Friday finds me allll gooood!

Thought I’d pop in here to post for once. I’ve not been able to just sit for a while and have a single thought to myself let alone have the time to do anything about them.

In the last 3 months, my life has turned upside down … but in a good way. You all know I’ve had to work a part time job to help contribute to our family’s finances. Smart girl that I was decided to up and quit a full time career in July of last year – right before the big recession hits. So my family, that was used to doing a little of whatever they wanted, while still feeling like we had no money … didn’t know what was going to hit.

We had enough to get by then – we just didn’t know it!

No we’re on a skimmed budget and running a tight ship. We refinanced our home, which saved us $150 a month.

I still have my own photography company, which is picking up by the way, and I still further my writing pursuits – but I’m working part time as a manager at a women’s boutique. This is why I’ve not had time to sit as I’m gone all the time, between photography shoots or my part time job. I’m never home to just have a second to myself. I haven’t even watched TV in almost a month (except ‘The Bachelorette’, which I DVR and watch late at night).

The good news? We’re making it – barely but surely.
The bad news? I’m not running on my own schedule and I have nothing left over to write – which means my sequel is taking a loooot longer than I’d hoped.

BUT – counting my blessings is still a must.

For example – Yesterday my brand new tire blew out on the highway. Not even seconds before I heard it pop, I was praying for God’s protection on the roads. It was as if the Holy Spirit was guiding me or prompting me to pray that particular prayer. Within seconds, the wall of my new tire was blown off and I was trying to get off the side of the highway.

The blessings are obvious to me. I’m thankful my car didn’t flip or slam into traffic. Two police officers showed up before my husband did to protect my car from the traffic from the highway. Because of these brave men, my husband had the protection he needed to change my tire. Otherwise traffic wouldn’t have allowed him to get down and change it without risking his life.

2 service men showed up from my dealership too. I’m blessed that we know the owner and he’s a gracious man, who takes care of us.

PLUS – I was late to work to close my store. WHICH was a HUGE blessing, as my district manager was in town and my tire escapade caused me to miss her visit. Hmmm? I don’t see a downside to this one.

Just wanted to pop in real quick to let you know that life is good! Even if I have to pay for a new tire – I’m healthy and in one piece. Can’t ask for more than that and I’m thankful to God for answering prayer!

Have a great weekend you all!
Kim

Here’s an example from one of my latest shoots this month. Westmoreland Ministries asked me to work with them for their upcoming tour. KP is a great guy, who has a true heart for God. Pray for him as he targets college campuses with the reality of his testimony.

Your dreams vs. God’s dreams

IT seems all self starters or risk takers are met with doubters or insurmountable challenges in life. However the ones willing to take a risk are usually the ones that go where no one else would dare. The clarifying factor though is ‘taking a smart risk’. Is there such a thing? What are your thoughts?

I think there’s a huge difference between a ’smart risk’ and a pipe dream.

A pipe dreamer is someone who always has a new idea every day that doesn’t fit into his abilities. It may be something that sounds fun, so they take off half cocked to pursue their dreams without preparation, planning, or prayer.

Prayer? How can that be a part of a smart risk? Prayer is essential to it! A smart risk in one that you’ve meditated over, asked God guidance for, and when nudged…took the leap of faith into deep waters for your dreams. A smart risk is one that has groundwork lied out in front of you, that is there for your direction. A smart risk is one that has a clear pay off in the end, with end in somewhat immediate sight.

YOU can not risk your time and effort without having a goal/payoff! And that payoff must be reasonable, obtainable, and is that which would make an impact for others. You owe this to the ones who are supporting you through your leap.

I think I fall into the latter category. THROUGH prayer, I’ve felt God’s hand guiding me. Now how can I be sure? Will the final result be a big payoff?

No one knows the answers to these sort of questions. Only God does. My job is to continue making sure that my dreams are in alliance with God’s plan for me/my family, and continue to ask for guidance down the right path.

I’d like your thoughts. When it seems the world would say – don’t jump … it’s too risky. But God’s spirit is nudging you to take a leap — what would you do?

Do you believe in the difference between a smart risk and a pipe dream? Or do you believe they’re the same?

I recently talked with Tam, a fellow blogger, who gave me some inspiring direction. The path to the door of opportunity can be a hard one, but if it’s a door that God wants you to walk through — then you’ll find your payoff when you walk through. And you’ll look back and see how great God’s plan was all along, even through the difficult times in getting there.

6 week contest

Hey I thought of a little contest I could start through this blog. For those of you who’ve not read the book yet, this will be incentive hopefully for you, as well, to go get a copy.

In the next 6 weeks, I will be running a contest that everyone can participate in. The only catch is that you ‘have’ to have read Finding Kylie.

For those of you anxiously awaiting the sequel…here’s some good news. I’ve got 50 chapters outlined and about 20 chapters written.

So what’s the contest?

For the next 6 weeks, you’re to email me once you’ve read the book – and tell me who your favorite character is from Finding Kylie and why. Tell me one thing in particular which made you fall in love with that character and why it defines them. I’ll know if you’ve truly read the book by how you answer this challenge.

I will be choosing a top 15 out of all the emails sent to me based on your thoughtful answers and heartfelt responses. Out of the top 15 persons, I will do a random drawing. The winning person, who’s email I choose, will get their name in the next book, Facing Redemption.

It may not be a main character’s name, but it will have a prominent scene. And you’ll get a mention in the forward in the book. For those of you who have read it, you get the first jump at sending my your emails. For those who have not, if you’re able to go to a Barnes & Noble – ask them to order your copy in. It’s that simple. If you’re no where near a Barnes and Noble than you can go through Amazon.

Here is the link to buy Finding Kylie. 

I look forward to your emails.
Send them to: kimberlymckayauthor@gmail.com
Thank you for your support! And I can’t wait to hear from you!

Also after you’ve read it – don’t forget to take a picture of you with the book and send it on to. Here’s an example of some I’ve been getting!

Friday’s Reflections

I pulled up to my house after dropping my son to school today, and noticed how gargantuan my flower bed is becoming.  In the last two years I’ve planted a few favorites here and there in small portions.  Some are ground cover that spread, and some are simple flowers that flourish.  I did not know that my soil was so rich as the only thing in this front bed, when I moved in, was big burly bushes that were horrendous.  They were prickly and bushy, and weren’t welcoming at all.  

I never dreamed that my simple ground cover and flowers would dig their roots in and take over, growing like mad!  Even my mother, who is technically a ‘master gardener’, is overwhelmed at the size of my little babies who’ve become montrousities in my garden.

It made me think about the human spirit and how planting such a little seed in such fertile soil can do amazing things.  Just like my flower garden, where I have to divide the plants out and replant in the back yard now, are the many people that started their faith with the littlest of seed and a lot of sun.  God uses that seed and His son, to grow their faith and use their talents.

God uses that fertile field to grow his people and their faith, to the point where they’re growing and reaching so far out that they touch so many other lives.  I know God is continuing to work on my faith.  

My biggest downfall is my laziness.  I know I get lazy sometimes and need to just simply listen and obey.  I visit the same issues with my son.  He has issues with simply listening and doing what is asked of him, instead of doing things his own way.  

I know how frustrated I get with my son, who fights my authority from time to time.  It’s normal for a 5 – 6 year old to find that balance and test his boundaries.  It makes me wonder how frustrated God must get with me sometimes when I get lazy.  

I pray today that He continues to work on me.  I pray He helps me get over myself and just do what is asked of me.  My biggest want is that he gives me the ability to plant the seed for his purposes in other’s lives through this blog and through my books.  

I pray that we all listen, and OBEY  to his call for our lives – because those are two different actions and are equally important.

Friday Blessings for two

I didn’t get on here last week so I wanted to count my blessings for the last two weeks…

Thanks to all of you, who still come here faithfully and read up.  Your comments and emails always bless me.

My son wanted to treat me to dinner this week.  He knew I didn’t get paid for a couple of days, so he asked if he could treat me to a pizza.  It was such an amazingly big hearted thing to do with his allowance money.  I was humbled by his genuine need to feed me something tasty.  We got his money out and talked about how much the pizza was and what kind of tip to give.  His math brain amazes me.  He gets money and math in ways some 4 and 5th graders don’t.

I get so many comments on facebook and emails from ‘Finding Kylie’ readers.  I’m blessed by each one.  Lately I’ve been receiving pictures from them.  I’ve asked that those who have read the book, go and take their pic with it in creative ways.  This post here explains it a little more.  Oh some of the pics I get.  Someone even mailed me a pic showing the book with Rupert, from David Letterman’s show.  I’m loving all these pictures and how creative they are.  Keep them coming!

My new part time job is a huge blessing – especially because it helps us a little more with our bills.  And we all could use a little of that.  BUT also because I get to work with beautiful clothes that make women feel wonderful and pretty.  I love spending someone else’s money to make them feel beautiful.  I love the way these women light up when they try something – that maybe they wouldn’t have picked for themselves,  but they try on because I’ve brought it to them  in the fitting room.  I love the satisfaction of the sale when they leave with something totally unexpected but completely flattering.  If I have to work part time, at least it’s something I have an amazing time with.

My son turned 6 last month and is growing leaps and bounds.  He’s always been an affectionate kid, and I thought he’d grow out of that as he got older.  If anything he’s growing into it more.  Experts say your child is set for who is he at his core by the time their six.  All I can say is someday he’s going to make some young lady very happy.  I have to just pray that he doesn’t get his big heart broken too many times before he meets the one, so that he’s still open to sharing his heart.  I hear this phrase every morning and every night – “You’re the most beautiful woman in the whole world – I’ve got the sweetest mommy in the whole world!”  And it gets followed with a big bear hug.  Now what young lady won’t want to hear that when she’s fallen head over heels with my son?  I just pray he won’t woo the masses because he’s prone to flirt with women of all ages.  I love seeing the twinkle in an elderly lady’s eyes when he’s told her she’s pretty.

I had been struggling with my sequel deciding how much balance to give it.  I want to reach the masses and plant a seed for Christ.  So should it be just like ‘Finding Kylie’ with a fleshed out character line up, with real and intriguing story lines?  Or should I have it more about the main characters Christian journey?  I felt like I wouldn’t be a real Christian if I didn’t put more Christianity in my second book.  I felt guilty for not wanting to put more God in my book, but felt I had to.  It was almost as if the devil was taunting me saying, ‘you’re not a good Christian if you don’t give Him glory on every page’.  It became a huge burden…one that God lifted for me.

I had this discussion with a Christian author and friend of mine, George Goodman, who simply stated these two simple things.  ”Kim I’m not being a luke warm Christian when I tell you this…your job is to plant the seed – not to water it and grow it.  Someone else will do that.  If you want to reach the masses, don’t push anything on those pages that’s not part of the true character’s human story line.  People that aren’t Christians won’t really get into a book like that.  If you’re able to plant a seed, than you’re working for God and giving Him glory.  AND you can do that without turning people off.  Once you’ve gained a true following, you can take liberties in future books to do more in your faith.

My second worry was one of the carnal nature of my main two characters lives and how their story progressed.  His second comment was, “One statement keeps coming to mind, and I feel like God is telling me to give this to you. ‘Meet your characters where they are and then take them to where you want them to be.  So if Chastity has to do somethings a normal 20 year old would do in life….let her face her reality and bring her to a different realm of thinking throughout the book.  This character is not you with your convictions…she’s her own person —  meet her where she’s at Kim.”

Man this conversation has changed my entire heart and mind for this story.  Last night I built framework for up to 35 chapters, and am vigorously typing it out.  I can’t wait to take these characters, where they should go – not according to my standards but their own.  I did that in ‘Finding Kylie’ and am excited to be able to do that for ‘Facing Redemption’. 

Thank you all for reading this far…have a blessed week!!!

 

PS for those of you who love a great devotional book please go check out my friend, George Goodman.  He wrote ‘UNLIKELY’.  Here’s the link at Amazon.

Wordless Wednesday

MIA

So some of you may have wondered if I fell off the planet lately. I haven’t. I promise.

I’ve just been caught up and have neglected my blog. Well and the fact that I’m slightly addicted to facebook doesn’t help!

Today I feel pretty overwhelmed. Although I still count my blessings every day…the daily grind is just getting to me.

Today’s sermon was a powerful one. It was one that I had no choice but to stop and let go of myself for. It was like the Holy Spirit was just saturating the room, and most were weeping at the mood in there.

Marty, my pastor, made it a point to ask us to let go of what we wanted for our lives and to ask God for direction in what HE desires for our lives. He said giving God the control is the most freeing thing we’d experience. And for those that ‘needed’ the control of their own lives…well they could have it. But God gives us a choice. We can work our own future and control our own destiny…our we can fully give our lives over to Him in faith that He has our future.

I don’t know about you, but I need that reminder once in a while. He asked that we lay our burdens down, lay down whatever was holding us back from a real relationship with Christ.

To me, there are those that talk to God. There are those that believe in Him. There are those that even do both.

BUT I truly believe that one can’t experience God’s full capacity for our lives until we let go of our own will and submit to His for our lives.

SO if I’ve been MIA for a while. I apologize. I’m just in transition mode, trying to truly figure out what God’s will is for my life. How am I to make an impact in my world? Is it by being a friend, a listening ear to someone in my real and daily life? Is it by blogging or writing books to reaching out for Christ and hopefully planting a seed? Is it by being a ‘there for my son’ in realtime mommy?

It’s hard to fit all that in – in one day. (plus facebook) LOL.

Know that God is working in my life right now and I feel completely helpless and a little overwhelmed, but I know God will guide and instruct me. And having that faith is what gets me from day to day….that and counting the many blessings he places in my path.

Pics that made my week

This week has been a very eventful one in our home, and I have a couple pics to share.

This first one is from my friend, John, who was traveling for business. I’ve asked all my friends and readers to send me pics of them with my book. John took it one step further and had Rupert pose with ‘Finding Kylie’. Thanks John for your creative genius! You made my week!

I think Rupert looks funny holding this!

The second pic: (drum roll)
Introducing ROXY! She’s our new doggie, who has captured all our hearts. Although I miss my Hershey, and no pet could ever take his place, it’s time for a four legged member of our family to have a place here.

This week has started off with a bang! Happy Spring Break to you all!

Just another reason…

For those of you who read my book, you know I’m a fan of Oklahoma. I’m going to start listing things to do here…different venues or entertainment ideas. Here’s one for starters. Go check out the link…and here’s their web page: RedPin Restaurant and Bowling Lounge.

Have a great weekend and spring break!!!

Another week

This weeks blessings have been obvious!  Although I’m short on time, I’m full of really good things starting to happen.

 I started a part time job this past Monday, to help us along a little further.  In times like these, you have to do everything you can just to get by.  Although, it’s made me realize how tired I am – it’s nice to get all dressed up and have some place to go.  The one thing I’m not happy about: those extra responsibilities are sucking my creative juices –  BUT the extra income we desperately need will I’m sure make up the difference.  And the manager has slammed me back to back in the schedule b/c she had some last minute hours to use.  So hopefully I’ll only work 3 days a week, instead of 6.

I found out we got locked in at a very low rate, for refinancing our home.  We close at the end of the month.  I’m blessed that I have people all around me to guide me and instruct me with wise words and ideas.  We’re trying to do ‘everything’ possible to cut back and trim the fat.  We could easily refinance for 30 years and lower our payment by over $250.00 — but what makes more sense to me is to refinance for 15 years.  We may have the same house payment or even a slightly higher one, but we’d pay it off a lot faster and our equity would be sitting pretty.

My son and I are finally almost free of the sinus crud.  It seems everyone is sick, so we’re glad to finally have a healthy household.  I’m so glad my husband never got any of it.  It’s hard to take care of one child, when you’re sick – but harder when you’re ‘man (turns into child when sick)’ gets sick all at the same time.  

My son’s 6th birthday was this week.  He’s growing into such an amazing young man.  He told me today – word for word: “Mommy, you’re the most beautiful woman in the world!”  Now was 6 year old says that?  They may say…’I've got the prettiest mommy’ – but my child blows me away with his depth and compassionate heart.  God has blessed me with a wonderful child, and I know it more and more every day.

I talked with someone this week, that I’m working deal with – that is giving me amazing instruction and inspiration.  God is opening big doors for me and I’m so thankful!

Lastly, I asked some people to send me some fun creative pics for Finding Kylie at my  wornoutwoman blog, and got some really fun pics.  I want to ask you all, who read this blog, for pictures too!  If you’ve read the book, please send me a picture of YOU with the book.  Get creative!  I plan on making a poster collage, to get inspiration while I finish the sequel, ‘Facing Redemption’.  To give you an idea…here’s one Terri sent me.

So get after it people.  And email me your pics at:

Kimberlymckayauthor@gmail.com