Great Writing News (for me AND the DH!)

My DH (Carey) got a call yesterday that he's one of four finalists for a jingle contest sponsored by the Texas Dept. of Transportation! He's won a prize (a cool guitar), and gets to go to a ceremony in Austin where they'll announce the winner. It's exciting to see him flexing and stretching his creative muscles in new ways, and I'm "bust my buttons" proud.

And PTL, after quite a writing "drought," I've have had lots of encouragement lately. A few different editors have asked me to send ideas/articles for their websites/magazines--hopefully I'll become a regular contributor to at least one of these.

I also got my contributor copy of Heavenly Humor for the Woman's Soul in the mail a couple of weeks ago, and was thrilled to find my name on the cover, along with some of my writing heroes (Patsy Clairmont, Martha Bolton, Anita Renfroe, etc.)! I have four pieces (which were originally in Grace for the Race) in the book. Fun!

And last month, I had a wonderful time at the Mt. Hermon Writing Conference in California...Carey's parents came and helped out, which was HUGE (esp. because Carey's dad helped with handyman stuff AND put together our swingset, which had been in storage since we moved!). The boys did well without me, though we were all ready to be back together by the time I left for home!

But I really needed the time away, and it was absolutely the best writing conference I've ever been to. I loved the worship, and I even got to go to the beach--a "silly" prayer request but one that our loving Father answered with a resounding "yes!" And the Career Track helped me to hone in on what I need to concentrate on over the next couple of
years. I also made some good connections with other authors and editors and had some time with my agent, Wendy.

And now for some really awesome news: Barbour Books (who published Heavenly Humor and Grace) asked me to write a little book for hire...on moms of the Bible! I love that subject, and am so excited and honored. It would be due Sept. 1, so I can work on it over the summer (when I'm not teaching--is God's timing perfect, or what?). It's basically 31 devotional profiles (500 words) of biblical moms with application questions. They already had the proposal done, and were just looking for someone to do it. Whoo-hoo!

Thanks for sharing my joy. This writing life is full of ups and downs, so I'm learning to really celebrate the good times!