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Growth

News: Lots going on at DaphneWrites

 
Hi, friends!
 
The Lord has blessed this ministry a lot in the past couple months. Here’s what’s been going on:
 
 

Events

I had some opportunities to display and sell my books at the 4th Annual Polk Writers and Illustrators Festival here in Lakeland, Florida. I met a lot of great people and was able to share my story with them.
 
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I was so proud to be one of six writers from our very own Lakeland Christian Writers, a chapter of American Christian Writers (ACW). Here are some of them.
 

With April Whitt, author of the Romeo Riley Series, and member of LCW

With April Whitt, author of the Romeo Riley Series, and member of LCW


 
Chris Pylant, co-author of A Touch of Heaven, and member of LCW

With Chris Pylant, co-author of A Touch of Heaven, and member of LCW


 
Beth Miller, co-author of Under His Wings, and member of LCW

Beth Miller, co-author of Under His Wings, and member of LCW


 
I was also invited to display and sell my book at Truth Factory’s artistic production, “Bet on Job.” (That’s Job like Job in the Bible.) 🙂 Here is some information from Truth Factory’s Facebook page:
 

Truth Factory is “a platform for local Christian artists to share their unique and inspirational gifts with the greater Lakeland community. We strive to encourage creativity which portrays the principles of Christianity in the tangible form of artistic expression. Artists are invited to showcase their talents and demonstrate the breath of creation reflected in their body of work. We promote artistic freedom for artists to express their love of God, to share His message of hope and to communicate their personal experience of Him with others.
 

I look forward to participating in other Truth Factory productions, along with other local artists.
 
 

Books

I’ve been working on two books. One I’ve already written you about in an earlier post. That one is still a little ways off. Be in prayer for that. The other book is further along and will be published in the next few weeks–just in time for the holidays, although it can be used year-round. Be on the lookout for it. I’ll write more about it as we get closer to publication date. And I’ll be holding some giveaways, so watch for those too. 🙂
 
 

Affiliate Merchants

I’ve been trying to work on my writing full-time and treating it as the career I want it to be. I’ve also been in prayer about the best ways to supplement my family’s income with the talent God has given me. After much research, I’ve decided to become an affiliate publisher of several big-name and respected merchants: DaySpring, Family Christian Stores, and Amazon. Please know I am in no way employed by these companies. What it does mean is that you might see links and images throughout my web site that advertise products from these merchants. When you click on a link and make a purchase, I might receive a small commission in return. You can read more about my role as an affiliate publisher on my disclosure page.
 
If you look on the new Resources tab on my web site, you will see several drop-down menus:

  • Disclosure
  • Printables
  • Books, Movies, and More
  • Sales and Specials

I hope you will browse around those pages and see what interests you. Share the resources with your friends and family. I will update the products periodically, so check back often.
 
 
Phew! That was a lot.
 
Please keep me in prayer as I continue doing what God has laid on my heart. I want to encourage others with the comfort He has given me. I want everything I do to point to Him.
 
I love you all.
 
Big hugs,
Daphne
 
 
By the way, what’s going on with you? Share in the comments. I want to join with you in prayer.

Coping with Change

 

 

6 Ways You Can Cope with ChangeI embrace it.

I reject it.

 

I long for it.

I avoid it.

 

I enjoy it.

I dislike it.

 

 

I’m talking about change.

 

 

Can you relate?

 

 

Parts of me want change; other parts resist it.

 

 

 

Sometimes, we bring change on ourselves. Sometimes, change finds us. New careers. Illness. Family dynamics. Moving. Any number of life events can produce mixed feelings within us.

 

  • We welcome new adventures, but we don’t want to give up our routines.
  • We like new challenges, but we don’t want to be too uncomfortable.
  • We see great opportunities, but we don’t want to make the effort.

 

 

How do we cope with change? How can we balance the push into the unknown with the pull of the familiar?

 

C – Call to God for wisdom.

With any life event, some things need to change; others don’t. Sometimes we focus on the wrong things. Other times, we resist changing anything. When we have the courage to ask God to show us the things that truly need to change, we are better positioned to allow Him to work in those areas. And we’re free to continue enjoying the things that don’t need immediate change. He alone can teach us to identify our immediate growth areas (Psalm 119:66; Psalm 139:23).
 

H – Have a support system.

We’ve never been here before, so it’s best to get all the advice and instruction we can (Proverbs 19:20). But it’s not all about getting advice. When we find people who are experiencing the same things, we relate to each other’s struggles. Sometimes words aren’t even necessary—they get it. Having people who are also on the other side of the transition or life change can give us valuable insight on how to handle the ups and downs of our new life.

 

A – Avoid comparison.

Sometimes we look at others who are further down the path, and we want to be like them—immediately. We forget that they weren’t always there themselves. They too had to go through initial stages of their own changes. Of course, we can learn from them, but we are not them. We might say, “That is where I want to be,” but God might have a different way of getting us there. (Proverbs 16:9).
 

N – Note the ups and downs of the journey.

We each have a story to tell. No one else can tell our story. Keeping a record of both the big and little steps of the journey helps us not to lose sight of where we started, where we are, and where we’re going. It doesn’t have to be a formal journal—it can be as simple as making and collecting our own “memorabilia.” Along the way, we can pull out our notes and share with others how God has helped us each step of the way (Psalm 102).
 

G – Give thanks to God.

He never changes! We can rely on Him when everything around us is in flux. “He is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). What a relief! We can also thank Him for giving us the gift of change. Yes, the gift!

 

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. (James 1:2-4)

 

When God says it’s time for us to change, He knows we are ready to move to a new level in Him. Thank you, God, for believing in us.
 

E – Enjoy the ride!

Let’s celebrate our small victories. Laugh at our mistakes. Look for glimmers of hope in our new realities. After all, we serve the God of all hope. We’re going to screw up. We’ll have moments of sheer frustration, anger, disappointment, and discouragement. It’s okay—we can feel those feelings too. We will cry, but we will also laugh (Psalm 30:5b). We will grieve, but we will also dance (Psalm 30:11).

 

Change.

 

How are you coping with it?

 

 

Come alongside… What changes are you going through? How can you use these tips to help you? Whom do you know who needs to hear these words today? Will you share this with them?

Gimme a Break

 

Lately, this commercial has been running through my mind. Do you remember it?

 

 

I could just say that I’ve been eating too much too late at night–maybe too much chocolate. But I know all too well that God uses the simple things to remind me of His love for me.

 

You see, lately I’ve been too hard on myself. I’m entering a new season in my life–motherhood, and I’m feeling a little ill-prepared.

 

  • Inexperienced.
  • Inadequate.
  • Unqualified.

 

I haven’t struggled with my perfectionism in awhile, and these feelings have actually taken me by surprise. Old issue–new circumstances.

 

The first week was really a struggle for me. I beat myself up for forgetting hand wipes, for not bringing snacks and water on long car rides, you name it. All seemingly minor details blown up in the “shoulds” of my mind. I should be able to … I should know how to …

 

Then I remembered the Kit Kat commercial, especially the part that goes, “Break me off a piece of that Kit-Kat bar!” (You know the tune.)

 

I had to step back and take an objective look at my situation: I am a new mom. I have gone from zero children to five adoptive children–three of which are already in my home. This is uncharted territory for me–definitely a step of faith. If anything, I shouldn’t know how to do these things–I have never traveled this road before.

 

This is an opportune time for my perfectionism and unrealistic expectations to rent space in my head.

 

But I’m not letting them. I’m giving myself a break.

 

God will never let me be pushed past my limit, and He will always be here to help me come through the ups and downs of whatever situation I face (1 Corinthians 10:13). I refuse to discount the small steps I am taking. Instead, I rejoice with God every time I take a step in the right direction (Zechariah 4:10). Even more, I treasure the little rewards along the way:

 

  • Hugs and kisses from my children.
  • The way they call me “mommy princess.”
  • Their prayers thanking God for this family.

 

It won’t be easy, but I can do it (Philippians 4:13)! God is cheering me on. He is on my side (Romans 8:31).

 

Gimme a break, gimme a break, break me off a piece of God’s grace and love. 

 

Come alongside… How about you? In what areas of your life do you have unrealistic expectations? How can you give yourself a break? 

 

 

News and New Article Published: Steps of Faith and Growth


Happy Friday, readers!

 

I am honored that the publisher of Inspired Women Magazine has invited me to be a regular contributor. I have written for IWM in the past, and I am excited to continue our relationship on a more regular basis.

 

 


 

If you’re not familiar with IWM, I encourage you to check them out. Pass it along to your family and friends. Here is more information:

 

Inspired Women Magazine exists to encourage, motivate and inspire faith and divine excellence in women.  It is a magazine geared towards women, but insightful for men too.

 

Inspired Women Magazine endeavors to share with you true experiences of ordinary people with extraordinary victories.  Our objective is to assist women at looking at their struggles, fears and dilemmas in the face through the experiences and insights of women like themselves who have fallen, but most importantly, have been picked up by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Each testimony and article shared is a Banner of Victory over diverse backgrounds, environments, elements, situations, and circumstances.

 

We hope that Inspired Women Magazine will reach you through a word and testimony of other women and even men, as it strives to be a light on a path that everyone must take at some point.  Hebrews 10:24 say, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Therefore, by building and edifying one another and stirring up the gifts given to each of us without jealousy, envy, or strife, Inspired Women Magazine seeks to bring women together through the grace exemplified in our testimony and by the power of God’s Word moving us towards victory!

 

My first article at IWM is “Steps of Faith and Growth.” I hope you’ll check it out.

 

Hugs,

Daphne

Steps of Faith and Growth

Thank you to everyone who replied to my poll on stepping out in faith. We had a lot of discussion and great comments. Several of you mentioned that you experience self-doubt once you take a step of faith.

 

  • Second-guessing.
  • Cold feet.
  • Mixed feelings.

 

I feel ya–I really do.

 

The step of faith is a step into the unknown. It’s a step into new, uncharted territory–into utter and complete trust in the One who has called us to take that step in the first place.

 

 

Stepping out in faith is a sign of growth, my word of the year.
  • Can I do this?
  • What if I fail?
  • Should I step back–or keep going anyway?

 

Stepping out stretches us, dear ones. We learn to trust not in ourselves and our efforts–but in God’s. He alone can do what we feel we aren’t capable of doing ourselves. We are then in a place where we continue to look to Him for guidance and wisdom and not rely on our own.

 

What is He calling you to do? What step does He want you to take?

 

  • To start a new career?
  • To seek help for your addictions?
  • To move on from an unhealthy relationship?
  • To help someone in need?
  • To adopt?

 

I encourage you to do that which He wants you to do. Take that step of faith, my friend. Ask others to join with you in prayer. If God wants you to take that step, He trusts that you are ready–maybe even overdue–for this new part of your journey with Him.

 

It may be difficult, but remember…you have Him leading you and others beside you. Fear is natural, so don’t bury those feelings. Express them to Him. Tell Him your hesitations, but vow to keep going anyway. “Happy are those who hear the word of God and obey it” (Luke 11:28).

 

Stepping out in faith…It’s all a part of growth–mine and yours.

 

 A person may plan his own journey, but the LORD directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9).

 

Come alongside…What is God calling you to do? Will you take that step of faith? What do you fear? How can you express those feelings to Him and obey Him in the process? How will stepping out grow you?

 

I look forward to hearing your feedback.
Big hugs,
Daphne

 

Affiliate Disclosure

Daphne Tarango is a participant in affiliate programs with Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, DaySpring, Church Source, Hazelden, Christian Strong (via Conversant and ShareASale). These advertising services are designed to provide a means for sites like DaphneWrites.com to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to said merchants. Some images and articles may contain links to products on merchant sites. Should you choose to make purchases through those links, please understand that I will receive a small commission. Please do not feel like you need to use these links to make any purchases. The links are only for your convenience. Thank you.

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