The end of the month is drawing to a close, but it’s going out with a bang in all areas of my life. May 2009 will be remembered.
First, my writing adventure. I have to share how God is at work. Whenever I hit a low time and begin to question where I’m supposed to go with my writing, God throws something in my lap. This month was no exception. I asked, and I received.
Last night, I was honored to be the guest speaker at the Southwest Iowa Writers Guild which met in Atlantic. It was a different and new experience, but one that I enjoyed and have learned from.
Tonight, I had the privilege of speaking to the ladies circle from the Lewis Church of Christ. It really was a lot of fun. I was able to share my passion with enthusiasm that was returned, and my statements of faith were understood.
Two events right in a row has spurred me on once again. I continue to be encouraged to write.
Recently I was venting my frustrations to a friend, and she asked me why I wrote. I said it was because I have to. She went on to say that I should write because I want to, not because I felt I had to. She was right, however, I had to explain that that’s not what I meant. What I was truly saying, was that writing is like breathing, to me. I cannot live without it. This has been my most recent discovery and lesson.
I am still entering FaithWriters challenges. One article a couple weeks ago received second place. I was pleased with this outcome. My drive to write a masterpiece has been heightened.
Beyond Yesterday is in its final, final editing stage. Next will come formatting, which has me excited. Perhaps I will see it in print by the end of the summer.
Apart from my writing, my home life has changed just slightly. For the first time, we have fewer than three horses of our own. We are down to two. Four and even three were simply too much for us any more. One horse ended up just down the road from us. I can’t decide if I like that or not. It is a change that I’m not sure I was ready for, but it’s here no matter what. While horses have brought me a long way in life, it is an area in which there are parts I must let go.
My work at Deaf Missions continues as we approach a very busy time with many new projects. A passion has become a job, but it is my belief that it is God’s plan.
July is nearing and I am more than ready for my planned vacation. In the meantime though, I am moving forward. Whether it’s my writing, my home life or at work. No matter how slow the progress, an inch forward is greater than a step back.
5/28/09
5/3/09
Time for Rest
May. April somehow slipped by into the volumes of the past. It was a difficult month, and my hope is that May will be smoother. God is in control for sure, but a few less wrinkles would be nice.
In my world of writing, I’m finishing up the edits on my book, thinking about my next one, and continuing to enter the FaithWriters challenges. Last week’s “The Composition” won first place. It was my first top placement, and it also puts me in the running for the “Best of the Best” which they will announce come July.
My life at home has been quiet, thankfully. Spring is here, and the garden is in. All I’ve done so far is simply observe, though I’m sure I’ll wind up with dirt under my fingernails soon enough.
And now, life moves on. While I have little to report on, that is good. For without chaos, there is time for rest.
In my world of writing, I’m finishing up the edits on my book, thinking about my next one, and continuing to enter the FaithWriters challenges. Last week’s “The Composition” won first place. It was my first top placement, and it also puts me in the running for the “Best of the Best” which they will announce come July.
My life at home has been quiet, thankfully. Spring is here, and the garden is in. All I’ve done so far is simply observe, though I’m sure I’ll wind up with dirt under my fingernails soon enough.
And now, life moves on. While I have little to report on, that is good. For without chaos, there is time for rest.
4/10/09
Striving
Time. It has slipped away so quickly. Goals of frequent posts... goals of writing more articles... they have gotten lost somewhere between the minutes and the second hand of the clock.
What has happened? It is all lost within the fog of work, the coming of spring, and everyday life.
But not all is lost. My latest book is in its final editing stages. I have written a few articles and have even attempted some song lyrics. I’ve got another article up on FaithWriters and am going to try to become more involved there.
What is next? Only God knows, but I’m glad He keeps track of it so I don’t have to. Lots going on in my life. Lots of hurdles and trials as of late. But I am striving to gain ground.
What has happened? It is all lost within the fog of work, the coming of spring, and everyday life.
But not all is lost. My latest book is in its final editing stages. I have written a few articles and have even attempted some song lyrics. I’ve got another article up on FaithWriters and am going to try to become more involved there.
What is next? Only God knows, but I’m glad He keeps track of it so I don’t have to. Lots going on in my life. Lots of hurdles and trials as of late. But I am striving to gain ground.
1/29/09
“Do you really think you need a publisher to tell somebody about God?” This was a question asked of me by one of my best friends. My answer? A realization and an admitted, “No.” And that is why I have decided to wander into the world of self-publishing for my next novel.
While I work out details with Beyond Yesterday, my devotion book is still in its editing stages, and I will be seeking traditional publishing for it.
I’m learning a lot about patience and endurance lately. Whether intended by God, or simply a natural byproduct of my circumstances, it’s teaching me some lessons. Life has been hard. But not hard enough not to pull through. And certainly not too hard for God.
Today I learned that I might have an opportunity to talk a little about my writing experience on Atlantic’s local cable station. Sounds like a terrifying but neat opportunity there. We shall see what develops.
While I work out details with Beyond Yesterday, my devotion book is still in its editing stages, and I will be seeking traditional publishing for it.
I’m learning a lot about patience and endurance lately. Whether intended by God, or simply a natural byproduct of my circumstances, it’s teaching me some lessons. Life has been hard. But not hard enough not to pull through. And certainly not too hard for God.
Today I learned that I might have an opportunity to talk a little about my writing experience on Atlantic’s local cable station. Sounds like a terrifying but neat opportunity there. We shall see what develops.
1/16/09
Resolution
As January came into full swing, once again I found myself writing a letter to my family and friends about the year gone by. I’ve pasted it below, portraying my feelings about 2008, and my goal for 2009...
2008. Hard to believe that it is now a year of the past, not the present. Time is funny that way. We can turn the hands of our clock back as much as we want, but it does nothing to stop the hands of time itself. Would I want to? Probably not. There’s too much to look forward to in 2009 to want to stay in the past. There can be no joy in living regrets - only in keeping one’s eyes focused ahead to what God has in store.
A YEAR OF PASSIONS
My writing is probably one of the biggest ongoing things in my life (surprise, surprise). In the springtime, my third novel, Silent Ride, was released. Another paged turned in the grand adventure I’m in. Once I had “finished” that project I hit a dry spell in my writing. Though continuing to write daily, unpublished short stories, devotional thoughts and poems were what took up most of my creative time. My novels were put aside until my zeal returned. The lack of interest persisted longer than anticipated, and one novel sat near completion for over a year without being touched. I’m happy to say that just a few weeks ago, the novel bug bit me again, and I’m once more totally engrossed in my books - yes…that was plural.
Beyond Yesterday is the working title of my fourth novel. Its unedited version now awaits publication. The release date? God knows the answer to that one. The hunt for a publisher has risen again, so a portion of my spare time is spent in research. Once I hit “the end” of that novel, it was on to the next. I had started The Right Lead over three years ago, but stopped to write other things. I’ve picked that one up again and am well on my way. It’s a fun plot with enough twists to keep me on my toes as I write, and I look forward to when it will be in print as well.
While I might not have been engrossed in fictional plots during the year, I did take a side trip down a different writing path that led me to write God at the Reins. Written for horse lovers, it contains fifty-two devotions that are horse-related and offer encouragement and inspiration for the Christian walk. My mom has helped me greatly with this project, and it’s been fun. At about the same stage as my fourth novel though, it’s on to the publisher hunt with this one as well.
God has blessed me time and time again through my writing, and I look forward to what He’s got in store for me next.
Apart from manipulating words, I’m still working full-time at Deaf Missions where another passion grows. Being a part of this ministry may sometimes feel simply like a “job,” but there are days that I receive a gentle reminder from God that this is indeed His ministry and I am His tool no matter what small tasks I may be doing.
The more I look back at my spiritual growth, the more I see how far I have yet to go. God had given me ample opportunities for this growth, and I can only hope that I please Him during this next year and beyond. Whether it’s my one-on-one contact with people, or through my writing, my resolution for 2009 is to be a light.
I’m still living in the country, still have horses, and still attend church in Atlantic. Not much has changed, but there are days when that is a blessing in itself.
They say that 2009 will be a tough year because of the economy... I say it will be a great year because it’s the low times that provide even more opportunities for God’s blessings.
May He bless YOU this year. Happy New Year!
2008. Hard to believe that it is now a year of the past, not the present. Time is funny that way. We can turn the hands of our clock back as much as we want, but it does nothing to stop the hands of time itself. Would I want to? Probably not. There’s too much to look forward to in 2009 to want to stay in the past. There can be no joy in living regrets - only in keeping one’s eyes focused ahead to what God has in store.
A YEAR OF PASSIONS
My writing is probably one of the biggest ongoing things in my life (surprise, surprise). In the springtime, my third novel, Silent Ride, was released. Another paged turned in the grand adventure I’m in. Once I had “finished” that project I hit a dry spell in my writing. Though continuing to write daily, unpublished short stories, devotional thoughts and poems were what took up most of my creative time. My novels were put aside until my zeal returned. The lack of interest persisted longer than anticipated, and one novel sat near completion for over a year without being touched. I’m happy to say that just a few weeks ago, the novel bug bit me again, and I’m once more totally engrossed in my books - yes…that was plural.
Beyond Yesterday is the working title of my fourth novel. Its unedited version now awaits publication. The release date? God knows the answer to that one. The hunt for a publisher has risen again, so a portion of my spare time is spent in research. Once I hit “the end” of that novel, it was on to the next. I had started The Right Lead over three years ago, but stopped to write other things. I’ve picked that one up again and am well on my way. It’s a fun plot with enough twists to keep me on my toes as I write, and I look forward to when it will be in print as well.
While I might not have been engrossed in fictional plots during the year, I did take a side trip down a different writing path that led me to write God at the Reins. Written for horse lovers, it contains fifty-two devotions that are horse-related and offer encouragement and inspiration for the Christian walk. My mom has helped me greatly with this project, and it’s been fun. At about the same stage as my fourth novel though, it’s on to the publisher hunt with this one as well.
God has blessed me time and time again through my writing, and I look forward to what He’s got in store for me next.
Apart from manipulating words, I’m still working full-time at Deaf Missions where another passion grows. Being a part of this ministry may sometimes feel simply like a “job,” but there are days that I receive a gentle reminder from God that this is indeed His ministry and I am His tool no matter what small tasks I may be doing.
The more I look back at my spiritual growth, the more I see how far I have yet to go. God had given me ample opportunities for this growth, and I can only hope that I please Him during this next year and beyond. Whether it’s my one-on-one contact with people, or through my writing, my resolution for 2009 is to be a light.
I’m still living in the country, still have horses, and still attend church in Atlantic. Not much has changed, but there are days when that is a blessing in itself.
They say that 2009 will be a tough year because of the economy... I say it will be a great year because it’s the low times that provide even more opportunities for God’s blessings.
May He bless YOU this year. Happy New Year!
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