Celebrations...

I confess: I'm the sentimental sort. I can't throw anything away. My basement storage room gives mute testimony to my hoarding tendencies. My memory is cluttered with first impressions of people I've met, special moments from vacations, and the cute things my children said when they were just learning to put sentences together (which is probably why I can't remember where I put my glasses this morning...). And I celebrate "anniversaries" of events that will never show up on a national calendar but are of significance to me. March 15 was one such anniversary.

In 2005 I was in the midst of Parent/Teacher conferences at the grade school where I'd taught for eight years. Between meetings, I checked my email, and right there in my inbox was a short note from Tracie Peterson alerting me that my story, Dear John, was being purchased for the Heartsong Presents line. I let out a whoop that startled my co-teacher, then I ran down to the office so I could call my dad and let him know my publishing dreams would come true. It was very hard to focus on conferences after seeing that email. Forty years of dreaming, hoping, honing my craft...and finally, a contract.

That first contract marked a floodgate. Between March and November of 2005, I signed eight contracts for a total of ten books. God opened the door to publication and drop-kicked me through it! This past March 15, I spent time thanking Him for the amazing opportunity of sharing His love through story. I also re-read Dear John which is such a special story to me. Partly because it was my first, but partly because it was inspired by a dear man from my church who is special to me.

Now...in honor of my "anniversary," let's have a little fun...

The photo above was taken in May of 2009. I'm signing a contract (my 11th!!! God is amazing!) at a publishing house. Leave a comment including your guess on my location (the guess doesn't have to be right). I'll put your name in a drawing to win a signed copy of Dear John. Since the book is no longer in print, it's a little hard to come by...unless you win in the drawing. *smile* Good luck!

God bless you muchly as you pursue your God-planted dreams! ~Kim