THANKSGIVING 2009
This week is Thanksgiving. Debbie Macomber spoke at our ACFW conference. She is amazing! In her non fiction book she suggested we list 5 things every morning we are thankful for. This past year has had a lot of ups and downs for me. I've written 3 books since January, 2 of them in the midst of my father-in-law's decline and eventual passing on to heaven. But in spite of that stress, it's also been a really blessed year as well. Here are the 5 things I'm thankful for this morning.

1. God's faithfulness. He's seen us through the ups and downs of the year.
2. Our little Punky. We've watched our darling grow and change. She squeals when she sees us and is a total joy. She has changed everything! We aren't moving to Arizona now because we can't bear to leave her.
3. My husband. He hauls me around from place to place, sends out bookmarks and signed bookplates, and helps my in so many ways. He's awesome!
4. My weight loss. Bet that one surprised you, didn't it? LOL I've struggled with my weight all my life. This year I found a fabulous protocol called the HCG diet and I've lost 55 pounds so far. I'm going to do one final round in the new year. I just bought size 12 jeans and I haven't worn a 12 since I got pregnant for our son-36 years ago. LOL
5. My family. My parents are always quick to help me anytime I need it. My kids are a total joy and I'm so proud of them. My church family at New Life Baptist Church is close and wonderful.

How about you? What are you thankful for this year?

Labels: Debbie Macomber, hcg diet, thankful

RAIN AND SHINE
Denise and I had a radio interview at WBCL yesterday morning. We LOVE Lynne Ford, our host. At one point, Lynne mentioned that I'm at a really great point right now: new granddaughter I'm crazy about, a career on the upswing with Cry in the Night on the CBA bestseller list for 4 mos so far this year, a new son-in-law, I had a great vacation, I just wrote my first historical in a while and it was so fun, AND I'VE LOST 25 POUNDS on the hcg protocol! Ahem, sorry but I had to put that in there. :-) I agreed with Lynne (she didn't know about ALL the good things) but also mentioned that this has also been one of the most difficult six months of my life. Dave's dad declined and finally died in April. I had to write two books during these six months and take care of nursing home details and finally bringing him home to die. The stress was crushing but God balanced it with so much good!

Aren't you glad God sends both rain and shine your way. If it were all good, we might become demanding or expectant of only good things. If it were all bad, we might become discouraged. But we get both if we actually look for them. So in spite of the hardships you're going through right now, what silver linings do you see in your own life?

So in order to pass along a blessing, I'm giving away five copies of Lonestar Secrets. Email me your address and I'll pick out five. colleen@colleencoble.com

Labels: hcg diet, Lynne Ford