Merry Christmas!

I am so very thankful for you! There are no words to describe the affection I have for you.

The last four months have been a whirlwind! Not just in launching this blog, but also in learning tech tricks and terminology I never knew existed. Baby, I’m living proof Old Dogs can learn new tricks! Ha! And I’m still learning. I’ll be continuously tweaking as I understand more and get better at doing this. But hey, that’s what growth is all about, right?

I’ve also grown in my relationship with God these last few months!

I’ve learned to trust His leading and guiding as I’ve relinquished control. I’ve learned to lean on Him and follow His direction as I enter into unknown territory. When I feel lost and alone—scared out of my mind—I’ve learned to have confidence He’s there beside me. I’ve felt Him hold me as I cried, I’ve heard Him whisper to my heart, and I’ve seen Him fan the flame of hope inside my soul. His goodness and mercy continually humble me.

One of His biggest blessings is you.

I am so thankful for you, your support, your love, and your encouragement. God has blessed me through you, and I overwhelmed by your graciousness. Your comments bless me and keep me motivated. Your likes encourage me to keep going. And your shares let me know God blessed you with the words He’s given me.

This is my last post for 2017.

But when we come back together on January 2, 2018, I will have a few new things in play, including a Giveaway!

1. I will make a few changes to my website.
   • I will be adding a static page containing
     • My most recent blog post
     • My publishing goals for the year
     • The progress I’m making toward those goals
   • There will be a separate page for my older blog posts
2. I will be writing a newsletter every two weeks for those who subscribe to my website. (We can determine if I need to shorten or lengthen the time between as time goes.) If you have not subscribed yet, I invite you to do so so you can stay in the know and receive more personal updates from me on What’s Next.
   • As a subscriber,
     • You’ll be invited to join me on my publishing journey. I have no idea what is all in store, but I’m confident it will be exciting.
     • You’ll have more detailed, up to date information on my publishing/writing goals and what I’m doing to achieve them then what’s on my website.
     • You’ll be the first to know about all Giveaways.
     • You’ll be able to influence what I write about by offering feedback or suggestions of
     • You’ll know what my prayer requests are and share yours with me.
       • I will be sharing prayer requests as I obediently pursue publishing.
       • I know it’s a lengthy process with many mountain tops and valleys, and your prayers are important in this success of this journey.
     • I plan to send the first newsletter out between Christmas and New Years.
       • This is one of those “New tricks” I was talking about.

3. I’ve been vulnerable to you on my blog, but I also want to be transparent about where God is leading me and the steps I need to take on this road of obedience.
   • I hope to encourage you on your own road of obedience in the process.
4. I plan to post a new blog post every 3 days.
   • This will give me time to
     • Work on the Bible study I’m writing for publishing
     • Rewrite the book proposal (done before the Christian Writers’ conferences I will be attending in July 2018)
     • Craft a query letter
     • And complete my Compel Christian Writers Training

Again, thank you for your love and support. You are why I write.

 

‘The people who walk in darkness

will see a great light.

For those who live in a land of deep darkness,

a light will shine.

You will enlarge the nation of Israel,

and its people will rejoice.

They will rejoice before you

as people rejoice at the harvest

and like warriors dividing the plunder.

For you will break the yoke of their slavery

and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.

You will break the oppressor’s rod,

just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.

The boots of the warrior

and the uniforms bloodstained by war

will all be burned.

They will be fuel for the fire.

For a child is born to us,

a son is given to us.

The government will rest on his shoulders.

And he will be called:

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His government and its peace

will never end.

He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David

for all eternity.

The passionate commitment of the  Lord  of Heaven’s Armies

will make this happen!’

Isaiah 9:2-7

Merry Christmas, Beloved! As we celebrate our Savior’s advent, let’s keep our eyes ready, waiting, and expectant for His return.

Blessings!