FREE Conference - IndieReCon

I'm dragging when it comes to blogging, aren't I? Sorry. Lots of things happening right now that's zapped my energy when it comes to posting fun, encouraging info. Many of my family members are experiencing problems--physical, spiritual and emotional. Blogging seems a little self-serving. If you're a praying person, I would appreciate prayers for my loved ones. Not necessary for you to know names--God does. If you're not a praying person, a few good thoughts our way will be cherished.

And in return, here's some info you might take advantage of--an online conference.

IndieReCon is an online conference that will discuss the nuts and bolts of self publishing. Bob Mayer is a guest speaker. It's totally free. Once you go to the site using the link below, just sign up by putting your email in the left side bar to receive notifications.

IndieReCon is happening from February 19-21, 2013.

 

I'll be out of pocket that week, but from what I understand transcripts will be available to those of us who sign up but can't make it. Attendees from last year say it's well worth your while.

 

Here's the link, if anyone is interested: http://www.indierecon.org/

Waiting, Waiting, Waiting...

Thank you, everyone, who have written to me privately to say you're praying for Eric. It has been a roller coaster ride, highs and lows, for this family. It has been amazing to see God at work. Unfortunately, there are some who can't see God's hand in things, some who see no hope. We should add those people to our prayers. Please go to Angie's blog and leave her an encouraging note. Don't just read her latest post, read all of them, and especially her prayer for Eric. I know she and Bob are completely, emotionally drained but God keeps refilling them with strength and courage.

I want the world to stop. That's the feeling I have. I just want everything to shut down so I can listen and feel and wait and cry and pray. Ever have that feeling? That you just need to stop all movement around you so you can take a breath, get your bearings. That's the way I feel when I think of Eric. That if things would just slow down a moment, if we'd all just hold our breath for just a second, he could catch up, gain ground. I guess that's my own anxiety. Every time I think of Angie and Eric--all the family--I have to beat that lump in my throat away or I'll burst into tears. I can't tell you how much Angie has come to mean to me in the past few days. We've attended writers' meetings together, worked on our conference committee together, had lunch with our 'lunch bunch' every Wednesday for almost a year... but these past thirteen plus days, I've grown to admire and love her, think of her as I would a daughter--or sister.

Please, please visit her blog and offer a prayer or words of encouragement. It would mean so much to all of us. And especially to Eric when he walks out of that hospital. I want him to know how much we've prayed, and how much we care for him and his family. I want him to know that he's one of God's beautiful miracles.

Click HERE for Angie's blog.

The Answer is Always Jesus

How helpless parents feel when there is nothing they can do for their sick child, but pray. I know prayer is the ultimate answer and while we've hit our knees many times on behalf of our children, there's still that nagging feeling that we could do, should do, more. There's still that horrible tremble of fear going on inside us even though we've placed everything in God's hands. Sometimes I imagine God is shaking his head, pursing his lips and saying, "Ohhhh, Jessica, haven't you learned by now that I'm your answer? The only answer." He knows I know that... and believe it with all my heart, and I praise Him for answering my prayers even when I can't speak them aloud; for those times I can do nothing more than cry and beg, "please-God-please-God-please-God-please. .
."
Like I'm doing now for my friend Angie and her son Eric. You can read the latest update on Eric by visiting her blog here. Eric makes a little progress and then he'll have a bad night or morning. He's definitely keeping us on our toes with our prayers. This is definitely a time to pray without ceasing. 1 Thess. 5:17.

As it says in Matthew 17:20-21, 'For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 7:7,8 says "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

Ask. Seek. Knock. There are so many wonderful prayer warriors across the country praying for Eric and his family. I thank God for each of them.

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16

As believers, we know without doubt that God has the power to answer prayer. God has given each of us the gift of faith. Let's pray that whatever is standing in the way of total restoration for sweet Eric be removed. Let's pray for the doctors and medical professionals as they tend to Eric. Let's pray that God gives them wisdom, and especially gives wisdom and comfort to Angie and Bob as they sit and wait and pray for their son. Lord, guide them in every decision they make. And let's praise God that praying for Eric allows us to express the sincerest desire of our heart and soul--which is that this precious young man be touched and healed, and will speak of the miracle in days to come.

Thank you, Jesus, thy will be done.
Amen.

Happy Anniversary!

Here we go again. Packing up to pull out. Three years ago, when Rita ran us out of town, I vowed to organize my family pictures and genealogy so that all I'd have to do is grab and toss in the car. I started...but never finished. So when we roll out of the drive on Saturday evening or Sunday morning, my mind's eye will be visualizing favorite photos and mementos I'm leaving behind.

But many people lost more--much more than family pictures.

FACTS:

Monday, August 29, 2005 - Hurricane Katrina was a Category 5 Storm with winds up to 175 miles an hour, but weakened to a Category 4 before making landfall below New Orleans in Plaquemines and Saint Bernard Parishes. The storm weakened the levee system which broke in several places [one place - the Industrial Canal - was weakened by a barge which rammed into it.] and over 90% of New Orleans was flooded. Katrina also devastated the Mississippi Gulf Coast and caused damage on the Alabama Gulf Coast. The official death toll is 1697; however, Columbia geo-physicist and earth scientist John Mutter believes that the number is "well in excess of 2000"

September 17-24, 2005 - Hurricane Rita hit South Florida and the Florida Keys as a Category 2 storm on September 20. As it moved away from Florida, Rita became Category 5. After weakening, Rita came ashore as a Category 3 between Sabine Pass, Texas and Johnson Bayou, Louisiana at 2:30 a.m. CDT.

On September 23, 2005, the outer bands of the storm caused a breach in the Industrial Canal levee in New Orleans in the lower ninth ward causing re-flooding of the area. The largest evacuation in Texas history was undertaken on September 22, 2005. The traffic was backed up for 100 miles on IH-45; and, 24 elderly persons died on the morning of September 23, 2005 ten miles south of Dallas when a bus exploded from oxygen tanks ignited by sparks from the brakes.


Can you believe three years have passed since Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans?
Can you believe there are still many people living in FEMA trailers?
Can you believe there are still areas in New Orleans that look like Katrina hit yesterday?
Can you believe today is Katrina's three-year anniversary and Gustav is on his way?

Weather guys say we could have two hurricanes--Gustav and Hanna--in the Gulf of Mexico within seven days. At this point, no one knows where Gustav will hit.

All prayers welcome--for everyone along the Gulf Coast.