books I read in 2016 :: special edition link-up
Hard to believe we've reached the end of another year, hey? I didn't read nearly as many books in 2016 as I anticipated or hoped -- largely because I took on a number of editing projects this past year. In most of my "free" evening hours, I was editing manuscripts that other self-published authors had written. Here are the books I did manage to read, as well as the ones I'm currently busy reading, a few books on my TBR list, and links to the books I read in 2014 and 2015. Click each title below to read more about the books on Amazon (affiliate links used): The...
top heading home posts of 2016 {a year in review}
I'm still not sure where this year went. It was all a blur. Looking back, here are some highlights: In January, we considered three truths to remember when "Happy New Year" isn't enough. In February, I shared the news about signing a book contract for a memoir with Discovery House. In March we talked about how to see God's power in the midst of our limitations. In April I got to crash portions of the Festival of Faith and Writing and met some of my favorite online friends in real life! In May I shared some summer staycation ideas for families with kids. In June I wrote about how Russell...
five minute friday :: now
Well, hello there! So great to have you join us for THE FINAL FIVE MINUTE FRIDAY OF 2016!! How did that happen?!? I feel bad that I didn't give you guys advance warning, but it totally snuck up on me. 🙂 As usual, I'll be taking a two week break from Five Minute Friday over Christmas and New Year's ... BUT we have two special edition link-ups during those weeks, so be sure to come join the fun! Here's the plan for the coming weeks: This week's Five Minute Friday prompt is: [Tweet "Join Five Minute Friday as we write for five minutes on the prompt, NOW."] Here...
How to Face the Holidays After a Loss
Are you wondering how to face the holidays after a loss? Below are six practical tips for enduring the grieving process during the holiday season. I've been celebrating Christmas without my mom since 2011. I wish I could say it gets easier. This year I'm tempted to go back to Mom's church for the Christmas Eve service we attended every single year without fail. But I know I'll never make it through without gobs of snotty tissues and red, swollen eyes, so why bother? Let me start by saying that if there’s one thing I’ve learned about grief, it’s that it’s different for...
five minute friday :: joy {a guest post}
So I woke up this morning and wondered, What should the Five Minute Friday word be for this week? Then I opened my email inbox and found a message from Andrew Budek-Schmeisser, long-time faithful member of the FMF community. If you own the Five Minute Friday book, you'll know that Susan Shipe dedicated the book to Andrew -- a daily fighter and warrior against the ugly, horrific ravages of terminal cancer. This morning Andrew shared a post he wrote in advance for this week's Five Minute Friday linkup. He didn't know the word yet -- I hadn't even chosen it yet -- but his post was titled,...
craving connection :: a new book! {five minute friday :: crave}
What are you craving? I mean, besides Lindt chocolate or a hot fudge sundae, what are you really craving, deep in your soul? To be known? To be loved? To not be alone? I think deep down, behind the scenes, in our heart of hearts, we all have a longing for connection, am I right? That's one reason I'm SO excited about the upcoming release of this book, Craving Connection. I've known about this gem since April and have been DYING to tell you about it! Listen, if you're a woman -- I don't care how young or old -- you want this book. And if you're a man reading this -- well, do...
five minute friday :: surrender {+ black friday deals, special guest + giveaway!}
You're in for a real treat with this week's Five Minute Friday post! It's chock full with moving words from a special guest, loads of amazing Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, and our grand finale giveaway for Giveaway Month! This week, I invited the dear Mary Geisen to guest post for us. Mary was on the planning committee for the Five Minute Friday retreat, and she recently released her very first book, called Brave Faith: A 31 Day Devotional Journey. Mary spoke on the theme of brave faith at the Five Minute Friday retreat in August 2015 -- what a joy to see this...
The Greatest Enemy of Thanksgiving
It has been a frequent topic of conversation lately, during the drive home after school. “But Mom, why can’t we do that? All my friends at school get to do it! It’s all they ever talk about, and it’s in my face all the time! I just don’t understand!” I look at my daughter in the rearview mirror, and I see myself. I pause, knowing that a lecture is not what she needs in this moment of genuine frustration. It’s one of those times when I need to take the log out of my own eye before trying to remove the speck out of hers. I tell her I understand. That I know how she feels. That...
five minute friday :: enjoy {with a special guest + a giveaway!}
Happy weekend, everyone! Welcome to another round of Five Minute Friday! If you're new here, you can learn more about this fun writing challenge and community by clicking here. This week I'm thrilled and honored to welcome Trillia Newbell as our guest writer! I had the pleasure of interviewing Trillia back in June 2015 when her second book, Fear and Faith, was released. Sharing again here so you can catch some of her enthusiasm and passion: Then God orchestrated a way for her to attend the Five Minute Friday retreat in Nashville two months later to share a morning devotional...
writing advice and encouragement from author lynn austin {part 2}
In Part 1 of this interview series with Christian historical fiction author Lynn Austin, I shared about my surreal experience visiting one of my favorite authors in her home to interview her about her latest book, Waves of Mercy. What I didn't share in that first post was the remarkable impact that Lynn's words and demeanor had on my own writing life. If you missed the video from Part 1, you can watch it here: Sitting in her living room, I absorbed her every word and folded her advice and encouragement into the fabric of my mind. Two days after our 90 minutes...
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