This afternoon the boxes of "Elk's Resolve" were on the deck when I came home from work. They arrived sooner than I expected and I am very happy about that. Complete your order with the paypal button or send me a message at elainel45@msn.com and let me know how many and how you want your books signed. Of course you can give those instructions on paypal too! It is very easy.
Thank you for walking with me through this process! Just think book #3 is ready to submit for consideration to the publisher. I just need to sell a bunch of these other books before I send it in to them. They need to know that there is a demand for books by Elaine Littau. (smile smile)
Please tell your friends about these books and blog about them...help me spread the word if you like them. I really appreciate it!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Parker Planners Review
I have to tell you about a product that I ordered from a facebook ad! It was a Parker Planner. The Ad was interesting to me because I am on a perpetual search for the perfect appt book/planner. The last one I got was too big to carry everywhere and the dates run from July-June or something like that. The Parker Planner allows you to fill in the date so that you may begin at anytime.
Their website/webstore is simple to navigate and the pictures of the planner is true to life. It is smaller than I at first expected, but a nice difference. It fits nicely in a purse and you have options for the cover of your choice. I think I am really going to love it.
plannerlove@parkerplanners.com
Their website/webstore is simple to navigate and the pictures of the planner is true to life. It is smaller than I at first expected, but a nice difference. It fits nicely in a purse and you have options for the cover of your choice. I think I am really going to love it.
plannerlove@parkerplanners.com
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Rachel's Tears by Beth Nimmo and Darrell Scott
Rachel’s Tears
Ten Years After Columbine Rachel Scott’s Faith Lives On.
By Beth NImmo and Darrell Scott
One life can make a difference. One life did make a difference. One life is still making a difference. The message of Rachel Scott’s life and death is inspiring as well as tragic. The energetic, kind, and loving teen depicted within these pages was wise beyond her years. She learned early in her short life to depend on God for guidance. Preferring to not “fit in” to a particular clique or group in her high school, even the prayer group, she opened herself up to be able to reach anyone within her reach. There was no person who was beyond her sphere of influence.
This book is deeply personal. Many of her journal entries and drawings are published here give a close look into Rachel’s very soul. I was struck with the entries that spoke of how much she desired to impact the world. Through her life and death she has reached millions.
The message her parents bring through the pages of “Rachel’s Tears – 10 Years After Columbine, Rachel Scott’s Faith Lives On” is foremost that forgiveness is key in going forward after such life-altering events. “Forgiveness is not pardon…” was one statement that stood out to me. I appreciate the dedication Rachel’s parents and siblings have to minister to the teenagers of our world with the message of making a difference. This was a great book!
Elaine Littau
Author of “Nan’s Journey” & “Elk’s Resolve”
Ten Years After Columbine Rachel Scott’s Faith Lives On.
By Beth NImmo and Darrell Scott
One life can make a difference. One life did make a difference. One life is still making a difference. The message of Rachel Scott’s life and death is inspiring as well as tragic. The energetic, kind, and loving teen depicted within these pages was wise beyond her years. She learned early in her short life to depend on God for guidance. Preferring to not “fit in” to a particular clique or group in her high school, even the prayer group, she opened herself up to be able to reach anyone within her reach. There was no person who was beyond her sphere of influence.
This book is deeply personal. Many of her journal entries and drawings are published here give a close look into Rachel’s very soul. I was struck with the entries that spoke of how much she desired to impact the world. Through her life and death she has reached millions.
The message her parents bring through the pages of “Rachel’s Tears – 10 Years After Columbine, Rachel Scott’s Faith Lives On” is foremost that forgiveness is key in going forward after such life-altering events. “Forgiveness is not pardon…” was one statement that stood out to me. I appreciate the dedication Rachel’s parents and siblings have to minister to the teenagers of our world with the message of making a difference. This was a great book!
Elaine Littau
Author of “Nan’s Journey” & “Elk’s Resolve”
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
"Elk's Resolve" will be in my hands the end of April!
"Elk's Resolve" will be in my hands the end of April!
I will get my copies for sale here and on the Tate Publishing website at the end of April. Order here at the Paypal button to get a signed copy and I will send you a signed and numbered copy of "Elk's Resolve" and "Nan's Journey" if you haven't read it."Elk's Resolve" will be released worldwide in June/July of 2009 to bookstores and amazon.com, target.com, barnesandnoble.com, borders.com...etc.When you read your copy, do me a great favor and write a review on your blog, facebook page, myspace page, and amazon.com. Word of mouth is the absolute best way to get the word out for books. Also, if you have an event coming up that is in need of a speaker...I'M YOUR GIRL! (or old lady depending on who you are...hee hee) Contact me here to set things up.
I will get my copies for sale here and on the Tate Publishing website at the end of April. Order here at the Paypal button to get a signed copy and I will send you a signed and numbered copy of "Elk's Resolve" and "Nan's Journey" if you haven't read it."Elk's Resolve" will be released worldwide in June/July of 2009 to bookstores and amazon.com, target.com, barnesandnoble.com, borders.com...etc.When you read your copy, do me a great favor and write a review on your blog, facebook page, myspace page, and amazon.com. Word of mouth is the absolute best way to get the word out for books. Also, if you have an event coming up that is in need of a speaker...I'M YOUR GIRL! (or old lady depending on who you are...hee hee) Contact me here to set things up.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Encourage
There are certain words that I have heard all of my life and never really mulled them over to let them speak to my soul. One of those words was "encourage". I heard someone say that the word meant "to give courage". I thought that was too simple for a definition and got out my trusty dictionary. This is what I found under the word "encourage" - "To give courage". When I read that it was like a light went off inside me. Of course it means to give courage. If you don't feel strong about doing something or fearful about something, someone comes along and says the thing that puts muscle in your blood and helps you do the thing that needs to be done. David encouraged himself in the Lord. He talked to himself and rehearsed the things that God had done through him. That is a great thing to do just in case you don't run into an encourager very often in the passing of your day. If there is no one there to encourage you, encourage yourself!
This also spoke to me of the importance to be the one that helps people find their strengths, remember their past victories, and go forward. Too often, when a friend declares that they are tired or don't know how they will make it through the day, I find myself turning the conversation to myself by saying, "I know how you feel! In fact just now I was thinking..." The better thing would be to say something like: "I know you must feel tired now (discouraged now, or whatever), but I know you and I know that you have come through a lot of things and seen the other side. When you have stuck it out you are so happy that you did." or something along that line. It is important to keep the subject about them and rehearse their victories in order to be the encourager you want to be. I have found that when I encourage someone, I am encouraged in my own things.
Encourage- to give courage. How about that!
This also spoke to me of the importance to be the one that helps people find their strengths, remember their past victories, and go forward. Too often, when a friend declares that they are tired or don't know how they will make it through the day, I find myself turning the conversation to myself by saying, "I know how you feel! In fact just now I was thinking..." The better thing would be to say something like: "I know you must feel tired now (discouraged now, or whatever), but I know you and I know that you have come through a lot of things and seen the other side. When you have stuck it out you are so happy that you did." or something along that line. It is important to keep the subject about them and rehearse their victories in order to be the encourager you want to be. I have found that when I encourage someone, I am encouraged in my own things.
Encourage- to give courage. How about that!
Friday, March 20, 2009
"The Mystery of the Alpha & Omega" by John H. Shumaker
One of the things that has always been a wish of mine when I have read books of biblical studies is that the Scriptures referred to would be written out in the text of the book. John Shumaker does this within the pages of "The Mystery of the Alpha & Omega". This was a pleasant surprise. Many selections of books of this genre are difficult and plodding. I found John's insights into the Scripture refreshing and acute as well as easily understood. The chapters are broken down into managable portions for reflection of the study. I appreciate that. The message of Jesus Christ's finger prints throughout the Scriptures, Old and New Testament is well documented as well as explained. Mr. Shumaker is indeed a good Bible teacher and it is reflected in "The Mystery of the Alpha & Omega".
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
It Takes a Village to Move a Mom
Every since Terry's 92 year old mother purchased a home in a small Oklahoma panhandle town, we have been in high gear. We are happy that she is healthy enough to still live on her own and able to make the move and stay independent. (Terry's sister lives a few blocks away.) The town has a population of a few hundred and has a country feel to it. With that said, it is still a big adjustment for Viola. We were sitting on the porch and she said, "I wonder if I will hear the people next door talking to each other when they are home." She lives on the corner and the closest house is probably 100 feet away. I don't think there will be a problem.
She hired painters and carpet & flooring installers to come in and work over the house. Terry and his brother from Oregon have spent 10 days working on the plumbing and installing new cabinets and such. New drapes, furniture, and appliances have been purchased also. It will be a nice cozy home for her.
After we picked up the appliances from a Lowes store in Enid, OK, we had them tied and fastened in the back of our pickup and flat-bed trailer. We were about 5 minutes out of the parking lot and on the freeway when the new boxed refrigerator became a flying missile! It launched from the middle of the washer, dryer, dishwasher, and gas stove! We watched in the rear view mirror as it flew across 2 lanes of traffic on the interstate and bumped every corner of the box, broke open, and smashed the doors until they flew off into a contorted heap!!! Terry's brother and mother were following us in a car about 20 feet away. Viola screamed! (I would have too!) Miraculously, even though there was a lot of traffic, not one car came close to the incident until it was in the median grassy area. Others stopped to check on us to be sure no one was hurt.
The only thing salvageable was the ice-maker. We stood in stunned amazement as we surveyed the damage. I honestly could not believe my eyes. We got back into the pickup and decided that we were truly blessed. Blessed because no one had the misery of having a big refrigerator land on their windshield causing a terrible wreck. We decided that money comes and goes, but damage to a human body sometimes lasts a lifetime even if it doesn't result in death.
(Yes, Terry and I went to Amarillo on Monday and picked up another frig at the Lowes there. Viola is set!)
She hired painters and carpet & flooring installers to come in and work over the house. Terry and his brother from Oregon have spent 10 days working on the plumbing and installing new cabinets and such. New drapes, furniture, and appliances have been purchased also. It will be a nice cozy home for her.
After we picked up the appliances from a Lowes store in Enid, OK, we had them tied and fastened in the back of our pickup and flat-bed trailer. We were about 5 minutes out of the parking lot and on the freeway when the new boxed refrigerator became a flying missile! It launched from the middle of the washer, dryer, dishwasher, and gas stove! We watched in the rear view mirror as it flew across 2 lanes of traffic on the interstate and bumped every corner of the box, broke open, and smashed the doors until they flew off into a contorted heap!!! Terry's brother and mother were following us in a car about 20 feet away. Viola screamed! (I would have too!) Miraculously, even though there was a lot of traffic, not one car came close to the incident until it was in the median grassy area. Others stopped to check on us to be sure no one was hurt.
The only thing salvageable was the ice-maker. We stood in stunned amazement as we surveyed the damage. I honestly could not believe my eyes. We got back into the pickup and decided that we were truly blessed. Blessed because no one had the misery of having a big refrigerator land on their windshield causing a terrible wreck. We decided that money comes and goes, but damage to a human body sometimes lasts a lifetime even if it doesn't result in death.
(Yes, Terry and I went to Amarillo on Monday and picked up another frig at the Lowes there. Viola is set!)
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Making a Dollar Stretch
Yesterday I was sitting on the porch with my 92 year old mother-in-law. She began telling me about her life and the challenges of feeding her large family. She had six children and of course her husband and herself to feed everyday. These were the days before take out and drive through happy meals.
She said that one of the things that saved them from hunger was that every year she bought a box of chicks. In the box were 100 baby chickens that she raised. The box cost her $25. From that $25. investment, she had eggs and nice chicken dinners for her family after they grew up. She also had some cows and sold cream each day. She said that she made $7 from the cream. It wasn't clear if that was per day or week, or what, but she did say that she was so very happy to have the money. "You know, Post Toasties only cost $.15 a box in those days!" She said.
I have had many conversations with my 70 something year old sister and she told me, "People just don't know how to get along if they are poor these days." She explained that when she was a child our mother cooked beans everyday and some of those days they had cornbread with those beans. They weren't hungry, but they didn't get all the kinds of things they actually wanted to eat. Our mother always put in a large garden and canned from it all summer.
What can we do today to save money when we don't have a place for a garden or a place for cows and chickens? Who has the time for those things? ...or the knowledge of how to butcher a chicken or use the canning equipment from yesteryear?
I have done some canning, but time is an issue for me...what does the person of today do to save money on food in lean times? Give me your ideas and I will post them here.
Some of my ideas:
shop sales
coupons
cook from scratch (If you don't know how to do that...in other words, use a cookbook with simple recipes)
chicken and noodles or dumplings is a very cheap meal.
beans, beans, beans,
rice
cook just enough for each meal so you don't throw out good food. (cook more if you don't mind leftovers.)
now tell me your stuff...
She said that one of the things that saved them from hunger was that every year she bought a box of chicks. In the box were 100 baby chickens that she raised. The box cost her $25. From that $25. investment, she had eggs and nice chicken dinners for her family after they grew up. She also had some cows and sold cream each day. She said that she made $7 from the cream. It wasn't clear if that was per day or week, or what, but she did say that she was so very happy to have the money. "You know, Post Toasties only cost $.15 a box in those days!" She said.
I have had many conversations with my 70 something year old sister and she told me, "People just don't know how to get along if they are poor these days." She explained that when she was a child our mother cooked beans everyday and some of those days they had cornbread with those beans. They weren't hungry, but they didn't get all the kinds of things they actually wanted to eat. Our mother always put in a large garden and canned from it all summer.
What can we do today to save money when we don't have a place for a garden or a place for cows and chickens? Who has the time for those things? ...or the knowledge of how to butcher a chicken or use the canning equipment from yesteryear?
I have done some canning, but time is an issue for me...what does the person of today do to save money on food in lean times? Give me your ideas and I will post them here.
Some of my ideas:
shop sales
coupons
cook from scratch (If you don't know how to do that...in other words, use a cookbook with simple recipes)
chicken and noodles or dumplings is a very cheap meal.
beans, beans, beans,
rice
cook just enough for each meal so you don't throw out good food. (cook more if you don't mind leftovers.)
now tell me your stuff...
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Time Changes Things
One of the things my dad always said was, "Time don't wait for anybody." That is true. My mother-in-law is the last of our parents. She is 92 years old and is still very independent. Just this month she purchased a house in a small town 25 miles from her farm place. She is keeping the farm but it is time for her to be closer to other people.
Terry and I were discussing the fact of her buying a house. We feel blessed that she is healthy and mobile enough to live on her own. Most people that age are in the process of selling out and moving into a home. (whether it be with relatives or a nursing home) She is not a healthy eater. She never has been. I never knew of anyone eating so much junk until I met her, but even though I don't fry stuff in lard and eat processed desserts everyday, she has me beat in the healthy department!!! Headaches are rare with her and Terry. I wonder if it is in those German genes!
I can hardly believe that Terry and I have been married for 34 years. It hardly seems possible. I still feel like that kid sometimes and still act like that too. Terry's favorite thing to say to me is, "We're going to have fun growing up." I'll let you know how it goes after we do grow up.
Terry and I were discussing the fact of her buying a house. We feel blessed that she is healthy and mobile enough to live on her own. Most people that age are in the process of selling out and moving into a home. (whether it be with relatives or a nursing home) She is not a healthy eater. She never has been. I never knew of anyone eating so much junk until I met her, but even though I don't fry stuff in lard and eat processed desserts everyday, she has me beat in the healthy department!!! Headaches are rare with her and Terry. I wonder if it is in those German genes!
I can hardly believe that Terry and I have been married for 34 years. It hardly seems possible. I still feel like that kid sometimes and still act like that too. Terry's favorite thing to say to me is, "We're going to have fun growing up." I'll let you know how it goes after we do grow up.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Tate Audio Sent Me a Sample of "Elk's Resolve" audio version!
The Audio department of Tate Publishing and Enterprises sent me a sample of a portion of the first chapter of "Elk's Resolve" on Friday. I believe that everyone who takes advantage of the free download with the purchase of the paper version will really appreciate the work involved in voicing the book.With the sample the man doing the voice for the book asked for any corrections or input from me for the audio version. He kindly accepted my instructions and we are to speak on the phone soon to be certain that certain words are pronounced correctly. (Would you believe that people have trouble figuring out how to pronounce 'Littau'? Hint: it rhymes with Utah...smile)Things are moving along... I hope you are getting ready to get your hands on a copy of "Elk's Resolve".
Sunday, March 1, 2009
"Nan's Journey" is now on the Christian Book Video website!
Friday I felt so blessed and grateful to see my first book trailer, "Nan's Journey" listed among the titles on the Christian book video site I posted about a couple of weeks ago. It is amazing to see it there with the work of the other authors. Take a look at the site. The books look like some I am going to have to read...
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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