"Write it REAL!"

Some of you may know that for the past five years I have been writing a book. It started when an idea just popped into my head and has been progressing (though slowly) through the years. After an extended vacation and trying to rewrite it with a completely new tone, I decided to scrap all the new stuff and continue editing where I'd left of in the original.
This was a task I certainly wasn't ready for. If you've ever written a book you'd understand why. You get so attached to characters and little scenes that when it comes down to the question of "Do I really need this?" or "Is this really important to the plot?" your heart aches a little when you realize that the answer is no.
However, I have been saved. I have been given one of the best things a writer can have while the embark on their journey. A companion. An editor.
Now, know that Ashley is indeed not a true "editor" but she is going to school to become one and I already know that she'll be a good one. She's like the gardener to my overgrown and messy garden. She knows what questions to ask, what advice to give and up to this point I don't believe that she'd told me anything that she didn't truly mean. For example, my story had been rather filled with fluff, butterflies and rainbows...completely the opposite of what I truly want. Her comment to me was, "Then write it real! No one is going to believe or even want to read that characters aren't flawed or that a bunch of siblings all under the age of fifteen get along like peanut butter and jelly. Write it real! Be REAL!"
It was like someone was finally speaking my language. Truth and constructive criticism will get me farther than any lied compliment will. That is why I love having Ashley around. It's amazing how day after day you find little reasons why you are where you are. Why God has put you there. Ashley is just one.
The other night we stayed up until 4 am discussing me book. I loved it. Though I was more than merely tired the next day I felt so much better.
It's funny to me really. I'm a very "no clutter" person. Just ask my roommates, they probably all think I'm OCD or something but it just feels good to know that I'm not burdened my unnecessary things! What's funny about this is that I never realized that that was the reason I put my book on hold for as long as I did. There was may too much....stuff! I am now in the process of dejunking and redirecting my plot. I must say that I have never felt better.

"Run With Patience The Path That Is Set Before You" Hebrews 12 1-2

So this week I found out some news that seriously made me want to throw up. I found out that I can't get a loan for school. Now, this wouldn't be so bad if I had been smarter with my money and had saved even just a smidgen of it...but alas, I did not. (Don't worry, I've already kicked myself repeatedly for this.) Like I was saying this news wouldn't be so bad if it didn't set off a series of unfortunate events. No loan (no money) means no school for at least another semester. I'm very bummed about it...very bummed. No school means no school, campus job. No job means no money. Yeah, I was panicking. Just ask my parents. (Ah, my patient, loving parents thank goodness for them!) Anyway, now you may wonder what has happened to my summer job? Well, the end of the summer that's what. And because I was expecting to get a loan and be a student and have an on campus job, I hadn't been forceful in letting my Supervisor know that I was available for the off season. Then when I finally asked, he let me know that they were full. (I found out just the other day that this is not true because he asked me to fill out a post-season schedule. We'll see what happens with this...)
So believing that I had no job for the fall, I frantically took control of the reins and entered the crazy world of craigslist. After sending 30 resumes out in less than 48 hours, I recieved 2 phone calls from different companies wanting to have me in for interviews. Today was the big day. I borowed my friend's car and set out for the two very differnent jobs. One is only part time (4 hours a night) and I have to catch 2 buses...blah. The other is full time and it's close enough that I can walk there. Both jobs pay about the same $8.50-$9.50 DOE. I really want the second one. They owners seemed really nice and put together and I enjoyed being at their tiny, hole-in-the-wall office. It excited me to be there. The first one made me feel really icky. Anyway, I'm supposed to hear back from the second one by the end of today...I really hope I get this job! AHHH! It's making me nervous.
This all brings me to here and now. At my going-to-end-on-saturday-most-likely job. The phones are basically dead and there are WAY to many people here for the volume of calls we're getting. I pulled out my planner and opened the front cover and found a sticky note that I'd put there about a year ago. It reads "Run with patience the path that is set before you..." Hebrews 12 1-2. I though that it is very appropriate for this time in my life. So many of my friends are getting engaged or married (two of my roomies are getting married THIS MONTH!) and I don't even have a boyfriend. (which I'm okay with...it's just weird. Sometimes I wonder if there is something wrong with me.) All of my roomies are moving out and I'm getting new/old ones. I may not have a job. I have no money. I still have to get an education and pay for it by myself....all of these things can seem overwhelming at times. Especially right now. That's why that scripture was so perfect for me at the moment. "Run with patience..." Life sometimes seems like a race and we can sometimes get annoyed with it but I know that if I have patience the Lord will provide for me. I'm so happy right now. Though I may not have a job I do have amazing friends, great roomies, wonderful home teachers and more importantly a loving family. My parents have been so good to me and I owe them so much. I also have a loving and merciful Heavenly Father who knows me better than myself. I know that if I trust in Him and consult with Him, He will direct my path.
The sun can't shine into your living room unless you open up the blinds!