I've Done It!

It's official. I have signed with BookSurge a print-on-demand publishing company and a division of Amazon.com. Now the work continues. I know I have not been around a lot lately, but finishing the final, final edits is taking lots of my time. Hopefully by the end of August it will all be done. I also have to get the manuscript ready for submission and meet their submission requirements.

I'm also working with a graphic artist on the book cover. It's all very exciting. I have it narrowed down to two different concepts and I'm excited to see what he comes up with.

I promise to pop up now and again and keep you updated as to the progression of this process. Life is very busy, but I want you all to know that I'm thinking of you all. I'm still here.

Thank you all for continuous support, love and encouragement. I'm truly grateful.

Have a great week.

© Nadine Z. 2008

I’m Just a City Girl

Wade and Kathy are members of our church who live on a wheat farm (pictured above with Tom). They own seven thousand acres of land. I kid you not. In case you haven’t figured this out, I’m a total city girl. They invited us out during harvest to check it out. I have to admit that I thought to myself how much fun could it be to ride on a combine?

They literally live out in the middle of no where. I told Tom that I’m grateful he didn’t tick them off during one of his sermons, because no one would ever find our bodies or our Explorer. They could easily say, “Hey, I don’t know what happened to them, they never made it here.”

I admit, I had a blast. It was fun riding in the huge combine. When it was my turn, Wade drove the combine near the edge of the property. Some parts of the property dipped off the edge. It seemed to me if we tipped over, it would be a long way down. I had to know the answer to a very important question. So I asked, “Hey, Wade you ever tip one of these things?” He’s been doing this for thirty four years and in his early days, he admitted he tipped a few. He feels no need to ride that close to the edge anymore. I have to say that I’m grateful we didn’t tip over.

Tom and I enjoyed learning about wheat farming. We had such a nice visit. We laughed, we enjoyed a lovely lunch, and got to take home some yummy homemade banana bread. I never thought a city girl like me would enjoy visiting a farm as much as I did.

The following are some pictures from our day.

Here's a wonderful welcoming sign. Doesn't it give you warm fuzzies?

Is this thing big or what? The wheel is taller than I am.

Tom was first to go for a ride.

This is the view from inside the combine. Nothing to see for miles around.

© Nadine Z. 2008

Are You Listening?

Sometimes when I don’t want to hear what’s being said, I just stop listening. Has anyone ever done that? If I ignore the situation, it might go away, right? Not. I find that I rather not ask a question if I don’t really want to know the answer to the question. I rather be safe than sorry. I rather know that I would be happy with the answer before I ask the question.

But seriously, that’s no way to live. Where is the risk in being safe? Where is the freedom in taking a leap if you always know where you are going to land? This doesn’t leave room for faith.

Sometimes people think God is not listening to them. I think it’s the other way around, at least for me. I sometimes choose not to listen. I know He’s up there saying, “Are you listening to Me, Nadine?” I’m down here saying, “Why is God not talking to me?” Could it be I’m not listening because I don’t want to know the answer? Of course.

So, Lord, I’m sorry I do this to You. Talk to me, I’m listening.

© Nadine Z. 2008

Editing Update

I’m in the final, final stage of editing. The last run through before it can be submitted for publishing. Between working full time and the responsibilities of church life, I’m exhausted. I’ve been truly excited about this process. My editor, Lauren, has been great at challenging me to make changes (some very minor) that I feel has made the story better.

It looks like I’m going to go with a print on demand company that works with Amazon.com. If all goes well, my book will be available sometime in October or November. Don’t worry, as soon as I have a release date, you’ll be amongst the first to know. I plan to do a giveaway and ask for all your help in promoting my book.

I’ve learned a lot about myself during this process. I’ve learned I take criticism well. I’ve learned that there is always room for improvement. I’ve learned that every editor or reader will have a different opinion on your story. I’ve learned to stay true to myself and what I believe with an open mind to another person’s opinion. Finding balance in the creative process is like walking a tight rope.

I’m grateful for all the love and support I’ve been given through it all. I want to thank Tom, not only has he given me his love and support, but the financial backing to pursue my dream.

I don’t know if anyone will ever buy this book, but I know this – when I hold it my hand and put it on my shelf, I will be truly content that I’ve done what God has called me to do in this. It’s not about selling thousands of copies, even though that would be nice, it’s about completion. Finishing what I’ve started means a lot to me.

© Nadine Z. 2008

Poor Man's Vacation

The First Kiss

I’ve written about The First Sparks and now I’ll like to examine The First Kiss. I hope that some of you will join me. Post the very first time you and your husband/boyfriend kissed or maybe you would like to describe your very first kiss. Let me know if you participate so I can come by and read all about it.

The first kiss is very special. Maybe it was just like the movies. You approach each other, breathing heavy and slightly apprehensive. You close your eyes and suddenly your lips brush against each other slightly, passionately. You feel like a fireworks is going off around you. You have now met your soul mate – the person you will spend the rest of your life with. Sweet.

Then again, that may not have been your experience.

As you all know I started dating Tom when I was sixteen years old. After I asked him out (read about it here and here). He came to my sister’s house for dinner. It seemed everyone (my brother, his wife, my 2 year niece were also there) kept leaving us alone in a room - nice, right. Her apartment wasn't that big. So we found ourselves on the couch in the family room – alone. I sat close to him. He looked into my eyes and I looked in his. His face approached mine and I knew at that moment we were about to kiss.

He was so cute and the moment so right, so I leaned closer and closed my eyes. I could feel our lips approaching and his breath on my face. Then suddenly all I felt was . . . teeth. That’s right teeth. The boy had no lips. I totally slipped by his lips and hit teeth. Shocked, I opened my eyes and he was staring at me. Tom would tell you at that moment he felt like he was being sucked into a vacuum. I guess it’s all about your point of view and whether you have a firm grasp on reality and truth. We didn't give up - if at first you don't succeed, right? We closed our eyes and made some minor adjustments and then . . . magic. The rest they say is history.

© Nadine Z. 2008

Interesting New Blog

My son shared a new blog site that is quite unique and creative. It's called Improv Everywhere. The premise is that they go out in the general public and create interesting situations and record people's reactions.

Check this out.

Check out the other projects done on this site. It's quite interesting.

© Nadine Z. 2008

When I Look at You I See . . .

So many times we brush against people in life and make hasty judgments. We assume their outward appearance tells us so much about them. Maybe they seem to be crabby all the time or mean. Maybe you believe them to be happy go lucky and they don’t have a care in the world. Maybe the way they are dressed makes us believe they are one way or another. The outward appearance can be deceiving. Some people mask their troubles, while others don’t. What if we could look deeper beyond the physical? What if we look with different eyes?

One of the things our church does when we do an outreach is an exercise called, “When I Look at You I See.” Even though we do this during our outreaches, you can do this all the time. You meet someone and pray quietly to yourself. Ask God to speak to you something positive and encouraging about this person. I’ve been out to dinner or Starbucks and I feel God tug on my heart. He has me walk up to a stranger and say, “Hi, sometimes God speaks to me and He told something I believe He would like me to share with you. It’s not bad. Would it be okay?” Every time it’s been a curious yes.

Speaking life, encouragement or hope to someone changes their expression. The looked that said, “Ok, I’ll humor the crazy person.” Changes to “How did you know that?” or “Wow, thank you, I really needed to hear that.”

My husband stumbled up on the following video. It so demonstrates what I’m talking about.

© Nadine Z. 2008

Hope

If it were not for hopes, the heart would break. - Thomas Fuller

I came across this quote and it spoke to me. Most people who struggle with depression, suffer because they feel hopeless about something in their lives. I had written a post called, Functionally Depressed. It talks about the depression that people hide from friends and family.

Proverbs 13:12 – “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”

The subject of hopelessness has been on my heart recently. Maybe you know someone who is depressed and needs a friend – a bit of encouragement. Maybe it’s you. I urge you to reach out to someone in your life – a friend, loved one, pastor, etc. – if you are struggling with hopelessness. Sometimes we can hide our sadness so well that no one sees our pain. God sees your pain. God feels your pain. Let Him reach out to you and place hope back where there is none.

I’m reminded of the story of the young actress in Hollywood who was depressed about her career and jumped from the Hollywood sign. The very next day she received a letter offering her a staring role.

Tomorrow is a brand new day. New hope comes with a new day. Life can change in an instant. Don’t give up and don’t quit.

Learn from yesterday; live for today; hope for tomorrow

© Nadine Z. 2008