Tag Archives: Writing

Write Sisters Write-A Sequel

This past Saturday, I locked up my apartment at 7:20 and-with my mom and sister in tow-headed to the car. It was a blustery morning, barely ten degrees. The forecast promised snow. But as we navigated the fifty plus miles from Glenwood to Henning, the overcast sky lightened. As I drove, I marveled at the beautiful hills of the central Minnesota countryside, and I prayed God would give me peace and clarity to share at Write, Sisters, Write.

When we arrived at Cornerstone Church, we found the receiving hall warmly decorated. Marlene, the pastor’s wife, had coffee and goodies ready, along with journaling materials and stickers with encouraging Bible verses for women to take. My mom and I chatted with Stephanie Jorgenson, the children’s author who would also be speaking at the event.

At 9:00, Marlene began the event with a song and a prayer. Then I was called forward to speak. I lugged my stack of books and my prepared script to the front of the room. I laughingly told the audience that I’m not the best public speaker and would try not to just read off my paper the entire time.

But as I began to share about my novels, something happened. I warmed to my topic. The ladies in the audience had open expressions, and I found myself sharing the way I would with a close friend.

I spoke about some of the challenges I had walked through in my early to mid-twenties. I was honest about how my passion for writing and promoting my books had faded, and I wasn’t sure if God still wanted to use me as a writer.

By this point, I had completely set down my prepared script. I was no longer afraid. By the grace of God, I was able to clearly speak without stuttering, without shaking. For me, this was a miracle!

I shared the reason I’d felt led to speak at this writing event: An elderly friend had been in the hospital, and when I’d gone to visit her, I found her with my novel Reckless Love. Even in intensive care, she said she was unable to put my book down until she’d finished it. Her selflessness touched me deeply and made me realize God isn’t done using my writing yet! As I shared this story with the crowd, I also encouraged the ladies to take their emotions, their struggles, and their questions to the Lord and write them out to Him.

I will always remember Jenny, a sweet lady from the church who came up to me after the event was over. She asked to buy one of my books, and she told me how I had encouraged her. “You were so open and honest. All of the things you shared were encouraging to me and will help me in my life.”

All I can say is, speaking at Write, Sisters, Write was healing for me. It makes me want to write again, and though I don’t know what to write or how, I trust God to guide me forward on this journey.

New Developments

I love to write. I love using my words to capture emotions and tell a gripping story. I’m excited that my stories are being shared! I’ve been invited to share my writing at two community events over the next two weeks.

Event #1: This Sunday, June 12th, I’m selling my novels at Fellowship Baptist Church’s summer picnic in Nevis, Minnesota. So far, sixty people have signed up to attend the picnic, and several have expressed an interest in my novels. I’ll set up a stand for people to browse through my books while they enjoy their meal.

Event #2: Yesterday, a friend told me about an art and writing festival taking place in Dorset, Minnesota, on Saturday, June 18th. Joan Grover, owner of Antiques Stop and the Dorset bookstore, invited me to set up a book stand at the festival. She told me this event is a great way for local authors to sell their work and gain public exposure. I can’t wait to meet and ask questions of the other authors.

In many ways, I’m going back to my roots by selling my books at events. When I was six years old, I set up a “story stand” at my parent’s garage sale to sell picture books I’d written. Later, when my family moved to Nevis and my dad opened an automotive shop, I set up a story stand in his office and sold stories to many of his customers. I was eight years old.

I work full-time as a physical therapist assistant, so I get plenty of time away from my computer screen. I’m thankful. I love to work with my hands and exercise my body. And I enjoy working with people. Every day I’m blessed with opportunities to listen to others’ stories and help people get stronger physically. I thank God that I get to help people and show them His love. Loving God and loving others brings me joy.

I think of every accomplishment, every material possession, every experience I could have… and then I compare these things to love and relationships. Which is more valuable? Maybe it’s just me, but if I didn’t have love, everything else would seem meaningless.

My heart mourns the love I lost this spring. A heartbreak is painful. I cry every day, whenever I remember, whenever a sad song plays on the radio. Will my heart ever heal? I don’t want to be stuck in the past. But more than that, I don’t want to stuff my emotions and lose my ability to feel.

This is quite the summer for me. Many opportunities, yet so much loss. Such hope, but so much uncertainty. I pray for God’s direction. Sometimes I wonder why God allows certain things to be taken away, and certain things to be blessed. I don’t know the answer. But I know that God is far wiser than I can imagine. I cannot put Him in a box. His ways are beyond searching out, and He alone knows the end from the beginning. I can trust Him.

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out!” Romans 11:33