I'm posting today on Jewels of Encouragement . 

Traveling gives a writer a new perspective of life. 

My creative tank is filled up and ready to write again.

Taking a Vacation

I will pop in from time to time, but for the next month, 

 I will be taking a break from my daily posts. 

So walk on the beach, plant a garden, 

hug your family, laugh with your friends, 

and be grateful for all that God has given you.

Heading Home

It has been a wonderful weekend at the Faithwriters Conference -
filled with giggles, hugs, word games, more hugs,laughter, introspective inspiration, more hugs,prayer, encouragement, good food, more hugs, books, photo flashes, more hugs, information, surprises, friendships, more hugs.

(Can you tell it is more like a big party/reunion than a conference?)

My husband "happened" to show up
as the last session ended.
He drove 17 hours in one day
because he missed me.
(Isn't that the most romantic thing?)
We are now heading back home
at a more leisurely rate
than he took getting here.

I'll post some pictures soon.

The New Year

Ask any child what they are doing this year, and they will tell you what grade they are going into or what sport they plan to participate in this fall.

Didn't you know that Labor Day marks a new year?

Kids are picking out new lunchboxes and bookbags. Moms are packing away the shorts and sandals and bringing out the sweaters and jackets. Dads are storing the bicycles and inflatable pools.

It's time for one last WhoopLa of summer vacation. Take a trip to the beach or a campout. Have one more barbeque before putting the grill in the garage. Spend a day at the state fair, riding the merry-go-round and watching the horse show and eating some cotton candy.

I set goals for myself in September. This year, I plan to finish my missionary story. I want to send at least one article off to a publication each month. I'd like to see my novel progress to being reviewed by a publishing company, but that's out of my hands. I never know what God will bring into my path each year, but I know it will be exciting and wonderful.

So, are you ready for the new year? Are you heading off to school or a new job? Have you set some goals to accomplish over the winter months?

There's No Place Like My Own Bed

I'm back from camping. It was a great week. Here's a daily synopsis:

Monday - There's always a hubbub packing for a camping trip. I get the bedding, first aid, and toiletries, my husband packs the lanterns, camp stoves, and tents. We both work on the food and kitchen items.(We forgot the frying pan.) The back of the suburban was filled to the roof, especially after adding our son's and his wife's things, plus two kayaks on top.
We were happily surprised to find that my husband's brother and his family could get a few days off to join us. We set up two tents and a screen house over the picnic table and made the beds. That's when I discovered a small rip in my canvas cot. That night everytime I rolled over, I heard a "rip, rip!" We giggled over the sound and the thought of my mattress looking like a hotdog roll or taco in the morning.

Tuesday - A big wind and rain storm came through during the night and lasted until noon. Also, we could hear a train rush past in the wee hours of the morning, it's whistle wailing in the night. We were glad that the bathrooms were only about 50 ft. away. We spent the morning in the rec hall, playing ping pong, foozeball, and PIT.
The campfire felt good as we huddled around it, laughing, talking, and roasting marshmallows. That night we put the foam mattresses right on the floor of the tent, but I could feel every bump and lump. I woke to an aching back.

Wednesday - In the afternoon, we went to Lincoln, a nearby town, to check out a few stores and eat in a restaurant...GOOD FOOD! We visited Chester Baptist Church (Pastor Wayne Perry) for prayer meeting. It was basically just one room and only 12 attenders, but they were praying for many of the same missionaries and pastors that were back at home. It was wonderful to have sweet fellowship with other believers.
This night, Randy duct taped the ripped cot and he slept on it...but it didn't hold. So, more "rip,rips" and more giggles.

Thursday - All of us were enjoying the quiet relaxation and were mostly sitting around reading books (I was able to write 10 pages of my Fernando missionary story...but I missed my 'cut-n-paste' of my computer. There were lots of scratch out and arrows throughout my words.) I wanted to hike sometime, so we picked a trail and set out for the unknown territories.
The trails hadn't been maintained in years and often the signposts could be found lying on the ground. Dozens of trees were fallen across the path and after awhile, it got very hard to crawl over them. Because of our wet summer, there were many colorful and interesting toadstools. I was able to take many pictures. (Sorry, I don't know how to get them on the blog, yet.)
Later, my son and his wife kayaked in the river, and we sat down there watching the sunset and the stars come out until the mosquitoes drove us back to the screened tents...to the ripping cots, that tipped over if you leaned over the edge to kiss each other goodnight.

Friday - This is the part of camping I DON"T like...packing up and going home..to more cleaning and unpacking. But, it was so good to sleep in my own bed. I'm still scratching mosquito bites, but it was a wonderful restful week.

Gone Camping

Gone Camping
(back in a week)

We are heading to Northern Maine today, to camp at Mattawamkeag Wilderness Park for a week. I will be enjoying my tech-free time and I plan spend my time reading, writing, talking, and laughing with my hubby, my son, and his wife. The weather forecasts predict sunny weather. YAY! It's about time! I will resume my blog next Monday. Have a good week, everyone.
Look for God's blessings each day.