Here's The Latest!





Here I go asking for you to keep me accountable and then no update for almost a month! Please accept my humblest apologies, but what a month it's been! Crazy busy, but all good!  


Right after my last post, I served 5 days at the Touch The World training camp, teaching child evangelism and kids Bible stories to youth going on mission trips to Haiti, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Uganda. It was exhausting. And exhilarating. [btw- my son just got back from Uganda. He'll be sharing with you in the near future.] 

I spent the following week preparing the message for our church’s Sunday morning sermon. I was week #2 in a four part series on John 11. We four each shared a different aspect of the raising of Lazarus story. My assignment - Mary and Martha. Click here to listen to the message for a different perspective on these two well-known women of the Word. Hint: “Martharization”  [click on download, not streaming]

The following week took me on a trip to Phoenix to visit my mom’s sister who has terminal pulmonary fibrosis. It was the living definition of “bittersweet.” My aunt has survived 2 years beyond expectations, but it is not without increasing difficulty. Despite that, my mom, sister, and I had a wonderful time with our extended family. Hours were spent reminiscing, laughing, eating, driving, eating, swimming, eating. Did I say we did a lot of eating? Please keep my aunt and her family in prayer during this difficult time. Thanks.

As for writing, I'm working on refining my book proposal which I hope to share with an interested editor or agent at the Philadelphia writers' conference in August. Looking forward to connecting there with blogging friends Jeanette Levellie and Susan Reinhardt. If you’re a blogger, maybe you and I will connect face to face one day! If you’ll be at the conference, please be sure to let me know.

Well that’s the latest news. I will tell you - after the writers conference and a [long overdue] family vacation, be on the lookout for the promised “i am” series featuring a wonderful cast of characters!

Still need that accountability though. It's so-o-o-o-o easy to get distracted. 

Hope you're all having a fantastic summer! What's new with you? 

And if you listened to the message - has your view of Mary and Martha changed? If so, in what way? 


10 comments:

Jeanette Levellie said...

Wow, you did have a busy, crazy month! So glad you got to do all those things.

And I can't wait to meet you!!! I will be the crazy redhead with the largest smile and loudest voice!!

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Sadly, my laptop won't let me listen to that podcast. I'm bumped.

You do sound busy. I hope the conference is wonderful for you!

North Jersey Christian Writers Group said...

Jeanette - I'm so excited to meet you. You've been such an encouragement to me. Can't wait to give you a big hug!

Eileen - That is a bummer! Not sure of the problem. I got it to download. The sound isn't the best, especially in the beginning.

Maria said...

Hi Susan,
I am praying for your aunt in Arizona and your entire family in Phoenix, NJ and Florida.
love,
Maria

Rhonda Schrock said...

Have fun, you lucky girls, at that upcoming conference. Sure have been thinking about it a lot, knowing you-all will be there.

Please update us when you get back! Praying for open doors for you.

Warmly,

Rhonda

The Crazy Cat Lady said...

You haven't been busy, have you? Just kidding :) Thank you for stopping by my blog the other day ~ I certainly appreciate it.

God Blessings in your endeavor at the Philadelphia Writer's Conference.
Cheers!

Amanda

Marja Verschoor-Meijers said...

How cool to meet other bloggers at the conference! Accountability... yeah, it's easy to postpone or procrastinate... but I try to keep up! Blessings.

trump said...

Just thought id say hello to you folks. Richard from Amish Stories.

Karen Lange said...

Will pray for your aunt and family. What a blessing that you got to see them!

Have a wonderful time at the conference. I know you, Susan, and Jen will have a great time!

Blessings,
Karen

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Susan -

Your month sounds crazier than mine. I'm glad you were able to spend time with your family.

5 days and counting! I can't wait to see you again. It's been a long time since we had brunch together at the diner. :)

Thanks for the link. See you soon.

Blessings,
Susan