2012 has been one of the toughest years I’ve experienced in a long time–probably the toughest since my mom died in 1996. Some of you have made the journey over the past 10 months with me, some have been prayer warriors on your knees on my behalf (THANK YOU!), but this year has been wrought with trials (living apart from my husband for 6 full months, and numerous medical (THREE ER visits in 3 months) and financial emergencies ($1100 fence repair, $4k plumbing repair, $7 car repairs, etc.)) but also HUGE blessings (Wolfsbane won the Christy Award, Trinity hit the CBA Bestseller list, we bought a big, beautiful home in Virginia).
All the same, I’m worn out. God has truly been faithful and true, I’ve sensed His presence and leading, but my emotional well is pretty near empty at this point. I’m exhausted, mentally, emotionally and physically…and as a result, my joy for and passion in writing has waned.
Since early summer, I’ve felt God telling me to take a break, and that admonishment has begun to feel more like a warning of late, so I’ve arranged my schedule and commitments to take a break till the end of the year. November and December are MINE! HOOAH!
In several interviews lately, I’ve been asked what my hobbies are outside of writing. And Ya know, that kinda hit me upside the head. Because I’ve spent the last 12 years homeschooling and writing, so there’s been little time left for Ronie. And I honestly am not sure what she likes. I think she has an adventurous spirit hidden deep down there, somewhere, so I want to retrieve that side of her.
Don’t freak out. I’ll still be around, but for my own sanity (and probably yours LOL), I’m stepping back a bit to recharge, rediscover my love of writing, and prep for whatever’s to come in 2013 and beyond.
During December, here’s what I plan to fiddle with:
- “Play” writing–this is writing that I don’t have to think about, writing that completely fuels every creative cell I have–on my speculative pieces
- Cross-stitch this piece (ahem…at least, START it…instructions predict 1-1.5 years to complete this project LOL
- Learn to crochet
- Read the following books: The Eye of the World: Book One of ‘The Wheel of Time’ (Wheel of Time (Tor Paperback))
by Robert Jordan, Mortal (The Books of Mortals #2)
by Ted Dekker & Tosca Lee, Bloodline: A Sigma Force Novel
by James Rollins (has a black ops team and an MWD/handler team–how can I not read this?!?), The Knight
, The Bishop
, and The Queen
by Steven James (I am so woefully behind on his series), Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy
by Eric Metaxas (about 1/4 way in so far).
- Biking
- Hiking – we’re planning a hiking trip since we won’t have extended family here during Thanksgiving.
What are you up to this fall? I hope you are refreshed and rejuvenated for whatever the Lord is bringing your way in 2013!!
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Ronie, if you haven’t bought that cross-stitch pattern yet, I highly recommend you get it from here: http://heavenandearthdesigns.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_5&products_id=140
I’m a long-time Heaven And Earth Designs customer. Their charting is leagues above that of Scarlet Quince and Mystic Stitch. It also has fewer colors, but the finished design will be much better quality. I’m currently stitching a different Leighton piece, A Favour, and it looks awesome.
Author
Unfortunately, the one you linked to is much smaller (12X28) than the one I want, which is 17X28. The one you linked also is missing the window, which is a significant piece of the artwork and very symbolic within the piece itself.
Didn’t even notice they were different. I’m looking forward to seeing some WIP pictures!
Author
No worries. This is one of my favorite all-time paintings, and there are some prints of this painting that are missing the window, so I notice it. And it’s poignant to me. THANK YOU for sharing your wisdom and expertise on cross-stitch. I”m a bit of a hack, but I really enjoy it, and I’ve completed several decent projects before. This one, however, is for moi. 😀
Ronie, I am so glad that you are listening to the Voice that is telling you to slow down and recharge. That is such a wise decision and one I am sure you will not regret. Some of us (me) have to be knocked down before we listen. Don’t misunderstand; I am not saying that God caused me to break my ankle. I am simply saying that, without this enforced period of rest, I probably would have continued to ignore the Voice. That Voice calling me to obedience, trust and surrender would have been easy to bury under the hurry and the “gotta do’s” of life. So enjoy your time. Take it easy and slow. Do the things you have been led to do. You will be a better writer and a saner person for it.
Ronie, Enjoy the time off – you have more than earned it! Spend time with your beautiful family and just count your blessings. Your first book I read was Trinity. Now I’m reading Nightshade; will finish the Discarded Heroes books before Talon and Beowulf come out. I’m retired Navy and enjoy reading military books. I also have a German Shepherd that hopefully one day will be a therapy dog, then I want to do SAR with her. It’s just so hard to find any good books that are Christian based and still cover the stuff I like (military and dogs). So in between training my AnnaBelle, I’ll be reading your books. Thanks for all the great writing. I’ll keep you and your family in my prayers for a great rest of the year. Elizabeth
Ooooh nice plan you got there!! I gave up on cross stitching years ago 😛 if I tried to do that picture it would probably be all disfigured 😛 Crocheting is pretty cool! Hope you have some fun on your break! 😀
Hey sweet friend! I hear you on the recharge need. I will be in prayer for you 🙂
Oh, and that cross stitch project is awesome! I am just now starting to crochet again. It seems daunting but I will get the hang of it 🙂 mwah!