Guideposts Writers Workshops

Back in 2004, I entered the Guideposts writers' contest which includes an all expense paid trip to Rye, New York. I was chosen to attend! It's held every other year hosted by Guideposts.


After winning a spot to the intial workshop, writers are invited to submit a story yearly (some years spring and fall) to attend refresher workshops. I'm so excited. I fly to Portland, Oregon on Friday for another workshop. This picture shows the winners from the 2009 refresher workshop. I'm surrounded by writing friends, including my mother.

The next Guideposts writers contest will be in the fall of 2012. Watch for details on their website.

If you're a writer 21 or older, you should consider submitting a story.

Love,

Julie

Calling All Writers Under Age 25

I'm so excited! I get to help judge a writers' contest on Stephanie Morrill's Go Teen Writers Blog. I fell in love with words by accident. My mother is also a writer. Being the oldest of her four children, she chose me to become her junior editor. I was ten years old and not too thrilled with the idea. Oh,I was so tough on her. I wrote things like, "Boring! Who cares?" on her typed pages. I always used a red marker.

But my heart beat a little faster as I read a sentence that seemed to shine. I drew a pink heart on her paper every time that happened. And something began to form inside me.

I learned a tiny bit about writing with heart.

Good writing moves me.It makes me cry, makes my heart sing, and causes me to pause and read every single word as slowly as possible.

I didn't began writing until after I turned 40. A year later, my first article was published. So many times I've said, "Thank you, God. You had a plan. I couldn't see it at the time, but You used my childhood editing for good."

So, with a heart that's still moved by beautiful words, I'm honored to help judge Stephanie's contest.

P.S. Anyone under 25 can enter.
P.S.S. Did anything in your childhood help prepare you for life?

Love,
Julie

List of Qualities for Future Husband

I'm a list maker. I've also been teaching high school girls in Sunday school for many years. Something I suggest is to make a list of qualities to look for your future husband. It's a great idea to only date guys who meet the standard you set on your list. Pray about what goes on your list. Don't settle for less.

This is my husband and I playing shuffleboard in Florida. Yes, I know nobody plays shuffleboard anymore, but we're both smiling, so I picked this picture. We've been married thirty years. I love him more today than the day we were married. Waaay more. I keep discovering new things to admire about him.

What kinds of things might be on your HUSBAND-TO-BE list?

Ideas......

1. He loves God more than he loves me.
2. He's honest.
3. He has a sense of humor.
4. He fights for the underdog.
5. He's generous.
6. He's cute (definition of cute will be different for everybody).
7. He's not a worry wart.
8. He's not lazy.
9. Bonus--He treats his mama right. Hint: This may be how he'll one day treat you.

Love to you all this Friday and make those lists!

Julie

OCD/Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

I've been told I have OCD by a professional counselor. I sorta knew it already. :-)

I get obsessive about certain things and everything. Maybe it's part of being a writer. My husband tells me I think too much. I admit it. I think ALL THE TIME.

I often wonder how people don't think constantly. My husband doesn't. If we're riding down the road, I'll say, "What are you thinking about." He'll say, "Nothing." The thing about it is, I believe him. He says his mind is blank quite often.

I wonder if other people play weird mental games like I do. My personal thought-life doesn't seem weird to me.

As people are talking--especially if I'm in a class or listening to a sermon, I'll type the words I hear by slightly moving my fingers.

I count my steps a lot--always up to the number six, over and over again.

If I'm annoyed at somebody, I replay the whole reason in my mind tons of times, like how could she have said that to me.

Sometimes I analyze things I've said--why did i say that? What are they thinking of me now?

I wonder. What if I start to use my obsessive thinking only for good things?

Can I do it for just today? Can I use my creative thoughtlife for the following:

To pray.

To think of positive outcomes for problems.

To jot down story ideas.

To say thanks to God for simple things like good coffee and for huge things like my family.

Maybe I could even start saying thank you for bad things.

Maybe my OCD might just be a BLESSING.

Phil. 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is ANY EXCELLENCE and if ANYTHING IS WORTHY OF PRAISE, let your mind DWELL on these things." NAS

Love,

Julie

http://www.juliegarmon.com/

Candles

I've started something new. When I pray and read my Bible, I light this special candle. It smells incredible. Since I'm a writer, I'm home a lot during the day. I light my candle early in the morning while I'm praying, reading my Bible, and writing in my journal. Then I blow it out. It's a cinnamon one. The cool thing is that during the day, I'll get whiffs of it, and it reminds me of God's Presence always close, always with me, always ready to help.

Today is October 3. I love to read the Proverbs (since there are 31) and they coordinate with each day. Lately, I've been reading from The Message Bible.

Proverbs 3 says, "Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you do; he's the one who will keep you on track."

So, like the sweet-smelling candle, God's aroma goes with me and keeps me on track.

If you've never tried lighting a candle while you read the Bible or talk to God, you might want to. Just be sure and blow it out. :-) Don't worry. His Presence will stay lit inside you.

Love,

Julie

www.juliegarmon.com

A Pregnant Teen

A senior in high school just announced her pregnancy. She's a strong Christian.

I'm praying for her.

I don't know the perfect words to type into this blog. I know it must be so difficult to be getting ready to leave for college and also pregnant. I can see a hint of sadness in her eyes. But I also see encouragement as her friends love her and don't judge. She had a good check-up with the doctor everything's on schedule--the baby looks good.

Could I ask for prayer for my friend and others in this same situation?

May God bless them and keep them. May He receive glory and honor and praise. I pray my friend will experience His unconditional grace through those around her. Perfect love casts out all fear.

♥Julie

The New Me (I hope)

Today, I could feel my panic button self starting up. As usual.

I went to the Y. After I took a shower, I couldn't find my car keys. I raced to the front desk with my hair dripping wet and a coat hanger in my hand.

"I think I've locked my keys in the car. Is there anybody here who can help me use this to unlock it? Some smart man or something?"

"No, I'm sorry. You can call the car dealership next door."

I looked down and right next to the my hand at the front desk were my keys. They'd been sitting there untouched for almost two hours.

The whole time I was in panic mode, I felt the Lord saying, "Why don't you not panic this time?"

I came home and worked on a rewrite. An article I needed to send to an editor today. I'd just typed my last word and hit a wrong button. MY ENTIRE ARTICLE DISAPPEARED. All that was left was a stupid little letter "r" on my page. "Oh my gosh, what am I going to do?" I clicked through several documents. Nothing. Nothing on the page but an "r."

I called a smart computer guy who said, "Go to edit and press undo."

Wa-laaa. There was my completed article!

Again, I felt the Lord's gentle nudging. "Why don't you try and not panic? Try trusting Me."

There's a Bible verse that starts out, "Be anxious for NOTHING..."

Ouch. That means that I have to stop myself each time I start to panic. I have to say, "God wants me to pray about EVERYTHING. And not to be nervous about one single thing."

ANY OTHER PANIC BUTTONS OUT THERE WANT TO START LIVING A DIFFERENT WAY? I don't think we can trust and panic at the same moment.

♥ Julie