Hubby/ Trains/ Tranquility

My hubby and I’ve been shopping for train “stuff” this past weekend. Such items as greenery for foliage, buildings where trains off-load goods, an airbrush, and paint. I also purchased a package of non-painted people. These N –Scale people will be challenging to paint. I will defiantly make use of the magnifying glass and tailored points of paintbrushes in order to detail then with precision!

My hubby is developing various levels for the track to run. A boring flat scene with no distinction or variety of hills or mountains or valleys will not be in our design. He has much of the cork and track on the upper level placed and glued already. He will connect the wiring soon.  Once the electricity is connected it will be time to attend to the scenery. He has been reading about techniques and tips from train magazines and instructive short video clips on-line. This stage of our scenes construction will be time consuming. It will be fun to see our imaginary worlds develop and expand.

The airbrush is a wonderful tool. It has been literally decades since I’ve used one. Won’t it be interesting to see if I have lost my touch or not!  My husband has to look for a connecter for our airbrush and the air compressor we already own.  Then I suppose I will find out the answer to that question. In some ways it seems like this is pulling together quickly and in other ways it feels as though it is taking forever to assemble!! I’m proud of the efforts and attention my husband is giving toward this project.  Oh, to see our grandson’s eyes when they view the imaginary lands as the trains equipped with sound and smoke pull their weight up along the bends and gradual slopes from one level to the other. Hopefully, experiencing this miniature train world will help those viewing this display feel like they took a step back to quieter times almost making time stand still. We need to pause, take a breath, and be grateful for our blessings and spend quiet moments of restful repose. I think our train world could give us a taste of tranquil old time feelings!

Easter Victory Day

Good Easter Victory Day to all of you and here is wishing you a fabulous year filled with His presence and love!

To think of His blessings He poured down upon us by His unselfish act- He gave Himself for us. Only He could accomplish that. May you be blessed as He would want you to be. May you have great appreciation for His love and grace and favor in your life.

May you honor Him all the days of your life!

Mega blessings and joy!

Sue

LAKE MICHIGAIN MARCH 2012

I admired Lake Michigan on my way to Pen’s Christian Writers Group in March. The wind kicked up clean and strong, its influence unhindered by invisibility.  It actually took my breath away.  The strapping power impossible to see yet especially impossible to ignore. The edge of its pathway could not be measured. Waters and trees moved under its presence.

The photo above this line is my favorite of the bunch. It was so bright, the wind so swift that I squinted and guessed at each shot. I have to give the camera full credit for the images seen here. The moods of Lake Michigan are wonderous and impressive!

Every angle I spied filled me with awe!

Our writers group attendees gathered early that day, all lined up and ready to go before my arrival. They good-naturedly accepted my apology and said ahhhh and oooh  at the right time as they viewed these photos!

Pens of Praise Christian Writer's Meeting

Christian Writers Group

Next meeting…

Saturday, April 14    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 April 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 first half of her teaching from the ACFW Conference in March. We will continue this excellent teaching on how to write the five senses in April.

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!

*WATCH OUT*

These teachings can sharpen and improve the skills needed for many genres.

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!

Zoey’s Word *Two Books*Two Verses

Zoey was contemplating her world, the universe, and heaven in general. Her cousin Onyx came for a visit and shook up her world. The world where Zoey is queen. Unfortunately Onyx didn’t know or care….That’s when the book called Conflict FREE Living by Joyce Meyer touched Zoey’s life. The very first scripture in this very relevant book was The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest Exodus 14:14 Amplified version. Zoey keeps thinking about that PROMICE in GOD’S WORD. Amazing, Zoey held her ground when Onyx tried to assert puppy dominance and she appreciated the close calls where she escaped by divine intervention (HE fought for her.) Also she held her peace when she skillfully scooted out of teeth and paw range. She was victorious. Her cousin went home and Zoey resumed her royal status and rule and she took a nap.  She also enjoyed the last meow. This word and promise keeps spinning in her head. Here you can see her opponent. The LORD fought for Zoey, she held her peace, and remained at rest!

Porschea her extremely interesting and irritating sister is still chasing her and playing “stomp the kitty” with relish. But Zoey trusts that GOD will encourage her at the right times and places. She found the book One Perfect Word by Debbie Macomber in her Crossings Book Club mailing. When her paw flipped the page, she found this encouraging word from THE WORD. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7 Zoey can’t wait to sink her teeth into this book and discover the riches inside. Debbie Macomber shares about her group of ladies and how they choose one word from HIS word and the blessings that came from focusing on one word each year! Her body trembles with anticipation….Should she ask….dare she ask that God will shrink Porschea the perfect puppy down to her size? She is waiting, pondering and her hopes are high. Zoey wants to get the right angle on her ‘situations’ and ask GOD for the right requests. After all when you are living under the roof with the perfect puppy and your rule is upset from time to time…you want to make wise decisions. Here is the latest photo of PORSCHEA THE PERFECT PUPPY….at least in Zoey’s mom and dad’s eyes! Zoey seeks the last meow on this situation but she remains at rest and she is seeking her word.

The Perfect Puppy with her favorite blue football!

If you have had your world or universe shaken or stirred up or teased why don’t you pop on down to your local bible book store and pick up these copies of HIGHLY RECOMMENDED books from Zoey’s shelf. Be blessed!

PENS OF PRAISE CHRISTIAN WRITER'S GROUP

Christian Writers Group

Next meeting…

Saturday, March 10^th    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 March is “You choose!!”

Goodness again???  We have enjoyed ACFW Conference teachings recently and thought this would be an excellent month to listen again to the sage wisdom of published, experienced writers. September’s 2011 Conference has excellent teachings available. Which one of these choices would be of interest to you? The choice with the most votes wins!

v How to Write a Bestseller

v Sometimes It’s Better to Tell Than Show

v Historical Research: Enrich and Deepen Your Story

v Research: Ins and Outs of Making a Book Come to Life

v Blogging, Branding, Marketing, and Publicity

v Author branding

v Or another of our many choices

Keep in mind these teachings can sharpen and improve the skills needed for many genres. You are welcome to bring your latest work in progress for a five-minute reading but this is not required to attend the meeting.

Remember to visit one of our local shops and bring your coffee or cappuccino with you. Let us know if you’re attending so we can save a seat just for you.

Winter Wonderland in WI

The Christmas tree is a view from my writers room. Winter has finally come to town this week in Wisconsin. Big fluffy flakes dressed up the skies and yards as I was driving home from work yesterday! Porschea, our perfect puppy, is ecstatic. She thinks we special ordered the weather just for her. You keep thinking that baby girl!

Zoey, the perfect cat, needs to get into the word lately. She sits and looks outside whining and fussing in full blown complaint. I will have to remind her to be content in all things!

She actually hissed at the laser beam when we played today...she has never done that before!

Meow...Okay..I'm not translating...actually I don't know how to....

I fell this past Wednesday and suspected a possible broken knee cap. I'm grateful to announce that I was only bruised deeply. Of course I walk around like Igor cause thought it looks like 'nothing' it feels like something else! I'm avoiding steps and packing my leg in ice. If I run out of ice, I can always pack my leg in snow or go outside and make snow angles. My hubby offered for us to do that last night! I turned him down though! I was buried beneath my computer and an ice pack. Porschea was looking for an active play mate so I stayed still and boring! It is safer that way!

I couldn't resist placing this photo here also. I love how snowy evergreens photograph. Plus my camera isn't the best. Oh, if I could have only captured how the trees looked last night, all weighed down with a couple of inches of snow. It seemed like the very night was lit up and sparkling. But you have to use your imagination for that image. Keep warm and safe! Spring is around the corner... I hope!

Porschea's First Birthday!

Vanessa our daughter brought doggy cupcakes and this HUGE bone for Porschea so she could enjoy her birthday. Her actual birthday was yesterday but goodness she is not complaining!

Okay the house is crying to be cleaned and organized... write to you later!!

Enjoy a blessed day!

Pens of Praise Devotion

Pens of Praise Devotion

February 11, 2012

© Susan Marlene Kinney

I have put My words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of My hand –I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say in Zion,

‘You are my people’ Isaiah 51:16

Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food? Job 12:11

Dialogue, words, and communication of any sort are exceedingly important. Wars, parleys, and peace cannot be initiated without powerfully written and or spoken communication. Dialogue has the authority to establish deep understanding concerning boundaries between cultures and nations. Even between man and woman.

As writers we have the responsibility to make our words count. What we communicate must be honest. Flowery words without the foundation of His truth will crumble like dry clay baking in the suns light. Nevertheless, if our words agree with His truth, love, and purpose they will remain firm when ears test our words. Will our readers find our words enticing them to hope, laugh, cry or stretch out their hands toward change? If words are powerfully placed it must be because they have the opportunity, because of their relevance, to be powerfully received. Words motivated and pushed into existence onto the page cannot be empowered with trite, unnecessary words, which eat up white space on the page as a greedy child eats chocolates.

Repetitive, redundant dialogue holds the power to lead the reader off track and directly off our pages toward other more interesting ventures. You have the opportunity to state ideals, which matter and could be foundational for someone hurting to heal, or someone lost to be found. Make the most of the opportunities you possess to present words, which lead and inspire others to seek their purpose. And follow His lead.

While we are at it…

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You oh Lord my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalms 19:14

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen  Hebrews 13:20 – 21

Write with purpose….Write in His power, covered by the shadow of His hand…

Pens of Praise February 2012

Christian Writers Group

Next meeting…

Saturday, February 10, 2012   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 this month is a continuation of a captivating teaching on

“Dialogue”

From the September 2011 ACFW Conference.

February’s Prompt challenge:  Snazzy or emotionally charged dialogue. Also, bring a book with a short dialogue sample in it to share with the group.

You are welcome to bring your latest WIP, or work in progress, for a five-minute reading but this is not required to attend our meetings.

Don’t forget to visit one of our local shops and bring your coffee or cappuccino with you. Let us know if you can attend the February meeting so we can save a special spot for you!

If you have questions or concerns write a message on this blog and I will answer you in a timely fashion.

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