Met the lady of my dreams today, Suzette. That’s because she was the boss at Subway and made me a deal lol. Love going there and working. Or writing. Or eating. Or socializing.

Such an encouragement at lunch. My waitress, Miss Krista, was a breath of fresh air. Had originally gone to ‘Steve’s Place’ to work and study. In between all she did, however, she inquired about all my projects. Especially interested in ‘The Book of James.’ Back to work lol

Subway….I’m lovin’ it lol. Great talk this afternoon with Shawn. We encouraged each other, remarkable where you can find new friends. Turns out his wife is an experienced editor and seasoned writer. They may be interested in my book projects. Hopefully we can get together soon. Wouldn’t it be nice if Candyce can help me edit and somehow we help her get published. If only publishers could read this and contact me: she has an excellent story.

If I were any better today, I would be triplets lol. Such an encouraging visit last week with Jim and Debby. So, so helpful. Jim and I had fun golfing. Thinks he’s got game, ha. Hadn’t seen one-handed man play in a while. Fun memories. Took part in a medical mission.

Hours upon hours thinking and editing; maybe it’s more thinking about editing. No, Debby’s a slave-driver. Keeping me reminded about all the deadlines. Very good work lately, today in particular, on the SIXTH draft. Appreciate the help and thoughts and insight of several friends. You never know how valuable somebody is until you need them. Been texting my editor in Arkansas, not sure what’s up there. Get -er done. Yeah, baby, we will.

Happy happy. Just completed the fifth or sixth edit of the book, well, all but a little end matter. What’s the matter? What’s it matter? Elated to be done eight hours today of hard work. So glad also to swing by Target today and actually a little book advertising, all three. Paije and ____ (oops) excited to learn about what is up in my life. Taking them a book tomorrow. Glad to advertise The Book of James. Also, met someone today soon moving to Florida, Cindy Lou. She is an author too. Offered to help me edit. When we finish with it, it might be good. lol Of course it might be. The power of positive speculations.

Say title quick three times…. “update” lol The new hope today, new dream, new vision becoming a reality for yours truly. Ready to make the edits and put them into the computer on the fifth draft of “The Book of James”. Had a good break last week, preoccupied with other things. Now the office is calling. Touched base with my editor in Arkansas earlier today. May get together with her in a few months, we’ll see where we are. Excited about things. Grateful to have been given the go-ahead on this project. Making plans to visit with the family from California about whose son the memoir is next week.

All my life You have been faithful
All my life You have been so so good
With every breath that I am able
I will sing of the goodness of God
….Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
…..my life, I lay down, I surrender now

New church, New Hope

Great message today,
I. Our vision must be focused on what God is calling us to do
Even when we are struggling, especially when others are struggling
This is the heart of ministry
Jesus has power and authority over all sickness and demons
The disciples were sharing all the miracles they had witnessed
II. Our ministry must be organized
It reflects the God who created us
The devil is the master of chaos because that’s when he’s at his best
Must be organized
III. Ensures an effective witness
People are drawn to order and organization
Because God is honored, people are saved, and we are focused on the kingdom of God
If we are to be faithful to His call, our faith must believe in the miraculous
Only one way the church should be found….faithful
When God does a miracle, God shows off
We believe our faith is good enough for eternity, but is that kind of faith good enough for our everyday life?
Give to God what we have so our faith begins to believe in the miraculous
God takes our gifts and uses them in His organizing the kingdom of God
God receives glory for His work; do all you do in faith….for kingdom work

Luke 9.10-17

What a blessed Sunday. Church Saturday, so a lot done on the Lord’s Day…and some relaxing. Needed a break after some killer hours last week and 3-5 hours/night of sleep many days. Printed the fourth draft of The Book of James yesterday. Tomorrow will begin the revisions of the fifth draft. Going to be easier as I have a lot of the paragraphs subdivided into chapters. Now to figure out how they’ll fit chronologically-wise, if some points are in the wrong chapters, and if I have repeated points. I know I have some. Spent time with a wonderful friend. Who knows? So internally beautiful; externally, too. Should’ve been a model lol. A deeper story to that. Have waited for God’s best. I had been praying for her a long time. As chapter 25 or 26 in the book is titled, Thy Will be Done.

A lot done today too. By the grace of God I am here; the 37th anniversary of my unscheduled flight through the bus windshield.

In hindsight, great progress on editing the second draft of the manuscript today.(373 out of 465 pages done). Many hours of work this morning on it and throughout the day. My back gets so stiff sitting. Cannot believe all the errors a closer read has fixed. Or, is fixing. A special word of thanks to Grammar-Man himself, my father, Alan Tong. I appreciate his grammatical input and suggestions. Much more chapter revision and division tomorrow. This is the real task that awaits, putting it all into the computer with all the changes.