Mind if we catch up a bit? It's been a while since I've posted. 

​We have had a lot (complete understatement) going on this past month or so. And the month  when ALL THE THINGS HAVE TO HAPPEN isn't over just yet.

First off, I had to back out of a special writers' retreat that was to happen in South Carolina the beginning of May. South Carolina is on my bucket list, and meeting with a group of high caliber writers and agents who also happen to be amazing people anyway, would have been a sweet way to check this off of my bucket list. 

But decisions had to be made. Tough ones. And my first priority is our family. If you've followed my story here very long, then you know that even though most of our babies are launched into the world, we still have a blender-full of family activity that needs our attention.

We have kids graduating from high school and college, moving from one place to another, taking internships across the country, needing allergy appointments, doctor appointments, and counseling. Sprinkle these few major things in with ALL THE NORMAL THINGS that have to get done, like work, feeding people, work, sleep, and items of that nature, I've hardly had time to catch my breath.

And then I literally had a hard time catching my breath. It was a feeling like I was gasping for air, only totally unable to get any. The harder I tried, the more I couldn't breath. Turns out this was a good-old-fashioned panic attack. 

It's happened to me before. So I knew what it was. It just caught me off guard. Totally bad timing, you know. 

Looking back, I think I needed to be caught off guard. 

I'm still processing through this ALL THE THINGS month of ALL THE THINGS. (I meant for that to sound repetitive.) And I know we will get through it all and the wave will pass. Who knows...I might even find myself missing  SOME of ALL the things.

But for now, I'm focused on what needs to happen, and putting some other items on the shelf for later. 

One of those things I had to put on the shelf was parting professional ways with my wonderful, amazing agent, Cynthia Ruchti. This has absolutely nothing to do with our professional or personal relationship, and everything to do with timing and personal issues on my part.

It makes me sad. But I'm not out of the publishing game. I'm currently working with an author as she writes her redemptive story of forgiveness and healing from abuse within the church, another author with her WWII family legacy story, and a gentleman with his life story which has been full of wealth and success, all of which he will leave behind to his family, but the most important thing he wants to leave is a legacy of faith. I am ghosting this story. 

And I'm wrapping up ghostwriting project about a father and daughter with an amazing story of redemption, healing and forgiveness when all hope seemed lost. This one I'm hoping will be published soon! 

Why did I tell you all of this? I guess I just wanted you to know. It's been a strange and busy season for me. A lot of good things happening. A lot of curve balls too. 

But I'm still here in the game. I've got a great coach (God), and the most amazing teammate ever (my husband).

How is life going for you? Are you in a busy season of life or motherhood? Have you had to lay some really good things down for a while so you could focus on the God things? 

Leave me a comment and tell me about it. We can pray for each other. 

I watched a video post by Jenny Kochert last night. If you are not familiar with Jenny, she is one of the founders of Flourish Gathering which also covers an umbrella of writerly things that fall under Flourish. It's totally worth the time to check it out. 

A long time ago I wrote something about "What's so Good about Good Friday?" I can't find the post to link it. That's on me. I apparently need an assistant who is good at this technology thing. Feel free to submit your application.

But I still ask that question every year. Even though I know the answer.

As Christians, we know the answer to that. Jesus paid the price for our sin. He took all my shame, all my garbage, and said..."I got this. That storm you are facing...it's mine. Believe in me. Sunday will come."

And guess what. That storm that Jesus faced on Friday. It was over in 72 hours. The tomb he was buried in--empty. 

He walked out of it. And he said "Mary." 

I do believe it. But it is't always easy. And that "resurrection miracle" that I'm waiting for, well let's just say it's taking a lot longer than 3 days. I'm still waiting for Jesus to walk up and say "Robin..."

Wouldn't it be nice if our storms on Friday ended on Sunday?

In the video post that I watched by Jenny Kochert, she gives her own tips for how to wait well in the middle of the storm. Understanding who God is and running to him first are key. But you should hear the  tips from her. Find her on social media. Connect. 

...I'm still waiting for my "Sunday miracle." Desperately. Fear creeps in. Anxiety overwhelms. It's not easy to naturally seek Jesus first. Even Peter had trouble when Jesus asked him to walk out on the water to meet him. One minute he is focused on Jesus. The next, he's looking at where he's at and starts to sink. 

I have a lot in common with Peter. 

The miracle will come. It did. 

And no matter how desperate my situation may seem, I believe my "Sunday" will come.

I spent the weekend working at putting together a great newsletter. Better than average, anyway. I compiled all of my new subscribers (WELCOME to over 600 of you!) and pressed "send." Long story, short...I have a lot to learn about sending out newsletters. I have a lot to learn about basic technology in general.

Instead of letting the work of sending you an update go to waste, here's what I've been up to:

* Last month I led a session on Legacy writing for the Flourish Writer’s Conference. I met so many wonderful people from all over the country who are excited about writing their stories of faith and family history. 
 
* I’m currently one of the experts in Tricia Goyer’s online Facebook group called Write That Book. Each week Tricia posts a new unit for writers and each day an expert in the writing and publishing industry go live to answer questions and give their expertise. It has been great to gather with agents, authors, publishing houses, and other industry experts. 
 
* Finally, I had another story published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Grandparents. This title was released just a few days ago. I’ll be participating in a Twitter party to celebrate the new release. If you’re hanging around on Twitter this Tuesday, April 2 from 1-2 PM Central, I’d love to hear from you. #CSSGrandparents 

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* SPEAKING OF GRANDPARENTS:  I've discovered my new purpose in life....being a GRANDMA! Two days a week, I have a special visitor who might just be the most special little guy on the planet. Each day is a new adventure with a baby in the house. My youngest two kids at home are teenagers and even though I don't get it...they seem to find mom kind of annoying. It's nice to have someone around who thinks it's absolutely hilarious every time I sneeze. Life as grandma is the best.

If I do get this email/newsletter/subscription thing figured out, you can bet that I won't be clogging up your inbox. Honestly, I don't have time for that, and I know you don't either.

But I do want to share information with you about legacy writing, writing tips, and resources you might find helpful.

So my question for you is, what would you like to see or know? If we were sitting down for coffee together, what would you ask me? 

I'll be answering those questions in  future blogposts.

Or maybe in an email.

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I'm participating as  one of the faculty members for Flourish Gathering's online writers' conference. I'll be speaking about legacy writing, what it is, why all Christians (writers and non-writers alike) should care about legacy writing, and ways to actually write your story for the purpose of leaving a spiritual legacy. If you found out about me through this conference, send me a note, I'd love to hear from you.

If you haven't registered for this conference, you'll really want to. Why? 
1. It's FREE! Register here: FLOURISH WRITERS' CONFERENCE
2. For 6 days you'll hear from 25 authors, publishing and marketing experts.
3. I'll be there! ;)
4. You can attend this conference in your pajamas. (I may or may not have recorded my session wearing my pajamas. But you can't tell because I wore make-up!) It's everything a writers' conference offers delivered to you in the comfort of your home.
5. Did I mention that it's free? Use the link above!


​I'd also like to mention that the designers from Flourish helped me to create a beautiful Legacy of Faith Journal. If you decide to subscribe to receive emails from me, you'll receive this as my personal "thank you." I love this journal because you can record and preserve your testimony and eye-witness accounts of your own encounters with God. I think you'll love it too. 

The email subscription link in on the home page.

And while you are here, feel free to walk around and get to know the place. Open the cupboards, rummage through the drawers. Get to know my story a bit. When you are comfortable, I hope you'll share a bit of yours!