Conference Wrap-Up

Last week I attended American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) annual conference in Nashville, Tennessee. I knew it was going to be great the moment I stepped into the lobby of the Gaylord Opryland Resort and saw this gorgeous glass sculpture.

A photo just doesn't do it justice, though.

One of the best things about a writers conference is connecting with friends, both new and old.

And chatting with the Love Inspired editors is always a treat.

The workshops are informative. I especially loved this one with Carrie Schmidt from Reading is My Superpower, Beth Erin from Faithfully bookish and other book bloggers.

And then there's the food. The night of the gala is always a treat.

That chocolate creation was absolutely divine.

But by the end of it all, I was ready to get back to the ranch. To pony tails and no makeup. To beautiful sunrises...

And nature in all its glory.

Now it's your turn. What have you been up to? Is it feeling like fall where you live?

Three-time Carol Award finalist, Mindy Obenhaus lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, the youngest of her five children and two dogs. She's passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com 

Mindy's RWA 2015 Recap

Just outside of our hotel.

Tex here and what a week it has been. I spent much of it smack dab in the middle of Times Square in New York City. RWA 2015 was a week of fun, exhaustion and a few firsts.

This was my first trip to the Big Apple. And while I didn't get to see a lot, there were plenty of great experiences. Starting with the shuttle ride to our hotel. Holy smokes! You couldn't pay me to drive in New York.

Love Inspired author Lisa Jordan was my traveling companion and roommate for the week. 

We barely had time to check into our hotel before meeting our editor, the amazing Melissa Endlich.

Melissa was our escort for our very first subway ride.

And she took us to the Harlequin offices.

Woolworth Building where the NY Harlequin offices are located.

Melissa and Mindy outside the Woolworth Building.

Harlequin Offices

The offices were much smaller and quieter than I'd expected. I thought it would be a flurry of activity. Instead, the editors were all tucked in their offices, staring at computer screens. I can only assume they were reading manuscripts.

After what was probably our only decent night's sleep,

The view from our hotel room. That's the Hudson River with New Jersey on the other side.

we ventured out to explore Times Square on our own. 

Talk about hustle and bustle.

This really is the city that never sleeps.

And we found the two best stores of all.

 The Hershey Store

and the M&M store!

At the literacy signing, I had the privilege of sitting beside Sandra Orchard who writes for Love Inspired Suspense and Revell. So fun getting to know her.

Thursday was filled with workshops, the LI Meet & Greet, lunch with my editor and the Harlequin Pajama party. Boy, was I wishing I hadn't eaten dinner.

But did I let that stop me? Of course, not.

Pajama party fun with LI authors Winnie Griggs and Belle Calhoun.

Friday, at the Harlequin book signing event, I was thrilled to meet and sit next to the incredible Mia Ross. Such a sweetheart. 

And things just wouldn't have been the same without Missy.

But the biggest deal of all was Friday night and the Harlequin Black and White Ball at the Waldorf Astoria. Naturally, I forgot to take pictures of the food, so I'm hoping Missy will share those with you later this week. 

The party was held in the Starlight Room, a definite feast for the eyes.

Starlight Room at the Waldorf Astoria.

What fun it was to dance the night away with my buds and fellow LI authors, Lisa Jordan and Susan May Warren.

The week culminated Saturday evening with the Rita and Golden Heart Awards. And there's no better way to top that off than with a slice of real New York Cheesecake from Juniors Diner.

Hey, who ate my cheesecake?

All in all, it was a fantastic week. The experience of a lifetime.

But, alas, all good things must come to an end. Sunday I was schlepping it to LaGuardia with conference brain. And there's only one thing you can do then...

ACFW Recap (Celebrating Tina, too!)

Tex here, fresh off the heels of the 2014 ACFW Conference in beautiful St. Louis, Missouri.

And what a conference it was. Nice and relaxing.

Probably because I didn't have any duties to worry about. Yes, I volunteered, but I gladly passed the torch of Carol Awards coordinator to the amazing Casey Herringshaw.

Isn't she cute?

She's now my fourth daughter and I couldn't be prouder of the way she handled not only the contest, but she rocked the Carol Award presentation. She was poised, polished and oh so comfortable with her new job. 

Yay, Casey!

So this conference, I had no worries. 

I attended a great session on marketing, as well as many wonderful workshops.

I got to hang with my editor, the incomparable Melissa Endlich.

And my agent, the fabulous Tamela Hancock Murray.

Oh, I got to eat some really, really good food.

I highly recommend the salmon at Charlie Gittos, a cute little Italian restaurant in downtown St. Louis.

Cooked to perfection.

Of course, the gala is always the culinary highlight of any ACFW conference.

Here is this year's menu.

Sorry, no pix of the salad, but hey...it's a salad.

But the entree...

The beef was tender and cooked just the way I like it!

And yes, this Trim Healthy Mama scarfed down all of her dessert.

The BURNT caramel cheesecake didn't taste the least bit burnt at all. :)

Then it was on to the awards.

Tina Radcliffe and I were both up for a Carol in the Short Novel category.

Talk about mixed emotions. Of course I would love to win, but I wanted Tina to win, too.

And the winner is...

The always lovely, yet hates to have her picture taken, Tina Radcliffe.

(insert crazy loud applause)

I am SO happy for you, Tina!

But alas, all good things must come to an end. 

By Sunday morning, we were all a bit foggy, including the banks of the mighty Mississippi River.

But, oh, the memories we made and relationships we grew will live in our minds forever.