Thoughts and ideas

On Wednesday evenings, my husband and I co-facilitate a community group through our church. This session’s topic is on God sightings. This past week our topic centered on the Matthew 22:37. “Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’” The general census was that it is pretty easy to love with all your heart, but a bit harder to love fully with all your mind and soul. Prior to my journey through breast cancer, I believe that I would have agreed to this thinking. Now, I have to wonder?? When you are faced with a realism of the possibility of a shorter time on this earth than you anticipated, it can change your thinking just a bit. There is a risk involved with loving God with your whole heart…what if you give all your love and the answer you get back is an answer you don’t want to hear? So, in my heart I had to be real…will I still love God in adversity and sadness? I know He will never leave me, but the question is would I leave Him? When I started my journey, I didn’t know if I had it in me to fight and if my faith would hold true…After the peaks and valleys of this last year, I found that I had a strength that fortunately didn’t come from me, it came from a God who loved and cared about me. A gracious God who I learned through my journey has a sacrificial love for us all. We don’t have to do anything. Amazing!!

In my inbox yesterday was the announcement o f the upcoming SCBWI conference. One of the speakers is Chris Richman–Agent, Upstart Crow Literary. In researching Upstart Crow Literary, I came across an interview of Michael Sterns, founder and agent of Upstart Crow Literary. Mr. Sterns made an interesting statement that “jump started” me into some serious writing and planning this weekend. When asked about new authors, he stated, “I like to know if the writer is a member of a workshop, the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, or does anything that indicates she takes writing seriously and is in it for the long haul.” So, I have been seeking God’s guidance on if this is the direction He wants me to direct my energies and focus. Although, I haven’t received a strong answer either way, I took the plunge and I have written some goals and specific measurable details to help reach my dreams! (Trusting that if the Lord has other dreams for me, He will guide and direct, after all, this morning I read about the parable of the talents in Matthew. How sad would it be to not use a possible talent, just because I let my own fear get in the way.)

When I started this blog, I had no idea what blogging really is…sure I had read a few blogs and even followed a few, but truly no clue what I was doing. Even though, I still have no clue, this weekend I spent some time updating my blog and researching other blogs to see what features I liked/disliked. Let me know what you think about my changes. (Good or bad…) A blogger whose blog and comments I enjoy is Journey Beyond Breast Cancer at http://beyondbreastcancer.wordpress.com/. Not only do I enjoy the information she provides, but I like the system she follows according to the days of the week, yet still allowing for some randomness. So, I have decided to pattern this blog after her example. This is the tentative schedule, of course, allowing that some weeks; life will definitely get in the way, so I may miss a few days. (lol).

Medical/Marriage Monday (I love to research so if anyone has a topic or interests send me a comment or email. If I don’t have anything in the medical world to share, thought I might explore some ideas on marriage.

Wellness Wednesday (since I am a wellness coach, this is a high area of passion.)

Thursday Thoughts (thinking this will be more of a pondering topic…perhaps, based on my Christian walk.)

Fun Fridays (this year my only new year resolution was to have more FUN!! Open to ideas…)

Simply Saturdays (hoping this topic will look at ways to simplify our lives.)

Since it is already Sunday, see you tomorrow!