The Writers View

I've been a moderator on The Writers View for several years now, and would love to encourage any writers to consider joining. It's a great networking and resource opportunity. Here's the info:

If you're an aspiring writer and want to get a writers conference in your
inbox, consider joining The Writer View. It's free. It's amazing. And,
seriously, you'll learn everything you'd learn at a writer's conference
(sans meeting cool people face to face), only you don't have to pay airfare.

How they work: Each Monday and Thursday a panelist poses a question about
the publishing industry, the craft of writing, or anything related to the
writing journey. These panelists are agents, editors, writers who are well
known in the Christian writing industry. Then, panelists and members write
posts about the question raised. I still learn new things every week. It's a
moderated loop, so there's no blatant self promotion. Word counts are
limited to 250 per post.

For beginning to intermediate writers, the group to join is TWV 2. Click
here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TWV2

For advanced, published writers, join The Writers View. Click here
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheWritersView

You will be asked to fill out an application that you then send to the
group's leadership. You'll receive an email letting you know whether you've
been accepted.

The Light Lightened the Load

The other night when we returned home, we saw a gift sitting by our sliding door. Upon closer inspection, it was 2 pillar candles-Bill Blass brand to be exact. I'm guessing now the two candles represent something they see in Russ and me (one for each of us). Why? Because the note--oh the NOTE--now that was the true gift! It said:

Thanks for bringing "the light" into my life, my church, my community!!!!!!!!!! You both are a blessing beyond our wildest dreams. We so desperately needed you in our lives. Thank you. Thank God for opening the door and leading you to us.

Now isn't that about the best thing a person could ever be gifted? We are still floating on cloud nine!

February 8th

Russ's birthday was February 8th. His 46th celebration was a FIRST for him. He washed both cars in 87 degree weather, while wearing just a t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops! No other time in history have we lived somewhere with such warm temperatures on his birthday. Nor can we recall him getting a suntan on his birthday! Oh the life of living in the Rio Grande Valley!

While driving to dinner, we reflected back to all that has transpired over the past year. What a year! Lots of highs and lows, disappointments and victories, frustrations and excitations! The good news is that we came out the other end of that year with so many blessings for which to be grateful. We would have never chosen the path that happened this past year, but we sure do like the destination!

Making 2 People Beautiful Simultaneously

I love the program, "Locks of Love" where people with long hair can have their ponytails sheared and donated to make wigs and hair pieces for others who have no hair. I know because a friend of mine has complete alopecia that a human hair wig breathes better than a synthetic wig, and styles like "attached" human hair.

I read an article about the program, and hair stylist Nancy Jones was quoted to describe what it is like to cut the hair of one donating to the program, and she said, "This is the most fun and miraculous thing I have done in a long time, because I make two girls beautiful at the same time."

That brought a lump to my throat to think of it.

And then I thought, that must be how our Lord feels when we share the hope we have within us with others. That hope makes them more beautiful when they receive it, and we become more beautiful in the sharing of it!