed out on a lifetime of knowing God more intimately.

We have that same opportunity to see the holy ground right where we are. For me the holy ground in my life right now is basketball. I want to see God in this. I want to see his grace transforming me and breaking me free from any other strongholds in my life.

The sin tendency I have to fight against is anger and resentment and withdrawal from Scott. I really don't want to do that. Scott knows this has been too much, neither one of anticipated how demanding the schedule would be, he's not going to do it again next year, so why make all of us miserable? I don't want to punish Scott with my bad attitude, and I don't want to prove that I am right about this being too much. It is what it is... how will I let God in? How will I let God use this to make me more like Him? How will I trust Him in this? How will I partner with God to love Scott in this? I'm choosing God.

Deuteronomy 10: 20, 21: "'You shall fear the Lord our God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name. He is your praise and He is your God...'"

Thankful for friends who seek God

2007-02-16T15:19:00.000-08:00

Today I am feeling so thankful for friends who love and follow God.

Today Scott was feeling disgruntled and tired and grumpy and frustrated, mostly about some work stuff. I was gone this morning, and by the time I got home Scott had changed. He was at peace. I could just tell immediately. I asked him what was different. He said he just lost focus for a bit - and he remembered to put his eyes on the Lord, and it's going to be okay.

A friend just called to give me an update on something she had asked me to pray about. She was having a really bad attitude about a situation, and she was really frustrated and just vented some yesterday and asked for prayer.

And then this morning she did something incredible - instead of hanging on to that crummy attitude, instead of choosing to sin, she humbled herself this morning and fell on her face and told God she was just desperate for HIm. She knew that she needed to change her attitude but He was going to have to come through - and boy did He. The situation she was involved in had a good outcome and i could just hear in her voice the joy she found in obeying God!

Then the other friends who inpsired me are the Whalens. Marybeth's blog- see sidebar- is one of my favorites because some days it's about her every day life - which is very different from mine, and other days it's about more weighty matters.

The day that really stood out to me was "About paying off our college loan" on 2/14. her husband Curt blogs sometimes and she's got a link that day to his comments about their debt. It just moved me to tears because of their faithfulness to God. They could have taken an easier way out probably, they could have said this obedience is too hard - but they didn't. Step by step they have been faithful in paying off their debt.

So thank you my dear friends for your faithful example of following the Lord, of pressing into Him, knowing that He is the source of all we need and all we want to be. These friends are an example to me of Phillipians 4: 8,9: "Finally brethren, whaever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."

Big Butts

2007-02-14T06:48:00.000-08:00

There's always a Tyler story. This past Sunday as we were getting ready for church, Tyler told me about this tv commercial he saw. He told me that there was a lady in a dress and she was asking the man if her butt looked big in that dress.

I saw this as an opportunity to teach tyler the ways of women. I said to him, "Tyler if a lady ever says that to you in your lifetime, the correct is always no. Just say no."

And then with a little smile, he said to me, "like I shouldn't tell you your butt looks big in those pants because it does."

so there. sigh. and yes, my butt is big:) A few weekends ago I went away with my good friend Karen - who is maybe a size two, by the way - and we agreed that one of the biggest differences about being in your forties as opposed to earlier years is that everything shows up - if you eat a cookie, it shows up; if you don't drink enough water, it shows up on your face, etc...

So I've worked out several times this week. Leigh's blog - see my sidebar has a good blog about weight - she said call overeating what it is - sin! It's a good one if you want to check it out.

I'll post a photo here of karen. We went away to the mountains just the two of us. What fun. We've known each other since college days - 25 years. We loaded the car with enough stuff for two weeks, just in case we got snowed in, which unfortunately we didn't. We turned a 3 1/2 hour drive into a 7 hour drive by stopping to shop along the way. We sat by the fire, read mags, watched movies, ate cookies and nachos, and talked and laughed. We both actually did some writing - see her on my sidebar, Karen Rinehart, author of Bus Stop Mommies column. Life is good when you have a good and old friend.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2007-02-14T14:50:00.000-08:00

No, this is not my own dog in such an undignified pose, but it looks remarkably like jenna. It just cracked me up that someone would go to such lengths for v-day!

Today I want to remind you that you are infinitely loved by God. Here's some verses to really soak in and really, really, meditate on how much God loves you now and forevr!

See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us that we would be called children of God, and such we are. 1John 3:1

The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the other people... but becaused the Lord loved you. Deut. 7:7

The Lord has loved you with an everlasting love jeremiah 31:3

"Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands" Isaiah 49:16

"For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him" John 3:17

Nothing can separate us from God's love! Romans 8:38-39

No footholds

2007-02-09T04:53:00.000-08:00

Yesterday afternoon it felt like Satan had set up camp in my house. By late afternoon, the seven year old was crying in his room where he was having a timeout; the twelve year old was teary and more dramatic than he normally is; and I wanted to cry!

I thought for a little bit about what on earth had gotten us to that point, and soon I remembered that it was plain and simple spiritual attack. I am speaking this Sunday and it seems each time the enemy (i'm going to call him stupid like chris nole in california does) finds a new way to create some chaos in my life.

So I just said no, stupid is not getting a foothold in this house. Not in our thoughts, not in our emotions, not in our actions. So I gathered the boys around, we held hands, and I prayed for God to be our warrior, to surround us and Scott with a hedge of protection, and to fight off stupid.

So then we pressed on and went about our business - homework, laundry, dinner. Things didn't turn around immediately - but eventually they did! Scott got home from a three day trip earlier than I expected - thank you Lord! and we had a sit down family dinner.

Then Scott got out old videos because he's getting ready to convert them to dvd. We gathered around and watched videos of times when the boys were little and it just tickled us all! We were laughing and giggling and our hearts were transformed!

God really answered that prayer. Thank you, Lord.

Snow Day

2007-02-02T03:11:00.000-08:00

We got real snow in Charlotte! About two inches. It was so pretty. Since I grew up in south Florida, snow is still a big, big thrill to me! The kids got to stay home from school and the best part was that Scott was off work, too. Thank you, God! Tyler and the dogs immediately went out to play in the snow. It was fun to see all the neighborhood kids having snow ball fights and building snowmen.

One of the best parts of the day was just sitting on the couch and catching up with my husband. What a wonderful man I am married to. It is such a huge blessing in my life to be married to someone who is my best friend, who shares the same goals and priorities, someone who loves God and loves me and the boys.

One of the things we've been talking about some over the past year is Scott's love of coaching and working with young people in basketball. He is just so good at it and has such a passion for it. He is one of the commissioners for our community league and he helps coach at Zach's school. He loves doing that, but sometimes he wonders about going back to teaching and coaching. We were both teachers for many years so we know that along with some great days of feeling like you're really having an impact on young people, you have just as many ordinary days where you think what am I doing? Maybe God has gifted him this way to raise up our two sons, and just to do the other stuff part time.

And the other thing is he loves being a pilot and he has an awesome job with a great company. So we're just praying and he said he's just being still and waiting to hear from God.
psalm 46:10 Be still and know....

As for me and my dreams - I really want to continue to speak more, to write another book - hopefully I'll hear back from Harvest House soon about some book ideas. When I am writing and speaking for God, there's just a sense of rightness that feels better than anything else i've ever done.

So it was fun just to catch up with Scott and to talk about our dreams and to pray. We took the new truck out in the snow later and went out to dinner. There was not a soul on the roads! I love the way the South shuts down for a little snow. To Scott who's from Minnesota it's pretty funny.

Oprah and Proverbs 31 and Southbrook Church

2007-01-31T05:24:00.000-08:00

My friends were on Oprah this past Monday and I still cry just thinking about it.
It was an extraordinary family show - and 5 friends from here were featured because they've all adopted Liberian orphans. For anyone wanting more information about this story/adoptions/Proverbs 31 - I want to give you some info.

southbrookchurch.com Our church here in Weddington, NC where many, many families have adopted Liberian orphans.

Proverbs 31 Ministry - see the link on the sidebar - this is the ministry I speak for, the ministry that Lysa TerKeurst is the President of. Also, Marybeth Whalen on my sidebar speaks for P31.

Mark's blog - Mark, married to Cindy, is one of the Dads who was on the show and his blog is listed on my sidebar.

One of the things that Mark said has stayed with me - and made me cry!
He said something like this - So many people tell us what a great thing we did by adopting, but what they don't know is the blessing is all ours.

Amen!

The most awesome thing about the show is that God was mentioned over and over and over - more than I think anyone hoped for. And God kept up with the surprises - Lysa's book is on the oprah.com website! I think you go to books mentioned in shows, or something like that.

Also, the Proverbs 31 website has a place where you can click if you want to know more about Jesus and indicate if you became a Christian and lots have!

What's Happening

2007-01-27T06:41:00.000-08:00

I haven't been blogging much, have I? I'm going to get back into at least my weekly routine.
What's been going on here is just the usual stuff - basketball, school, dogs, scott's schedule is getting busy again.

As for me, I'm going through the weirdest nonwriting stage. I mean that is really weird for me. I am usually always writing something - at least in my journal, or a blog, or an article, or a devotion. I've actually been pretty frustrated, and I'm just praying through it. My friend Marybeth, a writer and fellow Proverbs 31 speaker, said the wisest thing - maybe I shouldn't fight where I am, or feel frustrated. She said she's learning that there's a reason for those nonwriting phases. Maybe what I would write at that particular time I'm just not ready to write. Maybe God has more to teach me about that subject. I loved that advice! So wise!
It reminded me of something I read by Don Miler - live what you write, or better yet, write what you live.

Last week I went to visit my friend Lisa Whittle, a writer and speaker who I met through She Speaks last year. While I'm mentioning She Speaks, this is Proverbs 31's annual speaker/writer conference held the third weekend of June - click on Proverbs 31 on the sidebar and then you can find the She Speaks link. This conference is really expanded this year - sessions for speakers, writers, and what's been added this year is a track for teens and a track for women's ministry. Wow! I've been to She Speaks three times and I feel passionate about it because it's very much where God confirmed my calling to write and speak. The strength of the conference is that it's like a spiritual revival. It's just incredible to be around like-minded Christian women. I highly recommend it! Email if you have any questions.

Okay, back to Lisa. She's got a book coming out this month and she's waiting to hear from a publisher right now about another two-book contract. Oh, waiting is so hard! So we talked about writing some and I shared with her some book ideas. Then that night I sent these ideas to my publisher. Now I'm waiting to hear what they think. If they like something, then I'll have to write a proposal, and then I'll have to wait on their response to that. I'm definitely ready to write another book, so please pray that my ideas will be accepted!

Friends on Oprah

2007-01-24T04:10:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends - I hope you'll watch several friends of mine from church on Oprah on 1/29. How exciting!

Dear Friends,

We wanted to let all of our faithful devotional readers know that Lysa TerKeurst, President of Proverbs 31 Ministries, will be on the Oprah Winfrey TV show on January 29th to share the amazing story of adopting her two sons from war-torn Liberia, Africa. Please join us as we pray that Oprah and her millions of viewers will see God’s hand in Lysa’s story; that seeds will be planted and His mighty Kingdom will increase; and that, above all, God will be glorified!

One person truly can make a difference. If you would like more information on adopting children in Africa, please visit www.acfinet.org.

If you are interested in helping children in Africa through sponsorship, Proverbs 31 Ministries has partnered with Compassion International and supports their humanitarian efforts in Africa and other areas of the world. For more information on sponsorship, visit Compassion International.

We treasure your friendship and prayers!

Proverbs 31 Ministries

Proverbs 31 Ministry

2007-01-19T10:49:00.000-08:00

Hi friends, My devotional is published today through Proverbs 31 - check on the link on the sidebar.

not just a cold

2007-01-14T13:52:00.000-08:00

Okay, the cold I thought I had is not just a cold; it's the flu. Yucky. I've never had it and it just makes you think you've missed a few days of life. I've been sleeping pretty much since Thursday pm. But if I had to get it was a good time to get it because Scott was in town and he's held down the fort.

We're looking forward to new tv shows starting - Scott loves 24 and i like american idol.

Okay, that's pretty much all I have to say. Yes, i'm soliciting sympathy. And I'm really not as shallow as this blog entry makes me seem.:)

Bad Mom Award

2007-01-12T12:29:00.000-08:00

Tyler brought to school a book which he got from his Mimi - I think- for Christmas. It's called There's a Hair in my Dirt. It's written from the viewpoint of a worm and has all sorts of scientific stuff written in a fun way.

Well, Tyler came home yesterday and the first thing he pointed out to me was the bad word in the book. It's the "a" word. Oh my. I had no idea it was in there. Really. Fortunately, his second grade teacher is an angel with a sense of humor, so hopefully she won't hold it against me. We blacked out that word with a black sharpie. Hopefully there's no more.

I have a bad, bad cold. Gotto go sit on the couch. Taking lots of medicine.

Speaking of writing, here's a book update

2007-01-08T15:41:00.000-08:00

My book What a Husband Needs from His Wife Total Sales (since June 2006): 12, 141.

I have no idea if that's good - although my sweet editor tells me it is! Sounds good to me:) Yahoo!

About writing

2007-01-08T13:16:00.000-08:00

Before I write about writing I'll start with a few words about the weekend. This weekend Scott and Tyler had so much fun in Minnesota. They saw relatives, friends, and Tyler got to do some things he can't do in Charlotte - like gathering eggs from Linda's and Harold's chickens. I'm so thankful for all of our relatives in Minnesota, wish MN wasn't so far away. I'm also so thankful for the time Scott and Tyler had together. They are two peas in a pod and just had fun together. I was really missing them both by Sunday pm.

As for me and Zach we had a really great weekend. Yes, quiet. Zachary spent a good deal of his day Saturday and some of Sunday at the Union Academy gym being the substitute "commissioner" in Scott's absence. Zach is as much a basketball fanatic as Scott. He's also extremely responsible and loves being in charge of the gym! He did a great job. .
That left me with a lot of free time. I went shopping at South Park Mall Friday with my good buddy Karen Rinehart- see her listed on my sidebar. She's an awesome columnist - "Bus Stop Mommies" is her "handle." She writes about every day life with great, great humor. I didn't buy anything but she did and that was fun.

I saw Zachary for about an hour and then he had plans with his good buddy from UA. So I had the whole night free. Normally, I would have made plans with a girlfriend, but I decided to use the time to write - and I did! I wrote some more on Saturday when Zach was at the gym. I went to see my friend Mandy's new horse - loved that! and then Sat. pm Zach and I ordered pizza and watched a movie. I love hanging out with that boy.

A friend recently asked me how I write. Well, I had to think about it - but this is generally what I do. I pray, read Scripture, take notes as the Holy Spirit leads me to Scripture about the topic I'm considering. I might read a book by an author who inspires me - lately I've been reading about Grace, a book by Joyce Meyer. She is a great teacher of the Word and that's what I really love.

And then I sit at the computer - and write! I used to write with pen and paper, but after writing my book, I am totally a computer writer. I love the ability to revise easily, cut and paste. On that note if I'm working on anything significant, I print it out, even a rough-rough copy, and/or I save it on a memory stick. I've had some mishaps with losing stuff and don't want that to happen again.

And then I go do some laundry, take the dogs for a walk, sit outside if it's pretty, just do something else for a bit just to refresh my brain.

And then i go back to the computer. And write. And write. If you want to be a writer, you have to make time to write! You have to say no to many, many other things. I did that when I was writing my last book - a deadline will make you very motivated! - and I'm getting back into a more serious writing mode now. For me, writing is very much a thinking and praying and writing process.

i know that I know that this is what God called me to do. and there truly is no greater feeling. I love "partnering" with God as I write. that's how I think of it. Sometimes I'll go back and read something i've written, and think wow, I like that! And I know that the Holy Spirit really was working through me then. One of my prayers for speaking/writing is John 14:10 "' I do not speak on my own initiative; but the Father abiding in me does His works.'"

Sometimes I get in an incredible zone and the words flow freely. Other days it is pure obedience to sit at this computer and just put some words down. Either way - I love it!

Check out Marybeth's Blog - see my sidebar - she wrote some similar things about her calling to speak and write. One of the things that Marybeth and I both do is to constantly take notes on ideas. I have a pad of paper in my purse, a journal by my quiet time spot, and a computer file started on each writing idea. I have learned that I generally don't remember an idea unless I write it down. This really helped when I was writng my book. I was able to pull from my journals and files I'd already started.

So there's some ideas on writing. Mel:)

Tyler and talking

2007-01-05T05:25:00.000-08:00

Scott and Tyler left yesterday for a trip to Minnesota to see the relatives. They were both so excited about it being just the two of them. When Zachary was younger, he and Scott went to Minn. several times, so now its Tyler's turn.

Tyler woke up and I swear THE MINUTE he opened his eyes he started talking. Now, if you know tyler, that's no surprise! but this was a lot of talking even for Tyler! He was still talking as the two of them headed out the door that morning.

I was giggling so hard! Scott's eyes were bloodshot from not sleeping very well and all I could think is they were going to have a long day! But I talked to him later and they were both doing great. Scott is truly one of the best dads in the world. I got a keeper in him:)

As for me and Zach -wow, it's quiet around here! and we're enjoying it! I had almost the whole day to myself, and it just feels so different not having to think about tyler. I'm really trying to use this time to enjoy hanging out with Zachary, pray, study the Word, exercise - as I mentioned in my previous post were some of resolutions. Okay, and shop some.

And it's going well with those resolutions - yes, I know we're not far into the year at all, but I am concentrating on one day at a time. I'm also trying not to have an "all or nothing" mentality, esp. when it comes to exercise. Some days I may just walk the dogs, but that's better than no exercise at all! Right?!

Happy New Year

2007-01-03T05:21:00.000-08:00

Sorry to have been gone so long from my blog. Just needed a break... family has been sick... holidays have been busy...you know! You've probably experienced much of the same.

For Christmas we went to my parents' beautiful new mountain house in Cashiers, NC, where we met my folks and my brother and sister in law. We had so much fun - hiked in the woods with the dogs, played lots of games. We have three favorites - Dutch Blitz, Apples to Apples and Catch Phrase. We all love games and now it's fun that Tyler can really keep up with us!

Scott introduced a new tradition which he learned from Linda - thanks Linda! - a ginerbread house making contest. He bought all the supplies, we divided into teams and went to work. I do think they were all creative in their own way. The basketball court came from the Chitwood boys; the redneck one from the creative O'Stubbs minds came with a still and an outhouse; and mom and dad and i did the best we could:) it was so much fun and definitely a tradition we'll continue.

Scott has been home a lot - I'm sooo thankful for that. We've had a break from basketball, and yes I'm thankful for that too, but we'll start again Sunday and I'm really ready. Thank you, Lord, for a change in attitude. Scott explained his basketball love in a way I could really relate to. He said just like I need things to look forward to - time with friends, reading, shopping - and these different things refresh me. Well, that's basketball for him. Okay:)

New Year's Day night all four of us went to the Charlotte Bobcats vs. Minnesota Timberwolves games. Kevin Garnett is one of the best basketball players ever, and one of Zachary's favorites, so it was fun to see him and to see Z. enjoy it. Aren't you impressed with my basketball knowledge:) hee hee - I am.

As for resolutions - yes I make them and I'm not legalistic, just like to have goals.
Exercise regularly
Eat healthy
Study God's Word
Write (thinking about a new book proposal)

Today I'm going shopping with Scott for clothes for Scott - that's a rare occasion!

Merry Christmas from the boys and girls

2006-12-13T03:23:00.000-08:00

Here's Zachary and Tyler with the ever-present dogs, Jenna and Emma. We're all looking forward to school being out - zach gets out friday, tyler next weds. We need some hangout time and some not getting up in the morning time!

Today I fly to Tampa for my tv interview! Tyler is sick, so please pray for him. It's so awesome that my good friend Karen is staying with the kids. I'm not very relaxed about leaving the kids, but I feel totally confident that she can handle anything! I'll actually do the interview tomorrow betweeen 10 and 11. It will be taped - not sure when it will be aired but I'll keep you posted.

Then Friday I was going to go to Atlanta but decided not to. Just too much going on. I miss my friends there and it was going to be so much fun to have all that time with Amy... another time. Scott and I will go to some Christmas parties and basketball games this weekend and I'm really hoping he'll have some days off next week. I miss him...