Kim Wilbanks

This week marks two important milestones in my life.

As I write this, it is the beginning of the one-month countdown to my daughter’s wedding.  All of the major decisions have been made.  Invitations have been sent and responses are coming in.  There are a few last minute details to attend to when I get to Birmingham in 3 weeks, the icing on the cake, so to speak. I’m finding it hard to believe it is almost time for the big day!  I either have experienced, am experiencing or most certainly will experience almost every emotion known to womankind in this adventure but that’s a different story.

The other milestone is the one-year anniversary of this blog!  I wrote my first post on August 14, 2014 called And So It Begins.  I was not sure at the time that I would stick with this.  I felt certain that I had words I wanted to share but I wasn’t sure how.  I have learned so much this past year.  I have been encouraged and taught by so many wonderful writers, speakers and bloggers.

An anniversary of any kind needs some kind of commemoration.  I would like to introduce you some of the amazing women I have met in my writing journey this past year.  A special  opportunity awaits you at the end of this post.

Daphne Turango is an author and the leader of Lakeland Christian Writer’s Club. Read about Daphne here: http://blog.daphnewrites.com/.  We meet once a month and share what we are working on and critique each other’s work.   I truly enjoy being a part of this group.

I would like to give a shout out to speaker and writer Tracey Lynn Russell for encouraging me to act on my desire to write and for pointing me in the direction of LCWC http://www.traceylynnrussell.com/ and Beth Miller http://bethwillismiller.blogspot.com/ for encouragement and advice.

Don’t hesitate to read a first work by a new author.  Two of my favorite reads this year were The Girl Called Ella Dessa by fellow LCWC member Karen Campbell Prough http://karencampbellprough.com/ and             Irish Encounter by Hope Toler Dougherty, a new friend I met at a writer’s conference http://hopetolerdougherty.com/.  I look forward to reading more from these two.

A most gracious speaker and published author was one of my instructors at the Florida Christian Writer’s Conference.  Lucinda Secrest McDowell is a wonderful encourager and just a really nice person to know! Follow her here https://lucindamcdowell.wordpress.com/.  I found a kindred spirit in Andy Lee http://wordsbyandylee.com/.  She writes a wonderful blog of encouragement with a focus on the word of God.  Check out her weekly Bite of Bread – a list of Bible verses to focus on each week.  Edie Melson http://thewriteconversation.blogspot.com/p/while-they-serveguideposts-blog.html, is a blogger and social media expert with a heart for ministry to military families.

I met two Lori’s at the Blue Ridge Writer’s Conference and they quickly became two of my favorites.  Lori Hatcher is a speaker and the author of a devotional entitled Hungry For God, Starving for Time (5 minute devotionals for women) http://lori-benotweary.blogspot.com/.  Lori Stanley Roeleveld writes an excellent blog with an interesting tagline . . . Disturber of Hobbits.  I love her for that alone!  She is also an author of a book called Running From a Crazy Man (and other adventures traveling with Jesus). http://loriroeleveld.com/.  I love this unique book of devotionals and you will too!

I have met so many interesting people in this year of writing but these are just a few that I wanted to recognize.  It is interesting, my Facebook page once filled with posts from other school moms, church friends and general acquaintances is now dotted with comments and posts from writers, bloggers and speakers.  Another circle of influence.

So, to celebrate a year of writing, I would like to offer a Give Away!

(Bear with me . . . this is my first attempt at this)

Leave a comment below (NOT ON FACEBOOK), and you will be entered into the drawing for one of the following books (8 winners).  Subscribe to receive my blog posts by email (click on the subscribe box on the left) and you will be entered again.  If you’re already subscribed mention that in your comments and I will add your name again too. Please leave a comment by Tuesday, August 25. I will announce the winners next week!

A collection of Inspirational stories and personal moments with God

Historical fiction set in 19th Century north Georgia by Karen Campbell Prough

A Christian novel set in modern day Ireland and North Carolina by Hope Toler Dougherty

Lucinda Secrest McDowell examines 40 vibrant words from the Word

A collection of inspiring stories by various authors including Andy Lee

Prayers for those with loved ones serving in the military – by Edie Melson

A book of 5-minute devotionals by Lori Hatcher

A different devotional by Lori Roeleveld