Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Coming Back

I promised to start blogging again when I finished writing my romance. What I didn’t anticipate was my life turning upside down and me ending up smack in the middle of Texas.

I did finish the rough draft of my book and during the trials of trying to set up life in a place I had never set foot in, the writing kept me sane. What would I do without it?

Many of you kept up with my journey on Facebook. I really appreciated your support. When my husband got the call for a new job, I had two weeks myself to pack my 2300 sq foot home, and then drive across the country for two twelve hour days following the U-Haul. Then he went back to work and I stared out at my temporary neighborhood wondering if I would be able to find my way to Wal-Mart for much needed groceries.

I’ve cried and whined and praised God for this opportunity. Setting down roots isn’t as easy this time as it was when we moved to Florida ten years ago. I had my daughter with me and I’d been there before.
But Texas and her fine people have not let me down. I love it. Yes, I still need to find my church home, some friends I can call for lunch dates and a home that is ours, not to mention a paying job.

You’ve told me to take it one day at a time.

Wise advice. And as with writing, I find that not looking too far ahead really does help.

Coming back to blogging is like unearthing the missing quilt I packed weeks ago and wrapping it around my legs. Warm and comforting.

I’ve missed you and hope to finally catch up. So tell me, what’s the most important happening in your life since August?

41 comments:

Rachna Chhabria said...

Hi Terri..its great to see you back. I am sure you will settle down in your new place and make friends soon, its just a matter of time. Nice to know that you finished the rough/first draft of your book. Hugs.

As for me I have entered the dreadful world of Querying and let me tell you its killing me.

Melissa Amateis said...

Hi Terri! So glad to see you back in the blogging world. I'm so very happy the Lord has put you in a good place and I know He will provide for you.

Biggest thing since August...finished my fourth novel!

Rhonda Schrock said...

Sure been thinkin' about you, Terri. And every time I hear on the news that "there are jobs in Texas," I think, "Yup. There sure are."

So glad for your new chapter. Keep us posted!!

Joanne Sher said...

Soooo glad you're back, Terri. Think about you a LOT, and try to remember to pray each time.

My biggest news since August, I'd say, is that I'm completely, totally replotting my biblical fiction, doing new character sheets and stuff, and planning to write it for NaNo! Excited.

Anonymous said...

It's wonderful that your husband has a job when so many don't. So I know you're grateful for that!

After my divorced in 1982, I started over in a totally new place, also. So I know how that is. I did find instant church friends and was going in a graduate writing program. It WAS an adventure.

I'm so glad you like Texas. A dear young friend with her husband and children moved there from Virginia (where I live). I was sorry to see her go, but she likes Texas, too!

I'm into a new memoir that I'm ghost writing for my friend, about her very disabled youngest child.

One step at a time is the rule for anything in life! Take it easy, Terri with blogging. I've had to slow down a bit with this as I wasn't getting anything written. Do it as you can, and I'm glad you're back!
Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Great question... hmmmm... the most important happening in my life since August...

I'm healing, slowly, and finding renewed strength in body and spirit.

So glad you're getting settled in.

peace~elaine

Jill Kemerer said...

This post is so full of hope, Terri! Love it!! Enjoy your new home!

Keli Gwyn said...

Welcome back, Terri! I'm glad you're getting settled in your new home. Kudos on completing the story--in the middle of a move no less. =)

Carmen said...

Welcome back Terri! It sounds like your life is moving right along! Change always brings chaos, whether it's good change or bad change. We just need time to adjust to it all and that it becomes our new norm. I'm experiencing some big changes too. I started providing Daycare to my two local grandbabies. This means up at 5:30 am (been a loooong time), and home at about 4:30 pm. It's only 4 days a week, so I have 3 days to catch up on my normal stuff. Should be fun anyway, and I make a little pocket money! :) Good to see you on the blog again!

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Yay you're back. And wow you've been busy.

Glad to hear of the new job. You'll find your place there and get back to everything--normal.

YES, I like my new job, very much. I'm working on not loosing myself. :)

Teresa

Julie Gillies said...

So good to see you back in blogland, Terri! Even if you're in a new neck of the woods, blogland is here for you.

As I've followed your adventures on Facebook, I've admired your courage and flexibility, and the way you've continued to trust God through it all! :-)

Great Grandma Lin said...

you've been missed, didn't know you were on facebook. I visited Iceland in August and am learning how to make an imovie or my 1000 photos plus movie clips. Fun! Enjoy Texas-the fall-winter-spring is great. Only summer is to be avoided or spent it inside to avoid the heat and humidity. My hubby is from Texas-Gatesville, went to U of T in Austin. Good luck with all the changes and new blessings coming your way.

Kathleen said...

I'm among the many that have watched & tracked you via FB in recent weeks. What a fabulous adventure you've set upon, though I sure understand the odd feelings associated with rootlessness. That just takes time.

We've moved a LOT in the course of our married life. I have finally come to that place of surrender that begins & ends with: "I will grow where I'm planted, Lord."

Much joy to you as you unpack on every level!

Kathleen

Angela Hood-Ross said...

Welcome back Terri. I hope you enjoy living in Texas. I have several family members who live there but I've actually never stepped one foot in Texas. Would love to one day. It's great to be reading your blogs again.

As for me, I've just published the first book of The Whistle Creek Series on Nook and Kindle. Yep, made the leap over to eBook. Now I'm working on book two and will begin writing book three during NaNoWriMo 2011.

Sarah Forgrave said...

Welcome back, Terri! I'm so glad to see God's faithfulness at work in your life and pray the blessings just keep on coming. :)

Jill said...

Texas is a great state! I love visiting there, especially because of the accordion culture. That's my big news since August. My husband bought me an accordion.

Warren Baldwin said...

Congratulations on the job and the move. Texas is a great state! Hope your job, a church and continued settling in all fall in place for you guys.

wb

Trisha said...

Hi Terri, so glad you've gotten moved and settled. Until you find a church, you might like to watch WLJC TV, it is a gospel station out of Beatyville Kentucky. They have old time gospel programing; you can watch via the internet. Also some good gospel radio stations are: King of Kings Radio Station in Somerset, Ky., and WEKC 710 AM out of Williamsburg, Ky.
Blessings and Prayers

Jan Cline said...

Yay! So good to see you back in bloggerville. Im glad you like Texas. Stay in touch now that things are settling down.
Jan

Jessica Nelson said...

Woohoo! I'm glad you like TX! :-) And that you reached it nice and safe.
Lots of stuff going on. Too much! I feel crazy sometimes. lol
Congrats on finishing your rough draft. ;-)

Cindy R. Wilson said...

Great to see you back, Terri! I am amazed at how quickly you're settling in after such a big change. All the best! I'll be praying :)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your writing project. And your smooth move to Texas. I'll be keeping you in my prayers that He leads you to a supportive church community and where new friends are made!

Linda O'Connell said...

Life has a way of falling into place. I tend not to dwell toomuch onthe big stuff, but envision a positive future outcome. Glad you are settling in.
My publishing credtis: Nuturing Paws (Whispering Angel anthology), Chicken Soup, Love and Food, to be released in a few weeks, and Storm Country (an anthology, all proceeds to benefit the people of Joplin, MO who suffered through a devastating tornado), and St. Louis Reflections, an anthology of regional personal essays.

Write on!

Robin Lambright said...

Hey...your back in the blogosphere....but then FB helps to keep us connected as well! Love it!

My most important happening would be facilitating bible study. My class (That The World May Know) started in late august and will run through April.

Woooo Hoooo!

Have a great day!
R

Jennifer Shirk said...

welcome back!!

I'm so glad you finished your rough draft in the middle of all that you've been going through.

Tamika said...

Yay, Terri's in Texas! I'm so thankful the Lord opened this door for you, and I can't wait to sit down to a tall glass of ice tea:)

Nancy said...

I'm so glad you got your story down. What a great thing to do. I hope you find all of the things you need in Texas. (Right now my Detroit Tigers are playing the Texas Rangers in baseball.)

The most important thing right now is helping my husband heal from his knee joint replacement.

Stacy Henrie said...

Welcome back, Terri! So excited for about these new opportunities for you. Can't wait to hear more about this romance you wrote!

Jeanette Levellie said...

Goosebumps reading this. Eyes moist with thankfulness for a God who cares and answers our pleas.

And I like being part of a warm quilt!

Most important thing in my life? A book contract!!! Woo hoo and pass the Texas-style chile!

Eileen Astels Watson said...

I'm so glad you're back, Terri!!!!

Lifting prayers for that home and job to be found soon.

I've sent my eldest off to University. That's the biggest thing I've gone through. Thankfully she's still loving it. Hoping it stays that way all through her learning years.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Terri -

Welcome back!

I like your analogy about blogging and the quilt you unpacked. I could see that becoming a devotional. Are you writing all these gems down?

Hugs,
Susan :)

Sally said...

Hey, hey, glad to see you made it in. I'm praying you find your new normal quickly and many new friends that enjoy lunch at all the great Austin resturants.

I'm working my way through empty nest making quilts like a manufacturing machine.

I look forward to hearing more from you. Welcome to Texas.

Sally Wessely said...

Welcome back to blogland. I've thought about you periodically and wondered how you were doing. I'm so glad you have settled in a place that you have felt good about so far.

I can't imagine starting over in a new place. You are brave and strong. I look forward to reading more about your transition into a new life, community, and church.
God bless.

Did you find WalMart yet? LOL

Nikki (Sarah) said...

Terri...you always inspire me. You've been through so much but come back fighting. I love that. Tons of hugs to you as you settle down in your new home.

Karen Lange said...

Good to see you again! Missed you here, but was glad you kept us up to date on FB. Yes, I'd have to agree, one day at a time is best. Will be praying for you.
Blessings,
Karen :)

Kenda Turner said...

Welcome back, Terri! Was wondering how things were going for you. And to think, with all the changes, you managed to finish a book draft. Congratulations! And best wishes as you continue to settle in there in TX. Over this way? Querying my MG, plotting the second, dabbling in picture books. Enjoying the process, trying to be patient!

Deborah said...

Welcome back! I'm looking forward to regular posts!

Cheryl Klarich said...

Hi Terri!
I've been more off than online too. MGFB (must get facebook)....
Blessings- congratulations- prayers!!!

Deb Shucka said...

Wow! Your life sure took a turn. It sounds like you're handling it well, and that you feel God's hand as you settle into your new home. It's so nice to find you here again. Hoping you're back for a long spell.

Anonymous said...

Hey welcome back! :)

Gina Conroy said...

Glad to see you back to blogging AND in my neck of the woods!