I’m writing this blog post early. Come Friday — today — I’ll be in Wichita, Kansas, visiting my “safe harbor” friend, Fran. Technically, I’m going to meet with Fran’s book club to discuss Somebody Like You, my lastest novel. But after that, well, it’s all about time with Fran. I’ve known Fran for decades. Yes, decades. And I have so …
In Others’ Words: Brokenhearted
So my daughter, CJ, has been doing the graphics for my quotes the past six weeks or so. I find the photos, I find the quotes … and she puts the two together for me in a creative way. She enjoys being creative and she’s good at it. And letting her combine the quote and the graphic frees up my …
In Others’ Words: First Love
I’m having fun here this week — not that I don’t have fun every week. But I’m celebrating the upcoming ACFW Carol Awards with two of my author friends: Deb Raney and Becky Wade. It just so happens that the three of us are finalists in the contemporary romance category. And we’re launching a week-long I ♡ ROMANCE GIVEAWAY where three different …
In Others’ Words: The Choice Between Habit and Marvel
Habits are highly effective — or so they say. But there’s something to be said about allowing life to surprise us. Remembering to be wide-eyed. Taking time to marvel at things around us. Or the people we meet during the day. I live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In the midst of running my errands, living my oh-so-daily life — you …
In Others’ Words: Your Own Worst Enemy
I thought self-doubt was normal. You know what I mean? You grow up and along the way you realize you’re not perfect. Less than. Unworthy. Why? Because school teaches you that. And sometimes parents tell you that. Or friends. Or enemies. Or all of the above. And self-doubt arrives and takes up permanent residence in your head. Maybe you can’t. As …
In Others’ Words: The Good God
Words are powerful. Actions are powerful. And then there are the times that a person speaks and acts … and his life changes another person in unimaginable ways, for years to come. Earlier this week, Ann Voskamp shared the story of Maximilian Kolbe, who sacrificed his life in Auschwitz for another prisoner. And yes, reading his story was profound. But …
In Others’ Words: Lesson Learned
I thought it would be fun to talk about lessons learned this week. I could share about learning the lesson “Don’t try to get up and walk around when your foot is completely numb” — yeah, still recovering from that lesson. But it’s Friday. And this quote from Larry King struck home in a “Huh. Ain’t that the …
In Others’ Words: Pick Your Size
Perspective is a valuable commodity. The challenge is, perspective is earned — through trial and error. Over time. You experience enough life, you gain clearer perspective. When you’re younger, life can be all about the big happiness: a birthday Christmas turning 13 … or 16 … or 18 … or 21 buying your first car sharing your first kiss …
In Others’ Words: Have a Look Around
Perspective makes a huge difference in life. Sometimes perspective makes all the difference. Here’s the thing though: to gain perspective you have to live through something and then you have to look at that experience and ask “So, what did that teach me?” I’ve learned that it’s okay to cry when you need to cry — after going through a …
In Others’ Words: Embracing Story
My friend, Sherrinda, recommended the book The Artisan Soul by Erwin Raphael McManus. (I’m not going to comment on his wonderful middle name — Raphael — at this point. But I mean … really … Raphael.) One thing Sherrinda said was how she was underlining the book like crazy. So I bought the book … and I am doing …