Moving Forward

I'm back again. How about this, two months in a row. It's so nice to be able to chat with my friends through this blog.

Six days ago was a hard day to complete. It marked one year of Scott's passing. That doesn't seem real, but it's so. I believe I cried more that day than I did this whole past year. It was like God let me pour out all my sadness at once. It was even more than sadness. I think I let go of the things I wished I'd done different in the last 48 hours of his life...not sure they would have a made a difference at all. The great thing--and I know it--was the moment Scott took his last breath he was no longer in pain and was walking the streets of gold in joy and jubilee. I'm glad to say we who he left behind, although we are sad, we are better for knowing him, and he lives on through his kids and his grandsons. Yea!!!

I managed to be a part of one book festival and one arts & crafts fair since last we spoke. Both were fun to be a part of. The first was the 2nd Annual SWLA Family Book Festival in Lake Charles, LA. This was only their second year and already loads of people were in attendance. Fairs and festivals grow over time, so I'm sure as organized as it was it will only get better and better. The second festival I took part in was in Greenwell Springs, LA at The Greenwell Springs Baptist Church. This was their 10th year. They use all the proceeds to pay tuition to summer camp for kids who otherwise would not be able to go and enjoy. The woman who started it, felt if she could reach only one child, it would be a blessing and possibly bless his/her family around them. I don't know how many families they've blessed in these past 9 years, but by the size and crowd of it, I'm sure it is many. This was their 10th Annual Fair. They not only had a lot of arts and crafts for the families to check out, but they had fantastic rides for the kids. A huge Farris Wheel, a giant slide, and several other rides. They lit up the sky when the sun went down. This year was probably the coldest it has been, but it didn't stop the people. And did I mention the food. Oh my gosh! It was like that fair we used to wait for as a kid that only came around once a year. They had everything you could think of: funnel cakes, cotton candy, popcorn, jambalaya, gumbo, cakes, cake lollipops, and so much more. All who showed up to have fun shared in blessing these young people. I hope to see more of you next year. It was a blast.

There has been an update on my collection that's being released by Oak Tara/Barbour Publishing together...book named Bayou Secrets. It will be available May 1 in Costco, Wal-Mart, and other chain stores across America. The collection will contain Crime in The Big Easy; Be Not Afraid; & Testimony of Innocence. The paperback book can be pre ordered now on Amazon, or through Barnes & Noble's internet site...maybe even more.

I thought by now I'd be finished with my latest novel - Hidden Secrets. It's almost there. I will get back on Against Her Will, BK4 of The Samantha Cain Mysteries. Sorry for the delays, but I am working toward completion. Thanks for being patient.

God also laid on my heart to start writing a devotion. He has helped me so much over this past year as well as the three years prior while Scott was sick. Through His Word He gave me strength to keep moving forward. The devotion has begun. At some point, it will be added on my website so at your convenience you will be able to go in and download it so maybe it will help you as well through a tough time in your life. I'm sharing the Scriptures God opened up to me and how they seemed to help me. This is my way of giving back. Today I'm adding day one to my blog.

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     His Promises: Psalms 103:1-6 (NIV)

            Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

The Lord is so good! He gives us precious benefits throughout our lives. He forgives our sins. Praise God! He heals all our diseases. Praise God!

He redeems our lives from the pits we dig for ourselves when we make wrong choices. He won’t leave you there. He’s already defeated Satan, so trust the Lord to do what He has planned for you and all that He promises to you. Do your part by staying in His Word, living the life He wants you to live, under the blood of Jesus. In several chapters in the New Testament He tells us how.

He covers us with His love and compassion. And the good thing is, we don’t have to earn His love. He gives it to us freely…while we were still knee deep (or over our head) in sin. So just take His love. Bask in it. Love on Him by loving others through Him.

In the above Scriptures He also tells us He likes to satisfy us by giving us our desires. Isn’t that awesome. As we grow in our relationship with Him our desires will grow in line with His will. If there ever is a desire you do not receive, know that He sees the big picture and knows this desire will not bless you or it's the wrong time. Sometimes when we don’t give up asking, He gives it to us anyway, but then we realize, He was right in the beginning…this wasn’t for me. You were right, God. Why did I doubt? He loves you and me. He gives us free choice. Sometimes when we choose incorrectly or desire the wrong thing and He allows it to come to pass, we may have to walk through some repercussions. But know that God only wants the best for you. So if you ask for something, and don’t receive it right away, it’s either not the right timing or not good for you after all. Trust Him to know what’s best. God is so good!!!

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Today the only tip I'm going to write to writers who read my blog is this: DON'T QUIT. DON'T GIVE UP. You were given the desire to write for a reason. As we keep working on our article, novel, song, whatever it is you are writing, it will continue to improve. Also know when it is finished and ready to go out into the world so you can bless the reader. The latest author I've added to my reading is Dani Pettrey. What great reads her books are. There are 5 in a series. Check her out. I finished them all loving every minute. She blessed me with her stories as well as many, many others. Your writings will do the same.

Take care and God bless you all!