Did you hear that huge sigh of relief coming from Kansas today?
I finished my manuscript and it’s now ready to head to the editor at my publishing house. There’s still plenty more work to be done before the book is actually published, but this was a huge step in the whole book-writing process. And I’m so excited about the book and can’t wait to tell you more about it soon!
For now, I’m just thankful to have it done and submitted and am looking forward to getting back to a more normal schedule after a few weeks of having to focus all of my extra time and energy on completing the manuscript.
Thank you so much for your patience while I stepped back from my usual blogging in April. I’ve missed interacting and writing here and can’t wait to get back to our scheduled series and topics. Plus, I’ve got some fun new ideas brewing for series and features that I hope to be unveiling soon!
In the mean time, here are a few posts I read recently that I really enjoyed or was challenged by. Some of these are off-topic, but I’m sharing them because I thought they might bless or encourage some of you. Enjoy — and have a restful Sunday!
Somebody Else’s Passion Can’t Fuel Your Dream — “One of the greatest ways you’re guaranteed to fail eventually is to chase someone else’s dream instead of your own.”
Own It — “Often I’m so busy worrying about what people think of a particular choice that I don’t really put everything I have into what I chose. I spend too much time apologizing rather than just saying ‘This is me. This is my calling.’ I don’t own it.”
You Choose When You Refuse — “If you have debt and you refuse to change your lifestyle to get out of it, you are in essence choosing debt.”
How Hurting Women Can Help Each Other Heal — “…No one tells you that the shields you carry to keep you safe, become the the steel cages that keep you alone.”
Thanks for the excerpts from these websites! I especially enjoyed the first two: Somebody Else’s Passion Can’t Fuel Your Dream & Own It. I am such a people-pleaser, and I can forget that I’m the one who has to live my life and live with the choices I make. Thank you! I can’t wait to read your book! 🙂
Woohoo! Congrats Crystal – That is a huge accomplishment to have finished that!
Did you happen to read any books in the month of April? I came to check for your reading list and realized it might have been silly to think you’d of read on top of tackling your writing project. But, who knows, maybe you did read and, if so, I wanna know which ones and what you thought of them!
Thanks to recommendations, loans and gifts from friends I read four fantastic books this past month – most remarkable one being East Wind by Ruth Hunt about a Christian German women during WWI and WWII. It is a beautiful testimony of God’s grace and provision.
I did read some books, but didn’t get a chance to write about what I read. I’ll share later on this month, but I will tell you that I read the Grace and Truth Principle by Randy Alcorn as well as Large Family Logistics by Kim Brenneman. Loved them both!
Congratulations!!!
Thanks for posting those quotes, especially “Somebody Else’s Passion Can’t Fuel Your Dream — “One of the greatest ways you’re guaranteed to fail eventually is to chase someone else’s dream instead of your own.” I needed that in my parents are really insisting on me living out their dream for me, not mine.
Make sure and click through to read the articles, if you have a chance. They were all fabulous!
I didn’t even catch that they were articles until I read this comment…silly me! Thanks for posting this one especially! I have been dealing with this and know too well the emptiness that comes out when you accomplish someone else’s dream.
I needed this today! Thank you! 🙂
Congratulations! I’ll be so looking foward for your book in print soon. (Maybe with some giveaways here as well:-) I’m so excited to see you’ll be back with usual blogging again!
Congratulations Crystal! I look forward to the book and having you back!
Thank you Crystal for posting the links. I really needed that last one. Well, really all of them, especially the last one. Thanks again
Congratulations dear Crystal. I totally look forward to read your book 🙂
Crystal, congratulations on completing your manuscript! I am excited to read your book once it is published! 😀
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Wow!! That is so incredible! I can’t wait to read it =) I am really hoping for a post (or series) from you about how to write a book. Awesome job, Crystal!
Congratulations!!! Can’t wait for it to be published!
I’m so excited for you. I’m sure it’s a huge relief. I can’t wait to read the book. I know it will be an inspiration to so many! I’m praying that God will continue to use your family to bless many lives.
I love that you shared Ann Voskamp’s blog. I shared this same post on my Facebook. I love her blog and her book One Thousand Gifts is changing my life!
AWESOME!!!! I am so happy for you! 😉
That’s awesome that the book is finished :). I have missed your awesome posts 🙂 can’t wait till they resume 🙂
I’m looking forward to your book!
I do have a confession to make – I went to the drugstores yesterday to double check on some expiring coupons (I know, I know, you’re not supposed to just use them!) I ended up using a B1G1 free coupon on Gillette bodywash @ RiteAid. It turns out the cashier took off the full allowed amount of $4.99 (instead of the actual price of $4.49). I figured 2 for $4 is not bad (while he’s not picky, it’s 1 of my husband’s preferred brands). I always take the UPR’s and put them in my RiteAid envelope right in the car before I misplace the receipt, and I realize I got a $2 UPR for each of them, making them FREE!
Don’t you love it when that happens? Good for you!
I am so excited for you! I can not wait for your book to be printed! You are such an awesome person and I just love your blog, its been an inspiration for me. Thanks for all you do and keep it up!
“One of the greatest ways you’re guaranteed to fail eventually is to chase someone else’s dream instead of your own.”
This is so true. God has created each of us uniquely, but it is easier to look at the successes of others and try to duplicate them rather than seeking God about His dreams for us personally. Each of our lives will individually reflect the creativity of the Creator if we allow Him to speak.
Thanks so much for this great reminder!
Congratulations on completing that phase of the book!!! Glad to hear you have a little extra breathing room now! I grew up in Kansas as well and was just back visiting family over Spring Break and Easter. Looking forward to reading your book.
Hope you are able to relax and spend some extra time with your family too!
I had no idea you were from Kansas!! I am too. Johnson County, Overland Park. My whole family is there. I miss it so much! Such a perfect place to raise a child. Good to see you are from my home town.
Woo hoo!!! Way to go on finishing the manuscript!! Can’t wait to see the end result. 🙂
I just wanted to say thank you so much for posting the links. The last one spoke to me tremendously. Thank you.
Way to go Crystal!!! You continue to be an inspiration. Can’t wait to read it 🙂
So …. are you and Catherine (the “Own It” author) sisters? You totally look like it! 🙂
No, we aren’t sisters, but I’m flattered that you think we look alike. 🙂
So much for any career as a detective. 😉 Seriously, though, you guys look similar. I think it’s the smile.
Congratulations, Crystal! I can’t even imagine the relief and the sense of accomplishment. Looking forward to hearing more about your book.
Congratulations, I can’t wait to read it!
Congratulations Crystal! Can’t wait to see the book in print.