The beauty and fragility of life

December 18, 2016December 18, 2016 ~ Beth ~ Leave a comment

Sometimes I forget about this website, and then suddenly one day I remember and I have to post a new blog to update you! Much has happened since I last blogged here.

I wrote 2 new books (How To Write Your Book Fast: Making Your Writing Dreams Come True and Afflicted: A woman missionary kidnapped by terrorists in Africa, with one more non-fiction book waiting to be published at Amazon, which is the first of my butterfly cover series books: Metamorphosis: Transformed From Fear to Faith);
Our daughter Leah got her first job and has taken enormous, brave steps of faith this year toward adult independence. Ray and I are so very proud of her!
During this summer, I got a part-time job at a bakery making cookies and dessert bars, which really helped with making a consistent weekly paycheck, but resigned because it was overwhelmingly stressful, non-stop pressure, constantly busy, and hectic. I’m still working at home as a speaker and writer, but currently looking for a part-time secretarial job outside the home. If you know anyone who needs a speaker for a women’s conference or events, contact me here. You can also contribute to my small business and ministry by buying my books here.
My husband Ray has been taking a local college class (community health worker) relating to his paramedic work for college credit. He still has to do the labs for full credit;
Our oldest daughter Heather is working two jobs (about 60 to 69 hours a week) to support herself and her two precious girls Annabelle and Violet. Being a single (divorced) mom is the hardest job in the world. I was one with Heather for almost 10 years. Please keep her in your prayers;
I installed a new theme at my website that has a cherry tree picture on the home page. Cherry trees are hard to grow. They only blossom for about one to two weeks. Spiritually, they are symbolic of the beauty and fragility of life. Life is overwhelmingly beautiful, but tragically short. I believe this speaks to us as believers to do what God has called us to do and to fulfill our purpose. You can see the beautiful theme here. If you’re on your phone, you’ll have to switch to the Desktop version (scroll to the bottom of the page on your phone and click the button). But you need to be on your desktop computer or laptop to see its full beautiful effect.

Meanwhile, here in Kansas City it has been in the single digits with snow. Last night it was 2 degrees–yes, TWO! The snow is beautiful, but I hate driving in it. If you live here, or other similar places with ice and snow, stay safe and warm!

My husband Ray, who is a paramedic, agrees the snow is beautiful if you’re inside your house, sitting by a warm fireplace, drinking a Cognac; but when you’re dragging a heavy patient on a stretcher across a field in this stuff, not so much!

I’ve been decorating for Christmas here at home. This is my fave time of year, decorating the tree and house, listening to Christmas music, and drinking hot chocolate. I hate waiting until the last minute to shop, but it couldn’t be helped this year so I’m not anywhere near ready with gift-buying! Are you ready?

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

I pray you have a wonderful, blessed Christmas and new year with your family and friends. May you draw closer to Christ in this season and let Him and Christmas shine with love through your heart.

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Needing some Christmas gift ideas for your loved ones? Books make great presents. You might find something for your family, friends, co-workers or neighbor at my Amazon Author Page here.

Season of rest

November 6, 2014November 6, 2014 ~ Beth ~ Leave a comment

Me speaking at The Cinderella Story: The Power of Shoes women's conference, Overland Park, KS — Me speaking at The Cinderella Story: The Power of Shoes women’s conference, Overland Park, KS

I haven’t been here for awhile. Just life happenings.

This year I did what I believe God wanted me to accomplish:

Just Write! No Excuses Summer Virtual Bootcamp for aspiring authors. A 4 week virtual training in the summertime. Nineteen students signed up. They loved the support, prayers and accountability in the Facebook private group and sharing their writing on the live calls each week. I’m thinking of having this bootcamp quarterly each year since it was such a success. I can’t wait to read their books after they write them! This bootcamp was for beginning non-fiction and fiction writers. I loved reading what they were working on and seeing them connect and get to know each other better, encouraging each other, in the Facebook group.
The Cinderella Story: The Power of Shoes women’s conference. When I flew to Manitoba, Canada to speak at my friend Doreen Penner’s women’s retreat, I shared about the story of Cinderella and her glass slippers – walking in your unique shoes. This is now my signature talk. This year I hosted my own women’s conference in Overland Park, KS doing this speaking presentation. Fifteen women in all, and God’s presence was there. It was so much fun. It’s the first time I’ve had vendors at an event (Origami Owl, Thirty-One Gifts, and an authors’ book table) The DoubleTree Hotel in Overland Park was a beautiful venue and I plan to have more events there in the future. Their staff was wonderful and the lunch they served us was delicious. Ray saw some cute shoe chocolate and vanilla cupcakes online and our daughter Heather ordered them at HyVee -yummy. The women were blessed and encouraged.
The Advanced Writing Camp. This 4 week virtual training in October was the follow-up to the Just Write! No Excuses Virtual Bootcamp. My job was to motivate the writers to FINISH their book, conquering the 3 P’s that hinder or stop writers from writing or finishing their book: perfectionism, procrastination, and other pitfalls (distractions, social media, entertainment, busyness, writers’ block, writer’s envy, etc.) I may also offer this training every other quarter in 2015.
Wrote and self-published my book Promises In The Dark: One Woman’s Search for Authentic Love. The world promises you so many things, but leaves you empty. Sex. Success. Money. Alcohol. Drugs. Education. Entertainment. Being the best spouse or parent. You’ve tried many different things that the world offers and promises to give you happiness, but they’ve left you unsatisfied. always searching, never finding what you’re looking for. But there is One whose promises you can count on and who will fulfill you: God. His promises are for real and forever. Click here to learn more and buy the book. Get Christmas shopping done early; give the gift of my book to your family and friends. It will bless them!

I’m now taking Doreen Penner’s 3 week coaching group, Finding the Real You, to reveal and release what God has placed inside you to do and to step into your potential. It’s about discovering your brilliance, what makes you unique and have to offer the world. I’m excited about being part of it.

Our first call was last night and I was taking lots of notes. Doreen is an anointed speaker, and she always makes you think with her questions. She is a “heart-interpreter,” able to sense and draw out what is in your heart. She also happens to be my prayer and accountability partner each week – I just love her. It’s not too late to sign up. Last night’s call was recorded, so you’ll get it in an email. Just click here.

Yesterday I sent in a chapter for a new book writing project, in which I’m a contributing author. I’m waiting to hear back from the editor. I can’t wait to tell you more about it!

Other than that, I’m now in a season of rest. Just being still and listening to God, and allowing Him to refill and refresh me and to tell me the next step.

What are you working on now in your writing? Leave your comments below.

One word for the new year

January 1, 2011January 1, 2011 ~ Beth ~ Leave a comment

How were your holidays? We had all our kids and grandkids over, and they enjoyed Ray’s traditional sweet, holiday ham – enjoyed it so much that there were no leftovers! 🙂 Today is the start of 2011, and if you’re like me, you’re ready to put the old year behind and start fresh.

Resolutions always leave me feeling like a failure (by about the 2nd week of January!), so I’ve decided to do a “theme” word instead and concrete goals where I can take steps of action to accomplish them. I got the idea of a “one word theme” from K-Love Radio Station here.

The one word can be a character trait you want to work on, or something you want to focus on this year. You pray and ask God to speak to you His “one word” for you this year.

Radio listeners’ comments about their theme included words like “dream,” “destiny,” “more of God,” and “forgiveness.” That one word will stick with you all year long, and will keep you motivated. And one word from God can change your life!

What would your one word be? Leave your comments below.

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Season of rest

One word for the new year