A late post as I didn't do well with my time management this past weekend, looking to do better this weekend. The good news is that I realize how much the way I've been organizing my time has helped me during the work week. Maybe I needed the reminder that a few hours on Sunday save me at least an hour a day during the week.

I'm also thankful I didn't post already because I have exciting news to share. This past July I signed up as an Epicure consultant and I enjoy this on so many levels. Not only has my health had a positive impact, I'm having so much fun sharing health, wellness, and time saving tips with others.

Tonight I closed my first $500 cooking class. I think I may have been even more excited than my hostess, yet it may be too close to determine. To celebrate I tossed confetti (paper shredding that was set by the door for recycling) in the air. My lawn looks like it snowed and my heart is overflowing.

I appreciate ALL my hostesses and customers so much! I've met some cool people and learn something from each one. I wasn't sure I'd ever be the consultant for a $500 cooking class yet I was determined to have one before year end and I accomplished this...tonight!

I share this with all of you as an encouragement! Don't give up on the goals you set. Set them high and strive to reach them. In addition to this wonderful journey with Epicure, my first devotional releases in January!! It's an Lenten Devotional. If you'd like to be a part of my promo team, email me: livinwithlisa.keepingitreal@gmail.com. I hope to kick off the promo after Christmas and through January, leading up to Lent. God is good, I'm grateful for the encouragement He showed me tonight and on this journey. #KeepingitReal

My first podcast aired May 2, 2018. These were longer than they are now and included music. Over the past two years the podcast has changed and improved as I listened to more podcast and learned about airing and sharing podcasts. My hope is to be a life-long learner, applying all I learn to help others. In addition, my prayer is to listen and accept feedback from you, my listeners and readers, and to make modifications that enhance your listening and reading experiences. This is part of the process, to learn and grow, together, and as people of faith.

I share this because there has been a shift on the podcast. You can still listen three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but the direction and focus has changed. For the past year or so, the Friday podcast was a series called "Faith Filled Friday". These are my listeners' favorite episodes to date, and they were my favorite to record. I'm glad I checked my stats (I don't do this often) because it gave me an idea.

Instead of having a series spread out over a month because it only aired on Friday, I've changed and each week is a series in itself. I planned to try it for a couple weeks and if it was well received. After the second week, it was evident that this new format is a success. Not only are more people listening, I look forward to recording and publishing the podcast. It's a win-win. A woman at the grocery store stopped me the other day, "I didn't know you have a podcast, I love the weekly series. You have a new listener." I thanked her, and I thanked God because it was His leading that brought on the realization. My podcast is through AnchorFm but is available on other formats too.

How do you spend your Saturdays? I enjoy taking time to relax and catch up on all the neglected, overlooked, and trivial things I ignored because of exhaustion after getting home from work. Why do I share this with you?

I'm glad you asked. If we let the busyness of life and the piles left in their wake, we allow ourselves to become overwhelmed, exhausted, irritable, moody, depressed, and these are only a few. Today, instead of focusing on your lists, piles, laundry, and preparing for the next week...take some time to read, relax, pray, and absorb some quiet. If you pray, ask God to speak to your heart.

Ask Him:
What am I avoiding? What is missing? Why do I work so hard to stay busy? What motivates my busyness? God, when you look at me, what do you see is missing? Help me Lord to fill in the missing piece with the person, thing, or time YOU desire. May I accept its okay, and healthy to not have a busy plate. Amen.

Now the most important part, LISTEN to what God is showing you then ask Him to guide you and give you the strengthen you as you fill in the space. When you remove the busyness ad hustle with peace and prayer. You will be amazed, blessed, and encouraged as your missing pieces are filled with an Eternal peace, grace, and mercy. Good luck and enjoy the weekend!

Do you remember Jeanette Levellie and Beth Gormong? They were guests on my podcast and blog when their first devotional, Hello Beautiful!, released. ​​ I'm pleased to share they have released their second book together and it is even better than the first.

If you like to doodle, journal, draw, and color then this is must buy. Their stories will draw you closer to God, connect with people of the Bible, and strengthen your relationship with God and your prayer life. Their gift of writing, sharing, encouraging, and uplifting others is only surpassed by their bubbly and lovely personalities.

​I hope you'll take time to listen to their interview on today's podcast, it's embedded above for your convenience in case you land on this blog after September 3, 2020. I appreciate all of you and I promise this interview will make you laugh and you'll feel like you've known Beth and Jeannette for year. The laughter, honest sharing, and sharing tidbits about their newest release will leave you wanting more. Happy Listening and remember to share it on your social media feeds. Tag Jeannette Levellie, Beth Gormong, and myself when you share so we can say hello.

Today I want to give a HUGE shout out to a couple authors and dear friends. Beth Gormong and Jeanette Levellie released their second devotional. Individually, they are powerful, moving, and inspiring authors and women. Together, they are a powerhouse of encouragement for others, especially women. 

Their first book, Hello Beautiful! released last year ad I had the honor to have both of them guest on my podcast. We laughed, cried, and enjoyed sharing their writing lives, fun personalities, and their first devotional as a duo.

Last year we attended the same Christian Writers' Conference and I was there when they signed for their newest release, Yes, You Can!. It was exciting and there was a lot of joy shared during the conference, prior to the hard work of writing, editing, and meeting deadlines. I'm grateful to know both of these women and to celebrate and share their newest release with all of you. In addition to this spotlight on my blog, Jeanette and Beth will be guests on an upcoming podcast too. I look forward to visiting and laughing with these two ladies. They are role models and encouragers! 

I haven't started mine yet, it only arrived yesterday but know this, it's the next one on my reading list. If you are looking for a new devotional, check this one out! These ladies don't disappoint ad I'm sure there will be much laughter, tears, reflection, and growth through reading this book. For now, I just want to share and congratulate them. Your life will be blessed through both these books. Be sure to click on their names and pictures for direct links to their personal websites and blogs. Sign up to follow them and learn about their other writing endeavors too. 
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Their newest release, Yes, You Can! Overcome Crisis with God's Help released this past week. I am so excited for them and their readers. If you haven't checked out their first devotional, Hello Beautiful! Finally Love Yourself Just as You Are, click on the title ad you can order both copies. You will not be disappointed.

It has been a busy few months. Since March I have been working on my first devotional, scheduled to release in January or February 2021. In June I shared about this new book and setting goals in order to accomplish the release in time for you, my readers, to purchase the book prior to Lent so you can enjoy this Journey to Easter!

My writing, edits, and changes concluded in June, five months after starting. It was sent to the proofreader/editor for and she worked her editorial gifting, not once, but twice. She returned it to me and I went back to work making changes, playing with words, and omitting. I returned the rewrite and I received the final copy over the weekend. Only a few more changes BUT I learned so much. She was amazing! The editor went above and beyond, explaining why some of the changes were made, triple checked my Scripture verses, and explained some Biblical misunderstandings I had, or was conveying by the way I worded things. Phew...

I'm so thankful God gifted people who are PUGS Super Heroes! What are PUGS you ask - PUGS are my nemesis but this is why I hire an editor because I like to write and know my weaknesses. 
PUGS
Punctuation
Usage
Grammar
Sentence Structure
You might think it's time to relax and wait for January BUT this is only the beginning of the next step. Now it's time to format the books, add the nuts and bolts that turn an author's writing into a book. This is the fun part for me. Some authors procrastinate and dislike formatting because it's not the most creative part of the process yet I enjoy it because I start to see how my sticky notes and scrap papers are transformed into a book. 

I'm sharing the video I made in June when the first set of proofs arrived. Since then, I have received two more and can't wait to finish the formatting so I can receive the fourth, and hopefully final, proof before it goes into publication. I'll be looking for people to join my pre-release and book promotion later this early and into the New Year. If this is something you are interested, stay tuned and I'll let you know when it's time and how you can help. Have a great day!