and I’ll take a week to figure out what to do with it.
Or something like that.
Sweet friends. Thanks for your patience with me this last week. I had a zillion deadlines, including one for a magazine where I HAVE JUST BECOME A MONTHLY COLUMNIST [squealing in my mind because roomie is asleep- but seriously- are you dying? because I’m dying]. I will tell you more, well, when the first one comes out. Oh, there will be a giveaway, my friends. Someone’s getting a subscription. That’s for sure.
And I also had to make some Annie The Businesswoman decisions about my writing career and I had to quiet the voices in my head so that hopefully I only heard the wisdom of God. This is a sick confession, but I almost always have a bloggy voice narrating in my mind exactly how I would write about practically every situation I live. So. She had to shut up.
I *think* I made some potentially really rad (but really hard) decisions for my career. We shall watch and see. Either way, I’ve learned that it’s fun to be brave. Scary, but fun.
I also went to the doctor about my foot and well. I broke it. More on that tomorrow.
I’m missing what became one of my favorite Spring time things the last few years- attending the Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Looking at my life today, I can totally see why this was a good year for me to take a break, but I’m missing my friends and [Snobby Annie alert] I’m missing my new tradition of Palm Sunday in California and some time with friends in the OC.
Also, while the week flew by, my dear friend Gwyneth blogged about her time in Nashville. HERE and HERE. They are both really fun reads and kinda have the whole town abuzz. I think it’s weird that she didn’t mention all the time we spent together, the laughs, the tears in our beers, the driving around with the top down just livin’ life together. Typical famous stuff. Maybe she’s just trying to protect my privacy. Thanks, Gwenny.
A few girls are headed to Gatlinburg, TN this weekend for a big birthday celebration. Tell me- have you been there? We are looking for a “nice” restaurant for the b-day dinner. [And I put “nice” in “quotes” because I realize that is “laughable” when speaking about the “top redneck vacation spot in the world.”] But if you have been there, help! Where should we go? And what should we do?
Finally [I promise], this is Holy Week. And whether you are a believer or not, there is factual truth to the historic events of this week. My Bible outlines what happened each day of this week, and I’d like to encourage you to read it. I’m going to link you each day so that you can just read it online.
Since we missed Sunday, let’s start there. I’m going to give you all the passages, even if they tell the same story since they are from different perspectives. Read one or read them all- I’m not the boss of you- do what you like.
Palm Sunday:
Monday:
1. Jesus curses the fig tree
2. Jesus clears the temple
Tomorrow we’ll talk broken foot and Tuesday of Holy Week. Quite an unlikely pair…. or is it? [insert dramatic music here]
Get a sneak peek of Annie’s latest book! Click the link to download two free chapters of Let’s All Be Brave.
© 2014 Annie f. downs. site by Byron Fanning + will smith.
A HUGE congrats on the monthly magazine columnist!! I’m squealing in my head too since I have some still asleep as well!! 🙂 DO TELL…what magazine?! I may have trouble sleeping tonight…suspense is killing me!;)
Me let you come back! And with wonderful news!! Good for you, Annie. I’m totally entering that giveaway.
Broke your foot? So sorry.
Thanks for the links. I’m going to get to them today.
Oooh huge congratulations on the column! Hope your foot isn’t causing you too much pain.
Congratulations on the column! Rest in Gods perfect timing for ALL things! And the broken foot…so sorry…claiming quick recovery on that one!
Congrats on the column! That’s exciting! I can’t wait to hear more. I need to be more brave. Good on you for being brave.
And yeah, totally weird Gwyneth failed to mention you. But you know how those Hollywood types are. I actually took a look and I think it’s kind of fun that I have been to some of the places she mentioned like the Hatch Show Print. But whatever Gwynie for leaving Annie out. 😉
congratulations on the column annie! i am so proud your writing career is taking off and encouraged by your bravery and courage to step out of the box the past few years.
what a wonderful idea! this makes holy week so real and special. easter is by far my most favorite holiday. even more than christmas! i adore the easter story, so thank you 🙂
Thanks for pointing us to the Cross this week!!
Hey, I skipped Mount Hermon this year too. I hope to get back on track next year, but I agree that it was sad missing that Palm Sunday service!! Congrats on the monthly column and big decisions…proud of you!
Congrats on the column!
Leave it to the Chicago-via-Alabama reader to leave the comment with the Gatlinburg suggestions. (What? It’s where we went every Thanksgiving of my childhood.) If it’s open for dinner, the Pancake Pantry in the Village is uh-may-zing. If it’s not, eat there before you leave. Also, if you’re ok with a real redneck dinner, Bennett’s BBQ is pretty tasty. Just a suggestion. Park Grill looks pretty good but I’m not sure if I’ve actually eaten there. It’s been a while 🙂
I have a narrating voice in my head to, thanks for letting me not feel so crazy.
Hope your foot’s healing up.
Always enjoy reading your blog, Annie. We love the Smoky Mountain Brewery in Gatlinburg…it’s not fancy, but it’s a great place to get a good meal and hang out. They have awesome pizzas!!
I’m just glad to hear I’m not the only one with a narrator in my head constantly. Seriously, that’s quite a relief to know other writers and bloggers out there do it too. 😉
Deb
A monthly column!!! I can’t wait to hear about where I can read it. Congratulations, Annie!