Trip to New Zealand and Australia, and progress on "the book"

Our group of forty-something people went with a local leader to New Zealand and Australia in March. We had perfect weather, wonderful activities including snorkeling, riding in a glass-bottom boat, and parasailing over the Great Barrier Reef. We saw beautiful scenery, interesting animals including koala bears and other marsupials, kiwis, and crocodiles, and ate interesting food. We interacted with the native people from down under, and made new friends. I bought some black pearl jewelry and some natural opal jewelry. Our guide was knowledgeable and had a winning smile. We had a great time! I highly recommend Collette Tours. I will go with a group and the same local leader using Collette Tours in April to Greece (In the Steps Of Paul). The trip will even include a cruise to several islands. (Think Mama Mia.) I look forward to the trip. 

Two years ago before Christmas, I sold books at five events, but last year, due to the trip to Italy in November, I only sold books at the Christmas In October event and in our Pac & Mail. So this year, I am focused on selling books at more events. I have four lined up: Christmas In October, Cornerstone Outreach Ministry's Vendor Fair, Coulter Road Baptist Church's Shop-til-you Drop, and Texas High Plains Writer's READiculous Book Fair. Glenn is a retailer all year, but my retailing is mostly in the last three months of the year.

I thought my latest writing project/manuscript was finished, but, alas, I need to revise it. I can practically hear you nodding your head and saying, "Been there. Done that." Each revision makes it better, so I'm happy to make the changes even though they are time consuming and brain draining. Fortunately, I recharge fairly quickly. And there's the interesting research for the next book to keep me buoyed. I can imagine God on a ladder. Each time I climb a rung and think, "Hooray! I know a little more about you," he sprints up two rungs higher and lets me know I will never know him fully in this life.

I will skip through Halloween and wish you and yours an excellent Happy Thanksgiving and an amazing Merry Christmas. For me, the special music is the highlight of this time of year. So, go to some musical events, like First Baptist in Amarillo's annual Choir presentation, the Amarillo Symphony's Happy Holidays event, other church presentations, children's specials, and make some children happy! Try to eat healthy food even if, like me, you would rather eat every delicious dessert within reach. 

My author's mission statement is attached. Even this project needed revision. It was supposed to be "thirty words or less," she said. "Done," I finally stated. "Exactly thirty!"

Let me know what your favorite part of Thanksgiving and Christmas are! May God bless you and keep you within his comforting embrace. ​

In Christian love,  
 
Betty
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