Ready to Smile? Ashberry Lane Newsletter: Issue 12

Can we make you smile? Ashberry Lane Newsletter: Issue 12

I hope each and every one of you already gets the Infrequent, Humorous Newsletter, but if you don't, come give it a try!

It's Real Life: Who I Am Now Is Defined by Who I'm Not

I forgot to tell you all that I had the pleasure of guest blogging on Tricia Goyer's site on Thursday! Here's the link:

It's Real Life: Who I Am Now Is Defined by Who I'm Not

Have a Problem with Pride? Of Course Not!

Last night I was reading my Bible before bed, the only time I can have a true "quiet" time, and came across a verse I'd read many time before. It's in Isaiah 10, verse 12.

When the Lord has finished all his work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, He will say, "I will punish the king of Assyria for the willful pride of his heart and the haughty look in his eyes." (NIV)

Willful pride: how is that different from regular pride? Isn't all pride a sin of the will?

Maybe not. Pride in and of itself is not a bad thing. We can be proud of our children's performances or acts of kindness, proud of our own perseverance and results. I'm thinking that pride turns into a negative emotion when we fail to give credit where credit is due.

The king of Assyria took personal credit for all of his successes, for his expanding nation. Isaiah questions, "Does an ax take over from the one who swings it? Does a saw act more important than the sawyer? As if a shovel did its shoveling by using a ditch digger! As if a hammer used the carpenter to pound nails!" (The Message)

Pride is a normal emotion. God looked around each day after creating, and said that it was good. He took pride in His work. We are made in His image and like to create things to, be it novels, art projects, proposals, gardens, football plays, etc... But when we start to think our beautiful creations come from our massive intellect or awesome skills, and fail to thank our Lord ...

That's when the pride becomes willfull.

What do you think? Ever pondered the good and the bad of pride?

Follow-up to Last Post - Carol Winners!

Seems a little egotistical to sound as if I won the only Carol. Without further ado, the list:

Congratulations to the winners of the 2010 Carol Awards!

Contemporaroy Novella -

The Great Christmas Bowl by Susan May Warren
Tyndale House, Karen Watson, Editor

Historical Novella -

Christmas Bells for Dry Creek by Janet Tronstad
Steeple Hill, Tina James, Editor

Short Contemporary -

A Texas Ranger's Family by Mae Nunn
Steeple Hill, Melissa Endlich, Editor

Short Contemporary Suspense -

Evidence of Murder by Jill Elizabeth Nelson
Steeple Hill, Emily Rodmell, Editor

Short Historical -

The Unfinished Gift by Dan Walsh
Revell, Andrea Doering, Editor

Young Adult -

So Not Happening - Jenny B. Jones
Thomas Nelson, Amanda Bostic/Jamie Chavez, Editors

Long Contemporary -

The Familiar Stranger by Christina Berry
Moody Publishers, Paul Santhouse, Editor

Long Contemporary Romance -

Just Between You and Me by Jenny B. Jones
Thomas Nelson, Natalie Hanemann/Jamie Chavez, Editors

Mystery -

The Case of the Mystified M.D. by A.K. Arenz
Sheaf House, Joan M. Shoup, Editor

Suspense/Thriller -

Intervention by Terri Blackstock
Zondervan, Sue Brower/Dave Lambert, Editors

Long Historical -

Stealing Home by Allison Pittman
Multnomah, Alice Crider, Editor

Long Historical Romance -

Cowboy Christmas by Mary Connealy
Barbour Publishing, Rebecca Germany, Editor

Speculative -

Eternity Falls by Kirk Outerbridge
Marcher Lord Press, Jeff Gerke, Editor

Women's Fiction -

Never the Bride by Cheryl McKay and Rene Gutteridge
Waterbrook Press, Shannon Marchese, Editor

Debut Author -

The Unfinished Gift by Dan Walsh
Revell, Andrea Doering, Editor

Congrats to all!

On Winning the Carol

"I hope someone else wins."

No, I wasn't the one who said that gracious statement before the awards ceremony at ACFW. I wanted to win. But I didn't think I would.

It's been so long since the awards ceremony--I had a 13-hr travel day home, then went straight into a temporary full-time substitute job--but I don't want to let the moment slip away. Maybe not even because I want to tell you about it, but because I want to record it for myself.

The last workshop of the day was Susan Meissner's "Peace in the Process." We discussed what our expectations were of our careers, where we felt we'd fallen short, and what being "blessed" as an author really meant. Does a best-selling author have more of God's blessing than the unpublished one getting her 50th rejection? Does winning an award become an outer manifestation of His blessing? If so, what does not winning mean?

Sooz walked us through some really good questions and doled out great insights. (If you're interested in a recording of the session, go to ACFW to order.) We walked back to the elevator together and chatted a bit before she said that heartfelt sentence: "I hope someone else wins."

In case you don't know much about Sooz, let me give you a quick run down. She has written many, many books that deal with heart issues in lyrical ways. My favorite of hers is still The Remedy for Regret, but she received much acclaim for The Shape of Mercy. She's not only a skilled and emotive writer, she also proved an encourager and friend as I went through the divorce. I knew, as I walked beside her at the hotel, she meant those words, spoken to me, a "competitor" in the same category.

In some ways I wonder if was God's plan for her to win, but her deflection of the award allowed the honor to go to me. May I be mature enough to say something like that and mean it when I reach the level of career she has!

Perfect timing--the Lord is all about perfect timing. Have you ever pondered this scenario: a man knows exactly how long he will work at a certain company. The boss pays his entire wage on the first day and the man must budget it out over the years until retirement. Think it would work? I don't. No matter that at the end of the years, the man will have received the same amount, we as people, in general, need things spread out.

Can you imagine living all the pain of your life in the first 10 years just to live trouble-free after that? God doesn't give us more trouble than we can handle at one time. Or imagine storing all the food you'll need for the rest of your life.

God is our storehouse or both good things, and bad things that draw us closer to Him or grow us. He gives us what we need, when we need it. Finding peace in trusting Him with the rationing allows us to lead joyful lives no matter what the circumstances.

Susan was in a place where she did not need to the award to feel validated/worthy/directed. I, however, am wandering the land of no-second-contract, wondering what I should focus on, worrying I might not sell a book again. God's timing is perfect, so, while others in the category might have needed the encouragement of a win as well, this was the time chosen for me. Not more of God's blessing than any other writer, but the TIME of the blessing being now.

Here's a link to my acceptance speech:



Here's a link to all my photos from conference, including a pic of me with Janette Oke!

Mexico Mission Trip!

Hi, this is Andrea. I have been wanting to go to Mexico on a mission trip since last year. This year I can go to Mexico if we can get enough money. We would be so grateful if you could help with the money. We would help finish building the orphanage and I would be able to baby sit the little ones. It is $650 per person. The mission team of Wapato Valley Church is leaving during spring break. I am saving some of my own money, but there is no way, as an 11-year old, that I can save up that much in such little time. Please pray and let us know if you can donate any money. If you live nearby, I’d be happy to baby sit or do other work for you!

Thank you!

Andrea Berry

Adios?

Hi, this is Andrea’s mom, Christina. :) 

Wapato Valley Church is sending a team to Guaymas, Mexico during Spring Break. Wapato has been involved with this ministry for years, even doing the groundwork (Septic tank) for the orphanage years ago (’02). Last year, the missions team built a fence around the compound for security and painted the orphanage, enabling an extra set of house parents to live with the children.

Andrea has definitely shown a heart for missions and maturity beyond her years in saving her money. As a single mother, I don’t happen to have $1300 available for the trip, though I will pray for a way to cover the difference between the donation amount and trip cost. While the trip is months away, we need to have deposits large enough to cover our tickets within the next month. By November 1, we need to have $600-$800, depending on prices.

Please consider helping us with the funds. The Bible promises that where your money is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:21). That’s great news, because if you are able to donate, it’s as though you will be serving in Mexico alongside us. 

Now to the nitty-gritty details:

Make checks out to Wapato Valley Church

Include a separate note stating whom the money is for, which insures the money remains tax-deductible

Mail to PO Box 665, Gaston, OR 97119

If you have any questions, contact Christina Berry at Christina@christinaberry.net, 503-860-5069.

We appreciate your consideration!

Please, all my blog readers, don't feel any obligation! I wanted to share this on here in case any of you WANTED to be included in our journey, but I don't EXPECT any of you to donate. We would definitely appreciate your prayers as we move forward though!