The kids at church just got back from a youth retreat called Winter Vision, and one thing they got out of the retreat was the concept of how each of us is a teacup. The red plastic cups used for parties is disposable. Coffee mugs are a little better than those plastic cups, but they seem to breed in my cabinet like rabbits, and also they’re “common,” they’re not anything special. Teacups, on the other hand, like the fancy ones in your mom’s china cabinet which you’re not supposed to touch, are precious and protected. We are each teacups—precious and protected by God. I thought it was a great way to think of ourselves. But I want to go one step further. Yes, teacups are precious and protected, but they also should be used. If they’re just on display, they’re of no use to anyone. Instead, people are using their common coffee mugs rather than the beautiful teacups. And yes, I do think it tastes better if it’s drunk from a fancy teacup. For my birthday, my mom had shipped to me t...

I’m on the Girls, God, and the Good Life blog today chatting about how I use social media versus how my high school kids at church use social media. Be sure to visit the blog post and weigh in!

I was on the Girls, God, and the Good Life blog yesterday with a link to a very interesting article and an unofficial poll: Camy here! I came across this article in Publisher’s Weekly today about a study that showed 55% of YA Books are bought by adults . I thought that was interesting, although not really surprising. Click here to read the rest of my blog post and join the discussion! What do you think about the results of this study?

I am in the middle of Mockingjay so if you’ve already read it, PLEASE don’t spoil it for me. But for what it’s worth, here is a thought that came to me yesterday: In The Hunger Games (book one), Peeta doesn’t actually know that much about Katniss because he never spoke to her much before the games, yet he said he’s in love with her. That’s not really love. I know, all you bleeding romantics will be complaining. But it’s true. How can you love someone when you don’t know them? That’s not love, that’s attraction. Or infatuation, which starts going into stalker category. (Yes, I know Peeta’s not a stalker.) Infatuation doesn’t live long in the real world when you realize how different the two of you are, or when you see him pick his nose while farting. Infatuation can grow into love, but I don’t think someone should say they love you if they hardly KNOW you. If someone says they love you, it should mean they know you, your good side AND your faults, and they love you anyway. Th...

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But I think this is hilarious! I got this from a friend on Facebook.

My friend Sarah went to see The Hunger Games with her daughter on opening night, but how about any of you? Who’s seen the movie? Read the books? I admit I only read the books when I heard all the hype about it, and I really like the first book. The social commentary was so fascinating. But I’m in the middle of Catching Fire and must admit I’m not as enthralled. I’ll probably get slammed for saying this, but I don’t really see what’s so heroic about Gale that she loves him so much. He actually seems a bit selfish much of the time. As girls, we shouldn’t just fall in love with any guy who seems halfway interested. Even if he’s madly in love with you, look at his heart. Is he heroic ? Does he show the kinds of qualities God would admire? And I’m not talking piety . That’s totally different from heroism . He should put God first and you second. He shouldn’t be a doormat, instead he should help you do the right thing even if it’s painful for him and for you. I think that’s heroism....

Captain’s Log, Stardate 10.27.2011 I’m over at the Girls, God, and the Good Life blog with something a bit less serious (like that’s a surprise) about a secret I learned relating to my work efficiency and concentration .

I'm over at the Girls, God, and the Good Life blog today with "A word for the school year": Camy here! Most of you are probably getting excited about going back to school, since you’ll see all your friends and get back into your sports and clubs. But as you’re preparing to reenter the world of homework, team practices, and club meetings, also consider how God can use you this coming school year. Click here to read the rest of my blog post and join the conversation!

I'm over at Girls, God, and the Good Life today: Camy here! Thanks so much for praying for me a couple weeks ago. I finished my manuscript on time and thought it turned out rather well, if I do say so myself. :) While I was writing, I totally could feel the prayers of people for me. I don’t know how to explain it. I just knew people were praying. I really felt God’s supernatural power working in me to help me get my book done. Read the rest at http://girlsgodgoodlife.blogspot.com/2011/07/prayer-and-incense.html Come join me!

I'm over at the Girls, God, and the Good Life blog today with some random thoughts on healthy living while on vacation: I’m going on vacation and I’ll turn into a blimp! Camy here! And that’s exactly what I was fearing the weeks before my vacation. I’m sure at least some of you can relate, yes? Click here to read how God has been helping me!

I'm at the Girls, God, and the Good Life blog today about my weekend adventure! Camy here, just back from the Estes Park Wool Mart! It’s a sheep and wool festival held in Estes Park, Colorado, and I had a blast! Click here to read the rest!

Join me over at Girls, God, and the Good Life blog to witness my descent into madness! Camy here, and I am so excited about running! No, I do not need a psych eval (although my husband would probably disagree just on general principle). Click here to read the rest and tell me how crazy I am.

Captain's Log, Stardate 04.28.2010 I blogged yesterday at Girls, God, and the Good Life about (what else?) food: Camy here! And yes, I realized I just posted about marshmallows and now I’m posting about Teddy Grahams. What can I say, I’m on a food kick. (Come to think of it, when am I not on a food kick?) Click here to read the rest and weigh in!

Captain’s Log, Stardate 04.14.2010 I’m at Girls, God, and the Good Life today talking about—what else?—food: Camy here with yet another really random and not very spiritual post. But you all love me anyway, right? Right??? Anyway, I’ve been on a marshmallow kick since Easter. It’s all the fault of those darn Peeps. I love them. I love biting their heads off. (There’s some deep psychological meaning behind that, but I’m going to ignore that.) Click here to read the rest and weigh in!

Captain's Log, Stardate 03.27.2010 I'm over at Girls, God, and the Good Life blog today: Camy here! I have a special shelf next to my bed that I put my books-in-progress on (although that might be misleading because I don’t often read more than one book at a time). Right now I just finished Betty Neels, A GIRL NAMED ROSE . It’s a really cute, sweet romance and I love practically all of Betty Neels’ books. Click here to read the rest and to weigh in!

Today's Wild Card author is: Kim Vogel Sawyer and the book: Katy’s New World (The Katy Lambright Series) Zondervan (February 1, 2010) ***Special thanks to Bridgette Brooks of Zondervan for sending me a review copy.*** Katy has always enjoyed life in her small Mennonite community, but she longs to learn more than her school can offer. After getting approval from her elders, Katy starts her sophomore year at the public high school in town, where she meets new friends and encounters perspectives much different than her own. But as Katy begins to find her way in the outside world, her relationships at home become restrained. Can she find a balance between her two worlds? ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Bestselling, award-winning author Kim Vogel Sawyer wears many hats besides “writer.” As a wife, mother, grandmother, and active participant in her church, her life is happily full. But Kim’s passion lies in writing stories of hope that encourage her readers to place their lives in God...

Captain's Log, Stardate 01.27.2010 I’m at Girls, God, and the Good Life today with a prayer for all of us: Camy here, and while trying to figure out what to blog this week, I felt God telling me to pray, so let’s join our prayers together today. Click here to read the rest and join me in prayer!

Captain's Log, Stardate 12.27.2009 I’m at Girls, God, and the Good Life blog today talking about my favorite obsessive compulsive behavior. Camy here! I am writing this before Christmas, but I already know my uncle is going to cook us something FABULOUS and I will most likely pig out like a starving native. Click here to read the rest of the post!

Captain's Log, Stardate 12.15.2009 I’m over at Girls, God, and the Good Life blog with a semi TMI post so I hope you’re not too grossed out. :) Camy here! I was just thinking about this the other day—when we’re truly ourselves with someone and they don’t run screaming in the other direction, that’s got to be love. Click here to read the rest!