Archives for 2010

I’m still giddy with excitement and my brain is buzzing after last weekend’s Savvy Blogging Summit. One of the things I’ve decided to do more consistently with my blog is to participate in Saturday Stumbles at It’s Come 2 This. Visit her site to find some other great bloggers and their recommendations.

What I’ve been reading this week:

Laundry Schmaundry!

If you’re like me, you, too, wrestle with your laundry: finding/making the time to do it, doing it properly, or creating a new routine.

Guess what? One of my new friends, Lauren, has a blog about LAUNDRY! I met Lauren last weekend at the Summit and was really blown away to meet someone who:

1. loved laundry and 
2. decided to devote an entire blog to the chore! 

In Lauren, I had met my match-made-in-homekeeping-heaven!

Mama’s Laundry Talk is a super-helpful and practical blog, plus Lauren is a real delight! Go visit Mama’s Laundry Talk for tips, insights, and help on all-things laundry.

A Greasy Way to Save?

Who doesn’t want to save an extra penny or two? How much you spend on hair products? Well, why don’t you consider going shampoo-free? That’s right. Just. stop. shampooing. your. hair.

You’re crazy, you say? Well, check out this essay on the “no-poo ‘do”. The post tells you exactly how to care for your “no-poo ‘do” and cites the myriad benefits of getting the gunk out of your hair. It appeals to me as a busy mom because that’s one less thing I’d have to do in the 10 5 minutes I actually get in the bathroom during the grooming routine.

Let me know what you think and if you’d try it. (If you DO try it, come back here and let us know how it worked.)

Shameless plugs (I am compensated to work on the publicity teams for the following authors and their books. I am also a paid affiliate for Amazon and do receive a small commission on sales based upon my recommendations)

This summer, I’m helping four authors with their social media and blogging efforts. Please check out their blogs, Facebook, and Twitter pages.

Frank Santora has written a book called Turn It Around, which is chock full of encouragement for persons going through tough times (who’s not going through tough times?). I know you’ll find perseverance in the pages of this book as Frank points you to the hope in Christ.

My Grandmother is … praying for me is an awesome new daily devotional written by three grandmothers—Kathy March, Pam Ferriss, and Susan Kelton—for grandmothers. It takes the reader through the book of Proverbs with Scripture, prayers, and activities.

Go check out their blogs, leave a comment, and tell a friend!

I went to the Savvy Blogging Summit this past weekend, prepared to come home and shut down my blog.

Yep. You read that right.

I was half-way expecting to leave the Summit, feeling soberly deflated from my crazy notions that this blogging thing could ever be a business for me.

But that didn’t happen.

In fact, just the opposite is true.

Let me back up a minute, though, and tell you how I approached this trip.

For the first half of 2010, I’ve felt my life has been topsy-turvy: the unprecedented Nashville flood, losing a friend in the Haiti earthquake, watching my church shut its doors, leaving Blissdom with little more than a handful of business cards and some groovy swag as my “take-away.” Because I’ve always been a “big vision,” idealistic person, these losses have chipped away at my grandiose ideas.

When loved ones die, when cherished items are destroyed, when the unthinkable happens, when expectations are never realized, dreams are obliterated.

Such disappointments cause me to reconsider everything in life and become a bit stingier with my dreaming.

Sure, I had always salivated at the thoughts of my blog making money. But I had also ballooned those thoughts to the point of worship, blurring the lines between authentic calling and my own assertions in the pursuit of success.

Going to this conference, I did my best to dismiss me and my ideas, opening myself to God’s ideas instead.

I had all but decided that—although I would continue to write—I would most likely abandon the idea of trying to make money with my blog.

Nevertheless, I went into it prayerfully that God would use it to show me “yea” or “nay.” Keep it or close it? Pursue it or leave it? I wanted to know. I wanted God to show me. I was so tired of striving for my own idols in my own strength. I just prayed God would show me how to do well that which he had created me to do.

The fact that I even got to go was a wonderful sign to me of God’s validation (thanks to the three women behind My Grandmother is … Praying for Me). The fact I found three other Christian bloggers for roommates was another. The fact that there was no traffic to the airport on Thursday morning? Well, what better sign could I ask for?

Seriously, God gave his favor on every aspect of this trip. I am reminded that God says his yoke is easy and his burden is light. I think of so many of my previous pursuits and how HARD they’ve been. Obstacle after obstacle.  Dead end after dead end.

But God confirmed that this blogging/writing endeavor is an “easy” and “light” place for me to be. What freedom to simply walk the path God has laid!

My “Take-Away”

I came home with a notebook full of scribbles of nuggets of wisdom. I made lots of new friends and have a small stack of business cards to file away. I have a to-do list and a to-read list that spans a couple of pages.

I “took-away” much in terms of practical, legitimate, immediately usable information to make my blog more readable, more easily discovered, and—ultimately—more profitable.

But, by far, for me, the biggest take-away from this conference was that I am meant to do this for God’s glory. He will equip me to do that which he calls me to do. Will it all come overnight? No. Will I become an instant millionaire? Probably not.

I am simply called to follow step-by-step in faith and watch God’s plan unfold.

And I have a bunch of like-minded Savvy Blogger friends watching with me, cheering me on every step of the way.

I’ve always had a problem with the monotony of motherhood: the I-do-this-everyday sameness of meals and laundry; the watch-setting consistency of household tasks. As sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, so will my laundry basket full.

But in the last couple of years, I’ve tried to embrace the rituals of motherhood and home managing. I want to see God’s hand in all of it. I know God’s ways are to use the ordinary means to offer his grace. He’s a God of bread, water, and fire, after all. He has taught us much and shown us much through these basics of human existence.

He probably has something to tell me through filing coupons, scraping dinner plates, and navigating the school car line, huh?

Well, friend and author Jen Seger is a few steps ahead of me in the sanctification process. Her new book, Routine Revelations, is a touching collection of these types of moments all mothers experience. Jen humorously takes us through the ups and downs of motherhood as she reflects on the ways God teaches her his truths during the routines of everyday life.

Routine Revelations is not only about errands, school projects, and church; but it is also about God’s love, forgiveness, and faithfulness. How many of us mothers have said that parenting shows us more vividly our sin and God’s mercy? How many of us know that—having been a parent—we have a new dimension of understanding for the ways our heavenly Father loves us? Jen beautifully weaves all of these themes throughout the forty-six short devotions in Routine Revelations.

I found myself chuckling, nodding my head, and whispering, “Amen, sister!” throughout this delightful book. I’m certain her insightful writing will resonate with you, too. It’s an easy “pick-up/put-down” kind of read (perfect for busy moms!) but leaves you with something to “chew on.”

Need a book for the beach or a long flight? Need a hostess gift or Christmas (it’s never too early!) gift? Want to brighten your best friend’s day?

Get Routine Revelations by Jen Seger.

Jen has graciously offered an autographed copy of Routine Revelations to a reader of The Writer’s Block!

The contest runs from Monday, July 5 through Monday, July 12, midnight (central time). One winner will be chosen using Random.org from all eligible entries. The winner will be notified no later than Wednesday, July 14.
 
To enter: You must complete #1. You have the opportunity to earn SIX additional entries, but you must leave a separate comment for each one completed. 

1. Leave a comment here telling me about your most challenging aspect of motherhood.
2. Subscribe to The Writer’s Block.
3. “Like” The Writer’s Block on Facebook.
4. Follow me on Twitter.
5. Leave a comment on Jen Seger’s blog (any post). 
6. “Like” Routine Revelations on Facebook.
7. Follow Jen Seger and Routine Revelations on Twitter.

“This is a season, honey.”

I’ve always had a negative reaction to that sentiment (usually offered as a well-meaning response to one of my whiny-tale complaints that I can’t do such-and-so).

A bristling. A knee-jerk. A restrain-myself-from-slapping-you moment.

Why? I’ve often wondered.

Oh, sure. It must be that control issue I have. I don’t want there to be a season. I want to do whatever I want to do whenever I want to do it.

If anything, though, lately, God’s been teaching me the value of fluidity. The benefit of ebb and flow. The recovery that comes with restful barrenness. The truth of Ecclesiastes.

The season for watermelon, flip-flops, and lemonade is summer. The season for mittens, hot cocoa, and fleece is winter.

The other day, one of the kids said, “I want some hot cocoa!” I said, “No! You don’t drink hot cocoa in the summer. Here, have an ice pop instead.”

It’s plain to me that seasons in the other areas of my life are sensible—even beneficial. It’s only fitting, then, to embrace the seasons of my life when it comes to home, family, work, hobbies, church life, and so on.

The season of having young children is not the season to pursue a leadership position for a Fortune 500 company (at least not for me; some women do it with ease, but alas—that’s another post: embracing who God made me and not comparing myself to others). The season of caring for aging parents is not the season for world travel. The season for establishing a career is (perhaps) not the season for marriage and family.

It is different for all. But wouldn’t it be a great tragedy to stuff myself into some mold of self-created “expectations” of what I should or shouldn’t be doing right now?

I see now that so much freedom exists in begging for God’s guidance—rather than fighting the inevitable—in the various seasons of life.

So, I may now be entering the “summer” of my life, as I turn 40 and have all my kids in school this fall.

I’m anticipating many “summer” days sipping that lemonade in prayer and reflection. 

photo: ilco at stock.xchng

This summer is proving to be one of shattered expectations. Now that I think about it, though, when does my life ever turn out as I had planned?

I can’t believe how busy I am. I am shuttling children hither and yon—and we really aren’t even THAT busy! Still, I’m in the van quite a bit: loading, unloading, packing, unpacking, and so on.

And that makes me tired.

I have created a master work of art in Susanna’s room, which I will show you as soon as I get about $100 to buy a new digital camera (our really nice one got rained on in the flood and now won’t work). Our washer of 12 (or so) years finally konked last week. The in-laws graciously offered to buy a new one. We accepted.

I continue with my study of the Enneagram. I’m pretty sure I’m a Type 3, which is the type that has the need to succeed. I’m learning quite a bit but have yet to be able to distill it all into words.

I find that: I think I have some things to say but don’t have the time or presence of mind to put it down intelligibly and sincerely (thus, this rambling post).

And who knew? I have planter pots on my porch. They’ve been planted now for one week, and they aren’t languishing! I’m kind of surprised since I fully embrace the fact that I’m not a gardener, yet I rejoice that I have 7 days of keeping these plants alive behind me. (And I’ll post some pictures when I get that camera.)

I’m headed to a social media/blogging conference in about two weeks. I’m so excited, but it’s kind of sneaking up on me. I guess that’s better than pining for it, huh? And I’m so thrilled to report that the authors behind the fabulous devotional book, My Grandmother Is … Praying for Me, are sponsoring my trip. In return, I’ll be doing some social media work for their book and their brand.

That’s a little bit of a catch-up for now.

I love Charles Spurgeon.

And when I get to heaven, I’m going to hang out with him. I am going to love talking to him about writing. He’s one of my favorite writers. (And, yes, I know I’ll be worshiping Jesus, but I’m hoping part of eternal bliss is allowing us to have relationships with other saints. So, permit me this idea that Charles [can I call him, Charlie?] and I will be BFFs for eternity, mkay? 😉 )

Anyhoo … as I’ve been thinking more along the lines of the wilderness experience, I remembered a devotion by Spurgeon in his Morning and Evening. I hung it on my bathroom mirror when I was struggling with infant twins, post-partum depression, and sleep deprivation. Some Most days—truly—these few words from Spurgeon’s pen were my only connection to the Gospel.

From Spurgeon’s Evening devotion for July 19 (public domain, bold emphasis mine): 

Evening, July 19

Matthew 12:20

You need one or two or … ten of these adorable business card holders from Megan Dunham at Half-Pint House.

One of the first times I read Megan’s work was over at the World magazine site. I then found her blog and started following her on Twitter.

I’m excited that I’ll get to meet Megan in a few short weeks at the Savvy Blogging Summit.

BUT.

She needs your help in raising money to pay for her trip. So go buy some of these adorable, handmade card holders from Megan.

And if you’re feeling extra-generous and want to throw some money my way, I still need some additional funds for my trip. I can’t sew. But I’d love to barter writing or blogging services in exchange for travel money. If you’d like to sponsor me for part of the trip, we can talk about publicity I can bring you (or your company) through this blog and through other online outlets.  Let’s talk.

The Savvy Blogging Summit is a small gathering of social media professionals. We are going to learn in an intimate setting from the best in the areas of technology, media, law, photography, design, and more.

I absolutely. can’t. wait.

I grew up on a farm. My parents still live there today, and my dad is still farming: mainly beef cattle and crops.

I am not afraid of spiders or ticks or worms. I credit my country upbringing with this strong constitution. I find it incredulous that my husband screams at chirping crickets and is quick to deliver the death blow, while I carefully shoo them out the back door. (It’s just a cricket. Why should he die? He didn’t do anything wrong.)

A creek runs behind my parents’ house. As kids, we’d play in the water. Most of the time, we’d remember our old shoes for wading; but sometimes we didn’t, and I can’t recall our ever stepping on broken glass or nails or anything. Occasionally, we’d go camping out on our farm. We’d fish in the creek and cook our catch. We’d sleep in a camper in the middle of nowhere. Dark and chilly. Without boundaries of time or space or safety or predictability.

And we loved it.

Sure it was just little more than a “backyard camp-out.” I mean, we weren’t being all Bear Grylls or Survivor Man or The Blair Witch Project or anything.

But it was just enough outdoorsy-ness that now, as an adult, I look at that and think, Um, yea. That doesn’t sound like so much fun.

Ewwww… wading in a creek where hundreds of cows have pooped? Catching and eating fish from that same creek? No electricity? No bathroom?  

No Internet? 

I got to thinking about this because I’ve been mulling over “wilderness experiences” lately. Think of the Israelites and their wilderness wanderings. So much can be gleaned from their years in the wilderness. In upcoming posts, I want to explore some of those ideas: their grumbling, God’s provision, and others.

Chris and I believe we are being led through a “wilderness experience” of sorts right now. I find it terribly difficult some days to take the next step through the density of the brush and the tangle of thorns that characterize my heart. Still, I know it’s necessary and important and good and will ultimately bring me through to the other side.

photo: xandert on morguefile.com

Now?

Now: I decided I didn’t like this day very much. Dinner was a Mike’s Hard Cranberry Lemonade and a slice of birthday cake.

And that’s about all I have to say about that.

As I continue with the NaBloPoMo theme of “Now” for the month of June, I thought I’d really get with the ballgame and participate in Saturday Stumbles with Mandi at It’s Come 2 This.

I actually sat beside Mandi on a shuttle bus for a Savvy Blogging Dinner excursion at this year’s Blissdom. She may not remember (it was oh, so brief and in the dark), but I enjoyed our little conversation. 

Anyhoo …

For Saturday Stumbles, I’ll be highlighting for you some of my favorite blog posts that I read this week. I’d encourage you to:

1. Check them out and leave them a comment.
2. Go to the Saturday Stumbles list and read some other good posts recommended by those bloggers.
3. Leave me a comment telling me what you think and/or what you found interesting this week on the web. 

It’s always fun to find new friends and new blogs!

Around the Block This Week

• My sweet friend and fellow blogger, Rebecca at Toothwhale, wrote this great post about preventing dirt in your home. I find it so simply profound; I just love it! Maybe it’s because I’m such a mediocre rotten housekeeper? Anyway, I love Rebecca’s simple tips for keeping the house tidy when dirty kids are roaming throughout.

• I love. love. love. this beautiful post from Jennifer at Surprising Joy. A transparent and honest seeker of God, she lays it all out. It inspires me and convicts me at the same time.

• What a great post about blog content from Social Media Examiner! This is a hugely practical and helpful article, full of great tips for creating GOOD blog posts consistently. I printed this one and stuck it in my “blogging” reference folder. 

• Rena from AllPersonality.com is a new The Writer’s Block reader. She left a comment on one of my posts and asked me to visit her site. It’s all about the Enneagram. I’ve just begun studying it, so of course, my interest is piqued! Her site is full of interesting insights about the Enneagram and the personality types. I could get lost reading there for hours. 😉