GREETINGS!
Every season of the year holds its charm for me, but I think my favorite is Autumn. I love
the scent of the crisp air, the changing colors, and the promise of holiday gatherings
just around the corner. This year we're in a new house, so we'll be building memories
with our children and grandchildren. (Scroll over any photo to read a caption and then
click to enlarge it.)
PUBLISHING PRAISES
God has been amazingly busy here of late. Not that He isn't always involved in my writing life,
but the past months have seen a floodgate of blessing. In September, My Heart Remembers
was named the American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Historical Book of the Year. This marks
the fourth award for the book. Because that story is so special to me (it was inspired by my stepgrandmother), it has blessed me beyond words to see it receive this recognition.
Also at the September ACFW conference, one of my critique partners was surprised with her
first contract! It's always a delight to witness the joy of dreams-come-true, but it was especially
gratifying to see it happen for someone I love and admire. Connie Stevens' first book, Leave Me
Never, will release from Barbour Publishing in January of 2011.
My oldest daughter has been accompanying me to conferences, submitting work to contests, and otherwise working on her writing for the past few years. Recently she signed with agent Tamela Hancock Murray of the Hartline Literary Agency for representation. It is so exciting to see Kristian make this very significant forward step in publishing, and I eagerly anticipate celebrating her first writing contract.
By the first of the year, I will have launched into a new genre: young adult. Katy's New World, Book One of the Katy Lambright Series, will hit store shelves around Christmastime. This story about an Old Order Mennonite girl who has been given special permission to attend public high school is targetted toward girls ages 10 to 16, but anyone could read it. Today's Christian teens face so many challenges, the biggest one being remaining true to their convictions in a setting that encourages "going with the crowd." I hope young readers will be inspired by Katy's determination to hold to her Mennonite faith while surrounded with people who don't necessarily value being "different." I'm grateful to Zondervan for giving me this opportunity to write to a new audience.
PERSONAL PRAISES
Birthdays! Aren't they fun? In September, our granddaughter celebrated her first birthday and
then the first of November grandson #1 turned six. November is a very busy month for us, birth-
day-wise, with two grandsons, one daughter, a niece and a nephew, and a son-in-law advancing
a year. So more fun lurks around the corner. :o)
My husband, parents, and I enjoyed a wonderful, we'll-remember-it-forever trip to Germany the first weeks of September. From the Bavarian Alps to the Berlin Wall to small country towns and a Nazi concentration camp, we made a circle around the country, drinking in amazing landscapes, centuries-old buildings, and a new culture. My parents have dreamed of going to Germany for as long as I can remember. What joy in witnessing them savor this dreams-do-come-true adventure. A few pics follow...
I'm also delighted that, after returning from Germany, Daddy spent a week at my house and built my office! I've posted pictures on the Photo Gallery page...please feel free to peek. I'm delighted with my new work space. :o)
JUST FOR FUN!
I promised a copy of Deborah Vogts's debut novel, Snow Melts in Spring, to an August-October guestbook signer. The winner is Robin from North Carolina! Robin, please contact me so we can arrange shipment of your book. :o)
RECOMMENDED READING
DEVOTIONAL--"Empowered by HIM"
Have you ever given thought to Ephesians 2:10 which says, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Every life has a purpose in God's kingdom. For many years I fought against fulfilling my God-designed purpose because I was too insecure, too self-conscious, too uncertain. It took quite a while for me to figure out I was only making excuses.
When you look at the Bible, God often called unlikely people to carry out His plans: Abraham (old!), Leah (unattractive!), Moses (stuttered!), Rahab (immoral!), Jonah (reluctant!), Peter (hot-tempered!), David (imperfect!), Timothy (timid!)...and those are just a sampling. When Jesus went looking for disciples, He didn't choose the rich and powerful--He chose the common man...and each of them willingly set aside their everyday tasks to follow Him. What wonderful things they achieved in His name!
Years ago, when I battled against God's tug to begin a speaking ministry, I told a friend of my huge apprehensions. I claimed, "I just can't speak in front of people--I don't have the ability!" Her response: "Kim, God doesn't call the equipped; He equips the called." Her words weaseled their way into my heart and gave me the courage to step out in obedience. No, I'm not the best speaker in the world and never will be, but it never ceases to amaze me how God can take my bumbling efforts and use them for good.
Mark 3:13 says "Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him." If you're experiencing a tug on your heart, don't let human emotion stand in the way. Come to Him. Heed His voice. It won't be easy--nothing of value ever comes easily--but it will be worth it. You will be blessed. There is no greater empowerment than to be empowered by Him.
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Thank you so much for taking the time to visit with me! May God bless you muchly as you journey with Him!
~Kim Vogel Sawyer
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2010 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
January 6 -- SPEAKING: United Methodist Church, 600 W. Lincoln, Greensburg, KS; 6:00 PM
"Life Lessons Learned From Chocolate"
January 23 -- Kim's birthday
Feb. 1, 2009 MANUSCRIPT DUE
Feb. 1-5, 2010K-LOVE FRIENDS & FAMILY CRUISE
Feb. 13 -- SPEAKING: Marion County Library, 203 N. 3rd, Marion, KS; 10:30 AM
"Life Lessons Learned From Chocolate"/Q&A
Feb. 27 -- SPEAKING: Ashland Library; 604 N. Main, Ashland, KS; 2:00 PM
"Life Lessons Learned From Chocolate"
Feb. 24--Daughter #2 and S-I-L's anniversary
Feb. 25--Hubby's birthday
March 19--Grandson #4's 2nd birthday
Mar. 24, 2010 -- SPEAKING: Anthony UMW, 225 N. Bluff, Anthony, KS; 6:30 PM
Apr. 18, 2010 -- SPEAKING: United Methodist Church, 405 Harrison, Little River, KS, 3:00 PM
"Life Lessons Learned From Chocolate"
April 24--Grandson #5's 1st birthday
May 1, 2010 -- SPEAKING: Trinity UMC, 224 S. Main, Lindsborg, KS, 5:30 PM
"Life Lessons Learned From Chocolate"
May 5, 2010 -- SPEAKING: United Methodist Women, 118 N. 4th, Hill City, KS, 6:00 PM
"Life Lessons Learned From Chocolate"
June - August -- RESERVED for writing/book signings only
June 2--Grandson #3's 3rd birthday
June 8--Daughter #1 and S-I-L's anniversary
July 1, 2010 MANUSCRIPT DUE
July 22--Daughter #3's birthday
August 11--Hubby and my anniversary
Sept. 3--Granddaughter's 2nd birthday
Sept. 17-20, 2010 -- ACFW Conference, Indianapolis, IN
Sept. 28, 2010 -- Kingman UMC, 133 E. Ave. D, Kingman, KS; 6:30 PM
"Life Lessons Learned From Chocolate"
Oct. 21, 2010 -- (tentative) 1st Baptist Church, McPherson, KS
November 1--Grandson #1's 6th birthday
November 18--Grandson #2's 5th birthday
November 23--Daughter #1's birthday
December -- RESERVED for family
Dec. 1, 2010 MANUSCRIPT DUE
December 17--daughter #2's birthday
2011 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
January 23 -- Kim's birthday
Feb. 24--Daughter #2 and S-I-L's anniversary
Feb. 25--Hubby's birthday
March 19--Grandson #4's 3rd birthday
March 25-26, 2011 -- SPEAKING: Heartseekers, Galesburg, IL, Friday 6-8:00 PM, Saturday 9 AM-3:00 PM
April 24--Grandson #5's 2nd birthday
May 1, 2011 MANUSCRIPT DUE
June - August -- RESERVED for writing/book signings only
June 2--Grandson #3's 4rd birthday
June 8--Daughter #1 and S-I-L's anniversary
July 22--Daughter #3's birthday
August 11--Hubby and my anniversary
Sept. 3--Granddaughter's 3rd birthday
Oct. 1, 2011 MANUSCRIPT DUE
November 1--Grandson #1's 7th birthday
November 18--Grandson #2's 6th birthday
November 23--Daughter #1's birthday
December -- RESERVED for family
December 17--daughter #2's birthday
