Two Powerful Words That Ended (Or Began) It All

2015

I have a book inside me. I just don’t know what it says yet.

«first baby arrives mid-year»

2016

Survival Zone: Blur of transitioning to being a first-time parent while running my first business

2017

Maybe I’ll write about…

«toddler runs rouge while I elevate my feet and rest my again-pregnant body»

I’m so tired…

When will I ever have time to write?

2018

I know, let’s start a NEW business! Then I’ll have childcare so I can write more…

…or maybe just another business to run!

2019

Now THIS is going to be the year that changes it all (including opening a preschool!)

2020

Okay, now I really will make those things happen…

«Insert Global Pandemic and third pregnancy»

2021

So the world is shut down…maybe we should EXPAND our business and buy a historic Victorian house to move it to??

Oh, and write a GIANT grant to restore the property…

2022

Things still aren’t back to “normal” yet…

Soon maybe? Hopefully?

But what is “normal” anyway?

This is a question I ask with more empathy as our middle child gets diagnosed with Autism, redefining normal for us all!

2023

“Hey Leslie,” my friend Emma said. “You’re a writer. You should come to Mount Hermon with me this spring.”

What’s that? I wonder…

And with one invitation and a trek to the Santa Cruz mountains, the world of publishing opens up to me for the first time.

By April, I have an idea for THE BOOK and begin writing my proposal.

By October (after many kind rejections), I finally have a literary agent who believes enough in me to become my mentor.

By December, the book proposal is refined.

2024

Patience. Prayer. Practice.

I step up and speak the words I feel called to share and over a million people listen.

I get a phone call that a major publisher is interested in what I have to say.

So I write.

Waking up at 5:00am before my family and the sun.

My message flows into chapters and then a book takes shape.

I continue refining my work, not taking ANY of it for granted.

By September, I am in contract with HarperCollins.

By December, I finish the manuscript and send it out to beta readers for feedback.

2025

Continue on. This is just the beginning.

I turned in my manuscript earlier this month, grateful that the message that was planted as a seed over a decade ago in my heart has found fertile soil at last.

And while there is still an 18-month publishing journey ahead, I have never been more ready and excited for it all.

I am a student again. And this is my work.

Because “the end” is truly just another beginning.

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.

Zechariah 4:10