And then it got 450ish comments.

Good. Gravy. Boat.

For the last few weeks since that post exploded, I have labored over what to do next. It has been a recurring theme in my prayers, my thoughts, and my conversations- “how do I love and lead and live well before these single women?” I feel a real responsibility to that community. Meanwhile, I worry that talking about being single will make cute boys who read my blog run the other way. But this feels like a door God has swung wide open, so I tell those irrational fears to Shut Up Please and then I keep writing.

For as long as this gal stays single, I’m going to talk honestly about it.

I think that’s the best thing I can do, right?

I can’t say it enough- I know like I know like I know that today is the day to share hope. While I want to have my own family someday, I can’t even begin to express how great life is- single or married- when God is allowed to author the story.

And while “Single in 2012″ wasn’t a chapter I was expecting Him to write, the details have been phenomenal and the story arch is the most interesting thing I’ve ever seen.

So three cheers to a New Year full of honest talks about the beauty and the beast that is singleness.

I’m the batter up over at (in)courage again today, where I’ve written five new choices I’m making in 2012. I’d love for you to pop over there and join in the linky conversation.

Based on the comments last time, I’m thinking this could be a big day for some of our singlet friends.

I know my day will be full of whispered prayers for these girls. Will you pray for them right now too? The single gals out there who need to make some new choices this year? And in 2013, we will look back and realize that God took our tiny prayers and changed some lives. Booyah.

. . . . .

Are you new around these parts? Well welcome!

Hi. I’m Annie. I write books for my job.

You can read more about me here.

You can follow me on twitter here.

You can like me on facebook here.

. . . . .

To my married friends, I’d love for you to share some wisdom in the comments today- what are some choices that singlets should be making?

I rarely write about being single. There are a lot of reasons why that I won’t take time to list today. But a big one, if I’m being completely honest with you, is that I don’t want to be the poster gal for Single Christian Life. I just don’t.

You know what happens to poster people? They stay poster people.

The Single Christians Life poster girl? She stays single. And that’s a scary thought.

[Fine. You're right. That is a ridiculous thing to believe. But most fears are, aren't they?]

Do you know what finally convinced me to write about being single?

You.

The ones of you who commented on Day 28, the ones of you who email me and tell me the things about being single that you don’t want to leave in a comment, the ones of you who comment at (in)courage.

Do you know what REALLY convinced me to write about being single?

God.

I felt a real push from Him over the last few months to write about the honest emotions that are happening in this season of my life. If I wait until I’m married to tell you what this feels like, it won’t be authentic. It will be a memory.

Hope comes in more concentrated doses if you are getting it from someone IN the moment, versus in the memory.

So I’m not the poster girl for Single Christian Life.

I’m the poster girl for Hope.

Hop over to (in)courage today to see the beginnings of what God is doing for single women through that community….

[And for you gals who are here every day, 'singlets' as I like to call us, first of all, I'm sorry I haven't talked more about this. Secondly, please give your 2¢ over at (in)courage. We REALLY want to know how to do this well.]

[Also, part 2 of the deportation story is tomorrow. Here's Deportation Part 1 if you haven't gotten to read it yet.]

. . . . .

Are you new around these parts? Well welcome! 

Hi. I’m Annie. I write books for my job.

You can read more about me here.

You can follow me on twitter here.

You can like me on facebook here.

. . . . .

Your thoughts today, my friends?

And a few weeks ago, I was a total coward. I mean, a major major coward.

It only seems fair, that in a month where I am talking about courage in all of its forms, that I also talk about the days when I lack it.

And I majorly lacked it.

So I wrote about it for (in)courage.

It was only a £2 mistake. But it has cost me much more than that.

Sincerely,

Your local people pleasing coward

The thing about blogging is that it gives us each a chance to share a few moments of our day with our reader friends.

I love blogging when I get to tell about seeing the Royal family or when I learn a new recipe. I love blogging when, in all honesty, the writing is good and the stories are funny or tug on heart strings. I love blogging and reading blogs for an hour or so a day.

But that leaves another 23 hours.

The thing about blogging is that it is our real lives, it’s just not the FULLNESS of real life….

You can read the rest of this article over at (in)courage today.

. . . . .

On Saturday night I sat on the bus from Princes Street to Morningside and thought long and hard about that article I wrote for (in)courage. It was dark and chilly and windy like a November night in Nashville. I missed my train then missed my bus and I was two hours late getting home.

I thought about the fact that I was missing the (in)courage beach weekend, I was missing Georgia football, I was wondering how things might be different if I was in Nashville.

And I was totally alone. 

It’s not that I hadn’t seen friends all day. I had.

It was a deeper alone than that. It was a going home alone thing. A family-less alone. A man-less alone. A best friend-less alone. A someone who has known me longer than 6 months-less alone.

It was this alone that doesn’t cross my heart very often.

I am totally digging my life in Scotland, you know this. But it doesn’t mean that it is pain-free or sacrifice-free or perfect. It can be hard. Really hard.

[This doesn't shake my faith, don't let it shake yours.]

It is hard for me to feel alone. It makes me worry that it is permanent. It makes me feel like I have to be stronger than I want to be. It makes me feel like I am the only one who looks out for me. It makes me wrestle with God and who He is and what it looks like to call Him my home.

And that is something that I normally wouldn’t blog about.

But I am today. Because if I’m going to tell you about praying and pulling weeds and exciting weeks, then I need to tell you about nights alone on the bus.

So the thing about blogging is that it isn’t easy to admit when things don’t feel perfect or awesome. But the thing about blogging [and this being MY blog ] is I get to choose which minutes of my day I share with you, whether that is easy or not.

And today, I’m choosing to share the hard minutes. Hope that’s okay.

. . . . .

Feel free to share your hard minutes or your easy minutes in the comments today… and know you are prayed for.

. . . . .

I clearly remember when my friend Shannon introduced me to Holley and Stephanie in January of 2009.

Fast forward a bit… and the next thing you know I’m one of the monthly contributing writers for (in)courage. If you aren’t sure what (in)courage is, take 3 minutes and 54 seconds to learn.

And if you haven’t read my articles over there, and you have absolutely nothing more pressing to do right now and you are spent on Pinterest, here’s all my (in)courage pieces.

So today, for our Top 5 Friday, I want to tell you the Top 5 things I love about (in)courage.

#1. The writing that these women do.

I read (in)courage everyday because I love the writing. It’s varied and inspiring and just plain good. I’m a better writer because of this community of women.

#2. The books these women write.

Somehow, many of the (in)courage bloggers became writers who became authors. [See #1... it probably has something to do with that.] There’s Angie and Emily and Ann and Lysa and little ol’ me and Holley and the list could go on and on.

Publishers are seeing what (in)courage peeps already know- these women are really fine writers. They have brought the English language under submission and they rule over it for the glory of God.

#3. Beach weekends.

We have touted (in)courage as a beach house for your heart and twice now the magical fairies behind (in)courage have made that a reality for the writers. I was there last year [proof in these two posts], but they are gathered together right now and I’m missing it. [Whah whah.] But it is a wonderful weekend where computers are set aside and real life hugging and eating and crying happen. I look forward to 2012.

#4. Online friendships.

You know, there is really something to be said about the ability to build friendships through the computer. I think that is true of you and me, right? I mean, I write, you comment, I reply, and we are friends. And the same is true over at (in)courage [though you're like, my BEST internet friend, seriously]. Somehow (in)courage has built this space where women feel free to say what is on their heart and be open and honest and I love it.

#5. Real life friendships.

Man oh man has my life been changed by (in)courage. I think of the weekend in June that I spent with Emily and Nester. The part I didn’t tell you was we went out to dinner one night and over a burger I spilled my guts about a boy and my heart and heartbreak and lack of resolution and all that means. They listened, they suggested, they spoke into it. There are a small handful of people on the planet that know the details they know- because I love them and trust them both. Their family is very very dear to me- grandparents, kids, all of it. And (in)courage is the house where the friendship was built. And there are other girls and more stories than I have space for. But my real life has been shaped and changed by my (in)courage sisters. I’m super super grateful.

So why talk about (in)courage today? 

Because they made a HUGE announcement last night that I’m excited to share.

(in)courage is have a conference that EVERYONE can attend.

On April 27 & 28 we’re having (in)RL and it will be in every city that an (in)courage reader wants it to be. Crazy idea, huh? But it’s going to be awesome.

[What I'm also saying is, there's gonna be a BIG ol' party in Nashville.... Jessica and I are throwing down and we want all the Nash-gals to be there. So if that's you, you're invited.]

Read through the website to get a full understanding and you can play a version of Where’s Waldo and see how many times you can spot my face and that one purple shirt that I wore a lot in 2010.

Yay for (in)courage and yay for online friendships and double yay for (in)RL!!

. . . . .

YOUR TURN!

You don’t have to list 5 things [but you always are welcome to], but I’m wondering how your online friendships have blessed your life? 

And if you read (in)courage, why do you love it?

Apparently.

I never swore I’d be interesting.

But. I did try to be honest and interesting [mildly] in my most recent (in)courage post – The Challenge of Packing. I’d love if you would pop over there and tell me your thoughts. [Also- the last line is missing a word... I've told the important people. It shall be fixed.]

[You know I have the privilege of writing for (in)courage, right? Pretty much, it's a dream.]

Also. Because I love you, I’ll give you some insider deets. I did manage to pack too many hoodies, very little fleece [you are welcome, Amber Lehman], and a pair of shoes that don’t belong to me. [More on that next week.]

This is also funny: EVERY DAY I worry about repacking and making everything fit, especially since I’m coming home at Christmas and I want to bring gifts. Apparently I love to worry about things that matter NOT AT ALL right now.

I found one thing that I want to bring home that I absolutely can’t. Out Of The Blue. Gracious. I saw them perform yesterday and it was an absolute pleasure. So for your weekend, I present to you a song by the boys that will not fit in my suitcase, no matter how hard I try.

P.S- anyone who knows the Stoltzfus family- doesn’t the lead guy look like a missing Stoltz brother? I. KNOW. I thought so too.

P.P.S- totes sorry about missing Top 5 Friday. Why don’t you read back on some oldies and play along today?

P.P.P.S- Happy weekend.

What a great weekend.

You may remember last November when I spent a weekend with Emily and her sister, Nester. It was fun. Like whoa fun. Like soul-touching fun.

So a few months ago when Nester and I were chatting, the conversation went like this:

Annie: Hey Nester, remember how much fun we had?

Nester: Yes.

Annie: And you know how much I want to hang out with your boyz and meet your hubs?

Nester: uh… yeah….?

Annie: So what say I come visit for a weekend?

[Because dear internet, I invite myself over a lot. Consider yourself warned.]

insert Emily here: I’ll come too! And bring my kids!

Nester: Sure, if you wanna.

Annie & Emily [in unison]: WE WANNA!

Annie buys a flight to North Carolina.

And…. scene.

And now I’d like to thank (in)courage for building the kind of beach house that allows the writers to build the kind of friendships that makes us want to fly around the country to see each other.

[Orange County and Arkansas, I'm comin' for you in 2012.]

I’d also like to thank (in)courage for having skype meetings where it is possible for us to have side chat conversations… and now I’d like to apologize for having a side conversation with Nester and Emily during our skype meeting. We’re like the girls who pass notes during class.

Sorry Lisa-Jo and Holley.

Back to the weekend. To put it simply, we laughed and ate cake. Cake from CostCo. That means it was delicious.

The kids were a joy to be around – I think it helped that I brought fourteen fake mustaches. Nester’s youngest boy wore a grey grandpa mustache like he was BORN with it. Classy. For sure. Lots of card games, including Old Maid.

@thenester's instagram-ing skillz

You got that right. I’m an Old Maid shark. I’m an Old Maid who is afraid of sharks? Yes and yes.

Anyways. I loved the weekend and the only other place I wanted to be was with my daddy for Father’s Day. Big thanks to Nester and Emily for loving me well and making me feel at home every time we are together, whether homes are involved or not.

Today I hop on a plane again and fly from Charlotte to upstate New York where I’ll get to meet up with my Scottish pal Esther- who flew over from Edinburgh- and drive her around to business meetings for 4 days. She doesn’t exactly “know” how to drive on our side of the road and our side of the car, so I get to be her chauffeur.

I know. My life is weird. And hilarious. And bizarro.

But it’s mine. And I’m grateful.

. . . . . . . . . . .

How was your weekend?

Of course you do.

The main picture I have for today is something that my co-worker Jeff did without my permission. We like to call her Bald Annie.

If that doesn’t make your Wednesday better, I don’t know what will.

And I’ll tell you this. If I ever go bald right in the middle front of my head, I am totally growing my hair long like this. So prep yourself.

Here are some links that I think are awesome:

My dear pal Steve Moakler is a dreamer [and an incredible musician, by the way]. He’s brave and smart and he’s starting something new called Free The Birds. You can watch him explain it here and read more about it here.

I wanna be like Steve.

Also.

My sweet friend Stephanie Bryant did an interview with me about self-publishing. Check it out.

Speaking of, did you know I wrote a book and you can buy it on Amazon?

And if you have read it, will you review it on Amazon? That would be super cool of you.

A few weeks ago, I shared with you a seriously hard season I was pressing into and begging to get out of. I also wrote an article about it on (in)courage called Just Breathe. Thanks for giving me the courage to share more deeply about that time.

And finally, why would I ever make a face like that at Shelby? Sheesh. I was out of control at Easter lunch apparently.

. . . . . . . . . .

Well, I smiled and linked at you. Link back at me! [Still rocking that link/wink joke. Nice, huh?]

What’s cool out there on the internet that I should be reading or seeing or watching or hearing? [Also feel free to link to your own blog here if there is a post you think we would love.]

But my friend Harry from Scotland would not approve.

Not one little bit.

Harry is the coolest Scottish guy you don’t know. You want to know him, I’m sure. He was the cook at our summer camp in Scotland in 2007 and late one night he stormed into the counselors’ hangout room and, through gritted teeth, pretty much told us that we were WAY too loud.

[It was totally my fault. My voice is abnormally loud.]

And even though getting in trouble is my #1 fear, somehow we survived that and Harry and I have been friends ever since. Now he and his wife Anne are like family to me. I adore them.

Oh silly me. You already know Harry. He took me to the Glasgow Rangers game. Duh.

Anyways, he says I should erase AWESOME from my vocabulary.

I wrote about it over at (in)courage today- the importance of Saving Awesome.

. . . . . . .

In other news that is close to awesome but not awesome because I’m not supposed to use awesome:

I posted on (in)courage’s Bloom Book Club yesterday some encouraging words for small group leaders and let them know about the free leader’s guide that goes along with my book. And my gracious those leader’s guides have been FLYING off the AnnieBlogs’ shelves. [If, you know, inside the blog guts there were actually shelves. Pretend there are- I think that's cool.]

No kidding- HUNDREDS have been downloaded. WHOA to the max. I did NOT see that coming. I can’t wait to hear how small groups use the resources in the guide. It’s almost awesome.

. . . . . . .

Also- my amazing blogboss Lauren has made it possible for me to respond to comments INSIDE the comments section [you can do it too]. So you can look there to hear from me- should be better than my inbox backing up like Atlanta traffic and you thinking I hate you because I haven’t responded to you in days weeks. It’ll look like this:

It gives you a little face smash, but no biggie. It’s like a massage- it may hurt at first, but it’s going to feel great in the long run. Anyways, so look there to hear from me [and other bloggites that hang here] after you leave a comment.

. . . . . . .

And finally, in the as-close-to-awesome-as-you-can-get category, my friend Rock.

Yep, his name is Rock. [Nashville is that trendy, people. Deal with it.]

I’ve started a little photography series with Rock.

First up: Rockin’ Shades. Rock In Shades.

Second: Rockin’ Chair. Rock In Chair.

I don’t know how many more of these I can think up, but I’m seriously on a roll…. a Rock n’ Roll.

BOOM. You. Are. Welcome.

Leavin’ on a high note. See y’all tomorrow.

Today at (in)courage, I’ve posted an EXCLUSIVE excerpt from my book. So ride on over there and check out Lead With Laced Up Tennies.

When I read books, if I like the book, I try to email the author and say so. For the same reasons, if I have great service at a restaurant, I tell the manager or if I love a concert, I email the band. It’s just how I roll. So last week I emailed Erin McKean who wrote The Secret Lives of Dresses and sent her a link to my blogpost about the book. She wrote me back. So we’re pretty much besties now.

[People complain to authors and waitresses and managers and teachers and parents all the time. I like to be on the team that tells then when something goes RIGHT.]

If you like country music [you are a cowgirl after all], then let me HIGHLY recommend Cheryl LuQuire’s new EP. Five songs for $4.95? That’s a deal, y’all. I’ve had this EP on repeat for a few days and I am loving it when the sun-roof is open and the windows are down. She’s good. Real good.

The US Men’s soccer team plays tonight in Nashville and I am GIDDY about it. As you recall, I heart soccer mucho. I’ve never seen Landon Donovan play in real life. And I’m going to wear my Glasgow Rangers scarf. There are six of us going and I’m probably going to make 5.5 of them crazy. [I make myself crazy half the time.] But I can not wait.

Matt Wertz is so cool. I want to think up awesome stuff like he does. People in this town are doing rad stuff and I hope some of that rubs off on me.

I mean, how cool are these shirts?!?

I want an orange one. Real bad. And if you think I’m ashamed to have my friend’s name plastered across my torso, you are Wrongy McWrongerson.

If you want one, Matt’s store has all the options and I’ll be darned if you won’t have to narrow down your choices because you’ll want more than one.

That’s all for today. Circle up your ponies. Sing a campfire song. And I’ll see y’all tomorrow.

[I literally have no clue where the cowgirl theme came from today, but gosh I like it.]

Yee-haw!