G'day,

I'm writing to you in the last hours of June here in Australia. Although I know in other places in the world this day - the thirtieth of June 2023 - is only just beginning, here it is fading fast. In fact, it's rather poetic I'm sitting here at the eleventh hour to send this. You see, June didn't really go according to plan. And in amongst the miraculous chaos of moving house while in my third trimester of pregnancy, I had to let go of the idea that I would also be able to release my book this month. What amazes me though is that often once a difficult decision like that has been made and acted upon, the hardest part feels over because relief washes in. This was exactly what happened when I opened my hands and let my release date go. Lost in Wonder will join the big wide world of books one day, but I imagine it will be at a time when I can give the release the attention it deserves.

Writing Update

So, where does that leave me and my writing? Well, I still have my hands full of projects I'm slowly working through but that is the operative word here - slowly. I'm trying to slow down, something that has never come naturally to me. However, I'm also aware that in these last few weeks of pregnancy, I need to prepare for a season that will look very different than the one I'm in. When I had my son, I remember putting unnecessary pressure on myself to work on a novel mere weeks after giving birth. I tried EVERYTHING. Nothing worked. And yet, there I was most nights jotting down poems about motherhood and our baby boy's wonderful ways. Little did I know at the time, those maternal reflections would become a book all their own - There we go. This book of poetry became a time capsule of a season that I could have easily missed with all the sleep deprivation, learning curves, and milestones. And it became a lesson for me to carry into the future - writing doesn't always take the form of novels, short stories, and blogs. Sometimes God provides unexpected inspiration and the result is a treasure you never could have dreamed up on your own. So, I'm keeping my hands open as I head into this season, waiting in anticipation to see what the Lord places in them.

For You have been my hope, Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.

Psalm 71:5

Aussie Fact

Nestled in the southern end of the Barossa Valley in South Australia is the small town of Lyndoch. It's not very far from where we now live. Earlier this year, we stayed at Lyndoch Hill surrounded by 22 acres of gardens, home to 30,000 roses. The grounds overlook the surrounding vineyards and upon them sits the majestic Barossa Chateau. Unbeknownst to us at the time of our stay, over twenty years ago Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II stood amongst those same rose gardens directly in front of the Chateau to officially open what is now known as the Queen's Rose Gardens.

Your Gift

You can read the first chapter of my Australian split-time work-in-progress Shades of White HERE.

Love & Prayers,

Liz x

P.S. Don't forget to connect with me on my new Instagram account, Facebook, or visit www.theworshipdesk.com

P.P.S. New June releases I'm loving are Through Thorny Ways by Jennifer Q. Hunt and Neverending Mercy by Latisha Sexton.

P.P.P.S. In an effort not to overload inboxes, I only send newsletters every second month. So, God willing, I'll chat to you in August!

In the spirit of reconciliation, I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. I pay my respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.