Visiting my Alma Mater

(I posted this on my Tuesday blog on Writes of Passage, but forgot to post it here as well. Too busy writing...and packing!)

I'll be in Searcy, Arkansas this weekend visiting Harding University, my college alma mater. It's Homecoming weekend, and I'm excited to see college friends and walk those once-familiar paths.

I'll be speaking several times and having book signings so it will be a "working" weekend, but also lots of fun. If you're in the area, I'd love see you! Check the Homecoming weekend schedule here.

I made a quick run to WalMart yesterday--well, it wasn't exactly quick, though I did stick to my list--and snapped this picture on my way home...

This snapshot doesn't do the scenery justice. I love fall. It's my favorite time of year. I love the candy corn, the pumpkins, pumpkin pie, yellow and orange mums, the turning of the leaves, caramel apples, caramels wrapped in that thin cellophane that drives Jack nuts, crackling fires in the fireplace...I could go on. But I've got lots of words to write yet today so...off to it!

Wishing I could share my candy corn and caramels (literally, so I'd stop eating them!)...

Seeking His Presence

This will be quick because I'm in Atlanta visiting Dad, and we're headed out on some errands then coming back to clean out the garage. Lots of boxes and lots of stuff. We're having a great time together and I'm enjoying sorting through the memories.

I was reading in Exodus last night (sometimes I'm just drawn to that book) and came across something that Moses said that I'm praying for myself today, and for you (33:14).

Moses asked the Lord, "Then show me your glorious presence." When you have a chance, read back through that section. It's powerful and so encouraging. Never forget, God knows your name and your circumstance, and He yearns to hide you in the cleft of the rock and show you His glorious presence.

Here are some quick pics of our family during Dad's recent visit to Nashville when we went out to eat. We so love that man! He's doing well, missing Mom still, as we all are, of course, but he's finding grace and strength in his own cleft in the Rock.

(Click on pics to make them larger)

I'm adding an addendum to today's earlier post...

I asked God this morning to show my Dad His glorious presence, to remind Dad of Mom's love for him and of God's abiding presence in his life, and look what we found among the boxes in the garage...

This was written by Mom on the side of a box containing cards and letters that Dad sent to her throughout the years. Who knows when she wrote it, probably in 2007 when they moved from their former home to this one. So precious. And see what the other side said below...

Not sure if you can read it but it reads "Momentoes of Days Past, I love you, Douglas, always will! J.B." My mom's name was June, and Dad always called her "Junebug." ;)

Fun Friday in Shelbyville, TN

I joined Kathryn Cushman today for a booksigning at the New Covenant Christian Bookstore in Shelbyville and had such a nice time. Thanks to everyone who stopped by. You made us feel so welcome and I appreciated the opportunity to visit with you. You really blessed me.

Katie and me

(I'm wearing one of my mom's jackets. She always look so pretty in red. Whenever I wear something of hers, I feel her with me.)

Me and Nancy (loved meeting you today, friend)

If ever you're in Shelbyville, be sure and visit this store. Owners Dennis and Andrea Lovvorn (pictured below) are so gracious and have a beautiful Thomas Kinkade Art Gallery where we signed. I could do some serious shopping in that place. I especially love Kinkade's earlier work (created under the name Robert Girrard).

Katie, Dennis and Andrea Lovvorn, and me

I'm writing this evening, and making good progress. Back to it...

Watching life through the window

I'm sitting at my desk, writing away, and thought I'd share what Jack's doing, bless his heart...

I'm not sure if you can see it or not, but Josie, the dog across the street, is out in her yard, walking around, and Jack's a bit envious, watching her every move.

Back to it!

Booksigning in Shelbyville, TN this Friday

If you live in or near Shelbyville, Tennessee, this post is for you!

This Friday, October 16th (11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.), Kathryn Cushman and I will be signing books at the New Covenant Christian Bookstore. Details follow and hope to see you there.

New Covenant Christian Bookstore

800 N. Main

Shelbyville, TN

931-684-8878

Contact: Dennis and Andrea Lovvorn (owners)

For news on more upcoming speaking events and booksignings, visit my website.

Update on Carley and LifeWay Signing

In last week's post, I shared the story of an amazing young woman. Thanks for praying for Carley and her surgery last week. This is the update I received last Friday:

Today Carley and her family traveled to Detroit to have surgery to detach her arm from her abdomen. The surgery went well, however they were not able to fully close up her forearm. Good news is Carley has been sent home with no restrictions, she can do whatever is comfortable for her, and will be looking forward to shopping for a prosthetic hand within the next 6 weeks or so. Thank you so much for praying.

And here's a note from Carley's mom, Kristen, yesterday:

We are entering a new phase in this journey. Carley is to begin Physical Therapy this week and the doctor gave her the green light! She doesn't have any further restrictions - just what is comfortable at this point. This next few weeks will be more adjusting to her "new normal." At least she can start using her right arm. Anything is better than having it stuck to your side! She also has to start taking an on-line class to complete her requirements for graduation. Her future plans are to attend college and obtain a teaching degree. The doctor told us that it will take a good year for her arm to firm up enough for her prosthetic to fit properly. So I hope everything stays on schedule and she can head down there next fall with her new hand.

Can you imagine what an impact Carley's faith--and what God is doing in her heart right now--is going to make on her future students! To give you another glimpse into Carley's trusting heart, check out her Facebook status from Saturday:

It’s not that I don’t have an answer, it’s just not the one that I’d like, but through this time, Lord, I must keep in mind You’re always wiser than I am. You have a much better purpose and You have a far greater plan and You have a bigger perspective cause You hold this world in your hands.

How many of us have said much this same thing... "It's not that I don't have an answer, it's just not the one that I'd like." Yet she continues to trust in the Lord and doesn't lean on her own understanding. To be seventeen years old and to have that kind of faith. Bless you, Carley, and we're still praying for you, girl.

I'll close with some pictures from a booksigning this past Saturday at the Cool Springs LifeWay store in Franklin. Writer buddy Colleen Coble signed with me, and we had a great time together. Thanks to everyone who stopped by.

Had a great time signing books and chatting with readers

Me and Colleen with Rachel McRae (the creative force behind LifeWay's National Fiction Day)

Me with Jan (left) and Jennifer (right), friends from high school (so fun to see them again)

I'll leave you with a Scripture that the pastor shared on Sunday morning that really resonated with me...

"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory." Colossians 3:1 (NLT)

Dwelling on the realities of the heaven this morning and all that awaits us there...

LifeWay's National Fiction Day

LIFEWAY STORE'S

NATIONAL FICTION DAY

THIS SATURDAY

This Saturday, October 10th, is LifeWay's National Fiction Day, and LifeWay stores across the country will be hosting authors for booksignings.

If you live in the Nashville area, I invite you to stop by the LifeWay store at Cool Springs in Franklin (click for directions and store information) from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. as I'll be there signing books and would love to meet you!

You might have already received promotional materials about this event, but if you haven't, be sure to print off your 25% off coupon which is included in the recent magazine and take it with you.

Call your local LifeWay store to see who's signing in your area!

One last thing--notice the bottom of the flyer on the right. Select boxed sets will be on sale Saturday, including Fountain Creek Chronicles (Rekindled, Revealed, and Remembered)! And if you haven't read the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers, please treat yourself. Bar none, that's my all-time favorite series!

When our paths cross (and I'm so grateful they do!)

Yesterday on Writes of Passage (a group blog I'm part of), Robin Lee Hatcher shared about the joy of what we do as writers, and yesterday I experienced what I consider to be among the sweetest joys about writing--hearing from a reader and connecting with them through the story and characters, and sharing and encouraging each other in our journeys with the Lord.

Here's the email I received (shared here with Kristen and her daughter Carley's permission, of course. Carley's pictured to the right). I so appreciate the kind words about my books but even more, I appreciate them sharing their own personal journey. A painful one, but hopeful as well...

Dear Tamera,
I can't thank you enough for writing such wonderful books! I have read all of them and am looking forward to readingWithin My Heart next.

Your book, The Inheritance is close to my heart right now as my 17 year old daughter, Carley, is reading it. Since August 11th of this year she has undergone 10 surgeries which have resulted in the loss of her right hand. Right now her right arm is attached to her stomach to hopefully speed up the healing to her wrist area. She will undergo another surgery this week to detach it. These past two months have been an incredibly hard road for our family--especially for Carley.

Reading your books is one thing that has kept her going. I think it's been nice for her to be able to escape the "real world" for a little while and enjoy the company of your wonderful characters.

Her face lights up when she says, "Mom, my book is sooo good!" It's so nice to see a smile on her face as she can't do much else right now.

I hope you continue writing and sharing the wonderful gift God has given you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving my precious child a reason to smile!!!

In Christ,
Kristen in Three Rivers, MI

Kristen, I return your thanks a hundredfold even as my mother's heart aches for you, friend. To both you and Carley, I'm blessed by your faithfulness to the Lord and your courage to trust Him as He leads you down this difficult road. I firmly believe that nothing happens to believers that doesn't first filter through the loving hands of our Heavenly father. That doesn't mean we're always given the understanding behind the "why" some things happen. Not hardly.

Yet the longer I live, the less important I'm finding the "why" to be. And far more important is the "who." I know with full assurance Who holds my life, and who holds yours. And we're right beside each other in the palm of His hands. I'm praying for you, Carley, for complete healing in hand and body, as I'm sure will everyone who reads your brave story.

To learn more about Carley and her upcoming surgery this week, request to be added to "Carley's Group" on Facebook. You may also leave her and her mom, Kristen, a message here in the comments, if you'd like.

A good friend, Joe Barnett, passed along the following quote from John Cheever a while ago, and I'm reminded of it today. "I can't write without a reader. It's precisely like a kiss--you can't do it alone."

While I can technically write without a reader, it would be a far lonelier journey for me. Part of the blessing in writing is taking steps closer to the Lord as I write. And also closer to you, dear readers, as you read.

Thank you for reading and sharing your journeys with me. Carley, we're praying for you, girl.