Slayed by NaNoWriMo

So, I'm done with NaNoWriMo. At least this year. It was a bit too daunting a task with everything we've got going on. The first few days I was on fire! I was writing like a maniac, and enjoying it. Then, I hit Thursday. I don't think I wrote a single word. By the time Friday got here, I was over it. I still love the concept, I just can't do it right now.

Dear Hubby suggested that I wait for a quieter month in our lives. I'm thinking maybe Lent would be a good time to write. It might even give me inspiration that is more divine in nature. Who knows? All I know is that NaNoWriMo quickly kicked me in the rear and sent me on my way. Running. In horror. Okay, maybe not in horror, but I do know that it definitely kicked me in the pants. Kudos to all those writers still plugging away. I sadly am not one of them. Not this year anyway.

Day One Done

Day one of NaNoWriMo is done. Although I don't plan on updating the blog daily with how it's going, I couldn't help but write just a snippet on the first day. After completing two assignments for creative writing before class, I wasn't sure how much more writing I had in me. Well, apparently I had 1,847 words worth left. I think I could actually write more tonight, but I'm tired. Today was a long day, and so was yesterday. So far so good with this new project. Here's hoping I can keep going just as strong. Only 48,153 words to go. I've already lowered the average number of words I have to write per day.

Way to go Day One!

NaNoWriMo

So, I may have bitten off more than I could chew. An email from an enthusiastic classmate from creative writing told me about this thing called NaNoWriMo. National Novel Writing Month. Its basic premise is to encourage writers to be more productive. If you sign up at nanowrimo.org, they provide encouragement and links to other local writers who are participating. The goal is 50,000 words in 30 days. That's about 1,667 words per day. A tall task.

With all the other stuff we've got going on this month, including my creative writing class, it would seem that finding time to write that many words per day (let alone that many in a month) would be impossible. I happen to think that while it will be difficult, it won't be impossible. I'm going to set up a schedule for a certain time that I'll be writing. No matter what else is going on, at that time of each day, I'm going to write.

The great thing is that what I write doesn't have to be perfect. It doesn't even have to be good (at least not beyond or even equal to first draft good). I just have to write. I hope it helps me get past the whole perfectionism thing in my writing (for the first draft anyway). That's one of the things we've talked about in class: the first draft doesn't have to be perfect. You just have to write it. Perfection comes later. Many drafts later.

So, tomorrow, I start NaNoWriMo. I've added a widget to the sidebar of my blog to keep up with how many words I've written per day. Wish me luck!

The Grace of God by Andy Stanley

This book is absolutely fantastic. As the world moves toward a legalistic view in all aspects, we have forgotten about the undeserved gift of grace. As we continue toward a "What do I have to do to get the recognition/award/payoff?" culture, we forget that there are more important things than worldly things. We forget that grace is a gift and that we can never deserve it.

Andy Stanley begins at the beginning, tracing the story of grace from its root at the original sin all the way through to the ultimate gift of grace, the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus as a payment for our sins. During this explanation, he shows how the church should be an extension of God's grace to ALL people. Our job as Christians is to show people how God's grace has changed us, how it can change them. Stanley reminds us of this task as part of sharing God's message and the love of Jesus with people.

Well-written and easy to read, I highly recommend this book to anyone tired of the legalistic view of religion that seems to be slowly infiltrating non-believers' ideas about Christianity. It's a great reminder of what we truly believe about the changing power of God's grace in our lives.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Gospel According to Jesus by Chris Seay

I have honestly been dreading reviewing this book. Then I had to remember that my "job" here is not to give positive reviews just to give a review. My "job" is to review this book the way I read it.

I was completely excited when I saw that a book like this was available for review. How wonderful that someone finally sat down and wrote what I've been thinking: Christians have forgotten how to be Christians. We worry too much about the rules and how to follow them, while forgetting how to reach out to others with the same love and grace that Jesus extends to us. I couldn't wait to read what I was sure would be brilliant insight and explanation for something I'd been feeling in my heart for so long.

While I'm sure that's what the author intends, I couldn't get past the second chapter. I'm hoping that later I'll be able to pick the book back up and read it with fresh eyes and a fresh mind. Maybe I'm just not a fan of his writing style, and I hate that, because I just knew this book was going to blow the cover off of the idea of the legalistic Christian. While attempting to make the information more relatable by giving "discussions" between his friends at the end of each chapter, the author instead made me feel isolated and insignificant. I can't understand something great your friend has to say unless you tell it to me in interview format?

Again, great concept behind this book. I'm really hoping I'll pick it up later and get past my the nit-picks I'm finding I have with the writing style. Great message. Great idea. Please pick it up if at all interested in the subject.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Which None Can Shut by Reema Goode

I couldn't put this book down. Okay, I could, but it was entirely difficult. It took the threat of not getting my homework done to stop reading every day. It's a super-easy read, but incredibly riveting. Reema Goode tells the story of her family living in the Arab Peninsula. As Christian Missionaries, they have entered the lives of the people in their town, not just to share the gospel, but to get to know them as individuals. The stories she shares are filled with laughter, suspense, tears and a heartfelt love for the people of the area.

Incredibly well-written, but not overly flourished, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about reaching out to non-believers. Goode includes resources at the end of the book for anyone interested in sharing the Word. Her encouraging tone throughout the book asks readers to do what they can for the people of the Arab Peninsula: pray, give to missionaries in the region, or become a missionary yourself. Great read, great tone, great book!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Tyndale.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Your Money God's Way by Amie Streater

I am a huge fan of Dave Ramsey and his Financial Peace method, so I was equally excited to read another Christian author's veiwpoint on finding the right way to manage money. Amie Streater gets right to work dispelling what she calls the "7 money myths that keep Christians broke". Using biblical principles and good common sense, Streater shows how to get rid of debt and live the life free of financial worry we all dream of. Weaving in tales of individual financial problems (including her own), she shows how each money myth can keep people in debt, and then shows how biblical truths dispel those myths.

I really enjoyed the method Streater employed in this book. She put together an incredibly strong guide to freedom from financial worry, starting with her own story. I also like how she goes through all of the money myths first, then lays out a plan. This enables you to see where the root (or roots) of your problem comes from, then she offers different plans for different levels of issues. I highly recommend this book for anyone, whether you are currently experiencing money issues or not. Two thumbs up.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Lover

I found out a great thing from my supervisor the other day: there are ways to get free copies of books. Since I am an avid reader of anything I can get my hands on, especially books I don't have to pay for (i.e. library, copies my family has, etc.), and I have a blog (fledgling at this point, but a blog none the less), I decided I would apply and see if the companies thought I was worthy of a chance. Apparently, they've decided I am.

I am officially a book reviewer (in blog at least) for Tyndale House Publishers and BookSneeze.com. I have two books requested, and am anxiously awaiting their arrival. I know, I know, how am I going to fit in reading and reviewing books with everything else I do? Well, I fit in reading all the time, and since I'm trying to write at least fifteen minutes a day now, writing a book review should fit in nicely. Plus, it'll give me an occasional blog post that I don't have to come up with a subject all on my own. Subjects are sometimes the hardest part for me to come up with.

So, hopefully within the next few days there will be a book (or two) arriving at my door. I can't wait! Both of the books I've requested look excellent, and I'm excited that I can then share my impression of the books with someone else. It kind of makes me feel like I'm finally going to be on Reading Rainbow. Maybe I'll have to end my reviews with, "but don't take my word for it..."

Easier Said than Done

I will gladly admit that I completely underestimated the difficulty I would have in making myself write for fifteen minutes a day. First, I began to doubt my skills. In fact, I almost decided to give up before I started. I thought that there was no way anyone would ever want to read my writing, because I'm just not that witty. I'm not that good, I don't have that many aha moments, and my life is boring.


Then I realized that it doesn't have to be about my life. It doesn't have to be a step-by-step account of my day, or inciteful all the time, or funny all the time. It can just be writing. Making the effort is the point right now. So, I sat down last night with a notebook and pen and just wrote whatever I thought of regarding a particular childhood memory. Granted, it was in an effort to get a jump on a poem I should have written a few days ago for class, but it was a good fifteen minutes of just writing. Tonight I've spent an hour and a half turning those notes into a relatively good first draft of a poem. Tomorrow I'll tweak it some more before submitting it for class review. I know it's not the best thing ever written, but my classmates and professor will help me find how to fix it, and I have to remember that it is the first time I've written poetry in years. I'm more the short-story and blog type writer, so I'll have to go back through it to make sure what I've got is an actual poem and not a story, but that's what waking up early tomorrow is for. Besides, this whole class/process is about improving my overall quality of writing, so exercising something that's not comfortable for me right now is a good thing.


It will get easier, and it will get better.

My Experiment

I'm currently taking a creative writing class. As an accountant, my days are entirely number driven. I decided I needed a creative outlet for my dramatic side. My hope is that it will allow me to become a better writer, not just for myself, but for whatever purpose God mave have for me. Since my employer pays for classes, I figured I'd take it for fun. Class just started this week, and we'll be doing poetry first. I haven't written poetry in years.

I like to blame my lack of writing on being busy. In all actuality, it's a lack of scheduling on my part. So, in the likes of Julie & Julia, I've decided to start an experiment. I'm going to write for at least fifteen minutes, five times a week. Why not every day? Well, I have to allow myself some time off for days when we've got family stuff going on or I just don't feel good.

Will everything I write be brilliant? Of course not. Will it improve as I continue to write? I certainly hope so. That was kind of the point of this blog to begin with: giving me a way to write about my daily endeavor to live as God wants me to live. Now we'll see if I can't put my thoughts on life in general down in a more effective, better written way.

Here's hoping!

Saying Goodbye

When you marry, you take on another branch of family. Maybe this isn't true for some people, but it is especially true in my case. I love my husband and therefore it only made sense that I would love his people too. He comes from a blended family: Dad had two children from his first marriage, Mom had two children from her first marriage (including dear hubby), and they had another child after they were married. A literal yours, mine and ours. Add in spouses, girlfriends and kids, and you've got your own family reunion started with just one branch of his family. Our future generations will need nametags to determine who belongs to whom. (I say that from experiences at my dad's family events: seven children on a grandparent level equals tons of relatives). DH has been really good about taking on my family too, so I guess that really made it easier for me to just accept that his family IS my family now too.

With the combined forces of our families (and I mean that in a completely good way), things are bound to happen that make you happy, make you laugh, or even make you sad. One of those things happens tonight. We'll be in attendance at a commissioning service for his older brother and family tonight. They leave later this month to go overseas and do mission work. While I praise God that they have answered His call to go do His work, I am saddened that it will take them away for a total of three years. Granted, it is only three years, but the kids are only 5 (almost) and a little over a year. It'll be weird to see the girls again after they've had three years of time to grow up, and sad that we won't get to see them as they do. It'll be sad that they won't be just 45 minutes away, even if we didn't get together that often to begin with. Holidays that once saw them there by default, will now seem to have an empty spot, because they won't be there to fill it.

I know that God has His hand on them during this transition. I know that He is taking care of them. I know that it isn't my job to worry or be sad, but to praise Him for using them to fulfill His mission. So tonight, as we say goodbye, that's what I'll be doing. Praising God for allowing my people to do His work in such a big way.

God blesses us all...

Shiny new toys

I don't usually think of myself as a tech geek. I don't have to rush out and get the latest and greatest of any type of technology. I appreciate what technology does for me, and I enjoy trying out what others have. But I just don't have to rush out and get it myself. I guess that's the frugal side of me.

However, I brought home a netbook from work today. I am going to be taking it to one of our other stores to use for inventory, and thought I'd just give it a quick checkout to see what I think. Then I realized, I'm totally falling for the shiny new toy syndrome. I admit, having this tiny little computer that I can completely type on, surf the net, and play with is cool. In fact, compared to our current laptop (that will need to be replaced at some point in the near future), I can see where people would want to go with a netbook. It's super light, the keys are similar (if not the tiniest bit smaller) to the layout on most laptops, and I think it's super cute. Again, falling for shiny new toy syndrome.

It made me think, what else am I materialistic about? Instead of coming home and doing some Bible study, the first thing I had to do was try out the new toy. What else do I put before God? How many mission projects and opportunities to share the Good News with others have I missed out on because of my materialistic nature? Praise God that He can use even a sinner like me to reach out to others. Even on shiny new toys...

When is the timing ever perfect?

"If you wait until the wind and the weather are just right, you will never plant anything and never harvest anything." ~ Ecclesiastes 11:4

I get a daily scripture through my FaceBook account. During a particularly introspective time, this verse came up as my daily feeding. It really spoke to me, and reminded me that the timing is not in my hands.

What are you waiting to do? What are you putting off until this or that happens? How often do we say we'll do something amazing for God after something else happens? How often do we use our circumstances as an excuse for not moving when God wants us to use them as a launching point?

How do you share?

I woke up this morning and something immediately popped into my head: No matter where you are, there God is also. It was the clearest thought I've had in a while when I wake up. Normally I'm all groggy and cranky, and I might have been both of those this morning. But the thought was still there: No matter where you are, there God is also.

It's not just about being able to take God with us everywhere. I've always thought that makes God sound portable. Which also makes Him sound removable. It's that God IS. He is everywhere, because He created everything. He is all-encompassing. It gave me such peace this morning to remember that even when I don't think about it, God is with me. He is with me on my way to work when I have to search 15 minutes for a parking space. He is with me when I get that annoying vendor's phone call every other day. He is with me when I'm on my way out the door and I'm reminded of another project that has to be done before I can head home. The point is that God is with us no matter where we are. Regardless of whether or not we acknowledge His presence.

Even that thought bothered me though. How many times a day do I do something that would disappoint God, just because I don't acknowledge His presence? How many people have I hurt, because I don't remember that God is with us through everything? How many times have I said/done something to make fun of someone else, because I don't remember that God is sitting right beside me at all times? But I don't think the thought popped into my head just to make me feel bad or convict me about things I've done. It was for that, but it was also to remind me that regardless of what I do, or have done, God will continue to be wherever I am. It was to remind me that when I'm feeling down about something, God is right there with me. When I'm running late to church and fuss at myself, God is right there with me. When I'm listening to a friend or co-worker tell a story about their latest disappointment or heartache, God is right there with me. And if God is right there with me, He's right there with them too. Which leads me to my final thought this morning: if God is everywhere we are, how often do we share God's presence with the people we love, or the people we are with everyday?

How do you share God?

What Do You Sacrifice?

Today starts the Lent season, and I had to decide what I was going to give up for Lent. Okay, so I didn't HAVE to give up anything. It's not a requirement in the United Methodist church. Someone asked me last year what the point of giving something up for Lent was. Her church doesn't do Ash Wednesday (or as I like to say, getting ashy) or the whole giving up something for Lent. So, I and another coworker tried to explain it to her. Our explanation was that sacrificing something we enjoy (like chocolate this year) helps us to remember the ultimate sacrifice: Jesus giving His life for us on the cross. Her response was simple: Isn't that what we're supposed to do all year as Christians?

Her comment stuck with me. What do we give up all year that reminds us of the sacrifice Jesus made?  What sacrifices do we make to honor God's grace and love? Some people would say time. But does an hour or so every week on Sunday equal a real sacrifice of time? Other people would say their tithe is a sacrifice. But did the money really belong to us in the first place? If we remember that it all comes from God to begin with, it seems like 10% is so insignificant. Then again, should we really look at these things as a sacrifice? Or do we need to remember that God makes all things possible, and that everything we get comes from Him? We are able to do the things we do everyday because God makes it possible. How could time and praise be a sacrifice?

Anyway, I'm still giving up some things for Lent: chocolate, video games, and extra time for Bible study and prayer. Granted, the video games were only something on the weekends, but it's still giving up something. When I say I'm giving up extra time for Bible study and prayer, I mean I'm going to spend more time in the Word and communicating with God, not that I'm going to do it less. I want to really get into some serious study on the Bible. I know that God has a great purpose for me that He's just beginning to reveal. We'll see how prayer can help me discern exactly what and where He plans for me to be.

May God's love uplift and keep you!