A First Timer Preparing for Blue Ridge

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“Dwell in possibility.”
Emily Dickenson

Emily’s quote, featured on my favorite mini-notebook pad, reminds me that the abundant life Christ spoke of in John 10:10 is one of exploration, challenges, and a whirlwind of possibilities — which is exactly what I expect as I head to the Blue Ridge Writer’s Conference in a couple of weeks as a first-time conferee.

While the trip is out of my comfort zone on oh-so-many levels, preparation is the key, right?

Mentally:

  • Most conferees prepare an elevator pitch. I’m personally hoping for a stairwell pitch (or better yet, a coffee cup pitch!) I don’t befriend elevators.
  • I’m attempting to curb my excitement over the face-to-face meetings with all my cyber-writer friends from the Blue Ridge yahoo group and the Light Brigade. Lori, Dee Dee, Julie, Cynthia, and the list goes on. Is that heaven I taste?
  • Resting the unknown in the Known.

Physically:

  • I’ve been forewarned! Exercising has increased in preparation for lots of walking at Ridgecrest.
  • Supplies have been purchased and will soon resemble what’s fondly known as “Edie’s notebook”. She’s amazing!
  • Business cards are printed and poised for the exchanges to come.
  • Have Purple pens (my fave) and plenty of paper. Ready to travel.

Spiritually:

Praying to…

  • Remain focused on WHY I am attending BRMCWC: to learn. Not to impress or to compete, but to hone my skills. (Before my feet hit the floor this morning the words “Just because it’s a calling doesn’t mean it’s easy” crossed my mind and collided with my heart.)
  • Remain focused and joyful as I consider WHO has made – and will make – all the possibilities possible.
  • Seek out opportunities to serve and bless others at the conference, as Vonda suggested in our last meeting.

“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.”

-Matthew 6:33, The Message

A Son’s Love

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A favorite post of mine (March 2008) in honor of Good Friday:

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple,’Here is your mother.’ John 19:25-27

Today, as I read through these verses, I was struck by the love Jesus showed for his mother by referring to her as “woman” instead of “mother”. This wasn’t the first time. Remember John 2:4? Mary informs Jesus the wedding party was out of wine. “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” At first glance, the term seems a bit harsh, but if you were to dig a little deeper, you would find this to be a polite term used in their culture. Polite, yes, but it’s obvious that Jesus is distancing himself from his mother. He is gently breaking the news to her that He is no longer her responsibility.

Let’s linger in John 19:26 a little longer. Moms will find this pause especially uncomfortable. We have an innate knowledge of the power our children’s words hold over us, whether they are 3 or 33. Jesus knew it too.

The word “woman” must have brought immediate comfort to Mary’s heart or else Jesus would have remained silent. As a loving Son, Jesus wanted His mother to remember who He truly belonged to. As her Savior, Jesus wanted her to remember His only purpose in life. His time had now come.

The lesson for us as parents? Remember that our kids are not our own. It was God who wove them together in the depths of the earth. It was His eyes that saw his/her unformed body. It was His omnipotent power that ordained their days before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139: 15, 16) Jesus’ words to Mary over 2,000 years ago holds incredible freedom for parents today who are willing to grasp these truths and live accordingly.

As a mother, I’ll admit there are times when I become fearful over my sons’ futures. I want them to be safe and secure (and okay, close to home.) But as their co-heir in Christ, I desire only God’s plans and purposes for their lives. Whether or not I can see or understand those plans makes no difference. That’s not my calling as a parent.

While gasping for every word, Jesus reminded Mary, and us today, that while parents play a vital role in the lives of their children, it is God alone who gives them a purpose for it. We must decrease that He might increase.

Thank You, Jesus.

My Favorite Flavor?

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Vanilla Strawberry! Not in terms of scoops, but in blooms.

Meet the latest addition ordered for our garden, the unique Hydrangea Vanilla Strawberry. It was voted best new plant by the American Landscape and Nursery Association, and it’s easy to see why.

By mid-summer, large white flower heads will turn pink and then become strawberry red or even burgundy. All three colors will be displayed within two weeks of the first bloom.

Now to find the perfect spot for my yummy addition!

Regaining Sustained Momentum

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“Write every day. Regaining momentum takes three times as much energy
as sustaining momentum.” Daniel H. Pink

Setting aside a specific time to write has proven this quote on sustained momentum to be spot on. The words seem to flow more freely, creativity sparks a bit quicker, and techniques are implemented with more ease.

I wish the same could be said for other areas in my life where momentum is crying out to be regained. For those of you who’ve read my blog for awhile you know I began running last year and absolutely loved it. Because of severe reflux I was advised to find another means of exercising. That was in August, and I have yet to search for something new (I have the extra pounds to prove it!) I’d like to say I’m still mourning over the loss of a loved calorie burner, but the truth is, I simply lack the motivation to find another.

If we didn’t get such a crazy deal through Brian’s work with the Sports Club, I would be rowing with Beth here — but I do, so I can’t.

The fact of the matter is, if I keep doing what I’m doing, I will continue getting what I’m getting, and that’s not a direction I plan to pursue. Perhaps that’s why the above quote resonates so deeply.

Yes, it may take three times as much energy to regain momentum, but no momentum at all will deplete my life of much more than energy.

A Picture Perfect Day

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Brian’s birthday isn’t until Tuesday but we decided to celebrate early by heading to Greenfield’s, our favorite bagel place in town, for an out-of-this-world brown sugar blueberry bagel and coffee.

Our original plan was to choose a design or common object and drive around taking snapshots of it in various locations throughout downtown Greenville. It may seem simple or a waste of time, but it’s actually a great opportunity to stretch those creative muscles. Unfortunately, the nippy wind temps didn’t cooperate, so we quickly devised a Plan B and purchased our tickets for the Upcountry History Museum.

It was the best $5.00 we spent all day:


Our Saturday excursion was topped off with a delicious lunch at Trios, one of our downtown favs.

It was, without a doubt, a picture perfect day!

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