Katie Ganshert, Author at Katie Ganshert

Unlikable Characters

Posted on January 6, 2012December 31, 2011 by Katie Ganshert

The whole talking head vlog thing is starting to weird me out. It’s like The Office, only The Office is hilarious. How do I not be a talking head? Any suggestions?

Anyway, today we’re talking about unlikable characters. I’m super excited to see where this conversation goes!

If you’d like to see more of my videos, you can subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Let’s Talk: Have you ever read a book where the protagonist was unlikable, but you kept reading? I can think of at least three or four others, but I don’t want to hog the conversation! What kept you reading? Did you like the book?

FYI, I have a few more questions to answer from readers via vlogging. So if I haven’t answered your question yet, I promise I’ll get to it soon!

The Beauty of Being Naive

Posted on January 4, 2012January 4, 2012 by Katie Ganshert

I think I’m naive.

Not about everything. But about some things.

For instance.

When I tell people we’re going to adopt from the Congo, which is by and large a pilot program for many adoption agencies. The response I get usually goes something like this:

The Congo? Wow! That’s a pilot program, right? That’s pretty brave of you guys. Isn’t there a travel advisory for the Congo? Isn’t it dangerous?

To which my response usually goes something like this:

Brave? Pilot program? Travel advisory? Um….

And then I realize that really, I have no idea what we’re getting ourselves into. We just know that when God planted this adoption seed in our hearts and we started doing copious amounts of research on foster, domestic, and international adoption. We kept coming back to the Congo.

So we said yes. In all our sweet naivety.

We truly don’t know what’s in store. And I think that’s okay. Because if we did, we might have said no. And then we wouldn’t have witnessed God at work in the ways we’ve already witnessed Him since filling out that application.

It makes me glad God doesn’t show us a detailed map, complete with every bumpy road and unexpected detour, before we agree to travel down a certain path.

I’m pretty sure if He did, we’d start to rely on the map instead of Him.

It makes me glad that with God sitting beside us, we don’t need a map. Not when He already knows the way.

We don’t need to know the ins and outs of the journey ahead. We just have to listen and obey and trust that He’s strong enough, smart enough, all-powerful enough, to get us through the roadblocks and the detours and the potholes as they come.

Let’s Talk: Have you ever signed up for something without knowing what you were really getting yourself into? How did it turn out? Do you think you would have done it if you’d known ahead of time what was in store?

Another Year, Another Word

Posted on January 2, 2012December 31, 2011 by Katie Ganshert

I love reflecting on the old year. I love anticipating the new. And my favorite way to do this is with two words.

One that summarizes the old. One that predicts the new.

I started doing this two years ago after being inspired by fellow blogger Tamika Eason.

If you want, you can read my 2010 New Year’s Post and my 2011 New Year’s Post.

Here’s a brief recap:

2009’s word: Growth

I grew a lot. As a believer and as a writer.

2010’s word: Surrender

I learned what it means to surrender my dreams to Him and find freedom and joy on the other side.

2011’s prediction: Anticipation

Which has been pretty accurate. Much of 2011 has been spent anticipating the release of my debut novel.

But I think there is a better word. One that is more all-encompassing.

2011’s word: Trust

Because in 2011, I quit my job.

I won’t lie. It was more than slightly terrifying. People would often say, “You’re so lucky you can afford to do that.” But here’s the thing.

We couldn’t!

We lost half our income. An income that helped pay the bills. We also lost the benefits that come with being a teacher. Namely, cheap health insurance. Yet the more we prayed, the stronger we felt God calling us in this direction.

So we crunched numbers. We changed our lifestyle. We turned into minimalists. And we stepped out in faith. Trusting that where God leads, He’ll also provide.

In 2011, we decided to adopt.

Which is also more than slightly terrifying. Especially in light of the job quitting. But we couldn’t ignore God’s prompting. So we filled out the application. We were accepted. And now we’re on a road that will lead to our future son or daughter. We chose to trust. Even though financially, it makes no sense.

In 2011, God has shown himself as Yahweh-Yireh (Provider) in our lives.

We’re trusting He will continue to do so as we trust and obey.

2012’s prediction: Change

This time next year, not only will I will be an author with one book on the shelves and another on the way, Ryan and I will be getting ready to fly to the opposite side of the world to unite with the newest member of our family.

Change is in the air.

Let’s Talk: If you had to summarize your 2011 in one word, what would it be? What do you predict 2012’s word will be?