Switching Gears and No Tears

Hi!

My goal for this blog was to keep readers up to date and myself accountable with changes I wanted to make and/or things I wanted to conquer. When I started this blog I was not feeling well and it was a struggle to get even simple things completed.

Fast forward and I'm feeling fantastic and ready to tackle new things as well as improve on current goals. Writing is a clear call on my life, and it's going well. So well I have to say goodbye to continuing on this blog so I can concentrate on other endeavors.

Don't cry (I'm dramatic) because I'm not. I'm doing pretty much the same exact thing Wednesdays at my main blog, The Surrendered Scribe. On Wednesdays I participate in the "Not so Extreme Makeover---Me Edition." No I haven't put the yellow paint job on that list because I'm wondering if that dream will ever happen. The good news is this was a long, hard winter with gray living room walls and I survived! Feeling better definitely helped so much more than a yellow paint job.

Some of you found me through this blog and I'm really glad and appreciative, and I'd love you to keep reading. Here is where you can find me. Don't be shy, leave a comment and don't be afraid to subscribe and/or follow!

Thanks for stopping by!

JULIE ARDUINI, THE SURRENDERED SCRIBE

Coming Soon (Contributing writer):
Run Like a Girl & GodSightings

On Sale Now (Contributing Writer):
Women of Passions & Quilting Patches of Life

Columnist:
Take Root and Write & The Cypress Times


You can also find me at:
FaithWriters.com (500 member)
LinkedIn
Christian Women Take Root
Shelfari
Facebook
Twitter

The Rubber Hits the Road

Are you sitting down?

We are in active conversation concerning...

Painting. The. Living. Room. Yellow.

I KNOW! Our time frame is September. September 2008 I should add. I explained this is a need more than a want. It will open up space, especially as winter closes in. It will help my mind frame, again, winter especially, when the current gray makes me feel like a patient in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. So I'll keep you posted.

In other achievable things, I finished Disc 1, Season 1 of Smallville. I have a lonnnggg way to go but I like it. I'm probably 20 years to old for it, but I've always loved anything to do with the Superman theme. It's not the Closer to me (I LOVE that show) but it's good.

I know what it is for my life for now. I'm to encourage people with the written word. Beyond that, I am to journey with them as we find freedom through surrender. Not only does my main blog do this, but I am also a monthly columnist over at Take Root and Write. On the sister social network, Christian Women Take Root, I facilitate a group called "Finding Freedom Through Surrender." It is challenging, thrilling, inspiring, grueling, all at once.

"IT" also helped me realize during vacation what my next achievable thing needs to be. I've written at my blog and over at Take Root about hormones and me. My life changed in every sense---not just hormonally, but emotionally, physically and even spiritually. So much growth in that last part, but sometimes I don't know up from down. There are times I feel so wounded, yet I'm not sure if that's real or perceived. During vacation I sensed God ask me to seek additional covering of sorts for a tuning. If a piano isn't tuned, things turn sour. If a back isn't adjusted, it brings pain.

I don't want that.

Returning to the Y will help me find balance, I've missed exercising like I need to this summer, so that remains on the list.

I have a refined vision for writing fiction, now I need to make the vision reality.

Just like I do my whole life!

A Small Thing

Okay, Lanterman's Mill is conquered. Time for something new.

I'm going to go small on this one.

I'm a huge Superman fan. I've seen the movies, Lois and Clark, Justice League cartoon, comic books, Seinfeld American Express commercials...one Superman category I haven't tried---Smallville.

So someday soon (I am taking a guess sooner than I paint that blasted room yellow!) I'll rent Season One and see what I think.

I Came, I Saw, I Can't Believe I Forgot My Camera!

Another one off the list! We all know better than to think it was painting the living room, right? Nope, instead, I got to go to Lanterman's Mill. Thanks to Marie I found my way, toured the mill, and walked the covered bridge.

As a history fan, I loved it. The ten year old wasn't sure about this excursion and we couldn't pry him away from the tool game, guessing what tools went with the explanations. I saw an ice saw, oxen yoke, cultivator, and much more. The bottom of the mill was spectacular with the water wheel that weighs more than a female elephant and the stone walls where you could feel the grain and see the chiseling.

I took a moment and tried to envision the hands working the mill circa 1846. As a Laura Ingalls Wilder fan, I was fascinated!

So fascinated I...forgot my camera! Thank goodness for the smart person who remembered their camera and put it on line. Dawiz1753---thank you!



Lanterman’s Mill - Youngstown, Ohio

Clear Focus

It's been a long time but things are coming into a sharp focus. I think I know what "it" is, but "it" is not just one thing. Who knew?

"It" is:

-Participating in a pilot program that is similar to a 12 step program but gives hope to all, not just those in addiction. I am believing that once I go through the program, I can in return become a facilitator and give hope to others through the curriculum I am now learning.

-Writing a monthly column called "Victory Through Surrender" over at http://www.takerootandwrite.com/ I have a feeling this is the biggest "it" of all.

-Stepping up my prayer life in ways I can't even imagine. To discover more on this "it", I have to resign what "it" is not.

"It" is not:

-Traveling to Romania as I had been prayerfully invited to do. I had the time to really focus in and pray on this honor and I literally could hear a door closing on this opportunity for this season. Instead, I feel I'm meant to be a "homeland" praying person for the people who do travel there. I believe this "it" will be serious and exciting as Romania is a very dark and oppressed land.

So in a nutshell, I'm getting there.

I am also keeping the Y/wellness thing on. I had a great streak going and then a sinus infection and end of school year events took me back to zero. Frustrating!

Writing is getting there, but remains on the list. I have an idea for a non fiction work and I have an author friend willing to put my name out there to a contact. I'm not sure I'm ready for that just yet. I'm reading great how to books, and I recently resigned a book club facilitator position to free up time.

Painting the room. I REFUSE to take this one down due to failure. Today I visited a friend in Upstate NY and we are of the same giftings, talents, frustrations and personality. I looked at her living room and it's the exact shade of yellow that I want. Sigh...

I'm Discovering what "It" is...

That's why I'm not here. Again, it sure isn't because we're painting. I refuse to let that one go!

On the right of this blog you will see a link to "Take Root and Write". I'll be a monthly columnist writing about of all things...surrender. I find it funny it took me awhile to know this given I'm the Surrendered Scribe. When more information comes forth I'll share, but I'm very excited.




I've also been keeping up with workouts and if I haven't pulled it yet, I will soon. Last week our four year old was sick and I missed work outs, and now this week I have a sinus infection and missed a couple days. I will not be defeated on this, I feel so alive when I exercise. Who knew?

The Mill is just starting to expand hours, my struggle now will be getting there once school is out. Maybe I'll put it in my calendar for next week. I just want to do more than drive by it.

This summer also looks like more discovery, but I'll share that new venture another time...

Two Steps Forward and Three Back

I'm on the "it" discovery. Just when I think I know what "it" is, the door closes. So I'm working on that, working much harder than painting the family room I tell you! I feel like I am narrowing what it is. I want to take notes but this is what I know. I have a heart to mentor, encourage. I'm strongest with third and fourth grade children. I don't want to be plugged into a committee. I connect with a statement I read in the book about Supernatural Ways of Royalty. The body of Christ is too wrapped up in winning souls, not a bad thing, but what happens after the altar call? I grieve when I think about it. The book likens it to a one night stand. Folks need mentoring, discipleship, relationship. I think overall the church in general misses the mark. And maybe me sensing that is what "it" is. I'll keep you posted.

The wellness thing is very close to being crossed off the list. It's been a long haul but I'm back at the Y and working hard. I even took an advanced water aerobics class that incorporates laps. I survived!

I'm not doing so well on working on new stories but right now I'm not too upset about it. One of the doors I'm trying to go through on my it quest is writing related. Perhaps that is the direction. We shall see.

Lanterman's Mill is on temp hours. I look forward to getting there.

So there you have it. Whatever it is.