by Sally Matheny
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| You Never Know Who Is Watching |
Even though writers' conferences can be physically exhausting, I still feel revived after participating in this year’s Write2ignite Conference. Not only through the reinforcing of my writing skills, but also through the refreshing of my spirit.
If you didn’t attend the 2015 Write2Ignite Conference, allow me to share with you a glimpse of some blessings I witnessed. I’m sure there were additional blessings, because you never know who is watching at a writers’ conference.
Here’s my short list:
I witnessed an outstanding director, Jean Hall, who has the amazing gift of staying calm under all circumstances, and keeps things running smoothly. Her faith in God to bring it all together is always apparent. And she also carries a handy-dandy, tiny pair of scissors on her key chain. I’m looking for a miniature roll of duct tape so she’ll have the perfect combo set.
A super, helpful young man named Dylan came to help the team set up for the conference. Dylan maintained a quiet presence during the entire conference and was always there to help whenever called upon. He also had excellent skills for noticing items people misplaced.
I had the pleasure of transporting author, Tim Shoemaker, back and forth to the conference each day. I appreciated his helpful words as I shared with him about my pre-speaking jitters. In addition, he was kind and understanding when I missed our turn-off and when I kept juggling and dropping things once we arrived!
I knew, without a doubt, my family was praying for me back at home. Several friends mentioned they were praying for me. But what a blessing it was to have Kim Peterson and Jenny Cote individually pull me aside and whisper a prayer over me before I spoke. God heard all our prayers and his amazing grace calmed me just before I stepped behind the podium. Thank you, Lord.
I noticed smiling teens enthusiastic about writing. One teen in particular I heard go up to Tim Shoemaker and thank him for speaking. She said she didn’t write for boys but his talk about the topic helped her have a better understanding of her brother!
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| Tim Shoemaker talks with a teen. |
I observed numerous authors and editors taking time to chat with teens and adults outside of the classrooms. Award-winning author of six books, Jenny Cote paused to offer a word of praise to those selling their first published book. Those encouraging words go a long way.
Watching members of the leadership team do their jobs with enthusiasm is always a blessing. It’s like a joyful family reunion whenever we get together and we all love the mission of Write2Ignite.
During Praise and Worship time, I loved watching Donna Earnhardt take heed of the Holy Spirit prompting her to call on someone to give a testimony. What a tremendous blessing to hear a young teen girl, without prior notice, volunteer. She eagerly shared a vivid description of when the woman with the alabaster box poured perfume on Jesus’ feet. If that wasn't enough, Donna, who had been wiping her tears as she listened to the girl speak, then stepped up to show the audience the song lyrics that were already cued up for the next song, “The Alabaster Box.” How awesome was that?
Later, another woman shared her testimony of how God spared her life in a horrific accident, providing her a second chance to accept His love and eternal salvation. She reminded us of the importance of seizing those opportunities today, not to wait. Even though this woman still experiences tremendous physical pain every day, she is using her written and spoken words to point others in the direction of her Savior.
I watched people volunteer to help others all weekend—with an umbrella, a ride to lunch, and a seat in the auditorium. Smiles, prayers, and encouraging words weaved throughout the crowd.
Even the homeschool mom, who volunteered to help with the snacks in the Green Room, continually checked to make sure everyone had what they needed. She kept asking if the coffee was fresh enough. She cared about those she served and gave full attention to every detail. What a blessing.
There were numerous others who volunteered their time and talents to the conference, some of whose names I do not know. But one was Helen Weigt who designed our resource book and then served at the front desk during the conference. Her talent and friendly smile blessed us all.
I saw God’s blessings overflow this weekend. I can’t help but wonder what others perceived. Surely, in the crowd on campus, there was someone who was struggling with a life issue, someone who was lonely, or someone who is not in a close relationship with Jesus Christ. I hope they saw a glimpse of what I saw.
If you did attend the Write2Ignite Conference this year, what blessings did you see?
Further to my blog about Lumos – the charity chaired by J.K. Rowling – I thought I’d share more about what it is trying to do. ‘Across the globe 8 million children are living in institutions that deny them individual … Continue reading →
Here is another painting I have listed for a charity auction. This is a BIG one! Help my painted pumpkins help others who have less food than ourselves.
Please visit http://www.acrossaday.com for details.
NOTE: 100% proceeds of this particular painting will be donated with the
exception of P&H, tax if applicable & Material cost. Shipping is the responsibility of the winning bidder.
Silent
The most wonderful aspect of God is his heart to give good things to his
children. He does this through those who are led by their hearts and
make an effort to reach out to others. The world is so full of need and
regardless of what beliefs you have we should all do more to help those
less fortunate than ourselves.
I have another website now set up for the purpose of transforming paintings
International Volunteer Day, also known as International Day for Economic and Social Development, was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 17, 1985. It has been celebrated each year since on December 5th.
It was crafted as a day to "recognize the contribution of volunteerism to peace and development;" a day when volunteer-utilizing organizations and volunteers of all stripes may promote their contributions to development at all levels: local, national and international.
"Volunteers...foster partnerships that develop the capacities of people and institutions, strengthen social cohesion and solidarity, and engage all stakeholders to promote the greater good."
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights administrator, Kemal Dervis
Perhaps you're thinking: What's the deal with volunteers, anyway? They don't get paid. They don't receive anything tangible in return. So what brings them to do these selfless acts? Some reasons many have given include:
- contributing to the greater good
- enriching their own lives
- making a difference
- developing a sense of connection, of belonging
- fostering empowerment and engagement
Those things sound good, and I might like to help, you say, but I don't know where to start. Volunteers can be found working in many areas: government agencies, non-profit organizations, community groups, private sector...you can even volunteer online!
But wait, you say. I don't have any special skills. What could I possibly contribute? Volunteers don't have to be extraordinary. They just need to have a desire to help. Some simple, yet needed, things a volunteer can contribute: time, talents, labor and energy.
When people think of volunteers, many think of those who help during some type of major disaster, or who go off to far-flung places to help people in dire straits. But while those volunteers are desperately needed and much appreciated, there are many other ways that volunteers can impact people on a daily basis. For example:
- Manning polling places during elections
- Helping children succeed, learn, and have fun at school through tutoring, classroom help, or PTO/PTA involvement
- Running activities in churches, synagogues, mosques or other houses of religion
- Holding community offices of varying types - from local government to HOA's
- Delivering meals to the elderly or shut-ins
- Organizing fund-raisers for individuals, private groups, schools, communities, and towns
- Helping staff aquariums, zoos, hospitals, and other public institutions
- Coaching kids' sports teams
- Helping people figure out how to prepare their taxes
- Teaching after-school enrichment activities or classes
- Serving on a board of directors for charities or non-profits
- Helping run and organize scouting programs, 4-H, etc.
- Serving as volunteer firefighters and EMT's
- Running health or dental clinics for those without the means to afford that care otherwise
Maybe, though, you've already been volunteering, and didn't realize it. Often, volunteering is done on a much smaller scale:
- A friend helps you move.
- Some ladies from your church help with preparing your wedding feast.
- Your neighbor steps in in a pinch to watch your kiddos for you.
- Some kind soul helps you load groceries in your trunk since your hands are full with little ones.
- A passing motorist stops to help you change your flat tire.
- Your neighbors get together to bring meals after the birth of a baby, or the death of someone close to you.
- Your kiddos help you lug all the holiday decorations out of storage.
- Or perhaps, say, your computer-engineer brother spent hours (and hours) over the phone helping your non-computer-engineer self fix your, er, unruly computer... (Ahem.)
Volunteering engages you with family, friends, neighbors, community, town, state, country, maybe even the world. You become part of something bigger than yourself - even if it's only a little bit bigger. You experience a different kind of purpose. And most importantly, those whom you help are immensely grateful.
So on December 5, celebrate those who give their time to the service of others. And perhaps consider how you can join their ranks - because from the smallest gesture to the largest undertaking, volunteers are vital.
For more information, check out these sites:
I did not get to be the helper to Mister Magic the Magician at my very own (so it should have been me) sixth birthday party because Sammy Stringer spit purple grape juice all over my special white shirt with a big six on it, and I had to change it right when Mister Magic was starting up.
Mom said she was sure it was an accident, but I just know that spitting is pretty much and on-purpose thing, and it is almost impossible to forgive someone for something on purpose even if it was almost three years ago, which is a very long time.
Overview: ...and that is just item one of Grace's "I Did Not Get to Be" list. Grace is a girl who makes a lot of lists, draws comics (even though it's #4 on her list of "Boy Things"), and has a "small superpower." When Grace discovers a sad story about her neighbor, that superpower kicks in, and she hatches a Big Idea to help her neighbor feel better. She enlists the help of her best friend, and the glamourous French flight attendant who lives in the apartment in Grace's basement. But when things go wrong and the plan threatens to collapse, Grace finds more help from a very unlikely source.
For Teachers and Librarians:
There is much in this book for you to use with your little charges. Written from Grace's point of view, both boys and girls will connect easily, as the voice is very authentic, and Grace - while a typical third grade girl - is not a girlie-girl. After you've read the book, have them identify someone in your community who could use some cheering up. Let them plan out a way to help them feel better, write it all out, gather supplies, and then carry it out. It's a great way to give kids a sense of empowerment, and to help them develop a community service project. Talk with them about empathy. What does it mean? How is it a superpower? What kinds of similar things are they good at? Let them draw and write a comic about a superpower that they have. Is someone a good listener? How about someone who is good at solving problems between friends? Or perhaps there is a good organizer in the bunch. Discussion can pull out lots of ideas for the kids to work from.
For Parents, Grandparents and Caregivers:
Just Grace is all about friendship, knowing yourself, solving problems at school, and caring for those around you - and not just family. Besides being a good story, it will show your kids how powerful they are, and how much help they can give, even though they are "just" kids. Once you've read it with them, or they've read it themselves, maybe they will want to help someone the same way Grace helped her neighbor. Maybe they will begin to see another kid they know in a new light. Maybe they will figure out a way to solve something unpleasant or embarrassing that happened to them at school. Definitely, they will enjoy the book, and learn a lot - but not in a preachy, obvious kind of way. It's a book they won't want to put down.
For the Kids: Grace has a lot to say, she loves making lists, she has a great best friend, and she has a super-cool downstairs neighbor. She also got stuck with a name she didn't want at school, has a scary old-kid teacher for a next-door neighbor, and gets blamed for something bad that she didn't do while she was trying to do something nice. And all of it is connected. How? Well, you gotta go read the book to see...
For Everyone Else:
Just Grace is a quick read for adults, but the story will stick with you long after the book is put down. Grace is a memorable kid, and a likeable one, and she has to sort out her life just like the rest of us. It may bring back old memories of elementary school. Were you one of four other kids with the same name? Did you have any Big Ideas? Go ahead...step back in time a little while...
Wrapping Up:
Just Grace is a fun story, with a character the reader can't help but like: she's got a lot of spunk, and she has her own ideas about life, but she's willing to see the other side of things, too. And the great thing is, if this book leaves you wanting to read more, there are more Just Grace books out there!
Title: Just Grace
Author and Illustrator: Charise Mericle Harper
Pages: 144
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Publisher and Date: Houghton Mifflin, 2007
Edition: 1st
Language: English
Published In: United States
Price: $15.00
ISBN-10: 0618646426
ISBN-13: 978-0618646425
I found Razoo over a month ago and was fascinated by it.
This is what their site says about it:
What Is Razoo?
Razoo is a community united around making a positive difference in the world. Where passions are connected with actions, showing us that when connected, our small contributions add up to a big impact. Go ahead, have a look.
