Valentine's Day Ponderings

I know I should have posted this last week but sometimes my "bring home a paycheck every week job" gets in the way. I am currently praying that my situation might change over the next several months. We'll see what God has in his plans. Anyway, that current paycheck-producing job is the subject of many funny stories and sparks many story ideas with loads of characters, both customers and employees. It is also the subject of this week's blog.

I wanted to post on Valentine's Day because as the main floral person at my local grocery store I was on the front lines of guys looking for flowers for their sweethearts. Some were early and some last minute but they all had one thing in mind -- a gift for that special someone. And they all were more than willing to tell me their story as I helped them pick the perfect bouquet.

I have to start with the young man that I helped at the checkout one day. This was a couple of months ago but he deserves a mention. He was purchasing a beautiful floral arrangement and, being the nosy person that I am, I said, "I hope there is a special young lady getting those flowers?" He gave me a wide grin and said, "These are for my sister we adopted 10 years ago from China. Today is her gotcha day." I was so blessed by his comments. For those who don't know, a gotcha day is the day you bring your adopted child home. This young lady is blessed to have such a thoughtful brother.

Closer to Valentine's Day I was working at the service desk when an older gentleman asked me to help him with flowers. His wife of 20 years had died a year earlier and he was jumping back into the dating scene. He said he was tired of being lonely. I'm sure she would be more than happy for him to find some female company.

Of course there was the teenager who only had $10 to spend and needed help finding something in his price range and the man who was headed out on a 10 hour drive to meet up with his sweetheart. I helped him get some cut flowers ready for the road trip.

Then there was the guy who said the apples were talking to him. Hmmm...characters abound at our local Giant Eagle. I consider it all fodder for my future writing endeavors.

Just keep writing, just keep writing. I have Nemo in mind today as I struggle to keep myself away from Facebook and other online pursuits. No, I'm not really hooked on Temple Run like my girls think, but it is fun. Anyway, they suck up my time and keep me from doing what I need to do. Then I get a phone call or two and before I know it, my girls are home from school and I'm transporting or cooking dinner or any number of "important" things. It's funny because I love to write and when I get in the "zone" I can go for hours. Sitting down at my computer and getting started is just so difficult. I am also re-reading The Hiding Place this week and Corrie is in jail, just finding out that her father has died. I really want to get back to that. Just keep writing, just keep writing. And so I am.

As a Christian, I also have to find time to seek God and his direction for my life. Lately He has been speaking two words to my heart. "Trust Me." Every time I question what is going on in my life he comes back with "Trust Me." Why should it take so long just to trust him I don't really know but I am forever in awe of what he does for me. Trusting Him should not be so difficult. Lord, help me to focus on you and not on the world and it's problems and temptations.

I joined two awesome writer's groups this week. I am overwhelmed by the ideas that the John 3:16 Marketing Network has but I am ready to dive into this organization with both feet. A shout-out to all my new friends. You are doing awesome things and I am so grateful to be a part of it. Also, the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) has welcomed me with open arms as well. I will be connecting with them locally and state-wide very soon. Thanks. You are all an answer to prayer.

I also got my first royalty checks this week. Ok, they were pretty small but I am believing for bigger things in 2013. If you haven't already, join me on Facebook and like my page The Grace Assignment and join me in the fun at facebook.com/tnighswonger.

I am a new blogger so in this first attempt at penning my thoughts on a regular basis, I hope that my dear readers, should I attract any, will provide me some feedback. I was told that this blog needs to have a theme or a reason for being. I have yet to come up with one so I will write anyway until a theme or a reason appear. I am not new to writing so I hope that typos and bad grammar will not turn you away. Although I cannot guarantee there won't be some of that too. After all, we have editors for a reason. I think you will find me to be a very transparent person. I usually tell it like it is. I wear my heart on my sleeve. I like to make people laugh with my writing and cry as well. You might do a little of both here on these pages. I know I will.

Anyway, let me tell you a little bit about myself. I come from Kansas and I have a dog named Toto. No really. Currently, I live in Geauga County, Ohio, which is about 30 miles from Cleveland. We love our little bit of country but right now I am looking out at snow. We are in the snow belt. I think maybe 6 inches fell this morning. I am ready for spring.

I have four children, two girls who live at home, one son out on his own and one son in jail. My three youngest are adopted from the foster care system. The oldest is biological. I have one Border Collie who I show in agility. She's a little crazy but we love her. Toto is my old Cairn Terrier buddy. We don't know how old he is but he can't walk straight and has bad breath. We love him anyway. I hope when I old and can't walk straight and have bad breath, I will be just as loved. Oh wait, that's me now, hahaha.



My blog is called Grace Notes for many reasons. I am so grateful for the grace of God who gave his son to die on a cross for me. I am grateful for the grace that he gives every day. Grace is unmerited or undeserved favor. God favors me every day with his love and his presence. His grace is sufficient for me. (2 Cor. 12:9). Sometimes it may not look like God is even hanging around but I know he is there. I know he will never leave me or forsake me. 2012 was a difficult year but I am believing that 2013 will be awesome.

Well, 2012 wasn't all bad. I had my first book published. The Grace Assignment came out at the end of October. It's about a young man who questions his faith and then is put in a challenging situation of adopting three orphan children. It has a little murder mystery, some romance and a story of God's grace running through it. Check it out at www.thegraceassignment.com or you can find it on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, as well as other fine retailers.

That's about it for now. The Lord willing, I will be posting about once a week. Hopefully you will learn more about me and my writing endeavors. God Bless!