At the beginning of 2015, I marked off these words in my Bible and held them close to my heart. Then the year commenced, and a wild ride it has been.
Fair warning: excessive use of exclamation points ahead. Proceed with caution.
The Art of Losing Yourself became a RT Top Pick!
After a long, hard, rubble-strewn road, we welcomed our daughter home.
My fourth novel released!
We had to say a very sad goodbye to our Bubba Bear.
We celebrated my daughter’s third birthday on the earth, first birthday with us!
Brogan graduated kindergarten!
I wizened up and became a Mac person. 😉
I indie-published my first ever young adult book under the nom de plume, K.E. Ganshert!
Ryan and I celebrated our 11th anniversary!
My third book baby won a Christy Award!
I indie-published my second ever young adult book under the same nom de plume.
I got a handle on this hair thing. At least, sort of.
I signed another 2-book deal with Waterbrook Multnomah!
I won the TIARA! Y’all. This is no joke.
The final installment in my young adult trilogy released out into the world!
Brogan started first grade and lost a whole bunch of teeth!
He also asked Jesus to sit on the throne in his heart.
Miss Salima Bean was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and oral-motor apraxia (and continues to show us every day how determined, resilient, and strong she is).
I won a Carol, which was cool. Even cooler? Meeting one of my all-time favorite authors. Hello there Francine Rivers!
Salima became a U.S. Citizen and a Ganshert for life!
My second novella released!
I dabbled in Amish fiction!
That dabbling ended up on the ECPA best-seller list.
We dedicated our daughter to the Lord in front of our church family.
Oh, 2015. The Lord’s goodness, you most definitely showed me. And while the highlights were many, so much of it was just … real life.
I lost some friends. I made some friends. There were days filled with joy and many filled with stress. I got a whole bunch of new gray hairs. Became very familiar with the world of speech therapy and occupational therapy and individualized education plans. I cried tears and dried tears. I laughed a lot and prayed a lot and ate a lot of chocolate. On more days than I care to admit, I forgot to choose joy. I let tiredness or crankiness or stressed-out-ness or in-a-hurry-ness win. But God’s grace sustained, regardless. God loves me still, regardless. And through everything–the highs and the lows and the nitty-gritty in between of everyday life–His glory shines.
Here’s to having open eyes, open ears, and an open heart to God’s relentless pursuit of me in the year ahead. God’s relentless pursuit of you in the year ahead. Here’s to a fabulous 2016!
How did 2015 treat you?
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, readers! I love you muchly!
Absolutely beautiful family. I believe that adoption is one of the most courageous acts of love that can be manifested. Congratulations!
Thank you, Rick! It’s what God did for us!
Dear Katie Ganshert
I am a bible study teacher in a small church in West Sacramento Ca.- Horizon Christian Fellowship. Our bible study women are in the process of starting a library. It started with a donation of a book cart on wheels. We are a humble church with limited resources. We are in need of great books. We have great respect for your work. We are inquiring to see if you could possibly donate a copy of your book/DVD to this endeavor. Used copies/materials would be greatly appreciated. Our ministries are on a fixed budget and don’t allow for many extras. But we have a strong group of believers.
Thank you for your consideration
Becky Ronquillo
916 606-3540
3535 Otis Ave
West Sacramento CA 95691
Horizon Christian Fellowship
1800 Manzanita Way
West Sacramento CA 95691
916 371-3458
I’m a tiny bit late to the New Year party but I can’t resist commenting on how beautiful your family is! Just awed by these photos and all that God has done. Wow, what an amazing year!!!
Congrats on your adoption! We’re adoptive parents to three children from Liberia. Adoption is the greatest blessing we’ve ever received as the Lord has shown us what it means to truly love unconditionally– how He loves us. Your family is such a picture of the gospel to the world. May God be glorified in your beautiful family.
I am so glad that I stumbled onto your book series The Gifting. I was looking for new books for my avid 14 yr old reader at Christmas time. I googled something about Christian teen books and you popped up. I was skeptical until I read a review that eased my fears about the “supernatural” feel to the books. You just never know which direction a book may go if you don’t know the author. She loved them and so did I, actually I read them all in a few days. Lol One of my favorite authors is Ted Dekker and I devoured this series like I do his. Thanks so much and we look forward to more.
So glad you found me, Nikki! And wow – the comparison to Ted Dekker is pretty awesome! Thank you!
That’s a pretty awesome 2015. I had to look up Psalm 27:14 and read it several times. Going to keep it in mind for 2016.
Also, I absolutely love your book covers. Do you have a specific cover artist or does your publisher do them?
Hey Wesley – for The Gifting Series, I hired Sarah Hansen with Okay Creations. For my other books, my publisher does them. Thanks for visiting!
You’ve had a very busy year! Congratulations on all your successes. I’m especially happy that Salima is now officially yours. I know all about the joys of adoption. Our daughter has been with us 17 years. I also know all about IEPs, OT, PT, and adaptive PE. It’s challenging, but oh so worth it. God bless you and your family!
BTW, Francine Rivers is one of my favorite authors too.
Having become acquainted with you and your writing early this year I have been fascinated watching what God has accomplished in your life. Seeing the verses you have held onto for this year really makes sense.
I’m curious. Has God given you a verse for next year yet?
God’s richest blessings to you and your family this Christmas and into next year.
Thanks for visiting, J.L.! You know, I’m not sure yet. I’m listening carefully each morning. He’s been speaking about 2016. I just haven’t landed on a verse quite yet. What about you?
Wonderful!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! You have a beautiful family🎄🙏🏻
Oh, Katie. I started to cry with the Salima becoming a “Ganshert for life” photo. What a beautiful year, and we all know beautiful doesn’t have to mean perfect. But yours was filled with adventure and love and joy. Beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us!