Congratulations to the person who posted 7th on my last post - Kate. You have won a Starbucks Gift Card which I will mail to you. Thanks for providing your email address, I've already sent you a note.
Today I'm doing something I have never done. I'm packing up the laptop, throwing some shorts and t-shirts in a bag, and heading to a hotel for three days to write ... by myself! Call it a personal writing retreat.
The reason? I've got a deadline to meet and I'm way far behind the schedule I developed for myself. I'm behind because I underestimated how much time and energy other priorities would take this past year.
One of the pluses of living in the desert and having a high temperature of 111 today, is that not many people want to visit a place that feels like an oven at 7 a.m. So our hotels are willing to slash their prices. My husband went on Priceline.com and got me a 4-star hotel in Scottsdale for $53 a night. I realize that's still more expensive than sitting at home, but I'm not getting much writing done at home.
Years ago, I started looking at some expenses differently. For instance, a new cookbook is actually an investment in cooking more at home. My attitude is that if a cookbook saves my family from going out to eat just once, it's paid for itself.
Hence the importance of this personal writing retreat. I believe it is an investment in my ministry. I would gladly give $160 so that the Gospel of Jesus Christ can be advanced. It's the prayer of my heart that my writing advances the Gospel.
So I'll be deep in prayer, Bible study, research and writing for the next few days. I can hardly wait.
One other question you might have, is how can I do this with five kids. It's because my husband and I both work at home. This was not an easy transition. It took lots of sacrifice, but it was worth it.
I pray God's blessing over you today, and your own ministry. Whether it is in the workplace, at home or on the mission field in Africa - doing God's work is the highest calling we have.
In His Love,
Glynnis
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
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12 comments:
I'll be praying for you Glynnis! Have a wonderful time! BTW ~ I went ahead and started a blog! It's been great!
Mary :)
Sounds wonderful! I hope you have a restful and productive time. :-)
Glynnis,
I am praying for your time to be extremely fruitful and productive. I understand completely. Allan and I both work at home and there have been times in the past when he will let me sneak away (usually only one night) to get energized or focus on a project. It has been a while, thanks for the reminder of how important it is to invest in our ministry.
Blessings,
Charlene
Glynnis,
Thanks for the Star Bucks gift card. I just love contests! I was tickled to hear you do such crazy things like checking yourself in a Hotel to get some peace and quiet. You are such a gift to us all.
I also look for hotels that are being remodeled. Because I am in sales, I never pay full price for anything.
Blessings,
Kate
Thanks for your thoughts on investing. I don't think I would have gotten the same advice on CNBC! I agree that what may look like an indulgence at first glance can be the very thing that will best serve the Gospel. For me, the key to knowing the difference is ongoing intimacy with God. He's never shy about revealing my motives to me when I seek to know with an open heart. Enjoy your time alone with the Lord; I know He will do great things through you!
A New Friend,
Gail W.
Happy writing Glynnis. I will pray that you can get a lot accomplished over the next few days.
Blessings,
Pearls
I did this a few years ago, Glynnis, and agree that time away is indeed a worthwhile investment. I am so blessed that my hubby encouraged me to go for it.
I pray your time is blessed, productive and peaceful!
Blessings on your writing retreat! It sounds like a dream come true to get into a 5 star hotel and get focused on what God has placed on your heart to write. I'll pray that no distractions arise!
Prayers and Blessings!
Rebecca
Good for you! I will be praying that God pours out revelation and for you to reach your goal. Have fun writing!
Glynnis - I pray that your writing time is blessed and that you are getting some times of refreshment as well. I wanted to pop by and say THANK YOU SO MUCH for all that you did for She Speaks! I was so blessed by everything, and really, really got a lot out of your class on magazine writing. I'm so excited to jump in and get started writing for publications - beginning with magazines! I also want to thank you for getting the ball rolling on the critique groups. What a blessing it's been already. I did just finish one post about my She Speaks experience, but am still processing the rest of it. :-) God is SO good and faithful. Praying His sweet and abundant blessings upon you, your family and your ministry! With love & joy in Christ, Amy in OR
I'm so happy for you, Glynnis. Writing retreats are wonderful and I'm about due for one myself! Hope you have a wonderfully productive time.
Thank you for sharing this with us girls! We need to know how other mom's get it done. Being a mom of 6 I am wondering how God will be able to use me in this writing area. Since He has called me, I know He will lead me. Now I have this to tuck away, if I ever find myself needing a writing retreat. :) Be blesed!
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