Praise the Lord, my book is here. Finding Joy in the West is finally finished. And it could not have happened at a better time. My goal was to have it completed by December 31, 2024, but what joy is there in that? Joy comes from the challenges and the tests of our faith. It’s the climb to the mountaintop that makes the view more special.

And what a climb this has been.

Despite numerous self-imposed deadlines, I finally accepted that the book’s completion depended on God’s timing. However, I was still hoping I would finish it before I left on my trip to the Keys in late January.

As I prepared my rig for departure, a dozen inconveniences tried to stand in my way of getting to the Keys (See Finding Joy in the Challenges).

Once I got to the Keys, the real challenges began. Oh, what joy! Every day proved to be another test of my faith. The biggest test came when the proof copy did not arrive. I’m new to this, but I figured having a book talk/book signing without the books would be like having the wedding without the bride. My publisher placed a rush order, sight unseen. When the proof copy arrived hours later, I found mistakes. Though we’ve fixed them all now, I’m sure many more glaring issues exist. I hope you will forgive me.

Finishing Finding Joy in the West took about two years longer than expected. Then it took three months longer than my “realistic goal.” Life is like that sometimes. We have to keep on keeping on. I challenge you to keep working through the challenges life throws at you. No one told us it would be easy even when one is in the Keys living the Keyzee life. But the joy is greater for the struggle. Do not give up! The joy increases exponentially. In the end, let’s remember that finished is more important than perfect.

 Copies arrived in time for my first two book events. And thanks to many, many friends, I now have two Keyzee book talks under my author’s cap. I learned from the process and must say a BIG THANK YOU to all who have supported me in this adventure. Most importantly, I thank God for helping me to not just find joy in the west, but also to find joy in the challenges.

THANK YOU!

*Photo by Vern

Thanks for being a part of this journey!

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Joy M. Walker