Kid Kraze

A boatload of kids and parents showed up this week for my storytelling at the Pie Co. This was great, but not the best part. God helped me--in the middle of leading at VBS every night this week-- find and prepare a variety of stories so that I had something for everyone who came. They ranged from 18 months to 14 years. It was a mega challenge to speak over crying, spilling water and food service and I was ready. The best part is that the size of the crowd next week is not my focus. I will enjoy preparing something extraordinary to give. I smiled when two people told me how much I sounded like Angelina from t.v., since I've never seen the show and was able to find her voice on line and prepare quicker than ever. If God is in it, it will work out.

Extended Conversation With God

I've been praying yesterday and today and fasting. Though, I've been praying for years, this morning as I headed for some extended time with God many pressures flew through my mind like what if He doesn't answer? What if laying in bed to pray isn't okay? What if I can't hear him?
What if coming to Him just as I am isn't enough? Well it was. I opened up the Bible, and a book with some scripture and my mouth and just started talking with God. Prayer is as simple as that. It is a conversation with God. I not only got my several financial, business and family questions answered (and some of them involved huge decisions), but He told me one amazing thing I wasn't asking about and a sheet of things concerning most areas of my life. Most of my answers came through Bible verses. Perhaps, this is what He means in Ephesians when He says He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond all we can ask or think or dream.

Sexy in the Sun

We had to rush home from the wedding so Jim could run an experiment while the sun is out.
He is so sexy when he is inventing. Imagine it, right now on my front porch Jim is revolutionizing science. Sexy!!!!!

Marriage Carriage

We went to two weddings this weekend. Sometimes I want more emotional intimacy in my marriage. Today, at church Pastor Jeff told us that our marriage or family or business vision will be powered by us knowing our cause--the reason God put us on the earth. When advancing Jesus and His kingdom is our cause, our marriage will be fulfilling. When we know our cause--living for Jesus--the rest of our life falls into place. We will never be fulfilled by pursuing our vision for our marriage/family or business in place of our cause.

Sophia and Steve

My brother, Steve's second grand daughter, Sophia has made her entrance into the world. I'm sure my bro is looking over the banister of Heaven applauding her arrival. Steve, who was the Vice President of Marketing for Red Robin, graduated to Heaven early and on days like these I remember him and remember why I'm here. I, also, smile through my tears as I remember Jesus the only God who has gone to prepare a place where we can all be together again. Happy Birthday to my baby brother Ted today too!

Risky Business

Fear and discouragement surprised me this morning as I got ready to go to my second story telling event reminding me of Tuesday's disappointment. It didn't feel good. I got myself out on my road and walked and talked with God, sucked it up and went. I had so much fun storytelling at Grow With Me Boutique in Monroe and made several connections. I walked into a store two doors down and the checker told me a family was just in bragging on the storyteller at the boutique. Sometimes the hardest part of life is just showing up. God told Joshua He had given him every place the sole of his foot would go.

Business Victory

After preparing my story for eight hours, nobody came to my first professional story telling event--and I didn't worry. I was disappointed and dealt with a little anger and self-pity last night. But, if God is in it, it can't be stopped. Anger and self-pity are such poor substitutes for God's hug. The best part of yesterday was that it never occurred to me that no one would come. Having a positive expectation is a huge victory for me. I'm not about to lower my hope (the anchor of my soul) so my emotions don't ever hurt. To stand free of rejection feels better than the packed house that is my future. Today, I'm more hopeful than I was yesterday for tomorrow's performance. I'm celebrating tomorrow's victory today.