Congrats to Brandon Ax: A Cover Reveal

Congrats to Brandon Ax, whose book will be published on 4/20!
Here's some info about it. 

The car pulled into my apartment complex and I heard Mrs. Watts tell her friend to hold on, “Well thanks for all the help with the yard, guess I will see you Saturday,” she said smiling.
     “Oh, it was no problem, glad to help. Thanks for the ride,” I climbed out and started making my way up to my door. The parking lot was dark, the lights around my building had gone out a week ago and no one had seen fit to fix them yet. I guess seeing wasn't part of their living accommodations. Situating my book bag I looked around. I was alone except for an older woman walking her dog. I nodded to her as I headed for the stairs. No sooner had my foot touched the first step when I began to feel this revulsion like something was crawling on my skin. Out of instinct I turned and looked behind me.
     Leaning against one of the broken light poles was a man. I couldn't make out his face as it was covered in shadows, but fear shot through me like a bullet. My body felt frozen, I knew I should run, but it felt like doing so would set everything back into action. I tried to will my foot back onto the step.
     “Hello pretty,” the dark man said in a haunting voice that chilled to the bone.
     My voice shook as I formed the words, “Who are you?” It felt stupid, but nothing had come to mind. I managed to get my foot back on the step.
     He stepped from the pole and said, “Me? I’m no one. You though? You are something special, in fact you’re so special I have a feeling I’d like to take you home with me.”
     I turned and ran knowing it wouldn't be fast enough. I felt him grab my shirt from behind and push me to the metal stairs below. I kicked out and struggled to pull myself from his hold. A gust of wind rushed past me, it blew my hair wildly and I was free.
     Not waiting to see what happened I scrambled up the steps and quickly unlocked the door. Slamming it behind me I slid down with the cold white wood to my back. My breath came in quick gasp, I felt my whole body shaking. What was that, why did he let go? I quickly stood up peering through the peephole in the door. No one was outside. Putting my ear to the wood I tried to listen for any sound that would lead me to believe he was still out there.
     After a few seconds I backed away from the door and sat in one of the chairs by the table. I had just calmed my thundering heartbeat when the handle of the door started to twist. I scrambled for anything I could find to defend myself with, settling on a picture frame that was on the wall next to me. As the door opened I drew back ready to swing with every ounce of my strength.

That's a lot of sticks!!!

A quick note for today.

Our neighbors just cut down their tree and quite a bit of the branches fell in our yard.
    With how much our dog likes sticks... Well, she thinks this is her birthday.  She keeps grabbing one, then dropping it for a bigger one--and a bigger one!
    Poor husky.  That's a lot of sticks!!!

The neighbor will be helping me clean this up later today.  I'm soooo thankful!

For a silly post about Luna, please go HERE.

Also, if you want to listen to my radio interview from last Friday, here's the podcast:

Have a great day!

Random Acts of Kindness Week #2 -- Little Caesars Harlem Shake

Random Acts of Kindness Week #2

It all started on Wednesday. That was one of the best days of my life.  Wayman Publishing was featured on many websites including CBS, ABC, and FOX News.  I just sat at my kitchen table, completely floored.  I work so hard for Wayman, hardly making anything, and suddenly it's starting to succeed!  I kept visiting the websites, speechless.
   Well, I finally decided to take a break and check the mail--guess what was in my mailbox?  Look!

After getting this, I couldn't control my excitement anymore.  I bawled, so overwhelmed with gratitude for life, for kind people--for you. I still have no idea who sent this, but it means the world to me.
    Even though it was for our clunker (that I wrote about HERE), I couldn't keep the money.  I instantly decided to pay it forward.

Recap: I've vowed to do a random act of kindness (and write about it) once a week until the end of May--when the R.A.K. Blogfest starts. 

Well, this is what I did today with the generous, anonymous gift.

In northern Utah there's a man who makes everyone smile.  Ray, better known as the "Little Caesars Dancing Man," works tirelessly, always happy, always kind to strangers.  
    And he's quite talented too.

He spins the sign on his foot.

He spins it on his head.

And no matter what kind of crappy mood I may be in, this stranger always makes my day better whether he's waving or smiling at me and my kids.  

    I remembered a day not too long ago, when I'd just been to get a blood sugar meter.  I was terrified after seeing the doctor, because apparently I'm a pansy.  Anyway as I drove back home, I saw the Little Caesars Dancing Man rockin' away.  The light turned red and I watched him--his exuberance for life lightened my burden.  I felt better from his random kindness.  And I realized, he's kind 24-7 even though he's out there working in the blistering sun, and that man needs to know he's appreciated.

    So today the kids and I went to where he dances.  I met Ray in person, even shook his hand and got a picture with the awesome guy!

I told him about what an inspiration he is--how he might not know it, but he makes life better every day for people like me and my family.  I gave him the $20 from anonymous and asked him to pay it forward. After that we talked for a minute and he showed me this video that was just posted on youtube by another fan of his.

   

So, I had another great day, almost as great as Wednesday. I hope Ray had a great day too.

In closing, my big radio interview is Friday night (4/12).  I'll be talking about infant loss, love, redemption and hope.  I'm praying that someone will hear my story and see that even if they're going through a hard time, God is still there for them.

Here's that info:

Join EC Stilson April 12th, 2013 at 8:30 PM Eastern Standard Time Zone on Triangle Variety Radio. Patrick Walter's interview will last for 1(one) hour here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/trianglevariety

"But the Lord will deliver them out of them all."

When I knew I carried a baby with birth defects, a guest speaker--who had no idea what I went through--visited our church. At the end of the service he called me to the front of the room. He didn't even know me, just pointed, and told me to stand. In front of the whole church he said that God gave him a message meant for me. He said, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord will deliver them out of them all." Chills ran up and down my body before I started crying. 
    My baby, Zeke, ended up passing away. But I never forgot that scripture because somehow it helped me recover from the death of my son.

To learn more about Zeke, please click on this picture.

If you'd like to hear a live interview about Zeke and his story, visit THIS LINK on April 12th, 2013 at 8:30 PM Eastern Standard Time Zone.   

The interview will last for 1(one) hour.

 

I'll be on the radio this Friday! Will you come listen?

As quoted from a PRWebs press release:
"Stilson's been a homeless musician, a grieving mother, a celebrated author, a publisher—a failure and a success."

Patrick Walters, of Triangle Variety Radio, will be interviewing me about my memoirs (The Golden Sky & Homeless in Hawaii), as well as about Wayman Publishing, on April 12th, 2013 at 8:30 PM Eastern Standard Time Zone.   

The interview will last for 1(one) hour here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/trianglevariety  

I'm so excited!  Here's to hopin' that it'll go great--that many lives will be touched--and that no one will think my voice sounds like a little girl's. *still smiling*

Would you feel bad about this if you were me?

Inspired by Janie at dumpedfirstwife.blogspot.com

Preface . . .
Once upon a time I was accepted into a local university nursing program.  I volunteered at a rest home, and even though the nurses treated me terribly, often making me and the other volunteers cry, I stayed, hoping to learn. 

When ninety-year-old Rose talked, the past came alive.  She'd met her best friends and later her husband at extravagant dances and parties.  She'd been quite a prankster, witty, rich; I saw it in her sparkling blue eyes.  In her picture, sitting on the tiny dresser, Rose looked like a movie star.  Yet now she sat in a stained chair, and wore faded clothes.  She frequently felt too cold despite warming weather, or the crocheted scarf she wore every day.  
    I spent my breaks with Rose because she was something special.  On my last day, I asked her why no one came to see her.  "They're all gone," she said.  "The older generation has passed on.  The younger ones are too busy.  And it seems as if I'm the only one left."  Her shaky hand picked up the picture of herself, still stationed on her dresser.  She used her precious scarf to wipe dust off the glass.  It felt strange seeing her wrinkled hand next to what she'd looked like decades before.
    "It's your last day?" she asked, and I nodded.  "Promise you'll come back.  I get so lonely."
    "I promise." I hugged her thin frame close to myself.  "I'll be back when I can.  Things are busy at home with my kids, but we'll make time. We'll all come to see you."
    Rose opened the top dresser drawer and gently handed me something wrapped in tissue paper.
    "For me?" I asked, trying to be careful with the gift.
    "I've been working on it since the day I met you.  I hope you'll like it."
    I slowly took off the tissue paper, revealing the most beautiful jewelry box.  Rose had crocheted it, using some type of stiff material to keep everything together.  "It's amazing!  I'll never forget this."  I hugged her again, and then went out the door to finish my shift.

This (blue one) is similar to the jewelry box.

At the end of that day, I went to the nurses' station to grab the jewelry box, my coat and keys.  "What's that in your hand?" a short, brown-haired nurse asked.

   "It's a jewelry box. From Rose," I said, wondering if that nurse's picture is in the dictionary--under the word bitterness.

   "Ya know, Elisa . . .," she said, digging her fingernails into my arm before I could leave.  "I never figured you'd be one of them." 

    "One of who?"

    "Those volunteers who take advantage of old people."

    I gasped.  "I would never--"

    "Yet, you have.  Does Rose have much in this life?"

    "Well, no."

    "And you've taken something from her?"

    I thought hard.  "But she made it for--"

    "And you took it from her.  Didn't you?"

    "Yes." That was all I could say.

    "Elisa, you took something from a woman who doesn't have anything. YOU are a terrible person. I'm ashamed any teacher would recommend you as a volunteer."

    Tears came to my eyes.  That stupid nurse glared up at me, finally smiling.  That sickening red lipstick practically symbolized her craving for discord.  That's all I could focus on as she spoke slowly, her lips moving over bleached teeth.  "I'm glad you're done volunteering. And I hope you'll never come back. We don't need users like you."

    I hated myself. My own skin crawled with heat and embarrassment.  I clutched the jewelry box closer, knowing even then that I would never see Rose again.  Not because I didn't adore her, but because I was too scared to face that nurse.

    Thinking about the Random Acts of Kindness Blogfest, I've decided to do something extra nice once a week for the next two months.  My action this week was to go see Rose and tell her how sorry I am. But she was gone.

    I've learned something.  I should have gone back to visit my dear friend.  That friendship would have been a blessing to both of our lives.  But instead I listened to a cynical pessimist. 

Life's not worth living for other people, especially if we compromise our convictions just because of fear.   

    I keep thinking about Rose, waiting and waiting for me to come back. I once heard that if God gives us "a mission" that we pass by, He'll give it to someone else.  I hope this is true, that a wonderful soul started visiting Rose--and I hope they stood up to that nurse!

Maybe next week's random act will be more uplifting.  But this time around, learn from my mistakes.

Random Acts of Kindness--I NEED Your Help!

I'm at a crossroads.  Standing on the beaten path.  And suddenly I have this strong desire to do something wonderful.

But I need your help!  

    See, I've been writing about some pretty amazing things that have happened to me.  

   Why do these acts of kindness mean so much that I keep writing about them?  Well in 2003, after my son died, Cade lost hope in humanity.  He didn't take his pain out on God, or life, or hospital staff.  He took it out on everyone else, not wanting to trust a soul, guarding himself from strangers.
    But since The Golden Sky came out--the story of our son's life and death--Cade has seen the selfless generosity of many people.  And I've watched Cade change.  This means more to me than almost anything--that your kindness has helped Cade heal.
    Well, last week it happened again--a miracle.  An amazing person read my blog (this post to be exact: If you've ever read my blog, please read this post.)  and decided to anonymously send Wayman Publishing an iPad Mini for the giveaway!  Cade and I were initially funding this giveaway (trying to help Wayman's authors gain exposure and succeed) nonetheless stressed, wondering how we'd afford the prize.  Then to get an iPad Mini in the mail. . .  It was a tremendous answer to prayer.  And after God didn't heal Zeke, I've often wondered if He hears my prayers at all. . . .
    So, how could I possibly thank someone for this?  How?  Especially someone who wanted to remain anonymous.  I think I've found a way.

Random Acts of Kindness Blogfest  

Feel free to join up anytime from May 27th-31st.  Just sign up at the bottom of this post, then write a blogpost about a random act of kindness that you've experienced in your life. 
    For the blogfest, you can write something for any/all days

Also, as a Random Act of Kindness, Wayman Publishing is offering these eBooks for FREE download during the Blogfest (May 27th - 31st).

 

The Sword of Senack--FREE Download

Honk of Zagonk--FREE Download

Middle Damned--FREE Download 

A Cat's Legacy--FREE Download

How to Lose a Tooth--FREE Download

Bible Girl & the Bad Boy--FREE Download

The Golden Sky--FREE Download 

Zombie Man--FREE DOwnload

Open Doors: Fractured Fairy Tales--FREE Download

Open Doors 1--FREE Download

Buy any of Wayman Publishing's books/eBooks—the FREE eBooks (above) included—and be entered into our iPad Mini Sweepstakes! Visit this link for more info: ow.ly/jsQVv  

Here's the button for the blogfest:

 

  

<center> <a href="http://ecwrites.blogspot.com/2013/04/random-acts-of-kindness-i-need-your-help.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo raoc_zps0fb7dd8c.jpg" border="0" height="291" src="http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c186/Elisabeth83/raoc_zps0fb7dd8c.jpg" width="320" /></a><div align="center"> <form> <textarea cols="15" rows="6"><a href="http://ecwrites.blogspot.com/2013/04/random-acts-of-kindness-i-need-your-help.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo raoc_zps0fb7dd8c.jpg" border="0" height="291" src="http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c186/Elisabeth83/raoc_zps0fb7dd8c.jpg" width="320" /></a>

    After the blogfest (if participating authors are interested and posts are approved) Wayman Publishing would like to publish an anthology from the posts written during this blogfest.  ALL profit for this (through 2013) will be donated to charity!  The kindness will spread even more.

Please leave a comment or sign up here:

 

<center> <h2 style="text-align: center;"> <h2 style="text-align: center;"> <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">As a Random Act of Kindness, Wayman Publishing is offering these eBooks for FREE download during the Blogfest (May 27th - 31st).</span></b></h2> <h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;"><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; height: 200pxpx; width: 600pxpx; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="Player_8122ec3d-93df-4266-895a-81a245b5c09f" data-original-id="Player_8122ec3d-93df-4266-895a-81a245b5c09f" /> </span></h2> <h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sword-Senack-Mer-son-Cycle-ebook/dp/B007JPR8W2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369587529&sr=8-1&keywords=sword+of+senack">The Sword of Senack</a>--FREE Download</span></h2> <h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Honk-of-Zagonk-ebook/dp/B00AE9MOLU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1369614958&sr=1-1&keywords=honk+of+zagonk">Honk of Zagonk</a>--FREE Download </span></h2> <h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Middle-Damned-ebook/dp/B008LMQNOG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1369587591&sr=1-1&keywords=middle+damned">Middle Damned</a>--FREE Download </span></h2> <h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cats-Legacy-Dulcys-Story-ebook/dp/B0099SDGZA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369614912&sr=8-1&keywords=a+cat%27s+legacy+dee+ready">A Cat's Legacy</a>--FREE Download </span></h2> <h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://How to Lose a Tooth--FREE Download ">How to Lose a Tooth</a>--FREE Download</span></h2> <h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bible-Girl-Bad-Golden-ebook/dp/B00787YT9Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1369587724&sr=1-1&keywords=bible+girl+bad+boy">Bible Girl & the Bad Boy</a>--FREE Download </span></h2> <h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Golden-Sky-ebook/dp/B006FD16DQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1369587741&sr=1-1&keywords=the+golden+sky">The Golden Sky</a>--FREE Download </span></h2> <h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Man-Feared-Cheered-ebook/dp/B00B9YARCM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1369614993&sr=1-1&keywords=pat+hatt+zombie">Zombie Man</a>--FREE DOwnload </span></h2> <h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Open-Doors-Fractured-Fairy-ebook/dp/B00AB986C4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1369587763&sr=1-1&keywords=open+doors%3A+fairy+tales">Open Doors: Fractured Fairy Tales</a>--FREE Download </span></h2> <h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Open-Doors-Fractured-Fairy-ebook/dp/B00AB986C4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1369587780&sr=1-1&keywords=open+doors+wayman">Open Doors 1</a>--FREE Download </span></h2> <h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="il">Buy</span> <span class="il">any</span> of <span class="il">Wayman</span> <span class="il">Publishing's</span> books/eBooks—the FREE eBooks (above) included—and be entered into our iPad Mini Sweepstakes! <span style="font-size: large;">Visit this link for mo<span style="font-size: large;">re info: </span></span><a href="https://t.co/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FcSfKwMl2XT&sig=69ec3aaa06e34acec1506a12ebc8fd6a4eedfe44&uid=243437929&iid=cc1fd2df-f818-4fa8-88d8-d336d980131f&nid=6+276&t=1" style="border: none; color: #0084b4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">ow.ly/jsQVv</a> </span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></b></h2> <h2 style="text-align: center;"> <iframe frameborder="0" height="1000" scrolling="no" src="http://astore.amazon.com/decfair-20" width="90%"></iframe> <br /> </h2> <span style="font-size: large;">Feel free to join up anytime from <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">May 27th-31st. Just sign up at the bottom of this post, then<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> write a blogpost about a random act of kindness that you've experienced in your life. </span></span></span></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> For the blogfest, you can write something for any/all days</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's the bu<span style="font-size: large;">tton for the <span style="font-size: large;">blogfest:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span> </span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://ecwrites.blogspot.com/2013/04/random-acts-of-kindness-i-need-your-help.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo raoc_zps0fb7dd8c.jpg" border="0" height="291" src="http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c186/Elisabeth83/raoc_zps0fb7dd8c.jpg" width="320" /></a> </span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div> <div align="center"> <form> *** <textarea cols="15" rows="6"><center> <h2 style="text-align: center;"> <b><span style="font-weight: normal;">As a Random Act of Kindness, Wayman Publishing is offering these eBooks for FREE download during the Blogfest (May 27th - 31st).</span></b></h2> <h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;"><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; height: 200pxpx; width: 600pxpx; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="Player_8122ec3d-93df-4266-895a-81a245b5c09f" data-original-id="Player_8122ec3d-93df-4266-895a-81a245b5c09f" /> </span></h2> <h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sword-Senack-Mer-son-Cycle-ebook/dp/B007JPR8W2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369587529&sr=8-1&keywords=sword+of+senack">The Sword of Senack</a>--FREE Download</span></h2> <h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Honk-of-Zagonk-ebook/dp/B00AE9MOLU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1369614958&sr=1-1&keywords=honk+of+zagonk">Honk of Zagonk</a>--FREE Download </span></h2> <h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Middle-Damned-ebook/dp/B008LMQNOG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1369587591&sr=1-1&keywords=middle+damned">Middle Damned</a>--FREE Download </span></h2> <h2 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small; 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How I Got My Big Break!

    The mountains called to me, so I drove east.  In our city, most major roads lead straight to the mountains.  As my car bumped along, I took a deep breath and smiled.  Yes, this is where I was meant to be.

    I ended up at the mouth of a big canyon.  I'd brought a notebook and a pen.  I hiked up the icy trail, wishing I'd worn more than a jacket.  Cade watched the kids so I could take a few hours alone.  The cold wind nearly froze my cheeks, but I wouldn't complain--this was fate and a break from the children.
    So, I hiked, up and up until the city no longer sat beneath me and all I saw was snow, ice and a beautiful river on my right.
    As I walked, I thought about how strange life is.  I grew up in a home with threadbare carpet.  Paint cracked from the walls.  We weren't poor--no we were far from that.  My mom used to tape scriptures and notes on aged mirrors, telling each of us kids how amazing she thought we were.  My father worked construction for years on end, providing for us.  Yet still, I remember friends coming over and saying the house was embarrassing.  Didn't they know how silly they sounded?  Sure the house was falling apart--but that was the same place that held so much love.  Why would someone be embarrassed about that?
    My mind turned to other things--recent things--how God has given me so much and I'm not sure how to thank Him enough.
    You see, several times I've considered giving up writing.  It hasn't been easy.  I've shared so much of my life--myself. . . .  People either love my honesty or hate it.  I've gotten PILES of rejection letters.  But despite that, amazing things have happened.  Like last year, when God brought me an angel.
    I clutched my notebook then, as I hiked.  I couldn't continue thinking about that--it would make me cry, it always makes me cry lately.  
    When I was a little girl, my grandma was always there for me--a tower of strength encouraging me to write and be myself.  

    "Grandma," I said when I was in elementary school, "I keep going to church to get saved over and over."
    My grandma was a different religion than me and she thought that was hilarious. "Wasn't once enough?" she asked.
    "Maybe," I said.  "But maybe not.  God's punishing me.  When I close my eyes, I can't make the words stop.  I keep seeing stories in my head.  I pray that God will save me AND stop the words.  He's punishing me for when I've been bad.  That's why He's making me see the words."
    She laughed so hard.  "Seeing the words?"
    "On a keyboard," I said.  "Someone's typing them."  It was always the same.  I'd see these crazy hands typing more . . . AND more.  A stupid red mug--with swirly paint--sat by the keys which never stopped clicking.
    "Maybe it's you . . .," my grandma said.  "Maybe you're meant to be a writer."
    I laughed.  "No.  It's just God's punishment."  But as the thought sunk in I did smile.  "If I am meant to be a writer, there's just one thing I'll need."
    "What's that?"
    "Someone who's really good . . . I'll need that person to teach me." 
    That's when I found a dream.

    I stopped in some shade and stared at the river.  My hand went up to a frozen tree limb and I held it tight.  My grandma died years ago.  She's the only grandma I've known.  Whenever I wanted to give up on anything, she would be there cheering me on.  She's the reason I went to Hawaii with Cade.  She's one of the reasons I stayed strong after Zeke died (his story is HERE).  And to be honest it's hard now that she's gone.  
    One day--months ago--when I thought of giving up, I remembered my grandma.  Where was she?  Where was she to cheer me on?  Pitying myself wouldn't help though.  She isn't here--she left just like my son did.


    Watching the river, I remembered how months passed and I didn't give up.  Some hard knocks came at the beginning of 2012.  Deadlines were lost.  Serious financial issues came into play.  Although "The Golden Sky" did so well, in 2012 it wouldn't be realistic for me to keep writing. I told a friend about it and she paused before saying, "If you want to send me your manuscript, I'll help you." I was thrilled.  Maybe everything would be okay.


    As I continued up the trail, I thought of how strange it felt not having my violin.  Normally when I go into the mountains, I'll hike to a cliff, so I can play my violin at the edge, hair blowing, music drifting away.  But it was a good thing I hadn't brought it.  The trail ahead got so icy, I couldn't keep going unless I used both hands.  I looked up.  Was it even worth it?  I wouldn't have my violin or my paper and pen to write with.  To continue the course, I'd have to give everything up.  I tucked my notepad next to a snowy rock and decided to bravely move on.  It reminded me of my journey to publication. . . .
   
    Now, when this woman said she would help me, I had no idea who she really was.  I'd only known her a short while, and I already loved her as a person--she's one of the kindest people I've ever met.  I didn't realize she'd been an editor for various big name publishers or worked with famous authors.  I didn't know she's sold thousands UPON THOUSANDS of copies of her book--in multiple languages.  
    Climbing that mountain reminded me of what this woman--my Yoda--did for my book.  I had to leave everything behind.  It was me, bare and with nothing to give.  I was the student and I still have so much to learn.  She called me every day.  She'd read the chapters earlier and then at night we'd spend between one to three hours revising them together.  I went from knowing little about writing, to learning more than I'd ever hoped for.


    I made it to the end of the hike and stood in front of a huge waterfall.  Half of it was ice, but the other section bubbled over itself falling down the mountain.
    The sight was amazing, so worth the hard work, the slippery climb and the fact that I'd left everything else behind.  In that moment, I thought of one of my last conversations with Yoda.

    "I started helping you edit your book.  I was amazed with how fast you learned."  I'd wanted to reply and tell her I soaked up everything I could because this is my dream--having a mentor to teach me.  "And I'm amazed with how wonderful your story is," she went on, believing in me more than I believe in myself.  As if hearing me, she continued, "You need to believe in yourself.  I've read many, many authors. . . .  You really have something special."
    "You're so good to me." I couldn't fathom that much kindness. When someone has given so much . . . it's proof that true angels exist.
    As she spoke to me, I wrote some of her words down.  I looked at the keyboard.  My crazy hands typed more . . . AND more.  Then I noticed the stupid red mug--with swirly paint--sitting by the keys which never stopped clicking. 
    I tried to keep my emotions under control, but it was so hard.  I stood, remembering the whole time how I'd seen that same vision as a kid.  I thought of my grandma and how much I miss her every day.  She'd always been there to believe in me--to cheer me on.  Somehow I wished she could see me and give me a sign that she's proud of what I'm trying to do.  Would she be proud?
    "Elisa," my mentor paused, taking me from my thoughts, "I told a friend the other day . . . you've endeared yourself so much to me.  We started editing this and we were good friends, but now I feel as if I have a granddaughter."
    I cried then because it meant more than she could possibly know.  She felt like family to me too--but for her to say that meant so much!  She's given more than I've ever deserved.  But that's how angels are . . . and people who moonlight as Yoda.
    "I'm so proud of you," she said then, and I could almost see my grandma smiling, reaching down from Heaven.  I swear she brought this woman into my life.  
    Somehow I always thought God was punishing me, but He wasn't, not really.  He showed me a piece of what was to come--to confirm that I was on the right path.  And then, to top everything off, He let me meet someone who would change my life forever--He let me meet my dream.  
     I'm still in awe of the kindness shown to me.  I want Yoda to know I will never forget this, and I will NEVER give up.  Because I thought my grandma stopped cheering in my corner, but I've realized she's still there even if I can't see her.  But she isn't alone.  She's standing with a selfless editor who gave me one of the greatest gifts I've ever known--a chance.

    
    As I came down the mountain, I picked up my supplies and started writing this story.  The trail was so much easier to navigate coming down--that's how it is when you know what blessings await you after you've survived the journey.  
    When I finally started driving home to my wonderful husband and four rambunctious kids, the whole drive seemed bright.  I saw clearly how beautiful life is.  The gas prices . . . the potholes in the road . . . even the old burger joint that has terrible food.  They all reminded me that I'm alive.  How many people in the past would have done anything to see the future--this future--the one we're living in?
    
    So, I'm sorry this post is long, but I just wanted to tell you, that if you have a dream--go after it and don't quit.  Everyone has something to offer.  Everyone has something special to share.  
    This is the story of how "The Sword of Senack" got a chance.  Imagine what your story could be. . . . 

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