Answers in Genesis

For the record, there is a 5 minute time warp between my front door and my car. Which explains why we were late for the evening session of the Answers in Genesis conference. Which explains why we couldn't find six seats together in this 2500 seat auditorium.

Ken Ham and his colleagues have put together some impressive materials detailing the truth and importance of Genesis 1-11. All their arguments, reasoning and logic boil down to this major take-away:

The Bible is True.

Mom's Prayer

The awards ceremony for the Genesis contest was last week. I went to Denver feeling like I had a 1 in 5 shot at winning my category. I bought new shoes. I borrowed a dress.

My mom prayed for me. She prayed that whether I won or lost, I would be able to enjoy my time, that I wouldn't be too disappointed if I lost.

By the time the awards night rolled around, I already knew I wasn't going to win. No one came out and told me, but I had a dozen little hints that Jennifer Griffith was the best new writer in Contemporary Fiction (the first being that she'd already won the category a previous year).

So, thanks to Mom's prayer, I was able to go to the banquet not even nervous about whether I would win or lose. I enjoyed the night and was truly happy for those who won.

Thanks, Mom.

Writer's (self-imposed) Block

After a couple of months of pushing really hard to finish a project, I promised myself and my kids that I would take a couple of weeks off from writing.

It. Is. Going. To. Kill. Me.

My Week

I started the week by sending off a manuscript and proposal to some agents. I pressed "send" with a prayer that these words will not go to waste.

Home School schedule meant reading some Sherlock Holmes, making sure two kids were on track for Algebra II and one kiddo was practicing addition facts. I drew a map of the US on the road outside and divided out the different types of American Indians on the map. Picked and prepared and got about 20 quarts of corn put in the freezer. Picked tomatoes, ignored the green beans that need picking, and actually felt a little thankful that I won't have any walnuts to deal with. They're long gone.

Writers group met last night. Only 5 people brought a piece for critique, but we managed to use the whole time.

Printed off sample chapters, book proposal, one sheet, business cards, and Work In Progress for my upcoming conference.

Got my hair cut and my nails painted. Tried on my banquet dress and my new heels and felt okay about how I'll look on Saturday.

Grocery shopping, laundry, all the usual stuff. Printed airline ticket and dragged suitcase out so I can pack tonight.

It's only Tuesday. I'm exhausted.

(I'll be at the ACFW conference in Denver for the rest of the week. Check back next Monday to see if I have any news.)

Remembering

We're not very good rememberers. Pomp and ceremony have all but left our culture as we chase after the here and now, the comfortable, the informal. But there are a few moments in life that leave a mark on our hearts - the birth of a child, the words "I do," a sudden death.

For those who were alive, there are moments we share as a nation that define us. The bombing of Pearl Harbor, the assassination of President Kennedy, the space shuttle Columbia disaster. And of course, the attacks on September 11, 2001.

For some reason, I spent those first few days huddled over a scrap booking project. The TV was on, but I couldn't watch the pictures. I kept the children out of the room, let them play and be innocent for a few more days. I didn't want images of that day making them afraid to sleep, to dream, to live.

Like in the days following Hurricane Katrina, people were desperate to help and many did. Others of us held our breath and prayed and waited for everything to return to normal. Only normal is not the same.

A friend, an airplane pilot from the south, was grounded indefinitely. He jumped on his motorcycle and rode two thousand miles to the northwestern corner of Washington. He arrived in the dark, in the rain, with a spirit that said "You can't stop me." That's what I needed to hear.

Approaching a Milestone

We're approaching another milestone on this blog: 25,000.

It's a slow, steady climb. I think I've averaged 21 hits a day for the last year, it could still take a couple of weeks before we see the 25,000th visitor.

If you are visitor #25,000, drop me a line to collect your prize.

Prayers, Please

One of our dear friends, Hammer Afakule, suffered a stroke this week. He was in the hospital, but is now home and seems to be on the mend. He was able to teach Bible class on Sunday.

Many of you have met Hammer, or at least know him by reputation. He's one of the hardest workers in God's kingdom on the ground in Togo. We pray that he'll have many, many more years of productive service.

Pray for his wife Dela and his children Dovene, Nancy and Joycie. Pray for the church in Vogan where Hammer lives to find the maturity to take some responisbilities off his shoulders and for Hammer to have the grace to let some of his projects go.

Get A Clue!

I'm off to Faith Quest, a big youth function that will kick off the school year. I am now *gasp* the mother of two high school students. How did that happen?

I'm sorry I can't tell you anything about the retreat other than that the theme is "Get a Clue!" I'll post pictures from camp or after we get home.

Have a happy Labor Day weekend!

Come and Visit

I wanted to start a new website, but I find the thought of it overwhelming. Instead, I've started a new blog that is dedicated to my writing life which, honestly, is a huge portion of my life right now.

I plan to post meditative thoughts related to writing, books reviews, good websites for writers to visit, industry news, triumphs and frustrations in my own writing journey...

I'd also like to highlight people's stories. I believe God's story, begun in the beginning, continues even today thorugh the lives of people around the world. So if I hear a good story that points to God, I'll post it there.

I plan to keep blogging here, too. We'll see how I do at keeping up with both.

It's an experiment. Nothing fancy yet... no wdigets or gadgets. Just words.

Be my guinea pigs?

http://pattyslack.wordpress.com/