Every couple months, my 2 1/2 year old daughter falls in love with Robert Lopshire's Put Me in the Zoo. She'll want to read it over and over. Before naptime. Before bedtime. And any time in-between. Until finally either me or my husband snap and we hide the book.
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Tim. 4:12
Monday, June 28, 2010
Put Me In the Zoo
Every couple months, my 2 1/2 year old daughter falls in love with Robert Lopshire's Put Me in the Zoo. She'll want to read it over and over. Before naptime. Before bedtime. And any time in-between. Until finally either me or my husband snap and we hide the book.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
I’m going on vacation and I’ll turn into a blimp!
I’ve been working really hard to eat healthily and exercise regularly the past two months and I was really scared it would all go to pot while I was on vacation, because, well, that’s what usually happens to me. I eat out a lot more, and the “safe” foods I usually eat are not always available where I go.
But God convicted me that I was just not trusting Him enough with my health. So I prayed for Him to help me while I was on vacation.
So far, I haven’t been eating great, but I haven’t been horrendously bad, either. I haven’t always stayed within my calorie range, but no 3000 calories a day, at least.
The best part is that I’ve been running regularly! Yay! God has really been helping me stay motivated to keep up with my running training. I posted earlier about running with this new method by Jeff Galloway, and so far I’m still really enjoying running. So much so that I’ve actually gotten up EARLY to go running before the things planned for the day! Can you believe it??? And no, an alien has not invaded my body, nor have I finally gone off the deep end. I think God has been helping me stay motivated to keep up with my running, and the fact that I still like running hasn’t been a bad thing, either.
I still have a week left of my vacation, so hopefully I’ll be able to keep up the running while I’m at conferences. God has really helped me out during my vacation, even for something as small as helping me to stay healthy!
Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. Out now is her humorous contemporary romance novel, Single Sashimi, and her romantic suspense, Deadly Intent. She also runs the Story Sensei critique service. In her spare time, she is a staff worker for her church youth group, and she leads one of the worship teams for Sunday service. On her blog, she gives away Christian novels and ponders frivolous things. Sign up for her newsletter YahooGroup for giveways!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Pray for Claire
Grace is a mystery. It can’t be earned, imagined, or manufactured. It can only be received. It’s true no matter what the nature of the suffering may be. And when God pours His grace over you, logic and common sense take a backseat to faith. You may hate the circumstances you’re in, but you can’t deny that He is in the midst of them, providing daily bread, giving peace. You see Him in the compassion of His people, you see Him moment by moment in a million little mercies, and even while your heart is screaming to be anywhere but here, you see Him working all things together for good. And you know that you know He’s making all things beautiful. In His time.
Like I said, I hear a lot of people’s stories, and they all take a piece of my heart. But once in a while a story comes along that is so similar to ours, it grips and won’t let go. It transports me back to ICU, back to the unknowns and the fear. It reminds me what it was like to live in a world undone, where everything is put on hold, and the whole future is one big black question mark.
Claire’s story is like that. Claire is a precious little girl who nearly drowned several weeks ago. Like Jacob, she was without a pulse for 30 minutes. At first she was in ICU on paralyzing drugs and a respirator, also like Jacob. And now, like Jacob, she has been transferred to Baylor rehab. Her father, Tyler, is telling their story as it unfolds, and when I read his words I often feel like I could have written them myself fourteen years ago. His updates are honest, beautiful, heart-breaking, and inspiring. You can follow their journey here.
Please pray for this precious family. It’s easy for me to say that God will redeem their sorrow, and I believe with all my heart that He will. But they still have to walk through this valley to get there, and the path can get very dark sometimes.
I borrowed this picture of Claire and her mother, Tiffany, from their journal. Thank you for praying.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Time to be accountable
Today I took coffee to my friend Michelle's house but I had another motive than just getting some caffeine and chatting. She's a new friend because recently I moved from Montana to Little Rock, Arkansas. Michelle works at my husband's office and we hit it off.
Recently, Michelle asked me to be an accountability partner, and I immediately said yes. In the past I've connected with friends in this way and it's really helped me on my Christian walk. Even though the word 'accountability' sounds overwhelming, I've found it's good just to have someone to talk to about: 1) things that are going well, 2) things that aren't going so well, and 3) how I'm dealing with them. As we chat, Michelle asks me questions about these things, and I ask her too.
Yet perhaps the most important part of meeting together is prayer and sharing God's Word. Today when we met Michelle and I spent five minutes praying for each other. Also during out talk, we brought in God's point-of-view on things. When Michelle was sharing her struggles, I talked about a Bible verse I had recently read that applied. Then, she did the same with me. Michelle not only shared her thoughts, she also reminded me of God's thoughts.
Have you ever considered having an accountability partner? Maybe you should think about it. Look around and think of someone who you enjoy being with—someone who is encouraging to you. This person doesn't have to have a perfect relationship with God, neither do you. In fact, hopefully through your time together you'll not only grow closer to each other, but closer to Him, too.
Perhaps you already have someone you share all the details of your life with. If so, consider taking that relationship to a new level. Pray, read Scripture, or read a devotional book together. Even best friends can become closer if they open up their whole lives to each other.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Secrets to the Championship
1) Have fun – For as long as Nathan has played under these coaches, I have never heard them pressure kids to go for the win. Instead they sent the team out with a reminder to enjoy the game.
2) Do your best – Not, do it perfectly every time; not do it like that other player. Do your best. And the coaches could tell the difference.
3) Keep a smile on your face – Whether a player hit a home run or struck out, the coaches encouraged him to have a good attitude.
The best part I think, is that the coaches led by example. They enjoyed the season,
did the best job that they knew how to do, they always sent players back to the dugout with encouraging words, and kept every post-game recap as positive as possible. (“You guys got some great hits. Next game we need to work a little harder on our fielding, but all of you worked hard and played well.”)
Mike was right on target when he pointed out the importance of applying these same guidelines to life. Think about it: when you enjoy what you are doing, you can’t help but do a good job. If you focus on your best instead of perfection, your best will be even better. If you keep a positive attitude, you tend to experience joy whether you win or lose, succeed or discover that you have some things to learn.
We can apply these principles to our spiritual lives too by enjoying God and the path He has us on, doing our best for Him, and letting His joy shine through, regardless of the circumstances.
Which of coaches Mike & Scott’s guidelines do you need to apply more? How has doing your best, having fun, and keeping a smile on your face helped you be more successful? Thank God for being the kind of coach who wants His children to enjoy the lives He has planned for them.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Just Gotta Tell You
Chasing Lilacs is definately my kind of book. You know the kind where you instantly fall in love with the main character? Sammie's real and she's funny and her life's not perfect. Kinda like she's your best friend. You'll miss her when you have to put the book down.
Here's how the publisher desribes the book:
It is the summer of 1958, and life in the small Texas community of Graham Camp should be simple and carefree. But not for twelve-year-old Sammie Tucker. Sammie has plenty of questions about her mother's "nerve" problems. About shock treatments. About whether her mother loves her.
When her mother commits suicide and a not-so-favorite aunt arrives, Sammie has to choose who to trust with her deepest fears: Her best friend who has an opinion about everything, the mysterious kid from California whose own troubles plague him, or her round-faced neighbor with gentle advice and strong shoulders to cry on. Then there's the elderly widower who seems nice but has his own dark past.
Trusting is one thing, but accepting the truth may be the hardest thing Sammie has ever done.
Hope you meet Sammie for yourself! I bet you'll love her too.
Love,
Julie
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
It's Officially Summer
Monday, June 14, 2010
Sheep and Wool Festival!
I went with my friend Danica Favorite and her family. We got to see sheep, alpacas (the picture above), paco-vicunas (kind of like alpacas), angora goats (their fleece makes mohair yarn), angora rabbits, cashmere goats, yaks, llamas, and we even saw pictures of a pygora goat, a cross between a pygmy goat and an angora goat.
I also got to buy fleeces! I bought a pound of alpaca fleece in this rich lovely brown color and I bought an entire fleece of a black sheep (he was a cross between a Teeswater and a merino/CVM). I got to talk to the shepherd who is this really nice older lady who loves to tell stories about her sheep. She suggested the fleece I eventually bought after I told her that I was a beginning spinner, and what I wanted to use the fleece for, and how much I wanted to spend.
I will process the fleeces (the alpaca one probably won’t require much processing, to be honest, but the sheep one will) and spin them into yarn. I’ll be able to make yarn for a ton of stuff, including this one cardigan I want to make (it’s designed by Twinkle) where if I bought the yarn it would cost $80, but this way it will cost only about $30.
We had a lot of fun even though it was raining. The rain wasn’t too bad, just a steady drizzle, and there wasn’t much wind so it wasn’t too cold, either. But we all had muddy shoes and pants by the time we left the fairground.
I loved it! I hope to be able to go again!
Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. Out now is her humorous contemporary romance novel, Single Sashimi, and her romantic suspense, Deadly Intent. She also runs the Story Sensei critique service. In her spare time, she is a staff worker for her church youth group, and she leads one of the worship teams for Sunday service. On her blog, she gives away Christian novels and ponders frivolous things. Sign up for her newsletter YahooGroup for giveways!
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Amazing Transformation
Transformation. Renewal. In Christ that is what we have.
A new creation. That is who we are.
Letting go of the old is difficult work, often painful. But it's God work, his creative hand unfolding us, making us new.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Blessed transformation.
Jan
www.jankern.com
www.courageousmoves.com
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Undefeated
On Tuesday my son Nathan’s baseball team plays for the championship. They remain undefeated and have a good chance at winning. I couldn’t help thinking today, what it takes to be undefeated, in baseball and in our spiritual lives. Both require . . .
Practice
Commitment
Being a good sport when you lose AND when you win
Remembering what you need to focus on (the ball, the next base, whether a pitch is good)
Learning from mistakes and moving on
Good defense
Today, as the Reno Little League A’s added to their undefeated streak I was feeling rather defeated in one area of life. I guess it’s time to look at how I got to this place. Am I focusing on the wrong things? Is there an area of my spiritual walk where I could us more practice? Maybe I need to work on defense against the one who wants to bring me down. I’m sure God will make it clear. I’ll be sure to give you a praise report when He does. Until then I’m thankful for the creative way that He spoke to my heart today.
So are you feeling defeated? Ask God to show you which of these areas of sportsmanship might get you back in the game.
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Thank you, God
My youngest child Thomas graduated from high school last week. I wanted to stop and say, "Thank you, God." Thomas's birth was such a time of celebration. We have two daughters, now 28 and 26. Our third child was a baby boy. Oh, how I'd prayed to have a son. But Robbie only lived twenty minutes. He was born with a rare birth defect called anencephaly--meaning absence of the brain. We had a small graveside service for him and I can remember thinking, I'll never smile again. My heart will never heal. This hurts too much.
I'd decided that's it. No more children. But slowly, very slowly, I began to feel a tiny spark of faith to try and have another baby. Two years after Robbie died, Thomas was born.
What joy! "It's a boy!"
I've been praying a certain prayer for Thomas since he was born..."that he grow in wisdom, and stature, and in favor with God and man." The Lord is gracious. He's answered my prayers.
I wanted to share my joy with you all today.
Has the Lord answered a prayer for you?
So much love,
Julie
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Achievement
- Inappropriate clothing
- Inappropriate actions
- Inappropriate words
Which order would you put them in? I put them in the order that another person might perceive. A stranger (the papparazzi?) would see what you're wearing, what you're doing, and then get close enough to hear what you are saying.
But I don't think this is the order of importance. Which order would you put them in on that criteria?
Lots of thoughts are swirling around in my brain. I'm thinking of the visual thesaurus and what words I would see if I put respect into the search box. Ever tried that? Here's the link: Visual Thesaurus