1. July 2009 by Rachel.

While time is flying by, ideas are flying through my head. I can’t stop writing… the plotlines keep coming.

Summer. Where did spring go? No use looking for it - pretty soon, it will be here again and I will be wondering where the past year went.

I’m happy to share that one of my FaithWriter challenge pieces was selected as their Best of the Best for their 2008/2009 year.  Very exciting and what an honor. While I enter the challenges to polish my writing and enjoy the weekly motivation, it’s a great thrill to have accomplished this.

Beyond Yesterday has a new title: Discovering the Dawn. It has been edited and the text is ready. A cover picture has been chosen and now the design work begins. I’m still hoping to see this in print by the end of the summer.

In the meantime, I have joined the Southwest Iowa Writers Guild. After the honor of being the guest speaker once, I have attended another meeting as a member and enjoyed it very much. I’m looking forward to more interaction with the other writers, and also taking part in a newspaper column that the Guild will write for. I’m anxious to see what other opportunities will spring from this.

The start of July signals that my vacation is coming up. I can’t wait to see a best friend of mine - it will have been almost a year since we saw each other last. It seems too long anymore.

Early summer has brought on horseback riding and it’s been fun. Thankfully my hip has been doing well and wearing a knee brace keeps that pain to a minimum. I hope that my physical improvement will continue.

Until next time… I will be continuing the adventure of life. I will post again soon and will give an update on Discovering the Dawn.

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28. May 2009 by Rachel.

The end of the month is drawing to a close, but it’s going out with a bang in all areas of my life. May 2009 will be remembered.

First, my writing adventure. I have to share how God is at work. Whenever I hit a low time and begin to question where I’m supposed to go with my writing, God throws something in my lap. This month was no exception. I asked, and I received.

Last night, I was honored to be the guest speaker at the Southwest Iowa Writers Guild which met in Atlantic. It was a different and new experience, but one that I enjoyed and have learned from.

Tonight, I had the privilege of speaking to the ladies circle from the Lewis Church of Christ. It really was a lot of fun. I was able to share my passion with enthusiasm that was returned, and my statements of faith were understood.

Two events right in a row has spurred me on once again. I continue to be encouraged to write.

Recently I was venting my frustrations to a friend, and she asked me why I wrote. I said it was because I have to. She went on to say that I should write because I want to, not because I felt I had to. She was right, however, I had to explain that that’s not what I meant. What I was truly saying, was that writing is like breathing, to me. I cannot live without it. This has been my most recent discovery and lesson.

I am still entering FaithWriters challenges. One article a couple weeks ago received second place. I was pleased with this outcome. My drive to write a masterpiece has been heightened.

Beyond Yesterday is in its final, final editing stage. Next will come formatting, which has me excited. Perhaps I will see it in print by the end of the summer.

Apart from my writing, my home life has changed just slightly. For the first time, we have fewer than three horses of our own. We are down to two. Four and even three were simply too much for us any more. One horse ended up just down the road from us. I can’t decide if I like that or not. It is a change that I’m not sure I was ready for, but it’s here no matter what. While horses have brought me a long way in life, it is an area in which there are parts I must let go.

My work at Deaf Missions continues as we approach a very busy time with many new projects. A passion has become a job, but it is my belief that it is God’s plan.

July is nearing and I am more than ready for my planned vacation. In the meantime though, I am moving forward. Whether it’s my writing, my home life or at work. No matter how slow the progress, an inch forward is greater than a step back.

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3. May 2009 by Rachel.

May. April somehow slipped by into the volumes of the past. It was a difficult month, and my hope is that May will be smoother. God is in control for sure, but a few less wrinkles would be nice.

In my world of writing, I’m finishing up the edits on my book, thinking about my next one, and continuing to enter the FaithWriters challenges. Last week’s “The Composition” won first place. It was my first top placement, and it also puts me in the running for the “Best of the Best” which they will announce come July.

My life at home has been quiet, thankfully. Spring is here, and the garden is in. All I’ve done so far is simply observe, though I’m sure I’ll wind up with dirt under my fingernails soon enough.

And now, life moves on. While I have little to report on, that is good. For without chaos, there is time for rest.

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10. April 2009 by Rachel.

Time. It has slipped away so quickly. Goals of frequent posts… goals of writing more articles… they have gotten lost somewhere between the minutes and the second hand of the clock.

What has happened? It is all lost within the fog of work, the coming of spring, and  everyday life.

But not all is lost. My latest book is in its final editing stages. I have written a few articles and have even attempted some song lyrics. I’ve got another article up on FaithWriters and am going to try to become more involved there.

What is next? Only God knows, but I’m glad He keeps track of it so I don’t have to. Lots going on in my life. Lots of hurdles and trials as of late. But I am striving to gain ground.

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29. January 2009 by Rachel.

“Do you really think you need a publisher to tell somebody about God?” This was a question asked of me by one of my best friends. My answer? A realization and an admitted, “No.” And that is why I have decided to  wander into the world of self-publishing for my next novel.

While I work out details with Beyond Yesterday, my devotion book is still in its editing stages, and I will be seaking traditional publishing for it.

I’m learning a lot about patience and endurance lately. Whether intended by God, or simply a natrual byproduct of my circumstances, it’s teaching me some lessons. Life has been hard. But not hard enough not to pull through. And certainly not too hard for God.

Today I learned that I might have an opportunity to talk a little about my writing experience on Atlantic’s local cabel station. Sounds like a terrifying but neat opportunity there. We shall see what developes.

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16. January 2009 by Rachel.

As January came into full swing, once again I found myself writing a letter to my family and friends about the year gone by. I’ve pasted it below, portraying my feelings about 2008, and my goal for 2009…

2008. Hard to believe that it is now a year of the past, not the present. Time is funny that way. We can turn the hands of our clock back as much as we want, but it does nothing to stop the hands of time itself. Would I want to? Probably not. There’s too much to look forward to in 2009 to want to stay in the past. There can be no joy in living regrets - only in keeping one’s eyes focused ahead to what God has in store.

A YEAR OF PASSIONS

My writing is probably one of the biggest ongoing things in my life (surprise, surprise). In the springtime, my third novel, Silent Ride, was released. Another paged turned in the grand adventure I’m in. Once I had “finished” that project I hit a dry spell in my writing. Though continuing to write daily, unpublished short stories, devotional thoughts and poems were what took up most of my creative time. My novels were put aside until my zeal returned. The lack of interest persisted longer than anticipated, and one novel sat near completion for over a year without being touched. I’m happy to say that just a few weeks ago, the novel bug bit me again, and I’m once more totally engrossed in my books - yes…that was plural.

Beyond Yesterday is the working title of my fourth novel. Its unedited version now awaits publication. The release date? God knows the answer to that one. The hunt for a publisher has risen again, so a portion of my spare time is spent in research. Once I hit “the end” of that novel, it was on to the next. I had started The Right Lead over three years ago, but stopped to write other things. I’ve picked that one up again and am well on my way. It’s a fun plot with enough twists to keep me on my toes as I write, and I look forward to when it will be in print as well.

While I might not have been engrossed in fictional plots during the year, I did take a side trip down a different writing path that led me to write God at the Reins. Written for horse lovers, it contains fifty-two devotions that are horse-related and offer encouragement and inspiration for the Christian walk. My mom has helped me greatly with this project, and it’s been fun. At about the same stage as my fourth novel though, it’s on to the publisher hunt with this one as well.

God has blessed me time and time again through my writing, and I look forward to what He’s got in store for me next.

Apart from manipulating words, I’m still working full-time at Deaf Missions where another passion grows. Being a part of this ministry may sometimes feel simply like a “job,” but there are days that I receive a gentle reminder from God that this is indeed His ministry and I am His tool no matter what small tasks I may be doing.

The more I look back at my spiritual growth, the more I see how far I have yet to go. God had given me ample opportunities for this growth, and I can only hope that I please Him during this next year and beyond. Whether it’s my one-on-one contact with people, or through my writing, my resolution for 2009 is to be a light.

I’m still living in the country, still have horses, and still attend church in Atlantic. Not much has changed, but there are days when that is a blessing in itself.

They say that 2009 will be a tough year because of the economy… I say it will be a great year because it’s the low times that provide even more opportunities for God’s blessings.

May He bless YOU this year. Happy New Year!

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2. January 2009 by Rachel.

January. Hard to believe. A year is gone. 365 days have passed. How time seems to be within our control one second, and the next we realize that it can be tamed by no one but God.

2008 was full of ups and downs, as was the year before. And I’m sure 2009 will be much of the same. But my resolution for this coming year is simply to be a light. A light for God, His Word, and His will. For without Him as the goal, what purpose remains?

Happy New Year.

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30. December 2008 by Rachel.

It was a dark and stormy night… well, not really. But I did reach “the end” of another novel. Titled as Passing Storm over three years ago, the name no longer fits, so for now I’m calling it Beyond Yesterday. What a great feeling, completing another written adventure. Matt and Kate will always be two of my favorite characters.

With the completion of the novel, comes the new zeal to find a publisher. Of course, that zeal is held back with a healthy dose of reality, but if the Lord wishes it to be published, I’ll find the right place to submit. While my previous publisher won’t be printing this one, it’s my hope that I will see it in print one of these days as #4 in my published collection.

While that is going on, my devotion book is proceeding nicely. Mom is helping me find the scriptures to go along with each devotion - I appreciate her work so much. Her name will fit in the book somewhere, for all the assistance with this one. What will I do with the book once it’s complete? Same thing I’m doing with my novel, I suppose. In the meantime, the working title is God at the Reins. We’ll see.

New Year’s Eve is tomorrow. It is quickly becoming my favorite holiday - one that enables me to stay home alone, fix the food I want, and watch the movies I want. Some might think it boring. It’s perfect, to me. Even better, Lisa is planning to be online to share the evening “with” me.

As far as the homefront goes, Cody is having surgery today to remove a calcium growth from his mouth. Sounds like a simple procedure, though I’m sure he’ll be a moody dog once he’s home later.

My online experiences are growing as I attempt to become more involved with Facebook and MySpace. Last night was spent attempting to upload some pictures. Not the easist thing in the world with a dialup connection, but I accomplished getting a few memories posted at least.

And, in conclusion, the rest of my spare time (did I say “spare time?”) will be spent picking up yet another unfinished novel. Several years old, the plot has been forogtten, but outlining has begun. I have good feelings about this one. A masterpiece in the works.

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23. December 2008 by Rachel.

…Or once in a blue moon. Seems like that’s about as often as I get a chance to throw a new post up. Better than never though, right?

The bad news is that the economy right now has affected Deaf Missions. The good news is that we’re surviving.

The bad news is that my devotion book isn’t completed yet. The good news is that I’ve picked up one of my novels again, and boy does it feel good. I realized that it’s been over a year since I worked on this particular one, so it took some time to get back into the plot again, but it was well worth it. I’m planning to continue until it’s complete this time.

Christmas is coming up fast. No big plans. Quiet, really, but I like it that way. And as with Christmas passing, New Years will be here. I get the privilege of spending it with my best friend online again this year and I’m looking forward to it.

Must move forward. Must press on.

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13. November 2008 by Rachel.

…seems an oxymoron, but it also seems to describe my life at the moment.

Work has been a bit tough lately. Struggling forward. I feel a bit lost, a bit foggy, and a bit confused. But all I can do is hope for the light a the end of the tunnel. As Jack and I often say, “Everything will be okay in the end. So if it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”

Been a might lonely lately as well. Without Lisa online as much, it’s left me more time to think. Without our blog as often, it’s left me more time for boredom. I’m learning about growth. Though it’s necessary and natural, right now it stil lhurts pretty badly.

My writing has plateued once again. I need to start looking for publishers who might be open to reading something of my devotions. I also want to go back and finally finish the revision of one book I started.

Fall is here and quickly becoming winter. Almost all our leaves are gone at home, and a freezing rain the other night was a stark reminder of the cold weather to come.

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