Blog
-
Announcement: Book-Baby #2 is gestating!
“I should have written that Lent book.” That was my offhand comment to the wonderful Karen Laister of BRF (Bible Reading Fellowship) at the Woman Alive/BRF women’s day in Woking over the summer. Imagine my surprise when a month or so later I received an invitation to write the 2017 BRF Lent book! I had…
-
Gathering the community: My first bookshop launch of Finding Myself in Britain
Last night was my first bookshop event for Finding Myself in Britain – sometimes I have to pinch myself that yes indeed, I have written a book-baby and yes, I get to go to some lovely places to speak to some lovely people about it! The rain poured down as I chugged along in the…
-
Losing our lives to find them – Sermon on Matthew 10
How we find our lives when we lose them… the subject of the sermon I gave at our church at the book launch on Sunday, 27 September. Have a listen; I’d love to hear what you think.
-
Devotional of the week: Led by the Spirit (1 in Luke 4 series)
Time for a new devotional series! I’ve loved reading Dallas Willard’s books, and also one that came out shortly after he died, Eternal Living: Reflections on Dallas Willard’s Teaching on Faith and Formation. Dallas stressed the importance of memorizing Scripture and of rereading the gospels, pondering them and chewing them over so that we would…
-
Strengthening our Vision: How my son’s eye challenges made us stronger
A simple sticker, but when I saw it, the memories came rushing back. I had unearthed from the loft (US: attic) a bunch of mailing envelopes to send out my book in, which CutiePyeGirl found intriguing. In the midst of them she found this little sticker and presented it to me with a flourish. When…
-
Behind the Scenes: Cover Design for Finding Myself in Britain (Part 1)
“Don’t judge a book by its cover.” “A picture tells a thousand words.” In the case of my first book, I’m happy if you judge it by its cover, because it’s just so darn good. When I first received the design, I loved pulling it up on my phone and watching the person’s face as they saw at it…
-
Ready, steady, launch! (Or, Life as Normal) Finding Myself in Britain
It’s 1 October, or October 1, depending on your vantage point, and thus the official launch date of Finding Myself in Britain. It feels a bit odd, however, as for me it’s just a normal day – I’ve taken CutiePyeGirl to school, am now writing in my study, and later will go into town for…
-
As American as Apple Pie – Finding Myself in Britain
As American as apple pie. Really? “I had no idea apple pie was considered ‘quintessentially’ American until I lived there and heard this phrase! I was thought it was very English!” So said Jennie Pollock, my editor of Finding Myself in Britain, who gave me the pictured fabulous tea towel as a “baby shower” gift…
-
The Art of Celebration – Giving Thanks at my Book Launch
Celebration is such an important spiritual discipline, but we often overlook it. Perhaps we feel indulgent if we are celebrating an accomplishment – such as the publication of my book. But I’m all for celebration, and I know that Finding Myself in Britain was written only with the help of so many people – those…
-
The day I first held my new book-baby…
The day I came home from the school run to find my book had been delivered was a sunny, joyful day. All that hard work of writing and rewriting, and here it was in its beautiful matte finish and gorgeous heavy paper stock. Wow and wow!
