A Review in Pictures & What’s on the Horizon

Over the past several years, I’ve has fun summarizing the previous year using one word and predicting what the next year’s word will be.

Here’s a brief recap….

2009’s One Word Summary: Growth

I started doing this in January of 2010, which means I didn’t have a prediction for 2009. Just a summary. And with all the growing I did as a Christian and as a writer, I’d say that fits the bill.

2010’s One Word Summary: Surrender

Jokingly, I predicted that 2010 would be my year for Victory. Ended up being a year of surrender. Gotta love the irony there.

2011’s One Word Summary: Trust

2011’s prediction was Anticipation, since I had just signed a two-book deal with Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group. Throughout the course of the year, I not only quit my day job, Ryan and I said yes to adoption, both of which required a lot of trust.

2012’s One Word Summary: Grateful

2012’s prediction was Change, since I became a work-at-home mom and assumed we’d be bringing our Congolese son or daughter home at some point that year (oh Katie, you were so naive). Even though that didn’t happen, it was a year of many blessings–both tangible and intangible.  

2013’s One Word Prediction: Surprises

Let’s see. Major highlights. 

In 2013, Ryan and I accepted a referral for a little girl. That was in February. We thought she’d be home by the summer. But then Congo adoptions turned upside down and we watched from afar as timelines were extended and government departments shut down. Our Congolese Cutie officially became a Ganshert in July, but as of right now, we have no idea when she will come home. 

In 2013, I traveled to Congo twice. Once in April for a humanitarian trip. Again in November to spend time with my daughter.

Salima Ganshert 2

Salima Ganshert 3

me and salima

In 2013, I saw an outpouring of God’s provision like none I have ever seen before. Kelli Standish’s flash mob made my 2nd trip to the Congo possible and it had God’s fingerprints all over it. 

In 2013, my second book, Wishing on Willows, hit book stores.

wishing on willows shelves

In 2013, my debut novel, Wildflowers from Winter, was nominated for a Christy and won a Carol! 

Christy nom

Carol win

In 2013, I signed another 2-book deal with Waterbrook Multnomah, and wrote a novella for Zondervan’s A Year of Weddings novella collection.

In 2013, my son’s life became increasingly miraculous. Yearning for a child has a way of making you appreciate the one you have in a profound way.

DSC_0488

If I had to sum up the year in one word, it would be….

Surprises

Because the shoe fits…

If you would have told me last year that we’d somehow have the money for me to fly to Congo TWICE, I would have laughed.

If you would have told me last year that I  would be nominated for a Christy or win a Carol, I would have laughed.

If you would have told me last year that we still would not have our daughter home, I would have laughed.

The year was filled with surprises–some amazing, some not. But surprises nonetheless.

So what’s my one word prediction for 2014?

I have no idea.

In fact, I’m going to stop making predictions.

Here is what I do know…

I’ll spend these next two months in a writing cave, finishing my fourth novel.

My third novel, A Broken Kind of Beautiful, will release this April (I am so beyond excited to share this story).

A Broken Kind of Beautiful

My first novella, An October Bride, will release in….well, October. (I’m pretty excited about this one too.)

An October Bride

Our daughter could come home, or she might not.

There will be days when I can handle the wait and days when I can’t. 

Brogan will start kindergarten (what?!?!)

I will give my husband lots of kisses and my son lots of cuddles. We’ll probably do some bickering and I’ll probably lose my patience. I will do some writing, some playing, some laughing, some crying. And lots and lots of praying.

Happy 2014, from me to you!

Let’s Talk: How’s 2014 looking for you? Any big highlights to share from 2013?

Merry Christmas, Dear Readers!

merry christmasIt’s hard to believe this is my last blog post of 2013. 

Where does the time go?

I want to say a hearty thank you to all the people who signed up for my Welcome Note and Devo! Last night, I used random.org to select a name from my welcome note list. So without further ado, the winner of a signed copy of Wildflowers from Winter and Wishing on Willows is…..

Alicia Unger!

Congrats, Alicia!

For another chance to win, head over to my Facebook author page and help me name the town in my 4th novel!

Thank you readers, for all your support and encouragement. Connecting with you is one of the highlights of being an author.

I wish you all a blessed Christmas filled with comfort and joy. 

And for those who find themselves in a place of hurt or longing, for you….

I pray that God, THE source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the holy spirit. ~Romans 15:13

Join me in 2014 and stay tuned for an invitation to be a part of the launch team for A Broken Kind of Beautiful!

Oh – and don’t forget to enter the Christian Fiction Christmas Giveaway. The contest closes soon!

In Celebration of Breakthroughs (plus a Giveaway)

confettiWriting….

Sometimes it’s awesome.

Sometimes it’s just flat out stressful.

Yesterday, it was awesome.

And that awesome came on the tail end of a whole lotta stressful.

What made it awesome, you ask?

Because I’ve been wrestling with a story that I needed to have plotted (like, last week). The characters were there. The theme was there. Various complications were there. But the rising action leading to that all-important climactic moment? 

Completely elusive.

The ever-lovin’ pieces were not fitting.

I was hitting my head against a creative brick wall…..reinforced with steel and surrounded by a force field for good measure. 

I was positive I would never come up with an entertaining plot, let alone a cohesive one. 

I was certain that I wouldn’t reach my deadline and I’d never ever write another book again. My creativity had officially shriveled up and died.

But then yesterday happened!

After some much-needed brainstorming sessions with several writer friends and some much-needed divine inspiration, I wrote not only one synopsis, but TWO! And what’s even crazier is that I’d be excited to write either story.

So do me a favor, would you?

Next week, when I’m freaking out all over again because I’m convinced I will never write another word worth reading, would you please remind me that God has a way of meeting us most profoundly when we think we have nothing left to give?

I’d be forever grateful.

Now, let’s celebrate, shall we?

I’m in the mood to give away a signed copy of both of my books! To be entered to win, all you have to do is sign up for a Welcome Note and Devo (if you’ve already signed up, then you are already in the drawing). You should see a sign up button at the top of this blog page. I will randomly select a winner this Friday. 

Oh – and don’t forget to enter the Christian Fiction Christmas Giveaway! There are all kinds of great books and fun goodies to win!

Let’s Talk: Have you had any wonderful breakthroughs lately?