Weeds

I've been doing a lot of weeding lately. Both in the yard - and in my life. :)

It's a funny thing about weeds. They grow without you putting any effort forth whatsoever. And as soon as you pull them up, they start all over again. They don't need watering. Or pruning. Or just the right amount of sunshine. They just grow and grow and grow and grow...

But to have something truly beautiful, (which here in Colorado could simply be plain ol' green grass,) you have to work at it. Sprinklers and drip systems have to be set for just the right time of day, the proper soil has to be in place, and those terrible weeds have to be pulled.

The same goes with our lives and our spiritual growth. It takes work and effort and time and energy to grow something beautiful spiritually. But it doesn't take work to let the weeds sprout up and take over.

We must be diligent. Hardworking. Willing to take the painful pruning and weeding. And always on guard - lest those nasty weeds take over and spread their roots throughout our lives.

Are you willing? Are you ready? It's not for the faint of heart. Some of our weeds could be our favorite things. Things that are easy to let in, or things that we are lazy about.

How much TV do you watch? How much time do you spend sitting around doing absolutely nothing? Do you spend that same amount of time with your spouse? Or your children? What about studying God's Word? What things are you doing that are of eternal value? Are you doing things to please man rather than God? These are all good and tough questions.

I don't know about you, but I'm ready to go pull some weeds.

My Desk is a Mess!

Anyone else have this dilemma?

Now granted, it's not like this all of the time - but it definitely is right now.

My husband teases me about being OCD (having Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)- which I don't believe - but I do believe I am OCT (meaning I have Obsessive Compulsive Tendencies.) Don't you love how I talked my way out of that one? I'm talented. I know.

Anyway, I love to organize things - and reorganize them - until poor Jeremy can't find anything even if he could remember where I had it in the first place! So, why is my desk a mess? Well, it's the place to put all of the "important" stuff. I just returned from a writer's conference, had a bunch of deadlines, and a film crew coming for two days. Everything that didn't get my immediate attention went into the "pile" that created the "mess" on my desk.

A friend of mine called me today - and as we were talking, I mentioned my desk. She was shocked. She proceeded to tease me about how I have an itinerary for everything and get aggravated when something is not "clean" - so, how in the world did the woman who loves to have everything "put away" make a mess out of her desk? Very easily, actually. If I don't stay on top of things, they'll pile up. And then, I get even more frustrated - because my wonderful "tendencies" won't let me be happy until the pile is gone. Which means I'm a little grumpy right now. I don't function as well in a "mess."

If only there was a magic fairy to clean up the messes for me. Now, that would be amazing. I could be content to sit and write my little heart out and not worry about the mess that won't go away.

Ah, but that is not to be. So, I will tackle the mess of my desk... tomorrow. Maybe with a friend. At least then, I'll have someone to whack me upside the head if I get too rambunctious with my organizing.

Until then, I will be immersed in my latest chapter and writing, writing, writing...

Now, where is that file folder?

ELL-ES-SHOO!!

Anybody know what that means? (Giggle.) Say it fast five times...

LSU

Yes, that's what I meant. I spent a lot of time at LSU - a LOT of time :) And Baton Rouge was my stomping grounds. So, people from down there know what I mean - and what it sounds like!
And yes, we are big LSU fans. Which brings me to my real point of this blog.

Flip-flops. You got it. It all started with flip-flops. LSU flip-flops, of course.

Several years ago, we were at the pool swimming, and I saw this lady walk across in her LSU flip-flops and an LSU lanyard with her whistle on it. I of course, climbed out of the pool and had to talk to her. (We Louisiana people stick together - in fact that's how I met my husband in Alabama!) Anyway, I went up to her and said, "Hey! So, who are you - and I love your flip-flops!" We've been great buddies ever since. Erica has been friend, sounding board, encourager, supporter, swim teacher to my kiddos, and fellow LSU fan. They moved away a few months ago, and I miss her so much. In fact, I think we've become even closer - through the craziness of our lives - and in spite of her being thousands of miles away now.

So - the moral of the story is that you never know how you will meet those people that become dear to you. Maybe because you're from the same state - or because of some really cute, purple and gold, flip-flops.

Everyone say it with me - "ELL-ES-SHOO!!!"

Geaux Tigers!

Can I Have Your Autograph?

I was at the gas station the other day- (I feel a rabbit-trail coming on - focus Kim, focus!) After unlocking my gas cap, and preparing "Little Gracie" (that's the name my children gave our ginormous automobile) for her "meal," I settled in by the pump to watch the numbers soar far above where any logical human being should ever think a tank of gas should cost. This lovely, tiny, older lady asked me for help. She had not used the savings card, or a credit card in the machine before. I had plenty of time while "Little Gracie" sucked up her fuel, and so I went to the other pump to help the lady out.

This woman was about the sweetest thing I have ever met. I showed her how to use the card slot and reader, so that she would be able to do it again by herself. She clapped her hands at how much "fun" it was, and kept pressing the "cancel" button, so that she could practice! We had a great time and she thanked me over and over for taking the time to "be there for her."

Well, my pump stopped and I knew Little Gracie had finally had her fill. I said my goodbyes as I replaced the hose and locked up my tank. The adorable little lady came over to me as I climbed into my truck.

"Can I have your autograph?" She asked.
"My autograph?" This was a new one, normally it's really young people who ask that - thinking that since I've been on TV, I must have some special signature that will do something for them someday.

She noticed my confusion and went on to explain:
"I know who you are, I watched you on Extreme Makeover and Montel. But that is not why I asked the question. I wanted to see how you would respond. I was impressed with your generosity of your time, and your helpful spirit." Then she gave me a hug.

"I'd love for you to write down your favorite verse for me." She thrust a little notebook into my hands. In it, were pages filled with Scripture references.
I wrote down "James 1:2-4" and handed it back.
"Joy," she said, "that is what is written all over your countenance."

I asked her how she knew I was a believer - and she repeated, "It's written all over your countenance."

She walked to her car, climbed in, and drove away.

I know, I know - you may not have people asking for your autograph like I do - But - think about the lesson here. It wasn't because we were on TV. Yes, people recognize me because of it, but shouldn't I always be striving to be an example of Jesus? Not just because millions of people saw me on TV and might recognize me. It shouldn't matter who's "watching."

We should all hope that someone will ask for our autograph - and ask for our favorite verses, because they noticed the joy of the Lord in us.

I may have to take my new friend's example -

Can I have YOUR autograph?

She Keeps Me Hoppin'

A while ago, I was about to speak to a great group of homeschoolers. Holly and I were laughing and getting to know the crowd. I told a story of one of our many adventures - while Holly was walking to the back to get me some water (she's so awesome, if you hadn't guessed it, yet.)

Anyway, a member of the audience stopped Holly to speak to her. She said, "Sounds like you just keep things hoppin', don't you?" Holly proceeded to trip and fall, somehow - and sat in the floor laughing hysterically. Quite an entertainment to the crowd. She certainly does keep us hoppin'. :)

My point is that God gives us all special people that "keep us hoppin'" -- mine happen to be my beautiful and adorably sweet children, and a certain twenty-one year old, named Holly.

So, praise God for the wonderful people He has put in your life, and praise Him for friends who hold you accountable, and praise Him for the laughter and the sadness. God is good and He is God.

The Joy of the Lord

My sweet husband, Jeremy, is busy cooking dinner for me for Mother's Day. He's a gem.

Most of you know how many adventures we have, and the trials we have endured. My goal in life is to laugh my way through - to find the joy - the joy of the Lord, in it all. Life is hard, but God's joy cannot be taken away. I remind myself of that a lot. :)

I'm always reminded on this special day of the miscarriages I had. I have several people really close to me, who have gone through the same devastating circumstances this past year. It's hard. Really hard. Again, I'm reminded of the joy of the Lord. Just like it states in I Peter 1- my home is not of this world, I'm an alien residing here. I'm looking forward to the day when I get to see my Savior face to face. When I will get to see my loved ones that I've lost. When I will finally be mature and complete, not lacking anything -like it says in the book of James. So, life is not going to be easy, it's not going to be a bowl of cherries. It's going to be hard, really hard. Full of trials, full of heartache, full of tough times. But God is there. Always. His joy is there - waiting for me to grab onto it.

I have a wonderful family - my incredible parents, brother and sister, my in-laws, my husband who puts up with me and loves me in spite of my craziness, and of course, my two amazing children who bless me every day. I praise the Lord for what He has done in my life, and for the stretching and growing that He has brought me through. I praise Him for the good times, and for the bad. And I thank Him for His joy which is unchanging, and unending, and available constantly.

DragonLight Contest - PRIZE!!

Okay folks, if you are just joining us - go back to the archives on the left and look up a post entitled "Dragons and surprises and Mrs. Paul" to see what this contest is all about. Then there is a hint or two in previous posts.

Today - I will announce the prizes - are you excited? Are you ready?

The winner will receive a copy of DragonLight once it comes out - personally signed by the author Donita K. Paul, AND one of her specially designed dragon gifts on zazzle.com! She has made shirts and bags and a number of other items. I will order the gift to be appropriate to the winner.

SO... put your thinking caps on - and try to guess the character's name - coming out in DragonLight on June 17, 2008!!

Email me through the site here or post your guess in a comment. Just make sure you leave me your email address so I can notify you if you are the winner.

I've had 273 guesses so far - and I have to say - we're getting closer to the target. (That means, keep guessing, you're all getting warmer...)

You may also guess as many times as you want.

Remember to go back and read the other fabulous four books in the DragonKeeper Chronicles.

Have FUN!!

Searching For Spice

I am an avid reader. (Yes, I know, that's an understatement.) :) I read probably 200-250 books a year. Now, Kayla - I don't think there are words in our vocabulary that could describe her love for reading. For example - since February, she has read 91 books. Did you catch that? NINETY-ONE! I haven't added up the pages, and frankly, I'm a little scared to see the total! She read over 40,000 pages last school year. I've always been an extremely fast reader, and I'm guessing my eleven-year-old daughter will catch me soon.

Anyway, my new friend, Megan DiMaria, has just had her debut novel released! Searching For Spice is so stinking cute -- I really urge you to go out and buy this book.

Lighthearted and funny in the first half, the reader will go through twists and turns and reach new depths in the second half. Megan did a great job!

As you can tell, I'm not a fan of book reviews that tell you the story - You should go buy the book and read it for yourself! But for those who need a little teaser- here's an excerpt from the back cover blurb:

"Linda Revere longs to have a sizzling affair... with her husband... Linda hopes God will answer her prayers to jazz up her marriage, but is she ready for what happens next?"

Searching For Spice by Megan DiMaria, Tyndale House Publishers 2008

Happy Reading You All!!

My Katie - Girl, We'll Miss You!!

We have been blessed by the presence of a precious young lady, named Katie.

We've known Katie for a long time - she was a student of my husband and I years ago. Each year, she has come to visit us in Colorado, and then she came to school here for a while. I can't tell you how much my heart is breaking that she is leaving us. She's part of our family and we all love her so very much. Of course, her Mom is one of my dearest friends, and I'm so thankful she's going home 'cause I know how close she and her Mom are (and I know she needs to do the Lord's will) - but I wish I could pack them up and move them both here- RIGHT NOW - next door! (I'm not demanding, now am I?)

So, in my mind I'm seeing this flashback of scenes -- all of our adventures with Katie (which are too numerous to list here in entirety) -- and so I'm dedicating this "Adventure Montage" to our Katie! WE LOVE YOU!

As we reminisce, you should imagine some really great, emotional, tuggin' at the heart strings, tear jerkin' music - and pretend all of this is in slow motion... That should make it more fun. :) BRING ON THE KLEENEX!! (Some of this might not make sense to some of you - but there are many that I'm sure you'll recognize from other posts about our adventures...)


And so I proudly present: "Katie's Adventure Montage"

Wet dog smells, black painted cabinets, locking gas caps, "something smells fishy", climbing into a ginormous fish tank, car breaking down, towing that same car, Katie driving a car (not a truck) for the FIRST time ever, rebuilding closets, foot spas, picture hanging-falling off stools, bum knees, ladders, trapeze-hanging "Holly'll do it!", "It was Katie's idea!", decorating for Christmas (you have NO idea) "Kim, why do you have 60 boxes of JUST Christmas?", Holly's surprise present, producers, interviews, book-reading, 57 loaves of banana bread in one day, bad brakes, Atlanta Braves and Colorado Rockies baseball game, turkey diving, video cameras, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, angels spilling out freckles, unpacking, more unpacking, and yet some more unpacking, church at home (how incredible that has been!), David Phelps Live Concerts on the theater screen - over and over and over and over..., refrigerator clean-out, babysitting, DVD players that don't cooperate, "Must be smarter than program to operate!", "She's one of us!!", singing the William Tell Overture to one another when we need to get moving, Five Cent fines, brand new coffee makers that don't work "but I really want it to work!", shopping in Safeway when we have no business going out in public, that lovely shade of greenish yellow that makes you want to throw-up is now a beautiful shade of blue, climbing up into the bowling alley, Snow, snow, and more snow, fake grass, dirt pudding, gumbo, jambalaya, teriyaki chicken, truffles, and ROLLS, Pikes Peak, watching movies on the big screen sittin' in a Ford mustang, ice cream - LOTS of ice cream, "little" shoes, "horse" clothes, being followed in Vitamin Cottage - "She's calling her friends- She recognizes you!", Christmas parties, "Where's Las Vegas?", reading and re-reading and re-reading again Kim's chapters, laughing until we cry, crying until we laugh, smiling and hugging and loving one another.

Katie - when can you come back?

We love you!