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Joyce Magnin and novelists
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WRITE HIS ANSWER ...
Yes, I was blessed with a scholarship that covered my entire tuition. But, I will say it was a hard weekend for me emotionally, so that I was very grateful for the friends that surrounded me.
I rode with Kelly and Sonya. I also met many wonderful people, like Shelley and Susan. I also met Leslie, who I knew from the blogging world but had not met face to face. Meeting and being with all of these wonderful women helped me tremendously. (My roomate, Shelley, did not snore and likes to run. God knows me:)
Why so emotional? Well, a lot of things I heard (like the how to's of getting a book published) left me questioning. Am I called to write? Well, yes. Is this the season to write? Well, yes. Am I willing to do what it takes to "write His answer"? Pause. Pause. Will I ever get where He wants me to be in writing/living? Pause. Pause.
Kelly told me one day at lunch that she had been praying for me. I broke into tears (in front of a table of ladies no less). She offered me a lot of encouragement- about keeping first things first (my kids) and allowing my writing to "ebb and flow". In other words, sometimes we can write a lot and other times life takes over. As she said, "you still have a lot of living in you." Sonya's encouragement helped me get to the conference in the first place. (I emailed her of my pre-conference dread!) Shelley's zest for life and go get it attitude also helped my blahs. And Susan- poor Susan tried multiple times to go and get the right key to get in the dorm. She never complained and always seemed to have a smile. In short, God knew how to surround me and with whom to surround me. Joyce Magnin was an amazing workshop teacher and from the general session I learned from Susan May Warren. WOW!
For me, I am determined to be steadfast in writing for the Lord (here and submitting elsewhere) as long as God gives me the breath and strength to do so. I am so grateful for my hubby who took on the task of single parent for five days. I am also grateful for home and that to live is Christ (to live is not just to write, not even just to be mommy). At the end of every day, He really does care:)
I've been anxious to hear all about your trip. So glad you enjoyed the conference and were encouraged and challenged. How fun to go with and meet fellow bloggers. Blessings, SusanD
ReplyDeleteI loved hearing all about the conference from your point of view! It was hard to put ourselves out there, but WE DID IT! It will be exciting to see what comes next. God has different timing & plans for each of us, but rest assured that he does have PLANS for each of us! Amen!
ReplyDeleteSweet Laurie,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were at the conference and rode with us. It was great to get to know you better. I admire you and your character. God is going to use you in a huge way - in His timing. Hang in there and like you said, keep writing!
Sonya Lee
Take a deep breath and rest in your Heavenly Father's arms. He called and equiped you and he will surely give you the time and place to write. He loves you more than anyone loves you and He will make the path clear and prepare the way before you. I have been praying for you for some time. I could feel the spiritual battle. All I can say is WOW...GOD must have something awesome ready to spring forth from within you onto paper, b/c otherwise satan would NOT care! GO GIRL...go soar on eagles wings with your Heavenly Father!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, love, big hugs, and prayers, andrea
I'm so glad you enjoyed yourself, learned some new things, and were surrounded by wonderful and encouraging women. God will take you where He wants you. Keep following His lead.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
I will check my calender. It is crazy right now, but I would love to see you. We are in the last stages of preparing for our daughters Sept. 19th wedding along with the caous of everything else. I will check and let you know!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, andrea
Laurie,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you were able to attend this event. I felt you needed to be there and receive so much love and support first hand from your blogging friends.
I am super confident that God is putting you on that wonderful path to change people lives by what you write.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Hi! So glad you had a great time at the conference. I remember someone telling me that sometimes God gives us a calling to do things that aren't always easy. Like a bit of a challenge and you followed His will and went along to the conference. It sounds like a great thing to attend!
ReplyDeleteCollette xxxx
I am so happy that you had a great time with everyone. I am also thankful for you that you have a sweet fella at home who understand that you needed this!
ReplyDeleteLaurie, it was pleasure to work with you in class. Keep writing your story. I hope I was able to help you down the path just a bit. Keep smiling, persevere, God is good! Writer's conferences are very special places.
ReplyDelete~ Joyce
Laurie! What a blessed opportunity--not only to be at the conference, but to be surrounded by, uplifted by, and prayed for by so many amazing Christians!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your new blog layout! It is beautiful and I'm so glad to grab your button to place on my blog!
Love you, sister!
Hi Laurie,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry we didn't get to talk at all during the conference! I didn't realize you were having a rough time of it. In some ways I came back a little discouraged because I saw how hard getting published is going to be. And I didn't even have any appointments!
I think we just have to concentrate on writing for God and let him take it from there. If I get published great, if all I ever write is my blog, well then that's fine, too. It's His will not mine that matters. I just pray that in some way I can minister to others through my written words. I pray that you can, too! God wanted you at the conference for a reason!
Hugs and Blessings, Leslie