Confused About Your Purpose?

Confused about your purpose?

Have you ever walked from room to room, trying to remember what it was you needed to do? Confused, we scan every corner, hoping something jogs our memories. Temporarily, we have lost our purpose. Thus, we have two options.

One is to exchange our original purpose for a different one. While searching for the initial goal, we get sidetracked. Something else catches our eye. We begin to devote attention to that instead. (The pros and cons of diversions will be saved for another day!)

The other option is to stop and be still for a moment. Rather than flitting about, we pause and reflect. Mentally or physically, we retrace our steps. What were we doing before the search began and why? Usually, this quiet reflection reminds us of our mission.

In the past two years, I’ve made new friends who only know me as a writer. Too embarrassed to tell my “old” friends about my new pursuit of writing, it was a close-kept secret.  

Evidently, many people without writing degrees feel the same way. Last year, I attended a Christian Writer’s Boot Camp conducted by Christian Devotions. They made us say, “I am a writer” so many times we became more at ease with it!

I’ve been writing for years--journals, special programs, and various newsletter articles. It wasn’t until age forty-five I sensed God wanting me to do more with my writing.

Since then, it’s been somewhere between a smooth merry-go-round of ups and downs to an occasional roller coaster ride!

While I love learning the craft, the work is a lot more than I anticipated. Sometimes I forget my purpose for pursuing writing. I am sidetracked by a vast array of emotions and life events.

Most of my “old” friends know about my writing by now. Often times, they will ask me why I have chosen this field of work.

I tell them my purpose in writing is:

1.   To be obedient and honor my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

2.   To encourage others in their life journeys.

3.   To promote (and hopefully produce) excellent literature for children and young adults.

Writing for Children
 

There is so much “junk” out there--written material that pulls young people down into a miry pit. I plan to work hard and improve my skills. Lord willing, I hope to produce thought provoking work of “whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is lovely, and whatever is admirable…”  (Phil. 4:8)

Now you know my purpose in writing and can hold me accountable.

So, I guess that brings us to a third option when we forget our purpose. Share your goals with friends. Forget about being embarrassed. Good friends will support you.

They’ll remind you what it was you were doing and why.

 

“But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up,

that I may show My power in you,

and that My name may be declared in all the earth.”  Exodus 9:16

 

What about you? Don’t be timid about trying something new. If God is in it, His strength will shine through your weaknesses.

Be brave and share your goals. What is God’s purpose for you today?

 

 

Discovering Gold in Your Writing

"Prospector Man" and Pam Martin

“Thar’s gold in them thar hills!” During a recent mining expedition, I not only acquired real gold but gleaned some writing nuggets as well.

The Thermal City Gold Mine located in Rutherford County, North Carolina was our destination. Well-known for its authenticity, my son and I were excited about prospecting for gold.

Other enthusiastic families joined us in the hunt. However, a couple of hours into our dig, our youngest ones lost interest. They found more joy playing in the dirt.

Eventually, someone found a flake of gold. Yeah! I wanted to find gold! I picked up another handful of sediment and plopped it in my miner’s pan. Sloshing it back and forth in the water, just like the prospecting mentor taught us. Slosh, slush, slosh, slush. Nothing.

Another shout came from a gold-finder. It wasn’t I. One by one, almost everyone in our crowd found gold. I was happy for them. I wanted to be happy for me too. Slosh, slush, slosh, slush over and over again. Then I hit gold!

My yippee soon turned to an awww. It was just a flashy piece of mica. Slosh, slush, slosh, slush. Finally, there it was. I could hardly contain my excitement as I showed it to Mr. Prospector-Man. No flashy mica this time. He swirled it around in the pan a few times then told me to dump it. Whatever was in there was probably fool’s gold. I had been deceived again.

Slosh, slush, slosh, slush. The only thing the muddy water was producing for me was a cooling element from the sun. Frustration was setting in. Hours had passed and not a speck of gold. It was time for a lunch break.

The food and fellowship were great. There was renewed energy. After lunch, we worked together panning sediment that had gone through a filtering machine. Whatever gold, found in this sediment, would be divided equally among us.

As I stood there sloshing and slushing, I realized writing is similar to panning for gold.

·         It takes hours of work before you produce anything that has value. Then it takes many more hours to achieve your next golden nugget (which could be the next chapter or just the next sentence!)

·         It’s easy to get frustrated especially if others around you are celebrating success. While you rejoice with them, you still want your hard work to pay off and produce something awesome too.

·         It’s easy to get distracted with flashy words. Writers can become disillusioned with their work, thinking it is perfect when it’s not.

·         Don’t linger too long in the slush. Be thorough. Make steady progress. Realize when something you’re writing isn’t working. Dump it and start fresh.

·         Know when to take a break. It’s a valuable asset.

·         It helps to work with others, especially those who are skilled in the business. They have a keen eye that comes from years of experience. Learn from them.



Gold found at Thermal City Gold Mine

A collaboration of my friends enabled me to take home a small vial of gold nuggets, er...flakes. The gold didn’t bring me wealth but I’d say the experience was enriching.

Slosh, slush, slosh, slush.

How about you?
What nuggets have you gleaned from seasoned writers?

 

 

 

John Tesh Concert:Talent, Testimonies and T-Shirts

My sweet hubby and I recently attended a John Tesh concert at Isothermal Community College. This was our first time hearing John Tesh and his touring ensemble. We were enthralled.

John Tesh performs at The Foundation in NC

Kicking off the concert was the web master for www.tesh.com. This guy had the voice and enthusiasm of a high school cheerleader. He pumped up the crowd about the website and a special promotion for the evening. If the words “tesh.com” were mentioned, and if the crowd cheered, the web master would appear and throw T-shirts out to the crowd.

A great deal of laughter ensued after he explained his limited budget. Apparently, he made the T-shirts himself. They were Fruit of the Loom, large, white, men’s T-shirts. He said all the band members autographed each one and not to wash it or you'd end up with a plain, white shirt. Simple, cheap and everyone wanted one!

John Tesh came on stage, talked a little and mentioned tesh.com three times.

The first shirt went to an eleven-year-old girl. It was her birthday and later she was asked on stage to assist Tesh and the band. She was a sweetheart and nearly stole the show!

The second shirt was thrown somewhere in the back of the auditorium. My husband and I were sitting in the front row of the balcony. Tesh told the guy not to throw it toward the balcony for fear of someone falling over. The cheerleader took it as a challenge and propelled it through the air with all his strength. It looked as if it would almost make it to the balcony…and it did, right to my husband. Woo Hoo!

The Chase High band members were sitting behind us. While the shirt was flying through the air, their squeals of eager anticipation nose-dived to a low moan when the shirt stopped just beyond their reach. The kids didn’t get the shirt but they sure did enjoy the show.

John Tesh and his band were phenomenal. The entire evening they pumped out vibrant music. A few selections were velvety smooth throughout but most had a jazzy kick. The elderly man to my left was dancing around in his seat as much as the teens behind me!

The toe-tapping, thigh slapping music was intermingled with Tesh’s thoughts and sentiments. His easy-going style quickly drew the audience into his circle of friends.

My husband especially connected with Tesh’s comments on telling his kids to put away their cell phones when eating dinner. That’s a rule in our family too.

We also liked hearing Tesh proclaim his love for his wife Connie, and how she drew him back to his faith twenty-two years ago. Faith and family seems to be the well where his heart and music springs forth.

Hearing many familiar tunes, we were surprised to learn John Tesh wrote several of them. We loved hearing the stories of how the songs originated, especially the humorous one about the NBA theme song.

If John Tesh comes back this way again, we’ll be there. Loved it all, with no complaints. Well, I do have one. There were twelve in the band and our T-shirt had only eight autographs. Somebody (as Tesh says) took a “tinkle break” and forgot to sign. Nonetheless, we're really happy with the "home-made" shirt!

Let's hear from the rest of you.
Faith and family drives John Tesh. What brings forth your creative spirit?

 

37,854 Liters of Spit & Other Things You Need to Know About the Mouth God Gave You

       18,927 two-liter drink bottles…that’s how much saliva one person produces in a lifetime. That’s 37,854 liters of spit. You need that saliva to swallow but you also need it in order for your 9,000 taste buds to work.
     Crazy stuff like this amazes me. It’s not just the numbers; it’s that there is a God, so infinitely wise and indescribably creative!

     You have to admit, the tongue is one of our most unusual muscles. It’s the only muscle in the body attached at one end only. Although our sense of taste is the weakest of our five senses, that wagging muscle has a lot of power.

     Three hundred and ninety-five verses, specifically about the mouth, are in the Bible. There's one hundred and fifty more just about the tongue. This doesn’t include verses about speaking, praying, lying or cursing. Think how many things you do with your mouth. God knew we would need a lot of guidance with this body part.

     The tongue is the strongest muscle in your body, relative to size. Just to speak you have to flex 72 muscles. What kind of workout are you giving your mouth? Are you building up or tearing down?

“Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?

Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.

All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.

 To the discerning, all of them are right;

they are faultless to those who have knowledge.”

Proverbs 8:1, 6-9 (NIV) 

     When God created you, he had a unique purpose in mind. Just as you have an inimitable fingerprint; God also gave you an exclusive tongue print. Think about that. Why would God do that?

    Of course, you are one of a kind from head to toe, but focus for a minute on why God gave you the mouth he did. Perhaps he wants you to be different. Perhaps he wants you to speak, sing, pray, teach, encourage, all those things in a way that only you can.
 

     Speak boldly for Christ when no one else will. Sing praises when everyone expects the opposite. Teach the Truth in places people say you cannot. Encourage others when everyone else has given up.

     What is God’s special calling for your mouth?

 

     It's not just for spit.

 

Running in the Rain

A sudden rain sliced into our hot afternoon, bringing a welcome division between the heat of the workday and a peaceful dusk. Standing on the front porch with my husband and our little boy, we listened to the downpour. There was no thunder or lightning, just the wonderful sound of cooling rain.

“You ever run in the rain?” I asked Zachary.

“No,” he answered, with a heavy undertone of you’re crazy.

“Go on, it’s fun.”

“No,” he said, but I could tell he was considering it by the smile he was desperately trying to hide.

“When your sisters were your age, they ran in the rain all the time. If it’s not thundering or lightening, it’s safe. Want me to go get Emily to run with you?”

“She won’t go,” said my husband. “She’s probably on the phone.”

I went inside and talked to Emily. She’s always been an adventure-sort of girl but we realize she’s now eighteen and growing up.

“I’ll be out in just a minute,” she called from behind her bedroom door.

I picked up my camera on the way out, just in case a Kodak (well, Canon) moment happened.

Walking back out to the porch, I found the guys still mesmerized by the waterfall.

“Is she coming?”

“Says she is.”

Waiting for her to come out the front door, we heard a whoop from the side of the house. Another whoop later and Emily came running around the house in the rain. My eighteen year old has not lost her spunk.

That was all it took for Zachary. He wasn’t about to let her have all the fun. They took off for a few laps around the house. I could hear Emily squealing all the way. Zachary was probably laughing too hard to squeal.  Puddle splashing was then followed by raindrop drinking.

I’m snapping pictures and just when I was about to get towels, I hear another whoop. Turning around, I see my husband has pulled off his shirt and has ignited another race around the house!

Soaking wet mess? Yes. Spontaneous fun? Oh yeah. Cherished memory forever? Absolutely.

 What about you? Afraid to get your feet wet and try something new? Is God calling you to do something you think is a little out there? If you hear Him calling, go! Get out there before you miss the joy.

Is there someone who needs to see your faith still has spunk? Can they see your joy even when life gets a little slippery? Drenched in tests and trials, do they see you still looking up to Him and praising Him in the rain? Are people hearing your delight as you run life’s race?

Titanic Survival Story- Emily's and Mine

Titanic Camp Survivor Sally Matheny

This is really a comparison of two survival stories. One is about Emily Borie Ryerson, a survivor of the infamous Titanic ship. 

The other is about me, Sally Matheny, recent survivor of the Titanic Camp at the S.C. State Museum.

At an overnight Titanic Camp in Columbia, S.C., before entering the Titanic exhibit, each person was given a “boarding pass” 


On each pass is information about an actual passenger aboard the steamship Titanic in the year 1912. 

We assume their identities as we travel through the exhibit. At the end, museum participants use this information to discover the outcome of their Titanic passenger.

Boarding passes were handed out randomly, discriminated only by man, woman, boy or girl. My boarding pass was ticket #17608 for Mrs. Arthur Larned Ryerson (Emily Maria Borie) of Haversford, Pennsylvania.

I was very happy I, and Emily Ryerson, were traveling first class. Woo hoo! Mrs. Ryerson probably wouldn’t have whooped. She would have been very proper because she was used to such treatment. 

In fact, when she boarded the Titanic the White Star Line director Bruce Ismay personally greeted her family. The Ryerson family was also given an extra stateroom and Mr. Ismay even assigned them an additional servant.  The Ryersons had brought their maid on the trip as well.

Well, I would have loved for a maid to assist me at the Titanic Camp but alas, none was available and none was assigned to me when I arrived. 

Thankfully, I had a good friend and her son who helped me lug in my heavy air mattress. You see, even though my “boarding pass” said first class, I was actually reclining (notice there was no sleeping mentioned) in the museum’s exhibit on laundry. (stop laughing)

Titanic Boarding Pass

My pizza, chips and gummies were not the first class meal Mrs. Ryerson would have received. However, the Ryerson's tickets cost about $415 (a good bit today, but even more so in 1912). My ticket was $25. Thus the pizza for supper and a granola bar for breakfast.

Mr. and Mrs. Ryerson also had three of their five children traveling with them. They had traveled to Europe to find suitable husbands for their two oldest daughters: Suzette (21) and Emily (18).

I found this very interesting because Mrs. Ryerson (at the time of the ship’s sailing) was 48. I am almost 47. 

She had a daughter who was 21.  I have one who is almost 21. 

She had another daughter named Emily who was 18. I have an eighteen-year old daughter named Emily! Interesting, huh?

Although traveling to Europe sounds fun, I think my girls prefer choosing their own spouses.

Tragedy struck this family before they even boarded the Titanic. The Ryerson’s oldest son Arthur Jr., age 20, was killed in an automobile accident in the states while they were away in Europe. This was the reason for their trip home. 

They were not enjoying the glamour of the Titanic. In fact, it was noted that Mrs. Ryerson was so upset she stayed in her room most of the trip. The family had only taken the Titanic because it was the first ship available to get back home.

They boarded the ship on April 10, 1912. Their oldest son’s funeral would take place on April 19.  There was also a younger son John, age 13, who was traveling with the family on the ship. 

I am uncertain why the youngest daughter did not travel to Europe with the family. Her name was Ellen and she was 17 at the time. One can only guess what Ellen’s reasons were for not going to Europe.

Initially, my 18 yr. old Emily was registered to go to the Titanic Camp with me. Apparently, she forgot about a 5K race she was to run in and could not go. She did win a silver medal at the race though.

I also asked my oldest daughter, Meriana, to go but she had a lot of homework and would have to drive 4 ½ hours from college to get home and turn around and drive another 2 ½ hours to the museum. Perhaps these were similar to Ellen Ryerson’s reasons for not going to Europe—too far to travel or she had previous commitments.

I suppose many of the rich, young fellows were having fun being acquainted with the new automobiles of the day. It is hard to imagine car accidents that long ago. They were probably due more to vehicle safety issues rather than heavy traffic issues. 

My road trip to Columbia was fine until 5:00. Traffic came to a standstill in the middle of a typically fast, three-lane highway and it was not enjoyable at all. I was thanked the Lord repeatedly for arriving safely.

It is sad the Ryerson family was unable to enjoy the luxurious Titanic with its Turkish baths, gym and heated indoor pool. Only the first class passengers could enjoy the pool filled with salt water, and even then, they had to pay a nominal fee to use it. 

At the time, the Titanic was the largest ship in existence, measuring around eleven stories high and weighing 53,000 tons. A luxury soon to be lost at the bottom of the sea.

On April 15, which happens to be my husband’s birthday, Captain Smith gave orders to begin evacuating the women and children. Mrs. Ryerson and her daughters boarded lifeboat #4. Her son, John, was initially blocked from entering the lifeboat but his father protested saying he was only a boy. 

The situation would strike terror in any parent’s heart but imagine what was going through these parents’ minds. They had just lost their oldest son and now their only living son’s life was in danger. The officer gave in and allowed the boy into the lifeboat.

Mrs. Ryerson, her three children, and their maid, all survived. The funeral of the oldest son was postponed.

Why? Because unfortunately, after the sinking of the Titanic, they had the anguish of planning Mr. Ryerson’s funeral as well. 

Life forever changed for the Ryerson family.

They were strong stock though and persevered. The girls finally married as did John. Even Mrs. Ryerson remarried when she was 64 years old to a 48-yr. old financial advisor to China. 

She had met him during her world traveling. Their wedding day was delayed for a day due to his 9,000 mile trip by boat, train and plane. Even Mrs. Ryerson’s chartered jet and big sedan could not get her fiancée to the church on time. 

Sometimes it doesn’t matter how much money you have--life happens. It is what it is.

Mrs. Ryerson, although very wealthy, had to endure hardships and learn how to persevere. My only hardships at Titanic Camp were trying to sleep with the museums's lights and sounds. The migraine and lack of a hot shower did not help either, but... 

I survived.

*Information was collected from the Titanic Artifact Exhibit and multiple newspaper clippings posted on www.encyclopedia-titanica.org.

I recommend the Titanic Artifact Exhibit for all ages.

I do not recommend the museum's movie, “Saving the Titanic,” for children, due to the repeated use of bad language and mature scenes. No warning or rating is given prior to the showing of the movie.

Where to Find Good Deals on School Supplies

Teachers everywhere are gearing up. Packing away their bathing suits and unpacking their school supplies; summer is almost over and inventories are taking place. What do I have? What do I need?

No matter if they teach public or private school, most likely teachers will be investing money out of their own pockets to meet the needs of their students. This especially goes for homeschool teachers.

Where can teachers find good deals on school supplies?

v  Yard Sales (especially those of retired teachers!)

v  Local Charities (Hospice Resale Shop, Yokefellow, etc.) Check frequently for books, games, etc.

v  Thrift Shops (You never know what treasure you’ll find. I found a large wooden, painted pterodactyl that hangs from the ceiling. It has a string you pull to make it “fly.” I’m guessing it cost $25 or more retail. I paid $2).

v  Library Sales (great books for a bargain!)

v  Used Book Sales (Some organizations hold these periodically. If you luck upon a homeschool sale, you may reel in educational games/videos as well.)

v  “Back-to-School” Sales (I love those 1-cent items!) (*By the way, STAPLES recognizes homeschool teachers in their free, Teacher Reward program)

v  Craig’s List, E-bay, Amazon, etc.

v  Homeschool teachers- check around to see if you can borrow/rent/buy books from other homeschool families.

This past week I had a pleasant surprise. A friend called stating she worked with Youth Empowerment, an organization serving at-risk youth in the community. She explained they had some textbooks donated but they could only use a portion of them. She asked if I would I be interested in the rest of the books for homeschooling? Of course, I was!

When I went to preview the books, I was overwhelmed at the quality and quantity of textbooks! Woo Hoo! The floodgates had opened and textbooks on Algebra, Latin, Spanish, World History and Civics had spilled out!

Youth Empowerment needed a certain number of books moved out so I enlisted some help and hauled the books back to my garage. Some excited homeschool moms came to see what they could use and left with armfuls of blessings.

The remaining books were taken to a large homeschool organizational meeting. A donation jar for Youth Empowerment was placed beside the textbooks. We were able to return a wonderful blessing through donations.

Where have you found good deals on school supplies?

Good News, Bad News

Saturday was a "good news-bad news" kind of day. 
Last year our daugher had a furnished apartment while away at college. This year she did not so we had to rent a trailer to haul furniture on a four hour trip. All went well until it was time for the trip home. It was a day of good and bad news. Sometimes it got better. Sometimes it got worse.

Bad News: Flat tire, blazing sun, my hubby, me and the kid…stuck on the side of a four-lane blur of traffic.

Good News: Within a minute after the tire blew, an IMAP Highway worker pulled up and offered my husband a ride to go get a tire.

Better News: “The man said it’ll only take 30 minutes,” my husband said. “He said you all will be fine. Lock the doors. I’ll be right back.”

Bad News: The “thirty minutes” was one way. No one knew it was one way except the IMAP man. It would be over an hour before they returned.

Worse News: The kid and I did not know the thirty minutes was one way because my cell phone battery died and my husband and I could not communicate. My husband said he tried to call and felt sick when he couldn't reach us.

Good News: We were safe. My seven-year old said he would protect me and

showed me all his orange plastic firearms.

Better News: We had “real” protection that wasn’t orange or plastic.

Bad News:   We became hot and hungry.

Good News: Dad left his keys so we turned on the air. We stretched a towelout to cover the front window. Finding a bag of chips and lukewarm bottled water was our treasure. (I always told my husband he could live off the stuff he kept inside his truck!)
Bad News: Boredom set in again.

Good News: I purchased a new box of crayons and paper earlier that day. We tested every color. Thank goodness, I bought a box of 48 crayons!

Bad News: After awhile we got bored again.

Worse News: Numerous rounds of “Rock, Paper, Scissors.”

Good News: Found an “Odyssey” story CD from a Chick-fil-a kids’ meal. Listened to that while we played with tiny army men.

Better News: The men finally returned and put the new tire on quickly.

Bad News: The new tire cost $80.00. Two days rental of the trailer was$46.00. Gas for the trip cost $130. We won’t even mention food,  our hotel, and groceries for the daughter, etc., etc.

Good News: Thankfully, we made it back safe…but you won’t be seeing us out shopping or at the usual restaurants for awhile. Just drop by for a visit and we’ll eat some pork-n-beans together.

Best News: It's not about the money or food, it's all about the people.