October 24, 2007 by Kelly.

As I’ve mentioned before, Wednesday is my afternoon to write. Imagine my chagrin this morning as I thought about taking my youngest to the dentist at 2pm — and then realized today is Wednesday!

My husband’s parents are in town, and they offered to take my son to his movie production class. I find it easy to get turned around up in that neighborhood, so I couldn’t send them up there in good conscience.

I will have to sacrifice some of my time today.  Hopefully, the dental appointment will go quickly and then I can get some time to write. I will leave it in God’s capable hands.

Posted in Daily Life | No Comments »

October 22, 2007 by Kelly.

Recently, I shared in a discussion about how to be the best wife possible. One woman stated, “This is my first and most important ministry, even above [caring for my children]!”

How true! Like I always tell my kids, “Someday you’ll grow up and move away, but I’m stuck with your father for life!”

Seriously, this is something I’m passionate about. The anonymity of the Internet has made it so easy to complain about our husbands to others. Once we’re in a complaining mood, it’s easy to make a snide or snippy comment to his face, too. Is that honoring God?!

Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Col 3:18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
Col 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

You’ll notice in the above passages that we are never told to “love” our husbands, but to submit to them. Proper submission is a form of respect. Men need respect! Men are told to love their wives. We need love — they need respect.

That is not to say that men don’t need love and women don’t need respect. But, it’s our inherent perceptions of the above that make us feel loved. For years I would do things that I thought would make my husband feel loved… but I was doing what would make me feel loved. Once I changed my way of thinking, and held my husband in the highest respect, his attitude toward me changed as well.

Yesterday we celebrated 19 years as husband and wife (24 years as “us”) and I must say, I have never felt more loved than I do at this point in my life!!

Posted in Daily Life | No Comments »

October 20, 2007 by Kelly.

I used to attend writing conferences before we moved out of state. They were short conferences, only one or two days. I only needed to spend one or two nights away from home. They weren’t very expensive, either, because of the short duration of the conferences. I think I usually spent under $200 including hotel, gas and food… way under $200 usually. (Gas was much cheaper back then.)

So, why am I longing to attend a conference now? Networking. Christian fellowship. Meeting writers I know from online. Learning more about the craft of writing.

I’ve been looking at the various Big Name conferences for next year, and I’ve applied for a scholarship to one in California (Mount Hermon is considered “the best of the best”). I should know sometime in November if I’m going. Until then, I’ll also consider conferences in Colorado and Texas… maybe even Florida.

There is one person I would dearly love to meet. If I can get to a conference she is attending, I’ll place that one at the top of my list! I didn’t know until this month, but she’s been praying for my writing career for a couple of years now. That must be why it keeps progressing, why I can’t seem to give it up. (Thanks, Lisa!)

Posted in Writing | No Comments »

October 16, 2007 by Kelly.

Am I spending my time wisely when I blog? This question often comes up among writers, and the views are split. There are numerous writers who have gained fame and recognition without ever having a blog. There are others who have made a name for themselves in the blogging world and then moved into the publishing world. Which do I want to be? Which do YOU want to be?

My original goal, when I had two blogs, was to post once a week at each. Life got in the way, and I’m lucky if I post twice a month. Then I began this blog. (What was I thinking?!) I’d still like to post once a week at each blog, but I have very limited time to write. (Which means our homeschooling is going well… and that’s good!) My writing afternoon (Wednesday) is very productive. I’ve completed five articles in four weeks, and roughed out two others!

You may be thinking, “Why doesn’t she just write some blog entries on Wednesdays?” I can’t do that– I write for paying markets on those afternoons. Today is Tuesday. I have a few moments of free time while the children have lunch, so I’m writing now. Perhaps this will become my blog day! Check back next week and see if I stay on track!

Posted in Writing | No Comments »