Six years ago today I stepped into the world of publishing and life hasn’t been the same since:)
Here are a few highlights…
A small gathering of Revell authors, editors, and marketing staff…
Fellow Books&Such Literary Agency authors…
First awards banquet in Denver. This handsome Highlander isn’t my agent (Janet Grant is), but Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary looks better in a kilt!
Childhood friends from Kentucky…
First box of books fresh from the printer…
4 books later, galleys…again:)
Bookcards and bookmarks…
The wild world of publicity and marketing…
Lael in the Netherlands…
Among friends at Seattle and Portland signings…
Morrow…a true book of the heart.
Many book venues…
and more desserts…
Travel at home…
and away…
Retailer catalogs…
The incredible world of cover art…BrandonHill…
More bookstores…
One 18th-century dress…
Sometimes I long for my once clean desk…but how boring would that be?!
If you’re a writer, I’d love to hear what you’re working on or answer any questions you have about writing or publishing.
If you’re a reader, thanks so much for being there!
Laura, What an exciting journey you’re on! I am still working to wrap up my time travel book, and “Hannah’s Story” keeps crossing my mind. I so want to know her better, even if I have to make it up myself. Blessings!
What a special glimpse into your journey, Laura! I just love seeing these pictures and where you have come from day one. Especially, how it’s the little milestones that stood out and that you remember to this day. Those moments of your first box of books arriving and of the catalogs, and your travels. All so special!
I’m working on a new series idea that my agent has just sent to my publisher. The nerves have kicked in once again to see what they’ll say, and it’s making it difficult to just buckle down and write–I find myself with such butterflies the whole time. 🙂
Joanne, SO thrilled there’s another project in the works! I was wondering that as I finished Though My Heart is Torn if you were dreaming about another set of characters. Butterflies come right along with that, I know:) Prayers with you. I’m excited to hear more when the time comes. I’m just like you when something is up in the air or happens out of the blue – hard to focus and write! I’ve had quite a few of those days…
Thanks for celebrating with me:) You’re such a joy to know and have on the journey!!
Congratulations Laura on your 6 years in the publishing world! God has blessed with you so much – particularly that amazing writing talent of yours 🙂
Thank you for sharing your photographic mementos, it’s lovely to see some of the highlights of your journey. Makes me hope for my own one day 🙂
As for my writing, I can’t seem to work on my MS without some major motivation, and with great breaks in between. So I haven’t done anything since NaNoWriMo! God willing I will resume writing in March for Seekerville’s Speedbo, would love to finally finish my first draft by the end of it (need about 30K words, I think).
Wishing you many many more years in publication!
Helen, I think of you and your girls and mum so often. Great to catch up on your writing journey – you always teach me something:) This time it’s Speedbo! Leave it to Seekerville to do something clever and catchy and motivating!
I understand so well those long breaks and motivational bumps, especially when my boys were small. I think you’re doing so well given all that is on your plate. I hope this post encourages you – every step you take is a step closer:) You are a model of perseverance!
Thanks for being here. Looking forward to March and Speedbo. Prayers with you all the way!
Thanks for sharing your books and your journey Laura! 🙂
Anne, You make the journey so special, Anne, with your quiet presence which does wonders!! I so hope we can meet in Indy this fall. Praying about all that. Thanks for your friendship and far more!
Fun, Laura. And beautiful like the author it highlights and her books.
Ann, Thanks so much for your gracious words. You’ve always been an inspiration to me. I’ll never forget (but hopefully you have!) when I emailed you about those first copy edits. Oh my, glad we’re down the road a bit. When I feel tired I think of you and your amazing, long term career and feel compelled to keep going. Thanks for being there for me.
Happy publishing anniversary! What a great chronicle of your journey in that crazy world.
Oh Anne, So well said – crazy it is, my friend, from one crazy author to another:) I’m thankful you’re in the game the same time I am. It’s quite humbling when you think publishing doesn’t need us and could do quite well without us but for a space and time we’ve connected here through our love of books. And speaking of books, I can’t wait for yours!!!
A huge congratulations to you on such an anniversary! Those desserts look amazing, by the way! Are those leaves on the dress?
I can only imagine that one of the most exciting parts of being a published author is getting that first box of author’s copies. Seeing the beautiful cover with your name on it– a story from your heart manifested in your very hands. WOW.
I’m taking a sort of sabbatical from writing to do some in depth research. It’s really hard, though, because I have all these ideas swirling in my head! Hero and Heroine names already established, along with two secondary characters. Setting/exact year roughly established. Opening and I think ending already forming, too. As a lover of reading and writing historical fiction, though, I’m holding back the actual writing to push on in the research– which has been a lot of fun!
Can you choose between your babies and pick a favorite book you’ve written?
Whitney
Whitney, I thought of you when I prepared this post, knowing it might feed your writer’s heart:) Yes, those desserts look and were amazing! And those are leaves on the dress (silk taffeta with gold embroidery). I keep waiting to wear it and the matching hat but alas it’s still hanging patiently in my closet!
You’re so right about that first box of books. It was so interesting to me to see SO MANY of them stacked neatly in that box. The print run is always quite a bit before release day. Studying the box taught me a lot about publishing!
LOVE that you’re knee deep in research till things fall into place in your heart and head about this particularly story. What you’ve said is an echo of my own process. Research always leads to names and characters and beginnings and scenes. I buy those little LEGACY notebooks and fill them up as I go. The trouble is pinning all those swirling ideas to paper as scenes and snippets of dialogue come quite haphazardly. But maybe that’s half the fun of it. I’ve always said writers are a little crazy;)
Oh, books are truly like babies, thank you:) I love them all for different reasons. For Lael it would be the Ky history therein. For Morrow it would be the marital thread. For Roxanna it would be Colonel McLinn! I must say I’ve never felt so close to a hero like I have him. Maybe because he was the first I wrote using the hero’s POV. I felt I really understood what made him tick and sympathized with him on every level. And then there’s Love’s Reckoning which is a favorite because of the brokenness and restoration and endurance. Oh my, I feel a novella coming on with this answer…! Bless you for your very thoughtful questions and for being here.
I love that you thought of me when writing this. 🙂
“The trouble is pinning all those swirling ideas to paper as scenes and snippets of dialogue come quite haphazardly.”
This is so true. A developed story has to tie all those scenes and snippets of dialogue together. That is the hard part!
When you wear that dress, you must post a picture to your journal!
Love your answer on your favorite aspect of each book. They are special in different ways. 🙂
Thanks for sharing!!
Whitney
You’re so welcome, Whitney:) You ask the best questions, from one writer’s heart to another’s!!
Laura, my friend, it has been an awesome journey for you and I am so excited to see what happens next!
Love your enthusiasm, dear Ruth:) “Next” will be that cover you and Brandon Hill created! I am still gobsmacked as Kav would say over that little coincidence. Or maybe we’ll call it divine instance:) You’ve been a very special part of my journey and I’m so honored to call you friend. Thanks for all you do for me and my work!!
Thanks for sharing your whirlwind success in pictures. Loved revisiting it all. Can’t believe it’s been six years though. Seems like just yesterday Lorna introduced me to your first book and I dashed to the bookstore after work to pick it up. May there be many more books to come!
Oh, I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you, Kav! I didn’t realize that about Lorna. I should have known she was your link to my books. Thanks so much for taking time for these pictures. I really wanted to make a collage of reader pics to express my thanks but am not savvy enough to do that:(
I think of you so often and hope you that Simba are buried in books:) I’d love to meet you both! Someday, I hope…
Laura, CONGRATULATIONS on six years! SO happy that you joined the writing world. It has been such a joy getting to know you and reading your stories. I enjoy your writing style so much and always hate to see your stories come to an end. Thank you SO much for creating something wonderful for us to enjoy. Here’s to another six years and beyond! 🙂
Dear Angi, Another six years is quite an interesting thought! Sometimes I don’t know if I’ll make it to tomorrow, lol;) But God is good and keeps me going. Hopefully the well won’t run dry. You said the magic words ~ “hate to see your stories come to an end.” Thanks so much for that. It blesses me more than you know, just as you do, always.
What a beautiful documentation of your years in publishing! I am so glad Revell took a chance on a new author and has given me a beloved collection of books and a sweet friend!
Casey, Thanks so much for being here:) It’s so interesting that every writer’s journey is so different. I look forward to seeing you several years down the road (or maybe in the very near future!). You’re doing all of the things I wish I’d done prior to publication. I’m still trying to catch up! Plus you have your family’s backing and encouragement which is so huge. I did, too, beginning with my brother. So, so thankful we’re together in this:)
“Making a promise has kept Natanii alive, but keeping it may kill him. Freed after years of abuse, Sarah wants to live, but can she survive falling in love? In one dark night, a loaded revolver and their two broken hearts collide. But will the truth come in time, or will one bullet destroy them both?”
Don’t ask me why, but I am compelled to write about emotional and spiritual healing after catastrophic loss, cross cultural relationships and misconceptions, the bond of marriage for people who have come out of a dark past and the joy and upheaval that is falling in love when all these factors are entered into the equation.
All set against the back drop of The Long Walk of the Navajo and the history of the Navajo nation.
So yeah, nothing light and fluffy here.
A question? Hmmm. How good are you at querres? 😉
Jennifer, That’s a terrific synopsis – succinct and with a punch! There’s nothing that I know of in the CBA about the Navajo right now and their history, etc. No doubt you write about such things because that’s your passion and you feel called to “messy” history, much like I do. There is a place for this kind of fiction. Your second paragraph is very telling – a great glimpse into your heart and head.
I stink at queries;) Maybe because I’ve never written one! I always find myself at the go-to blogs for things like that and they’re probably ones you already peruse – Chip MacGregor, Books&Such, and Steve Laube. I saw a terrific proposal by Kaye Dacus posted on Chip’s the other day (hope I’m remembering correctly). I’m thinking a sample query would be there, too. Based on what you’ve written here, I don’t think you need much help! I will check around and try to see who might be a query master:)
You’re too sweet!!
Yes, “messy” history!!
And as for the query, I was teasing. I hope I’m good to go.
But, sadly, Mizz Frantz. I do have a huge issue with LR…you failed at making it LONGER!!!
I was up til 12am, and I could have kept going, but NOOOOOOO. you had to end it?
That’s it, only ONE slab of cheesecake for you at ACFW.
😉
LOL, Jennifer, I love that you devoured the book – we’ll put that cheesecake on hold;) More than anything, am glad you liked it. It’s full of messy history we love! And I could just KISS YOU for saying you wanted it longer. When I typed THE END (always hate that), I kept on writing the wedding scene and beyond because I just had to see what happened and didn’t want to quit. The deleted scene following Silas’s proposal was posted on the Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt but has probably been taken down. I believe it was on MaryLu Tyndall’s blog – another great website, BTW!!
We need to start counting down till ACFW!
I am so glad you made that step into publishing! My bookshelf and my mind are better off because of it! Thanks for sharing the pictures with us! It is always fun to have a small peak into the life of an author. It makes it that much better when it is one of your favorite authors! 🙂
Emma, So glad you’re here:) You’re one of the reasons I keep writing. Being “found” by readers like you is almost a miracle in the sea of books out there and I’m always so thankful when the Lord connects us. Love when you say your mind and heart are better for it – that’s the beauty of Christian fiction as it offers hope and truths (or should). And there’s so many genres that appeal to readers now. I rarely give a peek into the writing life but it’s SO much a part of my life I wanted to share it with you. I will say, and I didn’t know how to work this into the post, that my being published is truly a miracle. The Lord opened the door as it was something I could never have done on my own.
Thanks so much for putting me in your favorites category:) I hope/pray I can keep writing the kind of books that bless your heart and mind!
A pictoral review! What a fun way to remember special milestones and moments. Do you feel like you are back in “Kansas” yet or are you still caught up in the whirlwind of writing, editing, publishing and marketing? Personally I’m thankful you said yes to the ministry of writing historical fiction with a biblical message. Congratulations on six years of writing books that are an enjoyment and blessing to your readers.
Love how you put that, Mary – “yes to the ministry of writing historical fiction with a biblical message.” That’s exactly what it is – a ministry. I’m so thankful for you and your wise words. If it wasn’t a ministry, I couldn’t do it. I’m so out of my comfort zone being so far from Kansas I forget what Kansas looked like at times! Thanks so much for your ongoing support of me and my work. It’s such a blessing to me to know you.
Your thoughts here remind me of something I just read in my current Bible study (Mercy Triumphs/Beth Moore) which bears repeating here for everyone ~
“Every good and perfect thing that has ever come into our lives has come as a gift to us from God Himself. It did not bubble up like crude oil from this earth. It flowed down like rain from the riverbank of Heaven. It was intentional. It was personal. Yet we see ourselves at the mercy of random events, abilities, and coincidences… Out of God’s astounding grace, a very imperfect person can still receive a delightfully perfect gift precisely because it is perfect for her. God’s gifts are given with goals.”
And here’s another from the same study that I particularly like about the ministry of writing or any ministry He sets in motion:
“So how on else do we serve? With serious discipline and determination, that’s how. With courage and deep conviction. With a large daily dose of the Holy Ghost, as my girlfriend says. You don’t live this kind of life accidentally. You make up your mind who you want to be and daily die to the rest. YOU SURRENDER YOURSELF TO LIVING IN THE TENSION WHERE YOU’LL ALWAYS BE STRETCHED AND OFTEN BE BROKEN. You accept that there are far easier ways to live, but you were born for nothing less.”
Hi Laura! It feels like ages since I’ve talked with you. I’ve been busy with family, and buried in my stories, trying to get FTSOOL ready to query. It feels like I’ll never be finished, but its sooo close! I know you know what that feels like. 😉
Thanks for sharing your journey in pictures, and congrats on six years! Those deserts look fantastic!
Gwen, You’re so close! I do know how that feels. It’s satisfying in its own special way. Finishing a book is a major milestone. The query is another. Now we get to watch doors swing open:) Can’t wait! Hope KY is being good to you.
Those desserts were a little too fantastic. I’m afraid I ate every one;) Thanks so much for being here! Couldn’t do it without you.
What a treat to see a glimspe of your journey, Laura! You’ve been a blessing in so many lives and your stories have captured the imaginations of hungry readers who long for more. *Raising hand!* 🙂 I can’t wait to see what the next six years brings.
Right now I’m about 26,000 words into my story inspired by the Weyerhaeusers. In a couple of days we’re leaving to go to Denver to visit my sister and I’m hoping to work on my story while my hubby drives (15 hours on the road one way!). When we come back, I’ll have a one day turn-around and then I’m off to Florida with Susan May Warren and the My Book Therapy group for a week long writing retreat. I’m really looking forward to working on my story there (uninterrupted by kiddos and housework), and getting some great feeback and learning as much as I can from Susie May, Rachel Hauck & Beth Vogt. It will be a busy couple of weeks, but I’m ready to get out of the house (and the cold!). 🙂
Gabrielle, I can’t wait to see what the next 6 years bring for you:) You’ve been a wonderful encouragement and the blessing is entirely mutual!! Just can’t say that enough…
So thrilled those Weyerhaeusers (anybody wanna spell that, lol?!) is humming along. I knew your passion for their history would serve you well and have pages flying. Have been thinking of you as you prepare for Florida – what a great venue! Writer Moms, especially, need that time away. And since you don’t get carsick you’ll be able to write your heart out all the way to Denver. I used to carry my story with me everywhere, too – writing on buses and at bus stops was my favorite venue. I can write just about anywhere and with any background noise, etc. I imagine you can say the same;) Please give your sis and her little one my best. I know your time together will be sweet!
Can’t wait to hear when you get back – prayers with you, dear Gabrielle.
Congratulations,Laura! And thanks for sharing the lovely pics.
So happy they ‘discovered’ your amazing talent. Keep up the wonderful work!
Cheers,
Sue
Susan, Always a JOY to see you:) Thanks for sharing this with me. It’s been such a perk getting to know you and having you for a writing and reading friend. I wish our paths crossed more often! Maybe we’ll meet up at ACFW if I get there and you get there. I pray your own writing is going well and all else!
Oh yah! You posted one of my favorite photos- that one with the Altered Book stamp. LOVE that. It’s such an honor to be able to see part of this journey you’re on. I’m praying you have another six years in the business…and many, many more. That second book of yours pulled me into your journey…and believe it or not, I’m thinking that I will finally (yes FINALLY) post a review about CML! LOL! The words I wish to say came to my mind a few days back. A little overdue, haha. I have hesitated because CML impacted me so much and in no way do I want to do it an injustice.
This week has been fruitful in the way of writing. Little pieces of time are so precious. I’m thankful to be able to work on this manuscript…wondering where it will lead, but it has promise of a series, I think. I so enjoy using some history of the Native Americans and the west as a backdrop. I have written some twists and turns, and heartaches, too. I’m praying the the message of God’s faithfulness is dominant throughout the story.
And, Laura..if it weren’t for your presence and your bits of encouragement, I’d feel awfully lonely in this writing world. Truly….you don’t know how much you’ve helped me. It’s a little easy to get lost in this realm of writing- and really, I get lost quite easily anyways! LOL!
Amy, I smiled when I read you love this stamp photo, too. It’s one of my very favorites:) I’m so glad Morrow snared you and landed you in my world and me in yours. What a blessing that’s been! And given your schedule, I’m amazed you want to post a review! Pls take your time and don’t feel you have to do that if it’s too much. I know what you mean when you say the words are hard to find about a beloved book. That’s one reason I struggle writing reviews for author friends. Nothing I say ever does the story justice! I often think it’s easier to write a book than a book review but bet you’ve heard that from me before!
“Little pieces of time are so precious.” Amen to that. I am always inserting writing around the busyness of life. So seldom do we get the luxury of sitting and just writing for hours on end. I think I’d flat out die and zoom skyward if that were the case…
THRILLED your story is going well and has the promise of a series. Am sure your prayer will be answered and His faithfulness will be everpresent on the page.
Thanks for being YOU and being HERE:)
Congratulations, Laura–how very blessed I and so many others are that you crossed that publishing threshold six years ago. May the Lord continue to bless and guide you and anoint your pen!
And I had to try to find that deleted scene from Love’s Reckoning when I saw you mention it in response to Jennifer above–and I found it!! 🙂
Oh Kiersti, I’m so honored you went hunting:) I hope it was worth the trouble!! If I’d known that and I would have kept writing and posted a longer excerpt. You’re a gem.
Love how you say “May the Lord continue to bless and guide you and anoint your pen!” Beautiful thought and something I pray daily. I just flat out couldn’t do it without Him. I still tell people I don’t know how to write a book – and I really don’t! But reading friends like you are so gracious.
You inspire me to keep going. Have spent all day with Rowena and James in Ballantyne Book 3 today and things are heating up:)
Bless you so much for being there.
I, for one, am very grateful that you entered the publishing world because I can’t imagine not having met Morrow or Roxanne! Thank you for inspiring us and sharing your talents.
Holly, So good to hear from you:) I’m really thankful Morrow and Roxanna stayed in your heart and head. Sometimes I wish I could rewrite those stories again just to spend time with those characters. And thanks for inspiring me to write on – you make that happen!
Happy Valentine’s Day to my favorite author friend! I love all the pictures and posts you have shared and getting to know you over the years. You’ve been a real blessing! xo
BTW I just saw that Love’s Awakening is up for pre-order on Amazon. I bet that beautiful cover is soon to pop up. 😉
xoxo,
Renee C
OH MY WORD, RENEE! I have been looking for it and didn’t know it!! You are simply THE BEST, my kind friend!! I can’t wait to go look. You’re right – that’s a red flag the cover is on the way;)
And the blessing is so mutual. You are a joy to know – I only wish there were a million more like you!! Thanks for being there and encouraging and blessing me along the way, always. Oh, and that includes Coco, too:)
x0x0x0
I am always on the lookout for new books. 😉 I figured since a few others whose books are coming out in the Fall already were popping up for pre-order that yours would be soon to follow so I’ve been looking almost everyday! I’m so excited to read it, Coco is too!!!!!!!
Thank you so much for the kind shout out in your Love’s Awakening pre-order post. 🙂
xoxo,
Renee C.
You’re so welcome, Renee. You’re just the best kind of reading friend. Coco, too:) Have a wonderful weekend!
What an incredible journey you’ve had, and thanks so much for allowing me to come along with you through each and every book! Can’t wait to see what comes next! 🙂
Christy! You’ve been a wonderful part of that journey and I thank you so very much. Love your enthusiasm and spirit (and beautiful jewelry)!! Can’t way that enough. Bless you for making the past 6 years so memorable.
I love this review of your six years in publishing. What a blessing you are to me and I know many others. I, like the others, am exceedingly gratefully that Revell took a chance on you. TFD, changed me Laura, it touched something deep in my soul and God reminded me of my own dream to write. I am so thankful for you, dear lady!
My Civil War story is coming along. I am hoping that the first draft will be finished next month. That goal might be a little ambitious, but I working hard on it. After I finish it, then I enter the wonderful world of edits!
I would love to see you in Indy. I am not sure if I am attending yet. Praying hard about that one! 🙂
Stacey, It’s so interesting to me that TFD meant something deeper and rekindled your own writing dream. I can’t tell you how honored I am knowing that. I was just talking to another writer about how the Lord places us in areas of ministry and the curious timing of things. TFD came along at the right time for you and no doubt your own stories will be just that for someone else in His perfect time. Humbling and inspiring to think about.
Civil War stories are so needed in the CBA, I think, as there was a period over the last few years when it was hard to find them! Now I hear they’re really getting traction again and I’m thrilled! I just started Lynn Austin’s post Civil War novel, ALL THINGS NEW. Hope I’m getting that right as I’m terrible at remembering titles! Prayers with you as you write and edit and get that first draft finished. I’m finishing up a first draft myself. So we’re working in tandem:)
You’ve been an amazing encourager to me in needed times. I think the best part of the writing dream is the people God places in our paths. Thanks for being you.
So awesome, Laura! Its been so great to follow along with your writing journey and then get to read the fruits of your labors! You’re such a kind and talented person, I wish all good things for you! And cant wait to see where your future books take us! 😀 Love all these pics!~
Heather, LOL! No joke but I was sitting here in my writing chair today thinking about you! And wondering/wishing we’d cross paths again soon. I do this quite often, wishing people into appearing and then they DO! Almost like magic or something;) Quite strange, actually… Now we’re only missing Amanda. She goes AWOL and then she comes round again. I’ll really chuckle if she shows next…
I imagine you are busy with designing and painting and shows, etc. It’s so like the books. Always creating and meeting deadlines, even self-imposed ones. I wish all good things for you, too! You’re doing so well. Thanks so much for taking time here. It’s been a challenging, eventful, blessed six years but you’ve made it even better:)
Oh Laura, I know I’m super late to this but I didn’t want anymore time to pass before I got to say Happy (Belated) 6th Anniversary in Publishing!!!!!!
That is SO AMAZING and I know you have MANY MORE ahead with talent like YOURS!!! Others have already said it but it certainly bears repeating; I am so very, very thankful that your wonderful works were published, and through them I not only got to experience the memorable joys and sighs between those pages, but I also gained a DEAR, SWEET FRIEND who has GREATLY BLESSED my life 🙂
May the Lord continue to bless you and your work for His glory!
Blessings,
Amanda
p.s.- I’m so honored that you used that Morrow pick in your post! A book of the heart, indeed, as it will forever have a special place in mine! 🙂
AMANDA!! You’re here! This is truly magic (spiritual magic, lol) as I JUST said to Heather here yesterday that the only one we seemed to be missing was YOU but that you ALWAYS catch up and bless us when you do! Thanks so much for your presence and gracious words. I’ll never forget you’ve been with me from the first! Absolutely no question but that the Lord linked us and I am SO blessed, as well, in more ways than I can count. I even mailed out a book and some cards today with your signature mailing labels on them:)
Glad you smiled to see Morrow on the shelf:) I get more reader mail over that book than any other, I think.
I really appreciate your prayers and encouragement. I imagine you are so busy there getting winter OUT the door and welcoming spring IN. BTW, love your new email addy:) It suits you perfectly, my friend.
LOL! Laura, that is just too crazy funny because I’m telling you the truth here when I say that I did NOT see that comment to Heather above mine! Seriously! What are the odds??! I just read it now after reading your reply to me, and I agree, it is quite strange how you just wished me here, lol! I’m still smiling at your “spiritual magic” comment 😉 Wow, I’m surprised I missed that because like hello that comment was right above the comment box!
Anyway, sorry I’ve been AWOL, my friend. Lots going on here. And, yes, winter is certainly going out like a lion. Just heard that we’re expecting another snow storm this weekend. O Spring, Spring, wherefore art thou, Spring? We’ve had to cancel church 2 Sundays in a row 🙁 (I’m dying to finish our verse by verse study of Revelations!) but prayerfully the weather won’t be too bad for this coming Sunday!
So happy to hear your girls are still in circulation with those labels! May they bring smiles wherever they travel 🙂
It was so nice talking to you, dear Laura! Again, sorry I haven’t been around too much, but you’re never too far from my thoughts! Glad you like my new email, too 😉
HUGS!!!
Amanda, I’m smiling that you’re smiling over this divine appointment here:) And I must admit, I think it’s good you go AWOL. There are several who do and another dear reader just shared that she is happier offline and is giving most of that up. Several others have said the same. Which just means there is life offline! And I must take a minute to sneak in a very humorous little plug I read from an online strategy consultant recently ~ “You will not die if you close Twitter and Facebook (or a blog). Stop messing around and start getting things done.” I keep this by my writing chair;) It helps me keep perspective – and reminds me time is a gift. I like to think of you being a kitchen diva – and a Bible study one (*wink*) – far more than a web one!!
We’re supposed to get snow here, too, tomorrow. First flakes all winter! I know you’ve had enough to last you for some time! Your Revelation study sounds fantastic. Our James study is very good and challenging, too. So very convicting. Thanks for making my Wednesday night blessed. Hugs to you, too!!!