While 2024 may not have gone exactly as I expected, that doesn't mean there hasn't been a lot of good happen. And let's be honest, a lot of the unexpected things have been good too.
Two of my biggest blessings this year are the two books I released. For Better or For Granted and A Match Made at Christmas are out in the world and receiving great reviews. (You can snag the e-copies for only 99cents through Dec 3.) These were both works of love and I couldn't be happier with how they turned out. So, those are the first two things I'm listing to be thankful for this year.
Of course, my family is always on my list. My sweet husband and I celebrated 20 years of marriage back in June. And my children are growing and healthy and smart. Definite blessings, all of them.
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This year, my eight-year-old decided he wanted to play soccer. (Because he'd read about a boy on a soccer team in a book--but that's another story.) 
Did I know anything about soccer? Mostly just that it was played with a ball on a field and you weren't supposed to use your hands. That was it. But we signed him up for a youth league and figured we'd all learn together.
So, while my son was running around the field, learning to kick better and maybe even a bit about teamwork, I learned a few things too. Soccer mom was never a title I expected to have, but it was a lot more fun than I expected.

What does a cold soda have to do with romance? Well, you might be surprised. Guest author Shirley Gould is chatting with us today, talking about the romantic moments that all added up to a romantic marriage. See what you think.

Marrying a hopeless romantic led to amazing moments occurring when I least expected them. He sent me flowers so many times while we were dating, the florist made one of the deliveries herself so she could meet me, the object of his affection.
While living in Kenya, East Africa as missionaries, J.R. had to get really creative. During a rainy season that merged with El Nino, we had lunch at a Chinese restaurant in Nairobi, and I’d forgotten my umbrella. After paying our bill, he slipped out the door. When I stepped out of the restaurant, he had pulled our Land Cruiser onto the sidewalk so I could get in without getting wet. He was my hero.

I'm not going to lie. The last few weeks have been insanely busy. Really, the last few years, but especially the last few weeks. And it's all been good things like birthdays and holidays and retreats. But that can still wear you out if you don't find some time to be still and have some quiet.
Well, this Tuesday, I was blessed to be able to head back to my alma mater and speak to the Creative Writing Class and then have a book signing. It was an amazing day.
​But it also gave me a chance for some time to pause.