When my boys were little...and up through their growing up years we sat at the table in January and set goals. They HATED it!!! I kept a notebook with their goals at every age. The maturity shows up in the goals they aspired to attain. It always brings a smile to my face until I read the goals I set for myself. I still haven't reached them!!!
Terry had a goal for years that was to make six close friends to be his pallbearers! (He just makes ya wanta laugh!)
My biggest all time goal has been and probably always will be: Lose weight!
This year I was able to shed 25 lbs with Alli pills and thank God for it! I am now doing a combination of Alli and Weight Watchers. Keep your fingers crossed. I need to go another40 to 50 lbs!
I also set a goal of book selling. My ultimate goal is over 5000 books sold. My short-term goal was 500. YESTERDAY WE OFFICIALLY REACHED 500 COPIES OF NAN'S JOURNEY SOLD!
This morning I had an order for 5 more and also 2 from His Corner Bookstore at Community Worship Center sold. As of this minute we are at 507... 4493 to go!!!!
Terry set the next goal at 1000 so that I wouldn't get discouraged....so that leaves 493 to go for that one. Ha!!!
Nan's Journey is in at least 22 states (the ones that I am aware of anyway) and is sold around the world because of Tate Publishing distribution through Ingram Spring Arbor. I think a cool goal would be to have documented sales in all 50 states whatever countries it is available in.
Another seemingly unreachable goal is to GET OUT OF DEBT! Hope springs eternal...
Any interesting goals????
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Lets Go To a Blog Party!
I'm trying something new....so what's new with that? It seems that everything I have been doing lately has been new. (to me at least) How about all of us girls (sorry boys) join in this blog party on March 7-14? It is a way to meet other bloggers and win prizes. (readers can win prizes too) Just click the button on the side bar and join in the fun! This blog is called 5 minutes 4 mom.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Nan's Journey Named Best Christian Historical Fiction of 2008 by Christian Story Teller
Congratulations from Chrisitiansoryteller.com staff and the Board of Advisors.
It is with great happiness and joy that we announce our choices for the “Best of the Year Awards”.
Your book has been selected for BEST CHRISTIAN HISTORICAL FICTION OF THE YEAR 2008 AWARD by the Board of Advisors of www.chrisitianstoryteller.com
What a wonderful task it was to read each of the submitted author’s books. You all have so much to share. Praise God!
Please go to the front page of our web site to see the complete list of AWARDS.
www.christianstoryteller.com
Again congratulations on your award and may you keep the Faith in what God has given you, the gift of writing.
“Someone some where needs your book and they will be changed forever by reading it”.
Leon Mentzer
and the staff of
www.christianstoryteller.com
Christianstoryteller.com
Voted one of the
"BEST Web-Sites for Writers, 2007
It is with great happiness and joy that we announce our choices for the “Best of the Year Awards”.
Your book has been selected for BEST CHRISTIAN HISTORICAL FICTION OF THE YEAR 2008 AWARD by the Board of Advisors of www.chrisitianstoryteller.com
What a wonderful task it was to read each of the submitted author’s books. You all have so much to share. Praise God!
Please go to the front page of our web site to see the complete list of AWARDS.
www.christianstoryteller.com
Again congratulations on your award and may you keep the Faith in what God has given you, the gift of writing.
“Someone some where needs your book and they will be changed forever by reading it”.
Leon Mentzer
and the staff of
www.christianstoryteller.com
Christianstoryteller.com
Voted one of the
"BEST Web-Sites for Writers, 2007
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Interesting Character Names
I laughed when I looked at the sequel of "Nan's Journey"...the manuscript. I had named several people Elizabeth!!!! I don't know what is up with that, but I do have a time with figuring out last names and old fashioned first names. Once I had a mountain man named "Thomas Kincade"!!! Aimee, my d-i-l, laughed and said she didn't know he was that old! Boy was my face red when I realized what I had done. I changed the name. I am so glad she caught it. Give me some name suggestions for the third book...Terry and I will choose the winner on April 20. The prize is a book!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Interview With Elaine Littau- Liberal KS Paper
About six to eight years ago, a Perryton, Texas,
woman began working
on her first novel. In January, that novel was released to the public by Tate publishing company. Elaine Littau, a church secretary by day, wrote Nan’s Journey, a novel set in the 1800s about a girl who is abused by her step parents. To get away from the situation, she and her 5-year old brother run away into the Colorado wilderness.“That’s kind of the premise of the book,” Littau said. “The overall theme is forgiveness and bravery.”Littau said she had always enjoyed reading books by Zane Gray, Grace Livingston Hill and Louis Lamour. Not only that, but
she also was intrigued by the stories her parents told her.“My mom and dad, they were in their 40s when I was born, so they had actually moved into Kansas and Oklahoma and Colorado in covered wagons as children,” she explained.“They would tell me their old times and just what it was like to live in those days.”
One day, Littau had an idea for a story, and she started to write it down. However, the process was a long one due to self doubts.“I would write a little bit, and then I would think I was kind of stupid to write a book, and I’d put it away for like a year and then find it again and start on it again,” she said. Finally, however, she received help from a friend who asked to read what she had written. Upon reading what Littau had finished, the friend asked her to keep sending chapters until the novel was complete. And after that, she said, another friend who had been reading it told Littau she had a niece working for a publishing company, Tate Publishing, in Mustang, Okla. It seemed the company often worked with new authors, and the friend encouraged Littau to submit her manuscript. “They receive about 20,000(manuscripts) a year and take about 4 percent of what comes in. I didn’t know it was that big of a long shot, or I might not have had the nerve to do it,” Littau said. “Ignorance is bliss.”Despite the odds, Littau’s novel was accepted.“My kids thought something had happened to my husband. I called them on the phone and started bawling, Littau said. “They weren’t expecting that.”
After a long process in which she looked over The editing, looked at book cover ideas, and
listened to voices for the audio book, her book was sent to her in published form. It was accepted Feb. 6, 2007, she said, and she received her copy in October. The book was actually released to the public in January. So far, she said, she has received positive reviews from everyone who has read it, and she has sold 500 copies in 22 states.“I haven’t heard anyone say anything bad about it, yet,” she said.“They’ve seemed to all enjoy it.”One of the challenges, she added, has been the marketing of her novel. Since she’s not a well known author, the book is only available online through sites like walmart.com, amazon.com, though it can also be ordered through book stores. “The marketing thing is the most daunting,” she explained. “Even if you have a publisher, you still have to do stuff to promote your books. You actually have to talk to people.”Recently, Littau did a book signing at a truck stop in Meade as part of the promotion of her novel. Coming up, she will be doing a book signing at the Barnes and Noble in Amarillo, Texas, and at Hastings in Liberal. And despite the challenges, she said writing is something she plans to continue. Littau lives with her husband of almost 33 years on a piece of land just south of Perryton, and her three sons are grown and married. “I’m an empty nester and a church secretary. You only work until like 3 in the afternoon, then you have a lot of time after that. I thought, ‘Well, this is going to
be boring for the rest of my life,’” she said.
Now, however, she tries to write a little each day. She finished the sequel to Nan’s
Journey much more quickly than the first, she said, and currently has six ideas for other books in her head, with three of four of them in the works.“Honestly, I’m pretty vanilla,”
she said. “I just had a big dream.”Littau will have a book signing at Hastings from 1 to 3
p.m. Feb. 23. The store will have some of her books in stock, and Littau will bring extras along with some copies of the audio book.
woman began working
on her first novel. In January, that novel was released to the public by Tate publishing company. Elaine Littau, a church secretary by day, wrote Nan’s Journey, a novel set in the 1800s about a girl who is abused by her step parents. To get away from the situation, she and her 5-year old brother run away into the Colorado wilderness.“That’s kind of the premise of the book,” Littau said. “The overall theme is forgiveness and bravery.”Littau said she had always enjoyed reading books by Zane Gray, Grace Livingston Hill and Louis Lamour. Not only that, but
she also was intrigued by the stories her parents told her.“My mom and dad, they were in their 40s when I was born, so they had actually moved into Kansas and Oklahoma and Colorado in covered wagons as children,” she explained.“They would tell me their old times and just what it was like to live in those days.”
One day, Littau had an idea for a story, and she started to write it down. However, the process was a long one due to self doubts.“I would write a little bit, and then I would think I was kind of stupid to write a book, and I’d put it away for like a year and then find it again and start on it again,” she said. Finally, however, she received help from a friend who asked to read what she had written. Upon reading what Littau had finished, the friend asked her to keep sending chapters until the novel was complete. And after that, she said, another friend who had been reading it told Littau she had a niece working for a publishing company, Tate Publishing, in Mustang, Okla. It seemed the company often worked with new authors, and the friend encouraged Littau to submit her manuscript. “They receive about 20,000(manuscripts) a year and take about 4 percent of what comes in. I didn’t know it was that big of a long shot, or I might not have had the nerve to do it,” Littau said. “Ignorance is bliss.”Despite the odds, Littau’s novel was accepted.“My kids thought something had happened to my husband. I called them on the phone and started bawling, Littau said. “They weren’t expecting that.”
After a long process in which she looked over The editing, looked at book cover ideas, and
listened to voices for the audio book, her book was sent to her in published form. It was accepted Feb. 6, 2007, she said, and she received her copy in October. The book was actually released to the public in January. So far, she said, she has received positive reviews from everyone who has read it, and she has sold 500 copies in 22 states.“I haven’t heard anyone say anything bad about it, yet,” she said.“They’ve seemed to all enjoy it.”One of the challenges, she added, has been the marketing of her novel. Since she’s not a well known author, the book is only available online through sites like walmart.com, amazon.com, though it can also be ordered through book stores. “The marketing thing is the most daunting,” she explained. “Even if you have a publisher, you still have to do stuff to promote your books. You actually have to talk to people.”Recently, Littau did a book signing at a truck stop in Meade as part of the promotion of her novel. Coming up, she will be doing a book signing at the Barnes and Noble in Amarillo, Texas, and at Hastings in Liberal. And despite the challenges, she said writing is something she plans to continue. Littau lives with her husband of almost 33 years on a piece of land just south of Perryton, and her three sons are grown and married. “I’m an empty nester and a church secretary. You only work until like 3 in the afternoon, then you have a lot of time after that. I thought, ‘Well, this is going to
be boring for the rest of my life,’” she said.
Now, however, she tries to write a little each day. She finished the sequel to Nan’s
Journey much more quickly than the first, she said, and currently has six ideas for other books in her head, with three of four of them in the works.“Honestly, I’m pretty vanilla,”
she said. “I just had a big dream.”Littau will have a book signing at Hastings from 1 to 3
p.m. Feb. 23. The store will have some of her books in stock, and Littau will bring extras along with some copies of the audio book.
Making Soap
I went to see my sister at lunch time and saw a copy of a magazine on her footstool. It had an article about how people used to make soap in "the good ole days." Man alive, it was quite a process. I always wondered about how they had all the ingredients and what the ingredience were. In this article the soap maker said that they used the ashes from wood that they put in a large colandar and poured water through slowly. (perferably soft water) The element that came from the ashes and permiated the water was lye. They took bacon fat and other meat fats they saved from cooking and put that in too. They also added kerosene to the mix and heated it over a fire stirring...for a time until they determined it was done. They put the mixture into flat wooden boxes and poured the water off that rose to the top as it hardened. While it was still somewhat soft, the stuff in the box was cut into bars.
I know I missed some steps. If you can fill in the blanks I would appreciate it.
I once got a soap kit from the store... I just melted the stuff in a microwave and put it into decorative molds. I hardly think it could rate as making soap!!!!
I know I missed some steps. If you can fill in the blanks I would appreciate it.
I once got a soap kit from the store... I just melted the stuff in a microwave and put it into decorative molds. I hardly think it could rate as making soap!!!!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Win a Copy of "Nan's Journey"
A copy of "Nan's Journey" will be given away on March 20, 2008 to the person who posts the funniest clean story on my blog. I will have Terry help me decide the winner! Come on, you know you have a funny clean story!
Help Me Name the Animals in My Future Books
Sometimes I struggle to find good names for the animals in my books. In "Nan's Journey" I used some names that were familiar to me, but the names in the sequel were a little harder to come by. I need names for Dogs and cats of course. Preferably names that would be used in the 1800s along with names for horses and cows and the occasional goat!
So far I have used:
Dogs
Rufus
Shasta
Blackie
Cats
None yet
Horses
Thunder
Moon Shadow
Star Shadow
Sonny
Tramp
Cows (My family always named their milk cows)
Bobbie - be cause a dog had bitten her tail off as a calf...
Help a girl out with some good names will ya? Post here.
So far I have used:
Dogs
Rufus
Shasta
Blackie
Cats
None yet
Horses
Thunder
Moon Shadow
Star Shadow
Sonny
Tramp
Cows (My family always named their milk cows)
Bobbie - be cause a dog had bitten her tail off as a calf...
Help a girl out with some good names will ya? Post here.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
A Story My Dad Told
My Dad was born in 1909. When he was a toddler the covered wagon had not been phased out yet. His family was moving across the plains of Kansas or Oklahoma with a covered wagon and he was a toddler sleeping in the back of the wagon. He was a sound sleeper. When the wagon hit a bump on the ground, he rolled out of the wagon landing in very tall prairie grass. After some time he awakened. Looking all around him, he could not see the wagon. He finally spied the top of the covered wagon as it dissappeared down a hill in the distance.
He cried and toddled his way closer to the family and finally someone heard him and ran back to him to rescue him. If he hadn't awakened when he did, he may never have been found. The grass was almost as tall as he was.
I remember gasping when he told that story. Just think what could have happened!
He cried and toddled his way closer to the family and finally someone heard him and ran back to him to rescue him. If he hadn't awakened when he did, he may never have been found. The grass was almost as tall as he was.
I remember gasping when he told that story. Just think what could have happened!
Friday, February 15, 2008
LOST
I love the tv show, LOST! What on earth does LOST have to do with "Nan's Journey" you may ask? I love the character development so much that I tried to make my characters have an element of texture that is the signature of LOST. Do you get tired of characters in books being flat?.... all good or all bad??? I do too. I think the characters need to think and act like real people do.
Another element of LOST that I adore is that everyone is connected in some way. That would be fun to develop in the books following "Nan's Journey." I have written the second in the series and the working title is "Elk's Resolve". Hopefully it will be published soon. Are you interested in getting it going? Help me get copies of "Nan's Journey" sold so that the publisher knows that there is a demand for my books. Thank you for all that you have done.
Hey, what is up with Ben and Sahid in that last episode? My mind is whirling....How about yours?
Another element of LOST that I adore is that everyone is connected in some way. That would be fun to develop in the books following "Nan's Journey." I have written the second in the series and the working title is "Elk's Resolve". Hopefully it will be published soon. Are you interested in getting it going? Help me get copies of "Nan's Journey" sold so that the publisher knows that there is a demand for my books. Thank you for all that you have done.
Hey, what is up with Ben and Sahid in that last episode? My mind is whirling....How about yours?
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Abuse Comes in Many Forms
Last night I spoke at the Wesley Foundation at West Texas A&M University. There were a number of students there listening attentively as I spoke of the abuse the main character of my book, "Nan's Journey", endured. Although I know that there are a great many people who have suffered physical abuse, I became aware a few years ago that verbal abuse is very damaging to people too. I had always heard the old saying that "words can never hurt me" and felt confused when the words indeed did hurt me. I thought I should "get a thicker skin" so that the mental pounding I took wouldn't get to me.
While I am thankful that I never suffered the physical abuse, the harsh words took a very long time to heal from. At times I still hear those words in my head, but with the Lord's help, I can move past it. I have to move past it!
Step away from abusive relationships. Go where it is safe!
While I am thankful that I never suffered the physical abuse, the harsh words took a very long time to heal from. At times I still hear those words in my head, but with the Lord's help, I can move past it. I have to move past it!
Step away from abusive relationships. Go where it is safe!
Quilts and Rag Rugs
Do you love quilts and rag rugs? They are colorful reminders of the past. I have a "Grandma's Flower Garden" quilt that my mother started about eighty years ago. The quilt pieces were about the size of a postage stamp! She had gotten the quilt top pieced over the years, but about 20 years ago I took the quilt top and finished it...hand stitching the quilting myself. It took me seven years! Of course there were what seemed like a billion pieces!
Grandma had a rag rug that was much like the one described in "Nan's Journey."
Post your thoughts on quilts and rag rugs here!
Grandma had a rag rug that was much like the one described in "Nan's Journey."
Post your thoughts on quilts and rag rugs here!
The Importance of Obtaining a Will
In "Nan's Journey" a Will played an important part. My husband and I taught a class with Crown Financial about how important it is to have an updated will, especially if you have children. Let me encourage you to be sure you have an updated will and have your guardians for your children named. Putting something this important off is something you do not want to do. It is vital!
You want to be sure where your estate goes.
You want to know who is going to raise your children.
You want your spouse to be provided for.
It is especially important for young couples to have a will. It is not just for old people!
You want to be sure where your estate goes.
You want to know who is going to raise your children.
You want your spouse to be provided for.
It is especially important for young couples to have a will. It is not just for old people!
Scrapbooking Our Memories
I am in the process of scrapbooking the beautiful old photos of my family. I love to purchase the old fashioned papers and accessories to make them look just right. Post your best scrapbooking ideas and brands here.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Funny Clean Stories
This is the spot where your funny clean stories are going to be featured. Please feel welcome to post anything that makes you giggle.
I will get the posts going... In "Nan's Journey", Mary was amused at the way the overalls blew in the wind on the clothesline as if Sam Dewey was walking in them. I remember looking out the window with my mama on windy west Texas days. Sometimes the legs of those pants would go into such contortions we would laugh our heads off!
Next time I will post about Terry and the underground electric fence....what a hoot.
I will get the posts going... In "Nan's Journey", Mary was amused at the way the overalls blew in the wind on the clothesline as if Sam Dewey was walking in them. I remember looking out the window with my mama on windy west Texas days. Sometimes the legs of those pants would go into such contortions we would laugh our heads off!
Next time I will post about Terry and the underground electric fence....what a hoot.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
What people are saying about "Nan's Journey."
This is what people are saying about Nan's Journey:
"The best Christian fiction book I've read in years!" Janice Henson
"Really great book-can't wait for the next one. Keep it up. God bless." Danna Castor
"The best ever--everyone MUST read this book; it will remain in your heart forever! (This needs to be made into a movie!) Gayle Henderson
"Nan's Journey was one of the best novels that I have read! It is one, that when you start reading, you will not want to put it down! Elaine has truly been blessed and gifted by the Lord to write books." Kristi Pickett
"I thought it was wonderful and cannot wait for the next one." Rene Gay Richardson
Read This Book!!!!!!!!!! Hey Everyone Just thought I'd throw this out there for all my friends.....YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"NAN's Journey"BY ELAINE LITTAU
I just read this book, I'm telling you I could not put it down...I cannot wait until she has her second book out I'll be first to purchase one....
Elaine is from here in Perryton and she just recently publisher this first book "Nan's Journey" and it will shortly be released worldwide...You can get a copy of this book by calling 435-7775 or going by Blades and just ask for this book.....or just ask me I can get you one k....I think they run about $14.06....
I haven't even read a book in several years, since that book "The boy called it" that one Oprah talked about on her talk show and believe me this book is better, it is the best book I have ever read......Especially for any woman you won't want to put it down...When you read this book you actually feel as if you are the main character and endure all the hardships and happiness....OKAY OKAY I won't say anymore.........I can't wait until they make a movie about this book....Elaine you are so talented!!!!!!I cannot wait for the following book...
Love your friend,Angie Landeros
"The best Christian fiction book I've read in years!" Janice Henson
"Really great book-can't wait for the next one. Keep it up. God bless." Danna Castor
"The best ever--everyone MUST read this book; it will remain in your heart forever! (This needs to be made into a movie!) Gayle Henderson
"Nan's Journey was one of the best novels that I have read! It is one, that when you start reading, you will not want to put it down! Elaine has truly been blessed and gifted by the Lord to write books." Kristi Pickett
"I thought it was wonderful and cannot wait for the next one." Rene Gay Richardson
Read This Book!!!!!!!!!! Hey Everyone Just thought I'd throw this out there for all my friends.....YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"NAN's Journey"BY ELAINE LITTAU
I just read this book, I'm telling you I could not put it down...I cannot wait until she has her second book out I'll be first to purchase one....
Elaine is from here in Perryton and she just recently publisher this first book "Nan's Journey" and it will shortly be released worldwide...You can get a copy of this book by calling 435-7775 or going by Blades and just ask for this book.....or just ask me I can get you one k....I think they run about $14.06....
I haven't even read a book in several years, since that book "The boy called it" that one Oprah talked about on her talk show and believe me this book is better, it is the best book I have ever read......Especially for any woman you won't want to put it down...When you read this book you actually feel as if you are the main character and endure all the hardships and happiness....OKAY OKAY I won't say anymore.........I can't wait until they make a movie about this book....Elaine you are so talented!!!!!!I cannot wait for the following book...
Love your friend,Angie Landeros
How to get a copy of "Nan's Journey"
Elaine Littau
Author
To obtain a copy of
Nan's Journey
click on one of these links
http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60247-832-9
Featured author on www.christianstoryteller.com
for an audio version... http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60462-306-2
Author
To obtain a copy of
Nan's Journey
click on one of these links
http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60247-832-9
Featured author on www.christianstoryteller.com
for an audio version... http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60462-306-2
Current Issues Addressed in "Nan's Journey"
Although "Nan's Journey" is set in the 1800s, Nan and her brother faced many of the challenges some children face today. If you have a story of how you overcame some of these issues, please feel free to post it here.
Fiction Lovers Old Time Recipes
Do you have a recipe that you love from your grandma's table? Please share it here.
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Today's Wild Card author is:
and the book:
100 Ways to Simplify Your Life
Publisher: FaithWords; Lrg edition (November 12, 2008)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
JOYCE MEYER is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, she has written more than seventy inspirational books, including The Confident Woman, Look Great, Feel Great, and the entire Battlefield of the Mindfamily of books. She has also released thousands of audio teachings as well as a complete video library. Joyce's Enjoying Everyday Life® radio and television programs are broadcast around the world, and she travels extensively conducting conferences. Joyce and her husband, Dave, are the parents of four grown children and make their home in St. Louis, Missouri.Visit the author's website.
Product Details:
List Price: $16.99
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: FaithWords; Lrg edition (November 12, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446509396
ISBN-13: 978-0446509398
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Introduction
Everyone has them: those days where nothing seems to get done, except maybe what you’ve added to your already lengthy to-do list. Are you tired most of the time? Are you spent? Do you find yourself wish- ing for a better day—a simpler day? Too many things compete for your limited resources of attention, energy, and time. You may be suffocat- ing and not even know it. If you feel like this, you’re not alone.
Most people today live complicated lives that leave them frustrated and confused, weary and worn out. But I have good news: your life does not have to be that way. You can choose a life of simplicity, fruitfulness, fulfillment, peace, and joy. I want to warn you, however, unless you are determined not to, you will do what everyone else does. You will get sucked up in the system and spend your life wishing things were different, never realizing you are, in fact, the only one who can change things. Unless we are resolute and remain undaunted in our quest for simplicity, we are destined for complication and frustration.
I recall a time when I was complaining to God about my schedule being absolutely insane. How could anyone be expected to do all I had in front of me? Then the realization hit me that I was the one who made my schedule and nobody could change it but me. You can spend your lives wishing things were different, but wishing won’t change anything. Smart decision making and decisive action is what changes things. If you picked up this book looking for change, are you willing to make a decision and follow it up with action?
I wasted many years hoping life would change and things would calm down until I finally realized life itself doesn’t change; in fact, it has the potential to get worse. I understood my only real option was to change my approach to life. I had to say no to another day of rushing around and feeling frustrated. I didn’t want the doctor giving me another pre- scription to mask another symptom of the real problem—stress.
In my search for simplicity, I have come to believe life can never be simple unless I learn to approach all things simply. It is my attitude toward each event in life that determines how easy or complex each situation will be. Perhaps life is complicated because people are compli- cated. Is it possible that life is not complicated, but rather, individuals complicate life in the way they approach it?
I discovered it wasn’t really life or circumstances or other people as much as it was me that needed to change. My problem wasn’t the problem—I was the problem! When you spend your life in frustration trying to change the world and everyone in it, you fail to realize it could be you just need to change your approach to life. It can be very easy for someone to live an entire lifetime and never entertain the notion that the way they do things is the real problem.
Have you ever attempted to have friends over for what you initially intended to be a simple afternoon of food, fellowship, and fun, but somehow, it turned into a complicated nightmare? I remember those days vividly. I’d be at church on Sunday and, without much forethought, invite three couples over for the following Sunday to a barbecue. My initial thought was hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, baked beans, potato chips, and iced tea. My motive was fellowship and fun, but by the time the guests arrived, I didn’t even want them there. Fun was not going to happen, at least not for me. Why? I turned my simple get- together into a nightmare of preparation, expensive food, and fourteen people instead of the original six. My complicated approach to life and my complicated thought process convinced me hot dogs and hamburg- ers weren’t nice enough so I bought steaks we could not afford. My potato chips turned into a huge bowl of homemade potato salad. The simple baked beans became four side dishes I labored over.
Insecure and wanting to impress everyone, I had to spend the week cleaning and getting everything in the house to the point where I thought it would be impressive. Of course, the lawn chairs were old, so I bought new ones. I got angry at Dave because I thought he wasn’t help- ing me enough, and by the time our friends arrived, I resented them, wished they hadn’t come, and had a miserable day of pretending to be the happy hostess when in reality I was frustrated and miserable.
I could not figure out why I wasn’t able to enjoy much of anything in life until God revealed to me I was killing my joy with complication. For years, I prayed God would change the people and circumstances around me when, in reality, He wanted to change me and my approach to life. He wanted me to simplify so, ultimately, He could be glorified.
Let me share with you 100 ways to approach living that can simplify your life and, in turn, release and increase your joy. I believe they will dramatically improve the quality of your everyday experience if you incorporate them into the way you do things. Jesus said He came so we might have and enjoy our life in abundance (see John 10:10). His prin- ciples are simple. Faith is simple! Trusting God is simple! A childlike approach to Him is simple! The plan of salvation is simple!
Jesus offers us a “new way of living,” and I believe it is a simple, yet powerful way that enables us to enjoy everyday life. Are you ready to simplify your life? Are you ready to say good-bye to the complexities you’ve allowed to take over? Let’s get started.
Do One Thing at a Time
When we do things without truly focusing our minds on them, we immediately decrease our strength to do the work before us and do it well. By putting our hands to one thing and our mind to another, we divide the muscle behind our abilities and we make the task much more difficult. It’s like removing an egg yolk from the egg white—both can be used separately but the result isn’t as effective (or tasty) as it would be if we leave the egg whole. However, by directing all of our faculties to the one thing we are doing on a particular day, at that hour, at that moment, we find it much easier to do. The ability to concentrate and stay focused can only come from discipline.
The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6 to be anxious for nothing. Anxious people are always trying to live ahead of where they currently are. They spend today trying to figure out tomorrow and the result is the loss of simplicity. God expects us to trust Him with tomorrow just as He instructed the Israelites to do when they crossed the barren wil- derness, pressing toward the Promised Land.
Practice living one day at a time; give yourself—your thoughts, your conversation, your energies, every part of you—to the day at hand.
100 Ways to Simplify Your Life
1. Develop an ability to give yourself to what you are doing. You will sense an awareness enabling you to enjoy the current activity, instead of going through each day in a blur of activity and confusing thoughts which leave you drained and exhausted.
Do you fear you will not accomplish as much if you try to live this way? It’s true you may not do as much, but you will also enjoy what you do a whole lot more. One key to simplicity is realizing that quality is far superior to quantity.
Everyone has them: those days where nothing seems to get done, except maybe what you’ve added to your already lengthy to-do list. Are you tired most of the time? Are you spent? Do you find yourself wish- ing for a better day—a simpler day? Too many things compete for your limited resources of attention, energy, and time. You may be suffocat- ing and not even know it. If you feel like this, you’re not alone.
Most people today live complicated lives that leave them frustrated and confused, weary and worn out. But I have good news: your life does not have to be that way. You can choose a life of simplicity, fruitfulness, fulfillment, peace, and joy. I want to warn you, however, unless you are determined not to, you will do what everyone else does. You will get sucked up in the system and spend your life wishing things were different, never realizing you are, in fact, the only one who can change things. Unless we are resolute and remain undaunted in our quest for simplicity, we are destined for complication and frustration.
I recall a time when I was complaining to God about my schedule being absolutely insane. How could anyone be expected to do all I had in front of me? Then the realization hit me that I was the one who made my schedule and nobody could change it but me. You can spend your lives wishing things were different, but wishing won’t change anything. Smart decision making and decisive action is what changes things. If you picked up this book looking for change, are you willing to make a decision and follow it up with action?
I wasted many years hoping life would change and things would calm down until I finally realized life itself doesn’t change; in fact, it has the potential to get worse. I understood my only real option was to change my approach to life. I had to say no to another day of rushing around and feeling frustrated. I didn’t want the doctor giving me another pre- scription to mask another symptom of the real problem—stress.
In my search for simplicity, I have come to believe life can never be simple unless I learn to approach all things simply. It is my attitude toward each event in life that determines how easy or complex each situation will be. Perhaps life is complicated because people are compli- cated. Is it possible that life is not complicated, but rather, individuals complicate life in the way they approach it?
I discovered it wasn’t really life or circumstances or other people as much as it was me that needed to change. My problem wasn’t the problem—I was the problem! When you spend your life in frustration trying to change the world and everyone in it, you fail to realize it could be you just need to change your approach to life. It can be very easy for someone to live an entire lifetime and never entertain the notion that the way they do things is the real problem.
Have you ever attempted to have friends over for what you initially intended to be a simple afternoon of food, fellowship, and fun, but somehow, it turned into a complicated nightmare? I remember those days vividly. I’d be at church on Sunday and, without much forethought, invite three couples over for the following Sunday to a barbecue. My initial thought was hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, baked beans, potato chips, and iced tea. My motive was fellowship and fun, but by the time the guests arrived, I didn’t even want them there. Fun was not going to happen, at least not for me. Why? I turned my simple get- together into a nightmare of preparation, expensive food, and fourteen people instead of the original six. My complicated approach to life and my complicated thought process convinced me hot dogs and hamburg- ers weren’t nice enough so I bought steaks we could not afford. My potato chips turned into a huge bowl of homemade potato salad. The simple baked beans became four side dishes I labored over.
Insecure and wanting to impress everyone, I had to spend the week cleaning and getting everything in the house to the point where I thought it would be impressive. Of course, the lawn chairs were old, so I bought new ones. I got angry at Dave because I thought he wasn’t help- ing me enough, and by the time our friends arrived, I resented them, wished they hadn’t come, and had a miserable day of pretending to be the happy hostess when in reality I was frustrated and miserable.
I could not figure out why I wasn’t able to enjoy much of anything in life until God revealed to me I was killing my joy with complication. For years, I prayed God would change the people and circumstances around me when, in reality, He wanted to change me and my approach to life. He wanted me to simplify so, ultimately, He could be glorified.
Let me share with you 100 ways to approach living that can simplify your life and, in turn, release and increase your joy. I believe they will dramatically improve the quality of your everyday experience if you incorporate them into the way you do things. Jesus said He came so we might have and enjoy our life in abundance (see John 10:10). His prin- ciples are simple. Faith is simple! Trusting God is simple! A childlike approach to Him is simple! The plan of salvation is simple!
Jesus offers us a “new way of living,” and I believe it is a simple, yet powerful way that enables us to enjoy everyday life. Are you ready to simplify your life? Are you ready to say good-bye to the complexities you’ve allowed to take over? Let’s get started.
Do One Thing at a Time
The feeling of being hurried is not usually the result of living a full life and having no time. It is, on the contrary, born of a vague fear that we are wasting our life. When we do not do the one thing we ought to do, we have no time for anything elseówe are the busiest people in the world.
ÓERIC HOFFER
Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection].
—Hebrews 12:2
When we do things without truly focusing our minds on them, we immediately decrease our strength to do the work before us and do it well. By putting our hands to one thing and our mind to another, we divide the muscle behind our abilities and we make the task much more difficult. It’s like removing an egg yolk from the egg white—both can be used separately but the result isn’t as effective (or tasty) as it would be if we leave the egg whole. However, by directing all of our faculties to the one thing we are doing on a particular day, at that hour, at that moment, we find it much easier to do. The ability to concentrate and stay focused can only come from discipline.
The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6 to be anxious for nothing. Anxious people are always trying to live ahead of where they currently are. They spend today trying to figure out tomorrow and the result is the loss of simplicity. God expects us to trust Him with tomorrow just as He instructed the Israelites to do when they crossed the barren wil- derness, pressing toward the Promised Land.
Practice living one day at a time; give yourself—your thoughts, your conversation, your energies, every part of you—to the day at hand.
100 Ways to Simplify Your Life
1. Develop an ability to give yourself to what you are doing. You will sense an awareness enabling you to enjoy the current activity, instead of going through each day in a blur of activity and confusing thoughts which leave you drained and exhausted.
Do you fear you will not accomplish as much if you try to live this way? It’s true you may not do as much, but you will also enjoy what you do a whole lot more. One key to simplicity is realizing that quality is far superior to quantity.
The Blog Tour for "Nan's Journey" Begins July 23
It is time to play a Wild Card! Every now and then, a book that I have chosen to read is going to pop up as a FIRST Wild Card Tour. Get dealt into the game! (Just click the button!) Wild Card Tours feature an author and his/her book's FIRST chapter!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Today's Wild Card author is:
and his/her book:
Tate Publishing & Enterprises (January 2, 2008)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Littau is a life-long resident of Perryton, TX. She met husband, Terry at the Apostolic Faith Bible College in Baxter Springs, Kansas in 1974. They married March 1, 1975 and reside on a small acreage near Perryton where they enjoy spending time with their family and friends. They raised three sons and now have three daughters-in-law and four grandchildren added to their family. They also enjoy visiting with their extended family located in Perryton, Clear Lake, Laverne, and Amarillo.
Author Elaine Littau is a busy woman who by profession is the church secretary for Harvest Time First Assembly of God Church in Perryton. Among other things she has led women’s groups and taught preschool, and was a mentor for the M.O.P.S. (Mothers of Preschoolers) group in her community. She has been active in Toastmasters and enjoys painting, crafts, and playing piano and organ. She was recently appointed to the Campus Education Improvement Committee for Wright Elementary in Perryton. She belongs to Christian Storytellers and Faith Writers writing groups.
“Nan’s Journey” was written over the course of several years. “A salvation message is at the core of the book.” Littau says. “If it weren’t for the Lord, I wouldn’t have been able to do this. I truly enjoy meeting new people.”
Littau is currently working on two other books that are continuations of “Nan’s Journey.” Book signings and speaking engagements are currently set up for venues in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and Oregon.
Visit the author's website.
Product Details:
List Price: $12.99
Paperback: 188 pages
Publisher: Tate Publishing & Enterprises (January 2, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1602478325
ISBN-13: 978-1602478329
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Chapter One
It was late. The moon had risen and the night symphony was in full force. Crickets chirped at their rivals, the frogs, and dominated the night chorus. Only one sound in the forest was foreign—a whimper from under the ferns. At the base of the largest pine in the woods was a small form crying, moaning, and whimpering. Black hair, matted and dirty, hung in long ropes down the front of the tiny girl. She had been in this spot for hours. At least that is what it felt like to her. Stretching, she cried out in pain. The blood-covered welts burst open to bleed again. Her back was wet with blood, and her dress was torn and useless.
Why had she dared to speak to the woman that she was obliged to call mother in that way? She knew that talking was not allowed from children before chores were finished. The accusations being made by “Ma” were totally false and she could not let Elmer take the blame for something she herself had forgotten to do. She shut her eyes tight against the memory, but it intruded anyway.
She had just gotten up to take the water off the stove to make up dishwater for the supper dishes. Ma had stepped outside the room to turn down her bed and prepare for sleep. When she reappeared in the kitchen, she realized that the wood supply next to the stove was low. Elmer was standing next to the table gathering the plates for washing. “Elmer, where is the wood you were supposed to bring up to the house?” Before he could answer, a hand had slapped him across his face. Getting back onto his feet and standing as tall as a five year old can stand, he looked her in the eye and said, “Ma, I was sick today, ‘member?”
“So, Elmer, you’re going to play up that headache trick again. Nan, didn’t your good for nothing Mama teach you people how to work, or are you just lazy?”
“Our Mama was good! Don’t you say mean things about her!” Nan yelled as her heart raced at the assault against her real Mama’s character.
“What about it, Elmer, are you like your weakling Mama or what?” Elmer’s eyes became very large and filled with tears. He could barely remember his real Mama, but when he did, he remembered soft kisses and sweet singing and a beautiful face. “I’m sorry; I’ll get the wood now.”
“No, Elmer, don’t. I promised you I’d do it today when your head was hurting, but I forgot. I’ll get it after I do these dishes.”
“Listen here, Nan, I’m the boss around here and Elmer will do what I say, when I say, and you will respect me.”
Nan’s eyes widened.
“Don’t look at me like that, little girl.”
Nan held her breath.
“Well, I guess you will be making a trip to the wood shed…with me!” Ma had grabbed her by the arm and jerked her along behind the shed. The strap was hanging there, waiting. Whippings were becoming more and more frequent. After Ma’s husband left, they had taken on a more cruel form. The last whipping was more like a beating. It took days for the marks to scab over and heal. Little Elmer had come in that night and brought some horse medicine from the barn and applied it to the oozing marks.
The next afternoon when the schoolteacher came over, Ma had already formulated a story. “Mrs. Dewey, we missed Nan and Elmer today at school. Are they sick?” Ma lied the first time in her life and said, “Well Miss Sergeant, since Mr. Dewey is going to be gone for another four weeks, I need more help around here to get things done. I’m holding the kids out until he gets back.” Week after week went by, and Mr. Dewey still hadn’t come home. Everyday Ma grew more and more angry. It became more and more impossible to please her. When she began hitting Elmer, it was too much. Nan had to do something— right or wrong; things couldn’t stay the way they were.
The coolness of the earth had settled into Nan’s bones. She stood silently for a minute and carefully crept up to the farmhouse. As she opened the door, she saw that Elmer was in the pallet at the foot of the stove next to her bedroll. Ma was asleep in her room. The door held open with a rock. Slowly she began peeling off the dress and the dried blood stuck to it. She reached for the old shirt she normally wore over her wounds and under her dress. She had washed it today. It had bloodstains on it, but it would keep her from ruining another dress. She retrieved the old work dress that she wore when chores were messier than usual; it was the only one left. She put it on swiftly and shook Elmer awake with her hand over his mouth. “Baby, we must leave. Do you understand? Stay quiet and I will get some stuff to take with us.”
She found large old handkerchief and began looking for food supplies. There was one sourdough biscuit and about a cup of cold brown beans. She located her tin cup and another rag. She would probably need that. Three matches were in the cup on the stove. She would just take two. Suddenly she heard a sound from Ma’s room. A scampering sound… just a rat. Ma turned over. Her breathing became deep and regular. For once Nan wished that Ma snored. She tied the handkerchief in a knot over the meager food supplies, grabbed their bedrolls, and slowly opened the door.
“Come on, Elmer. Can you carry this food? I’ll get your bedding. That’s a good boy. We must hurry!”
The cold air bit at their faces, but they walked bravely on.
“Elmer, we must go tonight so we can get as far away as we can before Ma wakes up and sees that we are gone.”
For the next half hour the pair walked in silence through the familiar woods past the graves on the hill. In one, a mother dearly loved, in another, an infant who had died the same day as his mother, and the third, a father that only Nan had memory of. Elmer was only two years old when Pa died in the logging accident. Nan snapped out of her reverie and urged Elmer on. Molasses, Pa’s good old workhorse, stood in the pasture. He skidded the logs Pa cut with his axe. His legs hadn’t healed quite right, but Mama hadn’t let Mr. Dewey kill him because he was all she had left of the husband of her youth. Molasses was a faithful friend to Nan and Elmer. He stood there and waited for them to mount him.
“Molasses, take us to…” Nan realized then that they had nowhere to go. Mrs. Dewey had said that they were ungrateful little imps who didn’t realize she and Mr. Dewey were taking care of them out of kindness, and they could easily be put into an orphanage. Nan didn’t know anything about orphanages except what Mrs. Dewey…uh, Ma had told her. “Molasses, just take us out of here.”
Why had she dared to speak to the woman that she was obliged to call mother in that way? She knew that talking was not allowed from children before chores were finished. The accusations being made by “Ma” were totally false and she could not let Elmer take the blame for something she herself had forgotten to do. She shut her eyes tight against the memory, but it intruded anyway.
She had just gotten up to take the water off the stove to make up dishwater for the supper dishes. Ma had stepped outside the room to turn down her bed and prepare for sleep. When she reappeared in the kitchen, she realized that the wood supply next to the stove was low. Elmer was standing next to the table gathering the plates for washing. “Elmer, where is the wood you were supposed to bring up to the house?” Before he could answer, a hand had slapped him across his face. Getting back onto his feet and standing as tall as a five year old can stand, he looked her in the eye and said, “Ma, I was sick today, ‘member?”
“So, Elmer, you’re going to play up that headache trick again. Nan, didn’t your good for nothing Mama teach you people how to work, or are you just lazy?”
“Our Mama was good! Don’t you say mean things about her!” Nan yelled as her heart raced at the assault against her real Mama’s character.
“What about it, Elmer, are you like your weakling Mama or what?” Elmer’s eyes became very large and filled with tears. He could barely remember his real Mama, but when he did, he remembered soft kisses and sweet singing and a beautiful face. “I’m sorry; I’ll get the wood now.”
“No, Elmer, don’t. I promised you I’d do it today when your head was hurting, but I forgot. I’ll get it after I do these dishes.”
“Listen here, Nan, I’m the boss around here and Elmer will do what I say, when I say, and you will respect me.”
Nan’s eyes widened.
“Don’t look at me like that, little girl.”
Nan held her breath.
“Well, I guess you will be making a trip to the wood shed…with me!” Ma had grabbed her by the arm and jerked her along behind the shed. The strap was hanging there, waiting. Whippings were becoming more and more frequent. After Ma’s husband left, they had taken on a more cruel form. The last whipping was more like a beating. It took days for the marks to scab over and heal. Little Elmer had come in that night and brought some horse medicine from the barn and applied it to the oozing marks.
The next afternoon when the schoolteacher came over, Ma had already formulated a story. “Mrs. Dewey, we missed Nan and Elmer today at school. Are they sick?” Ma lied the first time in her life and said, “Well Miss Sergeant, since Mr. Dewey is going to be gone for another four weeks, I need more help around here to get things done. I’m holding the kids out until he gets back.” Week after week went by, and Mr. Dewey still hadn’t come home. Everyday Ma grew more and more angry. It became more and more impossible to please her. When she began hitting Elmer, it was too much. Nan had to do something— right or wrong; things couldn’t stay the way they were.
The coolness of the earth had settled into Nan’s bones. She stood silently for a minute and carefully crept up to the farmhouse. As she opened the door, she saw that Elmer was in the pallet at the foot of the stove next to her bedroll. Ma was asleep in her room. The door held open with a rock. Slowly she began peeling off the dress and the dried blood stuck to it. She reached for the old shirt she normally wore over her wounds and under her dress. She had washed it today. It had bloodstains on it, but it would keep her from ruining another dress. She retrieved the old work dress that she wore when chores were messier than usual; it was the only one left. She put it on swiftly and shook Elmer awake with her hand over his mouth. “Baby, we must leave. Do you understand? Stay quiet and I will get some stuff to take with us.”
She found large old handkerchief and began looking for food supplies. There was one sourdough biscuit and about a cup of cold brown beans. She located her tin cup and another rag. She would probably need that. Three matches were in the cup on the stove. She would just take two. Suddenly she heard a sound from Ma’s room. A scampering sound… just a rat. Ma turned over. Her breathing became deep and regular. For once Nan wished that Ma snored. She tied the handkerchief in a knot over the meager food supplies, grabbed their bedrolls, and slowly opened the door.
“Come on, Elmer. Can you carry this food? I’ll get your bedding. That’s a good boy. We must hurry!”
The cold air bit at their faces, but they walked bravely on.
“Elmer, we must go tonight so we can get as far away as we can before Ma wakes up and sees that we are gone.”
For the next half hour the pair walked in silence through the familiar woods past the graves on the hill. In one, a mother dearly loved, in another, an infant who had died the same day as his mother, and the third, a father that only Nan had memory of. Elmer was only two years old when Pa died in the logging accident. Nan snapped out of her reverie and urged Elmer on. Molasses, Pa’s good old workhorse, stood in the pasture. He skidded the logs Pa cut with his axe. His legs hadn’t healed quite right, but Mama hadn’t let Mr. Dewey kill him because he was all she had left of the husband of her youth. Molasses was a faithful friend to Nan and Elmer. He stood there and waited for them to mount him.
“Molasses, take us to…” Nan realized then that they had nowhere to go. Mrs. Dewey had said that they were ungrateful little imps who didn’t realize she and Mr. Dewey were taking care of them out of kindness, and they could easily be put into an orphanage. Nan didn’t know anything about orphanages except what Mrs. Dewey…uh, Ma had told her. “Molasses, just take us out of here.”
Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Westminster CO
Great book signing in Colorado!
Mardel Bookstore in Littleton, CO
Booksigning - Elaine