Yes, two posts in one day

OK, I just had to share these pictures and let you all know what I did with my Saturday afternoon.

As you read before I had to help move my dad's stuff out of his apartment this morning, We got home about 1:30. Then we ate lunch and I took a nap...

Later this afternoon Jeff went out groundhog hunting, then came back and set up a target shoot for the two of us. He said that after I did so well he wanted to take a couple of pictures of me...UGH

So lovely, but here they are, and also a couple of pictures of the target so you can see how well I did. The target was at about 50 yards out. It was an old helium tank (empty of course)

Below you can see where I hit it the first time I shot. Just below and to the left of the bulls eye, then in the next picture...


Here is my second shot high and to the left of the bulls eye.









Then here is a picture of my man. I told him with the red flannel shirt he had a Paul Bunyan thing going on. I can hardly believe we've been together for 28 years.

Anyway now you can see how we spent our afternoon. We had fun, yes, fun. Never in my lifetime would I have thought I would ever like to go target shooting. Woo-hoo, way fun.

It's the weekend

It is early Saturday morning, and I am awake and already been on the computer for 30 minutes. I guess I have a lot on my mind this morning.

My first week at work went great. I worked a long day yesterday. Started at eight and got off at 5:30 whew... I am so out of sync. All though it was a really good day. I did a lot of things yesterday, including my first staff meeting. I have now met all of the counselors that I will be working with. I am so glad that I can put faces with the names. Thanks for making me welcome yesterday!

My week has been full of other things as well and part of it has been spent running my Dad back and forth to the hospital. AGAIN. This was about the 23 visit in 26 months... that's getting pretty old let me tell you. Today we get to move all of his belongings out of his apartment and put them into storage. So, my sister, Suzanne and her husband, Tom, my husband Jeff and I get to converge on his apartment this morning to get it done... how fun is that? BLAH. Dad won't have to help, my brother is off gallivanting somewhere so he won't help and all of the grandsons are gone. Oh bother. Can you tell I don't have the best attitude? Just pray for me. No really I need prayer!

I also received a phone call from my friend in Denver that I was going to spend a couple of days with in May. She needed to let me know that she was not going to be able to be there at that date. She had forgotten that she was going to be out of state...bummer. I am not sure what I will do now. I was planning on sharing at a church while there too, but that has fallen through as well since the Pastor is moving away. Double bummer! So, if any church is interested in having me speak on Sunday, May 17 in the Denver area I am now available. I am sure there is a reason for all of this, I am just waiting for God to let me in on it.

I will be at Berlin Mennonite church this Monday evening. Speaking at a women's Bible study that currently meets. I can put you in touch with the woman in charge if you are interested in attending.

I have 46 days until I leave for the Colorado Christian Writers Conference. That means I had better get myself back on track with my diet and get the rest of my weight off.. Monday... that's the day I start again. 20 pounds, yes that same 20 that I have tried to lose so many times before. I'd still like to know why some people get skinny genes, and some get the fat ones. If I had known I would have requested the other!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Think I am obsessed with my weight? I think I am.

OK, so now that I am just blathering, I better go get ready to move my dad.

Monday, new week, new job!

I'm pretty excited that I'll be starting my new job this week, Monday to be exact. I'll begin training for three days this week, a couple days next week, then hopefully I'll know the ropes, and do fine on my own.

I really need to get myself on a schedule again, it's been a while. I have enjoyed the luxury of being home for the last 21 months. I have really had a time of growth during those 21 months. God has spoken to my heart so many things, and I actually took time to listen and pray and step out in faith and do. For me, the doing part is hard because of fear. I always want to do everything perfectly, and I ALWAYS worry that it won't be perfect.

To bad I don't always worry about things being perfect, like here at home. Oh, I do but not so much as I do if I am going to do something for someone or with someone. I need to trust God a bit more on that level.

I am hoping to add several more pages to the manuscript in the next several days. High hopes for this newest re-write. Pray pray pray!

Special day

Today is one of those bittersweet days in my life. It would be Liz's 26th Birthday. I wonder if you celebrate special days in heaven?

Happy Birthday Liz, I love you!

A new job

Hallelujah, thank you Jesus! I now have a new job. It's only a few hours a week, but it could grow into more in the future!

I will be working at SpringHaven Inc. in Mt Eaton. It is a counseling center. I will be doing office work along with an old office friend Leigh Ann. It should be fun, and it will bring in a little bit of money. It is wonderful that I will have the opportunity to work at a counseling center since that is what I am attempting to get my certification for.

I am getting really excited to go to the CCWC in May. I received my confirmation yesterday. My tickets are booked, now all I need to do is get my lodging reservations. Yippee!

I had a fun experience today. I saw a BIG male coyote running around the farm. He was about 150 yards away from the house. I figured by the time I found the gun, got it loaded and got back downstairs he's be gone, but nooooo, he decided to lounge on the ground, and I had a clear view of him. I got off a shot and it must have been pretty close, because he really jerked and bobbed. He took off into the woods, but circled around and came out. I was ready... I took another shot and her took off like a rocket. I fired yet another shot, but it hit the field about four feet behind him. Pretty cool. Wish I had gotten him though to add to my "trophy" stories.

I am 85 pages into the re-write for Through the Tears. I've had some positive response from my "encouragers" however; the publisher that I was really hoping would be my ticket to publication sent me an e-mail this week. Here is part of her response:

I have decided to pass on taking another look at your proposal, not for lack of interest in your or that story, but because we have one recent and one upcoming book that both deal with tragic murder stories in some way. Adding yours would make a third within three years and that would be an unwise balance in our line.

May you find the publishing partner at just the right time and place, Becki. I know the process can feel daunting and discouraging, but be encouraged that God has given you the gift of written expression and his plans for how you use it for his kingdom are perfect.

It's not just a typical rejection letter, but is certainly not what I had been hoping for.

I had a great time at St. Joseph's Parrish on Wednesday. We had a full house according to my friend Vickie. All the seats were full. Two of our small group ladies attended as well, so thanks Barb and Denise. I appreciate the support and prayers. I was so nervous!

The boys went back to school on Sunday. It's hard to believe they only have about six weeks of classes left. Jordan is so anxious to go to Zambia, he's counting the days till he leaves. HE is trying to find summer employment for when he gets back. Not an easy task with the economy the way it is. Chris is not sure what he'll be doing this summer either. We don't have enough work at our business to give him any hours. So , it's going to be up to God to supply something for them both!

I am going to go to a couple of scrapbook days. I think I may go back to working on Liz's books. I quit after she died, and haven't been able to bring myself to get them back out and work on them. Since it's almost the ninth anniversary since her death, I think I may be ready... we'll find out. Can it possibly be more emotional than writing about it?

It's been fun doing the Circle of Friends devotional page. I have only posted two of my own devotionals, but I have posted several you would enjoy. Please check them out at www.circleoffriends.fm there are blogs from several of the COF women too. Lot's of fun stuff!

Well, I am ready to wind down for the day, not that I did so much, but I'm pooped.

Keep praying and keep serving!

Progress & praises

Please continue to pray as I continue to write. I am up to 75 pages and it is so emotionally taxing. It is something that I know has to be finished.

I received a HUGE blessing on Tuesday. I have so wanted to go to the Colorado Christian Writers Conference in May, but financially it was IMPOSSIBLE!Not to mention I was working that weekend. Well, I received a phone call on Sunday afternoon, and found out that the large group we were going to be cooking for was canceled. My schedule was clear, but that was all. I was reading the book The Shack, and felt the Spirit beginning to stir. I wrote about 20 pages on Monday, and sent it our to my group. I received a message from the woman that runs the Conference in Colorado. She was very encouraging, and urged me to continue. She also asked me if I was going to go to the conference. I once again had to tell her no, due to finances. About an hour or two later I received another e-mail from her and she informed me that someone was going to COMPLETELY pay my way! Travel, registration and lodging. How good is GOD????

I made my plane reservations, I have my registration filled out and have a friend in Denver that I will stay with for a couple of nights after the conference is over. Thanks Stacy!!! I may even be sharing at her church on that Sunday evening. So, God is certainly making a way where there seemed to be no way! HALLELUJAH, HALLELUJAH!

I am sharing this Wednesday evening, so please keep that in prayer! I hope to have more news soon about how that goes and I'll keep you posted on the progress of the book!

Prayer request and update

I am up to 39 pages in the re-write. Please continue to pray, or please begin to pray for this manuscript! I know that God inspired me to do this, and I am attempting obedience.

March

I cannot believe it is March 3. Incredible.

So far March has started out OK. It's not nearly as warm as I had hoped it would be, and that would be including the inside of the house. Our gas well seems to have a bit of a glitch in it. We are the third in a string of three that uses this well, and it isn't doing so great. Woke up this morning to 61 degrees. Brrrrrr. The well guy is coming out tonight. Hope to stay warm until then.

Yesterday I had a good day. I read the book "The Shack" by William P. Young. It did inspire me to do more re-writes on my book. I got 20 pages done in one day! Pretty good if you understand how hard writing can be... I sent it to four of my "encouragers" and so far have heard back from only one. What I did get back was positive. Thanks Marlene!

I have high hopes to find the right publisher this year. I sent an e-mail yesterday to one of the publishers I met last May in Denver. She is the one that said if I am not published by this May to contact her. I have not received a response from her as of yet, but I will wait (with prayers for much grace) I hate to wait! It makes me nervous.

In the mean time I have been having a ball talking to old friendson facebook. Nice making connections I know I am repeating myself from earlier blogs.

I have my grief class tonight. I love GriefShare. I cannot believe I've been facilitating it for over three years. What a difference it has made in my life.

Last night Jeff and I attended a Gideons meeting in Holmes County. Jeff is a Gideon in Tuscarawas County, but we went to the Pastor's appreciation dinner last night and met a lot of Holmes county folks. We also had the opportunity to re-acquaint ourselves with a few Pastors that we have shared in their churches in the past. So, it was a good evening.

I have two speaking engagements this month, the first is at St. Joe's Catholic Church on March 11, the next is at a women's Bible study on March 30. Then next month I have two as well. I'll be at Jerusalem Church on April 26 (it is open to all women even if you do not attend Jerusalem) and then at United Dayspring on Sunday night April 26. We may possibly receive another invitation or two from some churches we made contact with last night.

It never ceases to amaze me what God is doing. For someone (me) that is petrified to stand up and share in front of large groups of people, God seems to be stretching me in that direction. If that is how God chooses, I am sure He'll meet me in the midst of my panic, as He always does.

I have to go out to Amish country this afternoon to pick up the deer we have had processed. It is gonna be yummy! We'll have 56 pounds of deer bologna. 2/3 of it will be jalapeno and cheese bologna, the rest will just be regular trail. Can't wait.

I need to get a few things done, so see you later.