Are We Thankful Even When It's Difficult?

This past Saturday, Tom & I drove 3 hrs round trip to attend a
booksigning at Horizon Books in Cadillac, Michigan. My signing
ran from noon until 3 p.m. and during that time I sold three, yes,
three books. As we headed our car south toward home, we talked
about how those three sales didn't even cover our gas. Needless
to say I grew very thoughtful and a little discouraged the closer we
came to our home.
And, as you can see - it's now Monday morning and I'm still thinking
on it.
But, there's a difference now. Two things happened yesterday that
rearranged my thinking. One - I was reading one of Karen Kingsbury's
novels and it convicted me about not being thankful for EVERYTHING!
Instead of the poor me's - I should be thankful for the privilege to be
invited to bookstores for signings AND that this store was like a mini
Barnes & Nobles with the coffee shop. The mgr gave me a free caramel
machiatto latte! :)
Seriously thought, what an honor to be an author signing books! Who
would have thought that would ever happen to me.
The 2nd thing that happened was a movie we watched last night called
"Faith Like Potatoes". A lady from church brought it and said we needed
to watch it.
Now, I didn't particularly enjoy the first part of the movie, but hung in
there. Then the Lord caught my attention and even though, I'm still
wrestling with some of the movie, the Lord used it to further chastise
me about my attitude and to stop looking at the book sales numbers.
Instead, I need to focus on the people and how I can touch them for
Him.
So, the Lord willing, on July 10th, we go to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan for
another signing which is about an hours drive away. This time, I'm not
going to dwell on how many books I sell nor how much money I do or
don't make.
This time I'm going with a thankful heart to the Lord for the privilege
of being an author for Him and with excitement about who He will have
cross my path while I'm there.

Being a Writer is Fun!

Not only do I get to write and create, I get to go out in public and meet new friends! A week ago Saturday found me at Barnes & Nobles in Grand Rapids, Michigan. What was possibly lacking in sales was made up for by physical support from family and friends. I felt very loved and encouraged.
Now, I'm looking forward to two, yes TWO booksignings this week in Petoskey, Michigan - which if you've read my books - is the setting for both of my novels AND the third one I'm currently working on.
Tom and I will be heading up there Weds. around noon. It's little over a 3 hr drive and we plan to return Friday night.
My signings are: Thursday, McLean & Eakin Bookstore from 1 - 3 p.m and Friday, Horizon Books from 1 -3 p.m.
If any of you live in the area, please stop in. After all, that is a bit far for my brothers!! :)
Also, last week a very nice article came out in the Mid-Michigan Women's Lifestyle magazine. I was very pleased with what was written for it also included my hubby, Tom, and some of the things we've done for the Lord over the years.
Then to my surprise, today I found out the same article was placed in another paper THIS WEEK called "The Buzz".
I'm not sure I can handle all this "buzz", but it's important that everyone knows this writing adventure is the Lord and Me - not just me.
He's the one who gave me the gift.
I'm just excited to be able to use it.

Barnes & Nobles Book signing

I know it's been a long time since I've posted. Sorry about that! About three and one half weeks ago, I pulled a tendon in the arch of my right foot and am still nursing it along. The tightness has moved up to my knee so-o-o the club and treadmill have gone by the wayside! :(
But I do have GOOD NEWS! This Saturday, May 1st, I'm doing a book signing at the Barnes & Nobles store located in Woodland Mall on 28th St in Grand Rapids, MI. I'm very excited about this and hope some of you from the area will come and see me from 1 - 3 p.m. My special hubby asked if I'd like him to pay people to camp out front the night before in order to draw the press. Wasn't that sweet? :) I told him no, but truly appreciated his heart. I do pray that books will sell and will let all of you know. Until Saturday night, have a great rest of the week.