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Sunday, December 30, 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR

This has been a year of new beginnings for me personally.

Biggest of all is, of course, is the change to living in a nursing home.  I didn't expect the decline in my health, nor the two hospitalizations. But God has brought me, and it has become a shelter and a time of great blessing, to me and through me to others.

2012 has also seen a new beginning for me in nonfiction, with the first contract for a complete nonfiction book written by me: It Is Well with my Soul, a series of devotions, prayers, Bible verses and quotes on different phrases from the beloved hymn. I believe God wishes to continue and increases that calling, and am working on a nonfiction proposal.

2012 saw a new beginning of Heartsong under Harlequin's management--and my renewed association with the book club. My three books in the Maple Notch Dreams series, a continuation of Maple Notch Brides, will all be released in 2013.

In fact, next year I expect to have six books in print--the most in a single year for me.  Given the challenges 2012 has brought, I consider that an enormous blessing.

Life in the nursing home has brought a certain maturity and wallowing in spiritual gifts--a recognition and ease that spills over into my writing and thinking.

2012 is the first time one of my books has shown up on the top 20 in any category on Amazon: since River North Publishing put all six of the Texas Trails books on sale for one week at a time, both of my books have stayed below in the top 30 for two months.  For one heady day or two, I was even in the #1 spot.

This is not a new beginning, but my first-ever book, Romanian Rhapsody (2005), now for sale in a Kindle edition, continues to sell well.  It is a little gem of a book which continues to minister to people (and yes, perhaps I am suggesting that you buy it.  Join the trend.)

My son has a new job, my granddaughter Jordan started preschool for the first time, and Isaiah is growing up strong and healthy. My daughter-in-law says he sees color when he listens to music--like his Grandma (or, as he called me, "mamam.")

All in all, God has fulfilled His promise that He has more books for me to write. Now I also feel His promise that He has nonfiction books for me to write (as well as my beloved fiction). This year could have been the worst--and instead it has been the best.

Praise the Lord with me. I can't way to see what 2013 will bring.

**Last week's winner is Patti Shene.  Double (or triple) your chances for a win this week by answering one of both of these questions: What is your single most memorable moment from 2012? What is your great  hope for 2013?**

9 comments:

Dana Wilkerson Spille said...

2012 God has showed up and showed off many times in my life .The best was finding a lawyer and Dr that will work with me until this whole thing with the car wreck that happen in 2011 is over .In 2013 I am believing that God is going to show up and show off in bring forth everything He has promised to me for years . I do see them coming forth slowly .God has a plan for my good and His glory and I am going to let Him work that plan out .
Blessings !!!!! Dana "Girl" Spille

kbailey said...

My most memorable part of 2012 is finding out that I can stand a lot of pain, and still feel God's grace and calm! I don't understand it and a part of me is still waiting to crumble. But I KNOW without a doubt that it is God that is carrying me and providing for me. It is a very cool feeling!

Darlene Franklin said...

From Kathleen Bailey:

Oh and my great hope is that I will get serious about my writing! Inspiration is not going to just strike me. I have to make it part of my daily routine.

Kathleen, BTW - amen! but glue is a serious component of inspiration, lol

kbailey said...

Glue?

Darlene Franklin said...

butt glue, Kathy. bitchok as it's also called

Cathy Shouse said...

My son is in a creative field and won honorable mention in a national contest, which was one of the highlights of 2012.

For 2013 I am focusing on Optimism, leaving the specifics in God's hands.

Darlene Franklin said...

Congrats on your son! Oh, I didn't mention that this week. One of my (dead) daughter's poems was accepted for publication this week. I am so happy about that.
Optimism - amen.

KayM said...

Darlene, I'm so glad that 2012 turned out to be a very good year for you, despite the hardships. My most memorable moment from 2012 was getting to meet my pen pal of 54 years! We started writing to each in grade school, when she lived in Maine and I lived in Virginia. I had asked for my name to be published in my Sunday School paper in the pen pal column. My hope of 2013 is that I am able to make good use of the time God gives me to complete the tasks that are before me.

Darlene Franklin said...
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