Skip to main content

Lady Wynwood #7 early release Kickstarter

I worked on my first Kickstarter and it got approved! It’s for the Special Edition Hardcover of Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 1: Archer and the release of Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 7: Spinster. I contacted my graphic designer about the Special Edition Hardcover of vol. 1: Archer—it’s going to be SO beautiful! The Kickstarter focuses on the Special Edition Hardcover, but it’ll also include vol. 7: Spinster so that it’ll sort of be like a launch day for vol. 7, too. A third special thing that’ll be in the Kickstarter is Special Edition Paperbacks of all the books in the series. They won’t be available in stores, just in the Kickstarter (and later, from my website, and also in my Patreon book box tiers if I decide to do them). The Kickstarter is not live yet, but you can follow it to be alerted when it has launched. (You may need to create a free Kickstarter account.) Follow Camy’s Kickstarter

CWO -- Seeds

Captain’s Log, Stardate 11.07.2006

Blog book giveaway:
To enter, go to the blog links below and post a comment there.
My Thursday book giveaway is Coldwater Revival by Nancy Jo Jenkins.
My Monday book giveaway is Lost in Nashvegas by Rachel Hauck.
You can still enter both giveaways. On Thursday, I'll draw the winner for the Coldwater Creek and post the title for another book I'm giving away.

Win an iPod Nano! Exclusively for my newsletter YahooGroup subscribers, I have a huge contest running until January 31st! Get more info on my contest page!
Click here to join Camys_Loft
Click to join Camys_Loft




Check out Christian Women Online (click on the button above) to see what other women are blogging about this quote:

"Just as an inferno begins with but a spark, a field grows vast and plentiful from the sprinkling of seeds"
~ Stephanie Fries ~
Steph's Poetry Corner


I've been doing youth group work for about 10 or 11 years now, I can't quite remember. The kids have probably sucked out all my brain cells by now.

When I first got interested in youth group, it wasn't some huge "calling" that stopped me in my tracks. It was the fact I sucked at Sunday School and wanted to serve at my church in some way.

At the time, my church had a full music crew and ran on oiled wheels. The only places open were Sunday School teachers, and I was terrible with kids. So I thought, well, what about youth work?

My friend's friend's church had a need for youth group workers, so I visited one day. And immediately I clicked with a group of junior high school girls who somehow thought I was cool.

It was then I actually felt the calling. I realized how much I enjoyed this work and could feel God's pleasure when I worked with the kids.

Not all the time. As different groups of kids came and went, we had a full range of personalities and spiritual maturities. Some days I really wanted to strangle them all. Other days, I was just tired.

I kept at it, because I knew this was what God wanted for me. No matter how bratty, whiney, stubborn, rebellious, melodramatic, sullen, frustrated, or confused they were, I stuck with it. (They're teens and pre-teens—can we say hormones???)

It wasn't until that first group of junior high girls had grown up, graduated high school, and gone off that I realized what those trying years were for.

Some of the girls went off to their own thing—other friends, other lifestyles, slowly phasing God out of their lives.

But some of them went on to colleges. To new cities. To new churches. To leadership in those churches. To missionary work across the ocean.

I thought I was just pitching seeds and they were raining on nothing. But all God needed was one seed in each precious heart. He grew them. He used us to water them. He transplanted those plants and they're flourishing in other places, doing His will.

People in Japan whom I have never met have heard the gospel because God used me to plant a seed and water it in one of those junior high girls. That just floors me. I feel so insignificant and yet elevated at the same time.

God uses all of us. He demands faithfulness—even in the face of bratty, whiney, stubborn, hormonal teens—so He can use us.

God, use me more.

Although if You could make them a little less hormonal . . .

TMI:

Bible in 90 Days: Day 9. I think the whole thing about faithfulness has struck me because I'm reading Numbers (and may I say, I'm totally stoked it only took me two days to get through Leviticus).

Those ritual sacrifices and those laws reflected God's holiness, so they demanded perfect faithfulness. Because of the covering of Christ's blood, I think I take the whole issue of holiness too lightly because I never had to spill blood to achieve it.

I am more aware of God's holiness, and I desire to give Him more perfect faithfulness. The day in, day out service. It might feel like drudgery some days, but seeds can grow from that.

Writing: I'm still working on plotting this darn thing. No more words yet. Please pray for some supernatural writers duct tape for all these darn holes.

Diet: I exercised yesterday! I want to exercise every day the rest of this week. Still can't shake this cough, though. But it's starting to get better. Why is it always the cough that lingers for weeks after a cold?

Comments

Miriam Pauline said…
God Bless youth workers. I had a solid family heritage leading me to faith, but it was my youth workers I looked to for guidance more than anyone else. Maybe I need to look one of them up and encourage him with how his seeds have grown in my life? Well done for watering those seeds in hormonal ground.
Anonymous said…
I laugh because here I am 48 feeling all those same hormones raging! They aren't exclusively for the teens I fear! And like those kids I have whined and fussed but a seed does grow in my heart! I think you have a special talent to work with the youth. I find them very difficult to communicate with. I am still looking for where I am supposed to be spreading my seeds. Wonderful posting!
Ame said…
hehehehehe ... i wish He would make ME a little less hormonal sometimes, too!!!!! :)

that's awesome ... God is SO good to allow you the privalege to see your seeds grow and bloom! you're doing a great work trudging thru those hormones and loving those kids :)
Anonymous said…
Hi Camy,

Haven't visited in a while. I sure like stopping in here for a smile. Hope you are well!! See you soon. Lynn
Anonymous said…
guess what! i got my letter in the mail today that i got accepted to grad school!!! thanks so much for your prayers. now i must just pass this final semester......
Thanks for sharing this Camy - and I totally see why they thought you were cool;-)

I'm supposed to be writing...
Deborah:
Contrats on Grad School! That is amazing!

Camy - I exercised today too. With writing, my schedule gets so hectic it's hard to make time...

Tina
Pfingston said…
Lev and Numb . . . hhmmmm . . . only two days to get through Lev? eh? Cool.

You go girl!
Anonymous said…
Camy, that floors me too how many seeds grow from one. Awesome!

I exercised today and I've been doing it for a few days. I got an ipod, and I listen to worship music while I walk the treadmill. I feel so refreshed when I'm done!

Popular Posts

Camille's Writing Progress

Join my newsletter to get regular updates in your inbox!

Tabi socks, part deux

Captain's Log, Stardate 07.25.2008 (If you're on Ravelry, friend me! I'm camytang.) I made tabi socks again! (At the bottom of the pattern is the calculation for the toe split if you're not using the same weight yarn that I did for this pattern (fingering). I also give an example from when I used worsted weight yarn with this pattern.) I used Opal yarn, Petticoat colorway. It’s a finer yarn than my last pair of tabi socks, so I altered the pattern a bit. Okay, so here’s my first foray into giving a knitting pattern. Camy’s top-down Tabi Socks I’m assuming you already know the basics of knitting socks. If you’re a beginner, here are some great tutorials: Socks 101 How to Knit Socks The Sock Knitter’s Companion A video of turning the heel Sock Knitting Tips Yarn: I have used both fingering weight and worsted weight yarn with this pattern. You just change the number of cast on stitches according to your gauge and the circumference of your ankle. Th

Toilet seat cover

Captain’s Log, Supplemental Update August 2008: I wrote up the pattern for this with "improvements"! Here's the link to my No Cold Bums toilet seat cover ! Okay, remember a few days ago I was complaining about the cold toilet seat in my bathroom? Well, I decided to knit a seat cover. Not a lid cover, but a seat cover. I went online and couldn’t find anything for the seat, just one pattern for the lid by Feminitz.com . However, I took her pattern for the inside edge of the lid cover and modified it to make a seat cover. Here it is! It’s really ugly stitch-wise because originally I made it too small and had to extend it a couple inches on each side. I figured I’d be the one staring at it, so who cared if the extension wasn’t perfectly invisible? I used acrylic yarn since, well, that’s what I had, and also because it’s easy to wash. I’ll probably have to wash this cover every week or so, but it’s easy to take off—I made ties which you can see near the back of the seat. And

One-Skein Pyrenees Scarf knitting pattern

I got into using antique patterns when I was making the scarf my hero wears in my Regency romance, The Spinster’s Christmas . I wanted to do another pattern which I think was in use in the Regency period, the Pyrenees Knit Scarf on pages 36-38 of The Lady's Assistant for Executing Useful and Fancy Designs in Knitting, Netting, and Crochet Work, volume 1, by Jane Gaugain, published in 1840. She is thought to be the first person to use knitting abbreviations, at least in a published book, although they are not the same abbreviations used today (our modern abbreviations were standardized by Weldon’s Practical Needlework in 1906). Since the book is out of copyright, you can download a free PDF copy of the book at Archive.org. I found this to be a fascinating look at knitting around the time of Jane Austen’s later years. Although the book was published in 1840, many of the patterns were in use and passed down by word of mouth many years before that, so it’s possible these are

No Cold Bums toilet seat cover

Captain's Log, Stardate 08.22.2008 I actually wrote out my pattern! I was getting a lot of hits on my infamous toilet seat cover , and I wanted to make a new one with “improvements,” so I paid attention and wrote things down as I made the new one. This was originally based off the Potty Mouth toilet cover , but I altered it to fit over the seat instead of the lid. Yarn: any worsted weight yarn, about 120 yards (this is a really tight number, I used exactly 118 yards. My suggestion is to make sure you have about 130 yards.) I suggest using acrylic yarn because you’re going to be washing this often. Needle: I used US 8, but you can use whatever needle size is recommended by the yarn you’re using. Gauge: Not that important. Mine was 4 sts/1 inch in garter stitch. 6 buttons (I used some leftover shell buttons I had in my stash) tapestry needle Crochet hook (optional) Cover: Using a provisional cast on, cast on 12 stitches. Work in garter st until liner measures

Camy’s Worsted Cotton Comfortable Skirt with Lace Edging knitting pattern

I made my original Comfortable Cotton Skirt with a simple eyelet round at the bottom, but this one has a simple antique garter stitch lace edging, “Edging to Trim the Body and Sleeves” on page 43 of the book New Guide to Knitting and Crochet , published in 1847. You can download a free ebook copy of the book here . The edging was originally to trim a Baby’s Knit Body, but I have no idea what that is. :P If you do, please do leave a comment. I also changed the hip increases to 4 distinct darts rather than 8 sections, but if you prefer the hip increases from my original Comfortable Cotton skirt, you can substitute that. Like the original Comfortable skirt, this one is cotton for summer, and loose for casual wear. It has a little positive ease and is only slightly flared. The waist is drawstring rather than elastic so that I can loosen it on my fat days or after pigging out at my favorite restaurant. This pattern/recipe is for my size, but there are instructions at the bottom for

Gerard's scarf & Prelude winners!

I finished Gerard’s scarf! It’s lovely and squishy. Here’s the link to my Ravelry project page if you’re interested. And the winners are: The winner of Gerard’s scarf and a copy of Prelude for a Lord is: Cathy B. (Oklahoma) The winners of a copy of Prelude for a Lord are: Cora B. (Ohio) DeVorah B. (Georgia) Breanna D. (California) Deidre D. (Georgia) Carol G. (Oklahoma) Janka H. (Slovakia) Deborah K. (Virginia) Cheri O. (Kentucky) Sara W. (Virginia) Joan W. (Florida) Congratulations! I’ve emailed you. If you didn’t receive my email, or if I didn’t respond to YOUR reply, please contact me through my website , Facebook , or Twitter . My email has been a bit wonky lately. I know that the rest of you are crying into your Regency White Soup that you didn’t win. Cheer up and buy the book! Buy links are below. Buy print book: Amazon Barnes and Noble Christianbook.com Buy ebook: Kindle iBooks Kobo Nookbook Christianbook.com Prelude for a Lord

Lady Wynwood #7 early release Kickstarter

I worked on my first Kickstarter and it got approved! It’s for the Special Edition Hardcover of Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 1: Archer and the release of Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 7: Spinster. I contacted my graphic designer about the Special Edition Hardcover of vol. 1: Archer—it’s going to be SO beautiful! The Kickstarter focuses on the Special Edition Hardcover, but it’ll also include vol. 7: Spinster so that it’ll sort of be like a launch day for vol. 7, too. A third special thing that’ll be in the Kickstarter is Special Edition Paperbacks of all the books in the series. They won’t be available in stores, just in the Kickstarter (and later, from my website, and also in my Patreon book box tiers if I decide to do them). The Kickstarter is not live yet, but you can follow it to be alerted when it has launched. (You may need to create a free Kickstarter account.) Follow Camy’s Kickstarter

The Robe by Wes King

Captain’s Log, Stardate 01.07.2006 I’ve been developing the spiritual theme for this current project for a while, and I think I’ve finally nailed it down. This song has inspired me in my own walk, but then it occurred to me that it communicates the emotional theme for my WIP very well, too. The Robe by Wes King Anyone whose heart is cold and lonely Anyone who can't believe Anyone whose hands are worn and empty Come as you are Anyone whose feet are tired of walking And even lost their will to run There is a place of rest for your aching soul Come as you are For the robe is of God That will clothe your nakedness And the robe is His grace It's all you need Come as you are Anyone who feels that they're unworthy Anyone whose just afraid Come sinner, come and receive His mercy Come as you are For the robe is of God That will clothe your nakedness And the robe is His grace It's all you need Come as you are From the album: The Robe c1993 Emily Boothe, Inc. (BMI)/Careers-BMG Mus

A List of my Free Blog Reads

Curious about what my writing is like? Here’s a list of all my free books and the free short stories, novellas, and novels that you can read here on my blog. I’ll update this post as I add more free reads. Christian Humorous Romantic Suspense: Year of the Dog (Warubozu Spa Chronicles series, Prequel novel) (Currently being posted monthly on my blog as a serial novel) Marisol Mutou, a professional dog trainer, finally has a chance to buy a facility for her business, but her world is upended when she must move in with her disapproving family, who have always made her feel inadequate. When she stumbles upon a three-year-old missing persons case, security expert Ashwin Keitou, whose car she accidentally rear-ended a few weeks earlier, is tasked with protecting her. However, danger begins to circle around them from people who want the past to remain there. Can they shed light on the secrets moving in the shadows? Christian Romantic Suspense: Necessary Proof (Sonoma series #4.1, n