Hello, friends! I think I need to accept that, at least for right now, my rhythm for these "monthly" chats is more like bi-monthly. The time just flies way too fast and before I know it, I'm flipping the calendar and haven't sent an email. So maybe every other month will be the target for now, though I do hope to connect with you on a monthly basis again soon!

I'm on an iced matcha kick lately, so let's relax on the porch and catch up on alllll the happenings. It's been an interesting summer so far!

Just some summer things

We had a really fun start to the summer with a beach vacation. I'm not huge fan of sand, but the beach really is one of my favorite spots. It's hard to beat the views, the smells, the sounds.

We were finally chosen!

...by the cat distribution system!

When we returned from fireworks on July 4th, I heard a loud meowing coming from my husband's shed. My oldest and I checked it out, and a little black cat was crying for help! She instantly named him Anakin (Ani for short) and suddenly, at 11pm at night, we were thrown into fostering a malnourished kitten with ZERO clue what we were doing or any supplies. Thankfully our newest pet survived the night and has done so well since. And wouldn't you know it, three days later, we heard more meowing. This time we rescued a little ginger cat, just as tiny and malnourished, and quickly realized we had to keep him, too. He was promptly named Obi Wan and suddenly my number of pets had doubled. I'm not gonna lie. . . I was stressed the first few days after finding Obi 😅 Just a lot of change at once, okay?! But I love them both completely, and they are so much fun to cuddle and watch play. We're all looking forward to them being fully vaccinated so they can be introduced to the other animals in the house!

Something kind of sweet... not long before we discovered these two, my oldest daughter was having a conversation with God and telling him that someday she'd like to have a black cat and an orange cat so she can name them Anakin and Obi Wan. 🥹 I'm not sure if there's anything sweeter than God answering the prayers of your child. When is a time God has answered a prayer of yours, big or "small"?

Favorite weekend of the year

For the last four years, I've attended the annual Christian Mommy Writer's retreat, and oh, it is so good for my soul! Several days spent with 20+ friends from my beloved writing community, where we eat good food, talk about books, play games, laugh, cry, and sometimes even write. It's the best time. Writing can be a lonely journey at times. I'm so thankful God blessed me with this incredible group.

I'll spare you from hundreds of pictures, but you can check out my Instagram reel at the link below for more a peek at the fun we had in Tennessee.

Writing Update

Super fun update this time! I've officially completed edits for my work in progress! I sent it to my agent in June and she responded with some really great suggestions, so in the last part of June and now in July, I've been making those changes and reading over the whole thing one last time to make sure everything flows the way I want it to. I'm so, so excited to send this project out to be considered by publishers. Would you pray with me that God would open the right doors and this book would find a home? The "on submission" step is the most exciting, yet most nerve-wracking, part that I've experienced so far. I'm so grateful I can rely on God's faithfulness and know that regardless of what happens, he's got my future firmly in his grip. ❤️

What I'm reading

Last time I told you guys I'd tell you what I thought about Remarkably Bright Creatures, and I really enjoyed it! It was a slower pace than I expected, but I actually really liked that. I'm excited to watch the movie on Netflix, but my oldest daughter insists on reading the book before she watches it with me, soooo I'm waiting on that a little longer.

One of my favorite reads, probably of the year, is one I finished on the way home from the beach last month. Stephanie Mack's debut with Tyndale, Twenty Something Else, was SO SO GOOD. I think any woman of any age could enjoy it, but as a 41 year old, I really related and understood the soon-to-be-40 year old heroine and her emotions before turning the big 4-0. It made me cry and gave me so much deep appreciation for my husband and my friends. I highly recommend it!

Author Spotlight

I've got two more agency sister authors to highlight for you this month! Check them out and join their newsletters to get some freebies!

The first author spotlight this month is Ruth Schmeckpeper!

Ruth Schmeckpeper is a Wisconsin-based author and speaker who writes heartfelt, second-chance romances rooted in faith, grace, and ordinary hope. Her stories celebrate love after loss, imperfect people, and the quiet ways God restores what feels broken.

Ruth can be found online at https://ruthschmeckpeper.com.

Sign up for Ruth's newsletter and receive a FREE copy of her short story, The Donut Man. You can sign up for her newsletter HERE.

The second author spotlight this month is Janet Roller!

Janet Roller is a Christian speaker, singer, and storyteller who has spent more than two decades sharing her faith with women across the country through relatable stories, heartfelt worship, and Southern charm. A former Miss South Carolina, Janet brings faith, humor, and authenticity to every women's event.

Janet can be found online at https://www.janetroller.com.

When you sign up for Janet's newsletter, "All the Southern Things," you'll receive Comfort Food for the Soul. Hope, humor, and heart (a devotion, jokes, and a healthy-ish Southern recipe). You can sign up HERE for Janet's newsletter.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer, friend. Consider this a big virtual hug before you go. Chat again soon.

Until next time,