A day with the kids!

Sometimes I just feel like sharing how much the Lord has blessed me. Right now I should be laying out clothes for tomorrow but I am listening to children who are giddy about the approaching holiday and running around the house. Even the one year old knows that something big is approaching. She keeps pushing the button on the stocking that plays Jingle Bells and rocks side to side.

Not much to say tonight except Thank you Lord...

Proof

This morning I woke up, said a prayer on the way to the shower and then bumbled around in the bathroom for another 10 minutes. I helped the 6 year old get dressed and left her in the loving care of her father as I dashed out the door to an appointment.

Then, the party got started. I turned up the volume on my praise and worship CD that I made, yes I burned it on my laptop(WRONG!!!), forgive me. But the point is, after my appointment was done, I went to the post office to mail THE FINAL PROOF OF THE MANUSCRIPT. I AM GOING TO PRINT!!!! I sang, I praised, (carefully) lifting my hands while I was driving, I was in the zone.

Whenever I speak of singing and praising, my sister-in-law, who shall remain nameless, finds this a little humorous, because I don't sing well and tend to be a little reserved with my public praise. She has a way of asking, "Were you praising, Urs?" It's actually her way of teasing because she has witnessed my transformation. I usually sing in the car, in the shower, to the 19 month old, etc. However, lately I haven't cared who hears me, because when you reach a certain point and the blessings start to flow, it doesn't matter who is listening or how it sounds. It's genuine.

Yes I know that trials may still arise, but it is how you deal with them that counts. And just like the song says "an incredible God deserves incredible praise.

Phillipians 4:12 (amplified bible)
12I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want.
13I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who [g]infuses inner strength into me; I am [h]self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].

I like your smile...

Okay! Every since I have been a little girl, I recall my Dad making jokes about how I love to be in front of a camera. Perhaps there may be some truth to this, but it is not due to vanity or anything, I just believe it's one way to leave your mark on the world. With all of this being said, let me move on to my point.

If my dad is right, then I should never have any problems getting my picture taken. Right? Wrong! I went to a wonderful studio, Bella Amadis, to get some head shots taken for my book. The photographer was awesome, very patient, very personable, I could go on all day. Well she asked me for one thing that I could not deliver... a serious smile.

I could smirk, I could giggle, I could beam brightly, but I just could not simply smile. I am so Godly proud of this accomplishment that I am ready to shout it from the roof tops. The first few months of this process were extremely slow, but everything is on the move now. Thank you, Lord.

So the photographer, just continued to work with me. She was kind and made what had the potential to turn into a very tense and uncomfortable situation, turn out to be a nice photo shoot. Ultimately we both agreed that the good ole "say cheese" is one of my best assets.

So next time in doubt, just S M I L E!

(Thank you for such a fun day, B.F.M.)

Picture This

I received a copy of the first image for the book today. I was so excited, this journey is truly taking shape. I was pleasantly surprised to see the attention given to suggestions that I made. I pray that each image is carefully designed, that when all is said and done, all glory will go to God. I pray that each hand who holds it and every eye that reads it, will take a positive message from the story and perhaps have their faith renewed. (Amen)

I Survived the Red Pen

Yippee!!! I received the first round of edits from The Publisher and I survived the red pen. I have to admit, I was a little nervous because it has been a while since I have had someone critique my work. However, it was not bad at all.

Remember your first college paper, where it seems like it would have been easier if your professor would have written it herself. I promise, mine had so many red marks on it, that I couldn't see my words any more.

Moving forward, I can proudly say that I have improved . With each new phase, I still marvel at the fact that my dream is coming to pass. I know I have said this in the past, but thank you to everyone who continues to follow this process, and for those who continually send their blessings and well wishes.

Your Latter Will Be Greater...

Isn't it frustrating when you are so excited for the next phase of anything to begin, but it seems like the reply on every hand is "wait!" I received an email about a week ago from The Publisher saying that the book business isn't known for its quickness, so be prepared.

While I knew that the book wouldn't be published overnight, I was hoping the process would happen rather swiftly. However, I am glad I received the heads up, because I know I probably would start to get antsy during this lag time.

One of my favorite songs by Martha Munizzi is Your Latter Will Be Greater(than your past) based on a scripture in Job 8:7 (7And though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would greatly increase). No matter what you have been through or no matter what you are going to go through, it's all okay because "the best is yet to come."

So even though part of me wants to be anxious, I am able to control my thoughts and enjoy this exciting time, because that is truly what it is. So my goal for the next few weeks leading up to the start of production is to make sure I enjoy the process leading up to the blessing, and don't get so caught up with what the end result is going to be. I already know my latter will be greater than the rest.

Take Courage!

He has no fear! How many times have we heard people refer to a child that way? For many of us courage and boldness comes naturally. For some of us, it takes a little bit more effort to muster it up. With age, shouldn't it become easier to be brave? It depends who you are.

This weekend I had to approach to people that I admire greatly to inform them that I would like to acknowledge them in my book. One of which is a Bishop and the other is a Pastor. Even though that doesn't seem like it's that hard, I was almost about to change my mind.

2 Timothy 1:7 states, For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. This is the scripture I like to quote and confess when I am fearful. In all situations take courage. The worst any one can ever say to you is NO and that doesn't kill you, it only makes you stronger.

So back to my original question, shouldn't it be easier to be brave when we are older? Yes, because with age comes wisdom. Remember this, it doesn't matter who you are if you know "whose" you are; a child of God. He has given us power and instructions (the bible) on how to use it.

So take courage and be brave.

Dedication

The "Publisher" informed me that I need to work on my dedication and acknowledgement sections for the book. As I imagined standing before a crowd giving the "Miss America" wave followed by a long speech, I was quickly brought back to reality, when I thought about how long the list of thank you(s) could actually be.

What about all the Sunday school teachers who taught me lessons of faith? What about the high school English teacher that made writing so fun? What about all the children at the daycare who yelled, "Again! Again!" after I read the dramatic version of the storybooks they loved so.

As we go through life, so many people touch our hearts, without ever knowing the impact they leave on us. Of course, the obvious thanks goes to my family, whom I am eternally grateful for and often let them know it. Then there are close friends that I will send email or cards too. But what about the people who greet us with a kind word when we are having a bad day? What about the people who helped us go that extra mile, when it was just to hard to make it on our own?

I thank you one and all, no matter what part you have played in my life. I wish I could include everyone of you name by name in this book, but I can't. If you were the kid who shared your snack in elementary school, the bully in junior high, or best buddy in high school this book is for you. If you are to pastor who brings me the word of God each week, or the friend who knows all of my secrets(which you should keep), then this book is also for you.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

This is my 5 year old. I wouldn't say she is adventurous, but she loves an adventure. That is, of course, if it is carefully guided by her father and I or some other trusted adult like her kindergarten teacher.

Well even though she has heard my story, she keeps coming up to me with other books showing me the pictures and illustrations, giving me an indication of what my book should look like. At first, I was thinking okay you're putting way too much into this.

But then I realized, she is the target audience. All she knows is that she likes what she likes and that's all that matters. And I know she loves to read anything, books, signs, billboards. So this process is another opportunity to present her with yet another adventure.

Out of the mouths of babes: one of the worlds oldest sayings that still packs a powerful punch.

I Gave Praise...

My neighbor called me today, which I immediately found odd, because we usually just have casual conversation. This time was different, because little did I know, a new journey was about to start for me. The UPS driver delivered my package to her house, so as we stood at my front door exchanging niceties, I began to wonder what did I order.

Still hungry for Smokey Mo's barbecue, that I had just put on my plate, I bid her adieu and looked at the envelope. Could it be that only after 3 weeks, the Christian publisher I was interested in was also interested in me? Ripping the envelope open yielded the words I longed to see, "We are so thrilled to have the opportunity to issue you a formal offer for your children's book." I yelled, I screamed, I ran up the stairs to find Trent, my husband.

Slightly uneasy and prepared to run down stairs to find the source of the primal scream he looked at me as if to say what. As he read over the cover letter for the contract for what seemed like hours, I paced, and cried, and I gave praise to God. He does give us the desires of our hearts.

I ask that you follow me on this journey, through the process of publication for my first faith based children's book, "Micah's Baby Brother."