Talk about an answer to prayer!

So many of you have shared this wild ride of the writing life with me and prayed for me often. Today I wanted to shout out about a surprise blessing and say THANK YOU for praying!!!

But first, a story...

Many of you know I spend my morning and early afternoon homeschooling my kiddos. During this time I don't answer the phone. So when it rings, we all typically ignore it.

Well...yesterday, I couldn't ignore the phone ringing off the hook. Six times. All before lunch.

I didn't pick it up, choosing to mutter about annoying telemarketers instead.

Then, the wonderful hour of quiet time arrived and my children were all in their rooms when the phone rang. AGAIN.

This time I picked it up, ready to blast the telemarketer.

Good thing I didn't. She wasn't a telemarketer at all. Nope. This very gracious lady was calling to inform me that I finaled in an RWA contest.

Red-faced and very thankful for no visual phones, I thanked her abundantly and hung up. Then I went to a WORD meeting (local ACFW writer's group) still not really knowing what in the world the lady on the phone was talking about.

I shared my telemarketer story with the group and one of my friends nearly jumped out of her seat with excitement, telling me I'd finaled in the RITA! As she proceeded to explain this awesome writing contest, I wished yet again I'd been nicer on the phone.

Today has been filled with phone calls of congrats and lots of wonderful emails. And I've been much nicer in answering. See, I'm learning. :-)

Here's the list of 2008 RITA for Inspirational Romance Finalists

A Touch of Grace by Linda Goodnight
Harlequin Enterprises, Steeple Hill Love Inspired - (978-0-373-87426-2)
Allison Lyons, editor

Autumn Blue by Karen Harter
Center Street, - (1-931722-61-7)
Christina Boys, editor

Pursuit of Justice by Pamela Tracy
Harlequin Enterprises, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense - (978 0 373 44236)
Krista Stroever, editor

Rainbow's End by Irene Hannon
Harlequin Enterprises, Steeple Hill Love Inspired - (0-373-87415-4)
Melissa Endlich, editor

Ransomed Dreams by Amy Wallace
Random House Publishing, WaterBrook Multnomah - (9781590527474)
Julee Schwarzburg, editor

Splitting Harriet by Tamara Leigh
Random House Publishing, WaterBrook Multnomah - (1590529286)
Julee Schwarzburg, editor

Taming Rafe by Susan May Warren
Tyndale House Publishers, - (1414310188)
Karen Watson, editor

When the Morning Comes by Cindy Woodsmall
Random House Publishing, WaterBrook Multnomah - (9781400072934)
Shannon Hill, editor

THANK YOU again for all your prayers for my writing and for Ransomed Dreams to reach the hands and hearts of many folks. I sooooo appreciate you!