My First Goosebump Moment as an Author

Last Sunday night brought me a moment I will never forget. Several women and teen girls had gathered at church for our Super Duper One Time Only Mandatory Camp Meeting.  (Yeah, the name started out as a joke, but it kind of stuck.) Anyways, everyone was going around to their stations getting all the information they would need to help camp run smoothly this year, and I was manning the refreshments in the kitchen.

Now, here's what you have to know about my church to picture this event. We love meetings. We call each other Brother and Sister.

Evidently there was another meeting in progress on the other side of the building when we started. When that meeting finished, a dear sister came and found me in the kitchen.

The first thing she said was, "I'm so excited to read your book!" She gave me a huge hug and then continued, "You're such an inspiration. When I saw your post about your book, it gave me the courage to write the children's books I've always wanted to write."

I got goosebumps and almost cried. It still makes me tear up. Why? I didn't set out to be an inspiration, but I'm realizing there are a lot of women at church who have put their dreams on hold just like I did. By reaching out to grab my own dreams and sharing them through online media, I've given others permission to chase their dreams.

I think that's kind of cool.

Who inspired you to chase after your dreams?