Ken and I returned from the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference a couple of weeks ago and I can’t tell you how wonderful it was to be back with writing friends in a setting that didn’t involve Zoom! Apparently, others felt the same way because there were 600 people at this conference!
The conference was held on the beautiful Ridgecrest Conference Center campus near Asheville, North Carolina in the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains.
What a joy it is to worship with 600 other like-minded people!
I just happened to celebrate my birthday on the second day of the conference and (even though I told him NOT to tell anyone!) my sneaky husband arranged for 600 people to sing “Happy Birthday” to me! That was a really special and fun moment, especially with our hilarious MC, Linda Goldfarb, narrating the occasion!
Ken and I both taught classes—more than 10 hours of teaching between us—and I gave the keynote address on Tuesday morning.
We also took appointments with conferees and hosted tables during each lunch and dinner in the cafeteria. (Those were some of my favorite, most fun times!)
Something really special happened for us when my first true independent novel (with Raney Day Press and a cover designed by Ken) won the Selah Award for Best Contemporary Womens Fiction!
It’s always a treat to spend a little time with my agent, Steve Laube. Steve gave a fascinating keynote one evening of the conference.
Ken and I barely saw each other coming and going during the conference, so one morning we skipped breakfast and had a little date at the Clouds Coffee Shop on campus.
As if all that wasn’t enough, the day we left the conference, we got a call that our 12th precious grandbaby had been born! He’s a boy, and he may be the cutest one yet (but then, I say that every time). He joins his big sister and three big brothers in Texas, and we can’t wait to meet him later this month!
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I love that both you and your husband are sharing your expertise with others and mentoring them!Well done!
It is our pleasure, Suzanne. We thoroughly enjoy the conferences!
Awww, congratulations on the new grand! He’s precious! Happy birthday! And I hope to one day visit Ridgecrest! I’ve heard wonderful things.
Ridgecrest is a wonderful place indeed! We’ve been so often over the years now that it sort of feels like we’re “home” when we set foot on the campus!
It was a great conference and so much fun to catch up with you! Your new grandson is adorable. So, did you make that blanket he’s swaddled in? I see a suspicious tag that looks like it says Raney Day on it. Besides being a phenomenal writer and Queen of Yard Sales, do you have other hidden talents like Grandma Stitcher Extraordinairre?
Well, I used to sew and one of my proudest creations was a midi-length lined wool coat with bound buttonholes. I honestly wish I still had it (not that I could fit into it, but still!) and I’ve made a baby blanket or two for nieces and nephews, but the tag you see is from Raney Day Designs our daughter-in-law (and mama of this new one). As a homeschooling mom of 5 now, she’s not doing much sewing these days, but she had a thriving business sewing blankets, bibs, lovies, etc., before their quiver filled up.
It was so great to see you, too, Kelly. Loved our coffee time (and thank you for the treat!) Hope it’s not too long before the next gab session!
Sounds like an amazing conference. We love Asheville and have been there several times. Of course the Blue Ridge Mountains come up through Virginia, too, 3 hours from where we live in Virginia Beach – an easy, pleasant destination.
Congratulations on your award and new grandson! Happy Birthday!
Thanks so much, Betty. The Blue Ridge Mountains are prettier than the Rockies in my humble opinion! We just love them.
Oh my goodness, Deb – – what a wonderful, HAPPY post!! 🙂
Congratulations on the book Award and especially on the best blessing ever—a new grandbaby! I am sooo happy for you and Ken!
The Blue Ridge Conference has been on my “want to attend” list for years, so, Lord willing, maybe next year I’ll be able to finally attend!
And on a side note, I still have precious (and embarrassing, LOL!) memories of meeting you and Tammy at my very first ACFW Conference in MN at the first dinner of the conference. I was so overcome with emotion I burst into tears, but you ladies were SO kind to me, which only made me respect and adore you both even more! 🙂
And we’ve all been friends ever since, Patti Jo! Always love hearing from you!
Congrats on the award and the new grandbaby. And happy belated birthday, too.
Aww, thanks, Robin. It was a very good birthday, though the number becomes more shocking every year!! 😉
Oh, wow!! That conference looks fantastic!
It’s always been a great conference, but with 600 there this year, it was extra special! And of course, with its proximity to Asheville and the Biltmore and the Blue Ridge Parkway, etc., it’s a really great one to attend! Hope to see you in St. Louis for ACFW!