tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45817935241237596702024-03-12T18:10:39.269-07:00Missy-Nickie's MusingsNichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-76438614445263496372010-08-24T10:19:00.001-07:002010-08-24T10:19:25.566-07:00Monday Aug 9 Haiti adventure day 2 part 9<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53286878@N07/4922961837/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4922961837_e19a68c0f9_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53286878@N07/4922961837/">outside of My Heart's Home</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/53286878@N07/">missy Nickie</a></span><br clear="all" /><p>The house is not real far from the Haiti Home Depot. We went up the worst dirt road ever, around a sharp corner, and up some more. The road is more like a very rocky two-track.<br />The house is HUGE!<br /><br />In this pic are the table and benches we made while there.</p>Nichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-7868827478167596542010-08-24T10:16:00.001-07:002010-08-24T10:16:43.802-07:00Monday Aug 9 Haiti adventure day 2 part 9<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53286878@N07/4922946251/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4922946251_21f091b820_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53286878@N07/4922946251/">Haitian art dealer</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/53286878@N07/">missy Nickie</a></span><br clear="all" /><p>Traveling through the business district was awesome! Eddie said a lot of the women sell their used clothing to make $ to support their families. I wanted to get out and shop but we kept moving. We past many Haitian art dealers.</p>Nichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-24191262242619169882010-08-24T10:14:00.001-07:002010-08-24T10:14:44.094-07:00Monday Aug 9 Haiti adventure day 2 part 8<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53286878@N07/4923529438/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4923529438_6f3d12fd23_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53286878@N07/4923529438/">man fixing road</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/53286878@N07/">missy Nickie</a></span><br clear="all" /><p>I saw a few men repairing some potholes with rubble from the quake!</p>Nichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-59599035173141136512010-08-24T10:11:00.001-07:002010-08-24T10:11:14.270-07:00Monday Aug 9 Haiti adventure day 2 part 7<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53286878@N07/4923519448/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4923519448_a9ed101dab_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53286878@N07/4923519448/">road</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/53286878@N07/">missy Nickie</a></span><br clear="all" /><p>After we left the mattress factory, we went to the store for water. Libby, Gerald, Eddie’s daughter, and I stayed in the car. Poor Steve was still out in the trailer, baking in the sun! After the grocery store, we had one more stop…the Haitian version of Home Depot. This place too had armed guards. I saw many U.N. soldiers. <br /><br />We have nothing to complain about, when it comes to the roads in the States. Haitian roads are very bad. IDK if it is from the quake or if they were always like that.</p>Nichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-66098573392808197312010-08-24T10:06:00.001-07:002010-08-24T10:06:41.688-07:00Monday Aug 9 Haiti adventure day 2 part 6<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53286878@N07/4923488556/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4923488556_9616988fde_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53286878@N07/4923488556/">libby & edy's daughter @ matteress factory</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/53286878@N07/">missy Nickie</a></span><br clear="all" /><p>By this time we had picked up Eddie’s daughter from school. She’s eight and will be on summer break soon. The earth quake delayed school for a few months. This is Libby March playing with her at the mattress factory.</p>Nichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-53531043332910389432010-08-24T10:03:00.001-07:002010-08-24T10:03:26.978-07:00Monday Aug 9 Haiti adventure day 2 part 5<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53286878@N07/4923475830/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4923475830_411c5b66e4_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53286878@N07/4923475830/">scrapyard</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/53286878@N07/">missy Nickie</a></span><br clear="all" /><p>The mattress factory was in the same compound as the local scrap yard. It was a locked facility with armed guards. As we drove in, two large trucks, one on each side passed us. I could have touched the truck on my side, just by reaching out the window just a few inches. Gerald laughed when I said, “WOW!”</p>Nichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-81705735325102068352010-08-24T09:57:00.001-07:002010-08-24T09:57:41.179-07:00Monday Aug 9 Haiti adventure day 2 part 4<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53286878@N07/4923063709/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4923063709_ee4ca1d41d_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53286878@N07/4923063709/">road traffic</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/53286878@N07/">missy Nickie</a></span><br clear="all" /><p>cars trying to get in your spot. At least you never go every fast!</p>Nichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-2516200173867190582010-08-24T09:55:00.001-07:002010-08-24T09:55:31.933-07:00Monday Aug 9 Haiti adventure day 2 part 4<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53286878@N07/4923052441/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4923052441_ce07349e58_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53286878@N07/4923052441/">taptap</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/53286878@N07/">missy Nickie</a></span><br clear="all" /><p>Steve rode is Eddy’s trailer, which is only a little bigger than our 4-wheeler trailer. Haitian traffic is INSANE! More controlled chaos! People riding in or on tap-taps</p>Nichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-30813587435628113492010-08-24T09:48:00.001-07:002010-08-24T09:48:26.041-07:00Monday Aug 9 Haiti adventure day 2 part 3<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53286878@N07/4922856727/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4922856727_b8d003bbbb_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53286878@N07/4922856727/">manwheelbarrow</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/53286878@N07/">missy Nickie</a></span><br clear="all" /><p>We had to wait for Pastor Ron, Steve, and Eddie. The propane guy wouldn’t take US $ only Haiti. This man is carrying what I assume is all of his belongings.</p>Nichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-61510350492332683312010-08-24T09:46:00.001-07:002010-08-24T09:46:21.198-07:00Monday Aug 9 Haiti adventure day 2 part 2<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53286878@N07/4923572184/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4923572184_2dd1fb4000_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53286878@N07/4923572184/">tent comm by airprt</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/53286878@N07/">missy Nickie</a></span><br clear="all" /><p>As you can see they are so close together. There is very little room to walk between the tents.</p>Nichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-16547872539104605632010-08-24T09:42:00.001-07:002010-08-24T09:42:17.044-07:00Monday Aug 9 Haiti adventure day 2 part 1<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53286878@N07/4923440798/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4923440798_c8747d7ca1_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53286878@N07/4923440798/">tent comm by airport</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/53286878@N07/">missy Nickie</a></span><br clear="all" /><p>We arrived in Haiti around 10:00 am. Eddie picked us up. He could only take 4 of us plus the luggage. So Lonna, Ciera, Lonnie, and Peggy went with the luggage. Pastor Ron, Libby, Steve, Gerald, and I waited for Eddie to back and pick us up. The airport in Port Au Prince is a busy, BUSY place! Nothing like the airports in the State: it’s small and controlled chaos! (more chaos not so much control!)<br /> Baggage pick up is “every man for himself!” There are no carousels! The luggage goes from the plane to the back of a truck. Then it’s driven to the airport and unloaded onto the floor. 100’s of people picking through luggage on the floor.<br />Outside the airport is almost as chaotic and even less control. There are men who push their way to you so they can push your luggage carts. “I help you”.<br />We waited for what seemed like forever. Eddie finally came. We had to go shopping for the matteresses the 9 of us were to sleep, and a few other things.<br />Just as we were leaving the airport there is a tent community.</p>Nichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-85691202730135004402010-08-23T07:11:00.000-07:002010-08-23T07:14:27.072-07:00Haiti Adventure Day 1Sunday Aug. 8<br /><br />We left Mt. Pleasant around 2:30 am. I road in Pastor Ron’s car with 4 guys, 3 of which I’ve never met. It was an interesting ride to Detroit. All they talked about was cars, assembly line work…oh and we did some Bible trivia as we approached the airport.<br /><br />At the airport we weighed our luggage. Some of which was over weight. The weight limit was 50 pounds, so Lonna took charge and took a few things out of the over weight bags and added them to my under weight bag.<br />Then because our layover was more than 12 hours, we had to PAY for our checked luggage. I only had one bag so I only paid $35. I sat with Libby on the plane to Miami. She is a photo journalist/CMU student. Check out her blog to see more Haiti pics. http://www.libbymarch.blogspot.com<br /><br />The flight was uneventful. When we got to the Miami airport it was controled chaos. We didn’t have reservations for a hotel room, so those who had brought laptops and cell phones searched for hotels. One was finally found. Then we had to load all 750 pounds of luggage on to a shuttle bus. <br /><br />BTW it was raining in Miami. Haven’t seen much of SUNNY Miami. <br /><br />At the hotel we have to wait for our rooms so we go to Bennigan’s for lunch. After checking into our rooms. We, five girls, crash. I don’t think we will make it to the beach, but the hotel has an out door pool. Maybe if it stops storming we can so swimming! It is a bit humid, but not bad!<br /><br />Lord, I pray for our team. I pray for good, sound rest tonight. Father I pray that You will protect us as we travel to Haiti in the morning. Father, I also pray that we keep giving each other grace and have patience with each other. <br /><br />Father, please protect Jamie, Erick, and Topher. 10 days is really not THAT long! Father…one last thing…I pray that I will not only connect with staff and children, but also the team. Libby and I seem to have been placed together for whatever purpose You have chosen. I think I have connected with her the most so far.Nichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-58623436927158151622010-07-09T05:26:00.000-07:002010-07-09T05:35:17.307-07:00The importance of good punctuation.Today is Friday so you know what that means: it's Writer's Friday. This is a funny post that was given to me a few years ago by a writer friend of mine. I hope you enjoy!<br /><br />Dear John: <br />I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we're apart. I can be forever happy--will you let me be yours? <br />Gloria <br /><br />Dear John: <br />I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you. <br />Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you, I have no feelings whatsoever. <br />When we're apart, I can be forever happy. Will you let me be? <br />Yours, <br />GloriaNichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-3650459363503364462010-07-08T05:16:00.001-07:002010-07-08T05:36:45.180-07:00I'm Baacckk!Did you miss me? I didn't think so! :0) I've been gone for about 1 week. I'll be gone again next week, if all things go as planned. Going camping on or near Lake Superior for the week.<br /><br />The reason I was gone last week is computer related. Thurday I was typing and my laptop's screen went black. could barely make out the icons. So Erick (my 15 year old) hooked the laptop up to the tv so I could at least finish what I was doing. Well the s-video port on the laptop didn't work and we didn't have a monitor to hook it up to. Jamie got home from work and I told him what had happened. We were going new laptop looking anyway. <br /><br />We found one I liked and of course my husband has to go to every place in town that sells computers before we go back to the first place and get the first computer. :0) <br /><br />The only bad thing about this computer is it has no phone jack. (I live in the sticks where the only online option is dial up). So the store that we bought the computer at had a USB Modem FOR $60. We figured we could find it cheaper somewhere else. This was last Thursday. <br /><br />Yesterday I was finally able to go get a USB Modem, and I found it at two other places and they were both about 1/2 the price as the store we bought my laptop at. So I'm back online and loving my new laptop. <br /><br />I will be posting tomorrow for Writer's Friday. Not sure about next week, yet. If I go camping I've already been informed that it is a "no electronics" camping trip. I should find out tonight.Nichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-29641039537336844752010-06-30T06:41:00.000-07:002010-06-30T06:44:29.473-07:00Haughty AttitudeIsaiah 2:6-4:6<br /><br />This section in Isaiah talks about Judah and Jerusalem’s prideful and haughty attitudes. Sometimes we have this same attitude. You see a small group of elementary aged children sitting in front of you at church. They are snickering and clearly not listening to the worship service. You think, “Where are their parents?” or “I’m glad my kids don’t act like that.”<br /><br />You are passing judgment on someone else, when in reality your kids at some point have acted like that. I know mine have!<br /><br />I struggle with this attitude more often than I really care to admit. I have been a Christian for almost 15 years. The church I’m a member of has several new (with in the last 12 months) Christians and some who have been Christians longer than I have been alive. Most of them at times seem immature in their walk. But then I think who am I to judge them, that’s between them and God. <br /><br />The Lord will humble the proud and haughty attitudes in us (2:11-12). Usually He does this by showing us what our attitudes look like, by turning the tables on us. I don’t like being on the receiving end of judgment. Do you? <br /><br />Run to the ROCK! The more you cling to Him the less likely you are to suffer from this attitude.Nichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-88371376959062600822010-06-28T05:24:00.000-07:002010-06-28T05:27:54.548-07:00Thin Places by Mary DeMuth reviewBook review Monday is here. The book is Thin Places by Mary DeMuth. <br /><br />This is a very open and honest look into the life of Mary DeMuth. The chapter titled “Marked” touched me the most. Instead of running from the mark, as Mary did, I embraced it. That was how I felt loved. That is until I met my now husband and Jesus. They have become my safe havens.<br /><br />It is still hard for me to trust people, but I AM healing. This book lets you know that it’s okay to have issues. You don’t have to have it all together, for God to love you. He will love you and heal you no matter the issue.Nichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-14836435212526549002010-06-25T07:36:00.000-07:002010-06-25T07:38:59.264-07:00What the heck does Showing Vs Telling mean? And how can I tell when I’m telling when I should be showing?It's Writer's Friday. So Write right, today!<br /><br />I struggle with this. Honestly I think most writers do, to some degree. What I understand is that universal emotions shouldn’t be told. We should show how the character reacts to their feelings. We all feel nervous, sad, happy, or angry. These are universal emotions, everyone has them. But we all react differently to those emotions.<br /><br />If a writer just tells you a character is angry, that’s boring and uninteresting. We’re reading the story. We see what caused him to be angry. Someone ran into his brand new sports car. I’d be angry too! More interesting is how he reacts to seeing his dream car smashed. Does he jump out of the car yelling and cursing? Does he calmly and methodically take out a gun and shoot the offender? Or does he just sit there and cry?<br /><br />Even in a first person narrative the character knows he’s angry. It’s more interesting for him to show what he is feeling or what he’s thinking, instead of saying “I was angry!”<br /><br />Showing applies to descriptions and relationships too. It’s boring to hear that someone was ugly. What makes them ugly? Show it! It’s boring to hear that two people are close. How are they close? What do they do together? Show it!Nichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-87655260598767352010-06-23T05:04:00.000-07:002010-06-23T05:11:03.767-07:00Going Through the MotionsIsaiah 1:2, 10-20<br /><br />Judah had rebelled against God (1:2). What did they do? They were just going through the motions…and God was tired of it (1:14-15). He wouldn’t even listen to their prayers (1:15). <br /><br />They were still meeting, sacrificing, and giving, but their hearts weren’t in it. Apparently, they weren’t taking care of their poor and needy (1:17). God’s chastisement was to make the nation suffer (1:5-7).<br />God is very clear on how to end the suffering. You have to be willing and obedient (1:19).<br /><br />If we as Christians forget our needy we are no different from Judah of the Old Testament. God will chastise us. <br /><br />Read James 1:27<br /><br />Read Zechariah 7 to see what God did to those who didn’t care for the needy.<br /><br />Need some suggestions:<br />1) Visit or call a widow.<br />2) Secretly pay a bill for a widow or single parent.<br />3) Take a single parent’s children to the park for the afternoon.<br />4) Write an encouraging note.<br />5) Sponsor an orphan over seas.<br />6) Become a foster parent.<br />7) Adopt .<br />8) Help an organization that helps orphans/widows.<br />The list of possibilities is endless! Be creative!Nichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-70098136351660521902010-06-21T06:01:00.000-07:002010-06-21T06:21:30.079-07:00Symmetry by Joyce Sterling ScarbroughToday is book review Monday! I first met Joyce Sterling Scarbrough in a writer's group we both belong to. Now She is one of my Diva sisters! This review is for her lastest book Symmetry. Look for more info on Joyce at the end of this post! Enjoy! <br /><br /><br />Symmetry is about Jess and her realization that she has trichotillomania, her pending divorce, and her relationship with family. This book touched a nerve in me. I know second hand how it feels to be “different”. My oldest son has been diagnosed with A.D.H.D, with possible Asperger’s Syndrome, and there are days when I think he has O.C.D. I love the characters and the drama of this book. It is an excellent read! I love how this book brings awareness to those who are “different” or might be labeled “freaks”. <br /><br />You can learn more about Joyce and purchase her books at: http://www.lldreamspell.com/JoyceScarbrough.htm<br />http://www.joycescarbrough.blogspot.com<br />http://www.amazon.comNichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-38554273469219304062010-06-17T05:22:00.000-07:002010-06-17T05:24:04.721-07:00The Problem in GalatiaGalatians 1:6-7~I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.<br /><br />The basic gospel found in Scripture can be understood by even the most uneducated person. There are portions of Scripture that are hard to understand because they were written in a different time and in a different culture. Sometimes it is easier to understand these portions if we understand why they were written in the first place.<br /><br />Galatians 1:6-7 clearly explains why Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians. The churches of Galatia were “turning to a different gospel”, a false gospel, while Paul was gone. So they needed correcting, thus the letter. Paul knew that if the churches in Galatia didn’t get the gospel right, it would be a spiritual death sentence for them. So Paul wrote this letter to reaffirm the simple truth of the gospel that he had taught them previously and to call out the false teachers.<br />Back in verse 4, Paul states the gospel as plainly as can be. That’s it, there’s nothing more to it! I can see why he was “astonished.” What he taught them all boils down to what he said in this verse. <br /><br />The Galatians were not only “turning to a different gospel” but they were “deserting him who called them”. God called them to believe and they were turning their backs to Him.<br /><br />Let us as Christians be careful to not allow false teachers to confuse us. The only way to do that is to be grounded in Scripture. Read 1 Timothy 4:1-10. Check out Jeremiah 28 to find out what God did to a false teacher. Church leaders please read Acts 20:28-35.Nichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-64164461814990218622010-06-15T07:36:00.000-07:002010-06-15T07:50:55.648-07:00TangledToday I am going to share with you my review of Tangled by Lacresha Hayes. This is the latest book about by Larcesha. The book is available on Amazon and through Lacresha's many websites, blogs, and Facebook pages. If you are interested in finding out more about her and her ministries I will have contact info at the end of the post.<br /><br /><br />Tangled by Lacresha Hayes.<br /><br />WOW! I loved this book! I hope Lacresha will write a sequel! Without giving too much away, Shannon is still in love with Derek, her husband, but Brian is back in her life. Who will she choose? You will have to read the book to find out. Watch Shannon struggle with God, herself and just life in general. You really should read this book.<br /><br />You can check out Lacresha at Lacreshahayes.com, Learntofeelpretty.blogspot.com, Therapeofinnocence.blogspot.com or friend her on Facebook at Facebook.com/lacreshahayesNichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-80058515074635179332010-06-11T07:33:00.000-07:002010-06-11T07:35:42.595-07:00Your Character is a Failure!It's WRITING FRIDAY! <br /> Your protagonist has to fail. You need to show that she isn’t perfect. We aren’t perfect, so neither should our characters be. Perfect characters make for uninteresting stories.<br /> When you create your characters create a small place in them where they hide their deepest, darkest secrets, desires and the feelings they don’t want to deal with. Now fill that place with the wickedness of their heart. <br />We all know about that, so this should be easy. Really it should, but it isn’t as easy as we might think. When creating well rounded characters, the author has to dig deep into themselves. Not always a pretty picture, but it can be a very healing experience. <br /> Now pile on the character’s strongest weakness, until everything starts to shove against her. The she will have three choices. 1) She can choose to give up and fail. 2) She can choose to live up to her own expectations of herself. Or 3) she can answer the call for greatness, and do the right thing.<br /> The stench of the filth of her wretchedness begins to invade her seemingly perfect life. It will upset the apple cart of how she sees herself, and force her to face her true self. This is how the reader knows she is real. Readers can relate to imperfection, and inner struggle. They will root her on and what her to have victory.<br /> Someone shared this example with me: “Consider Woody in Toy Story. He enjoyed being the leader of Andy’s toys. He saw himself as the best until Buzz Lightyear came along. Then layer upon layer is pulled off Woody, until we see him (and he sees himself) for what he truly is. But we still love him. We want him to come out of the hovel of Sid’s room, a better toy, no longer driven by jealousy and pride. The story becomes more than just about two toys finding their way back to their own. The story really becomes one about someone learning to accept who he is and overcome it with greater and stronger character traits.”Nichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-89759514488779201642010-06-10T08:50:00.000-07:002010-06-10T08:52:33.333-07:00Healthy Tips For Eating OutYou Can Eat Healthy When Eating Out. Tips to remember when you’re eating out.<br /><br />1) Ask for water or order fat-free or low-fat milk, unsweetened tea, or other drinks with no added sugars. Forget the pops and juices. They’re loaded in added sugar.<br /><br />2) If you are ordering a sandwich, ask for whole wheat bread. It is better for you and white bread has a lot of sugar in it.<br /><br />3) Start your meal with a salad or broth soup. You will feel fuller sooner.<br /><br />4) Ask for salad dressing on the side. This way you can control how much you use.<br /><br />5) Choose main dishes that include veggies. Then eat those veggies first. You will feel fuller and be less likely to over do it on the starchy and protein foods.<br /><br />6) Order foods that are steamed, grilled, or broiled over those that are fried or sautéed. If you don’t know how things are prepared, ask your server, that is what they are there for.<br /><br />7) Choose small or medium portions. This includes main dishes, sides and drinks.<br /><br />8) Order foods that don’t have creamy sauces or gravies. There are lots of calories, fats and sugars in them.<br /><br />9) Add little or no butter to your food. <br /><br />10) If the main portions are too large for you: share with a friend or ask for a “doggy bag” right away. This will help you from overeating.<br /><br />11) On long commutes or shopping trips, pack some healthy snacks, like fresh fruit, cut-up veggies, low-fat string cheese, or a handful of unsalted nuts. This will help you avoid the sweet or fatty snacks on the go.Nichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-17452979941487343182010-06-09T05:53:00.000-07:002010-06-09T05:57:31.407-07:00Forgiveness2 Corinthians 1:3-4 & 2:7-8<br /><br /> God has allowed us to suffer and hurt for a purpose; that we may be able to help others who are suffering. People, will at some point, hurt us; whether it is physically or emotionally it will happen.<br /><br /> Someone close to me struggles with a very specific sin issue. (I do too, but on a different level.) In the summer of 2008 this issue go tout of control, to the point of this person needing to seek professional help. <br /><br /> At the peak I was so angry with this person. I couldn’t even look at them. This person’s actions made me physically ill. After a day or two, I saw that I needed to forgive. I knew I needed to, but with in a few more days I saw the “excessive sorrow,” Paul talks about in 2 Corinthians 2:7. I forgave and made sure this person knew 100% without a doubt, that I still loved them. Now that I have gone through this issue, I am able to help others who are going through it now.<br /><br /> Are you hurting? If not you will be. So when it happens, trust the Lord. Forgive them and show them you still love them.Nichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581793524123759670.post-73675386851064945102010-06-07T06:03:00.000-07:002010-06-07T06:05:56.938-07:00Fools!This prayer is based on Psalm 104.<br /><br />They are fools, to say “I don’t believe in God anymore.” That is a very foolish thing to say! They say “there is no evidence”. All they have to do is look around. The very air we breathe is a gift and a miracle. The grass we walk on, the tides, seasons, moon, sun, and stars are all miracles from you. Lord I don’t understand how they can deny your existence, when the world around them screams with proof of you.<br />Lord, may my thinking and life be pleasing to you. You are my Master and Creator. Mold me to do your will.<br /><br />Your humble maid-servantNichole Osbornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08167000199419272337noreply@blogger.com0