Broken Dreams

Do you ever wish your dreams would come true?

I watched the season finale last night of “The Bachelor” with my daughter. Two young women were vying for the love and adoration of one man. He had to choose between them before the show ended.

When he told the one girl he loved the other girl and not her, we could see the runner-up’s composure slip a little, but she didn’t burst into tears. Instead, she told him she wanted the best for him and for him to be happy.

That would have changed my mind right then, if I were the guy, but he stuck to his guns and went with his first choice.

My thoughts today are with the girl who was turned down. She said she loved the Prince (from Italy?) and had thought he loved her. She didn’t know what had gone wrong.

It can be heartbreaking when dreams don’t come true. Lost dreams can forge great bitterness. All of us mourn shattered hopes. Regrets, emptiness.

Hagar in the Old Testament saw her cherished dreams of her son, Ishmael, becoming Abraham’s heir ruined, when Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son. When she was cast into the wilderness by Abraham at Sarah’s bidding, Hagar must have thought herself absolutely alone with no dreams left for her life. She thought herself utterly abandoned and forgotten. She was ready to end her life. Then Hagar heard a voice.

“What ails you, Hagar?” (Genesis 21:17)

Hagar suddenly found herself questioned by One at whose hands she had expected no consideration.

It might seem mocking to ask such a question. The question might have filled Hagar, who felt greatly wronged, with rage.

But that wasn't God’s purpose in asking the question. God’s question was meant to show Hagar that He had not lost her. He knew where she was. She had wandered until she had no idea where she was. She hardly knew east from west. She did not know the way to any springs, the path back to Abraham’s tents or any road that offered the least promise of help or safety. She was hopelessly lost.

God knows our disappointments. Just as he spoke to this poor bewildered woman to indicate his watchfulness of her future, He watches over us. Hagar had suffered a stunning blow, but she was not beyond his knowledge or beyond His presence. We are just as watched and protected.

God helped Hagar out of her dilemma and He will help you out of your quandary. Don’t give up. God loves you and wants to care for you.

Take care.

Kayleen Reusser
Kjreusser@adamswells.com
www.KayleenR.com

Reflections of Thanksgiving Day

Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day. It was a good day for us spent with extended family. Everyone was well (not sick) and that was helpful. Our daughter begins performances tonight for a 10-run play version of “A Christmas Carol” so it was a good day of rest for her after a rigorous week of dress rehearsals.

Our son in college was skiing in CO and didn’t call home. We hope he had a good day and good food. He probably won’t be with us at Thanksgiving for a long time since he’s in the military and will most likely be across the country or world each holiday season. At least he’s safe for now.

We had turkey for Thanksgiving. My eyes were opened last year when we visited a friend in New Mexico who lives on a ranch and she said they serve only beef for holidays. It’s neat how different people celebrate holidays.

This year each of us carried in dishes we’re known for in the family. In my case it is sweet potato casserole with brown sugar and corn flake topping. We also take 7-layer salad which is great for fiber—lettuce, peas, celery along with bacon, cheese, and dressing. There was also mashed potatoes, noodles, cranberry salad, green bean casserole, stuffing, and butterscotch and pumpkin pies.

I also found some homemade chocolates in Mom’s stash cupboard and took care of those in the afternoon after a good walk. :)

My youngest daughter says Thanksgiving is her favorite holiday. With the relaxed atmosphere surrounding it, I can see why it is perhaps more peaceful to her than Christmas, even though Christmas carries the message of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As long as we keep that message in mind as basic to Christmas, we’ll be OK with the stress of the holiday.

What do you take to your family get-togethers? What’s your favorite tradition with Thanksgiving?

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”- Colossians 2:6-7

Take care.


Kayleen Reusser
Freelance writer
Kjreusser@adamswells.com
http://www.KayleenR.com

Speaking at the National Missionary Convention

When is the last time you have stretched yourself?
Last Saturday I led a workshop at the National Missionary Convention in Indianapolis. The workshop was entitled “So You Want to be a Writer.” This was my first major speaking engagement. I was just a teensy bit nervous!

In the workshop I spoke about how beginners can get published fairly quickly by writing how-to and personal essay articles. I also spoke about how we can minister through our writing to readers, editors, and other writers.

There were more attendees than I had anticipated – around 75 people. Most received the 3-page handouts; the rest I have emailed it as an attachment.

I asked them if they would like to be added to my email mailing list that I send to friends about four times a year about my writing. I include information on learning more about the writing craft.

We also had a book giveaway at the end. I gave away a copy of Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul 2 book which has one of my stories in it ("A Purpose in Death"). Also Sally Stuart donated a copy of her 2006 Christian Writer's Market Guide.

Several people came up and asked me to autograph the Chicken Soup books. That was fun! Others had questions which was fun to address. It was a great experience!

If anyone reading this would like to be added to my list – I only send it out 4x/year and I don’t sell the names to anyone! – let me know. My next mailing – the last one of 2006 – will go out in a few weeks. Hard to believe the year is almost over!

In the meantime, I encourage you to start writing -- anything, even a Christmas letter will do when you're starting out! Visit my website to see some examples of where research for writing can take you. I’ll be updating the site soon with additional photos so refer back to it again soon.

If you have any questions about writing, please let me know. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll try to find someone who can address it.

I pray all of you will find the courage to write and feel God’s blessings on you as you do it for Him!

Don't give up!
Take care.

Kayleen Reusser
www.KayleenR.com

A Day of Qiviut, Debbie Macomber, and Hawk Nelson

Some days are unbelievably good.

Yesterday was one of those. First, I got an email from the romance novelist Debbie Macomber (www.debbiemacomber.com)! I had emailed her about qiviut, the wool from musk ox that is 8x warmer than sheep’s wool. She writes about knitting all the time and I thought she’d like to know about it. I sent it on her website’s comment box and didn’t even expect an answer. At the most, a form letter.

But it came directly from her and I wrote back and then she wrote again, saying she had ordered some of the qiviut from the Musk Ox Farm in AK (www.muskoxfarm.org). She also complimented me on my website and personal ambition. Wow. She’s the one that has written 60+ books when I haven't written any. But I appreciated her opinion. I was amazed.

Then I interviewed a member of the Christian rock band Hawk Nelson (www.hawknelson.com) for a Winter Wonder Slam tour assignment and my daughter who plays their music all the time was here, so I asked if he could say hello to her.

I normally wouldn't do this but he was 1.5 hours late in calling me and had apologized so I took advantage of him and asked him to do this. She was THRILLED! They talked for a minute or so. He was very sweet. She wanted me to ask if he was married, but I didn’t.

I also heard from three editors who heard from readers who liked my stories. That was great affirmation.

I also heard from 2 editors who want to use my stories.

I was feeling so good by the time I arrived at my Toastmasters meeting last night that I volunteered to give a speech – no notes, or aids of any kind with me!

The assigned speakers didn’t show up, so since I had been preparing for my 45 minute speech to be given this Saturday in Indianapolis for the National Missionary Convention (http://www.nmc-windows.org/nmc/home_), I figured I’d just give them an abbreviated version, which I did.

The group is so supportive and they said I’m much better than I used to be. I highly recomment Toastmasters as an organization that strives to help people improve with public speaking skills. Everyone in my group is very kind and all working towards helping each other and themselves in this area.

Overall, it was a super day, even if I didn’t get a check in the mail.

Here's my blessing on all of you today:

May the LORD make you increase,
both you and your children.
May you be blessed by the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 115:14-15

Take care.
Kayleen Reusser
Kjreusser@adamswells.com
www.KayleenR.com