Happy Monday!

It's going to be a busy week for me.  I'm finishing up Plain Proposal, book #5 in the Daughters of the Promise series.  And I'm getting things together to leave for Colorado on Saturday.  My oldest son will be housesitting for us--that's what happens when you have two dogs, two cats (one who is diabetic and requires 2 insulin shots per day), a hen, a rooster, two potbellied pigs, and a goat!  So, Eric will be taking care of our animals, and Mom here will be filling the frig full of food for him. 

I'm excited about my trip for several reasons.  I'm excited to see friends Sherry and Tim in Bailey, Colorado--then me, Patrick, Tim, and Sherry will be taking off on a road trip.  First, we will be traveling to Monte Vista in the heart of the San Luis Valley.  The fictional town of Canaan featured in the Land of Canaan series is ten miles from Monte Vista.  Last time I was in Monte Vista, I met an Amish woman there.  She called me last week and has offered to help me with the books.  Amish life in Colorado is much different than some of the more well-known Amish communities.  Amish folks are migrating from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, New york, Minnesota, and Missouri in search of less expensive land and more room to spread out for future generations.  I'm anxious to learn more about Amish life there.  And my Amish friend called me from her HOME phone.  Hmm.... 

Next, we will be traveling to Westcliffe, another area in Colorado where the Amish have settled.  We'll be meeting with an Amish couple there--friends of a friend set this up.  This couple is a bit nervous about meeting with us, and even sought permission from their bishop to do so.  I'm hoping that once we meet in person that I'll be able to put their minds at ease.  I value my friendships with the Amish folks in Pennsylvania, but I worked hard to gain their trust, so I know that it will take time with my new Amish friends in Colorado.

Speaking of my Pennsylvania Amish friends--I was thrilled when a special friend sent me a NEW copy of her family's Amish cookbook, since my Lab, Chloe, ate the last one (as reported last Monday!).  I'm trying to get to Pennsylvania in November to visit with my friends there.

Now--I'm SUPER excited that my husband, Patrick, is making this week-long trip with me.  We badly need a vacation, but Patrick has never seen an Amish buggy or talked with an Amish person.  This will be quite an adventure for him.  And our friends Tim and Sherry have promised to keep us safe from the bears!!  They had bear tracks on their driveway this past week.  Have you read about the bear attacks and sightings in Colorado?  Very unusual--and scary! 

So, as I finish up Plain Proposal...my mind is traveling back to Colorado in preparation to start the next Land of Canaan novel, not yet titled.  Next time I write (next Monday), I'll be writing from Colorado. 

I'm SUPER excited about the release of the first Land of Canaan Novel--Seek Me With All Your Heart, releasing Oct. 2010 and available for pre-order. 

In case anyone hasn't seen the new trailer for Seek Me With All Your Heart on Facebook or somewhere else...here it is! 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWpHbMLvcso   What do you think???

So!  I'll write next week from Colorado!  Have a blessed week!