Unexpected Sick...

Well, my husband and I are supposed to be heading out tomorrow to visit relatives in New York, but instead we find ourselves battling unexpected colds. First my son got it from work, and now we have it.

Then our dog began to act strangely and having accidents in the house which is not like her. We took her to the vet today and found out she has a bladder infection and possible stones. So a bit of a double whammy as we are attempting to make this trip north to see our parents.

It's strange to wonder why these kinds of things happen, and when we are trying to do something right. I remember when I took off a few years back to attend a Christian Women's conference down in North Carolina. When I returned, full of God and things I had learned, lo and behold, a hail storm had come roaring in the previous day and utterly destroyed my garden. Here I was doing something deemed "good" and yet I got whammed.

Sometimes it's hard to see God at work during these times in our lives. But without them, we cannot continue to build in our faith and trust in Him that He has our best interests in mind, despite our condition. That He knows and understands and will see us through. Maybe you are at that point, thinking you have done some great things for God with your writing ministry, but instead of reward, there is trial. Take heart. God has not forgotten you. It may be an unexpected turn in the road. Or a time He wants you to build yourself up in your most holy faith. The trial is only for a moment. His favor is for a lifetime.

As we are heading to NY hopefully by Wednesday, I will blog when I return after July 8th.

Storms, Ghost Towns, and Writing...

Greetings. We are back from a week's stay down on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. On one of our days, we took a pilgrimage to a lone "ghost" village at Cape Lookout National Seashore called Portsmouth Village. I came here to do some research for a book series focusing on the history of the Outer Banks. Portsmouth Village used to be a booming place in the 1800's for ships carrying goods to the US mainland. Then lo and behold, a new inlet formed from a hurricane and the fishing / shipping rights moved to Hatteras Island. Portsmouth Village slowly died away. It just goes to show what hurricanes can do to change people's livelihood, not just by its destructive power in wrecking houses, but how it can change the landscape itself. In fact, we were a part of that change on Portsmouth, awaiting our boat ride back to Ocracoke Island. Boats can no longer used the principal dock near the tidal basin (which we were unaware of) but now must use a new inlet a hurricane carved two years ago out of the sandy shore. When we discovered that fact we had missed our ride, as the dock is over a mile away from the departure area. Thankfully the ship's captain did come back for us, so we did not have to make an unplanned overnight stay in this ghost town! But it did make for an interesting adventure.

So, too, storms may do destruction in your life as a writer. You may find that the places, the books, the things you once did as a writer no longer exist or are no longer profitable. But be of good cheer, for God certainly has formed a new resting place, and new inlet if you will, for you to use and to lay anchor. The old passes away, but behold, the new will come.

Blazing Hot

Well, it is blazing hot in Virginia which is not atypical for the month of June, but it is certainly an eye opener as well that summer is here, and with a bang. The change of season always amazes me. How perfect it is and in step too with the months. Cold wintry days in in January. Pleasant spring breezes in April. Crisp cool days of color on October. And now hazy, hot and humid. We can count on it all happening in a perfect rhythm, just like the rising and setting of sun, because God is in control of it all.

So, too, we can count on God that He is also in full control of the seasons of our lives. The changes that can come. Maybe cold here. Hot there. But His timing is perfect, and each season is filled with its own special fruits. Maybe right now you are like me - in the blazing heat with your writing that appears to be wilting and drying up as you await an open door. But take heart. A new season is approaching, and it will not delay. The rains will fall, the tide will change, the weather will cool. And the doors will open at the most perfect time.

Next week I am on vacation at the beach, so I will not be blogging. See you on June 23rd!

God speed.

Hard to Know...

...what to write this week, that is.

As a writer, not much is happening...

Okay, scratch that.

As a writer, plenty of things are happening, though maybe not in front of my eyes.

It's called faith at work. Faith unseen. Thus I have not posted a picture with this blog post. I am working on faith unseen. Faith that things are happening with my writing ministry even though it is slow to come. I have so many proposals out there but have heard nothing and seen less.

So now one must walk by faith and not by sight.

However, I did hear from two readers this past week. One ordered a bunch of my out-of-print books. The other e-mailed me sweet and kind words about one of my books - The Wish (which recently came out in hardback).

"I would like to thank you soooo much for writing books that are wonderful in content, easy to read and Christian based. In today's world where there is mostly immorality and curse words, it makes reading worthwhile again. We have just discovered your books, recently having read The Wish. My 87 year old mother-in-law loved the large print but especially the story content. She recently had eye surgery and is having such a great time reading again. I read this book in one sitting and have put the other 2 Virginia Weddings and 1 Kentucky Wedding on call at the library. Please keep up your wonderful work. It is very much needed."

Wow, what a wonderful communication to lift one's spirits. And a gentle reminder that God is faithful, even as we walk by faith, not by sight.