What Settings Inspire You?

April 9, 2015 By

What inspires you to write, to be creative?

I’m still attempting to get a grip on this writing thing. Like most of us, schedules are hectic. When I sit down to write my mind tussles between work, finances, church, household chores, kids schedules, the dogs…and on and on and on. When I find time, I have to maximize it. Can I get an amen anyone?

I’ve found a variety of things that work, depending on the day, the time that I have and the mood that I’m in.

Music/Sounds

https://www.focusatwill.com

I subscribe to this service. It plays a variety of sounds for a set time. I hammered out an entire chapter in ninety minutes. Not only was it relatively frustration free, the kids were home. Multiple kids = multiple opportunities for distraction. I put on headphones, turned up the volume and Voila! If you’re interested, they have a 30 day free trial subscription.  Thank you to The Productive Woman for recommending it in her podcast.

View

Water. For me writing anywhere within sight and sound of fresh water works. I don’t know why that is, but for me it translates to completed chapters, blogs and to-do lists. My husband has driven two hours and walked on the beach while I worked on a novel. One of my dreams is to live somewhere within water view. I’m almost jealous of my friend and craft partner Gabrielle Meyer who has gushing water right outside her backyard. How cool is that?

IMG_0581I only get to my mother-in-law’s place once a year and it’s never enough time. Her cottage is located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the view is spectacular (as you can see). My favorite thing to do is go out on a cold morning (which apparently is very normal for a summer morning that far north) with a blanket and a cup of coffee. I snuggle in with my hubby and enjoy the view, the birds and the quiet sound of the water lapping below. Then I get down to the business of writing.

Train Ride Anyone?

I read about Amtrak’s program for writers. It started as a random question via Twitter and evolved into an actual program. Talk about the power of social media! While it may not be for everyone, it definitely sounds interesting (Amtrak’s Writer Selected Residency Program). I may have to bribe my husband into at least one try.

What about you?  What helps you be creative?

Blessings!

Alena Wendall

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Food For The Soul:Joyce Meyer Conference

November 20, 2013 By

Happy, Happy Tuesday!

I had the opportunity to attend a portion of the Joyce Meyers Conference at Lakewood Church last week. Our church made a ladies retreat out of it.  Complete with shopping at the Galleria, a scavenger hunt through the mall and lots of fun, laughter, sharing and The Word. In one word…Powerful.

Here are my top three take-aways from Meyer’s teaching:

1. Live life forward, understand it backwards.

In other words, we may not understand things that happen in our life now, but looking back we will be able to see the positives. I’ve always loved organizing and helping people pull together their events. Today, I help coordinate the retreats for My Book Therapy.

2. Good weeks can be consistent if you spend time in The Word.

So often I get up and rush into my day; breakfast to be made, kids to get ready, schedules to juggle, appointments to keep etc. When we take time to study The Word first, we are equipped for the obstacles or opportunities that come our way. If I take time to spend in The Word before rushing into my day, I tend to see things as an opportunity.  Without the time in The Word — it all feels, sounds and acts like an obstacle.

3. If you’re doing something in your own strength you will fail.

You should write a big “GUILTY” across my forehead.  I tend to tell myself to muscle through as I try to lug around this huge unwieldy box of responsibilities most often called my “To Do List”. Can I say my strength is puny compared to God’s?

How about you, did #1, #2 or #3 talk to you?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Alena W.

P.S. With the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday’s I will be focusing on family and pressing in to finish my 2013 goals with much prayer (see I really did learn something from the conference ;-0). I will see you again in January 2014!

 

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Food For The Soul:Obstacles

November 12, 2013 By

Happy, Happy Tuesday!

I’m shaking my head over the how fast time is flying. Can you believe Thanksgiving is two weeks away?

It’s been a long and crazy Monday for me. I had my day all laid out with an updated to do list on my smart phone and a 100% charged lap top.  I was ready to conquer my day. Then my son needed to go to the doctor, my husband had an emergency and then I had to work late. Ever had one of those days? Those days rarely happen to me. (If you sitting across from me, you would see me rolling my eyes.)

I ran across this quote while I was waiting in the specialists office and I began to ponder the meaning.

“Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal.”  Brian Tracy

It made me think about Peter, who went out to meet Jesus in the middle of a large, large body of water. He was so brave. Yet, when he took his eyes off Jesus he started to sink.  Has that ever happened to you?  We get super excited and finally start that big project or take a step toward our dream. Then Wham! Opposition jumps up and the dream seems forever barred behind the door marked “Mission Impossible.”

Instead of doing that, lets grab onto the hands of Jesus and enter through the door marked “With God All Things Are Possible.”

Remember my “to do list?” I did complete most of it, just not in the time frame thought I would.

Look to Jesus my friends, the author and finisher of your faith. He’s got the best plan for you – keep your eyes on the goal.

How about you my friends? How are you overcoming those obstacles today?

Praying for success in every God given endeavor you pursue!

Blessings!

 

 

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Food For The Soul: What are you thankful for?

November 5, 2013 By

Happy, Happy Tuesday!

I woke to a dreary rainy day. What’s a better way to get rid of a dreary, drippy day? It being thanksgiving season and all, I tried to think of things I’m thankful for or that put a smile on my face. Here’s my list for today:

  • Kids that get ready on their own. Hallelujah!
  • My cheerful hubby of over 20+ years.
  • Dependable transportation.
  • My job–I have the greatest co-workers around.
  • Friends that love me in spite of my faults.
  • My writing friends.  I put them in a separate category because they are extra-special.  Who else understands you when you say fictional people are talking in your head?
  • The smile of the little girl in the drive thru as her Mom hands her breakfast – cuteness.
  • KSBJ for playing the best Christian music around.
  • I saved the best for last, My Savior. He has the most stupendous sense of humor ever — He made me!

How about you?  Look around, what makes you smile?

Love life,

Alena W.

 

 

 

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Food For Thought: The Power of Words

October 22, 2013 By

Do you remember the childhood chant, “Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me?” By now, most agree that chant was wrong. Words are very hurtful and can cause extreme pain.

Being the mom of four kids, sometimes words tend to fly in the heat of the moment–without thought to consequences. Want an easy life lesson to teach about the power of words?

Try this.

You’ll need:

  • 2 tubes of toothpaste
  • 2 paper plates

Have your kids squeeze both tubes of toothpaste onto the paper plates.

Now for the challenge: Tell them to put all of the toothpaste back into the tubes.

Lesson: The words you speak to each other are the same, once spoken they cannot be put back.

How about you?  What lessons have you learned about the power of words?

What life lessons have you learned about words? http://wp.me/p3Uoxw-1F

 

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Faith In Tough Times

October 15, 2013 By

Hi Everyone,

We’ve had lots of the “unexpected” in our family this last week. Most of them painful in one way or the other. During my morning devotion I found this quote and thought I’d share.

If any of you are stumbling on a rough road, keep walking. Don’t Stop!

God is faithful! He shut the mouth of the lion for Daniel and He can conquer any situation.

What scriptures or quotes encourage you to press in and press on?

Blessings!

Alena

Short fuse? Need some faith? http://wp.me/p3Uoxw-1t

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Breast Cancer Awareness

October 8, 2013 By

 

Happy Tuesday My friends!

This month is Breast Cancer Awareness.

Cancer has touched the lives of many people. I know its radically affected mine. My mother passed away and left a grieving husband and four bewildered children.  The youngest, eighteen months old. Mom’s death affected all of my siblings and myself differently.  I still wonder what could have been. Then my mind goes full circle back to the cancer itself.

If Mom knew, what we know today, would she have lived?

What if she had taken better care of her health?

What if she went to the doctor regularly for check-ups and obtained regular mammograms?

The knowledge is out there, let’s take advantage of it.

Check out the website below for facts on cancer.  For instance, did you know?

  • 1 out of 8 women will receive a diagnosis of cancer in their lifetime?
  • Mammograms help detect about 80-90% of breast cancers in women in the U.S?

I found this information at http://www.komenkansascity.org/understanding-breast-cancer/about-breast-cancer/

Check out the site, lots of valuable information.

Today my friend, enjoy the life you have!

Check out the information at Breast Cancer Awareness website. #BCAware http://wp.me/p3Uoxw-1h

Don’t let cancer catch you unaware. #BCAware [http://wp.me/p3Uoxw-1h 

 

Love life!

 

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Food For The Soul – Whine Free Kitchen Clean-up

October 1, 2013 By

Happy Tuesday!

I’m a working mom and I don’t have a lot of time to clean the kitchen.  Frankly, who wants to anyway?

Since we work, hubby and I decided each child would help with chores. That’s all well and good in theory but reality is not so easy. I found kids love to say “It’s not my turn” or “I did it yesterday.” How many times have you heard that and wanted to scream?

Necessity truly is the mother of invention. That’s how our family chore chart came about.  No more arguing–It’s simple your turn.

Side benefit?  They know how to clean and even volunteer to help when they visit their friends.  I almost always have parents tell me how helpful my children are.  What mother doesn’t want to hear that?

Here is a sample of our chore chart.  I assign each child a chore on a rotating basis, based on ability.  For instance when my youngest was five she couldn’t put away the plates but she could put away the utensils and put the napkins on the table.

Feel free to use it as you see fit or email me and I will send you a copy.

Jobs Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
KITCHEN
Place Mats Child #1 Child #2 Child #3 Child #4 Child #1 Child #2 Child #3
Utensils Child #4 Child #1 Child #2 Child #3 Child #4 Child #1 Child #2
Cups w/Water Child #3 Child #4 Child #1 Child #2 Child #3 Child #4 Child #1
Salad Dressings Child #1 Child #2 Child #4 Child #1 Child #2 Child #3 Child #4
Napkins Child #1 Child #2 Child #3 Child #4 Child #1 Child #2 Child #3
Clear Table Child #4 Child #1 Child #2 Child #3 Child #4 Child #1 Child #2
Unload Dishwasher Child #3 Child #4 Child #1 Child #2 Child #3 Child #4 Child #1
Load Dishwasher Child #2 Child #3 Child #4 Child #1 Child #2 Child #3 Child #4
Wipe Mats & Table & Counters Child #1 Child #2 Child #3 Child #4 Child #1 Child #2 Child #3
Sweep Child #4 Child #1 Child #2 Child #3 Child #4 Child #1 Child #2
Straighten Child #4 Child #1 Child #2 Child #3 Child #4 Child #1 Child #2

 

What about you?  What have tips do you have to share for kitchen clean-up?

Want a whine-free clean kitchen? http://wp.me/p3Uoxw-19 

Want an easy kid chore chart for the kitchen? http://wp.me/p3Uoxw-19 

Love life!

Alena Wendall

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Food For Thought: You Are The Decisive Element

September 24, 2013 By

Food For Thought:

“I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. 

It is my personal approach that creates the climate.

It is my daily mood that makes the weather.

I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous.

I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration;

I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.

In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person humanized or de-humanized.

If we treat people as they are, we make them worse.

If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.”

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 – 1832)

 inital blog article food for thought 9 16 13

It’s a new day… what are you deciding today?

Are you making the right decisions?

What are you deciding today?

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Food For Thought: Your Words

September 19, 2013 By

Hi Everyone!

I finally started a blog. I pondered and pondered what to blog about. My mind wandered a bit and then it came around to food (yeah, no surprise there).

Food is such a central part of our lives! I mean, we take it beyond plain nourishment for our bodies. It’s a social thing too. I plan  events around meals. In my home, the kitchen is the hub. We have small and large family gatherings all centered around the kitchen. Most Sundays you can find my entire family around the kitchen island chopping, stirring and sometimes throwing food (Guilty parties shall remain anonymous).

So for this season of blogging, we are going to serve simple but filling food. I hope you are hungry!

  • Food For Thought
  • Food For The Soul
  • Food For The Body

Here’s the first one:

Food For Thought:

“You are living today, your confessions of yesterday." ~Author Unknown

“You are living today, your confessions of yesterday.”
~Author Unknown

Words have power.

What are you speaking? Where will your words take you?

 

 

What confessions are you making?

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