A few short weeks away is the release of my new book, A Letter from Lancaster County! I like to think of myself as a patient person, but truth is I don’t like all this waiting. Long lines at the grocery store are not my favorite, but I usually chat with people and flip through the latest magazines. Twice, I left a doctor’s office because I was generally ignored and kept waiting too long. Have you ever done anything that zany?
Remember the oldie song “Anticipation”? Its lyrics have been circling in my head as I anticipate the release of A Letter from Lancaster County, July 1. Not that far away. Any day now I expect to receive from my publisher a box of books!
Over the weekend, I was admiring the gorgeous quilt my friend Old Order Amish Emma Stoltzfus of E.S. Quilts in Lancaster County gave me as a recent gift. Running my fingers along the masterpiece. I imagine meticulous quilters are patient. They must be! There’s planning the design, purchasing the fabric, piecing it together … Not to mention the hand stitching! The same amount of time it takes to write a book? However, quilts do not need to be re-sewn and copy-edited. Do they?
I can’t wait for you to see the incredible Amish quilt I’m giving away to celebrate the release of A Letter from Lancaster County! Emma Stoltzfus sent me photos and I asked her to choose one with hand-quilting she considered of the highest quality. Plus the design and colors are gorgeous. Wait until you see it!
How is your patience? Can you think of some things you anticipate? What do you do when you find yourself in a situation where you have no choice but to be patient?
Leave a comment and entered to win this Amish-made 43” Table Runner made in Lancaster County, PA. Plus a signed copy of A Letter from Lancaster County (!!!) or a novel from The Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy, CBA bestseller Leaving Lancaster, its sequel CBA bestseller Pennsylvania Patchwork, or Forever Amish. USA and Canada. Winner chosen at random and has three days to respond. Winner announced on next week’s Blog.
I needed and prayed for patience when my elderly mother lived with me and i was her sole caretaker for several years.
Your prayers must have been answered, Sharon. No matter how much you loved your mother, caring for her would require great patience. My mother died at age 69 and I miss her everyday. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
For 6 plus months, I prayed for patience and for stronger shoulders to bear the separation from my husband. He was being sent to Boston for a school internship and I had to remain in Minnesota with our 3 children and continue working full time at my job in home care. I thought I would never make it but with God’s grace, we somehow managed.
I’m so glad to hear you managed, Lisa. A very difficult situation, but one it sounds like you overcame with God’s grace. Who wants to learn patience that way? Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I prayed for patience about 25 years ago and boy was it tested, but I came out of the refiners fire with a boatload of patience. Be careful what you ask for. Thank you so much for the amazing chance. Congratulations and blessings!
So true, Lucy. When I’ve prayed for patience I’ve asked not to be tested too hard. I’m afraid that’s not how it works … Thank you for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
We have consistently prayed for our mentally handicapped daughter (she had meningitis at age 7 wks) and God opened the door for her care in 1991 at a special home due to unmanageable behavioral outbursts! She has received excellent care and progressed on so many levels. She is very happy in her home. Now our state is closing her home, and we must once again pray for either the state to leave the home open or God to open the right door for her care. Right now there is. O appropriate placement. Being in a home for almost 26 years (since she was 17) is a difficult time to pull her away from all she’s known and come to love. We must once again helplessly depend upon God’s help and grace. It’s very scary to put your loved one in the hands of strangers and we thought her care would never be changed! Unfortunately it’s a matter that “man” wants to lump every mentally handicapped individual into the same mold, which is a shame! Please help us pray!
At this very moment I am praying for your daughter, Linda. For the home to stay open or for another suitable living situation to become available. Sounds as if your family has been through the ringer. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I can be impatient when waiting for a book after reading the 1st one in a series. Thanks for a chance to win the table runner & one of your awesome books.
I can relate, Juanita. Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
My mother said I was born 25 days early and have kept that pace up waiting things quickly!
Wow, 25 days is mighty early. Your pace sounds wonderful and exciting. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I needed patience when I took care of my parents until they passed away! also when i was caregiver to some dementia patients!
You’re woman with much patience and courage, Shelia. Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway.
Kate
When its a life or death situation, I have nooo patience.. But If I get stuck in traffic,, I TRY to be calm.. My hubby is VERY impatient with being stuck in traffic…
..hehe. Beautiful table runner.. I would love to win.. Thank you..
Your husband and mine seem to have much in common … not that I enjoy traffic, Janice. I avoid it whenever possible. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I would give anything to win a signed book and that beautiful table runner. I like to find patients reading an then making reviews on the books I read because I want to always do a great job for the authors.
I spent many years taking care of the needs of my husband until he passed away, he was not the best. So now my life is better reading.
If you leave reviews, you are an author’s friend, Karen. A good review on Amazon, etc. is like gold. I tried to bring along something to read everywhere I go in case I get stuck waiting … Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I pray everyday for God to keep me patient and calm as our daughter fights a now 3 yr long custody battle in a corrupt court for our grandson (her son). He turned 14 yesterday- we see him only on visits with his mom (after 12 1/2 yrs of being a part of his everyday life). To have a court who knows nothing about us to say we can’t be around him much- (we have so much evidence to prove all the good we have been, but judge allows no evidence at all, just false accusations) needless to say- our patience is only from God.
I am looking forward to reading your new book!!
Thank you
I am so sorry to hear of this custody battle, Rachel. Sometimes the courts really stink and justice is not served. I pray in this case truth will reign supreme and you’ll get to spend time with him again. Alas, I hear this story often. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway.
Kate
Patients is truly a virtue, but try as we might we seem to fail. Never the less, we keep trying.
Love the table topper and can’t wait to read your new book. Seems like it has been a long time coming.
It is a virtue most of us lack, Maxine. So, we keep trying. Well, some of us do. Always fun to hear from you. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
Patience is a virtue and I try to have patience and be patient everyday. I participate in Special Olympics and I had to recently be patient, cause most of the events on the track were running behind at regionals On june 3rd.
I would say it paid off, as I did get two medals. Patience pays off when you ask the Lord to help you when you need to be patient.
He is our one true source of patience, Andrea. Congratulations on winning two medals. Wow! Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
My mother just moved in with us five months ago because of her health and safety and it requires tons of patience on my part.
I imagine that would require great patience, Gail. My heart goes out to you and your mother. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Dear Kate, I don’t like to wait in line at the store either, I requested your new book at my local library to order this book for me, and they have, I am looking forward to reading it., and I would love to be put into one of your drawing at a chance to win a amish quilt, I have never met the Amish People, but hope to one day., God Bless You., Deb McCauley
Thanks so much for ordering my book at your local library, Debbie! Truly appreciated. As we draw closer to the contest for the quilt, I’ll let everyone know. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
In today’s world we are always in a hurry, have no patience instead of taking time to look around and notice the world around us. Taking time to see what God has created and revel in the beauty is what we have lost in a world that is moving to fast.
I agree with your hurry-up-can’t-wait assessment of today’s world, Dawn. Most of us are moving too quickly to notice the beauty God has created. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Would love to win
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Martha. Good luck!
Kate
Patience, yes, a daily prayer for being a caretaker and keeping a joyful, positive attitude Reading my favorite Amish stories and passing them on, helps me alot
Thanks for sharing your secret to keeping a joyful positive, attitude while being a caretaker, Janis. Daily prayer and reading a good Amish story. Best of luck in the giveaway.
Kate
Patience for God’s timing, not my own. Just a little sign–“blow the trees really hard three times, so we’ll know that we’re doing the right thing,” but God doesn’t work like that. Its so hard sometimes to have patience. Pray more, trust more.
In this hurry-up world, praying and waiting for the Lord’s perfect timing, patience is difficult, Tee. Sounds as though you’ve got the right attitude. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
My sister was recently diagnosed with Abdominal Cancer. She is having treatments now and although I’m not a patient person, I’m putting all the positive energy I can get muster into praying for her healthy recovery. Love your books and looking forward to reading this one.
Sandy, your poor sister. That’s like being hit by a truck. I have seen miraculous healing through prayer. May she recover and regain her complete health. Thanks for your kind words about my books. Best of luck in the giveaway.
Kate
I have to say that patience is not my strong suit. Waiting on the answer to prayers is really testing lol.
I would like to think I am a patient person…whether driving in heavy traffic or standing in line waiting to pay for my purchases. Waiting in a doctors office can be trying at times, especially when your appointment is over an hour behind! I say a prayer for understanding because he could be giving comfort to a patient that received bad news.
Can’t wait for your book to hit the shelves! I have your other books and enjoy your stories so much. By the way….I really enjoyed the first chapter in A Letter From Lancaster….so my anticipation level just went up!!!!
Patience is a futures. I need patience at work and while I’m driving. My patience at work is waiting on best result of your explanation of to doing things. Get clarity. Patience driving behind slow people.