Faith Renewed, Motivation Restored - The DV Walking Wounded:
The Lord God works in mysterious ways, that’s for certain. I love writing and I asked Him if I should continue. He answered by putting the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop in my path. I looked at it and it sounded like a dream.
“How can I manage this, Lord?” I asked.
I saw that there were scholarships, so I emailed. I asked, I didn’t just accept that I could not go…ask not, want not…that’s how I was raised. Plus, blessings cannot come your way if you do not ask to be blessed. Your good vibes you put out into the world DO bear fruit. Come to find out, there was a scholarship for “underserved writers.” I applied and gave it my all. My prayers were answered. I received an endowment! Praise God!
Attending the 2024 EBWW has been life changing! I’ve met the kindest, most modest writers. Everyone was down to earth and never pretentious. We networked. We laughed. We listened to amazing, experienced authors as our instructors. I learned so much that I want to try and apply to my own writing. I learned that every one of these talented people keep pushing, because true failure is giving up and stopping — instead of persevering on, as they continue to do. I am SO inspired by my fellow writers. Everyone has been beyond amazing! I am going to “keep swimming,” no matter the waters and perils!
I also feel like I needed a “life break”…my BF and friend and Father kept telling me this, but in my “I’m fine” fashion, I nearly cancelled my trip. They couldn’t have been more RIGHT. There’s a staff shortage at work, so I have to work overtime to compensate (and I desperately need the money), so I took off and missed some precious overtime hours. My children have A LOT going on. I need to somehow do repairs to my house, that I don’t have the funds for. My Love is about to have back surgery and needs constant care after. Thank you, Lord God for granting me this in order to recenter myself and my soul! I slept in an amazingly big bed, ate wonderful food (I didn’t have to prepare), and was waited on. That must be what rich folks feel like…I know how rich I am and I am thankful and grateful.
The campus of the University of Dayton was spectacularly beautiful and inspiring. I was born and raised in the Catholic Church and the amazing art was visually stunning and moving. A statue of Mother Mary greeted me when we got to the conference, head bowed and hands pressed together in prayer. Many different interpretive paintings of the Virgin were there. A painted series of the Stations of the Cross were stunningly displayed, showing the way across the building we were in. The visage of our Lord Jesus was nearly in every room. Stained glass popped up in the wondrous campus library. If this wasn’t orchestrated by God, you’ll never convince me otherwise. My Faith was been beautifully renewed. Everything happens perfectly within God’s Time, which I am embarrassed to admit I doubted. Just because we can see how things are working out in the background doesn’t mean things aren’t happening behind-the-scenes.
To end this on a good note, the 2024 EBWW was not only a writer’s conference, it was like A Pilgrim’s Progress journey for me. If you are spiritual AND a writer, this workshop quenches both needs and fulfill both desires!
Love and light! <3
