Exciting new partnership

Don't you love it when God brings His plans together? Here's one of the best things in my life these days: a new ministry partnership with Lisa Troyer, a Cleveland based Moody radio host and musician, and her ministry Circle of Friends. Last spring, when Lisa heard me speak in Cleveland for Moody's Gathering for Women, she felt God's nudge to write and produce a worship CD to accompany my book, Meet Me at the Well. After we talked it over, we subsequently flew in August to Moody Publishers for their blessing and advice. By July, Lisa had written and recorded a number of songs in Nashville, and signed with a record label.

I'm delighted to say, God has blessed this venture beyond belief! Pictured here are radio host Wayne Shepherd, me, producer Joe Carlson, and Lisa Troyer at Michael Card's famed Mole End Studio in Nashville where we recorded an hour-long radio special announcing the January release of Lisa's new CD, "Meet Me at the Well," as well as our upcoming partnership in ministry. I will speak and Lisa will lead worship around this wonderful God-given theme of renewal. Isn't He wonderful? Our first retreat will be Winterlude for Grace Chapel in Lexington, MA, held at the Hyannis Conference Center January 14-17, 2010 on Cape Cod. In February we'll bring the same messages and music to Lisa's Circle of Friends retreat near Cleveland. (More details soon.)

As I write this, Jocelyn Hamshire, pastor's wife, speaker, and COF board member, is completing a 13 week Bible study to accompany Meet Me at the Well. I marvel at the goodness of God in all this. We are truly a Circle of Friends serving Him together. If you'd like more updates, or would like to schedule an event, please contact me via my website, www.virellekidder.com.

In the meantime, may God's goodness mercies overflow in your life.

Ever seen a pink full moon?

I wish I'd had a camera the other night as my husband Steve and I stood on the boardwalk of the Indian River Lagoon in Fort Pierce, Fl after a wonderful dinner at Cobb's Landing. Amazing. Suddenly, this pale pink full moon rose through the clouds like a rose in bloom. We were stunned by its beauty. I've seen an orange harvest moon in NY, full of brazen glory, but nothing like this. To the north of it were the densest thunder clouds you've ever seen, black as a wool blanket. We'd never have seen the moon rise that night if we'd stayed home, just forty minutes to our north. But here on the literal edge of night, God made a spectacle of beauty rising like hope next to the storm.

Like you, our lives often skirt big storms, sometimes landing right in them. We have a very black one right now in our family with a deathly diagnosis for my husband's mother. It's awful to see the darkness gaining on her, and on us all. But here is hope tonight rising for real in my heart like that rare pink moon. I know this is not all there is. Life has more. God has more of His goodness and mercy to give. And the darkness cannot overcome it. I'm sure of it.

The Best Days of Your Life

A few moments stick in my mind from our summer on the road as the very best. Here's a photo of our daughter, Lauren, with Steve and me right after completing a triathlon in Grand Island, NY near Buffalo. Cheering her on were hubby Michael, all three kids, brothers Bob and Dave, two nephews, and one sister-in-law, Jose. Just finishing the event was a high point, as Lauren has suffered with lupus for almost twenty years. We never expected this, but a remission period has allowed her to begin working out and running for the first time since high school. She's my hero.

What do moments like this mean to parents? The world and beyond. Because God gives them like unexpected gifts right when we need them. We had just returned from helping Steve's folks during a health crisis. Today, Lauren is anticipating knee surgery and an injection for back problems. Life goes on, doesn't it. But the best days linger in my mind. There's always cause to celebrate God's goodness.

What's your reason to celebrate today? Can't think of one? I love the sign in the mortician's office, "Any day above the ground is a good day."

What three months on the road will do to you...

A lot of my friends have asked, "Where's Virelle been all summer?" The simple answer is living out of a suitcase along with my husband, Steve, for three months traveling around New York State visiting our parents, kids, and grandkids. Sure, vacation calls us back home, so much of our time was spent reconnecting with loved ones, especially my husband's parents in western New York. We also came home with new appreciation for the busy lives our kids lead managing work, church, business and family life. Our eight grandkids are growing tall, strong, smart, handsome, and beautiful. Of course. They're our grandkids! Take a look at all eight lined up according to age. Pretty cool bunch.

We also spent three weeks at our wilderness camp in the Adirondack Mountains north of Lake Placid. Having been the only members of our family to have lasted that long in the woods, let me just say how good indoor plumbing, electricity, and running water look to us now. Still, there's no place else on earth as beautiful as our camp setting. Where else do you find moose tracks on the beach, pine scented breezes, and spectacular views everywhere?

Best of all, we were able to care for Steve's Mom and Dad, ages 93 and 96, for six weeks over the summer offering us priceless opportunities to return love they've given us lavishly over our lifetime. We wouldn't trade it for the world.

Guess what we learned?
- Nothing is more important than love
- Our family and friends are our greatest treasures
- We need very little to be truly happy

How about you?
Incidentally, I'm speaking at Cooperstown Bible Conference in North Dakota this weekend. Hope to see some of you there!
Grace to you,
Virelle

Let's talk about murder!

Those of you who know me well are probably tired of hearing me talk about my murder mystery. But for those who seldom associate my name with murder, no, I'm not "Kiddering" around. I'm happily writing the first in a series of murder mysteries revolving around a young journalist named Maddie, her seriously fun senior neighbor, Lil, and a host of characters from the most beautiful town in Florida, Vero Beach. It all starts with Maddie walking on the beach after work with a large iced mocha latte, a socialite's daughter who believed a lie and ended up dead, and a town that wouldn't be bullied. It doesn't hurt that Lil's handsome grandson, a professor from New York, feels compelled to fly down and solve this case, too.

So why's a Christian writer intrigued with murder? Because real life happens to all of us, Christian or not. I'm delighted to join the ranks of many fellow authors who have jumped into a new genre and found such challenge and delight. You'll find hints and updates, maybe even an excerpt or two, right here on my blog.

Feel like there's a budding writer inside you, too? Check out Jerry Jenkins' Christian Writers Guild website: www.christianwritersguild.com. You'll be amazed at all the new mini courses being designed for those with singular interests. My favorite courses are still the Apprentice and Journeyman courses, designed for serious students. Over the years I have mentored many and watched some go into full time writing careers. How fun is that?

Stay in touch. You'll be hearing from me when you least expect it.

Virelle

Take a Hike with Me!

Here's a fun question:  Where does an elk go for breakfast?

Answer: Anywhere he wants to!

On our recent week-long trip to Estes Park, Colorado, Steve and I awoke daily to many huge elk grazing outside our door. They own the Rocky Mountains, basically, seldom moving for cars, and never for pedestrians. What fun! While I taught writing at 8,000 feet, guzzling water to prevent altitude sickness, Steve trekked down to the Big Thompson River with his new fly rod to catch a big one. In an entire week, he caught nothing, but who cared? It was a great place to spend his sixty-fifth birthday! I had an eager class filled with talented writers and a whole week to enjoy meeting with fellow writers and agents I hadn't seen in a long time.

After Colorado, I had two days to unpack and repack to speak north of Toronto at Women of Grace, held at the beautiful Muskoka Bible Conference Centre on Lake Mary. It was a remarkable time. Not only did a moose swim across the lake, as if on cue, but some amazing women attended whom I will remember for a long time. If you live near there, I've been invited to return in June, 2010. Please come!

May was a busy month, with eighteen days on the road speaking. Apart from doing some radio and television shows now, I'm gearing up to begin work on two novels this year. Pray I can write them with joy and not fear, as this is an entirely new genre for me. 

I'll be giving away several copies of The Best Life Ain't Easy in the next few weeks. If you'd like to receive one, just be one of the first five people to jot me a line with "book giveaway" in the subject line. Write to me at connect@virellekidder.com. 

 May this day bring only God's best to you! 

Virelle

Good writing makes good reading

I'm sitting in my living room surrounded by suitcases, book boxes, grandchildren's birthday gifts, and a small stack of papers begging to be looked at one more time before bed. Tomorrow Steve and I leave for the Colorado Christian Writers' Conference, a singular experience high up in the Rockies at the YMCA conference center in Estes Park. It's a favorite of mine, a place of miracles year after year. Some of my closest writing friendships were formed here. I'll be teaching a continuing course on "Writing a Life-Changing Non-Fiction Book." Should be fun.

But in the back of my mind, I'm forming the mind of a fiction writer. For several years a novel has grown roots deep in my soul, awakening me at all hours. I long for June's clear slate to get to know my characters "for real."

 Now I wonder, as you may, what's the real difference between good fiction and good non-fiction? The stock answer is that one is true and one is not. But I question that every night as I pick up Jan Karen's first book in the Father Tim series, Home to Holly Springs. "A childish title," I thought when I first opened it. But now, I'm riding on the front seat in Father Tim's old Buick, squeezed between him and his enormous black dog, visiting rooms in his life long shut.Some of them frighten me, as old rooms from my own childhood sometimes do.  It's a stunning revelation how this character has become real flesh and blood. I know him. I feel his pain, love his wife, experience his weakness, and struggles. He is no longer fiction.

 How I'd love to write such living prose that readers would find it impossible to separate from real life. That's what reading good writing does. It trains our ear to the sound of reality, allows us to peer inside the microscope and see what others miss. Good writing, finely honed by those who didn't quit, illuminates life. How perfectly fitted Christian writers are to listen to the Master, and see with His eyes as we write. That's what I long for. How about you?