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“New” My Verse and Word For 2013

January 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment

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Every year since 1991 the American Dialect Society has picked a “word of the year” – a word that represents an important theme of a particular year. They pick a word after the year is over (like I would probably say mine for 2012 was struggle) but I am going to pick one in advance for this year.

Lately I’ve really had the word new on my mind and heart. I like the idea that God can take any pain, mess or situation – bring good out of it and make it new. My verses of the year  goes along with that theme:

“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:18-19

 

Do you pick a verse or word of the year? I’d love to read it in the comments!

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November Gratitude Day 11: Stay at Home Mom

November 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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Today I was reminded that I am so thankful that I can be a stay at home mom. (Sometimes I think my family would be ranching by now and be way better off if I worked). I got to enjoy my daughter’s mid-morning historical character play – something I couldn’t have done if I had an outside job. My girl was Clara Barton if you couldn’t tell Smile

Filed Under: Christian Living

November Gratitude Day 10: My Editors

November 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

As I was updating my writing page today I couldn’t help but think of all the editors who’ve given me (and my procrastinating ways) a chance. First there’s Doug Claussen, editor at the I-70 Scout. He took me on when I was an inexperienced, just-out-of-high school girl.  I wrote dozens and dozens and dozens of articles for him that summer after high school and he gave me my first taste of what it was like to be a real writer. I had my own desk and everything! Working at the I-70 Scout for that summer is the only full time writing job I’ve had so far.

Then there’s Pat Ptolemy, former editor at the Ag Journal. When my daughter was just a baby I answered her newspaper ad looking for writers. Over time ended I ended up writing an Ag Salutes feature spot nearly every week for a year or so (until my procrastinating got to be too much for even me to put up with!).

The Fence Post has been part of my writing portfolio since I was in college and did a few freelance articles for them. I am so grateful for my current editor there, Amelia Dietz. She not only gave me the opportunity to write Road to Ranching in the Rocky Mountain Fence Post, but also got my column in to the Nebraska edition and has been so understanding when I have computer and mothering troubles! I am so grateful for her (and hope I can give her early columns for Christmas!)

Another current editor, Rod Haxton at the Scott County Record is giving me a great opportunity to write very part time for him! It’s not often that you can move to a new town, walk into a business and get a job freelancing! I am excited to learn from Rod’s extensive newspaper experience.

I can’t write without a place to send my writing and am so grateful for those who’ve taken a chance on me (there are more than these editors!) I hope I have many more writing opportunities in the future!

Filed Under: Christian Living, Other Writing

Thanksgiving Gratitude Day 9: Sugar Cookies I Didn’t Eat

November 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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Today I am thankful for some sugar cookies that turned out cute. And I mostly thankful for the fact that I didn’t eat any of them today (which is a big deal for me.) These 15 extra pounds are going to come off! Smile

I’ll share the simple (and probably common) recipe tomorrow.

Filed Under: Christian Living

Thanksgiving Gratitude Day 8: Birthdays

November 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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I’m so thankful for birthdays! My kids and husband all have fall birthdays, so there are lots of parties going on around here. I love planning parties and am SO thankful that I have 2 sweet kids to plan for. If you’ve been reading my column, you’ll realize that each of the parties this  year didn’t quite go as planned! I’ll post those stories tomorrow, so check back if you missed them!

Filed Under: Christian Living

Thanksgiving Gratitude Day 7: Our Wii

November 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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Lately I’ve been very thankful for our Wii. The machine is a few years old and we only have a couple of games for it, but it has become a big part of our family life in the last few months.  We just discovered that our 4-year-old can finally play it without much too much help or frustration, so many of our evenings have been filled with bowling, sword fights, car races and bicycling. It’s been great for us to get a little active and have some fun together. Now if we can just teach our 4-year-old not to be a sore loser ….

Filed Under: Christian Living Tagged With: ,

November Gratitude Day 6 : My Kids, the Early Years

November 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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Today I was busy writing my column at the last minute (I have to break this horrible habit!) and the kids were running around like crazy people. They wanted snack after messy snack and then they needed help with a DVD. There were fights and spills and my little one wanted to sit by me on the couch to watch a movie.

I was angry at myself for once again being a slacker, frustrated because I needed to finish and angry that my kids wouldn’t leave me alone. That was a toxic combination and, not surprisingly I blew.

So often I think about how great it would be if they were both in school – I could write more, get out of debt faster and keep a cleaner house. . But honestly, my sweet kids are only little for a short while and they are far more important than writing, getting out of debt or anything else other than God and my husband!  

Filed Under: Christian Living

November Gratitude Day 5 : God is in Control

November 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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Today I am thankful for freedom. Even though this presidential election didn’t go my way, I am grateful that I had a say in it and that every other adult citizen in the country had a say too. I am also grateful for the freedom that we have in Christ (Galatians 5) and the knowledge that if we seek him, he will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6)!

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Filed Under: Christian Living
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