Highlights from Local Author Vendor Sunday

Yesterday I participated in an event for local authors, held at a sweet shop known as The Quirky Feather Confectionery. Up until a month ago, I'd never even heard of the place, until my best friend shared the info about the event. Immediately intrigued, I looked into it and quickly determined it to be a great way to meet other authors and gain exposure among the public, all while practicing having discussions about The Ellises series.

Preparation wasn't lengthy - most of what I needed I already had, plus I was able to borrow a few items from my family. I ran a drawing, and prizes were from some of my friends who direct sell for some fun companies like Mary & Martha and Mary Kay. My boss even donated a bottle of yummy balsamic vinegar from Artisano's Oils and Spices! The thing was, foot traffic was slow, and as it turned out, everyone who entered the drawing won something.

There were 7 other authors alongside me, all from other genres. Paranormal, fantasy, romance, historical fiction, and drama. They were friendly, with several of them first-timers like me. I was the only Historical Inspirational Romance author.

I'm so grateful to have had this experience, and for the many wonderful conversations I had with everyone. I can't wait until my next adventure!

P.S. I'm also giving out a special holiday gift of recipe cards, based on The Ellises, Book 1: A Place to Call Home. You can find them here.

A Stick in the Forest of Life

Today I heard a sermon that really spoke to my heart about my life. Be a stick. Don't forget to be a stick. While somewhat unusual a topic, I identified with it right away, because of it being about God calling us all sticks so that we do something amazing, but then we go back to being just a stick.

When I think about my life, how much of it did I spend wanting to be more than a stick? Tons. I wasted so much time not wanting to look back, but still found myself doing just that anyway. What if that very action of looking back was what was supposed to happen? Instead of seeing it as the curse of rumination, it's a call to not get full of myself and to live in between the "great" moments of my life, because those are the majority of my days.

There's also the connotation that a stick is dead. Truly, without Christ, that is what we all are. Thankfully, Jesus says we are branches, not sticks - while He is the vine. Only those who don't live and do in Christ are cursed to be sticks, which are fit only for the fire. It's a powerful visual that drives an even bigger point home: we can't let ourselves ever grow tired of whatever God has called us to do with our lives, as branches, but at the same time, we must die to self (embracing the stick within us) to put on Christ and have His power of restoration flowing through us. He is the Healer and Giver of Life; all we can ever do is plant seeds. Jesus is the gardener who waters, prunes, and protects.

In essence, we are all just sticks at heart. At least some days, right? We feel isolated, depressed, afraid - all human emotions, which lead to acting out. I know I do my fair share of this on a regular basis, which is why feeding my mind with the Word and spending time with other believers in Christ is vital to my regrowth, so that I can go back to being a branch.

I say all this to link my calling with my Savior. Do you know Him? Do you see Him in the pages I write? I hope so. I truly do! He is why I can write and share my thoughts with you. I write so that you can have hope, see that your experiences mirror that of others, and recognize the path you can take that leads to putting your best foot forward.

As you consider all of what I'm saying, please know that I am just me - a mere mortal with limitations I don't always want to admit. You may like what I have to share, or you may not - but at the end of the day, I'm an average person, just like YOU. I'm not above any hardship, difficulty, or loss. Today, I am who I am because of how I got through some tough times and kept going. It's why I have hope, and why I put that hope in Jesus!

Let's Meet in Person!
If you're lucky enough to live in the Indianapolis, IN area, and have read The Ellises Book 1: A Place to Call Home, and want to have your copy autographed, or if you'd like to buy a signed copy, then I have good news for you! I'll be participating in a Vendors Sunday for Local Authors event at the Quirky Feather Confectionery in Carmel, IN on Sunday, October 29th from 2-5 p.m. I'd love to meet you and hear what's on your heart - including any questions you may have about faith, the book, or even writing in general!

The Quirky Feather Confectionery is located at 890 E. 116th Street, Suite 125, Carmel, IN 46032. See you there!