Blog - Anna Christine Boulier

Writer, & Speaker, Homeschooling Momma

I can’t wait for you to meet my friend, Caroline Collie. A writer and speaker, this fabulous lady is a homeschool momma, wife, and writer. A lovely sense of humor, her blog posts gently infuse that humor while teaching you how to deepen your faith.

Caroline Collie sends out weekly devotionals, provides annual 30 Days Deeper Bible Studies, and is a phenomenal speaker. One of the many things I love about Caroline is her ability to take a simple, everyday moment in life and point the way to deepening your walk with Jesus. When she speaks, I find myself mesmerized by her stories.

I aim to inspire everyone who encounters my words to find a deeper walk with Jesus.

Caroline Collie

Writer & Speaker

During our first in-person meeting in March 2020, I got the chance to hear Caroline talk about her son, Blake. She told the amazing story of when she had to rush her eight-year-old to the ER to be told her boy had a brain bleed. (It’s a beautiful story and I won’t go into detail because you should read it for yourself in her own words. Blake’s Story) I remember listening to this story and was awed by God’s goodness. It was a story of grace, love, and faith.

Flash forward to October 2020, I was waiting to meet a literary agent to see about possibly publishing my first mystery novel. I had rushed to finish the story in less than a month to be ready for this important meeting. I was nervous but truly believe my publishing dreams were finally going to come true. That it was God-ordained.

I had a breakfast of gluten-free cereal while sitting across the table from Caroline. She told me about writing a screenplay surrounding her son’s hospitalization and the miracle God performed. I remember her telling me that the whole ordeal read like a story.

It was easy to write because God is the original writer.

Caroline Collie

Writer & Speaker

She retold me the story at that breakfast and reminded me again of the song “Raise a Halleluiah” with its importance in Blake’s miracle. A constant reminder that God is in control and we should rejoice because he is a good God. No matter what happens.

I went to my interview, confident in the outcome, and let me tell you on seven minutes later, I left that meeting in tears. I felt rejected, mocked, betrayed, and completely alone. I rushed to my room, called my Mom, and told her how badly it went. She encouraged me and made sure I was going to be okay. I still felt my heart was broken but I turned on my worship playlist and laid down on the bed in my hotel room. The first song that play was “Raise a Halleluiah.” As I cried my eyes out, it was my own personal reminder from God via Caroline Collie that God was the ultimate author. I just needed to trust Him and the story He is writing for me.

Be sure to check out Caroline Collie’s website and sign up for her newsletter. You will be blessed and encouraged. Besides devotionals and a blog to strengthen your faith, she also has a free Crisis eBook along with parenting resources on her website.

I hope you enjoyed this small glimpse of Caroline Collie’s awesomeness. Be sure to find her on social media as well.

Until next time, may God’s grace surround you,

Hope Writers

Hope*Writer Mastermind Series: Katie Kibbe

February 23, 2021April 9, 2021 Anna Christine

Coach, Writer, & Speaker

For my next introduction of a fabulous Hope*Writers Mastermind friend, I’m excited to have you meet Katie Kibbe. She is a true superwoman, a trifecta as a coach, writer, and speaker. This lovely woman helps women to embrace their stories so they can live confident in their calling.

In her own words…

Stories have the power to change lives and they need to be shared. I help women make sense of their missional moments so they can leave a lasting legacy with their family and community. I also help faith-based writers gain clarity and confidence so they can share their own transformational messages.

Our lives are made up of Missional Moments that define who we are and what we stand for. If we mine these moments and understand their meaning, our stories transform into a message that connects us with others. Our Missional Moments propel us to make a positive impact in other’s lives. The life-changing power of your message multiplies when your story is shared in conversations among women.

Katie Kibbe

Coach, Writer, Speaker

I can’t say when I first saw Katie. She showed up in Carlsbad with her sweet, loving spirit and was always nearby when I needed a friend or someone to talk to. She sparkled and glowed, always with a smile on her face and arms ready to hug a friend.

Katie is a talented writer and even better friend. She encourages, gently nudges, and guides you on your way. If you’ve fallen, she helps you up, if your lost, she leads you back to your right path. Insightful and wise, when Katie speaks, people listen.

Multi-talented, Katie offers a variety of ways to grow and learn how to deepen your faith and share your own story.

Faith-based discussion guides
Devotional studies to help you grow
One-on-one- coaching
Content coaching for writers
Her Blog

Katie has lived all over the United States, and traveled all over the world. Wife and mother of two, she understands how life can impact our stories. A lovely sense of humor, love of Texas, which is where she grew up.

I think of Katie as the momma of our group. She works to keep up together and connected, usually spearheading efforts to make our time together strong and lasting.

Be sure to check out Katie Kibbe’s website to learn more and see all of the wonderful ways Katie can help you achieve your God-given purpose.

I hope you enjoyed meeting Katie, an insightful, loving woman I am blessed to call friend.

Until next time, may God’s grace surround you,

Devotions

What in the Word?

January 15, 2021January 14, 2021 Anna Christine

Have You Chosen a Word for 2021?

I haven’t always had a word for the year. It’s really only something I’ve done recently but it hasn’t been embraced the way I think it can be.

If I had to choose a word for last year it would be FOCUS.

It might seem a strange word to apply during a pandemic but I think many people can say that a lot came into FOCUS during 2020.

Focus on What’s Important:

Family, Friends, Your Health, Faith, Safety

Focus on What’s Not Important:

Sports, Entertainment, Hollywood, Religion, Temporary Pleasures

For me personally, FOCUS came from leaving a corporate job which was making me sick to FOCUS on what God wanted me to do with my life.

The amazing part is when I did FOCUS on God’s plan, and not my own ideas, I found a career I love and is tailored to fit me perfectly.

I love being my own boss, helping clients find peace and joy through organization, and having the time for a wide range of creative pursuits.

When I began to think of a word for 2021, I was leaning toward growth, because I do want to grow a lot in this next year:

- Expanding Simply Designed Organization and the graphic design branch, Owl Simply Design
- Write more novels in my Grace Series, publish at least one new novel this year
- Publish the first novel in a new mystery series, The Sunday Mysteries, and write future novels
- Spend more time in prayer and reading the Bible with devotions focused on the books of the Bible

I was all set to make that my word until the first Monday night prayer service in January at my church. It was during the last song, I was down at the altar, praying for the upcoming election when our music minster began to sing a song that changed my thoughts on the word for this year.

It’s a song I’ve heard before and know the words, but when he sang out the word FORWARD, my spirit welled up and said “That’s your word for this year.”

I can’t tell you the song, I know it’s popular, but every time I try to think of it, I only hear the one word, FORWARD. Sung out clear and strong from that Monday night prayer service.

Nothing else will come to mind. I’ve tried to remember because I want to play the entire song over and over, but all I hear is the word FORWARD.

for·ward | fȯr-wƏrd (adverb)

1. In the direction one is facing or traveling; toward the front
2. Onward so as to make progress; toward a successful conclusion
3. Toward the future, ahead in time

Wow, what a word! Powerful! No wonder I can only hear the one word, echoing in my head and heart.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been waiting for some forward motion in my life for A LONG TIME.

The last few years life has been a real battle with health, security, and peace of mind. It seems like every time I make it through one battle, finally receive a breakthrough after much prayer and seeking the Lord, only to find it’s short-lived, because of another battle, mostly the same one starts right back up.

It’s emotionally exhausting and a cause of great frustration.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked God to help me to walk into victory, the abundant life Jesus promised from John 10:10.

Last year, I focused not only on what God wanted and His plan for my life, but I also focused on obeying his leadings.

It hasn’t been easy and there have been a lot of tears, hurt, fear, doubt, and confusion.

But I stayed focus on God, or at least when I lost focus, I found it again.

I truly feel God is telling me to move FORWARD. Standing firm on His promises in faith has gotten me here and now, I can take those promises FORWARD into both my professional and personal life.