Happy Monday, friends!

The unknown can be scary, but at the same time, it's how we think about it and react to it that makes the difference. I know, I'm one to talk. I'm the 'what if?' girl. You know that girl? The one always fretting whether something bad is coming around the bend. Not sure why I choose to be that way.

Could be I had a rough upbringing (won't go into details), but I was scared a lot as a little girl and honestly a lot of that carried over, but I recently did Lysa Terkeurst's Uninvited Bible Study and it was revolutionary in my life.

Lysa--though I don't know her personally--shared so openly and honestly in her book how she shared so many of the same emotions growing up and how it affected her as an adult until she focused on Jesus. On His love for her.

God tells us in His Word:

If God knows the unknown and He promises to prosper us, to give us a hope and a future, then surely we can trust the unknown ride to Him because it's not unknown to Him. He sees it all, and knows what's coming around the bend and knows it's for our good. And, even more comforting is the fact that He's sitting right next to us on the ride. We can let go of our tight control on the bar and let our hands wave high in our deep trust in our Savior. He's got the ride so enjoy it!

How about you? Do you hold the bar tight or waves your hands in the air? While we're on the topic of roller coasters, favorite ride? Mine would have to be Griffon at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va. Talk about a steep drop...

Download today’s Coloring page

“U” for Unknown

Download PDFDownload JPG

If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front coverBack cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

Blessings,

Hi friends,

Thanks for joining me and the lovely Becky Wade over the past few months as we've video chronicled the Creation of a Novel. If you've missed any of the posts, you can find them on my sidebar and I hope you'll take a peek.

Today, however, we're talking about the most exciting part (well, one of them)....Publication. The stage where your novel is finally in print and available for readers. It's a wonderful, exciting, fulfilling nerve-wracking stage where you wonder how your readers will enjoy the story you just spent anywhere from six months to a year working on. Hope you enjoy the video!

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSM2nHnAMvE&feature=youtu.be[/embed]

What about you? Did anything about the Creation of a Novel surprise you? If you're published, what emotions do you feel when your first hold that bound-book in your hands?

Giveaway

Everyone who leaves a comment or a question will be entered to win an autographed copy of one of Dani's books (reader's choice). Thanks so much for joining us on this journey!

Best,

Dani and Becky

Happy Monday, friends!

I hope you had a good weekend. I spent mine sick with a head cold, sinus infection and fun upper respiratory infection. But I was happy to catch a cold if it meant spending a few days up in Hershey, PA with my awesome gal-pal and fantastic fellow author (if you haven't read her, you MUST check her out), Kathryn Cushman.

Why did I share that? Because, I don't about you, but when I'm sick (which, unfortunately, is a lot of the time of late), I feel very vulnerable. I'm not able to do all the things I want to do and I feel like it's a great lesson in humility. I realize the truth that I don't, in fact, run my own little world.

I don't control the universe. I can't do it all. In fact, I can't do anything (that's right, anything) without God's enabling. When I'm sick I realize how fully dependent I am on God for the breath in my lungs (particularly when I'm stuffy and struggle to breathe), and the gift of waking up every morning (even if it's with coughing).

I am fully dependent on God.

Why am I such a slooowww learner and it takes me getting sick to get it through my thick skull to trust in Christ?

I'm currently participating in a fabulous Proverbs 31 Online Bible Study with Max Lucado based on his amazing book, Anxious for Nothing, along with their companion series Be Still and Know. Today's message was shared by Whitney Capps. I'm shocked to say this is my first time listening to her teaching, but it was incredible. She talked about all the striving we do and how it's a compensation for either insecurity or the need to feel 'in control.'

Hmmm. Sounds like exactly what I needed to hear today. And, if that wasn't God's voice echoing in my ear enough, this week Alistair Begg has been sharing fabulous images and quotes about trust. I'm sharing one here and giving all credit to Alistair Begg from his Truth for Life ministry.

Two fabulous ministries (Proverbs 31 and Truth for Life), two whispers from God when I most needed to hear the reminder--"Trust in Me." That's my paraphrase of this wonderful scripture verse:

Repeat this verse every day this week and I bet it'll change your outlook. It'll remind you that God is trustable. He has us. And, what a wonderful reminder it is.

Thanks for joining me today. I hope this post has been helpful. Let me know how God reminds you to trust in Him. Do you ever read a verse or participate in a Bible study that really speaks to your heart and deepest needs.

Download today’s Coloring page

“T” for Trust

Download PDF       Download JPG

If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover        Back cover

Blessings,

Every November I’m convinced the holidays won’t down slow my writing.

Every year I’m wrong.

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve are all joyous celebrations, but they come at the end of the year when I’m already struggling to meet my annual writing goals. Add the colder weather, a wide array of Christmas movies, and all the fun holiday activities in our area, and it’s mind-boggling I get any work done in November or December.

Taking extended time off is rarely an option for me. I do have writer friends who through careful planning manage to take December off, but I’ve never been able to do this. I have found ways to meet my writing goals and enjoy the holidays, though, and you can too!

Here are my top 4 tips.

1. Assess your current writing goals.

- Are you under deadline?

- If yes, when is the manuscript due?

- If no, how important is it to you to finish the draft/revisions before January first?

- How much of the book is finished?

- What other deadlines or writing-related projects do you have coming up right away in January or February?

2. Prioritize your list.

- Based on the above, what absolutely has to get done between now and the first of January? Be specific and write everything down. This is your Must-Do list.

- What can wait until after the holidays? This is your Upcoming list.

Now, look at the Must-Do list. Ask yourself if you had nothing on your schedule, could you get everything done on time? If your heart is tapping out Morse code at warp speed, you’re probably being too ambitious. Did you sneak a few items on there that aren’t absolutely essential? Move them to the Upcoming list. If not, don’t panic. We’ll come up with a strategy to tackle them in the next section.

Don’t be tempted to push through on your current project if you have an upcoming deadline on a different one. Even if you think you can handle both, it’s better to focus on the one with the most pressing deadline. You might get sick. Family might show up on your doorstep. A natural disaster could occur. The best case scenario? You’ll finish early and enjoy some time off.

3. Get out your calendar.

It’s time to merge your home life with your writing. Hold on, this could get bumpy! I don’t know what kind of calendar system you use. Paper? Day planner? Your phone? Whatever your preferred method, review your calendar and add any upcoming parties, kids’ sporting events or performances, family gatherings, meetings, and church events.

Now look at each week and figure out how you can fit your Must-Do writing list in with the other essentials on your calendar. Set realistic writing goals and give yourself a cushion. How? Instead of deciding to write 1200 words every day for the next three weeks, aim for 1400 words each day. Then, if something fun comes up or you get sick, you’ll have three buffer days.

Obviously, if you usually squeeze out an hour of writing every weeknight and your calendar now has two holiday events each week, you’ll have to make a decision. Skip some of the events? Lower your writing expectations? Or increase your writing on the other nights. It’s important to soak in the Christmas season, so I recommend cutting yourself some slack.

*Important: If you have a book due soon and you’re stressed about meeting your deadline, do the BARE minimum of holiday prep. Say no to any holiday gathering that isn’t essential or the highlight of your year. Ditch the Christmas cards and pare down or eliminate baking seasonal treats. If the thought of figuring out the “perfect gift” for each person on your list is eroding your stomach lining, grab the TUMS, take a deep breath and either buy gift cards or premade gift baskets. Hey, I personally love getting a gift card, and I haven’t met a gift basket I haven’t adored.*

4. Go big on lighter-workload days.

See that Tuesday when you have the entire evening clear? That’s going to be pizza night, and you, my friend, are going to make some serious progress on your book. Think of this as a gift to yourself. The sooner you knock out that Must-Do list, the sooner you can breathe easy and relax. An extra two hours here or there can make all the difference in reaching your goals.

As I made the transition from aspiring writer to full-time author, I’ve had to make some tough decisions about the holiday season. Last year I skipped sending out Christmas cards, baked two types of cookies instead of six, and ordered 75% of our Christmas gifts online. I also left about half of our decorations in the basement. Will I do this every year? I don’t know. But I refuse to feel guilty about scaling back. My writing goals are important to me, and I’m willing to sacrifice to meet them. I still enjoyed the holiday season and felt less frazzled.

The above tips can be useful for writers either on deadline or who need that extra push to stay on track with their goals. If you’re worried about losing momentum this time of year, try my method! I hope it works for you.

Do you write through the holidays? What is your top tip?

Thank you, Dani, for letting me be your guest today!

Giveaway

To enter for a chance to win a copy of The Rancher's Mistletoe Bride, simply leave a comment answering the following question: What is your favorite tradition during the holidays?

*International entries eligible for an eCopy

The Rancher's Mistletoe Bride

Coming Home for Christmas

Wedding planner Lexi Harrington needs a manager for her inherited Wyoming ranch. Clint Romine is the perfect man for the job, but the ruggedly handsome cowboy soon presents a new dilemma—distraction. Lexi can't fall for a small-town rancher when she's planning to return to her big-city career after the holidays. Home has always been elusive for former foster kid Clint. Working alongside Lexi at Rock Step Ranch feels too cozy—and too risky. Opening up to her means revealing a secret about his past that could jeopardize everything he holds dear. This Christmas, can Clint learn to trust Lexi with the truth…and with his heart?

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  | iBooks

Jill Kemerer writes Christian fiction and nonfiction. She is a multi-published author of Christian romance novels for Harlequin Love Inspired. Jill's essentials include coffee, M&Ms, books and magazines, her miniature-dachshund, and taking long nature walks. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two almost-grown children. Jill loves connecting with readers, so please visit her website, jillkemerer.com.

Happy Monday, friends!

You may have noticed we went from Q last week to S this week. That's because I made an oops and skipped Q and went from P to R. If you missed the R post, you can find it here. Phew. Glad to be caught up.

I don't know about you, but I like to be in control. Well, at least think I'm in control, but the fact is I'm not. God is, and He knows best. I don't. I can't see the big picture or the front of the tapestry. I can only see the back, which at times looks messy, complicated and incomplete. God sees the final image. He sees, from eternity, the plans He has for us, and knows what our lives will look like when He takes us home to Heaven--when we'll be complete in Him.

The Unseen

To be perfectly honest I struggle with this a lot. I mean really struggle. I like to know how everything is going to unfold. I don't like what appear to be unpleasant surprises or bumps in the road. And, believe me, my road is full of speed bumps I can't foresee.

Life is full of unforeseen speed bumps, as I like to call them. You know the struggles that jar us, that seem to pop out of nowhere, that jolt us and slow us down. Those struggles. They hurt, and we're often left wondering 'why?' Why couldn't God let us at least see it coming, but then that's the thing. Would it hurt less if we saw it coming? I doubt it.

In fact, I think just the opposite would happen. I think it would hurt more because we'd see all the bumps ahead on the narrow path and fear we'd never make it through. But God knows we will with His grace. He's got us. He carries us over those bumps and knows it's the path we need to take. He keeps us in suspense to protect our hearts from needless worry and fretting. He says in His Word:

“And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs." ~Luke 12:29-30 NLT 

He knows what we need. He sees the path. The bumps in the road, in our lives, don't surprise Him. I love the Message's translation of this same verse:

“What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself."

~Luke 12:29-30 MSG

Enjoy the Moment

God provides for all our needs. Most especially, I believe, for our struggles. He keeps us in suspense because He loves us and because He knows He has us. I believe....

If we could see the future we'd lose the joy of the moment.

It's why God keeps us in suspense.

So, take a deep breath and relax. He's got this. He's got you. Please don't think I'm saying this lightly. I need to remind myself of this daily. Multiple times a day in fact. It's one of my speed bumps. A recurring one. How I wish I was a fast learner, but I trust God will carry me through this season, through this struggle. I simply need to rest in Him.

For Further Study:

• Psalm 46:10
• Isaiah 41:10
• Philippians 4:6
• Psalm 62:1-7

How about you? Do you struggle with worry, the need to control, or are you entrusting your life to your Savior--all of it, even the messy, bumpy bits?

Download today’s Coloring page

“S” for Suspense

Download PDF       Download JPG

If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover        Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

Blessings,

It’s no secret that the writing life isn’t necessarily an active life. Being a writer means sitting in a chair for hours on end, staring at a computer screen and typing until your eyes blur and your wrists hurt. Not to mention the caffeine and sugar needed to inspire great literary works.

As an author and wellness coach, I’ve learned it takes intentionality to care for myself in the midst of the writing life.

Today I want to share 4 specific ways writers can stay healthy while typing away.

1. Understand your personal health goals.

Why exactly is it important to you to be healthy? Do you want to lose weight? Do you want to be able to concentrate during your marathon writing sessions? Are you trying to avoid, reverse, or ease the symptoms of a diagnosis? Do you want to be more at peace with yourself emotionally and spiritually?

By asking yourself these questions, you can pinpoint your personal goals for being healthy. This will then allow you to filter your next decisions accordingly.

2. Give yourself healthy fuel.

As much as caffeine and sugar may fuel your creativity – and might be okay in moderation – they’re not the best solution for long-term energy.

One of the easiest strategies for success is to have pre-prepped healthy snacks on hand that you can grab during a quick writing break.

My favorite options include pre-cut fruits and veggies, cheese slices, Larabars (apple pie is my personal favorite), or dried veggie chips.

3. Stand up and move.

When you’re in the midst of a writing session, it feels counterproductive to step away from the computer. But sometimes that’s exactly what your brain needs for a fresh burst of creativity.

You might want to set a timer every hour or 90 minutes as a reminder. When it goes off, you could take a short walk, do some stretches, or whatever else you enjoy. (If you’re looking for simple, energizing stretch routines, I offer options HERE and HERE.)

4. Protect your schedule.

This might be one of the hardest things to do, especially if you’re squeezing your writing into a full list of commitments. But stress management is just as important as diet and exercise when it comes to staying healthy.

If every hour of every day is committed somewhere, you’re missing out on the physical and mental fuel your body needs from relaxation.

Take a hard look at your schedule and ask if it’s realistic to continue at your current pace. Is there something that needs to be released? Where can you block off time to rest or have fun with friends and family?

These activities are crucial not only for a healthy body but also to keep your creativity alive.

The writing life may be sedentary, but it doesn’t have to keep you from taking care of yourself. By understanding your goals, giving yourself the right fuel, moving more, and protecting your time, you’ll be well on your way to reaching your physical and writing goals.

Giveaway

To enter to win a copy of Prayers for Hope and Healing, leave a comment below answering: What's one thing you do to stay healthy?

Have fun, and stay the course!

Sarah Forgrave is an author and wellness coach who loves inspiring others toward their full potential. In addition to her book, Prayers for Hope and Healing (Harvest House, October 2017), her writing credits include contributions to The Gift of Friendship, Guideposts’ A Cup of Christmas Cheer, and the webzine Ungrind. When she’s not writing or teaching, she loves to shop at Trader Joe’s or spend time with her husband and two children in their Midwest home. Visit Sarah at www.sarahforgrave.com, or at the following sites:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorSarahForgrave

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/SarahForgrave

Instagram: www.instagram.com/SarahForgrave_Author

Twitter: www.twitter.com/SarahForgrave

Dani: Could you take a minute and introduce yourself? Chris Ann: Sure! I live in a southern suburb of Minneapolis, MN with my husband, Todd. We have 4 kids. Our oldest kids are in college and we have a high schooler and middle schooler at home. Besides being an entrepreneur, I love to travel, garden, decorate, and paddleboard. I am also recently a new puppy mom.

Dani: How did LoveFeast get started? Chris Ann: I started LoveFeast, in 2008, with my best friend, Kristin. We first launched a lifestyle blog, LoveFeast Table(www.lovefeasttable.com) with the dream of having it grow into a platform that would help us reach an audience we could inspire to live a beautiful life. That blog helped us launch our first online shop with our favorite, velvet pumpkins.  About a year ago, I opened the first LoveFeast storefront in Prior Lake, Minnesota.

Dani: What’s your inspiration for LoveFeast? What keeps you going on the hard days?

Chris Ann: My inspiration for LoveFeast is found in discovering unique, artistic and beautiful things to curate in both the online shop and my local LoveFeast boutique. I love the connection I have to the LoveFeast shopper and how much they appreciate quality and something special to give or for their home. Finding enough time to do all the things I want to do with my business is the biggest challenge.

Dani: For years you were solely an online boutique, now you also have a brick and mortar store. What’s that like? Do you enjoy seeing customers on a daily basis? Decorating the shop? Having a concrete place to welcome folks?

Chris Ann: I love having a brick and mortar store. It is one more space to fulfill the vision I have for LoveFeast. It's wonderful to get customer's feedback face to face. And, to help people choose a special gift for special events. I love helping people mark their occasions with something thoughtful, even if it is a special gift for themselves. It's nice to be a part of making someone's day.

Dani: LoveFeast focuses a lot on hospitality and inspirational items of beauty. How do you decide which items to carry, and do you design any of the pieces yourself?

Chris Ann: I choose items first of all that I like, or would want to give or have myself. I love a handmade item, in soft neutral tones, that is high quality and therefore can be enjoyed for years. Sometimes it's nice to have something whimsical thrown in the mix for some fun. I don't design any of the pieces myself, but it is something I think I might like to try someday.

Dani: What’s your favorite part of owning your own business?

Chris Ann: It's a part of who I am; to create, dream, and start. Owning my own business has given me the opportunity to see my creative idea, hard work, and determination create a tangible space where other people can experience finding beautiful items. Having your own business doesn't mean you work less, but it does mean you can work on your own time.  Like anything that has value, there has been sacrifice and hard work.  I look back in a bit of awe at how, one step after the other, the vision of LoveFeast has continued to grow.

Great questions! It's fun to reflect on where I started and how far the LoveFeast journey has taken me!

We would love to give your readers 15% off their purchase at LoveFeast Shop using code: 17DP15

LoveFeast is a boutique of filled with unique, high-quality, hand-crafted and artistic items to inspire the giver and charm the receiver. Shop our hand-picked selection of home decor, tabletop, and gifts, such as our beautiful velvet pumpkins, bedding & pillows, artist-created jewelry. These beautifully curated finds will make thoughtful gifts and inspiring additions to your beautiful life!

The store: www.lovefeastshop.com

LoveFeast Instagram: www.instagram.com/lovefeastshop

Facebook: www.facebook.com/lovefeastshop

Happy Monday, friends!

I'm embarrassed to say I clearly forgot my ABC's last week by putting R before Q. Thank you to everyone who emailed to let me know. I appreciate it. It was such a nice encouragement to know how much you are all enjoying this series. I blame my oops on my recent hospital stay, but really my forgetfulness was far more likely due to my hectic schedule right now. I'm juggling a lot,  and in all honesty I believe God used my hospital stay (for low sodium of all things--doing well now, thanks) to remind me of the importance of slowing down and simply being still.

In our rush around society we often forget to take a deep breath, to look out at the horizon, to soak in God's majestic creation surrounding us. To listen to our babies or grand babies (in my case) laughter, to watch a butterfly fluttering around the bush in the back yard, to enjoy the scent of fresh tomatoes and spices wafting off the stove from our cooking dinner. There are so many nuances in the quiet moments of life I fear we miss (I know I do) because we are racing around trying to check things off our To Do List for the day. But even more frightening, is....

Without quiet, how will you hear God's whispers? 

God says in His Word:

"After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." ~1 Kings 19:12

God came in a gentle whisper. A gentle whisper. How often are we quiet enough and still enough to hear that whisper? I admit in my case, not very often. And I worry what am I missing by staying so busy? What could God be whispering to my soul if I just slowed down long enough to hear Him?

I don't know about you, but it is in my quietest moments in which I hear God the loudest--during my quiet time with Him in the morning as the sun is rising in the sky, as I'm still and writing, as I sit and watch the ocean tides. He comes and calms my soul in a way I can't describe when I take time out and simply listen.

How about you? When do you hear God speak the loudest?

I pray you have a blessed Monday and I challenge you to take five minutes after reading this (and printing out your coloring page, of course :)) to simply sit and be still. Shut off your phone. Close your computer. And, just listen.

Download today’s Coloring page

“Q” for Quiet

Download PDF       Download JPG

If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover        Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

Blessings,

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Dani: Hi Sarah!! I'm so excited to have you share with us today! Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Sarah: My name is Sarah Detweiler and I live with my husband and 3 kiddos in PA. I am a coffee lover, a DIY enthusiast and a painter of anything that doesn't move. My decorating style is a mixture of Industrial and Farmhouse, and my favorite color is Navy, as it pairs well with any other color. Jewelry as well as power tools are always on my Christmas wish list.

I am a transplant to PA, having grown up on a small farm in a beautiful, Southern TN valley. After falling head over heals for a PA boy, I married him and moved up north in 2005.

Dani: What’s the story and inspiration behind Church Street Designs? How did you get started?

Sarah: Church Street Designs really began as a hobby. After our second child was born and I had quit my full time job in the banking world becoming a stay at home mom, I realized I needed a hobby and something to work towards. I had always loved creating beautiful things and my house was full of DIY projects and re-purposed items, so I decided to start blogging about how I created them. My projects led me to create a few hand painted signs for my home, and I learned that I loved being able to dream up a design in my head and then actually create it into a decor piece.

After selling a few to friends and family I decided to open an Etsy shop to see if I could expand my audience. Over the years, my little hobby grew to include a shop of our own, www.churchstreetdesigns. com and God has blessed our business, expanding it from just hand painted signs into chalkboards, jewelry, digital art and more. It is now my full time job and our team at CSD is growing. 

Dani: Do you handcraft all the signs yourself?

Sarah: All of our signs, trays, and jewelry are all handcrafted by a member of the Church Street Designs Team. We believe there is still a place in this fast passed, cheaply made, world for quality items. All our signs are meticulously handcrafted, from the lumber we use to the attention to detail in our painting process, we want to create a product that will outlast us.

Dani: Do you view your business strictly as a business or also as a ministry?

Sarah: The motto of Church Street Designs is, "Life Inspired". We not only want to inspire people by the beautiful items we make, but also encourage them to be an inspiration to someone. Investment in people's lives is the only thing that will outlive us. Our prayer is that God will use Church Street Designs as a conduit to bring blessing, encouragement, and inspiration to those it reaches.

Dani: What’s your favorite part of sharing your beautiful artwork with the world and running your own business?

Sarah: There are so many things that I enjoy about running my own business, but my favorite part of the process is the designing aspect. I love coming up with new products and design layouts, and figuring out how to get what's in my head onto paper and then into an actual item. I also enjoy helping customers create one-of-a-kind pieces that fit their homes and office. My husband, Jamie, is also a huge part of the Church Street Designs Team.

As a "spreadsheet and numbers" kind of guy, he balances out my creative side, fixes all the tech problems, takes care of all the paperwork, business legalities and a little thing called, paying all the taxes on time. Several nights a week the clock may strike midnight and you'll still find us brainstorming new marketing strategies, fine-tuning our website design, or putting the finishing touches on a new project. The work is never done, but we love that God has given us a dream we can work on together. 

We are currently offering a FREE printable sign on our website as a thank you for connecting with us. We also have some great, new products that are coming soon, so stay in touch!

Use code: CSDinstagram10 to receive 10% off any item in our shop!

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Hi, friends and happy Wednesday.

Today Becky and I continue to share a glimpse into the creation of a novel.

For me, it was Blind Spot, which just released October 3rd. If you haven't grabbed your copy yet, be sure to. Reviewers are calling it aa 'major thrill ride with some fascinating twists' (Romantic Times 4 Stars).

While Becky takes you through the creation of her latest True to You. So, without further ado, here's a glimpse into the trying and terrific stage of revisions.

[embed]https://youtu.be/m4NUgjlfGPo[/embed]

I hope you enjoyed today's vlog. Would love to hear how you feel about revisions? Fan or Foe?

Any tips or fun tools of the trade you must have with you? I always have my erasable gel pens, highlighters, and sticky tabs.

Oh, and yummy trail mix (walnuts, dried cranberries, and cocoa nibs) and coffee--lots and lots of coffee.

Until next week...

Blessings, Becky & Dani

 

Happy Monday, friends! This week I chose the word risk for our letter r. And, I truly believe the quote I shared above (partly because I wrote it, but partly because I sincerely believe it to be true. We all have a choice--view life as an adventurous or as commonplace. And, I don't know about you, but life is far from commonplace. Life is filled with moments--good moments, sad moments, happy ones, heart-crushing ones. Life is a collection of moments, but it's how we view and react to these moments which make up our life story. We can either fear the future and the unknown, or look forward to what God has in store for us.

God not only knows the plans He has for us...

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Joshua 29:11

But He instructs us to boldly seek the adventure He has in store for us...

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." ~Joshua 1:9

The God of creation, the God Who knit us together in our mother's wombs, the One who knows the plans He has for us, tells us to be courageous. And, it's impossible to be courageous without taking risks.

Risks push us beyond our comfort zone. They make us take a leap of faith, to walk on water, to face giants. They require us to be dependent on God for our future and for His sustaining ability in the here and now. So, let's follow our Maker's instruction and follow our Lord's common to take risks, to be courageous, and to step out of our comfort zones.

Over the past two years, I've been accepting a number of speaking invitations, which really pulls me out of my comfort zone, but when I'm up there and sharing, I feel God with me in a special way. He meets me in that risk-filled moment when I fear I might forget what to say.

Where have you stepped out of your comfort zone in the last year? Is there something you've been wanting to try, but haven't found the courage yet? If so, what. And, if so, there's no better time than the present.

May your week and life be a full and rich adventure.

Download today’s Coloring page

“R” for Risk

Download PDF       Download JPG

If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover        Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

Blessings,

Hi Friends and Happy Wednesday!

I have to apologize that this post got bumped back a week, but I'm extremely pleased to announce I've finished the revisions on book four in my Chesapeake Valor series. Yay! If you missed the fun cover reveal of Dead Drift, you can catch it here .

Now to the video covering the first drafts of Blind Spot and True to You. Hope you enjoy this glimpse into our process.

[embed]https://youtu.be/6OeU9a5zShs[/embed]

How about you? Are you a plotter, panster, or somewhere in between?

Blessings,

Dani & Becky

Happy Monday, friends!

I'm so excited to share today's P word with you--perseverance. It's kind of my life motto, and today I'm going to switch things up a bit and share a number of quotes that I feel deeply reflect the importance and motivation behind perseverance, as well as some wonderful Scripture verses to check out on perseverance.

If anyone mastered perseverance during His time on earth, it was Jesus. So many times he was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11) but he fought back with God's Word--sharper than a double-edged sword  (Hebrews 4:12). So many times he persevered when He was tired (John 4:6), sad (John 11:35), and unwanted (Mark 6:4). The greatest example of perseverance was His enduring the painstaking agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14 or Matthew 26) and on the Cross (Mark 15).

Anytime I'm struggling, waiting, or need to persevere I think of two people--my mom who persevered more than anyone I've met in life, and Jesus, who endured more He needed to persevere through than anyone.

I hope you'll take some time today to read about Jesus' time on earth. It can be found all throughout Scripture, but a great place to start is one of the Gospels. I, personally, love the Gospel of John. But some other verses to take a look at including the ones listed in parentheses above and these:

• Mark 10:27
• Hebrews 12:2
• Isaiah 53:5
• 1 Corinthians 15:57
• Ephesians 5:2

May the Lord strengthen you and His Holy Spirit fill you with endurance and perseverance to run the good race.

One more area where I find a lot of inspiration to fuel my perseverance is found in music. I have several songs which really inspire me. To me, it's amazing how a song can touch your soul and never leave. And, when you hear it again, it takes you right back to the first time you heard it. Here's one of my perseverance favorites. I hope you enjoy!

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_KXsMCJgBQ[/embed]

What about you? Do you have a favorite perseverance Scripture verse, quote, motto, or even song that inspires you? If so, I'd love to hear. 

Download today’s Coloring page

“P” for Perseverance

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If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover        Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

Blessings,

This is a guest post from Amy at Bethany House.

It’s almost November, and for Christian fiction readers, that means that the Christy Awards are coming up! Yes, the awards are about recognizing and celebrating Christian novels, but it’s also a great excuse to dress up with other writer and reader friends.

As a two-time Christy Award finalist herself, Dani graciously agreed to host a fun quiz where we analyze your personality and reading style and suggest a dress you could wear to the gala.

Even if you can’t make it to the red carpet yourself, stayed tuned to the christyawards.com website for news about the winners! (And if you are interested in joining us in Nashville in person, read on!)

We’d love to see you at the upcoming Art of Writing Conference and Christy Awards! You can find out more about the event below, or if you’re already convinced, you can register here.

About the Art of Writing Conference

The Art of Writing is designed to bring Christian creatives and publishing curators together for a half day of intensive seminars that celebrate the creative life, provide practical tips for overcoming challenges in a rapidly-changing industry, and answer questions authors are asking.

The speakers represent a wide range of roles and areas of expertise. Andrew Peterson, young adult writer and founder of the Rabbit Room, will give advice on how to create and benefit from a vibrant creative community, while Wheaton College professor Theon Hill, Ph.D. will present a survey of the obstacles and opportunities of diversity in Christian fiction.

Authors will receive encouragement for the ups and downs of the writing life from blogger Carrie Schmidt and author, agent, and ACFW public relations liaison Cynthia Ruchti. Finally, a panel of representatives from major ECPA publishers will share insider information on where the genre has been, where it’s going, and the exciting changes they see in today’s market for writers. Learn more about the speakers and sessions here.

About the Christy Awards

The Christy Award™ is designed to nurture and encourage creativity and quality in the writing and publishing of fiction written from a Christian worldview and showcase the diversity of genres. The award is named after Catherine Marshall’s enduring bestselling novel, Christy, published in 1967 and inspiring a continuing book series and a CBS television series starring Kellie Martin. The novel will be re-released in 2017 in a 50th-anniversary legacy edition by Gilead Publishing in partnership with Kregel Publications.

Hosted by award-winning author and radio host Chris Fabry, this year’s celebration gala dinner will feature New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury as well as musician and writer, Andrew Peterson. You can view the finalist list here.

Christy Award Celebration Blog Tour

Monday, October 9: Top Ten Writing Industry Issues at Seekerville Tuesday, October 10: Give Us Your Best Questions at By the Book Wednesday, October 11: Interview with Dr. Theon Hill at Reading is My Superpower Thursday, October 12: Celebrating the Christy Awards…With a Giveaway! at Bethany House Fiction Friday, October 13: Quiz: Pick Your Gala Dress at Dani Pettrey’s blog Saturday, October 14: Eight Reasons to Come to The Art of Writing at The Power of Words Sunday, October 15: Interview with Carrie Schmidt at Bookworm Mama Monday, October 16: Interview with Cynthia Ruchti at Just Commonly Tuesday, October 17: Christy Nominee Bingo and Giveaway at Faithfully Bookish Wednesday, October 18: The Unofficial Readers’ Choice Cover Awards at Singing Librarian Books

Amy, Bethany House

Happy Monday, friends!

I chose the word obstacles for our letter today, because let's face it, we all encounter our fair share of obstacles. Whether it's an issue with our kid's homework or teacher, an issue on the job, a family issue, a spiritual issue--life is full of issues and obstacles, but it's how we react to the obstacles that matters.

It's a great idea to just weave around the obstacle and smile about it, and honestly I hope that's my attitude the majority of the time, but often the obstacles are so big and heavy that instead of swerving around them, we're forced to climb them. To sweat it out. To scramble our way up with God's help.

I love this verse from Isaiah:

"For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." ~Isaiah 41:13

No matter what obstacle we may be facing, and it may be a brutal one, we can rest assured God is right there with us. Holding us by His right hand and guiding us along the way.

I love Alistair Begg. He's an amazingly gifted preacher from Parkside Church in Cleveland, but he also has a ministry called Truth for Life. If you've never checked it out, you really should. I listen to a podcast nearly everyday and get the daily devotional. He's been gifted to preach the Word and does so verse by verse. If you're interested in some deep study, download a podcast.

Why do I bring this up? Not just because he's so gifted or because it's a ministry our family has supported for years, but because he often refers to Pilgrim's Progress and whenever I think of obstacles and enduring them, I think of Pilgrim. He faces so many obstacles and trials, but he manages to survive them all and you will to. God will carry you through. Maybe not in this life, but in eternity, and that's a beautiful gift to focus on when struggles are wearing on us.

May you find peace in His presence today and always.

For Further Study:

• Isaiah 40:31
• Isaiah 43:2
• Proverbs 3:5-6
• Joshua 1:9
• John 16:33

What Scripture book, poem, inspirational quote, book or ministry has been a source of inspiration to you when you face obstacles?

Download today’s Coloring page

“O” for Obstacles

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If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover        Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

Blessings,

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Happy Wednesday, friends!

I'm so excited to share the first of a four-week long series that good friend Becky Wade and I did chronicling our 'Year in the Life of a Writer' though it could more aptly be titled 'The Creation of a Novel.'

We each picked a book we were about to start--Blind Spot for me and True to You for Becky, and then we made video diaries during four major stages of the creative process throughout the life of our books.

I'll be sharing a different stage each week for the next month.

It's really an exciting time as Blind Spot released just yesterday and True to You released in May! But you lucky ducks get to see the behind-the-scenes making of each novel. Lucky or brave? It could go either way. Ha! The writing life is always an adventure, but it isn't always pretty. It's full of highs and lows, and we really hope these videos will be a great way of inviting you into our process and friendship.

Becky and I have the joy and honor of being prayer partners, friends and fellow Bethany House authors. We both signed with Bethany House about the same time and we both visited Bethany House shortly after. We hit it off and have been buddies ever since. Having a prayer partner in your life, especially the writing life, is a tremendous help. Writing can be such a solitary act, that it's so good and heartwarming to have a friend praying for you who understands exactly what you're going through.

I hope you enjoy joining us along our Creation of a Novel and I'd love to hear from all of you at each stage about your writing process, or if you're a reader, if anything about the process surprised you or spurred questions. Without further ado, let's jump in and join the writing journey!

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITdQhurwEiU&feature=youtu.be[/embed]

If you aren't familiar with Becky, you definitely should be. She writes enthralling contemporary romance that warms the soul. You can learn more about her here: www.beckywade.com

I've asked Becky to hang out each Wednesday for the next month and she's graciously agreed, so please give her a warm welcome, and feel free to ask both of us or either of us any pressing questions on your mind.

We'd love to hear about you? How do you go about planning your novel? Are you a plotter or a panster? Or somewhere in between?

Blessings,

Dani and Becky

Happy Monday, friends!

I'm a beach girl through and through. I want to live at the beach. In fact, it's one of the places that I really do live. Not physically own a house there, but a place where, when I'm there, I'm all there. I'm truly living. Do you know what I mean?

Living Distracted

We often go through life distracted. At least I do. So distracted. I'm always thinking of the things I haven't done or the items still awaiting me for the day. I hardly ever just stop and enjoy the moment. Enjoy the warmth of the sun on my skin or the feel of granules of sand slipping between my toes--but at the beach, I do. I stop and bask in the moment. I live. Really live. I enjoy my grand babies' laughter as their feet slosh in the sea's spray and feel the sand squish beneath my feet as I chase after one of them running headlong down the open stretch of surf before us. I sit with my daughter. Just sit and chat or stare out at the ocean.

I eat lunch in my beach chair. Have you noticed everything tastes better at the beach? Fresher? The flavors popping in contrast to the salt lingering in the air. Or, perhaps, I've just worked up a health appetite. I hold my husband's calloused hand as we go for a walk, the sun warm on our backs, the horizon never-ending before us. I love those hands that hold me close. I love him. And at that beach I slow down enough to realize the beauty of all the gifts I have before me.

Trusting God as We Navigate Life

I have a new gift. If you can look at Lupus as a gift. I just got diagnosed this week, but I know God doesn't allow anything in my life that hasn't passed by Him, that He doesn't have in His hands, that isn't for my best. How could Lupus be for my best? I don't know, but I'm not God. I simply trust. Trust that He has me through all that's to come.

Trust that the One who made the sand, the sun and the sea and keeps them in their space--the sun rising every morning and setting each evening, the ocean tides like clockwork, the sand--so lift and fragile--still lining the beach that I ran on as a child. If the God who controls nature, the rotating of the earth, the passing of each moment of time has me in His capable hands, I will rest in that. I will trust that the One who knows the hairs of my head knows exactly what's going on in my body and will carry me through this new path to navigate, and you can bet I'll be wearing flip flops the entire way.

Where are you most fully alive? In the woods, at the beach, or hugging your children tight? I'd love to hear.

Thanks for sharing your Monday morning with me. I look forward to it all week!

Download today’s Coloring page

“N” for Navigate

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If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover        Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

Blessings,

Life happens but when we have a calling, we need to make space to walk in it.

Often in my years since being contracted in 2008, I’ve had people ask me how do I find the time to write? They say their lives are so busy, it’s impossible to write. And I get it—times are rough. But the plain fact is that life will always intervene. It’s kind of like God when you tell him your plans. He’s all, “Really? Is that so? Well, let me show you . . ."

*Cue massive boulder rolling straight out of Indiana Jones to wreck your plans*

Okay, yes—that’s a bit facetious, but it’s true. Life is real. Life is raw. Life is ROUGH. But as a writer who is being published, whether indie or traditional, you have deadlines. A schedule that must be kept or that infamous domino stumbles and unleashes its chaos.

Right now, I’m doing edits on my eighteenth and nineteenth novels—both are content/macro edits, job and finances woes have hit hard, Irma hit my daughters, twins hit college and driving . . . blah blah blah LIFE. Blah blah blah. LIFE.

See? Life doesn’t quit.

And neither do I. As my husband always says, “What is there to quit to?”

So, I write on. Because it’s what I love and I refuse to let the stressors of life crush that passion. So, how do I do it? Nothing fancy. Just raw determination (which is a massive dose of that Irish stubbornness that says, “oh, yeah? Just watch!”), and a handful of things that I started doing this year:

1.     Lists

My husband is a notorious list maker. I’ve always taunted him over this and his intimate knowledge of spreadsheets. It’s a little obscene. Or so I thought, until life rushed in with floods of stress and deadlines. I had to get--*whispers* organized. I started with Mini Emergent Task Planner. It’s simple. And that’s what I needed—not another detailed, complicated thing. I had plenty of those already. This one breaks down what I have to do it into MAJOR tasks (only room for three) and “Got extra time?” tasks—with lines for four more. That’s what I use for my week. I prioritize, then GO!

2.     Planner

Yeah, remember that “not complicated” thing? Well, same thing happened when I saw amazing author Robin Carroll posting her Happy Planner pages. They were so pretty. And I wanted pretty, another way for my creativity to get unlocked. So, I opted for the week-at-a-glance pages for bigger projects and life events. At the end of the week, I rewarded myself for surviving the week and demands on my time by embellishing these pages with pretties and pictures.

3.     Be Ruthless

I’m not even kidding. Be ruthless—in protecting your time and energy. Social media can become a black hole of time, sapping energy. In fact, a research study found that people generally come away from social media less happy and less confident. Now, I limit my time online. However, I still hang out for a while because I have family in Ireland that I try to stay connected with through that online platform.

4.     Rewards

As you accomplish a task, assign a “reward” that is encouraging enough or refills your energy well. Maybe something small—watching an episode of a TV show, or reading a chapter of a new novel. Rewards should be equivalent to the task completed. One of my favorite new rewards is a bath with those delicious-smelling bath bombs. Ironically, thanks to the stunning Tamera Leigh, I’ve learned that lingering in the bath actually forces my mind to quiet down . . . and often unlocks secret pockets of creativity.

So go forth and protect yourself well!

Writing is a gift and a passion that needs a healthy, confident you.

Giveaway

I'm giving away a copy of Crown of Souls.

(U.S. only please)

All you need to do is leave a comment answering the following question:

What do you do to make space for what you love? Maybe it's writing, but maybe it's reading or creating in some other way?

Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author of over fifteen novels. She grew up an Army brat, and now she and her Army-veteran husband live in beautiful Northern Virginia with their children and a retired military working dog, VVolt N629. Ronie's degree in psychology has helped her pen novels of intense, raw characters. Visit Ronie online at: ronie@roniekendig.com www.roniekendig.com FB: RapidFireFiction Twitter: @RonieKendig Instagram: @kendigronie

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Happy Monday, friends!

God's timing is always so perfect.  I'm sitting on my lanai in Kona, Hawaii. I'm here with my hubby celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. Talk about meaning and memories. This week has been abundantly blessed with both!

You don't need to travel so far to experience meaning and memories. Both can be found everyday in simple moments with your family, in daily activities with friends, and in still, quiet moments with God.

A Life of Meaning & Memories

Choosing to live a life of meaning and memories means slowing down long enough to really take in the joys and blessings God's given you. Nothing brings me joy like seeing my grand babies'  sweet smiles or their adorable giggles when they belly laugh.

Children are so good at soaking in the beauties of nature--the warm rays of sunshine on your face, the cool breeze swirling leaves through the fall air, the flash of fireflies on warm summer nights, or the squish of sand between your toes. Kids are so good at really appreciating nature with all five of their senses. They are filled with curiosity and enthusiasm. I wish I was more like my grand babies.

While we've all been blessed with the precious gift of life, too often we (myself included) are so busy rushing around that we forget to stop and savor the little moments, but it's these moments--some as brief of a bird's song on the wind that can fill our lives with warm and lasting memories.

Fill your life with memories and meaning, not stuff and things. 

God's Creation

I do, however, find that time spent outdoors in God's majestic creation is a special place for me to feel closer to Him. Whether we're kayaking through the rolling rivers, hiking the tall hills and mountaintops, or simply enjoying a picnic on a rock at the summit. It's in these activities and moments in which my mind slows down enough and all my senses kick in so I can just feel enveloped by the Lord's presence and bask in His glorious creation surrounding me.

Do you have a special place where you feel closer to God?

I truly believe that memories and meaning are deeply connected with one another. All of our memories and moments build upon another and result in the culmination of the meaning of our lives, especially our lives in Christ.  Our lives are journeys to Him, and we are blessed to experience so much beauty and joy in the smallest of memories along the way.

For example, I was a little girl, I had a cardinal that would perch on my windowsill every day and sing to me. Whenever my mom saw a cardinal, she'd say 'there's your bird' and she bought me many cardinal gifts over the years. Every time I see a red Cardinal, I fondly remember my mom and my singing friend, and I'm filled with comfort.

Do you have any special memories from your childhood that linger still?

Download today’s Coloring page

“M” for Meaning

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If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover        Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

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Click to Tweet: Fill your life with memories and meaning, not stuff and things. 

Click to Tweet: Memories and meaning are deeply connected with one another.

Praying today is full of wonderful memories for you,

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Happy Monday, friends!

I hope your day is off to a great coffee-fueled start. I'm dealing with jet lag. No fun. I'm going to be dragging and working on my deadline all week. If you could keep me in prayer, that would be wonderful, but we had the very best time.

I'll be sure to share some pictures on my Facebook Page this week. I've been struggling with health issues so it was such a blessing to be able to go and enjoy my time there. A great thanks to my friends who were praying me through! I hope you all have great friends in your life you love you and prayer for you, but I know you have at least one and the most important One--God.

Do you know God says:

"I have called you by name and you are mine." ~Isaiah 43:1b

The God of the entire universe and everything in it has called you by name. He knows you and he loves. And, most importantly, He is always with you. God says:

"...Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b

God loves us and is always with us. I can't think of a better friend. Someone who loves us despite our flaws, our mistakes, our pasts. Someone who loves us because we are His. Someone who never leaves our side. Amen?

For further study:

• Deuteronomy  7:9
• Psalm 86:15
• Psalm 136:26
• John 3:16
• Romans 5:8

What about you? Do you have a friend who has stuck by you in thick and thin? God has blessed me with Lisa who has been my friend for nineteen years and man have we had some adventures. I smile just reflecting on them. Take some time to reflect on your friendships and on God today and let him love on your heart.

Download today’s Coloring page

“L” for Love

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If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover        Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

Blessings,