Petals from the Basket

Blog

The Real Me

[This post is a little lengthy – but bear with me and please read it in its entirety. As always, feel free to leave a comment.]

My first post on this new site explained that soon I will be moving. Where? I don’t know. To do what? I don’t know. But I know I’m moving. It is what it is. And what it is, is a part of God’s plan for my life.

So, of course, the natural reaction to searching for an unknown job in an unknown location was to start a blog, right? 🙂

Actually,  I took the time each evening these past ten days to set up this site with the eventual goal of offering “virtual” services – a suggestion from my friend Cindy to help me financially through this transition time with an unknown ending date. In perusing the internet for information on how to begin such a task, I was directed (again, by Cindy) to a site called Blogging with Amy. It’s been tremendously helpful, and I will continue to follow the wise advice and clear direction from an experienced professional.

Side note: Some of the services I plan to offer are virtual researching and writing for print and digital advertising and websites, virtual proofreading, virtual event planning, and even virtual “brainstorming!”  (A virtual assistant works via technology, thereby saving the employer the cost of benefits, office space, and much more that I won’t take time to go into right now.)

One frequently-recommended step in the process of letting people know about the services you offer as a virtual assistant is to start a blog. Well, you don’t have to tell me that part twice! I love to write, and was thankful to be “forced” to do what I enjoy the most!

So I did what bloggers do. New ones, that is. I blogged. And then I blogged again the next day. And then I added “advertising” to help with my blog. And in a few short days even I was tired of reading my blog.

Enter John Boy Walton.

I jokingly posted a Facebook status this week stating that I was taking a break from the employment search to watch an old rerun of The Waltons to find out “WWJBD” – “What Would John Boy Do?” Funny thing is, during my “mindless break” of tv watching, I actually was reminded of something from the ever-passionate writer, John Boy Walton: “Write about what you know best.” So that is what I plan to do.

In the book I’ve been consumed with lately, I have realized that it compels me to its pages because the author is writing the book WHILE he is going through the trial – there is hope on every page turn. His focus was not the trial, nor will mine be. His focus was on the One Who walks with us through our trials. My focus will be the same.

So prepare to walk with me through the lessons, both exciting and painful, that I learn as I, at the age of 51, seek employment, housing, and the ability to wait in faith for both. Then walk with me as I keep moving forward and learn more of the One Who led me all the way! Yes, I’ll still encourage you to buy books – LOTS of books – because I love to read – LOTS! Yes, as long you’re going to purchase a new book, I won’t mind being compensated at the same time. And yes, I’ll still provide links for you to purchase my parents’ and my newly-formatted and soon-to-be-available ebooks. But “merchandising” will not be my goal.

I’m excited for the journey and thankful that my friends and family will be walking alongside me. So, I guess there’s really only one thing left to say:

“Goodnight, John Boy.”

By Petals from the Basket | March 31, 2012 | Books, Ebooks, Friends, Ideas, Life Changes, Uncategorized |

My Little World-Wide “Community”

So, where are you from?” The question I least like to hear when meeting someone new.

My dislike doesn’t come from any shame of the past, nor from some hidden desire to have lived in and conquered a huge city, or even from having to try to pronounce – let alone, spell! – some of the towns in which I’ve lived. It comes from the fact that I have numerous towns which I have called home, and yet I have not had long-term stays in any of them. It’s difficult to explain in a simple reply.

While I’ve always longed for “permanence,” I have not known that – even as an adult. I have come to see that my desire to experience and learn new things either came from my moving to new places, or my moving to new places came from my desire to experience and learn new things. Growing “stale” is not an option for me – and I hope it never will be. If that includes buying new address labels now and then, then so be it.

Enter Facebook. I’ve heard many jokes about it. I’ve seen the obsession that can occur. I’ve seen the ups and the downs of it. My niece Jillian first introduced me to it while she was a college student. “You’d LOVE it,” she said. It sounded fun, but I compared it to other sites known for their “stalkers,” bad advertisements, and security issues. So I stayed away.

A few years later my friend Anna told me about the security of the site – I choose WHO sees what I post and who DOESN’T see what I post – and I choose WHAT they see, as well – and I thought, “Fine, I’ll give it a try. But I won’t be one of those Facebook-obsessed people.” As is the case with the majority of Facebook users, I became hooked – instantly. Yes, I became obsessed, and yes, I spent WAY too much time logged in – looking at pictures, posting pictures, chatting, etc. But, as with most things, it became balanced and found it’s proper place in the scope of daily life, and I now limit myself to not greater than 15 minutes per day, total time.

Years have now passed since I first logged in, and I am trying to convince my brother to “join the Facebook family.” He recently gave me all the excuses I once gave to both Jillian and Anna. But when replying to his question, “What makes Facebook so special?”, it hit me why it is that I actually look forward to my daily dose of Facebook. People I hadn’t seen or even heard from for years – people from ALL of my communities, are on Facebook. It’s my “unchanging” community. All in one place. I can come and go as I please – and all these friends are there. They are only a mouse-click away.

So, in the midst of the recent “purge-your-friend-list” craze, I have chosen not to “de-clutter” my Facebook friend list. My friends don’t have to “write on my wall,” “Inbox me,” or even “tag me” in any of their old pictures (in fact, I’m probably glad they DON’T tag me in the old ones). They are my one consistent, ever-growing, ever-changing, ever progressing community! I accepted their friendship or requested their friendship because at some point along my journey, they were a part of it . . . and on Facebook, they still are.

This is a repost of a note I posted on Facebook 2/5/11.

By Petals from the Basket | March 31, 2012 | Friends |

Highlight Me Happy

A few days ago I wrote about a new book I’m reading, Off Script: What to Do When God Rewrites Your Life, and how much I am enjoying it and learning from it. The thing I didn’t confess you at that time is this:

“My name is Brenda, and I have an obsession with underlining and highlighting in books.” (Now you say, “Hi, Brenda.”) It’s so bad that, more often than not, it would be easier if I would just highlight the few sentences that I don’t feel the need to reference in the future!

Though I love, and often use, the underlining and highlighting features on my Kindle (in fact I love reviewing my highlighted items via my phone when I need a little “quotable reminder” during the day), there is just something about a colorful highlighter gliding its way over the top of the written page. It seems to make those words look extra memorable – as if they were clothed in their colorful Sunday best!

Several years ago, my friend Ellen introduced me to Precept Ministries – using Kay Arthur’s inductive Bible study method. Not only is this a wonderful way to study God’s Word, it’s a highlighter’s paradise! (Kay Arthur seems to have the same color-coding, labeling, organizing gene that I have!) My frustration through the years has been finding a good highlighter set for my Bible. For awhile I used the crayon-like Bible highlighters available at most Christian bookstores – they’re okay, but not great.

But now . . . drum roll, please . . . I use Crayola Twistables Colored Pencils! The color options are numerous, and the ease of use is incomparable. I have had no problem with their bleeding through the page, smearing, or rubbing off. I got mine through Amazon so I could get the 30-count set for the same price as the 12-count set at a local store – and I purchased them with other items so the shipping was free. I use them in my Bible and in just about every book I read! I’m never turning back to my old ways!

Anyhow – just a little “highlighting” tip from your underlining “stylist!” 🙂

I’d love to hear of other highlighting tools you’ve found to be useful. Feel free to leave a comment!

 

Disclosure: I am compensated for purchases made using the links on this site.

By Petals from the Basket | March 29, 2012 | Bible Reading, Books, Ideas, Organization |

Let’s Take a Praise . . . Post!

“Af-tare-NOON, mum Brenda!”

While on a brief trip to a small Christian college in the Philippines several years ago, this greeting would warm my heart each afternoon. {If only I could write the accent for you as clearly as I can recall it in my memory…!} The Filipino girls I met and worked with those few days taught me lifelong lessons about my walk with God – contentment (in the midst of loneliness), gratitude (in the midst of poverty), joy (in the midst of great struggle), and perhaps most importantly, true praise.

My new friends “Bing-Bing” and Josie took me on a walk one afternoon, and introduced me to something that was not original with them, but that was brand new to me. “Mum Brenda, would you like to make this a praise walk?” I confessed that I did not know what one was, but that it sounded like a great thing. So, in the midst of a city boasting of beautiful palatial hotels on one side of the street, contrasted on the other side by literal shanties that were held up by wooden poles in the muddy waters of the South China Sea, I learned to take a praise walk!

It’s simple. Using the first letter of the alphabet, the first walker gives a name, attribute, or character quality of God. “‘A’ – God is ALMIGHTY!” The next walker responds with “‘B’ – He is my Beloved!” “‘C’ – He is the Creator!” . . . and so on! You’ll find that the first few times you do this, you will be working very hard just to come up with great words, but the more you do it, the more the significance of those names and descriptions will work its way into your heart!

Don’t limit yourself to thinking you can only do this on a walk. My sister Karen and her children used to do this together in the car. I recently discovered that I can make it through the entire alphabet from my house to Costco! And, best of all, in the “night watches,” when my watch is not moving fast enough as my mind is plodding its way through the memory of yesterday or jumping ahead to the cares of tomorrow, I can find a peaceful rest in reminding myself of the incredible attributes of my amazing God!

So feel free to take a praise walk, a praise rest, a praise sit, or even a praise ride. How much more peaceful the ride to school would be each morning if cars were filled with children and parents not squabbling, but instead, taking a “praise ride” together!

Let’s give it a try right now – and then, you’re on your own! (Try to come up with new ones each time!)

God is: my All-in-All; my Blessed Hope; Compassionate; my Deliverer; Emmanuel; the Fountain of Living Waters; my Guide; my Helper; the Image of the Invisible God; Jehovah-Jireh; my Keeper; the Lamb of God; Merciful; Near; the Only Wise God; the Potter; the Quietness within my Soul; my Rock; my Strength; my Teacher; Upright; the Vine; Wise; eXcellent in all He Does(!); Yesterday, Today, and Forever the Same; and therefore, He is the Zeal of my Heart!

On those afternoon walks near the South China Sea, I would hear those dear girls speak these words almost reverently, in true wonder at how awesome God really is – and then it made sense why they (and we) can experience contentment in the midst of loneliness, gratitude in the midst of poverty, and joy in the midst of great struggle! He is GOD!

If you get a minute, leave me a comment to let me know how, with whom, and where you chose to praise Him in this way! I’m always up for new ideas!

By Petals from the Basket | March 29, 2012 | Friends, Ideas |

At the Top of the Basket

UPDATED with WORKING LINKS! (Yes, I’m clearly a work in progress!)

In my bedroom is an old faded country blue recliner. I won’t lie to you – it’s ugly. However, my sister gave it to me a few years ago (it had been given to her), and it’s quite honestly the most comfortable chair I’ve ever owned. So I don’t try to hide it in a back corner or try to disguise it with an ill-fitting chair cover, I just let it sit there in all it’s tiny-flower-accented, light-country-blue ugliness!

Sitting in contrast next to that ugly chair is a beautiful basket literally filled with books. These are the ones I’ve read most recently and want to keep nearby for reference or for their underlined quotations that will enhance my early-morning “God and I Time.” On top of the stack is usually the book I’m reading at the moment. For those of you who are readers, you will understand when I say that it greets me as I enter the room and seemingly calls my name, inviting me to spend time in its pages! (Which I do – while sitting cozily in my ugly chair!)

Two very dear friends recommended the book currently claiming its rightful place on the top of the basket. Because I was intrigued by their almost over-the-top insistence that I read it, I gave in and purchased the book. I soon understood their passion for its relevance. I was touched by the first chapter, a first-hand recalling of the author’s real-time, real-life  journey through the valley of cancer. Its truths were transparent and I found myself drawn into walking with the writer and his family on his OFF SCRIPT experience. He carefully wove into each page the Scriptures he had come to love and learn about firsthand.

Then, as I began the third chapter one week into my “this-is-a-really-good-book” reading, my own life went OFF SCRIPT – not through cancer, but still very much off-script – and the pages took on an entirely new depth of meaning! Therefore, this is the first book I’m choosing to tell you about on this site. I would strongly recommend this book to everyone. Literally – everyone.

Off Script: What to Do When God Rewrites Your Life

Each of us has faced a situation at some point that led us down an unchosen path. Yet trusting God’s hand and knowing Him more is the focus of this well-written book. The truths of this book will guide you through your own off-script experiences and will help you as you comfort and counsel others. (I even ordered the Kindle version
to carry with me in my purse!) The encouraging Scriptures that are used and the God-focused lessons shared are worth every penny! A must read . . . straight from the top of my basket!

Disclosure: I am compensated for purchases made using the links on this site.

By Petals from the Basket | March 27, 2012 | Books, Life Changes |