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!!