Monday, December 31, 2012

Goodbye 2012 >>>>Hello 2013

Had to know change was coming in 2011, huh?

2012 was a year of defining moments. Some  were good, others scary, and some are still evolving. It was a year in which I knew God was saying, “Shhh! Study to show yourself approved.”

I took him seriously about that admonition. The evidence is in how many fewer times I blogged in 2012 compared to 2011. I hope my decision will reap good things in 2013.

In April, my brother sent me to Washington, DC for the Titus 2:1 Conference. I can tell you a secret because I told my now very dear friend, the conference director – Cheryl, what I’m about to tell you. When I arrived, I was mortified. The conference had a small feel to it. Too small, I thought.
image credit

I wondered how I’d tell my brother I had wasted his money by agreeing to go. I felt out of place and ill at ease, but there’s nothing new about that, is there?

The next morning I thought about hiding out in my room for an impromptu three day vacation. I made myself go down to the meetings out of respect to my brother. I wasn’t about to waste his money. In that moment, I changed my life. Or rather, the 2:1 experience and all the friends I made changed my life.

Those friends and mentors continue to enrich my life, career, and soul almost by the hour. Because of them, I am in the process of creating a newer, better blog and will be moving to my own “.com” within just few days. The Lord willing and the creek don’t rise!

I am about to embrace an even scarier endeavor. I will tell you more in the coming weeks. Suffice it to say, you better buy smelling salts now if the news of my own website didn’t leave you woozy! That same community of friends has catapulted me into this endeavor as well.

Ridgecrest Conference Center/BRMCWC - 2012 
In May, I returned to the weeklong Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference. (Again, thanks to my big brudder.) I was privileged to take classes with both Eva Marie Everson and Ramona Richards even though I was woefully, embarrassingly unprepared for both. I was able to nourish old friendships and make some very meaningful new ones.  

In October, my brother sponsored my trip to the Allume Social Media conference. With Anne Voskamp, Mary Demuth, Darren Rouse, Sarah Mae, Jessica Heights, and Logan Wolfram among others pouring into my life, I discovered my own personal super power.

When I tell you, you may wanna scream, “DUH!” because some of you told me so already. Fraidy cats have a hard time believing.

My superpower is: encouragement. I don’t wear a cape. I wear a wristband and necklace. In fact, I’ve worn them daily since I returned from the conference.

I don't need no stinkin' cape.  :-)
As lame as that sounds, those mementos have kept me going in this mean season of life. I went shattered emotionally and spiritually. I came home knowing that God sees me even though I'm buried in this rubble I call a life. He sees me and because of him, I am a superwoman with a superpower. I look at the band and necklace every time my soul grows faint.

This year, I discovered a truth in my heart of hearts: I am a blogger. This is my first love. Gone are my book contract dreams and great American novel dreams. Those have been replaced by my love of blogging and my devotion to you – the fraidy cats that have come in from the cold to walk with me. I rejoice in letting go of the former dreams and in knowing that God is doing a new thing in my life. 

Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative
Thanks for all you have meant to me since May 21st 2011. Thanks for bearing with me when I don’t post and when my posts are lame. Thanks for all the times you’ve hit the ‘share’ button on Facebook, Google plused me, pinned me, or tweeted something about my journey.

I can’t wait to get the 2013 party started. Say some prayers for me as I get this new website launched. Yea. . . me. The  anti-Geek who is a techno-phobe. I told you that 2:1 Conference changed my life!

Happy New Year! See you soon?

Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

P. S. Just in case you wondered, my top 5 posts of all time are linked below!


Courtesy B. Creasy - 2010
Psst . . . Hey, Homeschooler:  click here

What if the Proverbs Woman Had a Pinterest Board  click here

I Am That Woman  click here

When Parents Make Mistakes  click here

In the Company of Brokenness  click here 


18 comments:

  1. I'll be watching you! Happy New Year!!!

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    1. And I'll be watching you watch me! Happy New Year to your sweet family!

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  2. Can't wait to see what's coming--Happy New Year!

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  3. Carol,
    I saw a lot of wonderful words in your post! You are an amazing lady, and I cannot wait to see this new .com you are developing. I'm so excited for you! I'm so glad we met at BRMCWC...and I'm so jealous you got to attend Allume and meet Mary DeMuth. ;) Happy NEW Year to you! God bless your new endeavor and focus this year.

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    1. Alycia, don't forget: Allume is coming to upstate SC in October 2013! Watch my page for updates.

      Can't say I 'met' Mary, but we were in the same room! ;-) Did you see my post about her prayer and how it impacted me?

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  4. I love this post, and love even more that you know your direction. I'm still finding my way, but you've given me hope that I'll figure it out. Thanks for blogging, Carol Anne!

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    1. It took a year of more quiet than I wanted as well as some unexpected turns, Kim. Keep writing, and you'll wake up one day to discover that you know what you've known in your heart for a while. Until I discovered the available power in blogging, I *thought* my dream was traditional publishing. It was such a happy relief to realize that while that might be in the cards somewhere down the line, there's so much I can do even if it never is!

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  5. Sweet friend, your party has already started!

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    1. The party will only be truly started if there is zumba-walking involved! ;-) So glad you are here to attend the party with me!

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  6. what a great post - how fun God works things out! Happy New Year.

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  7. Yes, your gift is definitely encouragement. I'm so glad we got to meet at BRMCWC and look forward to a lifelong friendship with you, too. :)

    Can't wait to see your new website!

    Angie

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    1. Oh, Angie, that's about the sweetest comment a blogging/writing buddy could ask for. Bless you and happy new year! See you in May!

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  8. Oh, Carol, this just speaks strength and courage to my own heart. Beautiful and stirring truth that makes me excited to see what your new thing will be.

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    1. I am so thankful to encourage others as I myself receive encouragement!

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  9. I'm SO glad you came to ALLUME...it was wonderful sitting next to you the last night and listening to your story. You are not a fraidy cat...you are amazing! Keep on conquering!

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    1. I am so thankful that God surrounds me with gifts that keep on giving. You, sweet friend, are one of those! As long as I have friends like you, my fraidy cat days will soon be in the rear view mirror!

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