On My Way to D-town

October 2, 2008 | family, ministry life

This weekend I’m speaking at MOPS Intl. in Grapevine, TX just outside of Dallas at the Gaylord Convention Center. This is my first time to connect with MOPS Intl, but I love what they do for moms of preschoolers (thus the name, MOPS) and have spoken at smaller MOPS groups in churches.

It’s my first time to speak on identity and I’m praying that the conversation between me and these women is a good one, as we talk about who we are, whose we are, how to take the next step, what it means to be a woman of faith and how that affects our relationships, where we fit (instead of fitting in), and a little thing called body image.

There’s another bonus on this trip! I get to hang out with my daughter, Leslie, and my SIL Stephen. Yay! We are going to the Texas State Fair (pictures, I promise). I plan to ride rides, see sights, and eat at least one ginourmous caramel apple! Leslie and Stephen just bought a house near downtown Dallas and I get to see it. They are excited for me to be their first overnight guest, and I’m pumped to be there. Leslie and I will do a little estate sale hopping and antiquing. She’s hoping to find a steal good buy on an antique desk that she and Stephen can renovate.

How is life? Busy, and sweet. This weekend revs up my speaking season. I’ve had a solid month at home and lots of writing accomplished, but I need people, people! It’s time to hit the road. I still have a chapter to finish on my novel, lots of Christian Writers’ Guild assignments to tackle (as they come in), one Real Life Downloaded teen curriculum to write, blogging at Momlogic and Real Teen Faith, but I’ll do that in between sharing the wonderful message of God’s grace with women this month. 

I feel utterly blessed. The economy is tight, and the Eller family budget is just as tight as it has ever been, but I have shelter, food, a church family, a husband that I like a lot, some cool kids, health, and beautiful flowers outside my door that bring me pleasure every single day.

Who needs more than that?

Momlogic this week!

October 1, 2008 | family, interviews, momlogic

I’ve been blogging at Christian Momlogic and the discussions have been great. Check out these posts:

• Taking the Long View of Parenting - Do you ever feel like having a meltdown when your child is having his or her own? Do you want to do a smackdown when your teen says, “I hate you”? What is the key to long-term parenting when parenting “in the moment” isn’t cutting it.
• You Have Cancer! - Interview with author, speaker, and BC survivor, Connie Pombo. She shares how a battle with cancer prompted her to pursue her passion, make a bucket list, and run after life. And there’s a GIVEAWAY!

Your comments

September 30, 2008 | books, faith

Hi, I just finished reading The Woman I Am Becoming and I am so thankful for this book! Thank you following God’s leading to write such a book. I am a year into recovery for an addiction and have moved in the last year to a new city, believing God had something new to do in me and through me.

A year ago, I believed I felt God’s leading to write a book about my experience, but I have found the process to be a great struggle. I want to discover God’s purpose for my life, and I am beginning to understand that surrendering each day to Him and allowing Him to open my eyes to the opportunities to love others around me is in fact a big part of His purpose.

I know you are quite busy, but if you have a moment would you please pray that I will surrender to Him all my dreams, fears, and hang ups so that I can fully live out the plan He has for me. And also, if writing a book is actually a part of His plan, that I will not give up on it.

Thank you so much! - Aimee

From Suzie: I’m honored and humbled to pray with and for you, Aimee. I am never too busy to pray for a new friend and a sister in Christ. In fact, it will be the best part of my day.

Suz

Know your strengths

September 29, 2008 | ministry life

“I just don’t understand why I can’t do this better,” she said.

The 40-something woman put her head in her hands. “I should be able to do this.”

Or maybe not.

She was trying to teach high schoolers. They were intimidating to her. Some walked all over her, ignoring her rules, defying her authority. She didn’t connect with them. Felt they were unfriendly, closed-off. (more…)

Ten things

September 25, 2008 | ministry life

One of the speakers asked us to take out a piece of paper. Awesome. A list! I’m great at making lists.

He asked us to write down 10 things we wanted to accomplish in the next 12 months.

Here we go:

1. Speak more

2. Write fiction

3. Take a trip to D.C. with Richard (more…)

This week on Momlogic

September 24, 2008 | interviews, momlogic

Come join me at Christian Momlogic. These are the posts for the week. AND, get this, a big giveaway is going on. Check it out!

A Day in the Life. . .Lisa, an inventor

Living on Someday Isle (someone throw me a life preserver - I’m swimming off “someday I’ll”)

An Uncommon Woman, Interview with author and speaker, Susie Larson

See that beautiful red-head?

September 23, 2008 | family

I listened to some of the most gifted and interesting people yesterday, among them Gen. Colin Powell. Joe Montana. Zig Zigler. Rudy Giuliana. As a speaker it was interesting to watch eight gifted individuals talk about their passion. I’ll talk about what I learned all this week.

Some of the speakers inspired me; in fact, they just may have woke me up on some issues, which I’ll share on Thursday. Others felt-like canned infomercials, but I learned from that too. Some made me think about my finances. Others challenged me on business issues. One challenged me on my ministry and writing.

One presentation was heartbreaking, but still beautiful. Zig Zigler, a man known around the world as a gifted orator, suffered a fall recently that caused short-term memory loss.  (more…)

Date Night

September 19, 2008 | family

It’s just an ordinary Friday. Same ‘ole, same ‘ole. Christian Writers Guild assignments to edit. A chapter to write. Maybe, just maybe I’ll get the house straightend. A walk in the morning. A bowl of cereal minus milk, and no thoughts to lunch yet.

But it’s also Date Night. Which makes this a special day.

What we will do? Rent a movie? I want to see Baby Mama with Tina Fey. Sometimes a night at home is just what we need to catch up and talk about our week, our goals, our kiddos, or just about us.

Or maybe we’ll go out and try a new restaurant, or take a hike up Sparrow Hawk trail, or walk along the river. (more…)

Happy Survivor Day to me

September 18, 2008 | faith, family

Seventeen years ago today I rested in a hospital room, waiting for results of an MRI. I had already had surgery to remove a portion of my breast. I had already had my lymph nodes removed. A tube ran out of my side. My chest was wrapped in gauze. My children were young, whisked about by friends and family who tried to divert their attention from the fact that mommy was sick.

My husband was at my side. The night before was too much. The doctors walked in. What had happened to the one doctor? Why did they increase in number every time the news was bad? This time a neurologist had been added.

“We found a shadow on the scan,” they said. (more…)

Three days a week

September 16, 2008 | momlogic

Remember my post from yesterday? I need to cut back somewhere, because I’m blogging on Momlogic now too, and it’s a serious opportunity to blog with interviews with great authors and people over topics that thinking women just might read. : )

So, my personal blog will go to three days a week starting today. On the off days I’ll simply add a link to my momlogic blogs. I hope you’ll not only tune in to those interviews, but join me in the Christian Momlogic community!

Current blogs to check out:

• Postpartum Depression or Baby Blues? Interview with Judy Dippel, author, speaker, GYN nurse and postpartum depression survivor
•  More on Sex from author Jill Savage, “Is There Really Sex After Kids?”