my BIG news

Okay. I had told quite a few people (even ones who never checked out this blog) that I had some BIG news to share, but first, let me set the stage.

There are a few things that I feel VERY passionate about. They are as follows.

- God (like duh)

- Writing

- Reading

- Crafting

- Family

not necessarily in that order

Now, there are also some author's that I really enjoy reading. They are as follows.

-Ted Dekker

-Eric Wilson

Okay, I have WAY more fave authors, but for this post you only need to be aware of these two ;)

You will also need ONE more key word....Nashville!!!

Have you figured it out yet??

No??

Really??

Oh, alright, I'll tell you..............

I'M GOING TO TAKE A WRITING COURSE......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

but wait, it gets even better.

This course takes place in Nashville....the music and writing hub.

BUT WAIT, it gets even better.

TED DEKKER AND ERIC WILSON will be TWO of the speakers and I'LL get to MEET and SPEAK with them. Do you have any idea the kind of writing advice I will glean from these two geniuses???? It's gonna be CRAZY!!!

And the REALLY crazy part??.................I leave on the 11th of AUGUST!!!! I leave in like TWO WEEKS.....SO EXCITED!!!

Cross-stitch

Okay, so I am really quite boring. I don't do a ton of stuff that's all that exciting. My favorite things to do are as follows.

= reading

=writing

=listening to music

=and cross-stitching

I know. You're probably thinking "Who cross-stitches anymore?" and "That can't be fun."

Sorry to disappoint you, cross-stitching is really fun. I guess what I love the most about it, it that you never really know what it's going to look like until it's done. You can guess and sort of see where the picture is going, but until you have stitched the last stitch, you have no idea.

I'm working on a really large cross stitch right now. It's going to be a gift for my parents. It's so difficult but I think, that in the end, it will look really fantastic.

This is the first cross-stitch of this size that I have ever attempted. In the end it's going to be a girl, flowers, and all this other stuff...I don't want to tell you too much because I want you to see it for yourselves. So, I was thinking, that as I slowly stitch towards that last stitch, I would post about my cross-stitcher journey. I will only be able to post a couple times a month because I don't have much time to cross-stitch very much with all that's going on right now....darn work, it really get's in the way of my having fun ;)

So I posted my first picture and hopefully their will be plenty more where that came from.

Happy Day to you all

Thanks

obviously this whole blogging thing has eluded me for the past few weeks! I must apologize everyone.

I sat down at my computer today and just felt like writing, this is not unusual for me, but I couldn't think of what I wanted to write about. Then it hit me. I wanted to share what this blog means. I wanted to tell you why I write what I write here at "Banana Blog".

This blog had started off as a joke. It was Canada Day and a bunch of friends thought it would be fun to start a blog, blogging random thoughts and tidbits about ourselves. Well, over the years, I developed this passion for writing. I wrote about everything and anythings. I love words and the blog ended up being a perfect place for me to write about the random thoughts that I have. I can write about the things I love and I can share how I feel through all these posts.

I love this blog. I have made some really concrete friendships and I have loved every moment that I have been typing away.

I want to say a HUGE "thank you" to all who have faithfully read these crazy, and on occasion very silly, wall posts. You are all so wonderful.

I look forward to writing more posts and sharing my thoughts with you.

Blessings on your day all :)

A Birthday and Anniversary

Today, Canada turns 144 years old. Happy Birthday to one of the most wonderful countries in the world...I am SO proud to call myself Canadian. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else.

This is also my two year blogaversary (is that what everyone calls it??). I can't believe I have been blogging for TWO years already. Crazy :)

Title??

Oh My!! Where has the time gone people?! I haven't blogged in ages and I can't find any other excuse other than the fact that I have been crazy busy. I got a promotion at work...yes, this also means I got a raise :) This pleases me very much.

I sent my book out to an agent and now I'm just waiting to hear back from them. If I don't hear as of the 15 of June than it got rejected. I know that this whole thing is all up to God, but I can't help but hope that this novel takes off the way I want it to. I believe that God gives people gifts so that they can use them for his glory though. I hope that my writing is a gift that will go beyond my laptop and my brain. I think that this story can change lives and I really hope it works out.

We just got back from YC Alberta and had an amazing time. There was some very encouraging speakers this year and I took a lot away from their sermons. There wasn't tons of rock bands this year (a little disappointing) but the bands that were there were amazing. Disciple was one of the most amazing concerts I have ever been to. Hawk Nelson and the Almost were also incredible. I can't wait for next year!!!

Before I sign off for the night...I want to let you know that I will have some exciting news to share with you once I know a little more :)...hopefully soon

Short

I know I haven't been blogging lately, I am sorry, but I have just been too busy. We have been moving into the house (it's amazing by the way) and I have started back at work and have been working crazy hours. I just wanted to write and say that I haven't forgotten you and I will write a longer post soon.

Sorry everyone.

Quicky

Hey Everybody

This is just a quick post to tell you all that we made it home safe and sound. The flight was a piece of cake, we got grounded in Houston for an hour or so because of storms, but other than that, everything was good.

The new house is GREAT!!! It's small (to most people) but to me, a girl who hasn't had a house in years and years, this place feels huge. I almost get lost...okay...I do get lost. It's only three bedrooms, two floors...don't ask.

I would love it if you all would keep my family in your prayers as they travel home. They are going right through were the tornadoes hit and I pray that they have a safe drive home.

Blessings all

Goodbye

I fly out tomorrow morning...CANADA HERE I COME!!! Can you tell I'm excited?

Easter

Happy Easter Everyone!!! I hope you have a wonderful day with family and please don't forget the true meaning of this special day. He has risen!!!

I just had to put this picture on. It's SO cute :)

Flying Home to My High Tops

What a busy week!! I fly out of Key West to Calgary in only four days. I'm getting more and more excited every minute and I really can't wait to be home. Six months is a long time to be away.We went and did some last minute shopping today (the little brother needed new runners) and while we were looking at the shoe store I remembered something that was waiting for me back at home...my high-top runners. I LOVE high-tops. Ever since we started watching 80's TV I have loved the high-top look. I decided to show you some pix of some really cool ones that I found online. None of these pix are mine (except for the picture below of the shoes on the person...that person is me ). I really like the black pair, I really like the slimmer look that they have. The ones with the wings are a little weird but sort of cool at the same time. And my favorite of all time....the classic white. *sigh*. It was the shoe to have in the 80's. All the cool people on TV were wearing them and after watching countless episodes of 80's TV I knew that I had to have pair. I think they're cool but they are definitely not for everyone :)

I should be going to bed, not blogging

Oh my, there are so many things that are forcing me to lose sleep at night. I'm not sleep deprived because I'm worrying, it's actually quite the contrary, I'm losing sleep because I am so excited. (PS: Can you tell that we are back in the USA?? We arrived really, really, really, early this morning.) *taps finger against chin* Where was I? Oh yes. Sleep deprivation.

The reason for my high level of excitement is because my life is taking some very unsuspecting turns and I am going through a big pool of change. I believe that these changes are for the better though, so don't you worry. I figured I could list these changes and it would save me from having to stay up all night writing an extra long post about them. Cool? Good.

1) My family and I have lived in RV's and now a boat for most of my life. I can only remember ever having one or two houses. This summer, it's official, we are renting a town house. This means I have a bedroom, bathtub, and a kitchen where more than one person can work in. I am very excited. This means that I can also buy furniture :) and I can decorate.

2)I FINISHED MY FIRST BOOK!!!! I can hardly believe it myself. I feel such a deep sense of accomplishment but at the same time I'm sad to see it come to an end. Am I going to try to get it published? Absolutely. I think this is God's calling in my life and I am going to follow this right up until he tells me otherwise.

I am literally falling asleep at my computer here. I need some sleep after sailing all night last night and into the morning. It feels really crazy that I'm flying home in only six days. Maybe I will post about this some more tomorrow. Sweet dreams all :)

A New Desk and Thoughts of Home

OMGosh. Most of you know that I love to write. I have a book in progress right now (almost done, I can taste the last chapter it's so close) but it has been murder to write seeing as I don't have a desk to write on (excuse the pun to those who know what my book is about), my lap is a poor substitute. I live in a very small space, either on the boat or in the trailer, both aren't very large at all... especially when you cram seven people into those small spaces. We are planning on having more space this summer, sounds like we are getting a townhouse, and I will finally be able to make a little writing nook, get myself a comfy chair and a desk.I bought the desk part of this plan the other day. I bought an old antique writing bureau. You know, where the top of the dresser flips down to form a desk but you can close it all up and it's a dresser? I have always wanted one, it reminds me of Jane Austen. It's so cute. To make it all better, I researched my desk on the internet and found out that all the desks that were like mine (almost exactly) were from the 1700's and were selling for around 6,000 dollars!!! I only paid one hundred for mine after my Dad got the place to sell it to me for cheaper. The picture here isn't a picture I took myself but it's the same as the one I bought, also the same one that was listed as being from 1770.

We are leaving for the last sailing trip before hurricane season. We leave early tomorrow morning and won't be back for another week or two. Once we get back, we began cleaning and packing. My big sis and I are probably going to fly home a little earlier than the others and get everything ready back in Canada. I am so stoked to be going back. I am a city girl through and through and can't wait to be surrounded by Starbucks, Malls, and Friends. Lame I know but it's who I am. I can't help it if I love the city... especially Red Deer, Alberta...beautiful place. It's actually the perfect blend of country and city.

It's surrounded by mountains, farms, ranches, and filled to the brim with cowboys, cowgirls, and oilfield workers. *sigh* It's bliss. The photo below is NOT Red Deer. This is Calgary, about an hour and a half south of RD. Isn't it just beautiful?

To top it all off, you have Tim Hortons and that fresh crisp air...can you tell that I am super excited to go back??!! I probably won't sleep for the next three weeks. PS: These pix were not taken by me, I just found them on the internet.

Finally Tangled

Last night I finally got a chance to watch Tangled and I absolutely loved it. It was so funny and so sweet. I am a huge fan of princess movies (I know, SO little girlish) (Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite) *Spoiler Alert* If you haven't watched this movie (Tangled)...don't read on.

My favorite parts of Tangled were when Rapunzel was trying to ram

Flynn into her closet, any part with the horse was hilarious and I love how the frying pan was their weapon of choice throughout the whole movie.

The lantern scene was adorable and so beautiful (her hair is gorgeous when it's all braided with all those flowers) and I died laughing when Flynn got rescued from the prison and thought it was so sweet at the end when Flynn cuts Rapunzel's hair ( it was adorable short and brown ) and when Rapunzel is reunited with her family. *sigh*...I loved the whole movie. I don't even know why I bothered to list all my favorite parts because the whole thing was my favorite.

I also thought it was SO cool that this is Disney's 50th movie and I found out that Dumbo is having it's 70th anniversary this year...WOW!!!

New Shoes

I found new shoes!! I was so stressed about not having shoes for when I went back to work, but today that stress was relieved. I found TWO pairs of shoes. A pair of flats and a pair of heels. Both a super comfortable and I think they will be perfect with my dresses and my other work clothes.

These are the flats I chose. I love my shoes black (then they go with everything) but I also like it when they have something to make them less boring. I wasn't sure about the bow at first, but after trying them on I decided it just added character to the shoes.

Then I found a pair of heels. I LOVE heels!!! Unfortunately I couldn't find a picture of the exact heels that I bought but these photos are really close. The only difference was that my shoes have elastic around the edges so that they have a little more flexibility when I walk.

Miami and books

Yesterday my family and I took a trip up the Florida Keys, from Key West (where the boat is for now) to Miami to do a little shopping and stocking up that we couldn't do in the limited stores of KW. I, of course, was stoked for this trip. I had a huge list of stuff that I needed because it was almost time for me to head home and start work again. I needed new work pants, skirt, heels, flats, and there was no way I was going to find those things here. KW doesn't have a Target, Wal-Mart, JC Penny, and the worst??!! NO BOOKSTORE!!!! They have a small Borders but they are going out of business and aren't bringing in anymore new books. I needed a bookstore and Miami was a ticket to said bookstore.

At the end of the day I had accomplished a nice dinner w

ith my family, found the make-up I needed, and bought 11 books. No shoes, no pants, no skirt...but I got books. All in all I was a happy lady. I figured, I work at a clothing store, I'll just buy those things when I get home, who cares if I'm pressed for time. I find I work best under pressure anyway.

Oh, yes, the books I bought. Here is a list :

'The Lightkeeper's Daughter' and 'The Lightkeeper's Bride' by Colleen Coble. (I adore the book cover for book three (pictured below) in this series and can't wait to read it. I figured that it was probably a good idea to read book one and two before jumping to book three though.)

'Love Finds You In Tombstone Arizona' by Miralee Ferrell

'Against the Wind' by Bodie and Brock Thoene (OH MY GOSH!!! I love any books by the Thoenes. This series is definitely one of my favourites. Book one made my cry. It was SO sweet.)

'Love Finds You in Camelot Tennessee by Janice Hanna

'Bathsheba by Jill Eileen Smith (This is a great series. The books are so wonderfully written. King David was always one of my favourite Bible characters and I think that's what makes me love this series so much.)

'A Cowboy's Touch' by Denise Hunter ( I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE anything by Denise Hunter, enough said.)

'A Heart Most Worthy' by Siri Mitchell (Amazing author. Her characters and setting are what make me truly adore her novels.)

'Book of Days' by James L. Rubart

'Mine is the Night' by Liz Curtis Higgs (I was told to buy this book and I always do as I'm told.)

'A Billion Reasons Why' by Kristin Billerbeck (This book was the whole reason I wanted a bookstore. I have been waiting on pins and needles to read this book and now I have it...*sigh* I am such a happy woman right now :) )

And We're Back

Hello everyone. I'm finally back on dry land. We had a wonderful trip and had a great bit of sailing. Well, it was great until I caught a cold, then it went down hill from there ;) We are back on dry land for about another two or three weeks now, then it's off to the high seas again for another couple weeks before we putting Emmanuel into her hurricane safe honey hole and heading back home to CANADA!!! I am so stoked to be almost heading home. Tim Horton's, crisp air, and people who speak Canadian :) I can hardly wait :)

See ya!!

We are leaving for a long sailing trip tomorrow. We will probably be gone for three - four weeks. I won't have internet, so you guys are going to have to be without my posts for a few weeks (ahhh!!) :)

Pray for safe traveling and fair weather. See you all when we return.

Blessings (and don't miss me too much ;)

My 5 favourite things

There are five things in my life that I find myself enjoying more and more each day. It's like I can't get enough of them.

1) Family. My family is incredible. They are supportive, fun, and encouraging. I hope that when I have a family of my own that we will share the same bond as I do with my parents and brothers and sisters. We do everything together it seems. We hate to be apart and I cherish every moment that we spend together. My little sister is my best friend and there are days when I wonder if she knows me better than I know myself. I think we laugh, cry, play, imagine, explore, and enjoy life more than any other sisters in the whole world. I don't think life would be half as enjoyable without her. Thank goodness God placed her in my life.

2)Writing. I turned eighteen last year and it seemed like the moment I hit that mark I couldn't shake the nagging thought that I had to start planning for my future. I had to find what I was meant to do with my future. Discover God's plan for my life. A few months ago I realized that writing was my calling in life. I can feel right down to the very marrow of my soul. Writing as become my passion. It might only go as far as being printed out on my computer but if God sees fit to bring me out into the world of publishing than I am stoked to walk that path with him.

3) Music. Music has always played a huge part in my life. I have always lived in small spaces with lots of people and music was my way of escape. Music allowed me to disappear for awhile and just enjoy the moment along. A lot of the things I do with my day I do with headphones in. Reading, writing, cleaning, school, all of it is done with headphones lodged in my ears.

4)Reading. Like music, reading has been my means of escape. I read when I'm happy, helping me to get even more joy filled. I read when I'm sad, enjoying the encouragement that I find tucked into the pages. I read when I'm confused, finding insights and knowledge. No matter what I'm feeling I know that I can find the right words safely stored between the pages of the novel in my hands. I also love how reading gives me the inspiration and encouragement on my own writing walk. Reading and Music, both have been a daily staple in my life.

And finally (But most definitely not least) number 5) My Saviour. Need I say more. Don't all of us love God more and more each day? Don't we all feel as if he has filled our life with so much joy and happiness that we are on the verge of exploding? I know I do. I can't imagine living without him in my life and can't wait for the day when I get to meet him face to face and have him envelope me in a warm and welcoming hug. God is my everything and I love him more than any of the four things listed above. He has blessed my life so amazingly and I don't thank him nearly enough. He has done so much for me that I don't think I could tell all the wonderful stories if I lived to be 150. :)

Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be to many to declare.

Psalm 40:5 (NIV)

Pride and Prejudice and a Romiller

I have been finishing up this last year of school (I'm home schooled for all you people who don't know) and only do a couple subjects a day. Math (not my fave), a Bible study (really enjoy it), and my favourite...a book study of my choice.

This year I chose Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. *sigh*. What a fantastic piece of literature!! I read this book when I was quite little and I realized this week that I was too young to truly appreciate this novel. I have been loving this study and find it's my favourite subject in school.

It's actually quite strange. My favourite genre of books to read is romance. I completely adore a good love story. Guy gets the girl and they live happily ever after. All that jazz. It tugs on my heartstrings and makes me smile, laugh, cry. It's wonderful. The weird thing though, is the fact that I don't enjoy writing romance. Nope. I prefer to write a good thriller. Which isn't all that weird considering I absolutely LOVE Ted Dekker, and Eric Wilson novels. When the story makes your heart race, your palms sweat and your eyes twitch ;) It's SO amazing. I love the thrill that accompanies a good book.

I had someone ask me the other day what genre my story is. What category I would place it under. It took me a minute to think before I could answer. I finally decided that my book was a Romiller...Romantic Thriller. I guess I couldn't make up my mind on which I wanted to write more.
P.S. I cleared 60,000 words the other day :) I'm quite pleased with how the novel is progressing so far. I can't wait to see what will happen with my characters :)

We Can Change the World

I always find songs about missions work, or changing the world, or making a difference so impacting. I think it's because my whole life has been devoted to doing just that. As a missions kid, songs like this always tug at my heart strings and give me that extra passion for what I do. I listen to the song and realize that I am doing my part to make the world a better place. It may be small but it is a difference. Even if just one person is impacted that's still one extra life.
There is always something that you can do to change the world. It might not be as huge as stopping world hunger but even if it's just giving five minutes of your time to comfort someone in need or a donating a dollar to your local charity. All of it makes a difference.
What made me want to post about this was I bought the new Hawk Nelson CD a few days ago and there was a song on the CD called "We Can Make a Difference". I really like the song and wanted to share the lyrics with you.

" We Can Make a Difference"

I've seen an orphans heart filled with the Father's love

I've heard the hungry and thirsty say I've had enough

Ya, I've seen hopelessness swallowed up in hope

When all God's people say okay let's go

We can change the world, you and me

We can make a difference if we just believe

When the hands and feet start moving together

We can change the world forever

I've seen the broken one get healed of his disease

Witnessed the beauty of forgiveness save my family

So many cities need revival of the soul

And all God's people say come on here we go, come on here we go

We can change the world, you and me

We can make a difference if we just believe

When the hands and feet start moving together

We can change the world forever

We know what we've gotta do

It's time for us to show the truth

It's up to me, it's up to you

We can change the world, we can change the world

We can change the world, you and me

We can make a difference if we just believe

When the hands and feet start moving together

We can change the world forever

"We Can Change the World"

from the album "Crazy Love" by Hawk Nelson

Aren't those wonderful lyrics? I loved this song the minute I heard it. You should definitely go and listen to it...it's wonderful :)