Great Days at the AZ American Christian Writers Conference

Reg and Eleonore Forder and Joan C. Webb at ACW Arizona Conference
Nov. 1, 2008

American Christian Writers (ACW), founded by Reg and Eleonore Forder, is in the "ministry business" of encouraging and training both beginning and advanced writers. On Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 the traveling ACW Conference had the annual AZ weekend and I felt privileged to teach and consult with many talents writers in varying stages of their writing and publishing careers.

Here's a few photos of the exciting and busy two days.
I had lunch with three talented and intentional writers, Lynn, Cheryl, and Kim.

Literary agent, Steve Laube, taught the "non-fiction writing" workshops on Friday.

Relief of Imperfection Oops!

What a riot!

I just got an email from a writer-friend who told me that there is a typo on the flyer I just sent to about 150 people! I had seen it before and meant to delete it, but I didn't! Well, it just goes to prove that I'm covered with "imperfection." And since I've made progress in my "trying-too-hard-to-make-it-all-just-right" journey,

I'm laughing here--instead of crying! :-)

Someone helped me with the flyer initially and I'm so grateful. I would probably never have figured out how to make the book cover background! Still they used that word that means "celebrated and famous" and I was overwhelmed by that. But I forgot to adjust it.

Oh, well, again.

I actually felt the knots in my neck relax a little. Isn't that ironic?!

Have a wonderful, imperfect weekend. With lots of relief.

Relief of Imperfection Opportunity-Arizona

It's Friday! Hope you have a great weekend.

I wanted to let all my Arizona friends know about this upcoming Relief of Imperfection opportunity coming on Saturday, October 4 in San Manuel, AZ southeast of Chandler. It's a One-Day Retreat sponsored by Tri-Community Churches. It's FREE--and you're invited. It's at the First Baptist Church San Manuel. Call Jan at 520-490-1998 for info and to register.

Enjoy meaningful alone time, fun interactive chats, poignant story-telling, and biblical insights, as well as give-aways throughout the relief-producing day on October 4 at First Baptist Church San Manuel, AZ at the corner of First Avenue and Nickols in San Manuel. For info and registration about this free retreat, call Jan at 520-490-1998.

The retreat is a reader's digest version of my new book, The Relief of Imperfection. Trying-too-hard-to-make-it-all-just-right (yes, it’s a type of perfectionism!) has many faces, includes all personality styles, and cuts across cultural lines. It has to do with unreasonable expectations--how we belittle ourselves and others for having human (we translate that word as weak) thoughts and emotions, inconsistent faith or less-than-excellent plans, accomplishments, families, bodies or dreams. Yet we who sometimes get worn-out "trying too hard” can learn the exciting adventure of learning to relax and realize that everything doesn't need to be so difficult and that some things can actually be easy, fun and smile-able. What a relief!

I've love to see you there.

Where's Joan Been?

It's been a while since I posted a blog. So, where have I been? Writing a new book and welcoming a new granddaughter.

The new book, a devotional titled It's a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life: Daily Encouragement for Women Who Strive Too Hard to Make It Just Right is due to hit your local bookstore shelves around Mother's Day 2009. It is great companion book to my recently released book, The Relief of Imperfection.

The best part about this past summer? Calissa Jolie Rasmussen, our seventh grandchild and number four granddaughter, was born to our daughter Lynnette and her husband Adam. She's a precious addition to their family of four sisters.

Here's a few pictures of Calissa soon after she arrived on July 28, 2008.

• Nine year-old big sister, Annika, holds and admires her new baby sister.
  
• Alissa's entire family including Daddy Adam, Mommy Lynnette, 9 year-old sister Annika, five year-old Kirsten, 4 year-old Lesia and Baby Calissa.
• Papa and Grandma Joan with 6 hour-old Calissa Jolie.

Thank you, God.

More from Joan later.

Relief blessings to you today!

Branson Retreat

What a great group of women from Tulsa! We met together in Branson, MO in April 2008 to experience "The Intentional Woman Finds Relief" in an intimate setting. Then Women's Ministry Director, Christy Thornton, and several others read and "played" through The Relief of Imperfection and the "Relief Guides" during the summer months.

Comments following:

• "A read-again book”
• "This book was liberating”
• " It helped me to accept my own failures and mistakes, and to realize that others do too”
• “I have such high expectations of myself. This book helped me to go easier on myself.”
• The Lord ministered to me through "The Relief of Imperfect Churches and Culture section." I was reminded once again about the power and priority of forgiveness. When I choose to forgive through Christ’s strength, I am truly liberated. Thank you for that reminder!

March Book Winners!

Flowers in the Arizona Desert!

A few days ago my husband Richard snapped this photo while we took a Sunday afternoon drive into the mountains. The flowers in the desert this year are lovely. When they are brilliant like this, it always reminds me of a child pressing hard to color her page with all the bright crayons in the box. I think God loves to colorthe landscape!

I'm pleased to announce the winners of the MARCH book drawing. Today I'm mailing them a copy of The Relief of Imperfection. The winners are Kathy Bjorklund of West St. Paul, Minnesota and Linda Carlblom of Chandler, Arizona.

Kathy entered the "Relief" Give-away by sending me an email from the CONTACT US page on www.reliefofimperfection.com.

Linda entered the "Relief" Give-way by texting JOAN to 23907.

How about you? Want to win an autographed copy of my recently-released book, The Relief of Imperfection: For Women Who Try Too Hard to Make It Just Right? YES? Okay, then send me an email via www.reliefofimperfection.com OR post a comment to this blog message OR text JOAN to 23907. Then you'll automatically be entered in the April FREE BOOK CONTEST.

Special congratulations to sisters Annika, Kirsten, and Lesia Rasmussen for winning the "Relief" Basket Give-Away during my recent book signing at Amazing Grace Christian Bookstore in Tempe, Arizona. Fellow-authors Marsha Crockett (www.marshacrockett.com) and Kitty Chappell (www.kittychappell.com) signed their new releases that day, also. Marsha is the author of Break Through from NavPress and Kitty is the author of Good Mews from Thomas Nelson.

FUN MEMORIES: Atlanta Women's Retreat

Hi!

I have such great memories of my time at Camp Pinnacle (in the near the Georgian/North Carolina border--lovely place!) with the "intentional women" from Gainesville, Georgia. I think of each of you and smile. At our Saturday night dinner in the beautiful old home, I snapped some photos and I want to share them with you all.

I know some of the women didn't come to the dinner, so you're not in these photos. Bummer. We missed you. But you were enjoying dinner somewhere else.

I hope you are all enjoying working through The Intentional Woman workbook with your groups. I'd love to hear from you. You can post a comment on this blog or send me an email via the CONTACT US page on http://www.reliefofimperfection.com/

Relief blessings,

Joan