So here’s a glimpse into my life. Exciting, huh?

Yeah, it’s a little dusty too, but we’re going to ignore that.

You are going to ignore that, aren’t you?

So September is off and running. It kind of hit like a hurricane. I’m still trying to figure out how we transitioned from the first week of school to the second. It’s amazing how homeschool can suddenly take over your days!

Yes, the kids and I are officially immersed in the 2014-15 school year. The first two weeks are always the trial period – particularly if you’re trying something new. This year we’re experimenting with our schedule and some new curriculum. So we’ve had our ups and downs. But I’m hopeful that the bumpy road will level out.

As you may have surmised from the looks of my computer desk, some things get neglected during school hours. That’s the norm in homeschool – unless you’re Suzy Supermom. I’m not. But I guess the cat’s already out of the bag with that one.

After a long hiatus from the computer (at least in the writing realm) I decided it was time to get back into a writing schedule. That’s been a challenge – especially now that class time vies for my attention, and wife time, and mom time, and ranch time, and housework time, and…well, you get the picture.

It’s an abstract thing to say, “I’m going to get back into a regular writing schedule.” Abstract goals rarely go anywhere with me. So I decided I needed concrete projects to get that schedule up and running.

Turns out, there’s no lack in that department.

Since last post, I’ve dished out a couple articles. Homeschooling Advice from a Homeschooling Mom over at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting and How do I Make the First Day of Homeschool Special? at Her View from Home.

I’ve also submitted a portion of my current WIP in a writers’ contest. This is a pretty big deal for me since…

1. I’m a big chicken and have never submitted ANY manuscript in such a contest before.

2. If this gal wins said contest, she gets a scholarship which will pay for lodging, registration and meals to the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference in California! Oooh yeah, baby!

Seriously, #2 is a big deal for me. I’ve dreamed of attending the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference for years. It is, in my humble opinion, the creme de la creme of Christian Writers conferences. This wannabe Historical Fiction author would love the opportunity to pitch her stuff to some agents and or editors from some notable publishing companies.

Sure, my inner pessimist is working overtime, talking smack and telling me I haven’t got a snowball’s chance in hell of snagging an agent, much less a contract with certain traditional publishing companies which may be represented there – say, oh, I don’t know, Tyndale or Nelson Publishers.

I’m trying very hard to ignore Senora Pessimist, much less her blatant use of a poor cliche.

All kidding aside, though, this year represents a lot of firsts. It seems like there’s so much behind me for which I can look back on and be thankful for. Yet there is so much ahead – looming, daunting, and at the same time – enticing. It’s kind of like being the donkey following the proverbial carrot.

Only – the carrot is dangling over a gigantic precipice with hot boiling lava flowing through the bottom. And did I mention it’s attached to a pole suspended from a platform twenty feet away and only two foot in diameter with no foreseeable handholds.

We won’t discuss the fact that donkeys have no opposable thumbs to grab with.

Ok, I said all kidding aside. But the mental image was there and I thought it appropriate to describe how I feel at this time.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

This is a verse which I am ever mindful of. There are no guarantees that I’ll get published. Rejection is the inevitable result for writers who put themselves out there. But failure is an absolute guarantee if they never try. I’m not even promised a win in this contest.

But I’ll count it a win either way. Because I’m choosing not to lean on my own understanding here. Whether I go to the conference or not, I’m trusting God and putting myself out there. He’ll make the straight path – be it toward the conference or toward another direction.

All I have to do is acknowledge that His plan is far above my own…far above my comprehension…far above anything I can dream up.

And that’s saying something coming from a fiction writer!