It only looks like I've fallen off the edge of the earth...

I really haven't:-) I've been working on getting my new website up and functional over the last several weeks and now that it is, I'll be blogging over there. I'm leaving this one be for the time being, but all new stuff will be over at

a naked faith blog

I really wanted to focus more on the teen and college aged audience since that is where I spend most of my writing and speaking time. And well, this blog has been all over the place:-) So I wanted to start fresh. So please come visit me and in my new little corner of the web!

~Sarah~

NaNoWriMo - 2010 edition

The pic says it all - 30 Days - 50,000 words

I have participated in NaNo before and sadly, have started off strong and then abandoned the project when life and busyness and laundry has gotten in the way.

But I am in a strange literary place - I have a novel that a publisher has requested re-writes for - and I need to do them. But I'd also like to find a new agent. Two of my top pick agents and a third I'm not sure what to think about yet, have said, basically, "we don't want this one but if you write anything else we'd like to see it."

So I really need to write another novel. And I've known that for a long time. Trouble was, I just couldn't decide which story to do - and lacked the motivation to just do it.

Enter NaNoWriMo - my personal kick in the pants. All the way up until October 31st, I was still praying and pondering - which novel to do. The easiest would have been one that I had already plotted but while I love the story, it's a quieter novel and I wasn't sure the story was going to snag an agent's attention. There was a second one that I was intrigued by, but hadn't thought through enough to feel like I could tackle it.

Then, when I opened my laptop on Monday, November 1st, I had a file on my screen of a story that I had been thinking about writing for three years. That was the story I had to write. It was clear.

What's crazy is that this particular novel may be the hardest of them all to get an agent with/or sell to a publisher. But I don't care. I feel like, for the first time in a long time, I am writing a novel because I'm meant to tell this story. What happens to it after isn't my concern.

Today I hit 16,000 words. And as I pondered where I was at, I realized that the story is much darker than I had anticipated. But I'm thinking that's okay, because I also know where the novel is headed. It's exciting. And exhausting. I have too much to do this month. But for some reason, the busier I am the more productive I can be. I kind of thrive on deadlines.

And that's what NaNo has been - a deadline, self-imposed as it may be, it still helps to know that thousands of other crazy writers are out there pounding out words every day too.

(And as an aside - I not only have a regular job, but I'm also directing A Christmas Carol - with 99 kids in the cast. Why yes, I am that crazy:-)

Seasons Change

So Fall is beginning to arrive around here - the lush green leaves we've enjoyed all summer are putting on new clothes of orange, and yellow and some brilliant red. And the other day, I saw one of the most beautiful sunsets I think I have ever seen in my life.

The heavens are telling of the glory of God;

and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

Psalm 19:1

I love that I live in a place where the seasons change, because it reminds me that we all have seasons of our lives - and that we can never hold onto one season so tightly that we miss out on the joys of the new season ahead.

Let me repeat that: We can never hold onto one season so tightly that we miss out on the joys of the new season ahead.

Embracing change is a bit hard for me. But we are never thrust into a new season without God first preparing us - and that is where I have been - for several years. It's been a long road. A hard road at times. But one where I have grown - and one that I know has been God's mercy and grace towards me.

But as sure as I smell Fall in the air around here, I sense a change coming for me. It's exhilarating. And terrifying. As it should be when we are fully in God's hands. The road ahead is one where I know I must rest in His wisdom - and His love - alone.

Yes, I know I'm being a bit cryptic. As I must right now. It's also why I have at times abandoned my little space here on the web. The last few years have been so full of things that I cannot yet share publicly. But now I am testing the waters - and seeing if it's time to return - in anticipation of the new season ahead.

One where I hope that as God unveils His plan, His beauty and goodness and mercy will be unveiled as well.

Fever Interruptus

I've been sick. Plain and simple. And it's annoying to get sick when you finally have some momentum. Since I've started trying to do The 30 Day Shred I've gotten two migraines and some sort of flu thing. I've had a fever off and on since Sunday...

My energy level amounts to moving from one room to the other. In other words, walking push-ups are out of the question at the moment.

But here's to hoping to recovery...soon...

Helping in Haiti

I went to Haiti during college, so my heart is greatly saddened by the news of the earthquake - such devastation in an already suffering country. If you feel led to give to the disaster efforts, allow me to provide a few links to do so:

The Salvation Army where you can give to their relief efforts. The Salvation Army isn't as vocal about their ongoing efforts, but they provide necessary relief, in the name of Christ.

Operation Blessing International

and Stars of Hope - if you give here be sure to specify your gift to go to The Love of Jesus Children's Home or for Haiti Earthquake Relief.