GREETINGS!
Welcome back! Or, if you're a first-time, visitor...welcome! It's great to have you here. In Kansas, the weather has been whacky--cold then hot, cloudy and rainy then clear and dry. But the iris are blooming, the trees are fully leafed out, and the grass seed hubby tossed in the bare spots is sprouting, so I know Spring has sprung. I don't mind the cooler days--summer will be here before we know it, with plenty of heat. Besides, rainy days are great days for curling up with a good book...
PUBLISHING PRAISES
also in the Inspirational category. This book is so special to me, having been inspired by
someone who was so very special to me, so receiving these awards is very heartwarming.
In early March, I traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to spend time with seven other Bethany
House historical writers. We had a full week including meetings with librarians and the purchaser
of Lifeway Books. While at Bethany House, we had an informative marketing meeting, and I had
the privilege of signing my new contract. The contract will allow me to write six more historical stand-alone novels. I'm very excited to be continuing my relationship with Bethany House.
We divided into two groups for booksignings in different locations. I went to Christian Book & Gift Shop in Rochester with Stephanie Grace Whitson and Lauraine Snelling. What a wonderful evening we had! Several readers attended, and an extra special moment for me came when a former student (from the 2001-2002 school year) came in with her mother. It was such a joy to "catch up" with Emily and see what a
lovely young woman she's grown to be. She even brought the class picture. Surprisingly,
I named all but about three or four of the kids in the picture--not bad for this gramma-brain!
Another highlight was visiting the Costume Rental Shop in Minneapolis, where the models
for our covers are often attired in period clothing. The assortment of dresses, hats, suits,
underclothes, and shoes was truly astounding. I could have browsed for hours... Scroll over
the picture to read a caption, then click for a larger picture...
I've done quite a bit of "running around" lately, speaking to women's groups in Newton, Topeka, and Pretty Prairie, visiting with a book club group from Lindsborg and library patrons in Hoxie, as well teaching in Girard at the Called to Write Conference. I so enjoy the opportunity to share with readers and fellow writers. As I told one of the ladies in the Lindsborg book club, it gives me the chance to talk to real people instead of the ones living in my head. :o)
Very shortly, my newest release from Bethany House will be finding its way to bookstore shelves. I am so excited about this story! Fields of Grace is a story straight my family history--Russian Mennonites bringing the Turkey Red Wheat to America that turned the midwest into America's breadbasket. The description follows: With their eldest son about to be drafted into military service, Reinhardt and Lillian Vogt decide to immigrate to America with their three sons and Reinhardt's adopted brother, Eli. But when tragedy strikes during the voyage, their hopeful dreams turn to dust. Can they maintain the faith of their fathers in a new land? I truly hope readers will enjoy meeting the characters in this extra special story.
JUST FOR FUN!
I promised a copy of Tamera Alexander's wonderful historical story, Beyond This Moment to a March/April guestbook signer. The winner is CASEY HERRINGSHAW from Burns, Oregon! Casey, please contact me so we can arrange shipment of your book. :o)
And for Guestbook signers between May 15 and July 14, your name will go into a drawing to win A Constant Heart by Siri Mitchell. Good luck!
RECOMMENDED READING
DEVOTIONAL--"Living Without Fear"
In January, my soul sister and I enjoyed a short cruise with a variety of Christian artists. The last day of the cruise, we attended the on-board worship service. And God met us there. A new group to me, the Annie Moses band, performed some hymns, and then David Nassar (of Glory Revealed) spoke. Using Isaiah 41 as his scripture reference, he encouraged all of us to refuse to live in fear, to remember that our God is with us and will not fail us or forsake us.
Given the upheaval in many lives right now, it was such a beautiful message to carry home. I remembered his admonition to trust rather than wallow in fear when I recently read 2 Chronicles 14:11, "Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. Oh Lord, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you."
It's easy to feel powerless when people are losing their job and homes, when we or someone we love is ill, or other life challenges are nipping at our heels. But ultimately, we either trust God to meet our needs...or not. The author of 2 Chronicles stated "...we rely on you." Sometimes I have to declare those words aloud to chase away feelings of fear or melancholy, but it's amazing how saying them makes them real. I do rely on Him, and He's proved Himself faithful again and again.
On the cruise, we closed that final worship service by singing "It Is Well With My Soul"--1,000 voices lifted together in song:
"When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul."
There is nothing like experiencing God's peace in the midst of a storm... Praying God's peace over you today.
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Thank you so much for taking the time to visit with me! May God bless you muchly as you journey with Him!
~Kim Vogel Sawyer
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2009 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Jan. 21-26, 2009 Birthday/Research Vacation; 1/23 Kim's birthday
Jan. 27, 2009
SPEAKING: Community Church of the Brethren, Hutchinson, KS
Feb. 6-7, 2009 SPEAKING: Loretto, TN
Feb. 12, 2009 INTERVIEW: KREJ-Radio, 8:15 am CST
Feb. 13, 2009SPEAKING: Choice Books, Hutchinson, KS
Feb. 22, 2009 SPEAKING: 1st Souther Baptist Church, Hutchinson, KS
Feb. 24, 2009SPEAKING: McPherson M.O.P.S. Group, McPherson, KS
Feb. 24--Daughter #2 and S-I-L's anniversary
Feb. 25--Hubby's birthday
March 1, 2009 MANUSCRIPT DUE
March 6, 2009 SPEAKING: Hutchinson M.O.P.S. Group, Hutchinson, KS
March 19--Grandson #4's 2nd birthday
March 20-22, '09 AUTHOR APPEARANCE: Christian Book Expo, Dallas, TX
March 23, 2009 SPEAKING: Pretty Prairie Study Club, Pretty Prairie, KS
April 16, 2009SPEAKING: Sheridan County Public Library, Hoxie, KS
April 18, 2009 AUTHOR APPEARANCE: Lindsborg Book Club at Hastings, Hutchinson, KS
April 20, 2009SPEAKING: Tabor Church, Newton, KS
April 24--Grandson #5's 1st birthday
May 1-2, 2009 RETREAT: Western Hills Baptist Church, Topeka, KS
May 4-11, 2009 AUTHOR RETREAT
May 16, 2009 SPEAKING: Warren County Christian School, Youngsville, PA
June -- RESERVED for writing/book signings only
June 2--Grandson #3's 3rd birthday
June 8--Daughter #1 and S-I-L's anniversary
June 15, 2009 MANUSCRIPT DUE
July -- RESERVED for writing/book signings only
July 9-12, 2009 -- Author Retreat, Denver, CO
July 13, 2009 BOOKSIGNING: ICRS, Bethany House Booth, Denver, CO
July 22--Daughter #3's birthday
August -- RESERVED for writing/book signings only
August 11--Hubby and my anniversary
Aug. 30-Sept. 11 GOING TO GERMANY for fun and research
Sept. 17-20, 2009 ACFW Conference, Denver, CO
Oct. 1, 2009 MANUSCRIPT DUE
Oct. 10, 2009SPEAKING: Faith Bible Church, Lyons, KS
November 1--Grandson #1's 6th birthday
Nov. 7, 2009 SPEAKING: Grace Bible Church, Pryor, OK
Nov. 10, 2009 PHONE CHAT: Muskingum Library, Ohio
Nov. 13-15, 2009 SPEAKING: Great Plains KS/NE/MO Methodist Women's Fellowship, Wichita, KS
November 18--Grandson #2's 5th birthday
November 23--Daughter #1's birthday
December -- RESERVED for family
December 17--daughter #2's birthday
2010 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
January 23 -- Kim's birthday
Feb. 1, 2009 MANUSCRIPT DUE
Feb. 1-5, 2010K-LOVE FRIENDS & FAMILY CRUISE
Feb. 24--Daughter #2 and S-I-L's anniversary
Feb. 25--Hubby's birthday
March 19--Grandson #4's 2nd birthday
Mar. 24, 2010 SPEAKING: Anthony UMW, Anthony, KS
Apr. 18, 2010 SPEAKING: United Methodist Church, Little River, KS
April 24--Grandson #5's 1st birthday
June - August -- RESERVED for writing/book signings only
June 2--Grandson #3's 3rd birthday
June 8--Daughter #1 and S-I-L's anniversary
July 1, 2010 MANUSCRIPT DUE
July 22--Daughter #3's birthday
August 11--Hubby and my anniversary
Sept. 3--Granddaughter #1's birthday
Sept. 16-19, 2010 ACFW Conference, Denver, CO
Dec. 1, 2010 MANUSCRIPT DUE
November 1--Grandson #1's 6th birthday
November 18--Grandson #2's 5th birthday
November 23--Daughter #1's birthday
December -- RESERVED for family
December 17--daughter #2's birthday
