First Friday: February 2016

This post is part of a once-a-month series on A Brighter Destiny.

February is upon us! Here's what I've been up to and am looking forward to this coming month.

What I'm thankful for: snow enough for sledding in January; the blessing of watching a DVD of Reverend Adrian Rogers' memorial service; warm sweaters and hot coffee; the old hymns sung at a hymn-sing at our church the other evening; the example of those who have gone before and give me courage.

What I'm reading {fiction}: Still working on The Curate's Awakening by George MacDonald (edited by Michael Phillips) - It is truly excellent, but I've had not too much time to read (leisurely) lately.

What I'm reading {non-fiction}: My love for C.S. Lewis is no secret. I was beyond excited to receive Allister McGrath's C.S. Lewis: A Life for Christmas this year - an intriguing look at this "mere Christian", paying particular attention to his intellectual/mental journey.

What I'm reading {devotions}: After spending time in the Epistles this fall and early winter, I've returned to the Book of John. I'm also continuing and getting a lot from Streams in the Desert.

What I'm looking forward to: Valentine's Day comes very soon! :-) This has been a treasured holiday in our family since I was a little girl. We love to decorate in red and pink, wear our Valentine's Day socks, of course, and make a heart-shaped pizza. This is our pizza from last year: It was very delicious! :-)

What I'm writing: The third book in the A Time of Grace trilogy has been drafted! :-) I'm cleaning up the rough draft before sending it on to my critique partners over the next couple of weeks or so. This book hasn't been christened yet (i.e. no title), but I'm hoping to share a back cover blurb soon with you. Thanks so very much to those of you who have continued to lift this book up before the Lord God - I greatly appreciate each one of you.

What have you been up to, friends? Any books I should put on my TBR list? How do you celebrate Valentine's Day in your family?

Grace and peace,
Alicia

First Friday: January 2016

"See then that you walk circumspectly {"looking all around you"}, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is."

Ephesians 5:15-16 {nkjv}

The Holy Spirit has been pressing these two verses on my mind and heart in recent months, and, as I pin a new calendar up on my door and see the year 2016 greet me, my prayer each day will be, by His grace alone, to "redeem the time" by walking in such a walk that I understand and do the will of the Lord, day by day, moment by moment. 

With that said, a happy New Year to you, friends! May we spend the next one in the new Jerusalem with our Lord and Savior.

Here's what I'm up to in January:

Looking forward to...

Sledding with my niece and nephew; drinking hot chocolate; feeding the sweet squirrels who congregate outside our windows; savoring the last few days of Christmas lights before they get packed away for next year; the sight of crisp stars in a velvet winter sky.

Reading...

Finishing up 1st Peter in my quiet-time; beginning L.B. Cowman's Streams in the Desert {a wonderful Christmas gift!} as my yearly devotional; starting the second book in Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion trilogy; finishing Brother Yun's Living Water.

Writing...

Finishing the rough draft of book 3 in A Time of Grace and getting that off to my gift-from-God beta readers. :-)

What are you looking forward to this January, friends? What's on your reading/writing list for this month?

Grace and peace,

Alicia

First Friday: December 2015

Well, December has certainly arrived here in New England!!! :-) We don't turn the heat on upstairs in our house until *we absolutely have to* -- so I am sitting here writing to you all well-wrapped against the cold, a bit like Jo March:

{click for source info}

The advantage that I have over Miss March, warmth-wise, is that I have a pug, whose purpose is To Keep Others Warm. ;-)

Now, in this wonderful month of the Child-Child's birth, let me share a bit of what I'm up to with you, friends. It is, after all, the First Friday of December. :-)

In December, I'm looking forward to...

• The fresh, cold scent of new-cut pine
• The taste of warm sugar cookies, pulled just-now from the oven
• The feeling of frozen feet gradually gaining warmth from an old pair of Irish stepdancing socks
• The sight of the first *real* snow -- We can hope for a white Christmas, no?
• The sound of my family's exaggerated "ooh"s and "ahh"s at the Christmas tree's first lighting

And right now, I'm currently...

• Reading (fiction) - Francine Rivers' A Voice in the Wind - So far, I am loving it!
• Reading (nonfiction) - John Piper's When the Darkness Will Not Lift - Good thus far. Will be beginning Eric Ludy's Wrestling Prayer soon, which comes highly recommended from both my mama and my husband.
• Reading (in Scripture) - 1st Peter - I'm trying a new kind of Bible journaling/study pattern and perhaps will share how I like it in the weeks ahead. :-)
• Writing - Book Three in A Time of Grace! Please pray for perseverance for me. :-) (You can check to see my progress in the little word-count meter on the side-bar here.)
• Thankful to the Lord for - the wonderful way in which "the pug book" has been received; the joy of having kindred spirits in my sisters and Mama; and the way in which the Lord from on high descended to earth, bringing - *being* the Great Gift to each of us. 
• And pinning this: 

  

  {click to repin or for source info}

What are you anticipating, reading, or doing this month of Advent, friends? :-)

Grace and peace,
Alicia

First Friday: November 2015

What a month of activity October was! :-) From helping my dear sister and her family move halfway across the country to finishing up the launch of All Our Empty Places, October fairly bulged with hustle-and-bustle. But here I am, in one piece :-) -- and looking forward to what this new month holds.

What am I looking forward to in November? 

What am I doing now?

THE SENSES
Scents: The new sharpness in the air as the last leaves drift from the trees / the smell of roasting turkey and pumpkin pie / the dusty odor of the earth as we finish tucking our gardens and yard to bed for the winter.
Sounds: The late fall rains against the window panes / the melodies of hymns our family sings at Thanksgiving / the happy laugh of the robin when he lands in our bare crab-apple tree
Sights: The joyful, well-loved faces around our holiday table / filled boxes for Operation Christmas Child (click to find out more) / the clear skies of a late autumn night

IN LIFE
Bible: I'm reading the Book of Judges - written so long ago, yet with messages so pertinent to my life today.
Books: I'm still reading Gold by Moonlight (taking my time to mine it well) and am also reading Living Water by Brother Yun, a Chinese house-church pastor and survivor of intense persecution. His book is truly excellent - Every Christian should read it. Expect to hear more about this one soon. :-)
Writing: I finished up the main work for "the pug book" -- Some of you may remember that I ran into severe formatting issues last year with it and never finished it. Well, I decided to try again :-) and am happy to say that this little fun read-aloud about a pug who *thought* that he was useless should be ready for release within a few weeks, Lord willin' and the crick don't rise. :-)
I'm also working with intensity on A Time of Grace Book 3. If I come to your mind, would you keep my writing on this one in your prayers? Thank you! <3

What are you looking forward to, friends? :-)

Grace and peace through Him who died for us,
Alicia

September: First Friday (A Week Late!)

Yes, I know! :-)

It's not a "first Friday"! I'm a week late - but better late than never? ;-)

What am I looking forward to? What am I doing now?

THE SENSES

Scents: The smell of burning leaves in barrels; the aroma of my mom's apple pie baking in the oven; the new crispness of the air as it enters my lungs.

Sounds: The crackle of fallen leaves under my feet; the honking of Canada geese as they gather to fly to warmer climes; the crickets harmonizing through the evening hours.

Sights: The glorious, watercolor sunsets of autumn; the first time I see my breath clouding in the morning air; the cold-weather coats coming in on the house rabbits.

IN LIFE

Bible: I'm reading the Book of Hosea and seeing in it so much of our Heavenly Father's love for us, each, individually.

Fiction: Correlating with that, I'm reading Francine Rivers' Redeeming Love, based on Hosea. There is a story to why I'm reading them together - a complete God-incidence. :-)

Nonfiction: Amy Carmichael's Gold by Moonlight. One of my favorite missionaries of the near-past.

Writing: I'm - oh, this is so exciting to my soul! - working on the plot for A Time of Grace, Book 3. :-D

Releasing: This month, All Our Empty Places releases in softcover and on Kindle on Tuesday, September 29, 2015! There will be a grand giveaway and fun posts associated with that, so stay tuned, friends! :-)

Other: I'm starting a "Street Team" over on Facebook - basically, a group of folks who love my novels and want to get the word out about them to others! :-) If you'd like to join, send me a message at aliciagraceroque (at) gmail (dot) com, and I'll get you signed up. :-)

May the Lord bless you and keep you in His love.

Grace and peace,

Alicia

First Friday: August 2015

This post is part of a once-a-month series on A Brighter Destiny. Each "First Friday," I'll glance over my mental list for that month and reveal to you some of the things to which I'm looking forward this month - both writerly and more personally.

I'm hoping that your summer is going well, friends! Mine is going... FAST! My favorite time of year is just around the corner. :-)  Without further ado, let me draw back the curtain on what I've been doing and thinking over the past month or so, and what I'm looking forward to in the month ahead!

What I'm thankful for: The unchanging Truth Who is Jesus Christ, in the midst of a constantly-shifting culture - that He will "never, no never forsake" His children.

What I'm anticipating in nature: Oh, my favorite season! Autumn is coming - Crisp air that stings our noses, the scent of burning leaves, the sight of chubby squirrels gorging on nuts before the winter, the sound of the Canada geese flying south.

What I'm reading in Scripture: Right now, I'm in 1st Timothy and then will be moving onto 2nd Timothy, I think. In response to John Pollock's book The Apostle, I've become fascinated with Paul's writing. I spent July reading 1st & 2nd Thessalonians over-and-over because of John Pollock, too! (If you haven't read The Apostle, I give it my highest recommendation.)

What I'm reading in fiction: In July, I cried as I read Joanne Bischof's This Quiet Sky on the beach - My one-sentence review? If you like nostalgic historical fiction that asks questions that are relevant for all time, this is a wonderful novella. :-) This month, I'm just starting in on Kate Breslin's Esther-inspired novel For Such a Time. I ordered it from the library, and it came in today! :-) I was a happy camper. I'm also starting in on Michael Phillips' Heather Song, the sequel to Angel Harp, which I really enjoyed overall.

What I'm writing: Nothing! (gasp!) INSTEAD, I'm editing - editing - editing All Our Empty Places. And I believe that - by this time next week - you'll know what the cover looks like! (I am grinning widely as I type that!) Hoping, by God's grace, to release this second book in the A Time of Grace trilogy within the next few weeks. Please keep the book and me in your prayers as I work with my early readers, editor-helpers, and cover designer to make this the best offering to our God that it can be. 

What have you been up to? What are you looking forward to, friends?

Grace and peace,
Alicia

First Friday: May 2015

This post is part of a once-a-month series on A Brighter Destiny. Each "First Friday," I'll glance over my mental list for that month and reveal to you some of the things to which I'm looking forward this month - both writerly and more personally.

FIRST FRIDAY: May 2015

As a side note: Spring seems to be flying by, doesn't it? 

What I'm thankful for: The way our God is ever patient with His children.

2014's lilacs, obtained from an obliging graveyard!

What I'm anticipating in nature: The lilacs blooming so very soon! :-) They're my favorite spring flower - except for crab-apple blossoms, but those are so short-lived. (sigh)

For those of you who are wondering what crab-apple blossoms look like, here they are! :-)

What I'm writing: I've nearly finished the sequel to The Fragrance of Geraniums! Excitement to share this one with you all is making my lips turn up into a grin every time I think of it! :-) Right now, I can see the end in sight and believe that the rough draft will be complete by early next week. Then, while my first readers utilize their red pens on that, I'll work on outlining and writing the next Jemima Sudbury book. :-) Thanks to those of you who have waited for book 2 so patiently! :-)

What I'm reading {fiction}: Right now, I'm almost done with Beverly Lewis's The River. So far, it's been excellent, and I'm hoping to get a review up when I finish it. Definitely, I'll put one up on Goodreads; if you're not following my reviews and you wish to, here's the link - Click here. After I finish The River, I should revisit my TBR list and start checking some off!

What I'm reading {non-fiction}: Still some research materials for the sequel to The Fragrance of Geraniums, plus I'll be picking up some more for the next Jemima Sudbury book. 

What I'm reading {devotions}: I just finished the Book of Isaiah today {perfect timing!} and believe that I'll be starting a New Testament book tomorrow. I'm also continuing with Oswald Chambers's My Utmost for His Highest.

What I'm baking: Wait! Before I tell you what I'm going to make this month, can I show a picture of the Cadbury Creme Egg Cheesecake from Easter? Pretty-please? :-) Alright, if you insist! ;-) If anyone would like to make it, I found the recipe here: click here.

Due to the enormous number of birthdays in our family in the spring (no complaints!), I'll be making another cake this weekend - blueberry-lemon... Oh, I am so excited!!! :-)

What events I'm looking forward to: My brother-in-law's seminary graduation, a nephew's birthday, Mother's Day, of course, and the true arrival of flip-flop season (shh... don't tell, but I've been wearing them since the end of March).

What I'm pinning: Lots and lots to my "Sequel to the Fragrance of Geraniums" board! Take a peek (clickable)!

Follow Alicia G's board Sequel to The Fragrance of Geraniums on Pinterest.

How about you? What are you thankful for this past month, and what are you looking forward to in the month ahead? I'd love to know! :-) And thanks to each of you who lift up my writing - and me - to our Heavenly Father.

Grace and peace,

Alicia

First Friday: April 2015

This post begins a new once-a-month series on A Brighter Destiny! Each "First Friday," I'll glance over my mental list for that month and reveal to you some of the things to which I'm looking forward this month - both writerly and more personally. I'm excited to start this series and hope that you enjoy it!

FIRST FRIDAY: April 2015

What I'm thankful for: God's continual lovingkindness toward me {Isaiah 43:1-7}

What I'm anticipating in nature: the sparrows beginning to build their nests in our backyard

What I'm writing: the sequel to The Fragrance of Geraniums - Lord willing and the crick don't rise, I should finish the rough draft this month. Once that is finished, I'll let you know the title and release date! {Newsletter subscribers: Yes, you'll get to know first! :-)}

What I'm reading {fiction}: I just finished Tessa Afshar's In the Field of Grace; my review of that will be forthcoming. {Let it suffice to say for now that I really enjoyed it!} Now, I'm beta-reading A.M. Heath's new book In the Shadow of Thy Wings - If it's half as good as the first one in that series {which I reviewed here}, I'm in for a historical fiction treat!

What I'm reading {non-fiction}: The Apostle by John Polluck {some might consider this fiction :-)} plus research materials for the sequel to The Fragrance of Geraniums

What I'm reading {devotions}: I'm working my way through the Book of Isaiah and continuing with Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest.

What I'm baking: Oh, I know you want to know! ;-) I'm making a Cadbury Creme Egg Cheesecake for Easter, plus lots of birthday cakes {see below}.

What events I'm looking forward to: Easter, of course - The Day of the Resurrection of the Lord Christ. And there are lots of family birthdays this month! So enjoyable and such a wonderful time to give thanks to the Lord for putting these people in my life in such a integral way. I am a blessed lady.

What am I pinning: This {feel free to pin as well} -

Thanks to those of you who send me notes of encouragement and pray for me in this writing journey. I am most thankful for you, friends!

And how about YOU? What are you looking forward to in the coming month?