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Showing posts with label A2Z. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A2Z. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

I am ...

Source: Uploaded by user via Marji on Pinterest
  • funny 
  • a wife 
  • a people-pleaser
  • a mom
  • nice
  • a daughter
  • sedentary
  • a photographer
  • a sister
  • a singer
  • silly
  • an aunt
  • a teacher
  • a student
  • a writer
  • hard on myself
  • a woman of prayer
  • a daughter-in-law
  • fearful
  • strong
  • a step-daughter
  • patient
  • kind
  • a sis-in-law
  • encouraging
  • wordy
I love the picture here, but I must admit, I totally diagree with it. How I see myself is not what is most important. See I'd like to think of myself as a lion all the time, but reality sets in. There's a full length mirror right there that tells me the truth. And truth is truth whether I want to believe it or not. 


I have wide hips from my mom and a double chin from my father's side of the family. I have to wear reading glasses now, and I hate the tears that fall when I encounter a heart-touching ANYTHING. I don't like making mistakes, especially stupid ones or second-timers, and there's nothing worse than wasting the time and energy of others.


Don't worry. I'm not down or dissing myself! I'm just telling it like it is. And I'm okay with all the imperfections I display in my physical appearance and in my behavior. They are as much a part of who I am as the music I sing, the stories that bubble up, or the family that surrounds me, so why should I shy away from them?


Another reason this sentiment is so wrong happens when the imperfection begin to overwhelm. Last Friday night, while my Precious Redhead sat laughing with her friends, watching a Tim Hawkins video here at the house, the church at the end of our street went into lock-down. A family dispute somewhere else ended with a man driving away from his home with a gun. The police found him in the church parking lot, refusing to leave his car. This guy had been a prominent chef in downtown Dallas, talented and well-off from the patronage of his exclusive restaurant, and yet at about 12:15 AM I heard the shots ring out as he came out of his car brandishing his weapon. 


That's the type of thing that happens when what matters most is how we see ourselves. See my eyesight isn't so hot. One minute I see a crown atop my head and the next, I see horns. What appeared beautiful is actually slimy, disgusting, and putrid. Or worse, the image fades into blurs with no features, nothing that stands out or seems worthy. Or maybe I'll keep seeing that queen, yet knowing deep down that I'm lying to myself. 


What REALLY matters most is how God sees me. That vision isn't swayed by mistakes, messes, or anything else I can do or have done. He sees me with nothing less than the glory of Christ. When my Savior collected all of the ugliness from me, dying with it, in my place, God replaced my sin with Christ's perfection. Paul describes us collectively, as flawless, "without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." (Eph 4:27) 


Oh do give a listen to this awesome song!


Like the song says - "When He sees me, He sees His righteousness. He sees His Holy Spirit filling up the emptiness. When He looks at me, He sees the blood He shed." 


I am SO glad He sees Himself each time He looks at me!










Tuesday, February 21, 2012

G is for ...

... Grrrrrr

I've had a brand new experience recently. My son joined the University of Texas at Dallas Rugby team last fall and we got to recently experience our first game. I get. No I really do. But I have to admit it is quiet a spectacle for a new fan.

First, there's the scrum. That's where the 8 forwards from each team connect up and push against each other. One of the players rolls the ball into the center of the circle. Using their feet and sheer strength to push against the other team, the ball must be forced out behind one of

Saturday, February 18, 2012

News. Previews. Reviews. And God is GOOD!

What an awesome week! I feel like a new woman. Seriously! After coughing my head off for a solid week, I get by with only about one to two coughs per hour and I'm finally able to sleep all night without interruption. Yippee! (Little things tickle the tar out of me!)

But there is more to cheer about. God is so good! His faithfulness never quits! I'm in awe. Several connections, family members and family of friends have had intensive situations, surgeries or illnesses. In every case, God not only gave His blessings but showered exceeding abundant on the families. I love it when I can see His intentions and watch Him work in the lives of people I love.

What a great week!

This weekender has:
NEWS
I love being able to put together this newspaper. I collect and search through hundreds of posts to find the ones I like the best for my headlines. Check them out!




REVIEWS
Inspired by other blogs and my F post I started my week with a post explaining what Faith-Driven Fiction means to me. I followed it up on Tuesday with a post about my family - they're what I'm mostly about. On Wednesday, I continued my Monday post with an article on Purpose along with my ROW80 mid-week review. Thursday I skewed from my normal writing tip and posted about Holiness. The song by Sonic Flood has been churning through my head for days! Then I rounded out the week with an interview with a debut novelist from Saint Lucia who writes Christian Thrillers.

ROW80 UPDATE
I'm so excited! I got a brand new idea last night and have been tapping away at the keyboard all day. Do writers really have to sleep? This new story pumps me up and drives me to my keyboard at every opportunity. Needless to say, I'm blasting my ROW80 writing goals off the charts. 

Surprisingly, I'm also keeping my balance well. In fact, I'm able to spend more and more time with my sweet hubby and kids. (Can't wait to go watch my boy in a Rugby match this weekend. Pictures to come!) The only thing I'm still working on is visiting other blogs. I'm visiting weekly, but not often seeking out new blogs to read. Oh, and now that my cough is subsiding, I need to get back to my exercise.

I'm adding a new goal. I have several books that I wanted to read before their debut. I WILL find a way to get those read. (Four in all) I want to have at least one of those read before March 1st. 

PREVIEWS
Monday's post will hold the latest winners for Almost Kiss at Clash of the Titles. What a fiery excerpt! On Tuesday, is my post for Patty Wysong's A2Z blog hop. This week the letter is G, and my post is ... well ... unique to say the least. My ROW80 update will detail where I am on my writing goals on Wednesday. Synopsis writing earns the highlight on Thursday. I'm told that is the hardest writing I'll do. On Friday, I'll be hosting author and founder of Submission Ministries, Zeke Lam. This guy is amazing! By all means come back next week!

So what did you do this week and what are you looking forward to?

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

F is for ...

Me and Sweet Hubby - I am so blessed!
Family.

I know I've already done an F entry for the week (you can find my original F entry HERE!) but being that it's VALENTINE'S DAY, I just had to give an online hug to my favoritest people in the whole, wide world!
Iron Man - Goofy Nephew and my amazing mom.


I just LOVE spending time with my kids, my brother and his family, and all of the extensions. 

My mom has the greatest sense of humor and it has spread to my brother, his son, and my son. As a result, we can't usually make it through a meal without laughing ourselves silly.
Dear Boy and Goofy Nephew
doing what come naturally.



(Yeah, I think the restaurant was really happy to see us leave!)


Speaking of laughing, I love to make my sweet hubby crack up. He's the quiet type, but he tosses in zingers every once in a while and when he gets tickled, his giggle is delightful.


"Granny" is Awesome Sis-in-law's Mom.  Goofy Nephew didn't
realize he was in this shot. Too funny!



Me with my mom and my brother. Yes, I'm a good little Texas
girl and I call my brother, "Bubba"!





All of our holiday and birthday celebrations include my mom and brother, his family and my sister-in-law's mom. We go together well.
Sis and her family with my dear boy.








One of the reasons we get to enjoy so many Christmas celebrations is because of the wonderful lady who became my dad's third wife. 
My wonderful step-mom and Dear Boy.





Though Daddy is gone, she makes sure we get to have family time at every opportunity. My sister and her kids complete our celebration. Don't kids just MAKE a party?
Delightful Dinky Twinkies.

DTs with Precious Redhead.

















And speaking of kids, my house if filled with laughter and singing. Few harsh words and fewer raised voices. I love the sweet smiles of my girls and how they chatter and laugh together.


And I never even got to my excellent in-laws!


I'm blessed and I know it full well. 


Tell me about your family!

Monday, February 13, 2012

F is for ...

Faith-Driven Fiction.

What's that all about?

Fiction with my type of Texas Sassy tends to have a romantic flavor. It also delves into mystery and suspense. But that's not all. My characters go beyond quirky. They're laugh-out-loud, folks that anyone can relate to. Far from perfect, their flaws add both humor and poignancy to my stories.

Part of the poignancy that they draw comes from their journey of faith. My goals for my writing are sort of hard to communicate. I know there are women all over the country who, like me, love a good romance with elements of suspense or mystery intertwined, but they don't like the extra "junk" that often gets passed as romance.

My writing goes beyond clean and I don't mean the squeakiness of it. I'm so encouraged when I read through a crisis of faith. A time when a broken person reaches out to God. I've certainly been there, more than once. I love writing those sections into my stories, allowing my characters to enjoy a personal relationship and reliance on their Savior in various stages. It is my hope that my stories will encourage women like me who don't often read non-fiction, but need the Spirit to show His truth.

So that's Faith-Driven Fiction, and the play on my name - Laine, Lane - makes it more connected to me. I won't always highlight fiction on my blog, but my faith is part of my everyday life, so it's there, and should you ever have a question about it or about me, I hope you'll feel comfortable to ask. I'm not the pushy type.

What does faith mean to you?


Tuesday, February 7, 2012

E is for ...

Easy Button ... Easy.


I have a friend who is an office manager. She has an Easy Button from Staples on her desk and it just draws the hand. I can't go into her room without pushing it. "That was easy" in a high-pitched computer voice rewards my hand smack. I wish

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

D is for ...


... Doggies.

I love my puppies. Sometimes I think I’m the only one who does. But they’re so cute and predictable.

Marcie is my beagle mix. She’s almost thirteen and really acted it about a year ago. I wasn’t sure how much longer she would be with us. Sleeping all day and doing little else, I thought it might be her last year.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

C is for ...

... Charm.

Have you ever read a book where the main character was nothing but perfection? Everything about her was charm and goodness. How did Scarlett O’Hara put it? “Nothing but a pasty-faced little goody-goody,” or something like that.

I have to confess, I’m with her. When my town put on the musical “Oklahoma,” I didn’t want the part of Laurie. Too normal – too goody-goody. I wanted to be Ado-Annie, the girl who cain’t say no. She had character and spunk. The same

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

B is for ...

Balancing Act If A is for Appetite, B is for Balance.

The Bible speaks about appetite. In Philippians, Paul writes that those who live as enemies of Christ are led by their
bellies. "Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

A is for ...

... Appetite. Can you tell I’m hungry while I write this? I’m visiting relatives and hoping that lunch will begin soon. This is the first installment of Patty Wysong's A2Z Take Two Blog Hop or meme (rhymes with "cream"). Join us and get to know some great folks!

My two latest novels are set in eateries: one in a diner and one in a bed & breakfast. Both have special dishes that are served, things that the places are known for. One of these is a

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Who Am I?

The A2Z blog that Patty Wysong started last year is about to gear up again and we’ve been challenged to begin things with a Video blog – a V-log or vlog.

Mine was recorded as we celebrated our fourth Christmas for the year at my in-laws home in Mounds, Oklahoma. I’m so blessed to get to

Saturday, December 31, 2011

News and Previews

Writing
Wow! Two weeks away from writing and I hardly know what to do with myself! I'm looking forward to digging into my revisions again, and I have another story that's beginning to tickle the back edges of my mind. I'm looking forward to telling it.

First, I have some blogging to do! My A2Z leader, Patty Wysong, has challenged the new group to

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Z is for ZZZZZzzzz ...

I think I mentioned before that I have a habit of talking for my dogs. You can check out my explanation about that HERE. I talk especially for my older dog, Marcie. What can I say? She's calmer and has more expression than the overgrown puppy. Captain is all-movement all-the-time. A "man" of few words, as it were. But Marcie's expressions are priceless.

She makes for a great indoor dog, especially in a homeschooling environment. She'll pay attention when someone goes into the kitchen, but unless

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Y is for Yearly Fix, um ... I Mean Dose

I confess: I'm a speed junkie. Wait. I'm a child of the 70's. That's not the kind of speed I'm talking about.

I'm talking about a full-tilt, pedal-to-the-metal, adrenaline injection over a mile and a half with 24 degree banking on the turns. Yes, I mean NASCAR!

Sweet Hubby in front of the unused #18 M&M's car of Kyle Busch
We have made the November race a yearly jaunt! It became a traditional part of our anniversary celebration several years ago when I became such a fan. This year (our 25th) Sweet Hubby and I got a royal treat.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

V is for . . .

Vessel

I have a poem that I wrote decades ago, during a time when I actively tried to have my poems published. (Sold one! For the back of a bulletin, and I got a check for $10!) In those days, I wanted so badly to write, but

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

U is for


This letter has been a booger. I've thought of all the UN words I know:
unreasonable, unreliable, unnecessary, unusual, unfair, unjust, etc. All of them so negative.

And I'm feeling so doggone positive! After all, I made it through the hot summer of Perseverance and have finally broken into the peace and satisfaction of Harvest! No clue as to what I'm talking about? See my Seasons post here.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

T is for

Tea. Yep. That's where I'm going today.

I know it sounds sorta crazy, but as I contemplated this letter on Sunday I kept coming back to the collection of teas in a great wooden chest that my sister-in-law bestowed upon me for a gift a few years back.

I used to drink a lot of hot tea, but I've gotten out of the practice. This letter and this article were just

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

S is for

Seasons. Oh I love this time of year. It seems like the world explodes into color while a chill starts refreshing the days and cooling the nights.

It reminds me of the seasons of life. I'm not talking about
the four of them, childhood, active years, passive years, and old age (whatever that is). I'm talking about recurring times in our lives, both physical and spiritual, when we go through

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

R is for Rrrrrrrr . . .

Rowdy. This week's A2Z offering is about my dog, Captain. Did I say, "My dog"? Let me clarify. My son, the college student who lives in a dorm apartment, rescued a tiny black puppy last year when the girl who had the pup decided she didn't want him anymore.

No problem. Tender-hearted boy. :)

Until his RA reminded him of the no pets rule. Bummer.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Quiet

Well into the second half of the alphabet, I know I have my scariest letters ahead of me. Q is not one of those.

My word for the day is quiet. Shhhhhhhh . . .  And I had this clever little blurb to post, but then I started thinking about the word.

There are LOTS of types of quiet!
Shhhhhhhh . . .
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