Amazon Update - Keeping things in perspective

I'm not in this cut to 100. When I saw that "The Scrapbook" was not listed in the 100 it was really okay. I have determined that God has a plan for this little book and I am going to trust Him with it. It was discouraging to see that Penguin Group did not select one single entry from the Romance Genre...but I guess that is their choice. However, there are many wonderful and incredible excerpts that were chosen and I look forward to reviewing them and encouraging my fellow writers onward and upward toward the goal!

Yesterday was also the day of my sweet Aunt Iris' funeral so that is where all my love and concern were directed. She was an amazing woman. Her granddaughter, Lissa, gave the most amazing eulogy which related wonderfully to the Bible Study I worked on as I rode in the truck on the way to Papillion. This part of the study was from the words of Christ on the cross when he said, "I am thirsty". Here is what I wrote in my journal:

The Pretend Spigot

While attending my aunt's funeral, one of the humorous things they mentioned about her was when the family would travel in the car and one of the kids would complain that they were thirsty. She would reach over to the dash of the car to her "pretend spigot" and with her "pretend glass" proceed to fill it and hand it to the complaining child.

I wondered if this was her way of showing them how silly and inappropriate their request was at the moment. It just wasn't the right place for such a request. Perhaps it made the child laugh. Perhaps it made them angry, but it proved a point which was the fact that sometimes our thirst can not be immediately granted or satisfied.

All of us thirst for many different things. Often we try to satisfy that thirst with things of the world. Ultimately our greatest thirst should be that of the knowledge of Christ and His will for our lives so we are able to share that knowledge with others and lead them to Christ.

Our thirst for Christ takes effort but just as the effort the child showed stating their need while in the car, sometimes we need to be in the right place in our life before Christ comes in and quenches our thirst.

It is times like this that I know I worship a living and loving God.

Lent? Already?

Hard to believe that yesterday was Ash Wednesday and we are now in the season of Lent. Wasn't it just yesterday that we brought in the New Year? Having Easter this early is an extrodinary historical event as the last time Easter was this early was in the 1870's and the next time will be in the 2240's! Quite amazing if you think about it. It is rather stressful though if you are in retail. Valentine's Day and Easter merchandise are being displayed simultaniously. All that wonderful chocolate...and if you are one of the many who have given up chocolate for Lent...well, avoid those aisles, lest you be tempted beyond your resistance!

For Lent, I have decided to give up checking the Amazon.com/abna site every hour and limit my checks to just once or twice a day! I'm just kiddingof course...although that would be quite a sacrifice for me! This contest has revealed an obsessive/compulsive side of me that I really don't like, though, and I am determined to not turn into one of those who can't seem to pull themselves away from the discussion boards. I do want to thank those who have been kind enough to download my excerpt, read, review and rate it. So far, "The Scrapbook" is at 14 reviews and maintaining a 3.5 star rating. There have been some very helpful reviews and some not so helpful, but I am thankful for each of them. There are so many extrememly qualified and wonderful stories in this contest. February 19th the contestants will be narrowed down from 836 to approximately 100. I would love to make the next cut, but it all depends on what determines the qualifications. I've been blessed to come this far.

Back to Lent, I found a Lent Calendar via an internet site that I have decided to use on my Lenten journey. Each day provides a suggestion for fasting, giving, and forgiving as well as Spiritual growth opportunities. I will also be eliminating meat again from my diet and enjoying various fish and other protien sources. There is a group of us from Church involved in a Bible Study on the "Seven Last Words of Christ" which will last through Lent. I am hoping Bob and I will make time to read a little each night from a devotional, also. Last year we read through, "The Pupose Driving Life" for Lent. I hope to find new ways to give of myself during this time, too. Most of all, I just want to focus on the sacrifice Christ made for us when He died on the cross for our sin. What an amazing gift!

God Bless!

P.S. My nose is all healed!