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What I'm writing in YEAR OF THE DOG

I just finished writing Year of the Dog ! It had a massive plot hole that I had to fix which turned out to be more work than I expected. Here’s a snippet: “Hey, Auntie Nell.” He wrapped his arms around her, bussing her on the cheek and breathing in pikake flowers and shortbread cookies. And suddenly he was nine years old again, and her solid presence had made his chaotic world stable once more. “What are you doing here?” He usually took her to dinner on Wednesday nights, but today was Tuesday. The edges of her smile faltered a little before brightening right back up again. “What, I can’t visit my nephew?” She angled around him to enter his home. “Is this your new house? Looks lovely.” Which was a blatant lie, because the fixer-upper was barely livable, much less acceptable to a neat-freak like his aunt. She also left four matching pink and purple floral suitcases on the stoop behind her. Only then did Ashwin notice the cab driver standing slightly to the side of the walkway. “Can ...
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You are uniquely shaped for serving God

Captain's Log, Stardate 12.20.2005

1 Peter 4:10 (LB): God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to other God's many kinds of blessings.

What abilities do you have? Rick Warren divides them into:

1) Spiritual Gifts--Holy Spirit-given, supernatural abilities.

2) Passion--the areas that move you

3) Abilities--God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. Everyone has something to offer. Every ability can be used for God's glory.

What I'm able to do, God wants me to do. You are the only person on earth who can use your abilities. No one else can play your role, because they don't have the unique shape (and experiences) that God has given you. The Bible says that God equips you with all you need for doing his will.

4) Personality--coupled with your abilities, it enables you to express yourself in different ways from anyone else.

5) Experiences--family, educational, vocational, spiritual, ministry, and PAINFUL. Share yourself so that God can use you to bless others.

First Novel Journey:
Gina Holmes interviews romance writer Jill Stengl tomorrow, Wednesday December 21st.

Special prayer:
Lord, please heal Mike quickly from his flu. Please help him to rest and recover. Please ease his suffering and help him feel better. Please give Dineen energy, peace and patience for all the things she needs to do without him this week.
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Comments

Unknown said…
Okay, all of you who know me personally will get a HUGE kick out of this story....

My church did an "assesment" of the congregation's spiritual gifts. What, you may be asking, was mine? Sit down. Get this. According to the little questionaire thing and what the church staff members filled out for each member, I'm an.....wait...here it comes (guaranteed to give you a good laugh)...

AN EDIFIER...AN ENCOURAGER

Me? LOLOLOLOL

Anyway, you're so right, Camy...each person is called to use THEIR spiritual gifts in the way God directs them!

Additionally, I'm sending up prayers for Mike's healing as well! And special prayers for Dineen and her lovely SIXTEEN year old daughter! EGADS!
Wed Dec 21, 07:43:00 AM 2005
Ronie Kendig said…
What a great post. Thanks, Camy! It's good to be reminded in light of certain things...called rejection letters...that we are called to be what/who God created us to be.

Also - thanks for the prayer you said for my family on Sunday.
Wed Dec 21, 07:57:00 AM 2005
Heather Diane Tipton said…
great post Camy! That is so good. I love that.

Praying for Mike and Neen too.
Wed Dec 21, 10:43:00 AM 2005
Malia Spencer said…
Ooo great blog! I had to take a spiritual gifts test a few years ago. I wonder what they would be now? Then my top two were leadership and pastor/
shepherd! LOL Of course that's when I was still in leadership with the kids. I miss them but I think I'm where I'm supposed to be for the moment. :)
Wed Dec 21, 01:46:00 PM 2005
Paula said…
Good thoughts. Thanks. Goes with some stuff I've been chewing on today.
Wed Dec 21, 03:52:00 PM 2005
Dineen A. Miller said…
Oh, God bless you, Camy! Thanks for the prayers. Thank you, everyone! Wow, I'm so blessed.

Mike is doing much better already, praise God! I'm hanging in there. Making intentional acts of relaxation. I know that sounds weird, but it's the only way I can relax. LOL!

As for gifts, well, I took it once a long time ago. Mine were discernment, wisdom and prophecy. LOL! I wonder what it would say now.
Wed Dec 21, 07:21:00 PM 2005
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