Amanda Stephan's Blog: God is Good, God is Great, page 54

Quality Characters

Great characters whether they are in books, plays, movies, or on
television have one thing in common... real life qualities that
people can admire. As we work hard to guide our children into becoming thoughtful and useful adults, the books and movies we choose and the characters in those books and movies become especially important. We want them to be entertaining, but we also want them to have qualities we can
relate to, qualities we hope our children will have, and qualities we wish more people around us had.



Take for instance the character Ralph (played by William Katt) in the 80's television series Greatest American Hero.
At first glance Ralph seems a little comical in his long red underwear
and cape, wobbling precariously as he attempts to fly. But upon closer
reflection Ralph has some pretty amazing qualities.



To
begin with, Ralph, who is a teacher by day and hero intermittently
while wearing the red alien suite, truly cares about the students in his
charge. He not only wants them to learn to read and write, he wants
them to learn to respect each other, to dream, and to look to the future. He
also possesses the quality of being able to enjoy the little things in
life like meeting his boyhood hero, The Lone Ranger, or dressing up like a
clown complete with the little red nose. And despite the disruption
both the suite and his partner Maxwell bring to his life, Ralph is
always a loyal friend.





He has a propensity
towards concern and compassion for others and goes out of his way to
encourage his students, fellow teachers, and friends. All of these
qualities...kindness, compassion, concern for others, joy of living,
loyalty, etc... are qualities I hope people see in me. They are also
qualities I would like to instill in my young daughter. I want
her to grow to adulthood able to find the beauty and joy in everyday
life. I want her to strive to make this world a better place simply by
her ability to be kind, patient, loyal and so forth.





Kimmy Curlytail

These are the qualities that I strive to create in my Fern Valley characters. Although my characters are most definitely fictional, I
hope that children will love them and go away wishing to be just like them. I'm
sure they will not say, "Hey I think I will imitate Sammie's work ethic
or Kimmy's kindness." But if  they subconsciously integrate these
qualities into their life, then my characters will have been entertaining and valuable which is the most any author could wish for. What books and characters stand out in your mind as great and worth emulating?



So ends another episode of Kids Korner with me, Children's Author Aileen Stewart. Join me next week for another exciting episode same krazy time, same krazy channel. And feel free to drop by my personal blog Aileen's Thoughts any day of the week for even more on reading, writing, and life in general.Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

Sundays with Kristi: Fruit of the Spirit - Self-Control

“I can’t help it; I just really want/need to…”



Complete that sentence however you like. Many ideas will fit, including: “eat another piece of pie,” “skip my workout,” “spread that juicy gossip,” “tell a little lie,” or even such things as “drink another 12 pack of beer” or “take another hit of drugs.” No matter what we insert into that sentence, that sentence describes a lack of self-control.




Self-control. This is our final facet of the Fruit of the Spirit. We’ve spent the last 10 weeks going over these qualities that should define our life as a follower of Jesus Christ. I hope that you have learned more about each one and have been able to identify some practical ways to incorporate those into your life so that you are displaying more and more of the Fruit of the Spirit each day.

So what’s the difference between patience and self-control? Patience can be a type of self-control, but if you remember from our study of patience, patience is really more about waiting on God’s promises and God’s timing. Self-control is about discipline.





Self-Control = Discipline
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 “Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”





Paul gives many examples and instruction on self-control, though he is by no means the only person in the Bible to display self-control. In the above verses, he likens the Christian walk to a race or other physical competition. This is an example that I can relate to.




Personal Discipline


When I was in High school, I participated in track and field. I would train and practice and prepare for all my events. There was one event in particular that I had a true love/hate relationship with, the 4 x 400 meter relay. I and three other girls would each have to run, one at a time, one lap around the track carrying a baton that we would pass to the next person on our team. I was always the first person to run because I had a quick start but wasn’t the fastest person on the team. I could often get a decent lead in the first half of my lap. Then it was about holding on and pushing through to pass on my baton to the next person on my team.









To me, who didn’t really like running much more than half a lap to begin with, this race was grueling. It was typically the last race run in a track meet, which meant it was often around 9:30 pm before I’d run. Most of the other events I participated in were right at the first of the meet, so then I’d have to wait several hours before I had to run this race. To be perfectly honest, several factors would determine whether I would perform well in this race:



Did I get enough sleep the night before?

Had I eaten well the few days before?

Did I push hard in my practices in the days before?

Did I sit out in the sun, work on my tan, and get dehydrated while waiting for the race?

Did I over-eat while waiting for my race?

Did I get warmed up and stretched out again before the race?

Did I value my team and myself enough to want to run well and win?


Any slip in any of these areas (or several others) and I would not be performing at my peak. Even still, when I reached that half-way mark of my lap, I was tired. I always struggled with running the second half of the race. My teammates and coaches knew this, therefore at every single race I ever remember running, people would be lined along the track, cheering, encouraging, and yelling for me. I couldn’t always tell what they were saying, but I always saw them. They were a constant reminder that I was running for a purpose. They were there in the moment to remind me to push hard all the way to the finish line. They were there to remind me to keep running even when all the muscles in my body were hurting and telling me I should stop, or at the very least slow down. Still, even with all the encouragement and support, ultimately, I was the one that had to decide to keep going. After all, I could have easily said “I can’t help it; I just really need to stop.” Instead, I had to remember that I was running for myself, my relay team members, and my entire track team members. I had to complete my portion of the race well, or the rest of the team wouldn’t be able to even get in the race.





Discipline and self-control in the Christian life is very much the same. We are all part of a team. We have a portion that we are to run. We have to be prepared, focused, and ready. The race will be hard. There will be times when running the Christian life hurts. There will be times when we want to quit, give up, slow down, but that’s why God gives us our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. They are there to encourage, support, and remind us to follow through with what we have said we want as a follower of Christ in the first place: to bring glory to God and obey Him. We, like Paul, are to discipline ourselves so that we can run the race God sets before us with aim and purpose and power. Self-control is the facet of the Fruit of the Spirit that allows us to put the other facets into practice day after day after day after day, even through the most difficult of circumstances.





Father, I am running the race you have set before me. I want to discipline myself so that You are glorified in everything that I do. I want to encourage others who are running along beside me so that together we can all reach the goal and the prize for the high calling of Jesus Christ. Help me see areas of my life where I need to discipline myself and then give me the strength to be obedient to You.




May you live out His Word today!

Kristi Burchfiel

Check out my daily devotions either on my blog or on my Facebook pageLonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

Have You Washed Any Feet Lately?

"Dear Dee Dee" is the featured Saturday column at Sisters in Cahoots! We encourage our readers to write in with their questions. If you have a question you would like answered from God's Word, please email deedeewike@gmail.com or write to:

Dee Dee Wike, 728 Peterson Lake Rd, Collierville, TN 38017-1851.



****************






Have you washed any feet lately?  Now that’s an odd question for someone to ask, isn’t
it?  Actually, I am the one asking the question in this week’s column because I
had the opportunity yesterday to wash someone’s feet, figuratively speaking,
and it wasn’t such a bad experience.  Not
only did I benefit from the satisfaction of having been obedient to the Lord
and of service to my parents-in-law, but I also came up with a handy car cleaning
tip that I thought I’d pass along.



My octogenarian in-laws relocated to our area from across
the state last summer so my husband and I could keep a watchful eye on them and
take care of them as they age.  As you
would expect, there have been some health issues requiring trips to the doctor
and errands requiring the occasional chauffeur (that would be me).  When my father-in-law called late the other
night to ask me if I could be available to drive him home from the dentist
after oral surgery (in case he couldn’t drive himself), I told him that I would
cancel my plans to attend Bible study so I could be available.  The interesting kink in all this was that my
husband also informed me at the last minute that he was leaving town early the
next morning (the day my father-in-law needed me on standby).  With my son driving to school two counties
away in my car and my daughter needing her usual ride to school, transportation
suddenly became an issue.  In order to be
on standby for my father-in-law I would need to borrow my mother-in-law’s car,
just in case I was needed.



With a beautiful morning beckoning me to wash her dirty car,
I decided that I might as well have at it. 
Although the interior wasn’t too messy, the exterior needed a lot of attention
because the car had been parked under trees and had ants crawling in the driver
and passenger front door jams, which were packed full of leaf litter.  With my husband’s shop vac, some Murphy’s oil
soap, and a bucket of water I set to work on her car, washing the body and
cleaning leaves out of places I didn’t even know existed on automobiles!  After about two and a half hours, it looked
so much better, except to the now homeless ants (or what few remained after the
rest were consumed by the shop vac).  Although
I knew my mother-in-law would probably never notice that the car had been
cleaned, I knew that God would notice and suddenly washing her “feet” became an
important mission for me.



In the thirteenth chapter of John, we read the account of
Jesus washing his disciples’ feet.  He
said, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also
should wash one another’s feet.  I have
set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (vs. 14-15). 



“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ
Jesus:  Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself
nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human

likeness.  And being found in appearance
as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a
cross” (Philippians 2:5-8).  If Christ
was willing to do that for us, then the least we can do is wash someone’s feet
every now and then!






Now, for the helpful hint – You know that awful road grime that accumulates
in the wheel covers?  The next time you
clean your car, think of the wheel covers as teeth and the road grime as tartar
then try doing what I did with my mother-in-law’s wheels below.  Wet the wheel covers, then lather them with
your washing solution.  Next, take a
battery-powered toothbrush and go for the grime!  Before long, your wheel covers will be shiny
as new!









Wheel Cover -- Before





Wheel Cover -- After













Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

I Can't Use That Word?

I recently enjoyed reading a compilation of several authors'  top 10 writing tips.  Most either caused a chuckle or a nod of agreement, until I read Jonathan Franzen's #3 tip:



"Never use the word 'then' as a conjunction- we have 'and' for this purpose.  Substituting then is the lazy or tone deaf writer's non-solution to the problem of too many 'ands' on the page."



Yikes.  That one hit a nerve.  I tend to use that word frequently.  Something else to work on.  But that's part of striving to become a better writer, right?  I could sit back on my two published works, fold my hands, and say, "Look what I did." But that is a far cry from authorship.  



If one truly yearns to cultivate her craft, learning...growth... must occur.  That means sometimes more experienced writers step on our toes and make us think.  



By the way, I changed three sentences in this post to refrain from using the word 'then'.  




She can be taught!



If you would like to read the entire post, and perhaps find your own "yikes" tip, click the link:

Www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/feb/20/ten-rules-for-writing-fiction-part-one 



Happy writing,










Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

80+ in a 70!

My hubby and I have issues. I should say my hubby has issues, but to be fair, I’ll include myself. (Even though I really do know these are his issues!)



If I am chatting with my daughter or one of my friends, I can be talking about one thing then jump ship so to speak and they will follow along, not missing a beat.





If I do this with my husband, he is lost. Completely and utterly confused, he looks at me with his nose scrunched and his eyebrows nearly touching heaven. “Huh?”



I try to explain the connection to him and how in my mind it made complete sense to jump from Jeremiah’s school to Jonna’s new boss. I explain each stone that I docked at and how I ended up putting the anchor down at the new boss. I bet, if you are a woman that is, that you know exactly what I am talking about.



Well, the other day the tables turned. We were driving down the road talking about a subject and he made the jump. All the sudden he made a comment that had absolutely nothing to do with our current conversation. I sat still for moment, jumping around from topic to topic until it made sense. I then commented on his remark, knowing exactly what he was talking about.



I looked at him and asked, “Did you see how that was done?”



He started laughing as I explained the process of narrowing down the obvious meaning to a sudden turn in conversation. I am still using that against him. Why? Because I can and it’s fun!





Tonight for instance he came to me asking me a question about facebook advertising. We have been doing some pretty deep digging in marketing, including facebook. I made a comment about banner ads and he says “for what?”



I was rubbing my daughter’s shoulders; I physically turned her and asked her, “Did you hear what he just said?”



We both busted out laughing. I said, “Hun, that wasn’t even a jump, it was on the topic you chose!”



He laughed as well.



If you are married, have you noticed how different you are in some ways; yet in other ways you are the same? How God has put you together so perfectly that your spouse picks up where you leave off? That he can finish your thoughts…or maybe not! LOL



But, our opposites compliment our personalities perfectly. We balance one another, or at least we are supposed to.



Recently we took a 12-hour road trip. When I drive, I tend to speed. I don’t like setting the cruise control because I feel like I am not in control of the car. My husband on the other hand tends to casually cruise down the road, enjoying the scenery and generally taking his time.



On this trip, I would occasionally find myself hitting the 80-mile an hour mark, and then some. I’d quickly ease off the gas and maintain a more reasonable speed for a little while, at least until my foot started getting a bit too heavy!



My shift being over, I turned the controls over to the one who completes me. A half hour later I gasp. “Honey, at this rate we are never going to get there and you are canceling out all the time I saved us by doing 80!”





He was doing 57 in a 70mph zone. I couldn’t believe my eyes. How could he? Did he not know I just risked our grocery money to save us a half hour? At least do the speed limit, please?



I love what God did for me when he gave me my husband. While we may be polar opposites in some things, we are exactly the same in what counts.



We both love the Lord our God with all of our hearts and minds and souls. We love one another and relish the time we get to spend together. We work well together and we rarely fight. We have the same goals and the same beliefs. We know where we are going and we know how to get there.



I am so blessed to call this man my husband.



In honor of our anniversary on Saturday, this post is dedicated to him.





Thanks for growing with me this Wednesday! DarleneLonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

DIY Coffee Pods :)

It's early in the morning and you're making your coffee. Thinking your hand is strategically placed above the filter, you begin pouring the grounds ~ only to find you were about six inches off.



Ah well. Another scoop and we'll be good to go.



After about seven scoops total (you usually only use four when you hit the mark,) you give up and hit the button to start it.



After resetting the clock because you pressed the wrong one. 

...If only my eyes would open...





but your eyes won't open because, well, you're tired. And to give you just a little pep in your step, you need a pick me up.



Sound familiar? Well, if it hasn't happened to you, it's happened plenty of times to me. And remember. It's things like this that make me smile. After I've cleaned up my mess, of course. And it's about eleven in the morning. And I've emptied the whole pot of coffee.



But I found a trick. (Yes, I've heard of those nifty little machines that make one cup of coffee at a time, but for me, frankly, it would be way too expensive. I mean hey. I can down a whole pot by myself. In fact, Sunday, I had to make two just to make it through the day!)




DIY Coffee Pods.




**Note: If this isn't amazing and interesting to you, please stop reading here. I really honestly was proud of myself for doing this. Don't rain on my parade!** ;-)



Okay. I thought it might be easier to tell you what steps to use, and then you can watch the quickie video for reference!



1. Flatten out a regular coffee filter. I actually ironed mine. Yes I have issues, but they were so nice looking while I was working on them. Fold in half. (don't worry. I used nice music for your enjoyment. Nothing horrid here!)

2. I turned up about 1/3 of one of my ends toward the middle because I have a coffee pot that uses the cone-shaped filters. I used what I had on hand, and they worked fine. :)

3. Using regular thread, sew 1/4 seam stopping at middle point of filter.

4. Open slightly, and fill with your desired amount of coffee grounds.

5. Finish sewing seam up. Make sure to tie off your tails, or it may come open. :) (Fancy way of saying, take a few reverse stitches at the end of the filter, then go forward again.)

That's it.



Easy peasy. Now, whoever gets up first won't complain about always having to make the coffee. Grab a pod, drop it in where the filter usually goes, pour in your water, and wham. Done.




*If this has allowed you the ability to press the snooze button one more time... 

I only have one thing to say.

You're welcome :)


















www.BooksByAmanda.com















Lonely Hearts - $1.99 on Smashwords 99¢ on AmazonThe Price of Trust - $2.99 on Smashwords











Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

Life's Little Lessons

The joys of parenthood are many and varied as are the lessons we must teach our children as they grow. One of the lessons I have been working on with my daughter is doing chores cheerfully and without complaint. I haven't quite convinced her yet that helping around the house actually makes our home a better place to live, but I continue explaining  that we are a family and that when each of us helps our life runs more smoothly and everyone is happier.



She often nods her head in understanding, but secretly I think she believes our house runs just fine without her help. Still, I keep at it. I keep up with the gentle reminders about team work, I apply appropriate punishment when she is particularly obstinate, and every now and then I throw in a book with a message.





The nice thing about a book with a message is that she usually doesn't realize there is a lesson aimed at her. Instead, she simply thinks that we are spending quality time reading a great book. However, I know that these lessons delivered in an entertaining fashion will one day hit home. One book in particular that has a great message about team work woven into the story is Henny & Penny by Vivian Higginbotham Nichols. Henny and Penny are two hens that squabble and fight until they realize that working together is more profitable. Together they are
better able to protect their eggs from the dreaded chicken snakes, and
together they manage to hatch nine beautiful chicks. Vivian Higginbotham
Nichols delicately blends rhyme and lessons of caring and sharing in
this clever story that children everywhere are sure to adore.



This book makes such a good point about working together, that I even used it  as a chapel lesson at my daughter's school. All the kids seemed to enjoy the story and then I was able to discuss ways they too could help out at home and work together just like Henny and Penny. What books with life lessons have you and your children enjoyed lately?



So ends another episode of Kids Korner with me, Children's Author Aileen Stewart. Join me next week for another exciting episode same krazy time, same krazy channel. And feel free to drop by my personal blog Aileen's Thoughts any day of the week for even more on reading, writing, and life in general.Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

Sundays with Kristi - Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness

"Oh my goodness, what are you wearing!?!”

I am the mother of a six year old little girl. Those words above have flown out of my mouth several times over the past few years as my daughter has gone through the process of learning how to dress herself. She’s had some interesting combinations over the years.

Today we’re looking at gentleness, the next to last of the facets of the Fruit of the Spirit. Can you believe we've almost reached the end of our journey through the Fruit of the Spirit, stay tuned to see where we're headed next! Also, don’t forget to check out the previous 7 by clicking on the “Sunday” tab above.

I figure right about now you’re scratching your head and wondering what my daughter and her unique fashion stylings have to do with gentleness. Well, check out this great verse from 1 Peter.

1 Peter 3:3-4 “Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.”

What are you wearing…internally?
Now, when it comes to fashion trends in general, I am, according to my friends, fashion-challenged. I have great intentions, but not a lot of great success in putting together winning outfits. Any time I am thinking about getting a new outfit, I have a friend I call to brief me on the latest trends, colors, etc. I have also been known to call her from the store to double check my choices before I make the purchase. Everyone should really thank her; she’s saved me from several potential disasters!!

According to this verse in 1 Peter, it’s possible for us to be fashion-challenged when it comes to what we’re wearing on the inside as well. Are we as conscious about what we’re clothing ourselves with on the inside as we are regarding the outside? Do we seek to be known as “gentle” people? Are we as beautifully clothed on the inside as my daughter is here on the outside?

Bible on Gentleness
Granted, some of you men out there may read this and think, “Yes, but that verse in 1 Peter is talking about women, not us guys.” Well, you’re exactly right. 1 Peter 3 does deal specifically with women. However, if you look back, 1 Peter 2 deals with the men and how they ought to act. Plus, if you think it’s “unmanly” to be gentle, check out these other verses:

Philippians 4:5 – Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near
Proverbs 15:1 – A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger
James 3:13 – Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom
James 3:17 – But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy, and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

So being gentle is basically being wise, understanding, peaceable, reasonable, pure, and like God. It’s interesting to note that “gentle” does not equal “doormat” like some people might think. Instead, “gentle” equals “Christ-like.”

So what are you wearing today? Are you clothed in gentleness and are you displaying that quality to be seen by every person you come in contact with?

No matter what we’re wearing on the outside, what we’re wearing on the inside should make us look so beautiful to God. According to the verses in 1 Peter 3 gentleness is “imperishable.” Therefore, no matter what you’re actually wearing on the outside, gentleness is sure to make a lasting impression!

Father, today, I want to step out in Your latest fashions. I want to be clothed head to toe in gentleness so that my actions and attitudes will be a reflection of You throughout the day.

May you live out His Word today!
Kristi Burchfiel
Check out my daily devotions either on my blog or on my Facebook pageLonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

Allow Yourself to Listen

I recently participated in a book study addressing writing instruction in the classroom.  I had so many "ah-ha" moments it would take the rest of the year to share them.  You might want to read the book for yourself.  It's Of Primary Importance by Anne Marie Corgill.








One of the big ideas I have always believed, but sometimes in the rush of the day have not always put into practice, is to create an environment where students know their thoughts and opinions matter.  Only when students have this environment will they feel safe enough to risk sharing their inner thoughts, their discoveries, their mistakes.  And this environment is of vital importance if students are going to feel free to write.



With that in mind, my class began a study of nonfiction writing.  About a week or so before I planned to start writing this genre with the students, I asked them to read it.  We have a Read to Write rack where I display books on the particular topic we are writing.  It creates a great interest for students and provides an easy place to get support when they begin writing.



So the students had been studying various nonfiction books and writing particular things they noticed that could be true of any nonfiction book.  After a week or so of independent study, I pulled the class together and we began to make a chart of "Things we notice about nonfiction".  We had a great discussion going and were listing away, when one student said, "All nonfiction starts with capital letters and ends with periods."



Now my first thought was a sarcastic, "Well of course it does." But in a rare moment of wisdom, I paused and asked the student to explain why he thought that was important.  As he explained, it became apparent that he was remembering the study we had just finished...poetry.  And of course in that study we discovered traditional punctuation and capitalization rules don't apply.  So his point had complete validity and was an important observation!  But if I had not valued his initial thoughts, and asked him to explain further, as a class we may not have made that connection!



So may I encourage you to seek out your students' thoughts?  Give them time to process and they will amaze you




Happy writing,




Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

Anticipation!

Recently we took a trip. Yep, we got in the car and proceeded to do something we haven't done in a very, very long time. We went on a vacation of sorts.



We would discuss it. We would plan for it. Then we'd dismiss it. We'd hope for it. We'd pray for it. Then we'd realize it's just not doable at this time in our lives.



Our son is nine and, unlike his older sister who made her first trip to Disney at the young age of four, has never been to Disney. Believe me, we have heard about.





For the past four years we have seen tears, anger, angst, dismay, pleading and episodes of guilt ridden accusations of how we must love "her" more than him. The one thing we didn't see much of was patience.



Once again, we prayed and sought the okay from God. We didn't make the decision to go in haste or without careful consideration. We know things in our life have been difficult and money has been tight. On one side of the coin we have a boy who isn't going to be a little boy much longer, a boy we love and cherish. On the flip side, life has been unstable. Do we take the resources and go?



God, what do You suggest? What are Your thoughts?





We head to church, not exactly expecting a message on whether we should or shouldn't go to Disney, but let's just say from the last four weeks of messages that have been tailor made for us, we weren't surprised at the words the minister delivered.



The pastor speaking actually said this, word for word. "You have to celebrate the successes along the way. My wife and I celebrated by going to Disney."



You might say coincidence, but I don't believe in coincidence. The first time we attend this church, and the pastor specifically addresses our exact prayer request? Coincidence? No way. No such thing.



The night before we left, my husband finished writing his book, Tips on Tips - How to Succeed as a Professional Server (yes, I just shamelessly inserted a plug for my hubby's new book!). Now, to celebrate!



Finally, we just did it. We took some money and we headed to Florida. Just getting into the car and driving down the block, we felt lighter, like things were going to be okay. You know what I'm talking about. You're going on vacation and the very minute you leave, you take a huge breath and breathe out every stress and every worry that has been plaguing you.





We were gone five days. One of those days we set aside for Disney. Watching my son, his innocence still intact, with a perpetual grin on his face was almost more than I could bear. The only character he wanted to meet was Mickey. While we stood in line for the greatly anticipated event I snapped a few pictures of him. His anticipation was of Mickey while mine was watching his face. He literally couldn't stop grinning.



He still talks about the greatest day of his life, and how awesome Disney was. I am still talking about how awesome it was to help make my little boy's dreams come true. And I have all this because I have a heavenly Father who loves me even more than I love my little boy. He cares about every aspect of our lives.





As I ponder and pray and seek direction for our next step, He gently brings to mind the peace I felt as our tires began to turn on that Sunday morning. He continually reminds me that He has my back and He is in control. I just need to trust Him and obey. The ride may be long, the air may not work all that well in extreme heat, we may experience pain and tears, but the anticipation of what is to come makes it all worth it.



Thanks for taking the time to grow with me this Wednesday! DarleneLonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com