My Wednesday World – September 16, 2009

 

Pray for:

- wisdom for our president

-the family of the Yale student who was killed

 My husband will be traveling to Texas next week for his high school reunion. This time, I’ve chosen not to go along. The trip is simply to difficult with the blood clots still in my legs. Pray for a safe journey for him.

My son-in-law, Jeff, will be having back surgery next week for chronic pain. Hopefully, this will rememdy the problem.

I talked to my sister, Doris, in Florida this morning. Shame on me, it’s been at least a year since I’ve called her. She’s doing well.

Big news flash!!! Max  “went” by himself to his spot, then brought me the morning paper! He’s been doing that for Jack, but this is a first for me. Yipee!!

 

 

 

 

  Perusing ChristianWriters.com this morning, I saw that this site that is looking for manuscripts to publish on-line. http://firstcor1031.webs.com Probably no payment, but certainly one where you have an opportunity to get your work out there. I just sent my article, “A Journal-list for Sharing Christ on Purpose.” Maybe they will use it. If not, I keep on doing what God has called me to do!

Blessings, Eva

When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

Monday Musings – September 14, 2009

Just when I though I was practically finished with my ghost writing project, I added another chapter! Now looking at late October for it to be completely complete! I’m anxious to delve into other writing projects.

I’ve had a few roadblocks that have prevented me from sitting long at the computer over the last few days, but try and remember Romans 8:28. A friend and member of my Sunday School class – Marie – has a son who has been on a waiting list for a kidney for 3 years. Last Wednesday a Kidney was made available to him and he went through the surgery just fine – PTL. Marie had been planning a “Tea and Testimony” night for this past Saturday – when suddenly she was called away for her son’s surgery in N.J. That meant a lot of help was needed to fill her shoes. Several ladies pitched in, including yours truly, and pulled it off. Turned out very nice.

 Some great places to look for help with your writing!

 The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style
Writer’s Digest (Available Online and in Print)
Writer’s Market (Available Online and in Print)
The Writer (Available Online and in Print)
Christian Writer’s Market Guide by Sally Stuart (Available Online and in Print, new edition each year)
Writer’s Edge (Manuscript Service)

 

 

 

I talked to number one son yesterday -it was his birthday.  Happy birthday Rod! Love you.

       

Friday Finale – September 11 2009

        

Nine Eleven  

 Nine-eleven, a date that’s seared in every heart and mind;

A time of holocaustic-horror, the vilest, evil kind.

 This paper chain I’ve made today, with colors of the free,

Remind us of that fateful day, the enormous tragedy.

 Red, the color of the blood of victims dying there;

Mixed with blood of martyrs who dared enough to care.

 White, the color of the ash that fell on wounded ground;

And hearts so pure and selfless gathered all around.

 Blue, the color of those men who bravely worked and died;

To rescue those poor dying souls, helpless, trapped inside.

 I’ll place this chain of memory, made of colors of our land,

In a prominent place of honor to all who lent a hand.

 And God forbid that we forget the price that many paid;

We hope the memory of that day will never, ever fade.

-by Eva Maddox

My Wednesday World – September 9, 2009

  

Blessings and Surprises   

 A brand new printer! My husband came lugging it in for me yesterday.

My old one has been eating paper for several months now and I was so ready for a new one. Thank you Jack!

  Pray for our friends, Norm and Laura

  as they head out to Tennessee on vacation.

 

Jack got the news yesterday – he’s probably looking to lose his finger.  Although the visible infection is gone, the doctor wants to wait a few weeks to be sure the infection is gone from the bone. However, there is no skin to cover the wound. Therefore, he will have to have a skin graft from the adjacent finger that will take months and several operations to complete. Even then, he would not be able to bend either finger. Jack feels like amputation is the best way to go given his age. I would like him to consider the other route. We’ll wait and see what the next few weeks bring. Please pray for him.

 I have able to crank out quite a bit of writing this week besides the on-going editing of my ghost writing project.

-I have developed a new character in Eduardo and that means I’ll be working him into many of the chapters.

-I also finished a manuscript that I will take to my writer’s group on the 19^th. It’s a personal experience story based on something I did when I was five years old!

-Queried a devotional publication in hopes of an assignment.

-Completed an additional component to my kitchen devotional – I call it “Facts about Faucets.”

Want a good read that’s light-hearted, entertaining and heartfelt? Try this one Look for my story inside–       “Lessons from Grandma’s Grocery.”

 “It is as Grandmothers that our mothers come into the fullness of their grace.” – Christopher Morley

Looking for help with your writing? Here’s a good place to start: “For over twenty years,

 W. Terry Whalin has published his work for more than 50 print magazines and published more than 60 books from traditional publishers. This site is Terry’s way to help people who want to “write right.” If you keep sending out manuscripts without a basic knowledge, then you will likely be doomed to failure. http://www.right-writing.com/whalin.html

“The difference between a word and the absolutely right word is like the difference between a lightning bug and a lightning bolt.” – Mark Twain

Monday Musings – September 7, 2009

Labor Day!

It has truly been a day of labor at our house so far today. Jack is out mowing and I have been cleaning and doing laundry. Now I’ve settled into my recliner with my laptop ready to blog and do some serious writing. I have some articles to submit to publishers and work to do on my Eduardo story.

My pastor, Homer McKeithan,  read a poem to the congregation last week that I thought was fabulous. I have tried to find some information on the author of the poem, but so far have been unsuccessful. I’ve copied it below and know that you will be blessed by it as I was. There is a battle going on – a spiritual battle for the souls of mankind. Are you in the battle?

I Am a Soldier in the army of my God

I am a soldier in the army of my God.

The Lord Jesus Christ is my comanding officer.

The Holy Bible is my code of conduct;

Faith, prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare.

I have been taught by the Holy Spirit,

Trained by experience, tried by adversity and tested by fire.

I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity;

I will either retire in this army at the rapture or die in this army;

But I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out.

I am faithful, reliable, capable and dependable.

If my God needs me, I am there.

If He needs me in the Sunday School to teach children,

Work with the youth, help adults

Or just sit and learn, I’ll be there.

He an use me because I am there!

I am a soldier.

No one has to call me, remind me, write me

Visit me, entice me, or lure me.

I am a soldier.

I am not a wimp.

I am in place saluting my King, obeying His orders,

Praising His name, and building His kingdom!

No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy or give me handouts.

I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for or catered to.

I am committed.

I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around.

I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside.

I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.

If I end up with nothing, I will still come out ahead.

I will win.

My God has, and will continue, to supply all of my needs.

I am more than a conqueror.

I will always triumph

I can do all things through Christ.

Devils cannot disillusion me.

People cannot defeat me.

Weather cannot weary me.

Sickness cannot stop me.

Battles cannot beat me.

Money cannot buy me.

Governments cannot silence me and hell annot handle me.

I am a soldier.

Even death cannot destroy me.

Forwhen my Commander calls me from this battlefield,

He will promote me to Captain and then allow me to rule with Him.

I am a soldier in the army and I’m marching, claiming victory.

I will not give up.

I will not turn around.

I am a soldier marching, heaven-bound.

-Author unknown

 

Friday Finale – September 4, 2009

Friday arrived early, didn’t it? The warm, September days are my favorite and I’d like to be able to package them up and save them for ….February!

 Family: My oldest daughter, Kristi, is coming for a visit in October – hopefully. Yea! Hopefully, I’ll have time today to make some plans.

 My son-in-law, Jeff, will be having surgery on his upper spine on the 23^rd of this month. He has been in a lot of pain for several months and I pray this will take care of it.

 Great grandson, Riley, has his 2^nd birthday this month. I hope to make it up to PA for his party. He’s a cutie.  My oldest son, Rod, also has a birthday this month. He can’t possibly be 47??? That would make me old.

 My sweet Aunt Edith turns 85 (I think?) on the 6th– she taught me to read when I was 5 and was my first grade teacher. She still subs!!!!

 Jack got a clean CT scan of his lungs and his finger is improving. PTL! Today he is busy getting stones to serve as mulch in our flower beds. Yours truly will be helping to spead them. That should make for a backache.

 Church:

Next Saturday our WMU is having a “Tea and Testimony” time. Looking forward to this special time.

 I have started meeting with my friend, Sherry, for prayer and Bible study every Thursday morning. We did this a couple of years ago and let it lapse for some – I don’t remember – reason. I’m so happy we started it again.

 Writing:

Still editing and editing and editing my book. Wilma just keeps finding things to change. Same deal with the cover. Ben keeps trying to please me and he’s finding it a challenge I’m sure.  One of these days it will be finished.

 Blessings to all who read this

My Wednesday World – September 2, 2009

    

Verse for Today: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. 1 Co 2:9

 

Just returned from the pool.   I always feel good after a good workout like I get in the pool, but it’s so difficult getting up at 5:30 and getting there by 6:30.

 Sooooo disappointed. I actually gained ½ pound! I don’t see how that happened, but it did. I’m determined to keep going, though. I feel so much better having lost the 29 pounds that I have. I’ll have to pray through my discouragement, though. Before I started this latest effort to lose weight, discouragement would give me an excuse to eat even more. Done with that!! Yesterday I finally was able to get my garden halfway cleaned up. It’s been so hot I couldn’t get out there. We ended up with 12 watermelons

 from one watermelon seed I planted – just to see what it would do. Didn’t expect much since I planted my squash 3 x and only got 2! Tell me, who can’t grow a squash???

 Thanks be to God, Jack’s finger showed some improvement. So rather than having to soak it 5x a day, he only has to do it twice. It’s still badly infected though.

 I’m so thrilled that I now have 3-4 teachers besides myself in my Sunday School class who can help with the teaching. Not only are they willing they are excited to do it.

 That reminds me of a verse in 1 Chron. 28:9 in which David was giving a charge to his son, Solomon. “acknowledge the God of your father and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts.”

 I am grateful for Diane, Marie, Carol and possibly Marsha for their willingness to serve the Lord by sharing His Word.

 Today, I am praying for some uninterrupted time to spend reviewing and rewriting parts of my children’s book. If not, I’ll assume God interrupted my plans. That’s a book, isn’t it? Interrupted by God?       

 Hi! I’m  Max and I weight 91 pounds, but I think I am a miniature poodle!

Start saving for retirement with your first paycheck!

My Monday Musings – August 31, 2009

Blessings and Surprises

 A telephone call from my youngest son, Daniel. He’s an amazing young man, if I do say so myself!

 

Wow! I can’t believe summer is almost over. Life is flying by! My day was completly filled with housework, yard work and grocery shopping. “My Monday Musings” is appearing on Tuesday!

Regarding the book I’ve been ghost writing for the last two years: I was disappointed that I had to ask my book cover artist to make some additional changes in the cover for “Keely” but they were definitely needed. Oh well, that’s part of the whole book-writing adventure. Hopefully, Ben will be able to get the changes made without too much trouble.

My editor/author friend, Wilma Caraway, has been doing a 2nd read-through of “Keely’ and then I’ll do another read-through with the co-author, Claudette, and then it’s off to the publisher.

Today I finally put the requested proposal for my devotional book in the mail to Steve Lawson, editor with Regal Books. So exciting to have actually gotten that request! Whatever the outcome, I give glory to God!

While Wilma is re-reading I hope to take a second look at Eduardo Magnifico, my children’s book and see if I can make some improvements.

Pray for my friend, Laura’s Texas friends – Carolyn & Jerry. Their beloved dog, Alli, has a lump on her face. My husband, Jack, has a badly infected finger.

Friday Finale – August 28, 2009

On Wednesday our pastor, Homer McKeithan, shared 7 things that “mark” one as a Christian – the word “mark” taken from Gal. 6:17 “Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.”

 These things “mark” us as true followers of Christ:

1. Saved – You have been delivered from the penalty of your sins; you have been made a new creation
2. Sure – You know you are saved according to 2 Tim 1:12
3. Sound – you are devoted to prayer, Bible study and fellowship – You’re maturing in Christ
4. Surrendered – Your will is His will
5. Separated – You have separated yourself from the world’s way of thinking and acting
6. Spirit-filled – Your life is evidencing the life of the Holy Spirit in you; you are bearing spiritual fruit
7. Singing – You are a joyful Christian

Are you saved, sure, sound, surrendered, separated, Spirit-filled and singing? I hope so.

Blessings to you today!

My Wednesday World – August 26, 2009

Tried to call my brother yesterday since it was his birthday, but no answer. Hope he’s out enjoying himself. Also grandson, Oscar’s birthday! He’s growing up so fast!  I’m so blessed with these special loved ones.

Yesterday’s visit with my writing friend, Ben, proved productive. Ben did a great job on my book cover. He tried to show me how to navigate the Corel Paint Shop Pro program, but I think he lost me after the first 10 minutes. Hopefully, with his help, my book will be in print in a couple of weeks! Hooray!

By the way, Ben Patterson, has several books available on Amazon. If you like Science fiction. Among them are: Dangerous Haul and The Providence Chronicles.

Today: Hair appointment and finish working on my book and lots of garden chores.

Pray for my husband. His infected finger looks horrible. There is a possibility he could lose it if they can’t control the infection that has moved into the joint.

Blessings to all.