My dear friends, family & 600+ blog fans….
You are probably wondering where I have been as far as writing on this blog…or perhaps maybe I am just hoping you are wondering. I can hardly believe it has been over two months since I have posted anything at all! Yikes! Seeing that this is one of my favorite things to do, you think that I would not let that much time go by without sitting down at my computer and tapping out my thoughts, opinions, ideas and life stories in hopes of encouraging, motivating & blessing you.
Not to worry….nothing tragic has happened in our lives and it is still my plan to write regularly (and yes perhaps one day even write a book or two). I really have no good excuses although let me try some out:
- I forgot how time and labor intensive it is to have two “littles” less than two years apart. (ummmm…..but 13 years ago I had 3 “littles” in the span of 3 years and I started a home based business, founded a Christian High School and still made time to write Monday Motivation…every Monday! And then I didn’t have “big” girls to help me out.) Excuse #1 out the window
- I have nothing to write about. (ummmmm….NOT! Are you kidding me? I have had so much to share – Christiana’s adoption day details, Walking for Life, Our annual Beach Holiday that had almost daily insights, dealing with my “wild” high risk taking boy who managed to knock out another tooth, kidney stones, a surprise visit from my college girl, 7-year-old and sweet 16 birthday celebrations, my upcoming JECHS auction, and of course my opinions on Obamacare and specifically its effect on abortion funding) Nope a “lack of material” excuse will never fly here!
- My laptop computer was so slow that I felt like I was living five lifetimes every time I tried to sign on. (ok so this is a truth…but I could have used my desk top…I am just not often actually at my desk) Oh and did I mention I got a new work laptop last month so scratch that excuse.
Ok, enough with the excuses….but I will say that one of the biggest things that keeps me from writing more regularly is the fact that I need to make money to feed my family. The way that I am able to do that while not sacrificing my time with them or having to go out & work 9 to 5 for someone else is by being an “independent contractor”. In other words I am self-employed. Which is another way of saying that every waking moment I feel pressure to be working. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not whining or complaining. I LOVE what I do both with Creative Memories and at JECHS and feel that I am using my unique giftings and am involved in work that I believe in passionately. But honestly if I could create my perfect job (other than being independently wealthy and giving freely of my gifts & talents without any financial remuneration, which I would truly love!) this is what I would do –>
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Write
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Speak
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Lead
If I could simply make a regular income writing, speaking and leading…I would be living my dream!
I have several friends who are constantly “fanning the flame” of my dream. One of those friends recently sent me a link to a conference called She Speaks . As I looked over the link I was almost salivating at the thought of going to a conference that “encourages and equips women as they communicate God’s Word through writing, sharing their testimony, leading a Bible study and speaking from the podium.” It had my name written all over it! I quickly emailed her back and said “Oh what I would give to go to a conference like this. Someday…” To which she replied, “No time like the present” and pointed out that they had a scholarship opportunity knowing that my budget would not allow for an expense of this type.
So, despite the fact that I am “under the gun” with my upcoming large-scale event at JECHS (Annual dinner auction), I am taking a few minutes this morning to enter this contest for a $575 scholarship to the “She Speaks” Conference July 30 – August 1 in North Carolina. Perhaps this will be one of those defining moments that I look back upon in my life and see that it was the beginning of the dream becoming a reality!
“She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:26
Inspire Ministries 
Okay…when your fund raiser is over, you really, really, do need to contact me about something that I have in the works. Hopefully, it will work out for you and you can “flap your wings”, “fan the flame of your dream,” etc. with what I’ve got as an idea.
XO ~ Teri ;0)
I know how you feel about the constant pressure to create income from “Creat”-ive Memories. After a while you start to burn out and still you need to create that income. Congratulations for actually pressing through. You have always been an inspiration. I prya you get to go to that conference and that it will build back a huge passion in you.
The conference sounds like a wonderful opportunity for you as well as being a time of nurture. I hope the scholarship comes through.
Love, Mom
Well written inclding great details of your amazing life Beth. I want to a similar conf. years ago by Frances Liteauer in Lodi…3 days that helped inspire me endlessly. i you can start by writting articles for newspapers/magazines..it’s sooo rewarding. there are 2 Christain authors in lodi to be meet also! Best of God’s blessings 2 u girl!