Hi I guess I really am new

[trudynewell]

Hello again - It sure seems strange to be so unfamiliar with things. You guys will have to forgive me. I didn't really know how to post a new topic, as I've not been active on a site before. So I'm looking forward to being a part of the Faith Writers fellowship

Mike and I have been here in NE Georgia, not too far from Athens, for about 5 years now. I almost feel American again, though not quite a "Georgia peach" yet. We have been going to a small country church where I am the pianist. This is after playing musical churches in more ways than one. I was often the circuit-riding pianist and Mike was the circuit-riding preacher. Some of the churches were so small I took along my own keyboard to play. God has been very good to us.

How did we get to Georgia - this little exerpt will give you an idea. It may be in a possible memoir that I am working on.

LEAVE THE JOE AND GO

I smiled to myself as I passed by the mission slogan. For one thing, I know that you can find a beter cup of coffee than Joe in many places around to world. (Yeah Kenya!)

Of course, this is not about a cup of coffee. It's not about Jittery oe or Starbucks. It's about listening to and obeying the Lord in regards to His call on our life. Do I see His plan for me in reaching the unreached world.

It's about my willingness to move from the known to the unknown, from the familiar to the unfamiliar, the comfortable to the uncomfortable.

For Mike and I it meant a change in direction. Some time ago we had been challenged with the need of our Indian friends in NE Georgia.

We smiled, because you opened the door of our home in Leicester England where we lived onto the sidewalk. There were 100 homes on our block. All but one other couple were Gujaratis from India. Two block away was the "Golden Mile. So named because of the number of 22 carat gold shops on Belgrave Rd. We lived in the heart of 'little India' with the biggest Diwali celebration each year outside of India.

We loved our Indian friends, and our ministry. Why would we leave our nice comfortable life working among the people we loved?

For us 'Leave the Joe and Go' meeant a willingness to return to the States and begin all over again to build relationships with our friends - this time in NE Georgia.

.........

Please pray for me. I want to share some of the lessons God has taught me - but it's hard to know where to begin and how to go about it.

My memoir has been put aside for now. 'Across 4 Continents' or maybe 'Alphabet Soup' may or may not become a reality. Presently I'm working on a novel - 'Watch the Star' - a Christmas story of the journey along the Silk Route to find the newborn king. I also have some devotional material.

I'd appreciate any encouragement or ideas you may have. I've got to get busy with my "real job"

Shann, if your on - thanks for your welcome into Faithwriters. I did check out "100 Percent". It just wasn't going to work this time. Especially since I'm not really up on how to do things on the web and links and all. At least I know how to post now, I think! Maybe next time.

Love in Christ - Trudy

[RedBaron]

Hi and

[JesusPuppy]

Hiya Trudy. no problem about getting lost, others do it all the time.. and then stick around afterward as a regular member of the site.

You know, you should type that out, edit a little bit, (saw a few little slips of the keys.. ) and place in it the regular submissions (main site) as a Testamony. There are lots of peeps out there who love reading about how the Lord touches lives.

As for the Message Boards, my own little cyber-world, (I don't get out much) jump in to any of the on going convos ( simply click the 'Reply to Post' while you are reading a thread) or start up a New Topic. Have fun things to gab about? Join us in the Water Cooler. They even have a thread going for the southern folks. Tell them Pup sent you, they will love you for ever. Then too they will do that anyway.

Be sure to try your hand at the Weekly Writing Challenge, it is a blast at times but can really live up to its name of Challenge. Read the rule carefully, and try and stretch your imagination. But most of all have fun. And if you have any questions, and I do mean any questions, please feel free to ask. Some one is always around that can answer them.

[trudynewell]

Thanks! I had trouble uploading the article from my computer, so just typed it in. I tried to catch any typo's!! I am greatly encouraged to really get writing. I have something else ready to go.

If someone can help me get use to the 'technical stuff' it would be appreciated. Blessings

[JesusPuppy]

Which type of technical stuff? Maybe I can help.

[trudynewell]

Hi Pup Why do I have trouble uploading my material to Faithwritiers? I've had no problem uploading on emails, etc. I know nothing about adding links. I'd like to improve my profile and put a picture on. I'm sure none of these things are that difficult - it's just I'm unfamiliar with them.

It's so funny, I think I'll have to time myself when I get on Faithwriters - poor Mike. He is really glad though, that I've taken this step. Bye for now - I need to get dinner on.

[Shann]

Hi Trudy! Don't worry about being new to the computer or the message boards. I've been here for three years and are just discovering some new things. It can be overwhelming, especially if you're not super into computers. Personally, I believe computers and glass repairmen have a conspiracy going where the computer upsets me, I throw it out of the window, then the glass guy comes around to keep the freezing WNY wind outside and then they split the money. I know it seems like a complicated theory, yet still I'll walk into the room, the computer acts up, my kids tell me to leave and as sonn as I'm out of range, it acts up again!

I would really recommend that you start here

and if you have more questions go here

You may also want to read some of the challenge stories. Each week there is a new topic. The one up now is repeat and the topic for next week is staff. There are so many wonderful stories in the challenge section. It's a great way to get your feet wet. Read some short stories (the word limit is 150-750) leave a comment on them, and see how different one person's take cab be from someone else even though they are both writing on topic.

Another great place is Jan's Writing Basics

Just have fun and don't hesitate to ask any questions.

[trudynewell]

Thanks - I'll check this out, and get back to you all. Appreciate it.