#storyroads

[vintagewriter18-blog]

Calling all Hoosiers: See you TOMORROW, for the #ACFW Indiana Chapter meeting! We’re going to talk about it all... fiction writing, #storyroads, and walking in step with Jesus. Hope to hug you in person! Stop by: Hoosierink.blogspot.com for the RSVP deets. See y’all there!! ❤️📖 #authorevent #authoradventures #amwriting #hoosierauthor #thelostcastle #newbook #booknerdigans #bookishgirl #community

[vintagewriter18-blog]

We’re barely into November but heart is still Christmasy, Y’all! In just a month, I’ll be at The Gathering —back with dear sisters at @elementchurchmo in Wentzville, MO! (Right by St. Louis — which holds a special place in my heart for being the city that started this author road for me.) I CANNOT WAIT for the hugs + spiritual family + Christmas celebration + spending time with sisters who have a fierce love for Jesus! See you soon, dear hearts... 😘 #authoradventures #spiritualfamily #speakinglife #storyroads #achildisborn #Christhascome

[vintagewriter18-blog]

I was right here, four years ago today... In a room with a number I forget. Reading a chapter I still turn to. Eyeing a bittersweet view that can still squeeze my heart. I remember the weeks spent here with my Dad... quiet, my-world-stopping, life-changing weeks in a hospital room. I am careful when I say I'm not thankful for cancer, grief, loss, or anything close to them. But I am, four years after, grateful for the stories IN them -- for the Jesus Who made Himself known during a life shake-up that's still shaking out. And I'm so humbled by the memories of these last years. They remind me that we never know what #storyroads others are walking. In this photo lens, I'm convicted to show MORE grace, with MORE heart, and MORE forgiveness in my words, thoughts, actions, and prayers for others. To go deeper. To take faith, and the Word, and overcoming failures and fears... to take all of it seriously. To LIVE in the valuable, lasting things! If you're on a difficult story road today, I'm thinking of you. Praying for your hope to cling to, and that you'll find MORE grace, with MORE heart, and MORE forgiveness than you ever imagined, in God's people -- and in the Jesus Who will make Himself known during the shake-ups, and the shaking out to come. All my love today, dear hearts. You can trust Him. You're not alone. <3

[vintagewriter18-blog]

#WednesdayWisdom -- As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. —Proverbs 27:17 (NKJV) Moment of girlishness, y'all... Last week was my BIRTHDAY week! Every time September rolls around, it feels like a big, long, happy-dance month of birthday fun. Between the start of college football, cooler temps breezing in, pumpkin everything (aka glorious pumpkin spice madness!), fall festivals, boots-and-skinny-jeans outfits (sqeee!), and autumn knocking on our doors, I'm seriously giddy with fallish gifts for 30 days straight. My husband knows this. He knows it and tolerates it. (Lucky me!) But it's one of the things I love about having journeyed twenty Septembers together -- he may be my autumn co-conspirator, but this guy is also my "iron-sharpens-iron" best friend. We're literally ONE in the friend category. We're such close friends that he can tell me when I'm being a knucklehead about trusting God. He can tell me when I'm doubting Him, and sharpen my resolve by pointing to promises in the Word. He can remind me when I cheer at football games, that my praise and worship for Jesus should be bigger, louder, and even more automatic than screaming for my team. (#GOIRISH) He can remind me that I may stumble and fall in those boots-and-skinny-jeans outfits, but that both he and Jesus will be there for the post-fall clean up duties to get me back to my #storyroads walking. This mid-week, find your ONE friend. Call, or text, or send a card, or selfie-snap a pic with that friend who sharpens you. Because the truth is -- no matter how lovely our days (or autumn, birthday months) might be, there's an incomparable gift in a friend (or a Friend, Jesus) who sharpens us in all the most valuable places. That's something September couldn't begin to compare to. ;) #Jesuschasers #bestfriends #ironsharpensiron #September #versemapping #footballseason #pumpkinspiceisback

[vintagewriter18-blog]

In the small moments. When our littles fall. Or fail. Or ask our advice. Or, hug us when we least expect it. When they skip ahead on the hiking path and slow up when they see you, just because they wanted to walk alongside. When they say something, not realizing you didn't hear a word they said because you were busy thinking, "Kid, you just don't know how much I love you right now..." When they mess up. Big time. When they're more disappointed in themselves than we could ever be. When they giggle. Laugh. Smile. Tease. And even laugh at one of OUR jokes. When they say I LOVE YOU after we've had one of those days... You realize what a blessing, a gift, an absolute treasure and privilege to be a parent. And then you remember... this is how God thinks of us. #walking #momofboys #storyroads #walkingwithmylove #myheart #parentinggoals ❤️