Five years ago today, my first book—Made to Last—launched into the big, wide world.

I was nervous and excited and happily overwhelmed…and oh, what a great excuse it gave me to eat like a thousand cookies. (No but seriously…we had this intensely fun launch party, thanks to my amazing family and friends, and there were so. many. cookies.)

One of my favorite pics from the party! We had a photo booth with a bunch of construction props and my family had a hilarious time taking pics. We were just missing my brother, Nathanael, who lives out East.

Five years ago.

It feels like forever ago and it feels like yesterday. It feels like everything changed that day or maybe nothing at all. I was the same laidback Iowa girl—still a lover of stories, both real life and imaginary—and a different one, now living on the other side of a dream-come-true.

You know what, guys?

Dreams-come-true are so wonderful, but if there’s one thing my own has taught me, it’s that our dreams aren’t so much about the what and the when…but who we become along the journey. I chased a publishing contract for a couple of years before God opened that particular door…and even after the door opened, I sorta felt like I kept running for awhile. Chasing the next “thing”—good reviews, awards, lots of readers, another contract…

But in the past few years, man, God has done a number on my heart. He’s reminded me—sometimes in big, un-ignorable ways and other times in little whispers in my soul—that it was never about chasing the dream. It’s about chasing Him and becoming the person He always planned for me to be.

I’ll confess that’s a perspective I haven’t always held on to…and whenever I don’t—whenever I start comparing my road to another’s or fixing my eyes on the next “thing” instead of the One who promises the kind of fulfillment that “thing” could never bring on its own—it just leads to burnout and stress and unnecessary striving.

Five years later, I know I’m not all the way there yet. I’m not sure we ever fully get there while on this earth.

But with each year and each bend in the road, if we stay open and flexible and humble, He’ll guide us and grow us and teach us until, like sunflowers bending toward the sun, our natural instinct is to lean into Him…

And that’s when our dreams will most flourish.

Our souls will replenish.

Our creativity will soar.

Because we’re tucked close to the most creative One of all.

*****

A five-year anniversary calls for a little celebration, yes? I think I’ll eat some cookies.

But for everyone else, how about a giveaway??

This giveaway includes some happy autumn stuff! One person will win:

Paperback copy of my debut novel, Made to Last …
…plus the autumn-y sequel (in which the heroine’s name is actually Autumn!), Here to Stay .
A super cute fall mug designed by my talented artist sister, Nicole of Nicole Letters
A pretty fall scarf! (I want this, you guys. I might need to go back and buy a second one.)
A pumpkin candle that smells like heaven
Dove chocolates that taste like heaven

You’ve got one week to enter via the form below with multiple entry options. I’ll announce the winner on Monday, Sept. 24.

a Rafflecopter giveaway