I got something special in the mail yesterday, and I promise you, this never gets old...
I'm holding my first copy of Within My Heart
Holding that first copy of a book somehow makes everything more real. As an author, you live with these characters day in and day out for months and months and months, writing and writing, and it's so fulfilling to finally hold the real book in your hands. This book was a long journey for me from start to finish, and a hard one at times. But also a good one, in so many ways. I hope you enjoy it!
Remember the girls time I blogged about a couple of weeks ago? Well, after that weekend, I flew down to Florida where my family was already vacationing. We had a nice week, although...the first day I was there I totaled our Expedition, so things got off to a not-so-great start. But! It's just a car, right? So we rented another one for the week then another to get us back home. And we did our best not to let it slow us down. We relaxed, we shopped, we played, we ate yummy seafood. And despite BP, the beaches were beautiful!
Joe bonked his head in the accident. I/we felt bad, can't you tell?
But he/we quickly got over that and after eating at Uncle Ernies (oh delicious!), we went for a sunset walk on the beach.
All in all, we had a wonderful time and I came back home even more grateful for family and ready to dive into a brand new series. A psalm I read while in Panama City has stayed with me, and I find I keep returning to it. Psalm 37. Here are some quick nuggets:
Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.
Day by day the Lord takes care of the innocent, and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever.
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
The Creator of the Universe delights, not just cares, about every detail of your life. Wow, that certainly changes how I look at my day. I hope it changes how you view yours too. When you have a minute, check out Psalm 37. I'm betting the Lord will meet you there just like he met me.
And one last thing...
I'm thrilled to share that THE INHERITANCE was awarded the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance this past Saturday night in Orlando at the RWA Conference. I wasn't able to be present for the ceremony so sweet friend and author Julie Klassen accepted the award for me. Thanks, Julie! And thanks to RWA for this honor. I'm still smiling!
Since I don't have a pic from this weekend's events, would you allow me to share a picture that's really special to me? It's of me and Mom, back in 2007, when Revealed won the RITA for the same category (Best Inspirational Romance). Sharing that event with Mom was so precious. We had such a wonderful, and memorable, weekend together.
Dallas, 2007, when REVEALED won the RITA
for Best Inspirational Romance
Blessings on your day, and now...off to write!
