Write That Down

I was in the first or second grade when I first began to journal. My mom wanted me to practice my newly learned writing skills, so she gave me a notebook and I would write in it everyday. I never wrote more then three or four very short sentences, but it was a start.

For several years, I did not journal, I am not quite sure why. I suppose my mom had quit requiring it and I had yet to discover the joy of writing.

For Christmas in 2002, one of my cousins gave me a pretty journal and that was when I began to discover the true joys of journaling. I started out with short paragraphs and slowly moved on to filling pages and pages almost everyday. In some of years since I have not written as much, but I have continued to journal, recording the important happenings in my life. I have discovered that, not only is journaling a joy just for the sake of writing, but it is also a great way to sort through my thoughts.

This love for journaling has given me an idea for a new series here on Musings From the Feet. I call it "Dear Diary," and it is the fictitious journal of 16-year-old Kassandra Lee. We will follow Kassandra as she learns important lessons in life and is reminded of how mighty her God is. I hope you enjoy reading about Kassandra's journey, just as much as I will enjoy writing it for you. Come back tomorrow to read the first "Dear Diary" post.

I have some questions for you. Do you journal? Do you do it on the computer, or the old fashioned way? What do you enjoy most about keeping a journal? I would love to hear your thoughts and stories.

Kathryn

Pen Pals

Even in this day of texting, instant messaging, and on-line social networking sites, I still enjoy taking advantage of snail mail and pen pals.

There is just something about putting pen to paper and watching thoughts flow out of your hand to fill the pages of paper that make up a letter. It is like putting a part of yourself onto those sheets and sealing it in an envelope to send off to a friend.

Then you wait excitedly for a reply. Every time you open the mailbox your heart beats a little faster, "Is there a letter today?" If there is nothing you feel a little disappointed until you remember that it may come tomorrow. Your heart jumps a little jump of anticipation and a smile comes to your face as you look forward to the next day and what it may bring.

Other times you are pleasantly surprised by a letter or note from someone you have not heard from in a while. Those surprise messages of love make your day and can keep you smiling for weeks.

Yes, quick methods of communication are nice and surly have their places, but to my way of thinking, snail mail should be an important part of every friendship.

In the fast pace of today, let us not forget that there are places in life for the older, slower ways of doing things.

So, the next time you are near a mailbox, why not send a friend a piece of yourself in the shape of a letter or card? Brighten their day with a loving message. Let them know that you think enough of them to take the time to sit down and write an "old fashioned" letter.

Happy writing,

Kaomi

A New "Face"

Hello readers, I wanted to call your attention to the fact that there are now two bloggers contributing to this blog. Me and my dear friend Alyssa. Alyssa and I have been friends for several years now and her excitement about sharing Christ's love with others has truly been an inspiration to me. I am so happy and excited to announce that she is now joining me in writing for our Savior's glory. I look forward to the days ahead. What a joy to share this new step in the journey with someone like Alyssa! I hope that each of you are inspired and encourage by Alyssa's writings as I know I will be.

To God be all Glory,
Kaomi

Once Upon a Time

Once there was a girl who felt like she was the only "different" girl in the world. She was lonely and discouraged. Then one day she came across a web-site. It was called "Young Ladies Christian Fellowship." For the next several days this girl read every article she could find on that site. As she read she began to not feel so lonely, she began to realize that she was not the only girl in the world who was different. There were many other girls like her. The stories she read encouraged her into a closer walk with her Lord, and put in her heart a longing to one day write to encourage others as she had been encouraged at such a vital time in her life. That girl was me.
Several years have passed since then, and God has taught me so much. My journey has not been an easy one, and I know that there are still many mountains to climb on the road ahead. The difference is, I know that I am not alone on this road. There are many young women all over the world who are traveling it with me, and God is traveling it with us all. Knowing these things makes all the difference in the world.
I want to say thank you to all of you who have taken the time and effort to write articles about what God has done in your lives, articles of encouragement, and articles that challege the rest of us to raise our standards. I only hope that I can follow in your footsteps and faithfully write to encourage others.
In Him,
Kaomi