Joel’s done a lot of different things since graduating from college. He totally reorganized our house and worked with a friend to put in hardwood floors upstairs. He applied for work until he was blue in the face and quite discouraged, but finally, finally he got a super break! The woman who served as ghost-writer for Bethany Hamilton’s book, Soul Surfer, has been a mentor to him, and she recommended Joel to edit the manuscript of a lady named “Lu” in Iowa who’s writing a grief memoir about the sudden death of her twenty-three-year-old daughter. Lu’s journal started as a therapeutic account of her own journey through grief, but it gradually segued into a collection of comforting ideas and lessons garnered from many sources as she began developing a ministry to those who also grieve. Here is one bit of such wisdom: “When you lose your parents, you lose your past; when you lose your spouse, you lose your present; when you lose your child, you lose your future.”
Joel has spent many months working closely with Lu, carefully writing and rewriting her story until his perfectionistic mind felt at peace. Lu flew him out to her home in Iowa so they could meet to discuss last minute details, publishing options, etc. But guess what? Wonder of wonders, a publishing house is already negotiating with Lu for the rights to publish her book, and this dear lady has decided to name Joel as a “co-author.” What a fabulous break for Joel!
If all goes well and the book comes out, I’ll let you know all the details. But, I am really praising God for this unusual turn of events. Not only has it been a great experience and good money, it will definitely look good on Joel’s applications for graduate school in the field of writing for the fall of 2012! And, besides all that, just as the editing job wound down, Joel was offered a part time at Sears…a relatively pleasant way to fund his German classes and writing ambitions for this coming year! Thank you, Lord, for overflowing blessings!
“The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.”
Lamentations 3:25-26
Summer Setting 
This is really marvellous! I’m so happy for him. I hope that this will prove a real break for him. God is good and looks after His children and Joel is great!
What a faith-building experience for Joel and all of us. God’s timing and God’s control amaze us each time something wonderful like this occurs. I’m so happy for Joel.
How true, Brenda! And, here’s another neat thing that I didn’t include but just shows God’s kindness. Joel’s best friend from childhood (the sequel to you in my life) moved back to GR Saturday…the day before his brother (and constant companion) Stephen had to leave for MSU! So, Joel has both work and a great buddy for this coming year. God is so good!
Oh, that is so awesome! I knew Joel was working on that book, but I didn’t know the great news about being named a “co-author.” What a blessing!