January Author Newsletter (2016)

Life Stuff/Writing  Stuff:

Hello, my lovely blog subscribers! Happy New Year! I hope it finds you doing well. This will be a slightly abbreviated version of the monthly  author newsletter, but just wanted to give you guys a quick update. Also, I wanted to thank everyone who commented on December's author post. I didn't get to answer all the comments, but thank you so very much for sharing pieces of your holidays, thoughts, and reading lists with me! :)

Hubbins and I (and the dogs) spent Christmas week with my parents, brother, and niece in Tennessee, and we had so much fun! Life has been getting busy for me again now that the holidays are over. I'm working more hours at my new job in order to pay off some credit card debt before Hubbins gets out of the military later this year. Prayers are definitely appreciated as we figure out what we are supposed to do in this next season of our lives.

In the writing world, I'm getting back to the edit/rewrite for my work-in-progress, "Hazardous Conditions," which had to take a back seat for the past few months. Again, prayers are always appreciated, especially in the time management area. :P

How about you? How were your holidays? What's new in your lives?

Reading Stuff:

Here's my reading list from last month. Did you have time to read over the holidays?

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​And I'm currently reading:

Prayer Request Stuff:

Here is the list of prayer requests that were shared with me since the last author update:

Penny M. - Prayers for all in need this Thanksgiving and beyond. God Bless

Kathy A. - Asking prayer for my daughter who is pregnant. She has been sick so much and having a difficult time. 

Sally D. - My new baby granddaughter was born 10 weeks premature, weighed 2 lb 11 oz. After 4 months, she's over 10 lbs! I am very thankful for this miracle, praising the Lord!

Me - I requested prayer for Heidi T., who was battling cancer and in hospice. Heidi went to be with the Lord a week before Christmas. I was able to visit with her a few days before she passed and she was full of faith, hope, and peace. Please keep her family and friends in your prayers.

Last month's requests:

My heart is very heavy for a friend of mine right now. Heidi T., who has been on the prayer list several times this year, has been fighting cancer and was moved to Hospice this week. Please keep her and her family in your prayers during this difficult, heartbreaking season. - UPDATE: Heidi T. went to be with the Lord a week before Christmas. I was able to visit with her a few days before she passed and she remained full of faith and peace til the end. Please keep her family and friends in your prayers.

Me - (Praise) I am really enjoying my new job, which God provided at the perfect time so that I could move away from my last job, which was extremely stressful. 

Me - Please pray for my dad, who had some unexpected health issues last week. Also, please pray for my family as they travel and minister.

​Heidi R. - My brother in law needs prayers for the blood clots stuck in his lungs.

Kathy A. - I have been notified by my doctor I had an abnormal mammogram. Praying for peace and discernment during the coming days.

Sharon T. - My husband & I have been missionaries for 15+ years - please pray for God's favor regarding our support - our last paychecks were $1,100 short - thanks so much!

Joan A. - Please pray for my 13 year old granddaughter with iritis.

Sandra P. - My daughter-in-law is fighting cancer. Her name is Chris. Please pray for healing for her and a peace for her and my son about God's will for their lives. 

Becky I. - Please pray for my family.

Thank you for your prayers, my friends. Sometimes when we feel helpless, it's the most important thing we can do. Thank you for lifting each other and myself up in prayer.

Bible Reading Stuff:

In December, I spent most of my Bible reading time working through Beth Moore's Bible study "Children of the Day," which I've been enjoying a lot. :)

With the Bible app on my phone, I finished up 1st Kings and am working my way through 2nd Corinthians.

What have you been reading lately?

Last Month's Winners:

We had several giveaways last month and here are the winners:

The Art of Losing Yourself by Katie Ganshert - Melinda Dean*

The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson - Kim Amundsen*

Wait for Me by Jo Huddleston - Kathleen Burnop*

A Shenandoah Family Christmas by Lisa Belcastro - Vicki Geslak

Random Acts of Scrooge by Christy Barritt - Morgan Parson*

All winners have a month to reply to my emails or I will draw a new winner. * = winner has claimed her prize. Prizes will be mailed within a month.

​Be sure to check back soon for this month's giveaways and reviews. God bless!