52,495 Words Later...

Over the past 30 days I have watched my blue profile bar gradually grow, till this beautiful day when it went blue to green to purple with victory.


I have successful finished the NaNoWriMo challenge of writing a novel (of 50,000 words) in 30 days and will never do something so crazy (till next November).

I am now off to celebrate, sleep, do laundry and all the other house work I’ve ignored this month, drink a chai latte and enjoy a slice of cheesecake or…pie (mmm pie), not necessarily in that order.

The months progress:

Thankful Thursdays #38

Life is good. I am thankful for…

-phone calls with my family. Today I had an hour talk with my mom and Tuesday I got to my dad and Lee-Ann, both calls were wonderful
-plane tickets, I’m going to see my family for Christmas!
-friends who listen to me vent late into the night
-chai lattes
-lunches with Sheri
-delegation
-moments when the writing just flows
-"author" sweaters
-TV nights with Amy and Gina, they make me smile
-deadlines, NaNoWriMo is almost over which is stressful right now but very good because I would never complete a story without a deadline
-the anticipation for completing NaNoWriMo and having another chai latte and maybe a slice of cheesecake or….pie. mmmm pie
-my church

Wrimo Word Count: 46,725 only 3,275 words left to write.

Why Wait?

I like new things. In elementary school I loved the first week when the brand new pencil crayons were still sharp. I love writing on the first page of a new journal. I love January 1st because it feels like a chance for a new start. I like making the resolutions and a list of goals. I like all these things till the newness wears off, the lead breaks, the pages wrinkle and ripe, and the desired change is forgotten.

Only I realized recently that I did make three of my resolutions a reality this year. I have stopped biting my nails, I’ve posted more frequently (in fact I have blogged more this year that the pervious two years combined) and I’ve nearly finished writing a novel. It got me thinking, why wait till the first to make a New Year’s resolution? Why not start the change today? So I’ve decided this week to work on one area of my life. I want to be a better grocery shopper. So my plan is two fold, I am going to keep a food log that tracks the cost of items I buy so I will know what a good deal is and I am going to make weekly menu plans and sick to them.

Wrimo word count: 45,872

I feel like an author tonight and it is not because I am about to post or that my novel is almost done (4000 words to go). No, tonight I feel like an author because of the sweater I am wearing. It’s a brown thick knit sweater with large wooden buttons. The sleeves cover the my palms so all I can see are my fingers as I type and it just gives me the feeling of a writer.

Cat Tales

You know those cute commercials with the white kittens gently play with balls of soft toilet papers rolls that is not reality. Older kittens alone with that much toilet paper does not equal cute; it only leads to a gigantic shredded mess.

One night about two weeks ago, I was madly writing when I realised that I was able to write without interruptions. Normally when I get into a writing zone Inu and Kima decided that is the best moment to sit on my lap regardless if there is a laptop there or not. But they were no where to be found. Turns out they had gone into the bathroom, batted about the door, it closed and they were trapped. They’ve done this to themselves a few times but I’ve also encouraged them to hide out in there so I could work on the novel.

The downside of their time alone is that they have discovered the shelf that stores the rolls of toilet paper. I had a mess to clean up last night and this evening. I some times wonder why I have cats…then I remember there are no mice in the apartment this fall, which is a very good thing.

Wrimo New: three days left in the nanowrimo challenge and just under 5,000 words to go.

Ministry Monday: The Cereal Bowl

November 10th the youth group had it’s first ever Cereal Bowl. I was thinking about sharing about it right after it happened but better three weeks after the fact then never?

The idea came from Egad! where I get most of my crazy game ideas from. The premise is there is bowling followed by a breakfast cereal pot-luck. Joined together they make a cereal-bowl. I love the cheesy punny event name. To add to the fun I invited anyone willing to wear appropriate pajamas keeping with the morning theme.

The night went really well. Bethany’s Testify team was visiting for the next days service and joined in the bowling fun. Four of the members shared about their relationship with God to close out the night. The night went better than I could of hoped for. Only downside was the first snow had caused bad roads on the mountains keeping a few of the teens away. An added join Gina, Kelly, and Cale came. Yay for bowling fun and yummy sugary goodness!

I have to ministry related questions this week:

1) I am working on the youth Christmas party. We wanted to rent lazer tag gear but the cost is just too much. Any other suggestions of what we could do?

2) I want to make Advent calendars with the children this Sunday but the best Nativity craft I’ve been able to find is from the Latter Day Saints. It is almost exactly what I want. I might try and adapt it but I would prefer something different. Does anyone have a suggestion or a site that might help?

Wrimo Word Count: 45,116 -almost done!

Hour Eleven

I felt like I had missed the boat for the first part of tonight’s Driven by Eternity. It was part two of Bevere’s messed titled Multiplication. I missed last weeks study because of RITV and they did two lessons that night in order for us to finish next week.

He did a quick review then began to give areas where grace can be multiplied in our lives. They were giving, prayer, and serving in ministries. Like the past weeks nothing he said was new to me but the topics felt more concentrated. It was one of the best teachings I’ve heard on giving money. I felt challenged but not like he was begging.

The two big take things that hit home to me was when we partner with a ministry by giving, prayer, or serving (even if it is something small that goes unnoticed) we are credited/rewarded for the good they do in Heaven. Made me think of that Ray Boltz song "Thank You". The second thing was that our attitude and motivation also affects our reward. If we do grudgingly it is nothing but cheerful giving is honored and rewarded. I think I need to let the message marinate in my mind a bit longer.

Wrimo Word Count: 41,643

Movie Night: Paris When It Sizzles

On the suggestion of a movie buff, whose pass recommendations have always enjoyed, I rented Paris When It Sizzles a few weeks ago. I thought it was fitting to do a review since the story is all about writing and this is novel writing month. The movie is a classic Audrey Hepburn love story. It was unpredictably predictable. If you like old movies and chick flicks it’s a good one to rent.

The basic story is a scriptwriter who has been prepaid for a movie script but wasted the months and only has three days to come up with the idea. He hires Hepburn to be his typist to help finish the story. Alex and Emma is very similar, like a modern retelling. Both have their own unique qualities. I wish I could write whole stories in the time periods the writers are give, NaNoWriMo would be done for me.

Wrimo Word Count: 40,190

A Writer's Night

This is where I am at with the story...only without the mad writing at the end. I sit in front of my computer and my head (and subsequently the story) is goo or maybe a word that rhythms with goo…

I am trying to remind myself this challenge is all about quantity not quality but it’s difficult. Even when I tell my inner editor that this is just a pre-pre rough draft the nagging voice says "give up" but I won’t. At this point I know I am going to finish nanowrimo; I’ve come too far not to. It's just a mystery what the final 15,000 words will be…. maybe drinking Amp will increase my word count, that's what the commercial seems to say.

Wrimo Word Count: 36,293
My goal for today is another 4,000 words

My thoughts are with the other nano writers. We can do this. Don’t give up!

Thankful Thursdays #38

I am thankful for:

-God bringing everything together because I just couldn’t
-pretty year plans that seem to fit
-my vacuum cleaner and a clean living room floor

-last night’s kid’s Christmas practice not ending with another flooded bathroom floor
-painting finished
-my church family
-being rescued when I forget to put gas in my car (Gina you are my hero)
-movie nights and just hanging out friends (Gina, Amy, and Kelly this is you)
-phone calls with friends who live too far away to visit (Steph and Aaron this is you)
-story help (thanks Jeff!)
-and last but not least…I am thankful for my American friends.

Happy (American) Thanksgiving, eat turkey and a slice pumpkin pie for me!

Wrimo Word Count: 34,049

Talking With Strangers, Movie Night, and Word Count

Funny conversation from a few days ago with a woman I randomly met:

Stranger: Where’s your hometown?

Liz: I am a Nomad

Stranger: Where is Nomad?

I waited till I was alone before I giggled. The conversation still makes me smile.

Last night the girls and I went to see Mr. Magorium Wonder Emporium. It was fun. It brought out the seven-year-old in me. There was bright colours, magical toys, a world of imagination and they called Jason Bateman "Mutant" because Mr. Magorium misunderstood the term accountant and thought it meant a mutant who counts. There were a few minor things I didn’t care for they can be over looked. Has anyone noticed the not so subtle hints of worldviews in movies?

I added a countdown to the end of nanowrimo on the sidebar yesterday. It makes the pressure seem more real. I get overwhelmed but the challenge still. The goal is still obtainable if I write 2000 words every day till the end of the month. Sounds easy actually doing it will be much more challenging. I haven’t even started writing today’s quota yet. I should get on that.

Cat Tales

Wrimo Word Count: 32,064

Meanwhile Back on the Farm

In January the church began Hope Farm during the Sunday service for children ages 3-5. At the same time we were laying title and painting the walls of the whole lower level to be welcoming and fun for children. I had this vision of how the space would look when it was done. People were unsure about my ideas at first (I think some still are) but getting approval for my crazy ideas happened faster than I expected. Right from the beginning I had Scott and the boards support even when they couldn’t totally picture it. A month ago we began the final phase, hiring an artist to do wall murals. And I am very excited to say…

Hope Farm is finished! And all the children yelled for joy. Yesterday morning we let the 3, 4, and 5 year olds into the room for the first time in five weeks. This little guy stopped and said, “Wow, this place is awesome!” It made me smile.

The video is a clip of the whole room. I suggest muteing the sound because the mic picked up the loud furnace rumbling in the next room. The hum bothers me to listen to. I am not talented enough to make it quiet or put music over it.

One room done…four to go.
Word Count: same as Saturday

Red Iguana TV

The third Sunday of the month is always Rally In The Valley, an interdenominational worship service for the students in the area. Three months ago I was asked to speak at tonight’s on James 1:19-27. Everything about the pre-service was scary and bizarre. I don’t think of myself as a "youth speaker" and I was worried about not connecting with the audience. I have no sense of humour. Normally, everything clicks and I have these images and connections and it is a beautiful mosaic mess that becomes a sermon. It has always been the "big idea" and application that took the longest and most thought. This message I had the main idea which was the also application before I finished praying for God’s guidance as I prepared, but then nothing else came. NOTHING. We were in pre-service prayer and I had four thoughts in my head of possible introductions and none seemed to fit.

I saw Sheri Horsman as the worship band started to play. She prayed for me and that made all the difference. God showed up and it just happened. I had an intro that connected, I even got a few laughs, there was also a middle and an end. Message in a nutshell: Know the Word – Live the Word. It was all God; I couldn't repreach the message if I wanted to. After the service a few kids came to thank me. The best conversation for me was with this one guy who told me that God used the message to deal with him, only the thing God had done was only a very minor part of the message. I totally know it was a God-think not a me-thing. That makes me happy.

Each month RITV is at a different location. Tonight we met at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Why are Catholic churches so much more beautiful than our sanctuaries? We met in the church’s gym but before the service they let me into the main chapel/sanctuary to pray, read my notes, and deal with pre-service jitters. The room and its imagery blessed me. I love visual forms of worship.

And the Winner Is…

That band’s name is –Now Till Sunday. Kudos to Nata (who rocks in my group) for the suggestion and thank you to everyone who voted or made suggestions.

I’ve discovered reading and writing don’t mix. I returned The God Delusion to the library today. It was three weeks over due and I was only 40 pages into it. I might try to read it again in the new year or some time after nanowrimo is done. The trip to the library also had me signing out A measure of a Man again. I have three weeks to finish it, not sure if it will happen.

In other wrimo news: I went to the Coffee Merchant this afternoon, there is a coffee shop in my story that is surprisingly similar, for my well earned chai latte. It was simply wonderful. I had it with a tastily chicken and cranberry sandwich and even splurged a little and tried their pumpkin-ginger spice cheesecake. It was interesting and for the most part very enjoyable, it almost tasted like Christmas till I got a piece of real ginger that wasn’t chopped fine enough.

Word Count: 28,688

Half Way Point

It is really 4:41 in the morning and I just hit 25,012 words.

This means I get my chai latter later today when stores open and normal people live. Yay for words and chai lattes. If I had energy I would to a happy dance instead I think I am just going to go collapse on my bed.

Yay sleep!

--11:59pm--

The polls are closed with Viridian and Now Till Sunday tied for first, each with eight votes. Not sure which would be better take a second vote or just flipping a coin . Too bad it couldn’t be a game of rock, paper, scissors to finalise the winner.

Out of the two, Viridian or Now Till Sunday, which should be the band's name and why?

Word Count: 25,093

Thankful Thursdays #37

This is a day to be thankful. I love that "Thankful Thursdays" are on Thursday because most nights after youth I need to be reminded of all my blessings. Tonight was different. Youth was amazingly-awesome (not my doing). This is a day to be thankful for. God is good! I am very thankful for my life, for my church, and for sleep.

I am thankful that Matthew found a way to make the ***s work. I know it is just a little thing, but I like reading new posts on friends’ blogs and I like having my blog read. So yay for Matthew, hip hip horray!

I am thankful for Gina and Amy. I love spending Tuesdays and Wednesdays with them.
I am thankful for facebook cause it helps me stay in connect with friends and cool people far away, and I really enjoy the grow plant application.

I am thankful for goals. This writing challenge is very frustrating at times. But I have learned I love writing and I love having a goal to strive for. In fact, if I reach 25,000 before I go to bed tonight I am treating myself to a chai latte tomorrow.

I am thankful for the youth leaders who give their time each week. They come early, stay late, pour into the kids, care about what happens to the group, and they make me look good. They are an amazing team.

I am thankful for my Daddy and Mommy! They are good people!

I am thankful for everyone who has already voted for one of the ten band name nominations. The poll closes tomorrow at 11:59pm (Atlantic Time).

I am thankful for Steph and Jessica who have joined me on the NaNo adventure. They make attempting such a huge task less daungtings. I love you two!

I am thankful for my characters Lina and Lily. They surprise me every few thousand words by saying or doing something I hadn’t expected. And I am thankful for words. I am more thankful for words already written in my story. A story I should get back to.

Current Word Count: 20,304
Words needed before bed to earn a Chai Latte: 4,696

Walking Backwards?

My friend Jeff was asking me what I thought about the "black only" school idea. I don’t watch or keep up with the news; in fact I am pretty oblivious to what is going on in the world around me. I had no idea what he was talking about so I looked up what CTV and CBC had to say.

I can appreciate people wanting to group together. It is why cities have "Little Italy" and Christians have their own elementary schools. We humans like being in bubbles with those who are similar to us. It is comfortable, safe and we have the strength and support of a community but isn’t this separate school a real "nobly motivated" segregation? It seems like a step back. Isn’t this the very thing Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. spoke out against? If it was a white group making the suggestion red flags would be raised. Why is this different? Just my first reaction, what do you think?.

NaNo Word Count: 18,227 hoping to be at 21,000 before I got to bed tonight.

I’ve added the poll box above to make it easier to find. If you haven’t voted your favourite band name vote now! The top suggestion at 11:59pm Friday night will be the group’s name in my story.

Cat Tales

I took Inu out for his first snow this morning. He hid under the neighbors steps at first and refused to come out. After a bit he timidly crawled out and tested the snow. For those who watch the clip below, my cat was not imbued with superhero powers allowing him to walk on the side of walls…I am just a horrible cameraman…woman…person. I had taken a picture with the camera tilted and forgot to turn it back to capture the video –sorry.

Inu in the snow:

NaNo Word Count: I haven't started writing yet today but my goal is 4,500 words. I'd like to be at 25,000 at the end of the 15th.

If you haven't selected a band name to be used in the WriMo story cast your vote in the poll below.

The Polls Are Open

Which of the suggested band names should I use in my novel?
	Viridian
	Now Till Sunday
	Disco is Dead
	Get Friendly
	Last Chance Marie
	Ray's Band
	Lavie
	Mars Bars in the Basement
	The Magdalenes
	Charlotte's Spangled Web
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Thank you to everyone whose made a nomination.
Voting ends Friday.

Hour Eight

Driven by Eternity was the best tonight, it was more of a sermon that a teaching time which was different from the pervious weeks. He said good stuff. I found myself nodding quite a bit, Amen-ing in more than a few places, and overall challenged. There was so much good said in the forty-five minutes that I am not really sure what to highlight. Three concepts/quotes that stood out to me where:

1) The Kingdom of God is not a democracy, it is a kingdom.
2) When we co-operate with God out of obedience that is true humility.
3) God prepared our assigned tasks in advance (Eph 2:10; Ps. 136:16; and Jer. 1:5) The question is will we fulfil what was planned for us?

Beyond the actual subject matter the two best things were: the return of the statement "I just preached myself happy" and second while talking about Joseph having a vision of leadership then being thrown into the pit he said, "and we know what P.I.T. stands for Pastors In Training." It made me laugh.

This is the last chance to make band name suggestions. Tomorrow night’s post will begin the voting.

NaNo Word Count: 13,107 out of a 50,000

It’s a Marshmallow World in the Winter and I’m Ready for S’Mores

First real snow of the year started a half-hour before tonight's youth event. Thankfully Testify, the Bethany team that was joining us and leading the service tomorrow, had already arrived and set up safely and only one family couldn’t make it because of the roads.

When I left the church at 10:00pm power in town was gone. It was dark everywhere not even street lights, with the exception of Blockbuster which was open and running on generator lights. If there was no power who would rent a movie to watch on the TV that has no power to run it?

I’m still taking band name nominations…just leave a comment with your suggestions. My novel thanks you.

NaNo Word Count: 11,606 of 50,000

Writer’s World

This novel is consuming my life. I think about the plot even when I am not in front of my computer and when I am I visit facebook, blogs, or nanowrimo with guilt for procrastinating. I’ve spent the majority of today typing or thinking about typing. Leftover trunk or treat candy is keeping the blood sugar high and the creative juices flowing. I've made good progress and enjoyed listening to WriMo Radio’s podcast on love over lunch. It was worth listening to and I strongly suggest it to my fellow participants. They also had new word count widgets, which I have added to the sidebar. I am still enjoying the challenge but it is like having to write a major paper (2000 words) every day for thirty days on the same fictional subject.

The shoreline is coming along, I am satisfied with its development. A few unexpected things have happened, always fun when the author is surprised. I am looking for some reader participation. My character Lina is the lead singer in an indy band and I am at a lost on what to call it. How you can help is make any suggestions. My plan is to take nominations from now till Sunday. On Monday voting will begin based on the suggestion. The one with the most votes will be used in the novel, unless the name is horrid (bookshelf and my little pony are fine names for fish but not for bands). If it matters Lina has short spiky green hair.

NaNo Word Count: 11,046 out of 50,000

Thankful Thursdays #36

It’s been such a wonderful week, full of joyful event and things all of which I’ve been thankful. Here are a few:

-Visual expressions of worship
-Encounter weekend and the road trip
-Loaned vehicles to drive to amazing youth events
-Children’s ministry workers
-Words coming out
-Friends and writing encouragement
-Getting together with another kid’s pastor to talk and be inspired

Mom, if you read this could you call me tomorrow?
NaNo Word Count: 7,000 of 50,000

A Lack of Words...

It’s not writer’s block, but I have stared at an almost blank word document since 8:30pm. I have the thought and the desire to write it just hasn’t translated into actual typing tonight, yet. The words that are in the document were all from previous days. A week into writing and I feel 7,000 words behind. It is pressure that is keeping my head numb. Though, I like my story and where it is going.

The setting is a Christian college campus (they say write what you know) and follows two roommates their freshmen year who are day and night opposites. The roommates are about to met for the first time and I am trying to think up real things that will drive them crazy about the other person. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas they are willing to share (real or fictional) that I could adapt for my story?

NaNo Word Count: same as yesterday…

Cat Tales

For those curious about the "crazy cat lady" results, of the 17 voters 47% believes that name can only be given when there is a minimum of four cats. One good friend challenged the accuracy of the poll since one cat wasn’t an option and anyone who wanted a cat in the first place needed to have their heads examined. Even without the poll proof I am not planning to get anymore cats, two is enough!

Inu and Kima have been great supporters of my writing ambitions. In the past when I want to type they seem to feel that is the best moment to seek my affection and undivided attention. But the last two nights they have managed to trap themselves in the bathroom. How I think it works they dash into the bathroom when I open the door and follow me in and when exit I leave the door open but I think they hit it thinking it’s a moving toy and it shuts them in. I don’t rush to rescue them because I am enjoying the writing freedom.

NaNo word count is slowly growing: word count 6,438/50,000

Ministry Monday: Flashback to the Weekend

Last night the family called because they weren’t satisfied with waiting till today to hear about my bruised ego, so I told them in advice. For everyone else the story starts in the midst of howling Noel, I was rushing from the cafe to JP. I was rushing mostly to get out of the rain but also because we were late for the last service. I am not sure how it happened, my best guess is that it was my shoes, but I completely lost my balance just at the curb before the JP sidewalk. My knees hit the concert first and then everything else. It happened so fast and all that my mind grasped was sheer pain but I think it would have been hilarious to watch, like something you might have seen on American’s Funniest Homevideos. I rolled over and sat up to catch my breath till the comfort of just sitting was cancelled out but the increasingly wet jeans at which point I stood up and turned to face JP. This is when I realised the entire wipe-out had been witnessed by a youth group filled fishbowl (the glassed entrance of the girl’s dorm). When I walked they all asked me if I was broken. I smiled-a grimace and said just my pride and walked up three flights of stairs only to realise that it wasn’t just my pride but my whole body from my neck down that was broken. Gina was very kind and let me wear her clothes. And that is my close encounter this weekend, it hurt but yet typing it out makes me giggle.

That wasn’t my only encounter of the weekend. As cheesy as it sounds I did encounter God at Encounter (or Booster…or boostounter). It was the not having to organize or leading that allowed me to focus my energy on just being in God’s presence. I like that, being with God not just doing for God.

Atlantic was amazing, it was all my group talked about when I asked them what they liked. I loved the visual connections especially of the enormous cross* hanging down from the sanctuary ceiling and the while paper "streamers" being shot over the cross/crowd during worship when "washed whiter than snow was sung." The three speaker thing was neat. I thought all three connected with the students.

Word Count: um...working on that now, currently 4,774 of 50,000.

*I found the picture on Jenn McCann's Facebook.

Seventh Hour

Driven by Eternity was looking on the believer’s judgment. Using Scripture he talked about how followers of Jesus build on the foundation of Christ and we can either build with gold, silver and precious stone or with hay, straw, and wood. And that God will be looking not just at words and works but our motives. He then went on to explain that we can’t judge our motives only God can but we are to keep a pure conscience before God. I think this is where the weekend caught up with me cause the two statements seemed to contradict each other. If we can’t know our motives how are we to keep pure motives? Maybe that is not what was being implied but that is what confused me.

The statement that stood out to me was that the believer’s judgment isn’t about where they will spend eternity but how they will spend it. I see that each will be blessed according to how they have lived on earth but with that affect their quality of life too? I might re-watch the lesson later this week when my brain is not thinking about how gloriously sweet sleep is. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s account of boostounter and my crushed ego.

Word Count: 4,315 of 50,000

Movie Night: A Walk To Remember

The Booster activities are over. Are group is spending the night, didn’t want to get in at 2am. So we went to Tim’s for a bit, checked out the student centre, and now the girls and are back in JP just hanging out. I should be working on the novel but words just aren’t coming…oh procrastination how sweet is my bitter enemy. The girls put in A Walk To Remember. It seems weird that TVs are allowed in rooms now.

I forgot how good this movie is. I am really enjoying it. It is much more enjoyable than writing. This might be one of my top ten favourite movies or at least one of my top chick flicks. Definitely worth owning. There is a part near the beginning about knowing who you are that I think would fit with a talk we’re going to be having in the next few weeks. I’m glad to be right here, right now, with these girls, watching this movie.

Word Count: 4,217/50,000 only 45,783 words to go.

In To Deep To Turn Back

Second day into NaNoWriMo and so far so good. I was only able to add a few paragraphs early this morning before driving the youth group to Sussex or "boost-ounter". Not much help to the overall word count but every bit helps. I am thinking of blogging every day like Jessica in hopes that it keeps the creative juices flowing, the challenge from Kirk to step up the blog was the other motivation. Winning Matthew’s "Blogger of the Year" would be neat.

Last night I worked on the story at a local coffee shop, I have become a living cliché. The girl working was very kind; she filled my teacup up with hot water three times helped resolve a character/plot issue. With the problem behind me I should be able to plunk out a few thousand more words.

I’ve added a links list to the other two bloggers I knew participating. Did I miss anyone? If you are just comment and I’ll add you the list and my nano buddies (even though I am not sure how to do that yet).

Word Count: 3270/50,000

Thankful Thursdays #35

My screen mocks me. The flashing cursor lets me know I am not working on the NaNoWriMo Novel. While I wait for inspiration to hit again I’m going to work on Thankful Thursday. I am thankful for….

-my Mummy and Daddy. I love when I get phone calls from them. YAY for family!
-Watching TV with friends. YAY for Gina, Amy, and Danielle!
-that November is finally here. I’ve been anticipating the start of NaNoWritMo for weeks and it is here now. I am glad it’s begun even if I am not sure what to say next.
-friends also participating in NaNoWriMo. YAY for friends!
-the coffee shop I am currently sitting in while waiting for further inspiration to hit.
-my laptop. I’ve had it for awhile, it was a gift from my daddy just before my internship in 2004. I am so thankful for it. I use it everyday. Dad, if you read this THANK YOU!!!
-for successful events, last nights Trunk or Treat went better than I expected and all the feedback I have been hearing has been positive. A church member even told me today how our sign advertising the event had triggered a conversation with some quirious about what it was all about. Another girl had told her friends about last night and the friends response was "wow, that is a cool church" YAY for good things happening.
-for left over candy. mmm…chocolate
-everyone who participated in the Trunk or Treat from carving pumpkins to passing out candy especially those who set up or stayed to clean up.
-long drives
-people, books, and websites that get me excited about ministry and what is happening at our church
-for the opportunity to preach this past Sunday
-the NB Sunday School Conference and that I could participate even if I am from NS, that actually won me a prize.
-Steph and Ben Perry. YAY again for friends!

NaNoWriMo word count: 2703