Writing in an Unruly World

G3, Slow Schooling, and...plants? An insatiably curious woman and her current goings on.

It’s almost in your hands!!

I returned from Atlanta last Saturday full of gratitude not only for the teaching and encouragement of the G3 conference, but also that the bomb threat that evacuated all of the attendees on Friday night came to nothing other than a lengthy sweep with dogs over the evening and an arrest of the individual who raised such a distressing alarm. “Well,” I remember thinking at the time, “at least that person knows the gospel at this point. I hope he repents!”

We all, six ladies of whom half were in wheelchairs in our travels, made the long trip across the country on a lark. One of the women mentioned the conference in passing at our Bible study, and once we discovered the theme of the event (The Sovereignty of God), and which speakers were scheduled, our eldest study friend began the cry of, “I want to go to that!” And so this 83 year old woman gathered the rest of us with her and off we went, planes, trains (well, trams, if you want to be so precise), and automobiles. We came home three days later with our hearts full, plenty of graphic tees, roasted coffee beans (“the coffee that chooses you”), and our luggage heavy with winter reading. It was magnificent.

While I was away, my husband worked hard doing the complicated work behind the scenes of getting my next book, Slow Schooling, published. Four books later, I still feel the same nausea of sitting at the top of a roller coaster, wondering who do I think I am to dare to write anything whatsoever at all, in any format, for any purpose. I’m grateful for all of the people in my life, my readers especially, who gently (and yes sometimes pointedly) urge me to continue to write. I think I am the one most in need of my writing, this processing of thought and experience and knowledge and angst, and for the reminder always that because God is in my midst, I shall not be moved from His grace in overseeing and equipping me in all that He has given me to do.

So, YES, Slow Schooling is going to be released (Lord willing!) on October 9. If you’re a kindle reader, you can pre-order your copy now. If you prefer paperback, you’ll have to set your calendar alarm and purchase your copy direct on the 9th of October. Unfortunately, that’s how it goes for independent authors (no pre-orders for paperbacks). But, fortunately, all of us buying copies on the same day will really elevate the visibility of this book to parents looking for a simplified view on homeschooling. And much like the movement towards slow living, and slow foods, Slow Schooling offers help on how to engage children with a variety of subjects, and enjoy the whole homeschooling lifestyle where childhood is honored and protected rather than rushed and wasted. I’ve already offended one public school proponent with this book, so beware of any itchy triggers! If you are one of my paid Substack subscribers (thank you!), you already have access to this book via the chapters I have released here, AND you can expect regular private Substack chats as we delve into the book together, much like an online book club. I can’t wait!

Lastly, I’ve been working on gathering all of my notes and the resources I’ve acquired over the past two decades of my herbalism education. I want to use my experience and knowledge to help others not only know of the alternatives to using pharma for a variety of conditions, but to understand dosages and how to make their own medicines. The last few years have shaken me up to not just practice these alternatives quietly, but to equip and empower others to do likewise for themselves and their own households. I’ve started a new Instagram page to begin sharing that aspect of my life, and if you are at all interested, you can follow me there as well: Benevolent Healer. (Do you already follow me on my personal account?)

Since my return last weekend, the skies have opened up to relentless rain. Autumn has announced its arrival with an unalterable shift. I sense that shift here at home as well, and rather than getting blown about the waves of an uncertain sea, I’m going to fix my eyes upon Jesus, trust Him to hang on to me, and I’ll continue to pick up my pencil. Thank you all for being a part of my short and sweet sojourning in this unruly world.

P.S. Remember to either preorder your kindle version, or show up to order your paperback copy of Slow Schooling on October 9!

P.P.S. Links in this post are affiliate links, so that I can get paid to buy more pencils and notebooks to put forth more words with the voice of thanksgiving (Ps 26:7)