What is your dream? To me, a dream is different than a goal. A goal is an attainable achievement you set. My goal, of course, is to be a published writer. But a dream, that's different. The sky is the limit on dreams.
My daughters' dream of becoming princesses. And let's face it, while they could possibly marry a prince one day, it is highly unlikely. That is what a dream is, to me, something fun to think about but highly unlikely. My dream...to be a rock star! And aside from my love of being home with my family, lack of hot rock star wardrobe, and general dislike of the rock music genre; there is only one thing holding me back. I can't sing.
That's why I love vacation bible school (VBS)! This week, I am a rock star! Every morning at opening, and afternoon at closing, I take the stage with a microphone and I rock! The kids don't care about the tune, all they care about is enthusiasm and the ability to do the hand motions. I am the Queen of Hand Motions.
The VBS director told me this week what a great job I was doing and how much the kids liked it. (You should see me do the funky chicken on stage!) I told her "I'm good at making a fool of myself in public, it's a gift really." And she responded, "Yes, I noticed that about you the first time I met you." (!) I'm not sure what she meant by that, but I'm taking it as a compliment.
The highlight of my week came with a young 5 yr old boy came up to me outside of singing time and said "I know you! You sing up on stage." And I said "Aren't you smart, I do sing on stage." And he looked dreamily at me and said "I like your hair." My first groupie!!!
What is your dream? It doesn't have to be possible, just put in the comments section your fun or funny, highly unlikely dream. Maybe like mine, it can even come true.
Psalm 98:4 -- Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth and sing for joy, yes, sing praises!
Psalm 27:6 -- And now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies round about me; in His tent I will offer sacrifices and shouting of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
1 Corinthians 10:31b -- Whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God.
Chatty Kelly
Friday, June 27, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
The Rules of Writing
After attending 3 days worth of writing classes, one might assume I know much about the art of writing. Oh yes, I know that adjectives are not a good thing, they are to be used sparingly. And adverbs - oh my - you should never, ever use an adverb! You need to have a great title and keep it "fresh." Your verbs should be active, and your first sentence needs to have a hook. Yes, I am quite informed on the proper form and rules of writing.
And I am blocked! Oh how I am blocked. My free flowing easy writing style is just killed because I have too much knowledge. My brain is calling out "don't do this" and "don't forget to do that" and make sure you know your audience... and oh yes, use your real voice. I think my real voice is hoarse.
And so I take a step back, and a deep breath. I need to forget what I've learned for a moment. And write! and write! and write! And if I write something I think is worthy to be published - then, I can remember the rules and edit, and edit, and edit. But for now, I'll just write. And I hope you'll keep reading. And one day if I become a famous published author, you can say "I knew her back then!" And if I never do, then hopefully you still have a place to come visit for a chuckle, an inspiration, and a place to chat.
And so I write. Because when God is ready for me to be published, I will be. Because God rules! And rules don't.
Job 36:2 -- Wait for me a little, and I will show you that there is yet more to be said in God's behalf.
Psalm 52:9 -- I will give You thanks forever, because You have done it, And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones.
Habakkuk 2:2 -- And then God answered: "Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what's coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn't lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It's on its way. It will come right on time. (The Message)
And I am blocked! Oh how I am blocked. My free flowing easy writing style is just killed because I have too much knowledge. My brain is calling out "don't do this" and "don't forget to do that" and make sure you know your audience... and oh yes, use your real voice. I think my real voice is hoarse.
And so I take a step back, and a deep breath. I need to forget what I've learned for a moment. And write! and write! and write! And if I write something I think is worthy to be published - then, I can remember the rules and edit, and edit, and edit. But for now, I'll just write. And I hope you'll keep reading. And one day if I become a famous published author, you can say "I knew her back then!" And if I never do, then hopefully you still have a place to come visit for a chuckle, an inspiration, and a place to chat.
And so I write. Because when God is ready for me to be published, I will be. Because God rules! And rules don't.
Job 36:2 -- Wait for me a little, and I will show you that there is yet more to be said in God's behalf.
Psalm 52:9 -- I will give You thanks forever, because You have done it, And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones.
Habakkuk 2:2 -- And then God answered: "Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what's coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn't lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It's on its way. It will come right on time. (The Message)
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
On the Road...
The red symbol on my dashboard control panel was certain to be a bad sign. I was driving just past the NC line on my way to the She Speaks Conference, with my friend and She Speaks roomie, Sonya riding shotgun. She pulled out the car manual from the glove box, and began looking for the symbol -- an exclamation point in a partial circle.
Sonya quickly exclaimed "Is it this one?!?!"
"I can't look, I'm driving."
"You must look! This says stop immediately and call your dealer."
A quick glance realized that THAT exclamation point was in a full circle. "Keep looking, the circle is open at the top." The culprit? Low tire pressure.
It was 7 p.m., and I didn't have a tire pressure gauge. I pulled off at the next exit hoping for some nice man at a gas station to help. (Do gas stations still have air machines?)
The very first thing I saw off the exit was a full service garage...open after 7 p.m.! I pulled right to the bay doors and ran in, falling over something as I came in, and making a horrible commotion. "Can you check my air pressure?" The nice mechanic told me to wait and he'd get to me. I tried to think patient thoughts. We had 3 more hours before we reached our hotel and it was getting dark.
As I stood outside the garage, I realized it wasn't the safest looking location. I had a sense of concern and was thankful that I wasn't traveling alone. God had provided a traveling partner for me. Finally, the mechanic told me to pull my car into the bay. This photo shows the vehicle that I pulled in behind.
Sonya quickly exclaimed "Is it this one?!?!"
"I can't look, I'm driving."
"You must look! This says stop immediately and call your dealer."
A quick glance realized that THAT exclamation point was in a full circle. "Keep looking, the circle is open at the top." The culprit? Low tire pressure.
It was 7 p.m., and I didn't have a tire pressure gauge. I pulled off at the next exit hoping for some nice man at a gas station to help. (Do gas stations still have air machines?)
The very first thing I saw off the exit was a full service garage...open after 7 p.m.! I pulled right to the bay doors and ran in, falling over something as I came in, and making a horrible commotion. "Can you check my air pressure?" The nice mechanic told me to wait and he'd get to me. I tried to think patient thoughts. We had 3 more hours before we reached our hotel and it was getting dark.
As I stood outside the garage, I realized it wasn't the safest looking location. I had a sense of concern and was thankful that I wasn't traveling alone. God had provided a traveling partner for me. Finally, the mechanic told me to pull my car into the bay. This photo shows the vehicle that I pulled in behind.
If you can't read it, the bus says Division of Prisons, Inmate Highway Work Crew. I hoped they weren't waiting for their vehicle too. It was soon discovered I had a hole in the tire, and it would need repair. We headed inside the shop to wait. The shop was clearly a manly man shop. Clearly Sonya & I (two sweet Christian gals on our way to the Christian Writers conference) were out of our league here.
Finally 30 minutes later we were on our way. We found out that by pulling right to the bay and going in the garage, we had inadvertently "butted" in line. There were many cars ahead of us waiting, and the garage was going to be working until 11 p.m. on them.
God certainly was providing for us. He found us an open garage at 7 p.m., where I could get my tire fixed, and got us quickly back on our way to the She Speaks Conference, where we arrived safe and sound by 11 p.m.
2 Corinthians 9:8 -- And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
Psalm 11:1 -- I trust in the Lord for safety.
Psalm 18:19 -- He led me to a place of safety;he rescued me because he delights in me.
Monday, June 23, 2008
She Speaks in Photos
P31 She Speaks Conference...Been there, Done That, Bought the T-shirt...
Clearly I am unaffected at meeting Lysa TerKeurst (author of 11 books, P31 ministry leader and dare I say mentor). Could I be smiling any bigger? Yippee!
With my roomie, Sonya.
Two Pretty Pretty Princesses, Zoe Elmore with me.
Now that I'm used to rubbing elbows with the published authors...with Lysa TerKeurst and her fabulous assistant, Holly Good.
Details to come. Thanks for praying for me! I had a blast, learned a lot, and met new, old, and bloggie friends.
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