Terry and I are going to Oregon for a week. We plan to have fun with Terry's brother and his wife and also go to a coastal town called Tillamook for a book signing. When I spoke with the owner of the Cornerstone bookstore on Monday of this week she was worried about turnout for a book signing in her small store. I assured her that all was well and I wouldn't hold a grudge if I didn't sell a lot of copies of "Nan's Journey".
She told me that her store is now for sale. Mmmmm....that sounds tempting don't you think? The Oregon coast is such a beautiful place in our country. I am excited to meet this friendly and kind woman and I hope that she is able to get a great price on her business. If you are in Tillamook, Oregon on Aug 4th from 2-4 p.m. I would love to meet you.
This leads me to tell you a little story about book signings. They aren't really like they show them on television unless you are one of the people who have sold a gazillion copies of a book. Don't get discouraged when people walk quietly by trying not to make eye contact with you. They don't know you and don't know what a great book you are selling. Some of the funniest questions I get asked is: "Are you Nan?" or "Did you write this?" I don't really know of anyone who would sit in a bookstore for 2 hours at a table of books unless they were the person who wrote it. The skin has to grow thicker with each book signing. After 30 since November, I have a hide like an elephants as far as that goes...
Not everyone is stand-offish. There are some pretty neat people who engage you in conversation. I love that! They each have so much to offer. I met people who have family connected with Tate Publishing and people who are writing books, articles, and short stories. I love to encourage them and tell them to keep going. Kids are fun because there are a lot of them who aspire to be a writer. "Just keep on writing!" is my usual reply because I think that when you enjoy something like writing, you need to continue doing it.
Some of the people I have spoken with have become email friends. I enjoy email, myspace, shoutlife, facebook, and all those social networks. If you want to leave a comment or send an email, I will get back to you. If you are interested in the next book, "Elk's Resolve", be sure to let me know you want a pre-release copy and look at the blog I have for it. elksresolve.blogspot.com. I am going into the process from my end of the work of getting it into book form. All the editorial staff, cover design people, audio people, and the rest have a very big job ahead of them on this... I don't know all the ins and outs of what they do, but you will see what happens from my point of view on the elk blog.
Thank you for stopping by
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Patching the Hardwood Floor/Patching Hard Feelings
This week Terry has been taking a few of his extra vacation days off. He decided to tackle the hardwood floor this time. The previous owners had taken out a floor furnace that was located in a doorway between the dining room and the living room. They slapped down a piece of plywood and covered it with wall to wall carpet. He took up the carpet in one of the closets and began prying up the hardwood floor there. After trial and error he was able to get the pieces up with a crow bar without damaging them beyond repair. The plywood was another story. This was done in the times that people used nails the size of spikes...yikes!
After levelling the floor area he began placing the hardwood floor pieces in the area to be patched. With a lot of TLC, sanding, staining, and varnishing...It should look ...pretty good!
Terry has a very hard time staying awake in the evening time. He sleeps like a hibernating bear in his recliner. He has slept through some of the most exciting movies and TV shows out there. When he gets out of the recliner he is wide awake. As I am trying to drift off to sleep he begins talking and talking...mmm. I have tried to explain that I am trying to get some sleep...oh well.
This evening I was writing on my book and was trying to think of that perfect word to finish the thought of a paragraph. Terry came into the room where I was writing and was hurt that I didn't answer his remark for a few seconds. I had to explain that I was in deep thought. (Not that thoughts get all that deep around here.) I had not intended to hurt his feelings. He took it well. It was a vivid reminder that ...When you are writing you need to do it where you cannot be interrupted! I told him that after I finished the sentence he would have my full attention. Guess what? He got in his recliner and fell asleep while we were talking!!! Men!
After levelling the floor area he began placing the hardwood floor pieces in the area to be patched. With a lot of TLC, sanding, staining, and varnishing...It should look ...pretty good!
Terry has a very hard time staying awake in the evening time. He sleeps like a hibernating bear in his recliner. He has slept through some of the most exciting movies and TV shows out there. When he gets out of the recliner he is wide awake. As I am trying to drift off to sleep he begins talking and talking...mmm. I have tried to explain that I am trying to get some sleep...oh well.
This evening I was writing on my book and was trying to think of that perfect word to finish the thought of a paragraph. Terry came into the room where I was writing and was hurt that I didn't answer his remark for a few seconds. I had to explain that I was in deep thought. (Not that thoughts get all that deep around here.) I had not intended to hurt his feelings. He took it well. It was a vivid reminder that ...When you are writing you need to do it where you cannot be interrupted! I told him that after I finished the sentence he would have my full attention. Guess what? He got in his recliner and fell asleep while we were talking!!! Men!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Writing is FUN!!!
Sunday afternoon I plunged into the third book in the "Heritage Series". It was more fun than a barrel of monkeys. The thing about writing is the amazment of watching a story unfold and getting acquainted with the characters.
Those characters are misfits sometimes. They behave like real people (if you are on the right track) and don't always do the "right" things. "Good" people do bad things and "bad" people do good things. It makes the process interesting and fun. I try to zip myself into each character's skin. I want them to be believable.
The mindset of the west in the 1800s is a lot different than the way people think in the 2000s. My grandparents were raised in the 1800s and a lot of the standards were taught to my parents who did not stray from those standards. I have to admit that I have eased up on some things, but the basic truths are still cemented in my bones. That also helps with writing about this time period.
I am excited for you to read the books following "Nan's Journey". I think you will become invested in the characters and the story. Keep watching...you never know when they will be coming out!
Those characters are misfits sometimes. They behave like real people (if you are on the right track) and don't always do the "right" things. "Good" people do bad things and "bad" people do good things. It makes the process interesting and fun. I try to zip myself into each character's skin. I want them to be believable.
The mindset of the west in the 1800s is a lot different than the way people think in the 2000s. My grandparents were raised in the 1800s and a lot of the standards were taught to my parents who did not stray from those standards. I have to admit that I have eased up on some things, but the basic truths are still cemented in my bones. That also helps with writing about this time period.
I am excited for you to read the books following "Nan's Journey". I think you will become invested in the characters and the story. Keep watching...you never know when they will be coming out!
I want to encourage those of you who have a story in you. Write it down! There is a great feeling of accomplishment to see it completed on your own computer screen. Most people don't get that far. Then, take the next step. For me, it was sending it to the publisher. For most, it is finding an agent. Take one step at a time. Don't get bogged down in the process. Like Nike says, "Just do it!"
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Camping in the Mountains
A couple of weeks ago Terry and I traveled through Trinidad, Colorado and tent camped in the forest on a mountain above Monument Lake. The spruce and Aspen were beautiful. A roaring creek cut through our camping spot and the air was crisp and clear. I felt like I had gone to heaven. It is one of my favorite places on this earth.
I found myself thinking of the people in my family who had camped in this same campground with us. A lot of them are gone. I sat by the stream and cried. I miss our conversations around the roaring campfire my dad always tended. I also miss his strong campfire/cowboy coffee. The sweet laughter from my sisters and brother-in-law were missed. I promised myself that I would get my two brothers, my only sister that is left and my children up on that mountain to camp with me...soon.
I know the past cannot be recreated, but I do want some new memories from the time I am living in NOW. I think I have a good chance of getting at least some of us together. The tranquility of the spot is needed and wanted.
I found myself thinking of the people in my family who had camped in this same campground with us. A lot of them are gone. I sat by the stream and cried. I miss our conversations around the roaring campfire my dad always tended. I also miss his strong campfire/cowboy coffee. The sweet laughter from my sisters and brother-in-law were missed. I promised myself that I would get my two brothers, my only sister that is left and my children up on that mountain to camp with me...soon.
I know the past cannot be recreated, but I do want some new memories from the time I am living in NOW. I think I have a good chance of getting at least some of us together. The tranquility of the spot is needed and wanted.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Confidence
Confidence... pause and think about the word. To many it is illusive. To others it is as natural as breathing. To me, it is a struggle. This morning I listened to Joyce Meyer talking about confidence. She has taught to "do it afraid" for years. The premise is that when you are afraid do the things you need/want to do anyway. Step out and try while your heart is pounding.
The reason it took me so long to get the first draft of "Nan's Journey" written was lack of confidence. One day I decided that I was going to finish writing it because, if nothing else, it was an accomplishment to actually finish the "book that is in me." I did it for myself! I decided that it was worth the trouble even if it was only for my enjoyment. The Lord lead me so gently. When I finished my friend, Rhonda, told me that her niece worked for a publisher in the acquisitions department. I was blown away. She said to send it in because they promote new authors! Of all things!!!
You know the rest of that story. Even with the miracles that have happened with "Nan's Journey", fear creeps in. What if the sales stop? What if no one shows up for my book signings? What if...? I keep pretty detailed records on "Nan's Journey" sales and promotion and addresses of the people who have purchased it. When I get discouraged I look at those records. Yesterday I got a newsletter from Tate Publishing and Enterprises, my publisher. Their marketing department had just returned from a big meeting of publishers and "book people" in general. They had great success in the time they were there. Where other publishers are downsizing, they have increased by more that 200%!!!
I have to admit that when I heard about Thomas Nelson downsizing, I worried about Tate. God has His hand in all of this. He is with all the publishers that are getting out His word. Big publishers and small. So... I keep my hand in God's capable hand and keep on typing away on the books He leads me to write.
I am about 1/2 way on the first draft of book 3 in the "Nan's Heritage" series!!!! Pre-release sales of "Elk's Resolve" are going well and since November "Nan's Journey" has sold over 815 copies. (I know that is a far cry from 50,000 but it is in God's hands!) If you haven't ordered a copy of "Nan's Journey", sign the guest book or hit the link. If you want to be one of the first 100 to get a pre-release copy of "Elk's Resolve" sign the guest book. (the links won't know what you are talking about ...smile smile)
The reason it took me so long to get the first draft of "Nan's Journey" written was lack of confidence. One day I decided that I was going to finish writing it because, if nothing else, it was an accomplishment to actually finish the "book that is in me." I did it for myself! I decided that it was worth the trouble even if it was only for my enjoyment. The Lord lead me so gently. When I finished my friend, Rhonda, told me that her niece worked for a publisher in the acquisitions department. I was blown away. She said to send it in because they promote new authors! Of all things!!!
You know the rest of that story. Even with the miracles that have happened with "Nan's Journey", fear creeps in. What if the sales stop? What if no one shows up for my book signings? What if...? I keep pretty detailed records on "Nan's Journey" sales and promotion and addresses of the people who have purchased it. When I get discouraged I look at those records. Yesterday I got a newsletter from Tate Publishing and Enterprises, my publisher. Their marketing department had just returned from a big meeting of publishers and "book people" in general. They had great success in the time they were there. Where other publishers are downsizing, they have increased by more that 200%!!!
I have to admit that when I heard about Thomas Nelson downsizing, I worried about Tate. God has His hand in all of this. He is with all the publishers that are getting out His word. Big publishers and small. So... I keep my hand in God's capable hand and keep on typing away on the books He leads me to write.
I am about 1/2 way on the first draft of book 3 in the "Nan's Heritage" series!!!! Pre-release sales of "Elk's Resolve" are going well and since November "Nan's Journey" has sold over 815 copies. (I know that is a far cry from 50,000 but it is in God's hands!) If you haven't ordered a copy of "Nan's Journey", sign the guest book or hit the link. If you want to be one of the first 100 to get a pre-release copy of "Elk's Resolve" sign the guest book. (the links won't know what you are talking about ...smile smile)
Thursday, July 17, 2008
A Voice in the Wind
I just finished reading "A Voice in the Wind" by Francine Rivers. In many ways it was a disturbing read in that Rome in the first century was much like our world today. So much for the "good old days" huh! The challenges the main character overcame made me come face to face with the reality that even on my worst days, I am blessed. In the days that Hadessah lived in Rome every religion and thought was accepted and held in high esteem, EXCEPT for Christianity and Judaism. Does that sound familiar to anyone? The difference is that today, at least for now, in the United States the persecution meted out is humiliation or slander instead of facing literal lions in the coliseum.
When we watch the History channel on television and they show the coliseum we often think of the place as a place of games. IT WAS A PLACE OF SLAVERY AND DEATH! The blood thirst of the spectators held them prisoner as well as the gladiators and Christians. Most of the time the reality of the place never reaches our brain. God, forgive me!
My fear of offending or conflict has been hard to overcome. I know the Lord will be with me to stand for my beliefs to the end. This book has given me much to think about. The characters were interesting, complex, and infuriating. It is worth the time and energy to read and explore the deeper issues of life.
When we watch the History channel on television and they show the coliseum we often think of the place as a place of games. IT WAS A PLACE OF SLAVERY AND DEATH! The blood thirst of the spectators held them prisoner as well as the gladiators and Christians. Most of the time the reality of the place never reaches our brain. God, forgive me!
My fear of offending or conflict has been hard to overcome. I know the Lord will be with me to stand for my beliefs to the end. This book has given me much to think about. The characters were interesting, complex, and infuriating. It is worth the time and energy to read and explore the deeper issues of life.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Contract for "The Sequel"!!!
Yesterday I was contacted by Tate Publishing and Enterprises. They sent me a contract for the sequel to "Nan's Journey". The story continues with twists and turns that I think you will like.
Now the work begins: edits, book cover design choices, voice choices for the audio version, and a boat load of other things. I am excited to get my sleeves rolled up and begin the process. "Nan's Journey" took about 10 months to get the pre-release copies in my hands. The acquisition process took about 2 months of that so I am thinking (not promising) that "Elk's Resolve" (the working title) pre-release copies should be ready in 8 months. (Feb or March?)
Terry and I have decided that we want to do something special for the first 100 orders for "Elk's Resolve". You will be the first to get a copy and we will let you have it for a special price. $10. This will be a $4 or $5 savings! Send in your name and I will save one for you and let you know when to send in your $10.
I desire your prayers over this book and a continuation of prayers for "Nan's Journey". As you know each book has an underlying theme. Nan's was forgiveness and Elk is overcoming depression along with other sub themes.
God bless you!
Now the work begins: edits, book cover design choices, voice choices for the audio version, and a boat load of other things. I am excited to get my sleeves rolled up and begin the process. "Nan's Journey" took about 10 months to get the pre-release copies in my hands. The acquisition process took about 2 months of that so I am thinking (not promising) that "Elk's Resolve" (the working title) pre-release copies should be ready in 8 months. (Feb or March?)
Terry and I have decided that we want to do something special for the first 100 orders for "Elk's Resolve". You will be the first to get a copy and we will let you have it for a special price. $10. This will be a $4 or $5 savings! Send in your name and I will save one for you and let you know when to send in your $10.
I desire your prayers over this book and a continuation of prayers for "Nan's Journey". As you know each book has an underlying theme. Nan's was forgiveness and Elk is overcoming depression along with other sub themes.
God bless you!
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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