IN REAL LIFE

Goodbyes and Hellos

Good morning, Ladies! I'm headed home from Montana today. Yikes, it seems like I've been away forever. I love going back to Tennessee and my family and my dogs and my kitty and my lake and my life there. But good-byes are are hard for me and always have been. Tears are guaranteed when I have to hug someone and say, "I'll miss you --" like the sister-in-Christ you see here, who has shared Bozeman, Montana with me. Like I had to with old friends and new when I left the Castle and when I boarded the plane in Colorado Springs for my adventure at the sheep ranch. There's a line in a song I love called "Life is a Church" by Marcus Hummon, that talks about going to a funeral with his son: "My little boy asks me, 'Does good-bye always hurt?'"

For me, it usually does.

And then that hurt turns to sweet memories and then to a deep gratitude that I know such people and have had such experiences with them and that now I'm changed because I've been in their presence.

Presence.

That brings us back to the subject we all shared so deeply before I left home. The presence of God and what that looks like. We've talked about what it sounds like and how it's transmitted through the cloud of witnesses that surrounds us and supports us and keeps us from making complete morons out of ourselves. We've discussed where it makes itself known most vividly. 

And here we are, at the end of the journey you've taken with me these last two weeks. We're in the presence of God and one another. It feels warm and safe. But as Alisha has shown us, it isn't only about what we feel but what we know. SO  . . . 

If you want to comment today, tell us what you now KNOW about the presence of God in your life. I'll tell you what I know.  I know that YOU are the body of Christ.

 

Blessings,

Nancy Rue       

In the Family of Things

Good morning, Ladies! I will have SO much to tell you when I get back from my sheep ranch experience. As I said in my last post, it's going to take me a few days at home in Tennessee to sort it through and determine what I've learned for character Kirsten and what for writer Nancy and what for bloggers You -- and what for all of us. 

But today, as I think of you holding things together on the blog and sharing your hearts and trusting both each other and God, I just want to share this poem that our Crystal found by the poet we both love, Mary Oliver. 

"Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,

The world offers itself to your imagination,

Calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting --

Over and over announcing your place

In the family of things."

We are like a family here on the blog, in a virtual way, yes, but also in a way that's as close to real as it gets on the Internet. Even though things might be different if we were in each other's physical presence day after day, we have still discovered here how it feels to be able to be honest and transparent and trusting and vulnerable, without fear of betrayal or judgment, certain of prayer and support. I think it has helped us realize we do have a place in the world. 

So today if you'd like to post, you might want to share how you're feeling more sure of your place in the family of things, now that you've opened up about what God's presence looks like to you and where you are with that Sun or Anchor or Big Stainless Steel Heart -- now that you've talked about the places where God seens to make the divine self known -- now that you've admitted that indeed God is speaking, even if it's something you don't particularly want to hear. Confidence arises from such things. You have more than you realize. Think of it, and tell us about it, evne if it is very small, even if you don't think it's there at all.

As for me, I'm still dreaming under this Big, Big Sky . . .

 

Blessings,

Nancy Rue

Trusting What You Know

Good morning, Ladies! I'm on a sheep ranch! I'll be spending four days here, "helping" with the ranch chores and learning about, well, sheep. It's research for my next book, Kirsten's Voice. Protagonist Kristen will be here doing the same thing I'm doing, but from the perspective of being badly wounded in her soul and having to heal from the dangerous habit of cutting herself. Here, as she feeds the lambs and chucks the hay and walks in the pooh (I'm so grateful for my new hiking boots!), she will hear God's voice, and she will find her own.

I've taken a few moments here and there during my travels to check in on your comments -- to hear YOUR voices. Here's one snippet that I want to make sure you've read among the many lovely, heartfelt posts. This is from ALISHA:

  "I remember hearing (in an epiphany), 'I'm here, waiting, when you're ready to trust what you know and not what you feel.'" 

    She went on to say," I just had so much noise in my life I couldn't hear his voice. So now I'm clinging to that tree for dear life, and I'm trusting what I know."

Interesting, isn't it, how when we "see" God's presence in our mind's eye, no matter what that metaphor looks like, we often hear God's voice as well? For me, that's a whisper of a thought that I know is not my own. Or a piece of a song lyric at just the right time. Or a Bible verse I've read a hundred other times but that hits me between the eyes this time. Or an offhand comment from a friend that turns the world upright again.

God speaks. I'm hearing him here in Montana. I can't wait to tell you all about it, once I've had a chance to sort it through. Please continue to let me hear YOUR voices in your comments. What is God saying as you dwell on the image of his presence and count on the cloud of witnesses and gather your life in some visual way? God speaks. Share the words if you will.

 

Blessings,

Nancy Rue 

Winner's Announced: It's time for a scavenger hunt!

Update: 7/1

Due to the fires in Colorado Springs, Leah got a little tied up with connecting with winners. Because of this we are extending the deadline for people to submit their answers. In the list of names below you will see who we are still waiting to hear from (I have heard from those names that are crossed out).  If you know them go and get them movin'! New deadline is 11:59pm 7/3.  New winners will be selected 7/5 for anyone who has not submitted answers to the questions.

Did everyone have a good time on the scavenger hunt?  Originally rules stated to hold on to your answers, however Nancy would like to see them all (espcially if you answered all the extras). This will help construct future contests.  If you owuld like to send those to Leah please email your answeres to: impactauthor@comcast.net.  In the subject line please put: answers for Nancy Rue

Potential winners have been contacted (check your spam mail if you see your name below and don't have an email in your inbox).

Congrats to everyone! Winners are also listed below in the rafflecopter form.

Gift card & book winners:

Jacqui

Brownie Girl

Emma (welliewalks@gmail.com)

Nicole

Natalie

Rachel

Teen book winners:

Caitlin

Grace

Katie (katieadk@yahoo.com)

Haley

Adult book winners:

Jodie

Celeste

I don’t know if you’ve ever participated in an actual scavenger hunt – although if you’ve ever belonged to a youth group you probably have. If so, you know what a hoot they can be. When my (wonderful) virtual assistant suggested that we have one here on line, I was all over it, and I hope you will be too. So read about the details below and then have at it. I’ll want to hear about your experience in your comments, of course. ~Nancy 

Hey girls, my name is Leah (Impact Author Services) and I'm Nancy's "virtual assistant".  Kind of a cool title to go along with a cool job.  I'm taking over here as Nancy is off traipsing around in....oops! I cannot say as that is one of the questions on the hunt itself.  So I'll be hanging out all week to check in and see if anyone has any questions or anything.  Otherwise have a good time finding all the answers. 

How to Play (very short summary of how it works, all nitty gritty details are below): Want to win some great prizes? Check out the Rafflecopter form at the end of the post to see all the ways to gain entries into the contest (the more entries, the greater the chance of winning), then start the scavenger hunt. Search for answers to the twenty questions by following the online links. When you have all your answers, return to the Rafflecopter entry form to complete it saying you have completed the scavenger hunt. Then you will HOLD ON TO YOUR ANSWERS. 

If Rafflecopter (done by Leah) picks your name on Tuesday, June 26, you will receive an e-mail notification from Impact Author, then you’ll have 48 hours to reply to the email sent to you with your scavenger hunt answers. If all your answers are correct you are a WINNER! 

Nancy's regulars:  Help the others get around should they have questions about how this blog works (it's really cool newbies...meet some awesome teens who dig deep into the Real Life of your Daily Life). Oh and by the way...Nancy's hope is that some of you might go and grab your adult of choice to do this alongside with you.  We have prizes for everyone. It'ss not required, but recommended & encouraged!

So, let's get this rolling!

What you will need:

• Note-taking item of choice…note pad, word document, email in draft status, Evernote app…whatever you like. 
• Internet & ability to jump from one website to another
• Email address.  If you don’t have one, ask an adult to use theirs.  This will be required when commenting on some of the websites, as well as the entry form for the contest.  The email address will ONLY be used to contact the potential winners, not for anything else.
  

Some of the other details to know:

• This is a HUGE hint that will keep you from having to do any Google searches.  Each question has a hyperlink to where you will find your answers.  Could this not be any easier?!
• This doesn’t need to be done in any order.  There is just one question that cannot be answered until Wednesday the 20^th.
• Make note of your answers as they match with each question’s number. Each question will be in bold Hold on to your answers. You will only need these if you get an email saying you are a potential winner.
• The questions with a bullet are optional, however might help you comment on Facebook , or give Nancy some ways to better engage with her readers.  All input is welcome!
• Complete the Rafflecopter form below to enter to win.  Rafflecopter entry form closes Sunday 11:59pm ET.
• Teens/tweens can enter separately from the adults.  We have prizes for all of you.
• Your name will be picked by Rafflecopter (Leah will generate, Rafflecopter is a tool to help this girl out!) and you will receive an email from Impact Author (might want to add it approved spam if you have it set to "high" impactauthoratcomcastdotnet) saying you are a potential winner.
  
• You will have only 48 hours to reply to the email with your answers to the scavenger hunt questions.  If they are correct Impact Author Services will confirm you are the winner!  GOOD LUCK!

Here's what Nancy is giving away. 

Teens & tweens:

• 6 $10.00 gift cards of your choice.   That's right, you can pick between Starbucks, Amazon or itunes. What's your fancy? PLUS, you also get to pick one of Nancy's newest books.  I cannot tell you those title as that would be giving away part of the hunt! You get to pick so that's all that you really need to know. 
• 4 of you will be picked to select the same three titles mentioned above.

Adults:

• 2 adults will be picked to select book one or two of the Reluctant Prophet series.  Book #3 releases in October, so this is a great chance to get in on her latest series for the adult audience.

In case you didn't get all that, just know you could be one of 12 winners.

Rules & legal junk:

• Winners will be selected based on their entry/entries in Rafflecopter form.
• Winner names will be posted on this blog on Tuesday June 26^th.
• Winners will be contacted with an email from Impact Author on Tuesday June 26^th.  To claim your prize, a reply WITH THE ANSWERS TO EACH QUESTION as well as the US SHIPPING ADDRESS will need to be sent within 48 hours (end of day Thursday June 28^th).  This will confirm you did participate.
• Due to the nature of the prizes, only US ship to addresses can win.  If it can ship in the US you can play!
• Ages: 7+  Tweens, Teens & Adult of choice.  This is up to the discretion of the adult, but adults are not required to participate.  It is encouraged to do this with a child as it was Nancy’s desire to provide an activity to be done together. & have included some sites of interest to the adult audience.  Plus you might win a prize out of too.  How cool is that?
• A facebook account is NOT required.  While there are some facebook stops on the hunt, there is a back up option if you do not have a facebook account.  Not to worry!
• Please leave a comment on this page should you have any questions regarding The Hunt.  It should be answered within 12 hours.
• Nancy Rue supports the various sites on the Scavenger Hunt, but they are not endorsing or supporting the contest rules or content in return.  This statement relinquishes them of any involvement or ownership of this contest. 

We are going to start this off easy and let you get warmed up, so since you are already here at the blog (email subscribers, be sure you click on over to the blog to ensure you are reading the correct edition of the hunt in case changes were made)

 

1. Did you know that Nancy loves to blog?  She has three different blogs for three different ages/audiences.

What is the name of each blog & who is the audience? 

• Do you read blogs?
• What do you like most about them? 
• Feel free to poke around a bit.  You might be interested to know that two of the blogs are community driven and allow for the girls to interact with each other.

 

2. Facebook Teen users (or if your adult is on facebook and will allow you to look with them): Last Thursday (June 14^th) there was a status update on the Nancy Rue for Teens page which told you where the setting of book #3 in the Real Life Series takes place. If you do not have a facebook account see optional question #2

What Coffee Shop does Cassidy visit regularly? Adults: just put NA for question #2 on your answer sheet.

• While you are there leave a comment! Do you have a favorite coffee shop? or tell Nancy why you enjoy her as an author.
  

2. (non facebook users) Teens/tweens:

Visit Nancy's new website. What is your favorite book of Nancy’s and leave a comment on that book's page why it is your favorite, haven’t read one yet? Find the one you want to read and leave a comment telling us why.

3. Facebook Adult users: On Friday, June 15^th, Nancy shares where she is and what she is doing there this week. teens/tweens just put NA for question #3 on your answer sheet. There is an optional question #3 if you do not have a facebook account.

Where is she and what is she doing?

• While you are there comment on how you approach each day as Nancy challenges us.

3. (non facebook users)Adults:

Visit Nancy's new website. What is your favorite book of Nancy’s and leave a comment on that book's page why it is your favorite, haven’t read one yet? Find the one you want to read and leave a comment telling us why.

 

4. What does Nancy tell us is the most important thing God has called you to do? (watch the video for the answer Hint: Faithgirlz: The Real You)

if you are not on facebook, the same video is on Nancy's YouTube Channel. Hint: Faithgirlz: The Real You

 

5. What is Celeste Barnard’s encouraging scripture for her blog? 

 

6. Melissa is the author of the blog Hidden Valley Simplicity.  Melissa reviews the two newly repackaged Lily Series: Here’s Lily & The Beauty Book. 

Why does she loves this series so much (sorry, you have to read the whole review!)?

• While you are there you might want a chance to win some books there too. She is hosting a giveaway through the end of the month.

 

 7. What are some of things you might learn at Kids Write Fiction website (tweens this is so up your alley!)?

• Do you write?

 

8. What does CTF stand for? 

9. Is there a teen novel on your list to read? Is there a review for it (Jamie seriously DEVOURES books!)?

If you are a facebook user, CTF Devourer has a page which might be of interest to you.

 

10. Editor Gina Dalfonzo reviewed Motorcycles, Sushi & One Strange Book.  What did she wince at while reading the book?

11. Breakpoint’s vision is all about providing a Christian Perspective & truth-based information on today’s news & culture. 

Did they review The Hunger Games Series? 

• Have you read the book or watched the movie?

 

12. Take a little break now (or just skip this question and come back to it later DON'T forget!), you won’t be able to answer this question until Wednesday, June 20^th.  

Nancy shares 4 options of how to cut the boys some slack and do the “Christian thing”. 

Which one is the most difficult for you to do when it comes to understanding boys? And for you adults out there...do you remember when you were a teen, what might have been your most challenging that Nancy talks about?

 

13. What is Nancy’s most recent title (not including a repackaged book)? 

14. Who is this written for?…careful, that is a trick question!

• Do you have a question for Nancy about boys?  Here’s your chance to ask her on her website.  She will reply. Just be patient as she is traveling for a few weeks.

 

15. Angel Eyes is book #1 of a supernatural young adult trilogy. Who is the author and is this the author’s first work?   (hint, about page)

Nancy Rue endorsed this book so it must be worth checking out!

Pssst….she’s having a facebook party on june 26^th where you could win a Nook color.

• Do you subscribe to any teen magazines or teen blogs?

• What interests you enough for you to subscribe?

Maybe it’s the creative ideas you takeaway, or the advice?

 

16. Share one thing from Discovery Girls that interests you.

 

17. What is i-Shine LIVE?

• Are you part of their age audience?

That's it for all the hopping around! Thanks for hanging in there with us.  Hope you had fun...and because I cannot allow the questions to end at #17, here are just 3 more!

18. What did you like most about this scavenger hunt?

19. If we were to do it again, what recommendations would you have to improve it?

20. Have you read Nancy Rue books before?

Here's the easiest part, but the most crucial. Complete the Rafflecopter form below to enter to win. You can get started on earning points by sharing this blog post with your friends. See how to enter below in the rafflecopter form. Keep in mind, we do need a valid emial. HOWEVER, email addresses are not be gathered for any purpose other than to contact those who are winners. Don't forget that at any time you have a question, just comment below and Leah will answer, or you can email her directly. impactauthoratcomcastdotnet. a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Setting for a God-Experience

Good morning, ladies! I'm in Colorado Springs, meeting with my agent and my virtual assistant (who is responsible for the existence of my Facebook Fan Pages and the Scavenger Hunt that's starting next week and all those other social media things I would never be able to a. think of on my own or b. pull off!) and a new publisher (to discuss our witnessing without words book -- remember that?), and the marketing director for the Reluctant Prophet books and the lady who's writing BIble studies for those and . . . big breath . . . my assistant for the writing-for-kids conference I'm doing at Glen Eyrie in October. AND I'm enjoying being with some really close friends. It's full and rich and I love it.

But I can never be here in Colorado Springs without thinking about the characters in Tournaments, Cocoa, and One Wrong Move. This is where I set that book, with the help of a group of teen girls like you who I met at Glen Eyrie. Whenever I glimpse Pike's Peak or have a latte at Pike's Perk or just breathe that fresh mountain air, I once again feel Cassidy's confusion and anger and hurt, and then her growth and her healing and her peace. It's as if it really happened, right here.

Kinda weird, huh?

It is to people who (a) have never thought up stories or (b) don't connect God with place. Okay, yeah, God is everywhere. Hopefully God will be waiting for me in Montana when I get there tonight, as well as on the plane when I board in an hour. But in my experience, the presence of God is felt more deeply in some places than in others. Those are the places where I set my stories.

            St. Augustine, Florida

            White Sands, New Mexico

            Puget Sound, Washington

            Williamsburg, Virginia

            Oxford, England

            On the Cumberland River in Tennessee

    I've never been to Montana where I'll be spending the next week, but I've been pulled there to "find" Kirsten, the main character in my next book called "Kirsten's Voice", about a young woman who self-injures. I'm thinking that's where God's going to heal her, and I'm headed that way in the hope that those who read her story will be led to healing too, from whatever ways they damage themselves.

So here's my question as I leave Cassidy's town and head for Kirsten's. If YOU were going to write a story about the presence of God in someone's very real experience, where would you set it and why? Even if you aren't an aspiring writer, think about it and let us know what you come up with. It may show you just how close God is . . . 

 

Blessings,

Nancy Rue     

The Other Presence

Good morning, Ladies! I've been waiting for the perfect time to "unveil" MELODY's Senior Board to you. If you'll remember, she had to do an exhibit of the most important influences in her high school life -- and she honored all of us by highlighting the In Real Life blog. I don't know about you, but I had tears in my eyes the first time I saw this. Here's the entire display:

Do you see that book in the center at the bottom of the photo? That's

Melody's novel, "Perfect? Yeah, Right!" which I am currently reading during my half-hour-before-I-go-to-bed reading time. Sometimes I have to force myself to turn out the light, because the story is so real and so compelling. I have to admit that sometimes I go back to the Acknowledgments page and run my fingers across my name there. 

You just never know, do you, how you're going to influence someone, the way you all have touched Melody and each other? We've been talking about being aware of God's presence through metaphor, and that is the absolute core of everything. Yet God also wants us to be aware of the great cloud of witnesses, the communion of saints, the body of Christ -- the many, many people God's blessed us with to help us remain aware of his love.

Here's the deal. Jesus is the only true representation we have of what God is like. By accepting that we also agree to try to live Christ-like lives. That means the Christ-followers around us do show us glimpses of God. They are the Other Presence. They aren't God himself, but they are flickers of the divine and we need them.

We need each other.

There in the midst of Melody's many amazing accomplishments and aspirations are the girls of In Real Life. Her cloud of witnesses. Her body of Christ. Her communion of saints. If YOU were going to create a display of your life as a teen girl so far --

        * what important accomplishments would you highlight -- important to YOU, even if not necessarily impressive to anyone else?

        * what God-given dreams would you reflect?

        * what life-changing events would you show? tragedies and crises as well as unforgettable milestones?

        * who would be featured there as your Other Presence?

I'd love to have you comment on that over the next several days, of course. But I'd also love for you to entertain the idea of putting together a visual representation of that this summer -- whether it's a display like Melody's, or a scrapbook, or a collage on your computer or a treasure box. You could photograph it and email that to me so I could post it here. You could comment on what you were doing and learning whenever you felt moved all summer long. What do you think? Are you in?

I'm leaving the Castle today to spend a few days in Colorado Springs doing business and seeing friends. But I'll be thinking about you, and perhaps beginning my own album  . . . As always, you have inspired me.    

 

Blessings,

Nancy Rue

WHERE YOU STAND . . . SIT . . . FLEE FROM!

Good morning, Ladies! I'm at Glen Eyrie Castle near Colorado Springs teaching aspiring writers -- and I wish MELODY, RACHEL, SARAH ELIZABETH and all of you with writing dreams were here. Now would be a good time to start thinking about next June's conference, or even the one I'm doing here in October. For more info,   cilck here for the Glen Eyrie website.

I digress! The point of that is that I haven't been able to review all your comments, so today I'm just going reinforce how important it is (and how cool, how revealing, how interesting, or even how scary!) to assess where you are in relation to that metaphor of God within you. If you're just joining us or you've been away for a while and you're chiming back in, just look at the post for Friday, June 8 and you should be good to go.

So here's Therese's photograph of her metaphor to inspire you. This is the 9/11 memorial she was telling us about, the one with the eternal flame atop it that stays lit through everything from hailstorms to hurricanes. Sure sounds like God to me. You?

And if your "position" has changed since you posted, feel free to update us. It's fascinating to watch ourselves move while God just keeps doing that God-thing. Know what I mean?

Missing you!

 

Blessings,

Nancy Rue

   

Metaphors for God-In-Us

Good morning, Ladies. Y'know what I love? I love that the moment I say, "Let's imagine," you are right there. I don't sense the reaction that such a request is decidedly uncool, or that this is going to be a complete waste of time because how is it actually going to help? If you're thinking that, I'm not hearing it. What I'm hearing are amazing imaginings, like this one from ALISHA:

    "When we went to Louisiana/Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina, there was this one tree. It had survived two hurricanes, and still it stood there, unmoveable. I've been shaken by a lot of unseen events lately, with my sickness and losing all these people I thought would stay in my life. That's shaken me a whole lot."

That's Alisha's tree you're seeing in the picture above. I see what she means.  And has it not proven to be so true as she's been invited to share her continuing story in what sounds like an incredible group blog? Congratulations, Alisha. You will help so many, many people who suffer as you have.

BETHAN also envisions a tree, but it's beside a river and SHE is the tree, God being the river. He's quenching her thirst so she can remain strong through things like a recent breakup with a boyfriend. Adults sometimes try to minimize the pain of that, but it's a very hard growing up thing to endure. 

AMY's vision is of an anchor, holding her to God's word and what is right; even though storms come it stands firm.

THERESE thinks of the 9/11 memorial in her town, with a flame that remains lit on top of a fountain, no matter what the weather. She wants her relationship with God to be like that blaze -- an unrelenting, consuming fire. Even in storms like her parents' separation.

KATE S tentatively sees God's presence as a gift-giver. Sometimes those gifts are hard to recognize, especially when you're living in one room with your entire family and your dad is sick and it feels like the worst ever. Actualy, Kate, it really was bad. You were brave to get through it.

MELODY says her latest unexpected dismount was not getting into the dance company she so longed for. And she's so busy right now, it's hard to even think about God's presence. I get that, Melody. I really do. I think we all do. And yet here you are, coming up with a gorgeous image of a bright sun that gives life and hope and is always, always there and outshines anything (as soon as she stops trying to do it all herself; that's the ticket, isn't it, Melody?).   I love what she says: "Even if the sun seems to be setting, it's really just rising on something else."

Now, for LAURA JANE, God at her core is like a big stainless steel heart.  That's so different it really made me stop and think, and I like it. She was especially aware of that heart in a turn-for-the-better last week when she did so well in zone competitions for IEA horse competition, she gets to go to Nationals.   Sweet, Laura Jane!

RACHEL's metaphor is "for sure a fire.These are her own words: "The spark was planted in me at birth during my Baptism, and the flames were fanned when I was Confirmed. Some days, it feels hot and bright and burning with leaping tongues of fire that just can't be ignored, and other days it's more like low and slow-burning coals. But no matter what, even though I may feel numbed by the outside cold or have just grown too used to its company to notice it much, the fire still burns on within me, a steady presence of heat and light that cannot be quenched and refuses to fully fizzle out." Beautiful, beautiful stuff. Her belief in the fire was tested last year when she ended up on a soccer team full of girls who not only didn't know her but had known each other for five years. That's like the social kiss of death, right? While the team has done great, she's gotten very little playing time. That means a lot of sitting by the fire, wondering whether this is a "knock-down-course-changer or a welcome surprise."

SARAH ELIZABETH asked if it was weird that she thought of one of Shakespeare's sonnets as her God-metaphor. Uh, as a former English teacher and continued lover of the bard, no, I would not say that was weird at all (or maybe we are both weird SE!) Here it is:

"Love is not love, which alters when it alteration finds, or bends with the remover to remove. No, it is an ever-fixed mark which looks on tempests and is never shaken."

When Sarah reads that, she thinks of a cliff next to water. "Waves have hit that cliff probably millions of times and yet it still stands strong. Pieces of it may have broken off but I don't think anyone will disagree that its current state is beautiful. " Yeah, Sarah E., you're even more beautiful in your new home than you were in your old, despite the storm that took you there.

ASHLEY has in mind those old shepherd's towers, like the ones made of huge thick heavy stones. That mental image kept her going last spring when she lost half the vision in her left eye. Lots of people prayed for her but she hasn't gotten her sight back. And yet she's learned so much about prayer and about trusting in the strength of God's towers.

JYLLENNA is simply "seeing God move", even in the midst of her grandfather's serious health issues. We know od will continue to "move" as you relocate with your family and get away from the girl drama, Jyllenna. Sometimes, as SE pointed out, a new perspective can completely change things for the better. 

 

MIMI shared a vivid dream of falling into God's safe hands -- and from the end of the proverbial rope we all often find ourselves clinging to. So Mimi I guess it's like, "When you find yourself at the end of your rope, let go!" Sounds like you'll pay attention to that as you make your decision about going to public school.  

KAMILAH sees herself honoring God. So is there perhaps a metaphor there of feeling God like a medal close to your heart, always reminding you of what it is you're supposed to be about?

CAMI sees God's presence as that of a great Orchestrator -- and God has certainly created a new movement in HER symphony. Yikes, she's graduating in July when she thought she had another whole year to go! We'll be here for you as you discover the new notes you're now going to play, Cami. On the track and off.

Those metaphors are all beautiful, and I hope  more of you will share yours as God gives them to you --MARLEE and KINDALL, who we welcome -- and AVERY and LEXI and CAITLIN and BETHANY who have all been reading and chiming in with prayers. The more ways we can see God, the more likely it is that we'll keep believing, keep obeying, keep counting on God when we take those unexpected dismounts.

I think we need to take this one step further (as if this post wasn't long enough already -- yikes!) If you'd like to post, share with us where YOU are right now in relation to that image of God's presence within you.  Here's an example:

        My metaphor is a pillar -- white and pure and immovable, right at the center of my soul. Right now, I'm sort of dancing around that pillar, getting ready to go on yet another trip, making all the preparations. I'm trying to stay connected to the pillar with all the colorful ribbons of my present life, so I don't stray and start trying to choreegraph the whole dance someplace far from my soul. 

    So where are you in relation to the Sun, the Fire, the Tree, the River, the Anchor, the Memorial Flame, the Gift-Giver, the Stainless Steel Heart, the Movement, the Shepherd's Tower, the Cliff, or whatever your image may be. Where you are changes from time to time, depending on whether you're experiencing an unexpected dismount or sailing free. It's always good to know where we are with God -- so let's look at the right-now and find out. I can't wait to hear. I'll be right here by the pillar, praying.

 

Blessings,

Nancy Rue 

your

Regrouping

Good morning, ladies! I'm loving the comments that are coming in re the last post and I'll respond to those on another day -- but I wanted to catch up on what went down while I was away and while hubby was in the hospital. (By the way, today is our 39th anniversary, and it's even more special than usual because of his recent illness. Your  "floodgate of prayers", to quote RACHEL, did carry me through) Our wonderful Crystal (pictured here with me at The Abbey in Quebec) has been her usual great at keeping me apprised of the general flow. Ya gotta love that lady.

One area where it seems you've all made, like, quantum leaps in living the life that really is life is in letting go and embracing. A few examples:

    MIRIAM is managing distractions so she has more time to serve, write, think and pray. Right there with ya, Miriam. It's a continual process all our lives. Trust me on that.

    KATE S is going to complain less and enjoy more when it comes to dance. Yeah, y'know, the arts are supposed to be a source of joy, even though they are at times hard work. I have to remember that myself when writing starts to feel like a job.

    MELODY is letting go of comparison and celebrity "news" and looking to develop the kind of in-person friendships that she has here on the blog. (SARAH ELIZABETH is there, too and wants to stop sugar coating things with her friends)  I love Melody's, "I feel an ocean but show a puddle." I mean, that is seriously good!

    ABBIE and MADISON are going to try to deal better with brother issues. EMII has rediscovered the value of being an enoucrager. LEXI is re-prioritizing so she can spend more time with God and more time pursuing her writing. PAIGE is moving that way too; her first step: signing off Facebook an hour earlier. THERESE wants to work at cutting back on waste-of-time style socializing and is doing that via walks with God. NICOLE has taken at least one stress break (and we hope she does more of that) Great growth, ladies. I know adults who WISH they were making that kind of progress.

We heard from some of you who've been quiet for a while, which is like seeing old friends we've lost touch with. We have missed you ALISHA, BETHAN,  WREN, MIMI  and CAMI. It's good to have you back.

And we have some new members: LAURA JANE (recently graduating from the tween blog) and ASHLEY (a horse lover) and KAMILAH . Welcome, ladies. We hope you'll feel at home here.

Two things really popped out at me as I was reviewing your comments. One is how much you love and respect each other and have formed such a trusting, God-honoring, honest community here. I'm just so proud of you, so blessed by the work that's going on in your spirits.

The other is that some very concrete things are coming out of your work here and your continued closeness to God (even at times when, like NICOLE has recently, you feel kind of spiritually  apathetic . . . God gets that, by the way)  ALISHA feels nudged to write a devotional in which she'll tell the story of her struggle. MELODY is including the blog on her senior board, and has made her own blog, actually.    NICOLE, RACHEL and BETHAN are simply using "love and blessings" as their sign-off.   MIRIAM's baking cookies for her neighbors (could you send some of those my way?)

Basically, I think you're amazing and I'm so honored to provide this place of being. I have no particular comment prompt -- I know you're still working on the one from the last post -- but I just had to check in and let you know that you are loved and appreciated. I guess that's me letting go and embracing too. Ah -- it feels good.

 

Blessings,

Nancy Rue