Looking Back, Moving Forward

Me, Dee Dee Parker and Beth Fortune

Dee Dee taking full advantage of the cafe
(okay, she's holding my drink too)

Lori Roeleveld, Latan Murphy and Julie Webb Kelly

A whirlwind doesn’t begin to describe my week at BRMCWC:

• Classes/workshops included Steven James, Alton Gansky, Ann Tatlock, and Kim Bangs. (Need I continue?)

• Quality time with Julie and Lori on Saturday (and meeting Lori’s amazingly talented daughter, Hannah)

• Lobby time (second and third pictures above) - laughter (lots of it!), meaningful conversations along the edges, and jazzy java drinks, as you can see above.

• Spirit-led worship (Thank You, Jesus)

• Celebrating accomplishments awarded during the Wednesday night’s banquet, such as Allison Martin's first place award for her thrifty & trendy blog, Budget Maven. More on the banquet in days to come but I couldn't be prouder of my fellow award winners.

• Prayer time with fellow "Brigaders" Sunday morning. Priceless.

• Cloud Cafe. One may be drinking too much coffee when the sweet retiree behind the counter remembers your first name within 2 days. Just saying.

• New acquaintances, like Sue from Ohio (the one with the delightful British accent).

Looking back, I'm grateful for the victories witnessed not only in myself but in those around me -- physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 

Now to build on those victories as we all move forward!

 

My Friday Fave - A Novel Idea

"Each cup of tea represents an imaginary voyage." - Catherine Douzel

The faculty at Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer's Conference is like none other. I most appreciate how they choose to make themselves available to attendees by eating meals with us, talking before and after sessions, and simply hanging out with us in the lobby. Much time and energy is required on their part to prepare, travel, and to show up -- not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well.

It's for all these reasons and more that I like to come up with a small token of appreciation for those leading the classes and workshops I'll take next week. I'm featuring the gift today because it contains one of my favorite things -- tea! Remember this post? 

Initially, I'd planned to drop my mini thank you note inside the bag with the tea pouch, but then realized I had an opportunity to make the note itself the tea tag...and voila!

They're not fancy, but hopefully the old adage holds true—it's the thought that counts.

Spiritually Preparing for BRMCWC

✔ Ipod loaded with music from Brandon, Zach (from college days), Aaron Keyes, and David Crowder. What better way to begin and end a day?
 
✔ Lots ‘o one dollar bills for the Cloud 9 Coffee Cafe. Latan, are you ready?
 
✔ My “Edie” notebook, stocked with business cards, writing samples, and a flashback-style plastic pouch filled with pens, paper clips, and sticky notes.  

✔ Much, much more.

If you know me, you know I’m all about the checklist. The process makes me giddy:

• Empty thoughts onto page. In detail.

• Grab debit card. Go shopping.

• Ask hubster to bring luggage down from the attic. Okay, beg.

• Check off each item -- quickly. Score!

Searching for the most comfortable shoes or snazziest notebook is gratifying, but if I’m not careful, I can allow the temporal prep to override the eternal one.
 
Becoming spiritually prepared for next week’s Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference also involves a process—one of searching the soul, with God leading the way. For me, it looks something like this: 

God, would you search my heart? Turns out, I have a tendency to see only what I want to see about myself. 


God, would you see if there is any offensive way in me? 

• Pride - even a speck of it can leave enough space for the enemy's big toe.

• Envy - "Envy is dissatisfaction with who God has made me to be. It is also suspicion that God is withholding what I deserve and giving it to someone else." -Mindy Caliguire. God, am I envying someone else? If so, please forgive me and show me how to put on dancing shoes (preferably, without heels) on behalf of another person's success.

• Greed - "Greed grows out of the suspicion that God will not take care of our needs as well as we can do it ourselves.” -Mindy Caliguire. I say I trust You to lead and guide the way on this journey, but when I try to make things happen in my own strength, there's a whiff of greed in the air, i.e., the stench of flesh. Father, may You find me dying to self, allowing the Holy Spirit to move fully and freely in my life, bringing forth the sweet scent of Your glory.

God, open my eyes to the new and unique ways You are calling me to live out the Gospel as I choose to see this amazing conference as a blessing from You. Not one person will be in attendance by "coincidence". 

Next week is about You, not me. 
Next week is about transformation, not information. 
Next week is about becoming the men and women You've called us to be, not trying to become someone through the process of "doing".  

"Lay your deadly doing down
Down at Jesus' feet
And stand in Him, in Him alone,
Wondrously complete." 

-James Proctor, It is Finished

A Different Kind of Mother's Day

This morning, our pastor shared a similar prayer, heightening our awareness to the fact that all are not as blessed as I am to have a healthy, godly, loving mother. 

To all those celebrating a different kind of Mother's Day today...

For those who are sorrowing, raw and tender this week, we pray:

…for those who’ve suffered the loss of their mothers through death; Lord, please bring them your comfort

…for those estranged from their mothers through family division, mental illness or strife; Lord, please salve their wounds and bring your healing

 …for those who are losing their mothers by degrees through disease; Lord, please measure extra grace to parent and child alike as the roles reverse

…for those who never knew their mothers; Lord, please reveal yourself to them at every point of abandonment, longing and need as El Shaddai

…for those who have lost a child; Lord, please have mercy on them as they daily bear this searing pain

 …for those who are riding the roller-coaster of infertility; Lord, please revive their hope and bless them with new life

…for those who ache to become mothers, but find themselves without a mate again this year; Lord, please draw near to them, and help them draw near to you as they wait and hope

…for those whose children have chosen a prodigal path; Lord, please grace these parents to wait together with you for their children's return home

…for those whose children are living, working and serving in distant lands; Lord, please keep them safe, and keep our hearts at peace

…for those who have a full and happy family life; Lord, thank you for this witness, and give them  an extra chair at their table waiting for the lonely to fill it

…for those who, in their pain, have felt abandoned and undefended by you; Lord, please comfort them…and let them recognize that you are near at all times

In the name of the Father of the fatherless, the Bridegroom of the widow, and the Companion of the lonely, I pray. Amen.

- Michelle Van Loon

Friday Fave - Family Fun

 What can I say? How could this not be a favorite?

Piper in DC - a traveler in the making!

Silhouettes of Zach, Sarah, and Piper. The cool factor? 

The Jefferson Memorial, pictured in the background, is the place where Zach proposed to Sarah in 2008.

Wordless Wednesday - May Flowers

Dreamy Writing Spots

One could rephrase a familiar bumper sticker—"Pen's don't write poems; poets do"—but the pen or pencil or typewriter may have a large role than just recording the writer's inspirations; it may foster, encourage, or stimulate creativity by its feel or its familiarity.

Try writing in a different place than usual—a kitchen, a porch, an attic or basement, a diner, an airport, a library, a vacant stadium. -John Drury, Creating Poetry

Do you have a particular pen, ritual or perfect perch responsible for kick-starting your creativity? 

I admit it -- I do. Fountain pens, owl-shaped coffee mugs, Pandora music, and comfy writing spots often invite my muse to join in the dance.

One of my favorite Pinterest boards is entitled "Dreamy Writing Spots". It's teeming with unique places to write—nooks, crannies, closets, and wide-open spaces. My most recent add is Pier 1 Imports Daisy Outdoor Swingasan™. 

It's not in my budget, so when I say dreamy, I mean dreamy...but couldn't you picture yourself curled up in this delightful daisy cave? 

Friday Fave - May Days!

May Days! May Days! 

What are some favorite May days?

Mother’s Day (May 13) - If you knew my Mom, you’d know why this is a celebrated day. She is an overcomer, encourager, ageless (hope that’s in the gene pool!), Lord-loving woman -- and I’m very thankful to call her Mom.

National Day of Prayer (First Thursday in May) - Prayer awareness raised throughout our nation, with Dr. David Jeremiah serving as NDP's Honorary Chairman this year. Click here to read the 2012 National Prayer.

Word Weavers (Second Thursday in May) - A gathering of like-minded word lovers, focused on sharpening one another’s skills while soothing the inevitable ouch of disappointments.

Family beach trip - Where to begin? Swimming with Piper, conversations about the new little one on his way, four generations of family time, slabs of sunscreen, fresh seafood, and trips to the Yum-Yum shop.

Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer's Conference - I'm arriving a day early to spend some one-on-one time with this sweet friend from IL, and then meeting many members of an online writer's group face-to-face for the first time. I can't wait, Light Brigade! Edie is once again offering attendees a plethora of workshops and classes—how's a girl to choose? 

Memorial Day - God bless the men and women serving in our Armed Forces, and their families. May we never forget the sacrifices made on our behalf.

This post from Allison's blog The Budget Maven helped me to realize the blessings waiting to be discovered this month.

So, what's your favorite May day? 

A Living Breathing Tower of Faith

“No exercising!”

Do you know how long I’ve waited to hear those words?

Seriously, it wasn’t the diagnosis I’d hoped for, but until the back pain subsides, the doctor’s orders stand.

Fighting the weight battle without the option of exercising is a daunting task, but the Lord quickly put my pity party into perspective when Mrs. H, an elderly friend, ambled into the same waiting room for x-rays.

Cancer spots her bones but a smile blankets her face.

Mrs. H and I finished up at the same time, so I sat a spell with her on the park bench while waiting for her daughter to retrieve the car. She shared how she’d taken her best friend, who recently passed away, for her cancer treatments last year—and how she was now the one sitting in the same exact seat her friend once occupied.

Her eyes puddled, but her voice strengthened as she proclaimed with full assurance that God had it all under control. 

I was thankful, convicted and humbled by the unexpected but oh-so sovereign encounter I had with Mrs. H, a living breathing tower of faith.

The power of a story. God’s story.