Hello and Welcome to the Focused on Story Blog!
I'm taking advantage of this fifth Wednesday in July to catch you up with what's happening in my writing life this summer.
After 19 years I completed a promise.
After we sold our flower shop and greenhouse business in 1995, we bought a fifth-wheel camper and Dodge RAM truck (we were not campers) and enjoyed visiting national parks. That was fun….for a couple of years. But we grew weary of not having a purpose in our lives.
We discovered an opportunity to do meaningful work through the NOMADS RV group sponsored by the United Methodist Church. Members of the group were a mixture of folks from many different denominations, not only Methodists. NOMADS is the acronym for Nomads on a Mission Active in Divine Service. But we joked it stood for Normal Old Methodists Avoiding Deep Snow!
NOMADS’ winter work projects were scheduled for three weeks in areas where the sun shined and no snow and ice were in sight. The projects included building churches, rebuilding and cleanup after devastating hurricanes, painting, cleaning, plumbing, and more at UMC church camps and children’s homes.
One of our mission projects was located at the UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) Sager-Brown Depot Distribution Center in Baldwin, LA. This is the hub of UMCOR’s relief-supply operations. Many volunteers put together different kinds of kits to give to folks in areas destroyed by hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, floods, etc.
Each year, more than 2,000 volunteers prepare approximately $4 million in relief supplies for shipment from the UMCOR Sager Brown Depot in response to disasters in the United States. GT (my hubby Gardener Ted) worked in the warehouse packing shipping containers full of goods for overseas, and I worked in the office on the computer and anywhere they needed me.
We met so many wonderful, dedicated folks during this project. We became great friends with Pastor Donald and Shirley. Don, a gentle, soft-spoken gentleman with a mellow baritone singing voice, and Shirley, a whirlwind of energy and warmth, shared laughter and camaraderie with us over board games and conversations post-work. We were fortunate to continue our friendship after working at UMCOR.
Don and Shirley, who pastored in Pennsylvania, led groups on retreats to hike the trails in the Appalachian Mountains. They created little books of devotions designed for such a venture that lasted seven or ten days in the mountains. The hiking groups gathered at the evening campfire and learned, discussed, and deepened their faith through the devotions penned by Don and Shirley.
In 2005, I received a little packet in the mail from Shirley. Inside were four of the hand-made booklets for four different backpacking adventures. Knowing I had plans to write a devotional for nature enthusiasts, Shirley enclosed a note, “These are devotional booklets prepared for specific backpacking trips. This may mean the material will need a lot of adjustment for general use. Please feel free to use…or not use, adjust or not adjust.”
I was honored they shared their precious writings and lessons with me and gave me permission to “adjust” the devotions to be used in other instances. I tailored these devotions to resonate with those seeking to strengthen their spiritual journey, whether sitting around a campfire, in a classroom, or in the comfort of their home.
I gave the writings to Shirley’s family so they can share them in their ministries. The promise was kept, but more importantly is the warmth within my heart knowing the devotionals will keep Don and Shirley’s work and spirit alive in future study groups.
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I am presently planning a Back-to-School campaign around my inspiring book for middle-grade girls, Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women.
Here is the new book description I will use to let readers (girls, parents, teachers, home schoolers) know the book is about 16 amazing women who turned their dreams as young girls into becoming successful women in their chosen careers.
Book Description
Take an extraordinary journey with Girls Succeed:
Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women, a book for young dreamers
to explore the lives of sixteen remarkable women who turned their childhood
dreams into reality. These are the stories of everyday heroes, from doctors who
have battled diseases to Olympians who have won Olympic and Paralympic gold
medals, a professional clown who brings joy and laughter with her funny antics,
and an adventurer who has conquered the roads in her mighty 18-wheeler truck.
Each chapter unfolds with an inspiring quote and a
tale of determination. These outstanding role models share their stories of joy
as well as how they overcame daunting obstacles to achieve greatness in fields
as diverse as medicine, sports, the arts, ministry, law and beyond.
Accompanied by a Reader's Guide, this book is not just
a collection of success stories, but a toolkit for teachers and parents to
inspire passion, persistence, and the courage to blaze new trails. Whether you
aspire to heal, create, compete, or lead, let "Girls Succeed" be your
guide to reaching for the stars and beyond.
Open up these inspiring stories for girls. Download the eBook or order the paperback book now.
I'd appreciate any feedback. Should I list all 16 of the careers in the description?
Book Covers
And now the big decision! Please let me know in the comments what book cover you like-- black background or green background. The book is aimed at girls aged 9-13 years old. Thanks for any suggestions you have for improvement.
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SMASHWORDS SUMMER HALF-PRICE SALE ENDS TOMORROW NIGHT!
Heads up! Today and tomorrow are the only days left in this month's sale at Smashwords. My cozy mysteries, paranormal, horror, feel-good memoir are on sale for $1.49! Click here to download them before midnight tomorrow night.
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