Being still

A friend wrote me this morning and asked me to pray for her to learn (again) to be still before the Lord and to wait to hear him. I just sat here and stared at my screen because that is exactly what I'd asked God to do in my heart yesterday. To teach me (again) to be still with him. To listen. To wait before him.

I love Thanksgiving. I love Christmas. I love the holidays. But not all the time. Sometimes I hear Jingle Bells (for the 497th time) and it makes me want to run and stick my head in a vat of eggnog.

Life--not to mention this time of year--can be so hectic and demanding that I often lose the "quietness" within myself. I get snappy (imagine that...) and impatient (who knew) and can be downright rude (yep, sad but true). All because I lose my center. My focus. I'm still reading God's Word, I'm still praying, still dwelling on him, but I forget to be still.

So, if you're so inclined, I'd appreciate you praying for me to learn (again) to "be still" in Him. And to listen. I'll be praying the same for everyone who reads this.

Back this afternoon with the winners of our giveaway!

And here's a pic of Jack with our Christmas tree! The house is all decorated and lovely, though I was pretty crabby when I was stringing all those lights. I needed to be writing! See, told you I needed to learn to be still again. ;-)

Pics from Thanksgiving

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Ours was very enjoyable, filled with family and friends. We played host to my husband's side of the family and had a houseful. Here's a peek...

Cousin Robin, Beverly and Denise (my sisters-in-law), and me. We all shared in the cooking which made it easier for everyone. And it was all so good!

Me with my father-in-law, and my daughter.
My father-in-law, Fred, is a wonderful "editor" in his own right and reads each book before it goes to print. What a guy! And notice my daughter's lovely curls... well, they're going to be on the cover of From A Distance, my next release due out next Spring. Watch for a peek at that cover! :)

We were blessed with a feast!

Enjoying hugs from the kids (above and below)

Me with my sweet husband (trying to stay warm as we toured my sister-in-law's almost completed house down the street from us)

And finally...Jack after a very full day, asleep on our son's hand.

Pics from this weekend

I had a great time in Memphis last week and then signing in Fayetteville and Winchester this weekend. Here are some pics...

Joe and me having dinner with Randy and Brenda Curtis (our hosts) on Thursday evening, at Little Venice. Delicious! And a wonderful time catching up with good friends.

Brenda Curtis is the President of the Memphis Chapter of the Associated Women of Harding (AWH). They invited me to speak at their gathering on Thursday evening and I had such a great time. These ladies are so gracious! Thanks for inviting me, Brenda!

Jeannie Alexander and me at AWH (Jeannie and I went to Harding together, but there's no relation. We both married Alexanders )

Saturday in Fayetteville, TN at Alexander's Bibles Books & Gifts. Betty Alexander (again, no relation, that we know of anyway ) is standing to my right and was so gracious to invite me! Thanks, Betty! You have a lovely store and a wonderful staff!

A special thanks to Ramona (in the ivory sweater, who manages the Wal-Mart in Winchester) who sent an (ahem...) lovely Arkansas, Razorback cap back to my husband (Ramona also married into Razorback fever, bless both our hearts ). Great to meet you Ramona, and my husband is already wearing your gift. Somehow it didn't "get lost" on the way home.

My dad is originally from Fayetteville so I'm blessed to have family there. Here I am with my cousins Gay and Jeannie. Thanks gals for such wonderful food! I can't wait to make that fruit dip! But it is okay to eat it straight from the bowl?

Me with Betty Alexander (the bookstore owner) and my precious Aunt Jean. When I was a young girl, I'd spend two weeks every summer visiting my relatives who live in the Winchester/Fayetteville area, and I had such a blast. It was great to be with everyone again. Love you, Aunt Jean! Thanks for all the "word of mouth" you've given my books. You're an amazing publicist!

Me with my cousin Lydia and her daughter, Sarah. Looking at Sarah is like stepping back in time. She looks JUST like her mom looked when we were kids and used to play in the pond. Thanks for stopping by, gals. Was great to see you!

Me with Betty Alexander, owner of Alexander's Bible's Books and Gifts. Blessings to you, Betty, for your ministry there in Winchester. You have a beautiful store.

Saturday afternoon The Book Inn in Fayetteville on the town square hosted me for a signing and I met my "three sisters" that I always wished I'd had. LOL! Bonnie (pictured to my right), it was a delight to meet you, friend! Thanks for your kind words about my books and for being such an encouragement!

Me with Patty Walker, my sweet cousin who coordinated the signing at The Book Inn during Fayetteville's annual Host of Christmas Past. We had a wonderful time together during the signing and then afterward as we walked the town square (pictured below), shopping for antiques and eating at Rachel's. Thanks, Patty!

Me with Pam Howell (owner of The Book Inn in Fayetteville), and Patty Walker. Pam, thanks much for hosting me. You and your staff are so gracious!

And finally, a picture of Fayetteville's lovely town square. They had it decorated so nicely with the sights and scents (love that warm spiced cider) of Christmas.

And now, I'm back home and eager to dive back into writing From A Distance. I'll have some new releases to tell you about this week as well as giveaway, so be sure and check back.

Speaking and Signing

I'm headed out today for a speaking engagement in Memphis, TN and then to two booksignings on Saturday (Fayetteville and Winchester, TN). Here's the information. If you're nearby and have time to stop in, I'd love to meet you and say hello.

Thursday, November 8
Speaking to the Association of Women for Harding University
7:00 p.m.
Church of Christ at White Station
1106 Colonial Road, Memphis
For more information, call 901-761-1352

Saturday, November 10
Alexander’s Bibles, Books & Gifts
10:00—11:30 a.m.
1225 S. College Street in Winchester
Call store for more information: 931-967-8560

The Book Inn (on town square)
(In conjunction with the annual Host of Christmas Past Festival)
1:00—3:00 p.m.
105 Market St. E. in Fayetteville
Call store for more information: 931-433-9572

Reader Mail and Time and God

It's such a pleasure hearing from readers and how they've connected with themes in my stories, or to a certain character's reaction to a situation, or maybe to the developing relationship between two characters. I'm amazed at how many times someone has gleaned something from what I've written and it's not what I'd been meaning to convey at all--and yet it works!

Just goes to show that God gives each of us what we need, when we need it, if we're making ourselves available to him. If we're keeping our eyes and hearts open, ready to listen. He's working in the details of our lives, ordering and preparing us to face what we can't even begin to guess at right now.

For me, I'm so thankful I can't see that far down the road of my life. And I'm extra grateful that he can. That he stands there at the end when I'll draw my last breath here, as well as still existing in the moment I took my first breath. God isn't limited by time or space as we know it. So he's already waiting for me ten years from now (if I live that long here) and yet he's here with me now preparing me for what he knows I'll be going through then.

Mind boggling for me, but not for him. And I'm so thankful...