A Week of Thanksgiving - Tuesday

Tonight we are attending our final class of Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey. Our church has held this class annualy for a few years, and there are several testimonies of financial freedom in our congregation, including our pastor's family who has paid off all their debt and is now working on their house. While we're still new at this, and trying to get the principles under our belt, we can see that it can work. We are now putting $100 into an emergency fund every month and planning to start paying a nice chunk over and above our normal car payment to get it paid off in only a few months. Then, we will take that money, (including the normal car payment,) and chunk that into another debt, then another. I can see how this can work, provided we have no devastating emergencies in the next few years.

So, today I'm thankful that God lead us to this church when we were shopping around several months ago. Besides the awesome pastor who teaches Biblical principles, and the congregation, from whom I've made some friends, I believe God lead us here for the financial lesson we needed to learn. Neither of us are spring chickens -- lol! So retirement is looming off the horizon. I'd like to see that dark cloud out there turn into a rainbow, a place we needn't fear. As much as I love WalMart, I really don't want to become a greeter in my senior years.

I'll try to blog our financial journey in the future. Perhaps it will encourage others.

A Week of Thanksgiving

I've been spending the morning listening to the Bible on CD (my birthday present from Jim--Yea!) and reading various things that have come through my inbox. Although every one totally unrelated, I can see where God is encouraging me and I feel His gentle nudge to share it with you, too.

My Bible listening was about Abraham and Sarah, the provision for safety as they traveled through a foreign land, the joy of a child they never knew they'd receive, the promise of a legacy that was to span generations and nations. Abraham had much to be thankful for as he breathed his last.

Next, I read my devotion for the day at Christianity.com, titled "Thank You Power" by Rachel Olsen from Proverbs 31 Ministry. It's a reminder to thank God daily, even through adversity. Her spiritual insight into this almost cliche'd thought touched me deeply. It's a lesson I need on more than a daily basis!

Next, I read a newsletter put out by my dear friend, Paula Moldenhauer. Paula lays open her heart in every Soul Scents devotional. Normally put out once a week, she's had to take a hiatus due to family struggles that she mentions in this issue. If you don't receive her newsletter, let me know and I'll forward it to you. I know about everything she talks about (and some that she doesn't say) in this issue of her newsletter, but what touched me was that my prayers for Paula are answered in her own words. Through all she's been through, I've prayed that she never loses that deep, warrior spirit -- the place where she fights the enemy and stands strong in the presence of her King. It's there as she relates her family's struggles this year, and rather than coming off as "woe is me," it has Psalm-like qualities. If I hadn't gone into "Thanksgiving Mode" during my devotion, I certainly would have while reading Paula's newsletter. (Thank you, my friend.)

Then. . .I read Randy Vawter's blog, the son of another good friend, Margie Vawter. He suggests celebrating the Four Days of Thanksgiving. Capitol idea, Randy! The chuckle he provided in the cartoon was a big ribbon and bow on the present that God gave me today.

And so, I begin my Four Days of Thanksgiving by doing as my devotion and Randy suggested. I am thankful for:

1. A God Who continually reminds me that I make Him smile. My Heavenly Father has had to do some heavy-duty encouraging this year as my old-nature has crept in with harsh thoughts and selfishness. During the times I've wondered how I could ever be considered a child of the King, He sends the same message, either through a word picture of someone praying or a simple e-greeting card from a friend oblivious to the need I have to hear those words: You make God smile. Ah, thank You, Lord Jesus!
2. A husband who has had to put up with "old-nature leakage" and has often had to caulk the fracture with words of wisdom. God's anchor with skin on, Jim has held me, prayed with me, and loved me through good times and bad. My partner in life, and my best friend. I thank God everyday for this man of mine.
3. Two grown sons who bring delight in their humor. Even when one or the other is on my "naughty list," they both know how to wrap me around their fingers by tickling my funny bone. And this is a good thing.
4. Three grandchildren who also make me smile. Each have their own personalities and clever wit. Be it frantic antics or made-up words. Mischievous glints in their eyes or hugs out of the blue. I love these kids.

And so begins the Four Days of Thanksgiving. I hope to post more, but if I don't, it's not because I'm not thankful. More than likely I'm buried under my blessings and have simply not had time to get back to my computer.

New Inspirational Post on Craft Cinema

I'd like to direct traffic to my Craft Cinema blog. I've just posted on an old movie, The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm, which happens to be the movie that started me on my writing journey. One scene in particular stands out for me, even four decades later. Consider this your free ticket pass to pop on over there to see why this movie is a great one to spark inspiration in the writer.

In a couple of days, I'll post on my research trip to Oregon. Still gathering my thoughts and downloading pics.

GREAT FUN at the Humonginormous Book signing

Okay. I had so much fun at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota book signing. I met tons of great people, and just being a part of this record-breaking event gives me giggling goosebumps. The pic above is a huge digital screen that was above one of the two stages that hosted a panel of authors. You should have seen me trying to get that picture. It scrolled alphabetically. When I got there, it was on the H's. I turned on my camera, zoomed in, got ready, and waited. I waited through Hake, Harter, Hauck, Henke, Hickey, Hill, Hinck, Hochstetler, Hunt, Hunter, Johnson, Jones, Kinnard, Klassen. . .and then. . .MY CAMERA SHUT DOWN! I fumbled with the on button, squeezed the zoom lever, pointed and clicked--all in two seconds. It was a miracle that I got it so clear!

This is my table. I'm giving a $25 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble for the closest person to guess how many seashells are in my jar. Clever, huh? That's colorful salt water taffy in the basket. Can you guess my theme? (Of course you can! My readers are smart!) I had 42 people guess my seashells, and I feel I made at least 50 friends as I talked to people walking by. BTW, I heard that the Mall of America had a record attendance that day. It looked like Christmas! And I'm sure it was because of the publicity that went out locally. What a testament to those shoppers that day!

And, here I am. Author Harry Kraus took this picture with my camera. He was to my right, and we tag teamed to draw people near. He had a basket full of chocolate. . .the good kind. Reeses, KitKats, fun candy! He would tell passersby that if they came to talk to him, they could have some candy. I only got worried when he said that to four teenage girls walking by. Yeah. They kept walking. But most people talked to him, then scooted over to me, or vice-versa. It was great!

Aside from the fun of getting to be a part of this event, I felt it a privilege to be light in a dark world with so many like-minded authors. I pray that we not only introduced Christian fiction to those who didn't know we existed, but that there were some who were introduced to our Jesus that day.

HUMONGINORMOUS BOOK SIGNING!

Following is an ACFW press release:

HUNDREDS OF NOVELISTS COMING TO MINNEAPOLIS
Booksigning by 100+ novelists at Mall of America September 20
(MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.) Hundreds of authors and aspiring authors will attend the annual
American Christian Fiction Writers conference at the Sheraton Bloomington Hotel September
18-21, 2008. They’ll study the craft of writing from a Christian worldview, get the word out
about their books, and meet with editors from nearly every major publishing house in their industry.
They’re also coming to get signed books. On Saturday, September 20, 1:00-3:00pm in the Best
Buy® Rotunda and Bloomingdale’s Court of the Mall of America, over 100 bestselling and
award-winning authors such as Angela Hunt, James Scott Bell, Rene Gutteridge, Deborah Raney,
Tamera Alexander, Judith Miller, Nancy Moser, and Brandt Dodson will sign copies of
their books for conference attendees and the public.
"ACFW is very excited to partner with the Mall of America in hosting a booksigning of such
magnitude,” said ACFW President Robin Miller. “As a reader myself, I'm thrilled at the opportunity
to meet so many authors and have my books autographed. I intend to do much of my
Christmas shopping at the booksigning."
For more information regarding the signing or conference, please contact Cara Putman at (765)
418-3427 or pr@acfw.com. To learn more about ACFW, visit www.acfw.com.


Kathy here:

This conference just keeps getting better. I always look forward to learning, connecting, and fellowshipping. Okay, also general clowning around because I'm soooo happy to be away from my home responsibilities and have meals cooked for me and beds made magically while I'm out of my room. Oh yeah, baby!

What's new this year is that instead of our book signing being held in the hotel in which we are staying, Barnes & Noble will be hosting it at the Mall of America. OVER 100 CHRISTIAN FICTION WRITERS will be signing books at the Mall of America. Yowza! What an impact that will have on the general shopping population! I pray it will be a deep one.

I will be signing Florida Weddings, but I also have a contest. If you're in the area, please stop by, (whether you're buying my book or not,) and guess the number of seashells in my jar. The winner will be mailed a Barnes & Noble gift card for $25.

If you're able to join us, the authors participating are:
Tamera Alexander
Jennifer AlLee
A.K. Arenz
Diane Ashley
Karen Ball
Janet Lee Barton
James Scott Bell
Joseph Bentz
Terri Blackstock
Robin Caroll
Patricia PacJac Carroll
Jeanie Smith Cash
Eleanor Clark
Debra Clopton
Gloria Clover
Brandilyn Collins
Mary Connealy
Lyn Cote
Kathryn Cushman
Margaret Daley
KM Daughters
Susan Page Davis
Mary Davis
Janet Dean
Megan DiMaria
Brandt Dodson
Lena Nelson Dooley
Cecelia Dowdy
Sharon Dunn
Wanda Dyson
Lynette Eason
Meredith Efken
Leanna Ellis
Sharon Ewell Foster
Miralee Ferrell
Tina Ann Forkner
Darlene Franklin
Jonathan Friesen
Rhonda Gibson
Terri Gillespie
Debby Giusti
Beth Goddard
Cathy Gohlke
Rene Gutteridge
Cathy Marie Hake
Kelly Eileen Hake
Karen Harter
Rachel Hauck
Roxanne Henke
Cynthia Hickey
Patti Hill
Sharon Hinck
Joan Hochstetler
Steven Hunt
Angela Hunt
Denise Hunter
Jennifer Johnson
Jenny B. Jones
Golden Keyes Parsons
Deb Kinnard
Julie Klassen
Kathleen Kovach
Harry Kraus
Harry Kraus
Patti Lacy
Maureen Lang
Jeanne Marie Leach
Tosca Lee
Julie Lessman
Michelle Levigne
Sherri L. Lewis
Elizabeth Ludwig
Christine Lynxwiler
Richard L. Mabry
Sharlene MacLaren
Gail Martin
Debby Mayne
Vickie McDonough
Andrew McGuire
Susan Meissner
Becky Melby
Dana Mentink
Amber Miller
Judith Miller
Sara Mills
Siri Mitchell
Nancy Moser
Janelle Mowery
Elizabeth Musser
Mark Mynheir
Jill Nelson
Mae Nunn
John Olson
Donita K. Paul
Trish Perry
Marta Perry
Allie Pleiter
Cara Putman
Deborah Raney
Sandra Robbins
Paul Robertson
John Robinson
Martha Rogers
Cynthia Ruchti
Gail Sattler
Kim Vogel Sawyer
Shelley Shephard Gray
Virginia Smith
Lynette Sowell
Candice Speare
Kathryn Springer
Denice Stewart
Sarah Anne Sumpolec
Michelle Sutton
Camy Tang
Donn Taylor
Janice Thompson
Cindy Thomson
Missy Tippens
Carrie Turansky
ML Tyndall
Amy Wallace
Susan May Warren
Linda Wichman
Beth Wiseman
Cheryl Wyatt
Kathleen Y'Barbo

If you can't make it, please consider praying. We've never done anything on this scale before in the general public. I pray that seeds are planted, and that at the very least, people will consider Christian fiction as a viable avenue to share God's word.