The Fair
I love the fair. I always have. Food Row. The exhibits. The animals. The rides. The people. Monday at the Western Idaho Fair is kids day. No smoking and no drinking allowed on Monday, and for a $15 wrist band, all the rides you can manage between noon and 6 p.m.
So off I went yesterday with family in tow: Daughter #1 with her children (Granddaughter #1 and Grandson #2). Son-in-law #1. Daughter #2, who is six months pregnant, with her children (Grandson #1, Granddaughters #2 and #3). Photos are of Daughter #1 with her nieces.
Temps were soaring near 100 degrees. I started not feeling well soon after we arrived, kind of dizzy and faint. I thought I must be dehydrated and kept drinking water and drinking water. The feeling that I might pass out never really went away and after three and a half hours, I knew I needed to leave. Daughter #1 told me to take my blood pressure when I got home. Ye gads! No wonder I didn’t feel well. It was 87 over 70 with my pulse at 105. Good thing I’ve got an appointment for a physical next week. (P.S. BP is normal this morning and pulse is down where it should be too.)
New Survey Released
The Barna Group, a research and media development organization located in southern California, has released its latest survey results. The report examines 28 faith factors among people in the 86 largest metropolitan areas and 27 most populous states. Check out Godless Hollywood? Bible Belt? New Research Exploring Faith in America’s Largest Markets Produces Surprises.
Here’s Where I’ll Stand
Yesterday, I sent an email to a group of 12 Christian women writers. This is a tight-knit group who meet annually and have established a wonderful bond of trust and vulnerability. The trials and tribulations that have come into our lives in the past few years would make anyone weary. Serious illnesses of family members. Death of a loved one. Job losses and money concerns. Writing struggles. Marital strife.
Several of these women have joined me in my annual through-the-Bible reading, and yesterday we arrived at Jeremiah 29. This is what I posted to them:
There aren’t very many Christians of any length of time who haven’t heard the Scripture from Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” To which we say, Amen.
My True Identity Bible has this commentary on Suffering connected to this verse: “Have you ever felt that God had it in for you? When everything in your life feels like it’s crashing down around you, you may conclude that either (a) God doesn’t exist or (b) He’s out to get you. Neither is true. Whenever a difficult circumstance occurs in your life — whether it’s a trial to enrich your character, suffering to display your commitment to God, or discipline as a consequence for your sin — God’s goal is not to crush you but to restore you. You can trust that God will bring about good for you. You have a hope and a future with Him.”
To which we say, Amen.
… Even if the only group I had to pray for was [this one], it could feel daunting. Every family represented by the women who are part of [this group] has been under siege, it seems. But our God has plans to prosper us and not to harm us. We have a hope and a future.
And that’s where I’m standing today. In hope. In Christ.
Back to the Book
Today it’s back to serious, serious writing on Diamond Place. Speaking of which, I don’t think I’ve shared the preliminary cover art so here it is. I love it!
I need to write like a fiend this week and next. I’m only two weeks and three days away from the Vineyard Women’s Retreat where I’m the speaker, and right on its heels comes the ACFW conference in Nashville. Like it or not, some preparations for speaking and traveling must be done, which will intrude on my writing time.
I want to finish the first draft of the book before I begin traveling, but I concede it may not happen. Still I’m hopeful. It is not an impossible goal.
Now, off to work.
-rlh-
