My Blog

Nothing Is Constant But Change

I think I’ll miss the fireflies the most.

At dusk, summer evenings offer an enchanting light display, as fireflies dance over the farm field behind our house. I call it the God Show.

And I’ll miss watching it.

As I witnessed a lone bulldozer grab its first fistful of dirt to make way for a new development, I knew my peaceful farm field would soon be crawling with construction crews instead of lightning bugs.

It’s a season of change.

——-

I think I’ll miss the spontaneity the most.

When your family lives eight minutes away, it’s easy to make last-minute plans to meet at the pool or get together for a game of Monopoly.

When they live 40 minutes away, a little more planning is required.

But when their dream of living out in the country is finally coming true, it’s hard not to be excited for them – even if it means things will be different.

It’s a season of change.

——-

I think I’ll miss the human creativity the most.

Freelance writing has always been a roller coaster. During the decade that I’ve been on this ride, the workload has typically been feast or famine.

But now, AI has taken over the amusement park.

I’m battling bots for work projects and need to consider new business strategies.

It’s a season of change.

——-

I think I’ll miss the memories the most.

Aching joints. Wrinkling skin. Graying hair. Aging comes with many challenges.

But seeing parents age may top them all.

It requires a slower pace. Patience. Finding new ways to make memories—even if the moments may be forgotten tomorrow.

It’s a season of change.

——-

I used to be terrified of change.

I hated it. I always found it hard to adapt, and major changes hit me like a wrecking ball.

Then things changed.

I started seeing life in chapters. I started appreciating seasons. I began to trust God more with whatever He has for me next.

It’s quite freeing.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.
— Ecclesiastes 3:1

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
— Romans 8:28

During this season of change, I’m leaning into these truths.

As I see chapters closing, I realize new ones are about to be written. And as I mourn the end of previous eras, I anticipate the adventures that await.

This isn’t a winter wonderland! It’s just cold.

Welcome to January! 31 days of short, frigid days and long, freezing nights.

(Unless, of course, you’re following Nenn Pen, Ink from a climate far different than that of Illinois. If so, I’m still waiting for my invitation to come out for a visit this winter.)

For those of us who are facing a month of cold temps and a short supply of daylight, I have good news.

January can offer more than Vitamin D deficiency, SAD, and the urge to do nothing but sleep and eat (or is that just me?)

What else could this month possibly have in store, you ask?

You might be surprised at how much warmth, light, and joy you can discover this January.

Here are 8 Ways to make January more than cold and dark. (#5 will surprise you, and #6 is sure to make you smile.)

Keep reading

12 Days of Christmas – Around the World

Ready for something completely different? No partridge. No pear tree. No lords a-leaping.

Instead, let’s take a peek at 12 traditions I bet you’ve never heard of—or if you have, you’ve probably never tried them! (Especially Day 8!)

Here we go:
“On the 12th day of Christmas, an author sent to you…”

Continue reading: 12 Days of Christmas – Around the World

Patch’s Lunch Box

Who doesn’t like a box full of surprises? (Don’t worry – this is WAY better than Pandora’s.) Patch’s Lunch Box is filled with free, fun activities for you and your little ones!

Perfect for parents, teachers, homeschoolers – anyone looking for free resources for learning and fun.

Coloring Sheets
Educational Activities
Games
Crafts
Recipes
Penguin jokes

You can even sign up to get personalized letters from Patch to your child!

Open Patch’s Lunch Box and start enjoying adventures with Patch:

Learn more about Patch’s Adventure Series

Whatcha doin’ in heaven today?

For Edward Lee Jones 11/14/43-5/19/10
Miss you, Dad

Are you sitting on the front steps
of a house with many rooms?
Singing Swaggart’s songs,
all his melodies of old?
Plucking on a guitar
that’s never out of tune?

Maybe you’re driving a classic car
up and down heaven’s golden strip.
One that never needs repairs
since everything
is always new.

Do you drink ice-cold Pepsi every day?
Enjoy Little Debbies unending?
Taste pineapple upside down cake
any time you want?
Are you munching
on these snacks
with a brand new set
of pearly whites?

Are you discussing his writing
over cups of coffee with Paul?
Or swapping stories ‘bout your kids
with Isaac and Noah?
Maybe you’re sympathizing
with Joseph,
as one of twelve yourself,
sharing tales of hand-me-downs,
family matters, and sibling woes.

Are you gathered ‘round the throne,
praising like you never have before,
in church every single day,
when you’d never go on earth?
Standing next to people
from every tribe and nation?

Are you basking in Sonshine,
where it’s never cold,
never windy,
never raining?
In a place full of warmth,
and radiant colors
unimaginable?
A paradise beyond
your wildest Lotto dreams?

Are you checking in
on us down here?
Are you allowed
to see the ones you left behind?
Can you read the words I write?
See your grandsons
smile at you?

I’m not too sure
of all the details of heaven.
My Father hasn’t
told me those.
But I bet you quit smoking,
and swear a little less.
It probably helps
that you don’t have to
fix or repair something every day.

I do know
whatever you’ve been doing,
it’s no comparison to here.
So I may cry the tears
you don’t in heaven,
as I miss you in this moment,
but I’ll also smile
as I know you must be.
All pain and sorrow gone,
all suffering done.

Just time unending with the Lord.
You’re better off,
you’re truly home,
whatever you’re doing in heaven today.

5 Eggcellent Easter Egg Hunt Ideas

Sure, you can toss some candy-filled plastic eggs in the yard and let your kids go crazy. They make a mad dash and end up with a basket full of sugar.

But if you’ve done that for years and are looking for some new creative ideas….

How about a new twist on the Easter Egg Hunt? Here are five ways to mix it up and make your hunt more egg-citing:

Puzzling Egg Hunt

Hide one piece of a (simple) puzzle in each egg. You know you’ve found all the eggs when you can assemble the whole puzzle.

2. Scavenger Egg Hunt

Each egg contains a clue (or part of a clue). Follow the clues to find a prize!

3. Piggy Bank Egg Hunt

Fill the eggs with coins instead of candy. Hide one golden egg that contains a $1 or $5 bill.

4. Sticker Egg Hunt

Inside each egg is a fun sticker. You can pair this idea with sticker books or coloring books in their Easter baskets that have same theme as the stickers they find.

5. Competitive Egg Hunt

(As an EGGSTREMELY competitive person, this option is my favorite.)
Assign each child a color, and they can only grab eggs of their color.
See who can find all of their color first.

I hope you have a fun and blessed Easter – and I’d love to hear how your hunt goes if you try one of these ideas!
Comment here or share your eggcellent pics on the Nenn Pen Facebook page.

Happy Easter from Nenn Pen, Ink

– He is risen! –

Want more fun and encouraging content for every season?
Follow Nenn Pen, Ink

Free E-Book for Writers!

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I’ve published 10 books since writing this e-book and applying it principles.

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The Train

Running…

running…

It’s moving so fast…

How will I ever catch it?

I’ve been running so long…

I don’t remember…

when I left the station.

Was there a station?

It seems…

it’s always been…

Me…

the train…

the landscape.

Everything rushing by.

Tracks running through the open country…

going on forever…

and me…

running…

never able to catch it.

Keeping pace…

but never catching up.

Always alongside…

never close enough to jump aboard.

Always running…

just to maintain.

Once…

I tripped.

I fell.

My falter…

so ill-timed!

It was at that moment

the train

came to a halt.

Scrambling…

scraping…

running to get up and on,

I felt my heart sink

as it started up again…

and pulled away…

just as I got going again.

So close…

but still…

running.

Other times,

it slowed…

but…

I stumbled…

and was…

unable to catch it,

even then.

Still running…

Can I keep this up…

forever?

So exhausting…

So monotonous…

So…

I fall again.

This time…

I can’t get up.

Frustrated…

failed…

fallen.

Beating the ground with my fists,

I lift tear-filled eyes

to watch the train

pull forever out of reach.

But…

it’s there.

It has stopped.

I dare not move.

I dare not hope.

Rising to my feet

will only make it start up again…

start the running again.

I lay there.

I look.

I wait.

I wonder.

In my stillness…

I see a figure…

like that of a man…

fill the door frame of the nearest car.

His wave

beckons me come.

I stand.

No energy to run…

I stumble…

broken and tired…

to the train.

I reach the figure,

who is holding out his hand.

I look,

and finally recognize his face.

“Come aboard,”

he tells me,

“I’ve been waiting for you a while.”

“Waiting?” I ask,

“But…

all the running…

I’ve been trying to get here…

for so long.

If you wanted me aboard,

why didn’t you…

stop the train?

Why didn’t you…

wait for me?”

“Ah, yes…

the running,”

was his reply,

“I am so glad you stopped.

All this time,

the train has been keeping pace…

with you.

The faster you ran…

the faster it went.

I’ve been trying to keep up…

with you.

I wasn’t willing…

to let you get away.

I had hoped the obstacles

I put in your path

would make you slow down.

You did stumble.

Once you even fell.

But, you simply got back up…

and started running again.

Now…

you’ve stopped.

So…

the train has stopped.

My Father is conducting,

and he is simply waiting

for you to climb aboard,

and he will take us on.

He knows exactly where we should stop

and when.

He has prepared for us…

a magnificent adventure.

So…

Come aboard…

and feast with me in the dining car.

Come aboard…

and delight with me in the scenery.

Come aboard…

and share with me in this journey.

Come aboard…

and stop running.”

He saw the hope in my eyes…

and I felt it

fill my heart,

as I stuttered my next words to ask…

“You mean…”

His strong but gentle hand

guided me onto the train…

and I collapsed in his arms

as he offered the word

my soul

was desperate to hear…

“Yes, my child…

rest.”

It’s Book Launch Day!

I’m excited to share that my new book, The Compass Guided Life, is now available!

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed with trying to do it all, or not sure what your next step should be, this book is for you!

Here’s the inside scoop:

Wondering if you can do it all? Feeling exhausted from the balancing act?
Finding the perfect balance in life – family, friends, career, hobbies, church, pets – can feel overwhelming.

Let’s try something different. Unless you’re a gymnast or a circus performer, let’s throw out the balancing act altogether. Instead of finding balance…get guidance.

Discover how four compass points can guide your life.
Work. Rest. Serve. Worship.
Learn what the Bible says about each of these points – and get practical insights on living them out day to day.
With this compass as your guide, your life will always be pointed in the right direction.

Bonus Feature
Guide & Go – Reflection, discussion and application questions at the end of each section. Perfect for personal guidance or small group study.

You’ll want to add this book to your Christmas shopping list!

Get your copy today

View the unboxing video of The Compass Guided Life

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