February is the month of love. Valentine’s Day brings the purchase of cards, candy and jewelry. People take this month to express their feelings for the ones they love.
In that light, I would like to express my love and appreciation for those of you that supported me during my stay at club Fed, and those of you that continue to encourage and support me as I build my life again. Please know that your love, prayers, encouragement and financial gifts have been an inspiration to me. I never lost hope in the American heart, and I will continue to work for the day when our country is what it was meant to be again. Now, here’s an update on my life:
First, I am rebuilding relationships. I am re-bonding with my family and friends, and getting to know them all over again. When I left, my children were in high school. Now they are in college and I can’t treat them like children anymore. Those days are gone. Our relationship has changed from mother/children to friend and advisor/young adults. I still can’t help doing a little mothering now and then.
I am working part time at my church while I attend seminary. My church, of which I have been a member for 25 years, has bent over backwards to make my transition smooth, and I thank my Pastor for being in my corner all the way through my trials and tribulations (www.abundant.net). My major is Christian studies, and I am learning to defend the faith, understand Scripture and learn what it means to us today. I acquired a student loan that will cover the entire degree. Last semester I managed to eke out straight “A’s” (I only take 2 classes at a time). This quarter may be more of a challenge because of the way my schedule has developed. I am having trouble getting into a rhythm, but I pray that that rhythm will come before too long.
I have sent three of seven of my books to copyright, and one has been professionally edited. I will have to wait to get funding to get the books published. I want them to be professionally done. I am looking at Xulon Press, but I am open to other options – you have to be when you are on a shoe string budget. The other four books are in some stage of completion, from 50% to 80%. I have to get them typed into the computer through a program called Dragon Naturally Speaking. I work on them during breaks in school.
I plan to launch two ministries; a women’s ministry and a socio-political ministry, by the end of the summer. These won’t be 503(c)(3) ministries, and I don’t plan to incorporate. I will have to figure out a way to receive sponsorship and keep the ministries functioning without the requisite strings that come with the non-profit status. I would like to begin accepting speaking engagements in the fall, hoping that at least one of my books will be out by then. I plan to share my experiences, insights and the wisdom God has given me, to help us make ourselves and our environments better and stronger. I will keep you informed on the progress of the ministries and the books.
This year I will be done with supervised release (barring any complications) and I will turn 50! I am planning to have a big party either at the end of summer or in mid fall, and I will be inviting everyone interested in attending. I will update you about the party as things develop.
I have had some health challenges lately. They stem from getting older. I spent the last day of 2011 and the first day of 2012 in the hospital. Please keep me in your prayers. I don’t want any surgeries or drugs.
To conclude, this year is a pivotal year for more than one reason. In the quest for excellence we all have our up’s and down’s. The main thing is that we keep on striving and don’t give up (Galatians 6:9). Make the best of this year by being the person you were meant to be; for yourself, your family and for all of us. That’s my aim. Make it yours.