kindred spirits

I've been away before, alone at times to reflect and soak up the quiet.  Home life is full of noise, good sounds of course, but I crave a piece of quiet every now and then...

...but this time, the yearly pilgrimage away from the home front led to a strong desire to connect, to meet with women of like-minded vision and purpose.  To not be considered odd.

And so, I stole away to the Relevant Conference last weekend.  A carved out place and space of time for women who write :: who pour their hearts out to a screen, click, and pray that the message has meaning, brings hope, or somehow stirs the soul.

My words are often timid ones, shared with shakiness of spirit :: writers understand this fragile nature of our pen to paper {or fingers to keyboard} experiences.  And in the space of forty-eight short long hours, I found grace among sisters in Christ who write.

Kindred spirits who connected with the shakiness and yet the desire to shape an audience's mind and heart with words.  The only response is to give thanks to the unseen One who knew the felt need for sisterhood among authors, speakers, and yes...bloggers.

I am grateful.

I am changed.

Wisdom graciously shared from the speakers ::

"You can't give away what you don't have in your heart.  It's the living of life, not the writing of life that means something.  Crafting a message that will change hearts includes words of truth plus a life of integrity."

Sally Clarkson, Whole Heart Ministries

"There's a difference between being encouraging vs. painting a picture on our blogs of a life that doesn't really exist.  It's too easy to be filled by the affirmation of others (in comments & such) instead of by the Lord.  Be authentic, having a deep sense of littleness."

Angie Smith, Bring the Rain

"We don't always get to pick our story, but we can all show God through it."

Serena Woods, Grace is for Sinners

"We do not achieve our identity in Christ, we receive our identity in Him.  We serve with our writing, our blogs.  Give to God the deepest parts of yourself and share in writing pieces of what God has done :: yet always write for an audience of one, Him alone."

Ann Voskamp, A Holy Experience 

 

photo from conference: Dayspring's wooden book crops

kindred spirits

pen to paper :: from the heart

I am humbled and quite thrilled to share the release of a new book!  Thrilled because of the purpose of this project, a gathering of authors who write for charity to benefit the sickest of children.  Humbled because a few words I’ve penned (well, typed) are included in the book…an honor indeed.

From the Heart, A Collection of Stories and Poems from the Front Lines of Parenting tracks some of the funniest, the hardest and the most phenomenal moments of this journey called parenting.  A collaborative effort of many authors, all proceeds from the sale will go to support children’s hospitals and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Center.

Beth Davis, the editor and also founder of the organization Write for Charity, had a desire to make a difference in the lives of children after learning that her youngest daughter needed surgery.  The idea of writing a book for charity was born and the search for authors began in earnest through magazines, the blogsphere and writer’s groups around the country—through several months and over 300 submissions later, From the Heart was born.

Currently this collection of stories and poems is only available for sale through the organization’s website in order to control costs and donate more to charity :: after October, this release of close to one hundred different stories sharing perspectives on parenting, will be available through other venues such as Amazon and bookstores.

*****

My heart has always been for the needs of the youngest among us, my own children and those who need an advocate.  It’s my life’s work really and I’ll try to be a voice in whichever way possible.  To have some words included in a project that echoes this vision is humbling, an honor and a small way to remind others of the little ones around them.  I am eagerly awaiting my copy as parenting encouragement is needed & appreciated by this Mama!

Feel free to share the word by grabbing a button :: find the list of authors here.

All contributors (graphics, editors) and authors have donated their time and work :: proceeds, outside of printing costs, are all to be donated.

pen to paper :: from the heart

right now

I am…

enjoying :: being still and sipping a cup of hot tea. on a fairly humid day, but tea calms me.

thinking about :: our homeschool year and the plans, structure we will need to help two elementary-aged girls, a preschooler, an infant and one Mama all stay sane. It’s coming together as I release some expectations and adopt others.

looking forward to :: this book’s release in just a few weeks. (like I’ll really have time to craft anything in the next months, but still!)

listening :: hopefully bit by bit this week and next to Crazy Love, July’s free download from Christian Audio; and to my husband’s sermon from Sunday—not allowing life’s ‘weeds’ to choke out the fruit God wants to produce in us (Mark 4, the parable of the sower). I was there to hear it live, but just need to keep it before me…and really, he IS my favorite preacher anyway!

writing this week :: our women’s ministry newsletter for church and a few devotionals to be submitted by late August for publication consideration. exciting!

wondering :: about the baby naturally. when we’ll get to meet this new one, how much bigger this belly of mine can grow before that time, his or her temperament (and praying for a calm one!)…just little thoughts floating through my mind.

And you? What are you enjoying right now?

right now

Taking the Plunge

Diving in so to speak, feeling tremendously out of my comfort zone :: free falling?

No, no, I sense His hands carrying me, prompting and moving me forward.

Last month I wrote about when there are times certain passions and pursuits cannot be ignored simply because they are like taking a breath :: necessary for now. Not later in a different season of life, but making room in the present. Sacrificing other things. Because my Savior is asking me to respond.

How can I refuse and not accept though the journey is unclear? Actually, who am I to consider turning down the One who shaped and spoke these ideas into my heart?

For you, O Lord, I tentatively move forward.

Monday I have an appointment with an author friend :: in order to gain more knowledge of the process of publishing, to shine light on an uncertain path. Trembling heart and hands as I think of it.

Not the writing, this part I love. Our computer memory has primary space taken for the various thoughts, words compiled through the years. The attempt at publication is daunting, yet His grace abounds. And so I take the next step...then another after that...

It's time to take a leap of faith. Here I go :: and I welcome your prayers :: thank you.

Live the weekend to the fullest. Enjoy.

Taking the Plunge