GREETINGS!
Are you sure it's mid-August already? I don't have a clue where the summer went! It seems to have zipped by in a blur. My oldest grandson will get on a school bus tomorrow for his first full day of school. Grandson #2 starts preschool the day after that. But wasn't it just yesterday that I was a weepy-eyed mommy sending my oldest daughter off to kindergarten? Oh, me. Life really needs to slow down a little bit...
PUBLISHING PRAISES
The past few months have seen so many blessings with my writing. My Heart Remembers was given the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence and named the Colorado Romance Writers Historical for 2009. Then, just recently, I learned the book also won the Inspirational Reader Choice Contest in the historical category and is a finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year contest. I really am not an award-hungry person--in fact, I rarely enter contests--but receiving this recognition has touched me so deeply. I poured my heart in that story, and it seems the characters are resonating with readers. There is no greater reward for a writer than to know her efforts have reached a reader's heart. There's the true blessing.
Over the years, I've had the privilege of working with some fabulous writers who
critique my stories and offer suggestions. I can't imagine surviving without them.
Eileen Key) spend a week at my house for a "mini writer's retreat." We did writerly
things such as brainstorming story ideas and writing summaries for proposals. But
additionally, they helped me pack boxes for my move, and we did some fun site-
seeing. A few highlight are shown at the right. Scroll over the photo to read the
caption, then click to enlarge the picture.
In early July, I drove (yes, drove! and didn't get lost!) to Denver, Colorado, for the International Christian
Retail Show. Bethany House provided advanced reader copies of Fields of Grace, which I signed for
customers. I so enjoyed visiting with booksellers and others interested in Christian fiction. Each person
who came through my line was given a small bag of Turkey Red wheat, a derivative of the original wheat
brought from Russia by Mennonite Brethren in the 1870s. What fun to share a piece of my family history
with attendees!
I also had the pleasure of attending the Christy Awards with several author friends. I don't get
many opportunities to get all spiffed up, so it's fun to don a sparkly outfit now and then. The
editor Karen Ball. All of those ladies are wonderful writers and such warm, wonderful, Christian
people. I truly enjoyed my time with them.
PERSONAL PRAISES
After several weeks of "feel yuckedness," I am very grateful to be on the mend. I had surgery June 1st, which knocked me off my feet for a few weeks. Just about the time I was really recovering from that, I got bit by a spider right below my left ear AND I moved without the benefit of my husband's help (he was in Texas on military duty). The stress of the move (moving is hard work!) coupled with the untreated bite created a very painful infection in my jaw that was quite resistant to treatment. But as of this writing, things are much improved and I so appreciate those who lifted me in prayer during these past, difficult weeks.
Hubby returned from military training two days after our 25th anniversary. We are in our new house, and we're enjoying it so much. There's room for the whole family to visit, and lots of yard for the grandkids to run and play. With several guestrooms, each with a private bath, I'll be able to host author get-togethers with ease, and I look forward to brainstorming or writing sessions with fellow authors. I don't have an official office...yet...but my dad is portioning off a section of the basement for me. I'm sure I'll have a dandy writing space in no time at all. I'll share pictures when it's done.
JUST FOR FUN!
I promised a copy of Siri Mitchell's historical story, A Constant Heart, to a May/June guestbook signer. The winner is Teresa C. from Glendale, AZ! Teresa, please contact me so we can arrange shipment of your book. :o)
And for Guestbook signers between August 15 and October 14, your name will go into a drawing to win Snow Melts in Spring (featured below) by a new author, Deborah Vogts. Good luck! (Open to residents of continental U.S.; odds of winning based on number of entrants.)
RECOMMENDED READING
Because the summer has been so discombobulated, I haven't had many reading opportunities. Hence, I only have one book to share with you this time, but it's well worth a peek. Kansas author Deborah Vogts debuts with the first in her Seasons of the Tallgrass Series. Set in the Kansas foothills, the story gives a very strong sense of time and place. Deborah has truly captured the Kansas spirit. The publisher's description follows:
DEVOTIONAL--"I am God"
Have you ever wanted to look up to the heavens and shout, "Why? I don't understand, God! Why?" I'm guessing nearly everyone has faced some very difficult challenge that is so painful, so difficult, so heartbreaking, that we wonder why we can't escape it. Right now, within my small circle of acquaintances, one friend's son-in-law is very ill with leukemia; another is at her mother's side, waiting for that dear woman to take flight to Heaven; yet another is broken-hearted over a defiant teen; and more than one have lost their jobs... So much suffering. Why?
When we think of suffering, it's pretty hard not to think of Job, isn't it? Now, there was a man who had reason to complain! Riddled with illness and mourning the loss of his children and belongings, he sat in an ash pile and scraped at his seeping wounds with broken pottery--the very epitome of brokenness. He, too, questioned God. Of course, we know Job was allowed that suffering to show God's strength, but Job didn't know that. He just knew he hurt--physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Therefore I find it interesting that in Job 40:5, he makes this statement: "I spoke once, but I have no answer—twice, but I will say no more." Did you catch that? "I will say no more." I can imagine him thinking, "All right, God, I asked, but You chose not to answer, so no more will I question." You have to know that Job was at the end of himself. Beyond anger and tears and even questioning the "why" of it all, he simply accepted what he was given and trusted that God knew best.
As hard as it is, sometimes that's the best place for us to be. That place where we look around and say, "It's all out of my control, but I give You control and trust that You know best." And then we melt into His arms of comfort and peace. That is the precious moment when we hear God whisper, "I am your God, dear one, and I am here."
Whatever conflict you might be facing, may you trust Him to be able to meet your needs, and may you rest in glorious peace today,.
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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
P.S.~Are you on Facebook? If so, you have a chance to win a free copy of Fields of Grace! Just join the Kim Vogel Sawyer Fan Page, record your favorite character (and why) from one of my books, and you'll be entered to win an autographed copy. Good luck!
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2009 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Jan. 21-26, 2009 Birthday/Research Vacation; 1/23 Kim's birthday
Jan. 27, 2009
SPEAKING: Community Church of the Brethren, Hutchinson, KS
Feb. 6-7, 2009 SPEAKING: Loretto, TN
Feb. 12, 2009 INTERVIEW: KREJ-Radio, 8:15 am CST
Feb. 13, 2009SPEAKING: Choice Books, Hutchinson, KS
Feb. 22, 2009 SPEAKING: 1st Souther Baptist Church, Hutchinson, KS
Feb. 24, 2009SPEAKING: McPherson M.O.P.S. Group, McPherson, KS
Feb. 24--Daughter #2 and S-I-L's anniversary
Feb. 25--Hubby's birthday
March 1, 2009 MANUSCRIPT DUE
March 6, 2009 SPEAKING: Hutchinson M.O.P.S. Group, Hutchinson, KS
March 19--Grandson #4's 2nd birthday
March 20-22, '09 AUTHOR APPEARANCE: Christian Book Expo, Dallas, TX
March 23, 2009 SPEAKING: Pretty Prairie Study Club, Pretty Prairie, KS
April 16, 2009SPEAKING: Sheridan County Public Library, Hoxie, KS
April 18, 2009 AUTHOR APPEARANCE: Lindsborg Book Club at Hastings, Hutchinson, KS
April 20, 2009SPEAKING: Tabor Church, Newton, KS
April 24--Grandson #5's 1st birthday
May 1-2, 2009 RETREAT: Western Hills Baptist Church, Topeka, KS
May 4-11, 2009 AUTHOR RETREAT
May 16, 2009 SPEAKING: Warren County Christian School, Youngsville, PA
June -- RESERVED for writing/book signings only
June 2--Grandson #3's 3rd birthday
June 8--Daughter #1 and S-I-L's anniversary
June 15, 2009 MANUSCRIPT DUE
July -- RESERVED for writing/book signings only
July 9-12, 2009 -- Author Retreat, Denver, CO
July 13, 2009 BOOKSIGNING: ICRS, Bethany House Booth, Denver, CO
July 22--Daughter #3's birthday
August -- RESERVED for writing/book signings only
August 11--Hubby and my anniversary
Aug. 30-Sept. 11 GOING TO GERMANY for fun and research
Sept. 17-20, 2009 ACFW Conference, Denver, CO
Oct. 1, 2009 MANUSCRIPT DUE
Oct. 10, 2009SPEAKING: Faith Bible Church, Lyons, KS
November 1--Grandson #1's 6th birthday
Nov. 10, 2009 PHONE CHAT: Muskingum Library, Ohio
Nov. 13-15, 2009 SPEAKING: Great Plains KS/NE/MO Methodist Women's Fellowship, Wichita, KS
November 18--Grandson #2's 5th birthday
November 23--Daughter #1's birthday
December -- RESERVED for family
December 17--daughter #2's birthday
2010 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
January 6 -- SPEAKING: Greensburg, KS
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
Feb. 27 -- SPEAKING: Ashland Library; Ashland, KS
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, Anthony, KS
Apr. 18, 2010 SPEAKING: United Methodist Church, Little River, KS
May 1, 2010 -- SPEAKING: Trinity UMC, 224 S. Main, Lindsborg, KS, 5:30 PM
May 5, 2010 -- SPEAKING: United Methodist Women, 118 N. 4th, Hill City, KS, 6:00 PM
April 24--Grandson #5's 1st birthday
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 #1's birthday
Sept. 16-19, 2010 ACFW Conference, Indianapolis, IN
Sept. 28, 2010 -- Kingman UMW, Kingman UMC
Oct. 21, 2010 -- 1st Baptist Church, McPherson, KS
Dec. 1, 2010 MANUSCRIPT DUE
November 1--Grandson #1's 6th birthday
November 18--Grandson #2's 5th birthday
November 23--Daughter #1's birthday
December -- RESERVED for family
December 17--daughter #2's birthday
