Disappointments are as much a part of life as are joys, sorrows, laughs, and tears.  My dear mother always told me when I was young, "Barbara, if things don't work out the way you want them, just be good and something better will come along."  I've tested this in the past and found it true; lately, again, I've put this sage advice to good use.

With much anticipation I awaited getting my just-published copies of Patti Hummel's book From my Heart to Yours, in which I was to have twelve stories.  Very little is more exciting than seeing your work in print.  The first disappointment came when I opened the boxes of books and found that the wrong ones had been sent.  That error was quickly solved; they sent the correct ones only to bring more disappointment.  As I thumbed through, I found my stories had been inadvertently omitted.  I tried to be Christian about the situation though.

A second biggie came when my anticipated contract from Tate Publishing arrived.  It was not what I had hoped for, so I had to decline it.  Again, I tried to maintain a positive attitude.  As I have said before, I try to abide by Prov. 16: 3 - Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

I have found this to hold true, but they don't always succeed just as I planned for them to.  God usually has a better plan.  I haven't seen the end of these plans yet, but God is certainly in them.  Patti Hummel, the compiler of From My Heart to Yours, is also the agent representing my novel, A Web Too Tight, an author, a publisher and a great Christian woman.  Her disappointment of my stories being omitted superceded mine.  After profuse apologies, she wanted to make up for the error.  She immediately agreed to also represent my third devotional book, Laughing with the Lord, and agreed to publish it through her publishing company Benchmark if someone didn't pick it up soon.  She has doubled her efforts in getting both these books before publishers.

I just can't wait to see how God is making these plans succeed.  I believe His promise and I also believe my mother's adage, so I try desperately to be good when disappointments come my way, and I renew my pledge to commit whatever I do to the Lord.

Writing is just plain hardwork.  Often the job seems to offer little reward, except for the intrinsic pleasure of communicating one's thoughts on paper.  Conferees at writing conferences often hear, "Write what you know, and keep writing, but in all likelihood you won't get published.  The market is tough."

Well, as I've said in other places on this site, I follow Proverb 16:3 in what I attempt -  "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."   It has worked for me.  In the last month, I have celebrated many successes. Praise the Lord!

Finding the right agent ranks right up there in difficulty with finding a publisher.  God put a great one in my path.  Patti Hummel is now doing the grunt work of an agent in getting my Christian novel, A Web Too Tight, in the hands of publishers.

Patti is not only a literary agent, but she is also an author and a publisher.  I have twelve stories in Patti's new book, From my Heart to Yours - Inspirational Messages from the Wives of Ministers.  I received my copies today. Hurray!

Though there are periods of drought in the writing world, when the drought breaks, often many blessings pour.  Another of my blessings outpouring from God this month was my receiving a contract from Tate Publishing for my third devotional book, Laughing with the Lord.

If these blessings were not enough, God must have said, "What more can I do for Barbara Eubanks?"  He answered that by placing my picture, as one of the Sand Moutain Lit Chicks, on the cover of the January 2009 issue of Anniston/Gadsden Christian Family Magazine and using my article about our literary critique group inside as the featured story.  As any author/speaker knows, all promotion is helpful.  This has already started bringing in more speaking events.

One other professional "biggie" of the month was my joining International Speakers Network.  This network will take on the task of booking me for larger speaking venues.

Now God has inspired me to write and speak about the GLORY of God.  Who but Him knows what form this may take.  I will be speaking on the theme "Show Me Your Glory" at a ladies' conference at Shocco Springs (a Baptist retreat center at Talladega, Alabama) for First Baptist Prattville, Alabama.  Possibly my study and research will evolve into a Bible study book on Glory.

Sometimes the Lord just shows out while making our plans succeed; that's exactly what he has done for me this month.  Thanks you, Jesus.

December must be the most exciting month of the year.  This December was no exception.  Even though I find myself totally exhausted each night from special speaking events, shopping, entertaining, pulling out boxes of decoration and filling each room with them, returning boxes to the upstairs storage, and then trying to clean up the mess I've made, I still love to celebrate the birth of Christ with all the glitz and glamour I can find, in addition to family and friends coming and going.

Sometimes I need a special event held at our house for me to be motivated to get things done, even if I don't feel in the mood for the chores somedays.  This year, I was to host our Lit Chicks for the December meeting.  I felt a great sense of satisfaction for accomplishing all the tasks on my list by the time the door bell rang with the first guest.  Appetizers were out and the meal in the oven filled the house with an inviting aroma.

All of the Lit Chicks made it for the meeting, plus one exciting guest.  Dan Griffin, author and producer from New York, graced us with his presence.  During the meal, we discussed several current topics, but mainly focused on what the sagging economy was doing to our nation and to each of us as individuals.  I commented, "I'm thankful my ultimate security doesn't rest in material things."  I had no more than gotten the sentence out of my mouth when I felt my ring as I do habitually.  I had a sinking feeling and thought, "This must be a test of what I just uttered."  The diamond was missing from my ring.  We all searched the floor in vain.  "Oh well, it was a material thing," I despaired.

After our lunch, we sat by the fire as we sipped our Russian tea and critiqued each others work and celebrated our accomplishments since our last meeting.  Although the loss of my ring overshadowed much of the joys of the day, I felt better when Steve returned home and assured me he had a rider for my diamond on our insurance.  What a smart fellow he is!

After the guests had left and the last dish was in the dishwasher, I knew it was time to get ready for the next round.  Kids and grands came and went from then until New Years Day.  What a great season, albeit an exhausting one.  I thank God for friends and family.  I also thank him for reminding me my security doesn't depend on material things.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  His love endures forever."  (1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV)

The Bible is replete with verses to remind us to be thankful.  This year, as with all the many other years of my life, I am thankful for food, family, and fun. Oh, one more f - foilage.

On November 3 I traveled back to the Pell City area to speak to a great group of senior adults at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church at Cropwell, Alabama. On the drive, God blessed me with a feast for my eyes. The panorama of mountains and valleys glowing with yellows, reds, and orange called me to praise God.

The beauty continued. The vivid fall colors decorating each table mimicked the beauty of these seniors who knew how to enjoy a laugh.

Following that event, our November Lit Chick meeting was special.  Normally, we meet in the homes of members, but not this time.  Shirley Mitchell declared, "I could cook for you, but you  wouldn't eat it if I did."  So, she hosted us at The Club located on top of Red Mountain in Birmingham. Decked out in our finest to dine at  this exclusive club, we began our sixty mile trek to our destination.  Gay Martin and I accepted Lori Boatfield's offer to drive.  Shirley went on earlier to see that everything was in order.  Alice Duckett drove from Anniston to meet us there.