Greetings Inspy Romance Readers and Authors! My name is Jill Weatherholt and I’m the new kid on the block. I must say, being up here, and not in the comment section, feels quite different.
It was exciting when Valerie Comer reached out to me last year extending an invitation as a regular contributor. It was another one of God’s blessing that poured on me in 2015 and believe me, there were many.
A big one happened in August, when I received my first publishing contract with Harlequin Love Inspired. How that came to fruition is another post, for another time.
As we settle into a new year, I often reflect on the past year and look ahead to the new. Like many, I skip the resolutions and instead meditate on one word throughout the year.
In years past, I’ve chosen perseverance, peace and patience. In 2013, it was faith. As it turned out, it was the perfect word. Faced with challenging health issues that year, I clung to my faith daily. My faith and God’s love carried me through those difficult days.
Last year, my word was focus. At times, I have difficulty remaining focused, especially when it comes to my writing time. Often, I sit down with good intentions, but I’ll see that dust bunny in the corner of the room, or realize a few bills need paid. Then of course, there are the ever-present social medial distractions. Meditating on staying focused transported me beyond those testing times, and in the end, resulted in a book contract.
This year, I’ve chosen a word which is all-encompassing of how God wants me to live my life. My word is resolute. In 2016, I look forward to completing my second book and living my life purposeful, and unwavering in my course of action.
What are you looking forward to in 2016?
**I’m at my day job today, so I’ll be around this afternoon to chat.
By day, Jill Weatherholt works for the City of Charlotte. At night, and on the weekend, she writes contemporary stories about love, faith and forgiveness for Harlequin Love Inspired. Raised in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., she now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, but her heart belongs to Virginia. She holds a degree in Psychology from George Mason University and Paralegal Studies Certification from Duke University. She shares her life with her real-life hero and number one supporter. Their relationship grew on the golf course, and now they have one in their backyard. Jill believes in enjoying every moment of this journey because God has everything under control.
Hey Jill, welcome! We’re glad to have you on the blog. And as a fellow Love Inspired author, fairly new myself, I salute you and would love to hear the story of how you got your first contract. Be resolute!
Welcome, Jill! Congratulations on your book and moving from the comments to the blog!
Welcome, Jill! We’re happy to have you on board. :)
Welcome, Jill! Resolute is a fabulous word – but it makes me think of National Treasure :) (I might like that movie an awful lot.) Glad to have you with us!
Welcome to the group, Jill and congratulations on your upcoming release!
Welcome, Jill! We’re happy to have you here at Inspy Romance. I think you chose a great word for 2016. Congrats again on your Love Inspired contract and we look forward to hearing more about that.
Hey Jill!! It is so great to see you on the other side of the comments! In 2014 I had a scripture: Ephesians 4:29-30 Don’t say anything that would hurt another person. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you. Don’t give God’s Holy Spirit any reason to be upset with you. He has put his seal on you for the day you will be set free from the world of sin.
I studied on speaking only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. We never know how what we say may impact whoever hears us. And, sometimes, we may be talking to one person, but someone else may overhear us. Is our speech at all times edifying, or building up, the people who hear us?
My verse for 2015: Philippians 4:6-7 Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.
God’s peace. We can experience His peace that will guard our thoughts and emotions. Can you control what you think or feel? No. But God can. Peace can cover us no matter what we are going through. I also had a mascot. A cow. I love cows. When they are sitting in a field, under a tree, enjoying a breeze, chewing their cud, that is so peaceful to me.
For this year, my word is: uncommon hope. I tried making hope one word, like hopeful, hopefulness, etc, but they just didn’t work like uncommon hope. Uncommon hope, as in the uncommon hope we have in Jesus when He died on the cross. Uncommon hope that He loves us. John 14:21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” Uncommon hope that we have eternal life in Him. John 10:26-28 26″But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. 27″My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.… Uncommon hope that God is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).
I love your word Resolute. Can’t wait to hear your journey to being published. What is your day job?
Welcome and thanks for your inspiring blog. I have enjoyed reading a everyone’s word for the year. I was never one for New Year’s resolutions. Your blog makes me reflect on the past few years, since I was forced to retire from teaching June 2012. There have been many changes in our family since then – health, jobs, new granddaughter, death of my father, settling his estate, remodeling our home, and traveling. I hope to reflect on 2013, 2014,2015 and see what word I would give each year. Patience and preserver an e sound like good choices. Moderation is my life word, but think I need to find something new for this year. Thanks for the challenge.
Thanks for your work not only as an author, but in finding new inspirational authors for this sight. Enjoy your week.
I look forward to several books being released. One of which will be my first truly individual Indie published novella. (I have another out there, but it was in a set first.)
Congrats on your first contract.
So nice to have you join us here at Inspy Romance, Jill! You’ve been so faithful to visit us every day and leave an encouraging comment. I’m thankful the Lord and your faith pulled you through the health crisis and that you’ve persevered. Congratulations on the book contract! That’s awesome. I’ll look forward to hearing more about how that came about and details about the book and its release date. Many blessings to you in 2016.
Welcome, Jill, so good to have you here with us! Resolute is a great word, lovely image of you standing firm in the Lord, blessed and supported by His love. I look forward to finding out more about your book! :)
Thank you so much, Lee! I’m so happy to be here. I can’t wait to share my publication story with everyone…I’m still getting over the shock of it all. :) I’ve got your latest LI on pre-order!
Thank you for the welcome, Katy! It feels funny to be up there, but I look forward to getting to know everyone. I love to connect through blogging.
Thank you so much for extending the invitation, Val! As you know, I’ve been reading this blog for a while, it’s a great group of women.
Ha ha! Now that you mention it, my word makes me think of National Treasure too, Elizabeth. :) Thanks so much for the welcome.
Aw…thanks so much, Kimberly. I hope to learn my release date soon.
Thank you so much for the warm welcome, Heidi! I’m honored to be a part of this blog.
Hi Sally! I thought you’d be out playing in the snow today. :) I’m happy you finally got your wish, even if it is a bit powdery. All of the verses you’ve chose over the years are perfect. Philippians 4:6-7 is one of my favorites when I find myself getting stressed. I work for the police department in Charlotte…it’s too bad I don’t write suspense. :) Thanks for stopping by!
We are glad to have you here, Jill. Sadly, I’m a slacker with no resolutions or words. I do have one goal. I’m going to see whether I can format my own book. I may wind up hiring someone to do it like I did with my first indie book, but I thought I should at least give it a try.
Thank you, Renate, it’s my pleasure. You’ve certainly experienced a lot in the past several years. I’m sorry to hear about your father. I’m blessed my father is still healthy. He’s my rock and I can’t imagine a world without him, so my heart goes out to you. When I sat down to write this post, I looked back on my one word over the years, and it was quite eye-opening. It’s great to meet you.
Thanks, Ginger! How exciting, your first individual indie…that’s certainly something to look forward to. I’ll look forward to reading it. With limited time to read these days, novellas are perfect for me.
Aw…thank you, JoAnn. I’m not sure how I stumbled across Inspy Romance, but I’m so happy I did. I’ve enjoyed visiting each day and learning more about everyone and their projects. I can’t wait to share my publication story…it’s not your average story. :) Thank you for your kind words.
Thank you so much, Autumn! I waffled around for a while, but resolute stayed in my heart. Hopefully, I’ll have news to share about a release date by my next post. Things don’t always move as quickly as we’d like. :)
Thanks so much, Merrille. I hope your granddaughter is doing better…poor little thing. Well, stepping out into the indie world doesn’t sound like a slacker to me. Maybe after you learn the ins and outs, you can hold a little seminar for people like myself, who are lacking in area of technology. Good luck!
Welcome, Jill. Congratulations on your book contract. So exciting. At the moment I am spending as much time as I can with my best friend, a beautiful woman of God, who is undergoing chemo for bladder cancer. She has been so good to me and it’s a privilege to help her now in return. So many blessings, too, as her latest CAT scan showed no metastesis. God is good…all the time.
Thanks, Sharon! I’m so sorry to hear about your friend, but thankful to hear the latest CAT scan is clear. I’ll pray that your friend continues to receive good news. You’re a good friend, Sharon. Thanks for stopping by.
In 2016, I am looking forward to better health. Last year was a time full of doctor appointments and medicines, etc. I pray that this year my whole family will be healthy. :-)
Jill, I am so glad you are here. :-)
Hi Jill, Welcome to Inspy Romance :) Congrats on your contract with LI – you have an exciting year ahead!
Welcome Jill! Good post! All I want for 2016 is a better relationship with my 20 year old daughter! So I don’t know what word fits that the best–patience, hope, perseverance?
Aw…you’re so sweet, Melissa. I’m thrilled to be here, and I appreciate your visit to my personal blog. People who’ve never experienced health issues, don’t realize what a blessing it is. I pray that you and your family have good health in 2016. Spending your day in doctors offices is no fun…believe me, I know. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks, Narelle! I’m not sure I can handle much more excitement, I haven’t recovered from last year. :)
Thank you, Linda! I think all three words are perfect grounding words in order to build a better relationship with your daughter. I remember my 20’s…barely. My relationship with my mother wasn’t the greatest then, but now, she’s my world. Hang in there!
If you did write suspense, you’d have first hand knowledge! Can’t wait to read your book!
Thanks, Sally!
I’m so glad to see you here, Jill. What a perfect word for this year. And it’s been wonderful hearing about your steps on this journey!
Welcome Jill!! Glad to have you aboard :-) This year, God chose a word for me and I didn’t even ask…Faith! I’m already being tested in it & I don’t feel like I’m doing too good. But I know it will make me stronger & a person of more faith.
What am I looking forward to in 2016? Knocking my physical book TBR pile in at least half! I have an overwhelming number of books waiting for me on my bookshelf…no joke!! :-) So many good ones, but I’ve never met a bad book…lol!
Thanks for this post, Jill! I love your word for the year, and I can’t wait to read your book! I’m looking forward to so much in 2016, including the birth of a new grandchild! I finished my first book at the end of 2015, so 2016 will be a journey of a different kind – prayerfully seeking publication. Thanks again, and congratulations!
Hi L. Marie! Thanks so much for stopping by. You’ve played a major role in my journey, so thank you.
Thank you, Trixi! It’s great to be here. Faith is a wonderful word to meditate on during the year. Hey, I’m with you on whittling down that TBR pile. Mine continues to grow as I discover more and more great writers. I’d love to take two weeks off from work and do nothing but read. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? :) Thanks for reading!
Hi Laura! Thanks so much for stopping by. A new grandchild…that’s so exciting…congratulations! And congratulations on completing your first book, that’s huge. I hope you’ll continue to enter those contests, they can open many doors. Good luck!