Jan

2021

Hopewriters Doors are Open!

It’s happening, it’s happening!

The doors to Hopewriters is open for new memberships! This only happens a couple times a year, so if “write a book” or “write more” was on your list for goals in 2021, NOW is the time to make the leap and join this amazing and growing group of hope-writers!

There is going to be lots happening this week, so I put everything in one, handy place for you to find. Feel free to click on an image below for more info (affiliate links are included in this post).

A very short testimonial from me….I’ve been involved in Hopewriters for a few years now. My biggest motivation behind joining this writing group was to connect with other writers and learn more about the writing/publishing process. Writing is usually a lonely craft, but it doesn’t need to be and I’m very thankful for the connections and friendships I’ve made during my time in the group so far. Now I’m in it mostly because of the people I’ve connected with over the years….and also because the more I learn, the more I realize I still need to learn.

Set a reminder for these events and click the images to join the Hopewriters FB page.
Tuesday, Jan 26 – 2pm ET, Open House
Thursday, Jan 28 – 2pm ET, Am I a Writer? with Emily P. Freeman
Friday, Jan 29 – 12pm ET, How I Got Published
Friday, Jan 29 – 8pm ET, Is Hopewriters for me?

Some fun and informative downloads and interactives:

These 2 webinars have expired, but you can still click the images for the replays!

Jan

2021

January 3rd is Important Too

January 3rd.

The day nobody expects you to start a new goal.

Except why not?

Why should January 1st get all the attention? Why is January 1st such a ‘make it or break it’ day for starting new goals?

January 1st, the bright and shiny first day of the year that’s filled with hope and promise, bursting with 365 days’ worth of potential, is really no different from any other day of the year except for one thing:
We place more pressure on that day and on ourselves during the days to follow to keep our new year goals perfect than we do any other day of the year.

Which makes it even more impossible for us to succeed. We will fail at some point and accepting that fact and being ready to rebound after our moment of failure is what will make us successful.

It’s what we do the day after our day of failure that is most important. It’s so important author Jon Acuff dedicated the first chapter of his book Finish to ‘The Day After Perfect.’ He says “developing tolerance for imperfection is the key factor in turning chronic starters into consistent finishers.”

Realize the next statement is coming from the perfectionist of perfectionists, the master of procrastinating perfectionism, one who has taken years to learn and accept this lesson…doing something imperfectly is better than doing nothing at all.

I repeat, doing something imperfectly is better than doing nothing at all.

Example? I should’ve had this post ready for January 1st, but I didn’t. Does that mean I should have waited until January 1, 2022 to post this, robbing you of this encouragement for another whole year of working on your habits or goals?

Doing something imperfectly is better than doing nothing at all.

Reading your bible or doing your quiet time imperfectly is better than doing nothing at all.
Eating more vegetables imperfectly is better than eating no vegetables at all.
Exercising imperfectly is better than….ok, exercising imperfectly could lead to injury in the literal sense, so know I’m speaking figuratively here.

You can start a new goal ANY day of the year. Don’t wait until January 1st rolls around again and lose hundreds of days of progress.

Why do we give up on 363 days of possibility because of only TWO days?

Every day can be a “January 1st” if you want it to be – every day has potential to be the beginning of you working towards a new goal or skill or change you want to achieve in your life.

You can start TODAY, no matter what the date is. I don’t care if you’re just seeing this on January 31, June 6, or September 29.

You can start TODAY. January 3rd is just as good a day, as is January 4th, 5th, or 6th, for starting on something you’ve been stalling on. Just don’t give up when that first day of imperfect arrives.

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If you would like to read through the Bible chronologically in a “year,” click here to get a free download PDF tracker printable for keeping track of your process. This is undated so you can start it on ANY day of the year….and, you can take as much time as you need. (I’ve known of mom’s to littles using a tool like this and taking 2 years to complete it vs just 1 year. AND THAT’S OK…imperfect is better than nothing!)

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If you have other goals you’d like to track, you can download my free 12-month goal/streak tracker PDF here.

Dec

2020

A Year’s Goal

Whatever goals you have for 2021, you can do them because God is faithful. If He has placed a dream in your heart or head and given you the talents and resources to pursue it, He will complete it…but you have to keep showing up. You have to not quit just because it gets hard. You have to not quit just because one door slams in your face. You have to not quit just because it’s uncomfortable.

Sep

2020

Hopewriter’s Doors are Open!

(affiliate links included below because I sell what I really believe in)

Are you a writer who feels behind or alone? Well, my friend, you are not! The world needs your hope-filled words now more than ever, and my friends at Hopewriters can help you share them. They are opening their doors THIS WEEK (9/14-9/18) for new members to join!

I’ve been a member of this group for a couple years and while I haven’t magically published my book by now, I have:
– not felt all alone in my journey towards publishing anymore
– made TONS of friends at all stages of the writing/publishing process
– expanded my writing/publishing/social media knowledge
– made progress towards widening my social media reach and publishing my book

If you think it’s time you linked arms with other people interested in writing, go join Hopewriters NOW by clicking here:
https://www.hopewriters.com/a/33729/ohd7BVGe

If you’re still not sure and want to check out some of their resources, browse the links below but be sure to not miss this short window of opportunity to join that won’t happen again until 2021.

Free Quiz: Hopewriter path
https://www.hopewriters.com/a/33837/ohd7BVGe

10 Questions PDF: 10 questions to ask yourself before writing a book
https://www.hopewriters.com/a/27276/ohd7BVGe

9/16 WEBINAR: 17 Breakthrough Ideas for Writers
https://www.hopewriters.com/a/33734/ohd7BVGe

Replay 9/16 Webinar
https://www.hopewriters.com/a/33737/ohd7BVGe

Come join me and find your writing people in hope*writers!

Amy

Jul

2019

We Love Teachers Giveaway!

I don’t know about you, but it’s about that time of summer when I start wondering if I could get away with making one of those countdown chains we used to make in elementary school. You know, when we’d use construction paper links to build a chain and rip off one each day until we were down to one link left the day before Christmas? With the kids arguing 24/7 the past couple of days, I’m just. so. ready. for. school. to start.

Anywho…..I know there’s a group of people out there who AREN’T ready for school to start.

TEACHERS.

So, I’m showing them some love with my latest giveaway, which is LIVE right now!

TWO winners will receive a Simplified Teacher Planner 2019-2020 by Emily Ley @simplifiedplanner AND their choice of one book from whatever is in my giveaway inventory stash at the time this giveaway closes. (Pssst…my inventory is pretty full right now because summer’s had me running every direction but towards posting giveaways very often.)

School’s gonna start soon and I know this planner is the envy of all the teachers, so get yourself entered…and if you win and you’re NOT a teacher? Make someone’s whole YEAR by gifting it to them!

PS – can I just say I thought of this giveaway because 1) these planners are currently on sale for 50% off and 2) it is July 24th and school starts around here one month from yesterday. One veeeeeerrry long month. 😬

Be sure to share this post with your teacher friends! And comment below…when does school start in your next of the woods? Are you ready?

https://kingsumo.com/g/y4spna/we-teachers-giveaway

Mar

2019

3 Books Releasing in April

There are some books releasing in the next couple of weeks I think you should check out!

Jun

2018

The Fort

By Rachel Person (photo credit: Rachel)

When I was 6, I built my first outdoor fort. I’d had lots of practice with the indoor kind – couch, blanket, and a few solid books – and I felt I was ready for the hammer and nails and a whole lot of faith to hold it up kind of fort. My neighbor friend, Julie, and I decided to use some of the leftover wood and material scraps from a home being built close by to build our own dream mansion (think Barbie but no Ken). Like any good set of architects, we had detailed plans drawn out with our Mr. Sketch markers, of course. The colors alone made our plan indestructible (the fruit flavored scents made it extra special). We gathered the necessary tools and materials we needed for building, without asking I’m sure. Needless to say, after a decent amount of time, hard work, and lots of kool-aid, our princess fortress was complete. Picture a castle made of particle board flooring and four somewhat symmetrical walls – I think our construction could’ve been mistaken as abstract art to a passerby, quite frankly.

I remember vividly being so proud of what we had accomplished and although it didn’t really look quite as good as it did on paper, it was ours. We spent lots of time in our fort playing M.A.S.H., dressing Strawberry shortcake, and laughing. It was a safe place and one that made us feel protected and invincible. We even gave it a “homey” feel by laying out a front door rug (carpet remnant) and decorating the outside with hearts and clouds and rainbows, because that’s what every 6 year old girl is REALLY good at drawing.

I’ll never forget the morning we came out and saw someone had destroyed our fort. Not in the way you’re probably imagining. It was all still intact. The walls were all still standing. The beauty we’d created on the outside with our 6 year old hearts, rainbows, and clouds had been exchanged for swear words and mean things written in permanent marker all over the entire fort. I was devastated. I remember crying and wondering why someone would do this to our special fort. I remember thinking it would never be the same. It was permanent. And black. And horrible (and not just because they didn’t smell good like Mr. Sketch’s do).

I’ve had lots of moments in life where I’ve felt that lump in my throat, pit in my stomach, tears welling up in my eyes feeling that I did on the day I saw my 6 year old dream house vandalized. During the times in my life when I feel this way because of words people say or things they do that make my self-esteem plummet and my bright, beautiful, heart and rainbows and sunshine world seem grey and stormy and dark, I remember this:

I have a choice. I can respond in anger or I can forgive. I can become bitter or better. I can want revenge or release it. I can allow someone else to control my emotions or I can be in control and remind myself of the truth. I can let someone else’s words define me or I can stand firm in what God says about who I am.

When I was 6 they hadn’t invented the magic eraser white sponges. My dream home never was the same. Those black permanent marker words remained and we never used our fort again. It didn’t feel safe anymore. It didn’t feel the same. I don’t know what words have been spoken to you, or what has been said about you, or who has hurt you. There may be permanent black marker words written on your heart. I am, however, confident of this : The God of the universe created you and I in HIS image and you are not defined by what the world says about you. There will be unkindness, hurtful words, spiteful deeds, and harmful experiences in your life. In those times, I encourage you to cling to these words from the one who loves you and knows you more than anyone else :

John 16:33 “I have told you these things so that in me you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble but take heart for I have overcome the world.”

Rachel Person…
is a married, Midwest, mother of 5. She’s an ENFP, coffee addicted, sunshine adoring, outdoor adventuring, jeep driving, adrenaline addict. As a 2-time American Ninja Warrior competitor, she’s an energetic, eternal optimist with a passion for pull-ups, photography, and people.

To connect with Rachel on social media, click the links below:

Mar

2018

Jehovah Jireh

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Isaiah 30:21 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Your ears will hear a word behind you saying: “This is the way, walk in it. When you turn to the right, or when you turn to the left.”

My husband and I have been praying over the next steps for our ministry, Jehovah Jireh. We provide housewares for the refugee community. In practical terms, this means that our liaison will contact us requesting specific donations such as plates, or flatware, or towels. I’ll peruse discount stores, thrift stores or estate sales, then coordinate dropping off the items. It is very sporadic, but we’re happy to help when we’re asked.

Recently, we’ve found new organizations that also need these types of donations. We would love to expand and formalize our ministry to meet these additional needs but we have two fairly large roadblocks: 1) The process of applying for a 501(c)(3) is daunting and 2) funding for the legal paperwork, in addition to the items we purchase each time, is very meager from our personal finances. Our prayers over the last few months have been something like this:
Jesus, we know the idea for serving our refugee community through our resettlement ministry is from You. We want to steward the resources we’re given from You in the way You desire. Our hearts are to serve refugees, and those aging out of foster care, to help them feel at home and have the necessities. Jesus, You know the limitations our personal resources have, and You know we have no idea how to make this happen. We trust You Lord. We ask You to give us wisdom and discernment in our next steps. AMEN

These types of prayers have been uttered, in some variation, over the last few months. Then, in the last week, BOTH prayers have been answered! Without any striving or seeking on our part, the Lord has revealed both an organization that could serve as our oversight board, allowing us to utilize their umbrella 501(c)(3), AND an opportunity for a part time job that could provide this additional funding. Last night, in our prayer time, Mike and I thanked the Lord for His faithfulness. While both of these may be the answers we’ve been looking for, we also know that neither could pan out. What we are clinging to is trusting GOD to provide the path, in His timing, and with His provision.

Jeremiah 29:11 Tree of Life Version (TLV) For I know the plans that I have in mind for you,” declares Adonai, “plans for shalom and not calamity—to give you a future and a hope.

Jesus, we are so grateful that You know us better than we know ourselves. Your timing is always perfect! Thank You for planting this ministry idea in us, and now we trust You fully for its fruition. If the oversight organization works out, and the part time job comes through, we thank You! However, if these are not Your ultimate plan, for now, they are evidence that You hear our prayers! AMEN

To connect with Elizabeth on social media, click the links below:

Elizabeth Rosner…..
Christ follower. Prayer warrior. Wife, Mom, Hugger, and Encourager.

Mar

2018

A Long Pause: Trusting in God’s silence

By Rachel Person

“Because I said so.”

“I don’t know why and neither does anyone else.”

“It’s just the way it is.”

“You don’t need to know the reason, you just need to listen and obey.”

“Because that’s how we’ve always done it.”

These answers to my numerous and sometimes incessant childhood questions were never sufficient enough for me. As an inquisitive and curious child who grew up to be an adult with an insatiable love of learning and discovering, I have always needed to know the WHY. (the who, what, when, and where are good too ☺) Needless to say, I like details. All of them. I love piecing the world together and seeing how it all fits. My personality and the way my brain sees and processes the world means that the above answers will do nothing but frustrate me. When I was younger, if someone gave me a generic, cardboard answer to one of my questions (probably because they didn’t know or didn’t want to take the time to explain it), I would find a way to discover the truth myself (needless to say I LOVED my encyclopedias) Anyone who knows me now knows I am constantly researching and looking things up on a wide variety of topics. I love random facts of knowledge as well as learning about anything new. Unfortunately, I discovered quickly as a child that there are questions that can’t be answered with a nice, tidy, perfect little “box with a bow on top” answer; and it’s something I still wrestle with as an adult today.

My oldest child, Charis, basically spent her entire childhood competing as a gymnast and it truly was a passion and gift that God had blessed her with. She swiftly and quickly moved up the competitive levels and by age 10 was already competing as a level 10 gymnast, which is the highest level of competition below elite gymnasts. When she was 14, she was invited to come to the Karolyi Ranch in Texas and train at the USA Gymnastics National Team Training Center. Of course, she was thrilled and her heart was ecstatic to think that after years of hard work and all of the countless hours of training, her dream was becoming a reality. As her mother, I was so proud of her and happy to see Charis’ determination, tenacity, perseverance and dedication being recognized with a chance of a lifetime being offered to her – to pursue the possibility of becoming an elite gymnast and eventually go to the Olympics.

Charis and I had our tickets booked for Texas and two days before we were to leave, she broke her elbow in practice badly enough to require surgery. As you can imagine, she was devastated. My heart ached for her and that child-like, give-me-an-answer-now voice in me wanted to scream “WHY?” at the top of my lungs. Any parent who has watched their child in a moment of pain, hurt, frustration or hopelessness knows EXACTLY what I mean. I was angry. Angry at the situation that was out of anyone’s control. Angry at God for allowing this to happen. Angry that I couldn’t fix the situation (because that’s what moms do best). Angry that my daughter may have just lost the chance of a lifetime. Angry that I had to hold it all together for everyone else and especially Charis (because that is also what moms do best). I vividly remembering praying (really it was me questioning and trying to get some answers) to God and begging him to show me the WHY for all of this. I had always told myself up until this point that God had reasons for why things happened the way they did, even if I didn’t always understand them. I had also told my children this, especially in the hardest of times. In this moment though, I just didn’t believe it. I wanted to, but I couldn’t. In all honesty, I felt like God “owed” it to Charis to allow her dream to become a reality and I was angry that His timing had closed this door on this once in a lifetime possibility. Charis, with her determined and competitive attitude continued to compete at the highest level of gymnastics for 2 more years, but endured injury after injury during that time. Her surgeries from gymnastics totaled seven, and it was more apparent than ever that, although there wasn’t a reason our finite minds understood, God’s plan for Charis’ life as a gymnast was different than hers.

Fast forward twelve years. I have an amazingly successful 26 year old daughter who has graduated from medical school and is currently an OB/GYN resident. She used the life lessons she learned through gymnastics, along with the other obstacles, hurdles, roadblocks and detours life threw at her over the years, to make her stronger and even more focused, determined and tougher than she already was. Last month, God the supreme architect, hit me with a 2×4 as I read headline after headline detailing the sexual abuse of gymnasts at the Karolyi Ranch by the team doctor, Larry Nassar. In that moment, God answered my WHY that had been so heavy on my heart for so many years. Do I know that Charis would’ve been abused there? No. But God does. And as the puzzle pieces fit together, I wept as I felt the protection and love that God had shown for Charis by keeping her from making that trip to Texas so many years ago. I was reminded (as I have been on so many occasions) that I need to trust that God truly does have our best interests at heart, even when it doesn’t make sense or the WHY isn’t clear. Ultimately, the scars from seven surgeries pale in comparison to the scars that could’ve been left forever had Charis gone to Karolyi Ranch. God, in his infinite wisdom, knew better than all of us what He was doing and what plans He had for Charis. My heart aches for all of the innocent girls that had to endure the abuse from that monster of a man, but I’m so thankful that God protected Charis. Today, I am thankful for a broken elbow 12 years ago. Tomorrow, although I still may not like it, I’ll be much more patient, understanding and trusting of when God is silent or simply gives me this answer to my questions:

Dear Rachel,

“Because I said so.”

Love, God

“’For I know the plans I have for you’ says the Lord. ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.’”

Jeremiah 29:11

Rachel Person…
is a married, Midwest, mother of 5. She’s an ENFP, coffee addicted, sunshine adoring, outdoor adventuring, jeep driving, adrenaline addict. As a 2 time American Ninja Warrior competitor, she’s an energetic, eternal optimist with a passion for pull-ups, photography, and people.

To connect with Rachel on social media, click the links below:

Mar

2018

Choice Paralysis

By Jenny Downey

Are you one of those people who confidently claims, “I’ll know it when I see it?” Do you possess the magical ability to select entrees, outfits, vehicles, hairstyles, or furniture with decisive ease? Well I am not counted amongst that crew. This decision making skill somehow eludes me, and I have now encountered a new area where it comes into play: updating the house.

Choosing paint colors, floor covering, counter surface, backsplash and fixtures finds me stuck in the abyss of too many choices. I pour over photos in magazines and online, admiring the myriad options. But then freeze up when I actually have to make a decision – how can I know which one is just right for us? How do I land on just ONE when there are so many beautiful ideas? What if I have regrets and wish I had gone a different route? What if I discover something better after it’s too late? What if my friends don’t like my finished look?

And here lies the rub. People keep telling me, “It’s YOUR space, so do what you like and don’t worry about what other people think.” That is fine and dandy until you work in real estate and learn that there indeed comes a time when it matters. I’ve viewed way too many homes when a buyer is scratching their head, wondering “WHAT were they thinking…that is bizarre!” Don’t get me wrong…my husband has declared we can NEVER move again. My focus shouldn’t be concerned with resale, but still it remains entrenched as a filter.

As a result, my DIY kitchen update hovers in the land of unfinished potential whilst I labor over the mental exercise of making decisions. In the end, it will look a million times better than it did before, and ultimately that is where I have to set my mind. So if you visit my home, please appreciate the mental anguish that went into even the little things, such as outlet covers and toilet paper holders. While the physical labor was intense, the more grueling task was all the deciding.

Neil and I recently had a great discussion about choices. We looked at the huge box of college mail that piled up for Liam over the last two years and mused how students are now bombarded with so many options. Back in my senior year, it seemed most seniors were just trying to decide whether to head an hour north or south on I-29 for college.

Another area we considered was food. Neil made the point that we eat different foods every day, while most of the world eats the same few things day in, day out, if they are so lucky. I considered the lack of dietary variety in pioneer times and how spoiled we are now! I think about the grocery store, where there are probably 25 different types of BBQ sauce selections. Each aisle provides abundant practice in decision-making skills for me!

When did our western culture become obsessed with variety? When did we stop marveling at it and become numb and entitled? Have we succumbed to trivial distractions that occupy our minds when we could – or should – simplify and channel our thoughts for greater purposes? This is what I have noticed about myself: I am completely thrown off important pursuits when my mind is paralyzed by making decisions that ultimately don’t matter.

Now that this idea has been brought to my front burner, I must capture it and use this conviction so I can continue to grow and mature in my faith. I want to wrestle with my own tendencies and weaknesses and ask God to cause me to care less about subway tile and more about human souls. I must practice prioritizing decisions and investing more of my time into ones that count for eternity.

Around the world, millions of people are making daily decisions focused on one thing–survival. The concept of a backsplash is so foreign it would seem like the silliest thing ever to mentally grapple for days over which one to choose. Can I get beyond my own narrow reality and wake up to the plight of those around me who don’t have the luxury of a home, vehicle, job or nice dinners? How can I get involved and help make a difference in my own community?

This is what is rattling around in my cluttered brain today. Do you struggle with this as well? What are your thoughts?

Jenny Downey…
loves sharing the humor in life. Many days find her driving carpool, meeting clients for real estate appointments, or traveling to soccer tournaments. She and Neil have common interests of music, reading, trying new recipes, DIY projects, cheering their four children on in soccer and choir, and watching Netflix. The grace of God has been a consistent theme in her life. That, and coffee.

To connect with Jenny on social media, click the links below: