2011 September | chatting at the sky

take heart, friend

September 12, 2011

This world is filled with trouble, the kind that starts in your heart and works its way out through worry and fear and disappointments. The kind where all families have left of their loved ones is a name on a memorial. And they lay tired hands on top of the letters and pause in the quiet to remember. For when you have so many words but not one thing to say, when you want to convince her everything will be fine even as you doubt it yourself, when you long for a soft bed and a bowl full of chocolate; for when the world has you backed into a corner, when you want nothing more than to be understood, when you wake in the morning overwhelmed with the weight of worry — take heart and know that you have a God who has overcome the world.

“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

Do you need an overcomer this Monday? Where are you looking for victory today?

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If you haven’t a copy of Grace for the Good Girl yet, head on over to Holley Gerth’s blog where she is giving some away!

Taggedrest Filed Underfaith 24 Comments

in real life

September 9, 2011

There are things that happen when you get together in real life. We learn ourselves in groups in ways we cannot learn ourselves alone — the way she laughs more fully than everyone else, the way she closes her eyes when she answers a question, the way she interacts with her baby girl, the way her eyes light up when she talks dreams, the way her voice changes when she speaks of story.We came to Hilton Head Island this time last year to dream about what it might look like to have a gathering of women hosted by (in)courage. We talked a lot about hosting a conference for you and what that might look like. But even there, so many are left out. Too much money. Too far away. Too many on the waiting list. So instead of making you come to us, (in)courage has crafted a bench for you to find each other. (In)courage (in)real life is now live and we hope you’ll stop by and find a meet up near you.

Resort Rentals of Hilton Head Island generously provided beautiful beach front accommodations to enable us to plan and dream together. DaySpring took care of all the incidentals and meals for each of the bloggers. Special thanks to Jessica Gardo from the Hilton Head Island Chamber of Commerce for helping coordinate our trip and for going above and beyond every expectation. As you well know, my family and I have been coming to Hilton Head for over 10 years now, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

May your weekend be filled with touchable friendship, warm togetherness, and deep, genuine laughter. May you set aside the worries, if only for a night, to enjoy the sounds of home and the gift of grace.

Filed Under(in)courage, a friend 10 Comments

magic and superpowers

September 8, 2011

We took this photo last night as the sun went down. It isn’t always possible to watch the sun set over water on the east coast. But Hilton Head Island is shaped in just the right way so that the sun goes down on the right and comes up again to your left. Always water. Always beautiful.

I stood next to Ann as I took this photo, and I barely heard as she whispered Look at all the creativity out here on this beach. This is the third time I’ve been here in as many months and every time is Lowcountry spun magic. I do love this place.

There are just under 30 of us here on the island this week. DaySpring and Hilton Head Island Chamber of Commerce are hosting the (in)courage bloggers for a long weekend of dreaming, praying, and planning for the (in)courage community. We’re also managing to squeeze in a few laughs and a couple of handfuls of really great food. And tonight at midnight EST, (in)courage has a fun surprise to share with all of you.

I wrote about the superpower every girl has over at (in)courage today — it’s a superpower we all have but don’t always use. But oh, if we would. We could change the world.

Filed Under(in)courage 18 Comments

You are Invited to a Party at the Nest

September 7, 2011

My sister is hosting a party at her house in Charlotte. And you are all invited. I realize when I say ‘ you are all invited’ I’m really only speaking to those of you who live within driving distance slash close to Charlotte. Still, you are invited. And here’s the proof::Once you know you can come, email The Nester at :: nestparty@gmail.com In the subject line of the email if you would, please write the number attending with your group. For example: 3 coming to the nest — you don’t even need to write anything in the body of the email. Once you send your email, you will get an auto response with directions. Here are some more instructions from The Nester:

If you aren’t sure you are coming or are not planning to come, please do not send the email. It will totally throw off my plans to have an estimated head count and my husband will be forced to eat extra cupcakes for weeks. If you are coming with a group of 4 girls, only one of you needs to email with 4 Party People in Your House or something like that in the subject line of the email, that way I only count 4 once instead of four times.

I do hope you can make it. We’ll have food plenty of book themed decor and lots of books for sale. But whether you can come or whether you cannot, I want to tell you thank you for your sweet support as this book has been released. The terrifying is mostly over, and I’m settling into content and thankful. I’m content that this book that has been rolling around in my heart and head and hands is finally out of mine and into yours. And I’m thankful to know you’ve been receiving it.

Haven’t been around here before? Watch the video. Read the first chapter. Buy the book. Have a cookie. (sorry. no link for that last one.)

Taggedgrace for the good girl Filed Undera sister, a writer, Grace for the Good Girl 13 Comments

on being stubborn

September 6, 2011

He asked me, What would be life-giving to you today? And it didn’t really matter what I said after that, because the question itself breathed life into me. But I answered anyway, and we packed up the kids and headed to the big park across town.

September smiled on us yesterday, getting brave against hot August with her breeze and her deep blue skies. I used to think nothing good happened in September, but then he chose September to propose all those many years ago and and now it is also the season where my words have finally been released. Enough good things have happened in September to help me change my mind about her.

There are other things happening, things that are invisible and difficult, things that are bringing us closer together even as we fall apart. When control drips through your hands like water, prayer becomes a lot less rote and a lot more desperate. I think that’s good.

When Jesus told the crowd that the work of God is to believe in the one he has sent, it seemed to be just the right words. But when you have to live it in the face of anxiety, fear, helplessness and lingering doubt, I want the work of God to be results. Activity. Answers. Action. Belief feels too small, too passive, too invisible, too impossible. And so we have to dig in our heels and hold fast to belief. Even when it doesn’t make sense. Even when it’s counter-intuitive. Even when it all goes wrong. Stubborn isn’t always bad, you know. Sometimes it’s what saves our life.

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Scroll down to see if you are one of the winners of Grace for the Good Girl or a copy of Shaun Groves’ Third World Symphony.

Taggedrest Filed Undera mother, breathe 22 Comments

winners announced!

September 6, 2011

The winners of a signed copy of Grace for the Good Girl are: Just B @ Love Where You Live, Rae, Amanda, Kelli , and Jennifer D. Please email me at emily(at)chattingatthesky(dot)com and put “book winner” in the subject line. Please include your mailing address in the email. I hope you enjoy the book!

The winners of a copy of Shaun Groves’ Third World Symphony are: Brooke, Shannon@Chickens in My Kitchen, Becky J., Krissa, and Diane Bailey. Please email me at emily(at)chattingatthesky(dot)com and put “CD winner” in the subject line. Please include your mailing address in the email. I hope you enjoy the CD!

Filed Undera giveaway 3 Comments

to see her face

September 4, 2011

We would love to see your face. Visit the Chatting at the Sky facebook page and upload your photo with your copy of Grace for the Good Girl. And if you don’t have one yet? Enter to win one of 10 copies on yesterday’s post here or over at The Nester’s place. Winners announced Tuesday. And may your weekend be filled with beauty, rest, and lack of labor.