My Journey

Death of an Oak Tree

2010-02-21T20:57:00.000-08:00

Recently an old oak tree became the center of small controversy for some people in my community. Though this tree was well-aged and had a hole within its bowels that held a hive of bees,some people were offended when it was cut down to its stump. This outburst of protest has led me to wonder if we view our own demise in the death of a tree. After all, though six small saplings have since been planted in the place of the one lone oak, it is unlikely that any of those offended will live to see those small saplings grow into great oaks with their limbs hanging about them like arms extending to the community.

In fact, I recall the oak tree of my youth. This great tree stood in my parent's backyard, held my tire swing where I dreamed of flying a spaceship into the clouds, had nestled within its branches my brother's treehouse (which I was too afraid to enter), and provided shade for the many days my brother and I played underneath its protection. Never did I question that this looming symbol of my childhood would be present in my parent's backyard forever. That is until my teen years when I witnessed it die and be hauled from our yard as firewood. I watched the activity from the window of my childhood home. I felt loss that I could not explain and sadness that swept over me. To this day, as I look to that spot where my mother hopelessly planted a flower bed which looks to be a poor substitute for the great oak, I can't help but remember that tree--and know that within my own life there will never be a looming oak in that spot. Perhaps within my heart, but never within that soil.

Shut My Mouth!

2010-02-16T17:18:00.000-08:00

When I was a young girl I spent many summer days on my grandparent's farm. It was a girl's dream--chickens, goats, cows, and turkeys scrambling around the small farm; millions of places to hide and explore; woods and nature all around; and a loving pair of grandparents to take care of me. It was during one of these visits with them, that I learned a great lesson. My grandfather was (and still is) notorious for ranting and raving about near anything, so during one of his rants, I looked up at a sign hanging on the wall and innocently read it aloud. It said, "Lord, help me this day to keep my big mouth shut!" I'll never forget that moment. My grandmother belly-laughed as she held me in her lap. I couldn't imagine at the time why what I had read was so funny, but I enjoyed her laughter and read that sign over and over until one day I understood what it meant. I can't count the number of times I heard her say, "Hush, James, hush" as she scolded my grandfather during my visits with them. You know there are some days when I wish I could have that sign tied around my neck or my tongue at least!

Muhammad Ali

2010-02-15T21:59:00.000-08:00

I watched a documentary on Muhammad Ali tonight and as I watched big, bold retired fighters relive the great boxers life, I couldn't help but feel the man's passion, his stamina, his dream for success. Not all of us have that hunger. Not all of us can whip our bodies and minds into submission to accomplish great successes. Many of us have talents that will be only partially used in our lives. I have determined that there are a small few of us who will use our God-given talents to their fullest. Because the truth is that it isn't easy to push ourselves to lose sleep, to break our bodies, to turn off the television, to set aside money, or whatever else may be required of us in order to accomplish our dreams. I pray that at the end of my life I feel satisfied that I used my God-given talents to further His kingdom, to pursue His will, to follow the dreams in my heart.

Cows, Mud, and BBQ

2010-02-14T19:27:00.000-08:00

We made it---through looking at cows selling for $700 each up to $2,000 each AND through holding a very tired baby through a supper at a BBQ rib shop. And I must say, I am glad we went and spent that time with my husband. Even though I can't tell you that I understand a lot about purchasing beef cattle with stellar family trees, I was there. So, it's feels pretty good to have done what I needed to do. What about you?

Doing the RIGHT thing.....

2010-02-13T08:02:00.000-08:00

The snow is still nestled on the ground in the shady areas of our yard, but the inevitable drip-drip-drip is being heard everywhere else as the magical white stuff gives way to the rising sun. We were planning to attend the rodeo this weekend, but the surprise snow postponed our plans. So all that is left of our weekend is a cow sale, which I opted out of.....at first. Carting a 1-year old and 3-year old in 50-degree weather while we "window-shop" for beef cattle isn't exactly my idea of a fun time. And maybe if a cursory glance at a Simmental cow was all that was required, I'd pass the test. Instead by the time my husband finishes his initial inspection, then a second, and maybe even a third inspection, I feel like I ought to buy the darn cow because I know way too much about her to leave her there--we've formed a personal relationship!

Alas, as I debated my decision to stay behind, my heart tugged at my defenses as I thought about how much family time means, regardless of where you are or what you are enjoying. I also had to remember that just last weekend my darling husband took a 4 1/2 hour trip with me to Baton Rouge (that's one way) so we could visit my parents and go to two Mardi Gras parades. So, I know that what the "right" thing to do is--and I plan to do it with my cowboy boots on (in preparation for the inevitable poop), silk thermal underwear under my jeans, and a big gracious smile on my face. Upon informing my three-year old that we were going she said, "I'll go, if you go, mommy!" Now that's team work....so here we go!

Where does time go?

2010-01-01T19:37:00.000-08:00

It's almost been 2 years since I posted on my blog! What have I been doing??!! Well, having a new baby who is almost a year old, as well as, raising my now three year old baby -- guess that can keep a girl busy.... but, I've also been writing and reading tons.... My latest faves are... Francine Rivers book on the priest Aaron, Elizabeth George's book Beautiful in God's Eyes, and this week I have pulled out an oldie about Mary and Joseph (fictionalized account of their lives) by Marjorie Holmes -- very excited about it, so far it is breathtaking.... In addition, I loved reading The Year of Living Like Jesus by Ed Dobson and Karon Goodman's book A Ladder and a Promise. Everyone I have given a copy of A Ladder and a Promise to keep telling me that God is really speaking to them through it AND stepping on their toes -- I tell you, Karon has a gift for feeling like she is "in" your life and "in" your head!

I've Lost IT!

2008-01-31T11:02:00.000-08:00

Yep, leave it to me---it's not the first time.... probably won't be the last! And, boy, does my heart ache and I dread looking for it--because, quite frankly, I have no idea what I did with it! And it was a masterpiece, at least, it will be if I never find it b/c no one can ever prove otherwise.

You see, I had a dream...so vivid that I had to write about it. In fact, I was planning to incorporate it into my latest book project. So, I set aside time to write the dream down, in pain-staking detail...letting the words flow with my imagination--so excited for the vision God had given me and the new twist in my book.

Then, I had the dread "writing hiatus". Now, that I am ready to get back to banging out the manuscript, I can't find my "dream writing". I have no idea where I put it. How could I have been so nonchalant about it and just tossed it away? Well, I ask myself that question, but I know the answer. I wasn't ready to move it from handwritten form to typed form at the time, so I just pushed it aside.... waiting for God to bop me on the head and get me back on track! I was mulling over my own inadequacies...my own temptations...my own weaknesses.

And, yet, in all the chaos of lostness, I smile. 'Tis okay. It is lost.....and I will look for it....I may not find it, but the memory of it lives in my mind. And I am thankful that though this piece of a manuscript may be forever lost, I can never be in that state of lostness. Yes, I may stray from the Lord. Yes, I may rebel against my Father, but He will always be there to find me. He never loses me. He would leave all of His sheep, just to find me.

He would do the same for you.

Waiting Time

2008-01-11T09:54:00.000-08:00

Whew! God has had me in a waiting time--so much so that my heart aches and I am weary. I look around me and realize that I have been attacked in the places that I felt secure. I have been battled on my home soil. I have been destitute, tried, and convicted.........

And now my weary eyes look up and I see---see Him ready to reach down and guide my feet back to the path that I left--the path of my writing.

You see, I had taken a path of giving up my writing, publicizing, etc. for a few weeks now. When I made the decision to do it, I honestly felt the life breath leave my body. I felt the darkness and the pain of denying myself leak out onto my face in the form of crystal tears. Looking back, I know that I had to do it for God to show me WHO I am, WHO He needs me to be. But, at that moment the pain was great as I told Him that I would give it up.

During my hiatus from writing, no chores were done any quicker than they had been when part of my time was spent writing. No more quality time was spent with my family that it had been when I was writing. But, I can assure you that what was left of me was much smaller when I wasn't writing, than when I was. I was dry and brittle--quick to snap.... I wasn't nurturing MY soul, wasn't feeding it the fruits from harvesting the desires of my heart. Instead I was stagnant, hurt, unsure of where to turn. Unsure of my own identity.

Now, I am stronger, more sure that I must stay on this journey, working diligently through the desires of my heart..... For they are the desires placed there by the Father of Lights--to deny them is to deny His creation.

And so you, too, must find your desires and not give up. Remembering always that we cannot measure our success by the world, but by what we know our workings do for us and for Him.

I would rather share this journey with Him, than trod a path of denying my heart's desires.

And I will.

Book Blog Tour -- Visit Me!

2007-10-22T09:24:00.000-07:00

Visit my Book Blog Tour Sites!

I will be featured on the following webpages on Monday, October 22nd. Check it out!

http://www.ginaconroy.com/ginablog/wordpress/
-Includes an interview with Elisa-
(Gina Conroy)

http://books-movies-chinesefood.blogspot.com
-scroll mid-way down the page-
(Deborah Khuanghlawn)

-Author of Women's Fiction-
To God's Glory

He Uses Strangers

2007-10-12T19:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had a request for an autographed copy of my book from a lady that lives in my community, but whom I had never met. Which in of itself is not unusual, however, what transpired after her request is nothing short of the hand of God working in my life. This lady took the moment to pick up the phone and call me at work. She began by asking me about my book and the reasons I had written it. We then shared with each other our writing habits and she shared a story she had written--full of humor and truth.

She then began to tell me about her distant relationship with my mother that had in recent weeks became a call from God on her heart to visit with my mother, to pray with her even. I felt the click of knowledge in my mind that God had sent this woman as a special person along my mother's path. I told this sweet lady that and she confided that she had felt it also.

Out of the blue she told me she had bought a trunk full of diapers with the thought she might give them to someone in her church. It turned out that no one needed them, so she had joked that Sarah was in her nineties when she was blessed with a child. She knew that God did not love Sarah then more than He loved her now, so perhaps at seventy-one she was going to have a child!

She asked me if I had children. I smiled and said, "Yes, a 9-month old." She praised God because her diapers were for my baby. I laughed when she said, "I did not know when I bought those diapers that I bought them for your baby, but I did." They were the correct size.

I then felt a prod to share with her my desires for my writing career and my continuing desire to be at home with my children. Not knowing that the Lord had laid a similar desire on her heart twelve years before, I was going to be given a nugget of hope.

Her husband had been on partial disability and for four months she had felt a strong desire to quit work and stay with her husband, but money was tight, so she prayed for those four months. On a Monday morning as she traveled to work, God spoke two words to her, "Go Home!" She could still remember distinctly the sound of His voice. And she called her husband once she arrived at work at told him she would quit work. The Lord prepared the heart of her boss who prayed for her, understanding this journey was from our precious Father. Shortly after leaving her job just two days after the Lord spoke to her, her husband was put on full disability. The Lord took care of their financial need. Eleven years later, her husband died.

She was so thankful for that time in her life when they were together and my request sparked her memory and she prayed then and there for me. A prayer that I felt touched heaven. She stood in for me where my heart could not go that day. I was weary and tired, unsure and frustrated, a walking zombie until this woman prayed for me.

The Lord IS not finished.
I know this because as I dealt with family issues the following day, I had another phone call. Ms. Elaine, a lady I had met through work, called to tell me she had read my book and loved it. Many people can say this and I simply smile and accept their compliment knowing that no one would ever say they did not like it to my face. What really touched my heart and reaffirmed that my feet were planted where God needed me to be was when she said that many points brought out in the book had inspired her to action. What more could I ask, ACTION! And the plot continues until the final credits roll.....

Fear Not - Your Future Is Before You

2007-10-05T18:06:00.000-07:00

Hadassah, also known as Esther, was a young woman without a mother or a father. We don’t know how Esther’s parents died; we only know that Esther was an orphan who had been taken in by her cousin, Mordecai. This family was part of the Jews who had been carried into exile by Nebuchadnezzar. Esther, a young woman without a mother and father. Esther, a foreigner in a land where she now lived. Esther, raised by her cousin. Esther, a woman of hope for herself and her people?

Where was her hope when she was faced with the death of her parents? Where was her hope when she was an alien among the people of the land? Where was her hope as she searched for peace and understanding in a world where she could have found none. But, amidst all of Esther’s pain and trials, there was a plan. And where there is a plan, there IS hope. Did Esther know the plan? No, the Bible does not say that she had any idea the part she would play in the future of her own people as she suffered loss, possible ridicule, and even death. But, God had a plan.

Just as He has a plan for your life, for your future. Who knows the life or lives you will touch before you are called to eternity with God? Only He knows. But, you must be prepared to act! You must be prepared to move, to change, to face uncertainty—to remove fear from your life and accept that your God is a God of BIG things, a God that sees all, knows all, and is in all places!

How can I prepare myself, you ask?

Study His word, converse with Him, pray diligently to Him, BELIEVE!

(Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4)

When Queen Vashti was deposed the king’s attendants suggested that he find a replacement for her. A search went out through the kingdom for beautiful, young virgins. We do not know how Esther was chosen to be among these virgins. Did Mordecai suggest her? Did her neighbor’s mention her beauty to the king’s staff? Did Esther request to be considered herself? No matter the manner in which she made it into the king’s courts, the point is that she made it. God made a way. Did you catch it? GOD made a way and Esther was ready. Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear that she would not be chosen (i.e….rejection). Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear of missing her family (i.e….alignment of priorities). Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear of failure. Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear of leaving the life she knew (i.e….change). Esther did not turn away from her moment of opportunity out of fear period. She accepted the challenge! Is God challenging you? Does He want to take you somewhere to change lives? Are you willing to go?

Too often we find excuses (like those above) to keep us from our blessings. We moan and groan that we don’t have a purpose in life, that we wish we had a ministry, that we can’t find our place. I wonder how many of those times we are missing out because of our own fears.

From the Mouths of Babes

2007-09-19T19:22:00.000-07:00

As I sent out my newsletter last night, I included a romance tip to pray for our husbands this week. I knew I had done this in the past and it had been a well spring of love for me. So, I was encouraging my readers to do the same. Well, as I got ready for work this morning, I never once thought about that prayer I needed to say lifting my husband up. But, as I dropped my 8 month old baby off at her Nay-nay's... God reminded me. As I pulled her from her car seat and into my arms, she leaned into me and I held her standing in the morning that God created--beautiful and slightly cool, just a taste of the possibility of fall in the air--I told her that God had created a beautiful day and then I prayed, "Lord, be with me and Alea and help us to be blessings for you today." Then, my baby said, "Da-Da".Praise God! It hit me quickly as I remembered to pray for our "da-da" and so I did. Thank you, Father, for your wonders and the ways you choose to progress out feet to carry out your will. And thank you for "da-da" and Alea.
--- Elisa Mayo
www.elisamayo.com

Newsletter Gets Go Ahead From God

2007-09-19T19:12:00.000-07:00

I send out a weekly newsletter from my website that features a devotion and romance tips. As I was preparing to send out my next installment, I was stalled. I did not know which direction to go and was waiting on an answer from the Lord. Tonight, He answered. I had started on a devotional book covering the topic of hope months ago, but I had laid it aside as I focused on my next fiction book. I guess God had other plans... His answer came to me that I should use the book on hope as the basis for my next study in my newsletter... So, I have and I can't wait to see what He does with it. I know that I may not know on this side of eternity, but I am excited that He chose that topic because it has been so close to my heart as I struggle to find my way in my writing. Thank you, Father!

www.elisamayo.com

2007-09-10T18:04:00.000-07:00

Can't Believe It Has Been So Long?

2007-09-06T20:03:00.000-07:00

How can it be over a month since I last posted to my blog! Each night I sit down after I put my daughter to sleep and I get busy. Usually it is working on my website or writing. With a dial-up connection doing anything on the internet can take forever! But, God is good and has allowed me to get more done in the final two hours of my day that I could have ever imagined. I still have lists that I'm working on--send out manuscipts to publishers, send out to agents, send a draft to your critique group, send out your newsletter, read, add to webpage, research on the internet, WRITE, send books to so-and-so, and on it goes. But for the first time in my life, this work is totally gratifying. I never tire of it. I may not get it all done or visit all the places I've signed up for... but I work toward it every day as I wait for responses from anyone -- readers, publishers, agents, God.... Waiting isn't so bad when you are blessed in your wait.

Living Word Church

2007-08-14T18:56:00.000-07:00

Boy, was I blessed by my speaking engagement at Living Word Church! As I watched the ladies eyes fill with tears, I knew that they got it. That they had dreams. They had big dreams and they knew those dreams were a part of them--never to be denied. They knew that the Lord had plans for them. They were more than nothing--they were everything to God. And their dreams were part of His plan for their lives.

For you see, all of us have dreams, the key is being able to distinguish between those desires that are God-given and those that are man-made. For without understanding this distinction, we cannot place our feet on the path to fulfilling God's purpose for our lives.

Praise God when we do determine what desires are God-given because our hearts soar and we feel a peace that is unexplainable--because we just ARE. We just are what God made us to be. We are fulfilling our purpose.

How do we determine what desires are God-given? In a nutshell, we pray, study God's word, and converse with God. We seek him. We delight ourselves in Him. We begin to desire His knowledge.

That is another part that the ladies of Living Word Church already knew, but when they were reminded of their Lord's desire to be delighted in, they remembered His love. His love that overwhelms us, bringing us to humbleness and lifting us to a hope in tomorrow.

So, though I was blessed before I stood up to speak at Living Word Church, I was doubly blessed as I saw the Lord speak to those women, touching their hearts and reminding them to turn to Him for He had a plan for their lives. Just as He does yours. -- www.elisamayo.com

Reader's Respond

2007-07-30T19:23:00.001-07:00

I love to hear from my readers -- Of course, my own work touches me because it is my work, but you always wonder if it has the ability to touch your readers-- and you can't know that unless they share with you! So, one of the greatest blessings of this journey is hearing from those readers. I was so excited to hear one of my readers say, "I cried", while she read my book! What a wonderful feeling to know that my book was able to elicit emotion from the human spirit! God is Good!

www.elisamayo.com

Unexplainable Blessings

2007-07-24T18:46:00.001-07:00

As I promote my book, I enjoy checking google and searching for my name -- just to see if anything has been said about my book -- Over the weekend I was surprised when my google search pulled my book up as listed on Amazon.com's Hot New Romance Releases (only for the best selling books).... there I was just 14 books under Karen Kingsbury -- "What!?" "How did that happen?" -- I smiled, because once again I knew, "God." -- No other explanation -- the cattle on a thousand hills are His and His power is used for His purposes -- Praise God that I am part of His purpose.... Amen and Amen... To God Be The Glory -- www.elisamayo.com

His Blessings

2007-07-24T18:42:00.000-07:00

Recently, during a conversation with God - as I asked Him to lead me on what my next step once to promote my book He urged me to contact a well-known author whose book I had just completed reading. "God, are you kidding me? She'll think I am a stalker." So, I hesitated, but He kept urging. Well, what do I have to lose besides my reputation! So, I contacted her to suggest that she do a book signing tour with an unknown author--"what a sell, God"-- She replied -- "Yes, she would be interested and had another author who might want to join us!" --
"Ummm, God?" -- "Yes?" He waited. -- "I think you were right again." --

So, when I told my husband my exciting news and he asked, "Why would she want to tour with YOU?" -- I smiled and said, "God."

My Journey

2007-07-24T18:31:00.000-07:00

In November 2005, I had completed a few chapters of a book I had started some eight years before. I began to look for a potential publisher via the internet and was directed to the Tate Publishing website when I saw the advertisement, "best publisher for new authors". That was me, so I submitted the beginning of my book. I, then, felt an urging from the Holy Spirit to contact the President of Tate Publishing. I was leary to do such a thing--how was I going to get through to him--surely they wouldn't just put him right on the phone b/c I asked. The urging was so strong, that I submitted, telling the Lord, "He's not going to talk to me." So with confidence I told the secretary who I was and asked to speak to the President....... A pause, another ring of the phone and there he was on the line and waiting for me to speak... And I did, quickly... I told him how crazy I knew it was, me contacting him, but that I had submitted a manuscript. He told me they were cutting off manuscripts for the year in the next week, and my manuscript was on the bottom of the pile, but he would personally pull it for me and get back with me. Before Thanksgiving, I had a contract for my book to be published. God was right, I was wrong. "God, you are smart!" If only I could remember this everyday.

Over a year later, as I finished my book and finally held the completed product in my hands, I was humbled.... God had a plan. I didn't. So each day since then I have asked Him, "What do you want me to do today, God?" Remember He has the road map, I don't. And He tells me. For instance, tonight it is to seek Him, read my Bible. I have no idea what He has to tell me through His word, but I know it is something that I need. Sometimes, it is to contact someone. Sometimes to try a new project--like a blog. Sometimes it is to read. And I have learned that if I follow His urging even when I am tired, I always hear Him, and receive just what I need for that moment. God is GREAT!

To God Be The Glory
www.elisamayo.com