I really can't believe how time flies. 2008 is almost over! Where did this year go? I can't believe it's already been 8 months since I got married. Almost a YEAR since the day Zack proposed to me at Sunnyside Beach. One year has brought so many changes to my life. I got married, moved back to the city, attended pioneer school, made so many new friends...
Life is full of good things. I am very blessed.
So, the tract campaign is still going really well. I love being outside all day long, especially with the beautiful weather we've been having. After that one day of rain last week, it's been uniformly gorgeous. The mornings are cold and crisp, sometimes gray and misty, but pretty soon the clouds burn off and the afternoons are sunny and mellow. It feels sooo good just to be out, enjoying it, shuffling your feet through the leaves, smelling the woodsmoke in the air, spending time with your friends - and doing tons of door-to-door! I'm really loving life these days. I wish we had campaigns more often!
I finished two of my territories today, as well as working 2 that belonged to other people, so I'm feeling pretty pumped. It was a long but fun day. For lunch everybody met up at Mikie Burgers, which is a popular little burger stand on the corner of Center Street and Orchard. It's been closed for a while because of construction going on closeby - we'd been planning this lunch break for a while, and had to wait impatiently for the stand to reopen. Today was the day, and I finally had my first Mikie Burger and an extremely thick chocolate malt shake. We had to wait ages after placing our orders, because there were only a couple of people working the stand, and a lot of eager customers had shown up, needing their Mikie burger fix. But the wait was totally worth it.
Zack is going to auxiliary pioneer in November! It will be his first time, so we are both pretty excited. With the campaign and our circuit overseer's visit coming up, this is an awesome month to sign up. There will be tons of support, and I anticipate lots of good times ahead.
Other than service, I've been gearing up for NaNoWriMo, which starts on Saturday! I can't believe it's almost here! I've got my very first Nanomail from Chris Baty (the NaNoWriMo founder, guru, and number one enthusiast) waiting in my inbox. I haven't read it yet because I've got a little headache, so I'm waiting till later when I can really savor it. Those emails are the best - packed with inspiration and encouragement to cheer you on as you pound out your novel. I really, really can't wait - I've got my first few chapters all mapped out, and now I'm itching to begin. I've got only the haziest notion of where the story will take me - a scattering of ideas for the middle, and a definite plan for the end. The rest will be suprises, which is what makes writing (for me), so much fun. I can't wait!!!
More soon, I promise.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Tract Campaign: Day 1
So today we started delivering the new tract! I love tract work - it's fun and exciting, and it feels like you're on a special mission. I really like the fact that we cover so much territory so fast - it gives a really awesome sense of accomplishment. This is a never to be repeated work, and I feel so blessed to have a share in it.
That said, I woke up early this morning to the sounds of howling wind and rain, and thought, "What a way to start the new campaign!" I wanted to pull the pillow over my head and sleep till noon. But I knew I couldn't do that, so finally around 8:00 I dragged myself out of bed. The morning actually started out pretty good for me, because the first thing on my agenda was a 9:30 Bible study. I didn't get back to the KH till around 11:00, and by then the worst of the rain was over. We did some apartment territory until 12:30, when the last of the sprinkles ended, and the sun came out. I was loving the sound of the rushing wind, and all the red and yellow leaves on the trees. The air always smells so good in autumn, and it made me really glad to get to spend the day outdoors.
While the sun shone, we did some regular door-to-door, and I encountered a lot of really friendly people. Finally, at 3:00, we headed back to the hall, and I ran home to have a sandwich and take a quick break. At 3:30 I was back at the hall. Bryson and I took 3 of the kids from our congregation, Briana, Shamika, and Javier, out to do some more territory. It was really great working with them and getting to know them better. By the time 5:30 came around, I was pretty tired, though! I was totally ready to go home and take a nap.
So all in all, day 1 has been a great success! I've got about 9 people written down to make return visits on, so that makes me pretty happy :) And now Zack is making macaroni and cheese, and we will cozy up on the couch and watch a little TV - if I can keep my eyes open, that is.
That said, I woke up early this morning to the sounds of howling wind and rain, and thought, "What a way to start the new campaign!" I wanted to pull the pillow over my head and sleep till noon. But I knew I couldn't do that, so finally around 8:00 I dragged myself out of bed. The morning actually started out pretty good for me, because the first thing on my agenda was a 9:30 Bible study. I didn't get back to the KH till around 11:00, and by then the worst of the rain was over. We did some apartment territory until 12:30, when the last of the sprinkles ended, and the sun came out. I was loving the sound of the rushing wind, and all the red and yellow leaves on the trees. The air always smells so good in autumn, and it made me really glad to get to spend the day outdoors.
While the sun shone, we did some regular door-to-door, and I encountered a lot of really friendly people. Finally, at 3:00, we headed back to the hall, and I ran home to have a sandwich and take a quick break. At 3:30 I was back at the hall. Bryson and I took 3 of the kids from our congregation, Briana, Shamika, and Javier, out to do some more territory. It was really great working with them and getting to know them better. By the time 5:30 came around, I was pretty tired, though! I was totally ready to go home and take a nap.
So all in all, day 1 has been a great success! I've got about 9 people written down to make return visits on, so that makes me pretty happy :) And now Zack is making macaroni and cheese, and we will cozy up on the couch and watch a little TV - if I can keep my eyes open, that is.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Service, Shopping, etc.
Zack and I had a pretty awesome day today. This morning we got to work with Luke and Ron in service. Luke is one of the young pioneer brothers in our hall. As soon as he got done with school, he went to Bethel. He was there about 6 years, I think, and just got sent home this past spring. Now he's going to nursing school and pioneering. Ron is his Bible student, a funny guy with a very courtly manner of speaking. He is in his 50's, highly educated, and likes to wear bow ties. At bookstudy, he always gives very heartfelt comments, and it's so cool to be able to see a new person take their first steps in the truth. Today he was really nervous about going in service for the first time. He went to the doors with Luke and just observed. Anytime I was getting in and out of the car, he would open and close my door for me. A little after 11:00, we took him to Starbucks for coffee break. There were already at least a dozen witnesses there, and we had a nice time.
It was so cool, getting to be there with Ron on his first day. Zack and I came home feeling very happy, and wanting to work with Ron again soon.
After service, we went shopping. I got a cute hat and and a very snuggly, warm sweater at Target. We went to a couple of thift stores so Zack could look for an old Polaroid camera (Polaroids are very in now on Flickr). We didn't find any, but I got a turtleneck and a brand new pair of gloves for only $3.50, so the trip was a success.
At home, Zack ate dinner and I read aloud to him from The Thirteenth Moon. He has never heard the entire story, and I need to get him up to date before I begin Spindle's End. Zack is the perfect audience, because totally gets into the story, and when I get to the cliffhanger at the end of the chapter, he goes nuts wanting to know what's next. Which is exactly the sort of encouragement a writer needs! I feel so lucky - I could not have found a guy more perfect for me :)
So now it's 9:00 and I still need to do some aerobics. I've done really well with my program so far, and I'm feeling pretty good, although it's hard. My legs are very sore today, and I feel like a stiff old lady whenever I sit down or get up. But it's a good kind of sore, and makes me feel proud of myself.
Anyway, so that was today.
It was so cool, getting to be there with Ron on his first day. Zack and I came home feeling very happy, and wanting to work with Ron again soon.
After service, we went shopping. I got a cute hat and and a very snuggly, warm sweater at Target. We went to a couple of thift stores so Zack could look for an old Polaroid camera (Polaroids are very in now on Flickr). We didn't find any, but I got a turtleneck and a brand new pair of gloves for only $3.50, so the trip was a success.
At home, Zack ate dinner and I read aloud to him from The Thirteenth Moon. He has never heard the entire story, and I need to get him up to date before I begin Spindle's End. Zack is the perfect audience, because totally gets into the story, and when I get to the cliffhanger at the end of the chapter, he goes nuts wanting to know what's next. Which is exactly the sort of encouragement a writer needs! I feel so lucky - I could not have found a guy more perfect for me :)
So now it's 9:00 and I still need to do some aerobics. I've done really well with my program so far, and I'm feeling pretty good, although it's hard. My legs are very sore today, and I feel like a stiff old lady whenever I sit down or get up. But it's a good kind of sore, and makes me feel proud of myself.
Anyway, so that was today.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Plots and Plans
The Plan for Today:
Do my workout even if it kills me, and it probably will
Eat vegetables. Lots of vegetables.
Do laundry
Wash hair
Study for meeting
etc. etc.
I wish it was November, so I could start my NaNoWriMo novel. It will be a sequel to my 13th Moon trilogy, called Spindle's End. The plot concerns the rise of Miss Trevelyan, Desmond Daggerheart's archnemesis. Miss Trevelyan aspires to rule the Pirate League, left leaderless since the untimely disappearance of the Pirate King. But first she needs a fortune in gold. Which is where my heroine, Foria Spindle, enters the picture. Or, rather, where her father enters it. He is an inventor, and he's created a machine that spins sunlight into gold. He will, of course, be kidnapped, held hostage, and possibly brainwashed. Foria and her brothers will set out on a perilous quest to rescue him. Along the way they will encounter pirates, shipwrecks and at least one murder plot. They will be helped by a collection of cool gadgets invented by their father, such as the Night Glass, which allows them to see in the dark.
I really, really can't wait to start writing this story!
Do my workout even if it kills me, and it probably will
Eat vegetables. Lots of vegetables.
Do laundry
Wash hair
Study for meeting
etc. etc.
I wish it was November, so I could start my NaNoWriMo novel. It will be a sequel to my 13th Moon trilogy, called Spindle's End. The plot concerns the rise of Miss Trevelyan, Desmond Daggerheart's archnemesis. Miss Trevelyan aspires to rule the Pirate League, left leaderless since the untimely disappearance of the Pirate King. But first she needs a fortune in gold. Which is where my heroine, Foria Spindle, enters the picture. Or, rather, where her father enters it. He is an inventor, and he's created a machine that spins sunlight into gold. He will, of course, be kidnapped, held hostage, and possibly brainwashed. Foria and her brothers will set out on a perilous quest to rescue him. Along the way they will encounter pirates, shipwrecks and at least one murder plot. They will be helped by a collection of cool gadgets invented by their father, such as the Night Glass, which allows them to see in the dark.
I really, really can't wait to start writing this story!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Service Day
I don't know how I got up this morning. My head was all foggy, and my eyelids were all heavy, and I swear the covers kept trying to drag me back in. I really tried to be ready to go by 6:55, but if the sun's not up yet, I get stuck in slow mode, like walking through a swamp, and everything takes 3 times longer. I almost left home without my service bag, so I had to run back and get it, and then I finally pulled into the KH parking lot just as everyone else was about to drive away. But I just barely made it, and got a seat in Sister S's van.
We had a pretty good early morning group. Sister S. told us how her daughter got attacked last night at the hospital where she works, by a crazy man who tried to kill her. I am not making this up. He shoved her against the wall and choked her so she couldn't scream, and somehow broke her arm in the struggle. But she managed to escape (she must be one tough girl), and is apparently ok. Sister S. said, "I told her, 'Jehovah didn't make us stupid.' You better sue that man for trying to kill you, and sue the hospital for sending you in there. You've always wanted to pioneer - here's your chance."
Meanwhile, Art DeLisle (the ex military spy), got out at a bus stop and talked to a kid who'd just gotten out of jail, and was waiting for the bank to open. Apparently, when they lock you up they take your money, and write you a check when they let you out. So he was waiting to cash his check and take the bus back home to Gig Harbor, and in the mean time Art was able to show him the Bible Teach book. He ended up inviting the kid to go warm up at Starbucks (just down the street). It was very cold out, and the kid only had a tee-shirt. So Art bought him a cup of coffee, and was able to demonstrate a Bible study. The kid seemed very interested in the book, and said that he was Catholic but that he doesn't learn anything at church, because they don't even use the Bible. He gave Art his address and phone number, and it turns out he lives practically across the street from Art's house in Gig Harbor. So that was pretty cool.
As we continued on our way, I had a hard time staying awake in the van. I didn't buy any coffee at Starbucks because I am extremely broke. And so I put my sunglasses on and just kind of dozed in and out, when it wasn't my turn to get out. I felt sooo tired I didn't see how I was going to make it through the day, but I really needed to get in at least six hours.
Fortunately, I ended up going on studies with Shirley and Leslie. It was a nice break from door-to-door (although the weather was nice today). Next week, while Leslie's on vacation, I'm going to conduct two of her studies for her, so I'm pretty happy about that.
Not much more to report, other than that my parrot is trying to split my eardrums. He thinks its really funny to imitate the smoke alarm. It's not funny.
The End
We had a pretty good early morning group. Sister S. told us how her daughter got attacked last night at the hospital where she works, by a crazy man who tried to kill her. I am not making this up. He shoved her against the wall and choked her so she couldn't scream, and somehow broke her arm in the struggle. But she managed to escape (she must be one tough girl), and is apparently ok. Sister S. said, "I told her, 'Jehovah didn't make us stupid.' You better sue that man for trying to kill you, and sue the hospital for sending you in there. You've always wanted to pioneer - here's your chance."
Meanwhile, Art DeLisle (the ex military spy), got out at a bus stop and talked to a kid who'd just gotten out of jail, and was waiting for the bank to open. Apparently, when they lock you up they take your money, and write you a check when they let you out. So he was waiting to cash his check and take the bus back home to Gig Harbor, and in the mean time Art was able to show him the Bible Teach book. He ended up inviting the kid to go warm up at Starbucks (just down the street). It was very cold out, and the kid only had a tee-shirt. So Art bought him a cup of coffee, and was able to demonstrate a Bible study. The kid seemed very interested in the book, and said that he was Catholic but that he doesn't learn anything at church, because they don't even use the Bible. He gave Art his address and phone number, and it turns out he lives practically across the street from Art's house in Gig Harbor. So that was pretty cool.
As we continued on our way, I had a hard time staying awake in the van. I didn't buy any coffee at Starbucks because I am extremely broke. And so I put my sunglasses on and just kind of dozed in and out, when it wasn't my turn to get out. I felt sooo tired I didn't see how I was going to make it through the day, but I really needed to get in at least six hours.
Fortunately, I ended up going on studies with Shirley and Leslie. It was a nice break from door-to-door (although the weather was nice today). Next week, while Leslie's on vacation, I'm going to conduct two of her studies for her, so I'm pretty happy about that.
Not much more to report, other than that my parrot is trying to split my eardrums. He thinks its really funny to imitate the smoke alarm. It's not funny.
The End
Friday, October 3, 2008
Insomnia, Novels, etc.
So. The idea when I started this blog was to become one of those super-dedicated blogging types who do a post Every Day. The kind of people who are disciplined. They wake up extra early, make a cup of coffee, and sit down at the computer to write. I have always wanted to be one of those people, and be able to say casually in conversation, "I just can't sleep in, you know? If I didn't get up at 5:00, I'd just never get it all done!"
I really, really want to be like that, but mostly I just want to be a steady blogger. I want to be able to look back after a year and have a bunch of memories preserved. I just thought that would be cool, especially since this is my First Year of Marriage, and everything is all special and new, and I have this feeling inside like I'm not appreciating it enough. Like I'll look back in about 50 years and go, "What was it like? Why didn't I savor it more? Why was I such an idiot?"
I've been having trouble sleeping lately. I don't know why. I think I worry too much about stuff like money, and no health insurance, and how much time I waste doing stupid things, or nothing. Anyway it's been getting worse, the lack of sleep, over the past couple of weeks. Wednesday I just couldn't even get up for early morning service. There was no way. I had gone to bed very late, then woken up around 2 am, fallen asleep again around 5. When the alarm went off at 5:45 I felt like I was stuck under a cement truck. I just couldn't move.
So I took the day off. And then I took Thursday off, too, because whenever I thought of going places or talking to people, I wanted to cry. Being tird does that to me. So I told myself I would take naps (something very hard for me lately), and get a little caught up on sleep, but what I mostly got caught up on was laundry, window washing, etc. Also, I started reading through one of my old novels that I never finished. I want to do National Novel Writing Month this year. I really, really want to. I will never forget the winter of 2005, stuck at home with mono, all bored and tired and lonely. Every morning in November I woke up and started a new chapter of my book, The Thirteenth Moon. It was an amazing thing, to start a book and actually write it all the way through. I really, really loved it, and I want to do it again. It'll be different this year, though. I'll be getting up and going in service, coming home, getting some laundry going, etc. and then sitting down to write. I'm not sure if I can pull it off, but the challenge is part of the attraction.
And then, of course, I'll need some characters and a plot. But I can worry about that later.
Bye for now.
I really, really want to be like that, but mostly I just want to be a steady blogger. I want to be able to look back after a year and have a bunch of memories preserved. I just thought that would be cool, especially since this is my First Year of Marriage, and everything is all special and new, and I have this feeling inside like I'm not appreciating it enough. Like I'll look back in about 50 years and go, "What was it like? Why didn't I savor it more? Why was I such an idiot?"
I've been having trouble sleeping lately. I don't know why. I think I worry too much about stuff like money, and no health insurance, and how much time I waste doing stupid things, or nothing. Anyway it's been getting worse, the lack of sleep, over the past couple of weeks. Wednesday I just couldn't even get up for early morning service. There was no way. I had gone to bed very late, then woken up around 2 am, fallen asleep again around 5. When the alarm went off at 5:45 I felt like I was stuck under a cement truck. I just couldn't move.
So I took the day off. And then I took Thursday off, too, because whenever I thought of going places or talking to people, I wanted to cry. Being tird does that to me. So I told myself I would take naps (something very hard for me lately), and get a little caught up on sleep, but what I mostly got caught up on was laundry, window washing, etc. Also, I started reading through one of my old novels that I never finished. I want to do National Novel Writing Month this year. I really, really want to. I will never forget the winter of 2005, stuck at home with mono, all bored and tired and lonely. Every morning in November I woke up and started a new chapter of my book, The Thirteenth Moon. It was an amazing thing, to start a book and actually write it all the way through. I really, really loved it, and I want to do it again. It'll be different this year, though. I'll be getting up and going in service, coming home, getting some laundry going, etc. and then sitting down to write. I'm not sure if I can pull it off, but the challenge is part of the attraction.
And then, of course, I'll need some characters and a plot. But I can worry about that later.
Bye for now.
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