It feels like I’ve been yammering about this book for six years straight. I promise, it’ll stop eventually, just as soon as we get this puppy onto the book store shelves and sell a few thousand copies. {wry smile}
Seriously, though, can I say thank you, thank you, thank you for sticking with me, encouraging me, supporting me and pulling me up and out of the ditch of despair over the course of this long and winding road? I quite literally could not have done it without each and every one of you, and I cannot possibly express how grateful I am to you for that.
So Spiritual Misfit: A Memoir of Uneasy Faith
The doorbell rang yesterday, and when I saw the cardboard carton on the front step, I couldn’t imagine what it contained. That’s just about how every step of this publishing process has been all along – one surprise after another. I slit the box open with the kitchen scissors and was shocked to see a whole stack of books — real books, like you find in Barnes and Noble and your public library! — with my name on the cover.
When the kids got home from school they celebrated with me for 6.5 seconds and then went to play MineCraft. We have our priorities in order around here, you know.
It’s been my prayer from the start that this book will be a beacon of hope for the ones, like me, who feel a little lost. For the ones who don’t know about this God business or can’t really see themselves believing or can’t make heads or tails out of the whole faith thing. And so, in light of that, I would humbly ask that if you know someone in that camp – a wanderer, a skeptic, a questioner, an outright unbeliever – perhaps, if the Spirit moves you, you might consider sharing this book with her or him? Because I know for a fact that God goes after that one lost sheep, even when he has a full pasture of ninety-nine. And you never know what will trigger someone to turn toward God.
Thank you, friends. Thank you.
Oh, and by the way, I feel compelled to tell you that I felt like a complete and utter buffoon taking these pictures of my own book yesterday. At one point Brad walked into the sun room while I was on my knees, camera in my lap, struggling to get the paperback book to stand upright on the blue table by itself. {I finally put a vase behind it} He didn’t say anything, but I knew what he was thinking: “Okay. This has officially gotten out of hand.”
So, I read this book — laughed and cried my way through it. And let me just say: it’s for all of us. Every single one of us. You hit this one out of the park, Michelle.
Go, friends! Don’t walk. RUN to Amazon!
Woot!
Smiling at this so much, Jennifer – thank you!
Cannot wait! Placing my pre-order now!
Thank you, Ann!
Throwing confetti with you. ♥
So grateful to be on the journey with you, Elizabeth!
I’m super excited for you, Michelle, and heading over to pre-order my copy NOW! Can’t wait to meet you in a little over a week. :))))
I am really looking forward to getting to know you better in person, Beth – see you soon (and thank YOU for the pre-order!).
sitting here in the airport cheering WILDLY for you friend! isn’t it awesome to hold it in your hands? it’s your baby, come home! so proud of you. XOXO
I can’t thank you enough, Emily, for going the extra mile in supporting and encouraging me in this, Emily. So glad we are in this thing together.
Michelle, Let me just tell you that if you saw me doing carwheels in the living room, front lawn, or *anywhere*, it would NOT be a pretty sight! So may I just be allowed to let my heart dance with you all over the place? I’m sooooo excited for you!!! Congratulations! And I know the feeling of those boxes arriving. It’s surreal, surprising, and scandalously exciting all at the same time. And then once that excitement cools a bit (and for some apparently a lot quicker than others–oh boys will be boys!), you just sit back and wonder, “How on earth?” How did you ever write all those words? How did what was once a dream (and frankly, a dream thousands and thousand have, which sometimes does not get realized) come true? And then, you bow your head, with tears moistening your cheeks, and you just offer the humblest “Thank you, Lord,” and you know it’s He…..only He who could have done it. And He did it for a reason. Each book serves His eternal purpose and reaches just those who need to read it. And God uses words He gave you to changed lives, now and forevermore. I shall be getting my copy and more, because I know great blessings are store in this book. Praise God for His faithfulness and your for yours, and for your box of books!
All my love,
Lynn
PS Can’t wait to read what Dad DeRusha writes about this one! =]
I was brushing my teeth this morning and thinking, “Thank you thank you thank you, Lord!” It is SO humbling, truly.
And thank you, Lynn, for your continuing support and encouragement – you are a rock, my friend.
Please picture me with my kazoo while your confetti flies.
I’m SO excited for you and for your book!!!!!
Thank you so much, Shannon – I’m so happy to see you here!
I pre-ordered my copy a couple weeks ago. It can’t come soon enough. So excited for this–for YOU. If I felt better, I’d dance. Just imagine me shaking a leg for you. ((hugs)) Well done, sweet lady!! LOVE you.
Praying you feel better soon, Kris – just saw a story on the Today Show about how bad the flu is this year. Thank you for the pre-order and the leg-shake!
Books are exploding everywhere….it just amazes me the richness of this bloggy world I stepped into…I know this book will bless all who read it…just as your blog does as well…a big congrats to you!!!!
Thank you so much, Ro. It’s so true – it seems there are more and more books in the market these days – it gives me hope that the publishing industry — and our love of reading — is still thriving.
YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So proud of you, excited about you, overjoyed with you, bragging on you! Can’t. Wait.
Congratulations!!!
Yes, I am crying.
Yay! This is absolutely thrilling!! So excited for you, Michelle. Confetti and cartwheels are totally appropriate. Just make sure you’re not under a light fixture – ask me how I know. 😉
I really love the cover. I want to get this for our church library so others can share it, too.
(And I just watched you and Deidra on the (in)RL video. ;))
So happy for you! Can’t wait to read it!
Congratulations, and Praise God!!! Celebrating with you and for you! I will order my copy today!
Michelle, I am SO excited for you! If you could impact me so strongly in one little class at J-Treat, I can only imagine the impact this book will have. Though my blog has been quiet, my heart hasn’t as He has been molding and shaping me for what is to come….and all was set off by your seminar at Jumping Tandem. I can’t wait to read your book. Praying that God’s work will be done–that every part of your story will be redeemed in sharing it. LOVE, love, love this cover!
Sheri, thank you so much for this generous comment. Truly, to know that a little bit of my story resonated with you is such an incredible gift. Thank you.
YAY!!! CONGRATS!! I’m sending you an email about this as well, b/c I would LOVE to interview you about your book on my blog! It’s so incredible and a gift to have seen this journey come to fruition these past few years. You inspire me, and you help me believe I can be a writer, Michelle! Love to you! 🙂
Yippee! So super duper excited for you, Michelle. And I am excited for me because now I have a great book to add to my reading list! 🙂 Congrats, friend.
I have it on my Kindle waiting list…tapping my foot. So excited!
So my preorder back in October at Allume was unofficial? Ooh, I feel like such a rebel 😉
HA! It was totally unofficial, Susan!
Thank you, friend. 🙂
Congratulations, Michelle! I look forward to reading your book — what a wonderful accomplishment!
Ya know, this dang smile is so big, it’s starting to hurt! CONGRATS, Michelle. So looking forward to reading this!
So exciting!!! Can’t wait to read it!
Hmmm… I’m not feeling well enough to yell “Yeehaw!” and fire my shotgun into the air, but please know that my heart is happy enough to throw you a big-as-Texas celebration, Michelle. Since the release of the book will be either to late or too early for Christmas giving, I might have to start a tradition of Memorial Day gifts. None of my loved ones would be surprised at me doing something odd like that, so it will work out quite well. I am so looking forward to reading your words and sharing more of this journey with you. xo
I sure wish it would hurry up and get on my porch. I’m going to take pictures of it in the tree and on the play set… and smile a billion times. And it’ll be so much fun to tell my friends I know the author. I’ve touched her and everything!
Congratulations, Michelle! So happy for you and so proud of you! Can’t wait to read it!
Oh, Michelle…I think you know that I pre-ordered my copy last October. Sitting in that hotel room with several other women at Allume, including that rebel Susan Stilwell!! 🙂 I CAN. NOT. WAIT. to read this book. And I love this line: “Because I know for a fact that God goes after that one lost sheep, even when he has a full pasture of ninety-nine. ” YES!! Thank you,, Michelle.
Oh, Michelle, I’m rejoicing with you. I don’t comment a lot but I’ve been with you all the way, cheering you on from the deep South. There’s nothing like that feeling of holding your first book in your hands and dancing around the kitchen. It’s like you’ve given birth.
Wishing you many, many sales!
Oh my goodness, Michelle, it DOES feel like forever we’ve been waiting for this! I’m so excited, and I hope you’re really enjoying this time. Congrats!
This is SO exciting. I can’t wait to get it in my home and read it. SO happy for you and this new birthing experience.
Out of your labor and hard work, delivery was worth it.
So happy for you, Michelle! Woohoo and congratulations — your baby is born!
I’m so excited to finally get the chance to read your book. I loved hearing your story at the Refresh My Heart conference last year and now I’ll get to read it! Congratulations!!!
Wonderful news Michelle! It goes without saying that we are both very proud of your accomplishments and look forward to reading your book this Spring. Yes, we pre-orderd and will be among the first 1,000 sold!
with love,
marilyn and norm
Congratulations! I can’t imagine how wonderful it must have felt opening the box, and seeing your book, finally in print, that you can hold, and turn the pages, and read your favorite parts. I’m so happy for you. I hope you did a happy dance!
I’d love to see you turn cartwheels in the living room. 🙂
So happy for you!
Maybe we should call them metaphorical cartwheels – my living room isn’t big enough for real ones!
Michelle, this makes me happy! And I’ve got a few misfits in mind 🙂
SO excited to read this, Michelle. I remember “early days” conversations about this…pre-agent, pre-so much. What a blessing you and your writing are. I remember that day for me — the doorbell, the box, the book, my name. Savor the moment, friend. Blessings to you — and many more books!
I remember those conversations, too, Laura – you were (are!) such an encouragement to me. Thank you so much for all the words of wisdom and kindness you have showed me along the way – I am so grateful for you!
xxoo
Congrats, Michelle!
Out of hand? Taking photos of your book? Not at all!!! You should see all the ones we took of mine!
Congratulations, Michelle, and prayers for wonderful sales of your book! I do know some who could benefit from it, and I plan to order it myself.
Love and blessings!
Oh, that is so funny. I am picturing it and just smiling. And so enjoy it…you have birthed that baby! Praise God. Rejoice, be out of control, oogle, and gurgle and coo all over it while you take pictures and count it all joy. The labor was long. Come on, it’s awesome! Congrats.
Congratulations! There’s nothing quite as thrilling as opening a box and seeing your book for the first time! Looking forward to reading it!
Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy! This is going to be sooooo good! Congratulations!
So exciting, Michelle! I hope you did a little celebrating. I’m looking forward to reading it.
wowee! amazing news! And it’s available in the uk as a ‘real ‘ book. Many congratulations – can’t wait to read it – then I pray God will show me someone to pass it on to…
Oh, woot! I’m so behind but my heart just leaped a big beat when I saw this! I wonder when my pre-order will come? huh, huh? #Ican’twaitI’msoexcited!
Celebrating with you Michelle. I know it’s been a hard journey but so worth it now. I know your words are going to minister. Can’t wait.
so exciting!!!! and a husband just has to get over the fact that blog photos are important 🙂 i love what you posted about the acquaintance in church today… keep praying! i will, too!
I do love that cover photo! Very excited that you are at this point and all blessings to you with the release
Congratulations, Michelle! How exciting!
Congratulations! Wonderful! I’m eager to read your book.
Smiling,
Linda
Congratulations! I can’t imagine how this must all feel, but I’m working on it. 🙂
Kudos, miss Michelle!!
Blessings.