Thankful for the…Unexpected Joy

Just over a week ago, my friend and author Rachelle Christensen was telling me about a fabulous week-long writing conference in St. George she was to attend, when in mid sentence she suddenly said, “You should come.” My first instinct was to say, sounds amazing-have a good time. Because there was no way I could take a week off, last minute, in November, with seven kids. But something kept me asking questions-who, what, where, when, and would there be chocolate?
First and foremost, I figured it wasn’t a go because I would need to bring my baby. She said, Bring him. Wow. But then I thought, the seminar instructor-a national LDS author in the biz for over 20 years-would surely not feel the same. So I emailed him. And he said, Bring him (just take him out if he gets fussy:) Wow.
Then I checked the family schedule-surely, it just wouldn’t work. Unbelievably, we had just a couple of things and two carpool switches. And Rachelle said I could stay at the home she was staying in. Suddenly, this experience looked very doable, so I ran it by my husband. He said, Do it. And, as we’d been trying to plan a long overdue overnighter, he said, I’ll come meet you.
Wow.
So I went. After going through the week schedule with my children and reviewing their life skills (and a dangling carrot reward for good behavior), I kissed them goodbye and loaded up Rachelle’s small car to the hilt with baby stuff and writing supplies. Due to my son starting to teethe, I ultimately didn’t attend the daily morning classes, but I didn’t stress. Instead, I spent the week playing with my baby, taking him for walks, and then writing feverishly during his naptimes. Meanwhile, when he was awake, Rachelle and I discussed what she’d learned, talked plot lines and characterization, and supported each other in our writing goals. While holding these writing chats, my little chubba played happily next to me without being hauled in and out of a car seat on the go with kids’ routines.
Quiet, peaceful, sacred time, that’s how it felt. And to top it off, even through the raging winter storm, like something out of a novel itself, my husband braved the weather to be with our baby and me.
Between Rachelle’s lovely invitation and generous friendship, the writing growth and accomplishment during the week, my husband’s fabulous appearance and time spent together, and our sweet reunion with amazing children who had actually cleaned, cooked, and kept up their school and church routines, it was an overwhelming, unforgettable Week of Joy.
So here is my grateful expression for the unexpected joyful gift, and my deepest prayers and hope that when life gives you such a joyful gift, that you’ll prayerfully open your heart and go with it.
Best,
Connie