Cheating...

I just uploaded over 400 photos from my camera and skipped the part when I'm supposed to place a title on the file name.  Multitasking is not always the best activity to accomplish when shifting photoes from your camera to your computer. I'm thankful that Gina Jensen from Everything.Photos will be fixing me up and helping me organize my batch of very unorganized photoes!! Ho hum. The new program I'm purchasing from her will be ready for sale in September. 

Can I wait that long!!!

I've been so busy living life and taking - that many photos - that I've not blogged for a while. I have so many events to share...Now I'm not sure I will find the photos from those events anytime soon. I've got a word count to attend to for the American Christian Fictian Writers (ACFW) NovelTrack. Just 10,000 this month. I did make my 20,000 goal last month. I'm sure that is because my youngest daughter had my grandsons stay at her house over night for that week and a half. Because of her hospitality I was able to write in the mornings.  Also I wish to thank all of you who have prayed for me for God's inspiration and for me to have what I need to write such as: time, ideas, focus...God is good!!

Well, I'm off to take care of my word count for the day. I wish you more organization and a ballance of thrills and peace to warm your day. Oh the photo above is one I took of my precious Lake Michigan. It was one of the million photos I look at this morning, while trying to find the current photos.

Blessings to you from Sue

Gina M. Jensen is a Photographer & Photo Consultant. Check out her web page

http://web.mac.com/gnamrei/Site/everything.photos.html

Pens of Praise Devotion July 2012

Pens of Praise Devotion

July 14, 2012

© Susan Marlene Kinney

There are many who say, “Who will show us any good?” Lord, lift up the light of thy countenance upon us. You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increase. I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone O LORD, make me dwell in safety .Psalms 4:6-8 NKJV

Negative situations and individuals may be an everyday experience for us. Difficulties can abound making life littered with disappointments and pain. David cried out with verse one, Give me relief from my distress, be merciful to me and hear my prayer. Matthew Henry states ‘When men condemn us unjustly, this is our comfort, It is God who justifies; He is the God of the believers righteousness.’ When the LORD lifts up the light of His countenance upon us, it changes something significant inside our heart and spirit. Something we could never hope to change in our own strength. Oh the love of our Lord is ever present and healing.

Imagine experiencing the light of His countenance during a trial, uplifting, filling, cleansing, nurturing, and causing us to overcome each painful experiences to bear much fruit. All for his glory. David mentions in verse four, in your anger do not sin…on your beds search your hearts and be silent. Once we are angry it is quite difficult to keep silent. Our minds may run over and over the topic of our dis-ease or uneasiness. But, once we have settled down to obey the Lord and keep quiet His love, joy and bounty can fill those wounded places of our hearts.

This is where we enter a summertime joy within our spirit. When the planting of the Lord is received by us then peace, longsuffering, patience, forgiveness, loving kindness, truth, and grace will change us to resemble a well watered tree bearing much fruit. Our joy in this harvest is over and above the material gain and glory this world offers.

Truly, no matter the size of the potential harvest offered by the world, it can be destroyed by drought, fire, or storm. The work of the Lord in our hearts can’t be taken away from us by loss or pain or bad report. Having His approval is balm to our mind and spirit. He bolsters us up and fortifies us with courage to overcome life’s disasters. He makes us stronger if we become quiet and receptive in His presence. As long as we allow His ministrations to those pain-filled tempests we experience we will be fruitful. Despite the tragedy, we will be instrumental in offering healing and wisdom as though we were fruit bearing trees laden down with the sweet offerings of a fruitful life.

Our hears, our names, our purposes are safe with Him. He protects and strengthens the lasting harvest, which will thrive for all eternity in His presence and for His glory.

Be still, receive, and thrive!

Pens of Praise Today

Christian Writers Group

Next meeting will be…

Saturday, July 14, 2011   10:00 am – 12:00 pm

at

Faith Church

2201  42^nd Street, Manitowoc, WI  54220

                             Faith Church is located next to Festival Foods, not far from the Manitowoc exit off Interstate 43

During our June meeting we listened to a teaching from a Write To Publish conference class. We will attempt to complete Ben Erhichman’s lesson on “Becoming a Confident Writer” in July. Our guest this month is Gina Marie Jensen [everythingphotos@me.com]. Gina will share information about her expertise with photography, which can be extremely beneficial for a writers publicity. She also offers Creative Memories services, which, I believe, can be useful for our writer’s craft.

We invite you to be His voice of encouragement to the masses. May the stroke of your pen build others up and glorify our Lord!  What legacy do you want to leave? Come explore the plethora of writing opportunities and techniques. Share your talents and assist others growth, as you learn from the various genres represented at Pens.

Our prompt this month will be Summer Thoughts. You are welcome to write in your favorite genre: poetry, short story, fiction, or true accounts! Otherwise, you may share a page or two of your WIP (work in progress), or finished project.  You do not need to share to attend. We hope to see you July14th. Kick up your feet and grab a mug of cappuccino or coffee from a local establishment and spend some time with like-minded writers!

Let us know if you are attending so that we can prepare a seat just for you.

If you have questions or concerns call Becky McLafferty at (920)758-9196 or e-mail her at mclafferty@lakefield.net or call Susan Kinney at (920)242-3631 or   e-mail her at cal-suek@charter.net or susanmarlenekinney@gmail.com.  

We look forward to seeing you there!                                                                  

May God bless you richly and always as you write for His glory!

Sue

Leonbergers a Breed Apart

Leonbergers are intelligent, large, loving companions. If you want a dog who desires spending time with you and needs to take long walks— this is the dog for you. I’m amazed at the graceful stride our puppy uses during our adventures. It’s true she lumbers along when running but her walk is a class act. She is exceptionally friendly and yet there is already a protectiveness shining through. When a Leonberger barks anyone will stop and take notice. They do not bark often but when they do it counts. The deep grumblely grow of our Leonberger, when she is ‘talking’ to us, is enormously entertaining for my husband and myself. She knows she pleases us when she talks that way and does it more for our sakes.

If you’re in the market for a canine companion and you don’t mind a huge, harry, playful, intelligent, somewhat messy puppy I would highly recommend a Leonberger. They are AKC listed if that is important to you also.

About the photos…  

This is Porschea, our young Leonberger. She turned a year old last February 2012 and is now in the neighborhood of 125 pounds. The first photo represented here shows Porschea's playful nature. If there is nothing around to play with, she will create fun on her own.  The towel she stole from my kitchen countertop was her lure to get my attention and play the Bandit Game. Porschea’s goal is to capture my attention and then run a wild chase around and under the dining room table as she keeps an object, I deeply desire, out of my reach. This time I ignored her and she followed me into the living room just to make sure that I saw her treasure and that I would recognize it as my own.



The second photo is Porschea tired out and enjoying the afternoon sunshine sparkling through the trees just before she dropped off to sleep. Dreaming about chasing rabbits and squirrels is another favorite pass time. I do maintain a secure hold on her leash when we walk because she has  a quick eye and would love to take up hunting as a pastime.  

Super Fiction Book Report

Chasing Sunsets by Eva Marie Everson

I just finished an excellent novel by a gifted writer. Eva Marie Everson’s choice of words and pacing keeps the reader enthralled with what is happening to her characters. She touches on some deeply painful issues with feather soft brush strokes. These issues do not overwhelm the main thread of the story, but certainly add depth, which pulls at the heartstrings of the reader. This is a novel I would recommend for any reader who would enjoy a romantic escape of second chances and who can handle the painful experiences of secondary characters as well as a painful revelation for the main character. These secondary characters add zest to this plot as they influence the main character in various ways. I rate this book as a…

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READ

Thank you for stopping by!

Cucumber Ice Water and Porschea

Porschea the perfect puppy and I took a walk around 6:30 A.M. this morining. She seemed needy when we got back and I KNOW she alwasy loves a dip in her baby pool. So I brought out the sprinkler and let her play. After that she got a tad whiny. So I  made myself some cucumber ice water (no sugar! ) and place my computer on our table so that I could enjoy the great outdoors with her. She is soaked from playing and content now that I'm near. I got some more writing and research done on my new novel. A very satisfying day...

Relax and make yourself some cucumber ice water and enjoy the sunshine!

A Quality Writers Conference – WRITE TO PUBLISH

What do you look for in a Christian writer’s conference? Are numbers of attendees and professional staff important? There are other elements of a conference to consider such as: the teaching offered, agent or editor appointments available, and worship.  How about the location?

Well I’m happy to report that the Write To Publish conference, held on the Wheaton College campus in Illinois, is a fabulous place to learn, connect, and be inspired. The staff is exceptional; the personal touch is heartfelt, and motivating. If anyone wants to become a published author this is the conference, which will assist them to take the necessary steps leading to larger goals and dreams.

Almost two hundred writers of different genres attended. The campus atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Professional staff and fellow published writers were truly interested in aiding newer writers with an unhurried and generous attitude. The teachings were informative, encouraging and professional. I couldn’t have asked for more. I took advantage of the agent appointments and was so pleased at the relaxed, friendly, yet professional time spent.

One powerful message I heard at this conference will always stick with me. “If God has giving you something to write, how dare you keep it to yourself.” If you have a burning desire to write, then do so with His leading, with skill, and excellence! 

Always write for His Glory!!  

Treasure

Pens of Praise Prompt

May 8, 2010   © Susan Marlene Kinney  & June  9, 2012

Treasure.  What comes to mind when you hear that word?  Could it be buried treasure from pirate lore?  Stacks of gold and precious jewelry piled in an ornate trunk and hidden in a cave on some unknown island, which has been cloaked with mystery for decades. Could your specific treasure be a nice fat bank account in Switzerland or the Cayman Islands where our government cannot tax the total?  As I contemplated what I could consider my treasure to be, I was struck with the simplicity and splendor of my ideal treasure.

At first numerous ideas poured through my mind as I dug through the unlocked volts of remembered treasures—there were many to consider.  Maybe it was not such a wonderful trait to be so grateful for everything since it complicated my life at the moment. I needed just one treasure to write about for this prompt. My heart pounded when I realized the time was past 7:30 this morning already and I needed to be at our writers group at 10:00.  Then I landed on the perfect treasure to share with you.

The treasure of “Moments Shared “seemed to bear a common thread throughout all the people, places, and memories I’ve valued so dearly. Yes, memories shared with God, family, friends, and pets.  There have been priceless quiet moments while I studied Gods word or saw impossible situations changed by prayer.  Loving moments with a dog, cat or bird who had wormed their way into my heart. Encouraging friends who told me they prayed for me and mine when I had never told them my great need. Family who live with me and love me still. Treasures, yes one and all were treasures and I didn’t know which one to pick until I realized that they were all moments shared.  Fabulous moments shared with those who have passed from this life and those who are very constant in my life now.  The day to day attention and love the Lord shares with others and with me.  Yes my valued treasure is moments shared and I’m grateful for the ones I’ve shared with you!

April and May - Months to Remember

Greetings all!

April and May have been extremely busy! Debby Erdmann’s The Inside Scoop on God’s  book sighing was absolutely wonderful!  Debby was the perfect hostess and book signer! Jenn’s Java was filled with excitement and the hum of the cappuccino machines! One couple traveled from Marquette MI, to Manitowoc, WI to purchase some of her devotion books and they were not disappointed!  

I’ve been working on two WIP (Work in Progress) manuscripts and enjoying every moment of my writing adventures. Suzie May Warren’s and Rachel Hauck’s Deep and Wide and Inside Out as well as Michael Hauge & Christopher Vogler’s DVD’s on the Hero’s 2 Journeys have become my close companions. I’ve been applying the plotting techniques and enjoying the results. When I say it is an adventure to write – it really is! I’m even enjoying  the plotting and story in movies more because I can appreciate the plot strategies and twists and turns.

Porschea our—perfect Leonberger puppy— accomplished her bandit techniques and stole some dried out thistles I had placed on the table. She leaves the items on the table alone but of course had to go after the thistles! She was sick the next day throwing up and mopping around. As soon as I got off work I put her 125 pounds in the car and took off for the vet’s. He was gracious and available and was able to look her over. She was fine in his estimation but he gave her some pills and a shot and then recommended a mild dog food for a few days. She LOVED  the food because it was can food. Yep, she is spoiled now and kibble is the less desirable menu option. She and I are enjoying our walks and play once again. We are getting back on track day by day with TLC! 

Well I’ve run on long enough. I have two months worth of stories to tell and I would really rather hear about yours!! What say you?????

Pens of Praise

Pens of Praise

Christian Writers Group

NEWS FLASH– OUR VERY OWN DEBBY ERDMANN IS HOSTING HER BOOK SIGNING FOR HER DEVOTIONAL THE INSIDE SCOOP ON GOD.

Come to Jenn’s Java to pick up a copy!

Great gift for Mom or ….for you!

Next meeting…

Saturday, May 12    10:00 am – 12:00 pm

at

Faith Church

2201  42^nd Street, Manitowoc, WI  54220

§   Faith Church is located next to Festival Foods

§   Not far from the Manitowoc exit off Interstate 43

 

The teaching for May 12^th is

“See It Smell It”

By author Gail Sattler

Check out Gail Sattler’s books at-

http://www.mennoniteromancenovel.com/index.cfm/page/authornotes.html

We enjoyed the three quarters of her teaching from the ACFW Conference in April. We will continue this excellent teaching on how to write the five senses in May.

Bring a short sample of an excellent or poor use of the senses to share with Pens from a writing you have enjoyed recently. All genres welcome.

We may share a book report on a novel or a “how to” for writing!

*WARNING LOOK OUT*

These teachings can sharpen and improve the skills needed for any genre.

You are welcome to bring your latest work in progress for a five-minute reading.

This is not required to attend the meeting.

 

Remember - visit a local shop and bring your coffee or cappuccino with you.

Let us know if you’re attending so we can save a seat just for you.

We look forward to seeing you there! May God bless you richly and always as you write for His glory!