Each week, I receive a particular email that I can’t wait to open. It is a written by my friend, Bonita, and is designed to encourage writers in their craft. It is appropriately named Encouraging Words for Writers. I’ve been hoping she would write a whole book of these or, at the very least, start a blog. Well, guess what? She did!
I secretly don’t want to tell you about Bonita because I like to pretend she is my personal, one on one teacher and writing mentor and I don’t want to share her. But her words of wisdom are valuable for writers of all ages. It wouldn’t be right to hoard her. To read her is to love her.
Also, remember Gary, the alcoholic who has been sober for over 20 years? The one who is also my Dad? And kind of a goofball? Well, he is finished telling his story on his blog.
If you or someone in your family is an alcoholic, you may be interested in reading about one man’s transformation From Beer to Eternity.
Finally, I wanted to tell you about my friend Robin from Pensieve who is one of the bloggers traveling to India with Compassion International. I met Robin at She Speaks last year and then roomed with her at BlissDom and let me just tell you: she is the real thing, has a heart of gold, is the cats meow and any other saying you can think of that means someone is spectacular.
As a supporter of a Compassion child, I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity this team has to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the children in India. I will be following Robin’s trip on her blog and invite you to do the same.
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Keep your eyes open this weekend for the gifts in the ordinary moments and document them to share with us on Tuesdays Unwrapped next week. Happy noticing.
Oh, oh what great things you have written about ! Now if only all of us could actually sit together and talk about it! And if Robin, Bo and Dad were there it would be even better!
So many of my favorite people–including you.
And let me just say–Bonita just edited something for me. I feel like I owe her a million dollars. And like I should be in jail for murdering the English language. She is a fantastic communicator.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I can’t wait to sit down and read her whole site!
Oh, my! How your little man looks like his grandpa!!
Thank you so much for sharing the “Encouraging Words for Writers” resource. It definitely looks like required reading for any blogger!
What a sweet surprise! You know I love you already, but now I love you more!
I heart your dad.
Thanks for introducing us to Robin. I read some of her blog, and loved it enough to subscribe. Looking forward to following her on her India trip!
I love Compassion. Thanks for posting this!
I love Bonita too, she’s a great encourager to me too! That girl gets around.
thanks for sharing. what a wonderful compilation of inspiring people to read about!!! can’t wait!!!!!
Hi Emily, two things – 1. I was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo moved by your father’s piece that I linked to it and left him a short note. I also bookmarked it to read and reread and rereread. 2. You may want to do a personal piece on Compassion International…how you found out about it, the child you sponsor…the fact that Charity Navigator gives them a 4-STAR rating (this one is important, because people like me base their charitable contributions on ratings like this that reflect many aspects of a charity). Thanks for the intro to it though. I look forward to more.
Very sweet post about your Dad. Wow – 20 years!? It’s incredible what God can do with ONE MAN…!
Compassion International is getting lots of great blog reviews lately! I can’t wait until the team returns and starts telling us of their journeys!
Thank you for sharing the story of your Dad. (Now I know where the writing gene came from.) It gives me hope that my prayer for my husband will also be heard by God. Thank you for the encouragement to keep doing, to keep obeying and to keep praying. You are a blessing.
I believe we’re all blessed when we allow grace to guide us, and I was led to this site as I sit quietly and ponder my best friend’s decision to move, and the death of a five-year marriage -husbands alcoholism. I understand now that the decision was one he might not have been aware he was making. He drank when we met, as did I, but not everyday. I teach, and celebrate Friday’s here in South Texas with a margarita or a longneck, but I’m able to sleep at night when there aren’t any beers in the refrigerator.
Thank you for sharing this story. You never know who will be touched by your experiences. I feel as if I have an advantage I didn’t before. Happy thoughts to the entire family.