Happy New Year! It's definitely winter here in southern Ohio. It's a beautiful, white, snow day! My son just came in from throwing snowballs at our windows. Why he was throwing them at the windows is beyond me! He successfully upset Nugent, our dog, who is now carrying around his stuffed duck for comfort. Just wait until the tea kettle whistles with boiling water for hot chocolate! Oh the anxiety for our poor Yorkie!

Thank you. So many of you responded to last month's newsletter. That feeling of busyness must have been a shared sentiment. I hope you too found God in the midst of all of the chaos and that your new year has begun in a calmer fashion.

I've also heard from several new readers. Your encouragement is what pushed me into gear to finish this adult series. Yeah, I know - a lot of you have been after me to do so for quite awhile. I'm a little slow to get it sometimes. Actually, confession time - I fall into a bad trap of not knowing that what I do makes a difference. Doubt and fear can incapacitate you. Have you ever felt that way?

So, it's official. I am working on Book IV of the For Hymn Mysteries. It begins with Mariah finishing her shift at the hospital with the newborns. She is the friend and neighbor of Kathleen from This I Know. So, yes it starts out in Gallipolis, but will move to Columbus. This will have the series come full circle because that's where The Way Home took place. Just As I Am is the hymn this time as Mariah helps an unwed new mom, finds herself involved in a mystery, and comes face to face with the One who wants to be her friend - just as she is.

There are two ways you can help me this month. One, go to my blog (www.bearinglife.blogspot.com), and become a follower. It's a new feature I've added. While you're there, read and leave some comments. I am committed to frequently adding entries this year. This will help show an editor or publisher that I do indeed have an audience. They are more likely to take a chance on someone with a built in audience. Oh, and the picture of the babies born on New Year's Day is there. See what kind of animal babies we have this time!

Second, now this may sound funny. Tell me what kind of shoes you wear, like tennis shoes, boots, etc. I have an idea for a children's book, and I need to know what shoes you wear for your specific job. For example, firefighters wear those big boots. I assume if you're a stay-at-home mom that you don't wear high heels throughout the house. But, what do you wear? A hunter wouldn't wear flip-flops, and a dancer wouldn't wear cowboy boots. Leave me a message: what is your job, and what shoes do you wear for that?

Thank you all. Make this year count - do everything for the Lord.

Love you,
Paula
www.paulafblevins.com
paulab07@yahoo.com
www.bearinglife.blogspot.com
www.marykay.com/pfblevins

P.S. - I've been having a blast on Facebook and MySpace, talking with friends! Please join me there: Paula F Blevins