Carla and Laura had auditioned for the lead role in the play, now they were about to find out which one of them would be chosen. Carla told herself that she would get the part because everyone knew that she was the best at playing funny characters and she had the awards to prove it. Laura was disappointed when Carla's name was called for the lead and she was chosen to be Carla's understudy but, she studied her lines and was at every rehearsal, on time.
   Carla was very good at playing the lead role but she was late for every rehearsal with excuses about some other thing she had to do at school.  By now Mrs. Adams the drama director, was quite annoyed with the way Carla was treating her responsibility. This continued right on down to the last two rehearsals and the director made a change. She gave the lead role to Laura. Carla couldn’t believe her ears when she was told she was out of the play.

   “But I’m the best; you know I am Mrs. Adams. Laura can’t play the part like I can!”

   “You’re right Carla, you are the best but, you are not dependable and you are not concerned about anyone but yourself and so, you’re out.  Alright Laura, take it from the top.”

                                                                                                                 ***
 

You may have skills, talents and God given gifts that can put you on top of the world but it is only your good character that can keep you there!

C.U. Later!

 I'm Back! 
I've got some news! Aidana, my illustrious Illustrator (can I say that? Is that proper English?) has sent me eight illustrations!  They are really pretty cool! Now we are in the tweaking stage for these eight and guess what, there are eight more to follow!  Can you say excited? That's what I am!  I'll keep you posted on the progress.

Bye-bye for now.
Shirley has left the building!

  Do you remember the last family gathering you attended? Maybe it was on Thanksgiving or Christmas. Well, for Mary Rhinehart it was her annual dinner that she prepared for her relatives on the first Sunday of each New Year. Her dinner consisted tender succulent meats and several kinds of green vegetables and delicious rice and potato dishes. And, she out did herself with her sweet, tangy fruit pies and banana puddings.  

The whole family was there from grandpa Amos and grandma Bea to the newest members of the family, the 8 month old twins Tyler and Tara, and all the cousins, aunts, uncles, and sisters and brothers in between.  The parents of the twins realized too late that in their hurry to get to Mary's house they had left the twins' baby food on the kitchen counter.  But not to worry, Mary was a quick and innovative thinker. She used her food processor to puree bits of the meat as well as the veggies and potatoes. She even used her food processor to puree some fruit from the pies. The twins were able to enjoy the same meal as the rest of the family in a way that was digestible for them; and that's how it is with the Word of God and children.

 God's Word is relevant for all ages and I know it pleases Him when we as parents, teachers and friends provide children with the tools they need to be able to feed on, understand and digest His spiritual nourishment from the Bible.   

Let the children come to me. Don't stop them!  For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. Mark 10:14 (NLT)


Until next time!

Did you know that Dictionary.com lists more than 27 definitions for the word SHIFT ?  The definitions are put into the categories of verbs and nouns and, from the root word, SHIFT, comes the word SHIFTY (shift+y).

Soooo...here's the thing: When the word SHIFT picks up a Y, all those definitions are whittled down to 3 and 2 of the 3 have negative connotations. Check it out for yourself (if you're interested)! 

 Everyone migrates to the negative meanings when that Y is added to SHIFT, and I ask, why?  As for me, I choose to focus on the #1 definition Dictionary.com lists for the SHIFT, and that's CHANGE:
 

1. to put (something aside and replace it by another; change or exchange; to shift ideas or positions  

My Pastor says: "When change is needed, to change not, is DESTRUCTIVE. Change is the only constant in life."

Alright everybody, at the count of 3 let's all shift!      

C U Later!                                    

Well, the easy part is over now and for me that was writing Shifty Characters.  It was easy because writing is God's gift to me. I know this because whatever gifting God endows you with you'll do with ease. Of course you'll have to nurture your gift and cultivate it you know, so it can bear fruit and bless someone! After all, isn't that why he gave it to you? When it comes to marketing and advertising, I know that's not my gift. I just wanna write, know what I mean?  And all the authors in the house said, "Amen!"

But any hoo, Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to marketing I go.  Right now, I'm having  posters printed and I'll be handing out giveaways such as buttons, magnets and bookmarks all announcing the coming of the Shifty Characters!  I wouldn't be doing any of this with out the gentle nudging and suggestions of my multi-talented illustrator, Aidana WillowRaven. She's holding my hand through this part of the process and Lord knows I need her!

Well, I gotta go  now, be back later!

Shirley
Shifty Characters.net

Wow, Learning how to do the blog thing takes patience ! But I'm getting it!  Y'all pray for me (:

Thanks Ms. WillowRaven for talking me through it!


Grace and Peace,

Shirley
www.shiftycharacters.net