I Broke a Promise, Can You Forgive Me?
I Promised, but…
William McTaggart - Spring 1864
If you’re at all like me, this broken promise may have gone unnoticed. I sign up for many email newsletters and rarely think about them again unless I’m bombarded with multiple emails per day.
I know some of you have been waiting, and I promised the next post in my Digital Freedom series soon, but then weeks disappeared into months…
That’s not soon by any definition.
Some readers reached out to me privately and I was able to share resources (or just walk with them along this challenging road); thank you for reaching out. For those who haven’t, who may have been waiting or who are new here and didn’t know what they’re waiting for, I’m sorry. I will share first part of the series in early September, and the rest will follow (for real).
Read the introductory post below!
The Truth Is…
My childhood summer week-long stays with Grandma Daisy are among my most treasured memories.
The truth is, I have been navigating unexpected roads. Last fall my father went into the hospital … and never returned home. He passed away in mid October. Losing a parent is painful, and for those whose parent left behind more wounds than wisdom, the grief is layered with the added loss of what should have been, which now in this earthly exile, will never be. A few months slipped away to those complicated layers of grief.
And then in December, my grandmother at 98 followed my father in death. While I miss her, I can rejoice at the true gift of her life. She filled her days with hospitality and self-giving love—she even gifted YOU with one of her many Grandma Daisy Stories, which you can read on my sister website, Joy of Advent!
What am I working on now?
Early in my writing career, my blog was your typical author blog: posts written by a writer for other writers. It has changed dramatically as I’ve directed more attention toward creating resources for those who read and use my books. The internet has changed as well, with search results favoring one-note infomercials or websites that aggregate other people’s content. It’s a challenge to figure out how not to be another buzzing neon light, to be joyful and helpful, yet still human. It’s especially challenging when an author need to balance blogging with writing projects and homeschool and life! I keep trying, and I hope you stay for the journey.
I have several projects out with publishers. One is a picture book about the inherent value of children—ALL children—especially those our modern culture struggles to value. My inspiration came from my own heart and home, my little boy Emeric, five years old, who is a testament to God’s hidden purposes. I’m sure you’ll be hearing more about him in coming months!
Emmy helping pick blueberries.
“Those who hold the scepter of the world ... are those who give life to children. She has clothed with flesh something more magnificent, more beautiful than all the cathedrals in the world, namely, an immortal soul.”
Before I go, I’d love to tell you about a great new resource! Releasing September 5 is a new picture book by Teresa Joyelle Krager, The Greatest Book Ever! Yes, it’s a book about a book! This rhymed picture book gives a brief overview of the Bible and the story of salvation, while pointing kids to THE BOOK where all the great stories mentioned can be explored in depth. It’s a fun concept, well executed, and paired with engaging and colorful illustrations by Jesús Lopez. If you want to show young children just how exciting the Bible can be, this is the book for you. If you’re reading via email, hop over to my blog for an Amazon link.
If you’ve made it this far, I love you (even if you didn’t, I still love you, but you won’t know it!). Thank you for being part of this amazing, exhausting, enchanted and joyful journey!
