When I printed off the finished copy of "Elk's Resolve" to proof it one more time there was a notice on the back page. I will print it word for word here:
E LIVE
listen-imagine-view-experience
AUDIO BOOK DOWNLOAD INCLUDED WITH THIS BOOK!
In your hands you hold a complete digital entertainment package. Besides purchasing the paper version of this book, this book includes a free download of the audio version of this book. Simply use the code listed below when visiting our website. Once downloaded to your computer, you can listen to the book through your computer's speakers, burn it to an audio CD or save the file to your portable music device (such as Apple's popular iPod) and listen on the go!
This will make "Elk's Resolve" a great value to the readers.
Let me know what you think!!!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Book Launch Party Preparations
The process of publication for "Elk's Resolve" is coming close to an end. Yesterday, I looked at the font size, margin spacing, page number format and everything akin to that for approval. The next step is a mach up will be developed and sent to me for final evaluation before "Elk's Resolve" is put into print. That means that the long wait to hold my "baby" is almost over.
That being said, I want to have a book launch party. Terry and I are planning the details with a lot of input and help from friends and family. Our budget is limited, but we want to do it up right. I will get details on this site as soon as I can about the venue, date, and time. I want everyone who is even interested in "Nan's Journey" or "Elk's Resolve" to feel welcome to come to the party. It will be wonderful to see you there.
Keep on the lookout for more details.
That being said, I want to have a book launch party. Terry and I are planning the details with a lot of input and help from friends and family. Our budget is limited, but we want to do it up right. I will get details on this site as soon as I can about the venue, date, and time. I want everyone who is even interested in "Nan's Journey" or "Elk's Resolve" to feel welcome to come to the party. It will be wonderful to see you there.
Keep on the lookout for more details.
Monday, February 16, 2009
"Elk's Resolve", Book II of the Nan's Heritage Series, will be out within the next few months. Terry and I are very excited about that. In fact, Terry was very involved in the story line and action of "Elk's Resolve'. I really needed him to especially read the fight sequences to make sure that the action was do-able. He also gave me insight to the male character's way of thinking. As a woman I like to hope there are men who think the way women wish men would think...understand? He was invaluable in helping me keep the male characters true to life. I think you will like Book II. The major theme of it deals with overcoming depression...among other things.Book III is about the youngest children of Fred and Nan. I haven't submitted it to the publisher for review yet because I put it in a contest for unpublished manuscripts. Hopefully, I will know the status of "Luke's Legacy" soon. "Luke's Legacy" is a very emotional book. It has it's share of adventure and "hold your breath" moments, but I have to say, writing it tugged at my heart more than anything I have done so far. "Luke's Legacy" burned in my mind long after I finished it. The theme of it is about creating your own legacy. Book IV is in the baby stages. The connection to Nan is: "What happened to the trunk that Mary sent to Boston?" I am not sure it should be part of the "Nan's Heritage Series" because it barely touches Nan's family...we will see as it unfolds.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
"What's Age Got to Do With It?" by Robin McGraw
“What’s Age Got To Do With It?” by Robin McGraw
A quote from Robin McGraw from the book sums up the gist of this book: “To me aging gracefully isn’t accepting what aging does to you. It means taking care of your health, wanting to look your best, and knowing that it is not conceited, egotistical, or selfish to do so.”
In this book Robin gives honest and down-home advice about the subject of aging. She urges women of all ages to take good care of themselves. Many pages are devoted to health and fitness as well as finding a health professional who will answer questions and make a plan for optimum mental and physical health. She also talks frankly about skin care and makeup. Classically beautiful, she tells about her personal beauty routine and her sense of fashion.
Personally, I would love to have the funds to use the products and services she endorses. While she does give lower-cost alternatives, finding them in small town America might be a stretch. I love the idea of interviewing five or so doctors and becoming personal friends with my pharmacist, but the reality is; my husband doesn’t have a the title of “Dr.” in his name and our busy doctors and pharmacists could not spare the time if they had it. I am fortunate to have a very good doctor that I see once a year. She proposes that several tests be run every few months… She also has a personal trainer and gets spa treatments regularly and such. That is great in theory, but maybe not in the cards for middle income folks.
Honestly, there are some really good points in the book and it is a good read. What I took from it was to do the things I can do. (Afford and have time to do) Also, to realize that it is not selfish to take good care of yourself. It is, in fact, necessary.
A quote from Robin McGraw from the book sums up the gist of this book: “To me aging gracefully isn’t accepting what aging does to you. It means taking care of your health, wanting to look your best, and knowing that it is not conceited, egotistical, or selfish to do so.”
In this book Robin gives honest and down-home advice about the subject of aging. She urges women of all ages to take good care of themselves. Many pages are devoted to health and fitness as well as finding a health professional who will answer questions and make a plan for optimum mental and physical health. She also talks frankly about skin care and makeup. Classically beautiful, she tells about her personal beauty routine and her sense of fashion.
Personally, I would love to have the funds to use the products and services she endorses. While she does give lower-cost alternatives, finding them in small town America might be a stretch. I love the idea of interviewing five or so doctors and becoming personal friends with my pharmacist, but the reality is; my husband doesn’t have a the title of “Dr.” in his name and our busy doctors and pharmacists could not spare the time if they had it. I am fortunate to have a very good doctor that I see once a year. She proposes that several tests be run every few months… She also has a personal trainer and gets spa treatments regularly and such. That is great in theory, but maybe not in the cards for middle income folks.
Honestly, there are some really good points in the book and it is a good read. What I took from it was to do the things I can do. (Afford and have time to do) Also, to realize that it is not selfish to take good care of yourself. It is, in fact, necessary.
Friday, February 13, 2009
For Those of You With Book Trailers
I was just sent a link to a Christian site that is all book trailers for readers to view to choose books to purchase. The name of the site is Christianbookvideos.com"To get a video posted, email videos@christianbookvideos.com. Be sure to include the following in order:
-title-author (and illustrator if appropriate)
-ISBN-13-Binding
-Page Count
-List price (MSRP)
-Publishing House
-Release Date
-a link to the video
-Text for the post (see below)
-book category (adult/teen/children's and fiction/nonfiction)
-Genre or subject (suspense, romance, Biblical history)
-A jpeg of the cover (exactly 240 pixels high)
-Who you are (publisher, author, publicist, fan, etc.)
Each book video needs a capsule description or sales pitch. These are generally 50 to 100 words long. Remember, brevity allows for paragraph breaks. You may test the text yourself. Use 8-point Verdana with line spacing at 1.6, and 8.25 point paragraph spacing. Set your platen with at 3.25 inches; you have about nine lines to work with. This capsule may be edited by CBV for space considerations, which may delay getting the video posted.God bless you for your interest and support-The Staff at CBVP.S.: Help us let Christian book fans know about this website! We encourage you to post a link from your website or blog to our site. Graphics available on request."
I was just sent a link to a Christian site that is all book trailers for readers to view to choose books to purchase. The name of the site is Christianbookvideos.com"To get a video posted, email videos@christianbookvideos.com. Be sure to include the following in order:
-title-author (and illustrator if appropriate)
-ISBN-13-Binding
-Page Count
-List price (MSRP)
-Publishing House
-Release Date
-a link to the video
-Text for the post (see below)
-book category (adult/teen/children's and fiction/nonfiction)
-Genre or subject (suspense, romance, Biblical history)
-A jpeg of the cover (exactly 240 pixels high)
-Who you are (publisher, author, publicist, fan, etc.)
Each book video needs a capsule description or sales pitch. These are generally 50 to 100 words long. Remember, brevity allows for paragraph breaks. You may test the text yourself. Use 8-point Verdana with line spacing at 1.6, and 8.25 point paragraph spacing. Set your platen with at 3.25 inches; you have about nine lines to work with. This capsule may be edited by CBV for space considerations, which may delay getting the video posted.God bless you for your interest and support-The Staff at CBVP.S.: Help us let Christian book fans know about this website! We encourage you to post a link from your website or blog to our site. Graphics available on request."
My Hair Isn't Falling Out Any More!
I started this blog to promote my books. It has changed a bit to become, I hope, to become an encouraging place for new authors, readers, and people who enjoy a little giggle once in a while. Today I want to tell you something that is amazing to me.
For about 2 years I have been almost afraid to wash my hair. It would come out my the hands full while I was shampooing it. I talked to my nieces and nephew who own hair salons and asked them what on earth was going on. They told me that sometimes hair falls out in the Fall of each year and stress and thyroid is also a factor. Although I didn't have any bald spots, my hair just didn't feel right.
I emailed a church secretary friend from Ill. and she told me that she had a friend that had the same thing happen. This friend took some kind of vitamins that helped her keep her hair from falling out and caused it to thicken back up. This friend was also on my email list...another church secretary. I emailed her and she said that she went to a health food store and bought a bottle of "Ultra Nourish-Hair Dietary Supplement". I went to GNC and bought a bottle of 60 caplets. It takes 2 per day and the bottle costs around $20. That would be enough for a month.
I have taken it for a month. Almost immediately, I noticed that the "hair catcher" thingy in the drain of my shower didn't have nearly as much hair in it as it had before. Now, there are only a few hairs in it! (gross...I know) My head felt a little funny so I ran my fingers through my hair. THERE WERE BABY HAIRS IN THERE!!!YAY!!!
I am not a health expert. I don't claim to know anything. I don't know the people who make this stuff. I have never contacted them and they obviously never talked to me, but I just wanted you to know that if you have this problem...maybe this supplement will work for you too!
For about 2 years I have been almost afraid to wash my hair. It would come out my the hands full while I was shampooing it. I talked to my nieces and nephew who own hair salons and asked them what on earth was going on. They told me that sometimes hair falls out in the Fall of each year and stress and thyroid is also a factor. Although I didn't have any bald spots, my hair just didn't feel right.
I emailed a church secretary friend from Ill. and she told me that she had a friend that had the same thing happen. This friend took some kind of vitamins that helped her keep her hair from falling out and caused it to thicken back up. This friend was also on my email list...another church secretary. I emailed her and she said that she went to a health food store and bought a bottle of "Ultra Nourish-Hair Dietary Supplement". I went to GNC and bought a bottle of 60 caplets. It takes 2 per day and the bottle costs around $20. That would be enough for a month.
I have taken it for a month. Almost immediately, I noticed that the "hair catcher" thingy in the drain of my shower didn't have nearly as much hair in it as it had before. Now, there are only a few hairs in it! (gross...I know) My head felt a little funny so I ran my fingers through my hair. THERE WERE BABY HAIRS IN THERE!!!YAY!!!
I am not a health expert. I don't claim to know anything. I don't know the people who make this stuff. I have never contacted them and they obviously never talked to me, but I just wanted you to know that if you have this problem...maybe this supplement will work for you too!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
More Fun on the Carnival Spirit Cruise Trip for Christianstoryteller.com
I have to say that Terry and I did have a blast on the cruise. The Carnival Spirit Ship was beautiful and the ocean, ports of call, and all things cruise related were so enjoyable. One thing that people who know me understand about me is that I love to laugh. I love to hear a good story and also jump in with two feet in telling funny stories.
Somehow, ordinary things in my life make me laugh. I see them as hilarious. Terry used to tell me that I was stretching the truth to a fault. I felt pretty bad about that observation until one day I heard a teaching tape by Florence Littauer about the 4 different personalities: Choleric (bossy/leader), Melancholy (structured perfectionist), Phlegmatic (peacemaker/doormat), and Sanguine (fun-loving/descriptive). I happen to be a Sanguine with Melancholy tendencies. I love to have fun, but I want all my "ducks in a row". I want to be on time and that is important to me, but I love to drop everything to encourage a friend.
Before we read and studied Florence Littauer's book, "Personality Plus", Terry thought I was a bold-faced liar or at the least, a woman who stretched the truth to a fault. I have to say that I see brilliant colors and hear every accent and voice inflection when people talk whereas, Terry just sees color and hears someone talking. I honestly try not to embellish my stories. I tell them like I experienced them...colorfully.
Back to the cruise and fun-- My new-found friends "In" and "Cog" joined me, "Nito" (Names have been changed to protect the silly) were in the pool on the fan tail deck. I started telling "my stories" about the events of "The Mississippi Youth Camp" and "Terry's experiences with the underground electric pet fence." We started laughing and being very silly. My friends told their stories too and we laughed to the point of hysteria...maybe a mite less. We decided that we needed to go to our staterooms and get ready for dinner. As I was climbing out of the pool an elderly couple motioned for me to come over. They said something like, "Honey, you need to really watch what you are drinking."
I was very amused and said, "Well, I don't drink alcohol, just water."
They looked at me like they didn't believe me which made my friends crack up and laugh loudly. It was so fun! Man alive, I miss them!
Somehow, ordinary things in my life make me laugh. I see them as hilarious. Terry used to tell me that I was stretching the truth to a fault. I felt pretty bad about that observation until one day I heard a teaching tape by Florence Littauer about the 4 different personalities: Choleric (bossy/leader), Melancholy (structured perfectionist), Phlegmatic (peacemaker/doormat), and Sanguine (fun-loving/descriptive). I happen to be a Sanguine with Melancholy tendencies. I love to have fun, but I want all my "ducks in a row". I want to be on time and that is important to me, but I love to drop everything to encourage a friend.
Before we read and studied Florence Littauer's book, "Personality Plus", Terry thought I was a bold-faced liar or at the least, a woman who stretched the truth to a fault. I have to say that I see brilliant colors and hear every accent and voice inflection when people talk whereas, Terry just sees color and hears someone talking. I honestly try not to embellish my stories. I tell them like I experienced them...colorfully.
Back to the cruise and fun-- My new-found friends "In" and "Cog" joined me, "Nito" (Names have been changed to protect the silly) were in the pool on the fan tail deck. I started telling "my stories" about the events of "The Mississippi Youth Camp" and "Terry's experiences with the underground electric pet fence." We started laughing and being very silly. My friends told their stories too and we laughed to the point of hysteria...maybe a mite less. We decided that we needed to go to our staterooms and get ready for dinner. As I was climbing out of the pool an elderly couple motioned for me to come over. They said something like, "Honey, you need to really watch what you are drinking."
I was very amused and said, "Well, I don't drink alcohol, just water."
They looked at me like they didn't believe me which made my friends crack up and laugh loudly. It was so fun! Man alive, I miss them!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Just When You Think You Are All Alone by Leon Mentzer
Leon Mentzer weaves several tremendous short stories in this book. "Just When You Think You Are All Alone" has a movie contract on it and I understand why after reading it. The stories are plausible yet whimsical. The plots are not predictable, which is always a good thing in my mind. You will want a copy of this book to meditate on and discuss with your friends. It is a good book for a book group. Also, since it is a series of short stories, it is a good fit for people who are not able to put in the time for a lengthy book.
Weapons of Light by Ann Winters
From the first page of "Weapons of Light" by Ann Winters I found myself totally amazed at the quality of writing and the depth of the spiritual content. The story moved along at a good clip and held my interest. If you liked Frank Peretti's, "This Present Darkness", you will like this book. I urge you to get a copy and dive into the story of these dedicated ministers as they fight the good fight of faith. This is a book you will want on your bookshelf to stay
Thursday, February 5, 2009
A Strange Thing Happened On Our Cruise Ship
First, I want to explain that my husband and I are really not well versed in the cruise experience. We went on a 4 day cruise a couple of years ago with our youngest son and his wife. This year, Leon Mentzer, part of the christianstorytellers.com group, put together a marketing cruise for authors. We signed up over a year ago and were very excited about cruising for 8 days in the Mexican Riveria on The Carnival Spirit Ship.We met some very wonderful people in our christianstoryteller group and made fast friends. As we were eating breakfast on the morning we were to arrive at Alcupulco, Mexico we heard a voice over the intercom saying, "Code Star Bright at cabin XXXX" My husband and I looked at one another in wonderment. Later we found that Star Bright was the code that meant that someone passed away on the cruise. We contemplated the complications involved in that senerio. When we entered our stateroom I looked at the daily bulleting and noticed a notation next to the 2:30 p.m. slot. It said something about a memorial for the friends of Bill W. We decided that we should attend the memorial because we felt sure that the widow didn't have many people on board for support. We proceeded to tell our new friends about our plans to attend the memorial. They began to laugh. We were confused by their reaction until they told us that the "memorial for the friends of Bill W." was code for an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting!We were all laughing by that time and people who passed us in the lounge asked what could ever be that funny. Our new friends explained and they joined in the laughter...Live and learn...We found out later that Bill W was the founder of AA.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Bitter Water by Sherri Smith
I met Sherri Smith on a cruise in January of 2009. As I opened the book I was face to face with the message of forgiveness. The main character of "Bitter Water" had to decide whether to be bitter or better. Once again I was struck with the realization that forgiveness is a choice and not an emotion. While forgiving may not remove the pain of the offense immediately, the results of forgiving is freedom. The characters were the kind of people you would meet anywhere in the world. They had challenges we all face and lived their lives much like we all do. After reading "Bitter Water" I felt that I knew them. You will enjoy meeting them too.
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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