Welcome back to Austen Promises and the Writer’s Journal!
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This past Thursday was Thanksgiving here in the good ol’ US of A, a day set aside for us to thank God for his blessings. It was instituted way back before we were a country, when the Pilgrims arrived safely and got their first harvest, though it didn’t become a federal holiday until Lincoln was president. I often spend the entire month of November sharing reasons I’m thankful on Facebook. This year, I thought I’d share some of those things with you.
I’m thankful this year for my readers, especially those for whom my books are an auto-buy, and even more especially for those who have either reached out to me via email or become one of my patrons on Patreon. The support of these people, especially my patrons, is humbling and elating both at the same time. It makes me want to work harder and write better, for them.
(I’d call these people “ladies,” but I don’t know for certain that all my readers are, indeed, ladies. I know for sure that at least one gentleman **coughcoghCommanderWentworthcoughcough** reads what I post at DarcyandLizzy.)
I’m thankful for JAFF. I would not be where I am today without it, and it has afforded me countless hours of entertainment, much of it free. It fills a hole inside me that would otherwise be left empty.
I’m thankful for a new Christmas tree. The six-foot tree I’ve used the last decade or so is entirely too small for such a large space (the ceilings are almost nine feet … 8’ 9”), and so I got a bigger one.
I’m thankful that I can write full-time. Some months are harder than others, yes, but I’m coming into my own now and have tools and processes in place that help me improve. I’m not perfect yet, with the perfect schedule and all that, but I’m making leaps and bounds forward.
I’m thankful for purple makeup. I’ve not ever been a big makeup wearer, but for purple? Yeah, I can do that. <3
I’m thankful for a friend who sells purple makeup. I don’t know what I’d do without her. LOL 
I’m thankful for the friends that have stuck by me. The circle has shrunk this year, with three people turning their backs, but the few who remain are steady and treat me with love and respect. I’m grateful for the Savior who will never leave me, even if everyone else does.
Which brings me to personal growth. I’m thankful for the improvements I have made to my daily routines. I’ve added exercise and reduced carbs. I’ve added more protein and got rid of most sweets. The ones that are left are hard to get rid of, but I’m slowly working on those, as well. I don’t want to give goodies up completely, but I do want to continue to reduce them.
I can’t begin to describe the depths of my thanks for the spiritual growth I have experienced in the last year. I’ve learned many things about myself, my finances, and my relationships, and have been letting God work on me in those areas. I’m looking forward to becoming more like Christ every day for the rest of my life.
Finally, I’m thankful for my house and my dogs. I live in a beautiful home with two little-ish beings who keep me on my toes. Life is never boring here, and the view is always gorgeous.
What are you thankful for?
Come back next Wednesday for another peek into my journal! <3
Zoe, This was one of the most beautiful and heartfelt letters that I have ever had the opportunity to read; for that I am so very thankful and grateful because it allows me, and the reader, to see inside your heart. We, as a people don’t like to expose our inner heart and yet, you have so graciously done so. I am honoured to be a Patreon and I would be more that happy if you placed me on the auto-buy your book list. I love your writing and am happy to support you in any way that I can. Be prepared, one year I will be heading your way for a visit.
Take care my friend,
Christa.
Oh, I’d love to meet you! <3 Thank you for your compliments, and for being a Patron!
When I say I'm on peoples' auto-buy list, I mean that every time they see I have a book out, they buy it. They may not read it right away, but they trust me and the content of my books, and they like the books, so much that they buy it without reading the blurb or anything. Some of them follow me on Amazon, and they get an email when I release a new book and others, like you, friend me on Facebook or follow the blog, or are Patrons or are on my mailing list. <3
(((Hugs))) to you!
Zoe <3
Despite all the authors that are on JAFF and other sites, I read the synopsis of a book description because I like the author and usually buy the book. I tend to stick with a small group of authors and I will have bought many more books from them compared to other authors. I feel drawn in the book by the way the author uses words, these words give “life” to what the author is saying and I can actually see all the details in my minds eye. I am not the heroine, I am a viewer who is allowed to watch this movie as if it were in real life. I have learned that most readers view their books in a similar fashion, which says alot about the author.