NaNoWriMo 2019

NaNoWriMo is National Novel Writing Month where armature, professional, and hobbyist writers from all over the world attempt to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. Since I was in High School, writing a book has always been on my bucket list. I wanted a career as a writer and danced between writing and going into electronics. At the time, electronics engineering was more of a logical choice, but writing was always on the back of my mind. Since leaving one crappy job for another "crappy" job, I thought I made the wrong choice many years ago.

Getting back into writing has been really good for me, both physically and mentally. It allows me to free up my mind and become less stressed. Between working with Optavia as a weight loss coach, and writing, I have lost about 50 pounds, and have never been this stress free in my life. Though I am not making the money I used to when I was working as a Field Service Engineer, I am not worried about it. The sum of a man's life is not based on riches. I am a rich man because I am a Christian child of God, I have a great understanding wife, and good health with my wife never seeing me this thin.

So you're probably wondering what my book is about. Well, I am calling it Parallel Lines, a memoir of my first year and a half as a newly married new Christian. When I got married my wife and I were not Christians. The Pastor who we wanted to marry us said that he couldn't because after taking a personality test, our graphs never intersected on anything. It was if we were two parallel lines going in opposite directions. So, when the Lord found me, and I became a believer, that pretty much sealed the coffin of my marriage. But through the things God led me through, and using my new Pastor, his wife, and Christian friends, we were able to come to the other side beat up, but alive. I am writing this memoir to give hope to believers married to unbelievers and maybe some of the good guidance I received along the way.

So this is the reason why you haven't seen me in a while. I'll try to post some more things, but in the meantime pray that I can see the other side and this work of art published. Also I will be writing another article for the Gideon's International Magazine, which is exciting.

Some Things In The Works

For the past few weeks I have been wanting to write and blog more on Honest Answers and Iowa Seed Sowers, especially on a more consistent basis. Like anything we want to do for a career or hobby, life always seems to get in the way. I like my part time job [still not telling you what it is] that it gives me some income and allows me to be flexible so that I can pursue my dreams of being a writer and author. It's been good too that I can spend time witnessing and sharing my faith before or after I get home from work.

Why I'm Not Roman Catholic Any More

It was mentioned on Facebook a few times that I should elaborate more on why I left Roman Catholicism. Some of the quotes were:

"You should give examples as to why you left Roman Catholicism."

"What part of the Catechism contradicts the bible? Please be more specific."

 Looking back in the Honest Answers blog, those were some of my most viewed and read posts. Some of you probably wonder why I didn't pursue it more and get into even more detail as to why I left. To be honest it is a hot-button issue with some of my family. Some of my cousins took it as being divisive and attacking Roman Catholicism. In my mind I was just telling a story as to why I came out of it. But I realize now this is important. Since so many people read it, and have asked me to elaborate, I've decided to make an exhaustive list of the reasons I left, and a comparison between the Catechism and the Holy Bible. No matter what, I do maintain that Roman Catholicism is in no way, shape, or form, a denomination of the Christian faith. It is not Christian. But it is really important that I state why. So stay tuned and I hope to have a downloadable copy soon.

Book Writing

The books have been coming around, but writing has been slow. I am really good at coming up with new things to write about, but when it comes to fleshing them out...it takes a lot of time. Especially since I've never done this before. The book on conquering fear has been gaining ground and cutting through the first draft has been good. Conquering apathy book has hit some roadblocks, but with some experience I am gaining lately at my church, and praying through it, those hurdles should be minor.

As a side issue with the book writing, I am in the process of creating an author website in which I would feature my writing, and talk about points in the books. Talking with author friends of mine, they feel this would be a good time to start the process. Not only to let people know of what I am doing, but it would also help me be more accountable to my readers and writing. If this were to happen I would probably transition out of Honest Answers and push all my material to the new site.

Witnessing and Evangelism Events

Ankeny Summerfest in Ankeny, IA has started today so I will be out there after work to share the gospel. I do plan on being off Saturday and Sunday to make the most of my time there. Last weekend at the Des Moines Farmers Market, a friend from church went with me to pray as I shared. It was really eye-opening for her being that people who we were witnessing to prayed for us. It was a good time, and I think she feels the process isn't as painful as it may seem.

The Iowa State Fair will run from August 8 - 18, and I am looking forward to spending time at the Answers In Genesis creation booth in the Varied Industries Building during that time. The Gideon's will also be giving away bibles underneath the grandstand and I will be there as well. Last year there were many "Jehovah's Witnesses" out and about and I would like to engage more of them this year.

My First Published Magazine Article

While I was visiting my family in New Jersey, I had the idea to write an article for The Gideon - an international magazine for the Gideon's International members. I contacted them and we agreed that I would write an article about love in the workplace, geared toward's the Gideon organization. Part of this article was an idea I had while working for a mail opening manufacturer, as a Field Service Engineer.

When I got back to Iowa, I finished the article, sent it in, and waited for a response for editing. I didn't hear anything back, and contacted them twice. To be honest, I just thought they forgot about me, and that they chose not to publish the article.

Well, December / January issue came, and I was elated to find that they not only published the article, but they published it almost word-for-word! I am completely blown away, and have been very happy with the responses I received so far. Though this may not look like much to the average person reading this, it has been a long time goal on my bucket list to see this come to fruition.

My prayer is that I will continue to write for magazines as well as books, and that the Lord will provide the knowledge He wants me to write about. I hope I can be able to do this again.