What's the most memorable gift you've ever received or given?​

When I was  a senior in high school, my aunt and uncle took me on a trip to visit Washington, D.C. We were there over Christmas, they took me to all the touristy things, and I  joined my great-aunt Norma and her husband Marv and we sang carols at a retirment home with their band. I also remember my uncle Rick made me my first (winky-face) mixed drink. 

Fast forward about 15 years. I'm recently divorced and am trying my darndest to try and make this Christmas season something worth remembering for good reasons. It's not really working. Our family is broken and we are struggling in every single way. Finances were no exception. 

So I drop the kids off at school, and head to the laundromat. I didn't have enough laundry baskets to hold our all of our clothes, so I carried some in trash bags. As I went through the motions of doing laundry, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself. How did I get to this point? I'm a complete failure.

Then I got a "ping" on my phone. I opened the text from an unknown number. 

ARE YOU HOME? THERE IS A GIFT FOR YOU AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR APARTMENT STAIRS. 

My response: 

WHO IS THIS?

Anonymous: 

A FRIEND.

I finished my laundry and went home. At the bottom of the stairs leading up to my apartment was a HUGE laundry basket OVERFLOWING with food. Not just any food...ALL THE FAVORITES of my kids. Pop tarts and cheese balls. Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. I cried. I had food in our cupboards, but our meals were based on cost effectiveness and not our favorites. I needed to see some favorites.

And it was delivered in a huge laundry basket. I needed that too. 

I texted the anonymous gift-giver:

THANK YOU SO MUCH. WHO CAN I THANK FOR THIS?

Response: CONSIDER IT A GIFT FROM GOD.

When I picked the kids up from school, we munched on cheetos and I told them the story. My middle daughter froze, her face got real serious and her eyes got really big as she spoke:

"Mom...do you know what this means? God knows that I love pop tarts AND HE HAS YOUR PHONE NUMBER!"

It's now probably about 15 years since that happened and it is still one of the most memorable gifts I have ever received.

A need filled, unexpectedly delivered in a laundry basket...

​...and a text message from God.

​

I'm glad you are here. You can find the full article by clicking the link below: 

How have you been enjoying the sessions this week? 

Any "aha" moments or comments from some of the speakers that have really stood out to you? 

Share them here! Let's encourage each other.

I've been so blessed from the feedback I've received so far from conference attnedees. 
Jennifer says:

THANK YOU JENNIFER, for taking the time to view the session and send a note!

Another of the FLOURISHWRITERS speakers, Renee Fisher, posted this on her instagram stories:

​Thank you, Renee, for sharing this with your followers 
AND
for the reminder of 
WHY I DO WHAT I DO!

​

Renee also shared an encouraging note that one of her readers sent to her:

...simply because they encouraged me. Writing for the purpose of leaving a spiritual legacy of faith and family history is so important. It's a book that will not likely make a bestseller list or reach thousands of people.
But if your story made an eternal difference for your children, thier children, and the generations that follow, wouldn't that be worth writing it?

That is why I do what I do. 
So, again, how have you been encouraged this week at the FlourishWriters Conference?
AND...
How can I encourage you to write your legacy story?

#liveapageturner #leavealegacy #writeyourstory

I love helping people write their legacy stories. Stories of faith weaved in and out of family history, memories, lessons learned and hopes for future generations are my ghostwriting and writing-coach specialty. 

But anyone can do it. You don't need to hire me or a ghostwriter to get started on that book you've always wanted to write. 

Flourish is offering a FREE "How To Write Your God Story" Masterclass THIS WEEK! But you have to sign up for a session. 

Here is what Flourish says about the class: 

"​Looking for a step-by-step guide to plan, organize and write your story?
That’s why we created our FlourishWriters Masterclass Take the First Step: How to Write Your God Story to include:

• The Story Writing Process—our simple six-phase system, a writing road map. 
• Which Story to Tell—start small with a bite-sized piece of your story that’s easy to manage. 
• How to Write Your Story—a straightforward way to plan and organize your God Story.

Writing your story shouldn’t be daunting or confusing. We can help you get started with a simple, clear process to follow."

I've referred a few of my own clients to this class and it just might be the right thing to get you started and motivated with an action plan of writing your testimony and how God has worked in your life.

And like I said...IT'S FREE!

Check it our for yourself at Flourish Writers.