After posting pretty regularly every Tuesday, what happened to me?

I said I would post a followup to “Moving Beyond Grief,” but I never did. (I have a draft written but honestly it feels so shallow.)

I feel pretty bad about neglecting the Wild Rose Journal, and I decided you deserve to know what’s happening.

I also have decided to make a few changes around here.

The Good News

At first when I didn’t post, it was because I was unwell. I had started a new treatment, which was on Tuesdays during my writing time. I never really caught up with posting.

But then I was able to walk up our long driveway.

Past the driveway, and around the cul-de-sac.

Up to the neighbor’s.

Down the street.

Ride horseback.

I started another new treatment. The first dose laid me in bed for the weekend.

But the second dose got me dancing, riding horseback even more often, starting to exercise in the mornings. If you know me you know mornings are always a bad time for me. They’re when I “crash” with a “POTS attack.” If I even walked too much before my shower and my breakfast, I was in bed the rest of the day.

I’m better. I can’t believe it, even now. After living trapped in my sick body since childhood, I feel like I have a new body. Instead of thinking about dancing or canoeing or off-the-grid camping as cool things I could never do, I’m thinking, “I want to do that. I can do that.”

I’m able to move my body simply for the joy of moving. I’m going to get out my bike, which has been unused for years, and ride to the library (it’s close but still!)

Listening To My Body

Right now, I’ve decided I need less pressure from my writing life. I also would like to spend more time submitting to websites and magazines, something I’ve never done. (Pray for me as the very idea sets my anxiety off.)

I want to enjoy my newfound body without added anxiety. I need to learn to drive and find some ways to earn money. My body is asking me to move, and I’m delighting in saying, “Yes!”

Wild Rose Journal Changes

So I’ve decided to cut back Wild Rose Journal postings to once a month. I’m also contemplating accepting submissions. Would you like this? Let me know in the comments below.

I’m also going to switch gears on the theme of this blog. I do want to continue to reach hurting hearts, but I’d like to broaden my scope and instead start focusing on the beautiful things in life. I want to serve others, but I’ve realized constantly dwelling on the negative aspects of my life and the world make me pessimistic and depressed.

It’s still incredibly important to me to hear your stories and listen and pray to my friends who are hurting. I don’t want this in any way to sound like I’m giving up on spreading hope. I just want to start dwelling on gratitude and beauty.

When I get articles, poems, and stories published, I’ll send a link to my email list: http://eepurl.com/ddAf-D If you become a Wild Rose, you’ll also have a chance to win a custom poem. I will give a poem, written just for one special Wild Rose every 50 subscribers, so if you sign up you’ll be entered in the giveaway!

(This, by the way, is a brand new email list. It’s not my supporter newsletter, which I’m transitioning into a prayer-request and update only list. Subscribing will really help me out, but only do so if you’d care to read my emails, of course!)

I’m so thankful for this writing journey and for my small family of supporters. I can’t wait to give you all the projects I’ve been working on.

How Have I Not Told You?

I also just realized I’ve never told you about my ministry, The Wilting Rose Project! I lead an encouraging Instragram account for young ladies. My dear friend KaleighAnne started it, and when her life took an unexpected turn I took over. We are currently learning about boldness in Christ, thanks to Bekah, Bethany, and Krystle, my fellow Roses.

I’m also a “Community Assistant” over at The Young Writer, which means I help with the online writing community. I  answer writing questions, support young writers, and make sure everyone follows the guidelines. We’re opening enrollment in a few days, so if you’re interested in learning how to go from “young writer” to “young author” please sign up for the waiting list. Brett Harris, the founder, released a pretty cool video series today.

Change is sometimes scary, but I’ve also learned that every stage is beautiful. And these changes in my life and my body are so wonderful. I can’t wait to learn to climb trees and milk a

How do you react to change? Do you enjoy it?

Don’t forget to let me know in the comments! And remember to subscribe to both WRJ updates so you get notifications when I post, and my email list so you’re entered in my poetry giveaway!