On the front lines or behind the scenes: your presence is your purpose
Over the years, I’ve been guilty of whiling away my time trying to figure out my “life’s purpose.” When my husband, Bob was hit by a drunk driver almost two decades earlier, I used to assume there must be some grand plan for his survival—a cause bigger than ourselves. Fast-forward to present day. After my…
Hey Princess: recognizing your worth
Last month, I took my car in for maintenance and the gentleman at the register asked for my name. “Chris,” I told him. “You don’t look like a Chris,” he replied. Without missing a beat, I responded, “You can call me Princess.” He laughed and asked if I have a tutu and I said, “No,…
Delayed gratification: wait for it
Out like a lion, in like a lamb. That’s what my husband, Bob and I had been hoping for as we bid farewell to March. But that’s not how it happened on the mountain where we live at 6,800 feet. And while we awaited the arrival of spring, we were also anticipating Bob’s hip replacement…
To improve is to change: figuring out what works best
Have you ever made changes to improve your well-being, and then wondered if it was worth it? For the past six months, I’ve been tacking on new goals to support a healthier lifestyle (see “Incremental changes that add up”). In addition to adding a new supplement to my diet and daily strength-training, I’ve also upped…
Set apart: shining your light before others
In the same way, let your light shine before others… ~ Matthew 5:16 The other morning, I approached the town’s postal clerk and asked, “What’s the good word?” “Obnoxious,” he replied, eyes twinkling. “And why is that?” He seemed to contemplate my question. “Because that’s what I am.” We laughed, then engaged in small talk…
Better late than never: pursuing our dreams
I consider myself a “late bloomer” as it pertains to chasing my dream of becoming a published author. Since I was a little girl, however, I’ve wanted to be a writer. I finally pursued this dream seriously when I returned to school in my mid-40s and earned my B.A. in literature, writing & film, followed…
Ordering our days: pause and pray
Recently I participated in a guest interview conducted by author Diana Leagh Matthews, and one of her questions was: What’s the biggest struggle you have as a writer? While I’ve always wrestled with limiting beliefs, if I had to choose one thing, I’d pick the elusive life-writing balance. As a full-time writer, I often get…
Showing up to the party: it’s a book birthday!
Today I’m thrilled to celebrate the launch of my Harlequin Love Inspired debut novel, A FATHER’S VOW—which has been 26 months in the making (see “Counting down…”)! I hope to see you on my Facebook Author Page—because what’s a party without guests? Throughout the day, I’ll be popping in with posts to introduce my new…
Asking the tough questions: how to best serve your life ‘story’
I worked with a writing coach a few years ago. As a “plotter,” I crave structure—a roadmap of sorts—before I begin a new writing project. But similar to what oftentimes happens in real life, stories are prone to get off track. To help combat that, my coach recommended reviewing my outline each week to confirm…
Strong and courageous: readjusting expectations when answered prayers fall short
Recently I shared with Facebook readers and newsletter subscribers about “Strong and Courageous,” a new story of mine featured in Guideposts’ forthcoming book “Exploring God’s Promises: Hope,” which follows my family’s account of God’s promise fulfilled—in the midst of trauma and uncertainty—after my husband was hit by a drunk driver and resuscitated at the scene.…
Counting down: growing a book from conception to release
Have you ever wondered how long it takes to grow a book from conception to launch? In my case, it’ll be 26 months since I conceived the idea for my debut novel—“A Father’s Vow”—until its March 26 release! For a behind-the-scenes scoop, stop by to read my recent Sunday Dinner interview with author Danielle Grandinetti.…
Forging or following: finding your own way
A couple weeks ago, I grabbed my trekking poles and followed a trail from our neighborhood into the national forest. Normally an easy route to navigate, deep snow rendered the path undetectable. With no human tracks to follow, I drew on past experience until a few familiar landmarks confirmed my location. And I started thinking…