tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-868858794210581042024-03-04T21:06:54.048-08:00Anonymous to AuthorThe challenges, adventure and achievability of self-publishingKristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-59103913180698493862015-04-25T15:14:00.000-07:002015-04-25T15:14:16.339-07:00The Adventure ContinuesHello, my friends and readers! When I started <i>Anonymous to Author</i> back in 2010, I had just self-published <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wings-Dawn-Book-Kristen-Hogrefe/dp/1612154204/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8">my first book</a>, and I wanted a place where I could share my self-publishing journey with other aspiring writers.<br />
<br />
Five years and three books later, I still write young adult suspense, but I also have made young adult discipleship an emphasis of my writing ministry. Yes, ministry. Whatever God has called us to do is our ministry, and writing is one of mine.<br />
<br />
That said, the bulk of my blogging time is now dedicated to a website I've created called <a href="http://thinktruethoughts.com/">thinktruethoughts.com</a>, an online community for young women who want to think biblically about themselves, others, God and anything else. If you are a teen or know one, I'd encourage you to stop by.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thinktruethoughts.com/"><img alt="http://thinktruethoughts.com/" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86RSU5-23XOQgv6J89-xonEclw77eHvJDDIBE-BUuVH76lg1PB9nvXQk3TDt7_G1-OKYFehphoJE5Qw1iRiznA5RGYp1PWsJwIJFtaCBXsmbvZymXobBjbH5qcp30Ft2rCxUcqTnTTb4_/s1600/thinktruethoughts+capture.JPG" height="196" width="320" /><span id="goog_1959738921"></span></a><span id="goog_1959738922"></span></div>
<br />
I also invite you to visit my author website <a href="http://kristenhogrefe.com/">kristenhogrefe.com</a> for updates on my writing and speaking.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://kristenhogrefe.com/"><img alt="http://kristenhogrefe.com/" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj205EsGhciexlVp69HY2OBdIGZs3X0Cq340_jsj0ZRymW_CdtcpWlcpaNf5G1DoBQv4enI5KGPK7o4ezyHYsJyE_riR4IzcOPgbOnLZyfSkScD4f2Agz8wi0EWppA4kFllAQH3lJsxfh7E/s1600/kristenhogrefe.com+capture.JPG" height="209" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Of course if you have questions about self-publishing or publishing in general, I'd still be glad to answer your questions if I can. Feel free to <a href="http://kristenhogrefe.com/contact/">contact </a>me. Perhaps you will see the answer in a post here at <i>Anonymous to Author</i> one day.<br />
<br />
Blessings to you in your writing adventures! <br />
<br />
Kristen<br />
<br />
<br />Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-36332735002419193292015-01-04T12:15:00.000-08:002015-01-04T12:15:22.640-08:00The Road Taken<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGShu7OIbNjl1_JGxWYCT6DMFUWkmfGXPWQhyA_sG-u5KCgeuz6asMxWIzg9g_Q9DwpF7iHcFSouiu0apW_ghE2OSCt1JEngwTnZaAFBKaNBx8EAetwgt-Tlq3kUqzdDKOH7J1wgpwj_gY/s1600/road+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGShu7OIbNjl1_JGxWYCT6DMFUWkmfGXPWQhyA_sG-u5KCgeuz6asMxWIzg9g_Q9DwpF7iHcFSouiu0apW_ghE2OSCt1JEngwTnZaAFBKaNBx8EAetwgt-Tlq3kUqzdDKOH7J1wgpwj_gY/s1600/road+sunset.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The immortal words of Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not
Taken” are some of the most quoted in poetry. The road not taken leaves the
poet looking back with a “sigh,” but he also believes that choosing the lesser-traveled
road made “all the difference” in his life.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course, there are two takes on the poet’s meaning. Did he
make the right choice, or did he make the wrong one?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The other day, I was talking about this with my brother. His
practical interpretation is probably the best I’ve ever heard. “I think he took
the right one,” he said, “but even when you make the right decision, you still
look back with a sigh sometimes.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Leaving an established job and taking a step of faith.
Parting with a friend because your paths are going separate directions. Saying
no because even though it hurts, your heart tells you that it’s the right
choice. Life is full of bittersweets. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A new year is ahead, and I want to challenge you with something
<a href="http://andystanley.com/">Andy Stanley</a> said. This simple truth can make all the difference in the road we
take.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He said, “Attention establishes direction which determines
destination.” There’s a three-fold challenge for us in those words.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Attention: What are we focusing on, and is our
focus where it should be? What goals are we working toward this year, and are
we seeking God’s guidance in achieving them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Direction: What we focus on will determine where
we are going. It’s a cause and effect. Look back over the last year. What
choices did we make, and what can we learn from them? Do we need to adjust our
course? Where we are today was where our attention was yesterday. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Destination: Our focus shapes our journey and
takes us to our terminus. A few cases in point:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If we decide to make pasta and sauce, we shouldn’t
except to get steak instead of spaghetti. If we forget to stir the pasta, the
noodles might clump, but it will still be spaghetti.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If we desire a certain achievement and take
intentional steps to achieve it, we will grow closer to reaching that goal. We
may fail along the way, but many people fail their way to eventual success.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If we earnestly spend time with God in prayer
and His Word each day, we should trust and not fear the plan He reveals for our
lives. Our steps may falter, but that doesn’t mean He isn’t guiding us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Make it personal. My attention establishes my direction and
determines my destination. You and I are responsible for the path we take. We
can’t blame circumstances or anyone else. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We choose the road we travel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s not dwell on the one we didn’t take.
That’s in the past. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The one we take now will make
all the difference in the year ahead. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-4645900691537660902014-11-23T11:44:00.000-08:002014-11-23T11:44:52.069-08:00Thinking Thankful Thoughts<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZktJyOyZ12l0TvMzKL32eKle6eAj4q6NdkqdSFsxyo9hPpmpXAq4mAvsmqXzKSen1UJXk7k3jrbw0vBHgcmeOIfqPcHn0BEFgaQVbNOhNKNSD6WzjRtXU_fwocQMoWXD1OxJRpOm_MfSM/s1600/book+signing_112114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZktJyOyZ12l0TvMzKL32eKle6eAj4q6NdkqdSFsxyo9hPpmpXAq4mAvsmqXzKSen1UJXk7k3jrbw0vBHgcmeOIfqPcHn0BEFgaQVbNOhNKNSD6WzjRtXU_fwocQMoWXD1OxJRpOm_MfSM/s1600/book+signing_112114.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is it really November 23? As I think back over the last few
months, I am thankful and excited to share with you several updates.</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Sun-Wings-Dawn-3/dp/150060089X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416770812&sr=8-1&keywords=Awakening+Sun">Awakening Sun</a> is available in both paperback and
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Sun-Wings-Dawn-Book-ebook/dp/B00OEBHPEU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1416770812&sr=8-3&keywords=Awakening+Sun">Kindle </a>formats. If you can’t think what to get the teenager in your life for
Christmas, may I suggest it would make a marvelous Christmas gift?</li>
<li>I’ve launched a blog called <a href="http://thinktruethoughts.wordpress.com/">Think True Thoughts</a>
designed for teen girls and their friends. Living in today’s world is anything
but easy for teens, and I’ve designed this blog community to be a place they
can find refreshment, encouragement and motivation for living lives pleasing to
Christ. Take a moment to stop by and visit!</li>
<li><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will be joining the <a href="http://www.floridacwc.net/kristenhogrefe">faculty at the Florida Christian Writer’s Conference</a> (FCWC) next year, presenting a workshop on free and easy
technology tools available to help writers present themselves and their
platforms with professionalism.</div>
</li>
</ol>
<h4>
Thoughts on Thanksgiving </h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This time of year leaves many feeling fatigued – as if they
are sprinting to the year’s finish line – and sometimes, I feel that way
myself. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">*Gasp* The year can’t be gone! I
have so much else I want to do!!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I feel that way, I have to pause and remember all the
good things God’s given me this year – and also the things He’s chosen not to
give me. (After all, God’s refusals are His mercies.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanksgiving is an opportunity to enjoy quiet time,
refreshment, and good old-fashioned fellowship with friends and family. I’m
tempted not to look at the Black Friday ads, because I don’t want to face mobs
and mounds of merchandise. I want to curl up at home and catch my breath. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s my challenge to you this Thanksgiving: Take a
breather and count your blessings. The year’s finish line is weeks away, and if
we’re going to finish well, we can’t be out of breath.</div>
Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-11724260237823873372014-10-04T11:36:00.002-07:002014-10-04T11:36:28.007-07:00Awakening Sun Dedication: To Devon Curtis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuFfbq6TEX2Ag6hap14lMOZ1zOWZKF9sSeVnvqqOe8qCzi3SXqF5n8IHM2MvRZDKHFsWDmMYmIzRNkBevmPxDrcKx1xIrHb0s02p-1ujyi4PeWFF_wW1Rjby6Fzw390kjfaCOj3_Wk_TA/s1600/Devon+bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuFfbq6TEX2Ag6hap14lMOZ1zOWZKF9sSeVnvqqOe8qCzi3SXqF5n8IHM2MvRZDKHFsWDmMYmIzRNkBevmPxDrcKx1xIrHb0s02p-1ujyi4PeWFF_wW1Rjby6Fzw390kjfaCOj3_Wk_TA/s1600/Devon+bday.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You’ve got some explaining to do, young lady!”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That was my friend Devon’s text to me when she received <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Sun-Wings-Dawn-Volume/dp/150060089X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412446622&sr=8-1&keywords=kristen+hogrefe"><em>Awakening Sun</em></a> in the mail. I had thought about telling her that I had dedicated my book
to her, but no, that would have spoiled the surprise. And Devon is not the
easiest person to surprise. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">*Cough* As in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">LAST</i>
time I tried throwing her a surprise birthday party. My
surprise was so much of a success that she almost didn’t come. (You will be
pleased to know that this year, some friends and I succeeded
in surprising her for her birthday.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There’s actually a three-way dedication in my book, but
Devon starts it off. She’s been my friend going on forever. Not just my friend.
My “I-will-get-you-out-of-your-comfort-zone” friend. And I love her for it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A few years ago, Devon convinced me to go to Nicaragua on a
mission trip with her. So some of the mission trip episodes mentioned in <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Sun-Wings-Dawn-Volume/dp/150060089X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412446622&sr=8-1&keywords=kristen+hogrefe">Awakening Sun</a></em> MAY or MAY NOT be a case of truth tinted with fiction. (I’ll give you a
hint: This may involve glitter.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In Nicaragua, you eat a lot of rice and beans. Breakfast,
lunch and dinner. I’m all for rice but have never been a big bean fan.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first morning in Nicaragua, Devon scooped
a healthy portion of black beans onto my plate.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I tried them. They were okay… mixed with rice.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Later, she slipped goat cheese onto my plate when I wasn’t
looking. I smelled it. And I didn’t try it. I just took her word for it that it
was gross.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We’ve dropped 65-feet in a giant swing together, courtesy of
<a href="http://www.wilds.org/about/activities/giant-swing">the Wilds</a> (Me: Screaming / Devon: Laughing). She introduced
me to <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey/">Downton Abbey</a>. She’s taught me what little I know about
nail polish (thanks to the fact I didn’t have a sister and was born a
low-maintenance tomboy). “Did you use a top coat, Kristen?” She will ask me,
and I will guiltily admit I did not. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So Devon, thank you for challenging me to try new things.
Thanks to you, I discovered my love for mission trips. And thanks to you, there
are now four shades of Essie nail polish on my bathroom counter.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I would be remiss not to mention the rest of those friends
in my dedication, starting with Devon’s parents Tim and Rosario who have truly
become like a second family to me. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And then there are the dozens of people I’ve been blessed to
meet on mission trips – from Nicaragua to Montana to New York. You know who you
are. You have permission to write your name on the dedication page.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thank you all for enriching my life. In some small way, I hope <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Sun-Wings-Dawn-Volume/dp/150060089X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412446622&sr=8-1&keywords=kristen+hogrefe">Awakening Sun</a></em> will enrich yours.</span>Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-27736013947882316482014-09-29T13:12:00.000-07:002014-09-29T13:12:36.380-07:00Awakening Sun - Now Available!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3AE0E4LBjnrjZn0scuNo47Mmrr7bsxwFrrpEkjEPJj-e5BoatF-JkI8WELv0jRGTzrKfm7oLnxEkSFQvguZqVU9VKc_Ehy-AxRzXeunDV1cOjmTinENOjPbL1u0p5wuMQ-7ECrPosamd/s1600/Awakening+Sun+Release.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3AE0E4LBjnrjZn0scuNo47Mmrr7bsxwFrrpEkjEPJj-e5BoatF-JkI8WELv0jRGTzrKfm7oLnxEkSFQvguZqVU9VKc_Ehy-AxRzXeunDV1cOjmTinENOjPbL1u0p5wuMQ-7ECrPosamd/s1600/Awakening+Sun+Release.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m excited to release <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Sun-Wings-Dawn-3/dp/150060089X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411926894&sr=8-1&keywords=Kristen+Hogrefe">Awakening Sun</a></i>, the third and last book in my <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kristen-Hogrefe/e/B004FZXG7U/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_4?qid=1411931237&sr=8-4">Wings of the Dawn</a></em> young adult suspense trilogy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em>Teaser</em></strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The story opens with a seemingly final sentence for the
trilogy's villain Neil DeWitt and a fairly simple case for its heroine Abby Grant to solve. Yet things are not as they seem, and what appears to be a standard clinical drug trial turns into something much more complicated and dangerous.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em>Theme</em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
Second chances. Are they possible? At what cost? Abby and friends face some of their darkest moments yet. Through them, they realize
both the intense risk and reward of giving second chances.</span><br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your Turn</span></em></strong><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The paperback is now available at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Sun-Wings-Dawn-3/dp/150060089X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411926894&sr=8-1&keywords=Kristen+Hogrefe">Amazon.com</a>. Kindle
readers, stay tuned! It will be converted into a Kindle version as well.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Share the news with your
friends. Then, make coffee, find a cozy chair, and let me know how long it
takes you to finish this last installment. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Enjoy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-89655012762572751812014-09-14T12:52:00.000-07:002014-09-14T12:52:05.222-07:00Never Forget the Hope<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbyClXpfWQKYgyClvH1NkNd2rbQvlB7nsCzkVZD5cgtUMhxEKP9fXf_AmvEXBooEgdShuU6RgDXGzNfij2Luh2Pr_urRRvcb93yUUuSf_8y9RhMDvjmgAiJ78P8CVf8pbT9JhCm7hpVQk/s1600/Sept+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbyClXpfWQKYgyClvH1NkNd2rbQvlB7nsCzkVZD5cgtUMhxEKP9fXf_AmvEXBooEgdShuU6RgDXGzNfij2Luh2Pr_urRRvcb93yUUuSf_8y9RhMDvjmgAiJ78P8CVf8pbT9JhCm7hpVQk/s1600/Sept+11.jpg" height="257" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo Credit: </span><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnathaneric/3908876856/in/photolist-BrNCA-9gteP-6Xq1Uy-e5Z16a-ccLuso-e3cpKp-pbg2Mi-oqeP9T-5m7ddH-7C1WVM-4P62FM-pbdXw5-5kLd42-amhj9h-59ErN-35acJT-fNV3oX-5kU8rd-fPvU7q-5TGHGi-5kMVAP-5qsqVb-4JWuxG-jrnpV-akKvHC-eAb94U-854CJb-ammKdS-2k2rix-7C1WVp-fmRCjN-hBwYQ-755f4d-hZZS6-7DPntG-35hhij-2k2qdZ-d1Lys-akGP4J-5TM4JU-4A5TUM-6zdybG-7eZKo-a7wQZv-779RiW-7ELka7-crAbTS-cybCF3-7ZRA6v-eaJLfv"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Eric</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> via Flickr Creative Commons</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo licensor is not affiliated with this blog.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last Thursday was thirteen years since the terrorist attacks
on September 11, 2001. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For me, and for many others, the day is branded in our
memories. For my seventh grade class, most weren’t even born. My eighth graders
were infants or toddlers.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Never Forget” was an American slogan that came out of that
day’s tragic events, and although my students have no way of remembering the
day itself, they need to know what happened. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not because I want them to become angry or bitter, although
a certain amount of anger against the atrocities committed is certainly
understandable.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No, they need to know what happened, because it is part of
our nation’s history. A nation with no sense of its past can make no sense of
its future. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So last Thursday, we took the time to watch a few videos. My
favorite was one by <a href="http://skitguys.com/videos/item/9-11-on-that-day">The Skit Guys</a>, created a few years back. Others included
clips from CNN.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We took the time to read about United Flight 93 and the
heroism of its passengers that prevented the plane from reaching its target
destination. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We talked about the hand of God in history. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Several students struggled. How could a loving God allow
such horrible events to happen? How could God possibly “work all things
together for good” in this circumstance?</span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The problem of living
in a broken world</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Those are understandable responses. We had a Cliff Notes'
discussion on man’s free will and the sovereignty of God. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The bottom line: God gave mankind a free will, the ability
to choose to obey or disobey Him. Man chose to disobey, and as a result, we
live in a broken world. A world where terrorists crash planes into towers and
innocent people die.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But did God know 9/11 was going to happen? Yes, He did. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then why didn’t He stop it? For that matter, why doesn’t He
stop natural disasters, heal children dying of cancer, or interfere in the
myriads of other barbarisms that occur in this world?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sometimes, He does. Sometimes, He doesn’t. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On my way home from church this morning, I turned on the
radio to hear <a href="http://www.moodymedia.org/radio-programs/moody-church-hour/faith-endures/#.VBXpHf10xMs">Dr. Erwin Lutzer</a> talking about this very matter. He said, “Faith
doesn’t judge God on circumstances.” In other words, faith doesn’t stop
believing God because He doesn’t answer prayer like we want Him to.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Look at the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. Moses, Gideon, Samson,
and many other men and women of faith overcame their circumstances by faith. Other
people of great faith were sawn asunder, tossed to lions, and died for their
faith.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Too often, we let go of our faith when we focus on life’s
circumstances and slip into believing the lie that our problems here are too
big for God to handle. That’s what happened to Peter when he took his eyes off
Jesus. He began to sink amid the raging waves.</span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The question we
should be asking</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Instead of asking how a loving God could allow bad things to
happen, we should be marveling that a loving God made a way of redemption
possible.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After all, sin was our choice, our mistake. Not His.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I asked my eighth graders to use an online concordance or
topical Bible to find at least five verses that offer hope or encouragement in
the face of tragedies like September 11.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here are a few of their discoveries:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="text"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Psalms 16:8</b> (ESV): “I have set the Lord always before me;</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">because he is at my right
hand, I shall not be shaken.”</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John 3:16
</b>(NKJV): “<span class="woj">For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life</span>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">John
16:33 </span></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">(ESV):</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> "</span><span class="woj">I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In
the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Romans
8:28 </span></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">(NKJV):</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> "</span><span class="text">And we know that all things work together for good to those who love
God, to those who are the called according to <i>His</i> purpose.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Revelation
21:4 </b>(ESV): “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more
death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed
away.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I hope we “Never Forget” what happened thirteen years ago.
One American history class in Spring Hill, Florida won’t. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But more importantly, I hope we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Never Forget the Hope</i> made possible only through the mercy of God,
who loved us so much that He sent His own Son to die for the sins of the world,
to make a way of redemption possible.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At the end of the day, history is His Story. Whether good or
bad, the events of this world are paving the way to the climax of redemption’s
story: His glorious return.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-61255771284425897222014-09-06T11:11:00.000-07:002014-09-06T11:11:05.362-07:00Remove these words from your dictionary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8upYFeI2KM5dwiGOuL0NaTC5p4PqyuGPJR1IHtJyNB7R1R3pmAR4cgqmPzvx5zofJuaWZJVk5jGko2pZ3UAcN3RthaL1BqffApdQd4AK_U7XlSMWT_BJf6AUxKV0zgpVIr_tYqoTCjH1/s1600/dictionary2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8upYFeI2KM5dwiGOuL0NaTC5p4PqyuGPJR1IHtJyNB7R1R3pmAR4cgqmPzvx5zofJuaWZJVk5jGko2pZ3UAcN3RthaL1BqffApdQd4AK_U7XlSMWT_BJf6AUxKV0zgpVIr_tYqoTCjH1/s1600/dictionary2.jpg" height="200" width="171" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Three weeks into the school year, I’m more concerned with my
students removing certain words from their dictionaries than adding to them.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Student or not, find the nearest dictionary, and cross out
the following words:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Impossible</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Can’t</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our culture has simplified and cushioned our lives so that
many of us view pain, hardship and challenge as bad things. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now don’t get me wrong. Life can be hard, and sickness, physical
pain and death are no laughing matter.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, the idea that our futures and dreams should be
handed to us on a silver platter – that life “owes” us something – needs to
stop.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Somehow, we have to reverse this mindset, and I’m going to
start with my seventh and eighth grade classes. The following phrases are
hereby banned:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s too hard.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can’t do it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That’s impossible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The only way we grow is through challenges. Self-discipline
needs to be welcomed as a friend, not shunned as a foe. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In keyboarding this year, I’ve introduced my students to
keyboard covers which hide the letters and numbers of the keys when they type. Why? If students can’t see the keys, then
they have to refer to their textbook visual and learn the proper fingering – no
hunting and pecking allowed. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Each day when I hand out the covers <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">with this huge smile on my face</i>, I’m met with groans. You would
think I were asking them to memorize the Hebrew alphabet.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before we are too critical of my dear students, let’s stop
and think. What are the “keyboard covers” in our lives, the things God gives us
to challenge us and make us grow? Do we find ourselves thanking Him for them –
or complaining about them?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keyboard covers – and many other trials in life – aren’t
going to kill us. They’re designed for our good. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So let’s embrace our challenges and stop pretending this
life is supposed to be easy. God’s Word never said it would be, but it does say
that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength (Phil 4:13).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-53243360275452236922014-07-28T16:34:00.000-07:002014-07-28T18:41:49.305-07:00Wings of the Dawn Trilogy: Book 3, Coming Soon!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; height: 273px; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right; width: 339px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6drIJIPD4Jdiq1Vqcfx2iO4rvaLlYlmfOnW_OiElbmoxm6b1bdbzOqEILgm7HQu_k9n7ngPiLJPVDvXKuPuut843L_NT6gBVlm0XHp8K5zULDBtfWKXZD94yL4N80qp5PJP80PfHTO4T/s1600/Door+knocker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6drIJIPD4Jdiq1Vqcfx2iO4rvaLlYlmfOnW_OiElbmoxm6b1bdbzOqEILgm7HQu_k9n7ngPiLJPVDvXKuPuut843L_NT6gBVlm0XHp8K5zULDBtfWKXZD94yL4N80qp5PJP80PfHTO4T/s1600/Door+knocker.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/25704219@N04/5167830942/">Vincent_AF</a> via Flickr Creative Commons<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is Neil locked away
for good?</span></i><br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Are Abby’s adventures
over now that she’s started college? </span></i><br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And what has that
airplane-mechanic Andrew been up to in her absence?</span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Book 3 picks up midway into Abby’s first semester. All seems
ordinary until a classmate’s freak accident draws her into an investigation
that spirals far beyond the boundaries of her college campus, her country’s borders
– and her comfort zone.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The third book in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kristen-Hogrefe/e/B004FZXG7U/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1">Wings of the Dawn</a></i> trilogy is in production with an anticipated release date this
fall. New adventures and twists are in
store.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em>Check back for more details and updates in the weeks and months ahead!</em></strong></span>Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-7580106517851660942014-07-19T13:13:00.002-07:002014-07-19T13:13:42.111-07:00The Giver: A Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsfvPkg4T2AL5Fb6pVLrp0IMH3A0R-UsL-bBgRiECcyIx-IPKt0GQxcZr-B3Az96EKetQO84K9cg06d3RuBIyN2hKqsjxME_i7hNJSVuqqo1X0PR8T5PStauxhpd5hxTBAOyFzFa687Xx/s1600/The+Giver+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsfvPkg4T2AL5Fb6pVLrp0IMH3A0R-UsL-bBgRiECcyIx-IPKt0GQxcZr-B3Az96EKetQO84K9cg06d3RuBIyN2hKqsjxME_i7hNJSVuqqo1X0PR8T5PStauxhpd5hxTBAOyFzFa687Xx/s1600/The+Giver+2.jpeg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A few weeks back, one of my friends handed me a book and
said, “I think you’ll like this.” It was a short, 179-page book by Lois Lowry
called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Giver</i>.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As usual, my friend was also on top of the news that this
book is being converted into a <a href="https://thegiverfilm.com/">movie</a>, to be released this August.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I started reading – and didn’t want to stop. Lowry writes
in a clear, simple style that middle-school students would enjoy but that also
pulls adults into the story of Jonas, a soon-to-be TWELVE, whose ASSIGNMENT is
something he never imagined.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jonas lives in a futuristic, utopian society – at least, it
seems perfect on the surface. Everyone follows a strict order of rules, is
rigidly polite, and takes prescribed medication that prevents pain and
emotion. "Releases" are celebrated in the House of the Old, and for the premature,
but no one really knows what they involve.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At twelve, each child is assigned his life-long occupation
since no one, other than a group of Elders, is responsible for making choices. Jonas,
who is generally good at everything, can’t guess what his assignment might be. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When he learns that he has been selected as the next <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Receiver</i>, he is nervous and afraid, for
there is only one <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Receiver</i> who holds
all the memories of pain and pleasure in life – so that nothing disrupts the
predictable order and harmony of the community.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But as Jonas receives both painful and pleasurable memories from
the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Giver</i>, he discovers the truth and
realizes he can never go back to his old way of life.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Discussion Points<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The story is simple and short, but the message behind the
story is powerful. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What is the meaning
and value of life?</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Can anyone truly <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">live</i>
if completely shielded from pain? Both the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Giver</i>
and Jonas realize the answer is no, because memories bring both pain and
happiness. If you prevent pain, you can never experience joy and love.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You can also never experience family. The happiest memory Jonas
receives is a family, including grandparents, at Christmas. But in Jonas’
community, there are no grandparents. Children are assigned parents based on a
selection process. Once children grow up, parents live by themselves and
eventually enter the House of the Old. There are no true family ties.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">An even more horrific practice that Jonas discovers is the
true nature of release – euthanasia – practiced on both the very old and sometimes,
the very young. He forcefully feels that life must have meaning and in the end,
decides that saving one individual is worth risking everything. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Final Thoughts<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Life is something to prize and cherish. This is a message, I
believe, that’s lacking in American society today. After all, what is abortion
but euthanasia for what some view as an “inconvenience”? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lowry’s message is a timely one, although without the gospel message, nevertheless an incomplete one. It will be interesting to
see how Hollywood translates the book. I can only wonder if viewers will be
able to draw the parallel between Jonas’ society and the flippant view of life
that our culture often takes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">C. S. Lewis once said, “To love is to be vulnerable.” To be
vulnerable involves possible pain, loneliness and fear. But as Lowry’s story
reminds us, life without love is meaningless.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-73175393975757049922014-06-12T11:28:00.001-07:002014-06-12T11:28:23.031-07:00The Fault in Our Stars: A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7jiA4JCIhfgD4JYjtT-C6ELfuFtlZNCVIRA62GMb6VxXOkIHM8WDkV8meeBTOfr2-q_H2rj53evTCm66dB56OdJoSIWn3B1vaI4gh6cAEQSB1340ZMmP8Fpg8UOvmsvzx_x9jqSwsyqM/s1600/Fault+in+our+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7jiA4JCIhfgD4JYjtT-C6ELfuFtlZNCVIRA62GMb6VxXOkIHM8WDkV8meeBTOfr2-q_H2rj53evTCm66dB56OdJoSIWn3B1vaI4gh6cAEQSB1340ZMmP8Fpg8UOvmsvzx_x9jqSwsyqM/s1600/Fault+in+our+stars.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After hearing many of my eighth and ninth grade students rave
over John Green's <em>The</em> <em>Fault in Our Stars</em> last semester, I bought it on Amazon and added it to my reading
list. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What was so irresistible about this book that made it
impossible for teen (mostly girl) readers to put it down? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As you may know, this book is a love story between terminal
cancer patients who try to make the most of their “little infinity” together. That
alone makes it a captivating story that immediately grabs at your heartstrings.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What I liked<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hands down, John Green tells a great story. He provides so
many details to build each character’s individuality that you feel you know Augustus
and Hazel Grace and are personally involved in their lives. You care about them
and what happens to them – and that is why you will need a tissue box before
you finish the book. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I also liked that he shared not only the struggles of these teens,
but also showed the involvement of their parents, especially Hazel’s. Fighting cancer
was a family affair, and even when Hazel was annoyed with her parents, she
recognized that their sacrifices were because of their love for her. In fact,
she understood this so deeply that she felt guilty for making them put their
lives “on hold” for her. The relationship developed among father, mother, and
daughter was something I respected – especially because you generally don’t see
this in popular teen fiction.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not so much<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The author has a raw, irreverent writing style and often
used language to convey his characters’ thoughts and feelings. This, in my
opinion, is laziness. Find another word – or simply <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">show</i> how the character feels – instead of encouraging teenage
readers to dumb down their own vocabulary.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because of its subject, this book took advantage of raising and discussing some big questions. Fiction can be a powerful tool to influence young minds, and I strongly disagreed with the author’s
perspective. Here
are some “for instances”:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Where did we come from,
and what happens after death?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<ul>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hazel’s answer: “There was a time before organisms
experienced consciousness, and there will be a time after. And if the
inevitability of human oblivion worries you, I would encourage you to ignore it.”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Augustus’ answer on an afterlife isn’t much more comforting,
although he thinks he believes in something: “Yes, absolutely. Not like a
heaven where you ride unicorns, play harps, and live in a mansion made of
clouds. But yes. I believe in Something with a capital S.”<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Is there a purpose to
life?</span></i><br />
<ul>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Augustus: “We’re all just side effects, right?” </span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hazel, quoting her favorite author, offers the suggestion
that humanity is nothing more than “barnacles on the container ship of
consciousness” </span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Augustus also answers this question in a letter discovered
after his death: “We are likely to hurt the universe as we are to help it, and
we’re not likely to do either.”</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Final thoughts<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Am I overanalyzing this? I don’t think so, although I do
think most teens liked the story for the story itself and didn’t consider what
message the author was conveying. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Did I see the movie? No, and I probably won’t. I prefer not
to watch love scenes between minors. For a full and excellent analysis on the
movie, though, please visit <a href="http://pluggedin.com/">pluggedin.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Should you read the book? If you have a teen or work with
teens, I would say most definitely yes, because then, you can engage them about
the book – what is likable and what conflicts with the biblical worldview. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If anyone needs a copy, I have one I would be willing to
part with.<o:p></o:p></span>Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-36832150303452463192014-05-11T12:02:00.000-07:002014-05-11T12:02:37.028-07:00Thank you for being amazing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH97JLzenVTbeXf4lwWKummV38cfJii5C5f7DUfmzb_gKsjwOfrRzR-lIZtOQQgCFb_TaLdOm8jxV-5MT2SFPDiY7knjAwEoccR7TSN7Lh2x07TKE51u1J8UiL0WtrftJldqgYWj0Ri8U8/s1600/thank+you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH97JLzenVTbeXf4lwWKummV38cfJii5C5f7DUfmzb_gKsjwOfrRzR-lIZtOQQgCFb_TaLdOm8jxV-5MT2SFPDiY7knjAwEoccR7TSN7Lh2x07TKE51u1J8UiL0WtrftJldqgYWj0Ri8U8/s1600/thank+you.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last week, I realized the power of a thank you. It was
teacher appreciation week, and in the midst of some student drama, one of my
seventh graders gave me a note that said, “Thank you for being… an amazing
teacher!”</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It melted my heart and made me want to cry. AT LEAST ONE OF
THEM SEES I CARE AND AM NOT JUST A DICTATOR TELLING THEM NOT TO TALK OUT OF
TURN IN CLASS.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today is Mother’s Day, and I am so very thankful for the mom God has given me! Regardless of how close you are
with your mom, if you are still blessed to have her with you, find a way to tell
her thank you.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It doesn’t have to be fancy, and it doesn’t have to be
flowers (which I actually can’t give my mom because she’s allergic).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A simple thank you can go deeper than you may ever know. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, Mom, thank you for everything! You are my mentor,
friend, counselor, teacher, shoulder-to-cry on, walking partner, assistant
grader, bulletin-boards-for-school savior, and so much more!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thank you for being amazing.<o:p></o:p></span>Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-88331003178109725872014-05-10T15:26:00.000-07:002014-05-10T15:26:02.424-07:00Turning the Tassel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVHg_zYTzZmx-rHIpSUTFq9RMLXbaCpt7S4S5f_QbU_S2qWF0KRCMSxYAlUJ2VZJWByY9QNOmo9WHk4cpAerTA2Shj7Yyt8sxhY_6NIyPddX4xgCGxArvrgWUrrUwJBFH1O8xEnVqOD0r/s1600/Tassel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVHg_zYTzZmx-rHIpSUTFq9RMLXbaCpt7S4S5f_QbU_S2qWF0KRCMSxYAlUJ2VZJWByY9QNOmo9WHk4cpAerTA2Shj7Yyt8sxhY_6NIyPddX4xgCGxArvrgWUrrUwJBFH1O8xEnVqOD0r/s1600/Tassel.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“<span class="text">The end of a thing <i>is</i> better than
its beginning</span> (Ecclesiastes 7:8a).” I think every senior
preparing to graduate understands what Solomon meant when he penned those
words.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then again, every teacher has a healthy sense of
appreciation as well. </span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Year-in-review</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Looking back over my first year teaching is something of
a blur for me. At times, I felt as though I were crawling along in
survival-only mode, but now, the year is almost behind me. At other times, it raced
by with activities and accomplishments. F</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">or better or worse, I jumped in and gave teaching everything I
could. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whether we scrape our hands and knees across the finish line
or effortlessly breeze past it, we finish. We have to finish.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how</i> we finish
is up to us. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This Sunday, my church choir will be singing a song called “Finish
Well,” and the words of the chorus summarize what I mean better than I could.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: center;">
“Finish well, every day that we are given, </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: center;">
Finish well, for the glory of His Name.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: center;">
Finish strong until the Savior finally calls us home.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: center;">
Give it everything we have.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: center;">
Finish well.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finish well</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But what does that <em>mean</em>? Some people think finishing well means straight A’s.
Others might think it means first place. Although both are worthy achievements,
I think finishing strong means something more. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wish I could tell you my first year teaching was
storybook perfect, but it has quite frankly been anything but – complete with
mistakes I’ve learned from (hopefully) and mixed together with
drama I could definitely have done without.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Regardless, finishing strong means we did our best. Beyond that, it means we did our best with an attitude that pleased God. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And whether or not that's the case is a question each one of us has to answer for ourselves. </span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tassel-turning
moments</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although we only move the tassel for one, two, or maybe three literal
graduations, life is full of tassel-turning moments. Whether we’re students or teachers,
surgeons or stay-at-home moms, chemists or cashiers, we all face choices and
challenges – where we must decide to press on even when we don’t feel like
getting out of bed. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We don’t march to "Pomp and Circumstance" when we rise to the
occasion. We don’t receive a gold-trimmed diploma. (In fact, no one may ever
recognize our efforts or appreciate them.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But those defining moments are God’s way of strengthening
our character, graduating us to a new level of spiritual maturity, and teaching
us that when we do our best to glorify Him, our work is never in vain.<o:p></o:p></span>Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-53111288950171444472014-03-17T19:11:00.001-07:002014-03-17T19:11:11.784-07:00I want to be a writer... Where do I start?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfba1F2wZiCHTzbpRIITay1Rz5eu5bH_SyHxF5eTOQZnAdOyYbkX73zpY3BC7f2q5MpeSJe9aGLlZYBl0ht0-C73mMCn0sQE4KmpJZ_IiSeaoctWV4DSX1wzG1AlDITfSUtB9kZK99cZzN/s1600/notepad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfba1F2wZiCHTzbpRIITay1Rz5eu5bH_SyHxF5eTOQZnAdOyYbkX73zpY3BC7f2q5MpeSJe9aGLlZYBl0ht0-C73mMCn0sQE4KmpJZ_IiSeaoctWV4DSX1wzG1AlDITfSUtB9kZK99cZzN/s1600/notepad.jpg" height="200" width="153" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A few weeks ago before youth group, one of my former AWANA
clubbers came up to me with a big smile on her face. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I read your book when it first came out, and I want to be a
writer too,” she said. “I have all these ideas, and I don’t know where to
start. What can you tell me?”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wow. What can I tell her? Writing is such an adventure and a
non-stop learning journey – and I am a very long way from my destination.
However, I’d be glad to share a couple basics I’ve learned that I hope will help
my friend – and any other aspiring writers.</span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Write what you know. </span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I learned this concept in my college creative writing class.
For a Civil War history buff, historical fiction might be a good fit, but not
Amish mysteries. For someone who enjoys teaching and Bible study, perhaps devotionals
would be a good place to start.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, I would encourage any writer not to limit himself
by only what he knows. We can always research and expand upon what we know. We
writers must never stop learning. </span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jump at opportunities to improve your craft.</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This could be as simple as taking a creative writing class
or participating in a writer’s group. It could be as big an investment as
attending a writer’s conference. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This was my second year attending the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.floridacwc.net/">Florida Christian Writer’s Conference</a> (FCWC)</b>, and I can’t say
enough how helpful, informative, and inspiring a writer’s conference can be. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here’s my list of why I love writer’s conferences…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">… I’m surrounded by people who are as crazy (or crazier) about
my craft than I am.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">… I have a chance to meet with editors and agents and
present my work in person (instead of hoping my query wiggles its way to the top
of some editor’s slush pile).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">… I can attend
workshops, critique groups, develop friendships, and network with other
authors.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even if a writer’s conference seems intimidating, make it one of your <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://kristenhogrefe.blogspot.com/2013/06/crunch-crawl-and-climb-till-you-find.html">goals</a></b>. It will help you take
your writing seriously.</span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Develop “rhinoceros”
skin.</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As writers, we have to have thick skin. At my first writer’s
conference, someone called this “rhinoceros” skin. Not only must we accept
criticism, but we must learn to welcome it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I may have shared this story before, but it’s worth sharing
again. One of my professors in college announced at the beginning of the
semester that for our writing assignments, she would select the worst submissions, and
we would critique them as a class. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All of us grimaced, hoping and praying ours wouldn’t be
picked. However, we quickly discovered that if ours were selected, we were
nearly guaranteed an A on the assignment after revisions. Score! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Learn to welcome feedback and suggestions. They will only
help your writing become stronger. </span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have a support system
in place.</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As much as criticism can help us write better, let’s be
honest. It often hurts. Rejection hurts even more.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That’s why having a support system in place is so important.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I like how <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.elliekay.com/">Ellie Kay</a></b>
described the need for what she called “author partnerships.” During one of her
keynote addresses at FCWC this year, she outlined five types of people writers
need in their lives:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The encourager – Someone who comes alongside us
and believes in us. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The fun friend – Someone who helps us “lighten
up” and have fun. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Yes, we writers
sometimes take ourselves far too seriously!)</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The adventurer – Someone who pushes us to try
new things and to attempt things that scare us. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The artist – Someone who helps us perfect our
craft. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The prophet – Someone who speaks truth into our
lives and helps us be accountable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Do you want to be a writer? Start with what you know, and
embrace the adventure ahead! If I can be of any help to you in your writing, please contact
me on my author </em><a href="http://hogrefek.wix.com/kristenhogrefe#!contact/c1kcz"><strong><em>website</em></strong></a><span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></em> </span></span><br />
Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-16359683196012492822014-02-08T14:12:00.000-08:002014-02-08T14:12:10.191-08:00Fill your life with the right choices<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-op0cEMJxhi9a8MgnsnIvVbX4bpY7r3glms6TXMgmNY71dROVoEvJFWiS6K3b4XWfUM2QZxVhsBdJvdb6gPEazxl1EY21nhcJoJIgg9S77twJMGjsHkXn7s3yz9qC8HNw1laPFjjmL03/s1600/Capture2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-op0cEMJxhi9a8MgnsnIvVbX4bpY7r3glms6TXMgmNY71dROVoEvJFWiS6K3b4XWfUM2QZxVhsBdJvdb6gPEazxl1EY21nhcJoJIgg9S77twJMGjsHkXn7s3yz9qC8HNw1laPFjjmL03/s1600/Capture2.PNG" height="167" width="200" /></a></div>
Our
world is obsessed with health, fitness, calories, and cutting carbs. Why else
would New York City attempt to ban large-size soft drinks and Starbucks venues publish calorie counts on their menu boards?<br />
<br />
I am
all for being fit and eating healthy, but I think our culture has become so
concerned about waistlines that it has overlooked the bigger, root-cause issue:
time lines. <br />
<br />
What
do I mean by that? Well, a timeline is simply an order of events that define
history. I’m using the word here on a smaller, more personal scale. How do we
spend our time? The answer to that question will define us better than the
matter of what we eat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>In
Matthew 15:10-11, Jesus told the multitude that what a person says and not
what he eats pollutes (or on the flip side, refines)
a person. He said, “<span class="text">Not that which goeth into the mouth
defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.</span>”<br />
<br />
<span class="text">The choices that we make – and not just the choice of whether to
have pizza or a salad for supper – matter. </span><br />
<span class="text"></span><br />
<span class="text"></span>Last
time, we talked about the importance of redeeming time, and I want to build
upon that thought by asking a simple, but challenging, question: With what do we fill our lives?<br />
<br />
We
have to be honest: Most of the time in a day does not belong to us. According
to the <a href="http://www.bls.gov/tus/charts/">Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),</a> most adults ages 25-54 spend 7.7 hours
sleeping, 8.8 hours working, and 1.0 hours on household chores. Subtract that
from 24 hours, and we’re left with 6.5 hours. From there, we have to subtract time
to eat (1.1 hours), leaving us with 5.4 hours left. You will also have to calculate
in family responsibilities as appropriate. <br />
<br />
In
those precious hours of “free time” left, our decisions are up to us and
consequently, matter most. Do we vedge in front of a TV because we’re so
exhausted from our daily regimen? Or, do we fill our time with worthwhile
pursuits and acts of service that will energize us and bless those around us?<br />
<br />
We all need to take a step back from the business of
our days to honestly assess what those remaining hours in our lives look like. <br />
<br />
The choices
we make unwittingly write our personal time lines. How will you fill yours? <o:p></o:p>Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-47266019291630854632014-01-11T08:47:00.004-08:002014-01-11T08:51:38.926-08:00Don't Kill Time. Redeem It.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tegB1U9e9bfgzcygul2by5xQC9ObnJB8D3rpl4szjgrSN9wJ4fesbwX1vqksYc0CbMhd2MELGDkQSYhkV2dCEbtE6HkNP2yQc1XehwdNaCEUE-sgVyjwoUjxALfiloFcI88OyQBAjAa1/s1600/Hourglass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tegB1U9e9bfgzcygul2by5xQC9ObnJB8D3rpl4szjgrSN9wJ4fesbwX1vqksYc0CbMhd2MELGDkQSYhkV2dCEbtE6HkNP2yQc1XehwdNaCEUE-sgVyjwoUjxALfiloFcI88OyQBAjAa1/s1600/Hourglass.jpg" height="200" width="146" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are on day eleven of a new year, and by now, many people
have already broken their resolutions or forgotten about them.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe we should be less concerned with making resolutions
and more concerned with simply how we live.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of my favorite quotes on “time” comes from Henry David
Thoreau’s book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Walden</i>. In the first
chapter on “Economy,” he offers an extreme, but hard look at the way in which
people live. He proposes that man can be his own “slave-driver” and often spends
his time on fruitless activities. And then he says:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“As if you could kill
time without injuring eternity.”<o:p></o:p></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I certainly don’t agree with all of Thoreau’s views
(especially his Transcendental ones), but he does make some honest conclusions
about the way man can waste his time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At some time or another, I think we are all guilty of “killing
time.” We don’t usually say it that way, though. Instead, we say, “I just need
to kick-back,” or “I need some TV time.” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m guilty too and will confess to being completely
hooked on BBC’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Downton Abbey</i>. Although
we all need some down time every now and then, the temptation can become to
fill all our spare hours with distractions that steal our time instead of help
us to redeem it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Remember, time isn’t something that belongs to us or
something we are entitled to. It is a God-given privilege, and as such, we have
an obligation to be good stewards of it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ephesians 5:15-17
makes clear that God cares about how we spend our time.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Therefore
be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, <span id="en-NASB-29321"><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">making
the most of your time</i>, because the days are evil.</span></span> <span id="en-NASB-29322"><span class="text">So then do not be foolish, but understand
what the will of the Lord is.” (NASB)</span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As one of my friends reminded me, every moment of time is a
gift. We aren’t promised the next week, day, minute, or second. Are we throwing
away our time on things and activities that won’t last? Are our choices
injuring or impacting eternity?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A new year has just started. My prayer is that we all live it
with eternity in mind. <o:p></o:p></span>Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-80241258782754510102013-12-24T13:14:00.001-08:002013-12-24T13:14:35.409-08:00The Game of Life
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over the holidays, I’ve enjoyed spending time with my niece
and nephews. My six-year-old niece insisted that my twin brother and I play the
game “Life” with her, and who can say no to her deep brown, pleading eyes?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So of course I said yes, despite my last – and only –
experience with the game. I was probably eleven at the time, and I ended up
with two sets of twin boys and dead broke. I figured my odds could only
improve.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was wrong. I inherited a skunk farm (which cost
me a pretty penny), owned a goat that ate my neighbor’s prize orchids, and
had to get dentures. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ridiculous game. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To my relief, my niece quickly grew tired of it, and we moved
on to something else, but the experience left me thinking: How awful would it be if real
life were just a game, subject to random chance? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am thankful that it isn't. Instead, our lives are orchestrated by a
sovereign God. I like what Ephesians 1:4 says: “… he hath chosen us in him
before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame
before him in love.” God has an individual purpose for the lives of each of His
children.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ultimately, our lives are part of a bigger plan, God’s story
of redemption. And at Christmastime, we are once again
reminded of that beautiful, miraculous story of baby being born of a virgin –
fully God and fully man – coming to earth to redeem lost mankind.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Praise God that life isn’t a game of chance. Sure, we will
have our ups and downs – a goat may eat prize orchids or the tire in your car
may go flat on your way to work.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But at the end of the day, our focus should be glorifying the
one true God with our lives – wherever He has asked us to live, work, and
serve. After all, isn’t that what the shepherds did – glorify and praise God
and tell others about Him?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-36861524894606932772013-11-09T15:43:00.001-08:002013-11-09T15:43:30.256-08:00Tap into Your Creativity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOnSsasndVzZwJu_wZjgDd1fcwrq4p3EC4yzF3Wr0b3Xt3bNV23dsZx9bKwYir-bt1096mM0nLtnnvQuvhK1ehN2SAxuTxFt5oZdVCEvJxNSKn7grvVhB3YJDRhEO-LTr46RYVJfVrFk/s1600/Inspiration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOnSsasndVzZwJu_wZjgDd1fcwrq4p3EC4yzF3Wr0b3Xt3bNV23dsZx9bKwYir-bt1096mM0nLtnnvQuvhK1ehN2SAxuTxFt5oZdVCEvJxNSKn7grvVhB3YJDRhEO-LTr46RYVJfVrFk/s200/Inspiration.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whether you’re a business professional, stay-at-home mom,
teacher, athlete, or other hard-working professional, there will always be days
that leave you feeling hum-drum: bored, bland, or weary.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have to get imaginative to turn ordinary tasks into
something more enjoyable. And quite frankly, that isn’t always easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Especially as a teacher, I face this challenge. As the school year progresses, students
grow comfortable with their class routines; a routine in itself is a good thing, but the problem arises when comfortable crosses the line to "checked out." </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Seventh-grade, middle-school keyboarding is a perfect example.
Learning the home-row fingering and practicing typing drills are important but
can become tedious, so I try to give my students a break from their typing
textbooks every once in a while.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One exercise my students have come to enjoy is a story
scenario (“code” for composing at the keyboard, which sounds much more like
work). Italicized below is my scenario I gave the students last week. I asked
them to finish the story, and I’ve listed the first few words of some of their imaginative
responses.</span><br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Like any other school
day, Jordan rolled out of bed, slipped down the stairs, and slouched over his
bowl of Fruit Loops at the breakfast table. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He
had just shoved his chair back to rise from the table when he saw ….<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The door open</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A brown and black spotted bull</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nothing</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A giant robotic rooster</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The gunman coming to the door</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A zombie</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A random pie monster</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A monkey</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nine men in bio suits who said, “You have to
come with us.”<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> (This is a personal
favorite!)</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A shadow</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The school bus driver staring at him through the
wet window with a weary look <em>(Someone was paying attention to our English discussion on adjectives...)</em></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A huge TV</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">His sister</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">His favorite super hero </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Something not normal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes, these are middle school student responses! Their eyes
were shining, and their hands straining as high as they could to get my
attention to read their stories to the class.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think there’s a lesson for us here: First, try to break up
the everyday once in a while to keep life fresh and interesting; and also,
don’t be afraid to turn ordinary tasks into something creative. You never know
just what inspiration you might find or talent you might tap. <o:p></o:p></span>Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-39818608817105183872013-10-20T12:22:00.000-07:002013-10-20T12:22:12.556-07:00Pumpkin Patch Reminders<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday, my friend invited me to go with her to a pumpkin patch. Believe it or not, I had never
been. (I thought pumpkins grew on the store shelves at Publix and Walmart. Just
kidding.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, she introduced me to a “real” pumpkin farm where rows of
pumpkins line hay bales, sit on counters, and rest in rustic carts. I was like a
kid in a candy store. I couldn’t decide which one I wanted. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfBHF9S6-y73tvs8jya7OZPF4UkxmmXtKvobfZYiLALRE32PAMec0ZeosWDbUUJh5K-IQvuWkmNRLUlH1dtnDfSMz2SS2WjuaZ7UowFp1bfE-jsHO5cbsXkiMLUtGRACLA6POubmSPHLc/s1600/pic4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfBHF9S6-y73tvs8jya7OZPF4UkxmmXtKvobfZYiLALRE32PAMec0ZeosWDbUUJh5K-IQvuWkmNRLUlH1dtnDfSMz2SS2WjuaZ7UowFp1bfE-jsHO5cbsXkiMLUtGRACLA6POubmSPHLc/s320/pic4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There were gourds and pumpkins of all colors, sizes and shapes,
Cinderella pumpkins, and pumpkins so large I probably would have had to roll them
to the car (had I the desire or money to buy one).</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfBHF9S6-y73tvs8jya7OZPF4UkxmmXtKvobfZYiLALRE32PAMec0ZeosWDbUUJh5K-IQvuWkmNRLUlH1dtnDfSMz2SS2WjuaZ7UowFp1bfE-jsHO5cbsXkiMLUtGRACLA6POubmSPHLc/s1600/pic4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0ya7jK-ssgeXXc50CcpY5jXtFTNE2ydNar2hBtJYUyhitGSK2gwC54gniovW7XImfjtmFZTF7hJu6qxD4VGN53n5loVQEMxojcqnT2M_WxNgNGiXF_ZyvD8d-SZ3yTcOHxE3qJ-FJVAd/s1600/pic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0ya7jK-ssgeXXc50CcpY5jXtFTNE2ydNar2hBtJYUyhitGSK2gwC54gniovW7XImfjtmFZTF7hJu6qxD4VGN53n5loVQEMxojcqnT2M_WxNgNGiXF_ZyvD8d-SZ3yTcOHxE3qJ-FJVAd/s320/pic2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some pumpkins were all covered with warts, so that they
looked more like a storybook witch’s nose than a pumpkin.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Eww,” I said, pointing to one completely disfigured and covered
with warts.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What do you mean?” my friend asked. “Warts give it
character. It’s beautiful.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I finally settled on a stout pumpkin with a curved,
prickly stem and a multi-colored, little gourd with a pointy bottom (so hence,
it rolls around on my desk).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVU-PzN9xevOku9cJdnZcQafEnTlcPR37WYuF_0XGeoUe7H87f6yPxwQ2Rpmw2eNY51Kn3RNce_lke6s-hwqllmSJNNjCxWhocG8FW7-ABRUeuR8VD47zi21Ke6lBCix-fDxBSVYE13E3/s1600/pic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVU-PzN9xevOku9cJdnZcQafEnTlcPR37WYuF_0XGeoUe7H87f6yPxwQ2Rpmw2eNY51Kn3RNce_lke6s-hwqllmSJNNjCxWhocG8FW7-ABRUeuR8VD47zi21Ke6lBCix-fDxBSVYE13E3/s320/pic1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Aren’t you thankful God isn’t picky in choosing His
children? He loves us – tall or round, smooth or blemished, warts and all. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And our flaws do give us character, as my friend reminded
me. A pumpkin patch would be boring if all the pumpkins were identical. It’s
the variety and the imperfections that make pumpkins so unique and interesting.
No one pumpkin is just like another.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Praise God He can use us – in spite of ourselves and our
flaws – and that He’s uniquely designed us with a specific purpose in mind, one
that will ultimately glorify Him.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Psalm 139:14 – “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and
wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”
</span>Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-49470470479224383942013-08-31T17:35:00.001-07:002013-08-31T17:35:47.003-07:00The Teaching Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDkBZs4Bqw4A0Ha4mmN9XF212GTK7tjMv539r-zx3uEtZrynLw34n2wvHof7LKe54zk4KZSNmUlxUqGmcFZ-YFShxBIVGz4pDQd68lXDf1sszm8PX89346LUyrfIh4QUiHueoWk5Zs95j/s1600/apple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDkBZs4Bqw4A0Ha4mmN9XF212GTK7tjMv539r-zx3uEtZrynLw34n2wvHof7LKe54zk4KZSNmUlxUqGmcFZ-YFShxBIVGz4pDQd68lXDf1sszm8PX89346LUyrfIh4QUiHueoWk5Zs95j/s200/apple.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">My dear readers,
I have not forgotten about you, but I have started teaching, and my life looks
radically different than it did before. Translation: I work something like a
50-60 hour work week - before I bring my work home with me.</span></div>
<span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Now I understand
why teaching is a calling, because it isn’t just a job; it is a way of life. </span><br />
<span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">How does this
affect my writing? </span><br />
<span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">*Winces.* </span><br />
<span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Let’s just say I’m
squirreling away antidotes and character ideas for summertime. And after only
two weeks of teaching, my storehouse is already looking fairly healthy. I’ll
share one of my personal favorites with you.</span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Homework over the weekend? Whaaaatttt???</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></b><span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">It’s hard to
believe that students are already complaining about
homework after only two weeks of school. Last week, my American history class thought that if enough of them complained, maybe
they wouldn’t have homework over the weekend. (Don’t bother explaining to them
that your work as a teacher never ends, and don’t expect them to appreciate the
care you take and hours you put in to provide them a quality education. They really don’t care.)</span><br />
<span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">So, I suggested
we review the meaning of democracy and republic. </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Democracy:
rule by majority opinion</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Republic:
rule by elected representatives</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Hmm, the
classroom is not a democracy, is it? Nope. It’s more like a republic where an
elected official (i.e. the teacher chosen to teach the class) makes the
decisions with the best interests of the group at heart. </span><br />
<span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Certainly, that
person takes the time to listen to what the people have to say, but in the end,
he or she makes the best decision based on the information available.</span><br />
<span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Oh, and let’s not
forget to review the pitfall of democracies… Right, the majority opinion is
often wrong. </span><br />
<span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Ok, let’s move
back to the lesson now.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">The challenge</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Whether you’re a
teacher or someone with demands pulling on your resources, finding the time
to recharge your battery and make time for what you love can be hard. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Your work should be rewarding, and you should
certainly give it your best, but your work alone isn’t everything. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Make time for the
people who matter and prioritize your pursuits. I know I am learning how to
find the balance myself. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">So what’s the
status with book 3? Well, the rough draft is on my desk. My goal is to publish
over the summer in time for an early fall release (in plenty of time
for Christmas).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<strong><span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">A</span><span style="color: #424241; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">ny hints about
the plot, you ask? Let’s just say plenty of adventure, surprises and life
changes are in store.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-52971182104895967802013-08-06T04:45:00.001-07:002013-08-06T04:45:24.770-07:00Time for a new adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1joNBUtj-4gx-7SOFsw69OV531yLIIk8NmwRJRfxUhxCC7PG0bmWCG-wOb3auYhy8ru-0-VE6GY3Ff4CsDBRLMnINjRZh3KzFZczXAjDnL9ynQQx8IoyL4AgAW2zThTxPMKjK8rK52yb/s1600/Open+road.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1joNBUtj-4gx-7SOFsw69OV531yLIIk8NmwRJRfxUhxCC7PG0bmWCG-wOb3auYhy8ru-0-VE6GY3Ff4CsDBRLMnINjRZh3KzFZczXAjDnL9ynQQx8IoyL4AgAW2zThTxPMKjK8rK52yb/s200/Open+road.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So far, 2013 has been a year of goals met and adventures
had. I quit my day job to spend more time writing. (And by the way, the first
rough draft for book number three is done!) My brother and I hiked 22 miles in the
Grand Canyon. A week later, I helped chaperone a youth mission trip to New York to run a
Christian day camp.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, I’m starting a new adventure: full-time teaching at a
private Christian school. Frankly, I never thought I would be a teacher. People
have told me I would make a good one; I just wasn't sure education was the job for me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But if I’ve learned anything from the last several years, it’s
that God’s plan is not what I mapped out – It is better. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So here I am, making lesson plans, plotting out the first
semester, and getting excited for school to start. Reality hit me when I
was shopping last week, and a voice behind me said, “Miss Hogrefe, you’re going
to be my 8<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> grade teacher!”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Appropriately, I was reading in Isaiah today, and chapter 41
verse 10 reminded me that no matter what lies ahead, my God will always be
there to help me.</span><br />
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I
am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold
thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”</blockquote>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What about you? Are you beginning something new? Perhaps you
are persevering through a difficult time or maybe working hard to finish a major project.
Regardless, the future holds new adventures and challenges for each of us. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>The time is now to get ready and go in the strength of the
Lord.</i></b></span>Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-85342300036917118192013-07-03T13:54:00.001-07:002013-07-03T13:54:03.879-07:00Go Farther: Lessons from the Grand Canyon<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have you heard the story about a little boy and his father
who were playing football together? The son was getting ready to throw the
football to his father when the boy shouted, “Go farther, Daddy!” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Children sometimes overestimate their abilities, but I think
adults tend to do the opposite. We cheat ourselves into believing, “It’s too
hard; I can’t do it,” and opt to sit on the sidelines instead of tackling
challenges that seem larger-than-life. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My brother and I just returned from hiking Havasu Falls,
Grand Canyon. The trip taught me a few things about pushing limits. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You can go farther
than you think you can.</span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iddBOy0MemvLnFDnnZYGSsBHMQ1Lnsr_wTOIxh7x2sSarYBR0RKglydtPLYrxV6Ckxycic2j95noembJSg7MgQSSLhjcT_uTkzsGYvkFbi-N8Vcf7l93VE9dBQyLQ7yK8r6vVuVM-kFr/s1600/142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iddBOy0MemvLnFDnnZYGSsBHMQ1Lnsr_wTOIxh7x2sSarYBR0RKglydtPLYrxV6Ckxycic2j95noembJSg7MgQSSLhjcT_uTkzsGYvkFbi-N8Vcf7l93VE9dBQyLQ7yK8r6vVuVM-kFr/s320/142.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I trained for this trip over several months, I took
frequent 2-4 mile rucks around my neighborhood with my 20-pound backpack. I
hoped that this steady practice plus a dose of adrenaline would be enough to
help me hike down the canyon to Havasu Falls. (The trail is supposedly 8 miles
down to the Indian village and another 2 miles to the campground. It’s really
more like 11 miles total, according to my brother’s GPS.)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CKi7ZBYLsTkBhq4ERuIfwvDQCmRnW2ZQWfWOn7-rqGEy0fL1-fv_zFDO-OU8A0moyWrSIdPX0vQdYGGzfNAz_GkmSW8yhWIEQPXl57ndeoi9lF2VLTgi3zWummwBwdX2kauRddsncpRn/s1600/164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CKi7ZBYLsTkBhq4ERuIfwvDQCmRnW2ZQWfWOn7-rqGEy0fL1-fv_zFDO-OU8A0moyWrSIdPX0vQdYGGzfNAz_GkmSW8yhWIEQPXl57ndeoi9lF2VLTgi3zWummwBwdX2kauRddsncpRn/s320/164.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What I never expected to do was hike out 11 miles the next
day. My plan was to get to the village early and catch a helicopter ride out. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, when we arrived, we learned that the helicopter
sign-up didn’t open until 6 a.m., and the first flights didn’t take off until
10 a.m. – and there really was no guarantee you would get on board.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That left us with two options. Sit in the hot village for
four hours waiting for the helicopter and risk having to hike out in the heat
of the day if we didn’t get a flight; or just hike out.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We opted to hike out for a total of 22 miles in 2 days. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCUemR8B8sFfCDpEYgpgk0oBiXBKRUeR4Cz5eJYKf0316Z7UfqFoToMSyOxVTSsXNrTLiXYvsP7gsmgFk9DgHZB_KxzFvEWEJRRNF-SMDUhpRO-yjXNPjDQIHXWn5bLhlbJMoDBFhZSR2/s1600/217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCUemR8B8sFfCDpEYgpgk0oBiXBKRUeR4Cz5eJYKf0316Z7UfqFoToMSyOxVTSsXNrTLiXYvsP7gsmgFk9DgHZB_KxzFvEWEJRRNF-SMDUhpRO-yjXNPjDQIHXWn5bLhlbJMoDBFhZSR2/s320/217.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You can push yourself
harder than you trained.</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not only can you go farther, but you can also push yourself
harder. Both down and up, my brother and I hiked the trail in 4 1/2 hours. The
first day, we started hiking around 5:30 a.m., and the next day, we started at
4:20 a.m. Both days, we woke up around 3 a.m. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">*Groan*</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are tired. You are sore. You are beat. You just put one
foot in front of the other, and keep moving.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But it is so worth it. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5qlB-0kcuhEw1ouUPtZINIG0076_dDZp8yxvzBZMn0IvN1u_XN3h0Wnj3u1shR0THjToG76MRodX5xCYsUtZd7jwbdZPChNNwiWERGyCGGJ72yfl-MJkUZOhjKsLs_YS3FKWptOp48Nx/s1600/207.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5qlB-0kcuhEw1ouUPtZINIG0076_dDZp8yxvzBZMn0IvN1u_XN3h0Wnj3u1shR0THjToG76MRodX5xCYsUtZd7jwbdZPChNNwiWERGyCGGJ72yfl-MJkUZOhjKsLs_YS3FKWptOp48Nx/s320/207.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The winding, steep mountain trail leading back up the canyon wall
to the parking area was 1.5 miles high. Coming down was slippery; going up was
the ultimate cardio workout.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You have to keep a good attitude, and humor helps. Along the
path, my brother joked, “Pain means you’re alive.” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thanks, Dave. Yep, I’m still alive.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUe-gX-lHHIWazmWysGtj7jHssvOYPKDIvHq-dxPIx34un2MLKM44h6SOmu7oOG7nOSvzHMNZ4BT3v_l0Nwb_ee-j6GM8VQk1bMCrjMzNEDEeuDXQ6rdyU-MYiA14s-HWCVZRwHrdBdjq/s1600/289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUe-gX-lHHIWazmWysGtj7jHssvOYPKDIvHq-dxPIx34un2MLKM44h6SOmu7oOG7nOSvzHMNZ4BT3v_l0Nwb_ee-j6GM8VQk1bMCrjMzNEDEeuDXQ6rdyU-MYiA14s-HWCVZRwHrdBdjq/s320/289.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The bottom line is that you can do all things through Christ. He is our
source of strength. </span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My favorite verse is Isaiah 40:31 which says, “But they that
wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings
as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyz8uUJvAP2l6BVhe80aZTBals3aM-BNK7_zBkcV7LSyiZ5P5PgUZLrELdglMMeEwcAZVUR_p5qCs7B5MCur4ISsK7m3Hb5cRuYoIl95PS2IBlVytzuxMoj4l84U2J6LMQZ41Jwz7XNeu/s720/Switchbacks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyz8uUJvAP2l6BVhe80aZTBals3aM-BNK7_zBkcV7LSyiZ5P5PgUZLrELdglMMeEwcAZVUR_p5qCs7B5MCur4ISsK7m3Hb5cRuYoIl95PS2IBlVytzuxMoj4l84U2J6LMQZ41Jwz7XNeu/s320/Switchbacks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ask yourself what areas
in your life could use a good stretching. And if you're looking for an adventure, may I recommend Havasu Falls?</span></b></div>
Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-19237604640874678792013-06-20T17:01:00.000-07:002013-06-20T17:01:49.645-07:00Crunch, Crawl, and Climb till you find your dream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIdUXfgFTj6PuMv-i40qE27aQcyDT9uOuO8ZvFOiCDtGfHGwRdmsQpMC-qJYTASyGc4pwqs8AZraISe2gRp0vpKCMktcQJMt2Y4e7Bf8oOAaFV4fZ5-byW_oZ4G1XrxqdQIGwDfy9m_3E/s1600/Backpack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIdUXfgFTj6PuMv-i40qE27aQcyDT9uOuO8ZvFOiCDtGfHGwRdmsQpMC-qJYTASyGc4pwqs8AZraISe2gRp0vpKCMktcQJMt2Y4e7Bf8oOAaFV4fZ5-byW_oZ4G1XrxqdQIGwDfy9m_3E/s200/Backpack.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For years, my brother and I have talked about hiking the
Grand Canyon, and finally, we just decided to do it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We each signed up for one of those bonus miles credit cards
to help pay for our plane tickets. (If you want some serious advice on how to
use bonus mileage offers to your advantage, check out <a href="http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/">The Art of Non-Conformity</a>
blog of <a href="http://chrisguillebeau.com/">Chris Guillebeau</a>, the man who finished his quest to travel to every
country in the world this year. Specifically, the following two posts might be
helpful:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/how-to-use-frequent-flyer-miles-to-go-anywhere/">How to Use Frequent Flyer Miles to Go Anywhere</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-5-million-frequent-flyer-mile-challenge/">The 5 Million Frequent Flyer Mile Challenge</a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then, we started training. Or, I should say, I started
training. My brother is probably in the top 1% of Americans who are supremely
fit. I’ve been on the fitness track ever since I graduated from college, but I
would never call myself a fitness buff. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The two biggest challenges we’ll face are heat and altitude.
Florida excels in the heat department, but it scores an F for “Flat” on the altitude
scale. So, I purchased my rucksack (50% off – so proud of myself for finding
that good deal), filled it with bricks and water, and have been hiking around
my neighborhood for the last several months. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yep, I get stares.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So what. People who stick to their goals often raise a few
eyebrows.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whatever mountain (or canyon) personifies or embodies your
dream, I want to encourage you to go for it. Just remember, the path won’t
always be easy. In my own opinion, there are three Cs the journey will require:
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Crunch</b>:
Whether physical crunches to burn your abs or wallet crunches to create your
budget, pain and sacrifice are often requirements for achieving goals. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Crawl</b>:
Don’t expect immediate results. Practice and perseverance are twin companions
for those who are training to reach their dreams.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Climb</b>:
Remember that with God, all things are possible. After the mountaintop, there
might be a valley, but He is always right there by your side to see you through
whatever successes or failures you face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Be a “goal-getter.” See you back here next time – hopefully with some
stunning pictures to share. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-56171193776308865282013-06-10T17:00:00.000-07:002013-06-10T17:00:03.591-07:00Summer Reading: What’s on your list?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1y6m4STBOfHTh-TiGd4ds7Wub_4tPxIsabuq6JcpDwvhx2Y_o-K0RqbkkVQbLSEe9Phu21HjNtMLGw7m4AlTmOIiRUjB0q-BRMswHpjzYCGUBVByUyvkxU5JYeYAAKiiRJtepK3SCbCM6/s1600/Textbooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1y6m4STBOfHTh-TiGd4ds7Wub_4tPxIsabuq6JcpDwvhx2Y_o-K0RqbkkVQbLSEe9Phu21HjNtMLGw7m4AlTmOIiRUjB0q-BRMswHpjzYCGUBVByUyvkxU5JYeYAAKiiRJtepK3SCbCM6/s200/Textbooks.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love summertime. </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And summer reading.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This summer, I have some extra reading on my list. Since I will be
teaching full time at <a href="http://www.springhillca.com/">Spring Hill Christian Academy</a> next fall, I’m pouring
over the teacher’s editions for an English class, American history class, and
three computer classes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today, I read about the Lost Colony and the one, cryptic
clue left concerning the fate of those first settlers; the Plymouth Pilgrims
and Mayflower Compact; and don't forget Pocahontas and Squanto.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Who says history is boring?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Aside from “required reading,” I'm also chipping away at the list below. My goal is to finish by August. </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri;">C.S. Lewis’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Space
Trilogy</i> (fiction/fantasy)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jen Hatmaker’s <em>Seven</em> (devotional) – If you're interested, check out my <a href="http://kristenhogrefe.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-book-review-seven-by-jen-hatmaker.html">review</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dani Pettrey’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shattered</i> (fiction/suspense) – This is the sequel to <em>Submerged, </em>which I <a href="http://kristenhogrefe.blogspot.com/2013/01/submerged-by-dani-pettrey-book-review.html">reviewed</a> back in January. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chris Guillibeau’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">$100 Startup</i> (business) – Read his book <em>The Art of Non-Conformity</em> first. He is a secular author with some practical, brilliant ideas.</span><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Elisabeth Elliot’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Keep a Quiet Heart</i> (devotional) – I’ve read it twice, but it’s just
that good.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another book or two from Dee Henderson’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">O’Malley Series</i> (fiction/suspense)<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m half way through the list, and once I’m done, I’ll
be able to add more.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What does your summer reading list look like? What “must reads” would
you recommend?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-81115082677464758852013-05-28T07:00:00.000-07:002013-05-28T07:00:05.975-07:00Pitfalls in the Pomp of Speeches and Storytelling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxbV8FotgUZ4VflqcNV55EUH9nQztmpLkYu-e9I7vo2GTBO4nNjSPW3tdEPIOe07_-lU1TzIfX5Buf2UNzD-Gy7qj7dFBlEZwDFhVkXwMJT83CrDOIDxlKBCbuJlZl_pxCSPF-yQ6K4pI/s1600/gradpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxbV8FotgUZ4VflqcNV55EUH9nQztmpLkYu-e9I7vo2GTBO4nNjSPW3tdEPIOe07_-lU1TzIfX5Buf2UNzD-Gy7qj7dFBlEZwDFhVkXwMJT83CrDOIDxlKBCbuJlZl_pxCSPF-yQ6K4pI/s200/gradpic.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tis the season for graduations, and this year, I will be
attending at least four. Two down, two to go.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For fear of being misinterpreted as overly critical, let me begin by saying I thoroughly enjoy listening to senior speeches. They are full of insights and accomplishments that graduates should be proud to share.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, they also provide a glimpse of some pitfalls common to speeches and writing alike. Writers, take note! Finding
these mistakes in someone else’s speech is much easier to do than spotting them in the
pages of our own writing.</span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Don’t use a big word
when a small one will do.</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Graduates have drilled vocabulary words, memorized SAT and
ACT lists, and frequented dictionary.com on a regular basis. They are proud of
their knowledge, and well, they should be. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The irony is that after learning impressive-sounding words
like penchant and ambiance, deleterious and surreptitious, graduates have
people (like me) tell them to replace their pedantic words for everyday ones.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why? While knowing what big words mean is important, most
people don’t like stuffiness. They prefer simplicity.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the writing world, remember that readers don’t want to keep
a dictionary by their side. They want to get lost in the story, not the meaning
of the word anachronistic.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Word choice and appropriateness will make all the difference
in your ability to communicate.</span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Don’t be wordy.</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The best speeches are short, simple and sincere. My favorite
speech so far has contained all three of these qualities. The result? I was
able to relate to the graduate and actually remember something from the speech
(without scribbling notes). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you are writing a novel, you may have to skip the “short”
part, but you should not sacrifice clarity for word count. If an action does
not serve to build the plot, cut it out. If the dialogue is humorous but long-winded,
trim it up.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In short, make every word count. </span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Don’t preach at your
audience.</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the speeches I heard belonged more at a political pep
rally than a graduation ceremony. While I agreed with what the graduate was
saying, I also felt myself stiffen as though someone were shouting at me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No one enjoys a lecture, and as writers, this pill can be a
hard one to swallow – especially for Christian fiction writers.
We want to convey truth through a story, but how can we do so without pointing
fingers?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here’s my suggestion: Tell the story well, and let the story
tell the truth. Make the struggle your character’s struggle, and simply let the
audience watch the drama unfold and come to their own conclusions.</span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thank you to all the graduates for sharing your speeches and words of wisdom.
Congratulations on what you have accomplished! May your futures be bright. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b>Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86885879421058104.post-75702642827341770462013-05-13T06:00:00.000-07:002013-05-13T06:00:12.005-07:00Myth #3: Authors keep dozens of copies of their books on hand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVksRtNrTm9urEUjxnfGup9AFK7_H4mR_qDmASdGv__joo-NtjjqnbEF2WMRPgEDCujik82JWLn-xXHM_1mxqwEVvZ_pGiKDkTTEhb4jbuEXabkhhpY9OdQisPteos6nHkN3pv8VQvCxD/s1600/IMG_20130118_202608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVksRtNrTm9urEUjxnfGup9AFK7_H4mR_qDmASdGv__joo-NtjjqnbEF2WMRPgEDCujik82JWLn-xXHM_1mxqwEVvZ_pGiKDkTTEhb4jbuEXabkhhpY9OdQisPteos6nHkN3pv8VQvCxD/s200/IMG_20130118_202608.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe first-time self-published authors do. Yes, it is very
exciting to see a box of books with your name on them. However, I’ve discovered
that keeping large quantities of books on hand isn’t wise unless I don’t want
to be able to get into my closet. Instead, I try to plan book signings in
advance and order copies accordingly for the event.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">True story. This is my conversation with a sweet senior lady
about my book.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lady: I’d really like to buy your
books. I’ve heard great things about them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Me: Thank you! I’d love for you to
read them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lady: Can you get me copies of
them?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Me: Well, I don’t have that many left
since my last book signing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lady: *Incredulous face*</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Me: (Hurriedly) But you can go on Amazon
and order them. It’s really easy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lady: What’s Amazon? I’ve never
heard of it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Me: I’ll look in my closet and find
a copy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Note to fellow writers: Make exceptions where appropriate
unless you think you can successfully explain that Amazon is not just a river
in South America but also an online shopping experience that has nearly
everything imaginable for sale.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Kristen Hogrefehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03100906499725648335noreply@blogger.com0