I gave birth to my ninth baby this week….I mean book.
Bringing life to a book is a lot like childbirth! This baby, I mean book, has been planned-for about three years – let me explain.
About three years ago the Lord planted this big seed in me and called it 40 days of Lent, I said, “Ok, Lord, that sounds like a great devotional and I’m all in.” It wasn’t the time of year to “get pregnant” with a book so I put it off.
And off.
And off.
This past December, my Three Best Friends and I were in deep quietude one evening and the voice was everything but audible!
This is the year for 40 Days of Lent.
Yes, Lord.
I even got out my gold necklace from 20 years ago, which is simply a block letter charm YES LORD on a chain.
The gestation period was a full month.
Then the labor began: edits, formatting, Kindle formatting, uploads, find more errors, upload again, oh! another edit, upload again! Three times was the charm.
Today, I gave birth to twins!
40 Days of Lent: the people, places and events of the Passion.
The twins names are Paperback and Kindle-edition.
They don’t look exactly alike on the inside – one has embellishments, maps, quotes, and a picture or two; her name is Paperback.
The other one is plain. Words only. No maps, no pictures; his name is Kindle-edition.
So, it’s totally up to you, which one you align yourself with.
But, for this Book Mom? I love them both equally – they are my great heart-work and God has a lovely plan for them.
On this Lenten journey you will meet Bartimaeus, Zacchaeus, Philip the Disciple, and Mrs. Pilate. You will learn about the Sad You See’s, the Fair You See’s, and the Sanhedrin. It is a pilgrimage for pilgrims – the body of Christ.
Travel with me through the 40 days of Lent, beginning March 1st and all the way up to Resurrection Morning (did you know you do not observe Lent on the Sunday’s throughout the Lenten Season?), learn how to roast a fabulous Passover Leg of Lamb, and how to plant your very own Easter garden.
Com’on, let’s quit talking about it and let’s begin the adventure!
And, a postscript: IF you read the book, PLEASE leave a comment on Amazon, PLEASE. I’ll send you sugar on top if you do!
xo
I’m sorry this phone thing
Please delete the previous comment.
Congrats on your New Book
Blessings to you
I deleted! Thanks, Ifeoma!
You already know that I am just in awe of you!
Congratulations on a safe and successful delivery!
IF and when YOU write a book? It will be a BEST-SELLER, you wordsmith, you!!!! xoxoxo
Awesome! Congrats! I’m throwing confetti over here to celebrate. I bought the book, I received it yesterday and I’m looking forward to digging into it. You amaze me and I can’t wait to read how God used you.
Mary, so many thank you’s.
Susan, I am so proud of you. You are quite the teacher of the Word and an inspiration to other writers. I still have a couple of books weaved through the words in my blog. I just haven’t put them together yet. You inspire me.
BE INSPIRED BARBIE – you are a wordsmith! Your heart overflows with a good theme!
How exciting! I love how you describe your process…the waiting, the gestation, the labor, all of it!
I think I’ve been in a time of infertility….lots of ideas, lots of trying, but nothing concrete yet. But GOD!
I’m trusting He has a plan. He knows the what and the when. Trusting (even when it’s hardly a whisper).
Thanks for sharing your story & big confetti congrats!
xo
p.s. can I ask about your process? Did you use the amazon self-publishing? I’ve got a draft of a devotional and I’m thinking of going that route….would love to hear about your experience!
Becky, am going to email you!
Congratulations, Susan! I totally get the book as a baby analogy. Both are lots of hard work.
So much hard work.
Congratulations!
XO
Tammy
Enjoy the labor, Tam’…
Your biblical knowledge is SWEET and I can’t wait to journey along with you for Lent. Congratulations on another great book!
Aw… thank you friend!
Susan,
What a clever way to tell us about your new arrival! 🙂 Love it!
You are an inspiration to us showing how you respond to God and move through the difficult labor of being something beautiful into the world! xo
Valerie, thanks for “coming over!” You add class to my house!
Ive ordered mine!!! Susan Shipe, the Author!
Yes, daughter of The King and the author.
I loved your description of the birthing process of this book, and I’m really looking forward to reading it!
You’re a wonderful voice of faith in this world, Susan, and I admire you more that you know.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2017/02/your-dying-spouse-272-some-fun.html
It’s the old mutual admiration society – do you think the youngsters out there know what that means!!!
So excited for you friend! And this totally made me smile! “Sad You See’s, the Fair You See’s”
AND, Pastor Tara, you know who I’m referring to, yes? 😉
Congratulations! I must admit that I purchased it as soon as you put the link up a few days ago, and couldn’t wait until Lent officially started, so am being blessed already reading it! And, I’m hearing nudgings from my Lord through your words this season! –Blessings to you!
Bettie, thank you. Thank you very much. Will you be so kind to leave a review on Amazon? xo
Yes, I will definitely be leaving a review! 🙂
🙂 ♥
“On this Lenten journey you will meet Bartimaeus, Zacchaeus, Philip the Disciple, and Mrs. Pilate. You will learn about the Sad You See’s, the Fair You See’s, and the Sanhedrin. It is a pilgrimage for pilgrims – the body of Christ.” – This draws me in and makes me want to read more, Susan!!
One day I want to pick your brain about the process….I am doing a blog-to-book method right now and reading up on how-to’s when I can.
PS: Great job!!! You are inspiring.
I should probably write a book about the process!!! Thank YOU for inspiring ME with encouragement. xoxo
TWINS!!!!! xoxo
Congrats, sweet friend! I am new to Lent and love this idea of walking through the season with you! (Plus – did you say Easter Garden?)
I did!!!
Ugh! I don’t know what happened, but I meant to say, “Congratulations! Twins are so exciting! Writing is definitely like a birthing process. How awesome you were able to do two at once!”
I deleted the address! Funny thing is it happened to two others also. Thank you Jerralea!
Congrats! What an exciting birth… I mean accomplishment 😉 I have a similar project stewing this year and I’m working to get it all finished before fall. A significantly longer simmering period but it will be my first so I’m still learning the ropes 😉
Congrats, Susan. How exciting!!
Thanks, Tiffany.
What was that? Sorry.
Congratulations, Susan, and blessings for a successful launch and outreach!
Alice, That address thing has happened several times over the last couple of days, I deleted it right away.
Congratulations! I love the way you described the process. I’ve been procrastinating about that process (although I’ve been justifying very nicely, thank-you) for some time. I plan to get a copy and I’m looking forward to admiring your “baby.” Blessings!
Donna, enjoy my children!!!
Tam’ Haven’t even had time to glance over the post. Traveling friend!!!!
KINDNESS, thank you…