Speaking of Pastor's Wives . . .

Since my last post, the paperback edition of my new novel, The Runaway Pastor's Wife, has been released! [Click here if you'd like to order a copy. Go ahead. We'll wait . . .] I could not be happier with it! Since its release, I've had several booksignings and speaking engagements. It's been such a trip to see how pastor's wives react to the title. "You wouldn't believe how many times THAT thought has crossed my mind . . ."  Seems those frustrations I felt back when I wore their shoes weren't so unusual after all.

In a couple of weeks I'll be taking part in a panel discussion at a seminary wives' retreat at Midwestern Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. My sister is on faculty there and when she heard about the retreat, she mentioned my new novel to them. Next thing I knew, an airline ticket to Kansas City appeared with my name on it. I'm looking forward to talking to these women. And rest assured I won't be a Debbie Downer (though how fun would THAT be?) Instead, I'll tread lightly but share a few things I've learned along the way.

Want a sneak preview? To those whose husbands will soon become pastors, I might include the following advice:

1. If some dear soul in your church tells you God told her you're supposed to lead this group or head that event or organize this banquet or chair that committee? One word: RUN!!! Here's a little secret. If God wants you to do something like that, I guarantee He'll tell you, not someone else. When we arrived at our first church out of seminary, a church member immediately approached me and said God had told her I was to be in charge of VBS, which was only about three weeks away. I had just suffered a miscarriage and let me tell you, I was a wreck. I can promise you God did not want me to lead VBS that year!

2. You don't have to be at church every moment the doors are open. Really. You don't. Contrary to popular belief, it is not written in concrete. Anywhere.

3. Be very, very careful of those bearing expensive gifts and offers of fabulous trips or new cars. They often come with strings attached. Just so you know.

4. You don't have to be on every committee, sing in the choir, teach Sunday School, work in the preschool, and lead a women's Bible study once a week. What you should do are those things God has called and equipped you to do.

5.  FYI: you are not the church queen. It's not necessary for you to be involved in every tidbit of the church business; in fact it can be quite unhealthy if you do. Just because you're married to the pastor doesn't mean he and his entire staff need your advice on every church matter that arises. He may confide in you when it's appropriate, but the future of the church shouldn't depend on your personal dictates.

6.  Let your kids be kids. They aren't perfect but neither are the rest of the kids who come to church, and it's not their fault they have to live in a fishbowl. If Mrs. Persnickety wants to tell you every time little Johnny gets a time-out in his kindergarten Sunday school class for scribbling like a mad man on his picture of Jesus feeding the 5000, just smile, thank her, then be sure to hang up the little masterpiece on the fridge door when you get home.

7.  If you aren't a people person, chances are you shouldn't be a pastor's wife. Trust me on that.

8.  Choose your friends wisely. I repeat: choose your friends wisely. Note picture at right. Enough said.

Hey, I'm on a roll here. How about you? Any suggestions you'd give these soon-to-be pastor's wives? Lest they run away from home like Annie, my main character, would advice would you offer them?

The Runaway Pastor's Wife!

No, that's not a news flash for a missing person (thankfully!) It's the official announcement of the Kindle release of my debut novel, The Runaway Pastor's Wife. I am so excited to finally have this book in print! My, what a history it's had. Let me tell you about it.

Once upon a time, I - Diane Hale Moody - was a pastor's wife. It's true. I helped put Ken through seminary right after we got married. Those were wonderful years and we made so many good friends - most of them young couples like us just starting out. After graduation, Ken was called as minister of education to his first church - First Baptist, Naples, Florida. Paradise indeed! We stayed there about five years, had both our children while on staff there, then moved to First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks in Largo, Florida in 1989. We were there just shy of nine years. As in Naples, we made so many forever-friends there and made some fantastic memories while Ken served on that mega-church staff.

But if I'm honest, I really started struggling about half-way through those years at Indian Rocks. Part of it was my glorious "adventure" into pre-menopause. (Waaaaaay too early, I might add, baffling even my good doctors.) But it was more than that. I won't bore you with the details, but suffice it to say, I wasn't handling the role of "pastor's wife" too well. There were times it got pretty ugly. When I say the families of those in church ministry live in a fishbowl, I'm being kind. It's tough. Sometimes, brutal. It's hard on the kids, on the marriage, on the entire family, and of course, on the minister-husband. Some handle it with grace and ease and they are my heroes.

But I wasn't one of those. Eventually I ended up seeing a Christian counselor. Terry knew I loved to write, so he suggested I pour some of my angst and depression and frustration into a story. Before my fingers even hit the keyboard, I knew what that story would be about: a pastor's wife who runs away from home! Fantasy and then some, oh my yes. While I am NOT my main character, Annie - let's be perfectly clear on that - I certainly understood her struggles. Her story is entirely fictional - trust me on that - though there are characters and scenes and situations that tip-toe very close to real life at times. And that's all I'm gonna say about that.

Therapeutic? Oh baby. You have no idea! A thousand counseling sessions couldn't have done what writing this book did for my soul.

That was fifteen years ago. Annie's story has gone through many revisions but of all the books I've written, this one is my favorite. That's why I'm so excited it's FINALLY in print!

You can download the Kindle version of The Runaway Pastor's Wife now by clicking here. Or, if you prefer, the paperback version releases March 1st. Not to worry - I'll remind you! After doing such a fantastic job designing the cover of my first book, Confessions of a Prayer Slacker, I was thrilled to have the opportunity for my daughter Hannah to work her magic on the cover of my first novel as well. I couldn't be more proud of her!

Just so you know, this isn't just a chick story, guys. Yes, there's romance, but there's also major league baseball, political intrigue, mystery, assassination  - well, you get my drift. So don't let the title scare you away. Just sayin' . . .

It's a little like putting my precious baby out for everyone to examine . . . but I'm so pleased to finally share this story. If you happen to read it, please drop me a note and let me know what you think, okay?

Happy reading!

Don't Forget to Stop and Awe . . .

We woke up to yet another winter wonderland here in the Nashville area this morning. I'm guessing this may be about our 10th big snow this year, and without question, this is the most beautiful snow we've ever had! I absolutely love it, but then I don't have to get out and drive in it. Still, I could hardly wait to get outside and take some pictures. It had rained most of yesterday which made the snow cling to every branch of every tree. It truly is breathtaking.

I felt a sense of urgency this morning as I got dressed, to get out there and get my pictures before it started melting. I knew I only had a temporary window of opportunity to capture these images before they disappeared. Which accounts for why I was so relieved to get so many nice shots.

As I was crunching along in the snow, a thought occurred to me: I was quite literally walking in the midst of a gift. God knows how much I love His winterscapes. I have no doubt it's part of why He orchestrated our move from snow-less Florida to the changing seasons of Tennessee, now over a decade ago. He did it for days just like today. As I was surrounded by the near-blinding whiteness, I realized - once again - just how much He loves me! These glimpses of nature in all her glory are literally paintings He's given me to enjoy . . . way better than any 3-D spectacle Hollywood could ever come up with.

Do you ever experience that understanding? The realization that God puts you in a specific place, at a specific time, just to witness the splendor of His creation? Do you stop and thank Him for that gift, planned and designed uniquely for YOU at that moment in time? 



When we first moved here, I worked downtown and had to be at the office at 6:00 a.m. At certain times of the year, that meant I got to see the sun come up on my 30-minute commute. Sometimes it was hidden by an overcast sky. Other times, it was so gorgeous, I wanted to pull over just to soak it all in. The morning fog would only enhance the landscape, adding depth and texture to the picture surrounding me. I remember writing a song in my head about it during those morning drives . . .  



He wrapped the mist around the mountains,

And He painted the canvas sky,

With colors so true, shades of purple and blue,

Such a masterpiece to see! 

To think, He did it all for me . . .

Corny, I know. But I remember singing that song in my old van, with tears rolling down my cheeks. I was just so humbled that God loved me enough to put me in that place and time, with that panoramic windshield view, so I could enjoy His uniquely personalized, wonderful gift. 

I had that same experience in this morning's snowy wonderland. As I snapped my pictures, I could almost hear Him whispering in my ear, "Do you get it? Do you realize I did this just for you? Do you have any idea how much I love you?"

Yes I do, Lord. Yes I do.

Now it's your turn. When was the last time you let God "stop and awe" you? When was the last time you let His love wash over you in the form of a sunrise? Or the fragrance of a garden in springtime? Or the soft lapping of the waves on the shore? When was the last time you let the glory of His music fill your soul with hope and passion? When was the last time you let Him embrace you with a gentle breeze or make you laugh with snowflakes dancing on your eyelashes?

When was the last time you opened your eyes and your heart and let God love on you?

The Blahs, Distractions, and a Shameless Book Plug

Is it just me or is anyone else having a hard time getting 2011 going? See this little cutie in the striped cap? EXACTLY how I feel. (Here's hoping it ain't gas?) No, I'm afraid it's official: I've got The Blahs.

I just can't seem to find my mojo now that we're well into the new year (assuming I ever had a mojo?) . . . I have so much I need to be doing, but I can't get my "want-to" to want-to. Know what I mean?

Could be the snow. Nashville was blessed with such a beautiful white Christmas this year, and we've had even more since then. Yeah, I'm one of "those" people - the kind who can't get enough of the white stuff. BRING.IT.ON. Granted, I don't live in Minnesota (hi Joy!) or South Dakota or up in Alaska . . . but I do love me some good snow. It's very calming to my soul, if that makes any sense. Doesn't bother me a bit to get snowed in for days on end. Even when the kids were younger, I loved waking them with those two beautiful words: Snow Day! We'd watch movies, make popcorn, sleep a lot . . . heaven!

Ah. Maybe THAT'S the problem. All this snow = sleep in my brain, thus explaining the slow start to 2011. Like hibernating bears. Could explain all these naps that keep invading my schedule . . .

Or it could be the Kindle my kids bought me for Christmas! For a book lover like me, I can't believe I'm already hooked on this gadget but I am! I still love my traditional books (I take turns so they aren't offended), but I feel terribly trendy whenever I whip out my Kindle and start reading. LOVE when my kids surprise me! 

I'm also back on Weight Watchers. Maybe it's the hunger pangs that are distracting me. Ya think? Great program, especially with their new PointsPlus system, but any time I'm watching what I eat, it seems like that's ALL I can think about! But hey - I've lost 6.5 pounds my first two weeks, so I'm a happy girl. Only a bazillion more to go . . . watch for some svelte glamor shots later this year. HA!

But I've gotta get moving. I've got several trips on the horizon this year. A birthday getaway/house & dog sitting weekend with my good friend Sally in a couple of weeks. Then, the end of February, a reunion weekend at a cabin in Blue Ridge with some long-lost friends of mine from our seminary days in Texas - haven't seen either of them in about 25 years! Even now, I'm resting my jaws for the gabfest! HOW FUN!! In March, another trip to Ridgecrest in North Carolina for a big church librarians annual event. I'll be helping lead a conference as well as taking part in a big book signing there. Then Ken & I are planning a trip to Boston the end of April to celebrate - wait for it - our 30th anniversary!! Woo hoo!! Can't wait for that one!

As we speak, my next book - Don't Ever Look Down: Surviving Cancer Together - co-authored with Dick & Debbie Church, is headed to press with an April 1st release date. It was such an honor and privilege to work on this book with two of my dearest friends. If you know ANYONE who has had to travel down the road of cancer, you need to get a copy of this book. Dick & Deb have opened their hearts to share their experiences along their cancer journey, taking turns by writing every other chapter to give their individual perspectives. Deb, an oncology counselor who was diagnosed with Stage IIIA breast cancer, gives a transparent peek into her world from the other side of cancer. Dick, a minister with a passion for mountain climbing, writes a compelling comparison of Debbie's battle with cancer to the difficulties, dangers, and triumphs of climbing a mountain. I know I'm ridiculously prejudiced about this book, but trust me - you've NEVER read a book like this. What makes it so unique is not only Deb's point of view from 18 years of counseling others with this horrible disease, but also the rare insights of a husband whose wife endured a double mastectomy. As pathetic as it may seem, many husbands in that situation don't stick around. Dick Church did, and he gives us a rare glimpse into the heartbreaking situations they've faced together. You'll be hooked from page one. That's a guarantee!

Sound like a pitch? You betcha! Preorders available now! Click here! And be assured I'll remind you when the big launch occurs. Consider yourself warned.

I've been so bad about posting these blogs. "Irregular" doesn't even come close to describing how often I don't post! It isn't that I forget. Just doesn't seem like I have much to say that's worth blabbing about. That, and the fact that when I do post, it's waaaaay too long. So the new rule is "less is more." Post more often, just shorter and to the point.

Which means this one is already too long. I'm outta here!

A Little Cheese With My Whine?

First, let me apologize for the long absence. I actually wrote two long posts over the last few weeks, then dumped both of them. I was in a bit of a funk and it just didn't seem fitting to whine so much during the holidays, when in fact, I know I've been so blessed this year. In the end, we had a beautiful white Christmas and a wonderful time with our family.

That said, on this last day of 2010, it seems only fitting to serve up a little whine with my cheeseball. "It has been a year," as they say. I've got both barrels loaded. Consider yourself warned.

Most of my ranting here is trivial, but some of this stuff has aggravated the snot out of me this year. Number 1 on my DROVE.ME.NUTS list was the purchase of our long-awaited new kitchen appliances. Our oven hasn't really worked in years. Turned itself off whenever it felt like it. Beeped obscene messages at us, flashing "F3" or "F4" - whatever that meant. Our separate stovetop had basically given up the ghost as well. Only one burner still worked and it was either hot or not. And not to be left out, our dishwasher was dying a slow, quiet death.

Finally the day came when we took out a home equity loan and headed to Lowe's. We immediately loved our new stovetop and dishwasher. The big, gorgeous oven? Not so much. Apparently self-cleaning ovens now come with mandatory fans. Whenever the oven is on (and even long after it's turned off), the fan blows. Problem is, the fan causes a serious rattle of the sheet metal encasing the oven. In the greater scheme of things, I know it's not life-changing. But having paid almost $1000 for this new oven . . . I DON'T WANT IT RATTLING!!!

Long story short, after several repairmen have visited, including one who replaced the fan, it STILL rattles. My demand to Lowe's? I want a new oven! One that does not rattle. Three months later we're still fighting Lowe's over this. They couldn't have been nicer, but they have yet to offer to replace it. Mama ain't happy . . . and you know what they say.

Whine #2. Car repairs. Yesterday I spent all day in Franklin after dropping off my Beetle at Hallmark Volkswagen for some repairs: a recall on the transmission and a power window that still shreeks when it closes, despite the fact they "fixed it" a month ago for $300. Mid-day they called to let us know they were out of the parts necessary to fix the transmission. HUH? Hello? I had an appointment! You couldn't have told me before I traveled 40 miles down there? Then they informed us the window issue was "an entirely different problem" and it would cost another $114 to fix it this time. HUH?! It's doing the EXACT same thing yet you tell me it's a "different problem"??? People, where is your integrity?! Do you really think we're that stupid?!

Whine #3. Painful feet. I've been fighting severe plantar fasciitis (commonly called a heel spur) for several months. Excruciating pain when I stand or walk on it. Had a cortisone shot in it about a month ago (talk about painful!) and a brace put on my foot. Recently I started shopping for shoes with better support. I learned that specialty shoes cost a fortune (anywhere from $95 to $345), but they don't even come close to what these foot specialists charge for inserts. At the local Good Feet Store, the sales lady didn't even blink when she told me the set of inserts would cost me $600!!! I bit my tongue, but desperately wanted to scream, "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?! What, are they made of GOLD?! THEY'RE PLASTIC, for the love of Pete!!!" Needless to say, I hobbled my way right out the door.

Whine #4. Product changes. I have a real beef with the marketing brainiacs who think it makes good sense to change up their product names and packaging from time to time. Just about the time you find something you like, they change the color of the product, change the packaging, and give it a new name. So you waste money trying out all these "new" products just to find the one you liked before. Then there's the whole industry change on products like deodorant or hairspray. I'm extremely sensitive to smell, so I need "unscented" products. For some reason, those are very hard to find these days. Or, if you buy them, you get them home only to find they reek! Why is it "unscented" ISN'T?!? How hard can it be to use non-toxic smelling ingredients?!

Whine #5. PEOPLE WHO WHINE ALL THE TIME!

Okay, this one is self-inflicted. Let's be honest here. None of these complaints are THAT bad. Like I told my sister the other day, it's not like I watched my home float away in the flood this year . . . or lost a child . . . or battled cancer . . . or watched my husband walk away from our marriage . . . or a thousand other things that are extreme and life-altering. Trust me, I don't equate my little whinefest here with any of those things. Still, sometimes life is messy and pesky and yucky and exceptionally aggravating! And if you're like me, every once and awhile, you just need to VENT A LITTLE!!!

So thanks for allowing me to vent. Thanks for not rolling your eyes. Thanks for putting up with me. I'm all better now. Really. Believe it or not I really am looking forward to the new year and all that God may bring my way.

And yes, even the messy-pesky-yucky-aggravating stuff.

Happy new year, my friends! 

Giving Thanks for Good Books

Thanksgiving is upon us, and a more perceptive blogger might take this opportunity to list all the things she's thankful for this year - family, friends, blessings, yada yada . . . I'm thankful, of course, but my friends & family all know I love them. Instead I've opted to use this post to give thanks for some other loves of my life: BOOKS! I cannot imagine life without books, can you? It's been almost four months since our last book chat, so we've got a lot of catching up to do. I'll try to keep my comments brief. There's a link on each book's title if you'd like to read more.

For Laci: A Mother's Story of Love, Loss, and Justice
by Sharon Rocha

Who doesn't remember the dazzling smile of Laci Peterson who went missing on Christmas Eve of 2002? Laci's mother wrote this tribute to her daughter so we could get to know the beautiful young, expectant mother beyond the headlines of her brutal murder and that of her unborn child by her husband Scott. It's a heartbreaking story to read, but I'm glad I read it.

She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb

I couldn't put it down, but I really didn't like it - as is often the case with most Oprah Book Club selections. If you like depressing stories about seriously dysfunctional characters, you'll love it. For the record, I haven't eaten a Mallomar cookie since reading this. Just sayin' . . .

A Mile in My Flip Flops by Melody Carlson

Two of my best reading buddies hated this book, but I enjoyed it! Thirty year old Gretchen Hanover, recently jilted by her fiance, turns to house-flipping for the summer. Hey, I'm a sucker for those makeover shows. What would you expect?

Same Kind of Different As Me

by Ron Hall and Denver Moore

This is a life-changing read and a true story. Its subtitle best describes the premise: A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together. Sounds bizarre but I adored this book. Treat yourself and read it. Did I mention it's life-changing?

Under the Cajun Moon by Mindy Starns Clark

LOVED this novel about the daughter of a famous New Orleans chef who gets framed for murder. With the help of a handsome childhood beau, she must clear her name . . . a process that takes her deep into Louisiana's rich history. Grab some cafe au lait & beignets, and take a trip down south!

Heading Home by my friend, John Robinson

As I wrote on my official review, "Heading Home was extremely hard to put down! John Robinson has crafted a compelling story that kept me flipping pages long into the night. I'm a sucker for stories about Viet Nam vets because I still feel we owe them such a huge debt of gratitude . . . but this tale far exceeded my expectations . . . I have to say, the last four chapters were the most riveting final chapters of any book I've ever read!" Don't miss this one!

Choosing to SEE by Mary Beth Chapman

There was no way I could NOT read this book, written by the wife of singer/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman. Mary Beth tells the heart-wrenching story of the accidental death of their five-year-old daughter Marie. How this family overcame such a devastating tragedy is a tribute to their rock-solid faith in a God who's always there - even in the face of such unspeakable loss.

Mirrored Image

by my friend, Alice K. Arenz

WOW. Alice has spun an incredible story of mystery and intrigue that kept me up reading several nights! Rookie journalist Cassandra Chase is assigned to cover a murder case; the victim, a woman who looks exactly like her. I love when a plot catches me off guard, and this one certainly did. Don't miss this roller coaster ride!  

June Bug by Chris Fabry

“I believed everything my daddy told me until I walked into Walmart and saw my picture on a poster." Talk about a great hook! From the promo material: For as long as she can remember, June Bug and her father have traveled the back roads of the country in their beat-up RV, spending many nights parked at Walmart. One day, as she walks past the greeter at the front of the store, her eyes are drawn to the pictures of missing children, where she is shocked to see herself. I laughed, I cried, but mostly I just adored this book, told primarily in nine-year-old June Bug's whimsical voice. A modern day re-telling of Les Miserables, this is one of my favorite reads this year. Put it on your Christmas wish list!

Out of time, so here's a list of the other books I've recently read:
Eclipse (Book #3 of the Twilight Saga) by Stephanie Meyer (I know, I know . . .)
Draw Near by Sherry Blankenship - a mother's touching memoir written by my sister's dear friend
The Loop by Nicolas Evans (Odd book. Who knew you could write from a wolf's point of view?)
Until the Last Dog Dies by John Robinson (1st of his Joe Box series - can't wait to read the rest!)
Kiss Me, I'm Irish - by Bella Street (pre-pub reading - loved it!)

And the book I'm currently reading: Decision Points by George W. Bush.

Happy reading, my friends, and may you have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!

Book Signings: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly

After a recent road trip, I promised to post on the subject of book signings. Obviously I’m new to all this, and I have to say it’s been quite a learning experience. Mostly I’ve learned what doesn’t work. I’d heard horror stories from other authors, so I wasn’t totally surprised. Still, some of my first “adventures” were just plain weird.

Like the manager of a conference center bookstore who wasn’t the least bit interested in helping making the event successful. No signage. No advertising. When I offered to supply her with bookmarks to give out in the store that weekend, she said no thanks. She set up our table in the most off-the-path location on campus. The signing was scheduled during the dinner hour when everyone was racing to get in those long cafeteria lines. The result? *Cue the chirping crickets.* I think I signed six books. (The nice lady in the photo didn't even buy one!) One of the other authors left half-way through. I didn’t blame him. *Yawn*

Then there was the last-minute event at a major bookseller here in Nashville. I'm biting my tongue here, so I won’t point fingers, but clearly there was a communication problem because the date was (supposedly) scheduled months in advance. Less than 48 hours before the signing, there was nothing about our event on their webpage, no signage in the store. A phone call sent them all scrambling. A table was set up - in the back of the store. A sign was hastily printed – with two of the authors' names misspelled (including mine). They even had the name of our publishing house wrong. The result? *Cue the chirping crickets again.* I signed one book. But let’s be honest. If no one knew we were coming . . . ? So we passed out a few bookmarks to the handful of midweek mall shoppers and called it a night. *Yawn*

And then there was the recent book festival. The roar of the crickets chirping that weekend was deafening. Didn't see too many people buying books. I didn’t sign a single copy. I'm sure it's just the economy . . . yeah. That's probably it.

But enough about the bad ones.

Let me tell you about Martha Brangenberg, bookstore manager extraordinaire of Charis Christian Bookstore in Largo, Florida (that's Martha in the photo between Teresa & me). The bookstore is a ministry of the First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks. My good friend Teresa Nardozzi started that bookstore 25 years ago and today, it is a thriving, beautiful store there on the church campus. Weeks before my visit to Florida, Martha contacted the distributor to make sure she had plenty of copies of my book. She put a blurb in the church paper. She gave the media folks an ad to post on the TV screens throughout the church buildings. She made sure there was a notice about my book signing in the church bulletins for all four church services that weekend.

Martha set up an end display in the heart of the bookstore and a table for my signing where we’d get the most traffic. And did we ever! It was such a blast to see so many old friends of mine, make so many new friends, and sign soooooo many books! (I think we sold around 85! Not too shabby for a first-time author!) 

On Monday, Martha had set up a beautiful table for me to sign more books after I spoke to the monthly MOPS gathering. I was blown away by the response and interest of that enormous group of women! Then on Tuesday, Martha made sure we had plenty of copies of my book at both the morning and evening Ladies Bible Study gatherings where I spoke.

What have I learned through these book signing events?

1. There are those who have a passion for what they do, and then there are those who do only enough to get by - if they feel like it.

2. There are those who are genuinely happy to host book signings, and there are those for whom it’s nothing but a big bother.

3. There are those who love to connect readers with authors, and yes, Virginia, sadly there are people who work in bookstores who don’t even like to read.

4. There sure are lots of crickets chirping out there . . .

Bottom line, THANK YOU, Martha Brangenberg! Your passion for what you do shines through your Christ-like attitude, your hard work, your efforts, your sweet smile, and your many kindnesses. The booksellers of our world could learn volumes through you! (Pun definitely intended!) I cannot thank you enough for restoring my faith in this whole process and exemplifying the way it’s supposed to be done. I'll never forget it. You've set the bar high, Martha! May God bless the socks off you!