If you are on social media, you have probably seen evidence of the new Google Arts and Culture app. The app allows you to take a photo of your face and then the little smart phone wizards search the world’s best museums to find the work of art you most resemble. Because I have been feeling like a fancy writer lady lately, the universe seized on this opportunity to humble me and make sure I wasn’t getting too big for my britches. In all the world, apparently THIS is the famous art my face matches, humiliatingly entitled An Old Woman Cooking Eggs. For obvious reasons, I will never take another photo without makeup for the rest of my life.
Interviews and Book Signing
In other important news, I am having an absolute blast with all this book promotion stuff. In the last few weeks, I did my first radio interview and my first podcast, with several more opportunities scheduled over the course of the next few weeks. Because the radio interview was live, I was more than a little nervous in the moments leading up to air time. I am happy to report that I didn’t accidentally say a curse word or offer unwanted political commentary on live radio during drive time in Denver.
At the end of this post, I have the link to my podcast conversation with my lovely friend, Sue Bidstrup from Great Big Yes. My favorite podcasts are the ones where it feels like you are eavesdropping on two friends having a meaningful conversation and Sue does a great job of creating that kind of warm, inviting environment. I think you will quickly figure out we both feel passionately about all facets of this being brave journey, and that we mostly disregarded the fact we were recording the conversation for other people to hear. If you find the conversation meaningful, I would love for you to share it with your people. I have been listening to Sue’s podcast for over a year and I love the space she has created to encourage others to say Yes to God’s calling on their lives. I loved our time together and I hope you will listen. And for a fun game, count how many times I say Absolutely!
Last weekend, my husband and I stopped by Barnes and Noble on our way to see a movie. We were 
thrilled to find a few copies of our little book right there on the shelves in the Christian Living section. The manager was kind enough to let me sign them and put “autographed” stickers on them. We also created a very poorly orchestrated FB Live video of the book signing process, with my sweet husband (who does not do social media) receiving on-the-spot training as chief videographer. As I was putting the books back in their spot on the shelf, I got tears in my eyes when I saw Jen Hatmaker‘s books on the shelf above and C.S. Lewis’s books on the shelf below. When I think about the hours I have spent reading their books, and the ways their words have ministered to me, I am humbled once again that anyone would hold Being Brave in their hands and invite me into their life in that way.
Online Lenten Study
Although interviews and seeing my books at B&N is great fun and make for excellent social media fodder, by far my favorite part of this journey is spending time exploring the six facets of being brave with real live people. For the last several weeks, I have been walking through the book with two groups of ladies at my church. In my preparations for the talk I give each week, God is taking me deeper into this material and showing me new things to share with my friends. I am already sad we have to wrap up our time together in a couple of weeks.
For that reason, I have decided to do an online bible study during the 40 days of Lent this year, using Being Brave as our guide. We will “meet” in a private Facebook group and I will do a video introduction/ lesson on each topic. We will begin our journey on Ash Wednesday (February 14th) and wrap up the group on Easter. My dream for this group is that those of you who are reading Being Brave will think of a friend who might benefit from this message and invite them to join us. The beauty of our internet world is the opportunity to create community with people who might be too far apart geographically to gather in person. It is also my dream to make this a safe space for those who are still a bit skeptical of Christians and the church, but are curious about the topic of being brave. Stay tuned here and on my Author page on Facebook for ways to join the group as we get closer. I will probably open up the group for people to join around February 1st.
February Guest Series
Speaking of talking about being brave with real live people, I am inviting some guest writers to my blog in February to talk about their journey of stepping out of their comfort zone into a deeper understanding of being brave. One of my FAVORITE parts of the brave party we started here is the stories I often hear from people who are finding their own version of courage and connection in their corner of the world. God is so creative and He inspires us in beautifully unique ways. I can’t wait to hear their stories. I hope you will join us!
Local Retreat
Finally, local friends, I have scheduled space at Caol Ait Retreat Center to offer our next Being Brave retreat on March 24th. Because I want to continue to offer an intimate group experience, there will only be 20 spots. Again, stay tuned by joining the mailing list here and following my author page on Facebook if you would like to join us. I will post registration information in mid-February.
Ok, as promised, here is the link to the podcast. It lasts about 30 minutes and you are going to love Sue. Thank you, dear reader, for joining me on this journey! Let’s remind everyone: together, we remember we are brave!
