The hardest part is time management. Most people struggle with it, whatever field of endeavor they undertake. I am finding it difficult to set aside time to write.

In May, while in California, I attended a Christian Writer’s Conference, the first of its kind for me. In fact, though I have to visit my California doctors for follow ups every 6 months, I scheduled those appointments around the Writer’s conference just so that I could attend it.

After years of waffling amid scores of requests, comments (and a lecture) and questions about when I was going to write a book, I have finally kicked into gear to do so. Certain people have been instrumental in the process, Randy most recently. Just after the New Year we sat down as a couple to list some priorities for this year (on a handout from church labeled “What I want God to do this year”) and one of the first priorities, on my side of the page Randy said I should write “my book published by next year”. Sort of pushy, don’t you think?!

Sometimes we need a firm push, like a boat from the dock, to get us moving. It was just what I needed to get me going. Thanks, honey. And thanks to you who have spurred me on one way or another over the past months and years.

Since January I have been working on a manuscript. I determined to go to the Christian Writer’s conference which was held in Newport Beach (no, I didn’t get to see the beach, sigh), just an hour by car from where my sons live in Southern California. I knew this was doable.

Boy, did I learn a lot. And it is the kind of experience where you begin to realize how much more you have to learn! I’m reading new material to learn the craft and how to market my product, whenever I have one (I doubt it will be by early next year). I will also be writing, well, let’s say, learning to write shorter articles for publication. I’m seriously considering writing devotionals. This is something new writers are encouraged to do while they write their first book. It is even something I had previously thought about too.

Are you picking up that I need your prayer backing for this new venture?! I certainly hope it is true one is never too old to learn….

I had a good time at the conference; met a new friend there, another woman who is an aspiring writer; and had a good time with my family over the 3 weeks I was in California. I had the good news from my oncologist that I am still cancer free, thank God. My neurologist is happy I am still strong and we agreed to maintain my current lowered dose of Prednisone for the next 6 months and will at that time consider cutting back on another immunosuppressant I am taking for the MG.  Unfortunately, my cardiologist reported that my heart function regressed slightly from 5 months ago, but she was not concerned. Apparently that happens. (My heart was damaged during chemotherapy for cancer. I have been under Dr’s care for the past 3 years for this reversible condition.) We look for improvement over the next 6 months.

So overall, can you tell, my time and experiences were “good”. Good is…well, good. And I am thankful to God.

So now, how to manage my time. Which really equates to managing myself. So many “little” things literally gobble up the time! But I think I am coming to a plan in my mind. I will be working at implementing a way of managing my time whereby I make the most of it to accomplish what I need to do.

Redeeming the time, making the most of every opportunity, working while it is day…words of wisdom for me… and everyone.

Now I have a request of you. If you read my blog and have liked what you read (at least at some point), will you drop me a line at jacquelinegwallace@gmail.com and tell me what it was/is you like about what I write? I didn’t make that up; we were encouraged to find out this information in a workshop at the writer’s conference. And besides, I’m curious about it too!

Here they come!

Our first teams of the summer arrived here in Northfork yesterday. I will go to the meeting this evening and get to meet people face to face I’ve been emailing with for months, setting up their mission trip. It is always nice to meet these folks, some youth and adult groups, some families, from all over the country. This year we have families and groups from states as far away as New Mexico and Iowa, Florida and Georgia, New York and New Jersey; Minnesota, Michigan and Indiana; and as near as Tennessee, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

We will be meeting new folks and old friends (that is, return teams!) through the second week of August. God has provided 3 interns to work with Lacy and one of Lacy’s daughters to work with the younger children when needed in weeks when families are here. We are thankful for these young people, as well as our regular staff, to carry out the demands of the summer home repair ministry.

Won’t you pray for us? Pray for safety in all travels, both for teams/families to and from WV and teams/families and staff within WV each week; and that all of us will have hearts to serve and learn from the Lord as we work together. Pray for Randy as he guides our staff and for the teaching of the Word with teams each week. And pray for the seeds of the Word of God to be planted deep in hearts… and bear fruit in the lives of children and adults here in WV and on the teams. It is our prayer that even seeds which have lain dormant for years will begin to grow and bear fruit to the glory of God.

And pray for Randy and me as we continue forward with the ministry of Mustard Seeds and Mountains, now 20 years and counting, moving at the directives of the Lord for the work He wants to do through us.

Because it is all about Him.