In the craziness that has been this last week, our lives have changed so much. I have nothing to offer by way of knowledge or suggestions about the coronavirus pandemic. I’m just here to write to remember.
 
To remember how one week ago, one of our daughters was about to compete in the NCAA division II indoor track and field nationals. That meet was cancelled. So was her outdoor season. She is a senior. 
 
Two of our other daughters in college were told that their classes were moved completely online for the three weeks following spring break. One is home, missing friends. The other is uncertain about the near future and her plans to work in a field that involves public performances. 
 
One of our girls is a senior in high school. She is worried that they will call off prom and possibly graduation ceremonies. Trips are being cancelled. Possibly her last high school mission trip. 
 
Our church has closed campus and services are held online only.
 
When Brian and I went shopping, the shelves were almost bare. We didn’t think it would be this big of a deal and did not stock up on anything. We won’t starve, but I’m starting to get a little concerned about our toilet paper supply. 
 
I’m thankful that I work from home. This part of life has not changed for me.  But for everyone around me, it has.  I feel really bad for those who are making decisions about finances vs. safety. 
 
I have no idea if we are in the middle of all this crazy pandemic stuff, if or how it will get worse, when things will go back to normal, what normal will look like, and how this will affect us long term. 
 
But I can honestly say that I am personally not worried. A verse that kind of stuck out to me in a devotion reading this morning was Luke 12:6
 
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.” 
 
I find this verse comforting. Sparrows, which seem to have next to no value to the world, are not forgotten by God. 
 
We are not forgotten by God. 
 
Do I have concerns? Yes. Am I going to try and be smart? Yes. Am I afraid? I don’t have to be.
 
The very next verse goes like this:
 
“Indeed, the very hairs on your head are all numbered. Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Luke 12:7 (NIV)
 
How have all the changes in the last week affected you and your family?  If you want to join me in writing or journaling on this topic, I’d love to read what you’ve got. Comment here or send me a link to your own #legacywriting pages. 

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