December Storytelling Character Ready

This afternoon I rehearsed "Rhoda" for the final time. She is the fictional wife of Joseph's cousin (they are the innkeeper, his wife and some of their family are included in the story). I've changed my storyline a bit from the original plan, but I like this one and think it will work well.

I decided I wanted a narrator for the story as some of the background information wasn't really suitable to use as a person conversing with others. My son said he would do it so we ran through it this evening and he said he thought it would be great - and he found it very interesting:-) When a 20-year old tells you that, you know you've hit on something. My husband has decided he wants to go with us tomorrow to meet the "little old ladies" I will be telling the story to so it will be a real family affair!

Now I need to develop another character for January, although that may be delayed until March if I participate in the Epiphany program (sort of like Emmaus for young men (juveniles) in jail). It will be quite a commitment of 4 Saturdays for preparation and training and then one full weekend in February to actually work the program.

I may be a speaker or a "table mom" or fill some other role as I have told the director of the program I will do whatever is needed.

New Character Developed for Storytelling

Well, I've been really praying and thinking about a new character to portray in my storytelling. On the 28th (yes, 3 days after Christmas!) I will be delivering the message at a retirement home in town. They really liked my portrayal of the Samaritan Woman at the Well and I knew they would prefer a Story versus a traditional 'sermon.'

I wanted it to be a Christmas story, without going into 'Easter.' In other words, I wanted it to be about the birth of the Christ child and not the crucifixion, etc. I've just been stumped, but this morning, in the midst of painting Christmas ornaments with the toddlers I nanny for and cooking chicken nuggets, etc., I hit upon my character!

I'm going to portray the Innkeeper's widowed mother and present it as if my son and I sat up with Joseph while Mary gained strength and then they stayed with us until they left for Egypt. I can claim Joseph told us his (and Mary's) whole story while we sat up nights together. I can cover the shepherds, the magi, etc. I'm so pleased the Holy Spirit has revealed the storyline to me! Now I can just fine tune and craft it a bit with some research, scripture reading and prayer!

I've also had another article published for pay at Associated Content and it looks like the free-lance writing work will remain fairly steady for the next few months. God is so very good!

A New Story

Well I received a call today from a lovely woman who lives in an assisted living facility where I preached some time ago. She called to ask me if I could come back in January to recite another story! The last time I preached there I incorporated acting out the Samaritan Woman at the Well and the residents said they enjoyed it very much. I guess it was well-received after all!

I am scheduled to preach at the facility in December as part of my Lay Speaking duties and I haven't decided yet if I'll come up with yet another character to portray, either as the message or as part of the message in December. Since my writing goals do include developing one character per month, I imagine I'll begin working on December's soon!

I had considered developing the character of the Innkeeper's wife for January, but I may move do her story in December - I'm scheduled for the Sunday after Christmas so it would be very appropriate and timely.

I thought I would also offer to tell a story at one of the United Methodist Men's meetings next year. One of the men had suggested it, I may contact the program director to get on their calendar. At the time it was suggested I immediately knew I wanted to portray the wife of someone in the bible so I could be a little bit humorous and play the 'long-suffering' wife. Not sure if I'll take that approach or not, but I'll see.

After I met with one of my friends the other night to help her set up her blog, she emailed me to say she already had tons of ideas for blog posts! I am excited for her, even though I realized I had better be 'practicing what I preach' when it comes to maintaining blogs--post often!

I mentioned in Divinely Designed blog that I have been praying the Prayer of Jabez, asking God to expand/enlarge my ministry. I believe the phone call I received this morning confirms that He has already begun to answer that prayer and I imagine He will continue to do so.

How blessed I am!