I’m Thankful I’m A Writer- Prompt #1 May 13, 2008

Part of my homework is to play with writing from prompts as it strengthens my ability to think creativly. This is the first real promp i’ve written off of even though it’s not fiction. It made me have to stop and think. Then write to convey my feelings. Fun and very thought provoking question! Somebody ask me this again in 10 years and see what i say!

I’m thankful I’m a writer because I know it’s what the Lord has called me to do. Regardless of the fact that I have absolutely no idea what the future holds for me with this calling. I’m just glad I’ve been called to do something, anything by the Lord.

I’m normal, I ask myself tons of questions like will I be published one day? What will I have learned about that I could write on? How could I fill 100 plus pages of a book and keep someone’s interest for more than a chapter? Can i meet a eadline? Will my pride be bruised when an editor corrects my flaws? I know I wonder too much!

The one thing I’m most sure of in this process is I will have grown closer to the Lord than ever before. More than He wants me to write any book I know He wants my relationship with Him to flourish. I’m thankful I’m a writer because I’m greatful for the lessons & knowledge that will be gained as the Lord and I take this journey together.

When i start to wonder for the slightest second about any of this I read Isaiah 61:1 to myself and just trust. Trust that because i have been called by a Mighty God all the small details will be taken care of because the Lord has something to say. I, Heather, am only one of the many,many tools in His heavenly hands. He has annointed me, dust girl, to preach good news to the poor, bind the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom for the captives, and release prisioners from darkness. I hope that as i open my mouth, put keyboard in hand, pen to paper or whatever else is on His agenda that i will be found faithful every step of the way.

Garland of Grace May 11, 2008

     Proverbs 1:8-9

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.

     I was looking for a verse this morning to use as my inspiration for writing something that could portray the way that i feel about my mother. Then i came across Proverbs 1: 8-9 and i knew that was what i had been looking for.

     As an adult i have come to know the true value of a mother, my mother. In all the wealth of knowledge i have learned in life, the jewels mother has taught me as an adult will be the kind that last through ages even if i don’t have any kids to pass them on to. If i only could have known what my future held as a bratty teenager i probably would have behaved a lot better. Wouldn’t we all?! Saved my precious mother a lot of grief.

     My mother is a treasure to me. She is that garland to grace my head and that chain to adorn my neck. Her beauty stretches far beyond the physical and deep into my very soul. I love her with every breath i take and praise God for His healing her so that i could know her value in my adult life. I am proud for people to know she’s mine! Am i’m stingy and don’t want to share her anyway!!

     I laugh when i think about how God must have been humored while He was up in heaven making mom then deciding to give her me and vice versa. She and I have a very warped sense of humor. Mom, Queen of the Niave. Heather, the opinionated Mouth of the South. The two of us get humored over something so stupid and laugh until we practically can’t breathe. This happening on a far to regular basis.

     I thought it would be fun to share a memory- one of my favorite memories- of my mother with you all. I better fill you in a bit so it’ll make more sense. At the time when this happened my mother was going through her radiation for breast cancer. Mom was the first in our family to ever have cancer like this. She had always been fairly healthy and before the cancer we ate & lived like “normal” people. Then one day we came home to find our refrigerator had been completely emptied of all normal food and replaced with lots of weird stuff- almond butter, flax seed oil, etc. That was the beginning of a huge life change for us all. Mom went on this quest to remove whatever could have played part in giving her or any of us cancer. Right down to cleaning supplies and so on. We still were not accustomed to these new weird rituals and everyday brought on something else new and strange. This was Heidi (my little sister) and I’s experience one afternoon coming home from high school….

     Heather & Heidi come rip-roaring into the driveway in Heather’s cool car with music blaring, window’s down. They opened the housedoor in the garage and this is what they saw: Mom with her face completely submerged in a clear purple tinted Pyrex bowl. Eyes squined shut. Ear’s not under the water and totally hearing us.

Heidi 15yrs: “What is our mother doing?!!!!!!!!”

Heather 18 yrs: Shaking her head in disbelief.  ”I have NO CLUE! Only our mother would be trying to commit suicide in a Pyrex bowl on the kitchen counter.”

At this moment it becomes apparent that mom is hearing every word and she starts blowing bubbles in the bowl from laughing. She lifts her head up and is cracking up laughing but will not look us staight in the face.

Heather 18 yrs: “Is this something else we’ll all be trying out now?”

Mother attempted to explain about how this was some healthful face wash for removing radiation or something. As for Heidi and I we were still laughing because we thought we must be the only kids on the planet with a goofball for a mother. I still can’t ever look at that Pyrex bowl the same again.

Mom,

Thanks for all the laughs. The talks. The cry’s. Thanks for just being you. Always asking me what color shirt to wear. Making me tell you if your butt is too big in “that” outfit. Letting me steal back the homeless shoes. <NO I DIDN”T REALLY STEAL FROM THE HOMELESS> For sharing the same stupid humor that i do. Thanks for inviting me to your bible study. Thanks for helping me learn how to really hear God talking to me. Thanks for watching me fail in life and helping get back up. Thanks for spanking me. Thanks for hugging me. Thanks for holding me. Thanks for praying, trusting, and waiting for the Lord to bring me back to my “home” and not giving up even though i know you must have wanted to 100,000 times while i was in the “lost years.” Thanks for being that mom who didn’t always do the right thing but tried. Thanks for the meatloaf even though i hated it. Thanks for the sacrifices i do and don’t know about. Thanks for letting me have a key to the house to drive you crazy 24-7. Thanks for spending time with me, calling me, and sharing far to many laughs with me. Thanks for being my mom and not somebody else’s. Thanks for being a Godly mom i can look up to and follow after. Thanks for just being you! Happy Mother’s Day!!

Love you mom,  Heff

Trauma Surgeons with Cowboy Boots? Hmmm… May 6, 2008

    I wanted to say to everyone “Thank You” for your prayers about obtaining a surgeon. It was a great appointment this morning! The doctor came in with nice doctor looking attire, his medical jacket, and … brown cowboy boots. I wonder if he performs surgery in those and jams out to “Cat’s In the Cradle.” Funny thought! I have accidentally joked that my birth in the hills of TN was at a veterinarian’s office before. oops!

     He didn’t say that he has ever seen or dealt with anyone like me (w/ an injury as severe as mine) and my medical history in his career. Although, he seemed to have a wonderful disposition, smarts, and the ability to deal with me & any future issues that may rear their head. Natalie, my nurse from way back in the beginning, was there with him and helped us through the meeting. He checked out my graft site (the location where the skin for my temporary graft on my belly was taken from- my right thigh), saw the pics of me when i had the graft intact, and then had a gander at my belly now. He was very pleased with the looks of everything. He even checked out my perfected trach scar. That always weirds me out!

     What now? Well, his associate is from the Sarasota area and is going to recommend a primary care physician to me whom then i’ll be going get established with. This other new doc will now look over my bloodwork (liver enzymes) and deal with any little things. Lucky for me… I haven’t been sick in 6 years!  Therefore, i have not had the need to get established with any MD’s. Pain- yes, but that is from my accident. As far as other coughs, colds, and junk- NO. That has been a blessing since my list of drug allergies grows & grows. As soon as i get the name i’ll be going to see whomever that is and if anything arises greater than a flu or chest x-ray i’ll be going to Dr. Ciesla, my new trauma surgeon.

     Happy Happy- Joy Joy!! God is good. He answered my request for a replacement with a well rounded surgeon, who actually has a sense of humor about these health woes. Not that my previous beloved Dr. Flint did not because he did too. But i have encountered some on the more serious doom & gloom side which i would prefer to stay far from. Glory be to God! Prayer answered!

Doing the Happy Dance,

Heather

A Bit of News May 2, 2008

News to Share:

     Barry & I have been working on our bible study together. It’s been fun! I find it very neat to talk and think about these things together. It’s a part of our marriage i’ve never known. I feel that this opportunity is going to grow us together in a different way. I’m looking forward to that. Not that I’m bored but it’s neat to know that this increase of knowledge will allow God to do bigger things through us because we are building our foundation of His rock. So i just wanted to share that the bible study was going well.

     The second news is that Barry has been offered a greater position alongside his current boss at a new bakery. Not near where we are now. Far away. Very far. Very not near our families far. Very we wouldn’t know anyone other than his boss far. Far is Kentucky. A land i have never desired to live in. Not even once. I don’t care if they have horses or basketball or is the homeland of the first western monastery. They have snow and part of the word snow is “NO!” But… if this is where the Lord wants to move us i will have to just wear my flip-flops in the snow. It’s a known fact that my feetsies are claustrophobic and hate closed shoes. Not really i suppose but my brain does. This offer is good for Barry in several ways plus he & his boss get along very well which is a commodity anymore. I say it again- “We will not be moving unless the Lords says to.” As of this moment we don’t know what the Lord wants in that department. Perhaps at the end of the bible study we will have further insight, perhaps not. What we will be is obedient. If that entails moving away from our family to serve Him in a land unknown to us so be it. I can write in Kentucky as I’m sure i’ll have plenty of time to since i’ll be snowed in or freezing for many months at a time! You’d never know i’m really from TN huh?! This move would happen sometime between December & February if the construction stays on target. That’s eight months or less for us to accept the offer, sell our home in a terrible market, pack up, and move to foreign turf. AHHHH!

 

CNN News Last Night- Glenn Beck April 29, 2008

          I was watching Fox News late last night and saw this interview with some Dr. Lady who they ask a bunch of random questions to. The statement went something like this…. I am a mother who lost her son in an accident. Does anything good ever come of senseless death?  Dr. what’s-her-name-lady says, “No… nothing good ever comes out of senseless death! An no you will never get over it.”

     Now i don’t want to offend anyone by my thoughts on this topic, but I’m gonna say it like i think the Lord would say it. “Uh Hum… Since when did i do senseless things? When have i done something or allowed something to happen that was without purpose? Did i not give up my only son for you personally and the child or loved one that you lost?” Can I get an Amen on that one?! Death is not fun. No it’s not. But yes lots of good things happen in the wake of devastation. People have to die for people to live. An i don’t necessarily mean on Earth. I mean eternal life. An <NEWSFLASH> that IS what our purpose here on Earth is- To bring unbelievers to the Lord.

     I was so shocked at this remark i sat there perplexed (as my grandfather would say). All of us are prone to tragedy. An death is part of life. But death for those of us in Christ is not the end but rather the beginning of new life. Blessed are we!

     Don’t think that i say this because i’ve never experienced tragedy in my own life. I have and i wouldn’t undo my date with the Lord, August 24 ‘99, for any old life or even a fancy belly button ring either. (I say that because upon my accident i had one…NOT any more. There’s nothing there to attach it too.) Plenty of good has come from what has been taken from me. What i was given in exchange is even better. So i say to Dr. what’s-her-name-lady, “You should meet my Jesus. I bet he’ll change your outlook on senseless tragedy.”

     I am one example of how tragedy can change a person in wonderful ways. I don’t look at what happened and say, “Lord you failed me!”  In fact it’s quite the opposite. He rescued me in the nick of time- His time. When i skip from this world to the next one day i hope you all don’t act all sappy and miss me or anything. Because I’m gonna be dancin’ in THE streets, kickin my heels high, and shoutin’ hallelujah- In my ageless, unscarred body that is! An Carl better sing that song Fly To Jesus cuz folks… that’s where i’m goin’- GLORY. Anyone else comin’ along?!

Heather’s Bloggy Give-A-Way April 23, 2008

   

  I will be giving away one copy of “Fasting” by Jentezen Franklin! I have learned so much from this book i can’t wait to give someone else an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of knowledge you will have gained from it!

 

Here’s an excert from the first chapter…

…You know there’s more. You know there is an assignment for your life. You know there are things that God desires to release in your life, and there is a genuine desperation for those things gripping your heart.  It was for you that this book was written. (Page 4 & 5)

 

 To enter my first fabulous bloggy give-a-way here’s what you need to do:

1. Share with me the purpose that Lord has revealed to you for your life (I believe that He has many purposes for us in different seasons of life. I’m curious about what you know your’s is now.).

2. Tell me how this realization has changed you (Do you feel empowered? Did you set goals? Have you fasted for it? What about you or how you live has changed as a result of this knowledge?).

     Then on May 4th, 2008 I will be drawing a name and contacting the winner! Be sure to give me a way to contact you in the event you win!

     You can find out more about this book in the review i wrote here.

Happy Writings!  

Book Review: Fasting by Jentezen Franklin April 23, 2008

       Fasting

      By Jentezen Franklin

    

     This is probably one of the best books i’ve ever read! I love how Jentezen writes. He tangles his message and scripture together so beautifully. It’s not a book where there’s a bit of the Word and a lot of personal input. It’s a beautiful combination of both!

     I could not convey to you how much i have learned from this book the first go round. I will be reading it again and again. As i’m sure there is so much more that needs to penetrate my heart. This is the book that lead me to the fast i did on Monday.

     Jentenzen share about what the Lord had and the bible tells up about fasting- why & when it was done. He talks about the hard stuff like- “King Stomach” and Satan. Then he explains how this one action leads us deeper into a personal relationship with the Lord. Because of that deeper relationship we prepare ourselves to be more effective for Him and more sensitive to the Lord’s desires.

     Awesome Read! Once you pick it up it’s hard to put it down. I think i have half the book highlighted already! If you’ve got the time you will be blessed and your eyes opened to this new thought. I personally never knew much of anything about fasting. I know people do it but i never understood really why. Although at this moment in my life things are changing faster than i can keep up with and i knew that this needed to be part of my personal preparation for the Lord to have me fully surrendered- mind, body, and soul.

 

Drawing Nearer to the Heart of God April 21, 2008

“And it shall come to pass afterward that i will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.”

– Joel 2:28

Step 2:

1- Afterward

2- Pour out My Spirit on flesh  

3- Sons & daughters shall prophesy

4-Old Men dream dreams

5- Young men see visions

Step 3:

1- Not before

2- What God was gonna do- pour out His Spirit on man

3- Young shall prophesy. Prophesy meaning to speak as if divinely inspired, to preach, to for-tell.

4- Wise men will dream dreams given from the Lord. Dream- Strongly desired goal or purpose.

5- Discernment & foresight will be known by the young.

Step 4:

After a fast for repentance Israel was told this is one of the things that would take place. Sounds like revival in the land to me. I am opening the door in my life for the Lord to do amazing things by fasting (giving up something for a period of time). Am i ready for what He’s gonna or can do?

Step 5:

Well, physical readiness may never happen but spiritual readiness i hope is prepared and continuing to prepare. Heather squeals, “Bring It On!! Bring on dreams, visions, prophesies, and revival to me & my house! An if any part of me is in the way Lord, remove it!”

      I have embarked on something never done before today and i’m curious who else has done this or does do it presently and what you think about it. FASTING… Sounds like the easiest but is much harder than i expected. Especially food- my friend.

     Tomorrow Barry & I begin our bible study together. I happen to be reading an AWESOME book on fasting right now and felt a fool if i didn’t put into practice all that i’ve learned thus far. Not to mention that i have been praying that the Lord would cause something only of Him to take place while Barry & I study His Word together and learn (& re-learn) what He has to say to us. I can’t convey to you how badly i want Barry to become so addicted to reading & learning from God’s Word that he can’t get enough. Therefore, this study is more important to me than even the conference! I asked myself what can i do to prove my sincerity and bring on the Lord’s blessing. Thanks to this book… fasting was the answer. Fasting, prayer, and giving- so i’ve learned. 

     I wondered if any of you, my readers, have done this. Maybe what came about because of it. I’m anxious to hear some feedback on what you think. Please share!

     Also, for any new reader wondering what the 2,3,4, & 5 are about please click on the links below to see a full description and then an example.

Listening To the Lord’s Voice- Share the steps in full detail.

Here is What it Looks Like- Shows you an example of a verse i did.

Book Review: The First 90 Days of Marriage April 20, 2008

     No, Barry & I haven’t been married that short a time. This July 4th will be four years! Obviously, we read this a little late- @ in our 2nd year of marriage. I absolutely loved this book! I laughed many times as we read it together at bedtime then giggled as we took turns whining, “Honey, will you go get me a drink i’m thirsy?” Then laugh, “Tensile strength, tensile strength!!”

     In the beginning of the book we were challenged to write a marriage mission statement. Which we did in the past month. Finally! An now it hangs on the wall in our house. So as we come and go it is before us as a reminder of what we are supposed to be living up to.

     If you are still in the first several years of marriage you’ll enjoy this book and still get a lot from it! We did and i think it has set the tone for many years of togetherness coupled with godliness.

     Here’s the Twitchell Marriage Mission statement for you to see an example of:  

 Barry & Heather Twitchell

July 4th, 2004

 

Matthew 22:37

To love the Lord our God will all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind.

 

 To love each other selflessly, unconditionally, and passionately, just as Christ loves us.

 

To lay down our own selfish desires and wait upon the Lord to lead us together towards His divine plans and purposes in our lives as husband & wife. Because of this may we bear much fruit.

 

To make Christ the center of our home where everything we have, do, and desire revolves around Him and Him alone.

 

To remain satisfied with the things that we have and know that our faithful Lord will always meet our needs.

 

To overlook each others shortcomings and be forgiving.

 

To lay down our lives for each other.

Here is What it Looks Like: April 18, 2008

As promised here is an example for you to actually see how it looks step-by-step. This sample is from my own person bible study that i’m in for writer’s.

Step One: Read God’s Word.

Moses answered, “What if they don’t believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” Then the Lord said to him, “What is in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied.

Step Two: What does God’s Word say. List the facts.

1. “What if”
2. Not believe me or listen
3. What is that in your hand
4. A staff

Step Three: What does God’s Word mean. Learn the lessons.

1. “What if”- Moses asked the Lord a question. Which to me meant that he was comfortable enough with Him in a relationship that showing his flaws, in this case momentary lack of trust or he thought he was inadequate. It’s okay to come to the Lord with my character flaws.
2. Not believe me or listen- The truth is NOT ALL people are going to hear and receive the message. I need to come to terms with that. Not all people are the fertile soil spoken of.
3. A staff- Webster’s definition was that this was that a staff was a symbol of authority. Which makes sense because the shepards had staffs too. They guided and rescued their flocks with a staff. Perhaps the Lord was reminding Moses that he was the Lord’s staff. The (A) man that the Lord chose to lead and spiritually direct His flock (the Israelites). What i mean is that the Lord might have been trying to tell moses (and us) that He can work through us and bring His flock to Him. Not that it’s us- it’s Him through us.

Step 4: What does God’s Word mean to me? Listen to His voice. 

1. Why does what if matter? What if… I don’t do it and then i miss an opportunity that the Lord gave me. What if… i miss the blessing. What if i miss the lesson. Don’t what if Heather!
2. The harsh reality is that yeah some people that know me are gonna think i’ve gone madd or flipped my lid. Does what the world or my family thinks really matter? Do i serve them or a Mighty God? Do i love the Lord because if i do then of course the world is gonna resent me?!
3. What’s in my hand- a pen, a keyboard, a phone, a note, a book, an opportunity, a microphone? What ever God has put into my hand is what i can and should use for His Glory. In this particular case… it’s the keyboard. So i write. I write of His love for me, His restoration, His works, His answers to prayer, His call to me, My leaping from the proverbial boat, and on &  on it goes.
4. Staff. I am a tool in the hands of the Lord. May he use me, mold me, and shape me into whatever His heart desires. An may i not resist the process and just melt in the presence of His Holiness.

Step Five: Live it out!

Put my questions to the side, do as the Lord asks, if you think i’m nuts or you love me it won’t matter, and whatever the Lord puts into my hand today i’ll use. May it be for Your Glory Lord! Help me to focus on You more and the world less, silence my what if’s, and help me to be faithful to your call to me each day. So that i bring you a speck of the Glory you so richly deserve!