Showing posts with label Speaking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Speaking. Show all posts
speaking at the international conference on social studies, humanities, and education in paris, france
July 21, 2025
Happy Monday friends! I am so excited to share that I will be presenting at the ICSHE (International Conference on Social Studies, Humanities, and Education) conference held in Paris, France next month.
I was so honored to have my abstract chosen. The intersection of social media and the affect that this has on the teaching of History and Government is a subject that many of you know I am very passionate about.
Thank you so much for all of your excitement about this! I look forward to brining you along on this adventure!
This past weekend was absolutely wonderful! As I had shared last month I had the lovely opportunity to be apart of Indie Author Day (a national event that took place in libraries across the country and some around the world!). The main event was scheduled for October 8th, but like some of the other libraries around the world we had to postpone the event and we gathered this past Saturday, the 15th.
The drive down to Tivoli Free Library was absolutely stunning. The mountains are full of exquisite color and we spent the entire time saying- "oooh, look at that- it's gorgeous!" It was an absolute gift to see such beauty and an extra little blessing for the drive!
As I shared on my Instagram page it was an absolutely lovely time connecting with other writers and authors and having the opportunity to share about promotion and marketing for Indie Authors.
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| photo credit: Veronica, Tivoli Free Library |
Marketing and Promotion are two areas that I am definitely passionate about speaking about as I have had to learn so much these last several years through trial and error. It is so lovely to encourage others and to share some tips that have been helpful for me!
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| photo credit: Veronica, Tivoli Free Library |
It was also a lovely opportunity to connect and learn from other authors. The picture above makes me giggle as I look shocked by something Thomm was saying, but honestly Indie Publishing can be shocking so this is a realistic shot! *smiles* *hahahaha*
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| photo credit: Veronica, Tivoli Free Library |
As I said above, it was an absolutely lovely time speaking and connecting with others who are in this same field and who are day by day, month by month, year by year, continuing to press forward. Writing and Publishing can be extremely hard and yet for me this journey has been incredible. A lot of hard work and a lot of learning, but simply incredible.
It was an absolutely lovely day and weekend! Thank you again so much to Tivoli Free Library and Veronica Stork for arranging this and having me be apart of this event!!
What about y'all? What did you do this weekend?
I am so excited to share that I will be participating in Indie Author Day at Tivoli Free Library on October 8th in Tivoli, NY! I will be giving a presentation for this event and will be part of a meet and greet as well. I will be speaking about marketing and promotion for indie authors and am excited to meet up with other indie authors!
Are you an indie author or an aspiring indie author? Check out the Indie Author Website HERE for more information on events happening across the country (and some around the world)!
Thank you so much to Tivoli Free Library and Veronica Stork for arranging this and having me! I hope to see y'all there!
(Please note that this event has been post-poned until October 15th)
Happy Monday friends! I hope that you had a wonderful weekend! Today I wanted to share about a question that I have received a lot of emails about. I have received many emails asking if you can receive a discount for bulk/group orders of December Caravan for those of you who are interested in using the book for Bible Studies, Book Clubs, College Groups, Ladies Retreats, etc. The answer is yes!
For those that are interested in this it will be done directly through me (through PayPal or another payment arrangement). For groups that order at least 10 books the books will be a discount of a little over 20% for each book and will be $11 each instead of the $13.99 and will receive two free copies for leaders. For groups that order more than 50 books each book will be discounted more than 25% and will be $10 each with 5 free leaders copies. If you are looking at a group discount more than 50 books please feel free to email me and I will be happy to discuss additional discounts.
My ultimate goal and prayer of my heart with this book is that this book would encourage the hearts of those who read it and I hope by offering a small discount to groups that this will provide an extra blessing to different groups. I have also received several emails asking if the book is used in a group setting would I be available to come and visit the group and my answer is I would love to try to. I would love to speak with you more about these questions so please feel free to email me and I would love to chat with you!
I know specifically so many of you are curious about how my health held out throughout last week as I traveled to Phoenix, Arizona for some speaking engagements. I am so humbled to share that the Lord truly answered all of your prayers as there were no "major" issues. There were some minor ones and my body is exhausted, but it was a beautiful gift to my heart and truly was a time of "refreshing" for my spirit.
I am also looking forward to how this trip has opened up some new speaking engagements and I look forward to sharing that more with y'all in the upcoming weeks. (If you are ever interested in having me speak at an event, bible study, class, etc. you can find out more about what I speak on at my personal website by clicking HERE!)
I am reminded that we are gently and lovingly carried by the Lord and met with grace for each day (Psalm 68:19). As I returned home and am facing these next few weeks of lots of things on my plate (moving out of my grandmother's house to our camp, working on things for the shop, finishing up last minute edits for "When Mercy Beckons", starting a precursor round of drugs before the port, and other things) I am gently reminded that God will continue to meet me each day. So today there is a mixture of hard and good. Tears and rejoicing. Struggling and trusting. And knowing that my pain and discouragement will be preciously and tenderly met by the God of love that bids me to trust Him in new ways.
As I continue to finish up this "precursor round" of treatment before heading out to California, our specific prayer request for the Port placement would be that it would go smoothly and that I would be able to handle the first round of trial drugs with no severe reaction. We might have to try different meds to figure out which is the best and this for me is of great concern and I appreciate your faithful prayers. I also appreciate your continued prayers for all of the financial means to come in for this trip.
Words can't express how grateful I am for all of your kind support and love during this time. I can't wait to share more with you about my Phoenix trip!!
I am so humbled and excited to share that I will be apart of the IWMC (International Wholistic Missions Conference) in Phoenix in May!
The IWMC's vision is to be "whole in Jesus" and "encourage others to be whole in Jesus" also. As y'all know a HUGE passion of mine is encouraging others to love the whole person and so I am so excited to be apart of this event!
I will be presenting in two different workshops- one under the "wholistic healthcare" track and the second under the "engaging youth" track. In my workshop under the wholistic healthcare track I will be discussing and presenting on caring for those with Lyme Disease and also looking at how the church at large can minister to those with a chronic or long-term illness. In my workshop under "engaging youth" I will be sharing on one of my deepest passions- engaging the hearts of high school women.
I am truly so honored to be apart of this conference and humbled to have the opportunity to speak on topics that are close to my heart! Will you please join me in praying as I continue to prepare for these workshops that the Lord would give me the exact right words to say? Thank you so much!!
Do any of you live in Phoenix ? Are any of you attending the conference? I hope to see some of you there! (You can find out more about the conference or how to register on their website or by clicking HERE!)
As I caught up on my friends adventures and several others from my "pre-Lyme life" I contemplated the way that my life had changed so dramatically in the last several years. The way that my Septembers used to be filled with busy school schedules, the joy of teaching, friends, community service, ballroom dancing, and feeling like there was a purpose that I had that went beyond the need for hospital testing, blood draws, IV's, meds, and countless supplements. A purpose that went beyond an inconsiderate and hurtful comment about my weight. A purpose that went beyond resting and healing and laying in bed as I administer one more thing for Lyme.
As I waited in the hospital for the next round of blood draws as the clock slowly ticked by I was struck by the difference of what so many are able to do and how truly little I am able to do. It seems like so many people are doing these “BIG” things for others and for God. And then an email arrived in the middle of this hospital day from a pastor whose church I was supposed to speak at in November (that we have had scheduled for a year) telling me (politely) that he had decided "my story just wasn't big enough" and "my platform really wasn't courageous enough" to fit with his church. On one hand I was in shock, but on the other hand I agreed with him. Young single Christians (like myself) are doing amazing things. They are traveling the world, building wells for fresh water, adopting a dozen children in a different country, and writing life changing books. Young marrieds my age are moving to the inner city, leaving their jobs and changing the world for Christ.
If you think that I am sarcastically criticizing any of the people that I have mentioned or the ones that I haven’t named but you know who they are then you are wrong. Instead I am raising a question many have been afraid to voice in the midst of the grandeur. The question that in many ways this pastor voiced that I have in the back of my head. In the midst of all of the miraculous is there a place for the ordinary? Is there a place to offer small offerings among the "BIG"? These questions swirl around me as I question how a girl like me can attempt to change her world for Christ if I don’t even have the strength or energy to walk down the driveway or carry a conversation with her non-believing neighbors. What happens if I am not healthy enough to go to far off places or even work a full time job? Is there a mission field truly for my little world? If so, what does that look like? What if my life is not as "successful" as I think it to be and what if it doesn’t make as much of a difference as I long for it to simply because I am unable to reach the shores of a distant land? What if the little loaves of bread and fish that I have to offer are not enough for my great big God who I long to bring glory to?
I just want to make sure that I am honoring the God that I love so much.
On my agenda for this fall I do not have the most miraculous of plans. In fact, I have what most would say is beyond boring and ventures into the territory of the mundane. My goal in the next couple of weeks is to finish this treatment round strong and then when I return from the cruise, I will immediately start in on the "pre-cursor" meds for the PICC line that will happen in the middle of October. The two big prayer request that I have that is constantly going through my mind is, "Lord, please provide all of the finances for this trip" and "Lord, please don't let me have an anaphylaxis reaction to the meds we try."
Yesterday I spent my energy talking with numerous nurses, having blood drawn multiple times and having a not so fun hospital test. At the end of the day I was beyond exhausted and wondering if I truly accomplished anything for the Lord. The pastors not so kind, but truthful words resonated deep within my mind. The days of leaving the classroom feeling like I had imparted biblical knowledge and touched a teens life are long gone and the feelings of usefulness are drying up quickly in the wind. While some call me young I feel like I have lived a hundred years in the last 3 years (especially the last 18 months) and yet the journey is far from over. I wonder again if I am accomplishing anything of value for the Lord. Anything that looks remotely like a loaf – even a crumb that I can offer up to Him?
My life that I envisioned years ago before Lyme and the dreams that I have hidden in my heart seem like a worthy life to offer up to the Lord. My life that I envisioned with a loving husband and kiddos and an open house to where we love each other and love those that enter in. My life that included rescuing kiddos in the foster care system who have been abandoned and unloved, reaching out and loving on their families, reaching out to the broken, to the students that I had in my classroom, and loving all of those we encounter with wild abandon and freely pouring Jesus’’ love on the lost and the hurting. "Surely this envisioned life would be so much better than the reality Lord?" I pray again.
But what about if this new agenda… this new role… this new life is the real me? What if this life that I don't think has much to offer can be an offering to God?
In the midst of all of my questions throughout this journey I have come to love the story of the young boy with the loaves of bread and fish. John 6 (verses 8-14) states:
“Jesus later crossed to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or the Sea of Tiberias
What I love about this story is that this boy comes in the middle of the questions that still haunt us today. While the disciples were fretting about things that worry us in the 21st century just like it did so many years ago this little boy had just showed up as he probably did everyday read to eat. The disciples are worried that they would not have enough food or money to feed the large crowd that had gathered around. One of the disciples, Philip, even pointed out the fact that even a year of their wages could not have fed the people that had gathered even to give them a bite of food. (As a side note: I totally relate to Philip- I am constantly concerned with how the Lord is going to provide even though He always does. It is interesting to note that Philip is the disciple who is always worried about how the Lord will provide- I so relate to that!) And I don’t mean to take away from the miracle of the story by the fact that the Lord provided for ALL of the people that were there that day, but I can’t help returning again to the boy that was at the middle of the whole story.
This boy had only brought with him five small barley loaves and two small fish and probably was planning on eating that food himself. Instead he surrenders the small and meager amount that he has and gives it to the disciples who are fretting about their wages. The fish that are there are small enough that while they are most likely only for him they ended up feeding all of those who had gathered at the hill to hear Jesus speak. And it was through this miraculous event when Jesus chooses to use a little boy's meager offerings that the people are turned to Jesus. “After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this is the prophet who is come into the world.”
Y'all I LOVE this- God can use ANYTHING- even what we think are small offerings for His glory! Its interesting that scripture doesn’t particularly state the disciples thoughts on what occurred. The concerns and worries that had plagued them earlier were gone and even beyond that there were leftovers!I don’t think anything that God does is a coincidence and so it is amusing to me that there are twelve baskets of food leftover just like there were twelve disciples. Perhaps this speaks volumes to the fact that God is a personal God and there is no detail left out in His plans.
This story gives me so much hope for my days... my ordinary... not grand... not "big story enough" days. Maybe someday I will have an amazing fall plan to share, but in the meantime I have decided that my biggest hope is to be like the boy with the five small barley loaves and two small fish. I am going to keep showing up and asking God to use my meager amounts and keep praying that each thing that I do will encourage people to turn to Jesus. I am going to choose to rejoice in the ways that my friends can live big dreams and live bigger lives then I feel then I able to right now and take some time to rejoice in the fact that God uses everything- even small kiddos, loaves of bread, and fishies to accomplish His purposes.
This may not have been what I was originally dreaming of life to look like, but there are so many blessings despite the pain and the fractured dreams. There are so many opportunities to touch a life for Jesus if I will look around and pray for the Lord's guidance. If you are feeling like I am friends, that you have nothing "big" to offer, let me encourage you to go back to the story of a precious kiddo, loaves of bread, and fishies and find hope that your story- whatever it looks like- is a mighty important part of drawing people to Jesus. Keep showing up everyday, keep praying for wisdom, and remember that NOTHING you do- no matter how small is ever wasted for the Lord.
1. Buy Their Book. This might be silly to even suggest but the reality is that many of the independent author's closest contacts won't think to purchase the book. This might be because they have heard about every word of the book before it has even gone to print (*smiles*) but the reality is that for whatever reason many close family members and friends won't actually purchase a copy. Take the time to complete this simple step and this will be a huge support to your friend! (Interested in buying one or all of my books? Click HERE!)
2. Think Outside the Box and Share Connections Chances are, you know someone who could use the book that your friend has published even if it doesn't directly relate to you. Maybe you are happily married (so my book for singles wouldn't apply directly to you) but maybe you know someone it could encourage. Purchase and send them a copy! Maybe you could gift a copy of a book to your church library? Maybe you could gift a copy of a book to your doctor's office (if the book relates to medical information like my Lyme Disease books) or to the local hospital library. Perhaps you have a connection at a coffeehouse and you could bring in your friends' book and see if it could be displayed for sale or if your friend could try and sell some copies there at the store? Think outside the box and think of the people in your life that you know that you could connect your author friend with.
3. Write a Review. Just purchasing the book and reading it is a wonderful gift to your friend but what would help them even more is if you would take the time to write a review of the book (especially if it is available on Amazon)! Because your friend has independently published their book they do not have a huge marketing campaign for their books. Due to this they are doing all of the marketing themselves. Your words and testimony about their book will speak volumes to many people who aren't familiar with your friends' work! One of the largest pieces of help for me in selling my book, "Praying through Lyme Disease" has been the generous and gracious reviews that I have gotten. I have received several emails from people saying that the whole reason they purchased the book was because of the reviews! So take the time to write a review! I can guarantee that your friend has a goal of at least 20 reviews per book so pass the word to your friends and ask them to write reviews for your friend also! It will only take you a few minutes but will be of lasting help to your friend!
4. Share Their Business Card. Most authors, including myself, have a variety of business cards that are specific to the projects that they have completed. For example, in addition to my general business card, I have a specific business card for each of my books. This gives the opportunity to "get the word out" a little bit more. If you don't feel comfortable passing on the book to a variety of places perhaps you would feel comfortable with passing out your friends business card? Contact them and ask them for a bunch of business cards that you can have on hand to help spread the word about their projects! Live in a different city, state, or country then your friend? EVEN BETTER!! You will be helping them with marketing even more!! (Side note- if you are interested in helping market any of my books I would love to chat with you and send you some business cards! You can email me HERE! Thanks!!)
5. Talk About Their Book on Social Media. Share, share, and share some more about your friends projects on various social media forums. It will be such a blessing to them!! Tag your friends social media to all of your correspondence (example: if you post a picture on instagram tag them in it so they connect directly with people!). Volunteer to "social media love" your friends work! They will be so grateful!
6. Word of Mouth Recommendation. Talk about your friends book to people you know. Many people purchase books solely based on a friends recommendation.
7. Invite Your Friend To Share About Their Book (or their story). Work at a school? Ask your friend to come in and share about their book. Maybe the book doesn't fit into the topic that you teach or the school age kiddos but your friend could share about the writing process or about publishing a book or maybe their personal story or a variety of other things. Work at an office? Maybe your office is looking for a once a month lunch speaker. Suggest your friend! Invite your friend to your Bible study to have them share their story or to your church for a ladies luncheon. Work at a bookstore? Have them in for a book signing! Again, the topic might not exactly fit but your friend would love the opportunity to get their name out there and to share a little bit about writing or their heart!
8. Share Your Connections for Where They Are Traveling. Perhaps your friend is traveling for business, pleasure, or personal reasons. Do you have connections in the area that they are traveling? Share their information and the resources with them! I know that I am always looking to connect with people in upstate NY/Vermont and the south (both places where I spend 1/2 of the year) and in San Francisco (where my medical team is at). I am always looking for contacts in any of these areas to connect with. Talk with your friends and share your connections.
9. Host a Book Party. Similar to the various parties that exist (i.e. makeup, jewelry, etc.) consider hosting a "book signing party" and have your friend as the key star. This will encourage people to purchase your friends book, interact with them, and get to know more people!
10. Give the Gift of a New ISBN Number. Want to gather a few friends and take up a collection to bless the socks off of your friend? Gather the money to cover the ISBN number of their book that they have published (or for their upcoming book)! ISBN numbers are an investment and cost $125 which is a lot of money for independent publishers. This gift would be such a blessing to them!
What are some ways that you would suggest supporting a friend who has independently published a book? I would love to hear your thoughts!
Along with this topic is a request that I have from my heart. I am desperately trying to get the word out, market my books, and make connections. As I am dealing with health issues it is not always the easiest for me to make these connections and I would appreciate any and all help. If you know anyone who might be helped by my books or if you have any connections that you would feel comfortable sharing I would be most grateful. I would also be grateful for any social media love regarding my books and any workshops that you might suggest that are looking for additional speakers. If you would like to check out my personal website for writing and speaking you can find it HERE. Thank you so much for your help with this journey! I appreciate your help!!
Do y'all have those dreams that are deep in your heart that keep growing and coming to mind- even if you don't encourage them in anyway? These might be dreams that invade your mind as you are lying awake at night, or pop into your mind when you are driving home from work, or make you smile as you are doing your housework. I have several of those dreams and I suspect many of us do. I think sometimes there are times for them to be kept hidden in our heart as things to pray over and see if and when the time is right for them to emerge. Some of those dreams are so precious and are such aching longings of our hearts that they are difficult to compose the right string of words in a sentence that will speak to the depth that we feel them.
The latter would be my dream to be married and to be a mom and the former would be a dream of writing & speaking to encourage the heart of women that I have had for many many many years. It is a dream that I have kept locked close to my heart- partially because with teaching there wasn't much time to develop it properly outside the classroom and partially because every time I would pray about moving forward with it the Lord would seem to whisper "wait". Over the last couple of months as I have been housebound/bedridden the Lord started to stir up the dream of writing &speaking once again. At first I laughed and said, "really Lord, now?" because I was so sick that I couldn't hardly stand let alone type or speak. But there was this quiet insistence that I start examining this dream again. I prayed for hours and hours and days and days and months and months about it and kept seeking the Lord and asking Him if this was the right timing. At first I wasn't so sure because of my health if it was but there were several opportunities that presented themselves for the upcoming fall that I didn't think that I should pass by. I hesitantly said "yes" still skeptical but as time has gone on and after treatment in California in May happened I started to feel like the Lord was opening the door even wider.
{I should insert here that I miss teaching so much. There are days where my heart aches to not be able to use the passion and gifts that the Lord has given me. The love that I have for students still overwhelms my heart. Some may think that this sounds dramatic but I still well up with tears as I think of another school year starting and not being back in the classroom. At the same time though the Lord opening up writing & speaking opportunities is reminding me afresh that the Lord's mercies are new every morning and that He has a special plan that He is laying out for my life.}
I share all of this to say that part of the dream is in a state of "transition" and I am excited to share about one of the opportunities. I submitted two stories to CausePub and BOTH were accepted!! I was so delighted and honored and now I need your help. How can you help? By voting for one or both of the stories that I have shared to hopefully be published in the book. You can click HERE to access both stories or you can click HERE to access the story entitled "Hope is Always a Miracle" or click HERE for the story entitled "The Power of the Simple Words "I'm Sorry"".
Thank you so much to those of you who have already voted and to each of you for all of your lovely support and friendship. I appreciate your prayers for other projects that I am submitting my writing to and for upcoming speaking events that I have committed to sharing my story at. My prayer is that the Lord would redeem the time of sickness for His glory and to be used to encourage people to fall more in love with our precious Lord. I am excited to see what the Lord has in store during this season of new dreams!
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