Philly conference WRITE HIS ANSWER

TOP PHOTO-

Susan, me, Shelley

MIDDLE PHOTO-

Joyce Magnin and novelists

BOTTOM PHOTO-

me, Kelly, Sonya, Kelli

WRITE HIS ANSWER ...

Yes, I was blessed with a scholarship that covered my entire tuition. But, I will say it was a hard weekend for me emotionally, so that I was very grateful for the friends that surrounded me.

I rode with Kelly and Sonya. I also met many wonderful people, like Shelley and Susan. I also met Leslie, who I knew from the blogging world but had not met face to face. Meeting and being with all of these wonderful women helped me tremendously. (My roomate, Shelley, did not snore and likes to run. God knows me:)

Why so emotional? Well, a lot of things I heard (like the how to's of getting a book published) left me questioning. Am I called to write? Well, yes. Is this the season to write? Well, yes. Am I willing to do what it takes to "write His answer"? Pause. Pause. Will I ever get where He wants me to be in writing/living? Pause. Pause.

Kelly told me one day at lunch that she had been praying for me. I broke into tears (in front of a table of ladies no less). She offered me a lot of encouragement- about keeping first things first (my kids) and allowing my writing to "ebb and flow". In other words, sometimes we can write a lot and other times life takes over. As she said, "you still have a lot of living in you." Sonya's encouragement helped me get to the conference in the first place. (I emailed her of my pre-conference dread!) Shelley's zest for life and go get it attitude also helped my blahs. And Susan- poor Susan tried multiple times to go and get the right key to get in the dorm. She never complained and always seemed to have a smile. In short, God knew how to surround me and with whom to surround me. Joyce Magnin was an amazing workshop teacher and from the general session I learned from Susan May Warren. WOW!

For me, I am determined to be steadfast in writing for the Lord (here and submitting elsewhere) as long as God gives me the breath and strength to do so. I am so grateful for my hubby who took on the task of single parent for five days. I am also grateful for home and that to live is Christ (to live is not just to write, not even just to be mommy). At the end of every day, He really does care:)

WORD-FILLED WEDNESDAY

PSALM 23

I am blessed to be away this weekend and have some still calming waters at a writer's conference! To me, that entails some quiet time, some alone time, and some down time. I am thankful for the ride with Kelly and Sonya and for time to spend with the Lord. And, of course, I am thankful for all God will do!

Please stop by Amy Deane's blog and consider participating in Word-Filled-Wednesday.

THANKFUL THURSDAY

"What are you thankful for today? Stop by Sonya's blog, Truth 4 The Journey, to find out how to share your gratitude and see what others are thanking God for today."

1. I am thankful for how God multiplies... our efforts, our energies, our supply!

2. I am thankful that my kids are still sleeping at 8:30am- HALLELUJAH!

3. I am thankful that my husband has one more week of summer school and then all of us have a week off!

4. I am thankful for not having to be perfect!

5. I am thankful that Christ is perfect and graciously works on perfecting me.

NEW BLOG DESIGN, STILL ME

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and
are safe. Prov 18:10

It is still Laurie, with supernatural living. The amazing and gifted Edie created my blog design. Thank you Edie, you are wonderful. She is an amazing lady and wonderful to work with if you desire to have something designed for your blog. Please check out her services and blog!

And, please stop by AmyDeane's Blog for more words and images and consider joining her"Word-Filled-Wednesday" meme.

"What are you thankful for today? Stop by Sonya's blog, Truth 4 The Journey, to find out how to share your gratitude and see what others are thanking God for today."

HERE ARE MY FIVE:

As many of you know, I just moved. I want to say five things I am thankful for about our new home. BTW- These things are different from our old home.

1. Our huge back yard- I am thankful for a big place for the kids to play and run around!

2. Our carport- That is my kids favorite place to play.

3. Our neighbors- My daughter's best friend, Makayla, lives in our old neighborhood. We missed her so much the first few days after moving. God blessed us with another little girl, who lives right next door. She has helped ease the loss we felt from not being so close to Makayla.

4. Smaller space- People thought we might go into shell shock, because we are living in about half the space. Actually, it has been a blessing for us. We have downsized sooooooo much and it will make the next move easier. I don't know when that will be, but will be sometime next year:) WOW!

5. Grass!- We did not have a green lawn where we came from, but this house has lots of green grass. Well, it's dying some from the heat, but you know what I mean.

I thank God that He has helped us every step of the way and to have a place to call home. And, I am especially grateful that is truly starting to feel like home. I missed everyone on TT- glad to be back!