Beth K. Vogt's Blog, page 83

When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan: Guest Blog with Writer S. Kim Henson

My novel, Catch a Falling Star, asks the question: Is life about accomplishing plans … or wishes coming true … or something more? 

Today’s post is the second in the “When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan” Wednesday blog series, 11 guest posts by authors and writers, including Deborah Raney, Rachel Hauck, and  Susan May Warren,  who explore the question: What do you do when life doesn’t go according to plan? Today’s post is by my friend, writer S. Kim Henson.

 

Preparing to start undergraduate classes, my husband arrived home after winding down the final week at his full-time job. But his excitement turned to confusion when he walked through our front door.

Instead of celebrating, I sat cross-legged on the couch, a box of tissues on my lap.

“Oh, babe, we talked about this already,” he said. He put his arm around me, trying to ease my fear. “We’ll be fine. Between me finding part-time work and the money you’re making – ”

He didn’t finish for my sobbing.

“I won’t be making any money,” I said. “I lost my job.”

Several weeks earlier, we’d sat for hours in our dining room with pen and paper, planning how we would pay our house and car payments, as well as support our two preschool children while their dad earned an education degree. We didn’t factor in the cross-stitch company I worked for downsizing on the same day he quit his job. (Yes, the same day.) In fact, we had counted on my hours increasing.

“This is so bizarre. God must have a hand in it,” I said, wiping away the last of my tears, at least for that day.

I’m not sure if I was looking to blame God or preparing to ask for his help. However, I do know the occasion happened prior to me trusting that God’s plans always turn out better than ours do. Although I wasn’t completely convinced to trust him, I held tight to what little bit of faith I could muster, mostly because I didn’t know what else to do.

Within days, a friend called me, frantic to find someone to substitute for her in her classroom. She knew I was out of a job and wondered if I would be willing to fill in for two days. Her request jump-started my work as a substitute teacher, which, in turn, helped convince me – even though I said I would never teach – to get my education degree as well.

Teaching afforded us time off with our kids, offered opportunities to work at a local university, and supplemented my husband’s business and my writing career until we got them off the ground … all better plans than any we wrote that evening at our dining room table.

 In Your Words: When was the last time God’s plan landed you in the middle of something you said you would never do? Or in the middle of something you thought was a really bad idea? I would love to hear how his plan turned out better than your plan.

S. Kim Henson lives in sunny Myrtle Beach, S.C. with her husband, John, and the puppy (Hannah Grace of God) they never planned to rescue, but did.  You can connect with her at her website or her blog, where Kim writes honestly about real life.

When Life Doesn’t Go According To Plan Goodie Basket Rafflecopter Giveaway: I’m putting together a collection of goodies — including books by Rachel Hauck, Deb Raney, and Cynthia Ruchti — & the reader-suggested chocolates, a journal, a Starbucks card … and more. Click on the Rafflecopter link to enter. 

And just for fun, I’m hanging out at Kim’s blog today talking about Making a Choice When Plans Change.

When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan: Guest Blog with Write S. Kim Henson

My novel, Catch a Falling Star, asks the question: Is life about accomplishing plans … or wishes coming true … or something more? 

Today’s post is the second in the “When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan” Wednesday blog series, 11 guest posts by authors and writers, including Deborah Raney, Rachel Hauck, and  Susan May Warren,  who explore the question: What do you do when life doesn’t go according to plan? Today’s post is by my friend, writer S. Kim Henson.

 

Preparing to start undergraduate classes, my husband arrived home after winding down the final week at his full-time job. But his excitement turned to confusion when he walked through our front door.

Instead of celebrating, I sat cross-legged on the couch, a box of tissues on my lap.

“Oh, babe, we talked about this already,” he said. He put his arm around me, trying to ease my fear. “We’ll be fine. Between me finding part-time work and the money you’re making – ”

He didn’t finish for my sobbing.

“I won’t be making any money,” I said. “I lost my job.”

Several weeks earlier, we’d sat for hours in our dining room with pen and paper, planning how we would pay our house and car payments, as well as support our two preschool children while their dad earned an education degree. We didn’t factor in the cross-stitch company I worked for downsizing on the same day he quit his job. (Yes, the same day.) In fact, we had counted on my hours increasing.

“This is so bizarre. God must have a hand in it,” I said, wiping away the last of my tears, at least for that day.

I’m not sure if I was looking to blame God or preparing to ask for his help. However, I do know the occasion happened prior to me trusting that God’s plans always turn out better than ours do. Although I wasn’t completely convinced to trust him, I held tight to what little bit of faith I could muster, mostly because I didn’t know what else to do.

Within days, a friend called me, frantic to find someone to substitute for her in her classroom. She knew I was out of a job and wondered if I would be willing to fill in for two days. Her request jump-started my work as a substitute teacher, which, in turn, helped convince me – even though I said I would never teach – to get my education degree as well.

Teaching afforded us time off with our kids, offered opportunities to work at a local university, and supplemented my husband’s business and my writing career until we got them off the ground … all better plans than any we wrote that evening at our dining room table.

 In Your Words: When was the last time God’s plan landed you in the middle of something you said you would never do? Or in the middle of something you thought was a really bad idea? I would love to hear how his plan turned out better than your plan.

S. Kim Henson lives in sunny Myrtle Beach, S.C. with her husband, John, and the puppy (Hannah Grace of God) they never planned to rescue, but did.  You can connect with her at her website or her blog, where Kim writes honestly about real life.

When Life Doesn’t Go According To Plan Goodie Basket Rafflecopter Giveaway: I’m putting together a collection of goodies — including books by Rachel Hauck, Deb Raney, and Cynthia Ruchti — & the reader-suggested chocolates, a journal, a Starbucks card … and more. Click on the Rafflecopter link to enter. 

And just for fun, I’m hanging out at Kim’s blog today talking about Making a Choice When Plans Change.

Behind the Book: Ian Walker of Catch a Falling Star Hijacks My Blog

I’m not sure how I feel about taking over your blog.

Inspiration for Ian Walker of Catch a Falling Star

Really, Ian? I thought you’d have fun with this.

Um, not really. I’d rather take Dr. Kendall’s dog, Sully, for a walk.

You and Sully got along great in Catch a Falling Star.

Sure. What’s not to like about a dog? It’s a pretty uncomplicated relationship, you know?

You like uncomplicated relationships?

I haven’t had too many of those. I got taken away from my first mom because she abandoned me. And then I ended up in foster care before I was adopted by the Walkers—and that wasn’t the easiest adjustment for me.

Why not?

Sully — Dr. Kendall’s goldendoodle

See? This is why I’d rather walk Sully. 

Okay—that’s fair. I guess I make you deal with all that stuff in Catch a Falling Star, don’t I?

You sure do. I’m the . . . what did you call it?

You’re the Inciting Incident.

Yeah. I kinda get things going.

Exactly. So do you want to tell me what you do like?

I like Dr. Kendall – and not just because of Sully. She listens to me, ya’ know? And she didn’t get mad when I—

Sorry, Ian. I have to interrupt you before you give away part of the story.

Oh. Sorry. Well, can I just say she doesn’t get mad easily—with me, at least? Griffin seems to irritate her a lot.

They seem to irritate each other, don’t they?

Yeah—at first.

What else do you like?

The Incline in Manitou Springs, CO

I’m learning to like Colorado. At first I really missed Florida and all my friends—but Colorado is pretty cool. I  want to try hiking the Incline – if Dr. Kendall says it’s okay – and Griffin says we might go to the Great Sand Dunes this summer. Oh – and I like Dr. Kendall’s endless pool.

I was waiting for you to mention that. Is there anything else you want to talk about before we wrap this up?

Yeah – my name. Why’d you choose to name me Ian?

There’s a very special reason for your name – and I’ll share more about that in an upcoming blog post.

Now you’re being secretive.

Not really. I just have a certain way I want to talk about things.

But I thought I was in charge today.

Only to a point, Ian. Only to a point.

 

 

Is there anything you’d like to ask Ian — or me — as we get “behind the book?”  More interviews by imaginary characters & other “Behind the Book” glimpses of Catch a Falling Star to come! 

NEW: FREE DOWNLOAD OF THE FIRST CHAPTER OF  CATCH A FALLING STAR !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Others’ Words: Value — Guest Post by Author Julie Coleman

Julie Coleman and I have been friends, well, it seems like forever. When we met, my husband was in medical school and both Julie and I had young children. Julie’s nonfiction book, Unexpected Love, was released by Thomas Nelson this past February.

 

 

I am no diva.

On a shopping trip in Chicago with my cousins a few years back, we wandered into a chic makeup boutique. Noting the glamorous women browsing the store, right away I knew I didn’t belong there. But as I tried to stay inconspicuous so as not to embarrass my cousins, a makeup artist swept over. It was as if I had a bull’s-eye painted on my forehead. She wanted to give me a makeover. I tried to explain that makeup wasn’t a huge part of my daily routine. A face like mine would be a waste of her time.

She insisted.

I felt sorry for her. She seemed so nice and sincere, so desperate to please. So I put myself into her hands.

The woman worked wonders. My eyes looked brighter and my face younger. I wrote down every product she used to perform her magic. Then I went shopping.

Please note: previously, the most sophisticated cosmetic purchase I ever made was at the drugstore. So I didn’t think to look at prices. How expensive could eye shadow be?

Eventually I found myself in line with my little basket of purchases, again noticing the beautiful, stylish women now in line all around me. Obviously if you cared about your appearance, you bought your makeup in this place. Pretending to be a regular customer, I nonchalantly stepped up to the counter.

The young beauty behind the counter rang up my purchases. “Good news,” she enthused. “You have spent over $150! That entitles you to a special gift!” One hundred fifty dollars?? For blush and powder? I almost passed out. Excruciatingly aware of the Beautiful People surrounding me in line, I gulped and handed over my credit card, trying to look casual, as if this was a routine purchase for a diva like me. My hand was shaking. I thought I might possibly throw up, right there in front of a bunch of super models. How would I explain this to my husband? How good can makeup really be? Was the stuff made of ground up diamonds?

My cousins and I left the store together. I was still shaken. “I j-just spent $150 on eye shadow,” I stammered. “Those people think a lot of their makeup.”

In the real estate market, a home’s value is pretty much determined by what someone is willing to pay for it. Similarly, the boutique’s confidence in their product was demonstrated by the cost they assigned to it. Apparently I validated their assumption, since I willingly paid their price. The signature on my credit card slip indicated this makeup was indeed worth $150. At least to me. Apparently.

We can say the same for our own worth, according to Scripture. Our value has been determined by the price God was willing to pay for us.

“You were redeemed…with precious blood…the blood of Christ” (2 Peter 1:18-19).

 In Your Words: In what ways have you determined your value? 

Author and speaker Julie Coleman dedicates herself to helping others understand and know an unexpected God. Her new book, Unexpected Love: God’s Heart Revealed in Jesus’ Conversations with Women, was recently released by Thomas Nelson Publishers. Julie and her husband live in Annapolis, MD. You can find her blog at unexpectedgod.com.

 

 

In Others’ Words: Space

Romans 5:2 (The Message) is one of my favorite verses. It reminds me that God isn’t a miser when it comes to his grace — that I have spiritual “breathing space.”

In Your Words: What Scripture verse expanded your relationship with God?

When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan: Guest Blog with Author Cynthia Ruchti

My novel, Catch a Falling Star, asks the question: Is life about accomplishing plans … or wishes coming true … or something more? 

 

Today starts the “When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan” Wednesday blog series, 11 guest posts by authors and writers, including Deborah Raney, Rachel Hauck, and  Susan May Warren,  who explore the question: What do you do when life doesn’t go according to plan? Today’s post is by my friend, author Cynthia Ruchti.

 

 

One of the pieces of “sage” wisdom—which is different from hunter green or celadon, as we all know, and not even close to kiwi—that I give young moms is “Write your schedule on your calendar in pencil. That way it won’t be so annoying when you have to erase it because of the kids’ flu/ear infection/pink eye/head lice/field trip/allergy appointment/soccer tournament/snow day.”

I usually say it in fewer words, but the point is that I got in the habit early: Consider everything written in pencil, because it rarely stays the way you thought it would.

We planned for our first much-needed week-long vacation with our one-year-old daughter at a family-friendly but rustic resort on a northwoods lake that had enough beach for me and enough fish for my husband. The darling one-year-old developed a fever so high that we spent the first night of the vacation in the northwoods emergency room, packed up the cabin the second day, drove home sponging the still-fevered child, visited our hometown emergency room, and gave up anything that looked remotely like rest or sleep until her dangerously high fever finally broke and the virus wandered off.

As any work-at-home mom will tell you, when a husband leaves for work asking, “What do you plan to do today, honey?” the woman is tempted to answer, “What does it matter? Something will come up to change those plans. I can tell you what I hope to get done today. Check in later to see how that went.”

After a way too long battle with Lyme disease and a ten-day hospitalization for high-powered antibiotics every four hours around the clock, I came home prepared to restart my life. Lyme disease had stolen so much of it for the previous three years. At my post-hospitalization check-up, the doctor asked how I was feeling. “Strange,” I said, swallowing hard. “I think I’m pregnant.” Many of the Lyme disease symptoms remained and were now joined by tell-tale morning sickness.

Eight and a half months later, our third child was born…nine years after our second child. At one point we had two teens and a toddler in the same house. Pencil. Write everything in pencil.

I’m logging my schedule in my smartphone these days. For some reason, hitting delete isn’t as painful as wearing out an eraser. But over time I came to see that the unplanned can be as huggable as a newborn with my artistic side and my husband’s dreamy eyes.

There’s almost always something to embrace in the unplanned. A new adventure. A soul-challenge that turns out to be soul-strengthening. A story to tell. A reason to cling all the harder to the God who is never surprised.

 What have you found to embrace in the unplanned? 

Cynthia Ruchti’s newest release, When the Morning Glory Blooms, is a novel of three eras of stories born from the unplanned, and embraceable grace found in the tangles. You can connect with her and learn about her other books and upcoming projects at www.cynthiaruchti.com or www.facebook.com/cynthiaruchtireaderpage .

 

When Life Doesn’t Go According To Plan Goodie Basket Rafflecopter Giveaway: I’m putting together a collection of goodies — including books by Rachel Hauck, Deb Raney, and Cynthia Ruchti — & the reader-suggested chocolates, a journal, a Starbucks card … and more. Click on the Rafflecopter link to enter. 

 

Behind the Book: Griffin Walker of Catch a Falling Star hijacks my blog

If Kendall can interview you, then I figure I can interview you too.

Has anyone ever told you that you’re bossy, Griffin?

Mark Harmon — the inspiration for Lt. Col. Griffin Walker of Catch a Falling Star

Besides Kendall?

Yes.

My younger brother, Ian, probably thinks I’m bossy — he’s just smart enough not to tell me to my face.

Then I’m not going to say anything.

Smart author. By the way, thanks for making me an air force pilot in Catch a Falling Star.  

You’re welcome. Originally, you were going to fly helicopters, but then I switched you to A-10s.

Why the change?

 

U.S. Air Force A-10 Photo by Master Sgt. Mark Bucher

The former air force helicopter pilot I was talking with had a lot of travel and I was up against a deadline, which made it difficult to connect. So, I mixed things up a bit. You do still have his last name, though.

Do you do that a lot: name characters after your friends?

Yep. One of the fun things about being a novelist.

So why’d you give me a brother who is so much younger than me? That really complicated my life.

I’m supposed to complicate your life, Griffin. Creates tension. And my three older children have a much-younger sister, so it’s a bit of real life experience tossed into fiction.

That’s not the only real life experience you tossed at me—but I’m not thanking you for medical problem you wrote into my storyline.

As a writer, I don’t believe in wasting anything. The hero in my first novel, Wish You Were Here, broke his knee — just like my husband did.

You do realize you messed with my plans. 

One of the scenes in Catch a Falling Star happens here, at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Griffin’s alma mater.

If you read the back cover copy of the book, Griffin, you’ll realize that’s the main question of Catch a Falling Star: Is life about making plans … or wishing on stars … or is it about something more? 

And the answer is—

You don’t have an answer?

 

I’m not much of a “wishing on stars” kind of guy. And like I said, you wrecked my plans.

So you’re going with “something more”?

Why don’t we let the readers find out?

Works for me.

Is there some reason why Kendall got the Jeep that worked and I kept ending up on the side of the road?

Didn’t like that much? It’s a Jeep thing, Griffin, you know that. And besides, sometimes it’s fun when the gal rescues the guy.

 

  Is there anything you’d like to ask Griffin — or me — as we get “behind the book?”  More interviews by imaginary characters & other “Behind the Book” glimpses of Catch a Falling Star to come! 

NEW: FREE DOWNLOAD OF THE FIRST CHAPTER OF CATCH A FALLING STAR !

In Others’ Words: Stronger

There’s a certain music to today’s quote . . . a melody of freedom mixed with a harmony of surprise.

It’s that word “Perhaps.”

Remove that two-syllable word from the quote, and you change it–drastically.

“I am stronger than I think I am.”

There’s a whole other rhythm — a bit of pounding bass drum and blaring horns — when you omit the “Perhaps.”

“Perhaps I am stronger than I think I am” hints at surprising yourself with something you did or something you said.

Look at you.

You’re strong.

Brave.

More than you thought you were.

And perhaps . . . perhaps . . . there are even more surprises inside of you waiting to appear.

In Your Words: When was the last time you were surprised by your strength — or some other unexpected character quality?

NEW: FREE DOWNLOAD OF THE FIRST CHAPTER OF   CATCH A FALLING STAR !

Ever wonder how writers are like astronauts? I’m over at the ACFW blog today talking about “Going Dark.” I hope you’ll drop by!

In Others’ Words: Remembered

I read today’s quote to my husband and asked, “What kind of image do you see with this quote?

His immediate response: “The Iwo Jima Memorial.”

Huh.

Not what I was originally thinking of . . . but then it made sense.

The Battle of Iwo Jima took place during World War II from the middle of February until almost the end of March. One of the first objectives was to capture Mt. Suribachi. On February 23, when the mountain was almost secured, a small American flag was erected on top of the mountain. Later that day, a much larger American flag was raised by five Marines and a Navy corpsman. This event was witnessed by a news photographer — and his picture became a Pulitzer Prize winner.

Of the six soldiers captured in the photograph — and later memorialized in the sculpture — only three survived the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Reading that quote and seeing that image does give me pause . . .

How am I going to live my life today — if all I did today and said today is what I would be remembered for? Not all significant actions are immortalized in bronze, but that doesn’t make them any less valuable.

In Your Words: When you read the quote “Today I shall behave, as if this is the day I shall be remembered” — how does your outlook change? How does your behavior change? Or does it?

Don’t forget: You can read a free download of Chapter 1 of Wish You Were Here — and it’s available for $1.99 as a Kindle Deal! 

In Others’ Words: Plans — a Fun Announcement & a Giveaway

Have you ever made plans … only to watch them unravel?

I’m not talking what-are-we-having-for-dinner kinds of plans. I’m talking about what-am-I-going-to-do-with-my-life kind of plans.

I’ve had life plans unravel. Evaporate. Combust.

Let’s see . . . there was my original life plan to be a single working gal — a reporter for the Washington Post newspaper, living in Washington, D.C.

Oh, yeah.

That didn’t happen.

Then there was the whole relationship fiasco. (Okay, there was more than one. But I’m thinking of the one that involved an engagement ring.)

My upcoming release, Catch a Falling Star, asks the question: Is life about making plans . . . or wishing upon stars . . . or is it about something more? 

Which leads to my fun announcement:

I believe everyone wrestles with the question What do you do when life doesn’t go according to plan? 

And eleven of my writing friends are going to guest-post about the topic of life and plans on upcoming Wednesdays starting April 10 through June 19.

Here are the list of  guest bloggers:

April 10 Cynthia Ruchti, whose book When the Morning Glory Blooms released this week
April 17 Kim Henson, a writer and blogger who has often encouraged me with her posts
April 24 JoAnn Durgin, an inspirational contemporary romance writer
May 1 Melissa Tagg, whose novel, Made to Last , debuts this September
May 8 Deb Raney,  whose newest book, The Face the Earth , releases this May
May 15 Lisa Jordan, a Carol Award winning author for Love Inspired
May 22  Rachel Hauck, a 2013 RITA Award finalist (and my mentor!)
May 29 Dave Hamlin, an up-and-coming blogger and artist
June 5 Carla Laureano, whose novel, Five Days in Skye , debuts this June
June 12 Pat Trainum, whose novel, Shadows of the Past , debuts February 2014 (part of a 3-book deal with Revell)
June 19 Susan May Warren, best-selling author and founder of My Book Therapy, a Craft and Coaching Community for writers

And yes, you’ll learn more about them when they post — because I could rave about each one of these talented people!

One more thing: Because I love celebrating, I’ve decided to put together a “When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan” basket of goodies … a giveaway in honor of this blog series. What’s in the basket? Not sure yet … although I know I’ll toss in a couple of books! Probably a Starbucks card …  

In Your Words: Do you have a favorite quote about plans and/or life? I’d love to hear it. And what would you put into a “When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan” goodie basket? I may use some of your suggestions!