Friday Fun

I'm at my writer's conference, but have preposted this song. Though it's a metaphoric song, it's lyrics are literally perfect for the conference: "Staring at the blank page before you...reaching for something in the distance...so close you can almost taste it...today is where your book begins!" Enjoy!

On the Road Again

Kelly & Sonya at She Speaks Writers Conference '08

My friend Sonya (Truth4theJourney) & I are heading on a road trip to a Christian Writers Conference! We are so excited to be going, and ask your prayers for us that we are safe, learn a lot and that God open the doors of opportunity He chooses for us.

Pray also for patience and wisdom for our husbands as they care for our kids, and for our sweet kids to be safe and well cared for in "mom's" absence.

I've prewritten a fun post to publish Friday while I'm gone.

See you then, and thanks for your prayers!

My Examiner article CORRECTED LINK on Sales Tax Exempt weekend is here.

Who's Your Daddy?

I have breakfast with my dad almost every Saturday morning. His wife, and my family all come. We've been doing it for 10 years now, and it's a tradition we enjoy.

Last Saturday his wife pointed to my shirt and nudged my dad with a proud smile. My dad looked at my shirt and asked, "What's your shirt say?" "Princess," I responded reading the main text. My dad then read the subtext out loud: "My Father is the King of Kings." As he read it, I got a guilty feeling like I'd been caught cheating on my dad with another father. "Jesus, right?" he asked. "Yes." "I got it," he said, "my wife didn't, but I got it."

My dad can be critical. He doesn't hesitate to tell you if he thinks you've gained weight, or your kids look heavy. He doesn't mind telling you where he believes you are parenting poorly, or that you'd be better off working a job with a salary then staying home and writing for free. I know he's proud of me, but he's more likely to tell someone else that than me.

Then there's my Heavenly Father. When He looks at me, He sees only my heart. And yes, sometimes He does rebuke me, but only in pure love. And this free writing I do, well I know He doesn't just like it, He is glorified by it. But my relationship with THIS Father does something else that's pretty amazing.

Because I am filled with, and my expectations met by my Heavenly Father, I am free to have a great relationship with my earthly dad. Because I can take him like he is, and love him for it. I don't expect him to be the greatest dad in the world, because I already have that. He can just be the dad he is.

I'm blessed because of my two dads.

Luke 14:26 -- You cannot be my disciple, unless you love me more than you love your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters. You cannot come with me unless you love me more than you love your own life. (CEV)

Matthew 7:11 -- If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Revelation 19:16 -- On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.




Read my Examiner Article on The Grocery Game here.

What Do I Know of Holy?

I heard this song the other day and it really spoke to me. It's about putting together the head knowledge that you know God, with the heart knowledge of knowing God and having a relationship with him.

Words like "I tried to hear from Heaven, but I talked the whole time" hit home. I know God, but what do I know of holy?

Naked and Not Ashamed

When my daughter Cici was three, she had to strip off all her clothes to go potty. I don't know why, but after chatting with a few other mommies I realized she was not alone in her idiosyncrasy so it didn't bother me too much. One afternoon she was in the bathroom, naked as a jaybird and just singing her heart out. "What are you doing?" I asked. "I'm singing to God!" she answered.

Naked and unashamed. She was praising the Lord in all his glory, while she was sitting on the throne (so to speak) in all her glory. Now, I've heard some people say they have there best prayer time in the shower, so I guess Cici's still not all alone, but I thought it was an interesting place (bathroom) and situation (naked) to praise God.

The truth is God doesn't care where or how we praise him, just so long as we do. So don't be a party-pooper. Be a Praising Pooper like Cici!

Genesis 2:25 -- The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame

Psalm 105:2 -- Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.

Revelation 19:5 -- Then a voice came from the throne, saying: "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!"

To read my Examiner article, click the link here:
Disney's G-Force - thinking about buying a guinea pig

Thankful Thursday

So much to be thankful for this week!

1. My freelance writing job! If you haven't visited, check me out here. I'll be posting there Monday/Wednesday/Friday, so bookmark it! Subscribe! Visit often! And feel free to suggest ideas that you'd like me to write about!

2. My writers conference! I leave Wednesday! Woo! I'll be traveling with Sonya & Laurie, and meeting Kelli and Leslie while I'm there. A blog reunion! Anyone else headed to Philly?

3. Cecil Murphey! As you may remember my story was cut from his book "Christmas Miracles" earlier this year. I had a chance to email chat with him, and he is the most gracious and giving person! The Christian writing community is just awesome, and he is a stellar person.

4. My husband. He's on kid duty while I'm gone and I'm thankful that he taking time off from work, and of course funding my trip. Without his support I wouldn't be able to go. So thanks honey!

5. Jesus -- Baby, Man, Lived, Died, Rose, Rules. AMEN! I believe!

**They'll be no Thankful Thursday post from me next week, while I'm in Philly. But I'll be thankful for all I'm learning, doing, seeing, meeting & experiencing!! **

What are you thankful for this week?

My New Freelance Writing Position!

I got a new freelance writing position! To view my article, you can click here:
http://www.examiner.com/x-18479-Richmond-StayatHome-Moms-Examiner

And if you're so inclined, subscribe! I'll continue to write my devotionals here at Chatty Kelly. The freelance will be separate stay-at-home mom tips, info, money saving, time saving ideas.

I'm writing for Examiner.com which is an Internet information source, and locales each have their own "examiner." I am the Richmond Stay-at-Home Mom Examiner, and there are other Mom examiners in many other cities. Likewise, there are tons of different positions from Food/Drink, Religious, Family, etc.

If you're interested in applying for a freelance writing position yourself, I ask that you mention me as the referring examiner. (Kelly Combs - 18479)

Think outside the box when you apply. I was hoping for a Christian inspiration position, but since that was filled, I applied for & got the stay home mom position.

If you are hired you must submit to a criminal background check, and they pay you via paypal. The pay structure is based on page views, visitors and ad revenues. While you may not make much money, you will be adding to your resume & platform.

Check them out at http://www.examiner.com/about_examiner/ to learn more.