In a month's time, we'll be putting Sarah on a plane and sending her off to Atlanta, where she will join a team of young adults for a week's training with Adventures In Missions, and then they'll depart for Swaziland for a three week term of ministering to the Swazi children. I'm so amazed that she has a heart for missions and the adventurous spirit needed to step out in faith like this. I know it will be a life-changing experience for her. Probably for us too, even though we're not going with. I'm not sure what you were doing at nineteen, but I certainly wasn't thinking about jumping on a plane, roughing it (seriously roughing it - no electricity or running water!) half way around the world to share the love of Christ. I think it's a miracle that we have young people in this day and age willing to do this, ready to do it, doing it...and I'm really grateful for organizations like Adventures in Missions, who make it their life's calling to enable them to do it.
if you would like to learn more about Sarah's trip, and partner with us in prayer, we'd love to have you on the prayer team. You can leave me a comment if you want to get on board. Here is the link to the team blog that we can follow so we have a better idea of what to pray for. Sarah's info is not up yet, but it will be soon.
Thanks!
http://09sw0529rl1.myadventures.org/
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
The Journey So Far...life as a writer.
A writer quickly learns there are various stages in the journey to publication. Some hold more value than others. All these stages are steps up the ladder to success, depending on how you define success. Here's a brief glance at my journey thus far.
Born - took first breath - began writing. Okay, I skipped a few years there. You get the idea.
I guess I began writing seriously - submitting for publication- when I was in my twenties. What made me think I was worthy of publication? Actually, I think it was because I showed the story I was writing to a couple of friends, and they told me I was good. That was the turning point for me, going from writing stories because I enjoyed it to writing stories because I was good at it.
Maybe some people look at their writing and just know they're good. I'm not one of them. I still struggle with this concept of believing in myself. Some days I believe I can do it, other days I question my sanity.
As the years went by and I kept writing, I knew I couldn't stop. I was having way too much fun. I made a lot of connections online, formed friendships with other writers that I wouldn't trade in for anything. I found critique partners that were invaluable to me. This is a VERY important part of the process. If you don't have fellow writers in your life to support, encourage and teach you, go find some right now!
Even with all the rejections pouring into my mailbox, they told me not to give up, I was almostthere. So what if almostturned into nineteen years, who's counting? Yes, I can actually laugh about that now. It is a long time to hold onto a dream. But I have to tell you, I wouldn't trade a minute of it. New writers are probably shaking their heads and asking why? Why would you put yourself through that for so long? Why not just give up? I've wondered the same. But I think I've finally realized what it is that keeps me going.
This is who I am.
I am a writer. Whether or not I am ever privileged enough to hold a book in my hands with my name on the cover is almost irrelevant. Yes, I am working toward that goal. But if somebody told me it would never happen, that wouldn't stop me from writing.
This is a good place to be.
I hated my twenties. I was insecure and stupid and naive enough to think publication was just around the corner. My thirties were just as bad, except I did a lot of spiritual growing during that time period, took a break from writing for a while and re-assessed my life and the way I lived it.
Now that I'm three years into my forties, I'm excited about this journey. Despite all the frustrations and the ups and downs that are part of the process, I love being a writer. I love the people in my writing community and I love my agent. Believe me, there were many years when I didn't believe I would ever have an agent. But now I do. One who has just spent weeks of her time editing my manuscript to make it better. Now it's up to me to go back in, fix the problems and polish the prose, with the end result being a book that will be in the running for publication. If she didn't believe that were possible, she wouldn't be my agent. That's a huge encouragement to me. Although it's going to mean work, it also means I'm a lot higher up on that ladder than I used to be. And that's exciting. It doesn't really matter that it's taken this long or may take even longer, it's where I'm supposed to be.
All this rambling is really to encourage anyone reading this who is just starting out or ready to give up. Don't lose hope. If you are truly called to be a writer, if you are willing to put time and effort into learning your craft, listening to others and improving your writing with every draft you turn in, you will get there. It may not happen over night. It probably won't happen the way you envision it at all. But I can tell you this, if it's God's will for you, you'll be rewarded either way.
Happy Writing!
Born - took first breath - began writing. Okay, I skipped a few years there. You get the idea.
I guess I began writing seriously - submitting for publication- when I was in my twenties. What made me think I was worthy of publication? Actually, I think it was because I showed the story I was writing to a couple of friends, and they told me I was good. That was the turning point for me, going from writing stories because I enjoyed it to writing stories because I was good at it.
Maybe some people look at their writing and just know they're good. I'm not one of them. I still struggle with this concept of believing in myself. Some days I believe I can do it, other days I question my sanity.
As the years went by and I kept writing, I knew I couldn't stop. I was having way too much fun. I made a lot of connections online, formed friendships with other writers that I wouldn't trade in for anything. I found critique partners that were invaluable to me. This is a VERY important part of the process. If you don't have fellow writers in your life to support, encourage and teach you, go find some right now!
Even with all the rejections pouring into my mailbox, they told me not to give up, I was almostthere. So what if almostturned into nineteen years, who's counting? Yes, I can actually laugh about that now. It is a long time to hold onto a dream. But I have to tell you, I wouldn't trade a minute of it. New writers are probably shaking their heads and asking why? Why would you put yourself through that for so long? Why not just give up? I've wondered the same. But I think I've finally realized what it is that keeps me going.
This is who I am.
I am a writer. Whether or not I am ever privileged enough to hold a book in my hands with my name on the cover is almost irrelevant. Yes, I am working toward that goal. But if somebody told me it would never happen, that wouldn't stop me from writing.
This is a good place to be.
I hated my twenties. I was insecure and stupid and naive enough to think publication was just around the corner. My thirties were just as bad, except I did a lot of spiritual growing during that time period, took a break from writing for a while and re-assessed my life and the way I lived it.
Now that I'm three years into my forties, I'm excited about this journey. Despite all the frustrations and the ups and downs that are part of the process, I love being a writer. I love the people in my writing community and I love my agent. Believe me, there were many years when I didn't believe I would ever have an agent. But now I do. One who has just spent weeks of her time editing my manuscript to make it better. Now it's up to me to go back in, fix the problems and polish the prose, with the end result being a book that will be in the running for publication. If she didn't believe that were possible, she wouldn't be my agent. That's a huge encouragement to me. Although it's going to mean work, it also means I'm a lot higher up on that ladder than I used to be. And that's exciting. It doesn't really matter that it's taken this long or may take even longer, it's where I'm supposed to be.
All this rambling is really to encourage anyone reading this who is just starting out or ready to give up. Don't lose hope. If you are truly called to be a writer, if you are willing to put time and effort into learning your craft, listening to others and improving your writing with every draft you turn in, you will get there. It may not happen over night. It probably won't happen the way you envision it at all. But I can tell you this, if it's God's will for you, you'll be rewarded either way.
Happy Writing!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
The Long Road Home
Sounds like a novel, doesn't it? In fact, I'm sure it probably is one. My life of late reads like a novel, hence the lack of posts. Due to the fact that there are only twenty-four hours in a day and I need to sleep for at least eight of them, I simply cannot be all things to all people. I don't even try. Shocking, I know.
I suppose the good news is there is light at the end of the dark, damp and musty tunnel we've been schlepping through for the better part of two years now. Our house is almost complete.
I say almost wIth a casual flick of my fingers. It's dismissive. Almost means nothing to me anymore.
A lot of things mean nothing to me anymore. But we won't go there.
I am looking forward to moving. I am looking forward to not having to answer a kajillion emails, phone calls and frantic questions that I don't know the answers to. I am looking forward to not getting blamed for things that are not my fault.
I am looking forward to getting my life back.
I wonder if I will know what to do with it when I do.
Ah yes, that thing called writing. That thing I used to do when I had hours to sit in front of a computer and my
brain actually functioned the way it was supposed to.
But don't feel sorry for me. When it's all over, I shall indeed have the house of my dreams. And it shall be spectacular. I know this, and I'm so grateful for the way God has blessed us with the ability to even have a house like this. We can't wait to use it for His glory. Is it wrong to wish the path had not been so difficult?
I don't know. But if I figure it out, I'll be sure to tell you.
And no, I haven't launched my new website yet. It's coming.
Eventually.
So how are you doing?
I suppose the good news is there is light at the end of the dark, damp and musty tunnel we've been schlepping through for the better part of two years now. Our house is almost complete.
I say almost wIth a casual flick of my fingers. It's dismissive. Almost means nothing to me anymore.
A lot of things mean nothing to me anymore. But we won't go there.
I am looking forward to moving. I am looking forward to not having to answer a kajillion emails, phone calls and frantic questions that I don't know the answers to. I am looking forward to not getting blamed for things that are not my fault.
I am looking forward to getting my life back.
I wonder if I will know what to do with it when I do.
Ah yes, that thing called writing. That thing I used to do when I had hours to sit in front of a computer and my
brain actually functioned the way it was supposed to.
But don't feel sorry for me. When it's all over, I shall indeed have the house of my dreams. And it shall be spectacular. I know this, and I'm so grateful for the way God has blessed us with the ability to even have a house like this. We can't wait to use it for His glory. Is it wrong to wish the path had not been so difficult?
I don't know. But if I figure it out, I'll be sure to tell you.
And no, I haven't launched my new website yet. It's coming.
Eventually.
So how are you doing?
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