My summer has been WILD around here. So thankful for cooler temperatures, a calmer schedule, and all things hopeful ahead.

In this season, I’ve been pondering what resting in the Lord looks like. It’s definitely at the forefront of my mind when that transition from summer to fall comes with a helter-skelter kind of schedule! I’m notorious for over-booking myself until I’m exhausted, but in the last few weeks, I’ve been trying to look for the Lord’s leading before I fill my time up with activities. Let me tell you, it’s hard to realign the way I’ve been doing things for so long!

The Lord keeps bringing the same verse to mind. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). In the past, this verse sometimes tripped me up, since we know the life the Lord calls us to walk isn’t always pain-free. In fact, it’s usually not.

But when we work in tandem with Him, going in the direction He has called us, the load we carry grows lighter because we aren’t carrying it alone or fighting Him to get our way. I’m taking heart in that truth right now as I seek what the Lord has in store. I hope you, too, find new ways to walk in step with Him!

of writing

I’ve got several exciting writing updates for you all, as well as follow-ups from my previous newsletter! I’m actually a little giddy to share some of these with you. It’s ironic to have multiple updates when my writing has taken a back seat in the last few months, but I think it’s just another example of the Lord’s timing!

So, to start us off, I’ve got THREE agent and publisher updates!

Last week, I attended the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) national conference in Springfield, MO. While there, I had a chance to pitch my novel to one agent and another publisher, and both requested my manuscript!

I honestly think my pitches went more smoothly than any I have done in the past. I’d been considering changing the emphasis of what I pitch, so I tried it out at my first meeting with the literary agent, and the change was exactly what I needed! The agent seemed very excited and interested in my manuscript. During our time together, she read the intro and loved my first sentence.

My other meeting was with the notorious Steve Laube. He manages Enclave Publishing, the premier publisher of Christian Sci-fi and Fantasy. While I advertise my book as general (AKA secular) market, I know my Christian values bleed into the characters and story. I think Enclave would be a great fit for me—but Steve is known in our industry as the “dream crusher.” I entered the meeting fully prepared for said dreams to be crushed. . . but he was interested in a further look at the story! I guess there’s a chance I’ll never check “rejected by Steve Laube” off my writer bingo card. Feeling pretty excited about the possibility!

I’ve saved the final agent update for last. I mentioned in my previous newsletter that my top-choice agent requested my manuscript back in April. Though I am still waiting on her final say, she did reach out to me with an update. Her intern read the manuscript and loved it! While this doesn’t guarantee anything, interns generally have a good idea what their agents are seeking. I’m hopeful that my book stands a strong chance of finding a home! It may be several more months before I hear anything, but I’m positively over the moon with the possibility.

For writing update #2, I have contest results for you all!

I’ve been waiting since May for the results of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) Genesis contest, a competition exclusively for unpublished authors. I was thrilled to find out this spring that my manuscript made it to the semi-final round. Last weekend, at the national conference, they finally announced the winners. And. . .

I did not win.

The moment stung a little. I’d built up hope that maybe my book would be the standout of the year. But after the moment passed, all I felt was gratitude. Making it to the semi-final round is a huge deal, and I’m thrilled to add it to my writing resume! I also loved getting to attend the conference and hear the announcement in person. Most of all, I loved getting to share the semi-final title with several friends across three categories. All the writers who advanced to the semi-final round are so talented, and it excites me to think of where we will be in the next few years.

It was especially fun to root for our friend Heather Griffin, who finalled in TWO categories (including Young Adult—meaning she beat me out)! Though she didn’t win, we all loved being her cheering squad during the official announcement.

My last writing update is a bit shorter, but exciting none-the-less. I have a new short story releasing later this year!

I’m collaborating with friends to bring you a collection of Christmas contemporary romance stories. While it’s definitely not my normal genre, I’ve really enjoyed experimenting with something different. I’ve based my story around my first Christmas in Europe, homesickness, and the best part of the Eurpoean holiday season—Christmas markets. I’ll have more updates for you all as we get closer to release, but in the meantime, I’ve got some edits to work on!

of life

As mentioned above—what a wild summer! I think I hit some of the highest highs and lowest lows. And while the overall takeaway was something lovely, I’m also not sad the season is coming to an end. Hoping for more stability in the days ahead!

The summer started off with one of my best friends returning to Germany. It was a gift to have her live in the Kansas City area for the last three years—and even more so to be roomies with her for two of those years! Though it’s bittersweet for her to leave our community, it is so cool to watch her dig into life where God has called her!

We had a lot of family updates! My brother and sister-in-law welcomed their second son, my youngest sister and her husband announced their first pregnancy, and my middle sister got married! Though the week of the wedding was a little crazy (would it be a true wedding week if it were calm?), the day-of went unbelievably smoothly. I think the biggest mishap involved me, my youngest sister, a goose on the interstate, and three iced lattes in the floorboards of the car. Thankfully, the coffee didn’t contaminate anything wedding-related, and we still managed to caffeinate before the ceremony!

In late June, my family received news that my mom’s brother, Kent, unexpectedly passed away. I, my siblings, and my cousins always adored Uncle Kent, and the suddenness of his passing took us by surprise. I’m thankful for the extra family time we had as we came together to remember him. Aunts, uncles, and cousins visited from out of state over the following month. Though the loss still lingers, I’m comforted by knowing how deeply he loved Jesus. We may feel his absence for the rest of our time in this life, but it’s not a grief that carries into eternity. Even in the midst of deep sadness, how grateful I am that we do not mourn as those who have no hope!

To wrap up my summer, I took the ARDMS Vascular Technology (RVT) exam and yes, it was as terrible as it sounds. In short, it certifies me to perform vascular ultrasounds. I don’t actually need the certification in my current role, but since I am only eligible to take the test until December, I figured it was worth a shot. After a few grueling months of studying, one very horrible whiteboard drawing of the vascular system, and a pretty difficult test, I’m pleased to say I passed! I now get a bunch of fancy letters after my name. Elizabeth Myrick ARDMS RVT. It looks quite official! Now, here’s hoping I can stay blissfully in the land of baby ultrasounds until I’m a famous author who writes full time and I never have to use all those fancy letters!!

of reading

I want to start bringing you more carefully selected reading recommendations. I know finding books you can trust, for yourself or your family, has gotten so complicated in our world. And while everyone’s standards differ, I can promise that the books I recommend won’t clash with Christian values and won’t get graphic on-page (either through violence or relationships). I also promise that I’ve read every one of these as an adult and entirely loved them, so you won’t have to worry you’re picking a boring read-aloud!

For your kids:

TUESDAYS AT THE CASTLE by Jessica Day George

Tuesdays at Castle Glower are Princess Celie's favorite days. That's because on Tuesdays the Castle adds a new room, a turret, or sometimes even an entire wing. No one ever knows what the Castle will do next, and no one—other than Celie, that is—takes the time to map out the new additions.

But when King and Queen Glower are ambushed and their fate is unknown, it's up to Celie, with her secret knowledge of the castle's never-ending twists and turns, to protect their home and save their kingdom.

What I loved: the castle’s personality; the sibling relationships; the whimsy of the world building

For your teens:

STRAIGHT ON TILL MORNING by Hannah Shoop

When Julia takes a spring break trip to Florida, she's not expecting romance. But an encounter with Peter Pan and a coded message suggests otherwise. When she meets Colton, Peter Pan's actor, and receives a kiss in front of a castle, her world changes. But will a magical moment last when she returns to college and Colton stays in Florida? Straight On Till Morning is a whimsical romance about faith and fear colliding, hometown family and high adventure. It’s a clash of personalities. It’s a heartwarming tale of two young people’s faith in a God who can outdream them.

What I loved: strong, believable faith elements; depiction of a healthy relationship; the magic of dreams coming true

For you:

TEA WITH ELEPHANTS by Robin Jones Gunn

Ever since they met as teenagers volunteering at a conference center in Costa Rica 20 years ago, Fern Espinoza and Lily Graden have shared a close friendship, even though they live in different states. They can hardly believe it when their teen dream of traveling to Africa together becomes a reality. It's the trip of a lifetime--but life sure isn't what they thought it would be back when they were young.

Along with their suitcases, each woman brings along emotional baggage that weighs heavily on them. Yet the people they meet and the places they experience have the power to change their hearts--but only if they surrender to the lessons God wants to teach them in this unexpected land of emerald tea fields, graceful giraffes, and rambunctious elephants.

What I loved: the Kenyan setting made me homesick; the women dealt with real issues I see in my own life; the relationships between them and the other characters shone with joy and the heart of the gospel

Until next time,

I’m thankful to share a moment of life with you. May you go with the hope and grace of our Saviour into your next adventure.