Lydia Howe's Blog, page 44

When Life Hands You Lymes #64

Guess what today is? Friday! That means it's time for another segment (the 64th!) of my fictional story, When Life Hands You Lymes. I've actually reached a point on the story where I've switched things up, so next week isn't going to continue on at the same place where this post leaves all. That means y'all are going to need to hold on tight and get ready for some change. Good change, of course. 
Just two quick announcements before we get to the story:1. The winner of this giveaway is CT! Congratulations! I've emailed you. 2. I would be delighted if y'all would take about a minute of your time and vote here  if you haven't already. 
And now for the story. As always, comments are eagerly welcomed!


“I’m so glad we can have this time to hang out together, just the two of us.” Jason waited for me to sit down before joining me at the table.  “Thank you for bringing me here.” I had been ecstatic when Jason asked me if I wanted to go out to eat with just him at one of his favorite restaurants. I knew he’d probably find time to take the rest of the family out one-by-one, but the fact that he asked me first made me feel all special inside.  “My pleasure.” Jason opened the menu and handed it to me. “Their chicken is the best in the city.” He pointed at the section and then shrugged, “But really, it doesn’t matter what you, get just order whatever you’re hungry for.”  “Oh, that does look good.” After debating for a few moments I ordered pasta with white sauce, a grilled chicken breast, a side of broccoli and a coke.  After a few minutes of chit-chat and munching on the delicious French bread, the conversation migrated to a more serious topic.  “I hear you’re still not feeling well.” Jason’s dark eyes had been showing his concern since we arrived the day before and I had sensed him watching me several times. “Now that you’re here, I can see it for myself. You’ve changed.”  I toyed with the last bite of my bread and nodded.  “What do you have to say about all this?”  “I’m confused.” I stop and wait while the waiter comes over and refills our drinks. “I’ve been sick for well over a year now and we can’t find out why,” I continue once the waiter has move on. The calming ambience of the room and Jason’s intense concentration on me is making it easy to talk in a dignified manner. No outbursts of emotions will leak out of me in a public place. “It’s real discouraging, you know?”  Jason nods.  “And then the other day I was reading in my Bible and it says that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Well, I love God so, does this mean that this stupid sickness is part of His plan for my life?” I pick the straw wrapper off of the white tablecloth and crumple it.  “Cause that really doesn’t seem fair.”  Jason starts to say something, but I stop him.  “Yeah, I know. Life isn’t fair. I get that.”  “Believe it or not that’s not what I was going to say.” Jason shakes his head with a smile, “I could be such a know-it-all older brother.”  Life Isn’t Fair used to be one of Jason’s favorite quotes when I complained about anything as a little girl. He was such an annoying person back then. Thankfully our relationship has matured and grown a tremendous amount since those early years. I wait for Jason to continue. He can’t be rushed and that’s one thing I appreciate about him. I hate it when everyone is constantly in a hurry. “Have you ever thought about why there is sickness and pain in the world?”  “Thought about it? Yes. Come up with a satisfactory answer? No.” I’d actually spent many hours pondering the subject but the few books I’d ventured to read on the subject had been full of wishy-washy weird stuff that left me feeling a tad creeped out.  “In Genesis we read about how God created a perfect world and then when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate from the tree God had told them not to, sin entered the word. That’s where the origin of every single problem we face in the world came from.”  Light bulb moment. I’ve read Genesis several times yet somehow I failed to connect the account I read with the real world I was experiencing. “Go on,” I say after Jason remains quiet for a minute.  “A lot of people wonder how a loving God could allow all the sin and suffering in the world that we see today. What they don’t realize is that God created a perfect world for us to live in and mankind is the one who destroyed it.”  “That makes a lot of sense.” Studying my Bible more was going at the top of my priorities list. “So, it’s not that God actually wants me to be sick? But isn’t He powerful enough to heal me?”  “Of course He is,” Jason nods. “And throughout history and even in modern times He has supernaturally healed people, but He doesn’t always.” “Why not?”  Jason tilted his head to the side and looked off in the distance for a moment before answering, “I’m really not sure. I think God uses the trials we go through to help us to learn and grow and depend on Him more. It’s a refining process that helps make us into the people who He created us to be.”  “And that’s where the verse comes in All things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose?”  “Right.”  “So does that mean that I’m sick because I have an extra amount of stuff to learn and God doesn’t think I can learn it while I’m healthy?” Ugg, this was getting confusing.  “I don’t think that’s the way it works.” Jason shook his head. “You know what, I really don’t know the Bible like I should and I’m not as good at explaining what I do know as I’d like to be. I do think that God has an amazing plan for your life though and I know you’re smart enough to research this and try and find some answers.”  His faith in me made me smile. “Thanks, bro.” I flicked the straw wrapper back onto the table and that’s when I realized our food had arrived. My face must have registered surprise, because Jason broke into a grin,  “I didn’t notice them bring it either. We must have been totally focused on our conversation.” 

A to Z Challenge Ideas: YOU Pick!

(Attention: Today is the last day to enter this giveaway!) 
I first heard about the A to Z Challenge three years ago soon after I started blogging. I thought it was a fantastic idea and eagerly awaited the next April so I could join in with the challenge. Two years ago I dove in head first and came up gasping with delight. That A to Z Challenge was the first time I ever wrote about Lyme disease on my blog and it was so freeing and hard and a time full of growing for me. Plus, it helped me keep up with Noveltea even though I was off exploring Hawaii.

Last year I was looking forward to joining the challenge again (my theme was mindset), but I ended up having such a crazy month (which I split up between Asia, North America and Europe) that even though I posted for each day of the challenge, I wasn't able to put as much time and effort into it as I wish I could have. (Bummer!)

This year I've been brainstorming on and off for several months about what my theme could be for the Challenge and it hit me yesterday that I could let y'all help me decide! Before we go on though, let me explain to you what the A to Z Challenge is.

Each year thousands of bloggers join together and each blogger picks a theme, then for every day in April (other than Sundays) they blog about their subject, starting out with a word that begins with the letter A and continuing on until they reach Z. (For example for B the first year I picked Battle and for B the second year I picked Believe.)

Most of the time my A to Z Challenge posts will be pretty short (I'll aim for 200-400 words), and I'll probably post my regular type posts a couple times a week in addition to the Challenge posts. (Lord willing I'll be in Aruba for half of the month! I'm so looking forward to getting to share beautiful pictures with you.) That means if you don't want to read the A to Z Challenge posts, you'll still be able to keep up with my blog and just ignore those posts. (Really though, the Challenge is SO MUCH FUN!)


So, here are the ideas I've thought up:

1. Random story ideas
Y'all, I get more story ideas than I'll ever be able to use. I thought it would be fun to share some of these crazy and random balloons with you just for the fun of it.

2. Places I want to vist
TRAVELING! If you haven't noticed, I like to travel. Furthermore, I've been blessed to travel a lot. I hope this doesn't stop any time soon. Therefore I thought it would be pretty interesting to pick 26 different places I'd be delighted to visit and share some of them with you. That way, even if none of us ever make it to those locations, we've still had a virtual visit.

3. My dream list 
Ahem. I like lists. I like dreaming. I like imagining what I might be able to do. This month I could add 26 more things to my other dream list and together we could inspire each other do to more amazing, life-changing, fun and adventuresome things.

4. Writing tips
I'm a writer. I've been working on the craft for almost half my life now. Of course I don't know a ton, but every little bit helps, right?

5. Books I enjoy
And of course I'm a reader. This would be like mini reviews/gushing over books I like.

6. If I could spend the day with such-and-such a character
What reader doesn't dream of meeting some of the characters they've gotten to know through a book? If we chose this challenge I'd get to "spend a day" with my choice of character and I'd let you listen in on one of our conversations. That pretty much means you'd have permission to eavesdrop.

7. Other 
Hey! Y'all have great imaginations (right?)! So, why don't you give me a suggestion?

Now it's YOUR turn! Please, let me know what your thoughts are!

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Words

Words. Each little one is a treasure I get to dig out of a memory, an idea, a distant imagination. It's like panning for gold in a cold and beautiful Californian stream. Sifting through the silt, pebbles and decaying vegetation to find just the right glimmering and sparkling word that will suit my purpose perfectly.

Sometimes my words come slowly, piece by piece and I'm never sure what I'll find next. Like dew drops that have mostly vanished away in the warm sunshine, yet a few still remain. These sentences take a painfully long time to form, yet in the end I know they'll be breathtaking.
Sometimes my words come in a steady, refreshing stream like the cooling mist from a waterfall and I'm continually picking away at the keyboard, keeping my fingers in tune with the light but constant flow of words. These sentences are refreshing, keeping me busy but not swamping me.

Sometimes my words come in a deluge, like a raging storm, plinking down on me and forcing my fingers to fly faster as they try to grab ahold of the words and capture them before they fall through my grasp and are lost forever. These sentences fly onto the page with such rapidness that when I'm done with a writing session I feel accomplished, but oh so tired.
Sometimes my words are like an ocean, surrounding me, overwhelming me, beating against me. I'm left gasping for air as I try to make sense of the millions of words that stretch as far as the eye can see and I have to fight against the current and make it back to the shore. Once at the shore the words will be able to rush toward me with the tide, but not overcome me.

Words. They are a gift. They are important. They are a huge part my world. They swirl around me constantly, begging to be captured. To be used. To bring life. I am a word-crafter, and you can be one, too.


Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.(Proverbs 18:21)

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Books From My Childhood I would Love to Revisit

Today the prompt from The Broke and the Bookish's Top Ten Tuesday is: Ten Books from my childhood I would love to revisit. This one is going to be incredibly fun to share with you because not only did I begin devouring books at a young age, I had books read to me at an even younger age. Since I did a picture book TTT a few weeks ago, I'm doing chapter books this week. 

I'm pretty sure I had read or had all of these books read to me by the time I was eleven.
1. Scout by Julie NyeBest dog book ever. I named my first dog Scout approximately eight years before she was even born. 2. In My Uncle's House by Julie NyeThis is one of the first books that ever made me cry.3.  The Stolen Years by Gloria ReppThe sibling-love, miscommunications, overcoming fears and mystery combine to make this book a winner.  4. The Bridge , Crown and the Jewel, and Two Collars by Jeri Massi This series is the best. My oldest sister read us the first book when I was four and I've devoured all three of them over and over since then.5. Deerwood Inc. , and  Llama's on the Loose by Jeri Massi  I don't think any other series has ever made me laugh so hard. For years when I wanted to laugh I would curl up with Deerwood Inc. and laugh out loud for hours. 6. The Runaway Princess by Millie HowardThis is another one of those books my sister read out loud to me when I was just a little itty-bitty thing. It's full of adventure, princesses, and the sweetest rescuer ever. 7. Brave the Wild Trail by Millie HowardThis is one of those books that spurred my love of camping and made me wish I could live outside all the time. I just feel like hugging all these books right now.8. Star of Light by Patrica St. John
This is another one of those books that was read to me when I was a little mite. My mom was the one who read this book to us and she read it when I was four and she was expecting my little sister. There was a crazy feeling about a decade later when I read the book for myself and suddenly realized Wait a second! This is the book Mom read to us...
9. Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder These were some of the first 'big' books I ever read by myself. I devoured book after book and then started the process all over again. We'll not take the time to talk about how badly I wanted to live out west in a soddy or claim shack... 10.  Captive Treasure  by Millie Howard
When my sister (the one who read to us so much) went to college she recorded herself reading this book out loud for my sister and me and gave it to us for Christmas. I'm pretty sure we listened to it each night until the tape wore out. 
This, my friends, is a list of some of the books that inspired me the most to become a writer. They are all fantastically amazing. I'm guessing I've read all of these books at least twice and most of them closer to five to eight times. I'll probably pick most of them up within a couple of years and read them again, because really, where's a better place for a writer to get inspiration? 
* * *What about you? What are some of your favorite childhood books? Do you think you'll re-read any of them? Have you read any of the books on my list? 

Word Crafting: A Job or a Hobby?

After a busy weekend I was tired this morning as I yawned, stretched and began my day. Normally I have my devotions in bed cuddled up under my blankets, but today I was so sleepy that I got up and had my devotions in my chair to ensure I would stay awake.
Underneath all my tiredness though, I have an underlying excitement because after three days of minimal writing work (I was busy with my other job and family events) I get to dive back into the writing groove. There's nothing like being able to sit at my computer for hours at a time and immerse myself in words.


Word-crafting is a gift. A joy. My job. Sitting down day after day to form words into cohesive and suitable sentences isn't always easy. It isn't always fun. But it's worth it. It's what I do. And I love that God has given me the opportunity to touch people's lives through writing. 
Recently someone alluded to writing for me, and others, as just being a hobby, as opposed to writing being an actual job. That thought-process escapes me. Writing is enjoyable, yes. Writing is a craft, yes. Writing is a hobby to a lot of people, yes. But writing can also be a job. Just like fixing cars can be a hobby or a job. Just like baking can be a hobby or a job. Just like raising horses can be a hobby or a job. 
My writing is a job that I love, but it's a job nonetheless. My writing time is dedicated, focused and regular. I treat it with seriousness and continue even when I would rather give myself a break and do something else. Thankfully I also get paid for my writing. 
* * *What about you? Do you have a job that people sometimes confuse as a hobby? I'd be delighted to hear about it. Also, make sure you enter the giveaway for my new book. You can get more entries each day, so please, spread the word! 

When Life Hands You Lymes #63

Happy first day of Spring! I'm celebrating the change in seasons by burning my Lilac Breeze candle for the first time. Lilacs are my favorite flowers and I eagerly await their arrival each year. 
To celebrate Friday, here's the next segment of my fictional story, When Life Hands You Lymes. 


After we get settled into our hotel rooms we all gather in our parent’s suite and lounge on the living room couches while planning out the rest of the day. Katie wants to tour Jason’s college. Darrick wants to go sight-seeing. Mom wants to just hang out and talk then go out for a nice dinner and Dad declares he’s fine with whatever the rest of us decide.  “What about you, Madalyn, how are you feeling?” Mom directs the attention to me.  “I thought maybe I could take a nap.” I say the words in an upbeat voice, but in reality I’m withering inside, despising the fact that I’m breaking up the family and all because I don’t have energy to make it through one little measly day without several prolonged periods of rest.  “Sounds good to me,” Jason is quick to jump in. “Why doesn’t everyone who needs to take a rest and the rest of us can just hang out in here. Then, tonight after we’ve all freshened up and we’ve gotten some of our energy back we can head out for a nice supper?”  I feel like a damsel rescued from my distress from the way that Jason makes it sound like resting is a normal thing to do and like I won’t be missing out on very much.  I crawl into my bed and before I even have time to set my alarm, I’m asleep.  When Katie wakes me up, I’m feeling refreshed and excited to see what the evening brings.  “I’m done in the bathroom, so you can get ready for supper now.” Katie sits at the desk and opens her computer. I know without asking that she’s catching up on work. That girl lives, breaths and sleeps work.  I rummage through my suitcase and find the perfect outfit then turn on the iron and wait for it to get hot.  “Hey, I can iron your clothes.” Katie looks up from her computer. “You just go ahead and take your shower and do your hair. Call out when you’re ready for the clothes.”  Surprised, I give Katie a questioning look. She’s already focusing on her computer again though, so I shake my head and smile in her direction. “Thank you, Katie.”  I’m feeling so refreshed after my nap and shower that I begin hoping the rest of the family is feeling as chipper as me so we’ll be able to stay out and see some sights. I twist my dark brown hair into a French bun then stand sideways and admire it. My hair is one of those features people often compliment. It comes down about half-way between my shoulders and elbows and is just thick enough to have a bounce but is still easy to work with. It’s naturally wavy but not too curly. It’s just a little bit lighter than milk chocolate.  “Derrick, do you ever get this amazed feeling when you think about how beautiful our sisters are?” Jason asks when Katie and I join them back in the suite.  Katie and I look at each other and giggle a little bit. I can’t help it, Jason is so sweet and is making me feel incredibly special.  “Do you talk to everyone this way?” Darrick asks, giving Jason a side-ways glance.  “Of course not, you’re my only brother.” Jason is struggling with his tie in the mirror and Katie goes over and gives him a hand.  “Thank you, Kates.” Jason is so happy and handsome and kind that I can’t help but feel like a proud sister as we walk out to the vehicle together.  “So young man, are you dating anyone?” Katie asks as we climb into the car.  I resist rolling my eyes. I know Katie isn’t asking for real. She’s asking because it’s an inside joke between the two of them. They both have people asking them that constantly.  “Actually, I’m staying pretty busy with my schooling and work right now.” Jason and Darrick answer in unison. 

Currently

I've been going...*To my adopted parents house for several work and fun filled days *To the store. I hardly ever shop, and when I do it's mostly on-line. There have been several things I've needed though (it's birthday season right now)*On delightful walks 
I've been seeing...*Life a lot more clearly recently. I got glasses last week which greatly reduced my headaches, especially while trying to focus on something like the preaching at church*Lots of blue skies, muddy fields, and rising temperatures (yes, I can see them rising)
I've been working on...*Writing When Life Hands You Lymes and trying to get the first draft finished before April 17th*A new children's book that I'm co-authoring with my adopted parents*Cooking healthy, delicious meals*A project for my best friend's baby shower 
I've been celebrating... *The release of my newest book, Cool Critters of the Ice Age (Check out the giveaway I'm hosting!) *Several birthdays in the family*Each day and all I have to be thankful for
I've been reading... 
*The Proverb of the day. I do this first thing each morning when I wake up
*The book of Philippians. Most of the time I do this at night right before I go to bed
*Getting Things Done by David Allen
*A number of free kindle books & library books, including Lizzy and Jane by Katherine Reay

I've been listening to...
* The Chronicles of Narnia Soundtrack 
* The Story
*Copperlily
*One Day by Matthew West  

I've been looking forward to...
*My best friend's baby shower
*Spring starting! I got a new lilac scented candle and I'm going to light it on the first day of spring
*Going to Aruba in less than a month!

* * *
What have you been up to recently? 

Making A Difference

Resting. Abiding. Being. Stillness. 
It seems like every time I accomplish something I'm filled with a deluge of overwhelmed feelings as I think of all there is left that I still need to do. I subconsciously believe that it's my responsibility to do something fantastically great that will change the world. 
From the moment I wake up until the moment I settle in my bed for the night my brain is constantly running ahead, sorting, organizing, compiling and coming up with ways to fit everything in. Yes, I need to get dressed, do my hair and put away my sleeping bag. Those are givens. But, why not listen to audio while doing that? Snagging a page of a book while I'm walking downstairs gets in some reading. Reading Philippians while brushing my teeth? Two things checked off the list at once. Eating breakfast while working on a blog post. Composing work emails in my head while exercising. Planning out the rest of my day as I sit with our family for lunch. 
Rushing. Looking ahead. Accomplishing. Doing. 
All of these are good things. The problem comes when I reach the point where I no longer know how to find the "pause" button in my hurriedness. Where I sit down to pray and no matter how hard I try to be still my brain flies in a thousand different directions and I want to keep checking the clock because I can't go over my allotted time period. When I'm feeling the burden of a million things I'll never find time for and I'm aghast at how much of my life has already passed with so little to show for it. When I consistently give up needed sleep because there is still so much to do. When I find it difficult to enjoy time spent with people because I don't feel like I'm accomplishing anything. 

Recently I've been wondering when it happened. When did I take my gift from God of being able to make a difference in the world and morph it into an overpowering need to find my worth in what I'm able to accomplish? 

I used to think that when I had a book published I'd feel satisfied. Like I had reached a certain level where no matter what else happened I'd always be able to look back and point to a specific day and say, Yes, but I have a book published, my life is good. Instead with each book I've gotten published I've become more frantic to continue doing.  

When my book came out on Monday I was excited. Thrilled. Satisfied with it. Thankfully I didn't experience any of the anxiety as with my other two books. It didn't make me feel like I'd achieved anything extra-special though. It was life. It's what I do. Of course I had another book published because I'm an author. Authors write and publish books. 

That's when I realized that if I don't find anything more than excitement and mild satisfaction at getting a book published now, then unless I change my mindset, I'll never find anything more with my writing. It's how I view life, not how life views me, that determines how I feel. It won't matter if I have a New York Times Bestseller or hit a record with how many books I get published, I'm still going to feel antsy about making a difference in this world. 

I really do think I'm going to make a difference in the world, but recently it hit me that maybe I'm not going to make that difference the way I thought I was. Or in my timing. Or even in my lifetime. Maybe I won't ever be able to see it or know about it or reach out and touch it. 

I'm going to make a difference because I am God's child and my life is His to use. Making a difference in the world isn't my responsibility. It's not even in my hands. I'm not called to make a difference. I'm called to live my life according to His will and to give Him glory. And when a life is lived according to God's will, then it will make a difference. 

Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Eph. 3:20-21)

Top Ten Tuesday: Spring TBR List Edition

Well, I might be late but at least it's still Tuesday. And speaking of that, Happy St. Patricks Day! Welcome to the Top Ten Tuesday link-up hosted by  The Broke and the Bookish . Today the prompt is: Ten books on my spring TBR list. (TBR stands for To Be Read)

1. Cheaper By the Dozen by Frank Gilbreth and Ernestine Gilbreth CareyI read this book about seven years ago and really enjoyed it so recently  I asked the library about it and look forward to diving into the Gilbreth's family again. 
2. Love Does by Bob Goff I read a book by a man who knew Mr. Goff while I was in Africa and Oh. My. Word. Mr. Goff sounds like one of the most amazing people ever. For instance he and his wife bought land on a large lake and their kids wanted a boat. They didn't have enough money to buy a boat and build a house so they lived in tents for two years so they could have a boat to hang out in. Yes, yes, yes. 
3. Luminary by Krista McGee I've dipped my toes into si-fi and who knew? I'm actually somewhat liking some of the tame stuff... 
4. The Missing Map of Pirate's Haven by Sigmund BrouwerI read Mr. Brouwer's books several years ago and as an author of MG fiction, I'm excited about diving back into them. 
5. Short Cuts by Sigmund BrouwerIf my memory serves me correctly, Mr. Brouwer's books are pretty interesting. 
6. Pushing People Up by Art Willams  This book was highly recommended by a friend and then given to me by him. I look forward to learning and growing. 
7. Hand of Providence by Mary Beth Brown Deemed the best book my mom read in 2014, she gave this book to all of her children and I'm eager to and experience it for myself. 
8. Lost No More by CeeCee James I got this as a free book on kindle and I haven't had a chance to read any more beside the back-cover blurb. The selling point for me is that it's based on a true story. 
9. It Took A War by Emily Ann Putzke I stumbled onto the author's blog and thought it looked interesting. Plus, as a newish author, I love getting to support other authors. Besides, the cover is beautiful. 
10. Paralyzed Dreams by C.B. Cook Same as It Took A War. I'm excited to see how this book pans out. 
* * *What about you? Have you read any of these books? What are some of the books that you're looking forward to reading? And don't forget to check out the giveaway I'm hosting for my book that was released yesterday! 

Release Day: Cool Critters of the Ice Age & Giveaway

Good morning! I said on Friday that I had some exciting news to share with y'all, well, this is it: 
Today is the release day of my new book, Buddy Davis' Cool Critters of the Ice Age! Y'all, that is really thrilling! (Can you think of a better way to start off your week?) 

  This is such a cool book! With tons of pictures and drawings and fun illustrations, this book is quite different from the other ones I've written so it's a new and exciting venture for me. 

It's so colorful and full of fun facts, interesting tid-bits and will delight kids of all ages. While writing this book I had so much fun learning about the different creatures that lived during the Ice Age.

From  an armadillo-like creature the size of a car, to Baluchitherium who was twenty-six feet tall, to Titanotylopus a camel who's fossils were found in Nebraska, I was enthralled by all the interesting creatures this book features.


It would be wonderful if y'all wanted to buy your own copy of Cool Critters of the Ice Age and you can find it here (Master Books), here (Amazon) and here (Answers in Genesis). My adopted parents (who are the co-authors of the book) and I are also hosting a giveaway. I'd be delighted if y'all would join in with celebrating our new book by pass the word along and entering the giveaway!

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