priceless
This is a repost from last year, just about this time. It was my story of a bookstore gone bad, gone good.
Yesterday I set up a bookstore at our community Independence Day celebration. One person picked up The Mom I Want to Be and turned it over, glancing at my pic on the back side.
“Is that you? Are you the author?”
“Yes,” I said, smiling. “But this is the red-faced, sweaty version.”
It was hot. Muggy. Searing sunshine, even under the forest-green canopy.
I have to be honest. I questioned why I had decided to sell books.
At the end of the evening I had only sold 10, netting a profit of about $30-35, minus the cost of the candy, time spent setting up, carrying books and books of boxes, the flowers to put on the table.
Okay, I made zero.
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Posted by Suzie @
4:45 am |
Cup Half Running Over
I’ve been accused of being an optimist. I believe it. I don’t see the cup half empty. I don’t see it half full. I see it running over.
Isn’t that a great thing, you might ask? Yes, but sometimes I need to step back and see life as others do. Because my cup half running over just might get in the way. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
10:39 am |
What not to say
I was reading a friend’s blog today. She lost her husband 11 years ago. LeAnn shares how to be a friend when someone you care about faces a great loss. It’s full of helpful information and gentle insight.
Sixteen years ago I found out I had cancer. I remember friends rallying around me, and making life easier for Richard, me, and the kids. But I also remember fielding comments from a few that brought me to my knees–literally. It seemed like my life had changed over night. The doctors shared harsh statistics. I was going through chemo and radiation. Financially we were juggling all the new medical expenses and lack of my income as I went through treatment. Life was suddenly scary, but I wanted to face it with faith and confidence.
Some didn’t know what to say, I think, so they said things like this: (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
10:00 am |
Who Stole My Church?
I’m reading an interesting book right now titled “Who Stole My Church?” by Gordon McDonald.
I first thought it was nonfiction, but surprisingly it’s fiction–sort of. I recognize the characters in it. In fact, I go to church with some. I’ve run across them as I’ve ministered. Good people. Backbone of their local churches.
Not sure what to do with the changes in their church, or the way that Christ is presented, or what in the world the words “postmodern” or “emerging church” means anyway.
I’m reading with an open mind, and actually liking this book a lot. There is no agenda, but rather a good conversation between sincere people trying to figure out what the church should/could/can/does look like and why that is important.
Suz
Posted by Suzie @
1:14 pm |
love to see the fire ignite
Over 70 small groups have launched in the last 30 days in my home church.
Our pastor thought it would be a great way to shut the “back door” of the church, losing people because they haven’t connected with friendships or they are struggling and don’t know how to share that with others in a big church setting.
We have groups for scrapbookers, quilters, hikers, fitness, Bible study, choir, fishing, married w/young children, married w/no children, parents of teens, seniors, etc. . . . and my group is for people who have a desire to write and/or speak. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
8:43 pm |
Community? Do you have one?
A contract arrived in the mail to speak at a wonderful organization for moms. It’s my first time to connect with them on the national level, though I’ve spoken to several smaller groups in this same entity.
Knowing the people and organization you are going to speak to is vital. How do they operate? Do I bring books? Do I need an assistant? What are their ages and needs? Where do I connect? How long do I teach? Do I have ministry time? What do they believe, and why?
I can hear you now. Just pray, Suzie. God will take care of it. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
4:42 pm |
Life Impact Ministries
I was in Colorado Springs three weeks ago as a mentor for Jerry Jenkins’ Christian Writers Guild. It was a great week. But the highlight was when I stole away for a few hours to meet the founder of Life Impact Ministries, a nationwide ministry for inmates and their families.
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Posted by Suzie @
12:11 pm |
Answering your questions from the TCW article
I want to apologize for taking so long to get back to each of you. I was swamped with e-mails after the Rise of Raunch article in Today’s Christian Woman.
I am excited about how passionate you each are, and the questions that you asked. Rather than send out 100 e-mails, I’ll try to answer your questions here. If you need more info, please feel free to contact me. Okay? I’m encouraged that so many are interested in reaching our girls in this society.
QUESTIONS
- Do you work with girls on a long-term basis?
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Posted by Suzie @
12:58 pm |
Community from the Inside Out
Relevant Magazine (see entire article) by Rob Foley
From Suzie: I found this great article today in Relevant Magazine. Sometimes I hear people who want to close out the world around them. That confuses me. Aren’t we called to talk to others about faith, about Christ? How can we do that if our whole world revolves around church, rather than active faith?
And yet I also hear believers who fail to grasp how amazing it is to have the freedom to worship with others, to function as a family of believers–not perfect, not isolated, but a community of people who teach, encourage, worship, and befriend each other.
We have an example of both of these in Jesus himself.
Excerpt of article: The phrase “inside-out” brings back many painful childhood memories of clothing improperly applied. However, as I grew older, I learned which ways my shirts, socks and pants were supposed to be worn—the tags and stitching should not show. Why it takes every child so long to understand that concept, I’ll never know.
Quote from article: The Kingdom of God is made of doors hinged upon the inside-out-ness of love: to bring in what is without and to let out what is within. My hope is that, as we continue to discover our identity in Christ, we will consider swinging upon similar hinges.
Posted by Suzie @
4:23 pm |
Mentoring and community service
Two months ago I bumped across our city in a small green bus (school colors) with 20 freshmen girls and a few adult friends. We traveled to Bennett camp, a summer facility where disabled children and adults have an awesome time.
Our goal was to get rid of hundreds of small to large branches and sticks that had fallen during a severe ice storm earlier in the winter.
It wasn’t fun, as in picking up sticks and flicking off tiny ticks that climbed up your legs and arms, but it was fun connecting with these girls. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
6:33 pm |
