Miss Fancy

Today, my baby girl finished Kindergarten. Among her awards for reading, handwriting and math, one award was a stand out. Darby received the "Fancy Nancy Award". I'm sure there had never been another given...at least at our school.
Last month our school had "Book Character Day" as part of the Book Fair activities. Darby dressed as "Fancy Nancy" (by Jane O'Conner) and placed 2nd in the costume contest.
She is definitely fancy. She is definitely darling. She is definitely always going to be my girl.

Spanning the Spectrum

Be still my soul. I just have to gush a bit.
Yesterday, upon request, I mailed a cd to a gentleman in California.
Today, a grandparent in my child's school said her grand-daughter was singing "Create in Me a Clean Heart" for her Kindergarten classroom talent show.

God is so cool! In the same week, music He gave me is reaching the "other coast" and little kindergartner's ears. May God be glorified in every location!

Extreme Spiritual Make-Over

Just a shout of praise for a wonderful "Extreme Spiritual Make-Over" women's conference at Cliffside Baptist in Cliffside, NC. From the very start of the day, a feeling of expectation filled the room. God had a message for each one of the more-than-200 women in attendance. The Holy Spirit's leading was apparent.

Thank you to all of the ladies (and Pastor Joey) at Cliffside Baptist for an EXCELLENT job planning and serving. You were the instruments God used to meet needs in the hearts of His people. Thank you for your obedience.

Where do I start?

I have hesitated to post because I wasn't sure where to start! On Sunday, May 18, I left for the Blue Ridge Christian Writer's Conference at Ridgecrest. With guarded hopes and faith in knowing I was in God's will (even though I didn't exactly know what that "will" was) - I was off to Black Mountain, NC.

Quickly I met two wonderful brunettes from SC. We had a familiar, kindred-spirit connection from the very beginning. My life is changed because of their influence.

Each meeting and session during the week was divinely appointed. Prepared with a proposal, and informed that most publishers don't accept them at these types of conferences, I began the process of telling about my book idea. One by one the publishers requested the proposal. Blown away by the thought of 3 interested publishers, I sought the input of a noted and experienced agent. He also thought the concept was clever and marketable.

In the middle of it all, the other book I "pitched" was a children's book. The market is "soft" and most publishers aren't buying children's books right now. While that was bummer, I was lifted by placing 2nd in the Children's Book Contest!

What does this all mean? Well, today, nothing yet. What could it mean? It could mean that in a matter of a few years the book I proposed at the 2008 BRCWC could be in mom's hands throughout the country. And based on how God has lined everything up, it wouldn't surprise me.

I am just so humbled by the whole experience. Why me? Why His Favor on me? My prayer is that I never step out of the shadow of His leading. If this book deal does actually happen, I want to be able to say that God was on every page...not Janet.

Who Can Find?

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.

She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity;

She can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31:10-31

When we look at the “Proverbs 31 woman” … it’s hard not to read her many capabilities, wipe our brow with a sign and then raise one of those brows with a little head bobble and think ... good for her. Most women I have spoken with have one of two responses: “I could never live up to that” or “That is unrealistic”. Defeat or dismiss? What’s your default reaction?
More to come…

FORWARD

OK. Today it hit me. You know, that nervous "what if I forget something" feeling in the pit of your stomach when a big trip is coming up. And justly so. With Ciffside Baptist's Women's Conference on May 24 and the Blue Ridge Christian Writer's Conference the week before...I'm a bit stressed. Add in my end-of-the-wrap-up responsibilites as Communications Chair on the Forum (that's PTO at our school), sending out cd's and other ministry information as requested, T-ball games - all the while cooking and maintaining some sense of schedule in the house.

Quickly I flip to 'ole Phillipians 4:6 for comfort.

Do not be anxious...pray. Bring all your worries to God in prayer. Don't stress, Janet. Seek God and He will put the important things in order.

JPV (Janet's Paraphrased Version)

(HANG WITH ME...KEEP READING!)

This week I worked on my website. After trying out a few other hosting servers (which until this week sounded like terms in a nice restaurant), I settled on VistaPrint. So easy and I think it looks pretty good ... considering my very limited web-site-creating skills.

Check it out: http://www.janetroller.com/

I bought the domain name (or web address) 6 months ago. When I signed on with VistaPrint, they gave their own web address for me. If you click on janetroller.com, it will "forward" you to their place for me (livingoakministries.vpweb.com). No matter how many times you type in my bought-and-paid-for domain name...it forwards you to the one that opens the site. It connects me to the source of information!

This morning I was encouraged by that in my relationship with God.

When I am looking for spiritual "sight" - I just turn to His Word and, no matter where I look within the Bible, it "forwards" me to God. Yes, the Word IS God. But it is also the means by which we learn more about how to live, love, cope, laugh, discipline, ask, seek, knock, forgive, draw near, etc. No matter what the scripture address, Phillipian 4:6 or John 3:16, the automatic forwarding system kicks in to send us to the main source of the information. Jesus.

I encourage you to get in God's Word today and roll around in His goodness.

That's something to look FORWARD to!

Have a blessed day!

Shout it From the Rooftop!

It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. Daniel 4:2

Can I just brag on God for a minute? Wednesday, April 30, Rushing Winds Studio called to inform us that the first 100 copies of our cd, "For Such a Time as This", were ready to be picked up. Yippee! As stated in previous posts, it seemed like a short amount of time that took forever to pass. In September of 2007, God began using the quiet mornings of the now-empty-house to speak to me in lyrics. Matt and I felt that God wanted these songs to be more than just "Roller Ramblings". I kept hearing messages in sermons about "hiding your talents", "to much is given - much is required", "when God speaks to you...listen and then act". So, we began praying about how we could record these songs with ... at the time no money to spare. It really seemed impossible.

Oh, but don't you love it when God shows up in the times when you can figure out a way to make it work. I know He is always working for our good but...man, He really shines in the times when we need Him.

After sending a copy to each of those who financially contributed to this ministry, we were still looking at a good number of copies. One at a time over the last week, they have left us. Friday morning, the phone rang at 7:30am. It was a neighbor who had heard about the cd and she wanted one to play in her salon. A parent at my children's school bought one. Then, a sweet friend called, expressed how it had blessed her and requested 25 copies for gifts and to sell in her families business. 25! Then another friend called and requested 10 copies for her family. Then another wonderful man called and requested 4! Are you keeping up? That's 41!!! Yesterday!!!

God is so good!

Matt e-mailed Rushing Winds and requested the next 100. Through God's grace, we will spread his Word and Grace through these, too. I love Him. And He loves me...and you! Aren't you glad! That alone is enough to shout from the roof-tops!

Just a Funny

I love the way little minds work!

Yesterday Darby, my 5-year-old, and Matt were talking about our upcoming beach vacation. Each year the entire Roller crew heads to some part of Myrtle Beach for a week of fun. Matt said to her, "Darby, we're going to play on the beach, throw frisbees, jump in the ocean and get a tan!" To which she responded, "Yeah, Daddy. I can't wait until my hiney turns white".