My Summer Sabbatical

While house sitting for a friend last month, I was retiring for the evening and picked up a book on her bedside table. It was called ”Sabbath” by Wayne Muller. He spoke eloquently of seasons of work, and seasons of rest. How we were designed by God to work 6 days and rest a full day each week… how land is to be farmed six years and then lay fallow for a year… how trees and flowers thrive throughout the spring, summer, and fall, then go dormant for the winter season.

I soon noticed two things: First, my favorite television shows (House and The Office) were having their “season finales.” They’ll start back up with new seasons in the fall, but the summer will be filled with re-runs. Secondly, I noticed how my heart seems to be yearning for a similar sabbatical season. I’ve been writing for 10 years (I started my first book, Women at the Well, in 1999). I don’t currently have another book under contract, and in all honesty, it feels marvelous not to have another book deadline looming over me at this time. So it’s occurred to me that I should just follow my heart into a complete “summer sabbatical” from writing, including my blog. I’ll follow in Oprah & Dr. Phil’s footsteps and rely on re-runs throughout the summer, hopefully returning refreshed and re-energized in the fall.

In the mean time, I hope you’ll enjoy perusing some of our previous blog posts – many of which may be completely new to you if you’ve not gone all the way back into our archives from prior to The Sexually Confident Wife book release last summer. I hope you’ll post your comments as well, as I will continue to get email alerts as responses are posted.

What will I spend my extra time doing? Going out on more dates with my wonderful husband, Greg… hanging out with my 17-year old daughter, Erin, and making lots of memories together before she goes off to college in Australia next spring… shooting hoops, lifting weights, and playing tennis with my 14-year old son, Matthew… working on my life coach certification… and enjoying some relaxing quiet times at Hideaway Lake. I think I’ll read Donald Miller’s “Blue Like Jazz” too. I’ve wanted to read that for a long time.

I’ll also be reading lots of B.L.A.S.T. applications before the July 15th deadline (see more info. below), so if you are an aspiring writer or speaker, but haven’t gotten your application in yet, what are you waiting for? We kick off the one-year mentorship program in September… after I’m all rested up from my summer sabbatical!

Enjoy your summer as well,

Shannon

On the Book Front...

We rejoice to announce that Preparing Your Daughter for Every Woman’s Battle is now available in Korean and Portuguese! For a list of all of our books printed in foreign languages and contact information for foreign publishers, go http://www.shannonethridge.com/FAQ.shtml.

Attention Aspiring Authors & Speakers -
Less than 2 WEEKS left to get your B.L.A.S.T. Application submitted!!!

Do you feel called to speak or write a book, but wonder how to get started?

Are you already writing and speaking,
but want to enlarge your platform or get your writings published?

Over the past several weeks I’ve been reviewing many BLAST applications, and it’s already been… well… a BLAST! I’m ecstatic to learn of the hopes and dreams of many aspiring writers & speakers, and the incredible potential they hold to become a blessing to the body of Christ.

I applaud every applicant for their courage and eagerness to SHARE THEIR STORY so that others will be encouraged in their own lives. As Revelation 12:11 says, “they overcame [the enemy] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”

In case you’re wondering, there’s still room for you in the 2009-2010 class, but the application deadline is less than 2 weeks away! click here for an informational brochure and application packet. Also, feel free to forward this e-newsletter to your like-minded friends who’d be interested as well. There is an ONLINE version of the program, so no matter where you live, you can have a BLAST with us!

Mark Your Calendars - Shannon Is Coming To...