His Eyes

Posted on May 11, 2012 by vivianmabuni

A post I thought fit well during graduation season. Recycled from CaringBridge with prayers for encouragement and perspective as you journey along…

Just over eight months ago I remember walking into the quad area at La Paz Intermediate school. The place was packed with wall to wall people. Over 600 empty chairs were set up in the center of the quad. The June sun was heating up the place at an alarming rate even though it was still morning. We moved three or four times looking for shade and a good view and finally sat on the edge of a planter box. All eyes were fixed on the left side of the stage area when the music began. Then, for what seemed like 20 minutes, a steady flow of eighth graders walked in single file and started filling in row after row of those aluminum fold out chairs.

My eyes never left that stage until I spotted him. Tall, lean, wearing a black button down Quik Silver shirt that matched his on-the-longer-side black hair.

“There he is! There he is!”

We pointed and called out.

“Jonathan! Jonathan!!”

Julia started jumping up and down. We cheered and waved to him, but he didn’t see us in the crowd. He briefly looked in our direction which caused us to cheer even louder. He didn’t see us but he knew we were there. After he sat down, my eyes continued to look his way all through the promotion ceremony.

For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.

(2 Chronicles 16:9a)

Last night I remembered the longing and anticipation and finally the relief of seeing my son in the crowds of eighth graders. No one else mattered to me as much as my son. The same is true when I see a group picture from a field trip that one of the kids goes on. My eyes scan the photo until I find my child.

Last night I was reminded that His eyes are on me because I belong to Him.

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12)

Now that I am adopted into the family of God, I am looked for in the same way I look for my own kids. His eyes move to and fro and His eyes are on me…fully aware of

where I go,

how I feel,

what I struggle with

and the victories along the way.

I don’t see Him, but I know He is there. He sees me….and He knows exactly the encouragement I need. He prompts Bev and Gretchen and countless others to pray at just the right time, write just the right words or pick out just the right thing to remind me: He is near. His love is unending. Last night I felt His strong support as I looked around my room filled with cards and flowers and saw how all of you have been a part of His strong support.

Thank you for praying. Thank you for loving our family in words and in action. Thank you for all of the notes, food, treats, prayers, love, friendship and for really being in our corner during this cancer battle. We are so grateful for your love and support. Praying you will be encouraged as you think on His strong support and His eyes looking out for you…


Posted in encouragement, perspective, spiritual life | Leave a comment

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Posted on May 6, 2012 by vivianmabuni

Well hello there publishing house people (and friends). Smile. Wave hand. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Feel free to poke around a bit. I’m learning about the writing/publishing world. Learning about platforms and the book review process. I know you’re wondering whether or not people will actually purchase the someday book. I think they will. It’s not because I’m all that, but I think the content will resonate with folks from different walks of life who are going through different trials, including battling cancer. I’ll be adding another link at some point soon with some talk clips, my speaking schedule, etc. Meanwhile, I’m glad you came by and checked things out. Keep coming back. Viv

For the rest of you. Thank you for all your help getting the word out about the someday book. Here’s the back story and where things are at in the process and how you can help:

Back in December I was working on talks for the Epic East Coast Conference sitting by the fireplace at “my Starbucks.” The little red notification Facebook light came on so I clicked over. Yes, I have a problem checking Facebook all day long. And Twitter. I know. And now I’m also on Pinterest. Yes. Yes, you can pray. :)

Anyway, it was an editor who wrote on my Facebook Writer page wall. She received a link to my blog from another author I had never met who had read my blog and forwarded the link to her. She wanted to know if I was interested in submitting my book proposal to their publishing house.

Um. Yes.

I went back on to the actual Facebook writer page and couldn’t find her message anywhere on the page. I would have missed it all together had I not been looking at just the right time. Good thing I happened to look up and good thing I am in the habit of checking Facebook.

I sent her the proposal. She liked it. Asked for an additional chapter. I wrote another chapter. She reviewed it. Then it went to her managing editor (who is a “Whoa. Big time amazing editor”). Her managing editor liked it and sent it along the review process to the editorial team. Yes. Many, many steps going from idea to actual contract.

Then I attended the Mount Hermon Christian Writers conference. Floored and blown away by the interest from literary agents. Decided to sign with the Steve Laube agency with Karen Ball as my agent. (another. “Whoa. Big time amazing agency and agent”). The agent thing is separate from the publishing house thing. Usually agents are the ones submitting book proposals to publishing houses. My process has been kind of unique.

So back to the book proposal. The editorial team also liked it so now on TUESDAY the marketing team will crunch numbers and figure out if it will be a worthwhile investment to publish the someday book. If the marketing team says thumbs up it will go to the final review step: the Pub Board. If they like it, then a contract will be issued.

Here’s where you all can help. The marketing people are looking at numbers of people who read this blog, subscribe to it, like my Facebook writer page, follow me on Twitter. Anything and everything that would help them know real live humans would purchase the book.

So, if you are on Facebook. Please “like” my Facebook Writer page: (I’ve conveniently linked it here so you can click right over)

www.facebook.com/VivianMabuniWriter

You actually need to push the “like” button at the top of the page. And then you can push the “share” button to invite all your friends on Facebook to also “like” the page. Young people know exactly what I’m talking about, but these instructions are for us old folks who aren’t digital natives.

If you’re on Twitter. Please follow me:

https://twitter.com/#!/vivmabuni

If you regularly read this blog, would you subscribe to it in the box up there on the right hand side and share the link with your friends?

I will be emailing the editor on Monday morning with updated numbers and info so she can take it to the Marketing meeting on Tuesday. Look forward to letting you know how it goes.

Thank you for your help and prayers.

Posted in writing | 2 Comments

Weeds

Posted on May 1, 2012 by vivianmabuni

*Still working on talks. Still recycling little nuggets from CaringBridge. Still hope and pray you find encouragement reading. Still appreciate your prayers for me during the next several days. 

So we are hosting 125 interns/stinters and staff at our home Saturday. We love opening our home and it’s a great reason to kick into high gear and attack all those unfinished home projects. I am, of course, currently procrastinating and thinking about my bag cleaning system and hoping that the kitchen curtains I’m sewing will magically self correct because last night when Darrin hung them up they were visibly longer on the left side. Darrin asked me, “Did you measure?” “Uh, well, I sort of eyeballed it.” I am not into precision. Not even remotely.

We’ve had a lot of rain this spring which has resulted in one of the worst allergy seasons to date. The resulting weeds are so high small children could get lost in the back yard planters for days on end. Seriously, the weeds are waist-high in most places. So, today while was attacking the weeds with Darrin, I started thinking about life and weeds…

First, weeds take no effort to grow. They just do. The waist-high ones by the mail box grew without any dirt or fertilizer. Left untended, my soul is bent toward self and selfishness and sin.

Weeds are easier to pull when the ground is damp. I think sometimes the kindness of others, sometimes pain and tears help the weeding process go more smoothly. Humility, grace, forgiveness. Those things experienced and kneaded in my life help soften the ground.

The big hairy weeds often have really shallow roots. It continues to surprise me how easy it is to pull those intimidating ones out. The trickier weeds are the “prettier ones” that have really complicated root systems. I’ve been convicted lately of how often my motive for doing nice things is driven by trying to head off anger and disappointment. So those nice things are actually at the root a way to manipulate and control rather than to truly love.

“Something is better than nothing.” Leila and I adopted that mantra when we started the P90X workout thing back in January (which, by the way, we actually completed :) ). We couldn’t do all the pull ups and push ups but we kept showing up and saying, “Something is better than nothing.” and we are both stronger today than when we started. With the weeds, well,  I know they will come back but whatever little I’ve done is still better than not doing anything.

Pulling weeds is better done with others. Life and relationships. I am the type of person that needs a reason to clean up the yard. People are coming over! I need people in my life and to regularly open my soul to others. It keeps the weeds in check.

Do you have additional insights about weeds?

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Sling Shots and Stones

Posted on April 27, 2012 by vivianmabuni

**I’m in the middle of prepping for some speaking engagements so I decided to recycle a post I wrote in my CaringBridge journal. Hope it encourages you today.

I’m camped out in 1 Samuel and Hosea these days and today I was reading in 1 Samuel 17 about the familiar story of David and the giant, Goliath.  Even though I’ve read the story many, many times, God keeps it fresh through His Spirit and meets me in my current circumstances.  I love how God’s Word applies to the here and now and how new lessons or principles pop up even in the seemingly familiar.

Quick summary of the chapter:  The Philistines had this really huge guy over nine feet tall in their army who challenged the Israelites day and night for 40 days.  His armor weighed 125 pounds, the tip of his spear weighed 15 pounds.  He was intimidating, big, a killer, and the people were afraid of him.  David was a teenager in charge of his dad’s sheep.  He was sent by his dad to check on his three older brothers who were in the Israelite army.  He reaches the camp just as Goliath comes out to taunt the Israelites and decides to go up against the giant.  He brings with him his sling and stones and ends up knocking Goliath out with one of the stones landing it right between his eyes.  He then goes over and lops off the Goliath’s head with a sword.  The Philistines start running away after their hero dies.  The Israelite army pursue the Philistines and enjoy victory and plundering.  David goes from shepherd boy to army hero.

The things that spoke to me from this chapter were:

  • David was just doing his thing, trying to be faithful in his responsibilities.  He wasn’t looking to go into battle and fight giants, he was just following his dad’s instructions.  I think what resonated with me was the idea that I was just moving along in life, trying to be faithful in my responsibilities when the cancer thing came out of the blue–it was not a battle I was looking for.

 

  • But God had prepared David for the battle with Goliath through his brushes with the lion and the bear.  In the same way, I trust that the other “lion/bear giants” I’ve encountered over the years have prepared me for this current battle I’m in.

 

  • David used what he knew and was comfortable with–his sling and stones to go up against the giant.  He didn’t have fancy armor or even a sword.  Lots of times I think I need to be farther along in my journey or more equipped in order to battle well, but I was reminded today to rely on God and use what I already know and am comfortable with.

 

  • David had great perspective:  he knew that the battle was the Lord’s–God would fight for him (v. 47) and his purpose for fighting Goliath was for the whole earth to know that there is a God in Israel (v. 46).  For me I was relieved to read that this health battle I’m in is ultimately the Lord’s, the outcome is in His hands.  I think cancer can be like Goliath–intimidating, big, a killer, and people are afraid of it and can start doubting God’s character when confronted by it.  I was renewed in my perspective of wanting the whole earth (or at least the people I come in contact with) to know of God and who He really is.

We all have battles we have been in, are in, or will be in that we didn’t plan on.  For those of us not currently battling, may you be found faithful in whatever it is that God has called you to.  For those of us currently in a battle, may you and I be reminded of the “lion/bear giants” that have prepared us for this current challenge.  Let us take up our sling and stones and go up against the giants who seek to rob us and those around us of seeing and knowing God and who He really is.  Thank you for battling with our family all these months.  It is profoundly comforting to know that we are not alone.

What battles are you fighting? What are your lions and bears? What are your slings and stones?

 

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Literary Agent! Time for Celebration!

Posted on April 22, 2012 by vivianmabuni

Huge, huge, HUGE part of this writing adventure has come together way beyond what I ever pictured or imagined. With a still shocked and humbled, grateful heart I share with you today this incredible news:

I’m being represented by the Steve Laube Agency.

The incredible Karen Ball is my literary agent.

This writing journey has me on a steep learning curve. New publishing terms I still use incorrectly and conversations with brilliant people who use big words I need to look up in the privacy of my own home. Yeah, I usually just go along with the conversation, smiling, laughing, but inside I’m thinking,

“Based on the context, the word probably means something positive. Smiling and nodding would probably be appropriate. Shoot. I hope I’m not wrong.”

So, the truth of the matter is I feel way in over my head. I don’t mind, most of the time, because this familiar feeling of helplessness reminds me again and again I’m not in control and this writing gig is for God, from God, with God and all about God.

And God has been incredibly good to me. Blessing me immensely. Blessing me in ways I didn’t know until later the extent of the hugeness of those blessings.

I went to the Mount Hermon Writers Conference with hopes of learning more about writing and perhaps meeting with a few agents since my book proposal was moving through the review process and I knew I needed help.

Thankfully I wasn’t aware of the “Oh-my-goodness-you’re-meeting-Steve-Laube!!” factor when I sat down to talk with him the first night. I felt pretty relaxed, tried to be open to his feedback about my proposal, I was encouraged by his heart for God. I knew he was an agent and the President of his literary agency, but not much more beyond that. When I returned to my cabin after the 15 minute meeting turned to an hour and a half and shared with my roommates what happened, I started to clue in. They were both beyond thrilled for me. I connected with my Redbud Writers cohort over Facebook. Overwhelming positive response about the Steve Laube agency from these women in the publishing industry who knew the publishing world. Women I respected and trusted telling me, this is a big deal.

I met with Karen the next day. We sat outside on a rain-soaked bench and it was cold. I was shaking, but it wasn’t from the cold. She asked to see my book proposal. I took it out and she read through it. She commented, “hmmmed” in the right places and looked at me in the eyes and said, “You can write.” Shaking, cold, surprised, a little teary, I responded, “Really?”

Karen, like Steve, has worked in the publishing industry 30 plus years in every facet of the publishing process. They are both highly respected by editors and publishing houses, agents and authors. One of the books I’m reading during my quiet times is by Ruth Haley Barton. She is represented by Steve. What!!??? Karen is a published author and an editor. I need mentoring in the area of writing and Karen will be able to help me be a better writer.

I continued to meet agents and authors and wonderful people throughout the rest of the conference, but pulled away to sit by a stream to process with the Lord one afternoon. Karen happened to walk up the path. She smiled and said, “I was praying for you last night.”

Her prayers, fun-loving spirit, reputation, mentoring heart, experience and the fact she posted on her Facebook Editor page a picture of Maxwell the wee little piggy weeks before my wee little piggy post sealed the deal. I look forward to working with Karen and Steve in the coming months and years.

Yesterday I was on the Steve Laube Agency website because it’s full of so much great information about writing. I clicked on the “authors we represent” tab, and gasped. My heart started pounding. My name was listed among an incredible line up of authors.

Prayers, please, for next steps. And praises for God’s blessings and answers to prayer. Thanks for being along for this wild ride.

Posted in encouragement, writing | 10 Comments

We Are Family

Posted on April 16, 2012 by vivianmabuni

Airport arrivals are infinitely better than departures. The anticipation of being reunited, the face-forward expectancy, eyes scanning, the running and hugging. I much prefer arrivals over watching the ones I love disappear smaller and farther into the faraway.

Jonathan returned from his college visit back East. He will be making his final decision in the coming days. While he was gone I was struck with the blessing of my family in the faith. I have yet to meet in person the Cru staff at this University, but the Missional Team Leader connected with me and then connected Jonathan with one of his student leaders. The student leader and some of his friends met Jonathan for lunch and showed him around the campus the day he arrived. What comfort it brought me to know he was meeting with family.

Our nieces stayed with us during their spring break. They invited along another friend who was also far away from home. Instant connection with their friend. Reunited with family I hadn’t known and yet being together felt so familiar.

A while back our vacuum cleaner stopped turning on when I flipped the switch. Really, it’s quite rare the switch gets switched at all. The vacuum sits with the ironing board in the hall closet and neither of those two items see much light of day. I went to what I thought was a vacuum repair store only to be met by a salesman who told me repairing it would cost me $250 and to trade in my old vacuum for his $980 one. “Uh, no thank you.”

I walked out with the broken vacuum and placed it back into my car and then remembered a tiny shop near our home I had seen while driving around. The store window advertised a mix of key making and shoe and vacuum cleaner repair. Anything seemed better than $980 so I unloaded the vacuum and carried it to the door. Inside a kind faced Korean man with very broken English explained he could fix the vacuum for $30. I noticed on his cash register the Christian fish symbol and pointed to it. Then with hand motions and slow, loud words (why do we think being louder helps someone who speaks another mother tongue understand us better?) tried to communicate I, too, knew and loved Jesus.

He pulled out his Korean Bible and shared a verse with me. I took out my English Bible and found the verse and read it. I then shared some verses back for him to look up in Korean. We couldn’t carry on a conversation but through our shared love for God and His Word, we were communicating on a soul level. I met family I didn’t know I had.

I was reading from that same Bible on a cross-country flight with Darrin. He sat on the aisle seat, me in the middle and another man at the window. The flight attendant walking by took notice and we struck up a conversation. Instant connection. We learned we had mutual friends. A couple at her church were students we worked with back at UCLA. Our shared faith allowed us to talk about matters of the heart. We knew God was crossing our paths for His purposes. We listened with understanding regarding our faith journey’s and encouraged one another to keep trusting God and to not lose heart. She was working first class and came by later with huge, warm chocolate chip cookies for us. (So that’s what I’m missing behind those first class curtains!). I shared some of my cookie with the man next to me. Not Darrin. He had his own cookie. The other guy. The man asked me,

“How long have you known her?”

“Oh, we just met.”

“Really? You seem to be like long-lost friends.”

Not long-lost friends. We are family.

 

 

Posted in spiritual life | 10 Comments

I Am A Writer

Posted on April 4, 2012 by vivianmabuni

Have you ever experienced a moment when you shake your head and wonder in disbelief,

Did that really happen?

I’m back from the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Lots of shaking my head and wondering throughout the week. Lots of “really?” Lots of shocked and happy humbled tears. Lots of staring up into the redwood trees whispering,

God is big. And great. And GRAND…

I met with some of the most respected literary agents and authors in the industry and with representatives from publishing houses. The feedback was positive. Very positive. Unexpected. I tossed and turned night after night.

Can this really be happening? Maybe they’re just being nice. Maybe they aren’t really saying what I think they’re saying.

But they were. Those agents and authors validated and confirmed what so many of you have tried to tell me these past few years. I am a writer. Multiple agents have expressed interest in representing me. I actually have to prayerfully chose one.

I struggled when I had my business cards printed. Under my name I was able to type in “conference/retreat speaker” because speaking was my main ministry contribution. Then I would type in “writer,” look at the word, sigh, then push delete. Get up, run around the table, retype…then delete. Over and over. Finally I closed my eyes and just hit the “accept” button before I could change my mind.

The non-fiction mentoring clinic I participated in was exactly what I needed. Jan Kern, author and amazing mentor extraordinaire taught, encouraged, helped and advised me. I’m excited to show you my book:

Here's the book--minus pages and binding. Oh, and all the words.

I sat in the dark and cold of early, early morning after a mostly sleepless night. I could hear my cabin mates breathing the rhythm of deep sleep. I turned on the lamp by my bed and talked with God about all the going-ons of the week. My reading plan had me in John 21. Peter was walking along the beach with Jesus. He turned around and saw John following behind and asked,

“Lord, and what about this man?”

Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!”

God tenderly reminded me through this verse the truth that everyone has a different path. No two paths look the same. What is happening in others lives is not my responsibility. God’s plan and purposes will be accomplished. His timing is perfect. He has prepared good works before hand that we should walk in (Eph. 2:10). He causes all things to work together for good (Rom.8:28).

But here in the dark, He was calling me to simply follow Him.

Yes, Lord, I will follow.

Yes, Lord, I am a writer.

May my words bring hope and lift You high.

May my life bring honor to Your name.

Posted in spiritual life, writing | 14 Comments

Wee Little Piggy

Posted on March 26, 2012 by vivianmabuni

Big week coming up. I’ve been invited to share my cancer journey at MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) at EV Free Fullerton Church Tuesday morning and the following Tuesday as well. The Awesomes will be joining me which makes sharing this talk especially meaningful.

Thursday I leave for the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference to be with 400 people I’ve never met. I’m flying into San Francisco, renting a car and driving down to disappear in those breath-taking redwood trees off Highway 17. Between now and Thursday I am trying to figure out how to pack five days worth of clothes into one of those overhead bin carry-on pieces of luggage. And really the big questions are: how many pairs of shoes can I smash in? and will there be enough room for my feather pillow?

Since this is my first time attending the conference, I have been assigned a “buddy” to answer questions and help prepare me for our time. My buddy, Janneke, has been wonderful. After I shared with her about the editor finding me and where I was at with the editorial team reviewing my book proposal next month, she suggested I look into the Non-Fiction Mentoring Clinic. I had seen information about this writing clinic on the conference website but didn’t give it any thought because it was by application only and I didn’t think I qualified. The deadline for the application was last Wednesday. Only two spots were left. Well, in the course of a few hours last Wednesday, I was accepted into the clinic and assigned a skilled and knowledgeable mentor who will work with me and four other writers. And it turns out one of those four is my buddy! I look so forward to having the personal input and a place to ask questions, receive feedback and help on writing and the writing world.

I just keep alternating between pinching my arm and screaming into my pillow. See, I really think I need to bring my pillow…

God continues to open doors and provide above and beyond what I deserve and desire.

I needed some new eyeliner. Scanning the miles of make up in the Sephora store I concluded,

Best to go with waterproof.

As you can imagine, between sharing the cancer journey, news about Jonathan and colleges, and all this writing world everything my emotions have been all over the place. Tears could flow anywhere at anytime about any number of things.

Yesterday morning, on the one morning I planned to sleep in, I woke up in the quiet of the early, early morning. I sat wrapped up in a blanket with my Bible and journal asking the Lord how to stay grounded in the midst of all these new things going on.

There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more. And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous and he who waters will himself be watered.                (Proverbs 11:24-25)

It was as if God spoke to my heart the way to stay grounded is to hold on loosely, be generous with helping others, not to compete but to seek out good for others. Focus out and up and not on myself or the outcome. I was mainly thinking about writing, but I think these principles also translate into other areas of life.

All this book and writing stuff has been a crazy, wild ride. Thanks for being part of it. Thank you for your encouragement. Appreciate and ask for your continued prayers. It feels like the pace is picking up and a picture that captures how I feel is this:

“Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!”

Posted in cancer, friendship, relationships, writing | Leave a comment

Bittersweet Endings and Beginnings

Posted on March 17, 2012 by vivianmabuni

The tears catch me by surprise. Three times in the last two days. Driving home from Costco the old song, “A Thousand Miles,” came on the radio. I usually blast it. This time I sang with tears rolling down my face.

I would walk a thousand miles just to see him. Just to hold him.

Jonathan is receiving news now almost daily from colleges he’s been accepted to. One school back east has invited him to come visit next month. I googled the distance from our home to the campus.

2667 miles.

What a bittersweet mixture of emotions.

My mother’s heart is thrilled with the possibilities but breaks with the inevitable taking place in just a few short months.

He won’t be here for dinner anymore.

I won’t find him asleep on the big chair in our living room with his six-foot frame twisted in every imaginable combination.

His shoes and books and papers will fill another place that isn’t our living room, dining room and entry way.

The piano will sit silent.

Really the bottom line is…

I will miss him.

The bittersweet ending and beginnings started long, long ago. The week before his first day of kindergarten I lay in bed with silent tears flowing out of my eyes, into my ears. Two nights ago the same bed, and the same bittersweet tears. The sweetness both times comes from knowing he is ready. It’s good and right. It’s the next step. When my friend, Faye’s, oldest went off to college six years ago I wept. Jonathan was still in elementary school, but I knew the day would come when it would be his turn.

And now it is here. This week with news from the colleges it’s hitting me–it’s really here.

After 23 years in college ministry we know hundreds of campus staff workers across the country. But we don’t personally know the staff at that campus back east. Now I understand in an experiential way the significance of having staff workers in different parachurch ministries on college campuses. And I have a new appreciation for all the thousands of churches and individuals that give financially to those campus ministers. For so long we were on the receiving end of those freshman faces. Now we are the ones praying, letting go, entrusting to others our most precious ones.

The ones we would walk a thousand miles to see.

I’m trying to implement some lessons I’ve learned about grief. I’m trying to not push down my sad feelings, but actually just let them be. So I’m letting the tears flow when those bittersweet feelings surface.

Now three times has turned to four.

Posted in parenting | 20 Comments

Through Open Doors

Posted on March 13, 2012 by vivianmabuni

“God, if You open the door I will walk through.”  My knees are knocking and my hands are a bit clammy. I take a deep breath and take the next step through to a new place I haven’t been before. God opens another door several steps later and I find myself face to face with another opportunity to trust Him. The prayer and knee-knocking clamminess starts all over. Walking, listening, seeking, wondering, nail-biting, muttering, mustering–all this paired with the exhilaration of knowing He has gone before, prepared a path, provided the resources and walks with me through the doorway. God’s part: door opening. My part: walking through.

It was a just year ago when the Taiko drums played in Florida right before the Synergy conference. A year ago when this writing adventure officially began. A year ago that I first heard of the Redbud Writers Guild. A few months later I became a new member as I walked through the first door. Amazed they would bring into their fold a woman with no writing background. The grateful tears flowed. I was no longer alone. God provided women of similar heart who were experienced, generous, and supportive. I started working on a book proposal. A few months after that I had a new blog domain thingy. God provided Aaron to design this site. He, so gifted, encouraging and patient. Me, so clueless, still clueless. A few months after that opportunities started springing up to share about my cancer journey in unexpected places. At the end of December an editor of a publishing house found me through another writer I had never met. And today my book proposal was brought to the managing editor of this publishing house to be reviewed by an editorial team. It’s the first or second step in 1000 steps of getting the “someday book” published, but God’s involvement has been undeniable.

Three weeks ago I heard about the Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference. It was pricey and way out of range for us, but Darrin encouraged me to trust God to provide if He wanted me to attend. So I wrote to two churches that support us and they both immediately responded with wanting to help scholarship me. That same week I connected with a staff friend I hadn’t seen since November. We caught up and shared about areas we were needing to trust God. I mentioned the writer’s conference and she said,

“No way. My brother-in-law is on the Board of Directors. He might be able to get you some scholarship money since you’re in ministry. Want me to find out?”

“Uh. Yes, please.”

The doors keep opening. God has provided in full for me to attend this writers conference at the end of the month. My heart is pounding. My knees are knocking. So humbling. So undeserved. So like the Lord to provide, to guide, to reassure. My heart’s desire is to follow through on whatever doors of opportunity God opens. Your continued prayers are deeply appreciated.

What doors is God opening for you? What has helped you walk through? And what keeps you from walking through?

Posted in spiritual life, writing | 4 Comments