I’m Back!
I returned from the She Speaks conference with Proverbs 31 Ministries last night.
At the door were three overly-excited children and one exhausted (yet also excited) husband. They all screamed “SURPRISE!” when I entered, because yesterday also happened to be my birthday.
Balloons, cake,candles, presents–the works.
And, get this: they had managed to clean the house, the GARAGE (!!!) and my van while I was away. I’m thinkin‘ I need to sneak away more often. Though my daughter looked me straight in the eye and commanded, “Don’t you EVER leave me like that again!”
I don’t know about EVER, but I am on the “every four years I get to go to something girlie all alone” schedule…so maybe in like 2013.
I want to thank every single one of you who prayed for me concerning the publisher appointments. As far as I can see (which admittedly isn’t very far from God’s perspective), your prayers were totally answered. The two publishers I met loved the book. One of them said that, though she hears this idea pitched a lot, the layout and content of my book sounds like the strongest she’s heard so far.
I almost did a little victory dance right there.
And then I had the bonus of two not-so-chance meetings with literary agents who both encouraged me to send them my book proposal via e-mail. Getting an agent to love you is just as good as getting a publisher to love you…maybe even better. Because publishers pretty much love whatever a good agent encourages them to love.
Now I wait, and wait and wait…for them to get back to me. It could be months. But that’s OK. I’m actually happy to set this whole book thing aside for a little while so I can enjoy my family. I am in complete and utter shock that my children only have one week of summer vacation left. Complete and utter, I tell you.
On top of that, it was unbelievably refreshing to be in a hotel with 600 other women who speak my blog language. Usually, with my real-life-flesh-and-bone friends and family, I hear a lot of,
“What’s a blog?” or
“Blog??? How do you have time to do THAT?”
Not so at She Speaks…I was totally in my element.
And by the way, my blog friends also happen to have flesh and bones. I saw it with my own eyes.
I’m now full of fresh ideas, new perspectives and a ton of energy from getting to sleep three whole nights in my very own room with no one waking me up telling me they had night mares or had a potty accident. It was glorious.
With all my fresh perspective, I will be starting a series this week called “Freedom to Hear God.”
This will be great, as we will begin to discuss all the aspects of life and personality that hinder us from hearing God clearly:
1. Fear
2. People Pleasing
3. Busyness
4. Poor Time Management
5. Lack of focus
6. Lack of discipline
7. Clutter
8. And MORE
I have a sneaking suspicion this series will be a doozie, in both duration and impact. I can’t wait to write it!!!
Thanks again for all your support, prayers and friendship. I love you! Really, I do.
Welcome home, and belated happy birthday. So glad the two publishers liked your book, you have my continued prayers. I am looking forward to your new series.
Ah, Sandy, it was so refreshing to be with you this weekend. I'm sorry I missed you yesterday to say good bye, but I'm sure God will provide other chances for us to be together one day. (Coming up this way anytime soon??)
You are such a delight and it was one of the highlights of my weekend to be with you. 🙂
Looking forward to that new series!!
Sandy, So glad they liked it! It's exciting to hear that prayers were answered, now I just pray that the response time is quicker than you anticipate. Looking forward to the new series, quite a few on the list that I fall into. 🙂
Rejoicing with you in how everything went…and anticipating the new series….
YEAH- glad it went well. Enjoy your family!
Sandy, I'm thrilled to hear this news. I realize you still need to wait and wait …but it does sound encouraging indeed!
I didn't realize it was your birthday yesterday. A belated Happy Birthday to my good friend.
I look forward to this series as it's something that interests me very much.
BTW, I received a wonderful blessing and you'll be able to see it on Heart Choices either later tonight or tomorrow. I'm not telling yet …but check back later.
Love you Sandy,
Debbie
WOW!!! Congratulations & blessings Sandy! Happy Birthday, too (belated)!
Looking forward to your new series & the book. Keep us posted!
Waiting to hear God & the freedom!
Love your personal note of so much LOVE to welcome you back & party! I truly hope that you hear of your success in a book deal very soon!!!
yaay!!! doing the dance for you right here!! happy b-day and thanks for paving the way, sis!
ps have you found me on facebook? i tried to look for you but i'm fb uneducated…
lisa meador smtih
Your sentiments are shared! From one P31 sister to another – God's gifts are good and perfect! Can't wait to hear more on your series!
Welcome Back! Can't wait to see how God works through the new series and watching the adventure the Lord has for you with the book!
You can't wait to write it and I can't wait to read it! Love your surpise for your birthday! That totally rocks my "acts of Service" heart!
Missed you!
Oh Sandy! I am so glad to hear that your appointments went well (and that you were able to have the extra not-so-chance meetings)! I was so blessed to meet you this weekend and to find a sister that speaks my language. 🙂 Did I tell you I also was invited to send in my proposal via email?! And fyi, I spoke to a LOT of women who said they received "really good feedback" but did not get the invitation to email. Too cool!
So glad you had a great time and that everyone loved you and your book proposal (not surprised, by the way).
Sounds like you had a wonderful bday, too. Did you get my card?
Oh my, Oh my!! I am so happy for you! Praise God for your blessings!!
p
Your daughter sounds like my son. One time he called me while I was on a business trip to Washington, DC and told me that my plants were dying. I asked if he would please water them, and he responded, "No. You come home!"
I would rather it be that way — the kids needing and wanting us — than the other way around!
So excited for you and ecstatic that all went well!!! I'm learning the power of prayer and even through praying for people I've never met!
May God give you patience as you wait…
I look forward to reading through the next series.