Expired By Eggnog Release!

   So, first off, I know. I've gotten WAY behind on posting. No, I haven't died. No, I'm not in a relationship. No, I haven't fallen ill. I've just been . . . busy? 

     Over the summer, I've been writing articles every week for the local newspaper, so in the time I'd usually be writing a blog post, I've been writing articles. 

Then, I started a job at a local coffee shop, and while it's only part time, it has filled up some of my other writing time. So, basically, I don't have an excuse. I'll be attempting to blog once a month from here on out, but I can't make any promises.

Another thing that's kept me busy, is this new book! Expired By Eggnog, will be officially released on December 5th! If you're in the area, stop on by at Caribou Coffee! Books are also available on Amazon.

Until next time, happy Thanksgiving! Stay thankful, and remember to let the joy of the Lord be your strength.

A Series Contract!

 So, most of you probably saw that I signed an exciting contract last week, and you've all been asking me WHAT is this contract for?!?!? Well, I'm excited to announce that I've signed a series book contract with a publishing house in TN. 

   Not only is this my dream publishing house, but I'm also super excited to have a series contract where we'll be doing multiple books.

  It'll be the Preacher Kid Detective Series that I've been working on for awhile, and I'm thrilled about this next step!

I'm Still Alive!

  Yes, I realize that after almost five years of posting on my blog every week, I just went four weeks without posting, but I'm still here!

  I'm just going to do a couple of quick pictures to give you a brief update on what kinds of things have been keeping me so busy that I haven't posted, and then I'll give a bit of a book update at the end.

I was a local host this year for the Bible Bee, and we had our Proclaim Day in early August. It was a great group and a real privilege to be their host!

We had fun Bible BEE decorations, complete with Bible BEE cupcakes.

Then, the same week, Mom, Marie, and I were the 'camp cooks' for Farm Camp this year, and that kept us busy full time. Not the cooking itself, but everything else it entailed. Like defrosting the freezer when the fridge quit . . . and harvesting beans, and weeding flowers at the maze. Thank you, Marie for all the help! It was a great week.

Then, I ended up being an election judge at the local MN primary election. It was a new experience for me, but a great one! I enjoyed it, and encourage everyone to get involved when they get the chance.

Then, Miriam got home from New York, and we jumped into maze prep. The corn maze opens this weekend, and we're still working frantically to get everything done. Here, Miriam is stirring paint so that we can touch some things up.

Then, of course, the cows decided to get out, and Miriam and I got to go help Dad and Isaac get the beef herd back where it belongs.

So, with everything going on, and the maze opening this weekend, I'm not sure how much I'll be able to post over the next eight weeks, but I'll do my best.

As for writing, I was in contact with a publisher on my first PK Detective book, but they wanted to read the second book in the series before we signed any contracts. So, I frantically finished a book, and sent it off, and should hear back in a few weeks with a definite yes or no.

VBS!

So, our church did Vacation Bible School a little later this summer than normal, and obviously, things had to be run slightly differently, but we still had a great group, and I'm SO thankful for all of the people who helped out!

Thank you, everyone who prayed! God really blessed this past week, and we saw several children get saved. I had the opportunity to pray with a girl and it just reminded me of the joy of Salvation!

This little niece seemed to be trying to strangle me with her hug!

But aunt-life is the best so I don't mind! :) 

Have a Great Week!

4th of July!

  While things were a little different this year for the 4th, I still had a wonderful time celebrating Independence Day with family.

I made frosted-lemonade, which I'd heard about many times but never taken the time to make before. It was every bit as good as everyone said!

Recently, I got this new .22, and Mom customized the stock for me with her cricket machine. I love the dot scope!

Matching necklaces!

I hadn't been fishing in years, so getting out on the water again was amazing!! I did get a sunburn, but it was TOTALLY worth it! We had great weather, great fishing, and great fellowship!

Happy Independence Day!

Cousins for Life

Helping out at a Vacation Bible School is always fun, but especially when you get to go out for coffee afterwards with awesome cousins!!

And running game time is fun . . . but working with cousins can bring out a weird side of me . . . But seriously! If someone asks you to hold their hat and glasses . . . why not have some fun!

Praise God for a great week of Vacation Bible School where many children got to hear the Word of God and hide it in their hearts.

With summer, I've had to majorly cut back on my writing and while I still do a bit here and there, I'm looking forward to this fall when I can get back at it full force. :) 

Unlocked Devotionals

  Over the past year, I've had the opportunity to write a few articles for the Unlocked teen devotionals. If you're familiar with Keys For Kids, Unlocked is the same ministry, just the teen branch.

   The devotionals are available online, in print, or as audio, and they're always looking for new writers. If you're interested in submitting some articles to them, it's super easy to do it here. https://unlocked.org/writers-guidelines/

Thoughts From The Past

I've been reading back in my blog posts lately. In some ways, it's like reading my diary. So, I thought I'd share this post from Monday, March 21, 2016. While things have changed in my life, God hasn't changed. He's the same yesterday, today, and FOREVER.


What writing has taught me about God being in control.

When I was writing 'Adventures of Amy' book four, (Never Forget,) I said something to my sister. I'm not sure what my exact wording was but it was something like this...

    "It sure is stressful being in control of so many people. I mean I have to decide everything about my characters... their gender, their hair color, where they live, how they talk, if they live or die and... well EVERYTHING! I'm sure glad God's in control of real people because it's hard work making these decisions."

 That got me thinking about all the little things God has to plan about each and every one of us. I mean God has to decide when we live and die, what we look like, what family we have and tons of other things.

  We often like to have control over some of these things, but next time you feel like God's not being fair with you and you wish he would change the way He made you or something, just remember that it's God's love for you that doesn't let you have control over every area of your life. God knows that we would get worn out really fast if we had control over some things in our lives and I think it's best for us to just leave them to God and trust Him.

  I heard a quote the other day, not sure where it came from, but it says, "When God pushes you to the cliff edge of your life and you can't hold on any more, relax... God will either catch you when you fall, or He will teach you how to fly." I think too often we complain about circumstances in our lives that we have no control over, when really, we should be thanking God for providing opportunities for us to grow in grace.

   You may look at the circumstances in your life and doubt God's love, but we're not supposed to be caught up in life's circumstances. We're supposed to keep our eyes on Jesus, and when the cross is always in sight, doubting God's love shouldn't happen. I heard someone say once, "I'm doing the best I can, under the circumstances." The real question is, "What are you doing under the circumstances?" We shouldn't be bogged down by circumstances! God's in control, you don't have to worry.

We can't always see God's hand, but rest assured, it's there.

How's Your Attitude?

I was looking back on this post from October of 2018, and a poem that I shared. It's still true today. The only difference between a good day, and a bad day, is our attitude.

http://priscillakrahn.blogspot.com/2018/10/trauma-drama-vs-peace.html