Reaching a Goal and Give Away

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We’ve all got goals. Some are short term ones, like…”I’d like to get to the gym today”. Some are long term ones, like…”I’ve always wanted to see the Pacific Ocean”.

I had a goal, and it was to be published in a Chicken Soup for the Soul book. So way back last October, I submitted an article on their website for a book subtitled “Overcoming Obstacles”. And then I waited. And waited.

They don’t send out rejection letters. If I was not contacted by March, I could take the material back because they wouldn’t use it. But as luck would have it, my contact information had changed as of the new year. I wasn’t on Evangelize to Me anymore, and I wanted to use my maiden name for writing credits. Hmmm… I know! I’ll write and tell them, and maybe they’ll let me know what’s going on.

I found out that the subtitle had changed. It was now “Find Your Inner Strength”, and a call had gone out for more submissions. The new contact date was in August. Uh oh. I guess that means what they have stinks. Darn it! Oh well. There will be other times, it’s okay. Sniff, sniff.

Cut to my living room eight months later, and I’m absent-mindedly spinning through my email account, and I see an email from Chicken Soup. My essay is in the final round of cuts. They are going to send me the edited version of the essay for my okay.

WHAAAAAAA???? Final cut? I didn’t know I was in the first one, much less than the last one. What a crazy thing! I was so happy, I shoved my iPAD under my husbands nose. “LOOK!!” It was an answer to a prayer when I got the word that I’d be published.

I would love for you to share my joy. It’s always a cause for celebration when a goal is reached. I am offering two copies of the book for a Give Away. So what do you have to do to enter? Just make a comment!

I’d love it if you would sign up to get my posts by email, or ‘liked’ my Facebook page too. Let’s get connected!

I’ll keep this page up all week, and draw two names out of a hat (or whatever I can find around here!). I’ll announce the winners on Saturday, November first. Thank you for helping me celebrate!

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Linking today with: Unforced Rhythms

51 thoughts on “ Reaching a Goal and Give Away ”

  3. Wow lucky for that a beautiful gift from God. I love chicken soup books. I pray the winner enjoys the book. I know I will if picked. God bless.

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  4. That is so fantastic…congratulations! Chicken Soup books are so encouraging and appreciated by myself and many people. I always read true to life stories and rarely read fiction. Nonfiction, especially when it relates to our lives with God’s influence is always the most interesting!

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  6. Oh Ceil, how exciting!!! I am thrilled for you, my friend 🙂 And I am not surprised they used the article that you submitted, you’re an incredible author! I think you should write your very own devotional – it would be a top seller 🙂

    Hugs to you!

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  11. CONGRATULATIONS and well done. I’m very pleased for you and proud of your success.

    Seen Chicken Soup for the Soul. There’s a lovely article there called “Defending Our Children” by Ceil Ryan. Have you read it yet?

    God bless you and congrats again.

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  12. I feel like you and I have joined hands and are dancing around in a circle screaming with joy, Ceil! I know the euphoria you are feeling! God is so good! Your stories bless my heart every time you post so I am really excited that so many others will get to read this one! Congratulations, my friend!

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  17. I am just so excited for you, Ceil. Rejoicing with you! And we can celebrate together when we see one another soon. Yay!!!!! Praise God! And if I don’t win a copy of the book, I’m buying one!!!! Seriously, so very happy for you. Much love. xoxo

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  21. Ceil, wonderful news. Year ago when my first article got published in the Joyful Women magazine it was two years after I sent it in before it came out. Somehow my letter telling me when got lost in the mail. We were in our training period with New Tribes Mission and at a meeting when one of the staff ladies came up to me and said, well, there’s our little author. She had gotten the magazine before I did. That first article opened doors for me all over the mountains of Kentucky to speak. God impeccable timing is perfect. Thanks for giving away the books even if I don’t win.

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  25. Congratulations, Ceil, this is such exciting news! I love your writing style, and so it doesn’t really surprise me that it’s been noticed! But, what an exciting moment in your life. I’m thinking it’s just the beginning – just a springboard to many more God-opportunities in your life.

    And, I guess I take for granted that I have lived all of my life close to the Pacific Ocean. If you’ve never seen it, I have to say, it’s beautiful.

    GOD BLESS!

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  36. Oh CEIL!!!!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that you will be in this book!!!!! And to think you didn’t know… oh what an ANSWER to PRAYER!!! You- soooo deserve to be published my friend!!! I will gladly support you any way I can!!!

    Now go bask in the glow of being a published author!!!! woot!!!

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  39. Squeal! That is so huge! I am so happy for you! I can completely see why they would choose you. Your writing is beautiful. And congratulations on achieving a goal! That is such a wonderful feeling! It is like fertilizer for all of our other dreams.

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  46. Hi Ceil,
    Glad you achieved your goal, congratulations. I think I only have one goal in life and that is to do what God calls me to do, and I believe that is yours too eh? Life could not be better than when we are serving Him.
    God bless you.

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  50. Good morning sweet friend! ♥ Oh that is such a sweet blessing dear sister; congrats!!! I haven’t read a Chicken Soup book in a long time, but now I will just have to purchase one and read it (excited; kind of forgot about them with all the other books to read!) 🙂 Praise to you dear Ceil, you are so deserving of this!

    Blessings and love for a week full of joy and His amazing grace! ♥
    Denise

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