NANO re-cap.

  For those of you who are wondering how April NANO camp finished up, here are my stats.

GOAL - 50,000 words.
WORD COUNT AT THE END - 31,577 words.

So, no, I didn't finish. I had 18,423 words left to write. This was a little bit frustrating for me because I hate it when I don't make deadlines. But I have to remind myself that a year from now, I'm not going to care if I finished it or not. Sure, finishing a book in a month would be awesome, but sometimes, life happens, and we have to remember to keep the important things first. 

I leave NEXT Saturday for camp, and I won't return until Fall. I'm still unsure of which book I'll be working on next Fall, but I may go back and finish writing, The Secret In The Steeple, or I may work on something else. We'll see, but I do plan on finishing it someday.

Until next time, this is Priscilla J. Krahn, reminding you to stay thankful in ALL things!

Write Hard and Pray Harder!: A Miracle Mom . . .

I know that I shared this story last year, but in honor of my AMAZING Mom on Mother's Day, I'd like to share this post again.

     Write Hard and Pray Harder!: A Miracle Mom . . .:         Every mother makes sacrifices. But some mother’s go through more than others. This is the story of one of those mothers.       The...

Last Week

I had a lot of fun going out with a friend, and then spending the afternoon with our church ladies at the Mother's Day Tea.

Sunday evening some of our church's young people did a music recital, and I had the opportunity to play. At first, I didn't want to, but I'm glad I did. With MANY people around me who are better on the piano, I don't very often play in front of people and I always get SO nervous. The crazy thing is, I don't even know why I'm nervous! I mean the worst thing that could happen, is that I could mess up, burst into tears and fall off the piano bench, but no matter how traumatic it could be, I'd probably look back at it and laugh. 

Anyways, Hosanna told me I was nervous because I haven't done it very much, and if I'd do it more, I would stop being nervous. While I'm sure that's true about my piano playing, I find it's ESPECIALLY true for sharing the gospel. When we haven't been sharing the gospel, we tend to get nervous about approaching people, but if we do it more, and rely on God for strength, it gets easier.

I always find it funny looking at pictures of me from when I was playing piano because I make the most ridiculous faces while I play! Sometimes I look mad, sometimes I look like I'm about to cry, and other times I look nearly asleep. This is actually one of the least embarrassing faces I've ever made while playing piano.

After the recital, Grandpa spoke a few words about doing things for the glory of God. Sometimes we think we have to wait till we're good at something in order to do it for God's glory, but even when we're not very 'accomplished' at a thing, God can still be glorified, if we choose to give Him the glory.

This weekend, I'll be attending the SD Homeschool convention, and if you think of it, I'd appreciate prayer for safe travels, and that we'd be able to be a blessing to the people we come in contact with.

Ministry Training

A few of them aren't in the picture, but this is most of my nieces and nephews. They're an AWESOME bunch, and I enjoy being the 'Crazy Aunt' or 'Auntie Silly,' as they call me.

This last weekend, we had ministry training. Basically, it's two days of training for VBS, our church's fair ministry, and sharing the gospel. We had a great group, and had a lot of fun. The theme was from Ephesians 6, with the armor of God.

We also did a bunch of 'one-on-one practice'. Here, I'm playing the part of an unsaved kid who wants to get saved, and Matt is showing me how to get saved.

In addition to all the basic 'sharing the gospel' training, we also were encouraged by hearing different people's testimonies, and some challenging devotionals about applying the armor of God.

The Bible says to  "Be ready ALWAYS to give an answer . . ." Are you prepared? If someone stopped you on the street and asked you why you're different, would you be able to share the gospel with them? Would they even notice a difference in you?

I commented to one of my cousins about how he didn't eat as much now that he is done growing. For the first time, it made sense to me why sometimes we quit growing spiritually, it's for the same reason, we stop growing physically. When we're growing, either physically, or spiritually, we're hungry. When we're not hungry for the Word of God, we quit growing spiritually. Whenever you catch yourself losing your appetite for the things of God, make sure you take the time to dig back in so that you can keep growing. It's been said . . . "The more you read the Word of God, the more you want to read it, and the less you read it, the less you want to read it." Let's make sure we're reading it more, and keeping our spiritual appetite strong so we can grow in Christ.

R.S.C. 2018

  This past week, I had the opportunity to attend the Upper Midwest Regional A.C.E. Student Convention. Dad brought a few boys from our church as students, and I was blessed to get to help with the food at the convention, as well as some judging.

Hosanna also came and helped with judging and meals. The boys did GREAT, and we had a LOT of fun! I was also really challenged and encouraged by the speaker. In his last message, he used a phrase a few times, and it really stuck with me. "Satan is working, BECAUSE God is working." When you feel discouraged, and depressed, and Satan seems to be gaining ground, don't be discouraged! The reason Satan is working, is because God IS working. And God has already won the victory!

We ended up at a McDonalds and they had a Ronald McDonald! Since I hadn't had my picture with him since I was two or three, I wanted my picture with him!

I tried getting one like my first one but . . . either he's shrunk or I've grown!

So I pulled out the old picture. :)

One of the things I helped judge, was the puppet category. It was VERY entertaining and it was neat to see these young people using their talents to glorify God.

It was really awesome to see God working throughout the convention. Through all the problems, trials, and unexpected events, we were all able to see God working, and be encouraged that He is always good! Everything He does, is good!

We sang Victory In Jesus, and when we finished, Pastor C. commented on how amazing it is that we can sing about the victory, while still in the battle. It was encouraging to remember that no matter how long or difficult the battle may seem, it's ALREADY been won! We can have confidence in Christ! We can KNOW that HE has conquered death!

And this last picture . . . I saw it the other day couldn't help but laugh. If you're a writer, or if you live near a writer, you probably understand! I've researched some REALLY strange things with my writing. From bone cancer, while writing Never Without Hope, to studying cocaine, while writing Mission of a Lifetime, to researching the effects of shooting cars tires out while the car is in motion in Traffic at Graveyard Bend, and many other strange things about Pomeranian dogs, poisons, ransom notes, and other weird things, I'm sure I need this mug! What's the weirdest thing you've ever re-searched?

TRF Re-cap

  This last weekend, I was in Thief River Falls, MN at the Home, Sport, and Family show. It went pretty well, and I'm VERY thankful for all the friends and family who stopped by!

As you can see from the picture, my book table was right by a car dealership booth. In all, there was around 150 different companies represented, so it was to date, the biggest show I'd ever attended with my own vendor. A HUGE THANK YOU to the AMAZING friends who helped me set up and run my booth! I wanted to get a picture of us together, but I forgot. After setting up, we had a great time shopping in TRF, and visiting some stores I'd never been in.

So, my next vendor booth is coming up May 11-12 in Sioux Falls, SD, at the SECHE Homeschool convention. If you're planning on attending, make sure you sign up before April 27th, because after that, the registration fee goes up.

   A note on the SD Homeschool Convention - Israel Wayne and Patrick Nurre will be the key note speakers.

On another note, we had a great winter of skating and ice hockey, and although I didn't get to go as much as I would have liked, I'm still very thankful for all the people who lined up days to get a group together.

I found a few pictures from our family get-away in March that I thought I'd share as well. This is at the home of a missionary that we had the opportunity to fellowship with. Mom actually traveled with this missionary to France for a summer when she was younger, so she enjoyed catching up again. It was REALLY neat hearing his stories. If you ever get a chance to listen to older people sharing the things God has done in their lives, make sure you take advantage of that! It's amazing how encouraging it can be to listen to them share of God's goodness in their lives.

On our trip, we also did a fair amount of shopping and when we girls were done shopping, but Mom and Dad weren't, we did what we always do! Try out the cool chairs and couches! :) 

And on another note yet, I'm in grave remorse over the fact that I FORGOT my cousin/brother's birthday! :( :( :( :(  So, here is my "Happy Birthday!" to Josh, WAY late. :( Sorry, Bro! Thanks for being so understanding! :) :) :)

Camp Nano

So, I've never actually done any of the Nano write things, but this April, after some encouragement from a friend, I decided to do the 2018 Camp Nano. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, basically, I'm trying to write a 50,000 word novel in one month.

In some ways, I feel totally CRAZY doing this because of my schedule, but during a recent webinar I watched with Michael Hyatt, he reminded me that I'm no more busy than anyone else. We all have the same length of days, and the same length of weeks. So I'm giving it a try.

Currently, I'm at 6,221 words so . . . yeah, I have a LONG way to go.

You're probably wondering which book I'm writing? Well, it's one that I'll probably not be publishing anytime soon, but I'll be putting the rough draft somewhere and I do plan on going back to it someday. The book? 

The Secret in the Steeple.

Synopsis - Detectives solve crimes. Preacher kids pray. When the two worlds mix, life gets interesting for the Mancefield family. When a spark ignites, and the church is gone, Pastor Mancefield is the main suspect. Can his kids clear his name? The police say it's an open and shut case, but for the five Mancefield children, things are just heating up. Does the stranger on their doorstep know something? Can they get to the bottom of things before the town fires them? Or is the family not cut out to solve mysteries?

Also, this weekend, I'll be at the Thief River Falls Home, Sport, and Family show with a vendor of my books. If you're in the area, I'd love for you to stop by!

Green Pastures Farm: Mini Vacation

 Mom got a few more pictures of our family trip that she posted on our family blog. Green Pastures Farm: Mini Vacation: Sometimes you just need to get away! For the last couple of years we've been going on a short trip between Priscilla and Hosanna's...

Spontaneous Campfire

I'm not the most spontaneous person in the world, but the other day, when I looked out the window and saw that Dad had lit the pile of branches we'd been stacking on the camp fire pit over the winter, I told Miriam, "We should go roast marshmallows!"

          For those of you who know me, you know that I'm always suggesting random things, but I don't usually think we're actually going to do them. Well, this time, I guess everyone else liked my idea.

So, when I roast marshmallows, (you'll probably all hate me for this,) I DELIBERATELY burn them. That's right. I catch them on fire, and burn them all around, until they have the "delicate taste of charcoal," (As Marty would say.) Then, I pull off the outer burnt layer and eat it, before repeating the process to the next layer. Contrary to popular belief, this is NOT because I CAN'T roast a marshmallow perfectly toasty brown, because I can. I just like them this way. And, by eating it in layers like this, it lasts way longer! :) 

How do you like your marshmallows?

Meeting Patch the Pirate

The last few years, we've tried to take a little family trip in the spring. This year, we went to Iowa, where we visited a friend of Mom's from when she was in France on a missions trip, and we attended the Patch the Pirate Live in Ankey, Iowa.

I grew up listening to Patch the Pirate, and if it was only for that, I'd have still thought it was cool to meet him. (For those of you who know me well, you've probably heard me quote Patch the Pirate before.) But the opportunity to meet him wasn't just about his fame as Patch the Pirate. 

Our church has used the Majesty Hymnal for years, and there are several hymns in there written by Ron Hamilton. In some ways, he kind of feels like the Philip Bliss of our day. His most well-known one in our church is probably Rejoice in the Lord, but he's written many others.

As for Shelly Hamilton, well, she wrote the song that we used as the theme song at my graduation. (The Secret Place)  She's also put together a LOT of great materials for the church pianist.

So whether it was Patch the Pirate, or Ron Hamilton, I've been blessed by their ministry all my life, and I was THRILLED to get to meet them. Even if we did drive through a blizzard to get there.

It was also neat to meet some of the crew on board the Jolly Roger. Over all, we had a great trip, shopping, spending time with fellow believers, and being together as a family. I was reminded of how fragile life is. Take the time to cherish the moments with your family. Another of Ron Hamilton's songs is Cherish the Moments, and it is so true. We don't have this life forever, so be sure to love your family while you can.