And a pretty big thing at that! I have written my first book. Honestly, I can’t believe that I began the “real” journey in November of 2022, and it was technically published just before Thanksgiving of 2023.
What’s the big deal you ask? I’m a procrastinator. Not quite chronic but…I do tend to put things off instead of getting them finished and done.
What Started the Journey?
Oh my, going back about 25 years ago I began minumally sharing my life story. It was a couple times at a few different churches including my own for womens’ gatherings. What became a familar comment was that I should write my story as I had shared at the various women’s events over the next several years.
I entertained the thought and said to myself, I can do this. I’m going to write my crazy story. I would go at it for a bit then that was enough for a while and I would put it aside. Eventually I managed to write three chapters of my early years…very early. However, my life got very busy with a few differnt things happening. For instance my mom, who had been staying on our property in her trailer in the summer months eventually led her to living with us until her passing. That is a big responsibility while working full-time so there just wasn’t the time for writing through that duration.
Seasons Change…
After Mom’s passing in 2018, there were adjustments to make as we went back to just me and the husband. I found myself picking away at my old file. I’d change things here and there but really never made any headway. I was still working so continued to be busy with life and job things, and a surgery thrown in there as well. Needless to say, I began to think that this just wasn’t going to happen! At speaking events again I would hear the question asked, “So when are you going to write your story?” This went on for several years.
Then Came Retirement!
I dropped down to part-time where I was doing what I loved most, hosting music. This finally gave way to taking the plunge, retiring in July 2022. I did struggle a bit trying to figure out what to do with my life now that I was retired. I love my gardening in the summer but it finally slows down in October. Then what?
That following fall brought me to a serious decision. I made the decision to join a self-publishing business because I was going to finally get this book written! Signed on our anniversary in October and started right in November after some meetings to get a feel for the ropes, I began. My husband had one stipulation, “If you are going to do this you better finish it!” The old procrastinator me, well, I made the promise that I would.
The Journey Begins
Wow, let me just say that this was not an easy peasy task. Actually, it became a year of lessons that I realized the Lord was teaching me. First and formost…His timing is perfect! I like things in the now not the wait and see. So I went through a few sessions where I just had to hang on and wait.
My Scripture mantra comes from Philippians 4:6,7. I do have a post somewhere in here that I blogged on these two verses:
6 “Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].”
Philippians 4:6-7 AMP
These words became frequent company for me going through the variety of waiting scenarios. I also realized that I was a target for the enemy through several periods, especially near the end. There were several times I just had to rebuke, you know who, and tell him to get out of my head. He would wisper lies like, “you are a fool to write this book”, “people are going to call you a fool”, “why would you write all this for people to know about who you really are”. On and on the tape would roll, especially as the final edits drew near. But I have learned a thing or two about this schemer, he is a liar wanting nothing more for me than to forfeit my soul to him. It just isn’t going to happen. You see, I’ve been bought and paid for with a precious price, the price of my Savoir’s precious blood! No one can take that away from me!
I persisted and by golly, the manuscript was finished and headed to the team for formatting and cover design. Right before Thanksgiving it was uploaded to Amazon Direct Publishing. We had some quirky things take place but by the new year it was good to go! Whew, I was and am one relieved author. Yes, no longer just a writer but a real author!
By the way, isn’t that cover just beautiful? Thanks to our friend Gordy Lindgren, photographer, who loves a night sky and God’s creatures. I have named this photo of his, “The heavens declare the glory of the Lord…” You can find some pretty wonderful photos that he has taken. Just look him up! gordylindgrenphoto.com
There Were Certainly Challenges!
It sure is intersting whe we do things the Lord has asked of us. That enemy I talked about, he sure tried his best to get me to throw in the towel with this project. But I refused to succumb in spite of the few really hard circumstances that kept popping up seemingly out of nowhere.
We had a rather challenging summer with a garden that was quite consuming. But I did the best I could to keep up with it all. Then things really got strange on us. Remember that rebuking thing? I was doing a lot as we contended with several issues in our house, even ourselves.
My husband started having some issues that were causing much pain on the left side of his face. We did learn later on that it is something to do with three nerves in the brain. At that time no one knew what to do about it from doctors and dentists locally. But he was eventually put on a medication that helped it subside, that is until the Lord decides to heal him.
Then we had a tragic and terribly sad day as our 15 yr old Schnauzer had to be put down after she tried to bite the tire but the tire won. We were devestated and me especially. Oh my I loved that little girl. I have several stories in here about lessons I’ve learned while having her. I miss her terribly.
There were also some things that began happening in the house. Our washing machine went caput and my husband had it apart several times with new parts and after about the third time he finally said, “I think I have it but we will have to replace it soon.” Right now it is still working, thank you Lord!
Kimberly, tumbles down the last stair and clunked her head against the corner of the door way bruising her shoulder terribly and naturally raising a huge lump on the noggin. All is well, no concusion thank You Lord. Or at least no one is saying something isn’t right.
Our sink proceeded to get plugged quite solid. We managed to finally free it after three doses of a product when it suddenly broke loose, whew!
And one of the toilets somehow ended up with a broken seal. Oh yes not a pleasant thing to have to contend with. Now all these things took place from the last week of July through the first part of October. I don’t know but it certainly seemed like an attack to me? But we pressed on!
All that to say that yes stuff happens, not usually so much in a short amount of time! We weathered it and I’m still grieving my sweet Elsa girl. But we have come out stronger for the ordeal.
Which leads me to close with this: When you give God your yes, you may be put to the test. However, do not fear. God had us well covered.
We did get through it all. Even with our Elsa, I had been in denial that she was declining rapidly at 15. Not only that it would have been a rough winter for her. Especially while her jaw healing (it was broken in the accident.)
Lessons were learned and the Lord came along side of us every time. I have grown so close to Him. Especially after all of the above incidents that happen. I sure can see how one would possibly throw in the towel and say enough. But I knew it was time to just do it as the Lord had something in mind. Would I do this book writing thing again? I am hoping to!
Would You Like a Copy?
If you would like to check out my book, head over to Amazon. Here’s a link to make it easier https://a.co/d/6JDAg65
When you finish up the book, I would ask a huge favor, please head back to Amazon and leave a sincere review, primarily if you found value in the content. That would be a blessing to me! Please feel free to ask any questions and I’ll do my best to answer them!
You just have to embrace your story no matter how ugly. Why? Because in Christ, your story has already been redeemed!
