Last week was a week of highs and lows. On Thursday, I learned my second Weldon novel, Every Day Filled with Hope, is a finalist for a Selah Award in the Contemporary Women’s Fiction category. Almost a week later, it’s still hard to take in. I am so honored my novel and name are listed among the other talented Christian authors.This is evidence God’s hand continues to guide me along my challenging writing journey. I am very grateful to my agent, Tim Beals, President – CEO, of Credo Communications, LLC. I also thank God for my fabulous editors, Michele Chenowyth, and Deb Haggerty, with Elk Lake Publishing, and my developmental editor Jamie Clarke Chavez.

Joy overwhelmed me, but just as I was about to celebrate, the storms raged through Kentucky on Friday, and so many people I love suffered damage to their homes. According to the Lexington Herald Leader, our area experienced wind speeds of 71 mph. My father-in-law’s home caught fire after a tree limb fell on an electric line and sparked a fire. Firefighters fought the blaze for over eight hours as the winds continued to blow. I am thankful for all the front-line workers and many volunteers. Even as they fought the fire, the fireman rescued family photos hanging on the wall. I am grateful no one was hurt during the calamity. I witnessed the very best of mankind on Friday. There are many things for which to be thankful. My father-in-law was not home when the house caught on fire. I don’t want to think about what might have happened if he’d been home asleep in his recliner. Thank you, Jesus, for protecting him.

So many people in our community lost power, and utility workers from across the state responded to the call for help. It was common last weekend to see convoys of utility trucks driving down our rural roads. Seeing these trucks continues to bring tears to my eyes because I am so thankful for them and their sacrifice. Last Monday night, it was after eight o’clock when workers left the field next to our home. It was definitely a high point of the week when electricity was restored at my house on Sunday evening.

March 3^rd has been difficult for my family for more than one reason. On March 3, 1969, my father-in-law was injured in a tank battle in Viet Nam. He was the only person from his tank to survive. Even though he was severely injured, he healed and returned home when 58,209 soldiers lost their lives in Viet Nam according to historyofmyamerica.com. It seems bad luck that my father-in-law lost his home to fire fifty-four years later. However, he survived this incident without injury, so I consider this a blessing from God. Although looking at the rubble is hard, my father-in-law has everything he needs.

Please keep my family and me in your prayers and ask God to give us wisdom as to how to best help my father-in-law. He is currently staying with my brother-in-law. Insurance adjusters will tour what’s left of the home on Friday. I’m unsure what to expect, but I know God is on his throne, so all will be well.

I refuse to allow Satan to continue to steal my joy. So today, I will celebrate how God has blessed my family and me. I will shout and sing praises to the Lord that my novel, Every Day Filled with Hope, is a finalist for a Selah Award. God called me to write. He gave me the story that has received recognition. I am a little broken twig in God’s hands, and it’s because I’m broken and weak that His glory shines through. To God be the glory.