Thanks Michy for setting up my blog for me. Stay tuned… I’ll be back later.

Update: April 1, 2020

I deleted all my blog posts going back to the beginning. Ha! Just fooling… today I switched all my previously posted content to draft status. I need to review content to edit and extract what can be republished and discern what needs to be deleted for good.

Writing was (and still is) cathartic. However, for a long time, I used my words like a sword, slaying people like this was some sort of sacrificial alter. Who was the god I worshipped?

Me. I was crafting words to justify and vindicate myself rather than allowing God to be my vindicator.

My writing journey catapulted into motion in July 2014. My advertising career was swallowed by a second corporate downsizing. As I packed my office, I knew God’s hand was on me. The very next day I flew to Charlotte, NC. It wasn’t an impulsive trip. I was registered for “She Speaks”, a conference put together by Lysa TerKeurst, founder of Proverbs 31 ministries. Maybe catapult isn’t the right word… envision a rock too heavy for the sling. I dove into the deep end of the pool wearing nothing but floaties on my arms.

I had been advised this conference for Christian writers and speakers was like trying to take a drink from a firehose. That was true. The preconference training calls were overwhelming! I didn’t have a book dream, transcript, a platform, an active blog, or a following. I didn’t have clear direction either. Did I mention I dropped out of English class my senior year of High School? An artist, I struggled. Later in life I discovered I could paint pictures with words and found a new craft. That’s the backstory.

At the close of “She Speaks 2014” each person was given a tiny scroll with a unique scripture. Mine was new to me. Exodus 14:14– “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Considering my career in print had just ended, I wasn’t sure what prophetic meaning this might have. But, man-oh-man, did it! The verse eventually became my mantra. Eventually. In the meantime, I did a lot through words and actions for my own defense. I’m the youngest of seven girls– it can be a hard place to start life. It’s taking years to shed that uppity, feisty spirit and let God have His way with me. Aren’t we all sinners saved by grace? Indeed! Some of us need to be held under the water of baptism a bit longer.

My journey after the corporate world has taken me to waitressing gigs (loved them both, except the drama and hours), an inside sales position at a former employer (introvert + cold calls – anyone else selling or answering phones + a micromanager boss = anxiety), a retail job (introvert + people + weekends + low wages + recovery from a past with shopping compulsions = disaster)… am I justifying myself again? Sigh.

Well, I just wanted to put it out there as a base. It’s too much for the “About Me” page but comes through my writing. Presently I work part-time as a “package handler” for a huge shipping company. The title looks strange on a resume so I don’t have one anymore. The benefits make up for the hourly wage. I can pray, ponder, and get a workout while getting paid. I can also flex another part-time gig and writing in with life. I have a life too…

I have one child who is an amazing adult. She’s fiercely independent but has a good heart. So I let God have her when my contractual agreement with Him ended in 2016 when she became an adult. Or was it 2014 when she gave dating a shot? That was a growth-spurt of faith for both of us! She and I were (and still are) very close. I thank God for that. He gave me a fresh perspective on life when she same into the world– before she made her physical appearance, to be honest. Truly, she has always been His. I’m glad we got to raise her.

I wouldn’t have Sienna without my dear husband, David. I do mean that with my heart. He is my encourager and my anchor. Sometimes he’s simply my anchor, encouraging me to slow down. Dave is truly a free spirit. He’s pretty chill and knows a lot about a lot of things. We have a wide gap in our ages and our upbringing. I say this because it factors into my writing as well. They say opposites attract. It also makes for an adventurous life! God is good and will see His plan through until completion. Teach us to number our days, Lord! May our lives glorify you alone. Amen