Stories of Faith, Hope, and Love
Welcome to the waiting room! Let’s address the elephant in the room: I’m still waiting for my editor to finish work on both the prequel novella and book three in the upcoming series. Still waiting for my turn to fix any issues, format them into something that actually resembles a book, and make plans for how to get it/them into your hands. Which means you’re waiting too! (Meanwhile, in a side note, I’m also waiting
I don’t know about your neighborhood or household, but around here, back-to-school fall activities are ramping up. (Then again, I’m married to a teacher and football coach so it’s more obvious than if he were in another profession.) It’s that time of year when summer melts into fall and vacation mode transitions back to regular routines. Unless you’re a dear friend of mine. She’s been in full-planning and anticipation mode for taking her entire family (husband, four
Hello from a slightly-less-stressed author! The good news is that the chaos has settled to within acceptable normal limits and my brain cells are talking to each other once again. Phew! But I have to say that in the middle the worst of it, I was reminded of a powerful lesson for life that I’m going to share simply to help spare you some of the agony and frustration. It all started with a traffic light.
Good morning from Missouri! Yes, this girl dragged a lot of family (i.e. her parents, husband, two adult children, a daughter-in-law, and a grandson) across several state lines in a 14-hour drive from Colorado to Branson. Road trips in December can get a little risky with winter weather, but it was worth it! Why? Because our youngest now lives in Missouri and this is the busiest time of the year in his new job building hand-crafted furniture at
Some of you dear readers have been on my email list for long enough to remember (and have been praying for) our ongoing estate issue saga. For those who are new (or those who could use a quick refresher), here’s the shortish version: My mother-in-law passed away very unexpectedly in the fall of 2022 and my personal writing schedule took a backseat to wrangling the details of her complicated multi-state estate. (i.e. three states and three probate
This week marks the beginning of a new year with so many possibilities ahead. Coffee dates with friends. Bible studies with a small group. Trails to hike. Books to read. Stories to create. Meals to fix. Love to share. But things don’t always go according to plan! Case in point: 2023. I started off last year full of HOPE that we would get through the myriad of details to finalize my mother-in-law’s estate. ?Then we
Yes, that’s a curve ball. And it’s not just a type of pitch in baseball. It’s also an unexpected occurrence or thing that causes confusion or uncertainty. (And isn’t life just filled with those!) Except not all curve balls are bad. Some are actually good. Or at least can lead to unexpected good results. For example, my pole-vaulting son (see my last email for more of that story) got a last-minute invitation to the “last
“Mom? My shins hurt again.” Actually, the bad news started with a text message on a Friday night: Could you schedule me an appointment at OCR in 2 weeks? OCR being the nickname for the Orthopedic and Spine Center of the Rockies, a.k.a. the sports injury and broken bone doctors. One of whom we’ve seen too many times over the past few years. Let’s start with some background. My youngest son’s love of running started in
As 2019 wraps to a close with 2020 around the corner, I’ve started reflecting on the past year…and decade. There’s a lot to celebrate as I’ve been reaching milestones and setting new goals. It’s been quite the journey down that twisting, turning, don’t-know-where-this-will-lead road of writing for publication. After all, the real dream began in 2004 with the first manuscript finished in 2005. first non-fiction contract in 2006, first published book in 2007, and eventually
When I started blogging in 2009, I wrote a lot about Life’s journey and the fact it was often filled with mountains, valleys, detours, foggy conditions, construction delays, and sometimes stretches of clear road. Whether it was living with a chronic illness, caring for a loved one with special needs, or pursuing a dream, I shared about my journey in order to inspire and encourage you on your journey. Well, our family’s journey is being