Eternal Savings

 

Only one Black Friday

offers eternal savings.

 

 

 

I know the day is already past this year, but the pastor at church yesterday said he saw this on someone's facebook page, and I wanted to share it.

 

 

 



Writer's Workshop Follow-up

As I wrote in my journal, the writer's workshop was as grand as I thought it would be--so much information!! Now if I can only remember it all and apply it to my writing... :-)

 

Speaking on basic story structure.

 

 

 

 

 

Starting a story.

 

 

Mr. Davis spoke for about three and a half hours, giving us short breaks in between. But the whole workshop seemed to fly by to me--I think I could've listened for several more hours! It was all so interesting and made very good sense. I'm keeping all the notes from that day aside my laptop for easy reference when I'm writing and working on books. :)

Writer's Workshop

Author Bryan Davis is coming to our area next month and is going to teach a Writer's Workshop! This is a tremendous opportunity, and I'm very, very excited to learn how to write books better.

Here are the details:

Thursday, November 8, 2012
12:30 - 4:00p.m.
At Silver Heights Camp in New Albany, IN

Description:

Mr. Davis discusses story structure--how to take an idea from its birth to the creation of a novel. Many aspiring writers have great ideas, but they often don't know how to begin the story and make it work. Also, many who begin a story don't know how to finish it. With this detailed look at story structure, including examples from published novels, students will learn how to transform their ideas into stories they can be proud of. The workshop is geared toward any aspiring writer from 12 years old through adult.

It is $10.00 per person, but each student receives a $5.00 voucher toward a book, so really, it's not a bad deal. :)

I personally am looking very forward to the event, and hope you other writers out there will join us for a great blessing!

If you would like to sign up to attend, please email me at cmd@laurenbooks.org

Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Another Lauren Photo Shoot!

Wednesday (17th) we had perfect weather for being outside. Mr. Dykes dropped Elizabeth off at the park with us, and we took over 300 pictures!

 

Braiding

 

 

Squeezing in a snack. :D

 

 

Changed dresses, and now heading down the hill.

 

 

Chelsea took some pictures too. :)

 

 

"Please, no more!!!"

 

 

Worn out.

 





Elizabeth is such a good sport about having her picture taken again and again... but anyone would grow weary with the repetition, right?

 

(Just kidding. Those pictures were taken in fun. :P)



 

I think we got some great pictures. God is good! :)

Heading to Johnson City!

This is going to be a quick one, because I'm still doing last minute packing!

Lord willing, tomorrow we are going to Johnson City, TN again for another Lauren photo shoot! Please be praying that the pictures God wants will be taken.

Many thanks! :)

What are the odds?

We were traveling back home from my dad's business trip last weekend, and broke up the drive by stopping for the night at a Homewood Suites in Greenville, South Carolina. Nothing was out of the ordinary.

Then, while sitting at a table in the breakfast area, having our morning meal, my brother comments:

"Hey, that looks like the Dykes."

Pop turned to look in the direction Josh was looking. "That does look like the Dykes," he replied, in a half surprised, half puzzled voice.

"That is the Dykes!" I exclaimed, equally surprised.

So of course we all jumped up and ran over to see them. What are the odds?! They are from Tennessee, we are from Indiana, and we run into each other in South Carolina. (I wonder what our amazing God was thinking? He is awsome, isn't He?!)

Elizabeth had the ingenious idea of getting a picture. (I'm glad she thought of it! Blogs posts are always better when they have pictures ;)

 

 

Unfortunatly Thomas (Elizabeth's youngest brother) was not feeling well, so he and Mrs. Dykes were in their room. Mother is not in the picture becuase she was the one behind the camera. :)

 

 



Author Talk

A week ago today (September 6th), we got the privilege of hearing Bryan Davis, along with his daughter, Amanda L. Davis, give an authors talk! Leaving home at 7:00a.m., my mother, brother, sister, and myself, along with four of our very good friends, headed down to Danville, KY for the day.

Now if any of you have ever got to meet the author of one of your very favorite series, then you know how we felt--overwhelmingly excited, while a bit nervous at the same time! :)

The talk was quite inspiring. It was so encouraging to hear how God has been working in the Davis' lives!

Author Bryan Davis

 

Author Amanda L. Davis

 

 

 

There were of course book tables set up, and these were swarmed by the many fan readers directly after the talk. :)

 

 

 

 

Back row, left to right: Mr. Davis, Christopher, Josh

Front row, left to right: Chelsea S., Constance, Chelsea D., Amanda Davis, Cassie, Charity

 

 

I'm so thankful we all got to go! God took one family, and through them many wholesome books are being put on the shelves and into our hands.

 

...I can't wait to see what exciting things God has planned for all our lives...

 

 





Another Series!

I wouldn't have ever considered myself a fantasy reader (historical fiction is mostly what I read). But, my best friend had told me about this series, and I figured if she loved it so much,  likely I would too!

I'm now on book two in the Dragons in our Midst series, authored by home school father, Bryan Davis. And, all I can say is, if you love adventure, suspense, or find dragons even the slightest bit fascinating, you'll love these books!

Just had to share. As I said in a earlier post, I love to find new books! Billy and Bonnie (two of the main characters) are quickly becoming good friends of mine! :)

 

Book 1 -- Raising Dragons

 

 

 



If Jesus Came to Your House

If Jesus came to your house

To spend a day or two,

If He came unexpectedly,

I wonder what you'd do.

I know you'd give your nicest room

To such an honored Guest,

And all the food you'd serve to Him

Would be the very best;

And you would keep assuring Him

You're glad to have Him there,

That serving Him in your own home

Is joy beyond compare!

But when you saw Him coming,

Would you meet Him at the door

With arms outstretched in welcome

To your heavenly Visitor?

Or would you have to change your clothes

Before you let Him in,

Or hide some magazines and put

The Bible where they'd been?

Would you keep right on saying

The things you always say?

Would life for you continue

As it does from day to day?

Would you sing the songs you always sing

And read the books you read,

And let Him know the things on which

Your mind and spirit feed?

Would you take Jesus with you

Everywhere you'd planned to go?

Or would you maybe change your plans

For just a day or so?

Would you be glad to have Him meet

Your very closest friends?

Or would you hope they'd stay away

Until His visit ends?

Would you be glad to have Him stay

Forever on and on,

Or would you sigh with great relief

When He at last was gone?

It might be interesting to know

The things that you would do,

If Jesus came in person

To spend some time with you.

Lois Blanchard                                      





Every Girl's Prayer

While having Bible study with my mom and sister, we found this prayer in a book. I liked what it said so well that I made a copy and pinned it up at my desk; and I wanted to share it with you too. :)

    Dear Lord, let my life be a reflection of Your mercy and goodness.

Allow a lovely and gentle spirit to shine forth from me.

Make my countenance properly express your holiness.

Keep me from attempting to glorify myself and help me to instead glorify You in all that I do, wear, and proclaim.

Take my life Lord--do with it what You will, and make me content and joyful always and in everything.

Amen.

Blessings with Certain Assurances

I had one of these a couple of weeks ago when I was in JoAnn Fabrics with my mother and sister. We weren't in there to purchase material for another Lauren dress, (though I did look at the fabric I wanted to use for the next one ;) but, while my sister was getting fabric cut for her project, Mommy suggested I look at the sale table--excellent thought! (Why is it that I never think of such profound things?! :-D )
Well, I got to the end of the table, and, there it was! A lovely indigo corduroy for $2.00 a yard! :-O Wow! (You rarely find fabric at that low a price.)

It would be perfect for the dress for book two!

I was sure  God was saying to use this fabric; my thoughts had been a burgundy corduroy, but, perhaps God had different plans. :)

Sometimes you have to be the one who is experiencing it to see God's blessing, but, I still wanted to share with you all. God has been so good. He didn't have to provide the material at such a wonderful price, but He did. I know He cares about what His children are doing. And when He does things such as this, though it may seem small, it is a certain assurance that He is there, and cares. 

"For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord,

and He ponders all his paths." Proverbs 5:21

(Also makes you want to think about what you're doing eh? Knowing that God is seeing everything we do, and knowing how we spend our time!)

Never doubt what God can do... I sure am learning that one. There's the saying: "If it's worth worrying (or thinking) about, it's worth praying about." Our Heavenly Father is always there, and, I reckon He's always ready to show us what He can do--if we only ask. Thing is, I don't remember even asking for God to give me guidance with this dress before that (I know, shamey, shamey!); still, God gave me the blessing.

God is so good and generous, and well, nothing short of amazing! I just want to try to share as I see Him working...

"So you shall rejoice in every good thing which the Lord your God has given to you..."

Deuteronomy 26:11



Lauren Book Two Progress

I'm excited to tell you all that the second book in the Lauren Series is on its way! I've been working on it every chance I get, and have been praying and praying for God to make it the book He wants it to be.

Lord willing, I hope this new book will be published and available to readers by this spring. :)

Prayers as I continue to write it would be greatly appreciated! For God to tell me what to write, what not to write, and how to do it all. Thank you! And Lord bless! :)

Finding Inspiration

You hear about "writer's block". Well, two things I find help with this! First, prayer, of course. God'll supply the ideas for the book in His time!

Another thing I've found that is really inspirational though, is to listen to music while you write (instrumental--songs with words can be a bit distracting! ;) ). I reckon my favorite CD to listen to while working on Lauren books has been: A Burden Lifted. An album by John G. Elliott. johngelliott.com

Music is a blessing from God; I'm very thankful for it. :)

Kindle Edition!

A Thief in Pigeon Valley is now available for Kindle! :)

http://amzn.to/zcH2D4

Pleasure Reading

I'm always on the lookout for good, clean Christian books to read. Sometimes you find a book or book series that you just really enjoy, and then you want to share them with everyone you know! :)

These are a few of my favorites:

1. A Life of Faith (these are actually discontinued, but there are still copies floating around out there. :) )
2. Circle C Adventures http://www.circlecadventures.com/
3. Gatlin Fields Series http://www.sandrawaggoner.com/
4. Elsie Dinsmore (unabridged)


God bless you in your reading!

First Photo Shoot!

We had our first photo shoot for the Lauren series on July 30, 2011. Our group went to a historical site, not far from where the Dykes live, for the event. Here are some behind-the-scene shots. :)

   





      

      On the way down.

          It's only a six hour drive, but to me it felt like we'd never get there!

(I was just really anxious. ;) )

In the kitchen getting ready.

       

Johnathan getting to know "Frito".

      

        Joseph (Elizabeth's 10-year-old brother) helping with the reflecter.

       

               Group shot. :) 

It was a very blessed time!