I'm back after a long hiatus...

Hey readers! I've been meaning to blog more but just haven't had the time, the motivation, or was unsure about what I wanted to post. The last time I blogged was a year ago. I was in a very different place in my life. I was (still am) working part-time at my local library, finishing up my certificate in children's literature, using some down time to work as a consultant for Usborne Books & More, going to several bible studies a week, and helping out in children's church. Sounds like I was very busy and still not sure what direction to take in my life. At 36 years of age (last year) I had gotten to the point that it was time to stop hoping for Mr. Right to show up, marry me and start a family. I decided that if (and when) God wanted this to happen for me then it would be on His time table and not mine. I don't think I'm going to end up like John the Baptist's mother or Abraham's wife by becoming a mother long past menopause, but God's idea for the right time to get married and have a family is not the same as mine was (which was at least before 35 years of age). I decided to go ahead and just live life like a free woman and enjoy it! I gave up on online dating and did not want anyone to play matchmaker except God. Just as I started to embrace my singleness of one decade, my dad was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and I finally began to understand God's timing much better. I had been living with my parents since 2007 and have not planned to move until I got married. Luckily Mom and Dad enjoyed the arrangement as I also did. I already knew that I was in the right place at the right time and that time was for me to be there for my parents. If I had been married and/or had a family to raise I would not have had the time that I got to have with my dad during his last months. While helping Mom take care of Dad, I decided to take a much needed break from school (In December I completed my children's literature certificate) and put my book business on the back burner. During Dad's first month of chemotherapy I was not sure how things were going to turn out so I did not want to make big plans for my life. I just continued at my part-time job with some occasional pet sitting jobs to help pass the time but also be there for Dad when needed. After the first month of chemotherapy he was improving and started making plans of his own during the beginning of his retirement. So I decided to go back and work on my book business which did not amount to a whole lot except for one book party. Around the end of the third month of chemotherapy, Dad's health started to decline and the doctors changed treatment plans which did not seem to help. May 18, 2013 was my dad's last day on earth. He waited until I was out of the house to pass away. I believe that was God's way of protecting me from further pain. As grateful as I am to know that Dad is no longer suffering, it still hurts not to have him in my life. More than four months later Mom and I are still trying to put the pieces of our life back together. My views on life have changed a bit. I have decided to cut out the things I do not want to do in my life such as attending numerous bible studies (At the moment, I am only doing one), children's ministry (After three years it was time for me to take a break), and the book business. Now that I finally made a decision to give up my business (which I did today), I feel a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. People tell me that this time in my life is not the time to make big life decisions. So for right now, no dating until I find someone that I like enough to want to date, no moving away (I don't want to leave Mom), and no major career changes. But I do not see anything wrong with eliminating or adding little things to my life. So what I have decided to focus on more in my life right now is writing. I have done it off and on throughout most of my adult years and have numerous unfinished projects. Since a writer should never reveal what they are writing (except for blogging) for future publication or writing contests, I will not tell you what projects I'm working on. I look forward to this next blog. Have a blessed day everyone! Laura