Inspiring Summer

It’s turning out to be a busy summer around here (or maybe it just seems that way to me after returning from a week in the country and a close call with a bear).

First off, we finished up the premiere issue of our exciting new magazine, Mysterious Ways. If you love stories about a divine hand at work in our lives, touching us in fantastic and unexpected ways, you will definitely want this magazine. And we’re hard at work on the second issue (though it would help if senior editor Adam Hunter would hurry up and get back from his honeymoon!). Don’t forget to let us know if an example of Mysterious Ways has happened in your life. I’m almost positive it has, if you’re like most Guideposts readers.

We’re almost finished with The Joys of Christmas 2012. I know, I know. It’s hard to think about the holidays when we’re still planning summer vacations, but we work far ahead here... and it’s beginning to feel a bit like Christmas already. This will be the fourth edition of our popular annual Christmas special, full of inspiring and heartwarming stories of holiday cheer past and present, mouthwatering recipes and all your favorite magazine departments and features, plus our beautiful photography and illustration (and a little story Millie helped me write). So if you’re one of those early-bird shoppers, it’s not too early to cross one present off your list: The Joys of Christmas 2012. This full-size, keepsake special edition makes a perfect gift for yourself and for those you love.

Finally, what little time we have in between editorial projects (and I only told you about a couple) we editors spend reading the thousands of story submissions for our Writers Workshop coming up this fall (the deadline has passed for this year but start thinking about the story you’ll write for our next workshop, in 2014). These stories simply amaze me. Their honesty and faith are truly inspiring. And though we can only choose 15 winning writers to bring to the workshop I am incredibly grateful to everyone who sent in a story. What tremendous courage it takes to share these personal and intimate accounts of facing life’s steepest challenges and emerging stronger and more faithful. That’s what makes a great Guideposts story and you’re all winners in my book.

Yep, we’re busy. But it’s all good.