Lillie Ammann's Blog, page 80
September 7, 2015
International Literacy Day
I don’t remember learning to read and write. I just remember loving to read and write since I was a small child.
Not everyone is as blessed as I am–and as you are. If you are reading this blog post, then you are demonstrating literacy. Imagine not being able to read and write. Not only would you be deprived of the joy we experience as read and write, but your world would be limited. You would have few job choices. You would need help for tasks such as banking, registering to vote–and even voting, evaluating and purchasing insurance, taking medication properly … and countless other things we take for granted. You couldn’t even enjoy my books!
Today, September 8, is International Literacy Day. Take a few minutes to be grateful for your own literacy and to recognize the serious need for literacy around the world.
August 9, 2015
Guide to the Freelancing Galaxy
I enjoyed this Freelancer’s Guide to the Galaxy. It covers a lot of territory and points out some of the banes and blessings of freelancing.
I sold my interior landscaping company in July 1996 and have been freelancing ever since. It took several years to build my business, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
I love working from home and being able to set my own schedule. Clients know not to call me early in the morning–a later start to the day is one of the most important perks of freelancing for me. Other people like to start early and get finished early. The important thing is to actually work during whatever hours you designate for work and to ensure that you are available to clients sometime during their business hours.
And you need a designated workspace, even if you don’t always work there. You should always be able to find your work supplies, files, and information in a standard location.
Prospecting for clients and jobs can be a challenge, but if you do good work, you will start getting referrals. Although clients occasionally find me on the Internet, most of my business comes through other clients or people who are familiar with my work.
I hope you enjoy your freelancing career half as much as I love mine!
August 2, 2015
Nightmares
I’ve been having nightmares from the undercover videos that the Center for Medical Progress took of Planned Parenthood.
One video shows technicians nonchalantly digging through the organs of an aborted baby pointing out the various organs and discussing the monetary value of each. Those images haunt me in my dreams. Precious human life is being “terminated,” a euphemism for murdered, and their body parts sold for profit.
Once human life is devalued to the point that it’s considered acceptable to murder the most vulnerable among us for convenience, then it’s not surprising that human body parts are treated just like car parts. But human organs, no matter the size or age of the human they come from, are not pieces of metal or plastic. They make up individuals created in the image of God.
Thank God for the courage and talent of David Daleiden and other pro-life activists who are working to bring an end of this horror. If I have nightmares from just watching the videos, imagine what they have gone through acting in and producing them.
As William Wilberforce said after reading about the horrors of slavery to the British Parliament, “You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know.”
Americans may choose to look away, but they can never again say they didn’t know. Anyone who continues to support abortion after seeing the recent videos does so with the full knowledge of the brutality and evil of what they condone.
Lord God, forgive us for tolerating forty-two years of legalized murder. Awaken Your people, Lord, to rise up and demand an end to this atrocity. Give us courageous and principled leaders who will change the law. Touch the hearts of the abortionists, others who work in the industry, and those who support choice that ends in death for so many of your precious children. Convict them of their sin and move them to repent. Bring healing to all who have suffered the ravages of abortion and let them feel Your love and forgiveness. Open the eyes and hearts of those who are blind to the horror, and preserve those who put themselves at risk to save the lives of innocent babies. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Other posts about abortion:
Abortion: Legalized Murder
Absolute Truth vs. Personal Opinion
Another Year, Another Million and a Half Dead Babies
The Case Against Abortion
Forty-Two Years of Death
Human Right: Life
The Most Basic Human Right: Life
Murder Has Been Legal for Forty Years
Now Choose Life, So That You and Your Children May Live
Remarkable Testimony from An Abortion Survivor
Roe v Wade: 55 Million Dead Babies Later
Slavery and Abortion: Moral Relatives
A Thirty-Six Year Tragedy
July 23, 2015
SALE: Shop-Worn Print Books
I’ve picked up my books from a store where I had them on consignment. They are generally in good condition but are slightly shop-worn. Some of the edges of the pages are a little discolored or soiled and occasionally a corner is somewhat bent, but, in most cases, the damage is hardly noticeable.
I’m selling the books at significant savings, limited to the few I have on hand. Every book will be personally autographed and inscribed to the name you provide. I will also include a copy of Lillie’s Lovely Little Gardening Book, a small, illustrated interior plant care guide I self-published in 1976. The ebook The Secrets of Fantastic Houseplants is an updated version of this original print booklet.
Romantic mystery
Originally $12.95
Sale $7.77 + $3.00 shipping*
Jack Stories: Favorite Memories of Jack Jordan Ammann Jr.
Anecdotes and stories by and about my late husband
Originally $6.50
Sale $3.00 + $3.00 shipping*
Look Beyond Tomorrow: The Carola Spencer Story
The inspirational true story of an incident of workplace violence in which my friend was severely injured and two of her employees were murdered by the abusive boyfriend of one of the victims, a man who had been fired from the answering service. Although the shooting is described, it is only background to the great faith, hope, love, and courage shown by the surviving victims. The book is out of print, and I have only a few copies left.
Originally $15.00
Sale $5.00 + $3.00 shipping*
*If you order more than one book, the shipping will be $3.00 for the first book and $1.50 each additional books.
To order, fill out the order form and email to me at moc.nnammaeillilnull@eillil. I will verify that the books you request are still available, confirm the total amount due, and give you instructions on making payment through PayPal. You may pay with a credit card through PayPal even if you don’t have a PayPal account.
I have only a few of each book, so if you’d like an autographed print book at a bargain price, contact me soon.
July 20, 2015
EPIC’s eBook and Ariana Competitions Extended
EPIC’s eBook and Ariana Competitions have extended their entry period to July 31, 2015.
The eBook Competition judges the content of ebooks. The Ariana Competitions judges cover art used on ebooks. To learn more, visit the organization’s website: http://www.epicorg.com/.
July 16, 2015
Productivity Tips for Freelance Writers–guest post from Kelly Smith
The single most challenging aspect of any freelance work performed from home is maintaining a high level of productivity. This is something particularly relevant to freelance writing—without anyone checking your work on a regular basis, you might find yourself drifting off, procrastinating, or losing lots of time surfing the web.
Here are five of the best practices for maintaining a high level of productivity and managing the intricacies of working at a home-based office.
Establish a schedule and stick to it.
Nothing will help you to keep up good work more than a daily routine. Organize your schedule according to your preferences—for instance, if you’re a morning person, prioritize your tasks with this principle in mind. Move those involving a higher amount of concentration, like creative writing, to the morning.
If you’re working for several clients, you’ll need to plan your activities to deliver your work on time. Schedule your tasks for specific days and hours by making a daily and weekly plan of all activities. Post your schedule in a visible place to easily check whether you’re on track.
Take regular breaks.
This is something many freelance writers struggle with—especially if they’re running a large project that begs for their undivided attention. Still, breaks are essential for maintaining a high level of productivity. It’s simply in your best interest to take regular breaks. If you forget about them, you’ll end up tired, less creative, and completely lacking in motivation.
Taking breaks doesn’t mean checking social media or playing a game on your computer. It means leaving your workstation altogether—go out for a walk, have a haircut, or eat a healthy snack. One large break during your workday will help you to effectively recharge your batteries and provide tons of inspiration.
Create an inspiring office space.
Your office space should be well-organized and provide a minimum amount of distraction. Make sure that it’s functional—you’ve got all you need for your work and nothing more. By working with unnecessary trinkets and objects around you, you’ll find your tasks becoming harder than they should be. Minimalism should be your guiding principle for office organization and decoration—don’t let your working space overwhelm you.
Have systems for managing repetitive activities.
At some point, you’ll notice that even your creative job requires you to complete some repetitive tasks. One thing you can do about it is to create a process for managing those tasks. Such systems will make your daily work run smoother and help you focus on the things that really matter.
Choose a program to keep track of your ideas and stick to it—Evernote is a good option. Manage your accounting using prepared spreadsheets with all the parameters you set for your work. Create an efficient filing system to easily get hold of key files and documents.
Develop a productivity trigger.
Sometimes your brain is simply not in the right place to get any work done. The single best productivity hack for solving this problem is developing a habit or action that sends a clear signal to your brain that it’s time to work. For some freelancers it’s the act of putting on a pair of noise-canceling headphones; for others it’s turning on a playlist of quiet inspiring music. Develop your own habit and you’ll see how your brain will recognize it as a productivity trigger in no time.
Staying productive and motivated while surrounded with so many distractions is a real challenge. By following a strict schedule, getting up at the same time every day, and developing a range of good habits for better work organization, you’ll significantly improve your chances when facing the big wide world of freelancing.
Kelly Smith is a writer at CourseFinder. She loves a good read and likes to share her opinions and experiences with others in her writing.
Image: © Depositphotos.com/pio3
July 14, 2015
To Every Thing There is a Season
Today is a time to mourn and a time to remember a dear friend, Herb Houston. As the minister stated in the memorial service today, we are mourning today, but Herb is dancing in Heaven.
May Light Perpetual shine upon Herb and may God grant His peace that passes all understanding to Billie, his wife of 72 years, and the entire family.
July 3, 2015
Happy Fourth of July!
The video below tells the story of how “The Star Spangled Banner” came to be, a story of our flag standing on the bodies of patriots who died for her.
ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favour and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honourable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogancy, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ~ 1928 Book of Common Prayer
June 27, 2015
National PTSD Awareness Day
June 27th is designated as National PTSD Awareness Day.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect anyone who experiences trauma: children and women who are abused, individuals who suffer serious accidents or injuries, people who have lived through disasters, veterans and soldiers who have been in combat, and anyone who has experienced trauma. Stress normally follows these kinds of experiences, but in some cases, the individual exhibits PTSD symptoms and may become unable to function normally.
There are many resources online to learn about PTSD, but I know of no better resource on the subject than I Always Sit with My Back to the Wall: Managing Traumatic Stress and Combat PTSD Through The R-E-C-O-V-E-R Approach for Veterans and Families by Dr. Harry Croft and Rev. Dr. Chrys Parker. I worked with the authors on this book for two years and am very proud of the results.
The book is basically a conversation between Dr. Croft (a psychiatrist who has evaluated thousands of veterans with PTSD) and Rev. Parker (a chaplain and trauma therapist). It is conversational and easy to read, but it includes complex information about the symptoms, causes, physiology, and–most importantly–the treatment of PTSD.
Although some of the material is most appropriate for those with combat PTSD, much of the book is useful for individuals who have PTSD from any trauma as well as families and people who have loved ones with PTSD.
The authors use the R-E-C-O-V-E-R approach to treating PTSD. Here is a summary of the approach from the book:
R – Recognizing When PTSD Is in Your Life
E – Educating Yourself about PTSD’s Effects on Your Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors
C – Connecting Your Biology to Your Psychology: Physiological Roots of PTSD
O – Organizing A Care Plan to Manage PTSD
V – Viewing Your Issues in a New Light
E – Empowering Yourself through Useful Systems of Support
R – Redefining The Meaning of Your Life: Seeking Posttraumatic Growth
One of the things I like best about the book is that it is holistic, covering all aspects of PTSD and recovery, including relationships and spirituality.
Stop Soldier Suicide reports that veterans and soldiers commit suicide more than twice as often as civilians, and PTSD is often the cause. If more vets and soldiers get treatment for their PTSD, lives will be saved.
Today is a good day to learn more about PTSD and share it with those who need it.
