This past year was awesome. There were many highs and many lows, but the highs were all higher than the lows. I’ve been through the dark valley before so I know how important it is to appreciate time spent on the mountaintop.
Today has been a day that marks a few personal accomplishments:
I’m celebrating life – I turn 45 today.
I’m celebrating my career – from stenographer to engineer to development manager to line director and now author. Today I crossed the 50,000 word target for #NaNoWriMo and I’m still going. Finishing my first novel is a major milestone. Additionally, Guidepost magazine is publishing my 2nd story (March issue). Today the editor called to clarify a few items. I’ll soon be receiving the final draft for my approval. Today I lift a glass to the good Lord who guides me, my loving shepherd.
I’m celebrating family – Thanksgiving is less than a week away. I’m praying that the entire clan will be together for Thanksgiving…for the first time since (I’d have marked the calendar if I’d realized it was going to be the last time) maybe 2003.
But I’m also humbled and reminded to be grateful for all that I have and to take none of it for granted. Twitter and the World of Blogcraft have been alive with prayers for a woman I’ve never met, Anissa Mayhew. There are a lot of people that I respect who have written posts or Tweets that have pulled at my heart and called me into the powerful circle of prayer in the on-line community. Anissa’s life has been filled with valleys and mountains. She’s proven to be strong and faithful (based on all that I’ve read I firmly believe this to be true). She and her family need our prayers. I gladly lift up my prayers and ask that you join in.
God, Please show Your strength, Your mercy and Your grace. Bless this woman again, as You’ve so richly blessed her during previous trials. Be with her. Be with her family. Infuse her with Your Spirit. Only You can help her recover from the strokes that threaten her. Through Your steadfast faithfulness I trust You to show us Your power & might. All glory is Yours. Amen.
Happy birthday Fran!
Amen. (To the prayer for Anissa.)
And many happy returns, Friend!
Hope you get your full family gathering – not easy to pull-off under any circumstances.
Barbara
Thank you, Maggie! Last year was fabulous and next year promises to be better. Who could ask for more than that?
@Barbara My fingers are crossed as we approach this family holiday. At least 3/4 of my brood have promised to be here. One last prodigal yet to commit. Alas. A mother can only hope. I trust that eventually she, too, will return to the fold. I appreciate your prayers.
Lovely post, my dear. Congratulations on your many accomplishments – and a very happy belated birthday!
Happy belated birthday.
@ChaCha Thank you! It's been an interesting process getting here (both finishing the novel and the 45 years working up to it).
@Neil Thank you for the birthday wishes! I appreciate your stopping by. Oh! That reminds me….time to do the GIE…