When You Ask . . . Be Ready To Receive

For weeks now I've been praying that the Lord would provide me with ways to get my name and reputation as a writer out in the big wide world of publishing, knowing full well that the business of being an author is not only rewarding, but extremely difficult. As a mother and wife, it can also be very taxing on a family when her time is split between the ones she loves and her need to be behind the computer to promote herself, her book and her gift. As I thought about the sacrifice I might be making, I also thought of the rewards. For one thing, working toward my dream of being a writer and published author has made me a better person. I'm not only happy about what I'm doing, but proud of the progress I've made over the past year. Having the inner satisfaction oozing from my pores has influenced my family in a positive way, making this our goal instead of just mine. My husband has made dinner more times than I care to count because my muse was working overtime. My son will sneak into my office while I'm writing and sit next to me reading as I type, rubbing my back, patiently waiting for me to get to a stopping point so he can ask a question or get a hug. I find the point very quickly when he wants a hug.

When He opens the door, make sure you've got your running shoes on.

As I continued to pray for help, always seeking for his spirit to guide my fingers across the keyboard, I came upon a curious comment on my blog. I'd just posted a story about writing with the spirit, so wasn't surprised that someone was as touched reading it as I was when I wrote it. But I do have to say I was shocked to find out she had also been praying and felt she was led to my blog for a purpose.

Jenni James, an up and coming LDS author, formed a blog last January, inviting six other authors to join her. Since that time, they have made quite the reputation for themselves. They get an average of 1000 hits a week blogging about anything and everything that has to do with being a writer while juggling motherhood, family and church.

So where do I fit in? One of her authors has stepped down because her life plans to be extremely hectic this summer, leaving an opening. After exchanging emails and a phone call (3:00a.m. her time, she lives in England) she finally convinced me to be her "Saturday Girl" on Mormon Mommy Writers.

While I've prayed for an opportunity to challenge my writing skills and get my name out there, I don't think I was ready when the Lord opened the door. It took quite a bit of convincing for Jenni to get a "yes" out of me, mostly because the caliber of writing I saw on the blog puts mine to shame. These women are in various stages of their writing career, but all have one thing in common. Talent! I am both honored and humble to be counted among them and hope this opportunity leads to a lasting friendship with each of them.

So if you haven't already gone there, click here to hop on over to my new home away from home and check out my new friends.