Blue Ridge from Home

The Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference begins May 9th. So many of my writer friends are going that my emails, Facebook and Twitter feeds buzz with all the preparations.

I AM SO JEALOUS!!!

(And yes, that was me yelling).

OK.

I'm better now.

I am.

And I have a plan.

Just because I can't go, doesn't mean I can't use my time wisely. So for my friends who, like me, will be hanging out at home this year, I offer you my Blue Ridge from Home Conference Schedule. Feel free to modify it for your own use.

The week before: Purchase a new outfit and get a pedicure . . . priorities people!

Monday - Go for a drive. It takes me approximately two hours to get to Ridgecrest. As tempted as I will be to drive up there, I will instead drive to my local Starbucks and purchase my favorite writing beverage - a tall, decaf four pump mocha.

In case you don't know, that's a mocha with EXTRA chocolate. I'm going to be down in the dumps and in Lynn's Logic, chocolate makes everything better. Therefore, extra chocolate makes things extra better.

Tuesday - Focus on Fiction. I write fiction. I love fiction. So I'll spend some time perusing the writing advice available on the websites and blogs of the faculty members.

Tuesday night - Watch a comedy. Vonda Skelton will be speaking at Blue Ridge and the schedule says it's Faculty Talent Night. Everyone will be laughing. Might as well join in the fun.

Wednesday - Focus on Nonfiction. Same as Tuesday except specifically searching out the faculty members who are teaching non-fiction classes.

Thursday - Submit something. Now this one is tricky for me. I'm a little busy these days. But I think by the time Blue Ridge rolls around, I could have a devotion or two ready to submit for publication. (Famous last words).

Thursday night - Go out to eat. The banquet will be Thursday night. If I'm going to be in the spirit of things, I think this is an important step!

Friday - Focus on Social Networking. Everyone will be saying their goodbyes, sharing business cards and promising to keep in touch. So I'll be sending friend requests and following more writers on Twitter and adding more blogs to my blogroll. And I'll be sure to update my own blog!

Now, as is true for all conference schedules, this schedule is subject to change. I'd love to hear your suggestions for ways to attend BRMCWC from home.

Anyone care to join me? It's not too late to sign up!

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My Hypocrisy Knows No Bounds

Hyp-o-crite:
1. A person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion.
2. A person who acts in opposition to his or her stated beliefs or feelings.

I am a hypocrite.

I’ll give you a few examples.

• I’ve been known to shop at the health food store . . . and then run through a McDonald’s drive-thru—and not to order a salad.
• I’ve been known to set up a budget . . . and then ignore it for, um, well, a while.
• I’ve been known to snap at my husband . . . on the way into church . . . hmm . . . ok . . . that one just happened this week. Let’s move on.
• I’ve been known to yell at the pokey driver in front of me . . . on my way to Bible study.
• I have been known to blog about something . . . and then live my life in direct contradiction to what I’ve written.

It’s very frustrating.

And it’s been very obvious in my spirit in the past few weeks. You see, the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference is fast approaching and many of my writer friends are planning to go.

I feel left out.

Many of them have had great success in the past year. Agents have been obtained, articles have been published, books have won awards.

For others. Not for me.

I can’t seem to stop the feeling that hits the pit of my stomach each time a fellow writer passes a milestone I have yet to reach. Can’t shake the sense that I’ve been given a taste of something delicious and now have to watch others enjoy the feast.

My “good Christian girl” side knows that this is an issue of trust. She knows that God is sovereign. She knows that God’s timing is perfect and that His purposes and plans will prevail. She knows that whatever God wants for her is for her ultimate good and His ultimate glory. She has blogged about this very thing here and here.

You know what the “much more irreverent” side of me says to that?


Yeah, yeah, whatever.


I’ve been rather ticked off about the whole thing. I’ve fumed and fussed and thrown quite the spiritual temper tantrum.

God probably should’ve knocked a knot on my head for my behavior. I’m still not sure why He hasn’t. Maybe He’s cutting me some slack considering that I haven’t slept through the night in almost eight weeks. Maybe He recognizes that the current “shower of blessing” I’m under has come very close to drowning me and I’m just now keeping my head above water—most days.

Maybe Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father and quietly intercedes, “She’s mine. I died for her.”

I am a hypocrite.

But I’m a saved hypocrite. I’m a loved hypocrite.

I’m a forgiven hypocrite.

Psalm 32:1, 2 and 5 - Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity and in whose spirit there is no deceit…I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. (ESV)

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Who has the time?

You may have noticed that I haven't been blogging much lately.

That's because it's tricky to type while holding a six week old.

Not that it can't be done.

I'm doing it right now!

God has been up to all sorts of interesting things in the past six months. The results of which are fabulous. And the method . . . well, let's just say that God doesn't do things the way I would.

I, for example, don't recommend having a baby, moving into a new house and listing your old house, all within a few weeks.

Not that it can't be done.

I'm doing it right now!

I'm also trusting that God's timing for this massive transition is perfect for everyone, including me.

And I'm looking forward to getting back to my "normal" schedule . . . just as soon as I figure out what that is!

In the meantime, my monthly book review is up over at The Write Conversation. I'd love it if you'd stop by and say Hi!

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