I wonder if any of you saw “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” yesterday. What did you think? There’s a good review and parent discussion guide over at Christianity Today’s site. My main concern is whether it would be appropriate for my kindergartener. This is the warning on the CT site:

The film is appropriate rated PG for battle sequences and frightening moments, including the disturbing ceremonial murder of a central character—though there’s no blood or gore. There’s also a violent battle scene near the end, reminiscent of the battles in the Lord of the Rings films—though not as graphic. There are some scary creatures in the Witch’s army, and her legion of wolves are also rather frightening. Young children may be troubled by some of these scenes and images.

Were the scenes really scary for little children? We’re pretty sensitive over here, especially when it comes to Aslan — so I just wanted to ask.

We’ve only got two more weekends before Christmas is here, so I know you’re busy. But I did want to let you know about something coming up. I’ve recently been introduced to Two Talent Living, and Sallie is doing a great job of gathering Christian women bloggers together. She’s announced her recent Blogs of Beauty Award winners, and now she’s going to be hosting a weekly Carnival of Beauty to showcase beautiful writing.

The two main purposes of the Carnival of Beauty are:
1. Encourage women by reflecting the beauty of Christ in our writing.
2. Meet women online who cherish the beauty of Christ that we might not have met otherwise.

You’ll have to read all the guidelines on her site, but here’s how it works. Each week the writing will center around a topic, which will be announced at least a few weeks in advance. The first three topics will be:

1. Week of December 11: The Beauty of Giving
2. Week of December 18: The Beauty of Tradition
3. Week of December 25: The Beauty of Excellence

The entry should be a newly written piece, published in the week of the Carnival. The hostess (which will be Two Talent Living the first few weeks) will announce the Carnival pieces on Wednesday. So, you should post your writing on this topic Sunday, Monday or Tuesday so it will be up when people start to look for it on Wednesday.

Sallie writes, “Although the goal is about promoting the beauty of Christ, the piece does not have to be explicitly about Christ. It can be about family matters, home life, children, marriage, nature, friendship, cooking, homemaking, hobbies, etc. Anything that reflects the beauty of Christ and fits the topic.”

Over the weekend, you can be thinking about what you’d like to write about the topic of giving, if you’d like to be part of this week’s topic. You need to send your first name, the title and link to your post, and a brief one or two sentence description to Sallie by 3 pm on Tuesday. This is a tremendous responsibility she is taking on — because she’ll have to read all of these as well as visit the blogs to make sure they fit within the guidelines.

If any of my readers don’t have a blog, I’ll be happy to post here for you on my site. This Carnival of Beauty is a great excuse to flex your writing muscles and share what’s on your heart.

For the topic of giving, do you know any stories of people who enjoy giving to others? What do they give? In your own life, how do you give to others, and what do you receive in the process? As a parent, what are some ways you can instill a love of giving in your children? I’d love some practical tips — then I’ll post them all together next Tuesday.

I wish you all a safe weekend. Thanks to those of you who like this site design and are voting for me in the Weblog Awards. I appreciate your support — but remember — if you have several computers in your office, only vote from your own. Thanks!

It’s that time again — to sit down and write our annual family newsletter. I’ve been debating about it — do I really need to write one since I’ve been blogging this year?

I know some people don’t enjoy reading other people’s braggity news. But I do! I love hearing how people relate the events of their year in a written form. Details…details! It still just costs 37 cents, so the more the better.

There are some amazing people who can sit down and write lovely, handwritten notes on all their Christmas cards — but I can barely get them addressed and stamped. My aunt writes me a long, personal letter every year. She tells me about her children and grandchildren and asks all about our family. Unfortunately, she only gets a form letter (signed personally!) from me.

But it still helps her keep up with what’s going on with us. Last summer, we attended a family reunion for my aunt and uncle’s 50th wedding anniversary. I got to see tons of my cousins who I don’t see often anymore. I had to warm up to a few — but the ones I exchange Christmas cards with developed instant rapport with me — it was like no time had passed since those years we used to see each other more often. I wasn’t so shocked to see my teenage cousin who was the flower girl in my wedding. (She’s a beautiful young lady now.)

When I was growing up, my dad always handled our family Christmas newsletter. He and my mom moved around some while they were a young married couple, and they have friends all over. I enjoyed watching the children of their friends grow up through Christmas pictures — a few have even become my close friends through the years. Now I’m seeing how my dad’s meticulous correspondence is paying off — they’re able to go visit many of these old friends they still keep up with.

That would be a dream for me as well. One year, maybe we’ll do it — rent a big RV and travel around the country visiting all the families we keep up with.

Today, things are a little different since the advent of blogs and group emails — it’s easier now than ever to keep up with people. So the newsletter may someday go the way of 8-track tapes. But for now, I’ll uphold the tradition.

How about you? Do you write a family newsletter? You may think you don’t have much going on — but you really do. If you’re a parent, it’s good for your kids to see how you record the highlights of the year. It’s also a way to tangibly count your blessings — as you write them all down. One day, your kids will be grown and wonder what kind of childhood they had. I don’t have to wonder: my dad has it all written down in years of family newsletters (along with hilarious pictures of year after year of bad hair days for me!).

If you’ve never written one before, I encourage you to try. Some people like to share the events of the year chronologically — moving through the seasons. Others do it by family member — pointing out a few key updates and details. I loved it when my uncle, who is a retired engineer, wrote his newsletter a few years back. Nearly every phrase had a number in it — the size of the room they’d remodeled, the number of miles on the car they traded in, the model number of the new garage door they installed. I loved it! And it makes me smile every time I think about it.

Even a half a page will do. Did you take any short or long trips this year? Any special events? Did anyone in your family experience a milestone? Do you have any new pets? Have you started a new hobby? People want to know what’s up!

Here’s a verse that reminds me how I feel when I open my mailbox in December: “Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land” (Proverbs 25:25).

May God bless your writing endeavors!

P.S. You can send me comments now. Somebody please send me a comment!

I want to tell you about something spectacular that happened to me last Thursday night. It’s like one of those sparkling jewels you tuck away into a little treasure box; then you take it out later to explore from every facet…for the rest of your life.

Let me back up. A few months ago, a friend invited me to have lunch with her and a few other writers. I arranged childcare and drove an hour and a half to the restaurant where they were meeting. Well, I missed a turn along the way and got horribly lost. So I called my husband from the car, and he guided me there by satellite imagery. (Cool, huh?)

Since I walked in a few minutes late, everyone was already seated. I would have chosen to sit near my friend, but it seemed easiest for me to sit at the end of the table closest to the door.

My seat was right next to author Marion Bond West!

To say I was starstruck is an understatement. I’ve been reading Marion Bond West’s stories in Guideposts since I was in middle school. She takes the most ordinary events of life and tells them with such amazing detail and spiritual insight that you feel like you’re there, experiencing it all with her, and marveling along the way.

So, I talked to her throughout lunch, hoping that I wouldn’t say anything astronomically stupid. Right as we were leaving she said, “Oh, I’m coming to speak at a church near you. Sometime in November. Why don’t you write me, and I’ll send you the details.”

So I did. And she wrote back telling me she would be speaking on November 17. Well, I marked it on my calendar and didn’t give it another thought until I turned the page in my planner in early November. Oh — there’s that day she’s coming to speak. No problem — I’ll just call and preorder a ticket.

I called and left a message on a woman’s answering machine. She called me back the next day and said, “I’m so sorry, but all of our tickets have been sold out.” What! Sold out! “Oh no!” I told her. “I met Marion Bond West recently, and she invited me to come. I wish I’d called sooner.” We chatted for a few minutes, then she told me she’d be on the lookout for a ticket if anyone cancelled.

A week before the dinner, I got a phone call. I recognized the woman’s voice. “Well, Heather, I’ve got some good news for you,” she said. “I’ve found you a ticket! And the Lord put this on my heart — I really feel strongly about this. Would you like to come sit with me and my daughters, and Marion and her husband, at the head table?”

Would I? Would I! If she could have seen through the phone, she would have seen me jumping so high I put a dent in the ceiling!

So, I drove alone to the church that night. It was freezing cold outside, and I parked in a sea of cars. I wondered how many people were there — more than I expected. I figured she might be speaking before an audience of 300 or so.

I was wrong — I found out the church sold 700 tickets!

A teenage boy driving a golf cart (named Jake) stopped at my car and asked if he could give me and another woman a ride to the church gym. He drove us to the front door, which glittered in white Christmas lights. I’d forgotten — the event is called “Christmas Extravaganza.”

When I walked inside the new building, I was stunned. It was dark, the room lit only with candles and tiny white lights. Every table displayed a unique set of china and elaborate Christmas centerpieces. And the electric buzz of 700 happy women (freed from an evening in the kitchen!) was awe-inspiring. I felt like I was entering into a glamorous ballroom.

A high school girl came up to me and said, “You’re Heather Ivester. Here’s your ticket! You’re sitting at the table with me and my mom.” (Her mother is the lady who called me, the one in charge of the event.) She smiled, “I have to tell you, she’s never been so excited about giving someone a ticket before!” (It turns out she reads my column for moms in a local magazine; the pastor of this church also writes a column in the publication as well.)

She pointed out my table — #4. In the front of the room, right under the spotlight of the stage. I was one of the last ones to sit down. When I finally got to the table, I could see my namecard on a china plate. In the seat right next to Marion Bond West! I sat to her right, and her husband sat to her left. I was amazed!

I asked her right away, “Are you nervous? You’re going to be speaking in front of 700 people!”

“Oh, I’m fine,” she said. “I don’t know exactly what I’m going to say. But I know God will give me the words.”

As we waited for our dinner, I enjoyed hearing all about their recent trip to New York City where they’d attended a Guidesposts writers’ workshop. We also talked about her daughter, Julie West Garmon, who’s flourishing in a writing career of her own.

I was afraid of saying too much — I kept thinking, she must feel so jittery inside. She’s about to get up and speak in front of 700 women! After we finished our meal and heard some beautiful singing entertainment, Marion went up on stage to give her speech. She carried no notes with her at all.

“I only have one story to tell you,” she said. “This is my testimony.” She told us how exhausting her early years of mothering were, how she’d stopped going to church because she was too tired from taking care of four small children (including twin boys). She had us all in stitches as she described her frustration. (And I can’t wait to write her a letter and tell her exactly how her speech ministered to me.)

She talked about what it’s like to feel “shipwrecked” in a sea of fear — and how God provides an island for you, called Trust. Then she told us the story of how she became a widow, and later met her present husband, Gene. He responded to an article she wrote in Guideposts on overcoming depression. It was amazing to hear her tell that story while I was sitting there watching his reaction. I also found Marion’s Marriage online.

Afterwards, Gene went up on stage and gave her a kiss. Then we all found a little gift under our table — a tiny golden picture frame with the word “Nevertheless” written in calligraphy inside. This is based on Marion’s book, The Nevertheless Principle. I also brought home chocolates, a book about Jesus, and a camera full of pictures that I’ll copy and send to people. I asked Marion to autograph the Table #4 card and she wrote, “Heather, how exciting to be with you tonight. Bless you! Love, Marion Bond West.”

I walked back to my car alone in the dark, teeth-chattering cold. But my heart was blazing with joy. How does God love me so much that He let me have such a rich, dazzling evening as that? I forgot to mention, I saw several of my children’s teachers there, as well as dozens of people I knew — everyone smiling and happy. And I got to sit next to the keynote speaker!

So, it all goes back to my being late to that restaurant and sitting next to Marion — and following through on her invitation. And the faithfulness of the woman who found me the ticket — she knew God wanted me to be there.

Thanks for letting me share this with you. God is so faithful, even when we aren’t. I’ve been so discouraged lately; I really needed an evening like that. He cared about every last detail, even down to the chocolates I brought home in my purse.

(c) 2005 Heather Ivester

I just found out that tomorrow is I Love to Write Day!!! Spread the word to everyone you know that tomorrow is the day to WRITE something — anything. I’ve heard John Riddle speak at a couple of conferences — he’s the one who blows the train whistle and hands out Snickers’ bars — so I hope tomorrow is a huge success.

Rev up those keyboards, and get ready to join in:

The World’s Biggest Party For Writers
November 15, 2005 will mark the fourth anniversary of I Love To Write Day, a grassroots effort to have people of all ages practice their writing skills. Created by Delaware author John Riddle, I Love To Write Day is an opportunity for people of all ages to write something: a poem, an essay, a letter to the editor, a short story, start a novel, finish a novel — the possibilities are endless!

On the first I Love To Write Day, 11,328 schools all across the country held special writing events and activities. Last year, we signed up 15,123 schools. This year our goal is to have an I Love To Write Day program in over 20,000 schools. Please help us spread the word: tell schools, libraries and bookstores in your community about I Love To Write Day. You can read more about I Love To Write Day and learn how to register (it’s free!) by reading the Media Kit.

Teachers and homeschooling parents: here’s a great activity for your students. Let them know that they’re joining in with thousands, maybe millions, of people in writing something.

DON’T FORGET — IT’S TOMORROW!

I’ve been told by a source in sunny California that I “totally rock” as a book reviewer. That made my day. To be honest, it made my week! I’ll just say this week has been the pits as I’ve descended from my mountain retreat and gotten back to routine.

I’m not the only one. Everyone’s been discussing the conference/post-conference blues. All that adrenaline that flowed 90 miles an hour through my system is gone. Gone with the jet-fueled wind!

If you want to read what it was like for me to pitch my article ideas in a room full of editors, read Terry Whalin’s blog entry, She Was Trembling from “The Writing Life.” I’m afraid I was trembling when I sat across from Jane Struck of Today’s Christian Woman because I read her letter from the editor every month — and she hangs out with these famous people who appear in her magazine. Well, she hung out with me at Glorieta, and gave me a full 15 minutes of her uninterrupted attention. It was fun, but I was a bit trembly and decided to keep my hands in my lap so they wouldn’t shake my papers.

So I’m not quite the poised freelance writer yet, but at least it seems my book reviewing is bearing some fruit. One of our Mind & Media authors, Tim Bete, has been very pleased with his publicity — and now that I’ve gotten to know him a bit, he’s every bit as nice as he appears in his book, IN THE BEGINNING, THERE WERE NO DIAPERS. He sent us an excerpt we can post anywhere, which I’m saving for my print column (that I write for a magazine. They get first rights, then I’ll post it here.)

If you haven’t read Tim Bete’s book, what are you waiting for? (It’s the one down there with the baby bottoms.) I laughed SOO hard when I had to change a baby diaper in the airplane bathroom last week (twice) — it was almost as funny as Bete’s description in the book — ALMOST!

Hey, this guy “totally rocks” as a PR firm reviewer. Check out the article he wrote about us. Let me just say — I’ve gotten a lot of visitors to my site who click through from his site — so I’m appreciative.

I’m so proud to work for Mind & Media. It’s very cool to be “on the job” when I’m reading an awesome book. And then to be able to have a forum where I can recommend it to others is great. My review of THE HEART OF A MOTHER is getting picked up by another site for women, and she’s asked me to write a monthly column for them — that will be fun.

Hope you have a nice weekend!

Hello! I’m back again. I’m so sorry I’ve not written to you in nearly a week. Shame on me! I’ve missed blogging to you so much. Yet I’ve not been anywhere near a computer for the past several days.

I’ve literally had a mountaintop experience, at the Glorieta Conference Center, about 20 miles east of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Click here to see a picture of this gorgeous place, high up in the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range. This picture does not even begin to capture the beauty — in October, the aspen leaves are transformed brilliant gold, reflecting in the lake. And at night, the steeple is lit up, allowing you to see royal blue stained glass windows. The beauty overwhelmed me nearly every second!

But what I enjoyed most was the people. I attended a writer’s conference, so every person there has a passion for books. And you know I do! Here’s a picture of a gathering of friends in my online writer’s group:

One day at lunch, a woman at my table said, “I don’t know about you, but I’ve got half a dozen books on my nightstand! I just can’t finish one before I can’t wait to start another. They’re all so good!” Wow — I could relate! We all went around the table and described what we’re reading. What fun!

I was able to meet so many people who’ve only been email addresses and words to me. The first day I arrived, I stood in line to get my welcome packet. A woman named Linda Jewell was handling this job, and I asked her, “Are you the Linda Jewell who writes short stories?”

“Yes!” she answered. “Are you the Heather Ivester who read my stories?” Indeed! She’d sent out a request for readers to critique her stories, and since she’d written about relationships between mothers and daughters, I enjoyed them immensely.

“Now I know you’re a real person!” I said to her. “I’ve always been real,” she said back to me. Then she stopped what she was doing and came around the counter to give me a big bear hug. That set the tone for the entire conference. Real people!

How about you? Have you been able to go on a retreat lately? I used to go all the time in college and when I was a single — and those mountaintop experiences sustained me through the valleys. I’ve been so busy as a wife and mom that it’s hard for me to let go and get away. But it’s important. I urge you to try to do the same, whether you’re alone or part of a conference of people.

I really feel like God whispered something to me there. I’ll tell you about it tomorrow.

Now, today is Halloween — and I’m heading out to yet another preschool costume parade. These are the happy times. I love watching parents snap pictures and smile behind video cameras as their tiny tots parade around the room in costume. I know behind the scenes there are sticky floors, lost socks, and scribbled-on walls. Yet it’s such fun to forget about all that and join together to celebrate memories in the making.

I wish you all a safe and happy Halloween (with lots of treat bags full of chocolate)!!

[Edit: Louise DuMont has a nice write-up of this conference on her website, with pictures.]

I read this prayer today, and I wanted to share it with you. Is there anyone out there like me who is searching for your calling? I hope this prayer will minister to you today.

Prayer for One’s Calling

Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
Who declares Your glory and shows forth Your handiwork
in the heavens and in the earth;
Deliver us, we beseech You, in our several callings,
from the service of mammon*
That we may do the work which You give us to do,
in truth, in beauty, and in righteousness,
with singleness of heart as thy servants,
and to the benefit of our fellow men;
For the sake of Him who came among us as One that serves,
Your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
–The Book of Common Prayer

* I looked up mammon (kind of an old word, huh?). It means “material wealth or possessions.”

I’ve reached a point in my life where I KNOW certain things I have to do every day — I’m a wife, mother, daughter, sister, neighbor, and friend. But as a writer, I’m ready to move beyond my local borders. I pray that God will direct every word of this blog for my present and future readers. You’ve stopped here for a reason — I want to make it worth your time.

I received an email yesterday from a young woman, a college student, who wanted to know my advice on how to begin a writing career. I was about to dash off a response, but I thought I’d take a few extra minutes and write something I could share with some of you who may also have this question.

Here’s part of her message:

I have expressed an interest in a writing career, after four long, grueling, stressful years of earning a science degree. I’m very interested in getting started straight out of college, which I will most willingly be leaving in the grand and glorious month of blessed December, but have no idea where to begin. I’m not sure how good I need to be. I have talent, but it is fairly raw.

Here’s how I responded:

Congratulations on being so close to finishing your degree! That’s an accomplishment in itself. You’ve slaved through four years of school, and “grueling” is a good word to describe it. Your degree is in science — wow! Now, that took some effort. You’ve obviously got high motivation and stamina to hang in there and finish.

With a degree in science, it seems to me you’re in a perfect position to become some type of science writer. In any job, you don’t want to work long hours for low pay — you’ll end up hating your job and hating yourself for choosing it. You want to work smart, find something that pays well, that uses your skills — and will allow you time to have a life outside of work. In other words, a writing career is not going to be ultimately fulfilling if you don’t have time to play, relax, exercise, travel, and hang out with those you love.

So, how can you work smart? Here are three steps I’d recommend taking:

1) You’ve paid a ton of money for your tuition, and part of that goes to the staff of the career counseling office. Use them! Make an appointment with somebody and go over there and start asking questions. Ask advice on how to make your resume the best it can be. Don’t be humble when it comes to putting yourself on paper — this is all prospective employers will know of you. Set high goals — now’s the time to go after your dreams!

2) Join a professional organization. Do a search for “science writer” online. Here’s something I found — Go visit this site: National Association of Science Writers. You’re perfect for them! Think how much more qualified you are than the average writer — YOU have a science degree! From looking around this site, I can already see that you’ll find yourself in a vast network of people who love science and love writing, like you. You’ll find employers looking to fulfill positions, and you’ll be able to put this on your resume. That will show an employer that you’re serious. If possible, try to attend a conference of some sort — the small, local ones are often inexpensive. You’ll have lunch with people who share a passion for your field. And if you can get to a national conference, you’ll be ready to explode with ideas (I speak from experience!)

3) Start subscribing to a couple of writing magazines — or at least try to browse through them on campus. Subscribing is the best because then you feel like you own the magazine. You’ll feel like the editor is speaking to YOU, and the writers are writing to YOU. I think the absolute best magazine for writers is Writer’s Digest. Sign up for their online newsletter, and once a week, you’ll get a bunch of free articles and motivation. But also sign up for science writing newsletters. Get as much as you can for free! Right Writing is one of my favorite websites for writers, with tons of great articles and a blog called The Writer’s Life.

Here’s one more thing I’m a firm believer in. Take action. Do something. If you can’t find the perfect job right away, start doing something that at least pays the bills. You’ll seem more professional.

Here’s what I did right out of college. I was jobless, with a wardrobe consisting of T-shirts and shorts. I’d finished my English degree, but I wasn’t certified to teach, and I had zero confidence in my writing ability — unless it was literary criticism or short stories — yet there wasn’t a job market for those skills!

So, I moved back in with my parents and found a retail job working nights right away. I started getting a paycheck, and I used that to buy me some professional-looking clothes! I couldn’t search online for jobs back then, so I just blabbed to everybody that I wanted to find a job as a writer. Finally, one of my high school friends said she knew the senior editor of a prestigious magazine in our area was looking for an intern. An intern! (But I’d already graduated.)

Still, I had this open door, this contact. So, I called and made an appointment to meet with this editor. I drove alone to a sleek, highrise building, and took the elevator way up. When I stepped out, the entire floor spanned windows overlooking the polish of the city. I wanted that!

Despite my jitters, I met with the editor and pretty much told her I’d do anything. I called some of my professors, and we put together an internship program. I learned SO much from this unpaid position: how to get started, how to find good ideas, how to research, how to write, how to fact-check, and how to copy-edit. And I learned to take criticism. Right away, she told me, “Your writing style is too stuffy and formal. That’s not going to work here at all.” So, I took home dozens of back issues and pored over them like a textbook.

Anyway, I eventually got an article published with that magazine and went on to do other things. But that was my training ground for what I’m doing now as a freelancer.

So, I encourage you to go for your dreams! You’ve probably written hundreds of papers — now look in the mirror and tell yourself, “I’m a great writer!” You are. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

If you need one more dose of insight, check out the world’s shortest speech from Sir Winston Churchill. He stood in front of a group of college students at a commencement address and said this before returning to his seat: “Never give up; never give up. I say, never, never give up!”

That’s the best advice you’ll ever hear.

I listened to the radio in the car yesterday and heard an interview with two Katrina survivors who’d returned home to New Orleans.

“It’s dark out here,” the man observed. “We only know one other neighbor besides us who’s come back.”

This husband and wife share a solitary light in their once-flooded home, powered by a generator. An electric fan cools the house for part of the day.

Every morning, the man enjoys getting out his walking stick and strolling several blocks. He stops to feed a few stray cats and dogs. “I can’t let them starve,” he said. “What’s a ten-pound bag of dog food?”

When asked if they felt lonely, the couple explained they were actually kind of enjoying the peace.

“We like the quiet now,” the woman said. “We can hear the sound of birds.”

Sure enough, the radio broadcast the glorious song of the birds they now hear.

Imagine that. Amid the devastation of everything they held onto: their home, their neighborhood, their dreams…they’ve come home and, for the first time ever, are enjoying the sound of birds.

This is why I write.

I want to help you hear the sound of birds. They’re there. But you can’t hear them usually. It’s so easy in our fast-paced lives to get busy and engulfed in noise that you forget the birds are there. It takes a quiet stillness to hear their song.

Whatever you have going on in your life right now: health problems, financial worries, depression, wayward children, relationship struggles…take a few minutes today and slow down. Pray.

And listen for the sound of the birds.