A storm is brewing
Will I be here tomorrow?
Caught me anyway
Welcome to all my new subscribers. It’s so exciting to have you here for Christmas at Carmody. It is still set to be released on the 27th. On that day, you will get the e-book link from BookFunnel. If there is someone you feel would enjoy this story, please send them this link to sign up!
What storm is brewing, you may ask? Honestly, I don’t know, but I wrote that little piece of poetry last week while we were on vacation at Ft. Walton Beach. Our family arrived on Sunday and on Monday afternoon I learned about a little tropical depression out to sea by the Yucatan Peninsula. Immediately my stomach dropped. I can’t explain why, but a sense of foreboding overcame me. I told my husband about the tropical depression, and he didn’t think we needed to be concerned. Tuesday arrived; the storm formed with the path set for New Orleans. Even then, I knew it was headed to us. By Wednesday, it had been declared a hurricane and the path shifted east with landfall near Pensacola. Wednesday evening, we got the order for mandatory evacuation, went to bed for a fitful four hours of sleep, got up early, packed and left. As we were pulling out, I couldn’t help the foreboding sense that the storm was chasing me. Strangely enough, it made landfall almost at the exact spot we were staying. I knew Monday it was coming for us and it did. I wanted to be mistaken.
At home I pondered this. We all have storms. Some pop up and surprise us, leaving little room for preparation. Others we can see on the horizon. How do we handle storms? Do we cling to the rock, Jesus our Savior? Do we worry? Are we paralyzed? How do you enjoy the moments we have without worrying about the future? I have no answers to any of these. They are all things I struggle with. Control, I like it, and this life affords very little. One of my life verses has been Matthew 6:31-34, So do not worry about saying, ‘What shall we eat?” or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
This scripture has become one I have clung to in 2026 as much change and uncertainty has rocked my little family’s world, but alas, time keeps marching on and I continue to surrender over and over to the One who holds my whole world in His hands. What storms are you going through? How can I pray for you, my readers? Feel free to email me at heatwole.sarah@gmail.com and I will add you to my prayer list.
Writing News:
Christmas at Carmody is coming together. While the e-book version will be free to all my subscribers, I will also be offering a print version as well! I am going to be selling them locally at three different author events. Click on the link to join me!
I have been querying The Weight of Mercy. For those who don’t know, querying means I have been sending out proposals to literary agents. I have sent out over fifty and have gotten some good traction with several full manuscript requests and a partial. I am waiting to hear back from those agents. Ironically, writing is the thing I worry least about. Going through the process of self-publishing Christmas at Carmody has given me the confidence I need to self-publish future works. If securing an agent isn’t meant to be then I’ll work on publishing The Weight of Mercy myself. The topic of the death penalty has been in the news recently with the failed execution of Christa Pike here in Tennessee, making The Weight of Mercy all the more poignant and relevant. How should we respond as Christians to such heavy topics? Can mercy and justice coexist? These are all questions I wrestle with in this story.
The rest of the year, I will be working on marketing and outlining my next book I plan to write in 2027. Still untitled, this one will be based on the true story of a Mennonite missionary in 1907 who goes to India to start a school for girls. Her story intersects with a major historical event, and I can’t wait to tell her story in a way that honors her bravery.
I have SEVERAL ideas for future books, one that might even involve a hurricane! That is why I love writing; the ideas are limitless.
Personal News:
For work, I have been traveling some. Tomorrow, I have a trip planned to Minneapolis. Seeing different parts of the US has been fun. I’ve never been to Minnesota, so I’m looking forward to exploring it a bit. (As much as can be done on foot from a hotel)
While at the beach, I started a new hobby/journal. A watercolor journal. I’ve always enjoyed drawing and painting and these little miniature paintings bring me much joy. I will be continuing this hobby!
School continues to go well for all three of my kids, and my oldest got his first job! It’s been fun seeing him embrace responsibility and enjoy his own paychecks.
What I read in September:
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke – 3/5 – I saw a review that said this book was unhinged, and I can’t agree more. It had a lot of language and some content that was questionable. I still can’t figure out what message the author tried to give readers, but I will say this book gave me compassion for people who are severely mentally ill.
Small Things Like These – 4/5 – This was a short little read. I enjoyed it. The writing is sparse but beautiful. It’s the perfect one-day read.
What I’m currently Reading/TBR:
The Frozen River – Ariel Lawhon – Loving it so far!
Finding Me – Karen Mains Procopio – Karen is a friend and this is her debut! So far it’s so good! I have a giveaway for this book on my Instagram – check it out!
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