Hello, friend,

Don't let the title fool you—we're not going anywhere, yet. :)

How much change are you going through right now? I know some of you have been enjoying the sun-filled summer and are now preparing for the transition to fall. For some, it is a welcome reprieve from the heat. For others, the cold is a necessary evil to endure.

Here in Lesotho, the winter is giving way to spring. The temperatures are gradually warming each day, and while I quite enjoy—and prefer—the fall and winter seasons, the warmth is a reminder that seasons, much like life, were created for change.

I've been seeing changes in more than the weather, though. I am walking through hellos and goodbyes as I reconnect with a couple of dear friends after not seeing one another for over a month, while other friends are preparing to leave Lesotho permanently. Though I celebrate with them the path God has them on, I still grieve the loss with those of us who remain.

In the meantime, we remain between seasons—life seasons as well as climate. As we continue to wait for our immigration approval, we attempt to make plans for next year, but we are constantly reminded that we need to release our plans to God as we don't know what next year brings—we are only given today.

That reminder set in hard just last month. As a group, the Lady Lits grieve the loss of our dear friend, Nancy, who suddenly passed away on July 19, 2023. Her heart for God was apparent in all she did, said, and wrote. It was Nancy's prayers that brought us all together as a group and kept us organized and on track. She created an agenda for every meeting and shared the session notes afterward. It's taken all of us to manage her duties since her passing, and no one could ever replace her spirit.

As someone who also wrote nonfiction as well as fiction, Nancy was a personal encouragement to me as I began navigating my shift from writing nonfiction to fiction.

The constant barrage of change all around us is an important reminder that nothing in life is guaranteed. Not even tomorrow. Let's help one another remember that each day is a gift to be enjoyed in the moment.

Much of my creative time recently has been spent working on a special project with the Lady Lits! It's one of the reasons we've been highlighting the Lady Lits authors.

This fall, we will release a special publication of a Christmas anthology! Seven short stories, one by each member of the Lady Lits that take place at Christmastime. The publication will be dedicated to Nancy, and all proceeds of the book will be split amongst each author's charity of choice.

Also, the Lady Lits recorded a panel interview in July with Jennifer Elwood! Thankfully, Nancy was able to take part. The interview will be featured on Jennifer's Refuge Podcast this month! 

The episode was supposed to air on August 23, 2023, but with Nancy's passing, the date may have changed. I'll email the podcast link once it's live. We share a little about our Christmas anthology project in the podcast interview, so you don't want to miss it!

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I read every email. I value your input and I would love to hear your thoughts. You may reply to this email, or write me directly at mari@marieygabroad.com

Nancy’s non-fiction book, The Lightning Tree: Flourishing after Abuse, is in the final stages of editing. The words God speaks through Scripture laid the foundation for her healing and he put his plan for flourishing right in front of her, a counselor she met at work. Nancy’s story invites a reader to hear their heart whisper, “This could be me,” then turn toward God for healing.

NOTE: Her daughters will publish this book on Nancy's behalf.

Discover Hope for Emotional Healing at Nancy’s website, www.nancy-ness.com

Since joining the Lady Lits Mastermind Group, Nancy wrote 60,000 words of her first historical fiction novel. Set in the early 1900s, the story is inspired by her grandmother’s experience of abandonment and search for family truth.

Nancy has a draft of a short story called "Daisies and New Beginnings" featured in JBea Wilson's newsletter, Lift!. You can find that by clicking below. JBea is another Lady Lits author, and she will be highlighted later this year.

Click here for the story

My writing endeavor has never been about making money, so I will not post ads on my website or in my email. However, I will occasionally share works that I feel may interest you or people you know.

I love that you're here, and I hope you'll be blessed through my blog writing as well as my fiction writing. If you know of someone working in missions or just beginning their journey, please feel free to share my web address, blog posts, and my books.