Gifts of Dreams Come True

All I can say is wow. In the last six months of my life so many of my dreams are really starting to be realized. I’ve gotten quite a number of short stories published and have started seriously working on a couple of novels. I’ve made a lot of good writing connections, not to mention a lot of good writing friends! I’ve also begun seriously studying my sign language, working toward my interpreter’s license. Several great opportunities to further my singing skills have come up in the last year, too.

Several exciting things happened just this week.

On Monday I received second place on my Faith Writers’ challenge entry, Lo Ikwithltchunona, The Cloud Swallower, out of something like 147 entries. The level of competition is getting harder every week. I had so much fun writing that story! The topic was rain and I started with an idea I got from a story a missionary had told in his sermon that Sunday. Then I typed a few words into Google and what I needed for the rest of the story just fell into my lap, er, popped onto my computer screen.

On Tuesday I received an email from the humor columnist, Dori Knight, asking if I would be interested in being the Administrative Assistant to the Hope Floats editorial team. Would I be interested?! Rather! LOL The Hope Floats project is something I’ve been really excited about, and have volunteered my time a little for them in the past, also. For those who missed my other blog entries about it, The Hope Team is putting together a book of true short stories to sell. The proceeds of the book will go towards buying Bibles for the victims of the Gulf Coast hurricanes. Though putting together this first book has taken longer than planned, the organization will now be in place to help future disasters. It is so exciting for me to be a part of this, and knowing that it could turn into a long-time position makes it even more so. It is an honor to be a part of this team.

Every day I ask myself what I have done to deserve these blessings. I have failed God in so many ways. But I know the answer. “If you then…know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father give good things to them that ask Him?” Matthew 7:11 It delights Him to give us joy. And what a joy for me, that the gifts I so love are things I can use to give Glory to God and to draw others to Him!