Remaining Faithful Through Sickness

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Before I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, it was fairly easy for me to view the trials I experienced as temporary. I knew they were seasons that would soon pass. 

I guess that was the writer in me: I tend to view my life through the lens of a story. And in a story, characters have to go through hardships, because without those training periods, the characters would never grow. Without that conflict, there would be no story. 

However, this perspective became harder for me to maintain after I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes about a year and a half ago. 

{Continue reading on page 4 of Broken But Priceless Magazine, and check out the feature of my diagnosis on page 21}

Coffee Shop Chats: Interactive Reflection of the Week!

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About Coffee Shop Chats:

I love blogging, but sometimes I wish there was a way that I could connect with each of you. Personally. Perhaps over a cup of coffee. 

We could share the highlights of our week, discuss the books we've been reading, what God is doing in our lives, and even share any prayer requests we may have. 

So, I came up with the idea of Coffee Shop Chats.

Instead of my Currently posts, I now post this reflection of the week (or month, or season). You are welcome to participate as well! I want this to be a way to learn more about each of you and how I can pray for you. Maybe this will help you meet other blogger friends as well. =) 

You may post your Coffee Shop Chat whenever you'd like! Just be sure to add your link to the latest Coffee Shop Chat link-up at the end of this post. (That way, we can all interact with one another.)

Rules & Guidelines:

1. No, you don't have to be a coffee fan to participate. =) 
2. Add the link to your Coffee Shop Chat post in the latest link-up (which will be listed on the latest Coffee Shop Chat post).
3. Include the link to this post so your readers can understand the rules.
4. Before you post, make sure that you comment on at least one other blogger's post. (The point of this is to begin forming relationships and interacting with one another, as if we were in an actual coffee shop. ;) )
5. Include the below image on your post. 
6. Be nice and have fun!

How to post: 

1. Use any of the LISTS PROMPTS located at the end of this post. Feel free to add your own!
2. Everyone who participates must answer at least 2 questions listed under CONVO STARTERS posted by myself or another participant.
3. At the end of your post, include 2 - 5 questions/convo starters for your readers to answer as well!

Questions? Let me know! It sounds complicated, but it's actually pretty simple. ;)

What I did this week:

Recently, I've been on the set of A BEAUTIFUL LIFE, a Christian short film about healing, hope, and the true purpose of life. I've also been hard at work on the sequel to Purple Moon! If you'd like updates on this process (and opportunities to win prizes), feel free to join my Street Team by clicking here.




Pictures Taken:

Here are a few pics I've taken the past few months . . . 

On the set of A BEAUTIFUL LIFE. =D (Don't worry -- this is a Christian film! Haha)
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On the set of A BEAUTIFUL LIFE.
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Looking Forward To:

• Seeing my best friend, Caroline, in a few days!
• Visiting my sister and her husband this weekend for Easter.
• Attending the Karen Kingsbury Tour! (Ahhh!!! Fan-freak-out-alert.)
• Going to NYC soon to visit my sister, her husband, and attend a Christian conference.
• The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer's Conference in May. =) 

Grateful For:

• Spring! =D<3 comment-3--="">
• The support I've received surrounding the launch of PURSUEMagazine.net. Thanks to everyone who has contributed in helping to spread love, inspiration, and encouragement through this magazine.
• Progress in the sequel to Purple Moon. 
• Coffee. Coffee's always something to be grateful about.
• Dark chocolate.
• Herbal tea. I've recently had about two cups every evening, and ohmygoodness. I've discovered the best varieties of blends (or whatever they call it in Tea Land). It's the perfect drink to sip on when winding down and reading a good book.
• Speaking of good books, I'm currently on the fourth book I've read since January that's written by Jim Rubart. I can't get enough of his stories and writing style. He's an amazing person as well.
• Scrivener. Seriously, how did I ever write a book without this program?! 
• Bethel. I've had the chance to visit the Bethel campus in Atlanta a few times recently, and wow, the atmosphere was filled with God's love and His presence. Their music is probably one of my favorite worship bands as well. 
• Pump Peelz. It makes living with Type 1 Diabetes a lot less ugly.

Books I'm Reading:

• The Five Times I Met Myself by James L. Rubart

• The Lies About Truth by Courtney C. Stevens

Music I'm Enjoying:

• Bethel Worship Music

• House Fires

• WorshipMob

Scriptures I'm Enjoying:

Time Hop:


This time last year . . . 

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On my blog {last spring} . . . 

• The Greatest Gift I Have Ever Received
• The Basics of Plotting
• Finding Beauty in Every Season

                     LIST PROMPTS FOR YOU!

What has your week or month {or season} looked like? Post your own coffee shop post! You may include any of the below list prompts. Feel free to add your own as well!

• What I did this week
• Pictures taken
• Drinks I've enjoyed
• Music I've enjoyed
• Movies I've enjoyed
• Food I've enjoyed
• Grateful for
• 3 awesome things that happened this week
• Prayer requests
• Currently loving
• Currently working on
• Currently hoping
• Books I'm reading
• Scriptures I'm enjoying
• Quotes I'm enjoying
• Looking forward to
• Flashback Friday

CONVO STARTERS FOR YOU!

** Each participant MUST answer 2 - 5 convo starters posted by myself or another participant. Make sure to include convo starters for your readers as well!

1. How many books have you read so far this year?
2. What are your Easter traditions? 
3. What's your favorite spring activity?
4. Do you use Scrivener to write your books?
5. What are your favorite Christian music albums?

ADD YOUR POST BELOW:

Is there a specific Blogger who you'd like to invite to join the conversation? Comment on their blog with the link to this post or your own!

Happy reflecting and chatting! =)

Monday's Minute Challenge: Writing prompt contest for teens & up!

A quick writing prompt challenge (and contest) for teens to get their creative juices flowing for the new week. A new prompt is posted, and winners are announced, every other Monday.

1. The entry must be between 150 - 300 words. (In order to see how many words your entry is, write it in Microsoft Word, or you can copy and paste it here.)
2. The deadline for the contest will be the Thursday after next. 
3. The winners will receive a badge for their blog.
4. The winner will be chosen based on the judges's preferences, as well as the following questions: Does this entry capture my attention immediately? Does it make me want to continue reading? Is the writing clear? They will also take into consideration the writer's voice and style--not necessarily technical issues, such as grammar, punctuation, etc. 
5. This is only for fun and to stretch your writing muscles--not necessarily to be taken too seriously. =)

 

The judge panel chooses these winners based on a point system. Keep in mind that the judges are not aware of which entry belongs to which participant until after the judging is complete.

Wow!! You all made it extremely hard to judge this week's entries. Since there were 7 entries, there will only be one honorable recognition. 

Great job to all of you, and thanks for participating! =) 

I smooth the sheets on the mistress’ bed and snatch a pillow from the corner, putting it carefully in place. One mistake and I could be whipped. My mistress has a vile temper. 
The sound of wings catches my ear, and I turn to see a mourning dove perched on the windowsill. My footsteps are silent as I walk towards it. You had to know how to go unnoticed to survive here. 
The dove doesn’t seem scared by my approach, so I reach slowly out and stroke its silky wings. 
“What are you doing here, pretty bird?” I quietly ask. “This terrible haunt is no place for you.” 
It just coos calmly, cocking its head. If only I could be so carefree. 
And then I hear footsteps in the hall. Sharp, jabbing footsteps, like someone was trying to stamp through the floor. The mistress. 
“Fly!” I whisper urgently, “Fly away, quick!” 
The dove only coos, so I gently brush it off the sill and watch it fly up into the pale blue sky. If only I could be as free as he. 
A piercing voice makes me start, and I turn around to face the mistress. 
Her clear eyes glace around the room. “You haven’t done a very good job, have you?” Her voice is like sharp ice. 
I hang my head. “No, ma’am.” 
“Laziness is not tolerated here.” A cruel smile comes over her face. “Laziness is only punished. Follow me.” 
She whirls out of the room and I follow without a word. If only I had wings like the dove, then I could fly away too. Fly far and fast and never come back. 
But I don’t even have the hope of escape; the mistress is far too pleased about having a princess as her slave for that.

Congratulations, Savannah P! Click here for your badge, and don't forget to claim your points here. =) 

A man donned in a grey cloak, his brow drawn, stared down upon a boy dressed in a black hood.  His old eyes studied the young eyes of a boy.  The youth's expression; however, was unreadable.

“Pray tell,” said the elder, “What makes you think you are the one that was called for?”

The boy’s expression never changed.  “My mother told me.”

The man’s wrinkled, solemn demeanor gave way to a slight chortle “Ah, but it is every mother’s dream that her son be the one to change the tide and break the curse.”  The mockery in his tone gave way to that of despondency.  “Go on home, boy,” he sighed, “A mother’s dream can’t end the war.”

“I am he.”  The boy insisted.  “And I can prove this to you.”  He slowly lifted his right hand forward, spreading his fingers apart. A single spark kindled from the center of his palm.

The elder’s dark eyes opened wide.  The corners of his mouth lifted and he shook grey head in awe.  “You are the one—you are the one who is to save us!” 

The fire died and the boy bowed his head.  “I am he.”  He tilted his head up; his stoic expression began to change.  A strange sort of expression twisted his young features, causing the elder to feel unsettled in a way he could not describe.  “I am he.”  The boy continued “My mother—she died of agony in this knowledge.”  He stood up straighter, all at once not seeming the innocent boy he was, but so much more than that.  He grinned, his green eyes peering down upon the man.  “And so shall you.”

Congratulations, Natalie! Click here for your badge, and don't forget to claim your points here. =)

I thrash in my covers screaming. My sweat glues them to my bare arms, and the sound of my wails is muffled by thick, black smoke. The already hot air grows hotter as the fire draws closer. I’m paralyzed, trapped in my own body. The flames eat at the floor, the walls, the rug, anything they can consume.

Invisible hands shake me. I cry out in the pain they add to my body besides my aching lungs and boiling blood. The flames are licking my hand, but it doesn’t hurt. I look closer. The flames are coming from my hand. I open my mouth to scream…

“Kiera!”

My eyes snap open. I’m in my room, but there is no fire. No smoke. No pain. That is, except for the soreness of my raw throat.

I shriek and attempt to wriggle out of the hands that clutch me. My already racing heart goes sprinting. I can’t be caught. The fire almost got me, I won’t the hands grab me.

“Kiera, it’s me! Stop it!” Kaleb’s calloused hand strokes my forehead. His grey eyes bore into mine. “What’s wrong, Kiera? It’s okay. I’m here.”

I stop thrashing and choke back my sobs. My brother won’t hurt me.

“I had the dream again,” I hiccup. I prop my elbows on my pillow.

Kaleb’s brow pinches. “Again? The same one?”

I nod. Suddenly, a mourning dove in the open window catches my gaze as it flutters its perfectly formed wings. I’m transfixed. It looks so peaceful, unlike me. A war rages in me, never ceasing. There is no rest. No peace.

The ringing of bells breaks the silence, shattering it like a vase. The dove disappears into the night.

And then my hand bursts into flames.

Congratulations, Micaiah! Click here for your badge, and don't forget to claim your points here. =)

Honorable Recognitions: 

1. Esther

Thanks so much to everyone who participated!

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• Submit your response in the comments below, or post it on your blog via InLink (below).
• Your response should range between 150 - 300 words. 
• The deadline for the contest will be the Thursday after next. 
• If you'd rather not submit your post in the comments or on your blog, you may email it to me instead.

Choose at least one:

Note: You can always combine the prompts into one entry.

(Optional) Write a passage continuing your entry from last week week (or whichever week you'd prefer). If you can, try to continue it using one of the following prompts.

• Write a passage using these items: radio, scarf, snowflake (submitted by Micaiah)
• Write a passage based on this picture OR this picture (submitted by Shelby, Maddie & Natalie)
• Write a passage either incorporating this phrase OR based on this phrase:  
  
  

  "I told you I'd be back." (submitted by Maddie)

Post your entry on your blog!:

If you're posting your entry on your blog, please add your link below:

Submit your prompt idea!:

The prompts that are used for Monday's Minute Challenge are submitted by the participants. 

Here's how this works:

• You will be able to submit 3 prompts each week in the same format as above: three objects, one picture, and a piece of dialogue or phrase.
• On Mondays, I will choose 3 prompts that have been submitted by 3 different people.
• If your prompt is selected, you will receive 2 points!
• You may submit in the comments below.
• You must only submit prompt ideas if you have participated in this week's contest. Otherwise, your prompts will not be considered.