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This is my Story of Second Chances, Healing, Finding Hope, and Learning to Dream Again.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Time for Change



This will be my last post to Rebekah's Jubilee. When I began this blog in December of 2012 all I had was a dream and a manuscript, and no idea what to do with either. This has been a place for me to share my story of "second chances, healing, finding hope, and learning to dream again."

Many of you have walked this journey with me from the beginning. Some of you are joining me now as I move forward to see what God has planned next. I feel like I'm finally doing what He created me to do and what He had been preparing me for through the difficult years leading up to 2011, when "Through Every Valley" was born.

This has been a very personal place of sharing, and I feel it's time to create a more professional blog. I have created an official author website from which I will be blogging from now on. I don't know what direction my writing career will take from here, but I have confidence in God's purposes for me and in his timing for my dreams to be achieved.

Four months ago, I released my novel on Amazon with both hope and fear. I have been very blessed by the support and encouragement you have all given me along the way. I could never have come this far without it, and I hope you will continue to pray for me and walk along side me through the new adventures that lie ahead.

Welcome to my new website:

RebekahColburn.weebly.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Book Two Update

If you read "Through Every Valley," you know that Annette Hamilton played a very key role in Vivian's story. If you were wondering what really happened between her and Ricky, what happened to her after that, and if she ever found the "fresh start" Vivian hoped for her--then watch for Book II of the series, "Of Wind and Sky."

Many of you have been asking me when it will be released, and I'm happy to report that the rough draft is currently in the hands of my editing team, and I have begun consulting with my graphic designer on the cover.

If all goes according to plan, "The Whisper of Dawn" will be available Summer 2014.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Feeling the Love

Love is patient. Love is kind. And sometimes love is spontaneous and crazy.

On Valentine's Day, at 11:30 p.m. Ben impulsively decides, "Let's go to the beach!"

"Are you serious?" I ask, not quite sure how to take him. He was serious. So we make coffee, dress warmly, wake up the dog, and hit the road by midnight. By 1:30 a.m. we've reached Ocean City and are walking on the beach in the moonlight.

One of the things I love about Ben is that he can make me do things I would never otherwise do. Without him, I'd live a very serious and simple life. There is a saying that "opposites attract," and Ben and I are testimony to its truth.




This year's moonlit walk will always be a special memory. But another thing I love is that every year, Grace knows I'm not the only one who's going to receive flowers and a gift. Nothing makes you love a man more than when you see him loving your child.



And nothing melts your heart quite like when your child shows you love, too. The morning of my book signing, Grace's first worry upon waking was the pen I would be using. She remembered that many authors have special pens they use to sign their books, but I couldn't find what I was looking for at the store. So she jumps out of bed and hurries to her desk. "Here, you can use my favorite pen. I love the way it writes. Just don't use up all the ink." I think I can promise that!

Although I didn't get to bed until 4:00 a.m. Saturday morning and spent most of the day recovering from our crazy adventure (I'm getting a little old for the all-nighters!), I'm feeling very blessed and grateful, and appreciating all the love!

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Objective: Relax



Everyone knows that New Year’s Resolutions are nonsense. Who actually keeps those for more than a few weeks? So I prefer to take opportunities like my birthday or New Year’s to evaluate who I am and ask what I need to change to be a better follower of Christ and a better woman, wife, and mother. One of the things I realized—and I’m afraid it’s nothing new—is that I really need to learn how to RELAX.

Some people take life one day at time. They just take what is in front of them. Must be nice. I am self-published, so in terms of my writing career, I don’t have a boss to report to or deadlines to stress about. I’m my own boss. But unfortunately, I’m a very demanding one.

My list of things to do is massive, and what I want to accomplish each week is usually more than is humanly feasible. Because I do have a paying job, a house to clean, and a family who counts on me for meals and clean clothing. And I’m grateful for my job, my home, and my family. I just need more hours in the day, that’s all.

I find myself thinking that although sleeping and eating are essential, they are such a waste of precious time. I have too much to get done! And then I remind myself that the world isn’t going to come to a shrieking halt if I don’t get my novel published on Smashwords this week, or if I don’t get the white laundry folded. It’s mostly socks anyway.

I finished the rough draft of Book Two, and now I’m eager to read through it and make necessary revisions and edits. And I'm already taking notes for when I begin Book Three. But I need to balance my desire to work on books 2 & 3 with the practical necessity of promoting the first. I spent the day driving around on Friday and found a few bookstores on the Eastern shore willing to put it on their Local Author shelf, and when I have a chance, I’ll target Annapolis.

I’m still trying to get used to the role of Novelist. And the idea of book signings still makes me anxious. I’m scheduled on February 8th at the News Center in Easton from eleven to one o’clock, for those of you on the Eastern Shore.

But I’m going to try to take deep breaths and relax, keeping it all in perspective. There’s always tomorrow for what didn’t get done today. And there’s always next week for what doesn’t get done this week.

So this is me, cuddling with my seventy pound puppy and trying to just relax!

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

The Spinning Wheel: A New Year's Reflection



Yesterday I was wondering why my right foot hurt. It’s been for months now. And then suddenly—I remembered. In 1999, I was moving into a new house. And some recent events had left me feeling upset, which was why I wasn’t paying as much attention to what I was doing as I should have been. I picked up the antique spinning wheel to place it in the living room, but the pedal shifted and I dropped it. On my right foot. And a rusty nail stabbed me right between my toes.

There’s a little scar there to remind me of that event, but I had almost entirely forgotten about it. Sometimes we just go on, refusing to slow down and pay attention to the things that are shaping us in one way or another. Sometimes the scars are there, we just stop seeing them.

As 2013 comes to a close, I challenge you to stop and reflect on the challenges, joys and sorrows that have shaped you over the course of this year. What were the valleys that held you down, or the mountains that you celebrated? And in the middle of it all, how did you see God at work in your life and feel his presence?


For me, 2013 was a pivotal year in many ways, though not necessarily easy. Applying for and obtaining the loan for our home—mostly dealing with the spastic loan officer—was a huge ordeal, causing me more headaches and stress than I care to recall. Then there was the introduction of a puppy to our household. Imagine potty training an eight week old puppy from the third floor of an apartment building. Fun times.

And NOTHING has been the same since.


And, of course, there was the process of deciding what to do with my novel. And once having decided, seeing it through to completion. Another nightmare. But now it's behind me and the book is out for sale.


There’s the saying that nothing worth having comes easily. When I look at all the things in my life that really matter, like my daughter, my husband, my home, and my novel, even the person that I’m growing into—all of them fit that description. And I can see God at work through all the trials, teaching and reshaping me.

I have so much more growing to do—and I’m sure there are many more challenges to come. Whatever the future holds, I want to carry the wisdom I’ve gained with me into the new year and not be forced to repeat any of the lessons!

So pay attention to what falls on your foot. And if it's a rusty nail, consider seeing a doctor.

Monday, December 23, 2013

A Centreville Christmas


Don’t get me wrong. I love receiving gifts, I just don’t need sweaters or scarves to be happy. Every day when I take Jake for a walk, I look around at our charming historic town and I feel gratitude. For where I am in life, and for where I live. I love it here. Five years ago, I never imagined I would have a loving husband, live in a historic town (something I always dreamed of), and having a novel for sale on Amazon. Truly, God has both surprised and blessed me.



So, I want to share with you a little of what I experience every day on my dog walks. The picture above is of two beautiful historic homes decorated for Christmas. Grace’s favorite is the one pictured below, which we refer to as “The Gargoyle House.” Aptly named for the little gargoyle who looks out over Chesterfield Ave. and is dressed differently each season. Over the summer, he had a fish in his mouth. When school started, a giant crayon; and he even sported a Halloween costume in October.



As I walk down Commerce St., Christmas hymns and carols fill the air, courtesy of The Centerville National Bank. Every business and shop in town has a Christmas display in their window, and the Christmas Parade shuts down the entire town.



Everyone who doesn’t have a part in it sets up along the streets to watch. If you aren’t home by 6:00, you can’t get home. And everyone who marches by in the parade calls out: “Merry Christmas!” Which I appreciate since this holiday’s purpose is to celebrate the coming of the Christ into the world.



It’s easy to get stressed out (and I am) about all of the shopping and wrapping to be done, and the cleaning of the house before the relatives arrive. And it’s easy to feel down about my sweet daughter being away from me the entire week of Christmas as she celebrates with her father in Florida. But I’m choosing instead to be grateful for the love of a God who sent his Son to be my savior and who is at work in my life daily to reshape my character and make me more like him.



Our first Christmas in our new home will be special to us. We celebrated with Grace before she left, and we had a wonderful day together. And this is Jake’s first Christmas. He’s a little confused by the presence of a tree in the living room and can’t keep himself from eating it. But even if my tree has no ornaments, and the entire lower half has been literally ripped limb from limb, I’m going to cherish these days and thank God for the gifts he’s given me!

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Now What?



So, the truth is I’m not good at blogging. Or talking about myself, or even about my book. I’m not a good salesperson. And I’m not that great with using technology. Basically, I don’t possess any of the skills that would be helpful in building a successful writing career in today’s world. This is what I’m good at: sitting at the computer with my cat and a cup of hot chai tea (with a secret bag of Mint M&M’s hidden in the desk drawer) and writing a story.

But every step of this journey has pushed me out of my comfort zone—which is the place where we can really grow. So it’s time for me to be uncomfortable and figure out how to get this done.

I’ve been blessed by amazing friends and family who’ve bought my novel and shared it with their friends. Hopefully I’ll see more reviews on Amazon and Good Reads as time passes and free time is reintroduced to everyone’s schedules after the holidays. Personally, I won’t be able to exert any real energy into my new writing career until the second week of January.

I’m just thankful that God already knew my limitations when he called me to write. I will give it all I have, and I’ll allow myself to sweat and stammer at book signings when I’d really rather be in my office writing. But as I was recently reminded, my job is to be obedient and leave the results to God.

So I’m going to try to relax and enjoy this part of my own story as I step into the role of author. But when you’re an uptight perfectionist who’s always imperfect, it’s tough to relax.