The Past Few Weeks...

Well, it's been a rollercoaster around here the past few weeks. We've had some good times and some not so good times. First of all, something weird is happening with my blog right now... I can't post pictures. Sometimes this thing seems to change on its own, and it really annoys me. But that was just a tangent; it doesn't fall under either of the categories above.

As for the good times, I got something very exciting in the mail yesterday... a copy of the second edition of my book, Who Has Your Heart? (See, I can't even do italics right now...dumb blog!) Anyway, I'm making the book thing sound like a bigger deal than it really is, but with this being my first one and all, even the smallest things are huge to me. It's really no different than the first edition; it just means the book sold enough for Discovery House to justify printing more copies. The reason this is huge to me is that it is something I specifically prayed for! I prayed that it would go into a second printing, (something that does not happen all the time!) and in under a year, it did! It means that young women are really reading it, recommending it to their friends, and using it for group studies. (I've even heard of a few churches offering it through their women's ministries!) It means that God is still listening to, and answering, prayers. And it is proof, once again, of how little I actually had to do with this book. This has been God's project from the start. Sure, He let me click a few letters on my computer, but He is the one who got it through the Writer's Edge screening service that I submitted it to; He is the one who prompted the heart of an editor at Discovery House to ask for more; He was the one who moved in the review committee who agreed to offer me a contract; He was the one who spoke to the hearts of people everywhere who bought it for their daughters, their sisters, their friends or themselves; and He is the one who keeps spreading the message... I am just so thankful He let me be a part of it! Now, let's pray for a third printing... :-) And a fourth... And for another finished book... And for my own train to tour on like JK Rowling... (Totally kidding!!)

The second very good thing going on around here is that I've helped launch a new Bible Study class at my church. We've only been meeting for three weeks so far, but it is turning out to be just an awesome thing! Here's the "blurb" that advertises the class: (I would have just posted a link, but again...dumb blog!) - "Women are called to be spiritual warriors and “fight the good fight,” just as men are. Yet, we’re also called to be meek and feminine and have a “gentle and quiet spirit.” If those two images seem to contradict each other and leave you wondering, “Does the armor of God come in pink?” this is for you! Young women, ages 20–40, are invited to attend Pink Armor, the newest iCONNECT Bible Study class designed specifically for young women! With teachers Emily Ryan and Rhonda de la Moriniere, we’ll address topics and issues that are close to the hearts of young women, such as: friendship, prayer, romance, God’s will, and the never ending struggle to balance life, love, and laundry. No matter what stage of life you’re in – wife, mom, single, divorced, working, or not working – we’d love to have you join us starting Sunday, September 9, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 208. It’ll be like spiritual boot camp...for those of us who wear heels!"

Anyway, it's been fun so far! I'm so excited because I'm finding that there are a lot of women in our church who haven't had a place to fit in for quite some time. We only have one other women's class in our church, and while it is totally awesome, (and I can't stress that enough - it truly is a pillar of our church), it is a slightly older demographic, so it can be a little intimidating for a young twenty-something girl who is looking to connect with ladies her age. And, another awesome thing is that I've reconnected with a friend from college who agreed, much to my surprise and delight, to be the director of the class. (Tricia Moore, for those of you from SAM!) And, as for the name of the class - Pink Armor - I have to admit, I love it! It actually stems from a book idea I've had for quite some time that pretty much explores the seemingly paradoxical quest of Becoming Feminine Warriors in Christ. Since the class started, I've gotten great feedback and specific requests to teach an actual curriculum on the subject (which really excites me, since that was the original intent to begin with), so hopefully, God will allow me to work on that soon, teach it in the Spring, and maybe develop it into another book, which is how He worked with the first one. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of news you'll hear about Pink Armor! Stay tuned...

But now for the not so good happenings of the past few weeks. And, I only share this so yall can pray for us. We found out the day before Gideon's birthday that I was pregnant. We were surprised, but of course, we were ecstatic, because we love kids and we finally have extra room in our new house for more kidos! To make it even better, the baby was due in May, within just days of what would have been my real mother's 60th birthday. I thought that was definitely a special added bonus. But, unfortunately, just two weeks later, we found out we lost the baby. I had an early miscarriage, which I've since learned it very, very common, but it still wasn't what we wanted to hear. Since then, I've gotten tons of support and encouragement from women who have been through this (most of them, under far more devastating circumstances), and I've been so blessed by everyone's prayers. So please just pray for us when you think about it. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that His ways are higher than our ways, but knowing that doesn't make you immune to feeling loss.

Now, if I could post a picture, I'd stick one in right here of Gideon being super cute as always just to end on a good note. But again... dumb blog!