The Weekend is Here...Time to Work!

I look forward to my weekends as much as the next person yet as the book release gets closer it seems my to-do-lists get longer. How can this be? I thought March would be the calm before the beautiful storm shower of love and hope in April. Not so much. Of course some of this build up on the lists is from the near two weeks spent in bed with the flu yet some is just the items you can only do directly before the release.

I continue to learn and marvel at all an author does to prepare a manuscript for submission/publication and then the magnitude of things, both little and big, required before the release date arrives. My sweet friend, Elaine W. Miller, author of We All Married Idiots and the Splashes of Serenity series, http://splashesofserenity.com/, tried to prepare me yet no amount of word explanation can express what lies ahead for the first time author. It is as much work and it's also just as much fun and the blessings far out weigh the stressors, just like she told me. It is one wonderful ride!

I saw this graphic and smiled. This is how I look most weekends and even some late evenings during the school week. Do you notice his smile? Yes, his tongue is sticking out but he is smiling. This truly is a labor of love. Over the past two and a half years I've met some amazing people, heard life-changing stories, and experienced another level of healing thanks to all of you.

The people I've "met" online through Facebook, Linked In, Google, Twitter, Pinterest, and here at the blog encourage and inspire me on a daily basis. The people I've met at various speaking engagements extend hugs, prayers, and encouragement above and beyond anything I could have dreamed. I can't forget the cards, notes, and the words of encouragement written within each that arrived at my post office box. There are days I ask, "Am I strong enough for this?"

God answers the same way, "No Lisa, YOU are not strong enough for this but with me, TOGETHER we will have a great month and journey." Striving to keep my eyes focused on Him and not let the lists, schedule, and things cloud my vision - this book is for Heidi and Him.

"Glory in his holy name;    
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced..."
1 Chronicles 16:10-12

So this morning, after some coffee and quiet time, I will join others at church for an Easter choir practice. Once home, I'll put my author and speaker hat on until supper. After we enjoy dinner together, we plan to attend the Mexico High School's production of "State Fair". I've heard wonderful reviews and we are looking forward to this time together. If you are in the Mexico, New York area tonight at 7 p.m., stop by the high school and enjoy a great musical. I hear the pit band is awesome too. See you there!

How do you spend your "free" time?