writer's block

I'm trying to find a good balance in my blogging at this writing school. In attempt to post every week, I find myself already falling short. I started working on a short story painting a picture of us girls, laying on the dock watching the stars and talking about life. It was beautiful, really.

Until about 3 paragraphs in.

... when the critic came out to investigate

* what is the takeaway you're trying to accomplish?

* are there two strong forces? where do they meet?

* am I writing strong characters? or just figures?

* are narrative and thematic formats colliding?

* which viewpoint is the strongest?

As you might have guessed, that story never made it past paragraph 3.

I am learning so much at this school, it has been incredible. frustrating. exciting. stressful. affirming. and more relational than I could have hoped for. Each day is loaded with its own set of adventures - from writing a 10 page story 4 hours to climbing trees in the forrest. I haven't done this much homework since my junior year of high school. Yet in a month I've also spent more time at coffee shops, around bonfires and on lakeside docks than I can remember. Each day is new in its challenges - and in it's blessings.

I have a quick praise report I want to add in. The past two weeks my biggest prayer has been for contentment -- to be completely satisfied in the here and now of life. to find joy in the day to day blessings. to let tomorrow's worries come tomorrow and yesterday's memories push me forward instead of pull me back. & every day God has been faithful. If you're curious how you can be praying for me during this semester, that is my biggest request. It amazes me

what a difference it makes just being content and how fulfilling life really is when I'm in that place.

I want to give out a big shout-out of thanks. For reading my poor sentence structure. and improper adverbs. and letting me put dashes in wherever I don't feel a comma or a period do justice. and not having a strong takeaway or rising action or conflicting forces. and loving me anyway.

I promise I don't write like this in class.

[but I hope you can see the heart of my words through the bulk of imperfections]

he makes all things new

A new year. A new city. A new school. A new beginning that is painfully sweet. So much anticipation, dreams that are taking more shape in my spirit every day - and yet a distance from loved ones that can easily blur my vision and shake my heart. When my mind spins to find just the right words to describe every transitioning emotion, I find myself coming back to praise. It's all I truly know in this whirlwind of things - God is so good.

After more than 10 hours on the road I drove into the bright skyline of Dallas, TX. The drive proved to be much smoother than I had expected, with clear roads, TomTom to guide the way and a wonderful boyfriend to keep me company. (via phone of course - but don't worry Denny - no texting!) I left with tear streaked cheeks and arrived with excitement. After some great fellowship with an old friend, I pulled into campus early Wednesday afternoon with butterflies in my stomach. And so my journey begins in the School of Writing at the UofN Woodcrest Campus.

No matter which campus you go to, YWAM always seems to invite in new students with open arms. I'm learning how to make this place home. 3 roommates, 10 students, a bunk bed and a lap top, welcome to my new world! Class starts on Monday, so the first couple days of orientation and down time have left ample amounts of time to think. Maybe more thinking than I've done in months past. God, what do you have in store? I know I'm here on purpose, for a purpose... but I don't have the hindsight advantage of knowing exactly why.

Writing is becoming a part of my life again. A big part. Hours and hours will be spent every day dedicated to this one thing that I'm growing in passion for. So in all of this time spent brainstorming and creating and typing away, I promise to dedicate a little time specifically for blogging. No guarantees that my thoughts will be in any specific form or even fully take shape, but see it more as a window. A look in on a whole new adventure, from one humble perspective.

life is good. God is great. and as I sit here on the floor writing, all I can do is smile at the things to come.

last cup of coffee before our separate journeys

first cup of coffee with goofy new friends

3D movie goers at their finest