2013 ACFW Conferennce ~ Indianpolis

"Howdy."

At the awards gala with my fellow Aussie author, Narelle Atkins

That's the welcome I received when I landed on American soil, last month. The man behind the desk with the stamp and authority and face with no smile, did not shirk his responsibility. He had questions to ask. And he kept his head down while he scanned my passport.

Him: What brings you to the US?
Me: I'm here for a conference.
Him: What kind of conference?
Me: A writing conference. 
Him: Ah ha. And what do you write?
Me: Historical Romance. 

He finally lifted his head. 

Him: Historical Romance, hey? 

He mashed my passport with his stamp and slid it back.

Him: You... (he pointed a finger at my nose) stay out of my wife's head. 

And that's how they let me into the Good Ole USA. 

I smiled, and he returned a quarter smile but I didn't promise to stay out of his wife's head. After all, I came to do just the opposite. To further my book into the hands of readers who will escape whatever their world offers, and slip into some of what I've created. 

And the ACFW Conference of 2013 was just the place to chase that dream. I chatted with agents and editors, and all manner of authors, who gathered me in with advice and affirmation and the punch of promise I've worked toward for years. 

Here's a snapshot of my weekend in Indianapolis, including the special moment Kelly Riley snuck my winner's certificate for the Touched By Love contest, onto my empty breakfast plate. 

What an incredible time of bonding with writer friends, new and already-much-loved, on my quest to capture the head and heart of my reader. 

Thanks for praying for me, dear friends. God was listening and He answered in lavishness I could not have anticipated. 

Hanging, and playing Instagram with Brandilyn Collins. 

Early morning catch up with my dear Jeane Wynn. 

With my Beyond the Borders sister, Canadian, Cherie Tarcia Gagnon 

The one and only Rel Mollet ~ the neigbour I had to meet all the way across the world. 

So excited to meet sweet Joanne Bischof

Smilin' it up with the amazing Sarah Sundin

Stealing a smile with the generous Mary Connealy

Genre night, with darling Suzie Johnson and my Aussie sister,  Narelle Atkins

With my ruby slipper shopping buddy ~ Megan Sayer, all the way from Tasmania

And receiving my winner's certificates from the 2013 Touched by Love contest co-ordinator....

...the beautiful Kelly Riley. 

Somewhere over the Rainbow - Part One

Many thanks to those who prayed and thought of me during my recent travels to the US for the ACFW annual conference. I sensed your prayers each day as God heard and answered them... and boy, did I have myself an adventure! 

You will be pleased to know I made it there and back safely, with or without the help of Sir Richard Branson who journeyed on the same flights with me from Sydney to LA and then onward to Indianapolis.

It's not everyday the world's 212th richest billionaire and boss of an airline announces he is onboard for the 15 hour flight. Fellow V-Australia travelers were thrilled he took the time to wander the aisles and greet his passengers. I wondered how much safer the trip would be for the rest of us, with the owner sleeping in the pointy end of the plane. Would the flight crew treat us with greater care knowing the boss might be watching? Would the pilots double and triple check all their gadgetry before take off and landing? 

While the thrill of meeting famous celebrities (yes, there were TWO famous Aussies on board as well as Sir Richard) lasted a brief moment, it was the assurance my friends and family held me up in prayer that counted when the lights were dimmed. As we cut a path through the night sky over the Pacific ocean and people drifted into a restless sleep, I held onto the promise tucked firmly in my heart.

Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither 

sleep nor slumber,

The Lord watches over you - 

The Lord is your shade at your right hand - Psalm 121:4-5

Armed with the knowledge the great creator of Everyman, rich or poor, was listening to your prayers, I closed my eyes to dream of what the new day held in a land far away...  far beyond the rainbow.