Holidays & Moving (Temporarily)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!

I'm sorry to be a stranger. I'm in the process of moving with my hubby to Las Vegas for 7 months or so, then we'll move back to Omaha. Needless to say, blogging time, tweeting, Facebook, and the like are not really an option for me. I am sorry to be a stanger.

I am writing a new novel, though, and am quite excited about it. So, hang in there with me, please. More to follow.

I will return in mid-January, from Vegas and will have stories of our antics of taking Zack Beagle and Sinan Orange Tabby (Mainecoon) to Denver for 10 days for Christmas and then to Las Vegas.

God bless you!

By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy

NaNoWriMo and Book News by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

I Love How God Works:
The Blessings of a Writer and the Vision Received:
My Thoughts of NaNoWriMo:
This blog post could very easily take on any of those three titles. Hence, I'm including all three in this post. My writing vision keeps getting clearer and clearer as God's spoken to me over the last month. On 19 October 2009, God gave me a new vision for my writing. The last month has brought his refining of the vision so that I can see it clearly now without all the contaminates. He has taken out everything that is not of Him and I pray He does that continually.

My NaNoWriMo Book:
My NaNo book has taken on a life of its own. I thought at first it was one book, it became another through time. However, as of yesterday, it took a DRAMATIC path of its own, on its own accord, and has left me standing here--speechless and dazed. I never would have dreamt my novel would become what it has and I am grateful to the Lord for His vision. I'm combining a book I started to write on 24 September 2009 with my NaNo novel and it's become quite the book.

Thank You, God. To You be the glory. Use my pen, Abba. Make the words that come out on the page from my pen Your words and Your words alone.

By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy

The Latest News of Stacy Duplease and Stories by Stacy

Happy Friday Everyone
I hope you have nice weekend.
Welcome Follower
Welcome Justin Nelson. Thank you for following me! I appreciate it. God bless you.

The Status of My NaNoWriMo Book:
Travels to John
As of this moment, I have 27,939 words of my 50,000 word novel written. I'm through Chapter 18. My goal to finish this novel is 30 November. I'm actually slightly ahead of schedule at this point--THANK GOD!

Future Writing Plans Schedule:
I'm all excited because I have the next five and a half years of novels planned. I finished that list this morning. I am QUITE thrilled with it and have a do-able plan where as long as I keep up with it, I can accomplish the feat easily.

Publication and Release Dates:
I will publish my NaNoWriMo novel, Travels to John. I will edit it in January and February, which means with any luck, it will be ready sometime in April at the latest. Hopefully March, though. Then after that one will be published every month to two at the absolute latest (preferably once a month, though).

Take care. That's about it for now. God bless you! Thanks again for the follow or for reading this blog.
 
By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy

Whew! My NaNoWriMo Status by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

Whew! I am four days ahead of schedule on my novel for National Novel Writing Month of November. It's also called, NaNoWriMo.

Four days!

Throw the confetti. This is huge. I'm quite thrilled to be able to say that. It's taken a lot of hard, but quite enjoyable work.

I've had a blast writing that novel and feel quite comfortable with it. I'm not having to fight it and am finding it quite easy to write. (Glory be to God!)

I also have come up with a new idea for a new Bible Study series. It's called:
"Thanksgiving to Christmas:
A Bible study Journey with Jesus"

and is part of the "Holidays with Jesus Series".

I also have picked up an old novel I started writing in July 2008 and am working on it again. It's called, "4.14.14" and spins off from the idea of what if the world ends on 12.21.2012

How are you? What's new?

Take care.

By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy

Chapter 15 of Travels to John (Day 9 of NaNoWriMo) by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy, LLC

Chapter 15

JOHN 2:4 WAS JUST LIVED OUT right in front of Daniel and he was swept away by the meaningful moment. He heard Jesus say,

“’Dear woman, that’s not our problem,’ Jesus replied. ‘My time has not yet come,’” (NLT).

Jesus was God and knew everything. He was omniscient, so her remark wasn’t a surprise to Him. He knew to expect it and knew His mother enough not to be surprised even though He knew what she would say.

Wait a minute. The twelve disciples were supposed to be here as well, Daniel remembered. His eyes traveled around the crowd of people and he found three different groups he assumed were made of the disciples. Daniel found it hard to breathe as he took everything in at once. Alright. He needed to get a grip of himself. He couldn’t afford to lose it now (whatever ‘it’ was).

Then he heard John 2:5, lived out,
“His mother said to the servants, ‘Whatever He says to you, do it.’” (NASB).

Daniel always wanted to know her reaction in this moment. Was she put in her place? Or, was she trying to teach Him a lesson? Or, was she telling Him these people needed help and to get over it? Or, did she simply ignore what He said?

Now that he witnessed it, Daniel still wasn’t certain. It could have been all of the above or none of the above. Maybe if he understood the culture more, he would be more apt to comprehend the full scope of what she said and why.

John 2:6-8 states,
6-7 "Six stoneware water pots were there, used by the Jews for ritual washings. Each held twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus ordered the servants, 'Fill the pots with water.' And they filled them to the brim.
8 'Now fill your pitchers and take them to the host,' Jesus said, and they did," (MSG).

Daniel had two thoughts about those verses. One thought was about the servants and the other thought was about the water. What did the servants think when Mary said what she said? Did they have a clue about what Jesus was about to do? Did they know Jesus and/or Mary? Was it well or was it just in passing? Or, did they just know of them?

The servants knew Mary or of her because the servants responded to what she said Daniel observed. Why did they respond to what Jesus said in 2:7-8?

What the servants did to fill those enormous jars with water took work--and a lot of it. Each jar took 20-30 gallons of water.

Let's assume it was 20. That's 20 gallons multiplied by 6 jars equals 120 gallons minimum from a well or a watering hole of some type.

John doesn't tell us in the passage of scripture what specific type of watering source, how far it was, or how many servants there were present at the wedding party. Regardless, it took work and what did the water have to do with wine? Daniel was sure the servants wanted to know. They did all that work without knowing why.

Can you imagine? Daniel thought to himself. No. He really couldn't. What would he have thought if he did all that work as a servant for no reason other than being told to by Mary and then Jesus--and then being told to by both Mary and Jesus--and then the water turned not only to wine, but to the best wine. What would Daniel have thought if he was the chief servant and tasted the wine?

Daniel was swept away, astounded, and deeply touched by the care of what Jesus exercised when He did what He did for the people who put on the wedding party. They would have been destroyed socially and disgraced if they ran out of wine. Jesus, however, gave them plenty and not just of any wine, but the very best. Not just the best but the best for the last. Usually, people had the tendency to put out the best wine first and then put out the worse, poorer in quality, and watered down wine later as the people became tipsy. Consequently, Jesus made the people look really good because he cared for them.

And it just so happened to be His first miracle.

Only God could do that accomplishment. It was truly a miracle of turning water into wine.

Daniel witnessed this first miracle with his own eyes twice now. Once was from afar and once was from up close. He recognized he was forever changed by the event. He got to know Jesus more intimately by the moment and the more he knew Jesus, the more he loved and trusted Him--and the more his life was changed by Jesus. He couldn't live in the same manner again. To know Christ is to love Him and to love Him is to grow to become more like Him and obey and love the Father.


By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy

Chapter 9 of John and the Bible Time Travel Machine (Day 4 of NaNoWriMo) by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy, LLC

Chapter 9


ERIN WATCHED JOHN THE BAPTIST enter the scene. It was like she was sitting in a movie, but was part of it. She could smell it and taste it. John Chapter 1 started to play out in front of her and all around her.

John the Baptist (a different person than the writer of this book of the Bible) walked in and made straight the way of the Lord (John 1:23 and Isaiah 40:3). (Author's Note: I realize I can abbreviate the books of the Bible. However, not everyone is Christian, and not every Christian knows what all of the abbreviations stand for; therefore, I'm going to give the full word and not the abbreviation.) Then, she saw Jesus for the first time (John 1:19) and then again in John 1:36.

Yes. She saw God.

She saw Christ the Messiah with her own eyes.

She saw the real Jesus.

Her hair on her body from her arms to her neck stood on end and she got goose bumps the size of geese all over her skin. Tears streamed from her face like Niagara Falls. The colors of the scene in front of her were vivid. The entirety of the scene around her was dramatic, out of this world, larger than live.

Or, maybe she should say she mostly saw Jesus. He was mostly a blur in her vision, but but she could only see his hands, arms, feet, legs, and torso pretty clearly. But, she saw more of Him than she'd ever seen before and she was thrilled.

"Glory!" She hollered with excitement and held her hands up to the sky. "I see Your glory, God!"

Her mind raced faster than anything on the planet, including man-made objects, as she tried to take in every single minute detail. She didn't want to miss anything and decided to take out her journal and log the progress of their adventure before she forgot how much she was brought to worship the Living God and the Word in flesh.

"Your computer and journal will only take away your attention and devotion from the here and now. they will distract you. Hence, you will not find them until you return to Fallon and Billy." A female voice spoke to her and she wondered who it was and why she addressed her. The voice also sounded vaguely familiar and that only made her more curious.

"Who are you?" She wanted to know.

"I'm your guide on this journey. You need to know you technically haven't traveled back in time at all to the times of the Bible. Earthly technology is not that advanced yet. However, your minds, because of the machine and computers have been more opened than anyone else's in a long time. Your imagination has opened where you can see the Bible in motion and in real-time. You can experience it with all your senses."

Erin thought this made sense and listened to her guide.

"From here, you can be any person from the Book of John--other than God or His Son. You can experience and do what they did. But, you will also think your own. Or, you can be on the outside looking in and can ask questions to the people around from your group alone. You will live the Bible if you keep your mind open and your faith in Him more than you ever have. Then, you'll have time for self-reflection. Then, you'll reunite as a group to discuss what you experienced. Once you get through the entire Book of John, I'll return and you'll return to your old home. Daniel, by the way, as a believer will experience the same as you. The other two will not. They will only observe, will not know of me, and will only be able to speak with your group. Now, return to the story, Erin."
 
By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy

NaNoWriMo Progress Report

At 1:42 p.m.

8,959 is my current word count. Hence:
8,959 of 50,000 words completed--due 30 November 2009

I think I have a wonderful start. Nope. No complaints here. I still have slightly over three hours before my husband comes home for work (Yay!). It's always my goal not to work whenever he's home. I can do that, most of the time, since the only children we have at this point are the 4-legged variety. Even with being sick and being less focused and motivated than I usually am, I'm pleased with my progress today.

I need to go let the dog out, grab more medicine, some water, a cup of hot tea, and an apple. Please excuse me.

At 2:56 p.m.
My friend called and I didn't get much done the last hour+ at all. Well worth the cost. I just love her so!

So, I'm back at it. Here are my stats:

Total Word Count: 9,030 (I'm getting there. I started the day with 5,800--I think.)
Word Count Goal for 30 November 2009=50,000 words total

By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy

Chapter 3 of John and the Bible Time Machine (Day 2 of NaNoWriMo) by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy, LLC

Chapter 3


THE HOLOGRAM AT FIRST WAS just the typed words of John 1:1 in blue type onto a white page onto the holographic screen about twelve feet tall and twenty-five feet wide. However, it quickly went through the process of metamorphosis and it transformed into something different. It went from just the clear wording to a jumbled up version of the words where it was scrambled and the colors swirled together almost like tiedye. The unexpected was what materialized in the next moment. They expected a single snapshot to appear on the holographic screen; however, that was not what they observed. Instead, a motion picture was what they viewed.

It was a scene of moving images like a television show or movie. First, there was an image of an hourglass with sand and then it changed into an old-fashioned alarm clock with a minute hand and bells. Caleb recognized that was the representation of time, "In the beginning..." He said aloud so everyone would hear him.

Then, the images started to form what looked like a gigantic larger than life book. Caleb wondered if it was the Bible. Then, when he saw the words appear on the cover of the book, his theory was proven true.

"Was the word," Erin noted.

"Wow. It's indeed a wonder of wonders." Fallon couldn't help but share her impression of what she perceived.

Billy was the next to share his thoughts. "It seems to be word imagery. We never programed that into the program. How remarkable."

The next image was the most mind-boggling of all. Caleb saw a large bright object appeared in front of the enormous Bible and the object seemed to take the shape of a man, but it was still a bright light or a bright smudge with arms and legs. The light was so brilliant that Caleb was astounded how they didn't go blind. Instead, he could still see everything in front of him. The bright image was the largest holographic image at this point, but he could still see the Bible in the background.

"Is that God?" Daniel sounded positive it was, but it also appeared he needed confirmation.

Erin looked at him with tears rolling down her cheeks. "It has to be. I feel so different inside. The peace and joy is truly remarkable. I'm overwhelmed by the beauty of the light."

"You're already convinced?" Adora already doubted what they claimed and it was just the beginning.

Caleb rolled his eyes. "Oh, boy. Here we go. It's just a really bright light. Don't go dramatic on me, guys, or this is going to be a really long trip." Next, he saw how the light and the Bible almost appeared to form a single object on the screen. It was like both combined into one.

"Is everyone ready for Stage 3?" Fallon checked with the four.

"Roger that." Caleb spoke first. He was curious as to what adventure they would undertake and what they would see on the other side in the BTM. He sensed they would make it and would survive it. What he couldn't figure out was if they would be able to make it back. He didn't have a impression one way or another.

"Roger." Erin acknowledged her readiness. Then, Daniel and Adora.

Fallon glanced at Billy. "Stage 3, please."

"Here goes nothing." Billy grinned a big toothy grin which filled his face. Caleb watched the hologram change to a stronger and more vivid image. The computer successfully changed from a screen image to a real-life image.

"Good luck, group. Enter." Fallon looked each of the four in the eye and they all took hands and stepped toward the hologram.

"Let's take the final step on the count of three." Adora gave the command so that they would all enter at the same time.

"Man, I hope they don't hit it like a brick wall." Billy shared with Fallon.

Fallon nodded. "Me, too."

The four disappeared from sight for a second and then reappeared at the other side of the hologram. "Or, walk to the other side." Billy frowned as he saw all four standing there.

A second later, Caleb said, "You would never believe what just happened." He was out of breath and wore different clothing. He had a different bag as well that was not like anything from this lifetime. "We made it. The BTM was successful and, boy, do we have a tale for you."
 
By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy

Blog #5: Chapter 2 of Romans Book: Hannah and the Coat of Comfort by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

Blog #5:



Chapter 2:

Hannah and The Coat of Comfort

CHAPTER INFORMATION:
BOOK TITLE: The Book of Romans: Truth From Fiction Series Book 1
STORY TITLE: Hannah and the Coat of Comfort
DATE: 22 October 2009 Thursday
TYPE OF STORY FOR THIS CHAPTER: Fiction
IT IS A NEW OR ON-GOING STORYLINE?: New
GENRE: Fiction; Adult Contemporary; Christian General Fiction
LAST TIME THIS STORYLINE WAS USED: N/A. It's new.

OPENING VERSE:
Psalm 71 from the NLT states,
20 You have allowed me to suffer much hardship,
but you will restore me to life again
and lift me up from the depths of the earth.
21 You will restore me to even greater honor
and comfort me once again.

This is a story based off of my life, of course. I changed some details, but did so to make a point. After all, what's important are the spiritual lessons learned from it.

Hannah Howard grabbed her mug of steaming coffee and headed to her favorite upholstered chair in front of her gas fireplace and decided to sit back and do some journaling. God worked in her life in some mighty and powerful ways the last couple of weeks and overnight in particular. She wanted to record her just made memories with God before she lost or forgot them. It was important to her to remember what God has said to her, what they have experienced together, and how He's worked in, through, and around her.

Therefore, she reached for her favorite pen and her journal. What was it about the feel of each in her hands which brought her a sense of peace and an automatic connection with God? Then again, that was always her objective, so she really shouldn't find it surprising. Yet, she did. She found everything about God amazing and hoped she never lost the sense of wonder. That was another reason why she journaled.

Here's what she wrote on this day:

When I was in the process of moving from Grand Lake, Colorado to Minnesota, and two different climates, I realized something. I lacked a very warm and heavy coat to get me through a moist winter. I was sued to a dry winter where a medium in thickness coat was just fine to get through most of the season. Sure, there a few cold spells where I'd add layers underneath. However, I had the feeling I'd need a heavy one plus layers for the bad days in a moist climate. I tucked this knowledge away since it was May and far from the snowy season. Never mind the fact of how stores didn't even have out winter coats any longer, but swimsuits, shorts, and tank tops. It was the wrong season. So, I decided to wait for the opportune time.

Then, came our first Minnesota snow in October and I remembered my situation. I didn't need it yet, at that time, but I recognized I should start to look around for one. I wanted the best for me: price was right, heavy enough, and appealing to my eye and taste. I would make sure all three requirements were met.

Next, I brought up the subject to my husband. After all, we needed to budget for it and plan on when to buy the coat. Of course, he agreed it was essential and we decided to buy it in a week or less. But, first, the heavy winter coat needed to be located. Even if I found it at the first store, I would go around to all the others just in case. I had to know it was the best fit for my three criteria. Also, I needed #2 as an option in case the #1 option went up in price or if they didn't have my size.

My husband who hates shopping offered to run around with me from store to store over a period of three days so we didn't get burned out in shopping too much. You also need to understand that since I'm a full-time mom, I'm in the house 24/7 for 4.5 days a week. I don't mind that except on Friday night, I'm stir-crazy and can't wait to get out for the sun, fresh air, and freedom! So, this shopping excursion was needed on several levels. Never mind all the exercise we got from walking store to store. Of course, I didn't find the dream coat until the last store. I had options, but none of them fit my three criteria.

The ironic and am using part about finding the perfect coat at the last store was:

1. It was the last store in sequence.

2. It was the last store that came to mind because I doubted I could afford it from there.

3. At that store before I found the perfect one, there were several coats: too expensive, too thin, and/or not my style.

4. The coat I chose was not my style until I humored my hubby and tried it on to see what I really thought of it.

5. We had to cross state lines to get it.

You need to understand my body shape makes it challenging for me to find clothes that fit me well. I'm short, for starters. I'm not skinny. I have a medium-sized frame and am 12 lbs. overweight and am intentionally working that off as we speak and will keep it off this time. I have a bigger mid-section of hips, rear-end, and thighs. My legs are short and so are my arms, but my torso is longer.

As you can see, I have no body issues and wouldn't go into this much detail normally. However, it's needed so you can understand my predicament of when I tried on this coat.

Wait. I need to tell you more of the story.

My husband was ready to hand me a small. I laughed to myself and told him, "Uh-no." I cited all of the above reasons and added how I also needed room for layers underneath (never mind a baby bump if we are successful and get pregnant).

So, he grabbed a medium. I chuckled and shook my head. I reached for a large. Then, we had our normal discussion where my 6-foot medium framed old football playing mate tells me I'm tiny and a large won't fit. Bless him.

The large fit.

The price fit.

The weight of the coat was perfect.

The style fit me like a glove and was the perfect match when I wore it. So, the coat I doubted when I saw it, fit me and my three criteria perfectly. the only problem was it would be a few days before we could buy it.

Would a large be available when we returned? My husband pointed out how there were several on the rack and how it looked hopeful. I agreed, said a prayer, and tried to trust God it would be there when we could return to buy the coat.

6. The other ironic part is how before we could go and buy it, I described it to my mom and remembered the wrong colors. So, when we did purchase it, it was even better than I remembered and they actually ahd even more out than they had when we were there last.

7. When we went to buy it, my hubby worked late that night and I wodnered if we could go get it--after being excited all day to do so.

8. It was dark, cold, and raining. So weather also made me wonder if we could go.

9. Also, it was two days later as I write this journal entry and I still haven't worn it because I needed to scotch guard it in order to add extra protection agianst the weather. So, I can't wait for the weekend--provided I don't roast.

Stay tuned for the spiritual moral of the story.
 
By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy

Author News: The Month of November

For the month of November 2009, I'm going to participate in NaNoWriMo which is the National Novel Writing Month. Hence, I will write my novel in this blog and will take a break from my book, Romans. However, I will work on both here in December.

I just wanted to give you some notice about this event.

By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy

Blog #2: Chapter 1: Novel Approach by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

HOW THIS NOVEL APPROACH CAME INTO BEING

The first of July 2009 brought a major turning point in my life when I moved from the only home I've ever known to another state. I'm a third generation Colorado native; consequently, moving to Nebraska meant leaving most of my family and friends.

I had to set up a new home and help my husband prepare and get used to his new job here in Omaha as well. Needless to say, my writing suffered. It was not only my writing that suffered, though. My writing vision did.

Busyness also consumed me as I had family come to visit and I went back home for a visit.

Then, after returning from Colorado, I had a spiritual breakdown for a couple of days. I hadn't realized at all how much I missed home until I went back for a couple of days for the Broncos home opener against the Cleveland Browns (Denver won, by the way). Watching the Rocky Mountains disappear to my back and having the realization of how much I missed Colorado and my family sent me into the spiritual abyss for two days until God finally got my attention.

God told me to lose myself in Him and forget all about my blogs, my website, my email, twitter, and Facebook.

He is a jealous lover of my soul (and of me) and He demanded time with me. So, between 23 September and now, I've spent 10 hours a day in the Word and tried to pray without ceasing throughout the day and night during that time.

I realized during that time I was the epitome of lukewarm from Revelation 3:16 and was stagnate in faith and in my writing.

Here's what Revelation 3:16 from the NIV states:

16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

(New International Version: Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica.)

I also spent some time writing by hand in a journal and am always amazed by:

1. How much my quality of writing improves,

2. How I get more ideas from writing with a pen (by the way, PaperMate PROFILE pens are the best on the market, if you like ballpoint pens),

3. How I'm more focused, and

4. How much I enjoy it.

Then, a couple of weeks ago, God introduced me to the idea of writing using fiction as a tool for Bible Study. I have to admit it sounded--unusual to me. I've learned since 23 September to proceed by faith regardless of how strange it may sound. My obedience and faith matter far more than my understanding and far more than what I want.

After a while, the use of fiction as a tool for Bible Study made perfect sense. I could write a story to make a specific point about faith and how to live a life of faith today, let alone apply an ancient text to modern living in 2009. Hence, I thought God might have a really good idea. (It was absolutely true. I just let my sense of humor come through and I just wanted to make sure you understood.)

Life was plugging away just fine between being in the Word and in prayer when I made a prayer request nine days ago that I heard God clearly about what He wanted from my writing. When you get a group of women to pray, things change. Prayers are heard and then answered by God. Trust me.

I knew the ladies prayed because last night, God woke me at 12:30 in the morning. (I'm writing this by had on Thursday, 15 October 2009 in the afternoon.) He spoke to me very clearly for the next two hours and now I have a very specific vision and mission for my writing and now know how to go about it for the rest of my life. I took ten pages of notes of what God told me and how I was supposed to accomplish this feat.

I've written about 50 novels I've started, some I've finished, some I almost finished, some I stopped halfway, some I stopped a quarter of the way through, and others I just stopped with an idea. Now I know why. God made it crystal clear why. However, before I tell you why, I need to go down a rabbit/bunny trail for a moment.

More to follow...
 
By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy