The Conference!

I thought it would be interesting to check out my blog from last year after I attended the ACFW conference, but then I realized I changed my blog after that, so the archives are gone. I think I might have said pretty much the same thing I'm going to say this year.
WOW.
What an amazing group of writers! What an awesome time we had together, basking in the presence of God and learning more about what He wants for us as we write for Him. I have so much to say that I don't even know where to begin.
I had some great appointments, and I'm really inspired and encouraged. I'm rewriting part of Yesterday's Tomorrow, and I feel good about that. It's the right thing to do. I'm setting goals and hoping to be able to stick with them.
Outside of all that, I came away with something rather profound. I shared it with the ACFW group already, but I'll post it here as well.


I AM a writer.

Pretty simple, right? Not really. You see, for many years, I believed that my writing was just a hobby, something to do when the kids napped and I didn't want to do laundry. I don't think anyone really understood what it was I was trying to do.
I don't think I really did either.
I didn't receive too much support on the home front in those early years, and it was hard. So hard in fact, that I dropped the whole idea. I didn't believe in myself, and I wasn't walking closely enough with the Lord to hear His call on my life.
Since joining ACFW two years ago, and knowing without a doubt that this is what God has for me, I've slowly begun to believe in myself. This group - you - have been largely instrumental in this through the encouragement and knowledge you've sent my way since I joined. I've learned SO much, and I have so much yet to learn, but this weekend I experienced a paradigm shift. I don't know exactly how it happened or when...but on Sunday morning during worship, I heard a whisper...This is who you are."
And I knew.
Not only am I HIS, completely, under His care and direction, I am also who He has called me to be. I am following the path He has for me.
I am a writer. For Him.
My words may never make it to print, but that really doesn't matter. I'm being obedient. That's what matters. And I feel His pleasure.

Drawing closer to Him daily.

I'm Off to the Conference!

I leave on Wednesday for the American Christian Writer's Conference in Dallas!
Last year Stephen went along with me, but this year I'm flying solo. As I've probably
mentioned, I'm not a great fliyer - so I'm not looking forward to that part of it.
However, I'm so excited to be going to the conference I'm hoping that will
take my mind of the flights!
I have two appointments at which I will be chatting with an editor and an
agent about my new book, Yesterday's Tomorrow.
While I am not being overly confident, I am hopeful that God will lead
me to somebody who would like to take a look at this book.
It's been a long time in coming, and I know I may still need to find much patience...
The conference isn't really about getting published, but it does provide opportunities
to knock on doors I might otherwise not be able to.
I would appreciate your prayers for safe travel, as well as for my time at the conference, and
also for Stephen and Chris who will be survivng on their own for six days!!

I'm Back - Did you miss me?

Well, after struggling with dial-up at the cottage in Canada, I eventually gave up and decided to forego blogging for the summer. But now fall is here, and we are home, and real life begins again!
We dropped Sarah off to her university on Saturday. I must confess that it was one of the hardest things I have ever done.
Even though I know she's excited, I know it's a wonderful new phase in her life, it was heartbreaking for me.
I really felt as though I was losing my baby. And in a way, I am.
She's off and running, out in to the big bad world, and no longer under our roof.
Letting go is a pretty painful process.
I'm so thankful she has Jesus watching over her.
I'm even more thanful that she knows it.

Okay, before I get all teary again, I'll stop.
I'm off to the ACFW conference in less than two weeks! I am very excited and pray God will
provide amazing opportunities and experiences for all of us there.

And I finally gave in and purchased a digital camera over the summer, so I will be posting pictures in the near future.

Stay tuned...